Chapter 1454 - 425: Mother! (6k)

An entire month had passed, and the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree once more lost its spiritual resonance.

However, Zhou Qing, with the help of the synergy between "Demon-Suppressing Golden Bone" and the enlightenment from the Ancient Tea Tree, finally succeeded in mastering the first seal of the "Daluo Demon Sealing Seal"—Demon Suppression!

Gazing at the now lifeless Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree, Zhou Qing quickly took out several Top-Grade Wood Attribute Spirit Stones and embedded them into its roots.

He was no longer short on money—not only had he not exhausted the grinding disc-sized raw stones brought from the void, but he had also barely touched the thousand wood attribute spirit stones gifted by Buddha Son Gui Cang.

As the spiritual power from the spirit stones was absorbed, the tea tree gradually regained a bit of luster.

Zhou Qing was satisfied as he put away the tea tree, his mood exceedingly good.

With a single flip of his hand, the black scroll documenting the "Daluo Demon Sealing Seal" appeared in his palm.

After a brief contemplation, he headed directly to Shen Hanyi’s residence.

...

Knock, knock, knock—

Zhou Qing stood at the door, knocking lightly. Moments later, the door opened slightly.

Shen Hanyi’s clear and beautiful face appeared between the door gap, with a hint of doubt in her expression: "What is it?"

"I’ve brought something good for you," Zhou Qing said with a smile playing on his lips, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Shen Hanyi’s eyes flickered: "What is it?"

"You have to let me in to find out." Zhou Qing winked, his tone slightly mischievous but perfectly measured.

Shen Hanyi said nothing, stepping aside to open the door fully.

Zhou Qing entered the room with familiarity, taking a seat by the low table beside the window.

Throughout the past month, to avoid the Dao-eroding moss from forming due to over-cultivation of the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree, he frequently took breaks here.

The interior remained simple, yet unknowingly showed traces of daily life.

A small pot of budding orchid on the windowsill and an ancient book open by the table suggested her recent change in state of mind.

Shen Hanyi gracefully sat opposite him, her demeanor still as cold as frost, but her attitude towards Zhou Qing was noticeably softer compared to others.

She raised her delicate hand, pouring a cup of tea for both of them.

Amidst the infusion of tea fragrance, Zhou Qing took out the black scroll from his storage bag and gently placed it on the sandalwood table.

"What is this?" Shen Hanyi’s gaze fell on the scroll, her voice as calm as water.

"It’s merely an Inscription-Level Divine Technique." Zhou Qing’s tone was nonchalant, yet his eyes gleamed with undisguised pride.

Shen Hanyi’s hand holding the cup paused briefly as she looked up at him: "Really?"

A simple two-word query, yet it carried a trace of incredulity.

"Why would I lie to you?" Zhou Qing’s smile deepened.

As Shen Hanyi scrutinized the scroll’s pattern, her pupils suddenly contracted.

The scroll’s design seemed somewhat similar to the one she had seen falling from the Three-Flower Corpse stake during a simulation with Number One in the Divine Ruins Celestial Palace, using the Eightfold Sticker in the third stage, eliciting many Transforming Divine Medicines.

"Where did you get this?" Shen Hanyi asked.

Upon seeing Shen Hanyi’s expression, Zhou Qing immediately knew what she had thought of.

But he was prepared, maintaining his usual calm demeanor: "A gift from Second Uncle."

These days, scrolls came in only a few common styles.

If he were to visit a shop now, he could easily buy a dozen black scrolls containing various cultivation techniques and divine abilities, and even find blank ones without much difficulty.

Shen Hanyi pondered, not giving it much more thought.

Second Uncle was only in the Spirit Slash Realm Perfection, far from reaching the third level, let alone surviving a hundred years there unscathed.

As she was about to touch the scroll, Zhou Qing hurriedly raised his hand to gently block: "The initial probe greatly impacts the Sea of Consciousness; you must take care not to be frightened."

Saying this, his gaze involuntarily fell on her abdomen, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

Shen Hanyi looked up at Zhou Qing, ultimately gently setting the scroll down.

Her cool voice tinged with curiosity: "You should know the value of an Inscription-Level Divine Technique, why give it to me?"

Zhou Qing met her gaze, his expression sincere: "Neither of us can cultivate that ’Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain’ now; we need a better divine technique."

He paused, then suddenly smiled: "Why do you ask? Because you’re my woman!"

At these words, a rosy hue instantly adorned Shen Hanyi’s fair cheeks.

Caught in a moment of surprise, Zhou Qing, not knowing where he gathered the courage, suddenly grasped her wrist.

Her skin was warm and smooth, like jade, yet carried a unique spiritual flow.

Zhou Qing could even distinctly feel the pulse of her spirit vein at her wrist.

Shen Hanyi instinctively tried to withdraw her hand, but Zhou Qing, almost without thinking, tightened his grip.

"You..." Shen Hanyi’s voice, unusually, bore a trace of panic.

Realization struck Zhou Qing and he hastily let go.

Shen Hanyi swiftly retracted her hand, falling silent.

"I’m sorry—" Zhou Qing quickly apologized, though inwardly he was pleased.

Because Shen Hanyi didn’t react as she would with other unwanted advances; this attitude spoke volumes.

Feeling buoyant, he stood up: "Take your time, I’ll be going now."

He then left quickly, somewhat looking like he was fleeing.

Watching Zhou Qing’s hasty retreat, Shen Hanyi looked down at her hand, biting her lip gently, muttering softly: "Rogue..."

...

Outside, Zhou Qing’s heart raced like a drum as he rounded a corridor, unable to stop himself from glancing back toward Shen Hanyi’s dwelling.

Seeing no one behind him, he regretfully smacked his own hand: "Rash hand, you’re way too eager!"