Bu Ran.
Is he being so overbearing?
Zhao Shuning's eyes widened in shock.
Her formerly nimble body now seemed rather clumsy.
She intended to speak.
She wanted to ask if Bu Ran was still angry.
But as soon as she opened her mouth, Bu Ran's tongue slipped in.
Zhao Shuning's mind went blank with a buzz.
It wasn't that she was deliberately acting innocent. She was already engaged to Yan Ruyu, and they had already done both the things they should and shouldn't do.
It was just that...
Under broad daylight like this.
Zhao Shuning truly thought that...
A person like Bu Ran with such a detached disposition should not be capable of such a thing.
Slowly...
Zhao Shuning noticed something strange.
The metallic taste in her throat was gradually fading.
What followed...
Was a warm and gentle breath.
Was Bu Ran transferring his qi to her?
But this method...
Was indeed rather unique.
A moment later...
Yan Ruyu's red lips finally left Zhao Shuning.
Zhao Shuning couldn't help but lick her lips.
This look...
How did it seem like she was still craving more?
"The next time something like this happens... No, there won't be a next time," Yan Ruyu tightened his grip on Zhao Shuning slightly, as if only in this way could he soothe his previously raging emotions.
Zhao Shuning nodded obediently.
"Bu Ran, I was wrong."
Most of Yan Ruyu's anger had dissipated.
So now, seeing Zhao Shuning looking so obedient, he no longer kept a straight face but instead put on a concerned expression.
Previously...
When Zhao Huai was around...
He had been holding back and didn't attack Zhao Huai.
"If anything happens to you, I hope that the first person you think of in your heart, Ning'er, is me."
Zhao Shuning nodded hurriedly.
She also explained, "I knew you were busy, so I didn't think of you immediately. The reason I thought of my brother was that his true form is special. The beast I was facing earlier was the Ice Armored Horned Demon Dragon. I thought my brother should be more confident in dealing with it, so..."
"Don't do this again in the future."
"Okay."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
Yan Ruyu carried her down the mountain.
"However, I'm quite puzzled about one thing," Zhao Shuning said.
Yan Ruyu replied, "Ask."
"Why did the Ice Armored Horned Demon Dragon stay quiet under the sea for so many years without any trouble, but as soon as I came today, it broke through the sea's shackles? Moreover, judging from the posture of that evil dragon, it clearly wanted to tear me to pieces. I clearly remember that I hadn't offended it before, and there was no deep hatred between us."
"It's a stupid dragon."
"Ah?"
"It mistook you for me."
"Ah?"
"Back then, it was me who suppressed it using the power of the Karma Fire Red Lotus. In this world, the only thing that can lift the seal is the Karma Fire Red Lotus."
Zhao Shuning suddenly understood.
So...
It was her fault.
"I'm sorry, Ning'er. I should have told you earlier," Yan Ruyu said.
"What does this have to do with you? It's just my bad luck. But that evil dragon really has poor eyesight. It only recognizes the fire but not the person. Look, there's such a huge gap in our strength, yet it could still mistake me for you. Our genders are also completely different. No wonder it said earlier that it had a blood feud with me. It turned out to be planning to take revenge on you."
"Yes. It was my oversight." Back then, he should have killed this ferocious beast. If he hadn't pitied its difficult cultivation, this wouldn't have happened today.
Yan Ruyu carried Zhao Shuning.
He easily descended the mountain.
"After you take the qi pill of this ferocious beast, your spiritual power should increase by one level in a short period. You should pay attention to it then," Yan Ruyu said.
"Ah? I don't want it," Zhao Shuning shook her head hurriedly.
Yan Ruyu stopped walking.
"Why?"
"The spiritual power obtained in this way is not stable at all. Even if I successfully reach the ninth-rank, I'm afraid there will still be a huge gap between me and those real ninth-rank alchemists."
Just like Luo Qiu.
Originally...
In that situation...
A ninth-rank alchemist who had reached that level through his own cultivation wouldn't have lost so miserably.
At least, he could have lasted for five more rounds.
"Moreover, the Ice Armored Horned Demon Dragon is a ferocious beast. Its qi pill must be full of demonic nature. If I take it, will there be any bad effects in the future?"
No...
It seemed that she had already taken it.
"Bu Ran..." Thinking of this, Zhao Shuning became a little anxious.
She had worked so hard to reach this level and endured so much suffering. She couldn't let this qi pill ruin everything.
"Don't worry," Yan Ruyu comforted her gently.
His voice was soft.
"I considered these problems from the very beginning. So earlier, I used the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire to burn its corpse to ashes. There is only abundant spiritual power on this qi pill, and there won't be any demonic nature."
Zhao Shuning half-understood.
However...
If Bu Ran said it was okay...
It should be okay.
As they were approaching the foot of the mountain, Yan Ruyu said, "You're injured now. Let me take you back to the Qingyun Kingdom to recuperate."
It sounded like a question, but it also sounded like a notice.
"No, no, no," Zhao Shuning shook her head hurriedly.
"I can't leave yet. I still have something to do in Shengjing City."
"No, your injury..."
"Bu Ran, you've already transferred qi to me earlier. Don't worry, I'm fine. You should know my body well. This minor injury is not life-threatening."
Yan Ruyu also knew Zhao Shuning's temper.
However...
After this incident...
He became even more afraid.
He didn't want to leave Zhao Shuning alone anymore.
"Bu Ran, I'm at least an eighth-rank alchemist and an Eight-Phase Spiritual Pharmacist. How many opponents can I have in this Nine Provinces Continent? Today's incident was just an accident. Look at you, you came in a hurry. You must have something important to do. You go back first. I'm fine."
"Just put me down," Zhao Shuning said.
Yan Ruyu thought for a while.
But he still didn't put Zhao Shuning down.
At this moment...
They had already reached the foot of the mountain.
As soon as they showed up...
There was quite a commotion coming towards them.
Judging from the momentum...
There should be quite a few people coming.
Yan Ruyu glanced at Zhao Shuning in his arms.
His eyes suddenly became cold and solemn.
"Many people are coming, and they are all cultivators."
"Their abilities should not be weak either."
"Ning'er, you've only been in Shengjing City for a few days. Have you offended any enemies?"
Enemies?
Zhao Shuning had offended quite a few people. How could she remember them all?
The atmosphere...
Became a little tense.
But...
When that vast crowd appeared in front of them, they were stunned.
Zhao Shuning couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She said to Yan Ruyu, "It's okay. He is a junior of Xia Qingyan. He has no ill intentions towards us."
It turned out that...
This large group of people...
Was actually Xia Jingning who had returned.
After he returned to the Duke's Mansion in Shengjing City, he immediately reported this matter to Duke Xia Rui of the Hailing Kingdom. When Xia Rui heard this, he was greatly shocked and mobilized all his connections to find such a huge team of cultivators.
The person in the lead...
Had gray hair at his temples.
Although he had a beard and was a bit older, he looked modest and polite.
The man dismounted his horse.
Immediately, someone came forward to support him.
This person...
Was Duke Xia Rui of the Hailing Kingdom.
He pushed aside the crowd.
Before he reached Zhao Shuning, he knelt down with a thud.
Suddenly...
It astonished everyone.