After transforming into a fairy, I, in my simulation, wreaked havoc in the cultivation world.

Six months later, you set foot on Qingshui Sacred Mountain once again.

Having already made the trip once, and with Lin Bufan, that walking "troublemaker," absent this time, the journey was remarkably smooth and uneventful.

[Actually, you only spent about three months of the past six months traveling. For the first three months, Miao Qianqian kept you behind to practice with her.]

[You've always found it hard to refuse a beautiful girl's request, so you patiently beat her up for three months.]

[How dare she threaten me earlier? I must teach her a lesson about why flowers are so red...]

"Go back now."

You glanced sideways, your gaze landing on Miao Qi beside you—the same young man with the folding fan who had provoked Xiao Fanzi.

[For some reason, this kid insisted on volunteering to bring you here. Having an extra Foundation Establishment cultivator to help out would save a lot of trouble on the way, so you didn't refuse.]

"Miss Qingyu, would I have the honor of accompanying you inside again?"

Miao Qi casually flicked a stray hair from her forehead, gazing at you with deep affection.

"To be honest, young lady, I have a strange quirk. I see everyone in the world as blurry as if looking at flowers through a fog, but I can see your face clearly..."

You stared at the other person with a strange expression, about to say something, when a jet-black streak of light crashed down from mid-air, followed by a terrifying, suffocating pressure.

【"Bang!"】

Before Miao Qi could even utter a scream, his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

Fortunately, that oppressive aura seemed to deliberately avoid you; otherwise, your fate probably wouldn't have been much better.

[You steadied yourself and looked up. You saw a man in a black robe standing in mid-air—it was Liu Guanzhi. Judging from his posture, he had successfully broken through to the Golden Core realm.]

[Golden Core stage!]

You gazed at the godlike figure in mid-air, your eyes flickering slightly.

There are countless Foundation Establishment cultivators in this world, even among those who are independent cultivators not affiliated with any sect, there are many experts at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Only by reaching the Golden Core stage can one truly embark on the path of the strong and gain the qualification to establish a sect. Between Foundation Establishment and the Golden Core stage lies an almost insurmountable chasm.

After glancing at Miao Qi, who lost consciousness without reacting, you gained a clearer understanding of the difference between these two realms:

"Those who fall below the Golden Elixir are all ants; this is not just empty talk."

It'll be here soon!

You have firmly stepped onto the most crucial threshold on the path to the Golden Core. The rest of the journey simply requires perseverance and diligent effort to hone your skills.

[Your dual spiritual roots and the presence of the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Gu have made you less anxious and more composed.]

"You knew I would come back?"

You noticed that Liu Guanzhi showed no surprise whatsoever, only a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, the young man opposite, whose appearance remained unchanged, nodded and raised his hand to aim at the folding fan-wielding man on the ground.

"Wait!"

You quickly raised your hand to stop them.

"He didn't see your face, spare his life."

It's truly inappropriate for someone to kindly offer you a ride, only to end up losing your own life.

Upon hearing this, Liu Guanzhi paused slightly in his movements. With a flick of his sleeve, the folding fan-wielding figure transformed into a streak of light and flew into the distance, quickly disappearing into the horizon.

You stared in disbelief at the scene, silently praying for Miao Qi, hoping that this fan-wielding guy wouldn't be thrown directly into the lair of some high-level demonic beast.

Before you could speak again, a gust of wind swept you away and you vanished from the spot.

【...】

[Tsk tsk tsk~]

You looked around the small pavilion on the mountaintop, exactly as you had left it years ago, your gaze occasionally sweeping over Liu Guanzhi, who sat expressionlessly in the main seat.

For a moment, you couldn't tell whether this person wanted to kill you or just wanted to seduce you.

【Still doing this, trying to trigger a wave of nostalgia...?】

"This was cleaned by Lan Duo."

Liu Guanzhi's expression remained unchanged; he simply lowered his eyes, picked up the teacup beside him, and took a slow, deliberate sip.

Upon hearing this, you were embarrassed for a second, then a thought stirred within you, and an invisible divine sense quietly spread out like a tide.

[Your divine sense range has now reached an astonishing fifty miles. Within this vast perceptual domain, everything on the mountaintop is clearly visible.]

[Ruthless...]

A moment later, you looked up at Liu Guanzhi. Only two people remained alive in the tribe: Lan Duo and her father, the ones who had saved you.

"What do you mean by leaving them here? Are you threatening me?"

You sat down in the chair beside him with a smile, casually fiddling with the teacup on the table.

"There's no need."

Liu Guanzhi's tone remained calm.

"They saved me too."

[Nonsense! With his cunning and cultivation, how could he... Wait a minute!]

The smile on your face suddenly froze. Liu Guanzhi's words from back then were still vivid in your mind; this person was most likely a reincarnated individual.

[Back then, Lin Bufan's appearance disrupted the course of events, and later you were busy with your travels and cultivation, so you didn't have time to think about it further.]

Looking back now, many things make sense if we explain it as rebirth.

[Liu Guanzhi's words back then were practically an open secret, and the survival of Lan Duo and her father proves it.]

Only when they are weak in the first playthrough will they have the opportunity to help those before them.

"Have you known me before?"

You've used a more tactful way of putting it.

Upon hearing this, Liu Guanzhi finally raised his deep eyes and looked at you, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

Seeing his appearance, the Azure Phoenix Sacred Body within you was instantly activated, and a scorching and violent aura rapidly awakened from your limbs and bones.

"Don't even think about using force, or I'll destroy this body before I can give you what you want."

The self-destruction of the sacred body is an unstoppable phenomenon; perhaps it is the last line of protection that heaven and earth leave for those geniuses with unparalleled talent.

If even such self-destructive methods are lacking, those prodigies with powerful physiques probably wouldn't dare to step out of their cave dwellings.

"The person I know isn't you."

[Liu Guanzhi looked at your face, and his eyes momentarily faltered.]

He remained silent for a moment, then finally let out a slow sigh.

"Fine, consider it a debt I owe her, but I'll only answer questions I'm willing to answer."

Upon hearing this, you couldn't help but click your tongue in surprise. This kid is really cautious!

Even at a time like this, he's still on guard. Does he think you'll also be reborn and scheme against him?

[You, Lin Qingyu, a righteous fairy, would never be so despicable in reality?]

...