Upon hearing Chen Fan's request, Zhang Yiyi felt conflicted.

If the male lead wanted to give something to the female lead, then so be it—why did he have to drag her in as a middleman? It felt like this might stir up some trouble. Surely, whatever Chen Fan intended to give Zhang Tongtong was no ordinary item?

Logically, it was just a small favor and nothing major. If it were someone else, she'd naturally agree. But getting tangled up with the male and female leads created a sense of uncertainty, leaving Zhang Yiyi anxious about unexpected consequences.

What if—just what if—she lost the item?

With that thought, Zhang Yiyi suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of impending mishap. She knew right then and there she shouldn't accept the jade box Chen Fan was offering her.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang?"

Chen Fan seemed puzzled, not understanding why Zhang Yiyi was hesitating to accept what he offered. After all, he figured that, being both fellow disciples and cousins, Zhang Yiyi and Zhang Tongtong got along well enough that something as minor as delivering an item shouldn't be an issue.

Compatibility—exactly.

In Chen Fan's eyes, he really didn't think there was any problem between Zhang Yiyi and Zhang Tongtong. At most, he figured their personalities didn't entirely align and that they just didn't talk much when they were together.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, could I know what this item is?" Zhang Yiyi hesitated for a moment but decided to speak honestly. "Of course, I mean no offense. I just worry that if it's something valuable, I might misplace it or some other mishap might occur. Perhaps it would be better if you waited and handed it to my cousin in person next time you're at Yunxian Sect?"

Plus, that would give him a chance to see the female lead again and maybe deepen their feelings, right?

Naturally, Zhang Yiyi wouldn't say this out loud.

However, upon hearing Zhang Yiyi's reasoning, Chen Fan seemed to understand, even finding it a bit presumptuous of himself.

"It's really not anything too valuable, but you're right, Fellow Daoist Zhang. I won't trouble you with it after all. I'll wait for the next opportunity to hand it to Fairy Tong personally."

Chen Fan changed his mind immediately, putting the jade box away. Seeing this, Zhang Yiyi couldn't help but sigh with relief; however the male and female leads interacted was none of her business—she just didn't want to get involved.

From Chen Fan's words, she deduced that this wasn't just a one-sided gift; likely, there had been some prior agreement between him and Zhang Tongtong. Perhaps she'd asked him to find something for her, or there was some other reason. Either way, Zhang Yiyi wouldn't have had to worry about her cousin rejecting it.

Though she hadn't been curious about what was inside, Chen Fan, after putting it away, seemingly felt compelled to explain.

"After I left the Luoxian River mystic realm, I had the fortune of running into Fairy Tong again. She was short on time, but she mentioned she was seeking a rare ice-element spiritual herb.

"Later, while passing through Jiagu Guan City, I coincidentally found the herb Fairy Tong had mentioned, so I went ahead and bought it for her."

Chen Fan didn't want anyone to misunderstand his relationship with Zhang Tongtong. Although he was interested in her, he wasn't yet powerful enough to become her Dao partner and didn't want to risk tarnishing her reputation.

Thinking back, he realized his request hadn't been well thought out. He'd assumed having Zhang Yiyi deliver the item would allow Fairy Tong to obtain it sooner, since he'd be tied up here for some time, and who knew when he'd find time to visit Yunxian Sect.

But Zhang Yiyi's words reminded him of two things. First, the item was indeed critical to Fairy Tong, and any mishap could mean never finding a replacement.

Second, delivering it himself would allow him to see her again, and it might leave a deeper impression on her.

Within moments, Chen Fan processed things he hadn't considered before, and in doing so, he missed the brief look of astonishment in Zhang Yiyi's eyes.

Jiagu Guan City? An ice-element herb? Chen Fan also went to Jiagu Guan City?

Zhang Yiyi maintained a calm exterior, but inside, waves of realization were crashing.

It was as though a spark flickered in her mind, piecing together fragmented memories, leading her to a bold guess.

Could it be that Chen Fan was the mysterious masked cultivator at the Jiagu Guan auction, who traded a flawed Nine-Revolution Ascension Pill for a space-dwelling cave?

Zhang Yiyi couldn't be blamed for making this sudden association; the clues felt far too coincidental.

The timing, the place—it all lined up. Plus, she recalled that, later on, the male lead did indeed possess a space-dwelling cave, though the book hadn't detailed it or its origin, so she'd had no reason to remember.

Now that she'd been jolted awake by these clues, the memory resurfaced.

Of course, her surprise was fleeting, and she quickly composed herself, careful not to let Chen Fan notice anything amiss.

After all, her guess remained just that, lacking any concrete proof. And if that mysterious figure at the auction really was Chen Fan, it wouldn't be surprising.

The male lead was the male lead, after all; it wasn't extraordinary for him to have the fortune of obtaining a Nine-Revolution Ascension Pill.

Besides, it was a damaged pill, likely unable to grant immediate ascension and probably with significant drawbacks.

As a steadfast protagonist determined to ascend through his own efforts, it made sense for him to trade the Nine-Revolution Ascension Pill for a space-dwelling cave that would aid his growth.

Thinking that Chen Fan might be the mysterious masked cultivator from that day, Zhang Yiyi became even more cautious, careful not to reveal anything unusual. She didn't want Chen Fan to realize that his secret might have been discovered, nor did she want him to learn that she was the one who bought the stone originating from the Third Battlefield's abyss.

"Oh, I see. If that's the case, then it's better for you to go personally, Fellow Daoist Chen, since the spirit stones for purchasing spirit herbs are still yours to collect," she said, avoiding any mention of Jiagu Guan City. She didn't want Chen Fan to know she'd been there during that time frame, as such a clever male lead might suspect something.

Fortunately, the task hall of Yunxian Sect kept each disciple's missions confidential, with no risk of accidental leaks.

"You're right, Fellow Daoist Zhang. I had overlooked that before, but your timely reminder has set me straight." Chen Fan, seeing a better arrangement despite the matter remaining unresolved, took his leave. "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you further. Until next time, I look forward to the day we meet again at the Battle Heroes Stage!"

With that, Chen Fan rose, saluted, and departed. His quick exit didn't offend Zhang Yiyi; rather, she appreciated her senior cousin's choice of such a well-mannered suitor. Chen Fan truly was an ideal match for the novel's female lead: devoted to her, principled, and respectful towards other female cultivators, never allowing for misunderstandings—quite unlike a fickle philanderer.

Thinking he might really be the mysterious masked man who bought a cave-dwelling space, Zhang Yiyi sighed with envy. Who wouldn't want such a treasure? Yet not everyone had Chen Fan's fortune. Each person had their own destiny; desiring something that wasn't hers wouldn't make it hers. Right now, she didn't even know where to find a space stone, let alone such an extravagant treasure.

The next day, around noon, the Third Elder returned to the inn from his outing. Along with Zhang Yiyi, everyone gathered in his room, hoping he'd bring good news. However, not only was there no good news, but he hadn't been able to contact his friends in Lishan Sect at all, despite a night of effort. Clearly, this was no coincidence.

Even Zhang Yiyi guessed that Lishan Sect must already know of their arrival and had instructed their disciples to avoid early contact and not to reveal any information. This attitude hinted at deep resentment toward Yunxian Sect, and any cooperation was unlikely to be amicable.

"Let's go straight to Lishan Sect," the Third Elder said. As a seasoned elder of a prominent sect, he showed no disappointment, simply briefing the group on their conduct before leading them out.

When they arrived at Lishan Sect, they reported their names and purpose. While they faced no outright hostility, they also didn't receive the respectful treatment they might have expected. Zhang Yiyi recalled that when Lishan Sect had visited Yunxian Sect previously, Sect Leader Dongfang himself had greeted them with several elders. This time, not even one elder came out to meet them; instead, a disciple under one of the elders in the Golden Core stage greeted them.

This Golden Core disciple greeted the Third Elder and explained courteously that the sect leader and elders were preoccupied with important matters and couldn't personally come to welcome them. Though the explanation was polite, it was clear that this excuse didn't hold much water.

"It's no trouble. We arrived unexpectedly and didn't notify your sect in advance, so please, just lead the way," the Third Elder said calmly, unfazed by Lishan's show of authority. They were already prepared for this reception, and this didn't bother them.

As they walked, Zhang Yiyi seized the chance to ask the Golden Core disciple about Yuan Ying's condition. Recognizing her as "Sister Zhang," he replied sincerely, "Senior Sister is recovering well, though she will need some time to fully recuperate."

Just as Zhang Yiyi was about to ask if she could see Yuan Ying, a familiar voice called out to her from afar. "Yiyi! Yiyi!" Yuan Xiaoqi came running toward her with a radiant smile, skipping right over the Third Elder and bowing to him only after reaching her.

The Third Elder didn't mind, nodding and signaling for Zhang Yiyi to go ahead. After all, Sect Leader Dongfang's main purpose for Zhang Yiyi's presence was for her to visit Yuan Ying.