Chapter 8: If That Doesn’t Work, Just Tie Them Up (Part 1 & 2)

Hearing a voice of discontent, the chief examiner in charge of compiling the comprehensive scores for the three-part assessment approached Yun Yi and said, “Skin like ice and bones like jade, with an ethereal temperament—you must be Yun Yi?”

Yun Yi nodded. The chief examiner explained, “You performed exceptionally well in the third assessment. In fact, the Taowu wasn’t originally part of the test—it’s a vicious beast that wasn’t supposed to appear in the secret realm, yet you managed to slay it. However, due to your poor aptitude, the examiners discussed it and ultimately decided that we couldn’t name you the top candidate. As compensation, we’re offering you the position of Chief Palace Maid. What do you say?”

Yun Yi clenched the corner of her clothes and remained silent. Qu Wanwan couldn’t hold back and said, “This is blatant bullying! Why?! Just because we’re from humble backgrounds, we’re supposed to swallow such humiliation?”

The chief examiner frowned, suppressing his temper. After a moment of thought, he said, “Either accept the offer or go down to the mortal realm for training. Prove your strength to us—otherwise, stop making a fuss! With your lacking aptitude, ascending to an immortal is near impossible. This is already the most generous arrangement we could make!” With that, he flung his sleeve and left.

“Outrageous! Outrageous! This is too much!” Qu Wanwan stomped her foot in frustration.

Yun Yi furrowed her brows and looked at Qu Wanwan with determined eyes. “Wanwan, I want to descend to the mortal realm for training!”

Seeing her resolve, Qu Wanwan knew she had made up her mind and didn’t try to stop her. She simply said, “Alright. I’ll go with you!”

Then she added, “But those three assessments were basically for nothing. Aren’t you resentful?”

Yun Yi replied, “Even if I am, what can I do? We can’t resist, so we have to accept it.”

Yes, the law of the jungle—survival of the fittest—is an eternal truth!

That night.

Qu Wanwan couldn’t sleep. She visited those two sisters who had been slapping each other earlier and felt much better afterward. Thinking Yun Yi must be feeling down too, she quietly sneaked into her room. She concealed her aura and hid in the dark. Seeing Yun Yi bundled up under the covers, apparently asleep, she relaxed a bit.

But after a while, she noticed Yun Yi trembling slightly under the blanket, accompanied by faint, shallow breaths—she was crying…

Qu Wanwan tiptoed over, lifted the covers, and gently hugged Yun Yi, patting her back softly. “Alright, don’t cry. It’s just a training journey to the mortal realm. When we come back, we’ll teach those snobs a good lesson for looking down on others!”

Yun Yi sat up and wiped her tears. “Right. They’re not worthy of my tears. I’ll prove myself to them!”

Qu Wanwan giggled. “There you go, little crybaby. You’re actually kind of cute like this.”

She gently wiped away Yun Yi’s tears and said, “By the way, when we go down for training, we might not be assigned together, and we might not even run into each other in the mortal world. I want to give you this—as if I’m always by your side.”

She took off one of her snowflake-shaped earrings and, after showing it to Yun Yi, put it on her ear.

Yun Yi asked, “What’s this?”

Qu Wanwan replied, “A portable music player!”

Yun Yi blinked. “What’s a portable music player? It sounds like there’s music playing from it!”

Qu Wanwan explained, “It’s something that lets you listen to music wherever you go. It’s a pair—now you have one, and I have the other.”

Her bright and sunny smile dispelled the gloom in Yun Yi’s heart.

Qu Wanwan was indeed a beauty! Her wild brows were thick but tidy, with large, smiling peach blossom eyes, a delicate nose, and pale pink lips. Dressed in a flowing green robe, she radiated celestial charm.

Looking at her smile, Yun Yi was a little moved. Unable to resist, she lightly tapped Qu Wanwan’s baby-fat cheeks with her soft, cool lips.

That brief touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water, sent Qu Wanwan’s cheeks ablaze and made her breath quicken. Her heart was pounding out of control!

Seeing her flustered state, Yun Yi giggled. Qu Wanwan finally snapped out of it, scratched her head shyly, and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going then.”

She bolted for the door and nearly tripped on her way out.

Ding! Plot Triggered: Main Quest Unlocked. Main Quest 2: Accompany Yun Yi to the Mortal Realm for Training!

“No way! You again?! How can this even trigger a mission?! Ugh, what a hard life!” Qu Wanwan complained.

The descent to the mortal realm would begin on the third day after the Immortal Ascension Tournament, meaning they still had two days. Not wanting to waste time, Qu Wanwan decided to investigate how the Taowu had appeared in the secret realm in the first place!

She went to the Temple of Yue Lao. Since countless young immortals came here to pray for love, it was the best place for gathering gossip.

As she approached the temple, oh boy, it was crowded! All the immortal ladies were hoping for good matches and eternal love with their chosen ones.

Qu Wanwan didn’t bother squeezing in and instead headed straight to the temple’s rear garden.

There stood a plum tree in full bloom, its white blossoms shimmering. The abundant spiritual energy likely kept it from ever withering.

Beside the tree was a clear spring, its water so transparent that the pebbles at the bottom were clearly visible. Sunlight shone through, casting shadows on the stones—utterly beautiful!

Behind the plum tree was a rock garden, with a winding path leading deeper into the back.

Following the path, Qu Wanwan saw a stone table with two stone stools. A half-finished game of Go lay on the table.

Beyond that was a cliff shrouded in mist.

“Young lady, feeling so down that you’re thinking of jumping?” a stranger’s voice called out. Looking over, she saw a man with long black hair tied back, clear eyes, and proper features—a handsome, though slightly hunched, figure who seemed enigmatic.

“My, my, such a beauty. Got dumped by your lover? No worries, I’ve got red strings for you—you’ll find someone new in no time,” he said.

Judging by his tone, he must be that elegant, flirtatious Yue Lao himself! Whether it was true or not, she decided to flatter him first.

“You must be the distinguished Yue Lao, then!”

“I am indeed Yue Lao. My name is Mu Qing.”

Qu Wanwan: “What an honor, what an honor! Mu Qing Shangshen is truly remarkable. I’m not here because of a broken heart though—I just really wanted to meet the legendary Yue Lao.”

Mu Qing asked, “Then what brings you here?”

“Well, your temple sees countless immortals come and go daily, so you must hear plenty of gossip. I wanted to ask—where was the Taowu originally sealed, who sealed it, and how secure was that seal?” She scratched her head sheepishly.

“You must be Qu Wanwan, right? I watched the secret realm trial—you were impressive. But even I find the Taowu incident strange. As far as I know, it was sealed in the Demon-Locking Tower, with multiple layers of enchantments. The tower is guarded inside and out by heavenly soldiers—it shouldn’t be able to escape. Something’s definitely off. If I find any clues, I’ll let you know!”

“Mu Qing Shangshen, you’re so straightforward! If I survive my tribulations, I’ll surely repay your kindness someday.” She bowed respectfully.

Mu Qing laughed heartily. “No need for that—I just enjoy making friends. You’re quite the amusing girl. If you fancy some young lord one day, come to me—I’ll tie the red string myself!”

Qu Wanwan grinned. “Uh, not at the moment. But I want a string for my best friend. If she falls for someone, I’ll tie the string myself!”

Mu Qing chuckled. “Alright, here you go.” He handed her a red thread.

Qu Wanwan (inner thoughts): One might not be enough. She’s got more than ten official pairings!

“Shangshen, one string might not do. What if the guy doesn’t like my friend? I’ll just tie a few more—he won’t escape then!” she declared confidently.

Mu Qing: “Haha! You’re hilarious! If your friend really likes someone and he refuses, I’ll help you tie him up myself!”

Qu Wanwan: “Thank you, Shangshen!”

Afterward, they chatted briefly about the unfinished game on the table. Though she didn’t know much about Go, she awkwardly excused herself and left.

Back at her residence, Qu Wanwan felt too shy to visit Yun Yi directly, so she used her spiritual power to send a butterfly with a message: “This red string is for you. If you meet the right person, don’t let them go!”

She tied a small knot in the string, fastened it to the butterfly, and sent it fluttering toward Yun Yi’s room.

“System, when I go down to the mortal realm, will you still be around?”

【Of course.】

“So that means I’ll be able to cheat and go full god mode in the mortal world!”

【In your dreams.】

“Why?! Other people travel to another world and instantly have cheat powers and go on a killing spree. Why do I get nothing?! I want to quit!”

【Look on the bright side. Not only do you not have a golden finger, you still have to work your butt off.】

“I curse your whole family!”

【I don’t have a family.】

“Can’t you cut me some slack?!”

【Sure. Once your mission points hit 300, you can ‘buy on credit’ a Nine-Rebirth Resurrection Pill. But you have to finish your missions afterward.】

“You’re selling me dreams again! I only have 50 points now—who knows when I’ll reach 300!”

【Actually… the reward for Main Quest 2 is exactly 300 mission points.】

Qu Wanwan’s eyes lit up. “So once I complete this training journey, I can get the Nine-Rebirth Resurrection Pill on credit?!”

【That’s right.】

With that confirmation, Qu Wanwan was so happy she could fly.

“This time, I’m definitely eating this pie you’re dangling in front of me!”

【Good luck, Host!】