Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the carved floral patterns on the wooden chest’s lid.

Mimi licked her paws, lying amid silk and satin, half-closing her eyes as she watched the person sitting on the floor.

Zanxing’s fingers trembled slightly as she pressed against the chest’s door. Even though she knew nothing about “Miss Yang’s” past, she could sense something was wrong.

That book, “Recording History,” was written from the demon clan’s perspective, and Miss Yang had carefully preserved these forbidden books about the demon clan. No matter how one looked at it, this couldn’t be mere casual interest.

She had countless connections with the demon clan.

In “Nine Heaven Summit,” Miss Yang’s role was only about two thousand words. All along, Zanxing had rewritten the fate belonging to “Miss Yang,” going against the Heavenly Dao. So, the Heavenly Dao had been setting traps all along – first transforming the Xiaoyuan Pearl from a spiritual treasure into a demonic object, and now even tampering with her identity. Could it be that since the Heavenly Dao couldn’t kill her, it simply decided to upgrade her into a villain?

What about “The Demon Empress’s Confession: On My Wedding Night, I Discovered My Husband’s Illegitimate Child” – could she be that illegitimate child?

Zanxing couldn’t help but shiver.

She couldn’t tell Gu Baiying about the Xiaoyuan Pearl matter for the time being.

According to Lao Niu, these books were all ones that “Miss Yang” usually loved reading. Normally, no one touched them – they were just stored quietly in the room. This time, when coming up the mountain, he simply brought these books to Zanxing, so she could pass the time reading during leisure moments.

But who knew whether “Miss Yang” had already known her identity beforehand, or if there were others in the Yang family of Yue City connected to the demon clan? If she just told Gu Baiying that the Xiaoyuan Pearl was on her body, and then “Miss Yang’s” identity as a demon clan illegitimate child was discovered, claiming she had no ulterior motives in joining the Taiyan Sect wouldn’t convince even Zanxing herself.

This matter could only be shelved for now.

Zanxing looked at Mimi. The fat cat was unaware of the tremendous changes that had occurred in this brief moment. She meowed twice at Zanxing, hinting it was time for dinner. After pondering for a long while, Zanxing stored the book chest in her Qiankun Bag, then quickly left the room.

With the situation changed, the Taiyan Sect was no longer a place for long-term residence. Better to make plans early.

…

The next day was still sunny. Gu Baiying waited at Chuhong Terrace for a long time, but didn’t see Yang Zanxing.

After the young man sat there for two hours, he finally couldn’t contain himself and went to Miaokong Hall to demand an explanation.

Hong Su was preparing spirit pill rice for Mimi. Using rice nourished by spiritual energy, mixed with finely chopped spirit pills, steamed and stirred together – this was Yinlang Shi’s favorite flavor. She also had to pay attention to the balance of meat and vegetables, with small flowers carved from carrots as decoration on the side. Under such nourishment, Mimi’s fur had become increasingly lustrous and thick.

“Where is Yang Zanxing?” Gu Baiying asked.

Hong Su carved carrot flowers while answering: “The young miss? She went to the Scripture Pavilion early this morning.”

Gu Baiying was stunned, his face immediately darkening: “She even forgot our appointment. What kind of person is she?”

Lao Niu was coming in from outside, holding a handful of green leafy things. Seeing someone in the courtyard, he paused and looked toward Hong Su.

“Uncle Niu, this is Young Immortal Gu from the Taiyan Sect.”

Lao Niu’s eyes lit up: “This is Young Master Gu? Indeed, a talented and handsome young man!”

Gu Baiying was about to leave when he heard this and almost doubted his ears. He stopped walking and looked at Lao Niu: “What did you call me?”

“Young Master Gu!” Lao Niu looked matter-of-fact as he asked Hong Su, “This is the one the young miss mentioned, who will become our Young Master Gu in the future? The young miss has always had good taste.”

Hong Su chuckled twice without denying it.

Gu Baiying looked at him as if he’d seen a ghost: “Don’t call me that randomly!”

Lao Niu was startled and didn’t dare speak anymore.

The atmosphere immediately became stiff. Gu Baiying felt uncomfortable, his gaze falling on the bundle of green plants in Lao Niu’s hands. He was stunned: “Why did you pick all the Bone-Cleansing Leaves?”

Mendong had painstakingly grown them for several years, treasuring them dearly in daily life. Now someone had pulled them up like weeds in a big handful – he’d be devastated when he found out.

“Bone-Cleansing Leaves?” Uncle Niu nervously replied: “I saw these little scallions growing so green and lush, so I thought I’d pick them to make the young miss’s favorite scallion oil noodles… These aren’t scallions?”

“Of course they’re not scallions.” Gu Baiying was speechless for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Lao Niu: “Doesn’t Yang Zanxing dislike eating scallions?”

“How could that be?” Lao Niu laughed in bewilderment: “The young miss’s favorite food is scallion oil noodles.”

Gu Baiying looked at Hong Su, who nodded, indicating Lao Niu was correct.

Gu Baiying’s brow furrowed slightly. After thinking for a moment without saying anything more, he turned and left.

…

Zanxing didn’t know that Gu Baiying had gone to Miaokong Hall looking for her.

Ever since discovering she might be the demon lord’s illegitimate child, Zanxing had completely forgotten about her appointment with Gu Baiying to learn illusion techniques. During the day, she’d been in the Scripture Pavilion trying to find out if there were any ways to resolve the Xiaoyuan Pearl issue. Unfortunately, in Duzhou’s cultivation world, many books about demon clan secrets were forbidden texts, while Miss Yang’s chest of demon realm manuals all looked like gossip and entertainment books.

Not one was useful.

When Zanxing left the Scripture Pavilion, the sky had completely darkened. Ten thousand stars flickered in the vast sky. She walked a few steps, looked into the distance, and couldn’t help sighing deeply.

If she’d known this would happen, back in Wufan City when the Serpent Witch allowed her to ask one question, she should have asked “How can I return home?” or “How can I avoid disaster?” – questions like that. Although the Serpent Witch might not have been able to answer them either, it would still be better than now, bumping around like a headless fly, not knowing what other traps might appear in the future.

While she was feeling melancholy, someone approached from ahead. Seeing her state, he called out: “Junior Sister?”

Zanxing looked up and saw it was Mu Cengxiao.

This originally fortune-blessed heaven’s chosen one had half his protagonist’s aura stolen by her. Many scenes where he should have shone brilliantly hadn’t allowed him to display his abilities. Even so, Mu Cengxiao remained very diligent. Since returning to the Taiyan Sect, he’d either been reading in the Scripture Hall or cultivating at Chuhong Terrace, not missing a single day of practice.

Zanxing listlessly nodded at him: “Senior Brother Mu.”

“What’s wrong, Junior Sister?” Mu Cengxiao asked: “Are you still feeling unwell?”

Perhaps because they’d shared hardships in Wufan City, Mu Cengxiao wasn’t as wary and distant toward her as before. Tonight, he even showed rare concern for her.

“No.” Zanxing waved her hand dismissively: “I’m just under some pressure.”

Mu Cengxiao understood: “Is it because you have to accompany Junior Martial Uncle to the treasure ground? Don’t worry. Master said that Fifth Martial Uncle and Martial Uncle Yueqin will also go along. Even if the Mo Sha have ulterior motives, with their protection, you’ll be safe.”

Zanxing said: “That’s not what I’m worried about…” Suddenly her heart stirred.