He passed through all five layers of restrictions without a hitch. The farther in he went, the thicker the Mortal World Qi grew.
At the end of the bamboo grove, a three-courtyard residence suddenly came into view.
The residence was laid out with great care, its white walls and dark tiles arranged in pleasing harmony. There was a hot spring pool, a medicinal herb garden, a covered walkway, and even an exquisite little pavilion in the courtyard.
Gu Chengming vaulted over the wall and landed in the inner courtyard. His toes touched the bluestone ground without making the slightest sound.
He looked around, and his gaze quickly settled on the innermost room, where a lamp was lit. A small shadow was cast against the window lattice.
The shadow sat cross-legged, seemingly lost in thought. Gu Chengming watched it, walked over, and raised his hand to knock on the lattice.
A moment later, someone flung the window open from inside.
Fu Xiaoxiao's face appeared in the window. Compared with when he had seen her in Capital City a few months ago, she had grown much thinner.
When she saw who it was, her mind went blank for about three breaths.
On the first breath, she thought she was dreaming.
On the second, she confirmed she wasn't dreaming.
On the third—
"Why are you here?!"
Fu Xiaoxiao kept her voice low, but she couldn't hide her shock and anger. The words practically grated out between her teeth.
Before Gu Chengming could speak, Fu Xiaoxiao grabbed him by the collar and shoved him outward with all her might.
"Are you crazy? Do you even know what kind of place this is?!"
She wasn't very strong. Her pushes felt like a kitten pawing at him, but her urgency was unmistakable.
"There are restrictions outside!