Tai Yi hurried into the Moon Palace.
When he saw Xi He and Chang Xi, he froze on the spot.
Could people in three dimensions really be this beautiful?
His heart pounded wildly, and he looked flustered.
Tai Yi's gaze swept over Xi He and Chang Xi, then he frowned. "System, why isn't there a dialogue box?"
The Many Sons, Much Fortune System was stunned.
No, do you want to hear yourself right now?
"Host, you can try pursuing her directly." The Many Sons, Much Fortune System didn't want to deal with Tai Yi.
Tai Yi nodded.
After straightening his robes, he walked up to the two women.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist Tai Yi."
Xi He sighed. Since he had already come, she couldn't very well send him away.
"What are you here for?"
Chang Xi glared fiercely at Tai Yi, her cheeks puffed up.
But in Tai Yi's eyes, that fierce expression looked more like she was acting cute.
Tai Yi was delighted.
Did I win Chang Xi over this quickly? Having a top-tier character model really does the trick.
Before taking form, he had specifically worked on his face, making himself handsome and dashing, with striking features!
"I came to keep you two company and relieve your boredom."
"Uh... Fellow Daoist, why don't you get straight to the point?" Xi He shook her head.
She hadn't known Tai Yi before. At most, they were neighbors. For him to barge right into the Lunar Star was downright unnerving.
At that, Tai Yi's face lit up.
You want me to get straight to the point?
"For a long time, Tai Yi has focused solely on cultivation. But today, after meeting you, Miss Xi He, I finally understand: you are my Dao!"
"I am the lord of the sun, and you are the goddess of the moon. We were made for each other!"
"There's something on your face. What is it? You're beautiful."
"I bought some oil today. Guess what kind? I love you!"
"..."
Xi He listened to the cheesy pickup lines pouring from Tai Yi's mouth, and got goosebumps all over.
Tai Yi had an extraordinary origin, was handsome, and even came from a background that complemented hers.
But all she wanted to say was, "I'm sorry. You're wonderful, but I don't like you!"
Still, she didn't interrupt him.
It was just so awkward... She was at a loss for words.
Just as Xi He was wondering how to respond to Tai Yi, Chang Xi spoke up.
"Odd numbers change, even numbers don't?"
Tai Yi froze. "The symbols... determine the quadrant?"
"How are you?"
"I'm fine, and you?"
Tai Yi:
Chang Xi: ∑(O_O;)
What the hell?!
The two stared wide-eyed at each other, then frantically asked their systems what was going on.
Their systems were dumbfounded too.
What was happening? Was there more than one system in this Prehistoric World?
Though they knew the other was a Transmigrator, neither system dared acknowledge the other.
After all, systems followed the "dark forest" principle: powerful systems devoured weaker ones.
Rather than risk being devoured by admitting who they were, it was better to pretend not to notice. Their goal was to plunder the Prehistoric World's origin anyway; as long as they stayed out of each other's way, all was well.
Watching the two stunned faces, Xi He still had no idea what was going on.
"You two... knew each other before?"
Her clear, puzzled gaze moved back and forth between Tai Yi and Chang Xi.
But Tai Yi and Chang Xi stood frozen in place, as though struck by lightning.
"Ahem!"
Tai Yi was the first to recover. He forced a smile.
Then he tried to cover things up with a joke only modern people would understand.
But his mind was a mess. After thinking for a long while, he blurted out three words:
"Habibi."
Wait, what am I saying?
Chang Xi's mouth twitched, and she instinctively replied, "Oh, magic banana."
"..."
The two systems flashed warnings frantically in their respective hosts' minds. Neither dared acknowledge the other, but both silently raised the other's threat level.
Xi He was completely bewildered. "Habibi... oh, magic banana?"
"What cultivation technique are you discussing? Why can't I understand any of it?"
Her beautiful face was full of confusion. This was even more troublesome than listening to Tai Yi's cheesy pickup lines.
Tai Yi and Chang Xi both laughed awkwardly. "Heh heh, nothing. Just some minor tricks... not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
The atmosphere grew even more awkward.
Chang Xi's eyes shifted. Deciding to strike first, she grabbed Xi He's arm and pressed herself against her, half her body leaning on Xi He as she glared warily at Tai Yi.
"Whether you're the sun or the too-black, Sister Xi He is perfectly happy with me. She doesn't need anyone else to keep her company! Please leave!"
[Ding! Successfully cuddled up to Xi He. Obtained 100 years of cultivation and a wisp of Tai Yin origin.]
The system notification sounded right on time.
Chang Xi felt a little reassured. At least the system was still working.
Watching Chang Xi clinging to Xi He, and seeing that Xi He, though helpless, didn't push her away, Tai Yi's heart sank.
Is this fellow Transmigrator a woman...?
Is she taking the best-friend route? That's a tricky angle to compete from!
His Many Sons, Much Fortune System offered a timely reminder as well:
[Host, a potential rival has been detected. The target, "Xi He," has shown an unknown shift in emotional inclination.]
[We recommend changing your strategy or finding another suitable Dao partner.]
Another Dao partner?
Names flashed through Tai Yi's mind: Nuwa, Houtu, Queen Mother of the West, and others. But he immediately dismissed the idea.
No, Xi He is my "canon pairing," and the sun and moon complement each other perfectly. The benefits are bound to be greatest!
He steadied himself, ignored Chang Xi's hostility, and put on another smile he considered graceful.
"Chang Xi, you jest. Xi He and I are discussing the Dao, exploring the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, which is fundamental to cultivation."
"Isn't that right, Fellow Daoist Xi He?" He tried to steer the conversation back to serious cultivation and show off his depth.
Xi He was indeed interested in the Great Dao of Yin and Yang. She nodded slightly. "Fellow Daoist Tai Yi is right. The sun and moon can indeed be used to understand one another."
She had reached a cultivation bottleneck and needed to comprehend the mystery of yin emerging from the yang extreme.
Chang Xi grew anxious and quickly said, "Sister, we can study the Great Dao of Yin and Yang ourselves! I have... I have the complete family-inherited Tai Yin True Explanation! We can practice it together!"
She made up an excuse on the spot. The system shop might actually have it, after all.
Tai Yi wasn't about to back down. "What a coincidence. I also have a family-inherited Solar True Scripture, complete with annotations! Fellow Daoist Xi He, why don't we exchange them and study them together?"
He gave Chang Xi a provocative look.
As the two seemed ready to begin another round of strange competition, dressed up as a contest over "family-inherited secret techniques," Xi He finally felt a headache coming on.
She rubbed her temples and spoke gently but firmly. "I appreciate your kindness, Fellow Daoist Tai Yi."
"However, the path of cultivation demands a calm and focused mind. I'm a little tired today and am not in a fit state to discuss the Dao. So I must ask you..."
It was a tactful way of telling him to leave.
Tai Yi wanted to say more, but seeing Xi He's weary yet resolute expression, he could only cup his hands.
"In that case, I was presumptuous. I'll visit another day to discuss the Dao with you."
He decided to go back and put together a proper strategy. Next time, he'd definitely win her over!
Chang Xi clung tightly to Xi He's arm. "Are you tired, Sister? I'll take you back to your room to rest! Some people just don't know when to quit and insist on annoying everyone!"
As she spoke, she glanced at Tai Yi smugly.
Tai Yi cursed inwardly, but maintained his composure on the surface and rode a beam of light away from the Lunar Star.
Even after he had flown far away, he could still feel that taunting gaze on his back.
The Moon Palace fell quiet again.
Chang Xi breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately looked at Xi He anxiously. "Sister, that Tai Yi is such a smooth talker. He's obviously no good. Don't pay any attention to him from now on!"
Seeing her younger sister so puffed up and anxious, Xi He couldn't help smiling. She gently tapped Chang Xi on the forehead. "You were acting strangely today too, saying all sorts of things I couldn't understand. But..."
Her gaze softened. "I know you're worried about me. Don't worry; I can handle it."
Feeling the warmth of Xi He's fingertips and the affection in her words, Chang Xi immediately forgot about Tai Yi. Her heart brimmed with joy, and she pressed even closer.
[Ding! Your emotional bond with Xi He has deepened. Obtained the beginner-level Moonlight Body Protection Divine Ability.]
Wonderful! Clearly, cuddling up to her was the way to go! Tai Yi was no threat!
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