521: Chapter 31 No one is allowed to see this.

After hearing the origin of his 'Treasure-Hoarding Young Gentleman' nickname, Meng Li felt both amused and exasperated.

Zeng Shushu, however, was a natural social butterfly and enthusiastically began discussing the refinement of Magic Treasures with Meng Li.

Seeing this, Wei Qiong stroked his beard, smiling without a word.

Through their conversation, Meng Li also learned why Zeng Shushu was here.

His cultivation had reached the fourth layer of the Yuqing Realm, so he had come down the mountain for training and took the opportunity to visit his grandfather, Wei Qiong, in Yudu City.

Originally, he planned to seek out Meng Li, the Treasure-Hoarding Young Gentleman, at Dazhu Peak after his training to discuss Magic Treasures together. He never expected to meet him early in Yudu City. He immediately called it fate and suggested they return to the Qingyun Sect together.

Meng Li politely declined.

Because he discovered that Zeng Shushu was not only a natural social butterfly but also a bit of a chatterbox.

Most importantly, if he returned alone using the Lightstream Escape, he could be there in just one hour.

Traveling by sword with Zeng Shushu would take over two days, during which he would have to listen to her constant chatter.

Given they had just met, it was a bit too much to bear.

Seeing her offer rejected, Zeng Shushu felt somewhat regretful but didn't press the matter. She only mentioned she would visit Dazhu Peak after returning.

After the midday banquet, Meng Li left the City Lord's Mansion, bought some food and gifts in Yudu City, and then used the Lightstream Escape to return to the Qingyun Sect.

Back at the Qingyun Sect, he first went to Tongtian Peak to report on his mission, then returned to Dazhu Peak.

Arriving at Dazhu Peak, Meng Li found only Song Da Ren, Wu Da Yi, and a few other Senior Brothers present. He took out the gifts he had brought for them and distributed them, while also inquiring about the whereabouts of Tian Buyi and his wife, Tian Linger, Zhang Xiaofan, and Lin Jingyu.

Song Da Ren replied with a chuckle, 'Master and Mistress went to Tongtian Peak. It seems they have some matters to discuss. They didn't specify the details.'

'Junior Sister is at the back mountain, testing Xiaofan and Jingyu's cultivation progress.'

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and reminded, 'Junior Sister hasn't been in a good mood these past few days. You'd better go cheer her up later.'

Meng Li was somewhat surprised. 'Senior Sister is in a bad mood? Why?'

Song Da Ren smiled without answering.

Wu Da Yi, Zheng Da Li, and the others did the same.

In the end, it was Du Bi Shu who revealed the reason: 'You went down the mountain to carry out a mission without telling her. Why do you think?'

Meng Li was taken aback, then laughed. 'She was in seclusion for a Breakthrough at the time. I didn't want to disturb her.'

Song Da Ren smiled. 'That's true, but girls can be hard to reason with sometimes. This isn't a big deal. When you see her later, just say a few nice words to smooth things over. We all got gifts; Junior Sister should have one too, right?'

Meng Li nodded.

Song Da Ren immediately clapped his hands. 'Then there's no problem at all.'

Not long after, Meng Li went to the back mountain and saw Tian Linger, Zhang Xiaofan, and Lin Jingyu.

Tian Linger, wearing a pink dress, was sitting on a rock, chin propped on her hands, staring into the distance in a daze.

Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu were seriously sparring.

Seeing Meng Li, the two were a bit surprised. They stopped together and greeted with a smile, 'Seventh Senior Brother.'

Hearing the voices, Tian Linger snapped out of her reverie instantly. Seeing Meng Li, her face lit up with joy first, but then, as if remembering something, she suppressed her delight, gave a light humph, and turned her head away.

Noticing this, Meng Li paid it no mind. He smiled and responded to Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu, took out gifts for the two, and then walked towards Tian Linger.

Seeing him approach, Tian Linger simply stood up and walked away.

Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan were puzzled.

Meng Li waved his hand. 'You two keep practicing. I'll have a chat with Senior Sister about these past few days.'

'Alright,' Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu agreed in unison.

Meng Li then strode after Tian Linger. When they reached a place with no one around, he grabbed her hand.

'Senior Sister, I'm back. Why did you leave as soon as you saw me?'

'I have things to do,' Tian Linger huffed, then frowned. 'Let go of my hand.'

'What things?' Meng Li asked with a smile, pretending not to hear the part about letting go.

'I won't tell you,' Tian Linger replied haughtily. At the same time, she tried to shake her hand free. Finding she couldn't, and seeing no one else around, she let him be.

Meng Li pulled her closer and said with a smile, 'Are you really angry?'

'No.'

Meng Li gently shook her hand a couple of times. 'Alright, I know you care about me, Senior Sister. It was inconsiderate of me not to tell you about my mission down the mountain, making you worry. Please be magnanimous and don't be angry anymore.'

'I brought you a gift.'

'What gift?'

'The candied fruits, peach blossom pastries, mung bean cakes you like...'

As the list of snacks was recited, Tian Linger's eyes instantly sparkled, but she remained haughty. 'Consider yourself thoughtful.'

'Then let's go back.'

'Mhm.'

With that, the two started walking towards the front mountain.

Halfway there, Tian Linger seemed to realize something and tried to shake her hand free again. Unable to, she couldn't help but chide, 'Let go.'

Meng Li said nonchalantly, 'Why let go? No one can see us.'

Tian Linger was stunned. After a moment, she blushed. 'You...'

Pausing on the word 'you' for two or three seconds, she whispered, 'You have to let go later. Don't let anyone see.'

'Alright, as you wish.'

As they reached the courtyard gate, they happened to run into Tian Buyi and Su Ru, who had just returned from Tongtian Peak.

Tian Linger was startled, as if caught doing something wrong, and hurriedly tried to shake her hand free.

This time, Meng Li didn't hold on and released it smoothly.

However, their actions had still been seen by Tian Buyi and Su Ru.

The couple was momentarily taken aback, then exchanged a look and tacitly pretended not to have seen anything.

Tian Linger, feeling guilty, went over to greet them, seizing the chance to change the subject. 'Father, Mother, you're back. Why did it take so long?'

Meng Li followed with a greeting. 'Master, Mistress.'

Tian Buyi cleared his throat lightly, using Tian Linger's question to move past the earlier incident. As they walked inside, he briefly explained the official matters handled at Tongtian Peak, then asked Meng Li about his mission down the mountain.

Meng Li omitted the exploration of the Wanfu Ancient Cave and truthfully recounted the rest.

After listening, Tian Buyi thought for a moment and speculated, 'The situation you described is most likely related to the Wandu Sect.'

Meng Li nodded. 'This Disciple thinks so too. It's just that the Wandu Sect is deeply hidden and difficult to find, so I had to let it go for now.'

In the last great conflict between the righteous and Demonic Paths, the Qingyun Sect faced a bad situation with Tian Chengzi falling to demonic cultivation. The Demonic Path didn't fare well either: the Wandu Sect, Hehuan Sect, and Changshang Hall, having suffered heavy losses, disappeared from sight one after another. The Blood Refining Hall and Ghost King Sect remained at their original headquarters, but their Origin Qi was severely damaged, and they hadn't caused any trouble for a long time.

Tian Buyi understood this and didn't say much more.

Afterwards, Meng Li asked about Mysterious Dao's condition.

Tian Buyi replied, 'Senior Brother Mysterious Dao has not yet emerged from seclusion. You'll have to wait a bit longer regarding the Cultivation Technique.'

Meng Li indicated his understanding and wasn't in a hurry.

With his current strength, he could handle most situations, so waiting a little longer didn't matter.

However, what Meng Li didn't expect was that this wait would last for several years...