Chapter 221

Chapter 221: Jealousy? (4000 words, combined chapters)

“So, I’ll just ask directly. Did you come to the Heavenly Profound Gate to congratulate or because you missed Qingwan Qin?”

Wu Yanhan seriously looked at Xu Ming.

Being stared at like this by Wu Yanhan, Xu Ming felt a shiver run down his spine.

Xu Ming had a feeling that if he didn’t answer well, Wu Yanhan might just throw a punch at him.

Wu Yanhan’s punch isn’t like little punches tapping on your chest.

Wu Yanhan’s punch could very likely make you question life itself.

“Qingwan is my friend and helped me a lot in the White Hollow Secret Realm. Qingwan also got injured quite badly because she helped me, so I came to see her and check if there’s anything I can do.” Xu Ming slowly said.

“Why are you explaining so much when I haven’t said anything?” Wu Yanhan picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of tea. “Even if you came here because you missed her, it’s none of my business; it’s your freedom.”

Though Wu Yanhan said this, hearing Xu Ming’s explanation still made her secretly happy inside.

Although Xu Ming might be lying to her, at least he bothered to explain.

Whether it was true or not, she didn’t really want to investigate further.

But Xu Ming, looking at Wu Yanhan, felt like she was somewhat jealous.

However, Xu Ming thought he must have been mistaken.

When he stopped her duel with Mo Zhu’er, taking no sides, Wu Yanhan being “jealous” seemed plausible.

After all, they were comrades who faced life and death together, yet he chose neutrality, which would surely make Wu Yanhan uncomfortable.

But Qingwan was his childhood friend and had no conflicting interests with Wu Yanhan, so Xu Ming couldn’t figure out why Wu Yanhan would be jealous.

“Could it be… Yanhan likes me?”

A bold thought popped into Xu Ming’s mind as he looked at Wu Yanhan.

Wu Yanhan blinked her eyes at Xu Ming, noticing something off about his gaze. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Xu Ming, feeling somewhat guilty, took a sip of tea. “No reason.”

“So random.” Wu Yanhan stood up. “It’s getting late, I’ll leave first. If there’s anything, let me know. By the way, after the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony, where will you go?”

Xu Ming shook his head. “I originally planned to visit the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, but the selection for the Rootless Mystic Realm is coming soon, so I probably won’t have time. After the ceremony, I’ll return to Wudu.”

Wu Yanhan nodded. “After my mission to the Heavenly Profound Gate, I’ll also return to Wudu to report. You can come back with me.”

“Has the army of the Wu Kingdom arrived?” Xu Ming asked.

Wu Yanhan: “I’m just on a diplomatic mission to the Heavenly Profound Gate, not to flatten them. Why would I bring an army? But I do have two thousand Dragon Leopard Cavalry with me. Why did you ask?”

“Just asking randomly. Alright, then we’ll go back together.”

The reason Xu Ming asked was because he feared encountering assassination attempts along the way, which could affect Wu Yanhan.

But with two thousand Dragon Leopard Cavalry following, he could relax.

Although most members of the Dragon Leopard Cavalry were at the Heroic Soul Realm and Martial Courage Realm levels, their long spears and armor were made from Black Iron. Moreover, their dragon-leopard horses possessed bloodlines of Lu Su, dragons, and lightning leopards, making them formidable warriors.

Especially, the Dragon Leopard Cavalry could form military formations, serving as a powerful weapon.

As one of the three elite armies of the Wu Kingdom, these two thousand Dragon Leopard Cavalry weren’t afraid even of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. Even Jade Pudding Realm cultivators would need to tread carefully.

“Alright, it’s settled then.”

After confirming with Xu Ming, Wu Yanhan didn’t say more and walked out of Xu Ming’s courtyard.

After Wu Yanhan left, Shen Shengsheng, who had been playing with mud, ran over to Xu Ming and handed him a mud sculpture.

“This little dog is pretty well done.” Xu Ming praised as he looked at the clay sculpture in Shen Shengsheng’s hand.

Shen Shengsheng shook her head. “Not a doggy.”

“Not a dog? Then what is it?” Xu Ming examined it closely.

Shen Shengsheng pointed at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming also pointed at himself. “Did you sculpt me?”

Shen Shengsheng nodded, looking disappointed as she touched the clay figurine of Xu Ming.

Seeing the girl’s dejected expression, Xu Ming quickly changed his tone. “Oh, now I remember why it looks familiar—it’s me! Thank you, I like it.”

“Really?” Shen Shengsheng lifted her little head.

“Really.” Xu Ming accepted the figurine. “I never lie to Shengsheng.”

Shen Shengsheng’s eyes curved happily.

Actually, Shengsheng wasn’t unintelligent; she just couldn’t express herself well verbally.

When Wu Yanhan was in the yard, Shengsheng played quietly without interrupting their conversation until Wu Yanhan left.

“Your hands are full of mud, go wash them.” Xu Ming patted Shen Shengsheng’s head.

“Um-hmm.” Shen Shengsheng obediently nodded, ran to the water vat, tiptoed, scooped two buckets of water into the wooden basin, and squatted down to wash her hands carefully.

After washing, Shen Shengsheng trotted back to Xu Ming and held out her white, delicate little hands.

“Hmm.” Xu Ming nodded, turning his head to think about the Three Stone Peak matter.

But soon, Shen Shengsheng turned around to Xu Ming again, holding out her clean little hands.

Looking at Shen Shengsheng’s cute appearance, Xu Ming understood what she wanted.

Xu Ming reached out and rubbed Shen Shengsheng’s little head, smiling. “You washed them really clean.”

“Xixixi,” Shen Shengsheng, like a little animal, happily rubbed her little head against Xu Ming’s palm.

Seeing the girl’s sweet demeanor, Xu Ming asked, “Shengsheng, what do you think of the older sister earlier?”

Shen Shengsheng thought seriously. “Pretty.”

Xu Ming smiled. “She is indeed pretty, but I wasn’t asking about her looks. What do you think of her personality?”

Shen Shengsheng bit her finger and thought seriously again. “Scary.”

Xu Ming paused, pinching Shen Shengsheng’s little nose. “Yanhan is indeed a bit scary, but she only looks scary. In reality, Yanhan is very gentle. You’ll understand once you spend more time with her.”

“Oh…”

Shen Shengsheng nodded and sat beside Xu Ming.

In Shen Shengsheng’s view, how the beautiful older sister acted was none of her business. All she needed to do was stay by Brother Xu.

As night fell, the outer disciples delivered dinner.

The dinner was served in wooden boxes that could be discarded after eating.

Five dishes and one soup, with large portions. The ingredients used were all meat from monster beasts or spirit vegetables irrigated with spirit springs, all rich in spiritual energy.

These dishes outside were something ordinary people couldn’t afford. Even kings and generals couldn’t eat them every day.

But those kings and generals didn’t need to eat them daily anyway.

Most mortals were martial artists who couldn’t absorb much spiritual energy. At best, they could maintain good health, but they might also cause other problems by over-supplementing.

After dinner, it was already dark.

Xu Ming took Shen Shengsheng to a small stream to take a bath. Of course, when Shen Shengsheng bathed, Xu Ming turned his back.

Xu Ming initially considered taking Shen Shengsheng to the women’s bathhouse, where the bathing water was infused with spirit flowers and herbs, beneficial to the body.

But Shen Shengsheng still had some characteristics of monster beasts, so it wouldn’t be good if others saw her.

After Shen Shengsheng finished bathing, she called out to Xu Ming far away with an “Ao-wu,” letting him know she was done.

Xu Ming brought Shen Shengsheng back to the courtyard, where a maidservant stood outside the gate.

Upon seeing Xu Ming return, the maidservant bowed slightly. “Lingzhi Peak Chen Xiang pays respects to Master Xu.”

Xu Ming nodded and returned the bow. “What brings you here, Miss Chen Xiang?”

“The Sect Leader sent me to deliver some items to Master Xu. These are things Summer Brother promised to give you during the White Hollow Secret Realm expedition.” Chen Xiang smiled and pulled out a box from her storage ring.

“Ah, I see. Please thank the Sect Leader and Brother Xia on my behalf. Brother Xia truly keeps his word.”

Xu Ming took the box.

“Master Xu is too polite. Furthermore, the Sect Leader instructed me to convey that if Master Xu needs anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. The Sect Leader will certainly fulfill your requests.” Chen Xiang said gently.

“Of course, I won’t hesitate.” Xu Ming smiled, not refusing her kindness.

From Chen Xiang’s words, Xu Ming detected a hint of warning.

This disciple wasn’t representing Xia Donghua but the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Profound Gate.

This implied—”I already know about the matter between you and my son. Indeed, my son was wrong, and these items are my apology. However, I hope this matter ends here and please give me face.”

Whether or not to give face could be discussed later, but while in the Heavenly Profound Gate, one should pretend to give face.

“If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

“Please walk safely.”

Chen Xiang bowed slightly and retreated.

After Chen Xiang left, Xu Ming returned to the courtyard with the box.

Opening the box, the intense spiritual energy hit him immediately.

Inside the box, divided into three layers, the first and second layers neatly held fifty high-grade spirit stones, while the third layer contained five Grade One spirit fruits.

In the mortal world, the common currency is gold and silver.

But in the cultivation realm, although gold and silver still have some purchasing power, the main currency is spirit stones.

Spirit stones are divided into lower, middle, and upper grades, with a conversion ratio of one hundred to one.

That means one upper-grade spirit stone equals ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

As for the exchange rate between spirit stones and mortal gold and silver, it isn’t stable.

It mainly depends on the “international situation” and the strength of each dynasty.

If the mortal dynasty is stronger, one lower-grade spirit stone is roughly worth one coin.

If it’s a smaller country, relatively weaker, one lower-grade spirit stone could be worth two coins or even ten coins.

Even if not exchanging for legal tender like copper coins,

Exchanging spirit stones for hard currencies like silver and gold also depends on the relationship between the mortal world and the cultivation realm.

If the mortal world is stronger and has a greater influence on the cultivation realm, one upper-grade spirit stone is equivalent to eight thousand taels of gold.

If the cultivation realm almost completely dominates the mortal dynasty, one upper-grade spirit stone could be worth over ten thousand taels of gold.

The mortal world and the cultivation realm always maintain a mysterious balance.

Regardless, the fifty upper-grade spirit stones Xu Ming demanded from Xia Donghua was indeed exorbitant, and Xia Donghua definitely felt the pain.

And these five Grade One spirit fruits were also extremely precious, with each Grade One spirit fruit approximately worth one upper-grade spirit stone.

As for whether the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Profound Gate could possibly poison these spirit fruits.

Impossible.

Spirit fruits, the higher the grade, the purer they are.

For such Grade One spirit fruits, if any poison is added, the spiritual energy would become murky—not only the color but they might even rot.

But these five Grade One spirit fruits were intact, crystal clear, clearly without any issues.

Shen Shengsheng propped her hands on the table, revealing half her face, her big eyes blinking as she looked at the spirit fruits on the table, saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Seeing Shen Shengsheng’s little gluttonous look, Xu Ming smiled. “Do you want to eat?”

Shen Shengsheng nodded, then shook her head vigorously.

“It’s fine, if you want to eat, just eat.”

Xu Ming picked an apple-like spirit fruit for Shen Shengsheng. This spirit fruit was called Water Dragon Fruit, with abundant water content, thin skin, and thin flesh. You could even see the fruit flesh through the skin.

Shen Shengsheng wanted to take it but withdrew her hand.

“You don’t need to be polite with me. Shengsheng gave me a clay figure, and I’ll give Shengsheng a fruit.” Xu Ming smiled.

Shen Shengsheng hesitated for a moment, finally unable to resist the temptation, grabbed the fruit, and started munching loudly.

After finishing, Shen Shengsheng burped, feeling her belly full.

Xu Ming let Shen Shengsheng sit on the table and personally adjusted the spiritual energy within her.

Shen Shengsheng’s cultivation level was low, and the spiritual energy contained in the Grade One spirit fruit was too much, requiring gradual digestion.

Half an hour later, Shen Shengsheng leaned backward, and Xu Ming caught her. The little girl in his arms was already asleep.

Xu Ming carried Shen Shengsheng to the bed and tucked her in.

Just as Xu Ming tucked her in, his hand paused. “Entering someone’s residence without knocking isn’t a good habit.”

Behind Xu Ming, a girl in black dress smiled seductively. “If I knocked, how could I witness Master Xu’s gentle side?”