Li Fuxi fled in utter disarray.

She retreated to her quarters and immediately buried herself under the quilt.

Feeling the weight of the twenty-plus priceless Nascent Formation Pills in her storage ring, and recalling her own foolish words and actions just moments ago, the heat on her face refused to fade.

She mentally beat her chest in frustration.

Li Fuxi! Your skin is getting thicker by the day!

In the past, you would refuse for ages even when receiving a single Earth-grade pill. Now? You just got “sponsored” with an entire box of Nascent Formation Pills, blushed a little, and… and calmly accepted it?!

It’s over. You’re completely done for! You are the disgrace of Spirit Sword Peak!

While she mentally berated herself, her hands betrayed her logic. She couldn’t help but quietly crack open that brimming jade box again.

Hmm… It… it actually feels quite reassuring.

[Ding! Current Favorability: 66.]

Back in the sword chamber, after Li Fuxi had bolted, Lin Yinyin sneakily sidled up to Zhang Xian, wearing a mischievous grin.

“Brother, how was it?”

“How was what?”

“Hehe, Master Li Fuxi! You’ve got her under your thumb. Another great beauty wrapped around your finger. Must feel amazing inside, right?”

Zhang Xian recalled the scene and chuckled. His Master had actually brought up the Nine Turns Jade Condensation Sutra on her own. She was probably dying of shame right now.

“Ah.” Lin Yinyin let out an exaggerated sigh of feigned sorrow. “It’s just a shame Master has already cultivated the Nine Turns Jade Condensation Sutra to the eighth level. Brother, you can only look, not touch. You must be going crazy.”

“Tsk, what nonsense are you spouting?” Zhang Xian thought. Why are you even more anxious than I am? You’re a little devil!

“Hehe! But Master can’t escape our grasp.”

Lin Yinyin pulled out a booklet and handed it to Zhang Xian. “Here! I deliberately slipped this into the study over a year ago. Look, the pages are worn out. Master’s been secretly reading it.”

“I hadn’t even finished it myself. She took it ages ago and only slipped it back onto the shelf a few days before her seclusion.”

Zhang Xian glanced at the cover and froze.

Holy crap?

The Return of the Condor Heroes? What the hell?

Zhang Xian flipped through a few pages. The plotlines were all too familiar.

Wait. I don’t remember copying this book. I didn’t even mention this story when telling tales to the little dark-skinned girl back then.

“Where did this book come from?”

“Imported from the Spirit Ruins Sword Sect. It’s been the hottest book there for the last few years. Hmm, the author’s pen name is… ‘I Also Have a Big Condor’.”

Spirit Ruins Sword Sect…

Zhang Xian’s mind instantly conjured the image of that “Yang Guo” lookalike he had heard of.

What was his name again? Oh right, Yang Poxiao.

Most likely a fellow transmigrator. I wonder if he has a system too.

I need to investigate.

Zhang Xian thought of asking Yun Wanqing, but reconsidered. He had sent her some top-grade Qingqiao tea a while back, and she had only offered a hurried thanks before cutting contact. She was likely under immense pressure; better not trouble her for now.

Instead, Zhang Xian contacted Old Deng, the Yunmiao Sect’s intelligence chief, and prepaid a handsome reward for the investigation.

Finally, the day arrived to depart for the Southern Capital.

On the vast, flat expanse of the Guest Welcoming Peak, the Yunmiao Sect’s iconic giant spirit vessel hovered in mid-air.

For this official diplomatic mission, they had to take the sect’s flagship to display their majesty. Zhang Xian felt a pang of regret; this giant vessel was far less exquisite than his own. The interior was austere—forget a sword chamber, it didn’t even have a hot spring.

Unfortunately, Li Fuxi’s skin was too thin. She had fled early, shutting herself in a private cabin to avoid him. Zhang Xian and Lin Yinyin had no choice but to follow.

On the spacious deck, disciples and elders stood in solemn rows.

The mission leader was Deputy Sect Master Wang Ya. Seeing him, Zhang Xian felt relieved. Thankfully, it wasn’t that old hag, the Sect Master.

Accompanying Wang Ya were Inspector Zhiyin and Head Seat Shouheng of Star Dipper Peak.

Zhang Xian politely saluted the high-ranking officials, his gaze sweeping the crowd. A trace of regret flickered in his heart—Liu Qingxuan and Liu Huaigu were absent.

“It seems Senior Liu Huaigu hasn’t recovered from the blow yet,” Zhang Xian sighed inwardly.

He still remembered Liu Huaigu’s promise two years ago: once Zhang Xian achieved his Golden Core, a marriage ceremony would be held for him and Liu Qingxuan. Unfortunately, with the fall of True Person Star Hidden, both Liu Huaigu and Liu Qingxuan had entered deep seclusion, and the matter was buried.

“After the Demon Sweeping Assembly, I need to reach out.”

The system upgrade progress weighed on his mind. Among his bound Daughters of Destiny, aside from Lin Yinyin—whose Favorability had broken 90—Liu Qingxuan was the highest at 70 points.

Opportunities had to be created.

The spirit vessel roared to life, heading for the heart of the Southern Region—the Southern Capital.

The journey was peaceful. Zhang Xian only saw Li Fuxi once, discussing the details of the Demon Sweeping Assembly with Wang Ya.

She wore a serious expression, her face cool and aloof, perfectly embodying the dignified demeanor of a Grandmaster.

Lin Yinyin, attending as an observer, whispered behind Zhang Xian’s back, “Now I realize how funny Master looks when she’s acting all prim and proper.”

A slight smile tugged at Zhang Xian’s lips. He watched Li Fuxi’s flawless profile, recalling how she would blush crimson and stutter when he teased her in private.

The contrast was delicious. The more she put on airs now, the more he wanted to see her icy shell shatter.

The vessel pierced the clouds.

Li Fuxi struggled to maintain her aloof persona. She sensed Zhang Xian’s gaze burning into her back, making her skin tingle.

“Inspector Fuxi… or rather, I should call you Head Seat Fuxi now,” Wang Ya congratulated her with a smile.

“Thank you for your concern, Head Seat Wang. There’s no hurry. I will assume the position after the Assembly concludes.”

“Hehe. Who would have thought that in just a few short years, Zhenren Fuxi would progress so rapidly? Not only did you break through, but your Dual Spirit Roots have evolved into Supreme Spirit Roots. Such talent is likely unique in the entire Southern Region.”

“Hmm… just luck.”

Whether it was an illusion or not, Wang Ya felt that Li Fuxi seemed perfunctory today. Even uncomfortable.

His gaze drifted toward Zhang Xian, who was chatting with Lin Yinyin nearby. Their eyes kept darting in this direction.

This?

Wang Ya’s heart trembled.

He knew Li Fuxi had been living on Zhang Xian’s spirit vessel for years. He had scoffed at the rumors that she was being “sponsored” by her disciple. In his mind, Li Fuxi cared only for the Sword Path; she disdained worldly entanglements.

But… what was this subtle atmosphere?

He suddenly felt out of place.

Looking at Li Fuxi’s awkward stiffness, a guess formed in Wang Ya’s mind. The corner of his mouth twitched.

He cupped his hands. “Zhenren Fuxi, I just remembered an urgent matter. I’ll take my leave first.”

He strode away quickly, leaving the space to the master and disciple.

This Zhang Xian is too mysterious, and too loose with women. If they really match, it’s Li Fuxi’s fortune.

It’s just… Li Fuxi has cultivated the Nine Turns Jade Condensation Sutra for so many years. May she hold the final line.

After Wang Ya left, Lin Yinyin waved at Li Fuxi. “Master! Over here!”

Li Fuxi glanced at them. Both wore bright smiles.

But for some reason, she felt Zhang Xian’s smile contained a dangerous heat. It made her panic.

“I… I still need to digest the medicinal energy. I’m going back first.”

Li Fuxi fled once again.