Chapter 04: The Ancient Temple in the Deep Mountains (I)

Xiao Liuzi was taken aback, feeling that the women of this era were particularly amusing, getting embarrassed over such trivial matters and wanting to evade responsibility. He then laughed and said, "Indeed, it is my stomach that is growling. Hmm, there is a dilapidated temple ahead, and the fragrance is wafting from there. However, they are clearly not ordinary people; just look at the numerous alarm mechanisms beneath our feet."

Ah? Is this how you repay a life-saving grace? Hehe, your life is really not worth much! Little Liuzi was already annoyed by the woman's dress, and upon hearing her say this, he immediately turned to retaliate angrily

Wang Xiaoliu and Shangguan Taotao went from waking up to arguing in just a matter of minutes. It was only when the girl sat on the grass crying that they both calmed down and began to contemplate their next steps. The girl was the first to come to her senses, exclaiming: "I remember now, I have a change of clothes in my ring. How could I have forgotten that just now? It's all your fault for making Taotao so flustered. You, you look away, I'm going to get dressed."

Just like now, allowing the girl freedom of speech and action, she held onto Wang Xiaoliu and flew towards the nearby dilapidated temple

Wang Xiaoliu covered the small mouth of the furious Shangguan Taotao, who was about to explode, and said with a smile: "We are just passing by and would like to take a break in this dilapidated temple. May I ask for your opinions on this?"

"I am starving, I can't move, I am afraid of the dark..." With each step, Shangguan Taotao exclaimed, following the boy's footsteps with her eyes closed. Wang Xiaoliu suddenly stopped, and the girl bumped into his back, nearly falling over. In her panic, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Remembering the scene of gasping for air in the water, the girl's face suddenly became flushed, the redness reaching her ears.

"Swordsmanship? Silly girl, be careful!" Xiao Liuzi plucked a leaf and hid it in his palm, ready to help the girl out of danger at any moment

Hmm, if there is a white one, I would like a set... Little Liuzi hesitated for a moment, but still thought that wearing women's clothes was better than running naked. Who knows, the girl from the past might regain her strength and come after him again, and it would be troublesome if he had no clothes at that time

Shangguan Taotao boasted about her powerful spells, yet after flying a short distance with someone, she was already panting heavily. When she landed, her voice was somewhat louder, and she crushed two decayed wooden planks underfoot.

I never thought about repaying you with books!" Xiao Liuzi recalled that his age from both lives added up to 35 years, and how could he argue with a little girl? He immediately laughed and said, "Alright, come help me get dressed!"

"Who goes there?" A cold voice echoed from within the temple. Following this, the sound of dozens of blades being drawn rang out, a thick aura of killing intent locking onto the two individuals who had just landed.

"There is no space left, you should go somewhere else!" It was still that cold voice, youthful and crisp, yet carrying a faint hint of murderous intent

"Bah! This temple is not yours, so why shouldn't I be allowed to enter? Don't hold me back; I, Miss, will stay here tonight, and let's see what they can do to me!" The latter part was directed at Xiao Liuzai. She broke free from the boy's grip and rushed to the temple entrance in a few steps. Just as she was about to enter, a sharp, gleaming sword suddenly flew out, carrying a chilling murderous intent, aimed directly at Taotao's throat.

Wang Xiaoliu had just turned fifteen, his physique similar to that of Shangguan Taotao, quite suitable in build, yet he did not know how to dress himself. The girl watched him fumble for a long time with his back turned, even managing to wear her most cherished dress askew, which made her feel quite irritated. In a huff, she exclaimed: "You seem to have a good knack for escaping danger, but you are utterly clumsy in other respects. Hmph, in gratitude for your life-saving grace, I shall help you with your clothing this once!"

The girl cried with tears like pear blossoms, her eyes red like the jade rabbit in the Moon Palace. A pile of clothes was taken out from her hidden storage ring, covering her youthful and delicate body. Wang Xiaoliu turned around, listening to her softly dressing, and couldn't help but recall her naked form. Although described as innocent, it held an infinite allure for a young boy who had never had any substantial contact with women. As he was lost in thought, the girl suddenly said angrily, "Aren't you ashamed to be standing there naked? Hmph, I have girls' clothes here, do you want some?" Wang Xiaoliu turned around, listening to her softly dressing, and couldn't help but recall her naked form. Although described as innocent, it held an infinite allure for a young boy who had never had any substantial contact with women. As he was lost in thought, the girl suddenly said angrily, "Aren't you ashamed to be standing there naked? Hmph, I have girls' clothes here, do you want some?"

The two were bickering loudly, resembling playful lovers rather than enemies engaged in a deadly chase. After a flurry of activity, Xiaoliu finally donned the women's attire, sighing and thinking that if he were on Earth in the 21st century, wearing girls' clothes would be far less troublesome, a hundred times simpler than men's.

With a chuckle, the girl’s tense little face suddenly broke into a hearty laugh, realizing that this little thief was quite good-looking. His long, disheveled black hair fell over his shoulders, complementing his delicate and fair complexion, making him surprisingly pleasant to the eye. If it weren't for the sharpness of his angry eyes, he could almost resemble a beauty from a secluded chamber.

Wang Xiaoliu understood that this girl was raised under a standard noble education, with a serious class mentality, believing herself to be noble and superior. His own family, a prominent one, had similarly educated Xiaoliu. However, having received four years of higher education in the 21st century, Wang Xiaoliu discarded such thoughts and became an unconventional outlier in the eyes of adults. Later, he became wiser, internally disapproving but refraining from expressing it outwardly.

Hmph, still being picky, acting as if you are a young master! Here, take this white one!" Shangguan Taotao muttered in dissatisfaction, searching for a long time before finally pulling out a white dress and tossing it to Wang Xiaoliu. This dress was one that the girl liked very much; she wouldn't even lend it to her closest cousin. Yet today, for some reason, she threw it to that detestable little thief without a second thought

"Alright, alright, I won't smile anymore. Looking into your eyes, it seems like you want to eat me. Haha, this outfit really suits you, so I will give it to you." After saying this, she suddenly remembered that the last sentence was a bit ambiguous, and her delicate cheeks couldn't help but flush. "Hmm, what I mean is, I am giving you the clothes! Fine, I will be generous one more time; I will find another way to repay your life-saving grace in the future. Is that acceptable?"

Shangguan Taotao felt even more embarrassed when she saw him admitting on her behalf. Hearing him mention a mechanism, she immediately focused her attention on the few feet in front of his feet, and indeed, there were some camouflaged vines. The girl, seeing this small mechanism, was unconcerned and proudly said: "I’m not afraid; I can fly you over. My floating technique can carry people. No matter who they are, if they are sensible, they will obediently give up the barbecue and let me enjoy it first."

Damn it, why did you stop? It's making me... huh?" The girl suddenly sniffed, catching a whiff of grilled meat, and her own stomach betrayed her with a loud growl. She felt her neck turning red and shyly said, "Is it your stomach making that noise?"

The two individuals hurried along in the dark, stumbling their way for over ten miles, only to find that they were still surrounded by the Longgu Mountain Range. Although they were close to the exit, there were still several hundred miles to reach Longgu County. Longgu County is a small town located at the northern edge of the mountain range, and it is only by heading east from there that one can find a wide official road