In the evening, Sulan was working alone in the cave.
The stone platform before him was cluttered with bottles, jars, and containers of every shape and size. Some were clear glass, others colorful crystal, with bamboo, wood, ceramic, and iron pieces mixed in.
He'd crafted these based on memories from his past life, equipment for pill refining and medicine making, though it was nothing like the mainstream methods of this cultivation world.
Sulan had thrown himself into this project because he'd realized cultivation had limits. It was basically a dead end, and he wasn't about to stand under a tree waiting to be hanged. He was actively searching for ways to survive.
Taking on a waste junior could help solve his immediate problems, but it was treating symptoms, not the cause. Even if he managed to handle his master, he couldn't deal with all the other higher ups at Celestial Gate.
So while his status and position still counted for something and he had access to rich resources, he wanted to create some trump cards, whether for self defense or to boost his value within Celestial Gate.
Once his cover was blown and he was kicked out with nothing, it would be too late to try anything. No time, no resources.
Right now he was attempting scientific pill refining.
In his past life reading web novels, he'd seen plenty of protagonists using hot pot burners, rice cookers, and microwaves as divine tools for pill making. He never imagined that one day he'd be trying to refine pills with beakers, test tubes, gas collection bottles, and alcohol lamps.
The thought made Sulan chuckle bitterly.
My cultivation style is seriously messed up!
"Senior Brother." A melodious voice rang out behind him, sweet as a nightingale's song, definitely not like a boy's voice.
What was Chu Yunshu doing on Heavenly Jade Peak? This guy had reached Level 3, he could probably wipe out both Sulan and his junior with one ultimate attack.
Sulan's heart jumped, and his nervousness made his hand shake as he added powder to the mixture.
Damn! Too much!
The liquid in the beaker suddenly turned black, bubbling up like overflowing porridge. Even without releasing any toxic gas, Sulan caught the sharp smell of failure.
It was going to explode!
Without hesitation, Sulan spun around and ran, dragging a confused Chu Yunshu with him.
But they'd barely taken two steps when a loud BANG echoed behind them. The beaker shattered, spraying dark, unidentifiable matter everywhere.
Sulan didn't have time to think, instinct took over as he shielded Yunshu with his body.
No matter how pathetic he was, he was still a cultivator with eight years of Level 1 experience, and his robes had defensive properties. A few glass shards couldn't hurt him.
Suddenly pinned to the ground, Yunshu felt his composure slip for just an instant, bewildered like a newborn animal.
His body was strong enough to match his cultivation level, so he barely felt the minor pain. But he found himself face to face with his idol, only inches apart.
This close proximity made Yunshu's cheeks flush red for no reason he could name.
"Why are you blushing like a teapot? Wait... what are you doing on Heavenly Jade Peak?"
Sulan used his position advantage to interrogate from above.
If he weren't two whole cultivation levels lower, Sulan would definitely teach Yunshu a lesson about not showing up to cause trouble.
Yunshu spoke weakly, sounding slightly wronged: "Didn't Senior say before that I could come find you directly if I had problems? I have questions about cultivation and wanted to ask my senior brother for guidance."
Sulan automatically filtered out the second half.
He did remember saying something like that, but had he said he welcomed being disturbed at any time?!
Don't give me that innocent look while over, interpreting social pleasantries!
He glanced down at Yunshu pinned beneath him.
This boy who was extremely suited for crossdressing had flawless pale skin, delicate features, and innocent naive eyes. Despite clearly being male, he was light and soft, warm and fragrant, even giving off a faint sweet scent.
His shirt was so smooth, no wait, his skin was so tender... anyway, those who knew, knew.
This was simply... completely irresistible!
Apparently cuteness could be devastatingly powerful, sometimes even transcending gender boundaries.
Sulan felt like he was dealing with a pet that had destroyed the house and was now trying to act adorable to get away with it. Most of his anger immediately melted away.
"Are you... hurt?" His tone came out somewhat stiff.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I'm fine." Yunshu's lips parted slightly as warmth and sweetness bloomed in his heart.
He'd barged into the cave uninvited and caused trouble for him. Even if he'd been left there ignored, it would have been his own fault. But Sulan had not only used his body to shield him from harm, he was more concerned about Yunshu than himself.
Even though they weren't from the same lineage, he still took such good care of him. How blessed must that new junior sister who'd joined Heavenly Jade Peak be!
"Ah, sorry, I came at a bad time..."
Sumin had heard the commotion and rushed over to assess the situation, only to accidentally walk in on Sulan pinning yesterday's Yunshu to the ground in a position that was... ambiguous and compromising.
Sumin had read certain types of romance novels before, so her imagination immediately conjured up multiple versions of sweet stories. Following the principle of see no evil, she covered her eyes with her hands, though her fingers were spread pretty wide.
You could say she'd covered absolutely nothing.
Sulan snapped back to reality and quickly stretched out an arm toward his junior, shouting: "Sumin, you've got it wrong! It's not what you think!"
Sumin just dropped a please continue and fled in panic, giving Sulan no chance to explain.
Sulan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
What even is this?! I accidentally tackle my junior brother, my junior sister catches us, and now she thinks I swing that way, NOT IN HELL.
"Senior... Senior Brother... It was my fault."
Yunshu murmured softly from below with a voice barely audible as a mosquito's buzz.
He was full of regret now. Coming here had caused his senior to mess up his operation and blow up the cave, plus created this weird misunderstanding between the two.
After causing all this trouble, even if Sulan didn't say anything, he must hate him now.
I shouldn't have come to Heavenly Jade Peak today!
Thinking about being disliked and avoided by Sulan, his idol, Yunshu's mood plummeted. His eyes dimmed, he bit his lips, and looked ready to cry.
His soft, timid appearance was heartbreakingly pitiful.
Even Sulan wasn't immune.
Why? Why did this guy have to look so hurt? Like I'm some villain who wronged him!
I'm the one who got screwed over and had my reputation damaged!
But seeing him like this, not only do I feel soft hearted, I actually feel a little sorry for him.
One of us is definitely not right!
Sulan firmly believed he was a straight guy through and through. There was no way he could be charmed by a cute trap.
Right, this Chu Yunshu, no matter how delicate and beautiful he was, was still a boy!