She abandoned the original owner’s flashy clothes and habit of wandering around the sect. Day after day, she remained inside her courtyard, either sitting in meditation as she circulated her cultivation technique or studying the cultivation manuals the original Su Wan had left behind. During those fifteen days, she hardly stepped outside her gate.
Whenever disciples happened to pass by, they were astonished to see the once arrogant and domineering junior sister quietly shutting herself away to cultivate. Before long, whispers spread throughout the sect.
Most assumed that the demon beast which had nearly killed her had frightened her so badly that it had changed her personality.
Su Wan occasionally caught bits and pieces of the gossip, but she paid it no mind.
What others thought of her wasn’t important.
Improving her cultivation and stabilizing her position were the only things that truly mattered.
After several days of continuous healing, aided by spiritual medicine and diligent cultivation, the wound on her chest had completely closed. The spiritual energy flowing through her body had smoothed and strengthened her meridians, and her cultivation had advanced noticeably compared to when she had first transmigrated into this world.
She had even begun to touch the threshold of the late Foundation Establishment Realm.
Although she was still nowhere near Luo Qingyuan, the heroine of the novel, she had at least broken free from the original Su Wan’s lazy, neglected state.
That afternoon, warm sunlight bathed the sect while a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of grass and flowers through the courtyard.
After finishing her cultivation, Su Wan stretched lazily.
She knew hiding in her room forever wasn’t a solution.
If she wanted to change everyone’s opinion of her—especially Xie Yanci’s suspicion—she had to start taking small, natural steps.
With that in mind, she decided to visit the sect’s Spiritual Herb Garden.
On one hand, it would help her become more familiar with the sect grounds.
On the other, she wanted to gather a few gentle medicinal herbs that might prove useful later.
Then another thought occurred to her.
Why not collect some for Luo Qingyuan as well?
It’ll be a good excuse to improve my relationship with both Luo Qingyuan and Xie Yanci.
Inside the Spiritual Herb Garden, Su Wan crouched among the herb beds, carefully harvesting Qingyu Grass.
It was one of the sect’s most common medicinal herbs thanks to its excellent healing properties.
Since Luo Qingyuan frequently accepted missions outside the sect and often returned injured, it was the perfect gift.
As she continued picking herbs, several disciples wandered into the garden chatting loudly, seemingly unaware that someone was working quietly in one corner.
While listening absentmindedly, Su Wan suddenly heard Luo Qingyuan’s name mentioned.
“…Senior Sister Luo went on another mission with Senior Brother Ling a few days ago. I heard she came back pretty badly injured.”
Su Wan’s eyes lit up.
Perfect.
Just when I was wondering how to visit her without it seeming strange, an opportunity falls right into my lap.
Another disciple laughed.
“She got hurt protecting Senior Brother Ling, didn’t she? She’s been hopelessly devoted to him for years, but he clearly isn’t interested in her.”
“Hahaha!”
Someone else snickered.
“She’s pretty enough. She’d be better off liking me instead. I’d definitely treat her—”
Before he could finish, Su Wan stood up.
Her expression darkened.
This is the perfect chance to improve my reputation.
“Hey!”
Her voice rang across the herb garden.
“Have you said enough?”
She glared at them.
“Are any of you even as talented as Senior Sister Luo? What makes you think she’d ever like someone like you?”
“And who are you to gossip about Senior Sister Luo and Senior Brother Ling’s relationship?”
“You’d better watch your mouths before someone cuts your tongues out.”
The disciples finally noticed who had spoken.
One of them burst into laughter.
“Well, if it isn’t Junior Sister Su.”
“What happened? Didn’t go looking for your precious Senior Brother Ling today?”
“So you’ve started sticking your nose into other people’s business instead?”
Su Wan folded her arms.
“Who I go looking for is none of your business.”
“If I hear one more word of gossip, I’ll go tell Xie Yanci.”
“I’m sure he’ll know exactly how to deal with you.”
The moment Xie Yanci’s name was mentioned, the group immediately fell silent.
Everyone in the sect knew who he was.
Despite his young age, he had already reached the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm, second only to Ling Chen, the sect master’s chief disciple.
More importantly…
Everyone knew how fiercely he protected Luo Qingyuan.
More than one disciple had secretly spread rumors about her in the past.
Every single one of them had later been taught a painful lesson by Xie Yanci.
No one wanted to experience that twice.
Without another word, the group hurried out of the Spiritual Herb Garden, too intimidated even to gather the herbs they’d originally come for.
Watching them leave, Su Wan secretly prayed,
Please… all of you big mouths… make sure this gets around.
The more people who hear that I defended Luo Qingyuan, the better.
It’d be best if the story reaches Xie Yanci’s ears.
Maybe then my poor little life can still be saved…
Outside the garden, beneath an apricot tree beside the bamboo fence, Xie Yanci leaned casually against the trunk.
He absentmindedly tossed a freshly picked apricot from hand to hand.
It had already been half a month since Su Wan last caused trouble.
She hadn’t bothered Ling Chen once.
That alone was strange enough to make him curious.
Having overheard everything inside the herb garden, he let out a quiet scoff before biting into the apricot.
“What new trick are you playing now?”
After only one bite, he casually tossed the fruit over his shoulder.
“So sour.”
Without another glance, he leisurely headed toward Luo Qingyuan’s residence.
Meanwhile…
Su Wan remained completely oblivious as she happily continued gathering medicinal herbs.
Carrying a bundle of Qingyu Grass, Su Wan arrived at Luo Qingyuan’s courtyard.
The moment she stepped inside, she saw Xie Yanci leaning against the window, apparently chatting with Luo Qingyuan inside the room.
“Senior Sister Luo!”
“I came to see you.”
“Oh… Senior Brother Xie is here too.”
Hearing Su Wan’s voice, Luo Qingyuan instinctively tensed.
Is she here to cause trouble again?
As soon as Su Wan entered the room, she noticed both Luo Qingyuan and Xie Yanci watching her with guarded expressions.
She gave an awkward laugh.
“Haha… I came to bring Senior Sister some medicinal herbs.”
“I heard you were injured, so I wanted to check on you.”
“I really don’t mean any harm.”
Xie Yanci sneered.
“The sun must be rising from the west.”
“You’re actually capable of doing something nice?”
“Or did you secretly mix something into those herbs?”
“I’ve already turned over a new leaf.”
Su Wan met his gaze calmly.
“This time, I sincerely came to visit Senior Sister.”
Xie Yanci opened his mouth to mock her again, but Luo Qingyuan gently interrupted.
“Thank you for thinking of me, Junior Sister.”
“I’ve rested for several days already.”
“My injuries are no longer serious.”
“Thank you.”
Su Wan knew it would take time to erase the image everyone had of the spoiled, malicious Su Wan.
She didn’t expect Luo Qingyuan to trust her overnight.
So she continued earnestly,
“Senior Sister…”
“I know I treated you terribly before.”
“I owe you an apology.”
“When I nearly died fighting that demon beast, I finally realized how wrong I’d been.”
“Nothing is more important than staying alive.”
“I’ll never do anything to hurt everyone again.”
“Please forgive me.”
There was even a hint of pleading in her voice.
Before Luo Qingyuan could answer, Xie Yanci snorted.
“You’ve apologized before.”
“Every time Ling Chen was around.”
“So what’s this performance supposed to be now?”
Su Wan sighed inwardly.
The villainess’s reputation really is deeply rooted…
Ignoring him completely, she looked only at Luo Qingyuan.
“If you don’t believe me…”
“Then just watch my actions from now on.”
Luo Qingyuan studied her sincere expression carefully.
Ling Chen wasn’t even here.
There was no reason for Su Wan to put on an act.
Finally, she smiled gently.
“I’ll believe you.”
“Don’t listen to Ah Yan.”
“He just likes talking nonsense.”
Just then, a bright, familiar voice drifted into the room.
“What are you all talking about?”
Ling Chen entered gracefully, dressed in spotless white robes.
Su Wan nearly cried inside.
Seriously?
Of all times, you had to show up now?
She immediately noticed the brief, awkward expression that flashed across Luo Qingyuan’s face.
Great.
Now it’ll look like I only came here to impress Ling Chen.
Both women stood up.
Feeling unbelievably awkward, Su Wan forced out a smile.
“Senior Brother Ling.”
“I suppose you’re here to check on Senior Sister too.”
“You all chat.”
“I’ll be going now.”
“Haha…”
Without sparing Ling Chen another glance, she hurried out of the room as though fleeing for her life.
Watching her leave, Xie Yanci curled his lips into a faint, unreadable smile.
Just as I thought.
She’s still pretending.
Meanwhile, Su Wan nearly screamed all the way back.
I’m unbelievably unlucky!
I finally worked up the courage to improve my relationship with Luo Qingyuan…
Then Ling Chen just had to appear!
Now everything I did looks even more suspicious!
Xie Yanci probably added another hundred reasons to kill me!
Ahhh!
On the other side, Ling Chen found himself equally puzzled.
The junior sister who used to cling to him every single day had disappeared for over half a month.
Now that they finally met again…
She had practically run away from him.
Although confused, seeing that Su Wan looked healthy eased his mind.
He assumed that her near-death experience during the previous mission had frightened her.
Perhaps keeping her distance from both him and Luo Qingyuan was for the best.
Feeling utterly defeated, Su Wan returned to her own residence.
The moment she entered her room, she threw herself face-first onto the bed.
“What is this?!”
“I’ve worked so hard…”
“And now I’m back to square one!”
After groaning dramatically into her pillow, she waved a hand.
“Forget it.”
“I’ll just sleep.”
When she woke again, evening had already arrived.
Her stomach growled.
She climbed out of bed and decided to head to the dining hall.
Unfortunately…
The Qingyun Sect was enormous.
Although she possessed the original Su Wan’s memories…
Her modern self had always been hopelessly bad with directions.
After turning left, then right, then left again, she had absolutely no idea where she was.
Behind her stretched a dense bamboo forest.
She considered wandering farther until she found another disciple to ask for directions—
Then she suddenly froze.
A faint trace of demonic energy drifted through the air.
Seriously?
The sect’s security is this bad?
How did a demon get inside?
She looked around.
Not a single person was nearby.
If she went to fetch help, the demon might already be gone by the time anyone arrived.
Judging from the aura, however…
It didn’t seem particularly powerful.
Su Wan made a quick decision.
I’ll sneak over and take a look first.
If I can handle it, I’ll fight.
If not… I’ll run and call for help.
Concealing her presence with a stealth technique, she quietly made her way deeper into the bamboo forest.