Fairy, please have some self-respect. I am not the reincarnation of your deceased husband.

The outer gate of the Jade Jade Sect, the External Affairs Hall.

"Name?"

Mu Qianxue held the brush in her delicate hand and wrote the three characters "Chen Lianshu" long before the handsome young man even spoke.

Her beauty was breathtaking, her hair as black as ink, and she wore a sword-wielding robe. Her white clothes were as white as snow, and her temperament was elegant and untouched by worldly dust.

"Chen Lianshu".

The young man answered in a clear, melodious voice.

"Cultivation level?"

"Early stage of foundation building."

"Mission motivation?"

"Accumulate sect contributions to exchange for cultivation resources, and at the same time temper yourself."

Chen Lianshu answered fluently.

Since this was a routine question, his answer was quite standard.

But Mu Qianxue suddenly stopped writing and looked up at him.

Although her tone was calm and her attitude remained businesslike, the content of her inquiry gradually became more subtle:

"Did you have a long-term relationship or a stable relationship with anyone before joining the sect?"

"?"

Chen Lianshu was startled, and a sense of vigilance rose in her subconscious.

However, the question was worded formally and politely, so he assumed it was a sect conducting a thorough investigation and cautiously replied:

"Before joining the sect, I wandered alone and had no such experience."

Having received the answer, Mu Qianxue didn't hesitate and picked up her pen to write it down.

But what was written on the paper was not what the other party had said, but two simple yet striking words:

【single】

"After joining the sect, did you receive any help or care during your cultivation?"

"An elder? A fellow disciple? Or someone of the opposite sex?"

Mu Qianxue continued to ask, emphasizing the word "opposite sex".

Although the question was clearly directed at her, her tone was extremely calm, as if she were simply checking her social network as usual.

"Never."

Chen Lianshu's answers became increasingly cautious.

After all, they weren't questioned like this when they accepted the mission before.

"This disciple is of mediocre talent, has a solitary nature, and rarely forms deep friendships with others."

Being alone

"Not to mention the opposite sex, even teachers are only instructors within the sect."

[No close romantic relationships with the opposite sex]

Mu Qianxue continued writing, her expression remaining aloof, her questions never ceasing:

"Have you left the sect's territory late at night recently?"

"This disciple strictly abides by the sect rules and has never gone out at night without permission."

The pen tip moved almost without pause, leaving behind the three characters: "Night Orderly".

Immediately afterward, before the ink was dry, she moved down slightly and added a smaller character at the end of the line:

【clean】

"..."

Chen Lianshu did not notice anything unusual in her writing, but silently looked at the top of the head of this aloof fairy.

There hung a full red heart, its edges shimmering with icy patterns, beside which was a line of small text:

【Affection Level: MAX (Inseparable)】

Chen Lianshu was already numb to this, and felt no emotion whatsoever.

After all, in his eyes:

The wooden table belonged to his [closest friends and relatives].

May the inkstone and he be forever united in heart;

Even the words "Tender Affection" floated above the green wood spirit brush in the other party's hand;

Even a pebble in the corner held a bond stronger than gold with him.

Therefore, he simply regarded the so-called "inseparable in life and death" and the special ice crystal patterns as another erroneous display by the "system".

Moreover, the person in front of him is the most renowned sword cultivator among the younger generation of the sect.

Not only is he the chief disciple of the peak master, but his cultivation level is also at the peak of the Golden Core stage, and he is known for his aloof and cold personality.

Would such an important figure have any entanglement with him?

That's utterly absurd.

"at last…"

Mu Qianxue paused slightly with her pen, her questions continuing.

After a brief pause, he asked a seemingly insignificant question that inexplicably made his heart skip a beat:

What are your thoughts on "destiny" and "reunion"?

Chen Lianshu was slightly taken aback.

I don't understand what kind of verification this is?

But the word "fate" mentioned by the other party stirred his thoughts.

As a time traveler, he was incredibly unlucky.

Because of his terrible performance of "dying every time", the system downgraded him from "simulation" to this broken state and also took away all his simulated memories.

Even shortly after transmigrating, he was abducted by the demonic forces.

Furthermore, due to his mediocre "Four Spiritual Roots" talent, he was placed under a restriction, had his soul tablet refined, and was sent into the "Jade Jade Sect" as a spy.

If one does not make contact with their "superior" within three months and exchange "half-true, half-false" information for the elixir, they will die from having their heart devoured.

Although the demonic path had promised to exchange important information for freedom, it was nothing but an empty promise.

When they finally become truly valuable, they will either be exploited or silenced.

Therefore, he can only stay on the outer gate now, carefully maintaining his delicate value of being "not very useful, but still useful."

The reason for accepting the mission to clear the miasma demon from Qinghe Town was to find a legitimate excuse to go down the mountain.

After a moment of silence, Chen Lianshu answered steadily:

"This disciple's cultivation is shallow; I only know to seize the present moment and diligently cultivate, and dare not presume to discuss destiny."

"As for the reunion..."

"If we are destined to meet, we will meet again."

After he finished speaking, the air in the room seemed to freeze.

"..."

Mu Qianxue did not take notes, but simply lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Although she tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor, the tips of her fingers holding the pen trembled slightly, revealing the unspeakable emotions in her heart.

"?"

Chen Lianshu didn't notice her emotional fluctuations, only that the heart was beating a little faster.

He was deeply puzzled by this.

"Hmm...not bad."

After a long silence, Mu Qianxue nodded slightly, her words carrying a double meaning:

"You've passed."

After speaking, she deliberately used the tip of her pen to black out the words "single" and "alone," leaving only the most basic personal information, and neatly wrote her comment:

[Calm and composed, with decent cultivation, capable of undergoing trials; mission approved.]

He then put down his pen and closed the book, his movements swift and decisive, as if the questions he had just asked were merely the most basic checks.

"Verification confirmed."

"Junior Brother Chen, my name is Mu Qianxue."

Mu Qianxue raised her eyes and stared intently. Although her attitude remained unchanged, the initial coldness that kept people at a distance had faded considerably.

"From now on, you can call me Senior Sister."

Seeing that her expression had clearly softened, Chen Lianshu, though puzzled, suppressed her doubts and simply agreed:

"Yes, Senior Sister Mu."

However, just when he thought that this Senior Sister Mu was not as cold and aloof as the rumors suggested, her next words made his heart tighten.

"I will personally lead the team to exorcise the demon in Qinghe Town this time."

"This trip involves only the two of us. We will meet at the mountain gate at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow. Don't be late."

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, or as if emphasizing something, Mu Qianxue stressed the phrase "only you and me" very heavily and clearly.

"Two people?"

Chen Lianshu subconsciously pressed for an answer:

"But doesn't the mission file specify that four people must go together?"

After all, this didn't align with his plan; if there were only two of them, he couldn't just leave.

The other party's response was simple and clear, leaving no room for negotiation.

"We are short-staffed."

As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Qianxue's slightly softened attitude turned cold again.

She gazed silently at Chen Lianshu, her eyes cold and clear. Though her tone was calm and even, it inexplicably instilled a chilling sense of oppression.

"What's wrong?"

"You won't come with me?"