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Ning Ning was so troubled she could barely eat or sleep.

Although Ning Ning knew she was a vicious female supporting character and had been diligently completing her missions, she had muddled through those few tasks without causing anyone any real harm.

But this time was different.

She had actually said something so cruel to a poor man who was already so miserable he was practically on the verge of dying. Even in the original story, it said that after the original host mocked Wen Hemian, he became even more withdrawn and gloomy.

He had been so gentle when he asked her why she was crying for no reason and whether she needed help. And the man was such a sweet, clueless fool that he hadn't even realized he was being mocked.

Besides... she really liked the music he played.

And yet she'd said something so awful. It was terrible.

Ning Ning had never argued with anyone in her life, and guilt gnawed at her. After much deliberation, she decided to become a cultivation-world version of Lei Feng—a do-gooder who stayed anonymous.

Wen Hemian lived alone in Qingxu Valley. He wasn't close to the other elders, and no disciples would be willing to seek him out.

After spending so long all by himself, and having to endure rumors like "cripple" and "fallen genius," he must have been quite sad. It was only natural that he would feel inferior.

She decided to pretend to be an unknown junior disciple and secretly write him a few words of encouragement.

At the Xuanxu Sword Sect, all messages were sent using Communication Talismans. Like letters in modern society, they could be delivered precisely to their intended recipient, but if the sender left no name, their identity would remain unknown.

That way, she could impersonate Elder Jiangxing's little fangirl without a hitch and comfort Wen Hemian during the hardest period of his life.

She really was a clever little thing!

Ning Ning was the sort who acted as soon as she made up her mind. She immediately picked up a stack of Communication Talismans from her desk and began writing without a care. To avoid being recognized, she even cleverly changed her handwriting.

She'd bet a year's worth of pocket money that there was no way she'd get caught this time. The Communication Talisman seemed to sprout wings, and with spiritual energy propelling it, it was delivered to Wen Hemian's residence in an instant.

The young man, who rarely ventured outside, hadn't received a message in a long time. He opened it with some confusion, and as he read its contents, the frost-cold lines of his brows and eyes softened ever so slightly.

Written across it in a scrawl like a dog crawling were the words:

[Elder Jiangxing, hello! I'm a new disciple, and I've always, always admired you. If you're reading this letter, I'll be so happy.

I heard you were injured in the great battle and are now recuperating in seclusion. I wonder how you're doing. I can't wait for the day I get to see you with my own eyes.

Please don't be sad. I, along with so many others, have never forgotten you. Though the Huishuang Sword hasn't been drawn from its scabbard in many years, Sword Saint Jiangxing has always remained in our hearts.

Though my strength is meager, I'll work hard at cultivating, if only for your sake. I hope that one day I can find a way to restore your Consciousness Sea.

Then I'll bring you out of Qingxu Valley.

Please be patient and wait for that day! I'll do my best!

And please don't worry about my name. When I've fulfilled my promise, I'll come find you myself.]

The words were childish, but every line brimmed with a pure and sincere heart.

The young man's pale knuckles rested on the page. For some reason, a low, hoarse laugh suddenly escaped his throat.

This Communication Talisman...

Those with deep cultivation could sense the different spiritual energy on each person. That girl would never have guessed that, even though he'd lost all his cultivation, he could still tell them apart to some extent.

The spiritual energy on the Communication Talisman was gentle and mild, yet carried a sharp Sword Intent. No matter how obliquely she phrased her letter, Wen Hemian could recognize its owner at a glance.

If he hadn't sensed the familiar spiritual energy and eased the restrictions around Qingxu Valley, the Communication Talisman wouldn't have stood a chance of getting in.

And she said she couldn't wait to see him with her own eyes one day.

She was quite good at pretending.

Wen Hemian had never liked getting involved with other people, but for some reason, this time he picked up a brush and bent over the desk to write a reply on the Communication Talisman she'd sent—

As long as both letters used the same talisman, the reply would automatically travel to the sender's residence.

[Thank you for your kindness.

A disciple entered Qingxu Valley today. She wore a white dress, her hair tied up, and a sword with a pearl hanging from its hilt at her waist. Judging by her Sword Qi, she should be a Golden Core Realm cultivator. Do you happen to know this young lady's name?]

The other party was delighted, thinking she'd successfully fooled Wen Hemian. It never occurred to her that she'd already fallen into his trap.

It wasn't long before she sent another letter, still written in her flamboyant scrawl.

[That's Senior Sister Ning Ning, a disciple of Elder Tian Xianzi. She's so fierce! We're all super scared of her! If she did anything today to upset you, I'll apologize on her behalf.

Don't take it to heart. She's always had a bad temper.

Please, please don't be sad!!!]

The girl had even gone to such roundabout lengths to apologize to him, though she hadn't done anything wrong.

Stars seemed to fall into the young man's dark eyes. He gazed at the letter for a long while, then moved his fingertips and carefully began writing on the white paper.

So that was her name.

His lips curled into a smile for the first time in ages. Lowering his gaze to the words on the page, he silently read them in his heart.

Ning Ning.

Chapter 10

Evening, Lanyue Peak.

Summer had crept in without anyone noticing. Dusk shrouded the sky, framing the flowing colors of the sunset. Beneath the sun that had yet to fully set, the surrounding peaks stretched into the heavens like a chain of dark shadows. Now and then, a cool breeze swept by, carrying the long cry of a crane—and a man's sonorous voice:

"Pei Ji wins!"

Ning Ning, sprawled across a peach tree, heard the voice and yawned lazily.

Just like the many academic competitions of the twenty-first century, the sects of the Cultivation World also held unified competitions between their disciples.

Accordingly, only disciples who excelled within their own sect were eligible to compete against other sects—such as in the upcoming Xiaochong Mountain Secret Realm.

The Xiaochong Mountain Secret Realm opened once every fifty years and contained countless rare spirit plants and Magic Beasts. Whether one wanted to fight for resources or gain real combat experience, it was an excellent destination.