On the other side, on the streets of Luohuo City——

"Brother Chu, why are we here?"

A sweet and lovely woman asked with some curiosity. This woman was Bai Yueli who had sneaked out of Yaowang Valley. She was looking at Chu Lingxiao beside her with a smile.

Chu Lingxiao was originally concentrating on his journey. When he heard Bai Yueli's question, he tilted his head slightly and looked at her gently: "Because... I want to come here."

Of course, he didn't tell the real reason.

Actually, it’s because of the plot.

In the plot, the old man in his body sensed that the materials he needed for cultivation were found here, so he guided him to Luohuo City.

This is a key part of the plot development and cannot be avoided.

Bai Yueli didn't seem to notice the reservation and perfunctoriness in Chu Lingxiao's words. Instead, she unconsciously moved closer to him, her eyes flashing with admiration and envy:

"Brother Chu is so free and easy. I envy you so much for your attitude. You act immediately when you want to do something. Unlike me, I have only acted impulsively once in all these years."

Bai Yueli's words were sincere and frank. She really envied Chu Lingxiao's decisiveness and courage, and at the same time she was full of deep admiration for him.

Chu Lingxiao's gaze fell on Bai Yueli, his expression slightly complicated. He had originally thought that since he had strayed from the plot for so long, it shouldn't be the case that he would stumble upon and rescue Bai Yueli from the voodoo poison in the Yellow Poison Valley as in the plot.

However, the power of the plot seemed to be beyond his imagination. Although he arrived at the Yellow Poison Valley so late, he still met Bai Yueli who had just been poisoned by voodoo.

He even began to suspect that Bai Yueli was poisoned when he arrived at the Yellow Poison Valley and was then rescued by him.

Despite this, when Chu Lingxiao saw Bai Yueli who was poisoned, he extended a helping hand without hesitation.

After rescuing her, everything seemed to develop according to the trajectory of the plot. Bai Yueli developed a deep love for him, and even when she learned that he already had a Taoist partner, she still didn't mind.

Chu Lingxiao had doubts about this. He didn't believe that Bai Yueli's feelings were real and thought that all this was just a plot arrangement.

Except for a few characters who can break free from the constraints of the plot and have self-awareness, most people seem to be controlled by the plot.

Just like Luo Qi before, because of the plot setting, she fell in love at first sight as soon as she saw him, which was totally illogical.

In comparison, it is rare that Sister Liu did not fall in love with him as she did in the plot.

Chu Lingxiao thought about these questions as he walked. As Bai Yueli was a key figure, he had to take her with him, otherwise the subsequent plot would not be able to unfold.

Moreover, influenced by the plot, Bai Yueli is also willing to follow him. In her own words, "No matter where I go, I will still make my own way, so why not just follow him?"

Chu Lingxiao found the inn in the plot. The reason he found the inn in the plot was mainly to be cautious and to avoid accidents and changes as much as possible to ensure that the plot can progress smoothly.

Bai Yueli felt somewhat displeased when she saw him arrive at the inn and ask for two rooms.

She said coquettishly, "Brother Chu, why don't we just take one room? We can save some money."

Chu Lingxiao was indifferent to her coquettishness and responded calmly: "It's okay, I have plenty of money and don't mind spending more."

Bai Yueli became even more dissatisfied after hearing this. She continued pitifully, "But... I wouldn't feel safe sleeping alone. Besides, I'm a weak woman. What if I run into any danger..."

"Brother Chu, you are a grown man, are you afraid that a weak woman like me might have some intentions towards you?" She tried to provoke him.

Unexpectedly, Chu Lingxiao nodded seriously and said seriously, "I am indeed afraid."

"You..." Bai Yueli was speechless for a moment.

After a moment, Chu Lingxiao said in a soothing tone: "If you are really scared, I can set up some talismans and formations around your room to protect you."

He paused for a moment, then continued in a coaxing tone, "You're already this old, you should learn to sleep by yourself."

Bai Yueli felt a little unhappy when she saw that he not only misinterpreted her meaning but also treated her like a child.

She responded: "No need, I can protect myself."

In the end, she had no choice but to agree to the arrangement of booking two rooms, with each of them sleeping alone in one.

Chu Lingxiao seemed unaware of her dissatisfaction. He looked at her with a look of satisfaction and said, "That's right. You have to learn to be independent. That's how you grow up."

"Hmph." After learning the location of her room, Bai Yueli ignored him and turned away angrily.

After paying the money, Chu Lingxiao also came to his room. As soon as he entered the room, he collapsed on the bed as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

He suddenly recalled that when Bai Yueli first learned his name, she affectionately called him "Brother Chu." However, this name made him feel a little uncomfortable, and after several corrections, she reluctantly changed to the current name.

He thought at the time that if it was Qingze who called him that, he would naturally be happy... but if it was anyone else, he would just feel awkward. (Of course, Song Jinnian was an exception; he always treated him like a child and was therefore particularly tolerant of him.)

Mentioning Qingze...a deep longing welled up in his heart. He missed Qingze so much and wondered how he was doing now. Did he miss him so much that he secretly dropped his little pearl and cried with red eyes in the middle of the night because of missing him.

When Chu Lingxiao thought of this, he didn't feel funny, but felt heartbroken. If Qingze really missed him so much... he would only feel more heartbroken.

In fact, he is already feeling very heartbroken...

Chu Lingxiao covered his heart and said, Qingze, it hurts so much.

He was caught in a contradictory mood. He wanted Qingze to miss him all the time because it proved that Qingze loved him enough; but he also didn't want Qingze to miss him too much, so as not to endure the pain of missing him and loneliness.

He knew that Qingze certainly couldn't contact him now, and he couldn't contact Qingze either.

Because Feng Ying had cut off all connections between him and Qingze, including the communication stone they used frequently before...

This severing of connection was not done by using any spiritual weapon or spell, but by mobilizing a power similar to rules, which invisibly severed all connections between them.

Thinking of this, Chu Lingxiao's heartache intensified. He really wanted to see Qingze right away, even if it was just to hear his voice... However, this was an impossible wish.

He curled up in bed, covered himself with the quilt, and imagined that it was Qingze hugging him... The longing came like a tide, almost drowning him.

It took him a long time to finally calm down the surging emotions of longing in his heart.

It's okay, he said to himself.

He has now completed one-fifth of the key plot. As long as he works harder and speeds up the progress of the plot, he will be able to see Qingze again soon.