Seeing Xueyan Pavilion rapidly expanding, Liu Yue could no longer hold back.
She sent a private message to Chen Xiaoyan right in front of Mu Qingxue.
【Dao Ji Shi Kong: Xiaoyan, have you thought about joining the Sword Pavilion as we discussed last time?】
Chen Xiaoyan glanced at the private message and secretly glanced at Liu Yue, who seemed nervous about something.
【Chen Xiaoyan: Xiaoyue, I’ve joined Xueyan Pavilion.】
【Dao Ji Shi Kong: I know. The game doesn’t forbid joining two factions.】
【Chen Xiaoyan: That’s true, but what if the two factions come into conflict later? Who should I side with?】
【Dao Ji Shi Kong: That worry is valid. But Xiaoyan, have you considered this— with you around, how could the two factions possibly have conflicts?】
【Chen Xiaoyan: Makes sense. Do you pay a salary there?】
Liu Yue’s eyes lit up. Although her face showed no expression, her eyes were full of anticipation.
【Dao Ji Shi Kong: More than Mu Qingxue’s.】
【Chen Xiaoyan: Xiaoyue the rich girl begging for support, waaah!】
【Dao Ji Shi Kong: Okay then.】
Chen Xiaoyan took her reply lightly; it was just a joke.
Actually, she had some thoughts about Liu Yue.
She just couldn’t tell if Liu Yue was like Chongchong and Mu Qingxue.
It wasn’t that she doubted Liu Yue’s sincerity but rather doubted her own ability to handle this yuri situation.
Though Liu Yue’s behavior was normal, Chen Xiaoyan worried she might repeat past mistakes.
This was a good opportunity to get close and find out.
The only obstacle now was Mu Qingxue, who strongly resisted Chen Xiaoyan getting close to the Sword Pavilion.
“Has the dungeon run ended?”
A cold voice came from nearby.
“Sister Shen,” Chen Xiaoyan looked over and was momentarily stunned before remembering she hadn’t left.
“It’s over.”
“Any reward artifacts?”
“Yes.”
Chen Xiaoyan raised the Ling Necklace hanging on her chest and continued, “This was dropped by that girl, Chongchong, and then she gave it to me.”
Shen Qingqing carefully examined it and nodded.
“This artifact is decent—at least useful for prolonged battles.”
Chen Xiaoyan agreed.
Though the Ling Necklace’s percentage-based mana regeneration seemed almost broken, one shouldn’t forget that upgrading the Xiangyi Manual could also enhance its effects.
As a foundational skill of Heavenly Fragrance, the Xiangyi Manual deserved top priority in upgrading.
“But Sister, you think this artifact is a result of Chongchong’s fate, so Xiaoyan shouldn’t keep it?”
Chen Xiaoyan’s expression shifted slightly as she quickly explained, “No, Sister Shen, I don’t want it either, but that girl insisted on giving it to me.”
Shen Qingqing smiled gently.
“In that case, Sister was just worrying too much.”
Chen Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief.
It would be troublesome if this powerhouse thought she was some unscrupulous villain.
“What if Sister wants you to return it to Chongchong? What will you do?”
Shen Qingqing’s sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through Chen Xiaoyan.
Chen Xiaoyan nervously scratched her cheek.
“I will do as I’m told.”
“Not reluctant?”
“I dare not.”
Shen Qingqing knew her compliance was only verbal; she smiled wryly.
“You don’t understand the severity of cause and effect.
Today you accepted Chongchong’s cause; one day, you will have to repay the effect.”
Chen Xiaoyan was completely baffled and couldn’t understand the meaning.
After thinking for a while, she finally grasped the point.
Basically, it meant: you accepted her gift today, so one day you have to repay her.
Chen Xiaoyan smiled.
This kind of idea only made sense among strangers, but was that girl really a stranger?
Still, since a big shot like her had spoken, it wouldn’t do to refuse.
Well, since it wasn’t hers anyway, she might as well return it.
Taking off the necklace, Chen Xiaoyan walked over to Chongchong and patted her shoulder.
“Sister Xiaoyan?”
Chen Xiaoyan placed the Ling Necklace around her delicate neck.
Chongchong looked at the necklace on her chest, opened her eyes slightly, and asked anxiously, “Sister Xiaoyan, what are you doing? Didn’t I give it to you?”
“This equipment is your fate; I can’t keep it,” Chen Xiaoyan replied as Shen Qingqing instructed.
“Huh?”
Chongchong acted as if she had heard nonsense and reached out to feel Chen Xiaoyan’s forehead.
“Strange, you don’t have a fever.”
Chen Xiaoyan rolled her eyes and brushed off her hand.
“Are you crazy? This is a game; how could you get sick?”
“Then why don’t you want the equipment, Sister Xiaoyan?”
“It looks ugly. I don’t want it.”
“Really? Then I’ll keep it, okay?”
Chongchong tested her and watched her reaction.
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t react much and waved her hand casually.
“Don’t regret it.”
For some reason, this straightforward attitude made Chongchong very angry.
She gave her a rare exclusive set, and now she was rejecting it and returning it.
What was that supposed to mean?
“Sister Xiaoyan! Can I ask why you don’t want it?”
Chongchong was like a powder keg ready to explode.
“I already said—it’s ugly.”
“I want the truth!!!”
The Ling Necklace ugly?
Ugly, you big-headed ghost.
Chongchong looked toward Shen Qingqing, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
She suspected the NPC was behind this.
Just now, she and Sister Xiaoyan chatted for a bit, and then Sister Xiaoyan immediately returned the necklace.
There had to be something fishy.
“Fine, I just want you to be stronger so you can help out in the future.”
“Really?”
“More real than pearls.”
But Chongchong still didn’t believe it.
Once someone’s doubts take root, they aren’t so easily dismissed.
She was convinced Shen Qingqing was behind this.
“Then Sister Xiaoyan, I’ll wear the necklace for now. If you want it back, just take it.”
“Okay.”
Chen Xiaoyan thought about it and figured that outcome wasn’t bad, so she turned to report back.
【Chongchong: Sister Xiaoyan, did Shen Qingqing ask you to return it?】
Seeing this private message, Chen Xiaoyan sighed helplessly.
【Chen Xiaoyan: No.】
【Chongchong: I already figured it out. Don’t try to fool me. You were fine, but after talking with her, you changed.】
【Chen Xiaoyan: I admit that. But Shen Qingqing’s words were only part of it. The main reason was that I want Chongchong to grow stronger.】
【Chongchong: Sister Xiaoyan, isn’t you being strong enough?】
【Chen Xiaoyan: We can’t always be together. Besides, two strong ones are better than one.】
【Chongchong: How can we not? This life, Zhou Xiaochong has only ever chosen Chen Xiaoyan, hmph.】
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t reply anymore.
The deeper the current affection, the deeper the future resentment could be.
Better to go check on Sister Xiaoyue.
She really couldn’t afford to mess with that yuri flower.
“You did very well,” Shen Qingqing praised as Chen Xiaoyan approached.
Chen Xiaoyan forced a smile and cupped her hands in salute. “All thanks to Sister Shen’s guidance.”
Shen Qingqing smiled faintly and shook her head slightly.
“You’re a cheeky girl. Are you upset with Sister?”
“Disciple dares not.”
“Fine. Judging by you, it seems you no longer need artifacts. That saves Sister a lot of trouble.”
“If there’s nothing else, Sister will return to the sect.”
After saying this, Shen Qingqing instantly transformed into a rainbow light and shot toward the horizon.
“Eh?”