He wasn’t good at naming things. Supposedly, this name was given to him by that Nujun of Jishan.

It was said that at the time she was roasting chicken, and when someone told Qin Wanwan about his life story, this Qin Wanwan immediately said: “Isn’t this just the heavenly realm’s Long Aotian?”

The three characters “Long Aotian,” though they had no specific meaning, somehow made everyone feel they captured a certain personality and essence. The name spread from there—one person told ten, ten told a hundred, and while people openly called him Suiheng Daojun, behind his back they all called him Long Aotian.

He didn’t mind. In fact, he even thought it had a certain imposing air to it.

He continued using this name now not only because of the intimidation it brought, but most importantly, he wanted to use this name to remind himself that back in the heavenly realm, there was still an enemy waiting for him to return and take revenge!

When Qin Wanwan heard this name, she fell into deep thought.

She suddenly understood why this person was so vain, loved bragging so much, and was so good at showing off.

With parents who gave such a name, this must be the family atmosphere.

However, in the entire immortal realm, she couldn’t recall anyone named Long Aotian. At most, Jian Xingzhi had a nickname, which she herself had given him.

But could he be Jian Xingzhi?

Never mind that Jian Xingzhi might not even know he was called Long Aotian—even if he did, how could he possibly use such a stupid name as a fake identity when reporting a false name?

No matter how much she disliked Jian Xingzhi, she had to admit that Jian Xingzhi was ultimately a big shot, possessing all the qualities a generation’s Sword Immortal should have.

Cool and taciturn, unyielding through a hundred trials—she had heard countless legends about him. In these legends, his backbone was harder than his sword, and his sword was harder than his life.

For example, when he was still in the cultivation world, a certain sect once mocked him for looking feminine and demanded he sing a line from an opera. With just his Core Formation stage cultivation, he fought bloody battles for half a month and destroyed the entire sect. (This was a rumor; from the female protagonist’s perspective, the male protagonist never did such things.)

This violent, short-tempered, straight-man-cancer attitude, though in Qin Wanwan’s eyes he was just a violent murderous maniac, in the immortal realm where the strong were revered, still attracted countless admirers. Women loved his face, men loved his sword, and while everyone criticized him for causing trouble everywhere, there were indeed quite a few who secretly imitated everything about him.

From his bearing and sword intent to his clothing and dress, Jian Xingzhi could be considered a top-tier influencer in the immortal realm who had carved out his own unique path to fame.

For such a big shot, even if he came to a small world with a system, he absolutely couldn’t wear pink clothes, couldn’t dig tunnels, couldn’t blow up latrines with firecrackers, and couldn’t call her “master”…

Most importantly, with Jian Xingzhi’s taste—with his Daoist title “Suiheng” and his sword name “Erya”—he absolutely couldn’t possibly choose a fake name like Long Aotian to fool her.

After immediately ruling out Jian Xingzhi, she thought through everyone she knew and confirmed she didn’t know any Long Aotian.

She had lived in seclusion on Jishan for years and only knew some big figures. It seemed this Long Aotian probably wasn’t any impressive person. Judging from the strength of his consciousness sea, he was an expert, but he should only be slightly stronger than her.

But as long as he was even a bit stronger than her, she couldn’t shake him off. With the system tasks at hand, both fallen from grace in the same boat, they might as well cooperate.

Qin Wanwan decided to give up trying to guess Jian Xingzhi’s identity and turned to make her own report: “Do you know about the little cat’s situation?”

“I know,” Jian Xingzhi showed an inscrutable expression. “The little spirit has already told the little dog everything. The little cat woke up from sleep and discovered she was actually inside a book, and must cultivate to become immortal and change her fate.”

Just a rebirth. Nothing major.

Qin Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief. Good that he knew—she didn’t need to talk in circles.

She nodded, using tea in place of wine, and raised her cup toward Jian Xingzhi: “Fine, since we’re here, we might as well make the best of it. I’ll have to rely on the big shot’s care from now on.”

Jian Xingzhi nodded and drank his tea. “That the little cat and little dog can meet here is truly not easy. Let’s work together to end all this as soon as possible.”

“The big shot speaks truly.” Qin Wanwan thought for a moment. “However, there’s one thing I’d still like to request.”

“Speak.”

“From now on, when the little dog has to do tasks,” Qin Wanwan looked at Jian Xingzhi with a hint of pleading, “could he discuss it with the little cat first?”

Jian Xingzhi’s movements paused, somewhat troubled: “That would depend on the little spirit.” Speaking of which, Jian Xingzhi reminded her, “It can shock with electricity.”

He had nearly been electrocuted into an electric dog.

“Understood.” Qin Wanwan nodded, saying no more.

At this moment, the two of them reached an unprecedented level of harmony.

Jian Xingzhi thought for a moment: “Oh, also,” he said, pulling out a small bronze mirror from his hand and pushing it across the table to Qin Wanwan: “This should be yours.”

“What’s this?”

Qin Wanwan picked up the mirror. The bronze mirror’s surface instantly turned black. Jian Xingzhi didn’t notice, picking up his tea to explain: “This is Qianliu’s treasure, ‘Qianmian’ (Thousand Faces). The reason he could transform into the appearance of various people entirely depended on this. With this treasure, you can transform into the appearance of anyone you’ve seen.”

Qin Wanwan said nothing. She knew this was the reward given according to the task requirements, so she didn’t decline. However, looking at the pitch-black mirror surface, she always felt something wasn’t quite right.

She raised her hand to recite an incantation, trying to remove Qianmian’s master seal. But after she finished the spell, Qianmian didn’t move at all. She turned her head to look up at Jian Xingzhi, furrowing her brow: “Why isn’t it responding?”

Jian Xingzhi took Qianmian back with confusion. As soon as it reached his hand, it was as if it came alive—the mirror surface instantly brightened again, recovering its previous delicate and beautiful appearance.

Qin Wanwan looked at Jian Xingzhi suspiciously: “It seems to have recognized you as its master?”

Jian Xingzhi said nothing. He raised his eyes to look at his task list and saw that the third hot task of capturing Qianliu had only a half-checkmark. Below the task were detailed sub-tasks.

Things like humiliating Qianliu and having the female protagonist fight with Qianliu—these all had checkmarks. The only cross was on the item “female protagonist obtains Qianmian,” glaringly stuck in place.

He thought back through everything and remembered that when he took this mirror from Qianliu, his hand had a wound, and it must have been then that blood flowed into Qianmian, directly establishing the master bond.

“Now,” Qin Wanwan didn’t really care, raising her hand to tap it, “only you can use it. Help me change my face.”

They had just blown up Wenxin Sect, and Jian Xingzhi hadn’t seen many people. But Qin Wan was from Wenxin Sect…

Jian Xingzhi said nothing. He looked at the screen showing he had only obtained half the points, feeling somewhat pained.

The system had said that points were privileges—the higher the points, the more he could do. With enough points, he could even bring his body’s power into this world.

Youth doesn’t appreciate the value of points. He was currently in debt by 400. If he didn’t work hard, how could he help Qin Wan ascend quickly?

He thought for a moment, and after a while, gritted his teeth: “I’ll think of another solution.”

Seeing Jian Xingzhi’s resolute will, Qin Wanwan yawned: “You research then. I’m going to sleep first.”

Jian Xingzhi nodded. Qin Wanwan climbed into bed herself, and as soon as she got on, she saw in her head that “Meditation remaining: 1 hour” flashing frantically.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the pain in her heart, and sat cross-legged to meditate.

She circulated her spiritual energy around her body once and noticed the dragon core was gone.

But the dragon core’s aura was still in her body. She couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

“38,” she spoke with confusion, “do you know where the dragon core went?”

“Host, your permission level is insufficient,” 38 spoke rigidly, but after thinking, still told her, “When you reach the Sword Tomb, you’ll know what’s going on.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan didn’t ask further.

Actually, without 38 saying it, she could roughly guess.

In her previous life, Su Yueli advanced extremely quickly, ascending to the upper realm in less than ten years. Qin Wan died before her ascension and didn’t know how she ascended, but there was one thing very clear in Qin Wan’s memories.

Su Yueli, the daughter of destiny’s fate, began with this dragon core. After the dragon core, Su Yueli’s advancement was extremely rapid, which showed that this dragon core was Su Yueli’s major fortuitous encounter for ascension.

As for how exactly this dragon core should be used, perhaps they would only know once the opportunity revealed its true face.

Qin Wanwan pondered this as she closed her eyes and entered meditation.

Jian Xingzhi sensed the change in spiritual energy, glanced at her, and felt very gratified.

This appearance of hard work finally had a bit of the look of a reborn great female protagonist.

The two each worked hard, and after the night passed, a knock came at the door. Qin Wanwan opened her eyes to find Jian Xingzhi was not in the room. She sniffed, cleared her head, got out of bed, and opened the door to find a young man holding a mourning staff, standing at the door with a smile.

Qin Wanwan slammed the door shut with a “bang.” Wasn’t Qianliu dead?!

The young man at the door’s expression stiffened, then he quickly spoke up: “Miss, this humble one is Baisui You of Ghost City, not that Qianliu from before.”

Qin Wanwan calmed down for a moment, then realized she had been groggy from sleep. She scratched her head, somewhat troubled: “Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment.”

With that, she hurried to change clothes, wash up, and tidy herself before reopening the door.

Her series of actions took quite a bit of time, but when she looked outside the door, she found Baisui You standing in the courtyard. He turned around with not a trace of displeasure on his face.

He bowed respectfully toward Qin Wanwan: “Good morning, miss.”

“Bai… Bai Fellow Daoist.”

For some reason, looking at Baisui You’s face, Qin Wanwan felt it grow cold even in broad daylight, giving her the creeps.

“What brings you here?”

“Yesterday I was fortunate to receive rescue from you and another fellow Daoist. This humble one specifically inquired about your lodgings and came especially to express gratitude.”

Baisui You spoke respectfully and politely, his tone slow and measured. Qin Wanwan observed him and realized that Qianliu had indeed deliberately imitated Baisui You’s behavior and manners, but compared to the real person, Qianliu ultimately only scratched the surface.

Baisui You had an indescribable scholarly air about him, with a faint sandalwood fragrance hovering around him. His eyes were clear and pure, his temperament like pine and bamboo.

As soon as he spoke, he distinguished himself from Qianliu. Qin Wanwan relaxed and quickly waved her hand: “We were just helping in passing. Bai Fellow Daoist need not take it to heart.”

“A life-saving grace creates karmic ties. If there’s anywhere this humble one can be of use in the future,” saying this, Baisui You took a string of copper coins tied with red cord from his body, “Miss may call upon me through these copper coins.”

“You’re too kind, too kind.”

Though Qin Wanwan’s mouth spoke refusal, she still accepted the copper coins, then remembered: “Has Bai Fellow Daoist eaten? Would you like to have a meal together?”

“This humble one has already eaten,” Baisui You smiled. “I toured Heavenly Sword Sect this morning. If Fellow Daoist doesn’t mind, I can guide you and introduce Heavenly Sword Sect.”

“That would be excellent.” Qin Wanwan spoke, then suddenly remembered: “Wait a moment, let me get a face veil.”

Thinking that Heavenly Sword Sect had many people and was currently holding the Sword Trial Assembly, and that she might run into people from Wenxin Sect and cause trouble, Qin Wanwan turned back to her room, took a veil, and hung it on her face before walking back with Baisui You: “Bai Fellow Daoist, let’s go.”

Baisui You nodded, stepped aside to the side, walking half a step behind Qin Wanwan beside her, heading toward the dining hall together.

Heavenly Sword Sect was one of the three great sects with the longest heritage, having produced many remarkable figures. Even a back courtyard was full of beautiful scenery everywhere, with stories at every step.

Baisui You seemed extremely familiar with Heavenly Sword Sect. His eloquence was also excellent, explaining things to Qin Wanwan along the way. When they encountered people, he would carefully position himself between people and Qin Wanwan. When they reached open areas where sunlight fell, his mourning staff instantly transformed into an umbrella shading overhead.

With such meticulous and thoughtful care, just in the distance from the guest rooms to the dining hall, Qin Wanwan’s favorable impression of him had multiplied.

The two entered the dining hall, and Qin Wanwan discovered this place was extremely similar to a university cafeteria.

“This is the dining hall system established by Heavenly Sword Sect’s ascended predecessor, Su Qingyi. I’ll go get a card for you, Fellow Daoist.”

With that, Baisui You went to get a meal card. After charging it with money, he led Qin Wanwan to get food.

After the two got their food, Baisui You led Qin Wanwan to find a place and they sat facing each other. Qin Wanwan suddenly especially missed this kind of time, having a feeling as if she were dating someone in university.

She watched as Baisui You across from her arranged chopsticks for her, and that long-lost youth returned.

Just as she was about to say something, she heard a commotion at the dining hall entrance. Qin Wanwan turned her head and her breathing stopped.

She saw a young man dressed in a white shirt and blue robe, his hair half-tied with white silk, holding his sword in reverse behind him, entering with a crisp and stern air.

He seemed to have just finished morning practice, still with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. His features weren’t particularly outstanding, but his bone structure was excellent, with a smooth and beautiful jawline. Combined with his bearing, even with ordinary features, people couldn’t look away.

As soon as he entered the dining hall, everyone looked over, amazed by this peculiar combination. Qin Wanwan, after brief amazement, immediately turned to shock.

Because she immediately realized that no matter how these eyes, nose, and mouth were twisted or faded, these eyes and contours looked exactly like Jian Xingzhi no matter how you looked at them!

Especially the imposing manner of holding his sword—it was exactly the same.

For a moment she began to doubt whether she had been beaten by that bastard Jian Xingzhi until she developed psychological problems, seeing him in everyone.

The young man standing at the door, due to Qin Wanwan’s prolonged staring, finally noticed. He got his meal card, got his food, and turned his cold eyes to look at Qin Wanwan.

Qin Wanwan immediately turned back. Baisui You was somewhat curious: “Does Fellow Daoist know this person?”

“Don’t know him, don’t know him.”

Qin Wanwan lowered her head like a quail, afraid of attracting that person’s attention.

But after making eye contact with Qin Wanwan, that cultivator actually frowned, and without hesitation carried his tray over, slammed it on the table, pressed his sword onto the table, and sat directly across from Qin Wanwan.

Qin Wanwan instinctively moved to the side, then heard Jian Xingzhi’s voice: “Here for breakfast?”

Qin Wanwan’s movements froze. After a moment, she reacted: “It’s you?”

Jian Xingzhi looked at her with the eyes one uses for an idiot, placed his chopsticks on the table surface and aligned them, then began eating: “Hurry up and eat. After eating, go back to cultivate. You just formed your Core—you still need to stabilize it.”

“Oh.”

Qin Wanwan, listening to Jian Xingzhi’s guidance full of big-shot aura, obediently picked up her chopsticks. Only then did she remember Baisui You across from her, and quickly introduced: “This is the one who saved people in the cave that day…”

Speaking of which, Qin Wanwan hesitated: “Zhang San.”

Baisui You was stunned, then remembered: “I forgot to ask—what is your honored name, miss?”

“Li Si.” Qin Wanwan answered much more smoothly. “We’re siblings.”

Hearing this, Baisui You couldn’t believe it: “These are real names? Are you two deceiving me?”

Qin Wanwan paused. She thought about it—Baisui You was right. They couldn’t use these names to roam the cultivation world forever. Not sincere at all.

Jian Xingzhi ate his food and looked up at Qin Wanwan, understanding her meaning. He simply announced his name: “This humble one is Long Aotian.”

“I…” Qin Wanwan hesitated for a moment, then gave her name: “Qin Wanwan.”

Jian Xingzhi’s hand holding the chopsticks froze. Baisui You’s gaze passed over both their faces, incredulous: “Rogue cultivators?”

Qin Wanwan nodded. Baisui You sighed aloud: “Indeed, true masters are among the common folk.”

After the three finished their meal, Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan explained their encounter with Qianliu once through. Baisui You’s face showed sadness: “So it seems my martial uncle Mu Yi and martial nephew Mu Qing have likely already fallen victim to Qianliu’s poisonous hands. You two not only saved me but also helped me take revenge. You are great benefactors.”

“No need to say such things,” Qin Wanwan waved her hand. “It was all just in passing.”

Thinking for a moment, she spoke again: “If Bai Fellow Daoist feels uncomfortable about it, why not tell us—what exactly is this Sword Trial Assembly about?”

“My sect did explain this in detail.” Baisui You smiled. “Though the Sword Trial Assembly is called an assembly, it’s not conducted through martial competitions. Rather, in front of Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb is a secret realm itself. Only those who can pass the secret realm’s trials can enter the Sword Tomb. The secret realm only allows those below Core Formation stage to enter, and the Sword Tomb can only admit ten people each time it opens, so only the first ten people to exit the secret realm can enter the Sword Tomb to select swords.”

Baisui You explained, and Jian Xingzhi frowned: “Below Core Formation? But she and I have both reached Core Formation…”

“This doesn’t matter,” Baisui You waved his hand. “Below Core Formation isn’t a hard rule, just a sect convention. Because among major sects, only cultivators below Core Formation stage don’t have their own life-bound treasures and need to enter the Sword Tomb to select swords. Since you two have no life-bound treasures and no sect constraints, if you suppress your cultivation to Foundation Establishment, there won’t be too much trouble.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan felt relieved and asked again: “Then what are the trials in the secret realm?”

“Unknown.” Baisui You shook his head. “The secret realm sets different trials based on the characteristics of those who enter. Some competed in martial arts inside, some competed in painting, some lived an entire lifetime inside, and some competed in making tofu. No one knows what there will be.”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan exchanged glances and nodded without speaking.

The three talked as they returned to the back courtyard guest rooms. At the door, Baisui You bid farewell to the two: “You two should rest well these days. After Sword Trial Assembly registration ends, Heavenly Sword Sect will arrange things for us.”

“Thank you, Bai Fellow Daoist.”

Qin Wanwan saw off Baisui You and breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as she turned around, she saw Jian Xingzhi looking at her coldly: “Why are you so lazy?”

Qin Wanwan: “Huh?”

“Your alias just adds one character to your name. Aren’t you afraid people from Wenxin Sect will recognize you?”

“I just need to change my face,” Qin Wanwan didn’t know why this Long Aotian was suddenly concerned about her name, somewhat bewildered. “The name Qin Wanwan is so common—how could Wenxin Sect recognize me?”

“Change your name.”

Jian Xingzhi stubbornly spoke. Qin Wanwan frowned: “Why?”

“This name,” Jian Xingzhi turned and walked into the room, “I don’t like it.”

“What’s wrong with this name?” Qin Wanwan, hearing someone disparage her name, immediately flared up. “I really like it.”

“I don’t like it!”

“I don’t care whether you like it or not!” Qin Wanwan couldn’t be bothered with him, rolling her eyes. “I don’t like your face either.”

Jian Xingzhi’s movements stopped. He turned to look at her: “What’s wrong with this face?”

“Ugly!”

Qin Wanwan stared at his face, thinking of the painful times when Jian Xingzhi stepped on her on the ground, couldn’t help emphasizing: “Ugly, ugly, ugly!”

“You!”

This was the first time Jian Xingzhi had been told his face was ugly. For a moment he was both angry and shocked. His face, even uglified considerably, was still better than these cultivation world misfits, right?

She stared blankly at Jian Zhiyan’s face, stared dazedly at Xie Gutang’s face, looked at Baisui You’s face smiling like a flower, yet dared to say his face wasn’t good-looking?!

“Do you know,” Jian Xingzhi raised his hand to point at his own face, instinctively about to say the immortal realm, but then saw 666’s electric light behind him. He gritted his teeth: “What status the original owner of this face holds in the little dog’s world!”

Ha.

Qin Wanwan heard it—this person was a Jian Xingzhi worshipper.

Admiring the strong was human instinct. Even though Jian Xingzhi caused trouble everywhere, there were plenty who worshipped him.

Qin Wanwan immediately looked down on him somewhat, speaking word by word through gritted teeth: “I just don’t like it!”

“I don’t care whether you like it or not!” Jian Xingzhi couldn’t talk with her anymore and sat to the side to meditate. “I just like this face.”

“I also just like this name!”

“Hmph!”

The two turned away together, ignoring each other, each sitting to one side to meditate, deciding on a cold war.

When Nanfeng returned, he saw the two each meditating on one side. Nanfeng didn’t dare speak. He thought to himself that since his master was working so hard, he should just meditate too.

But soon, he realized something was wrong. These two didn’t talk when meditating, and didn’t talk when not meditating either. Qin Wanwan just made him meditate eight hours every day, then began touring gardens and waters at Heavenly Sword Sect, commenting on these sword cultivators and which ones looked good.

Meanwhile, Jian Xingzhi sat in the room cultivating, cultivating, cultivating.

When Qin Wanwan wasn’t around, he would secretly ask Nanfeng: “Where did your master go today?”

Nanfeng didn’t dare offend Jian Xingzhi and could only answer truthfully.

“Today she went to watch Xie Daojun practice swords, saying Xie Daojun’s sword intent was extraordinary.”

“She’s blind.” Jian Xingzhi commented.

“Today she went down the mountain with Bai Daojun to eat wonton dumplings, saying Bai Daojun was gentle and considerate, like her first love.”

“Not focused on progress!” Jian Xingzhi felt frustrated by her lack of ambition.

“Today she went to watch Heavenly Sword Sect disciples’ morning practice. Master was greatly inspired.”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi ignited a bit of hope: “She plans to cultivate diligently?”

“No,” Nanfeng shook his head. “Master said that men still look better in groups.”

Jian Xingzhi: “…”

Jian Xingzhi could bear it no longer. He stood up and rushed directly to Heavenly Sword Sect’s sword trial platform, grabbing the collar of Qin Wanwan, who was sitting in the tree shade eating watermelon with a spoon, watching disciples spar.

He raised his hand and lifted, directly hoisting Qin Wanwan onto his shoulder. Qin Wanwan cried out in alarm: “My watermelon!”

Jian Xingzhi’s other hand steadily caught the falling melon, carrying Qin Wanwan toward the back courtyard.

“Every day just eating, drinking, and sleeping—when will you ever ascend like this?!”

“Put me down! I meditate four hours every day—that’s enough!”

“There are twelve hours in a day, and you only meditate four—do you do nothing but meditate? Others practice swords, don’t you practice? Others work on fundamentals, don’t you? You cultivated solidly and steadily to get here,” Jian Xingzhi put her down on the ground, raised his hand to break off a cluster of pear blossoms from a branch, “how did you become so sneaky and lazy? Draw your sword!”

Seeing the imposing manner of the person before her, Qin Wanwan gasped.

Worthy of being that bastard Jian Xingzhi’s worshipper—even the imposing manner of drawing his sword was exactly the same.

She swallowed, trying to placate Jian Xingzhi: “Aotian, when I watch others practice swords, I’m also learning.”

“If you want to learn swords, I can teach you. Do you still need to watch others?” Jian Xingzhi scoffed. “Are you watching swords? You’re watching people!”

This Qin Wan bought male concubines at such a young age—clearly her lustful heart was considerable.

If she wasn’t corrected, how could she achieve great things in the future?

“This, this,” Qin Wanwan felt as if she had encountered parents discussing early romance issues. She struggled to answer: “Watching people and learning don’t conflict, do they? People always need rest time.”

“Don’t conflict?”

Jian Xingzhi scoffed: “Do you know why, after cultivating swords for many years, I’ve never looked at a woman more than once?”

“Why?” Qin Wanwan was somewhat confused.

“Women,” Jian Xingzhi spoke seriously, “affect the speed of drawing one’s sword.”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

“For you, men are the same.”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

She understood—this old Daoist wanted her to become a nun with him!

“Say no more. Draw your sword now so I can properly teach you. If you hesitate further, I’ll let you feel sword intent from my sword intent.”

He’d just directly beat her.

Qin Wanwan understood Jian Xingzhi’s hint and quickly drew her sword: “I’ll draw, I’ll draw immediately.”

Jian Xingzhi watched Qin Wanwan draw her sword and frowned. He took a deep breath. Considering that Qin Wan had used a blade before, he wouldn’t be too particular. He walked to Qin Wanwan’s side, using the pear blossom branch to demonstrate for Qin Wanwan: “When drawing the sword, grip it firmly, use your arm strength rather than your wrist…”

As he spoke, the pear blossom branch suddenly traced an arc in the air. The pear blossoms on the branch were affected by the force and scattered across the sky. The clean and efficient movement, without any fancy flourishes—Qin Wanwan saw in that moment a kind of beauty in the great Dao’s simplicity.

Through the drifting pear blossoms, Qin Wanwan turned her head in a daze to look at the refined young man beside her. When she clearly saw his features, she suddenly came to her senses.

She could even say she was startled.

Jian Xingzhi noticed her distraction and turned to look at her: “Did you learn it?”

“Learned and unlearned it.”

Qin Wanwan quickly nodded. Jian Xingzhi threw the pear blossoms aside and ordered: “Practice. Draw your sword ten thousand times today.”

“Ten thousand times?!”

Qin Wanwan’s eyes widened in shock. Jian Xingzhi raised his eyes to look at her. In that one glance, she immediately understood—ten thousand times was required; it was just the difference between voluntary and forced.

She immediately nodded: “I’ll draw, I’ll start drawing right now.”

Jian Xingzhi’s mood eased slightly. He turned back to sit in the shaded area of the covered walkway, picked up Qin Wanwan’s watermelon, used a water-drawing spell to rinse the spoon Qin Wanwan had used with flowing water, then smiled as he hugged the melon: “Practice. I’ll watch over you.”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

Having originally wanted to slack off, Qin Wanwan felt somewhat desperate in that moment.

She sniffed and told herself, “Heaven will assign great responsibilities to such a person…” He was doing this for her own good too.

Most importantly, she didn’t really have much choice.

Qin Wanwan accepted her fate and submitted. Between hard work and violence, she chose the former without hesitation.

She began drawing her sword according to what Jian Xingzhi said.

Though she was lazy, she was very smart. Jian Xingzhi only had to say something once for her to remember all the key points.

Not only did she remember them, but she also had a human-shaped diagram in her mind. Every time she drew her sword, she had to align with that human-shaped frame. Each alignment would give her a score, and any posture that didn’t reach one hundred points would remind her of the wrong positions.

She drew her sword again and again, adjusted again and again. Each time she drew the sword, she saw that “Martial Arts Proficiency” +1.

38 comforted her: “Host, work hard, work hard. After you ascend, you’ll be a strong, beautiful, wealthy little fairy!”

Qin Wanwan couldn’t speak. She just kept drawing her sword, drawing her sword.

Ten thousand times—she kept going until night. Qin Wanwan’s brain completely lost the ability to think. It was entirely mechanical movement. Jian Xingzhi also didn’t eat, just sat to the side meditating, waiting for her.

The moment she finished the ten thousandth swing, Qin Wanwan could no longer hold on and crashed to the ground with a “bang.”

Jian Xingzhi stood up, walked to Qin Wanwan’s front, and kicked her with his toes: “Go back to the room to meditate.”

“I can’t anymore,” Qin Wanwan lay on the ground. “Just let me rest here.”

“Then go back to the room to rest.”

Jian Xingzhi saw she truly couldn’t go on and reluctantly let her off.

Qin Wanwan peacefully closed her eyes: “Long Aotian, I still have some money in my pocket. If I don’t wake up, remember to give me a proper burial. I want to live by the river where I can fish…”

Jian Xingzhi heard her start crying “wuwuwu” and felt this person was so troublesome. He waited a moment, driven to a headache by Qin Wanwan’s crying, and simply scooped the person up and hoisted her onto his shoulder: “Alright, alright, I’ll carry you back.”

Like a sack of rice, Qin Wanwan was carried back to the room. Jian Xingzhi threw her onto the bed, pulled down the bed curtain, ordered: “Rest well,” then turned and left.

Qin Wanwan closed her eyes and fell asleep. When she woke the next day, Nanfeng ran in happily: “Master, master, Sword Trial Assembly registration has ended. It starts tomorrow. Heavenly Sword Sect sent down a form. After filling it out, we can enter the secret realm tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, she could stop cultivating.

“Quick, give me the form.”

Qin Wanwan urged. Nanfeng handed the form to Qin Wanwan.

The secret realm registration was by sect teams. Qin Wanwan, Jian Xingzhi, and Nanfeng were all on one form.

Qin Wanwan took up her brush and quickly filled it out, then had Nanfeng deliver it back to Heavenly Sword Sect.

When Xie Gutang received the secret realm application form, he saw written on it:

Names: Qin Wanwan, Long Aotian, Nanfeng

Sect: No sect, no affiliation

Relationship with companions: Bound forced sales package, ascend and cut ties

Cultivation Goals: Muddle through and wait for death, Number One Under Heaven, Rise with the Dogs and Chickens

Xie Gutang: “…”

This sect was a bit chaotic.

—

**Author’s Note:**

PS: The male protagonist’s exploits that the female protagonist heard about are all rumors with embellished details from others, not necessarily true. For example, destroying a sect over being cursed once—Jian-dog hasn’t gone that crazy.

**[Mini Theater]**

At first:

Jian Xingzhi: “Women are so troublesome, they affect the speed of drawing my sword. Don’t want to touch her much—just carry her, put her down with a toss, can even throw her to hit people. Pretty good.”

Qin Wanwan: “Wuwuwu I don’t want to work hard, I want to watch boy bands…”

Later:

Jian Xingzhi: “I love my wife the most. Don’t want the sword, want my wife. I want to give my wife a princess carry. Afraid putting her down will make her cry from how handsome I am. For hitting people, I’ll go—wife can eat watermelon at home.”

Qin Wanwan: “Screw off! Don’t affect the speed of my sword drawing!”

PS:

The identity revelation happens layer by layer—everyone, don’t rush~

The scene from the synopsis happens around when they leave Heavenly Sword Sect, which is after the second major plot arc ends.

Long Aotian, dimly aware and just awakening to love, wants to make a promise with Wanwan to meet again in the heavenly realm after ascension.

As a result… the woman’s revenge comes like an avalanche.

The humiliation of being stepped on—even a salted fish can’t forget.