Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

He Shutong saw You Su urgently defending Wangshu, and had already grasped the situation, feeling complex and indescribable.

On the day she took You Su as her disciple, she never imagined such a situation would occur.

When she enlightened You Su not to feel guilty for liking more than one woman, she didn’t expect Wangshu to be one of them.

Yet, after much thought, if Wangshu really sought a dao companion, who else would be more suitable than You Su?

It’s not uncommon for senior and junior disciples to become dao companions. If these two truly could be together, it would rid Wangshu of the distress of being taken away from her side, and her relationship with You Su would become even closer.

But her relationship with Wangshu was both teacher and mother, and which mother would willingly give her daughter to a man with a wife unless absolutely necessary?

Moreover, she had just been advising the married couple to harmonize their feelings and engage in dual cultivation...

"You do seem to protect your senior sister very dearly," He Shutong said calmly, still subtly observing You Su’s expressions.

Although her tone was normal, You Su, feeling guilty like a thief, heard it and felt the Master was implying something.

He cleared his throat and spoke solemnly, "It’s mutual. Since I first ascended the mountain, Senior Sister has treated me very well, so naturally, I should reciprocate."

The implication was clear: she did it too! And she did it first!

He Shutong nodded slightly in response; as long as You Su wasn’t using his position to deceive the pure Wangshu, she couldn’t blame You Su for anything.

At present, she could only wait for Wangshu to return and have a good chat with her before considering further.

"Wangshu’s temperament is aloof, largely because of me. I’m glad you two can get along well," He Shutong, softening her tone, didn’t want to scare You Su.

You Su dared not continue the conversation and scratched his head:

"Master need not blame herself. Senior Sister is very easy to get along with. Junior Sister entered after me, yet her relationship with Senior Sister is better than with me. By the way, Master, I have a pill to give to you."

After speaking, You Su finally took out the pure white shell.

He Kongyue furrowed her brows slightly, gave a light pinch with her jade hands, and the shell floated mid-air, slowly opening its tightly closed mouth.

A pearl-like, dazzling Immortal Pill revealed its true form, its surface as smooth as a mirror, with the pill sparkling in seven colors, stirring the surrounding Profound Qi, as if celebrating its arrival joyfully.

"Is this... the Nine Revolutions Spirit Recovery Elixir?"

He Shutong gazed at the Immortal Pill in disbelief, amazed that You Su had presented something so precious.

"How did you obtain this?"

Listening to Master’s stern tone, You Su answered honestly:

"Refined by the Seventh Elder. I completed the task given by the First Elder, and he gifted me this pill."

"So it was the Seventh Elder indeed..."

He Shutong remembered that eight years ago, when she left Lotus Peak, the Seventh Elder had already secluded himself for years to refine this pill.

"Do you not know the pill’s effectiveness?"

"I know."

"Since the First Elder granted you this pill, he believes you have the potential to break through to the Void Realm. Why give it to me then?" He Shutong spoke with some annoyance, feeling pressured by You Su’s selflessness.

"This pill is especially effective for merging with one’s natal object. Master needs it more than Su’er does. Naturally it should be given to Master."

You Su’s reasoning was simple; He Shutong was currently merging with the Lotus Heart, while he was still far from any supposed Void Realm breakthroughs, so the treasure ought to be used well.

"Merging the Lotus Heart poses no difficulty for me. I won’t accept it; keep it for yourself."

Feeling guilty, He Shutong reproached herself, unwilling to accept such a gift from You Su.

Clearly she was the Master, yet trapped here feeling worthless like a weak woman, only able to rely on You Su’s provisions.

You Su had anticipated Master’s refusal but had resolved to stick to his decision:

"I know Master has exceptional talent, but merging with one’s natal object does not happen overnight. How much longer Master will be trapped here is uncertain. Doesn’t Master wish to leave earlier?"

Of course, He Shutong did, especially knowing that her disciples were often imperiled and she was powerless to help; she constantly longed for it.

"I will focus on merging myself; don’t worry, just take care of yourself."

"Why shouldn’t I worry?"

You Su’s question left He Shutong speechless. Only then did she realize that trying to maintain an authoritative stance before You Su was now impossible.

"I wish for Master to leave earlier too, for Master is not just my teacher, but also my friend. I want someone to protect me during dangers, and a friend nearby in times of joy or sorrow. So even if this pill only hastens Master’s departure by one day, Su’er is willing."

You Su’s sincere words stirred Wavelets in He Shutong’s heart, feeling deeply guilty.

You Su’s first mentor irresponsibly vanished eight years ago, and she as the new teacher wished to accompany him but felt powerless.

Surely he’d desire the days of his youth, always having a teacher by his side...

"Fine... consider this pill as a debt I owe you. When you’re about to step into the Void Realm, I will repay you with something of equal value."

He Shutong could only convince herself in this way to accept You Su’s generous filialty.

She owed too much; leaving the pond earlier would allow compensating this child sooner...

You Su never sought rewards for his generosity; debts were inconsequential to him. His only wish was for Master to accept the pill.

"Then Master, rest well and refine the pill. I shall take my leave."

"Hmm."

Though He Shutong felt reluctant, she knew she couldn’t delay You Su any longer.