The next morning, at six thirty.
Song Qiuya rubbed her sore lower back as she emerged from the master bedroom on the second floor.
She had changed into a sharp black skirt suit, her hair impeccably styled and her makeup flawless. Nothing about her betrayed that she had been up until three in the morning.
The only giveaway was the slight trembling of her knees as she walked.
Li Xiaoyue came out of the guest room carrying a briefcase, a gentle smile on her face.
They met at the head of the stairs and exchanged a glance.
Song Qiuya's ears flushed despite herself.
Li Xiaoyue lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the strap of her bag.
The scenes from last night were all too vivid.
"Let's go." Song Qiuya looked away first, her heels clicking down the stairs a little faster than usual.
Li Xiaoyue followed, the corners of her mouth lifting, but said nothing.
The two left through the courtyard gate, one after the other.
Chen Lin leaned against the second-floor window frame, watching them leave.
He turned and returned to the backyard, sitting cross-legged before the stone table at the center of the Spirit-Gathering Formation. He closed his eyes and began cultivating.
The spiritual power of the Azure Origin Sword Art's second level circulated through his meridians. With each complete cycle, the spiritual power in his Dantian grew a little denser.
The barrier at the eighth level of Qi Refining was as thick as an iron wall.
But cracks had already begun to appear.
Time slipped past as he regulated his breathing.
About forty minutes passed.
Chen Lin frowned slightly.
Fifty meters away, a series of light footsteps reached his ears.
The pace was unhurried but hesitant, pausing every couple of steps, as though someone were