When A-Xin saw Dan Shu and Xu Xiangjun appear again, the two were standing on either side of Luo Dongqing. Looking at Luo Dongqing's expression, he should have resolved the conflict between them. Yin Lan had a look like she'd seen a ghost, her expression indescribable.
"What's so good about that Luo Dongqing that Dan Shu actually agreed to stay by his side together with Xu Xiangjun? Is her brain broken?"
The distance between them wasn't too far. Dan Shu had at least cultivated to the top level of this world in her previous life. The strength of her soul couldn't be compared to someone at Yin Lan's Spirit Master realm. Hearing Yin Lan complain that her brain was broken, if she didn't want to expose herself, she really wanted to retort—in the previous life, who knew whose brain was worse, who was it that霸道ly kidnapped someone back to the Demon Palace just to get Luo Dongqing for that person?
[Yin Lan already really hates Luo Dongqing. I shouldn't need to do much here. If there are no other accidents, Yin Lan and Luo Dongqing won't get involved in any relationship.]
The system quickly said, [Congratulations, host! You just came back and already solved so many problems.]
[Thanks to you. Thank you.]
The system chuckled. [No need. We're helping each other. If host can complete your wishes, it's also very beneficial to me. Besides, host being able to come back is because you worked hard enough yourself, cultivating to the top level of this world and being willing to return to the past to change the outcome of certain events, giving up such powerful strength. Just this point alone—not anyone can do it.]
[That's because, a long time ago, I was really very weak and selfish. I never thought that my weakness and selfishness could harm others. Clearly I didn't do anything, but I was still wrong. If I had awakened earlier, perhaps those tragedies wouldn't have occurred. This person Luo Dongqing simply isn't worthy of good women liking him. Later he had so many women, each one a heaven's proud daughter, yet for various strange reasons, they ended up with him.]
[Thinking carefully about it now, I feel stifled for them all.]
The system didn't respond, nor did it reveal that Luo Dongqing would soon be in trouble.
After all, the Evil God and the host's wishes didn't conflict. He just needed to wholeheartedly assist his host while secretly cooperating with the Evil God. He was excited—why did this feel like getting two salaries?
Dan Shu thought of something that would happen in a few days. She glanced at Xu Xiangjun beside her and said to the system, [Do you know why I chose this moment to expose Xu Xiangjun and Luo Dongqing's relationship?]
[Isn't it to prevent that future incident from happening?]
Dan Shu said, [Not just that incident, but also what will happen in a few days. Since Xu Xiangjun is willing to entangle with Luo Dongqing, I'll grant her wish. That way, it'll prevent others from being implicated and cheaply benefiting that hypocrite Luo Dongqing.]
Hearing this, A-Xin was thoughtful. Indeed, because of this incident, another woman would be added to those related to Luo Dongqing. This one was truly innocent—just because of an accident, she'd be forced into a relationship with Luo Dongqing. And Luo Dongqing was a scoundrel who, taking advantage of various advantages, would lock her in.
"Miss Yin, your move." Seeing A-Xin continuously staring at Dan Shu's direction, Ji Yunman couldn't help but remind her to place her stone. She casually inquired, "What are you thinking about, Miss Yin? Do you also have some opinion about Luo Dongqing? Or do you think Dan Shu is indeed pitiful?"
A-Xin placed a stone, looking directly at Ji Yunman, and answered, "No opinion."
Really? Then why were you staring at Dan Shu just now? She really didn't mean anything by it, just very curious. She said, "Dan Shu is Luo Dongqing's childhood sweetheart. According to people, she's always followed by Luo Dongqing's side—a very devoted young lady." She didn't say aloud what she thought—that someone like Luo Dongqing simply wasn't worthy of such a good girl's affection. But that was someone else's business; she never liked to interfere.
A-Xin smiled lightly and nodded, indicating she understood.
Because of Dan Shu's rebirth, it seemed there was nothing here for her to do. With Dan Shu present, all of Ji Yunman's crises had been indirectly resolved. Once Luo Dongqing lost that Imperial Women System, all dangers needn't even be mentioned. With Ji Yunman's talent, cultivating to the peak would be very easy. So she didn't need to do much, just accompany Ji Yunman's growth to the top of this world, then she could successfully retire.
Though this way, she always felt something was missing, she didn't think deeply about it.
"Hey, you're called Dan Shu, right?"
Yin Lan was really bored. Her master just liked staying with Ji Yunman, even forgetting about her as a disciple. With no other option, she had to find her own entertainment.
There were only three people on their boat. Among the people on the neighboring boat, only Dan Shu looked pleasing to the eye. Seeing Dan Shu sitting alone at the edge, Yin Lan also sat at the edge. The two faced each other, and she couldn't help starting a conversation.
Dan Shu raised her head, looking at Yin Lan with clear, bright eyes, answering crisply, "Yes, I'm called Dan Shu. I remember you—you're Yin Lan, right?"
"That's right. You have a good memory."
Dan Shu laughed inwardly while still maintaining the appearance of a pitiful girl.
Except for being somewhat domineering in personality, Yin Lan was actually a girl who dared to love and hate. Her only mistake was liking Luo Dongqing. Her final outcome wasn't good either. No matter how much she accepted Luo Dongqing, Yin Lan couldn't accept one woman after another appearing by his side. She eventually accidentally severely injured one of Luo Dongqing's new favorites and was slapped away by him. This was no small matter.
Yin Lan refused to accept it and bullied all of Luo Dongqing's later women. While feeling smug, she accidentally bullied one that Luo Dongqing really liked. In the end, Luo Dongqing considered her unreasonable, crippled her cultivation, and threw her out.
What happened after that, she didn't know. Probably not very good.
To Luo Dongqing, these women were just his playthings from the start. He was never truly sincere to anyone. Later, after Luo Dongqing became invincible, he fell in love with one after another. Even if he stayed overnight at a small inn, the next day the innkeeper's daughter would be taken into his harem.
As for herself, she was the one Luo Dongqing said in front of everyone that he cared about most. If he really cared about her, how could he take woman after woman into his fold? He even specially built a large bed to favor who knows how many women in one night. One night, one bed—it could sleep over a dozen women. Without seeing it with her own eyes, who could imagine Luo Dongqing's life was so chaotic?
Especially the first few women who followed Luo Dongqing—each one so excellent. Many couldn't endure Luo Dongqing's behavior and chose to leave. Unfortunately, Luo Dongqing's cultivation was too strong. He'd catch them back and throw them on the bed, regardless of whether they were willing or not, not treating them as human at all.
Thinking of past events, Dan Shu's whole body emanated a thick aura of sadness, which startled Yin Lan. She quickly said, "Hey, are you very sad? How about I tell you a joke?"
"I'm not sad." Dan Shu came back to her senses, looking seriously at Yin Lan. "I'm fine."
"Liar. You're clearly very sad. Do you think I'm blind? Is it because Luo Dongqing likes someone else that you're sad?" Yin Lan asked. "Why don't you change to liking someone else? This world has many excellent men. It's not like it's missing just Luo Dongqing alone. Why must you only like him?"
Dan Shu shook her head. "But I only want to be by Brother Dongqing's side. I can't leave him. It's because he's too excellent that he attracts other women."
"You..." Yin Lan was somewhat angry. "What is your brain made of? Even if he's excellent and attracts many people, so what? You're right beside him, yet he still flirts with other women. Clearly his character isn't that good. I advise you to give up early."
Dan Shu's eyes reddened. "No, I can't possibly give up on Brother Dongqing. I only like him. Even if many people like him, I still like him. He said the one he likes most is me."
"You're really making me so angry. He likes you most, so he can like many people?" Yin Lan's eyebrows shot up. "You woman, why are you so stubborn, insisting on hanging yourself on this rotten piece of wood?"
Dan Shu's tears fell. "What can I do? I just like Brother Dongqing."
Yin Lan was about to say more when she suddenly felt a cold gaze. Looking up, she saw Luo Dongqing standing behind Dan Shu. She stuck out her tongue. Luo Dongqing glanced at her, pulled Dan Shu into his embrace, and said to Yin Lan, "Miss Yin Lan, I really didn't expect you to be this kind of person, taking advantage of my inattention to sow discord between Shu'er and me."
"Does this count as sowing discord? You're just a philanderer. Poor Dan Shu, such a good girl, is so sad because of you now."
"That's still my business. Miss Yin Lan, you're too meddlesome."
Luo Dongqing had just heard Dan Shu's words and was quite moved inside. He hadn't expected Dan Shu to like him so much. He indeed shouldn't have flirted with other women in front of her. Next time, he'd definitely be more careful. Probably couldn't find anyone else here like Dan Shu who wholeheartedly liked him, not caring whether he was a waste or a genius.
Those future women, no matter how much they liked him, would only be because Luo Dongqing wasn't a waste and was a genius with good fortune, right? They fundamentally liked his external advantages, not him as a person. So those women didn't deserve his sincere treatment. The only person he needed to treat sincerely was Dan Shu—she was the most important woman in his heart.
"Shu'er, this won't happen again to make you sad." Luo Dongqing explained.
Dan Shu buried her head without speaking. Luo Dongqing could only hold and comfort her. Watching this, Yin Lan glared and gritted her teeth, wanting to rush over and beat him up.
"Brother Dongqing, I know you're very excellent and many people will like you, but I'm really so sad. In the future, don't like more people, okay?"
Luo Dongqing looked at the pitiful Dan Shu crying like a tear-soaked person. His heart softened and he blurted out, "Shu'er, rest assured, there won't be a next time."
"Since Brother Dongqing says so, I'll believe you." Dan Shu raised her head, looking serious. "But Brother Dongqing is too attractive. To avoid today's incident from happening again, wherever you go, I'll go. I believe any tactful, dignified woman who knows the person you like is me definitely won't come near Brother Dongqing." She smiled brilliantly. "I must keep a close watch on you to prevent other women from seducing you away."
Keep a close watch to prevent you from harming other innocent women. Luo Dongqing, with me Dan Shu here, besides Xu Xiangjun, don't think about having another woman. Dan Shu nestled in Luo Dongqing's embrace, her lips curving upward.
Yin Lan took a deep breath, glared at Dan Shu, and huffily returned to A-Xin's side. After several more deep breaths, "So infuriating! Master, it's too infuriating. How can there be such a stubborn woman?"
A-Xin handed Yin Lan a cup of tea. "Drink some, calm your anger."
Yin Lan took the cup and drank. "Really making me so angry. That Dan Shu, really really..." Her appearance was somewhat frantic. "Really don't know what to say. With Luo Dongqing like that, how could he possibly keep his word?"
For the rest of the time, when Yin Lan saw Dan Shu, she only glared at her without saying a word. When Dan Shu wanted to talk to her, she quickly turned her head away. She wouldn't bother with this stubborn woman—talking to her would make her lungs explode with anger.
[Evil God, that thing is coming.]
The system's voice suddenly sounded. He secretly glanced at Ji Yunman. [Is everything okay on your end?]
"No problem."
The system just gave a heads up, then went silent. Dan Shu had long known what would happen today and had been secretly recovering her strength these past few days. With her powerful soul, dealing with what came next should be no problem.
The sky suddenly darkened. The originally calm seawater also churned quite violently. The people on the ships sailing ahead and behind were no ordinary folk. Seeing this situation, they felt things might not be simple.
"Probably a sea demon causing trouble," someone said.
Everyone took out their magical treasures, preparing to deal with the coming danger.
Ji Yunman also lost interest in brewing tea. Her expression was somewhat worried. "Didn't expect a sea demon to appear here." She looked at the increasingly dark sky. The surrounding seawater had already churned up to human height, surrounding the ships. "Miss Yin, we must be careful next. From the looks of it now, this sea demon's strength is probably very strong."
Her talent was good, but she was only seventeen years old. At fifteen, she was a fourth-rank Spirit Master. Now she was only a seventh-rank Spirit Master, still a bit away from the Spirit General realm. Any sea demon daring to cause trouble would at least be at the Spirit King realm. Otherwise, with so many people here, how would it dare appear?
She didn't know A-Xin's strength. Seeing her performance, she assumed she was somewhat higher than herself, most likely at the Spirit General realm. Spirit King realm could already be considered a powerful figure. They weren't easy to meet, but someone like A-Xin who was so approachable probably wasn't at the Spirit King realm. Someone at Spirit King realm wouldn't treat her as a peer, no matter how good her talent.
The surrounding waves became more and more fierce. Even though A-Xin's ship was a magical treasure, it was rocked unsteadily, as if it might flip at any moment. Those ships that weren't magical treasures were hit by the seawater and swayed, colliding with each other, already showing signs of breaking. For instance, Luo Dongqing's large ship was already taking on water.
All their people leaped to the top, their faces not looking good. The ship sinking was only a matter of time. They had prepared small boats, but the current situation was that small boats simply couldn't navigate the sea—they'd flip as soon as released.
Luo Dongqing had one arm around Dan Shu and held Xu Xiangjun with the other hand, protecting his two women in his embrace. Xu Xiangjun's face was very pale. She tightly gripped Luo Dongqing's sleeve, her heart extremely grateful. If she hadn't had a relationship with Luo Dongqing, if something really happened, what would she do?
She unconsciously glanced at Ji Yunman's side. This woman who broke off the engagement with Luo Dongqing—she thought Ji Yunman would also be in a sorry state right now. Unexpectedly, A-Xin's ship was still perfectly fine and hadn't broken, just rocking rather violently.
Her heart felt unbalanced. Seeing that large ship carrying only three people, she unconsciously said, "Brother Luo, I see Miss Yin's ship is intact. How about we go to their ship and borrow a spot?"
"Boss, that's feasible. We brought other ships, but in the current situation, we simply can't put them down. Miss Yin's ship is large and sturdy, and it's a magical treasure. It can accommodate our people."
Not only did they have this idea—many people around had the same thought.
Their ships couldn't hold out anymore. People like A-Xin who were so wealthy they used magical treasures for sea travel were relatively rare. Most rode ordinary ships. Seeing A-Xin's ship perfectly fine, they all wanted to board.
After all, there were few people on board—it could still accommodate quite a few.
Some domineering people, relying on their strong cultivation, had already leaped onto A-Xin's ship, saying arrogantly, "Miss Yin, borrowing a spot on your ship."
With one person speaking up, many people leaped aboard. At first they still said a word to A-Xin about borrowing space, but later they simply ignored her, directly boarding and casually finding a place to sit. Some even entered the cabin to grab spots.
Yin Lan and Ji Yunman watched with rising anger. Unfortunately, the Eastern Cloud Continent always respected strength. Meeting these tough characters, they couldn't refuse even if they wanted to.
"If you're borrowing space, at least ask Miss Yin, right?" Ji Yunman couldn't quite endure it. "Boarding the ship is one thing, but not even asking, directly opening the cabin—isn't that too disrespectful?"
"So it's Miss Ji." Someone recognized Ji Yunman and smiled. "Miss Yin hasn't said anything. Where's your turn to speak? Besides, Miss Yin is different. At a time of crisis, she wouldn't stand by and watch, choosing the same approach as Miss Ji."
Hearing them roundabout curse her, Ji Yunman's expression wasn't good. Two years had passed and people still brought up that matter. She pressed her lips tightly, not knowing how to retort for a moment. Some sadness appeared in her eyes. Besides Miss Yin, no one had ever spoken a word for her. Even her family members, except those close to her, all blamed her for ruining the Ji family's reputation.
"Then all of you get off."
A-Xin's suddenly sounding voice made everyone freeze. Did they hear wrong? "Miss Yin, what did you say? You're joking, right?"
"No, I'm telling you all to get off." A-Xin smiled lightly. "This ship is mine. I didn't allow you to board. If I tell you to leave, you must leave."
"Miss Yin, don't joke around."
"Haha, that's right. Already boarded—telling people to leave the ship, that's not good."
Several people with powerful cultivation coldly swept their eyes over A-Xin, pressing toward her with fierce momentum. This method was very useful for dealing with the weak. As long as they forced the other party into cold sweats, a pale face, even unable to help collapsing on the ground.
But A-Xin maintained a light smile throughout. "Everyone, are you truly not leaving the ship?"
"Miss Yin, don't be like Ji Yunman. How can we leave the ship now? The surrounding waves are so big—only your ship can still be used for now. Telling everyone to leave now—isn't that a bit too much?"
A-Xin shook her head. "Too much?"
Ji Yunman pulled A-Xin's sleeve. "Miss Yin, forget it. They have numbers and power." She was also unwilling, but simply couldn't match them. Without absolute strength, everything was restricted. Even if she was a genius, she had to bow her head.
"How can we forget it?"
A-Xin said, "If you won't leave, I can only invite you to leave."
Everyone thought A-Xin was joking. Just as they were laughing, they suddenly felt a powerful force directly lift them up and violently throw them into the seawater.
"Splash—"
"Splash—"
Countless sounds of falling into the sea rang out. Those people on A-Xin's ship couldn't control their bodies at all. They involuntarily floated up, then like stones smashed into the sea. The seawater slapped their faces painfully.
In the blink of an eye, everyone was thrown into the sea. They wanted to leap up and board the ship, but it was like hitting a thick transparent wall. They slid back into the seawater. The scene was quite comical.
Yin Lan had been huffing angrily, but didn't expect her master to have this move. She thought to herself—Master has gotten stronger again. Could this be the growth speed of a cultivation maniac?
"Serves them right!"
Yin Lan spat. "They should see whose ship this is. Is it one you can just board?"
Countless people floated in the sea. Having no choice, they could only find a piece of wood or step on their swords to float on the sea surface, letting the seawater drench them.
A-Xin sat calmly in her original spot. Ji Yunman was simply stunned. So the woman sitting calmly before her—what terrifying realm had her strength reached?
A-Xin raised her eyes and smiled at her. "Why get angry with them? If you don't like them, just throw them off."
Ji Yunman was flustered by this somewhat indulgent smile, stammering, "I didn't expect Senior Yin's strength to be so powerful."
"Senior Yin?" A-Xin made a sound. "Why call me Senior Yin?"
"Because your strength is powerful." Ji Yunman was sincerely respectful. "So you've been so low-key. If I was disrespectful before, please..."
"Just call me Miss Yin, or use my name. I don't like 'Senior Yin.'"
Ji Yunman thought of those who'd just been thrown into the sea, only looking eagerly at A-Xin. Such a powerful person seemed even stronger than her master. She felt somewhat flattered.
"Miss Ji, I guess Master doesn't like being called old. Master rarely likes talking with anyone. You should just go along with her." Yin Lan laughed inwardly. Hmph, Ji Yunman, now you know my master's power, right? Look at your shocked expression. Still the peerless genius young lady? Clearly just a timid young lady.
Just as Ji Yunman was about to say something, the waves seemed to flip over, directly rolling the entire ship in.
In her moment of alarm, she felt a pair of warm hands grab her. That same calm voice came through: "Don't be afraid. It's fine."
Instantly, Ji Yunman's heart was somewhat moved. She felt more at peace. "Thank you, Miss Yin." As a Ji family member with exceptional talent, her pressure was great. Glamorous in front of others, suffering behind—who knew what she'd experienced to work hard at improving her strength, how many crises she'd encountered? Even her parents had only instructed her to cultivate diligently. This was the first time in danger that she heard someone tell her "don't be afraid, it's fine."
"Master, remember to hold onto me! How could you forget your little disciple?"
"When the wave hit, didn't you quickly grab my sleeve?"
Yin Lan huffed angrily. "That's because I had quick reflexes. Otherwise you'd definitely have forgotten me."
Master really isn't the same master anymore—seduced away by that little vixen Ji Yunman.