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

A predestined calamity?

What is that?

After recovering from the shock, this question occupied Chen Lianshu's mind.

He returned to his room.

He took a pill to relieve the restriction and used spiritual energy to enhance its effects.

Soon, the subtle restlessness within him gradually subsided.

"call--"

He breathed a long sigh of relief; the huge weight that had been pressing on his heart for months was finally lifted.

Moreover, Shen Yueli is quite generous.

Not only was the amount of the pills given far greater than before, but their efficacy was also much purer, enough to relieve him of any worries about the effects of the restriction in the short term.

He was well aware that this was by no means a selfless act of kindness.

After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Moreover, this is the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect, known for her unpredictable temper.

She must have something in mind, and it's not a small thing.

"..."

As the spiritual energy circulated for one cycle, Chen Lianshu could clearly sense that his cultivation speed was much faster than before.

Clearly, the [Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Insights] did indeed have an effect.

However, his talent was limited, and he could not achieve a qualitative leap.

"This is…"

Then, another thought occurred to him.

A finely crafted paper figure appeared in my hand; it was the [Basic Paper Figure Clone] gifted by the system.

Its style is exactly the same as that used by Mu Qianxue.

"Um?"

But Chen Lianshu soon noticed something was wrong.

The system's text display is subtly different from before.

Although the favorability rating is still in the "wrong" state, it seems that he can now actively choose whether to view the brief information of the items?

[Basic Paper Doll Clone]

[Affection Level: MAX (Infatuated)]

[Production method: ? ? (Unknown)]

[Rank: ? ? (Not yet unlocked)]

【introduce】

[It can execute simple commands, but cannot fight or think independently. It requires connection to spiritual consciousness for precise control, making it difficult for cultivators to detect.]

[Weaknesses]

[Flammable, susceptible to water damage, easily exposed upon contact, and susceptible to damage even with slight external force.]

However, what is most eye-catching is not these newly added entries, but the "favorability display" of this paper doll clone.

It was remarkably similar to Mu Qianxue's ice crystal red heart, also covered with light blue ice crystal patterns, only the color and patterns were much lighter.

Clearly, these are all changes brought about by the system starting to be repaired.

If this trend continues, more features may appear as the system gradually recovers.

It's not impossible that we could even revert to a "simulation" and retrieve the erased memories.

only…

"..."

Chen Lianshu pondered quietly, trying to understand the meaning of the two words "fate tribulation" in the system prompt.

Since it was a "calamity" he encountered, it must be related to his recent experiences.

The number of unusual people and events he encountered in the past two days was very small.

Besides Mu Qianxue, there is also Shen Yueli, who suddenly appeared today.

After all, only these two have a special display of affection.

Although the system's "display errors" can happen once, twice, or even three times, they are unlikely to happen to all at once.

But... how exactly do I trigger the repair?

But what exactly is this "karmic calamity"?

Will there be other characters who display special affection levels?

And why them of all?

The more Chen Lianshu tried to sort out his thoughts, the more confused he became. He had a feeling, but he dared not draw any conclusions.

Could it be... related to lost memories?

"..."

After a stick of incense had burned, he stopped thinking about it and instead began to circulate his spiritual power, separating his spiritual consciousness and slowly attaching it to the paper doll clone.

The paper figure trembled slightly and immediately reacted.

However, since it was my first time trying it, I couldn't say I was proficient at the operation.

Not only did it not transform into any form, but after shakily standing up, it even staggered like a baby learning to walk.

Before he could take three steps, he collapsed with a "thud".

Undeterred, Chen Lianshu tried to issue simple commands using her spiritual power.

This time, the paper figure moved much more smoothly and quickly arrived at the indicated spot.

However, it will probably take quite some time to practice before it can transform its appearance and mimic the behavior of a real person.

After a little practice, he put the paper figure back into his storage bag.

Instead of rushing to cultivate after gaining insights into the Foundation Establishment stage, he lay down to rest.

After all, those at the Foundation Establishment stage are still mortals and must undergo the baptism of lightning tribulation before they can truly embark on the path to immortality.

Moreover, with the demon-slaying ceremony tomorrow, one must be well-rested and energetic.

Even though Mu Qianxue, a Golden Core cultivator, was leading the team, he still dared not be careless in the slightest.

If one were to encounter that miasma demon alone, although it would not be fatal, injury would be inevitable.

As distracting thoughts faded and weariness washed over him, Chen Lianshu drifted into a deep sleep.

……

The next day.

"Heh~"

Shen Yueli strolled leisurely through the streets of Qinghe Town with a smile on her lips.

She appeared to be strolling aimlessly through the streets, but in reality, she had a clear direction and was heading straight for a certain place.

She had already washed away the mess of scraps of paper that covered her yesterday.

At this moment, she no longer concealed her face, but appeared openly in front of everyone.

With her delicate and lively girlish hairstyle and a brocade red dress embroidered with cloud patterns, she looked even more slender and graceful.

Before long, they stopped in front of an inn.

Before entering the inn, she lightly made a hand seal with her fingertips, completely concealing the aura of a cultivator around her, and appearing entirely like a beautiful and outstanding mortal girl.

"Are you looking for a hotel, young lady?"

As soon as she entered, she caught the attention of the innkeeper.

"Shh-"

Shen Yueli did not answer, but gently placed her jade finger between her lips, making a shushing gesture.

"?"

The shopkeeper was about to ask another question when he felt a breath stuck in his throat, and he couldn't make a sound.

He only calmed down after the girl in red went upstairs.

He paused, shook his head, and muttered to himself:

"That's really strange..."

The shopkeeper did not chase after them.

After all, in his eyes, this was just some spoiled and willful young lady looking for someone.

Besides, the inn's door locks are secure. Would a little girl really take the door down?

"Heh~~"

The closer Shen Yueli got to the room, the brighter her smile became.

However, she had no idea where that annoying person was.

Therefore, even though she concealed her presence, her footsteps remained very light.

They stopped in front of a guest room, and the girl lightly touched her cheek with her fingertip, saying happily:

"Found you~"

With a gentle touch of her jade-like hand, she pressed the door lock and, with a slight movement of her spiritual power, easily broke open the lock that the shopkeeper had been so confident in.

She pushed open the door and entered, looking around and taking in the room.

Their gaze quickly settled on the bed, where Chen Lianshu was lying.

Seeing that the other person's brows were relaxed, their breathing was even, and they were sleeping soundly.

Shen Yueli did not disturb him. She simply pulled a stool to the bedside, rested her chin on her hands, and quietly admired her husband's sleeping face.

Even when she's sleeping, she looks so beautiful~

It truly has taken root in her heart completely; every little detail suits her perfectly.

"Hehe~"

She didn't know how long she had been watching, until her husband's eyebrows trembled slightly and he slowly opened his eyes.

At first, Chen Lianshu looked at the smiling face by the bedside without any reaction.

After blinking, it closed its eyes again.

I must not be awake yet; I must be dreaming.

You can open your eyes again.

Shen Yueli was still there, unchanged.

"..."

"..."

Eyes facing each other.

On one side was the bewilderment of waking up, and on the other side was a gaze full of joy, an undisguised fervor.

"!"

Only now did Chen Lianshu fully wake up and realize that this was not a dream.

He subconsciously stood up, about to speak.

"Shh-"

But Shen Yueli acted first, pressing her slender, jade-like fingers against his lips.

A soft, warm palm gently pressed against his chest, and a gentle spiritual energy spread throughout his body, forcibly pressing him back onto the bed.

The girl pinned him down, slowly leaning closer, her breath sweet as orchids as she whispered intimately in his ear:

"Did you miss me?"

"A little undercover agent~"