Shen Ying traveled from the Demon Realm to the territory of the Xuanji Sect, a journey that took her nearly four or five days.
Ji Liantan's cultivation level was higher than hers, but this wasn't a short sprint—he would likely need several days as well.
During these days, Shen Ying didn’t idle around. Now that she had formally become a disciple, she wasn’t about to waste such excellent teaching resources.
Every day, she went to Lian Rou Peak, providing her cheap master with script ideas, teaching him storyboarding from scratch, linguistic framing, and the exaggerated performance styles actors used compared to reality.
She even flattered him, praising his natural talent in this field, his handsome looks, and his strong adaptability in acting—calling him a lost treasure of the theatrical world.
Day after day, she had Lian Ying so dizzy with praise that he naturally poured all his knowledge into guiding her cultivation, showing a patience he had never granted to other disciples.
Of course, this was also because Shen Ying was highly perceptive, grasping concepts with just a hint. Lian Ying had no tolerance for fools.
The Xuanji Sect had quite a few complaints about Elder Lian taking in Elder Ye’s distant mortal relative as a disciple and, even more absurdly, promoting her to head disciple.
Recently, other peak masters had come to voice their objections, but Lian Ying unceremoniously dismissed them all.
Within the sect, only the Sect Leader, armed with the ancestral treasure of leadership, could slightly suppress him. No one else could do a thing about it.
As for Shen Ying, now elevated to the position of senior sister of Lian Rou Peak, she held the highest seniority among her peers. Even during sect-wide assemblies, she stood in the first rank.
The elders couldn’t openly bully a newly admitted junior—that would be an insult to Lian Ying.
Thus, Shen Ying’s already smooth-sailing life became even more comfortable, to the point where she nearly forgot about Ji Liantan.
Then, the blood jade talisman on her person reacted.
Shen Ying took it out and saw the message Ji Liantan had sent:
[Midnight tonight, Hundred Flowers Pavilion]
The moment she read it, she turned to Ye Qingchen and asked, "What’s the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?"
Ye Qingchen was practicing calligraphy when her question made his brush pause. "The number one pleasure house in Xuanwu City."
Xuanwu City was the bustling metropolis at the foot of Xuanji Sect’s mountain. Backed by the sect’s influence, it was massive in scale, economically prosperous, and a hub for cultivators to trade goods.
It was one of the most flourishing cities in the entire cultivation continent.
Shen Ying gave Ye Qingchen a meaningful look. "Senior Brother Ye is surprisingly well-informed about the pleasure houses down the mountain."
Ye Qingchen ignored her teasing and said offhandedly, "Xuanwu City is under the protection of Xuanji Sect, and cultivators from all corners of the world gather here."
"With such a mix of people, trouble is inevitable. When the city guards can’t handle it, the sect naturally steps in."
Then he glanced at Shen Ying. "Though I didn’t expect the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to be a front for the Hehuan Sect. They’ve hidden it well."
"Is it really appropriate to expose your own sect’s spy network so carelessly?"
Shen Ying waved her hand dismissively. "Senior Brother Ye, the Hehuan Sect is my sect, but isn’t Xuanji Sect also mine now?"
Ye Qingchen fell silent, staring at her. Was she really treating Xuanji Sect like home?
Shen Ying then complained, "Honestly, what kind of timing is midnight? Does Senior Brother Ji think I’m still in the Hehuan Sect, free to come and go as I please?"
"Could he at least remember I’m undercover?"
Then, without missing a beat, she said matter-of-factly, "Senior Brother Ye, you should come with me."
Ye Qingchen: "… You’re just as bad as him."
Neither of them had any sense of their undercover roles.
Shen Ying argued righteously, "If I go alone, won’t that look suspicious? The elders are just waiting for me to slip up."
As a junior who had only recently sought refuge under Elder Ye’s wing, with no family nearby and no official sect missions assigned, what possible reason could she have for sneaking out in the middle of the night?
But with Ye Qingchen accompanying her, no one would question it. As the Xuanji Sect’s head disciple and the undisputed successor to the Sect Leader, Ye Qingchen had considerable authority.
Even if he left the sect, people would assume he was handling important business. And if he brought Shen Ying along, they’d just think he was taking her on a training excursion.
Though his expression remained indifferent, Ye Qingchen was also curious about how things would unfold. After a brief hesitation, he agreed to cover for her.
That afternoon, the two swaggered down the mountain without a care.
The system, witnessing this, couldn’t help but recall how, in the original story, the female lead had met Ji Liantan with extreme caution, always trembling with fear to avoid suspicion.
Looking at Shen Ying now, it seethed inwardly.
No matter. The inertia of the cultivation world’s plot isn’t something a mere reversal of circumstances can avoid.
She won’t escape it, right?
Within half a quarter-hour, Shen Ying and Ye Qingchen arrived in Xuanwu City. The city had many businesses affiliated with Xuanji Sect, making it easy for them to settle in.
Both carried spirit stones on them, which were useful for transactions between cultivators. However, most of the trade among cultivators was concentrated in the southern district, while this area was mostly populated by ordinary people.
After withdrawing some gold and silver from a money house, Shen Ying eagerly set out to explore.
Other things aside, the handmade street food was her weakness. This era was nothing like the modern world.
Those daring to run food businesses undoubtedly had exceptional culinary skills. Shen Ying ate her way through the entire street until nightfall.
A cultivator’s constitution granted her limitless capacity—there was no such thing as overeating for her.
By evening, Shen Ying finally entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion with Ye Qingchen.
The madam recognized Ye Qingchen and greeted him with exuberant delight: "Ah, Immortal Ye! What brings you here?"
"Your presence truly honors our humble establishment."
This was no exaggeration. At the commotion, the courtesans inside lost interest in their patrons and flocked toward them.
Ye Qingchen had dealt with a serpent demon here before and was no stranger to such fervent attention.
He quickly said to the madam, "Arrange a private room for us."
The madam had been overjoyed until she noticed Shen Ying standing beside him.
Even the most celebrated beauties of Hundred Flowers Pavilion paled in comparison—none could match her breathtaking allure.
"My, this young lady is truly peerless. She makes our own girls seem unremarkable!"
After this flattery, the tactful madam swiftly escorted them to a private chamber, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind.
Once seated, they ordered wine and snacks before Ye Qingchen dismissed the attendants.
Shen Ying rose to examine the room’s decor, then glanced at the moonlight outside and transmitted her voice: "My senior brother must already be here."
To avoid exposure, it was best to keep their communication discreet from now on.
Ye Qingchen nodded. "You dragged me along—how will you meet him then?"
Shen Ying smiled. "Don’t worry, my senior brother will find a way. Your presence will also pressure him. He can’t possibly punish me too harshly, right?"
A glint of amusement lit Ye Qingchen’s eyes as he removed a jade pendant and handed it to her.
"This was a gift from my mother. Both Ji Liantan and I have one—meant for protection. Though it’s not as potent as what Master Lian gave you, it holds sentimental value."
Back then, the two brothers were still young, and the Demon Venerable and Elder Ye’s cultivation hadn’t reached its current heights. Now, its protective use was minimal, but its significance remained.
Shen Ying gave him a meaningful look. "Senior brother, you’re truly devious."
Ye Qingchen chuckled. "Aren’t I just helping my junior sister achieve her heart’s desire sooner?"
Once his dear younger brother realized his true feelings—and regretted sending the woman he loved to seduce another man—
He’d make him regret it even more.
As they drank and chatted, Ye Qingchen had come to appreciate Shen Ying’s vast knowledge and unfettered imagination.
Cold by nature, he usually had little patience for idle conversation beyond cultivation.
Yet speaking with Shen Ying was unexpectedly engaging, leaving him wanting more each time.
Tonight was no different. They spoke softly, switching to voice transmission when needed, soon immersed in effortless rapport.
Seeing the time was right, Shen Ying stood. "Senior brother, wait here. I’ll fetch more wine."
Ye Qingchen knew she was meeting Ji Liantan. Pausing his cup, he replied smoothly, "Then don’t keep me waiting too long, junior sister."
Shen Ying stepped out with a smile, but as she passed the neighboring room in the hallway—
The door silently swung open. A whip lashed out, coiled around her waist, and yanked her inside.
The moment she steadied herself, Ji Liantan’s stormy gaze locked onto her.
He grinned darkly. "As you wished, senior brother is here."
Shen Ying flushed, feigning indignation. "I thought you’d be waiting elsewhere! Eavesdropping, really?"
"What if things got… passionate between me and Senior Brother Ye? Wouldn’t it be awkward for you to listen in?"
Though shaking Ye Qingchen’s Dao heart was his scheme, and he should’ve been pleased at its smooth progress—
The sight of Shen Ying’s smug expression made his blood boil and teeth grind.
