Chapter 29: Buying Cotton

After seeing off the guests, Li Qingyun finally felt a bit lighter. The benefit of Gu Tingzhou’s return was that he could help watch over the two children, giving her some time for herself. The downside was that his gaze always lingered on her—intentionally or not—making her uneasy, as if her secrets were laid bare.

The hour was still early, and she decided to visit the commune today; there was no meat left at home. Gu Tingzhou was now an invalid, so he needed something nutritious.

After carefully instructing Erbao on the schedule and method for preparing milk each day, she took up her basket and headed out. Dabao wanted to follow her—

The beam of light swept forward like a raging tide, striking Jem with unstoppable force. The defenses ahead shattered one by one. Fu Ming’s eyes flashed coldly as he stepped directly in front of Jem.

The crimson-gold fury of the heavens pierced the ground, and the biting chill instantly cooled their fevered minds.

Yao Zhenyi and Xiao Ling’er walked slowly through the vast bamboo forest. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, and the bamboo swayed softly, its slender branches producing a rhythmic sound, as if sweet music drifted gracefully to their ears.

Lu Tao frowned deeply as he stared at the man; it was obvious at first glance that this fellow was no good.

"Doctor Bai, is that you? You—how did you get here?" Du Ao Bai asked in surprise, but as soon as the words left his lips, he realized something was off. He quickly reconsidered and said, "Wait, are you my father’s attending physician?" Du Ao Bai asked excitedly.

Fu Ming nodded knowingly, his gaze turning toward the City of Duels, a fierce crimson battle intent rising in his eyes.

Of course, this was only natural. There were always some cats and dogs who bit their masters; if the logic of intelligent beings was friendly toward humans, coexistence wasn’t impossible.

Back at Moonwater Dragon Court, Tang Jin Xiu strode toward the wine rack, popped open a bottle of expensive red wine, poured it into a goblet, and drank it all in one go.

"Only ten minutes in the Dark Forest, and you found such a huge loophole—how do you expect our company’s card designers to explain themselves?" Gu Lize exclaimed exaggeratedly.

"I’ll take you upstairs," Lou Yuting’s voice was soft, but left no room for refusal.

"The egg fried rice is here, I won’t chat anymore." Liu An, showing none of the demeanor expected from the CEO of a listed company, dashed over, took a bowl of egg fried rice from a waiter, sat down, inhaled its aroma, and savored it with evident pleasure.

"Director Jin, you’re here to observe, not to preside." Chu Sui Feng was clearly dissatisfied with Director Jin’s intervention, bluntly pointing out that he hadn’t found his proper place.

But in the instant she turned, her hand was suddenly seized. The person’s hand was cold and rough.

Hearing this, Lan Fei’er’s face blossomed with a trace of happiness, and she nodded gently.

Thus, Wei Wucai raised her voice, enunciating each word clearly so everyone nearby could hear.

"This is an internal matter of the Su family; I urge you not to interfere!" Chu Feng declared righteously.

"Those capable of crafting spiritual tools in Qingyang Palace are few—perhaps only three. Each produces one item every one to five years, each with considerable value." Ding Bu Er’s eyes gleamed with excitement; if they truly broke through Qingyang Palace’s gates, it would be a fortune.

She had recently heard that Gu Yuan could no longer stay in the army; she hadn’t expected that before his formal retirement, he’d already shifted to the business world.

All her previous attempts at self-reassurance paled in comparison to his embrace, to his words.

Though Ye Dongzhu spoke gently, Zuo Qiuchen could sense the unmistakable firmness in his tone. It was clear Ye Dongzhu had decided he would personally lead his disciples to the Northern Sects Grand Ceremony. If Zuo Qiuchen refused, his days in Chengling Sect would surely be difficult.

Exclusive pills such as the Qi Unifying Pill or the Three Purity Pill were produced by specialized branches within sects. For example, Wudang’s "Pill Hall" was the department dedicated to crafting extraordinary, exclusive medicines, staffed only by inner-circle and direct disciples. Outsiders could never access such secret places within the sect.