As Big Sis Crane looks over the talismans, she also has something else in her hand.

The bead that Gong had me bring over to her, which I subtly placed in the bundle of talismans that I gave her. As she looks over the talismans openly, I sense her hand discreetly fingering the bead, covering it in her spiritual sense.

“I’m impressed… these could actually affect me. Something that is quite difficult to do, at least in these lands. I wonder how long you spent crafting them?”

She gives me a nod of acceptance, with the slightly disappointed air from before gone.

“Looks like you truly are worth the investments I’ve been planning. Now, in terms of my…”

She freezes, her eyes darting to directly look at the bead. Clearly, whatever was within has made her pause.

Her eyes then look over at me sharply. Particularly my mouth.

What the heck did Gong tell her? My scan told me not to look in the bead earlier, but now should be fine. Right?

…

…

No way. Gong told her about her, Ai, Lin, and Shi’s entire pleasure session with me… and that I ate her out. Writing it all in erotic detail, like some kind of smut novel…

Big Sis Crane’s mouth raises in a smirk.

“Heh. Seems like you have some skill, after all…”

She leans over to whisper in Sister Nuan’s ear. Whose face slowly turns red before she stares at me.

Even the invisible cultivator woman was staring at me before I turned my eyes to look at her, to which she rapidly shifted her eyes away.

Sigh. Why do I get the feeling that Big Sis Crane just wanted to bring me here to tease me?

…Actually, considering the lifespan and views of cultivators, that might not be too far off. Finding things to entertain them after their lifetimes is probably quite difficult to do.

At least the note also had updates about the other things we did. Though, the way Gong describes me to her seems a little weird. Making us seem more romantic and intimate than what we have.

Maybe that’s her way of protecting me.

After she makes some hidden comments to Sister Nuan, while chuckling, still reading the note, she gives me a softer smile.

“You seem to be taking good care of my precious daughter. Thank you.”

Sister Nuan glanced at Big Sis Crane in shock at her open admission that she considers Gong, a demihuman, like a real daughter to her. Though it is known privately; it is different for her to say so publicly.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Ah. Right… I forget. I’m the one that didn’t realize. Intimacy and romance in this world is even rarer than in my world. Even if it’s wanted, most people don’t care for others in the way that I want to care for them. For Gong… the way I treat her is that romantic.

So, maybe I’m doing something right, if she’s willing to reveal her relationship to Big Sis Crane, as a respect for how I feel.

“…honestly, I’m the lucky one. She and the others are more than I deserve. I just hope I can do right by them.”

I decide to say my honest feelings to her, even though it may not be the most optimal actions.

She chuckles at my words, seeming to relax further.

“I’d expect no other answer.”

With the new air between all of us, she continues speaking.

“I actually wanted to bring you here for a few purposes. Namely, healing some people that will be substantial supports for you in the future, while giving you a chance to make up for your… hmm… lack of political decorum.”

She’s definitely talking about that time with the Taming group, where I ran off before the higher-ups could thank me and make connections, because I gave them taming methods and purposes for difficult creatures.

Adding to that, I have been doing several things, without holding the titles or affiliations with the groups for those skills. Normally, that would be immediately snipped in the bud, but I’m sure Big Sis Crane and Sister Nuan have been heading off those complaints.

…and it’s only been a few months since I even came to this world. In terms of timelines, still a long time to allow someone to run around like I have, but still short enough to damage relations.

I bow to Big Sis Crane, grateful for her continued support.

“Thank you for everything… Before I meet and heal the others, would you like me to heal your people?”

She laughs freely, shaking her head.

“You aren’t even supposed to see them, let alone know the inner workings of their bodies. So, I think I’ll hold off until you make a few more contributions.”

She pauses for the briefest moment.

“…but you may have a point.”

She calls the invisible cultivator woman over to her side, with the slight wave of her finger.

The woman kneels before her, having appeared in an instant. Sister Nuan watches, but it is evident she cannot perceive anything, regardless of how she strains her eyes. Only Big Sis Crane, the other invisible cultivators, and I can perceive her.

Big Sis Crane raises one of the talismans that I had given her. Something that could fully heal Big Sis Crane to her full condition. Of course, it could do the same for any cultivator below her level too, as the method would tailor the healing to the individual.

With a glow, the talisman burns away, as it heals the invisible cultivator woman. Helping her with whatever condition she is dealing with.

…why did she stay so adamant about me not healing her people?

Unless…

She must be wary of me knowing more about their constitutions and abilities. The act of healing someone provides me with a great deal of knowledge, after all. I’m sure whatever is letting them appear non-existent could be inferred from healing them.

And I’ve been avoiding using my scan in depth on them, to not cross any red lines, as my scan told me would happen. The only reason I showed I can perceive them is because I did so when I first met Big Sis Crane.

Interestingly, I see Big Sis Crane’s and the invisible woman’s face stare in surprise. Showing that they didn’t expect it to heal something in her body. Their glances at me make me curious to what it could be. However, my danger scan still tells me it wouldn’t be smart to find out.

Either way, both of them school their expressions quickly and act like nothing happened. To my surprise, she actually bows her head slightly, with her next words.

“Well. It appears your talisman works well. I’m grateful to you, James. I’m looking forward to much more from you in the future.”

With a clap and a smile, she proceeds to the next set of business.

“Alright, call in those old fogies….ah, I mean honored guests.”

One of her visible servants goes out to bring in the guests.

Of which I can see there are three: Ascending Myriad Monsters Group, Eight Winds Alchemical Research Society, and the group I’ve been avoiding.

The Healer’s Association.