Cui Hao left with a stiff expression. Before leaving, he shot Qinghe-who was eating fruit with her head down, as though missing even one would be a loss-a look: keep an eye on her.
Qinghe bobbed her head as she gnawed on her fruit, seemingly understanding.
Zheng Zhaoling took all of this in, but said nothing more.
She merely listened to Cui Hao promise to get Spring Warmth and watched him head outside.
Zheng Zhaoling then turned her gaze back to Sandong, who was eating shelled melon seeds.
Since Cui Hao had given Qinghe that look, he was naturally counting on Qinghe to hold the line.
Flower Spirits, however, were simple by nature. The way Sandong ate melon seeds made that clear enough-like a little mouse, with its mouth stuffed until its cheeks bulged.
A gentle smile appeared on Zheng Zhaoling's face as she looked at Sandong and asked:
"Are you a Flower Spirit?"
With Cui Hao gone, Sandong felt less confident. Still, this was its own territory, and showing fear would rather disgrace the Sect Leader.
Sandong swallowed the melon seeds, then nodded emphatically.
"Sandong is a Flower Spirit."
"I happen to have a few Flower Spirit friends." Zheng Zhaoling's smile was gentle, her tone calm. "They're all pure and kind by nature. Spending time with them always helps me relax a great deal."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get to know you, Sandong."
As Zheng Zhaoling spoke, she gently extended her hand, gathering a speck of Spiritual Power at the tip of her index finger.
Sandong froze at the sight, then happily gathered a speck of Spiritual Power on its own index finger and touched it to Zheng Zhaoling's.
The Spiritual Power met, turning into faint glimmers that swirled and drifted away.
Sandong tilted its head,