24 Chapter 37 Part 2

Jiang Ruan transmigrated into a low-magic cultivation world and bound with a System.

The System told her that as long as she helped the protagonist smoothly enter the Mirror Moon Sect, shielded them from bullying by others, offered protection and positive guidance along their path of growth until they achieved successful cultivation, she could return to her own world.

Jiang Ruan agreed without hesitation.

When she awoke, her identity had become one of the Twelve Minor Elders of the Mirror Moon Sect. She possessed the authority to take disciples and had just formed her Golden Core. The Sect Grand Selection was right around the corner, and the protagonist was about to join the Mirror Moon Sect.

Jiang Ruan cracked her knuckles, eager to take the protagonist as her disciple. She would keep them right under her nose, cherishing and protecting them from even the slightest harm. She vowed to shield the sect's tender young flower bud from wind and rain.

"Alright, Host. Next up: identifying the protagonist!" the System declared.

Jiang Ruan: "..."

Jiang Ruan: ????!!!

The System had depleted its energy bringing Jiang Ruan across worlds, causing it to lose all data on this one. In other words, it had no idea who the protagonist was : )

"But don't worry, Host! The most beautiful, the strongest, and the most pitiful—that one's definitely the protagonist!" the System assured her.

Jiang Ruan had thought her mission was doomed until she encountered Nan Qingyun.

The girl's beauty was utterly stunning. Frost seemed to linger at her brow, her eyes dark as ink bleeding into shadow, her skin more translucent than the white jade pendant at her waist.

When Jiang Ruan found her, a crowd was circling Nan Qingyun, nitpicking and harassing her—all because she carried half a Devil Cultivator bloodline. Despite her exceptional talent and gifts, she faced discrimination at every turn.

Jiang Ruan stepped in and saved her.

The moment Jiang Ruan met Nan Qingyun's gaze, conviction bloomed in her heart. This had to be the protagonist!

Jiang Ruan took Nan Qingyun as her prized final disciple, nurturing her at her side with utmost care. She doted on her endlessly, allowing not the tiniest grievance, guarding her like a precious jewel cradled in her palm.

Little by little, Nan Qingyun shed her cold reserve and wariness.

She dropped her guard and smiled only for Jiang Ruan. She softened only for Jiang Ruan. Her heart stirred only at Jiang Ruan's nearness.

Slowly, those smiles deepened into love, that softening into heart-fluttering desire. Nan Qingyun's half Devil Heart lay suppressed solely for Jiang Ruan's sake.

Later on...

"Congratulations, Host! Good news: I've recovered the data!"

"I have some bad news too. The one you rescued is the villain, not the protagonist. Surprise! Bet you didn't see that coming!"

Jiang Ruan: "……【F*ck】【F*ck】"

~~~

Lu Ning always had the same dream.

Sometimes, she became someone else in the dream—someone wholly cherished by Master Jiang Ruan, as if she were the center of her world. Other times, the scenes shifted: the disciple Master Jiang Ruan had taken was her, not some outsider. In the dream, Lu Ning took that person's place, becoming the most important one in Jiang Ruan's life.

When she woke, the delusion faded.

So Lu Ning threw herself into cultivation with even greater fervor. If she climbed high enough, grew strong enough... could she meet the person from her dreams? Could she become worthy enough to sit across from her and talk?

Once Jiang Ruan realized her mistake, she scrambled to make amends.

But the true protagonist, Lu Ning, was already a disciple under another elder. Poaching her outright wouldn't look good, so Jiang Ruan offered care from afar in other ways.

Yet things took yet another unexpected turn.

When Nan Qingyun noticed her master's gaze drifting to someone else, she tried to ignore it. After all, her master cared for her most of all.

But as Jiang Ruan's attention splintered away bit by bit, Nan Qingyun could no longer hold back. Her suppressed half Devil Heart began to stir restlessly.

The first time Lu Ning felt that person's gaze upon her, she shyly ducked her head, fingers clenched tight—but deep in her eyes burned profound agitation.

She wanted to hold onto that gaze forever, long and lasting.

~~~

Low-magic cultivation: Golden Cores are precious treasures, Nascent Souls are divine rarities, Soul Transformation realms are true gods.

High-magic cultivation: Golden Cores walk the streets, Nascent Souls are a dime a dozen, Soul Transformations you can count on one hand.