When Zi Che Shao Hao reappeared before Lin Yan, he brought news about Wan Si Rui.
Upon receiving the information about Wan Si Rui, Lin Yan didn't read it immediately. Instead, she asked Zi Che Shao Hao how much longer he would stay in the city.
"What, are you tired of staying here?" Zi Che Shao Hao began to ponder which places in the Central Continent might be more interesting, especially since he was already on his rounds inspecting his businesses.
"Not exactly," Lin Yan replied. She simply didn't want to encounter the male protagonist.
If Wan Si Rui saw her, he would surely feel guilty, and might even try to do something.
Neither the Ling Xiao Sword Sect nor herself were very strong yet, so she didn't want the male protagonist causing trouble. This male protagonist, while not good at much else, was very good at causing trouble.
"However, it wasn't easy for me to come to the Central Continent, so I should at least see more of it."
"Indeed. Then allow me to show you the sights of the Central Continent properly?" Zi Che Shao Hao could tell Lin Yan wasn't being entirely truthful, but as long as she stayed by his side, he was content.
"Okay," Lin Yan smiled, her expression like ice melting, like spring flowers blooming.
After Zi Che Shao Hao left, Lin Yan began to read about Wan Si Rui.
She saw how he was pursued by several people, and later accepted the daughter of Elder Cheng, becoming Elder Cheng's youngest disciple.
It seemed the male protagonist had given up on struggling and wanted an easier life. Of course, he wouldn't choose a more difficult path.
Now, he wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources and had become a disciple of a Integration stage great cultivator while still in the Foundation Establishment stage. With status and resources secured, accepting a woman was no difficult feat for him.
However, it was unlikely the male protagonist would reach the level described in the original work, nor would he be able to gather so many concubines.
Like now, with the gentle and understanding junior sister by his side, he could only keep her at a distance.
But in the original work, his strength far surpassed that of the women around him, leaving them no choice but to remain silent about his actions.
Looking at the male protagonist like this, Lin Yan felt she no longer needed to worry about him. With Zi Che Shao Hao's influence and her own standing in the Ling Xiao Sword Sect, she could erase all of Wan Si Rui's past traces.
Didn't he claim to be a rogue cultivator? Then she would ensure he truly became one.
The next day, Zi Che Shao Hao came to discuss their departure time with her.
"There's a thousand-year-old Xiao Yun flower blooming in Chuncheng. It's said to be as beautiful as clouds and rosy hues."
"So, our next destination is Chuncheng?"
"Yes. Chuncheng is called Chuncheng precisely because it's like spring all year round. When the Xiao Yun flower blooms, Chuncheng holds the Ten Thousand Flowers Festival, which you should enjoy," Zi Che Shao Hao introduced Chuncheng to Lin Yan.
Besides the thousand-year-old Xiao Yun flower, Chuncheng also produced pills made from a hundred flowers, which were excellent for a female cultivator's appearance. He recalled his mother had always taken such pills.
Zi Che Shao Hao figured Lin Yan, being a woman, would also like such a pill.
These pills not only enhanced beauty and complexion but also imparted a personal fragrance, with each person's scent being unique.
His father would have people procure these pills from Chuncheng for his mother every year, and she would always be delighted upon receiving them. He thought bringing Lin Yan there would also make her happy.
Although Lin Yan was a sword cultivator, she was still a female cultivator, and how could a female cultivator not care about her appearance?
He wasn't sure about other female cultivators, but his mother, a person of such cold elegance, was like that.
His mother also had an ice spiritual root, which he had inherited from her. Their cultivation techniques differed, and his mother was more personable than him.
"Xiao Yun flower? I've never seen such a flower before," Lin Yan grew curious about this millennium-old bloom. A flower that had lived for ten thousand years, she wondered if it had developed sentience.
It was difficult for plants to cultivate into spirits, but after ten thousand years, it should have gained intelligence, shouldn't it?
"I have a complete guide to spiritual plants. I'll give it to you later to pass the time," Zi Che Shao Hao remembered Lin Yan had always lived in the Eastern Region and was unfamiliar with the spiritual plants and demonic beasts of the Central Continent.
"Thank you very much!"
As Lin Yan and her party departed, Wan Si Rui and his group were still exploring the city. Zi Che Shao Hao had his men subtly obstruct their path, but he made sure it wasn't too obvious.
Zi Che Shao Hao clearly sensed that Lin Yan did not wish to see Wan Si Rui, so he naturally wouldn't let him disturb her good mood.
However, Wan Si Rui was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator. He couldn't understand why Lin Yan was so bothered by him; he was just an ant. Even with a master at the Integration stage, to Zi Che Shao Hao, he was still no more than an ant.
With just a finger, he could crush him and make him disappear from Lin Yan's sight forever.
Lin Yan remained unaware of Zi Che Shao Hao's thoughts. If she had known, she would not only stop him but also take him far away.
This was precisely the mindset of a villain. He truly seemed to be following a villain's script every time.
The male protagonist was the favored child of destiny in this world. Anyone who tried to crush him would eventually be backstabbed by him.
Lin Yan would not only refrain from causing trouble for Wan Si Rui but would even clear some obstacles for him. She wondered if, without these setbacks and hardships, the male protagonist's development would still be as smooth as in the original work.
Would a male protagonist who sailed through life become the great cultivator depicted in the original story?
There were many geniuses in this world, but how many of them could truly reach the pinnacle?
Lin Yan continued to ride in Zi Che Shao Hao's carriage. This time, however, he had changed the spirit beast pulling it. Initially, it moved smoothly along the city streets.
Once they left the city, the spirit beast took flight, carrying the entire carriage through the clouds. The guards also changed to flying swords, flanking the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Lin Yan only felt a slight jolt during takeoff. Otherwise, the ride remained very smooth.
The maid puppet inside the carriage brought Lin Yan the spiritual fruits she liked and brewed the spiritual tea she had been favoring lately.
She had eaten many spiritual fruits recently. Any one she took an extra bite of would frequently appear before her, as would the spiritual tea.
Zi Che Shao Hao was thus meticulously testing Lin Yan's preferences, taking excellent care of her.
Lin Yan could feel his sincerity and was gradually allowing him into her world.
Before they even reached Chuncheng, Lin Yan touched the boundary of the Nascent Soul stage.
"I'm afraid I need to find a place to go into seclusion," Lin Yan said apologetically, her aura fluctuating.
"Don't worry, I will protect you. You don't need to be concerned about safety," Zi Che Shao Hao quickly replied.
He assumed Lin Yan was worried about the lightning tribulation. Although it was a bit rushed, he would prepare everything to ensure she successfully underwent this advancement.
"I'm not worried about the lightning tribulation. It's just that there's something I need to tell you in advance."