The Crimsoncloud Immortal Realm looked just as it had when Mu Yunran first arrived. The sky was purple-red, and several immortal cranes called among the clouds as if welcoming guests from far away.
Every applicant except Mu Yunran was stunned. None had seen such a strange and beautiful place. A few stood with their mouths hanging open.
“It’s so beautiful. Is this where immortals live? It’s even prettier than the storybooks said.”
Mu Yunran recognized the sweet voice of the girl who had spoken to her in line. Turning, she found the girl only one step away.
Perhaps it was her imagination, but this young woman seemed fond of staying close to her. Was she trying to make a friend before entering the sect?
Mu Yunran could no longer keep a low profile after burning the guiding disciple and attracting the garnet bird, so she changed her strategy. The original male lead was somewhere in this group and might already know of her.
According to the novel, he was jealous and hated anyone who stole his attention. He also held grudges over the smallest offense. Anyone more talented, more noticeable, or more popular than him had to watch for revenge.
Mu Yunran called the system in her mind and asked whether it had identified him.
The system had been busily writing something. Only at her question did it remember the important task of finding the male lead.
It began reciting his description from the original novel. “He had straight, swordlike brows and eyes as bright as stars. His handsome face seemed carved by blade and ax, every line—”
Mu Yunran interrupted. “I understand. You can’t recognize him. Stop reading the book and pretending otherwise.”
As expected, she should never have placed hope in this useless little system.
The orb huffed and guiltily cut off the connection.
While everyone admired the immortal scenery, Mu Yunran moved her right hand and opened her personal information screen.
During her three years in Tian Family Village, she had earned no mission points. Her income had been exactly zero. Now that the main plot had begun, mission points finally became available.
The system’s first automatic mission had been to arrive at the story’s starting location—Crimsoncloud Mountain—at the proper time. The second required her to pass the first stage of the entrance trial. Together, the two missions had earned ten points.
They had been extremely easy, D-rank missions intended for beginners. Completing them also added her cultivation level and spiritual-root information to her status screen.
Her level read: Spiritual Energy Refining, Stage Zero. In other words, she had not yet succeeded in drawing spiritual energy into her body.
After reviewing her information, she opened the achievement page and claimed two rewards. Then she entered the system shop.
The shop had remained locked for three years because it required at least ten mission points to open. Mu Yunran was curious about what it sold. Rare treasures? Powerful weapons?
The shop carried everything she could imagine—and plenty she could not.
One weapon at the top of the list stood out from all the rest.
**Name:** Slay-X Treasure Saber
**Description:** One slash, 999 damage.
**Price:** 388 mission points. *(Spend a total of 1,088 mission points and receive it free.)*
Other weapons had silver or bronze frames around their listings. This one alone had gold. Its absurd price and description from a cheap browser game made it even more unusual.
Mu Yunran examined several other goods and discovered that she could afford only two Wind-Riding Talismans.
*So this is what a shameless profiteer looks like.*
“Everyone, form orderly lines. One Clearcloud disciple will watch each group of applicants. We are about to cross the Sea of Clouds.”
As soon as Lingyunzi finished speaking, pale-jade steps emerged from the mist, forming a path toward a higher mountain.
There were no rails to hold. Many of the young applicants grew frightened. The girl beside Mu Yunran was afraid of heights. Her legs weakened, and she grabbed the nearest thing—Mu Yunran’s upper arm.
Mu Yunran glanced over. The girl’s face had gone pale, and her body trembled slightly, so she allowed her to hold on.
“No one needs to worry,” Lingyunzi said. “Walk in order and do not push. I will watch from beside you. If anyone slips, the immortal cranes or I will catch them immediately.”
His promise calmed most of the group. Only a few who feared heights remained anxious, including the girl beside Mu Yunran.
“If you’re afraid, hold my hand. I’ll take you across.”
When the girl looked at her, Mu Yunran offered a well-timed smile. She appeared warm, friendly, and easy to approach.
“Thank you. I’m a little afraid of heights. I hope you won’t laugh. My name is Shi Wan. What’s yours?”
At the name, Mu Yunran’s brow tightened almost imperceptibly. She immediately controlled her expression.
“I’m Mu Yunran.”
Shi Wan appeared early in the original novel. She was the first innocent little flower to join the male lead’s harem. Simple and kind, she loved making friends and was easily deceived.
Her first meeting with the male lead had taken place while crossing the Sea of Clouds during this very entrance trial. Afraid of heights, Shi Wan had walked with great care. Unfortunately, another applicant slipped and struck her shoulder, nearly knocking her from the steps. The quick-handed male lead caught her and saved her life.
It was a worn-out scene. As readers expected, Shi Wan fell for the fairly handsome youth. Later, the male lead discovered that she was the daughter of Suncrest City’s lord—a true young heiress. Through his schemes, Shi Wan became completely devoted to him and was the first woman to sleep with him.
Mu Yunran had read the comments beneath that chapter. They were filled with baffled question marks and furious curses. No one had expected the male lead of a supposedly female-led romance to claim a supporting woman for his harem.
Mu Yunran had not expected to meet such an important early supporting character so soon. Perhaps her luck was quite good.
If she wanted to avoid becoming cannon fodder, she had to weaken the original male lead. She would start by destroying his meeting with Shi Wan. One by one, she would ruin every important plot point and take away all the opportunities he was supposed to receive.
Mu Yunran took Shi Wan’s hand and began crossing the Sea of Clouds with the group.
She deliberately stayed at the rear and kept one full step between herself and the person ahead. They crossed half the stairway without incident.
Warmth entered Shi Wan’s heart as she watched Mu Yunran secure her footing before pulling her upward. Her father had been right: away from home, a person needed friends.
Mu Yunran believed she had successfully prevented the male lead from rescuing Shi Wan.
She did not notice a boy farther ahead suddenly slip as if someone had spread oil beneath his feet. He dropped into an exaggerated split and swept a Clearcloud disciple from his feet. Before that disciple could regain his balance, he struck the person behind him.
One person knocked into another like falling dominoes.
Mu Yunran had turned to help Shi Wan onto the next step when something slammed heavily into her shoulder.
The system and Shi Wan cried out together as Mu Yunran fell from the cloud-wreathed stairway.
Before dropping, she released Shi Wan’s hand.
She saw a Clearcloud disciple catch Shi Wan. She saw the boy falling beside her.
And against the purple-red sky, she saw a familiar figure diving toward them.
