Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 175 Brother Luo, you smell so good!

"call."

The two of them almost simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief. Their tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and a strong sense of exhaustion washed over them like a tide. Leaning against the cold stone wall, they slumped weakly to the ground.

The entire day of chasing and fleeing was truly thrilling.

The cave was pitch black, with only the sound of their slightly hurried breathing.

The mountain forest was very cold at night, and the icy dampness seeped in through the stone walls, causing Luo Qianning, who was only wearing a thin robe, to shiver.

Meng Yanqing got up and groped around to collect some dry branches and fallen leaves near the cave entrance, then carried them back into the cave.

"Brother, let's start a fire."

Meng Yanqing spoke, her voice hoarse with a hint of weariness.

"Hmm." Luo Qianning responded, releasing a burst of spiritual energy from her fingertips, precisely igniting the withered leaves.

The orange-red flames leaped and gradually ignited the dry branches, crackling softly and dispelling the darkness and chill in the cave.

The two sat down around the not-so-strong campfire, the flickering flames illuminating their young, weary faces.

"My name is Meng Yanqing. May I ask your honorable name?" Meng Yanqing spoke first, his voice weary but upright.

Luo Qianning looked up, and in the firelight, a hint of awkwardness appeared on his handsome face. He then introduced himself: "Luo Qianning."

Meng Yanqing nodded slightly, only then learning the other party's name.

Having just survived a life-or-death escape, the slight rift between them caused by the struggle for the treasure became almost negligible in the face of their brush with death.

Thank you very much for today.

Luo Qianning hugged her knees, looking at the firelight, her voice soft and slightly unnatural.

He was referring to the incident where Meng Yanqing pushed him away, dodging the fatal blow from the Heavenly Demon Serpent.

Having always been lawless within the sect, it was rare for him to take the initiative to thank someone.

Meng Yanqing shook his head, his gaze falling on the leaping flames: "It was nothing. If it weren't for your powerful talisman, Brother Luo, we wouldn't have been able to snatch food from the mouth of that celestial serpent."

Mentioning this, Luo Qianning seemed to perk up again, with a hint of pride.

As he spoke, he flipped his wrist, and the withered Bodhi tree, which had lost its soil, appeared in his hand.

Separated from that strange, pale golden soil, the precious tree's original warm, grayish-white luster dimmed considerably, losing some of its charm.

The several clusters of dazzling seven-colored spiritual light that had previously adorned the branches had vanished, replaced by eight unripe fruits, each the size of a pigeon egg and shimmering with a faint glow, resembling jade carvings.

Although the fruit was not fully ripe, the unique sandalwood fragrance that calmed the mind and cleared the thoughts was still strong, permeating the small cave and invigorating the spirit.

There are eight in total.

Luo Qianning counted them and generously pushed the precious tree towards Meng Yanqing.

“Look, you did the most work and even saved me, so you take five and I’ll take three.”

Meng Yanqing looked at the fruit that emitted an enticing aroma, but did not reach out to take it.

Meng Yanqing slowly raised his head, looked at Luo Qianning, and said earnestly and sincerely: "Brother Luo, you are mistaken. If your talismans had not severely injured and blocked the Heavenly Demon Serpent, I would never have been able to get close to the Treasure Tree, let alone uproot it."

In terms of merit, Brother Luo, you should be ranked first.

You should take the lion's share of the fruit; three will suffice for me.

Luo Qianning was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Meng Yanqing to be so insistent.

Are there really fools in this world who wouldn't take advantage of a good deal?
Looking at the other man's face, which appeared exceptionally resolute and upright in the firelight, he felt a slight pang in his heart and muttered softly, "What a fool." Even so, a fleeting hint of appreciation and warmth crossed his eyes.

In this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, it is truly rare to find someone who is so unemotional, reasonable, and principled.

Luo Qianning didn't stand on ceremony. With a slight smile, she readily accepted Meng Yanqing's suggestion: "Alright, alright, seeing how sincere you are, this young master will accept it without hesitation!"

He happily picked the five Bodhi fruits carefully, put them in a jade box and stored them in his storage ring. Then he pushed the remaining three fruits, along with the precious tree sapling for which he didn't know what to do for the time being, to Meng Yanqing.

Meng Yanqing then put away the three unripe Bodhi fruits and temporarily placed the treasure tree into her storage bag.

With the opportunity properly arranged, both of them felt much more at ease.

In the latter half of the night, the campfire gradually died down.

A wave of intense fatigue washed over them again, and the two leaned against the cold stone wall, their eyelids growing heavier and heavier.

Without realizing it, they leaned against each other, side by side, seeking some warmth and support, and fell into a deep sleep.

Luo Qianning's little head unconsciously tilted onto Meng Yanqing's strong and broad shoulder, and she slept very soundly.

The next morning.

The first rays of dawn pierced through the gaps in the vines, casting dappled light into the cave.

Meng Yanqing always woke up early, so he was the first to wake up.

He was just about to stretch his stiff neck when he felt a heavy weight on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw Luo Qianning leaning on his shoulder, fast asleep.

In the morning light, her long eyelashes, like two small fans, cast faint shadows on her fair, almost translucent cheeks. Beneath her pert nose, her lips, like flower petals glistening with morning dew, shone with a healthy pink hue.

Because they were so close, a faint, delicate fragrance, as pure and elegant as orchids and musk, drifted into Meng Yanqing's nostrils.

"It smells so good!"

Meng Yanqing involuntarily took a light sniff. The scent was completely different from the sweaty, fellow disciples he usually encountered. It was a light and elegant fragrance that calmed the mind.

Just as he unconsciously finished this action, Luo Qianning, who was leaning on his shoulder, trembled a few times and slowly woke up.

The moment he opened his eyes, he was greeted by Meng Yanqing's face so close to his, and by the way she had just sniffed it!
"Shh!"

Luo Qianning was stunned for a moment, then reacted instantly, her pretty face turning bright red, like a ripe apple!

Like a startled rabbit, he shoved Meng Yanqing aside, stood up abruptly, and quickly took several steps back until his back hit the cold stone wall before stopping.

Her beautiful eyes glared at Meng Yanqing with a mixture of shame and anger. She pointed at him, so angry that she could barely speak: "What are you doing?"

Meng Yanqing was taken aback by Luo Qianning's overly excited reaction, and then realized that her behavior just now seemed to be somewhat inappropriate.
Meng Yanqing quickly stood up, his face flushed, and stammered, "Brother Luo! Don't misunderstand!"

I...I didn't mean to!

I just woke up, and then I saw you leaning on my shoulder, and then I smelled your fragrance.

The more Meng Yanqing explained, the more embarrassed she felt, but in the end she followed her heart and honestly added a sentence, her tone filled with pure confusion and sincere praise.

"Brother Luo, you smell really good. Much better than my fellow disciples. What kind of herbal incense do you use? Could you recommend some to me later?"

Meng Yanqing's words only made Luo Qianning's face turn even redder, almost as if it were bleeding. She was both ashamed and angry. She stomped her foot, turned her head away, and refused to look at him anymore, only squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth.

"No fragrance! You lecherous scoundrel."

"If you don't want to recommend it, then don't. Why get so worked up? You're such a stingy person." Meng Yanqing muttered to herself as she watched his retreating figure.

(End of this chapter)