Leaving the teahouse behind—
Hei Long walked with his hands clasped behind his back, his steps unhurried, his posture relaxed.
The faint fragrance of golden tea still lingered in his breath, and the warmth of spiritual energy hummed steadily in his core.
He had accomplished what he came for.
There was no reason to linger.
Yet just as Hei Long stepped past the bamboo gate, he heard a soft voice call out from behind him:
"You…"
Hei Long stopped.
His ears twitched slightly, and he turned his head halfway, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Hmm? Oh—Saintess. What can I do for you?"
His gaze, of course, flicked upward to the familiar system prompt that hovered just above her head.
[Name: Ji Yao]
[Love Meter: Indifference]
[Cultivation: Middle Stage, Sacred Realm]
No change. As expected.
All around, the inner disciples who had been trailing behind Ji Yao like moths to a flame froze in place.
For a brief moment, it was as though time had paused for them.
