The two stepped on the fallen leaves, which made crisp sounds as they broke.
Shen Qing couldn't remember how long it had been since she last saw such dry, lifeless fallen leaves.
The desolation in the courtyard all indicated Qing Qing's status in the Green Wood Sect.
"Qing lives in such a place? Even when I was in the Green Cloud Sword Sect, I didn't live in such a dilapidated small courtyard."
There was a hint of pity in Shen Qing's tone, and she was telling the truth. The small courtyard she moved to on the Forget - Sorrow Peak was shabby but not as dilapidated as this.
Moreover, spiritual energy could hardly gather in this place. How could Qing Qing recuperate well?
Li Xian was also visiting Qing Qing's residence for the first time. From their first meeting to getting acquainted, most of their interactions were through voice - transmission. They could only meet during sect exchanges or when going out for training.
He originally thought that Qing Qing, who was respected by junior brothers and sisters outside and held the title of young sect - master, would be regarded as a treasure in the Green Wood Sect.
But now he found that was not the case.
Li Xian said in a deep voice, "Let's go in and take a look first."
The house where Qing Qing lived was a tiny thatched cottage. The dusty windowsill and the drafty wooden door would be a place for beggars in the mortal world.
"Creak --"
Li Xian pushed open the rickety door and walked in first. The room was gloomy, and not a single ray of sunlight could penetrate.
After Shen Qing entered, she even had to get used to the darkness for a while before she could see the situation in the room clearly.
The first thing they saw was Qing Qing lying on the bed, looking as if he had lost all signs of life.
Shen Qing took a deep breath and walked over slowly.
Qing Qing's once gentle eyes were tightly closed. Even in his coma, his brows were tightly knitted. His face was pale, his cheeks sunken, and his lips were even a bit chapped.
He was lying on an old wooden bed, covered only with a thin blanket.
Looking around, there were a few small medicine stoves and some medicinal herbs that hadn't been boiled yet beside the shabby wooden bed. Shen Qing thought these should be left by Jiang Zhiyun.
"Qing Qing..."
Shen Qing called out to Qing Qing in a trembling voice.
The Qing Qing on the bed seemed to sense someone approaching. He moved his fingers restlessly but still couldn't wake up.
Seeing Qing Qing lying on the bed listlessly, Li Xian's eyes darkened. Coupled with the veiled threats from the sect - master Qing Dai just now, his mood was already very bad.
He really didn't understand why his good friend was in such a predicament.
Shen Qing found two small stools that could barely be sat on in the room and sat beside Qing Qing's bed with Li Xian.
They both silently looked at Qing Qing, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
Qing Qing's current situation made Shen Qing think of herself in the past, being ignored and in an embarrassing situation...
"What should we do about Qing Qing? Should he really give up everything he has now?"
Li Xian said coldly, "The Green Wood Sect is not a blessed land. Should we let Qing Qing continue like this?"
Shen Qing lowered her head slightly, her heart heavy.
In the secret realm of the Sea Coral City, she first met Qing Qing. Along the way, Qing Qing had been telling her about the Green Wood Sect.
He talked about his ideal of saving lives and treating the sick.
She could feel his attachment and affection for the Green Wood Sect from his tone and expression.
Moreover, if Qing Qing could really give up easily, things wouldn't have turned out like this. If they really tried to persuade him, Shen Qing thought Qing Qing wouldn't agree.
"Let's wait until Qing Qing wakes up and then ask for his opinion."
Li Xian pursed his lips tightly and said nothing.
It was the first time Shen Qing had seen Li Xian like this. His face was gloomy, and just sitting there, he exuded a sense of killing.
Suddenly, there came the sound of fallen leaves being stepped on outside the door. Shen Qing and Li Xian glanced at each other and immediately knew who the visitor was.
There was a knock on the door, followed by Ban Fenghe's delicate voice, "Fellow Daoist Li, Fellow Daoist Shen, may I come in?"
Li Xian sneered. Through the drafty wooden door, he saw Ban Fenghe's carefully - designed side face.
"The gap in this door is so big that you can see the situation inside. Why do you need to ask?"
Ban Fenghe's eyes turned red. She bit her lower lip aggrievedly and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, why are you so aggressive? Everything just now was the sect - master's order. I have no intention of competing with Fellow Daoist Shen."
Saying this, she pushed the door open and came in, holding a tray with a bowl of black medicine on it.
Feeling their gazes on her, Ban Fenghe uncomfortably raised her hand and tucked the hair by her temple behind her ear.
Against the contrast of her black hair, her slender wrist looked fair and long.
Shen Qing sized up the woman in front of her and felt that she was different from when they first met.
In just the short time it took them to walk here, Ban Fenghe had dressed up again. The hairpin on her head had been replaced with a tasseled hair ornament, and her hairstyle was more complicated.
The otherworldly white robe she was wearing before had been changed into a gorgeous fairy - like dress with a magnificent and delicate embroidered waistband, which made her slender waist look even more slender.
She had deliberately lowered the collar of her cross - collared jacket, revealing her delicate collarbone. There was also a pink sheer outer shirt over it, making her beautiful figure faintly visible. There was a gradient green silk shawl hanging between her arms, swaying as she walked.
Ban Fenghe had changed from her previous delicate appearance to a charming, fresh, and lively one.
Li Xian obviously also noticed Ban Fenghe's change and gave her a cold look.
"What are you doing here?" Li Xian asked coldly.
Ban Fenghe raised her eyes and looked at Li Xian with teary eyes. She said softly, "I'm here to take care of the young sect - master by the sect - master's order."
"Taking care of a patient doesn't require dressing so gorgeously. It seems insincere."
Ban Fenghe lowered her head aggrievedly again and said, "I just didn't want to be impolite in front of the guests, so I dressed up a bit. I didn't expect it to offend Fellow Daoist Shen."
Shen Qing was confused and looked at Ban Fenghe puzzledly.
It was clearly Li Xian who disliked her and argued with her. What did it have to do with her?
But what made Shen Qing even more curious was that Li Xian had never been so talkative before.
Even in front of familiar people, Li Xian was always sparing with words. He only talked a little more in front of her. But now he was so angry with Ban Fenghe that he was sarcastic with every word.
But then Shen Qing thought that this girl still thought Li Xian was special. Even after Li Xian said those harsh words, she still didn't change her mind.
Could she think that she was special in Li Xian's heart...
Li Xian was glared at by Shen Qing. With his mouth itching to scold, he asked, "What kind of poison are you bringing here?"
Ban Fenghe was stunned for a moment and stammered, "This is not poison. It's the medicine that can wake the young sect - master up after he drinks it."
"The sect - master hopes that you can persuade Qing Qing according to the conversation just now. Then everything will be happy for everyone."