The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 5

“A’Luo, are you worried about me?”

A’Luo didn’t even turn her head, replying coldly, “You’re tough. You can handle being hunted.”

From the moment Lou Min mentioned the Song Family of Qingcheng, Yun Xiao knew this was going to be trouble. The subsequent involvement of the Heavenly Wave City Lord’s Manor only deepened the mess.

The Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus was undoubtedly a treasure, tempting enough to stir desire. But one had to consider whether they were destined to possess it.

Yun Xiao should have realized that the City Lord’s Manor wouldn’t send just one Golden Core cultivator and two Foundation Establishment cultivators for such a precious artifact.

As she suspected, the newcomers carried protective talismans, and Yun Xiao had provoked a Divine Transformation Clone.

Destroying the clone might temporarily alleviate some immediate trouble. The Heavenly Wave City Lord, severely injured, couldn’t personally seek revenge against Yun Xiao, but he could easily recruit others.

Whether by spreading rumors about Yun Xiao possessing the Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus or through other means, she would face relentless pursuit for a long time to come.

In this dire situation, Yun Xiao had spared the instigator—an act of utter foolishness.

Yun Xiao choked back a sob. If time could rewind, she would never have meddled in this affair.

In her modern life, her foolish kindness had cost her her life, yet she hadn’t learned her lesson. Now, her misplaced compassion had drawn the ire of a Divine Transformation cultivator.

With the Male Lead, the favored child of destiny, ahead of her and the Divine Transformation-level Heavenly Wave City Lord behind her, was she trying to shorten her lifespan?

Yun Xiao didn’t regret letting Lou Min go. While Lou Min had deliberately concealed her schemes, the root cause ultimately lay within Yun Xiao herself.

Moreover, Lou Min had kept her promise and given her the Eight Revolutions Golden Lotus.

A person should keep their word, Yun Xiao thought, her conscience clear.

The knot in her heart dissolved, replaced by a profound clarity. Spiritual energy swirled around her, converging into a vortex that poured into her body.

Sensing the commotion, A’Luo returned and cast an isolation barrier, her gaze toward Yun Xiao unusually complex.

Just three hours earlier, Yun Xiao had broken through during battle. Now, she had suddenly achieved Sudden Enlightenment, as if she had grasped some profound truth.

A’Luo, who prided herself on her decent luck, couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

Quickly composing herself, A’Luo retrieved the Defensive Formation Plate she had used at the Cold Pool and sat down in meditation three zhang away from Yun Xiao, cultivating.

Most cultivators never experience Sudden Enlightenment in their entire lives. Those fortunate enough to bask in the Spirit Rain accompanying such an event can still reap significant benefits.

A’Luo had once achieved Sudden Enlightenment over a decade ago, reaping considerable rewards.

Though she hadn’t achieved it this time, being close enough to bask in the Spirit Rain was still a boon.

During her Sudden Enlightenment, Yun Xiao felt as if she were floating among the clouds, utterly at peace.

Three hours later, she opened her eyes and glanced down. Her injuries had completely healed, and her body surged with vitality.

A’Luo ended her cultivation. Thanks to Yun Xiao’s presence, she had broken through to the early Nascent Soul stage.

Yun Xiaotao looked up at Yun Xiao, whose Spiritual Energy was even purer and denser than before her Sudden Enlightenment, indicating she had likely advanced another cultivation stage.

This time, Yun Xiaotao felt no envy. Each person had their own path. Yun Xiao’s progress was ultimately beneficial to her as well, making the road ahead less arduous.

Retracting the Formation Plate, she tossed out a Flying Spirit Tool. “Let’s go.”

Yun Xiao quickly climbed aboard and settled into a cross-legged position. Just as she did, A’Luo tossed her a pill.

Catching the round pill, Yun Xiao examined it. “What does this do?”

A’Luo took out a Prayer Cushion, sat down cross-legged, and replied in a cold voice, “High-Grade Disguise Pill.”

Yun Xiao’s peach-blossom eyes sparkled like stars, and her radiant face bloomed into a brilliant smile. Tilting her head, she teased, “A’Luo, are you worried about me?”

A’Luo ignored her.

A single High-Grade Disguise Pill could maintain its effects for seven days.

Not wanting to reject A’Luo’s kindness, Yun Xiaotao quickly swallowed the pill, visualizing a burly, muscular man in her mind.

Within moments, a stout man in green Magic Robes stood before A’Luo.

The man’s leering, winking expression was both sleazy and eye-searing. A’Luo simply closed her eyes, preferring not to witness the sight.

Is it really that bad?

Yun Xiao conjured a water mirror and stared at the burly man reflected within. This… isn’t ugly at all.

Yun Xiao dispelled the water mirror, swapped her blue Magic Robe for a gray one, and formed a Magic Seal to change her hairstyle. With that, she was ready.

Their genders didn’t match, and they were heading toward the barrier separating the Mortal Realm, where Spiritual Energy grew increasingly scarce. The journey remained relatively uneventful.

As they crossed the barrier, the effects of the High-Grade Disguise Pill wore off, revealing Yun Xiao’s true appearance.

The two strikingly beautiful women walking through the streets immediately drew attention. Several people eagerly tried to approach and strike up a conversation, but the sight of the sword in A’Luo’s hand quickly deterred them.

Arriving at the city’s largest apothecary, Yun Xiao presented the apothecary with a list of medicinal materials she had prepared earlier.

The apothecary took the list and examined it before slowly saying, “Miss, we can only gather fourteen of these ingredients here.”

Yun Xiao couldn’t hide her disappointment. “Do you know where I might find the rest?” she asked.

The apothecary hesitated, his gaze darting to her repeatedly.

Realizing what he wanted, Yun Xiao placed a piece of silver on the counter and gestured for him to speak.

The apothecary chuckled, pocketing the silver with a flourish. “Miss, you may not know this, but many of these herbs grow only on treacherous cliffs and have limited efficacy. You could easily substitute them with other herbs of equal potency. Would you like me to suggest alternatives, just as we do here?”

Yun Xiao frowned. Substituting similar herbs seemed like a viable solution, but no one could guarantee that the Pheromone Suppression Pill would be successfully refined with the substitutes.

She glanced sideways at A’Luo, curious about her thoughts.

Even seasoned Alchemists who had mastered Pill Refinement dared not casually alter established formulas, let alone a novice like Yun Xiao, just beginning her journey in the Dao of Alchemy.

A’Luo parted her crimson lips and asked coldly, “Where can we find these medicinal materials?”

The shopkeeper didn’t hesitate, answering truthfully, “To my knowledge, none of the apothecaries within a hundred miles carry these herbs. You might try asking in more distant towns. If you still can’t find them, your only option is Southern Yunnan—those herbs are only found there.”

Having obtained the answer, Yun Xiao instructed, “Alright, pack up all the materials you have.”

“May I ask how much of each herb you require?”

Since a trip to the Mortal Realm consumed several days, they might as well buy in bulk to avoid future trips for experimental purposes.

Yun Xiao declared boldly, “As much as you have.”

A’Luo remained silent, clearly approving of Yun Xiao’s approach.

The shopkeeper grinned widely, his eyes crinkling with delight, and immediately signaled a junior clerk to begin packing the herbs.

As major buyers, the shopkeeper stepped forward and offered, “We have a cart here. Would you like us to deliver the medicinal materials to your residence?”

Yun Xiao waved her hand, pointed at the mountain of materials, and recited a Magic Seal. In the blink of an eye, the entire pile vanished without a trace.

The shopkeeper, a man of worldly experience, recognized this as a technique only Immortals could wield. He tugged at his robes, preparing to kneel before the pair.

Yun Xiao couldn’t bear the thought of someone old enough to be her grandfather kneeling to her. She used her magic to support him, preventing him from bowing.

Eager to avoid attracting a crowd, Yun Xiao and A’Luo decided to wait until they were outside the city walls before using their Flying Spirit Tool.

Halfway through their journey, a voice called out from behind them.

“Honored Immortals, please wait!”

Yun Xiao and A’Luo exchanged glances before turning in unison to see who had called out to them.

The City Lord approached, having rushed over after receiving reports of Immortals arriving in the city. He had barely managed to catch up.

Wiping a thin sheen of sweat from his forehead, the City Lord bowed respectfully. “This humble one means no disrespect, Honored Immortals. It has been ten years since Immortals last came to test for Immortal Affinity in our city. Would you be willing to conduct such a test during your visit?”

Yun Xiao didn’t dare answer. As a Demon Cultivator, she would only take Demons as disciples.

The major sects of the Heavenly Origin Realm had an agreement: every five years, they would cross the barrier to the Mortal Realm to test for Immortal Affinity.

This city wasn’t far from the barrier, so it shouldn’t have been overlooked. How could it have been ten years since the last test for Immortal Affinity?

After pondering for a moment, A’Luo said, “I will only stay here for two days.”

The City Lord’s face lit up with joy as he bowed respectfully. “Yes, my lady. I will make the arrangements immediately.”

Once the City Lord had left, A’Luo retrieved her Communication Spirit Jade and reported the situation to the sect, also requesting that someone be sent to escort them.

Yun Xiao had long been eyeing the street’s food and entertainment. Knowing they would be staying for two days, her true nature emerged, and she began a shopping spree with the silver she had earned.

A’Luo couldn’t understand Yun Xiao’s fascination with these mundane things, nor how she could strike up conversations with anyone, charming vendors into giving her freebies.

Her patience wearing thin, A’Luo turned to leave when a bright red candied hawthorn skewer suddenly appeared before her eyes.

“I specifically picked out a big, round one for you,” Yun Xiao said, taking a bite of her own candied hawthorn. Her peach-blossom eyes widened as she turned to give the old hawthorn vendor a thumbs-up. “So sweet!”

The old man nodded with a cheerful smile.

Yun Xiao tossed him another silver coin, repeating her earlier gesture. “Your candied hawthorns are worth every penny.”

The vendor, who had been hesitant at first, immediately accepted the coin with a smile.

A’Luo reluctantly took the candied hawthorn Yun Xiao offered and hesitantly bit into it.

Sweet and sour, the taste wasn’t bad.

Yun Xiao leaned over, tilting her head to look up at A’Luo. Seeing A’Luo’s brow relax, she chuckled, “I told you! This is the best candied hawthorn I’ve ever had.”

“A mundane thing, lacking Spiritual Energy,” A’Luo retorted.

Having long noticed A’Luo’s rigid demeanor, Yun Xiao snatched the candied hawthorn from her hand and began eating it herself. “In my opinion, cultivating immortality is about living freely and joyfully, not constantly restricting and tormenting yourself.

“No one knows whether tomorrow or disaster will strike first. I don’t want to die regretting never having tasted candied hawthorn.” She held up the candied hawthorn triumphantly, her face beaming with pride.

A’Luo lowered her gaze. Is that so?

Her master had often taught her that cultivators should be strict with themselves, pursue the Great Dao of longevity, and never let worldly desires like food distract them from their cultivation.

Any sign of laziness would earn her a lash from her master’s disciplinary whip across her back.

Thus, she dared not slacken her efforts even for a moment. As a child, she had feared her master’s whip; now, she feared disgracing her master and disappointing him.

Noticing A’Luo’s dejected expression, Yun Xiao’s heart clenched. She hastily handed the ice-glazed hawthorn skewer back to A’Luo. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have snatched your ice-glazed hawthorn skewer.”

Seeing that one hawthorn was missing, she quickly added, “I-I’ll buy you another one. Don’t be angry.”

“No need,” A’Luo said, brushing past Yun Xiao and striding forward.

Yun Xiao hurried after her, still trying to think of how to coax A’Luo, when a plea for mercy interrupted her thoughts.

Turning her head, she saw a middle-aged woman swinging a thick wooden rod at a girl kneeling on the ground.

Judging by her bone age, the girl was only eight years old, but her frail frame resembled that of a five- or six-year-old. She huddled protectively around her head, crying, “No, I won’t do it again! I’ll never steal food again!”