After the Second Playthrough, the CP-Less Female Lead Kneels and Begs Me for Forgiveness [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 8

Zhao Shuangbai was far more annoying in this life than the last.

Especially the way Ah Xi relied on her.

Behind the two of them, Shen Yunyan clenched her fingers in frustration, her slender fingers turning white with the force.

In her previous life, everyone believed she was a great benefactor, broad-minded, concerned for all living beings—a true immortal. Only she knew what kind of person she really was. She was suspicious, indifferent, and ruthless. Her heart was small—so small that she couldn’t stand seeing Ah Xi with anyone but her.

In the last life, Zhao Shuangbai was ambushed in the secret realm and suffered heavy injuries. Wouldn’t it be better if she just stayed trapped in the secret realm forever in this life?

With this thought, Shen Yunyan put on a gentle smile once more. Shao Xibei shot a quick glance back, pursing her lips inwardly. When this demoness smiles like that, she’s definitely plotting something wicked.

Once the two figures were out of sight, Shen Yunyan turned to leave. She also had to gather at the main peak; her ranking was exactly tenth.

After Zhao Shuangbai brought Shao Xibei back to her quarters, she prepared to leave, only to find that Shao Xibei’s hand hadn’t let go.

Shao Xibei looked up with teary eyes. “Bai, take me with you.”

Zhao Shuangbai remained unmoved. “No.”

For a mortal like Shao Xibei, entering the Bone Secret Realm was a death sentence. The realm only restricted those with high cultivation; it didn’t bar those with low cultivation, meaning mortals could enter. However, the top ten disciples chosen by the Qionghua Sect were selected because they had the ability to protect themselves.

Zhao Shuangbai wasn’t being arrogant; she was confident she could emerge from the realm alone, but protecting a defenseless mortal was a different story.

“It’s dangerous. I can’t protect you,” Zhao Shuangbai explained, offering a rare clarification as she saw Shao Xibei’s expression crumble.

Hearing this, Shao Xibei had no choice but to let go. Her delicate white fingers tangled together, and she lowered her head, her wavy long hair sliding forward to hide her face.

She looks a bit pitiful, Zhao Shuangbai thought.

Unsure of what to say, she eventually raised her hand and rested it on top of Shao Xibei’s head. After a moment’s hesitation, she stroked it gently twice. “…Be good.” The hair was even softer than she imagined, though a bit dry, likely due to malnutrition.

At the gentle touch on her head, Shao Xibei felt strangely restless—especially when Zhao Shuangbai said those two words, “Be good.” It was a bit… charming. Her ears began to flush.

Is Zhao Shuangbai breaking character? Has my “little white rabbit” act these past few days actually worked?

“Alright, I must go.”

Zhao Shuangbai took out the medicine bottle Fang Si had given her a few days ago and handed it over. “If you feel unwell, you must take this.”

“I know,” Shao Xibei muttered, clearly unhappy. She took the medicine and carefully tucked it into her robes. Then, taking a deep breath, she reached out and wrapped her arms around the person in front of her.

“Bai, Ah Xi will miss you.” Having said that, she let go abruptly as if afraid of being struck and quickly turned her back, pretending to focus intensely on a “Basic Cultivation” manual.

Zhao Shuangbai was startled by the brief hug. No one had hugged her like that since she grew up. Recalling how those two slender arms had trembled slightly while holding her, she couldn’t help but find it a little amusing.

A shallow smile flickered in her eyes—one that Shao Xibei would have seen if she had looked back. Unfortunately, Shao Xibei was staring deathly at the manual.

Zhao Shuangbai wanted to know what Shao Xibei was thinking, but she heard nothing. However, looking at the crimson ears peeking through the black curls, she could make a guess.

She thinks like a hooligan in her head, yet she gets shy over a simple hug.

Once Zhao Shuangbai left, Shao Xibei plopped down on the stone bed, her gaze drifting. Her heart was still pounding; this was the first time she had actively initiated a hug.

She rubbed her itchy ears and whispered, “Why did that feel so much like a young couple?”

[Like mother and daughter,] the System suddenly spoke.

Shao Xibei huffed. [You’re not human, you wouldn’t understand.]

[Heh,] the System let out a cold snort, dropping the topic. [Zhao Shuangbai is gone. How do you plan to complete the mission?]

Shao Xibei had already formed a plan over the last few days.

[System, help me convert the power from my other worlds. Take the mana from my time as a Grand Magister and simulate it as spiritual energy. This body should have a magic core.]

The System replied: [I can, but this body is too weak and the core isn’t strong enough. I can only inject mana up to the level of a ‘Magician’.]

Shao Xibei thought for a moment. In this world, a Magician’s power was roughly equivalent to the Early Golden Core stage.

[That’s enough. Quickly, we need to get to the Bone Secret Realm.]

The System didn’t hesitate, transferring the mana to her and masking the aura to mimic spiritual energy. Suddenly, Shao Xibei went from feeling like she was on her deathbed to a powerhouse who could run ten kilometers without breaking a breath. It felt incredible.

She extended her hand, and a pale gold light seeped from her fingertips, drifting up to cover her face. When the light vanished, her exquisite features had become plain and ordinary.

The System guessed her intent: [You plan to enter with Zhao Shuangbai using an alias.]

[Bingo,] Shao Xibei thought gleefully, touching her face. In that other world, she had been an unparalleled magical genius. Altering her appearance with mana was child’s play. [Alright, time to go.]

The Bone Secret Realm

Disciples from various sects, noble families, and rogue cultivators were already gathered at the entrance, waiting for the realm to open.

Shao Xibei had bought a set of coarse hemp clothes at the market. Her long curly hair was messily tied up, her face was unremarkable, and a common iron sword was strapped to her back. She looked thin, small, and—most importantly—very poor.

Blending into the crowd of rogue cultivators, she immediately spotted the Qionghua Sect group. The sect didn’t require disciples to wear uniforms, but Zhao Shuangbai, dressed in white martial attire, was incredibly striking.

Her long black hair was tied high, making her look sharp and capable. Her thin back was straight as a spear, and she stood as cold and unattainable as the sword on her back.

As if sensing a gaze, Zhao Shuangbai’s phoenix eyes sharpened and looked directly toward her. Instead of acting shy at being caught, Shao Xibei gave her a wide, toothy grin.

[Hehe.]

Zhao Shuangbai paused. She had intended to look away, but her gaze shifted back to the scruffy rogue. She applied spiritual energy to her eyes to scan the person.

Early Golden Core cultivation. It couldn’t be her. Probably just a coincidence.

At Early Golden Core, Shao Xibei was neither high nor low in this crowd. Most sect disciples were at least at that level, while rogue cultivators ranged from Foundation Building to Great Circle Golden Core.

Shao Xibei squeezed through the crowd and walked right up to Zhao Shuangbai. Before she could get close, she was blocked by a steady-looking young man.

It was Fang Nian, the disciple second only to Zhao Shuangbai in strength. He smiled politely. “Is there something you need?” He didn’t look down on her despite her poor attire.

Shao Xibei gave a fawning, somewhat ridiculous smile. “I saw Immortal Zhao from afar and was struck by her aura. I just wanted to introduce myself.” Her voice was a gender-neutral, raspy tone.

Fang Nian replied, “Fellow cultivator, the entrance is about to open. Everyone is preparing, including my Senior Sister. I suggest leaving this for another time.”

Shao Xibei immediately flipped her mood, acting like a brat. “Hmph! I want to befriend your Senior Sister, not you! Who are you to tell me when to do it? You go wait over there; I want Immortal Zhao!”

Her voice was loud enough that Zhao Shuangbai heard. She walked over, raising a hand to stop Fang Nian from speaking further. She nodded slightly to Shao Xibei. “How can I help you, fellow cultivator?”

Shao Xibei reached out her hand, grinning. “Oh, it’s nothing big! It’s just my first time seeing Immortal Zhao, and I got excited. I wanted to meet you.”

[Wow, she looks so good in this outfit. Even prettier up close.]

…

Zhao Shuangbai hadn’t intended to have much contact with this strange person, but she was caught off guard by that internal voice. If the first time was a coincidence, what about this?

A sudden, unprecedented curiosity rose within her. She wondered how Shao Xibei—who had no spiritual bones or cultivation—could appear here with a Golden Core cultivation and a completely different face.

Zhao Shuangbai looked down at the slender hand offered to her.

To the shock of the Qionghua disciples and everyone else watching, the habitually cold and distant Eldest Senior Sister reached out and took the hand.

The crowd stared, eyes nearly popping out of their heads.

Once her hand was gripped, Shao Xibei immediately used both of her hands to wrap around Zhao Shuangbai’s, letting a faint trace of mana brush against her. “Oh, this is wonderful! My name is Bai Nan. You can just call me Xiao Nan, Immortal Zhao.”

[Hmph, you’ll shake hands with a total stranger, but when I accidentally touched your hand a few days ago, you wiped it right in front of me. You really do hate me!]

Zhao Shuangbai didn’t react to the exaggerated behavior. Instead, she said something completely unexpected: “Would you like to come with me?”

Now it wasn’t just the crowd who was stunned; Shao Xibei was frozen too. But she recovered instantly, flashing a brilliant smile. “Ah! That would be fantastic! I’d love to!”

[She definitely hates the real me!]

At that moment, the space began to warp. A small black vortex grew in the air. Someone shouted, “The entrance is open!”

Rogue cultivators began flying in immediately. Sect elders gave their final instructions before sending their disciples through. Shao Xibei followed right behind Zhao Shuangbai.

The other Qionghua disciples looked like they wanted to kick her out of the line. Shao Xibei shot them a provocative grin when Zhao Shuangbai wasn’t looking. Even more boldly, she grabbed Zhao Shuangbai’s sleeve.

“I hope we don’t get separated, Immortal Zhao. But if we do, you must come find me!”

She glanced at the others, satisfied by their gnashing teeth. Still, she felt a strange twinge of annoyance. Why is Zhao Shuangbai being so tolerant of a complete stranger?

As they flew into the vortex, Shao Xibei shouted, “Immortal Zhao! I’ll come find you!”

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