108: A chance encounter at Tian Shu, a gentle ripple in the sea of ​​jealousy.

Tianshu City's West District was vastly different from the clean prosperity of the central area. The streets here were narrow, the houses low and dilapidated, and the air was filled with a faint smell of mildew and various mixed Qi. The Cultivators' cultivation levels were generally low, mostly at the Qi Refinement Stage, with only occasional Foundation Establishment Cultivators rushing by. The faint Death Qi and resentment scanned by the System were clearer here, lingering like a Bone-Deep Infection.

Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan suppressed their Golden Core Stage auras, walking along the dirty streets like ordinary Cultivators. Qu Feiyan still held Lin Xuan's arm, but her brows were slightly furrowed, clearly indicating her dislike for the environment.

"Junior Brother Lin, can we really find clues in this wretched place?" she complained in a low voice, her fingertips unconsciously tightening.

"The darker the place, the easier it is for filth to hide." Lin Xuan's gaze sharply swept the surroundings. The System was constantly filtering and analyzing the chaotic information flow around them. [Weak Devilish Qi residue detected in the alleyway ahead, originating from the same source as the Black Fiend Valley Cultivation Technique, but purer.]

The two exchanged a look and quietly approached the alleyway.

However, just as they were about to turn into the alley, a person walked out of a small, seemingly dilapidated building next to them, which had a sign reading "Bai Xiao Pavilion."

That was a woman dressed in a light cyan Flowing Cloud Dress. Her figure was graceful, her face exquisitely beautiful, and her temperament ethereal, as if she didn't belong to the mortal world. She held an ancient Scroll in her arms, and there was a hint of laziness and weariness between her brows, as if she had just woken up. But when she looked up and saw Lin Xuan, her hazy, Sleeping Phoenix Eyes brightened slightly, flashing with surprise and... scrutiny.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist, you look quite familiar," the woman's voice was soft and sweet, carrying a natural affinity. Her gaze rested on Lin Xuan, seemingly completely ignoring Qu Feiyan, who was intimately positioned beside him.

Lin Xuan was also startled. He was certain he had never met this woman, yet for some reason, a strange sense of familiarity arose in his heart. The System immediately scanned the target.

[Target: Gu Qingqing. Cultivation: Early Golden Core Stage (Hidden, actual is Mid-stage Golden Core). Identity: Unknown (Weak Karma connection to the Host exists). Status: Defective Divine Soul (Partial memory loss/Seal), possesses natural goodwill and Curiosity towards the Host.]

Gu Qingqing? Lin Xuan's heart stirred. He seemed to have some impression of that name, but he couldn't recall it immediately. Furthermore, the System's prompt about the Karma connection and natural goodwill made him even more confused.

When Qu Feiyan saw this sudden appearance of a woman whose looks and temperament were no less than Su Wanqing's, and who immediately stared intently at Lin Xuan and claimed he looked "familiar," a surge of nameless anger rushed to her heart. The smile on her charming face didn't change, but she tightened her grip on Lin Xuan's arm, pressing almost half her body against him. Her voice was soft and seductive: "Elder Sister, isn't that method of striking up a conversation a bit too cliché? My Junior Brother isn't fooled by that trick~"

She deliberately emphasized the four words "My Junior Brother," making her declaration of ownership crystal clear.

Gu Qingqing seemed to notice Qu Feiyan only then. She blinked her hazy, sleeping eyes, looked at Qu Feiyan's posture—almost hanging onto Lin Xuan—then looked at Lin Xuan, a hint of realization and... perhaps disappointment appearing on her face?

"I was presumptuous." She bowed slightly, her tone still gentle, but her scrutiny did not diminish. "I just felt that this Fellow Daoist's aura... was quite unique, and I couldn't help but look twice. Farewell." After speaking, she turned and gracefully departed, holding the Scroll, her retreating figure carrying an indescribable sense of loneliness.

"Hmph, putting on airs!" Qu Feiyan huffed in dissatisfaction as she watched her retreating figure, then turned and glared at Lin Xuan. "Junior Brother Lin, you're not allowed to casually talk to unknown women like that in the future!"

Lin Xuan smiled helplessly, but he kept Gu Qingqing in mind. The System's prompt about the Karma connection and natural goodwill was definitely not baseless. Moreover, she could tell his aura was unique?

He temporarily suppressed his doubts and turned his attention back to the main task. The two quickly entered the alleyway and, as expected, found some dried bloodstains containing pure Devilish Qi in the corner, along with a faint residual Spatial Fluctuation.

"It's the trace left by a short-distance Teleportation Talisman." Lin Xuan squatted down to examine it carefully. "It seems this was once a temporary Contact Point or hideout for the Guixu Cult, and the people have already moved."

The clue seemed to be broken.

"Where to next? That Mine Pit?" Qu Feiyan asked.

Lin Xuan was about to answer when suddenly, the System prompt sounded again:

[High-value investable target approaching detected: Yun Qianqian (Daughter of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower Master in Tianshu City). Potential Assessment: A+ (Business Prodigy, extensive Intelligence Network). Contact recommended.]

Lin Xuan looked up and saw a group of richly dressed Cultivators surrounding a bright and charming young woman approaching from the other end of the street. The girl, about sixteen years old, wore a goose-yellow Silk Skirt, adorned with pearls and jade. Her face was delicate and pretty, and her large eyes were lively and cunning. Her cultivation was at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. She was enthusiastically talking to the Guards beside her, and her gaze swept the street, meeting Lin Xuan's eyes exactly.

Seeing Lin Xuan's handsome appearance and steady demeanor, as well as the intimately posed, enchanting Qu Feiyan beside him, a hint of curiosity and playfulness flashed in Yun Qianqian's eyes. She didn't stop walking, but as she passed Lin Xuan, a string of Bells on her wrist "accidentally" slipped off and rolled to Lin Xuan's feet.

"Oh dear, my Clarity Bell!" Yun Qianqian exclaimed, her voice crisp.

Lin Xuan bent down and picked up the Bells. They felt cool and smooth in his hand—a decent quality Calming Magical Artifact. He handed them back to Yun Qianqian: "Miss, your bells."

Yun Qianqian took the Bells, her fingertips subtly brushing Lin Xuan's palm. She smiled charmingly: "Thank you, Young Master. My name is Yun Qianqian. May I ask your esteemed name? You look new; are you visiting Tianshu City for the first time? If you need any help, feel free to come find me at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower!" Her words were enthusiastic, and her gaze boldly shifted between Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan, carrying a hint of imperceptible provocation.

Qu Feiyan's smile almost froze on her face. Just as one cold and aloof woman left, another fiery and prominent one appeared? And the daughter of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower Master! She secretly pinched Lin Xuan's arm and used Voice Transmission: "Junior Brother Lin! This girl clearly has ill intentions!"

Lin Xuan felt the slight pain on his arm and smiled bitterly inwardly. His expression remained unchanged. He nodded politely to Miss Yun: "I am Lin Xuan. Thank you for your kindness, Miss Yun. If I have need, I will certainly bother you." His tone was distant and courteous.

Yun Qianqian didn't mind. She chuckled and walked away with her entourage, looking back at Lin Xuan one last time before leaving, her gaze profound.

"Hmph! Flirting!" Qu Feiyan stamped her foot in anger, released Lin Xuan's arm, crossed her arms, and turned her face away, clearly genuinely jealous.

Lin Xuan found her rare display of Girlish Petulance somewhat amusing, yet also a little headache-inducing. He reached out to pull her closer, but she dodged him.

"It seems Tianshu City is more 'lively' than I imagined." Lin Xuan sighed, his gaze sweeping over the direction Gu Qingqing had left, then toward the corner where Yun Qianqian had vanished, and finally resting on the pouting Qu Feiyan beside him.

The shadow of the Guixu Cult had not yet been lifted, yet the Emotional Debts around him seemed to be escalating. He shook his head, deciding to first check the Mine Pit in the South of the City. As for these suddenly appearing women... he could only take things one step at a time.

"Let's go, Senior Sister Qu. Let's handle the main business first." He softened his tone.

Only then did Qu Feiyan reluctantly turn around and re-link her arm with his, but she deliberately pinched him hard and muttered, "Dare to look around again, and watch out—Elder Sister will deal with you!"

Lin Xuan: "..." Life was truly becoming more "enriching."