Lin Tian could tell that finding these tree roots likely had something to do with Xu Xianrong’s Thousand Cyan Threads again, but since she didn’t want to elaborate, Lin Tian didn’t press her further.

"Family members have no need to thank each other. I’m still Ruyan’s aunt." Xu Xianrong said, "It’s late at night, let’s go back and rest."

"Mm."

Both of them stopped talking and headed towards the house. It wasn’t until they were about to part ways that Lin Tian said, "Good night."

"Good night." Xu Xianrong replied casually. After a pause, she turned back and asked, "What were you trying so hard to say earlier?"

"Uh..." Under the light, Lin Tian’s expression was somewhat awkward as he replied, "Nothing much."

"Speak!" Xu Xianrong glared seductively, assuming a rather authoritative demeanor.

"Really changes her mind quickly." Lin Tian muttered softly to himself. Previously, he wanted to speak but she wouldn’t listen. Now, he didn’t want to speak but she insisted on hearing.

Lin Tian cleared his throat, "Actually, it’s nothing. I just wanted to say to you. Women, it’s better not to go braless inside... after all, they’re delicate, needing protection..."

Before he could finish his words, Xu Xianrong’s expression had already become peculiar, cold as frost, with overwhelming intent to kill—this probably described Xu Xianrong perfectly now.

"Go die!" Xu Xianrong shouted loudly, Thousand Cyan Threads unsheathed, striking three times in the air, Sword Qi formed into a streak, aiming to chop off Lin Tian’s head!

Lin Tian’s expression changed drastically, and he slipped away like a cunning rabbit, dodging and weaving several meters away.

The place where he had just been standing left three deep sword marks on the wall.

Lin Tian smiled bitterly, "Didn’t they say honest words are hard to hear? I was entirely speaking from a doctor’s perspective..."

"Shut up!" Xu Xianrong shouted coldly, "Get lost!"

"Alright!" Lin Tian responded and dashed away.

Seeing Lin Tian’s distant retreating figure, Xu Xianrong’s cheeks burned like a cluster of fire, heating up. This feeling of embarrassment and anger seemed to have not appeared for several years—who now dared to tease her so openly? And a junior, no less!

...

Lin Tian dashed back to his room, just opened the door when suddenly a hand reached for his head.

Lin Tian quickly stepped back a position, reversed hands to pin the owner’s arm. Just as he was about to dislocate this arm, he suddenly heard Miaoqiu shout, "Easy, it’s me!"

Lin Tian quickly released the pressure and let go, then he fumbled along the wall to turn on the room light, indeed it was Miaoqiu.

She wore silk red pajamas that just covered to the root of her thigh, clinging translucent to her delicate skin, with smooth, well-proportioned beautiful legs half-revealed, instantly stirring Lin Tian’s youthful fervor.

"What are you doing in my room? I thought someone was going to ambush me." Lin Tian asked with a smile.

Miaoqiu frowned, snorted heavily, walked to the bed, crossed her legs to sit, and said irritably, "I can’t come find you secretly in the middle of the night? Even took a bath and changed into this outfit, who would’ve thought you’d be having a secret rendezvous with my aunt at night, I..."

At this point, Miaoqiu’s eyes turned red.

Lin Tian, this jerk, had so many women that two hands almost couldn’t count them all, and yet he had set his sights on her aunt, leaving her inexplicable grievance. Even an open-minded woman can’t stand this, right?

Lin Tian laughed helplessly and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? It wasn’t a secret rendezvous; if it were, it wouldn’t be in the courtyard, right?"

"You are still making excuses! I heard you teasing her, don’t think I didn’t hear what you said by the door!"

Lin Tian walked forward in strides; as soon as Miaoqiu sat down, she snorted again, getting up to sit on the nearby sofa, keeping a distance from Lin Tian.

"You really misunderstood." Lin Tian took out tree roots from his pocket, put them on the table, and said, "Look, these are Bodhi plum tree roots, used as medicinal herbs for Ruyan’s condition. Your dad feared attracting attention from others, deliberately asked me to dig them at night; Aunt was just helping me out. Moreover, can someone with her personality meet me secretly? Earlier I just reminded her from a doctor’s perspective, causing her to nearly stab me with her sword."

Miaoqiu listened and calmed down a bit. She knew Lin Tian’s flirtatious nature. She also knew her aunt’s fierce demeanor; indeed she thought too much.

"Alright, I guess I misunderstood you. But don’t tease Aunt anymore!"

Lin Tian chuckled and shamelessly squeezed next to Miaoqiu, sitting down, saying, "I told you, I was speaking from a doctor’s perspective, for her own good. Same goes for you; going braless is not good..."

While speaking, Lin Tian lifted the red skirt with lightning speed for a peek, instantly feeling fervent, mouth parched.

Indeed, Xu Family members have similar traits.

"Quit being cheeky." Miaoqiu slapped Lin Tian’s hand, restoring the skirt back down, with slightly blushed cheeks saying, "You should go take a bath first..."

Lin Tian embraced Miaoqiu and laughed, "Let’s bathe together."

...

At dawn, Lin Tian cautiously dressed, took the tree roots, and walked to the courtyard.

Xu Shaohui woke even earlier than Lin Tian and was already practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard, those leisurely movements indeed suitable for his current physical state.

"Uncle, why are you up so early?" Lin Tian asked.

"I’ve been lying around for five years; if I don’t get up and move sooner, this body will truly get wasted." Xu Shaohui said with a smile, "You came just in time. Let’s practice push-hands together."

"Maybe next time, I need to collect some petals; it wouldn’t be good to miss the timing." Lin Tian said.

"Is there a particular time for picking petals?" Xu Shaohui asked.

"Yes." Lin Tian chuckled, "All things have their rhythm in nature. These flower buds in the early morning, clad with night dew, combined with the petals I picked from the treetops yesterday, only then it’s optimal."

"Haha, no problem, then you go ahead. I’ve prepared three portions of the other herbs, as well as the Alchemy Furnace for you. If you need anything else, do let me know in advance."

"This is already sufficient." Lin Tian grinned, "I’m just concerned someone might cause trouble at that time; it would be best to invite a couple of experts to protect me."

"Ha ha, that’s easy, look, isn’t that covered?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Tian noticed Xu Xianrong sitting in lotus position on the rooftop, with Thousand Cyan Threads resting on her lap, her coat and hair covered in glistening dew, truly resembling a fairy descending to earth.

But what surprised Lin Tian was that she actually stayed up all night!

For practitioners, staying up all night is no issue, but her spot was right above his room’s roof, where he and Miaoqiu had a blissful night—was everything overheard?