After infiltrating the main characters' group, I became the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Do you know that there is a technique in the world that can erase a person's mind, turning them into an ignorant and emotionless puppet, at the mercy of others?"

Su Ning relayed You Xunchun's words verbatim to Pei Yunlian, who was standing to the side.

The three walked back to the Sword Forging Manor. Since Yue Zi had already become Master Duan Shui's apprentice, he naturally couldn't go back until the mission was completed.

Su Ning walked in the middle, with Xu Ling'er beside her. Upon hearing this, she exclaimed in surprise, "There are actually such evil techniques in this world?"

The young swordsman pondered for a moment before turning to reply, "I have never heard of such an evil art, but these symptoms are very similar to those on Mount Xiaguang."

Because Xu Ling'er was present, Pei Yunlian did not directly mention the medicine puppet.

Upon hearing this, Su Ning had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Xu Ling'er said goodbye to the two halfway, but looked at Pei Yunlian with reluctance, hoping that he could say something.

But the boy with the sword remained silent throughout.

Only after Xu Ling'er left did Su Ning tug at his sleeve: "Miss Xu likes you."

Pei Yunlian looked into the girl's eyes, which were pure and flawless, but without a trace of affection.

Pei Yunlian lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently brushing against the piece of fabric Su Ning had torn, her tone as faint as the morning mist on a mountaintop: "I know."

Su Ning tilted her head, blinking in confusion: "Then why didn't you respond to her? Miss Xu's affection is practically overflowing."

The young swordsman looked up, his gaze sweeping over the stray strands of hair falling beside her temples before finally settling on her pure, untainted eyes. His voice was so soft it seemed almost carried away by the wind: "My heart is with my sword; there is no room for anyone else."

"Besides, with my parents' deaths still unresolved, how could I dare to discuss such trivial matters as romance and poetry?"

Su Ning understood and said softly, "Let's go."

What Su Ning and Pei Yunlian didn't know was that after the two left, two people suddenly appeared from behind the tree where they had just been.

A person wearing a black cloak covered their face, making it impossible to see their features.

The other person didn't cover his face, but he had a gloomy temperament and carried a bloodthirsty aura. He was none other than Xue Shazi, who broke into Tian Shu Pavilion every night.

The man in the black cloak turned and asked, "Are those two women the ones you've chosen?"

Blood Fiend was no longer the coward he had been the night before; instead, his face was full of interest: "I originally only had my eye on that Xu Ling'er."

"That Xu Ling'er was following Xu Heyu, but she wasn't a disciple of the Su Nu Sect or the Xuan Nu Sect, and her martial arts were mediocre, making her the perfect target. But unexpectedly, she gained something today."

"You mean the veiled woman?" the man in the black cloak asked.

"Do you know that the divine skills of my Blood Fiend Sect require the aid of women's blood? The fresher the girl, the more useful her blood will be for my martial arts practice."

"With the martial arts tournament approaching, I don't want to provoke those women who have powerful sects behind them. Otherwise, if the plan is ruined, wouldn't it all be my fault?"

"Although the veiled girl had no martial arts skills, the blood on her body was exceptionally sweet. Even from this distance, I could faintly feel the bloodlust within me stirring."

Blood Fiend licked his lips, a greedy red light surging in his eyes. "This is the first time I've encountered such a situation. Brother Chen, you must help me."

The person beneath the black cloak let out a low chuckle, hoarse as a broken gong: "It seems your gains today have exceeded your expectations. As long as you don't ruin your plans, what's wrong with helping you this once in a while?"

"Brother Chen is righteous," Blood Fiend chuckled sinisterly, "Once we retrieve the Dragon Sparrow Blade and I have mastered my divine skills, I will reward Brother Chen accordingly."

As soon as Su Ning and Pei Yunlian arrived at the entrance of the Sword Casting Manor, they found that many people had already come down from the martial arts training ground on the mountain.

These are mostly wandering figures from the martial arts world, or members of small sects, who are currently discussing the events at the martial arts arena today.

"That young master Lou is truly a prodigy. In his first appearance, he has made remarkable progress. I believe the Dragon Sparrow Blade is destined to belong to the Lou family."

"Yes, and what's more, this young man is neither arrogant nor impatient, abandoning the haughtiness of those powerful families, and actually taking to the arena to challenge from the very first day."

"Although we don't have much to see here, the last two days of the martial arts tournament will definitely be exceptionally lively. It will truly be a battle of the gods then. Coming to this martial arts tournament today will certainly be worthwhile."

Su Ning and Pei Yunlian listened to some of it, and most of the words were praise for Lou Xianyue.

Su Ning keenly noticed that the boy beside her seemed to have a colder expression.

"Are you feeling regretful?" Su Ning asked softly.

Pei Yunlian lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently stroking the hilt of the sword. "I was thinking that if I could participate in the martial arts tournament, perhaps I could win that sword for Yue Zijin."

Su Ning blinked, then suddenly smiled, "Perhaps Uncle Tang just didn't want him to get involved in those dangers, which is why he made this knife public."

He turned his head to the side, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he only let out a soft "hmm".

After returning to Red Maple Garden, Su Ning first put away the token she had obtained from Master Duan Shui, then called Xiao Qin over and asked, "Has Xi Xi not returned yet?"

Xiaoqin shook her head, but she seemed to have expected this, so her expression remained calm. "Miss is all grown up now, and Master is intentionally training her."

Su Ning nodded slightly and instructed Xiao Qin, "Go and call Xiao Xing here."

Xiaoqin remained standing still, which prompted Su Ning to glance at her. "What's wrong?"

Although Xiaoqin was more composed than Xiaomei, she still had the mind of a young girl and muttered, "Miss seems to treat that Xiaoxing differently. Is there something special about him?"

Su Ning rested her chin on one hand, her moon-white silk dress accentuating her snow-white skin. Her delicate features resembled flowers blooming in winter. Her gaze was fixed on the hibiscus flowers on the table. "Perhaps he's quite skilled at tending plants?"

"Alright, go on."

Xiaoqin had no choice but to go and call for help.

Even as Yu Xinglai stepped into Su Ning's room, his heart was still pounding wildly. Even when Xiao Qin called for help, he was surrounded by countless envious, jealous, and hateful gazes.

But he didn't care at all; he only had one thought in his mind.

Did Su Ning take the initiative to contact him?

The door closed gently, and Yu Xinglai's face returned to normal.

Then he quietly approached his treasure.

Su Ning still propped her chin up, her eyelashes drooping, casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes. Her voice was as soft as snowflakes falling on flower petals: "You've come."

Yu Xinglai's throat tightened, and he responded with a "yes," but his gaze was fixed on the section of her fair wrist that was exposed under her moon-white silk dress. Her skin was so white that it was almost transparent, as if it would break at the slightest touch.

But at this moment he was a little nervous, and looking out the window at the sky that was not yet completely dark, he whispered, "It's not dark yet." He had never tried to indulge in debauchery in broad daylight.

Upon hearing this, Su Ning opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly. "What are you talking about? I called you here to borrow a piece of dough."

Yu Xinglai's budding romantic thoughts froze instantly, her eyes filled with disbelief. "You called me just for this!?"