NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: This Trip maybe risky
In just one morning, the Zhongli Residence had already received two batches of visitors.
After Ning Fengzhi left, Salas arrived soon after. He came in high spirits and left disappointed.
He walked out with a "dark" expression.
But no one knew that from the moment Salas entered the Zhongli Residence, he had been very respectful towards Zhongli, and they had a pleasant conversation.
Salas even brought some rare treasures as gifts.
As for leaving with a dark face, feeling dejected, that was his purpose for visiting Zhongli!
At this moment, who knew how many pairs of eyes were watching the gate of the Zhongli Residence?
Salas slightly raised the corners of his mouth and thought to himself: It's all going according to plan.
He and Zhongli mostly chatted about trivial matters.
He didn't ask anything inappropriate, not a single word.
After Salas left, "Xue Qinghe" arrived as scheduled. The moment she stepped into the Zhongli Residence, she knew what had happened earlier.
She didn't expect Ning Fengzhi to be the first to lose his composure and visit.
It seemed that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was really lacking in combat strength and had no one to rely on.
Otherwise, they would have waited and observed for a while longer.
As for Salas, "Xue Qinghe" gave him a thumbs up in her mind.
That old man's acting was truly flawless!
Showing "unrequited love"... bah!
He displayed his frustration and unwillingness to the fullest when he left the Zhongli Residence.
"No wonder he's a pillar of our Spirit Hall!"
"Xue Qinghe" understood Zhongli's situation quite well. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't provoke others.
She also understood Salas's situation. He was a deeply scheming old fox.
How could he possibly offend a powerful figure like Zhongli on their first meeting?
And Zhongli had no reason to offend a normally-behaving Salas on their first meeting either.
So, Salas was acting!
She knew this, but others didn't.
"Qinghe!"
Seeing "Xue Qinghe" arrive, Paimon quickly flew to her side, smiling and greeting her.
This was the first person from this another world to give her a gift!
"Hello, have you had lunch?"
"Hello Paimon."
"Xue Qinghe" nodded and replied, pulling herself out of her thoughts.
"Not yet. Paimon probably hasn't eaten either, right?"
"That's right. Zhongli and I were planning to go to the Seven Treasures Hotel we went to yesterday. Qinghe, do you want to join us?"
Hearing about the Seven Treasures Hotel, "Xue Qinghe" twitched slightly, recalling some unpleasant memories.
It felt like it happened just yesterday.
Well, it did happen just yesterday.
"Sure, let's go..."
"Xue Qinghe" had a dark line on her forehead as she glanced at Zhongli and Paimon. Did these two bring money today?
Would they ask her again later: Qinghe, did you bring money?
Annoying! Shivering!
They invited her to a meal but ended up making her pay. Even if she had to pay, they should at least tell her in advance!
She didn't want to experience the awkwardness of yesterday again. It was too embarrassing.
She almost had to wash dishes there...
"Don't worry, Qinghe, we brought money today."
Zhongli patted "Xue Qinghe's" shoulder, saying seriously.
The sudden "intimate contact" made "Xue Qinghe" shudder, her face blushing slightly.
How could he just casually touch her like that!
But then she thought, "I don't seem to feel uncomfortable?"
"Xue Qinghe" was stunned for a moment, then snapped back to reality, her face turning even redder.
"Qinghe, why is your face red?"
"Are you sick?"
Paimon flew in front of Xue Qinghe, putting her small hand on Xue Qinghe's forehead.
"It's a bit hot. Qinghe, could you be having a fever?"
She was indeed a bit feverish, but not in the way Paimon thought.
"I'm fine, let's go, let's eat first."
"Xue Qinghe" shook her head, speaking haltingly.
Zhongli looked at "Xue Qinghe" with some confusion. Did his patting her shoulder just now cause this reaction?
It seemed he shouldn't make such rash actions in the future.
He subconsciously saw "Xue Qinghe" as a junior, and an elder patting a junior's shoulder was a comforting gesture.
That shouldn't be inappropriate, right?
In just a moment, "Xue Qinghe" returned to normal, the blush on her cheeks fading.
She looked at Zhongli, who kept a certain distance from her, feeling a bit confused.
Yesterday, they were just a meter apart.
Today, it's one and a half meters?
Because of this, Paimon's chatter didn't register with "Xue Qinghe."
Suddenly, "Xue Qinghe" seemed to think of something, her eyes lighting up as she subtly moved closer to Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, I might not be in Heaven Dou City in a few days. If you encounter any problems, you can go to my residence and find Butler She. He will help you."
The so-called Butler She was Elder She Long of the Spirit Hall!
"Qinghe, do you have something to do?"
Paimon asked directly without much scheming or without any reservations.
Hearing this, "Xue Qinghe" thought for a moment and then said, "I've reached level forty. In a few days, I'll try my luck in the Sunset Forest to see if there's a suitable spirit ring."
"If there isn't one in the Sunset Forest, then I'll have to go to the Star Dou Forest."
"Level forty?"
Zhongli slightly turned his head, giving "Xue Qinghe" a look. Probably ten years ago, or even earlier, she had already reached level forty.
"Xue Qinghe's" spirit power level was naturally more than forty. She was now around level sixty, preparing to obtain her sixth spirit ring.
"Spirit beast forests are filled with dangers. This trip may involve risks. Is Qinghe going alone?"
Zhongli stopped walking, not looking at "Xue Qinghe," and spoke calmly.
From her words, it wasn't hard to deduce the situation.
She Long would stay at the Prince's Mansion, and those following her were likely from Ci Xue.
With a titled Douluo protecting her, she probably wouldn't encounter any danger.
Plus, with the "great villain" plot protection, she shouldn't face any accidents before the protagonist group grows.
But, just in case?
If Qian Renxue died, who would protect the continent?
'Me?'
Retirement life isn't comfortable enough or what?
Back to work?
"Xue Qinghe" was stunned. She naturally couldn't let people from Xue Ye follow her for her spirit ring hunt.
After all, she wasn't a potential Soul Elder, and her spirit wasn't a swan.
This hunt would have Ci Xue protecting her in secret. If there was no life-threatening danger, it would be her trial.
"Mr. Zhongli, I won't be going alone. There will be spirit masters from my residence accompanying me."
"Xue Qinghe" smiled, saying.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Zhongli became a guest at the Prince's Palace he showed concern for her safety.
She wondered if Zhongli would change his behavior when he learned her true identity.
It seemed she had to find an opportunity to reveal the truth to Zhongli before that day came.
Zhongli glanced at "Xue Qinghe," nodded, and didn't say more.
Paimon: "???"