Two Young Ladies

“Then let’s just be passing acquaintances,” Chi Yuchao said with a faint smile, nodding slightly. “I don’t have the habit of revealing my name to someone I’ve just met.”

Zhao Xinting’s expression faltered for a moment. It had been many years since someone had reacted so indifferently after hearing his name. Finding it amusing, he said, “You’re right. That was presumptuous of me.”

“You asked earlier if I’m tired of life in the Mystic Maiden Palace. I can tell you now—yes, I dream of leaving this place. What about you? Do you feel the same?” Chi Yuchao raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Xinting let out a bitter laugh. “I never wanted to come here in the first place. But due to unfortunate circumstances, leaving isn’t so simple for me now.”

“Oh?” Chi Yuchao’s curiosity was piqued. “I’m stuck here because of some unresolved issues. Until things are sorted out, I have no choice but to stay put. What about you? What’s keeping you here?”

“I’m bound by someone. Don’t be fooled by how leisurely I look, strolling and admiring flowers. In truth, I’ve been cursed with a spiritual seal. I can only move within a limited area. If I step outside this range, the one who cursed me will know immediately, and I’ll suffer the agony of a hundred insects devouring my heart,” Zhao Xinting said, his eyes flashing with a chilling intensity.

Hearing this, Chi Yuchao let out a melancholic laugh. “So we’re both unlucky souls. No wonder we crossed paths—it seems misery loves company.”

Zhao Xinting chuckled self-deprecatingly. The once-mighty Purple Extreme Demon Sovereign, who had ruled over all under the heavens, hadn’t felt this powerless in ages. He had spent centuries growing stronger, all to ensure no one could ever look down on him again. Yet the Mortal Transformation Stage had dragged him back to the same humiliating circumstances he had worked so hard to escape.

Mortal Transformation… Perhaps this is its true purpose, Zhao Xinting thought. To remind cultivators of their original selves, to strip away the arrogance and detachment that come with power, and to rediscover what truly matters.

“Since we seem to have so much in common, won’t you tell me your name?” Zhao Xinting asked, his clear, glass-like eyes tinged with melancholy.

“Precisely because we’re so similar, I can’t tell you,” Chi Yuchao replied with a hearty laugh. “We’re both unlucky. If we get too close, we might scare away Lady Luck herself. But if fate brings us together again, we can properly introduce ourselves then.”

With that, Chi Yuchao waved casually and walked away without looking back.

Zhao Xinting watched his retreating figure for a long time, a faint smile on his lips. “What an interesting girl.”

—

On his way back to his cave, Chi Yuchao found himself unable to shake the image of Zhao Xinting’s ethereal beauty. Her face kept appearing in his mind, unbidden and persistent.

With a sigh, he muttered to himself, “What a strange woman.”

—

Tian Kun Dynasty – Borderlands

Yi Chengying stood before the male disciples, including Qin Gou, her expression cold and authoritative. “This is where we part ways. From here on, you’re on your own. Each of you must find a way to infiltrate the Tian Kun Dynasty and secure a plausible identity to participate in the martial arts marriage contest.”

“If you can’t even manage something this simple, don’t bother showing your face to me again. Find your own way back to the Mystic Maiden Palace.”

The male disciples, eager to prove themselves, were raring to go. Though many had been humbled during their time at the palace, this mission was their chance to redeem themselves.

“Enough talk. Go,” Yi Chengying commanded.

With that, the disciples scattered in all directions, each employing their own methods to vanish from sight.

Only Qin Gou remained, standing calmly in place.

A bead of cold sweat slid down Yi Chengying’s pale forehead. After ensuring no one else was around, her cold, haughty demeanor melted away. Looking puzzled and slightly nervous, she asked, “Lord Qin, why haven’t you left yet?”

Qin Gou shrugged. “Why go alone when it’s so much easier to stick with you?”

Yi Chengying couldn’t help but laugh, though she quickly stifled it. She wanted to shout, Of course it’s easier with me leading the way! But as the overseer of this mission, she was supposed to maintain a semblance of professionalism.

Only the Heavenly Master could get away with blatantly cutting corners like this, she thought.

“Fine,” Yi Chengying said with a resigned sigh, her face scrunched in mock frustration.

Qin Gou smirked. “With your cultivation level, you should be able to fly on your own, right? So, how are we traveling? Should we take a spirit boat, or should I ride on your back? The latter seems faster.”

Yi Chengying’s face turned bright red, her expression a mix of embarrassment and indignation. Realizing he was teasing her again, she stomped her foot and huffed, “I’m called Little Chair, but I’m not an actual chair! Absolutely not!” She quickly retrieved a high-grade spirit boat from her spatial ring.

“Please, Heavenly Master,” she said, gesturing politely toward the boat.

And so, Qin Gou enjoyed the kind of VIP treatment other male disciples could only dream of. While they struggled with their infiltration plans, he leisurely traveled alongside the Lone Shadow Saintess, enjoying scenic views and delicious food as they soared through the skies.

—

As they traveled, a massive spinning wheel appeared before Qin Gou, its pointer whirling rapidly. When it finally stopped, it landed on the “Oddities” category.

Qin Gou’s face darkened as a notification sounded.

“Ding. Congratulations, Host, for winning the unconventional item: ‘Dizzying Handkerchief.’”