Chapter 550: A Meeting Gift for the Master |
"Ning Qi!"
Princess Xiangxiang was the first to notice Ning Qi had returned.
Her eyes were filled with surprise.
"Princess, it's been a while!"
Ning Qi looked at Princess Xiangxiang and revealed a smile. "It seems we really are fated to meet!"
"Yes, you left in such a hurry last time, we didn't even get a chance to thank you properly!"
Princess Xiangxiang couldn't help but smile at Ning Qi's words. "The previous misunderstanding was my fault, I've always wanted to apologize to you!"
"Unfortunately, you didn't give me the chance."
"I originally thought I would never have the opportunity in this lifetime, but I never expected to run into you again here."
Ning Qi chuckled at her words. "But you weren't wrong."
"Between us before, it was indeed a case of mutual exploitation. If I hadn't wanted to use you..."
"...we would never have had any interaction at all."
"Don't say that, you are our benefactor."
"If I hadn't been so willful, you wouldn't have walked away."
"Perhaps... our people... wouldn't have died in such numbers."
Princess Xiangxiang showed a hint of melancholy, then continued, "It was you who made me see myself clearly."
"You made me understand that my willfulness has harmed far too many people!"
"Oh? So it seems I taught you a lesson."
Ning Qi said with a smile after she finished speaking.
"Yes, you're absolutely right!"
Princess Xiangxiang gave a slight nod, showing a resolute expression. "It was you who made me see myself clearly, so I must bravely face everything!"
"That's good then!"
"If you gained something from it, then our acquaintance wasn't in vain!"
Ning Qi listened to her words.
He knew this princess had completely changed.
She had clearly seen through many things after experiencing a life-and-death situation,
and the one who started it all was Ning Qi.
"Speaking of which, we really are fated!"
Princess Xiangxiang looked at Ning Qi and pointed at the giant ship behind her. "I never would have thought we actually came here on the same giant ship."
"Yes, that's true indeed!"
Ning Qi nodded, also glancing back. "Are you heading to Cloud City?"
"No, this is the last stop on my journey!"
"My next destination is the imperial capital of our Yue Kingdom!"
Princess Xiangxiang shook her head, then continued, "This time when I return, I want those who wished I would never come back to know that I have returned!"
"And not just returned, but returned victorious."
"Oh? So it seems I saved one of their enemies and sent her back."
Ning Qi couldn't help but laugh at her words.
"You could say that!"
Princess Xiangxiang nodded, looking at Ning Qi. "Since we're fated... can you help me one last time?"
"Sure."
Ning Qi agreed without hesitation.
"Master, aren't we supposed to be looking for Miss Xu? Why are we helping them?"
The Pill Spirit, hearing Ning Qi's words, couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Wasn't this just wasting time?
"We are fated to meet them."
"Since that's the case, we might as well help her to the end."
Ning Qi smiled, then continued, "Besides, we still need to rely on them to enter the city!"
"It's another case of using them, you know. If someone finds out we killed the young city lord..."
"...who would dare take us into the city? We've deceived them once again, putting them in danger."
"So what reason do we have not to help them?"
"Master, when you put it that way, it does make some sense!"
The Pill Spirit nodded after hearing his words. "With our current strength, helping her is just a trivial matter."
"Young Miss, we're about to depart!"
It was at this moment that the Commander came over to report.
Clearly, they had just been gathering.
After the previous battle, their numbers had greatly diminished.
The additional people who had appeared were obviously reinforcements gathered later.
"Good! Let's move out!"
Princess Xiangxiang agreed and then returned to her carriage.
She directly boarded the carriage. "Ning Qi, you come up too!"
"Alright, I'll drive your carriage for you one more time!"
This time, Ning Qi didn't refuse but happily agreed.
"No need, I have a coachman!"
Princess Xiangxiang gently shook her head, unable to suppress a smile.
"Is that so? But I should have something to do!"
"Let me drive the carriage!"
Without waiting for her to object, Ning Qi boarded the carriage.
He took the whip from the coachman's hand. "You go ahead, I'll take care of the rest."
"Yes, Benefactor!"
The coachman was clearly one of the former guards.
After acknowledging the order, he hurriedly left.
With his departure, the caravan set off once again.
As the caravan began moving, Ning Qi also urged the horses forward with a crack of the whip, following along.
The group soon arrived at the city gates.
When the Commander arrived, the guards here presented their waist tokens
and a travel edict from their companions.
Then the guards here let them pass.
Without any obstruction whatsoever.
Ning Qi, driving the carriage, simply followed the group and slipped in.
As he passed by the guards, he deliberately lowered his head a bit.
However, the guards here didn't pay any attention to his movements.
And so, he successfully followed the group into Cloud City.
Only after entering the city did Ning Qi sense the might of Cloud City.
Compared to other cities he had visited before, it was extremely prosperous.
Even the guards here were constantly patrolling
to prevent any unexpected incidents.
Vendors along the streets were vigorously hawking their wares.
Most people were very orderly.
"This city used to be a small town."
"Because the Myriad Swords Sect is nearby, it gradually developed and grew over time!"
Princess Xiangxiang leaned out from the carriage and said to Ning Qi, "Many people come here because of the Fang Sword Sect."
"They needed a place to rest, so they chose this location."
"Because some people would cause trouble, the Myriad Swords Sect sent people to protect this place."
"Gradually it gained scale and developed into what it is now."
"Oh? So that's how it is!"
Hearing her explanation, Ning Qi immediately understood the situation here.
It was the principle of finding shade under a big tree.
"Ning Qi, are you at the True Immortal level?"
At this moment, Princess Xiangxiang suddenly asked.
Her eyes were full of curiosity as she looked at Ning Qi.
"Oh? Can you actually discern someone's cultivation level?"
Hearing her question, Ning Qi didn't answer but instead asked with a smile.
"No, but last time, that half-step True Immortal expert was killed by you."
"So I feel you must at least be at the True Immortal level."
"Otherwise, how could you have so easily killed a half-step True Immortal expert?"
Princess Xiangxiang showed a very confident expression, blinking her eyes as she spoke.
"More or less, but perhaps a bit higher!"
Ning Qi didn't hide it, but he also didn't tell the complete truth.
True Immortal? He had long since broken through that.
He was now at the Celestial Immortal level.
However, he had no intention of telling her that.
"That's more than enough. The strongest person in my sister's family is only at the True Immortal level."
"If he makes a move, as long as you can hold him off, that's fine."
Princess Xiangxiang showed a smile, looking at Ning Qi as she said, "So, if you help me, what do you want?"
"As long as I can do it, I won't even blink."
"But let me say this first, my abilities are limited. If you want stars or the moon plucked from the sky, I can't do that."
"Don't worry, I don't seek any reward."
"I'm just helping you once."
Ning Qi said plainly.
He didn't explain why,
and after finishing his sentence, continued driving the carriage forward.
Finally, following the Commander, they found a relatively quiet inn within the city to settle down.
After everyone was settled, they returned to the chambers.
"Young Miss, I've arranged the Sumeru Courtyard for you."
"It's spacious enough, so let the Benefactor stay with you."
The Commander began helping with the arrangements.
"Ning Qi, will you rest here?"
Princess Xiangxiang, hearing this, actively sought Ning Qi's opinion.
"Why not?"
Ning Qi smiled without concern. "Are you going back now, or do you want to stroll around the city?"
Having finally arrived at such a prosperous city, naturally they should take a good look around.
"Of course I want to stroll around!"
"I didn't dare go anywhere along the journey, but it's much safer here!"
"The ones protecting this place are from the Myriad Swords Sect, absolutely secure."
Princess Xiangxiang smiled playfully. "Don't worry, this time I won't cause you any trouble!"
"Oh? That depends on your performance!"
Ning Qi couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
"Let's go!"
Princess Xiangxiang grinned and followed him out of the inn.
"Benefactor, I'll trouble you then."
The Commander, seeing this, spoke respectfully to Ning Qi.
"Don't worry."
Ning Qi nodded, then also walked out.
Once outside, he followed Princess Xiangxiang forward.
They soon reached a crowded area.
Along the way, Princess Xiangxiang showed great interest in candied haws on a stick and osmanthus cakes,
buying some of everything she saw to taste.
"Ning Qi, try this!"
At the same time, she didn't just eat by herself.
She shared everything with Ning Qi.
"Alright."
Ning Qi also accepted everything, tasting along with her.
Even the Pill Spirit got to share in the feast.
"Master, this girl has really changed her nature!"
The Pill Spirit said to Ning Qi while eating candied haws.
"She personally witnessed people she disliked die fighting for her!"
"And many more died because of her."
"With that kind of blow, it's already quite good that she can remain so optimistic and cheerful!"
"That she could come to her senses is even more remarkable!"
Ning Qi looked at Princess Xiangxiang's back and continued speaking to the Pill Spirit, "Having experienced storms, it's not too late for her to grow."
"At the very least, she's still alive."
"Master, isn't this all our doing!"
The Pill Spirit thought for a moment and said, "If not for us, she probably would have died long ago."
"Although that's true, we also used them!"
"Today, we even took a risk sneaking in with them."
"We owe her more!"
Ning Qi smiled, then caught up with her again. "So, let's just protect her for this final stretch."
"Mhm!"
The Pill Spirit happily agreed. "I won't forget her candied haws."
"Ning Qi, hurry up, there seems to be something fun up ahead!"
Princess Xiangxiang waved to Ning Qi from afar, beckoning him to come over.
"Coming!"
Ning Qi smiled and then followed.
When they arrived, they saw people performing acrobatics here.
The two performers were clearly ordinary people.
But they displayed astonishing skills, drawing cheers from many spectators.
"Bravo!"
Princess Xiangxiang also clapped, her eyes filled with joy.
"Master, right."
"Aren't we supposed to go check out the auction? To get some good items for Miss Xu's master?"
The Pill Spirit suddenly remembered something and quickly reminded him.
"Oh? You've reminded me."
Only then did Ning Qi remember, so he patted Princess Xiangxiang. "I need to go to the auction house, do you want to come?"
"Auction house? Sure!"
"But I don't have many spirit stones."
Princess Xiangxiang nodded at Ning Qi's words, but quickly realized and hurriedly said, "I probably can't help you with what you want."
"I don't need you to, I have spirit stones myself!"
Ning Qi shook his head, then continued, "Well then, let's go!"
"Alright!"
"There's one right ahead, let's go check it out!"
After Princess Xiangxiang agreed, she immediately started leading the way.
Ning Qi and the Pill Spirit exchanged glances, then followed.
They bypassed the crowd and soon arrived in front of an inn.
They stopped at the entrance.
"This is the place."
Princess Xiangxiang said to Ning Qi.
"Good, let's go in and take a look!"
Ning Qi nodded, then led Princess Xiangxiang inside.
"Young Master, are you here to participate in our upcoming auction?"
The shop assistant saw the two of them approaching and hurriedly came forward.
"Yes, is there an auction happening now?"
Ning Qi nodded and inquired.
"Yes, it will start in half an hour!"
The shop assistant acknowledged and continued, "Does the Young Master wish to participate? Would you like to come in and see?"
"Good, let's go!"
Ning Qi agreed, then had Princess Xiangxiang follow him inside.
This auction house was fairly standard; bypassing the main hall led to the auction hall.
Because it was about to start, quite a few people were already here.
"Young Master, will you be downstairs, or would you prefer a private room?"
The shop assistant pointed upstairs. "Our private rooms come with spirit wine and spirit vegetables! You can enjoy them to your heart's content!"
"Let's go to a private room!"
Ning Qi agreed without a second thought.
If he encountered any good items, he didn't want to attract unwanted attention.
"Young Master, please!"
The shop assistant knew they had encountered a distinguished guest and hurriedly attended to Ning Qi.
He led the way, heading upstairs.
"Let's go!"
Ning Qi patted the distracted Princess Xiangxiang and then followed upstairs.
They soon reached the private room upstairs.
In this pavilion area, there was also a balcony.
Here there was a table already set with some spirit vegetables and spirit wine,
clearly prepared for honored guests.
"Young Master, please have a seat."
The shop assistant pulled out chairs for them, respectfully inviting them to sit down.