Chapter 23: Shuang Jiang’s Astonishment

Shuang Jiang’s lips curled up into a faint smile, her scar still visible, making her smile look unpleasant.

She slightly bowed her head to Su Jingzhen, which made Su Jingzhen feel a bit uncomfortable.

In his heart, he was still more accustomed to Shuang Jiang’s haughty demeanor.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiu, who was standing beside them, also smiled, her eyes filled with blessings.

“Alright, Mr. Su, I’ve brought the person you wanted to meet. I’ve already told you about Miss Shuang Jiang’s situation, and I’ve also informed Miss Shuang Jiang about your situation. You two can get to know each other, and if it works out, you can just go with the flow. Under the current circumstances, there’s no other way.”

Zhang Xiu smiled, her words filled with sincerity.

Su Jingzhen smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.

In front of Shuang Jiang, he always felt a sense of trepidation, afraid of saying something wrong.

Zhang Xiu might not know, but he was aware of Shuang Jiang’s ferocity.

However, Shuang Jiang took the initiative to bow her head to Zhang Xiu, saying, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Seeing Shuang Jiang’s attitude, Zhang Xiu smiled again, knowing that Shuang Jiang didn’t have any complaints about Su Jingzhen.

This way, the guilt from their first meeting was finally alleviated.

As for Shuang Jiang’s appearance, Zhang Xiu didn’t think it was a big deal. A true cultivator would know that physical appearance was just a shell, and spiritual roots were what truly mattered.

Moreover, she knew that Shuang Jiang’s scars were just external injuries and not congenital. With some time to recover, her appearance would likely improve significantly.

“You two take care, sister-in-law will take her leave. If you encounter any trouble, just come find sister-in-law. After all, I’ve been in Peach Blossom Alley for many years and can handle many things.”

With that, Zhang Xiu departed.

However, as she crossed the school’s gate, only she knew the complexity of her emotions.

But this was still a relief.

For low-level cultivators, forming a Dao Companion was simple – as long as they had a mutual understanding, they could just live together, and their hearts would be set. It didn’t require the elaborate rituals and ceremonies of the mortal world.

Even if they held a grand, three-day celebration, it wouldn’t change the harsh reality of the cultivation world.

Only those with significant influence and powerful sects would hold grand weddings to invite guests from all over.

So, in Zhang Xiu’s opinion, Su Jingzhen and Shuang Jiang could just live their lives as they pleased, and the neighbors would eventually find out.

If their children could grow up to be talented, Su Jingzhen would have no worries for the rest of his life.

Now, only Shuang Jiang and Su Jingzhen were left standing in the courtyard.

Su Jingzhen’s face suddenly looked unnatural.

After an awkward silence, Su Jingzhen asked, “Where did you go these past two days? I thought you had really left.”

At this time, Su Jingzhen still had many doubts, but he didn’t know how to bring them up.

Shuang Jiang nodded, “I had some matters to attend to, and I needed a place to stay with an identity.”

As she spoke, Shuang Jiang’s tone had already returned to the familiar state Su Jingzhen knew.

This explanation was simple, but it clarified her actions today.

As she spoke, she walked towards the quiet room, and Su Jingzhen followed silently.

Once they reached the quiet room, Shuang Jiang sat down on the stone bed, and Su Jingzhen couldn’t help but ask, “Did you know about what happened last night?”

He asked tentatively.

Shuang Jiang smiled coldly, “What do you think?”

Su Jingzhen scratched his head, then bowed his head seriously to Shuang Jiang.

“Everything went too smoothly last night, I think you must have secretly helped.”

Su Jingzhen had been thinking this since Shuang Jiang appeared today.

Shuang Jiang didn’t refute him, and her gaze seemed to hold a hint of appreciation.

“You did better than I imagined.”

Shuang Jiang’s words were direct praise, a rare occurrence.

【Emotional Connection+2】

【Remaining usable points: 15】

Before Shuang Jiang’s words had even fallen, a golden phrase flashed before Su Jingzhen’s eyes.

Su Jingzhen’s heart was delighted, and this feeling of occasionally gaining points was just right.

When interacting with Shuang Jiang, there would always be unexpected surprises.

But before he could say anything, Shuang Jiang continued, “However, your actions last night were quite foolish.”

First, she praised him, and then she criticized him?

“You dared to resist, dared to face danger, and your bravery is commendable.”

“But if that person last night was a professional assassin or a late-stage Qi Refiner, you would have definitely died!”

Shuang Jiang’s tone was icy and serious, and Su Jingzhen wouldn’t dare to refute her.

He had already reflected on his actions and knew that he had been reckless last night.

Moreover, he knew that although Shuang Jiang didn’t say it explicitly, she must have secretly helped during the corpse disposal, making it go so smoothly.

He felt grateful again, thinking that she was indeed his benefactor.

Su Jingzhen humbly accepted her criticism.

At this time, Shuang Jiang was not interested in the topic of educating Su Jingzhen.

She asked curiously, “Have you mastered the ‘Python Scales Power’?”

Only a day ago, Su Jingzhen was able to defeat a mid-stage Qi Refiner with a single brick, which was unbelievable, even with the advantage of a sneak attack.

Shuang Jiang knew that with Su Jingzhen’s current Qi Refining level it was impossible to achieve.

Su Jingzhen smiled, seeming a bit embarrassed, “I just practiced a bit, and it seems like my strength has increased.”

Shuang Jiang’s eyes narrowed, and she got down from the stone bed, grasping Su Jingzhen’s wrist without warning.

A faint, probing power emerged.

Su Jingzhen’s heart skipped a beat, feeling a sense of unease.

The next moment, Shuang Jiang’s expression suddenly froze, and then became extremely solemn.

“You…you…you’ve actually opened the Secret Vault!”

Shuang Jiang could easily take out the ‘Python Scales Power’ technique, and Su Jingzhen’s body condition was naturally exposed under her deliberate probing.

Hearing her words, Su Jingzhen’s face showed a puzzled expression.

“Secret Vault? Me? So this is what it means to open the human body’s Secret Vault?”

As a person who had lived two lives, Su Jingzhen, although kind-hearted, knew that some things should never be revealed to anyone.

At this time, he could only pretend to be stupid and ignorant.

Seeing his expression, Shuang Jiang didn’t have any doubts.

A low-level cultivator, even if they didn’t understand their own body’s condition, was very normal.

She couldn’t help but grab his wrist again. The shock on her face was no longer concealed.

“Perform the ‘Python Scales Power’ for me to see.”

Su Jingzhe did it without hesitation.

After finishing the movement, he still looked a bit awkward, but there were no flaws.

“No flaws, and you’ve opened the Secret Vault, unbelievable…but it’s a pity…”

Shuang Jiang muttered to herself, her gaze towards Su Jingzhen becoming increasingly complex, with a hint of regret.

She had already determined that Su Jingzhen was a rare, one-in-a-million Body Refining genius, but unfortunately, the current environment didn’t suit him, and even a genius couldn’t go far.

No, at this moment she thought of Su Jingzhen’s terrifying alchemy talent.

When she looked at Su Jingzhen again, her gaze changed…