Chapter 261: The Willow Eyebrows of Qianhuandao [Please read and subscribe]

Lin Che clasped his arms across his chest, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the dark patterns on his cuffs, his gaze, sharp as an eagle, sweeping over the faint fluctuations of illusion magic around Liu Mei.

"The Thousand Illusion Path's reputation isn't just for its hospitality," Lin Che's tone was flat, yet it made the air suddenly drop in temperature. "Tell me, is this invitation to reminisce, or is there another scheme at play?"

Liu Mei covered her lips and chuckled softly, the silver bells on her wrist tinkling with her movements, her pink skirt rustling without a breeze. "Senior is still as cautious as ever."

She took a graceful step, the scent of jasmine from her hair, mixed with the sweet, cloying aroma peculiar to illusion magic, wafted over, and she said softly,

"I merely saw Senior cultivating diligently here and remembered that Thousand Illusion Star has a spiritual spring, most nourishing for the soul. I recently acquired a few millennia-old Ice Soul Orchids, which would be perfect for brewing tea with the spiritual spring."

Before her words finished, her fingertips had already conjured half a crystal-clear ice flower, its chill wrapped in an invigorating fragrance that spread through the air.

Lin Che's gaze narrowed slightly. This ice flower seemed ordinary, but it subtly contained the Thousand Illusion Path's "Heart-Bewitching Art." If one's mental fortitude were even slightly weaker, they would likely have already accepted the invitation.

"Since that's the case, I shall impose then."

Lin Che smiled faintly and stood up, his Immortal Essence silently circulating around him, forming an invisible barrier outside his body.

The two transformed into streaks of light and broke through the air, arriving at Thousand Illusion Star in the blink of an eye.

The place was shrouded in mist, with several jade towers floating amidst exotic flowers and plants, and ethereal zither music occasionally drifted from within the towers.

Liu Mei led Lin Che through a winding corridor and into a bamboo cottage.

The furnishings inside were simple and rustic; a set of celadon tea ware was already prepared on a stone table. With a gentle flick of her delicate hand, the Ice Soul Orchid fell into the teapot. The moment boiling water was poured in, the tea aroma wafted out, subtly shimmering with golden light.

"This is my unique 'Illusory Heart Tea,' Senior, please have a taste."

Liu Mei's movements as she poured the tea were exceedingly elegant, but just as the teacup touched his fingertips, Lin Che suddenly chuckled.

"To infuse illusion magic into tea, it's truly original. However…"

Lin Che flicked the rim of the cup with his finger, and the tea exploded, transforming into countless ice crystals suspended in mid-air. "The Thousand Illusion Path's illusion magic is useless against me."

Liu Mei's expression changed slightly, then instantly returned to a smile. "Senior is still as uninteresting as ever."

Liu Mei merely pursed her youthful lips, and suddenly, several colorful ribbons flew out from her sleeve, weaving into a net in the air. "However, I am also curious, to what extent has your Pure Nirvana (Late-stage) cultivation reached?"

Lin Che picked up the untouched teacup on the table and took a light sip. "If you wish to spar in Intention, I'll accompany you another day."

Liu Mei said softly, "Senior, if it weren't for you back then, I might have already died. But this is, after all, a clone, and being defiled is a hundred times more painful than death."

Lin Che swirled the teacup in his hand, looking at Liu Mei before him. The Liu Mei from back then knew something was amiss and immediately fled; even he couldn't find her aura.

He hadn't expected that after so many years, she would actually be in the Luo Tian Star Region, and her own strength had already reached the Yin Void Realm, which was quite a remarkable talent.

Liu Mei picked up the teacup from the table, took a sip, and continued, "Senior, this trip to the Luo Tian Star Region, you must also be here for the Lei Xian Palace's Ascension Pool, right?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Che's teacup paused slightly in his hand, and tiny ripples spread across the surface of the tea. He looked up at the vines swaying gently in the wind outside the bamboo cottage, his tone unperturbed.

"News travels fast, indeed."

Liu Mei leaned against the carved bamboo window, a wisp of hair twirling around her fingertip, her eyes curved in a smile. "The Luo Tian Star Region may seem vast and boundless, but some whispers always manage to drift along the spiritual veins into the ears of those who pay attention."

The aroma of tea permeated the room. Liu Mei rose to refill the tea, and the steam rising from the spout of the celadon teapot condensed into a delicate butterfly at her fingertips, then vanished into the air.

"The Lei Xian Palace's centennial Immortal Conferment event, where Clear Water Immortal Lord personally imparts teachings, and with an opportunity like the Ascension Pool, anyone else would probably be laughing in their dreams."

She suddenly leaned closer, the scent of jasmine from her hair wafting directly to Lin Che's nose. "But Senior has always taken an unconventional path; could you have some special plans?"

Lin Che placed the teacup on the stone table with a soft clink. "You certainly pay a lot of attention to me."

Liu Mei propped her chin, her gaze cunning. "Back on Suzaku Star, if Senior hadn't lent a helping hand, my clone would have long since perished. Although it was just a small effort, a life-saving grace should always be remembered."

She tapped the tabletop with her fingertip, and several Ice Soul Orchids bloomed out of thin air, the dew condensed on their petals reflecting a seven-colored halo.

"Moreover, meeting again in the Luo Tian Star Region now is also fate."

Lin Che was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the tea leaves floating in the teacup. "Since you know about the Ascension Pool, you must also be aware of its pros and cons."

Liu Mei's smile gradually faded, and her expression became serious. "Naturally, I know. Washing away the Body Essence to transform into Immortal Essence seems like a step to heaven, but in reality, it cuts off other paths of cultivation."

"How many of those cultivators who seek shortcuts can truly comprehend the great Dao of Immortals?"

Liu Mei paused, looking at Lin Che with a hint of inquiry in her eyes, and said softly, "Senior, if you are willing to enter the pool, have you already seen through it, or do you have other concerns?"

A crisp bird song suddenly came from outside the bamboo cottage. Lin Che stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the jade towers faintly visible in the distant mist.

"The Luo Tian Star Region prioritizes families, with bloodline inheritance above all else, but I always feel that some things are more worth pursuing than bloodline."

Before Lin Che finished speaking, Liu Mei had already gracefully stood beside him, her pink skirt sweeping the ground. "Like the Dao Heart? Like old acquaintances?"

Lin Che glanced at her, but Liu Mei turned back to the stone table and refilled two cups of tea. "Let's not talk about these heavy topics."

Liu Mei picked up the teacup, gently blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface, and continued, "Although Thousand Illusion Star cannot compare to the grand scenery of Lei Xian Palace, it does have many interesting places."

"Tomorrow, I'll take you for a walk by the spiritual spring. The moonlight there can reflect a cultivator's state of mind, and perhaps it can help Senior find some inspiration for breakthroughs."

Lin Che walked back to the table, sat down, and took a shallow sip from the teacup.

This time, the tea had no trace of illusion magic, only the crisp, sweet taste of the Ice Soul Orchid spreading on his tongue.

Seeing him drink, Liu Mei's eyes curved in a smile. "It's rare for Senior to grace me with your presence."

Propping her chin, her eyes held a hint of teasing. "Speaking of which, that Lu family incident caused quite a stir. Is Senior prepared to deal with it? After all, in the Luo Tian Star Region, touching someone from a family is like poking a hornet's nest."

Lin Che put down his teacup, his expression calm. "If they are sensible, they won't seek trouble for themselves."

Lin Che merely raised his hand and summoned a wisp of Immortal Essence, condensing it into a crystal-clear sword shape in his palm.

"If they truly seek revenge, I await them at any time."

Liu Mei stared at the immortal sword in his palm, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. "No wonder you could beat Lu Tian without him being able to retaliate at all. However, the Luo Tian Star Region has many hidden masters, so Senior should still be cautious. After all, I still want to learn a few more moves from you."

Liu Mei's smile was cunning, her eyes filled with eagerness for battle.

Lin Che's expression was calm. For Liu Mei to know about this matter, her main body must surely be paying attention.