Ink-Tinged Earth Python

After Yun Qingyi left, silence enveloped the study of Mirror Cloud Residence.

Sitting by the bookshelf, Li Luoning silently perused the pages while Mie Xingzhe stood in the center, uncertain of what to say.

After what seemed like hours, Mie Xingzhe felt his legs stiffening from standing too long.

"I can't just stand here forever. I have to say something," he thought to himself.

However, the oppressive silence emanating from Li Luoning made Mie Xingzhe hesitant. After a mental pep talk, he took a deep breath and was about to speak when his gaze fell upon Li Luoning's injured arm.

"This wound... from our scuffle just now," he realized, feeling guilty.

"Sorry," Mie Xingzhe muttered, his eyes filled with remorse.

Hearing him speak, Li Luoning finally put down the ancient tome and looked at him intently.

"Do you really not want to stay here?" Li Luoning asked calmly, puzzled by Mie Xingzhe's persistent attempts to leave.

"No, it's not that... I..." Mie Xingzhe struggled to find the words, hesitant to reveal his true nature as a spirit.

Li Luoning sighed inwardly, realizing this conversation would be more complicated than he thought.

This child, though a spirit, is somewhat unique. However, his rash nature may cause trouble in the future.

Although the senior's instructions were clear, and he himself shared the sentiment, he still didn't fully understand Mie Xingzhe's character. Bringing it up now might seem abrupt.

Uncertain how to handle the situation, Li Luoning closed his eyes, gently rubbing his temples.

Mie Xingzhe, head lowered, dared not speak. He couldn't shake off the fear of Li Luoning's imposing aura.

After waiting for a while without any response from Li Luoning, Mie Xingzhe cautiously stole a glance at him, feeling guilty seeing the blood-stained robe.

"Sorry, I... caused you harm," Mie Xingzhe muttered, feeling indebted and at a loss for words.

"Do you know, if we had arrived even a moment later today, you would've been beyond saving?" Li Luoning raised his brows lightly, tapping the table sternly.

"I... know... thank you... for saving me again," Mie Xingzhe stuttered, involuntarily stepping back upon seeing the wooden ruler beside Li Luoning.

Li Luoning, knowing Mie Xingzhe's intentions, still wanted to hear it from him.

"I-I just... went out... for a walk," Mie Xingzhe answered softly, unable to come up with a better excuse.

"But, but I promise not to run away again... no, I mean, I won't just wander outside. I can stay and work as a handyman to repay your kindness for saving me twice," Mie Xingzhe hastily corrected himself.

Li Luoning closed his eyes, feeling a bit annoyed. He absentmindedly rubbed his temples, then noticed the ruler beside him.

He pondered how to handle the situation with Mie Xingzhe. Although Mie Xingzhe seemed inherently good, his past experiences made him wary.

Seeing Mie Xingzhe's injured leg, Li Luoning felt a pang of concern. He suspected Mie Xingzhe's reluctance to stay in Liangyin Immortal Realm might stem from more than mere wanderlust.

Glancing at his arm wound, Li Luoning asked softly, "Just a walk, did it help you feel better?"

Mie Xingzhe, feeling guilty, muttered about wanting to stroll outside. Li Luoning suggested Qingyi accompany him.

However, Mie Xingzhe declined, feeling safer indoors after his recent encounter. He reflected on the danger he narrowly avoided.

Li Luoning gently waved his fingers, and a golden light softly wrapped around Mi Xingzhe's wrist twice before disappearing. Mi Xingzhe wondered where the golden light had gone and checked his sleeve.

"This is called 'Guiding Peace.' If you get lost or encounter danger next time, it will help guide you back to Mirror Cloud Residence," explained Li Luoning.

"Oh, I see. Thank you," Mi Xingzhe responded, lowering his head and glancing at the faint golden thread on his hand, curious as he toyed with it.

"Liayun Immortal Realm is complex, and since you're not familiar with the surroundings, venturing out alone can easily lead to getting lost. If you feel bored staying at Mirror Cloud Residence, you can always ask Qingyi to accompany you outside. It will also help you learn more about people and things," Li Luoning said, jotting something down on paper.

Listening to Li Luoning's words, Mi Xingzhe seemed to suddenly think of something.

"Uh... Can I ask a question?" Mi Xingzhe raised his hand somewhat timidly and asked.

"Go ahead," Li Luoning was somewhat surprised, with a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. He responded in a friendly tone.

"I heard that those who can enter the immortal sect for cultivation, although not everyone can ascend to immortality, mostly possess magical abilities. And I've heard that most of the immortals in Liayun Immortal Realm are clad in white with golden light all around. Even their magic has their own colors and symbols. So, shouldn't the color of that divine beast be golden? But how come the one I encountered in the forest today had such eerie dark eyes, looked so strange and terrifying, and had such a bizarre and aggressive temperament?" Mi Xingzhe asked earnestly.

Li Luoning's lips gently curled up. He didn't expect this youngster to know so much, but people's ability to spread rumors was also impressive. Listening to his words, it seemed like the cultivators of Liayun Immortal Realm were regarded as gods by ordinary people.

"In recent years, the nobles of Vanri Valley have often indulged in hunting ferocious beasts in the vicinity of Jiuling, making the area quite restless. Moreover, the area around Peach Blossom Forest and Jiuling often encounters ferocious beasts that have escaped from the Kunlun Hills. This earth lizard probably escaped from the Kunlun Hills and accidentally wandered into the vicinity of Peach Blossom Forest," Li Luoning explained.

"They hunt not only ferocious beasts but also..." Mi Xingzhe muttered softly. As someone who was taken from a hunting ground, he knew very well how depraved those demons from Vanri Valley could be.

Li Luoning didn't hear clearly what Mi Xingzhe said, but he seemed to sense something from Mi Xingzhe's earlier question and asked again:

"You said the earth lizard you encountered today had black eyes? Are you sure it was black eyes you saw?"

"It's absolutely true. It was so close to me at that time that I could even see the sweat on its face clearly. It even sprayed saliva all over me. How could I not see clearly?" Mi Xingzhe explained excitedly, gesturing as he spoke.

"Although earth lizards prey on humans, their appearance usually consists of four-horned camel hair, claws, and snow eyes. I've never heard of any unusual colors. How could there be inexplicable dark eyes?" Li Luoning was puzzled, trying to recall seeing the dark aura during his fight with the earth lizard. He initially thought it was just burnt black smoke. If Mi Xingzhe also saw it, then it wasn't as simple as he had previously speculated.

"Eating... eating people? That sheep-like creature, uh, no, that earth lizard, shouldn't it be eating grass? How come it's eating people?" Mi Xingzhe widened his eyes, stuttering as he repeated Li Luoning's words. He had thought the earth lizard was just angry because he disturbed its sleep. After all, he was the lamb who narrowly escaped the tiger's mouth. Now thinking about it, he felt quite frightened.

"Otherwise, why do you think it was chasing you relentlessly? If you sneak out like that again next time without a word, you might not be so lucky," Li Luoning glanced at Mi Xingzhe, warning him in a low voice.

"I understand," Mi Xingzhe acknowledged his fault, awkwardly pursing his lips and smiling bitterly.

After a slight pause, Li Luoning seemed to think of something and looked up, staring seriously at Mi Xingzhe.

Mi Xingzhe felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny, inspecting himself all over but finding nothing wrong. He didn't know what Li Luoning was up to.

"In the future, stay here with Qingyi and learn some medicinal skills. How about that?" Li Luoning suddenly curved his lips into a perfect arc, making Mi Xingzhe think he was hallucinating. Just a moment ago, Li Luoning had a stern and aloof demeanor, but now he suddenly hung such a friendly and gentle smile on his face.

"Why?" Mi Xingzhe asked nervously, unable to understand what Li Luoning was planning.

"Counting today, I've already saved you twice. Shouldn't you stay to repay the kindness?" Li Luoning asked.

"How should I repay the kindness?" Mi Xingzhe asked softly.

"As for specific repayment, I haven't figured it out yet. So, for now, just stay here, and I'll figure it out later," Li Luoning said, pretending to ponder the matter.

"I... I can do anything, laundry, cooking, cleaning—I'm good at everything, but pharmacology and medical skills, that's..." Mi Xingzhe hastily said, showing his competence in physical tasks, but he truly didn't understand pharmacology and medical skills.

"So, that means you're willing to stay?" Li Luoning didn't look up at him, just kept her eyes on the book in her hand, replying casually.

Mi Xingzhe was choked up and didn't know how to respond. He just kept his head down, thinking and thinking. Nowhere else to go, staying here might not allow him to practice immortal techniques, but at least he would have food to eat. It was better than going back to his previous life of scavenging.

Moreover, Li Luoning and Yun Qingyi seemed easy to get along with. If he stayed here, it would probably be much better than becoming a servant in a wealthy household.

"Well then, I'll stay. Will there be food?" Mi Xingzhe's voice became even smaller as he lowered his head further.

Satisfied to hear this, Li Luoning lifted her head with a content smile and asked, "What would you like to eat? I'll have Qingyi prepare it."