The Journey of a Passerby's Elder Brother Being Courted by Feng Ao Tia

"Really didn't expect that in just two years, you've grown up like this. I couldn't recognize you at first glance."

Shen Mu looked at the charming young girl who sat back at the table. He silently filled his cup with clear wine again, sighing inwardly at how much a girl can change as she grows.

In just about two years, the skinny and sallow-faced little girl had blossomed into such a beautiful young lady.

So much so that he didn't react immediately.

However, being able to meet again showed that there was indeed a predestined bond between them.

It also proved... that his idea of "teaching people how to fish" back then was the right one.

"I still have to thank you, Brother Shen Mu, for teaching me the Qi-refining method back then, allowing me to step into the realm of cultivators and gain the power to survive in this world."

"If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have been able to live until today to meet you, Brother Shen Mu."

Jiang Ning'er propped her head up, her eyes filled only with him. Her delicate face was full of tender gentleness, as if she was looking at the only thing she cherished the most.

"By the way, you just said you're a freelance cultivator. What about your family's situation..."

When the topic of "family" was brought up, Jiang Ning'er's expression froze for a moment, but then she quickly regained her composure and said lightly, "They've all passed away. I buried them with my own hands."

"I see..."

Shen Mu's eyes drooped slightly, and he didn't dwell on this rather heavy topic for her. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "So, what are your plans for the future?"

"I'll take it one step at a time. After all, I'm currently in a bit of trouble and need to figure out a way to solve it first."

"Trouble?"

Shen Mu pondered for a moment. "Admirers? Or vengeful enemies?"

"Some evil cultivators. They're all a bunch of sneaky rats that can't stand in the light." Jiang Ning'er pouted, showing extreme disgust for those people.

If it weren't for their pursuit, she might have been able to enter the Fengling Immortal Sect with her true female appearance and stay with him formally with a normal identity.

She wouldn't have to spend days and nights longing and yearning, and she wouldn't have to pretend to be a stranger when facing him every day.

"What do they look like?"

"They're all dressed in black and wear some strange masks. I can't see what they really look like at all."

"What about their level of strength?" Shen Mu continued to ask in detail.

"The group chasing me are all at the Qi-refining stage. As for those leading the team, I don't know."

In fact, the evil cultivators chasing Jiang Ning'er back then were not just at the Qi-refining stage.

However, in order to make Shen Mu feel more at ease when getting along with her, she didn't choose to tell the whole truth.

And it turned out that her approach did keep Shen Mu from worrying too much.

Thankfully, if it was just a bunch of Qi-refining stage evil cultivators, the leader's cultivation level probably wouldn't exceed the Golden Core stage. It wasn't a particularly powerful evil force, so there was no need to pay too much attention.

Shen Mu thought about it silently. After initially inferring that the evil force chasing her wasn't very powerful, he temporarily put his mind at ease.

After all, he now had a master who had reached the peak of the Deity Transformation stage. When going out, he had a bit more confidence and wasn't afraid of causing trouble.

"Forget it, let's not talk about those annoying guys."

Jiang Ning'er crossed her arms on the table, her face full of concern and curiosity. "Brother Shen Mu, what are you doing in Tianjian City?"

"Nothing much. I'm just going out for some training for a while to look for some good fortune and opportunities."

"After all, with my talent and aptitude... whether I can successfully build the Foundation is a big question."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning'er pursed her lips, and a hint of heartache appeared in her eyes.

If Brother Shen Mu couldn't build the Foundation, then in a hundred years, he would end up like those ordinary people...

No! I absolutely won't allow such a thing to happen!

Without any hesitation or indecision, she directly took out a pill bottle and pushed it in front of Shen Mu. "There are Foundation Establishment Pills in here. Brother Shen Mu, take them if you need them."

"But if I take them, what about you..."

"It doesn't matter. I still have a chance to get more Foundation Establishment Pills, but I only have one Brother Shen Mu." Jiang Ning'er smiled sweetly, like the warm spring sun, extremely heartwarming.

Shen Mu glanced at the girl's flawless smile from the corner of his eye, feeling the tender affection she had for him. He was extremely conflicted.

If he accepted...

The Foundation Establishment Pills given by a 14-year-old late Qi-refining stage freelance cultivator were more than just an ordinary gift.

It showed that she placed him in an extremely important position in her heart and was willing to sacrifice her future for him.

Once he accepted, as long as he still had a shred of conscience, it would be hard for him to reject any requests she made in the future.

But if he didn't accept, he felt that she might think he was looking down on the pills she gave.

It was truly a dilemma.

"..."

Finally, after a moment of internal struggle, Shen Mu pushed the pill bottle back in front of her and smiled gently as well. "No need. I appreciate your kindness."

"Anyway, I, Shen Mu, can't rely on a little girl. "

"If I accepted this, how would my fellow disciples laugh at me?"

He still thought that her current situation required these pills more than he did.

No matter what, he couldn't use her future as a stepping stone for himself.

After all, the kindness he showed her back then wasn't for this kind of "gift" from her today.

"Um..."

"Alright... Since Brother Shen Mu doesn't want it, I won't force you." Jiang Ning'er put away the pill bottle with a wave of her hand.

Although there was a hint of regret in her heart, she felt more of a sense of luck.

After wandering in this treacherous and self-centered cultivation world for a while, she increasingly felt that a man like her Brother Shen Mu was as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn's horn.

She liked him even more.

"The time for chatting and resting is almost up. I should go now and continue my journey of training."

"Waiter, come and settle the bill!"

Shen Mu stood up and called the waiter of the inn over to settle the bill.

"Sir, your total bill is 114 copper coins."

"No need to give change."

Clink.

With that, Shen Mu put down a one-tael silver ingot and left without staying any longer.

The girl's eyes dimmed for three breaths, then she immediately got up and quickly followed...

It wasn't until Shen Mu stepped out of the inn that she ran up to him, hooked her hands around his neck, her face slightly red, and stood on tiptoe...

"Peck." With a soft sound, the girl left a light and moist kiss mark on his side face as a special "mark".

"Brother Shen Mu, if we can meet again next time, you must accompany me for a while."

Shen Mu looked at the beautiful girl with a hint of red on her delicate white cheeks. He was slightly stunned for a few seconds...

Then, he pursed his lips slightly and nodded in agreement.

"Okay, next time for sure."

After this parting, who knows when he would be able to see her again...

If by chance they could meet again next time, I definitely...

.......