Ren arrived at Bamboo Spring Pavilion with the cautious optimism of a man who had survived exactly one reincarnation and learned absolutely nothing from it.
The pavilion sat beside a narrow spring, moonlight reflecting off the water like it was trying to look innocent. Bamboo stalks rustled softly, providing excellent ambiance and terrible hiding places.
Ren stopped at the entrance.
He looked left.
He looked right.
He looked up, just in case someone had decided ambush-from-the-roof was fashionable again.
"…Yep," he muttered. "This is how people die."
> System Reminder:
Opportunity window active.
Host hesitation noted.
"Hesitation is just preparation with better PR," Ren replied and stepped inside.
Someone was already there.
A woman stood near the spring, back turned, her figure partially obscured by mist. She wore plain outer-disciple robes, hood drawn low. Yin energy radiated from her—not explosively, but steadily, like a calm lake hiding depth beneath the surface.
> System Scan:
Yin Energy: High
Compatibility: Good (62%)
Emotional State: Nervous
Intent: Unclear
Ren cleared his throat.
"So," he said conversationally, "either this is a mutual cultivation opportunity, or I'm about to be stabbed. Just want to set expectations."
She flinched and turned.
Her face was unfamiliar—soft features, sharp eyes, and the kind of tension that suggested she'd debated coming here for a long time.
"I… you're Lin Fan," she said quietly.
Ren smiled. "Guilty. Though I prefer 'misunderstood disaster.'"
She hesitated. "I'm Liu Yan. Outer disciple."
Ren nodded. "Pleasure to meet you under extremely questionable circumstances."
She almost laughed—then caught herself.
> System Update:
Ice Broken
Tension reduced
Favorability (Initial): 8%
Ren tilted his head. "Let me guess. Someone told you this was… beneficial."
She nodded. "They said your… method could help stabilize my cultivation."
Ren winced. Oh, Zhao Kun. You absolute menace.
"Alright," Ren said gently, holding up his hands. "Important clarification before anything else: no one is obligated to do anything they don't want to do. Especially not at night, in a bamboo-themed horror setting."
She blinked, clearly not expecting that.
"You're… not going to pressure me?"
Ren scoffed. "Please. I already have enemies, debt, and a probation record. I'm not adding 'irredeemable villain' to the list."
Silence lingered.
Then Liu Yan exhaled slowly. "I was afraid."
Ren nodded. "Reasonable. I'm also afraid. This whole sect feels like it runs on bad decisions."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
> System Notification:
Consent clarity established
Trust modifier applied
Ren leaned against a pillar. "So. We can talk, cultivate separately, or leave pretending this never happened. All excellent choices."
She studied him for a long moment. "You really are different."
Ren smirked. "I died once. It gave me perspective."
She hesitated, then said, "I still… want help. But slowly."
Ren straightened. "Slow I can do. I specialize in underwhelming progress."
> System Advisory:
Alternative method available:
Guided Yin-Yang Resonance (Non-Intimate, Introductory)
Reward: Minor synchronization, no cultivation leap
Ren brightened. "Ah. The tutorial mode."
He explained the breathing pattern, positioning them a respectful distance apart. They sat by the spring, Qi circulating gently, Yin and Yang brushing like cautious strangers rather than colliding dramatically.
The sensation was subtle—but real.
> Synchronization Established: 12%
Body Tempering Progress: 21% → 23%
Qi Stability: Improved
Liu Yan opened her eyes first, surprise flickering across her face. "My Qi… it's calmer."
Ren nodded. "Mine too. Usually it panics."
She laughed softly.
> Favorability: 8% → 14%
They stood soon after, the moment passing without tension.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. "For… not being what I expected."
Ren bowed lightly. "Low expectations are my strongest asset."
She left the pavilion quietly.
Ren remained, staring at the moonlit spring.
"Well," he murmured, "that went significantly better than anticipated."
> System Update:
Successful Yin-Yang Interaction (Introductory)
New Path Unlocked: Ethical Harmony Route
Reputation Risk: Reduced
Ren froze.
"…Wait," he said slowly. "There are routes?"
> System Response:
Yes.
Ren rubbed his face. "Of course there are."
He glanced toward the bamboo shadows, eyes sharp despite the humor.
"No ambush," he said quietly. "No scandal. No disaster."
A pause.
Then he smirked.
"Which means," he added, "this was clearly just the calm before something much worse."
The night breeze stirred the bamboo.
And somewhere in the Azure Blossom Sect, plans adjusted—subtly, dangerously—as Lin Fan continued doing the one thing no one expected:
Surviving.
With boundaries.
And sarcasm.