Lin Yinyin nodded beside him, her small face etched with worry. “Yes, Brother. Even if you’re blessed with nine lives, you should think about me and Master. She’s been so distracted these past few days she couldn’t even meditate. She even ran into the Sect Master and got scolded for it.”

“What? That old woman is here? And she dared to scold Master?” Zhang Xian bristled. He had never liked the Yunmiao Sect Master.

Li Fuxi quickly waved her hand. “It was nothing serious. With the demonic forces growing, Emperor Xia issued an emergency decree. The Ancestors of the major sects have emerged from seclusion to gather in the Southern Capital. The Sect Master came personally. Given the critical situation, her temper is naturally shorter.”

She paused, her gaze searching his face. “During your trip to Penglai, did you see Elder Su and the Founder?”

Zhang Xian nodded. “I did. I learned quite a bit. I’ll brief you on the details later, Master.” He turned to Lin Yinyin. “Yinyin, come with me into my room first. I have something for you.”

Lin Yinyin blinked, taken aback. Then, a furious blush spread across her cheeks. She shot a quick, guilty glance at her Master, lowered her head, and scurried after Zhang Xian into his room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Lin Yinyin looked up with wide, watery eyes. “B-Brother, this isn’t very appropriate, is it? It’s the middle of the day! And besides, Master… she’s waiting right outside.” Her gaze darted around, a perfect picture of conflicted shyness and anticipation.

Thwack!

Zhang Xian flicked her forehead.

“Ow!” Lin Yinyin clutched her head, pouting. “Why do you always hit me?!”

“What kind of nonsense is rattling around in that brain of yours?” Zhang Xian feigned a stern scowl. “Have you been cultivating diligently? How much has your cultivation improved? Why are you still at the third level of the Golden Core? Look at me—I’m already at the fourth level, pushing for the fifth! You have a legendary Heavenly Spirit Root! Have you been slacking off again?”

Lin Yinyin’s little mouth formed a perfect ‘O’, her eyes shimmering with instant tears. “Wah… Brother, you big scoundrel! I broke through the Nine Turns Jade Condensation Sutra for you, and my cultivation regressed two whole levels! I barely recovered, and instead of pitying me, you complain I’m too slow!”

She sniffled loudly. “Besides, I saw your aptitude was… well, average before, so I didn’t dare cultivate too hard. I was afraid of hurting your fragile self-esteem!”

“And now look at you! You get powerful, chase the number one beauty of the Southern Region, and even snatch up my Master! Now you start picking on me? Are you looking for an excuse to dump me?”

Zhang Xian felt his eyelid twitch. Faced with this masterful display of Green Tea logic, he sighed in defeat.

“Alright, alright. I’m just worried about you. I’m a prime target for the demons now. If they can’t get to me, they might come for you. I want you strong enough to survive.”

Instantly, the storm clouds vanished. A brilliant smile bloomed on Lin Yinyin’s face as she threw herself at his arm, hugging it tight. “I’m not afraid. I have Brother to protect me.”

Amused and exasperated by her shapeshifting mood, Zhang Xian ruffled her hair. He took out one of the [United Heart Winged Pendants] and pressed it into her palm.

“Keep this safe. Wear it always. If you are ever in danger, activate it immediately, and you will instantly teleport to my side.”

Lin Yinyin turned the warm jade over in her hands. She could feel the protective intent radiating from it. Her heart swelled with sweetness.

See? I’m still the most important one.

Overjoyed, she stood on her tiptoes. Mwah! She planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

[Ding! Gift Successful. Return Triggered: United Heart Winged Pendant x100.]

Jackpot.

Zhang Xian smiled. “Open your mouth.”

Lin Yinyin obediently opened up, and Zhang Xian popped a [Yellow Court Spirit Cleansing Pill] onto her tongue.

She swallowed it.

The room fell silent.

Several breaths passed. No spiritual light. No aura spike. And most importantly, no system notification.

Zhang Xian’s smile froze.

Damn it. A dud.

He realized his mistake instantly. Yinyin already possessed a top-tier Heavenly Spirit Root. You can’t scrub a diamond cleaner than it already is. The pill did absolutely nothing.

That was a priceless pill… wasted.

But looking at Lin Yinyin’s innocent, trusting eyes, he couldn’t show his pain. He coughed, pretending nothing was wrong, and pulled out a stack of high-grade talismans and spirit stones.

“Take these too. For emergencies.”

Lin Yinyin beamed and swept the loot into her storage ring. Finally, the pleasant Ding! of the return notification rang in Zhang Xian’s mind, soothing his wounded wallet.

“Alright, Yinyin. Let’s head out.”

“Huh? Finished favoring your concubine already?” Lin Yinyin blinked innocently. “Brother, are you going to favor the next one now? Master is just next door.”

Zhang Xian choked on his own breath. He raised a hand to smack her again, but she giggled, shoved the door open, and sprinted back to her own room before he could retaliate.

Zhang Xian took a moment to compose himself in the hallway. He smoothed his robes, steadied his breathing, and gently knocked on Li Fuxi’s door.

“Come in.”

Her voice was calm. Too calm.

Zhang Xian entered. Li Fuxi sat upright on the bench by the window, the very picture of icy composure. But her hands, resting on her knees, were curled into tight fists. Her posture was rigid.

Seeing her trying so hard to be the dignified Master, Zhang Xian’s mischievous streak flared up again.

He sauntered forward, dropping his voice to a low, magnetic register.

“Fuxi…”

Li Fuxi shuddered visibly at the intimacy. Goosebumps rose on her pale neck. She scooted away from him on the bench, stammering. “Who… who allowed you to be so… so presumptuous?”

But her scolding died in her throat when she met his burning gaze. Overwhelmed, she looked away, coughing to cover her flush.

“Y-you saw the Founder at Penglai? Did she have instructions for you?”

Zhang Xian sat down next to her, encroaching on her personal space. “Yes. The Founder was very kind. She praised my aptitude as outstanding and said my future is limitless.”

Li Fuxi shot him a sideways glance that clearly screamed: I’d believe that when pigs fly.

“Stop speaking nonsense. The Founder is a supreme being; why would she flatter a junior like you?”

“Then why else would she bestow the precious [Primordial Creation Pills] upon me?”

Zhang Xian pulled out another pair of [United Heart Winged Pendants]. Ignoring her attempt to lean away, he reached out, took her left hand firmly in his, and pressed the jade into her warm palm.

“Master,” he said softly. “This is for you.”