The old rental house where Qin Gengyun lived.

Kitchen.

Qiu Zhihe sat in the familiar bathtub, closed her eyes, and gently rested the back of her head on the edge of the tub.

A thick towel was nailed behind it. Shortly after she and Qin Gengyun got married, to make her bathing more convenient, Qin Gengyun bought a bathtub.

Later, finding her head resting on the edge a bit hard, he nailed a thick towel on the tub’s edge, to make it more comfortable for her.

At this moment, Xia Qinglian instinctively leaned her head back on the tub, feeling the soft and comfortable sensation on her nape. Her heart skipped a beat as she slowly opened her eyes.

Those familiar old stoves, the small water jar, the kettle, and that large iron pot.

She remembered their wedding night. Her heart was ashen, and she acted recklessly, pushing Qin Gengyun down.

But due to the effects of the Profound Ice and Li Fire within her, the consummation lasted only thirty breaths.

The next day, to extend their cultivation time, Qiu Zhihe bought a pile of aphrodisiac herbs to cook into porridge, using this very pot.

As their feelings for each other deepened, Qiu Zhihe used this pot to cook Spirit Beast meat porridge and stir-fry vegetables for Qin Gengyun.

Later, when Qin Gengyun sold pills and earned money, they moved out, leaving the pot behind.

Looking at it now, the pot’s bottom had rusted.

Qiu Zhihe remembered when they moved into Qinhe Garden, Qin Gengyun bought this old house, saying that if they ever parted ways, they should return here to wait for each other.

Unexpectedly, she really returned today but didn’t dare to recognize him.

She was the Demon Sect Saintess, bearing the blood feud of the Cyan Lotus Sect, destined to be the enemy of the world. How could she drag him down with her?

Qiu Zhihe sighed gently, stood up from the tub, water trickling down her delicate body, though this body wasn’t as beautiful as Qiu Zhihe’s or Xia Qinglian’s; it no longer mattered.

Perhaps she would never meet Qin Gengyun as Qiu Zhihe again.

She dressed and walked out of the kitchen.

"Junior Sister Ruo, bathing again?"

A familiar voice sounded, and Qiu Zhihe paused, staring blankly at Qin Gengyun standing not far away.

"Ah!"

She quickly reacted, recalling Ruo Mei’s delicate nature, she exclaimed in surprise. To make it more convincing, she circulated spiritual power, causing her cheeks to redden swiftly.

For Qiu Zhihe, this act was effortless and flawless.

At the same time, she discreetly stepped back a few paces, preventing Qin Gengyun from catching her scent.

"Senior Brother He, how did you come in? Where’s Senior Sister Fang?"

Qin Gengyun looked at her panic-stricken, aggrieved face but was not moved, striding toward her:

"I’m specifically here to find you, Junior Sister Ruo. I just want to talk."

Qiu Zhihe retreated repeatedly, backing into the kitchen, her face visibly frightened, with her eyes watering proficiently:

"Senior, Senior Brother He, don’t come any closer, or, or I’ll call for help!"

Only then did Qin Gengyun stop. Now standing two zhang apart, he smiled:

"Junior Sister Ruo, you confessed your admiration for me publicly, you should be delighted that I came to see you, why so terrified?"

Qiu Zhihe covered her chest with both arms, looking pitifully: "I may like you, but we barely know each other. Your aggression scares me, Senior Brother He."

Qin Gengyun carefully studied her expression, speaking softly: "Junior Sister Ruo, how about we sit and have a proper talk?"

Qiu Zhihe timidly suggested: "You, you outside, and I’ll stay inside."

Qin Gengyun nodded, turning toward the table outside the kitchen. Qiu Zhihe barely relaxed when Qin Gengyun suddenly flashed inside, standing directly before her!

The two were so close their bodies nearly touched.

"You..."

Not expecting Qin Gengyun to act this way, Qiu Zhihe froze momentarily before hastily retreating to distance herself again.

But it was too late.

"This scent... you’re not Ruo Mei!"

Qin Gengyun had already caught that incredibly familiar fragrance - a floral scent mixed with a hint of creaminess, which he’d only smelled on one person before!

At this moment, Qin Gengyun looked at Ruo Mei, visibly emotional, eyes slightly red, voice trembling:

"You really are my ..."

Roar!!

A deafening howl sounded outside.

"The Jiao is here!"

"Junior Sister Fang! Junior Brother Lan!"

Immediately, the exclamations of the Zhenyang Sect disciples rang out, and the faces of Qin Gengyun and Qiu Zhihe changed drastically.

"Xiaoxue, Xiaolan!"

Both dashed out the door simultaneously, only to see opposite them, a demonic beast with a golden mane and a dog’s head with a pig’s snout rising on its hind legs, one claw pressed against Mo Xiaolan’s throat while Fang Xue lay on the ground, her left shoulder stained with blood.

At this moment, all the disciples gathered in front of the house, with Wei Wan standing at the forefront, confronting it.

This Jiao was smaller compared to its appearance on the city wall that day, but the scar on its left eye remained, confirming it was the same beast.

Evidently, it had used a body shrinking technique to infiltrate Qinhe Garden last night and kill Chen Yuanqi and another.

It returned tonight, but to Qin Gengyun’s surprise, instead of targeting Wei Wan, the one with the highest cultivation, which had been the plan with arrays set around her house, it had gone after Mo Xiaolan and Fang Xue!

At this point, Fang Xue lay on the ground, her shoulder bloodied, wearing a frantic expression. Upon seeing Qin Gengyun, she hurriedly warned:

"This Jiao knows illusion techniques; everyone be careful!"

Upon hearing her words, the Jiao, understanding them, growled angrily, pressing its hind legs onto Fang Xue’s leg with a crunching sound. Despite her face turning pale, she gritted her teeth, uttering no sound.

"Beast, stop it!!"

Mo Xiaolan shouted sternly, only for the Jiao to apply slight pressure, drawing a trickle of blood from her white neck.

"Wretch, let go now!!"

It was the first time the crowd faced such a cunning high-grade demonic beast, feeling some fear, but fury overtook them seeing their fellow sect members harmed.

"Can you understand our words? What exactly do you want?"

Qin Gengyun stepped forward two paces, speaking to the Jiao.

His voice was calm, yet the murderous intent in his eyes surged like a tidal wave.

Ruo Mei stayed closely by his side, appearing ready to face everything together.

Wei Wan glanced at them, her gaze flickering, but she said nothing.

Upon hearing Qin Gengyun’s words, the Jiao nodded, surprisingly human-like, then scratched the air with a claw.

In the air, a scene formed from spiritual power appeared.

The moment they saw this image, everyone was stunned.