The brightening sky stirred the slumbering city awake.

“What does post-rain sunlight remind you of?”

Luo Qingchuan hesitated a moment. “Marshmallow? Soft… fluffy… light.”

Su Yingsnow smiled. The words *I think it looks like you* stayed silent on her lips.

To face the morning with hope for beauty—that itself was rare happiness.

With a gentle lift of her slender hand, the phantom of the Solitary Stag Sword drifted from her fingertips, slowly coalescing, dancing midair, weaving elegant sword blossoms.

“So beautiful,” Luo Qingchuan murmured.

Her raven hair gleamed, catching faint golden light. Her upturned eyes—large, translucent yet deep as ink—held twinkling starlight like foam in their serene depths.

“I love this sword too,” Su Yingsnow said, glancing at him. “Where did you…”

The girl froze for a heartbeat.

He’d been looking at *her* when he spoke.

Sunlight warmed her cheeks until they tingled. Su Yingsnow instinctively flicked her gaze away, blushing. “Where did you get it?”

“I… uh…”

“Black market again?” A faint smile touched her lips before she turned serious, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. “Buy cultivation resources. *You* need them more.”

Luo Qingchuan’s smile softened. “Bought it for your protection. The world’s cruel to beauties.”

Blushing, Su Yingsnow gritted her teeth. “And you?”

“I’m useless,” he declared, utterly unashamed. “So you’ll protect me when danger comes.”

Su Yingsnow’s lips twitched. Gently: “Okay.”

[Solitary Stag] — Sage Points: 3000.

Luo Qingchuan hadn’t mastered the Sage System yet. Buy what he could; the balance left was plenty.

He headed to the kitchen. “I’ll make breakfast.”

“But I’m not hungry…” Su Yingsnow followed.

“Cultivators need humanity too. Too ethereal isn’t good.”

Her eyes shimmered with playful reproach. “You’re impossible to please.”

“Actually… not really…” He glanced back, grinning mischievously.

She recognized that grin instantly. Lightly tapping his back: “Cook! I’m *starving*!”

“Right away.”

“Say that again and I’ll send you straight to heaven!”

“What heaven?”

“Watch the sword!”

Her slender fingers poked his back playfully. She laughed, bright and warm.

Luo Qingchuan ducked into the kitchen.

His flustered escape made her eyes crinkle. Stretching like a cat, she half-reclined on the sofa.

“My cooking’s good too. I cook at home often. Let me help.”

From the kitchen, Luo Qingchuan casually replied, “Plenty of time ahead. You’ll have chances.”

Silence fell over the girl.

*Buzz.*

Su Yingsnow sat up slowly. Luo Qingchuan’s phone glowed faintly on the coffee table—its light reflecting in her gemstone-dark eyes.

... ... ...

Chen Yanyu: [Image]

Chen Yanyu: [Daylight makes the city lovely too!]

Setting the phone down with delicate fingers, Chen Yanyu sighed softly on the lonely hotel bed, confusion clouding her face.

“Why did Luo Qingchuan stop replying last night? Asleep? Awake now?”

*Something about gaining followers…*

Burying her elfin face in the pillow, she mumbled, “I just wanted an excuse to talk to you, Luo Qingchuan…”

A whisper: “Silly.”

She remembered last night’s drama update.

That awful male lead—rejecting such a sweet, beautiful heroine!

Re!ject!ed!

Anger swelled… then tears pricked her eyes.

Rubbing her reddened eyes, pouting, she rose to change.

Dazed,

she slipped into a tiny plaid shirt and stylish charcoal shorts, highlighting the gentle curve of her hips. Her slender legs shone like warm jade at dawn.

Silver hair cascading, she stood before the mirror—baseball cap on, dark sunglasses shielding her exquisite face.

Hands on her narrow waist. Pose fierce.

*Hmm… kinda spicy.*

*High ponytail?*

Fingers drifted to gather her snow-white hair. She lifted one hand, removed the sunglasses.

Golden eyes stared blankly at the mirror. At her own pure, delicate reflection.

A quiet daze settled in.

*Would he like it?*

... ... ...

Luo Qingchuan ate quickly.

Alone on the balcony, he pushed the window open, welcomed the damp breeze, and lit a cigarette—pulled from a cabinet stocked with luxury brands.

[Fate Defiance System: Today’s Task: Finish one cigarette. Become the disliked bad kid.]

[Reward: 500 Fate Defiance Points.]

He summoned the gacha wheel. 100 points per spin. Ten-spin option available.

“No stalling. Let’s go.”

Single spin. *Please be good.*

*Ding.*

[Item: Blessing of Brutality]

[Desc: Symbol of tragic fate and tainted love.]

[Effect: Slight strength boost. Prolonged use affects mental state.]

Just a plain black glove. Low-tier. Minimal gain.

But in a close fight? Every edge mattered.

“Not useless,” he murmured, stowing it away.

“Again.”

A disposable talisman—lightens body, boosts flight speed. Escape or chase essential.

Addictive. More than cigarettes. He spun once more.

After killing the innocent Peony, his Fate Defiance and Sage Points had each jumped 2000.

Current realm: Foundation Establishment. Safe for now. Long experience bar.

Better swap points for combat boosts.

Spirit stone. Spirit stone. Spirit stone.

“Come on!”

*Ding.*

[Item: Azure Wraith]

[Desc: When tears run dry, sorrow twists into a vengeful ghost.]

[Effect: Sharpened combat intuition. Heightened senses. Mind chillingly calm… too calm. Nothing matters but yourself.]

He held the mask—green-faced, fanged, grotesque. A cold dread clung to its surface.

A faint smile touched Luo Qingchuan’s handsome face.

*Could’ve been less ugly.*

With a flick, he stored it away.

Footsteps. He turned.

Su Yingsnow stood there, calm yet firm.

“No smoking,” she said softly, eyes shimmering with worry. “It’s bad for you.”