A Meeting Like Old Friends

"I saw... a light in the darkness, one that brought all things back to life. Then, a wave of green filled the world, brimming with vitality," Yun Xianzi's delicate eyes gleamed with complexity, shifting from dim to radiant, her serene gaze rippling like a tranquil lake disturbed by a gentle breeze.

As she finished speaking, she looked at Yang Fan with incredulous eyes, her gaze filled with astonishment.

Yang Fan was taken aback. *Am I not practicing a wood-element technique?* He mused. From Yun Xianzi's description, it seemed that the essence of his cultivation technique stood on a higher plane than merely the wood element. In this world, light must first exist before the green, life-filled world can emerge, granting all living things the meaning of existence.

Their eyes met in the void, and in that moment, they both reached a kind of clarity, a mutual understanding.

"Yang Yaoshi, may I ask—who is your master?" Yun Xianzi asked softly.

"This…" Yang Fan hesitated. "It's a rule of my sect that I must never reveal anything about it. I've sworn an oath, and I cannot break it." 

The secrets of his cultivation and the "Xianhong Ring" were not things he could share, not even with his closest kin. To do so might bring deadly disaster upon him and those around him. The fewer people who knew, the better—preferably only himself.

"Since you are bound by such difficulties, then let it be," Yun Xianzi sighed softly, though a hint of disappointment flickered across her face before she regained her composure.

"May I ask, Yun Xianzi, did you call me here just to inquire about my sect?" Yang Fan asked curiously.

Yun Xianzi smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling playfully, her demeanor softened into something far more feminine and approachable. "You need not call me Yun Xianzi anymore. My name is Yun Yuxi."

Yang Fan felt a surge of joy in his heart—he had finally learned her full name. Quickly, he asked, "Then how should I address you, Lady Yuxi?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how improper they sounded.

Yun Yuxi shot him a gentle, amused glance, her expression carrying the quiet grace of a young maiden. "You've already addressed me as such, and yet you ask me?"

"Haha! It was a slip of the tongue. From now on, I shall call you Lady Yuxi..." Yang Fan laughed heartily, feeling that Yun Xianzi was far more approachable than he had ever imagined.

Perhaps it was because they felt a deep connection upon meeting—an unspoken rapport, like kindred spirits. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, with no barriers.

"By the way, Lady Yuxi, your name is quite interesting. 'Cloud,' 'Rain,' and 'Evening'—it contains three elements of nature," Yang Fan remarked with a teasing smile, his tone playful yet respectful.

Ordinarily, no one would dare speak so freely in front of Yun Xianzi. But for the two of them, it felt as though they had known each other for a long time, their bond deeper than that of mere acquaintances.

Yun Yuxi shook her head, pretending to be cross, though her expression was warm. "I've shared my name, yet you, sir, have yet to reveal your own. Do you look down upon me, refusing even a name?"

Yang Fan paused, then gave a wry smile. "I have my reasons for withholding my full name."

Yun Yuxi's voice softened, as though speaking to herself. "I was an orphan, without family, raised by my master. In my life, I've never been alone with any man, let alone invited one to meet me and revealed my name first. If you have your reasons, I shall not press."

Touched by her sincerity, Yang Fan thought to himself that his name was not one of great renown—it would come out eventually. With a sigh, he finally said, "My name is Yang Fan. I hope Lady Yuxi will keep this between us."

"Thank you, Yang Gongzi. I will not tell a soul," Yun Yuxi smiled behind her veil, though even through it, Yang Fan could sense her beauty, a smile that could steal one's breath away.

The two shared a quiet smile before looking away. Yun Yuxi appeared slightly shy.

With that, their conversation became even more relaxed, free of awkwardness, and there was a subtle undercurrent of mutual admiration—a feeling difficult to express in words.

Yang Fan spoke briefly of his past, but Yun Yuxi, sensing his reticence, did not pry further.

"I was abandoned at birth, no family to speak of. Luckily, my master found and raised me, allowing me to cultivate the immortal path. I possess an innate talent—a natural affinity with the plants and trees of nature. Even the most ancient and profound technique of Yao Xiangu, the 'Immortal Fragrance Art,' came to me with ease..." Yun Yuxi spoke of her origins with a calm, serene tone, her voice flowing like a crystal stream, soothing and pure.

All the while, the faint fragrance of flowers and herbs lingered around Yang Fan, filling him with a sense of clarity and tranquility.

"How old is Lady Yuxi this year?" Yang Fan asked, his curiosity piqued.

From her remarkable skills in medicine and her cultivation, which might have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he could not determine her actual age.

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen?" Yang Fan was stunned, struggling to believe what he had just heard.

At sixteen, Yang Fan had still been at the peak of the Qi Refinement stage, only reaching the Condensation stage at eighteen.

Though Yun Yuxi's youthful demeanor matched her age, the level of her cultivation was astonishing, far beyond what one might expect. She was no ordinary girl, despite her tender years.

"And why does Gongzi ask?" Yun Yuxi inquired, perplexed by his reaction.

Yang Fan laughed, "I only asked because, with such high cultivation, I never expected you to be so young."

Of course, Yang Fan had other reasons for asking, ones he did not voice aloud.

"And how old are you, Gongzi?" Yun Yuxi asked in a soft voice, with a hint of shyness, though her veil concealed much of her expression.

"Eighteen," Yang Fan replied, feeling a bit relieved. At least he was two years older than her, avoiding any awkwardness.

They exchanged a glance, seeming to understand each other, though they quickly looked away.

After speaking for a while longer, Yun Yuxi stood gracefully, gazing out over the distant waters of the "Clear River," her expression tinged with a trace of unease.

Yang Fan rose as well, standing mere inches from her, feeling as though time had flown by. Yet, it had been an extraordinarily pleasant meeting.

"Lady Yuxi, are you leaving?" Yang Fan asked, unable to hide a hint of reluctance.

Yun Yuxi nodded slightly, her voice low. "When we part today, I do not know when we might meet again. I managed to send my junior sisters away, but they may return soon."

Understanding dawned on Yang Fan. No wonder he hadn't seen her senior sister Lin Yu this time—it seemed there were others with them as well.

"Lady Yuxi, we met as though by fate. If the opportunity arises, I shall visit Yao Xiangu to see you," Yang Fan said with a smile, bowing slightly.

"Gongzi mustn't do that," Yun Yuxi's eyes filled with worry for the first time. "If you come to Yao Xiangu, it will only bring harm to you."

"Why?" Yang Fan was puzzled, recalling what Lin Yu had once said to him: 

*"If you're wise, you can guess my meaning. I've only said these things to spare you from disaster. My junior sister seems to have some affection for you, and if someone like Chu Yunhan finds out, even your family won't be spared."*

Yun Yuxi and Yang Fan exchanged glances, her eyes filled with concern. She whispered, "My master is very strict. She fears I might end up like my senior sister..."

"Your senior sister? You mean a former disciple of Yao Xiangu?"

Yang Fan suddenly recalled the secret tale of Yao Xiangu that Elder Yuan had once mentioned.

"Yes, my senior sister passed away more than a decade ago. My master still grieves deeply over it..." Yun Yuxi's voice softened, tinged with sadness.

"Very well, Lady Yuxi. We part here," Yang Fan sighed.

"May I ask, where is Gongzi's home?" Yun Yuxi asked, her eyes reflecting her reluctance.

Before Yang Fan could answer, a distant voice called out, "Junior Sister Yun—"

The voice belonged to none other than her senior sister Lin Yu.

At that moment, a streak of sword light approached rapidly. Within a few breaths, a young man in white landed gracefully beside Yun Yuxi, bowing slightly. "Yun Xianzi, we've been searching for you everywhere."

Yang Fan's heart sank when he saw the young man—he knew this person!