Wanhua Tower.
"Sir Jiang, this way, please!"
The maid named Xiao Lu led the way, guiding Jiang Ning to the top floor of the tower.
A short while later, they arrived at the rooftop of Wanhua Tower.
In the open-air pavilion:
"Tower Master Lin is currently bathing. Please wait here for a moment, Sir Jiang."
"Alright," Jiang Ning nodded and took a seat on a chair.
Xiao Lu then began brewing tea in front of Jiang Ning.
Soon, the sound of bubbling water filled the air as the brewed tea was poured into a cup.
"Sir Jiang, please enjoy the tea."
Jiang Ning picked up the teacup, blew on it to cool it slightly, and took a small sip.
After finishing one cup and refilling it, Lin Qingyi still hadn't appeared.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning had no choice but to continue waiting patiently.
By the time he had finished five or six cups of tea and was starting to feel the urge to relieve himself, he finally heard movement from the pavilion.
A moment later, the door creaked open.
Lin Qingyi appeared before Jiang Ning.
She was dressed in a light green robe, resembling the tender leaves of a willow tree in early spring, as she gracefully stepped out of the room.
Fresh from her bath, her skin appeared even more fair and delicate, not at all like a woman in her thirties but rather like a young girl in her late teens.
Her long hair was loosely draped, and droplets of water slid down her strands, dampening her green robe and clinging to her skin, further accentuating her graceful figure.
As Lin Qingyi stepped over the threshold, she gently lifted the hem of her thin gauze skirt, revealing a pair of fair, jade-like feet. Her feet touched the cool floor, leaving faint footprints.
Seeing this, Jiang Ning quickly picked up his teacup and took a few more sips.
Lin Qingyi, noticing his reaction, couldn't help but smile slightly, her mood lifting.
Jiang Ning's reaction proved that she still possessed undeniable charm.
How could that not make her happy?
In the next moment, Jiang Ning set down his teacup and stood up.
"Greetings, Tower Master Lin!" he said, cupping his hands in respect.
Lin Qingyi smiled softly, "Didn't you call me 'sister' before? Why the formal address today?"
"Sister Lin!" Jiang Ning immediately corrected himself.
Hearing this, Lin Qingyi's smile deepened.
She then sat down beside Jiang Ning, crossing her right leg over her left and letting her skirt fall.
However, due to the skirt's length, half of her fair, jade-like right leg was exposed.
"Little one, what brings you to see me today?" Lin Qingyi asked, picking up a teacup and taking a sip.
Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned.
"Tower Master Lin, that's my teacup!"
"This one is yours!"
As he spoke, Jiang Ning pushed another teacup on the table toward Lin Qingyi.
Hearing this, Lin Qingyi paused, the teacup in her hand.
She then raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Jiang Ning's face.
"It's fine. I don't mind," Lin Qingyi said calmly, her expression serene. "Also, call me 'sister.' I like that title."
However, as she spoke, the tips of her ears, peeking out from her black hair, turned a faint shade of red.
"Alright, sister," Jiang Ning replied.
Lin Qingyi then cleared her throat lightly.
"Now, tell me, what brings you here today? Are you in some trouble and need my help?"
Hearing Lin Qingyi repeatedly emphasize the word "sister," Jiang Ning realized that she genuinely enjoyed being called that.
He then thought it over and found it quite reasonable.
Many women had this preference for being called "sister," and for Lin Qingyi, it was a term that made her feel younger. It was no wonder she liked it.
Jiang Ning then spoke.
"Sister Lin, I'm here to collect the gift that Senior Shen left for me."
Lin Qingyi glanced at him, "Don't get ahead of yourself! Shen Congyun specifically told me to give it to you only after you've achieved perfection in Qi and blood. Instead of worrying about that, you should focus on training and strengthening your Qi and blood."
"Sister Lin, I've already achieved perfection in Qi and blood," Jiang Ning said.
"Perfection in Qi and blood?" Lin Qingyi's eyes widened slightly, filled with disbelief.
Out of curiosity, she investigated Jiang Ning's background.
She knew very well about his past and when he had started learning martial arts.
By her calculations, Jiang Ning had only been practicing martial arts for a little over a month. With his ordinary background, how could he have reached perfection in Qi and blood in such a short time?
She also knew that Shen Congyun hadn't provided much assistance to Jiang Ning before.
The real help would come when Jiang Ning reached the ninth rank of martial arts.
That step was the first layer of the martial path.
If the journey from the ninth to the first rank was like building a nine-story pagoda, then refining and strengthening Qi and blood was the foundation.
The ninth rank was the first layer above that foundation.
The first layer was crucial.
That was why Shen Congyun decided to help Jiang Ning once he saw his potential.
But before Shen Congyun's help, how could Jiang Ning have achieved perfection in Qi and blood in just over a month?
When Lin Qingyi heard Jiang Ning's claim, her first reaction was disbelief.
Jiang Ning said, "If you don't believe me, sister, you can check for yourself."
Seeing Jiang Ning's confident expression, Lin Qingyi nodded, "Alright, let's see what tricks you're playing!"
As she spoke, Lin Qingyi stood up.
Her long skirt fell, completely covering her legs.
When she approached Jiang Ning, he also stood up.
Seeing that she only reached his shoulders, Lin Qingyi frowned slightly.
"Sit down!"
"Yes, sister!" Jiang Ning obediently sat down.
Once seated, Jiang Ning felt a bit awkward.
At this height, his nose was level with Lin Qingyi's chest.
In this position and at this distance, the heat from his breath would inevitably brush against her.
Moreover, Jiang Ning noticed that Lin Qingyi was wearing a thin undergarment beneath her robe.
He immediately held his breath.
Lin Qingyi, however, didn't seem to notice this detail.
She placed her hand on Jiang Ning's chest, just above his heart, "Circulate your Qi and blood throughout your body."
As her hand touched him, Jiang Ning felt that her palm was cool, like jade, smooth yet emitting a faint chill.
Jiang Ning nodded.
In the next moment, as he willed it, his Qi and blood circulated throughout his body.
Lin Qingyi's eyes showed a trace of surprise.
"You have achieved perfection in Qi and blood, circulating it throughout your body."
She looked down at Jiang Ning, thinking to herself, "Is this kid truly a once-in-a-generation genius?"
"With only a little over a month of martial arts training and no significant external assistance, he's already achieved perfection in Qi and blood?"
"His efficiency in refining Qi and blood is astonishing!"
"Such talent is on par with those true monsters!"
"Those monsters have the potential to reach the level of grandmasters and beyond."
At this moment, Lin Qingyi realized she had underestimated Jiang Ning.
"No wonder Shen Congyun values this kid so highly!"
"It seems Shen Congyun saw his potential early on, which is why he was willing to break the tower's rules to owe this kid a huge favor."
"Shen Congyun's judgment is sharper than mine. With one move, he accurately identified a true genius!"
"I'm not as good as him!"
Lin Qingyi's eyes were thoughtful as she silently reflected.
Jiang Ning, without Lin Qingyi's instruction, continued to hold his breath, not daring to make a sound.
The faint scent of osmanthus and orchids from Lin Qingyi's body wafted into Jiang Ning's nose.
After a while, Lin Qingyi snapped out of her thoughts.
Seeing Jiang Ning holding his breath, she couldn't help but smile.
Looking down, she suddenly understood the reason, and her ears turned slightly red.
"This kid is quite handsome, fitting my taste perfectly. If there's a chance in the future, helping him wouldn't be a bad idea."
She then pinched Jiang Ning's chest muscles.
"Your chest muscles are well-trained. They feel nice. I quite like them."
Jiang Ning: "..."
At this moment, he felt like he was being teased by Lin Qingyi.
But considering Lin Qingyi's status, position, and strength, Jiang Ning decided to endure it.
Being teased wasn't a big deal!
After all, men don't lose out by being taken advantage of!
Besides, although Lin Qingyi was older, she looked very young, like a girl in her late teens or early twenties. It wasn't unacceptable.
Jiang Ning comforted himself inwardly.
Lin Qingyi then said, "Follow me. Since you've achieved perfection in Qi and blood, you meet Shen Congyun's condition. It's time to give you that item."
Jiang Ning quickly stood up and followed Lin Qingyi.
As he watched her swaying waist, Jiang Ning looked up at the ceiling.
Don't look!
Don't look!
This isn't a delicate, fragile woman but a powerhouse who could kill me with one palm strike.
Jiang Ning repeated this in his mind.
Soon, Lin Qingyi pushed open a door.
Creak
A wave of steam rushed out, accompanied by a strong scent of osmanthus and orchids that lingered in Jiang Ning's nose.
Jiang Ning was momentarily stunned.
This was Lin Qingyi's private chamber, where she had just bathed.
Was it appropriate for him to enter?
At that moment, Lin Qingyi said, "What are you standing there for? Come in!"
Hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded and stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, he saw Lin Qingyi's freshly changed clothes hanging on a screen.
He quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to see them.
Lin Qingyi also noticed this. Seeing her undergarments hanging there, her face flushed slightly.
But when she saw Jiang Ning's evasive gaze, she found it amusing.
"Little one, are you really that shy? Have you never been to a brothel?"
"Uh..." Jiang Ning answered truthfully, "No."
"Hahaha"
Lin Qingyi couldn't help but laugh, her body shaking slightly.
She then covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing further.
After composing herself, Lin Qingyi said, "That won't do. Without experience, you might fall for a honey trap in the future."
Jiang Ning smiled, "Why would anyone use a honey trap on me?"
Lin Qingyi looked at him seriously, "Don't sell yourself short. Your future is extraordinary! Otherwise, Shen Congyun wouldn't have gone to such lengths to help you."
As she spoke, she glanced at Jiang Ning again.
She then walked to her dressing table, reached into a drawer, and pressed something.
Rumble
A hidden compartment emerged from the wall.
She took out a dark wooden box from the compartment.
"Take it. This is what Shen Congyun left for you. It's finally in your hands."
Jiang Ning quickly took the box from Lin Qingyi.
Looking at the item in his hands, he couldn't help but feel delighted.
For Shen Congyun to go through such trouble to prepare this and have Lin Qingyi deliver it to him, it must be something extraordinary.
Lin Qingyi added, "By the way, come see me again after you've fully tempered your skin. Shen Congyun has something else for you then."
"There's more?" Jiang Ning was surprised.
"Yes," Lin Qingyi nodded slightly. "So, remember to come back then."
"Alright," Jiang Ning said. "Thank you, Sister Lin! You're so kind."
"Such a sweet talker!" Lin Qingyi smiled, extending a slender finger to gently lift Jiang Ning's chin. "I'm starting to take an interest in you."
Jiang Ning: "..."
"Alright," Lin Qingyi withdrew her finger with a smile. "I won't tease you anymore. You can go now. I need to change."
After leaving Lin Qingyi's private chamber, Jiang Ning let out a light sigh.
"Indeed, boys need to protect themselves when they're out in the world!"
"Women are terrifying!!"
He then looked at the wooden box in his hands, his expression filled with joy.
"Something especially left by Shen Congyun, and something important to me, must be truly valuable!"
"Since I needed to achieve perfection in Qi and blood to receive it, it must be something that will greatly aid me in the next stage."
He then thought of what Lin Qingyi had said earlier.
Shen Congyun had left something else with her.
Something he could only receive after fully tempering his skin.
Thinking of this, he wondered, "I wonder what that could be."
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