Chapter 29: Would You Like a Spirit Fruit?

Xiao Jihan, focused on sword flight, suddenly lifted his gaze, meeting hers for a fleeting moment. Caught off guard by his look, especially as she was secretly watching him, Yan Shu felt a tinge of embarrassment and instinctively prepared to offer an awkward but polite smile.

However, as her lips curved halfway, she abruptly recalled the original character’s persona and quickly suppressed it. Just as she was about to feign indifference and withdraw her gaze, a voice transmitted to her mind: "Master, it would be best not to be so blatant!"

The clear tone carried a hint of restrained anger, leaving Yan Shu utterly confused. Blatant? What was she being blatant about?

She looked at him in bewilderment, only to see he had already turned away, his sword-like brows furrowed in impatience.

Understanding dawned on Yan Shu. She was so repulsive to him, yet kept glancing his way—no wonder he was annoyed.

Fine, she withdrew her gaze. He was the leader, he set the rules; as long as her favorability didn’t fall further, it didn’t matter.

As the sword flight continued, more and more fell behind. Many had exhausted their spiritual energy; Meng Yu and Sun Changfeng busied themselves, channeling energy to their juniors and offering words of encouragement, frantic in their efforts.

Eventually, even these two began to tire.

Liuzhi Qing, the most accomplished among them, sat on his flying sword as if nothing was amiss, not even slowing his pace, which drew complaints from the lagging disciples.

"I used to think among the elders, Elder Liu was the most approachable. Turns out, I was wrong!"

"Wuu wuu, Elder Liu and Elder Yan are so heartless."

"I thought I’d hunt monsters tonight, but clearly I was dreaming!"

Their voices reminded Yan Shu of her university days, during military training: the devilish instructors, vibrant students ground down until they wished to collapse on the spot, but when the whistle blew, everyone still struggled to their feet.

Times that once seemed painful now, in retrospect, had become cherished memories.

Yan Shu’s lips curved slightly. Third Senior Brother had real potential as a devil instructor.

The sunset’s glow draped over her, as if cloaking her in rosy silk. Her face, fair as jade, was dusted with dimples, her eyes like autumn lakes veiled in mist, and her small lips tilted up, holding both charm and mischievousness.

Though her aura was ethereal and cool, she seemed, in that moment, a playful celestial maiden accidentally wandering the mortal realm.

At some point, the group had grown disorganized. Many had stopped, causing those behind to stumble into them. No one complained, questioned, or spoke; all quietly held their breath, gazing at the beautiful figure seated atop her wide sword.

Only Xiao Jihan glanced twice before withdrawing his gaze, his brows tightening.

Liuzhi Qing’s mildly irate voice suddenly echoed beside each ear: "Have you stared long enough?"

The disciples snapped to attention and hastily reformed their ranks, resuming flight.

After much stumbling, they finally reached the foot of the mountain before sunset.

By now, thoughts of hunting monsters had faded; even the golden core disciples showed signs of exhaustion, longing only to sit and recover their energy—they’d have to fly another day tomorrow.

Meng Yu was equally tired, but did not rest. He found an open space, produced tables and stools from his storage pouch, and set out a plate of spirit fruits.

The disciples, seeing this, couldn’t help but whisper, "Uncle Meng travels in such style!"

"Wonder who will be lucky enough to become Uncle Meng’s Dao companion."

Among them, Pang Feiyan heard this and glanced at Meng Yu: "Don’t bother. It won’t be any of us."

"We’re just admiring and envying Uncle Meng’s future partner," another replied.

Meng Yu ignored their chatter. He simply looked toward the elegant figure not far away, then, with a hint of nervousness, approached Yan Shu and Liuzhi Qing, saying, "Elders, please rest over here."

Liuzhi Qing eyed the table and laughed, "You’re about to become a peak master; there’s no need to fuss like this."

Meng Yu said nothing, only glanced briefly at Yan Shu before politely repeating, "Elders, please."

Seeing his insistence, Liuzhi Qing did not argue, stepping over to the table, and Yan Shu, sensing Meng Yu’s meticulousness was mostly for her sake—no, for the original character—followed.

The book never explained how Meng Yu’s feelings for the original developed, leaving Yan Shu uncertain how to handle it.

If her life were not at risk, if she were not forced to stay by Xiao Jihan’s side as his reserve sustenance, she wouldn’t mind trying things with Meng Yu. After all, there was no returning home; Meng Yu’s looks and temperament were outstanding, sincere and devoted. She’d lose nothing by falling in love.

Sadly, her own survival was precarious; no matter how excellent the man, he had nothing to do with her now.

Yan Shu took a seat with Liuzhi Qing, who then beckoned, "You sit too, Meng Yu. Changfeng, join us."

Meng Yu glanced at Yan Shu’s calm expression and took the seat beside her.

Liuzhi Qing picked up a spirit fruit and remarked, "It should rain tonight."

Sun Changfeng laughed, "These disciples are in for a rough time again."

Meng Yu smiled at this, and Yan Shu, not understanding their inside joke, didn’t ask; she just ate her fruit slowly.

Spirit fruits, like spirit rice, melted instantly on the tongue, their sweet juice flooding her belly, prompting her to take a second.

Meng Yu watched her eyes curve in satisfaction, his lips unconsciously mirroring her smile.

Groups of disciples sat in meditation, cultivating, while Xiao Jihan remained alone on a distant patch of ground, apart from the crowd—like a traveler pausing briefly.

He lifted his gaze toward Yan Shu, who was eating fruit, her curved brows clearly content. Beside her, Meng Yu, gentle as ever, let his eyes linger on her, lips curving whenever she smiled.

A strange irritation stirred in Xiao Jihan’s heart; several attempts to meditate left him restless.

Sensing his gaze, Yan Shu looked back, seeing him with closed eyes, brows tightly drawn.

Favorability: -42 (Disgust).

Hatred was not far off.

Yan Shu’s hand froze around the fruit. She looked at it, then at Xiao Jihan’s frown—could it be...

He was angry because he hadn’t gotten any fruit?

Regardless of the cause, she couldn’t let his favorability drop further; she had to raise it somehow.

After considering for a moment, Yan Shu picked up a fruit and walked toward him.

Her movement drew all eyes, and as she approached Xiao Jihan, she spoke softly, "You’ve expended a lot of spiritual energy today. Would you like a spirit fruit to replenish yourself?"