Chapter 176

Mu Xing He's hands were slender and delicate, perfectly fitting the description of a fairy's hands. However, as a Taoist of Tian Shu Shen Que, she rarely dressed up, wasting the allure of her perfect hands. When she put on the Morning Star Necklace in the game, even Bai Lian, who had seen countless beautiful sceneries, was still amazed by its beauty. So when she learned that she was about to come to Xia Du, she had already planned to buy the Morning Star Necklace and present it to Mu Xing He again. However, in her previous life, she only came to Xia Du when the Luo Tian Conference was held. Now, since the conference hadn't started yet, she wasn't sure if the Morning Star Necklace was available at the Forge Tower. Moreover, the Morning Star Necklace was quite expensive. Even though she had accumulated a lot of spirit stones in the game, buying the Morning Star Necklace was still a heavy blow to her wallet. Of course, in order to make someone smile, that amount of money was nothing. Although she was not as wealthy as she was in the game, when she heard that Ye Pingting said the first treasure she was interested in could be discounted, she immediately decided to buy it. Bai Lian looked at the Morning Star Necklace in front of her, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curved with hope. Today, Mu senior sister's mood was not very good. Would she be very happy if she received this bracelet from her? Xiao Cheng Yin saw Bai Lian smile like this for the first time. It was as if the melting snow in early spring turned into a spring that poured into the mountain creek, refreshing the heart and soul. He couldn't help but be stunned. But he also felt a bit lost because he was not a fool and could tell that Bai Lian's smile was not for him. He hoped that one day, Bai Lian would smile at him like that. "It seems that Miss Bai really loves this bracelet." "How about this, Miss Bai, you've come from afar, so as the host, I naturally can't be too stingy." "Let me buy this Morning Star Necklace for you as a welcome gift, what do you think?" he said. Bai Lian was slightly stunned by his words; this was the first time she had ever experienced someone offering to pay for something she liked. It was clear that Xiao Cheng Yin was truly kind-hearted. To be honest, she had to use most of her accumulated spirit stones to purchase materials to lift the charm, which were hard to come by and quite expensive. In the end, she had gone from being a relatively rich woman to a poor one. If she bought the Morning Star Necklace, it would undoubtedly be the final blow to her already tight wallet. If she accepted Xiao Cheng Yin's offer, the financial burden on her would undoubtedly be relieved. Looking at Xiao Cheng Yin's sincere expression, Bai Lian was very touched, but she decisively refused. Shaking her head, she said, "I appreciate Cheng Yin's kindness. But if I like the Morning Star Necklace, I should pay for it myself. There's no reason for Cheng Yin to bear the cost." She gently added, "Moreover, if certain things are accepted out of courtesy, they lose their meaning." "Cheng Yin, thank you for helping me find the Morning Star Necklace. I will definitely thank you if I have the chance." "I have to go find Mu senior sister. I'll leave for now. You can enjoy exploring around on your own for a while," she said, walking briskly in the direction where Mu Xing He was. Xiao Cheng Yin looked at Bai Lian's slender figure, his eyes gleaming, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Not taking what is not earned... Miss Bai is truly an extraordinary woman." In this era, female cultivators often gladly accepted gifts from male cultivators, considering it a common courtesy. Even male cultivators felt that it was just a normal etiquette, and if a male cultivator did not take the initiative to pay while shopping, they might even be mocked for being stingy. In fact, those who were more willing to spend money were more welcomed by female cultivators. As a result, being poor had become a unique flaw when female cultivators judged male cultivators. Originally, he had thought the same way. Even when he walked into the Forge Tower, he was prepared to show off his financial ability regardless of the cost. However, at this moment, Bai Lian not only refused his kindness but also cautioned him about taking what is not earned. At this moment, Bai Lian had set herself apart from many ordinary women in his eyes. "If I could marry Bai Miss, she would indeed become my virtuous assistant, and what more could a husband ask for," he said. "Tang Miss, since you are able to perceive that Miss Bai is fond of swords, you must have quite an understanding of her." "In the future, you should advise me more. When I marry Miss Bai as the prince's consort, you will have made great contributions, and I will certainly reward you generously!" "Thank you, Your Highness. I will do my best," Tang Mu Lian bowed. "Hahaha…" Xiao Cheng Yin seemed to see a future where he and Bai Lian were in perfect harmony, revealing a happy smile. Tang Mu Lian concealed her face in the shadows, looking at Xiao Cheng Yin immersed in joy, her eyes filled with deep disdain. Want to marry Bai Lian, huh! How dare he! Even I don't have the chance. Only when you become a woman can you say that! As she thought this, her gaze involuntarily turned to Bai Lian's retreating figure. After her comments just now, Miss Mu's current mood must be quite complicated, right? When Bai Lian went to find her now, would something interesting happen? I can't wait to see – she thought with a smile behind her mask. However, that smile didn't last long and soon dissipated. Tang Mu Lian felt a bit dejected, thinking: What is she so happy about? She clearly knows about Bai Lian's past and wants to stand by her side, yet she doesn't have the courage to openly express her feelings to Bai Lian. Even though she likes Bai Lian too, her behavior, attempting to bring Bai Lian and Mu Xing He together, what did that amount to? She could only watch the person she liked be embraced by someone else. As Mu Xing He was in pain, so was she. For the greater good, she had to do this. From the moment she entered the Star Moon Sect, this was an inevitable responsibility. Tang Mu Lian closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, the emotions driven by love had been perfectly hidden. ... "Sister Mu?" "Weird, where's Sister Mu gone..." When Bai Lian returned to Mu Xing He's location, she found that Mu Xing He had already disappeared. She looked around, not seeing Mu Xing He anywhere, feeling a little worried. Mu Xing He's mood today was really strange, and she couldn't understand what was happening. Now that Mu Xing He had suddenly disappeared, she had a foreboding feeling in her heart. It was urgent to find Mu Xing He and clarify things with her. Thankfully, searching for someone as a cultivator did not involve aimless wandering. She released her spiritual sense and quickly found Mu Xing He in a dark corner of the Forge Tower. She saw Mu Xing He standing against the wall, her upper body shrouded in shadows, emanating a gloomy atmosphere. Bai Lian instinctively stopped in her tracks, feeling somewhat afraid to approach Mu Xing He like this. Because she had only seen Mu Xing He like this once before, it was in that nightmare where she was killed by the female protagonists. Mu Xing He then emitted the same gloomy atmosphere. Yet, being afraid wouldn't solve anything, and leaving Mu Xing He like this was the last thing she wanted to do. She gritted her teeth and finally approached her. "Sister Mu, what are you doing here?" "I've been looking for you for a long time. We agreed to wait for a moment in that spot just now, and I would come back soon. It's really..." she complained. Perhaps upon hearing Bai Lian's voice, Mu Xing He, who had been hiding in the shadow, slowly lifted her head. Perhaps it was because of the poor lighting, there was almost no light in her eyes, as if she had merged with the darkness here, becoming a bottomless abyss. Bai Lian was being looked at by the abyss and even found her breath a bit delayed. What had happened to Sister Mu? Seeing Bai Lian, Mu Xing He subconsciously shrunk back, as if afraid of something. She turned her head and asked in a cold tone, "Bai sister… why are you here?" "Because you suddenly disappeared, I was worried. So, I came looking for you." "Sister Mu, you seem a bit off today. What's happening?" "Aren't we friends? If something happens, you can tell me." "I've said it before. No matter what, I'll stand by your side." What if I tell you… How can I say it to you? Mu Xing He lowered her gaze, speaking in the same cold tone, “I'm fine. Bai sister, you'd better hurry and go to keep Xiao Cheng Yin company." So sour! Hearing Mu Xing He's voice full of resentment, Bai Lian felt almost as if her teeth would be sour. Even if she was a bit slow, at this moment, she had already realized the key point – Mu senior sister might be jealous of her getting too close to Xiao Cheng Yin. Definitely, she should have noticed long ago, after all, the reborn Mu senior sister even harbored jealousy towards foxes, she was a genuine jealousy pot. Bai Lian did her best not to laugh. She found the root of the problem, and Bai Lian suddenly had a moment of enlightenment, without any hesitation saying, "Senior Sister Mu, don't overthink this. Xiao Cheng Yin and I are just very, very ordinary friends, absolutely nothing like what you're imagining!" In fact, what she wanted to tell Mu Xing He was that she and Xiao Cheng Yin were absolutely impossible, as the two of them were once genuine rivals. However, she dared not say these words directly, as it would be the same as revealing to Mu Xing He that she was the previous Bai Lian. It would likely turn the jealousy pot down, but the powder keg might explode. However, Mu Senior Sister was always a rational person; after she had so earnestly clarified, Mu Senior Sister should be able to understand, right? However, to her surprise, after hearing her explanation, the gloom on Mu Xing He's face not only did not diminish but instead seemed to intensify. Mu Xing He calmly said, "I'm not overthinking things. I know you're approaching Xiao Cheng Yin to get close to the Maitreya sect monks." "So, you should go quickly. It wouldn't be good if you missed something because of me." This really seemed like overthinking! Darn it, why would Mu Senior Sister, who is usually so knowledgeable and reasonable, have such an obstinate idiotic demeanor! Bai Lian ground her teeth in frustration. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, and her eyes brightened. The Morning Star Necklace! As long as she took out the Morning Star Necklace and gave it to Mu Xing He, Mu Xing He would surely understand that she and Xiao Cheng Yin were absolutely impossible! Haha, Bai Lian, you are so clever. Let's see who dares to call you a fool now! "Forget about that, Senior Sister Mu, look at what I've bought for you." She smiled, taking out the Morning Star Necklace from her bosom and unfolding her palm in front of Mu Xing He. Mu Xing He subconsciously looked at Bai Lian's palm, where a beautiful silver bracelet lay quietly in her fair, tender hand. Upon seeing the bracelet, her pupils contracted. "Is... Is this the Morning Star Necklace?" "Exactly, surprising, right?" Bai Lian appeared a bit smug. "Before at the Taihua Sword Sect, I really appreciated your help. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known how to deal with the charm." "But you've helped me so much, and I haven't done anything for you." "This Morning Star Necklace can help you harness the power of the stars, making you more efficient in formations, and it's also very suitable for you." "Since Ye Senior Sister said I could have a discount, I bought it." She smiled at Mu Xing He, "Senior Sister Mu, this is for you, as a token of my gratitude." "Heh, now do you believe me? There is absolutely no possibility between Xiao Cheng Yin and me!" Mu Xing He stared at the Morning Star Necklace in Bai Lian's hand, her body trembling slightly. Bai Lian's sweet voice echoed in her ears, but not a single word entered them. Bai Lian was wrong. Bai Lian thought that Mu Xing He had misunderstood because she and Xiao Cheng Yin had gotten too close. However, Mu Xing He was very clear. Bai Lian approaching Xiao Cheng Yin was just to use him. No matter how attentive Xiao Cheng Yin was, Mu Xing He couldn't possibly develop feelings for him. So, her current mood was not because of Xiao Cheng Yin, and it wasn't even about jealousy. Looking at the Morning Star Necklace in Bai Lian's palm, Mu Xing He lowered her gaze. As expected... Bai Lian was still exactly the same as in her past life, with no change at all. She could beautifully take care of everyone's emotions, remember everyone's preferences and taboos, and treat everyone gently. Yes, Bai Lian was gentle to everyone, whether it was her or... anyone else. She wasn't special; she was just one of those Bai Lians who were gentle to everyone. But Bai Lian would eventually find that person who was worth her exclusive tenderness, and that person might not be Xiao Cheng Yin, it could be Li Cheng Yin, Zhang Cheng Yin.... And what about her? She could only helplessly watch Bai Lian being embraced by someone else, unable to do anything, nor could she achieve anything. She didn't even dare to like Bai Lian because her so-called affection for Bai Lian would be unfair to her. So, the more gentle Bai Lian was to her, the more pain she felt. She had intended to distance herself from Bai Lian, at least... until she was completely calm. But Bai Lian was still approaching her, as if unaware of any danger, and even went and bought her favorite Morning Star Necklace and gave it to her. She didn't want to hurt Bai Lian. But she… she couldn't continue to endure this any longer. Mu Xing He lifted her head, looked at Bai Lian, and lightly smiled, "I didn't expect Bai Sister to understand me so well. I must properly thank Bai Sister." As she spoke, she gestured with her arm, and several talismans quietly dissipated, instantly setting up a sound insulation array around the two. Bai Lian:??? She looked at Mu Xing He's malicious grin and couldn't help but swallow hard. "Mu... Senior Sister?"