Chapter 45: Asking for Directions

Chen Mobai was also a bit at a loss.

He wanted to explain that they were just ordinary friends, but shouldn't the girl be the one to deny such a thing? Qing Nü, however, just kept her head down, her slender, snow-white fingers intertwining silently.

Fortunately, at that moment, the entire grand theater dimmed.

A long, clear opening call made Wang Xinying immediately turn her head towards the stage.

The two lead performers of the Jade Phoenix Troupe made their appearance.

First to appear was Jiang Yuyuan, playing the *xiaosheng* (young male) role. As expected, he was incredibly handsome and graceful. What was even more rare was that he was shirtless, revealing a masculine physique with eight-pack abs. He possessed both beauty and athleticism, truly deserving of his title as the Immortal Sect's top *xiaosheng*.

However, Chen Mobai, being a man, simply watched, listened, and appreciated the performance with an appreciative mindset.

It was Meng Huang'er, who appeared next, that truly captivated him.

She wore an elaborate gown, draped with a light, gauzy white robe. She appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen, with clear, noble eyes. Plum blossom petal *huadian* adorned her smooth forehead, making her exquisitely beautiful. Two crescent-moon shaped slashes of crimson makeup graced her delicate, melon-seed-shaped cheeks, contrasting with the fair lead powder on her face, further enhancing her sacred demeanor.

The story of "Treading the Moon" was well-known to everyone. Meng Huang'er's portrayal of the goddess, who tragically ascended to the moon in the end, moved Chen Mobai deeply. Although he knew it was a tragedy beforehand, after truly watching it, an inexplicable sadness welled up in his heart.

"After immersing myself completely in the performance, my spiritual consciousness, which had almost faded due to the diminishing effects of the 'Startling Dream Melody,' was indeed reawakened."

However, Chen Mobai had come to listen to the performance not just to witness Meng Huang'er, the Immortal Sect's top *qingyi* (virtuous female role), but primarily for his own cultivation.

Bian Yiqing's "Startling Dream Melody" had helped him open the door to spiritual consciousness cultivation, but it wasn't something he had cultivated himself, and its effects had now completely faded. Even with the "Nourishing Thought and Forging Spirit Art," he gradually felt that the seeds he was visualizing were sprouting more and more slowly.

Since one performance wasn't enough, he naturally needed another.

He still had tickets, and even though Bian Yiqing was no longer performing, the two leads of the Jade Phoenix Troupe had such renown and were entrusted with important tasks by the Immortal Sect, following the path of the "Startling Spirit Melody." Their performances would surely have some of the "Startling Dream Melody's" effects, so Chen Mobai came to listen.

Indeed, it was another fruitful experience.

When Jiang Yuyuan and Meng Huang'er took their bows, he stood up wholeheartedly and applauded loudly.

Not only him, but Wang Xinying and Qing Nü beside him, and even the thousands of people inside the grand theater, all stood up, thanking the two performers for their perfect rendition. The cheers were like surging waves, continuous and unending.

It wasn't until about ten minutes after the two Jade Phoenix Troupe performers had left the stage, and it was confirmed they wouldn't return for an encore, that the cultivators in the theater reluctantly stood up and began to leave.

"Let's go. I'll take you home first."

Chen Mobai disliked queuing in crowds, so he waited until most people had left before getting up and speaking to Wang Xinying.

"No need, Brother. My dad is coming to pick me up. You should take Sister-in-law home instead."

In an instant, Wang Xinying recalled countless TV dramas she had watched and skillfully provided an assist.

"Just call me Sister."

At this moment, Qing Nü finally reacted, a little embarrassed as she asked Wang Xinying to use a different address.

"Hello, Sister. See you next time."

As Wang Xinying spoke, she winked at Chen Mobai.

However, Chen Mobai was still uneasy, so he called his uncle, Wang Jianyuan, to confirm he was waiting in the parking lot. He then asked Qing Nü to wait at the entrance for a moment, while he personally escorted Wang Xinying over and handed her off to her family.

"Remember, don't say anything silly to your parents."

"I know, Brother. After all, relationships at your age usually fizzle out by the time you go to college. But this sister seems really nice, so don't be a jerk."

Before getting in the car, Chen Mobai repeatedly warned her. Wang Xinying patted her chest and promised, but what she said made Chen Mobai unable to resist knocking her on her forehead.

"What are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

After Chen Mobai greeted his uncle, Wang Jianyuan, and watched the father and daughter leave, he turned back.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Qing Nü was still standing exactly where he had left her, not having moved.

"No, it was just a moment. Your sister is quite cute."

"Not at all, she's very mischievous..."

At this point, an awkward silence suddenly fell between them.

Since their collaboration was discussed and the opera was over, they couldn't find anything else to talk about.

"I'll take you back."

"No need, I can just take the bus back myself."

Qing Nü took out a student ID card from her small bag. Chen Mobai saw that it was from Danxia City Immortal Sect No. 1 High School.

That was the public school with the highest admission scores. Could her spiritual root talent be excellent?

Oh, right, he still didn't know what Qi Condensation layer she was on.

"Let's still go together. Although the Immortal Sect has excellent public order, you never know if a fallen evil cultivator fugitive might stray here. It's already dark, and it's safer to have company."

Chen Mobai's words made Qing Nü unable to resist giving him another glance.

In truth, she had originally just wanted to find a wealthy patron to support her alchemy and cultivation. But now, as things progressed, it seemed to be taking on a romantic tint.

No, no!

Maintain composure!

Although that's what she thought, what she ended up saying was contrary to her true feelings.

"Then let's go."

The two walked side-by-side to the bus stop. After waiting for ten minutes, a bus finally arrived. Chen Mobai had initially wanted to take a taxi, but Qing Nü shook her head, saying it would be too wasteful.

After boarding, they sat in the back row, still feeling awkward and saying nothing.

"I'm here, I'll get off first."

Five stops later, Qing Nü got up first.

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

"Hmm, you can come after dinner. My teacher won't be at the shop then."

Qing Nü hesitated for a moment, then quietly said this as she passed Chen Mobai.

Two more stops later, Chen Mobai also arrived home.

As soon as he got off the bus, a young man wearing a blue and white robe asked him for directions.

"Hello, could you tell me how to get to Changqing Pharmacy?"

"It's at the end of the road, turn left at this intersection. But the pharmacy is closed at night."

On weekdays, Qing Nü might be there, but she certainly wouldn't be today. According to her, her teacher, Gu Changfeng, always left work promptly at five o'clock, never staying a minute longer.

"Oh, is that so? Thank you."

The young man in the blue and white robe thanked Chen Mobai very politely.

"If you need to buy medicine, you can take this bus for two more stops. You'll see another pharmacy when you get off."

"Thank you."

The young man in the blue and white robe continued to smile gently as he thanked him again. He didn't walk further but waited at the bus stop, seemingly accepting Chen Mobai's suggestion to go to the other pharmacy.

"This person seems very strong."

Chen Mobai was still under the influence of the "Treading the Moon Melody," his spiritual consciousness active. He could faintly sense that the young man asking for directions was like a boundless, unfathomable ocean.