Chapter 80: Returning Back

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Returning Back

Nangong Mei stood before him, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and she kept stealing glances at him as though waiting for him to say something.

Li Jian noticed her unusual behavior.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Is there something else you want to ask me?"

Nangong Mei flinched, as though she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. She quickly shook her head.

"N-No! It’s nothing."

Li Jian studied her for a moment.

’If it’s nothing, why are you acting so strangely?’

He was about to turn toward the door when Nangong Mei suddenly spoke again.

"F-Fellow Li, wait!"

He stopped and looked back.

"What’s wrong?"

Nangong Mei lowered her head, rubbing her fingers together.

"Um... When I finish refining the first batch of pills, would you... would you come and take a look?"

Li Jian blinked.

"Of course. Why wouldn’t I?"

"R-Really?"

"Naturally. After all, these materials are yours to work with. I’d like to see what you can accomplish."

Nangong Mei’s expression brightened, and she nodded several times.

"Then I’ll make sure to work hard!"

Li Jian smiled faintly.

"Don’t push yourself too hard. Take your time."

"I understand!"

Seeing that she had finally regained her usual enthusiasm, Li Jian nodded in satisfaction.

"All right, I’ll leave you to your work. I still need to return and rest."

Nangong Mei hurriedly walked him to the entrance.

"Then... take care, Fellow Li."

Li Jian stepped outside and gave her a final nod before walking away.

Only after he had disappeared from sight did Nangong Mei return to the room. She looked at the enormous pile of materials before clenching her fists with renewed determination.

’I must do my best!’

She couldn’t afford to disappoint someone who had placed so much trust in her.

_

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_

After leaving Nangong Mei’s residence, Li Jian made his way back to his own.

As he walked along the familiar path, he let out a long sigh.

’Ah... All I want right now is a nice, hot meal and a quick bath.’

Although cultivators like him no longer needed to eat regularly, his current cultivation was already sufficient to sustain him for weeks, perhaps even months, without food.

He could simply absorb spiritual energy from his surroundings to maintain his body.

Still, that didn’t mean he had to give up eating altogether.

In fact, he rather missed the simple pleasure of enjoying a proper meal. The taste of freshly cooked food, the warmth of a hot broth, and the satisfaction of filling his stomach were things he hadn’t realized he would miss so much.

The same went for bathing. Even though he could easily keep himself clean with spiritual energy or a cleansing spell, nothing quite compared to soaking in warm water after a long and tiring day.

’Cultivation is convenient and all, but some things are better enjoyed the old-fashioned way.’

With that thought, Li Jian quickened his pace. He wanted to get back, wash away the fatigue of the day, and enjoy a proper meal.

To his surprise, someone was already waiting outside his residence.

A beautiful woman stood before the entrance, her arms crossed beneath her ample chest. Her fitted robe followed the curves of her waist and hips, giving her an elegant yet alluring appearance.

She tapped one foot impatiently, her lips pursed as she clicked her tongue.

"Tsk. What took that pervert so long?"

Li Jian stopped in his tracks.

He recognized her immediately.

"Senior Sister Su?"

It was none other than Su Qin.

She turned toward him, her expression still carrying a hint of irritation.

"Oh? Where were you? I’ve been waiting here for quite some time!"

Li Jian’s tired expression immediately brightened into a warm smile.

He quickly walked toward her, his earlier fatigue seemingly forgotten.

"I just returned from the Fragment Realm. I had a few things to take care of along the way, so I ended up getting back a little later than expected."

As he approached, his gaze briefly shifted toward the sky.

The sun was still hanging above the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the sect. It wasn’t even evening yet, let alone night.

Li Jian looked back at Su Qin with a curious expression.

"But why did you come so early? Weren’t we supposed to meet at night?"

Su Qin seemed about to retort, but then she suddenly remembered something.

The irritation on her face gradually faded, replaced by a hesitant expression. Her arms loosened, and she looked away as though struggling to find the right words.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again.

Li Jian noticed the sudden change.

’What’s this?’

Just moments ago, she had been clicking her tongue and complaining about how long he’d kept her waiting. Now, she seemed unusually reluctant to speak.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Senior Sister Su? Is something the matter?"

Su Qin hesitated for another moment before glancing back at him.

"Well... I actually came here because there’s something I wanted to ask you."

Her voice was noticeably softer than before.

However, even after saying that, she didn’t continue. Instead, she lowered her gaze, her fingers unconsciously playing with the edge of her sleeve.

Li Jian waited patiently, growing more curious by the second. Seeing how hesitant Su Qin was, he began to suspect that whatever she wanted to ask must be rather important.

After a moment, he gestured toward the entrance.

"Come on. Let’s discuss it inside."

He stepped closer and casually placed a hand against her delicate waist, guiding her toward the door.

Su Qin flinched slightly at the unexpected touch, her body stiffening for an instant.

However, she didn’t object or pull away.

After a brief hesitation, she simply followed his lead, her head still lowered.

Li Jian opened the door and ushered her inside.

Once they had both entered, the door slowly swung shut behind them.

Su Qin finally let out the breath she seemed to have been holding. She turned toward Li Jian, her expression still somewhat hesitant.

"Li Jian, there’s something I—"

Before she could finish, Li Jian suddenly stepped closer and kissed her.