I Just Wanted to Live, but I Somehow Became Better Than the Main Character
Chapter 18: Sense of Security

Time always flew by quickly when you were with the person you liked. Soon, it was already midnight.

Ye Yong could have invited Qin Shi Meng to stay over, and he believed that with her current favorability, she would not refuse. But considering their reputation, he ultimately did not do so. Instead, he chivalrously sent her and Lil Huan back to Treasure Sword Mountain.

Even as Ye Yong’s figure disappeared, Qin Shi Meng was still standing at the door of the courtyard, gazing blankly at his disappearing figure.

Seeing Qin Shi Meng in this state, Lil Huan poked her shoulder with her finger, “Young Lady, he’s already gone. Why are you still looking? Could you…?”

“Nonsense,” Qin Shi Meng scolded Lil Huan. “Since you’ve succeeded in forging your physique, you should go cultivate.”

Knowing that Qin Shi Meng was changing the subject, Lil Huan didn’t continue teasing her. Though she was very curious about what kind of sparring the two of them had done- sparring that made Qin Shi Meng return looking different, blushing and absent-minded.

In Lil Huan’s mind, Qin Shi Meng’s eyes were always full of aloofness and confidence, from childhood to adulthood. But at this moment, they seemed a bit softer and lost, like a young girl in love, which was quite rare.

“I asked Lil Xue how she cultivates,” Lil Huan said, “and she told me she doesn’t use any mental arts. She only consumed pills, closed her eyes, and sensed the existence of qi; then she entered the Qi Refinement stage.”

“No mental arts?” Qin Shi Meng was very puzzled.

Just like cultivators, martial artists also need a method to assist their cultivation. She didn’t believe Ye Yong would have neglected this. Even Lil Huan, who came later, had received a mental art. Clearly, there was something special about Wu Xue. “Okay, I will teach you. First, you must memorize the mental art…”

Qin Shi Meng glanced at the mental art Lil Huan brought out. Although it wasn’t as profound as her current Frozen Heart Jade Body Art, it was on par with the Heaven grade Frozen Heart Art her master had once given her.

Her expression suddenly became serious, and she said to Lil Huan,

“You must never reveal the contents of this cultivation method. If outsiders learn of it, they’ll either torture you to extract the information, and then kill you, or they’ll directly search your soul and turn you into an idiot, and then kill you.”

“Why does it always end in death?” Lil Huan asked, frightened.

“This shows how precious it is. If exposed, it could cause a bloody storm.”

“Is it really that terrifying?” Lil Huan felt that the piece of paper in her hand had suddenly become much heavier.

“Heaven grade mental arts aren’t as common. They can serve as a powerful legacy for a family. It’s fine if you get into trouble, but if you bring trouble…”

Qin Shi Meng didn’t need to finish. Lil Huan already understood the importance of the matter. She didn’t want to become a burden to Ye Yong. “I’ll burn it after memorizing it. I’ll never reveal it to anyone.”

“Mhmm.” Qin Shi Meng nodded and emphasized, “The path of cultivation is not always smooth. Only by becoming strong can one handle danger. Keep working hard and don’t give up halfway.”

…

Ye Yong returned to the other courtyard and found that Wu Xue had not gone to bed yet. She had clearly just showered- her skin moist and tender, with droplets of water still clinging to her neck.

As soon as she saw Ye Yong, Wu Xue hugged him and sniffed at his chest. As expected, I can smell Sister Shi Meng.

While eating, Wu Xue had felt that something was off between the two. And as for their sparring? Why would they carry the other’s scent if all they did was clash swords?

Wu Xue looked up at him, squinting her eyes. Though she didn’t say anything, Ye Yong seemed to understand her meaning.

Without rushing to explain, Ye Yong cupped Wu Xue’s face in his hands. Wu Xue’s body temperature quickly rose, and the blush on her cheeks deepened visibly.

“Young, Young Master…”

“Lil Xue, what would you think if I got back together with Shi Meng?” Ye Yong asked.

Hearing this, Wu Xue felt a bit jealous, but surprisingly, she wasn’t too sad or upset. Perhaps it was because she liked Qin Shi Meng too. And since Qin Shi Meng was Ye Yong’s former fiancée, it wouldn’t be that strange if the two got back together.

Wu Xue couldn’t quite understand her own feelings. She didn’t want to hear about Ye Yong with other women, but she knew it was inevitable.

“Sister Shi Meng is pretty good. She might seem cold at first, but she’s actually very gentle once you get to know her. And she’s never looked down on me. If Young Master wants to be with her…”

“Yeah, Shi Meng is a good girl,” Ye Yong said, rubbing Wu Xue’s face. “But what matters most? She doesn’t reject you. I’ve said it before, I won’t let anyone separate us, even if they’re my Dao Companion.”

Thump. Her heart skipped a beat.

Wu Xue’s favorability +10.

She suddenly realized that maybe it wasn’t Ye Yong being close to other women that scared her- it was the fear that he might neglect her. After all, she belonged to Ye Yong, and she couldn’t let go.

Seeing the mist gathering in Wu Xue’s eyes, Ye Yong gently kissed her forehead and held her close. Wu Xue clung tightly to his waist, nuzzling into him, as if she wanted to merge into his body.

A yandere was created when someone loved someone else so much that it became an illness, plagued by insecurity and fear of abandonment. Their control issues stemmed from this fear. But if this insecurity was dealt with properly by giving them care and a sense of security, all that’s left was their dere.

Ye Yong wasn’t worried about Wu Xue becoming a full-blown yandere. This was a cultivation world, after all. As long as he remained strong, he could easily subdue her- turning her from a dangerous yandere into an affectionate one.

What he was worried about was not giving Wu Xue a proper sense of security, leaving her to live in fear every day. Since he had chosen to pursue the heroines, Ye Yong wouldn’t just pursue them and then leave after gaining points.

He didn’t know what the future held, but at least for now, he believed he should treat every girl who opened her heart to him with sincerity.

Still, the most urgent matter right now is cultivation. Damn cultivation. So buggy.

…

In the following days, Ye Yong spent almost every day in his room taking pills and cultivating, only occasionally coming out to tease Wu Xue.

He wanted to invite Qin Shi Meng out for a meal to improve her favorability, but their schedules never matched- she was also focused on cultivating. Ye Yong, of course, wasn’t impatient. There would always be opportunities.

Yi Bai had likely made a big breakthrough and was still in seclusion, so Wu Xue’s training fell to Lu Xiao Xiao.

Why her? Because she was free and also practiced painting techniques. Though not as powerful as Yi Bai, Lu Xiao Xiao could still create Foundation Establishment Realm painting shadows.

At first, she was amazed by Wu Xue’s battle talent. She hadn’t expected that such a petite, gentle-looking girl could fight so fiercely.

With Lu Xiao Xiao’s help, Wu Xue’s combat experience and cultivation progressed rapidly. In just one month, she advanced from the 8th layer of the Qi Refinement Realm to the 2nd layer of the Flesh Refinement Realm, becoming a true novice martial artist.

As for Ye Yong.

“Phew.” He took a deep breath and stepped out of his room.

Today was the day the secret realm opened. After consuming thousands of beyond-grade spirit gathering pills, he had finally broken through to the 19th layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Don’t ask how he got through it- it was a nightmare. But effort was always rewarded. He was now close to the 20th layer and would soon reach the Crystallization Realm.

Of course, that was assuming there wasn’t some bug that doubled the requirements. If he had to reach the 40th layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm to break through to the Crystallization Realm, Ye Yong would start drinking spirit liquid like wine- wastefulness be damned.

It was already late. Ye Yong stepped onto his flying carpet and headed toward the gathering point, recalling the details of the secret realm from the novel and planning the best route to seize opportunities.