Dao Companion

Ye Yun was unaware that his master and mistress had already designated him as their future son-in-law. At this moment, he was recalling the plot of Zhu Xian, hoping to find something he could exploit for his own benefit. However, after much thought, he found no place where he could seize treasures.

Just as Ye Yun was about to give up, his mind suddenly jolted. A cool sensation spread through his head, incredibly comfortable. His mind, previously hazy from overthinking, instantly became sharp and alert. Memories that had become blurred over time also became clear one by one. This change made Ye Yun sit up abruptly. He closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, searching for the cause of this transformation.

What puzzled Ye Yun was that after circulating energy through a full cycle, he found no abnormality in his body. Yet, the cool sensation persisted, assuring him that this was not his imagination.

As Ye Yun prepared to investigate further, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind, "Host, do not worry. This system is currently absorbing the world's scattered power that resulted from the plot being disrupted. Most of this energy is being absorbed by this system, a small portion has dispersed as spiritual energy, and another small portion will be absorbed by you, the host, to enhance your potential."

Ye Yun touched his chin and thought of Qi Hao's bitter face. He silently recited in his mind, "So that's how it is. Does this mean if I disregard the plot's development and desperately disrupt it, I can quickly accumulate energy?"

"I advise the host not to do so. Firstly, your current strength is insufficient to contend with the top figures in this world. Secondly, doing so could easily provoke a backlash from the world consciousness. While the world consciousness is repairing the plot, it might detect our presence and specifically target the host, preventing this system from collecting more energy. Ultimately, the losses would outweigh the gains."

"So, even if I want to disrupt the plot, I have to do it step by step. I can't just eliminate the protagonist or the final villain immediately, right?"

"The host's understanding is very accurate. However, let me correct one point: eliminating the protagonist or the villain won't actually attract the world consciousness's attention. The world consciousness can easily find someone else to take their place. In terms of energy collection, directly eliminating the plot world's protagonist is the fastest method, but not the best."

"I know, protagonist's halo, right? They say they're like cockroaches, impossible to kill. If you can't finish them off in one blow, they'll always come back stronger next time, with more trump cards."

The system fell silent again, leaving Ye Yun with complex feelings. His system didn't issue missions like others, with threats of erasure or point deductions for failure. It was quite free. However, in return, it lacked the awesome abilities and coveted stores of those other systems. This was likely the case of "you win some, you lose some." Ye Yun was quite satisfied with everything, except for his slight dissatisfaction that the system needed his help to collect energy before it could help him travel.

There was nothing to pack. It wasn't mealtime yet. He wanted to cultivate but found his mind couldn't settle down, so he gave up. Finally, Ye Yun lay on his bed and thought of his senior sister, Tian Ling'er.

Perhaps Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi were more beautiful and talented than Tian Ling'er, but Ye Yun didn't know them, so he had no feelings for them. While Ling'er's talent and appearance might not compare to theirs, she had left a deep impression on his heart. He could also tell that Tian Ling'er had a good impression of him. Therefore, if he had to choose one among Bi Yao, Lu Xueqi, and Tian Ling'er, it would only be Tian Ling'er, and no one else. This was because the system couldn't interfere much in his affairs, meaning if he brought someone back, that person might betray him unless he used some means to control them.

During the meal, Ye Yun noticed Tian Ling'er glancing at him from time to time. But the moment he looked back, she would immediately turn her head away and eat seriously, leaving him bewildered. However, seeing the smile on Tian Ling'er's lips, she seemed to be in a good mood.

Since her parents learned about her feelings, Tian Ling'er's heavy heart had finally been put to rest. However, as one stone was lifted, another took its place. She worried that her feelings were one-sided, but due to her identity as a girl, she was too embarrassed to speak up. She hadn't expected that when they spent more time together, she gradually fell for this junior brother who always indulged her and accompanied her. Her reason for teasing him shifted from distracting him to attracting his attention, ultimately leaving a deep impression on his heart.

After the meal, Ye Yun unusually did not go to the Tai Chi Cave to cultivate. Instead, he returned to the small courtyard. He needed to think carefully about what he would do after descending the mountain, which direction to go, and which path to take. He didn't want to wander around aimlessly like a headless fly.

Seeing Ye Yun not go to cultivate, Tian Ling'er hesitated for a moment and followed him towards the small courtyard. Ye Yun noticed this and changed direction, heading towards the back mountain. He also had something he wanted to say to Tian Ling'er, and the small courtyard was prone to eavesdropping.

The two walked towards the back mountain one after another with tacit understanding, stopping only when they reached the small pavilion in the bamboo forest used for rest.

Although they both liked each other, they were hesitant and neither spoke first. For a time, the pavilion was filled with an awkward silence.

A few minutes later, as if by telepathy, they both spoke at the same time, "Senior Sister (Junior Brother), I have something I want to tell you."

As soon as they spoke, they couldn't help but laugh. The awkwardness of the moment vanished without a trace. Ultimately, Tian Ling'er, who was usually the one to speak first, opened her mouth. She hesitated, bit her lip lightly, and asked, "Junior Brother, how have I treated you usually?"

"Senior Sister, you've treated me very well. If you hadn't accompanied me, I probably wouldn't have been able to hold on," Ye Yun replied without any hesitation, his tone filled with certainty. In his heart, he truly felt this way.

"Then, what do you think of Senior Sister?" Tian Ling'er felt a little embarrassed after asking, but she finally looked firmly into Ye Yun's eyes, awaiting his answer.

Ye Yun had felt something was amiss after Tian Ling'er's first question. Now, with her second question, even though he had never dated before, he realized it. His heart pounded wildly. He swallowed hard, licked his slightly dry lips with his tongue, and said with a trembling voice, "Senior Sister, you are talented, beautiful, and kind-hearted. You are the best woman in the world, besides Mistress."

"Then, will you be my Dao Companion?" After saying this, Tian Ling'er fought the urge to flee. She clenched her fists, the blue veins on her knuckles clearly visible, her pretty face flushed red, her eyes full of anticipation. The sound of their hearts beating violently could be clearly heard by both of them, though it was unclear whose heart it was – hers or Ye Yun's.