She Dominates the Immortal Realm with Her HP Bar-Chapter 53

◎No Need for Kidnapping or Purchasing◎

As Yan Luoyue continued walking further away in the opposite direction, the rustling sounds behind her grew increasingly frantic—clearly, the hidden figure was growing anxious.

This little snake was still quite innocent, his thought process untainted by worldly cunning, never having encountered the kind of "scheming" tactics Yan Luoyue employed.

No wonder he couldn’t understand why the little girl who had saved him was so stubborn.

He had tried snapping branches and pushing over tree trunks, yet she stubbornly marched down the wrong path, determined to head in the completely opposite direction.

Yan Luoyue deliberately slowed her steps.

As she walked, she wondered how the little snake would handle this situation.

The pattern on the ground clearly hadn’t worked. What would he try next?

Would he broadcast a radio transmission mid-air to stop her?

A minute after this thought crossed her mind, Yan Luoyue sighed and lowered her head.

Staring at the pattern on the ground, she almost wanted to cover her eyes.

She realized his behavior was painfully predictable.

The little snake didn’t play a radio broadcast to halt her steps.

Instead… he created a massive crop circle incident.

Surveying the winter wilderness, Yan Luoyue saw a gigantic "×" carved into the waist-high withered grass.

The dried vegetation lay flattened, its leaves and roots brittle and yellowed, crumbling into powder at the slightest breeze—as if drenched in undiluted pesticide.

Considering Wu Manshuang’s toxic nature, it wasn’t hard to guess how this enormous cross had appeared.

—All he had to do was remove his gloves and walk along the pattern for a few steps.

Yan ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‍Luoyue couldn’t help but wonder how Wu Manshuang had arrived at this decision.

Mimicking his thought process, she reconstructed his reasoning:

She said she couldn’t find her way home → Let’s arrange some branches into an arrow for her → Oh no, the branch arrow is too small, she didn’t see it → Then let’s use a fallen tree to make a bigger one!

Oh no, the fallen tree made too much noise and scared her off → Oh no, she’s walking the wrong way now → What do I do, what do I do → Maybe if I draw a huge cross, it’ll scare her back…

Yes, that must have been exactly how it happened.

Though the little snake’s intentions were good, how could he scare someone like this?

Yan Luoyue mentally scolded him from afar: Didn’t he know that little turtles were extremely fragile? There was even a record of one literally losing half its life just from his gaze!

A frightened little turtle might just—

In the vast wilderness, the lone girl’s silhouette looked frail and pitiful.

Upon spotting the enormous cross in the grass, she took a few steps back in disbelief.

Good, she had finally stopped heading in the wrong direction.

Before Wu Manshuang could even sigh in relief, he saw Yan Luoyue’s face twist into a strange expression—somewhere between laughter and tears.

Then, in the next instant, she swiftly raised her hands to cover her face.

Perhaps because she was genuinely terrified, her voice when she called for help sounded different from usual.

It was oddly stiff, trembling at the edges, each word fractured with fear.

"It seems I can’t go this way either… Could it be… is someone playing tricks on me? Did you take Master Jingxuan away? Please don’t do this, I’m so scared…"

Hearing her words, the cloaked figure hiding in the shadows stiffened.

What should he do? She said she was scared…

Yan Luoyue kept her face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking naturally.

Behind the cover of her palms, she grinned shamelessly.

She knew she shouldn’t laugh out loud, but she couldn’t help but wonder—how would Wu Manshuang handle this reaction?

Amidst the howling wind, the rustling noises grew louder.

It sounded like someone was darting back and forth between two points, trying desperately to stay quiet.

Huh? Was he… moving something?

Curious, Yan Luoyue peeked through the gaps between her fingers.

The next second, she dropped her hands in shock.

Who could explain why a pile of brightly colored dried fruits had suddenly appeared less than a hundred meters away?

Was this bait for a trap? Would the ground collapse into a pit if she stepped on them?

Yan Luoyue tapped her chin, seriously considering the possibility.

Half a second later, she gave up and decided to investigate in person.

Upon closer inspection, she realized the pile was substantial—stacked into a small, tower-like peak.

Even dried, the fruits exuded a sweet, enticing fragrance.

These were a local specialty of Yunning Marsh, known for their high sugar content. Before they even ripened, birds would peck holes into them.

For these fruits to remain intact and vibrant, someone must have gone to great lengths to preserve them.

Measuring the "peak" with her palm, Yan Luoyue strongly suspected the little snake had emptied his entire winter stash!

It reminded her of similar stories.

Like how a pretty cat might think its useless human couldn’t hunt and would starve, so one day, it drags home a dead mouse as a gift.

Or how a sweet cat, deeply attached to its human, might leave a dozen cockroaches on their pillow as a "present," then sit proudly at the bedside, waiting for praise.

Compared to those "gifts," this pile of dried fruits was both thoughtful and considerate—so straightforward it made Yan Luoyue clutch her chest.

—Help, you’re supposed to be a little green snake, why are you acting like a cat?!

What kind of cat-snake hybrid is this? She absolutely had to have one today!

Yan Luoyue felt like she’d been hit by a ton of overwhelming cuteness.

The next moment, as if on cue, a "-10" damage marker slowly appeared before her eyes.

Yan Luoyue: "…"

Only then did she realize—her hands, which had been covering her face, had unknowingly dropped, even waving excitedly at some point.

And her expression, far from fearful, had clearly been one of sheer delight.

Realizing this, Yan Luoyue blinked guiltily.

…Oops. She’d been caught.

…Where was the little snake? She hadn’t heard any movement—had he noticed and gotten angry?

That must be why the surroundings had fallen silent, the once-frantic rustling now completely gone.

The young girl pursed her lips, glanced around, and called out softly, "Wu Manshuang? Wu Manshuang?"

"Are you there?"

"Will you talk to me?"

The wilderness remained as tranquil as ever, offering no response—only the long wind blowing from afar.

Hmm, it seemed he really was upset.

Yan Luoyue chastised herself for her earlier lack of restraint: Damn it, that saying really was true—"The most skilled hunters often appear as prey."

Wu Manshuang might not know this principle, but he had mastered the technique instinctively!

And she, a hunter who had learned through experience, had been effortlessly outplayed by the little fruits he had sent her way.

Clenching her fist regretfully, she tapped it against her palm, then casually picked up a dried fruit from the tower's peak to nibble on.

"It's so sweet, thank you for the treat." She placed a large packet of dried fish beside the pile of fruits. "Come out, I’ll treat you to something too."

No response.

So Yan Luoyue set down another oil-paper package.

"You don’t like dried fish? How about some tangerine cake? Do you want some?"

"The tangerine cake from this shop is soft, chewy, and semi-transparent—I love it. Since you’re not saying anything, does that mean you like it too? Then I’ll leave it all for you!"

Not far away, something rustled faintly in the grass.

The tips of the grass swayed briefly under Yan Luoyue’s watchful gaze before quickly settling back into place.

His patience was unexpectedly good.

Yan Luoyue stacked seven or eight different snacks on the ground and chattered all sorts of things into the air, yet he stubbornly refused to show himself.

Finally, her eyes flickered, and she stood up with a stern expression.

"If... if you don’t want to see me, then I’ll leave."

This time, the grass rustled more noticeably than before.

Seeing an opening, Yan Luoyue pressed her advantage. "I’m really leaving now."

A lie—she had no intention of going anywhere.

This little snake was so hard to catch. The moment he showed himself, she wouldn’t even let him speak—she’d just throw a sack over his head!

Yan Luoyue had thought Wu Manshuang would finally emerge now.

But even after walking a hundred meters away, there was still no movement behind her.

And the grass that had trembled so intensely earlier had stilled once more.

Behind Yan Luoyue, someone pulled regretfully at the edge of his cloak, tugging the hood as far down as possible.

The sound of her retreating footsteps was like a series of faint drumbeats against his eardrums, a constant reminder to Wu Manshuang… that this time, she really was leaving.

Under the hood, someone silently lowered his gaze.

The usually cheerful girl, who always smiled so easily, had left this time without a single grin—her expression had remained stern the whole time.

She hadn’t spoken, and her footsteps were heavier than usual, as if she were a little aggrieved.

His heart felt as though some unseen force had clenched it into a tight ball.

Wu Manshuang twisted his fingers together absently, thinking, She must be angry.

Maybe that was for the best. After this one bout of anger, she probably wouldn’t come back again.

She had two older brothers and Master Jingxuan as a friend.

Hopefully, when she returned, they could comfort her and make her happy again.

Under the cloak, the hooded head drooped lower and lower, almost touching the ground. Wu Manshuang pressed his fingers against the corners of his mouth, trying to push them upward.

He cast one last, longing glance at Yan Luoyue’s retreating figure.

But in that single glance, all his rising melancholy vanished.

Wu Manshuang stiffened in shock.

—Wait, was she actually lost?

—How had she ended up going that way?!

That… that was where the Strangling Vine was!

Yan Luoyue strode forward without hesitation, her gaze fixed ahead.

Her vision was sharp, her instincts keen—her peripheral vision caught the tangled mass of vines ahead, coiled like a ball of yarn.

This type of vine was called the Strangling Vine, commonly found in the wilderness, growing in underground burrows.

The Strangling Vine was a master of stealthy growth.

It first developed an extensive root system in the damp darkness of its burrow, then wove its tendrils into a net-like carpet covering the entrance.

When an unsuspecting creature stepped onto this "carpet," dozens—even hundreds—of vines would instantly spring to life, dragging the prey into the burrow and wrapping it tightly.

Most victims trapped in the burrow met the same fate as those caught in quicksand or swamps—inescapable doom.

Given Yan Luoyue’s current cultivation level, the Strangling Vine would be a tough opponent, but not an impossible one.

Still, unless absolutely necessary, it was best not to provoke it.

Yet at this moment, Yan Luoyue walked straight toward the vine-woven net as if completely unaware.

As she walked, she counted down silently in her mind.

"Ten steps, nine steps, eight steps..."

Just as she reached the seventh step, a hand suddenly grabbed the back of her clothes.

"—Stop!"

The voice was slightly breathless, clearly having rushed over at top speed the moment he noticed the situation.

"Don’t go any farther!"

Given the distance between them, even a short sprint shouldn’t have left him so winded.

His heavy breathing came more from tension—

Tension over her nearly falling into a trap, tension from impulsively leaping out of hiding, tension from grabbing her and only afterward realizing what he’d done…

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Before today, Wu Manshuang had never known that tension could come in so many forms, for so many reasons.

Yan Luoyue slowly turned around.

Beneath the hood, a little mummy wrapped in tattered strips of cloth stared at her intently through the white gauze.

Just like when they had first met in the demon’s den, the moment he saw Yan Luoyue, his full attention locked onto her.

Yan Luoyue was momentarily stunned by his gaze, her hand softening so much that she couldn’t even pull out the small sack she’d prepared.

Her heart softened too, making her blurt out the truth.

"Actually…" she admitted quietly, "I’ve already reached Foundation Establishment. I can handle this Strangling Vine. Even if I stepped on it, nothing would happen."

"I know," Wu Manshuang said.

He lowered his head slowly, his voice soft but clear. "But I just… couldn’t watch you step into it."

Before he could even think, his legs had already leaped out from the grass on their own, and his hand had already grabbed the back of her clothes.

Hearing this, Yan Luoyue suddenly smiled.

Even through the layer of white gauze, Wu Manshuang could see two stars twinkling in her eyes.

Yan Luoyue asked, "So you’re not mad at me anymore?"

Wu Manshuang shook his head. "I was never mad at you."

His self-awareness was impeccable—he even engaged in some introspection.

"I didn’t know you’d come here. I’d left that patch of Strangling Vine alone all this time. If I’d known… I would have cleaned up the area beforehand."

Strangling Vine: ???

If only plants could talk.

Otherwise, the strangling vines would have teamed up with the withered trees and the crossed-out dead grass to confront Wu Manshuang: "Hey, what's your problem?"

Ears twitching, Yan Luoyue's brain automatically caught the keyword.

Hmm? What did he just say? "Cleaning the house"?

In the next moment, Yan Luoyue immediately demonstrated the climbing skills that the turtle clan took pride in, swiftly seizing the opportunity.

The young girl tilted her head at him. "What about your place nearby? Since I’m already here, aren’t you going to invite me over?"

"……"

Wu Manshuang should have refused—just like he shouldn’t have come out to see her today.

But Yan Luoyue’s sparkling eyes seemed to carry some kind of magic.

Her lighthearted voice and carefree smile were now right in front of him, a stark contrast to the stern expression she wore when she left earlier.

Without realizing it, Wu Manshuang nodded.

"Alright. I’ll take you there."

Wu Manshuang’s dwelling was a crude cave with poor insulation and dim lighting.

Yan Luoyue sat inside, subtly glancing around.

A few clay jars sat in the corner, filled with water.

Two bamboo poles stretched across the ceiling, hanging with Wu Manshuang’s homemade dried meat and fruit preserves… Well, she’d just tried one of the little dried fruits, and it tasted pretty good.

Thanks to the storage bags Yan Luoyue had stuffed into Wu Manshuang’s hands last time, there was now a cabinet in the cave.

The cabinet door wasn’t locked, and through the gaps, she could vaguely see a stack of standard storage bags, along with flint, tinder, and other daily necessities.

As for Yan Luoyue, she was currently seated on a small bed made of straw.

The straw core had been recently replaced, emitting a faint, dry fragrance.

Yan Luoyue discreetly pressed her hand against it—given its thickness, sitting for a while might be fine, but sleeping on it all night would surely feel uncomfortably cold.

Come to think of it, when they’d searched before, they really hadn’t found any beds in the cultivators’ storage bags.

Sigh. If she’d known Wu Manshuang was sleeping on straw, she could’ve at least packed up Wu Chunhui’s stone bed for him.

Since Yan Luoyue arrived, Wu Manshuang had been sitting stiffly with his head lowered.

He perched on a small stool, deliberately keeping a wide distance between them.

The cave wasn’t very large, yet he’d positioned himself almost diagonally across from her.

Unbeknownst to Yan Luoyue, Wu Manshuang was secretly relieved.

Fortunately, he’d cleaned the cave not long ago, disposing of anything tainted by his poison.

Even though he was always careful, living in the cave meant things occasionally got contaminated.

Because of this, he had to replace his belongings every so often.

Not that he owned much to begin with.

Behind his bandages, Wu Manshuang pressed his lips together, regretting bringing Yan Luoyue here.

The moon belonged high in the sky, accompanied by stars.

She should be in a warmer, brighter, more spacious place, surrounded by friends and love.

Not stuck in his cave, sitting on a crude straw bed…

Before he could finish the thought, Yan Luoyue fished out something slightly rough from the straw.

"Huh? What’s this?"

Wu Manshuang’s head snapped up, blood rushing to his face. Even through the bandages, the tips of his ears burned crimson.

"That’s…"

Yan Luoyue had already picked it up. It was a book.

Clearly, the owner treasured it—an extra layer of oiled paper protected the cover. But the pages were worn and frayed from frequent handling.

Yan Luoyue glanced at Wu Manshuang. "Can I take a look?"

Wu Manshuang gave a silent nod.

Flipping through a few pages, Yan Luoyue immediately understood. "Ah, it’s this."

It was a popular xianxia novel in the cultivation world, The Tale of Pine and Cypress Subduing Demons.

The story followed a protagonist named "Pine and Cypress Lord" during the late stages of the Demon-Subduing War, detailing how he defeated demonic creatures, foiled their schemes, rose through the ranks of the alliance, and ultimately led his companions to seal a demonic rift.

Pine and Cypress Lord was a fictional character with no real-life counterpart.

After the war, countless similar novels flooded the market, but The Tale of Pine and Cypress Subduing Demons outshone them all, enduring as a timeless classic.

Whenever Yan Luoyue visited Ruyi City, she often heard the teahouse storyteller recite this tale with great enthusiasm, spittle flying as he animatedly recounted the adventures.

Yan Luoyue looked at Wu Manshuang with newfound curiosity, as if discovering a hidden treasure. "So you like stories?"

That was perfect—one of their teammates was a red-crowned crane historian whose job was literally recording tales.

Wu Manshuang shook his head. "There’s an old man in the nearest village who knows how to read. He sometimes recites stories for the children… I’d listen in secretly."

Of course, he always kept his distance.

Cultivators possessed keen senses. By focusing spiritual energy solely on his hearing, Wu Manshuang could pick up sounds from miles away.

That’s how he listened.

But spoken words weren’t like footsteps, hoofbeats, or rolling cart wheels—they had varying tones and rhythms.

The old man’s voice was hoarse and phlegmy, his articulation already unclear.

Wu Manshuang stayed as far back as possible, so catching even a quarter of the story was a stroke of luck.

Which meant…

Yan Luoyue flipped through the book and finally understood why Wu Manshuang’s ears had turned so red earlier.

On the pages, every complex character had been circled in charcoal.

Some sections were particularly dense with markings—so much so that circles overlapped circles, creating a chaotic mess.

Even the infinitely stretchy "Cosmic Awesome Rings" would’ve conceded defeat at the sight.

Wu Manshuang clenched his fingers in shame and admitted, "…I don’t know many of these characters."

As he spoke, heat crept up from his neck to his cheeks, filling him with deep embarrassment.

He wanted to clarify—I’m trying to learn—but then realized it was something he should’ve mastered by now. There was no excuse.

"Really? You want to learn?" Yan Luoyue brightened. "Then I’ll teach you."

Look at this—what a determined, self-taught snake, slipping through the cracks of compulsory education.

Without textbooks, teachers, or even someone to talk to, he’d still found a way to study on his own.

Sure, he hadn’t memorized every character yet, but he’d at least mastered spoken language!

Yan Luoyue smiled until her eyes curved into crescents. "And it’s not just about recognizing characters, right? How about reciting the multiplication table first?"

Wu Manshuang jolted, lifting his head abruptly.

His reaction wasn’t because he foresaw the vast mathematical iceberg lurking beneath the "multiplication table."

What puzzled him was…

Wait, hadn’t Yan Luoyue been sitting on the straw-covered bed just a moment ago?

When had she moved so close to him, leaving barely a fist’s width between them?

His cave only had one stool…

Glancing down instinctively, Wu Manshuang realized his oversight.

Though the cave had only one stool, nothing stopped Yan Luoyue from bringing her own.

—That’s right, Yan Luoyue had taken out a chair from her storage pouch and inched closer to Wu Manshuang, step by step, without him noticing!

Yan Luoyue propped her chin on one hand, staring unblinkingly at Wu Manshuang.

It wasn’t that she enjoyed teasing him, but the little snake’s reactions were simply too entertaining.

The moment he realized she’d moved beside him, Wu Manshuang’s entire demeanor tensed like a fully drawn bow.

If everyone had a vigilance radar, Wu Manshuang’s would be bristling with antennas, jutting out in all directions like a spiky sea urchin.

Ah, Wu Manshuang didn’t know her health points had multiplied tenfold, did he?

If just sitting beside him made him this anxious, then what if…

Yan Luoyue blinked, suddenly flipping open a storybook and pointing at a circled character.

"Look at this."

The character was none other than "frost" from the phrase "white dew becomes frost."

Even through the white veil, Wu Manshuang’s eyes visibly brightened. "I know…"

He wanted to seize this chance to tell Yan Luoyue that the moment she gave him his name, he’d worked hard to learn these two characters.

From that day on, his "Wu" wasn’t just "the Wu with two forks inside," but the "Wu" in "Wu Manshuang."

Wu. Man. Shuang.

These three characters had no inherent connection in the world.

But because of Yan Luoyue, they formed a new name, just as he’d been fortunate enough to cross paths with her three times before.

Yet before Wu Manshuang could voice this, Yan Luoyue took advantage of his diverted attention to do something entirely unexpected.

—She reached out and grabbed his hand, without a shred of protection!

If his hands had still been wrapped in layers of bandages, Wu Manshuang might not have panicked so much.

But somehow, the thick cloth strips had split apart, falling to the ground like wide noodles dropped into a pot.

Even his glove had been swiftly removed by Yan Luoyue—

If the situation weren’t so urgent, Wu Manshuang would have fixed her with an accusatory stare, glaring until she guiltily looked away or he blushed and lowered his head first.

How could she do this?

How could she disregard her own safety like this?

How… how could she hide a blade between her fingers and slice open all the bandages on the back of his hand?!

In an instant, Yan Luoyue sensed Wu Manshuang’s aura shift dramatically.

If before, he’d been a cloaked sea urchin with all antennas raised or a hooded hedgehog curled into a half-ball…

Now, Wu Manshuang’s sharp demeanor and invisible thorns seemed to grow wildly in the wind, "whooshing" taller and fiercer.

In the blink of an eye, the hedgehog’s soft quills hardened into porcupine spikes, just as long and just as sharp!

Even through the layers of cloth covering his face, Yan Luoyue could tell Wu Manshuang had gone deathly pale.

Not just because the boy’s hand in her palm had turned icy cold, but because some things didn’t need to be seen—they could be felt with the heart.

Wu Manshuang cried out urgently, "How could you—stop holding on—let go—!!!"

Today was a day to remember.

Because this was the first time in his life that little green snake Wu Manshuang had ever raised his voice—no, shouted—at Yan Luoyue.

Not only did he dare to shout at her, he even tried to shake her off with all his might!

Yan Luoyue held firm, refusing to release Wu Manshuang no matter how fiercely the startled little snake struggled.

Only when Wu Manshuang gradually calmed down, and her health points dropped from 100,000 to just over 30,000, did she slowly loosen her grip.

"See?" she soothed softly. "I touched you, and I’m fine."

"……"

Wu Manshuang stood frozen like a wooden statue.

On his cold hand, the warmth of her palm still lingered.

He stared blankly as Yan Luoyue, to prove her well-being, even hopped in place and spun in a circle before him.

"See?" Yan Luoyue grinned. "I told you I’d be okay."

"You…"

His scattered wits finally returned.

Wu Manshuang tried several times before finding his tongue again, stiff with shock.

Though he lacked much experience with people, even he knew he ought to be angry right now.

Beneath the white veil, Wu Manshuang frowned. "You…"

But his rebuke, barely one word in, was cut off by Yan Luoyue’s interjection.

Yan Luoyue pouted accusingly, "You just pushed me away."

Wu Manshuang: "……"

Yan Luoyue repeated, "You pushed me."

"……"

After two such accusations, whatever he’d meant to say vanished entirely.

Wu Manshuang reflexively muttered, "Sorry."

"……"

Then he watched as Yan Luoyue shook her head, chuckling to herself and muttering things he only half-understood.

"Ah… you really didn’t need to apologize. Honestly, how could I ever leave you here like this… you’d get bullied to death, wouldn’t you…"

Still murmuring, Yan Luoyue returned the glove to Wu Manshuang.

The boy seized it like a treasure, hastily pulling it back on.

Before he could look up, Yan Luoyue’s invitation was already before him.

"Look, I touched you, and nothing happened, right? So… come with me."

"!!!"

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck him, jolting every meridian in his body. Wu Manshuang lifted his head as if in a dream.

Only now did he dare believe she’d truly come here just for him.

What a tempting offer it was.

What made it irresistible wasn’t just the invitation itself, but the girl who’d extended it.

Years later, she was holding out her hand to him again.

Just like back in the bustling market, when she’d offered her wrist to a helpless little snake, even with pursuers hunting them.

Behind the white veil, Wu Manshuang’s gaze wavered faintly.

"But…"

Even he could hear the weakness and hesitation in his own voice.

Is there truly someone in this world whose will is so resolute that they could refuse her a second time? Wu Manshuang genuinely doubted it.

"Come with me," Yan Luoyue said cheerfully.

"Last time, I didn’t even get the chance to tell you—I’m an artifact refiner. I can craft all sorts of magical tools to prevent the things you fear. Let’s try together, and we’ll find a way to solve the problems, alright?"

"But… it’s too risky." Wu Manshuang mustered the last of his willpower and endurance, speaking with difficulty. "I can’t go to your clan’s territory."

That was the home where she had grown up.

Even if she could touch him now, what if his toxicity worsened? What if…?

He would rather never see her again than risk harming her or the people she cared about.

Hearing Wu Manshuang’s answer, Yan Luoyue clapped her hands lightly.

"Well, that’s perfect! We’re not going back to the clan today—I’m heading to the Hundred Refinements Assembly. Pack your things, and let’s set off together."

Her eyes held two glimmers of light, like the most beautiful fireflies of summer or the reflection of the moon on water.

Gazing at the light in her eyes, Wu Manshuang found himself unconsciously nodding.

Just then, Yan Luoyue delivered the final blow.

She grabbed his wrist again—this time through his sleeve, bandages, and gloves, so it should be fine—and smiled so brightly, like the first mountain blossom of spring… Wait, what had she just said?

Yan Luoyue’s clear voice, word by word, pierced Wu Manshuang’s eardrums, jolting his slightly dazed mind awake.

"Wu Manshuang," she declared solemnly, "you’ve been kidnapped by me."

"…"

Snap.

Wu Manshuang heard the sound of his rationality breaking.

In a daze, as if bewitched, he repeated, "Yes, I… I’ve been kidnapped."

Something about those words seemed to strike a chord, and she suddenly turned away, covering her face as her shoulders shook with laughter.

What was she laughing about?

So, flowers could bloom even in winter.

A moment later, Yan Luoyue tugged at his sleeve.

"Alright, since Little Wu Manshuang has been so well-behaved, I won’t stuff you in a sack. You can just come with me directly."

Without realizing it, Wu Manshuang followed the pull of her hand and took a step forward.

Only after they had left the cave, stepped into the open fields, and Yan Luoyue had confidently released his sleeve, her skipping figure swaying before his eyes, did he suddenly snap back to reality.

—Wait, Yan Luoyue’s logic didn’t hold up at all!

The issue wasn’t whether or not he went to the turtle clan’s territory!

Wasn’t it even worse to wander around like this, leaving a trail of destruction wherever they went?!

Yet, for some reason, Wu Manshuang’s throat felt coated with sweet honey. He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.

As if possessed, he neither wanted to correct the flaws in her reasoning nor raise any objections.

A small voice whispered in his heart, urging him: Trust her. Trust her this time, just like you did at the Moonlit Market.

Well… then, let it be like this.

Wu Manshuang secretly resolved: If anything unexpected happens, I’ll leave immediately—somewhere no one can find me.

Once he’d made up his mind, Wu Manshuang lengthened his stride to catch up with Yan Luoyue’s retreating figure.

Then, he felt it—not just his throat, but even the air he breathed seemed infused with the delicate sweetness of flower nectar.

Yan Luoyue suddenly turned to look at him. "Huh? What are you smiling about?"

The little green snake’s smile was unmistakable—even through his hood and the layer of cloth covering his face, she could see it.

"Am I smiling?"

Wu Manshuang seemed even more surprised than Yan Luoyue. He even raised a hand to touch his face, as if to confirm.

After a moment of thought, he answered earnestly, "Maybe I’m smiling because… the sky is so blue, and I never noticed before."

Ling Shuanghun had been waiting for a long time—so long that the red-crowned crane, who had been softly humming epic ballads, had even changed the theme of his songs.

In this secluded corner, even the usually composed historian had let go of his reservations.

The crane’s song, typically reserved for chronicling history, now carried a rare hint of youthful playfulness.

"The ancients rode away on yellow cranes, leaving only white cranes here~

My companion’s gone and won’t return, leaving me sighing all alo~o~one…"

Just as the song was about to reach its first modulation, Ling Shuanghun spotted two distant figures—tiny black dots on the horizon!

Immediately transforming back into a red-crowned crane, he spread his wings and glided smoothly, landing gracefully before the two.

Tucking his wings away and resuming human form, Ling Shuanghun greeted them with polite courtesy. "So, this must be Little Wu… Dao… Friend?!"

The last word was practically yelped as the white crane, his wings not fully retracted, nearly jumped in shock.

Ling Shuanghun stared at Wu Manshuang in near-horror.

His gaze traveled over the other’s cloak-covered figure, wrapped from head to toe in strips of cloth.

A historian who had always been treated with respect wherever he went, Ling Shuanghun was now face-to-face with the dark underbelly of the cultivation world for the first time—and the impact was visceral.

After all, reading about such things in historical records was one thing. Witnessing them firsthand was another.

With despair creeping into his voice, Ling Shuanghun turned to Yan Luoyue.

"Little Yan, even if Wu Manshuang refused to come with us, you could’ve just let him go. Did you really have to beat him up like this?"

Look at this poor child—every inch of him was wrapped in bandages.

Even his eyes were covered with a layer of white gauze. Had his eye sockets been bruised black and blue?

Unable to bear the sight, Ling Shuanghun averted his gaze.

Then, with trembling hands, he pulled out a small box of medicinal salve he had prepared in advance.

Only now did Ling Shuanghun realize, with deep regret, how woefully inadequate his preparations for this meeting had been.

Full of concern, he turned to Wu Manshuang, fussing over him.

"How are you feeling? Can you breathe properly? Can you walk on your own? Are you still conscious? Don’t worry—the nearest clinic is just an hour’s flight away. I’ll carry you there right now."

Yan Luoyue, thoroughly misunderstood: "…"

Wu Manshuang, equally misunderstood: "…"

Yan Luoyue asked flatly, "What did I just say earlier?"

Wu Manshuang recited dutifully, "You said you’d introduce me to a knowledgeable crane historian—Daoist Ling Shuanghun."

"Mm. Let me add something." Yan Luoyue’s tone was utterly deadpan.

"As you can see, this crane demon—who has dedicated his life to recording unofficial histories and is now personally creating wild rumors about me—is your dear Little Ling."

Ling Shuanghun: "…"