Things Remain, People Change

"Foundation Establishment?!"

Bi Qiong's eyes widened as she stared fixedly at Xu Yuan before her. No matter what, she could not reconcile the man standing before her now, steady as a mountain and deep as an abyss, with the friend who had once shared life and death with her in her memories.

How long had it been since their parting? Not even five years, perhaps.

"You have sharp eyes, Senior." Temporarily ignoring Bi Qiong, Xu Yuan bowed once more.

"But a senior is a senior. Xu Yuan would not dare address you as a fellow Daoist."

"Call me whatever you like." The old woman regarded Xu Yuan with a mixture of wariness and curiosity in her aged eyes. "It is not that this old woman saw through you. Rather, I sensed it through a secret art I cultivate. The moment you stepped through that door, this old bag of bones felt as though it could fall apart at any moment. Ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators—even those at Qi Refinement Perfection—should not possess such ability."

Patting Bi Qiong's hands, which were clutching hers tightly in nervousness, the old woman continued, "I simply do not know what purpose brings Your Excellency here."

"If Your Excellency seeks wealth, there should not be much of value left here besides these old bones. If you seek beauty—"

The old woman stroked Bi Qiong's somewhat bewildered face. "With this little girl's heart already set on you, there is no need for you to use force."

Xu Yuan:

"

"

Bi Qiong:

"

"

"Senior misunderstands."

Xu Yuan hurriedly replied, "I merely happened to run into Bi Qiong when I entered Jade Dragon City this time. As for a purpose, there truly is none."

"Then that is such a pity."

Xu Yuan: "—"

Bi Qiong:

"

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