Chapter 56: The Secret of Tenfold Spring Charm

The wall lamps glowed brightly, casting light in all directions.

Sui Heng lifted her gaze to Yan Zhichuan, who was reading with relish. After muttering “Don’t get mad” to herself several times, she finally suppressed her surging emotions.

It was just like dragging them to the Nine Clouds Pavilion auction for a Foundation Establishment Pill—not the only solution, but a gamble on that one-in-a-million chance. She had to try every avenue available.

There were countless great paths, and some people hid their edge in their writing, rather than…

Many of the storybooks down here weren’t the censored versions circulating on the market. Sui Heng flipped through a few pages and blushed furiously. She sneaked a glance at the unflappable Zhan Yujie and couldn’t help but admire her composure. After letting her mind wander for a bit, she reined in her thoughts, rallied her spirits, and continued sifting through the bamboo slips, jade slips, and rolled scrolls on toothpicks.

Though Yan Zhichuan thought Sui Heng’s idea was far-fetched, the massive gossip hooked her interest a little. She’d read the sanitized versions of many of these storybooks and clearly remembered none mentioned Luo Guanyin or Li Jing. She browsed at top speed, shoving aside the irrelevant ones. While Sui Heng was still steeling herself through the steamy content, Yan had already pulled out over ten linked to the Cihang Studio true person.

“Here,” she said, shoving them toward Zhan Yujie.

Zhan Yujie’s eyelids twitched.

Why push them to me? Isn’t this what Sui Heng wants?

Zhan Yujie reluctantly flipped through the dozen or so books, finally pulling out one titled Homage to Guanyin. But after just a few pages, Yan Zhichuan eagerly leaned in. “Hmm? The author’s pen name is ‘Tenfold Spring Charm’? Huh? A new storybook from that esteemed author? I haven’t read this one yet!” She crowded closer to join the fun, her warm breath brushing Zhan Yujie’s neck.

Zhan Yujie’s body went rigid, her fingers hovering over the pages—unable to turn or not turn.

“Senior Sister?” Yan prompted, nuzzling closer with her fluffy head.

Zhan Yujie pressed her lips together.

Like tossing away a hot potato, she flung Homage to Guanyin back to Sui Heng. Propping up the slouchy Yan Zhichuan, she swept her gaze over her in silent command: Sit properly.

Yan Zhichuan straightened up lazily, only to flop softly onto the table moments later.

Zhan Yujie had no choice but to change the subject. “Who is this ‘Tenfold Spring Charm’?”

Yan Zhichuan’s eyes lit up. “A super famous storybook author. She’s written The Pure-Hearted Senior Sister and the Cute Junior Sister, The Heartless Dao Master Forces Me to Marry, and more. Elegant prose, twisty plots full of life—the only downside was how tame they were. But it turns out that wasn’t Tenfold Spring Charm’s fault!” Who could’ve guessed the full, uncut versions were hidden in White Jade Langhuan!

Zhan Yujie: “…”

She eyed Yan Zhichuan and gripped her sword hilt. With a blank expression, she asked, “Where’s the person behind it?”

Yan Zhichuan hummed. “I don’t wanna know.”

The truth was ninety-nine percent guaranteed to be a letdown. Besides, she read the storybooks, not the author’s life story.

While the two chatted idly, the flushed Sui Heng finished skimming the book. She slapped the table. “This is it!” She shot to her feet, thanked Zhan Yujie and Yan, and hurried out with Homage to Guanyin in hand. The Dao scriptures and storybooks in White Jade Langhuan didn’t appear out of thin air—they could be traced back to their creators.

“Hey? I haven’t—” “read it yet,” the words died in the chill of Zhan Yujie’s stare.

Big things first. Storybooks can wait.

Locking eyes with Zhan Yujie for that instant, Yan Zhichuan settled for second best and picked Days with My Senior Sister on the Boat. “Let’s go.”

Zhan Yujie stiffened all over at the word “Senior Sister.” Something felt off, but she couldn’t pinpoint why, so she simply plucked the book from Yan’s fingertips. “Pick another.”

“Why?” Yan was baffled. She double-checked—it was a boat, not a bed!

Zhan Yujie’s gaze turned icy. “Because you have no money.”

The brutal truth struck Yan senseless, leaving her listless. But she perked up fast. There are plenty of unread ones. I’ll come back next time. She swiftly selected After I Die, Senior Sister Turns Demonic, tucking it into her robes like a treasure before Zhan could glimpse the title.

If she’d known “downstairs” was like this, Zhan Yujie never would’ve followed Yan Zhichuan. She itched for Yan to leave empty-handed, but if her junior sister threw a fit here, it could go south. That mouth of hers spewed words too easily misunderstood. Weighing the pros and cons, Zhan Yujie gave up the fight.

“Let’s go.” Zhan Yujie was curt.

Yan Zhichuan’s eyes brimmed with reluctance.

But… why were her legs moving on their own? She didn’t want to leave.

Looking down, she saw Zhan Yujie had wrapped her in spiritual power, hoisting her upward.

Yan startled. “Hey? Senior Sister, I can walk myself!”

Zhan Yujie ignored her, carrying her all the way out of White Jade Langhuan before releasing her hold.

“You haven’t paid yet.” Yan looked up to see the old shopkeeper eyeing them like a hawk.

Zhan Yujie: “…” Her face stiffened, growing stormier.

After settling the bill, Zhan Yujie dragged Yan away by force.

Blinded by foolishness to agree to this. Never again.

Back at their White Jade Capital lodgings, Zhan Yujie ignored the storybook-obsessed Yan Zhichuan.

Refining her qi and advancing her cultivation was the real priority. From recent trials, demonic auras had thickened these years. A true Demon Clan lurked in the Demon Sect, no doubt fueling their lust to breach the Profound Heaven Immortal Barrier.

Half a month later.

Sui Heng knocked, bringing leads.

“I found out—’Tenfold Spring Charm’ is a Golden Core cultivator named Ruoxu Daoist. She was from Cihang Studio, an in-name disciple under Luo Guanyin, nothing special. That’s why, when Luo Guanyin veered into supreme emotionlessness and fell astray, Ruoxu was the only one under her who escaped unscathed. After Luo Guanyin’s demonic fall, Ruoxu felt too ashamed to stay in Cihang Studio. She vanished her name, took ‘Tenfold Spring Charm’ as her pen name, and lived by writing storybooks. Plenty know her—anyone passing Fengyue Alley in White Jade Capital seeks her autograph.”

Sui Heng spilled Ruoxu’s backstory in one breath to Zhan Yujie. Lifting her eyes, she gasped in delight. “Fellow Daoist Zhan, you’ve broken into Nascent Soul?”

Not just Zhan—even Yan Zhichuan had buckled down briefly, refining pills and popping them to reach Golden Core Third Layer.

All superficial gains, though.

Zhan Yujie nodded faintly and asked, “Do you know where this Daoist lives?”

Sui Heng nodded. “In White Jade Capital territory—Fengyue Alley. Want to come along, Fellow Daoist Zhan?”

But before Zhan could reply, the dozy Yan Zhichuan suddenly shouted, “No!”

Not because she couldn’t stomach Tenfold Spring Charm being Ruoxu.

The Heavenly Dao System—that utterly useless thing—had just pinged her with info.

This Ruoxu…

Was a total fraud! She’s a demon cultivator!

Zhan Yujie’s cursed original fate line had triggered again.

In the initial storyline, after Zhan Yujie’s downfall and disgrace, she had a close friend named Ruoxu Daoist. Renowned in Xuanmen, Ruoxu mediated, softening the glares toward Zhan. Not everyone fawned, though. When some branded them as thick as thieves, they gained the upper hand amid demonic calamity, cornering Ruoxu to her death.

And Ruoxu? She died heroically for Xuanmen.

All a facade—she fake-died and fled back to the Demon Sect.

To the already crumbling Zhan Yujie, it looked like Xuanmen killed her friend without cause.

That blow deepened her hatred, blackening her heart further.

The “downfall and disgrace” premise was gone now, but what if they inexplicably bonded, marring Zhan Yujie’s perfect life?

“Why not?”

“What’s the reason?”

Two voices chimed at once—one from the Heavenly Dao System in Yan’s mind, the other Zhan Yujie’s confusion.

Yan Zhichuan was stumped.

Fine, plot triggered—can’t dodge it.

She drooped her head, mumbling guiltily, “I-I need to prepare first.”

Zhan Yujie’s brows furrowed.

Prepare for what?

Staring at Yan’s reddening earlobes, a bolt of realization struck.

Junior Sister devours Tenfold Spring Charm’s books. Now that she’s meeting the author, she’s getting all nervous and shy?!

Zhan Yujie watched Yan, an inexplicable sourness rising.

Someone who penned those couldn’t be proper company.

In Zhan Yujie’s eyes, the hesitant, shy Yan was the picture of bashfulness. Meanwhile, Yan haggled with the Heavenly Dao System.

“What’s the reward this time?” Last one’s just normalized her Dao Pill count—she’d lost out. If the system pulled the same stunt, no deal! Yan Zhichuan wasn’t to be trifled with.

Heavenly Dao System: “…” The newbie gift pack was meant as a task reward, but Yan refused point-blank, forcing an early handout. What else could it offer? “What do you want?”

Yan Zhichuan shot back without thinking: “Immediate ascension.”

Heavenly Dao System: “.”

Same old, same old.

After agonizing, the Heavenly Dao System sighed. “No ascension, but I can give you a wisp of Heavenly Dao power.”

Yan was a Demon Seed, masked by the Name-Sealing Seals from Nine Abyss true persons—enough to fool most. Infuse Heavenly Dao power, though? Different story. And with “Heavenly Dao” embedded, it’d smite her if she turned Sky Nether City lapdog.

Yan once revered Heavenly Dao power, but its avatar seemed useless, toppling its godlike image. No ecstatic joy crossed her face; she asked plainly, “What’s it do?”

Heavenly Dao System: “Grants immunity to lightning.” Except death lightning from Heavenly Dao corrupted by demonic thoughts.

Yan Zhichuan: “???”

She grumbled, “Am I the type to get struck by lightning?”

Heavenly Dao System said yes.

Yan dropped the complaints. “Fine, whatever.”

At least no fear of heavenly lightning for breaking oaths later.

Lost in her world, Yan missed Zhan Yujie and Sui Heng finalizing the trip to find Ruoxu Daoist.

“Junior Sister, stay in White Jade Capital and wait for news.” Zhan glanced at her, deciding for her.

Yan: “!” Just skipped the group chat, and I’m benched? She protested, “No fair!”

Zhan Yujie didn’t budge.

Yan sidled up, hugging her arm, wheedling, “Pretty please, Senior Sister? Take me! I’m useful. I eat my own meals, sleep on my own, won’t rummage trash bins—”

Zhan Yujie’s eyelid twitched.

Sure enough, Sui Heng’s face showed undisguised shock.

Have they… shared a bed before?