"Master has summoned you..."
Wen Zhixing was startled.
He hadn't expected Feng Ruoli to seek him out. He was now "burned out," still recovering his vital energy, so she shouldn't have any more ideas about him.
"Let's go," Ning Shan said, her tone not as aggressive as before. With that, she started walking ahead.
"Yes."
Wen Zhixing hurriedly stepped to follow.
But to play the part convincingly, he began to pant heavily after just two steps, feigning weakness.
Noticing this, Ning Shan paused, then quickly moved to Wen Zhixing's side.
"Senior Sister Ning..." Wen Zhixing began, just as he was about to explain, but Ning Shan proactively took his arm to support him.
Her soft, delicate hand touched his arm, sending an unusual sensation throughout his body.
"Senior Sister Ning, I can manage on my own..." Wen Zhixing said, taken aback, and quickly tried to refuse.
He was extremely cautious of the people from the Wondrous Palace and really didn't want to be so close to Ning Shan. Moreover, he had personally witnessed Ning Shan's viciousness.
"Can you really manage?" Ning Shan asked coldly.
Wen Zhixing was suddenly at a loss for words.
He really could manage; he was just pretending he couldn't.
Her gaze towards you seems rather friendly; this summons might not be a bad thing.
Friendly? Wen Zhixing was genuinely surprised. This Ning Shan looked at him with friendliness? There was actually someone from the Wondrous Palace who was friendly to him? That really was odd.
Given this, Wen Zhixing stopped insisting and allowed Ning Shan to support him.
The two of them walked out of the secret chamber together.
The gentle sunlight shone down, and Wen Zhixing found it somewhat dazzling.
But the air was just right.
He squinted slightly, taking deep breaths of the fresh air.
Ning Shan glanced sideways at Wen Zhixing and stopped walking, surprisingly not urging him on.
"Senior Sister, sorry for the wait," Wen Zhixing apologized after a moment.
Ning Shan didn't speak, just continued to support Wen Zhixing as they moved forward.
...
Fortune Fragment detected. Do you wish to spend one month of life-span to randomly collect it?
Collect.
Wen Zhixing wasn't idle along the way. During the downtime, he took the opportunity to start collecting Fortune Fragments.
Blue Fortune Fragment +1.
Current Blue Fortune Fragment: 1/3.
Eh? It's actually a Blue Fortune Fragment. Wen Zhixing was somewhat surprised. It seemed to be the first time he had collected a Blue Fortune Fragment.
Fortune Fragment detected. Do you wish to spend two months of life-span to randomly collect it?
After a moment of surprise, Wen Zhixing once again collected a fragment.
White Fortune Fragment +1.
Current White Fortune Fragment: 1/2.
Not drawing a Gray Fortune Fragment twice in a row made Wen Zhixing feel somewhat unaccustomed. Was his luck gradually improving?
Not bad luck. Wen Zhixing was quite satisfied.
Fortune Fragment detected. Do you wish to spend three months of life-span to randomly collect it?
Another draw? This time Wen Zhixing was truly astonished. He could actually draw a third Fortune Fragment.
"Perhaps it's because my life-span has broken through a hundred years," Wen Zhixing pondered, guessing the reason. The greater his life-span, the more Fortune Fragments he could collect each day.
"But three times a day, each requiring half a year's life-span... even a hundred years of life-span seems a bit unsustainable," Wen Zhixing thought, his eyes flickering. He had originally thought his life-span was sufficient. Now it seemed necessary to upgrade the [Tai Chi health-preserving skill]; its current effect was too poor to keep up with his consumption.
Wen Zhixing didn't hesitate any longer and continued to spend life-span to draw. There must be a cost for every gain.
Gray Fortune Fragment +1.
Gray Fortune Fragment (1/1) has been collected. No synthesis required. You may obtain the following fortune:
Option one: Obtain 1 Fortune Point.
Option two: Obtain the fortune belonging to Ning Shan.
Wen Zhixing didn't hesitate and directly chose 1 Fortune Point.
Fortune Point +1.
He already had 9 Fortune Points, and this one made exactly 10. Just enough to upgrade the [Tai Chi health-preserving skill]. However, Wen Zhixing didn't upgrade it on the spot. He decided to wait; there was no rush.
...
Before they knew it, the two of them had arrived at the edge of the summit of Wutong Peak.
At the cliff's edge, a lone pine tree spread its gnarled roots. Surrounded by verdant bamboo and unusually shaped rocks, exquisite pavilions and small buildings lay hidden among them. Enshrouded in mist, it resembled an earthly fairyland.
Wen Zhixing looked up and saw a familiar, voluptuous figure seated quietly within one of the pavilions. Her hair hung loosely, her light purple gauze skirt fluttering with it in the wind.
Ning Shan stepped forward and softly called out, "Master."
Feng Ruoli turned her head to look, her features picturesque, her lips curled in a smile.
"Greetings, Phoenix Palace Master," Wen Zhixing said, bowing. After the unreserved state of their interactions these past few days, seeing her now fully clothed, he almost didn't recognize her.
"Wen Zhixing, you have done me a great kindness. Why such formality?" Feng Ruoli said as she stepped forward and reached out to help him up.
"This... Thank you, Palace Master," Wen Zhixing replied, somewhat overwhelmed by the gesture.
In truth, he was silently frowning. He didn't know what kind of trick Feng Ruoli was playing.
"Your body hasn't recovered yet. Come, rest here." A sweet fragrance wafted from her as Feng Ruoli's voice, gentle and tinged with concern, reached him.
"Thank you, Palace Master," Wen Zhixing replied. He didn't dare to be careless, yet he maintained his dignity as he entered the pavilion and sat down.
No malicious intent detected for now, but... women are as deep and unpredictable as the ocean. Remember this!
No malicious intent for the time being... Seeing this prompt, Wen Zhixing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He really couldn't relax around the people of the Wondrous Palace. He felt he hadn't seen a single good person in the entire sect.
"Wen Zhixing, you have been wronged these past few days," Feng Ruoli said with a smile.
"Not at all…" Wen Zhixing shook his head.
He hadn't been wronged in the slightest. Truly, these past few days had been very comfortable. He had experienced nirvana twice and gained quite a few Fortune Points; it was truly exhilarating.
"Shan'er," Feng Ruoli said. She didn't dwell on the matter, instead turning to Ning Shan who stood to the side.
Ning Shan immediately stepped forward, and the Storage Ring on her finger flashed with light. Three items, enveloped in Spiritual Qi, floated before Wen Zhixing.
"Phoenix Palace Master... what is this?" Wen Zhixing asked, stunned.
"These are gifts of gratitude from Master," Ning Shan explained. With a wave of her slender white hand, the light covering the items dispersed.
A jade pendant drifted towards Wen Zhixing.
"This is a Spirit Gathering Jade Pendant," Ning Shan continued. "It can aid your cultivation. After you enter the Qi Movement Realm, it can increase your Qi gathering speed by thirty percent."
"Phoenix Palace Master, I am undeserving of such gifts," Wen Zhixing said, shaking his head and intending to refuse.
"If I tell you to take it, then take it," Feng Ruoli said with a warm smile, but her eyes held an undeniable insistence.
Wen Zhixing sighed inwardly but had no choice but to reach out and accept it. He truly didn't want it.
The next moment, another item floated down.
Feng Ruoli smiled, her gentle gaze seemingly laced with a hint of indulgence as she explained, "This is a Voice Transmission Jade Talisman. Should you encounter any difficulties, activate it, and someone will come to your aid."
Wen Zhixing accepted it, lowering his head.
So gentle now? Where was this gentleness when you were violently absorbing my primordial yang? Keep acting. Go on.