Liu Yuxi's eyes lit up when she saw Shen Lian. She abruptly rose to her feet and said to him:
"Brother Shen Lian!"
"Looks like I came at just the right time."
Shen Lian walked over with a smile, his gaze sweeping across the tea and pastries on the table—the Almond Crisp from Crispy Fragrance Pavilion, Ming Capital's most renowned establishment. It was still warm, clearly bought not long ago.
Liu Yuxi hurried to his side, hooked her arm through his, and said to Shen Lian with a trace of grievance in her voice:
"Brother Shen Lian, the moment you came back, you went into seclusion. When I came looking for you a few days ago, the servants said you were at the Imperial Palace. When I came again yesterday, they said you were in the Cultivation Room. I thought you were going to lock yourself away forever."
Shen Lian helplessly ruffled her hair, then said to Liu Yuxi:
"It couldn't be helped. The God Trial came first."
Shen Lian paused, a hint of relief flashing through his eyes before he continued:
"But it's fine now. The fourth trial doesn't require seclusion. I just need to create a soul skill of my own, like you did back then."
"Really?"
Liu Yuxi's eyes widened, and she let out a delighted squeal before saying to Shen Lian:
"Then you'll have time to go shopping with Zhuqing and me! Yesterday, we saw a newly opened Soul Tool accessory shop on West Street. The hairpins inside were so pretty..."
Liu Yuxi chattered away while Shen Lian listened patiently, nodding along from time to time.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong came in from the backyard as well.
Zhu Zhuqing wore a fitted black outfit, her long hair tied behind her head with