Speaking of which, from the time Mu Cengxiao entered the Taiyan Sect until now, he’d been to Li’er Kingdom, entered secret realms, and met the Serpent Witch in Wufan City. At each place, according to his original fortune, he should have already gained tremendously. But now, while Zanxing herself had returned with a full harvest, Mu Cengxiao had gained nothing except the Mieshen Saber. Could it be precisely because of this that the “Heavenly Dao” was relentlessly pursuing her?

After all, stealing someone’s opportunities would eventually require repayment.

But what if she started repaying now?

Zanxing moved a step closer to Mu Cengxiao and asked in a low voice: “Senior Brother Mu, would you like to go to the treasure ground?”

Mu Cengxiao looked at her in bewilderment.

“In the treasure map the Serpent Witch gave me, in those ruins where the sacred tree supposedly grows, there might be other opportunities. How about I give you the treasure map and you go try your luck?” Zanxing suggested sincerely.

If Mu Cengxiao could find opportunities in the treasure ground and walk the path originally designed for him by the “Heavenly Dao,” perhaps she would turn a blind eye to the influence she had caused.

“Junior Sister.” Mu Cengxiao frowned slightly: “The treasure map was given to you by the Serpent Witch. It’s your opportunity to begin with. Even though you…” He glanced at Zanxing, looking somewhat uncomfortable: “I won’t go.”

“How can you not go?” Zanxing became anxious: “This should have been yours originally!”

It would have been better not to say this. Once she did, Mu Cengxiao reacted as if facing a great enemy, only muttering “I appreciate Junior Sister’s kind intentions, but there’s no need to mention this matter again,” before hurriedly fleeing.

Zanxing watched his retreating figure with great confusion. Originally in “Nine Heaven Summit,” Mu Cengxiao was someone obsessed with cultivation, single-mindedly focused on becoming stronger – a career-driven type. Now with such a great opportunity right in front of him, he was unmoved.

Now, not only had the plot changed, but even the characters’ personalities had changed.

…

Over the next few days, with the mentality of repairing the fold after the sheep were lost, Zanxing went to find Mu Cengxiao daily, trying to make him accept the treasure map. However, Mu Cengxiao persistently refused. Later, to avoid Zanxing, he simply wasn’t in his courtyard daily, leaving only Liu Yunxin to apologetically say to her: “Miss Yang, Big Brother Mu has gone out again.”

Busybodies spread this news, so rumors about Zanxing and Mu Cengxiao made a comeback overnight, once again sweeping through the entire Taiyan Sect.

Others didn’t know about the treasure map’s contents and only saw that Zanxing went to find Mu Cengxiao daily, while Mu Cengxiao avoided meeting her. They automatically concocted in their minds a tragic drama of unrequited love – the falling flower having intentions while the flowing water remained heartless.

“It seems Junior Sister Yang still hasn’t gotten over Mu Cengxiao. This devotion is so moving, it could touch heaven and earth.”

“Speaking of that Mu Cengxiao kid, he has good fortune with women. One sworn sister is deeply devoted to him, and one junior sister remains infatuated with him. How come we never have such good luck?”

“Come, come, place your bets! Is it the beautiful Liu Yunxin or Junior Sister Yang with the scar on her face? One hundred to one odds! Last call, last call!”

“One hundred to one? Why don’t you just rob people?”

“I’m betting on Miss Liu! Men always cherish their first love – who wouldn’t want their white moonlight?”

“No vision! I’m betting on Junior Sister Yang. Look how Sixth Martial Uncle dotes on Junior Sister Yang. If he chooses Junior Sister Yang, his future will be bright – which man wouldn’t want to struggle ten years less?”

“Shallow! I support the white moonlight! I’m team first love!”

“Stubborn! When you’re burdened by spirit stones, you’ll understand! I choose Junior Sister Yang!”

“Hey, stop arguing, everyone. Don’t we all know what men are like? Who knows, maybe Senior Brother Mu is like those stinking men too, saying nothing but secretly wanting to enjoy the blessing of having multiple wives.”

These voices drifted past the hall from near and far, reaching the courtyard. The young man’s face turned cold as he slammed the door shut with a bang, blocking out the noisy chatter outside.

Mendong was sitting cross-legged on the long couch, eating pastries, his short legs dangling. Seeing this scene, he sighed deeply: “Now every hall is placing bets on who Senior Brother Mu’s sweetheart is. Even our hall has joined in – I even placed a bet myself, though I don’t know if I can break even.”

Gu Baiying turned around and stared at him: “Who did you bet on?”

“I originally wanted to bet on Liu Yunxin.” Mendong’s mouth was full of pastry crumbs: “After all, Liu Yunxin has a gentle temperament, looks good, and shares childhood bonds with Senior Brother Mu. No matter how you look at it, Yang Zanxing doesn’t stand a chance. However,” he changed his tone, “when we were in Wufan City, Yang Zanxing saved us. I think she’s quite nice. As they say, fertile water shouldn’t flow to outsiders’ fields, so naturally I should bet on her to at least give her some face and prevent her from being laughed at.”

Gu Baiying gritted his teeth: “How thoughtful of you to think so far ahead.”

“Naturally.” Mendong thought for a moment: “Yang Zanxing is so deeply devoted to Senior Brother Mu. Martial Uncle, why don’t we help bring them together?”

“How would we do that?”

“There are many ways! I remember there’s a book in the Scripture Pavilion called ‘There’s No Man I Can’t Handle.’ Why don’t we borrow it for Yang Zanxing to read? Maybe she’ll get some inspiration. There are always more solutions than difficulties, right…” After finishing, seeing Gu Baiying’s expression clearly, he was so frightened he immediately sat up straight: “Martial Uncle?”

Gu Baiying stared at him for a full moment before speaking calmly: “So this is the kind of book you’ve been reading in the Scripture Pavilion.”

Mendong shivered and jumped down from the long couch, waving his hands repeatedly: “No, no, Martial Uncle, I only read it occasionally!”

Seeing Gu Baiying’s furious appearance, he was somewhat puzzled and carefully chose his words: “Martial Uncle, why do you look unhappy? Now that we have the treasure map and the sacred tree fruit that can repair spiritual meridians, those Qin Chong seeds aren’t very useful anymore. Whether Yang Zanxing and Mu Cengxiao cultivate together or not doesn’t affect you, so why not help them achieve happiness…”

Gu Baiying’s gaze was sharp as a blade as he sneered: “Mendong, I think you shouldn’t cultivate at the Taiyan Sect anymore. You’d be better off going to Pingyang Town to become a matchmaker.”

Mendong was completely bewildered, truly unable to understand why Gu Baiying was so furious. After pondering hard for a long time, he suddenly had a thought and looked at the young man across from him: “I know, Martial Uncle! You’re worried there might be some accident with the sacred tree fruit. If we can’t find the fruit and lose those Qin Chong seeds too, it would be a loss, so that’s why you’re guarding so strictly against their dual cultivation?” Mendong nodded admiringly: “Still, Martial Uncle thinks thoroughly. That’s right, let’s wait a few more days. After Martial Uncle finds the sacred tree fruit, to show our gratitude, when they get married, we’ll personally give them a generous gift. That would also show our proper etiquette.”

Gu Baiying roared angrily: “If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll kick you out of the Taiyan Sect!”

Mendong immediately fell silent, not daring to say anything more. Gu Baiying grabbed the tea on the table and gulped it down, still feeling indignant. He stood up and stormed off angrily.

Mendong stared at his retreating figure for a long while, muttering in a low voice: “What a temper – so inexplicable.”