"Master!"
With a bang, the door was slammed open, and a petite figure darted into the room with lightning speed.
The sudden intrusion startled the old man studying medicinal ingredients inside. He looked up, and surprise immediately appeared on his face—
"Er, Ruoruo?"
Seeing the smiling girl before him, Old Man Yao's originally gloomy expression instantly changed. He hurriedly set down the green-gold parchment in his hand and rose with a smile. "You little girl, you've finally returned from the Heavenly Tomb."
Ever since Hun Ruoruo had defeated Hun Feng and successfully obtained the position of Young Mistress, she had barely had any free time apart from a few brief scattered moments.
Even Old Man Yao, a Ninth-grade Alchemist, had found it extremely difficult to see the girl.
Between that and the time spent during their journey to the Ancient Realm, he, her master, had gone nearly a year without having any real conversation with this little girl.
"Time waits for no one."
Looking at the girl, who had already grown into a graceful young woman, Old Man Yao's gaze turned distant as he sighed.
".Master?"
Hun Ruoruo raised her brows in surprise, seemingly not expecting Old Man Yao to say such a thing.
After all, Old Man Yao had long since crossed the threshold of Dou Zun and Half-Saint, becoming a genuine Dou Saint powerhouse.
The difference between a Half-Saint and a Dou Saint was as vast as heaven and earth.
Even including the decades he had spent sleeping within the Storage Ring, Old Man Yao was still undoubtedly among the youngest of all Dou Saints. Why would he suddenly lament the passage of time?
With that thought, Hun Ruoruo casually swept her gaze over the green-gold parchment. When she spotted the vibrant, branch-like pattern upon it, her eyes