It turns out, they were the main characters.

……

at the same time.

In Tianhe Garden, the pond near the courtyard was frozen with a thin layer of ice.

In front of the pavilion, Bai Ruoxi wore a pure white dress with plum blossoms printed on it, and a plum-colored jacket. She looked as cold and aloof as frost and snow, but her moist and delicate eyes were as gentle as water.

"Sister Mengrou, it's so cold outside, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea?" She looked at Wei Mengrou, who was sitting quietly beside her, holding up a thin book with one hand, and called out softly.

As he spoke, he personally served Wei Mengrou tea and brought it to his side.

Wei Mengrou glanced at Bai Ruoxi, sat down beside her, put down her book, held the teacup in both hands, and gently blew away the rising mist.

"Did you find anything?" Bai Ruoxi's gaze inadvertently fell on the books Wei Mengrou had placed on the table.

The Art of Managing a Husband.

This was lent to Wei Mengrou by Miss Bai a while ago. Originally, Wei Mengrou only happened to see Bai Ruoxi reading this strange book, but she did not intend to expose it.

However, Bai Ruoxi simply lent the book to her.

Although she wasn't particularly interested in this type of book, she couldn't resist Bai Ruoxi's enthusiasm and eventually accepted it.

The 'gains' that Bai Ruoxi asked about at this moment naturally referred to the contents of this book.

Wei Mengrou hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently: "Some, I guess."

Although the book contained some unconventional content, it was generally about understanding other people's psychology.

After reading that book, it was as if a new world had opened up for the maid who had previously focused solely on cultivation.

"It's good that Sister Mengrou has gained something," Bai Ruoxi said with a light smile.

Then, with a hint of worry in her voice, she sighed softly, "Mu Lang seems to be somewhat interested in the Ascension Ceremony as well. What should I do if I run into him in the end?"

The winner of this Ascension Tournament will also receive an additional 'prize,' namely Mu Zhi'an.

Although the prize is somewhat absurd, it is a very fair competition for all the women.

Whoever wins will have the upper hand over Mu Zhian in the future, since this is already a contest that everyone else has tacitly agreed to.

But Bai Ruoxi hadn't yet figured out how to handle the situation if she encountered Mu Zhi'an at the final Ascension Ceremony.

“He wouldn’t mind being defeated, especially by someone he likes,” Wei Mengrou said calmly.

She paused, resting her hand on her snow-white chin, pondered for a moment, and a hint of pleasure flashed in her eyes: "Instead, if you have any complaints about him, why not give him a good beating openly at the Ascension Ceremony?"

Bai Ruoxi said helplessly, "Sometimes I just can't figure out what the relationship between Sister Mengrou and Mulang is like."

Wei Mengrou has always been indifferent to Mu Zhian, yet she has always stayed by his side. This complex behavior is difficult for many people to understand.

Wei Mengrou said calmly, "Isn't he the one who likes to be treated like this the most?"

After all, Mu Zhian had previously said things like "Sister Mengrou, please scold me!" or "Sister Mengrou, step on me!" which were quite puzzling.

She turned her head to look at Bai Ruoxi, her eyes meeting Bai Ruoxi's gentle and bright gaze: "It's always been like this back in Tianxuan City."

"You like being bullied...?" Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Then, as if she had remembered something, she gently pressed her slender fingers on the fabric of her thigh, looking at the small embroidered shoes under her skirt. She recalled the scene of Mu Zhi'an being 'bullied' by her one night, yet he seemed quite happy about it.

Bai Ruoxi's pretty face gradually flushed with a faint blush, and she raised her head, about to speak.

At this moment, as if sensing some danger, her delicate posture vanished instantly, and several dazzling golden lightsabers behind her unfolded quietly like a peacock spreading its tail, brilliant and dazzling.

Bai Ruoxi stared intently at the sky.

A certain spiritual consciousness within her body seemed to have been called upon. The Sword Palace Master, who was curled up in Bai Ruoxi's cauldron, had her eyes tightly closed, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and as if sensing something, she slowly opened her eyes.

In a certain room, Lin Ling was leaning against the windowsill, holding a roasted crane leg in her hand, her bright and beautiful red eyes gazing at the snow scene outside the window.

The charcoal fire burned quietly inside, adding warmth to the room.

Snowy day, charcoal fire, warm room, plus a pot of hot tea and a freshly baked octopus.

Throughout the entire Liangyi Sect, perhaps only Miss Lin Ling knows how to enjoy life.

Although it was based on the heart-wrenching grief of the chief monk of Canghai Peak...

As if sensing something, Lin Ling slightly parted her small red lips, took a bite of roasted crane meat, and gazed quietly at the distant snow curtain with her beautiful eyes.

Against a backdrop of pure white snow, a paper crane shrouded in black mist flew into Tianhe Garden. It looked unremarkable, but a cultivator would involuntarily feel a sense of awe upon first glance.

Boom!

A sudden clap of thunder echoed in the sky, and rolling clouds of calamity seemed to appear on the distant horizon.

After swallowing the crane meat, Lin Ling whispered something.

In Tianhe Garden, a formation silently descended.

The calamity cloud vanished in an instant.

Lin Ling poured herself a cup of hot tea, looked up at the window, and as if she saw something, tilted her head and blinked her moist red eyes.

Immediately afterwards, she raised her teacup and made a clinking motion towards the window.

……

Wei Mengrou stared in surprise and uncertainty at the paper crane that was slowly approaching in the distance. The paper crane was emanating an ominous black mist. It did not exude much spiritual energy, but it had a kind of inexplicable unease.

"Paper crane?"

Bai Ruoxi gazed at the paper crane in mid-air, her delicate eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Soon, she noticed that the mysterious paper crane seemed to be flying towards them.

"Sister Mengrou, be careful, there's something strange about this thing!" Bai Ruoxi whispered a warning, wary of the mysterious paper crane in mid-air.

However, Wei Mengrou did not retreat. Instead, she slowly walked forward, as if attracted by the mysterious paper crane, and slowly raised her fingertips, as if to pick up the snowflakes falling outside.

A mysterious paper crane, shrouded in black mist, fluttered in and finally landed on Wei Mengrou's fingertip.

Behind her, Bai Ruoxi stared in astonishment at Wei Mengrou's slender back and the paper crane resting on the fingertip of the maid in the yellow dress.

Bai Ruoxi hesitated and asked, "Sister Mengrou, what is this thing...?"

Wei Mengrou gently shook her head: "I don't know."

When she saw the paper crane just now, she felt a sense of nostalgia that she couldn't quite explain. She couldn't explain why she felt this way.

Wei Mengrou slowly unwrapped the paper crane that was resting on her fingertip.

At the same time, the words on the paper crane also came into view.

Bai Ruoxi's gaze followed the letter, and after seeing its contents, she couldn't help but subconsciously look at Wei Mengrou, and whispered, "An acquaintance of Sister Mengrou?"

Wei Mengrou stared at the letter and slowly shook her head: "I don't remember knowing anyone in the sect."

As she said this, a hint of doubt and confusion appeared in her eyes.

“This isn’t a paper crane that flew in from the sect.” At this moment, Bai Ruoxi suddenly uttered a melodious voice that was both alluring and cold.

Her dress had been dyed jet black at some point, with bright red plum blossoms printed on the black background. Compared to her usual delicate young lady image, Bai Ruoxi now possessed a more alluring and seductive charm.

Wei Mengrou's gaze sharpened slightly: "The Palace Master of the Sword Palace?"

"Aren't you still asleep?"

“She was originally asleep, but you all made such a commotion... it doesn’t seem like you intended for her to sleep peacefully.” Gong Lianyue glanced at the letter in Wei Mengrou’s hand.

Wei Mengrou's mind stirred slightly, and she asked, "Does Senior know the owner of this letter?"

"We met once. After all, she is the only one who, after resonating with the Heavenly Dao, wanted to trample it underfoot."

"However, I don't know why this paper crane resonates with you." Gong Lianyue had just said this when she suddenly looked up at the distance ahead, as if she had sensed something.

Wei Mengrou also looked up.

In the snow-covered courtyard, a young man dressed in a black and gold robe was walking towards the courtyard, carrying a black box in his arms.

As the two women discovered Mu Zhi'an, Mu Zhi'an naturally noticed them as well.

He looked up and was momentarily stunned when he saw Gong Lianyue. Then he glanced at the fabric of the palace dress that was stretched taut by her full breasts and silently thought to himself: She is younger than Nai Xi. This is the Palace Master of the Sword Palace.

Normally, Mu Zhian would probably take this opportunity to secretly admire Gong Lianyue's figure again. Although her breasts are not as big as Nai Xi's, her face is equally stunning. In addition, her temperament is completely opposite to Bai Ruoxi's. This contrast is a fatal temptation for men.

But right now, Mu Zhian is more concerned about the whereabouts of the paper cranes than about that.

"If I remember correctly, the paper crane just flew into this courtyard... but why can't I see it now?"

The moment Mu Zhian had this thought in his mind, his gaze suddenly froze on the letter in Wei Mengrou's hand.

After a brief moment of staring, he subconsciously looked up, staring incredulously at Wei Mengrou, muttering to himself, "Is it really you...?"

The reborn one is Wei Mengrou?!

Seemingly noticing Mu Zhian's gaze, Wei Mengrou frowned slightly, staring at him, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Mu Zhian then came to his senses and walked into the courtyard with the black box in his arms.

His gaze fell on the letter in Wei Mengrou's hand, and he looked up at the maid: "The paper crane flew into your hands?"

Wei Mengrou nodded gently, then hesitated and asked, "Is this paper crane yours...?"

Mu Zhian shook his head and placed the black box on the table: "The paper cranes are stored in this box."

"Does the Palace Master know the origin of this black box?" Mu Zhi'an quickly looked up at Gong Lian Yue and asked.

The Sword Palace has been established for tens of thousands of years. Gong Lian Yue and the Primordial Witch should be from the same era, so perhaps she knows something about the Primordial Witch's identity.

However, Gong Lianyue's answer soon made Mu Zhian feel a little disappointed.

"I have never seen this black box."

“However, this thing should belong to the primordial witch, as it still contains her remaining spiritual energy,” she continued.

Mu Zhian's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the alluring yet innocent beauty and asked, "Does the Palace Master know where the spiritual energy is stored?"

Gong Lianyue slowly shook her head: "Give up. This box has a special formation. Unless it is someone she approves of, no one else has the possibility of opening this black box."

As she spoke, she suddenly paused, as if she had thought of something, and her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.

Speaking of which, only those approved by the Primordial Witch can open this black box, but the paper crane wasn't in the black box just now.

In other words, someone had already opened the black box and freed the paper cranes inside.

So here's the question.