I don't want to be trained by my senior sister!

Ning Qian sat quietly in her room for a long time until her pale face recovered somewhat through self-regulation before she slowly got up.

Reaching the door, he hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and gently knocked on the bamboo door next door.

"Knock knock knock".

The knocking was very soft.

Fang Xuan, who was inside the room, woke up from his meditation and looked somewhat surprised.

It's so late, does my senior sister need something?

He got up and opened the door, and saw Ning Qian standing outside. The moonlight outlined her slender figure, and her expression looked even colder than usual.

But there seemed to be a hint of... hesitation hidden in his eyes.

"Senior sister? Is there something you need?" Fang Xuan asked.

Ning Qian looked up at him, her voice calm: "I... am going to the night market in Qing Shi Town at the foot of the mountain to buy some things. I suppose you, my junior brother, may also need to buy some daily necessities since you are new here."

Since Fang Xuan is now living here, the mattress is still the one she left over from before, which is a bit unfair.

The words were phrased tactfully, but Fang Xuan understood their meaning perfectly.

The senior sister felt that his living conditions were too poor and wanted to take him to buy some things.

He'd been here for several months, but hadn't really explored the markets of this world properly.

Moreover, this was Ning Qian's initiative to invite her. Although the reason was very "senior sister"-like, it was definitely a signal that their relationship was going to take another step forward.

He immediately agreed.

Seeing his quick agreement, the hesitation in Ning Qian's eyes seemed to fade somewhat, and she nodded gently.

"Well... wait a moment, I'll go get some spirit stones."

She turned and went back into her room, closing the door behind her.

Inviting Fang Xuantong was partly due to purchasing daily necessities, but more importantly... she wanted to test the waters again.

Given Shen Qingqing's vindictive nature and her tendency to use others to do her dirty work, she would never let go of the opportunity for her to leave the sect's protection.

If it were before, when she still possessed cultivation, Shen Qingqing would at most devise some harmless schemes and spread some rumors.

For her, it was nothing more than a few hardships.

But now, the news that she is "severely injured and has lost all her cultivation" has already spread.

In Shen Qingqing's eyes, and even in the eyes of some others, she was already fish on a chopping board.

She hardly needed to think about how the other party would treat her when she came down the mountain.

Will bringing along Fang Xuan... this junior brother with a mysterious background and astonishing talent, be a variable...?

Although this could be considered repaying kindness with enmity, and I felt bad for him...

But Shen Chen wouldn't let her off the hook, and he'd probably make a move soon, so she couldn't care less about that now.

Who wouldn't want the chance for revenge...?

.......

She took out an old cloth bag containing her few remaining low-grade spirit stones, most of which were accumulated from the past and recently obtained from making ointments.

The quantity isn't large, but it should be enough to exchange for some ordinary items at the night market.

After tidying up, she walked out of the room.

Fang Xuan was already waiting in the courtyard, still wearing his simple disciple's robe, with an inconspicuous black sword sheath on his back.

He had a slightly expectant smile on his face, and looked like a handsome young man, completely innocent.

"Let's go, Senior Sister," Fang Xuan said with a smile.

"......Um."

.......

Located at the foot of Qingyun Sect Mountain, Qingshi Town is a bustling market town due to its proximity to the sect and the constant flow of cultivators.

During the day, these are mostly legitimate shops that trade in elixirs, magical artifacts, and other cultivation supplies.

At night, many independent cultivators or low-level disciples set up stalls, forming what is known as a night market.

The items for sale are incredibly diverse, ranging from low-level talismans and broken magical artifacts to all sorts of strange and unusual materials.

Even exquisite objects for ordinary people, as well as local snacks, are available, with relatively cheap prices and a more lively and casual atmosphere.

Even before entering the town, you can see a brightly lit area in the distance.

The faint sound of human voices could be heard, a stark contrast to the tranquility of the secluded retreat on the mountain.

As you enter the town, the streets are lined with lanterns of all kinds, illuminating the bluestone pavement.

The street stalls were lined up one after another.

As Ning Qian had said, the items sold were mainly daily necessities for low-level cultivators and ordinary goods. Occasionally, one could see one or two stalls selling low-grade pills or defective magic artifacts, and the prices were not high.

Here, unless a real treasure appears, it generally won't cause much of a dispute.

After all, people wouldn't set up stalls selling valuable items here; they just want something lively, affordable, and relatively safe.

Ning Qian was clearly familiar with the place, and walked straight toward the rice shop and the general store without looking to the side.

She first went to the rice shop and carefully selected some medium-quality spirit rice, and then bought some ordinary but durable rice.

When paying, she counted the spirit stones very slowly and carefully.

Fang Xuan followed behind her, watching her slender back and the way she carefully counted a few low-grade spirit stones.

He's now saying, "Senior sister, let me take care of you, as long as you discipline me severely!"

Will we be publicly purged from our household...?

.......

Next up is the general store.

Ning Qian mainly replenished some basic seasonings such as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, and then stopped in front of the spice stall, pointing to a kind of dried red chili pepper: "This, weigh more of it."

The vendor weighed the chilies while laughing:

"It's been a while since you've been here, Master Ning. Do you want more chili peppers this time? Same price as always!"

"Hmm." Ning Qian responded lightly, paid the money, and took the chili peppers wrapped in oil paper.

Junior brother... since you like it, prepare more.

.......

The two continued walking through the night market.

Ning Qian is very tall and has a cool and refined temperament. Even though she is dressed simply, she still stands out in a crowd.

Although Fang Xuan was young, he was tall and handsome, and was half a head taller than Ning Qian.

The two walked together, keeping a half-step distance and without any intimate gestures, yet there was a strange sense of harmony between them.

This drew friendly glances from many people around.

Many of the stall owners seemed to know Ning Qian and greeted her warmly.

Ning Qian mostly responded with a slight nod, her attitude distant but not impolite.

When asked about the speculation surrounding Fang Xuan's identity, she simply replied, "He is my junior brother," and said no more.

Those people were sensible enough not to ask too many questions, but just smiled and made a few joking remarks like "a perfect match" or "a handsome couple," before going back to their business.

In this bustling city, people don't know much about the rules among cultivators. When they see a man and a woman walking together, especially if they are both good-looking and have outstanding temperaments, they habitually assume that they are a couple.

Ning Qian seemed to have gotten used to this, or rather, didn't care much, and continued to focus on purchasing the items she needed.

Fang Xuan had to put on a shy expression that said, "You've misunderstood, but I'm too embarrassed to explain," while in reality, his ears were perked up.

However, he noticed that Ning Qian seemed to have no reaction at all.

Yes, she probably only had the sword and revenge in her heart.

This night market is quite interesting; it's different from the black markets in cultivation novels where people kill and rob treasure all the time.

Fang Xuan obediently followed Ning Qian while curiously looking around.

This place is indeed quite different from the sect and the cultivation world he had imagined.

There were vendors selling candied hawthorns, steaming hot meat buns, all sorts of handmade trinkets, cosmetics, and even storytellers...

He wasn't very interested in the low-level talismans and ores, but he did take a few more glances at some snacks and strange little gadgets.

However, he was just looking and didn't really intend to buy anything, even though he had enough spirit stones to buy everything here tens of thousands of times over.

Ning Qian seemed to notice his gaze, and paused slightly as she passed a stall selling fried pastries.

The fried cakes were golden and crispy, with a sweet aroma, and were the favorite snack of the local children.

She glanced at Fang Xuan and saw that he was also looking at the stall. A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she eventually walked over and said to the stall owner, "Two."

"Alright! Cultivator Ning, here's some freshly fried food for you!"

The stall owner deftly wrapped two steaming hot fried cakes in oil paper and handed them over.

Ning Qian paid, took the money, turned around, and handed one of the items to Fang Xuan.

"?" Fang Xuan was taken aback.

"This is for you." Ning Qian's voice remained flat. "Try it. It's not a cultivation item, just a common snack."

Fang Xuan took the still-hot fried cake and watched Ning Qian take another one and take a small bite.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if she found it too sweet, but she continued eating slowly...