Wang Lan Biyu patiently brews tea for her master, her movements elegant and eye-catching. Instead of a young girl, she was now ten and two, a young girl soon to be a woman. Although she was still considered adorable. When she grew up, Minglan could tell this obedient disciple of his would become a walking disaster in the future. Her silver eyes were still slanted like a beautiful winter fox, dressed in white from head to toe made her resemble one even more so. Jade's colored skin and pretty hands that were full of calluses showed how much hard work she put in even being as talented as she was. It seemed she excelled in everything. "Biyu, how is your cultivation rank now?" Lan Biyu's voice matured even more now into a sweet-sounding tone.
Even if her voice was cold you could not help but adore her whole person after hearing her speak. "To answer master's question, this disciple's cultivation rank is now at late martial king." Minglan wasn't surprised at this point seeing how fast she advanced in only a few years. He fondly rubs her head with a loving smile, "My good daughter, when it is just us I already told you it is alright to call me father." She recalls how hard her master worked back then to get her accepted into the Azure sect and lowers her head. "Yes, father."
He sighs seeing how reserved his adopted daughter was still. "Soon the Àn Xīng realm will open again, with it the gathering of sects to try and secure spots for their disciples to enter. After ten years it has decided to open its gates once more." Lan Biyu felt complicated in her heart remembering her master's past and her memories of that place. The stern-faced girl shows slight hesitancy, recalling the faces of her fellow disciples smiling at her without discrimination. "Mas-...Father, forgive me for being blunt but, the others are not ready to face such a dangerous place yet. Perhaps, we should refrain from entering the Àn Xīng realm this year."
Minglan knowing her thoughts couldn't help but adore this girl even more. Although she still held the same cold and indifferent attitude. He knew that deep down the girl had already grown somewhat fond of the others residing here, even if it was only a tiny bit. Minglan sighed deeply as he took the tea she served him enjoying the fragrant scent. "Only when facing true adversity will one learn that they are not the only tigers occupying a large mountain. The world is large and so is the amount of talented youths out there."
She kept quiet listening to his words as he tapped his cup, the man staring into the tea, keeping a calm appearance. "I cannot keep you all sheltered here ignorant to the outside world forever. When the day comes for me to join the immortals in the sky. Who will protect you from invaders who are ready to pounce waiting outside our gates?" Lan Biyu lowers her head even more knowing he was right but hating it despite his teachings. The hand holding the teapot trembles as she places it on the table to hide her weakness. She merely, feared that if there were to be an accident her master wouldn't be able to bear the consequences of his decision. "Master is right, this disciple was wrong." Minglan pats her hand gently, knowing the girl's heart.
"Do not be so hard on yourself. You are merely too soft-hearted and kind, master knows you best. In these past few years, master knows you hold your comrades in your heart. It is alright to care for others, but try to think for the better of our entire sect, not for just a handful of people. Only by becoming stronger will they no longer need your protection." Lan Biyu took his advice to heart and refills his empty cup silently, not correcting his view. As the beautiful girl does this their tea time is interrupted by a knock on his study door.
A gentle looking youth in his teens smiles upon being granted entrance. Lan Biyu remains cold in face of his smile staring at him with disdain. "Master, Junior sister Wang. You called for me?" Instead of showing a doting expression as he does with Lan Biyu, Minglan huffs at his disciple. "You're late! Don't you know how long ago this master called for you?! Look at your junior sister and learn from her! Even though she arrived here earlier than you she still took the time to prepare and personally pour me tea waiting for you! You brat! Cant you be more thoughtful?!"
Da Chuanli being scolded wasn't afraid or ashamed only smiling while taking the pot from Lan Biyu to personally pour his childish master a cup. Da Chuanli wasn't late, in fact, he was right on time. But in face of his shameless master playing favorites, he only continued coaxing his master into a better mood. Lan Biyu doesn't move from her seat when Da Chuanli finally gets to greet her properly once Minglan settled down having had his fun of scolding him. "Junior sister Wang is kind and thoughtful, senior brother is ashamed and would like to apologize to junior sister as well."
When he goes to pour her tea Lan Biyu doesn't touch the cup, giving it a sparing glance of distaste. "No need." Minglan felt better upon seeing his adopted daughter's disinterest in this other walking disaster. Ling Da Chuanli was a handsome lad who resembled warm jade. When he smiled no one could reject his requests or even dare hide anything from him. With honey-colored eyes that were sweet and charming as well as a gentle easy-going attitude. Plus symmetrical face and lean figure, he was labeled as the young master of Azure sect.
Minglan felt a headache incoming remembering how many times he saw besotted girls from their mountains come to bother his disciple. Or how many elders tried to make him sell his young student as cultivation partners for their own favorite disciples. Suddenly in a bad mood, he arrogantly slaps the table, scowling at the handsome lad. "You! Hurry and sit down or do you plan to make this master stand with you?!" Da Chuanli doesn't take offense to Lan Biyu's coldness or Minglan's scolding he continues smiling in return before taking a seat.
Minglan clears his throat feeling a bit better once he sat, seeing how obedient Da Chaunli was made him feel a sense of satisfaction. "I called you here today to hear your thoughts on who should lead you and your fellow disciples down the mountain. I already have a few people in mind but would like to hear your opinion on this matter." Da Chuanli took this very serious and his brows furrow as his thinks to himself. Minglan was pleased the young man knew how serious this was, it was not something they should carelessly assign to someone.
"The best to lead would most likely be Fuqing, he is fair and knows how to use manners. He also isn't easy to push around and can be counted to be one of the best suited to rely on when it comes to property. The other I recommend would be Gao Chang, although hot-headed and short-tempered. When it comes to serious situations he knows how to handle himself in a respectful way while also knowing how to hold his ground appropriately." Not hearing her own name Lan Biyu relaxes slightly. But there was someone who wasn't happy with Da Chuanli's choices, Minglan frowns at Da Chuanli.
"Do you not think my daughter is fit to lead a group down? She also has the same qualifications those two have." Lan Biyu's brow twitches. Taking a subtle deep breath, she closes her eyes to count silently for a moment before opening them again with a mild yet chilly look in her eyes. Minglan mistook this expression as anger at Da Chuanli for not thinking highly of her. So he glares at his disciple with reproach, but Da Chuanli isn't afraid. His stance remained unmoved even being glared at by his master.