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

Pei Wanyun?

Isn't this the peak master of Jade Spirit Peak, Mu Qianxue's master?

How did she end up here?

"..."

Chen Lianshu selectively ignored the repair of the karmic tribulation and the successive reward notifications.

He looked at the special lotus-shaped red heart above the other person's head, and the [Master-Disciple Line] that had just been activated.

Now that there is a third reference, his previous guesses are enough to be confirmed.

It seems that the identities and relationships in each "simulation" are indeed different.

The term "master and apprentice" largely eliminates the previous assumption that "every storyline is a romantic one."

Although many doubts still linger in my mind, now is not the time to delve into them.

Chen Lianshu suppressed his distracting thoughts for the time being and revealed just the right amount of doubt:

"May I ask who you are, fairy...?"

"..."

Upon hearing the unfamiliar word "fairy," Pei Wanyun's fingers tightened slightly as she held the jade pendant.

At the same time, the faint glimmer of hope in my heart vanished.

Yes…

If her husband possessed the same memories of the future as she did, how could he not come looking for her?

However, it's not too late.

At least in this lifetime... she will not repeat the same mistakes.

In just a moment, despite her turbulent emotions, she had already made some decisions.

"?"

Looking at her expression, Chen Lianshu became even more confused.

The person before me was elegant and gentle, with a graceful demeanor, and her eyes were red-rimmed.

Those phoenix eyes held intense, almost broken emotions that were heartbreaking to behold and evoked pity in me.

Even the lotus-shaped red heart on the top of her head was beating at an abnormal frequency.

Moreover, the lotus petals trembled slightly, and their luster was dull.

"...My name is Pei Wanyun, and I am the peak master of Jade Spirit Peak in the inner sect."

After a long silence, Pei Wanyun finally suppressed the "husband" that she was about to utter. Her voice trembled slightly, and upon closer listening, it sounded somewhat bittersweet.

"you…"

She slowly stood up, took a step forward, but then stopped abruptly, as if afraid of disturbing something:

"...You should recognize me."

"Junior Chen Lianshu greets Peak Master Pei."

Chen Lianshu bowed and said:

"You are Senior Sister Mu's master, so of course I recognize you."

Pei Wanyun's behavior was strange, and her emotions were fluctuating intensely. The tear stains at the corners of her eyes were clearly visible.

Especially the look in her eyes, which revealed undisguised longing.

Chen Lianshu pretended not to notice.

Since Pei Wanyun represents the "master-disciple relationship," then the system's downgrade was caused by her repeated deaths during the simulation.

The result was obvious.

Given her simulated memories, her reaction is likely due to... "longing for her disciple"?

"...Chen Lianshu, a good name."

That cry of "Peak Master Pei" shattered Pei Wanyun's heart.

"No need for such formalities."

She could only feign indifference.

After all, in order to avoid frightening her husband, she needed to lay the groundwork step by step.

"From what you're saying, you know Mu Ya Tou?"

"Reporting to the Peak Master, this disciple and Senior Sister Mu went to Qinghe Town together a month ago to exorcise demons, and that's how we got to know each other."

"…oh."

Right.

No wonder that girl seemed like a completely different person after returning from Qinghe Town.

However, Pei Wanyun has not yet categorized Mu Qianxue as someone who "also possesses memories".

Just as I remember—

From their first meeting, the girl became interested in this junior brother and gradually developed feelings for him.

Ultimately, it was she, as the master, who had let her disciple down…

Whether in past or present life, it was that girl who met her husband first, and she was the one who came later.

The only way to avoid a conflict between master and disciple in matters of the heart is now through love.

That is to prevent this fate from happening before Mu Qianxue, with her aloof nature and slow emotional development, falls completely in love.

Don't worry... Qianxue.

In this lifetime, I will never put you in a difficult position.

To be honest, she was a complete failure as a master.

Mu Qianxue suffered setbacks in her love life because of her.

Chen Lianshu was once again treated as a rebellious disciple and a disobedient teacher by her.

"If Peak Master Pei has come to find Senior Sister Mu, I'm afraid he will disappoint you."

The clear, gentle voice pulled her back from her guilt and drifting thoughts.

Chen Lianshu knew that Pei Wanyun had not come to find Mu Qianxue, but to find him.

Otherwise, why would they come to the residence of this junior outer disciple to look for someone?

The reason for saying this is simply to make the most reasonable response based on the current situation.

"No, I didn't come here to look for her."

As expected, Pei Wanyun shook her head and denied this statement.

Her emotions gradually calmed down, and her voice returned to its gentle tone.

However, the unusual beating of the lotus's red heart did not stop; clearly, though outwardly calm, the mind was in turmoil.

"May I ask what brings you here...?"

I have come to find you.

Pei Wanyun made no attempt to conceal her intentions.

"Looking for me?"

Chen Lianshu showed surprise at just the right moment, and a guess was already forming in her mind.

That is related to the words "master and apprentice" in the "master-apprentice line".

He simply couldn't understand why the other party would accept him as a disciple.

With his talent, even if Pei Wanyun, as the peak master of the inner sect, wanted to make an exception and accept him as a disciple, it would be no easy task.

He was even a little curious about how he had managed to establish this relationship in the simulation.

Could it be that in the simulation... his talent isn't actually that bad?

"Yes, that's the person looking for you."

"Oh--"

Pei Wanyun laid the groundwork step by step, her already gentle voice becoming even softer, bringing peace to the listener's heart.

She gave a perfectly timed smile, which, combined with her gentle and dignified demeanor, made her appear even more approachable.

However, those slightly red phoenix eyes still seemed somewhat out of place.

"Don't be so reserved."

Pei Wanyun glanced around casually, then "deliberately" chose to sit down on the edge of the bed.

He then patted the person next to him, gesturing for him to sit down.

"sit."

"?"

Chen Lianshu remained silent.

Isn't this his house?

But she didn't pay much attention. Although she sat on the bed as instructed, she didn't get that close; they were about half a foot apart.

"..."

Pei Wanyun didn't say anything.

But her husband's aloofness still left her feeling somewhat disappointed.

"Have you... ever considered entering the inner sect?"

"This disciple's talent is truly lacking."

Chen Lianshu did not answer directly, but simply replied truthfully:

"Let alone how difficult it is to enter the inner sect."

"Even if I participate in future selections, I'm afraid I'll be eliminated in the first round."

Don't be discouraged; after all, talent isn't everything.

This was not a consolation, but Pei Wanyun's honest opinion.

After all, there are living examples right in front of us.

Her future husband's achievements will far surpass those of her, the inner sect leader.

"Senior Sister Mu is indeed Peak Master Pei's disciple."

Chen Lianshu suddenly said something completely out of the blue.

"Um?"

"Because Senior Sister Mu once said the same thing to me."

"That's natural."

Pei Wanyun chuckled lightly, seemingly unconcerned, but a hint of suspicion arose in her heart.

She didn't pick up on that topic, but instead returned to the main point:

"Then...would you be willing to join the inner sect?"

She looked at the handsome young man beside her, her phoenix eyes meeting his gaze without any attempt to look away.

His gaze was gentle, his expression serious, not joking.

"Of course I want to."

Chen Lianshu continued speaking.

"only…"

"I see."

Before he could finish speaking, Pei Wanyun interrupted him.

She leaned slightly closer, and said something startling:

"What if I took you as my apprentice?"

"?"

They couldn't even come up with a decent excuse?

This bluntness was truly unexpected for Chen Lianshu.

However, he did not immediately agree, but asked with doubt:

"May I ask for the reason?"

"After all, there are many who surpass me in talent, cultivation level, or diligence in cultivation."

"because…"

Pei Wanyun paused, her gaze fixed on him with utmost seriousness, revealing no trace of falsehood.

Her lips moved slightly, each word clear and slow, carrying unspoken emotions:

"You were originally my disciple."