Same Bed, Different Dreams

Tianyin Division hosted a grand banquet in Jinse Hall, drawing cultivators from all around.

As dusk fell, the female disciples of Tianyin Division plucked at the strings of a phoenix-headed konghou, their delicate melodies rising in the air, clear and elegant.

Ji Rong took a sip of wine, her expression calm, yet her gaze lingered among the disciples of Tianyin Division.

[Player, have you made your decision? Please confirm if you wish to proceed to the Tianshui Secret Realm.]

What a ridiculous question, of course, she was going!

Ji Rong's eyes locked onto the flutist standing at the center of a group of beautiful women. Without hesitation, she told her system, "Obviously."

If she didn't enter the Tianshui Secret Realm, Gu Baiyi would be leveling up solo, and before long, the gap between them would widen. Then, she'd inevitably find herself pinned to the ground by the heroine and stabbed through the heart.

Besides, only the most outstanding young cultivators were allowed into the secret realm, and among them were both dashing men and stunning women.

Of course, to her, the men were secondary, the women were what truly mattered.

Take, for instance, the woman currently playing Echoes of Birds in the Empty Mountains. She wore a jade pendant at her waist, her fingers long and fair as they held the flute. When she lowered her gaze, she exuded a quiet, graceful charm.

[Lan Cen, the last disciple of the Tianyin Division's sect leader. Currently at the Insightful Realm. Known as the "Peerless Melody of Tianyin."]

Ji Rong nodded in approval, finally, this trashy system was proving useful for once.

Lan Cen was renowned in the game as an atmospheric beauty. Perhaps she wasn't as dazzlingly powerful as Mei He, nor did she possess the unparalleled grace of the original host, but within the Tianyin Division, seated beside a konghou and a guqin, playing amidst the breeze, she could pass as an immortal fairy descended to earth.

Perhaps Ji Rong's gaze was too blatant, for when the song ended, Lan Cen slowly lowered her jade flute and glanced at her.

Meeting those frost-kissed eyes, Ji Rong kept her face calm, but her heart skipped a beat.

Beautiful women were truly mesmerizing.

Lan Cen, too, was momentarily taken aback.

She had sensed a burning gaze on her during the performance, which left her somewhat displeased.

Naturally, she had assumed it belonged to some inexperienced young man from another sect. But to her surprise, it was a woman.

And not just any woman, one with unparalleled features, an air of nobility, and an elegant presence.

If it had been a man, she would have responded with a cold glare. But seeing that it was a woman, one even more beautiful than her master, the annoyance in her heart faded, replaced by a spark of curiosity.

[Ding! Lan Cen's favorability +5.]

Ji Rong: !!

She had only admired a beauty, and she was already being rewarded?

Her heart fluttered slightly.

As the banquet progressed, the hall filled with laughter and the clinking of wine cups.

Just as the festivities were at their peak, a young disciple hurried in from the side hall. He strode quickly toward a white-robed man seated at the head of the gathering and whispered a few words. The man listened, his brow furrowing slightly.

Then, he rose and addressed the room in a gentle voice. "My apologies, everyone. My master is currently preoccupied and unable to attend in person. On behalf of the Tianyin Division, I extend a warm welcome to all. Please accept this toast as a token of our hospitality."

This man was Tang Yu, the first disciple of the Tianyin Division and a favored student of the sect leader, Meng Ruo. Currently, he was at the peak of the Riding the Wind Realm.

When it came to Meng Ruo, Ji Rong could only think of her legendary romance with Yan Haiyao in the game's storyline.

The game described their story as follows:

—

Yan Haiyao sat on his high seat, gazing at the gathered disciples with a smile.

In his palm lay a Zhongming flower, its fiery golden petals radiant as the morning sun.

A girl in blue stood before him, her eyes bright as clear springs. She stood there quietly, outshining even the jade steps of the hall.

Yan Haiyao was momentarily dazed, then he descended the stairs and approached her, the Zhongming flower in hand.

The girl's expression was gentle. She lifted her pearl-like eyes to meet his gaze.

Yan Haiyao smiled, his voice soft. "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

She looked at him and gave a barely perceptible nod.

Yan Haiyao placed the flower in her hand, his smile deepening. "From this day forward, you are my only disciple."

—

As Ji Rong recalled the game's plot, she sighed over missing the chance to meet the fairy-like Meng Ruo in person, while casually observing Tang Yu.

He was warm and refined, yet for some reason, she noticed a strange glint in Lan Cen's eyes as she looked at him.

Even more intriguing, after Tang Yu's speech, Lan Cen pursed her lips, fingers brushing over her flute, a hint of mockery in her expression.

Something was definitely off.

Unfortunately, Ji Rong had always been more interested in combat mechanics and in-game fashion rather than storyline details. She had skipped most of the narrative, so she had little information about Tang Yu beyond his status as an unimportant NPC. Now, she desperately wanted to eavesdrop on the drama, but she lacked the context to fully enjoy the gossip.

—

As night deepened, the banquet came to an end.

Tianyin Division disciples led Ji Rong to her accommodations. They passed through winding paths and artificial rock gardens until a refined little residence came into view.

As she approached, she noticed the plaque above the entrance, inscribed with the characters Haoran.

The name likely stemmed from the saying: "With a single breath of Haoran righteousness, the wind sweeps across a thousand miles."

Ji Rong had no idea if this place embodied such lofty ideals, but as soon as she stepped into the courtyard and saw the familiar purple-clad figure at the door, her sense of ease instantly vanished.

Has the heroine driven a hearse in her past life? Why else would she haunt her like a lingering spirit?

Gu Baiyi leaned casually against the doorway, flashing a friendly smile. "What a coincidence. It seems we've been assigned to the same residence, Senior Sister."

Ha. A coincidence indeed. How unbelievably "fortunate."

She distinctly remembered that in the game, Gu Baiyi was supposed to share a room with Qiu Sushuang, where they'd deepen their bond. So what the hell was she doing here at Ji Rong's doorstep in the middle of the night?

Ji Rong gave a slight nod, her expression blank. "Mm. What a coincidence."

In truth, Gu Baiyi was originally assigned to Qiu Sushuang's room, but due to her past-life regrets, she didn't want to drag Qiu Sushuang into trouble again.

So she had told a little lie.

The Tianyin disciple in charge of assignments had asked, "Why are you so insistent on sharing a room with that Senior Sister Ji?"

Feigning hesitation, Gu Baiyi cast a meaningful look at the disciple and whispered, "This matter is... difficult for me to put into words. I hope Senior Brother understands..."

Seeing her flushed cheeks, the disciple was momentarily stunned.

Then, as if suddenly enlightened, he coughed lightly and quietly changed the room assignment.

Gu Baiyi had expected her Senior Sister to be displeased.

Sure enough, Ji Rong entered the room, immediately threw open the windows as if trying to exorcise evil spirits, then turned to her with an expressionless gaze before shutting them again.

Gu Baiyi blinked, wondering if she had made a mistake somewhere.

She walked to the pond, smiling at her reflection.

Her smile was polite, gentle, genuinely friendly.

Gu Baiyi touched the corner of her lips, satisfied. She was certain her smile had been perfectly executed.

A pebble splashed into the pond, shattering the woman's laughter.

Ripples spread from the center of the pool. Gu Baiyi frowned as she watched the trembling reflection in the water. She narrowed her eyes, thinking to herself that she still needed to refine her acting skills.

…

Ji Rong sat in her room, filled with melancholy.

She had a reasonable suspicion that she was playing a fake game and had met a fake heroine.

Then, she touched the blood jade bracelet on her wrist and suddenly realized, she was the biggest fraud of them all.

She was furious.

Not only did the deranged heroine refuse to follow the plot, but she also played completely off-script.

Her house had collapsed, her favorite CP had ended in tragedy, and in the end, she was left shouldering everything alone.

Thankfully, she still had her wife.

Ji Rong's mind conjured up every smile and glance from Mei He, and instantly, all hardships seemed to fade away. In her eyes and heart, there was only the breathtaking beauty of her wife.

As long as her wife didn't disappoint her, this world still had hope.

So she wanted to live, to survive carefully.

Ji Rong glanced at the two beds in the room and decisively chose the one by the window.

The reason was simple: if the heroine decided to take revenge and assassinate her in the middle of the night, the window was the best escape route.

By the time Gu Baiyi stepped into the room, the candle had already been extinguished.

Ji Rong lay flat on the bed, covered by a thin blanket.

Moonlight filtered through the window, casting shadows on her eyelashes like a delicate feathered fan.

Gu Baiyi moved lightly, stepping noiselessly to the bedside.

But when she looked down at Ji Rong, she couldn't help but chuckle, a mix of amusement and exasperation.

It was obvious, Ji Rong was pretending to be asleep.

Although she had tried her best to appear relaxed, even splaying her hands out naturally, her steady, peaceful sleeping posture was just a bit too deliberate.

But Gu Baiyi noticed the subtle tremor of her eyelashes and her slightly uneven breathing. A knowing smile curled on her lips in the dark.

Ji Rong, too, realized her breathing was off.

After all, who could sleep soundly when their sworn enemy, the one who might one day pierce their heart with a sword, was lying just a few feet away?

Since she had already been caught, Ji Rong simply opened her eyes and stared at Gu Baiyi. She asked flatly, "Why aren't you sleeping, Junior Sister?"

To her surprise, Gu Baiyi countered with a smile, "Why aren't you sleeping, Senior Sister?"

What kind of stupid question was that? How was she supposed to sleep when a lunatic was lying just an arm's length away?

Ji Rong shot Gu Baiyi a cold look, hoping she would take the hint.

But Gu Baiyi merely smiled, the faint moonlight reflecting in her eyes, her voice tinged with an inexplicable melancholy. "Could it be… that Senior Sister truly despises me so much?"

Yes. You got it exactly right.

Ji Rong was absolutely certain, the heroine was acting.

But then, Gu Baiyi pressed her lips together, let out a bitter chuckle, and murmured to herself, "I see… So that's how it is. I understand now."

She then stood up, turning toward the door.

It was still the first month of the year, and being in the mountains of Qixia, the night was bitterly cold.

With a faint smile, she walked forward step by step, counting silently in her mind.

Three seconds later—

"Where do you think you're going in the middle of the night?"

As expected.

A glint of mischief flashed in Gu Baiyi's eyes as she wiped the smile from her face, hesitated, then turned back with a low voice, "Since Senior Sister doesn't wish to share a room with me, I shall find somewhere else."

"And where exactly do you plan to go at this hour?"

Gu Baiyi raised an eyebrow. "To the ends of the earth, perhaps?"

Ji Rong's voice turned cold. "Clever words and a deceitful heart."

"Clever words and a deceitful heart?" Gu Baiyi chuckled softly. "Senior Sister is mistaken. The world is vast, and for a cultivator, home is wherever they stand. There's nowhere I cannot go."

She smiled sweetly, watching Ji Rong's every expression.

Ji Rong couldn't help but sigh, what a fine cup of millennium-aged tea. The heroine's tea skills were truly unparalleled.

Gu Baiyi's tactics were too advanced. Ji Rong knew this woman was most likely putting on an act, and yet, she had still fallen for it, stepping right into her trap.

After all, she had always had a soft spot for beauty, and even if this beauty was a lunatic, she couldn't bear to let her wander in the cold.

Determined to regain control of the situation, Ji Rong mimicked the aloof demeanor of the original host, lifted her chin slightly, and said to Gu Baiyi, "If I don't wish to share a room with you and want you gone, does that mean you'll leave no matter where I send you?"

Gu Baiyi nodded. "Of course."

Ji Rong smiled and looked straight at her. "Then come here."

Gu Baiyi: "..."

Ji Rong glanced at her, the smile never leaving her lips. Slowly, she asked, "Didn't you say you could go anywhere? What's the matter? Afraid to come closer?"

Gu Baiyi fell silent for a long moment.

Ji Rong smirked to herself, Ha, as if I wouldn't know how to handle a master manipulator like you.

But just as she was feeling triumphant, Gu Baiyi's lips curved into a serene smile. "If that's the case, then I shall obey."

Ji Rong: "???"

Wait, she's actually doing it?!

…

The night stretched long, and sleep eluded Ji Rong.

Because on one side of the room was her, and on the other side was the heroine.

It was as if an invisible boundary had been drawn between them, a battlefield where neither side spoke, where the air crackled with tension.

The entire Haoran Residence was so quiet that even the chirping of insects and birds could be heard. Yet, neither of them had any intention of breaking the silence.

Ji Rong swore that if she could go back in time, she would never have provoked the heroine just for the sake of winning a verbal spar.

After all, a lunatic was always a lunatic, you could never predict what kind of twisted logic was running through their mind.

But in truth, Gu Baiyi had been testing Ji Rong all along.

Ever since the trial, her Senior Sister's cold indifference hadn't changed, but her behavior had become… odd.

It made Gu Baiyi suspect, Ji Rong might not be who she seemed.

So, she continued to probe, searching for cracks in the façade.

And just like that night long ago, Ji Rong tilted her chin and spoke in that same teasing, arrogant tone.

Back then, when the plum blossoms were in full bloom and the night was as cool as water, that person had said, "What's the matter? Do you not have improper thoughts about me?"

And now, Ji Rong's words were almost identical, her lips curved in a playful smirk as she whispered, "What's the matter? Afraid to come closer?"

But this time, things were different.

In her past life, Gu Baiyi had hesitated, standing beneath the plum tree in a daze, allowing Ji Rong to lift her chin and kiss her lips.

Now, her gaze was deep, locked onto that indifferent face.

Senior Sister…

This time, it's not that I don't dare to come closer.

It's that you should be afraid of me coming closer.