Watching Ruyi Pei’s retreating figure, Ye Luqing fell into deep thought.
When that idea rose in her mind, she found it unbelievable.
Why was she so obsessed with Ruyi Pei?
Because of Xiao Qingxuan?
Yes, but also no.
At its core, what she was attached to was not Ruyi Pei as a person, but a sense of security in this world.
From the attitude when they first met and the memory of that earth-shattering kneel, it was clear that Ruyi Pei’s relationship with the original host hadn’t been good—there was no affection between the two.
It could even be said that Ruyi Pei and the original host were enemies.
Under these circumstances, the love Ye Luqing developed for Ruyi Pei after crossing over was certainly her own, a feeling that had nothing to do with the original host.
However, the root of this matter did indeed stem from Xiao Qingxuan’s “concern” for her that morning.
She couldn’t help but be affected, and perhaps she herself hadn’t realized just how deep that influence ran.
“Damn Destined Female Lead, trying to corrupt my Dao heart again…”
She muttered softly.
Though it was a thoughtless act, seeing others being loved inevitably sparked a longing to be loved herself.
Ye Luqing returned to her room and opened the System panel, checking Ruyi Pei’s Corruption Value data.
[Name: Ruyi Pei]
[Cultivation: Yuan Ying Stage]
[Blackening Value: 9%]
[Demonization Value: None]
[Corruption Value: 60% (Second Stage)]
Ye Luqing nodded in satisfaction.
The final wave’s effect was better than she’d imagined, with Corruption Value jumping by 12% at once.
At this rate, she might be able to acquire the other party’s second-stage talent before the Competition.
But just as she was about to close the System panel, her sliding finger suddenly stopped at the “Blackening Value” column.
?
9%?
Is this right?
Why does Ruyi Pei have a Blackening Value?
Her first thought was that the Dog System was up to some trick again.
“System!”
Sensing Ye Luqing’s confusion, the System promptly provided an answer.
[Under the host’s guidance, Ruyi Pei developed a distorted love for the host, and thus was recorded under Blackening Value. Congratulations.]
Ye Luqing froze.
Right, Blackening Value was just the term the System used for Xiao Qingxuan’s exclusive stat, but its core wasn’t unique to Xiao Qingxuan.
“Distorted love, huh…”
Ye Luqing lowered her head slightly, the corner of her mouth curving into a helpless smile.
What she wanted was to be loved—even if it was twisted, it didn’t matter.
“Then… can Ruyi Pei’s Blackening Value also be converted into points?”
If it could sync to the Blackening Value Shop, then other people’s Blackening Value might be useful too.
[Indeed, you can obtain points at a 1:10 ratio.]
[However, host, are you sure you want to do this?]
Hearing the System’s reply, Ye Luqing immediately calmed down.
Her main mission was to reach Xiao Qingxuan’s Blackening Value target of 400%.
There was no need to create unnecessary complications beyond that.
Increasing Blackening Value by 10% could exchange for 100 points, but a higher Blackening Value also meant life-threatening danger.
She still remembered Xiao Qingxuan’s state when she approached 200%—that icy, bone-chilling murderous intent still made her shiver when recalled.
“Understood.”
Ye Luqing waved her hand, and the System interface vanished.
She returned to her room, gazing at the damp floor in the center.
It seemed as if Ruyi Pei’s presence still lingered in the air.
Moving to the bedside, she lay down, her long blue hair spreading across the bed.
‘Though there’s no need to actively provoke it, if I’m short on points, bullying a little isn’t impossible,’
She thought.
‘After all, Blackening Value can decrease again.’
At least, Xiao Qingxuan’s Blackening Value had fluctuated several times, dropping a few points after obtaining the Dreamforging Lotus.
She opened the Blackening Value Shop.
After purchasing the “three forbidden items,” she was left with only 370 points, enough to buy only Mysterious-level goods.
Even if other people’s Blackening Value wasn’t converted to points, it at least served as a danger warning.
As long as she controlled the level of Blackening Value and didn’t cross a certain threshold, it would be fine.
***
Evening.
Ye Luqing arrived at Baiyu Platform of Biluofeng as agreed.
Unlike yesterday, today Ying Qianqian had arrived earlier than her.
However, besides Ying Qianqian, there was another person on the Jade Platform.
“Xiao Qianzi, are you sure you want to refuse me?”
“If the two of us teamed up, we’d have a real chance at the top four.”
Standing opposite Ying Qianqian was a charming girl with white hair tied up, her purple eyes showing a hint of surprise.
Ye Luqing had some impression of this girl.
She was once ranked third among the Inner Sect Disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak, now second within the Inner Sect—Tao Xiaoxian.
“I’ve already said, I want to participate in the Doubles Match with Senior Sister Ye.”
Ying Qianqian frowned slightly.
“Tch.”
Tao Xiaoxian raised an eyebrow, a trace of annoyance in her expression.
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Why make up such a ridiculous excuse?”
“Or are you planning to use Senior Sister Ye to suppress me?”
Participating in the Doubles Match with a double-support team was unheard of.
Ye Luqing’s Mystic Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Art could suppress enemies below the Nascent Soul, but that was only in singles matches.
Doubles Matches were far more complex than singles, and the coordination of two cultivators was most crucial.
If a double-support team entered the Competition, let alone the top four, even the top forty would be a struggle.
‘Besides… Senior Sister Xiao is still in the Sect. Who would dare to invite Senior Sister Ye to team up?’
Tao Xiaoxian thought to herself.
Three years ago, after Xiao Qingxuan and Ye Luqing made waves in the Doubles Match, many tried to team up with Ye Luqing the next year.
There were even many at the Peak Nascent Soul Realm.
The result?
All those people were cut down by Senior Sister Xiao, under the guise of “fair competition”—not one escaped without injury, and some even had to withdraw from the Competition.
If she guessed right, even if Senior Sister Xiao exceeded the eligibility criteria, no one would dare to invite Senior Sister Ye to form a team.
After all, Senior Sister Xiao had already reached half-step Deification Realm.
Taking a single blow from her wouldn’t mean serious injury—it would mean instant reincarnation.
As the two continued to argue, a voice stepped in to help Ying Qianqian.
“Junior Sister Tao, Xiao Ying did indeed promise to team up with me.”
At the words, both turned simultaneously, speaking in unison.
“Senior Sister Ye?”
Ye Luqing was slightly stunned, surprised by their synchronicity.
Ying Qianqian quickly walked to Ye Luqing’s side, apologetic.
“Sorry, Senior Sister Ye. I didn’t explain things clearly to her.”
Tao Xiaoxian wasn’t the first to invite her for the Doubles Match.
As a direct disciple of Biluofeng, she’d received several invitations from other peaks, some from Nascent Soul cultivators.
On the other side, Tao Xiaoxian also bounced over to Ye Luqing.
She stared at Ye Luqing in surprise, not expecting Ying Qianqian’s words to be true.
But at the same time, a mischievous thought formed in her mind.
“Xiao Qianzi, since that’s the case, I won’t force you to team up with me.”
“We’re opponents now, so we might meet in the Doubles Match.”
“Wanna bet? Let’s see whose team makes it further?”
She grinned at the two, full of confidence.
Ye Luqing also raised an eyebrow.
Their goal was to win anyway, and she didn’t mind collecting a bit more from Tao Xiaoxian.
Even so, she decided to check with Xiao Ying first, since these two seemed a bit at odds.
“What’s the bet?”
Tao Xiaoxian coughed twice, then smiled slyly at Ye Luqing.
“If my team wins, Senior Sister Ye has to make me osmanthus cake.”
Ye Luqing was momentarily stunned, unsure of Tao Xiaoxian’s intent.
So simple?
She just wanted to eat her cooking?
But her next words struck like thunder.
Tao Xiaoxian turned and pointed at Ying Qianqian.
“As for you, if your team loses…”
“I want you to ‘dual cultivate’ with me and help with my cultivation!”
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