Bai Shengyi pretended not to hear, but the person outside was persistent and continued to knock on the door.
"Junior Sister, how are you? I'm so worried—"
The door suddenly opened.
Xuan Qing was startled, then a smile appeared on his face, a gentle smile tinged with indifference. In the darkness, Bai Shengyi momentarily thought she was seeing Venerable Qinglan.
She shook her head, dismissing the thought, and heard his soft explanation.
"Junior Sister, please don't be angry. I'm just worried about you." He looked at Bai Shengyi intently, his eyes filled with genuine concern.
Yet, it was precisely this concern that made Bai Shengyi feel utterly powerless.
"National Preceptor, I am truly not your Junior Sister."
She had said this sentence no less than a thousand times in the past three years.
Yes, in the blink of an eye, Bai Shengyi had been in the Great Sheng Kingdom for three years.
Initially, Bai Shengyi had tried to reason with Xuan Qing, presenting facts, but Xuan Qing was as if possessed, stubbornly believing she was his Junior Sister. Later, Bai Shengyi had no choice but to try to find a way to leave on her own. However, for some reason, every time she finally reached the border of the Great Sheng Kingdom, she would be sent back to the beast arena here at the Star Observation Tower.
This time was no different; Xuan Qing still didn't believe her.
He smiled without speaking, instead saying to Bai Shengyi, "Junior Sister, don't you love watching Xue Tan the most? The Epiphyllum flowers in the National Preceptor's mansion have bloomed. Would you like to go see them with me? Tomorrow, I'll take you to eat your favorite wontons."
Bai Shengyi remained silent.
Xuan Qing added, "I've released the White Tiger."
As his words fell, Bai Shengyi saw a half-meter-tall Black-Eyed Tiger with a collar placed around its neck. The tiger, along with the collar, was delivered into her arms. The fluffy touch made Bai Shengyi's eyes light up instantly.
Although she felt a bit mischievous seeing Little Yu'er like this, she... she hadn't petted something fluffy in so long.
Bai Shengyi instinctively stroked it.
Chuiyu, who had been feeling wronged and restless moments ago, couldn't help but let out a "meow," melting into a large, fluffy pancake in Bai Shengyi's arms. Indeed, it was most comfortable when Shengyi petted her, *sob sob sob*...
"Shengyi, I've finally seen you again!" Chuiyu said pitifully.
This damned divine artifact, ever since it decided Shengyi was Shengyi, it wouldn't let Shengyi see it. Poor thing, it had finally encountered an acquaintance in this corner, only to have no follow-up after meeting just once.
Bai Shengyi buried her head in the smooth, clean fur of the Black-Eyed Tiger and looked up at Xuan Qing, "This White Tiger belongs to me from now on?"
This way, it would be convenient to take Little Yu'er with her when she left.
Xuan Qing's mood had been improving seeing his Junior Sister happy, but seeing her so affectionate with an animal made him feel jealous again.
He didn't answer Bai Shengyi's question but instead asked, "Junior Sister, let's go."
Bai Shengyi's smile faded slightly, and she followed Xuan Qing outside.
Along the way, Chuiyu had been chattering happily with Bai Shengyi, but soon Xuan Qing silenced it.
"It's too noisy," Xuan Qing said indifferently, a flicker of malevolence crossing his eyes. He quickly smiled again at Bai Shengyi and said, "Junior Sister, we've arrived."
Saying this, he moved his fingertips, and Chuiyu disappeared from Bai Shengyi's arms, likely tossed somewhere by him.
"Little Yu'er!"
"Junior Sister, isn't it good to accompany your Senior Brother now?" Xuan Qing said weakly. However, this lasted only a moment, and he quickly returned to his usual indifferent demeanor, so fast that Bai Shengyi thought his momentary weakness was an illusion.
He said, "After we finish admiring the flowers and eating the wontons, you'll be able to see it."
The moonlight quietly fell upon the National Preceptor's mansion. Xuan Qing, dressed in a green robe, gently pushed open a door, as if unlocking a dreamlike world.
Vast expanses of snow-white Xue Tan bloomed brilliantly, like spirits bathed in moonlight, radiant and beautiful.
In the center of the Xue Tan, two dazzling pearls bounced around. Xuan Qing reached out, and the pearls landed in his hand. He handed them to Bai Shengyi.
"Junior Sister, play with these."
Bai Shengyi took a look and realized they were two Nascent Souls!
Had this place produced Nascent Soul cultivators? Could this also be a world of cultivation?
Bai Shengyi's mind raced, but she calmly said, "No need. I've seen the flowers, and I want to go back to sleep."
"Indeed, these things are not clean enough and not worthy of you. When Senior Brother finds you better toys," Xuan Qing smiled.
Chen Min and Shi Lan, clutched in Xuan Qing's hands and trembling, dared not speak: ...
Xuan Qing's enthusiasm for Bai Shengyi remained undiminished, as he was dedicated to helping her recall past memories. The next morning, he took Bai Shengyi to the wonton stall they had visited before.
It was said to be the favorite shop of Shengyi.
Bai Shengyi also found the wontons at this stall to be good. This was her thirtieth visit. Old Man Li, who sold wontons, had become familiar with her, but out of respect for the National Preceptor always being by her side, Old Man Li dared not strike up a conversation.
However, this time, as soon as Xuan Qing sat down with Bai Shengyi, a servant from the National Preceptor's mansion hurried to report.
"Lord National Preceptor, His Lordship requires your urgent attention."
Xuan Qing frowned slightly.
Having been in the Great Sheng Kingdom for three years, Bai Shengyi had met the ruler of the Great Sheng Kingdom once. He was a very aged and shrewd monarch, but he was very reliant and trusting of Xuan Qing.
She lowered her gaze and said calmly, "Senior Brother, you should go attend to your business first."
"Junior Sister! Have you remembered something!" Hearing the address "Senior Brother," Xuan Qing jumped up excitedly, completely disregarding the servant's words.
The nearby servant looked anxious but dared not urge him.
"No," Bai Shengyi said calmly. "It's just that I seemed to have seen some images."
She wasn't lying to Xuan Qing; she had indeed suddenly seemed to see some images.
Xuan Qing, however, was incredibly excited and happy. "Good! Good! Junior Sister, I won't pressure you. We'll take it slow. Junior Sister, I'll go to the imperial palace first, and then I'll take you to other places to play."
Saying this, he left with a cheerful disposition.
After Xuan Qing left, Old Man Li also dared to speak.
Today, his stall only served Bai Shengyi as a customer. He was also very curious about her. "Miss, did you come to the Great Sheng Kingdom to find the National Preceptor? When did you become the National Preceptor's Junior Sister?"
"I am not his Junior Sister; he treats me as his Junior Sister," Bai Shengyi sighed softly and helplessly, her face full of distress. "He is the National Preceptor, what can I do to him?"
"Ah! So that's how it is," Old Man Li smacked his lips. "But Miss, you shouldn't be angry with the National Preceptor. The National Preceptor probably misses his Junior Sister too much."
"You know, the National Preceptor has been waiting for her, but unfortunately, she can never return..."
The old man selling clear noodle soup nearby frowned and interrupted, "Li Old Man, what nonsense are you spouting again! Be careful the National Preceptor's mansion finds trouble with you..."
"Hey, it's been so long, and the National Preceptor isn't here. Why can't I say it?" Old Man Li retorted indignantly.
The sun was very strong today. Seeing no business, Old Man Li simply sat down at the table opposite Bai Shengyi.
"Yes, Grandpa, can you tell me about his Junior Sister? I can also have a better understanding, so I don't inadvertently offend the National Preceptor. I've been here for so long, and I've been uneasy in my heart..."
Bai Shengyi, mimicking Bai Yiyi, delicately shed a couple of tears.
As expected, Old Man Li couldn't resist.
"Oh, you poor little girl. Fine, this old man will dare to reveal a little to you. This matter has to go back more than ten years..."