That night, Shi Lan did not cultivate and slept deeply.
The next morning, after Wu Lingkong awoke, she opened her eyes to find Shi Lan's face right beside hers.
Even in sleep, Shi Lan's brows held a faint chill, as though sealed beneath a thin layer of ice, giving her an air of distance.
In Wu Lingkong's impression, Shi Lan had always been like this. It was not apparent on the surface, but Wu Lingkong could sense that deep in Shi Lan's heart lay an ice that would never melt, shutting others out.
Beneath that ice was a treasure no one could touch: a pure land filled with warmth, kindness, and tenderness.
Soft breaths lingered by her ear. The room was utterly quiet, so quiet that Wu Lingkong seemed to hear Shi Lan's strong heartbeat.
Wu Lingkong propped herself up and looked down at Shi Lan. After a long moment, she could not resist reaching out to poke Shi Lan's cheek.
"Mmm..."
Shi Lan slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was unfocused, her eyes empty. Only after a few breaths did they gradually regain their light.
"I slept rather deeply."
Shi Lan rubbed her brow and sat up. The true qi within her circulated, dispelling the stale energy from her body. Her wrinkled clothes instantly became as good as new.
"I'll be in seclusion for a while. Is there a suitable place nearby?"
"Seclusion?"
Wu Lingkong reached out to smooth Shi Lan's slightly disheveled hair, then got out of bed and straightened her clothes.
"There's a chamber here."
Naturally, the city lord's residence had no shortage of chambers for cultivation. They were all built from the finest Dragon-Breaking Stone, with walls three zhang thick and spirit-gathering formations carved into them. Nothing from outside could disturb those within.
And this place