Yet, about fifteen minutes later, Nie Kong’s figure did not appear on the thirty-third floor, but rather materialized in a secluded courtyard in the western part of the inner city.

Behind Nie Kong, Gu Qi skipped merrily into the courtyard, and circling her were two or three dozen small spirit beasts with young, tender cries.

As soon as he had left the attic, Nie Kong had run right into the little loli who had come looking for him. Nie Kong had long known she used the spiritual medicines