Regarding this world of immortal cultivation, Yu Suisui actually didn’t understand much.
But even so, she knew—Xie Rongjing’s situation could hardly be described as anything less than genius.
“Did you learn this before?” she decided to confirm.
Xie Rongjing shook his head.
“…Incredible.”
What else could she say?
“It’s nothing special.” Xie Rongjing smiled modestly: “The three arrays recorded here are all beginner-level for array cultivators. I probably haven’t even reached half a level yet.”
The way he said it, “haven’t even reached half a level yet.”
She didn’t know how long it took ordinary array cultivators to get started… but it definitely couldn’t be just two hours.
Especially without a teacher guiding him.
Yu Suisui felt like an academic underachiever struck by a top student’s brilliance. The mutual understanding she’d felt earlier between fellow underachievers was like scattered sand—it didn’t need wind to disperse, it vanished right after the array was completed.
She pushed the bamboo scroll back to him: “Aren’t there three arrays? Learn them all before I return this to the library.”
“That’s not necessary.” Xie Rongjing said: “The remaining two arrays are a Soundproofing Formation and a trapping formation that prevents people from leaving a certain area. Essentially, they’re quite similar to the illusion formation.”
Why wasn’t it necessary? These two formations sounded quite useful.
Yu Suisui tilted her head as she looked at her villainous classmate.
Xie Rongjing patiently answered her confusion.
“You just need to move the array eye two positions west and remove five, then concentrate spiritual power on the left three and right one positions to transform the illusion formation into a soundproofing formation. Similarly, the trapping formation can also be derived from the illusion formation.”
…
Could he really extrapolate like this in such a short time?
She was completely stunned, but then reconsidered: How could someone become a major villain without some cultivation talent?
Thinking this, Yu Suisui inexplicably developed a strange sentiment.
[If only this person weren’t a villain.]
With such outstanding talent, he would surely have a bright future.
Many people would admire him, many would worship him, and many would love him.
“Thank you, young miss.” His tone remained cool with an upward lilt, but now carried a hint of pleasure.
His happiness was even written on his face, his eyes curved like a beautiful cat.
Yu Suisui was infected by his joy, feeling quite pleased with herself as a talent spotter.
“Although these are simple basic arrays, they should still be quite useful in daily life.” She sat on the bench propping her chin, swinging her legs: “Like the Soundproofing Formation would be perfect for discussing important matters…”
“Mm.” Xie Rongjing responded with a smile: “And when killing people, you wouldn’t have to worry about the noise attracting others.”
???!
Could you listen to what you’re saying?
She instantly retracted her earlier sentiment: You’re not a fish, how can you know what brings fish joy? Xie Rongjing might actually enjoy being a villain.
Abandon the savior complex, respect others’ destinies… and the original plot.
Meanwhile, Xie Rongjing was also somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t really thought about it earlier—the words had just slipped out.
The scene felt familiar. Xie Rongjing pondered thoughtfully, recalling an old Spirit Cultivator he’d met three or four years ago.
The old Spirit Cultivator was a teacher who specifically taught spirit techniques to Outer Sect Disciples, and the only one willing to let Xie Rongjing audit his classes.
Xie Rongjing had always easily attracted others’ attention.
After about two lessons, the old Spirit Cultivator had noticed this exceptionally talented disciple and was astonished by the familiarity and precision Xie Rongjing demonstrated when casting spirit techniques. From then on, he even became more enthusiastic about his weekly teachings, holding nothing back in his instruction.
“Spirit arts are the forms we Spirit Cultivators create when projecting the five elemental Spirit Energies outward,” the elderly Spirit Cultivator explained. “We study spirit arts not merely to conjure water orbs or sparks, but more importantly to apply them in daily life.” He pointed at his most accomplished disciple. “Rong Jing, give them some examples.”
Xie Rong Jing pondered briefly: “One could use water Spirit Energy to drain all blood from a person’s body.”
…The old Spirit Cultivator failed to comprehend immediately: “What?”
Xie Rong Jing continued: “One could also freeze the blood inside their body into ice, or transform someone’s flesh into stone before shattering it…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, for the elder’s face instantly flushed crimson with rage. Xie Rong Jing was sent flying by the violently released Spirit Energy, coughing up a mouthful of fresh blood.
The enraged elder thundered: “You demon-spawned beast, how dare you speak such unconscionable words! This old master shall cleanse our Tian Zhao Sect’s ranks today!”
…
Recalling this, Xie Rong Jing couldn’t suppress the upward curl of his lips.
During their last encounter, this young mistress had acted completely beyond his comprehension. He felt both novelty toward all unknown, unprecedented occurrences and instinctive discomfort and resistance.
He couldn’t resist the urge to shatter this unfamiliar dynamic.
Thus, he began sharing detailed and earnest explanations about the applications of Arrays forming in his mind with the maiden before him.
“If illusion Arrays fundamentally conceal cultivators’ forms, then they must be able to hide other things as well—requiring only slight modifications.”
He settled beside Yu Sui Sui, a vermilion brush held in his right hand. His pale, slender fingers exuded both strength and chilling coldness, with faint blue veins visible beneath the skin.
After casually sketching on paper, he mused: “Modified this way, it should conceal weaponry. One simply needs to dig a pit filled with densely packed blades—when someone passes by—”
They would immediately be drenched in blood.
Yu Sui Sui tilted her head to observe Xie Rong Jing, who maintained his composed demeanor despite the stark contrast with his eerily smiling lips.
Alright then, his condition was acting up again.
Yu Sui Sui inquired: “What about the dug pit itself? Was it concealed?”
She calmly pointed out the flaw in his scheme.
“No.” Xie Rong Jing paused momentarily. “Then this part requires adjustment as well.”
The vermilion brush, saturated with ink, hovered unmoving until a droplet fell onto the paper, forming a crimson circle.
“You’d be taken away by the Law Enforcement Hall while digging that hole,” Yu Sui Sui sighed. “Digging such a large pit would waste so much time. You might as well loosen the soil for your Scarletglow Flowers.”
…
Xie Rong Jing stared at her strangely—with the same gaze one would direct at an enormous Scarletglow Flower.
His left hand clenched and unclenched within his sleeve. Without another word, he simply regarded Yu Sui Sui with profound intensity.
The maiden before him differed completely from anyone Xie Rong Jing had ever encountered.
She seemed to harbor no malice toward him—though this initially baffled him profoundly. Yet he detested all uncontrollable variables, particularly her displays of concerned expression.
Xie Rong Jing resembled a block of ice emanating dark energy, weary of anything attempting to bring him warmth.
Even his previous flickers of curiosity had long cooled under instinct’s guidance.
If there’s a next time, I’ll kill her.
Xie Rong Jing resolved thus.
The Scarletglow Flowers’ blooming period was brief—before true summer arrived, not a trace of crimson remained.
Half a month had passed since she last delivered the secret manuals to Xie Rong Jing.
The weather was gradually growing warmer now. While mid-to-high-level cultivators were impervious to heat and cold, she was only at the second tier and completely incapable of such resilience—let alone the group of maids and immortal attendants in the courtyard.
Fortunately, the cultivation world was full of peculiar wonders. The young maids used something called Ice Condensation Pearls to fill the entire courtyard with refreshing coolness.
Carrying one of these pearls was like having a miniature air conditioner.
Yu Sui Sui found it fascinating. When Pei Lin came to listen to her play the qin, she packed a bag of Ice Condensation Pearls and asked him to deliver them to Xie Rong Jing.
After sending off the “package,” she thought little more of it. Her days passed joyfully—playing the qin, sleeping, and repeating.
Knock, knock, knock—
A rapping sounded at the door.
Yu Sui Sui paused her fingers on the strings, and the flowing melody came to an abrupt halt.
“Young Lady, your playing grows more beautiful each day,” Bai Shuang said, emerging from the spell of the music feeling as though the day’s weariness had been swept away.
She tried to describe the sensation: “It’s like soaking in a warm pool—so soothing.”
Hmm… perhaps she was nearing a breakthrough.
Sound cultivation was a discipline that relied heavily on mental strength; abundant spirit energy was merely a bonus.
Maybe because she was a transmigrator, her mental strength was slightly stronger than most. Lately, her occasional qin practice had given her an inkling that she might be approaching the Triple Realm.
Who would have thought that coming here on a mission would also lead to cultivating immortality?
As they spoke, another maid opened the courtyard gate.
Outside stood Pei Lin, his face flushed with anger. Though usually quite handsome, his furious expression made him look fierce, startling the young maid who had opened the door.
“What’s going on?” Bai Shuang asked.
Like Steward Niu, who dropped by every so often to flatter her, Pei Lin had started visiting more frequently as Yu Sui Sui played the qin more often, always bringing small gifts in exchange for listening to her music.
Bai Shuang, being lively and around Pei Lin’s age, had gradually grown familiar with him. Unfazed by his anger, she teased him playfully.
“What happened? Who dared offend our Lord Pei?”
Pei Lin’s handsome face flushed crimson, his brows knitting tightly. “That Devil Seed is truly too much!”
Yu Sui Sui lifted her gaze to him.
“Ah, how can you say such a thing?” Under her young lady’s influence, Bai Shuang held no ill will toward Xie Rong Jing and knew the term was derogatory. She quickly tried to stop him.
Pei Lin clenched and unclenched his fists. “This subordinate spoke out of turn. I beg for Young Lady’s forgiveness.”
He really was furious.
Xie Rong Jing and Pei Lin had never gotten along. Yu Sui Sui reasonably guessed, “Did you two argue again?”
“No!” Pei Lin denied immediately, then added, “If it weren’t forbidden to abuse private punishment, I—I would have whipped him soundly.”
Good thing he hadn’t acted on it.
Yu Sui Sui glanced silently at Pei Lin.
You probably don’t realize that several of you combined wouldn’t be a match for Xie Rong Jing.
“What exactly happened?” Bai Shuang pouted in dissatisfaction. “Don’t leave us hanging like this!”
“He actually dared to refuse Young Lady’s gift! How ungrateful!” Pei Lin fumed.
…
Yu Sui Sui had not expected that to be the reason and was slightly taken aback.
Well… on second thought, it wasn’t all that surprising.
Xie Rongjing’s attitude toward most people could be described as “indifferent.” Even when he spoke to them politely, his politeness was quite limited.
Except for her, the great antagonist had no interactions with anyone—aside from fighting and killing.
Yu Suisui had to admit with some embarrassment: Xie Rongjing had indeed treated her somewhat specially before. At the very least, they had coexisted peacefully during this period, occasionally exchanging a few words.
Pei Lin was still indignantly venting: “Do you know what he said?”
He imitated Xie Rongjing’s amiable yet infuriating tone.
“Tell your young lady to mind her own business. Thank you.”
“It’s really too much,” Bai Shuang chimed in, equally upset. “Our young lady clearly meant well for him.”
Pei Lin snorted coldly. Strangely enough, when the young lady had previously asked him to deliver items to Xie Rongjing, he hadn’t been pleased to see her associating with him.
But now that Xie Rongjing was actively drawing a line with the young lady, he felt even more furious.
Pei Lin calmed down slightly and didn’t forget to comfort Yu Suisui: “Xie Rongjing doesn’t know what’s good for him. There’s no need for you to stoop to his level.”
In reality, Yu Suisui wasn’t actually angry.
This gentleman often acted on whims—first playing the polite, pitiable figure; later dropping the act and revealing his true colors as an aspiring antagonist.
As for now, perhaps he wanted to try a new persona? Who knew what he was thinking.