In the novel "Joy of Life," the protagonist wakes up at Li Chengze's residence.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze was not quite clear and said:

"Outside Kyoto? Jingyang, are you thinking of going out for a trip?"

Yes, I've been so busy lately, it's time to take a break.

Tao Jingyang, however, hadn't yet figured out what to say next.

Considering how much has already happened today, there's no rush to say these things.

She was feeling a little heavy-hearted, and glanced at him sideways, only to see that Li Chengze was also looking down at her.

Seeing that Tao Jingyang hadn't spoken for a while, Li Chengze patted her head and said in a low voice,

He reassured her, saying, "When we have some free time, we'll go out for some fresh air together."

For some reason, Li Chengze's mood also plummeted.

Having already composed himself, Tao Jingyang belatedly realized that...

Just now, it seemed like Li Chengze had been "going along" with her the whole time.

Moreover, upon closer examination, it feels as if he suddenly transformed into the person playing the role of "protector."

Hmm... this doesn't quite feel right. It feels like the roles have suddenly been reversed!

Tao Jingyang voiced his doubts:

"Li Chengze, why do I feel like you're treating me like a child ever since we came into this building?"

"...Is there? I don't think so."

Li Chengze kept his eyes down, seemingly oblivious to his own thoughts; he genuinely didn't think so.

Noticing Tao Jingyang's increasingly suspicious expression out of the corner of his eye, he pointed forward with the torch and said:

"The rest of the journey will take about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea."

"The time it takes to brew a cup of tea? That's quite fast."

Tao Jingyang was surprised when he heard Li Chengze mention the time.

The oxygen content underground was not very high, and the deeper they went, the less they talked.

When the two of them finally saw the light of day, they both took a deep breath in perfect unison.

"call..."

When they breathe in fresh air, it's not just their lungs that feel "comfortable," but also their previously tense mood.

Tao Jingyang, supporting his back with his hand, addressed Li Chengze, who appeared completely unaffected:

"This secret passage is really no place for humans." It's so stuffy.

"Then I won't leave again."

Li Chengze seemed to have no temper at all. He walked up to her and looked as if he wanted to "help" Tao Jingyang walk.

With his back straight, Tao slowly cast a spell above his head:

"?"

No, do we look that "weak" now?

As they walked toward the Prince's Mansion, Tao Jingyang picked up a pebble from the ground.

He placed it in his palm and spread it out in front of Li Chengze.

As he focused his gaze on the pebbles, Tao Jingyang chuckled.

He channeled his inner energy and suddenly gripped the pebble in his palm.

When she opened her palm again, there were no pebbles in it, only a handful of gray powder drifting in the wind.

Tao Jingyang raised an eyebrow playfully in the moonlight, signaling to Li Chengze:

"Ninth rank, strength. Understand?"

[Li Chengze]: ? ??

Li Chengze watched as Tao Jingyang performed a set of "flowing clouds and water" and "light and graceful" movements in front of him.

The result was that he only managed to crush a single pebble.

He was truly speechless at this.

Then he bent down and picked up a stone on his own.

Tao Jingyang watched his actions and seemed to realize something extraordinary.

This is to...

!! ?

Sure enough, after a "click," Li Chengze also opened his palm.

It is also the same gray powder.