Leaving

"Shi Feng?" Shi Lan asked tentatively.

Silence from outside the door.

Seeing no response for a long time, Shi Lan began to wipe the foul blood from her body, revealing skin that was much fairer and more delicate than before.

Besides the change in her skin, Shi Lan also felt much lighter, as if a shackle had been removed, bringing a sense of clarity from within.

After changing pools of water and cleaning herself up, Shi Lan tiptoed out of the bath.

Fortunately, due to her martial arts training, Shi Lan sometimes bathed three or four times a day, and always had spare clothes in the bathroom.

After changing and confirming there were no abnormalities, Shi Lan opened the bathroom door and walked out.

No one was in the room, the door was closed, and the bloodstains on the floor had been cleaned up.

Shi Lan's tension eased. She stretched her muscles and bones, then lazily sprawled onto the bed, letting out a comfortable sigh.

She happened to glance at the mirror opposite the bed, and Shi Lan's expression froze. She quickly got up from the bed and hurried to the mirror.

Shi Lan was nearly twenty, but the person in the mirror now looked no older than eighteen. Furthermore, her skin had changed significantly, radiating a translucent glow.

Most importantly, although the person in the mirror was wearing men's clothing, she exuded a more effeminate aura.

"Why am I so girly..."

Shi Lan frowned uncomfortably, lightly patted her cheeks, and forced herself to adopt a more serious expression, which only slightly diminished the effeminate air.

[Main Quest Issued: Host has smoothly passed the novice stage and should no longer be confined to one corner. Leave Tenglong City within three days.]

[Quest Reward: One Junior Lucky Draw. Quest Failure: Random Punishment.]

Shi Lan's heart began to waver.

She was somewhat reluctant to leave. Tenglong City was so good, with food, drink, and protection – the perfect place for development.

If she could develop discreetly until she was strong enough, wouldn't it be wonderful to go out and explore then?

However, Shi Feng's arrival today had sounded an alarm bell. This was, after all, the Shi Manor, with many eyes and ears. This single wooden door couldn't stop a martial artist. She might be exposed any day. Leaving might be the better choice.

"What does 'random punishment' mean?" Shi Lan asked silently.

[The host is unwilling to leave Tenglong City, indicating a severe lack of ambition and an immature mind. More training is needed. The specific punishment will depend on the situation.]

Shi Lan was speechless. If she could, she really wanted to stay put until she had enough self-preservation ability before going out to experience the wonders of the Lingyang Realm. Unfortunately, the System wouldn't give her that chance.

A System that could erase someone at any moment – Shi Lan didn't want to experience its punishment.

Shi Lan opened the door and walked out. Perhaps it was time to leave.

Shi Feng was pacing back and forth in the courtyard, occasionally looking up at the sky.

"Shi Feng."

Hearing the voice, Shi Feng turned around. Seeing that Shi Lan was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

After carefully observing Shi Lan for a moment, Shi Feng suddenly averted his gaze in a flustered manner, his ear tips turning red.

"What's wrong?" Seeing Shi Feng's strange expression, Shi Lan asked, puzzled.

"N-nothing. It's good that Young Master is well. This subordinate will take his leave." With that, Shi Feng hurriedly left the courtyard.

Watching Shi Feng's retreating back, Shi Lan fell into thought. She was still under house arrest, and even if she weren't, if she were to go out, she would definitely be accompanied by a large group of guards. Sneaking away alone would be quite troublesome.

If she wanted to leave the Shi Manor, she would need to plan carefully.

Since taking the Dust Cleansing Pill didn't take much time, Shi Lan was still hungry in the evening. However, she had already declined the evening medicinal cuisine herself, so she had to go to the kitchen to ask for a regular dinner.

After eating her fill, Shi Lan lay down on the bed, pulled up the covers, and fell asleep. She didn't go into the virtual space tonight.

Over the past month, Shi Lan had been constantly pushing herself to practice, and she was mentally exhausted. Today, she had also been tossed around by the effects of the Dust Cleansing Pill. All she wanted now was a good rest.

The next day, Shi Lan woke up very early.

After getting up, Shi Lan began to wander around the Shi Manor, from the outer walls to the inner courtyard, from the back gate to the front gate.

She spent the entire morning exploring the Shi Manor twice. After getting a general idea of the terrain, she returned to her residence.

Knowing the general layout, Shi Lan decided to leave the Shi Manor tonight.

If she delayed any longer, the Ziwei Seven Star Halberd couldn't be kept in the System's temporary storage. Carrying nearly three hundred jin of items while fleeing – Shi Lan felt tired just thinking about it.

In the afternoon, Shi Lan went to Su Lanyue's separate courtyard. She was about to leave the Shi Manor, and she felt it wouldn't be right not to pay her respects before leaving.

"Why did you suddenly think of coming to me?" Su Lanyue waved away the attendants and looked at Shi Lan with a puzzled expression. She felt that Shi Lan had changed a lot, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what was different.

"I haven't paid my respects in a long time, and I was concerned."

"Don't worry about me. As for you, how is your Vajra Divine Fist training going?" Su Lanyue said this, but the smile in the corners of her eyes showed that she was quite happy about Shi Lan's visit.

"I have achieved minor success."

"That's good." Su Lanyue interpreted Shi Lan's "minor success" as having gained some progress, not connecting it to the true realm of minor success.

After all, it had only been a little over a month since Shi Lan took the Vajra Divine Fist manual. It was already good to have made some progress in such a short time.

After some pleasantries, Shi Lan took the Vajra Divine Fist manual from her embrace and placed it in front of Su Lanyue. Judging by Su Lanyue's attitude that day, this manual was likely very precious. Since she was leaving now, it was better to return it.

"What do you mean by this?" A hint of disappointment flickered in Su Lanyue's eyes. She had thought Shi Lan simply didn't want to continue practicing.

"I have already committed the Vajra Divine Fist to memory. Its contained martial intent is no longer of much use to me. It's safer for Mother to keep it."

"Very well."

After a moment's thought, Su Lanyue nodded and accepted it.

Shi Lan sat for a while before rising to take her leave.

"Mother, please take care of yourself."

As she reached the door, Shi Lan couldn't hide her complex emotions and turned back to say a word.

Shi Lan's feelings for Shi Tianlu and Su Lanyue had always been complicated. Although she had accepted Shi Lan's past memories and felt filial affection for them, a barrier remained in her heart, making it difficult to open up.

"Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself."

Watching Shi Lan's departing back, Su Lanyue shook her head and chuckled. This child...

In the evening, Shi Lan first went to the kitchen to have them prepare some dry rations before returning to her room.