Gu Baiying fled in panic.

His hurried departure made Zanxing wonder if she had said something wrong. However, what she needed to worry about first was not Gu Baiying’s mood—the Xiaoyuan Pearl in her chest constantly filled her with unease.

Shaoyang Zhenren had instructed her to go with Gu Baiying to the treasure location to search for the sacred tree. As Gu Baiying had said, the treasure location not only contained the sacred tree growing there, but there might also be opportunities left behind by great masters. Since there were opportunities, if one spoke of destiny’s call, naturally, they should all belong to Mu Cengxiao. If she were to take them away… Zanxing looked toward her palm, where the red flower bloomed seductively, emanating an eerie and gorgeous beauty.

She had already changed many predetermined paths, so the “Heavenly Way” punished her by turning even a treasure like the Xiaoyuan Pearl into an ominous demonic object. Thus, the genius youth who carried a supreme treasure instantly became a demon clan remnant with ulterior motives, and one could imagine his fate would be completely different.

This couldn’t continue. Zanxing slowly clenched her palm. The human and demon clans were irreconcilable enemies. Rather than being discovered by others and forced to shoulder blame, it would be better to confess proactively. She just needed to think about how to explain it tactfully—she should prepare her words in advance, and it would be best to discuss it with someone.

Zanxing immediately thought of Gu Baiying.

From their days traveling together, this youth appeared tough on the outside but soft-hearted, saying one thing while meaning another. Though he was conceited and reckless, he was kind-hearted with a strong sense of responsibility—a person of clear likes and dislikes. More importantly, Gu Baiying held a high position in the Taiyan Sect, and their relationship was quite good. Even for the sake of the treasure map and Qinghua Xianzi, Gu Baiying shouldn’t try to destroy her. Perhaps he could find a way to force the Xiaoyuan Pearl out of her body, making everyone happy.

It seemed she needed to find time to lay her cards on the table with Gu Baiying, Zanxing thought secretly.

That night, Zanxing’s courtyard in Miaokong Hall was crowded with fellow cultivators who came to visit her.

Meng Ying had grown in cultivation during the trials in Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm and had been in closed-door cultivation these past days. In Wufan City, Mu Cengxiao’s Mieshen Saber had dealt a fatal blow to the mirage demon, and that already damaged divine saber had gained a trace of spiritual energy. Cui Yufu was busy carving new talismans on the divine saber. As for Mendong, he had suffered quite a fright, but fortunately, in Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm, relying on his Immortal Spirit Aperture, he had also found many spiritual herbs to put in his Qiankun Bag. Li Danshu was overjoyed and went daily to Yueguang Daoren to ask for spiritual herbs to refine pills.

Now, hearing that Zanxing had awakened, everyone came to her courtyard to visit.

Gu Baiying had also been dragged along by Tian Fangfang. He sat reluctantly on a chair farthest from Zanxing, as if she had thorns on her body.

“I brought some spirit pills and medicines that are beneficial for body tempering and increasing Yuanli.” Meng Ying placed a box on the table: “When you fought the mirage demon, you burned your Yuanli. Although the sect leader examined you and said your Yuanli wasn’t greatly damaged, your body was already weak to begin with, so you should pay attention to nourishing it.”

This was probably the longest sentence Zanxing had ever heard Meng Ying speak since she’d known her.

Having shared life-and-death experiences, everyone’s relationships had become much closer. Speaking of their trip to Wufan City, everyone still felt a lingering fear.

“That demon woman was cunning—even the Serpent Witch fell for her schemes. Fortunately, Junior Sister’s heart is pure and wasn’t contaminated by the illusion arts at all, so she could burn her Yuanli and save us all,” Tian Fangfang sighed.

Mendong rolled his eyes: “This has nothing to do with whether her heart is pure or not. The Serpent Witch clearly said it was because she couldn’t see through Yang Zanxing’s past and future, so the mirage demon couldn’t create an illusion.”

With his reminder, the others remembered what the Serpent Witch had said about Zanxing in Wufan City.

“Strange,” Meng Ying looked at Zanxing: “If it’s not a matter of spiritual power, then what could be the reason? And the Serpent Witch said Junior Sister is someone who shouldn’t exist in this world—what did that mean?”

Everyone’s expressions became grave.

The Serpent Witch’s words still echoed in their ears: “Someone who shouldn’t exist in this world, destined to be erased by the Heavenly Way.” Destiny was fickle—how many cultivators in the world struggled against heaven, only to ultimately accept cruel fate?

Destiny, for cultivators, sometimes meant everything in life.

“Cough cough, I guess it’s like this,” Zanxing cleared her throat twice and seriously spouted nonsense: “When I went to Pingyang Town with the young city lord to participate in the selection competition, I accidentally fell into a water gorge and encountered the demon beast ‘Yu.’ With my cultivation at that time, it should have been certain death, but my survival instinct was too strong, so I killed the demon beast and returned to shore. Originally, I should have died, but somehow I survived.”

She rubbed Mimi’s bottom on her knee and continued: “Because my face was injured by ‘Yu,’ I had no choice but to enter the Taiyan Sect, which exceeded my original plan, so destiny was rewritten.”

Mu Cengxiao pondered: “That’s indeed the case.” He had witnessed Zanxing’s fall into the water gorge and her subsequent survival and entry into the Taiyan Sect from beginning to end. He nodded in agreement: “That explanation makes sense.”

“I see,” Tian Fangfang said, “But if that’s the case, doesn’t it mean Junior Sister, you need to return to Yue City and marry that Yue City young city lord to get back on the proper ‘Heavenly Way’ path?”

As soon as the words fell, there was a loud “bang.” Everyone turned around to see Gu Baiying had slammed his porcelain cup heavily on the table, his face ashen as he spoke: “What kind of lowly Heavenly Way meddles in people’s marriages and childbearing?”

His inexplicable anger immediately silenced everyone.

Zanxing tried to smooth things over: “Martial Uncle, I…”

Gu Baiying looked at her mockingly: “What, do you want to go back and become the city lord’s wife?”

Why was this person suddenly being sarcastic again? Zanxing said: “…I don’t have such plans for now.”

“For now?” The youth’s face darkened.

“…I won’t have such plans in the future either.”

He snorted, and his expression softened slightly.

Tian Fangfang’s gaze lingered between the two for a moment, then he silently picked up his tea and took a gulp.

Zanxing didn’t know why Gu Baiying was suddenly concerned about her lifelong affairs again, but this little martial uncle’s unpredictable moods weren’t new—she was getting used to it.

Everyone chatted for a while longer, and seeing it was getting late, they each dispersed. Gu Baiying walked behind the others and was about to leave when Zanxing suddenly grabbed him.

“Martial Uncle.” Zanxing moved closer to him.

He backed away two steps like avoiding the plague, staring at Zanxing warily: “What?”

“Previously in Li’er Kingdom’s secret realm, didn’t you promise me that once we returned to the sect, you would teach me illusion arts?” Zanxing reminded him: “A man’s word is his bond—you can’t forget.”

At that time, they had been trapped in the barrier and couldn’t get out. To comfort the fake-crying Zanxing, Gu Baiying had indeed mentioned this. He hadn’t expected Zanxing to still remember.

“You…”

“We have nothing to do now anyway, and it’ll be some days before we go to the treasure location. How about we meet at Chuhong Terrace early tomorrow morning, and you teach me illusion arts?” Zanxing grabbed his arm.

The girl’s gaze was clear and bright, honest and open, making his guilty conscience all the more obvious. Gu Baiying brushed away her hand and, leaving behind a curt “I know,” quickly left the courtyard.

Zanxing watched his retreating figure and suddenly sighed.

Tomorrow they would be alone together—this way, she should be able to tell him about the Xiaoyuan Pearl.

She hoped that after hearing the whole story, he would still be as calm and composed as he was now.