Song Ciwan stood by the ruins of Yao Fang Courtyard, watching as a plume of qi rose from the top of Wang Yi’s head.

The Heaven and Earth Scale automatically collected it: [Human desires. The thoughts, sorrows, and confusion of a Qi Nourishing Realm Scholar. Five taels and five maces. Sellable.]

Song Ciwan: ...

’Was this laughable, or was it lamentable?’

’No, there was no lamenting, only laughter.’

’The little lamb was being too proactive. It was truly exasperating.’

’It wasn’t that Song Ciwan insisted on fleecing him. It was just a coincidence that they met, and he just had to go and offer himself up. What else could she do?’

Just then, Zhou Bo’s expression was moved. As if talking to himself, yet also questioning Wang Yi, he said, "Because you have an old friend in your heart, you will never be utterly bewitched by Princess Chunshui, no matter what?"

Wang Yi let out a wistful sigh, but then said with a wry smile, "To be honest with you, Brother Zhou, this old friend of mine has already passed away. In my heart, she is like the moon in the sky or a flower in a mirror. She will never fade, yet she will forever be unreachable."

"Perhaps it is precisely because of this that I am able to avoid being enchanted by Princess Chunshui."

"However, if time could be turned back, I would rather my old friend were still alive."

"She wouldn’t have to be an image etched in a mirror, nor hung high in the sky. If she could be by my side, wouldn’t that surpass countless beautiful days and fine scenes?"

These words were truly moving. The Heaven and Earth Scale appeared again, collecting another plume of qi.

[Human desires. The Sorrow, grief, and obsession of a Qi Nourishing Realm Scholar. Three taels and five maces. Sellable.]

Without a doubt, the fact that such a plume of "human desires" could surge forth was enough to prove Wang Yi’s sincerity.

But the weight of these "human desires" was pitifully light, which was also enough to prove that even if Wang Yi was sincere, his sincerity was extremely limited.

’He really is a super-scammer, one who can turn "doubt" into "no doubt," fooling heaven, earth, and even himself!’

Then, Wang Yi spoke again, "Brother Zhou, there is a matter I have been speculating about for a long time but have never dared to conclude. Now that you are here, I ask for your insight."

Zhou Bo immediately replied, "Please, elaborate."

Wang Yi began to explain in detail. "A month ago, Princess Chunshui’s fame suddenly exploded here in Yao Fang Courtyard. The main reason for this surge in popularity was that two young masters from wealthy families fought over her out of jealousy, resulting in one death and one injury."

"Here in Bright Moon Square, there are countless beauties, and disputes arise every day. It’s not particularly strange for some romantic figures to fight over a beauty, resulting in death or injury."

"What’s strange is that for an ordinary beauty, if one of her suitors were to die or be injured, her reputation would, one way or another, be negatively affected to some degree. Afterward, her gates would surely be deserted for a time."

"Only with Princess Chunshui, the more incidents that occur around her, the more her fame flourishes. Her charm... also seems to grow stronger."

"That’s the first point. The second is that tonight, when Princess Chunshui underwent Demonization, her targets were extremely clear: our three brothers, Liu, Zhang, and Jian, bore the brunt of it. Could it be that these three had gravely offended Princess Chunshui in the past? After some thought, I don’t believe that’s the case."

"The real reason, perhaps, is that these three brothers admired Princess Chunshui the most deeply!"

"Princess Chunshui only kills those whose hearts are moved by her!"

"My own fortunate escape from death this time was not simply because I remained clear-headed. More importantly, it was perhaps because my heart was not moved, and therefore, Princess Chunshui’s Demon Technique was ineffective against me!"

"Brother Zhou, the best Dharma Gate to curb the growth of Princess Chunshui’s Demonic Qi might not be killing, but stillness! If everyone’s heart could be stilled, that scourge of tiny feet, perhaps, would no longer be able to spread."

This conclusion made Zhou Bo freeze for a moment. He raised a hand to gently stroke the Raccoon Dog Slave in his arms. As he was pondering, suddenly, wave after wave of faint, eerie laughter echoed through the surrounding air.

"You gentlemen are truly interesting. Don’t you know that of all the myriad spirits in this world, it is humans whose six roots are the most impure!"

"Never mind stilling everyone’s heart. I’m afraid you can’t even still your own..."

"Hee hee hee, if you don’t believe me, why don’t you try, my lords!"

"Come and try..."

"Try..."

The faint, eerie laughter echoed softly, like an ethereal silk ribbon floating amidst the night and the ruins. It was also like a sudden gust of wind, weaving out from a hidden place to brush past their ears and through their hearts.

No one could remain unscared. Cradling the cat in one arm, Zhou Bo stretched his other hand into the air, and a Doubi materialized out of thin air in his palm.

Holding the brush, Zhou Bo shouted in a low voice, "Princess Chunshui, come out!"

The faint, eerie laughter seemed to be a single voice, yet also like countless voices overlapping. "Hee hee hee, but I have come out, my lords. Young Master Zhou, Young Master Wang, can’t you see me?"

"Hee hee hee..."

Amidst the layers upon layers of laughter, one graceful figure after another walked out from the Void.

"They" moved with light, lotus-like steps, beginning to dance gracefully. Every gesture of their hands and feet stirred gusts of fragrant wind.

But "they" all clearly had the same face. A face so charmingly beautiful and vibrant that a single smile or the raise of an eyebrow exuded endless allure. "They" were all Princess Chunshui!

Then, without giving Zhou Bo or Wang Yi any time to react, these Princess Chunshuis, their feet tracing dance steps and their lips singing a ballad, giggled as they charged forward in unison.

Like fledgling swallows returning to the forest, or moths flying into a flame, they threw themselves at Wang Yi and Zhou Bo!

Wang Yi’s reaction was surprisingly fast, even faster than Zhou Bo’s.

He reached out, bit his own fingertip, and used the fresh blood to write the two words "No Doubt" on his body.

Golden light pulsed as the glow of "No Doubt" illuminated Wang Yi’s entire body. He bellowed, "Witch, you cannot bewitch me!"

Before his voice had even faded, a stunningly beautiful face suddenly emerged from beneath Wang Yi. In a flash, the beauty’s face was right in front of his, face to face, eye to eye.

Princess Chunshui’s breath was as fragrant as orchids. She laughed softly, "My lord, is your heart truly not moved? Hee hee hee..."

Wang Yi stood rooted to the spot, his face flushed bright red, and immediately squeezed his eyes shut.

Princess Chunshui threw her arms around him. Her soft, delicate hands caressed his cheeks, her cherry-red lips whispering by his ear, "My lord, my lord..."

And it wasn’t just Wang Yi who received this treatment. Over by Zhou Bo, even more Princess Chunshuis had gathered.

One, two, three... five Princess Chunshuis surrounded Zhou Bo. One beauty slowly disrobed, another danced with fluttering grace, and another drew near as if to massage his back. But the instant she touched Zhou Bo, a strong cyan light erupted from his body.

The Princess Chunshui who had come over to massage his back cried out weakly in pain, "Ah! It hurts..."

Where the cyan light passed, that Princess Chunshui’s body melted away in an instant, like fine snow meeting the scorching sun.

But though one Princess Chunshui had melted, even more of them swarmed forward.

For a moment, the entire ruins of Yao Fang Courtyard had become Princess Chunshui’s world.