The matter could not be delayed, so the three of them packed their things and left.
It wasn't until they entered the first city along the way that Shen Jianxi understood the current situation.
This city was one she had briefly stayed in for a few days on her way to the Mingxin Sect with Cheng Wenyu.
Back then, there were incessant calls of vendors and bursts of laughter, with people coming and going on the streets, making it a lively scene.
Now, not a single person could be found within the city. Those who could hide had hidden, those who could die had died, and corpses were casually piled up by the roadside.
After the demons had plundered and ravaged this city, they had simply discarded the dead on the roadside, unburied and unattended, with flies already gathering.
Shen Jianxi felt a pang of sadness, but the current circumstances did not allow her to linger here for too long. She could only deal with the situation briefly before leaving.
This scene was not uncommon on her journey.
Even the cities that had not been ravaged had their gates tightly shut, daring not to open them again.
By the time Shen Jianxi reached Sifang City in Beichangzhou, it was already night, a week later.
The entire city was silent, with sentries everywhere.
The demon sent by Fu Zi to escort her left not far from Sifang City.
If the city guards were to see her with a demon, not only she but also the Shen family would be implicated.
After being thoroughly questioned and inspected at the city gate, she was finally allowed to enter.
Upon entering the city, she headed straight for the Shen residence.
The sight of shops still open along the way brought her a sense of relief.
Fortunately, she had arrived in time. From what she could tell, the people sent by the Lianhua Sect had not yet arrived.
Her father and mother were greatly shocked by her return.
"Nian Nian, you..." Her mother held her hands, examining her from head to toe. Seeing that she was unharmed, she finally relaxed slightly. "Why have you returned now! Don't you know how dangerous it is?"
Although Shen Ziqian and Shen Jiayi said nothing, their expressions clearly indicated their agreement.
Shen Jianxi smiled reassuringly at them. "Don't worry, Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother. I was safe all the way. I've returned because I was worried about you."
"We are all fine. As for that boy from the Cheng family," Shen Ziqian glanced outside, ensuring no one was nearby, and asked, "Didn't he return with you?"
His words made the others realize: why was only Xiao Guai alone?
Shen Jianxi paused for a moment before deciding to tell the truth. "We... we are no longer together."
"This time, I was sent back by Demon Lord Fu Zi."
"What?!" Hearing that name, they all stood up in shock.
How could it be that person?
Under the current circumstances, how could Xiao Guai be with the Demon Lord?
Despite their hearts full of questions, they had never doubted that she was involved in anything untoward from the beginning.
Shen Jianxi soothed them with a look. "Please sit down, and I will explain slowly..."
For the next half hour, she detailed the matters concerning Cheng Wenyu, Qiu Tao and Lin Xinglan, Lianhua and Li You, and Fu Zi.
After hearing her account, Shen Ziqian and Shen Jiayi were the most impacted.
What had happened in the years they were away?
How had their younger sister become so captivating?
Her father was the first to recover.
Under Shen Jianxi's anxious gaze, he slowly spoke, "Xiao Guai... alas..."
He suddenly sighed, causing Shen Jianxi's heart to race.
Unexpectedly, her father burst into laughter. "As expected of my daughter, even the Demon Lord has fallen for her, Hahahaha—"
Shen Jianxi's lips twitched slightly.
Was that the point?
"Father!" she called out, drawing her father's attention. "Did you hear what I said? Those demons are coming soon, and we need to prepare!"
Her father affectionately stroked her head and said, "Father heard you. But Xiao Guai, you don't need to worry about these things. Father and your brothers will handle it. Our Xiao Guai just needs to be happy."
She pursed her lips. She wanted to say she could help, but she knew that would only worry the four of them. She could only nod in agreement.
...
Later that night, she and her mother returned to their rooms, while her father and eldest brother discussed matters outside.
Considering the timing, it was likely that the demons would arrive in the next two days. It seemed they would have to have them take the pills tomorrow.
On the way, she had already exchanged 360 points for four Immortal Pills, which she could crush and add to desserts for them to eat tomorrow.
With everything planned, Shen Jianxi prepared to go to bed.
*Knock, knock, knock—*
A light knock sounded at the door. Before she could ask who it was, the person outside spoke, "Miss, may I come in?" Su Dan Novel Network.
It was Luyuan.
When she had gone to the Mingxin Sect, due to the long journey and the fact that one of the four targets was a demon, she hadn't brought Luyuan along, thinking she might be traveling a lot.
She wondered what business Luyuan had with her at this late hour.
"Come in."
Shen Jianxi sat back on the soft couch.
Hearing her voice, Luyuan gently pushed the door open and stood before her.
Shen Jianxi frowned as she looked at Luyuan, who remained silent. "What is it?"
Luyuan looked directly into her eyes, took a deep breath, and asked, "I want to know, is my young lady living well now?"
Shen Jianxi's heart skipped a beat. She straightened up instantly, on guard.
At the same time, she asked in her mind, "77, what's going on?"
77 was also confused.
Ever since they arrived in this world, its host had been acting according to the original owner's persona, and with the system's help, how could someone see through it?
Luyuan seemed to sense her thoughts and spoke again, "You don't need to be nervous. I have no ill intentions. I just want to know if my young lady is doing well now, if she has been wronged."
Seeing this, Shen Jianxi pondered for a moment and asked, "How did you know?"
Luyuan suddenly fell silent. Just as Shen Jianxi thought she wouldn't answer, she spoke, "You may not know, but on the night my young lady was born, she met a legendary immortal."
"He said that my young lady would go to another world this year, and a new person would enter her body."
"Then, Father and Mother..."
"Please rest assured, only I know about this. That night, I mischievously snuck out to see the newborn young lady. The immortal told me that only I in this household could know, otherwise the young lady would be in danger."
She remembered this one sentence to this day.
Her heart was filled with too much worry, and she couldn't help but ask.
Shen Jianxi scoffed inwardly, "77, it seems your advanced technology can't compete with metaphysics~"
77: ...
On the other side, Luyuan quietly awaited her answer. Shen Jianxi didn't want to lie to her and could only say truthfully, "I'm sorry, I don't know."
Luyuan's eyes visibly reddened, but she forced herself not to let tears fall and smiled, "Thank you."
With that, she turned and left, her back carrying a profound sense of desolation.
Just as her foot was about to cross the threshold, 77 suddenly spoke, "Xi Xi, the original host Shen Susu also had a system in another world and was completing missions. Through these missions, she could gain lifespan and money. It's even possible she could live forever."
Shen Jianxi was a little worried. "Is this something you can say?"
77 nodded. "As long as you don't reveal anything about the system."
Shen Jianxi called out to Luyuan. Under her puzzled gaze, she said, "Don't worry, she is doing very well."
Hearing her words, Luyuan flashed a genuine smile. "Thank you."
With that, she respectfully took her leave.
As she was about to exit, she suddenly turned back and said, "Oh, right. That immortal's name was Qiu."