Time flies, and two months passed in the blink of an eye. The green mountains outside the city remained lush and verdant, save for the leaves in the forest growing somewhat denser.
During this period, Lin Shanshan ventured out less and less frequently. Even when she occasionally managed to step outside for fresh air, it was almost always in the company of her mother, Wu Qiongxue. It was evident that her mother watched over her with extreme care and anxiety. Ever since that last incident, the time she and Chen Yingjian spent together had dwindled to a pitifully small amount. Chen Yingjian knew the reason for this in his heart, but could only let out a helpless sigh.
Throughout these past two months, Chen Yingjian subjected himself to grueling physical limit training every single morning. From noon until afternoon, he diligently practiced mystical techniques, and from evening straight through to the next morning, he continued his cultivation, practicing almost day and night without stopping. His strict demands on himself regarding cultivation were truly desperate. The goal he had originally anticipated taking half a year to achieve was actually shortened by three months. This ruthless drive he had toward himself was partly stimulated by Wu Qiongxue's words. Whenever he grew completely exhausted, the memory of Wu Qiongxue's sneer that day would pierce his heart like a sharp blade, causing him to grit his teeth and force himself back up to continue cultivating. He only wanted to let Wu Qiongxue know that he was no longer good-for-nothing trash, that he was worthy of her daughter, and that he could give Lin Shanshan the very best. He was no longer that useless piece of wood incapable of practicing the Dao, and he firmly believed he could walk extremely far upon the path of cultivation, even reaching the True Immortal Realm.
If anyone were to learn of this ambition, they would undoubtedly ridicule him and perhaps even call him a madman.
Eight or nine out of ten things in life do not go as one wishes. Even with Chen Yingjian exerting himself to such a degree, matters did not necessarily unfold according to his desires.
A few days prior, Lin Yi's younger sister Lin Xingyu—who was Lin Shanshan's paternal aunt, whom she had never met—suddenly returned from the immortal cultivation sect. Her return completely altered Lin Shanshan's destiny.
On the very first day following Lin Xingyu's return...
It was a gentle, sunlit morning. Lin Shanshan wore a light blue dress and stood quietly by the flowerbeds in the courtyard, slightly raising her head to inhale the fragrance of the blossoms. The sunlight washed over her, outlining her graceful figure and delicate profile.
Lin Xingyu walked over softly, her gaze carrying a mix of curiosity and warmth. Sensing someone approaching, Lin Shanshan turned her head, a flash of initial surprise in her eyes giving way to a polite, slight smile.
Looking her niece up and down, Lin Xingyu spoke up, "You must be Shanshan. What a striking young woman."
A faint blush crept onto Lin Shanshan's cheeks as she softly replied, "Hello, Auntie."
Taking Lin Shanshan's hands, Lin Xingyu examined her features closely and remarked with emotion, "They truly say a girl changes eighteen times by adulthood; you've grown into such a vibrant beauty."
Feeling rather shy, Lin Shanshan lowered her gaze, unsure of how to respond.
Lin Xingyu continued, "I've heard about you for a long time. Seeing you today, you really are an endearing child."
Lin Shanshan bit her lower lip, a trace of reserve lingering in her eyes.
Ever since Lin Xingyu's return, whenever there was even a moment of leisure, Wu Qiongxue would drag Lin Shanshan along to share tea, make idle chatter, and stroll through the markets with Lin Xingyu. The sheer enthusiasm was rather difficult to bear; although Lin Shanshan followed her mother's wishes and maintained proper manners, Lin Xingyu could still perceive the underlying helplessness deep within her eyes. On one occasion, when Wu Qiongxue stepped away to attend to some matters, leaving only Lin Xingyu and Lin Shanshan behind, Lin Xingyu looked at the young girl and said softly, "Shaner, tell your aunt about you and that Chen Yingjian." Lin Shanshan bit her lip and remained silent. Her mind was in a turmoil of internal conflict: *Should I tell my aunt? If I tell her, will she oppose me too?* Taking her hand, Lin Xingyu said gently, "Don't be afraid. Auntie just wants to understand a bit better." After hesitating for a moment, Lin Shanshan slowly began to recount the past between herself and Chen Yingjian, thinking to herself, *Perhaps Auntie can understand how I feel.*
***
In a small courtyard within the City Lord's Mansion, located in the central district of Fenglin City's eastern sector.
It was the afternoon, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the foliage, casting mottled patches of light across the courtyard.
"Mother, I don't want to go to some immortal sect. I only want to stay in Fenglin City and keep you and Father company," Lin Shanshan thought with absolute determination. "I only want to be with Brother Yingjian. Cultivation is not as important to me as he is."
"I see it's not for me and your father's sake—it's that you can't let go of that good-for-nothing!"
"Brother Yingjian is not good-for-nothing!" Lin Shanshan's heart was filled with grievance and anger. "Why doesn't either of you understand me?"
The mother and daughter's heated argument drifted faintly out from the room, causing Lin Xingyu, who had come looking for Lin Shanshan, to pause her steps and halt a yard away from the door. Her delicate brows knitted slightly, her beautiful eyes shifting as an expression of astonishment crossed her pretty face. To think someone actually did not want to enter an immortal cultivation sect! That was a sacred cultivation ground that everyone dreamed of; outsiders would break their heads trying to get in, yet this niece was refusing so resolutely. Could that youth truly be more important than cultivation? Shifting her gaze toward the window, she saw two slender silhouettes cast beneath the window shades.
Inside the guest room:
"What does it matter if he's an ordinary person? As long as we love each other, being together is enough." Lin Shanshan's brows furrowed slightly as she wore a steadfast, stubborn expression. In her eyes, as long as she could accompany the person she loved, it didn't matter whether she cultivated or not. At that moment, she cried out in her heart: *Why can't my love be accepted?*
Hearing these words instantly caused Wu Qiongxue's face to flush red, her heart feeling as though it were about to burst as anger and anxiety intertwined. Lin Shanshan's stubbornness left her speechless for a long time. Finally, trembling as she pointed a finger at Lin Shanshan, she breathed heavily and lashed out harshly, "You've grown up, and now your wings are hard! You won't even listen to my words anymore... Ah... Have you ever considered how such self-will will make your father lose all face in Fenglin City? Won't the Lin Family become a laughingstock?!"
The stern words caused Lin Shanshan's expression to shift slightly. She bit down hard on her red lips and remained silent. In truth, she had never considered any of those things. Wu Qiongxue's words were somewhat exaggerated and not nearly that severe. Having been raised by her mother since childhood, Lin Shanshan knew her personality well; these words were merely meant to frighten her. Lin Shanshan felt terribly hurt inside: *Why can't Mother understand my true feelings?*
Looking at Lin Shanshan's aggrieved expression, her eyes shimmering with mist as she fell silent once more, Wu Qiongxue's anger subsided slightly after a moment. Letting out a long breath filled with helplessness and worry, she said affectionately, "Shaner, listen to Mother. Go and learn the arts with your aunt, and forget about him. He is merely a passing traveler in your life; in the future, you will surely meet an outstanding man you can rely upon."
"No... Mother... You're lying to me. When I was little, you said that as long as two people love each other, distance is not a problem." Lin Shanshan shook her head desperately, continuously wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. *Mother, I've always remembered what you used to say. Why have you changed now?* Lin Shanshan wept inwardly.
"You—" Wu Qiongxue was choked into speechlessness, a mix of regret and fury churning in her heart. Those were words Lin Shanshan had asked about when she was a little girl, and she had simply answered offhand back then, never expecting the child to still remember them. At that moment, Wu Qiongxue felt like slapping herself across the face, blaming herself for talking nonsense.
And understandably so; Lin Shanshan had held a fondness for that person since childhood. If that fellow ever found out, he would probably be moved to tears and thank the heavens for the blessing.
Watching a heartbroken Lin Shanshan, Wu Qiongxue felt as though her heart was being pierced by countless needles. A fierce wave of hatred welled up within her: if not for him, Shaner wouldn't be this disobedient, heartbroken, and upset, nor would she be giving up her cultivation in the immortal sect... This layered resentment and hatred made Wu Qiongxue realize she had never loathed a person so intensely before.
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Shaner, your father and I have only you as our precious daughter. We carefully nurtured you since you were little, hoping you would achieve success in the realm of cultivation, step beyond the Loulan Empire, and shine brightly throughout the world. Yet now you are so stubbornly obsessed, truly breaking our hearts and leaving us disappointed. When our highest expectations turn to bubbles, how can we not feel let down?" Filled with bitterness and helplessness, Wu Qiongxue spoke with a trembling voice, well aware of Lin Shanshan's stubborn persistence. With a heavy sigh and a dim gaze, she shook her head in disappointment.
With that, Wu Qiongxue hesitated for a moment, turned around, and pushed the door open. Outside, a gentle breeze rustled the hem of her garments. Knowing that speaking further at this moment would be useless, she could only hope her daughter would eventually come to her senses on her own.
With a creak, the door pushed open.
As Wu Qiongxue stepped outside, she spotted Lin Xingyu ahead. Sighing, she walked toward the main gate. Passing by Lin Xingyu, she paused her steps, hesitated, and then turned her head to say, "Xingyu, please help me persuade Shaner, will you?"
Meeting that pleading gaze, Lin Xingyu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister-in-law. I will talk some sense into Shaner; she will understand your good intentions."
"With those words from you, I can rest easy." Wu Qiongxue nodded gratefully. After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, Wu Qiongxue departed.
Watching her retreating figure for a moment, Lin Xingyu shook her head and walked toward Lin Shanshan's room.
Pushing the door open gently, Lin Xingyu saw Lin Shanshan lying facedown on the bed, her shoulders heaving as she wept softly.
A sorrowful atmosphere permeated the room, while tree branches outside the window swayed in the gentle breeze.
Walking over to the edge of the bed to sit down, Lin Xingyu patted Lin Shanshan's back and said softly, "Shaner, stop crying. Auntie is here."
Hearing the voice, Lin Shanshan lifted her head, revealing red, swollen eyes and a face covered in tear tracks.
"Auntie, I really don't want to leave Brother Yingjian," Lin Shanshan said between sobs, her heart filled with reluctance and pain.
Lin Xingyu gave a helpless smile and said, "But love alone cannot put food on the table, and there are many practical issues in life. Think about it: if you encounter danger in the future and he lacks the ability to protect you, what will you do?"
Biting her lip, Lin Shanshan replied, "Brother Yingjian will work hard to become strong. I believe in him." Deep in her heart, Lin Shanshan firmly trusted in Chen Yingjian's capabilities and their love.
Taking Lin Shanshan's hand, Lin Xingyu said, "Shaner, Auntie understands how you feel, but you must also consider your parents. They are doing this for your own good, hoping you have a wonderful future."
After a brief silence, Lin Shanshan lowered her head and murmured, "Auntie, I know they mean well, but..." Her mind was torn by intense conflict—on one side were her parents' expectations, and on the other was her own romance.
Stroking Lin Shanshan's hair gently, Lin Xingyu said, "Shaner, how about this: you come with Auntie to take a look at the immortal sect first. If you still cannot let go of Chen Yingjian by then, Auntie will accompany you back."
After pondering for a long while, Lin Shanshan nodded and said, "Auntie, I'll listen to you." Even as she nodded in agreement, her heart still refused to let go of Chen Yingjian.
A gratified smile appeared on Lin Xingyu's face as she said, "That's a good girl."
Meanwhile, Chen Yingjian, who was cultivating in the valley outside the city, remained entirely unaware that Lin Shanshan was about to leave for the immortal sect. Amidst the chirping of insects and birds in the valley, he remained single-mindedly immersed in his cultivation.