Of course, Meng Fan was probably the only person in the entire Shu Mountain who considered this a delightful tale.
Everyone else would think it a scandal!
"I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it. I just love my Master. From the moment I became her disciple, I couldn't stop myself from falling for her!"
The young man's face was a picture of helplessness, his tone tinged with a hint of pain.
Is it wrong to love someone?
Is it wrong to love the wrong person?
It's unclear!
Meng Fan couldn't be bothered to discuss matters of love with this guy; such things were simply too nebulous.
Besides, Meng Fan himself wasn't particularly interested in love and romance.
After all, he was an Earth native who had only been in this world for just over a year. His thoughts were still predominantly influenced by Earth's culture.
Meng Fan's generation on Earth was beginning to fear marriage.
They noticed that few people who got married seemed happy.
Isn't being single delightful?
As for the word 'true love,' hardly anyone on Earth believed in it anymore!
"What should I call this Senior Brother?" Meng Fan took the initiative to ask for the young man's name.
He felt that someone as interesting as this was worth getting to know.
Of course, that was as far as it would go.
The young man hurriedly replied, "My name is Lin Jian. How should I address Junior Brother?"
At the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, upon hearing his story, people would stay as far away from him as possible, avoiding him like the plague.
Yet Meng Fan not only didn't avoid him but actually took the initiative to ask his name, which was quite rare.
"Meng Fan," Meng Fan said with a smile, revealing his name.
He had always kept a low profile within the Shu Mountain Sword Sect. The only time he had ever been high-profile was when he defeated the princess of the Great Dragon Empire and killed one of their generals.
But this event wasn't widely known; aside from Elder Lin and Senior Disciple Luo, no one else was aware.
So Meng Fan had no need to hide his name.
Upon hearing it, Lin Jian pondered for a moment, certain he had never heard the name before.
He couldn't claim to know all the core disciples or even most of the inner sect disciples of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, but he at least knew their names.
Yet, he had never heard the name Meng Fan.
He took another look at Meng Fan, confirming that he was at the Heavenly Origin Realm.
This realm definitely qualified one as a core disciple.
Suddenly, Lin Jian became somewhat curious about Meng Fan.
"Junior Brother Meng, who is your master? I've never heard of someone like you in the Sword Pavilion of Shu Mountain," Lin Jian couldn't help but ask.
"Sword Pavilion disciple, I seldom make public appearances, so it's normal for Senior Brother Lin not to have heard of me," Meng Fan casually replied.
Sword Pavilion disciple?
Hearing these four words, Lin Jian's respect grew.
It was well-known that the Guarding Sword Disciples of the Sword Pavilion were mostly cannon fodder with grim fates.
Anyone with a bit of ability would not want to be a Guarding Sword Disciple in the Sword Pavilion, as the position was truly difficult and often came with life-threatening risks.
It was said that few Sword Pavilion disciples could last more than a year.
Either they died, or they couldn't endure and were expelled from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect.
But with great risk came great opportunity. If one could persevere in the Sword Pavilion, they would be far stronger than the average disciple!
Someone like Meng Fan, who had cultivated to the Heavenly Origin Realm as a Guarding Sword Disciple, was definitely extraordinary.
***
A moment later.
Meng Fan said to Lin Jian, "Senior Brother Lin, I must be going. We'll chat another time."
He couldn't possibly stay and chat with Lin Jian forever; a brief acquaintance was enough.
Meng Fan turned and left, exiting the chaotic forest.
Lin Jian looked on in surprise, wondering where Meng Fan could possibly go while under punishment.
He subconsciously followed Meng Fan a few steps forward, but before he could leave the chaotic forest, which was set with the Thousand Catty Fall formation, an elder stopped him.
"If you're confined, then stay confined. Your time isn't up yet; where do you think you're going?" The elder looked at Lin Jian coldly, his demeanor unfriendly and his tone icy.
He was somewhat aware of Lin Jian's deeds and naturally had no fondness for him.
Lin Jian, puzzled, pointed at Meng Fan's retreating figure, "If he can leave, why can't I?"
The elder replied indifferently, "He's not here for confinement at the Cliff of Remorse. He's free to come and go as he pleases!"
Hearing the elder's words, Lin Jian's brow furrowed, finding it all very perplexing.
Wasn't Meng Fan here for confinement?
Then what was he doing here?
Taking a stroll in the back garden?
Who would be so masochistic as to come here for fun?
Lin Jian watched Meng Fan's retreating figure, thinking that this newly met Junior Brother was indeed quite interesting.
"Get back now!" the elder said irritably to Lin Jian.
Lin Jian glanced at the elder, replying discontentedly, "I'll go back, so why the shouting? Annoy me, and I'll give you a punch, and they'll have to find a new steward here!"
The elder's lips moved, he hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.
He backed down!
Although he was a steward, he truly couldn't defeat Lin Jian, the disciple.
Several stewards had already been sent back for recovery after being beaten by Lin Jian.
Lin Jian's offenses weren't just limited to confessing to his Master; there were even more outrageous acts.
Under normal circumstances, he should have already been expelled from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect.
But Lin Jian was too exceptional, and the sect couldn't bear to cast him out, so they sent him to the Cliff of Remorse for confinement.
Setting aside everything else, being able to beat up Condensation Pill Realm stewards time and again with his Heavenly Origin Realm cultivation, Lin Jian was the only monstrosity in the entire Shu Mountain Sword Sect.
Who would willingly expel such a talent from the sect?
Like during the Shu Mountain Swordsmanship Competition, if Lin Jian hadn't been confined at the Cliff of Remorse, it wouldn't have been Kuang Tianyou's turn to shine.
Even though Kuang Tianyou had broken through to the Condensation Pill Realm, he would still have to kneel if Lin Jian made a move!
It seemed the more exceptional a person was, the more they were a thorn in the side, difficult to tame.
This had become an inexplicable law.
Meng Fan, having left the Cliff of Remorse, had no idea that this peculiar Senior Brother he had just met was actually a monstrous genius.
Following Kuang Tianyou, he was the new generation's chosen figure of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect.
Who would dare to love their own Master without real strength?
To commit such an outrageous act, one must possess equally outrageous capabilities.
***
Meng Fan returned to the Sword Pavilion with nothing particular to do, so he continued his cultivation.
After the medicinal power of the lotus flower in his body was exhausted, he consumed another lotus petal.
Xiao Qing curled up on the ground, watching Meng Fan with envy.
Previously, it liked to coil up on the bed but was ruthlessly kicked off by Meng Fan.
Even though Xiao Qing had demonic power and was spotlessly clean, Meng Fan still couldn't accept it on his bed.
Meng Fan glanced at Xiao Qing and said, "Instead of envying me, you should focus on your cultivation!
Haven't I told you? Once you break through to the boss-level entity realm, I'll reward you with another petal.
By the way, how much longer will it take for you to break through to the boss-level entity realm?"
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan