"Not exactly a cultivation partner," Ye Chuan said.
"More like a mascot."
"..." Bai Qianshuang didn't respond further, silently continuing to eat her breakfast.
She ate quickly—small bites, but finished in no time. "I'm done."
Ye Chuan glanced over. Bai Qianshuang had only eaten one bowl, far less than usual.
"Eating so little?"
"Mm." With a cold reply, she gathered her dishes and retreated to her room.
A moment later, Lan Xiaoke emerged, still wearing Ye Chuan's oversized T-shirt, the fabric straining against her figure. Noticing only Ye Chuan at the table, she tilted her head. "Where's Qianshuang?"
"In her room."
"Already ate?"
"Probably not." Ye Chuan sighed. "Why don’t you go ask?"
"Me?" Lan Xiaoke trotted to Bai Qianshuang’s door and knocked. "Qianshuang, can I come in?"
"..." No answer.
"Hehe, then I’m coming in~" She pushed the door open—only to be flung out seconds later by a surge of spiritual energy, landing unceremoniously on the floor.
Rubbing her head, Lan Xiaoke blinked. "Is Qianshuang mad?"
"Seems like it," Ye Chuan agreed.
"What’d I do?"
Watching the clueless silver-haired girl, Ye Chuan shook his head. "Never mind. Just come eat."
"Okay..."
———
Inside the room, Bai Qianshuang sat cross-legged on her bed, cycling cultivation techniques. Her aura fluctuated wildly—spiritual energy swirling around her in erratic bursts, absorbed recklessly, heedless of her body’s limits.
"I can’t focus," she murmured, opening her eyes. A suffocating frustration lodged in her chest.
Her inky hair floated faintly under the energy’s influence, her spiritual sword humming beside her.
"I can’t focus."
"I can’t focus."
For the first time, her usually tranquil mind was riddled with cracks.
"I was here first..."
"What’s wrong with me?"
"Relationships are mutual consent..."
"So why can’t I—"
Amid the spiraling energy, a breakthrough surged through her. Her power ascended to the next realm.
Staring at her jade-white fingers, she frowned. "I... broke through?"
The tension eased slightly, but her restlessness remained.
For the first time ever, she flickered out of the house alone.
"..." No word to Ye Chuan. Bai Qianshuang rarely ventured out solo. Pausing at the gate, she glanced at the guard dog Xiao Hei before striding down the path.
Soon, she reached the outskirts of the urban village.
Hesitating near the bus stop, a familiar voice called out: "Qianshuang? What’s up?"
She turned. Luo Xi stood there, a woven grocery basket in hand, her high ponytail swaying.
"Luo Xi," Bai Qianshuang acknowledged softly.
Running into Luo Xi wasn’t odd—she lived nearby, and morning jogs were her habit.
"Groceries?"
"Yep! Farm-raised chicken for Chuan." Luo Xi beamed, pulling a clucking chicken head from the basket. "See? Rode my bike 30 miles to get it!"
"Bok bok!"
"Since cultivating, I don’t even get tired biking!" She proudly added ginger. "This’ll make the best ginger chicken stew later."
Her sunshine demeanor lifted Bai Qianshuang’s mood slightly. Eyeing the plump chicken, she remarked, "Very fat."
"Right?" Luo Xi grinned—then paused. "You’re upset?"
"..." Bai Qianshuang shook her head. "No."
"No?" Luo Xi studied her face. Though impassive as ever, something felt off.
After a beat, Luo Xi asked, "Is it about Ye Chuan?"
Silence.
"Did he bully you?"
"No."
"I see~" Luo Xi drew out the words, mischief glinting. "Well! Since you’re out, wanna stroll with me?"
"Stroll...?"
"Fresh air’s good!" She thumbed up.
"Okay." Bai Qianshuang agreed but eyed the chicken. "It..."
Luo Xi swung the basket. "Let it enjoy the breeze! Tastier that way."
"Bok?"
"Fine."
They wandered to a small park Bai Qianshuang recognized.
"Lots of greenery here—so refreshing!" Luo Xi chirped. Noticing Bai Qianshuang’s lingering gloom, she fished out a candy. "Here."
"..." Bai Qianshuang took it. "Candy?"
"Yup! Sit with me." On the bench, Luo Xi kicked her legs. "Sweet things help."
Bai Qianshuang unwrapped it—then offered it back.
"Hehe, I’ve got my own."
The sugar soothed her slightly, but words stuck in her throat.
"I..."
"Relax! No need to talk." Luo Xi stretched, smiling. "Just breathe. Feels nice, right?"
"Yes."
Watching children play and elders exercise, Bai Qianshuang’s tension ebbed.
"Luo Xi."
"Hm?"
"You’re always happy."
"Me?" Luo Xi leaned on her knees, gazing at the leaves. "Not really. But..."
"Why frown when you can smile?"
She winked.
g Yu was preparing for retirement when her organization decided to eliminate her. She transmigrated to a zombie apocalypse world. However, a tiny unexpected situation occurred: She somehow transformed into an adorable little girl?!
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
