Chapter 17 Ning Yue's Unwilling Request

Not long after dinner, Luo Luo became sleepy.

Lin Jing carried her to bed, tucked in the blankets, and soon, faint snoring sounds began.

Lin Jing continued to the courtyard, waiting for Luo Luo's mother to return, ready to hand Luo Luo over to her.

Having lost her daughter, she must be anxious as well.

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

Lin Jing stood up and walked outside.

When he opened the courtyard door, he saw Luo Luo's mother, looking dispirited as if all her energy had been drained, slowly shuffling her feet forward.

"Ning Daoyou."

Lin Jing called out to her.

However, she seemed not to hear and continued walking.

"Ning Daoyou."

Lin Jing called out again, this time louder.

Only then did Luo Luo's mother react.

She turned back, with a blank expression and no light in her eyes, and said vaguely,

"I'm not in the mood right now, don't bother me."

After speaking, she turned back and walked toward her own house.

"Ning Daoyou, Luo Luo is at my place resting, please come and take her home."

"What did you say?"

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

"Today I came across Luo Luo who had gotten lost on the streets, so I brought her back to my house, and she is now asleep there."

Before he finished speaking, Luo Luo's mother had vanished, reappearing within her own courtyard.

"That speed, even with a Godspeed Talisman, I couldn't match it."

Lin Jing felt a bit awkward, touched his nose, and then walked back to his own house.

Entering the room, he saw Luo Luo's mother, her eyes moist, caressing Luo Luo's little face with a look full of tenderness.

Lin Jing didn't disturb them; he just quietly watched.

After a long while,

She finally came to her senses and came before Lin Jing to give a bow.

"Ning Yue is very grateful to Daoyou for helping my daughter."

Lin Jing replied, "Ning Daoyou is too polite, it was just a small effort, nothing worth mentioning."

Ning Yue shook her head.

"Now, it's just Luo Luo and me left, her life is my life."

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

"We are neighbors, it was but a small effort. Now that it's late, Daoyou should take Luo Luo home to rest as soon as possible."

Upon Lin Jing's reminder, Ning Yue came back to her senses.

She was in the home of a strange man.

At this thought, her cheeks turned slightly red.

"Daoyou, I've disturbed you. Tomorrow, I will bring Luo Luo over to thank you."

Having said this, she gently picked up the sleeping Luo Luo.

Then she walked outside, and upon reaching the door, Ning Yue turned around, gave Lin Jing a deep bow, and then disappeared into the night.

......

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

"Enter System Space."

Even before, Lin Jing had set the alarm range of System Space to the size of his courtyard; as long as anyone entered the courtyard, Lin Jing would be promptly alerted.

That's why he could enter System Space with peace of mind.

In System Space, Lin Jing didn't plan on cultivating for the time being.

The Alchemy Room was already open, and he hadn't tried it yet. This time, he intended to see what the Alchemy Room was like.

With his Five Elements Mixed Spirit Root's cultivation talent, advancing was undoubtedly much more difficult compared to others.

And so it was.

Even with such preferable conditions in System Space, with its rich spiritual energy, he had been cultivating for over three months now.

Over three months...

His cultivation had only increased by 8%.

He must consume Elixir Medicines...

Otherwise, when would he ever advance?

"Of course, if there were Elixir Medicines that could change the Spiritual Root, that'd be even better."

Lin Jing couldn't help but daydream.

Arriving at the Alchemy Room, Lin Jing steadied his emotions.

Afterward, he prepared all the necessary materials for Alchemy.

Then he began to practice alchemy.

Time flew by.

"Bang"

An explosion resonated throughout the entire Alchemy Room.

Unsurprisingly, Lin Jingshen had failed once again.

This time, he didn't rush to start the second batch; instead, he bowed his head, pondering the alchemy process he had just undergone.

Just like that, until an hour later, when his Spiritual Power had recovered, and his Divine Sense had fully returned.

Lin Jingshen began the second batch of Elixir Medicine.

This time, his luck seemed to be much better.

He succeeded.

Upon opening the lid of the furnace, there were still three Fasting Pills, all of Low Grade.

And his proficiency in Alchemy had increased by three points.

Perhaps this was a good sign.

Then, he continued to rest and prepare for the third batch.

However, the third batch was still not up to expectations.

It was another explosion.

Luckily, Lin Jingshen's Three-legged Copper Furnace was durable enough to remain intact despite so many explosions.

After three attempts at alchemy, Lin Jingshen left the System Space.

The next day

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

"Uncle."

As soon as Luo Luo arrived, she ran over to grab Lin Jingshen's hand, swinging it back and forth.

Perhaps after yesterday's events, she felt particularly close to Lin Jingshen.

Ning Yue bent down, looked at Luo Luo, and said:

"Luo Luo, you stay here and play."

"Your Uncle Lin and I are going to discuss some matters inside the house."

"Remember, you must not run around again, alright?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Luo said, "Mother, don't worry. I'll just stay in this yard and won't go anywhere else."

Lin Jingshen was somewhat puzzled, what could it be that they needed to hide from Luo Luo?

......

Then the two of them entered the house, where Ning Yue got straight to the point.

"Lin Daoyou, you've been learning the Art of Alchemy recently, haven't you?"

She had often been practicing alchemy in her own room lately, causing quite a commotion. As an Alchemist herself, Ning Yue would certainly not be fooled.

"To be honest with my fellow Daoist Ning, indeed, I am studying the Art of Alchemy," Lin Jingshen replied.

"The path of learning alchemy is fraught with difficulties. Especially for beginners, who often fail to grasp the essence and take many detours, resulting in success in perhaps one in ten attempts."

"However, with guidance from others, it could equate to countless painstaking efforts on your own. You probably already know that," she suggested.

"Of course, I am aware of it."

Lin Jingshen nodded, recalling his conversation with Elder Yu on the matter.

"How about I teach you the Art of Alchemy?"

"I am now a Second-Grade Alchemist. With me guiding you, you could avoid many pitfalls."

"Are you serious, fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingshen's heart skipped a beat, his eyes locked on Ning Yue.

Alchemists often pride themselves on their aloofness and would not easily teach others, except their own disciples.

Moreover, the Art of Alchemy is not something that can be simply pointed out for someone to learn; tutoring someone else requires a lot of effort.

Seeing her serious expression and earnest gaze, she didn't seem to be joking.

"Is there actually such good fortune? Lin Jingshen found it hard to believe."

"Is it because I helped Luo Luo?" he asked.

"That's part of it."

"In addition to that, I have a somewhat presumptuous request," Ning Yue continued, her cheeks blushing slightly, embarrassed as if she felt she was trying to repay kindness with a favor.

"I thought so, how could there be pies falling from the sky for no reason?" Lin Jingshen mused internally.

"Please go ahead, fellow Daoist Ning."

"It's like this. I have to go to someone's abode to help with alchemy during this period, and I will only return at night."

"Thus, I would like to ask Lin Daoyou to take care of Luo Luo during the day."

"You're aware of what happened yesterday..."

"I really can't rest assured leaving Luo Luo alone in the inn."

Having said that, Ning Yue looked at Lin Jingshen with hopeful eyes, waiting for his response.

"And here I thought it was something serious."

"Just this?"

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