Chu Xuan shook his head helplessly, "You guy, all you know is how to mooch off my food and drink every day."

Qingqing reached out her hand, "Then hand over the treasure, didn’t I tell you before? Until you do, I’ll follow you every day."

Chu Xuan also reached out his hand.

Qingqing looked puzzled, "Why?"

"The cost of two bowls of noodles."

"Cheapskate, I’m not paying."

Qingqing hadn’t thought that Chu Xuan would still be hung up on the money for those two bowls of noodles.

"Then sleep with me," Chu Xuan said calmly.

Qingqing’s face first turned red, then she puffed up in anger, "Pervert! Shameless! I knew you were that kind of person!"

Chu Xuan’s expression remained unchanged, "Who was it that said eating two bowls of my noodles meant sleeping with me twice, and now I’m the pervert?"

This left Qingqing speechless, and she could only say, "That was... just nonsense."

"Since you know you’re wrong, don’t boldly mooch food and drink anymore unless you pay me back for those two bowls of noodles first."

Chu Xuan lectured her a bit before heading in the direction of the Flying Heaven Tower.

Qingqing quickly caught up, reaching into her pocket, "Fine, I’ll pay you back, they’re just a few copper coins after all."

Unexpectedly, when she stuffed a handful of pieces of silver into Chu Xuan’s hand, he didn’t accept it.

"I don’t want this, I don’t lack money."

"Then don’t get your hopes up, I won’t... sleep with you." Qingqing’s voice grew quieter and her face redder as she spoke, until finally she turned away, ignoring him.

In Chu Xuan’s eyes, her slightly tsundere appearance was absolutely adorable, and that’s why he couldn’t stop teasing Qingqing.

This can’t go on!

Chu Xuan silently admonished himself that if he continued, notions like "Even if clouds obscure the moon, my quest for the Dao remains steadfast" would be a joke. He needed to control himself.

...

The Flying Heaven Tower occupied vast grounds and had nine floors, which is why Chu Xuan, who had never been there before, could find it at first glance.

Since they came to "gather information," the two deliberately avoided a private room and sat at an empty table in the main hall on the first floor.

Of course, Chu Xuan knew that even though the secret realm was a hot topic in the cultivation world lately, hoping to gather information in such a hit-or-miss way was a bit of a pipe dream.

The main purpose was to enjoy good food and wine, as he never treated himself poorly.

Sure enough, after Chu Xuan ordered, they waited a while, but no one around was talking about the secret realm. The conversations were either various rumors or trivial matters within their sects.

Qingqing was still sulking; she lay her head on the table and said nothing after sitting down.

When the dishes were served, Chu Xuan hadn’t moved his chopsticks yet, but Qingqing started scarfing down the food, as if she really intended to eat this scoundrel into poverty.

Chu Xuan chuckled softly, "Eat slowly, don’t choke."

Although it was a simple sentence, Qingqing recalled that he had said something similar when they first met.

Chu Xuan must have noticed something wrong with her back then, so why did he still care so much about her?

Qingqing couldn’t help but slow down her eating, gradually reclaiming some of her lady-like demeanor.

Only then did Chu Xuan relax, pouring himself some wine.

But just then, he suddenly heard some intriguing words, so he stopped and listened attentively.

"Since you’ve all heard of that day demon’s infamous name, that’s a good start."

"What I’m about to tell you next is something known by very few, and it’s almost a taboo topic among the righteous sects."

"Remember well, let it go in one ear and out the other, and absolutely do not tell anyone I told you this."