Having just parted with her younger sister not long ago, here she is, secretly meeting a beauty on the lake, Ji Xueruo couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful. Although she was also sharing a boat with Yu Mingzhen here, she was firstly single, and secondly, it was all show, so she felt justified in secretly criticizing You Su.

You Su, however, was candid and sighed:

"Indeed, there are thousands of paths in this world, yet only in the path of literature can a mere mortal surpass an Immortal."

Regardless of whether one is immortal or mortal, the number of characters they recognize is the same, and the kind of poetry they can create has nothing at all to do with being mortal or immortal.

"Well said. Though Immortals may be arrogant in the world, they never consider how many can truly embody the phrase ’emerge unstained from the mud, pure and untainted’?"

Ji Xueruo too sighed. Outwardly proud and aloof, she had always respected all things since she was young due to self-examination. At this moment, she wholeheartedly agreed with You Su’s irreverent statement that mortals can surpass Immortals.

Yudie blinked her beautiful eyes, feeling a bit anxious at the unexpectedly harmonious conversation between the two, both dressed in black, and interjected:

"Mr. You, the boat is veering off course; we should head towards West Lake Pavilion."

Only after being reminded did You Su realize the two boats were about to collide; he urgently used his sword as a paddle to steer the boat around.

The young master merely waved his hand indifferently, causing the small boat under his feet to halt motionless, with a calm expression on his face, letting You Su and the others pass before him.

In perfect tacit understanding, the two men did not exchange identities until they disappeared into the sea of flowers.

"Mr. You is truly an intriguing person. Are you familiar with him, Miss Ji?" Yu Mingzhen smiled faintly.

"We’re not familiar, just happened to enter the pool together." Ji Xueruo clarified coldly.

"What a pity. Otherwise, I would have asked you to tell me more intriguing stories about Mr. You." Yu Mingzhen’s interest was clearly not in You Su himself.

"Young master, your poem has yet to be recited."

Ji Xueruo’s words seemed like a reminder, but in fact, she wanted the young master to stop talking. After hearing such perfect verses, what brilliance could the young master still possibly recite?

"How can one throw jade to attract brick? Mingzhen shall refrain from making a fool of himself."

Ji Xueruo somewhat regretted inadvertently revealing her impatience, which was detrimental to her disguise, so she made amends by saying:

"For us, poetry and lyrics are merely a pastime. Cultivators should focus on achieving higher realms. Only those who don’t concentrate on cultivating have time to study poetry and prose."

Yet Ji Xueruo’s words of comfort seemed a bit absent-minded. Her gaze was deep and troubled as she looked toward where You Su had vanished.

It seems You Su is also enduring the honey-coated cannonballs of the Jade Ring Pool. She’s unsure of the pool’s purpose, but she worries whether blinded You Su, like herself, always retains a thread of caution in his heart.

If he truly falls for that maiden in a pink dress, would he even be worthy of Lingruo?

...

For the next three days, Yu Mingzhen invited Ji Xueruo daily to experience different beauties of the Jade Ring Pool.

Ji Xueruo continued to play her part very well, genuinely appearing like an outsider gradually succumbing to Jade Ring Pool’s allure. Yet she maintained a careful balance, always in a state of slight detachment.

You Su, however, was different. He often left early and returned late; even last night, the holy maiden personally visited his Cyan Wave Palace and stayed until late at night before leaving.

Ji Xueruo watched You Su being utterly enchanted by the holy maiden and felt both a desire to kindly remind him and a frustration with his lack of resolve, thinking if he couldn’t even resist this, how could he be worthy of being her brother-in-law?

The most critical point is her fear that she’s merely frightening herself, fearing the Jade Ring Pool might simply be beautiful?

To verify this, she decided to find Xiaoyu, whom she hadn’t heard from since entering the pool. Through some subtle inquiries with Yuqing, she found out where Xiaoyu was placed.

The stars and moon were faint tonight, and the Jade Ring Pool looked as if splashed with an indelible ink.

Ji Xueruo, in her black dress, merged closely with the darkness of the night...