In front of the flying waterfall in the outer courtyard, the crisp sound of clashing metal suddenly rang out.

The moonlight was hazy, illuminating the flowing water like silver-white snow.

And that snow was not an illusion—countless salt flakes swirled around Zanxing’s sides, tiny, slightly cool, like countless falling petals, landing in her hair, falling into her palms, and like shattered moonlight, gently caressing the hem of her skirt.

The next moment, the snowflakes suddenly transformed into sharp blades, flying toward Zanxing. Zanxing’s gaze focused as she stepped back, lifting her iron staff and swinging it forward.

In an instant, rosy fragrance continuously poured from the front end of the iron staff. Countless flower clusters bloomed instantly, wrapping the snow blades within them. Flowers and snow intertwined, dancing atop the moonlit peak. But in that flower-snow night scene, silver spears still carried killing intent, coming with unstoppable force like overturning mountains and seas.

Zanxing was suppressed by the enormous Yuanli contained within, unable to move.

The spear tip stopped just at her throat.

The dancing flowers and snow gradually dispersed, revealing the face of the spear-wielding youth.

Under the night sky, the white-robed youth’s expression had less of the frivolity of daytime and more of the captivating beauty of spring colors.

“Seventh Uncle?” Zanxing looked at him in surprise.

Gu Baiying withdrew his silver spear and snorted coldly, “Qing E Nian Hua Gun, nothing more than this.”

Zanxing stared at him without speaking.

A few days ago, when she fought with Hua Yue, Gu Baiying had interfered. At that time, Zanxing was busy being curious about his identity and hadn’t had time to carefully observe this person’s appearance. Later, she had met Gu Baiying once more because of Mimi’s birth, but with others present then, it hadn’t been appropriate to keep staring at him. Now, finally having the opportunity, looking at the person before her again, Zanxing couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—Gu Baiying’s appearance wasn’t very scientific for appearing in a male-oriented power fantasy novel.

Different from Mu Cengxiao’s vigorous, wild handsomeness, the person before her appeared to have red lips and white teeth, with an exceptionally elegant bearing. He carried the refreshing spirit unique to young men. The moonlight cast a cold tint over his white robes, yet made the vermilion red of his hair ribbon and clothes appear even more striking, setting off his features beautifully like precious jade.

But it would be wrong to say he was a proper, aloof, graceful young master. The youth’s brows and eyes were bright as wind, especially his pair of beautiful eyes, deep yet clear pupils like a cat’s, hiding elusive pride. Even the smile at the corner of his lips carried a hint of frivolous arrogance.

This face was enough to commit crimes with beauty.

As everyone knew, in male power fantasy novels, beautiful male characters were either cannon fodder or villains. Zanxing didn’t remember any villain with this name—this character hadn’t even appeared in the original work. Yet his appearance clearly should be categorized as a male lead from female-oriented fiction.

Seeing Zanxing staring at him unblinkingly, Gu Baiying frowned and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Zanxing asked gently, “Why did Seventh Uncle attack me just now?”

“I happened to encounter you on the road and wanted to test your skills. Is that not allowed?” Seeing Zanxing put her iron staff back at her waist, he spoke with disdain, “Someone carries a staff at their waist.”

Mentioning this made Zanxing feel frustrated. Unless it was a supreme-grade magical artifact that could be summoned at will and hidden within the body during normal times, ordinary magical artifacts had to be carried around. If it were something else, that would be fine, but she practiced with a staff. Carrying a staff around daily was very inconvenient, so she could only wear it at her waist to free her hands.

Of course, this didn’t look very elegant.

Gu Baiying glanced at her, seemingly unwilling to say more, and was about to leave. Zanxing called out to him, “Uncle.”

The youth’s steps paused. “What?”

Zanxing stepped forward, looking up at him.

This brought them very close together.

Gu Baiying seemed not to have expected Zanxing to do this. His gaze paused, then he asked warily, “What do you want to do?”

“Seventh Uncle, aren’t you curious why the ‘Qing E Nian Hua Gun’ chose me?” Zanxing spoke.

Gu Baiying was startled, then turned his head away and said coldly, “Ridiculous. What does that have to do with me?”

“The ‘Qing E Nian Hua Gun’ was written by Qinghua Xianzi. Uncle, you want to see how well I’ve practiced the staff techniques, which is why you’ve been secretly watching me.”

Gu Baiying had originally looked away, but upon hearing this, he immediately looked at Zanxing angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting? Who’s been secretly watching you?”

“You don’t want me to bring shame to Qinghua Xianzi, so you tested me.” Zanxing continued speaking to herself, “My aptitude is indeed ordinary, and I still can’t be considered outstanding. Since that’s the case, Uncle might as well give me more guidance in daily life. When I’ve practiced the staff techniques well, Uncle will also share in the honor.”

Gu Baiying couldn’t stand it anymore, “Who wants to share honor with you? Who is your uncle?”

“I’m now an inner disciple, so you’re naturally my uncle,” Zanxing answered very readily.

Gu Baiying was speechless.

He had stayed at Taiyan Sect for so many years. Because of his high seniority and handsome appearance, disciples always spoke to him gently and politely. Yang Zanxing was even his junior by a generation, a whole rank lower—how could she seem so impolite and frank? Could it be that the ‘Qing E Nian Hua Gun’ chose destined people based on the thickness of their skin?

He stepped back, as if disdainfully pulling away from Zanxing, and mocked, “Then go dream about it. I don’t have that kind of free time to guide a piece of rotten wood.”

After saying this, he no longer spared Zanxing a glance and strode away.

Zanxing watched his figure disappear into the night, then thoughtfully lowered her head.

She had repeatedly recalled these past few days and was certain that in the original work, there was no appearance of a name like Gu Baiying. Yet he had now appeared. Though she didn’t know what caused it, it seemed impossible to say it had nothing to do with her.

Zanxing slowly walked back toward the small wooden building, lost in thought. Her appearance had caused changes in the original plot line. And the original world, to eliminate her, had created many “new characters.” For example, Duan Xiangrao was a newly created, vicious female supporting character created to eliminate her, a new character to help stabilize hatred toward her.

Then Gu Baiying… could he also be a new character arranged by the original work?

This youth had appeared because of her appearance.

But the problem was, he seemed to bear no ill will toward her—at most, he looked down on her. To say the original work had specifically created such an opponent for her seemed like overkill.

Moreover, this opponent was crafted according to her preferred type. If this were an otome game, with this setting and appearance, Zanxing would choose to pursue him first.

Wait, Zanxing shivered. Could it be… this was a romantic storyline?