Chapter 57: Little Li, Mom Misses You So Much……

The spacetime portal has disappeared again!

This is already the third time the spacetime portal has disappeared in a short period since its appearance.

Ning Jinli felt a sudden headache.

Why is this thing as temperamental as Xiao Qidi's personality, leaving her unable to figure it out?

Instead, she breathed a sigh of relief, hoping the spacetime portal would not recover even a little.

Best to wait until half a year later.

That way, Xiao Qidi could perfectly avoid that secret history.

He wouldn't be seriously injured and captured, wouldn't be tortured into a human stick by the enemy, and it would be even less likely that he'd later be replaced by a puppet of Xuan Guo's rulers!

He would surely become a true emperor of the ages—the Xuan Ancestor Emperor!

In the evening, Ning Jinli received a call from the hospital and rushed over to pick up Xiao Qidi.

"Tsk, this protective shield is really not bad." Ning Jinli lightly touched his back; from the outside it was basically invisible, only when touching could she feel a layer of shell through his clothes.

Xiao Qidi expressionlessly strode toward the small warehouse.

Upon reaching the back door of the warehouse, his face instantly sank: "Where is the portal?"

Ning Jinli spread her hands: "I don't know..."

"Did you make it disappear?" Xiao Qidi stared at Ning Jinli with his gloomy, sharp eyes.

Ning Jinli, now righteous and bold, said: "You overestimate me; I don't have that kind of ability."

Xiao Qidi took a step forward, his towering build making her instantly feel the weight of Mount Tai pressing down.

"Since you said you could move the portal back to Lin Xian Village," Xiao Qidi said, his voice laced with oppression, "then perhaps you can also close this portal."

Ning Jinli slowly stepped back: "This truly can't be done..."

Xiao Qidi pressed forward with his steps: "So, moving the portal back to Lin Xian Village is a lie—you tricked me into thinking you could do it?"

Ning Jinli weakly said: "What kind of logic is this? How did you reach that conclusion?"

"Miss Ning," Xiao Qidi stopped, his eyes cold, "I'm deeply grateful for everything you've done for the soldiers and civilians, but if I discover you harbor ill intentions against the people of Daxuan, I won't go easy on you."

"Xiao Qidi! What do you mean?" Ning Jinli flared up in anger.

She stepped forward two paces, lifted her chin, and glared at his eyes: "I don't expect to bare my heart to someone like you—but! Are you not tired of being suspicious all day?"

Xiao Qidi's eyes seemed to have a layer of frost.

Being suspicious is exhausting.

But if he hadn't been forced to learn this from childhood, he probably wouldn't have survived to return to Xuan Guo.

His thin lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

When he heard Ning Jinli say she didn't expect to bare her heart to someone like him, his heart inexplicably prickled.

But he likewise... didn't expect anyone in this world to understand him, nor did he expect anyone to be truly worthy of complete trust.

"Miss Ning, I'm just giving you a heads-up—be angry or upset, it's up to you." Xiao Qidi's eyes regained calm as he said softly, "If in the future I realize I've been overly suspicious of you, I'll apologize and repay your kindness."

Ning Jinli said unhappily: "Hah, you're really clear about rewards and punishments! Forget it—I don't want your repayment!"

Just as they were bickering, the back door of the small warehouse emitted a bright light.

They both looked over and saw a fluorescent vortex appear before them.

Ning Jinli's eyes widened.

What's going on?

Is the spacetime portal really so capricious? It disappears without warning and appears without warning?

Xiao Qidi, without a word, quickly walked toward it and entered.

In the blink of an eye, he returned, saying, "Over there is still the Yaowang Gu mountain cave. Miss Ning, please move it to Lin Xian Village."

"Wait, let me think this through." Ning Jinli furrowed her brows and thought seriously.

After this period of the spacetime portal repeatedly disappearing and reappearing, she faintly found a clue.

"Miss Ning." Xiao Qidi called out in a low voice.

"Don't argue." Ning Jinli glared at him.

Xiao Qidi: ……

Ning Jinli walked back and forth in front of the spacetime portal a few steps, then stared at Xiao Qidi again.

"I know," she said, snapping her fingers, "the disappearance and appearance of the spacetime portal are likely related to you in some way."

Xiao Qidi frowned, trying to be patient: "How so?"

Ning Jinli said while thinking: "When it first disappeared, you left Lin Xian Village and went to Xi Tun Guan."

"The second disappearance, which was yesterday, you went to Yaowang Gu."

"The third time, I brought you to the hospital in the city."

"These three situations share a common point: you were far from the spacetime portal's entrance/exit."

"This means that, regardless of which side's entrance/exit, if you go beyond a certain range, the spacetime portal will close; only when you return within that range will it open."

Xiao Qidi asked: "Then why, after the first disappearance, when I went again to Xi Tun Guan, did the portal not close?"

"That, certainly, is because the spacetime portal upgraded," Ning Jinli further analyzed, "although I still don't know what caused it to upgrade, I'm fairly sure of this."

"After the first closure, due to some reason it upgraded, allowing me to transmit objects with my will and appearing a transmissible range; it seems that besides these two points, it also increased the distance at which you can trigger the portal's closure or opening."

"Look, Xi Tun Guan to Lin Xian Village is closer than Yaowang Gu to Lin Xian Village; and Yaowang Gu to Lin Xian Village is closer than the hospital I brought you to today is to my factory."

"Put another way, each time it's farther than the last."

Hearing this, Xiao Qidi gave a slight nod.

Seen this way, it does make sense.

Ning Jinli's eyes lit up with excitement: "If this pattern holds, once the spacetime portal upgrades to a certain degree, it won't close no matter where you are! Moreover, it might even let me expand the coverage of my will-based transmission."

But her excitement faded in less than two seconds.

Because the most critical issue—how to upgrade the portal—left her with no clue.

"You say these things are unverified, yet they make sense," Xiao Qidi said softly, "Then, Miss Ning, can you now move the portal's entrance on the other side back to Lin Xian Village?"

Ning Jinli said, "Earlier I thought it was my fault, but based on the above speculation, the Spacetime Portal's opening in your world is also related to you. You can't blame me for that…"

Xiao Qidi frowned, his expression clouded and uncertain.

Ning Jinli quickly said, "Why don't you try using your mind? See, once the Spacetime Portal is upgraded, I can teleport items with my thoughts; perhaps you could use your mind to alter its entrance."

"Alright, I'll give it a try."

Xiao Qidi stood in front of the small warehouse's back door, concentrating, visualizing the portal opening back at the Immortal Cave in Lin Xian Village.

However, no matter how hard he tried, after several attempts, that side remained Yaowang Gu.

As night fell, Xiao Qidi, unwilling to waste more time, decided to ride a horse from Yaowang Gu back to Xi Tun Guan.

"Stop!" Ning Jinli grabbed him. "Even though your wounds are protected, riding a horse—"

Before she could finish, Xiao Qidi's suppressed anger burst from his eyes, "Ning Jinli! This time you lied to me about moving the portal back to Lin Xian Village; I can let that slide, but if you deceive me a third time, I—"

"Wait, stop it," Ning Jinli said, puzzled. "I admitted this time, so why is it already the second?"

Xiao Qidi stared at her straight ahead, "You know it yourself."

Ning Jinli was at a loss for words.

This guy is just incomprehensible!

"Fine, fine," she said calmly, not wanting to waste energy arguing with him, "Not letting you ride a horse isn't to block your return to Xi Tun Guan; I intend to drive you there!"

"Huh?" Xiao Qidi's expression softened slightly.

"Wait for me in the large warehouse next door," Ning Jinli said, then turned and left.

Xiao Qidi silently made his way into the large warehouse.

After a while, Ning Jinli drove her Mercedes G-Class into the large warehouse.

"Get in," she called out, sticking her head out.

Xiao Qidi got into the car and sat in the back seat.

Ning Jinli kept both hands on the steering wheel, glanced at the rearview mirror, and said coolly, "Isn't this faster and safer than you riding a horse? As long as you don't take the wrong road, I'm sure I can get you to Xi Tun Guan earlier than the barbarian army."

"Speaking of which, I heard from the troops you led to Yaowang Gu that the barbarian army has been misled into going after the Yu Guo Crown Prince, and you yourself are certain they'll both be badly wounded."

"Since that's the case, Xi Tun Guan and Lin Xian Village aren't very dangerous. Why are you rushing to go over without a proper few days of recuperation? Do you not trust that General Duan and his men can handle what needs to be done?"

A rapid barrage of words dimmed Xiao Qidi's gaze a bit.

But he gave no answer, merely saying expressionlessly, "Earlier you tried to send a cargo vehicle to Lin Xian Village, only to find the road there unsuitable for a truck, so you gave up. Moreover, there is no clear road between Yaowang Gu and Xi Tun Guan; how could you drive there?"

Ning Jinli wrinkled her nose. "This car is one of the most powerful modern all‑terrain off‑road vehicles, and it was my mother's favorite back then, which is why I bought one…"

"Later I'll show you what it means to drive even when there's no road. Stay seated firmly, or you can lie down if you prefer."

Having said that, she thought of something.

The next second, both she and the car appeared outside the Yaowang Gu mountain cave.

Ning Jinli started the car, floored the accelerator, and as the engine roared powerfully, the vehicle drove through Yaowang Gu, heading into the distance under the lingering sunset glow.

The wheels kicked up a long plume of dust.

Not long after, a carriage appeared near the entrance of Yaowang Gu.

The carriage was flanked by several mounted guards at both front and rear.

Inside the carriage sat a woman; she lifted the nearby curtain and saw the endless dust in the distance slowly being blown away by the wind.

"Sect Leader, the Yaowang Gu lies ahead," a voice called from outside the carriage, "Should we go straight in, or …"

The woman lowered the curtain, "Going straight in would be impolite; first send someone to request an audience. Remember to be courteous."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

After the carriage stopped, the woman took a necklace from her collar, opened the pendant, and held it in her palm.

The pendant contained a tiny photograph.

The photo showed a family of three; the little girl in the middle was none other than Ning Jinli from over ten years ago!

"Xiao Li, Mommy misses you so much…" the woman whispered, gazing at the innocent, cute little girl in the photo, "Wait a little longer; Mommy will definitely find a way to return to you."

Ten years hadn't blurred her memories; instead, her longing grew ever deeper.

"Sect Leader, the divine doctor has arrived," someone reported from outside the carriage.

The woman closed the pendant, slipped it back into her collar, brushed away the corner of her eye, tidied her appearance, and immediately disembarked the carriage.

Lian Qingbai stood before the carriage and saluted, "I was unaware that Sect Leader Ye of the Tian Shu Sect had traveled from afar; I have failed to receive you properly, please forgive me."

"I have disturbed you," the woman replied with a bow.

Lian Qingbai felt a bit surprised.

He had never before seen anyone from the Tian Shu Sect, but rumors in the jianghu said the sect was not only mysterious but also rather ruthless in its conduct.

He hadn't expected that this Sect Leader, whose appearance resembled a celestial being, would be so courteous.

Even stranger, the eyebrows and eyes of Sect Leader Ye gave him a sense of déjà vu.

However, he dared not look closely, nor did he think much of it.

"Sect Leader Ye," Lian Qingbai said politely, "I already understand your purpose, but… to be frank, Yaowang Gu has just suffered damage from the Sha Yue barbarian troops and needs reconstruction. I am truly tied up and cannot join the Tian Shu Sect to serve you…"

"Sha Yue barbarian troops?" Sect Leader Ye frowned, "Are they still here? Do you need me to eliminate them for you?"

Lian Qingbai replied, "Thanks for your concern, Sect Leader; the barbarian troops have already left."

Sect Leader Ye asked the attendant who had just been sent in to request an audience, and learned that the person had personally witnessed Yaowang Gu's interior riddled with wounds, truly devastated.

Even the people inside Yaowang Gu could only reside in the camps left behind by the barbarian troops.

"Since that's the case, I won't press the matter. After Yaowang Gu recovers, I'll come to pay my respects," Sect Leader Ye gave a glance to the attendant.

Immediately, several people lifted a wooden crate from the carriage and placed it in front of Lian Qingbai.

"「This is a small greeting gift; I hope it can help you rebuild Yaowang Gu. 」 Ye Zhangmen said, then turned and got into the carriage."

Lian Qingbai wanted to politely decline, but the other side wouldn't give him a chance.

The carriage convoy turned and left; he could only perform a salute, with mixed feelings, and opened the crate.

A sheet of golden light shone into his eyes.

It turned out to be neatly arranged gold ingots.

Amounting to as much as three thousand taels.

Lian Qingbai felt both joy and worry, "Now I won't lack the funds to rebuild Yaowang Gu, but if I really use them… wouldn't I be indebted to the Tian Shu Sect? Sigh…"

……

The night grew deep.

In the camp of the Yu Guo elite army, inside the Crown Prince's tent.

"「What's going on! Ba Meng hasn't even led his troops to arrive yet?! 」 The Yu Guo Crown Prince, vexed and angry, lashed out, throwing things."

According to the prior agreement, the 100,000 barbarian troops dispatched by Young Moon State should have arrived by today at the latest.

But our scouts who went to the southwest direction several times saw no trace, nor did they see any advance troops sent by the barbarians to report the situation.

"「Your Highness, please don't rush, wait a bit longer, 」 a commander in the camp soothed, 「The barbarian troops are always scattered; it's normal for them not to arrive on time, but they will surely come, otherwise how could Ba Meng avenge his elder brother Ba Yong? 」

But the Yu Guo Crown Prince could not calm down.

Having previously lost thirty thousand elite troops, he now commands a force of one hundred seventy thousand yet does nothing, merely waiting here idle, and has already begun to hear vague rumors spreading through the army.

They say he puts on a great show, but the result is thunder with little rain.

Watching nearly thirty thousand of his own men die, merely hiding in his tent like a turtle would have been bad enough, but he even had the returning vanguard soldiers killed, ostensibly to prevent rumors from unsettling the troops, but in reality to cover up his incompetence.

"「Wait! Still waiting! 」「 the Crown Prince roared, 「Do you know that officers are already mocking and discussing me behind my back? I shouldn't have listened to you in the first place! Are you suggesting I have the Crown Prince kill those who gossip? 」

"「Crown Prince... 」"

"「Shut up! 」"

He shouted angrily and ordered, "「The Crown Prince can no longer endure! Issue the command: the army will set out immediately! We must capture Xi Tun Guan tonight! 」"