After calming her mood, Gu Qingying hurriedly asked Lu Li.
“So… Master, have you received the mission?”
“Mm, I have.”
Lu Li nodded while standing up and walking further into the cave dwelling.
“What kind of mission is it?”
Gu Qingying asked curiously.
“Oh, nothing much~ just an investigation mission to Yangzhou City in Jin Kingdom. The pay is good, and it’s nearby.”
As Lu Li spoke, he began organizing the talismans, elixirs, and magical tools he might need for the mission.
Seeing her master start packing, Gu Qingying’s heart stirred.
She quickly followed, pretending to help while casually asking.
“Uh… Master, are you leaving already?”
“Mm… the mission is somewhat urgent, so I plan to set out for Yangzhou City immediately.”
Lu Li glanced at the system countdown without looking up and continued packing, reminding Gu Qingying,
“You should stay on the peak and cultivate diligently. Use the Heart Severing Technique and Body Refining Method I taught you these past few days to consolidate your recent progress.”
“If you run out of elixirs, you can get more from my quiet chamber. I left some on the table.”
Hearing her master was leaving for a while, Gu Qingying’s heart tightened again after just calming down.
Although Yangzhou City wasn’t exactly a den of dragons and tigers, she couldn’t help but worry about Master going alone.
Moreover, considering Master’s personality and appearance—and the little episode where he had the scent of Duan Xueyan on him just now—Gu Qingying was even more uneasy!
After all, having lived two lifetimes, she understood her master’s character very well!
In her previous life, she was picked up by her master out of kindness while he was traveling!
Second Senior Sister and Fourth Senior Sister were in the same situation!
Now that she had finally reunited with her master and only enjoyed a few days of their private time, what if Master suddenly had a change of heart during this trip and brought back more junior disciples?
If they were just some random juniors, that might be fine.
But if he brought back Second Senior Sister and Fourth Senior Sister, wouldn’t all her plans be ruined?
Thinking this through, Gu Qingying’s gaze instantly sharpened!
No!
She couldn’t let Master go alone!
She had to follow him on this trip!
With this thought, her mind raced.
She showed just the right amount of worry and eagerness, looking a little hesitant as she spoke to her master.
“Master, may your disciple accompany you down the mountain?”
“When I was in the outer sect, I heard from others that if cultivators only close themselves off to practice, it’s like studying from paper without real combat experience, making it difficult to achieve the great Dao. Practical experience is equally important.”
“So… your disciple wants to go with you!”
Gu Qingying quietly observed Lu Li’s expression.
Seeing her master’s movements slow slightly, as if touched, she hurried to press her advantage.
“Master, I am now at Qi Refinement stage, seventh level, and believe I have some ability to protect myself.”
“On the way to Yangzhou, I won’t cause you any trouble!”
“Also, I know a little about herbs and medicines. If you want to purchase medicinal materials, I can assist.”
“Most importantly…”
Here, Gu Qingying paused, lowering her voice a bit with the earnestness unique to youth, wanting to prove herself:
“If you encounter trivial matters or errands, someone needs to handle them.”
“If I go with you, I can take care of those small tasks, allowing you to focus fully on the sect’s investigation mission. Please, Master, allow your disciple to accompany you for experience!”
Her words made sense and sounded thoughtful and mature, coming from the perspective of a capable assistant eager to grow.
Standing beside her, Lu Li was subtly moved.
Afterward, Gu Qingying even used the system’s cognition modification function to brainwash Lu Li, trying to deepen his positive impression of what she’d just said.
Lu Li hadn’t originally planned to bring her along, since the mission might have unknown risks.
But after hearing her, he fell into thought.
Hmm… On second thought, her words do have some truth.
Seventh level Qi Refinement is still a low-level cultivator, but within the mundane city, that’s quite respectable combat power.
And as long as she doesn’t provoke strong enemies, self-protection should be no problem.
Plus, her words were reasonable.
If he always locked her on the mountain to cultivate, it would indeed hinder her from gaining broader insight and practical experience.
Furthermore… Lu Li glanced at the slender figure beside him.
After all, she had just turned fourteen, a curious age prone to restlessness and playfulness.
Leaving her alone on the lonely Heart Severing Peak was indeed somewhat inconsiderate…
Besides, this precious disciple of his was bound to the system mission!
She was crucial to his breakthrough to Golden Core within three months!
If something went wrong with her cultivation while he was away, wouldn’t his mission fail outright?
With these thoughts, Lu Li felt having her accompany him on the mission would be safer than leaving her alone on the mountain.
At least she’d be under his watchful eye, ensuring nothing went wrong.
And since this trip was just an investigation, Gu Qingying wouldn’t face real danger even if she followed.
He might as well take his disciple out for some training and sightseeing!
Lu Li sighed and softened his tone a bit:
“What you said makes sense. Always closing oneself off does make it hard to grasp the full Dao.”
Gu Qingying’s eyes immediately shone with delight, but she restrained herself, only letting a slight smile appear at the corners of her lips.
“You may come down the mountain with me, but!”
Lu Li suddenly put on a stern face, emphasizing seriously,
“We have three rules for this trip! All actions must follow my orders. No acting on your own! No matter what happens, you must immediately hide behind me and never recklessly show off, understood?”
“Disciple understands!”
Gu Qingying nodded quickly, trying her best to appear steady and reliable.
“I will obey your orders on this trip and never cause you trouble!”
Success!
Finally, I get to be with Master!
Does this count as a date trip with Master?
And indeed, Master cares about me; his mind is filled with concern for my safety!
Gu Qingying’s heart rejoiced, her face glowing brightly.
It was the excitement for the journey ahead and the joy of accompanying her master.
“Good, then quickly pack up briefly. We’ll set off for Yangzhou immediately.”
Lu Li looked at the excited Gu Qingying, feeling an inexplicable sense of calm.
Hmm…
Having a disciple along to run errands and chat seems… quite nice after all~
Suddenly remembering something, Lu Li reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a spirit sword artifact and a stack of talismans, handing them directly to Gu Qingying.
“This journey will be difficult. Take this Love Thread Sword and these spiritual talismans for self-defense.”
Gu Qingying’s breath quickened as she stared at the spirit sword and talismans Lu Li handed her.
If she remembered correctly, this Love Thread Sword was a treasured artifact Master gave to Senior Sister in their previous life.
Senior Sister cherished the sword like a precious treasure, forbidding other senior sisters and herself from touching it!
And now, the Love Thread Sword that Senior Sister Feng Lingshuang considered a token of her bond with Master was actually in her hands!
How could she not be thrilled?
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