Thinking of this favorability rating, Jian Xingzhi couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

“—” This favorability rating—he had almost never seen it above anyone’s head. After all, with Qin Wanwan’s appearance being what it was, out of mere physical attraction, even the most pure-hearted and ascetic person would have about a 5 favorability rating. To have absolutely nothing at all, especially under circumstances where he was obviously still pursuing Qin Wanwan, yet his favorability rating was completely zero—this was entirely abnormal.

“666,” Jian Xingzhi pondered, “will favorability ratings definitely display?”

“Not necessarily,” 666 considered. “There are many situations where favorability ratings won’t display.”

“For example?”

“For example, yourself,” 666 gave him an example. “You can’t see your own favorability rating. Also under special circumstances, some people can use special methods to bypass the system and block the favorability rating. Then there’s the system breaking down, encountering bugs, and so on…”

“I understand,” Jian Xingzhi nodded. “This thing isn’t very useful anyway.”

“It’s not quite like that…”

666 steeled itself to try explaining, but Jian Xingzhi couldn’t be bothered listening. He simply said: “Alright, shut up.”

The group rested for one night. The next day, Liu Zhong brought people over early to bid farewell. His words were beautiful, but regarding inviting them to the Liu estate, he didn’t mention it at all.

After Liu Zhong left, Cuilu couldn’t help glancing at Xie Gutang and remarking with clicking sounds: “Last night he said he’d invite us to lodge at the Liu estate, that their master would definitely treat us well. Today he doesn’t even mention this matter. What evil has your Heavenly Sword Sect committed to make people fear you like this?”

“It’s not that we’ve committed evil,” Xie Gutang smiled good-naturedly. “It should be that they have something they don’t want us to know.”

“Did you contact your junior brother?” Qin Wanwan turned to look at Xie Gutang.

Xie Gutang nodded: “I asked my junior brother last night. He said he’d already arrived in Flower City ahead of time. When we reach Flower City, he’ll come to the city gates to receive us. The specific details will be discussed in person.”

“Then let’s depart.”

Jian Xingzhi stretched lazily. He looked around the surroundings and, seeing Mei Suihan wasn’t there, felt quite pleased: “Let’s hurry and leave!”

With that, he took the lead boarding the carriage. As a result, as soon as he lifted the curtain, he saw Mei Suihan already sitting inside. He held a teacup, leisurely savoring his tea. Seeing Jian Xingzhi enter, he looked up with a gentle smile: “Departing?”

Jian Xingzhi’s smile immediately vanished. He flung the curtain aside and sat outside himself.

Everyone exchanged glances. Qin Wanwan cleared her throat lightly and called to everyone: “Board the carriage.”

No one spoke. They quickly boarded the carriage. Qin Wanwan got on last. Just as she was preparing to enter the carriage interior, she heard Jian Xingzhi speak: “What, I’m driving the carriage alone?”

Usually everyone took turns driving the carriage. Previously when Jian Xingzhi drove, he’d never said anything. Hearing him bring this up, Qin Wanwan knew he was displeased. She obediently sat beside him and said softly: “Then I’ll keep you company.”

Jian Xingzhi glanced at her. His face immediately showed a smile, though not wanting others to notice, he restrained his expression and patted the spirit horse, calling gently: “Let’s go.”

Spirit horses were different from ordinary horses—both fast and stable. On regular days, everyone controlling their swords consumed spiritual power. Unless there were special circumstances, they generally traveled by spirit beasts.

Jian Xingzhi set up a barrier, turned his head to glance at Qin Wanwan sitting steadily and properly, pulled out a package of sugar-roasted chestnuts from his sleeve, and tossed it to her: “Eat.”

Qin Wanwan froze. Opening the paper package, she discovered inside were peeled chestnuts, piping hot—they should have been kept warm with spiritual power all along.

“You had me sit outside so you could secretly give me chestnuts to eat?”

Qin Wanwan smiled, somewhat pleased. Jian Xingzhi lazily glanced at her: “You’re overthinking.”

Qin Wanwan ate her chestnuts. By noon, everyone arrived at the lakeside, switching from the land route to the water route, boarding a small boat headed toward Flower City.

“Flower City is actually a water city,” Mei Suihan set up a wine table on the small boat. While pouring wine for everyone, he fanned himself and spoke about the local customs, “The mountains and waters are beautiful. They appreciate fine literature and love good wine. Since ancient times, many romantic talented scholars and beautiful ladies have emerged from here. Law cultivation flourishes in Flower City. The Liu Family is renowned throughout the world for sealing techniques, claiming that among all evils under heaven, none cannot be sealed.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi exchanged a glance.

Back when Lin Yanzhi was temporarily sealed by Qin Wanwan’s parents and taken straight to Flower City, there now seemed to be a reason.

Mei Suihan drank a mouthful of wine and turned to look at the surrounding mountains and waters: “I’ve long heard the rumors but never had the chance to see. Today seeing Flower City’s scenery, it’s indeed pleasant.”

“Young Master Mei,” listening to Mei Suihan speak, Cuilu couldn’t help frowning, “you don’t look like you’ve lost your memory.”

“Perhaps it’s intermittent amnesia,” Mei Suihan smiled. “I remember some things, don’t remember others.”

As the group conversed, human voices came distantly from the surroundings. Qin Wanwan raised her eyes to look out and saw a dock far ahead. Behind the dock, city gates with the words “Flower City” written on them stood tall, with willow trees providing shade on both sides. This scene was exactly identical to the scene Wuyou Gongzi had shown her in the illusion.

The boat slowly pulled to shore. After Qin Wanwan paid the boatman, the group disembarked. Just as they got off the boat, they heard an excited call: “Senior Brother!”

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a garishly dressed young man in magnificent robes squeeze through the crowd and run over wildly. His outfit had extremely complex colors—a golden base, but the edges, corners, and belt were all coordinated with various colors. On his head was a pearl-studded golden crown, and in his hand he held a gold-sprinkled small fan. If not for the sword at his waist, one couldn’t tell at all he was a sword cultivator.

He jogged all the way to Xie Gutang, quite pleased: “Senior Brother, this morning when I received your voice transmission, I came to the dock.”

Xie Gutang stood in place maintaining his smile, not answering. Qin Wanwan and the others walked behind Xie Gutang. The young man turned his head: “These are Senior Brother’s…”

Before finishing his words, the young man’s gaze fixed on Qin Wanwan’s face, momentarily losing himself.

Jian Xingzhi watched helplessly as the young man’s favorability rating instantly shot up from 0 all the way to 40. The moment before the young man could speak, Jian Xingzhi and Xie Gutang simultaneously stepped forward, blocking Qin Wanwan behind them.

“If you have something to say, speak,” Xie Gutang blocked the young man, reminding him, “You’re about to be married. Don’t act rashly.”

Hearing the reminder, the young man smiled: “Senior Brother is joking. I merely saw this young lady as if a celestial fairy had descended to earth. Appreciating beauty, I momentarily lost my composure.”

With that, he turned to nod at Qin Wanwan openly and magnanimously: “Fellow Daoist, please forgive me.”

If someone else had said these words, one would inevitably feel offended, but his temperament was open and generous, and his admission was also frank. Qin Wanwan only felt he was praising her and nodded: “It’s fine.”

“I am Luo Xingzhou of Heavenly Sword Sect,” the young man glanced behind Xie Gutang, performed a salute, and inquired, “Are you all my senior brother’s friends?”

“Jian Xingzhi.”

“Qin Wanwan.”

“Cuilu.”

“Nanfeng.”

“Mei Suihan.”

The group reported their names. Luo Xingzhou nodded and smiled: “Then we’re now acquainted. I’ve already prepared modest wine to welcome and cleanse the dust for everyone. Fellow Daoists, please.”

With that, Luo Xingzhou invited everyone to leave together.

His speech was witty and charming, his actions watertight. Leading everyone into the city and up to a wine house, he called for everyone to sit down.

The waiter brought dishes. First he brought two pots of wine—one was a pink slender bottle, the other a brown large jar. Luo Xingzhou stood up and first used the pink bottle to pour wine for Qin Wanwan and Cuilu, smiling: “Before coming, I asked Senior Brother. Hearing there would be two young ladies, I specifically sought out the city’s famous flower brew. The wine is sweet with fragrance, you can drink much without getting drunk. I hope both young ladies will like it.”

Qin Wanwan and Cuilu had never received such special treatment. Cuilu immediately smiled. After drinking a mouthful, she nodded: “Indeed delicious.”

“What does Miss Wanwan think?”

Luo Xingzhou looked toward Qin Wanwan. Qin Wanwan drank a mouthful—it indeed had fragrance upon entering the mouth. She nodded: “Delicious.”

Luo Xingzhou then lifted the brown jar to pour wine for the other men, explaining: “This is strong liquor, but extremely fragrant and pure. Fellow Daoists, please try it.”

Jian Xingzhi nodded in thanks. Luo Xingzhou then led everyone in drinking wine and eating.

With him present, the table was lively and bustling. Qin Wanwan couldn’t help lowering her head, quietly saying to Jian Xingzhi: “Daojun Luo and Big Brother Xie have such different personalities.”

“Not just their personalities,” Jian Xingzhi glanced at the two people and said in a low voice, “their mental cultivation methods are also different.”

Generally, the same sect might practice different techniques, but usually one sect had one set of mental cultivation methods.

Mental cultivation methods determined the way of absorbing spiritual power, while techniques determined how spiritual power was used. For instance, some became medical cultivators, some became sword cultivators, some became law cultivators—these were differences in techniques.

Qin Wanwan was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help taking another look at the two. Luo Xingzhou seemed to have heard them discussing and said directly: “You two don’t know—Heavenly Sword Sect’s sword cultivation originally has two sets of mental cultivation methods. These two sets of mental methods come from the same origin, but have two different approaches in specific cultivation. My senior brother cultivates the Inquiring Heart Sword—pure heart, few desires, great love for all living things. While I cultivate the Passionate Sword—comprehending emotion, comprehending the Way, what my eyes see is what my heart thinks. Simply put—”

Luo Xingzhou spoke, glanced at Qin Wanwan, meaningfully: “My senior brother is a monk without desires or demands. While I am destined to be a passionate lover.”

“This is truly the first time I’ve heard someone describe promiscuity so elegantly and refinedly.”

Mei Suihan suddenly spoke. Luo Xingzhou looked over and saw Mei Suihan’s face carried a smile, but his words held not half a shred of courtesy.

Luo Xingzhou smiled and shook his head: “Not so. Each time I only love one person, each time very seriously.”

“Don’t listen to his bragging,” Xie Gutang said flatly. “Since childhood until now, he hasn’t successfully pursued a single girl.”

Luo Xingzhou’s facial expression froze. Xie Gutang glanced at him indifferently: “If not for this arranged marriage, he wouldn’t be able to marry in this lifetime.”

“Senior Brother,” Luo Xingzhou forced a smile, “please eat your meal properly.”

With that, Luo Xingzhou looked outside the window and said happily: “Ah, ah, ah, look everyone, that bird is flying so fast!”

He forcefully changed the topic. Qin Wanwan suppressed her laughter and lowered her head.

After the group finished eating, Luo Xingzhou arranged for everyone to return to their respective rooms.

After finishing the arrangements, he yawned and returned to his room. Upon opening the door, he saw that except for Mei Suihan, everyone was in his room.

Luo Xingzhou froze. Xie Gutang set up a barrier and glanced at the room door: “With that person present earlier, speaking wasn’t convenient. We came to ask you—what’s the deal with this marriage between you and Liu Feishuang? On the road we encountered Liu Feishuang. She ran away from home and even said the Liu Family wanted to kill her.”

“That matter,” hearing the question, Luo Xingzhou smiled while opening and closing his fan as he took a seat. After thinking, he said: “I’m also puzzled about it.”

“How so?”

“The marriage between Liu Feishuang and me was arranged when we were young. Now that the time has come and our two families are to wed, the Liu Family suddenly demanded a Water Spirit Pearl as the betrothal gift.”

“Water Spirit Pearl?” Xie Gutang looked up at Luo Xingzhou. Luo Xingzhou nodded. “That’s right. They wanted it, so I went to the East Sea, obtained the Water Spirit Pearl, and returned to formally propose marriage. It was agreed that on the wedding day, I would bring the Water Spirit Pearl to them as celebration. But just after the date was set, I received a letter from Feishuang. She said she wouldn’t marry me, said this marriage would kill her.”

Luo Xingzhou’s expression was calm. No one spoke. Xie Gutang simply said: “Then you came?”

“Correct. At first I hoped the Liu Family would let me talk with her once, but the Liu Family used the reason that we couldn’t meet before the wedding and blocked me at every turn. So I personally came. The wedding is in ten days. Before then, I want to ask her clearly what she means. But since I personally came, not only has the Liu Family not let me meet her, they’ve repeatedly obstructed me. I can only inquire about information in the vicinity. At first I thought Feishuang was afraid of the ghost marriage matter, but after carefully inquiring, I discovered that actually Flower City’s ghost marriages are more just a custom. In these hundred-plus years, only three couples of newlyweds have died because of it. Feishuang shouldn’t have reason to fear this matter.”

“So you also don’t know why exactly she feels this marriage will kill her.”

Qin Wanwan summarized.

Luo Xingzhou nodded: “Correct.”

“Then do you have any way to let us go ask her?”

Qin Wanwan pressed further.

Luo Xingzhou smiled bitterly: “If I had a way, I would go ask myself.”

Everyone fell into silence. Jian Xingzhi swept his gaze over the crowd and simply said: “Then how about this—we use the same old trick.”

“Hm?”

Qin Wanwan looked over. Jian Xingzhi was full of confidence: “We dig our way there!”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

“Don’t even think about it,” hearing this, Luo Xingzhou shook his head. “Have you all heard that a few months ago, Inquiring Heart Sect was tunneled through and collapsed?”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi exchanged a glance. Silence.

Luo Xingzhou continued: “I also heard that it wasn’t just Inquiring Heart Sect. Ghost City also had a similar incident—someone tunneled through and collapsed their women’s bathhouse. Some say this matter is related to demonic seeds. Before Barren City’s demonic seed outbreak, it seems someone also dug into the Ning Family ancestor’s master bedroom.”

“That’s a rumor!” Regarding the last statement, Qin Wanwan could confirm they hadn’t intentionally dug there.

Luo Xingzhou waved his hand: “Whether it’s a rumor doesn’t matter. Anyway, now all the major sects pay great attention to underground defense, spending heavy sums installing barriers underground. Can’t dig through.”

Everyone fell silent again.

“Now there’s only one last method.”

Luo Xingzhou’s face showed gravity as he looked up at everyone.

Everyone looked over. Luo Xingzhou spoke seriously: “Tomorrow is the Liu Family Head’s birthday. The Liu Family is holding a grand banquet and, taking the opportunity to do a rehearsal for the wedding day performances, but a juggling troupe temporarily fell ill and can’t go. The Liu Family is currently looking for someone to fill in. You all came at just the right time—we have many people.”

Luo Xingzhou spoke, closing his fan: “Let’s all infiltrate together!”