In the cool little alley, Xu Lanqing pushed open the door and entered. The old wooden door creaked.
What met his eyes was a somewhat desolate courtyard. At its center stood a thick parasol tree, growing wild with tangled, sprawling roots.
Sunlight filtered through the parasol tree's lush branches and leaves, scattering patches of light and shadow. Ning Tian stood quietly beneath the tree, graceful and poised.
She was the only one in the courtyard. Ning Chengye's status made it inconvenient for him to move around too much, as it could easily arouse Wei Xun's suspicion. Especially since the Heaven Dou Empire had just suffered a major setback—the matter of the sneak attack had been absolutely confidential, yet the Sun Moon side had seemed prepared long in advance. It was hard to say there had not been a spy leaking information.
The Heaven Dou Empire was on edge now, and Ning Chengye was among those under suspicion.
Ning Tian, on the other hand, faced far fewer restrictions. She had come to Tiandou City under the excuse of visiting Vina.
"These are all the Gold Soul Coins meant for purchasing Soul Tools. Take a look."
Ning Tian took out a necklace, its chain made entirely of linked Starlight Sapphires. The thumb-sized gems gleamed against her soft pink palm beneath the dappled light, dazzlingly radiant.
Xu Lanqing once again felt the sheer wealth of the Seven Treasures Streaming Sect. Whoever married her would save themselves several lifetimes of struggle.
"No need." Xu Lanqing smiled gently.
Ning Tian's little face flushed like rosy clouds. Her watery eyes gazed at Xu Lanqing as though she wanted to etch him into the depths of her soul.
"I trust Sect Master Ning's character," Xu Lanqing added.
Ning Tian froze, then pursed her lips, her gaze turning