[Ding! Today’s daily tasks have refreshed.]

[Task 1: Read any cultivation manual. Reward: Some EXP, System Points x10.]

[Task 2: Physical exercise. Reward: Some EXP, System Points x10.]

[Host, you may choose freely. After completion, the tasks will refresh the next day and can be repeated.]

Shen Qixi asked cautiously, “If I do both, will anything bad happen?”

In her view, this system’s rewards seemed too good to be true.

Getting EXP rewards just by doing things that benefited her, with unlimited refreshes—this was practically the kind of opportunity people dreamed of.

[Something bad? Do you mean feeling empty because you’ve finished all your tasks and don’t know what to do next?]

Shen Qixi tilted her head.

“I understand. Then I’ll do both tasks.” Shen Qixi said.

“Any manual will do?” she asked.

[Yes, but different manuals grant different amounts of EXP.]

[If it’s a manual you’re already familiar with, the EXP gained will be less.]

[Additionally, if you only partially understand the manual, the EXP will also be reduced.]

This matched the real-world experience of cultivators studying manuals.

The difference was that, in reality, cultivation talent played a major role—sometimes, even if one understood the manual, their cultivation might not progress.

The system’s reward mechanism bypassed the limitations of innate talent.

Shen Qixi pondered for a moment before taking out a manual from her storage ring. The original worn-out cover had been wrapped in a new one.

Shen Qixi had many manuals.

These were originally part of the collection in Rong Xueci’s cave abode, covering all kinds of topics.

However, Rong Xueci never read them.

He had no interest in studying.

Gradually, they all became Shen Qixi’s books.

For example, the manual she was holding now was one she had read a few times but hadn’t fully comprehended yet.

Reading it again would likely help her understand it completely.

It was perfect for today’s task—maximizing her EXP gain.

[Let me see, let me see… Wood Softening Art?]

“You know what this manual is?” Shen Qixi asked.

[Of course! This system is a system, after all, connected to a vast database. Unless something is deliberately hidden, I can appraise it.]

[Would you like to share this function? Hold on.]

Soon, Shen Qixi saw a label appear above the manual in her hands:

[Manual]

She stared at the label, which expanded to reveal more details:

[Manual: Wood Softening Art]

[Attribute: Wood]

[Description: One of the long-lost fragmented manuals, created by a legendary Wood-element master. Comprehending it grants the ability to manipulate plants into puppets.]

Shen Qixi was astonished.

This function might seem unremarkable at first glance, but it effectively gave her an appraisal ability on par with that of a cultivator using specialized treasure tools.

And this manual had such a remarkable origin?

“I’ll read this manual today.” Shen Qixi decided.

She settled her mind, sat cross-legged mid-air, and began flipping through the manual.

Having often studied alone in the cave abode, she was already accustomed to reading.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the daily task: Read a manual. Reward: 120 EXP.]

[Due to your fast reading speed and high efficiency, your Wood-attribute spiritual power control has greatly improved. New skill acquired: Basic Wood Softening Technique.]

Shen Qixi was pleasantly surprised.

She had mastered a technique so quickly?

She raised her fingertip, and Wood spiritual power flowed smoothly at her will.

Next, Shen Qixi checked her status.

She was only 50 EXP away from leveling up.

“What are the requirements for the physical exercise task?”

[Any method is fine. It’s just a daily task—nothing too difficult. Running, jump rope, push-ups… anything works.]

Shen Qixi looked around and finally decided to jump in place for a while.

[Ding! Congratulations on completing the daily task: Physical exercise. Reward: 55 EXP.]

That was close—she almost didn’t level up.

Next time, she’d have to find a better way to exercise to avoid wasting the daily task opportunity.

[Ding! Congratulations on leveling up. Your current level: LV9.]

She was getting closer and closer to becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

After completing both tasks, Shen Qixi looked down below.

Rong Xueci still hadn’t returned.

Should she keep waiting here for him?

She waited for a while when suddenly, a surge of icy spiritual energy shot toward her.

Shen Qixi tensed and turned to look.

The cold energy grazed her cheek, but thanks to her protective barrier, it didn’t harm her.

“Zhao Ruorui.” Shen Qixi said coldly.

The young man in luxurious robes hovered on his sword, his hand still glowing with frost, his expression grim.

Shen Qixi: “You still want to attack me?”

Zhao Ruorui: “I didn’t know if you were real or not.”

He scrutinized her for a moment before finally lowering his hand.

The protective barrier around Shen Qixi was new—imbued with his master’s spiritual energy.

His master had been here.

His master was protecting his wife.

Strange… this mortal woman… It had only been a short while, yet she seemed different—her spiritual energy purer, her gaze steadier when she looked at him, as if she had seen through something.

Shen Qixi thought that Zhao Ruorui seemed much more clear-headed now.

But he still held hostility toward her.

She didn’t bother with pleasantries, instead focusing on his tags:

[Tsundere], [Genius], [Beautiful Youth], [Growth], [Immortal Venerable’s Personal Disciple], [Major Supporting Character], [Unresolved Regret].

“Unresolved regret…”

“What does that mean?”

[Some characters have great personalities but die early—that’s unresolved regret. Others are great but can’t end up with the character they’re most suited for—that’s also unresolved regret.] The system explained concisely.

“Will he die early?” Shen Qixi asked.

[No, no! This young man is an important supporting character, part of the ensemble cast. He won’t die early.]

[Well… it’s just…] The system hesitated awkwardly in front of the Immortal Venerable’s wife. [He can’t be paired with the Immortal Venerable, so it’s unresolved regret.]

[Please don’t take it to heart.]

“It’s fine.” Shen Qixi said. “It’s not real anyway.”

“But… people don’t dislike him, right?” she murmured inwardly.

Of course. Aside from how he treated her, Zhao Ruorui was well-liked by all the cultivators of Beichen Sect. In Rong Xueci’s eyes, he was a diligent, respectful disciple who strove for excellence.

Before, if someone was kind to everyone except her, she might have doubted herself.

Now, she just felt exhausted by everything tied to Rong Xueci.

“Where’s Master?” Zhao Ruorui asked.

Shen Qixi replied, “He’s investigating below.”

“Fine.” Zhao Ruorui nodded and turned to leave.

A moment later, he returned, his expression dark. “Master… isn’t there.”

Shen Qixi froze.

Rong Xueci… lied to her again?

A pang of disappointment struck her.

She hadn’t expected him to lie even at a time like this.

“Are you sure that was Master?” Zhao Ruorui crossed his arms, his inky hair swaying in the wind, the icy blue earring at his lobe shimmering brightly.

“Shiniang, there are demonic beasts nearby that can create illusions to mimic humans.”

“It was Rong Xueci.” Shen Qixi said flatly.

“If you don’t believe me, then wait.”

“He said he’d be back soon.”

Zhao Ruorui considered this, then stood beside her.

He shifted uncomfortably.

His eyes flicked toward her.

The last time they parted, his malice had inexplicably surged, driving him to try and kill her.

But Master still had use for Shiniang—even if she were to die, it should be by Master’s hand.

Suddenly, green vines sprouted from Shen Qixi’s fingertips, sharp and swift, lashing toward Zhao Ruorui.

A thin cut appeared on his cheek. Shocked, he raised his hand to retaliate—but then a piercing shriek erupted behind him. His ears rang as he instinctively covered them.

Only then did he realize a demonic beast had silently crept up on him!

The creature, small as a bird, was now tightly bound by Shen Qixi’s vines, its beak tied shut. Its bulging eyes seemed to scream disbelief at being captured.

Shen Qixi yanked the bird into her palm, then turned to the stunned Zhao Ruorui with a faint smile.

“What are you distracted by?”