CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 235: COMING-OF-AGE CEREMONY

Yue Zhilan returned to the cave-dwelling with a heart full of expectations.

Li Nanfeng had just sobered up from his drunken stupor and looked up to see a strange woman filled with anticipation.

His face changed instantly, and he grabbed Yue Zhilan by the throat, demanding fiercely, "Who are you! Why are you here?"

Yue Zhilan was startled and tried to grab Li Nanfeng’s hand to explain something.

But Li Nanfeng was using too much force; she couldn’t speak at all.

Li Nanfeng, observing Yue Zhilan’s pained expression, vaguely sensed a hint of familiarity.

He released Yue Zhilan expressionlessly.

"Nanfeng, it’s me, it’s me," Yue Zhilan said hastily.

Li Nanfeng looked at her with a gloomy expression: "Are you Yue Zhilan?"

Yue Zhilan managed to muster a smile: "Nanfeng, it’s me."

Li Nanfeng’s face turned unsightly: "What happened to your face?"

He brought this woman back solely for her appearance, didn’t he?

Now, she doesn’t even have that face anymore, so what use is she?

Unlike in the book, where Li Nanfeng and Yue Zhilan spent days and nights together, fostering genuine feelings.

As of this moment, the two had only known each other for a few days, with Li Nanfeng completely venting his frustration about not obtaining Mu Nanqing on Yue Zhilan.

Now that Yue Zhilan has lost her face, she has also lost her value!

Yue Zhilan, seeing Li Nanfeng’s displeased expression, felt a ripple of panic, and carefully said: "I was so bored on my own that I went out for a walk. Then, I met a woman who looked very much like me."

"And then?" Li Nanfeng’s expression remained overcast.

Yue Zhilan pursed her lips: "She said she hated my face, so she fed me an Elixir, and then my appearance changed."

Yue Zhilan nervously added: "Nanfeng, I... I still look pretty good now, right? You agree, don’t you?"

"She said, she doesn’t like your face?" Li Nanfeng stared at Yue Zhilan, yet his demeanor lightened slightly.

He couldn’t help but think.

Did Mu Nanqing get envious upon seeing Yue Zhilan, hence deliberately did this?

Her words this morning, most likely were not her true feelings.

Do I, perhaps, still stand a chance?

With this thought, Li Nanfeng’s spirits lifted.

"Nanfeng..." Yue Zhilan looked at him timidly: "I..."

Li Nanfeng, somewhat impatiently interrupted her: "Stay here for the next few days, and don’t go anywhere! If you dare to leave without permission again, I will break your legs!"

Yue Zhilan’s heart skipped a beat.

Is this the elegant gentleman that had captured her heart at first sight?

How could Li Nanfeng’s demeanor change so drastically from her memory in just a few days?

And her.

To Li Nanfeng, what exactly does she amount to?

Just a substitute for that other woman?

But clearly, that woman looks down upon her.

Yue Zhilan is ambitious; she wants to pursue Cultivation, yearns to become an immortal, and desires to wield supreme power!

All of that, for a mere mortal like her, is simply unattainable.

Only Li Nanfeng has the means to grant her all these things.

Therefore.

Despite feeling aggrieved and angry, she still obediently agreed.

Meanwhile.

Li Nanfeng tried every possible way to continue making contact with Mu Nanqing.

To his surprise, Mu Nanqing flatly refused to meet with him anymore.

He could only linger day after day at the base of Ling Tian Peak, unable to gain entry.

After being rebuffed by Mu Nanqing, Li Nanfeng would return and often take out his frustration on Yue Zhilan, subjecting her to physical abuse.

Gradually, Yue Zhilan became disappointed with Li Nanfeng, but for that sliver of hope in Cultivation, she persisted and stayed.

Time flew swiftly.

Finally, the day of Shi Nian’s hairpinning ceremony arrived.

According to the tradition of this world, after one’s 16th birthday, it is time for the hairpinning ceremony. Both men and women are then free to marry, and one must begin to take responsibility for their future.

Shi Nian, who previously resembled a child with two buns in her hair...

Today.

Mu Nanqing came over early in the morning and patiently untied her twin buns, earnestly combing her into an adult hairstyle.

Long hair draped slightly, with her hair gracefully piled up high.

Mu Nanqing then took the exquisite hairpin she had selected and placed it atop her hairdo.

She looked in the mirror for a while, revealing a satisfied smile: "My little Nian has really grown up."

Shi Nian looked at herself in the mirror, feeling quite amazed.

At Ling Tian Peak, she had always been seen as a child, her hairstyles and attire were all childish.

Today.

Mu Nanqing dressed her up so earnestly that Shi Nian was somewhat surprised.

This lifetime, she turned out to be quite beautiful!

Indeed.

The more one cultivates in Cultivation, the less impurities in the body, and eventually, there will be no one who isn’t beautiful.

But to be as pretty as her was still rare.

Shi Nian admired herself in the mirror quite a bit.

No sooner had Mu Nanqing finished saying that Shi Nian had grown up, she saw her admiring herself and couldn’t help but giggle. She gently pushed Shi Nian: "Go, change into a new outfit."

Shi Nian designed many garments, and now Nichang Pavilion is all the rage throughout the Cultivation World, but she herself had never worn these outfits, as her usual attire was simply childish.

This time.

Mu Nanqing also meticulously selected a set for her, urging her to put it on.

Shi Nian obediently agreed.

Mu Nanqing waited outside.

Soon.

There was movement behind her.

Mu Nanqing turned around.

And saw Shi Nian walking out elegantly.

At that moment, Mu Nanqing even felt a bit dazed.

Unexpectedly, she was reminded of a line of poetry that appeared in Shi Nian’s storybooks.

It wasn’t quite apt, but it lingered in her mind.

"When the bauhinia blossoms splendidly, a sudden sparse rain washes the air during Qingming."

Her little Nian had suddenly turned into a grown young lady.

While Mu Nanqing was feeling sentimental, Shi Nian suddenly propped one hand on the doorframe and put the other on her waist, casting a flirtatious glance at her: "Big Sister, what is it, am I mesmerizing you?"

Mu Nanqing: "..."

I’m tired, let’s destroy it all.

She wanted to say.

Such a good person, can you refrain from talking for a bit?

Forget it, forget it, I should learn to let go.

Mu Nanqing could only comfort herself this way.

"So it’s really my beauty." Shi Nian giggled, excitedly tugging at Mu Nanqing’s sleeve: "Come on, let’s show the others too, and dazzle them."

Mu Nanqing felt numb.

If she didn’t speak, then indeed it would be a sight to behold.

But once she opens her mouth, it becomes a source of amusement.

Everyone was waiting outside.

When Shi Nian came out, she didn’t immediately speak.

So, everyone was stunned for a moment.

This... is this Shi Nian?

Despite having the same face, how come she looks completely different!

The next moment.

Shi Nian burst into laughter: "Little Uncle Master, you’re so funny! I’ve found you’ve suddenly turned into a dumbfounded face. Just like this..."

Shi Nian even imitated the expression.

Everyone glanced at Lu Zhuoyan.

Lu Zhuoyan felt numb as well.

Stunning beauty or whatnot, it indeed can’t last for three seconds.

Illusions, all of them just illusions.