Chapter 447: Affection Level

Chapter 447: Affection Level

With Master Zhao absent, Lin Nuo ventured out for a trip.

It wasn’t a wasted trip, as he got to ride the White Immortal Tiger and experience the thrill of flying through the steep forest.

And, he casually gathered some celestial tea leaves from outside Master Zhao’s residence on his way.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t considered freeloading; he had been permitted by Master Zhao before to take them.

When Master Zhao was around, he had the option to pick, but now that he was gone, Lin Nuo seized the chance to gather some.

He couldn’t help but sigh; this old guy really knew how to enjoy life. Top-quality celestial tea paired with Tianling Mountain’s heavenly fruits, all whilst lazily lounging in a comfortable armchair—what a cozy way for an immortal to take it easy.

Moreover, in this bamboo forest, there was only that Zhao fellow around; he could indulge himself as much as he liked.

Who knew what he regularly did? Who was to say he didn’t have a hidden stash of treasures?

Don’t judge a person by appearances; you can’t even judge a cat by its looks. Take that Spirit Cat from Zhi Shu Ge, known in Xuanyun Sect for its profound legend. Yet, could you imagine it fighting over “Martial World Comedy”?

How many hidden treasures were stashed away by Master Zhao? Who knows, maybe the other elders are even borrowing a “talking” piece from him.

Though Master Zhao was away, there was a wooden sign in front of his residence indicating his absence. Visitors were asked to leave.

Thus, Lin Nuo turned back, thinking he couldn’t just sit around wait for his return. Regardless of whether he came back tomorrow or not, he had to go see Mu Yiting.

Speaking of which, he hadn’t seen her, so she must have returned to the organization. They needed her there.

Unfortunately, without Mu Yiting around, it meant there was no fun to be had. Life just wasn’t as enjoyable.

On the fifth day of missing her, he thought about Mu Yiting.

Lin Nuo rode out of the bamboo forest on the White Immortal Tiger, pulling out some celestial fruits suitable for magical beasts from his pocket.

“Here, a treat from me.”

Lin Nuo tossed some celestial fruits to the White Immortal Tiger, which devoured them with delight. These high-quality fruits were typically not given to it by Master Zhao, but Lin Nuo was generous.

That made sense; he was sweetening the tiger’s heart.

On one hand, due to Ruo’er’s communication with the tiger, on the other, Lin Nuo was feeding it, so the tiger was quite familiar with him. It occasionally took him for a ride around the mountain.

Lin Nuo treated the White Immortal Tiger and the Immortal Crane with entirely different attitudes.

He was nice to the tiger but indifferent to the crane, which he would kick without a second thought when passing.

Now the crane feared his presence, and a kick was one thing, but being roasted and eaten was a far bigger deal.

The disparity in his treatment was mainly due to their appearance and demeanor.

The ferocious White Immortal Tiger dashed through the jungle, robust and valiant—true bravery in action.

As for the Immortal Crane, it strutted about like a proud peacock, utterly useless, pretending to be noble, but often took steps that severed ties with its kin. How could Lin Nuo tolerate that? A swift kick served it right.

The tiger had its bravery; Lin Nuo favored the courageous magical beast.

After leaving the bamboo forest, Lin Nuo headed to the back mountain, where there were fewer people, making it ideal for his training.

He needed to stabilize his Demon Power; otherwise, if he became rusty over time, he’d truly turn into a pious and just cultivator, which would defeat his purpose.

Meanwhile, Xi Lan and Xi Qing, who had just arrived at Tianling Mountain, were monitoring Lin Nuo’s movements while pondering ways to create chances for him and Qin Shili.

“Qin Shili is proud and cold, making her hard to approach. They don’t practice together and rarely interact; we must create opportunities,” Xi Qing said.

“Mm, but creating opportunities isn’t enough; since their temperaments are so incompatible, I’ll have to use some tricks,” replied Xi Lan, holding a celestial tool specially borrowed from Tianyuan Hall. It contained some water that was currently colorless, but the color would gradually change, representing affection levels.

It was difficult to match them; she had to borrow that instrument from Tianyuan Hall, relying on affection levels to act. Thankfully, Yue Lao was absent, so she could lend it out.

“First, I need to determine Qin Shili’s affection for Lin Nuo. The outlook may not be optimistic. If it’s too bad, I might have to resort to coercive measures.”

Xi Lan needed to summon Lin Nuo and Qin Shili together to test their mutual affections with the celestial tool. She wanted to get a grasp on their dynamics to know how to proceed.

Currently, they needed to prepare in advance so that Qin Shili and Lin Nuo could come together, allowing her to gauge their affection levels.

They couldn’t do it in the crowded sect since it would be too conspicuous—best leave it for another time with more opportunities to try.

With that, Xi Lan and Xi Qing went their separate ways; Xi Qing sought out Qin Shili while Xi Lan went to find Lin Nuo.

At that moment, Lin Nuo was on his way to the back mountain when he bumped into Xi Lan.

“Young Master Lin.”

Xi Lan greeted him politely,

“Are you headed to train, Young Master Lin?”

“Not really,” Lin Nuo replied coldly.

“Young Master Lin, I’m new to Tianling Mountain and quite unfamiliar with the area. Would you mind showing me around?”

“Not willing.”

“Well then, let’s head to… ah?”

Xi Lan felt a bit awkward; Lin Nuo’s rejection was absolute, without any mercy at all.

She had even prepared some lines but now found herself stumbling.

“You know, Young Master Lin, I’ve heard that Xuanyun Sect has a long history. Could you…?”

“Impossible, not going. Farewell.”

A complete three-strike rejection right in front of her; he showed no hospitable disposition typical of sect cultivators.

Having run into some sect cultivators before, even the elders and mentors, none had been as blunt as him.

Thinking about it, how would the noble and powerful Qin Shili ever take a liking to someone like him?

That would be a tough match to make!

“Then, Young Master Lin…”

“Your sister called you to come home for dinner, hurry back.”

Lin Nuo ignored her and continued on his way. What did she think this was—a tour guide gig? Giving lectures on sect history? That was not his style!

However, just as he turned to leave, a sudden chill gust blew past, causing Lin Nuo to instinctively stop.

He turned around and decided not to head to the back mountain after all, but to head back instead.

“Where are you going?”

At that moment, Qin Shili emerged from the nearby thicket, bringing an icy gust with her.

She noticed Xi Lan, the newly arrived fairy, and couldn’t help but be surprised. Had this fairy actually gone after Lin Nuo so soon to steal some alone time?

“Am I interrupting your little rendezvous?”

She continued, her voice icy.

“Rendezvous? What kind of international joke is that?” Lin Nuo replied nonchalantly.

“Then why are you leaving?” Qin Shili pressed on.

“I suddenly feel tired and want to go back to sleep.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

“Good luck with that.”

“No problem, but under one condition: you sleep alone.”

A tense atmosphere filled the air as Qin Shili exchanged a few words with Lin Nuo; it was anything but harmonious. Xi Lan listened in, increasingly worried, as Qin Shili’s icy words clearly expressed her disdain for Lin Nuo.

Even the slightest affection wouldn’t evoke such hostility!

Xi Lan was even more anxious now, but with Qin Shili inching closer to Lin Nuo, it was the perfect moment for her to quietly cast the spell and use the celestial tool to measure their affection levels.

Okay, initiate the spell, and let’s test it out.

The celestial tool activated, and soon results emerged.

Qin Shili’s affection for Lin Nuo…

Maxed out????