Chapter 41 Crossdressing

Jun Xiangbei stared at Gu Yunqing, his confusion and inquiry almost tangible.

Su Meichuan wore an expression of "I knew it," her eyes showing even more interest.

He had almost imagined a major drama of the year involving deep bonds, hidden pasts, and complex emotions.

The whispers around them reached a new climax because of Gu Yunqing's words "naturally," and all sorts of outrageous speculations emerged, such as "a love triangle," "the boss's secret lover," and "the core link of a mysterious organization."

Gu Yunqing took in everyone's reactions and was satisfied. This was exactly the effect he wanted.

The mystery has been built up enough; lingering in the crowded market might lead to saying the wrong thing.

Gu Yunqing appropriately revealed a hint of fatigue, gently rubbing her temples with a natural and unpretentious gesture.

"This market is interesting, but it's so noisy that it gets a bit overwhelming after a while," Gu Yunqing said gently, her gaze sweeping over the crowded people around her with a hint of detachment.

Almost the instant he finished speaking, Zhuge Jin slightly turned his body and said in a timely manner, "There is a quiet teahouse in the southeast where you can rest for a while."

Jun Xiangbei looked at the perfectly measured weariness on Gu Yunqing's face, then glanced at Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue, who were showing him great concern, and his heart stirred slightly.

He himself didn't particularly like overly noisy environments, so he readily nodded in agreement: "Alright."

Su Meichuan naturally had no objections; he was just worried about not having a chance to observe this wonderful combination up close.

So the five of them moved to a quieter and more elegant tea house area in the southeast corner of the market.

The tea area seemed to be separated from the bustling main street of the market by an invisible barrier, making the environment much quieter.

Some players sat here in twos and threes, talking quietly or resting alone.

Gu Yunqing chose a table to sit at, while Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue sat on either side of him.

Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan sat opposite each other.

A waiter from the Pure White Game Simulation came forward, and Gu Yunqing casually ordered three drinks, while Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue made no comment.

Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan also ordered drinks.

A brief silence filled the air amidst the wafting aroma of tea.

Gu Yunqing picked up the jade-like teacup and gently blew on the steam. The rising steam blurred his delicate features, making him look even more peaceful and harmless.

He sipped his tea slowly, his posture elegant and composed, as if he were not the one who had just caused such a commotion in the market.

Jun Xiangbei's gaze remained fixed on Gu Yunqing for most of the time.

He watched the other person's eyelashes tremble slightly as they drank tea, their well-defined fingers gripping the cup, and the clean and peaceful aura that lingered around them, so different from the pure white world.

This strong sense of contrast was not diminished by leaving the bustling market; on the contrary, it was highlighted even more vividly in this relatively quiet environment.

He was like a blank sheet of paper that fell into a colorful painting, seemingly out of place, yet existing in a strange way.

Jun Xiangbei found it difficult to take his eyes off this "blank sheet of paper".

He wanted to know the true nature of this "blank sheet of paper" and why it could exist.

This pure curiosity, stemming from the unknown, drove him.

Gu Yunqing put down her teacup, raised her eyes, and met Jun Xiangbei's undisguised, probing gaze.

He didn't flinch, but instead returned a gentle, slightly questioning smile, as if asking, "What's wrong?"

Jun Xiangbei was slightly taken aback by that frank gaze.

He rarely makes such focused eye contact with anyone, especially when the other person is so calm, without any aggression or ingratiation.

He paused, then decided to follow his inner question, but in a more roundabout way.

Jun Xiangbei broke the silence, asking, "Mr. Gu seems... to be quite comfortable in this environment?"

This question may seem ordinary, but it is actually rich in meaning.

The Pure White World is fraught with danger, and most players are always on guard. Someone like Gu Yunqing, who exudes an aura of "leisure" from the inside out, is truly an anomaly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yunqing smiled gently, her smile clean and knowing.

He understood what Jun Xiangbei really wanted to ask.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it." He said calmly, his fingertips gently stroking the warm cup.

"The pure white world is certainly full of dangers, but it's not all about fighting and killing. There are always places where you can catch your breath, like here."

Gu Yunqing glanced at the quiet tea room and continued, "Moreover, I trust Zhuge and Mr. Qiu."

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhuge Jin, then at Qiu Zangxue on the other side, his tone natural and trusting.

“With them around, I can naturally relax a bit.”

This was said so naturally, as if it were a matter of course.

Zhuge Jin made no comment, but his tacit acceptance was itself a response.

Qiu Zangxue let out a barely audible hum, which could be considered an acknowledgment.

As Jun Xiangbei watched their tacit interaction, his doubts only grew stronger.

Such unreserved trust is a luxury in a pure white world.

The bonds it represents cannot be formed overnight.

Su Meichuan, holding a teacup, glanced at the three of them, a knowing smile playing on her lips, and interjected at the opportune moment, "Mr. Gu's relationship with the two gentlemen is truly enviable."

He deliberately used the word "emotion" to further steer the atmosphere toward ambiguity.

Gu Yunqing neither confirmed nor denied this, only offering a helpless smile, maintaining the mystery to the very end.

He turned his gaze back to Jun Xiangbei, as if the little incident from earlier had never happened.

Gu Yunqing tapped her fingers lightly on the table, making a soft tapping sound, as if she was thinking about something.

After a moment, Gu Yunqing seemed to have made up her mind. She raised her eyes and looked at Jun Xiangbei with clear eyes:

"Speaking of which, I've always heard that besides those dungeons where you're constantly fighting to the death, the Pure White World also seems to have some... relatively special public areas or challenge quests?"

He leaned forward slightly, appearing more serious: "It is said that although there is competition and difficulty in those places, the rules are relatively clear, the income is quite stable, and more importantly... it is not so bloody."

Gu Yunqing was referring to non-death competitive public areas like the "Trial Tower," "Resource Secret Realm," and "Enlightenment Land," which are governed by system rules and focus on testing, cultivation, or resource collection, rather than pure player-versus-player combat.

"Brother Xiangbei," Gu Yunqing naturally switched to a more intimate form of address, closing the distance between them.

"Do you know anything about these kinds of places? Or... would you be interested in exploring them together sometime?"

This suggestion, though seemingly casual, was actually the result of Gu Yunqing's careful consideration.

First, it avoids directly inviting the other party into a high-risk, unknown instance, reducing Jun Xiangbei's vigilance and the possibility of refusal.

Secondly, the risks in such public areas are relatively controllable, which is more suitable for his current situation where his own strength is still weak. In a relatively safe environment, he can further observe the strength, fighting style and cooperation mode of Jun Xiangbei's team.

Furthermore, this is also a response to and a test of Jun Xiangbei's intense curiosity.

He proactively extended an olive branch for cooperation, observing whether the other party accepted it, and also using this to gauge how much Jun Xiangbei valued him and the "organization" behind him.

Finally, this is also an excellent opportunity for the original "Gu Yunqing" to demonstrate her value and work together with the Jun Xiangbei team in a relatively safe environment.

This can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

After Gu Yunqing finished speaking, she quietly looked at Jun Xiangbei, waiting for his response. His face showed sincerity and a hint of expectation, as if he were just a young man who had found a possible interesting playmate.

Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue remained silent, but their very presence guaranteed the weight of the proposal. With these two companions, the safety of the exploration would be greatly enhanced.

After listening to Gu Yunqing's suggestion, Jun Xiangbei's eyes flashed with a thoughtful light.

He naturally had some understanding of these kinds of public areas.

Most players have to enter dungeons every now and then, and in order to improve their survival rate in dungeons, they will naturally go to some places to train themselves.

Just as Gu Yunqing said, that place is indeed a place to obtain stable resources and hone skills, while the risks are far lower than those of bloody dungeons.

However, Gu Yunqing's suggestion was exactly what he wanted.

Jun Xiangbei was already curious about Gu Yunqing and her relationship with Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue, but he was struggling to find a suitable opportunity to make a deeper contact and observation.

Exploring a relatively safe public area together is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

He could observe Gu Yunqing's true abilities up close during the collaboration, observe the interaction patterns between the three of them, and obtain more information about that "loose little group".

This was crucial for his understanding of Gu Yunqing as a "complex variable" and for assessing the possibility of dealing with the forces behind her.

Moreover, with the addition of powerful reinforcements like Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue, the efficiency and safety of exploration will undoubtedly be greatly improved, which will also be profitable for the Polaris team.

This is a win-win choice.

Without much hesitation, Jun Xiangbei nodded, his voice as concise as ever: "Okay."

He looked at Gu Yunqing and added, "I have some knowledge of this type of area. We can discuss it in more detail after we determine the specific target."

This means agreeing to cooperate.

A smile flashed in Su Meichuan's eyes; she was not surprised at all by this development.

He smiled and looked at Gu Yunqing: "It is our honor to work with Mr. Gu and the two gentlemen. It will surely be an interesting experience."

"That's wonderful." Gu Yunqing smiled slightly, raised her teacup, and toasted with tea instead of wine. "Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

Jun Xiangbei and Su Meichuan also picked up their teacups.

The teacups clinked gently together, producing a crisp sound.

In this tranquil teahouse in a pure white world, a preliminary collaboration is formed between people with their own purposes, yet based on mutual curiosity and potential interests.

Gu Yunqing sipped her tea, a faint smile in her eyes.

The lingering sweetness of the tea still lingered in the throat, and the agreement to cooperate eased the atmosphere at the makeshift tea table considerably.

After chatting for a while about the rumors surrounding the various public areas of the Pure White World, Gu Yunqing, citing the need for some preparation, agreed with Jun Xiangbei to discuss the specific details of the exploration the next day. Then, she took her leave with Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue.

Leaving the teahouse and passing through the still bustling player market, Gu Yunqing's consciousness returned to her personal space first.

Gu Yunqing took a deep breath and began to sort out the interaction that had just taken place.

“Jun Xiangbei’s curiosity is stronger than expected…” Gu Yunqing tapped her chin thoughtfully with her fingertips.

This is a risky move, but also a quick one.

By placing the main body in front of the stage and using Jun Xiangbei's attention to Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue to reverse his gaze, the identity of "Gu Yunqing" is cleverly embedded in his vision.

Unfortunately, the risk lies in the fact that the true strength of the original body is the biggest weakness, and it is necessary to rely on the system-managed alias at all times to maintain the illusion of being an "important member".

“However, this is also an opportunity.” A sharp glint flashed in Gu Yunqing’s eyes.

He needs an opportunity for his main body to grow in a relatively safe environment, and he also needs to learn more about Jun Xiangbei, the protagonist of the original work, whether for the purpose of using him or for... that inexplicable appreciation and interest.

The following day, after a brief communication, both parties decided to choose the "Heart Refining Tower" as the target for their first collaborative exploration.

The Tower of Heart Refining is a well-known public trial facility in the Pure White World, renowned for its ever-changing illusionary trials.

It is said that it can uncover the player's deepest fears, desires, and obsessions, tempering their mind. After clearing the level, players can not only receive points rewards, but also have a chance to improve their mental strength or obtain special mental protection items.

Most importantly, players in the Refining Heart Tower will not lose points if they fail to complete tasks, nor will they die due to point issues, making it far safer than dungeons.

The two groups met at the entrance to the Heart Refining Tower.

Gu Yunqing remained in her original form, dressed in simple casual attire, exuding a clean and gentle aura, with Zhuge Jin and Qiu Zangxue following her like shadows.

On Jun Xiangbei's side, it was just him and Su Meichuan.

"The illusionary realm of the Heart Refining Tower will generate different scenes based on the fluctuations of the entrant's mind. Memories will be temporarily sealed, and the entrant will be placed into the identity assigned by the system." Jun Xiangbei succinctly introduced the known information, his gaze sweeping over Gu Yunqing.

"Be careful, everyone."

Gu Yunqing nodded, already having made up her mind.

Before stepping into the portal, he used his deep connection with the alternate identity system to set a command anchor point for himself deep in his consciousness: "When the original Gu Yunqing sees the image of 'Zhuge Jin' in the illusion, trigger the recovery of some memories."

The light engulfed my vision, and a strong sense of spatial teleportation and dizziness washed over me, accompanied by a strange feeling of my consciousness being pulled away.

The dizziness gradually subsided.

Gu Yunqing suddenly opened her eyes, and what came into view was an unfamiliar, desolate and cold mountain wilderness.

The sky was a depressing leaden gray, with jagged rocks and withered tree branches reaching towards the sky like ghostly claws. A faint smell of decay and a barely perceptible fishy odor filled the air.

He found himself leaning against a cold, massive rock, his body feeling strangely to the touch.

Looking down, she was wearing an elaborate and exquisite ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), made of the finest silk and embroidered with elegant orchid patterns. However, the hem of the skirt was stained with mud, making her look rather disheveled.

Women's clothing?

A strong sense of unease welled up in my heart, but even more so, I felt a sense of emptiness.

His memories were shrouded in a thick fog, hazy and unclear. He only vaguely remembered that his name seemed to be Gu Yunqing.

Then...be careful, survive, find...find who? A very important, white...something shadow?

The thought was vague and hard to grasp.

But the instinct for survival is exceptionally clear, as if it has been engraved deep in the soul.

Gu Yunqing instinctively curled up, using the boulders and withered grass as cover, and cautiously surveyed her surroundings.

At this moment, out of Gu Yunqing's sight, the live stream started, and the chat was scrolling:

"Another live stream about the Heart Refining Tower has started!"

"Wow, there are quite a few people in this batch! Let's see what kind of fun we'll have this time."

"Wow, this new lady is so pretty! Her flustered little eyes are so pitiful."

"Wait, her clothes... are they ancient Chinese style women's clothing? Is this fantasy world set in a cultivation realm?"

Just as Gu Yunqing was trying to sort out her thoughts, a deep roar came from not far away, accompanied by the rustling sound of grass and trees being trampled.

His heart tightened, he held his breath, and peered through the crack in the rock. He saw several ferocious beasts resembling wolves, their eyes glowing green, sniffing the ground as they approached him.

It is a low-level demonic beast, the Bone-Eating Wolf.

Although the memory is missing, the basic cognition seems to still be there.

Gu Yunqing's heart pounded. He knew that his body didn't seem to have much strength, and a direct confrontation would definitely lead to his death.

He bit his lower lip, forcing himself to calm down, and carefully moved his body, trying to move to a more concealed thicket.

However, he accidentally stepped on a dry branch and broke it with a soft "crack" sound.

"Awooo—!"

The lead Bone-Eating Wolf immediately raised its head, its gleaming green eyes precisely locking onto his location!

Oh no!

Gu Yunqing could no longer hide and turned to run.

His embroidered shoes trod on the rugged mountain ground, his steps uneven, and the elaborate skirt further restricted his movements.

Behind him, a foul stench swept over him; the Bone-Eating Wolf was far faster than him!

Some people in Gu Yunqing's live stream were worried about him:

"Oh no, the girl needs to send it."

"A kill at the start? That's incredibly unlucky!"

"That running form...it's obvious he's never trained, just an average person."

"Probably another new player coming to the Refining Heart Tower to train."

He could feel the hot breath from the wolf's mouth hitting the back of his neck. In despair, he tripped over a protruding tree root and fell forward!

It’s over!

The expected excruciating pain did not come; instead, a clear, melodious sword cry pierced the air.

"Clang—!"

A sharp, cold glint of light precisely swept across the neck of the closest bone-eating wolf.

The wolf's head flew up, spraying blood, and the massive wolf body, propelled by inertia, lurched forward a few more steps before crashing to the ground.

Immediately afterwards, the sword light flashed like a dragon, and the other Bone-Eating Wolves didn't even have time to howl before their vital points were pierced by the sword energy, and they fell to the ground dead.

Gu Yunqing looked up in shock and saw a tall, slender figure gracefully descend and stand between him and the wolf corpse.

The newcomer was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, its flowing fabric spotless.

His black hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin, and his face was extremely handsome, but it was as if covered with a layer of ice, with aloofness and coldness between his brows and eyes.

He held an ancient longsword in his hand, its blade as clear as autumn water, and was now slowly returning it to its sheath, his movements fluid and graceful.

It is you who are heading north.

Or rather, he is a sword cultivator named "Jun Xiangbei" in this illusionary realm.

Jun Xiangbei sheathed his sword and looked at Gu Yunqing, who was sitting on the ground in a disheveled state.

The "woman" before me had slightly disheveled hair, with a few strands of black hair clinging to her sweaty cheeks. Her dress was covered in dust and looked somewhat messy and tattered.

She tilted her head back, her eyes filled with lingering panic and bewilderment at surviving the ordeal. Her eyes were glistening with tears, and the corners were slightly red, like a frightened fawn, so fragile and vulnerable.

However, beneath that panicked exterior, Jun Xiangbei keenly sensed something amiss.

The woman's eyes did not contain only empty fear; they also carried a hint of scrutiny and composure about her situation, perhaps even to her own unconsciousness.

This is contradictory.

If an ordinary woman, who is powerless and in such a dangerous situation, were to be rescued, wouldn't her first reaction be to burst into tears or collapse completely?

Although she was disheveled and panicked, the depths of her eyes made Jun Xiangbei feel that she was not as weak as she appeared on the surface.

This contradiction stirred even the most subtle ripples in his otherwise calm heart.

As the senior disciple of the Sword Sect in this generation, his journey down the mountain to gain experience, slay demons and monsters, and help mortals were merely incidental acts.

But at this moment, this unfamiliar and frail "woman" inexplicably attracted his attention.

He reached out his hand to her, his voice as calm and steady as his demeanor, revealing no emotion: "Miss, are you alright?"

People in Gu Yunqing's live stream recognized Jun Xiangbei, and some people who had been to the market also recognized Gu Yunqing:

"Why was the illusion I was given when I went to the Heart Refining Tower set in a slime background? That's not fair."

"Wait a minute... this swordsman looks a lot like Jun Xiangbei!"

"Holy crap, it really is him! Then the one in women's clothing is... Gu Yunqing, who's been protected by the prophet and the red-eyed madman?!"

"Hahahaha, Gu Yunqing is dressed as a woman? And in such a disheveled state? I'm laughing my head off."

"Do Boss Zhuge and Boss Qiu know that their 'important member' is like this?"

"Oh no, my image of him as a big shot has shattered, but why do I feel strangely drawn to him?"

Gu Yunqing stared blankly at the hand extended in front of her, its knuckles distinct, clean and slender.

He instinctively raised his hand and placed it on the ground. A warm touch came from his palm, and a gentle but irresistible force pulled him up from the ground.

Standing up straight, he realized that he was almost a head shorter than the other person and had to look up slightly to see his face.

As the distance closed, the other person's cool aura became even clearer, which inexplicably calmed his chaotic heartbeat a little.

"Thank you so much for saving me, Immortal Master." He instinctively followed the etiquette he remembered and awkwardly expressed his gratitude, his voice still trembling slightly from the shock.

"It was nothing." Jun Xiangbei withdrew his hand, his gaze still fixed on Gu Yunqing's face, as if to confirm whether he was truly unharmed.

"This place is a miasma-ridden wilderness, frequented by low-level demonic beasts. It is not a place for mortals like you to linger. Why are you here alone, young lady?"

"I..." Gu Yunqing was speechless. He had no idea why. His memory was blank, with only the vague thought of "finding someone" lingering in his mind.

He frowned, trying hard to recall, but only felt a splitting headache, his face turned pale, and he swayed slightly, subconsciously raising his hand to support his forehead.

Seeing that his pained expression seemed genuine, and that his slender figure appeared to be swaying precariously in the wind, Jun Xiangbei felt a mixture of curiosity arising from the "contradiction" and pity that even he himself was unaware of.

He softened his tone, still cool but less distant: "If it's inconvenient to say, that's fine. Do you have somewhere to go?"

Gu Yunqing shook her head blankly.

Jun Xiangbei remained silent for a moment.

Logically, he should have simply taken the lone mortal woman to a nearby safe town.

But... looking at the other person's eyes, which were looking up at him with a sense of bewilderment and helplessness, yet also with a hint of stubbornness, he hesitated before he could speak.

Many people were watching Jun Xiangbei's live stream, including his teammates:

"Jun Xiangbei, what are you doing? Send her to a mortal town, don't you know the procedure?"

"Something's not right. This kid's acting strangely. Was he really this long-winded when he saved people?"

"Did he recognize Gu Yunqing?"

"Impossible! The Heart Refining Tower seals memories according to its rules! Unless..."

"Unless it's bullshit, he's definitely got his eye on her."

"I need to go to the 'Misty Forest' a hundred miles ahead to investigate the unusual activity," Jun Xiangbei said, his voice calm and even.

"If you have nowhere to go, you may come with me for now. I will send you away after I have finished my business."

Even he himself was slightly taken aback when he said that.

This was not his usual style of doing things. Bringing along a mortal who had no power to protect himself would undoubtedly be a burden.

Gu Yunqing was also taken aback.

Accompanying? Following along with this seemingly powerful swordsman?

His intuition told him that this might be the safest option at the moment, and... getting closer to this person seemed to alleviate the emptiness and unease in his heart a little.

The vague idea of ​​"finding someone" seemed to overlap with the person in front of him.

"Really... is it possible?" He looked up, his eyes filled with cautious hope, and a hint of uncertainty.

This demeanor, combined with his current women's clothing and disheveled state, possesses a breathtakingly fragile beauty.

Jun looked away from Bei, no longer looking into his eyes, and simply gave a soft "hmm" as a sign of approval.

He turned around, his tone regaining its usual conciseness: "Stay close."

After saying that, he took a step forward, not walking fast, clearly considering the pace of the person behind him.

Looking at the tall, straight back of the man in front of her, Gu Yunqing took a deep breath, lifted her elaborate skirt, and quickly followed after him.

His embroidered shoes felt uncomfortable on the gravel and dead branches, and the fatigue from running kept coming, but he gritted his teeth and endured it.

He knows nothing, has nothing, and the only thing he can grasp is this cold, aloof figure and this brief moment of safety.

We must follow.

At the same time, the thought became clearer: to find... to find that white... shadow.

That seemed to be the key to breaking through the fog before our eyes.

The wind in the wilderness blew against his wide sleeves and skirt, making his figure appear even thinner and more delicate.

Although Jun Xiangbei did not turn around, his divine sense always covered the area behind him, keeping an eye on the "woman" who was struggling to keep up with him, her steps uneven.

The look of inquiry and a faint hint of confusion lingered in his eyes for a long time.

The two figures, one in front of the other, gradually disappeared into this desolate and dangerous illusory wilderness.

Their journey in the "Tower of Refining the Heart" has only just begun.