According to Ye Anping’s estimate, he and Pei Lengxue had about seven days of preparation time before arriving at Martial Creek Town.

But in reality, he had already made all the necessary preparations, leaving nothing to chance.

He had spent a full decade honing this sword technique.

Therefore, coming to Martial Creek Town seven days in advance, besides worrying about any unexpected circumstances, another reason was to help Pei Lengxue relax a bit and ease her tension. He wanted to prevent her from becoming too nervous and making mistakes during the critical moment.

Pei Lengxue, after all, was just a fourteen-year-old girl.

Even someone like Ye Anping, who had lived for twenty years before crossing over and fifteen years after, felt nervous.

After all, they were going up against a Core Formation realm cultivator, someone who was two realms above them.

Upon arriving in Martial Creek Town, Ye Anping was glad he had brought Pei Lengxue here early.

—Pei Lengxue was not just a little nervous.

Ye Anping had just booked an inn in Martial Creek Town and was planning to take Pei Lengxue out for a stroll to relax. However, as soon as they stepped onto the street, Pei Lengxue became vigilant, suspecting everyone on the street of being a demonic cultivator.

Seeing a cultivator buying steamed buns not far away, she whispered to Ye Anping, “Senior Brother, is that person the demonic cultivator you mentioned?”

“Junior Sister, he’s just an independent cultivator.”

“Oh-” Pei Lengxue nodded weakly. She then noticed a mortal constable carrying a sword on his back and asked, “Senior Brother, is he the one?”

“He’s a constable from the local yamen.”

“…And what about that disheveled-looking person?”

“That’s just a beggar.”

Ye Anping found her reaction quite cute and chuckled, “Junior Sister, you’re like a little mouse right now.”

“Why a mouse!?” Pei Lengxue pouted in protest, “I’m not… I’m just…”

“Are you scared?”

“Of course I am! We’re dealing with a Core Formation demonic cultivator…”

Ye Anping playfully tweaked her cheek and said, “You have to trust your Senior Brother. It’ll be fine. Remember the first positive affirmation quote I taught you?”

“I remember.”

“Say it.”

“In the face of difficulties, don’t be afraid. Smile and confront them. The best way to overcome fear is to face it. Keep it up!” Pei Lengxue pumped her small fist, “Let’s do it!”

“Good. So, don’t be afraid.”

“Senior Brother, I’ve been wanting to ask, what does ‘let’s do it’ mean?”

“Uh…” Ye Anping paused for a moment, then explained, “Just think of it as a phrase that makes you feel inspired.”

“Oh~”

As they continued walking along the street, they suddenly heard a series of gongs and drums ahead. It seemed that there was a festive event in town today.

Before long, a wedding procession appeared in their view.

A bride led the way in a red sedan chair, followed by a dozen people carrying chickens, ducks, fish, and the bride’s dowry. Drummers and trumpeters on both sides played joyful tunes.

Ye Anping wasn’t particularly intrigued, but Pei Lengxue seemed quite interested.

She kept her eyes fixed on the leading red sedan chair. Her previously nervous demeanor had disappeared, and she seemed eager to hop into the sedan chair herself.

This was quite natural.

Pei Lengxue originally came from a peasant family in the mortal world.

In this world, girls like her had always looked forward to their fifteenth year when they could ride in a red sedan chair and marry into a good family.

She was currently fourteen years old, at the peak of her youthful years.

After pondering for a moment, Ye Anping asked, “Sister, would you like to go and take a look? Maybe have a feast?”

Pei Lengxue withdrew her gaze and hesitated for a while before shaking her head, “We still have to find that demonic cultivator, don’t we? We don’t have time to watch other people’s weddings.”

“It’s alright. I noticed you were staring at that bride. Have you ever seen a wedding before?”

“I’ve read about them in books.”

“Well, then go experience it in person.”

Ye Anping directly took Pei Lengxue’s hand and led her to the front of the commoner’s house where the wedding was taking place.

He explained to the steward that they wanted to share in the joy and also displayed the Hundred Lotus Sect’s emblem. As a result, they were politely escorted to a dedicated seat in the courtyard by the groom himself.

When they arrived, Ye Anping hadn’t anticipated that so many cultivators were here to freeload a meal.

The table they sat at had a total of eight people, all cultivators.

As soon as Ye Anping sat down, the young cultivator next to him, who had a cheerful expression, struck up a conversation.

“Young brother, are you also so free as to come and watch someone else’s wedding?”

“Yeah, senior brother is just joking.” Ye Anping nodded and said, “My junior sister has never seen a wedding before and was curious. Since we happened to come across it, I brought her to take a look.”

“Oh, so you’re martial siblings. Your relationship seems pretty good.”

Ye Anping scanned the other cultivators at the table, planning to exchange greetings and inquire if they had heard any news about “Wu You” in the vicinity.

However, when he saw the person sitting directly across from him, he realized he didn’t need to inquire anymore.

The person had delicate features, with a neutral appearance that blurred the line between male and female. Their hair was tied into two long braids, and they had a mischievous glint in their purple eyes.

Undoubtedly, this appearance and temperament were identical to the Grand Elder of the Poison Gu Sect from the game.

But there was a problem.

Why would a demonic cultivator be freeloading at a mortal’s wedding feast?

Was this guy so idle?

Ye Anping didn’t dare to stare at him for too long. After nodding in acknowledgment, he turned his attention to the bridegroom who was toasting the guests in the distance, with Pei Lengxue beside him.

However, Wu You took the initiative to strike up a conversation with them.

“Young brother, I see you’re only around fourteen or fifteen years old, yet you’re already at the third level of Qi Refining. Your future is boundless.”

“Ah…” Ye Anping heard the neutral voice and immediately acted shy like a young boy, “Thank you for your praise, senior. It’s all thanks to my master’s excellent guidance.”

“And this junior sister of yours… If I’m not mistaken, she has already reached the Peak of Qi Refining?”

“Ah, thank you for your praise, senior. My junior sister has good aptitude, and she diligently cultivates every day.” Ye Anping chuckled and scratched the back of his head. Then, he patted Pei Lengxue’s shoulder, diverting her attention from the bride in the distance. He said, “Junior Sister, this senior is praising you.”

“Ah…” Pei Lengxue looked across the table at Wu You and nodded absentmindedly, “Thank you for your praise, senior.”

Wu You smiled and nodded at both of them. Then, using spiritual energy, he manipulated the wine jug on the table to pour wine into the cups in front of Ye Anping and Pei Lengxue.

“Two young talents with limitless potential. These two cups of wine are a gesture of friendship from this old bone.”

Ye Anping smiled and nodded, then looked at the two cups of wine in front of him and Pei Lengxue.

The wine in the cups was still clear, and at first glance, there seemed to be no issue. However, he knew that these two cups of wine were most likely poisoned.

It appeared that Wu You had already recognized Pei Lengxue’s extraordinary spiritual root talent.

However, the ten years of hard work and practice that Ye Anping and Pei Lengxue had put in weren’t in vain. The ten years of training and resistance to poison had made them immune to this particular venom.

“Junior Sister, stop staring. The senior has poured us some wine.”

“Ah, Oh, thank you, senior.”

Pei Lengxue picked up her cup, tilted her head back, and finished the drink in one go. Then, she looked back towards the bride and groom, lightly patting Ye Anping’s shoulder and exclaiming, “Brother, look, look! The bride and groom are about to kiss!”