Chapter 12: The Blade-Blocking White Moonlight, Returned from the Dead (Part Eleven)

Xiyun looked at Tushan Xi in bewilderment. “Sister Tushan, could you say that again? Did you just say you don't have a sense of direction?”

Tushan Xi nodded, her face bearing a hint of innocence. “That's right, I have no sense of direction, especially in unfamiliar places. So if you ever leave, you have to show me exactly which way to go. Otherwise, when you return, you might not be able to find me.”

Xiyun was astonished. “You must be joking! Then how did you make it through all those secret realms before?”

“Oh, that? If there’s a formation, I just follow the path of life. As for the other secret realms, they’re even simpler; you just keep going straight until you can’t anymore. That’s how those places are designed.”

“That… That works?”

Compared to Xiyun’s shock, Tushan Xi seemed quite experienced and nodded knowingly. “Of course, that’s how I’ve always done it. But don’t imitate me—it’s not a good habit. I can get away with it because I’ve braved so many dangers that I’ve developed a certain sensitivity, and I know a bit of divination.”

“If not for that one flaw, I’d have died hundreds of times by now.”

Xiyun nodded obediently. “I understand.”

After a while, as their conversation drifted on, Xiyun suddenly grew curious. “Sister, since you’ve already experienced a lifetime of cultivation, why not start cultivating again?”

At these words, Tushan Xi raised an eyebrow, then burst into laughter a moment later. “Little Xiyun, I endured so much hardship in the past, pushing myself to the limit, just to be of some use in that great war. But now the world is at peace, the seas are calm, and the rivers clear; I really don’t want to torment myself anymore. Besides, after dying once, what I want most now is a simple, quiet life. I have no desire to struggle on.”

Tushan Xi’s words were so open-hearted that Xiyun couldn’t help but admire her.

Yet in truth, her body could no longer cultivate at all.

Because in the original world, the previous owner had always clung to the male lead, needing to appear weak to trigger his protective instincts and to continually drive a wedge between him and the female lead. Because of this, her body was restricted by the laws of Heaven, making her unable to cultivate.

But there was no need to explain any of this to Xiyun. She only needed to be herself.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring cave, “What? It wasn’t enough that you’ve been at Xiyun’s side all this time, and now you want to go with her to Fanged Mountain? That place is remote and desolate, crawling with wild beasts—what’s the point of going there?”

Qingyuan was losing his temper inside the room. What was so special about this Xiyun that had his senior sister treating her so favorably, to the point that he, her own junior, was being pushed aside?

The old yellow dog, having taken on human form, leaned against the wall, watching him with amusement.

“Enough. If you really can’t bear to be apart from your senior sister, just go with her. There’s nothing pressing going on right now—a month or two of travel won’t be an issue.”

Hearing this, Qingyuan only grew more dejected. “Senior sister won’t let me go. She said Xiyun is afraid of me, and if I go too, Xiyun definitely won’t enjoy herself. She’s warned me again and again not to tag along. If I scare Xiyun, she’ll make me pay for it when she gets back.”

The old yellow dog rolled his eyes. “Honestly, you should’ve listened to me last time—just lock her up and kick that Xiyun out.”

Qingyuan sighed, sounding more anxious than ever. “Then senior sister would surely hate me.”

Seeing him so distressed, the old yellow dog straightened up, walked over, and patted him on the shoulder with a sigh. “Qingyuan, your cultivation has come a long way, but in matters of the heart, you’re still so naïve. All right, since you’ve helped me out before, I’ll give you another piece of advice.”

“Please, senior.”

“You’re her junior brother, and your bond is deep. If you act pitiful and show your vulnerable side, how could she not soften toward you? Once she does, you can suggest going with them to Fanged Mountain on the grounds that you’re worried for their safety. Say you’ll set up protective formations and leave once you’re sure everything is secure.”

The old yellow dog’s words struck Qingyuan like a bolt of lightning, jolting him awake. He looked up. “Senior, will that really work?”

“Of course. Trust me—women are soft-hearted, especially when you two are so close. Do you really think she’d abandon her own junior brother over someone with a distant blood tie?”

Qingyuan mulled this over. The old yellow dog continued, “Once you’re at Fanged Mountain, how long you can stay depends on your own abilities. But there’s one thing you mustn’t forget.”

“What is it?”

“Play the victim, understand? Women always have more sympathy and tolerance for the weak. The reason your senior sister dotes on Xiyun is because she’s weak and you’re strong. If she realizes you’re fragile too, do you think she’ll keep siding with Xiyun?”

“You make a good point, senior. My sister has always had more patience for the sick and frail. Maybe I really should give it a try?”

…

“Senior sister, please let me go with you! Fanged Mountain is extremely dangerous. If I accompany you, I can set up formations for protection, and once I make sure everything’s fine, I’ll leave. I promise I won’t do anything to Xiyun. Senior sister, please let me come along! Ever since I became the Supreme, I’ve been cleaning up the remnants of the demon realm and rebuilding the celestial world—never a moment’s rest. Now, I finally have some free time. Senior sister, let me go with you. I’ve been stuck in this cold Thirty-Third Heaven for seven or eight thousand years. I really don’t want to stay any longer.”

Tushan Xi, who had been gathering herbs, stared dumbfounded at the pitiful, wheedling Qingyuan before her.

Wasn’t the male lead supposed to be a cold, ruthless type who would lock people up at the slightest provocation? Who was this man acting so spoiled in front of her?

Could it be that the male lead had been possessed too?

[Host, don’t overthink it. You’re the only outsider in this world—all the other characters are the originals!]

“All right.”

She withdrew her thoughts and said to the pleading Qingyuan, “I already told you that I can’t make this decision alone. Go and ask Xiyun. If she agrees, then so will I.”

Qingyuan’s expression froze. It was one thing to show weakness in front of his senior sister—he liked her, after all, and showing vulnerability before someone you love isn’t a big deal. But who was Xiyun, really? To humiliate himself in front of her—she wasn’t worth it!

“Senior sister…”

He wanted to argue further, but Tushan Xi shook her head firmly. “No. This trip was originally just for me and Xiyun. If I were to add you in, I’d have to let her know in advance. Otherwise, if she sees you on the day we leave, she’ll be upset. Given your history, if you two get into trouble, who am I supposed to side with?”

“Senior sister, I swear I won’t lay a finger on Xiyun. If I do, if I…” Qingyuan glanced around in frustration, finally blurting out, “If I so much as touch a hair on Xiyun’s head, may I lose all my cultivation and become an ordinary mortal again!”

No sooner had he made his oath than Tushan Xi shot him a warning look. “Don’t speak nonsense—some things should never be said. This is not up for discussion. If you want to go, speak to Xiyun yourself. Only if she agrees will I consent.”

Seeing her so resolute, Qingyuan didn’t dare say more. After bidding her farewell, he left—presumably to find Xiyun.

[Host, why didn’t you just refuse the male lead directly?]

“In the plot, isn’t the male lead supposed to end up with the female lead? I want them to interact and bond—otherwise, what if I mess things up?”

Hearing this, the system suddenly understood. [That makes sense. In the original story, it was the host’s constant antics that made the male lead start to pity the female lead. Now that you’re here, you won’t let the female lead suffer. Letting them spend time together is the best way.]

“Exactly. And if things don’t work out, the female lead will still see that I respect her wishes. Her favorability toward me can only increase.”

With this thought, Tushan Xi’s confidence soared. “Her favorability is already at thirty percent—we’re getting closer to our goal every day.”