When the other Exchange Group members met up with Li Yunxian and Su Wenjing, the atmosphere on site felt a little strange.
Not that it was tense or anything.
Just… strange.
Li Yunxian seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, as if her whole person was glowing brighter than usual, but their captain, Su Wenjing, wore a cold expression.
Though, to be fair, Su Wenjing always looked a bit cold.
But today, the chill on his face seemed especially pronounced.
Yet it didn’t look like the coldness of anger.
Was it just an illusion?
Everyone muttered inwardly, but as folks who’d lived for several hundred years, no one was tactless enough to ask.
Instead, they simply inquired about how Li Yunxian and Su Wenjing managed to handle so many planetary attacks.
Li Yunxian understood the importance of secrecy—though everyone present was trustworthy, she still didn’t answer.
But she did give everyone a piece of good news.
“In any case, our main goal for this exchange has already been accomplished,” said Li Yunxian.
On the official level, only the top brass of each planet knew about Zhencheng, so the identities of Li Yunxian and Su Wenjing weren’t a secret to them.
Henceforth, no one would dare underestimate anyone from Shenzhou.
After all, in Shenzhou, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could very well be at the Transcendence Stage, and a Clone might also be at the Transcendence Stage.
Anyone who came out from there could be a hidden powerhouse.
And the kind who, if you offended them, might wipe you out entirely.
It wasn’t just a matter of looking down on people—privately, folks in other regions might already be putting “From Shenzhou” at the very top of their most dangerous sources list.
A key target, second only to the alien races.
“So from here on out, you can just relax and communicate boldly,” said Li Yunxian.
Hearing Li Yunxian’s phrasing, everyone understood it was something they couldn’t discuss further, so no one pressed the issue.
Once they confirmed the matter was truly resolved, the Exchange Group immediately changed the subject and “showed their true colors” to Li Yunxian.
“Boss, since those guys have been dealt with and the crisis is over, shouldn’t we talk about your favoritism?” The Exchange Group members were raring for action.
Seeing them like this, Li Yunxian’s eyes filled with confusion: “What favoritism? Are you looking to fight me? You won’t win anyway.”
Li Yunxian was just stating a fact.
Her cultivation had reached Golden Core, and her body refining had advanced another level. Even without amplifying herself with her soul power, Li Yunxian’s current strength was on par with the Clone stage.
In the Exchange Group, only Su Wenjing was at the Clone stage. When Li Yunxian said they couldn’t beat her, it was simply the truth.
The group immediately fell silent.
They remembered how, back on Qingxing, Li Yunxian had slain a Clone-stage opponent with a single sword strike—her finest moment.
…It’s true, nothing stings quite like the truth.
But that wasn’t what they wanted to talk to Li Yunxian about!
How did it turn into them challenging her to a match?!
The group hurriedly clarified, “We mean those potions and talismans you made available!”
“How can you authorize those only to people here in Interstellar? Isn’t Shenzhou your beloved home?” they protested vehemently.
A certain Duan in the group even put on an exaggerated crying act.
Li Yunxian:
“Don’t copy Sheng Yu’s antics!” Li Yunxian recalled the psychological trauma from being harassed by Sheng Yu.
She liked outgoing people, but that level of extroversion was hard to handle.
Still, without much hesitation, Li Yunxian agreed to their request.
The overall terms were the same as here in Interstellar, but with one added condition.
“For anyone outside this group, just say you got these through the exchange with Interstellar, even to family or friends—no exceptions.”
The Exchange Group members nodded, understanding Li Yunxian’s concerns.
After all, she was the only one among them whose parents were both still alive!
Such a rare creature really ought to be well protected.
Hearing their sincere and excited words, Li Yunxian thought:
Why are these guys suddenly so proud of themselves?
She looked puzzled.
She never realized how much the group’s mentality had collapsed.
At first, knowing their youngest member, Li Yunxian, might be in danger, everyone was full of confidence, swearing up and down they’d protect her.
But… they’d only had two chances to act, and both times, they’d failed to shine!!
Not a good performance at all!!!
Though it didn’t show, they were really shaken up inside.
But now!
At last, they could protect someone!
At last, they could prove themselves!
How could they not be excited!!
Li Yunxian didn’t get it, but she was deeply shaken.
In the end, she chose to respect their preferences.
Fine.
If it made them happy, that was enough.
Next, Su Wenjing, as team leader, started going over the current state of the exchange with the group, preparing a report.
Li Yunxian, with nothing more to do with the exchange, turned her attention elsewhere.
Leaving the reception room, she headed straight to the living room.
The past two days, Sheng Yu had been filling in for Li Yunxian, sticking with the Exchange Group. Now that they were back, Sheng Yu naturally…
Well, for internal team business, Sheng Yu sensibly didn’t follow along.
Of course, Li Yunxian needed to see Sheng Yu.
Whether for helping her as a stand-in, or as the representative of the Changguang Guild handling coordination, she needed to update the authorized personnel.
As soon as she stepped into the living room where Sheng Yu was, Li Yunxian saw two people.
She glanced away from Sheng Yu and looked at Ying Wenhe.
“You got here fast!” Li Yunxian asked in surprise.
Ying Wenhe responded enthusiastically, “I arrived at Kuixing yesterday! Basically got here right after Su Wenjing and the others.”
“Sheng Yu didn’t even tell me the location! Everyone else got bought off by her too!!” Ying Wenhe complained.
Gritting his teeth, he added, “If it weren’t for that message you posted online, Boss, Sheng Yu probably wouldn’t have told me at all!”
Sheng Yu heard Ying Wenhe’s tirade and made a cheeky face at him, showing no remorse.
Ying Wenhe was so furious, he nearly started a fight with Sheng Yu.
Li Yunxian deftly separated the two and explained to Ying Wenhe, “Sheng Yu didn’t mean anything by it. It just wasn’t convenient to bring you earlier. Next time something like this happens, I’ll give you a heads up first.”
Ying Wenhe hadn’t expected such a promise from Li Yunxian, and his face lit up.
Then, feeling a bit embarrassed, he said, “…It’s not like I really minded or anything.”
Seeing how quickly Ying Wenhe cheered up, Li Yunxian couldn’t help but laugh.
This guy was just too easy to coax.
Mm, much easier than that fox Su.
All it would take was a bit of compromise, like having him show his fox form!
But he absolutely refused!
And he’d say things like, back when he was in Tian Tong, he’d never seen how Li Yunxian treated the Spirit Beasts in her garden during the Yushou Kaoshi—
No amount of coaxing worked!!
Li Yunxian felt a twinge of melancholy.
But she quickly pulled herself back to business with Sheng Yu and Ying Wenhe.
After learning about the attitudes of the various authorized personnel, Li Yunxian gave them a few instructions.
She told them she’d already coordinated with the officials, and as long as the advertisements were fixed, there would be no other danger.
They were to pass this on to the Changguang and Miaoying Guilds, as well as the other authorized shops, to help stabilize things.
With so many people authorized, there were naturally a lot of questions. Li Yunxian and the other two weren’t finished talking when they heard the sound of doors opening elsewhere in the living room.
It was the door Li Yunxian had just used to enter.
She turned to look and saw Su Wenjing and the rest of the Exchange Group emerging together.
“Still not done?” Su Wenjing glanced over, asking abruptly.
Li Yunxian wondered why he’d ask something so pointless, but still replied, “Almost.”
Su Wenjing made a vague “Oh. Then I’ll go check the news in the public area first.”
“Okay, I’ll find you in a bit,” Li Yunxian answered naturally.
She did feel something odd though; this wasn’t like Su Wenjing.
Normally, that aloof fox would just send her a private message, saying what he was off to do.
Why suddenly speak up in front of everyone like this?
Had he been replaced?
But that wasn’t it.
Li Yunxian probed Su Wenjing’s aura—it was definitely him.
So was Su Wenjing playing some little mind games with her?
Because she tried to trick his true form?
Li Yunxian’s mind whirled through their recent conversation.
She couldn’t figure out what Su Wenjing’s words were aiming at.
Then it dawned on her—Su Wenjing was deliberately not targeting her, just acting strangely to make her overthink things!
She’d fallen for it!!
That fox!
Li Yunxian was dumbfounded!
Too much!
Only Ying Wenhe fell suspiciously silent at that moment.
He instantly sensed the provocation.
But it wasn’t the kind Sheng Yu or the others from Changguang Guild usually gave.
No, this was something else—a sort of declaration, a claim.
The other party was showing him how special Li Yunxian was to them.
And to be fair, Li Yunxian did treat Su Wenjing a bit differently.
It was obvious—her body language was relaxed as she replied to Su Wenjing, not even pausing to think about his idle questions.
It showed they were close enough to chat about nonsense with ease.
Ying Wenhe felt the subtle undertone at once.
After all, he wasn’t quite at that level with Li Yunxian yet; he still had to find excuses to talk to her.
And when that door had opened, Ying Wenhe noticed the first look Su Wenjing gave landed straight on him.
Like a blade.
At that moment, Li Yunxian had her head slightly lowered, pondering their earlier questions, her long hair sliding forward.
Ying Wenhe couldn’t help himself and wanted to reach out to smooth her hair back in place.
—She said, if something like this happened again, she’d tell him in advance. Didn’t that mean he was special to Li Yunxian?
Could he take things a step further?
Just then, the door opened.
Li Yunxian had to turn around, but Ying Wenhe didn’t.
Su Wenjing’s look was all too familiar to him.
In Ten Thousand Things, there were plenty of people who liked Li Yunxian, and as someone able to stay by her side, Ying Wenhe had received such looks many times.
He’d never mistake it.
Ying Wenhe knew this Clone-stage senior, Su Wenjing, had been with Li Yunxian and the Exchange Group on Qingxing for quite a while.
He just never imagined that Su Wenjing felt the same way about Li Yunxian that he did.
A Clone—an old fox at that! How shameless!!
Ying Wenhe fumed inwardly.
So Ying Wenhe immediately spoke up, “It’s just checking the news—anything urgent can be said on the communicator. Boss, why don’t we log onto Wanwuwu together later? That way, if I or Sheng Yu missed anything, we can clarify.”
Li Yunxian made a noncommittal sound and refused without hesitation, “Can’t help it, those messages are important.”
Now that Sheng Yu and Ying Wenhe were here, even the slowest factions would have started reaching out for visits, messaging in the Du Jie District of Kuixing to schedule appointments politely.
Ying Wenhe was not at all prepared for Li Yunxian to reject him so decisively, without the slightest hesitation or regret.
Ying Wenhe:
Heart shattered to pieces.