Shortly after the session in the hall, Mei ran back to her room and stashed a jade box containing the supreme foundation pill in her drawer.

As she stood before the teleportation array with her friends, Ning Xing and Yang Ning, she couldn't help but worry about it a little. Despite how secure her room was, the sheer value of the pill made her feel a little paranoid just leaving it there. It was still a better option than bringing it outside the sect however, especially considering how she almost got robbed the last time.

Apparently, the cost of each teleport was roughly the same, unless the transported object was stupidly big, which meant teleporting them all only used up a single charge. How convenient. Mei wished she knew sooner so she could have piggy-backed off someone else's teleport.

Despite having heard how Ning Xing knew Yang Ning though, Mei was surprised to see him here. Apparently, Xiuying, Ning Xing and Yang Ning all originated from the same city, though Xiuying had never met Yang Ning herself.

Earlier, Xiuying tried to drag Senior Han along for the trip as well, but couldn't find a trace of him and gave up reluctantly. Which honestly, was a bit of a relief for Mei, who wanted to use the Jade on hand to buy body refining resources.

With all the time spent trying to look for him, they ended up leaving late today, at about 3 in the afternoon.

"Ahhhh, It's been a long time since I came here." Ning Xing was the first to speak, as they arrived. "How nostalgic!"

It was... night? Mei was a bit confused, as it had been afternoon earlier.

Around them, bright orange lanterns hung on tall poles, their light illuminating the streets. It was a residential area, with houses all around, gentle light coming from their windows. Nearby, there was a little round garden with a fountain in the middle.

Under the cozy light, a few of her companions caught her eye.

While she, Liu Qiang, Yingyi and Yang Ning were dressed in the sect robes, the rest of them had put on clothes of their own, now that they weren't constrained by sect rules.

Xiuying wore pale blue hanfu attire, with white on the inside, making her look especially pretty. Ning Xing, probably finding it amusing, decided to wear the same outfit, but in pink.

At the side, Wang Wei stood, an aloof expression on his face. He wore the same set of extravagant clothes he entered the sect with, black, with golden dragons embroidered on it. With it, he was practically oozing the bearing of a noble. Considering her background Mei wasn't the biggest fan of it, but she couldn't deny he looked rather sharp.

She felt a bit plain standing next to them. Mei suddenly gained an appreciation for the sect rules regarding attire. As someone who used to be a peasant, she knew nuts about fashion.

"You're not visiting your hometown?" Xiuying asked.

"Well, I moved to a different city, so yeah. The last time I've been here was about 5 years ago."

"Ah, so that's why you were suddenly gone."

Xiuying nodded, before turning to Wang Wei and playfully knocking his head.

"Ow!" he frowned. "What was that for?"

"There's no need to put on that stiff act. You're more approachable when you smile as usual and stuff!"

Seeing her grin, Wang Wei scratched his head with a slightly dissatisfied look.

"Sorry, force of habit."

Xiuying laughed before walking to a door and ringing the doorbell.

Ring ring!

Mei couldn't help but stare at the device. It was simply a button on a oval plate, so how was it making that ringing sound? Looking closer, she saw the tiny marks of a seal on its side, emitting faint qi. Seriously? Xiuying spent her hard-earned Jade on a fancy doorbell?

Clamouring could be heard as someone ran up to the peephole.

"Big sis!"

Moments later, the door swung open, 2 young boys running out. Xiuying hugged them.

"Haha... it's a bit embarrassing like this," she said.

"You have little siblings?" Liu Qiang said. "They're so energetic!"

"Yup! This is Nanyong, and this is Nanying!"

Mei had no idea how she could tell the twins apart.

Nanyong grinned.

"Hehe, Mom and Dad aren't home right now."

"I didn't know you had friends!" Nanying said.

"Ehhh?" Xiuying sounded rather dismayed. "They just left you guys here alone at home?"

"Hehe, don't underestimate us, big sis!" the two brothers said. "We're cultivators now!"

They put their hands to their chest proudly.

"Yesterday, someone at school tried to steal my lunch! I poked him once and he started crying!" Nanyong said gleefully.

"Ehhh?! Please don't do things like that!"

Mei sensed their auras, noting that they both... below the first stage of Qi Gathering? What?

...

Oh! There was the Meridian Opening stage before that! She almost forgot that was a thing with how quickly she blew through it. But she supposed it made sense. After all, the qi at the sect was ridiculous compared to this, probably at least a thousand times denser.

"Mom said to say they're sorry! There was a big sound!" Nanying said.

Big sound?

"Stupid! It's big business, not big sound!" Nanyong smacked his brother's head.

"No! you're the stupid one!"

The brothers began chasing each other around the house, their footsteps echoing.

Xiuying sighed.

A few moments later, Nanyong crashed into a table, a plate dropping off and hitting his head. He began crying.

"Haha! Crybaby!" Nanying laughed. "AAAAAAAaaaa!"

He screamed as his brother chomped his feet mercilessly.

As Xiuying panicked, Mei was speechless while watching. She decided to look to her group. Yang Ning's face was blank as always, while the rest looked amused, even Yingyi.

What caught her attention most however, was Wang Wei's reaction. He froze, looking absolutely horrified.

"Hey. Mei." he leaned over and whispered to her.

"Yeah?"

She had no idea why was he whispering to her specifically.

"Um, these... Are apes- children normally like this?"

"I think? For boys at least."

"I can hear you!" Xiuying said, her face red.

"NANYING! NANYONG!" a bellow came from upstairs.

Stomping down the stairs menacingly, a little girl with murderous eyes came into view. The two brothers paled, quickly hiding behind Xiuying.

"PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING YOU LITTLE SHI-"

The girl froze.

"H-hi big sis." she trailed off weakly.

Xiuying was stunned. It was the first time she had seen this side of her little sister.

In just a split second, all the rage evaporated from Huaying, an amiable smile replacing it.

"Xiuying big sis! I see you've bought friends!" she ran over, hugging her. "Can you tell us stories of the sect again? Please?"

The gorilla had vanished, replaced by a meek little sheep with adorable puppy eyes.

Mei decided to stand behind Xiuying as well.