Am I worthy?

The woman who suddenly appeared behind Jiang Lan was ignored by him. He casually picked up an ancient book from a nearby desk and began flipping through it slowly.

He still needed to plan carefully regarding the Blood Immortal Sect ruins.

It wasn't that he was worried about someone else snatching it, but rather he was considering how to smooth things over. With his current strength, even if he found the Blood Immortal Sect ruins, he wouldn't be able to obtain the Crimson Forbidden Canon within.

Therefore, he needed a reasonable excuse to borrow external power.

The woman stood quietly behind Jiang Lan, not disturbing his reading.

The sun gradually slanted, and a breeze blew through the courtyard, gently brushing a few strands of dark hair by her ears.

A faint, elegant fragrance wafted, refreshing the mind.

"You... have you fallen ill again these past few days?"

After what seemed like a long time, her red lips beneath the veil parted slightly, and she asked.

Her voice was pleasant, yet it gave off a cold, emotionless feeling, each word spoken slowly.

After integrating the memories, Jiang Lan had long grown accustomed to her personality. He merely let out a soft "Mm" from his nose.

The woman's clear eyes fell on his face, and she said softly, "Don't push yourself..."

Jiang Lan glanced at her sideways.

Although he knew she genuinely cared about him, a sense of... strangeness still arose in his heart.

However, given the original body's personality, he couldn't possibly give her a good look in a short period.

Because in his memories, he truly found her annoying and didn't want to have too much contact with her.

Li Mengning, the current Quasi-Saintess of the Taiyi Sect, and also a personal disciple of his mother.

The Taiyi Sect was the foremost Immortal Sect in the world today, holding a supreme position with a long and unfathomable heritage.

The sect produced countless powerful individuals, its strength dominating all directions.

Seeing that Jiang Lan was ignoring her, Li Mengning hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Actually... actually, I see many clean girls in Yuyi City. I can help you abduct one."

"No need."

Jiang Lan waved his hand. He was already accustomed to her "bold words" from his memories and wasn't surprised at all.

According to his memories, Li Mengning had been following him because she had left the Taiyi Sect to experience the mortal world, understand worldly affairs, and temper her mindset.

The mysterious woman who had abducted Su Qingyao a few days ago was precisely her.

Generally speaking, transcendent figures like Li Mengning, who was a Saintess, were usually among the potential romantic interests for the male protagonist.

Yet, in the original plot, Li Mengning was ruthless and decisive, and the male protagonist Lin Fan had been hunted by her multiple times.

Because Li Mengning's strength far surpassed Lin Fan's when she first appeared, and the cultivation techniques and divine abilities she practiced were extremely powerful.

With a solid foundation since childhood and abundant experience in life-or-death combat, Lin Fan had consistently been at a disadvantage.

Jiang Lan recalled that in later plot points, Lin Fan would expose a problem with the cultivation technique Li Mengning practiced, informing her that she was actually a supreme Cauldron prepared by Jiang Lan's mother for Jiang Lan, thus causing a rift with his mother.

In comparison, his mother was the true villain in the plot, while the original body was as pure as a white flower unstained by mud.

However, even in such a situation, Li Mengning had never drawn her sword against his mother.

Even after Jiang Lan's death, she had resolved to avenge him wholeheartedly.

It was a pity that she was no match for Lin Fan later on. After being defeated, she took her own life on the spot.

Did I deserve this?

Recalling this plot, Jiang Lan felt he didn't deserve it.

In the original body's memories, there were quite a few related to Li Mengning, but they were all vague.

He only remembered that when he was young, his mother was indeed followed by a small, transparent-looking tail, small, timid, and silent, who disliked talking and was often scolded for being foolish, but practiced diligently and arduously.

The kind young Jiang Lan would sometimes secretly find precious Trauma Medicine and other such remedies to help her apply when she injured her hand practicing her sword, and after seeing her get scolded, he would find her later and quietly encourage her...

Beyond that, the memories were very blurry, mostly forgotten.

The original body's memories were more related to his older sister, Jiang Ruxian, after all, one was an inconspicuous ugly duckling, while the other was as radiant as the moon in the sky.

"You ate meat today... Master told you not to eat meat," Li Mengning's soft voice sounded again.

"Did you see me eat it?"

Jiang Lan didn't know how she knew he had eaten medicinal cuisine as soon as she returned.

Was her nose that sensitive?

"No," Li Mengning shook her head.

"Then I didn't eat it," Jiang Lan smiled.

"You ate it..."

Li Mengning stared at him with her clear eyes and said softly, "You'll get sick if you eat too much meat. If you want to eat it, eat a little less."

"I picked some Spirit Fruits for you on the way back. They're all washed very clean."

As she spoke, a gentle radiance flashed between her slender, fair jade-like hands.

The Sumire Ring suddenly shone brightly, and a pile of Spirit Fruits appeared on the jade table before them, glistening and exuding a fresh fragrance.

Jiang Lan looked at her with a hint of anticipation in his expression and casually grabbed one, taking a bite.

Mmm, it was indeed sweet, melting in his mouth and transforming into a warm, clear spring that flowed through his limbs.

Seeing that Jiang Lan, uncharacterically, didn't resist her kind gesture.

Li Mengning's eyebrows curved slightly, making her usually icy demeanor seem momentarily more alive.

"Were you delayed on the way picking Spirit Fruits, coming back so late?"

Jiang Lan finished the Spirit Fruit in his hand in a few bites, clearly feeling more spiritual energy within his body.

After integrating the Life Dao Fruit, his life source was no longer the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Immortal Heart, and his internal spiritual energy wouldn't inexplicably disappear.

"Mmm..."

Li Mengning nodded, "I couldn't find any trace of that person..."

With your current strength, how could you possibly catch up to someone who could break through the void to escape?

Jiang Lan shook his head, unsure if this girl was truly naive or just pretending to be.

Although Li Mengning was the Quasi-Saintess of the Taiyi Sect, she was still part of the younger generation. Even a Sixth Realm expert like Uncle Ying couldn't stop Lin Fan.

Yet, this stubborn girl had chased after Lin Fan in the direction he fled that very day, only returning today.

And she even picked so many Spirit Fruits for him along the way.

These Spirit Fruits didn't look like ordinary ones found in deep mountains. Had she perhaps gone to the back mountains of some sect?

Jiang Lan glanced at her, but on her veiled face, she remained as cold as ice, showing no emotional change.

"Hm?" Li Mengning looked at him strangely.

"The Spirit Fruits are delicious, but don't steal them next time," Jiang Lan said.

"I didn't steal them."

Li Mengning replied, then added, "I picked them along the way..."

The next morning, Jiang Lan, who had "just recovered from a serious illness," swaggered towards the Su Manor, surrounded by a group of guards.

Cultivators and living beings along the way, whether they were merchant caravans or passing disciples of sects, retreated hastily, fearing any encounter.

On the bustling street, aside from shops and vendors, a path was quickly cleared.

The few guards at the Su Manor's gate were trembling, not even daring to stop him. The servant who went to announce his arrival turned even paler, collapsing to the ground with a thud.