Again?

As the notification chimed in his mind, a shooting star streaked across the starry canvas above, trailing a blazing tail of heavenly fire before plummeting toward the earth.

BOOM!

A deafening crash echoed through the mountains. Relying on his years of experience as a hunter, Zhang Shan instantly pinpointed the impact site: just two li to the west.

“Nangong Yao? Is it really a person falling from the sky?” he mused. “And this time, the System even gave me a Heavenly Fate score… There’s no way I’m not checking this out.”

After being tricked by the System for so many years, Zhang Shan remained surprisingly calm.

He made a sharp gesture to silence Xiao Hei. She understood immediately—this wasn’t the time for fooling around. With practiced ease, she flipped off the roof and reappeared moments later, carrying a woven basket on her back, two short daggers tucked at her waist, and clutching the wooden bow Brother Shan was accustomed to using.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shan had geared up, gripping a steel fishing spear in his hand. Together, the two dashed toward the crash site.

In no time at all, they arrived at a stream. The once-familiar landscape had been utterly transformed, the earth scorched and charred black. And there, leaning against a rocky outcrop, lay a slender figure.

The moment Zhang Shan laid eyes on the woman, his heart skipped a beat.

She was young, seemingly no older than twenty, with an exquisite figure and breathtaking beauty. Though her face bore a faint, sickly pallor, she was more stunning than any celebrity Zhang Shan had ever seen in his previous life. Her cascading hair flowed freely in the wind, strands clinging softly to her neck, accentuating her skin’s icy, translucent glow.

Her white robes, scorched by heavenly fire, were tattered and torn, revealing glimpses of alabaster skin marred by several deep, crimson wounds. She stood barefoot, her delicate arches graceful yet stained with dirt and blood.

This ravaged appearance was almost too much for Zhang Shan to bear. A wave of heat surged straight to his crown, nearly overwhelming him. Had he not been mentally prepared, he might have lost all composure right then and there.

【Ding! Nangong Yao’s Favorability toward you is -1. Binding successful.】

Zhang Shan nearly burst into tears on the spot.

Thank goodness he hadn’t rushed to “inoculate” Xiao Hei yesterday! Otherwise, what would he be but a beast?

A living, breathing Heavenly Fate beauty had fallen right into his lap—what a gift from the System!

Xiao Hei, standing beside him, was equally mesmerized. She’d never seen anyone so beautiful in her entire life.

But Zhang Shan quickly regained his vigilance. This exquisite woman had fallen from the sky like a meteor, yet appeared completely intact. A faint, golden aura enveloped her body, radiating a gentle warmth. All signs pointed to her being a cultivator—or even an Immortal.

The cultivation world was notorious for its ruthless nature. One couldn’t afford to be deceived by a dazzling exterior. What if she was a merciless demoness?

The woman had noticed the two wild figures long ago. She hadn’t expected to find mortals in these vast, desolate mountains. But these two posed no threat to her. With a soft exhale, she spoke gently, “Do you happen to have any water or food?”

“Ah… yes, we do!” Xiao Hei was the first to react, scrambling to pull an oil-paper package from her bag.

Zhang Shan didn’t stop her. This woman could crush him as easily as swatting a fly. All he could do was curry favor for now and see how things unfolded.

After nibbling on some wild vegetable cakes and sipping a few mouthfuls of spring water, the woman gradually regained her strength, circulating her Qi through several rounds of the Celestial Circuit.

Her name was Nangong Yao, an Elder of the renowned Yunmiao Sect, one of the most prestigious cultivation factions of the current era. She had ventured into a Secret Realm, only to suffer a catastrophic failure. She had barely managed to escape by burning her blood essence to unleash a life-saving technique.

The loss of a few mouthfuls of essence had cost her decades of cultivation progress, leaving Nangong Yao deeply disheartened. To her, these two individuals were nothing more than mountain savages. If they could communicate, that was fortunate; if they could offer her mundane food, even better—it might help her recover sooner.

But this vegetable cake was truly awful.

“I also have some medicinal herbs here, if you’re interested, my Lady.” Zhang Shan glanced at the woman’s bare feet, involuntarily swallowing hard. Those milky-white legs…

【Ding! Nangong Yao’s Favorability toward you decreases by 1. Current Favorability: -2.】

Nangong Yao frowned slightly, drawing her feet closer and suppressing the urge to strike him down with a single sword slash. “No need!” she snapped coldly.

She cast a sidelong glance at the rugged man. His physique suggested he was around thirty, riddled with hidden ailments. His Qi and blood were chaotic, and he was devoid of any Spiritual Roots. He likely didn’t have many years left to live.

Tch, utter trash.

Then her gaze shifted to the somewhat shy Xiao Hei beside him.

Hmm… this girl seems to be around fifteen, with abundant Qi and blood foundations. Wait… she actually possesses Spiritual Roots! Not just any roots—she has an exceptional Water Spirit Root! No, wait—there is also a trace of a Gold Spirit Root!

Nangong Yao occupied a high position and had encountered countless talented youths, but she had never met anyone as gifted as Xiao Hei. Even she found herself unable to fully fathom the girl’s potential.

If I could bring this girl into the sect, the rewards I’d receive might surpass everything I’ve gained from years of exploring Secret Realms combined! Nangong Yao felt a surge of excitement deep within her.

“Ahem… Little girl, what is your name?”

The fairy’s voice was as enchanting as her appearance. Xiao Hei was momentarily dazed. “M-me… my name is Zhang Lele.”

“Miss Lele, I will trouble you to bring me some food and fresh water over the next few days. I promise a generous reward afterward,” Nangong Yao said, trying her best to sound gentle.

Xiao Hei turned to Zhang Shan with a questioning look. The Fairy Sister was so beautiful; she felt terribly inadequate standing next to her.

“The Fairy can stay temporarily at my place with Lele—we—” Zhang Shan interjected.

“No need for that! Just Miss Lele will do.”

【Ding! Nangong Yao’s Favorability toward you decreases by 1. Current Favorability: -3.】

Damn it! This woman is far too arrogant! Zhang Shan seethed inwardly.

For the next half month, Nangong Yao rested by the riverside.

Zhang Shan went all out, even resorting to extreme measures. He slaughtered a mountain chicken to prepare a lavish lunch for Nangong Yao every day—a feast rivaling the grandest holiday meals. He even went to the riverbank to shave his beard and scrubbed his tattered clothes until they shone anew.

To finally bind a Daughter of Destiny, only to find himself unable to even approach her—it was ten thousand times worse than an aging eunuch visiting a brothel.

Zhang Shan was desperate—desperately so!

But his efforts weren’t entirely in vain. Over the course of half a month, he appeared before Nangong Yao five times, and her Favorability steadily dropped to -8 points.

Xiao Hei’s mood had also been rather sour these past few days. The Fairy Sister was beautiful and unpretentious, but she treated Brother Shan with such coldness.

The brother she’d admired for over ten years was now shamelessly fawning over the Fairy Sister, even offering her the finest cuts of meat! Humph! So angry!

And to make matters worse, the Fairy Sister treated Brother Shan with such icy indifference! Even angrier!!

Finally, one evening, Nangong Yao had fully recovered her strength.

It was time to return to the sect, and she decided to take Xiao Hei along.

Nangong Yao raised her hand and performed a magical incantation. A shimmering curtain of water appeared before her. She stepped lightly into the curtain, and when she emerged again, she found herself standing at the doorstep of Zhang Shan’s small thatched cottage.

At that very moment, Zhang Shan was sitting outside, bandaging his wounds. These past few days, he’d been preparing rich meat dishes for Nangong Yao daily, sustaining minor injuries from intense hunting expeditions. Xiao Hei sat beside him, pouting as she ground up a clump of dark, smelly herbs.

When Nangong Yao suddenly appeared before them, both Zhang Shan and Xiao Hei sprang to their feet.

“Thank you for your kindness these past few days. I have recovered almost completely and plan to depart today. Miss Lele, I sense you possess remarkable talent. I intend to take you back to the sect for cultivation,” Nangong Yao announced calmly, yet with an unmistakable tone that brooked no refusal.

“And what about Brother Shan?”

“He is merely an ordinary mortal, incapable of cultivation. Miss Lele, your talent is extraordinary; your future accomplishments will surely surpass even mine.”

Xiao Hei felt a sudden wave of tension and instinctively reached out to grasp Zhang Shan’s arm.

This scene displeased Nangong Yao greatly. Over the past few days, she had occasionally extended her Spiritual Awareness to Xiao Hei, discovering just how deeply dependent the girl was on Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan’s nature wasn’t entirely bad, but Nangong Yao could clearly perceive his underhanded intentions. Still, none of that mattered. His Qi and blood were chaotic, making him utterly unfit to refine spiritual energy. He was destined to remain unqualified for cultivation forever.

Xiao Hei took several deep breaths, then looked directly at Nangong Yao and said, “I—I can go with you for cultivation, but I have one condition: Brother Shan must come with us, even if he can’t cultivate.”

These words had been taught to her by Zhang Shan. She had no idea why he thought the Fairy Sister would take her for cultivation, but it turned out exactly as he’d predicted—Brother Shan was truly remarkable!

What a joke! A Daughter of Destiny recognized by the System! Of course Nangong Yao knows talent when she sees it.

Zhang Shan rejoiced inwardly. Over these past few days, he had envisioned countless scenarios and possibilities, for this was his only chance to leave the mountains. Besides, how could Xiao Hei, a Daughter of Destiny, truly spend her entire life cooped up in this wilderness?

Nangong Yao frowned slightly. This girl was incredibly gifted, yet utterly inexperienced and naive. Moreover, her particular lineage of cultivation was quite unique—how could she possibly remain entangled with an ordinary mortal?

“No.”

“Then I won’t go either!” Xiao Hei pouted again.

“You—” Nangong Yao flared up in anger. Here was an opportunity that tens of thousands applied for each year, yet this girl showed no appreciation for it.

Perhaps it would be simpler to just knock her unconscious and take her away! After all, once she experienced the splendor of the cultivation world, along with the other handsome and talented male disciples in the sect, she’d likely forget this mountain pig of a mortal in no time.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Zhang Shan suggested, “Why don’t you let Lele go with you for cultivation, and simply take me to the nearest city?”

He reasoned that once they were out of these mountains, anything could be negotiated.

Nangong Yao shook her head. “My sect resides far above the Celestial Threshold. Your chaotic Qi and blood wouldn’t survive even ten breaths there. Besides, within a thousand li radius, there isn’t a single city—this place is even more dangerous than these mountains.”

Seeing that Xiao Hei remained silent, Nangong Yao sighed softly. Zhang Lele’s talent was too extraordinary; her future achievements would undoubtedly be significant. She didn’t want to force the issue, lest she incur the girl’s resentment later.

So she continued, “How about this: Miss Lele, you come with me back to the sect. Within two years, I guarantee you will achieve Foundation Establishment. At that time, you can return whenever you wish. In addition, I will grant him a life of worldly wealth and prosperity.”

“No!” Xiao Hei stubbornly refused.

Just knock her unconscious already! Nangong Yao was furious.