My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 26

The Fire Rock Jiao, loyal and diligent, plucked every last fruit from the Jade Spirit Tree. The mountainous pile of Jade Spirit Fruits, brimming with spiritual energy, swayed gently as Ling Shi hung from the branches, her tail swishing contentedly.

A full belly makes for good work.

Feng Jue stored most of the fruits in her Storage Ring, leaving a small portion behind. She turned to Qiu Shuangshuang, her gaze imperious as she signaled for the girl to put the remaining fruits away.

Qiu Shuangshuang bowed gratefully, thinking to herself that while Palace Mistress Feng might be difficult to deal with, she kept her word. Her earlier fear of being abandoned by Feng Jue mid-journey began to fade.

The Host was quite good to Qiu Shuangshuang.

03, carrying a matchstick on its back, circled Feng Jue, deep in thought. Feng Jue glared at it impatiently.

What now?

03 clasped its hands behind its back. “Our agreement still stands, correct?”

Feng Jue had personally promised 03 that she would find a Dao Companion for the Host in this world. But her earlier tone had been rather forceful, so 03 needed to confirm.

Feng Jue let out a soft snort.

That settled it.

03 circled Feng Jue, saying, “Host, you’re acting like a young person resisting an arranged marriage—agreeing with your lips, but clearly unwilling in your heart.”

It recalled how the Hosts it had served in modern literature would reluctantly agree to marriage proposals to save face, only for nothing to come of it.

Feng Jue’s eyelid twitched. How could you tell? she thought, but she denied it outright. “I’m resisting Qiu Shuangshuang, not the idea of a partner. What did we agree on before?”

03 looked up at her with its large, rimmed eyes. “The strong.”

“I understand. My mistake.” 03 admitted its error and turned to gaze at Qiu Shuangshuang, who was walking with her skirt hiked up to avoid tripping on the hem. The Little System in its bubble sighed.

“Host, you and she truly have no fate.”

Qiu Shuangshuang sneezed softly, glancing up at the blazing sun suspended in the sky.

The two women and the Jiao traveled through the mountain forests. Though Qiu Shuangshuang was delicate and prone to tears, her cultivation was genuine, and the journey didn’t tire her.

They traversed the forest for days, finding only some spirit plants and fruits, without encountering any large creatures like before. Feng Jue surmised that the lingering spiritual pressure from recent battles might be suppressing the spirit beasts, forcing them to venture deeper into the forest in search of opportunities.

Yet their ultimate goal remained the distant palace floating among the clouds.

The Chongshan Secret Realm would remain open for six months.

One afternoon, the trio rested by a lake. Feng Jue, arms crossed, gazed into the distance, her brow furrowing.

“We’ve been walking for a month,” she murmured, “but why does it still feel so far? Is the palace just an illusion, or is it moving too?”

Qiu Shuangshuang, who was building a little house with pretty stones by the lake, cautiously glanced up at Feng Jue’s words.

Through their time together, she had grown unafraid of the Fire Rock Jiao, even riding on its back alongside Feng Jue. Yet she still feared Feng Jue herself. Perhaps because Feng Jue possessed a life-type cultivation, and her stern demeanor made Qiu Shuangshuang instinctively try to curry favor with her.

“Palace Mistress Feng, do you want to go to the Chongshan Celestial Palace?” Qiu Shuangshuang asked, mustering up her courage.

Feng Jue raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Qiu Shuangshuang. “The Chongshan Celestial Palace?”

Qiu Shuangshuang nodded. “When my parents were talking to the disciples coming to the Secret Realm, I overheard them say that the Chongshan Secret Realm used to be the space-time cave mansion of the Immortal Venerable Chongshan, a great immortal from tens of thousands of years ago. After the Venerable ascended, this space spread throughout the world and became a Secret Realm that opens once every century. Logically speaking, a Secret Realm that keeps opening should only decrease in tier, not increase. Tier upgrades are extremely rare.”

She puffed out her cheeks and said dejectedly, “The Autumn Water Pavilion has a unique manuscript about the Immortal Venerable Chongshan’s exploits. The manuscript says that the Chongshan Celestial Palace not only contains countless treasures left behind by the Venerable before he ascended, but also the Venerable’s legacy! That’s why I want to go!”

Though coming here nearly cost her her life.

“The Chongshan Celestial Palace doesn’t appear every time. The last time it opened was a thousand years ago. This tier upgrade of the Secret Realm is likely related to the Celestial Palace!”

Qiu Shuangshuang bit her lip and looked at Feng Jue with a pitiful expression. “Only the Autumn Water Pavilion disciples know about the Celestial Palace and the legacy. They’ll definitely go there. If you’re going to the Celestial Palace, Palace Mistress Feng, please take me with you!”

Feng Jue hummed in agreement. She had promised to deliver Qiu Shuangshuang to the Autumn Water Pavilion disciples, and she would definitely follow through. But after confirming the value of the palace floating among the clouds, her heart stirred, and an ugly face inexplicably flashed through her mind.

Her lips twitched, and she swept her sleeve as if brushing away a fly, clearing her thoughts. Only then did she realize that 03 hadn’t popped up to remind her to compete with Xue Bufan for the opportunity.

Has 03 been unusually quiet lately?

Feng Jue hesitated before turning around. She saw 03 nestled in the branches, squeezed among the leaves as if trying to turn green by blending in.

“What are you doing?” Feng Jue asked telepathically.

03’s round eyes blinked, and it replied calmly, “I’m spacing out.”

With no missions to complete and no way to assist its host, and having finished updating the map, all it could do was stare into the distance.

Feng Jue: “…”

“Do you enjoy spacing out?”

That was its second-highest proficiency skill, after completing missions.

03 flew away from its leafy companions to face Feng Jue. “Does the Host need me to do anything? Please tell me.”

Feng Jue remained silent, watching the glowing little thing. After a long pause, she murmured, “You seem a bit down since that day.”

That day?

03 tilted its head, the question mark above it turning into a golden exclamation point.

Oh!

That day.

03 slowly circled and said honestly, “The Host’s reaction that day was rather intense. I’m reflecting on it.”

“I seem to have become the annoying matchmaker from a wedding-pressure plot.”

“But I’m not discouraged. I’ll refine my approach, integrate my plans, adjust my goals, and adapt flexibly. While prioritizing the main mission, I’ll thoroughly implement the plan, take the initiative, and strive to change the Host’s fate in the original book and achieve her happiness!” 03 raised a matchstick and declared firmly in a soft, icy voice.

Feng Jue remained silent.

Though… she didn’t understand most of it, the speech contained more words than 03 had uttered in the past few days combined. Feng Jue, well-versed in the principle of balancing authority and kindness with subordinates, reassured it with a simple, “Alright.”

She would adapt her approach and gently reject 03’s suggestions. It seemed this little thing’s previous hosts had treated it with considerable gentleness.

That day had been a bit harsh.

Feng Jue mentally reflected for three seconds, glancing sideways at Qiu Shuangshuang, who was happily playing with stones on the ground. A flicker of disdain crossed her eyes. She had been harsh, but who had asked 03 to try and match her with this willful girl who only knew how to wail? Feng Jue needed to make it crystal clear that she had absolutely no interest in such ear-splitting people!

“There’s something else I need to tell you,” Feng Jue said through a voice transferral spell.

03 drifted forward slightly, signaling her attentiveness.

“I was a bit harsh the other day, but I need to make something clear. Unless Xue Bufan—or anyone else, like Qiu Shuangshuang—stands in my way or commits an unforgivable crime, I won’t take action against them.”

“Even if Xue Bufan someday becomes my mortal enemy, he hasn’t truly wronged me yet. Plus, there’s the past friendship between our elders. I won’t kill him.” Feng Jue’s tone grew serious as she gazed intently at 03. “I learned the Righteous Dao from my mother,” she said softly. “I walk the righteous path, living with integrity and honesty, never deceiving even in the darkest corners. Even if my actions seem arrogant, my conscience remains clear!”

Feng Jue raised her voice. “This is my path as a cultivator. Unshakable and unyielding.”

Bright sunlight streamed through the gaps in the branches, bathing her in radiant light. 03 studied Feng Jue’s face, the cinnabar dot between her brows blazing like a flame in the sunlight, its fiery glow reaching into her eyes.

03 subconsciously recorded Feng Jue’s words. When she came back to her senses, she looked at the text on the panel, then quietly retracted it, saying, “I understand.”

That’s why, back when Siyi suspected Feng Jue of harboring an Inner Demon, Feng Jue had simply smiled it off. Someone with her steadfast temperament as a cultivator wouldn’t so easily succumb to such a thing.

When Feng Jue had competed with Xue Bufan for the Fire Rock Jiao and sought Xue Mengtao, she had done so openly and directly, presenting her terms and letting them weigh their options. No matter how arrogant her demeanor or what Xue Bufan truly thought, her actions aligned with her proclaimed straightforwardness.

“I even planned out the Host’s path as an antagonist, but it seems that plan will have to be discarded,” 03 said.

Feng Jue’s lips curled into a faint smile as she strolled leisurely forward. The two, one human and one system, basked in the afternoon sunlight like a pair taking a leisurely stroll.

“Not necessarily. Perhaps to others, we are the antagonists. Those who disapprove of you will never see you in a positive light. Besides, what villain ever considers themselves the bad guy? Ling Shan, you’re being too rigid.”

Silver System’s silvery tendrils drifted gently as it scribbled in its notebook, admitting its mistake. “Yes, I’m too formulaic and rigid. Host, did you know? I’m composed of countless programs. Being programmatic is understandable.”

Feng Jue was momentarily bewildered.

03, observing Feng Jue’s expression, raised a matchstick and gestured, “This is a joke.”

“Huh?” Feng Jue replied, even more confused.

Well then, let’s laugh.

The beautiful woman curled her lips into a smile. “Heh.”

Her smile was even colder than her usual icy smirk.

“Host,” 03 said calmly, “even your laughter seems somewhat formulaic.”

“Shut up! I’m already giving you enough leeway!”

“Then I’ll tell another joke. Let me see… I don’t seem to have downloaded any joke data. My apologies.” 03 raised the matchstick and waved goodbye.

Feng Jue let out a chuckle and shook her head helplessly. “You’re so clueless.”

Yet there was no real resentment in her tone.

03 activated its default smile template. “Haha!”

“It goes like this,” it continued. “Cultivators each have their own conception of the Dao. So, as long as they remain steadfast, even slaughtering the entire world would be considered the righteous path if it aligns with their personal sense of justice.”

Feng Jue nodded.

“In that case, our system’s Dao is simply not violating the rules…”

As they walked and chatted, Qiu Shuangshuang trailed behind them, watching Feng Jue’s light, cheerful gait. She sensed that Palace Mistress Feng’s heart was currently filled with a warm, contented glow.

Qiu Shuangshuang seemed in good spirits, perhaps because she’d heard news about the Chongshan Celestial Palace.

She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling one step closer to escaping the Chongshan Secret Realm alive. Unable to resist, she turned to the Fire Rock Jiao and called out, “Hey, you’re Ling Shi, right? Does your host usually spend so much time alone like this?”

Ling Shi turned her massive head to glance at Qiu Shuangshuang.

“Huh, your cultivation level is higher than mine. How come you can’t talk?” Qiu Shuangshuang asked.

You’re quite the talker! Ling Shi’s head swiveled back with a whoosh, accelerating until she’d left Qiu Shuangshuang behind.

“Hey! Wait for me! I’m tired from walking. Can you give me a ride? I’ll pay you with Spirit Stones! Or do you prefer something else, like Beast Cores?” Qiu Shuangshuang called out.

Ling Shi slowed her pace, lifting her eyelids with a haughty air reminiscent of Feng Jue’s usual demeanor. She turned her head to look back, her expression aloof.

“How much?”

Qiu Shuangshuang grinned, running up and clinging to the tip of Ling Shi’s tail. “I’ll give you whatever you want!” she promised cheerfully. “Come to the Autumn Water Pavilion and you can have as many Spirit Stones as you want! Just give me a ride!”

Hmph! You’re even more of a liar than its previous owner! Why don’t you just wait until you ascend to immortality and fetch a Dragon Immortal’s elixir from the heavens for it? Ling Shi flicked her tail, deciding that she could trust no human but her host.

Qiu Shuangshuang, who had been flung aside by Ling Shi, yelped as her skirt caught on her foot and she tumbled into the nearby bushes. A Foundation Establishment cultivator’s flesh was as tough as steel; a mere fall wouldn’t harm her—she could even survive a plummet from a mountain cliff. Ling Shi initially paid no attention, but then Qiu Shuangshuang’s screams pierced the air: “Aah! What is this thing?! So disgusting!”

Feng Jue, who had been walking at the front, paled. In an instant, she was at the source of the spiritual disturbance. Qiu Shuangshuang was half-swallowed by a bizarre plant that oozed black, mucus-like sludge, slowly consuming her. The Fire Rock Jiao coiled around her arm, straining to pull her free from the “mud.”

“Help! I’m going to split apart!” Qiu Shuangshuang wept, her tears falling as she stared at Feng Jue in terror.

Palace Mistress, save me!

“What immense spiritual power!” Feng Jue exclaimed, immediately unleashing flames.

Golden-red firelight surged toward her. Qiu Shuangshuang closed her eyes and screamed, feeling only searing heat all around. Suddenly, her body went slack as she collapsed to the ground.

As the heat subsided, Qiu Shuangshuang opened her eyes in panic. The mud and plant had been completely burned away by the fire, leaving her clothes spotless. Yet the sticky sensation lingered on her skin. She shook her hands vigorously, trying to rid herself of the feeling.

“Huh?”

Feng Jue, who had been surveying the area to locate the suddenly vanished spiritual energy, immediately turned to 03.

“Host Qiu Shuangshuang has a ring on her finger,” 03 said.

Its scanning function immediately detected the difference from before.

Feng Jue quickly looked at Qiu Shuangshuang’s hand. A plain black ring was on her middle finger, which she was shaking vigorously. Noticing Feng Jue’s gaze, Qiu Shuangshuang looked at her hand and exclaimed in surprise, “Where did this ring come from?”

It’s hideous!

She angrily tried to pull it off, but the ring clung stubbornly to her finger, as if glued in place. Just as she was about to use spiritual energy to pry it off, Feng Jue was about to warn her, “Don’t move!” when the ring suddenly erupted in blinding light.

“Ah!!”

A twisted force struck, and Qiu Shuangshuang couldn’t help but scream.

“Damn it! The cultivator who made this ring is stronger than me!” Feng Jue said coldly, risking eardrum damage as she gripped Qiu Shuangshuang’s wrist and channeled golden-red spiritual energy into it.

The moment Feng Jue’s spiritual energy touched the ring, its swirling glow faltered. Suddenly, the ring flew off Qiu Shuangshuang’s fingertip like a starving tiger lunging toward Feng Jue, its stagnant spiritual energy surging again.

Feng Jue’s expression changed. This ring was a Teleportation Talisman!

She raised her hand, gathering all the spiritual energy from her Sea of Consciousness into her palm, and collided it with the incoming ring.

Boom!

A fierce tornado of black and crimson flames erupted in the forest, sweeping outward in all directions. The waves in the air grew increasingly violent, and the earth trembled. The ring, which had been breached by Feng Jue’s attack, suddenly expanded into a massive black circle descending toward the figures below.

Qiu Shuangshuang, who had been within the circle, vanished instantly, along with the Fire Rock Jiao. 03 froze mid-air, overwhelmed by an unprecedented surge of emotions.

[Warning: Distance to Host…]

The notification window had barely appeared when 03, following its host, charged recklessly into the lingering spiritual energy. The world around it shifted, engulfing it in darkness.

“Host?” 03 called softly.

A sudden flame lit up in the darkness, illuminating Feng Jue’s icy face.

The System inside the bubble immediately sighed in relief, deflating like a punctured balloon and drifting downward. 03 wiped nonexistent sweat from its non-existent brow. Phew, that was close. Almost got a performance deduction.

Only then did it activate the scan.

And so, 03 discovered that, besides Feng Jue, Qiu Shuangshuang, and Ling Shi, there was one more person present.

Feng Jue had also noticed.

Several balls of flame floated around her, illuminating the black stone walls. A hunchbacked old man with a grotesque face stood at the edge of the firelight, his expression complex.

Qiu Shuangshuang, who had just fallen to the ground and was about to start crying, surprised herself by pushing herself up and shouting to the old man, “Benefactor!”

“Miss Qiu…” the old man rasped, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. He seemed to hunch over even more as he murmured, “Palace Mistress Feng.”

“Xue Bufan,” Feng Jue said with a cold smile, grinding her teeth.

The Spirit Ghost’s name was truly fitting for him—Xue Bufan should have been called Xue Shige, “Xue the Ghost”! A soul that refuses to dissipate!

Hearing Xue Bufan’s name, the Fire Rock Jiao’s eyes widened. It immediately shrank and coiled around Feng Jue’s leg, pretending to be a leg ornament.

A luminous, silver mass—part of the System—drifted forward and merged with the golden-red flames before Feng Jue. It deliberately brightened, intertwining its silver light with the golden-red glow, creating a shimmering interplay of radiance.

A cool, calm voice reintroduced itself.

“And me.”

“03.”

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