Chapter 99: 98 I Really Can't Do Anything About You, Explosive Modification of the Neck Ring

……

Liu Qingmei's face burned like fire, her whole body tense, and those beautiful peach-blossom eyes, as if brimming with the entire spring season, glanced frequently at the surroundings and outside the city.

Those slender, jade-like hands, soft and plump yet not appearing fat.

Still very inexperienced.

Like a thief with a guilty conscience, terrified of being discovered.

This experience of performing such base acts in public gave her a dazed, dreamlike feeling! Especially.

Below the city gate tower were countless disaster victims.

If not for this height, the distance would actually be within a few feet.

This feeling of being potentially discovered at any moment made her brain stall, as if she had forgotten how to think.

An intense stimulation surged into her heart.

"Focus, Mei'er, you're making me very irritated."

Ning Mu was dissatisfied.

As he spoke, his right hand flickered, and a black object appeared in his hand.

"Come, Mei'er, put this on."

As he spoke.

Before Liu Qingmei could react, Ning Mu looked left and right, then shoved it directly to Liu Qingmei.

"Mm..."

"You, you little beast, you really are no good!"

Realizing what happened, Liu Qingmei couldn't help but frown, scolding in a delicate voice.

Between her brows, besides that moving charm, there was only full resentment toward this brat.

A moment later.

She forcibly drove her Cultivation Points to keep her mind clear.

Otherwise, she truly didn't know what embarrassing things would happen if this continued.

If those patrolling Soldiers or the disaster victims below the city, or even the Ye Family Disciples saw, how would she conduct herself!

"You brat have no good intentions, what is it, do you think your Master isn't dying fast enough!"

Liu Qingmei tensed her body, her exceptionally charming face hanging with a bit of annoyance and resentment.

Beyond a doubt.

She couldn't help but slightly raise her brows, glaring at Ning Mu in reproach.

"Hoo..."

The next moment.

Ning Mu couldn't stop himself, slightly tilting his head back, exhaling a long breath.

Then, leaning against the wall, he contentedly enjoyed it...

Tasting the craftsmanship of this peerless, beautiful Grandmaster—rough, clumsy, and quite inexperienced, but full of experience! She actually didn't understand it very well.

But the system was very thoughtful.

Using an intracranial viewing mode, it taught her various martial techniques.

Nothing more than the four great methods: gathering, twisting, picking, and grinding.

……

For several days in a row.

Liuli had been leaving early and returning late.

She used the excuse of detoxifying the girls at the Yichun Courtyard clubhouse to hide from Ning Mu.

But today.

She had nowhere left to hide!

Even though she deliberately slowed down the progress, the girls at the Yichun Courtyard clubhouse had all cleared their toxins today and recovered to normal, no longer needing to endure the fear of being controlled by poison.

Why hide from Ning Mu?

Sitting at the peak of an ancient temple in the city, leaning against the roof ridge, gazing at the flock of swallows flying in the sky, her deep gaze was empty and dazed.

The task on the system panel was still counting down.

【Task One: Given that your Binding Companion Ning Mu has low strength, it is inevitable that...】

【Task Two: To enhance the relationship between the Host and your Binding Companion Ning Mu, the following task is issued: wear your off-white monk robe, and in the Empty Gap State, go shopping and play with your Binding Companion Ning Mu. One-third of the time must be spent walking hand-in-hand. Task completion reward: Monk Robe · Bodhi Jade Lotus Zen Robe *1, reward 150 Heroic Couple Points, increase Ning Mu Strategy Value by 5 points! Task failure: Cultivation Points will regress by 30%! Task time limit: 1 day and 3 hours remaining (total time limit seven days)】

【Task Two progressive side quest: During the time spent walking hand-in-hand, if you can let your Binding Companion view your Empty Silence in a secluded place, you will receive an additional reward of Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill Fragment *0.5, and an additional increase of 7 points to the Ning Mu Strategy Value. Task failure: Cultivation will not be able to advance an inch in this life, and the five senses will be sealed for one quarter of an hour.】

【Friendly reminder: The Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill Fragment *0.5 rewarded by this side quest is unique. If this task cannot be completed, the opportunity to synthesize the Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill will be lost forever!】

Two more tasks, suddenly issued six days ago.

During these six days, she had been in a state of dazed entanglement.

At first.

She didn't understand what the Empty Gap State meant.

But after the system's explanation, she understood.

The Buddhist verse says: Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.

And the so-called viewing of Empty Silence was self-evident.

At first, Liuli was very angry! Even.

She had the thought of fleeing this place.

But there was also the sealing of the five senses; although this time it was only for a quarter of an hour, it was far from as long as the previous hour.

But more crucially, not only has her Cultivation Points regressed by thirty percent, but she is also unable to make any progress! What she pursues is precisely the grandeur of Buddhist Dharma and the pinnacle of Martial Dao.

Otherwise, why would she need to endure such hardship, traveling the mortal world, just to seek that sliver of an opportunity to Break Through Shenyuan?

"Sigh..."

Watching the countdown, which had lost another hour, Liuli let out a sigh.

Then, her gaze shifted.

She looked toward the towering city wall in the distance.

As far as the eye could see.

Dozens of miles away, a slender woman in black was half-crouched and half-kneeling beneath the moss-covered battlements.

Her hands were as if offering something to a deity.

It was as if she were worshiping devoutly.

Yet, looking closely, the dampness and allure on the woman's face did not resemble the solemnity of worshiping a deity.

Instead, it appeared to be suffused with a lingering, amorous charm.

And before the woman.

Stood a remarkably handsome young gentleman, facing her in profile.

The gentleman pressed one hand upon the woman's head, as high and mighty as an immortal bestowing longevity.

The immortal strokes their head, the hair is tied to receive longevity.

If not for that suggestive scene, it would truly look like a meeting between an immortal and a mortal.

Picking up a fallen leaf and placing it to her lips, Liuli's deep eyes flowed with desolation as she blew a melodious and sorrowful tune.

She had already scouted the area.

Within a radius of dozens of miles, apart from her own position, no one could see the exquisite scenery on that city wall.

For Liu Qingmei, what she held in her hands was a vast loneliness.

She had thought that marrying into Cangjian Villa was a match of equal status, a union made in heaven.

She had thought that the mutual respect between her and Ye Bufan was a lifetime of loving companionship.

Little did she know, she had never truly possessed herself.

Just like now, in front of this little rascal Ning Mu, she could reveal her true self! Ever since Ye Bufan was severely injured and fell into a coma, this loneliness had become particularly intense.

Fortunately.

She had accidentally obtained this system, like an Outer Realm Heavenly Demon.

The system gave her a Xia Lu who was very much to her liking, with whom she could live in harmony and mutual support.

And what gushed forth was an unwillingness to accept her fate! "Are you comfortable now? Satisfied?"

"You little beast!"

Liu Qingmei rolled her eyes with allure.

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host for completing the second option of Task Two. Due to the perfect execution of the task, you have received the highest reward: 1200 Cultivation Points and 300 Heroic Couple Points!】

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host, your luck is exceptional; you have obtained 'Finger Mastery'!】

Note: Finger Mastery: Your slender fingers can also make your Xia Lu unable to resist and unable to restrain themselves.

Liu Qingmei raised her eyebrows slightly.

On her collar, those white, crystalline drops of yang essence were like starlight.

Her pretty face, as pale as red clouds, revealed a sense of helplessness.

Her charming eyes fluttered.

She stretched out her slender fingers to clean her clothes.

"Look at you, getting it everywhere..."

"Hey, hey, hey... what are you doing?"

Just as she was complaining with a mix of joy and annoyance, she suddenly felt her wrist grabbed by Ning Mu, who then brought it to his lips.

Liu Qingmei immediately became flustered.

"You can't play like this!"

"Just try it; you haven't tried it yet, so how do you know it won't work?"

Ning Mu coaxed her with a playful smile.

There was a rich sense of anticipation in his eyes.

Actually.

Whether it was Ning Xiaoxiu, or Chunzhi and Xia Chan, they usually ate it often.

But they were them.

Watching this high and mighty Martial Arts Grandmaster, the Manor Mistress of Cangjian Villa, swallow it herself, the feeling provided was not something those little maids could compare to.

Liu Qingmei's Dai Eyebrows, like distant mountains shrouded in rain and mist, furrowed slightly.

Seeing the little fellow full of anticipation, she couldn't help but glare at him coquettishly. "I really can't do anything with you!"

As she spoke.

She blushed, her gaze like clouds and mist, lowered her eyes, and slightly parted her red lips.

【Notification: Number One Sub-System owner Liu Qingmei has completed the second option of Task Two. Feedback to the Host: 100 Cultivation Points, 1000 catties of premium potato seeds, and 3% of Liu Qingmei's Loyalty Value!】

【Notification: Because Liu Qingmei still has lingering attachments in her heart and her destiny has not been freed, her Loyalty Value toward you cannot continue to increase. The moment those attachments are eliminated, she will completely open her heart to accept you.】

【Notification: The Host's luck has exploded; you have obtained a Modified Neck Collar (black leather style) *1!】

Looking at the notifications sent by the system, Ning Mu felt incomparably satisfied.

It seems Liu Qingmei must have also obtained Finger Mastery!

What luck! Ning Mu couldn't help but reveal an evil smile.

"What kind of devious scheme are you cooking up now!"

"I'm telling you, I only managed to get one hour from the city guard commander; you took so long to come out that the patrol soldiers will probably appear any moment!"

Seeing Ning Mu reveal a strange smile, Liu Qingmei immediately became vigilant.

She discovered that she had absolutely no resistance against this little guy.

Whenever he said a few more words, for some reason, she would half-heartedly give in to his wishes.

Therefore.

Seeing that Ning Mu seemed to have another devious scheme, she immediately spoke up to warn him, blocking his mouth directly to prevent him from causing any more trouble!

"How could that be, Master? Where did your thoughts wander?"

"I was thinking... I want to give you a token of our love."

Having his intentions exposed, Ning Mu wasn't annoyed; he playfully rubbed Liu Qingmei twice and said with a grin.

"A token of love?"

Liu Qingmei's eyes brightened, but she still stared at him vigilantly and asked, "What is it?"

Ning Mu's hand moved.

He directly took out that 'Modified Neck Collar'.

Then he handed it to Liu Qingmei.

"This, I made it with my own hands. It took a long time. It's for decorating your neck, and it will make your neck appear more slender and beautiful."

Ning Mu said with a smile.

Liu Qingmei frowned.

Isn't this thing just a collar for livestock!

However, after she saw the words that suddenly popped up from the system, she hesitated for a moment before taking it.

And in the gaze she cast back at Ning Mu, there was inevitably a bit of strangeness and resentment.

【Hint: The token of love gifted to you by your Binding Companion Ning Mu is a treasure known as the Moonlight Heart-Lock Ring. Wearing this ring signifies that your inner protection and bond toward your immortal companion Ning Mu will deepen day by day. As time passes, it will also deepen your loyalty to him. It is recommended to accept and wear it long-term, as it is beneficial for increasing your favorability and spiritual resonance with your Binding Companion Ning Mu.】

Seeing the system's hint, Liu Qingmei's Dai Eyebrow furrowed slightly.

Increase favorability and spiritual resonance, deepen the protection and bond toward Ning Mu?

She hesitated for a moment.

She reached out and took the Moonlight Heart-Lock Ring, which was made of an unknown type of leather, and examined it carefully.

It consisted of two strips of pure black leather connected in the middle by a golden ring. The ring was slightly wider than the leather straps, and a gold pendant hung from it. The other ends of the leather straps were inlaid with gold and connected by a gold chain.

"Right!"

While she was examining it, Liu Qingmei suddenly thought of something.

She raised her head and glared at Ning Mu. Her pair of beautiful peach-blossom eyes were filled with curiosity and surprise as she stared at Ning Mu and questioned, "You brat, you've been hiding things from me so well!"

"Ah?" Ning Mu looked blank and said, "What have I hidden from you so well?"

"I, on the other hand, have been 'in' quite deep, but you weren't happy about it..."

"Go to hell!"

Liu Qingmei rolled her eyes with a coquettish huff.

Then she glared at him and asked coquettishly, "What level have your Cultivation Points reached?"

"The movement technique you just used when you came over is not a Martial Art of the Cangjian Villa, nor is it a heritage of my Liu Family. Xiaoya certainly wouldn't know this movement technique. Tell me, who did you learn it from?"

"You brat, even hiding it from me?"

"..."

Ning Mu only then realized.

He cursed his mistake internally.

He had been so focused on seeing Liu Qingmei that he hadn't thought about how the Floating Mystery Steps he used were an Earth-Tier Martial Art rewarded by the system, which Liu Qingmei was not familiar with.

However, he didn't panic, as he had already thought of a countermeasure.

"Actually, before Master took me in, I had already learned this movement technique. When I was young, I happened to meet an expert and did him a favor of one meal, so he taught me this movement technique. At the time, he said I was a martial arts prodigy rarely seen in a thousand years, but then he suddenly disappeared. Since I didn't know how to cultivate, and later was sold into the Ye Family, I completely lost that mindset. It was only after Xiaoya taught me to cultivate that I gradually realized the wonders of this movement technique. It's quite good for traveling, though."

"Just like that?"

Liu Qingmei was stunned, her face filled with disbelief.

According to her observations, the fluidity of the movement technique this kid displayed was enough to rival an Earth-Tier Martial Art, and it even belonged to the high-grade among Earth-Tier ones!

Martial Arts manuals and divine weapons are divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow.

Yellow-Tier is the lowest, Mysterious-Tier is next, and Heaven-Tier is the most rare.

Generally, only those sect forces with thousands of years of heritage or Martial Dao families possess Heaven-Tier manuals.

Most ordinary martial artists practice Mysterious-Tier.

Being able to obtain an Earth-Tier manual already surpasses the vast majority of practitioners!

Of course, this is only for ordinary people.

Someone like her, who is both a descendant of the Liu Family and the Manor Mistress of Cangjian Villa, having inherited the best of both, mainly practices Earth-Tier techniques! But Earth-Tier techniques are generally only taught to core disciples of the sect.

To outsiders, they are secret techniques that are never passed on.

A favor of one meal in exchange for an Earth-Tier movement technique—who would believe that?

And such a technique, in his words, had become a tool for traveling...

One has to sigh, this brat's luck is just too good! But then again.

If his luck weren't good, how would her system have bound him, and how would they have ended up in this current relationship?

She was actually on the city tower, smoothing his hair for him.

"Then what realm has your Cultivation Points reached?"

Liu Qingmei's face flushed slightly as she looked at Ning Mu and asked.

She felt that this kid's cultivation had progressed quite a bit; in any case, it was stronger than the Opening Aperture Realm.

After reaching a certain level of cultivation, one's aura cannot deceive.

But relying solely on aura, it is also very difficult to guess a person's cultivation level.

Unless they have already made a move and one senses the fluctuations of the other's internal energy, one cannot clearly understand the other's cultivation.

However, for Sitting Reflection Grandmasters like them, the situation is different.

A Sitting Reflection Grandmaster has a complete spirit and perfected Qi, with Martial Arts that penetrate the profound.

From this level upward, one naturally carries an aura, making it easy to distinguish the strong from the weak.

Unless one voluntarily conceals their aura, it might not be detected.

But when encountering someone with even deeper cultivation, it can still be seen through at a glance.

Seeing Liu Qingmei staring at him expectantly, Ning Mu coughed lightly, channeled his Cultivation Points, and struck the city wall beside him with a palm.

Instantly.

The brick wall was struck by a cyclone condensed to the extreme, shattering into pieces, turning into powder, and collapsing.

Liu Qingmei was immediately startled.

"You kid, how have you hidden this from me for so long? If I had known your talent was this good, I would certainly have exhausted all my strength to assist your cultivation. Come to think of it, you've only been in contact with cultivation for two months, right?"

"Your cultivation... you have actually already reached the Tongmai Realm?"

Liu Qingmei stared at Ning Mu in disbelief, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes filled with shock and incredulity.

And a trace of doubt.

Two months, Tongmai Realm! This talent already surpasses that of many geniuses by ten or a hundred times! Her own attainments in Martial Dao were already among the best of the elite, and that was while cultivating at the most suitable age; even so, it took her over three, nearly four years to step into the Tongmai Realm! And Liuli's talent was monstrous enough, right?

She entered the Buddha Gate at eight and only reached the Tongmai Realm at ten!

Even if she only started cultivating a year after entering the Buddha Gate, it still took her a full year! Since ancient times, it is not as if one has never heard of martial artists who achieved Qi sensation or even the Tongmai Realm within a few months.

But any martial artist of this type, if they did not perish due to external factors, was without exception someone who would question the Saint realm, achieve the Free Realm, and suppress the world for an era! With Ning Mu's previous groundwork, although there was still a trace of doubt in her heart, Liu Qingmei chose to believe him without reservation!

Perhaps he was a truly buried top-tier genius!

Perhaps, precisely because of this, the system made her bind him as her Xia Lu, to live and fly together from now on! Otherwise, how else to explain such a miracle from the system, yet it insisted on binding him, this unknown Maid who spent his days mopping floors and grooming horses?

As these thoughts turned in Liu Qingmei's mind, she felt more and more that the facts might just be so!

At this moment, her heart was incomparably excited and thrilled.

Gold that is buried will never shine! It was she who had unearthed a potential seedling with the chance to reach the Saint-Following Realm, or even that Free and Unfettered Saint Realm! A Free Realm Saint!

How many years had it been since one heard of Saint-level powerhouses walking this world!

Even the ancestors of the state-protecting sects of the three great kingdoms are now mostly Half-Saint powerhouses on the verge of withering! The Master of Jixia Academy on Houji Mountain in Great Qi has suppressed Great Qi for over nine hundred years, dwelling deep within Houji Mountain, never emerging, seeking that final sliver of opportunity, attempting to see through the secrets of heaven and reach the Free and Unfettered Saint Realm.

Beside Jiangling, the capital of Southern Chu, at the Dayan Dao Court on Hengdai Mountain, the Dao Ancestor Zhang Daoqing has protected the Chu Kingdom for seven hundred years, hiding on Hengdai Mountain, likewise seeking the Free Realm.

In Luojing, the capital of Western Zhou, at the Martial Arts Sacred Land of Black Dragon Mountain, the Palace Master of Wanxiang Divine Palace is the youngest, yet she has also protected the Zhou Kingdom for over five hundred years. It is rumored that the Palace Master of Wanxiang Divine Palace is a remarkable woman whose learning is eclectic, attempting to find that path leading to the Free and Unfettered Saint from these complex roads.

Of the three Sacred Lands, none have achieved the Free Realm.

It is rumored that in the North Wolf Royal Court Sacred Land in the north, inside the Wolf King's tent, that old Wolf King seems to be the powerhouse with the most hope of seeing through the Free Realm in his lifetime.

But he is a wolf demon.

He is a natural enemy to the human race.

In recent years, the three human kingdoms have been on guard against the North Wolf Royal Court in every way, with all sorts of small maneuvers, fearing that the old Wolf King might become the top powerhouse among those walking the world to break through to the Free Realm! Further to the west, in the sixteen kingdoms of the Western Regions and the Sacred Mountain of the Desolate Region, there are also Half-Saints, but one has never heard of a Free and Unfettered Saint protecting them.

The lands of Dianshu, the Ten Thousand Mountains, East Sea Penglai...

In this vast world, it is almost difficult to find traces of a Free and Unfettered Saint.

And right now...

Here in Yonghang, Great Qi, in a stable at Cangjian Villa in Jinshui Town, right before her eyes...

A being with the hope of reaching the Saint level has appeared!

And, she is actually the Xia Lu of this Saint seedling!

(End of this chapter)