The Fire Rock Dragon—loyal as a golden retriever and twice as reliable—stripped every single Jade Spirit fruit from the tree with methodical precision. Mountains of spiritual energy practically leaked from the harvest, while Error hung from the branches above, tail swishing with satisfaction.

Well-fed workers are productive workers, I mused, watching the scene unfold.

Seraphine stored most of the fruit in her storage ring, leaving a small portion behind. She glanced at Qiu Shuangshuang with that trademark arrogant tilt of her chin—the universal gesture for “collect your payment, peasant.”

Qiu Shuangshuang bowed gratefully, thinking to herself that while Palace Lord might be difficult to get along with, at least she kept her word. The gnawing fear of being abandoned halfway through their journey lessened just a fraction.

My host isn’t terrible to Qiu Shuangshuang, I noted with approval.

Meanwhile, I was having my own existential crisis. Carrying my matchstick prop, I circled Seraphine like a tiny satellite, deep in thought. She watched me with growing irritation.

“What now?” she finally asked through our mental link.

I paused mid-orbit, hands clasped behind my back. “Our agreement still stands, right?”

The whole “find my host a romantic partner in this world” thing was something Seraphine had personally promised me. But her attitude earlier had been… well, hostile was putting it mildly. I needed confirmation.

Seraphine made a noncommittal sound that I interpreted as grudging acceptance.

Good. Still on track.

I continued my orbital pattern, analyzing her behavior patterns. “Host, you’re acting like a young woman who is resisting a blind date. Verbal compliance masking internal resistance.”

I’d seen this exact scenario in modern novels—protagonists agreeing to blind dates to save face, then promptly ghosting the entire situation.

Seraphine’s eyelid twitched. The fact that a tiny system could read her so accurately was clearly grating. “I’m not avoiding anything. I told you my requirements—someone strong. We discussed this.”

I looked up at her with my oversized optical sensors. “Strong. Got it.”

“I see the problem now. My targeting parameters were insufficient.” I spun around to face Qiu Shuangshuang, who was struggling with her overlong skirts, and sighed internally.

Poor girl. You and my host are simply incompatible.

Qiu Shuangshuang sneezed unexpectedly, glancing up at the blazing sun in confusion.

The trio continued through the mountain forests for days. Qiu Shuangshuang might be spoiled and prone to tears, but her cultivation was legitimate—the terrain barely fazed her.

They found various spirit plants and fruits, but nothing like the massive creatures from before. Seraphine suspected the lingering pressure from previous beast encounters was still keeping the area relatively clear. They’d need to venture deeper for real opportunities.

Her ultimate target remained that palace floating in the distant clouds.

The Chongshan Secret Realm stays open for six months total.

One afternoon, as they rested by a lake, Seraphine crossed her arms and stared at the horizon, frowning deeply.

“We’ve been walking for a month. Why does it still feel impossibly far away? Is that palace just an illusion? Or is it actually moving?”

Qiu Shuangshuang was by the water’s edge, collecting pretty stones for some sort of miniature architecture project. She looked up nervously at Seraphine’s muttering.

Through their time together, she’d grown comfortable with the Fire Rock Dragon and even rode on its back sometimes. But Seraphine still terrified her. With her life literally in the Palace Lord’s hands, and given Seraphine’s notoriously intolerant personality, Qiu Shuangshuang had adopted a policy of constant appeasement.

“Palace Lord,” she ventured carefully, “are you trying to reach the Chongshan Immortal Palace?”

Seraphine’s eyebrows shot up. “Chongshan Immortal Palace?”

Qiu Shuangshuang nodded eagerly. “When father and mother were briefing disciples before entering the realm, I… may have eavesdropped a little. They said the Chongshan Secret Realm was originally the spatial cave dwelling of the ancient Chongshan Immortal Venerable, tens of thousands of years ago. After the Venerable ascended, this space remained in the world, opening once every hundred years.”

She puffed out her cheeks in frustration. “Normally, realms that open repeatedly just get weaker over time. Upgrades are incredibly rare.”

“The Autumn Water Pavilion has a unique record of the Chongshan Immortal Venerable’s history,” she continued, growing more animated. “According to the text, the Chongshan Immortal Palace contains not only countless treasures left by the Venerable before ascension, but also their personal inheritance! That’s why I wanted to come here so badly!”

Before nearly dying immediately, I added silently.

“The Immortal Palace doesn’t appear every time the realm opens. The last appearance was over a thousand years ago. This realm upgrade is probably connected to the palace’s return!”

Qiu Shuangshuang bit her lip and looked at Seraphine with pleading eyes. “Only Autumn Water Pavilion disciples know about the palace and inheritance. They’ll definitely head there. If you’re planning to go to the Immortal Palace, please take me with you!”

Seraphine hummed in acknowledgment. She’d promised to deliver Qiu Shuangshuang to her fellow disciples, and she always kept her word. But confirming the value of that floating palace made her heart race with anticipation.

Then, inexplicably, an ugly face flashed through her mind.

“…” Her mouth twitched as she waved her sleeve dismissively, trying to clear the unwanted thought. It took her a moment to realize I hadn’t jumped out to remind her about competing with Xue Bufan for opportunities.

Actually, now that she thought about it, I’d been unusually quiet lately.

Seraphine turned to look for me and found me wedged between tree branches, trying to camouflage myself among the leaves.

“What are you doing?” she asked through our link.

I blinked my round optical sensors slowly. “Contemplating existence.”

No tasks to complete, no immediate way to help the host. Besides scanning and updating maps, there’s not much else to do.

“You… enjoy contemplating existence?”

It’s my second most developed skill after task execution.

I abandoned my leafy companions and floated over to Seraphine. “Host, do you need me to do something? Please let me know.”

Seraphine didn’t respond immediately, just studied my glowing form. Finally, she said quietly, “You seem… subdued since that day.”

That day?

I tilted my head, and my question mark icon shifted to a golden exclamation point.

Oh. THAT day.

I performed a slow, contemplative rotation. “Your reaction was quite intense. I’ve been conducting self-analysis.”

“I may have inadvertently replicated the behavior patterns of annoying matchmaker characters in romance narratives.”

“However, I wasn’t experiencing depression. I was formulating improved action protocols, integrating strategic planning, adjusting operational parameters, and preparing adaptive responses. With the primary mission as foundation, I will thoroughly implement strategic initiatives, take proactive measures, maintain forward momentum, and strive diligently to alter the host’s original fate trajectory and achieve host happiness!” I raised my matchstick prop with renewed determination.

Seraphine blinked slowly.

I didn’t understand most of that, but it’s more words than she’s spoken in days combined. Understanding the principle that leadership required both authority and compassion, she offered reassurance: “Good.”

I should also be more flexible and try to refuse her suggestions more gently. It seems her previous hosts were considerably more patient with her.

That day was a bit harsh.

Seraphine spent exactly three seconds on self-reflection before glancing at Qiu Shuangshuang, who was happily stacking stones and completely oblivious to the world. A flash of disdain crossed her eyes.

Yes, I was harsh. But who told this system to try matching me with someone who does nothing but wail dramatically? I needed to make it crystal clear that I have zero interest in ear-splitting people!

“I have something else to discuss with you,” Seraphine said through our link.

I drifted closer, indicating full attention.

“My tone was unnecessarily severe that day, but I need to explain something crucial. Unless Xue Bufan—or anyone else, for that matter—directly obstructs my path or commits truly heinous acts, I won’t move against them.”

“Even if Xue Bufan eventually becomes my mortal enemy, he hasn’t actually offended me yet. Plus, there’s history between our elders. I won’t kill him.”

Seraphine’s expression grew serious as she looked directly at me. “I learned from my mother, follow the righteous path, walk the proper road. My life is one of integrity and honor, never ashamed in private chambers. Even when my methods seem arrogant, my conscience remains clear.”

Her voice carried absolute conviction. “This is my cultivation way. Unchanging and indestructible.”

Brilliant afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, draping her in golden radiance. I watched her face as the cinnabar mark on her forehead seemed to burn like flame in the light, the fire extending to her determined eyes.

Recording host statement for analysis protocols, I noted automatically, then quietly filed away the data. “Understood.”

So when Siyi suspected Seraphine of developing heart demons, Seraphine just laughed it off. Someone with such firm moral principles doesn’t easily develop inner demons.

Even when competing with Xue Bufan for the Fire Rock Dragon, she made her demands openly and honestly, presenting clear terms for consideration. Regardless of her domineering style or what others thought, she lived up to her claims of integrity.

“I had been formulating contingency plans for a potential villain arc. Those will need to be deleted,” I admitted.

Seraphine’s lips curved in a slight smile as she began walking forward. The two of us strolled leisurely through the afternoon sunlight like old friends.

“Not necessarily. Maybe we’re already the villains in someone else’s story. People who dislike you will never see you as righteous. Besides, what villain considers themselves a villain? You’re being too rigid, Echo.”

I floated along, making notes on my interface, acknowledging the error. “True. I’m overly formulaic and programmatic. But host, you should know—I’m literally composed of countless programs. Being programmatic is somewhat inevitable.”

Seraphine looked confused.

I raised my matchstick prop helpfully. “That was a joke.”

“Ha… ha?” Seraphine’s response was even more stilted than her usual cold laugh.

“Host, your laughter is also somewhat programmatic.”

“Shut up! I’m already being generous with you!”

“Let me try another joke. I’m searching my databases… apparently I don’t have comedy data downloaded. Sorry.” I waved my matchstick in defeat.

This time Seraphine genuinely laughed, shaking her head in exasperation. “You’re hopeless.”

But her tone lacks real annoyance.

“Ha! Ha!” I attempted a template laugh.

“Cultivators all have their personal dao,” I continued our conversation. “In that sense, even someone who slaughtered the entire world could consider themselves righteous if it aligned with their internal moral code.”

Seraphine nodded thoughtfully.

“Then our dao as systems is simply not violating our operational parameters…”

We continued chatting as we walked. Behind us, Qiu Shuangshuang noticed Seraphine’s lighter mood—probably excited about the Immortal Palace information.

One step closer to surviving this realm, Qiu Shuangshuang thought with relief. She turned to the Fire Rock Dragon. “Hey, you’re called Error, right? Is your master always so… solitary?”

Error swiveled its massive head to look at her.

“Huh, you’re higher cultivation than me but can’t speak yet?” she asked curiously.

You’re certainly talkative enough for both of us! Error’s head snapped back around as it accelerated, leaving Qiu Shuangshuang behind.

“Wait! I’m tired of walking! Can you carry me for a bit? I’ll pay you spirit stones! Or do you prefer other things? Beast cores?”

Error slowed down, lifting one eyelid with perfect imitation of Seraphine’s haughty expression.

How much?

Qiu Shuangshuang beamed and hugged its tail tip. “I’ll pay you when we get out! Come to Autumn Water Pavilion—I’ll give you whatever you want!”

Right. Like it previous master’s promises. Why not offer post-ascension immortal dragon pills while you’re at it? Error flicked its tail, deciding never to trust another human besides its master.

The rejected Qiu Shuangshuang stumbled backward with a small cry, her foot catching in her skirts as she tumbled into nearby bushes. Foundation Establishment cultivators had bodies tough as steel—a simple fall wouldn’t even bruise them. Error initially ignored the incident.

Then Qiu Shuangshuang’s voice turned genuinely panicked: “Ahh! What IS this thing? It’s disgusting!”

Seraphine’s expression changed instantly. She appeared beside the spiritual energy disturbance in a blink, finding Qiu Shuangshuang half-consumed by a bizarre plant that secreted black tar-like substances, slowly digesting her alive. The Fire Rock Dragon had wrapped around her arm, desperately trying to pull her free.

“Help me! I’m being torn apart!” Qiu Shuangshuang sobbed, tears streaming as she looked at Seraphine with terror.

Palace Lord, save me!

“Such powerful spiritual energy!” Seraphine immediately released her flames.

Golden-red fire surged forward. Qiu Shuangshuang closed her eyes and screamed, feeling intense heat all around her. Then suddenly, her body was free, and she collapsed to the ground.

When the heat faded, she opened her eyes to find both the tar-substance and the plant completely incinerated. Her clothes were unmarked, but the sticky sensation lingered on her skin. She shook her hands frantically, trying to dispel the awful feeling.

“Curious,” I said suddenly.

Seraphine, who was scanning the area for the source of that suddenly vanished spiritual energy, immediately focused on me.

“Host, Qiu Shuangshuang has acquired a ring.”

My scanning protocols automatically detected the change.

Seraphine’s gaze snapped to Qiu Shuangshuang’s hand, where a plain black ring now adorned her middle finger, getting shaken around with her frantic gestures.

Noticing Seraphine’s stare, Qiu Shuangshuang looked down at her own hand in surprise. “Where did this ring come from?”

Ugly thing!

She angrily tried to remove it, but the ring seemed fused to her finger. As she prepared to use spiritual energy to force it off, Seraphine’s warning of “Don’t move!” came too late.

The ring erupted in brilliant light.

“AHHHH!”

Twisted pulling forces assaulted her, and Qiu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but scream.

“This is bad—whoever created this ring has cultivation above mine!” Seraphine said coldly, grabbing Qiu Shuangshuang’s wrist despite the risk to her eardrums and channeling golden-red spiritual energy.

The moment Seraphine’s energy touched the ring, its rotating light stuttered and loosened, flying off Qiu Shuangshuang’s finger like a starving predator lunging at Seraphine. The stalled energy began fluctuating again.

Seraphine’s eyes widened. It’s a teleportation array!

She raised her hand, gathering every bit of spiritual energy from her consciousness sea into her palm, meeting the incoming ring head-on.

BOOM!

Black and red flame tornadoes erupted through the forest, sweeping in all directions. The air vibrations grew stronger, the earth trembled, and the ring—its defenses cracked by Seraphine’s strike—suddenly expanded into a massive black circle, dropping down to engulf everyone below.

Seraphine and Qiu Shuangshuang vanished instantly. Even the Fire Rock Dragon got swallowed up.

I froze in midair, experiencing an entirely new emotion.

[Warning: Distance from host…]

The dialog box barely appeared before I, in my terrified bubble form, dove after them into the lingering energy disturbance. My vision went black.

“Host?” I called softly into the darkness.

A flame suddenly blazed to life, illuminating Seraphine’s ice-cold expression.

Relief.exe has stopped working. I deflated like a punctured balloon, drifting downward while wiping nonexistent sweat from my interface.

Close call. Almost got a performance deduction.

I activated my scanning protocols and immediately detected something interesting: besides Seraphine, Qiu Shuangshuang, and Error, there was another person here.

Seraphine sensed it too.

She summoned several flame orbs around herself, illuminating black stone walls and revealing a hunched, ugly old man standing at the edge of the firelight, his expression complex.

Qiu Shuangshuang, who had been about to cry from her fall, instead sat up with joy and shouted at the old man: “Benefactor!”

“Lady Qiu…” the old man’s hoarse voice replied. His throat worked as he swallowed hard, his posture becoming even more hunched. “Palace Lord.”

“Xue Bufan.” Seraphine’s smile was ice-cold, practically grinding her teeth.

The name ‘Lingering Ghost’ would suit him better than ‘Xue Bufan.’ He really is like a vengeful spirit—appearing everywhere!

Hearing Xue Bufan’s name, the Fire Rock Dragon’s eyes went wide. It immediately shrunk down and wrapped around Seraphine’s leg, pretending to be a decorative accessory.

Among all the various dramatic reactions from the humans and dragon, one bright, silvery system floated to the front of Seraphine’s golden-red flame. I deliberately brightened my luminescence, creating a beautiful interplay of silver and gold-red light that pulsed in alternating waves.

My cool, clear voice cut through the tension as I calmly reintroduced myself to the group:

And me.

“Echo.”