Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 160. Becoming Cultivation Partners? The Spiritual-Roots-Excavated Kind (12)

“At first, I thought you’d fallen for his sweet talk, wanting to rekindle your past and indulge in some tortured romance,” Xie Yunfu said with a laugh. “Later I realized that wasn’t your intention at all. You never meant for him to have an easy time. Otherwise, I might not have resisted slicing off his head.”

Hearing this, Shen Wan hurriedly put away the bottles and jars before her, turning to face Xie Yunfu. “Even if I had been deceived by him, it’s none of your business. Why would you want to behead him? Xie Yunfu, tell me, have you taken a liking to me? Can’t stand seeing me bullied and want to protect poor, helpless little me?”

Xie Yunfu’s lips quivered, regretting her words. Yet she didn’t deny it as firmly as before. Her desire to behead Yin Jue did stem from not wanting to see Shen Wan mistreated.

Protect Shen Wan?

Xie Yunfu pondered for a moment. Though Shen Wan wasn’t truly weak or helpless, she did feel an urge to shield her.

“If you’ve taken a liking to me, just say so. Don’t be shy.”

Shen Wan’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “Remember to speak up soon. Don’t forget, you’re a demonic cultivator with no future. You’ll either die from heavenly tribulation or from cultivation problems. If one day you’re about to kick the bucket and suddenly realize someone called Shen Wan is deeply imprinted in your mind, somehow nestled in your heart, by then it’ll be too late to see me.”

“Imagine that feeling of regret and helplessness as you’re dying, wishing you’d spoken up earlier. Wouldn’t that be awful?”

After listening to Shen Wan’s long monologue, Xie Yunfu uttered four words: “You are toxic.”

“You’re imagining things. I never said I liked you. I wanted to kill Yin Jue simply because he’s annoying and an eyesore. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Really?” Shen Wan approached Xie Yunfu, examining her closely, trying to discern something. “Truly nothing to do with me at all?”

Their eyes met. Xie Yunfu gazed into Shen Wan’s clear eyes, her lips twitching. “Perhaps a little.”

“Oh, a little? What about me could have sparked such a twisted thought in you, making you want to slice off Yin Jue’s dog head?”

Xie Yunfu interlaced her fingers, averting her gaze from Shen Wan. Her tone was nonchalant. “I just think you’re a decent person and we get along well. I don’t want to see you bullied by that dog.”

“So, Xie Yunfu, you’ve developed some feelings for me, haven’t you? Hehe, I’m happy.”

Just as Xie Yunfu was about to explain, Shen Wan dashed out, shouting, “I have something to do… Ah, over twenty years to develop a bit of affection. Xie Yunfu, you need to fall for me quickly. If you get struck by lightning and die, it’ll be too late for regrets.”

Xie Yunfu stared at Shen Wan’s retreating figure, waving her sleeve and stepping out of the room, her gaze fixed on the main gate. “Regret? What’s regret? I, Xie Yunfu, don’t know such a thing.”

She closed her eyes and imagined a scene.

That year, the tribulation for demonic cultivators finally arrived.

She hadn’t died from cultivation problems, as she’d been constantly perfecting her techniques. But the foundation of demonic cultivation was inherently flawed. Unless one nullified their cultivation and started anew, heavenly tribulation wouldn’t allow their existence.

At that time, she stood beneath the ominous tribulation clouds in a desolate land. Endless barren mountains, withered grass, and scattered rocks showed no signs of life. Not even the damp crevices between stones could sprout a hint of green. Death permeated the surroundings, and the powerful aura from the tribulation clouds above filled one with despair.

That place was the death ground for demonic cultivators. She had once visited out of curiosity.

Almost every demonic cultivator facing tribulation clouds would go there.

During the heavenly tribulation, no one would approach.

Naturally, Shen Wan wouldn’t be there. This shameless person with skin thicker than city walls wouldn’t be there to repeatedly ask if she had fallen for her.

Unable to see her smile, hear her voice, be in her company… As the tribulation clouds gathered, she would inevitably die beneath them. This was the fate of all demonic cultivators; no one had broken this rule.

Those who spoke of starting anew were not true demonic cultivators. Besides those like her who had been led astray into demonic cultivation, how many chose this shortcut after repeated failures in orthodox paths? How many could nullify their cultivation and regain their former level? They might face enemies seeking vengeance as soon as they weakened.

Or perhaps they could never reach their previous heights and would die anyway. If death was inevitable, better to perish under heavenly tribulation – at least it would be a grand end, not a miserable one.

She wasn’t afraid of death.

But now she found she didn’t want to die by heavenly tribulation. This world seemed far more fascinating than she had imagined. Undeniably, Shen Wan had brought much of that fascination.

When Shen Wan returned, she found Xie Yunfu sitting dazed at the stone table. She moved over, sat opposite Xie Yunfu, and waved her hand before her eyes. “So lost in thought. Thinking about me? Did my brief absence leave you feeling empty, with a bit more of me in your heart?”

Xie Yunfu looked up, studying Shen Wan intently. She still wore that playful expression, seemingly untroubled by anything.

“Are you always this cheerful? No matter what happens, are you always this happy?”

“Yes, I’m always happy. Even when bad things happen, what good does being unhappy do? Might as well be cheerful.”

“Why are you always so keen on me falling for you? There are countless people in the cultivation world, both righteous and demonic. Why set your sights on me? Are you joking, finding it amusing, or do you have other motives?”

Shen Wan cupped her cheeks, raising an eyebrow. “Though there are many people in this world, even some sharing your name, I’ve chosen you. What other reason could there be?”

“You’ve chosen me?”

Xie Yunfu was surprised. “When did this happen?”

She had always thought Shen Wan was just joking, finding it amusing to say such things. She had seen people consumed by love, and Shen Wan seemed different. Moreover, hadn’t Shen Wan once harbored feelings for Yin Jue, only to have her spirit root extracted? Could she still love someone after that?

“It’s fate, I suppose. When I saw you, I felt we were meant to be.”

Xie Yunfu chuckled, her lips curving upward unconsciously. “I’ll eventually die from heavenly tribulation. Even if something happens between us, won’t you suffer in the future?”

“Whatever the future holds, let’s love first and worry later. Who knows, by the time you’re about to die, I might not like you anymore.” Shen Wan muttered softly, “If I no longer like someone and they die, I probably won’t be too sad. I could happily find a new love.”

Though the logic seemed flawed, Xie Yunfu felt a tinge of green atop her head. They hadn’t even started, and Shen Wan was already thinking about finding new love after her death?

“You’re quite frank.”

“I’ve always been this way, speaking my mind. I like you now, but who knows? After you die, I might fall for someone else.”

Xie Yunfu’s good mood evaporated. Was this a curse for her to die?

“I can still live for many years. If I suppress my cultivation, I’ll be fine for at least a few thousand years. If I don’t die, you won’t have a chance to find that new love.” After saying this, she felt something was amiss.

“Huh? Why are you so concerned? We’re not even together.”

Xie Yunfu’s expression changed. Indeed, why did she care so much? They weren’t together; their conversation was just hypothetical.

“Alright, I’m going to take a nap. In a couple of days, I’ll check on how Yin Jue is doing. He shouldn’t be having an easy time. I’ve spread the news of his recovery, so many people should be beating him up when they see him.”

Shen Wan happily went to take her afternoon nap.

Xie Yunfu remained in the courtyard, her mood worsening. She felt a hint of green above her head.

Bah, she wasn’t even with this naughty girl. What green? She was being led astray.

But why did she feel a surge of anger whenever she imagined someone else by Shen Wan’s side? She wanted to slice off that person’s dog head.

She must be bewitched.

Just as Shen Wan was about to fall asleep, she sensed something amiss. Opening her eyes, she found Xie Yunfu standing by her bed. Half-squinting, she asked, “Xie Yunfu, what are you doing? You’re not taking advantage of me while I sleep, are you? If you really want to do something, just go ahead. No need to wait until I’m asleep. I won’t resist.”

“Your face is thicker than city walls.”

“Tell me, why did you sneak into my room? What do you want to do to me?” Shen Wan wasn’t distracted, persisting with her earlier question.

Xie Yunfu suddenly leaned in, her beautiful features clearly visible to Shen Wan. In a low voice, she asked, “Besides studying pharmacology and alchemy, have you cultivated some demonic technique to bewitch people?”

“Xie Yunfu, I’m not a demonic cultivator. I haven’t learned any strange techniques.”

“Then why…” Xie Yunfu met Shen Wan’s bright eyes. “Why do I feel bewitched by you? Since our earlier conversation, I’ve found that when I close my eyes, I see scenes of you happily leaving hand-in-hand with a stranger after I’ve been struck down by heavenly tribulation. It makes me want to spit blood. Even though my cultivation is fine, you’re nearly causing problems.”

Shen Wan perked up, quickly sitting up. “Xie Yunfu, you must have fallen in love with me. You’re thinking about me so much you’re about to go mad. Come, let’s lie down and talk slowly.”

Xie Yunfu didn’t refuse, lying down beside Shen Wan and turning to face her. “Now I can’t cultivate. I just tried and couldn’t enter meditation. If I force it, I might go mad. Then I wouldn’t die from heavenly tribulation, but from cultivation errors. And then… you’d probably find a new target.”

She felt a bit unhappy.

It seemed this naughty girl had stirred her heart. Her mind was filled with scenes of Shen Wan finding new love, making her feel green.

“Xie Yunfu, you really do like me.”

Xie Yunfu frowned. “Is that true?”

“It is. You’re thinking about me so much you’re about to go mad. Now that you can’t progress in your cultivation, have you thought of a good solution?”

“No, I can’t even meditate now. Do you have any good ideas?”

“I do.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“We should be together, spend every day together. Then you won’t think about me all the time. As the saying goes, once you have something, you stop yearning for it. Because it’s in your grasp, you won’t care as much.”

Xie Yunfu’s expression was conflicted. Seeing Shen Wan’s confident look, she laughed despite her irritation. “Though I know this is a trap, it does seem like a solution. And I feel like you’re the one who wants to have me, then get bored and move on.”

“Do you want to solve this problem or not?”

“I do want to.”

“Then let’s try it. How about it? You’re getting a little wife for free. You’re not losing out. If we both stop liking each other in the future, we can part ways easily. Xie Yunfu, you’re not the type to drag things out, are you? Do I seem like that type? When the day comes that I don’t like you anymore, and you don’t like me, we’ll separate. Right now, you seem to care about me a bit. You’ll always have regrets if you don’t try.”

Shen Wan’s voice seemed to carry a magical quality, making Xie Yunfu believe her.

She, Xie Yunfu, feared nothing. Was she afraid of having a partner? Might as well try. In the future, if she grew bored of Shen Wan first, she’d be the one to betray her instead.

“Fine, let’s try being together. If you stop liking me, don’t come crying.”

“Alright, and don’t interfere when I find new love.”

This statement nearly made Xie Yunfu faint with anger. They had just started, and Shen Wan was already thinking about new love. This naughty girl was truly fickle-hearted, probably secretly wishing for her death. What nonsense about getting bored after obtaining something – that was clearly Shen Wan’s own thinking. Never mind, let’s deal with the immediate issue first.

[188: “Wan Wan, is this really okay?”]

Shen Wan: “She’s already lying beside me. What do you think?”

[188: “I guess it works.”] He just found it incredible that one could win someone over like this. Xie Yunfu seemed a bit foolish lately. Could it be that women in love have zero IQ?

“What are you doing?”

“We’re Cultivation partners now. Sleeping while hugging is basic.”

Xie Yunfu looked at Shen Wan hugging her waist as she slept, not moving. Fine, hugging while sleeping was basic. She wasn’t losing out. She simply embraced Shen Wan in return.

“Xie Yunfu, why are you hugging me?”

“Aren’t we Cultivation partners? Hugging should be normal, right?”

“Mm, you’re right. Hug me tighter then.”

Hearing this, Xie Yunfu instinctively tightened her embrace, then felt a bit frustrated. Never mind, since they’d started, there was no point in worrying about these small issues.

In her drowsiness, Xie Yunfu truly fell asleep.

Unconsciously, she sensed something amiss. Opening her eyes, she found Shen Wan’s face inches from hers. “What are you doing?”

Shen Wan cupped Xie Yunfu’s face and kissed her. Xie Yunfu nearly threw her off. “Why did you kiss me?”

“We’re Cultivation partners now. Kissing is normal.” Shen Wan smiled. “If you feel cheated, kiss me back.”