On the wide-open battlefield, the two sects had agreed to a truce.
However, far from the eyes of the two armies, up in the hills, Xue Níng had managed to corner Aomi.
She pinched his cheek while she lay sprawled across his lap.
“Don’t lie! I can tell that you’re a Spiritual Master, just like me!”
Aomi stared blankly at her before letting out a resigned sigh.
“Fine. I’m—”
“REALLY?! OH MY GOD! I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO MEET ANOTHER MASTER!”
Níng suddenly erupted with excitement.
She practically climbed on top of him, grabbed his shoulders, and shook him violently.
Aomi’s head rocked back and forth with every shake.
He simply stared into the distance, choosing to ignore her as she rambled excitedly about how long she’d wanted to meet someone new.
Seriously…
is this the same warrior I was watching a week ago?
Eventually, Aomi’s patience began to wear thin.
Níng was still chattering away when he gave her a tired glance.
“And yeah, I’d love to be friends with you.”
She finally finished her lengthy speech, apparently unaware that he’d barely listened to a word of it.
Having caught only the last part, Aomi glanced down at her.
She was still sitting on his lap as though it were her personal chair.
“Sure.”
Níng immediately grabbed both his hands and squeezed them.
“Oh my god! Thank you! I want to see your powers!”
Aomi stared at her silently.
For some reason, her behavior reminded him of a puppy he’d encountered as a child.
What an energetic little creature.
Níng suddenly paused and looked around the camp.
“So, you live here?”
Aomi nodded.
“Yeah.”
She looked around curiously, seemingly searching for something.
After circling the camp for a while, she returned to him and settled back onto his lap.
Then she stared directly at him.
“What’s your rank?”
Aomi answered casually, “Rank Six.”
Níng’s eyes widened.
She grabbed his collar and leaned forward until their faces were barely inches apart.
“REALLY?! I WANT TO BE ONE TOO! I’M ONLY RANK Seven! NO, WAIT! I WANT TO BE EVEN STRONGER THAN THAT! I’M GOING TO BECOME AN IMMORTAL!”
Aomi merely nodded along, letting her enthusiasm wash over him.
But when she leaned even closer, his patience finally snapped.
He glared at her.
Níng froze.
Her expression changed almost instantly as she hurriedly shifted off his lap.
“W-Was that too much? I’m sorry…”
She lowered her head and began playing with the grass, looking as though someone had just abandoned a puppy in the rain.
Aomi stared at her.
How can someone like this even exist?
One moment, she’s a loud, overexcited lunatic.
The next, she’s acting like a shy young girl.
What exactly is wrong with her?
He barely had time to process the absurdity of the situation before Níng’s shoulders began to droop.
Aomi coughed awkwardly and patted her shoulder.
“It’s fine. Don’t feel bad about it.”
Níng slowly turned her head toward him, her eyes already glistening with tears.
“B-But you scolded me…”
Aomi stared at her in disbelief.
I reminded her about personal space, and she’s treating it like I just gave her a terrible scolding?
Who the hell is this girl?
He rubbed his eyes and shook his head.
“No, I wasn’t scolding you. Besides, we’re friends now, aren’t we?”
Níng slowly raised her head.
“You… weren’t?”
Aomi nodded reassuringly.
She immediately let out a relieved sigh.
“Okay, then! If you say so. Sorry!”
Aomi’s eye twitched.
In five hundred and two years of living, I have never met anyone who could irritate me this much.
Nevertheless, he forced himself to maintain a polite expression.
“It’s fine. By the way, what’s your name?”
Níng instantly straightened her back and lifted her chin proudly.
“I’m Xue Níng! I’m a genius of the Xue Sect, I have an Extreme Physique, and I’m a Rank Seven Spiritual Master!”
Aomi stared at her without the slightest change in expression.
An Extreme Physique?
A genius?
Who the hell is she?
He gave a small nod.
“I’m Aomi. A Rank Six Spiritual Master.”
He paused before adding, “Anyway, you said you wanted to become an immortal, right? Good luck.”
Níng’s face lit up.
“Thank you~!”
She tilted her head, then suddenly remembered something.
“By the way, do you always wander around with a tent like this? Or do you belong to a sect?”
Aomi answered firmly, “No. I don’t belong to any sect. I simply wander around and cultivate.”
Níng nodded thoughtfully.
“Ohhh! So, do you go around refining spirits, too?”
Aomi nodded.
Her eyes sparkled again.
“PLEASE SHOW ME!”
Aomi’s lips curled into a faint, chilling smile.
“All right.”
He reached into his storage and summoned the injured bear.
The moment the massive spirit appeared, Níng let out a startled shriek and immediately jumped behind Aomi, gripping his back.
The bear simply stood there, its injured body motionless.
“T-THAT’S YOUR SPIRIT?!”
Aomi nodded.
“Yes. A Rank Four Stark Spirit.”
Níng froze.
She peeked out from behind his back, staring at the bear with wide eyes.
Her grip on his clothes tightened.
“Y-You mean… one of those spirits that Spiritual Immortals use?!”
Aomi nodded again, reassuring her.
Níng suddenly huffed and stepped out from behind him.
“Okay, I’m done with that one! Show me another!”
Aomi rolled his eyes.
Unbelievable.
He recalled the injured bear and summoned another spirit.
A tiny, winter-white fox appeared before them.
Níng’s expression transformed instantly.
“Ahhhhh~! SO CUTE!”
Without hesitation, she rushed forward and began playing with the little fox.
The fox rolled around happily beside her, seemingly delighted by the attention.
Aomi watched the scene in silence.
…When did my spirit become so friendly?
He stared at the little creature as it continued tumbling around with Níng, who was now laughing and showering it with affection.
Then his gaze slowly shifted toward the girl herself.
An Extreme Physique, huh?
That could be useful.
She’s a genius, too, and clearly a formidable fighter.
His expression gradually turned serious.
But…
why did she kill her own companions?
He recalled the events from the previous day, carefully reconsidering what he had witnessed.
His gaze lingered on Níng as she played happily with his winter-white fox, completely unaware of his scrutiny.
No matter how talented she is, I need to be careful around her.