Exchanging Daoist Robes
Shen Qingyue led Wang Mengde through several streets and turned into a quiet alley.
At the end of the alley is a small courtyard.
The courtyard wall was built of bluish-gray bricks, covered with unknown vines and tiny white flowers.
Shen Qingyue arrived at a small courtyard, pushed open the gate, and pulled Wang Mengde inside.
The yard wasn't big, but it was kept very clean.
Shen Qingyue stepped into the courtyard, and then her mind stirred.
A faint spiritual energy Light Barrier rose from the courtyard wall and quickly enveloped the entire courtyard.
Runes flowed across the Light Barrier, emitting a soft glow.
"Alright." She clapped her hands and smiled at Wang Mengde, "Now I don't have to worry about my sister finding out."
After saying that, a blush appeared on her pretty face.
She remembered the promise they made when they communicated telepathically.
Looking at her, Wang Mengde couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't laugh." Shen Qingyue said in a fierce tone, then grabbed his hand and started chattering as she introduced him to the man:
"Look, that's the room on the left where I refine pills. I can now refine first-grade, Grain Avoidance Pill. I'll give you some later so you can try them."
She pointed to the right. "That's my meditation room. I usually cultivate there. The spiritual energy inside is very rich; you can cultivate there."
Pointing to the room in the very center, he said, "This is the reception room, a place to receive guests for tea and conversation. But all I do is refine Grain Avoidance Pill, so I don't have many guests."
Finally, she pointed to the smaller room next to the living room, her voice suddenly softening. "That... is my boudoir."
Wang Mengde followed her gaze, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.
Shen Qingyue remembered their promise, blushed, and pulled him quickly toward the reception room. "Come on, let's go inside and sit down."
Pushing open the door, you'll find a small but simply elegant reception room.
A low table, two cushions, and a landscape painting hanging on the wall, with a line of small characters next to it, signed "Qingyue".
Wang Mengde took another look.
Shen Qingyue said shyly, "My drawing isn't very good."
"Very good," Wang Mengde said earnestly.
Shen Qingyue released his hand and patted the Storage Bag.
Several items suddenly appeared on the low table.
A plate of bright red spiritual fruits, each the size of a baby's fist, exuding a faint fragrance.
A plate of delicate pastries, shaped like flowers.
There was also a pot of spiritual tea, its steam rising gently, its aroma delicate and refined.
"These are spirit fruits I bought for you in advance, they're very sweet." Shen Qingyue picked up a fruit and stuffed it into Wang Mengde's hand. "Try it."
Wang Mengde took it and took a bite.
Juicy and flavorful, with a sweet and slightly sour taste, and a refreshing aroma.
"It's delicious." He nodded.
Shen Qingyue smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "Eat more if it's delicious, I bought a lot."
Wang Mengde looked at her, smiled slightly, and patted his Storage Bag.
He took out several items from it: a packet of honey cloud cakes, a packet of Demon Fish meat, and the neatly folded white robe skirt.
"These are for you." He pushed the things in front of her. "Honey cloud cake and dried Demon Fish meat, these are your favorites, and this dress, I bought it on Rosy Cloud Island, see if you like it."
Shen Qingyue's eyes lit up. She picked up the bag of honey cloud cakes, opened it, and smelled it. Her face was full of joy. "It's from my favorite shop! You big bad guy, you still remember!"
She picked up the packet of dried Demon Fish again, tore one open, put it in her mouth, chewed it, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction. "Mmm, delicious!"
Finally, she picked up the white robe and unfolded it to examine it.
The dress was made of soft, smooth fabric, embroidered with delicate cloud patterns, and the neckline and cuffs were trimmed with exquisite edges.
The design is simple and elegant, yet refined.
"So beautiful," Shen Qingyue murmured, looking up at Wang Mengde with sparkling eyes. "You big bad guy, you have such good taste."
Wang Mengde smiled and was about to speak when he saw Shen Qingyue pat her Storage Bag and take out a neatly folded black robe.
"I bought one for you too." She handed him the robe and said, "This robe is a mid-grade first-tier robe with a defensive array; wearing it will protect you."
Wang Mengde took the robe; it felt soft to the touch and faintly emitted spiritual energy.
He unfolded it to look at it; the robe was pure black, with a simple and elegant design. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with simple cloud patterns in silver thread, understated yet exquisite.
"It looks good," Wang Mengde said.
Shen Qingyue felt an indescribable joy welling up inside her as she watched him hold the robe.
She bought him a robe, and he bought her a dress and robe.
They were both thinking of each other.
This feeling is wonderful.
"Why don't you try it on?" she asked Wang Mengde expectantly.
Wang Mengde nodded, took off his outer garment, and put on his Dharma robe.
Wearing a black robe, he looked even more upright and imposing.
The black color accentuated his deep-set eyes and brows, giving him a calm and reserved demeanor, yet subtly revealing a sharp edge.
Shen Qingyue stared at him, her eyes wide. "So handsome."
Looking at her dazed expression, Wang Mengde couldn't help but laugh, "Then why don't you wear a skirt and show it to me?"
Shen Qingyue blushed, but still nodded. "Okay."
She picked up the white dress, got up, and went into the inner room.
A moment later, the bamboo curtain was lifted.
Shen Qingyue came out.
The white dress made her skin appear even whiter and her figure even more slender.
She walked up to Wang Mengde, twirled around gently, and then looked at Wang Mengde expectantly. "Does it look good?"
"It's beautiful," Wang Mengde said. "It's exceptionally beautiful."
Shen Qingyue raised her head and met his gaze, her heart filled with sweetness, as if it were filled with honey.
The two sat down again, eating spirit fruit pastries and chatting.
"How have you been these past few years?" Shen Qingyue asked.
"Not bad," Wang Mengde said. "Just fishing for Demon Fish and cultivating. What about you?"
"I'm doing well too," Shen Qingyue said. "My Three-Attribute Spirit Root— water, fire, and wood—are particularly suited for alchemy. After my sister brought me to Rosy Cloud Island, I was taken in as a disciple by Alchemist Xuan Yun."
Shen Qingyue tilted her head slightly, a hint of pride on her pretty face, and said, "I'm already a first-grade Alchemist!"
Wang Mengde looked at Shen Qingyue: "I've heard of your master's reputation; she's said to be very fierce. Is she strict with you?"
Shen Qingyue said, "My master is very good to me, but she's quite fierce to others."
Wang Mengde continued, "Is your master really one hundred and fifty years old?"
Qi Refining cultivators have a longer lifespan than ordinary people, but it's rare for them to live to be 120 years old.
Living to 150 years old is extremely rare.
"I heard he's 150 years old, but he looks like he's in his forties or fifties."
The two chatted like that, recounting the bits and pieces of the past four and a half years.
As they talked, they unconsciously drew closer and closer.
Their gazes met, and something seemed to be quietly fermenting in the air.
Shen Qingyue's breathing quickened slightly, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, like a startled butterfly, yet she couldn't bear to look away.
Wang Mengde looked at her, his gaze growing increasingly intense.
He reached out and gently took her hand.
Her hand was soft and warm, and it trembled slightly in his palm, but he did not pull it away.
"Qingyue," Wang Mengde said, looking at her, "Show me around your boudoir."
Shen Qingyue's body stiffened slightly.
Immediately, her face flushed bright red, even her ears and neck turned a light pink.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
Bang bang bang.
He held her hand, and she could feel the heat of his palm, which was frighteningly hot.
Her face was burning hot, but she nodded as if possessed.
"Okay..." Her voice was so soft it was barely audible.
Wang Mengde looked at her flushed ears, stepped forward, picked her up, and carried her to the door of her boudoir.
I pushed open the door.
Go inside.
Close the door.