Chapter 8: The Blade-Blocking Beloved Returned from Death (Part Seven)

At night, Tu Shanxi lay in bed, pondering her next move. Before she could reach any conclusion, the system beside her began incessantly reporting the heroine’s favorability ratings.

[Favorability 13%, 8%, 15%…]

Listening to the fluctuating scores, Tu Shanxi’s train of thought was thoroughly disrupted.

“System, are you sure there’s no error?”

[Host!] The system sounded aggrieved, the little orb snuggling closer to her. [Host, I am professional and genuine, with quality assurance—how can you doubt me?]

Seeing its pitiful demeanor, Tu Shanxi quickly said, “Fine, fine, you’re authentic. But what’s going on with these favorability ratings?”

[Host, perhaps the heroine is conflicted about whether you’re truly a good person. At least the current score is positive—after all your effort these days, you’ve finally achieved something.]

Unlike the system’s optimism, Tu Shanxi was less cheerful.

“My behavior and attitude today should have made Xiyun distinguish me from Qingyuan, so what should I do next?”

[Just keep being good to her. If you treat the heroine well, she’ll surely feel it. Isn’t there a saying among humans—‘a sincere heart exchanges for another sincere heart’?]

Tu Shanxi sat up, troubled, “What you say isn’t wrong, but what does Xiyun need right now?”

[Having just endured such pain, she surely needs care and love the most.]

Her expression changed in surprise. “Love?”

The system, oblivious to the weight of its words, cheerfully explained: [Yes, exactly! Just treat her as your little sister, care for her, let her know she’s not alone, that she still has ties in this world. That’s precisely what the male lead did.]

A simple sentence enlightened Tu Shanxi. She replayed all the plotlines and realized it was indeed so.

The male lead’s method was to give a slap and then a sweet date, causing the heroine to keep hypnotizing herself that he truly cared for her. It was only due to “my” malicious instigation that he was misled and acted this way towards her. Until the heroine was pushed into the demon realm, she finally despaired and began her path to darkness.

“It seems we can borrow the male lead’s approach. Though the methods are less than ideal, they’re undeniably effective according to the plot.”

As she spoke the last few words, a cold glint flashed in Tu Shanxi’s eyes.

As a child, Xiyun not only suffered the destruction of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan, but also wandered without a single friend to confide in, let alone elders to guide her. In such circumstances, if a great hero who saved the cultivation world suddenly declared he owed her a debt of gratitude and would treat her well for life, it was only natural she would be deceived.

“Since I’m here and have this opportunity, do you think I should help her become the new leader of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan?”

System: [Huh? Is there such a thing as a clan leader for the Nine-Tailed Foxes?]

Tu Shanxi shot a glare. “It’s not a thing!”

[Eh?]

While chaos reigned on their side, Xiyun, separated only by a wall, had already fallen into a deep sleep. The favorability rating, which had been fluctuating all night, finally settled at 15%.

“There’s a result, so let’s sleep. No more waiting.”

The system, having come to understand its host’s obsession with sleep over the past few days, nodded obediently. [Alright, host, sweet dreams.]

As expected, Tu Shanxi nodded in satisfaction, pulled the quilt over herself, and prepared to sleep.

Yet, in a haze between dreaming and waking, she suddenly opened her eyes, startling the system.

[What’s wrong, host? Why aren’t you sleeping?]

“System, did I ever ask you about the time limit for this task?”

[Huh?] The system was stunned for a few seconds before replying, [For the novice world, there’s no time limit. As long as the host completes the task, you may leave at any time.]

“How is task failure determined?”

[If the male and female leads follow the plot I provided to the end, and the host hasn’t completed the task, the system will judge it as a failure.]

“I see,” Tu Shanxi nodded thoughtfully. “So, as long as the task is completed at any point before the finale, it counts?”

[That’s correct.]

Receiving its affirmation, Tu Shanxi finally closed her eyes in peace. “I understand.”

What does she understand?

The system wanted to ask, but seeing Tu Shanxi preparing to sleep, it didn’t dare interrupt.

What if the host hits me?

……………………………………

Xiyun woke up close to lunchtime, surprised she’d slept so long.

Just as she prepared to daze for a while, a familiar male voice sounded beside her.

“Since you’re awake, don’t just sit there daydreaming.”

“How are you here?” Xiyun stared in disbelief at the man before her, murderous intent flashing in her eyes. “You dare show yourself to me?”

In contrast to her agitation, Qingyuan seemed indifferent. “Why wouldn’t I dare? I told you before, you saved my life—I won’t let you die.”

He looked Xiyun up and down, his tone cold. “You’re still alive, aren’t you? Name your price—how many spirit stones, or what rare weapon?”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? A transaction. You saved me, didn’t you hope to get something in return?”

Qingyuan stepped closer to her bedside. Xiyun instinctively retreated, defensive. Watching her reaction, Qingyuan stopped, gazing down at her.

“I’m willing to bargain now. Speak, what do you want?”

Xiyun found his words incomprehensible. “I want you dead! Who cares about your spirit stones and treasures? If I’d known saving you would lead to this, I should’ve let you die right there!”

At her last words, Qingyuan’s usually composed face finally cracked.

He leaned in, his expression sinister as he pinched Xiyun’s face, voice icy. “Regret it now? Too late. You have no escape. Two options—either I kill you now, or I send you off with a pile of spirit stones. Choose.”

Xiyun struggled to break free, but to no avail. Her cheeks were pinched painfully. She stared steadfastly at Qingyuan. “Kill me? Do you even dare?”

“A mere fox demon who hasn’t transcended the heavenly tribulation—do you think I can’t kill you?”

“Then how will you explain to your precious senior sister? I’m an injured patient—how could I suddenly disappear?”

She laughed lowly, though her face was contorted from his grip, making her look wretched.

“Go ahead and kill me. Your senior sister knows my situation best, especially now that she feels guilty towards me. If anything happens to me, do you think she’ll suspect you first?”

A fierce glint flashed in Qingyuan’s eyes. “You’re threatening me.”

“How could I? I’m simply telling you the truth.”