Chapter 17: Ning Yue's Unreasonable Request

Not long after dinner, Luo Luo became sleepy.

Lin Jing carried her to bed, tucked her in, and soon, soft snores began to sound.

Lin Jing continued to wait in the yard for Luo Luo's mother to return, intending to hand Luo Luo back to her.

Her daughter was lost, she must be anxious too.

It was deep into the night when Lin Jing finally heard noises from outside.

Lin Jing stood up and walked outside.

Opening the courtyard door, Lin Jing saw Luo Luo's mother looking distraught, as if her spirit were drained, slowly shuffling her feet forward.

"Ning Daoyou."

Lin Jing called out.

However, she seemed not to hear and continued walking forward.

"Ning Daoyou."

Lin Jing called again, this time with a louder voice.

At this point, Luo Luo's mother finally reacted.

She turned around, her eyes dull, devoid of any light, and said blankly,

"I'm not in the mood right now, do not disturb me."

Having said that, she turned back and walked toward her own home.

"Ning Daoyou, Luo Luo is currently resting at my home. I kindly ask you to take her back."

"What did you say?"

Luo Luo's mother's voice suddenly raised, and then she appeared right in front of Lin Jing, her expression agitated, staring intently at him.

"Today, I encountered the lost Luo Luo on the street, so I brought her back home. She is now sleeping in my house."

Before he could finish speaking, Luo Luo's mother had disappeared, appearing in her own courtyard.

"This speed, even a Godspeed Talisman can't compare."

Lin Jing felt a bit embarrassed, touched the tip of his nose, and walked back to his own house.

Entering the house, he saw Luo Luo's mother, her eyes moist, tenderly touching Luo Luo's small face.

Lin Jing did not disturb them and just quietly watched.

After a long while,

she finally came to her senses and came over to Lin Jing, bowing.

"Ning Yue thanks Daoyou for helping my daughter."

Lin Jing responded, "Ning Daoyou is too polite. It was just a small effort, not worth mentioning."

Ning Yue shook her head.

"Now, there are only the two of us, me and Luo Luo; her life is my life."

"Daoyou's great kindness, Ning Yue will definitely repay."

"We are neighbors, it was a small effort. Since it's late, you should take Luo Luo home to rest soon."

Reminded by Lin Jing, Ning Yue seemed to snap back to reality.

She was in a strange man's home.

Thinking this, her cheeks turned slightly red.

"Daoyou, sorry for the disturbance, tomorrow I will bring Luo Luo to thank you."

After saying this, she gently picked up the sleeping Luo Luo.

Then she walked towards the outside, and when she reached the door, Ning Yue turned around, bowed deeply to Lin Jing, and then turned and disappeared into the night.

......

After Ning Yue left, Lin Jing closed the courtyard door and then returned to his room.

"Enter System Space."

Earlier, Lin Jing had set the alert range of System Space to cover his courtyard so he could detect anyone entering.

So, he could enter System Space without worry.

Inside System Space, Lin Jing didn't plan to cultivate for the time being.

The Alchemy Room was already open; he hadn't tried it yet, so this time, he intended to experiment with the Alchemy Room.

With his Five Elements Mixed Spirit Root, advancing his cultivation was undoubtedly much harder than others.

Just like now.

With such excellent conditions and dense Spiritual Energy in System Space, he had cultivated for over three months.

Three months...

His cultivation had only increased by 8%.

He definitely needed to consume Elixir Medicine...

Otherwise, when would he ever advance?

"Of course, if there were an Elixir Medicine that could change Spiritual Roots, that would be even better."

Lin Jing couldn't help but fantasize.

Upon entering the Alchemy Room, Lin Jing calmed his emotions.

Then, he prepared all the materials needed for Alchemy.

He began refining.

Time flew by.

"Bang"

An explosion rang through the entire Alchemy Room.

As expected, Lin Jing had failed again.

This time, he didn't rush to begin a second batch, but rather bowed his head in thought about the process he had just undergone.

Just like that, until an hour later, his Spiritual Power was restored and his Divine Sense was fully recovered.

Lin Jing then started on the second batch of Elixir Medicine.

This time, his luck seemed much better.

He was successful.

Upon opening the lid, there were still three Fasting Pills, all of low grade.

And his proficiency in the Alchemy Technique had increased by three points.

This might also be a good sign.

Next, he took a break, preparing for the third batch.

However, the third batch was still less than satisfactory.

It ended in an explosion again.

Fortunately, Lin Jing's Three-legged Copper Furnace was sturdy enough to withstand many explosions and was still intact.

After three rounds of alchemy, Lin Jing left the System Space.

The following day

Ning Yue came to express her gratitude, bringing Luo Luo with her.

"Uncle."

As soon as Luo Luo arrived, she ran over and grabbed Lin Jing's hand, swinging it back and forth.

Perhaps due to the events of the previous day, she was quite fond of Lin Jing.

Ning Yue bowed her head, looked at Luo Luo, and spoke:

"Luo Luo, you play here for a while."

"I need to discuss something with your Uncle Lin in the house."

"Remember, you must not run around everywhere again, okay?"

On hearing this, Luo Luo said, "Mother, don't worry. This time I'll stay right here in the courtyard and won't go anywhere else."

Lin Jing was somewhat puzzled, wondering what could be the matter that it needed to be kept from Luo Luo.

......

Afterward, the two of them went inside the house, and Ning Yue got straight to the point.

"Lin Daoyou, you have been studying the Alchemy Technique recently."

Having frequently refined elixirs in his room lately himself, Ning Yue, being an alchemist, could certainly not be kept unaware.

"I won't deceive you, Ning Daoyou, I indeed have been studying the Alchemy Technique,"

Lin Jing replied.

"The path of refining elixirs is fraught with immense difficulties, especially for beginners who often miss the essence, leading to many detours and resulting in failure in nine out of ten attempts."

"But if there's someone to guide, it would certainly make up for countless efforts, you must be aware of that."

"Of course, I know that,"

Lin Jing nodded, remembering a conversation he had once had with Elder Yu.

"How about I teach you the Alchemy Technique?"

"I am now a Second-Grade Alchemist, and with my guidance, you can avoid many pitfalls."

"Are you serious?"

Lin Jing asked, his heart skipping a beat, his eyes focused intently on Ning Yue.

Alchemists often hold themselves in high regard, only ever teaching their own disciples, reluctant to instruct others.

Moreover, the art of Alchemy isn't something that can be just shown and taught; effectively teaching someone requires a significant amount of effort.

Seeing that her expression was serious and her gaze earnest, she did not seem to be joking.

"To think such a good opportunity could come my way? Lin Jing found it hard to believe."

"Is it because I helped Luo Luo?"

Lin Jing asked.

"That's part of the reason,"

"Apart from that, I have another somewhat inappropriate request,"

said Ning Yue, her face flushing a shade of red, she felt a bit embarrassed, sensing she might be trying to reap the benefits of her bestowed favor.

"I knew it, how could something as good as pie fall from the sky for no reason?" Lin Jing mused internally.

"Please speak, Ning Daoyou."

"It's like this, I need to go to someone else's residence during the day to assist in refining elixirs, and I will only return at night,"

"So, I would like to ask Lin Daoyou to look after Luo Luo during the day."

"Knowing what happened yesterday..."

"I really cannot rest easy leaving Luo Luo alone in the inn."

After saying this, Ning Yue looked at Lin Jing, her eyes filled with hope, awaiting his response.

"And here I thought it was something major,"

"Just this?"

"It's a minor matter, no problem at all."