LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 88: Increasing the Affinity Level
Chapter 88: Increasing the Affinity Level
After leaving the county magistrate’s residence, Xu Lian rode his black horse back to the Lin family estate. The cool evening breeze blew gently, calming his mind and soothing his spirit. No wonder some people liked to take a walk at night.
As Confucius said, “I reflect on myself three times a day.” In this world, self-reflection was especially important.
For instance, the incident at the Spiritual Essence Tower earlier that day, where he had a dispute with Zheng Ren, was something he would try to avoid in the future. Not only was it unprofitable, but it also wasted time and could lead to trouble.
Of course, if it was unavoidable, he wouldn’t retreat too much. He couldn’t just stand there and let someone spit in his face, then smile and wipe it away. He hadn’t reached that level of self-control yet.
“Fortunately, this is the busy street of Pingyang County, and Zheng Ren wouldn’t dare to act rashly. I had time to find the county magistrate to help me deal with Zheng Ren. If Zheng Ren had been patient and waited for me to appear in the wilderness, I would have been in danger.”
Xu Lian considered the situation from his opponent’s perspective, trying to identify his own weaknesses and learn from the experience.
The main reason for Zheng Ren’s failure was that he had underestimated Xu Lian’s background and didn’t expect him to be able to enlist the help of the county magistrate.
“I also can’t rely on others to solve my problems every time. I have to work hard to improve my own strength. My current Bright Strength level is still relatively weak in Pingyang County.”
Back at the Lin Family’s estate, in the side room of the west wing, Xu Lian took out four Condensation Pills and held them in his hand. He thought to himself, “Add Ingredients.”
[Condensation Pill addition successful, advancing to Bright Strength level 3]
The four Condensation Pills immediately turned to ash. At the same time, the energy within his body also increased.
It was like a mountain stream being replenished by a small rain, causing the stream to expand.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Rank: Bright Force level 3]
[Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volume 1)]
[Items: None (1-star long sword not equipped)]
[Note: You currently have no progress points. Please acquire some progress points.]
Xu Lian thought to himself, “Now I’m not lacking in Condensation Pills, but I’m short on Progression Points.”
Progression points were related to affinity levels, but most of his women were in Green Bamboo Town, while he was in Pingyang County.
If they remained in a long-distance relationship, it would be difficult to increase his affinity level, and it might even decrease.
“If I could bring Xiaoye and the others to Pingyang County, it would be great, but the situation in Pingyang County is too complex. There are not only other sects infiltrating, but also various monsters and family forces, making it difficult to protect them. With my current strength, I might even put myself in danger. It’s better for them to stay in Green Bamboo Town, at least there’s the White Fox Quarry Patrol Inspector to keep them safe.”
In the future, Xu Lian would have to travel frequently between Pingyang County and the city. In the county, he could easily obtain cultivation resources and purchase materials for his advancement. In the town, he could cultivate his relationships and acquire progression points.
“Materials and cultivation points, I have to find a balance between the two. It’s like walking; if I only use one leg, it’s inconvenient. If I use both legs, I can walk more stable, faster, and farther.”
Xu Lian adjusted his plans according to the current situation.
As the saying goes, “Plans can’t keep up with changes, but if plans can change with the situation, then they can keep up.” This was why Xu Lian often adjusted his plans.
Just then, Xiao Yu arrived, still with her spiral bun hairstyle and a rosy complexion, possibly from a recent bath. “Brother Xu Lian, the mistress asked me to come and ask if you’ve eaten yet?”
Xu Lian said, “Not yet, tell the kitchen to prepare some food for me.”
Xiao Yu asked, “What would you like to eat?”
Xu Lian thought for a moment and ordered a few dishes that he liked.
Xiao Yu counted them down on her fingers.
Xu Lian noticed that the sky was already dark, and it would be time to rest after dinner. He couldn’t help but think of Lin Wan, and his desire to cultivate a good relationship with her was genuine.
“By the way, tell your young mistress that the moon is full tonight, and ask her to come and have dinner with me to appreciate the moon.”
Xiao Yu was puzzled and said, “But the young mistress has already had dinner, and it’s not good for you to be alone with her at this late hour.”
The little girl didn’t understand… Xu Lian waved his hand and said, “Don’t worry about it, just pass on the message and let her decide whether or not to come.”
Xiao Yu could only nod and left the west wing to go to the kitchen.
She told the cook about the dishes Xu Lian had ordered, and then, remembering Xu Lian’s instructions, she went to Lin Wan’s room.
When she arrived, she saw Hua Rongjun chatting with Lin Wan and said, “Young mistress, Brother Xu asked me to tell you that the moon is full tonight, and he invites you to have dinner with him to appreciate the moon.”
Lin Wan was taken aback, and then she understood, her face turning red as she glanced at Hua Rongjun.
Hua Rongjun, being an experienced person, understood the situation and gave Lin Wan an encouraging look and said, “Go ahead, girl.”
Lin Wan stood up and walked out of the door.
Xiao Yu said, “Young mistress, there’s no need to hurry, the dishes Xu Lian ordered are still being prepared in the kitchen.”
Hua Rongjun playfully patted Xiao Yu’s spiral bun and said, “You don’t understand, it’s not impossible to appreciate the moon before dinner, is it?”
Lin Wan arrived at the west wing and looked up at the moon in the night sky, which was indeed full.
Suddenly, a figure rushed out, and to her surprise, she was scooped up and carried into the house, the door closing behind them.
Half an hour later, Xiao Yu brought the food, but found the door locked from the inside. She knocked on the door and said, “Brother Xu Lian, dinner is ready.”
Xu Lian’s voice came from inside, “Just leave the food at the door, I’ll eat later.”
Xiao Yu could only put the food down and wonder what was going on, as the door and windows were all closed.
The night passed without incident.
The next day.
[Name: Xu Lian]
[Rank: Bright Strength Level 3]
[Skills: Breaking Wind Sword Technique (Volume 1)]
[Items: None (1-Star Long Sword not equipped)]
[Note: Lin Wan’s affinity for you has increased from 80/100 to 85/100].
Xu Lian was both surprised and pleased. Lin Wan had been living in the Lin family for ten years without a man to rely on or show her affection. After being with him, her affinity had increased rapidly. At this rate, it wouldn’t take long for her affinity to reach 90/100 or more.
Xiao Yu brought breakfast, and when she saw Lin Wan in the side room of the west wing, her eyes widened in surprise. She couldn’t believe that the young mistress was here, and it was unlikely that they had only been appreciating the moon all night.
She remembered that the young mistress had gone to town with Xu Lian for over ten days, and when she returned, she had tied up her long hair. Xiao Yu was a bit slow to realize, but now she vaguely understood what was going on.
Xiao Yu asked, “Brother Xu Lian, should I call you ‘Young Master’ from now on?”
Lin Wan looked at her and whispered, “No, just call him like you used to. You just need to understand the situation.”
Xiao Yu could only nod, her gaze a bit unusual. The young mistress had a man before, and now she was with Xu Lian, who was still very young. It didn’t seem to match, and it was strange that they didn’t want her to tell anyone about it.
In reality, Xiao Yu was the last one to know, as everyone else in the Lin family already knew about the situation.
Just as Xu Lian and Lin Wan were having breakfast, Qin Liu arrived.
Xu Lian asked him if he had eaten yet.
Qin Liu shook his head.
Xu Lian asked Xiao Yu to bring a set of bowls and chopsticks.
Qin Liu sat down and joined them for breakfast.
Xiao Yu thought that Qin Liu’s forehead was brighter than the moon from the previous night.
Qin Liu kept giving Xu Lian meaningful looks while eating, and Xu Lian understood that the grave-digging matter had already been prepared. It wasn’t convenient to discuss it here, so he would need to go out with Qin Liu later.