The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

To be honest, Lu Sangjiu was indeed a little interested in Miao Miaomiao.

Mostly, it was because she always got a very peculiar feeling from Miao Miaomiao, one that made her want to get to the bottom of it.

’But... there would be plenty of opportunities to investigate later. Right now, of course, she had to choose to unconditionally support her friend!’

She had given Yan Zui plenty of face, and Yan Zui was beaming. Once they were a little farther away, she couldn’t help but give Lu Sangjiu a thumbs-up. "Awesome! It’s been a long time since I felt so vindicated."

Lu Sangjiu gave a modest smile, but inwardly, she was gloating. ’Mmm, perfect. I really nailed that cool-girl act.’

However, after placating Yan Zui, she didn’t forget to inquire further. "That Miao Miaomiao seems strangely interested in me. Ms. Yan Zui, do you have any idea why?"

Yan Zui shook her head, a blank look in her eyes. "I was going to ask you the same thing. Have you never met her before?"

Lu Sangjiu answered with certainty, "This is the first time we’ve ever met."

"That’s odd then." Yan Zui frowned. "From what I know of her, she never shows up unless she wants something. She only pays attention to people or things that can benefit her."

"Even though you’re my friend, you aren’t part of the Joyful Union Sect. Logically, she shouldn’t do something as brainless as trying to steal my friend just to spite me."

Lu Sangjiu nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm... let’s not worry about it then. If she’s truly determined, she’ll probably come find me again later anyway."

Yan Zui didn’t press the issue, only adding a word of caution. "She’s a very deep and calculating person. Be careful if you have to deal with her."

Lu Sangjiu blinked. "Don’t worry, I’m not exactly simple-minded myself."

That evening, after bidding Yan Zui farewell, Lu Sangjiu returned to the courtyard of her guest room and knocked on Gu Jue’s and Xie Ningyuan’s doors. "Time to eat!"

She had made a special trip to the cafeteria to buy a hot meal before returning. It wouldn’t get cold in her storage ring, so it was the perfect time to call the two of them out to eat together.

There was a stone table in the courtyard, so after knocking, she went right over to it and began to lay out the food.

Gu Jue came out quickly. Seeing Lu Sangjiu busy, he hurried over to help her.

But there was still no sound from Xie Ningyuan’s room. Lu Sangjiu found it strange. Just as she was about to go knock again, his lazy voice drifted out from within.

"I’m not eating. I’m sleeping. Don’t bother me."

Lu Sangjiu raised an eyebrow. "It’s only evening and you’re already sleeping? The food at the Joyful Union Sect is delicious. Are you sure you don’t want to come out and try some?"

"What’s wrong with it being evening? If I want to sleep, I can sleep all day. Go on, shoo. Don’t bother me."

Lu Sangjiu pouted, displeased. "Fine, be ungrateful! Don’t eat then!"

With that, she turned on her heel. "Mr. Gu, let’s just eat. We won’t pay him any mind!"

Gu Jue nodded, but as he lowered his gaze, a thoughtful expression crossed his face.

Just as Lu Sangjiu had said, the food at the Joyful Union Sect was indeed delicious.

And since Lu Sangjiu had spent the day exploring the Joyful Union Sect, she had plenty of new things to talk about.

The two of them ate and chatted, remaining in the courtyard until the sky was completely dark before they each returned to their rooms.

As she reached her door, Lu Sangjiu couldn’t resist another glance at the tightly shut door of the room next to hers. ’Hmm, still no sound.’

’She wondered what could possibly be so great about his nap.’

Shaking her head, Lu Sangjiu didn’t dwell on it and stepped into her room.

Yan Zui didn’t visit the next day, because the selection of the new Holy Daughter was in just two days.

Although their selection method didn’t require the candidates to make any special preparations, Yan Zui held a high position in the sect, so she still had to help out with various sect affairs during this time.

Since Yan Zui didn’t come, Miao Miaomiao did.

Lu Sangjiu had planned to take a stroll through a nearby town that morning, but Miao Miaomiao intercepted her just as she was about to head out.

"Ms. Lu, what a coincidence."

The corner of Lu Sangjiu’s mouth twitched. "Is it a coincidence? Or did you come here specifically to intercept me?"

Miao Miaomiao smiled. "If Ms. Lu insists on putting it that way, I suppose that’s fine... Aren’t you going to invite me in for a moment?"

Lu Sangjiu let out an "Oh." "I’m not one for inviting the wolf into my house. If you have something to say, just say it here."

"...Heh. Ms. Lu certainly is direct."

Miao Miaomiao remained perfectly composed, showing not the slightest hint of anger.

She raised her hand, placing a Barrier around the two of them before speaking. "I accepted a mission a few days ago, but it proved to be trickier than anticipated. I was unable to complete it before the Holy Daughter selection and had to put it on hold."

Lu Sangjiu raised an eyebrow. "And? What does that have to do with me?"

Miao Miaomiao smiled. "I heard that Ms. Lu won first place in the Foundation Establishment Group at the Sword Seizing Conference. Not long after that, you achieved Core Formation. This is enough to prove that Ms. Lu’s strength is extraordinary."

"Unfortunately for me, all the people strong enough to help are temporarily unavailable. Thus, I was forced to turn my attention to Ms. Lu."

Lu Sangjiu gave her a baffled look. "Did I hear you correctly? You want me to help you complete your mission?"

"You’re aware I’m friends with Yan Zui, right? And you’re also aware that she doesn’t like you. So what gives you the confidence to ask me for this favor?"

Miao Miaomiao looked at her calmly. "Of course, I wouldn’t ask Ms. Lu to help for free. You can name your price."

This wasn’t an arrogant boast on Miao Miaomiao’s part.

After all, her master was at the Divinity Transformation Stage. Even if she was only at the Foundation Establishment level herself, she was bound to have plenty of valuable items.

Unfortunately for her... she was someone Yan Zui disliked.

And Lu Sangjiu was fiercely protective of her friends. Never mind that she didn’t particularly need anything at the moment; even if she did, she probably wouldn’t make this kind of deal with Miao Miaomiao.

So she shook her head and said, "I’m sorry, but I won’t help you."

Miao Miaomiao seemed surprised by such a direct refusal. She paused for a moment, then took out a Fourth-grade Elixir. "Even if I offer this in trade, you still refuse?"

Lu Sangjiu didn’t even glance at it. "Sorry. I’m not interested in a fourth-grade pill, or even a fifth-grade one for that matter."

Admittedly, for an ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator, a Fourth-grade Elixir was more than enough.

’But... too bad for Miao Miaomiao, she was no ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivator.’

’Xie Ningyuan fed her Fifth-grade Elixirs like they were candy beans, and Sword Bu Gui had given her one before as well. How could she possibly care about a mere fourth-grade pill?’

Miao Miaomiao was taken aback by her response, but from Lu Sangjiu’s expression, she could tell she wasn’t just bluffing.

For the first time, a flicker of some other emotion crossed the ever-composed Miao Miaomiao’s face.

Lu Sangjiu paid her no mind. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. Goodbye."

Seeing that she was actually about to leave, Miao Miaomiao finally lost her composure. "What if this matter concerns Demon Cultivators? Are you still not interested?"

Those words finally made Lu Sangjiu stop in her tracks.

She turned her head slowly, her gaze sharp. "You said... Demon Cultivators?"

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