Ning Xian sat quietly in her room for a long time. It wasn't until her pale complexion recovered slightly through her own breath-regulation that she slowly stood up.
Walking to the door, she hesitated for a moment before raising her hand to gently tap on the bamboo door next door.
"Thud, thud, thud."
The knocking was very light.
Inside the room, Fang Xuan woke from his meditation, feeling somewhat surprised.
Was his senior sister looking for him this late?
He rose to open the door and saw Ning Xian standing outside. The moonlight outlined her slender silhouette, and her expression looked even colder than usual.
However, there seemed to be a hint of... hesitation hidden deep in her eyes.
"Senior Sister? Is something the matter?" Fang Xuan asked.
Ning Xian looked up at him, her voice calm. "I... I'm planning to go to the night market in Qingshi Town at the foot of the mountain to buy some things. I thought that since you've just arrived, you might need to get some daily necessities as well."
Since Fang Xuan was living here now and still using her old leftover bedding, she felt he was being treated a bit poorly.
Her words were subtle, but Fang Xuan understood the meaning.
His senior sister felt his living conditions were too poor and wanted to take him to buy some things.
Having been crossed over for several months, he really hadn't had a proper chance to browse the markets of this world.
Moreover, this was an active invitation from Ning Xian. Although the reason was very typical of her, it was definitely a signal of their relationship growing closer.
He immediately agreed.
Seeing him agree so readily, the hesitation in Ning Xian's eyes seemed to fade a little, and she nodded slightly.
"Then... wait a moment. I will go get some spirit stones."
She turned back into her room and closed the door.
Inviting Fang Xuan to go along was partly to buy daily necessities, but more importantly... she wanted to test the waters.
With Shen Qingqing's vindictive nature and her habit of using others to do her dirty work, she would never pass up an opportunity while Ning Xian was outside the protection of the sect.
In the past, when her cultivation was still intact, Shen Qingqing would at most design some trivial frame-ups or spread some rumors.
To her, those were merely trifles.
But now, the news that she was "heavily injured and her cultivation completely lost" had already spread.
In the eyes of Shen Qingqing and even certain others, she was already a fish on the chopping block.
She didn't even need to think much about how the other party would "entertain" her during this trip down the mountain.
Bringing Fang Xuan along... this junior brother with a mysterious background and incredible talent, would he be a variable?
Although this felt like returning kindness with enmity and was unfair to him...
Shen Chen would not let her go; he would likely make a move soon. So, she couldn't afford to worry about so much right now.
If there was a chance for revenge... who wouldn't want to take it?
.......
She took out a worn small cloth bag containing the only low-grade spirit stones she had left. Most were accumulated from the past, and some were from recently trading her ointments.
The quantity wasn't much, but it should be enough to exchange for some ordinary items at the night market.
Once she finished packing, she stepped out of the room.
Fang Xuan was already waiting in the courtyard, still wearing his simple disciple robes with that unremarkable black scabbard on his back.
His face wore a smile of expectation, looking like a handsome young man without any schemes.
"Let's go, Senior Sister," Fang Xuan said with a smile.
"...Mm."
.......
Qingshi Town was located at the foot of the Qingyun Sect. Because it was backed by the sect, cultivators frequently passed through, gradually forming a quite lively marketplace.
During the day, most were proper shops trading cultivation resources like pills and dharma treasures.
When night fell, many rogue cultivators or low-level disciples would set up floor stalls, forming what was known as the night market.
The items for sale were varied, ranging from low-grade talismans and damaged dharma tools to all sorts of strange materials.
There were even exquisite items used by mortals and local snacks from various regions. The prices were relatively cheap, and the atmosphere was more lively and casual.
Before even entering the town, a bright glow of lights could be seen from afar.
The faint sound of voices drifted over, a stark contrast to the quietness of the cultivation grounds on the mountain.
Walking into the town entrance, the streets were already hung with all kinds of lanterns, reflecting brightly on the bluestone road.
Floor stalls were lined up one after another.
The items sold were indeed as Ning Xian had said, mainly daily necessities for low-level cultivators and mortal goods. Occasionally, one could see a stall or two selling low-grade pills or defective dharma tools at low prices.
In this place, unless a real treasure appeared, there generally wouldn't be much conflict.
After all, truly valuable things wouldn't be laid out on a floor stall here. Everyone was here for the lively atmosphere and affordability, and it was relatively safe.
Ning Xian was clearly very familiar with this place, walking straight toward the rice shop and the general store without looking sideways.
She first went to the rice shop, carefully selecting some medium-quality spirit rice and buying some ordinary but long-lasting mortal rice.
When paying, her movements in counting the spirit stones were very slow and meticulous.
Fang Xuan followed behind her, watching her slender back and the way she carefully counted a few low-grade spirit stones.
If he were to say right now, "Senior Sister, let me provide for you, as long as you train me harshly!"...
Would he be executed on the street for cleansing the sect's ranks?
.......
Next was the general store.
Ning Xian mainly replenished basic seasonings like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. Then she stopped in front of a stall displaying spices, pointing at a type of dried red chili. "This, weigh out some more."
The stall owner weighed the chilies while smiling.
"Cultivator Ning hasn't been here in a while. You want more chilies this time? It's still the old price!"
"Mm," Ning Xian replied flatly. She paid the money and took the chilies wrapped in oil paper.
Since her junior brother... liked them, she would prepare more.
.......
Major and minor, the two continued to walk through the night market.
Ning Xian was tall, with a cold and refined aura. Even in simple clothes, she was very conspicuous in the crowd.
Though Fang Xuan was young, he was tall and handsome, standing half a head taller than Ning Xian.
Walking together, although they kept a distance of half a step and had no intimate gestures, there was an inexplicable sense of harmony.
It drew many well-meaning looks from the surrounding people.
Many stall owners seemed to know Ning Xian and greeted her warmly.
Ning Xian mostly responded with a slight nod, her attitude distant but not impolite.
As for guesses about Fang Xuan's identity, she simply replied, "He is my junior brother," and said no more.
Those people were tactful enough not to pry further, only smiling and offering a few playful compliments like "a handsome couple" or "what a perfect match" before returning to their business.
In this marketplace, people didn't have a deep understanding of the rules between cultivators. Seeing a man and a woman traveling together, especially ones with such outstanding appearances and auras, they habitually thought of them as dao companions.
Ning Xian seemed long accustomed to this, or perhaps she simply didn't care much, as she remained focused on purchasing the needed items.
Fang Xuan had to put on a bashful look as if to say "you've misunderstood but I'm too embarrassed to explain," while in reality, his ears were pricked high.
However, he noticed that Ning Xian seemed to have absolutely no reaction.
Well, her heart probably only held the sword and revenge.
This night market was quite interesting, unlike the black markets in cultivation novels where people were constantly killing for treasures.
Fang Xuan obediently followed Ning Xian while looking left and right with curiosity.
This place was indeed different from inside the sect and from the cultivation world he had imagined.
There were people selling candied haws, steaming meat buns, various handmade trinkets, rouge and powder, and even storytellers and street performers...
He wasn't very interested in those low-grade talismans or ores, but he did cast a few more glances at some snacks and strange little gadgets.
However, he only looked and didn't actually intend to buy anything, even though his spirit stones were enough to buy everything here tens of thousands of times over.
Ning Xian seemed to notice his gaze. When passing a stall selling fried cakes, her footsteps paused slightly.
The fried cakes were golden and crispy, emitting a sweet fragrance. They were the favorite snack of nearby mortal children.
She glanced at Fang Xuan. Seeing that he happened to be looking at the stall as well, a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes. Ultimately, she walked over and said to the owner, "Two."
"Coming right up! Cultivator Ning, I'll pick the freshly fried ones for you!"
The owner deftly wrapped two steaming fried cakes in oil paper and handed them over.
Ning Xian paid, took them, turned around, and held one out in front of Fang Xuan.
"?" Fang Xuan was momentarily stunned.
"For you." Ning Xian's voice still had no fluctuations. "Try it. It's not a cultivation item, just a mortal snack."
Fang Xuan took the still-hot fried cake and watched as Ning Xian took a small bite of her own.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if she found it too sweet and greasy, but she still ate it slowly...
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