A hint of worry flashed across Bi Linglong's brows: "It was my oversight. After all, Lord Zu is still recovering from his serious injuries and should rest more. Lord Zu doesn't need to stay at the East Palace today. Go back and rest properly."

Rong Mo, standing to the side, curled his lip, thinking to himself that this guy didn't look injured at all; he must have been exhausted from sleeping with the courtesan last night.

The Crown Princess is usually very clever, so how come she couldn't see that Zu'an was just trying to slack off today?

Sensing Bi Linglong's concern, Zu An felt a little embarrassed and took out something from his pocket: "I have noticed several times recently that the Crown Princess is not in good spirits. Here is a calming talisman. Wearing it with you will help nourish your spirit, whether you are cultivating or sleeping."

"Thank you, Lord Zu." Bi Linglong was delighted, not so much for the gift itself, but for the sentiment behind it. It proved that he cared about her and that's why he noticed her poor mental state and wanted to help her.

Rong Mo ran over and took the rune. She was also a cultivator, and her cultivation level was not low. As soon as she touched it, she felt a cool and comfortable sensation. She ran back and handed it to Bi Linglong: "Your Highness, this thing really works."

She even found Zu An more agreeable, since she had seen Bi Linglong distracted these past few days and knew that she needed this thing.

Bi Linglong smiled as she accepted the talisman, then suddenly frowned slightly: "Hmm, why does it seem to have a fragrance?"

Zuan broke out in a cold sweat, confirming once again that women are extremely sensitive to the scents of other women.

Because this talisman was drawn by Xie Daoyun herself and given to him, it must have been imbued with her fragrance.

Given his current cultivation level and method of practice, this talisman is no longer of much use; it would be better to give it to someone who needs it more.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly and immediately explained, "That's a specially made incense that has a calming effect."

I couldn't smell any fragrance even after carrying it on my person for so long, but the other person noticed it as soon as they picked it up. Women's noses are truly terrifying.

Bi Linglong was relieved: "Lord Zu is very kind."

After speaking, he summoned a maid and whispered a few words to her. Soon after, the maid brought out a large box, while another maid carried a small box.

“I cannot accept Lord Zu’s gift for nothing,” Bi Linglong said. “Last time in the secret realm, we relied heavily on Lord Zu to deal with that Azure Moon Dragon. Now that its dragon tendon has served its purpose, it is of no use to us. So let us give this treasure to the hero. I hope it can help you recover from your injuries and cultivate.”

The tendons of the Azure Moon Dragon are rare treasures, and whether used for refining medicine or making weapons, they are priceless and unavailable.

Now that Zuan has learned alchemy, and since the Valkyries often need strange and unusual beast items to upgrade, this dragon tendon is really useful to him.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Knowing that she was taking this opportunity to give him something nice, he thought to himself, "Women are really good to their lovers."

So why can't those simps from past lives understand this? Do you need to guess whether a woman likes you or not?

Bi Linglong then took out a glass lamp from another box: "This jade glass lamp has been specially treated so that it can make the room as bright as day when lit at night. Lord Zu usually practices writing at home, but practicing writing for a long time can easily cause eye problems. With the help of this lamp, you can greatly reduce your concerns in this regard."

Zuan: "..."

It's just a desk lamp to prevent nearsightedness, I understand the logic, but why do you think I would practice calligraphy at home at night?

In his previous life, he had suffered enough from practicing calligraphy, including Pang Zhonghua, Tian Yingzhang, and Wu Yusheng. Now, just thinking about practicing calligraphy gives him a headache.

Practicing calligraphy? I'll never practice it in my lifetime.

Of course, he wouldn't be foolish enough to refuse someone who meant so well, so he put on a grateful face and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will definitely work hard and devote myself to you in the future!"

He perfectly demonstrated the reaction of a minister who was flattered, which Rong Mo and the others thought was normal, since not many people could receive such a favor from the Crown Princess.

However, Bi Linglong felt that there was something strange in the other person's words, and her face turned a little red for some reason.

After leaving the palace, Zu'an thought for a moment and instead of going home, he went to Yuquan Mountain in the west of the city.

In this secret realm, whether it was Jiang Luofu's map, Xie Daoyun's lifeline talisman, or Teacher Xie Xiu's abandoned pawn, they were all life-saving items. For both reason and emotion, we should thank them.

After arriving at the National Academy, he first went to find Hei Baizi, who was rigorously training Xie Xiu.

Hei Baizi was overjoyed to see him and insisted on playing a few rounds of chess with him.

Zuan was in a bind. He didn't know how to play chess, but he was reluctant to abandon his image of being unfathomable to his opponent.

Fortunately, he was prepared and presented the other party with a copy of the famous Go game manual from his previous life, "The Blood-Spitting Manual," as a thank-you gift.

When I read Jin Yong's novels back then, I was curious about the chess manual mentioned in them, so I specifically searched for it online.

Thanks to his improved cultivation level, his memory has also grown stronger. He can still recall most of the things he saw in his previous life if he tries hard enough.

As expected, Hei Baizi was immediately drawn to the "Blood-Spitting Manual" after just one glance, muttering to himself, "Brother Zu is truly a chess saint of our time. To be able to conceive such an exquisite and unparalleled incomplete manual, I dared to presume to play against you. I am ashamed, I am ashamed..."

As he spoke, he took out a chessboard and began to work out the moves, thinking to himself that if he couldn't even solve a single incomplete chess game, what right did he have to challenge the opponent?

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