"Yanran, you're not seriously considering becoming my girlfriend already, are you?"
"Otherwise, why did you leave Wutan City and follow me all this way?"
In the lush jungle along a scarcely populated road, Gu Changqing glanced back at Nalan Yanran, who had been trailing him on horseback with curious determination.
Since their departure from the city, Nalan Yanran had insisted on following him, despite Gu Changqing's casual attempts to shake her off.
"Phew, you impudent rascal, who said anything about being your girlfriend? Go back and flirt with Sister Yafei!"
With a faint blush, Nalan Yanran gave Gu Changqing a dismissive look before raising her chin with a hint of arrogance.
"The road is wide open. I'm out here to practice and experience the world, just as you are. How could you know I'm following you?"
"Really?"
Gu Changqing eyed her skeptically before spurring his horse to a faster pace.
As Gu Changqing and Nalan Yanran raced along the road, a message flew out of Wutan City and quickly made its way across the distance.
"What? The Oba family has been annihilated?"
"A bunch of worthless fools! Thankfully, I bribed the stewards at the city gates, or we wouldn't have learned of this so quickly."
"Now that Gu Changqing and Nalan Yanran have left Wutan City, it's time for me to make serious plans. Nalan Yanran, you're mine. The Yunlan Sect and the Nalan Mansion will also fall under my control!"
In a neighboring city, Mo Li received a message from Wutan City. With a clenched fist, he shredded the note into pieces and turned to a contact of the Mo family stationed there.
"Contact the Happy Forest Whirlwind Group. I have business with them!"
"Master, the Happy Forest Whirlwind Group is led by a Douling powerhouse, and their fees are exorbitant. They're known for tearing up contracts without notice. Shall we proceed?"
"Enough of your excuses. Just contact them. Do you think a bandit group with a two-star Douling would dare oppose my Mo family?!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Gu Changqing's primary goals for this trip were to search for the Qinglian Earth's heart and to familiarize himself with many prominent figures in the Douqi Continent. He had a peculiar interest in collecting beautiful things, and many women in this world were considered to be among the most exquisite.
Hence, Gu Changqing wished to make their acquaintance before Xiao Yan did.
With Xiao Yan's ring and medicine dust now in Gu Changqing's possession, as well as the "Burning Technique," he had taken what he needed. Although Xiao Yan's talent had been restored, whether he would choose to venture out was beyond Gu Changqing's knowledge.
With over a year before Xiao Yan reemerged, Gu Changqing had ample time to explore and meet people like Xiao Yixian. However, having a persistent companion in Nalan Yanran was proving to be quite a challenge.
"Yanran, aren't you supposed to be training? Why do you keep following me on this road?"
By a stream, as Gu Changqing prepared the carcass of a first-order demonic beast, he inquired with a playful smile, glancing at Nalan Yanran who was washing her face with a towel nearby.
"Who said you can't train on the road? I'm out here to experience the diverse customs of the empire. How would you know I'm following you?"
Nalan Yanran retorted with a touch of defiance.
"Alright, but if you're serious about experiencing things, you might want to change out of your Yunlan Sect outfit. It's a bit too conspicuous on a road where everyone else wears coarse linen."
Gu Changqing suggested with a grin.
"Really?"
Nalan Yanran glanced down at her moon-white dress, which stood out distinctly among the common travelers.
Moments later, Nalan Yanran emerged from the forest in a simple white dress. Gu Changqing's eyes widened in admiration.
In the midst of the green mountains and flowing waters, dressed in white and fluttering in the breeze, she resembled a celestial being, her beauty enchanting and ethereal.
"Wow, Yanran, that white dress suits you perfectly. You look stunning."
Gu Changqing praised her sincerely.
Nalan Yanran's cheeks flushed, but she smiled at his compliment, despite trying to maintain her aloof demeanor.
"Rascal, you're always thinking about your own interests!"
Nalan Yanran shot him a look but was secretly pleased by his genuine admiration. His straightforward compliments had made a good impression.
"Yanran, why don't you travel with me? I could use some company."
Gu Changqing offered, while roasting the demonic beast's meat.
Nalan Yanran's eyes brightened, but she replied with a hint of skepticism:
"You're not thinking of making me your free bodyguard, are you?"
Gu Changqing burst into laughter, causing Nalan Yanran to blush with embarrassment.
"Between us, it's not so clear who's the free bodyguard for whom."
"You underestimate me!"
Nalan Yanran retorted, clearly displeased.
"I'm just being honest. If I let you use just one hand, you wouldn't stand a chance against me."
Gu Changqing chuckled.
"Don't be so arrogant! If you're so confident, let's have a competition."
Nalan Yanran's competitive spirit flared up.
"Alright, but I'm not competing without a wager."
Gu Changqing eyed her with a playful smirk.
"What wager?"
Nalan Yanran asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If you lose, you have to kiss me."
Gu Changqing's gaze lingered on her lips.
"Pervert! Stop daydreaming!"
Nalan Yanran's face turned red as she scolded him softly.
"That bet is unacceptable. We need to find another one!"
She refused to agree, feeling it crossed her personal boundaries.
"Then how about this: if you lose, you'll have to call me 'Brother Qing' from now on."
Gu Changqing proposed.
"Brother? That's your idea of a fair bet?"
Nalan Yanran pouted, feeling the stakes were unfair.
"It's 'Brother Qing'. Besides, apart from your beauty, there's nothing else about you that I'm particularly interested in. so what else do you suggest for the wager?"
Gu Changqing shrugged.
"Rascal, you're impossible! I'll travel with you, but only because I think you're amusing."
Nalan Yanran rolled her eyes, walked over to Gu Changqing's side, and watched the barbecue with keen interest.