Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

"You Ji".

He turned toward the doorway, and the dark figure that had been standing there silently stepped forward in response.

"Spend some time with Yao'er and try to persuade her to eat something."

"Yes, Sect Master."

The Ghost King glanced at Biyao again, then turned and walked out of the stone chamber.

The stone corridor was deep and secluded, and the sound of footsteps echoed. After walking a short distance, a blurry black figure appeared from around the corner, bowing respectfully. It was Mr. Ghost.

"metropolitan."

"Hmm." The Ghost King did not stop walking.

Mr. Ghost followed half a step behind him, his voice extremely low: "The Dragon-Subduing Cauldron... the Four Spirits Blood Array, I have made a preliminary understanding of it. If this array can be completed, it will indeed have the power to reverse the universe. However, the essence blood of the four spirits required is extremely difficult to find. Sect Master, what do you think..."

The Ghost King paused for a moment. In the dim light, his profile was hard and cold. After a moment, he said, "I understand. Let me think about it some more."

"Yes."

The Ghost King continued walking forward, his figure appearing somewhat lonely in the deep stone corridor. The Four Spirits Blood Array…reversing the universe… flashed through his mind the earth-shattering lightning on Qingyun Mountain, the unfathomable gaze of Dao Xuan, the cold, spear-wielding figure of the black-clad youth. Power…he needed power, enough to crush everything, enough to protect those he wanted to protect, but…

He shook his head, suppressing these chaotic thoughts, and strode away.

Inside the stone chamber, Youji carried a bowl of steaming porridge and sat down next to Biyao, saying softly, "Miss, have some while it's hot."

Biyao didn't answer, but just looked at her, and suddenly asked, "Aunt You, don't you also think he's utterly wicked?"

Youji's hand froze.

Looking at Biyao's pale face, she could hardly contain her anger towards Jiang Xiaochuan. That boy was more than just bad; he deserved to be torn to pieces. But when she opened her mouth, what came out was, "He... his actions were indeed inappropriate, Miss. Such a person is not worth your concern."

"What's wrong with it?" Biyao pressed, her eyes unwavering.

Yu Ji was stumped by the question and hesitated before saying, "He...he deceived Miss's feelings, took advantage of Miss, and even...he hurt Miss..."

"That's because he had no choice!" Biyao immediately said, raising her voice.

"His master, senior brothers, and senior sisters are all here on Qingyun Mountain. What can he do? Is he really going to elope with me, this 'demonic sect witch'? What would that make him?"

Her logic became clear, and a strange light shone in her eyes.

"He returned the magic weapon to me in the end and told me to leave quickly because he was afraid I would be in danger if I stayed there! He did it for my own good!"

Youji was stunned, nearly dropping the bowl of porridge in her hand. She stared at Biyao as if she were seeing her for the first time: "Miss, how...how could you think like that? He's just using you as a pawn, to discard you once he's done with you, afraid you'll drag him down with him!"

"No, that's not true!" Biyao shook her head and said firmly.

"If he only wanted to use me and then throw me away, why would he return my magic weapon? Why would he risk asking me to leave? He could have just handed me over to Dao Xuan, right?" The more she talked, the more reasonable she felt, and a very faint blush even appeared on her face.

"He did that because he cared about me, couldn't bear to part with me, and had no other choice... that's exactly it!"

Youji felt a tightness in her chest and couldn't breathe. She clutched her chest and looked at Biyao's unusually bright and unwavering eyes. She felt dizzy. What kind of evil had possessed this girl?

"Aunt You, what's wrong?" Biyao noticed that her face looked pale and quickly reached out to help her.

Youji leaned on Biyao's shoulder and, after a long while, weakly said, "Miss, you... what kind of bewitching potion did he... give you...?"

Biyao laughed, a somewhat bleak laugh, yet with an almost insane persistence: "It's not a love potion, Aunt You. I've figured it out myself. He likes me, that's why he's keeping me hanging. Otherwise, why would he keep me hanging and not someone else? He definitely has feelings for me and can't bear to cut ties completely, that's why he's doing this."

Yu Ji: "..."

Biyao gently patted her back, as if comforting her, her voice like a dream: "He likes me, so what if he toyed with me? I'm willing to do it."

Youji's vision went black, and she fainted completely, collapsing into Biyao's arms.

"Huh? Aunt You? Aunt You, what's wrong?" Biyao was startled and hurriedly hugged her, shaking her. "Someone! Someone come quick!"

……

After an autumn rain, the bamboo on the back mountain of Dazhu Peak has turned even greener. The ground is covered with a layer of wet, golden fallen leaves that are soft and quiet underfoot.

Jiang Xiaochuan walked in the middle, with Tian Ling'er holding his left arm and Lu Xueqi supporting his right arm.

His expression was a little stiff. He tried to pull his arm away, but couldn't. Tian Ling'er held him tightly, and Lu Xueqi supported him steadily.

He sighed, "Uh, Senior Sister Ling'er, Xueqi, I'm really fine now. Look, I can walk by myself now." He lifted his foot to indicate, but stepped on a wet, slippery leaf and swayed.

Both arms were immediately gripped even tighter.

"Look at you!" Tian Ling'er glared at him. "You're not fully recovered yet, what are you showing off for!"

Lu Xueqi didn't say anything, but she gently supported his hand to steady him.

Zhang Xiaofan followed three steps behind, head down, looking at the fallen leaves at his feet, without saying a word.

"Xiao Fan," Jiang Xiaochuan called back, "You don't need to follow me anymore. Go back and cultivate. I really don't need anyone here."

Zhang Xiaofan raised his head, his face expressionless, shook his head, then lowered his head again and continued to follow.

Jiang Xiaochuan had no choice but to let this strange "escort" continue.

The bamboo leaves rustled, and the wind carried the fresh scent of rain and the slightly astringent aroma of bamboo. He wore a fiery red skirt on his left and a light blue Taoist robe on his right, and his nose was surrounded by two different fragrances, both of which made him feel a little uncomfortable.

Tian Ling'er suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and inquiry: "Xiao Chuan, what did you call her just now? Xueqi?" She turned her head and stared at Jiang Xiao Chuan.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a chill run down his spine and chuckled dryly, "Ah, this... yes, it was Senior Sister Lu who told me to call her that. We're good friends, so it's more affectionate to call each other by our names, right, Xueqi?" He looked to his right.

Lu Xueqi didn't look at him; her gaze fell on the sunlight filtering through the bamboo groves in front of her, and she only gave a barely perceptible "hmm."

"Good friend?" Tian Ling'er's voice rose slightly. "What about me? Why don't you call me by my name? You just call me senior sister?"

"That's because...I respect you," Jiang Xiaochuan said with a forced smile.

"I don't care!" Tian Ling'er stomped her foot, the fallen leaves rustling under her feet. "I still want you to call me by my name! Call me Ling'er!"

Jiang Xiaochuan's arm ached from being shaken so much that he could only say, "Alright, alright, Ling'er, Ling'er, loosen your grip, your arm is going to break."

Tian Ling'er was somewhat satisfied then, snorted, and loosened her grip a little, but didn't let go completely.

Lu Xueqi remained silent, only holding Jiang Xiaochuan's hand, her fingertips curling slightly.

She raised her free hand and naturally brushed away a small bamboo leaf that had somehow gotten stuck to Jiang Xiaochuan's temple. The movement was very light, and her fingertips brushed against his earlobe, feeling a little cool.

When Tian Ling'er saw it, her eyes widened immediately: "You!"

Lu Xueqi seemed not to hear, finished brushing off the leaves, withdrew her hand, and continued to support him steadily.

Jiang Xiaochuan sensed the atmosphere was a bit strange, so he coughed lightly, took out a piece of candy from his pocket with his other hand, and without even looking at it, stuffed it into Lu Xueqi's mouth.

Lu Xueqi was taken aback. The candy had already melted on her tongue, the milky aroma mixed with a faint sweetness. She blinked, the corners of her mouth curving slightly, but she didn't say anything.

Tian Ling'er was furious and grabbed his arm: "I want some too!"

Jiang Xiaochuan was pulled to the side by her, and quickly took out another one, handing it over: "Here, here, here."

Tian Ling'er didn't take it, but opened her mouth and said, "Ah—"

Jiang Xiaochuan was speechless, so he had no choice but to stuff it into her mouth as well. Tian Ling'er, with the candy in her mouth, puffed out her cheeks and glared at Lu Xueqi, her eyes saying, "I have one too."

Lu Xueqi had a candy in her mouth, looking ahead, but the smile on her face slowly faded; the candy seemed... not so sweet anymore.