Azure Cloud Sect, Crimson Sky Peak.

Mu Baishuang, who was in the midst of cultivation, suddenly opened her eyes, sensing something amiss.

"Strange, how has my senior sister's aura stabilized?" She took out a pitch-black tortoise shell and two copper coins from her storage ring, calculating for a long time without any result.

According to her plan, Li Qingran, with both internal and external injuries, her spiritual root and cultivation level ruined, and afflicted by fire poison, should not survive more than half a month. Moreover, with demonic beasts rampant in Evergreen Mountain, any encounter with a slightly powerful beast would spell her death. Once Li Qingran died, the Taiyin Dao Physique would be hers.

"Where did it go wrong?"

Mu Baishuang frowned, only able to deduce that Li Qingran was still in the broken thatched hut without moving, knowing nothing else.

This was the only somewhat comforting fact.

"Sister Baishuang, are you there?" A raspy voice echoed from outside the cave dwelling.

Mu Baishuang's frown deepened, her face full of disdain.

It was that noisy Zhang Hanxiao again.

This guy came to her cave dwelling at least a dozen times a day!

If it weren't for maintaining the image of a cute Sixth Junior Sister, and for the item Zhang Hanxiao possessed, she would have turned hostile long ago.

A good-for-nothing who idled around all day dreaming of becoming her cultivation companion?

But Zhang Hanxiao was still somewhat useful.

Mu Baishuang's eyes twinkled, immediately coming up with a plan, a standard sweet smile of a Sixth Junior Sister appearing on her face as she went out to greet him.

"Brother Hanxiao~"

The sweet, syrupy call almost made Zhang Hanxiao's body go numb.

"Brother Hanxiao, is there something you need?" Mu Baishuang stood in front of Zhang Hanxiao, tilting her head slightly, her plain clothes as white as snow, hands clasped in front of her abdomen, her long hair gently swaying in the breeze, her eyes clear like a budding white lotus.

"Ah, ahaha! It's nothing major." Zhang Hanxiao stared straight at Mu Baishuang's face, swallowing hard, hurriedly handing over the item in his hand, stammering, "Half a month ago, during your duel with Li Qingran, didn't your Frost Moon Sword break? I've been taking on sect missions non-stop and earned some money to buy you a good sword, named Autumn Glory, better than Frost Moon."

He lied; this sword was actually a birthday gift from Li Qingran.

He had indeed taken on many sect missions recently, but also caused a lot of trouble, earning not enough to cover his debts.

Previously, Li Qingran always helped him pay, but now he had to handle it himself.

But to develop a relationship with the Sixth Junior Sister, he needed some small gifts for flirting, so he decided to give away the Autumn Glory Sword.

Mu Baishuang glanced at the Autumn Glory Sword in Zhang Hanxiao's hand.

This sword was a mid-grade magical artifact, indeed better than the high-grade mundane Frost Moon Sword, considered quite luxurious among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In fact, Lu Changtian had already given her a high-grade magical artifact, the Wind Floss Sword, but who would complain about having too many weapons?

Not to mention, in a critical moment, a magical artifact could be self-detonated as a trump card.

"Brother Hanxiao, isn't this inappropriate?" Mu Baishuang pouted, looking at the Fourth Senior Brother's waist, "Isn't the Autumn Glory Sword your personal sword? What will you use if you give it to me?"

"Ah, my strength is there, what sword isn't a sword for me?" Zhang Hanxiao said nonchalantly, "But Sister Baishuang, you need a handy weapon for protection, so it's settled, don't refuse!"

Mu Baishuang inwardly rolled her eyes at his words.

What did he mean by her needing a weapon for protection? Was she that weak?

"Alright, thank you, Brother Hanxiao~" Mu Baishuang accepted the Autumn Glory Sword with a grateful smile, pretending to cherish it as she hugged it close, "I really like this sword, Brother Hanxiao, you're so kind~~"

Zhang Hanxiao looked at the sword in Mu Baishuang's arms, wishing he could replace it with his own arm.

He also remembered his earlier plan, striking while the iron was hot, "Junior Sister, do you have time tonight? Let me tell you, there's a great spot in the sect's back mountain with abundant spiritual energy, perfect for cultivation. I'll take you there tonight!"

"Ah, no need." Mu Baishuang smiled politely, "First Senior Brother has already set up a Gathering Spirit Array for me."

"Uh, this..." Zhang Hanxiao was dumbfounded.

"By the way, Brother Hanxiao." Mu Baishuang stepped forward, hugging the Fourth Senior Brother's arm, her fingers hooking onto his palm, blinking, "There's an outer disciple named Song Jiaojiao, she's a good friend of mine. Could you bring her to me? You know, it's inconvenient for me to go to the outer sect..."

With Mu Baishuang's embrace, Zhang Hanxiao's already half-numb body went completely limp.

He only felt that the Sixth Junior Sister smelled so good, not knowing how he got out, his mind in a daze. By the time he came to his senses, he was already standing under the willow tree outside the cave dwelling.

"Tsk, worth it." Zhang Hanxiao savored the lingering touch on his arm, leaving contentedly.

Outer disciples were not allowed into the inner sect, and inner sect members couldn't bring outer disciples in.

That was the sect's rule, and if caught, punishment awaited.

But now he didn't care about rules; the Sixth Junior Sister's words were the rules!

Mu Baishuang leaned against the door of the cave dwelling, instinctively touching the burning snake-shaped mark on her lower back, her pretty face filled with malice, her eyes flashing with cold light: "Li Qingran, let's see if your luck can save you this time..."

***

Midnight.

Chen Huaian was jolted awake by the alarm he set.

Due to his frail body, he usually went to bed around eight or nine in the evening, not waking even if the sky fell.

But today, to ensure he woke up, he set his phone to vibrate, sleeping with his face on it.

The alarm was set to ring every minute, determined to wake him up.

The reason for waking at this hour was simple: to check on his virtual girlfriend.

Opening the game, he saw the advanced Gathering Spirit Array's effect had ended, ten spirit crystals shattered into dust, the array banner dimmed, but Li Qingran, still in breath regulation at the array's center, looked radiant.

Chen Huaian gently tapped Li Qingran's forehead:

[Status: Breath Regulation]

[Cultivation Progress: 327/499 (Second Layer)]

"Wow, already at the second layer of Qi Refining? Almost at the third! This money was well spent!"

Chen Huaian shook his head, feeling like a parent who bought study materials for his daughter, only to see her grades soar.

Before he could savor the moment, two pay-to-win notifications slapped him in the face:

[Congratulations! Your virtual girlfriend 'Li Qingran' has broken through to the second layer of Qi Refining!]

[ First-time monthly card with a celestial discount, purchase now to receive 'Transmission and Breath Regulation' once! Only 1888¥ for a monthly feedback worth 18.88 million—receive a daily spirit stone supply gift and a pill supply gift corresponding to your virtual girlfriend 'Li Qingran's' realm (for virtual girlfriend use only)]

[The virtual girlfriend shop is now open! You can purchase all items suitable for the Qi Refining stage! You can also draw treasures in the 'Luck-Boosting Koi Pond·Beginner' (100 per draw, 10% off for ten draws, draw a Lucky Koi to exchange for a super prize, Lucky Koi draw probability 0.001%, guaranteed 1000 draws)]

***

Chen Huaian's smile froze.

Chen Huaian stared at his phone in silence.

Chen Huaian's hand trembled slightly.

Chen Huaian wanted to call the police!