For several days, no one came to ask Fang Ling to do anything.
Instead, he was treated with good food and drink, which made him feel a bit strange.
He was about to find the Fat Butler to ask for an explanation when he suddenly sensed someone approaching.
Knock, Knock, Knock—a series of knocks sounded on the door.
"May I come in?" The visitor was none other than Miss Zhao, Zhao Xilian.
"Come in," Fang Ling said calmly.
Zhao Xilian entered, carrying a food box.
She was very beautiful, with graceful manners. Today, she wore a light blue palace dress that added to her charm.
"The kitchen made some snacks, unique to Liu City—Laurel Cake. You've come from afar, why not have a taste?" Zhao Xilian looked up at him and smiled slightly.
She had already learned about Fang Ling's background from Brother Blackie.
At the very least, she could confirm that he wasn't from the South Sun Kingdom; his accent was quite different.
"Thank you, Miss Zhao," Fang Ling nodded slightly. "By the way, I've been in your residence for some time now. Do you have any tasks for me?"
"Our household has plenty of servants and guards, there's no need for you to trouble yourself," Zhao Xilian smiled.
"Since you are here in distress, just rest and recover in our residence. If you need anything, just let us know.
Although our Zhao Family is small, we know how to treat guests and will do our best to accommodate you."
Fang Ling said, "Actually, there is one thing. I was teleported from a very distant place, and the journey back is long.
If I don't understand the situation along the way, it could be dangerous.
So, I would like to borrow your study to read some miscellaneous texts and books."
"There happens to be such a place in our residence that might meet your needs," Zhao Xilian smiled.
"Please follow me, Young Master Fang. Once you know the way, you can visit anytime."
"Thank you for the trouble," Fang Ling replied.
Fang Ling followed Zhao Xilian, turning left and right through several corridors, until they arrived at a humble hut.
Few people visited this place, so there were still some fallen leaves and branches in the courtyard, left unswept.
At this moment, the Fat Butler, Zhao Ruixiang, came running over, panting.
"Miss! Young Master Fang!" He greeted them and immediately took out the key to the hut, unlocking it. "This place hasn't been used for a while, so it smells a bit musty. I'll have the servants clean it up first, and you can go in later."
Zhao Xilian nodded lightly and said, "Uncle Rui, give the key to Young Master Fang. He will be coming here often, so you won't have to run back and forth all the time."
"Alright! Young Master Fang, please keep it safe!" Zhao Ruixiang respectfully handed over the key with both hands.
Fang Ling accepted it and softly thanked him.
After the servants finished cleaning, he and Zhao Xilian went inside.
"Young Master Fang, I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay here with you," Zhao Xilian said.
"If you need anything, just let Uncle Rui know."
"Please go ahead, Miss Zhao," Fang Ling nodded and began to browse the books on the shelf.
He had read some books in the Frozen Mountain Temple, but they were all Grandmaster's treasured Buddhist scriptures.
He had only heard about the outside world from their conversations.
But they had been isolated for tens of thousands of years, and many things might have changed.
He greedily read through the books, not fully believing everything but reading them thoroughly...
Time flew by, and more than a month passed.
In the Zhao Family garden, Zhao Xilian was tending to the Spiritual Flowers.
Suddenly, she seemed to sense something and stood up, "Greetings, Father!"
Zhao Tianlong nodded lightly and then sat with her at a stone table nearby.
"Girl, what has that guest been doing lately?"
Fang Ling had only been here for a couple of days when Zhao Tianlong had to leave for some matters and had just returned today, hence the question.
Zhao Xilian replied, "He's been reading day and night, staying in the hut without coming out."
"Oh? That's quite strange!" Zhao Tianlong was surprised.
"Have you found out anything about his identity?"
Zhao Xilian shook her head helplessly, "Nothing at all. It's as if he appeared out of thin air."
"In that case, there's no need to investigate further. We don't want to upset him by letting him know," Zhao Tianlong said calmly.
"By the way, when is your Senior Brother arriving? I expect the Qin Family will make a move in the next couple of days.
They definitely won't give up on that Spiritual Mine."
"He... should be arriving soon," Zhao Xilian sighed lightly.
If it weren't for the urgent situation at home, she wouldn't have wanted to call him over.
Meanwhile, at the hut some distance from the garden.
Fang Ling put down his book, deep in thought.
With his spiritual power, he knew everything happening in every corner of the Zhao Family.
He knew exactly what was said.
In a flash, he appeared in the garden, beside Zhao Tianlong and Zhao Xilian.
His sudden appearance startled the father and daughter.
"Thank you for your care during this time," Fang Ling said.
"If your Zhao Family is in trouble, I can help once."
Zhao Tianlong quickly stood up, smiling warmly, "Young Master Fang, please have a seat!"
Fang Ling sat down and glanced at Zhao Xilian, "Miss Zhao, are you from the Feather Crane Sect?"
The books he had read over the past month were not in vain; he had a general understanding of the outside world and the South Sun Kingdom.
Liu City had only a few small cultivation families, while the larger cultivation forces were in Lingtian City.
There were many sects and large cultivation families there, and martial arts were relatively prosperous.
Zhao Xilian nodded, "Yes, I am an Inner Sect Disciple of the Feather Crane Sect."
"I came home for a short stay because of some family matters."
At this moment, a cheerful voice came from the archway, "Junior Sister, I'm here!"
"Uncle is here too? I am Qian Ling, Zhao Junior Sister should have mentioned me."
A fairly handsome man in white walked over.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Qian Ling!" Zhao Xilian stood up immediately to greet him.
"Great Young Man, you finally arrived!" Zhao Tianlong said joyfully, "Come, please sit!"
Qian Ling, originally full of spirit, couldn't help but focus his gaze on Fang Ling.
"Junior Sister, who is this...?" he asked.
"Oh! This is Young Master Fang Ling, a distinguished guest of our Zhao Family," Zhao Xilian replied.
"Where does Young Master Fang hold a position?" Qian Ling immediately looked at Fang Ling and asked.
Fang Ling replied, "I'm just a casual cultivator."
"So, a casual cultivator, huh? Haha," Qian Ling laughed and shook his head.
Zhao Tianlong knew the young man's thoughts and didn't want their relationship to sour.
But he didn't know what to say, so he just responded casually.
"Junior Sister, who exactly is this person?" After Fang Ling left, Qian Ling asked again.
Zhao Xilian replied, "I don't know either. He just ended up here and is temporarily staying with our Zhao Family."
"Junior Sister, you're being foolish! Don't be fooled by his looks; he's probably a fraud," Qian Ling said seriously.
"I've seen many like him, who love to come to the countryside and put on airs, making you think they're impressive. They take the opportunity to deceive people and take advantage of them!"
"That shouldn't be the case, right?" Zhao Xilian smiled awkwardly.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan

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