As the words fell, great fire rushed skyward. The vines shrieked, and more vines emerged from the ground, charging straight at him!

Law cultivators were different from sword cultivators. Though these people had very strong area attacks, their small frames were extremely fragile. As long as one got close, they would surely die.

Mei Suihan skillfully landed beside Qin Wanwan. Qin Wanwan raised her hand and with one sword strike severed the vines rushing toward him, speaking in surprise: “Mei Suihan?”

“Disappointed?”

Mei Suihan smiled and glanced at her sideways. The hand seals in his hands kept flying, madly burning the vine roots.

The vines clearly knew who posed the greatest threat here and madly attacked Mei Suihan. Qin Wanwan decisively guarded beside Mei Suihan, desperately slashing at the vines attacking him.

There were faint tremors in the sky, but compared to the ground vines, they weren’t enough to draw Qin Wanwan’s attention. Qin Wanwan put her whole heart into these rushing vines. With her and Mei Suihan—one attacking, one defending—their cooperation was seamless.

Mei Suihan seemed extremely familiar with her attack style. Every time vines suddenly attacked him, he could perfectly dodge behind her, allowing her to more conveniently clear these vines. He even had spare capacity to help her sweep away some vines she couldn’t attend to. They looked completely unlike people cooperating for the first time, as if they had cooperated countless times before.

For that instant, Qin Wanwan even felt the person standing behind her wasn’t Mei Suihan, but Jian Xingzhi.

This thought made her space out for a moment. Vines instantly broke through the earth beneath her feet. Mei Suihan pulled her into his embrace, crashed against the vines with an incantation, and dragged her leaping to a spot not far away.

“What are you thinking about?”

Mei Suihan’s smiling voice rang out from behind her. The two had just landed when Qin Wanwan bent down from under his sleeve, split open the vines behind him with one sword strike, then straightened up. Back-to-back with him, she spoke calmly: “I was thinking that I always feel it’s not the first time meeting Young Master. Have we perhaps met before?”

“Oh?” Hand seals flew in Mei Suihan’s hands. “Unfortunately I’ve forgotten everything from before. Otherwise perhaps we really have met?”

Just as his words fell, the sky suddenly shook violently. This time the commotion was extremely large, as if someone was splitting the barrier.

Familiar sword intent leaked through the barrier’s cracks. Qin Wanwan looked up in delight.

Mei Suihan glanced at her sideways. Seeing her expression change, his smile didn’t diminish but his expression grew much colder. He simply said: “Jian Xingzhi has arrived.”

With that, sword light suddenly blasted open the barrier. Qin Wanwan leaped up, wanting to go find Jian Xingzhi. But Mei Suihan moved faster. The instant Qin Wanwan went to meet him, he wrapped her waist and rapidly retreated, leaping away.

Only a thunderous boom was heard. A sword light descended from heaven. As the sword light fell, the ground was like a giant dragon shuttling through—the earth rolled and split open. The entire illusion collapsed and scattered.

Qin Wanwan took advantage of Mei Suihan embracing her in that moment of weightlessness. She raised her hand to support his arm, and a Jishan hand seal silently fell. When landing, she discovered they’d returned to the Liu Family’s separate courtyard. Then she heard Jian Xingzhi coldly call her: “Qin Wanwan, come here.”

Mei Suihan released his hand. Qin Wanwan looked up to see Jian Xingzhi holding his sword standing not far away, his expression cold and calm, exactly like that aloof immortal lord appearance from back in the Immortal Realm.

Qin Wanwan’s instinct told her this was bad. She quickly walked to Jian Xingzhi’s side. Jian Xingzhi raised his eyes to glance at Mei Suihan. Mei Suihan smiled and tilted his head: “What timing—one step early.”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t acknowledge him, only withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Qin Wanwan, his voice indifferent: “I taught you for so long, yet you can’t even break open an illusion?”

Qin Wanwan’s smile froze.

“Wasting time in the past, still not striving for progress now. Will you wait for people to save you your whole life?”

Jian Xingzhi’s words made Qin Wanwan feel somewhat hurt. She restrained her emotions and tried to speak calmly: “I’m sorry. It’s because I’m too weak. I’ve troubled you.”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi gripped his sword tighter. He wanted to say something but couldn’t speak. In the end, he could only turn and leave.

Just as he turned back, he saw Luo Xingzhou and Liu Feishuang bringing Xie Gutang and a group from the Liu Family rushing in. Everyone hurriedly rushed to the three people’s side. Luo Xingzhou came to ask Jian Xingzhi. Liu Feishuang rushed before Qin Wanwan, gripping her and anxiously inquiring: “Miss, you’re not injured, are you?”

With many people, the two were separated.

Jian Xingzhi heard Qin Wanwan behind him comforting Liu Feishuang and Cuilu: “It’s nothing. Both Young Master Mei and Daojun Jian came very timely.”

She was gentle with everyone, but didn’t come forward to ask him even once.

As if he were no different from anyone around them.

Speaking of it, perhaps there really was no difference. In her world, if Jian Xingzhi didn’t go save her, there would be Mei Suihan to save her. He thought he and Qin Wanwan cooperated seamlessly—unique and irreplaceable—but actually Mei Suihan could too.

He was never indispensable in her life.

Thinking of seeing the two cooperating to resist enemies from above earlier, listening to Qin Wanwan speaking behind him, Jian Xingzhi couldn’t help gripping his sword tighter.

Xie Gutang walked to Jian Xingzhi’s side. He sensed Jian Xingzhi’s abnormal emotions and couldn’t help feeling worried: “Senior?”

“It’s nothing.” Jian Xingzhi answered crisply, his face completely calm as he reminded Xie Gutang, “Attend to proper business.”

With that, he turned to look at the Liu Family Head Liu Yuehua standing to the side with people, her expression not looking good, and Liu Feixu behind her, smiling as he observed them.

Seeing Jian Xingzhi’s gaze, Xie Gutang immediately understood Jian Xingzhi’s meaning. He turned to look at Liu Yuehua and performed a salute: “Gutang greets Senior Liu.”

“So it’s Gutang,” Liu Yuehua smiled. “Haven’t seen you in a long while. You’ve become even more handsome. Tonight…” Liu Yuehua looked around. “I wonder what happened?”

“Don’t ask them,” hearing this, Liu Feishuang immediately spoke, stepping out from the crowd. With reddened eyes she looked at Liu Yuehua. “It’s me who called them here. You don’t need to hide it anymore either. Today I’m going to tell Heavenly Sword Sect—I was cursed by Bai Wei long ago and cannot marry. If I marry, bride and groom will surely die. You all want to use the Water Spirit Pearl to summon the Exquisite Jade into the world, disregarding Xingzhou’s and my lives. You…”

“Bai Wei is nothing!”

Listening to Liu Feishuang’s words, Liu Yuehua cried out in rage: “Does my Liu Family fear her?!”

“Don’t you?” Liu Feishuang stared at Liu Yuehua. “Our ancestor reincarnated three times and all died at her hands. Have you successfully stopped her even once?”

Liu Yuehua said nothing. She and her daughter looked at each other. Qin Wanwan listened for a while, then spoke gently: “Since everyone has already spoken openly, Family Head Liu, if there are matters, we might as well discuss them together. This Bai Wei—who exactly is she?”

“Speak,” without waiting for Liu Yuehua to speak, Liu Feishuang calmly said, “since you want to form a marriage alliance with Heavenly Sword Sect, you should at least tell them clearly—who exactly wants to kill Luo Xingzhou.”

“This matter concerns Liu Family secrets…”

Liu Feixu had stood for a long while before finally speaking. But as soon as he opened his mouth, Liu Feishuang angrily shouted: “I’m letting my mother make the decision. Is it your turn to speak?!”

Liu Feixu’s expression stiffened. After a moment, he smiled unconcernedly and turned to look at Liu Yuehua: “Aunt, regarding this matter…”

“Let’s speak in the great hall.”

Liu Yuehua thought for a long while, her face showing weary exhaustion. She instructed Liu Feixu: “Feixu, receive everyone in the great hall.”

“Yes.”

Liu Feixu respectfully spoke. Liu Yuehua was supported by maids as she left. Liu Feixu turned to look at everyone: “If everyone has time, please follow me to the great hall.”

Everyone had been waiting for this moment. Xie Gutang performed a salute: “Please lead the way, Daojun Liu.”

Liu Feixu raised his hand in a “please” gesture and led Xie Gutang forward.

Jian Xingzhi stood still. Qin Wanwan stood beside Cuilu with her head lowered, also not moving. Luo Xingzhou glanced at Jian Xingzhi: “Daojun Jian?”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t respond, finally taking steps to leave.

Cuilu looked at Jian Xingzhi, then at Qin Wanwan: “What kind of quarrel are you two having?”

“Nothing.”

Qin Wanwan smiled: “We’re not quarreling.”

Cuilu was perceptive and didn’t ask more. She only said: “What was the situation just now? What kind of illusion was that?”

Hearing Cuilu ask this, Qin Wanwan had something to talk about. She concealed what the woman in the illusion had said and slowly recounted what happened when encountering danger in the illusion. Everyone crowded beside her to listen. By the time they finished listening, they’d about reached the great hall.

Luo Xingzhou analyzed: “This means that woman’s original body should be a wild rose?”

“Do you even need to say that?” Liu Feishuang laughed at him. “I already said this woman is called Bai Wei. Did you think we didn’t know who she is?”

“This name Bai Wei… I feel somewhat familiar with it?”

Luo Xingzhou frowned. Xie Gutang calmly reminded him: “The one who cultivated the Thousand Lifetimes Dream Path and fell into demonism.”

Hearing this, Luo Xingzhou suddenly reacted, eyes widening. Seeing his expression, Liu Feishuang sneered lightly: “Afraid?”

“Afraid…” Luo Xingzhou forced himself to hold up, stuttering: “What do I have to be afraid of?”

“Do you still dare to marry me?” Liu Feishuang’s smile wasn’t quite a smile. “Regretting it?”

“What’s there not to dare?” Luo Xingzhou recovered, much more relaxed. “If you dare to marry, how would I not dare to take you as my wife?”

“You just know how to boast.”

Liu Feishuang spoke and took the lead stepping into the great hall, leading everyone to sit down.

Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan sat separately on two sides. Mei Suihan calmly sat down beside Qin Wanwan, smiled, and said: “Miss Qin, you don’t mind?”

Qin Wanwan nodded without saying more. Jian Xingzhi swept a glance at them. His gaze paused, but in the end he still pretended nothing happened and looked away.

After everyone sat down, maids served tea, then withdrew and closed the doors, leaving only Jian Xingzhi, Qin Wanwan’s group, and the three from the Liu Family—Liu Yuehua, Liu Feixu, and Liu Feishuang.

“Since everyone has already seen tonight, this old one won’t hide it from you all. The woman this young lady saw in the illusion tonight is called Bai Wei. She’s had a grudge with my Liu Family for many years.”

Liu Yuehua sat in her seat—she looked to be in her early thirties, her expression full of weariness. She glanced at Qin Wanwan. Seeing Qin Wanwan had no reaction to this name, she looked toward Xie Gutang: “You must have heard of the name Bai Wei.”

“Yes.” Xie Gutang nodded. “But I don’t know the details. I hope Family Head Liu will say more.”

“To speak of Bai Wei, I must start with our realm’s most unique cultivation method. This method is called ‘Thousand Lifetimes Dream Path.’ Ordinary people cultivate in only one lifetime, but those who cultivate Thousand Lifetimes Dream Path use a thousand lifetimes to comprehend the Way. After comprehending the Way, they don’t ascend. Instead, they directly enter an immortal womb, born as an immortal body.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan froze. Jian Xingzhi instinctively looked toward Qin Wanwan.

Not knowing of their interaction, Liu Yuehua continued: “Children of immortals are born with immortal bodies. But how can there be effects without causes in this world? Thousand Lifetimes Dream Path cultivates the previous lives of immortals’ children. Those who cultivate this path often start from the lowest tier of living beings—flowers, grasses, or spirit trees—then experience a thousand lifetimes of reincarnation. These thousand lifetimes, as humans, as insects, as flowers and birds, as livestock, experiencing human good and evil, wind and rain. Until death they don’t forget their original nature, don’t generate evil intent, still willing to seek a thread of survival. Then in the thousandth lifetime, they can attain the Way, bring their memories to the Immortal Realm, and become an immortal womb. Extremely few people cultivate this path. Bai Wei and her sister of different surname but same root, Su Tanyin, are the only two in our realm to cultivate this path in a thousand years. But Bai Wei gave up this path in her five hundredth lifetime and turned to cultivating the demonic path, while Su Tanyin attained the Way and ascended over two hundred years ago.”

Over two hundred years…

Qin Wanwan couldn’t help pressing: “Specifically which year?”

“This old one doesn’t know.” Liu Yuehua shook her head. “Actually, the reason we know Su Tanyin ascended is because when Su Tanyin was around, Bai Wei was restrained by her and never came out to commit evil. After Su Tanyin left, Bai Wei began her killing spree. But at that time she only killed demonic cultivators, which wasn’t too excessive. Until a hundred years ago, she formed a grudge with my Liu Family’s ancestor Liu Yiyi. The ancestor was severely injured by her and died. She still wasn’t satisfied, so she made a vow before the Liu Family—that my ancestor would, life after life, not obtain her beloved and not meet a good end. She placed a curse in the ancestor’s soul, not allowing the ancestor’s reincarnations to leave Flower City. Over these hundred years, diviners calculated the ancestor reincarnated three times, but each time…”

“She was killed by her when getting married?”

Jian Xingzhi continued. Liu Yuehua nodded. Now everyone knew the origin of Flower City’s ghost marriages.

In these hundred years in Flower City, a total of three couples of newlyweds had died. All three couples were Liu Yiyi’s reincarnations, hunted by Bai Wei.

“Then Liu Feishuang…” Qin Wanwan turned to look at Liu Feishuang. Liu Feishuang turned her head away, unwilling to say: “Yes, I’m Liu Yiyi’s reincarnation.”

She didn’t seem to want to acknowledge her relationship with Liu Yiyi. After thinking, she emphasized again: “But I don’t remember anything. I’m not her!”

“If that’s the case,” Jian Xingzhi frowned, “you all know when she marries Bai Wei will come for her. Why still let her marry with such fanfare?”

“She’s doing it for the Water Spirit Pearl…”

“I’m doing it for you!”

Mother and daughter spoke simultaneously. Liu Feishuang froze. Liu Yuehua seemed to feel she’d said something she shouldn’t have. With reddened eyes, she turned her head away.

Liu Feixu glanced at the mother and daughter, sighed, and said: “Since things have come to this, Aunt, let me speak. Actually, the previous three lifetimes couldn’t be confirmed as the ancestor, so Bai Wei observed them until marriage, finally taking the approach of rather wrongly kill a hundred than let one go, and killed them. But Cousin was born with the curse from back then—she must be Liu Yiyi. So since childhood, Cousin has been attacked by various plants. To give Cousin stability, for many years Aunt has continuously used spiritual power to sustain Cousin’s life, watching over her day and night. So whether Cousin marries or not, Bai Wei will come sooner or later. But with such consumption, Aunt’s body grows increasingly weak. She fears she won’t be able to protect Feishuang in the future. It just happens that the Exquisite Jade is about to appear in the world now. Aunt wanted to use the Water Spirit Pearl to summon the Exquisite Jade. After obtaining the Exquisite Jade, borrow the Exquisite Jade’s power to kill Bai Wei and eliminate future troubles.”

Hearing this, Liu Feishuang stared blankly at Liu Yuehua. Liu Yuehua didn’t look at her, only saying: “Dragging Heavenly Sword Sect into this, I’m very sorry. We just had no other choice.”

“This matter…” Xie Gutang hesitated. “Family Head Liu should have informed us earlier.”

“Gutang, you all are young and haven’t crossed hands with Bai Wei,” Liu Yuehua smiled bitterly. “Back when Bai Wei first killed and broke her precepts, she killed a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple. She was in love with that disciple and decided to stop permanently in that lifetime, restart cultivation. After accompanying him for decades, the disciple felt life was long, comprehended the third layer of Inquiring Heart Sword, and wanted to separate from her. So Bai Wei killed that disciple and even attacked Heavenly Sword Sect, wanting to slaughter the entire sect.”

Hearing this, Xie Gutang froze. Liu Yuehua continued: “Heavenly Sword Sect originally wanted to mobilize the entire sect to strangle Bai Wei. But Su Tanyin appeared. With the power of one person, without harming a single soldier, she took Bai Wei away. The world all admires Daojun Mingjing’s elegance. That’s because they’ve never seen Su Tanyin. If Su Tanyin were in this world, no one under heaven could rival her. Though Bai Wei doesn’t match Su Tanyin, she has after all cultivated five hundred lifetimes. Your sect’s elders know—they wouldn’t let Xingzhou come out and take risks.”

“Now,” Liu Yuehua sighed. She looked up at Luo Xingzhou. “Xingzhou, I’m not forcing you to definitely marry Feishuang, but can you, for the sake of our two sects’ good relations, give me the Water Spirit Pearl? Whatever you want, as long as Flower City has it, we’ll definitely give it to you.”

Hearing this, Luo Xingzhou didn’t speak. He looked up at Liu Feishuang. Seeing Liu Feishuang stiffening her neck without speaking, after a long silence, he smiled: “Senior Liu is joking. My wanting to marry Feishuang is my own matter.”

Liu Yuehua froze. Luo Xingzhou stood up and looked seriously at Liu Feishuang: “I came here not to break off the engagement. I just wanted to ask Feishuang—if she’s willing to marry me, I’ll come to the door to receive my bride. If Feishuang isn’t willing…”

“Then what will you do?”

Liu Feishuang turned back, somewhat curious. Luo Xingzhou embarrassedly touched his nose, testing: “I’ll come again in another year?”

Liu Feishuang looked at Luo Xingzhou. Luo Xingzhou smiled and turned to look at Liu Yuehua: “Family Head Liu, regarding my parents’ and elders’ wishes, you needn’t think too much. My father will agree.”

Liu Yuehua didn’t speak. She looked at Luo Xingzhou. After a long while, she choked: “Good child.”

“Regarding Bai Wei’s matter, I’ll inform Father. If he’s willing, he’ll send reinforcements. If he’s unwilling…”

Luo Xingzhou hesitated a moment. Xie Gutang spoke: “I will guard Junior Brother and Miss Liu. The wedding can proceed as scheduled.”

Luo Xingzhou turned back. Seeing Xie Gutang’s steady gaze, Luo Xingzhou’s nose stung: “Senior Brother…”

Xie Gutang smiled and turned to look at Jian Xingzhi and Cuilu: “I just don’t know if everyone can help Xie with this favor?”

“Yes.” Jian Xingzhi decisively spoke: “This was originally a matter we needed to handle.”

Jian Xingzhi spoke and turned to look at Liu Yuehua: “The wedding will proceed as scheduled. Tonight her illusion was broken—it should have injured her primordial spirit. She’s temporarily safe. Taking advantage of this opportunity, strengthen defensive barriers. Starting today, we’ll take turns watching over Luo Xingzhou and Liu Feishuang until the wedding is complete. We’ll also help you kill Bai Wei. After this, I have an unreasonable request.”

“Please speak.”

“This piece of Exquisite Jade in the Liu Family’s hands—when I open the Ascension Gate in the future, could I borrow it?”

Hearing this, Liu Yuehua smiled: “If Daojun can help the Liu Family resolve our grudge with Bai Wei, the Exquisite Jade should naturally be offered with both hands. What need is there to borrow?”

“Then it’s agreed.”

After Jian Xingzhi and Liu Yuehua settled the itinerary, everyone exchanged pleasantries. Then Liu Zhong arranged for people to go to the inn to receive Nanfeng, then arranged lodging for Qin Wanwan and the others.

Everyone followed Liu Zhong into the guest courtyard. Liu Zhong assigned rooms to everyone. Qin Wanwan secretly glanced at Jian Xingzhi, wanting to say something but feeling she couldn’t quite bring herself to. As she hesitated, Mei Suihan turned his fan looking at the courtyard’s willow trees, praising aloud: “Jiangnan scenery is truly distinctive.”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi went straight into his room and with a “bang” closed the door.

Everyone was startled by his behavior. They instinctively looked toward Qin Wanwan. Qin Wanwan froze, her tone also not good: “Why are you looking at me? I’m not the one who slammed the door.”

With that, she entered her own room and with a “bang” also flung the door shut.

Cuilu and Xie Gutang looked toward Mei Suihan. Mei Suihan pointed his fan at Qin Wanwan’s room: “How about I go comfort her?”

“No need!” Cuilu immediately spoke, turning to look at Xie Gutang. “Old Xie, you watch him. You must make sure Young Master Mei sleeps well and quickly cure his amnesia.”

“Thank you for Miss Cuilu’s concern.”

Mei Suihan smiled and calmly stepped into the courtyard’s furthest room.

Qin Wanwan entered her room. She went to pour herself several mouthfuls of cold water.

38 saw her distress and spoke angrily: “Why hold it in? Go scold him!”

“I won’t go.” Qin Wanwan sat on the bed to meditate, her face stern. “What he said wasn’t wrong. Wasting time in the past, not striving for progress now. Can’t even break open an illusion and still have to trouble him. What grounds do I have to scold him.”

This blocked 38 completely. It stuttered: “This… this… you can’t believe what men say.”

Qin Wanwan ignored 38, closed her eyes to meditate. Before long, she heard the next room’s door open—it seemed someone went out.

Her thoughts were agitated. She wanted to know where Jian Xingzhi went, but also felt that since Jian Xingzhi scolded her first, she had no reason to take the initiative to speak.

She closed her eyes and tried to enter concentration on the bed for a long while but couldn’t enter. 38 thought about it and suddenly spoke: “I think many things happened today. You should find him to discuss them.”

Qin Wanwan said nothing. 38 clearly sensed her emotions had improved somewhat and continued encouraging her: “He is after all your mission partner. I also have a colleague with him. You both need to ascend. Don’t be emotional—be rational.”

Listening to 38’s words, Qin Wanwan slowly opened her eyes.

“You’re right.”

She took a deep breath: “I shouldn’t be emotional. He’s always had this kind of temperament. I’ll go ask what he’s sulking about.”

With that, Qin Wanwan got up, nimbly jumped out the window, and went to find him.

38: “…”

Fast runner.

Qin Wanwan followed Jian Xingzhi’s aura all the way to the back mountain. Jian Xingzhi was practicing his sword in the forest.

Sword energy like a rainbow, the long sword drawing the moon.

Qin Wanwan reached the forest and instead slowed her steps. Jian Xingzhi knew she’d come but didn’t speak. Qin Wanwan stood to the side, organized her words, then said: “Um, today in the illusion, actually that Bai Wei said some things.”

“Mm.”

While practicing his sword, Jian Xingzhi calmly responded: “I heard.”

“You heard?”

Qin Wanwan looked up in surprise. Jian Xingzhi answered coldly: “I was outside splitting the barrier the whole time. I arrived right after you went in.”

“Then Mei Suihan…”

Qin Wanwan hesitated, somewhat confused why Mei Suihan had entered first.

“When I split open the barrier the first time, he took the opportunity to go in first.”

Jian Xingzhi explained. Qin Wanwan reacted—she vaguely seemed to know what he was unhappy about, yet wasn’t entirely clear.

She cleared her throat lightly, only saying: “Then… then Mei Suihan really is a petty person. It should have been you coming first!”

Jian Xingzhi said nothing, as if she didn’t exist.

Qin Wanwan felt both awkward and somewhat annoyed. She restrained her emotions: “Um, since you heard, you should know Bai Wei and Liu Yiyi’s grudge might be because of Lin Yanzhi. So back then Bai Wei might have seen my parents. Lin Yanzhi coming to the Liu Family should also have had something happen.”

“Mm.”

“Also that Thousand Lifetimes Dream Path—Su Tanyin ascended over two hundred years ago. I was also born over two hundred years ago. Do you think there’s some connection between her and me?”

Speaking, Qin Wanwan felt somewhat embarrassed, feeling she seemed a bit presumptuous: “I’m not saying definitely. After all, Su Tanyin is still quite formidable. I’m just proposing a possibility. Didn’t you say everything in this world has cause and effect? I shouldn’t have come here for no reason, right?”

“Mm, it’s possible.”

Jian Xingzhi spoke very indifferently.

Qin Wanwan knew he was deliberately giving her the cold shoulder. For a moment she couldn’t speak. She stood for a while, finally somewhat unable to bear it: “I just wanted to say these things. You practice your sword. I’m leaving.”

“Alright.”

Jian Xingzhi answered very calmly. Qin Wanwan turned and left. After walking a few steps, she listened to the sword sounds behind her.

She closed her eyes and clenched her fists.

After holding back for a long while, she still couldn’t help it. She rushed back and scolded loudly: “If you have something to say, just say it! What young master temper are you throwing, making people guess?”

Jian Xingzhi ignored her. Touching his toes, he retreated into the forest. Qin Wanwan chased after him, drew her sword to block his sword, and shouted: “Stop practicing! Speak!”

“Move aside.”

Jian Xingzhi’s sword spun in his hand. Qin Wanwan went with the flow and slid her sword up. Her sword techniques were taught by him. The two were extremely familiar with each other. Jian Xingzhi didn’t want to fight with her. Qin Wanwan deliberately blocked his sword moves’ momentum, pressing him step by step: “You don’t like Mei Suihan. I’ve explained—I kept him for other purposes. Back then you agreed. Keeping him was your decision. Now why are you angry?”

“Then you keep him!”

Jian Xingzhi was clearly enraged. His sword energy shook, throwing Qin Wanwan off as he walked toward the forest exit.

Qin Wanwan chased after him as he walked out, continuing to press: “It’s not that I must keep him. You need to explain clearly to me—what exactly is different about Mei Suihan? You’ve been hiding things from me since leaving Barren City. I’m pretending not to know—do you really think I’m stupid? I tell you everything. What about you? If you want him to leave, just say so directly. Just tell me what’s different about him. Why can Nanfeng stay, why can Cuilu stay, why can Xie Gutang stay, why can Luo Xingzhou stay, but specifically Mei Suihan he…”

“Because he’s the male lead!”

Jian Xingzhi suddenly turned back, viciously thrusting his sword into the tree behind Qin Wanwan, controlling her within a small space.

The two were extremely close. Jian Xingzhi stared at her: “You want to know who he is? Fine, I’ll tell you. He’s the mission the system gave me. The system had me forge your heaven-ordained marriage bond with him. He’s the person the system calculated you’re most likely to like. The system told me he’s the person destined to ascend with you in the future.”

“You ask me what’s different about him?” Jian Xingzhi paused. He stared at her fixedly. He wanted to make himself look calm, rational, not too concerned, but didn’t know his hand tightly gripping the sword hilt had long exposed his emotions.

“I deviated from the system’s mission since leaving Barren City. Since leaving Barren City I’ve been trying to shake him off. But again and again, heaven’s mandate insists on making him appear before you, insists on making him complete that initial descent from heaven, insists on making him save you. I split open the barrier and watched him go in to save you, watched you cooperate seamlessly with him, watched him embrace your waist and leap away while I stood like an outsider. I feel like I might not be able to change this so-called damn fate!”

“Qin Wanwan,” he looked at her. In his usually clear and arrogant eyes, finally tainted with the weakness and unease that mortal people have, “I’m afraid.”

“Afraid… afraid of what?” Qin Wanwan stared at him blankly.

He stared at her. After a long while, he gripped his sword hilt tightly and spoke seriously: “I hope you’re strong enough, because I’m afraid you’ll like someone just because that person saved you.”

“I hope you’ve received love and goodness from many people, because I’m afraid you’ll like someone just because that person treats you well.”

“Qin Wanwan, I’m telling you—if one day you’re going to like someone,” he paused. He actually couldn’t imagine Qin Wanwan sincerely falling for someone else, but he still insisted on telling her, “it should be because you yourself like them, not because fate arranged it. Otherwise,” he spoke, not daring to look directly into her eyes. He turned his head away, concealing his own wretchedness, “I’m not reconciled.”

Finishing speaking, he crisply pulled out his sword and turned to leave.

Qin Wanwan leaned against the tree. She stared blankly at the tree leaves falling in the night, her expression somewhat dazed. After a long while, she heard footsteps treading on withered leaves beside her again.

She turned back to see Jian Xingzhi returning.

With a cold face and somewhat unnatural expression: “Don’t stay outside alone. I’ll send you back.”

Qin Wanwan came to her senses, knowing he was worried about her. She nodded woodenly.

The two walked quietly through the forest one in front, one behind. Jian Xingzhi walked ahead. He didn’t speak. She didn’t dare ask.

Much information swirled in her mind. Though her instinct had sensed it early on, having the other party say it so directly still shocked her speechless.

Jian Xingzhi escorted her to the door. He coldly watched her enter. Qin Wanwan closed the door, then couldn’t help opening a crack to look at the white-robed youth standing at the door, speaking softly.

“Jian Xingzhi.”

“Speak.”

“Do… do you like me?”

“I don’t like you.”

Jian Xingzhi spoke coldly and turned to leave.

Qin Wanwan froze, but before she could truly process what Jian Xingzhi had said, the door was suddenly pushed open with a “bang.”

Qin Wanwan was startled by Jian Xingzhi. Before she could speak, he pulled her into his embrace, lifted her half an inch off the ground, pressed the back of her head, and fiercely kissed her.

Qin Wanwan’s eyes flew wide open. After a moment, her breathing became rapid, her lashes trembled lightly, and she unconsciously gripped his clothes.

Jian Xingzhi pressed her against the carved wooden door. He was so nervous he couldn’t notice what Qin Wanwan was doing at all, only clumsily recalling the movements of this girl who had taken the initiative to kiss him in the tomb chamber back then.

His heart felt both sour and bitter, carried some resentment, and also felt wronged.

But as he kissed, inexplicable sweetness arose.

After completing the conquering kiss, both were breathing heavily. Qin Wanwan lowered her head, not daring to look at him, face flushed, completely unable to stand steady.

Jian Xingzhi felt the young girl leaning against his chest, gripping his clothes. He felt somewhat uncomfortable and closed his eyes.

“Yes, I like you.”

His voice was hoarse as he restrained his emotions: “Is that good enough?”

Qin Wanwan said nothing. She leaned against him, her heart beating wildly. Still somewhat dizzy from lack of oxygen, she hadn’t recovered at all and was adjusting her breathing.

Hearing her silence, the awkwardness Jian Xingzhi had vaguely anticipated surged up.

He knew Qin Wanwan wasn’t someone who would directly reject people, so with a cold face he spoke the words he’d prepared long ago: “You don’t need to feel awkward. I’m not someone who forces others. If you don’t like me, it’s nothing. If you want to break off our friendship, that’s fine too. I won’t pester you. Sleep well.”

“Huh? Jian…”

Before Qin Wanwan finished speaking, Jian Xingzhi instantly disappeared from the spot.

Qin Wanwan stared blankly at the now-empty room. After a long while, she came to her senses and realized Jian Xingzhi had used “Light Evasion Technique”—a spell for traveling a thousand miles rapidly—to run away!

She forced herself to walk to the table and sat on a stool, so angry she patted her chest to catch her breath.

Scoundrel!

Qin Wanwan thought of the awkwardness just now, so angry she wanted to cry.

Kissing someone then running away—scoundrel, scoundrel, scoundrel!

—

**Author’s Note:**

**[Mini Theater]**

Jian Xingzhi: “I already confessed. Why didn’t you respond?”

Qin Wanwan: “Don’t speak. Let me catch my breath. Oxygen deprivation.”

Jian Xingzhi: “I told you long ago—your physical fitness isn’t good enough.”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

**[Mini Theater 2 – Jian Xingzhi’s Turbulent Kiss]**

Qin Wanwan: “Jian Xingzhi, do you like me?”

Jian Xingzhi: “I don’t like you.”

Turning for one instant—

“No wait, I like you. I super like you. Why didn’t I say so?”

“What does she mean asking me this? She knows, right? She’s so smart—she definitely knows I like her. She’s still asking. Does she like me?”

“She definitely likes me. She’s hinting at me. I’m so happy.”

“She clearly already knows but still wants me to say it out loud. Doesn’t she know I’ll be shy? She’s so bad but I really like her! I want to kiss her!”

“I’m different from others! I’m her one and only! Right?!”

A moment later—

Kiss her!!

Then—

“She grabbed my clothes. She didn’t refuse. She really does like me!”

Next—

“Why isn’t she speaking? Why is she silent?”

“It’s over. Did I misunderstand?”

“It’s over, it’s over. She definitely doesn’t like me. I was being presumptuous, overthinking. What have I done?”

“She definitely hates me now but she’s so kind she doesn’t know how to say it.”

“Forget it, I’ll just die. Goodbye Wanwan, I’ll never appear before you again!!”

Thus—

“If you don’t like me, it’s nothing. If you want to break off our friendship, that’s fine too. I won’t pester you. Sleep well.”

“Light Evasion Technique! I’m leaving!”

Meanwhile Qin Wanwan:

“Wow, does he like me?”

“Want to hear him say he likes me.”

“Ah, kissed dizzy.”

“Wait, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“Jian…”

You ran really damn fast.