An hour has passed since I woke up on the top floor of the teahouse.
On the steps at the door of Star Moon Teahouse, Lin Ciyan and Xu Jiujiu stood side by side.
It's almost morning and the sun is getting brighter.
Xu Jiujiu changed into a light blue dress today. The style is simple and elegant, with only golden lines embroidered on the cuffs and skirt.
The simple long skirt still cannot conceal the innate noble temperament.
Her long golden hair was carefully combed into an elegant bun and fixed with a white jade hairpin.
A thin layer of makeup was applied to her face to cover up the traces of last night's hangover, leaving only the dignity and beauty that belonged to the princess.
But Lin Ciyan noticed that her eyes were different from yesterday.
There is less of a reserved sense of distance and more of a warm warmth of closeness.
"Ci Yan." She said softly, "Will we... meet again?"
"Of course." Lin Ciyan smiled, "The world is big, but it may also be small. Maybe one day we will meet somewhere by chance?"
"This is called - even if fate comes, you can't stop it."
"Then what if..." Xu Jiujiu bit his lower lip, "If I want to find you, how should I find you?"
Lin Ciyan thought for a while and took out a small jade pendant from Storage Soul Tool.
The jade pendant is pure white, with the word "Lin" engraved on the front and a pattern of Qilin on the back.
"My grandfather gave this to me." He said, "Take it and go to Shrek City to look for Lin Qingmo, and you can find me."
Xu Jiujiu took the jade pendant and held it in the palm of his hand.
The jade pendant also carries the body temperature of Lin Ciyan.
"I will keep it well." She said seriously.
"Ci Yan." Xu Jiujiu spoke again.
"Huh?"
"What happened last night..." She paused, "I won't tell anyone."
"Including imperial brother, including Grandma Man Yi."
Lin Ciyan was stunned.
"I will also keep the matter about Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife a secret." Xu Jiujiu continued with a firm look in his eyes.
"If people know that you have a way to deal with that murderous knife, countless people will come to your door. I don't want to cause you any trouble."
Lin Ciyan looked at her, and a warm current surged in his heart.
This is a consideration that only true friends would have.
"Thank you." He said sincerely.
"Between friends, there is no need to say thank you." Xu Jiujiu repeated what he said last night, with a smile in his eyes.
She looked at him for a few more seconds, then stepped forward and gave Lin Ciyan a gentle hug.
Very light and very fast.
Like a farewell between friends.
But when they separated, her fingers stayed on his back for a moment, and the warmth from her fingertips was transmitted through his clothes.
"Take care." She whispered in Lin Ciyan's ear, "Be careful. If you encounter trouble that cannot be solved... remember to come to me."
"Okay." Lin Ciyan patted her back, "Take care of yourself too."
After they separated, Xu Jiujiu took a step back with a decent and warm smile on his face.
In that smile, there is reluctance, expectation, and blessing.
Also, there is a different emotion in the eyes that is different from yesterday.
"So, goodbye," she said.
"Goodbye." Lin Ciyan nodded, "Definitely next time."
Xu Jiujiu was amused by this "next time" and smiled, with a sly light flashing in his eyes. "This is what you said. If you break your promise next time we meet, I will be angry."
"I won't break my promise." Lin Ciyan said seriously.
He turned around and walked towards the outside of the city.
After walking for more than ten steps, he couldn't help but look back.
Xu Jiujiu was still standing at the door of the teahouse, the gentle breeze blowing her skirt and hair.
She raised her hand and waved lightly.
Lin Ciyan also waved his hand, then turned around and never looked back.
The moment he walked out of the Star Luo City gate, Lin Ciyan breathed a sigh of relief.
This trip to Star Luo City was fruitful.
Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife is in hand, and Gold of Life is right in front of you.
I also met a... special friend like Xu Jiujiu.
He touched the metal box in Storage Soul Tool, his eyes flashing with anticipation.
Gold of Life.
In this day and age, this may be one of the most precious treasures.
The huge vitality and spiritual power it contains can not only greatly enhance his strength, but also lay a solid foundation for future cultivation.
As for after absorbing Gold of Life... then get the fourth Soul Ring.
Lin Ciyan has already planned the route.
First find an absolutely safe place, try to purify Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife, and integrate Gold of Life.
After your strength reaches a higher level, go to Star Dou Great Forest and find the Soul Ring that suits you best.
With his current physical fitness and the blessing of Gold of Life, he is not sure how many years of Soul Ring he can absorb.
He quickened his pace and walked toward the mountains and forests in the distance.
At the same time, Star Moon Teahouse is at the door.
Xu Jiujiu was still standing where he was, looking at the direction Lin Ciyan left.
The jade pendant in her hand was held tightly by her.
"Your Highness." A gentle voice came from behind.
Nebula Douluo Man Yi appeared behind her at some point, with complicated emotions in her eyes.
"Grandma Man Yi." Xu Jiujiu didn't look back, "You're here."
"Old slave has been staying nearby." Man Yi said softly, "Last night... were you okay?"
"I'm fine." Xu Jiujiu turned around, his face having returned to the calm expression belonging to the princess, "Better than ever."
Man Yi was silent for a moment.
"Your Highness, what do you mean to him..."
"We are friends." Xu Jiujiu said, his tone calm, but there was a flash of fluctuation in his eyes, "Just friends."
She turned around and looked at Man Yi.
"Grandma Man Yi, about Ci Yan being able to handle Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife... don't tell anyone, including the emperor."
Man Yi was stunned. "Why?"
"Because it will bring him trouble." Xu Jiujiu said.
"If people knew that he had the ability to purify evil objects, countless people would come to his door. I don't want to see that happen."
She paused and added, "Just think of it as... protection between friends."
Man Yi looked at Xu Jiujiu for a long time.
Finally, she sighed and bowed, "Old slave, I understand."
Xu Jiujiu nodded, turned and walked towards the royal carriage parked at the door.
Before getting in the car, she looked back one last time in the direction outside the city.
Ci Yan, Take care.
She thought silently in her heart.
I hope that when we meet next time, we will all become better versions of ourselves.
The carriage drove slowly towards the palace.
In the carriage, Xu Jiujiu was leaning on the soft seat with his eyes closed.
The scene from last night reappeared in my mind.
Those bold moves, those ambiguous words, those... moments when I almost lost control.
Her cheeks turned red again.
But this time, she didn't hide it.
Anyway, she was the only one in the carriage.
Star Luo City Fifty miles away, in a hidden cave.
Lin Ciyan has found a natural cave.
Then he set up a triple barrier - Holy Radiance Qilin Light Attribute Barrier, the Simple Concealment Array he saw in the Inner Court library, and the Soul Power Interference Field he figured out himself.
The interior of the cave is dry and ventilated, the space is large enough, and there are no traces of any Soul Beast activity.
Perfect.
He sat down cross-legged and took out the metal box containing Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife.
The lid is open.
The cold and evil atmosphere filled the air again.
But this time, Lin Ciyan didn't suppress it.
Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife lay quietly on the black velvet, and the dark green blade exuded a cold and evil aura.
Lin Ciyan took a deep breath, a determined light flashed in his eyes.
Gold of Life.
He has been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He stretched out his hand and grasped the infamous carving knife.
The gray-black grimace lines instantly lit up with a strange light.
The game has begun.