Fortunately, the shop wasn’t anything strange, and the food the owner brought out was perfectly normal, appearing to be genuine local specialties.
Lin Ling sat down comfortably and waited for the waiter to bring the noodles.
Once they arrived, she began to savor the food bite by bite.
While eating, Gong Xuance chatted with Xiu Jiming.
“Junior Brother, did seeing the original manuscript of the Responding Sword Tribulation Scripture last time resolve your questions?”
Xiu Jiming replied softly, “Yes, most of them. Those were just normal variations. When one enters the Manifestation Realm to begin their path, the Responding Sword Tribulation Scripture evolves into a unique technique based on the individual’s habits.”
“Oh—no wonder the requirements for the Domain Realm are so strict. Since it turns into a brand-new technique after crossing that boundary, there is no ancestral experience to draw from for the path ahead?”
Gong Xuance slapped his right fist into his left palm.
“Yes, the rest requires one to research slowly on their own. There are still some details I haven’t fully grasped, but I don’t think it will be much trouble.”
Seeing Lin Ling eating happily, Xiu Jiming felt a sense of satisfaction.
Although the crazy girl never had any table manners, she was pleasant to watch.
He took a few bites, nodding in slight praise before looking at Gong Xuance.
“Senior Brother, it might have been a mistake for you to give up on the Responding Sword Tribulation Scripture. This technique is far beyond our imagination; I doubt ordinary Heaven-tier scriptures can compare.”
Gong Xuance shook his head.
“Forget it, I don’t have that kind of talent. Being stuck at the peak of the Domain Realm for nearly three years was enough to discourage me. On the other hand, do you think we should teach this girl the Responding Sword Tribulation Scripture?”
Hearing this, Lin Ling looked up with a mouth full of noodles, glancing at the two of them blankly.
Why was this suddenly about her?
Seeing the little fox in such a state, both men felt a bit helpless.
Xiu Jiming added, “Never mind. Ling’er has her own path to follow. It’s not appropriate for me to interfere too much.”
“Is that so? That’s a shame. I thought I might get another junior sister,” Gong Xuance said with a grin.
Xiu Jiming glanced at him and shook his head slightly.
“Senior Brother, you should focus. The Hidden Sect’s affairs are more important. Investigating who stole the Heavenly Mysterious Stone should be your primary goal, rather than keeping your eyes on Ling’er.”
Gong Xuance gave him a look of disdain.
His junior brother’s protective streak over his ‘food’ was truly unbearable.
Xiu Jiming asked, “Do you have any leads for the next move?”
Gong Xuance thought for a moment and sighed.
“To be honest, there aren’t many clues. Everyone in our Hidden Sect specializes in something different. Our styles vary, and communication relies entirely on the various branch hall masters. I’m just an ordinary member. Although I made quite a name for myself back then, I was caught before I could even return to the sect for my reward.”
“You already know that the little Emperor’s mother kept me locked in prison for nearly twenty years. Countless things could have happened during that time. So, your senior brother is currently in a very difficult position.”
Gong Xuance waved his chopsticks in the air with a look of regret.
After finishing his food, Xiu Jiming smiled.
“And yet you still took over this case directly. I don’t believe you’re completely without ideas.”
Gong Xuance gave a hearty laugh and then said, “Clues? Of course there are some, but it’s bad luck to speak of them too early. So, I’ll come find you once I have concrete information. When that time comes, remember to bring little Ling’er along.”
“What does this have to do with Ling’er? she’s only at the Law Condensation Realm. Don’t involve her,” Xiu Jiming frowned.
“Oh, don’t be so stingy. The fox tribe’s physique always tends to attract some unique gazes.”
Gong Xuance shrugged helplessly, stirring the remaining soup with his chopsticks.
“You want to use Ling’er as bait.”
Xiu Jiming’s brow furrowed deeper.
Hearing this, Lin Ling immediately stopped chewing and silently raised her small hand in protest.
Gong Xuance grinned.
“Oh, it’s not anything particularly dangerous. Besides, with you there, Junior Brother, nothing will go wrong.”
“Senior Brother, you’d better not lie to me.”
Xiu Jiming looked at him seriously.
“If anything happens to Ling’er, I will not forgive you.”
Lin Ling felt a bit touched, but something felt off.
After a long moment, she looked at Xiu Jiming with suspicion.
‘Does Little Ming think I’m his daughter?’
“Relax, relax. It’s really not as serious as you make it sound,” Gong Xuance said, waving his hands dismissively.
Xiu Jiming set his bowl aside and said solemnly, “Then it’s settled. If you want Ling’er to be the bait, it won’t be for free.”
Gong Xuance sighed.
“Fine, fine. Ask for whatever you want. I’ll agree to anything I have—techniques, miraculous pills, or talismans and arrays. I have quite a bit of stock.”
Xiu Jiming smiled with satisfaction and looked at Lin Ling, who was still buried in her food.
“Ling’er, is there anything you want?”
Lin Ling looked up dazed.
Seeing her face covered in food, Xiu Jiming picked up a handkerchief and helped the little fox wipe her face.
Lin Ling was already used to his intimate gestures.
She thought for a while, pulled out a pen and paper, and wrote: “I don’t really want anything. How about just giving me some valuable stuff? Of course, it has to be the kind I can exchange for spirit stones.”
Gong Xuance thought for a moment before saying, “Then… how about I give you a Night-Luminescent Pearl? It’s worth a fortune; girls usually like that kind of thing.”
Upon hearing that, Lin Ling curled her lip and wrote disdainfully: “Is it useful?”
“Well, it doesn’t really have a function,” Gong Xuance admitted.
“Can it be sold for money?”
Lin Ling asked again.
Gong Xuance pondered.
“Uh… if you take it to the capital, many high-ranking officials would like it. However, they would only pay in secular silver. If you want to trade it for spirit stones, it probably won’t work.”
Hearing this, Lin Ling immediately shrugged and wrote: “Then what do I want it for?”
Gong Xuance’s face stiffened, and he said sheepishly, “It’s very beautiful. It glows at night, and girls love it.”
‘I don’t want that. What if it’s radioactive? I’m too young to go to the next life.’
Lin Ling looked at him with an expression of pure contempt.
Xiu Jiming laughed and explained, “Ling’er isn’t that kind of vulgar girl. Senior Brother, you should bring out some real treasures.”
“Sigh, let me think.”
Gong Xuance sighed softly and glanced at Lin Ling.
“Little Ling’er, what technique are you currently practicing?”
Hearing the question, Lin Ling looked up at Xiu Jiming.
“Can I tell other people my technique?”
Xiu Jiming thought for a moment and nodded.
“If it’s just the name, it’s fine.”
Lin Ling nodded.
“In that case, the technique I practice is called the Ethereal Moon Radiance Heart Scripture. Have you heard of it?”
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