811: Leaving tomorrow?

Yao Delong admired her infinitely bashful appearance, feeling quite pleased. But immediately, he changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of gravity and apology.

"Ruyi, this trip to Biqiu City was originally just a stop along the way to see you. Now that the beast tide has retreated, your cultivation has stabilized, and my business is finished..." He looked at Han Ruyi's face as she instantly looked up, her eyes filled with reluctance and panic, and said softly, "Tomorrow, I must set off to leave."

"What?! Leaving tomorrow?" Han Ruyi's heart sank abruptly. A massive sense of loss instantly drowned out the sweetness and shyness from moments ago, and her eyes reddened. "Brother Yao... so soon? Can't you... stay for a few more days?"

Seeing her looking as if she were about to cry, Yao Delong felt a pang of pity. He raised his hand and gently rubbed the top of her head, his movements comforting. "Alright, Ruyi. All good things must come to an end. The path of cultivation is long; partings and reunions are common occurrences."

He extended his long fingers, gently wiping away the crystal tears about to overflow from the corners of her eyes, his voice firm with a promise. "If you miss me, you can come to Luoxia Peak of the Yin Yang Sect to find me at any time. My Immortal Cave will always be open to you."

Seeing the young girl's eyes remain dim, Yao Delong's tone grew heavier, carrying an unquestionable expectation. "Also, promise me! When you are ready to attempt the Spirit Transformation Realm, you must come find me! At that time, I will certainly lend you a helping hand to ensure you break through without worry! This is our pact!"

These words were like a stabilizing anchor, instantly steadying Han Ruyi's panicked mind. Attempting Spirit Transformation... with Brother Yao's help... a massive sense of security and trust welled up in her heart. She nodded vigorously, the light of hope reigniting in her eyes. "Mhm! I promise you! Brother Yao!"

Yao Delong smiled slightly and was about to say something more when he saw Han Ruyi's pretty face flush red again. With a bit of panic and shyness, she suddenly broke free from his embrace like a startled rabbit and sat down somewhat restlessly on a nearby stone stool.

Yao Delong was slightly stunned, then sensing something, he looked up.

At the courtyard entrance, a burly figure stood there at some unknown time; it was the City Lord, Han Tianzheng, who had returned!

Han Tianzheng's expression at this moment was extremely colorful—first, there was the shock of seeing the three radiant and obviously extraordinary Heaven-Grade Weapons on the table; then, the astonishment, realization, and relief upon seeing his daughter sitting intimately in Yao Delong's embrace acting spoiled; and finally, it quickly transformed into a complex, bitter feeling of "my own fresh little cabbage has indeed been uprooted by the most formidable pig"... Their eyes met, and the atmosphere instantly became slightly awkward.

Han Tianzheng opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say some polite words, but looking at his daughter's blushing face and then at Yao Delong's half-smiling expression, he ultimately just gave a dry cough and forced a stiff smile. "Cough... that... Nephew Yao... I... I seem to have come to the wrong place? You guys... continue... continue... haha..." Saying this, he turned around somewhat clumsily, one might even say scrambling, and fled the small courtyard quickly, his retreating back exuding the heartache and helplessness of a middle-aged father.

Han Ruyi watched her father's "fleeing" back, and thinking of the embarrassing scene that had just been caught, the flush on her face almost burned, making her want to bury her face under the table.

Yao Delong watched this scene and then looked at the embarrassed beauty beside him, feeling that this interlude before departure had its own unique charm. Setting off tomorrow, he didn't know what the road ahead held, but with a beauty by his side at this moment and the years being peaceful, it was enough.

His gaze fell upon the exquisite and beautiful "Wind Whisper Azure Mist Chain" on the stone table, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

"Come here, Ruyi." Yao Delong reached out and picked up the necklace shimmering with a verdant glow, his voice deep and magnetic.

Han Ruyi was slightly startled, then understood. The flush that had just faded from her pretty cheeks quickly returned. She bit her lower lip, and with a hint of shyness but also complete obedience, she slightly turned her body, gathering her waterfall-like black hair to one side, revealing her fair, delicate, and elegantly lined swan-like neck. The girl's neck was slender as jade, her skin so lustrous it seemed to emit a soft glow, showing a pure and flawless beauty in the morning light.

Yao Delong took a step closer, and the distance between them instantly became very small, their breaths clearly audible to each other. Han Ruyi could even feel the warmth of his fingertips as they lightly brushed against the sensitive skin on the back of her neck, bringing a wave of tingling numbness that made her heart tremble. Her heart pounded like a drum, and her long eyelashes fluttered like startled butterfly wings as she held her breath. That focused and gentle movement was as if he were handling the most precious treasure in the world.

The cool clasp was gently fastened, and the necklace, carrying the chill of astral crystals, touched her collarbone. Yao Delong's movements were gentle and efficient, and he soon had the necklace on. The verdant wind-attribute Divine Stone happened to rest in the hollow at the center of her collarbone, rising and falling slightly with her breath, reflecting her fair skin and adding a touch of liveliness and elegance.

"There." Yao Delong took a step back, admiring his masterpiece. The light of the necklace complemented the girl's blushing, peerless face, like a pure lotus blooming under the moon, breathtakingly beautiful. "It suits you well, Ruyi."

Han Ruyi felt her cheeks burning and subconsciously raised her hand to gently touch the necklace at her neck, finding it cool and moist to the touch, as if the temperature of his fingertips still remained. That cool sensation strangely calmed her racing heartbeat, and a sweet warm current slowly flowed through her heart. "Than... thank you, Brother Yao..." Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's hum, carrying an inseparable affection.

"Keep the other two pieces safe." Yao Delong pointed to the Blue Wave Profound Scale Armor and the Ice Soul Cold Light Sword on the table, a hint of a mischievous smile in his eyes. "If it weren't broad daylight... I wouldn't mind helping you 'try on' that inner armor as well."

The implication in these words caused Han Ruyi's face, which had just calmed down slightly, to turn bright red again. She stomped her foot in mock anger. "Brother Yao!" That bashful look was infinitely charming.

She didn't dare look at his teasing eyes again and hurriedly put the two Heaven-Grade Weapons on the table into her storage ring like treasures, as if afraid he would actually put his words into action. Watching the back of her father, Han Tianzheng, disappear through the doorway with complex emotions, Han Ruyi took a deep breath, suppressed her shyness, and said seriously, "Brother Yao, you are leaving tomorrow... I want to have my father prepare a victory banquet for you! You turned the tide and saved Biqiu City; everyone wants to thank you properly!"

Yao Delong looked at the expectation in the girl's eyes and her thoughtfulness for him. His heart warmed slightly, and he nodded. "Very well. Having repelled the beast tide this time, the soldiers and citizens in the city fought bloodily; it is indeed worth celebrating."

Hearing this, a bright smile instantly blossomed on Han Ruyi's face, like the warm spring sun. "Mhm! I'll go tell father right now!" She was like a joyful butterfly, turning gracefully and running toward the main hall of the City Lord's Mansion with light steps, her moon-white skirt drawing a beautiful arc in the air.