Chapter 289: First Encounter with Xiaoqing

"Mu Chen, is the story you told me true? Did Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai really end up together?" Xiao Bai asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern as they walked along the path. Deep down, she was still troubled by doubts about her identity.

"Of course, they turned into butterflies and lived happily ever after," Mu Chen replied confidently. He glanced at Xiao Bai, who was holding her jade hairpin tightly, and asked, "Are you still worried about who you are?"

"Mm." Xiao Bai nodded, looking at the jade hairpin. "I feel like this hairpin is deeply connected to me. It seems like some sort of magical artifact, but I don't know how to use it. If I could figure it out, maybe I'd remember who I am." She studied the inscription on the hairpin and murmured, "It has the characters 'Baoqing' engraved on it. Could it be a place nearby? Or… could it be my name?"

Xiao Bai looked up at Mu Chen, seeking answers. Mu Chen, knowing the full story, understood that "Baoqing" referred to the Baoqing Workshop, a shop in the nearby forest run by a fox spirit. However, he had no interest in Baoqing Workshop. His priority was reaching the tomb of Donghuang Taiyi to complete his mission.

"Mu Chen," Xiao Bai suddenly stopped walking. "I think I shouldn't stay with you."

"Why not?" Mu Chen asked, surprised.

"I don't know whether I'm a snake demon or not. If I am, I might bring you trouble," Xiao Bai said, revealing her inner fear.

"Xiao Bai," Mu Chen said, stepping closer. "Your beautiful eyes tell me you have a kind heart. It doesn't matter who or what you are. I care about the person you are right now. Come with me. Even if you're a snake demon, it won't change how I feel."

Mu Chen's words gave Xiao Bai pause. Slowly, she allowed him to take her hand, and they boarded a boat together.

The boat glided down the river, moving steadily. Xiao Bai, however, remained pensive, her worries gnawing at her.

As they traveled further, the water's flow began to quicken. The boat rocked back and forth violently.

"Something's wrong," Mu Chen said, his tone serious.

"Mm." Xiao Bai nodded, her gaze fixed ahead.

In the distance, they saw a lone figure fishing on a small boat. The person wore a conical hat and appeared calm despite the turbulent waters.

Suddenly, a two-meter-high wave surged toward Mu Chen's boat.

A deep, raspy voice echoed through the air: "So, you've betrayed Master by siding with a human. I'll take your life for this!"

The figure on the distant boat leapt into the air. As they rose higher, their body emitted a brilliant light, transforming into a massive purple python.

The python lashed its tail, sending it hurtling toward Mu Chen's boat with destructive force.

As the tail closed in, Xiao Bai's forehead sprouted white snake scales. Her slender legs transformed into a white serpent tail.

With a swift motion, she swung her tail, slicing through the purple python's tail with ease.

The severed tail fell into the water with a splash. The purple python let out a screech of pain before retreating. But Xiao Bai suddenly froze, her body trembling. Before Mu Chen could intervene, she collapsed unconscious.

"Xiao Bai!" Mu Chen called out, rushing to her side.

Meanwhile, the boatman, who had witnessed Xiao Bai's transformation, shrieked in terror. "A snake! A snake demon!"

Mu Chen moved swiftly, appearing before the boatman. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun into view. "You saw nothing. There's no snake demon. No snake demon. No snake demon."

The boatman's fear subsided as his eyes glazed over. "I saw nothing. No snake demon. No snake demon…"

As the boatman collapsed, Mu Chen turned his attention back to Xiao Bai. Cradling her in his arms, he scanned the surroundings with his powerful soul sense. Spotting a monastery hidden in a nearby forest, he quickly leaped through the air, landing at the entrance of the temple.

Xiao Bai shivered uncontrollably, her body wracked by cold. She clung tightly to Mu Chen, her face pale. Mu Chen felt the chill emanating from her, realizing it was no ordinary cold.

Channeling his Yin-Yang Twin Flames, he adjusted the flames to a precise temperature, dispelling the cold energy without harming her. As the night wore on, they remained close, with Mu Chen acting as her source of warmth.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the temple hall, waking Xiao Bai. She glanced at her legs and sighed in relief when she saw her human form restored. Memories of the previous day flashed through her mind, and her gaze softened as it rested on Mu Chen.

"You're awake," Mu Chen said, opening his eyes.

"That tail… I really am a snake demon, aren't I?" Xiao Bai said with a bitter smile.

"So what?" Mu Chen replied nonchalantly. "There are plenty of two-legged beasts walking around. What's the big deal about having a tail?"

Xiao Bai couldn't help but chuckle at his response. She reached out and gently touched his hand.

"What's wrong?" Mu Chen asked, noticing her hesitation.

"You're… not a bad person," Xiao Bai said, her cheeks tinged with pink.

"That's all?" Mu Chen teased, suddenly grasping her hand.

Xiao Bai blushed furiously, avoiding his gaze. Before she could react, Mu Chen leaned closer. She backed away instinctively until she found herself lying flat on the ground.

"Mm?" Xiao Bai's eyes widened as a strange, electrifying sensation spread through her lips. The warmth and comfort of the kiss made her heart race. Slowly, she raised her arms, wrapping them around Mu Chen's neck, returning the kiss.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations! You've shared a passionate kiss with Xiao Bai and earned 50,000 true qi points!"

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