11 – Chapter
The Sickly Aura Activates, Stirring Feelings of Pity
Since she was going to make steamed fish, the second-grade mandarin fish from the Scale-Deep Pool was naturally the best choice.
When it came to her knowledge of ingredients within the Kunshan Sword Sect, she dared claim second place to none.
This was the author’s confidence!
Hmph…
The Scale-Deep Pool was located deep within a valley within the sect’s territory, a place few knew about, but Mu Lingyan often visited.
Why she liked coming here was because it was quiet, with few people around.
Mu Lingyan’s appearance was stunningly beautiful, her figure enchantingly alluring.
Those in the Immortal Sect preferred ethereal, graceful women with slender waists.
Not someone like her, with a voluptuous chest and slender waist, exuding temptation.
As a child, Mu Lingyan’s temperament wasn’t so rigid and strict; she loved to smile. But because every time she smiled, others would accuse her of seducing men, she later stopped smiling.
As an author who didn’t write detailed outlines, why did she remember this part so clearly?
It was entirely because Mu Lingyan’s experiences were her own.
In the novel, she had created a character so similar to herself in personality, appearance, and experiences, likely harboring a desire to vent her inner frustrations.
Piecing together memories in her mind, she arrived at the Scale-Deep Pool in no more than the time it took for an incense stick to burn.
Spiritual energy swirled in the valley, trees were lush with dense foliage, and delicate pink flowers stretched gracefully.
The freshness of the air was something she, who had spent years in the smog-filled capital, could hardly imagine.
Mu Lingyan walked contentedly toward the spiritual pool. Bending over, she saw fish darting back and forth in the water.
A few red carp in the water, noticing someone on the shore, gathered quite spiritedly at Mu Lingyan’s feet.
The corners of Mu Lingyan’s lips lifted slightly as she extended a slender, jade-like finger and tapped twice on the foreheads of the fish, joking:
“You’re so clever, I almost can’t bear to cook you.”
Hearing her words, the fish actually scattered in all directions!
They even glared with their fish eyes, looking back fearfully.
Mu Lingyan’s small mouth parted slightly, her expression unable to conceal her surprise.
As a modern person who upheld materialism, witnessing such magical occurrences in the cultivation world firsthand again, Mu Lingyan still found it utterly fascinating.
Her eyes filled with interest, she stretched out a fair, small hand and gently stirred the water.
Emerald-like ripples spread with her gesture, tiny waves washing over the fleeing fish.
The red carp turned and blew bubbles at Mu Lingyan, as if in anger.
“Pfft…”
Mu Lingyan on the shore finally couldn’t hold back a clear, melodious laugh.
Perhaps laughing too heartily, and with the shore being slippery, she suddenly lost her balance and nearly tumbled into the lake.
Mu Lingyan struggled to control her teetering body.
In the nick of time!
Just as she was about to plunge headfirst into the lake, a black withered vine suddenly appeared beside her, one end conveniently within her reach.
Mu Lingyan hastily grabbed it, using the force to steady herself and return to the shore.
Her heart still pounding, she patted her chest to calm down, then looked up at the owner of the withered vine.
It was Yan Qing…
The head disciple personally taught by the Cangwu Sect’s sect master, and also the next sect master of the Cangwu Sect.
The man’s eyes were deep black, his ink-black hair tied into a high ponytail with a golden crown. His dark, fitted attire made him stand tall and straight as a pine, his aura as cold as frost.
“Miss Mu, are you alright?” His tone was calm, though a careful listener might detect a hint of concealed concern beneath the calmness.
“I’m fine, thank you, Senior Brother Yan Qing.”
Compared to everything else, what she cared about more was how long Yan Qing had been here.
Did he see her awkward state?
Yan Qing still wore a cold expression. Seeing that Mu Lingyan had already steadied herself, he retracted the black withered vine in his hand.
Mu Lingyan glanced down—this withered vine was Yan Qing’s Lifebound Magical Artifact, named “Discipline,” and its function was similar to that of a ruler.
“Junior Sister Mu, my proposal was abrupt.”
After being rejected today, he had been thinking about how to see Mu Lingyan again and had unknowingly walked to the Lin You Pond.
This was the place where he first met Mu Lingyan.
He never expected to actually see her here.
“Ah, it’s fine.” Mu Lingyan turned her face away, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“Because of my junior sister, you were abandoned by Shen Qingyu. Our Cangwu Sect has wronged you, and I hope Junior Sister Mu won’t hold it against us.”
So it was to atone for the Cangwu Sect that he proposed to her.
No wonder. In the novel, Yan Qing only held a slight admiration for Mu Lingyan, so why would he suddenly propose?
It turned out to be a plotline she had glossed over, which had now automatically filled itself in.
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked up to meet Yan Qing’s gaze.
“Senior Brother Yan Qing, I truly don’t mind. What is mine will remain mine, and what isn’t cannot be kept.”
At this point, Mu Lingyan’s thoughts shifted, and a plan came to mind. In a very soft voice, she quickly muttered, “I am a little weakling.”
Instantly, her delicate, charming face turned pale.
Coupled with her earlier disheartening words, even a cold man like Yan Qing felt a surge of pity.
Although Junior Sister Mu said she didn’t mind, seeing her pale face, Yan Qing couldn’t help but feel guilty.
Mu Lingyan moved with the grace of a willow swaying in the wind, bowed slightly, and said, “Senior Brother, my Master is waiting for my lunch. I must take my leave.”
While Yan Qing stood there in a daze,
Mu Lingyan’s graceful figure had already vanished.
…
Looking at Mu Lingyan, who had just walked out of the Lin You Pond, there was no trace of the pitiful, pale-faced girl from moments ago.
Her charming phoenix eyes curved with satisfaction as she bantered with the System in her Sea of Consciousness.
“Little Weakling, I have to say, this sickly aura is actually somewhat useful.”
With that move just now, Yan Qing’s guilt toward her was maxed out!
This way, if she ever faced trouble, or if the Kunshan Sword Sect encountered difficulties, the Cangwu Sect would at least lend a helping hand.
Actually, she wasn’t too worried about the Demon Realm, since she was now the Demon Venerable.
But according to the final plot,
although “Mu Lingyan” was the mastermind, the Demon Realm and the Ghost Realm were not innocent either, especially the monster king and the Ghost King, both of whom were highly ambitious.
Lost in thought, she returned to Worry-Free Peak. It wasn’t until she reached the stove in the courtyard that she remembered—
she had forgotten to catch fish!
Uh…
She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight. The sun was positioned directly in the east.
It was already well past noon.
She hurried to the small waterfall on Worry-Free Peak, casually caught two ordinary mandarin fish,
then rushed back to clean and prepare them, placing them in the food box. After that, she went to the foot of the mountain to pick fresh spirit fruits, carving them into cute animal shapes to decorate the pristine porcelain plates.
Once everything was done, she hastily grabbed the food box and dashed toward the peak.
The fastest way to gain System experience points was through Dual Cultivation.
She wasn’t opposed to it—in fact, she even felt a bit of anticipation.
But the male lead, He Xuan, wasn’t willing!
So she could only rely on methods like praise, holding hands, and light physical contact to level up.
Sigh, what a pity. She really wanted to Dual Cultivate…
System: Host, put on some clothes…