"Your Highness has forgotten that my primary ambition is to empty your Ninth Prince's mansion. Now that I have the opportunity, how can I not make the effort?" Ji Fengyao rested her chin on her hand on the low table, looking at Shang Xiye with a sly smile.

Shang Xiye recalled the scene from back then, when the little bandit girl drew her sword and made a bold statement in front of him;

At the time, I thought she was vulgar and unbearable, but now I find her adorable.

"Then the princess really needs to work harder. It would be best to cut off the idea of ​​those who want to send women to my mansion. Only in this way can we solve the problem once and for all." Shang Xiye blinked his beautiful eyelids, leaned closer, and leaned on the low table, looking at the little bandit girl up close with the same posture and the same smile.

The scars on his face had almost disappeared, and in the flickering candlelight, his gentle features and handsome face appeared even more striking.

Ji Fengyao felt her heart pound wildly, and her whole body went numb from being teased.

Damn, I can't mess with this!

I, a humble woman, concede defeat!

Sensing that the little bandit was about to leave, Shang Xiye quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back: "Where is Your Highness going?"

"Your Highness said Yu Ying is untrustworthy and will most likely fall into a trap tomorrow. I'm going to take a medicinal bath to cram and improve my skills," Ji Fengyao said casually, not taking tomorrow's events too seriously.

"I will accompany the Princess tomorrow," Shang Xiye said, gently scratching her palm with his long, slender fingers.

"Is Your Highness free of business tomorrow?"

Yes, there was something he had been holding back for a long time, but he just hadn't found an opportunity to avoid suspicion.

Shang Xiye narrowed his incredibly beautiful eyes, smiled sweetly, and shook his head: "It's nothing."

My goodness, this person's adorable and well-behaved appearance is just too unfair!

Ji Fengyao's pink heart was stirred up and she couldn't help but pinch his face: "Alright, but Your Highness, don't bring too many people with you in public, lest you scare others away and they won't dare to come. Otherwise, I'll really have to be a free doctor for those villains."

"Okay," Shang Xiye agreed again, looking incredibly obedient.

This prompted Ji Fengyao to lewdly pat his face again before going to take a medicinal bath.

Once the little bandit girl left...

Shang Xiye's obedient expression vanished instantly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. He moved his thin lips slightly and gave instructions via telepathy.

Wu Zhong has recovered from his serious injuries and is back on duty today. Unexpectedly, his first task upon returning is so—bizarre.

Today is Ji Fengyao's last medicinal bath. After her body has expelled this wave of impurities, with her special physique, her absorption rate of spiritual energy will increase by at least three times. Within a year, she will be able to reach the sixth level of the Spirit Gathering stage, at which point she can begin refining pills.

Ji Fengyao suppressed her excitement and channeled the extreme fire within her life soul to circulate through her meridians. Under the scorching heat of the extreme fire, the remaining impurities in her meridians were completely removed.

She could clearly feel that the flow of spiritual energy within her body had accelerated. Even in this world where spiritual energy was scarce, a slight breeze of spiritual energy surged around her.

While waiting in the outer room, Shang Xiye suddenly felt a slight movement in his mind. That warm and comfortable feeling swept over his body again, making him feel a strange and strong desire to get closer to the little bandit.

It wasn't the kind of desire between a man and a woman, but simply a desire to get closer; it seemed there was something about her that was attracting him.

This feeling was very familiar, as if it were etched into his very bones.

Shang Xiye paused for a moment, then got up and walked towards the bathroom behind the screen.

Behind the screen, Ji Fengyao's extreme fire hovered an inch between her eyebrows, bathed in spiritual energy, and danced joyfully.