Chapter 15: The Peculiar Ah Qin

Li Ran's consciousness sank into his sea of knowledge.

The Heaven-Seizing Art technique was still in operation, and the ancient seal on the crystal figurine had become even brighter.

Li Ran distinctly felt that his cultivation had improved by a trace, his mind was clearer, and even his divine soul had made some progress.

All of this happened in just one day!

Moreover, the advancement in his cultivation was exceptionally solid, even purer than the results from his normal practice.

"This is incredible! The effect is so overpowered! I didn't do anything, yet the results are even better than intensive seclusion cultivation?" Li Ran exclaimed in disbelief.

Could he really become stronger just lying down?

How comfortably extravagant!

Of course, breakthroughs between each realm weren't achieved solely through cultivation; they required a combination of opportunities, comprehension, and innate talent.

Once he reached the Peak of the Golden Core stage, he would need to find his own way to break through.

...

Ah Qin earnestly massaged Li Ran.

Watching him peacefully resting with his eyes closed, her gaze became somewhat puzzled.

For some reason, she felt that Li Ran had changed a bit.

Although he was still the Holy Son, his smile had become more approachable, his eyes gentler, and occasionally a trace of guilt would appear in his expression.

And, in the morning, he had even pinched her cheek...

This was a level of intimacy that would have been unimaginable before.

Most importantly, Li Ran hadn't laid a hand on her for almost half a month.

"Maybe the Holy Son has been in a good mood recently?" Ah Qin couldn't think of any other explanation.

Regardless of the reason, this change made her very happy.

Looking at the bruises on Li Ran's body, Ah Qin felt a mix of distress and indignation.

"Master Li Ran, why did Sect Master Leng have to use physical force while guiding your cultivation? And the force was really excessive!"

"Hmm?"

Li Ran was startled by her words, breaking out of his state of using the Heaven-Seizing Art.

As his eyes opened, a golden light radiated from them.

Ah Qin felt as if she had been struck by a heavy blow. A powerful pressure surged over her, as if the person before her was not the Holy Son, but a divine being from the heavens!

Thump!

Ah Qin's knees went weak, and she collapsed to the ground.

"I'm sorry, I spoke out of turn! Please forgive me, Holy Son, I beg you!"

She prostrated on the ground, trembling all over.

She thought she had offended him by discussing the Sect Master, which had upset Li Ran.

Li Ran was taken aback and shook his head, saying, "Get up, I'm not angry."

Ah Qin still didn't dare to lift her head.

"If you don't get up now, I might actually get angry."

Hearing this, Ah Qin hesitantly rose to her feet, still avoiding eye contact.

Li Ran couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

Truly a calamity!

He had finally made a decision in his heart.

Rising from the bathtub, his body evaporated the water droplets instantly. After changing into fresh clothes, he headed to his chamber.

"Follow me."

"Yes."

Ah Qin lowered her head and obediently followed behind.

...

In the chamber, Li Ran sat on a chair, while Ah Qin stood before him.

"Ah Qin, how long have you been with me?"

"Replying to the Holy Son, it's been ten years." Ah Qin answered softly.

"I joined the You Luo Sect when I was eight, and you've been with me ever since. It's been a full ten years now."

Li Ran sighed, "Ever since your Shen family was annexed by the Li family, you no longer even have your original surname. I've been so strict with you... Ah Qin, do you resent me?"

"Ah Qin dares not!"

She trembled and was about to kneel down, but an invisible force held her up; her knees couldn't bend.

"Holy Son?"

Ah Qin lifted her head, filled with fear.

"For these ten years, you've taken good care of me. You've worked hard."

Li Ran took out a stack of silver bills and handed them to Ah Qin.

"Holy Son, what does this mean?" Ah Qin asked, puzzled.

"You're free now."

"Keep this money. I'll arrange your identity properly, and I'll talk to the Li family as well. You don't need to worry about your family being implicated."

"Leave the mountain, and live your own life."

Li Ran said earnestly.

He knew that his actions were drastically different from before.

Originally, he had planned to gradually change, but Ah Qin's behavior had deepened his sense of guilt. Moreover, having someone around who resented him made him uncomfortable.

Therefore, Li Ran decided to take decisive action.

But Ah Qin didn't show a hint of joy; instead, her face turned pale, and she trembled as she said, "Holy Son, you don't want Ah Qin anymore?"

"Hmm?"

Li Ran was taken aback.

"Holy Son, Ah Qin acknowledges her mistake. Please, don't send Ah Qin away!"

Ah Qin knelt before him, pleading desperately.

"If you're unhappy, you can vent your anger on Ah Qin by punishing me. Please don't drive me away! Ah Qin really can't leave you!"

"Huh?"

Li Ran couldn't help but feel puzzled.

What's going on?

She had endured so much suffering before, and now she had the chance to leave. Shouldn't she be happy?

Could it be that she finds the amount he offered insufficient?

Li Ran had initially thought about giving her more, but as the saying goes, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Giving too much might attract trouble and danger to her.

"But looking at her, she doesn't seem to mind the amount of money," Li Ran thought. Ah Qin seemed to harbor no resentment towards him; instead, she had become extremely reliant.

"Ah, well..."

"Holy Son, please, I'm begging you, let me stay! I'm willing to do anything!" Ah Qin's face turned pale, and she appeared extremely eager to please.

"..."

Li Ran scratched his head.

Why does this situation feel a bit embarrassing?

"Get up, I won't drive you away."

"Really? Really, really?"

"Um..."

"Thank you, Holy Son!"

Once Ah Qin was sure, a happy smile appeared on her face, and tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.

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