Cui Xiaoxiao had already noticed this and wore a grave expression.

She hadn’t followed all this way out of gossiping curiosity, but because she’d heard those two men in the teahouse mention the inside story of King of Changshan’s recent fire and disfigurement.

How could there be such coincidences in the world? On one side, Lord Can had given Princess Yongning the crucial Ghost Stone Cliff residence before his accident, while Princess Yongning’s father had “coincidentally” been disfigured and couldn’t show his true face.

Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but recall what she’d once said to the Crown Prince—perhaps Lord Can had already quietly usurped another royal member’s identity like a cuckoo in the nest! And this disfigured King of Changshan would be the perfect substitute, wouldn’t he?

Now, seeing that King of Changshan’s temporary residence in Luoyi City was Lord Can’s former mansion, Xiaoxiao’s suspicions grew stronger.

When she saw groups of people entering and leaving through the gates of Lord Can’s mansion, Yu Ling’er bit into her pastry and asked after swallowing: “What do you think? Should we follow them in, too?”

Xiaoxiao shook her head. With enemies in the shadows, if the royal mansion truly had deceptions, barging in would only be walking into a trap.

Moreover, that princess possessed unusual arts—who knew what other tricks the King of Changshan might have? They should observe first.

But just as she was about to jump onto the tall tree she used to habitually observe the royal mansion from, she discovered someone was already there.

Tang Youshu, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes and carrying a bamboo basket, was standing on the tree.

Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao and the others, Tang Youshu leaped down from the tree, frowning slightly: “Why have you come here again?”

Seeing her benefactor master, Cui Xiaoxiao merely turned her head slightly without speaking, but Yu Ling’er asked curiously: “Why are you here too?”

Tang Youshu said quietly, “You’re just here for sightseeing. If there’s nothing urgent, you should leave Luoyi City as soon as possible.”

Saying this, he paused again and said to Cui Xiaoxiao: “After Master returned yesterday… he’s been restless and unable to meditate. What exactly did you say to him?”

Cui Xiaoxiao was somewhat amused. What was Wei Jie’s inability to meditate peacefully now also being blamed on her?

Besides, she hadn’t done anything! At most, she’d told him not to randomly enter girls’ rooms and that she wanted to cut ties with the Talisman Sect.

The former Wei Jie wouldn’t have taken such words to heart.

You should know that what she’d said to him before was much harsher than now. He had always looked at her with lazy, disdainful sideways glances, then in the blink of an eye would flash his canine teeth and cling to her as if nothing had happened…

Xiaoxiao didn’t dare think further. Because she discovered that just slightly imagining Wei Jie’s former appearance brought a wave of indescribable longing and sorrow rushing over her…

What to do? She was starting to miss Jie’er again…

Seeing Xiaoxiao not answering, Tang Youshu roughly guessed that these two had met privately last night and Xiaoxiao had said something to provoke his master again.

So he had to explain the stakes more clearly: “Xiaoxiao, if you resent and hate me, that’s deserved. I’ve been a derelict master and haven’t treated you well. But I know you care about Master Wei. His two lifetimes have been extremely difficult. Now that he’s recovered his divine status, he absolutely cannot be moved by emotions. Otherwise, if he has mortal thoughts in a mortal body, his flesh might not withstand the suffering of churning blood and energy, disrupting his spiritual meridians and causing immeasurable consequences…”

This time Xiaoxiao finally turned to look at him, her gaze cold: “Don’t worry, I won’t disturb your master’s ascension to immortality. It’s just that I was innocently dragged back over two hundred years by you people and can’t be manipulated like a fool. I also need to find a way to return. From now on, let’s mind our own business and not disturb each other!”

Yu Ling’er really couldn’t understand what they were talking about and could only quietly remind Tang Youshu: “Xiaoxiao hasn’t cooled down yet, so don’t provoke your grand-master… Oh, right, we’re almost out of silver. Could you possibly…”

Before Yu Ling’er could finish speaking, Cui Xiaoxiao had already grabbed her and quickly run toward the nearby marketplace.

It turned out that while Tang Youshu was talking with Xiaoxiao, she had seen the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s steward come out with a joyful expression, loudly telling his subordinates: “Quickly! Have the convoy continue delivering the betrothal gifts. His Lordship says the mix-up with the gifts is a small matter that can be supplemented later, but missing the auspicious time would be serious!”

It seemed the father wasn’t as particular as his daughter. Encountering such deceptive in-laws, he didn’t care at all.

And this was just King of Changshan’s personal opinion.

Before long, Princess Yongning rode out on horseback from a side gate, galloping away in a huff.

Xiaoxiao pulled Yu Ling’er to follow that young princess and see what was happening.

As for Tang Youshu, he frowned while gazing at the former Lord Can’s mansion that had changed hands, hurrying back to report to his master.

He and Wei Jie had also learned about the King of Changshan being disfigured in a fire, naturally becoming suspicious of this King of Changshan. But this King of Changshan rarely appeared, and the only time was when he wore a heavy cloak that obscured even his figure.

Thinking this, Tang Youshu glanced in the direction where Xiaoxiao and the others had disappeared and decided to return and report to his master first.

He thought it best not to mention meeting Xiaoxiao and the others again, to avoid Master Wei being emotionally affected once more…

For someone whose destiny originally contained no romantic fate to suddenly have such a karmic entanglement born in error, Tang Youshu couldn’t predict what kind of aftershocks this would cause.

For now, they could only take things step by step, first eliminating the malignant tumor that was Lord Can and clearing obstacles for his master’s ascension.

As for Cui Xiaoxiao, her lightness skill had improved tremendously. Even without Yu Ling’er’s help, she could travel with wind beneath her feet.

Princess Yongning rode very fast, with her attendants behind, barely able to keep up.

Soon they arrived at a quiet pond outside the city.

After Princess Yongning dismounted, she didn’t let anyone follow and went alone to sit on a rock by the pond, using her riding whip to strike nearby tree branches.

After several strikes, Princess Yongning’s eyes reddened and she began sobbing heartbrokenly, truly like a child who had been wronged: “Mother, why did you leave so early? If you were here, you would surely help your daughter and not let me marry into such a wretched family!”

Princess Yongning cried with such grief, one wail after another.

Cui Xiaoxiao and the others had originally been eavesdropping from the side, which would have been fine. Unfortunately, Xiaoxiao had forgotten she’d brought a sentimental little fox along.

Princess Yongning crying about other things would have been manageable, but when she cried for her mother, Yu Ling’er couldn’t help but think of the deceased old Fox King.

When her mother was alive, she didn’t need to worry about anything and was just the carefree little fox princess of the clan.

But after her mother died, everything fell on her shoulders. Even now, she still hadn’t properly settled her clan members and was leading them in wandering… And she was so useless that she could be heartlessly abandoned by a gentle scholar like Tang Youshu.

Unable to even bewitch a scholar—this was the greatest shame for a fox spirit!

Mother, Ling’er is worthless and too pathetic!

Thinking this, Yu Ling’er was overcome with grief and couldn’t help but stretch her neck skyward to wail mournfully like a fox.

Her cry completely exposed her and Cui Xiaoxiao’s location and choked off Princess Yongning’s remaining sobs in her throat!

“What’s hiding there!” Along with Princess Yongning’s angry shout, her long whip followed, cracking against the bushes where Cui Xiaoxiao and Yu Ling’er were hiding.

Yu Ling’er cried out and dodged, while Cui Xiaoxiao sighed helplessly and emerged with an apologetic smile along with Yu Ling’er.

“It’s you two?” Princess Yongning immediately recognized the Talisman Sect’s Sect Leader Cui and her little follower.

If it were normal times, Princess Yongning would exchange warm pleasantries with Xiaoxiao and the others, but now she just looked at them warily, especially at their clothes, asking hesitantly: “Sect Leader Cui? How do you happen to be here?”

The situation was awkward. Fearing Yu Ling’er couldn’t lie well, Xiaoxiao spoke first: “The scenery here is pleasant. I brought my disciple here to absorb heaven and earth’s spiritual energy for quiet cultivation, and we happened to encounter Princess Yongning… How did you come here alone?”

Logically, since they were casual acquaintances, Princess Yongning should have found some excuse to brush them off, and then they would have separated.

But unexpectedly, Princess Yongning seemed not to fear airing her family’s dirty laundry at all. Looking at their somewhat familiar clothes, she said coldly, “You seem to have been drinking tea at the city teahouse and watched the excitement, right? You’ve already seen everything—why ask why I’m here?”

Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected the young princess to be so clever, recognizing them at a glance through their clothes from just a brief glimpse at the teahouse.

She also decided not to hide anymore: “We accidentally saw the princess galloping through the city and were worried something had happened to you, so we followed. If we’ve offended in any way, please forgive us, Princess.”

Princess Yongning sighed and spoke to Cui Xiaoxiao without reservation: “Immortal Master, you should have heard everything at the teahouse. Do you think I’m pitiful? A dignified princess who has to marry into such a sordid family to repay my father’s debt of gratitude! I only just learned that the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s eldest son indulges in drinking, gambling, and whoring without exception, and is a widower who killed his wife. Yet Father insists I marry him…”

Yu Ling’er didn’t see any problem with this and said seriously: “That young master saved your father, and you’re repaying the favor with marriage—isn’t that fulfilling gratitude and filial duty?”

Hearing this, Princess Yongning couldn’t help but laugh coldly: “There are many ways to repay a favor. What kind of repayment is marrying him? When I don’t love him, would facing each other daily in wordless silence be repayment? That’s just an excuse, foolish girls who can’t get married use!”

This… Yu Ling’er felt somewhat offended because she used to be a firm believer in repaying favors with marriage.

But now, looking back at her former thoughts, Yu Ling’er had a vague feeling that the fox clan’s thousand-year tradition of repaying favors with marriage might be a way to catch suckers among humans!

Fortunately, Xiaoxiao changed the subject, asking the princess: “At the teahouse, I noticed the princess’s skills were exceptional—even able to control wind. You’re truly a heroine among women!”

Princess Yongning was very pleased with these words, temporarily forgetting her unfortunate engagement and asking with bright, tear-reddened eyes full of anticipation: “Truly exceptional? Even Sect Leader Cui thinks my skills are good?”

Three years ago, she had learned some basics from a cultivator. Though there was some gap compared to true immortal cultivators, her cultivator master said that learning these skills would at least allow her to protect her life at crucial moments.

She hadn’t expected that her display today, while exposing the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household, would earn generous praise from the Talisman Sect Leader, which greatly excited Princess Yongning.

Xiaoxiao had previously thought this princess, who could eagerly run to Ghost Stone Cliff to see the phoenix, might be someone with hidden depths.

But now she felt Princess Yongning was a straightforward and generous woman who knew some martial arts, making Xiaoxiao feel more favorable toward her.

However, just as this favorable feeling emerged, Xiaoxiao forcibly stopped it.

She had no choice—she had just received a vivid lesson from her father-like benefactor master: that people shouldn’t be judged by appearances and shouldn’t be trusted lightly. Otherwise, even if sold, you’d still help count the money.

Thinking of her purpose for following, Xiaoxiao probed further: “Since the princess is dissatisfied with this marriage, why not discuss it carefully with His Lordship? What father doesn’t love his daughter?”

Hearing this, Princess Yongning’s brief excitement completely vanished. She turned to gaze at the pond surface dejectedly: “If it were before Father’s injury, I’m certain he wouldn’t casually arrange my marriage. Father always doted on me, which is why he delayed arranging my betrothal. But… since his injury, he’s completely changed—he doesn’t talk, doesn’t like seeing people, it’s as if… as if…”

She seemed to have something difficult to express and couldn’t continue, but Xiaoxiao slowly continued: “As if he’s become a different person?”

Hearing this, Princess Yongning shuddered, her eyes slowly widening as she asked tensely: “What do you mean by that?”

Xiaoxiao just smiled innocently and quickly apologized: “I was just being clever for a moment, following your train of thought. But in my hometown, some people returned from battlefields, claimed to be disfigured and wore masks, then went to deceased comrades’ wealthy families posing as the dead comrades to swindle family property. Such despicable people truly deserve divine punishment!”

Though Xiaoxiao apologized, Princess Yongning’s expression didn’t relax. She continued staring at Xiaoxiao, muttering: “That’s absurd! Such rural incidents couldn’t possibly happen within a royal mansion…”

Xiaoxiao looked at her with a smile: “I’m just a rural wanderer, so the princess needn’t take my words to heart. To master wind techniques so easily in just a few short years shows the princess has natural talent. But I’d advise the princess to think before acting—this often yields twice the result with half the effort. Otherwise, like today on the street, though you hastily overturned the betrothal gifts, you didn’t hit the vital point and only gained a bellyful of frustration to no avail.”

Princess Yongning stared at Xiaoxiao, this time certain that Cui Xiaoxiao’s words carried hidden meanings.

Cui Xiaoxiao felt some sympathy for the princess, which was why she had spoken up to remind her. But seeing the princess staring, she was probably displeased.

However, Cui Xiaoxiao didn’t mind. Her earlier words were both testing the princess and hoping to use her to intimidate the unseen King of Changshan.

That disfigured King of Changshan was truly too suspicious! You should know that when the princess gave up the Ghost Stone Cliff residence to the Talisman Sect, it was also done at the King of Changshan’s instruction.

According to King of Changshan’s reputation, he was just an idle prince who only knew eating, drinking, and pleasure, avoiding proper business.

Why would he have his daughter give away the residence and go against the current to help cultivators when His Majesty was vigorously reforming the cultivation world and suppressing the Four Great Sects?

Unless King of Changshan knew that the back mountain of Ghost Stone Cliff contained the tribulations Wei Jie would face next, he specifically gave away the residence to facilitate her and Wei Jie’s tribulation experience.

After all, Lord Can was the one who had stolen the immortal fruit in his past life. Like a hunter waiting for prey to grow fat, he had been hiding in the shadows, patiently drawing his bow and waiting.

Whether it was her or Wei Jie, as long as one could transcend tribulation and ascend, the villain hiding in the shadows would have a way to brazenly usurp their place!

Since returning over two hundred years ago, Xiaoxiao had truly stepped into one bottomless pit after another. She no longer dared hope she could return, but if she truly couldn’t escape death, she wanted to die understanding everything.

Moreover, she didn’t want Wei Jie to repeat his mistakes and experience the same tragic fate as his past life.

So Xiaoxiao used the princess to intimidate their hidden enemy, hoping to later use the princess to discover some clues.

After hearing Xiaoxiao’s words, the princess remained silent for a while, but then smiled brightly at Xiaoxiao.

“My mother died early, but she was like you, always saying I acted impulsively. You’re right—now that things have reached this point, crying and breaking a few cups won’t solve anything. I need to think before acting…”

The princess was also preparing to return to the city. At parting, Princess Yongning asked: “May I ask Sect Leader Cui, if I wanted to find you, how could I reach you quickly?”

Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, then pulled out a piece of yellow paper, tore off a crooked little paper figure, wrote some talismanic characters on it, and handed it to the princess: “If you have urgent matters, put this paper figure in water and I’ll know.”

This was a clever technique she’d been practicing recently, based on spiritual methods obtained from Ghost Sect’s Wan Lian Shi’s evil formations.

But while Wan Lian Shi used paper figures for evil spirits to harm people, she used them to transmit messages for convenience.

Princess Yongning took the paper figure in amazement, full of admiration: “Sect Leader Cui, you have great abilities. Unfortunately, I’m currently entangled in various matters, but when I have a chance, I’ll take you as my master and learn some skills under the Talisman Sect.”

Yu Ling’er had grown accustomed to people constantly wanting to become Xiaoxiao’s disciples, but still kindly reminded: “Xiaoxiao was driven out by her rebellious disciples. She’s now planning to establish her sect called… what was it… Carefree Hehuan Sect. I’m afraid it wouldn’t be suitable for a princess to join.”

She had expected that such a refined young lady would be frightened by hearing “Hehuan Sect.”

But unexpectedly, Princess Yongning’s eyes immediately brightened with admiration: “You martial artists live so freely, able to live the life you want according to your heart’s desire. But in my opinion, if this name were changed, you’d have more disciples and followers. For instance, keep ‘Carefree’ but ‘Hehuan’ is inappropriate—wouldn’t that require finding a Dao companion for dual cultivation? Must one find a man to experience joy? Can’t one be joyful alone? Better to call it… ‘Carefree Joy Sect’!”

It seemed this princess had a strong desire to rename things. Not only had she changed Ghost Stone Cliff to “Lingshan,” but now she wanted to personally bestow a name on Xiaoxiao’s new sect.

However, Cui Xiaoxiao felt the princess made perfect sense and kept nodding: “The princess is well-read. Just changing two characters makes it shine brilliantly… By custom, I should give you a red envelope to thank you for bestowing the name, but I’m short on silver right now. Another day…”

Xiaoxiao was just being polite, but unexpectedly, hearing that Xiaoxiao was financially tight, the princess pulled out two banknotes from her purse and handed them to Xiaoxiao: “Sect Leader Cui, since you’re establishing a new sect, I don’t have other congratulatory gifts, and I’m currently entangled in family matters so can’t attend the celebration. Just take these banknotes to commission a plaque—consider it my congratulatory gift!”

The young princess’s generosity remained consistent. After insisting on giving Xiaoxiao the banknotes, she continued: “We’ve met by chance in the martial world—until we meet again!”

After saying this, Princess Yongning imitated martial artists’ style and bid farewell to Xiaoxiao with a bold cupped-fist salute.

It was said this princess practiced martial arts and had taken many martial masters since childhood due to her father’s indulgence, learning quite miscellaneously.

No wonder she had encountered a cultivator who taught her wind techniques. It seemed the princess enjoyed this and preferred being a free wanderer like Cui Xiaoxiao rather than a wealthy family’s thousand-gold daughter.

Such a girl being married off by her father without discrimination to a fallen profligate would be tragic just to think about!

After seeing Princess Yongning off, when only the two girls from Carefree Joy Sect remained by the pond, Yu Ling’er asked: “Xiaoxiao, where should we go next?”

Xiaoxiao didn’t know either, but these past days she’d neglected her cultivation terribly and needed to find a place to meditate quietly.

Not knowing what kind of person the King of Changshan in Luoyi City was, Xiaoxiao didn’t want to rashly risk danger.

This time, she simply didn’t enter the city, choosing a scenic mountain forest and finding a large rock to peacefully regulate her breathing and meditate.

Once she began meditating, the problems from neglecting her spiritual cultivation for several days immediately became apparent.

Xiaoxiao discovered a stream of true energy stuck between her Lianquan and Shanglian acupoints, neither rising nor falling.

Moreover, when her true energy circulated, the scaled areas on her arms felt itchy and painful. When Xiaoxiao opened her eyes to look down, she found the scales seemed to be spreading toward her neck.

Most terrifyingly, when the scales spread, her whole body generated a burning sensation.

Xiaoxiao couldn’t endure it any longer. Looking at the little fox sleeping soundly on a nearby rock, she decided not to wake her and went alone to find a stream pool. After removing her outer clothes and wearing only her close-fitting inner garment, she jumped in.

The cool pond water moistened her burning body. Xiaoxiao simply swam under the waterfall, letting the stream water pound her body.

But after just a moment of comfort, double the burning heat struck. In a trance, it was like being burned alive by fierce fire in the Phoenix Secret Realm.

Xiaoxiao writhed painfully in the pond water like a dying fish.

Just as she was suffering and thrashing in the water, suddenly an arm scooped her into an embrace.

When Xiaoxiao opened her eyes, she discovered that Wei Jie, with his frost-like face, had somehow also jumped into the pond water.