Chapter 28: Devoted Fans Are Eternal

Unlike the blatant envy shown by the female disciples, the male disciples felt a sourness deep in their hearts. However, in front of Yan Shu, they dared not utter a word and could only express their disdain with a cold snort.

Xiao Jihan, who was meditating in concentration, naturally sensed Yan Shu’s arrival, but he still kept his eyes closed, not sparing her even a glance.

The air was filled with all kinds of discussion; unlike the humiliating talk of the morning, now their conversations revolved around Yan Shu’s favoritism toward him, their words laced with envy. Even the way some addressed him had changed—from that useless one to simply Xiao Jihan.

Xiao Jihan glanced at Yan Shu, his sword-like brows furrowing slightly before he closed his eyes again.

Yan Shu’s expression remained cool and aloof, though her heart was secretly pleased. The eyes of the masses are sharp; everyone could see that she favored Xiao Jihan. Surely, he too could sense her motherly affection, couldn’t he?

Thinking this, she quietly stole a glance at Xiao Jihan.

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Very well—the favorability rating did not rise, but fell.

Yan Shu withdrew her gaze, feeling speechless and choked.

“Ah, Senior Sister, did you see it? Yan Shu just looked at Xiao Jihan. That glance was like a thousand years in a single look!”

“I saw it! Yan Shu is always so cold, but she had such a gentle expression in her eyes. I’m dying of envy!”

“I wish Yan Shu would look at me like that, just once!”

Yan Shu: …

It seems, in every world, fangirls are an eternal species.

Meng Yu stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. “Master Yan.”

Yan Shu recognized him—Meng Yu, the eldest disciple of Wen Youhe, the successor of the sect leader, who would later become the master of Wuwang Peak.

He was the original host’s admirer; after her death, he was overcome by grief, his hair turning white overnight, vowing to hunt Xiao Jihan to the death.

He even succumbed to demonic cultivation for the sake of killing Xiao Jihan by his own hand—a gentle and refined senior brother, transformed into a demon cultivator hunted by the righteous path, dying tragically under a siege.

When reading the story, Yan Shu had always felt indignant; what virtue or ability did the original host possess to win such devotion?

Thinking of his fate, she felt a surge of pity and compassion, and replied softly, “No need for formalities.”

Meng Yu was slightly taken aback, a barely noticeable flash of joy in his eyes, quickly concealed as he straightened up and looked at Yan Shu. “Is Master Yan accompanying us to Lingnan Prefecture?”

Yan Shu nodded. “I have not left the sect for a long time. This is a good opportunity to venture out.”

At this moment, Liu Zhiqing approached, and Yan Shu shifted her gaze, calling out to him, “Senior Brother.”

Liu Zhiqing smiled. “It seems you’ve truly recovered, Junior Sister. In the past, when others asked questions, you would only give a curt reply. Now you actually converse.”

Having inadvertently broken character, Yan Shu quickly donned a cold expression, responding lightly, “People change.”

Liu Zhiqing didn’t mind, thinking she had overcome her inner demon and broadened her heart, and said with some relief, “This is good, Junior Sister.”

Hearing this, Yan Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her own temperament differed greatly from the original host’s aloof and proud nature; she would have to gradually change, allowing Liu Zhiqing and the others to adjust.

Meng Yu, listening beside them, asked with concern, “Was Master Yan previously unwell?”

Yan Shu’s struggle with her inner demon was a secret; apart from the late sect leader of Xuantian Sect, only the four peak masters knew. Liu Zhiqing had carelessly let slip, and now was unsure how to explain.

Yan Shu glanced at Meng Yu, seeing his concern, and replied, “I devised a method to channel lightning into my body. It caused some damage, but I am fully recovered now.”

Hearing this, Meng Yu relaxed. He wished to ask further about her injury, but recalling her cold nature, swallowed his words.

Her gentle reply today was already enough; he dared not ask for more lest he annoy her.

Xiao Jihan, who had kept his eyes closed, suddenly glanced at Yan Shu, then closed them again.

Sensing his gaze, Yan Shu looked back at him.

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Yan Shu: …

So, after being repulsed by her appearance, now her voice disgusted him as well?

Yan Shu looked up at the sky. Patience—just a few more days. Once he entered the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm, she would have ten years of freedom!

Liu Zhiqing called everyone to rise, addressing them in a clear voice. “At our current pace, two more hours will bring us to the border of Lingnan and Yun Prefectures. There lies towering mountains, home to many untamed beasts. Tonight we will rest at the foot of the mountain. If any of you are interested, you may venture into the mountains to hunt beasts and strengthen your cultivation.”

Though the beasts had not yet gained intelligence, they absorbed spiritual energy from heaven and earth. Their inner cores were rich in spiritual power, making them excellent supplements for cultivators.

Some inner cores could be refined into elixirs; even if one had no need for them, they could be exchanged for spirit stones.

On hearing this, everyone grew excited, eager for action.

Liu Zhiqing, watching their enthusiasm, shook his head slightly and said to Yan Shu in a low voice, “A bunch of reckless young rabbits—don’t they realize that after two hours’ journey, they’ll be exhausted? When we reach the border, they’ll have no strength left to hunt beasts.”

Yan Shu responded coolly, “Senior Brother, you cast the bait and now the fish are hooked—why blame them for being foolish?”

Liu Zhiqing was momentarily speechless, glaring at her. “Junior Sister, you were much cuter before.”

Yan Shu couldn’t help but reply, “Senior Brother, I’m nearly a hundred years old. ‘Cute’ hardly suits me.”

Liu Zhiqing chuckled. “In our eyes, no matter how many centuries pass, you are still the little girl with twin braids, trailing behind us.”

Looking at Liu Zhiqing’s smiling face, Yan Shu sighed inwardly. The original host had truly failed many people.

She raised her eyes to him. “Since I’m still a child to you, why not carry me?”

Liu Zhiqing was startled, then smiled with seven parts indulgence and three parts helplessness. “You just want to be lazy.”

Despite his words, Liu Zhiqing summoned his flying sword, enlarging it to fit two.

Yan Shu took her seat without hesitation, lowering her eyes as she watched his back.

No matter the reason, she could not let the tragedy of the original story come to pass!

Yan Shu glanced back at Xiao Jihan.

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Ah…

The road ahead is long.

The group set out again. Tempted by the promise of beasts, the disciples were energized as though injected with vitality.

But after an hour’s flight, some began to lag behind, falling to the rear.

Soon, the difference in cultivation became apparent. Those at the Golden Core stage maintained the pace, while those below lagged farther and farther behind.

Yan Shu watched Xiao Jihan, still at the very front, effortlessly keeping up, and was somewhat surprised.

Was the protagonist… no longer pretending?