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

"What's wrong? You're reluctant to leave?"

Shen Yueli was not surprised by Mu Qianxue's reappearance. Her tone was languid, but her words were barbed:

"Or perhaps... Fairy Mu also wants to catch up with her 'rogue cultivator' sister?"

"Witch, you're still the same as ever."

With Chen Lianshu no longer present, the tension between the two became palpable, and sparks flew as they exchanged words.

"You can't keep up the act anymore?"

Shen Yueli crossed her arms, looking at the other person with a playful expression, her smile deepening, but a dagger hidden beneath it:

"Weren't you just acting like a caring senior sister who's concerned about her fellow disciples?"

"Same to you."

Mu Qianxue snorted coldly, not taking it to heart.

"You acted pretty well too."

"If I hadn't known your true colors, I probably would have been fooled by you too."

"Um…"

Shen Yueli tilted her head, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she tapped her chin, feigning thought:

"Let me guess—how many 'clones' did you leave behind this time?"

"Three? Five?"

"Or... is this the only one?"

"But if there's only one, it wouldn't be like you."

"..."

Ke Muxianxue ignored her sarcasm, her voice cold and utterly bewildered:

"Chasing him all the way from the Southern Region to this place, I personally became his superior..."

"Shen Yueli, you really went to great lengths."

"Just to meet him once?"

Clearly, there was a hidden meaning in these words, alluding to the strange situation in Qinghe Town.

"I'm not so free that I would cause such a commotion in the whole town just to meet someone."

"After all, even if I do nothing, he will try his best to contact me."

Upon hearing this, Mu Qianxue nodded, acknowledging the statement.

That makes sense.

With the restrictions on her husband still in place, there was indeed no need for the other party to go to such great lengths to set up a plan.

"Besides, I'm just a demonic cultivator who does whatever he wants, not one of those crazy evil cultivators."

Shen Yueli scoffed, her provocation growing even stronger:

"But you—"

"You, Fairy Mu, are truly 'going to great lengths'."

"Is the Jade Jade Sect really that short of people?"

"A mere Foundation Establishment stage miasma demon, and you, the peak master's chief disciple, have to personally descend the mountain?"

However, she didn't delve into the topic further. Instead, she gave Mu Qianxue a meaningful look and said sarcastically:

"Even with all your efforts, it seems you're still making no progress?"

"Could it be that you didn't even touch a hem of his clothes?"

"..."

Mu Qianxue remained silent, her sore spot had been hit, and she had no way to refute it.

She was indeed clumsy and awkward when it came to taking the initiative to get closer to her husband.

Even when trying to imitate, he could never quite get it right.

"No way?"

Seeing her expression, Shen Yueli pretended to be surprised.

"Did I really guess right?"

She moved closer and added fuel to the fire.

"How about it? Want me to teach you a couple of tricks?"

"Mu~ Sister~ Sister~"

"you--!"

Before the words were finished, there was a loud "bang".

The paper doll exploded, turning into ashes that filled the sky.

As a rival in love across two lifetimes, she was naturally aware of the weaknesses of this technique.

The most basic paper doll creation must avoid mental disturbance.

Her relentless questioning just now was precisely for this reason.

"Heh~"

Shen Yueli looked at the smoke and dust, and chuckled smugly:

"I can't take it..."

The sound suddenly stopped.

"!"

wrong!!

Noticing that the smoke and dust hadn't dissipated for a long time, I instinctively wanted to dodge.

Unfortunately, the distance was too close, and there was simply no time.

Clumps of tiny paper scraps burst through the smoke and dust, instantly covering her entire body.

His hair, clothes, and cheeks were covered in scraps of paper, making him look ridiculous.

"..."

Shen Yueli stood frozen in place.

So how could she not realize that she had fallen for that foolish woman's trick!

"Mu! Qian! Xue!!"

She gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and glared fiercely in the direction the person had left, saying with shame and indignation:

"We'll see!!!"

far away.

Sensing that her plan had succeeded, Mu Qianxue smiled slightly and quietly put away the incantation she had been secretly performing.

"Heh~"

She wasn't truly unable to withstand Shen Yueli's provocations.

Rather, the paper doll clone was actually modified.

Presumably, by now, that witch must have become a disheveled and insane old woman.

"..."

Despite having avenged herself, Mu Qianxue still looked melancholy.

Now, she needs to make new plans.

She originally planned to find an excuse to delay for a few days after exorcising the demon, so as to spend more time with her husband and get closer to him.

Therefore, even if her master intends to harm her after she returns to the sect, it will be difficult to shake her foundation.

But who would have thought that Shen Yueli would suddenly appear out of nowhere?

And do they also remember the past?

Even so, he was still unwilling to give up and went so far as to travel from the distant southern region in person.

There are wolves in front and tigers behind.

It's really a headache.

However, she wasn't too worried.

After all, in her previous life she was always on the defensive, and that demoness still failed to succeed.

In this life, I will take the initiative and not be afraid of her.

Interestingly, these two rivals had the same idea at that moment.

Both were convinced that they would be the ultimate winner.

In each other's eyes, the outcome will not change, regardless of past or present lives.

In their eyes:

That philandering cat/that hypocritical blockhead can't win at all!

……

Back at the inn.

The two did not return to their room immediately.

Mu Qianxue called Chen Lianshu into her room to discuss the tentative demon-slaying plan.

And they both tacitly avoided mentioning Shen Yueli.

Mu Qianxue did not want to get entangled with that demoness any further.

Chen Lianshu, on the other hand, was hoping she wouldn't mention it.

"I have set up an array in the places where the miasma demon often appears, so I will know immediately once it leaves the water."

"If it remains silent by 1-3 AM tomorrow, we will take the initiative to attack."

"At that time, junior brother, you don't need to launch a direct attack. Just keep it occupied and prevent it from escaping."

After all, we can't delay any longer.

It wasn't just because that witch might cause trouble, but also because the people of Qinghe Town had suffered for too long, and it was time to resolve the issue.

"..."

But Chen Lianshu seemed somewhat distracted.

In his storage bag, there were pills that could delay the onset of the restriction, which had appeared at some point.

And the portions are much more generous than before.

When did Shen Yueli insert it?

What exactly is she trying to do?

It's important to understand that this unusual "attention" is far more unsettling than a direct threat.

Do you understand?

"...Oh, I understand."

It wasn't until Mu Qianxue called him softly that Chen Lianshu responded with a slightly delayed voice.

She saw this scene but didn't point it out.

"In that case, you should go back and rest to recharge your energy."

"Oh, right, you can take this."

After saying that, she handed over a jade pendant.

"cough."

Seemingly a little guilty, Mu Qianxue coughed lightly and said in as casual a tone as possible:

"This is a peace jade I bought in town. Wearing it will give me peace of mind."

To increase her persuasiveness, she even deliberately showed off the same one she had on her waist, clearly indicating that they were a pair.

After speaking, he secretly observed Chen Lianshu's expression, which was completely different from his nonchalant tone.

"?"

Chen Lianshu took it and examined it closely.

The jade is of good quality and the design is simple, with only the two characters "平安" (peace and safety) engraved on it.

The characters are crooked and the carving is somewhat rough.

This made him doubt his senior's taste, but then he thought that maybe she had been deceived.

"How is it?"

How could Mu Qianxue not care?

After all, she carved it herself, stroke by stroke.

She had intended to give it to him at another time, but Shen Yueli's appearance made her feel threatened.

It may be a bit ugly, but at least it was her heartfelt intention.

Seeing the expectation in her eyes and the matching item around her waist, she couldn't refuse her senior sister's request.

"...It's very beautiful."

In the end, Chen Lianshu accepted it and gave a few insincere compliments:

"My junior brother really likes it."

"really?!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Qianxue's beautiful eyes lit up immediately.

"cough!"

She immediately realized her lapse in composure, quickly composed herself, and returned to normal.

"Since you like it, then accept it."

Thank you.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister Mu."

"If there's nothing else, Junior Brother, you should go back and rest now."

After saying this, Chen Lianshu bowed and prepared to leave.

After all, he needs to go back and process everything that happened today.

"etc!"

"Does Senior Sister Mu have any further instructions?"

"that…"

Mu Qianxue hesitated slightly, but after thinking it over again, she finally asked:

"You...don't you have anything you want to give me?"

Actually, she didn't have high hopes.

After all, the pastries originally intended for her had already ended up in that demoness's stomach.

But she was not reconciled.

What if?

"Oh dear! I almost forgot!"

Mu Qianxue actually guessed right!

Chen Lianshu seemed to suddenly remember something, took out a pastry wrapped in oil paper from her storage bag, and handed it over.

It was clearly different from the one given to Shen Yueli; it was much more exquisite.

"This was bought by my junior brother this afternoon. I hope Senior Sister Mu won't find it offensive."

Mu Qianxue was clearly taken aback when she received the pastries.

The pastries... weren't they given to that witch?

Why are there still more?

Even more exquisite.

"There are still more?"

She blurted it out instinctively.

"besides?"

Chen Lianshu didn't understand her meaning, let alone her expression.

Mu Qianxue realized her slip of the tongue and immediately added:

"The pastries that Miss Li was eating, were they the ones you sent?"

"So that's what you meant, senior sister."

Chen Lianshu suddenly realized, and explained, half-jokingly:

"Because our reunion was so unexpected, I hastily gave her my share."

"This one was specially reserved for my senior sister."

"Was it specially... left for me?"

The joy of finding what was lost instantly filled my heart.

Mu Qianxue felt somewhat dazed.

"Yes, but it's not as precious as the jade pendant my senior sister gave me."

"No, that's enough."

But Mu Qianxue quickly retorted.

For her, this simple pastry, especially after hearing the word "specially," was worth far more than the jade pendant.

"Shall I take my leave now, junior brother?"

"Um."

Mu Qianxue agreed and watched her junior brother leave.

The moment the door closed, she couldn't wait to savor it.

The sweetness melts in your mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth.

Yes, it's "sweet" and delicious.

It's not just about taste.

My heart is filled with this sweetness.

No wonder that demoness ate with such relish.

She completely forgot.

Who was it that had previously silently vowed "I don't like sweets" and then "reluctantly" tried them?

Outside the door.

"!"

Chen Lianshu, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped and stood there dumbfounded.

There is no other reason.

It was because that long-dormant, dilapidated system suddenly started to react.

[Ding! Host has encountered a tribulation, triggering core repair mechanism.]

[System under repair...]

Current progress: 1%

[Reward Received: Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Insights (Complete)]

[Item Obtained: Basic Paper Doll Clone x1]