The massive gates of the Twin Dragon Secret Realm shimmered overhead, drawing every cultivator in Sunset Glow City like moths to a flame.

Someone—probably the loudest gossip in the cultivation district—shouted that the second trial had ended early, and suddenly the city exploded into chaos. Oil meet fire, basically.

First came the worried sect representatives, then the ticket-holders who’d paid premium prices for front-row seats to what they thought would be a proper tournament finale. Now the arena looked like a spiritual Black Friday sale gone wrong.

Back at the Insight Academy Palace’s guest quarters, Lanzhi bowed respectfully to Ink-Trace Venerable. “Master, the second trial ended unexpectedly early. All participants have exited the realm. Your presence is requested at the arena.”

Jingxing set down his scroll, frowning slightly. “The Twin Dragon Secret Realm has found a new master. I don’t know what transpired within, but something significant must have occurred to end the trial prematurely.”

He rose, transforming into a streak of light that materialized on the white jade platform in the next instant. Even someone who’d seen centuries pass was visibly surprised by the scene below.

⁂

In the arena, Echo had set up her little collection booth with the efficiency of someone who’d watched way too many fantasy economics documentaries. Table, chairs, storage rings—the works.

Completely unbothered by the thousands of confused stares, she sat down properly and placed her sword Nine Heavens flat on the table like a very expensive paperweight.

Hands pressed to the surface, she looked up at the first cultivator in line. “Hello, may I have your name, please?”

The guy’s eye twitched as he clutched two fragments. After clearing his throat and bowing, he managed, “Ten Directions Sect, Ye Yu.”

Echo’s internal database immediately pulled up his profile. She collected his two fragments, placing one in front of herself and pushing the other to the side. “Please take care,” she said politely, then looked up again. “Next!”

Siyi approached with measured steps, smiling before she even spoke. Echo’s eyes widened slightly and she made a fist with her right hand, tapping it against her left palm with complete righteousness. “Siyi doesn’t need to pay fragments! We’re allies!”

Her ally covered her lips with her hand, laughing softly, but still placed two fragments on the table. She glanced at Seraphine, who was standing far behind her, and said gently, “Thank you for your hard work, Fellow Daoist Xi.”

Echo replied with complete honesty: “It is a bit tiring, but earning fragments requires some hardship.”

Siyi’s smile deepened as she looked toward Seraphine. After Seraphine gave a slight nod, Siyi moved aside to wait with the other Luanyang Palace disciples.

Next up was a sword cultivator who asked hopefully, “Fellow Daoist Xi, does Lingshan Sect still accept new members?”

Echo shook her head quickly. “No new members.”

He tried again: “What about Luanyang Palace?”

Echo tilted her head curiously. “Brother Cui, did you leave Hongshan Sect?”

The swordsman—Cui Zhenchuan, who’d been Seraphine’s first opponent in the Eastern Continent tournament—laughed ruefully. “Didn’t expect you to remember me.”

Echo gave him her most polite smile and patted the table.

Please pay your fragments.

Siyi interjected diplomatically, “If Brother Cui wishes to change sects, we can discuss it later.” Translation: Pay up now, negotiate later.

Cui Zhenchuan clutched his sword mournfully, muttering about “poor sword cultivators can’t afford wives” as he reluctantly handed over two fragments. As a fellow sword cultivator who’d spent most of Seraphine’s allowance money in the secret realm but gained an entire realm in return, Echo offered encouragement: “Please work hard.”

Looking at the pile of golden fragments in front of her, Cui Zhenchuan swallowed hard and looked even more miserable.

After Cui Zhenchuan came several more cultivators who declared that while they weren’t Luanyang Palace disciples, they had hearts willing to join Luanyang Palace, so surely everyone could become allies.

All of them were met by Echo’s impartial law enforcement—she laughed heartily while collecting their fragments and handed each a handful of peanuts and melon seeds, explaining that future negotiations were negotiable, but current negotiations were non-negotiable.

The number of bitter-faced people increased by a large wave, huddling together clutching their magical artifacts while cracking melon seeds.

After a while, another genuine ally appeared.

Xue Mengtao placed her fragments down and bowed respectfully to Echo, Seraphine, and Siyi. “Greetings, Senior Sister, Palace Lord, and Master.”

Echo looked at Xue Mengtao’s fragments and fell into deep thought. The current Echo had learned to show favoritism and protect her people.

But since Siyi and Xue Mengtao hadn’t accepted her favoritism, that meant her favoritism was inappropriate.

Being human really required constant learning of social skills.

She pocketed the fragments and clenched her fist under her sleeve for moral support.

Behind her, the Fire Rock Dragon coiled twice and formed itself into a makeshift chair for Seraphine to lean against. Its tail curled around to pat the ground near Siyi’s feet, and Siyi led Xue Mengtao and the other two Luanyang Palace disciples over.

Seraphine asked lazily, “How did it go? Are you confident?”

All three disciples, including Xue Mengtao, looked nervous. Xue Mengtao said quietly, “Reporting to Palace Lord, I didn’t slack off in the Twin Dragon Secret Realm, but my cultivation is low. I’m afraid my fragment count is far below the other candidates.”

Another disciple added, “Though Golden Jade Tower only charged two fragments for the top hundred list, I didn’t buy it. I was afraid losing even one fragment might cost me the opportunity.”

And afraid the gap was too large, which would disturb their peace of mind.

Seraphine nodded. “If you gave your all, then you have nothing to regret.”

The disciples murmured their agreement.

Siyi said, “Just safely leaving the Twin Dragon Secret Realm is fortunate. While waiting in line, I heard that another second trial participant, Wen Chunsheng from Virtue Central Peak, was seriously injured and had to withdraw. He’s still recovering at the guest quarters.”

Seraphine frowned. Wen Chunsheng…… that name sounded familiar.

After a moment, she remembered a certain night back at Luanyang Palace, when a certain someone had disobediently snuck down Phoenix Roost Peak under the pretense of “updating the palace maps,” but really because she’d glanced once at this disciple named Wen Chunsheng outside the Weaver’s Workshop.

Though Seraphine couldn’t remember why she’d looked at Wen Chunsheng in the first place. With thousands of people in Luanyang Palace and her focus on cultivation, how could she remember everyone individually?

Hearing that Wen Chunsheng was injured and had withdrawn, Seraphine nodded. “Arrange for a medical cultivator to treat him. Tell him to focus on recovery. All expenses will be covered by the palace.”

Siyi nodded.

Xue Mengtao, who’d been standing quietly behind Siyi, squeezed her fingers together. After Siyi and the Palace Lord finished talking, she said, “Please let me handle that matter.”

Master and disciple locked eyes, and Siyi smiled. “Sure.”

Soon the Luanyang Palace disciples had gathered, and Echo looked up to see only a few people left in line. She sighed with relief and muttered “finally” before calling the next customer forward.

“Master!” Qiu Shuangshuang bounced up to the table and placed two fragments down. “This is your dutiful disciple’s offering!”

And for Master’s wife too!

Since it was a filial offering, Echo accepted it and waved for the next person.

Qiu Shuangshuang skipped happily toward the Autumn Water Pavilion disciples. After her, the sound of bells filled the air.

“Ding ding.”

Silver bells chimed as an enchantingly beautiful woman approached with swaying steps. Her alluring eyes seemed to weave invisible threads around anyone who looked, and unlike the others who bowed respectfully, she perched sideways on Echo’s table with practiced grace, parting her rosy lips in a soft, sweet laugh.

“Little sister, we meet again.” Meng Xiangfei’s voice was silk and honey.

Echo glanced at her sitting on her table and nodded. “Hello. Where’s your snake?”

Meng Xiangfei traced patterns on the table with her finger, laughing softly. “Oh, that wasn’t my snake.” Just a little creature she’d randomly summoned in the realm to help out. She’d never actually fought anyone herself, let alone harmed other cultivators.

Behind Echo, Seraphine suddenly looked up, fixing her gaze on Meng Xiangfei.

Meng Xiangfei was the kind of woman who radiated sensuality with every movement, as if she were a thousand-year-old fox spirit. Even her voice carried hints of seduction.

There were many famous beauties in the world, countless women renowned for their looks, and several stunning fairy-like figures right here at the second trial.

But Meng Xiangfei would never be lost in that crowd. She was so bewitchingly beautiful that people didn’t dare look directly at her, yet so lovely that they couldn’t help wanting to protect her. Compared to those pure and righteous women, she possessed an almost scandalous sensuality.

Her soft arms were bare in the open air, silver chains draped from her neck down to her ample chest. She sat boneless and graceful, her feet bare beneath purple jade anklets that chimed with each movement.

Seraphine blinked slowly. When Meng Xiangfei caught her gaze and looked back, their eyes met in the air. Seraphinecurved her lips in a cold, mocking smile.

Meng Xiangfei smiled back, but spoke to Echo while looking at Seraphine: “Oh, little sister, I noticed you and Palace Lord Velka are always together. What’s your relationship?”

Echo said, “Don’t call me little sister. You can call me little ancestor.”

She really was a system with a very long lifespan. If the System Realm ever adopted human retirement policies, she’d collect massive pension benefits.

“We’re good friends.” Echo answered her question, then said, “Please pay two fragments.”

Meng Xiangfei sighed dramatically, playing with a strand of hair and using a pitiful tone: “Can’t you make an exception just once? I worked so hard to collect these fragments—each one is precious to me. I can’t bear to give them to you.”

Echo said firmly, “A person of honor keeps their word.”

Please pay the fragments.

Meng Xiangfei reached toward Echo’s face, saying softly, “I don’t want to be a person of honor. I just want to be a little—”

“Slap.”

Before her fingers could touch Echo’s cheek, another hand caught her wrist. Seraphine gripped Meng Xiangfei’s hand and finished coldly, “dog?”

“Little daughter.” Meng Xiangfei purred, batting her eyes. “Greetings, Palace Lord Velka.”

Seraphine released Meng Xiangfei’s hand and said with measured calm, “Before leaving the trial, Lingren already confirmed with everyone—if you don’t want to pay fragments, why don’t I have her send you back to the Twin Dragon Secret Realm?”

“The secret realm still has plenty of those precious creatures you’re so fond of, and they have legs to run around with. Lingren is charitable enough to reunite you with them. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Her leisurely words made MengXiangfei’s smile gradually fade.

Echo pulled her head back from where she’d been dodging and thought “terrifying” before nodding quickly.

“If you really don’t want to pay, that’s fine.” Echo said gently. “We can settle this with a duel.”

Seraphine looked down at Echo.

Echo pushed Nine Heavens forward and poked Meng Xiangfei off the table. Smiling brightly, she asked, “If you can defeat me, I’ll waive your two fragments. Do you know what a death match is?”

She pulled out an envelope with two crooked characters written on it from her storage ring and pushed it toward MengXiangfei.

“Please.”

The interest in Meng Xiangfei’s eyes immediately cooled. Her lips trembled and she forced an awkward laugh: “Haha, that’s not a fun joke.”

Her smile turned toward Seraphine, who touched the envelope lightly with pale fingers and said quietly, “Oh? Our Lingren rarely jokes. If you accept, wouldn’t that save you your precious two fragments?”

“……” Meng Xiangfei’s eyes curved as she took out two fragments and placed them on the table, saying sweetly, “Never mind, I’ll give them to you. We’ll be fellow academy disciples soon—harmony brings prosperity.”

She played with her hair and said to Echo, “So your name is Lingren. What a lovely name.”

Echo was sweeping the fragments over with Nine Heavens when she looked up in surprise and said, “Stunned.”

“You think my name sounds good?” Echo said, “I thinks you need to improve your aesthetic sense, hahaha!”

Meng Xiangfei: “……” Her smile cooled considerably. “Heh.” she said, then turned and left.

Seraphine looked down at Echo in surprise.

You actually know your name doesn’t sound good?

Echo said seriously, “Actually, I was just joking.”

This was her first time being human and the first name she’d chosen for herself—she was quite satisfied with it. But the joke didn’t seem to land well, since Meng Xiangfei’s smile wasn’t genuine.

Oh dear!

She still needed improvement in this area.

Echo reflected on her social skills.

Seraphine: “……”

She reached out and ruffled Echo’s hair.

“Very funny. Keep it up.”

Seraphine really was a tolerant good friend! Echo smiled and put the death match letter away with the stack of identical letters in her storage ring, then placed Nine Heavens back where it belonged.

The cultivator who’d been standing behind them and heard every word took a deep breath, threw down two fragments, and ran.

Echo’s favorite type of customer.

Before she knew it, only one person remained in line.

Xue Bufan bowed respectfully and placed down two fragments.

Since he was her last customer, Echo wanted to end her little business on a satisfactory note. She said politely to XueBufan, “Every time I sees you, you’re wearing the same clothes.”

Xue Bufan startled as Echo continued, “Even cultivators should maintain proper hygiene.”

“Thank you for the teaching, Senior Sister!” Xue Bufan’s face turned red as he explained, “It’s just the same style—I bought many sets.”

Echo had a moment of realization and apologized, “Sorry, that was a misleading misunderstanding.”

Seeing Xue Bufan’s flustered expression, Seraphine chuckled and lightly tapped Echo’s head. “That’s what you get for meddling.”

Echo grinned and stood up, handing the storage ring with the other half of the fragments to Seraphine.

Shop closed for the day. They returned to stand with the Luanyang Palace disciples, just like the other cultivators gathering with their respective sects.

Echo leaned close to Seraphine’s ear and whispered, “In the Twin Dragon Secret Realm, I noticed Xue Bufan appeared far less frequently than I expected.” As the protagonist, when that Void Refinement stage Stone Giant appeared, he should have descended from the heavens to slaughter everything in sight.

The warm breath against her ear made Seraphine’s ears flush red. She snorted softly and said, “Perhaps you were too outstanding. With you claiming the entire Twin Dragon Secret Realm, how else could he steal the spotlight?”

Though Xue Bufan breaking through from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core in less than two years was already an incomprehensible speed for normal people. If he’d really fought a Void Refinement stage opponent with Golden Core cultivation, he’d need actual immortals to possess him.

Seraphine pushed Echo’s head away and glanced coldly at Xue Bufan, who was chatting cheerfully with those around him.

Echo tilted her head, thinking: The overpowered protagonist is actually her.

How surprising and confusing.

“How many fragments do we have total?” Seraphine’s question interrupted her thoughts.