After the middle-aged male cultivator left, Qin Gengyun let out a deep breath, his whole body feeling weak, nearly collapsing to the ground.
In his previous life, he had been an ordinary worker, rarely engaging in conflicts with others.
In this life, he was merely a bottom-tier Loose Cultivator, forced to give his all just to survive, never having fought others using spells.
Not to mention, he had just faced a Fifth-Layer Qi Cultivator, a full two realms ahead of him!
That pressure alone was enough to make one’s heart race with fear and spirit tremble.
"Taoist Friend Qin, are you alright?"
Mo Xiaolan came over, her forehead also covered in sweat, yet she still stood straight, as if nothing could make her bow or kneel.
Qin Gengyun shook his head, panting, "Taoist Friend Mo, was Senior Zhou trying to force you to marry him? Why didn’t you tell me?"
Mo Xiaolan smiled bitterly, "Taoist Friend Qin, I didn’t want to burden you, but I never thought it would still involve you. I’m sorry."
Qin Gengyun paused for a moment, then earnestly said, "Taoist Friend Mo, I walked into this myself."
Mo Xiaolan was startled, looked up at him, a trace of panic flashed in her Danfeng eyes, quickly avoiding Qin Gengyun’s gaze, cupping her hands:
"In any case, thank you, Taoist Friend Qin. I will surely repay you in the future!"
"No need to repay anything. Taoist Friend Mo, why not just promise yourself to him!" At this moment, the returning Taoist Friend Huang resumed his stall, jokingly said with a smile.
The surroundings also returned to their lively state, as if nothing had happened.
Disputes in the night market were common, not surprising; those who had fled were back.
After Taoist Friend Huang spoke, several nearby stall owners also laughed loudly:
"I think Taoist Friend Mo and this Taoist Friend Qin make quite the couple. Don’t forget to invite us to the wedding!"
Others also chimed in, Mo Xiaolan glanced at Qin Gengyun, quickly explaining:
"Taoist Friend Qin and I are just neighbors; we are innocent. Moreover, Taoist Friend Qin already has a wife. Don’t let his wife misunderstand and make things difficult for him."
Upon hearing her say this, people stopped joking around and returned to their businesses.
"Sorry, Taoist Friend Qin, they were just joking. Don’t mind them."
Mo Xiaolan tidied her slightly disheveled hair near her ears, apologetically said to Qin Gengyun.
"It’s alright." Qin Gengyun also felt somewhat awkward, hastily changing the topic:
"By the way, Taoist Friend Mo, here are the Pills I refined."
He said, taking out the sixty Spirit Pills and fifty bags of Clear Wind Powder, handing them to Mo Xiaolan.
"Taoist Friend Qin, you’re so quick?"
Mo Xiaolan was surprised, saying to Qin Gengyun:
"The Treasure Hunting Team just asked me about it. Please wait a moment; I’ll give them the Pills and then bring you the Spirit Stones."
Mo Xiaolan said a word, then hurriedly left. After about the time of a joss stick, she returned, looked around, and said quietly:
"Taoist Friend Qin, wait for me to pack up; we can talk on the way back."
Then quickly packed up the stall and walked out of the night market with Qin Gengyun, heading towards Narrow Rain Lane.
On the way, she handed him 510 Spirit Stones: "60 Pills, 6 Spirit Stones each, 50 bags of Clear Wind Powder, 3 Spirit Stones each, totaling 510 Spirit Stones."
"Thank you!" Qin Gengyun accepted the Spirit Stones, paused for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"Taoist Friend Mo, why is Senior Zhou so persistent with you?"
Mo Xiaolan was startled, tightened the thin velvet jacket on her, lowered her head, and said softly:
"That Senior Zhou is named Zhou Kun, and it’s said he reached the Fifth-Layer of Qi Cultivation a decade ago, but has been unable to break through since. Later, he somehow found a Dual Cultivation Secret Technique."
"Dual Cultivation Secret Technique?" Qin Gengyun was shocked. "Isn’t the Dual Cultivation Secret Technique controlled by the Three Great Sects? Where did he get it?"
"I don’t know either," Mo Xiaolan shook her head, continuing:
"This Dual Cultivation Secret Technique requires both partners to have the same Spirit Root to practice. Zhou Kun has the Gold, Wood, and Earth Three Spirit Roots, so he chose me."
Qin Gengyun fell silent. Mo Xiaolan also had the Gold, Wood, and Earth Three Spirit Roots. No wonder Zhou Kun wanted to marry her, treating her as a tool for Dual Cultivation.
"But there are quite a few female cultivators with Gold, Wood, and Earth Three Spirit Roots in Yunling Town, right? Since you’ve refused, why is Zhou Kun still so persistent?"
Hearing Qin Gengyun’s question, Mo Xiaolan bit her red lips, somewhat helpless:
"Zhou Kun said... although it is Dual Cultivation, he also wants someone who looks good."
"This is clearly lusting after beauty!" Qin Gengyun said angrily.
"You’ve refused so clearly, yet he continues to pressure you. It’s too much!"
Mo Xiaolan smiled bitterly, "The strong prey on the weak; it’s just how the world is. It’s just that my cultivation is too low to protect myself, and now I’ve dragged you into this."
Qin Gengyun waved his hand, "Taoist Friend Mo, there’s no need to say this between us. What are your plans?"
"Zhou Kun is going to the Northern Wilderness for a treasure hunt in a few days. He’ll be gone for six months to a year, maybe longer. During this time, I’ll earn as many Spirit Stones as possible and move out of Yunling Town before he returns. If he can’t find me, he won’t bother others."
Mo Xiaolan looked down at the orchid embroidered on her left shoulder. Qin Gengyun couldn’t see her expression, but felt a vague pressure in his heart.
After a moment of silence, he took out a hundred Spirit Stones and handed them to Mo Xiaolan:
"Taoist Friend Mo, without your connections, I couldn’t have earned so many Spirit Stones. Please accept these."
Mo Xiaolan immediately declined, "Taoist Friend Qin, those Pills were made by your hard work, and I’ve already earned fifty Spirit Stones. I cannot accept any more without merit."
She was resolute, and Qin Gengyun, helpless, had no choice but to take back the Spirit Stones. Soon, they returned to Narrow Rain Lane, stopping in the alley between their houses. Mo Xiaolan said:
"Taoist Friend Qin, thank you so much for today. I’ll handle Zhou Kun, but you should also be careful and go out less until he leaves for the Northern Wilderness. Then it will be fine."
Qin Gengyun felt somewhat uncomfortable, not knowing what to say, so he just nodded.
"By the way."
Mo Xiaolan took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and said:
"That One Sword Talisman..."
Qin Gengyun understood what she meant, "It was given to me by my wife."
"I see."
Mo Xiaolan was silent for a moment, then a flower-like smile appeared on her face:
"Taoist Friend Qin, you’ve married a good wife. Be sure to treat her well."
With that said, she went inside the house.
Qin Gengyun stood silently for a long time, finally turning and entering his own house.
This trip out, he had earned 510 Spirit Stones, and logically, he should be happy.
But right now, no matter what, he couldn’t feel any joy in his heart.
The strong prey on the weak, the strong can bully the weak at will. This has been the rule of the cultivation world he had long known.
But if he were to really stand by in the future, watching Mo Xiaolan being forced to leave Yunling Town or being taken as a concubine by Zhou Kun.
What should he do?