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

Although the system not only unlocked new features but also came with a bunch of reward notifications, Chen Lianshu had no time to pay attention to them at the moment.

The intimate "husband" from Shen Yueli echoed repeatedly in his mind, disrupting all his thoughts.

So much so that after he finished speaking, he froze on the spot, still in the same position as when he was being hugged, and didn't move for a long time.

"..."

It took Chen Lianshu quite a while to gradually recover.

Then an idea sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Just as he was about to take out an item he had just acquired in order to verify it, a clear, cold voice interrupted his actions.

"...Junior brother?"

Chen Lianshu suddenly turned around and walked away.

Mu Qianxue was already standing in front of me without my noticing.

Bathed in moonlight, the beauty's graceful figure was accentuated even more.

Her temperament was like that of a celestial being descended to earth, making her even more elegant.

But her beautiful, icy blue eyes shimmered with a soft, gentle light, adding to her pitiful and fragile appearance.

Moreover, the icy red heart on her head was trembling constantly, not only losing its luster but also contracting and pulsating continuously.

"Senior Sister Mu, how is the miasma demon?"

Chen Lianshu suppressed his desire to verify the information and inquired about the progress of the demon-slaying.

Although he noticed the unusual red heart symbol on the other person's face, he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to investigate further.

"Yes...it's all settled."

Mu Qianxue's voice was as cold as ever, but her breathing was not very steady, as if she had just used up a lot of energy.

She tightened her grip on the spirit sword, her body tense, and every movement was extremely restrained.

What's wrong with you?

Although she knew perfectly well what was going on, she had no choice but to pretend to know nothing and ask questions in order to avoid arousing her husband's suspicion.

The reason for his current state is entirely due to chasing after Shen Yueli, who flirted with him and then ran away.

That demoness's movements were truly bizarre.

By the time she realized what was happening and gave chase, the other person had already vanished without a trace.

No matter how fast they sped, they couldn't see a single person.

If I ever see that stray cat stealing fish again, I'll definitely chop it into mincemeat!

No… she even thought the meat sauce was too big!

"Miss Li came to say goodbye to me just now."

Now that Shen Yueli has left, Chen Lianshu no longer needs to call her that nauseatingly affectionate "Li'er" against his will.

He did not delve into the reason for Mu Qianxue's unstable aura, assuming it was due to her battle with the miasma demon.

Little did she know that she had barely exerted any effort in that battle, and her panting was entirely due to her failure to catch the demoness.

More accurately, it's qi (vital energy).

"Miss Li..."

Mu Qianxue repeated these three words in a low voice several times, and finally felt a little better.

She pretended to look at the storage ring in Chen Lianshu's hand, then "casually" glanced at the side of his face.

That was the spot where someone had bitten him, he said with a pointed, mocking tone:

"She did give you a nice parting 'gift'."

Before Chen Lianshu could respond, she abruptly changed the subject, ending this topic that had been bothering and frustrating her:

"Alright, the miasma demon has been eliminated. Now, disperse the miasma around here."

Having said that, Mu Qianxue said no more. She made a hand seal, and icy blue spiritual power spread from her body, surging into the pervasive miasma.

"Yes."

However, Chen Lianshu did not activate her spiritual power, but instead went to the middle reaches where the pollution was most severe.

He dropped a pill that purifies impurities into the water and then used his spiritual power to catalyze its effects.

As the elixir dissolved, the turbidity of the river water receded at a speed visible to the naked eye.

However, the pollution was too severe, and one pill was not enough to purify it. Four more pills were thrown in in succession until most of the spiritual energy in the body was exhausted, and only then did the river water gradually become clear.

"well--"

Looking at the clear water, Chen Lianshu couldn't help but sigh softly:

"Although the water quality has been purified, it will probably take several years for this river to recover its vitality."

"..."

Meanwhile, Mu Qianxue was dispelling the miasma.

Her expression was focused, but that focus was not due to casting spells, but rather because she was fixated on her junior brother.

Although there were no marks on the other person's face, they were still incredibly glaring to her.

Every time I glance at it, the image of that enchantress kissing me involuntarily pops into my mind.

And the more I think about it, the more I care.

The more you care, the clearer you remember.

It's become an unsolvable vicious cycle.

She secretly gritted her teeth and made a vow:

Before long, she will definitely cover that stained skin with her own unique mark.

Thinking of this, Mu Qianxue gripped the sword even tighter, almost as if she wanted to crush the hilt.

In fact, since Shen Yueli had already left, she could have stayed a few more days as planned, finding an excuse to spend time alone with her husband.

But she didn't dare to gamble.

If that demoness was only pretending to leave and then returning...

It will be difficult to escape then.

"..."

Mu Qianxue pursed her lips slightly, as if to vent her anger, and the output of her spiritual power suddenly increased.

The force was so great that the cold air froze the remaining miasma into tiny ice crystals.

"Senior Sister Mu?"

Even Chen Lianshu felt the chill.

Although she didn't understand why Senior Sister Mu would suddenly act this way, she still asked her with concern.

"I'm fine."

Mu Qianxue remained aloof, her tone unchanged:

"Focus on dispelling the miasma and do not be distracted."

"…yes."

Chen Lianshu shifted her gaze back and composed herself.

Only when they saw a rosy glow did the two of them dispel all the miasma.

As they met, Mu Qianxue's gaze unconsciously drifted to her junior brother's profile, and she said with a double meaning:

"It's dirty."

"Remember to wash up when you get back to the inn."

"what?"

Chen Lianshu felt good about himself and that he was not dirty.

But since it was his senior sister's order, he didn't object and agreed.

"Oh...yes."

"Oh, and please accept this item."

Mu Qianxue didn't say anything more, but simply handed over a sapling of pure white spirit grass:

"I previously observed that your spirit seemed to be damaged."

"This is a spiritual herb that grows alongside the miasma demon; it is of great use in nourishing the soul."

"Don't rush. Wait until you're settled back at the sect before taking it."

Chen Lianshu accepted the spiritual herb.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, and the leaves are translucent. Although it's not a rare treasure, it's still quite precious.

【Rhyme Soul Grass】

[Affection Level: MAX (Deep Affection)]

[Rank: Medium]

【introduce】

It can nourish the spirit and repair damage.

"Thank you, senior sister."

He thanked him sincerely.

As for what Mu Qianxue said about "damage to the soul"?

Chen Lianshu guessed that it was probably because the system shattered and took away his memories...

"No need to thank me in full."

Mu Qianxue spoke calmly, not claiming credit for the achievement alone:

"Your childhood sweetheart also contributed to this."

Although she looked down on Shen Yueli, she disdained to lie about such trivial matters.

They certainly wouldn't use any underhanded methods.

However, the phrase "childhood sweethearts" sounded somewhat forced, subtly revealing a lingering resentment.

"Let's go, it's time to go back."

Mu Qianxue said no more and turned to leave first.

The two returned to the inn one after the other, without exchanging a word the way.

After a short rest, they did not linger. After once again declining Mayor Li's victory banquet, they set off back to Yujue Sect.

"..."

Chen Lianshu followed behind Mu Qianxue, watching her back, and then looked at the progress of the [Righteous Path], which was only 1%.

Seemingly sensing something, he finally shook his head.

What's meant to happen... will eventually happen...