"Open the stone boxes quickly. If you want me to spank you, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future," Gu Changqing said, glancing at the three keys in Nalan Yanran's hand and signaling her and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Yes, yes, open the boxes first and don't worry about this troublemaker!" Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran both scolded Gu Changqing playfully.
With that, they each took one of the keys and went to open the stone boxes.
The first box revealed a high-grade Xuan class Dou Technique, Roar of the Mad Lion.
The second box contained a Seven-Colored Poison Manual.
The third box opened to a high-grade Xuan class Flying Dou Technique.
Gu Changqing showed little interest in these items. He glanced at them briefly before distributing them to the others.
"Xiao Yi Xian can take the Seven-Colored Poison Manual and the gold. Yanran, you take the Flying Dou Technique and the Wind Attribute Dou Technique. The remaining medicinal herbs are mine," Gu Changqing said with a smile.
"No way!"
"No way!"
Both Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yi Xian flatly rejected Gu Changqing's suggestion.
"You led us to this treasure, and if you only take the herbs, it would be too unfair. The Flying Dou Technique is valuable, so you should have it. Or if you prefer the high-grade Xuan Dou Technique, you can take that as well," Nalan Yanran said. She wasn't very interested in the high-grade Xuan Dou Technique, as the Wind Attribute Dou Techniques from Yun Lan Sect were sufficient for her. However, she felt guilty that Gu Changqing was taking nothing.
Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "I actually wanted to ask if I could have some of the medicinal herbs. I don't need the gold or other valuables. We can study the Seven-Colored Poison Manual together. I'm not being greedy; I just want a few herbs for concocting medicine since these herbs are quite rare and hard to find outside."
Xiao Yi Xian spoke hesitantly, feeling awkward about making such a request after Gu Changqing had helped them find the treasure. It was only due to her strong desire for those herbs that she found the courage to ask.
"Just take them. These items are of little use to me. I only wanted the herbs to experiment with some alchemy. Xiao Yi Xian, you can take them. However, if you don't plan to join us in the Magical Beast Mountains, I will need the herbs back," Gu Changqing said, waving his hand.
"Alchemy? Gu Changqing, are you an alchemist?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes lit up with excitement.
She admired and aspired to be an alchemist, so hearing that Gu Changqing was interested in alchemy changed her perception of him.
"Sort of. I'm quite versatile," Gu Changqing replied with a smile.
"Ha, bragging again!"
"By the way, since you say you're into alchemy, who is your master? What grade of alchemist are you? Do you want me to introduce you to a talented alchemist?" Nalan Yanran asked, a bit skeptically but also curious.
"And what about this Flying Dou Technique? Are you sure you don't want it?"
Nalan Yanran walked over, looking at Gu Changqing as if she were meeting him for the first time. She asked four questions in a row.
"If you really feel guilty, here's a solution," Gu Changqing suddenly stepped closer, pulling Nalan Yanran's delicate form into his embrace. As she blushed and looked away shyly, he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, saying softly, "How about you become my girlfriend now? That way, what's mine is yours, and you won't feel guilty about taking my things."
"Who would want to be your girlfriend? I haven't lost yet~~" Nalan Yanran's face turned crimson, and she turned her face away, her pride showing despite her body staying close to Gu Changqing.
"Actually, you've already lost," Gu Changqing said, tightening his hold around Nalan Yanran's slender waist and pulling her even closer.
"Hmph, bad guy. I haven't proven that I'm from Yun Lan Sect to deal with you yet," Nalan Yanran huffed, still unwilling to admit defeat.
"Then prove it now. Will you agree to be my girlfriend?" Gu Changqing gazed at her close-up, a gentle smile on his face.
"Prove it first!" Nalan Yanran glared at him, confidently demanding.
But as she puffed her chest out, she blushed deeply and recoiled, realizing how close her lips were to his, and how she had almost pressed her chest against him.
"Then agree already," Gu Changqing said, holding her tightly and positioning her face to face with him.
"Only if you prove it, will I agree to be your girlfriend now!" Nalan Yanran said, her voice betraying her nervousness.
"Deal then. No backing out!" Gu Changqing lightly patted Nalan Yanran's bottom to seal the agreement.
Then he asked, "Do you know who the person who wants to deal with me is?"
"Who?" Nalan Yanran asked with curiosity, her eyes widening.
Gu Changqing, still holding Nalan Yanran, inhaled her sweet, virginal fragrance and smiled. "Do you know the young man who came with you to the Xiao family?"
Nalan Yanran's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mo Li!"
"No! No way! He has no grudge against you. Why would he want to deal with you? Do you know him?" Nalan Yanran asked, puzzled.
Gu Changqing looked at her with a mix of exasperation and affection. He lightly tapped her nose and said, "Beauty often brings trouble. Do you understand who I'm referring to now? Just wait to become my girlfriend."
With that, Gu Changqing released Nalan Yanran, who stood there dazed, momentarily forgetting the kiss.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi Xian had quietly collected the rare medicinal herbs.
After gathering all the items from the stone chamber and looking at the lonely broken skeleton in the center, Xiao Yi Xian said sympathetically, "Shouldn't we help this senior with his remains? It feels wrong to leave him alone after taking so much from him."
"Yeah, this place seems perfect for a final resting place. Let's make some modifications and bury him here," Nalan Yanran agreed.
They quickly set to work, modifying the stone platform where the boxes had been placed.
Seeing their efforts, Gu Changqing shook his head in resignation.
"Stop working. This stone chamber has mechanisms. It's like you're picking sesame seeds and losing watermelon. Xiao Yi Xian, you still need more practice with mechanisms," Gu Changqing said as he walked over, brushing the bones off the stone seat. He pressed a spot where the skeleton had been sitting.
The stone platform slowly shifted, revealing a massive stone coffin below.
Clearly, the Dou King Expert had prepared his resting place before his death. If the treasure seekers ignored his remains and didn't intend to bury him, they would never have discovered the stone coffin.
Inside the coffin lay several precious treasures.