Noon the next day.

Jiang Liqian arrived at Lin Chen’s temporary residence as promised, carrying a few gifts.

"Martial Uncle Han, long time no see."

Jiang Liqian greeted with a laugh and grace.

Han Jihai had learned about Jiang Liqian from Lin Chen yesterday.

Looking at the young girl in front of him, Han Jihai couldn’t stop smiling.

"Haha, Nephew Jiang, you don’t need to bring gifts just for coming! You are too polite!"

Han Jihai said while reaching out to take the gifts.

"It’s nothing precious, just a few boxes of osmanthus cakes and osmanthus tea... uh..."

Jiang Liqian paused as she saw Han Jihai had already accepted the gift box.

Lin Chen rolled his eyes, quickly saying:

"Ahem, Junior Sister Jiang, why don’t you come in and sit? Tieshan, make some tea for Senior Sister."

Lin Chen instructed skillfully, and Zhou Tieshan hurried to make tea.

At this moment, Li Zhenqian eagerly approached and asked:

"Junior Sister Jiang, it’s been a few years since we last met... Have you come out early for training?"

"Hahaha, we’ve been out for over a year now, you wouldn’t believe what happened along the way..."

Li Zhenqian spoke animatedly, as if meeting with an old friend after many years.

Though Jiang Liqian felt a bit confused, she kept her composure and smiled for quite a while.

But Li Zhenqian’s enthusiasm was overwhelming, chattering on and on.

Until even Han Jihai was watching Li Zhenqian with a wary expression.

"Ahem, Nephew Jiang... you and Lin Chen grew up together, when are you planning to get married?"

"I, as the master, am ready to enjoy the wedding feast!"

Li Zhenqian was dumbfounded, looking up at Han Jihai.

"Ahem..." Lin Chen spat out the tea he had just sipped.

Jiang Liqian was also momentarily stunned, then her face turned slightly red.

"Martial Uncle Han, you misunderstand. Lin Chen and I aren’t in that kind of relationship..."

But despite what Jiang Liqian said, Han Jihai kept nodding with a knowing smile.

As if he had already decided that’s how it was.

Seeing Li Zhenqian looking as though he’d swallowed a fly, unable to utter a word.

Over the past twenty years, Jiang Liqian had been a prodigy in Changchun Sect.

Coupled with her unmatched appearance and extraordinary temperament...

Many sect disciples, including Li Zhenqian and Lin Chen, were fond of Jiang Liqian.

But Li Zhenqian truly had no romantic interest in Jiang Liqian.

Hmm...

Perhaps he did before, but since tasting "Sister Flavor" the past two years, his tastes had changed.

"Sister Chun’Er from Fengya Building is much older than Junior Sister Jiang..." Li Zhenqian mused to himself. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

He only showcased himself in front of Jiang Liqian to compete with Lin Chen.

But after this incident, Jiang Liqian was ready to bid farewell.

"Martial Uncle Han, I’m currently staying at..."

"Planning to stay in Celestial Dao City for a few months. If I disturb you frequently, please forgive me."

Han Jihai smiled and said, "Haha, Nephew Jiang, we’re all one family now. Why talk of forgiveness?"

Jiang Liqian blushed even more.

But before she left, she still said to Lin Chen:

"Senior Brother Lin, if you’re free this afternoon, would you come by my place? As we agreed yesterday..."

Lin Chen blinked, knowing Jiang Liqian was referring to their game of Go.

But Li Zhenqian and Han Jihai interpreted it differently.

After Jiang Liqian left, Li Zhenqian approached with wide-eyed admiration and said:

"Well, Lin Chen, the honest one! When did you quietly get involved with Junior Sister Jiang?"

Lin Chen rolled his eyes, ignoring him.

Meanwhile, Han Jihai kept signaling to Lin Chen, as if saying:

"Good disciple, was my assist powerful?"

Looking at Zhou Tieshan, he was gazing at Lin Chen full of admiration.

Lin Chen could easily see through his little thoughts.

"Senior Brother is amazing, winning the heart of the prettiest Senior Sister in the sect!"

Lin Chen couldn’t be bothered to explain that their relationship was just noble friendship.

"Ahem, I have an arrangement with Junior Sister Jiang, you all wait at home."

With that, Lin Chen left the courtyard.

From behind, Han Jihai sent a message, "Good disciple, don’t come back tonight."

...

In cultivation, time flies by without notice, especially when surrounded by family and friends.

In a blink, it was osmanthus blooming season.

Lin Chen had been in Celestial Dao City for three months.

During these three months, Lin Chen and Jiang Liqian had periodic matches of Go.

Jiang Liqian’s comprehension was truly remarkable.

She went from winning easily even when Lin Chen let her start, to taking two hours to win.

Recently, they’re at a sixty-four split.

Lin Chen still won more than he lost, but winning became increasingly difficult.

Perhaps in a few months, Jiang Liqian’s skill would surpass Lin Chen’s.

Additionally, during these months, Han Jihai, Li Zhenqian, and Junior Brother Tieshan visited fewer places of romance.

Under Lin Chen’s "supervision," they diligently cultivated for a while.

Especially Li Zhenqian, whose Qi Gathering and Form Dispersing Technique had reached Minor Achievement.

Most importantly, Lin Chen and the others received messages from Senior Sister and Third Senior Brother.

Senior Sister Miko and Third Senior Brother Jing Xiao’Er are already in Wenda City at the moment.

Upon hearing the news that Lin Chen and others would soon head to Wenda City, they were quite excited and specially sent a letter.

After all, the Pill Peak has always respected its elders and juniors, and get along harmoniously.

Lin Chen also misses them a bit.

It’s estimated that in a few months, they will meet again.

...

And so, another week passed.

On this day, as usual, Lin Chen went to Jiang Liqian’s temporary residence for a game of chess.

After playing chess for two hours, Lin Chen narrowly won against Jiang Liqian with a half-point advantage.

"Haha, Junior Sister Jiang... thanks for letting me win!" Lin Chen said with a hint of smile at the corner of his mouth.

Jiang Liqian looked at the chessboard and pursed her lips.

Then she pretended to accidentally disrupt the chessboard and changed the topic, saying:

"Ahem, Senior Brother Lin... Have you heard the recent rumors about the Dragon Spirit Sect ruins?"

Lin Chen blinked and didn’t mind Jiang Liqian’s little trick, but nodded and said:

"I’ve heard a little... Why, is Junior Sister interested in those ruins?"

Lin Chen quickly thought over it in his mind.

In Celestial Dao City, news spreads quite rapidly.

Recently, there were rumors that thirty thousand miles north of Celestial Dao City, an ancient ruins had emerged.

The ruins belonged to the former Nascent Soul Sect, Dragon Spirit Sect.

The ruins have been open for two months, and it’s heard that many cultivators have gone to explore.

Most are Golden Core Cultivators, and it’s said that many of them have gained considerable profits.

Having found several rare Spiritual Medicines, selling them off has yielded tens of thousands in Spirit Stone profits.

However, Lin Chen wasn’t too interested in this.

Lin Chen thought for a moment and said:

"I’ve heard that the ruins are somewhat dangerous, but considering Junior Sister Jiang’s strength, I’m sure you’re confident in exploring them alone."

Jiang Liqian shook her head upon hearing this:

"Senior Brother’s words are inaccurate. Although I possess some Techniques, ancient Nascent Soul Sects were never simple."

"If I explore alone, there may be some danger... but if Senior Brother accompanies me, it would be foolproof!"

After hearing this, Lin Chen pondered for a moment.

A Nascent Soul level ruin is not very dangerous for someone like Lin Chen.

However... the gains from it, given Lin Chen’s current perspective, might not be of much interest to him.

"Well, consider it repaying a small favor..."

Lin Chen thought silently to himself, then nodded and said:

"Alright, when does Junior Sister plan to set off? I’ll go with you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liqian smiled sweetly, revealing two dimples, and said:

"Senior Brother must not take it lightly..."

"There are also some precious items within the Dragon Spirit Sect ruins, likely to be very useful for Senior Brother’s future!"

Lin Chen felt a slight movement in his heart upon hearing this and asked in surprise: "Oh? What item is Junior Sister referring to?"

Jiang Liqian then took out a yellowed paper and handed it over.

The paper depicted a medicinal herb, with large petals that resembled Dragon Scales.

"Senior Brother, the Dragon Spirit Sect was an ancient Alchemy Great Sect, its most famous... was a Pill named Dragon Spirit Pill."

"This Pill is quite precious, even useful for Nascent Soul Cultivators!"

"When a Nascent Soul Cultivator is about to break into mid or late Nascent Soul stage, they encounter a bottleneck..."

"This bottleneck varies from person to person; perhaps five years, ten years... But even the most talented would be stuck for a few years."

"Yet with the Dragon Spirit Pill, one can break through the bottleneck early without any side effects."

After speaking, Jiang Liqian looked at Lin Chen with smiling eyes.

Lin Chen felt a slight stirring in his heart, if this is true, the Dragon Spirit Pill would indeed be useful to him.

Although he is currently only early-stage Nascent Soul, he is still quite far from mid-stage.

But being prepared could save him several years in the future if he could find the pill.

"Could it be... that the Dragon Spirit Grass drawn on this paper is the main ingredient for the Dragon Spirit Pill?" Lin Chen tentatively asked.

Jiang Liqian nodded and explained:

"Yes, Dragon Spirit Grass grows in special environments; it is said to require soil soaked in Dragon Blood."

"In this vast world, no True Dragon is seen in Qing State."

"Only within the Dragon Spirit Sect could there possibly be Dragon Spirit Grass, or even high-quality Dragon Spirit Pills!"

"If Senior Brother is willing to join me, I will provide the information, and the profits will be split fifty-fifty... How about it?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen felt quite tempted.

Not only because of the Dragon Spirit Pill but also due to the Dragon Spirit Grass...

If he could find enough Dragon Spirit Grass and bring it back to Great Xia, it would be a huge boon to the cultivation there.

Bearing this in mind, Lin Chen decisively said: "Great! When do we set off?"

Jiang Liqian glanced at the weather and said:

"How about tomorrow? Today, let’s rest for a day..."

Lin Chen calculated that the next return time to Blue Star was just the next morning.

Going to explore the ruins after returning from Blue Star would be perfect.

"Good, let’s go with Junior Sister’s plan."

...

Early the next morning, Lin Chen once again crossed from Blue Star back to the Cultivation Realm.

Due to the forthcoming exploration of the ruins, Lin Chen made plenty of preparations.

After gathering the necessary Magical Treasures, Lin Chen greeted his master and prepared to honor his promise.

But unexpectedly, as he was leaving, Li Zhenqian and Zhou Tieshan approached.

"Lin Chen (Senior Brother), are you going to the Dragon Spirit Sect ruins?"

"Take us along!"