Ningning felt that this system was outrageous.
Not only is the original work given a complete account of the incident, but he is usually nowhere to be seen until there is a mission to be carried out, then he will suddenly jump out like a zombie and start exploiting her, a poor working person.
The ugly face of capitalism is nothing more than this.
Looking at the original text again, it is indeed a classic routine in ancient texts. The vicious female supporting role induces the male protagonist to become more evil and unconscious. In a trance, his mind is in chaos and he draws his sword to attack his fellow disciples.
Then it describes how the elders of other sects besides Xuan Jing were panicked and shocked. Even though Tian Xianzi made all kinds of excuses for Pei Ji, the effect was minimal.
In the end, the villain's plot succeeded, and Pei Ji became infamous among the major sects. Although it was the original owner who provoked first, he still received extremely cruel punishment after the trial because he hurt his fellow senior sister. He couldn't even get out of bed for a long time.
Ning Ning felt pain all over her body just by looking at those words, let alone letting Pei Ji experience it personally. After thinking about it carefully for a moment, her heart moved.
The system only said "disturbing his mind", but never said "do not avoid Pei Ji's attack".
The person in the original novel was deliberately plotting, so he would naturally hurt himself on purpose; and since she didn't want Pei Ji to bear the blame, she just needed to retreat safely - after all, Ning Ning's major was in body skills and speed, so if she gave it her all, she would surely not get hurt.
In this way, the premise of "harming fellow disciples" no longer exists. Then if she stands on Pei Ji's side and explains a few words, things won't get too out of hand.
A perfect battle plan!
Ningning gave herself a thumbs up in her heart, took a deep breath, and stepped forward into the water.
The water in the pond was cold, enough to cover her waist and abdomen. The chill below her abdomen was bone-chilling. The swirling waves made her skirt flutter and gently brushed her knees and ankles.
Ning Ning walked forward in the water, just like in the original book, and tentatively called out, "Pei Ji?"
Pei Ji stood in front of the waterfall with her eyes closed. Her voice blended with the huge sound of water and did not sound clear.
Ningning wanted to scream again, but suddenly she saw the demonic energy around him. Then her long eyelashes trembled slightly and she slowly opened her eyes.
The original novel gave a rough description of the scene at this time, saying only that the dark air was surging and extremely sinister. Now it was her turn to see it clearly, and she finally realized some of the pain that Pei Ji had never expressed.
His skin was originally a strangely cold white, and now with the demonic energy rushing through his body, causing unbearable pain, it had lost all its color and became extremely weak.
His forehead was soaked with cold sweat and water mist, and strands of black hair were stuck to his temples. Under the extreme black and white contrast, he was beautiful, but it seemed as if he would break at the slightest touch.
Pei Ji seemed to have no strength left to open his eyes. When his eyelashes drooped wearily, a heavy shadow was cast. The shadows made her pupils appear dark and dull, reminding her of a deep lake in the night.
In his eyes, besides pure black, there is also red that spreads unrestrainedly. Bloodshot filled almost the entire white of the eye. At first glance, it looked like the eyeball was stained with blood, exuding a beast-like violent aura.
Or perhaps it could be said that Pei Ji today is not much different from a wild beast.
Depressed, violent, and painful.
The overflowing demonic energy will not only collide with the sword energy and bring heart-wrenching pain, but in more serious cases, it will even disturb the mind and cause the host to indiscriminately attack others.
Unfortunately, Ningning is this "other person".
Pei Ji's eyes were really fierce. She felt uncomfortable being stared at. She took another step forward and recited the lines from the original novel step by step: "Why are you here alone?"
Just like in the original novel, he did not make any response except opening his eyes earlier than the original plot.
Ningning had no choice but to suppress her nervousness and pretend to be calm as she continued to move forward.
The closer she got to Pei Ji, the more she could feel the cold murderous intent like a poisonous snake, invisibly entwining around her. The black mist-like evil spirits dissipated like smoke and dust, intertwining and blending with the waterfall behind them, and even the water vapor had a light black color.
In such an atmosphere, the girl's clear voice seemed particularly abrupt: "Are you feeling unwell? Or... is the evil spirit acting up again?"
"Demonic energy?"
Lin Qian, who was outside the mysterious mirror, frowned slightly, and then she remembered that this little disciple of Tian Xianzi had a special identity, being the offspring of a demon cultivator.
In the war between immortals and demons, many people from various major sects suffered casualties, so many elders were prejudiced against the demon bloodline, and some even said openly that they would never accept the descendants of demons as disciples in their lifetime.
Tian Xianzi pouted and said, "What's wrong with the evil spirit? Did the evil spirit eat your rice?"
Lin Qian glared at him.
She has been with beasts for many years and doesn't care about bloodline, but...
Qu Feiqing, who was standing by, stopped smiling and finished her unfinished words: "Pei Ji's evil spirit attacks. What if he hurts Ning Ning? He——"
The word "he" was stuck in the middle of his throat, neither rising nor falling, and only a low breath sound came out. Qu Feiqing stopped talking here and stared into the mysterious mirror without blinking.
Ningning walked forward slowly and stopped when she was only one person away from Pei Ji.
She called out several times but got no response. Just as she was about to look up to see his situation, she saw the black-clad young man in front of her suddenly frowned.
——Then he took a step forward without warning, causing surging waves of water and black mist, and before Ningning could react, he grabbed her arm.
Ningning was confused.
This is not the plot in the original novel. According to the established plot, it should be [the sword energy shattered and rushed towards the face of the intruder. Ning Ning did not expect that he would kill him directly, and hurriedly stepped back a few steps]——
This is the right way!
She thought she knew Pei Ji's next move, so she focused all her attention on the surrounding aura, trying to dodge it the moment the sword aura burst out.
...But why would he do it directly?
She was not on guard, so Pei Ji didn't use much strength. He pulled her, forcing Ningning to move closer to him and almost bumping into his chest.
If this were a romantic love story, the next plot would most likely be "kissing against the wall" or confessing love by pinching the waist.
Unfortunately, Ningning was not so lucky. When the two were just a few feet away from each other, Pei Ji grabbed her neck.
...Okay.
Pei Ji didn't use much force, but his knuckles were cold, like black iron covering her skin. His eyes were cloudy and unclear, just like stagnant water filled with mud. When he stared at her, there was something creepy about them.
Ningning held her breath and secretly grasped the Star Mark Sword at her waist.
The mind is most unstable when demonic energy overflows, and once affected, it is easy to start a killing spree.
The evil energy lingering around her was getting heavier and heavier, and the system in her head was silent. She knew that Pei Ji's mind had been disturbed. The mission was successfully completed. The next thing to do was to escape from him unscathed.
Ningning made up her mind and was about to raise her hand to grab his wrist, but she saw Pei Ji looked dazed and seemed to be stunned for a moment.
The right hand that was strangling her neck loosened a little.
If everything that has happened so far is still within the framework of the original plot, then the next scene will blatantly tear the original work to pieces and completely deviate from the established plot.
Ning Ning saw that he looked extremely painful, but a faint light flashed in his pupils. She called out in an almost inaudible voice: "... Junior Sister?"
In the chaos of cognition, Pei Ji actually recognized her.
She originally wanted to say "hmm".
Unexpectedly, Pei Ji's eyes dimmed again, and he actually moved his right hand away from her neck. Ning Ning was a little surprised, and thought she had escaped, but unexpectedly, he held her arm again in a flash -
But with a slight pull and a twist, it was pushed to the stone wall beside the waterfall.
Ningning really didn't understand Pei Ji's train of thought at this moment, especially when she blinked and saw him approaching her, standing very close to her, staring at her without saying a word.
He seemed to have regained some consciousness, but was still confused and at a loss. The bloodshot eyes became more violent and his thin lips were trembling slightly, like a thin piece of paper.
Pei Ji's whole body was shaking, his dark pupils were filled with many difficult to discern emotions, demonic energy gradually surged up, covering his brows and face.
This should have been an extremely terrifying scene, but when Ningning caught a glimpse of the puddle of water all over his body and a hint of light pink at the corners of his eyes, she inexplicably felt as if there was a big wet dog standing in front of her, with a sense of unspeakable grievance.
She had never had such a close and undisguised eye contact with anyone before, not to mention that the other person was a very handsome boy of the same age.
Ningning was subconsciously a little panicked.
It seems a little too close...
"Pei Ji?"
She tried calling his name again, but with her back against the cold stone wall, she could only move a step to the right without making a sound, trying to escape from his extremely close grasp. But as soon as she moved, Pei Ji raised his hand and pressed it on the stone wall, blocking her way.
Escape failed.
He frowned, looking a little impatient. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but the light pink peach color at the end of his eye became more obvious and blended into a darker red.
"Pei... Ji! Pei Ji!"
Chengying's voice in his ears gradually became clearer. Pei Ji's whole body froze. He pressed his palms against the stone wall and exerted force secretly, until his knuckles turned white.
"Thank God! You can finally hear me!"
Chengying sighed, his tone showing undisguised joy: "I was scared to death. Ever since your demonic energy leaked out, you haven't been able to hear my voice. How did you feel just now?"
Pei Ji replied indifferently with a “hmm”.
To be honest, his thoughts were still a mess.
The pain in his body had not yet subsided, and every bone seemed to be soaked in pain. It felt like there was a knife constantly cutting his head, making it impossible for him to think about too much.
For example, why did he regain consciousness the moment he touched Ningning; or how he trapped her in this corner so that there was almost no distance between them.
She must have been frightened by him, and she was staring at him blankly with her eyelashes raised. Through those bright almond eyes, Pei Ji saw clearly what he looked like now.
He was surrounded by evil spirits, his clothes were soaked, his expression was terrifying, his long hair was scattered messily behind him, some of it stuck to his cheeks, reflecting his scarlet eyes.
This strange and terrifying appearance is indeed him.
"Do you remember what happened before?"
Chengying spoke carefully, explaining the situation to him diligently: "Ningning saw you go into the water alone and thought something had happened, so she went in to find out what was going on."
It couldn't help but raise its voice as it spoke: "She is so good to you, willing to risk her life to get into the water - Pei Xiaoji, you must not bully her."
Pei Ji thought, this is not bullying.
He just... for some unknown reason, didn't want her to leave, and was afraid that she would leave.
The severe pain all over his body was still eating away at his sanity, and the silent boy clenched his hands into fists.
It's incredible to say, Pei Ji has tried countless ways to suppress evil spirits since he was a child, but all ended in failure. But today, when he strangled Ningning's neck, his mind suddenly became clear, and he vaguely remembered her identity.
So strange.
Even now, only when he was close to Ningning, his heart, which was hanging in the air due to the evil spirit, would feel a little more at ease.
Pei Ji lowered his eyes in silence. In the girl's dark pupils, his miserable shadow was reflected honestly.
He was upset for a moment and didn't want her to see him like this, so he stretched out his hand and blocked her view.
The girl's eyelashes trembled up and down, gently brushing against his sensitive palm, bringing a tickling itch to his heart and lungs.
Ning Ning heard Pei Ji speak in a low voice, his voice trembling with pain: "Don't look... Can you stay with me?"
=====
The young boy's slender figure was wrapped in black clothes, which were stained with moisture and stuck tightly to his body, revealing his thin waist.
Suddenly, the picture disappeared from my field of vision, and all I could see was endless darkness.
Outside the mysterious mirror, there was wailing.
——Pei Ji deliberately broke the visual spirit that was transmitting the picture beside the waterfall, disregarded the law, and rubbed the trial rules on the ground.
Lin Qian sang like a soprano: “What’s going on! That brat actually broke the Visionary! Broken! Doesn’t he know that this is strictly prohibited!!!”
A female cultivator from Haoran Sect banged her head against the table and pounded her fists, "What's next? What's next? I'm more excited than both of them, but what's next?"
Tian Xianzi was indeed afraid of poverty, and he used his fingers to count on an abacus tremblingly: "How many spirit stones are there for a vision spirit? Does our sect have the money to pay?"
After saying this, he looked around with great sorrow, only to find that a large group of people had gathered behind him without him noticing.
Tian Xianzi felt even more uncomfortable when he thought of so many witnesses appearing out of nowhere. Without saying a word, he ordered them to leave, waving his hands repeatedly like he was driving ducks away: "Go away! A bunch of old men and women, what are you doing here? It's none of your business to interfere in young people's affairs, don't look at them!"
Qu Feiqing glanced at him and sneered, "How can a little brat over four hundred years old like you interrupt us when we, the older generation, are talking?"
"Everyone, please be patient. Since the vision spirit beside the waterfall has been destroyed, why not look at the world from a different angle and take a look at the other disciples."
Ji Yunkai was worthy of being the leader of a sect. He raised his little arm, and his slender index finger landed on the mysterious mirror, drawing another picture.
It is getting dark, and in the picture a young man and woman are sitting side by side in a cave, hugging their knees with their heads lowered in a very synchronized posture.
It is Lin Xun and Yun Duan Yue, the classic socially phobic duo.
Lin Xun was a man after all, so he took on the responsibility of breaking the silence without hesitation: "Senior Sister Yun, this cave is so small."
Yun Duan Yue didn't say anything, but pursed her lips and nodded, with a very obvious blush remaining on her ears.
There was another period of awkward silence. Xiao Bailong felt that this was not right. He looked around for a long time and fixed his eyes on a damp corner not far away.
"Senior Sister Yun, there is a centipede over there."
Lin Xun's face flushed, and he didn't dare look at her from beginning to end: "I'm counting its legs, do you want to join me?"
Yun Duan Yue kept her head down the whole time, and finally spoke up after hearing this: "56, I counted them a long time ago."
"oh!"
Lin Xun scratched his head and looked even more flustered: "Well, then, then, you are really good at counting."
"Thank you."
“No award.”
"Thank you very much."
"You're welcome."
“…”
“…”
"Well, how about we count together how many leaves there are on that vine? I'll be in charge of this side, and you'll be in charge of that side."
"Good. Junior Brother Lin is really interesting."
The two of them were so bored that they started counting the centipede's legs in unison. The elders all sighed and groaned, and both men and women fell into silence involuntarily after watching it.
As long as they themselves are not embarrassed, it will be others who are embarrassed.
Even Mayoi couldn't help but twitch her lips: "Which genius came up with the idea to put these two together?"
Ji Yunkai raised his hand with a smile on his face, "It's me!"
=====
It was very lively outside the mysterious mirror, but in the corners of the secret realm that could not be seen, it was much quieter.
Ningning was a little confused, and many thoughts filled her mind in an instant -
How come they were so close all of a sudden? Oh, no, it wasn't "very close", but there was physical contact without any warning.
Did Pei Ji’s brain get burned by the evil spirit? Shouldn't he give her a good beating?
Also, this plot development is completely different from what was agreed... right?
Her mind was in a mess, but she had to admit that Pei Ji's words were extremely damaging.
He has always had a cold and hard temper and never shows weakness to anyone. His voice was half hoarse at this moment, but it retained some of the clear and pleasant sound that is unique to young people. He recited it in a low voice just now, as if begging or acting coquettishly.
The solid wall in Ningning's mind collapsed into pieces, and she immediately became soft-hearted without any principles.
Pei Ji's palms were frighteningly cold, like temperatureless black iron. The distance between them was really too close. Although it was pitch black in front of her, Ningning could still smell the fresh plant fragrance with moisture on his body.
The young man's breathing was heavy and rapid, with a gentle warmth that blended with the cool water vapor around it, occasionally entangled with her own breath, making her ears feel hot and itchy.
When his breathing gradually calmed down, Ning Ning finally spoke softly with a bit of uncertainty in her tone: "Are you... feeling uncomfortable?"
After saying this, I couldn't help but think, isn't this just nonsense? He is like this, how can he not be uncomfortable.
She couldn't see what Pei Ji looked like at the moment. After some thought, she grasped the wet hem of her skirt with her fingers and made up her mind.
When Ningning raised her right hand, it was filled with the cool water from the pond. After wiping it on her clothes for a while, she stretched it forward with a little hesitation.
Her movements were cautious, and when her palm touched Pei Ji's back, she could clearly feel the latter's spine instantly stiffen and he did not move at all.
"When I was feeling down in the past, my family members comforted me in this way."
Ning Ning's movements were very clumsy. Her palms brushed across his bones that were protruding due to his thinness. Her heart trembled: "...I don't know if this will be of any use to you."
The girl's palms were warm, delicate, and incredibly soft, and as they stroked up and down his back, they were more gentle than the sound of running water.
Pei Ji slowed down his breathing, as if even the heavy breathing before was an unforgivable disturbance.
There were so many dark and complicated thoughts in his mind just now, but because of this unfamiliar touch, they all disappeared and he could not remember anything.
He had lived in endless scolding and beatings since he was a child. As he grew up, he gradually learned how to fight and use swordsmanship. Life was cold and hard, so he had never experienced such gentle and tender little actions as these.
"Everything will be fine, don't be afraid."
Ningning's voice was very soft, like a dandelion brushing past Pei Ji's ears, and it felt like a dream, unreal: "You are not scary, and I am not afraid of you - so put your hands down, it's okay."
It’s okay to put your hands down.
Even if I see him with such an abominable face... is it okay?
He stood there in a daze, and before he could react, he felt a sudden but soft warmth on his wrist.
Ningning pressed Pei Ji's wrist with her free left hand, using just a little force, and then moved his palm down, revealing her bright and fair face.
The two lines of sight collided directly.
Ningning raised the corners of her mouth, forming a small and delicate arc, and her round almond eyes tilted upwards slightly, also curved brightly, like the bright moonlight hanging over the distant mountains, and gave him an unguarded smile: "This is good! In fact, you are very beautiful."
It was as if it suddenly hit my heart, causing my chest to tremble heavily.
Chengying was speechless this time. He disappeared after uttering a long "ah". He probably hid in some corner of his sea of consciousness, rolling around and flying freely.
As for Pei Ji.
Pei Ji's throat rolled up and down, and he turned around with a stern face. There was no fluctuation in his voice, and his black hair covered the red on his ears: "Let's go."
"Are you okay?"
Ning Ning followed him and said cheerfully, "By the way, you should eat more in the future. When I touched your back just now, it was all bones. It almost hurt me to death."
When I touched his back.
He acted recklessly before, mostly because he was driven by evil spirit. When the black fog dissipated, Pei Ji finally regained his sanity.
Oh, he seemed to be acting coquettishly and asked her to accompany him.
The strange touch seemed to still linger on his back. Pei Ji's ears suddenly turned red and he hurriedly turned around to glance at Ning Ning.
Seeing the little girl staring at him seriously, as if trying to hide something, he lowered his body expressionlessly and buried his entire head in the water.
Cheng Ying kept clicking his tongue and sighing, "What are you doing? You are just trying to cover your ears and steal the bell. Do you really think that if you immerse your head in a puddle of water, others won't notice you and you'll blush? I saw it all, Pei Xiaoji."
Ning Ning didn't understand his intention and called out in confusion: "Pei Ji?"
The water surface was quiet, with a few bubbles popping up and gurgling into small transparent pearls.
Not long after, Pei Ji quickly stood up from underwater, as if nothing had happened. He took out a men's dark blue shirt from his storage bag and gently put it on Ning Ning's head: "Don't catch a cold."
His clothes were always folded meticulously and had a fresh soapy scent.
Ning Ning took it with a smile, and with a teasing intention, she also took out a female cloak with flower embroidered butterflies from her storage bag and threw it directly at Pei Ji's forehead: "You too."
The two of them went ashore one after the other. Fortunately, with Pei Ji's clothes, the cold wind around them blew through the wet fabric, so Ningning didn't shiver from the cold.
When I put on my coat and looked up, I saw Qiao Yan standing blankly on the side of the road.
Qiao Yan felt a little conflicted.
She was just strolling around casually, and never expected to see such a scene so unexpectedly.
Just imagine, a man and a woman came out of a puddle of water together, talking and laughing, and both were getting dressed. What exactly did these two people do before?
What kind of love and debauchery must they have been experiencing to allow them to wear each other's clothes and walk so ostentatiously on the street.
The interests of those who practice Taoism are truly something that others cannot understand.
Pei Ji obediently put on a light pink women's cloak. His handsome face was extremely pale and his expression was as gloomy as a dead person.
Ningning stretched out her arm to act as Erkang's hand, but because her coat was too big, her palm was not exposed at all: "Miss Qiao, listen to me!"
Qiao Yan apologized solemnly, suppressed her inner excitement, covered her face and ran away.
Ningning: ...
Ning Ning poked Pei Ji's arm and asked, "Who among us will explain tonight?"
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