"I wonder which sect Miss Yin comes from?" Ji Yunman's eyes brightened as she looked at A-Xin. Based on just those few sentences, she really wanted to become friends with this Miss Yin.
A-Xin smiled faintly. "Small, insignificant sect. Not worth mentioning."
Yin Lan: Master, you're being modest. If the Demon Palace is a small, insignificant sect, then there are no major sects in the Eastern Cloud Continent.
The Demon Palace's reputation wasn't great, but it really wasn't a small, insignificant sect.
Ji Yunman knew A-Xin was unwilling to say more and didn't press. She glanced at Luo Dongqing still standing on the shore with a greenish complexion, feeling extremely satisfied inside. These past two years, wherever she went, she'd received strange, contemptuous looks. She didn't care much, but being misunderstood and scorned by countless people still made her somewhat angry.
And this Luo Dongqing—wherever there were benefits, there he was, with incredibly good luck. Every time Luo Dongqing obtained something good, people would stare with their eyes wide open, their gazes falling on her. As if telling her: Look, this is the fiancé you abandoned. Not only does he have great talent, but his luck is excellent too. Her heart felt stifled. Whether Luo Dongqing was good or not—what did it have to do with her? The two had already broken off the engagement and had no connection whatsoever, yet she'd constantly be brought up for discussion. Truly annoying.
"Miss Ji, earlier my master said you didn't like Luo Dongqing. Now I believe it."
Ji Yunman glanced at her, her tone flat, not as warm as when speaking with A-Xin. "I truly don't like him. I'm not familiar with him. It's normal that Miss Yin Lan doesn't understand."
Yin Lan stuck out her tongue. This Ji Yunman was indeed as legendary—toward people she didn't care about, she was always indifferent, not wanting to say more. That she could speak so peacefully with her was mostly for her master's sake.
She secretly glanced at Luo Dongqing standing on the shore. Dan Shu was pulling Luo Dongqing saying something. Too far away—without deliberately listening, she couldn't hear at all. Luo Dongqing seemed to hear something and actually smiled, even pinching Dan Shu's face. He seemed to feel Yin Lan's gaze, looked up to meet her eyes, and even smiled. Yin Lan quickly averted her face.
"Master, that Luo Dongqing is indeed a lecher. The woman beside him should be someone close to him. While being intimate with her, he actually smiled at me. That smile was really strange."
Ji Yunman sneered. "You'll get used to it after seeing more. He's like that with all women. Though only two women are close to him, and these two women are devoted to him to death. But the women he knows—there are really quite a few."
"Really?" Yin Lan seemed to have discovered a new continent. "Miss Ji, can you tell me about it?"
Ji Yunman took a sip of tea and glanced at the group in the distance. "You'll understand soon from what's about to happen."
Yin Lan still didn't quite understand, but soon saw a group approaching Luo Dongqing. Among these people, men and women were mixed. Because of Ji Yunman's reminder, she carefully paid attention. When those women saw Luo Dongqing, their eyes all brightened as they quickly crowded beside him. On the surface, Luo Dongqing seemed not to show anything, but he didn't reject these women throwing flirtatious glances at him. He maintained a serious appearance, as if unaware. Among them, several men took Luo Dongqing as their leader, their relationship seeming quite good.
They spoke a few words and leaped onto Luo Dongqing's large ship. Whether or not those people had heard what happened earlier, the group all looked toward A-Xin. Their gazes were somewhat fierce, as if A-Xin had done something terrible.
"Why should Big Brother Dongqing bother with such people? Someone who can walk together with Ji Yunman—their character probably isn't much better."
"That's right, Boss. That kind of person will sooner or later face retribution. How dare they criticize Boss's broken ship."
Luo Dongqing's expression eased. "Alright, it's already past. Don't talk about it anymore. We should discuss what we might encounter in the secret realm later. Many strong people came this time. If there really are good things, there'll be no shortage of disputes. You all need to be careful then. If you can't win, remember to run. Don't lose your lives over treasures."
That arrogant woman actually looked down on him so much. One day, when he stood at the peak of this world, these people who looked down on him could only look up to him.
At that time, even if she regretted, it would be too late.
Luo Dongqing was full of confidence about his future. He swept his gaze over these women around him—actually each had decent looks, but unfortunately their luck wasn't enough to make him have any ideas. Compared to women, he naturally preferred powerful strength more. With powerful strength, what women couldn't he have? Unless he was especially interested, he wasn't willing to waste time contacting women with weak luck.
Since he, Luo Dongqing, had transmigrated to the Eastern Cloud Continent, then he was this world's protagonist. He was bound to make a name for himself here. And his women—of course they also had to be the Eastern Cloud Continent's finest.
[Host, if there's a chance, I think that woman is really quite good. Obtaining her devoted loyalty—from now on whatever the host does will go smoothly.] The Imperial Women System looked at A-Xin with great desire. The luck on this woman was really too tempting.
If not for his insufficient ability, he really wanted to go directly absorb her luck.
Luo Dongqing's brow furrowed as he glanced at the white-clothed woman with a faint smile on her face, extraordinary bearing, conversing with Ji Yunman. He said to the system, [I know, but to gain her special regard won't be easy. You also saw just now—she actually disdained my broken ship. Unless my strength is strong enough, I won't arouse her interest at all.]
[Then Host, work hard to become stronger. Many people came this time. Let's first conquer those with lower difficulty. After accumulating to a certain degree, then go conquer this especially aloof-looking woman.]
Luo Dongqing thought about it and agreed. [Then help me watch. Best if we can get a hero-saves-beauty situation, something simple. Generally speaking, women all fall for this.]
The ones he wanted to conquer were all women of extraordinary status, so with his current assets, it definitely wouldn't work. He could only approach from other angles.
The exchange between the two was heard clearly by A-Xin. Her lips curved with a faint smile. Ji Yunman sat opposite, only feeling the woman before her was truly of extraordinary celestial bearing. She'd never seen such a woman. Perhaps because of that earlier matter, the more she looked at A-Xin, the more pleasing she found her.
"Miss Yin, shall we go together later?"
A-Xin nodded. "Sure."
Yin Lan: I always feel Master is somehow off. Actually getting along so well with a junior like Ji Yunman. Wasn't Master especially proud and aloof before? Though it might have been an act.
Ji Yunman's smile bloomed. Her eyes never moved from A-Xin. She wasn't someone who especially liked initiating conversation topics, but facing the woman before her, she couldn't help starting many topics, really wanting to talk more with the other.
Thus along the way, the two chatted about everything under the sun. Yin Lan on the side couldn't get a word in and felt somewhat bored. Fortunately, Luo Dongqing's ship was behind them, so she watched Luo Dongqing's side.
"Miss Yin Lan, interested in coming aboard to play?" Luo Dongqing revealed what he thought was a very handsome smile, sending an invitation to Yin Lan.
Also, Yin Lan kept looking his way along the journey. The system also said Yin Lan's luck was strong, so he planned to try. If he couldn't conquer the other one, conquering this one would be good too. Moreover, this young one looked relatively innocent. He was confident that after two days of interaction, the other would become interested in him.
This kind of girl—one look and you could tell she was spoiled at home, curious about everything. Give her some novel things and it would be very easy to attract her.
A-Xin's gaze turned toward Yin Lan, wanting to see if she'd agree.
Luo Dongqing thought Yin Lan would agree. Best if Yin Lan could have a falling out with that white-clothed woman—then he'd have an easier time.
Unexpectedly, Yin Lan propped her chin and said, "No thanks. Your ship is too broken and you have too many people. Looks really crowded."
"Pfft—"
Ji Yunman burst out laughing, her gaze toward Yin Lan softening considerably. As expected, birds of a feather flock together. Miss Yin Xin was a good person, so her disciple wouldn't be bad either.
Luo Dongqing, who'd prepared himself, had his expression freeze.
The people around Luo Dongqing also changed expression greatly. "Miss Yin Lan, aren't your words a bit too impolite? Our boss kindly invited you to play. You're going too far. It's just having a magic treasure—what's so great about that?"
"Exactly. Only because Boss has a good temper."
"Brother Dongqing, why bother with such people?"
Seeing everyone attacking Yin Lan, a smile returned to Luo Dongqing's face. "Alright, don't speak ill of Miss Yin Lan. It's my fault for rashly inviting Miss Yin Lan. My place truly can't compare to Miss Yin Lan's. If she doesn't want to come, forget it. Actually, I just wanted to get to know Miss Yin Lan. Meeting is fate."
His heart was uncomfortable, but this was also a good opportunity.
When everyone was attacking Yin Lan, if he came out to speak for her, he'd surely leave a different impression.
"At least you have self-awareness." Yin Lan raised her chin and casually said this. She thought there was nothing wrong with it.
In the Demon Palace, she'd been pampered since childhood with fine clothes and jade food. Cultivation resources were piled before her to pick at will. Going to sea, she definitely carried magic treasures with her. She'd never ridden such an ordinary large ship.
Luo Dongqing's smile was a bit strained. Seeing Yin Lan was really hard to approach, he temporarily gave up the thought.
"Earlier didn't you think Luo Dongqing was pretty good? How come you find him disagreeable now?" A-Xin asked.
Yin Lan pursed her lips. "That person—he looks so fake. Just had an unpleasant encounter with Master, and now he wants to invite me over to play. I suspect he wants to sow discord between Master and me."
"Being so impolite and he still smiled pleasantly—clearly he has some ulterior motive. I'm not going."
A-Xin smiled. Seemed Luo Dongqing had made a very poor impression on Yin Lan.
Yin Lan's personality was quite straightforward—what she found agreeable looked agreeable no matter what; what she found disagreeable looked disagreeable no matter what. They should have originally met in the secret realm. At that time, Luo Dongqing obtained a good treasure but was surrounded and attacked by various strong people. With Luo Dongqing's trump cards, escaping with the treasure was no problem.
Unfortunately, the other party captured Dan Shu and threatened Luo Dongqing to hand over the item, then they'd release Dan Shu. That treasure was extremely precious—otherwise it wouldn't have attracted the competition of major strong people. According to ordinary thinking, Luo Dongqing shouldn't hand it over.
But Luo Dongqing didn't hesitate at all and directly handed it over. Yin Lan happened to witness this scene. Seeing Luo Dongqing's honorable and righteous side, her impression of him improved by thirty percent. Dan Shu had been hit by a special technique and was unconscious. Yin Lan happened to have a way to help, and the two became quite familiar.
Later when Dan Shu woke and learned that precious treasure for Luo Dongqing had been snatched because of her, she felt extremely guilty. At this time, Luo Dongqing actually took out that treasure and told them he'd just made a fake one for those people. The fake was of course made by the Imperial Women System—easily fooling those people.
Because of this, Yin Lan's impression of Luo Dongqing improved even more. She thought he was not only honorable and righteous but also very wise. A small Spirit Master realm cultivator actually dared deceive so many strong people without changing expression. A favorable feeling arose from her heart. Gradually through interaction, and Luo Dongqing's deliberate contact, she fell for Luo Dongqing. Her personality was straightforward—what is, is. Liking Luo Dongqing, she'd pursue him.
Because there were too many women around Luo Dongqing, she abducted him back to the Demon Palace. Of course, Luo Dongqing was very disliked by Yin Xin, who thought this smooth-talking boy wasn't worthy of her disciple. Hearing Luo Dongqing had many other women, she couldn't accept it even more. If Yin Lan insisted on liking him, that was fine too—Luo Dongqing could just stay in the Demon Palace forever.
Luo Dongqing naturally wasn't willing to give up other people for Yin Lan. Resisting to the death, he was locked up by Yin Lan. Never expected that the place imprisoning Luo Dongqing actually hid a secret realm inside, with lost cultivation methods and treasures to improve strength. Luo Dongqing took spirit pills, cultivated the techniques, and secretly escaped.
After Yin Lan learned of this, she had no choice but to furiously chase after him. Later a series of events occurred. Yin Lan felt she couldn't leave Luo Dongqing and finally compromised, becoming just one member of his harem.
Luo Dongqing told her this: "I like Lan'er's straightforwardness and innocence. I also know Lan'er likes me, but I met them first, Lan'er later. They've always been by my side. If I abandoned them, I'd be betraying them. I, Luo Dongqing, am unwilling to let down women who sincerely stay by my side. Lan'er, if you're unwilling, then leave. If willing, then stay."
At that time, Yin Lan was deeply in love with Luo Dongqing. How could she leave? Though very unhappy inside, she soon threw herself into competing for favor and jealousy, completely forgetting she was the Demon Palace Master's disciple with a noble status. Later when Yin Xin discovered what Yin Lan had done, she planned to kill Luo Dongqing. Unfortunately, very powerful women appeared beside Luo Dongqing. She didn't succeed but was seriously injured, then encountered many accidents and died. After Yin Lan took over the Demon Palace, it basically became Luo Dongqing's.
Luo Dongqing became stronger and stronger, leaving the women beside him far behind, attracting more and more women. In all the women's minds, there was only one thought: Luo Dongqing was too outstanding. That they could stay by his side was already fortunate. So no matter how many women he had beside him, that was as it should be.
A-Xin guessed these women's brains having problems was mostly that system's doing. These women all had decent talent and status—they weren't fools. How could they all be willing to submit to one man? Or perhaps it was related to luck.
After two days, they finally arrived at the small island where the secret realm opened.
Looking from afar, the island seemed covered by a layer of mist. Even divine sense couldn't see clearly the situation in the mist. Supposedly, before the secret realm opened, this island didn't exist. Thus the secret realm itself should be this island.
As soon as the ship docked, Luo Dongqing, following the Imperial Women System's words, led everyone to rush quickly into the secret realm.
"Miss Yin is so calm—looks like you came to see scenery." Ji Yunman had originally really wanted to obtain treasures from the secret realm, but Yin Xin's appearance made her not so eager. "However, since we're here, let's go in first."
A-Xin nodded. "The secret realm opening is itself an opportunity. To obtain treasures inside also requires opportunity. My luck has always been good. No need to be too anxious—treasures will naturally be encountered by us."
Yin Lan: Master, Master, please be modest.
Ji Yunman also couldn't help laughing. This Miss Yin really wasn't modest at all.
Half an hour later, Yin Lan and Ji Yunman, holding spirit medicines over a thousand years old, looked at A-Xin with nothing but worship in their eyes.
At this moment, A-Xin was sitting on a rock, slowly picking the surrounding spirit medicines, not forgetting to instruct the two, "Pick faster. There are many good things in other places."
Hearing this, Yin Lan and Ji Yunman sped up considerably.
Yin Lan: Listening to Master's words is never wrong.
Ji Yunman: Following Miss Yin, she really lucked out.
Soon after the two finished picking the spirit medicines and reminded A-Xin it was time to go, they saw A-Xin stand up and strike the rock she'd just been sitting on. The rock split, and a round, pitch-black object rolled out. At that moment, both their eyes went wide.
"Thousand-year black iron stone?" Ji Yunman's head felt dizzy. So Miss Yin had been sitting on a treasure for refining magic tools?
A-Xin struck the thousand-year black iron stone again, splitting it in half. She gave half to Yin Lan and handed half to Ji Yunman. Ji Yunman quickly shook her head, saying she felt unworthy—if not for A-Xin discovering it, she wouldn't have known.
"If you don't want it, I'll throw it away."
Yin Lan: Strange.
Ji Yunman gripped the black iron stone and could only thank her. "I've indeed wanted to forge a sword to my liking. This black iron stone comes very opportunely. Miss Yin, doing this—I really feel a bit embarrassed."
"Keep it. I don't lack these."
Ji Yunman: Miss Yin says she's from a small, insignificant sect, yet doesn't even value thousand-year black iron stone. Clearly she really doesn't want to reveal her sect's situation. Perhaps it's a hidden major sect.
The two of them met by chance. Today she lucked out.
"Miss Yin, if you need anything in the future, just speak up."
A-Xin only smiled. "Let's go to other places."
Yin Lan and Ji Yunman both felt somewhat dreamlike, following behind A-Xin. Soon they'd discover various treasures, like picking up stones.
[Didn't you say there should be a thousand-year black iron stone here?] Luo Dongqing questioned the system. [I split open all the rocks but didn't see it. System, are you malfunctioning? It's been almost two hours and I haven't found any valuable treasures.]
The usually infallible system had actually made an error. This made Luo Dongqing somewhat panicked inside.
[Someone must have come first. Host, don't forget—you've only successfully conquered two women. Your luck simply isn't enough. There are many people with great luck in this world. Them finding things first is very normal.]
Luo Dongqing frowned. [Then the next place. I deliberately separated from them. I can't come away with nothing. After I leave, I'll conquer more women.]
One day later, Yin Lan sighed. "Master, do we still have to keep going? I'm a bit tired. There are too many treasures—can't even finish picking them. Now looking at ordinary ones, I don't even want them."
Ji Yunman: The well-fed don't know the hungry's hunger.
However, she also seemed to have no interest in spirit medicines only a few hundred years old, unwilling to even bend down to dig them.
A-Xin surveyed the surroundings, calculating some things Luo Dongqing might obtain. Just missing one most powerful treasure—the one that would attract competition from major strong people. It was an ancient jade slip containing a cultivation method. Luo Dongqing obtained this method and completely changed his waste physique, from then on smooth sailing.
"I have a premonition we can still find one pretty good treasure."
Ji Yunman and Yin Lan looked at each other, then silently followed. If A-Xin said it was a pretty good treasure, it definitely was.
Soon they came to an extremely hidden place and personally witnessed A-Xin feeling out an ancient-looking box from an ordinary stone wall. The box had restrictions, but unfortunately they couldn't stop A-Xin at all—easily opened. A jade slip emitting green light was taken out. A-Xin held the jade slip and glanced at it, her gaze falling on Yin Lan and Ji Yunman.
"This jade slip is for waste physiques to cultivate. It's useless to you."
"Miss Yin, what are you saying? This item was discovered by you to begin with. Just keep it."
A-Xin shook her head and handed the jade slip to Ji Yunman. Ji Yunman only felt it burning her hands and quickly tried to refuse. Miss Yin was really too generous—it made her somewhat panicked.
Since childhood, many people had been good to her, but someone who'd just met her and given her so many treasures—really only this one person. And she could feel this person truly didn't care, casually giving to her.
"Take it. Later if you find someone agreeable, give it to them to cultivate. The cultivation method is quite good. For those with poor talent, cultivating it yields twice the result with half the effort."
It must be said, Ji Yunman was very moved.
Though the Ji family was a major family, those with good talent were just so many. Most had poor talent. This cultivation method was truly too precious for a family.
"Yunman first thanks Miss Yin. From now on, Miss Yin's matters are my, Ji Yunman's, matters."
Yin Lan couldn't help saying, "Master, our sect's disciples could also use it." You're being too generous. Really don't understand why Master treats Ji Yunman so well—even better than her. She was somewhat jealous.
"I've already memorized it." A-Xin glanced at Yin Lan. "What's the rush?"
Yin Lan: I always feel Master belongs to someone else now.
Preparing to leave, Yin Lan and Ji Yunman discovered A-Xin placed a jade slip back in that ancient box, set restrictions, put the box back in the stone wall, making it look about the same as before.
"Miss Yin, this is?" Ji Yunman didn't understand.
A-Xin smiled faintly. "Drinking water, remember its source. Having obtained a good cultivation method, I thought I had another good one on hand, so I'll leave it here for someone with fate to take."
At that moment, Ji Yunman looked at A-Xin with eyes full of worship. Miss Yin's bearing truly had no equal. Such a broad-minded woman was truly admirable. In contrast, they who only knew to take treasures really only cared about their own interests and weren't worthy of comparison with her.
If Ji Yunman knew what would happen after cultivating the method in the jade slip, she wouldn't think this way.
Afterward, the three left.
Not long after, Luo Dongqing found this place. When he got the ancient box, he breathed a sigh of relief. [System, this is what you mentioned—the most precious treasure in the secret realm?]
[Correct. Seems the host's luck is still good. I calculated that the treasure inside can bring the host infinite benefits.]
Luo Dongqing was happy, but before he finished being happy, countless light swords flew around him. Then a rough voice rang out. "Boy, hand over the thing."
Next was Luo Dongqing's desperate flight path.
Learning from the system that the thing was very important to him, he'd die before handing it over.
When A-Xin's trio encountered Luo Dongqing again, it was a scene where a strong person was holding the unconscious Dan Shu hostage, demanding Luo Dongqing hand over the box.
Since entering the secret realm, the treasure with the greatest value Luo Dongqing obtained was this box. Compared to originally when he should have handed over the box without hesitation, this time he seemed somewhat hesitant. Because of inner anger, his mind wasn't so clear, and he also forgot to promptly ask the system about faking it.
"Isn't he childhood sweethearts with Dan Shu? How come now that Dan Shu is in danger, he's still hesitating?" Yin Lan asked.
Seeing this, A-Xin smiled. Seemed things had already changed. Yin Lan's impression of Luo Dongqing wouldn't be the same as originally.
Ji Yunman also couldn't help saying, "When I broke off the engagement, he said I looked down on him. Now facing Dan Shu in danger, isn't he also hesitating? His own childhood sweetheart also can't compare to one treasure."
"Perhaps he's considering if there are other methods." A-Xin said.
Ji Yunman glanced at A-Xin. Seriously? Miss Yin would speak for that guy?
"Fine, I'll give it to you." When A-Xin said that sentence about considering other methods, Luo Dongqing finally remembered he could still seek help from the system.
Just now, the system agreed to help him make a fake.
He took out that fake box. Those strong people couldn't tell. The person holding Dan Shu hostage, after receiving the box and checking it, thinking it was correct, threw Dan Shu to Luo Dongqing.
Yin Lan commented, "At least has some conscience."
"Probably couldn't withstand the pressure." Ji Yunman sneered sarcastically. This person Luo Dongqing—she now found him extremely disgusting.
On the return journey, the groups happened to be one in front, one behind. Luo Dongqing's friends, hearing about his experience, were all very indignant. This time Luo Dongqing was in a very bad mood and didn't mention switching out the cultivation method. That thing was fought over by so many people—it was the only treasure he obtained. If these people before him had ideas, he really wouldn't handle it well.
One day later, Dan Shu woke.
A-Xin noticed Dan Shu's gaze paused on the three of them several times. The bottom of her eyes flickered with some doubt, as if something was unclear.
Until she heard a familiar voice.
[Host, congratulations on returning to the past.]
[Yes, finally back.] Dan Shu communicated with the system in her heart, some vicissitudes flashing through her eyes. [Finally back. This time, I won't let the same things happen.]
[Then, Host, please begin your life reversal.]
A smile crossed Dan Shu's face. Thinking of something, she asked, [Things seem somewhat different. Yin Lan and Luo Dongqing's relationship doesn't seem good. How is the Demon Palace Master here? And how is Ji Yunman together with the Demon Palace Master? They look like they have a good relationship.]
[Perhaps it's the butterfly effect. Maybe when energy triggered space-time, some changes occurred.]
Dan Shu didn't care about these things. [Speaking of which, it's good. Yin Lan's personality is too strong. She's too obsessed with Luo Dongqing. If she really fell in love, I still wouldn't know how to stop it. Now I only need to watch Luo Dongqing and prevent him from contacting other women. Then I can change everything and won't trigger all the future tragedies.]
[Actually, Host, you could stay away from Luo Dongqing and restart your life.]
Dan Shu shook her head and smiled. [No. I didn't come back to change my own life, just to reverse the ending I don't want to see. Do you know how I felt when I saw Ji Yunman furiously self-destruct before me? Luo Dongqing actually never considered any of our feelings. He's the most selfish one. Dan Shu actually already died at that time.]
At this moment, Luo Dongqing came out, coming before Dan Shu with a concerned expression. "Shu'er, how are you?"
Dan Shu's somewhat vicissitudinous eyes suddenly became clear, revealing the same brilliant smile as before. "Brother Dongqing, I'm fine." She thought of what happened before, her face full of guilt. "Brother Dongqing, it's all my fault. If not for me, you wouldn't have lost that very important treasure."
This time, A-Xin finally had a chance to greet an old familiar system. "Long time no see."
System: ???
The voice was inexplicably familiar. The whole system went cold. Soon he thought of something, his voice trembling. [Evil... Evil God Lord?]
Evil God?
[Lord, long time no see. You're actually here?] The system was both terrified and joyful. [Evil God Lord, I didn't get in your way this time, did I? What do you want me to do? Actually, this host Dan Shu is quite good. She doesn't do bad things. If Lord wants me to unbind, I... I'll unbind.]
A-Xin was amused. "I'm just saying hello."
"What system are you this time?"
[This time I'm called the Life Reversal System. Lord, really very happy to meet again.] Setting aside everything else, he was still very happy to encounter this person.