"If you dare to harbor any ill intentions, you'll be the one to suffer in the end! You can't scare me, so let's go. You're injured so badly, why are you still trying to be tough? We have plenty of spirit herbs and elixirs in Maplewood City; it's what we specialize in!"
The maiden mumbled, then boldly walked over, pulled Ling Fan up, and started dragging him outside.
Ling Fan was slightly stunned.
He had intended to refuse.
But upon hearing her subsequent words, he said nothing more.
The spiritual energy in this small world of Shangcang Realm was several times more concentrated than in the outside world. The quality of spirit herbs and elixirs grown and cultivated here would undoubtedly far surpass those from the outside.
With the aid of a large quantity of high-quality spirit herbs and elixirs, his injuries could indeed recover faster. It was even possible that he could seize this opportunity to break through to the minor accomplishment stage of the Nirvana Tribulation Body.
Moreover, he quite liked this maiden's personality.
She was clever and cunning, yet without any malice.
Being a guest at her Maplewood City Lord's mansion wouldn't be bad.
Ling Fan's entire body trembled as he absorbed all the residual spiritual energy in the cave.
He then took out a cloth garment from his storage ring and put it on.
Only then did he follow the maiden out.
As they walked, the maiden curiously asked, "My name is Mu Yiyi, what's yours?"
"Ling Fan."
"Oh, Fan is quite an ordinary name. Ling, Fan, but with your surname, it means something entirely different – 'transcending the mortal realm.' What's your current strength?"
A trace of slyness flashed in the maiden's gem-like eyes.
"Xuangang Realm," Ling Fan replied calmly.
"Really? That palm strike you unleashed earlier made me feel like I was suffocating, unable to muster even a shred of resistance. And I'm a genius at the quasi-Tianyuan Realm! You're telling me you're only at Xuangang Realm? Who are you trying to fool, treating me like a three-year-old child?"
"Hmph, if you don't want to say it, then don't. Who cares!"
The maiden huffed.
She stopped paying attention to Ling Fan.
Ling Fan shook his head and smiled.
His current cultivation was indeed at the Xuangang Realm.
Genuine and factual.
He hadn't lied to her.
As the two were walking, shouts suddenly echoed from all over the mountainside.
"Miss, Miss, where are you..."
"Oh dear!"
Mu Yiyi slapped her forehead.
"My family is looking for me again."
She stuck out her tongue playfully, her body exuding youthful vitality. She grinned at Ling Fan and said, "I snuck out again this time. My father and the others must be worried sick."
"Let's go."
"I'm here!"
The maiden shouted loudly.
Soon, a group of strong individuals from Maplewood City, dressed in attire embroidered with maple leaf emblems, gathered around.
"Miss, what treasure have you found this time?" the group of strong individuals asked with playful smiles.
They were accustomed to Mu Yiyi's habit of sneaking out to search for treasures every now and then.
"Huh? Why is there another person? Who is this?"
"Miss, you're not planning to elope with this kid, are you!"
"Hey, kid, tell us honestly, are you planning to abduct our Miss!" someone asked with a stern face.
"Good for you, kid, you're truly amazing. Don't underestimate our Miss just because she's cheerful; her standards are very high. If you can win her over, you're truly capable! I'll have to ask you for some advice later, learn from your experience." A young strong individual laughed heartily.
The maiden blushed slightly.
Then she said coquettishly, "What nonsense are you talking about? Be mindful of your jokes, you're all so improper. He, this Brother Ling Fan, is the 'treasure' I found this time."
"What?"
The jaws of the Maplewood City strong individuals dropped.
Their young lady was truly becoming more and more outrageous.
Previously, she could find some rare heavenly treasures, but now she was picking up people.
What kind of treasure was he?
A group of strong individuals surrounded Ling Fan, looking at him curiously from left to right, as if there was a flower on his face.
After looking for a while, they couldn't discern anything special.
"Where is he a treasure? Isn't he just showing off, hahaha." A group of young strong individuals from Maplewood City joked.
"He's injured, and I happened to find him. I plan to take him back to Maplewood City to recuperate," Mu Yiyi explained.
"Oh, I see."
All the Maplewood City strong individuals suddenly understood.
They no longer found Mu Yiyi's actions improper.
Influenced by City Lord Mu Renmin, these young strong individuals of Maplewood City were all warm-hearted, hospitable, and possessed a strong sense of chivalry.
"Since this young brother Ling is injured, Miss, let's not delay any further. Let's head back quickly. The City Lord is also extremely worried about you."
The group chatted and laughed all the way.
Along the path, they passed many spirit fields and spirit gardens.
Various spirit herbs and elixirs were planted there, some nearing maturity, others newly planted, continuously absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun, moon, and stars within the fertile spiritual soil.
Numerous ordinary spirit farmers of Maplewood City were busy in the fields.
Although their work was arduous, everyone had a smile on their faces.
It was a sense of peace and happiness, filled with confidence and yearning for the future.
Ling Fan began to believe Mu Yiyi's words to some extent.
What he saw and heard along the way indeed deepened his good impression of Maplewood City.
In this regard, Maplewood City, this small town, could be considered a paradise where ordinary people could live and work in peace.
Soon, a small city, not large in scale but well-governed and orderly, appeared before them.
"Second Miss is back."
"What has Second Miss found this time?"
"When will Second Miss come to my house as a guest?"
...
Along the way, many ordinary residents of Maplewood City greeted Mu Yiyi enthusiastically.
Mu Yiyi, without any airs, chatted and laughed with the residents of Maplewood City.
Soon, they returned to the City Lord's mansion.
It was called the City Lord's mansion, but it bore no resemblance to what a City Lord's mansion should look like.
Let alone luxurious and grand, it wasn't even imposing.
If not for the plaque that read "Maplewood City Lord's Mansion," Ling Fan would have thought it was merely the residence of a low-ranking family.
For a city in Shangcang Realm with a population of a million, this was truly too humble.
However, Ling Fan did not look down on the Maplewood City Lord's mansion because of this.
On the contrary, he had even more respect for the City Lord's mansion.
This was rare and commendable, no matter where it was.
The ruler is a mere vessel, the people are precious.
Since the City Lord's mansion cared for the people like their own children, how could this city not be peaceful?
The City Lord's mansion had only three courtyards.
Soon, they met the City Lord of Maplewood City, Mu Renmin.
It was evening.
Mu Renmin was still at his desk handling city affairs. Seeing Mu Yiyi return, he couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
"Yiyi, didn't I tell you not to take risks anymore! Your father can still manage, you don't need to go picking treasures! If anything happened to you, your sister would scold me to death, and you know your sister's temper."
Although Mu Renmin's words were scolding, his eyes were filled with immense doting.
Mu Yiyi chuckled, completely unafraid of her father.