A Perfect Excuse

As Xia Wantang spoke, her cheeks grew redder, her eyes like autumn water, and her peach blossom face bloomed.

She had her reasons for answering this way:

Simply denying it would only make the other party more suspicious. It was better to break this thin veil herself and completely dispel Ye Xing's doubts.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xing's tone grew noticeably colder:

"Oh? Then did the Saintess perhaps see something…?"

If Xia Wantang had truly discovered he was of the Demon Race, then even if it was risky today, he would have to completely eliminate this ticking time bomb.

"Wantang swears, that day when you, Holy Son, were showing your upper half, I only glanced, I didn't look any further before leaving."

As if the words were too difficult to utter, Xia Wantang's cheeks burned. She lowered her brows, not daring to meet Ye Xing's gaze directly.

That was right. When cultivating demonic energy, fearing contamination of light-colored clothing, Ye Xing habitually removed his upper garments before practicing.

The Saintess was thin-skinned and probably didn't dare to look too much. Her current expression didn't seem fake, and coupled with her actively seeking him out instead of hiding, she was likely genuinely unaware.

Moreover, this beautiful face, combined with such a shy demeanor, made Ye Xing's heart itch. A strange feeling arose, one he had never experienced in his life.

He couldn't help but convince himself: If this Saintess truly cherished him, she would be a good pawn. He could observe her first before making a decision.

Besides, the previous Saintess had only died half a year ago. If the new Saintess were to perish so soon, it might cause a major uproar. It was best to put this matter aside for now.

Even Ye Xing himself hadn't noticed that in less than fifteen minutes of meeting, his attitude had shifted from needing to eliminate her to "let's wait and see."

[Host gained 15 Favorability Points from Ye Xing. Current Favorability Points: 25. Exchanged for 150 Faith Points.]

[Wow, adding the previous Faith Points, I can do three ten-pulls today!]

[Host, keep up the good work, maybe you can get another ten-pull!]

Xia Wantang: System, don't get happy too early. You said favorability points are only easy to gain in the early stages.

For a demon as vigilant as Ye Xing, prying open his heart won't be easy.

"So that's how it is. Then I was presumptuous. Why has the Saintess come to Lingyun Peak today?"

Ye Xing's tone was filled with confusion. His Phoenix Eyes fixed on Xia Wantang, his gaze sharp and piercing, leaving no room for escape.

Xia Wantang calmed her emotions before curving her lips into a smile:

"The Inner Sect Grand Competition is in two months, and both you and I will definitely participate."

"Wantang is new here and not very familiar with the other senior disciples, so I was thinking, could I presumptuously ask the Holy Son to practice sword techniques with me?"

This was the strategy to get closer that she had thought of from the beginning.

Although the original host and Ye Xing were only nodding acquaintances, they had met quite a few times. These words were reasonable enough.

Now, Xiao Rui was merely a utility disciple. As a Saintess, she couldn't possibly run to the outer sect all day long; that would attract too much attention.

Then, during this period, she wouldn't be able to gain Xiao Rui's favorability points. Without favorability points, she couldn't draw cards. Without drawing cards, she couldn't get stronger quickly. How could she let such a thing happen?

Even though she gained 25 favorability points today by coming to Lingyun Peak, it was only temporary. She had to find a way to continuously gain favorability points.

Practicing sword techniques together was a perfect excuse.

The Holy Son and Saintess were inherently different from ordinary inner sect disciples and didn't need to cultivate with others. Even if they spent time together, others wouldn't know.

[Hehe, isn't Xiao Rui going to be ambushed by Ye Xing?]

Xia Wantang: Shut up. Sister is working diligently every day to gain favorability points, all for drawing cards and getting stronger. Men only affect my cultivation speed!

If only the broken System could adjust the Faith Point ratios for everyone. Why would she need to target just Xiao Rui and Ye Xing for their resources?

[Sob sob sob, I'll be good now, please let me go!]

Hearing this, Ye Xing's heart stirred:

Right, as long as the Saintess is always under his watchful eye, how could he not control her?

Moreover, she already harbored feelings for him. After two months passed, she would definitely be a ripe pawn.

Ye Xing would never admit that these words were just an excuse for him to spend time alone with Xia Wantang.

In a hidden corner of his heart, he had already begun to anticipate tomorrow's arrival.

"Alright, I do lack a sparring partner when I practice my sword techniques daily."

"Our cultivation levels are similar, so it's quite suitable."

Hearing this, Xia Wantang couldn't help but inwardly complain:

What a joke, similar cultivation levels! You're already at the late stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm!

She also understood that Ye Xing hadn't fully believed her previous explanations and was just looking for an excuse to monitor her.

Coincidentally, their thoughts aligned perfectly, making it a win-win situation.

"If that's the case, then it's settled."

"It's getting late today. Wantang will prepare and come to Lingyun Peak tomorrow at the hour of the snake, how about that?"

Ye Xing nodded slightly:

"Very well."

With the matter settled, Xia Wantang didn't linger on Lingyun Peak and returned directly to Quiet Heart Peak.

"System, your sister is going all out with the gacha today, arrange three ten-pulls for me!"

Back in Quiet Heart Hall, she closed the door. Her first order of business was the gacha system.

Heh, who doesn't love the gacha?

That's right, she loved it.

[Alright, arranging it for you!]

Following that, three beams of light—purple, purple, and gold—flashed through Xia Wantang's mind:

[Congratulations Host, you have obtained: Pure Heart Art (Immortal Grade Third Tier), Exquisite Pill (Heaven Grade Second Tier), Qi Replenishing Pill *3, Essence Restoration Pill *5.]

[Congratulations Host, you have obtained: Beginner to Intermediate Array Compendium (Immortal Grade Fourth Tier), Essence Restoration Pill *4, Energy Augmentation Pill *5.]

[Congratulations Host, you have obtained: Ice Pure Jade Body (Divine Grade Second Tier), Heavenly Heart Snow Lotus (Immortal Grade Fifth Tier), True Essence Pill *4, Qi Replenishing Pill *4.]

[Wow, Host, Host, this is incredible! You got a gold item before the pity timer, without even reaching the guaranteed drop!]

[And it's the Ice Pure Jade Body, which is perfect for an Ice Spirit Root. You're so lucky!]

[Host, Host, I want to absorb some of your luck too.]