Wang Qiaoqiao’s heart constricted like a fist, but she forced her face to remain a mask of calm.

“Naturally, I know.”

Chen Xingze’s lips curled into a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Enough nonsense. I came today to ask you: What exactly is the origin of this Danyangzi? And how did you come to know him?”

Here it comes!

Wang Qiaoqiao felt her heart leap into her throat. The pressure in the courtyard seemed to drop ten degrees.

What should she say?

Should she tell the truth? That Danyangzi was merely a front for Zhou Kai? Should she mention that Zhou Kai’s dantian was healed, his sword wounds vanished?

No. Absolutely not!

Zhou Kai was playing a dangerous game. He was flaunting his skills yet hadn’t contacted her. That meant he was keeping her at a distance for a reason—likely to protect her.

Yes, that must be it. He’s shielding me, just like before, letting me profit from the sidelines!

If she revealed the truth and ruined his plans, the promised spot in Calamity Abyss Valley and her hope of Foundation Establishment would vanish like smoke in the wind.

But how could she handle Chen Xingze?

Seeing her hesitation, Chen Xingze’s gaze grew icy. “What? Is it difficult to answer? Or do you and that Danyangzi have some unspeakable secret between you?”

An invisible weight pressed down on her shoulders.

Wang Qiaoqiao’s mind raced, weighing her survival.

Chen Xingze was arrogant, conceited, and cold-blooded. Even if she became his concubine, what future would she have? She would be a decorative vase, struggling for scraps of resources, discarded the moment her beauty faded.

Her family had sold her to him to climb the social ladder. No one cared if she lived or died.

But Zhou Kai…

He had a low-grade Spirit Root, true. But his alchemy was terrifying. He held secrets deep enough to drown in. And most importantly… he had made a promise.

I’ll take the gamble!

Wang Qiaoqiao made her choice in the space of a breath. Rather than pinning her hopes on a heartless tyrant, she would bet her life on the rogue alchemist.

She raised her head, her eyes wide with feigned panic and sincerity.

“You misunderstand, Young Master Chen! Senior Danyangzi is an alchemy master I met by sheer luck. It’s just… the Senior seemed to be fleeing from enemies before. He couldn’t show himself openly. That’s why he used me to sell pills on his behalf.”

“Oh? Enemies?” Chen Xingze raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

Wang Qiaoqiao nodded vigorously.

“Yes! Half a month ago, Senior Danyangzi told me his enemies had been dealt with. That’s why he felt safe enough to set up his furnace in the market and build good karma.”

The lie was seamless. In the cultivation world, vendettas were as common as rain. Powerful experts hiding their identities was a tale as old as time.

Chen Xingze scrutinized her face, searching for any crack in her facade. Wang Qiaoqiao lowered her eyelids, adopting the fragile, submissive demeanor of a frightened woman.

After a long, tense silence, Chen Xingze’s shoulders relaxed.

“So, you’re saying you don’t know his specific origins or his lineage?”

Wang Qiaoqiao gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile. “How could someone of my lowly status dare to pry into a Senior Expert’s affairs? Being allowed to run errands for him was already my greatest honor.”

Chen Xingze nodded, accepting the logic.

“Good!” His tone dripped with condescending arrogance. “Qiaoqiao, if this Danyangzi can truly refine a Foundation Establishment Pill for me… then I, Chen Xingze, will show you a bit more affection in the future.”

A bit more affection?

Wang Qiaoqiao sneered inwardly.

That’s his grand reward? Crumbs of ‘affection’?

She was now certain her gamble was correct. Relying on Chen Xingze was a path to a slow, miserable death.

On the surface, however, she looked overwhelmed with gratitude. She bowed gracefully. “Thank you for your favor, Young Master Chen.”

Chen Xingze hummed in satisfaction, asked a few more trivial questions, and then turned to leave.

As his figure disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, the mask of docility vanished from Wang Qiaoqiao’s face. Her eyes were cold, hard flint.

Night fell, draping the market in shadows.

Zhou Kai returned to his small courtyard, the hum of the day fading behind him.

In the corner of the garden, Lin Zhiwei was squatting by a patch of soil, tending to several spirit herbs with delicate care.

“Miss Lin is still gardening? Where are the others?” Zhou Kai asked casually as he sat at the stone table.

Lin Zhiwei stood up, wiping her hands. “Fellow Daoist Zhou is back. The two younger sisters went to the market together. They said they wanted to buy some demon beast meat for dinner.”

Zhou Kai nodded. “Have you gotten used to living here these past two weeks?”

“I have. Sister Ziyi treats me very well; we get along wonderfully.” Lin Zhiwei paused, seemingly searching for the right words. “Sister Ziqing… is also very lovely.”

Zhou Kai nearly choked on a laugh.

Lovely? That girl Chen Ziqing is a master manipulator. Her “Green Tea” skills are at the Grandmaster level. Only someone as pure as Lin Zhiwei would think she’s just ‘lively and cute’.

He kept his face neutral.

“That’s good. Regarding your elder brother’s matter… Zhao Tieshan lives right next door. If you want to talk about it, I can invite him over now so you can discuss it face-to-face?”

Lin Zhiwei’s eyes dimmed instantly. “I don’t know… Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you think I should tell him?”

Here we go again.

The girl had a masterful skill for dodging decisions. Zhou Kai decided it was time for some tough love.

“Miss Lin, look—once again, it falls on me to decide. Shouldn’t it be up to you whether or not to inform your brother’s friend about his death?”

He leaned forward, his voice firm.

“Ziyi and I promised Uncle Sun we would look after you for twenty years. But what about after those twenty years? You can’t rely on others to make decisions for you your entire life. The path of cultivation is solitary; ultimately, you must decide how to walk it yourself.”

The words struck Lin Zhiwei like a physical blow. She swayed slightly, looking dazed.

Twenty years…

Yes, only twenty years. She had instinctively avoided thinking about the deadline.

She had relied on her brother. Then on Uncle Sun. Now on Zhou Kai and Chen Ziyi.

But when the contract ended? Fellow Daoist Zhou and Ziyi would have fulfilled their duty. Where would she go? The cultivation world was a meat grinder. How long would a naive formation master survive alone?

Fellow Daoist Zhou said the path is my own… Perhaps choosing a powerful and reliable person to rely on IS the best path I can choose!

Her gaze drifted to Zhou Kai.

He sat there, calm and composed. He was mysterious. Resourceful. Powerful. He had treated her and Ziyi with respect. And more importantly… he didn’t seem to dislike her.

Since he wants me to decide… then I will make the most important decision of my life right now!

She took a deep breath, walked over to stand directly in front of him, and bowed deeply.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou. I’ve made up my mind.”

“Oh?” Zhou Kai raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden intensity in her voice.

“I am willing to sign another spirit contract with Fellow Daoist Zhou and Sister Ziyi. Not for twenty years. But for a lifetime!”

Lin Zhiwei lifted her head. Her eyes burned with a desperate determination.

“If Fellow Daoist Zhou can ensure my safety for a lifetime… this humble woman, Lin Zhiwei, vows to dedicate all my knowledge of formations to you. I will go through fire and water without a single thought of betrayal!”

Zhou Kai blinked. He was genuinely stunned.

She took my advice… but applied it in a very unexpected direction.

His mind raced, calculating the benefits. A loyal, talented formation master for life? That was invaluable.

However, he couldn’t just accept immediately. It would look desperate.

“I’m sorry, Miss Lin. I have no doubt about your talent and mastery in formations.”

He paused, his tone gentle but firm.

“But a lifetime is too long. I am only willing to bear such a heavy responsibility for those I love, and those who love me. The agreement between us remains twenty years.”

Lin Zhiwei flinched as if slapped. The light in her eyes died instantly.

“Mhm.”

She lowered her head, her cheeks flushing with shame.

Stupid. How could I forget? Fellow Daoist Zhou already has Dao Companions. Plural.

In his eyes, my offer must look like a cheap attempt to throw myself at him. Just another woman trading her body and skills for protection. He must despise me.

The silence in the courtyard grew thick and awkward.

Zhou Kai watched her, suppressing a smirk. He possessed the [Beauty Bonding System]. Did she really think he would push away a beauty offering herself on a silver platter?

His rejection was calculated. It was meant to stir her emotions, to create tension, to make her want it more.

Now that the pot was simmering, he prepared to deliver the hook.

He opened his mouth, ready to say something smooth like, “Miss Lin, if you truly trust me, perhaps there is another arrangement we could discuss…”

Creeeak—

The courtyard gate groaned open.

Zhou Kai frowned, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. Why now?

Two graceful figures breezed into the courtyard, their voices arriving before they did.

“Husband!” Gentle, virtuous Ziyi.

“Brother Zhou!” Sweet, charming Ziqing.

“Brother Zhou! Sister Lin! Guess what we just saw?”