Li Shang had gone to the trouble of returning to the Nine Provinces with Lu Ye because of their original agreement: Lu Ye would restore her freedom, and she would help his friends find a way forward.
Back then, she had accidentally exposed her whereabouts and been captured by a Sunlight cultivator, only to be sent to the Myriad Phenomena Merchant Association for auction. Lu Ye had paid an enormous price to snatch her from another bidder.
For Li Shang's sake, Lu Ye had even missed out on the Phoenix Sky Blue Crystal.
Of course, looking back, missing it had been a good thing. He had obtained Fang and had no need for the Phoenix Sky Blue Crystal at all.
When she had first met Lu Ye, Li Shang had been filled with vigilance. No one understood better than the Soul Race themselves how valuable they were to cultivators of other races. Thus, for a long time, Li Shang could not even be bothered to say a word to Lu Ye. No matter how sincere and earnest he appeared, she believed it was all an act to win her trust and make her willingly serve him.
It was not until Lu Ye received the summons of the Cycle Tree that Li Shang realized his terrifying potential. From that moment onward, her impression of him gradually began to change.
For anyone favored by the Cycle Tree and bestowed with its mark, there could be no fault in their character. They were basically incapable of being truly vile or wicked people.
Slowly, they came into contact. Slowly, they grew familiar. By now, they could be said to have laid their hearts bare before one another.
Lu Ye had been nowhere to be seen during the month since they returned to this realm.