However, despite the ripples in his heart, Li Qi couldn't indulge in such thoughts during daylight, especially in the early morning.
Even if he couldn't control himself, Shen Shuibei certainly wouldn't agree to it.
Or would she?
If he insisted...
Thinking this, Li Qi slapped himself again.
"Huh?" Shen Shuibei, who was eating, looked up with a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing, my hand cramped," Li Qi said nonchalantly, smiling.
Shen Shuibei blinked twice.
Strange, how could it suddenly cramp?
Worried, she reached out and held Li Qi's wrist. "Cramped? Let me see."
"If it's wind leakage on the surface or pain between muscles due to external qi, causing limb numbness, it might be a cramp. Let me check your condition." Rabbit started taking Li Qi's pulse while talking.
Li Qi almost forgot that Rabbit was an exceptionally skilled physician.
"Oh? Your body is very healthy, there's no problem. But sudden qi surges can cause blockages. With the expansive qi of Guangyang inside you, it might cause some swelling, and your blood qi is quite active, which may lead to blood rushing upward, causing hand spasms. I'll help release some of the qi."
Without waiting for Li Qi's response, she took out a pack of silver needles from somewhere.
"For arm and hand spasms, Shenmen point is key." She directly inserted a needle into Li Qi's Shenmen point, then proceeded to other meridians. Instantly, Li Qi began sweating profusely, a sign of yang qi escaping.
"Full qi causes difficulty breathing; Juque point should be targeted." Another needle went into the Juque point.
Li Qi immediately breathed out deeply, his expression becoming calm.
Excess qi had been released by Rabbit, temporarily placing him in a state of tranquility.
Forced tranquility.
"Alright, this should resolve your full qi issue. Why do you look like that?" After finishing the treatment, Shen Shuibei looked up and saw Li Qi with a holy expression.
"It's nothing, just feeling much better... let's not dwell on it, eat." Li Qi removed the needles and picked up his chopsticks.
Eat, what else could they do?
Just accept it, embrace destruction.
Though Rabbit still seemed puzzled, since Li Qi's qi issue was resolved, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
They resumed their meal.
Shen Shuibei ate happily because the food was indeed delicious, both in craftsmanship and ingredients, though not precious, it tasted excellent.
But to Li Qi, everything felt tasteless, as if chewing paper.
It couldn't be helped, human nature.
After breakfast, they packed up and prepared to head to the clinic.
The scheduled clinic was 1,100 miles away.
Walking was impossible, and personal flying was forbidden in Tang Kingdom, so they had to take transportation.
First, they needed to decide on the mode of transport.
In Tang Kingdom, driving non-sentient vehicles required obtaining the corresponding license, and Li Qi didn't have one yet, so renting or buying a vehicle wasn't possible.
They considered either taking a taxi or public transportation.
Initially, Li Qi planned to use public transport, like riding ground-stream cars or public planes.
It wasn't about money but experiencing more local customs and scenery.
But considering Shen Shuibei was with him, they decided to rent something nicer.
He browsed on his terminal and quickly booked a ride that didn't require a driver's license.
These were sentient mounts trained specifically for this role, serving as both mount and driver, having passed flight tests themselves, thus passengers didn't need licenses.
For controlled devices like flying artifacts, one had to pass exams.
After confirming the booking on the terminal, Li Qi turned to Shen Shuibei and said, "This requires us to walk thirty miles to meet the ride. We should start now."
"Okay!" Shen Shuibei nodded eagerly.
For her, this body was a heavy burden.
No one liked dragging around an injured body, and any chance to heal shouldn't be missed.
They set off on foot.
Thirty miles wasn't far, even walking wouldn't take long, given their cultivation levels. Despite not being able to go straight and needing to wait at traffic lights, they arrived within half an hour.
Along the way, they witnessed many wonders.
Sky filled with orderly flying vehicles formed a unique scene.
Imagine countless ancient-style skyscrapers with eaves resembling wooden structures but actually cloud palaces, magnificent and beautiful.
Between these buildings, birds, flying swords, vehicles, and various strange flying machines zipped about. Li Qi even spotted exotic creatures from outer realms, including bizarre beasts and mechanical-looking flyers, along with wooden contraptions soaring through the air.
On the streets, certified street performers showcased their skills.
Street artists, truly, Li Qi could only describe them as such, their techniques too advanced for mere street performances.
Transformations, illusions, insect training.
Most eye-catching were various magic tricks and special abilities.
Li Qi stopped to watch a gardener performing.
He placed a small peach tree in a pot, covered it with a curtain, and after a moment, revealed blooming flowers, vivid and lovely. A wave of his fan brought a breeze carrying the fragrance of blossoms, like a dream.
Covering it again, revealing fruits when unveiled, repeating thrice until the tree bore ripe fruit, green and yellow intertwined. He plucked and shared the fruits with the audience, tasting sweeter than usual.
Li Qi knew tricks were involved but couldn't figure out how exactly. The performer easily deceived everyone's eyes.
He nearly used his True Knowledge Technique but resisted, respecting the artist's livelihood.
Giving a generous tip, they continued.
Along the way, martial arts demonstrations, fire shows, oil stunts, and blade performances added excitement.
Within half an hour, they saw countless scenes.
Hundred pavilions and trees lined the paths, rivers flowed, tall buildings stood majestically, streets bustling with life, exotic flowers, melodious birdsong.
They also encountered many "public servants," but these weren't people—they were deities familiar to Li Qi.
Yes, deities maintained traffic rules, road maintenance, and all transportation affairs, appointed by Tang Kingdom.
These gods, spirits of deceased humans, managed specific areas without familial or regional restrictions.
Good or bad, hard to say.
Enjoying the scenery, they soon arrived at a tree.
A mulberry tree, towering over a mile high, hollowed out to accommodate residents while keeping the bark intact for life support, transformed wood capable of sustaining its immense size.
The tree blended into the cityscape from afar but loomed overhead up close, altering the surrounding environment, making it feel more natural, reminiscent of Baiyue.
Special apartments, designed for those who preferred such environments. Birds and other avian demons nested here, neat and tidy.
Their ride awaited here.
"We're here," Li Qi told Shen Shuibei.
"But where is everyone?" Shen Shuibei looked around, seeing no one.
According to the arrangement, the driver should have been waiting, but no one was there.
Li Qi checked his terminal, confirming the location.
"Maybe delayed? Let's go up and check. According to the info, it lives above." Li Qi pointed at the large mulberry tree.
Leading Shen Shuibei inside, they found elevators—or rather, self-climbing stairs—within the trunk.
There were two types of residences: hollowed-out rooms inside the trunk for humans or insects, including unfamiliar races from outer realms, and nests on branches for avian demons.
Their driver was such a bird demon, described as a bluebird on the booking interface.
Not pure-blooded, as those lived in Kunlun Mountains, serving a deity. This must be a mixed-blood bluebird demon.
Taking the stairs and asking the apartment manager, they located the nest. Hearing cries from within, they approached a distant branch housing a large bluebird tending to chicks.
Expanding his senses, Li Qi saw two or three chicks, puppy-sized, featherless, crying for their mother not to leave.
The large bluebird comforted them, saying she'd be back soon.
This scene gave Li Qi a sense of reality, contrasting with the fantastical image of Tang Kingdom.
Upon noticing their presence, the bluebird apologized profusely, ready to depart immediately.
"No rush, we're curious about what happened. Please finish comforting your children first," Li Qi reassured her.
"Not necessary, your destination is a hospital, probably serious. My kids are just fussing. Let's hurry," the bluebird replied.
"Let's bring them along then, we don't mind," Li Qi suggested.
"If you don't mind, that's great..." the bluebird sighed in relief.
Equipping herself, transforming into a larger form, she attached a streamlined carriage to her back, fitted with traffic indicators and permits.
Picking up her chicks, she apologized again, "Sorry for the inconvenience."
"It's fine, let them sit with us for safety," Li Qi proposed.
Reluctant at first, the bluebird eventually agreed, arranging for them to join.
With her ninth rank cultivation, she was swift. Wearing specialized gear, she grew larger, spreading her wings ten yards wide.
Then, bowing her body, she transformed the equipment into functional parts—a passenger cabin, traffic lights, and essential permits.
Finally, she invited them aboard, spreading her wings and taking off into the sky.