Zhao Huai's heart sank abruptly.
Somehow, at that moment just now, he felt an intense tightness in his chest.
Zhao Shuning was talking to him across from him at this moment.
Seeing Zhao Huai like this, she quickly asked, "Brother, what's wrong with you?"
"It's okay. Maybe I've been over - practicing these days, so I feel a bit stuffy in my chest. But it's okay. I'm much better now."
"Brother, should I ask Master to take a look at you?"
Zhao Huai shook his head.
"Xiaoning'er, it seems that you like the Emperor Venerable especially."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"The Emperor Venerable acts steadily, but his temperament is a bit too cold. Your temperament is very different from his. I'm afraid there may be a lot of frictions if you get along with him in the future."
"Brother, you don't have to worry about this. By the way, the five - year period is almost up. Whether it's spiritual power or mental power, I'm around the sixth rank. The status of a sixth - rank spiritual pharmacist should be able to raise the status of our Zhao Family in Yanqing City to a higher level. Brother, my ability is not enough to stay in the Sect Association. You are so outstanding that the Sect Association will surely not let you go. Besides, I think that Chang'an, the capital city, is the place where you can fully display your talents."
"Xiaoning'er, are you saying all this because you hope I'll stay here?"
"No. I respect your choice. Of course I want you to go back with me, but I know you're not willing to now."
"I am willing."
"Brother, there's more and more confidence in your eyes. I don't know what you've been doing in private, but I think it must make you very happy. If you go back to Yanqing City because of me, I'll feel that your excellent talent will be wasted."
"But Xiaoning'er, what about you?"
"Brother, you don't have to worry about me. You know that with my current ability, it's very difficult for anyone in this world to hurt me. Besides, look at the spiritual pharmacists in Yanqing City. They're no match for me. Even if things go really bad, don't I still have the White Tiger you gave me? With it around, you should be more at ease."
Zhao Huai nodded.
"Xiaoning'er, if anything happens to our parents, remember to send someone to inform me."
"Okay."
"So when do you plan to set off?"
"After a month. I'll leave after the Sect Association ceremony is over in a month."
"My Xiaoning'er has grown up."
Zhao Huai reached out his hand and lovingly stroked Zhao Shuning's hair.
It could be said that Zhao Shuning was an extremely special existence to Zhao Huai. When Zhao Huai was still a child, he had already put Zhao Shuning at the top of his heart.
When he picked up that little person and saw her smiling at him, Zhao Huai swore that he would never let anyone hurt his younger sister in this lifetime.
"Brother, you must take good care of yourself."
"I will."
Zhao Huai was also a very special existence to Zhao Shuning.
In her previous life, Ye Ling only had a younger brother, and they were forced to separate when her brother was still very young and had just started to remember things.
Ye Ling had no relatives. She only had Yan Ruyu.
Now, as Zhao Shuning, although she had nothing in terms of material things and lived a very poor life, in this lifetime, she had the most precious thing in the world, which was family affection.
Although the Zhao Family was small, they made Zhao Shuning feel the kind of family bond she had never felt before.
Her father's strictness, her mother's kindness, her grandfather's doting, and her elder brother's love.
All these little things were Zhao Shuning's most precious memories.
After Zhao Shuning left Zhao Huai's residence, she returned to her own room. At that time, Jun Jiu was already waiting for her there.
Seeing Zhao Shuning come, Jun Jiu hurriedly grabbed her and ran outside.
Zhao Shuning was still confused.
"Little beauty, what are you doing?"
"Something big has happened, Zhao Shuning."
"What's the matter?"
Zhao Shuning broke free from Jun Jiu's hold, stood still, rubbed her sore arm, and was reluctant to go forward.
Jun Jiu sighed and then said, "I used to think that the Holy Maiden had her eyes on your Master, so I didn't take it to heart. But today, I actually saw the Holy Maiden walking with my little brother. They're having a walk, chatting, and drinking tea in the back garden now."
"So what?"
Zhao Shuning didn't understand.
"So you should go with me quickly. We can't let the Holy Maiden succeed."
"Isn't the Holy Maiden the woman you admire?"
"Precisely because she is the woman I admire and respect, I want you to go with me. Otherwise, I won't have enough confidence."
"Will I give you enough confidence if I go?"
Jun Jiu hung her head.
Obviously, the answer was self - evident.
It wasn't that Zhao Shuning deliberately wanted to dampen Jun Jiu's spirits. After all, she had also seen the Holy Maiden. Such a beauty! It was the first time Zhao Shuning had seen such a good - looking woman. Gentle and resolute, these two contradictory words could be used to describe the Holy Maiden.
She was like a lotus flower emerging from the mud without being tainted and washed in clear ripples without being flirtatious.
As long as the Holy Maiden stood there, she was a painting of a peerless beauty.
"So what should we do?"
"Do nothing. By the way, little beauty, you said the Holy Maiden and your little brother are in the back garden now. Where's my Master?"
"I don't know. Your Master is not there."
"Thank you."
After hearing this, Zhao Shuning immediately made a quick escape towards the pavilion.
She paused for a moment and then disappeared in front of Jun Jiu.
Jun Jiu mumbled, "You value the opposite sex and ignore your friends."
At this moment, Zhao Shuning was secretly happy. It was not easy that the Holy Maiden was not with Master. Now she had the opportunity to go and see Master properly.
Yan Ruyu was reading a book when a figure in hibiscus - colored clothes suddenly appeared in front of him.
He smiled.
He had set up a restriction in this pavilion, and there were only a few people who could enter. Just by seeing the color of the skirt, Yan Ruyu knew who was coming.
He leisurely turned another page, with a nice curve on his lips.
"Master—"
The soft voice came from behind.
All of Zhao Shuning's usual arrogance disappeared as soon as she came to Yan Ruyu.
"Hmm?"
"Master, I'm here to say goodbye to you."
"Hmm?"
"I'll leave the Sect Association in a month, so I..."
"It doesn't matter. If you have something to find me, just recite the mental method I taught you once. By then, the red lotus will open, and a secret door will appear. You can come directly to my side from there."
Yan Ruyu said the four words "come to my side" extremely calmly.
But an embarrassed blush appeared on Zhao Shuning's face.
"Master, is your relationship with the Holy Maiden very good?"
"Hmm."
Master admitted it?
He actually admitted it!
Zhao Shuning, whose heart was already fluttering, now felt her heart sink heavily to the bottom of the lake.