"I'm tired today. You can come find me tomorrow."
Xiao Li casually left a message and departed, without much delay.
He knew Nalan Yanran and the others were anxious, but he told them not to rush.
He had just finished alchemy, and as the champion of the Alchemist Convention, he certainly needed to maintain some composure.
Despite Nalan Yanran's genuine urgency, Xiao Li had made his stance clear, leaving them with no choice.
They could only wait until the next day to seek out Xiao Li...
"Young Master Xiao Li, you're back!"
Green Scale, who was cultivating in the courtyard, was overjoyed to see Xiao Li return.
"Yes, how are you? Have you been cultivating diligently?" Xiao Li smiled warmly, patting the little girl's head.
He had booked the entire inn, so no one would disturb them.
"Yes, yes, I've been working hard on my cultivation, and now I'm a One-Star Dou Shi!" Green Scale couldn't help but share her joy with Xiao Li.
"That fast? Amazing." Xiao Li was surprised.
She was a Fighting Practitioner just a few days ago, and now she's a One-Star Dou Shi?
"The cultivation technique you gave her is very suitable for Green Scale's Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupils, and the effect is excellent." Green Savage, who was nearby, helped explain.
Even she was surprised.
The Heavenly Serpent Mansion's research on the Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupils might not be the most extensive, but it was certainly more in-depth than many others.
Yet, despite this, the cultivation techniques and Dou Skills for training the Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupils that Green Savage possessed couldn't compare to the two cultivation techniques and Dou Skills Xiao Li gave Green Scale.
This was what surprised Green Savage the most.
Additionally, Green Savage also received a Low-Tier Earth-grade cultivation technique, the Heavenly Serpent Art, from Xiao Li, which was significantly stronger than her original High-Tier Profound-grade technique and also improved her strength.
She found that being by Xiao Li's side seemed to grant her more things she could never have obtained before.
"Green Scale, you should rest for a bit, or you can go play, but don't wander too far," Xiao Li said.
"Okay, okay." Green Scale nodded.
She was already a One-Star Dou Shi; although her cultivation wasn't considered high, in a place like Jiama Holy City, no one could bully her.
"Green Savage, come with me." Xiao Li called Green Savage upstairs.
"Help me prepare some hot water; I need to take a bath."
He hadn't bathed for three days and three nights at the Alchemist Convention, so his first priority was naturally to relax in a hot bath.
"Alright."
Unconsciously, Green Savage had become submissive to Xiao Li and did not refuse.
Soon, the hot water was ready.
Xiao Li took off his clothes and soaked in the tub, then gave another command: "Come over and help me scrub and massage."
So Green Savage obediently walked over and helped Xiao Li with his massage and scrubbing.
"I heard you won the championship at the Alchemist Convention, and you even refined a peak Sixth-Grade huang ji pill." Green Savage initiated a conversation.
Although she was forced to stay by Xiao Li's side, her mindset had unknowingly shifted, and she no longer had her initial stubbornness.
And even though she had been teaching Green Scale to cultivate the Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupils here, she was still aware of external affairs.
Especially the matter of Xiao Li winning the championship with the huang ji pill; even the inn staff and owner were discussing it.
"Yes, it was a bit like bullying those youngsters." Xiao Li chuckled.
"I didn't expect you to be a Sixth-Grade Alchemist... You hide it so well." Green Savage said, surprised.
She was truly surprised.
The identity of a Sixth-Grade Alchemist carried more prestige than that of an ordinary Battle Emperor expert, not to mention Xiao Li's own strength was not weak.
"So, you should be happy. As my woman, I won't mistreat you." Xiao Li wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Come in and soak together."
Green Savage's cheeks flushed, and she somewhat refused: "You... are you trying to do that to me again?"
"Yes, I haven't touched you in days. Be obedient." Xiao Li made no attempt to hide it.
Green Savage bit her thin lip: "Then I have a request, okay?"
"What request? Tell me."
"Can you... be a little gentler? Every time you make me... quite uncomfortable." Green Savage's face was as red as blood.
Before, in the Four-Directional Array Space, Xiao Li had always used rough methods on her, which left her with some psychological trauma.
She knew she couldn't refuse Xiao Li, so she could only strive for other conditions.
"Of course, as long as you cooperate obediently, I will be very gentle."
Xiao Li's lips curved into a wicked smile, and with a stretch of his large hand, he pulled Green Savage into the bathtub.
This time, Green Savage was very cooperative, without the unpleasant experiences from before.
In fact, this time she felt quite good, satisfied both mentally and physically.
Soon, the bathroom was filled with the vibrancy of spring, joyful singing, and dancing, utterly delightful... Early the next morning.
As Xiao Li came downstairs, he saw Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su waiting at the inn's entrance.
"You're quite punctual, arriving so early." Xiao Li raised an eyebrow.
"Since we are inviting Young Master Xiao, we naturally have to come early and absolutely not make Young Master Xiao wait for us," Nalan Yanran said.
Today, she wore a pristine white gauze dress, which made her appear less aloof and more elegant than usual, making her seem more approachable.
In front of others, she was the eldest young lady of the Nalan Family and the Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect, with a noble status and an aura cultivated over years, which made her unconsciously maintain a certain nobility.
But in front of Xiao Li, she knew her status held no advantage, so she was more humble.
"Hmm..." Xiao Li nodded: "But I remember, I haven't agreed to help you yet, have I?"
Nalan Yanran immediately understood Xiao Li's meaning and quickly said: "As long as Young Master Xiao is willing to help, whether successful or not, we will offer generous compensation and absolutely not shortchange Young Master Xiao!"
"I am now a Sixth-Grade Alchemist. Do you think there's anything in your Nalan Family that can move me?" Xiao Li sat down at the table, crossing his legs, leisurely sipping tea.
"This..."
Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su were momentarily speechless.
"Then, what does Young Master Xiao desire? You tell us, and as long as it's something our Nalan Family can do, we will spare no effort to satisfy it," Nalan Su said.
"I can also ask our Yunlan Sect to help fulfill Young Master Xiao's request," Nalan Yanran said.
"As for the Yunlan Sect..."
"What about the Yunlan Sect?"
Just as Xiao Li was about to tease Nalan Yanran, a familiar, clear and cold voice came from outside the door.
A woman dressed in a plain colored dress, with a noble temperament and exquisite beauty, walked in.
Yun Yun!
"Teacher, why are you here?" Nalan Yanran was a little surprised.
"I heard that a Sixth-Grade Alchemist emerged from the recently concluded Alchemist Convention, so I came to see. I didn't expect it to be a friend." Yun Yun's face showed a gentle smile.
"Yun... Sect Master Yun." The 'Yun'er' that was on Xiao Li's lips was met by Yun Yun's gaze, forcing him to change his address.
"I didn't expect you to come too."
"Yanran is my disciple, so I want you to help. Can you?" Yun Yun blinked, looking at Xiao Li as she asked.
"You've personally come forward... how can I refuse?"
...