Encountering Wu You earlier than expected was slightly beyond Ye Anping’s expectations. However, it was only a minor surprise, and the situation was still under his control.

Wu You had likely noticed Pei Lengxue’s exceptional spiritual root talent by now, but he didn’t intend to abduct her directly. His intentions were evident from the venom he had placed on Pei Lengxue.

This venom could slowly erode a person’s sanity, similar to an intoxicant, causing hallucinations and eventually leading to a loss of cognitive abilities, turning them into a mindless puppet. Wu You probably planned to let the venom gradually consume Pei Lengxue before taking her body.

After all, a human cauldron didn’t require the ability to think.

However, they couldn’t take any action against Pei Lengxue until the protagonist arrived in the town. For now, Ye Anping was pretending not to notice anything and planned to remove the venom from Pei Lengxue’s body once they returned to the inn.

At this moment, on the ceremonial platform set up in the courtyard, a newlywed couple began the traditional wedding ceremony under the guidance of the officiator. The guests raised their cups to offer their congratulations, including the cultivators who were seated at the same table as Ye Anping and Pei Lengxue.

“First bow to the heavens and the earth! Then bow to the parents, two bows, three bows.”

Pei Lengxue’s eyes sparkled, seemingly envious of the bride. Just moments ago, she was anxious and nervous, seeing everyone as potential demonic cultivators. Yet now, she seemed completely immersed in the wedding festivities, having forgotten the purpose of their presence.

But this was also understandable.

After all, Pei Lengxue was just a fourteen-year-old girl, not like the protagonist or other female leads who carried the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Ye Anping accompanied Pei Lengxue throughout the entire wedding ceremony, and they even participated in the teasing of the bridal chamber. After a simple meal, they prepared to return to the inn for some rest.

Pei Lengxue was completely unaware that she had been poisoned. As they left the courtyard, she was still recalling the wedding ceremony of the newlyweds with an admiring expression.

“Senior Brother, the bride is so beautiful.”

“Envious?”

“Just a little bit.” Pei Lengxue smiled, biting her lip. She glanced at Ye Anping from the corner of her eye and hesitated for a moment before suddenly asking, “By the way, Brother, has the Sect Master arranged a marriage for you?”

“Marriage?”

Had his dad arranged a marriage for him? Ye Anping really didn’t know.

The game didn’t mention anything about potential marriage arrangements for the Hundred Lotus Sect’s young master.

After all, the Hundred Lotus Sect and it destruction was essentially treated as sad backstory for Pei Lengxue

However, according to common sense, he should have arranged something for Ye Anping.

“I suppose?”

“Suppose?”

“I didn’t ask.” Ye Anping shrugged, chuckling. “But I do have someone in mind.”

In the game’s Heavenly Sword Chronicles, there was an NPC named “Xi Yue.”

Xi Yue was an NPC who sold alcohol-related items and ran a tavern. She was beautifully designed and had a gentle personality, which made her quite popular among players.

The game developers even created several heartwarming daily quests for this NPC. After completing these quests, she would appear in the player’s chat box as a “close friend” and send holiday greetings and gifts, becoming a presence similar to a game mascot.

When playing the game, he used to call her “wife.”

Now that he had crossed over, if given the chance, he definitely intended to marry her.

However, Pei Lengxue couldn’t hear Ye Anping’s inner thoughts. In her eyes, besides herself and Xiao Die, there were no other girls around Ye Anping.

Now, when Ye Anping mentioned having a “heartfelt person,” who else could it be?

Pei Lengxue blushed and pursed her lips, asking, “Senior Brother, is the person you like beautiful?”

“Of course, she’s beautiful.” Ye Anping spread his hands and smiled. “If she weren’t, why would I like her?”

“Brother praising her for being beautiful…” Pei Lengxue became even happier, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “What’s her name?”

“Xi Yue.”

Pei Lengxue was looking forward to Ye Anping saying “Pei Lengxue” or awkwardly avoiding the topic. However, upon hearing “Xi Yue,” she was utterly puzzled.

“Who is Xi Yue?”

“You don’t know her.”

…

Pei Lengxue followed Ye Anping all the way back to the inn and entered the room they had rented.

She began to meditate and practice her qi cultivation, but her mind was still filled with the two words “Xi Yue.”

At this moment, Ye Anping walked up behind her, extended his hand into a sword-finger gesture, and suddenly poked her right in the center of her back.

Pei Lengxue felt her stomach churn, and her throat felt as if a worm was wriggling inside, causing extreme nausea.

She couldn’t hold it in and ended up vomiting everything she had eaten at the wedding.

“Ugh—”

“… …”

After a moment, Pei Lengxue recovered, turned her head towards Ye Anping, and asked in a puzzled tone, “Senior Brother, what are you doing?”

“I’m helping you expel the poison.”

“Expel poison?”

Pei Lengxue furrowed her brows in confusion, but soon realized what was happening. She quickly looked down at the mess she had just thrown up on the floor.

Sure enough, there was a centipede about the length of her middle finger wriggling around in the mess.

Realizing that she had vomited out that centipede, Pei Lengxue’s face turned pale. She was reminded of four years ago when Ye Anping had treated her to a three-month insect feast.

“Well…”

Ye Anping handed her a glass of water and explained, “We encountered the demonic cultivator we were looking for at the wedding. He secretly poisoned us, and this is the venomous creature.”

“What?!” Pei Lengxue looked shocked. “When did that happen?”

“Remember when you were watching the bride? There was a senior who helped us pour wine. That person was the demonic cultivator.” Ye Anping explained, then sat down cross-legged to meditate and gather his spiritual energy.

Pei Lengxue took a moment to recollect before remembering.

“That androgynous cultivator?!”

“Yes.”

“Then…” Pei Lengxue’s face filled with terror as she looked at the wriggling centipede on the floor. She swallowed nervously and asked, “Aren’t we…”

“I told you not to worry. Remember when I had you eat the insect feast? We ingested venomous creatures for three months, so our bodies have developed resistance. Although his venemous creature is more potent than what we consumed before, it won’t take root in our meridians that quickly. We just need to expel it.”

Ye Anping said proudly and then also sat down cross-legged.

“Junior Sister, help me expel the poison. Poke the same spot on my back that I poked on yours.”

Pei Lengxue looked at the centipede she had just thrown up and felt a bit scared.

How did such a big centipede get inside her body without her noticing?

But at the same time, she suddenly felt a sense of security from her brother.

Years ago, her brother had anticipated such a situation and made preparations in advance.

Back when her brother fed her those insects, she was reluctant, but now she realized that if her brother hadn’t done that, she might not have survived this situation.

“Brother, how did you know that person had poisoned us?”

“I know what kind of person he is and what he might do at what time.” Ye Anping smiled lightly and said, “I told you when we came here that if you follow my lead, no matter how powerful he is, he will end up dead at your hands.”

Pei Lengxue weakly nodded and came behind Ye Anping. She pointed her fingers like a sword and forcefully poked the center of Ye Anping’s back.

Splurt—

Whether it was due to applying too much force or some other reason, in addition to expelling the venomous creature, Ye Anping also spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Cough— Junior Sister, could you be a bit gentler?”

“I’m being gentle.”

Ye Anping wiped away the blood from his mouth, revealing a helpless bitter smile, and let out a sigh.

“Never mind, get some rest. I’ll head back to my room.”

“Oh…” Pei Lengxue nodded, but when she saw the venomous creature on the ground, she inexplicably felt a bit scared. She quickly reached out and grabbed his sleeve, asking, “Senior Brother, can you stay in my room tonight?”

“Huh?”

“What if that demonic cultivator comes looking for us in the middle of the night?”

Ye Anping was a bit speechless, then looked around the room and reluctantly nodded.

“Alright, you rest quickly. I’ll meditate and keep watch for you.”