"Anyway, let's get up first." I looked away.
If we stayed in this position any longer, even I wasn't sure my sanity could handle it.
Some paths were better left unexplored. I'd pass on that, thanks.
Once I stood up, I noticed the back of my robes was stained black across a large area.
Yunshu hadn't escaped either. His dark blue hair, pale hands, and smooth delicate legs were all splattered with the same black liquid.
Looking at my junior's embarrassed and apologetic expression, I suddenly felt a wave of relief. Thank God the failed potion had turned black, otherwise I'd never be able to explain myself to Sumin.
I ignored Yunshu and turned to clean up the aftermath while taking stock of the damage.
The earlier explosion had been impressive, but fortunately its actual power was limited. The cave hadn't collapsed and even the stone platform only had a small chip missing from one corner. However all the bottles and jars had been completely destroyed.
Well, broken things meant peace and safety, right?
The only headache now was cleaning up.
"Senior Brother, let me help you." Yunshu stepped forward, wanting to do his part to try and repair his relationship with his senior.
"Fine." I nodded my agreement.
At least the kid had some conscience, he knew to help clean up his own mess.
Yunshu tried to channel his water-attribute spiritual energy to wash away the stains, but he discovered his spiritual power had absolutely no effect on the black stuff.
As expected of Senior Brother, even his failed potions had properties that repelled spiritual energy. With this thought, Yunshu rolled up his sleeves and joined me in using the most primitive physical methods to clean the cave.
After 30 minutes, we finally got the place tidied up.
"Ah, finally finished cleaning." Yunshu stretched as he spoke.
His face was also stained with the black substance, and combined with his lively expression, there was something uniquely adorable about it.
My anger had subsided by now. Looking at Yunshu, who resembled a little kitten, my tone softened: "I built a simple bath in the back courtyard that draws from the spiritual spring. Go wash up, then head back to Phoenix Peak."
I didn't want Yunshu returning all dirty like this, in case others saw him and mistakenly thought he'd been bullied by me.
Yunshu took this as a sign that his senior brother forgave him, and his heavy mood immediately lightened considerably.
He clasped his hands behind his back, bent his right leg slightly with his toe touching the ground, tilted his head, and his brown eyes sparkled with brilliant starlight.
"Senior Brother, why don't we go together? I'll scrub your back as an apology."
Yunshu naturally hadn't forgotten his parents' earnest teachings from when he was very young: "Boys must always protect themselves when they're out." But he trusted his Senior Brother's character. If it was Senior Brother, nothing like Brother Lan, no! would ever happen.
My gaze toward Yunshu instantly filled with wariness.
Yo bro… something's not right with you!
This Yunshu guy had pure, innocent looks and seemed completely naive about the world, but his expressions and movements always unconsciously radiated a natural charm that gave off serious girl vibes.
Simply put, he had that pure-yet-seductive style, both innocent and alluring. His lethal power against straight men was terrifying. He truly deserved the title Celestial Gate's Number One Heartbreaker.
Therefore, I absolutely didn't dare accept his invitation, afraid that if I wasn't careful, I'd be ruthlessly turned by this guy.
"No, no way. Junior, that bath is pretty small, you go by yourself." I waved my hands frantically, then fled as if escaping.
This Yunshu was far too dangerous. Better to avoid him entirely.
I returned to my room, changed my outer robe, washed my hair clean, then went to find Sumin to explain.
I knocked on her door.
After a brief rustling sound, Sumin came running to open the door.
I saw her face was slightly flushed, her feet twisted nervously against the ground, and her dark green eyes darted around, deliberately avoiding meeting my gaze. She seemed still embarrassed about what she'd witnessed earlier.
I spoke with a mixture of tears and laughter: "Junior, I think you've misunderstood my relationship with Yunshu."
Sumin quickly stated her position: "Senior Brother, I understand everything. I won't say anything about it, I swear."
The girl raised three fingers toward the sky in a swearing gesture as she spoke.
After fleeing back to her room, she'd figured it out. Cultivators often lived far longer than ordinary people, and precisely because they lived so long, they developed all sorts of preferences and fetishes, including certain... alternative romantic inclinations.
Cultivators lived freely and pursued their true selves, others had no right to judge.
However, Sulan was Celestial Gate's senior brother and the leader of the sect's younger generation. If word got out that he liked cute boys, those with malicious intent would inevitably take advantage of it, creating all sorts of disgusting rumors to smear him from different angles.
Senior Brother had shown me such great kindness, naturally I had to protect his reputation as much as possible.
Sumin could understand her senior brother's difficulties, but he'd denied it twice now instead of asking her to keep it secret. Perhaps this meant he didn't completely trust her yet.
That made sense. She and him hadn't spent much time together yet, and trust had to be built gradually.
Sumin hoped that as time passed and their understanding deepened, Senior Brother would accept her and truly consider her one of his own people.
Hearing Sumin say this, I couldn't help but hold my forehead.
What a disaster! The original misunderstanding was already enough to drive me crazy, and now she was making up even more stories? Her imagination had more holes than Swiss cheese.
I sighed deeply and explained the whole situation to her from beginning to end.
"...So you see, it was purely an accident. he and I really don't have any... special relationship."
Yunshu was a Level 3. To avoid exposing my true strength, I was too busy avoiding him to get involved.
Therefore, no matter what anyone said, I didn't want to get entangled with that guy. Otherwise, things probably wouldn't end well for me.
"Really?" Sumin's voice carried what sounded like relief.
I placed my hand on her head, stroking her white-silver hair, and answered with a smile: "Of course it's true. Your senior brother only likes girls."
I had it all planned out. Once Yunshu finished cleaning up, I'd escort him down from Heavenly Jade Peak and find a good excuse to keep him from bothering me in the future.
As for Yunshu's cultivation questions? What did that have to do with me?
I was only Level 1, how could I possibly guide someone at Level 3? That would be absurd!