As Zhang Xian vanished behind the door, Yun He and Yun Qi stood outside the villa, exchanging bewildered glances in the cooling evening air.

“Where do we go now?” Yun Qi clutched his newly acquired Spirit Sword against his chest, confusion etched on his face.

Yun He stroked his beard, looking equally awkward. “Uh, well… how should I know? Let’s just find somewhere to kill time. We’ll come back tomorrow afternoon.”

Yun Qi’s indignation flared. “I am the Grand Commander of the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s Inner Sanctum! Am I to be reduced to wandering the streets like a vagrant?”

Yun He sighed. He ran a hand over the smooth, warm surface of his brand-new Fire Spirit Treasure cloak, then glanced at the high-grade sword in his grandson’s arms.

“Forget it, forget it,” the old fox muttered, his eyes gleaming. “For Qingqing’s happiness—and for these two treasures—this small sacrifice is nothing.”

A sudden, lecherous glint sparked in Yun He’s eyes. “Then… shall we secure a VIP suite at the Pitying Fragrance Pavilion? I hear their… ‘fine wine’ is exceptionally full-bodied this time of year.”

Yun Qi’s eyes lit up. “Excellent idea, Grandfather!!”

Inside the inner chamber, Yun Wanqing sat by the window, her cheeks burning. She had witnessed her father and nephew’s exaggerated exit performance and felt thoroughly humiliated.

When Zhang Xian pushed the door open, she shot him a reproachful glare. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

Zhang Xian approached, noting her flushed skin and evasive eyes. His father-in-law’s heavy-handed assist had been remarkably effective.

He glanced out the window, teasing her with a grin. “Father-in-law is certainly thoughtful. He dismissed the guards and maids, leaving us plenty of private space. judging by their haste, they probably won’t be back tonight.”

Yun Wanqing’s face turned even redder, resembling a ripe apple. “Y-you’re talking nonsense! The finals are in two days. Shouldn’t you be in seclusion preparing? Why did you come here looking for me?”

The playful expression on Zhang Xian’s face faded, replaced by a solemn tenderness. He gently took Yun Wanqing’s slightly cool hand and carefully placed a jade box into her palm.

Even through the seal, the box emanated an aura of primordial chaos.

“I came to deliver the medicine.”

Yun Wanqing trembled. Her gaze locked onto the jade box. The vast, life-infused aura radiating from within told her exactly what it was.

The Creation Immortal Pill.

The cure for her daughter, Yun Zhen’er. The solution to the soul deficiency that had plagued her child since birth.

Centuries of longing, anxiety, and countless moments of despair transformed into a surging torrent of emotion. Tears, like broken strings of pearls, poured from her eyes without warning.

She looked up at Zhang Xian, her gaze overflowing with ecstasy, gratitude, and an indescribable affection.

“Zhang Xian!”

She choked out his name, unable to control herself any longer. She threw herself into his arms, her embrace tight and desperate, as if she wanted to melt into his very bones.

[Ding! Current Favorability: 73]

[Ding! Gift of Creation Immortal Pill successful. Triggered return. Returned: Primordial Creation Pill x10]

[Primordial Creation Pill: Peak Earth-Grade elixir. Can repair shattered Golden Cores, recondense dispersed Nascent Souls, and reverse bodily collapse. Also activates and repairs meridians and spiritual roots. A legendary treasure for defying fate and rebuilding one’s Dao foundation.]

The System prompt was like a choir of angels in his mind. Zhang Xian was ecstatic. Peak Earth-Grade. Capable of healing a shattered foundation.

Excitedly, he cupped Yun Wanqing’s tear-streaked face and planted several fervent kisses on her cheeks, finally pressing a deep, passionate one onto her soft lips.

His voice carried a barely suppressed trembling. “Wanqing, you’re truly my lucky star! I love you to death!”

Yun Wanqing was overwhelmed by his sudden passion. Why does he seem even happier than I am? But her heart swelled with sweetness. She responded with equal fervor, her body growing warm and pliable against him, her gaze turning hazy with desire.

Just as the atmosphere in the room was about to reach a boiling point, Zhang Xian suddenly stopped.

He held Yun Wanqing by the shoulders, pushing her back slightly. His eyes were bright, but they held a look of impatience rather than lust.

“Wanqing,” he said with deadly seriousness. “The pill is delivered. I need to hurry back to seclusion to prepare for the battle. My final opponent is Long Zhi; I can’t be careless. I’ll come find you again after the competition!”

With that, he turned on his heel to leave.

“Huh?”

Yun Wanqing stood frozen, dumbfounded. The mood was set perfectly… the candles were metaphorically lit… and after a few kisses, he was bolting? What kind of logic was this?

Seeing her stunned expression, Zhang Xian paused, as if remembering something trivial. “Oh, right!”

He pulled out a damaged black wooden doll and stuffed it into her hand.

“This is the substitute death puppet Yang Poxiao left behind yesterday. It’s broken, but the material and runes are quite peculiar. You have wide connections and know many experts. Help me study it, see if there’s anything mysterious about it.”

Yun Wanqing subconsciously took the doll, still suffering from emotional whiplash. “Oh.”

[Ding! Gift of Damaged Nine Nether Tribulation Puppet successful. Triggered return. Returned: Nine Nether Tribulation Puppet x10]

[Nine Nether Tribulation Puppet: Earth-Grade secret treasure. After refining, can substitute for the host’s death once and teleport the host to a random safe location. Note: Substitution fails if damage exceeds the puppet’s limit.]

[Special Note: It is recommended the host commit suicide to achieve the safest escape effect.]

Holy crap, another massive win.

Looking at Yun Wanqing’s dazed, adorable appearance, Zhang Xian couldn’t resist. He leaned in and gave her smooth forehead another loud, smacking kiss.

“I’m off! Get ready to be my bride, hahaha!”

With a hearty laugh, he strode out of the room, his white robes fluttering as he vanished into the night, leaving behind a dashing silhouette.

Yun Wanqing stood alone in the silence.

She held the warm jade box in one hand and the cold, broken puppet in the other. Her heart was a chaotic mix of joy, gratitude, and an indescribable sense of loss. She felt torn between laughing and crying.

She had finally mustered her courage, prepared herself mentally, and was ready to give herself to him completely. And he just… left?

She lowered her head to look at the immortal pill, then touched her kissed cheek. Finally, she let out a helpless sigh, though the corners of her mouth curled upward.

“He’s actually a true gentleman,” she murmured softly, a gentle smile blooming.

The rumors about him being a lecherous fiend were clearly false. It was just that this “gentleman” was completely clueless about romance, which made her feel both amused and a little frustrated.

Zhang Xian hurried back to the Yunmiao Sect villa. Barely half an hour had passed since he left.

He went straight to the side room where Li Fuxi was recuperating and gently knocked on the door.

“Don’t come in!” Lin Yinyin’s haughty voice rang out instantly.

Zhang Xian pushed the door open anyway. A faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air.

Li Fuxi was half-reclining on a soft couch by the window. Her face was still pale, but her spirit seemed somewhat recovered. Lin Yinyin, acting like a protective mother hen, had pulled a chair right up to the couch and was sitting guard.

Seeing Zhang Xian enter, Lin Yinyin immediately snapped her head toward the window, letting out a crisp, audible “Hmph!”

Li Fuxi lifted her eyelids slightly. Her gaze lingered on Zhang Xian for a fleeting second before dropping back to her clasped hands.

She said nothing. But her silence felt heavier and more suffocating than any accusation.

Zhang Xian rubbed his nose, sensing the danger in the air. It seems I’ve knocked over not one, but two vinegar jars.