“Oh? The Yangzhou City of Jin State?”
Lu Li’s brow lifted slightly, clearly intrigued by the sect mission that Duan Xueyan had just pointed out.
He then opened the sect mission that Duan Xueyan had just shown him and carefully read the mission description regarding Yangzhou City.
[Mission Location: Yangzhou City, Jin State]
[Mission Details: Recently, there have been repeated disappearances of children in Yangzhou City, causing widespread panic. There are rumors among the people suggesting that this matter might be related to the newly established Danding Pavilion in Yangzhou City six months ago.]
[The common folk suspect that Danding Pavilion has abducted the children and turned the missing kids into elixirs. The sect requests Immortal Masters of the Wang Xuling Sect to investigate the truth. If it is indeed the work of evil cultivators, be sure to rescue the missing children and eradicate the malevolent forces.]
[Sect Mission Reward: 300 Mid-grade Spiritual Stones, 500 Sect Contribution Points.]
“Hm? Danding Pavilion?”
Lu Li frowned slightly; he had heard of that name before.
“Is that the rogue cultivation faction that suddenly rose to prominence in recent years, specializing in herbs and elixirs?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Duan Xueyan nodded, her previously careless expression turning somewhat serious.
“In recent years, Danding Pavilion has expanded rapidly, and its background is somewhat mysterious.”
“I heard that the mastermind behind them is an unparalleled alchemist.”
“The Yangzhou Branch of Danding Pavilion was established just six months ago. Now with the children going missing in Yangzhou City, the common people can’t find the culprit, so naturally, they suspect this foreign and secretive Danding Pavilion.”
“Whether it’s just rumors or the truth, that’s what you need to investigate, junior brother. So, what do you say? Will you take the mission?”
Lu Li pondered for a moment, seriously considering it.
Yangzhou City wasn’t far from the sect, making travel convenient, and the investigation seemed relatively safe.
Plus, the reward was considerable, perfectly matching Lu Li’s current needs.
As for Danding Pavilion, Lu Li had long developed a strong interest in this new faction.
After all, during his past life’s testing in cultivation simulation games, he had never encountered this faction.
So, from early on, he had been very curious about Danding Pavilion.
“Alright, I’ll take the mission.”
Lu Li made up his mind and accepted the bounty task.
***
After accepting the sect mission, Lu Li practically fled the Merits Hall, fearing that if he stayed longer, Senior Sister Duan would pull him into a teasing embrace again.
By dusk, Lu Li took the spiritual boat and smoothly returned to his own cave dwelling.
As soon as he stepped into the peak’s protective barrier, Gu Qingying, who had long anticipated his return, came forward with an obedient and sunny smile.
“Master, you’re back…”
Before Gu Qingying could finish speaking, her nostrils twitched subtly.
A faint yet unmistakably distinct aroma of fermented rice wine, mixed with the lazy and alluring scent unique to a mature woman, lingered faintly around Master’s collar and sleeves.
Hmm?
That smell… is that the scent of that fox demon, Uncle Duan from Xiaoyao Peak?
Gu Qingying’s smile instantly stiffened, a cold sharpness and a surge of jealousy flashing briefly in her eyes.
Ah, it’s Duan Xueyan again! In her past life, she always found an excuse to cling to Master and wouldn’t let go!
This life, after I finally managed to gain Master’s favor and stay close, this fox demon still won’t leave!
I planned for every senior sister, but the only one I didn’t count on was this fox demon!
Thinking this, the fingers hidden inside Gu Qingying’s sleeve clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh.
But in just a moment, she forcibly suppressed the anger and jealousy rising in her heart and once again displayed that flawless, pure smile on her face.
“Master, it seems you… smell a bit of alcohol?”
Lu Li lifted his sleeve to sniff carefully.
Indeed, he caught the lingering peach blossom wine scent and coughed awkwardly.
“Cough, cough… Just now, I went to the Merits Hall and met with Hall Chief Duan.”
“Hall Chief Duan, well… she was a bit… enthusiastic towards me.”
Lu Li explained vaguely.
After all, as a teacher and role model, he found it embarrassing to tell his disciple that he had just been teased by the Merits Hall Chief.
Gu Qingying smirked coldly in her heart:
Enthusiastic?
That fox demon probably tried to get close again.
Although she grumbled inside, on the surface she showed a look of realization:
“So it was Uncle Duan, huh.”
Then she cleverly shifted the topic instead of asking more,
“Master, what were you doing at the Merits Hall just now?”
“Oh, nothing much. I went to accept a mission to earn some resources for your cultivation.”
As soon as Lu Li said this, the jealousy and resentment inside Gu Qingying’s heart suddenly deflated like a balloon pierced by a steel needle.
So… Master went down the mountain and even went to the Merits Hall to face Duan Xueyan, the fox demon, all just to earn cultivation resources for me?
At that thought, an indescribable warmth surged up in her heart, sweeping away all the shadows.
The jealousy caused by Duan Xueyan just now suddenly felt insignificant, even making her feel a bit ashamed for overthinking.
Master Lu Li was wholeheartedly planning for her, yet she misunderstood his good intentions and even harbored resentment…
Gu Qingying lowered her lashes to hide the complex emotions swirling in her eyes.
When she looked up again, her purple eyes were filled with nothing but pure gratitude and a faint trace of guilt.
Even her voice softened considerably, carrying genuine concern and remorse:
“Master, why do you go to such lengths?”
“Your disciple… doesn’t need that many resources.”
Gu Qingying’s words were sincere, with a hint of pain.
After all, Master needed resources for his own cultivation, yet he still labored so much for her…
Seeing her reaction, Lu Li felt even more gratified that his disciple was so considerate.
“No worries. Since Qingkong chose to study under me, I naturally have to plan for you.”
“In cultivation, we abide by the principles of resource, land, and spouse. Resources are the foundation of cultivation and indispensable. You only need to focus on your training in the sect. Leave these trivial matters to me.”
Lu Li’s tone was gentle, filled with a sense of responsibility that felt entirely natural.
His words were like warm springs, slowly enveloping Gu Qingying’s heart.
She gazed at Master’s slightly tired but still gentle profile, feeling a slight sting in her nose.
Master is always like this…
It was true in the past life and remains so now.
Always quietly giving them the best, never complaining about hardship.
Compared to Master’s heavy, unconditional love and care, Duan Xueyan’s trivial little antics were simply nothing to mention.
At this moment, her heart was filled with overwhelming gratitude, almost spilling over, and a strong determination to repay Master better.
That petty jealousy was long since washed away by the profound bond between master and disciple.
“Mm…”
Gu Qingying nodded gently, her voice obedient.
“Your disciple understands. Thank you, Master…”
She lowered her head, hiding the faint redness in her eyes and the uncontrollable shy smile filled with sweetness at the corner of her mouth.
Well, let that fox demon go for now.
What matters most right now is to cultivate well and be able to help Master as soon as possible, so he won’t have to worry about me so much anymore.
Gu Qingying’s mindset quietly shifted, from wary jealousy of Duan Xueyan to deeper dependence and gratitude toward her Master.
Yet beneath that gratitude still hid a possessive jealousy that allowed no other to encroach, temporarily covered only by the overwhelming emotion.
After all, in Gu Qingying’s eyes, from the very moment she reunited with Lu Li…
Lu Li had already become her everything!