Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 1617: Chapter 821: Miss, You’re So Beautiful (Part 2)

Inside the Quiet Room, only Tantai Xueling and Gu Yuanyuan remained.

The atmosphere was momentarily quiet.

Gu Yuanyuan looked at the master whose demeanor was cool and commanding, feeling unsure of where to put her hands and feet, her heart pounding fiercely.

She sneaked a glance at the Divine Craft Maze Palace in Tantai Xueling’s hand, then quickly lowered her head.

Tantai Xueling put away the Divine Craft Maze Palace, her gaze falling back on Gu Yuanyuan, noticing her old, dirt-stained rough cloth attire and the slightly flushed face due to nervousness, her eyes softened.

"Yuanyuan?"

Tantai Xueling called gently.

"Ah? Yes!"

Gu Yuanyuan jolted, immediately responding.

Tantai Xueling looked at her nervous appearance, her lips curled slightly, revealing a very faint yet stunning smile.

She walked gracefully to Gu Yuanyuan, reaching out her hand, as fair as jade, gently lifting Gu Yuanyuan’s somewhat cold little hand.

Gu Yuanyuan froze, only feeling a gentle, warm force emanate from the other party’s palm, swiftly dispelling all her nerves and chill, leaving her feeling warm and very comfortable.

"Don’t be afraid."

Tantai Xueling’s voice flowed like a clear spring.

"Since you are Gu Sheng’s disciple, then you are also my... junior."

She hesitated, flipped her wrist, revealing a completely white, flawless, and radiantly glowing jade bracelet in her palm.

"Consider this a greeting gift."

Tantai Xueling gently slipped the jade bracelet onto Gu Yuanyuan’s slender wrist. The touch was cool, yet it adjusted perfectly in size.

Gu Yuanyuan looked at the jade bracelet on her wrist, clearly of great value, feeling unsure of what to do.

"M-Master... This is too precious..."

She blurted out unintentionally, then realized what she called, her face immediately turned bright red, wishing she could find a hole to hide in!

Tantai Xueling was slightly stunned by her words, then a genuine smile blossomed in her cool eyes, like thawing ice and the first water ripples of spring.

She looked at Gu Yuanyuan’s embarrassed appearance, instead of displeasure, she nodded gently, her voice carrying a hint of subtle delight.

"Yes, call me master from now on."

"Ah?"

Gu Yuanyuan was completely bewildered, staring at Tantai Xueling blankly, her mind a complete blank.

She had merely misspoken in her nervousness! Yet, master actually... agreed?!

Tantai Xueling did not offer more explanation, but lightly patted her hand, then instructed towards the outdoors.

"Someone, come."

A maiden in faint pink palace attire with a graceful appearance responded and entered, respectfully saluting.

"Pavilion Master."

"Take Miss Yuanyuan to the ’Fragrance Pavilion’, use the finest ’Jade Marrow Spirit Spring’ for her bath, and then fetch a set of ’Cloud Rainbow Flowing Light Skirt’ for her to change into."

Tantai Xueling’s voice returned to its cool tone yet carried undeniable authority.

"Let Skillful Handmaid Zhang personally groom and dress her, make sure... to be diligent."

"Yes, Pavilion Master!"

The maid responded respectfully, then turned to Gu Yuanyuan, her face bearing a gentle smile.

"Miss Yuanyuan, please follow me."

Gu Yuanyuan, still somewhat dazed, glanced at Tantai Xueling, then at the maid, subconsciously nodded, and followed the maid outside.

Inside the Fragrance Pavilion, mist filled the air, permeated with a refreshing fragrance.

In the large White Jade Bath, the milky ’Jade Marrow Spirit Spring’ exuded rich spiritual energy and a warm glow.

Gu Yuanyuan immersed herself within, feeling her pores open, an indescribable comfort, as the exhaustion and fright from the previous days seemed to be washed away entirely.

After the bath, she changed into the attire brought by the maid, named ’Cloud Rainbow Flowing Light Skirt.’

The skirt, woven of unknown material, felt warm, soft, and silky to the touch, shimmering with flowing light, and was incredibly light to wear, as though weightless.

The hem subtly displayed faint patterns of clouds and haze, moving with her, as if stardust sprinkled down.

Later, an elderly matron with a kindly face and extremely sharp eyes, Skillful Zhang, walked in.

She looked at Gu Yuanyuan, who had changed into new clothes, with admiration in her eyes, and then began to groom her.

Nanny Zhang’s craftsmanship was nothing short of divine.

She didn’t do much decoration, merely used a jade comb to brush Gu Yuanyuan’s somewhat dull hair until it was smooth and shiny, then styled it into a simple yet elegant bun and inserted a warm Mutton Fat Jade Hairpin.

Then she took some fragrant ointment and lightly applied a layer on her face, masking the wear of wind and frost, making her skin appear more radiant.

Finally, she used a specially made eyebrow pencil to gently outline her brows and the corners of her eyes.

The whole process took more than an hour.

When Gu Yuanyuan once again stood before the massive glass mirror, she nearly did not recognize the person in the reflection.

The girl in the mirror stood with a graceful figure, skin like snow, brows and eyes like a painting.

The radiant long Cloud Rainbow Flowing Light Skirt adorned her like a newly blossomed lotus, pristine and ethereal. The simple bun and jade hairpin added a touch of liveliness and elegance. Although there was still some juvenile naivety in her brows and eyes, the hidden charm and purity shone like a meticulously sculpted raw jade, releasing a dazzling radiance.

"Miss... Miss... You look truly beautiful..."

The maid beside her couldn’t help but softly praise as she looked at the transformed Gu Yuanyuan.

Gu Yuanyuan looked at herself in the mirror, her small hand gently brushing the smooth skirt, sensing the warmth of the jade hairpin between her hair, and a never-before-felt mixed emotion of unfamiliarity and joy surged in her heart.

She was no longer the dusty little girl from the ruins... Master... Mentor... She silently recited these two titles in her heart, and for the first time, a bright and pure smile appeared on her small face.

Linyin Pavilion, inside Fragrance Pavilion.

The lingering fog had not yet completely dissipated, and the air held a faint sweet fragrance of the Jade Marrow Spirit Spring.

Gu Yuanyuan stood awkwardly in front of the massive glass mirror, looking at her transformed self in the reflection, her small face bright red.

Her originally somewhat dry and coarse short hair had been expertly tied into several playful little knots with a few fine Crystal Stone-adorned silver ribbons by Skillful Handmaid Zhang, scattered behind her ears and on her forehead, adding a touch of liveliness.

The Cloud Rainbow Flowing Light Skirt she wore was lightweight and soft, with a hem that flowed like clouds as she walked, specks of starlight highlighting her originally thin figure to make it more delicate and graceful.

On her wrist, the glowing white jade bracelet gifted by Tantai Xueling shimmered warmly, complementing her fair skin beautifully.

"Miss... Miss, truly beautiful."

The maid beside her couldn’t help but praise again, eyes full of awe.

Gu Yuanyuan felt rather uneasy.

The luxurious clothes, the exquisite bun, and the priceless jade bracelet on her wrist all made her feel like she was wearing someone else’s attire, unsure how to position her limbs.

She instinctively tried to pull at the somewhat puffy hem, but a cool hand gently held her wrist.

At some point, Tantai Xueling had stood behind her, her cold gaze falling on the image of the girl in the mirror, nodding slightly.

"Not bad."

"Mas... Mentor..."

Gu Yuanyuan turned around, her face even redder, her voice thin as a mosquito.

"This... this is too... too precious, I’m not used to wearing it..."

"You’ll get used to it as you keep wearing it."

Tantai Xueling’s tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable implication.

"Since you call me Mentor, you are now part of Linyin Pavilion. When you go out, people must not say that I, Tantai Xueling, am stingy towards the younger ones, not even willing to give a decent outfit."

Seeing Gu Yuanyuan still shy and uncomfortable, a very faint smile flickered in her cold eyes, and suddenly said.

"Call out again?"

"Ah?"

Gu Yuanyuan was stunned, then realized, looking at Tantai Xueling’s stunningly beautiful face so close at hand, her heart pounded, and she said softly.

"Mas... Mentor..."

"Hmm."

Tantai Xueling responded, her lips seemingly curved into an imperceptible arc.

She raised her hand, gently brushing away Gu Yuanyuan’s unruly strands in front of her forehead, a movement as natural as treating her own child.

Gu Yuanyuan felt the coolness and gentle touch at her fingertips, and strangely, the tension and unease in her heart dissipated significantly.

Though she was young, her mind was perceptive. It seemed the relationship between Master Gu Sheng and the mentor in front of her was not the typical teacher-student or Taoist partner, at least Master had never mentioned it.