My ancestors were spiritual plant growers, so it's not surprising that I hunt demons every day,

"Hahaha~ My benefactor sister, you're so funny! You'd rather have that invisible and intangible merit than accept my monetary reward~"

Qin Simiao grinned foolishly, with two deep dimples appearing on her cheeks.

"Since that's the case, then you have to tell me your name, my benefactor sister. I can't keep calling you my benefactor sister, can I?"

"Cui Ying".

"Thank you so much, Sister Cui Ying, for saving my life."

"I had no intention of saving you, so there's no need to thank me."

"Hehe, no matter what, it's a fact that you saved me, you're my savior. By the way, Sister Cui Ying, where are you from, and what are you going to Huichuan Prefecture for?"

Cui Ying glanced at Qin Simiao with displeasure and replied expressionlessly, "Come from where you came from, and do what you are supposed to do."

Although she and Qin Simiao had no grudges in their past lives, they were not close friends either. If Qin Simiao hadn't cleverly thrown out the jade pendant he always wore, she wouldn't have wanted to meddle in other people's business.

Qin Simiao's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She clutched her chest, gasping for breath, and said weakly:

"Sister Cui Ying, uncles, I am very grateful for your help and I really want to repay you. What are you afraid of?"

“Young friend, we’re not afraid, it’s just that there’s really no need. We were just passing by and did something on the spur of the moment. Besides, as I said before, we only go as far as Huaxi Beach outside Huichuan Prefecture, so we don’t have time to take you into the city.”

Seeing that Cui Zhengming and the others didn't want to get involved with her, Qin Simiao could only helplessly turn her head away and say:

"Uncles, Sister Cui Ying, when we get to Huaxi Beach, I'll treat you to some spiritual food and wine, okay? You saved me, and if I don't do anything for you, I'll feel really bad, and it would damage my Dao heart!"

"You're young, but you've got a lot going on."

Cui Zhengming didn't know what to say, so he looked at Cui Ying and asked, "Girl, you saved her, what do you think we should do?"

Cui Ying considered it for a moment, then nodded and said, "Just this once."

"Great! When we get to Huaxi Beach, I'll treat you all to the most expensive spiritual food at Yunxiang Market, the largest market in Huaxi!"

Seeing that Cui Ying and the others had finally relented, Qin Simiao's face lit up with a bright smile once again.

"Hey~"

"It's been so long since I've traveled by spirit boat. I never imagined the mountain scenery on both sides of the river would be so beautiful!"

Perhaps because she had escaped death, or perhaps because she was in a good mood, Qin Simiao also imitated Ta Xue by reclining in the cabin, looking up at the mountain scenery on both sides of the river.

Suddenly, he sat up abruptly, pulled a storage bag from his discarded clothes, took out a purple-gold bamboo flute, held it to his lips, and began to play a mournful tune.

In an instant, the melodious flute music entered everyone's ears. Not only did Cui Zhengming and the others feel relaxed and comfortable, but even fish occasionally popped their heads out from under their feet, listening quietly and engrossed in the music from afar at the stern of the boat.

As expected of a top-tier music cultivator from a previous life, his skill is truly extraordinary.

Cui Ying glanced at Qin Shaomiao without much surprise before quickly looking away, but a hint of enjoyment and pleasure still crept onto her face.

Soon, the music stopped, and Qin Simiao stared intently at Cui Ying: "Sister Cui Ying, would you like to sing a song too?"

Cui Ying suppressed her smile and shook her head slightly: "I am not skilled in music. Your magic has not fully recovered yet, so you should rest for a while."

Qin Simiao was taken aback. Looking at Cui Ying's expression, she didn't seem to be musically illiterate.

Then, the smile on his face vanished, and his charming phoenix eyes instantly welled up with tears. He said with great grievance:

"Sister Cui Ying, do you dislike me?"

Cui Ying was utterly bewildered. She truly couldn't understand why, after her rebirth, her father had become somewhat childlike and indecisive, not to mention that even Qin Simiao, the head of a powerful family who controlled a prefecture and ten cities, had become so indecisive and unreasonable.

She suppressed the urge to kick him back into the river and sat down next to her father at the bow of the boat: "No, I'm just a little tired."

Hearing Cui Ying's explanation, Qin Simiao grinned and moved closer to Cui Ying, sitting cross-legged as well. Holding the purple-gold bamboo flute, he tilted his head and stared at Cui Ying's eyes with great curiosity, saying:

"Sister Cui Ying, although I don't know why you changed your mind and saved me, I always felt that you shouldn't be so cold and aloof. Also, Sister Cui Ying, haven't we met somewhere before?"

"No, you are overthinking."

The bright, inquisitive gaze, coupled with the boy's pure and sincere smile, made Cui Ying's vision blur for a moment. She simply closed her eyes and refused to look any longer.

As the sun dipped westward and the evening glow painted half the sky red, the dark blue boat traversed a vast expanse of water covered with pink and purple irises, finally arriving at Huaxi Beach.

Meanwhile, people were already waiting on the shore.

At the forefront stood a squad of black-clad cavalry guards, each clad in dark armor and wielding a long spear; in the corner behind, several Qi Refining cultivators in grey robes were anxiously glancing at the river, yet dared not approach too closely.

When the dark blue boat came into view, the two groups of people finally couldn't resist and surrounded it.

"Are you a fellow Daoist from Swallow's Nest?"

"Your subordinate pays respects to the young master. I am late in coming to your aid, and I beg your punishment."

Cui Ying raised an eyebrow. Although the leading black-armored general had concealed his aura, she still recognized him at a glance: Yan Hu, the late-stage Foundation Establishment general of Huichuan City's defenses.

But Cui Zhengming had never seen such a scene before. After nervously bringing the boat ashore, he mustered up his courage and nodded to the few cultivators in gray robes behind him, saying quickly, "Yes, we came from Yanziwu."

Seeing that the black-clad guards had no intention of stopping him, the middle-aged cultivator in the lead exchanged glances with his companions before coming to the shore and showing Cui Zhengming the token.

"General Yan, please rise."

Qin Simiao also came to the group of black-clad guards. After gesturing to the leading general to hurry up, he said, "Didn't I already send a message that I'm fine? There's no need to go to such lengths to pick me up."

"Young Master, it's so good to hear you're alright!"

Before Yan Hu could stand up, a young boy dressed as a servant suddenly squeezed out from the side.

The person looked to be about the same age as Qin Simiao, around thirteen or fourteen, with fair skin, red lips, and delicate features. However, the moment he appeared, he hugged Qin Simiao and started crying incessantly.

"If anything were to happen to you, Huayin wouldn't survive either."

The boy who called himself Huayin was, after all, a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining. In front of everyone, he hugged Qin Simiao and cried his eyes out. His aggrieved appearance made Cui Ying think it was an eyesore, and then she turned away and didn't look at him anymore.

"Alright, alright, Huayin, get up and stop crying. General Yan and the others are still here. You'll make a fool of yourself."

Perhaps sensing that her young master was also somewhat embarrassed, Hua Yin quickly stood up and stood behind Qin Simiao. Following her young master's gaze, she turned her head and looked at him, whispering:

"Young Master, is that the pretty young female cultivator who saved you?"