I'll come find you tonight.

Above Purple Bamboo Peak, fierce winds howled.

A Flying Sword, its entire body flowing with cyan light, pierced through the clouds like a falling meteor, heading straight for that sea of purple bamboo.

Su Ye stood with his hands behind his back at the head of the sword, his robes fluttering and snapping in the wind.

Behind him, Lin Waner clung tightly to his waist, her whole body almost pressed against his back. Her little face was flushed red from the wind, but her eyes were full of excitement.

"Senior Brother, that palm strike just now was so satisfying!"

"That Zhao Feng usually acts all high and mighty because his father is an Elder of the Punishment Hall, but he couldn't even withstand a single move from Senior Brother!"

The girl's chattering voice echoed in his ears, like an untiring lark.

A trace of that signature gentle smile played at the corner of Su Ye's mouth as he slightly turned his head.

"That was merely Junior Brother Zhao being courteous."

"Moreover, I only happened to have a slight advantage in strength. If we were to compare the depth of our Magic Treasures, I'm afraid I wouldn't be a match for him in the slightest."

Lin Waner pouted, pressed her face against Su Ye's broad back, and muttered discontentedly:

"Senior Brother is just too humble!"

"He's clearly just too weak. What kind of personal Disciple of Chiyang Peak is he? I think he's not even as good as the servants on our Purple Bamboo Peak."

Feeling the soft sensation transmitted from his back, a faint, obscure light flickered in Su Ye's eyes.

Humble?

No.

It was to better conceal the fangs.

If not for the fear that those old fogies deep within the Taichu Holy Land might detect the aura of a Demonic Technique, Zhao Feng would have already been a desiccated corpse in that instant.

Just then.

A cold, mechanical voice abruptly exploded in his mind without warning.

[Ding!]

[Detected that Lin Waner's admiration for the Host has reached its peak, her heart and mind are agitated.]

[Congratulations, Host. Lin Waner's favorability has increased by 5 points!]

[Current Favorability: 90 (Until Death Do Us Part)]

Su Ye's brow raised slightly.

Ninety points?

It seems the 'hero saving the beauty' act on Taichu Square just now had an even better effect than anticipated.

At this level of favorability, this girl probably wouldn't even blink if she had to die for me.

What a simple, adorable, silly girl.

[Ding! Due to a key plot character's favorability surpassing a critical point, the System is distributing a stage reward!]

[Reward distribution in progress...]

[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: Ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!]

[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: One bottle (ten pills) of Earth Rank Supreme-Grade Medicinal Pill·Marrow Cleansing and Bone Tempering Pill!]

[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: Heaven Rank Low Grade Spiritual Artifact·Emerald Water Ribbon!]

Su Ye's pupils contracted slightly, and his breath couldn't help but stop for half a beat.

Ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones?

One must know that in the Taichu Holy Land, the monthly stipend for an Inner Sect Disciple is only ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.

One Mid-Grade Spirit Stone is enough to exchange for one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and often, they are scarce even at that price.

This System is really too extravagant.

It's practically... a super-rich tycoon.

Back in the day, in order to Cultivate, he had to budget meticulously, even having to sell some Low Grade Talismans in the Outer Sect black market.

Now, this windfall is enough to support him in wanton extravagance for a long time during the Golden Core Stage.

"Hah..."

Su Ye gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, suppressing the restlessness in his heart.

The Flying Sword slowly descended.

Passing through the mist formation surrounding Purple Bamboo Peak, the familiar scenery came into view.

Purple bamboo covering the mountains and plains swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound like a purple sea.

The air was filled with a faint bamboo fragrance, serene and lonely.

This was the most remote peak in the Taichu Holy Land. Usually, apart from their Revered Master and the four Disciples, few people set foot here.

And now.

Apart from their Revered Master Yun Yuzhen, who was imprisoned in the Cold Jade Palace, and Second Junior Sister Ji Ziyue traveling abroad, the entire mountain peak had become the private domain of him and Lin Waner.

"We're here."

Su Ye spoke softly. The sword light converged, landing steadily in front of the bamboo hut on the mountainside.

Lin Waner reluctantly let go and jumped off the Flying Sword, still savoring the feeling of being protected by Senior Brother just moments ago.

"Senior Brother, has Revered Master come out of seclusion?"

She looked towards the Cold Jade Palace at the mountain peak, shrouded in layers of Restrictions, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.

"That Zhao Feng was so arrogant. If Revered Master found out, she would definitely storm Chiyang Peak to stand up for us."

Su Ye followed her gaze, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful arc.

Come out of seclusion?

The current Yun Yuzhen.

That aloof Ice Queen was currently locked up by that humiliating Dragon Trapping Formation.

"Revered Master is Cultivating an extremely important Divine Ability and is at a critical juncture."

Su Ye turned around, rubbed Lin Waner's head, his tone dripping with gentleness.

"In the next few days, no matter what noises you hear, do not approach the Cold Jade Palace, lest you disturb Revered Master's Cultivation and cause Qi Deviation, understand?"

Lin Waner nodded obediently, like a well-behaved kitten.

"Waner understands! Waner will definitely guard this place well, not even letting a single fly in!"

Looking at the girl's innocent eyes, the slight sense of guilt in Su Ye's heart was instantly devoured by greater ambition.

Just as he was about to turn and return to his room to take stock of his gains.

The System's notification sound in his mind rang out urgently once again.

[Ding! System deep scan initiated...]

[Abnormal Physique detected in nearby target "Lin Waner"!]

[Target: Lin Waner]

[Identity: Third Disciple of Purple Bamboo Peak / destined female protagonist (Original Work)]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Fifth Heaven]

[Bone Structure: Ninth-Grade Water Spiritual Root (Incomplete State)]

[Abnormality Details: Congenital Meridian blockages within the body prevent the natural Awakening of the Innate Saint-rank Water Spirit Body, causing the Spiritual Root to degenerate to the ninth grade. Cultivation speed decreases exponentially as the Realm increases. If not repaired, will stop at Golden Core for life.]

Su Ye's footsteps abruptly halted.

Incomplete?

Saint-rank Water Spirit Body?

He suddenly turned around, his gaze sharp as a torch, staring intently at Lin Waner, who was about to return to her hut.

Although this girl usually Cultivates diligently, her progress was indeed slow.

Even with Revered Master Yun Yuzhen sparing no effort, expending her Origin to clear her Meridians, she only barely managed to reach Foundation Establishment.

He originally thought it was due to poor Aptitude.

Who would have thought it was actually a pearl covered in dust!

"Wait."

Su Ye suddenly called out to stop Lin Waner.

Lin Waner turned back in confusion, blinking her big eyes: "Senior Brother, is there something else?"

Su Ye walked up to her in a few steps, his expression becoming serious and earnest.

"Although I blocked Zhao Feng's 'Splitting Light and Grazing Shadow' strike just now, the Sword Qi was insidious, and there might be hidden residual force."

"Waner, give me your hand. Let Senior Brother check your body."

Hearing this, Lin Waner felt a warmth in her heart, her little face slightly reddening.

Senior Brother really cares for me the most!

Without any suspicion, she generously extended her fair wrist, rolled up her sleeve, revealing a section of snow-white arm like a lotus root segment.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Su Ye extended two slender fingers and placed them on her pulse point.

A strand of gentle Spiritual Qi probed into her body along his fingertips.

On the surface, he was checking for injuries, but in reality, he was verifying the System's judgment.

The Spiritual Qi traveled throughout her body.

Sure enough.

Deep within Lin Waner's Qi Sea, there was an extremely obscure black blockage, like a clinging maggot, tightly locking down the Water Spiritual Root that should have been vast as the sea.

Although the Spiritual Root was currently dim and dull, the faint aura it emitted was so pure it was heart-stopping.

Sacred Rank!

It was definitely Sacred Rank!

[Ding! Side quest triggered: Repairing the Incomplete Jade.]

[Quest Description: Help Lin Waner clear the congenital blockages, repair her Spiritual Root, and awaken the complete version of the Saint-rank Water Spirit Body (Primal Water Body).]

[Quest Reward: The Host will gain comprehension of the 'Three Thousand Drops of Weak Water' Divine Ability and randomly draw one Imperial Rank auxiliary Cultivation Technique.]

[Accept?]

Su Ye withdrew his fingers, his eyelids drooping slightly, concealing the flash of sharp light in his eyes.

"Accept."

He silently recited in his heart.

Not just for the reward.

But also because of the four words the System just mentioned—"destined female protagonist."

And Purple Bamboo Peak was precisely the protagonist's early-stage harem headquarters!

No wonder... no wonder Revered Master Yun Yuzhen had the Taiyin Sacred Body, a top-tier cauldron Physique.

No wonder Second Junior Sister Ji Ziyue, although only at the Golden Core Stage, possessed a mysterious Bloodline and a tsundere personality—she was the future Void Empress.

And this seemingly silly Third Junior Sister Lin Waner before him.

In the original work, she should have been 'cured' of her incomplete Spiritual Root by the protagonist, becoming utterly devoted, Awakening the Primal Water Body, and becoming a generation's Empress controlling all the waters under heaven.

As for him, Su Ye?

Hah.

He was a minor villain in the early part of the book, the Senior Brother of Purple Bamboo Peak.

Out of jealousy towards the protagonist and coveting his Revered Master and Junior Sisters, he ended up with his limbs broken, his Cultivation drained, and died without a whole corpse.

"So that's how it is..."

Su Ye sneered repeatedly in his heart.

Since he now knew the plot, this script had to be changed.

What bullshit protagonist.

These future Empresses, these Sacred Rank Physiques—since they're all on my Purple Bamboo Peak, they are my private assets!

I've already tasted Revered Master.

As for these Junior Sisters... keep the benefits within the family.

Su Ye raised his head and looked at Lin Waner's pure, flawless face. His gaze gradually grew profound, as if looking at a rare treasure.

"Senior Brother, am I... am I okay?"

Lin Waner felt a bit unnerved by his stare and asked timidly.

Su Ye instantly retracted all his sharpness, replacing it with an expression of deep distress.

He sighed lightly and shook his head.

"Waner, your body... has a serious problem."

"Ah?!"

Lin Waner was so frightened her little face turned deathly pale, her eyes instantly reddening. "Am I... am I going to die?"

"Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking."

Su Ye reached out and pinched her smooth, tender cheek. The sensation transmitted from his fingertips made his heart flutter.

"With Senior Brother here, even the King of Hell can't take you away."

"However, the Meridians in your body are blocked. If they aren't cleared in time, your Cultivation in this lifetime will probably stop here."

Hearing "Cultivation stopping," Lin Waner's face grew even paler.

In this dog-eat-dog Immortal Realm, being unable to Cultivate was worse than death.

Moreover, if she couldn't Cultivate, she wouldn't be able to stay by Senior Brother's side or protect him in the future.

"Then... then what should I do?"

Lin Waner was so anxious she was about to cry, tightly clutching Su Ye's sleeve. "Senior Brother, you must save me!"

Looking at her pitiful, delicate and charming appearance, Su Ye's inner mischievousness was greatly satisfied.

The fish has taken the bait.

"Don't worry."

Su Ye grasped her small hand in return. The warmth from his palm made Lin Waner feel slightly more at ease.

"Senior Brother just now, within the taichu token, accidentally comprehended an ancient healing secret technique that might be able to cure your hidden ailment."

"Really?" Lin Waner's eyes reignited with hope.

"Of course it's true."

Su Ye spoke with a straight face, talking nonsense. "However, this secret technique needs to be performed at the time of extreme Yin, which is tonight at midnight."

"Moreover, in order to guide the Spiritual Qi to break through the blockages, the process might be a bit... well, feverish."

"And it requires removing all clothing to avoid hindering the circulation of Spiritual Qi."

Lin Waner was stunned for a moment.

Re... removing all clothing?

Her cheeks instantly flushed bright red, all the way to the roots of her ears, like a cooked shrimp.

Although in the Immortal Realm, it's common to not stand on ceremony for the sake of healing.

But the other party was, after all, a man, even if it was the usually closest Senior Brother... "This..."

Lin Waner bit her lip, shyly lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Su Ye didn't urge her, just quietly watched her, his gaze clear and frank, as if he really was only doing this to save her.

"If Waner finds it inconvenient, Senior Brother will think of another way."

Su Ye said, making as if to let go of her hand.

"No! Don't!"

Panic struck Lin Waner's heart, and she hurriedly grabbed Su Ye's hand tighter.

Compared to shyness, she was more afraid of becoming a cripple, more afraid of only being able to watch Senior Brother's back from afar in the future.

If it's Senior Brother... it should... be okay, right?

Senior Brother is a gentleman. He's always been so good to me. He definitely wouldn't have any bad intentions.

Lin Waner encouraged herself in her heart.

She took a deep breath, raised her head, her eyes full of trust and determination.

"Senior Brother, I'm not afraid!"

"As long as I can be cured, as long as I can continue to Cultivate... Waner will listen to everything Senior Brother says."

Looking at the girl's expression of facing death unflinchingly yet still shy, the sense of pleasure in Su Ye's heart was practically overflowing.

What a perfect prey.

No need for force, no need for chains.

Just a little Induction, and she would obediently walk into the cage herself.

"Good."

Su Ye nodded, took out the bottle of "Marrow Cleansing and Bone Tempering Pill" he had just obtained from his storage ring, poured out one pill, and handed it to her.

The pill was entirely crystal white, emitting an alluring exotic fragrance, even with faint pill patterns Entanglement on it.

"This is an Earth Rank Supreme-Grade Marrow Cleansing Pill. Go back and take it first, refine the medicinal power, and prepare for the healing tonight."

"Remember, this matter is between heaven and earth, you and me."

"You must not tell anyone, including Revered Master after she comes out of seclusion, understand?"

Lin Waner took the pill, feeling the terrifying medicinal power contained within, and was so shocked her little mouth fell open.

Earth Rank Supreme-Grade!

A Medicinal Pill of this level, even the Sect Leader Supreme might not be able to take it out casually, right?

And Senior Brother gave it to me without hesitation.

"Senior Brother..."

Lin Waner was moved to tears. The last trace of shy hesitation in her heart also vanished like smoke.

Senior Brother is so good to me, even willing to give such a treasure. And I was still thinking about those unnecessary things. I really shouldn't have!

"Waner understands! This is our secret!"

She nodded heavily, cradling the pill in her hands as if it were a priceless treasure.

"Go on."

Su Ye waved his hand.

Watching Lin Waner run back to her bamboo hut overjoyed, the gentle smile on Su Ye's face gradually disappeared, replaced by an icy indifference.

He turned around, his gaze directed towards the lonely Cold Jade Palace at the mountain peak.

Night fell.

The wind on Purple Bamboo Peak seemed to grow colder.

"Third Junior Sister is settled."

"Next..."

"Time to go see if my noble Revered Master has been obedient today."