Seeing Ouna's subtle shyness, Ming Qi was truly amused and confused.
But Ming Qi didn't care. A girl's shyness is a beautiful sight.
The food was laid out, and everyone in Tianqi Academy happily enjoyed their meal.
During the meal, Ming Qi once again took out his wine jug and wine glasses. Just as he was about to pour some wine as usual, he heard Ouna's somewhat annoyed voice.
"You're so badly injured, and you're drinking now that you're just getting better. Aren't you afraid..."
Ouna was halfway through her words when she could only stare.
Well, it seems we won't be able to drink today.
Ming Qi chuckled and said, "Okay, Senior Sister Ouna is right. I won't drink today."
With that, Ming Qi put away the wine jug and wine glasses one by one and settled down to eat.
For a moment, the remaining few people displayed a different expression.
But it didn't affect the cheerful pace of the meal at all.
In less than a quarter of an hour, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.
Mingqi's small attic was completely burned down, but fortunately, Tianqiyuan had plenty of accommodations, so Mingqi simply found one nearby and moved in.
The dire wolf Dahei still loyally guarded Mingqi's door, but to Mingqi's surprise, Dahei had actually found him again after the fire.
To say he had fully recovered would be a lie. Mingqi spent the better part of the day recovering, but as it grew darker, he became restless after dinner. He felt it would be more reassuring to see how Meng Ling was doing with Yue Dongqing.
But just as Mingqi reached the Tianqiyuan gate, he saw a white figure swooping towards him in the distance. It was so fast that it was right in front of him in the blink of an eye.
"This girl is so well-informed!"
Ming Qi couldn't help but admire Xiao Lingyun's obsession with him. He'd just woken from his coma that morning, less than a day had passed, and he hadn't even left Tianqiyuan yet, and she'd already come looking for him.
Xiao Lingyun now exuded a powerful aura, a significant change from before. It was clear she was a true innate powerhouse, having released her power seal.
As for Xiao Lingyun's purpose, Ming Qi naturally didn't need to ask.
"Thank you, you've truly lived up to your promise."
What surprised Ming Qi was that Xiao Lingyun's opening words were these.
Could it be that Meng Ling had already lifted the curse?
That must be the case.
Ming Qi didn't believe Xiao Lingyun was joking about this matter.
"I always keep my word."
Ming Qi gave his signature smile and added, "Now that you've recovered, are you still mine?"
Xiao Lingyun had said this herself, and Ming Qi hadn't taken it seriously. But now, seeing that Xiao Lingyun's spell had fully recovered, he couldn't help but feel a little teasing, so he just opened his mouth.
Hearing this, Xiao Lingyun's expression changed slightly, but she didn't know what to say.
After all, she had said it herself.
After a moment's silence, Xiao Lingyun suddenly gritted her teeth and said, "Yes, but at least you have to wait until you reach the Xiantian realm."
"Xiantian?"
Ming Qi was surprised at first, but it wasn't the Xiantian realm requirement that surprised him, but Xiao Lingyun's answer.
Xiao Lingyun's pretty face was a little nervous, and Ming Qi could clearly see that this girl was serious.
"Haha, Xiantian is easy for me. Just clean up and wait for me anytime."
After saying that, Ming Qi laughed a few more times with great satisfaction and strode towards the inner gate.
Xiao Lingyun followed.
"You haven't even completed your coming-of-age ceremony yet."
Xiao Lingyun gritted her teeth. She suddenly realized that Ming Qi was far more scoundrel than she appeared.
"You even know that?"
In fact, every disciple's resume was no secret within the sect. It could be easily discovered with a little effort. For a new disciple like Ming Qi, who had already made a name for himself in the outer sect, there were still many curious people who would investigate his background.
Xiao Lingyun remained silent.
"I wouldn't mind using you as a sacrifice for my coming-of-age ceremony."
Knowing she wouldn't gain any advantage through verbal combat, Xiao Lingyun had no intention of engaging in a verbal battle with Ming Qi.
Although she disliked the boy with the slightly bewitching expression, she couldn't muster the courage to strike him down.
"How about I paint you a portrait?"
Ming Qi asked as they walked.
"If you can surpass the Painting Saint of Xixian City, I'll strip naked and paint you."
Xiao Lingyun said with a hint of mischief.
After all, there were no secrets left in front of Ming Qi. Xiao Lingyun, being single, had little to hide from Ming Qi.
"Okay, it's just a little Painting Saint. Just wait until I'm stripped naked again."
Ming Qi smiled comfortably, though he had no idea what the Painting Saint of Xixian City was.
Xiao Lingyun fell silent again.
As before, she was completely at a loss for words.
Thanks to her innate strength, Xiao Lingyun had been promoted directly to an elite inner sect disciple and now had her own palace within the inner sect.
The two of them walked back and forth, chatting, one after the other, toward the inner gate.
"Luoying Palace, not bad, not bad."
At this moment, Ming Qi stood in front of Xiao Lingyun's Luoying Palace, admiring the magnificent palace endlessly.
Then, with a wave of his hand, he pointed to another unoccupied palace next to Luoying Palace and said, "I'll reserve this one for now. It'll be convenient for you later."
Xiao Lingyun naturally didn't take Ming Qi's arrogance seriously.
After touring Xiao Lingyun's Luoying Palace for a while, Ming Qi teased her and decided not to continue. He was about to head straight for Yue Dongqing's Tianqing Palace when someone suddenly turned around.
When this person turned around, Ming Qi and Xiao Lingyun immediately recognized him.
Xiaolong Town!
"Brother?"
Xiao Lingyun said with some surprise. The prosperous palace in Xiaolong Town was some distance away from her Luoying Palace, so it was obvious that this was not a chance encounter.
Ming Qi was displeased at the sight of Xiao Longzhen. During the Tianqi Academy incident, this guy had meddled in the matter and, along with Yan Zhuihun, had instigated Crown Prince Xu to send Meng Ling directly to the Demon Slaying Platform. Although Zong Weiyi's unexpected intervention later thwarted his attempt, he had inevitably drawn considerable hatred from the public.
Ming Qi's expression was truly dismal.
Xiao Longzhen was naturally aware of Xiao Lingyun's advancement to the Inner Sect, and he was also aware that Luoying Palace was Xiao Lingyun's residence. However, he had never expected Lingyun to be associated with this guy.
Didn't Lingyun hate this guy deeply?
Xiao Longzhen was perplexed. "Lingyun, why is this guy here?"
Xiao Lingyun was stunned. Yes, why was this guy here?
It seemed as if he had completely overlooked this question, hadn't even noticed it!
He was clearly an outer sect disciple, yet he had now brazenly entered the inner sect. And most importantly, this pesky fellow was standing right outside his own door!
Just thinking about it, Xiao Lingyun realized that this question had become inexplicably difficult.
Seeing Xiao Lingyun remain silent, Xiao Longzhen decisively turned his attention to Ming Qi.
"You, a mere outer sect disciple, trespassing into the inner sect, ignoring sect rules. Do you want to enter the Law Enforcement Hall?"
Xiao Longzhen looked at Ming Qi with a sullen expression. He truly had no good feelings towards him. He had lowered himself to seek him out, only for this fellow to remain completely unresponsive. This was undoubtedly a slap in the face.
Seeing Ming Qi, resentment immediately rose within him.
"You're absolutely right."
Ming Qi smiled, unperturbed. "I'm planning to go find the Canglong Guardian who oversees the Law Enforcement Hall. How about we go together?"
...
Xiao Longzhen was speechless.
He suddenly remembered that the person who had fiercely defended this boy and the witch that day was Yue Dongqing, and it was Yue Dongqing who held the highest authority in the Law Enforcement Hall.
"Hmph, then why did you go to Tianqing Palace instead of Lingyun?"
Xiao Longzhen saw that it was unlikely that the man had come to Lingyun's place to provoke trouble by trespassing, so he immediately shifted his focus.
Indeed, just because he had appeared in front of Xiao Lingyun's Luoying Palace without any reason, this matter could be made into a big deal.
"Lingyun has a new inner disciple, I came to congratulate you!"
Congratulations?
If Xiao Longzhen really believed that, he would be in trouble.
"Quibbling, what are you up to?"
Xiao Longzhen began to unleash his pressure, gradually approaching Ming Qi. If he hadn't been concerned that Yue Dongqing might come to his defense, he would have attacked him long ago.
Facing Xiao Longzhen's relentless pressure, Ming Qi suddenly felt the pressure, so he made a move.
A simple move: a lunge.
As Xiao Longzhen stood stunned, he watched Ming Qi throw himself into Xiao Lingyun's arms without hesitation.
"Ah! What are you doing!"
Xiao Lingyun was startled and immediately tried to dodge, but Ming Qi's lunge was so sudden that even she, already a powerful innate master, couldn't avoid it!
Xiao Lingyun's embrace was undoubtedly warm and sweet, but Ming Qi wasn't just craving such comfort. He acted out of pure anger towards Xiao Longzhen.
Don't you despise me and want to beat me up?
Don't you care about your sister and think I'm bullying her? Or do you want to beat me up?
Well, I'm bullying her now, so come on!
Ming Qi's actions were outrageous, but his mind was incredibly clear. He knew Xiao Longzhen wouldn't dare to attack.
And so it was. The pressure that had permeated Xiao Longzhen's astonishment vanished, and he simply stared at Ming Qi, who clung to Xiao Lingyun's arms like a piece of taffy, with a look of disbelief.
Scoundrel, scoundrel, this guy is a scoundrel!
Xiao Longzhen screamed frantically in his mind, but he didn't know what to do.
And what about Xiao Lingyun? Though not stunned, her flushed face left Xiao Longzhen feeling uneasy.
"Lingyun?"
Xiao Longzhen spoke, but Xiao Lingyun remained silent.
"Why don't you let go!"
After a few breaths, Xiao Lingyun finally reacted and lashed out shyly.
Although Xiao Lingyun had a somewhat unruly side, she never let that show in front of her brother.
"You're my woman, it's normal for me to hug you."
Ming Qi finally let go, though a look of unsatisfied reluctance remained on her face.
Bang!
At that moment, Xiao Longzhen felt as if someone had hit him hard on the head with a fist.