Chapter 637

After another bow, the two stumbled away, as if they could no longer tell up from down.

This is normal.

After all, the “chaos” and “disorder” of an alien realm far surpass the mere differences in world rules one feels during a Transcendence Messenger’s mission.

Even with their current cultivation, it would take several days to readjust and adapt.

Watching them depart, Ning Ruo turned to Xu Xing:

“Given that, why not stay at Lingyin Fang for a while?”

“Mm.”

Bie Xuening’s expression remained unchanged, her gaze flickering slightly.

Yuan Jun, however, had a white veil covering her eyes, making her expressions impossible to read.

Neither spoke, for their previous several “confrontations” with Ning Ruo had always left them at a disadvantage.

And this time was different from before…

Sure enough, the Ancestor of Charm spoke first.

“Since Brother Dao left those words, I shall also stay at Lingyin Fang for a while—I haven’t been out in years. Arrange a place for me to stay.”

As she spoke, she raised her right hand.

A pure, flawless Xuanzhu Fruit, emitting a faint glow, appeared abruptly in her palm.

She lightly bit through the skin, and pure, hazy flesh—like colored auroras—flowed out.

“This fruit tastes good. You must have plenty in storage. Give me some.”

Though she ate the Xuanzhu Fruit, she did not, like Chi Jiu Yu before her, spew auroras from her mouth.

She was a True Immortal, after all!

Ning Ruo: “...”

This woman truly has no sense of propriety.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry! I won’t take it for free—I’ll trade you wine I brewed myself!”

She pulled out a jade wine jar, its liquid shimmering like rainbow auroras, radiating an uncanny aura.

“My wine is delicious—not only does Brother Dao like it, even Jiuyu, the disciple of the Sword Sovereign, loves it.”

Ning Ruo glanced at Bie Xuening.

Bie Xuening’s face was expressionless.

“...” After a pause, Ning Ruo said coolly, “How much do you want?”

“The more, the better.”

“Three hundred?”

“Perfect, perfect.”

The Ancestor of Charm nodded slightly and placed two more jars beside the first.

“Then I’ll trade you three jars of wine.”

“Fine.” Ning Ruo didn’t hesitate, “I’ll have Wan Yin take you to pick them out.”

As soon as she spoke, Ning Wan Yin appeared behind Ning Ruo.

“Wan Yin, take her to select three hundred fresh Xuanzhu Fruits.”

“Yes.”

Ning Wan Yin stiffly replied, then circled the table to stand beside the Ancestor of Charm.

“Madam, please follow me.”

Thus, the Ancestor of Charm left with Ning Wan Yin.

After dismissing the most troublesome one, Ning Ruo rose and turned to Yuan Jun and Bie Xuening.

“Since you came together to Lingyin Fang, Sister and Yuan Jun should stay a while longer,” Xu Xing suddenly said. “We’ll return together once matters here are settled.”

Ning Ruo paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected Brother Dao—who had always avoided such matters—to say this.

Was it “Dao Wang”?

Or had he decided…

Ning Ruo speculated inwardly, looking at the two:

“What do you think?”

Some time later.

Yuan Jun accompanied Ning Ruo to her laboratory to help adjust the Immortal Network and optimize the project.

Meanwhile, after successfully gathering three hundred fresh Xuanzhu Fruits under Ning Wan Yin’s guidance, the Ancestor of Charm returned to the residence next door and found Bie Xuening.

As for Xu Xing…

He had gone to the outer gate of Lingyin Fang.

“How did it go? What was their decision…?”

In a park within Lingyin Fang.

Opposite Xu Xing stood a man of ordinary appearance and gentle demeanor.

It was Huo.

Yes, he too had come to Lingyin Fang.

“They’re still considering. After all, they’ve just returned—they need time to rest first.”

“I see…”

Huo’s tone carried a hint of regret.

He felt that Yuan’s two beloved companions misunderstood him.

Back then, it was the same—he merely wanted to talk more with Yuan, to understand each other, even shielded him from Gu’s surveillance.

Yet they misunderstood him, later sought out Yuan Jun to sever karmic ties and avoid him…

After all these years, he thought the misunderstanding had been cleared, yet Yuan’s beloved companions still held deep suspicion toward him.

Sigh~

He was Yuan’s closest friend—how could he possibly harm him?

“By the way, Brother Dao, weren’t you originally unwilling to let me be involved in this matter? Why the sudden change of heart?”

“They deserve a choice,” Xu Xing paused, then continued, “I’m also curious—why are you so invested in Yuan’s affairs?”

Due to past events, Huo’s conduct had become… capricious.

In memory, even those he had granted “Creation” to had never drawn such attention from him.

“Is it because he resembles your friend Cheng Xi?”

At this, Huo paused, his smile stiffening slightly, then quickly returning to normal:

“Why would Brother Dao think that?”

“I seek Yuan only because he is my good friend.”

“Besides… Yuan and he are not alike.”

Hearing this, Xu Xing said no more and turned to leave the park.

“No matter what decision they make, I’ll notify you immediately.”

“Then thank you, Brother Dao!” Huo called after Xu Xing’s retreating back.

Only when Xu Xing’s figure vanished completely around the corner did Huo’s smile fade. He walked to a bench beneath a snow-sang tree and sat down.

He looked ahead, where several tourists were taking photos beneath the snow-sang tree.

Cheng Xi…

A flicker of daze passed through his eyes.

He hadn’t heard that name in many years.

“You and I were both wrong—how could those vile, base beasts and demons ever be trusted…”

He murmured softly.

Time swiftly passed to several days later.

Ning Ruo and Yuan Jun, based on the alien realm data brought back by Ming Yu and Ning Wan Zhu during the setup of the Immortal Network nodes, readjusted the Immortal Network.

They also optimized the Immortal Wash Pool, the Ascension Platform, and some of Ning Ruo’s experimental items.

After several days of rest, Ning Wan Zhu and Ming Yu had finally restored their condition.

They also decided to use the faint glimmer of Doubt-Light to form a Doubt Avatar and investigate beyond the designated realm boundaries.

“Although this method’s ‘Doubt Avatar’ can briefly borrow Huo’s power to cross realms, the avatar will not receive the Immortal Network’s enhancement.”

Lingyin Fang’s Ascension Hall.