Chapter 4 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

"Such misfortune..." Bai Lian walked slightly ahead, ensuring Mu Jianli couldn't see the bitterness etched on her face. She had only just learned that the main characters had been reincarnated when life threw this unexpected twist at her. As they walked side by side along the path, Bai Lian felt as if she were strolling alongside a formidable demon, its presence threatening enough to make her heart pound anxiously. She feared Mu Jianli might be unable to suppress her pent-up resentment and unleash it upon her. Cold sweat nearly soaked through her back. Yet, as she recalled the things she had done to Mu Jianli in the game, she couldn't bring herself to blame Mu Jianli for anything she might do in return. Who would have thought a game meant as a reward would turn into a reality where her life could be at stake? Had she known this would happen, she would have chosen a pure love route that was open and fair! The gameplay might have been less varied, and the thrill not as intensified, but at least she wouldn't be on edge about her chastity and safety now! At this moment, Bai Lian could only muster a bitter smile. "Senior Sister." "Eep—" Mu Jianli's voice startled Bai Lian, jolting her out of her reverie, nearly scaring her out of her wits and causing her to make a strange sound. "What is it?" Perhaps having never seen Bai Lian react this way, Mu Jianli turned to look at her, her eyes glimmering with curiosity. "N-nothing, I just find it odd. After everything I did to target you, Junior Sister, even wanting to take your Aquashine Sword, why don't you seem to hate me?" "Hate?" Mu Jianli paused, then her lips curled slightly. "Senior Sister, why would I hate you?" "I should be thanking you instead." "Eh?" Bai Lian was puzzled. She could tell Mu Jianli's gratitude was genuine, not sarcastic mockery. This left Bai Lian at a loss. After all, reflecting on her attitude toward Mu Jianli since reincarnation, she hadn't been kind, perhaps even harsh. "I lost my parents at a young age and displayed extraordinary talent early on. I was the brightest child in the school that took me in, already learning to read people's expressions while others were still playing in the mud." "Then, my master, while traveling the world, discovered I was the legendary natural sword body, a swordsmanship prodigy seen only once in a thousand years, and took me in." "At the Taihua Sword Sect, my cultivation and swordsmanship progressed rapidly." "My life seemed devoid of challenges, and my mindset grew increasingly arrogant." That's how protagonists are... Bai Lian silently critiqued. In the game, compared to herself, who relied on dual cultivation secret techniques to level up, Mu Jianli was more like a classic protagonist. Orphaned, extraordinarily talented, resilient in character— if not for meeting Bai Lian, Mu Jianli would likely have become the future leader of the Taihua Sword Sect, the next peerless sword immortal. Unfortunately, she found herself in an ero-game— and not just any, but a humiliation-based ero-game. Encountering her, a "Senior Brother" designed for ravishment, hardly spelled a fulfilling future. "Junior Sister, your sword body is innate, your path of cultivation clear. It's only normal..." "But in the vast world of cultivation, countless talents abound. Yet, few manage to stand until the end." "No matter how peerless the genius, they're still mortal. If they grow complacent in their talents, they'll eventually meet their demise. In this treacherous world of cultivation, even a meaningless death can be a luxury, reducing one to enslavement." Goodness, is this what a protagonist sounds like? Jianli, have you elevated your mindset that much after reincarnation? And are you hinting at something with those words? Didn't the game claim you were straightforward, not one for subtlety? I swear you're just a three-faced character hiding a dark side! Of course, Bai Lian dared not voice these thoughts. She chuckled awkwardly, saying, "I never imagined Junior Sister could grasp such profound warnings. Your future indeed seems boundless..." "No, Senior Sister, you taught me these lessons," Mu Jianli replied. She turned her head, looking intently at Bai Lian, who's slightly shorter than her, saying, "That's why I should thank you, Senior Sister. You've taught me so much." Bai Lian felt her cheeks heat under Mu Jianli's gaze. Honestly, the visual design of the 'must cultivate or die' game that captured its position in the ero-game world relied heavily on its art. The rest of the departments shared the remainder of the credit, while the pitiful game planning owed a debt of creativity. In the game, among the female leads, Mu Jianli was undoubtedly the most handsome. Compared to the unique beauties of the other characters, she exuded a striking allure. Now that the character had come to life, her charm not only endured but intensified. Even Bai Lian, with her usual thick skin, couldn't help but blush under her careful scrutiny. The crucial point is… Mu Jianli's words clearly had deeper implications! This is probing, isn't it? No way am I falling for that! "Haha... Knowing this puts my mind at ease. I never thought Junior Sister could comprehend my well-intentioned guidance..." She laughed it off and quickly steered the conversation, "Look, Junior Sister, ahead is the renowned Warm Spirit Spring of our Yaoji Peak." "This spring is near the back mountain, where ordinary disciples can't come. So it’s been mostly used by myself and our master. It's worth a try, beneficial for reinforcing your cultivation and healing hidden injuries." Changing the subject at such a time was suspicious, but Bai Lian had no desire to continue their conversation down this path and resorted to distraction. Fortunately, they were indeed approaching the spring she and Gu Qingqing often used, making the topic change not entirely out of place. Mu Jianli seemed unaware or chose not to acknowledge the change as she silently followed, listening to Bai Lian recount familiar memories. Yes, familiar. Though a disciple of Frost Peak, Mu Jianli knew every flower, every blade of grass, and every inch of Yaoji Peak intimately. All thanks to one person. Mu Jianli's gaze fixed on Bai Lian's slender back and delicate waist, a glimmer of something deeper stirring in her eyes. With each passing word of introduction, Jianli seemed to settle into the role of an obedient visitor, allowing Bai Lian to gradually relax. After all, the one who wronged Jianli was Senior Brother Bai Lian, what could this Senior Sister Bai Lian have to do with it? Perhaps Jianli, understanding the situation, had let go of past grievances, opting not to pursue them further? Having the chance to reincarnate was an immense stroke of fortune, something many cultivators who perished hoping for a second chance, but never achieved, would deeply envy. Now everyone was reborn; perhaps stepping back could lead to a world of possibilities and mutual happiness... Yet, as Bai Lian envisioned this peaceful resolution, Mu Jianli's quiet voice reached her from behind. "Senior Brother..."