Why Are You So Hard to Hurt

Leaving aside the fact that Qingluan's cultivation had already reached the late Golden Immortal stage, far surpassing Shen Gui's, among the Primordial Wilderness, winged creatures like Qingluan had always excelled in speed after attaining the Dao. Moreover, Qingluan had mastered the Law of Wind, making her even more exceptional in that regard.

Thus, although Shen Gui had been the first to flee Qingluan City using the Earth Escape Art, once Qingluan reacted, she still caught up with him not far north of Qingluan City.

Seeing Shen Gui frowning miserably after being intercepted by her, Qingluan snorted coldly. "Why aren't you running now? Let me tell you, if you don't explain yourself today, don't even think about leaving easily!"

Upon hearing Qingluan's words, the bitter expression on Shen Gui's face became even more pronounced.

"Fellow Daoist Qing Luan, one should spare others when possible. Could you just pretend I was never here today? How could a mere Golden Immortal like me dare harbor any improper thoughts toward Empress Nuwa?"

"If you had no improper thoughts, then why did you run?"

As she spoke, Qingluan recalled the excuse Shen Gui had used when requesting to see her, and her anger flared even more. With a sweep of her sleeve, several Azure Wind Blades rose from the ground and twisted toward Shen Gui to tear him apart.

"You said you had something concerning Empress Nuwa and Great Sage Fuxi, which was why I agreed to see you. But after meeting me, you said you wanted me to introduce you to Great Sage Fuxi. Fine, I could overlook that. But now you're trying to run away and asking me to pretend you were never here today. Do you take me for an easy target?"

As she spoke, Qingluan repeatedly flicked her sleeves, as though venting her frustration, stirring up even more Azure Wind Blades that swept toward Shen Gui.

Facing the aggressive Qingluan, Shen Gui gave a bitter smile. With a wave of his hand, an Earth-Yellow Barrier blocked the Azure Wind Blades outside. "I was indeed too rash earlier. But Fellow Daoist Qing Luan, while the Law of Wind excels in speed, making it impossible for me to escape you, you cannot break through my defenses either. Rather than remain deadlocked here, why not let me apologize for what happened earlier? You are magnanimous, Fellow Daoist. How about letting me off the hook?"

"Whether I can break your defenses or not, I'll have to try first!"

Qingluan's beautiful eyes widened. Not only did she show no intention of stopping, she poured even more magic power into her attacks.

Seeing this, Shen Gui helplessly curled his lips.

He lacked confidence in many things, but when it came to defense, he possessed the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Pagoda and Void. On top of that, his true form was a Mystic Turtle, naturally skilled in defense, and he had mastered the Law of Earth. Even Shen Gui himself feared his own defenses.

Glancing at the fierce Qingluan, Shen Gui suddenly felt a little sorry for her.

One day, two days, three days.

At first, she had merely controlled the Law of Wind to attack him. Later, she used all manner of spells. In the end, she even brought out the mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Qingling Sword, bestowed upon her by Nuwa. Yet from beginning to end, Qingluan had failed to shake Shen Gui's defenses in the slightest.

Shen Gui had not even used any special methods. That seemingly thin Earth-Yellow Barrier had calmly blocked every attack.

Furiously slashing at the barrier once more, Qingluan glared at Shen Gui. "Are you a turtle or something? Don't you know how to fight back? And why are you so hard to hurt?"

Hearing this, Shen Gui, who was sitting cross-legged inside the barrier, opened his eyes. He looked at Qingluan and said shyly, "How did Fellow Daoist Qing Luan know that I am a Mystic Turtle who took human form?"

Qingluan froze for a moment. Yet the shy smile on Shen Gui's face looked utterly detestable in her eyes.

Seeing that Qingluan said nothing, Shen Gui glanced at her and cautiously said, "Fellow Daoist Qing Luan, after three days, your anger should have subsided, right? Since you cannot break my defenses anyway, why not consider what I said before? You are magnanimous, Fellow Daoist. Let me off the hook, and I will make amends for what happened earlier."

Seeing Shen Gui's cautious appearance, Qingluan felt her anger rising all over again.

This person did not seem like a bad person, but why was he so infuriating?

After shooting Shen Gui a vicious glare, Qingluan said, "Come with me. If you run again, I'll report to Empress Nuwa that someone harbors improper intentions toward her."

With a bitter smile, Shen Gui helplessly followed Qingluan back toward Qingluan City.

Why was he so unlucky? Shen Gui had finally figured it out. When Qingluan had told him in the city to join Nuwa's retinue, she had probably only said it casually. But perhaps because his psychological shadow toward Nuwa was too great, he had reacted even to Qingluan's casual remark and ended up in this situation.

Sigh.

Given their speed, it did not take long for the two of them to return to Qingluan City.

They landed outside the same secluded stone house as before. Qingluan turned back and glared at Shen Gui. "Get in!"

Shen Gui rubbed his nose and helplessly followed Qingluan inside.

Since he had already been exposed, he might as well accept his fate. He had not done anything, after all. Even Nuwa could not possibly know what would happen in the future at this point. Even if Qingluan reported the matter to Nuwa, given Nuwa's temperament, she might not do anything to him.

But even so, why did he still feel guilty?