"It wouldn’t make much of a difference," Liang shook his head dismissively. As a seasoned cultivator, he knew that the need for sleep was not a requirement for those who had reached a certain level of cultivation.
For cultivators, inns serve two distinct purposes - a refuge to alleviate their weariness and, of course, an easily deduced reason.
Liang carefully chose a secluded spot in the room and gracefully settled into a cross-legged position. With his eyes closed, his serene countenance revealed his deep concentration as he delved into a state of profound meditation. The air around him seemed to still and become imbued with a mysterious energy.
Observing Liang’s focused state, Dong Rui’s eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. She had expected a spirited debate or argument from him, but to her surprise, he seemed disinterested in engaging with her. However, it only fueled her playful nature, the desire to uncover his true intentions burning within her like a flame. Did he really helped her out of genuine curiosity and righteousness? She quickly dismissed such thoughts, reminding herself that cultivators were not bound by mortal concepts of morality or regulations; in fact, they were the ones who created and shaped such principles.
As the room’s soft candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, Dong Rui made her way towards the inviting bed. Seating herself gracefully, she crossed her legs in a similar fashion to Liang. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, immersing herself in deep contemplation. A sense of tranquility and divine focus surrounded her as she dwelled within her own consciousness.
Within the depths of her mind, six meticulously formed runes flickered and glowed with otherworldly energy. But alongside them, a seventh rune struggled to fully materialize, its edges slightly blurred and its power not yet fully harnessed.
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"Too close," Dong Rui cursed inwardly, frustration tainting her thoughts. She estimated that she still needed another thousand runes, painstakingly acquired through relentless dedication, to fully solidify and perfect this seventh rune.
"Another thousand runes, and I will become a paragon," Dong Rui mused with a hint of ambition in her voice. However, she felt no overwhelming excitement or joy at the prospect. To her, the attainment of these seven runes felt less like a grand achievement and more like an imperative necessity - the very first step on her arduous path towards greatness.
Determined, she made a silent declaration within her own mind. "No one and nothing will stop me," she vowed, her conviction unshakable. The countless lives she had claimed and the ruthless actions she had taken along her journey were all part of the irreversible path she had embraced.
After what seemed like an eternity, Liang’s eyes gently fluttered open, the serene calmness still radiating from his being.
"When exactly is the gathering going to happen?" he asked, his voice carrying an air of composed curiosity.
"In two years," Dong Rui replied, her own eyes slowly opening to reveal a glimpse of her focused determination.
Liang’s eyes narrowed, suspicions brewing within him. Just as he had suspected, this woman was up to something, and he intended to uncover her true motives. "Then what is the point of us arriving here so early?"
Dong Rui couldn’t help but chuckle at his response, her laughter echoing softly in the room. "Brother Liang, we came here early to ensure that you regain your cultivation as soon as possible," she explained, a hint of mischief dancing in her voice.
"For me?" Liang cursed inwardly, finding her shameless audacity both amusing and exasperating.
"Of course!" Dong Rui’s eyes sparkled with sincerity, her voice carrying a hint of genuine excitement. "Florie is much grander and more prosperous than any other. It is teeming with countless opportunities and fortunes waiting to be seized. I have no doubt that you will regain your cultivation here in less than two years."
Liang cursed silently, feeling a surge of frustration at her words. The thought of abducting her and striking a deal with the Dong Clan began to cross his mind. He knew that the patriarch of the clan would be more than willing to exchange her for the coveted compass he sought. It was a contingency plan, devised in case he failed to acquire the compass through legitimate means. However, the potential consequences loomed over him like a dark cloud. The dangers and life-threatening risks involved in becoming enemies with not only the Dong Clan but also the Alliance and Devil Court was something he vehemently wished to avoid.
The image of being relentlessly pursued, hunted by three powerful factions, flashed before his eyes. Liang knew deep down that survival in such a desperate situation would be nearly impossible.
Dong Rui’s lips curled into a gentle smile as she gracefully rose from the bed, her steps gliding across the room. She approached the table, her eyes glimmering with intrigue. With a swift movement, she retrieved a wooden tea pot and two delicate cups from her space ring, placing them gently on the table.
The wooden tea pot exuded an aura that transcended time, a fusion of strength and elegance. The etchings on its surface depicted sprawling branches with leaves unfurling in graceful spirals, intertwining with sinuous vines that swirled and curled in an intricate dance.
As for the cups, they perfectly mirrored the essence of the tea pot. Carved from the same rare wood, their simplicity held a touch of sophistication. Delicate veins, reminiscent of meandering rivers, adorned the surface of the cups, connecting seamlessly with the patterns on the tea pot. The handles boasted craftsmanship that felt flawless.
Next, Dong Rui produced a glass pot filled with water.
Liang’s eyes flickered with a curious expression. His mind whirled with wonder about the origins of the wood used to craft the pot. Its aura seemed unlike anything he had ever encountered before.
"What kind of wood is this?" Liang couldn’t help but voice his fascination, his tone filled with genuine intrigue. His eyes scanned the tea pot, captivated by its unique allure.
Dong Rui’s face lit up with surprise, a glimmer of admiration shining in her eyes. "Brother Liang, you truly have a discerning eye," she commended, a sense of pride evident in her voice. Her gaze turned to the tea pot, her expression growing more animated.