Chapter 266: I Was Preoccupied With Other Matters
'Don't worry, kid, I will tell you why I want you to accept this challenge later, but now… why don't we greet our new guest?' Xu Zhiyuan said with a smile.
'Guest?' Chen Tian asked in confusion, but he found out in a second as a new voice rang out in his head.
'Xu Zhiyuan, why are you here?' Duan Shu asked, showing up out of thin air in the face of Xu Zhiyuan.
She had a calm expression on her face as she looked at Xu Zhiyuan.
When Xu Zhiyuan appeared above her Pill Peak, she quickly sensed him, and since Xu Zhiyuan wasn't trying to hide his presence, it wasn't difficult for her.
Both of them remained hovering above the Crimson Pill Peak, but it wasn't a problem with their cultivation level to observe everything around them with ease, and no one was able to sense them.
Xu Zhiyuan wasn't taken aback by Duan Shu's sudden appearance; this woman would always stay in her own Peak and rarely interact with others.
The moment he arrived here, he already sensed her presence, and he knew that she must have sensed him.
"What? Can't I visit my own disciple?"
"Sure you can, but it's just unlike you to show up unannounced," she replied, her voice lacking any amusement.
She tilted her head and looked down at the pill pavilion, her eyes sharp and calculating, as if her gaze were capable of piercing the building walls and seeing right through them.
'Sorry for the inconvenience. I should have handed you something that would let you pass without anyone stopping you,' Duan Shu apologized, feeling slightly guilty.
'It's fine. It wasn't a big problem,' Chen Tian said confidently.
Duan Shu nodded at Chen Tian. She approached the pill pavilion and paused. She looked as if she were communicating with someone through her divine sense.
It wasn't hard for Chen Tian to know who she was talking to, since the girl next to him, who a moment ago was furious and called him a liar, changed her expression immediately.
She panicked, and then disbelief was on her face.
The girl's expression shifted from calm to concern as she realized the gravity of the situation.
'S-So he wasn't lying!'
"I'm sor—"
"It's okay, I don't mind it," Chen Tian interrupted, sensing the girl's embarrassment.
He knew that Duan Shu had already conveyed the truth to her; he didn't mind, since it was his fault that she had been misinformed.
Even he himself would have a hard time believing a mere Outer Disciple wanted to meet the Peak Master of the Crimson Pill Peak.
"But because of me now, Senior Lian Feng challenged you to a duel," the girl said softly, her voice filled with worry.
"Now the peak master would definitely put me responsible for this and punish me."
Mei Lin was worried that Duan Shu would put all the blame on her, since she was responsible for everything that happened.
Fear filled Mei Lin's eyes, and he couldn't bear to see her so distressed.
"Don't worry, I'll explain everything to Senior Duan Shu. It's not your fault," Chen Tian said gently. The girl's expression softened at his words, grateful for his understanding, "T-Thank you, Junior Brother…"
"Chen Tian" replied with a reassuring smile. Mei Lin felt a sense of relief wash over her.
"Thank you, Junior Brother Tian."
"Peak master asked me to guide you to her private quarters. Follow me," Mei Lin said as she walked in front, leading the way through the long staircases of the sect building.
This time, she was polite towards Chen Tian, which didn't escape the nearby disciples from noticing her action.
Some were shocked since a few moments ago, Mei Lin was frowning in front of Chen Tian, but now she was being polite and even grateful towards him. To their surprise, Mei Lin guided him to the second floor.
Chen Tian followed closely behind, his eyes filled with curiosity as he observed the intricate architecture of the building.
Outside the Pill Pavilion, Xu Zhiyuan gazed at Duan Shu curiously.
He couldn't help but wonder about something.
"I've been meaning to ask you something," Xu Zhiyuan began, his voice filled with curiosity.
"What?"
"With your cultivation level, how didn't you notice that Chen Tian had already arrived at your Peak?" Duan Shu laughed softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Duan Shu's body froze for a moment before responding, "I was preoccupied with other matters at the time."
Xu Zhiyuan nodded, understanding Duan Shu's explanation.
It wasn't unusual for Duan Shu to be so focused on her own research that she would overlook the arrival of Chen Tian.
Xu Zhiyuan didn't see anything wrong with Duan Shu's nonchalant response, but he failed to notice there was a slight flush on her cheeks. Enjoy new tales from m-v l'e|m,p-y r
"Hm? What is that on your lips?" Xu Zhiyuan noticed something white on Duan Shu's lips, contrasting against her fair complexion.
Duan Shu quickly wiped her lips with the back of her hand, a tomato-like blush spreading across her face.
"O-Oh, it's j-just some cream from the cake I was eating earlier," she stammered, trying to cover up her embarrassment.
Xu Zhiyuan was stunned to see her tomato-like face for the first time.
He was having trouble believing that this could be the calm and composed Duan Shu he knew. Her flustered reaction was so unlike her usual calm demeanor.
"What are you waiting for? That kid would have to wait if we didn't leave now," Duan Shu said, trying to distract him from her embarrassment.
She quickly disappeared from the sky, leaving Xu Zhiyuan floating there, still processing what had just happened.
'Sh*t, is this really that cold woman who doesn't care about anything but alchemy?' he thought to himself.
'Well, I'm too old for this sh*t. Let's follow her and see what that kid wanted.' Xu Zhiyuan sighed and followed Duan Shu, trying to push aside his confusion and focus on the task at hand.
He still had an important matter to discuss with Chen Tian, and he was still curious about why Chen Tian was here.
He wasn't surprised to see that Chen Tian knew Duan Shu since he was aware that Yin Yun was close to Chen Tian and Su Bingxin, so it made sense that they would all be connected in some way.