“Grand Miss…” Zhou Kai began tentatively, noticing the dark storm brewing on her face.

“Shut up!” Li Youci scolded coldly.

This Zhou Kai simply didn’t know how to appreciate kindness! She, the Grand Miss, had personally bestowed the profound and rare Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture upon him. What a supreme opportunity that was!

And how did he repay her?

He put on a show of cultivating for a moment in the afternoon, but the second night fell, he greased the soles of his feet and slipped away to the outer sect. He acted as if he were terrified of enduring the scouring of her Divine Sense, or afraid of being tainted by even a speck of Extreme Yin Ghost Qi!

Did this Grand Miss not provide him with an Isolation Grand Array?

Was this Extreme Yin Ghost Qi not a form of Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi? The Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture was mystically profound; it could refine and absorb even this domineering Ghost Qi. Yet he avoided it like the plague!

With such a mentality, how could he ever bear the weight of the Great Dao?

If that were all, she might have let it slide. After all, seeking out his Dao Companions was his private affair, and she, Li Youci, wasn’t bored enough to micromanage his personal life.

But during the fierce battle with the Ghost Body just now, when her Divine Sense swept over Zhou Kai, she found no trace of the Heavenly Scripture’s circulation within him. Clearly, after receiving the technique, he hadn’t taken it to heart at all!

He completely disregarded this Grand Miss’s gift!

She had used her great Mana and powerful Divine Sense to forcefully impart the technique. Was he looking down on her judgment? Or did he think her treasures weren’t worth his immediate attention?

Coupled with the vague message from her elder brother, Li Qiwen, hinting that Zhou Kai harbored ulterior motives toward her…

Li Youci sneered internally.

She was confident in her appearance and strength. Her Heaven-grade Yin Spirit Root was one in ten thousand. Men who lusted after her were as numerous as carp crossing the river. A mere Zhou Kai—one more made no difference, one less was no loss. Why should she care?

Seeing him recently making eyes at Fish Baibai and interacting so frequently, Li Youci’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Could it be that this Zhou Kai really wastes all his thoughts on women?

Hmph. Fine.

The girl, Baibai, didn’t seem to dislike him either. If she could use this connection to chain him to Taiji Peak and force him to focus on cultivating the Heavenly Scripture, it might not be a bad method.

But this matter required a little “guidance.” She wanted to see how Fish Baibai would react.

“Zhou Kai,” Li Youci said, her voice freezing the air. “Starting today, you will enter death seclusion here on Taiji Peak! You are forbidden from leaving until you have grasped the rudiments of the Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture! During this period, you are not to take even half a step off the mountain!”

Zhou Kai was stunned for a moment, then a heavy stone lifted from his heart.

So she was just blaming him for not cultivating hard enough! She scared the hell out of him—he thought it was something serious.

“Yes, Grand Miss! This subordinate obeys!” Zhou Kai immediately bowed, his attitude the picture of servile compliance.

Seeing him agree so readily, Li Youci felt a strange sense of disappointment. She paused for a beat, bored by his submission, then snorted coldly.

She turned her gaze to Fish Baibai beside her. Her expression softened slightly as she sent a silent transmission, instructing the girl with a few words.

Then, she transformed into a streak of flowing light and returned to her cave abode.

The moment the Grand Miss left, Zhou Kai felt the surrounding air become significantly fresher.

He immediately pulled a pile of items from his Storage Bag—pills, Spirit Stones, and various materials.

“Senior Sister, could you trouble yourself to deliver these to the outer sect for me? Give them to my Dao Companions.” Zhou Kai handed the goods to Fish Baibai. “Their cultivation is still shallow, and they are new to the sect. If they face any difficulties, please look out for them.”

Fish Baibai took the items. She blinked her large, watery eyes at Zhou Kai, a sly smile curling the corners of her mouth.

“Easy, easy. It’s just a small favor. However…” She deliberately dragged out the word.

“However what?” Zhou Kai raised an eyebrow.

Fish Baibai grinned and leaned in closer, lowering her voice with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Just now, the Miss sent me a voice transmission. She said, ‘Junior Brother, you want to pursue me, to make me your Dao Companion.’ Is that true?”

Zhou Kai felt no internal turmoil. His face didn’t even twitch.

Li Youci’s Divine Sense was powerful; everything on Taiji Peak was clear as day to her. He hadn’t bothered to hide his intentions, so it would be stranger if she hadn’t noticed.

“It is,” he admitted frankly, staring straight into Fish Baibai’s eyes. “From the day you beat me up, I’ve had that thought. How could I not be moved by a Senior Sister as lively and adorable as you?”

Fish Baibai was caught off guard by his directness.

She huffed, feigning dominance as she planted her hands on her hips. “Hmph! That won’t do! Do you think this young lady is so easy to chase?”

“Oh? Why not? Senior Sister, feel free to lay down your terms. I, Zhou Kai, will accept the challenge.”

“Think about it,” Fish Baibai said, extending her fingers and counting them off one by one. “We’ve only known each other for a few days! You gave me a few packs of snacks and took me to the Three Watches Market once—a place I’ve visited countless times. And you think that’s enough to make me your Dao Companion? Keep dreaming!”

She paused, her eyes darting around as she formulated her list.

“You at least… at least have to invite me to the most prosperous city outside the sect, Hui City, and treat me to the signature dishes of every single restaurant there, right?

“You at least have to take me to the highest point in the sect, the Falling Star Moon Grasping Platform, to see the scenery and enjoy the evening breeze, right?

“And! The famous Rainbow Mist Spirit Spring in our Calamity Abyss Valley! They say it cleanses the flesh, expels impurities, and beautifies the skin. Shouldn’t you take me to soak in it?”

At this point, Fish Baibai seemed to remember something else. She puffed up her cheeks indignantly.

“Furthermore! You previously promised to give me that Dual-Polarity Essence-Gathering Spirit Array! Up to now, I haven’t even seen the shadow of an Array Disc! You… you don’t keep your word!”

Listening to her string of “at leasts,” Zhou Kai didn’t feel impatient. On the contrary, he found it increasingly amusing.

Her demands appeared to be difficult, but they revealed a naive, girlish charm. None of them were truly impossible.

“Hui City feasts? Hmm, that’s easy.” Zhou Kai stroked his chin, putting on the air of a wealthy tycoon. “Once I leave seclusion, I guarantee you a different meal every time. You’ll eat until you have to lean against the wall just to walk.”

Fish Baibai’s eyes instantly lit up, drool threatening to spill. “Really? No lying! If you dare try to dismiss me with a few pieces of roasted Spirit Beast meat, I’ll…”

“Look at you,” Zhou Kai chuckled. “Would I, Zhou Kai, be so stingy? When the time comes, whatever flies in the sky, runs on the ground, or swims in the water—if Hui City has it, and you want to eat it, I’ll get it for you!”

“As for the Falling Star Moon Grasping Platform…” Zhou Kai’s tone shifted, a wicked grin appearing on his face. “Just looking at the stars and moon is boring. When the time comes, we can discuss the Great Dao of Dual Cultivation up there. Wouldn’t that be more beneficial for body and mind, while also deepening our feelings?”

“Pah! Big pervert! Who wants to discuss that with you!” Fish Baibai’s pretty face flushed red. She spat at him, her toes unconsciously grinding against the ground.

Zhou Kai noted that despite her scolding, there was no genuine disgust in her eyes. The fire was simmering nicely.

“Ahem, I was talking about the serious Dual Cultivation of the Starfall Myriad Manifestation Hammer. Senior Sister, where did your mind wander?” he asked with feigned innocence.

“Pah! I don’t believe you!” Fish Baibai spat again, though the corners of her lips couldn’t help but twitch upward.

“As for the Rainbow Mist Spirit Spring…” Zhou Kai pondered for a moment, then spoke honestly. “I am truly unfamiliar with that place. I am not a disciple of this sect, so taking you there would likely be quite troublesome. However, for my Baibai, no matter how difficult, I will inquire and fight for it.”

Hearing him say “my Baibai,” a sweetness bloomed in Fish Baibai’s heart.

She kept her stubborn front. “Who… who belongs to you! Nothing is settled yet! Hmph, at least you show some sincerity.”

As for the Dual-Polarity Essence-Gathering Spirit Array, Zhou Kai laughed internally.

This little girl. At first, I really was going to give it as a gift, but later we clearly agreed it would offset her labor fees. How did it turn back into a free gift in the blink of an eye?

Ah well. Once she becomes a confidante, who cares about past labor fees?

He put on a helpless expression and gently booped Fish Baibai’s nose. Seeing she didn’t dodge, his mood soared.

“Of course I’ll give you the Spirit Gathering Array. How could I refuse when my Baibai asks? I’m already refining it with extra effort. Guaranteed to satisfy you!”

Fish Baibai covered her nose, pretending to be angry. “You said it! If you dare lie to me, I’ll… I’ll release a hundred noisy Croaking Frogs at the entrance of your cave abode every day! I’ll make it impossible for you to cultivate!”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t give you that chance.” Zhou Kai laughed loudly.

After this exchange, the atmosphere between them relaxed considerably.

Fish Baibai stowed the items Zhou Kai had given her and skipped off toward the outer sect.

Watching her figure disappear, the smile on Zhou Kai’s face gradually faded. He turned back toward his cave abode, his eyes growing profound.

“Seclusion… that works,” Zhou Kai murmured to himself, a glint of sharp light flashing in his gaze. “It is time to properly organize what I’ve learned. Once I fully establish my Foundation, I will cultivate the Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture.”

The stone door slowly ground open, then slammed heavily shut behind him, severing all noise from the outside world.

Meanwhile, in Li Youci’s cave abode.

She sat cross-legged on a Cold Jade Bed, regulating her breathing. A moment later, her Divine Sense extended silently, covering the entire Taiji Peak like flowing mercury.

“At least you know what’s good for you,” she muttered with a low humph.

Sensing that Zhou Kai had genuinely begun his closed-door cultivation, the corner of Li Youci’s mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible arc, before returning to its usual icy indifference.

However, the scene of Fish Baibai and Zhou Kai conversing at the peak kept replaying in her mind.

That little girl actually made so many demands of Zhou Kai?

The other requests were trivial, but the Rainbow Mist Spirit Spring… eventually, Zhou Kai would have to come begging to her for access. That girl was clearly fishing for benefits!

She is becoming more and more lawless.

Li Youci recalled the exact words she had transmitted to Fish Baibai earlier:

“Zhou Kai is interested in you. With his Heaven-grade Spirit Root, he represents a good opportunity for you. Whether you can grasp it depends entirely on your own ability.”