Master Hao Yuan’s expression softened further as he took out a small brocade bag from his body.

It looked no bigger than the palm of a hand, seemingly ordinary, but felt as heavy as a thousand gold when held.

Su Li was overwhelmed, with her back bending under the weight, unexpectedly causing her to stumble and fall.

Master Hao Yuan seemed to have anticipated this, his large palms promptly covering Su Li’s, the heat from his hands permeating deeply, warming her entire heart with a shy warmth.

"You..." Su Li blushed at the right moment, feeling ashamed: "...I’m so useless."

Master Hao Yuan’s heart stirred, yet he maintained a calm demeanor as solid as Mount Tai, squinting slightly, "It was my oversight."

"The Qiankun Bag, though it seems delicate and ordinary, is actually vast inside, capable of holding the world."

"Let me gift this to you; it contains all my precious collections accumulated over the years."

Su Li: "It’s too valuable."

By releasing a strand of Divine Sense, one could know that regardless of the Qiankun Bag’s preciousness, it couldn’t compare to the heavenly treasures inside.

The items Master Hao Yuan casually gifted were almost richer than a medium-sized sect’s storeroom.

Not to mention the Spirit Stones piled like small mountains in the corners, there were also numerous Immortal and Divine Artifacts. Moreover, there were piles and piles of Elixir Pills and various nearly extinct Spirit Plants.

Being the most outstanding elite disciple of the Sword Sect in thousands of years, who achieved Nascent Soul True Monarch status within less than a hundred years, the wealth of Master Hao Yuan was something Su Li had never seen before.

"The Glazed Lantern isn’t much of a treasure. I recall there’s a Seven-Colored Treasure Lotus Lamp in the Qiankun Bag, capable of breaking illusions and enlightening the mind, one of the sacred treasures of Buddhism. If you like it, take it out to play around, better than letting it remain unseen in the Qiankun Bag."

Master Hao Yuan’s gaze penetrated through the house, his Divine Sense pausing inside for a moment. The perennial frost covering his face melted instantly due to caring for a particular person, softening the sharp, sword-like edges, revealing a gentle, warm smile, "And there’s Kunwu Divine Wood, best used for a dressing table, an enlightenment screen, an Immortal Orchid potted plant, a Merfolk Tear Pearl... these make good decorations to adorn the room."

Just from the names of these items, one could see their rare and precious nature.

Yet, Master Hao Yuan spoke about them casually, as if merely mentioning the arrangement of tables, chairs, and benches in a room; Su Li listened just as casually, nodding along, "I also think the room is somewhat sparse, making it not so comfortable to live in."

Compared to the exquisite and clever setup outside the Huayu Pavilion, the house, with many home furnishings moved away, appeared somewhat bleak and shabby.

Luckily, this conversation between Master Hao Yuan and Su Li wasn’t heard by others; otherwise, outsiders would likely turn into Red-eyed Monsters and devour the entire Huayu Pavilion.

Like the silent nourishing of things by fine spring rain, Master Hao Yuan’s affection was like the fine and dense spring rain, permeating every aspect of Su Li’s life without a trace.

Compared to her biological parents, Master Bi Hai and Master Zhiyu, Master Hao Yuan, this fiancée of hers, went to great lengths.

He seemed to fear his young fiancée feeling distressed, clumsily yet warmly announcing that even if everyone else ignored her, she would always have him to protect her.

Touched?

She should be touched.

Su Li lowered her eyes, her eyelashes like butterfly wings casting a small shadow on her lower eyelid, softly saying, "Thank you."

Master Hao Yuan’s heart thumped, not quite satisfied with Su Li’s calm demeanor, too serene.

He wanted to look into Su Li’s eyes straight into her heart, uncovering all her thoughts and emotions. But alas, Su Li kept her gaze restrained, making it impossible for him to fathom.

However... as Master Hao Yuan noticed Su Li’s hands clasped tightly at her abdomen, fingers turning slightly pale, his furrowed brow suddenly relaxed.

The young girl’s heart was far from as calm as her outward appearance suggested.

It seems, perhaps, twenty years ago, Su Li was not indifferent to him after all.

Master Hao Yuan chuckled softly, like warm winter sunlight, "Rest early, the sea lotus should be absorbed whole, and you need to work on refining it; otherwise, it will be harmful rather than beneficial to your body."

Having said this, Master Hao Yuan glanced outside, just as Xiaoqing entered with lowered eyes.

"Go and take good care of your lady."

Facing others, Master Hao Yuan reverted to the unapproachable, coldly indifferent True Monarch he was known to be.

"Yes."

Su Li stood there dumbfounded, watching Master Hao Yuan leave, unable to pull her mind back for quite a while.

Once the oppressive majesty of the True Monarch faded, Xiaoqing finally patted her chest with lingering fear, heavily exhaling in relief, returning to her usual lively self, "Facing Master Hao Yuan, I almost died of fright."

Su Li retracted her gaze, giving Xiaoqing a faint glance, "Is he really that scary?"

Xiaoqing, sneaking a look at her lady, eyes sparkling, full of admiration and envy, teased with a giggle, "Master Hao Yuan is always different with our lady than with others, so of course, you’re not scared."

"Lady, you have no idea, now that you’ve been back a month, outsiders are spinning tales of you being as enchanting as a Demoness... I think they’re just jealous of how Master Hao Yuan only treasures you."

Su Li: "Yes, the whole world only sees your deep affection, truly hard to withstand."

Su Li muttered with a faint smile.

"Lady, what did you just say?"

Su Li: "Nothing." Her indifferent demeanor vanished as she raised her head again, and asked Xiaoqing coquettishly, "Why did you leave with Master Zhiyu and the others earlier?"

Xiaoqing quickly explained, "I wanted to give you and Master Hao Yuan some space since it had been so long since you last saw each other...."

Before Xiaoqing could finish, Su Li inexplicably laughed, saying, "You sure know how to arrange things for me."

"I thought he was your master instead."

Xiaoqing’s heart skipped a beat, momentarily stunned, her mind blank.

Su Li: "Don’t be nervous, I’m just joking."

"Ah, Lady, don’t be mad at me, I won’t dare next time." Xiaoqing admitted her fault awkwardly, her limbs somewhat weak.

For a moment, she felt as though her lady saw right through her. But looking at her charming appearance now, it seemed she was just overthinking out of guilt.

Xiaoqing no longer dared to joke around as she did before in front of Su Li.

She cautiously followed like a quail behind Su Li, pursing her lips, not daring to speak ill about Master Bi Hai, Master Zhiyu, Su Buyu, and others, or mention any unfairness.

Su Li curiously asked, "What’s with you suddenly? Why have you become so distant with me?"

"Did I say something that made you upset?"

Xiaoqing cast a furtive glance at Su Li again, shook her head, "No, I just thought... I’d upset you, Lady."

"Why would that happen? We’ve known each other since you were eight, and it’s been thirty years since... I couldn’t easily get angry with you."