After My Rival and I Were Forced to Become Dao Companions

I have to get ready for the new semester. I'll take a few days to settle in, then decide how often to update.

Playful blurb:

I'm the unremarkable second senior brother of a declining sect, living an utterly ordinary life.

Until one day, while traveling the world, I was forced into a cultivation-partner contract with the "Young Miss" of a top sect. From then on, my life changed beyond recognition.

At first, we couldn't stand each other, but we had no choice but to travel together. On the surface, we chatted and laughed, getting along just fine. In private, we schemed against each other and made each other's lives miserable.

I really did hate him at first. But he was just so good-looking, so gorgeous that even if I died, I'd crawl out of my coffin to shout that the "Young Miss" was the most beautiful person in the world.

After spending some time with the "Young Miss" with all sorts of complicated feelings, I realized he wasn't actually that annoying. Later, I thought, well, maybe this could work. I could give him a chance.

I put all my tricks on display: acting obedient and pitiable, playing the innocent little schemer, being blunt about my feelings... I went all out. As long as he loved me, I could be anything he wanted.

After all my efforts to seduce him, I finally won the beauty's heart. I planned to take my beautiful wife home and settle down, but one obstacle after another kept getting in our way.

With no other choice, my wife and I set out to fight monsters, defeat the Big Boss, and save the world.

And in the end, my wife and I lived happily ever after.

Serious blurb:

As the saying goes: Gods and Buddhas do not fall in love.

I have no heart, so I won't fall in love either.

But life is full of surprises. A dazzling "Young Miss" barged into my life without permission and disturbed my heart. After that, my love for him became impossible to contain.

I'm no god or Buddha, so there's nothing wrong with me falling in love.

I love him. Love gives rise to desire, and I want to spend every morning and evening by his side.

But as a chess piece, my fate is not my own, and others pull the strings.

Fortunately, I have the protection of my teachers and friends, and my cultivation partner by my side. I fear nothing on this long road.

When everything is over, I'll take him home, and we'll live our quiet little life together.

Once, all I wanted was this:

For my sect to be free of worry, safe and happy, and far from trouble.

To live an ordinary life, like anyone else.

Later, I made another wish:

The bright moon rises over the Tianshan Mountains, amidst an endless sea of clouds.

A mighty wind travels thousands of miles, blowing across the Yumen Pass.

May the "Young Miss" have a smooth and worry-free path to immortality, and ascend to the Dao.

Little scene:

Shi Yudu: Actually, I fell in love with you at first sight.

Jiang Ziying: Hah. Keep making things up.

Ji You Sect's second senior brother, Shi Yudu (courtesy name Qiongshi) and Jiu Xuan Sect's "Young Miss," Jiang Ziying (courtesy name Sui'an)

Shi is the gong, Jiang is the shou.

Content warnings:

"Young Miss" is a nickname. If you can't accept that, this story isn't for you.

Both characters will have cross-dressing scenes. Jiang is emotionally detached early on and may not be likable.

Mostly told from the gong's point of view, but there are also chapters from both perspectives.

There are quite a few hints and foreshadowing. If you're confused about the plot, feel free to ask. I'll answer as long as it doesn't involve spoilers.

Not recommended for readers with strong character preferences.

I'm a beginner, and my writing isn't very good.

Theme: A beauty gave me a golden-inlaid sword. How can I repay him? With jade as beautiful as fine jade.