After organizing the loot and sealing the last of the jade slips into his Expansive Space, Tian Lei leaned back and stretched his neck until it cracked.
"Well," he muttered, "one night of chaos turned profitable."
The following morning, after a quick meal downstairs, he met with Su Liyue in the inn's quiet courtyard. She was already waiting, dressed in a plain robe that concealed her noble air. Her expression was calm, alert—eyes sharper than most would expect from someone recovering from an assassination attempt.
He didn't waste time.
"We'll remain in Mist leaf City until the Grand Competition begins," he said, arms folded. "I'll be cultivating and refining my techniques. You should focus on recovery—stabilize your spirit essence and keep your identity hidden. Once the competition ends, I'll escort you home."
Su Liyue nodded slightly. "Agreed. My meridians still ache from the battle. I'll need time to recover anyway."
"Good," Tian Lei said. "The fewer variables, the better."
