Pei Lengxue lay on the bed, while Ye Anping sat cross-legged in the room, facing away from her, meditating to protect her.

His back wasn’t particularly broad; after all, he was only fifteen years old. Yet, the silhouette of this fifteen-year-old boy provided her with a strong sense of security.

Initially, she had been a bit fearful, but after their recent encounter, she felt that what her senior brother had said was true.

As long as she followed her senior brother’s lead, that Core Formation stage demonic cultivator was no more than a catfish on a chopping board.

Though her senior brother had been strict with her before, she had always known that he would never harm her.

The fact that she had survived from the age of three to fourteen was the best proof of that.

Before long, drowsiness overcame her, and Pei Lengxue closed her eyes, preparing to rest.

However, as soon as she closed her eyes, the name “Xi Yue” suddenly popped into her mind.

— Who is Xi Yue?!

— Where does she live?

— How old is she?

— What’s her cultivation level?

— Is she prettier than me?

Tonight, Pei Lengxue found it difficult to fall asleep, her mind consumed by thoughts of “Xi Yue.”

At dawn, when the rooster crowed, Ye Anping got up and prepared to wake up Pei Lengxue. However, as he approached her bed, he noticed that she seemed to have stared with wide eyes all night. Her eyes were now bloodshot, and he thought she was still frightened by the demonic cultivator.

To help her relax, he decided to take her for a stroll around Martial Creek Town.

They browsed clothing shops, bought some small trinkets, and then attended a theater performance. They even went fishing by the riverside.

The next few days followed a similar pattern.

Apart from briefly visiting the forest behind Martial Creek Town to set up a few formations to deal with Wu You, most of their time was spent leisurely exploring the town.

Finally, the day of the encounter between the protagonist and “Wu You” arrived.

… …

On a mountain path outside Martial Creek Town.

A woman wearing a bamboo hat was sitting sideways on a horse. She held a leaf flute made from lychee leaves in her hand.

The melodious flute sound spread lazily, attracting birds to perch near the woman, providing a natural accompaniment.

Beneath the bamboo hat, a few strands of silver hair danced in the wind.

Her name was Feng Yudie.

Her parents had encountered a war, and in desperation, they placed her in a basket and let the river carry her away. She was later found and adopted by a reclusive old cultivator.

About half a year ago, the old cultivator’s true essence had been depleted, and she ascended, leaving her a recommendation letter to continue her cultivation at the Profound Star Sect.

After playing a tune, Feng Yudie threw the leaf away, covering her face with her bamboo hat. She looked into the distance and let out a somewhat impatient sigh.

She asked, “Hey, Xiaotian, how much longer until we reach the Profound Star Sect?”

There was no one else beside her at this moment.

But after asking this question, a small figure radiating golden light suddenly emerged from her forehead.

This miniature figure resembled a doll, lacking legs, and appeared cute and pocket-sized.

With a wave of its tiny hand, a map appeared hovering in front of Feng Yudie.

『We still have quite a way to go, at least another five hundred miles. There’s a small town ahead where we can rest.』

“Five hundred miles more? Haven’t we been on the road for a month?” Feng Yudie sighed softly, “I wonder if there will be any pretty senior sisters in Profound Star Sect.”

Xiaotian shot her a speechless glance and scolded, 『Yudie, instead of thinking about handsome senior brothers, your mind is preoccupied with pretty senior sisters. Is that appropriate?』

Feng Yudie pursed her lips and retorted, “Master always told me to be cautious around men, that they’re all bad.”

『Told you to be cautious around men, not to go looking for women.』

“Alright, alright. Let’s hurry up. We’ll be in town soon. I want to have some roast chicken.”

『So disappointing.』

“Let’s go!”

Feng Yudie tightened the reins and gently kicked the horse’s belly, urging it to gallop towards the small town ahead.

Before long, she passed through the town gate and arrived in Martial Creek Town.

It was mealtime, and the aroma of roasted duck and chicken filled the air throughout the town. Street vendors were bustling with people enjoying noodles and tea.

Feng Yudie led her small white horse, observing everything along the way. She wanted to buy various things to satisfy her appetite, but her funds were limited. Xiaotian reminded her to be frugal, so she ended up randomly choosing an inn and ordering a roast chicken.

The inn was bustling with activity. The waiters with towels on their shoulders were shouting around, and the innkeeper’s abacus was clacking.

Sitting at a small table in the corner, Feng Yudie waited for her food while observing the diners. She noticed many cultivators mixed among the people, which surprised her.

“Xiaotian, there are many cultivators in this town.”

『Not surprising. This place isn’t far from the Hundred Lotus Sect. Where there’s a sect, there’s bound to be cultivators.』

“Hundred Lotus Sect?” Feng Yudie pondered for a moment and asked, “Is it a small sect?”

『Yes, it’s a relatively new sect, only a hundred years old. The Sect Master is named Ye Ao, currently at the Core Formation stage. He has a son with decent aptitude, but it’s nothing extraordinary, just dual spiritual roots that aren’t bad but also not exceptional.』

Feng Yudie pouted and tilted her head, “Xiaotian, you seem to know everything.”

Xiaotian stood with its hands on its hips and raised its head proudly, 『Naturally. I’m the spirit of the Heavenly Dao Scriptures. Hmph! There’s nothing in this world that I don’t know.』

“I see…” Feng Yudie smiled, then pointed to a girl at another table not far away and asked, “Xiaotian, what’s the name of that girl?”

『…』

Xiaotian raised an eyebrow and followed Feng Yudie’s gaze.

At that table sat a young man and woman, both looking to be around fourteen or fifteen years old.

The young man was at the third level of the Qi Refining stage, while the young woman had already reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage. They seemed to be martial siblings traveling together.

That’s all Xiaotian could discern.

Xiaotian sneered disdainfully and answered, 『How would I know her name?』

Feng Yudie covered her mouth and chuckled, “But Xiaotian, didn’t you just say that there’s nothing you don’t know in this world?”

『Yeah, I know about significant events from the past, but…』 Xiaotian flew around Feng Yudie’s head, crossing its arms in a defensive posture, 『Those two look like insignificant characters to me. I can’t be bothered to remember their names! Hmph!』

“Alright, alright.” Feng Yudie shrugged, “But I think that girl looks very beautiful. I want to go ask her name.”

Saying so, Feng Yudie stood up, called over a waiter, and instructed him to bring the roasted chicken to the girl’s table. Then, she walked over to them.

Approaching their table, Feng Yudie smiled and greeted, “May I join you, fellow cultivators?”

The girl at the table turned her head to look at her and raised an eyebrow. She then turned to the smiling young man beside her and asked, “Senior Brother?”

The person she called Senior Brother glanced at Feng Yudie and nodded, “Sure.”

Feng Yudie quickly smiled and pulled out a chair to sit down. She took the initiative to speak, “Greetings, fellow cultivators. I am Feng Yudie, a wandering cultivator. May I know how to address the two of you?”

“I’m Ye Anping, a disciple of the Hundred Lotus Sect,” Ye Anping replied with a smile, gesturing toward the girl beside him. “This is my junior sister, Pei Lengxue.”

As Feng Yudie heard this, a mischievous expression appeared on the golden figure floating near her head, Xiaotian.

For a moment, Xiaotian furrowed its brow.

In that brief instant, it felt as though the person named Ye Anping glanced in its direction, as if he could see it.

Since its inception, only those with the Heavenly Dao within them could see Xiaotian – one was the former Immortal Emperor, and the other was Feng Yudie.

『Is it an illusion?』

Xiaotian pondered for a moment, then floated right in front of Ye Anping, making two comical faces at him.

『Ha~~』

It seemed like it was just its imagination.

Ye Anping didn’t react to Xiaotian’s antics at all. He naturally picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.

Now, Xiaotian also breathed a sigh of relief.

As it suspected, how could an ordinary cultivator with dual spiritual roots possibly see the spirit of the Heavenly Dao Scriptures like it?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!