Lü Shaoqing brought Xiao Yi back to Ju Xian Tower once again.
As they walked in, Wang Yao approached to greet them. "Senior Brother Lü!"
Lü Shaoqing eyed Wang Yao up and down, noticing the respect from the other staff members. "Got promoted, did you?"
Wang Yao scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "I'm not sure myself. The owner sent Steward Zhang back to the Fang family and promoted me as the new steward of the restaurant."
Lü Shaoqing patted him on the shoulder, "Not bad, not bad."
"Oh, by the way, as the steward, what discount can you give me?"
"Senior Brother Lü, your meals at Ju Xian Tower are always on the house."
Fang Xiao had arrived, smiling graciously as she greeted Lü Shaoqing and Xiao Yi. "Welcome, Senior Brother Lü, Miss Xiao."
Lü Shaoqing turned to her with a cautious look. "What was that you just said, Boss?"
Fang Xiao smiled warmly. "I said, Senior Brother Lü, your meals here are always complimentary."
Immediately, Lü Shaoqing's expression shifted to one of suspicion. "What are you up to, Boss? I'm not for sale."
Fang Xiao nearly choked on her own breath. Who on earth wants to buy you?
But she paused, giving Lü Shaoqing a quick once-over. Then again, if you really insisted, maybe it wouldn't be so bad...
Lü Shaoqing had a handsome face, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes full of depth, his features well-defined and exuding a youthful energy. If he were to participate in a matchmaking event, there would undoubtedly be many admirers.
Holding back a laugh, Fang Xiao replied, "Senior Brother Lü, you're a direct disciple of Ling Xiao Sect, the junior brother of Ji Yan, and your master, Shao Cheng, is a Nascent Soul cultivator. With such status, there are plenty of people who would want to curry favor with you."
She continued, "I'm simply hoping to build a friendship and establish a good relationship with you."
Especially considering your potential, she thought to herself. Remembering that night's events, Fang Xiao couldn't help but shiver. The overwhelming sword intent and Lü Shaoqing's sharp instincts made it clear that he was not as simple as he appeared. Had it not been for the protective talisman her father gave her—a Nascent Soul cultivator himself—Lü Shaoqing might have already discovered her presence. That fact alone proved how dangerous he truly was.
A genius like this, Fang Xiao knew, was someone worth befriending. A connection with him could only be beneficial.
Lü Shaoqing studied Fang Xiao for a moment. If she knew my identity the first time I came, why didn't she offer free meals back then?
But he wasn't planning to accept the offer. Although I'm broke, I won't just take favors for nothing. After all, accepting a favor ties your hands. I'm not looking for any trouble.
"Thanks for the offer, Boss, but that won't be necessary," Lü Shaoqing said, shaking his head. "You already promised me a 50% discount when I dine here, and that's good enough."
Fang Xiao was taken aback, her estimation of Lü Shaoqing rising even higher. He's so cautious—definitely not an ordinary person.
Fang Xiao smiled and insisted, "Senior Brother Lü, don't be so formal. It's just a gesture of friendship. Or do you look down on a weak girl like me?"
"Why would I? It's just that I don't want to take advantage of you. After all, running a restaurant as a young woman must be tough," Lü Shaoqing replied sincerely.
Once again, Fang Xiao found herself impressed. Even when faced with such a small favor, Lü Shaoqing refuses to accept it.
"Boss, you don't have to waste your time here with us. Wang Yao can take care of everything," Lü Shaoqing continued. "Let's go, Wang Yao, lead us to a private room."
Wang Yao glanced at Fang Xiao, who nodded. "This way, Senior Brother Lü, Miss Xiao."
Fang Xiao remained in place, deep in thought as she watched them leave.
Once in the private room, Lü Shaoqing ordered a table full of dishes. Xiao Yi, however, slumped over the table with a fatigued expression, lacking any appetite.
For a cultivator, a month of intense training was not a big deal, even if it lasted a year. But with Ji Yan personally supervising her training, the pressure on Xiao Yi had been enormous, leaving her mentally drained.
"Second Senior Brother, I'm so tired..." Xiao Yi lay limply across the table while the little red bird pecked away at the food in front of her.
"You'll get used to it. Trust me," Lü Shaoqing said casually. "Master almost collapsed a few times himself. You just have to endure it."
"Really?" Xiao Yi perked up, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Master went through that too?"
"Of course. Otherwise, how do you think Master managed to advance from the Core Formation stage to the Nascent Soul stage in just ten years?" Lü Shaoqing smirked. "Half of his progress is thanks to our Senior Brother."
"That's intense!" Xiao Yi exclaimed, her eyes widening in amazement.
"What about you? Did Senior Brother put you through the same kind of training?" she asked, intrigued.
Lü Shaoqing chuckled. "Nope. Your Second Senior Brother is a natural talent. Even Senior Brother pales in comparison when he stands before me. He wouldn't dare try and supervise my training."
Xiao Yi frowned, clearly not buying it. "I don't believe that. Everyone says Senior Brother Ji Yan has the most incredible talent. How could you possibly be better than him?"
"It's obvious you're just too lazy for even Senior Brother to handle," she added.
Lü Shaoqing only smiled mysteriously, not saying another word.
Xiao Yi, sensing there was more to the story, sat up straight, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Second Senior Brother, could you tell me how Master accepted you and Senior Brother as his disciples?"
Given how different Ji Yan and Lü Shaoqing's personalities were, Xiao Yi couldn't imagine how they ended up as fellow disciples under Shao Cheng. She was curious about the circumstances that led to their apprenticeship.
"Well," Lü Shaoqing began, "when Senior Brother Ji Yan first came to Ling Xiao Sect, he was very bold. He claimed that whoever took him as a disciple would be incredibly lucky and that he'd help his master ascend to immortality one day."
Xiao Yi's eyes went wide. "Senior Brother really said that?"
"Oh, he did. He was so arrogant that he almost got himself killed for it."
"At the time, our master, though the peak lord, was not very powerful. No one was willing to be his disciple. So, when he saw Senior Brother in trouble, he stepped in to save him and took the chance to accept him as a disciple. The two have been a pair ever since—two peas in a pod."
Xiao Yi burst out laughing. "What kind of description is that?"
"And what about you? How did you end up as Master's disciple?"
Lü Shaoqing shrugged casually. "When Master saw me, he was astonished by my talent and begged me to become his disciple."
"You know me—I have a soft heart. I can't turn down a request. So, after Master pleaded with me several times, I reluctantly agreed."