Let’s sleep here for one night

Because of Li Yunshang’s intervention, the chaotic scene instantly quieted down.

Even Xiao Yu was puzzled. Huh? Li Yunshang is actually helping me? She even made up an excuse for me. Is this really the same spoiled, temperamental Li Yunshang I remember?

Something felt off. Better observe first. The Qiankun Earth-Dodging Talisman was already in his hand—ready to activate at a moment’s notice. If he escaped now but drew attention, next time he came, security would be tighter. Getting in again would be hard.

Thinking this, Xiao Yu pressed the talisman into his palm and subtly studied Li Yunshang’s appearance.

She wore a plain white dress, sleeves fluttering, suppressing her usual fiery demeanor. Like a white lotus blooming in a polluted world. Her long, glossy black hair was tied in a bun. Her beautiful eyes were slightly swollen—likely from days of grief and exhaustion. Her flawless skin looked pale. No makeup, yet her delicate face remained heartbreakingly beautiful.

“But… Junior Sister Li, this man is clearly suspicious! What if he’s a spy from Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain? I suggest we detain him first, investigate later. You know they’ve always been at odds with us. If—”

True Disciple Luo Yanming voiced his concerns.

But Li Yunshang frowned slightly, then gave him a sweet smile. “Senior Brother Luo, you’re so thoughtful—always looking out for the sect. Why don’t I suggest to Mother that you take over as sect leader?”

“D-Disciple dares not!” Luo Yanming immediately lowered his head, a stark contrast to his earlier commanding presence.

Power silenced even the strongest.

This funeral itself was strange. Ye Feng was just an inner sect disciple. Sure, he won the Disciple Competition and gained some fame, but not enough to warrant half the sect mourning him.

Only a few female disciples came for his looks.

The real reason? He was Li Yunshang’s cultivation partner—a claim she made herself. No one doubted it. Instead, they all envied Ye Feng—how did he get her?

Li Yunshang couldn’t cultivate—she was mortal. But her mother was the Xuanling Sect leader, a peak Nascent Soul cultivator. Marry her, and your future was set.

Maybe even inherit the sect. Her father died young. The sect was held up by her mother alone. Maybe one day, mother-daughter combo? Ahem… Anyway, I’m highly motivated!

Plus, Li Yunshang wasn’t ugly. Now she could cultivate too—perfect dream partner.

Watching Li Yunshang flex her power, Xiao Yu silently nodded. *There she is.* This was the Li Yunshang he remembered. Back when escorting her to the sect, he’d suffered plenty.

Now she was using authority to cover her own issues. Felt… oddly fitting.

“Enough. I vouch for him. He’s not a spy from Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain. Why would a spy come here?” To convince the crowd, Li Yunshang patted her chest and scanned the area. “Would a spy come to this backwater corner of Xuanling Sect? It’s miles from the core, barren, useless. What’s there to steal? A corpse?”

Besides, Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain disciples had obvious beast traits—animal ears, tails. This man had none. Could be hidden with magic, but with Li Yunshang personally vouching, no one dared argue.

“Since it’s settled, let’s continue.” Seeing Luo Yanming submit and the crowd silent, Li Yunshang nodded in satisfaction.

Hmph. He almost injured Senior Brother. What if he’d scarred his face? Though Senior Brother is wearing a fake face…
Later, I’ll ask Mother to assign this True Disciple on a mission.
The Luo family’s secret art requires virginity until mastery, right? How about going undercover in Twin Harmony Sect?
Those demon women will love a Luo family genius. They’ll treat him… very well.

The mourning crowd resumed, slowly approaching Ye Feng’s grave to pay their respects.

“You’re Senior Brother’s elder brother? I’m so sorry about what happened. He died protecting me. I’m truly sorry… can I… borrow your shoulder?”

Beside Xiao Yu, Li Yunshang’s eyes dimmed. She began her act—tears glistening, voice soft and sorrowful, radiating helplessness.

Seeing her “heartbroken,” Xiao Yu couldn’t refuse. He nodded.

Was she really this devoted to Ye Feng? Even became his cultivation partner?

What happened after I left? Xiao Yu’s head spun with questions.

“Waaah… Senior Brother, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault you died before my eyes…” She stepped forward, her slender body collapsing into Xiao Yu’s arms, sobbing softly.

Her developed curves pressed tightly against him. She clung fiercely, as if afraid he’d vanish. Xiao Yu felt deep discomfort but chalked it up to grief—seeing a “family member” of Ye Feng, overwhelmed with guilt.

But… she believed he was Ye Feng’s brother just like that? No proof?

“That’s so touching! Junior Sister Li truly loved Senior Brother Ye deeply!”

“What a beautiful love. So tragic!”

Unaware disciples whispered, amazed by Li Yunshang’s devotion, saddened by Ye Feng’s death.

A young genius and a beautiful woman—what a legendary couple they could’ve been.

After her dramatic crying, tears soaked Xiao Yu’s chest. But faintly, he thought he smelled… onion?

Must be a trick of the mind.

Li Yunshang pulled back, wiping her tears. “Sorry. I lost control. You look so much like Senior Brother… for a moment, I thought he’d returned. I couldn’t help myself.”

Xiao Yu nodded, pretending to understand. He didn’t know why she so easily believed his story, but this was a perfect chance to get answers.

After waiting a moment for her to compose herself, he asked:

“I heard you brought my brother’s body back. So you must know how he died. Who killed him?”

“Senior Brother Ye died protecting me. He was cut down by several evil cultivators from Blood Demon Sect.” Her answer matched Li Qingming’s—except the sect name was different.

“Uh… I heard he was killed by Cold Blood Demon Cult, not Blood Demon Sect.”

“Oh… really? Maybe I misremembered. Either way, he was killed by a demonic sect.”

Xiao Yu sensed she was lying. Blood Demon Sect and Cold Blood Demon Cult—she just made those up. Stop blaming every crime on demonic sects!

After I left, was it really that dangerous? Two unrelated demonic sects chasing him? Was that in the plot?

No. Better to just dig up Ye Feng’s body and let the system scan it.

Xiao Yu paused, then tried again: “Actually, in our hometown, we believe in ‘returning the soul to its roots.’ After the memorial, can I take my brother’s body home for burial?”

“Yes.” To his surprise, she agreed immediately.

“Huh?”

He expected resistance. Given the grand funeral, Li Yunshang clearly valued Ye Feng. After all, they were main characters.

“Really? Then after the ceremony, I’ll—”

“Wait. It’s getting late. The road is dangerous at night. Carrying a coffin won’t be easy.

Stay at Xuanling Sect tonight. Leave tomorrow. We owe Senior Brother much. And… I’d like to spend one more night with him.”

She lowered her head, eyes welling up again—seeming heartbroken over Ye Feng’s loss.

With that, Xiao Yu could only nod, outwardly agreeing.

But something about Li Yunshang felt wrong. He’d wait until everyone slept, then sneak to the grave, dig up Ye Feng’s body, scan it with the system, and escape.

His only goal was the corpse. Li Yunshang was secondary.

Xiao Yu thought this, hand resting on the talisman, feeling slightly more at ease.