Tap, tap, tap…

The sound of high heels was slow, unbearably heavy.

So, even just taking photos in a studio was this exhausting?

Earlier, she’d been so tense in front of Su Qingshan. Only now, back home, did Gujiajia realize how utterly drained she was.

Too tired to lift a single finger.

Sinking onto the soft, plush bed, Gujiajia felt every ounce of fatigue finally find its release.

So comfortable!

Thinking of the girl who’d bought the bed—and that “obedient chocolate”—Gujiajia’s cheeks flushed.

She lay back, her dark hair spilling across the pillows. A cool, faint fragrance seeped from her strands.

Those warm, boneless hands seemed to still ghost over her skin, igniting shivers like tiny flames.

Oh no. Her whole body reeked of the Dark Dragon’s scent, as if she’d been marked as its territory.

Smelling that aroma constantly… just imagining it made her shy!

Gujiajia turned her head, burying her face in the blanket to hide her private embarrassment.

Ugh, would this smell ever wash off?

She wanted to jump up and scrub it away—but her body refused to move.

Damn it, she almost… missed it.

The thought of washing away the Dark Dragon’s scent made her heart ache with reluctance.

She’d worked hard all day. Resting was only sensible.

Gujiajia convinced herself.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to wash off the scent… it was just exhaustion. Right?

Two little voices clashed in her mind.

Gujiajia lay frozen, emotions tangled.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open!

No wind stirred the room.

Yet her dark hair whipped wildly as the gentle stream of energy inside her surged like a raging river, purging every trace of weariness.

“Did I… break through?”

It happened too fast. Gujiajia hadn’t even processed what occurred.

Her cultivation technique, Vast Star Return Flow, had stalled for years. Breakthroughs were rare.

By her calculations, it should’ve taken decades more to reach this bottleneck.

Yet here she was—advanced overnight?!

All fatigue vanished. Gujiajia slowly clenched her fist.

Her strength had grown.

The change was undeniable.

But why?

She’d barely practiced lately. How had this happened?

“Vast Star Return Flow differs from ordinary techniques. It seeks the Dao of nature—ultimate serenity of heart. Forced training rarely brings mastery. Its secrets are felt, not spoken. In time, you’ll understand.”

Her master’s distant, profound words echoed in her mind.

Back then, she’d memorized the lesson but never grasped it.

Cultivation required hard work—how else to progress?

Young and lost, she’d only known to push through bottlenecks, forging her current strength.

Ultimate serenity… what did that truly mean?

The Dark Dragon’s cool figure flashed in her thoughts. Instantly, shy sweetness and flustered warmth rippled through her chest.

This was about cultivation! Why was she thinking of the Dark Dragon?!

Forget it!

But her mind rebelled. The girl’s image sharpened. That lingering fragrance flared, pinning the memory deep in her head.

Could her breakthrough be tied to the Dark Dragon?

Gujiajia startled at her own thought.

Impossible!

The Dark Dragon was evil—pure malice!

Vast Star Return Flow wasn’t some corrupt, low-tier art. It couldn’t…

Yet lately, she’d had no time to train. The only change was the Dark Dragon’s presence.

Logic screamed no, but her thoughts spiraled. The breakthrough felt linked to her.

Did being near the Dark Dragon aid her cultivation?

Just picturing that figure churned her heart like an overturned spice jar—sweet, sour, bitter, salty.

Was this… ultimate serenity?

A hopeful flicker sparked in Gujiajia.

She had to stay close to the Dark Dragon anyway—to stop her evil deeds and work off her debt.

If this proximity made her stronger… it’d be a win-win.

Besides… she genuinely liked being near the girl.

Gujiajia grinned secretly, then scolded herself.

That evil Dark Dragon—how could this be good?

Yet a clear voice inside insisted: it was.

Gujiajia rolled over, face buried in the soft blanket, hiding from that bittersweet joy. It was too embarrassing.

“Host Sister~!” System Maiden’s voice chirped, sugary and petulant. “Big Sister Female Lead’s corruption points are rising way too slow! At this rate, when will Auntie Sister ever become a proper villain boss?”

Su Qingshan ignored her. She was determined to stay pure—not some fallen heroine.

“Host Sister~!” System Maiden whined. “Pleeease? Look how pitiful I am~”

Su Qingshan turned a page, deaf to the plea.

“Host Bro~!”

System Maiden deployed its ultimate weapon. If it had a body, it’d be clinging to Su Qingshan’s leg, rolling on the floor.

“Call me Daddy…”

“Host Daddy!” System Maiden switched instantly, no hesitation.

“…Still useless.” Su Qingshan finished her sentence lazily.

System Maiden fumed. How dare she ignore it?!

Seeing Su Qingshan unmoved, System Maiden unleashed its true trump card.

“Host Sister, speeding up Big Sister’s corruption isn’t for me. A new female lead has appeared—and she’s eyeing you dangerously. If Big Sister doesn’t fall faster… consequences await.”

System Maiden’s tone turned grave, shedding its usual playful whine.

Su Qingshan’s relaxed fingers tightened, stiffening the book page.

A new female lead targeting her?

Because of her Villainous Dragon Princess identity?

Or the backlash from her budding mini-boss aura?

Last time, Gujiajia had hunted her for that same title—somehow learning her childhood secret as a Dragon Princess, leaked to cultivators’ bounty boards.

What threat lurked now?

Su Qingshan never underestimated destiny-favored heroines.

Satisfied Su Qingshan finally looked serious, System Maiden huffed. “Hmph!” It turned away, pride wounded.

It had dignity too!

(Though good behavior from Host Sister could make it forget that dignity.)

After being teased over titles, System Maiden refused to engage. Let Host Sister stew in her own worries!

It waited haughtily for Su Qingshan to ask first.