84: Chapter 84 The Perfect Token for Your Beloved

She made a Dao oath that once she recovered, she would repay this immense kindness, even if it meant working like an ox or horse, or serving as a slave or maid.

It was until she first arrived at Yunyou Shop and saw the Immortal Master she had been longing for.

At that moment, An Luoling stood dazed outside the threshold.

Gazing at the young man inside, who was conversing warmly with a Loose Cultivator, his every gesture filled with a detached and otherworldly demeanor.

Her heart felt as if it had fallen into spring waters, completely captured.

Now, she had fulfilled her wish to stay at the shop.

Every day, the moment she opened her eyes, she could see him, listen to his mellow and gentle voice, and brew him a pot of hot tea.

These days were sweeter than being soaked in a honey pot.

An Luoling leaned against the wooden doorframe, her purple eyes gazing toward the street corner in the distance, her rosy lips parting slightly to breathe out a sweet murmur:

"Big Brother Jiang... when will you come back... Luoling misses you..."

At this moment, far above the clouds on the deck of the spirit boat.

Jiang Xuan faced the humid high-altitude Qi rushing toward him, studying the System panel in his mind with great interest.

His gaze fell on the "Immortal Fate" column.

One look, and he was immediately surprised.

He saw that above An Luoling's name, for some unknown reason, a bright little red flame had inexplicably ignited.

The flame was vivid and lifelike; he could even feel a hint of leaping heat.

Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow and scanned downward.

He discovered that around the edges of Su Yue's and Ye Baiyuan's names, wisps of sparks were occasionally sputtering out.

It was just that they hadn't yet gathered into the shape of a flame.

Further down, the names of A Xiang and Mistress Zhen were glowing with a ripe, rosy luster.

As for the names of Ji Yanran and that female cultivator, Top Courtesan, they were quiet, with no movement at all.

"This Immortal Fate favorability, can it even be played like this?"

Jiang Xuan chuckled inwardly.

Could this flame represent that feelings are burning fiercely?

While he was pondering, the spirit boat jolted slightly, starting to penetrate the thick clouds and slowly descend.

Below, the scattered green bricks and black tiles of Tingfeng Town gradually became clear in his line of sight.

Jiang Xuan put away the panel and smiled helplessly.

Forget it, this System has too many tricks; it won't be too late to explore them slowly after returning to the shop.

At high noon, the scorching sun was directly overhead.

Heatwaves rolled across the bluestone streets of Tingfeng Town.

When Jiang Xuan, carrying the still-sleeping Song Lianyin on his back, stepped over the threshold of Yunyou Shop, there was a male cultivator in the shop looking at goods.

An Luoling had been standing properly behind the counter serving a customer, but catching a glimpse of someone entering, she subconsciously looked up.

When she saw who it was, her clear, glazed purple eyes suddenly burst with a bright light.

Her originally calm and dignified face instantly blossomed with radiant joy: "Big Brother Jiang? You're back!"

She chirped happily, not even bothering with the customer, and lifting her purple hem, she trotted gracefully up to Jiang Xuan.

Her whole person radiated uncontrollable excitement and joy, with smiles dancing in the corners of her eyes and brows.

Jiang Xuan looked at her bright appearance and nodded with a smile:

"Mhm, I'm back. Did anything go wrong at the shop these past two days?"

"Everything is well, and the business has also..."

An Luoling nodded happily, but halfway through her sentence, her voice suddenly trailed off.

A scent mixed with a faint smell of blood and the mysterious fragrance of a strange woman drifted into her nose.

Her pair of purple eyes froze, her gaze crossing over Jiang Xuan's shoulder and landing on the face of the female cultivator who was fast asleep on his back.

Big Brother Jiang went out, so how did he end up carrying back such a beautiful female cultivator?

Wait!

An Luoling's gaze suddenly tightened, and her heart felt as if a vinegar jar had been overturned, bringing up a sourness she hadn't even realized herself.

That woman was wrapped in what was clearly the green robe that Big Brother Jiang wore close to his body!

And looking at the silhouette vaguely visible beneath the oversized garment, it seemed... she wasn't wearing much underneath.

An Luoling bit her moist lower lip, a hint of little sorrow rising in her watery eyes, yet she dared not ask further.

Jiang Xuan watched her suddenly daze off, and seeing her staring straight at the green robe, how could he not guess the little girl's thoughts?

He chuckled, turned around, and carefully set the sleeping Song Lianyin down from his back:

"Come, catch her."

"This young lady was seriously injured in Ascension Valley and will be staying with us temporarily to recover."

"You take her to the Backyard first to settle her in, and while you're at it, find her some clothes to change into. I'll handle the customer."

Hearing Jiang Xuan's open explanation, the sourness in An Luoling's heart dissipated by more than half.

She obediently responded, hurriedly reaching out to catch Song Lianyin, and carried her toward the Backyard.

Jiang Xuan flexed his wrists, a series of System notifications already sounding in his mind.

But he didn't rush to look; instead, he turned and walked toward the counter.

Beside the counter, a male cultivator was waiting quietly.

This person was tall and sturdy, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, a square face, sharp features, and an air of honest integrity.

Judging by the aura he emitted, his Realm was about Qi Refining Stage 5.

Jiang Xuan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and spoke warmly:

"I've kept you waiting, Fellow Daoist. I am Jiang Xuan, the shopkeeper here."

"I apologize for the neglect just now; I hope you will forgive me."

"I wonder what kind of item you are looking for today, Fellow Daoist?"

The male cultivator hurriedly cupped his hands in return, his voice rough and deep: "I am Xu Dalong. Greetings, Shopkeeper Jiang."

"I came here today to buy a Rank 1 protective Spirit Treasure that can nourish the body."

Jiang Xuan stood behind the counter and asked with a smile: "I wonder what style you are looking for, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

"Is it a Magical Artifact, a jade pendant, or something else?"

Upon hearing this, an unprecedented, shy blush appeared on Xu Dalong's rough face.

He reached out his rough hand, scratched the back of his head honestly, and said in a muffled voice:

"Preferably a jade pendant or a hairpin... a style that a young lady can wear on her person."

Seeing him like this, Jiang Xuan immediately understood.

He had earned some Spirit Stones and had come to pick out a gift for the young lady he admired.

He pondered for a moment, flicked his wrist, and an exquisite brocade jade box appeared out of thin air in his palm.

He placed the jade box on the counter and gently lifted the lid.

In an instant, a soft and brilliant crimson-gold glow poured out from the box, illuminating Xu Dalong's wide-eyed gaze.

Inside the box, a hairpin lay quietly.

The hairpin was slender and graceful, carved entirely from top-quality Crimson Blood Warm Jade, with faint streams of light circulating deep within the jade.

The head of the hairpin was carved by a master craftsman into a vivid, lifelike Spirit Phoenix about to spread its wings.

Draped from the Phoenix's tail were several delicate and intricate spirit bead tassels that would emit a pleasant, crisp sound with the slightest movement.

A wisp of gentle spiritual power overflowed from Jiang Xuan's fingertips, gently lifting the hairpin and suspending it before Xu Dalong.

Xu Dalong carefully reached out with both hands to take it, pinching it between his fingertips.

The touch was warm and delicate, just like a young girl's skin.

Instantly, an extremely comfortable warm current spread slowly from his palm throughout his whole body.

At the tip of his nose, he could clearly smell a faint, elegant, and subtle fragrance of white flowers; it smelled wonderful.

Jiang Xuan smiled and introduced it calmly:

"This hairpin is a Rank 1 top-grade protective Spirit Treasure, named 'The Phoenix Descends with Grace'."

"It is light and graceful, best suited for a young lady to wear in her hair, and is the perfect token to bestow upon a beloved beauty."