Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, warm golden glow into the room, gently spreading across the bedding without any harshness.
Qian Renxue woke up first.
She didn't move immediately, but lay quietly on her side, her nose almost touching Su Zui's shoulder.
Qian Renxue breathed very softly, afraid of disturbing the person beside her.
She slept soundly through the night, her long hair mostly loose, with a few soft strands clinging to her neck, rising and falling gently with her breath.
Just thinking about last night's madness made Qian Renxue's cheeks burn.
After spending a month at the Lake of Life, Qian Renxue was going crazy. Last night, she wanted to have sex with Su Zui seven times.
From a hormonal perspective, women are actually more lustful than men, especially towards people they like; they can practically drain them dry.
Qian Renxue raised her eyes and slowly examined Su Zui's profile.
Su Zui's eyelashes were long and hung down quietly. Her eyes and brows usually carried a sense of certainty and composure, but when she was asleep, all her sharpness disappeared, and she became incredibly gentle.
Qian Renxue quietly extended her finger, her fingertip hovering in mid-air for a moment before gently touching the line of his jaw, the touch warm to the touch.
Then, blushing, Qian Renxue gently buried her head in the blanket.
Su Zui was asleep when he suddenly felt a warmth, followed by an electric shock that made Su Zui shudder.
Su Zui's eyelids twitched, and she immediately opened her eyes, only to see Qian Renxue puffing out her cheeks and looking at her with a sly expression.
Su Zui gasped, then grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, his voice hoarse and low, still shrouded in sleepiness. "Awake so early?"
"Yes, it's already dawn."
Qian Renxue snuggled closer to him, her cheek pressed against his chest, able to hear his steady, strong heartbeat. "I can't sleep because I'm thinking about you leaving today."
After those words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment.
Su Zui tightened his grip on her arm, lowered his head, and brushed his nose against the top of her head.
"Don't overthink it," he said softly. "I'll be back soon, taking Rongrong back to the Spirit Hall. I won't be gone for long."
Qian Renxue gave a soft "hmm," the unease she felt hadn't completely dissipated, but she didn't want to dwell on it and keep asking questions at this moment.
Qian Renxue looked up at Su Zui, her eyes misty with morning dew. "I know."
Qian Renxue propped herself up and sat up, the blankets slipping off her shoulders to reveal her delicate skin.
The morning light fell on Qian Renxue, enveloping her in a soft golden halo, like a gentle holy light gathering around her.
Qian Renxue bent down to pick up the plain-colored outer robe draped over the edge of the bed, slowly put it on, and tied the belt.
"I'll go get you something to eat."
Qian Renxue turned to look at him, a slight smile playing on her lips. "The journey is long, and traveling on an empty stomach will make you tired."
Before Su Zui reply, she got up and quietly walked out of the inner room to the small kitchen next door.
Su Zui sat leaning against the headboard, raising her hand to rub her temples.
However, after thinking about it all night, Su Zui also came up with a way to coax Ning Rongrong.
Before long, soft footsteps could be heard outside the door.
Qian Renxue returned carrying a wooden tray with two delicate dishes of pastries on it: one dish of steamed lotus seed cakes that were soft and sticky, and a small bowl of warm honey porridge, along with a small dish of pickled green plums. Steam rose gently, and a sweet aroma slowly spread.
She placed the tray on the low table beside the bed, sat cross-legged next to him, picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of honey porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and then fed it to Su Zui's lips.
"Try it, I learned how to make it from the cook at the Spirit Hall."
Su Zui opened her mouth and drank it down. The warmth slid down her throat into her stomach, dispelling the lingering chill of the morning. The taste was sweet and refreshing, not cloying.
"It's delicious." Su Zui smiled and looked at Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue's eyes brightened slightly, and she scooped up a spoonful for herself, eating it in small bites.
"The official road Spirit City is muddy in some sections because it rained a few days ago."
As Qian Renxue ate, she slowly instructed, "I've already folded the ordinary Soul Master clothes you changed into and put them in the cabinet in the outer room. I've also packed healing medicine, water, and dry rations into your Soul Tool Pouch."
Su Zui a warmth in his heart. He had only intended to pack a few things, but Qian Renxue had quietly arranged every detail for him.
"Thanks a lot."
"You're still telling me this?"
Qian Renxue gently shook her head, put down the spoon, reached out and held his hand, her fingertips gently stroking his knuckles.
"Come back soon, and remember, Rongrong is a good girl."
"I know."
Su Zui reached out and stroked her cheek, her fingertips brushing against the soft corner of her eye.
Yes, both Rongrong and Xue'er are good girls, so this bad guy should just go to jail.
Su Zui felt that she was still more used to playing the role of the main villain.
"It's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold on the way."
Su Zui stood there, watching her bustling around, and the chaotic emotions in her heart calmed down a lot.
All packed and ready, time to go.
As the two walked to the palace gate, the morning breeze blew in their faces, carrying the faint fragrance of osmanthus blossoms from the courtyard.
Qian Renxue stood on the steps, looking up at him. Sunlight fell on her long golden hair, making it shimmer. She didn't say anything more heavy, but simply gave a gentle smile, "Have a safe journey."
Su Zui bent down and gently hugged her.
"Wait for me to come back."
He released his embrace, turned around, and strode towards the gates of Spirit City. He didn't look back, but he knew that the gaze behind him had been quietly fixed on his back.
Qian Renxue stood there, watching his figure walk away until it turned the corner of the corridor and disappeared from sight, before slowly turning her gaze away. She raised her hand to her heart and sighed softly.
She was willing to believe Su Zui, but waiting was never an easy thing.
Su Zui pulled the brim of his cloak down further, covering most of his face.
Stepping out of the Spirit Hall, it was barely dawn, and the south gate of Spirit City was already bustling with activity. Vendors heading to the early market pushed their wooden carts, the wheels rumbling over the bluestone slabs.
Traveling Soul Masters, carrying their bundles, huddled together in twos and threes, whispering about which Soul Beast Forest they should try their luck in; the Spirit Hall guards on both sides of the city gate stood ramrod straight, their eyes scanning the flow of people coming and going.
Su Zui mingled in the crowd, walking slowly and unhurriedly.
He had only a Wine Gourd hanging from his waist, and his Soul Tool Pouch was tucked into the inside of his clothes.
The guards checked everyone entering the city, but the checks were much more lenient on the way out, with most people only being glanced at casually.
When it was Su Zui's turn, the guard saw that he was dressed simply and his aura was calm and unassuming, showing no sign of the pressure of a powerful person. He just glanced at him and then raised his hand to signal him to pass.
The moment they stepped out of the city gate, the towering and majestic walls of Spirit City were left far behind.
This time, Su Zui left very quietly, and no one knew that the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall had already embarked on the path of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.