The sight of Wei Zhaoli and Shen Xian walking away side by side struck the watching disciples like a thunderbolt.

Zhou Ming’s face was ashen, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, fingernails digging deep into his palms.

He stared fixedly at Shen Xian’s retreating back, the fury in his eyes almost boiling over.

“A trash in the Qi Refining Realm, what right does he have…”

He gnashed his teeth, yet dared not step forward to confront them directly.

Because he knew very well that given the other party’s status, even if Shen Xian was only in the Qi Refining Realm, he couldn’t openly mock or target him too blatantly.

Moreover, private duels were forbidden within the sect. If one wanted to issue a challenge for sparring, it had to be between those of the same realm, or a lower-realm cultivator could issue a challenge to someone of a higher realm.

Just then, a streak of light cut through the sky from afar and landed on the spot.

“Where is Senior Sister Zhaoli?”

A clear yet faintly anxious voice rang out. Everyone turned to look and saw Zhou Ziling had appeared.

He was a powerful figure among the inner sect disciples, quite prestigious. Many people cupped their hands in salute. Beyond that, he had long been infatuated with Wei Zhaoli, revering her as a goddess.

So, when he learned she had come toward Red Leaf Peak, he rushed over without delay.

“Cousin!” Seeing the newcomer, a flash of delight crossed Zhou Ming’s eyes as he hurried forward. “Senior Sister Zhaoli just left. She…”

Zhou Ziling frowned slightly. His gaze swept over the crowd, and seeing their strange expressions, suspicion immediately arose in his heart. “What happened?”

The other disciples exchanged glances, not daring to speak.

Zhou Ming gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, “Senior Sister Zhaoli just now… personally delivered medicine to that Shen Xian and… even asked him to go back with her.”

“What?!” Zhou Ziling’s pupils abruptly contracted, his face instantly darkening.

He stared fixedly in the direction Shen Xian had left, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as if he wanted to tear that retreating figure to shreds.

“Shen Xian? That Qi Refining Realm trash who got in through connections?”

Zhou Ming nodded, his eyes full of venom. “It’s him! Relying on the Shen Family’s backing, even Elder Sun treats him differently. Just now he was putting on airs, giving pointers on formations…”

Zhou Ziling let out a cold laugh, his tone icy. “A mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator is worthy of having Senior Sister Zhaoli personally deliver medicine?”

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging anger in his heart, but the chill in his eyes grew even more intense.

Wei Zhaoli had always been an unattainable existence in his mind. She was as cool and distant as the moon, untouched by worldly dust. Even someone like him, a core disciple, had never received even half a glance of favor from her.

Yet today, she actually took the initiative to approach trash?

“Cousin, their jade pendants resonated just now…” Zhou Ming cautiously added.

Hearing this, Zhou Ziling shuddered all over. A flash of killing intent passed through his eyes before vanishing.

“Betrothal tokens?”

He slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they had returned to calmness.

“Interesting.”

He turned and left. His retreating figure was as sharp as a blade’s edge, leaving behind only a faintly spoken sentence.

“I’d like to see what waves a Qi Refining Realm cultivator can stir up in this Divine Wood Sect.”

Zhou Ming watched his departing back, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

He knew his cousin was angry now.

And Shen Xian… was dead for sure.

Shen Xian and Wei Zhaoli walked side by side along the small path on Green Bamboo Peak. Verdant bamboo surrounded them on all sides. A gentle breeze brushed past, rustling the bamboo leaves.

Wei Zhaoli’s pace was slightly faster than usual, as if she was eager to leave everyone’s sight.

She kept her head slightly lowered; the tips of her ears still carried a faint blush. Clearly, her bold act of actively delivering medicine in front of everyone earlier was an extremely daring move for her.

Shen Xian glanced at her from the side, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Why did Miss Wei suddenly come to deliver medicine today?”

Wei Zhaoli’s steps paused slightly. She pursed her lips, her voice still cool and distant. “Father instructed me to take more care of you.”

Shen Xian raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Uncle Wei is so concerned about me?”

Wei Zhaoli shot him a glance. Seeing the teasing smile in his eyes, she immediately understood he was joking with her and couldn’t help but give a light humph. “You’re new here and unfamiliar with the sect. I’m merely fulfilling my duties as a host.”

Shen Xian smiled without saying more; his gaze fell on the medicine bottle in his hand. “Did you refine this Heart-Clearing Pill yourself?”

Wei Zhaoli nodded. “Mn. I refined it during my spare time. It helps somewhat in regulating spiritual energy.”

Shen Xian smiled. “It is impolite not to reciprocate a gift. I’ll give you something too.”

The system cooldown had long since ended. Since they were meeting today anyway, it was just right for gifting and returns.

With that said, he raised his hand. Spiritual light flickered in his palm as an ancient-looking golden hairpin materialized before them. Adorned with plum blossoms dotting its surface, it looked quite extraordinary at first glance.

“This item is too precious,” Wei Zhaoli instinctively wanted to refuse.

After all, her Heart-Clearing Pill wasn’t anything particularly valuable; there was no need for the other party to attach such importance to it.

“Whether something is precious or not depends on who it’s given to. I think it suits you perfectly,” Shen Xian said with a light smile.

These words were meant to allow her to accept this gift with peace of mind. But falling on Wei Zhaoli’s ears, they sounded like sweet nothings instead, causing her heart to flutter slightly.

She kept her head lowered, trying her best not to let him see her expression. In the end, she still accepted the golden hairpin.

[Host gifts Dao Companion high-grade magic treasure Cold Plum Reflecting Snow Hairpin. Received fifty-fold blessing return. Reward: High-grade spiritual treasure Nine Orifices Exquisite Needle. Claim?]

The gift return succeeded; Shen Xian was quite pleased.

As the two chatted idly about this and that on their walk toward the courtyard house on Green Bamboo Peak, Shen Xian focused his attention on this mid-grade spiritual treasure.

This object was entirely crystalline white like jade, fine as a hair, three inches and three-tenths long, with starlight faintly swirling at its needle tip. The needle tail was adorned with a Lingxi Pearl within which nine fine lines were contained, corresponding to nine types of restriction-breaking transformations.

Light as nothing, it could transform between intangible and tangible according to one’s will, easily hidden within hair or sleeves.

Its main function was breaking formations, able to perceive weaknesses in magic arrays and specializing against complex formations. It could be considered a formidable tool for breaking arrays.

Unconsciously, they had already arrived at their residence.

By the courtyard wall, Xiao Bai lay lazily basking in the sun on a stone table. Hearing footsteps, its ears twitched slightly.

Seeing it, Wei Zhaoli’s eyes filled with affection, yet she did not approach. Instead, unhurriedly, she took out a small jade vial from her sleeve and poured out a white pill.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted out. Xiao Bai’s nose twitched, and its eyes opened.

Wei Zhaoli brought the pill before it.

“This is medicine specifically for spirit beasts,” Wei Zhaoli said softly.

After seeing this little fellow during that previous visit to the Shen Family, she had prepared this type of medicine early on. Now, it came in handy.

Xiao Bai looked at the pill and swallowed it in one gulp, feeling quite comfortable and satisfied. Even its usual aloof, keep-away-from-strangers expression softened considerably.

Beside them, Shen Xian watched quietly, feeling that this Dao Companion by his side was truly thoughtful and considerate, even better than he had imagined.

Afterward, the two entered the courtyard. Shen Xian brewed her a cup of cloud tea, then sat down on the lounge chair, chatting with her.

Wei Zhaoli sat upright and proper, yet with smiling eyes, responding one by one.

Knock, knock, knock—

Just then, knocking sounded at the courtyard gate.