March 8th, overcast with light rain.
Yu Suisui felt as though she had just awoken from a very long dream.
In this dream, she was sometimes dressed in ancient attire playing the zither, other times sitting in a modern classroom scrolling through her phone, and occasionally viewing everything from a third-person perspective, watching groups of strangers wandering about and fighting. The dream left her utterly exhausted, so much so that when someone woke her, her first instinct was to pull the quilt over her head and try to fall back asleep.
“Young Miss?” The voice called again: “Young Miss, it’s time to get up.”
Yu Suisui squinted, taking in the light silk bed curtains draped to the floor and the young maid in emerald green attire with double buns in her hair.
Then she remembered—she had transmigrated.
Freshly awakened, the additional memories flooding her mind left her slightly disoriented. Fortunately, she recalled that the future great villain was still sleeping in the courtyard.
“The great vill—where is the guest who stayed in the courtyard yesterday?”
“Young Miss, he has already returned,” the maid named Fuling replied smoothly.
If he could walk back on his own, then the Bi Ying Paste must have taken effect.
Since progress was going so smoothly, Yu Suisui decided: she would wait a couple of days before seeking out Xie Rongjing.
After learning that her mission target was already capable of killing, she wasn’t as calm on the inside as she appeared on the surface. After all, she was still a novice, not some seasoned expert, and she inevitably carried some of her original world’s values with her—such as the belief that killing people indiscriminately was wrong.
Although he seemed normal for now, just like how cheating is either zero times or countless times, once someone starts straying, they can’t stop.
The same logic applied to Xie Rongjing—once he started killing, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
On the other side, Fuling also lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
She couldn’t understand what the Young Miss was thinking, bringing that Devil Seed back to this courtyard… As the maid personally assigned by the Sect Leader to care for the Young Miss, Fuling was determined not to let such a thing happen again.
Unfortunately, she didn’t dare to openly defy the Young Miss, so she had taken advantage of the early morning hours to order two immortal attendants to throw that demon remnant out.
Did he even deserve to be a guest of the Tian Zhao Sect’s Young Miss?
She cleared her throat softly, as if trying to shake off the unpleasant memory. “Madam Qin’s immortal attendant came by this morning to deliver a message. She said she could come this evening to teach you zither skills.” Fuling paused, then added a reminder: “Please, Young Miss, do not bring any more strange people back today.”
The original host was a zither cultivator, but Yu Suisui herself didn’t know how to play the zither. Fortunately, this wasn’t something to worry about—the Transmigration Bureau’s transmigration technology was quite advanced, allowing her to inherit not only the original host’s memories but also her skills.
In other words: Yu Suisui was now a second-level zither cultivator.
Huh? Why only second level?
In this world, cultivators weren’t classified by stages like Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment but by a more straightforward system of one to nine levels, with higher numbers indicating greater strength.
Even Pei Lin, who patrolled the Moonfrost Bridge, was at the third level. How could she, the legitimate Young Miss of the sect, have such pitifully low strength?
Wait, why was the original host a zither cultivator anyway?
The Tian Zhao Sect was a Spirit Cultivator sect—none of the elders or the Sect Leader practiced the zither.
In this world, there were nine cultivation paths for cultivators to choose from.
For example, those who practiced the five-element spells at Tian Zhao Sect were called Spirit Cultivators; those who could externalize spiritual energy to wield weapons like blades and swords were called Martial Cultivators; those well-versed in medicinal principles, capable of reviving the dead and regenerating flesh and bone, were called Medicine Cultivators. Beyond these, there were also specialized fields like Talism Cultivators, Array Cultivators, Secret Manual Cultivators, and Ghost Cultivators.
As for the original owner, who played the zither, she fell into the broad category of those skilled in music and instruments, collectively referred to as Sound Cultivators.
Yu Sui Sui felt puzzled.
It was like the gap between an engineering university and a music conservatory—the entire sect didn’t have a single Secret Manual suitable for Sound Cultivators. Under such circumstances, making her daughter learn the zither—what was her father thinking?
Puzzled as she was, none of this had anything to do with her. She was here to be the white moonlight, not to cultivate immortality—though she wouldn’t mind if the Transmigration Bureau paid her double for it.
Did being the white moonlight require great skill?
No, it didn’t.
Yu Sui Sui convinced herself once again and slacked off with a clear conscience.
Moreover, the original owner had an extremely low presence. Though she lived a life of luxury, she lacked the entourage typical of other noble young ladies. With no cultivation, no friends, and no inclination to go out or speak, she was as quiet as a faint shadow.
Her impression in others’ minds was essentially non-existent, making it easy to portray her. Yu Sui Sui finally felt a sense of reality about doing a 【Newbie Mission】.
Of course, it would be even more perfect if the mission target weren’t Xie Rong Jing.
After lunch, she decided to take a walk.
Having grown up in the concrete jungles of modern society, this ancient, cultivation-filled world felt incredibly novel to her.
As the saying goes: since she was here, she might as well not focus solely on the mission. Fortunately, the role of “young lady” made it quite convenient to move around. Yu Sui Sui happily grabbed her umbrella and headed out, treating it as a hidden perk of being a transmigrator.
As one of the four great sects, Tian Zhao Sect had its own heritage. Whether it was the Moonfrost Bridge that glowed brightly at night, the waterfall that flowed upward, or the exquisitely carved main hall—in her world, these would be popular check-in spots worthy of a 5A scenic area.
Though she couldn’t visit all these places in one day, the Moonfrost Bridge was close to her courtyard, so she could go there again.
A light rain fell outside, enveloping the entire Tian Zhao Sect in a misty curtain.
The surroundings were shrouded in a hazy vapor, mingling with the rich Spiritual Qi of South Peak. Just breathing the air was refreshing.
Yu Sui Sui held up her bluish-white umbrella, walking through the drizzling rain. In the distance, buildings loomed faintly, and by her side were all sorts of exotic flowers and plants she had never seen before.
She had been quite happy, but the thought that this place would eventually be destroyed by the great antagonist suddenly filled her with a sense of urgency—every glance felt like one less.
Strolling along, she unknowingly arrived at the Moonfrost Bridge.
From the foot of the mountain looking up, the Moonfrost Bridge resembled a slender ribbon, but in reality, it was wide and long, forged from eternal ice that never melted. In the misty rain, it emitted wisps of white vapor.
Yu Sui Sui glanced around. The duty of guarding the Moonfrost Bridge seemed to be on a rotation system. Today, it wasn’t Pei Lin but another young disciple. Raindrops were blocked by a transparent barrier before they could reach him, so he didn’t need an umbrella, looking carefree even in the rain.
So this is the water-control ability of a Spirit Cultivator? She couldn’t help feeling a little envious.
Excellent, she was wavering: even if the Transmigration Bureau didn’t offer double pay, she’d still be willing to briefly experience the feeling of cultivating immortality.
“Wait there, person over there—where are you returning to North Peak from?” The young guard noticed Yu Sui Sui and flew over swiftly on his sword.
Only when he got closer did he clearly see her appearance, promptly bowing in respect. “Young Miss.”
It was no wonder others would mistake her identity—Spirit Cultivators above the second level didn’t need umbrellas, so she was naturally mistaken for a low-level Outer Sect Disciple of the sect.
“I’m just taking a walk,” Yu Sui Sui answered truthfully.
“The Moonfrost Bridge is bitterly cold, Young Miss. Please take care of your health.” The young guard seemed to have urgent matters. “This subordinate must deliver something to Elder Xiao and will take his leave now.”
Though he said he was leaving, he remained hovering on his sword without moving. Yu Sui Sui instantly understood and adopted the demeanor of a young mistress, smiling and nodding. “You may go.”
Only then did the bridge guard fly away on his sword. A few breaths later, he returned, glancing toward North Peak’s direction. “Please don’t venture too far, lest you dirty your eyes.”
Yu Sui Sui: “……?”
She then noticed what seemed to be a dark shadow at the center of the bridge.
The silhouette looked somewhat familiar, causing her smile to stiffen momentarily.
……It couldn’t be this coincidental, could it?
The ominous feeling grew increasingly intense. Yu Sui Sui had no choice but to activate her Spirit Vision—and sure enough, she discovered faint, flickering black threads swirling around the shadow.
That was Demonic Qi, something only Demons possessed.
At this time, Xie Rong Jing clearly hadn’t yet learned to conceal his aura, making his true form easily discernible at a glance.
He seemed to be dragging his broken leg, slowly crawling back toward North Peak.
When passing the Moonfrost Bridge, the bridge guard initially considered helping him, but upon discovering he was a Devil Seed, decisively chose to watch the spectacle instead, casting unconcealed looks of disgust.
……
It’s over. Completely over.
Her slacker life had ended just as it began.
Going out for a casual stroll and somehow picking up the major antagonist—what fate… no, what cursed fate indeed.
Yu Sui Sui lifted her skirt with one hand, stepped onto the Moonfrost Bridge, and hurried toward the antagonist classmate at its center.
She had assumed the Moonfrost Bridge was made of ice and would be slippery in the rain, but it wasn’t. Stepping on it, she only felt a chill spreading from the soles of her feet, making every pore in her body shudder.
Ten-thousand-year extreme ice was a rare treasure. Standing on the Moonfrost Bridge had effects like clearing Meridians and enhancing Spirit Energy, but staying too long could freeze limbs and Meridians. Someone with the original host’s mediocre cultivation level typically only stood briefly before descending.
When she reached the major antagonist, she discovered the situation was even more absurd than imagined.
Xie Rong Jing’s jet-black hair was coated with a faint layer of frost. His eyes were tightly closed, lips frozen dark purple, as if he had already lost consciousness. Rain had soaked his black robes, outlining his gaunt frame. Strands of hair clung to his forehead, making him resemble some kind of cracked porcelain doll.
Yu Sui Sui: “……”
What’s going on here…
We only haven’t seen each other for half a day—how did he manage to get himself into such a miserable state?
Yu Sui Sui’s pupils shook with shock as she flusteredly draped one of his arms over her shoulders to support him. Fortunately, she now counted as an immortal cultivator with greater strength than normal people, otherwise she might not have been able to lift him.
Xie Rong Jing’s body temperature was frighteningly low, somewhat like meat just taken from the freezer, still emitting cold air.
After only a few steps, she realized half her body was stained with pale red blood, mingled with that same sweet fragrance from their first encounter, creating an eerie scene within the curtain of rain.
The expression on Yu Suisui’s face could only be described as indescribable. She lifted Xie Rongjing’s sleeve and found the area covered by his clothes riddled with wounds. Rainwater mixed with blood dripped steadily downward.
In her memory, Bi Ying Paste was a fast-acting external medicine. Clearly, Xie Rongjing had not obediently applied it to himself last night.
Yu Suisui had never expected this.
Did he not feel any pain at all?
The only silver lining was that the shackles on his hands were merely ordinary iron chains. After being damaged by the Ten-Thousand-Year Extreme Ice, they had fallen into the abyss beneath the bridge.
But this wasn’t much of a consolation. If even iron could shatter from the cold, what about a person? Although Xie Rongjing wasn’t human, he was injured—even a Demon would struggle to endure this.
The rain grew heavier. Yu Suisui’s intricate long skirt was already soaked through, clinging uncomfortably to her body. Not only that, but a persistent chill rose from beneath her feet and surrounded her, making it hard to tell whether the Ten-Thousand-Year Extreme Ice or Xie Rongjing felt colder.
The great villain remained motionless, like a giant life-sized doll.
Had he really died?
The sudden thought startled her, and the more she dwelled on it, the more terrified she became. Trembling, she reached out to check Xie Rongjing’s breath.
There was none.
Ahhhhhhhhh!!!
He’s dead ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Yu Suisui froze in place, her hand still suspended mid-air.
She was utterly petrified.
So… so this great villain… could he… could he die ahead of time?
This was too absurd!
For a moment, Yu Suisui was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, her mind stuck like a rusted clockwork, unable to process the situation.
Calm down. She had to stay calm.
If Xie Rongjing were truly dead and her mission target was gone, she should have been transported back to the real world.
Her rationality slowly returned: Since she was still here, did that mean the great villain was alive?
As long as he was alive… She let out a long sigh of relief, grateful that she had been too stunned to reflexively drop him on the ground.
While she was lost in thought, Xie Rongjing slowly opened his eyes.
His head lowered, he first saw a pair of unfamiliar snow-white soft boots, and above them, an intricate skirt hem trailing to the ankles—an outfit that should have been elegant, but was now drenched by the rain, stripped of its splendor and even looking somewhat disheveled.
The owner of the soft boots stood beside him, a full head shorter than him—soft and small. Xie Rongjing could push her away without any effort.
Though his Meridians were destroyed, his soul was powerful. He had only fainted due to extreme weakness earlier. Even if no one had noticed him, he could have stood up on his own, not freezing to death on the Moon Condensation Bridge.
Yet the human beside him was warm. Demons had lower body temperatures than normal humans, and Xie Rongjing had never experienced such warmth before. For the first time, a flicker of astonishment appeared on his face.
His long, delicate eyelashes trembled slightly, as if lost in thought.
Yu Suisui hadn’t noticed that the great Demon beside her had regained consciousness. In truth, she was on the verge of collapse.
Someone tell her: why did they have to build this Moon Condensation Bridge so long?
As a member of the Tian Zhao Sect, she strongly condemned this wasteful use of Ten-Thousand-Year Extreme Ice!
She was merely a Second-Level Sound Cultivator. Having rushed to the bridge’s center to retrieve the great villain, she had already pushed her body to its limit. Now, carrying him through the remaining half of the journey, she felt herself growing colder with each step. The spiritual qi in her limbs, bones, and dantian seemed on the verge of freezing solid.
She couldn’t go on any further.
Yu Suisui’s feet felt as if they were encased in ice. To make matters worse, this area had always been sparsely frequented—Outer Sect Disciples and errand disciples from North Peak were forbidden from setting foot on Moonfrost Bridge without permission, while those Inner Sect Disciples and elders from South Peak were unwilling to condescend to visit the spiritually barren North Peak unless something major occurred.
Aside from the bridge keeper, no one ever came here. And now, even the bridge keeper had temporarily left. Under the curtain of rain, she was the only one moving slowly forward.
Well, aside from the great villain lying beside her, whose condition was unknown.
The great villain had his plot armor—he wouldn’t die so easily. But a minor character like her? That was another story.
In a way, this could be considered “dying in place of the great villain.” She wondered if, upon returning, it would count as half-completing her mission.
Yu Suisui, now thoroughly frozen, began babbling nonsense in her mind.
If she could avoid dying, she’d still prefer to cling to life.
After all, she was currently playing the role of the young lady of Tian Zhao Sect. If she were to freeze to death within her own sect… what an absurd way to go. And it was all Xie Rongjing’s fault.
Still, she could guess that Xie Rongjing’s presence here likely had something to do with her as well. Yu Suisui felt utterly exasperated. She couldn’t tell who had harmed whom—or perhaps it was mutual harm, with both of them suffering equally. In this world’s terms, they were simply incompatible.
There was still a quarter of the journey left to South Peak. Through the mist, she could faintly make out the hazy silhouette of the mountain.
She couldn’t hold on any longer. Soaked clothes were cold enough, but carrying someone as icy as a block of frozen stone made it worse. Yu Suisui swayed unsteadily, on the verge of collapsing onto the bridge.
In the last second before losing consciousness, she felt as if she were being lifted horizontally, her head resting against a slightly cool chest.
She had reached her limit and couldn’t see the person’s face clearly, but whoever appeared here at this time was likely the bridge keeper returning after delivering his message.
She was saved, then.
Thank you, nameless bridge-keeper brother. With that thought, Yu Suisui allowed herself to faint peacefully.