Chapter 17: Why the Flower?
Li Yu was never good at comforting people.
Throughout her life, whenever her friends came to her for comfort, whether it was due to illness, scoldings, heartbreak, or job loss, they all experienced her robotic responses.
It always started with an “Ai” or “Uh… well…”
Followed by a “That’s terrible” or “My heart aches for you.”
She would then spam emojis to show she was still listening, and finally, end the conversation with a “pat pat” or “hug hug,” accompanied by a cute emoji of someone hugging and patting another person’s back.
That was the limit of her comforting abilities.
Fortunately, her little disciple was, as always, easy to appease.
Li Yu racked her brain but couldn’t come up with any comforting words. She simply let Mu Tao cry in her arms for a while, and the girl eventually calmed herself down and went to the kitchen.
It was a bit early for dinner, but not by much.
Li Yu looked up at the dimming sky; it would indeed be dinner time soon.
She ate dinner at Mu Tao’s place that night.
Having grown accustomed to waiting for “takeout” in her room, she had forgotten how long it had been since she last visited this “small cafeteria,” a place she frequented when she first arrived.
The last time she ate here, it was winter, the room filled with the smell of medicine, and there was another person at the small table.
Time flies; she had been in this world for so long.
With the main storyline approaching, she felt a sense of unease.
She hadn’t paid close attention when reading the novel, especially the early and middle parts, skipping many plot points and neglecting details.
Now, after so much time, she had forgotten most of the plot, only a vague outline remained in her memory.
If only she had read more carefully.
With this regret, Li Yu silently finished a large bowl of rice.
Before leaving, she instructed Mu Tao, “Remember to pack your luggage.”
Mu Tao nodded repeatedly and walked her to the courtyard gate.
Back in her room, Li Yu wanted to pack, but after walking around, she couldn’t find anything worth taking.
Cangming Revered One of Mount Chao Yao was truly devoted to cultivation. Her living quarters were spartan, devoid of any valuable items. Even a thief would roll their eyes and leave empty-handed.
Fine, she’d just pack a few sets of clothes. Someone else would surely bring the important things.
She knew very little about this world; managing to bring herself along was already an accomplishment.
Thinking this, Li Yu went to bed early.
The next morning, the colleague who had said “do as you please, I’m not getting involved,” came knocking early.
As soon as the door opened, Si Qinglan walked in as if it were her own home, sat down at the table, and poured herself a cup of freshly heated tea.
As she drank, a spiritual light flickered in her outstretched left hand.
In seconds, several unfamiliar items appeared on the table, usually reserved for tea sets and meals.
“What are these…?” Li Yu was confused.
“Just meddling,” Si Qinglan said, glancing at the small items. “Here, borrow these.”
Li Yu followed her gaze.
…Well, she didn’t recognize any of them.
“I know you’ve always disdained magical artifacts, but you can’t easily use divine power in the human realm. These should help you.” Si Qinglan picked up a jade hairpin and placed it in Li Yu’s hand. “Wear this.”
Trusting that her colleague wouldn’t harm her, Li Yu inserted the hairpin into her hair without hesitation.
But without a mirror, she had no idea if it was crooked.
Si Qinglan rested her chin on her hands, watching expectantly. “How does it feel?”
Li Yu: “…”
Feel? She didn’t feel anything.
But she had a feeling she should be feeling something.
So, she frowned slightly.
Si Qinglan smiled. “Relax, it’s just a little disguise! It suppresses your cultivation to below a thousand years and conceals your unique spiritual aura.”
“I’m not exaggerating, with this, no matter whether you encounter immortals, demons, gods, or devils, they will only see you as an ordinary human.” Si Qinglan added, “Consider this a loan; you have to return it!”
She took a sip of tea and enthusiastically introduced the other artifacts.
“This one can conceal your form, but it’s easily seen through by those with higher cultivation.”
“This bracelet prevents others from seeing your true appearance, making you look completely ordinary.”
“This talisman can eavesdrop on gossip… uh, and important matters…”
“And this…”
Si Qinglan chattered for a long time, then sighed. “Actually, you can easily achieve all of this with divine power, but in the human realm, it’s safer to use artifacts…”
Li Yu nodded, grateful, and calmly stored the artifacts in her spatial pouch.
“Don’t think I’m being naggy, but you haven’t left Mount Chao Yao in four thousand years. The human world has changed drastically.” Si Qinglan continued, “I heard from the envoys that resentment is quite strong in the human realm now. Be careful and don’t disrupt the order of heaven.”
“I understand.” Li Yu was slightly amused.
All this nagging, it felt like sending a child off to college.
Just how reclusive was the original owner? A simple trip outside was enough to make her colleague so worried.
“I didn’t reveal your identity to the human envoys. They don’t know much about Mount Chao Yao, so they might not be very respectful. If they don’t cooperate, just adapt to the situation.” Si Qinglan paused, then added, “They are quite anxious and hope to depart soon. If you’re ready, take Little Taotao to the northern lagoon to board the ship before noon.”
Li Yu: “Mm.”
Si Qinglan nodded and turned to leave. After taking two steps, she changed her mind, conjured a pure white spiritual flower, turned back, and gave it to Li Yu.
Li Yu looked at the flower, confused.
Why the flower?
Although they were both women, it felt a bit awkward.
“Just in case, take this.” Si Qinglan sighed. “I hope you’ll never have to use it.”
Li Yu: “…?”
Si Qinglan waved her hand. “Have a safe journey! I won’t see you off!”
Li Yu: “…”
Wait, she was leaving just like that?
Like a wisp of smoke, gone in an instant.
And what was this flower?
What did she mean by “hope you’ll never have to use it”?
It didn’t sound like anything good…
Li Yu stared at the flower, lost in thought.
【Protagonist Blackening Value +1%!】
【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 11%】
Huh? What was happening?
Li Yu looked towards the door and saw Mu Tao, carrying a large bundle, peeking into the room, a look of confusion in her light brown eyes.
The confusion disappeared when she met Li Yu’s gaze.
“Master, I’ve packed everything. When are we leaving?” Mu Tao asked softly, looking obedient.
She didn’t seem upset.
Why the sudden increase in her blackening value? Was her luggage too heavy?
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