In this critical moment, a pale green primordial force surged from her soul. This primordial force, imbued with healing abilities, repaired severed meridians wherever it touched. A warm, familiar sensation spread through her limbs, gentle and comforting.
77 also felt a profound familiarity, as if there was a connection between this primordial force and itself.
Simultaneously, a cultivation technique called the Ji Yue Shen Zhou appeared in Shen Jianxi's mind. She was certain this technique did not exist in this world.
She felt inexplicably at ease and familiar.
Following the instructions, she began to cultivate. The primordial force vanished back into her soul, making everything that had just happened feel like an illusion.
Her spiritual energy, now completely calmed, converged and struck the barrier.
The barrier shattered, and she broke through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
Qiu Tao watched everything before him in shock. He had never heard of anyone recovering from severed meridians during a breakthrough, let alone advancing two minor stages at once.
Shen Jianxi slowly opened her eyes and let out a long sigh. She felt an unparalleled sense of comfort. The cultivation technique had not disappeared; it was circulating within her body, and she could feel herself constantly absorbing spiritual energy.
"You're back?"
Seeing her awaken, Qiu Tao concealed the complexity in his eyes. "Just returned. Saw you leveled up as soon as I got back. Congratulations."
He did not tell her he had been there all along. What had just happened was too unbelievable; he preferred to pretend he knew nothing.
"Thank you," she said with a sweet smile.
Shen Jianxi did not ask where he had been. Glancing at the apricot blossom petal on the ground, she had her answer.
It seemed the two romantic targets had met. She needed to accelerate her pace. The relationship between them was too special, master and disciple, and it was easy to mess up. Fortunately, she was using a false name. As long as she didn't appear before both of them at the same time, her identity would remain hidden.
She figured that since she hadn't shown up today, Lin Xinglan would likely be a little displeased. She was confident in her culinary skills, having even hired world-renowned pastry chefs and Chinese chefs to teach her after her company went public because she enjoyed cooking.
Shen Jianxi glanced at Qiu Tao. His original purple robe was no longer wearable, soaked with blood. Recently, he had been wearing the servant's clothes she had found for him.
Even in these coarse linen clothes, he exuded an air of dashing elegance. However, it wasn't a solution to have him only wear such attire. Shen Jianxi didn't want his handsome face to be wasted, and she felt more comfortable seeing him well-dressed.
"Let's go out and buy you some clothes!"
She was brimming with excitement. Qiu Tao nodded. In truth, he was a very picky person, but he had been too severely injured recently to go out.
...
The two of them walked casually through the streets, having slipped out quietly without alerting anyone.
The cries of street vendors mingled with the bustling crowds, creating a lively scene. Occasionally, someone on a jade-white steed would weave through the thoroughfare.
Shen Jianxi led him to the clothing shop the original owner frequented. They were warmly welcomed as soon as they entered.
"Miss Shen, you're here! The shop just received many new fabrics. See if there's anything you like." The shop assistant's attitude was exceptionally warm. She was a significant customer, always buying a large amount of merchandise, though she hadn't visited for some reason recently.
Seeing her suddenly felt like a constant flow of spirit stones was entering the store, so of course, they had to attend to her meticulously.
Shen Jianxi pointed at Qiu Tao. "Not for me, for him."
The shop assistant's gaze shifted to Qiu Tao. A flash of amazement crossed her eyes. She wondered where Miss Shen had found this person; he was so handsome that even in coarse linen, his dashing demeanor could not be concealed.
Shen Jianxi noticed the shop assistant's stunned expression but was accustomed to it as they had walked.
This person was already a disarmingly beautiful, almost demonic, presence. Just standing there attracted the attention of the women on the street. Moreover, Qiu Tao hadn't been idle along the way. While she was talking to the shop assistant, another young girl with bashful eyes approached him for a conversation.
"This, this young sir..." The girl had never seen such a handsome man in Sifang City. She instinctively lowered her head and stammered.
Qiu Tao held a fan in his hand. Shen Jianxi later learned this was his commonly used artifact.
He was also incredibly patient. The girl stammered before him, unable to articulate her words, but he didn't rush her.
When she finally gathered the courage to say something, she looked up and met his amorous, peach-blossom eyes. All further words vanished.
Shen Jianxi, standing nearby, couldn't bear to watch. This man hadn't stopped exuding his charm all along, like a playboy butterfly.
The shop had ready-made clothes. Shen Jianxi's eyes immediately fell on a striking crimson robe displayed in the most prominent spot. She asked the shop assistant to get it for Qiu Tao and led him to the inner room to try it on.
While waiting, she browsed the shop. No wonder their business was so good; the stitching on every garment was incredibly discreet and neat, luxurious without being vulgar.
A chorus of gasps arose from the surroundings. Shen Jianxi turned to look. The shop assistant was following Qiu Tao, still dazed.
This difficult color, instead of overwhelming him, amplified Qiu Tao's charm. The robe seemed tailor-made for him, fitting perfectly in every way.
With a smile playing on his lips, his thin mouth curved into a captivating grin, as enchanting as a poppy, unforgettable at a single glance. He moved his hand slightly, opening his fan and gently fanning himself. This simple action caused everyone in the shop to hold their breath. Sudan Novel Network.
He walked towards Shen Jianxi, each step seeming to land on the hearts of everyone in the shop.
"How is it, Xiao Ci'er, satisfied?"
A flash of astonishment crossed Shen Jianxi's eyes. Although she knew his beauty was unparalleled, she was still shocked.
However, she quickly regained her composure, examined him from head to toe, and nodded, stating calmly, "Not bad."
"This one. How much?"
The shop assistant was still in a daze and hadn't heard what she said.
Shen Jianxi sighed and raised her voice. "How much!"
"Ah, ah, ah, two hundred spirit stones." The shop assistant finally snapped back to reality. Thinking that he, a man, had just been mesmerized by another man, he felt a surge of annoyance.
Shen Jianxi quickly paid, grabbed Qiu Tao, and strode away. She even bought him a veiled hat to wear.
She truly feared that without it, neither of them would be able to get home.
Qiu Tao didn't resist and allowed himself to be led by her. Watching her figure walking ahead without a word, he mistakenly thought she was jealous, and a hard-to-describe sense of joy spread through him.