《Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?》 Chapter 1: Small Workshops Really Go All Out Chapter 1: Small Workshops Really Go All Out [In this era, cancer is no longer a 100% fatal disease. With our advanced technology and mature medical teams, as long as you have insurance, a supportive family, or even just yourself] Chen Huaian switched off the TV and let out a bitter laugh. But I have none of those. The critical illness notice had come two days ago. His girlfriend left him yesterday. And today, he completely broke down. He was just a freshman in college. His parents, both forest rangers, had died in a wildfire years ago, leaving nothing behind but some modest compensation. Over time, Chen Huaian had moved on from their deaths, choosing to face life head-on. Thanks to their compensation, combined with living frugally and taking odd jobs, he managed to afford college. His grades were decent, good enough to get into a first-tier university. Graduation even came with guaranteed job placement. Although the salary might not have been high, it would have been enough to scrape by. But then, two days ago, a hospital visit for his persistent ankle pain revealed a mid-stage cancer diagnosis. Knowing he couldnt afford treatment, Chen Huaian left school and rented a small place near the citys wetland park for a year, planning to spend the rest of his days there. And after the rent expired with no money left? He chuckled bitterly. He doubted hed live that long. He opened his banking app to check his balancejust over 30,000 yuan. Food costs at most five to six hundred a month. With other expenses, lets say a thousand. After a year, Id still have at least twenty thousand left, he calculated while staring at the balance. These past years had been too hard. While other students traveled, he worked odd jobs. When others gamed, he worked. And when others dated his girlfriend was cheating on him. For whatever time he had left, Chen Huaian decided to live for himself. Play some games. Watch all those dramas hed saved up. If his body allowed, maybe visit the ocean. [Installation complete.] [Claim your virtual girlfriend now!] Usually, Chen Huaian would immediately dismiss such pop-up ads. But today, his finger hesitated. A new app icon had appeared on his home screen. It featured a chibi-style, ancient-costumed girl carrying a sword. A game that installs itself? This better not be a virus Normally, hed delete it immediately and run a scan. But today, he felt like indulging his curiosity about what these so-called malware apps were all about. At this point, he had nothing to lose. Stricken with terminal cancer, with no hope or attachments left, what did he care? Besides, hed never played games before, too busy juggling work and school. He tapped the app. The screen went black, then a prompt appeared: [This game is for players aged 18 and above. Starting the game will bind your identity. Accounts cannot be deleted or transferred. By starting, you agree to these draconian terms.] Wow, you even admit its a draconian contract? With a wry smile, Chen Huaian pressed Start Game. He was now sure it was a virus app. What would it do? Steal his personal information? His chat logs? If they realized he was a penniless, terminal cancer patient, would the developers delete the app themselves? [Choose your virtual girlfriend!] Surprisingly, the games graphics were impressive. Though the icon suggested a chibi aesthetic, the actual game looked incredibly lifelike. The screen displayed a selection of virtual girlfriends, each with detailed stats. For example: [Neon Mafia Princess: Kiriko Kirishima] [Age: 22 | Height: 158cm | Measurements: 89, 55, 86] The live 2D model was stunning, with exaggerated curves and a sweet face. She wore a kimono that barely concealed her figure. A big-breasted lolita with a yakuza twista clear favorite for many men. But blonde hair and a Japanese backstory werent Chen Huaians type. He browsed a few more profiles and found that the characters came from different eras, and some werent even from Earth. The creativity was wildthere was even a Transformer-themed girlfriend! Eventually, he landed on a profile that caught his eye: [Disciple of the Qingyun Sect: Li Qingran] [Age: 19 | Height: 169cm | Measurements: 90, 60, 91] This Li Qingran matched the apps icon but looked much more vivid. Pale skin, delicate features, long raven-black hair cascading down her back, and a simple green robe with a sword strapped behind her. She wore no makeup yet exuded the elegance of a painting. What struck Chen Huaian most was her eyescold, wooden, with a hint of despair and emptiness that seemed to pierce through the screen. Damn does a small indie studio go this hard? S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He started doubting whether this was a virus. How could anyone put this much effort into a scam? Were they preparing for a masters thesis or a Ph.D. project? Youll do. [Confirm Li Qingran as your virtual girlfriend?] [Warning: This choice is irreversible!] [If your virtual girlfriend dies, she cannot be revived. She will disappear permanently!] Such serious stakes? Chen Huaian frowned. He realized the developers were likely using emotional manipulation to get players invested. Normally, hed back out. But today, he hit Confirm. [You have 132 days left to live.] The screen flashed with this chilling message before the game began. Chen Huaian expected the typical low-budget mobile gameclunky graphics, a newbie village in some cultivation world, mindless fetch quests, grinding for gear, mounts, and endless autoplay. But what unfolded was entirely different. The scene opened in a drafty thatched hut. The only bed, a straw mat, was soaked with rainwater. A frail, ragged girl curled in the corner, hugging her knees. Her tangled hair obscured her face, but her pale arms and legs bore bruises and cuts. A gash resembling a centipede stood out vividly against her white skin. Is this Li Qingran? Chen Huaian stared in disbelief. Near the mat lay a broken swordthe same one Li Qingran had held in her profile. [Li Qingran is cold and hungry. Her body grows weaker.] [Li Qingran suffers from fire poison and is in unbearable pain.] [Li Qingran has half an hour left to live.] As these messages popped up, the girl groaned in pain. She slowly raised her head, revealing her hollow eyes and pale lips. Even with only half her face visible, Chen Huaian knew this was the character hed chosen. What do I do? A surge of urgency filled his chest. The characters expressions and voice were so lifelike, even the jagged wounds seemed real. If he didnt act, when the timer hit zero, this girl would truly A new prompt appeared: [Ding! First-time recharge of 6 yuan unlocks the Home Improvement Bundle to give your virtual girlfriend a cozy house!] Chapter 2: Recharge to Get Stronger Chapter 2: Recharge to Get Stronger Wait, is the map of Yan Kingdom this short? Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian couldnt help but laugh bitterly at the recharge prompt. This games developers didnt even try to be subtlestraight to pay-to-win. But as he glanced at the pitiful girl on the screen, he thought of himself. Alone, penniless, terminally ill, and abandoned by his girlfriend. Was his situation any better than Li Qingrans? The friends he once had all vanished, afraid hed ask them for money. Who would offer him a helping hand? Yet now, he could extend a hand to this girl. Even if she was just a program, a character created to empty his wallet in a mobile game. Six yuan? Sure, Ill pay. Chen Huaian had never played a game before, only watched others. This was his first time spending money on one. [Recharge Successful!] Golden light radiated toward Li Qingrans dilapidated hut. The straw mat turned into a wooden bed with bedding. The cracked walls became solid bricks with a window that kept the rain and wind out. The golden light enveloped the entire room, filling it with vintage-style furniturea floor, a table, chairs, and even a stove. Now this feels right! Chen Huaian sighed in satisfaction and looked at Li Qingran, curious about her reaction. Its just a mobile game, so the character would likely just look happy, right? But what he saw left him stunned. Li Qingrans expression shifted from shock to fear, then to vigilance. She curled into a corner, unable to believe what was happening. After a long moment, like a cautious kitten in a new environment, she hesitantly explored the room. She returned to the bed, gently touching the soft mattress. Her eyes reflected nothing but confusion. This this level of feedback? This interaction system Chen Huaian was floored by her realistic responses. The way the bed slightly sank when she sat, or how wrinkles formed where she touched, was incredibly lifelike. For a mere mobile game to reach this level? He wouldnt even mind spending more moneyitd feel like supporting a true artist. No sooner had the thought formed when another prompt appeared: [Limited Offer! Recharge 30 yuan to gift your virtual girlfriend a beautiful outfit!] Uh Chen Huaian glanced at Li Qingrans tattered clothing and felt a pang of sympathy. Alright, lets do it! A set of elegant green robes appeared on the bed. [Todays Special! Recharge 68 yuan to give your virtual girlfriend a sumptuous meal!] A 68-yuan meal? Chen Huaian rarely spent more than 15 on takeout for himself. But so what? He paid up. [This Weeks Deal! Recharge 98 yuan to unlock your virtual girlfriends background story and receive a health report!] Take my money! [Monthly Special! Recharge 188 yuan to equip your virtual girlfriends home with three premium Thunderfire Talismans for protection!] Charge, charge, charge! [Your virtual girlfriend is scared. Please wait before taking further actions.] The recharge prompts finally stopped. Chen Huaian checked the screen and saw that Li Qingran had crawled under the bed, trembling. The new clothes on the bed? Untouched. The feast of chicken, duck, and fish? Unmoved. In the corner of the screen, a countdown showed that the health report would take 30 minutes to generate. The room now had talismans on the door, window, and roofbarely visible unless zoomed in. The good news was that Li Qingrans lifespan had increased to six hours. Thats manageable for now, Chen Huaian muttered, relieved. In-game time matched real-world time, so he could afford to relax a bit. By the way, what was that fire poison affecting Li Qingran? What even is that? He figured clicking on Li Qingran might reveal her status, but all he could see under the bed was a pale little foot, which immediately flinched when he tapped it. Guess Ill have to wait for the health report to know more. As he glanced at the feast in the game, Chen Huaians stomach growled. The roasted duck looked so realistic, with oil glistening and dripping as though its aroma could waft through the screen. It was already afternoon, and he hadnt eaten lunch. Lets just whip something up. My virtual girlfriend is eating better than me, he chuckled wryly. Spending 68 yuan for that feast? Seemed like a bargain now. He put his phone on the table to charge, intending to eat before continuing. Li Qingran, 19, fifth disciple of Chixiao Peak at the Qingyun Sect. Her life had once been stable, following a routine of cultivation and sect tasks. Four senior brothers each had their own strengths and often shielded her. But everything changed when her eldest senior brother, Lu Changtian, brought back a sixth junior sister from outside. He vouched for the untalented girl, Mu Baishuang, and begged their master to accept her into Chixiao Peak. After that, nothing was the same. Her once-attentive eldest senior brother stopped inviting her to morning lessons. The second senior brother, Xiao Yifeng, who was skilled in alchemy, no longer asked her to test his pills. The perpetually cold third senior brother, Yun Zimo, even learned love songs for the new junior sister. The mission-driven fourth senior brother, Zhang Hanxiao, abandoned tasks to stay at the peak, guarding Mu Baishuang. Everyone doted on Mu Baishuang, even their usually indifferent master. Li Qingran didnt mind. Mu Baishuang was sweet, endearing, and deserved some care as a junior sister. However, with their guidance and resources, Mu Baishuangs cultivation rapidly caught up to hers. During the sects tournament half a month ago, Li Qingran faced Mu Baishuang in a match. Out of respect, she planned to end it after a few moves, applying enough pressure to make Mu Baishuang surrender gracefully. But Mu Baishuang fought fiercely, aiming for vital points, forcing Li Qingran to defend seriously. Then, Mu Baishuang suddenly switched to defense and threw herself onto Li Qingrans sword. Li Qingran couldnt withdraw in time, and her sword pierced Mu Baishuangs shoulderbarely a flesh wound, but it left her gravely injured. Expelled from Chixiao Peak, her cultivation abolished, her spiritual root extractedher senior brothers retribution was merciless. Now abandoned in a beast-infested wilderness, plagued by fire poison and starvation, she clung to life in a storm, awaiting death. Until A sparrow darted through the rain. And suddenly, a voice whispered: [Welcome Home!] In the blink of an eye, her hut transformed into a stone house. Chapter 3: This Game Even Has a Dedicated Voice Actor? Chapter 3: This Game Even Has a Dedicated Voice Actor? Li Qingran had never encountered anything like this. For a cultivator, building a house was simple, but turning a ramshackle hut into a stone house in an instant? That was no ordinary feat. And conjuring food and clothes out of thin air? The difference between transforming something into something else and creating something from nothing was vast. At first, she thought a powerful cultivator might be playing tricks on her, using a storage ring to summon items while remaining hidden. However, she sensed no spatial fluctuations. Everything truly appeared out of thin air. To create something from nothing with such exquisite detail, down to the aroma and appearance of food, this had to be the work of at least a Nascent Soul cultivator. Or perhaps even Fusion Realm? Li Qingran wasnt sure. What she did know was that her master, Daoist Qingxuan, an old monster at the Nascent Soul stage, couldnt achieve such a feat. He could transform ingredients into a finished dish but couldnt make food appear out of nowhere. Then again, maybe her master had never bothered with such techniques. After all, cultivators could sustain themselves through meditation starting at the Foundation Establishment stage. The tantalizing smell of food awakened her hunger. With her cultivation abolished, she could no longer meditate to suppress hunger. The meat of most demonic beasts was poisonous, and she couldnt tell the safe ones apart. Thus, she had survived on wild fruits and roots. But staying under the bed wasnt a solution. Cautiously, Li Qingran peeked out from under the bed, gathering her courage. Which senior is casting such powerful spells? This junior, Li Qingran, humbly requests the honor of meeting you in person. The room remained silent except for the rain pattering against the bamboo windows. After a moments pause, Li Qingran decided to crawl out from under the bed. Saying she wasnt afraid would be a lie. But if the other party was so powerful, could she resist anyway? Besides, they had already touched her foot earlierwarm and gentle, as if mocking her futile hiding. The thought made her bite her lip, her face flushing with embarrassment. Whatever happens, so be it. Standing up, she surveyed the room but found no suspicious figures. Her gaze inevitably drifted to the table laden with a feast. The sound of her swallowing echoed alongside the rumbling of her stomach. Awkwardly, she sat at the table, staring at the dishes but refraining from eating. Instead, she clasped her hands together, bowed her head, and sincerely said, If the senior is unwilling to show yourself, may I ask if these dishes are for me? If you remain silent, I would rather starve than touch something that belongs to you. After her words, she shut her eyes and sat cross-legged in meditation. Chen Huaian had settled for a simple lunch of scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Returning to the game, he saw that Li Qingran had emerged from under the bed and was now seated at the table, meditating. Her delicate face was flushed, dotted with sweat, and her body wavered unsteadily. The way her little nose twitched as if resisting the foods aroma was almost comical. What kind of scene is this? Chen Huaian laughed. Meditating in front of food? Testing her willpower? Her chin was practically hovering over the roast chicken! [Li Qingran requests permission to eat the meal. Do you approve?] A dialogue box popped up. I have to approve it? What kind of strict system is this? Chen Huaian shook his head, amused, and selected Yes. On-screen, Li Qingran seemed to hear something. Her eyes snapped open, her face lighting up with joy. Thank you, Senior! What the! Theres voice acting?! Startled by the crisp, sweet voice, Chen Huaian nearly dropped his phone. He hadnt turned on the sound earlier, assuming the game lacked background music. But after turning up the volume, he realized the game had incredibly realistic environmental audio, like the crackling of the stove fire and the torrential rain outside. However, he never expected Li Qingran to have her own voice actor! Small studios really go all out! Chen Huaian watched in fascination as Li Qingran began eating. At first, she took small, delicate bites. But soon, her chopsticks moved faster, and she descended into a frenzied devouring of the meal, finishing at a speed that left Chen Huaian dumbfounded. Only in games could characters eat this fast. After finishing her meal, Li Qingran picked up a small napkin, dabbed her mouth, and blushed deeply as she bowed again. This junior hasnt had such a delicious meal in ages. Seniors kindness is something I will never forget! When she meditated earlier, she suddenly heard a single word: Yes. The sound was like the resonance of the Dao itself, reverberating through her soul. When she opened her eyes, the food glowed faintly with a golden character made of Spiritual Qi: (Yes). The voice had used a transmission technique, but what struck her was that the spiritual character wasnt formed by manipulating surrounding Qiit had been generated out of thin air, just like the food. Li Qingran shivered slightly. Whoever this senior was, they were far beyond her comprehension. But they didnt seem hostile, at least for now. Senior, I will clean the dishes. Carrying the plates, she stepped outside. The rain was heavier now, the dense downpour reducing visibility to just a few meters. The only sounds were the rain hitting the ground and faint rumbles of distant thunder. The rains even heavier than before Looking up at the sky, Li Qingran felt a surge of gratitude. If it werent for the seniors house, her old hut would have collapsed by now. Outside, a small corridor shielded her from the rain. Following the eaves, she found a wooden bucket she had left out yesterday to collect rainwater. Now full, it was perfect for washing the dishes. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Li Qingran is cleaning the dishes.] [Li Qingrans favorability +5. Current: 10.] Well, well, she even washes dishes? A favorability system isnt surprising, though. Chen Huaian chuckled, increasingly impressed by the games depth. Not only were the characters incredibly lifelike, but the amount of interactive content was astonishing. How had he never heard of this game before? Glancing at the time, he saw the identity and health report would be ready in a few minutes. While waiting, he decided to explore the game further. To his surprise, the game had a large map. When fully expanded, Li Qingrans small house was just a tiny dot amidst a vast, unexplored expanse covered in dark fog. Only the area around her house was visible. Interestingly, another visible location stood out: a grand sect marked by golden charactersQingyun Sect. Oh? Thats where she used to live. Chen Huaian frowned. Why wasnt Li Qingran still in Qingyun Sect? And why was she in such a miserable state? The sect seemed close, just at the mountains peak, while her current location was at the base. For cultivators, that was hardly a long journey. There had to be a story behind this. Zooming back into the map, his expression changed. Around the small house, five red dots appeared. They were moving quickly toward Li Qingrans location! Chapter 4: Blowing It All Up Chapter 4: Blowing It All Up Chen Huai''an didnt usually play games, but even without firsthand experience, he knew enough to recognize that in game maps, red dots usually represented enemies. The five red dots moved at a terrifying speed, closing in on the small cabin within a breath or two. D*mn it! Li Qingran is still outside washing the dishes! On the screen, Li Qingran was focused on scrubbing plates, entirely unaware of the abnormal situation unfolding around the cabin. Chen Huai''an panicked. He frantically searched the game interface for any option that could alert Li Qingran. There were plenty of options on the interface, but most of them were locked. Top up 100 to purchase a Sound Transmission Talisman and send Li Qingran a single message. The recharge screen popped up. There was no time to think about why the Sound Transmission Talisman was so expensive. Chen Huai''an recharged immediately. A notification dinged from Alipay, and a talisman appeared in the center of the screen. Hold down the talisman and speak. Chen Huai''ans face twitched. Taking a deep breath, he pressed the talisman and said gravely, Monsters attacking! Retreat immediately! A thunderous shout echoed in the void: Run! Now! Li Qingran, who was still washing dishes, froze and looked around in confusion. That voice could it be the seniors? S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Awooooo! A sharp wolf howl pierced through the rain. Accompanied by heavy growls, three jet-black demonic wolves, each the size of a water buffalo, stormed into Li Qingrans view. Behind them, two more wolves loomed faintly in the shadows. Blackback Demonic Wolves? How could this be Li Qingran quickly pieced it together. The lone wolf she had fought off recently must have been a scout. No wonder it hadnt engaged her directly and fled after a slight resistance. It had been gathering intel all along. The nearest wolf was no more than five meters away now. Without any hesitation, it lunged at her. Although her cultivation base was crippled and her spiritual root destroyed, Li Qingrans combat instincts were still sharp. She timed her move, rolled sideways to dodge the first wolfs attack, and flung a plate at the second wolf preparing to pounce. Outside the screen, Chen Huai''ans heart was in his throat. Watching Li Qingran move with the agility of a cat and counter swiftly, he slapped his thigh in excitement. Well done! His biggest worry was that shed freeze in place when faced with danger. Fortunately, she was calm and quick to react. The demonic wolves, accustomed to skirmishing with Qingyun Sect cultivators on Wanqing Mountain, instinctively thought the white plate was a magical weapon. They dodged, only to realize nothing happened as the plate hit the ground. The pack exchanged glances, their red eyes growing even more ferocious, feeling utterly humiliated. Seizing the moment, Li Qingran bolted back to the cabin and slammed the door shut. Crap, crap, crap! she muttered, dragging furniture to barricade the door, worry etched on her face. It almost killed me to fend off just one wolf last time. How am I supposed to deal with five now? Her strength was waning fast. Dragging even a single table left her face flushed red. Before she could position the table properly, the tremors of approaching wolves reached her ears. Li Qingrans pupils constricted as she retreated to the window, considering her only escape route. But just when she thought the wolves were about to break in Boom! A deafening thunderclap erupted outside the door. Even through the door, she saw a flash of lightning. The wolves pained howls followed, and the air filled with the acrid scent of burning flesh. Startled, Li Qingran looked up. A talisman on the door was glowing with blazing lightning, its rectangular outline visible even through the wood. It unleashed thunder and fire, reducing the nearby wolves to charred remains. A Thunderfire Talisman! She immediately recognized it. She hadnt noticed any talismans on the door earlier. It must have been placed there by that senior. Talismans and pills were graded from Mortal, Medium, Superior, Perfect, to Immortal. Immortal-grade talismans, wrapped in golden light, were extraordinarily powerful. Only old monsters in major sects could craft them. Regular Thunderfire Talismans were effective against Qi Refinement or Foundation Establishment cultivators. An Immortal-grade one, however, could obliterate even a Golden Core stage demona treasure money couldnt buy. And this was an Immortal-grade talisman! Most cultivators would hoard such an item as their trump card. Yet the senior had casually slapped it onto her door? What a waste of a priceless treasure! Li Qingran was overwhelmed with gratitude and heartache. Outside The two wolves closest to the door were obliterated by the talisman. The remaining three froze, tails tucked, their ferocity replaced by terror. Were they cursed? Why would someone use such a powerful talisman on mere Qi Refinement wolves? They realized the path through the door was impassable. But giving up their prey so easily wasnt their style. Two of them circled toward the window while the third tried to climb onto the roof. Before the one on the roof could advance Boom! The two near the window exploded into ashes. The last wolf abandoned all thoughts of hunting and fled. Limited-Time OfferWould you like to purchase a Thunderfire Talisman to strike down the fleeing wolf? (Thunderfire Talisman 288, 50% off) What?! Chen Huai''ans face turned green. Under normal circumstances, hed uninstall the game in seconds. But seeing Li Qingrans distressed expression on screen, and realizing the wolf might return with reinforcements Leave the roots, and theyll regrow in the spring! Fine, Ill recharge! Clenching his fists, Chen Huai''an looked like he was holding the talisman himself. Another 288 disappeared from his Alipay, and a talisman shot toward the fleeing wolf. From Li Qingrans perspective, a crack of thunder echoed, and a golden streak pierced the rain. The talisman exploded upon contact, leaving only smoldering remains of the wolf amidst the relentless storm. Three Immortal-grade Thunderfire Talismans in a row Li Qingran stared blankly out the window. In less than thirty seconds, all five wolves were dead. And the senior hadnt even shown himself, offering only a single voice transmission as a warning. Such abilities were terrifying. But why would someone so powerful help her? She thought of her Qingyun Sect seniors and master. Before her junior sister arrived, they had treated her decently, but their kindness was often calculated. For instance, Senior Brother Lu Changtian, a fire spiritual root cultivator, wanted her water spiritual root as a Dao companion. Second Senior Brother Xiao Yifeng, obsessed with alchemy, needed her to tend spiritual herbs and test pills. Third Senior Brother Yun Zimo, a martial maniac, often sparred with her without holding back. Fourth Senior Brother Zhang Hanxiao, unruly and reckless, dragged her into trouble during sect missions, making her a scapegoat. What could the seniors motive be? She had nothingonly her life to offer. Perhaps he had no motive, merely a passerby moved by her plight. Shaking her head, Li Qingran pushed her thoughts aside. Regardless of his reasons, the senior had saved her life. If she survived, she would repay his kindness. Junior Li Qingran offers her heartfelt thanks for seniors aid! This time, she simply knelt toward the sky, her expression solemn, and bowed deeply. Li Qingrans favorability +5, now at 15. Not bad. Favorabilitys climbing fast, Chen Huai''an muttered, stroking his chin. Smiling, he added, Worth the 288 recharge. This game was crazy addictive. Hed already spent hundreds. No wonder some kids went into debt over gaming. It was just as exhilarating for him. Ding! Li Qingrans health report and detailed identity have been generated! View now? Chen Huai''ans eyes lit up as he eagerly rubbed his hands together. Here we goheh heh! Chapter 5: Crazy Thursday Deals Chapter 5: Crazy Thursday Deals Identity and Medical Report (Li Qingran) Name: Li Qingran Current Realm: Qi Refinement Level 1 Identity: Former Qingyun Sect, Chixiao Peak Disciple Age: 19 (Female) Special Talents: Single Water Spiritual Root (Abolished), Taiyin Dao Body (Unactivated) Status: Severely damaged foundation, ruptured dantian, fire poison invasion, inner demons growing, severe internal injuries (severed meridians), moderate external injuries Background: Once an inner disciple of Qingyun Sects Chixiao Peak, Li Qingran was betrayed, leading to estrangement from her sect. Her cultivation base was crippled by her senior brother, Lu Changtian. Her spiritual root was stripped by her master, Daoist Qingxuan. The fire poison resulted from defective pills concocted by her second senior brother, Xiao Yifeng. Later, she was expelled from the sect through collusion between her third senior brother, Yun Zimo, and an outer sect elder. Finally, she was abandoned in a dilapidated hut by her fourth senior brother, Zhang Hanxiao, and left to fend for herself. The first of her inner demons was planted by her betrayers, while the second arose from her own despair. (Click to expand detailed version) Overall Evaluation: A life of misfortune, a candle flickering in the wind. After reading Li Qingrans identity and medical report, Chen Huai''an was stunned. He himself was burdened by cancera single debuff. Li Qingran had five! And her life? It was pure misery! What kind of grudge would warrant such treatment? All she did was injure her junior sisters shoulder during the sect tournament. Wasnt that normal for the cultivation world? Swords have no eyes in combat! Yet the entire Chixiao Peak seemed to have gone berserk over it. No wonder shes holed up in this broken hut. If I hadnt arrived in time, shed probably be dead by now. On the screen, Li Qingran was meditating on a chair, her eyes closed. Somehow, Chen Huai''an couldnt help but imagine her as a real person instead of a mere game character. Is she cultivating? But her foundation is destroyed, and her spiritual root is gonecan she even cultivate? Respectfully, Chen Huai''an clicked on Li Qingrans shoulder rather than anywhere inappropriate. Status: Cultivating Cultivation Progress: 39/99 This probably meant she needed to accumulate 99 units of Spiritual Qi to advance to Qi Refinement Level 2. As Chen Huai''an speculated, he didnt notice Li Qingrans slightly reddened ears. He stared at her cultivating for half an hour. But instead of progressing, her cultivation dropped by one point, falling to 38. On-screen, the girls brow furrowed, her pale lips turned down, her pitiful expression tugging at his heartstrings. She must have realized her Spiritual Qi is depleting instead of increasing Chen Huai''an began searching the interface for any way to help her speed up cultivation. Her numerous injuries couldnt be ignored eithertheyd only worsen if left untreated. After rummaging through options, he finally found something useful in the formation section at the top-right corner of the screen. Basic Spirit Gathering Formation: Unlockable for one hour by watching an ad. Intermediate Spirit Gathering Formation: Unlockable for 10 minutes by watching an ad. Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation: 188/hour (requires watching an ad). Crazy Thursday Deal (Original Price 488/hour) Aside from Spirit Gathering Formations, there were numerous other formations, like Concealment Formation, Mystic Armor Formation, and the intimidating-sounding Immortal Execution Formation. Some required money, while others demanded rare conditionsmost of which Chen Huai''an didnt understand. One of the top-tier formations, the Tenfold Bloodbane Heaven-Slaying Formation, required 12 malevolent spirit artifacts of at least Spirit Weapon grade, along with a long list of complicated materials. Where would anyone find those? Buy them? Get them as game rewards? Or send Li Qingran on a scavenger hunt, like in some idle adventure game? Another deal? And on Crazy Thursday, no less? Chen Huai''an gritted his teeth. If he waited until tomorrow, the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation would revert to its original price. Itd be a waste not to use the discount. Sighing deeply, he made his decision. Charge it! With 1888 added to his account, Chen Huai''an slumped in his chair, an inexplicable emptiness washing over him. But the feeling passed quickly. He only had a few days left to livewhy not enjoy himself? For the next 10 hours, the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation would remain active, just in time until midnight. But first, he had to watch an ad. The Dao is ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs. For cultivators like us, walking against the heavens, how can we go without a good weapon? Treasure Pavilions Spirit Weaponspremium brand of the cultivation worldis now running a promotion! Click below to claim celestial subsidies and enjoy up to 25% discounts. When buying weapons, choose Treasure Pavilion! Chen Huai''an: ... ... Inside the hut, Li Qingran sighed in frustration. Her cultivation base was destroyed, her foundation severely damaged, and her spiritual root gone. Even with perfect technique, cultivation was near impossible now. Her Spiritual Qi continued to drain awayat best, her efforts were delaying the inevitable. She had been practicing Chixiao Peaks unique cultivation method, the Chiyun Technique, which was known for its speed. It was a low-tier Mystical-grade technique, a lower version of the superior-grade Chixiao Technique. If even the Chiyun Technique couldnt restore her Qi, her only hope was a Spirit Gathering Formation. She was skilled at setting up formations, having done it frequently for her fourth senior brother, Zhang Hanxiao, in exchange for half her monthly Spirit Stones. Over time, she became proficient. But Spirit Gathering Formations required significant resources: Basic Formation: 100 low-grade Spirit Stones. Intermediate Formation: 500 mid-grade Spirit Stones or 50 high-grade ones. Advanced Formation: Required Spirit Crystals, typically only used by sect elders or leaders. Now, she didnt even have Spirit Stone scraps, let alone Spirit Crystals. At that moment Thud! Something fell to the ground. Li Qingran looked over and froze, her mouth forming an "O" of disbelief. On the ground were ten Spirit Crystals, translucent and cyan, each the size of a babys fist, exuding an intense Spiritual Qi. She couldnt mistake them. Spirit Crystals that Daoist Qingxuan used sparingly were now casually tossed onto the ground! Senior, youre wasting such precious items! Following the crystals, eight faintly glowing golden formation flags appeared. These were Immortal-grade flags, maximizing material efficiency without a shred of waste. The flags hovered as if guided by an invisible hand, arranging themselves around her. In moments, they formed an Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation. Buzz! As the formation activated, the Spiritual Qi within the crystals was drawn out, enveloping Li Qingran in a vortex. The Qi density increased rapidly, forming a fog, then condensing into liquid droplets that fell within the formation. Even without using the Chiyun Technique, the Qi rushed into her body. She had needed a Spirit Gathering Formationand the senior had given her the best. Li Qingrans eyes stung with tears. From shelter, to food, to Thunderfire Talismans, and now an Advanced Spirit Gathering Formationthe seniors generosity had far exceeded her worth. Was he grooming her for something sinister? Even if that were the case, the sheer value of what hed provided made no sense. This might truly be her fateful encounter. The senior could be an unfathomable wandering master, casually sowing karma. The only way she could repay him was to cultivate diligently and not waste his efforts. Senior, rest assured, Qingran wont let you down. Wiping her tears, Li Qingran composed herself and resumed her meditation. Every second within the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation was precious, and she wouldnt squander it. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... Status: Cultivating Cultivation Progress: 41/99 Current Favorability: 20 (Reverence) (Increasing favorability may trigger small gifts.) Still feels a bit slow, Chen Huai''an muttered, scratching his head. He stared at her progress for ten minutes, occasionally poking her shoulder to check. Finally, he consoled himself: at least her Qi wasnt depleting anymore. Satisfied that nothing unexpected would happen, he repositioned the Thunderfire Talisman from the roof to the door. Once everything was secure, he opened his computer. In the past, he didnt care about earning moneywhat was the point when he was dying? But now, his perspective had shifted. For this game, for Li Qingran, for this spark of color in his otherwise bleak existence, he decided to start earning. As a terminal cancer patient, there was no better way to make money than by putting himself in the public eye. Hed start live streaming. But first, he needed to prepare: A cancer diagnosis from the hospital. A shaved head to mimic the effects of chemotherapy. No makeup was requiredhis sickly pallor spoke for itself. As for the streams theme? He already had an idea. Flipping off fate and mocking the Grim Reaper with a smile. His first stream? Climbing Mount Tai on cancer-stricken legs. Chapter 6: What?! There’s a Monthly Pass Too?! Chapter 6: What?! Theres a Monthly Pass Too?! At Qingyun Sect, Chixiao Peak, Mu Baishuang abruptly opened her eyes while cultivating, sensing something unusual. Strange, my senior sisters aura has stabilized? She retrieved a tattered straw doll and two copper coins from her spatial ring, calculating for a long time without coming to any conclusion. By her plan, Li Qingran, burdened with internal and external injuries, a destroyed spiritual root, and fire poison, couldnt possibly survive half a month. The demonic beasts roaming Wanqing Mountain should have taken care of her. Any encounter with a beast of modest strength should have spelled her doom. Once Li Qingran was dead, Mu Baishuang could claim the Taiyin Dao Body for herself. So, where did it all go wrong? Mu Baishuang frowned, her calculations only revealing that Li Qingran was still in the dilapidated hut, unmoving. That was the only consolation. Baishuang, are you in there? A shrill voice called from outside her cave. Her brows furrowed deeper in disdainit was Zhang Hanxiao, the incessant chatterbox. This annoying man showed up at her cave a dozen times a day! If not for maintaining her sweet junior sister persona and the valuable item he carried, she would have thrown him out long ago. A lazy dandy dreaming of becoming her Dao companion? What a joke! Still, Zhang Hanxiao had his uses. Mu Baishuangs eyes gleamed as she thought of a plan, quickly putting on her signature sweet smile. Hanxiao Brother~ Her syrupy tone nearly sent Zhang Hanxiao into a trance. What brings you here, Hanxiao Brother? She stepped forward, tilting her head slightly, her plain white robes as pristine as snow, hands clasped demurely before her. Her dark hair swayed in the breeze, and her eyes glimmered with innocent charm, as pure as a budding white lotus. Ah, haha! No big deal. Zhang Hanxiaos eyes fixated on her face as he nervously swallowed and awkwardly handed her something. Your Frostmoon Sword broke during your duel with Li Qingran half a month ago, right? I took on some missions outside the sect and bought you a better sword. Its called Autumn Radiancebetter than Frostmoon. He was lying. This sword was actually a birthday gift from Li Qingran. While he had taken on numerous sect missions recently, hed also caused a lot of trouble. The money he earned barely covered his debts. In the past, Li Qingran would clean up his messes. Now, he had to fend for himself. But to win favor with Mu Baishuang, he needed a present, and this sword seemed like a good choice. Mu Baishuang glanced at the Autumn Radiance Sword in his hands. A mid-grade magical weapon, indeed superior to her Frostmoon Sword, which was merely a top-grade mortal weapon. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was considered luxurious. Of course, Senior Brother Lu Changtian had already gifted her a top-grade magical weaponthe Wind Tapestry Sword. But who would complain about having too many weapons? Besides, magical weapons could serve as deadly trump cards if detonated in emergencies. Hanxiao Brother, isnt this your personal sword? Mu Baishuang pouted, feigning concern. If you give it to me, what will you use? Bah, with my strength, any sword will do! Zhang Hanxiao waved her concern away. But you, Baishuang, need a reliable weapon for protection. Its settledno need to refuse! Internally, Mu Baishuang rolled her eyes. Well, thank you, Hanxiao Brother~ Outwardly, she bowed gracefully, her face lighting up with joy as she accepted the sword. Drawing it slightly, the blade gleamed coldly in the light. Hugging the sword to her chest, she beamed. I love it! Youre so thoughtful, Hanxiao Brother! Watching her embrace the sword, Zhang Hanxiao wished he could replace it with himself. Seizing the moment, he added eagerly, Junior Sister, do you have time tonight? Theres a great spot at the back of the mountain with dense Spiritual Qi. Ill take you there! Oh, that wont be necessary. Mu Baishuang smiled politely. Senior Brother Lu already set up a Spirit Gathering Formation for me. Uh Zhang Hanxiao was dumbfounded. Oh, right, Hanxiao Brother, Mu Baishuang stepped closer, gently wrapping her arms around his, her finger tracing his palm. Theres an outer disciple named Song JiaojiaoIm good friends with her. Could you bring her here for me? You know I cant go to the outer sect With her soft embrace and intoxicating scent, Zhang Hanxiaos brain turned to mush. Somehow, he found himself standing outside her cave, under a willow tree. Totally worth it. He savored the lingering warmth on his arm, grinning as he left. Outer disciples werent allowed in the inner sect, and inner disciples couldnt bring them in. It was against sect rules. But who cared about rules? The junior sisters word was law! Back in her cave, Mu Baishuang leaned against the door, her hand instinctively brushing the burning snake-shaped mark on her lower back. Her face darkened, her eyes flashing with malice. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingran, lets see if you can survive this time At midnight, Chen Huai''an was jolted awake by his alarm. Usually, his extreme physical weakness meant he was dead to the world by 8 or 9 p.m., no matter what. But today, he set his phone to vibrate and fell asleep with his face on it, determined to wake up. He wasnt disappointed. The Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation had finished its work, leaving the ten Spirit Crystals shattered and the formation flags dim. At the center of the formation, Li Qingran was glowing with vitality. Chen Huai''an gently tapped her forehead. Status: Resting Cultivation Progress: 327/499 (Level 2) Well, look at that! Qi Refinement Level 2 already, and almost Level 3! Worth every penny! He grinned, feeling like a dad who had bought study materials only to see his childs grades skyrocket. Before he could bask in the moment, two pop-ups smacked him in the face: Congratulations! Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran has broken through to Qi Refinement Level 2! First-time monthly pass at an astounding discount! Purchase now for a free Transmission and Recovery session! Only 1888 for benefits worth 18.88 millionincluding daily spirit stone and pill supplies corresponding to her realm (exclusive to virtual girlfriend use). The Virtual Girlfriend Shop is now open! Purchase items tailored for Qi Refinement cultivators or try your luck in the Fortune Carp Pool C Beginner lottery (100 per draw, 10-draws at 10% off, with a 0.001% chance of winning the grand prize, guaranteed rewards after 1,000 draws). Chen Huai''ans smile froze. He stared at his phone in silence, his hand trembling slightly. He wanted to call the police! Chapter 7: Isnt This a Great Deal? Chapter 7: Isn''t This a Great Deal? Game Forum Awakened Roast Goose: Have you guys heard of a game called ? The production is top-notch, character models are detailed, interaction is great, and even micro-expressions dont repeat. The only issue is... its a bit of a cash grab. Egg Cracker for Love: Never heard of it. Uncle Shanghai: What is that? Does such a game really exist? Pink Ferrari Cow: OP, upload the installation package here. I want to give it a try. But searching online yielded no results. The idea of sharing an installation package was absurd because Chen Huai''an had already discovered that this game didnt have one. Based on his experience, a game of this quality should at least be 10GB. However, before and after installation, his modest 64GB phone storage hadnt budged an inch. Not to mention, the smooth graphics and detailed visuals were not something his thousand-yuan phonealready struggling to run casual gamesshould be able to handle. The truth was obvious! Chen Huai''an adjusted his glasses. He guessed hed been targeted by a powerful hacker organization! This game was probably the work of that hacker group, and he was just their guinea pig! "Sigh But the game is really well-made," Chen Huai''an muttered as he stared at the screen. The character, Li Qingran, had finished meditating. Her external injuries were completely healed, and her remaining lifespan had increased from six hours to three years. At this moment, she was carefully packing up eight formation flags. He could even hear her mumbling softly: "That senior is so kind to me. The materials on these formation flags could even be used to make a protective charm. If I ever get the chance to meet him again, I should gift it to him." Then she shook her head vigorously. "But someone as important as Senior would probably find such a gift laughable." Chen Huai''an chuckled. If this charm ever found its way to himeven if he knew it was officially scripted into the gameit would still be a massive emotional win. Should he try using a transmission talisman to tell her he liked it? But seeing the talisman back to its original steep price in the Virtual Girlfriend Shop, he silently gave up. It didnt matter anyway. This was just a game. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The newly unlocked Qi Refinement Stage Virtual Girlfriend Shop offered a variety of items, but the prices and quality were staggering. Low-grade spirit stone: 50 eachCommon-grade Thunderfire Talisman: 576 eachTransmission Talisman: 300 eachLow-grade Mortal Weapon (Sword): 998 eachMid-grade Mortal Weapon (Sword): 4,998 eachHigh-grade Mortal Weapon (Sword): 9,998 each The Thunderfire Talisman annoyed him the most. The discounted version was celestial-grade, but the one for purchase was common-grade. The gap was undoubtedly massive. And the weapons? Even worse. Mortal weapons were the lowest grade. Above them were magic weapons, spirit artifacts, innate spirit treasures, and celestial weapons. He couldnt even imagine the astronomical prices for higher-level items. "The developers must be crazy for money! Who would buy a 9,998 sword?!" Chen Huai''an sneered. Spending on anything else was borderline acceptable, but if he ever bought a weapon from this shop, hed write his name backward! While he was mulling over this, the in-game Li Qingran suddenly frowned, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. After briefly stabilizing her turbulent Qi, she sighed in despair. "Thanks to Seniors help, my spiritual energy hasnt deteriorated further. But with my dantian shattered, foundation gone, and no spiritual root, expelling the fire poison in my body is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. My cultivation speed will only worsen" Her situation had two potential solutions: Return to the Qingyun Sect and ask for an elixir.Explore the nearby Wanqing Mountain for healing spiritual herbs. The former was nearly impossible since she was no longer a Qingyun Sect disciple and didnt want to burden her acquaintances there. The latter was dangerous but more appealing to her. Previously, her frail body left her waiting to die in her hut. Now, even if she encountered that demonic wolf again, she could put up some resistance. Her voice was faint, but Chen Huai''an could hear everything, even her inner monologue. "Return to Qingyun Sect? Explore Wanqing Mountain?!" Without hesitation, Chen Huai''an opened the top-up interface. The character was spitting bloodwhat was he waiting for? Even though he knew this was the games money-grabbing strategy, he couldnt control his hands. He purchased a monthly pass immediately. "If I dont buy it this month, itll be more expensive next month. I can only comfort myself this way," he rationalized. [Monthly Pass Purchased Successfully! Transmission and Recovery Granted Once!] [Elixir and Spirit Stone Supplies Delivered!] Two pouches suddenly descended onto the table with a soft thud, startling Li Qingran. "Whats this" Li Qingran curiously poked one of the bulging pouches, sensing the spiritual energy emanating from within. She raised her head toward the ceiling, cupping her hands in gratitude. "Dare I ask if these pouches were dropped by Senior?" Silence. She wasnt surprised by the lack of response. Over time, shed grown used to her silent benefactor. These pouches were undoubtedly his gifts. Having already accepted his previous help, she didnt hesitate to open the first pouch. With a soft rustle, a pile of spirit stones spilled out. Li Qingran was stunned. She counted them50 low-grade spirit stones in total. At the Qingyun Sect, an inner disciple in the Qi Refinement Stage received 30 to 40 low-grade spirit stones per month. Foundation Establishment disciples received 60 to 100. Spirit stones were not only currency but also vital for absorbing spiritual energy, arranging formations, and refining weapons. These 50 stones were extremely valuable. What she didnt know was that this was her daily allocation. "Thank you, Senior, for these spirit stones," Li Qingran expressed her gratitude solemnly. While 50 spirit stones might be trivial to a Nascent Soul or Fusion Realm expert, the gratitude and etiquette were non-negotiable. Hearing her words, Chen Huai''an couldnt help but smirk. He instinctively wanted to stroke his nonexistent beard. Sure, the monthly pass was pricey, but wasnt this haul a bargain? Li Qingran then opened the second pouch, which contained a red brocade box. As soon as she held it, a medicinal fragrance wafted out. "What a pure medicinal aroma!" Over the years, shed managed spiritual herbs for her senior brother and occasionally served as a test subject for pills. Shed seen her fair share of elixirs from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment. Her senior brother, a talented alchemist, created pills so high-quality that even the Elders praised him. Yet even his pills couldnt compare to this fragrance, always carrying a trace of impurities. Opening the box, she found a translucent red pill gleaming like ruby, free of any blemishes. "Great Restoration Pill, celestial-grade!" Li Qingran gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. The talismans were celestial-grade, and now the elixirs too? This benefactor must be a genius skilled in every craft! The Great Restoration Pill was a common healing elixir for cultivators from Qi Refinement to Golden Core stages. A supreme-grade pill could detoxify poisons, so a celestial-grade pill would undoubtedly eradicate her fire poison. Both the spirit stones and the pill were exactly what she needed, as if tailored for her. Warmth filled her heart. The only time shed experienced such care was from her parents. "Regardless of whether Senior likes it, I must prepare a gift for him!" Li Qingran resolved firmly. Meanwhile, Chen Huai''an received another in-game prompt. [Li Qingran is about to begin healing. Would you like to use your ''Transmission and Recovery'' chance to personally assist her in healing? (Enhanced Effect)] "Wait personally?" Chen Huai''an squinted, sensing there was more to this. Chapter 8: Insufficient Affection, No Peeking Chapter 8: Insufficient Affection, No Peeking Does this mean what I think it means? Curious but apprehensive, Chen Huaian chose to use the option. Ah, Senior is going to personally heal me? He saw Li Qingran freeze, her delicate face turning beet red. The young woman quickly waved her hands. Li Qingran is unworthy of such attention! I can handle it myself Four dialogue options popped up: Hurry it up; Im busy! You dare defy me, girl? Tired of living? Mwahaha! Hmph, ungrateful wretch! Consider this an honor! Spend 300 to purchase a Transmission Talisman for custom dialogue. Chen Huaian: He felt like the game developers were practically reaching into his bank account at this point. Spending 300 here would truly be insanity. After weighing his choices, he selected the first option. It was the only one that seemed halfway normal, even if a bit domineering. After making his selection, he didnt hear his voice, but Li Qingran seemed to react. Her eyes showed fear before she took a half-step back, lowering her head like a scolded child. She nervously fiddled with her clothes and mumbled softly: Very well but my body is filthy. May I wash up first before Senior bestows this healing upon me? Although cultivators normally wouldnt have bodily odors, Li Qingran had been through a rough half-month. Her disheveled hair and mud-streaked clothes bore dried bloodstains. Letting her benefactor heal her in such a state was beyond her tolerance. She perked up her ears, awaiting his response. Four new options appeared: No need to wash; I like it raw! Mwahaha!Fine, go ahead. Ill wait.Stop babbling and take off your top now!Spend 300 to purchase a Transmission Talisman for custom dialogue. Well Options one and four were immediately off the table. Chen Huaian hesitated between the second and third options. If he chose the third, would Li Qingran actually take her top off? It looked like she was only wearing one layer. If he chose the second, she would go to bathe. Would he be able to watch? No wonder this game required players to be 18 or older. There might actually be unspeakable VIP content. But was Chen Huaian the kind of person who would exploit this? He played this game and spent money on it because Li Qingran, despite being a mere collection of data, gave him emotional solace. She was the last ray of light in his despair-ridden life. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Besides, Li Qingran already looked beautiful as she was. Washing up would only enhance her beauty. He definitely wasnt interested in sneaking a peek at the bathroom. Option two it was. The in-game Li Qingran blushed and nodded. Th-Then Ill go now The bathroom, previously absent, appeared nearby. She had already checked it out during her earlier exploration of the house and found it fully equipped with washing supplies. As someone who valued cleanliness, she had long wished to freshen up but had never felt at ease until now. Standing in front of the bronze mirror, she stared at her reflection. As she began to untie her clothes, her fingers froze at her chest, and a deep blush spread from her cheeks to her ears. She bit her lip and lowered her gaze, thinking: Senior possesses divine abilities. He foresaw the demonic wolfs attack, sent spirit stones and elixirs when I was bleeding. This proves that he can see everything about me. So if I bathe here, wont it also be under his watchful gaze? No, no way! Senior wouldnt do such a thing! She shook her head vigorously. Her cheeks burned with shame at the mere thought. If Senior wanted to take advantage of her, he wouldnt have waited until now. Besides, Senior was likely a revered elder, possibly hundreds of years old. Just because his voice sounded youthful didnt mean he was young in age. An elder like him wouldnt be interested in someone like her. With that reasoning, her embarrassment and hesitation eased considerably. Her clothes slid from her shoulders, and as her inner garments loosened, a perfectly proportioned, alluring figure was revealed... Meanwhile. Chen Huaians bloodshot eyes remained glued to his phone screen, his finger hovering over the bathroom interface, unsure of what to do. He had already tested earlierhe could freely switch between rooms with a simple tap. Chen Huaian, dont become someone even you despise! But its just a game! Food and lust are human nature! Youre a cancer patient. You shouldnt even have these urges! Why not? Cant a patient have desires? ... Im just worried about her safety. What if she slips in the bathroom? What if a demonic shark or octopus suddenly appears? With his moral dilemma resolved, he tapped the bathroom interface. [Insufficient affection level. Peeking unavailable.] Chen Huaian breathed a sigh of relief, his anxiety dissipating. But it sparked a new thought. So youre saying I peek if the affection level was high enough? Hah, as if I even want to look! Scoffing, he opened a random website to distract himself. Halfway through browsing, an in-game notification popped up. [Li Qingran has finished bathing.] So fast? Dont girls usually take over half an hour? Chen Huaian silently put away the tissues he had pulled out and refocused on the screen. After a brief pause, the bathroom door opened slightly, releasing a faint mist. Then, it fully opened, and Li Qingran emerged with bare shoulders wrapped in a simple white towel. Chen Huaians attention was immediately drawn to her long, fair legs. Zooming in, he could even see water droplets sliding down her skin. Wow Small dev teams and their insane skills! Hats off to the hackers! But then he frowned. Wait, is she not going to put on clean clothes? The scene shifted to Li Qingran kneeling on the bed, her flawless back facing the camera. Senior, Im ready In Li Qingrans mind, Senior was a kind but stern elderly figure, so her embarrassment wasnt overwhelming. After consuming the Great Restoration Pill, she loosened her robe, letting it fall along her waistline. The moment her back was exposed, her ears turned crimson. For the Transmission and Recovery, direct contact was necessary, especially on the back, abdomen, and chest. Her body was riddled with fire poison and impurities, which would be expelled during the process. The heat from the fire poison could easily ignite her clothes, so exposing her back was the safest choice. Better to reveal her back than risk being completely burned, right? Chen Huaian stared at her bare back, utterly dumbfounded. The games perspective zoomed in, showcasing her back from the nape of her neck to just above her hips. He could even make out faint blood vessels under her fair skin. Really? Theyre testing old cadres with this? He grumbled, but he had to admitthe view was breathtaking. The curves were impeccable. But what was he supposed to do next? Before he could dwell on it, golden acupuncture points appeared on Li Qingrans back. [Place your left hand on the Mingmen point and your right hand on the Qihai Shu point to begin the healing process.] Chapter 9: Divining the Heavens Chapter 9: Divining the Heavens Oh, so thats what personally means. Without feeling particularly surprised or disappointed, Chen Huaian reached out and pressed the designated points on the screen. Mm A soft, suppressed hum echoed from the game. Chen Huaian: Well, small dev teams really go all out. He liked small dev teams. The infusion of Spiritual Qi seemed painful. Li Qingran let out muffled groans, sweat dripping down her forehead, running along her cheeks and neck. Her skin began to glisten with fine beads of moisture. As the progress bar for the healing moved slowly forward, black impurities gradually appeared amidst the water droplets on her skin. This visual design is breathtaking. In his opinion, spending money on a game wasnt just about how fun it wasit had to feel worthwhile. Some games had limited content, barely two hours of playtime, but charged hundreds of yuan, practically robbing players blind. But was different. He had a feeling this game could last him a lifetime. As the healing progressed, a series of satisfying notifications appeared: [Li Qingrans meridians repaired. Status: Foundation Damaged removed.] [Li Qingrans internal injuries healed. Status: Moderate Internal Injuries removed.] [Detoxification initiated. Please press Yaoyangguan and massage Shenshu in circular motions to continue the healing process.] Following the instructions, Chen Huaian adjusted his focus to two new acupoints. The moment he touched them, Li Qingran let out a soft cry. Tch, must hurt quite a bit, he thought silently. Her skin turned a vivid rednot the kind from soaking in hot water, but like a freshly boiled shrimp. She was clearly in pain, biting her lip to suppress any sounds. Or so he thought. In reality, Li Qingran felt an incredible warmth from the two glowing hands on her back. While the fire poison being expelled from her body caused a crawling, tingling sensation throughout her limbs, she bit her lip not from pain but to avoid making any indecent sounds that might offend her benefactor. To distract herself, she glanced at the bronze mirror hanging by her bedside. The mirror revealed part of her back. She had hoped to see a wise, white-haired elder but found only two hands formed of condensed Spiritual Qi. One pressed firmly on an acupoint while the other traced soothing circles, exuding a steady and calming force. Unable to see her benefactors true appearance, she felt a twinge of disappointment. At the same time, relief and guilt welled up inside her. Senior wasnt the type to take advantage of others. Even during the healing process, he didnt touch her skin directlyhis conduct was that of an absolute gentleman. Her earlier suspicions of him being anything less seemed utterly disgraceful now. [Li Qingrans fire poison expelled. Status: Fire Poison Corrosion removed.] When the progress bar reached completion, Li Qingrans skin returned to normal. From Chen Huaians perspective, her skin, though still marked with impurities, looked significantly smoother and even glossier, like a polished boiled egg. Thank you, Senior, for healing me. I feel much better now. Li Qingrans soft gratitude came as she nervously gripped the edges of her towel. Her ears were flushed red, and even the nape of her neck seemed affected. May I ask Senior a question? Her voice trembled slightly, as though summoning courage to speak. Sure. No. Guess. Spend 300 to purchase a Transmission Talisman for custom dialogue. This time, Chen Huaian didnt hesitate and chose the first option. With his permission, Li Qingrans tone brightened noticeably. Senior, youve helped me so much. May I know your name? Of course, if youd rather not share, I wont press further. A prompt appeared: [Please enter your name: _______] Goodness. Chen Huaian smirked bitterly. Hed already spent thousands and played half the day, and now they finally let him create a character name? So, without spending money, even naming your character was off-limits? This game truly had a high entry barrier. After a moments thought, he entered the simplest name he could think of: Chen Huaian. If he were to pass away someday, at least this game would still carry his namea faint trace of his existence. Huaian, the steadfast sword driving away the eternal night; the serene zither soothing the cold dawn. Huaian Seniors name will forever be etched in Qingrans memory. Li Qingran glanced back with a gentle smile. Her delicate features softened, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulder. Outside, the night was dark as ink, rain pouring relentlessly. But within, she felt no chillonly a tender warmth blooming in her chest. Chen Huaian froze as he stared at her smile. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though the phone screen had vanished, and there truly was a girl smiling at him. Small dev teams always go way too hard, he muttered, shaking his head to dispel the unrealistic thoughts creeping into his mind. Senior, my bodys now covered in impurities. Ill need to wash again. This time, no dialogue options appeared. Li Qingran wrapped her towel more securely, bowed gracefully to the ceiling, and carried a fresh set of clothes into the bathroom. Left staring at her empty room, Chen Huaian zoned out for a while. He realized he was losing itfeeling genuine affection for a game character. By the way, her injuries are healed, but her spiritual root and dantian issues are still unresolved, right? He rummaged through the games interface and found a help center. [First question each day is free. Additional questions require 100 per query, with the price multiplying by five for each subsequent query.] Whats the point of making games? Just rob banks already! Despite his annoyance, he wasnt one to waste free perks. Hed exploit this daily freebie until the day he died. How can Li Qingrans dantian and spiritual root be repaired? [You can only ask about one issue.] Chen Huaian: Between the two, the dantian seemed more criticalit was the container for all energy. Then how do I fix her dantian? [Calculating Heavenly Divination] Heavenly Divination? Really playing up the mysticism, huh? Chen Huaian snickered. Unbeknownst to him, in the Cangyun Realm, the heavens shifted violently. Stars misaligned, tides surged, the earth quaked, and subterranean dragons stirred. Across countless sects, ancient cultivators turned their attention toward the phenomenon. Who dares to divine the heavens?! With Spiritual Qi growing scarcer in the Cangyun Realm, could this signify someone foretelling its future? Stay out of it! Such powers are beyond our reach. Retreat to closed-door cultivation! [Heavenly Divination complete!] [To repair Li Qingrans dantian, an ancient divine elixirthe Primordial Heaven-Mending Pillis required. Though lost to history, this pill can not only repair a severely damaged dantian but also enhance its quality and capacity for Spiritual Qi.] [The Fortune Carp Pool has captured a sliver of this destiny. Drawing a Fortune Carp will allow you to exchange it for the Celestial-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill.] Chen Huaian: A sliver of destiny, my foot. Its just a scam to push gacha mechanics! A thousand draws cost 100,000. Sure, there was a minuscule chance to get it outright, but whats the difference between 0.001% and zero? If he were lucky, he wouldnt have gotten cancer in the first place. First thing tomorrow, Im registering this account and heading to the hospital for certification. Then, no hesitationstraight to livestreaming at Taishan! Chen Huaian scratched his head. Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hed planned to wait a few days before heading to Taishan, but now he couldnt delay. Li Qingrans dantian had to be repaired. He, Chen Huaian, said so! Chapter 10: Your Virtual Girlfriends Small Gift Has Arrived Chapter 10: Your Virtual Girlfriend''s Small Gift Has Arrived Night The rain gradually stopped. Li Qingran gazed nervously at the protective talisman in her hand, preparing to complete the final three steps. Step one: Recharge the talisman with Spiritual Qi. She wasnt sure how much Spiritual Qi was needed to create the talisman using the leftover materials from the immortal-grade formation flags. What she did know was that she had to exhaust all 50 low-grade spirit stones and completely drain her own Spiritual Qi just to fill the talisman enough to activate it. S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Rubbing her pale face, she took a deep breath. Next is step two! Carve a name! The creator of the talisman must use their own blood as ink to inscribe the name of the person to be protected. This was supposed to be the easiest step, yet Li Qingran found herself more anxious than ever. Write it nicely, write it nicely, you must write it nicely She muttered to herself, finally inscribing the characters Chen Huaian onto the talisman. When she finished, her expression was more pitiful than a crying face. Oh no, this looks absolutely ridiculous The characters on the talisman were so jagged and crooked they resembled chicken scratch. Li Qingran had a natural flawher handwriting was atrocious. It wasnt due to any lack of refinement or civility; before joining the Qingyun Sect, she was the daughter of a military general. Her parents had insisted she learn proper lady-like skills, but she showed no interest, devoting all her attention to horseback riding, spear techniques, archery, and warfare tactics instead. Back then, when her parents forced her to practice writing, she cried. On the battlefield, wielding spears and leading charges, neat handwriting wasnt a requirement. Now, though, she regretted it deeply. If she could go back, shed absolutely take her parents advice and practice her penmanship diligently. Father said gifts are about the sincerity behind them, she mumbled, pumping her fist to encourage herself as she moved on to the final stepGift of Fortune. As the name implied, it involved transferring ones fortune to another. The world''s fortunes formed a natural balance; to give was to diminish ones own. Fortunately, with the talisman as a medium, the transfer was only temporary. However, the giver would inevitably experience misfortune for a while due to their diminished fortune. Li Qingran didnt mind. Regardless of whether her senior needed this modest fortune or not, she only wished for him to remain safe and sound. After sealing her fortune into the talisman with a secret technique, her complexion visibly worsened. Yet, her smile was brighter than ever. Ill just leave this talisman on the table. Facing the ceiling, Li Qingran knelt and bowed, whether or not her senior could hear her. She believed he could. Senior, this junior has been greatly cared for by you. My injuries have healed, and I find myself at a loss for how to repay you. So, Ive crafted this protective talisman as a token of my gratitude. Its a small gift, but it carries my heartfelt sincerity I hope you wont dislike it. After her speech, she lowered her head, though her eyes nervously glanced upward to check the talisman on the table. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Whoosh! The talisman vanished. Her senior had accepted her gift! Li Qingrans heart leapt with joy, and an uncontrollable smile spread across her face. Thank you, Senior, for not minding my foolishness, hehe. Exhausted from her injuries and the all-night effort, she stumbled back to her bed. It had been half a month since she last slept on such a soft mattress, and the moment her head hit the pillow, sleep claimed her. Before drifting off, she stared at the ceiling and murmured groggily, Goodnight, Senior Meanwhile... Song Jiaojiao, youve made considerable progress latelyalready at the ninth level of Qi Refinement? Good. I have something for you to do. What is it? Kill Li Qingran for me! What?! Kill Li Qingran? You youre still hung up on that? Hmph. So what if I am? Li Qingrans reputation in the sect is already ruined. Her death wont matter. She deserves it! Besides, if you handle it cleanly, her death can easily be blamed on the beasts in Wanqing Mountain. Be good~ If you do this well, Ill get you a Foundation Establishment Pill. A Foun Foundation Establishment Pill? Alright, deal! Just wait for my good news! The Next Morning Before dawn, Chen Huaian booted up Virtual Girlfriend. Remaining lifespan: 131 days. Ridiculous! What kind of game starts by predicting your death? Sure, he had a terminal illness, but was it necessary for a game to rub it in? Then he figured the countdown must refer to his in-game characterthe senior. Hed probably die in 131 days unless the game provided a way to resolve it. Tch, theyll probably make me buy my way out by then. I see through your monetization scheme! Chen Huaian sneered. A new notification popped up. Due to your Heavenly Divination, youve incurred backlash from the Dao and lost fortune. Todays Divination: Li HexagramMinor BlessingAuspicious for marriage, inauspicious for mountain climbing. Tomorrows Divination: Zhen HexagramMisfortuneAuspicious for cleaning, inauspicious for mountain climbing. Oh, so now theyre giving me warnings? Chen Huaian scoffed. Ive got one foot in the grave alreadywhats the worst that could happen? Out of curiosity, he looked up the Zhen Hexagram. It predicted thunderclaps and was associated with the feet. When paired with misfortune, it warned against travel. Misfortune wasnt as severe as great misfortune but still hinted at injury or loss. So, if I climb a mountain, Ill get struck by lightning? Ridiculous. He checked the weather forecast. Clear skies and temperatures above 30Cno rain in sight. Closing the notifications, he focused on Li Qingrans serene sleeping face. Li Qingran was still sound asleep, having barely moved all night. Her complexion didnt look great, though. Last night, Chen Huaian had gone to bed after reading about the mountain. He hadnt paid much attention to her condition, but he recalled shed been meditating as usual. The girl worked tirelessly, like a perpetual motion machine. He tapped her profile and noticed a new debuff: Lost Fortune. Strange Could my Heavenly Divination have affected her? He pondered the possibility. Status: Sleeping. Current Affection Level: 25 (Reverence). Affection Level 25 has unlocked a small gift. Your Virtual Girlfriend Li Qingran has prepared a small gift for you. It has been delivered. A gift system? Classic, Chen Huaian muttered, stroking his chin. He searched for the gift in his inventory but found nothing. No in-game mail system either. The game didnt even offer welcome bonusesit was aggressively pay-to-win. Maybe it hasnt refreshed yet, he guessed. At that moment, a knock came at the door. Perplexed, Chen Huaian opened it, only to find no one there. As he was about to close the door, he noticed a palm-sized package on the ground. Huh? I didnt order anything. And who delivers packages at 5 a.m.? He picked it up. The label bore no courier company logo or tracking numberjust a line of neat characters:
  • For Senior Chen. Chapter 11: It Smells Like Li Qingran! Chapter 11: It Smells Like Li Qingran! Huh? Chen Huaian was utterly stunned. Wait a seconddid it really get delivered? Is this how far these indie developers are willing to go? And this game it had to be the work of hackers, right? It cracked his reality wide open! A normal persons first reaction to something like this would be fear. But Chen Huaian wasnt afraid. His life was already in shambles; at worst, hed just drop dead. What was there to fear? Hey! Youre probably hiding in the hallway, right? Come out and talk! This game of yours is way too pay-to-win. Cant you make it more affordable? I really dont have much money! He yelled into the pitch-black corridor. His voice echoed, bouncing down the stairwell, but no one replied. Well, fine. Stay hidden then, Chen Huaian muttered, shutting the door with a loud He knew these hackers wouldnt show themselves; his shouting was just to test the waters. Lets see what this is about. He sat on the sofa and began unboxing the package. Curiosity gnawed at him. If these people went so far as to recreate the in-game items and deliver them to his door, then they clearly cared deeply about the game. This meant the gifts quality had to be top-notch, right? Inside the box was a small, square pouch resembling a scented sachet. The craftsmanship was exquisite. But as Chen Huaian turned it over, his lips twitched involuntarily. On the sachet were three traditional Chinese characters"Chen Huaian"written vertically. Beneath them were smaller characters: Safe and Sound. Clearly, it was a protective talisman. But the handwriting Chen Huaian couldnt help but compare it to his elementary school days, when even his six-year-old self had better penmanship. The crooked, shaky characters resembled something a dog might scratch out. The sachets elegance plummeted the moment he saw them. Whats inside this thing? He tried to open the pouch, but the material was sturdier than expectedit wouldnt tear. So, to get a sense of its contents, he brought it up to his nose and sniffed. That sniff changed everything. A faint, elegant fragrance rushed straight into his nostrils. It wasnt sweet or cloyingsubtle and serene, entirely unassuming. It was like a quiet girl silently conveying her longing. He couldnt pinpoint the scent, but Li Qingrans image immediately sprang to mind. It gave him the illusion that this was her scent! Wh-what?! Chen Huaian was shocked. How could a game achieve this level of realism? Hed heard of games where female characters gifted authentic items, like stockings with their scent. His college roommate had received such a thing once. But those always smelled like cheap perfumetacky and artificial, stirring no connection whatsoever. This talisman was completely different. No matter how he sniffed itlying down, sitting upright, or even while viewing his favorite teachers profileit still brought Li Qingran to mind. Incredible! Chen Huaian slapped his thigh. Why waste this technology on a games monetization schemes? If they marketed a perfume brand with this kind of innovation, theyd be raking in billions! In the end, Chen Huaian decided to wear the talisman. Why? Because it truly felt like it was made by Li Qingran herself! By mid-morning, Chen Huaian had his affairs in order. He stopped by a shop near the hospital to shave his head bald. He uploaded his cancer diagnosis to his livestream accounts profile, recorded a motivational vlog with the help of his doctor, and reluctantly spent 1,000 yuan on advertising. For lunch, he had three liang of dry noodles at a local diner. By afternoon, he was on a plane to Mount Tais. His livestream profile exuded boldness and a dash of melodrama: "Youth has no price; life is lived only once. My name is Chen Huaian, and Ive been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In my remaining days, I will defy fate, mock death, and push my physical limits to make my life burn as brightly as possible. Todays challenge: Climb Mount Tais in five hours!" By the time he reached the base of Mount Tais, it was already 7 p.m. His plan was to begin the climb at midnight. Reaching the summit around dawn, hed witness the sunrise and fulfill one of his small dreams. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As for how much money he might earn, he wasnt sure. Terminal cancer patients climbing Mount Tais wasnt exactly common, and on top of that, his legs were genuinely in terrible shape. His ankles were swollen to the point where even wearing shoes was painful. In this condition, walking was agonylet alone climbing a mountain. He found a bench at the mountains base and lay down for three hours to conserve energy. At 10 p.m., feeling rested, Chen Huaian pulled out his phone again. First, he opened the game to check on Li Qingran. The girl was already awake, meditating on her bed. On the table next to her were some cleaned plates and a basket of fruit, barely touched. These were all things hed fed her earlier in the game. Such a hardworking girl. Just looking at her brought Chen Huaian a sense of calm. He took a deep breath, his lips curling into a faint smile, and opened his livestream account. His vlog had already gained attention over the past half-day, and over a hundred people had set reminders for tonights livestream. The numbers were nothing compared to professional outdoor streamers, but for Chen Huaian, it was a promising start. "The hardest part is always the beginning." Chat comments: "Streamer, how can you prove youre terminally ill? Youre not just trying to scam people for sympathy donations, are you?""Climbing Mount Tais with terminal cancer? And in five hours? You said you have bone cancer, right? At least make your lies logical.""Haha, this is so fake!" As expected, the initial chat was full of doubt and mockery. Chen Huaian didnt respond immediately. Instead, he silently invested in another wave of livestream promotions. When his viewer count hit several hundred, he finally spoke: Hello, everyone. My name is Chen Huaian. As a terminal cancer patient, I will climb Mount Tais in five hours, livestreaming the entire journey unedited. My profile contains my diagnosis, payment receipts, and medical records. If you suspect forgery, you can request verification from the relevant hospitalI welcome any scrutiny! With that, he flipped the camera to show his legs. Pulling up his pant legs and removing his shoes and socks, he revealed his swollen ankles, mottled with burn-like marks. Rolling the pants higher, he showed how the swelling extended up to his knees. As you can see, my body is in poor condition. Every step I take causes immense pain and places a heavy burden on me. Switching the camera back, Chen Huaian rubbed his bald head and gave a carefree smile. But I will prove myself. I will trample this disease beneath my feet, mock fates impotence, and flip off the Grim Reaper. When the sun rises, Ill share that moment of triumph with all of you watching! The combination of meticulously prepared medical documentation, his scarred legs, his glaringly bald head, and his relaxed, confident smile It silenced the livestream chat completely. Chapter 12: We’re Here to Expose You (Single Female Lead Armor Stacking) Chapter 12: Were Here to Expose You (Single Female Lead Armor Stacking) Oh my god, this is so touching! I actually doubted the streamer was just out to scam money... So inspiring! Im such an idiot for doubting him! Streamer, stop climbing. Im sending you gifts! Chen Huaians heartfelt words shifted the atmosphere in the livestream chat. Though doubts lingered, some began to believe in him, while others announced their intention to personally verify his claims by coming to Mount Tais. To the friend planning to expose me on Mount Tais, youre welcome to set out now. Ill start climbing at exactly noon and wont be going anywhere else before then. This statement provoked another wave of reactions in the chat. Climbing Mount Tais with terminal bone cancer? What a joke! In front of his computer, a young man, seething from a losing streak in an online game, was livid. Might as well settle this since Im too pissed to sleep tonight! He left a message in the chat: Im an hours drive from Mount Tais. Hang tight, everyoneIll go expose this guy! Grabbing his keys, he stormed out the door. The internet was full of scammers, multiplying like cockroaches. Exposing one barely scratched the surface. If he couldnt catch online cheaters in the act, surely he could handle a live-streaming sob story. Chen Huaian had seen these messages and welcomed the challenge. The more people who came, the better. Not only could he prove he truly had cancer, but it would also boost his livestreams popularity. If his numbers caught the attention of high-tier accounts, his chances of earning money would skyrocket. Dont forget to follow, everyone. I dont have much time left. Right now, Im racing against the clock. After this climb, I plan to try more extreme sportslike skydiving or bungee jumping His words once again ignited the chat, drawing both ridicule and encouragement. By noon, all eyes were on whether Chen Huaian truly had cancer and whether he could reach the summit of Mount Tais within five hours. If he didnt, the audience could count on the so-called exposers to deliver the truthand enjoy the spectacle regardless. As noon approached, Chen Huaian rechecked his gear. To attempt the climb with terminal cancer, he needed to travel light. Initially, he planned to bring two power banks but decided to take only one to reduce weight, slinging it over his shoulder. His phone battery, already unreliable, had dropped to 27% after just two hours of streaming. With the power bank, he hoped to last until the descent. Are you Chen Huaian? A voice called out behind him. Turning, Chen Huaian saw a young man, two middle-aged men, and a punk-style girl. Are you from the livestream chat? Thats right. Were here to expose you, Zhang Rui replied coldly, smirking. On the way to Mount Tais, Zhang Rui had coordinated with several other chat members intending to confront Chen Huaian. To ensure he couldnt flee, they gathered at the entrance before approaching him, effectively blocking any escape route. Nice to meet you all. Chen Huaian greeted them with a smile. I thought this would be a solo journey, but its even better to have company. Zhang Rui ignored the pleasantries, pointing at Chen Huaians leg. That lump on your legits fake, right? Pull up your pants and let us see! Unfazed, Chen Huaian rolled up his pants. Zhang Rui and the others shone their flashlights on his leg. The punk girl reached out and pressed on the lump, only to gasp and cover her mouth. Oh my god, its a real subcutaneous tumor... How is he even walking? Was this guy for real? Zhang Rui felt his confidence waver. Looking away, he muttered, A tumor doesnt prove its bone cancer... This is osteosarcoma, Chen Huaian said with a calm smile. You can look up information online and compare it to mine... Anyway, its time for me to start climbing. Zhang Rui opened his mouth as if to say something, but Chen Huaian had already hoisted his livestream setup and begun the climb. Youre being a bit much! The punk girl, Su Xiaoqian, shot Zhang Rui a glare. Regardless of whether its osteosarcoma, his leg is clearly in bad shape. Considering all the evidence, the chances hes lying are slim. Show some compassion! Shes right, young man, one of the middle-aged men agreed. My father died of cancerosteosarcoma, in fact. I can tell whether this is real or not. The fact that this kid is climbing Mount Tais instead of lying in a hospital bed speaks volumes. Exactly, the other man added. Bone cancer can cause spontaneous fractures. He shouldnt even be doing high-intensity activities like this. For him to take on such a challenge shows incredible courage and determination. Ashamed, Zhang Rui scratched his neck and fell silent. The group quickly caught up to Chen Huaian. Streamer, that setup looks heavy. Want me to carry it for you? Su Xiaoqian offered, feeling guilty. Chen Huaian shook his head. No need. Carrying it myself makes it easier to adjust the camera angle, and holding the rig is part of my commitment to my audience. Youre amazing! one of the middle-aged men exclaimed, giving him a thumbs-up. Unbelievable! Encouragement poured in from the group. Even Zhang Rui chimed in. Hey, man, sorry for earlier. I lost some games and wasnt in the best state of mind. I said some things I shouldnt have. Its fine. I understand peoples concerns. Money doesnt come easy for anyone, Chen Huaian replied without looking back. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. How about I send you a gift to make it up to you? Zhang Rui offered. Chen Huaian immediately turned and flashed a friendly smile. What kind of gift? Uh... A big rocket2000 yuan each. Great! Thanksyoure a good guy. Zhang Rui: ... It was clear to him nowthis streamer was genuinely sick, but he was also genuinely out to make money. Still, Zhang Rui couldnt blame him. If he was battling cancer, it made sense to earn what he could for treatment. Zhang Ruis financial situation wasnt bad, so he decided to send the gift. Opening the livestream, he first followed Chen Huaian and then sent ten big rockets. Whoa, what a boss move! Isnt this the guy who came to expose him? Looks like hes convinced now. Front-row seats for a real-time investigation! Poor streamer. Lets support him, even if he doesnt make it to the top. The ten rockets sparked a chain reaction of gift-giving, drawing more viewers to the livestream. Thanks for the ten rockets, boss! Chen Huaian, thrilled, panned the camera to show Zhang Rui, who blushed and dodged the frame. After the platforms cut, those ten rockets would net him 10,000 yuan. This was his Fortune Carp streak paying off100 spins in one go. The internet truly was a lucrative space. As the gift count climbed, so did the pain in Chen Huaians legs. Each step sent waves of agony through him. Sweat drenched his protective talisman, its faint fragrance growing stronger. In his mind, the image of Li Qingrans smiling face surfaced. What was that girl doing now? Chapter 13: Frenzied Beast Incense Chapter 13: Frenzied Beast Incense Whats senior doing right now? Li Qingran propped her cheeks on her hands, gazing at the ceiling. She had a feeling that Chen Huaian was too busy to pay attention to her at the moment. Someone as extraordinary as Senior must be fighting for the cultivators of the entire Cangyun Realm. Maybe hes out slaying some great demonic beast Her imagination took off, conjuring the image of a silver-haired elder with an immortal aura, riding his flying sword as he gracefully cut down a demon. The thought brought a silly smile to her face. If only If only Senior were her master, how amazing would that be? S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No, Li Qingran, dont overstep! She gave herself a light slap on the head as a reminder. Earlier today, Senior had provided her with twelve Spirit Crystals, sustaining an Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation for six hours. That brute-force enhancement had even pushed her cultivation base to the fifth layer of the Qi Refinement Stage. Thanks to her meridians and internal injuries gradually healing, the leakage of Spiritual Qi from her dantian had slowed considerably. But ultimately, her dantian was brokena basin with a hole, unable to hold Qi for long. I have to figure out a way to fix my dantian and spiritual root, Li Qingran mused. She couldnt rely on Senior for everything. If Senior was willing to help, it was out of his generosity, but she couldnt take the initiative to ask. She already had a plan in mind. The Qingyun Sect was unreliable. She needed to seek out another sect, even a smaller one. These smaller sects often had rare ancient texts. If she was lucky, she might find a way to repair her dantian and spiritual root. If all else failed, she could leave the world of cultivation altogether, retreat to a serene place, and slowly gather intelligence about her enemies. Or perhaps she could return to the Southern Dynasty and serve as a general. As for seeking revenge against her senior brothers Li Qingran hadnt even considered it. She hadnt been their match before, and her chances were even slimmer now. It was cowardly and humiliating, but survival in the cultivation world was harsh by nature. She had already lost the will to live before. Now, she just wanted to stay alive a little longerto live until Senior was no longer busy and might see her again. Even if it was just to hear him say one word to her. She really wanted to thank him in person. Somethings wrong! Wasnt Li Qingran thrown into a thatched hut? Song Jiaojiao stood at the foot of the mountain, frowning at the stone house. Her cultivators eyesight was excellent, and it was clear that the stone dwelling was newly built. This meant someone had been helping Li Qingran. But who? Could it be one of the personal disciples from Chixiao Peak? It wasnt impossible Although Mu Baishuang had claimed those disciples hated Li Qingran to the core, perhaps they still had lingering affection and had decided to help her out? If that were the case, killing Li Qingran would put her at odds with them. But she couldnt give up the Foundation Establishment Pill. After weighing her options, Song Jiaojiao decided to test the waters firstto see if those personal disciples had left any protective measures around Li Qingrans residence. She retrieved a half-meter-long red incense stick from her storage ring. This was the Frenzied Beast Incense. Its aroma had a wide spread and was nearly undetectable to cultivators but could attract beasts with a keen sense of smell. Normally, it was used during beast hunts, but in certain circumstances, it was also a deadly weapon. Her original plan was to storm the hut, kill Li Qingran, and feed her corpse to the beasts in the mountains. But now, the plan had to change. She couldnt risk approaching, so she would use the incense to incite beasts to do the job. Even though a beast rampage might attract the sects attention, it was worth the risk. Li Qingran, when a wall collapses, everyone gives it a push. Dont blame me for this. Song Jiaojiao lit the red incense and flicked her fingers. The incense flew through the air and lodged in a tree near the stone house. After setting up a formation to conceal her aura, she retreated to a safe distance. When the beasts arrived, some were bound to be ferocious. The formation was her safety net. All she had to do now was wait and watch. The beasts would need time to pick up the scent and gather. Inside the stone house, the sleeping girl was completely unaware of the approaching danger. At five in the morning, the horizon began to brighten faintly. Chen Huaian was close to the summit. But he was in a terrible state. The wind was strong and the temperature low near the peak. Many tourists, sweating heavily at the halfway point, found themselves shivering as they neared the summit. They either quickened their pace to warm up or stopped by a mountainside restaurant for some hot porridge. Chen Huaian, however, was different. His face was pale, his entire body soaked in sweat. Every step was shaky, and sweat dripped from the hem of his soaked shirt. This was pain. He had only eaten two pieces of bread along the way, drinking water constantly to sustain himself. Though his pace was unsteady, his steps were resolute. His back was straight, his gaze calm, fixed firmly ahead. The light in his eyes made him look like a pilgrim. Dude, let me carry you! Dont climb anymore! Zhang Ruis voice cracked as he held back tears. Tonights events would stay with him for life. He had watched, step by agonizing step, as a man with legs riddled with osteosarcoma endured excruciating pain to climb the endless stone stairs. Even the two middle-aged men and the punk girl, Su Xiaoqian, were gasping for breath. Zhang Rui, who worked out regularly, had the stamina, but the mental pressure weighed heavily on him. Every time he saw sweat dripping from Chen Huaians soaked shirt, it was like a blow to his heart. Chen Huaian had never once complained. He had faced their hostility with tolerance and peace. Behind Chen Huaian, it wasnt just the four livestream followers. A growing number of tourists, initially planning to turn back, had joined after hearing his story. The group swelled into a massive procession, a winding dragon on the stone steps. Almost there. Chen Huaian looked up at the summit and smiled. He had to make it. An hour earlier, a viewer with a Level 57 account had promised to send 66 Drum and Gong City giftseach worth 2,888 yuanif he reached the summit by sunrise. After platform cuts, it would net him 95,000 yuan. With additional donations from tourists, tonights earnings could reach 120,000 yuan. Of course, there was always the chance the viewer was bluffing. But Chen Huaian didnt care. He would have climbed regardless of gifts. It wasnt just about money. He wanted to push his limits in the time he had leftto see how much light he could still bring to the world. But just 98 steps from the summit, a sudden, intense pain shot through his right leg. His balance faltered, and he fell to his knees on the stone steps. Su Xiaoqian instinctively looked at his leg, her face paling as she clamped her hands over her mouth. Ah! His leg his leg! Gritting his teeth, Chen Huaian looked down. His right leg, from the ankle to the knee, was grotesquely twisted out of shape. He had fractured it. Chapter 14: A Mirage? Chapter 14: A Mirage? Pathological fractures are a common symptom among bone cancer patients. The destruction of bone tissue by cancer cells makes the bones soft and brittle, prone to breaking. It was only a matter of time before this happened to Chen Huaian. Pain had become so constant for him that it felt almost numb now. The physical torment was still bearable; the emotional pain hardly registered anymore. Nothing could compare to the grief of watching his parents perish in a fire years ago. So, amidst the concerned glances and murmured questions of nearby tourists, Chen Huaian calmly adjusted his camera and said to Zhang Rui, who was helping him up, Bro, do me a favoropen my backpack. Dude, forget the backpack! Call an ambulance already! Your legs broken! Zhang Rui was dumbfounded by how detached Chen Huaian seemed, as though the twisted leg werent even his. Call all you want; the ambulance cant drive up here. Just open my bagIve got my own plan. Skeptical but unwilling to argue, Zhang Rui opened the bag and handed it to Chen Huaian. From it, Chen Huaian pulled out a folded crutch. Zhang Rui: ... The tourists: ??? Wait a minute, brois this your big plan? Theyd expected at least some painkillers, maybe something miraculous, not... this. Alright, lets keep going! Chen Huaian expertly unfolded the crutch and supported himself. Bone cancer patients were prone to fractures, so hed gotten used to walking with a crutch beforehand to avoid being caught off guard when it finally happened. And now it had. In a way, it felt like kissing fate on the lips. In the livestream, viewers were silently liking and sending gifts. Some begged him to head back down, while others, having abandoned their doubts about his illness, focused only on whether this relentless man could complete his journey. That bent leg symbolized the oppression of fate and the mockery of death, while the crutch in his hand was a bold middle finger to both. He wasnt just climbing to the top; he was defying fate, even with his broken leg. The tourists watched in awe as he struggled upward. In their hearts, they believed this young man must have an extraordinary purpose. Lets go! Just a few more steps to the 90,000 yuan sponsorship! Im gonna draw 1,000 spins from the Fortune Carp Pool! Chen Huaian gritted his teeth, his face contorted with pain as he eyed the diminishing steps. Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill! Hahaha! A mere Heaven-Mending Pill!! To the tourists, his grimace only deepened their respect. Finally, atop Mount Tais, Chen Huaians trembling leg landed on the last step. A faint beam of light pierced through the thick clouds and stretched across the dim horizon, brushing against his head. Flocks of birds flew through the golden rays, and distant bells echoed among the mountains. In the next moment, the sun burst forth from the horizon, its light spilling across the sky and illuminating the world. Chen Huaian stared, his heart trembling, and the tourists around him fell silent, captivated by the sight of the golden-lit peaks. Suddenly Bow!! A resonant cry rang out from nowhere. The sunlight began to ripple as if the sky itself were water disturbed by a stone. In the shimmering waves of light, a procession of ancient ceremonial figures appeared. At the forefront stood a majestic figure dressed in a black dragon robe, with a jade crown and a sword at his side. Behind him followed civil officials holding jade tablets, military officers in dark armor, and attendants carrying ceremonial items. They walked on clouds, the ground beneath them appearing as paved tiles, as they ascended toward the peak of Mount Tais. What the hell is that? sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A mirage? Is this a movie set? The tourists were dumbstruck, their curiosity allowing for brief discussion. But in the next moment, the procession leaped across miles and appeared directly before them. Silence fell. The oppressive atmosphere rendered everyone motionless, their voices stilled by an invisible force. Chen Huaian stood frozen, watching as the emperor strode toward him. He couldnt see the mans face clearly; his eyes felt veiled by an inexplicable blur. The procession passed through the crowd like smoke and mist, untouchable and ethereal, as if it belonged to another realm. Chen Huaian assumed it was a vision from another time, a scene untouched by the present. Until the emperor paused before him. Just as the figure was about to pass through him, the emperor slightly inclined his head, lowering his gaze to meet Chen Huaians. Golden vertical pupils locked onto his, piercing and full of scrutiny. Chen Huaians scalp tingled. He swore the emperor was looking directly at himnot a coincidence, but a deliberate gaze. In that moment, he could feel the weight of judgment in the emperors eyes. And then, as quickly as it began, the moment ended. The emperor passed through him, and the entire procession faded into the mist at the mountains peak. The mirage atop Mount Tais became an internet sensation, shooting to the top of trending topics. Experts speculated that it was the ceremonial procession of the First Emperor of Qin during his ritual ascension at Mount Tais. Why such a distant historical event would manifest in the present was unclear. While experts insisted on a scientific explanation, they hadnt yet concocted one. Chen Huaian wasnt bothered by the online frenzy, nor was he concerned about the emperors gaze. As a steadfast materialist, if someone told him his house had a ghost, his response would be to head to the store and buy a box of Okamoto 001 condomsnot for anything else, just to support biodiversity. Meanwhile, the Level 57 viewer kept his word. Sixty-six "Drum and Gong City" gifts arrived, totaling nearly 95,000 yuan after platform cuts. The viewer even thanked Chen Huaian for the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, promising to support his future endeavors. Chen Huaian couldnt be happier. He loved this kind of genuine fan. The livestream ended as his phone battery died. After a quick goodbye, he prepared to descend the mountain. Bro, how are you planning to get down? Cable car or sedan chair? Zhang Rui asked, utterly impressed by Chen Huaian. Cable car, of course, Chen Huaian replied. It was faster and cheaper, leaving him more time to recharge and check in on his virtual girlfriend. With 120,000 yuan in the bank, Chen Huaian considered his options. Was it worth throwing money at treatments like chemotherapy, with a low survival rate even after amputation? Or should he simply enjoy the time he had left? As he pondered, Zhang Rui and the others helped him to the crowded cable car station. Just as Chen Huaian was about to board, his talismans string inexplicably snapped, and it fell to the ground. Bending down to pick it up, he moved slowly, prompting irritated, insulting remarks from the tattooed men already in the cable car. Suddenly The ground beneath Mount Tais shook violently. Chen Huaian lost his balance, tumbling down to the ticket hall as chaos erupted. Look out! Screams echoed as debris rained down, accompanied by the shattering of glass and the earth-shaking sound of falling rocks. Chapter 15: If There’s a Next Life? Chapter 15: If Theres a Next Life? An earthquake struck Mount Tais, triggering a rockslide. A massive boulder crashed in front of the cable car ticket office, flattening a cable car about to descend. Fortunately, the cableway itself was unharmed; otherwise, every tourist on it would have faced disaster. What shocked people even more was that the seven individuals killed in that cable car were drug traffickerskey players from both the buyer and seller sides of a major deal. In fact, these seven were the masterminds of two large drug organizations, with countless lives already on their hands. Many people speculated that this was the work of the Mountain God of Mount Tais. Others connected this sudden event to the mirage of the Fengchan ceremony that had recently appeared. ... This was all something Chen Huaian learned later. The first thing he did after descending the mountain wasnt calling an ambulanceit was finding a small convenience store to borrow a power bank. As he charged his phone, he nonchalantly opened the Virtual Girlfriend game and sat down on a chair, looking entirely unconcerned. Next to him, Zhang Rui was anxiously calling emergency services. Zhang Rui felt that Chen Huaians fractured bones were partially his fault. If he hadnt made such cruel remarks earlier, maybe Chen Huaian wouldnt have insisted on climbing Mount Tais. I need to check what my virtual girlfriend is up to. As soon as the game loaded, Chen Huaian was bombarded with notifications: [You have 130 days of lifespan remaining.] [Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran has been attacked by a small beast tide!] [Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran is fighting fiercely] [Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran has been injured.] [Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran is severely wounded!] What the heck?! Chen Huaians heart clenched. How did she get hurt after just a short mountain hike? Why would there be a beast tide in the middle of the night? Even if it aligned with the nocturnal habits of demonic beasts, this was still just a gamedidnt the characters ever sleep? He quickly dismissed all the pop-ups, only to see a heartbreaking scene unfold. The house was nearly in ruins from the demonic beasts onslaught. Li Qingran was surrounded by their corpses, kneeling amidst a pool of blood. Her head hung low, her black hair concealing her face. She held a broken sword in her hand, and though she was wearing a brand-new outfit he had gotten from a top-up bonus, the once-elegant garment was now riddled with claw marks. Beneath the tattered fabric, her wounds were gruesome and bloody. [Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran is in critical condition!] So close but I still couldnt meet Senior one last time Li Qingran felt herself nearing death. She barely raised her head to look through the hole in the ceiling at the sky beyond. Her pale, haggard face was devoid of color, and her once-bright eyes grew dimmer by the second, her vision fading into gray. Nineteen years in this world, all filled with bitterness. Her father had died on the battlefield, and her mother had been poisoned by assassins from an enemy nation. She had hoped that joining the Qingyun Sect would give her a chance to avenge her parents, only to find herself jumping from one quagmire into another. The cultivation worlds rigid rules forbade interference in mortal affairs. Yet these rules only served as chains to bind ordinary cultivators. Determined to rise above those rules, she had poured her heart and soul into cultivating, striving to one day bring peace to her parents'' restless spirits. Now, however, she had been expelled from her sect, her dantian and spiritual root destroyed, leaving her in utter despair. A sparrow flew across the hole in the ceiling, catching a glimmer of light in her dull eyes. In just two short days, every moment spent with Senior played vividly in her mind. Even though he had never physically appeared, he had shown her an unselfish kindness and warmth. In this life Qingran has no strength left to repay Seniors kindness ... She hunched over, coughing blood mixed with tears. The crimson liquid trickled down the corner of her mouth, drop by drop. If theres a next life A demonic beast, sensing her vulnerability, leapt forward to tear her apart. At that moment, countless streaks of lightning descended from the heavens. Boom! Boom! Boom! The blinding bolts of thunder annihilated everything, turning the surroundings of the house into a blazing white inferno. Song Jiaojiao, hiding within a concealed formation nearby, stared at the scene in utter shock. What had she just witnessed? A barrage of Thunderfire Talismans falling from the sky, raining destruction upon the demonic beasts! Whose talismans were those? Li Qingrans? Even the cheapest Thunderfire Talisman cost 500 low-grade spirit stones apiece, and this assault had consumed tens of thousands of them. The only explanation was that someone behind Li Qingran had intervened. But who could it be? Staring at the thunderstorm engulfing the area, Song Jiaojiao turned pale. The relentless assault continued. Dozensno, hundredsof Thunderfire Talismans rained down like worthless scraps, obliterating every demonic beast within and around the house. Not even their corpses remained; all were incinerated to ash. When the lightning finally ceased, the house was intact, but the surrounding area was scarred with countless craters from the strikes. Inside, Li Qingran lay unconscious in a pool of blood. Surrounding flames were blocked by a golden shield that encased her. Th-this place is dangerous! Song Jiaojiao felt an ominous chill in her heart. Suddenly, a Thunderfire Talisman appeared above her. The glowing talisman radiated golden light, its silver-stroked characters exuding an oppressive majesty. An immortal-grade talisman?! Her eyes widened in disbelief. An immortal-grade Thunderfire Talisman, targeting hera mere Qi Refining cultivator? There was no need to wonder how shed been discovered. To someone who could casually toss out talismans like trash, her concealment formation was a childs toy. Hah haha She let out a bitter laugh. The next second Boom! A lightning bolt as thick as a barrel struck, obliterating her formation and reducing her to nothingness. ... Seeing all the red markers vanish from the map, Chen Huaian finally relaxed a little. Not even breaking his bones or dodging falling rocks on Mount Tais had made him this tense. D*** it, cant this game give a warning for enemy attacks? Leave for a moment, and the base gets ambushed? Hed just rolled the Fortune Carp Pool 500 times. The prizes were either spirit stones, Thunderfire Talismans, or Transmission Talismans. Spirit stones werent ideal, but Thunderfire and Transmission Talismans were worth the investment. Among them, several premium and top-grade talismans had been drawn, and even two immortal-grade ones. Just now, he had used one of the immortal-grade talismans to kill the sneaky mini-boss hiding nearby. Oh, and he had also pulled a top-grade artifact, the Silken String Sword. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Top-grade artifacts were invaluable, likely weapons commonly used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. But now wasnt the time to calculate profits. With a grave expression, Chen Huaian tapped on Li Qingrans character: [Status: Severely injured, critical condition.] [Cultivation Progress: 1456/4999 (Fifth Layer)] [Remaining Lifespan: Minutes.] [Favorability: 35 (Admiration)] Hm for injuries this severe, the correct course of action is to administer medicine. Chen Huaian opened her storage ring and dragged a top-tier Immortal-Grade Great Recovery Pill from his monthly subscription reward to her mouth. However, a notification popped up: [Your virtual girlfriend Li Qingran is in critical condition and unable to ingest the pill. Administration failed!] The games adherence to realism and logic was almost too impressive. Chen Huaian muttered to himself: Did the developers aim to qualify this game for the civil service exam or what?! Chapter 16: The Urge to Prick Something Chapter 16: The Urge to Prick Something Finding that the expensive item couldnt be used, Chen Huaian decided to contact customer service. Instead, he used the days free Heavenly Divination. How can I heal Li Qingrans injuries? [Performing Heavenly Divination for you...] Boom! The skies over the Cangyun Realm churned. Numerous sect elders and Nascent Soul Old Monsters were startled awake from meditation. Good heavens! Who is attempting Heavenly Divination again? Its only been two days! Could it be some grandmaster skilled in divination? Perhaps the Patriarch of Anci Chant Hall? Alas, the Spiritual Qi in the Cangyun Realm is dwindling by the day. These powerful figures must be growing desperate. Let us focus on our own closed-door cultivation and strive to break through our bottlenecks Evacuate! Evacuate! If they uncover the secrets of our demonic sect, it could ruin our plans! [Heavenly Divination Complete: You may use either "Transmission and Recovery" or "Golden Needle Acupuncture" to heal Li Qingran. The former offers moderate effects, restoring 30% of her injuries, while the latter provides powerful healing, fully recovering all current injuries except for her dantian and spiritual root damage.] [The Virtual Girlfriend Shop has captured a trace of Heavenly Insight. Would you like to purchase the lost skill "Golden Needle Acupuncture" for 9,998? Once purchased, this skill will become a permanent feature and can be upgraded. Each use will only require purchasing needle consumables.] Chen Huaian: ... He was losing his mind. The in-game shop was now capturing Heavenly Insights. What was nexttracking Heavenly Insights in toilets and bathtubs? And 9,998 for a single skill? Fine, but having to pay for upgrades and needle consumables too? Did this game even consider players as human beings?! But when Chen Huaian glanced at the blood-soaked Li Qingran, he couldnt help but think of his late parents. Though his family hadnt been wealthy, his parents had always tried to give him the best. For the first time, he could somewhat empathize with their sacrifices. Top up! [Congratulations on obtaining the lost skill: Golden Needle Acupuncture.] [Technique Activated: Flowing Cloud Hands.] [Technique Activated: Spring Revival Acupuncture lv1.] [Consumable Needed: Special Silver Needles, 64 units, totaling 640. Please top up to purchase.] Chen Huaian clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. You think Im not paying, huh? [Please top up.] Fine, fine, just take my money! As shameless as the game was, he couldnt abandon Li Qingran. Another 640 vanished from his account. With the skill unlocked and materials purchased, he asked, Whats next? [Please undress Li Qingran for treatment.] Chen Huaian froze, typing a slow ??? into the chat box. Finally, its happening! Waitno. Now wasnt the time for such thoughts! Saving her life was the priority! Who called 120? Who needs treatment?! Paramedics rushed over as the ambulance arrived. Zhang Rui pointed to Chen Huaian, who was focused on his phone with an intense glow in his eyes. Him. Whats wrong with him? The paramedic, at a glance, couldnt see any apparent injuries. Hes in the late stages of bone cancer, with osteosarcoma. His leg is fractured from climbing Mount Tais. Late-stage bone cancer and a fractured leg from climbing Mount Tais? The paramedics eye twitched. Was this even coherent? Skeptical, he assumed Zhang Rui was joking. After all, the young man seemed engrossed in his phone, showing no signs of pain. Shouldnt someone with a broken leg be clutching it in agony, pale and wailing? And late-stage cancer? Was this guy one of the Eighteen Copper Men of Shaolin, immune to pain? Still, to err on the side of caution, the paramedic examined Chen Huaians leg. Pulling up the pant leg, his expression immediately darkened. Quick! Get a stretcher down here! The young mans leg was indeed fractured, with visible subcutaneous cyststhe hallmark of osteosarcoma. His shin was severely deformed, the fractured area swollen with a large purplish-red lump full of clotted blood. If left untreated, his leg would be beyond saving. Then again, with the tumors so advanced, the leg might already be beyond saving... sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The paramedics carried Chen Huaian onto the stretcher, stunned by his calm demeanor. It was their first time encountering such a composed patient. Dude, why are you still playing on your phone?! Zhang Rui couldnt believe it. What kind of game was so engrossing? From his angle, Chen Huaians screen was completely black. Was he hallucinating? As the ambulance drove away, Zhang Rui returned the borrowed power bank to the store, his thoughts growing darker. Could Chen Huaian have a mental illness? It would explain his insensitivity to pain and apparent indifference to death. Realizing he had been rude to someone with terminal cancer and possible mental issues, Zhang Rui slapped himself. Im such an a**hole In the ambulance, two nurses watched Chen Huaian, still intensely tapping on his phone. His screen was pitch black, and yet he seemed completely engrossed. In Chen Huaians perspective, he was focused on treating Li Qingran using Golden Needle Acupuncture. Her clothing had been loosenedpurely for treatment purposes, of course! He held the phone close to his face, not for any ulterior motives but to avoid awkwardness. Besides, seeing her body covered in countless wounds left no room for improper thoughts. The games interface displayed a floating acupuncture map over her body, with bright points marking the necessary needle placements. Even private areas were obscured by the overlay. He barely noticed any details beyond the flashing pointshe was too busy keeping up with the frantic rhythm, which felt like an S-tier Dance Dance Revolution challenge. A nurse waved a hand in front of his face, frustrated by his lack of response. Sir, the doctor is speaking to you! Chen Huaian tilted his head to dodge her hand without looking up. Sorry, Im busy. Please wait a moment. The doctor sighed, sharing a glance with the nurse. Quietly, he said, Prepare his admission paperwork. Ill fetch Dr. Wu from psychiatry. The medical team had just left when Chen Huaian completed the procedure. With the final needle twist, streaks of azure energy surged from the 64 silver needles. Li Qingrans bleeding wounds instantly closed, her injuries healing rapidly without a scar left behind. [Grind the Immortal-Grade Great Recovery Pill into powder and sprinkle it over the wounds.] Following the on-screen prompts, Chen Huaian used a virtual mill to grind the pill into fine powder, applying it meticulously. Li Qingrans wounds regenerated at an astonishing speed, returning her body to flawless health. Finally done! Chen Huaian exhaled in relief. Li Qingrans status now read as stable, though she remained unconscious. But now Chen Huaian swallowed. It was time to... [Battery Low] Just as he prepared to admire Li Qingrans beauty, his phone died. No way! He stared at the blank screen in disbelief, frozen for half a minute before clenching his teeth. Where was that power bank from Mount Tais?! It was only then that he noticed something offhe wasnt at the mountain anymore. Looking around in confusion, he realized he was in a hospital. When did I get here? Did I teleport? Kid, keep it down! Im trying to sleep a dry, elderly voice croaked from the next bed. Turning his head, Chen Huaian saw an old man with a bandaged leg, dark circles under his eyes from what was likely a sleepless, pain-filled night. Chen quickly quieted down. However, his gaze soon fell on a set of silver needles on the old mans bedside table. He flexed his fingers, itching with anticipation. That small, thrilling sensation... He just wanted to prick something. Chapter 17: Could Chen Huai’an Be a Genius?! Chapter 17: Could Chen Huaian Be a Genius?! Thats right, this intense feeling wasnt an illusion. It even made Chen Huaian unable to control his sinful hands. He grabbed the set of silver needles, glanced at the old man next to him, and a sinister smile appeared on his lips. That smile carried a mix of recklessness, lewdness, arrogance, nonchalance, andmost importantly88% eagerness. Then he opened the needle case. Inside lay 36 silver needles. As his fingers brushed over the needle tips, a familiar sensation surged through him, as if he were caressing his girlfriends fingers. Forgive me! Chen Huaian silently clasped his hands in apology toward the old man beside him. Then, he pinched a silver needle and reversed his grip before stabbing it into his own leg. Using a needle that someone else had touched to stab his own leg wasnt this a kind of NTR for the needle itself? This was his way of expressing his deep apology to both the old man and the needles! But why didnt he stab the old man instead? Was he crazy? While he had a strange feeling and a bit of curiosity, randomly stabbing others was not something he would do. However, stabbing himself didnt burden his conscienceafter all, he was dying anyway and would try anything on himself. His gaze fell on his leg. A network of acupuncture points emerged faintly before his eyes, overlapping with the diagrams hed seen in the game. His fingers moved like lightning, and the needles flew as smoothly as clouds and flowing water. In the blink of an eye, all 36 needles were embedded in his right leg. Chen Huaian took a deep breath and held it. Next, he adjusted the depth of each needle, twisted their ends, and stimulated the acupuncture points on his leg. His hand, which normally trembled when holding a water bottle, was now as steady as a rock. After a while, he finished administering the needles. Chen Huaian returned the needles to their case and placed it back in its original position. The strange itch in his heart finally subsided. Ah, much better. He rubbed his hands in satisfaction and left. The injured leg was his right leg, so thats where he had applied the needles. At this moment, the bruising on his leg was already showing signs of fading. While the bones were still misaligned, the primary concern with fractures wasnt the break itself but the tissue damage and bruising that came afterward. Reducing the swelling was crucial. The acupuncture session hadnt even lasted ten minutes, but the results were clear: the swelling had diminished, and the bruising was receding. Even Chen Huaian found it hard to believe. Wait, is this game really that hardcore? It wasnt just a gameit was actually teaching him something useful?! But of course, not everyone could learn this. How many people could replicate the acupuncture techniques and memorize the diagrams after just one try? And yet hadnt his memory always been bad before? This was starting to get weird. Chen Huaian pondered for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together in realization. Ah, I get it now! Hahaha! Outside the hospital room, Dr. Wu and Dr. Zhang were walking together, discussing Chen Huaian. This young mans a university student with no history of mental illness. Are you sure hes got problems upstairs? Dr. Wu had reviewed Chen Huaians file and was skeptical of Dr. Zhangs assessment. Hahahaha! Its cancer! The mysterious cancer cells have unlocked my genetic potential! Im a genius! A bizarre, muffled laugh came from the room. See? Dr. Zhang spread his hands and tilted his head toward the room. Dr. Wu: It seemed that this young man might have been slightly traumatized after seeing a mirage atop Mount Tai. Medical intervention was indeed necessary. Young man Dr. Wu stepped into the room. Doctor, Im not sick. I want to be discharged. Or do you guys have a power bank? If you do, Ill stay a bit longer. Dr. Wu stared at the young man on the bed, whose face was filled with seriousness, and began contemplating whether to increase his medication dosage. Dr. Zhang, however, noticed something unusual about Chen Huaians leg and froze. Huh? Whats going on with your leg? He clearly remembered that when he went to find Dr. Wu earlier, Chen Huaians lower leg had a massive, dark bruise at the fracture site. If left untreated, it wouldve led to necrosis. But now, the swelling was noticeably reduced, and the bruising wasnt as severe. Noticing the doctors gaze, Chen Huaian instinctively pulled his leg back and chuckled nervously. Ive been tough since I was a kid. I have a natural talent for recovery. There was no way he could say that the swelling had been reduced by his secret acupuncture technique. Even if he did, no one would believe him, and itd just lead to more trouble. As for demonstrating his needlework to the doctors, that was out of the question. The old man in the next bed wouldve been a great guinea pig, but Chen Huaian doubted hed even get a chance to start before being hauled off to the psych ward. Besides, there was no guarantee itd work on someone else just because it worked on him. These days, you couldnt even help someone cross the street without worrying about the legal consequences. Let alone stabbing someone with needles. Dr. Zhang thought about it for a long time but couldnt make sense of the situation. At least the bone tumor on Chen Huaians leg hadnt disappeared. If it had, Dr. Zhang wouldve had no choice but to escalate this to his superiors. Young man, you need to find a way to treat your cancer. Ignoring it wont end well I understand, but I dont have money. Chen Huaian smiled faintly. Didnt you buy insurance? Nope. What about your parents? Theyre gone. Sigh. Dr. Zhang fell silent. A few quick questions, and even he felt defeated. As an experienced doctor, he had seen countless cases like Chen Huaianspatients with nothing to rely on, left with no choice but to wait for the inevitable. But a patient who seemed this indifferent about his situation? Rare. Doctor, I know my condition. I cant afford expensive treatments. Just treat my broken leg normally. Dr. Zhang nodded but still added, If you need help raising funds, let me know. I might be able to assist a little. Thank you, Doctor. If I ever make enough money, Ill definitely get proper treatment. While Chen Huaian and Dr. Zhang were talking, Dr. Wu had been observing quietly. The young mans thoughts were clear, and his eyes were brightno signs of mental illness. If anything, he was just a bit dramatic. Theyd almost used a tranquilizer dart for nothing. Close call. Chen Huaian stayed at the hospital until the afternoon. He underwent a procedure for his fractured leg, which was now encased in a plaster cast. Though the doctors recommended hospitalization for observation, he refused, citing lack of funds. Before leaving, he bought a set of silver needles from the pharmacy next to the hospital. Power bank! Power bank! Once outside, Chen Huaian scanned the surrounding stores like a starving wolf, his eyes gleaming. He needed a power bank! He hadnt logged into the game all afternoon. What if Li Qingran was attacked by a beast again? He couldnt bear the thought. Besides, hed already invested nearly 60,000 yuan in the game. If his character got deleted, hed be furious enough to jump off the hospitals second floor. Hands off that power bank! In the terrified gaze of a female student, Chen Huaian, wielding a crutch, darted forward and seized the last power bank from a restaurant charging station. He powered up his phone and logged into the game. Phew. Li Qingran was still unconscious in the Xuanjia Formation, safe and sound. With the power bank clamped in his mouth, a crutch under one arm, and his phone in the other hand, he limped over to a table in the restaurant under the bewildered gaze of the female student. Boss, three liang of dry noodles. Coming right up! Want an egg with that? No, but I want soup! Got it~ An egg cost three yuannot worth it. Soup was freedefinitely worth it. For now, Li Qingrans coma could wait. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian opened the Fortune Carp lottery pool. He was 500 draws away from the guaranteed prize. Tch, Ive got no luck. With a snort, he tapped the screen to draw, accompanied by the E-Pay deduction prompt. He went all in. Chapter 18: This Is Something Very Important Chapter 18: This Is Something Very Important Li Qingran had a dream. In her dream, she was being relentlessly chased by hordes of demonic beasts. There was no light in sight; darkness surged toward her like a suffocating tide. But just as the beasts were about to catch her, a crisp clap of thunder echoed through the sky. A young man in strange clothing appeared on the horizon, his features obscured. Like seasoning food, he flung talismans from his left hand, and with his right hand, unleashed a barrage of magical artifacts. The beasts pursuing her were either struck down by lightning from the talismans or impaled by the descending artifacts. Is is that the senior? Li Qingran gazed up at the sky. She had a strong intuitionit had to be him. The senior had come to save her. Though she couldnt make out his face, he seemed far younger than shed imagined. Before she could observe more closely, the senior suddenly appeared right in front of her. Flustered, Li Qingran felt her face flush red, the color creeping to her ears. In her panic, she prepared to bow down in reverence. But in the next moment, a pair of strong hands gently stopped her. Then, the figure handed her a square-shaped object. The item was pitch black and looked like a brick, though it was much lighter than one. Etched on its surface were three simplified characters that seemed to read "Electric Charge Full"? What was "Electric Charge Full"? Some kind of magical artifact? As she stood there, puzzled, the seniors figure grew fainter and fainter, like mist dissipating into the air. Senior Im so grateful to you. I This is something very important. The seniors voice echoed faintly through the dispersing mist. Make sure to take good care of it Lets go with this oneElectric Charge Treasure. It sounds reliable. Chen Huaian clicked on the purchase button. He couldnt afford a three-yuan fried egg, but a 300-yuan power bank? That was an instant buy. After his earlier ordeal, he was now terrified of being without a power bank. From now on, he vowed to carry one at all timesand it had to have plenty of capacity. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As for replacing his phone, he had considered it. But could he transfer the "My Virtual Girlfriend" game to a new phone? After all, it wasnt even a proper app but a mysterious virus-like program with no installation file. He had no idea how to handle that. Glancing at his computer, he saw that it was already 9 p.m. It had been over an hour since hed gotten home. Li Qingran should be awake by now. Chen Huaian opened the "My Virtual Girlfriend" game. Sure enough, Li Qingran was awake. The girl sat curled up in a corner, wrapped in tattered clothing, her knees clutched to her chest. Her vacant eyes stared at the ground, lost in thought. Chen Huaian noticed a half-burned red incense stick at her feet. [Your virtual girlfriend, "Li Qingran," has lost her home. Recharge 6 yuan to restore it.] Without batting an eye, Chen Huaian clicked, Recharge! [For just 88 yuan more, you can gift your virtual girlfriend two stylish new outfits!] Recharge!! [Your virtual girlfriend, "Li Qingran," is hungry and feeling down. Recharge 68 yuan to] Recharge!!! In an instant, her house was fully repaired, new outfits appeared neatly on her bed, and plates of chicken, duck, fish, and fruit clattered onto the table. The commotion was impossible for Li Qingran to ignore. She knew the senior had come to check on her. She already suspected hed been here earlier. After all, the small craters of scorched earth surrounding her house, the demon beast corpses reduced to ash by lightning, and her own recovered injuries were evidence enough. The sudden appearance of the beasts was bizarre, but while exploring the charred surroundings, she had found a broken "Frenzied Beast Incense" stick under a tree. This kind of incense, used to lure beasts, was a common tool for sects when hunting. Different sects crafted their incense sticks with distinct markers. For instance, Qingyun Sects Frenzied Beast Incense was marked with azure cloud patterns at the base. These cloud patterns, an essential part of the incenses design, were engraved using specific materials. Removing them would significantly weaken the incenses effect. Naturally, since this was a dangerous item, all sects made sure to brand it to avoid false accusations. The person who threw the incense likely assumed it would burn away completely, leaving only ash. Little did they expect the senior to arrive and turn the surrounding 500 meters into a wasteland. The perpetrator probably hadnt intended to kill heryet had been reduced to ash alongside the beasts. Senior. Li Qingran gazed at the ceiling, her face etched with exhaustion. Her dry lips parted slightly as she whispered: Senior do you think Im someone whos hard to like? Before the first dialogue option could finish appearing, Chen Huaian dismissed it and switched to freeform conversation. Fresh from drawing in the Fortune Carp lottery pool, he now had over seventy communication talismans. He was feeling invincible. Clearing his throat, he held down the talisman and spoke in a gentle tone: Of course not. In my eyes, youre a polite, thoughtful girl who works hard in your cultivation. Blah, blah, blah Why would you think that? What Chen Huaian said was a heartfelt 300-word mini-essay. What Li Qingran heard, however, was the solemn voice of the Dao: Why would you say that?! If thats not the case, then why why does Qingyun Sectmy senior brothers, my masterwant to kill me? My dantian and spiritual roots have already been destroyed. Ive been expelled from the sect and banished to Wanqing Mountain to fend for myself. Why wont they leave me alone? Did I commit some grave sin? Chen Huaian watched Li Qingrans eyes, once clear and bright, now shrouded in darkness. He understood her doubts all too well. Li Qingran was a textbook example of a self-sacrificing personality. She repaid kindness a hundredfold. When Daoist Qingxuan accepted her as a disciple, she revered him as her most respected elder, even though he never formally guided her. When Senior Brother Lu Changtian looked out for her during her initiation, she treated him like a true elder brother. When Second Brother Xiao Yifeng gave her leftover elixirs, she managed his spiritual herbs and even volunteered to test his pills. When Third Brother Yun Zimo gifted her a storage ring, she silently accepted his false accusations and allowed herself to be expelled. When Fourth Brother Zhang Hanxiao helped her once during a mission, she spent most of her monthly spiritual stones cleaning up the messes he created. Like a flower blooming under sunlight, she thrived on even the slightest warmth. But beneath her smiling facade was likely a face full of scars and tears. Kind people are often taken advantage of, just as gentle horses are ridden harder. Its not a jokeits wisdom passed down by ancestors. Just like how hed poured his heart into his ex, only to be betrayed. Stories like this were all too common: treasures wasted, loyalty repaid with betrayal, hearts broken. No wonder people now devoted their time and money to pets or virtual companions. Were they foolish? No. They were just tired of being hurt. Li Qingran. Chen Huaian gazed at her through the screen, their eyes seemingly crossing the boundaries of space and time to meet. He stared into her eyes, and in their reflection, he saw himself. Today, I will help you restore your dantian. The solemn voice of the Dao transmitted his words without omission: No matter how muddy your past may be, your future will bloom with brilliance! Chapter 19: The Divine Medicine Emerges Chapter 19: The Divine Medicine Emerges Qingyun Sect. At the peak of Chixiao Peak Daoist Qingxuan exited seclusion only once a week to give a lecture, each session lasting two hours. Afterward, he would dedicate another hour to answer any questions his disciples had encountered during their cultivation. At this moment, the disciples of Chixiao Peak were gathered under a venerable pine tree whose age was immeasurable. The lecture had concluded, and it was now time for inquiries. Lu Changtian was the first to stand, performing a respectful kneeling salute before addressing the figure in green robes under the pine tree. Master, its said that the Sect Leaders direct disciple, Zhao Lingtian, was struck by a magic cultivator, shattering his dantian. The Sect Leader has been spending exorbitantly to find a solution. Is it true that theres no way to restore a shattered dantian? The question caused varied reactions among the other disciples under the pine tree. After all, Zhao Lingtian wasnt the only one who had suffered such a fatethere was also their former Fifth Junior Sister, Li Qingran. Daoist Qingxuan cracked open his eyes slightly and stroked his beard before responding calmly, Its not that a dantian cannot be repaired. It merely requires a particular ancient divine medicine. With that medicine, even a completely destroyed dantian can be restored. Without it, its as hard as ascending to the heavens! What kind of medicine, Master? The Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, Qingxuan answered solemnly. The crowd exchanged stunned glances, feeling a surge of awe just from hearing the name. A priceless treasure! Qingxuan began to elaborate: When all beings are born, their dantian is fixedan unchangeable constant. The quality of each persons dantian varies, influencing the capacity and purity of spiritual qi it can hold. While a dantians impact on innate talent isnt as pronounced as a spiritual root, as cultivation progresses to deeper levels, the differences in dantian quality become increasingly evident when two cultivators of similar aptitude and cultivation face off. In ancient times, when spiritual qi was abundant, dantians were classified into nine grades, with Ninth Grade being the lowest and First Grade the highest. A First Grade dantian could accommodate vast amounts of spiritual qi, refining it swiftly and to an unparalleled purity. Back then, the quality of a disciples dantian often determined their ultimate potential, making it a critical criterion for sect recruitment. Then, Master, how would you grade my dantian? Zhang Hanxiao stepped forward confidently, patting his abdomen twice. He believed his dantian was exceptionalhis cultivation speed was fast, and his spiritual qi fairly robust. However, Qingxuan merely glanced at him sideways and scoffed, You? Ungraded. Zhang Hanxiao: ... Laughter erupted under the pine tree, leaving Zhang Hanxiao mortified, wishing he could disappear into the ground. Then Qingxuan continued, What are you all laughing at? Most of you are ungraded as well. Only Lu Changtians dantian barely qualifies as Seventh Grade. In the ancient era, when spiritual qi was abundant, you would have been relegated to cleaning up after the sects spirit beasts! Only now, in the spiritually desolate Cangyun Realm, does dantian quality matter less than spiritual roots or external tools, giving you the chance to become inner disciples or even direct disciples. The laughter subsided, replaced by somber expressions. Having crushed their spirits thoroughly, Qingxuan finally brought the topic back on track. A cultivators dantian is fixed. Once shattered, it cannot be restoredjust like water spilled on the ground cannot be retrieved. However, the heavens always leave a trace of hope. In ancient times, an alchemist refined the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill by uncovering this faint thread of possibility. This divine medicine can turn the unchangeable into the changeable. Not only can it restore a shattered dantian, but it can even improve its quality. And thats merely the effect of the mortal-grade pill! Who knows what the celestial-grade version can achieve? Perhaps only that ancient alchemist would know. The disciples all looked hopeful. If they could acquire a single Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill and offer it to the Sect Leader, they might never have to worry about cultivation resources again. Next month, a minor ancient secret realm will open in Zhongzhou. Its said to have not only battlefields for demonic beasts but also the caves of ancient cultivators. Perhaps such a divine medicine could be found there? Lu Changtians eyes sparkled with anticipation. As someone with a Seventh Grade dantian, obtaining the pill might elevate him to Sixth or even Fifth Grade. You may try your luck, Qingxuan nodded. He didnt hold much hope. Such a pill was rare even in ancient times, let alone in a minor secret realm. Still, exploring the realm would provide valuable experience and resources, so he refrained from discouraging them. Todays lecture ends here. Return to your caves. Qingxuan waved his sleeve to dismiss the disciples. But just then Boom! A pillar of green light shot into the sky, piercing through the clouds above Wanqing Mountain. It continued to ascend, splitting the heavens as if it were a divine column connecting the earth and the heavens. Every cultivator in the Cangyun Realm looked up in shock, their expressions shifting dramatically. Spiritual light forming a column, medicinal fragrance filling the air! A divine pill has emerged! Its coming from the direction of Wanqing Mountain! Lets gowe might make it in time! What kind of pill could it be? If I get my hands on it, my cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds! At the peak of Chixiao Peak, Qingxuans eyes snapped open. In the blink of an eye, he soared toward the green light, while powerful cultivators from other main peaks of Qingyun Sect followed suit. All capable cultivators near Wanqing Mountain mobilized instantly. Celestial Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill detected. Would you like to pay 18 to conceal the heavenly phenomenon? Huh? Chen Huaian stared at the notification on his phone, his mouth twitching. Makes sensethis celestial phenomenon was as blatant as a neon sign declaring a treasures presence. On the map, countless red dots appeared and began converging on his location, sending chills down his spine. Thankfully, the game developers seemed lenient since hed already spent over 90,000. They didnt push him to spend more. Still, he felt annoyed. Couldnt they offer the concealment function for free? Gritting his teeth, Chen Huaian paid the 18. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Concealing heavenly phenomenon! The green pillar of light vanished, along with the medicinal fragrance in the air. Qingxuan, who had nearly reached Wanqing Mountain, stopped midair, dumbfounded. His divine sense swept the area for miles, but he found nothing. Isnt that Li Qingran? Recognizing his former Fifth Disciple in a small hut, Qingxuan scowled. Does she think staying in Wanqing Mountain will get her back into the sect? Shaking his head, he dismissed her presence with a cold laugh. Failing to locate the pill, he returned to Qingyun Sect in frustration. Unbeknownst to anyone, the divine pill that had shaken the Cangyun Realm now lay on an ordinary wooden table. In the corner, a girl sat trembling, completely petrified. Chapter 20: Swearing to the Heavens Chapter 20: Swearing to the Heavens P-Predecessor, w-what is this? Li Qingran was initially startled when Chen Huaian mentioned helping her restore her dantian. Then something landed on the table, and the entire room was engulfed in a radiant green light accompanied by a dense medicinal fragrance. Just one breath made her feel as though her spiritual qi was circulating faster! This is the medicine that can restore your dantian, Chen Huaian replied. He didnt reveal the name of the pillafter all, just one look at it screamed priceless. To Chen Huaian, Li Qingran was essentially a high-intelligence AI character. Given the current level of AI technology, it wasnt impossible to achieve this degree of sophistication, provided there was enough data to train the model. Since the game developers were skilled hackers, creating such an advanced AI model would be a walk in the park. Although high-intelligence AI differed from humans, it could simulate emotions under the influence of its data streams. If he outright told Li Qingran that it was a Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, shed surely refuse to accept it. Medicine to restore a dantian? Li Qingran murmured, stunned. She had never heard of such a thing. To her knowledge, once a dantian was shattered, it was virtually impossible to repair. Even if restoration was conceivable, it would involve methods far beyond the reach of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like her. Moreover, the sheer commotion caused by the appearance of this pill indicated its immense value. Predecessor, this medicine is too precious. I cannot accept it. Li Qingrans tone was resolute. She indeed longed to restore her dantian, but she had already received far too many favors from the predecessor. She had no means to repay him in equal measure, and this imbalance filled her with guilt. Take it if I say so! Chen Huaian muttered as he tapped the communication talisman, amused at how lifelike the AI was. In most other gameseven ones with nurturing elementsthe NPC would simply accept the item without question. He continued, This pill was prepared specifically for you. Its useless to me. Take it now, or others will come and snatch it! What Li Qingran heard was: This pill is useless to me. The commotion just now has already drawn attention from other cultivators, and I cant conceal the heavenly phenomenon for long. If you dont consume it now, youll only be making trouble for me! I... Li Qingran glanced at the ceiling, her eyes returning to the pill on the table. She bit her lower lip, visibly conflicted. Consuming the pill would leave her with a crushing debt of gratitude. But refusing the pill would mean causing trouble for her predecessor... Hurry up! The sharp reprimand from above startled her, causing her to tremble. Faced with a choice between breaking her principles and defying her predecessor, she ultimately chose to break her principles. She couldnt bear to make him angry. Carefully, she picked up the pill, her expression filled with apprehension. Chen Huaian smirked as he watched her hesitantly cradle the pill in her hands. Hah, so in the end, you still obediently listened to me! He realized that being called Predecessor by Li Qingran was starting to get to his head. Perhaps from now on, he should refer to himself as this lordit felt more fitting for the occasion. If you dont take the pill, my 90,000 yuan will have been wasted! Amid the urgency earlier, he hadnt even had the chance to check what hed won during the last 500 draws. Li Qingran, holding the pill, decided that if she was to break her principles, she must find a way to make amends. Looking up at the ceiling, she raised one hand, holding three fingers upright to represent Heaven, Earth, and Man, and declared in a loud voice: Today, this junior Li Qingran received the aid of the predecessor, gaining the divine medicine to restore my dantian. I am deeply ashamed of my inability to repay this kindness. From now on, should the predecessor require anything of me, I vow to face mountains of blades and seas of fire, even the infernal depths, without hesitation or regret! She swore this to the Dao of Heaven and to her Dao Heart, her words resonating with the heavens. Spiritual qi surged around her, lifting her long black hair and revealing her determined gaze. Having made her vow, she was free of burden. With no hesitation, she raised the pill to her mouth and consumed it. She had now entrusted everything she had to the predecessor. It was the only thing she could offer. The celestial-grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill dissolved the moment it touched her tongue, transforming into a clear stream that flowed directly toward her shattered dantian. From Chen Huaians perspective, a golden thread snaked its way into her abdomen. At the same time, the entire room began to spin, as if drawn into a vortex centered around Li Qingran. The vortex expanded outward, forming a tornado that reached the sky. So this is a spiritual qi vortex? Chen Huaian mused. Since the game was set in a cultivation world, Li Qingran was likely absorbing a vast amount of spiritual qi to fuel the pills effects. Speaking of which, isnt this causing a bit too much commotion? Shouldnt I conceal it again? The spiritual qi vortex tore through the clouds above, leaving a gaping hole in the sky. On the map, the chaotic red dots swarmed toward his location like moths to a flame. Li Qingran has consumed the celestial-grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, triggering continuous heavenly phenomena. Would you like to pay 28 to conceal the heavenly phenomenon? What the...! Chen Huaian was both furious and amused. Drip-feeding me now, huh? Cant you just be straightforward? Despite his grumbling, he begrudgingly paid the 28. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In Wanqing Mountain Its over there! Its over there! Such an overwhelming surge of spiritual qithis must be where the divine pill emerged! Hahaha! Im going to ascend to immortality! Suddenly, the vortex of spiritual qi dissipated, snuffed out as if by an invisible hand. The treasure hunters were left dumbfounded once again. Damn it! Where did it go? Are you kidding me?! Forget it! Search everywhere! Dont let anything slip past, even if its a pile of dungsniff it just in case! Meanwhile, Chen Huaian was contentedly admiring Li Qingran as she meditated in a cross-legged position. She sat quietly, strands of black hair cascading over her shoulders, swaying gently amidst the flow of spiritual qi. Her simple attire complemented her serene and elegant demeanor. Usually, her eyebrows carried a hint of heroism, but now, with her eyes closed and her lips pressed tightly together, her pale face bore a delicate, sickly beauty that evoked pity. Chen Huaian, a practical-minded science student, didnt have much in the way of flowery language. Still, he couldnt help but marvel at her beauty in his own way. Damn, shes stunning! He forced himself to look away. Any longer, and he might find it impossible to concentrate later. He still hadnt checked what treasures hed drawn from his 1,000 attempts at the Fortune Carp Pool. Opening his inventory, he saw all 12 slots packed to the brim: low-grade spirit stones, mid-grade spirit stones, communication talismans, Thunderfire Talismans in four grades from Mortal to Celestial, a Black Armor Formation, an Intermediate Spirit Gathering Formation, the Su Xian Sword, and a golden jade slip. Seriously? Why cant all the Thunderfire Talismans go into one slot? Chen Huaian cursed his luck but decided against giving them all to Li Qingranafter all, if she got controlled, hed need them for backup support. The most intriguing item was the golden jade slip. A golden-tier treasuredefinitely something extraordinary! Chapter 21: The Sword Manual Chapter 21: The Sword Manual The moment Chen Huaian opened the golden jade slip, a wave of imposing energy unique to a top-tier item swept over him. I am a madman from Chu, singing with laughter at Confucius. With a three-foot sword in hand, I challenge the sorrows of the Nine Heavens. The was created by the Green Lotus Sword Immortal. It contains 36 foundational sword chapters and 12 sword styles, ranked as celestial-grade. Anyone with unblocked meridians can practice this manual, but to achieve ultimate mastery, one must possess the Sword Bone, Sword Spiritual Root, and Sword Heart without fail! The description confirmed the manuals status as a peerless treasure. But as Chen Huaian finished reading it, his expression turned peculiar. Wait a minute... this Green Lotus Sword Immortal isnt supposed to be Li Bai, right? Li Bai, the great poet of the Tang Dynasty, wasnt he known as the Immortal Poet? When did he become a Sword Immortal? Whatever, its not surprising these days. After all, even Tang Monk can wield a Gatling gun. Turning Li Bai into a Sword Immortal isnt that much of a stretch. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shaking his head, Chen Huaian chuckled. He remembered that Li Qingran used a sword. This would be perfect for her. A celestial-grade sword manual should be incredibly powerful, right? The manual opened to its first page, and to Chen Huaians surprise, it wasnt just a static in-game item. The first page contained text and even small brush-drawn illustrations. Whoa... is this a small indie studio? This is insane! Sword Chapter One: Crane Stance The page included an accompanying illustration for clarity. Chen Huaian continued flipping through the manual. Sword Chapter Two: Pine Stretch Sword Chapter Three: Blade Holding The list went on, all the way to: Sword Chapter Thirty-Five: Return to One Sword Chapter Thirty-Six: Carefree Wanderer Not a single chapter lacked detailed descriptions and illustrations. By the time Chen Huaian reached the final chapter, he was already marveling at the dedication of the games developers. The attention to detail in crafting this manual was astonishing. Even his earlier annoyance at how much money hed spent on the game began to fade. The 36 chapters seemed to be foundational techniques. Beyond them were the 12 sword styles. As he prepared to flip to the sword styles, a notification popped up: You must master Sword Chapters 1C12 before you can access the Sword Styles! What the... I have to learn it? How do I even do that? Instinctively, Chen Huaian searched for a pay-to-progress option, but there wasnt one. This apparently didnt rely on money to unlock upgrades. Would you like to begin learning Sword Chapter One? [Yes] [Let me think] Without hesitation, Chen Huaian chose [Yes]. He was curious to see what the game had in store. Activating camera... The game screen vanished, replaced by the phones camera in selfie mode. The game interface now floated over the live feed. Please follow the instructions for Sword Chapter One: Crane Stance. Current progress: Novice (0%) Are you serious? Chen Huaian stared at his reflection on the screen, his lips twitching uncontrollably. If he understood correctly, the game wanted him to perform the crane stance. And record it. Man, this game really knows how to mess with people. Cant spend money? Fine, lets just humiliate you instead! Chen Huaian imagined the game developers gleefully watching player-uploaded videos of awkward stances while enjoying takeout. Like hell Im going to let you win. He huffed. Clearly, the developers wanted players to get frustrated and eventually pay to skip the grind. Hed seen it all before in other games that dangled rewards just out of reach until players caved and spent money. But as the minutes passed, no pay-to-progress option appeared. Fine! Ill just give the sword manual to Li Qingran. He tried dragging the into Li Qingrans inventory. You cannot directly transfer the . Please achieve at least Novice mastery in the 36 Sword Chapters to unlock the teaching feature! What the hell is this nonsense?! Frustrated, he clicked a small help icon on the corner of the screen. Help: The core intent of this game is to provide players with the most authentic nurturing experience. Players can support their virtual companion with resources and guidance, becoming their mentor and source of inspiration. However, iron must first be tempered to become strong. To better teach your virtual companion, we encourage you to improve yourself too! Chen Huaian was stunned into silence. He had always found games lacking immersion. No matter how skilled you were, you werent the one storming the battlefield or taming the wilds. The separation between reality and the game world always felt insurmountable. But this game was doing something new. As grueling as it was, Chen Huaian had to admit he was intrigued. The idea of personally teaching his virtual companion, seeing her learn sword techniques, and overcoming challenges with his guidancethis was a level of immersion no other game offered. It was hardcore. It was expensive. But he loved it. Chen Huaian reopened the learning interface for the . He propped his phone on a stand and took a deep breath. Fine. If I have to look ridiculous to teach Li Qingran the ultimate sword technique, so be it. No one can see me anyway. Without a sword, he used a drying rod. The instructions were simple on paper, but in practice, they were maddeningly precise. The blade couldnt waver, the angles had to be perfect, and every part of his posture required alignment. It was manageable at first, but after less than two minutes, his arms began to ache. Worst of all, after 30 grueling minutes of holding the drying rod, his progress in Sword Chapter One had only reached 1%. Even so, Chen Huaian persevered for another hour. By the time he stopped, his back was drenched with sweat, and his body felt like it was falling apart. Ugh, Im done... Im going to collapse. He shakily set the rod aside and stretched his stiff muscles. It was nearly midnight. He reeked of sweat and hadnt even washed his clothes or taken a shower. If I treat this as exercise, maybe its not so bad, he muttered, massaging his sore arms. Just as he decided to call it a night, a sudden echoed from the doorway, as if something had struck it. Chapter 22: You and I Are Fated! Chapter 22: You and I Are Fated! Chen Huaian opened the door. Outside, there was no one. He looked puzzled and muttered to himself, Instinctively, he glanced down. At the door was a small, fluffy black ball that resembled a lump of coal. Squinting, he could just make out its eyes, nose, and earsit was a kitten. Last I checked, Im staying in a chain hotel, Chen Huaian murmured, glancing at the long hallway. He sank into thought. He crouched down and poked at the little fluff ball. The kitten didnt react, only trembling all over. Picking it up by the scruff of its neck, Chen Huaian examined it more closely. The kitten had a white marking on its face resembling the character "͹"a distinctive feature often referred to as a "buff-cat." Its back legs were a mangled mess of blood and flesh, and its back bore visible wounds. Looking around, Chen Huaian noticed that the room at the end of the hallway, near the window, had its window completely open. There was also a small smear of blood on the door, located much too high for the kitten to have reached. Near the window, a few feathers lay scatteredones that clearly belonged to a bird of prey. Narrowing his eyes, Chen Huaian pondered the strange situation. Suddenly, inspiration struck. He snapped his fingers. Got it! Mystery solved! A bird mustve crashed into the window, dropped its prey here, and then fled in fright, leaving the kitten behind. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What keen insight! Chen Huaian concluded that his cancer must have activated some latent potential in his brain. Little one, you and I are fated. He carried the kitten into the room. If left untreated, the kitten would surely die. As a long-term hotel guest, he wasnt allowed to keep pets, but Chen Huaian dismissed the rule with a wry smile. He temporarily placed the kitten in a shoebox. It was too late to go to a pet hospital. Most of them were closed by midnight, and the nearest 24-hour clinic was over an hour and a half away in the city. The kitten wouldnt survive that long. Blood was already seeping into the shoebox in the time it took him to search for a nearby vet. Little one, conventional means wont save you. If your fate is to survive, then grow strong and stay away from birds in the future. If its not, dont blame me for your fate. Chen Huaian clasped his hands together and gave the kitten a solemn bow. Then, he retrieved a set of silver needles hed purchased earlier. Originally, hed planned to use the needles on himself to see if acupuncture might speed up his legs recovery. Today, however, the kitten had become the perfect test subject. As soon as he held a needle and focused on the kitten, an acupuncture point diagram for cats appeared vividly in his mind. Cat acupoints were different from human ones. He didnt know how he knew thisit was as if the knowledge had been etched into his brain. Perhaps it was latent potential at work again. The Spring Awakening Technique was designed to stop bleeding, promote blood circulation, and speed up wound healing. To upgrade this skill, it required either 1,000 successful applications or a payment of 998 credits to unlock the Pulse Opening Technique (Lv. 2). Following the glowing sequence in the acupoint diagram, Chen Huaian administered the needles swiftly and efficiently. The results were immediate. The bleeding stopped entirely, and a thin layer of blood membrane covered the open wounds on the kittens backsomething that hadnt been present before the treatment. Wow this acupuncture technique is amazing, he muttered, stroking his chin in thought. Although he didnt understand traditional Chinese medicine deeply, he had always respected its mysterious power. But now a question nagged at himwas the effectiveness due to his skill, or the techniques hed learned from the game? For now, all he could do for the kitten was done. The rest depended on its will to survive. He turned toward the bathroom for a shower. Unbeknownst to him, a black dragon, wreathed in smoky mist, emerged behind him. Its form flickered between reality and illusion, and its golden eyes exuded an overwhelming aura of dread, like an abyssal chasm. In the shoebox, the black kitten struggled to turn over. Its mouth twitched slightly, emitting faint crunching sounds. A pale bone joint peeked out from its jaws, disappearing as it chewed. The kittens body convulsed, shifting between a lamb-like form and its feline shape. Its features twisted into a terrifying visagea fanged, eyeless ghostly creature, its mouth enormous, with eyes growing from under its armpits. After several transformations, it finally settled back into its cat form, lying motionless. Song Jiaojiao was dead. Mu Baishuang learned this from Song Jiaojiaos Dao companion, Yang Botao. How did she die? Under Mu Baishuangs interrogation, Yang Botaos face turned pale. I dont know. I only told her to kill that b**** Li Qingran. After that, she never came back. She left a soul lamp with me. When I returned to my cave to retrieve some spirit stones, I found her soul lamp extinguished. Mu Baishuang was shocked but maintained a facade of grief and anger. What did you just say? Why did you tell Song Jiaojiao to kill Li Qingran? Song Jiaojiao was my best friend, and Li Qingran is my senior sister. Are you out of your mind? I I did it for you! Yang Botao stammered. His voice trembled as he continued, Baishuang, that b**** Li Qingran dared to hurt you and humiliate me. I couldnt stand it anymore. Didnt you tell Song Jiaojiao about all the suffering you endured because of Li Qingran? I just wanted to help you get revenge! Call me Mu Baishuang. Were not that close! What I said to Song Jiaojiao is between us as friendswhat does it have to do with you? Who asked you to get involved? I Mu Baishuang kept a cold expression, but her mind was racing. Her original plan had been to play the victim in front of Song Jiaojiao, knowing she would confide in Yang Botao. That way, Yang Botao would incite Song Jiaojiao to act on his own. With Song Jiaojiao under the guidance of their fourth senior brother, Zhang Hanxiao, the responsibility for her actions would fall on him, not her. Song Jiaojiao was at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, while Li Qingran was nothing but a cripple with a destroyed dantian and severed spiritual roots. Killing Li Qingran shouldve been an effortless task, and Song Jiaojiao could have done it without leaving a trace. But who wouldve thought that Li Qingran would survive while Song Jiaojiao ended up dead? Something had definitely gone wrong. Even earlier, when Li Qingrans injuries seemed to heal unnaturally quickly, it had felt suspicious. But Mu Baishuang had dismissed it as unimportant. Baishuang I did it all for you! Yang Botao pleaded desperately. Li Qingrans expulsion from Qingyun Sect made her an ordinary person, but if it became known that a cultivator had attacked a defenseless mortal, Yang Botao would face severe punishment for tarnishing the sects reputation. I dont care. Yang Botao, prepare to face the sects judgment! Mu Baishuang skillfully shifted all blame onto Yang Botao. At that moment, Senior Brother Lu Changtian of Chixiao Peak entered the room. Mu Baishuang immediately hid behind him. Yang Botao, this is Chixiao Peak, not your Xuanling Peak. What are you doing here? Brother Changtian! Mu Baishuang cried, tears streaming down her face as she clung to his arm. Yang Botao ordered Song Jiaojiao to assassinate Li Qingran and got her killed. How could he do such a thing? Song Jiaojiao was my best friend, and Li Qingran was my senior sister Wait, no, Senior Lu, I can explain Before Yang Botao could finish, the furious Lu Changtian kicked him to the ground. Yang Botao, youre bold indeed! Even if Li Qingran is no longer part of Qingyun Sect, she was once under Chixiao Peaks protection. When did Chixiao Peaks matters become yours to meddle in? Do you think killing Li Qingran would earn you any favor here? Ordering Song Jiaojiao to assassinate Li Qingran has violated sect rules. Youll be coming with me to face the Discipline Halls judgment! Just as Lu Changtian was about to seize him, Mu Baishuang tugged on his sleeve and whispered, Brother Changtian Senior Sister Li didnt die. It was Song Jiaojiao who did Lu Changtian froze mid-action, confusion evident on his face. After a long pause, he finally processed what she said. What did you just say?! Chapter 23: Stage Mission Unlocks Chapter 23: Stage Mission Unlocks Song Jiaojiao was dead. Li Qingran wasnt. After unraveling this cause and effect, Lu Changtian found it hard to believe. What level of strength did Li Qingran possess? At best, her bodynurtured by prolonged exposure to Spiritual Qiallowed her to be a slightly stronger-than-average martial artist. And Song Jiaojiao? If memory served, she was at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Killing someone like Li Qingran should have been as effortless as squashing an ant. Yet, here was the baffling result: Song Jiaojiao was dead. Was Song Jiaojiao killed by Li Qingran? Lu Changtian demanded, glaring at Yang Botao. I dont know. Terrified, Yang Botao stammered, I only told her to kill Li Qingran. At first, she didnt want to, but I promised her a Foundation Establishment Pill. That convinced her. After that, I left to fetch some spirit stones to buy the pill. When I returned to my cave, I found her soul lamp shattered. A shattered soul lamp meant only one thing. For cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, this rule was ironclad. The soul lamp housed a fragment of the cultivators spirit and a drop of their essence blood. If the main soul perished, the fragment would become rootless and dissipate, causing the lamp to extinguish. Brother Changtian, this is very suspicious, Mu Baishuang chimed in with a fearful expression. Ive heard rumors that demonic cultivators have been active in the Cangyun Realm recently. Could it be that Senior Sister was possessed by someone from the demonic sect? She added with a look of concern, Even though Senior Sister Li is no longer part of Qingyun Sect, Id hate to see her harmed by those from the demonic sect. Lu Changtians expression darkened, his mind churning. Yang Botao would undoubtedly face punishment. That much was clear. But the situation with Li Qingran was strange. Whether she lived or died didnt concern him, but he couldnt allow her to become a hidden threat to Qingyun Sect. He needed to understand why she had been able to kill Song Jiaojiaowhether it was by sheer coincidence or due to something deeper. Mu Baishuang, feigning newfound knowledge of Li Qingrans whereabouts, added, Brother Changtian, no matter what, Senior Sister Li was once part of Chixiao Peak. If we dont intervene, what will the other peaks think of us? Regardless of whether shes responsible, we should bring her backeven as a servantrather than leaving her to die in Wanqing Mountain. Her expression was one of false compassion, her eyes brimming with pity. Youre too kind, Junior Sister. Even after all the harm Li Qingran caused you, you still speak up for her. Zhang Hanxiao shouldve ended her back then! Lu Changtian said through gritted teeth, but he took Mu Baishuangs words to heart. If Song Jiaojiao had died accidentally, he would simply send Li Qingran away from Wanqing Mountain, far from Qingyun Sect. But if Song Jiaojiao had indeed been killed by Li Qingranwhether by some newfound opportunity or possession by a demonic sectshe would become a ticking time bomb. Better to keep her under observation than to let her explode unchecked. That said, he believed the former was more likely. Aside from possession or defecting to the demonic sect, he couldnt think of any other way a crippled cultivator could defeat a ninth-level Qi Refinement cultivator. His master had once said that only the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill could restore a shattered dantian. Dont worry, Junior Sister. Ill report this to Master and make sure youre satisfied with the outcome, Lu Changtian said, stroking Mu Baishuangs head with a gentle smile. Song Jiaojiao wont have died in vain. If Li Qingran didnt kill her, well bring her back to Chixiao Peak. After all, Chixiao Peak can afford to support one mortal. Youre the best, Brother Changtian! Mu Baishuang replied, her smile sweet, though a flicker of cunning shone in her eyes. Lu Changtian reported the mysterious circumstances of Song Jiaojiaos death and his suspicions about Li Qingran to the sect. Qingyun Sects Sect Master, Wu Duantian, took the matter seriously. He punished Yang Botao by sentencing him to six months of reflection at Thunderclap Cliff and stripping him of all resource allocations for a month. Additionally, Wu Duantian appointed Lu Changtian to lead a team of Discipline Hall disciples to investigate Wanqing Mountain. Before their departure, the sect gathered at the Discipline Hall, where Wu Duantian sternly reminded them, If you encounter anyone from the demonic sect, do not act rashly. Demonic cultivators are cunning, and the strength they show might be a deliberate deception. Lu Changtian, your top priority is to report back using the communication jade slip. Rest assured, Sect Master. I will act with caution, Lu Changtian said, bowing respectfully. He then turned to seek instructions from Qingxuan Daoist, the Peak Master of Chixiao Peak. Qingxuan Daoist stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing. Youve always been prudent in your actions. I have nothing more to say. Go forth. Hearing this, Lu Changtian drew his sword with a flourish, his suave gesture sending many female disciples swooning. As the team prepared to take flight, a sudden clap of thunder roared through the sky. Boom! The once-clear heavens above Cangyun Realm darkened as blood-red lightning flashed within the thick, ominous clouds. A terrifying aura swept across the land, suffused with an overwhelming pressure. Lu Changtians mind went blank as the pressure struck, causing him to topple off his sword mid-step. The disciples of Qingyun Sect looked up at the sky, their faces pale with fear. Even Sect Master Wu Duantian and the peak elders wore grave expressions. Whats been going on these past few days? Why does someone attempt heavenly divination every afternoon? Heavenly divination was a last resort for powerful cultivators facing insurmountable challenges. However, not just anyone could perform such divinationit required both mastery of a specific technique and immense cultivation. Furthermore, it was highly taxing, depleting the cultivators vitality and potentially damaging their fate and fortune. Normally, even a single divination per year would be considered excessive. But one per day? That was unheard of. S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This realm is becoming harder to fathom, Wu Duantian muttered, sighing heavily. For all their power, even Nascent Soul cultivators were mere ants beneath the tides of destiny. If those capable of daily heavenly divination were struggling to find answers, how could lesser cultivators hope to survive the dangers ahead? Lu Changtian, to be safe, take the Discipline Hall disciples and travel on foot, Wu Duantian ordered, turning his gaze away from the darkened sky. If there are demonic cultivators lurking, they wont act recklessly amidst such divine scrutiny. Whether you arrive sooner or later, it wont make much difference. Keep a low profile. Yes, Sect Master, Lu Changtian replied grimly, clenching his fists as he glanced at the foreboding sky. For now, the slightest disturbance in the heavens rendered weaker cultivators too afraid to even fly on their swords. Are you some kind of AI? At his bathroom door, Chen Huaian, now dressed in his pajamas, furiously tapped on his phone. Heavenly Divination in Progress Divination Failed. Please try a different question. When does one plus one equal three? Divination in Progress One plus one equals two. Please try a different question. There are ten birds on a tree. You shoot one. How many are left? Divination in Progres One is dead on the ground. None remain on the tree. Try a different question. Haha, this is fun. But theres definitely a GM behind this, Chen Huaian mused, rubbing his chin. If the AI couldnt answer riddles that would stump most programs, then there must be a real person pulling the strings. In that case Can I get a developers account? Ill write detailed reports for you daily and wont complain about spending money anymore. Oh, by the way, Ive mastered acupuncture now. Its unbelievable, like learning kung fu through tai chi exercises. My skills are practically miraculous. If you ever need someone to reattach a limb, Ill do it for free. As soon as he sent the message, the game window closed automatically. Tch, stubborn, Chen Huaian muttered. When the developers eventually came begging for his help, they better not regret it. How to restore a Spiritual Root, he typed, opening the divination again. Li Qingran was still absorbing the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill. As an ancient divine medicine, it would take time to fully integrate its effects. Chen Huaian had nothing better to do, so he decided to bother the divination system again. Li Qingran had two major issues: her dantian and her spiritual root. While the dantian problem was solved, the spiritual root still lacked a solution. Heavenly Divination Complete! Spiritual roots cannot be repaired but can be artificially implanted! The cultivation stage mission has captured a sliver of heavenly fate for you. For just 12,888, enjoy a tenfold rebate! Achieve great rewards at each milestone: Qi Refinement Perfection, Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, Late-stage, and Perfection. Reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection will grant a superior mystical spiritual root! Activate the Mid Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment Perfection stage mission? Chen Huaian: Screw your mission! Chapter 24: The Guardian Package Chapter 24: The Guardian Package Is there no other way to obtain a spiritual root? Does this war order really have to be activated? Is Chen Huaians money just blown in by the wind? As Chen Huaian wrestled with his frustration and confusion, the systems Virtual Girlfriend Shop popped up on the screen. The first item catching his eye was the gleaming , priced at an astronomical 19,990,000. This five-element spiritual root, considered top-tier, was the cheapest option available. Below it were even more outrageously priced spiritual roots, the zeros trailing far longer than his remaining lifespan. Ordinary spiritual roots? Not even listed. This shop only sold the best of the best. And to top it off, the was locked. Li Qingran would need to reach the Nascent Soul Stage to unlock the right to purchase it. Absolutely insane. If he had 19.99 million, wouldnt it be better spent curing his cancer? If cured, he could relax and spend the rest of his life in comfort. Clearly, this game wasnt planning to let him obtain spiritual roots through this route! Heh, then whats the point? Chen Huaian chuckled bitterly. On the bright side, this darned game had accidentally unlocked his genetic potential. Fine then, top-up it is! Another hefty sum vanished from his payment account. Chen Huaian collapsed onto the couch, the emptiness hitting him harder than any post-climactic blues hed ever felt. Meow A weak cats cry interrupted his melancholy. Chen Huaian immediately sprang to his feet and dashed to the shoebox. Well, arent you a tough little guy! Compared to the pitiful state it had been in earlier, the black kitten looked much better now. It could at least move inside the shoebox, though its wounds still seemed severe. On closer inspection, however, they appeared to have healed slightly since its bath. Chen Huaian, youre a genius. This time, his declaration was in a tone of absolute certainty. But then he shook his head, laughing at himself in self-mockery. Shame I wont live much longer. Unbeknownst to him, the black kitten was staring intently at his neck, a glint of murderous red flashing in its jet-black eyes. What are you staring at? Chen Huaian and the kitten locked eyes. As his gaze met the kittens, its fierce expression softened instantly. Its slit-like pupils rounded, and it let out a small, plaintive meow. Still not feeling well? Chen Huaian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Alright then He turned his back, exposing himself completely. The black kitten arched its back, preparing to pounce. Its fur bristled, and its eyes blazed with killing intent. But just as it was about to strike, the man suddenly spun around A set of silver needles in one hand, its scruff firmly pinched in the other. The kittens eyes widened in shock. You only got one round of acupuncture earlier. Let me reinforce it now! Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian placed the kitten on the couch, wrapped it in a towel, and began applying the needles. Who knew if this kitten had rabies? Now that it could move again, better to be cautious than risk a hospital trip for a rabies shot. Thatd cost a fortune. The black kitten struggled madly, baring its fangs. Chen Huaian, well-prepared, expertly jabbed two acupoints with his needles. The kittens eyes bulged again. What kind of sorcery was this?! It couldnt move. Again. Wow, this technique is really effective. Chen Huaian marveled, shaking his head as he worked. If I cant use this on people anymore, maybe I could fake a vet license, open a pet hospital, and make bank. I might even get thank-you banners from grateful pet owners. By the way, are you a boy or a girl? Lifting its tail, Chen Huaian peeked. Oh, a boy. Alright, once you grow up, Ill personally perform your neutering. Cant have you harassing lady cats everywhere The kitten: ??? But as Chen Huaian continued inserting needles, the kitten suddenly noticed something. Its wounds were healing rapidly, and the pain in its body was fading. Instead of discomfort, the needles sent waves of warmth coursing through it, leaving it so comfortable it almost drifted off to sleep. A game window popped up. Chen Huaian glanced at it from the corner of his eye, his spirits lifting. He quickly removed the silver needles from the kitten, flicking them effortlessly into the shoebox. The box bounced on the couch, the lid snapping shut. The kitten: Meowwww!!! Ignoring the kittens enraged scratching from inside the shoebox, Chen Huaian focused entirely on Li Qingran. Wow, things are heating up! Seeing that Li Qingrans lifespan had extended to 273 years, Chen Huaian felt a mix of comfort and envy. Meanwhile, his own life expectancy, updated at midnight, still showed just 129 days. Shrugging off his envy, he came to terms with it quickly. As long as he kept pouring money into the game, ensuring Li Qingran avoided any mishaps, her existence would outlast his. Even if he died, as long as the game account remained, she could carry on his legacy for centuries. But that would only work if the game company didnt pull a fast one and shut down the servers. Turning his attention back to the game, Chen Huaian noticed the area around Li Qingran was undergoing strange changes. Curtains had stilled, the dust outside her small room settled, and the Spiritual Qi fluctuations had stabilized. Tiny golden sprouts resembling plant buds began emerging around her, spreading throughout the room. These sprouts started forming flower buds, hinting at something extraordinary about to be born! Another cash grab? Chen Huaian smirked with disdain. He knew full well that without the purchase, Li Qingrans Dantian reconstruction would fail, and some old monster would conveniently appear to steal it. After all, the games script was entirely in the developers hands. Thankfully, 88 wasnt much, so he paid up. Chen Huaians lips twitched. How naive hed been. The 88 was just the key to opening the floodgates. Without it, he wouldnt even qualify to spend more! But at least the options seemed functional. The game ensured any package bought would suffice to protect Li Qingran. Expensive ones were just for rich players flaunting their wealth. Chen Huaian chose the Basic Guardian Package without hesitation. Strangely, for a man who grumbled about 15 takeout being too pricey, the 188 price tag felt almost reasonable at this moment. A glowing lightning array materialized around Li Qingrans small room, extending for a hundred meters before fading from sight. Simultaneously, ten Supreme Thunderfire Talismans appeared on the rooms exterior. Inside, a massive Nine Suns Violet Lightning Talisman glowed on the table before her, its surface etched with arcane patterns. Now its time for a monster siege, right? Chen Huaian crossed his arms, already predicting the games next move. Li Qingrans Dantian reconstruction progress had reached 90%. In the Cangyun Realm, deep within Wanqing Mountain, At a barren, rocky slope concealed by towering peaks, A pair of sinister eyes snapped open in the depths of a pitch-black pool. Such a delectable aroma! This this scent of a Grade-One Dantian! Its unbelievablean unparalleled genius in this era has actually condensed a supreme Dantian! Jie jie jie! Heaven favors me! Truly, heaven favors me!!! Chapter 25: The Night Reaper of the Heavenly Demon Sect Chapter 25: The Night Reaper of the Heavenly Demon Sect Senior Brother Lu, is it true there are demonic cultivators active in Wanqing Mountain? I heard demonic cultivators use fellow cultivators to refine pills, strip their tendons, and skin them to craft artifacts. Theyre said to be cruel and ruthlessthough that might be an exaggeration. A group of Qingyun Sect disciples descended from their mountain base. Since entering the Foundation Establishment Stage, they had primarily traveled via flying swords, leaving little time for casual conversation. But today, with the leisurely pace of their journey, they seized the rare chance to chat. Silence! Lu Changtians cold snort cut through the chatter. His indifferent gaze swept over the group as he said dismissively, So what if there are demonic cultivators? Wanqing Mountain is the Qingyun Sects territory. Even if a patriarch from the demonic sects shows up, theyd have to bow before us! The disciples nodded vigorously, their expressions filled with flattery. Senior Brother Lu is right! Indeed, Senior Brother Lu is the strongest among the new generation of Qingyun Sects direct disciples. His talent far surpasses those demonic cultivators! If we run into demonic cultivators, well just slaughter them all! Outwardly, Lu Changtian maintained a stoic expression, but inwardly, he felt a twinge of satisfaction. True, there had been a time when the Sect Leaders favored disciple, Zhao Lingtian, overshadowed him. But now, with Zhao Lingtians Dantian crippled, Lu Changtian was unquestionably the top disciple of his generationthe strongest Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Qingyun Sect. The mere thought of demonic cultivators seemed laughable. Whoosh! The previously clear night sky abruptly darkened. Lu Changtian looked up, spotting a mass of black clouds rising from the mountains, blotting out the moonlight as they surged westward at alarming speed. Within the black clouds swirled ominous crimson demonic energy. Even from afar, its oppressive aura sent chills down their spines. Its a demonic cultivator! Such terrifying demonic energy! Quick, notify the Sect! Lu Changtians face turned pale, his earlier arrogance evaporating. This level of demonic energy, capable of forming a cloud, could only belong to a powerful elder-level demonic cultivator. To confront such a monster as mere Foundation Establishment disciples was nothing short of suicide. One of the Qingyun Sect disciples from the Enforcement Hall fumbled with his communication jade slip, attempting to activate it. But before he could, his body froze, immobilized. Jie jie jie Little ones, I cant let you go spreading news so freely. A chilling voice echoed from behind them. Lu Changtians blood ran cold as he realized the black cloud had disappeared from the sky. The demonic cultivator was already behind them. In an instant, the disciple attempting to send a message was engulfed in a mist of demonic energy. He didnt even have time to scream before the mist consumed him, leaving behind only a twisted corpse. Dont have time to deal with you brats today. Here, have a little toy to play with. Jie jie~ The demonic energy dissipated, leaving no trace of the demonic cultivator except for the grotesque remains of the fallen disciple. D-Did he leave? Junior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Zhang? Dont bother. Hes dead! We need to return to the Sect immediately and report this! The jade slip was destroyed, and Wanqing Mountain was no longer a safe place for disciples of their level. The matter required senior disciples or even elders to resolve. Sar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the disciples stepped forward to collect Junior Brother Zhangs remains. Dont touch him! Step back! Lu Changtian, his gaze fixed on the corpse, noticed something amiss and shouted a warning, but it was too late. Suddenly, red fur sprouted all over Junior Brother Zhangs corpse. With a predatory leap, the reanimated body lunged at the nearest disciple like a leopard, its blood-stained maw revealing sharp fangs. With a sickening crunch, the monster bit through the disciples neck, tearing flesh and spraying blood everywhere. The horrific scene left the surrounding disciples frozen in fear, unable to react. The bloodthirsty creature, now empowered by its kill, grew even more ferocious. Its a Redfur Ghoul! Lu Changtian drew his flying sword, his expression grave. Form up! This is a dangerous enemy. If we dont destroy it, none of us will make it out alive! As the ghoul snarled and advanced, Lu Changtian felt a chill in his heart. This demonic cultivator had casually turned a Foundation Establishment cultivators corpse into a Redfur Ghoul, a monster equivalent to a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. Just who was this demonic cultivator? Inside a small house at the base of the mountain The elixir Senior gave me is more than just precious Li Qingran was in utter disbelief as she examined her Dantian through inner sight. The nascent Dantian, bathed in golden light, defied her expectations. As the reconstruction neared completion, a spinning golden lotus platform appeared before her. This is my new Dantian?! The lotus-shaped Dantian radiated a faint green glow, its intricate petals etched with mysterious Daoist scriptures. This was no ordinary Dantianits quality was unheard of. Though she had read many records in the Sects library, none described a Dantian of this caliber. The closest comparison was the Grade-One Dantian, the pinnacle of innate Dantian quality. Even so, legends spoke of an even higher grade: the Supreme Dantian, attainable only through extreme effort and rare resources. Li Qingrans intuition told her that her current Dantian was Supreme-grade. What kind of extraordinary elixir did the Senior give me? Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the golden lotus blooming around her. She felt overwhelmed by gratitude. Restoring her Dantian alone was an unrepayable favor, but the Senior had also granted her such a profound opportunity. Jie jie! A Supreme Dantian indeed! My fortune has arrived! A sinister, elderly laugh broke the silence outside. Li Qingran turned toward the window and saw a dark cloud in the sky, swirling with demonic energy. A shadowy figure loomed within. A demonic cultivator! The intruder exuded malice and formidable power. Senior, a demonic cultivator is here! Without thinking, Li Qingran picked up her broken sword, her eyes fixed firmly on the threat outside. Jie jie jie! The figure in the cloud laughed maniacally. I am Ye Futian, Patriarch of the Heavenly Demon Sect! None of you will escape tonight. You will become the foundation of my ascension to the Dao! Arrogant fool! Li Qingrans gaze sharpened, and she gripped the broken sword, ready to fight. But before she could act, a gentle force pushed her back. In his hotel room, Chen Huaian smirked as he observed the black cloud and the glowing red dot on the game map. Pressing a communication talisman, he spoke with a devilish grin: Girl, step back and get under the covers. Your Senior is about to show off. What Li Qingran heard, however, was: Do not worry. Mere ants I can crush them with ease! Chapter 26: 188 for Instant Kill—What More Needs to Be Said? Chapter 26: 188 for Instant KillWhat More Needs to Be Said? The moment he saw the prompt You can freely manipulate formations and talismans, a peculiar grin spread across Chen Huaians face. As a premium player, wasnt the whole point of spending money to crush bosses effortlessly? Thunderfire Incineration Formation, stop hidingactivate it! Cangyun Realm A commanding voice echoed above a small hut: Thunderfire Incineration Formation, activate! Whats this!? From Ye Futians perspective, glowing purple formations appeared across the ground within a hundred-mile radius of the hut. From these formation patterns, thunder and fire burst forth, intertwining into a massive circle that trapped him and the hut within its boundaries. A slight sense of danger arose in his heart, though not enough to alarm him. Ye Futian was a cautious man. After all, it was this very caution that had allowed him to evade death countless times while being hunted by righteous cultivators. Many others of the demonic path in his place would have long been torn to shreds. In the past, even the slightest threat would have sent him fleeing. But today was different. The temptation before him was simply too great. Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A Supreme Dantian! If he could obtain this body, what did the bottleneck that had plagued him for years amount to? He wouldnt even hesitate to disperse his cultivation and start anew if necessary. The spiritual energy in Cangyun Realm was dwindling, and rare treasures alone could no longer provide the breakthrough he needed. Fortune favors the bold. Even if every elder of the Qingyun Sect were to arrive today, he would still take the risk! Ha! Just a mere formation trying to stop me? Ye Futians figure was obscured by demonic energy, his voice emanating from within. The demonic energy surged and condensed into a bloody demonic palm that launched toward the huts roof. As it descended with a force akin to Mount Tai, a violent gale scattered sand and gravel, and the surrounding vegetation bent low. Inside the hut, Li Qingran felt a chilling fear climb up her spine, her breathing turning labored under the oppressive force. The demonic palm slammed into the formation. The formation patterns flickered momentarily but held firm without breaking. What the h*ck! Chen Huaian jumped in fright, staring at his phone. He had only just begun figuring out how to operate the formation when the boss launched its attack. This old geezer doesnt play fair! Fine, lets start with a few celestial-grade Thunderfire Talismans! With a flurry of taps on his phone, Chen Huaian activated three talismans placed on the huts walls and door. The talismans shot out like arrows, aiming straight for the demonic energy cloud. Ye Futian didnt even flinch at the three talismans. His mind was focused on the formation, which had withstood his full-strength strikea clear indicator of its high quality. He knew how troublesome formation masters could be. If given the choice, he would avoid crossing paths with one altogether. He began charging a second strike with full force, aiming for a swift victory. The technique he employed was the Blood Cloud Palm, a low-tier earth-grade skill with a unique ability to corrode spiritual energy. Those struck by it would find their spiritual energy increasingly consumed by the demonic energy of the palm. This effect worked on formations too. In no time, the three talismans reached Ye Futian. As their golden light surged, thunder boomed. Wait, these are celestial-grade! Ye Futians scalp tingled, but it was too late to adjust his move. The celestial-grade Thunderfire Talismans detonated midair, unleashing a storm of thunder and fire that engulfed the blood cloud entirely. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian had finally figured out how to operate the formation. His phone displayed a keyboard interface. Following the given prompts, he began inputting a sequence of Chinese and English combinations. Each correct input triggered a new burst of the formations power. This is childs play for me! Chen Huaian boasted. In the past, he wouldnt have been so confident. But ever since mastering acupuncture, his hands had become both fast and steady. He even wondered if he could break records in rhythm games. Chen Huaians fingers flew across the screen. [Come isGoȥ~] A thunderbolt from the formation struck Ye Futian squarely in the face before he could recover from the previous attack. [Nod is Yes, Shake is No~] [To greet someone, say Hello, Hello Hello, Ha Ha Hello~] As Chen Huaians typing speed increased, so did the frequency of the thunderbolts. Though the formation alone couldnt instantly kill Ye Futian, the sheer number of attacks gradually wore him down. Soon, the demonic cloud dissipated, revealing a charred, tattered, and disheveled old man with white hair resembling a dandelion. Arrrghenough! Ill kill you!!! Furious, Ye Futian abandoned all pretense. He leaped onto the huts roof, his dark hands spreading out before him. A surge of demonic energy formed a colossal figure behind hima ferocious, blue-faced avatar with razor-sharp fangs. The avatars actions mirrored Ye Futians, pressing forward with a gigantic claw. The immense pressure shattered the formations glowing patterns, breaking it apart. To Chen Huaians surprise, the boss entered a new phase. Wow, three-stage transformation? This boss is something else! Still, Chen Huaian wasnt worried. After all, he had bought the premium package. Victory was guaranteed. Inside the hut, Li Qingran gripped her sleeves tightly, her face pale. She anxiously warned, Senior, demonic cultivators are cunning. Be wary of hidden tricks! Her voice trembled with guilt. She had no power to intervene, only able to pray that the senior wouldnt get injured. As the fight escalated, Chen Huaian unleashed his trump cardthe Nine Suns Purple Thunder Talisman, a tool capable of summoning heavenly lightning. Thunderclouds gathered in the sky, and a purple lightning dragon descended with terrifying force. The lightning obliterated Ye Futian, draining the bosss health bar in an instant. Chen Huaian smirked, blowing on his fingers like a gunslinger. Tsk, thats it? Looked tough, but... 188 bucks for an instant kill. Whats there to say? Meanwhile, in Qingyun Sect, Sect Master Wu Duantian gazed at the sky, feeling the intense spiritual energy rippling through the heavens. This... this must be the same expert who crafted that divine elixir! Hope reignited in his heart. Turning to his bedridden disciple Zhao Lingtian, he declared, This is our last chance. If we can gain that seniors help, your dantian might still be saved! ... Chapter 27: Someone Requests an Opportunity from You Chapter 27: Someone Requests an Opportunity from You By the time Wu Duantian arrived at the scene with his personal disciple, the battle had long since ended. The heavenly phenomena had dissipated, the subtle fluctuations of spiritual energy had faded, and the senior expert was nowhere to be found. Theres residual demonic energy here. Could it be that the senior was fighting a demonic cultivator? He scanned the area and soon spotted a massive thunder crater dozens of meters wide. Upon closer inspection, the crater was over three meters deep, filled with molten rock from the intense heat, and arcs of lightning still flickered in the lava. The remnants of demonic energy lingered faintly in the pit, but its owner was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they had been obliterated without a traceor maybe they had fled. To wield such terrifying lightning Tsk, this seniors strength truly defies comprehension. On the surface, Wu Duantian maintained the composure of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. In reality, his heart was in turmoil. Nascent Soul cultivators could refine their avatars to cooperate in offense and defense, and they could even begin to harness the forces of nature. However, to summon the power of the Dao itself, as this senior had done, was entirely beyond Wu Duantians capabilities. What level of cultivation could achieve such a feat? Still, since the senior had fought against a demonic cultivator, it was reassuring to assume they were on the righteous path. This thought eased his mind somewhat. Master, looktheres a woman in that hut, Zhao Lingtian said, pointing to a small house by the stream at the foot of the mountain. Wu Duantian squinted. His enhanced vision easily pierced the distance, and he recognized the figure inside the hut. Isnt that the disciple from Chixiao Peak who injured her junior sister on purpose? What was her name... Li Qingran? Yes, thats her. Zhao Lingtian sneered. During the sect tournament, where attacks are supposed to stop before causing real harm, she sought personal revenge. Getting expelled from Chixiao Peak and the sect was what she deserved. I heard Zhang Hanxiao sent her back to the mortal world. Looks like shes crawled back here, thinking she can rejoin Qingyun Sect. Dont waste time on insignificant people, Wu Duantian replied, withdrawing his gaze. A disgraced disciple with her cultivation base crippled wasnt worth their attention. Still, Li Qingran had been lucky to survive. The thunder crater was only three or four hundred meters away from her hut. If it had been closer, even the residual force of the lightning could have been fatal. As for whether the mysterious senior had any connection to Li Qingran, Wu Duantian never considered it. The difference in their statuses was as vast as heaven and earth. A cultivator capable of crafting divine pills wouldnt care about a mere ant. Zhao Lingtian, that senior might still be nearby, Wu Duantian said. After such a battle, theyre likely resting in a secluded location. Be sincere in your pleaperhaps they can help restore your dantian. Yes, Sect Master. Zhao Lingtian was brimming with confidence. Born a prince of a great mortal kingdom, he possessed rare talent, with a radiant Flame Spiritual Root. Before his dantian was shattered, it was rated as fourth-grade. Combined with his striking looks and extraordinary charisma, he believed anyone would admire his potential. Cultivation emphasized karmic ties. High-level reclusive cultivators, often stuck at bottlenecks, would roam to seek opportunities, doing good deeds to enhance their karmic balance. Zhao Lingtian stepped forward, bowing respectfully toward the thunder crater. Tears welled in his eyes as he pleaded, This junior is Zhao Lingtian, personal disciple of the Qingyun Sect Master. I witnessed your divine pill refinement and heroic battle against the demonic cultivator. I have long admired your strength. My dantian was shattered by a demonic cultivator, and I harbor deep hatred toward them. I humbly ask for your guidance or a prescription to restore my dantian. If you help me recover, I will never forget your kindness. I am willing to serve you loyally for the rest of my life. Wu Duantian, standing nearby, felt a twinge of jealousy. Zhao Lingtian had never expressed such devotion to him. Still, he suppressed his feelings, hoping his prized disciples dantian might be restored. They waited patiently in the wilderness. Inside the hut, Li Qingran glanced out the window and quickly returned to her bed. So Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtian came here to seek an opportunity from the senior? Her thoughts were complicated. Would the senior grant Zhao Lingtian the chance he sought? Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She didnt know. The senior wasnt the type to hand out opportunities freely, but neither were they stingy. Though she hated to admit it, Zhao Lingtians talent and background far outstripped hers. Investing in him would likely yield greater returns. But she didnt want the senior to help Zhao Lingtiannot because she was selfish, but because she understood his character. Zhao Lingtian was arrogant, narrow-minded, and prone to causing trouble. If he misused the seniors resources, it could bring harm to the senior in return. Ultimately, the decision wasnt hers to make. All she could do was watch quietly. [Someone is requesting an opportunity from you!] Chen Huaian was reviewing his spoils when the game displayed this notification. What the h*ck? he muttered. The game showed Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtian near the hut. Hah! Big shots, huh? Isnt Qingyun Sect where Li Qingran used to belong? And these guys want something from me? Chen Huaian felt amusedand furious. Who was he? Li Qingran was his virtual girlfriend. That made him her cyber boyfriend, right? These people had bullied his girl and now dared to come asking for help? A dialog box appeared: [First opportunity-granting event triggered! This Transmission Talisman is free to use. Granting an opportunity may affect your virtual girlfriend, Li Qingran, in unpredictable ways. Effects could be positive or negative. Please choose wisely. You may select items from your inventory to gift.] Chen Huaian paused to read the prompt carefully. What do they want? [Zhao Lingtian is requesting a Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill. Will you grant it?] What the h*ck is this? A Heaven-Mending Pill? Thats not an opportunity; thats my life savings! He opened his inventory, dragged out a handful of Thunderfire Talismans, and aimed at Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtian. Can I just zap these two idiots to death? [Wu Duantian is a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Do you wish to engage in battle?] Hmm, guess I cant pay-to-win here, Chen Huaian muttered, calming down. He knew he didnt have enough power to defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator. Losing would tarnish his dignityand worse, it might affect Li Qingran. Maintaining his air of mystery, Chen Huaian activated the Transmission Talisman. Taking a deep breath, he bellowed, Scrll do you think you are, coming to me for opportunities? Get lost, you piece of sh**! Youre not worthy! In Cangyun Realm, a violent gust of wind swept through the area, flattening the grass. Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtian perked up as they sensed a spiritual presence in the wind. Finally! The senior is responding! Wu Duantian thought excitedly. My dantian can finally be saved! Zhao Lingtian clenched his fists in anticipation. They strained to listenbut all they heard was a single, thunderous word: SCRAM! Inside the hut, Li Qingrans eyes widened in surprise before she burst into laughter, covering her mouth. Pfft! Chapter 28: Another Little Gift? Chapter 28: Another Little Gift? Hearing the roar carried by the wind, Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtians faces turned dark. Senior, have I done something to offend you? Zhao Lingtian protested, unwilling to accept the humiliation. I have never crossed paths with you. Why would you treat me with such contempt? Zhao Lingtian, a peerless talent wherever he went, was accustomed to being revered. His dantian had been shattered by a demonic cultivator, a fact that caused his late-stage Nascent Soul master, Wu Duantian, endless grief. After all, Zhao Lingtian was expected to elevate Qingyun Sect to new heights. Now, even a single wordScramwas a blow to his pride. But no further response came from the mountain. Zhao Lingtian stood there, torn between anger and awkwardness, hesitant to leave yet unable to give up the chance to restore his dantian. He glanced at Wu Duantian for guidance. Let it go, Wu Duantian sighed. If its yours, it will come to you. If not, it wasnt meant to be. We cant force fate. As a master, he longed to shield his disciple from this indignity. If the other party were an equal, he would have sought justice for Zhao Lingtian. But thus far, he couldnt even pinpoint the seniors location despite the use of spiritual senses and communication talismans. This demonstrated that the senior could evade them at will. Pursuing this any further would only bring disgrace. Master Zhao Lingtians voice quivered with resentment. Wu Duantian placed a reassuring hand on his disciples shoulder. Feigning calm, he said, Come, lets go. Inside, his frustration burned even brighter than Zhao Lingtians. As a master, he should stand up for his disciple. Instead, he was left with no choice but to retreat in silence, swallowing his pride. Meanwhile, Lu Changtian and a group of Enforcement Hall disciples sat under a pine tree, shaken. Of the fifty who set out, only thirty-six remained. Fourteen had perished in the fight against the red-haired zombie. Thankfully, a mighty expert had intervened, splitting a bolt of heavenly lightning to annihilate the zombie. Without that aid, their losses would have been far greater. Which powerhouse was it that summoned such divine lightning to cleanse evil? Their methods are beyond our reach, a disciple mused in awe. Lu Changtian remained silent but was equally impressed. He secretly yearned for an opportunity to encounter this mysterious figure, hoping to receive guidance that could accelerate his own cultivation. Senior Brother Lu, given the circumstances, should we continue with the mission? Yes, Senior Brother. The demonic cultivator might still be alive Though the disciples didnt voice it outright, their hesitant gazes and faltering words betrayed their reluctance. Lu Changtian sneered inwardly but kept a calm demeanor. The Sect Master entrusted us with this mission, and it must be completed. However, since many of you are not in the right state, report the casualties back to the sect. Ill handle the rest alone. Ah, Senior Brother, thats not proper Wanqing Mountain is dangerous. How can you manage alone? Hearing their insincere protests, Lu Changtian curled his lip in disdain. This is my decision. As the team leader, I command you to obey! Seeing no room for argument, the disciples reluctantly expressed their gratitude and left, leaving Lu Changtian alone under the pine tree. Cowardly fools, he muttered. People like you will never seize opportunities. Continuing the mission wasnt just about appearances or orders. It was about opportunity. Fewer people meant a bigger share of the pie. In the small hut, all was peaceful. Senior, this junior is endlessly grateful to you for restoring my dantian. Li Qingran bowed toward the ceiling, struggling to express her joy and gratitude. Words felt inadequate, and the more she said, the more superficial they seemed. Instead, she decided to keep her feelings in her heart. No need for thanks; youre my virtual girlfriend, after all! Seeing Li Qingrans affection level rise to 60, Chen Huaian couldnt contain his glee. As your cyber boyfriend, its only natural to help you out! Li Qingran, just focus on cultivating and trample those who look down on you. I may be stuck in this lifetime, but youre different. You may be data, but even data can grow. Before the game officially launches, Ill make you the strongest female cultivator! That way, I can die a happy man and reincarnate as the worlds richest tycoon! What Li Qingran heard: [Cultivate diligently and remain humble.] Yes, Senior. I will not disappoint your expectations! Li Qingran bowed deeply, her expression solemn. Yet in her heart, she couldnt help but think, A small smile escaped her lips before she quickly composed herself. From her storage ring, she retrieved a bracelet made of spirit stones. Senior, this is a Fortune Bracelet I made. The materials are not exceptional, so I hope you dont mind. Once I have better resources, Ill craft you a new one! She had used low-grade spirit stonesher only available resourcesto make the bracelet. High-grade materials like spirit crystals were essential for maintaining the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation and couldnt be spared. [Your virtual girlfriend, Li Qingran, has made you a small gift. It has been sentplease check your inventory.] A gift? Li Qingran, youre the best! Chen Huaian grinned widely at his phone, feeling that every penny he had spent was worth it. Official game mechanics or not, the emotional value was priceless. Meanwhile, in Cangyun Realm, Li Qingran heard: [Not bad. Thoughtful of you.] Later that night, Chen Huaian found himself in a budget hotel, still clutching his phone. Last time, that protective talisman was pretty subpar. It couldnt even survive a single climb without the ink washing off sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He grumbled but held onto hope that this new gift would be of better quality. From the shadows of a shoebox, two glowing cat eyes peeked out. [Whats this human idiot grinning at on that black box?] The eyes belonged to a black cat, whose sleek form slipped silently onto the table. [My current body is too weak for a direct confrontation. Plus, this human seems to have some unique abilities. Its safer to act while he sleeps.] As the moonlight filtered through the window, the cats shadow on the wall morphed into a terrifying beast. The world outside fell silent. Time itself seemed to thicken Chapter 29: What a Sword! Chapter 29: What a Sword! All living beings are at their most vulnerable when they sleepvulnerable enough to be killed by entities far weaker than themselves. And now was no exception. The black cat crouched low, its gaze fixed on Chen Huaians exposed neck. Having only recently awakened, it was still too weak to face an adult human in direct combat. However, with more time to recover and a few more prey to restore its vitality, even those four-wheeled steel contraptions would no longer pose a threat. The thought of those vehicles made the cats eyes flicker with hatred. Those cunning humans had hidden themselves inside fast-moving steel boxes. Caught unaware during their first encounter, it had nearly been run over! Its revenge would begin now, by devouring this human. The black cat leaped at Chen Huaian, moving so quickly it blurred into a shadowy streak. Its claws extended, leaving crimson trails in the air, aimed directly at the mans throat. Just as it was about to strike A thunderous dragons roar exploded in its mind, making the cat dizzy. Its nimble limbs stiffened, and it dropped to the floor like a lump of dead weight. [Ancestral Dragon?] [This aura... how is this possible?] Trembling, the black cat staggered to its feet, shaking its head to clear the disorientation. It looked again at the sleeping man, disbelief filling its round eyes. The noise caused Chen Huaian to smack his lips and roll over, the blanket slipping to reveal his bare back. On his skin, a black dragon tattoo coiled and writhed, its golden eyes glowing faintly with an aura of dominance. As if sensing the cats gaze Another dragons roar reverberated in its mind. The black cat froze as the tattooed dragon leaped off Chen Huaians back. [What the?! Isnt this overkill?] Terrified, the cat turned to flee, but the dragons tail, edged with golden scales, lashed out and swatted it straight back into the shoebox. The lid snapped shut. [Curse it all! This human has the protection of an Ancestral Dragon!] Curled up in the box, the cat shivered in pain. Its organs burned as if on fire, and it spat out a mouthful of blood. Having just awoken, its body was fragile. In this era of spiritual energy scarcity, healing was already difficult. Add to that its earlier injuries from being struck by a car and attacked by a birdit had barely survived. Now, the dragons strike had worsened its condition considerably. [I must leave! This place is too dangerous!] It tried to steady itself but felt faint. After staggering two steps, it collapsed inside the box, unconscious. The moonlight remained serene, washing over the room. The dragon tattoo circled the bed once before returning to Chen Huaians back. In his sleep, Chen Huaian chuckled, scratched his rear, and rolled over again. At 7:00 AM, Chen Huaians alarm went off. He reached out blindly, grabbing his phone and swiping to unlock it, revealing a face with deep dark circles. Virtual Girlfriend: Activated! Onscreen, Li Qingran was seated cross-legged on her bed, meditating and absorbing spiritual energy from the mid-level Spirit Gathering Formation. [Status: Cultivating] [Progress: 7631/9999 (Eighth Layer)] [Remaining Lifespan: 273 years] [Affection Level: 60 (Close)] Not bad! Chen Huaian perked up, immediately awake upon seeing her progress. Although he could only afford a mid-level Spirit Gathering Formation due to his dwindling funds, Li Qingran had still managed to ascend two whole layers overnight. Her rapid advancement was remarkable. This was the terrifying power of a Supreme Dantian. Smiling with satisfaction, Chen Huaian tapped her shoulder in the interface, triggering several reward notifications. Three golden bags materialized on Li Qingrans desk. [Spirit Stone Mystery Box: Contains random rewards such as 1 Spirit Crystal, 99 High-Grade Spirit Stones, or 999 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Guaranteed minimum: 1,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. (For Li Qingran only.)] Eh, not bad, I guess, he muttered, unimpressed by the small rewards. His focus was on the grand prize awaiting Li Qingran when she reached the peak of the Qi Refinement Stage. The prizes interface glowed with a dazzling purple light: [Tideborne Technique (Low-Tier Profound Rank)] The description made his eyes widen in awe. Wow, no wonder this is a reward from the system. Its terrifyingly good! Although he hadnt asked what cultivation technique Li Qingran currently practiced, he doubted it was anywhere near as exceptional as this one. Opening her profile, he found her technique: Chiyun TechniqueLow-Tier Profound Rank. It was the same rank as the Tideborne Technique, but switching techniques required discarding her current cultivation base. All the progress she had painstakingly made would be lost. Eh, better hold onto it for now, Chen Huaian mused. He noticed the Tideborne Technique wasnt marked as exclusive to Li Qingran, sparking a curious thought. Could I use this myself? His mind wandered to the Green Lotus Sword Manual. What if he needed to learn the Tideborne Technique first to unlock it? Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. These game developers sure know how to make everything feel serious, as if cultivation will make you a real immortal. Just then, two notifications popped up: [Your virtual girlfriends gift has arrived!] Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Your selected loot has arrived!] The first was the bracelet Li Qingran had made for him. The second was a choice of items dropped from Ye Futian: a fragmented demonic cultivation manual, a low-grade magic sword, a damaged mid-grade spiritual weapon, and several spirit stones. He had selected the sword as his real-world loot. A knock came from his door. Startled, Chen Huaian hopped out of bed with his crutch and dashed to the door. He was determined to catch the mysterious early-morning delivery person. But when he flung the door open, no one was there. Parkour master, huh? he muttered, glancing at the stairwell. Looking down, he spotted two packages: One was a small box labeled Qingrans Gift, perfectly sized for the bracelet. The other was a long, heavy package, nearly five feet in length, with the bold words Spoils of War printed on it. Just as I thought, he muttered. Bending to pick up the long package, he was caught off guard by its weight. It thudded back to the floor, leaving a noticeable dent in the hotels wooden flooring. Crap! Panicked, he grabbed a corner of the carpet to cover the damage. Only then did he lift the package carefully, a spark of excitement flickering in his eyes. What a sword. What a sword! He couldnt help but cackle. Now have my own sword! Chapter 30: The Black Scale Sword Chapter 30: The Black Scale Sword If only his streaming account had more followers, Chen Huaian thought wistfully. He couldve made an unboxing livestream out of this moment. Grinning from ear to ear, he carried the two boxes into his room, locked the door, drew the curtains, and switched on the bedside lamp. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he rubbed his hands together in excitement. Lets start with Qingrans adorable little gift! Using a nail clipper, he carefully snipped the tape and opened the box. His expression darkened immediately. Inside was a sealed bag containing a bracelet strung with beads. The material looked suspiciously like glass marbles. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emmm... so lazy. Chen Huaian took out the bracelet, feeling its smooth, cool surface. As he breathed in, the air seemed to grow fresher, and the morning grogginess lifted from his mind. Sure, the materials mediocre, the craftsmanship is shoddy, and the engraved blessing looks so bad it makes me want to cry. He squinted at the crooked characters on the beads. Still, he slipped the bracelet onto his wrist with a smile. But knowing its a gift from Li Qingran makes me feel energized already. He attributed the refreshing sensation to the power of love. Not far away, the black cat lying in the shoebox twitched its nose and cracked open an eye. Now for the main event! This time, Chen Huaian wasnt gentle. With a few rough tears, he revealed the contents of the large package: an ancient-looking longsword. The sword measured 1.5 meters in length and had a bronze hue, with black scale-like markings on the blade. The hilt bore intricate carvings in archaic script, which Chen Huaian assumed might be the blacksmiths name. A fitting name: Black Scale Sword. He held the sword up to the light. The lamps glow reflected off the blade, revealing a cold gleam that seemed to belong to another era. It felt as though this sword didnt belong to his world but to Li Qingransthe realm of the Cangyun Realm. This wasnt a mere decorative piece but a genuine flying sword from that world. Ugh, I must be sleep-deprived, Chen Huaian muttered, shaking his head at his own fanciful thoughts. Still, he couldnt help but admire the game developers attention to detail. Even the protective talisman hed received previously, despite its fading ink, had seemed genuinely crafted by Li Qingran. The bracelet, with its faint fragrance, shared the same aura of authenticity. As for the sword, it was clearly the real dealperfect as a wall decoration, and undeniably stylish. Is this thing sharp? Chen Huaian scratched his head, tempted to test it with his hand before pulling back instinctively. Instead, he picked up a stray black hair from the floor and gently let it fall onto the blade. A faint sword hum echoed, and the hair split cleanly in two, drifting to the ground. Holy sh! Its that sharp?! This thing must count as a restricted weapon. How the heck did it get delivered? Panicking slightly, Chen Huaian quickly sheathed the sword. Spying a nail on the wall where a painting had once hung, he mounted the sword there. Surprisingly, the ancient weapon didnt clash with the rooms modern decor. It looked perfectly at home. Decision made: Black Scale Sword, youll join me in the crematorium someday. Heh heh heh! Black Scale Sword: Black cat in the shoebox: [Whats with this weirdo? A flying sword? A real magic weapon?] The black cats wide eyes peered from the shoebox, fixated on the sword. It had been awakened by the spiritual energy radiating from the spirit stones used in the swords creation. To its weakened body, even inhaling air infused with spiritual energy hastened its recovery. Gold needle techniques, Ancestral Dragon protection... now spirit stones and a magic weapon? The cats thoughts raced in confusion. It couldnt comprehend how this strange human possessed so many treasures in an era where spiritual energy had supposedly vanished. When it awoke, the world seemed to have lost all remnants of cultivation. But this human how did he have it all? Deciding to put aside these questions, the black cat resolved to recover its strength using the spiritual energy in the room. The Ancestral Dragons protection posed a problem, but as long as it didnt harm the human, it wouldnt trigger the dragons wrath. Preparing to feign a pitiful meow to attract Chen Huaians attention, the cat realized he had already left the room. [Whered he go?] Dragging its weakened body, the cat climbed onto the windowsill and saw Chen Huaian, still in his pajamas, running toward the hotel square with a drying pole in hand. In the square, Old Man Li had practiced tai chi under the same tree for 20 years. Among the elderly tai chi enthusiasts in the area, he was unmatched. Watch where youre going! he shouted at two kids crossing the street while playing mobile games. One of them flipped him off. Mind your own business, old man! You little! Shaking his head in disappointment, Old Man Li muttered, Kids these days no energy, no discipline. Always glued to their screens. Back in my day He sighed, lamenting how modern technology, while advancing society, had stripped away much of its simplicity and charm. Ahhh Another heavy sigh. He approached his usual tree, only to find someone had beaten him there. A young man in pajamas was crouched awkwardly with a drying pole, sweating profusely as he maintained a bizarre posture. Though the mans form was rough, Old Man Li saw a spark of hope in the darknessa vigorous young person, something he greatly admired. Hey, young man, youre doing it all wrong! Old Man Li said, walking over. Your stance is unstable. Thats not how you do a horse stance! Chen Huaian, struggling to practice the Green Lotus Sword Manual, turned to see an elderly man behind him. Suddenly, a firm hand pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him lower. A foot nudged between his legs, correcting his balance. The adjustment sent sharp pain through his casted leg, but Chen Huaian wasnt angry. As the old man corrected him, Chen Huaian noticed with astonishment that his cultivation progress in the Green Lotus Sword Manual had skyrocketed from 2% to 13%! Chapter 31: Please Select a Target Chapter 31: Please Select a Target What a surprise! A huge surprise!! Originally, Chen Huaian thought teaching Li Qingran the foundational moves of the was an unattainable dream. But now, with just a small correction from the old man, a glimmer of hope emerged! At the same time, Chen Huaian confirmed something important: the hacker team monitoring him through the cameraor at least an AI systemwas tracking his every movement. Only by performing the moves perfectly would his training progress advance. This game was detailed to the extreme, down to the golden needles replicating authentic traditional Chinese medicine techniques. It was evident that the foundational chapter of the was adapted from genuine martial arts, meaning precise movements were essential. "Master!" Chen Huaian turned to bow with deep gratitude, his eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you for correcting my moves, Master!" Old Li was utterly dumbfounded. Then, a surge of joy rushed straight to his head. Master?! Sure, sometimes his old friends called him that as a joke. But being addressed as "Master" by a young person? This was a first. The young man in front of him looked sharp and upright. Despite his shaved head and pale complexion, he seemed genuine. Whats more, Old Li noticed something unusualthe cast and swelling on Chen Huaians leg. "A young man like you with this kind of injury, and you still came out early in the morning to practice martial arts?" He pressed lightly on the leg, his brow furrowing as he felt the hardened cast and swollen lump beneath. "Young man, give me your wrist." Without waiting for a reply, Old Li checked Chen Huaians pulse, his face growing darker with each second. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Terminal cancer?" Chen Huaian said nonchalantly, noticing the old mans worried expression. "I know my condition; no need to sugarcoat it. And I must say, your pulse-reading is remarkably accurate." Old Li sighed deeply. "Young man, with this illness, how are you still smiling?" "Since its inevitable, why not face it calmly?" Chen Huaian replied with a carefree smile. "All I want in my remaining days is to live a fulfilling life. Life''s journey may be shorter for me, but at least Ive experienced it fully." Old Li was silent for a moment, staring at this young man who had seemingly seen through life and death. It was a maturity that often came at great cost. "Is there no chance of a cure?" "Almost none," Chen Huaian replied, shaking his head. "Even if I had insurance, it would only buy me time, not a cure. Honestly, Id rather spend my days happy and carefree, doing things I never dared to before." Old Li, moved by Chen Huaians resolve, said, "Well, since mindset is so crucial, why not keep practicing? Martial arts training has worked wonders for others in dire conditions." Chen Huaian chuckled but didnt refuse. After all, he was serious about mastering the . That morning, Chen Huaians progress in the manual reached 80%. No matter how much he practiced, it wouldnt budge further. As Old Li explained, muscle fatigue had set in, making additional training counterproductive. On the way back to his hotel, Chen Huaian thought about how his stamina had improved significantly. "Last night, I could barely manage half an hour before exhaustion. This morning, I lasted five to six hours without breakfast!" His gaze landed on the glass bracelet on his wrist. One of the beads seemed dimmer. I get it! Chen Huaian laughed, clutching the bracelet tighter. The cancer might have shortened his lifespan, but it seemed to have awakened some hidden potential in his genes. Back at the hotel, he opened the skill interface for . To upgrade to the next level, he needed to perform the 1,000 times. He had only managed three so far. 998 bucks? Chen Huaian stared at his balance and grinned. "Time to swipe!" With the payment complete, the skill interface shone brilliantly, upgrading the to Level 2 and unlocking the . He eagerly chose to start the training sequence. Warning: The is highly dangerous. Insufficient proficiency may result in severe injury or disability. Proceed? "Yes!" Please select a target for the procedure. Chen Huaian hesitated. Li Qingran was out of the question. Maybe he could find a wild boar later? The screen suddenly switched to selfie mode, showing his own face. Target selected. Begin procedure. Chen Huaian: ??? Chapter 32: Heart Demon Arises Chapter 32: Heart Demon Arises Seriously? Youre not even pretending anymore? Not even trying to hide it?! I know you can hear me! From now on, stop controlling my phone, and stay out of my private life, or Ill sue you! Chen Huaians voice was stern, his anger palpable. The Pulse Opening Needle Technique is highly dangerous. Using it on a suitable target will greatly improve proficiency. This session will grant 20% proficiency and reduce the chance of disability by 20%. The techniques powerful effects can help your Virtual Girlfriend train faster and stabilize a cultivators foundation. Chen Huaian furrowed his brows as he read the games prompts. He calmed down and his gaze instinctively fell to his right leg. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Well its not impossible, right? After all, his right leg was already messed upwhats the harm in messing it up a little more? Besides, this was just a game prop! Whats the worst that could happen? Its probably just exaggerating the risks. From its perch on the couch, the black cat watched Chen Huaian tapping away at his phone with suspicion. It needed to stay close to absorb the Spiritual Qi radiating from Chen Huaians spirit stones, but it didnt dare get too close, wary of the ancestral dragon aura protecting him. Whats this brat messing with now? The black cat edged closer, its curiosity piqued. Wait a second. Could it be all the treasures this human has come from that black box? If I steal it, his fortunes will become mine! Its eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. The cat crouched lower, one eye fixed on Chen Huaians phone and the other watching his movements. Suddenly, Chen Huaian picked up the silver needles. The black cats ears perked up, thinking it might finally be its turn to get some acupuncture. But to its shock, Chen Huaian drove the needle straight into his own right leg. MEOW?! A piercing scream echoed through the hotel room, loud enough to rattle the windows. Thankfully, it was midday; otherwise, the neighbors wouldve come knocking. Holy sh*t, that hurts! Chen Huaian glanced at the spot where the needle had pierced his skin, now bruised purple. Then he noticed something unusual. The area hed just jabbed had been completely numb before, but now he could feel paina clear sign the needle was working! Well, its just a bit of pain. Im not scared of that! He gritted his teeth and continued, driving in another ten needles in quick succession. The black cat, seeing him absorbed in his self-mutilation, prepared to pounce on the phone. As the final needle went in, the black cat leapt forward with a loud MEOW! But just as it reached Chen Huaians thigh, his injured leg jerked upward in a sudden, reflexive motion. The force was like lightning. BAM! The black cat was sent flying in a perfect arc, landing neatly back in its shoebox, which closed tightly on impact. Wow, it really hurts, but I can feel it again! Chen Huaian exclaimed, rubbing his leg in delight. The Pulse Opening Needle Technique was designed to clear meridians and circulate blood and Qi. His legs numbness had been caused by a combination of fractures and tumor pressure. Whether by coincidence or design, the needle treatment seemed to be working. Wait did I just hit something with my knee? He glanced around the room but saw nothing unusual. Shrugging it off, he returned to studying his leg. Meanwhile, in the Cangyun Realm, Li Qingrans cultivation speed was advancing at an astonishing rate. Last night, she had broken through to the eighth level of the Qi Refinement stage. By this afternoon, she was nearing perfection in the stage, thanks to the unmatched quality of her Supreme-Grade Dantian. Her cultivation base had skyrocketed due to its enormous capacity for Spiritual Qi, despite her lack of a Spiritual Root. In the cultivation world, those with single-attribute Spiritual Roots were considered the most talented, with variant roots being even better. Meanwhile, five-element and rootless cultivators were seen as the worst. For most rootless cultivators, their rapid cultivation speed was offset by low-quality Qi and difficulties breaking through bottlenecks. Li Qingran had resigned herself to these limitations until now. The Supreme-Grade Dantian bestowed by my benefactor is incredible, Li Qingran thought as she observed her dantian, brimming with purer and greater volumes of Spiritual Qi than shed ever had. Her excitement grew as she prepared to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. But just as she was gathering her strength, an excruciating pain erupted in her mind, and a suffocating darkness swallowed her whole. In the darkness, an elder in a green robe appearedDaoist Qingxuan, her former master. Li Qingran! You harmed your junior sisterhow unrighteous! You neglected my teachings and tarnished the secthow unfilial! You bullied outer disciples after being demotedhow unjust! And you dared to think of betraying the sect for another masterhow disloyal! His booming voice echoed through her mind, shattering her focus and scattering her Qi. The shadow of her senior brother, Lu Changtian, loomed beside Qingxuan. He sneered coldly. Li Qingran, someone as treacherous as you dares to dream of advancing? Ridiculous! Other figures followed, each one hurling accusations and insults. No I didnt Li Qingran clutched her head, curling up in the freezing darkness. She wanted to refute them, but a thousand shadowy hands silenced her, leaving her isolated and unheard. The specters of her sects members continued to accuse her, their voices drowning her protests. Among them, her sixth junior sister, Mu Baishuang, stood beside Lu Changtian, shielded by the crowds approval. She smiled softly, her lips moving just enough for Li Qingran to hear her whispered words: Senior Sister Li Qingran just disappear. Someone like you doesnt deserve to live. Chapter 33: A Change of Heart Chapter 33: A Change of Heart Oh right, I rescued a black cat yesterday. I wonder how its doing now, Chen Huaian said, standing up and heading toward the shoebox. Inside, the black cat, still dazed from the earlier blow, perked up at the sound of movement. It braced itself, ready to charm Chen Huaian and get closer to him. But just as Chen Huaian was about to open the box His phone on the coffee table vibrated with a notification. Chen Huaian paused and sat back down on the couch, leaving the black cats hopes dashed once again. It slumped back into the shoebox, its fleeting aspirations crushed. Your Virtual Girlfriend is under attack by Heart Demons! The message made Chen Huaian jump. He quickly opened the app, where he saw Li Qingran sitting cross-legged on the bed, meditating. Her face was pale, sweat dripped from her brow, and her lips were an ominous shade of blue. Her expression was one of deep anguish, with dark energy gathering ominously at her brow. Heart demons? At the Qi Refinement stage? Chen Huaian muttered in confusion. He had read enough cultivation novels to know that heart demons usually appeared only during advanced stages. Opening Li Qingrans status bar, he found an explanation for the condition: Heart Demon Arising: Heart demons are unrelated to cultivation stages and stem from a practitioners inner thoughtsobsessions, malice, greed, and more can give rise to them. They can form naturally through experiences or be induced by certain demonic techniques. To defeat a heart demon, one must break free of the inner thoughts that bind them. So its about whats troubling her. But what exactly is weighing on Li Qingrans mind? Chen Huaian wracked his brain for answers, recalling Li Qingrans backstory. Besides the tragic death of her parents, the biggest source of pain in her life was undoubtedly the people of Chixiao Peak and the Qingyun Sect. Knowing the source, however, was one thingsolving it was another. Still treating the situation as part of the game, Chen Huaian started tapping around the app, looking for a recharge option. But the game, as usual, refused to make things straightforward. Hidden pay-to-win features like this only appeared at specific moments in the story. God, this game is such a tease, Chen Huaian grumbled, frustrated by the developers coyness. Whatever. When in doubt, use ! This divination will cost 100 and apply a debuff for 24 hours. Proceed? Proceed! In the Cangyun Realm, the sudden divination caused a stir. Again? That mysterious powerhouse is divining twice in one day?! Whats happening in the Cangyun Realm that warrants this? First a divine pill appeared at Wanqing Mountain, then spiritual light surged skyward. Could these be connected to the divinations? It seems Zhongzhous secret realm is about to open. These are turbulent times indeed Wanjian Pavilion. Sect Master Su Qinian stood atop the mountain, white robes billowing in the wind. His long, snowy hair whipped dramatically around him, and his narrowed eyes fixed on the direction of Wanqing Mountain. A picture of elegance and gravitas. At least, for a moment. The next second, his composure shattered. D*mn that Qingyun Sect! Why does Wanqing Mountain get all the benefits?! Just waitwhen Zhongzhous secret realm opens, Ill make them pay! Sect Master! A pavilion elder descended from a flying sword, bowing respectfully. Two pressing matters require your attention. What matters? Su Qinian smoothed his robes, resuming a calm demeanor. First were broke. What? The spirit stone mines in the back mountain have been completely depleted, the elder explained with an uneasy expression. D*mn it! I knew this day would come, but so soon?! Su Qinian clenched his fists. Wanjian Pavilion was already infamous as the poorest sect in the Cangyun Realm. And the second matter? Our sects guardian beast has gone into heat. Its demanding to mate and has threatened to destroy the spiritual herbs in the back mountain if we refuse Su Qinians eye twitched. Taking the beast to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect for mating would cost money, and ordinary beasts wouldnt satisfy it. Letting it destroy their herbs was also unthinkable. After a long pause, Su Qinian finally made his decision. Tell it to hold it in. If it cant, well well neuter it! WHAT?! The elder gaped in horror. I said NEUTER IT! Su Qinian roared, his eyes flashing with murderous resolve. Tell that beast this sect has no money! If it doesnt behave, Ill personally take care of it! The elder left with a pained expression, while Su Qinian stared into the horizon, muttering darkly. He adjusted the sword at his waist, seemingly lost in thought. His hand reached into his storage pouch, where he felt the familiar texture of his black night-raid uniform. Guess Ill find a way to get some money. Heavenly Divination Complete! To overcome her heart demon, Li Qingran must return to the Qingyun Sect and sever her ties to Chixiao Peak completely. Warning: Li Qingran is suffering from a heart demon backlash, and her cultivation base is about to regress. Use the in conjunction with the free Supreme-Grade Heart Protection Pill to stabilize her foundation. (This use of the needle carries no risk.) You have gained the status for 24 hours. A free supreme-grade pill?! Chen Huaian was shocked. The developers actually gave me something for free? Have they finally grown a conscience? A flash of green light appeared, and the pill materialized on the table. Meanwhile, at Qingyun Sects Chixiao Peak, Xiao Yifeng had just returned to his cave and eagerly retrieved his pill furnace. I finally got a Supreme-Grade Heart Protection Pill! Once I figure out how its made, Ill refine it myself and amaze everyoneincluding Junior Sister Mu! Reaching into his storage pouch, his face went pale. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gone? Everything I bought is gone?! My my Supreme-Grade Heart Protection Pill?! Chapter 34: Li Qingran, You’re So Stupid Chapter 34: Li Qingran, Youre So Stupid The theft of a supreme-grade Heart Protection Pill from an inner disciple of Chixiao Peak was no trivial matter. Especially when the pill, worth tens of thousands of mid-grade spirit stones, had cost Xiao Yifeng all the connections he could muster. To buy it, he had borrowed from everyone willing to lend. He thought that as an alchemist, learning to refine a supreme-grade Heart Protection Pill would allow him to easily repay his debts. When asked about the theft, Xiao Yifeng stammered out that the pill had vanished from his storage pouch without explanation. He swore it had been there when he returned to Qingyun Sect and checked it before heading up the mountain. The elders and Daoist Qingxuan, who had been ready to rally behind him, were left speechless by the sheer absurdity of the situation. Sect Master Wu Duantian issued an order for a sect-wide lockdown and an inspection of all disciples belongings. After much chaos and an exhausting search, they turned up nothing. If I ever find out who stole my pill, Ill tear them limb from limb! Xiao Yifeng swore to the heavens. Meanwhile, on Earth, Chen Huaian had already fed the pill to Li Qingran. Achoo! He sneezed three times in rapid succession. Who the heck is talking about me? He refocused on his phone as a prompt popped up. Press the Qihai Acupoint with your left hand and circulate energy. Slide your fingers toward the Guanyuan Acupoint. Use your right hand to perform acupuncture according to the Pulse Opening Needle Technique. The screen zoomed in, highlighting Li Qingrans waist and abdomen. Due to her battle with the heart demon, sweat soaked her thin clothing, leaving her attire almost translucent. The damp fabric clung to her skin, outlining the elegant curve of her waist. Beneath her top, her undergarmenta pale green dudouwas visible, embroidered with a lotus leaf and a small frog. In the corner, the words Li Qingran were stitched in clumsy, crooked handwriting. Wait, is that her handwriting? Any fleeting inappropriate thoughts vanished as Chen Huaian stared at the childish scrawl. It reminded him of the poorly written characters on his talisman and bracelet. Shaking his head, he focused on the task at hand. Guided by the glowing acupoints on the screen, he pressed the indicated spots with his fingers. Li Qingrans body trembled slightly under his touch. Did that hurt? Chen Huaian wondered to himself, oblivious to Li Qingrans reaction. Inside her mind, Li Qingran continued to struggle in the murky darkness, surrounded by taunts and accusations. Every inch of her body felt like it was being torn apart, her soul pierced and shredded by cruel words. You think you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage? Laughable! Trash like you deserves to have your cultivation crippled! Get out of Qingyun Sect! Get out! Someone like you doesnt deserve to live. Despair engulfed her. She reached out desperately, but her hands grasped only cold, empty air. The mocking faces drew closer, mouths opening wide as if to devour her. No someone save me Suddenly, a clear sword cry rang out, slicing through the oppressive darkness like a stream of cool spring water. A beam of light pierced the void, dispersing the chaos. Li Qingran! A voice called her name, firm and steady. The faces froze in shock. One by one, they were severed by an invisible blade. Flames erupted from the clean cuts, consuming the twisted visages until they disintegrated into ash. Li Qingran! The voice grew closer. Through the smoke and debris, a figure emerged. A black-clad silhouette stood tall, a sword in hand. White hair cascaded down their back, and a majestic five-clawed black dragon coiled around them, its golden eyes burning with authority. Predecessor Li Qingran murmured, her voice trembling. She felt a wave of calm wash over her, sweeping away the turmoil in her mind. The suffocating darkness receded, as if cowed by the figures presence. Li Qingran opened her eyes, finding herself back in the small room. The terrifying illusions caused by the heart demon had vanished. Now drenched in sweat, her body ached from head to toe. Her abdomen and waist tingled with an unfamiliar sensation. Glancing down, her face turned crimson. Golden hands of pure Spiritual Qi were pressing her acupoints, massaging her waist and abdomen. One hand circulated energy, while the other performed acupuncture. The sensation was peculiartingling, ticklish, and almost unbearably intimate. Clenching her teeth, she fought the urge to gasp aloud. Li Qingrans face burned as she watched her soft flesh yield to the pressure of the glowing hands. Her fingers twisted the hem of her damp robe, turning her knuckles white. Her feet shuffled restlessly on the floor as she prayed for a hole to crawl into. He saw he definitely saw the dudou Why did I embroider a lotus leaf and a frog on it? He must think Im so childish Li Qingran, youre so stupid. So, so stupid Her mind spiraled with embarrassment. The heart demons torment felt trivial compared to her mortification. Even after Chen Huaian finished, she remained lost in her thoughts, replaying countless awkward scenarios in her head. Done! Chen Huaian sighed in relief. Her cultivation base is intact. The Heart Protection Pill, combined with his acupuncture and techniques, had effectively stabilized her Foundation Establishment stage. Now, however, he had to tackle the root problem: her heart demon. According to the , she needed to return to Qingyun Sect and sever her ties to Chixiao Peak to fully overcome the issue. Chen Huaian frowned. If he had a choice, he wouldnt send her back to such a dangerous place. But the game left him no alternatives. Going back might be risky he muttered. Just then, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. A cold voice followed from outside. Li Qingran, open the door. I know youre in there. Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 35: Ending It Once and for All Chapter 35: Ending It Once and for All The visitor was Lu Changtian. Li Qingran was absolutely certain. After spending three years on Chixiao Peak, she was far too familiar with Lu Changtians voice. At the same time, she sensed a faint killing intent and a sweeping spiritual probe. Li Qingran, youve reached the peak of the Qi Refinement Stage? How is that possible? Lu Changtians voice was filled with shock. Li Qingrans dantian had been crippled. In theory, she should have been unable to cultivate normally. Even if she forcefully attempted it, there was no way she could have reached the peak of Qi Refinement in such a short time. He needed to see for himself and reached out to push the door open. Someone is attempting to barge into your virtual girlfriends room. Please choose a countermeasure. Unleash a palm strike and blast him away, teaching him the consequences of touching your virtual girlfriend. Suppress him with the might of a superior cultivator, forcing him to kneel and learn the meaning of respect. Let out a cold snort and shatter his eardrums with internal energy, scaring him into fleeing. (Warning: This may cause him to suspect you are a demonic cultivator.) Chen Huaian wasnt satisfied with the games choices. The man outside was none other than one of Li Qingrans greatest obsessionsSenior Brother Lu Changtian. He had arrived quickly, appearing as a neutral yellow dot on the map, which meant there was no immediate danger alert. Yellow dots could turn red or green at any momentred for enemies, green for allies. Ill pay extracan I just squash him? Chen Huaians face darkened. If this were real life, casually taking a human life would trigger a moral dilemma. But this was just a gamehe had no ethical concerns about killing Lu Changtian. After waiting a moment, no new pay-to-win options appeared. Clearly, Lu Changtian was part of an essential plotline and couldnt be killed outright. But Chen Huaian quickly realized something. Lu Changtian was a heart demon for Li Qingran. The customer service had mentioned that Li Qingran had to sever her own heart demonsso naturally, she had to deal with Lu Changtian herself. He was curious to see how the story would unfold. After thinking it over, he chose option 2. Since Lu Changtian was just a stepping stone for Li Qingran, he wouldnt interfere. This damn door wont budge? Outside the cabin, Lu Changtian was getting anxious. Just as he was about to channel his spiritual energy and punch the door open, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended upon him, crushing him like a mountain. Ugh His blood surged chaotically, his internal organs feeling as if they were being crushed by an iron grip. Unable to hold himself up, his knees slammed into the ground, shattering the stone tiles beneath him. Panic flooded Lu Changtians mind. In the entire Qingyun Sect, only his master, the sect leader, and a few elders could suppress him purely through their aura. But this pressure it was even more devastating than what those elders could unleash. He couldnt muster the slightest resistance. Junior of the Qingyun Sect, Lu Changtian of Chixiao PeakI was unaware that Senior was inside. I have been disrespectful, and I Shut up! A thunderous voice erupted from within the cabin. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A powerful gust of wind slammed the door open, then shut it again with a deafening . Lu Changtian was sent flying backward, landing in a crater left by a previous lightning strike. He felt as though his abdomen had been punched with immense forcehis internal organs twisted in pain, and the words he had been about to say died in his throat. Qingran, this is someone from your sect. I wont interfere. Yes Thank you, Senior. Did Li Qingran just call that man Senior? Their relationship seemed close. Had this Senior helped Li Qingran recover from her injuries? Was he also the one who killed Song Jiaojiao? Had Li Qingran defected to the demonic sects? But that earlier pressure had been upright and balanced, with not a hint of demonic energy. This mysterious Senior didnt seem like a demonic cultivator at all. Then how had Li Qingran ended up connected to such a powerful figure? Lu Changtians mind was in chaos when the cabin door opened. Li Qingran stepped out, now clad in fresh robes, her delicate face still tinged with a faint blush. Lu Changtian, what do you want? Lu Changtian looked up at his former junior sister. Not much time had passed, yet she had changed drastically. Her aura was now ice-cold, completely devoid of the pitiful weakness she once showed when begging them for mercy. She was like an unsheathed sword, radiating a faint, deadly sharpness. She was no longer the same person. Faced with this version of Li Qingranand knowing that the mysterious Senior was insideLu Changtian instinctively abandoned his authoritative demeanor. Clutching his chest, he stood up and spoke in a calm tone. Junior Sister, I came to bring you back to Qingyun Sect. Though you injured Sixth Junior Sister during the Sect Tournament, your crime is not punishable by death. I didnt know that dog Zhang Hanxiao abandoned you here on Wanqing Mountain to dieif I had known, I would never have allowed it. Not punishable by death? Li Qingran let out a bitter laugh, her icy gaze locking onto Lu Changtian. Not punishable by death, so you crippled my dantian? Not punishable by death, so you ripped out my spiritual root? What a joke. Lu Changtian, you should know better than anyone what a dantian and a spiritual root mean to a cultivator. You didnt kill me outright, but you made me suffer a fate worse than death! Lu Changtian frowned at her aggressive tone. In the past, if he had simply offered to bring her back, she would have been overwhelmed with gratitude. Now, she looked like she would rather die than comply. Since she could still cultivate, her dantian must have only been damaged, not completely destroyed. With the help of that mysterious Senior, and some elixirs for stabilization, she had recovered. Lu Changtian pressed his lips together. Junior Sister, crippling your dantian was wrongbut youre still able to cultivate, arent you? Master and I can help you restore it further. As for your spiritual root, we can find another one for you. My spiritual root? Li Qingrans voice trembled, her eyes filling with cold fury. Your spiritual root Lu Changtian hesitated before finally forcing himself to speak. You know that Little Junior Sister has always been frail, with a weak foundation. So we transplanted your Water Spiritual Root to her. But dont worry, Junior SisterI promise, Ill find you another single-attribute spiritual root, even if I have to spend everything I have at an auction! Li Qingran lowered her head, her long bangs casting a shadow over her face. Her hands clenched into fists, then relaxed, then clenched again. No one knew what she was thinking. Two teardrops rolled down her cheeks and fell to the ground with soft . Outside the game, Chen Huaian, having witnessed the entire conversation, was both furious and amused. The people of Chixiao Peak were truly something else. They had ripped out Li Qingrans spiritual root and given it to some pathetic excuse of a Junior Sister? Were they insane? Even after suffering such cruelty, Li Qingran still held lingering feelings for Qingyun Sect and Chixiao Peak. She was someone who cherished old bonds, remembering Daoist Qingxuans teachings and the kindness of her senior brothers. But now, as her tears fell Those old sentiments were finally crumbling away. Lu Changtian, I will return to Qingyun Sect. Li Qingran lifted her head. Her tear-streaked eyes were devoid of emotiononly an icy void remained. Under that gaze, Lu Changtian felt no joyonly a bone-chilling dread. Then, he heard Li Qingrans cold, deliberate words. I will return tomorrowonly to sever my past once and for all. Chapter 36: Variety Show Chapter 36: Variety Show "Senior, I have made my own decisionI wish to return to Qingyun Sect tomorrow." After Lu Changtian left, Li Qingran returned to the cabin, knelt down before the ceiling, and remained in that position without rising. "I am not a foolish, stubborn child, nor am I holding onto any misplaced gratitude toward Qingyun Sect or Chixiao Peak. But they have become obstacles on my path of cultivation. I must personally sever them to continue forward and live up to your expectations." Her head was lowered, and her tone was sincere. She knew Qingyun Sect was a den of dragons and tigers, yet she had to enter. She also understood that, from her Seniors perspective, he likely wouldnt want her to return. He might even become suspicious of her motives. She had already received too much kindnessif she went back to Qingyun Sect now, wouldnt she be an ungrateful wretch? So, she waited. Waited for his decision. If he permitted her to return, she would go. If not, she would stay. Chen Huaian thought for a moment, then pressed the communication talisman and said, "Its fine. Only the one who ties the knot can untie it. Since this all began at Chixiao Peak, it should end there. You handle it yourselfI believe in you." Inside the cabin, Li Qingran waited a while before a voice as ethereal as drifting clouds finally echoed in her ears. When joy peaks, sorrow follows. One must understand the ebb and flow of fate. Every cause has its effect, every bite and sip predestined. This is your burden to bear. Go. Li Qingran carefully pondered Chen Huaians words, her heart trembling. Then, she bowed deeply once more. The hesitation in her gaze disappeared, replaced by unwavering determination. "Junior Li Qingran thanks Senior for his guidance!" Mm. Before you leave, I bestow upon you a gift. A flying sword appeared on the table, its sheath pure white like moonlight, its tassel crimson like flowing blood. This sword is called Su Xian. It is a top-grade magical flying sword. I noticed that your previous sword was brokentake this as your protection. Li Qingran held Su Xian Sword in her hands, a deep warmth surging in her heart, touching her beyond words. She wiped away the tears in the corners of her eyes, embraced the sword, and bowed respectfully. "I will not disappoint you, Senior!" Hello, is this Mr. Chen? "I am." We have a variety show and would like to invite you to participate. Would you be interested "What kind of scam call is this?" Chen Huaian frowned and hung up immediately. He was already troubled about how to help Li Qingran survive tomorrows ordeal. He was nearly out of money, and this damn game was sure to find a way to force him to spend more. He had no time to waste on scam calls. In the past, he might have spent an hour lecturing these scammers about life and philosophy. The phone rang again. Chen Huaian looked at the caller ID and smirked coldly before answering. Fine, you refuse to drink the toast and insist on drinking the penalty cup? Today, as Immortal Chen, he had intended to lay down his blade and spare some souls. But since these scammers were practically throwing themselves onto the blade, he might as well have some fun! Mr. Chen, please dont hang up. Were not a scam. Were from an outdoor variety show called . We saw your vlog about your challenge on Mount Tais, and our director is very interested in you. Wed like to officially invite you to join our show. We have quite a few popular young actors and idols participating, and our ratings on Mango TV are excellent. If you join, itll be a great promotion for your livestream accountyoull gain a huge fan base. Its a win-win! Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, sensing that this was no simple matter. He immediately turned on his hotel computer, searched online, and found that the show did indeed existand it was actually quite popular. The shows basic format involved taking a group of young celebrities and putting them through extreme outdoor challengeshiking, diving, bungee jumping, wilderness survival, and more. It was perfect for crafting an adventurous, brave public image for the stars. Of course, it also exposed the ones who were pampered and spoiled. But why were they inviting him? He wasnt a celebrity. Still puzzled, he opened his livestream accountonly to be completely dumbfounded. The vlog he had casually edited had over a hundred million views, more than seven million likes, and an overwhelming number of comments and private messages. The sheer volume had even caused his backend to lag. "Holy sh*t! I went viral?!" Chen Huaian gawked at his follower count, which had surged to 270,000. This was the power of the internet. He couldnt help but sigh. Fate was fickle. No wonder so many college graduates nowadays wanted to become influencers. After all, working a regular job for some boss was a dead end. Becoming an online personality, however, at least had a sliver of hope. The key was that self-media covered a wide range of interestsyou could do what you loved. If it made money, great. If not, life still wouldnt feel meaningless. His vlog was trending alongside another hot topic. Experts had already provided an explanation: a film crew in Shanghai had been shooting a historical drama, and atmospheric optical phenomena had projected their scene onto the summit of Mount Tais. To prove this, they even presented a drama crew supposedly filming . Chen Huaian took one look and instantly knew they had cobbled this crew together at the last minute. The emperor they cast did wear a dark imperial robe and was indeed handsome, but his aura was utterly lacking. To put it bluntly, it was the difference between a mudfish and a true dragon. No comparison. Other trending topics related to his vlog were calls for cancer awareness, encouraging patients to fight bravely, and so on. All of them had high engagement. Now it all made sense. His livestream hadnt sold products or begged for donations, and his vlog hadnt been a sob story. From start to finish, his content embodied an unyielding fighting spirit. It wasnt that fundraising or selling products was wrongmany seriously ill patients relied on those methods for medical funds. But audiences had become desensitized. Scams were everywhere, eroding peoples sympathy. In contrast, his livestream and vlog were a breath of fresh air. They crushed everything else in the same category. With a little push from the platform, he had exploded in popularity. His content had only been out for three daysthere was still massive potential for growth. That variety show was clearly trying to ride the wave. Hah. A win-win? More like they were trying to milk him for free exposure. Damn capitalistsrotten to the core! "Im not interested in joining any variety show," Chen Huaian rejected flatly. "I just want to peacefully live out the rest of my days." The person on the other end of the line chuckled, seemingly expecting this response. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mr. Chen, who wouldnt want a chance at treatment? If you agree to participate, well pay you 500,000 yuan in appearance fees! "How much?!" Chen Huaians eyes instantly turned into two golden coins. 500,000 yuan. Its a buyout fee for this season. We film three episodes per season. Whether you appear in later episodes or not, once you sign the contract, the money will be transferred to you immediately. Chen Huaian forced himself to calm down. Half a million. That was the appearance fee for some second- or third-tier celebrities. The producers were clearly serious about capitalizing on his viral fame. After all, many rookie actors had to to get onto variety showsgetting an actual fee was rare. So, Mr. Chen, what do you think? Chen Huaian had always believed in win-win situations. A broad smile spread across his face. "Sounds great! So, whats the theme of this episode?" Chapter 37: Returning to Qingyun Sect Chapter 37: Returning to Qingyun Sect The doctors words were clear. In plain terms: Chen Huaian had no choice but to return to his hotel. It was already past nine in the evening. "Sigh, making money is useless if this disease cant be cured," he muttered, opening the game. He saw that Li Qingran had finished her meditation and was now sitting by the window, staring at the moonlit night in a daze. The girl was probably worried about tomorrow. But she really had nothing to worry about. Because at this moment, his bank account held 500,000 yuan. For this game, 500,000 was already a massive fortune. It was enough to do all sorts of thingsan Immortal-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill only cost 100,000 yuan, and 500,000 might even be enough to buy the life of a Nascent Soul cultivator! "If only I could spend money to buy myself a new life too," Chen Huaian sighed. Unfortunately, his life wasnt a game, and there was no one outside this game offering him any heaven-defying artifact to change his fate. Tomorrow, Li Qingran would return to Qingyun Sect. And he would be heading to Tianmen Mountain to record the variety show. "In the end, changing fate is still up to me. At least now, I have 500,000 yuanmoney that allows me to do things I never dared to dream of before. In some way isn''t this also a form of rewriting destiny?" Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Chen Huaian spoke to himself. His anxiety quickly faded. Things couldnt possibly get worse than they already were. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From now on, every step forward would be a blessing. "Sigh, nothing to do for now might as well give that black cat some acupuncture." He suddenly remembered that there was still a living creature in this room. He reached into a shoebox and pulled out the black cat. The cat had been sleeping. When Chen Huaian placed it on the sofa, its eyes were still dazed. But soon, it reacted, letting out a pitiful "meow" before limping two steps forward, then turning back to meow at him again. Could Chen Huaian resist that? Staring at the cats limp leg, he stroked his chin in thought. "What acupuncture method should I use? The Pulse-Opening Needle technique worked well last time, though it might have some risks. But hey, the cats already limpingwhats the worst that could happen? And besides, my luck cant be bad." The black cat stared at Chen Huaian, deep in thought as well. Heh heh, this king is adorable, right? Hurry and treat this kings injuries! Once I recover, Ill have a better chance at stealing your treasures Heh heh heh! "Alright, Pulse-Opening Needle it is! Lets see if this gamble pays off!" Chen Huaian pulled out his silver needles and began his acupuncture treatment on the black cat. Half an hour later The black cat stared at its now completely paralyzed right leg, lost in deep contemplation. Hiss! No, no, this isnt right Could it be this brat doesnt actually know acupuncture?! But my leg was fine before this! It had only to be injured. Now, it was actually crippled. A shadow loomed over its visionChen Huaians expressionless face. "You and I were destined to meet," Chen Huaian intoned solemnly, masking his guilt. He could tell that the black cats right leg was now entirely numbcompletely stiff like a wooden club. "Since fate has brought us together, I shall take responsibility for you. From now on, your name shall be Ba Ji. In the human world, naming a pet means accepting it as ones own. From today on, youll grow up strong and healthy under my care. Whatever I eat, youll eatno picky eating allowed." While babbling on, Chen Huaian stuffed the utterly bewildered Ba Ji back into the shoebox and closed the lid. Once he fully grasped the Pulse-Opening Needle, hed fix its leg. Then, he grabbed his crutch and hobbled downstairs to buy steamed buns. Now that he had money, he wouldnt just buy steamed bunshed get a chicken drumstick too. The door shut behind him. On the table, the shoebox suddenly shook violently. AAAAHHHH! MY LEG!!! Damn human brat, just you wait! If this king gets the chance, Ill make you pay! At midnight, Chen Huaian had fallen asleep, his phone still running the Virtual Girlfriend game. As the clock struck 12, a system notification popped up: Remaining lifespan: 72 days. "Did you hear? Li Qingran is coming back to the sect!" "Li Qingran? Whos that" "The one who injured Chixiao Peaks Little Junior Sister. They say it was intentional. Pretty serious offensehow does she even dare return?" "Does it even matter if it was intentional? Injuries happen in sect tournaments all the time. Is Chixiao Peak really that dramatic?" "Shh, stop talkingshes here!" All eyes turned toward the entrance of Qingyun Sect. At some point, a slender figure had appeared there. She wore a blue-and-white Daoist robe, her long black hair tied at the back with a white ribbon. In her right hand, she carried a pale moon-colored flying sword. As the morning breeze swept past, two strands of hair lifted slightly over her forehead, her robe and sword tassel fluttering gently. Her pace wasnt particularly fast, yet in just a few moments, she had reached the sects main plaza. "Thats Li Qingran?" "People keep saying Mu Baishuang is the most beautiful girl in the sect that Li Qingran was just jealous of her taking her place in Chixiao Peak but looking at her now, Li Qingran is more beautiful than Mu Baishuang." "Heh, Li Qingran was always prettier than Mu Baishuang. When she got expelled from the sect, I actually thought it was a shame." Li Qingran stood in the center of the plaza, meeting the stares around her. Qingyun Sect had around 1,200 disciples, and she could clearly hear the buzzing whispers of their discussions. She didnt know exactly what they were saying. Probably nothing good. She tightened her grip on Su Xian Sword, its icy sheath biting into her palm. Forged from millennia-old black iron, the blade emitted a faint, frost-like chill even through the scabbard, merging with the morning mist. But she didnt feel cold. On the contrary, her heart was growing steadier. She wasnt standing here alone. She wasnt without support. Even though she couldnt see her Seniors figure, she could feel his gentle gaze watching over her. Every day and nightwhen she was training, eating, sleeping, even bathingthat gaze was always there. At first, she had been shy and embarrassed. But later, she found that without that presence, she would feel uneasy. At some point, she had become completely reliant on him. She knew it wasnt good, but she couldnt control her feelings. She waited. Time passed, the sun shifting slightly. One by one, the sect elders arrived. The doors of the main hall opened, and Sect Master Wu Duantian stepped out, flanked by his three direct disciples. From the peak of Chixiao Peak, five streaks of light shot forth. A blue flying sword descended first, carrying Daoist Qingxuan. Behind him, Xiao Yifeng, Yun Zimo, and Zhang Hanxiao followed suit, each dismounting their flying swords in the plaza. Lu Changtian was the last to arrive, with Mu Baishuang seated behind him. Li Qingran met Mu Baishuangs gaze indifferently. Mu Baishuang, on the other hand, visibly flinched and immediately hid behind Lu Changtian. Suddenly A thunderous roar shook the plaza, making Li Qingrans ears ring. "Li Qingran! Do you realize your crimes?!" Chapter 38: Let Me See Who Dares Chapter 38 C Let Me See Who Dares The one who spoke was Daoist Qingxuan. Li Qingran met Daoist Qingxuans gaze with cold indifference and said icily, I, Li Qingran, am innocent! For a brief moment, the entire square before the grand hall fell into silence. Everyone stared at Li Qingran in shock. Where did she get the audacity to defy a Nascent Soul cultivator?! To most disciples in the sect, an elder like Daoist Qingxuan was a revered figure, an existence akin to the natural order itself. Whether he was right or wrong didn''t matterhis word was law, and they were to obey without question. If something seemed unjust, there were ways to explain it later. But to directly confront a Nascent Soul cultivator like this? That was nothing short of courting death. Forget about authorityabsolute power was the real law here. If a Nascent Soul cultivator wanted to suppress you with his cultivation level, what could you do about it? In the end, in the cultivation world, strength ruled above all. Sect Master Wu Duantian shook his head and sighed. Li Qingran has a commendable temperament. Even under Elder Qingxuans pressure, she remains composed. But shes too rigidunyielding things tend to break. Shes not suited for survival in the cultivation world Innocent?! Daoist Qingxuan let out a furious laugh. You dare defy your elders? That alone is an unforgivable crime! Kneel before me! Boom! A terrifying pressure crashed down upon Li Qingran. Even as she gritted her teeth and resisted, she was still being forced down, inch by inch, about to kneel. But at that moment, a gentle force rose up to support her knees. It spread through her entire body, allowing her to withstand Daoist Qingxuans oppressive might. Its him Li Qingrans heart warmed. As expected, he had arrived. But there were seven Nascent Soul cultivators in Qingyun Sect, along with over a dozen Core Formation cultivators. If he stepped in for her, wouldnt he be in danger? She relied on him, yet she constantly worried for his safety. Ive troubled you again, Senior Its nothing. A cold voice whispered in her ear. As long as Im here, who dares to humiliate you?! In the game, Chen Huaian was awe-inspiring. Outside the game, Chen Huaian was utterly dumbfounded. Ten minutes earlier Just as Li Qingran stepped into the grand hall, a flood of notification windows popped up on Chen Huaians screen, just as he had expected. You have triggered Main Quest 1.0: Help Li Qingran sever ties with Chixiao Peak and survive this crisis. (This mission is extremely difficult. If you fail, your Virtual Girlfriend, Li Qingran, will remain at Chixiao Peak and ultimately perish in the sects dungeon.) Please create your game character! Chen Huaians mouth twitched. Unbelievable. He had already spent over a hundred thousand yuan on this game, and only now did it let him create a character? Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If this damn game hadnt popped up this window, he wouldnt have even known he could make a character! He had thought his character was just some formless mass of Spiritual Qior worse, just a pair of floating hands. Let me see whats going on here! Chen Huaian opened the character creation panel and found that the customization options were quite limitedhe could only make minor adjustments to his current appearance. Luckily, he looked decent enough. After a few tweaks, he actually had a bit of an immortal aura. He scrolled to the hairstyle section. His hand froze. Limited-Time Offer C Celestial Flowing White Hair: Wuxian. One-time purchase, permanent use! Only 998! Take home a top-tier white-haired style today! What the f***. Chen Huaians expression became incredibly complex. He had assumed the game wouldnt push microtransactions here, but it didnt even bother pretending otherwise. There were over a hundred white-haired styles available. And not just white hairthere were golden, red, silver, and thousands of different hairstyles! The so-called "limited-time" white hair was actually the cheapest option. It looked suspiciously similar to Wei Wuxians ponytail, except bleached white. He tried it on. Absolutely stunning. 998 not bad. Way cheaper than those 9998 ones. Ill buy it. Chen Huaian shook his head. As a devoted fan of white-haired characters, some sacrifices had to be made. Fortunately, he was wealthy now, so this amount was nothing. Next up: outfits. Without purchasing an outfit, hed be stuck in the default burlap robenot exactly the look of a grandmaster. Hed barely look better than a beggar on the streets. He needed to buy a proper robe! After careful selection, he chose a black Daoist robe"Dijun"with gold dragon embroidery on the cuffs. Price: 3,988, another limited-time offer. The other Daoist robes all cost over 10,000, and some with special abilities were in the hundreds of thousands or even millions. Some even required Spirit Stones for purchase, though he had no idea how that worked. He couldnt afford those anyway. Now that he had a stylish outfit and flowing white hair, his character finally looked impressive. But compared to the Nascent Soul old monsters in the sect hall, who were covered in dazzling treasures, he still fell short. Thats where the next microtransaction came in. Aura Effects Dragon Ancestors Protection C Gain a divine dragons blessing. When entering a scene, a dragon leads the way, surrounding you with awe-inspiring might. Golden Crow Chasing the Sun C Erupt with blazing solar radiance upon entry. 1999. Dragon Ancestors Seal C Summon a black dragons phantom. Todays special price: 99.8 Chen Huaian: After a long pause, he chose the Dragon Ancestors Sealthe best bang for his buck. As soon as he equipped it, a five-clawed black dragons shadow coiled around his character. Not quite the full Dragon Ancestors Protection, but 99.8? A steal. Besides, he was up against a Nascent Soul cultivator, not a bunch of Grand Immortals. No need to go overboard. There were more expensive things ahead. Finally, the main eventcultivation boost. Instantly reach Nascent Soul Peak C 660 million / One-day trial 88,000 Instantly reach Fusion Realm Peak C 1.88 billion / One-day trial 188,000 If this were beforeespecially before his last hospital visithe would have scoffed at these ridiculous prices and cursed out the game developers. But now? He simply chuckled and clicked Nascent Soul Peak C One-Day Trial. 188,000 vanished from his bank account. His character erupted in divine radiance, an overwhelming presence sweeping across the game. Right at that moment, Daoist Qingxuans enraged voice echoed: Kneel before me! Kneel? Make Li Qingran kneel? Heh Chen Huaian pressed his Communication Talisman and let out a cold laugh. As long as Im here, let me see who dares?! Chapter 39: So What If I Interfere? Chapter 39 C So What If I Interfere? At the Qingyun Sect Grand Hall Square, two overwhelming Nascent Soul auras clashed, triggering a Spiritual Qi explosion centered around Li Qingran. The disciples nearby felt as if their heads were suddenly submerged in water, their ears ringing violently. The force of the clash sent dust and debris flying, stone tiles ripped from the ground by the shockwave, crashing into the sects outer walls and leaving deep pits in their wake. This is bad! A powerful expert is here! Sect Master Wu Duantian turned pale and urgently commanded the elders beside him, Hurry and activate the Sect Protection Formation! Ensure the safety of the disciples! Yes! The two elders didnt dare to hesitate and immediately set to work. But their precaution was unnecessary. That overwhelming aura targeted only Chixiao Peaks peoplespecifically, the arrogant Daoist Qingxuan. For the other disciples, it was no more than a gentle breeze. Even the flying debris curved away, avoiding them entirely. However, the disciples behind Daoist Qingxuan werent so lucky. The immense pressure from two Nascent Soul cultivators bore down on Lu Changtian and the others, forcing them to the ground, their faces turning an alarming shade of purple-red. Yet, none of them dared utter a single complaint. Who are you, and why are you interfering in Qingyun Sects affairs?! Daoist Qingxuans face was grim. He was the strongest cultivator in Qingyun Sect, second only to Ancestor Qingyun. Even Wu Duantian, the sect master, was no match for him. But nowthis mysterious expert, still unseen, was able to go toe-to-toe with him! Previously, Lu Changtian had reported that Li Qingran had met a mysterious senior outside the sect. This must be him. Qingxuan had expected this person to give Li Qingran some resources or minor help. He never expected this person to openly stand against Qingyun Sect for her! Did this person truly fear nothingnot even Qingyun Sect?! I have interfered. So what? You! Daoist Qingxuan almost choked on his own breath. Before he could gather his words, that ethereal voice floated in once again. Li Qingran is no longer a disciple of Qingyun Sect. I am merely here to settle an old cause and effect. Stay calm. Cultivators deeply respected karmawhenever cause and effect were involved, the matter was never trivial. Daoist Qingxuan frowned. What cause and effect? The cause was planted in Chixiao Peak. The effect belongs to Li Qingran. I will not interfere further but neither will you. Otherwise, dont blame me for disregarding Qingyun Sects dignity! These words sent a wave of unease through Chen Huaian. If only he could buy the Fusion Realm cultivation upgrade! If he had Fusion Realm power, he wouldn''t even need to talkhed just cut them all down with a sword! Right now, he could only buy Nascent Soul Perfection, and if all the elders ganged up on him, hed have to burn his lifeforce and self-destruct to take them with him assuming they didnt flee first. Seems like I still have to play the "mysterious expert" act. Since his character model hadnt been revealed yet, the enemy had no way of locating him. As long as he maintained the air of an unfathomable expert, Daoist Qingxuan wouldnt dare make a move. And why was Chen Huaian so sure? Because he could see Qingxuans basic character profile: Daoist Qingxuan C Late Nascent Soul C 651 years old C Cautious by nature, highly suspicious, arrogant and ruthless. Chen Huaian was the same type of person. He usually acted carefree, but in truth, he was always scheming. If someone provoked him, hed ensure they suffered true despair. Qingxuan, too, was this kind of person. And until he figured out Chen Huaians true identity, Qingxuan would behave himself. Just as Chen Huaian expected, Qingxuan, Wu Duantian, and the other elders all turned pale at his words. What did he mean by "not considering Qingyun Sects dignity"? What level of strength must he have to say such a thing?! Wu Duantian wanted to prove Qingyun Sects mightbut he had no idea where this person even was. When he sent his spiritual sense out to locate him, there was nothing but empty space. Not knowing the enemys full strength, he had no choice but to endure the humiliation. You two, continue searching for that persons whereabouts. Wu Duantian ordered two elders to investigate further, while he subtly gestured for Qingxuan to remain patient. His voice was transmitted directly into Qingxuans mind: "Qingxuan, they are in the shadows while we are exposed. Until we understand their power, we must not act rashly. That girl is merely at Qi Refinementhow much trouble can she truly cause? Lets wait and observe." Qingxuan hesitated, then gave a slight nod, withdrawing his oppressive aurathough his icy gaze remained locked on Li Qingran. Li Qingran had brought an outsider to challenge the sect, humiliating Chixiao Peak. From this moment on, no matter what, she would never be forgiven. Even if Lu Changtian and the others pleaded on her behalf, it would be useless. Thinking of rejoining Qingyun Sect? Heh. Ridiculous. Qingxuan still assumed Li Qingran wanted to return. But he was stuck in the past. With Chen Huaian backing her, Li Qingran felt at ease. She stepped forward, stopping before the Chixiao Peak disciples. Ignoring Qingxuans dagger-like glare, she swept her gaze across them before finally settling on Zhang Hanxiao. She clasped her hands together in a polite bow. Fourth Senior Brother, I trust youve been well. Well, well, Li Qingran. Zhang Hanxiao crossed his arms, smirking. No wonder you came back so confidentlyyouve found someone to back you up? This was Qingyun Sect. With the elders and sect master present, no matter how strong that outsider was, he wouldnt dare keep defending Li Qingran. Once that "senior" was gone, wouldnt Li Qingran be at his mercy? Senior is, of course, supporting me. Li Qingran didnt deny it. She simply held her Su Xian Sword, looking Zhang Hanxiao in the eye. But do you still remember, Fourth Senior Brotherbefore I was expelled from Qingyun Sect, who was it that covered for you whenever you got into trouble? Who paid off all your gambling debts? If not for me, your reputation would have been ruined long ago. Zhang Hanxiaos face flushed red, humiliated by the public exposure of his past. You what nonsense are you saying?! Stop slandering me! Slander? Li Qingran reached into her storage bag, pulled out a stack of debt records, and threw them into the air. The papers fluttered down like falling snow, the sheer number shocking everyone. Her cold voice cut through the silence. These are all the records of the debts I paid for you. I kept track of them at first, but I couldnt write fast enough to keep up with your reckless spending! Zhang Hanxiao, in public, you are Chixiao Peaks brilliant Fourth Senior Brother. But in reality? Youre nothing more than a parasite feeding off your Junior Sister! sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A storm of murmurs erupted among the disciples. And before Zhang Hanxiao could react Li Qingrans sword was already at the ready. "Very well" "Draw your sword!" Chapter 40: Battle Against Zhang Hanxiao Chapter 40 C Battle Against Zhang Hanxiao Zhang Hanxiao, the top-ranked disciple in Qingyun Sects mission records, was undeniably powerful. Although he indulged in gambling and pleasure, his talent was remarkable. At not even thirty, he had already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Within Chixiao Peak, he was slightly older than Mu Baishuang and Li Qingran, though his cultivation level was lower than that of Lu Changtian and others. However, he had always kept Li Qingran firmly under his thumb. Back when she was still on Chixiao Peak, Zhang Hanxiao often used her as a sparring dummy, and she had never been able to defeat him. Both of them practiced Chixiao Peaks signature sword techniqueLittle Formless Sword. Zhang Hanxiao had mastered the technique, while Li Qingran, having joined Chixiao Peak later and being neglected by Daoist Qingxuan, had barely reached the entry-level stage after three years. Facing Zhang Hanxiao, whose swordsmanship, inner strength, and cultivation level were all superior, it was impossible for Li Qingran to feel no pressure. Yet, she held her Su Xian Sword firmly. Li Qingran, I heard from Senior Brother that you managed to cultivate to Qi Refinement Perfection despite your shattered Dantian? Impressive perseverance. If only you had worked this hard back when you were on Chixiao Peak. But back then, you wasted your days fooling around. Now that you finally want to improve, it''s too late. Zhang Hanxiao instinctively reached for his flying sword, only to grasp at empty air. Only then did he rememberhe had already gifted his preferred sword to Mu Baishuang. Now, he was left with nothing but a low-grade artifact sword, a dull, worn blade he usually used for chopping vegetables. He pressed his lips together but still pulled it out. Against Li Qingran, even this broken sword would be enough. Li Qingran, Im at mid-stage Foundation Establishment. If I fight you at full power, it wouldnt be fair. So, Ill suppress my cultivation to Qi Refinement Perfection, just like you. Zhang Hanxiao pointed his sword at Li Qingran, tilting his chin arrogantly. Not far away, Daoist Qingxuan twitched slightly, his face darkening further. This idiot. Even if Zhang Hanxiao suppressed his cultivation, Li Qingran still had no Spiritual Root due to her shattered Dantian. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he wanted to make it look "fair," he should have suppressed his cultivation to mid-stage Qi Refinement at most. How the hell did he end up recruiting such an embarrassing fool into Chixiao Peak? Sect Master Wu Duantian understood Daoist Qingxuan well. This elder cared deeply about his reputation. Seeing Daoist Qingxuans face turning black as coal, Wu Duantian figured that once todays ordeal was over, Zhang Hanxiao would likely be sent to reflect in the Cliff of Penitence for six months. However, Li Qingran did not respond to Zhang Hanxiaos taunts. Instead, she drew her sworda flash of cold lightning as she charged straight at him. Junior Sister, your **first stance, Frightening the Branches, is still lacking! Zhang Hanxiao laughed, leaping into the air as his sword slashed downward. Three illusory sword shadows converged toward Li Qingranone of Little Formless Swords deadliest moves, "Solitary Goose Shadow". In the past, Li Qingran had lost to this very attack countless times. But today, it no longer felt so difficult to deal with. Even though Zhang Hanxiao had suppressed his cultivation, his mastery of the sword technique remained lethal. Yet, in Li Qingrans eyes, his movements seemed slower than before. Why? Is it because of my Supreme-Grade Dantian? The moment the thought surfaced, she was certain of it. A Supreme-Grade Dantian was incredibly rareeven in ancient times, it was highly coveted. There was no way it wouldn''t have special abilities. Her thoughts flashed by in an instant. She locked onto Zhang Hanxiaos real body amidst the sword shadows Clang! Their swords clashed. Zhang Hanxiaos smug expression froze. He had aimed straight for Li Qingrans weakness, attacking with an unstoppable killing move But it missed. On the ground, a broken blade lay motionless. He lowered his gaze. His own sword had been severed in half. A low-grade artifact sword was destroyed in a single strike?! Zhang Hanxiao looked at Li Qingran in disbelief. She stood a few steps away, sword in hand, a faint frosty mist curling around the blade. The swords jet-black body gleamed under the light. Its pure white hilt contrasted starkly against the red tassel swaying in the wind. That wasnt her original sword. That sword is no ordinary weapon, Wu Duantian squinted slightly. If Im not mistaken, that sword is at least a top-tier artifact. The chilling aura running down its blade suggests its one of the finest even among top-tier artifacts. With further nurturing, it could easily develop a sword spirit, elevating it to the level of a true spiritual weapon. Daoist Qingxuans expression darkened as his fingers tensed on his sword hilt, his teeth grinding audibly. He wanted nothing more than to cut Zhang Hanxiao down himself. Earlier, he had felt embarrassed when Zhang Hanxiao used his full cultivation level against a Qi Refinement cultivator. Now, he felt even more humiliated watching Zhang Hanxiaos sword shatter in one strike. And if Zhang Hanxiao actually lost? That would be an even bigger disgrace. Forget about artifactsweapons were part of a cultivators strength. But this Su Xian Sword was definitely overpowered. For a Nascent Soul cultivator, this quasi-spiritual weapon was ordinary. But for a Qi Refinement or Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was a priceless treasure. Who was this mysterious benefactor? What was his connection to Li Qingran? Why would he go to such lengths to help her? Or was it that to him, a mere top-tier artifact sword was nothing worth caring about? While Daoist Qingxuans thoughts were in turmoil, the battle on the grand square had already shifted dramatically. With his weapon destroyed, Zhang Hanxiao didnt dare to clash directly with Li Qingran. With a longer reach, her flying sword made up for her weaknesses in technique. Zhang Hanxiao tried to drag out the fight, hoping to exhaust Li Qingrans Spiritual Qi. But as time passed, he was the one running out of energy. Impossible! Before, she would have long since exhausted her Spiritual Qi! Seeing Li Qingran fighting fiercely without any signs of fatigue, Zhang Hanxiaos mind wavered A fatal mistake. Li Qingran did not waste the opportunity. Her sword technique suddenly shiftedfrom a cautious approach to an overwhelming assault. Her robes fluttered like a dancing butterfly. Little Formless Sword C Ninth Stance: Dancing Shadows Beneath the Trees. Her wrist trembled Her sword seemed to split into countless light fragments, each precisely aimed at a vital point. She felt it completely now. This Supreme-Grade Dantian wasnt just improving her Spiritual Qi capacity. It was enhancing her comprehension as well! Li Qingrans heart grew warm. She knew how precious that elixir had been. Yet Senior had given it to her without hesitation. Senior, I wont let you down! Li Qingran, dont push your luck! Zhang Hanxiao roared. He unleashed his full power, restoring his Foundation Establishment cultivation. But at that moment Li Qingrans sword struck. Blades of golden light rained down. A miserable scream rang out. Zhang Hanxiaos body was sent flying, rolling across the dust-covered ground, his chest and limbs covered in deep sword wounds, blood seeping from every cut. Three steps away, Li Qingran sheathed her sword and stood tall. Chapter 41: The Reckoning Continues Chapter 41 C The Reckoning Continues Fourth Senior Brotherno, Zhang Hanxiao, you lost. Li Qingran looked at Zhang Hanxiao, who lay motionless on the ground. The pent-up frustration in her chest instantly dissipated, leaving her feeling lighter than ever. The entire sect square had fallen into an eerie silence. Everyone stared in shock. Li Qingrans Spiritual Qi fluctuation was clearly at Qi Refinement Perfection. Yet a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Zhang Hanxiao had lost to her? Yes, Zhang Hanxiao had only removed his self-imposed suppression at the last moment. Yes, his flying sword had broken. But stillhe shouldnt have lost so easily. Even Sect Master Wu Duantian was baffled. He stiffly turned his neck to look at Daoist Qingxuan and asked, Elder Qingxuan, was Li Qingran really crippledher Spiritual Root removed, her Dantian destroyed? At the time, he had thought such a punishment was a bit extreme. But since each peak handled its own affairs, and Daoist Qingxuan was the strongest cultivator in the sect, even having ties to Ancestor Qingyun, Wu Duantian had turned a blind eye. Now, however, he felt utterly confused. His own personal disciple, Zhao Lingtian, had his Dantian destroyed oncehe had lost all combat ability. Any Spiritual Qi he cultivated would leak away, rendering him completely powerless. Yet Li Qingran, who had suffered the same fate, had defeated a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator? That was insane! Daoist Qingxuan glared at Li Qingran in silence. It wasnt just her combat strength that shocked him. It was her swordsmanship. He clearly remembered how Li Qingran had repeatedly asked him for guidance. But she had little talent for swordsmanshipno matter how many times he explained, she struggled to comprehend. Eventually, he grew impatient and told her to figure it out on her own or ask Lu Changtian. When she had left Chixiao Peak, her Little Formless Sword technique was only at entry-level mastery. Now, she had executed "Dancing Shadows Beneath the Trees"the ninth stance! She had at least reached the level of sword mastery! That shouldnt be possible. Even though Little Formless Sword was merely a Mysterious-grade technique, it still wasnt something one could master in just a few months. How had she advanced so quickly? Senior Brother Zhang! Fourth Senior Brother! The Chixiao Peak disciples immediately rushed forward. Yun Zimo lifted Zhang Hanxiaos upper body, while Xiao Yifeng shoved an elixir into his mouth, helping him regulate his breathing. Meanwhile, Mu Baishuang wept into Zhang Hanxiaos chest, tears streaming down her face. Senior Brother this is my fault! I shouldnt have taken your sword If you still had it, you wouldnt have ended up like this But deep down, her thoughts were completely different. Good thing he gave me that sword. Otherwise, wouldnt it have been wasted? The sword in Li Qingrans hands was clearly something extraordinary. Even if Zhang Hanxiao had a better sword, he still wouldve lost. A surge of fear crept into Mu Baishuangs heart. What had happened to Li Qingran? Who was the powerful cultivator standing behind her? Could he see through her disguise? No. He must not discover her true identity! Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their Young Lords lifespan was nearing its endshe had to give everything she had to secure a chance of survival. Once the Young Lord broke through his bottleneck and reconnected with their Ancestor, their faction would have a chance to rise again. She needed to keep a low profile. Calming herself, Mu Baishuang quickly withdrew from Zhang Hanxiao, hiding behind Lu Changtian while pretending to sob. Li Qingran, dont you think youve gone too far? Lu Changtian stepped forward, pointing at her coldly. No matter what, Zhang Hanxiao was once your senior brother. How could you be so ruthless? Ruthless? Li Qingran spread her hands, shaking her head. I am merely at Qi Refinement Perfection, not Foundation Establishment Perfection. Wounding him was already my limit. Are you suggesting that I somehow managed to injure him so severely that he fainted? Lu Changtian opened his mouththen fell silent. He glanced at Zhang Hanxiao, who was supposedly unconscious. Zhang Hanxiaos face was bright red. Of course, Lu Changtian immediately realizedhe was faking it. His injuries were serious, yes. But they werent severe enough to knock him out. He was just too ashamed to face reality. Li Qingran, did your Dantian recover? After a long silence, Daoist Qingxuan suddenly spoke. All the Chixiao Peak disciples froze. Even Mu Baishuang peered out from behind Lu Changtian. Li Qingran nodded. Thanks to Seniors mercy, I was able to restore my Dantian. She casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, one hand resting lightly on her sword hilt. A faint blush crept up her ears. For the first time, her composure wavered slightly. Everyone was too focused on her words to notice her small moment of shyness. Everyone except Mu Baishuang. Women understood women best. Mu Baishuang didnt know what had happened to Li Qingran during this time. But she could tell Li Qingran had feelings for that mysterious cultivator. This was bad. If that cultivator wanted Li Qingran for her Taiyin Dao Body, how could Mu Baishuang possibly compete with such an old monster? She bit her lip, her mind spinning. Moments later, she came up with a plan. Senior Sister Qingran Mu Baishuang stepped forward hesitantly, her voice timid. I heard from Master that restoring a Dantian requires an extremely rare elixir called the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill. Its been lost to timeonly such a pill could possibly heal a Dantian Her tone was gentle, but her words were poisoned. What Im saying is Senior Sister, are you sure your Dantian is truly healed? What if some malicious person tricked yougave you a false sense of recovery while secretly stealing something else from you? Shut up! Before she could finish speaking, a terrifying killing intent surged forth. It crushed her words back down her throat. Li Qingrans knuckles turned white as she gripped Su Xian Sword, her body trembling slightly. Seniors kindness is as vast as the heavens. How dare you slander him? Mu Baishuang turned pale, frantically waving her hands. A-Ah, Im sorry, Senior Sister! I was just worried about you Shing! A sharp sword hum answered her. Li Qingrans blade flashed. A cold streak of light shot toward Mu Baishuangs throat. She didnt move. Instead, she shut her eyes, looking utterly helpless. She knew someone would block the attack before it landed. That way, she wouldnt reveal her true strength. Clang! The strike was indeed blocked. When she opened her eyes, Yun Zimo was standing in front of her. The Third Senior Brother, who had once protected Li Qingran, was now glaring at her with hatred and disgust. How ironic. But Li Qingran didnt care anymore. She no longer lived for anyone else. She was herselfLi Qingran. She brushed a finger over the red tassel of Su Xian Sword, memories flashing through her mind. A cold smirk curled her lips. Yun Zimo. Since youve stepped forward Lets start with you. The reckoning continues. Chapter 42: A Thousand Swords Through the Heart Chapter 42 C A Thousand Swords Through the Heart Oh? You want to duel me? Yun Zimo raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh. Im not like Fourth Brother. I wont suppress my cultivation. Against someone as arrogant and disrespectful as you, I have no reason to hold backeven if my realm completely overwhelms you, I wont feel the slightest shame! Like Zhang Hanxiao, Yun Zimo was at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, but he had far superior resources. Zhang Hanxiao spent spirit stones as soon as he earned them, while Yun Zimo saved them, accumulating wealth and knowledge. On top of that, he dabbled in artifact refinement and formation techniques, making him far more difficult to deal with than an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. Li Qingran, however, remained unfazed. She locked eyes with him and asked, Third Senior Brother are you afraid? Dont try to provoke me. I wont fall for it. Yun Zimo retrieved a flying sword from his storage bag, his gaze lingering on Su Xian Sword before he sneered, Your sword is impressive, but unlike Fourth Brother, I wont lose because of my weapon. I have plenty of swords. But Li Qingran ignored him, instead turning to Sect Master Wu Duantian. She cupped her fists and spoke loudly, Sect Master, Qingyun Sect upholds the principle: Only virtue may flourish; evil must never be tolerated. To slander others, to conspire against ones fellow disciplessuch acts are grave crimes within the sect. Is that correct? Wu Duantian, lost in thoughts about elixirs that could restore Dantian injuries, was caught off guard by the sudden question. It took him a moment to react. That is correct. Yun Zimos expression flickereda barely perceptible flash of panic. But he quickly regained his composure. What could she possibly have on him? She had no evidence. All he had to do was deny everything. Li Qingran glanced at him briefly before turning back to Wu Duantian. And what is the punishment for such crimes? Wu Duantian narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard as he answered, For false accusations and defamation, the offender is given a verbal warning by the Law Enforcement Hall. A repeat offense results in exile to the Cliff of Penitence. For conspiring to harm a fellow disciple, however the punishment is severe. If proven true, the offender shall have their tongue cut out, eyes gouged, and molten iron poured into their ears. Treatment is forbidden for one month as a lesson to all. Even though cultivators could eventually heal from such injuries, the agony of such punishment was unimaginable. A month of complete blindness, deafness, and silencetrapped in endless darkness and suffering. It was a punishment feared by all. Li Qingran listened calmly, then once again bowed. Sect Master, Yun Zimo, the third personal disciple of Chixiao Peak, conspired with an Outer Sect Elder to frame and persecute his fellow disciple. Since Qingyun Sect is a prestigious sect, it surely wont ignore such a crime, will it? Her words sent a wave of shock through the crowd. She hadnt explicitly named anyone, but everyone knew what she meant. Yun Zimo gritted his teeth in fury, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil. He knew. If this blew up, the consequences would be dire. But as long as he denied everything, she had no proof. He could still get away with it. Scoundrel! You actually did such a thing?! Daoist Qingxuan slammed the table, his sword flashing into his hands as he glared at Yun Zimo. His half-black, half-white hair whipped in the wind, his rage uncontrollable. But at that moment Tsk. I told you to sit down. That ethereal presence swept through the air once more. A command, undeniable. Daoist Qingxuans veins bulged in frustration. After three deep breaths, he reluctantly sheathed his sword. He couldnt afford to provoke this person. If this mysterious expert had truly refined an elixir capable of restoring a shattered Dantian, then he was at least Fusion Realm or above. Even if every elder in the sect joined forces, they wouldnt stand a chance. Unless Ancestor Qingyun emerged from seclusion. But disturbing the Ancestor in the middle of his breakthrough attempt was out of the question. For now he had to endure it. Wu Duantians expression hardened. This situation was serious. If Li Qingran hadnt spoken up, he never would have known. Normally, he would have swept it under the rug for the sake of keeping peace between sect members. But today That mysterious expert was watching. And more importantly He still wanted to ask for a way to restore Zhao Lingtians Dantian. Yun Zimo. Wu Duantians gaze turned icy. Is what Li Qingran said true? The late Nascent Soul pressure locked onto Yun Zimo like a predators jaws. A chill ran down his spine. But he forced himself to remain calm. Sect Master, I swear I never did such a thing! This is a slanderous accusation! Wu Duantian narrowed his eyes. He already suspected the truth. Li Qingran. If you were expelled from Qingyun Sect because of this, I will personally see that justice is served. But in all matters, evidence is required. Do you have proof? Proof? Li Qingran almost laughed aloud. Wu Duantian wasnt asking this for her sake. He was asking for the sake of the mysterious cultivator behind her. If she hadnt had Seniors support, she wouldnt have gotten anything today. She took a deep breath. I do have proof. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The day I was expelled, I sought out an outer disciple involved in the scheme. I paid him 1,000 low-grade Spirit Stones to reveal the truth. Since I was already being forced out of the sect, and he had nothing to lose, he confessed everything. Li Qingrans gaze swept across the hall, pausing briefly on Yun Zimo and the other Chixiao Peak disciples. At the time, she could have exposed Yun Zimo before leaving. But she hadnt. Because she had still held onto hope. She had still believed in brotherhood. She had still believed she might one day return. Only when Zhang Hanxiao had thrown her into that filthy shack had she finally understood. Chixiao Peak was no longer worth hoping for. Her heart grew firm. Her voice carried the weight of the past. And he made me swear an oath before he spoke. If I ever broke that promise then I would suffer A Thousand Swords Through the Heart. As soon as the words left her lips SHING! A phantom sword pierced through her chest from behind. Her face went deathly pale. A single trail of blood dripped from her lips, falling onto the stone ground with an eerie plop. Her hands trembled as she clutched her chest, barely staying upright with her sword. SHING! SHING! SHING! More phantom swords rained down, stabbing into her body. A horrific pain like a thousand insects devouring her nerves spread through her. Ugh She coughed up mouthfuls of blood, crimson staining the ground. Yet She did not make a single sound of pain. Silence filled the sect square. Everyone stared in utter disbelief. Within just two breaths of time, Countless swords had impaled her body. Pinned down, her long black hair draped onto the blood-soaked ground. She could no longer standonly kneeling on one knee could keep her from collapsing completely. Glowing Daoist script circled the blades. A thousand swords through the heart. The Dao had answered her oath. Chapter 43: Are You Satisfied? Chapter 43: Are You Satisfied? "Help! Help! Someone, hurry up and save her!" "What the hell? The game never mentioned a plot kill for the female lead!" Outside the "game," Chen Huai''an was dumbfounded as he watched Li Qingran instantly turn into a bloodied mess. For a brief moment, he wondered if he simply hadn''t recharged enough! Frantically tapping his already battered phone screen, the cracks spread even further. Sweat dripped down his face as he anxiously waited for a recharge prompt to appear. Meanwhile, the entire Qingyun Sect was in shock. Among the crowd, one disciple''s face turned pale with disbelief. Never in his life did he expect Li Qingran to use a Dao Oath as proof of her sincerity. That was Ten Thousand Swords Piercing the Heart! A single misstep, and it could become an eternal shadow on her cultivation path, preventing her from ever advancing again! Back in the real world, just as Chen Huai''an was about to lose his mind, the game''s paywall mechanicsthough delayedfinally arrived. A prompt appeared on the screen just before he could tap it to oblivion. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Would you like to recharge 18.8 to purchase a Celestial-Grade Emerald Creation Pill to heal Li Qingran? (Limited-time offer~?)] "Buy!" Without hesitation, Chen Huai''an closed his eyes and confirmed the payment, not even noticing how surprisingly reasonable the price was this time. In the Cangyun Realm, on the grand plaza of Qingyun Sect, Li Qingran, who was on the verge of passing out from pain, was suddenly supported by an invisible force. Then, before everyone''s eyes, an ornate brocade box emerged from the void behind her. The box opened, revealing a jade-green elixir. The moment it was exposed, a rich medicinal fragrance spread in all directions. Those standing close felt their Spiritual Qi circulation quicken, and their unhealed wounds tingled with an itching sensation. Even those further away felt invigorated and refreshed. Before anyone could savor the intoxicating aroma, the elixir flew toward Li Qingran, transforming into a streak of green light that entered her body with her breath. In an instant, it spread throughout her entire being. "Emerald Creation Pill! This must be the Emerald Creation Pill!" Sect Master Wu Duantian was the first to react. Over the past few days, he''d tried every rare pill imaginable to restore Zhao Lingtians shattered dantian. Among them was the Emerald Creation Pill, which was said to pull people back from the gates of hell. However, the pill he had given Zhao Lingtian never emitted such an overwhelming medicinal fragrance. And the one he just saw was entirely flawlesstranslucent like jade, without a single impurity. The answer was obvious. "And its a Celestial-Grade Emerald Creation Pill!" Wu Duantian was utterly shaken. "Master, is this pill really that powerful?" Wu Duantian shot a glance at Zhao Lingtian and snapped, "The Emerald Creation Pill starts at a minimum of fifth-grade. This one has reached Celestial-Grade. You tell mewhat grade does that make it?" Zhao Lingtians eyes widened in shock. A mortal-grade Emerald Creation Pill was already fifth-grade Then a Celestial-Grade one must be at least fourth or even third-grade! And they were using such a divine pill just to relieve Li Qingrans pain?! She was hurting, not dying! Zhao Lingtian felt his heart bleeding. The elders of various peaks looked on with mixed emotions as the emerald-green glow enveloped Li Qingrans body. Such a pill They would only use it when their lives were at stake! How could it be wasted like this? In the crowd, Elder Wang Chuanhe, drenched in cold sweat, sensed imminent disaster. He was doomedthere was no way around it. Who would have thought Li Qingran would be so reckless, shattering a Dao Oath like it was nothing? With Wu Duantian''s temperament, Wang Chuanhe''s position as an elder was undoubtedly lost. Worse, he''d likely suffer brutal punishmentgouging out his eyes and cutting out his tongue. And even more terrifying Would the mysterious cultivator backing Li Qingran let him go? Would Wu Duantian offer him up as a sacrifice to curry favor? The more he thought, the more terrified he became. Wang Chuanhes gaze darkened. "Right now, everyone''s attention is on that disciple. The mysterious cultivator must also be focused on her safetythis is the perfect moment to strike." No more hesitation. Kill or be killed. With a flick of his hand, Wang Chuanhe hurled his flying sword forward and immediately leaped onto it. Howeverhe hadn''t even flown two steps before Boom! A dozen golden talismans chased after him at an even greater speed. Out of nowhere, thunder roared across the cloudless sky. Before Wang Chuanhe could react, he was struck head-on. His body charred black as he plummeted from the sky. Back in the real world, Chen Huaian calmly stuffed the remaining Thunderfire Talismans back into his inventory. He flexed his numb fingers and silently took credit for the kill. Wang Chuanhe, merely at Golden Core Perfection, couldnt possibly withstand the barrage. While it wasnt enough to kill him outright, after getting repeatedly electrocuted, he was nothing more than crispy on the outside, mushy on the inside. Even standing up was impossible. Wu Duantian was equally stunned, quickly ordering disciples to restrain Wang Chuanhe. His wariness toward the mysterious cultivator grew. The Thunderfire Talismans had been thrown in handfulssome were even supreme-grade! That meant their backer had plentiful resources. Could they be an ancient hidden expert from another sect? That would be troublesome. At that moment, Yun Zimo stepped forward and knelt before Wu Duantian and Daoist Qingxuan, his face filled with remorse. "Master, Sect Leader, this disciple has sinned!" "I was simply angered by Li Qingran hurting my junior sister, which led me to act recklessly But no matter the reason, I violated sect rules. I am willing to accept punishment!" "Foolish brat!" Daoist Qingxuan was trembling with rage. His face turned red with humiliation. Red Mist Peak was now the laughingstock of Qingyun Sect! And when the Old Ancestor came out of closed-door cultivation, he''d surely be furious. But with so many eyes watching, he didnt dare act rashly. He had never felt so utterly stifled. Wu Duantian stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming as he smiled faintly. "The real problem here is Wang Chuanhe. Without his involvement, you wouldnt have been able to do anything." Yun Zimos heart soared with joy. If the Sect Master said so, then the main punishment would fall on Wang Chuanhe. That meant his own punishment would be lighter! But then Wu Duantian spoke coldly: "Wang Chuanhestripped of his elder status, eyes gouged, tongue cut, ears filled with molten iron, and exiled to the Cliff of Repentance for six months!" "Yun Zimosame punishment, but for three months. However, since you confessed, youll get two extra vegetable leaves with your meals." "As for the others involvedface the wall at Cliff of Repentance!" Yun Zimos face twisted in horror. Wasnt this just as bad?! Wu Duantian ignored the chaos and turned to Li Qingran, who had just regained consciousness. With a gentle smile, he asked: "Qingran, my judgmentare you satisfied?" Chapter 44: Execution on the Spot Chapter 44: Execution on the Spot The Emerald Creation Pill was precious not only because it healed injuries but also because it alleviated pain. For cultivators facing life-and-death situations, the wounds themselves werent always the deadliest threatit was often the pain-induced debilitating states that proved fatal. A Celestial-Grade Emerald Creation Pill almost entirely nullified pain, making even the agony of Ten Thousand Swords Piercing the Heart feel negligible. Li Qingran gazed at the ethereal green glow enveloping her body. She gently squeezed her wrist, her eyes lowering. Once again, she owed the senior a great favor. But she had already lost count of how many debts she had accumulatedso many that she no longer knew how to repay them. "Senior I" [Its fine. Just a pill. Handle the situation at hand first.] A mystical voice echoed in her ears, audible only to her. "Qingran, are you satisfied with my decision?" Wu Duantians voice rang out as he turned to face her. In the corner of her vision, Yun Zimo was already being dragged away by two disciples to the Enforcement Hall for punishment. Indeed, even the cruelest punishmentgouged-out eyes, severed tongue, molten iron poured into the earspaled in comparison to what she had endured. Without the senior, Wu Duantian would have likely given Yun Zimo nothing more than a slap on the wrist out of consideration for Daoist Qingxuan. She should have pressed for harsher retribution But thinking of the senior standing behind her, she let it go. "Sect Master Wu is righteous and impartial. I naturally admire and respect his judgment." Li Qingran gave a deep bow, signaling her acceptance of the verdict. [Wait.] A cold voice suddenly reverberated through the void. [Qingran is satisfied. But Iam NOT.] Wu Duantians smile froze. His hand, mid-stroke on his beard, hesitatedneither lowering nor raising. He cautiously inquired toward the empty air, "Uh May I ask what your excellency thinks should be done?" "Obviously, execution on the spot!" Sitting cross-legged on his sofa, Chen Huaian was vigorously petting his cat with one hand while pressing a Communication Talisman with the other. "Who knows if youre actually going to punish him at the Enforcement Hall or just pretend? I cant see it. Seeing is believing. Hearing is deception." A pause followed. Then, the ethereal voice spoke again: [Justice must not be hidden. Law must not show favoritism. If punishment is not carried out publicly, how can it serve as a deterrent?] [Therefore, the sentence shall be executed immediately.] Li Qingran was momentarily stunned. A warmth spread in her heart. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The seniora man as pure as the heavenssurely didn''t wish to witness such gruesome brutality. No, he merely feared that her hard-fought justice might be manipulated behind closed doors. He wanted to ensure that those who had wronged her would truly face the consequences. Wu Duantian let out a breath of relief. For a moment, he had feared the mysterious cultivator would demand Yun Zimo be expelled from Qingyun Sector even outright killed. That was beyond his authority. Expelling a personal disciple required consultation with the eldersespecially since the elder in question was Daoist Qingxuan. But immediate punishment? That was no issue at all. He shot a glance at the two Enforcement Hall disciples holding Yun Zimo. In truth, every month, Wu Duantian led the disciples to the Cliff of Repentance to visit the punished, using their suffering as a lesson to others. Since the mysterious cultivator insisted on immediate punishment, he wouldnt argue. At most, it would just make Daoist Qingxuan lose face. And he didnt care about that at all. The Enforcement Hall disciples dragged Yun Zimo back to the center of the plaza. One held him still, while the other pulled out a sharp hook. Given cultivators enhanced regenerative abilities, there was no need to sterilize the hook with fire. A piercing scream rang through the air. Several Qingyun Sect disciples averted their gazes in discomfort. In the middle of the plaza, Yun Zimos tongue was gone, his empty eye sockets bled profusely, and he could only let out a broken, guttural howl toward the sky. "The molten iron must be prepared on the spot. It will take some time." Wu Duantians words were directed at Li Qingranbut everyone knew they were meant for the mysterious cultivator behind her. All eyes turned to Li Qingran, as if she were now the mouthpiece of the mysterious master. Zhang Hanxiao continued playing dead. Lu Changtian and Xiao Yifengs faces were ashen, but they didnt dare plead for Yun Zimo. They instinctively stood on either side of Mu Baishuang, shielding her from the horrific scene. With so many gazes on her, Li Qingran felt a bit uneasy. The senior hadnt spoken, and she couldnt speak on his behalf. So she simply clutched her Su Xian Sword and counted ants on the ground. [Qingran, what do you think?] The gentle voice suddenly sounded. Li Qingrans face flushed crimson. She froze for a second before forcing herself to stay calm. "I believe this is already enough." Daoist Qingxuan snorted coldly, his face dark. Wu Duantian, on the other hand, straightened his beard and grinned like a mediator. The time was right. He turned toward the mysterious presence and bowed. "Forgive my shamelessness, but I have a humble request." "Since Your Excellency was able to restore Li Qingrans dantian, I wonder if you might also help my direct disciple?" Wu Duantian stepped aside, revealing Zhao Lingtian. With a bitter smile, he said: "This child is brilliant and kind-hearteda rare talent. But his dantian was destroyed by a demonic cultivator. I cannot bear to see him wither away, forever stuck at this bottleneck..." Li Qingran lifted her head, her blush fading into icy coldness. Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill. She finally understood how precious the opportunity the senior had given her was. A pill of such calibereven for the seniormust have been hard to obtain. And now, Wu Duantian opened his mouth and asked for one outright? Did he think he was entitled to it? Was he planning to use her to pressure the senior? At the same time, on Chen Huaians screen, a prompt appeared: [Sect Master Wu Duantian requests an opportunityPrimordial Heaven-Mending Pill. Please choose an action.] : : : Chen Huaians finger hovered over a choice. He nearly clicked immediately But then, his eyes narrowed. Something wasnt right. ... Chapter 45: A Debate Begins Chapter 45: A Debate Begins Chen Huaian had almost chosen the first optionan outright rejection. But after thinking it through, he hesitated. First, the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill was worth at least 100,000 spirit stones per pill. Second, the Fortune Carp Pool currently didnt have any left in stock. And thirdthe system prompt implied that the true price of this pill was far beyond just 100,000. Moreover, this was just a regular Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, not even a Celestial-Grade one! If he outright rejected Wu Duantians request, what if Qingyun Sect collectively lost their minds and went berserk? Sure, his Cultivation Base at Nascent Soul Perfection could wipe the floor with their late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, but he couldnt protect Li Qingran. And sects like this always had hidden depths. Who knew if some ancient fossil was meditating in seclusion, just waiting to step out and annihilate him? His left hand, which had been rubbing his cats head, now began furiously kneading. This wasnt unnecessary paranoia. In games like this, plot choices always affected the games trajectory. A wrong move, and he could trigger a Bad Ending. And what then? Restart the game with a new virtual girlfriend? That wouldnt be his Li Qingran. After a brief hesitation, he tapped the second option. [Lets set this matter aside for now. Once Qingrans situation is resolved, well find time to discuss it in detail.] The mystical voice was calm and authoritative, naturally convincing. Wu Duantian immediately realized he had been too hasty. He quickly bowed and apologized: "Youre absolutely right. Qingrans well-being comes first. It was my mistake for not focusing on what truly matters." He didnt expect an immediate answer anyway. To him, a cultivator capable of refining the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill wouldnt play mind gamestheyd likely just negotiate a price later. And if curing Zhao Lingtians dantian cost him his entire fortune, so what? It was worth it. Li Qingran wanted to remind the senior of Wu Duantians intentions, but she never got the chance. Instead, his voice gently reassured her: [Patience. I have my own plan.] Her worries instantly melted away. So the senior had been aware all along. She had worried for nothing. Taking a deep breath, she felt a wave of self-doubt. Someone like himwho appeared young but was undoubtedly ancienthad walked paths far longer than she had even lived. What right did she have to worry for him? If anything, he was the one reassuring her. It was so wrong of her. Her ears turned red at the thought. She hurriedly shoved away her scattered emotions and lifted her gaze. Her eyes landed on Xiao Yifengthe second disciple of Chixiao Peak. Xiao Yifeng had been comforting Mu Baishuang when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Turning his head, he met Li Qingrans cold gaze. His scalp went numb. Memories surfaced in his mind. Li Qingran had always been submissive, enduring mistreatment without complaint. Even during painful experiments, she would pretend not to care. Even when she was beaten half to death by medicine-stealing demon sparrows, she would laugh it off. She had admired his talent for alchemy. Or ratherhe had assumed she admired his talent. Somewhere along the way, asking her to test medicine and tend to his spiritual fields had shifted from a request to a demand. He had taken it for granted. He had occasionally tossed her useless pills as a "reward," believing that was enough. But was it? "Senior Brother, whats wrong?" Xiao Yifeng snapped out of his thoughts. His hand was grasped by a cool, soft handMu Baishuangs. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes, her face pale from fear and grief. She had been crying since hearing Yun Zimos screams. Yet even now, despite her terror, she still tried to comfort him. And he was hesitating? What was there to fear?! Xiao Yifengs resolve returned. He failed to notice the faint red mist swirling deep in Mu Baishuangs pupils. Nearby, Daoist Qingxuan, who had been meditating with closed eyes, suddenly glanced toward Xiao Yifeng. A flicker of doubt crossed his face. Just now that aura No. Impossible. His disciples had all been carefully selected. At most, their personalities had some issues. Still, he made a mental note of that fleeting presence, just in case. "Li Qingran, why are you looking at me like that?" Xiao Yifeng stepped forward, his chest puffed out. "What have I ever done to wrong you? Dont forget how many pills Ive given you!" "Oh? You mean the Fasting Pills, the Insect Repelling Pills, the Laxative Pills?" Li Qingran counted on her fingers, sending the surrounding Qingyun Sect disciples into uproarious laughter. Xiao Yifengs face turned red as a baboons backside. Li Qingrans eyes turned frigid, and she continued: "Oh, and lets not forget the pill you disguised as a Great Recovery Pill" "The one that filled my body with Fire Poison, burning me alive for ninety-three days." "Do you know what its like to be in constant agony, unable to eat, unable to sleep, unable even to walk?" "You truly are Chixiao Peaks proud Second Disciple." "Truly, my good Senior Brother." Xiao Yifengs expression twisted. He had expected Li Qingran to bring this up. During the Sect Tournament, when Mu Baishuang was injured and Li Qingran was beaten to near death, he had been the only one to visit her in her cave dwelling. Back then, he had pretended to give her a Great Recovery Pill. But in realityit was a poisonous dud. He had watched her eat it. Watched her collapse in agony within minutes. He had even mocked her for it. But could she prove it? What would she do? Swear a Dao Oath again? Was she truly so reckless? Did she not fear a damaged fate, shattered fortune, and an early death? "Hah. Junior Sister, I am merely a Seventh-Grade Alchemist." "Even with my talent, I cannot guarantee that every pill is completely purified of toxins." "And youhow do you plan to prove that I deliberately poisoned you?" Xiao Yifeng crossed his arms and smirked. "You test medicines all the time. Your body is as sensitive as mine to alchemical properties." "If there really was Fire Poison, wouldnt you have noticed?" "I think youre just ungratefulbiting the hand that feeds you!" "Youve lost your mind, turning against the people who helped you!" S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingran stared at him, nausea rising in her stomach. She had once admired him. Now, he was nothing but filth. But She had no direct evidence. And then A cold snort echoed from the void. [Interesting.] [Xiao Yifengtell me, does an alchemist always know if their pill contains Fire Poison?] Xiao Yifeng froze. Of course they did. It was basic knowledge. So he nodded confidently. "Of course!" [Good. Then lets put your skills to the test.] Ten brocade boxes flew out of the void Each containing a basic Great Recovery Pill. Xiao Yifengs heart pounded. What was this senior planning? Chapter 46: Have You Chosen? Chapter 46: Have You Chosen? [Here are ten Basic Great Recovery Pills. Nine of them contain Fire Poison. You have one incense sticks time to identify the one pure pill. If you succeed, Ill consider this matter settled.] Xiao Yifengs eyes swept over the pills. Low-quality pills often had visible black spots when contaminated with Fire Poison. At a glance, none of these pills showed any abnormalities. He quickly realized The senior behind Li Qingran was setting a trap for him. These pills had been deliberately camouflaged, impossible to distinguish with the naked eye alone. But was he just an ordinary alchemist? Xiao Yifeng smirked. With his Innate Yimu Spiritual Root, he had a natural affinity for alchemy. His sense of smell alone allowed him to discern the ingredients of simple pills. But even stronger was his taste He could detect pill toxins that even high-stage cultivators wouldnt notice. No one here was better suited for this test than him. "Senior, if I successfully identify the poisoned pills, what then?" Instead of accepting immediately, he looked toward the void behind Li Qingran. Today, he would avenge Yun Zimo, Zhang Hanxiao, and Mu Baishuang. He would redeem Chixiao Peaks reputation! sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [If you succeed, I will let this matter rest.] Xiao Yifeng frowned slightly. What was this seniors relationship with Li Qingran, that he would forgive and forget on her behalf? But he kept his questions to himself. He bowed respectfully but with a hint of defiance. "Senior, if I prove my skill, I ask that you personally heal my fellow disciples and plead with Sect Master Wu to revoke Yun Zimos punishment." Wu Duantians expression darkened. This brat had some nervetrying to negotiate terms with a mysterious powerhouse? Meanwhile, Daoist Qingxuan stroked his beard in satisfaction. He didnt believe Xiao Yifeng had poisoned Li Qingran. And now, his disciple was proving himself to be bold and capable. Thisthis was the kind of disciple he had trained! Chen Huaian stared at the screen, calculating the odds. Chance of Xiao Yifeng correctly identifying the untainted pill: 0%. A system evaluation. He let out a silent laugh. Wellif he wanted to dig his own grave, why stop him? Pressing his Communication Talisman, he smirked: "Sure, no problem. In fact, Ill give you three tries. But if you fail all three, you eat all ten pills." Back in the Qingyun Sect plaza, everyone waited anxiously for the mysterious voices response. Xiao Yifeng kept up his fearless act, but inside, he was panicking. Had he overstepped? Would this senior hold a grudge? After all, his words had been quite disrespectful. [Agreed.] The voice rang out, calm but imposing. [You have three attempts. If you fail them all, you must consume every last pill.] Xiao Yifeng exhaled deeply in relief. A confident smile returned to his face. "Senior is generous. I stand by my word!" He stepped forward, standing before the ten brocade boxes. At first, he sniffed each pill, his confidence unwavering. But as he repeated the process, his expression stiffened. His casual attitude was replaced by grim determination. The pills were identical. Their heat, structure, ingredient ratios, herb ages Everything was perfectly uniform. That wasnt normal. What level of alchemy could produce such flawless replication? Xiao Yifengs forehead began to sweat. "Daoist Qingxuan, can Xiao Yifeng handle this?" Wu Duantian wasnt an alchemist, but seeing Xiao Yifeng sniff and prod the pills so seriously, he felt hopeful. Daoist Qingxuan scoffed, barely opening his eyes. "Of course. My disciple has Innate Yimu Spiritual Root. This challenge is meaningless." Wu Duantian nodded, remembering how Xiao Yifeng had originally applied to his peak Only to be snatched away by Daoist Qingxuan. He had been so angry, he lost two nights of sleep over it. Nearby, Lu Changtian let out a sigh of relief. Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Stage had virtually no poison resistance. If Xiao Yifeng misidentified all nine pills, consuming them could cripple him permanently. "That old monster sure is ruthless," Lu Changtian sneered, glaring at the void behind Li Qingran. "If Li Qingran stays with someone this cruel, even if she succeeds, shell be no better than a demonic cultivator." Behind him, Mu Baishuang rolled her eyes. True demonic cultivators didnt play games. They would have poisoned all ten pills, no hesitation. Time ticked away. Xiao Yifeng had exhausted his sense of smell. Now, he was licking each pill, scraping powder, and cutting tiny slivers to inspect them. But the more he analyzed The paler he became. The more lost he looked. [Times up. Have you chosen?] A cold voice jolted him. Xiao Yifeng flinched. He gulped, throat bobbing Then, his gaze landed on one pill. His eyes hardened with resolve. "This one!" He pointed confidently at his choice. Chapter 47: Why Not Give It a Try Chapter 47: Why Not Give It a Try Chen Huaian watched as Xiao Yifeng chose the Great Rejuvenation Pill and immediately let out a cold laugh. He actually had an option to instantly swap pills for just 6 spirit stones per use. If Xiao Yifeng somehow had heaven-defying luck and picked the one pill without pill poison, he could just pay to swap it with a poisoned one. But now, it seemed he wouldnt even need to spend the money. Xiao Yifeng clearly wasnt blessed with extraordinary luckthe very first pill he picked was poisoned. Pressing down on the Communication Talisman, Chen Huaian sneered, Since you picked one, go ahead and eat it. What are you standing there for? The outcome is settake it and see. "Xiao Yifeng, what are you hesitating for?" Daoist Qingxuan cast a glance at his second disciple. He was already eager to watch Xiao Yifeng slap that mysterious person in the face. As for Xiao Yifeng''s constipated expression? He assumed it was just nerves from being too close to that mysterious cultivator. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, Master." Xiao Yifeng silently prayed to every immortal and deity he could think of, then clenched his teeth and swallowed the Great Rejuvenation Pill in one gulp. The pills medicinal power erupted instantly. Xiao Yifeng groaned, clutching his chest as his face turned a deep purple-red. His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing ragged like an oxclear signs of pill poisoning. And not just mild poisoning. This was the full-strength, premium-grade poison. To prevent his meridians from being permanently damaged, he immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating his Spiritual Qi to suppress the toxins, using his Wood-attribute Qi to gradually neutralize the poison. If it were a cultivator with any other Spiritual Root, they would have no choice but to take detoxification pills or beg a senior cultivator to help expel the poison. "This" Wu Duantian glanced at Daoist Qingxuan beside him and saw that the elders face had darkened againso dark it was almost the same shade as his hat. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, were trembling with rage. You still have two more chances! A voice as calm as still water echoed from the void behind Li Qingran. All the Qingyun Sect disciples and elders watching understoodXiao Yifeng had failed his first attempt at identifying the correct pill. Suppressing the pill poison, Xiao Yifeng opened his eyes, his expression grim. After a moment of hesitation, he cupped his hands toward the void behind Li Qingran and asked, "Senior, if I may be so boldare you certain that one of these ten pills is truly untainted?" Oh? Are you implying that Im lying to you?! A cold snort rang out, followed by an overwhelming pressure. A fierce gust of wind swept past, grinding the stone steps around Xiao Yifeng into dust. From the void, a voice thick with killing intent resounded: For that one sentence alone, I could kill you without needing any reason! "Senior, I was wrong! Please quell your anger!" Xiao Yifeng immediately bowed his head, heart pounding. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced toward Daoist Qingxuan. Only to see his master standing there with his eyes coldly shut, as if ignoring the whole situation would make it disappear. Sect Leader Wu Duantian, on the other hand, was watching Li Qingran with a beaming smile, as if admiring his own beloved daughter. No one was going to help him. Neither his master nor the sect leader was willing to offend that mysterious cultivator. He was on his own. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yifeng steeled himself and picked a second pill. Another dose. And once again, the Fire Poison erupted within him. You have one chance left. Suppressing the poison, Xiao Yifeng''s trembling hand reached toward the remaining eight pills. Before today, he had never imagined that Fire Poison Corrosion could be this agonizing. It felt as if his entire meridians and bones were being scraped repeatedly by a brush embedded with steel needles. The pain wasnt constantit came in unpredictable waves, slithering through his body like a venomous snake, never giving him a moment to adjust, never allowing him a single breath of relief And this was with his Wood-attribute Qi, which had natural detoxifying and suppressive properties. Li Qingran had none of that. So this was what Li Qingran had been enduring after being expelled from Chixiao Peakthis unending torment The alchemical skills of this mysterious cultivator were truly terrifying. Even if he cheated by cutting off a sliver of each pill to taste, he still couldnt tell which one was safe. If that was the case, he might as well pick at random. Xiao Yifeng shut his eyes and grabbed one blindly. "Tch, this kid''s got pretty good luck. He managed to pick the right one with an eighth of a chance." Chen Huaian sighed, then reluctantly paid 6 spirit stones. The moment his payment was processed, the pill in Xiao Yifengs hand was instantly swapped. The black cat beside him watched Chen Huaian with an eerie glint in its eyes. This brat keeps staring at that black box and talking to himself Could he be mentally ill? Or is that black box some kind of mind-controlling demonic artifact? Interesting, interesting! I wonder whether the demon behind that artifact is more sinister than me? Heh heh heh Its tail curled high as if excited by the thought. Xiao Yifeng swallowed his final chance. Once more, the Fire Poison erupted. The accumulated poison from the first two doses had already pushed his body to the limit. This third dose acted like a fuse, igniting the previous toxins and causing them to explode all at once. "Ugh" Xiao Yifeng''s face turned pale as gold, then flushed bright red like a tide. He staggered back several steps before finally collapsing to his knees, vomiting a mouthful of black blood. Strangely, the black blood turned into mist upon contact with the air, filling the surroundings with the pungent stench of decayed medicine and tainted blood. The disciples standing nearby immediately covered their noses. At the center of the square, Xiao Yifeng clutched his chest, trying to endure. But in the end, his body went rigid, then convulsed violently before he lost all strength and collapsed onto the ground. Daoist Qingxuan, it seems your disciple is not as brilliant as he thinks he is A mocking chuckle echoed from the void. There are still seven pills left. Will you feed them to him yourselves, or shall I do it? Chen Huaian felt no sympathy for Xiao Yifeng. Li Qingran had endured this agony for three whole months. Her meridians had been burned black and rotted away by the poison. Compared to that, what Xiao Yifeng was going through now was nothing. "S-Senior, this disciple has already been punished enough. The Fire Poison Corrosion in his body is extremely severeperhaps we should not force him to take the remaining seven pills" Wu Duantian quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, sensing that Daoist Qingxuan was on the verge of exploding. Did I give you permission to speak? Sit down! "You go too far!" Daoist Qingxuan could no longer hold back. He stood abruptly, his sword pointed At Li Qingran. "Dont think I dont know that all ten of these pills were poisoned! My disciple had no chance of picking correctly! Even if you wanted revenge for Li Qingran, this is far too much! Besides, did my disciple really feed her a poisoned pill?" "Daoist Qingxuan." Li Qingran, face pale from enduring the pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator, stepped forward. Her cold, clear eyes locked onto her former master, filled with a sorrow so deep it seeped into her bones. "The only pill I consumed after the Sect Tournament was the Great Rejuvenation Pill that Xiao Yifeng gave me." "You lie!" Daoist Qingxuans eyes burned with fury. "If I speak even a single falsehood, may the Dao itself strike me down!" Li Qingran raised three fingers to the sky. Thunderclouds instantly gathered over Qingyun Sect. Streaks of lightning flickered ominously among the clouds, searchingsearching for a lie. Finding none, the storm dissipated. A single pill floated before Daoist Qingxuan. The ethereal voice spoke again: If you doubt me, why not try it yourself? Daoist Qingxuan hesitated. "How do I know this pill" Before he could finish, the pill shot into his mouth. Eat. Chapter 48: Battle Against Lu Changtian Chapter 48: Battle Against Lu Changtian The moment the pill shot into Daoist Qingxuans mouth, two people visibly shuddered One was Sect Leader Wu Duantian. The other was Chen Huaian, who sat frozen in front of his phone screen. Just now, the game had popped up a prompt: "Would you like to actively hand the normal pill to Daoist Qingxuan?" He had clicked "Yes." So this was their interpretation of "handing it over"? That hardcore?! Would this NPC really not fly into a rage? Was this going to trigger a Bad End?! Wu Duantian, meanwhile, was left in shock at how brutally direct Chen Huaian had been. A grand cultivator, shoving a pill straight into another person''s mouth Absolutely disgraceful. Utterly scandalous. And yet Delightfully satisfying. Li Qingran was completely dumbfounded. A single strand of hair on her forehead stood straight up in disbelief. Daoist Qingxuans throat bobbed as he involuntarily swallowed the Great Rejuvenation Pill. Just as he was about to explode with rage, the pills medicinal effects spread through his bodypure, untarnished. Not a trace of pill poison. As the mysterious cultivator had said, there was no deceit. Xiao Yifengs miserable state was entirely self-inflicted. A complex storm of emotions surged through Daoist Qingxuans mind. His rage-fogged brain cleared a little. He couldnt possibly twist the truth now and claim the pill was poisonedeveryone had just seen him take it. His reputation was already in tatters. Moreover, the mysterious cultivators true cultivation level was still unknown, and they remained hidden in the shadows. If he attacked and ended up losing He might as well leave Qingyun Sect forever. Fine. Hed endure this one last time. Daoist Qingxuan took a deep breath. His stiff expression twitched, and he forced out a few words: "Indeed, this Great Rejuvenation Pill contains no poison It seems I have failed in teaching my disciple properly, allowing him to make a fool of himself before Senior." "But my disciple, Xiao Yifeng, has extraordinary talent in alchemy. Given time, he will surely achieve greatness. Perhaps one day, he will be able to seek guidance from Senior." His words were polite on the surface. But the hidden message was clear"Thirty years east, thirty years west, the tides will turn. My disciple will surpass you one day." Chen Huaian instantly caught the meaning. He scoffed. "By the time your disciple has achieved anything, Ill have already poured enough money into Qingran to make her a Sword Immortal." "Master, theres no need to wait that long." "I''ll challenge her today." A series of steady footsteps echoed through the square. The crowd turned to look Lu Changtian ascended the steps, stopping before Li Qingran. Slowly, he drew his sword from its sheath. His aura surged, his sharp gaze locking onto her. Lu Changtian, the First Disciple of Chixiao Peak. Foundation Establishment Peak. Among cultivators under thirty, this was already considered heaven-defying talent. The two stared each other down in silence, their tension taut as a drawn bowstring. Lu Changtians robes billowed, as if filled with an unseen wind. His deep pupils burned with anger and hatred, yet as his aura reached its peak, he suddenly suppressed it. He lowered his cultivation levelto Qi Refinement Seventh Layer. "Shimei, I am still willing to call you my junior sister." "But I am speaking to the you of the past. Not the despicable person youve become." "If not for you, Zhang Hanxiao, Yun Zimo, and Xiao Yifeng wouldnt be so gravely injured." "Chixiao Peak and Master wouldn''t have suffered such disgrace!" Li Qingran slowly unsheathed Su Xian, its tip angled toward Lu Changtian. In the swords polished reflection, her frost-covered eyes gleamed coldly. "I do not wish to call you senior brother." "The day I fell from the dueling platform Lu Changtian was already dead." "You hurt Junior Sister Mu Baishuangthis is your just punishment." "If I had truly intended to harm Mu Baishuang, none of you wouldve been able to stop me." "I was in Foundation Establishment. She was in Qi Refinement. What made you think that if I wanted to kill her, any of you could have stopped me?" "The elders and the sect leader werent there. It was just you lotand a mere Golden Core outer sect elder." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enough excuses! Lets see if your sword is as sharp as your tongue!" Lu Changtian lunged forward. His sword gleamed like fresh snow, exuding a chilling aura. Frost Gathering Snow. A move frequently used by Mu Baishuang. It came from the Lesser Non-Phase Sword Stylethe same style Mu Baishuang had used against Li Qingran in the past. That day, Mu Baishuang had been at Qi Refinement Seventh Layer. So now, Lu Changtian had restricted himself to Qi Refinement Seventh Layer. He had mastered every move of the Lesser Non-Phase Sword. Every technique Mu Baishuang had used that dayhe would use them all. To see for himself whether Li Qingrans claim was true That if she had wanted to, they wouldnt have been able to stop her. Li Qingran instantly understood his intent. She evaded the sweeping sword energy, her figure flickering. Su Xian lashed out Not at Lu Changtian, but at an empty patch of air. In the next instant, Lu Changtian, who had transformed into drifting snow, reappeared right there. His brow furrowed. When did her reactions become this fast? Sensing danger from above, he immediately raised his sword to block A crushing force slammed into his blade before vanishing just as quickly. He instinctively lashed out with a counterattacka whip-like kick But Li Qingran had already drifted three steps back. Before he could retract his leg She thrust forward. Sword light rained down like a storm. The strikes grew faster, heavier She was using the same move she had once used against Mu Baishuang. Lesser Non-Phase Swords Sixth Form"Pouring Rain." Lu Changtian had suppressed his cultivation too much. His body couldn''t keep up with his minds reactions. And he never expected Li Qingrans sword was this fast. Even with his deep knowledge of the Lesser Non-Phase Sword, he was forced into a desperate defense. The highest mastery of "Pouring Rain" allowed forty-nine consecutive thrusts. In his memory, Li Qingran had never surpassed thirty. If I can just hold out past the thirtieth strike SHKRRRK! No time to think. A dazzling sword light burst before his eyesfaster than anything before. Descending from above. A slender silhouette followed behind it. A torrential downpour of sword strikes. Even within the storm of slashes, a faint trace of Sword Intent began to take form. On the forty-ninth thrust A single, decisive stabunstoppable as a breaking tide. CLANG! Lu Changtians sword flew from his hands. He fell to his knees, pupils trembling. He stared blankly at the girl before him A girl both familiar and foreign. The icy blade of Su Xian rested against his throat. "How how were you able to unleash the final strike of Pouring Rain?" "Why?" Li Qingran sighed. Or perhaps she mocked herself. "Lu Changtian" "I could always do it." "You just never had the patience to let me finish." Chapter 49: A Game Helmet? Chapter 49: A Game Helmet? Lu Changtian froze. In his memories, when had it started? When had he stopped being patient whenever his junior sister sought him out for sword practice? He was the one who had encouraged her to spar with him frequentlyso why had everything changed? He no longer patiently guided her. No longer waited for her at the training grounds every day. He used to smile and encourage her, carefully reviewing their duels even when she fumbled. But later, no matter how hard Li Qingran tried, all he could see were flaws. Mistakes. He saw her as slow, incompetent, talentless. Heh... So that was it. Li Qingran hadnt changed. He had. If Li Qingranat Foundation Establishmenthad truly wanted to harm Mu Baishuang, they never would have been able to stop her. From beginning to end, they had just been lashing out. They werent protecting anyone. They were venting their frustrationbecause they couldnt take more from her. Li Qingran had always regarded them as senior brothers, as family. But they had lost themselves in the sound of her calling them . They took it all for granted until she was gone. Lu Changtian understood now. "...Kill me, punish me however you wish." "I owe you that much." He lowered his head, unwilling to meet Li Qingrans eyes. "Thendestroy your own dantian." Li Qingran sheathed her sword and turned away, leaving only a slender yet unyielding silhouette. Lu Changtian clenched his fists. Then slowly released them. "If If I destroy my dantian, will you forgive me?" "Qingran w-will you return to Chixiao Peak?" That wavering figure never looked back. The icy wind howled between them. Her reply was resolute. "No." "HELL YEAH!" In front of his phone screen, Chen Huaian slapped his thigh in excitement. He had actually been worried that the game developers would pull some bulls***, like forcing Li Qingran into a moment of soft-hearted hesitation. Maybe theyd write some emotional "misunderstandings resolved" nonsense, where Li Qingran would be coaxed into returning to Chixiao Peak, and suddenly all the would be regretful and start groveling for her forgiveness. Then heas the playerwould end up being forced by the plot to support Chixiao Peak and Qingyun Sect like some kind of doormat. Just imagining it made him sick. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. How was that any different from NTR?! But thankfully The game developers werent brain-dead. Just as he was basking in satisfaction A notification window popped up. Thank you for supporting our game! Your exclusive game helmet has been delivered! At the same time Thud. A sound came from the door. Chen Huaian practically launched himself to the entrance, flung it open, scanned his surroundings Then, with a knowing smirk, looked down. Sure enough, a package. He picked it up and hurried back to the sofa. Ripping open the box, he found A helmet. It looked like a motorcycle helmet, but sleeker, more futuristic. On the side was the My Virtual Girlfriend game logo And next to it, a chibi version of Li Qingran. Chen Huaian slowly typed out a question mark in his mind. The black cat beside him also slowly typed out a question mark in its mind. Chen Huaian: "...This thing. Im supposed to wear this? It wont explode, will it? Feels kinda sketchy. This game never looked like one that required a full-on gaming helmet" The black cat twitched its ears. I-Is this Is this a broken fragment of an immortal artifact? What the hell is this seniors background?! Hes not some direct descendant of the Ancestral Dragon, is he?! Chen Huaian squinted at the black cat. "...Why are you shaking?" The black cat let out a stiff "meow" and quickly lowered its head, pretending to lick its paws. I am but a small cat. A tiny, helpless cat. What do I know? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. In the end, Chen Huaian put on the helmet. He might not trust the game developers, but he sure as hell trusted the 300,000 spirit stones he had spent. My Virtual Girlfriend connecting The screen went black for a moment. Then Chen Huaian froze. Because standing before him Was Li Qingran. She took a step forward. Then another. She glanced around. He recognized this place It was Qingyun Sects central square. "What the f***?!" "This VR tech is insane!" Chen Huaian had tried out the latest VR headsets at an experience center before. Sure, the visuals were realistic, but there was still a clear disconnectan unmistakable sense of artificiality. But this This was different. This felt real. He could see the tiny blood vessels beneath Li Qingrans skin. He could hear the faint rustling of sand underfoot. But There was still a barrier. A thin, almost imperceptible veil between him and the game world. He couldn''t touch it. Yet even so 300,000 spirit stones. Not a waste. Not a single bit wasted. "Today, I, Lu Changtian, will cripple my own dantian." "First, to atone for my sins." "Second, to earn Junior Sister Qingrans forgiveness." "Even if I die, I have no regretsMaster, please allow me this!" Lu Changtian rose, about to strike at his own dantian When suddenly "Insolence!" A furious roar erupted from above. In the next instant, Lu Changtian''s body was frozen in place. "You wretched fool!" "I poured countless efforts into raising you to this level" "And youre going to throw it all away over a single person?!" "A worthless disgrace!" "Get to the Reflection Cliff and meditate on your sins!" At the critical moment Daoist Qingxuan could no longer sit still. Lu Changtian was his most cherished disciple. Xiao Yifeng came second. Mu Baishuang ranked third And that was only because she was good at sweet-talking people. But Lu Changtianhis first disciple He had invested too much into him. How could he just stand by and watch him cripple himself? Chen Huaian saw this and immediately frowned. The game developers just couldnt help themselves, could they? They were really about to shove some bulls* down his throat. Your Character Projection has been activated. You may now freely interact. Current Cultivation: Nascent Soul Perfection, Remaining Time: 21 Hours. You may freely speak. Your words and actions will directly influence the plot. Choose carefully. Chen Huaian blinked. He hurriedly swallowed back the expletives he was about to shout. Then Straightened his expression. Let out a cold snort. And declared "I already said" "No one is allowed to interfere today." "Daoist Qingxuan" "Dont say I didnt warn you." Chapter 50: Moon Rises Over Tianshan Chapter 50: Moon Rises Over Tianshan A books value is only realized when you truly need it. Chen Huaian suddenly felt that his vocabulary was incredibly limited. He could only try to force something out. As soon as he spoke, the entire Qingyun Sect plaza fell into a heavy silence. Daoist Qingxuan remained silent, simply drawing his Qingxuan Sword. The overwhelming aura of a Late Nascent Soul cultivator surged like a tidal wave, causing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to churn violently. His hat fell to the ground, and his robes and hair billowed wildly in the unseen force. Elder Qingxuan, lets talk this through! Wu Duantian was the last person who wanted to see a fight break out between two cultivators. This was the Qingyun Sectif a battle broke out, he would be the one suffering for it. Besides, he was still waiting for that mysterious cultivator to help Zhao Lingtian recover his shattered dantian. If they became enemies now, how the hell was he supposed to negotiate later? Lu Changtian is my personal disciple. How can I stand by and watch his dantian be destroyed? Daoist Qingxuans voice turned sharp as he directed his words toward Wu Duantian. He is definitely not at the Fusion Realm. Judging by his relationship with Li Qingran, even if they arent master and disciple in name, they share the bond of one. If he were truly a great cultivator of the Fusion Realm, would he need to be so roundabout in his actions? His tone was resolutehe had made up his mind to protect Lu Changtian at all costs. Wu Duantian let out a sigh. How could he not understand Daoist Qingxuans reasoning? Everyone here wasnt blind. It was clear that the other party was also wary of Qingyun Sects strength, which was why he hadnt acted recklessly. But Wu Duantian didnt care about any of that. What realm the opponent was in meant nothing to him. All that mattered was whether he could heal Zhao Lingtians dantian. Cant we just sit down and have a proper conversation? Theres nothing to talk about. Daoist Qingxuans expression remained cold as he responded flatly. Fine, fine, then just fight already! Wu Duantian, seeing that persuasion was useless, gave up entirely. Break the sects gates, force the ancestor to come out, and let the entire Cangyun Realms righteous and demonic factions mock our Qingyun Sect! Good. Then lets see whether any of you even have the right to meddle in this matter today! The space behind Li Qingran twisted. A chilling snort filled with fury echoed from within. A pressure even more terrifying than Daoist Qingxuans descended upon everyone. A figure slowly emerged from the void. Dressed in black, with long white hair, he wielded a black-scaled longsword. His face was shrouded in a divine glow, making his features indistinct, but his air of elegance was undeniable. However, the most striking feature was his pair of golden slit-pupiled eyes, radiating an unparalleled sense of authority. Just making eye contact with him was enough to send shivers down one''s spine. He hovered behind Li Qingran. As his body fully materialized ROAR! A thunderclap split the sky. A massive black dragons phantom surged forth from behind him, coiling around him in a majestic display of power. Its fangs bared and claws extended, its terrifying presence shook the heavens before partially merging into the black-scaled sword, as if it were the weapons very soul. Se-Senior! Li Qingrans eyes locked onto Chen Huaian, who now stood before her. Even though she could only see his side profile, she found herself unable to breathe. Her face grew hotter and hotter, and her mind went completely blank. Step back, girl. I I am about to put on a show I mean, start killing. Li Qingran was nervous, but so was Chen Huaian. His vision was filled with a dazzlingly chaotic array of skill icons, all fully lit up. He didnt even know what half of them didbefore he could even figure things out, he had already been thrown into the fray. And the worst part? He was wearing a VR helmet. The hyper-immersive experience only intensified his sense of urgency. He didnt even dare to look at Li Qingran. He had glanced at her once just nowshe was stunning. Absolutely gorgeous. The difference between seeing her in VR and real life was night and day. He was afraid that if he kept looking, he wouldnt be able to look away. Now the real problem washow the hell was he supposed to fight? Tap on whatevers glowing? But was glowing! [Beginner Combat Tutorial Initiated.] A game window popped up in Chen Huaians vision, and he was instantly overjoyed. Thank god, its a noob-friendly tutorial! Were saved! The next second, everything around him froze. Chen Huaian realized he had entered the tutorial and immediately turned his head to stare at Li Qingran, committing her face to memory. This was what he called desensitization training. [This game utilizes the latest neural mapping technology, allowing players to control their characters entirely through thought.] A water-like mirror and a practice dummy appeared before him. Reluctantly tearing his gaze away from Li Qingrans face, Chen Huaian turned to the mirror and attempted a peace sign. A Nascent Soul Perfection cultivator making such a gesture was absurdly out of place. He quickly returned to his composed, otherworldly demeanor. Once fully immersed in character, he couldnt help but put on an act. [All techniques and skills available to you will be mapped directly into your mind. Dont worry, this will not burden your brain. As the mapping process continues, they will gradually become part of your muscle memory.] [Please attack the training dummy.] Chen Huaian considered for a moment before casually slashing at the dummy. The dummy shattered instantly. There was no impact feedbackit felt like slicing through tofu. Way too effortless. [Please use a skill.] The dummy regenerated, and after a moments thought, Chen Huaian activated Green Lotus Sword Manual C First Form: Riding the Waves. Swoosh! With a sharp sword cry, his body moved with the sword, striking as fast as a dragon. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In an instant, a blinding sword light flashed, and the dummy was sliced into four pieces. In the next moment, he was already back in place, while a watery afterimage of himself remained at the dummys previous location, frozen in a thrusting motion. At that moment, the second part of Riding the Waves lit up Shadow Strike: Instantly teleport to your afterimage and thrust again. Holy sh*t, thats sick! Chen Huaian might not have been well-read, but he knew how to appreciate something awesome. Who wouldve thought the very first move of the Green Lotus Sword Manual would be this insane? He to master it and teach it to Li Qingran. [Tutorial complete. Enjoy your game!] The frozen world around him came back to life. Chen Huaians gaze locked onto Lu Changtian and Daoist Qingxuan. The hesitation in his eyes was gone, replaced by unwavering confidence. So, Daoist Qingxuan You like to meddle, huh? Chen Huaian smirked coldly. For stubborn old fossils like him, there was only one solution Drop the ultimate move. In his mind, Green Lotus Sword Manual C Tenth Form: Moon Rises Over Tianshan surfaced. The Eleventh and Twelfth Forms were still lockedNascent Soul Perfection wasnt enough to use them. Otherwise, he wouldve planted the entire Milky Way onto Daoist Qingxuans face. His black-scaled sword slid half an inch from its sheath, its radiance dim yet sharp. A storm of sword intent spilled forth, slicing the very air with an eerie screech. So you want to protect your disciple, Qingxuan? Chen Huaians eyes gleamed. Then take this sword! Clang! Thunderous sword cries echoed. Above the Qingyun Sects grand hall A sliver of moonlight rose from the earth. Chapter 51: Another Hidden Old Monster Chapter 51: Another Hidden Old Monster A young master unparalleled, his sword intent piercing the heavens. Everyone was left speechless, stunned by the radiant full moon. Wu Duantian staggered to his feet, unable to hide his shock. The Qingxuan Sword in Daoist Qingxuans hands trembled slightly. Deep within the Qingyun Sects mountain range, inside a secluded hidden paradise, an elderly woman with long white hair sat in meditation. Suddenly, her brows furrowed. Li Qingran gazed at the moonlight in a daze. Within that luminous moon, someone danced with their sword, wild and uninhibited. "The bright moon rises over Tianshan, drifting above the boundless sea of clouds!" A mystical voice echoed within the moonlight. It resonated clearly, yet did not feel intrusive. Instead, it bewitched the soul, drawing all who heard it into an intoxicating trance. The sword dance within the moon was ethereal, like a dream, with streaks of cold light shooting forth, piercing through the sea of clouds. Suddenly, the sword''s momentum shiftedswift as a raging thunderstorm! The voice laughed freely, its ethereal tone carrying through the night: "The long wind sweeps ten thousand miles, blowing past the Jade Gate Pass!" "Condense!" High in the sky, sword intent surged like a rising mountain peak. The figure dancing in the moonlight halted, lifting the sword in hand. Then, with a casual downward slash Clang! The sea of clouds split apart. The world cleared, and the moonlight intensified. But along with the brilliance came an overwhelming killing intent. Wu Duantians heart pounded violently. His face turned deathly pale as he frantically shouted to those around him: Not good! Hurry and stabilize the Sects Grand Formation! Evacuate all disciples from the plaza immediately! When that mysterious cultivator first appeared, he only seemed to be at Nascent Soul Perfection, so Wu Duantian hadnt taken him too seriously. He figured that even if Daoist Qingxuan was outmatched, he could still hold out for a while, and in the worst case, the other elders could step in. But who could have expected that the moment the man unleashed his sword technique, just the sword intent alone had already sent chills through Wu Duantians entire body? Was this man a reclusive elder from Sword Pavilion?! To wield such a terrifying sword technique Everyone knew that most cultivators used swords, but true sword cultivators were extremely rare and difficult to cultivate. Yet for those who did succeed, their sheer destructive power was unmatched in the entire Cangyun Realm. There was no more time to think. The sword had already fallen Straight toward Daoist Qingxuan. The icy moonlight fused seamlessly with the razor-sharp sword intent. From a distance, the sword still seemed tangible. But as it drew near, everything in sight was engulfed in a blinding silver-white radiance. Daoist Qingxuan gripped his sword tightly, unable to distinguish whether the brilliance before him was moonlight or sword light. Surrounded from all sides, with no way to evade, he gritted his teeth and unleashed his strongest move Lesser Non-Phase Sword Style C Grasping the Galaxy. The Qingxuan Sword flared up with starlight, dazzling and radiant. This should have been a mighty strike, powerful beyond compare Yet within the vast moonlight, it seemed laughably feeble. A single spark could ignite a prairie fire. But under the brilliance of a full moon, a mere starlight could only be swallowed and dissolved. The full moon vanished. The Qingyun Sect Plaza was riddled with countless sword holes, the density increasing toward the center. Daoist Qingxuan, covered in blood, barely remained standing, using his sword to support himself. The Qingxuan Sword, his companion for over a century, was now riddled with cracks, just like his bodyso fragile that even the slightest movement might cause it to shatter completely. A beam of moonlight descended behind him. Chen Huaian stepped out of the fading moonlight. He didnt even spare a glance at the bloodied figure kneeling at the center of the plaza. Instead, he strode forwardtoward Lu Changtian. "Will you do it yourself, or shall I do it for you?" Lu Changtian looked up at Chen Huaian, his face growing even paler. His throat bobbed as he struggled to respond: I-Ill do it myself Spiritual Qi surged in reverse. With a muffled bang, Lu Changtian clutched his dantian, collapsing to the ground in agonizing pain, writhing uncontrollably. His sharp screams echoed across the plaza. Daoist Qingxuan''s body trembled. He tried to stand, struggled twice, but ultimately collapsed back into the pool of blood. "Debts must be paid to their rightful owner." Chen Huaian turned to face Mu Baishuang, his golden slit pupils exuding only cold indifference. The delicate young girl now looked at him like a terrified deer, her entire body trembling. Her lips quivered, and tears welled in her eyes, making her seem utterly pitifullike she could be shattered with just a single touch. But as for Chen Huaian A single bead of sweat dripped from his temple. [Mu Baishuang C Female C 347 years old C Mid Nascent Soul Stage (Self-Sealed) C Born with Enchanting Bones] Two bad news. Firstthis was a top-tier, hidden old monster. Secondhe had burned through all his energy just to act cool. The two stared at each other in silence for a moment. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian slowly spoke: Hand over Li Qingrans Water Spiritual Root. Senior, I Will you hand it over, or not? Staring into those murderous golden eyes, Mu Baishuang gritted her teeth, carefully weighing her options. If she refused, she would have to break her self-imposed seal and fight this sword demon. Not only would she expose her identity, but if he still had any residual strength, wouldnt she just be throwing herself to death? She had to survive to aid her master. She couldnt reveal her identity. And in the end, a mere Water Spiritual Root was useless to her master, and she had no attachment to it. Ill give it to you. Mu Baishuang feigned a pitiful expression, tilting her head slightly to expose her fair, slender neck. She let out a sorrowful sigh, her delicate face streaked with fresh tears. Senior, you may take it yourself. No wonder she was born with Enchanting Bones. Chen Huaian was speechless. [Select the Spiritual Root to extract:] Single Water Spiritual Root (from Li Qingran)Earth-Wood Dual Spiritual Root (from Yang Tian) Holy sh*t! Chen Huaians mind screamed. He had no idea how this demon girl managed to hide previously stolen Spiritual Roots from Daoist Qingxuan But now? Opportunity knocks only once. He selected both. Two lights flared from Mu Baishuangs abdomen. Chen Huaian reached out andwithout encountering any resistanceplunged his hand straight into her body, pulling out both glowing orbs and stuffing them into his inventory. At the same time, he shot Mu Baishuang a knowing look. Mu Baishuang was stunned. The pain of losing her Spiritual Roots was nothing compared to the sheer fear and horror seizing her heart. She had hidden her identity perfectlyno one should have seen through her! Yet this man knew? He didnt expose her. Why? Could it behe was also a demonic cultivator?! Her mind spiraled into chaos. She lifted her gaze, intending to confirm something in Chen Huaians expression But by then, he had already turned away, walking toward Li Qingran. Enemies defeated. Vengeance taken. Loot secured. Mana exhausted. It was time to flee. But just as he passed Daoist Qingxuan A cane struck the ground. Boom! A crippling pressure swept across the plaza. Chen Huaians pupils contracted. An elderly woman in white robes silently stood beside the fallen Daoist Qingxuan. And around themevery Late Nascent Soul cultivator had knelt. The Qingyun Sect fell into absolute silence. Chapter 52: Select All Chapter 52: Select All Chen Huaian paused mid-step. So, it had finally come to this. A hidden BOSS! One of the most clich tropes in cultivation novelsso overused that it was even considered a toxic plot devicethe Sects Ancestor! Defeat the disciple, the master arrives. Defeat the master, the ancestor arrives. Defeat the ancestor? Well, then comes the heavenly tribulation, the celestial enforcers, or even some revived ancient being. Invincible in the mortal world? Dont worry, heavens got you covered. For most players, at this point, there were only two optionsrun for their life or get killed by the plot. But Chen Immortal Lord Huaian was built different. Because he had money! Youso youre the old monster hiding within Qingyun Sect? Heh. Chen Huaian tilted his head slightly, half of his face shrouded in shadow. The only thing visible was his piercing golden slit-pupil, still radiating with scorching intensity. The entire audience gasped. Li Qingran silently watched him, feeling that something about his way of speaking had completely changed compared to before. But that didnt matter. All she knew was that her heart was racing. Wu Duantian and the elders looked at Chen Huaian like he was a complete idiot. Zhang Hanxiao, who had been playing dead, cracked open an eye. Lu Changtian had stopped rolling in pain. Mu Baishuang widened her eyes and covered her mouth. Even the half-dead Daoist Qingxuan twitched at the corner of his lips. Qingyun Sects great ancestor, a Fusion Realm powerhouseand this guy just called her an "old monster"? Granted, she was actually old. But basic respect was still a thing, wasnt it? Besides, he was only at Nascent Soul Perfectionwhat was he acting so cocky for? The gap between Nascent Soul and Fusion Realm was like heaven and earth! You called me an old monster? Qingyun Sects ancestors eyebrow twitched violently, though her lips curled into a cold smile. But there was no warmth in that smileonly chilling malice and murderous intent. "Thats right. Old. Monster." Chen Huaian didnt flinch, but the moment he said those words, he could feel that this hidden BOSS was about to attack. It was timeto activate the power of money! He silently willed: Raise my cultivation to Fusion Realm Perfection! Since this was neural mapping technology, it should be able to capture his conscious thoughts. And sure enough, the game responded. But instead of an upgrade, a notification popped up [This realm is currently locked, and your balance is insufficient!] Chen Huaian: ??? Fine! Raise me to Fusion Realm Late Stage! Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Realm locked, balance insufficient.] Fusion Realm Mid Stage? [Locked. Insufficient funds.] Fusion Realm Early Stage?? [Locked. Not enough money.] Chen Huaian: "" He was screwed. The entire mental conversation happened in a split second. Meanwhile, Qingyun Sects ancestor had already begun gathering her spiritual energy. Behind her, a massive stone avatar emergeda towering figure with an ashen face, crimson eyes, and a solemn expression. The avatar had six arms, each holding a different weaponsword, saber, spear, flask, shield, and fanexuding an aura of absolute dominance. She had directly summoned her Dharma Avatar. Chen Huaian looked calm on the surfacebut inside, he was freaking out. Was this really about to be a forced death scenario?! [You have angered Hidden BOSS: Qingyun Sects Ancestor. You have three options (multiple selections allowed).] A game menu popped up. Chen Huaian, who had been on the verge of bending over in despair, immediately straightened his back. [Limited Time Offer] Spend 18 to receive a Thousand Mile Escape Talisman and flee the battlefield. [Super Value Deal: 0.001% Discount] Spend 88 to temporarily obtain Fusion Realm Late Stage pressure for 30 seconds. [Exclusive Special ?] Spend 188 to increase CharmQingyun Sects Ancestor will develop a favorable impression of you (greatly increases success rate of seduction). Wait, hold on Was that third option serious?! Chen Huaian thought it over. An isekai sugar mommy? If Li Qingran werent here, he wouldve picked that in a heartbeat! After all, this was just a game. If there was a thigh to cling to, of course hed cling to it! What did he care? It was just a character! And besides, his stats would go up too. But right now Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. Just as Qingyun Sects ancestor was about to go berserk He directly recharged 294. ALL. IN. In an instant Qingyun Sects ancestors murderous gaze abruptly froze. She suddenly felt that the divine glow shrouding his face looked extremely familiar. "Ziho is it really you?" "No. Ziho is already dead. He cant be Ziho. But his aura its so similar" Her rising battle intent deflated like a punctured balloon. L Zihoher former Dao Companion. One of the top ten most handsome men in Cangyun Realm. But his talent was garbage. No matter how many rare treasures she used, she couldnt push him past the Nascent Soul stage or extend his lifespan. Originally, Qingyun Sects ancestor didnt look this old. Cultivators had methods to preserve their youtheven if she was a thousand years old, she could have the appearance of a young maiden. She simply chose not to. Because her heart had died. But now A tiny spark reignited within her long-extinguished emotions. And in the next second That tiny spark was mercilessly crushed. Old monster, do you really think being at Fusion Realm makes you all that? Chen Huaian sneered. The moment he spoke, his aura erupted Fusion Realm Late Stage! The entire Qingyun Sect Plaza trembled as if an immense mountain had descended upon it, shrouding everything in darkness. The combined pressure of two Fusion Realm cultivators was so intense that even the Nascent Soul elders could barely lift their headstheir knees sinking into the stone bricks beneath them. Behind Chen Huaian, a colossal black dragon avatar coiled into existence, its thunderous roar shaking the heavens. Its golden slit pupils blazed like two miniature suns, even dimming the sunlight. At that moment, Chen Huaian suddenly had a strange urge Should I recite a poem here? But he didnt know any. What was he supposed to say? "Holy sh*t, this is awesome"? He chose silence. With only a few seconds left on his Fusion Realm buff, Chen Huaian seized the moment: Today, I have witnessed Qingyun Sects grandeur. Vengeance is settledI have no further quarrel. Farewell! With five seconds remaining, he pulled out his Thousand Mile Escape Talisman, grabbed for Li Qingrans handand missed. But the talisman still wrapped them both in light. Your name? Qingyun Sects ancestor asked, watching his fading figure. "Sword Sect. Chen Huaian!" Whoosh! They vanished. Qingyun Sects ancestor stood still, emotions in turmoil. She turned to Daoist Qingxuan. Mother he croaked. Shut up. Go kneel at Reflection Cliff. Then she turned back. Also, bring me two furnaces of Beauty Retention Pills within the hour. Daoist Qingxuan: "???" And a milk bath. And lotus flowers. Daoist Qingxuan: "???!" Chapter 53: The Guardian Chapter 53 C The Guardian No joke. Daoist Qingxuan felt like his mother was about to be gone. It was an incredibly strong premonition. But he dared not disobey the Qingyun Patriarchs orders. Even though his injuries hadnt fully healed, he had no choice but to follow orders. I really didnt expect that person to be a Fusion Realm grand cultivator, Daoist Qingxuan sighed and shook his head. Since he was a Fusion Realm cultivator and had chosen to spare his life, it was clearly an act of mercyout of consideration for the Qingyun Sects reputation. With this thought, he felt at ease. So what if he was instantly defeated by the sword of a suppressed Fusion Realm grand cultivator? His crushing defeat was an honor! Under that earth-shattering strike, an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator wouldve been reduced to dust. Master, my dantian Lu Changtian staggered toward Daoist Qingxuan, his face pale. Theres nothing I can do about your dantian. Daoist Qingxuans brows furrowed with impatience and disdain. All things in this world follow the law of cause and effect. If you had known this would happen, why did you and the others bully that girl, Qingran? You even claimed she deliberately tried to harm Mu Baishuang and wanted me to cripple her spiritual root! Now what? You regret it? You come begging me now? Lu Changtian hung his head, speechless. In the end, Daoist Qingxuan couldnt bear to watch his favorite disciple be completely ruined. He shook his head and said, You have two paths before you. First, you can switch to body cultivation. Body cultivators refine their bones and flesh to break through all techniques with sheer strength. With your talent, you could achieve something. However, the Qingyun Sect doesnt have many body cultivation techniques, and they are scarce even across the entire Cangyun Realm. This path is narrow, difficult, and requires you to figure out a lot on your own. The second path is to prepare for the upcoming Zhongzhou Secret Realm expedition. This time, there will be both a major and a minor secret realm. Master, I choose the major secret realm! Lu Changtian immediately bowed with a firm expression. Daoist Qingxuan smacked his forehead with the hilt of his sword and scolded, Idiot! The major secret realm is for Nascent Soul and above. If you go in, youll die for sure! I brought up the secret realm to tell you that this time, the great Holy Lands will be selecting talents. If you perform exceptionally in the minor secret realm, you might catch their attention. If that happens, you could gain a fortunate opportunityperhaps even a way to heal your dantian. Lu Changtians eyes lit up with realization. The three great Holy Lands of the Cangyun Realm: Yaochi, Zhenwu, and Fanjing. They were filled with powerful cultivators, including many legendary figures in the realms history. Among them, some might possess a Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, or even a complete body cultivation system! If so, his dantian issue could be resolved. Daoist Qingxuan looked at the joy on Lu Changtians face and felt a pang of sadness. The Holy Lands had strict standards for selecting prodigies. For a cultivator with a shattered dantian like Lu Changtian to stand out, he would have to be exceptionally extraordinary. Difficult. Difficult. Difficult. Not far away, Mu Baishuang, who was meditating to heal, perked up her ears and eavesdropped. Of course, she knew about the Zhongzhou Secret Realmit was an annual grand event where many ancient cultivation techniques, artifacts, and elixirs would appear. It was no exaggeration to say that if one could obtain a great treasure from within, even an ordinary person could instantly rise to become a genius sought after by major sects. Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingran should be heading to the Zhongzhou Secret Realm too, right? Mu Baishuang pondered. The Taiyin Dao Body and the Black Gold Cold Jade on Zhang Hanxiao were crucial to her young master. Getting the Black Gold Cold Jade would be easy. Zhang Hanxiao was currently injured, so she just needed to cozy up to him a little more. Once she had him wrapped around her finger, the treasure would basically be in her hands. As for the Taiyin Dao Body Back in the sect, she couldnt make a move on Li Qingran directly. Originally, she had planned to let Li Qingran die outside so she could use the Heavenly Demon Bone-Devouring Secret Art to strip away her Taiyin Dao Body for herself. But fate had other plans. Li Qingran encountered that mysterious expert. Not only did she survive, but her dantian was restored, and the Heart Demon Curse Mu Baishuang had planted was broken. Still, every cloud had a silver lining. Outside the Qingyun Sect, if they met in the secret realm, wouldnt a mere Li Qingran be easy to handle? That Fusion Realm grand cultivator surely wouldnt be idling around, watching over Li Qingran forever. After all, grand cultivators like him spent most of their time in closed-door cultivation. She dared to stay in the Qingyun Sect because the Qingyun Patriarch only emerged from seclusion once in a blue moon. As long as she didnt flaunt herself before the Patriarch, she could hide her true intentions with ease. You are Qingxuans disciple? Just as Mu Baishuang was lost in thought, an aged voice suddenly rang out beside her. She shuddered, her skin crawling with goosebumps. Without even daring to glance at the speaker, she immediately knelt and kowtowed. Disciple Mu Baishuang greets the Patriarch. The Qingyun Patriarchs eyes remained calm, saying nothing. Mu Baishuang bit her lip. In her vision, all she could see were the Patriarchs shoes and cane. Sweat dripped down her cheeks, each second feeling like an eternity. Just as she began to wonder if the Patriarch had seen through her schemeswhether she should go all out and resisthe finally spoke. I know a little about the matter with Li Qingran Mu Baishuang, if you wish to cultivate, then do so properly. But if you harbor impure intentions again, I wont mind helping my unfilial disciple clean up his mess. With that, the Qingyun Patriarch tapped his dragon-headed cane on the ground and bounced away with a sprightly gait. Like a lively young maiden. She had seen plenty of scheming female disciples like Mu Baishuang. Back when she was still just a disciple, her own tricks werent any less crafty. Right now, she was too busy enjoying her second youth to care. A mere Qi Refinement disciple? A simple warning was enough. No need to waste effort. Meanwhile, elsewhere Chen Huaian emerged from the Thousand-Mile Divine Travel Talisman with Li Qingran. He glanced at the map. From the looks of it, they hadnt actually left Qingyun Sect by much. What the f***? How huge is this Taoists map?! To avoid being chased down by the Qingyun Patriarch, Chen Huaian grabbed Li Qingran with remote control, let out a biu!, and jumped onto his Blackscale Sword. With his Nascent Soul Experience Card still active, he had to fly as far as possible. How fast could a Nascent Soul cultivator fly? Chen Huaian felt like he was on par with a fighter jet. Not that he had ever flown on a planeso he had no real comparison. Just as he was marveling at how awesome this game was Behind him, Li Qingran was being blasted by the wind, unable to keep her eyes open. She looked at her seniors back, wanting to speak up for help. But the moment she opened her mouth Whoosh! Her lips puffed out into a trumpet flower from the sheer wind pressure. To avoid being seen in such an undignified state, she quickly shut her mouth. Still, she was perplexed. Did senior cultivators not use wind-shielding formations when flying? Or Did he think having his hair blown back made him look cooler? No! There was no way Senior was that shallow. Senior must have been feeling the rhythm of the wind. Sensing the ever-present Dao laws of nature. Li Qingran, oh Li Qingran, compared to someone like Senior, you''re still far too lacking. And you actually dream of becoming his disciple? Sigh I wonder if Senior has any disciples. Any female disciples? How many female disciples? Li Qingran gazed at the wildly dancing white hair in front of her. Even though her own hair had been whipped into her face and mouth by the wind, her heart still felt warm and soft. What was the point of overthinking? Senior was always right. Even if he had a hundred female disciples, that was perfectly natural. Hee~ ? "Hiss! This wind is actually kinda cold." Chen Huaian rubbed his hands together and slowed down slightly. They were cultivators nowwhy couldnt flying swords come with built-in temperature control? What if his precious Qingran caught a chill? Not mystical at all. Congratulations! You have assisted your Virtual Girlfriend in completing Main Quest 1.0 You have received: 10 Thunderfire Talismans (delivered) Tch, just 10 Thunderfire Talismans? Were they giving out scraps to beggars? Chen Huaian curled his lips in disdain. Did he, Lord Immortal Chen, look like he needed this kind of thing? Meanwhile, in his hotel room Thud! The door made a dull sound. Inside, the black cat peeked its head out from the shoebox, cautiously sniffing the aura of whatever lay outside. Its body suddenly stiffened. Its round cat eyes widened in shock. And then, shivering, it shrank back into the shoebox. Main Quest 2.0: Help your Virtual Girlfriend establish herself in the new "Guardians Home." "G-Guardians Home?" Lord Immortal Chens mind blanked out. He almost fell off his flying sword. Chapter 54: Dispersing Cultivation Chapter 54 C Dispersing Cultivation "Senior, have you been to Tianquan City before?" "Senior, look at this, its so interesting! My parents bought me one when I was little..." "Senior, do you have any favorite foods? I know a fantastic restaurant here... Oh, sorry, I forgot you''ve already stopped eating mortal food." "Senior, this road leads to Feilong Pass. My parents used to say that those who leave through this road probably never return." Li Qingran turned to face Chen Huaian but kept her head lowered, fingers clutching the hem of her robe. Strands of hair swayed gently in the wind, and beneath her fluttering lashes, emotions flickeredtoo complex to put into words. Tianquan City. Once, it was her hometown. Now, it had long since changed dynasties, and two different city lords had come and gone. Standing before the city gates, watching the bustling crowds and carriages pass by, Li Qingrans voice turned sour. "Senior, you..." She didnt dare lift her head. Afraid that Senior would see the red-rimmed eyes she was trying so hard to hide. "This lord sigh" Chen Huaian felt utterly helpless. Because at this moment, what he was doing was no different from parents who drop their kids off at a boarding school just to lighten their own burden. The boarding school, in this case, was a sect. Li Qingran had no sect now, and according to the game''s storyline, she needed one for protection. At first, Chen Huaian didnt understand why. Until he saw his rapidly depleting Experience Card timer. And then He understood. In this world where everyone was superhuman, a cultivator with a supreme-grade dantian, the Taiyin Dao Body, and a pure water spiritual root was basically a walking treasure chest. The moment someone discovered how special she was, shed be in immense danger. And with only Qi Refinement Peak strength, she had absolutely no way to protect herself. A rogue cultivator with tons of rare traits and zero backing? There was no way shed survive in this world. And he couldnt watch her 24/7he had a life to live, a show to participate in, and money to make. So, getting her into a sect that could offer temporary protection was absolutely necessary. And as her Cyber Boyfriend and guardian, his job was to help her establish herself in this new sect. That was why he had brought her to Tianquan City. Flying from the upper-left of the maps center to just a little to the right of the center. This was a mortal cityfar enough from Qingyun Sect, away from areas dense with cultivators and flourishing with Spiritual Qi. Spiritual Qi here was scarce. Which also meantit was relatively safe. "This lord is only leaving temporarily." Though, in reality, he wasnt leaving at all. His avatars time was just running out, and he had no good explanation for it. "Senior..." Li Qingran saw the hesitation on Chen Huaians face. The fingers clutching her robe slowly relaxed. What was wrong with her? She shouldnt be causing Senior trouble. Senior had his own things to do. He had a hundred hungry female disciples waiting for him. He had already given her so much help. What more could she possibly ask for? "I understand. I will behave and find a place to stay." Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow and glanced at her in surprise. He thought the conversation had gone smoothly, that she had come to terms with things. But when he looked at her lowered lashes, he saw the faint redness in her eyes. Like a small, abandoned kitten. Pitiful and lost. Yet not long ago, when she dueled Lu Changtian, she had been so fierce and determined. "Forget it. This lord shall explain things properly!" Standing around wasnt getting them anywhere. Chen Huaian led Li Qingran into a restaurant, casually ordering some food while the nervous waiter trembled and rushed to serve them. Only then did he finally explain to Li Qingran in a serious tone: "I Ahem, this lord is very busy. Theres a lot to do. I dont have time to watch over you." The moment he said that, Li Qingrans lips trembled. Seeing her about to pout, Chen Huaian immediately dropped the "cool senior" act. He ruffled her hair, and under her dazed expression, quickly added: "Look, I cant even touch you. This is just an avatar. Thats because my real body is currently battling a huge demon beast!" "Senior, are you in danger?" "Is it a really difficult demon to deal with?" Huh. That wasnt exactly wrong. Cancer was a damn difficult beast to deal with. Chen Huaian nodded helplessly. "Very difficult. I was poisoned by that demon. The poison is nearly impossible to cure My life may be at risk." He figured What could a game character possibly understand? Telling her about cancer wouldnt mean anything. Even though this game world was highly immersive, and its characters were AI-driven, surely AI couldnt simulate real human emotions, right? That was a flaw AI could never overcome. The moment Li Qingran heard this Her face went completely pale. A sharp ringing filled her ears. Her mind went blank. Her heart clenched painfullyas if someone had stabbed a red-hot iron into it. Her fingers clenched her robe so tightly they turned white. Senior was so powerful, yet even he couldnt cure the poison. Just how terrifying must that demon be? It was just as she thoughtSenior was a great hero, constantly fighting to protect the Cangyun Realm. Even though he was so busy, he still took time out to accompany her to Qingyun Sect. And here she wasacting selfishly, clinging to him, unwilling to let him leave. "Senior, I was wrong." Tears rolled down Li Qingrans face. She stepped forward And with a thud, she knelt before him. "Whoa, what the?! Hey!" Chen Huaian panicked. Even as a force lifted her up, Li Qingran stubbornly remained kneeling in midair. Now, with her floating and him standing, they locked eyes in a very bizarre position. "Senior, I have a pure water spiritual root, which means Im also suited for alchemy!" "There are countless alchemy recipes in the Cangyun Realm!" "No matter what, I will find a way to refine a pill that can cure you!" Li Qingrans voice was firm and resolute. Her idea was na?ve, maybe even laughable, but she still clung to hope. She figuredSenior must be looking for high-grade, rare elixirs. But sometimes, the simplest solutions were hidden in overlooked, ordinary sect libraries. While he searched for big solutions, she would search for small ones. That way, nothing would be missed. Seeing her reaction, Chen Huaian was actually touched. For a moment, he even suspected S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was Li Qingran really an AI character? Or was she secretly a GM (game master) roleplaying just for himwith live voice acting, facial expressions, and immersive interactions? Because in her eyes, he saw something AI shouldnt have. Genuine sadness. Real fear. She wasnt just worried about him leaving. She was terrified that he would die. And the eyesthey never lied. "Three hundred thousand... totally worth it." At the moment he was about to leave this world, He actually got to feel warmth in his heart once again. Chen Huaian chuckled, unable to stop himself from comforting the girl before him. "Dont worry. Im a Fusion Realm grand cultivatorhow could some mere demon poison possibly kill me? Just focus on your cultivation. If you become the strongest cultivator in the Cangyun Realm one day, that would be the greatest comfort to me." Li Qingran noticedSenior didnt call himself ''this lord'' anymore. But rather than feeling distant, this change actually made him seem closer. Like the untouchable figure high above the clouds was suddenly within reach. Even though, in realityshe still couldnt touch him. "Senior, I want to become an alchemist." "I must become an alchemist." "I have a pure water spiritual rootLingxi Valley will accept me." Lingxi Valleyone of the most renowned alchemy sects in the Cangyun Realm, also known as Holy Healer Valley. It was home to countless alchemists and healers, capable of reviving the dead and growing back flesh and bone. Right now, in Tianquan City, a major sect recruitment event was being held. They were scouting for gifted individuals with spiritual roots among mortals to bring into their sects. Lingxi Valley was among them. However, Chen Huaian hadnt considered Lingxi Valley as Li Qingrans future sect. Because she had already cultivated Chiyun Technique, a fire-attribute technique centered on combat and destructioncompletely incompatible with alchemy. "Qingran, I understand your intentions, but youve already cultivated Chiyun Technique" Chen Huaian stopped mid-sentence. Because at that moment, he saw something in Li Qingrans eyes Determination. Unwavering, absolute determination. He froze. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. "You..." "Senior, I know that Chiyun Technique is fire-based and meant for battleit conflicts with alchemy." Li Qingran bowed deeply, then lifted her gaze to meet his eyes. "But my water spiritual root was never compatible with Chiyun Technique anyway." Her lips curled into a soft, sunlit smile. Almost as if she was the one comforting him, rather than the other way around. "Since thats the case..." "Then I will simplydisperse my cultivation." Chapter 55: Master, Please Accept Your Disciple’s Bow Chapter 55 C Master, Please Accept Your Disciples Bow No wonder the people from Chixiao Peak said that Li Qingran cultivated too slowly. A water spiritual root cultivating a fire-attribute techniquehow could that possibly be fast? They probably only cared about getting her into Chixiao Peak, without even considering whether there was a technique suitable for her cultivation. Coincidentally, the Battle Orders Qi Refinement Peak reward had included a Tideborn Techniquean absolute match for a water spiritual root. It was perfect as a foundational technique for Li Qingran. While Chen Huaian was lost in thought, Li Qingran had already completed dispersing her cultivation. She stood there timidly, like a stubborn little flower, gazing at him with a bright, hopeful smile. For any cultivator, dispersing ones cultivation meant losing all previous progress. No one would willingly erase what they had worked so hard to achieve. And Li Qingran had no idea that the Tideborn Technique was waiting for her. She was simply determined to help Chen Huaiannot just with words, but with immediate action. All things in life are guided by fate. Chen Huaian pulled out a jade slip, its surface marked with wave-like patterns. "This is the Tideborn Technique, a water-attribute cultivation method. Since you no longer have an internal technique, you''ll cultivate this from now on. Once you reach perfection, Ill give you something even better." But Li Qingran didnt take it. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze filled with hopeful anticipation. "Senior does this mean you''re taking me as your disciple?" "Huh?" Chen Huaian was momentarily stunned. Him? A fake Nascent Soul cultivator? Taking Li Qingran as his disciple? Of course, he didnt lack confidence. After all, he was a pay-to-win player. Eventually, hed rise to power. He had always planned to officially take her as his disciple once he became truly strong. That way, he could stand tall and not risk being exposed. "Senior hesitated." Li Qingran lowered her gaze, letting out a soft, lonely chuckle. "Of course Senior already has over a hundred starving female disciples. Theres no way youd have time for another one, huh" Chen Huaian slowly typed out a question mark in his mind. A hundred what? Female disciples? Starving?? Since when?! "This lord has no disciples." Thud! Li Qingran dropped to her knees, performing a deep bow that she refused to rise from. "Master, please accept your disciples bow!" "..." She she just changed the title on the spot?! But he hadnt even agreed yet! What if he got exposed in the future?! Still, at this point, rejecting her wasnt an option. With a favorability score of 80, turning her down would cause a massive drop. Chen Huaian straightened his expression, putting on a serious front. He stroked his nonexistent beard and said in a deep voice: "From this day forward, you are my final disciplea true, personal successor! I will teach you with all my heart. You must also cultivate diligently, increase your realm, extend your lifespan, and live long and prosperous. Do not disappoint me!" "Yes, Master! Qingran will never forget!" The two exchanged smiles. In a simple mortal restaurant, A bond spanning two worlds was formed. "All things in this world are intertwined by fate. And it is through fate that we are drawn to each other." As Chen Huaian removed his VR helmet, these words naturally surfaced in his mind. He couldnt help but nod to himself, feeling satisfied. The apprenticeship wasnt a grand affair. Li Qingran simply made use of the restaurants resources, brewing a cup of spiritual tea as an offering to her new master. When asked how she planned to join a sect now that she had a master, Li Qingran simply replied "A Master is a Master, and a Sect is a Sect." In the Cangyun Realm, many sects werent too strict about this. Most disciples in a sect didnt even have personal mentorsthey simply learned from the sects library or listened to elders preaching in the training halls. Of course, disciples who already had masters werent usually given access to the sects most secret techniques. Entering a sect didnt necessarily mean taking a master. Before logging out, Chen Huaian gave all his Thunderfire Talismans to Li Qingran for self-defense. Her goal was Lingxi Valley. Looking at the map In Tianquan City, every cultivator from Lingxi Valley glowed green, indicating absolute friendliness. It was a safe choice. Unlike Yuling Sect, Zen Sect, and Solar Pavilion. Their cultivators were a mix of yellow and green, a clear warning sign. Aside from Lingxi Valley, the only other sect with fully green light indicators was Sword Pavilion. But Sword Pavilions recruitment was a single disciplewhich looked a little too pitiful. "Qingran is going to the sect. And I" "I need to go make money." Chen Huaian glanced at the time It was getting late. After changing clothes, he cooked a bowl of rice for Ba Ji, then opened the door Only to feel that something was outside. He looked down. Two packages. One labeled Thunderfire Talismans. The other labeled Qingrans Spiritual Tea. Chen Huaian fell into silence. Slowly, he typed out a question mark. So The main quest reward Thunderfire Talismans Were meant for him? But what the hell was he supposed to do with them?! If he stuck them on his door, wouldnt people think he was crazy?! He unwrapped the package. Inside, there were indeed ten Thunderfire Talismans, exquisitely crafted, with the scent of cinnabar still lingering. "No sincerity. Theyre all common-grade." Chen Huaian sighed. These were useless. More like decorations than actual combat tools. Still, he stuck one on his door and another on his window. With the Blackscale Sword hanging on the wall, the cheap hotel room instantly took on a mysterious and eerie vibe. "Not bad. Has a bit of that aesthetic." Even though he complained, he still liked the setup. Next, he opened the spiritual tea package. He had expected it to be loose tea leaves. But inside It was an actual cup of brewed tea. The lid and cup were vacuum-sealed. When he peeled off the seal and lifted the lid, The tea inside was still warm. "Holy sh*t!" "Are the devs literally living next door?!" In the past, Guan Yu once warmed his wine before beheading Hua Xiong. And now The game devs were literally serving warm tea with his quest rewards. For the perfect 1v1 VIP player experience, They had gone all out. Chen Huaian shrugged and took a sip. "Mmm~" The fragrance was the same as the protective charms and bracelets he had received before. His eyes fluttered shut in satisfaction. "So detailed. Just incredible." Even if this was just ordinary tea, it made him feel lighter and sharper. What he didnt realize Inside the game, a system notification was going crazy. Remaining Lifespan: 45 Days sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Remaining Lifespan: 84 Days Remaining Lifespan: 79 Days His lifespan value was bouncing up and down like a heart monitor. Until finally Remaining Lifespan: 78 Days. After finishing the spiritual tea, Chen Huaian casually placed the cup under his pillow. He took two steps forward Then suddenly froze, his expression shifting dramatically. He looked down at his legs. "Wait I can walk?!" He moved his legs, took a few more steps, then hesitated. Ripping off his plaster cast, he saw His legs were completely fine. Theres a sayingit takes a hundred days to heal from tendon or bone injuries. For a bone cancer patient like him, it wouldnt just be a hundred daysitd be a lifelong disability. Yet now The bones that had been fractured were not only fully healed, They even felt better than before. "Hiss! Somethings off" Chen Huaian stroked his chin, lost in thought. Whats causing this? Some kind of Spring Rejuvenation Needle technique? Or maybe a Meridian-Opening Acupuncture method? Could it be that his cancer cells activated some kind of hidden genetic potential? Did cancer just turn him into a super-healing vampire?! To test his theory, he grabbed a razor blade and made a small cut on his finger. A drop of blood welled up But within seconds, the wound had already scabbed over and begun to heal. Chen Huaian first froze in shock Then immediately broke into laughter, standing tall with hands on his hips. "Holy sh*t, am I turning into a superhuman?!" "Hahahahahaha! This lord is SUPERMAN!" Meanwhile A shoebox lid cracked open just a little. Inside, a pair of sharp feline eyes glowed ominously. The black cat, Baji, silently observed Chen Huaian. Hiss! Somethings off! Why is this bigshot so happy? Isnt this just basic Spiritual Qi circulation speeding up internal healing? He has an Immortal Artifact! He has a magic sword! How does he not know this kind of basic knowledge?! No. This beast must leave. There may be opportunities here, but theres also something deeply unsettling This king has just been reborn. I refuse to die here! YesBaji was no ordinary cat. It was actually a young Taotiea primordial beast that had taken over the body of a newborn black cat. As a Taotie, it only needed to consume to grow stronger. Originally, it had thought that following this powerful human would lead to great food. But in the end All it got was plain white rice every single day. And now, to make things worsethis bigshot seemed to be going insane. Danger. Extreme danger. If it didnt leave now, it would end up dead! Its gaze locked onto the door. As long as this crazy human stepped out The world was vast, and it could go anywhere. All it needed was to keep eating One day, it would become an unstoppable, world-dominating existence! Hehehe Just imagining it made Bajis mouth curl into a sinister grin. Chapter 56: Bro, You’re Insanely Good-Looking Chapter 56 C Bro, Youre Insanely Good-Looking Thirty minutes later. By now, Chen Huaian had already left the house. Standing by the window, Baji gazed at the setting sun with deep sorrow in its golden eyes. On the windowpane, a yellow talisman was firmly stuck in placeetched with unfathomable characters. Even though it couldnt read them, Baji knew exactly what they meant: If it dared to get close to the window, it would be struck by lightning. So in the end I still cant escape, huh Heh This king was too na?ve after all. Baji lowered its head in despair. A mighty being in possession of a damaged Immortal Artifact How could someone like that not be aware of its little escape plans? There was no way this prison would be so easy to flee from. As for all the bizarre things this human did? Baji had figured it out. He was comprehending the Dao. It was common for cultivators to suppress their own cultivation realms, even seal away their memories, all for the sake of experiencing mortal sufferingto attain enlightenment. Clearly, this human bigshot was doing just that. Forget it. White rice is still food. The world had changed greatly since its time, and rice nowadays tasted much better than it did back then. Though for some reason It never seemed to be filling. Baji crawled over to the bowl, took a few bites And then, all of a sudden A single tear rolled from its golden cat eyes. This rice DAMN IT, ITS UNDERCOOKED!!! Meanwhile, at the airport Chen Huaian scratched his chin as a thought suddenly popped into his mind. "I feel like I forgot something" "Oh, right. That rice I think I half-cooked it" A brief moment of guilt flickered through his heart. But then he rememberedBaji was looking healthier than ever, meaning he wasnt neglecting it too badly. Baji was a rural cat, after all. Back in his grandparents countryside home, their cats ate whatever the family ate They werent like spoiled city cats that needed expensive cat food or had sensitive stomachs. The guilt quickly vanished, replaced by pride. Not bad. Bajis tough. Easy to take care of. Today was his first time flying, so he was feeling a bit excited. Last time he went to Mount Tais, he took the high-speed trainbecause he was broke. Originally, he had planned to take a train to the shows filming location too. But after wandering around Tianquan City with Li Qingran for too long, He almost missed his departure time. So in the end, he splurged a little and booked a flight. As he walked through the airport terminal, dragging his suitcase along, A strange sensation crept over him. "Weird. Why do I feel like so many people are staring at me today?" At first, he thought it was just his imagination. But as he continued toward the check-in counter, he started to notice the glances more clearly. The stares mostly came from women But there were also quite a few men, though their expressions were a mix of displeasure and jealousy. Every time he turned his gaze toward them, their eyes quickly darted away. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Something wasnt right. "I need to check the mirror. Maybe theres something weird on my face?" He hurried into the restroom. The moment he disappeared behind the bathroom door A wave of fiery gazes immediately locked onto the restroom entrance. "HOLY SH*T. A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME LEVEL OF HANDSOME." "AAAAHHH! I GOT A PHOTO! LOOK AT THAT SIDE PROFILE! PERFECTION!" "OMGGG, WHO HAS THE GUTS TO GO ASK FOR HIS CONTACT?!" "Forget it, Id probably faint just standing in front of him. This dude is way hotter than that trending idol, Cai Yifan!" "Is he a celebrity? I dont recognize him" Chatter exploded through the terminal, buzzing like a swarm of green-headed flies. Nearby, a group of men clenched their jaws, grinding their teeth in frustration. Some young women even began lingering near the restroom, using various objects as cover, preparing to snap pictures. The older ladies were more restrained, telling themselves "Just one more look. One last look. Thats enough to make my whole day." Inside the restroom, Chen Huaian stared at his reflection in the mirror. "Weird. Theres nothing on my face" He leaned closer, examining himself from every angle. Nothing seemed off. If anything His skin looked better. His entire aura seemed to have changed subtly. How to describe it? Otherworldly? That word suddenly popped into his mind. If he donned an immortal robe, he wouldnt even need to posehed radiate an ethereal presence effortlessly. As he was still processing this revelation, A guy washing his hands nearby suddenly grumbled: "The hell you looking at? Narcissist." Then stormed out of the restroom. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian furrowed his brows. Then his expression relaxed. Then he slapped his thigh in realization: "Wait a minutehes right! I am being narcissistic!" Enlightenment struck. It was all because he had been immersed in the game for too long Always referring to himself as "this lord", acting like some kind of self-obsessed immortal. "Damn, Im an idiot. Time to board my flight." Slapping his cheeks to snap out of it, he strode out of the restroom with his head held high. Even when a few girls walked into signboards because they were too busy staring at him He ignored them all. On the plane. Once seated, the number of stares significantly decreased. Chen Huaian settled into his seat, ready to relax Until a flight attendant approached him with a warm, dazzling smile. "Sir, you seem to be having trouble. Let me help you with your seatbelt." Chen Huaian: "Oh, uh, I can do it myself" What the hell? What trouble? His leg injury was fake, and his hands worked fine! "Its no problem, sir. This is my duty." Once she buckled him in, another flight attendant walked over. "Sir, would you like some water? Or perhaps a drink~?" Chen Huaian: "Uh Im good, thanks" Then, the head stewardess approached. "Sir, do you get airsick? Let me share some tips for a comfortable flight." Chen Huaian: "I dont think I get airsick?" Sweat dripped down his forehead. Why was the service so damn enthusiastic?! Damn. No wonder people fly instead of taking the train. If this was how airlines treated all their passengers, Then 800 bucks for a plane ticket was beyond worth it. What he didnt notice The girl sitting beside him was already blushing to her ears, practically melting into her seat. She hesitated for a solid ten minutes, gathering her courage Before finally sneaking a glance at him. Ahhh! Hes so handsome! But he looks so cold This is fate! A fateful encounter in the skies! With her heart pounding, she nervously extended her phone toward him "Um can I add you on" This Lords Flying Sword is Faster Chen Huaian suddenly let out a disdainful chuckle. "Heh. So this is what people call an airplane?" "This lords flying sword is way faster!" The girl who had just worked up the courage to ask for his contact froze. Then, without saying a word She silently withdrew her phone. Back at his hotel After finishing the spiritual tea, Chen Huaian placed the cup under his pillow. He took two steps forward Then suddenly froze, his expression shifting dramatically. He looked down at his legs. "Wait I can walk?!" He moved his legs, took a few more steps, then hesitated. Ripping off his plaster cast, he saw His legs were completely fine. Theres a sayingit takes a hundred days to heal from tendon or bone injuries. For a bone cancer patient like him, it wouldnt just be a hundred daysitd be a lifelong disability. Yet now The bones that had been fractured were not only fully healed, They even felt better than before. "Hiss! Somethings off" Chen Huaian stroked his chin, lost in thought. Whats causing this? Some kind of Spring Rejuvenation Needle technique? Or maybe a Meridian-Opening Acupuncture method? Could it be that his cancer cells activated some kind of hidden genetic potential? Did cancer just turn him into a super-healing vampire?! To test his theory, he grabbed a razor blade and made a small cut on his finger. A drop of blood welled up But within seconds, the wound had already scabbed over and begun to heal. Chen Huaian first froze in shock Then immediately broke into laughter, standing tall with hands on his hips. "Holy sh*t, am I turning into a superhuman?!" "Hahahahahaha! This lord is SUPERMAN!" Meanwhile A shoebox lid cracked open just a little. Inside, a pair of sharp feline eyes glowed ominously. The black cat, Baji, silently observed Chen Huaian. Hiss! Somethings off! Why is this bigshot so happy? Isnt this just basic Spiritual Qi circulation speeding up internal healing? He has an Immortal Artifact! He has a magic sword! How does he not know this kind of basic knowledge?! No. This beast must leave. There may be opportunities here, but theres also something deeply unsettling This king has just been reborn. I refuse to die here! YesBaji was no ordinary cat. It was actually a young Taotiea primordial beast that had taken over the body of a newborn black cat. As a Taotie, it only needed to consume to grow stronger. Originally, it had thought that following this powerful human would lead to great food. But in the end All it got was plain white rice every single day. And now, to make things worsethis bigshot seemed to be going insane. Danger. Extreme danger. If it didnt leave now, it would end up dead! Its gaze locked onto the door. As long as this crazy human stepped out The world was vast, and it could go anywhere. All it needed was to keep eating One day, it would become an unstoppable, world-dominating existence! Hehehe Just imagining it made Bajis mouth curl into a sinister grin. Chapter 57: Get Out Chapter 57 C Get Out Tianquan City. The Dao Inquiry Platform was packed with a sea of people. Most of them werent locals but had come from various surrounding regions. Without exception, they were all mortals. Some among them were martial artists who had cultivated combat skills. However, no matter how strong a martial artist was, they remained just thata martial artist. Even those hailed as top experts or innate masters in the martial world had no choice but to bow before cultivators. If given the chance, they would fight tooth and nail for a place in an immortal sect. Unfortunately, immortal sects only valued spiritual roots and talent. No matter how high ones martial skills were, they meant nothing in the face of cultivation. A few disciples from the Chiyang Sect stood in the crowd, grumbling among themselves. "Sigh, more disciples have died this year than last" "Back then, the Dao Inquiry Conference was held once a year. Then it became once every six months, then once every three months, and now? Every single month! Even immortals will get exhausted at this rate." "Cant be helped. The competitions getting fiercer. Even the elders in the sect are stuck at bottlenecks, let alone us ordinary disciples." "Hope we get a few decent spiritual roots this time. Best if theyre triple or dual spiritual roots. A single spiritual root genius? Thats too much to ask for..." Suddenly, a voice rang out from the west side of the Dao Inquiry Platform. "Li Qingran, single water spiritual root!" The words sent shockwaves through the crowd. "A single spiritual root! Someone has a single spiritual root!" "Let me see!" "Find out everything about this disciple in half a stick of incense!" Li Qingran was momentarily stunned. The next second, she found herself surrounded by a throng of sect recruiters, completely blocking her in. "Young friend, join our Chiyang Sect! Our Sect Leader will personally take you in as a direct disciple!" "Chiyang Sect? Are you kidding? Shes a water spiritual root! She belongs in our Sushui Sectwe have the best water-attribute cultivation techniques!" "Why not consider the Tool Refining Sect?" "We, the Zen Sect actually, never mind, forget it." Li Qingran looked at the friendly, eager faces around her, feeling completely overwhelmed. Was a single water spiritual root really this sought after? Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back when Lu Changtian brought her into the sect, she never experienced such a frenzy. Outside the crowd, an elderly man in plain robes with a sword at his waist squinted in Li Qingrans direction. After ensuring no one was watching, he took out a jade slip and whispered into it: "Sect Leader! Weve got a big one! A single water spiritual root genius just appeared! Should we act?" After a brief silence, a hurried voice came from the jade slip: "Not yet! Im still dealing with something on my end. Its even more important. Just keep an eye on things!" The old man sighed, his wrinkled face scrunching up. A single spiritual root was a rare prodigy. In no time, other sects would snatch her away. But what was he supposed to dokill everyone here just to keep an eye on one girl? That would be no different from the ways of the demonic sects. "Forget it. If shes meant to stay, shell stay. If shes meant to leave, I cant stop it." Just as he muttered those words, a soft female voice rang out from the crowd. "Younger sister, I am Liu Shengyan, the welcoming elder of Lingxi Valley. "Your water spiritual root is most suited for medicine and alchemy cultivation. Why not join Lingxi Valley?" The crowd parted. A woman dressed in green robes emerged, flanked by several female cultivators. A sheer veil concealed her face, but as she walked, the scent of flowers filled the air, and lotus blossoms bloomed beneath her feet. "Its Lingxi Valley" "Well, thats that. Shes definitely joining them now." "What, you think you can compete with Lingxi Valley? You better pray you never need their help in the future." Hearing the murmurs, Li Qingrans heart soared with joy. Her goal was to join Lingxi Valley. And now, the opportunity had come knocking. Liu Shengyan stopped before Li Qingran. Beneath her veil, her enchanting eyes lingered on the girl for a few moments before she spoke in admiration. "Youre quite the beauty, and your figure is graceful too. Coupled with such outstanding talent You wouldnt want to waste yourself in another sect, letting those filthy men feast their eyes on you, would you? "Come to Lingxi Valley. Here, we sisters are family~" Li Qingran had heard that Lingxi Valley only accepted female cultivators. In rare cases, they did accept male disciplesbut only if they were willing to be castrated. She had previously thought that joining a sect of only women would save her a lot of trouble. Other sects would require her to interact with senior brothers and elders, but her heart was solely devoted to her master. She had no interest in dealing with complicated relationships. Since Lingxi Valley had extended an invitation, and she was more than willing, she bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Elder. I would be honored to join Lingxi Valley." Seeing how obedient Li Qingran was, Liu Shengyan was even more pleased. She turned to the female cultivators beside her. "Take this little sister to see the Young Mistress. Let her have a look. Ill stay here and see if any other promising seedlings turn up." "Yes, Elder." Li Qingran was led to the top floor of a luxurious restaurant. A sheer crimson curtain draped over the bed, revealing a tantalizing silhouette behind it. A single long, snow-white leg stretched out beneath the curtain, lazily swaying. The delicate toes, painted a soft crimson, looked like five tiny pearls dipped in rouge. The person behind the curtain clearly disliked noise. The female cultivators simply bowed in greeting and left without a word. This must be the Young Mistress of Lingxi Valley. Even though the other person was a woman, Li Qingran still felt slightly nervous. She lowered her head and quietly waited, not daring to speak out of turn. After a moment, the leg behind the curtain stopped moving. The seductive figure inside stretched lazily, like a cat waking from a nap, before a clear voice rang out. "A single water spiritual root? Not bad, not bad! Ive been waiting half a month for a genius to show up!" "You flatter me, Senior," Li Qingran quickly bowed. "No need to be so formal. Come closer, I want to ask you something." Li Qingran complied, stepping toward the curtain. A heavy floral fragrance enveloped her. She took a quick glance inside before immediately lowering her eyes. No peeking. The girl inside the curtain sniffed the air and withdrew her foot. She chuckled softly. "Youre quite the beauty. Even Im a little jealous. "Tell me, do you have a Dao companion?" Li Qingran hesitated for a moment. She wished she did. But unfortunately, her master likely didnt see her that way. She shook her head. "No." "Have you ever had one before?" "Never." "Good." The Young Mistress seemed satisfied with that answer. A pale foot lifted the curtain slightly, revealing a flawless chin and a pair of captivating peach blossom eyes. "Give me your hand." Li Qingran obediently extended her hand. Two slender fingers rested on her wrist, cool to the touch. After a long silence, the Young Mistress of Lingxi Valley withdrew her fingers, her expression unreadable. "Hmm Youve already cultivated an excellent internal technique, perfectly suited to your water spiritual root. Very good Do you have a master?" "I do." Li Qingran knew there was no use in lying. She wasnt good at deception anyway. "Man or woman?" The Young Mistresss voice sharpened slightly. "Man." The air in the room instantly turned frigid. Li Qingran stiffened, sensing the icy gaze behind the curtain. "Get out." With a flick of the Young Mistresss hand, the doors of the private suite slammed open. A forceful burst of energy rudely expelled Li Qingran from the room. Chapter 58: Hold It~ Chapter 58 C Hold It~ Li Qingran stumbled and fell outside the door. The female cultivators standing guard on either side quickly helped her up. She was completely bewildered. Why had the Lingxi Valley Young Mistress suddenly thrown her out after they had been conversing so well? Was it just because her master was a man? "Apologies, little sister. You did not pass our Young Mistresss test." One of the female cultivators gently straightened the folds in Li Qingrans robes, her face carrying an apologetic yet firm expression as she led her toward the exit. Li Qingran didnt want to lose this chance to enter Lingxi Valley. In her mind, Lingxi Valley was the sect most likely to have ancient pill recipes. It was also the best place for her to learn medical skillsskills that could help her master in the future. So she stopped walking, bowed, and asked, "May I know the reason?" The female cultivator hesitated, glancing quickly toward the private room now far behind them. Then she pulled Li Qingran into a secluded corner, ensuring no one was around before lowering her voice. "If you were of ordinary talent, I wouldnt tell you this. But with a single spiritual root, you are bound for great achievements, and I dont want you to resent our Young Mistress for this. She wasnt always like this "I cant tell you the full details, but you only need to know that Lingxi Valley now strictly forbids its disciples from taking Dao companions. And our Young Mistress she utterly despises men, especially male masters." Despises men? Li Qingran grew anxious. "But my master is a good person! Hes not like those bad menI can vouch for that! And he wouldnt even come to Lingxi Valley..." The female cultivator shook her head. "It doesnt matter. "Our Young Mistress struggled with this once. She tested ten thousand men, and they all failed. "She already had psychological scars from past experiences, and after those failures, her hatred for men became absolute. Lingxi Valley used to simply refuse male disciples. Now, men arent allowed within fifty miles of our sect. Even if a male cultivator is exceptionally talented, he can only join if he agrees to be castrated." Li Qingran stood there, dumbfounded, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Cant we make an exception? Or at least let me explain to her?" "No exceptions. You should leave." The female cultivator waved her off. "The Dao Inquiry Conference is ending soon. The sects will be taking their flying boats back. If you leave now, you might still join another good sect. "But Lingxi Valley we are not fated to be." She turned and left, not giving Li Qingran any room to negotiate. "This isnt fair!" When Chen Huaian left, Li Qingran had managed to hold back her tears. But now, when she was supposed to be joining Lingxi Valley, only to be inexplicably rejected, she nearly broke down. Apart from Lingxi Valley, what other sect specialized in medical and alchemy cultivation? What other sect would have a collection of ancient pill recipes? Her masters poisonhow could she cure it now? Li Qingran stood at the entrance of the restaurant, staring blankly toward the private room upstairs. She felt utterly useless. Her master had given her so many opportunities, but when it was her turn to help him, she couldnt even take the first step. "Well, well! If it isnt the single water spiritual root girl from earlier!" A voice rang out, neither fully masculine nor feminine, filled with surprise and greed. "Little sister, you didnt join Lingxi Valley?" Li Qingran turned toward the voice and saw a group of people approaching. Leading them was a pale-faced scholar. His features were even more delicate than a womans, his skin white as paper, his cheeks painted with rouge. A thin short sword and four porcelain bottles hung at his waist, and his perfume was so strong it could be smelled from half a street away. Every movement he made was exaggerated and artificial. The scholar gave her a once-over and smirked. "Hah! So that crazy woman really kicked you out! I never thought even a single spiritual root genius would be turned away!" He laughed so hard his face turned gray, and he had to bend over, taking a deep breath before grinning again. "Perfect, perfect! Little sister, why not join our Yin-Yang Sect? We are just as powerful as Lingxi Valleyonly our reputation is slightly worse But as cultivators, arent we all pursuing the Dao? As long as we dont practice demonic cultivation, whats wrong with being a little indulgent?" Li Qingrans expression grew cold. She had heard of the Yin-Yang Sect. It, along with the Hehuan Sect and the Extreme Bliss Zen Sect, was known as one of the Three Great Debauched Sects. That said, they were still considered righteous sects. Unlike demonic cultivators, who drained their partners essence, these sects focused on mutual cultivation. However, their practices were decadent, their lifestyles indulgent, and they were widely despised by the rest of the righteous path. She already had a master. There was no way she would ever join such a depraved sect. Even if she didnt have a master, their way of cultivation was completely different from her own path. "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior." Li Qingran bowed politely. "The Yin-Yang Sect is a fine sect, but I wish to find one more suited to my water spiritual root." "We have water-attribute techniques too! Yellow-rank, Profound-rankyou can pick whatever you like." "I already have a master. I must follow his orders. Please dont make things difficult for me." Li Qingran bowed again. "Hmph! Difficult?" The pale scholars face darkened. "Youre just refusing to give our Yin-Yang Sect any respect! "Master, you say? Fine, lets see this master of yours! Today, youre coming with us!" Li Qingran bit her lip. She couldnt summon her master here. She also didnt want to distract him from fighting that great demon. That demon was incredibly powerfulher master needed absolute focus. How could she let him worry about her now? But even without him, she wasnt helpless. She still had the talismans her master left her. She reached into her storage pouch and grasped a handful of Thunderfire Talismans. She hesitated. The pale scholar was at least at the Golden Core Stage. If she activated these talismans, she could blast him to dust. But then the Yin-Yang Sect would hunt her down. What would she do then? Would she just end up troubling her master again? Li Qingran, you idiot. You had such a good hand, and you played it like a fool! She cursed herself inwardly, her gaze locking onto the scholar approaching step by step. A cold glint flashed deep in her eyes. "Hold it." A light voice echoed from the sky. Boom! A massive swordhalf a meter wide and as tall as a rooftopslammed down between Li Qingran and the Yin-Yang Sect group. A gust of wind swept through the street. Perched on the massive sword was a leg, casually dangling over the hilt. A gourd tapped against the pommel, spilling two drops of wine. A woman in black robes and black pants sat lazily on the blade, her face covered with a black veil. She had one leg crossed over the other. The toe of her shoe had a hole in it, exposing half a toe. The wind lifted her veil slightly, carrying the strong scent of alcohol and garlic. Then, a languid voice spoke. "This little girl? Weve taken a liking to her. Hic!" "You lot, hic, now sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scram!" Chapter 59: We Are from Qingyun Sect Chapter 59 C We Are from Qingyun Sect "You dare to snatch someone from Yin-Yang Pavilion in broad daylight? Aren''t you being a little too arrogant?" The pale scholar sensed the aura of the black-clad woman before him, and his already deathly white face turned even darker. "Hic This old lady hic is stealing from you. So what!" The black-clad woman leaped off her sword, grabbed the hilt in reverse, and swung it in a wide arc. She was swaying unsteadily, unable to stand firm, yet the massive sword in her hands was lifted effortlessly like a mere toy. The Yin-Yang Pavilion disciples immediately took a few steps back, afraid of getting caught in the heavy swords wild sweep. "This woman is on par with me in strength, and a single water spiritual root is a top-tier dual cultivation match. It would be a shame to just let this go! I''ll hold her offyou go and get the Hall Master!" The pale scholar urgently commanded his guards before drawing the short sword from his waist and pointing it at the black-clad woman. "Hmph, we''re both at the Golden Core Stage. Today, Wei shall test your skills!" But before he could react, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed his sword. "Test what? You want to spar with this old man instead?" The pale scholar was shocked and turned to find a withered old man standing beside him. He hadn''t even noticed when the man had gotten so close. The old man had white, unkempt hair, half of his face covered by a mask, and when he grinned, a mouth full of crooked, rotten teeth was revealed. "Who the hell are you?!" "Heh heh, take a guess?" The old man had a sword gourd hanging from his waist, yet he didnt draw a sword. Instead, his gnarled fingers tightened around the scholars short sword. Under his immense grip, the blade slowly began to bend, making a creaking sound. A suffocating pressure locked the pale scholar in place, rendering him unable to move. His only hope now was that his men would bring the Hall Master quickly But then came the sound of bodies thudding to the ground. He turned and looked, his face instantly paling further. Three black-clad figures stood in the middle of the street, arranged from tallest to shortest. The one on the left was the tallest and thinnest, the middle one of average build, and the rightmost figure was short and plump. All three were dressed in black, with swords at their waists, and each carried a bulging sack on their backs, its contents unknown. Meanwhile, his subordinates were sprawled on the ground, their fates uncertain. "You You dare lay hands on the people of Yin-Yang Pavilion?" The pale scholar was furious. Yin-Yang Pavilion was no small sectwho would dare challenge them? And besides, this confrontation had been going on for a while now. Why hadnt the Tianquan City guards or other sects intervened yet? Had they all returned to their mountain gates? "Enough wasting time. Lets grab the last batch and retreat!" A voice called out from above. The pale scholar looked up to see a figure stepping out onto the rooftop of a nearby building. Clad in all black, with a black sword and a black hood, the figure had a striking contrasta long, flowing white beard. More importantly, his waist was adorned with a variety of weapons. The pale scholars pupils shrank. Among themhe saw his Hall Master''s personal saber! When had they raided his sect? The pale scholar''s arrogance instantly crumbled. His expression twisted into a smile uglier than crying. "Seniors, I I failed to recognize greatness when I saw it. The single water spiritual root disciple is yours. I will take my leave nowright now" "Drop all your artifacts, spirit stones, and storage pouches on the ground!" The old man in front of him grinned wider, his wrinkled face scrunching up like a blooming chrysanthemum. The pale scholar had no choice but to obediently hand over all his possessions. "The jade on your neck, too." "" "And your robes." "Enough, Elder Li," the black-clad woman resting on her giant sword finally spoke up, unable to watch any longer. "But his robes are quite nice," the old man muttered, running his hands over the fabric with fascination. The pale scholar was on the verge of tears. "S-Seniors May I leave now?" "Heh heh, go on." The old man casually pocketed the short sword and released his grip. The pale scholar bolted without hesitation. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Take your men with you!" the old man shouted after him. Without looking back, the pale scholar scrambled to grab his fallen subordinates and flew away in a panic. Yin-Yang Pavilion was gone. The five black-clad figures all turned their gazes toward Li Qingran. She instinctively took a half-step back, lowering her head in fear before quickly bowing. "Junior thanks the esteemed seniors for your assistance." Although these five seemed even more dangerous than the Yin-Yang Pavilion members For some reason, they didnt feel particularly threatening. "Little one, your talent is excellent. Would you like to join our sect?" The eccentric old man beamed at her with an oddly kind and gentle expression. "Junior wishes to join Lingxi Valley," Li Qingran shook her head hesitantly. "Seniors sect is surely great, but I wish to become a healer." "You can still be a healer in our sect," the black-clad woman leaning on her sword muttered, hiccupping from her drunken state. "I" Li Qingran wanted to refuse again. But at that moment, a voice rang out from the rooftop. "Sigh, you guys are doing this all wrong!" The figure on the rooftop pulled off his hood. Under Li Qingran''s stunned gaze, he spoke in a loud, clear voice: "We are from Qingyun Sect!" The other four followed suit, removing their disguises. The female cultivator removed her veil, revealing long, waist-length black hair and a stunning, intoxicatingly beautiful face. Her cheeks were flushed red, her eyes hazy with intoxication, yet her smile was charming, and her words were sharp and to the point. "Little sister, as you can see, we just looted a bunch of other sects." The old man added, "And now, you know our identities." From the rooftop, Su Qinian, the Sword Pavilion Master, grinned maliciously as he declared: "So, you have no choice but to come with us! Otherwise, well have to silence you! Keh keh keh!" Li Qingran: "" Did they really think she didnt know they were from Qingyun Sect? She had already noticed the emblem on the rooftop mans waistSword Pavilion. Sword Pavilion Sword Sect? She hesitated, her mind making some odd connections. Before she could react, the world spun, and in the next moment, she found herself standing on a flying sword. The drunken female cultivator had taken her. The other four also stepped onto their own swords, grinning like a bunch of bandits after a heist. "Junior Sister, if youre scared, you can hold onto Senior Sisters waist~" The woman turned back with a seductive smile. Then, the flying sword launched skyward. Li Qingran squinted against the rushing wind, instinctively wrapping her arms around the womans waist. At that moment, she suddenly lost the will to resist. Because these people Were just like her master. Flying swords, but no wind-shielding formations. Chapter 60: I Really Am a Superhuman Chapter 60 C I Really Am a Superhuman Tianquan City, Ascension Tower. Yun Suxin, the Young Mistress of Lingxi Valley, slowly regained consciousness from her deep sleep. Around her, cultivators from various sects and city guards lay sprawled in disorder, still unconscious. She rubbed her throbbing temples and instinctively reached for her waist. "...Where''s my storage pouch?" Not only was her storage pouch gone, but so were her artifacts and even her jewelry! Many of the other cultivators had yet to wake up. They had all been waiting here for their sects'' flying boats, only to be drugged and stripped of their possessions instead. "This is Soul-Scattering Incense!?" Yun Suxin spotted a burnt-out incense burner in the corner. Soul-Scattering Incense was a non-toxic, colorless, and odorless sedative, typically used to calm spirit beasts. Whoever did this was thankfully not out for blood. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable. However, this location was only known to reputable sects, and everyone here had undergone strict identity checks. Which meantthere was a traitor! But who? "It was Qingyun Sect!" A furious voice rang out. Someone pointed at the large character "Qing" on the halls wall, along with a taunting ghostly face drawn beside it. "Unbelievable! We had no grudges with Qingyun Sect, yet they came all this way just to rob us?" "Qingyun Sect is already wealthy beyond measure. They mustve done this just to humiliate us!" "In the Zhongzhou Secret Realm, we must make their disciples pay!" As the hall erupted into outraged discussions, Yun Suxin pinched the burnt incense ash between her fingers and rolled her eyes. If this had really been Qingyun Sect, she would eat this incense ash. She looked around. The only ones missingwere the people from Sword Pavilion. Thinking about their perpetual poverty, Yun Suxin immediately understood. Hah. So, Sword Pavilion dared to rob Lingxi Valley? Fine. Just wait and see! "Brother, you look absolutely legendary!" Chen Huaians mouth twitched as he sat in the production crews shuttle. For the third time, the driver had repeated this exact phrase. First when they met. Second when he got in the car. And now, again. "To be honest, bro, Ive driven for this show for years. I''ve seen at least a thousand celebrities, if not more," the driver said earnestly, one hand on the wheel, the other giving Chen Huaian a thumbs-up. "But I''ve never seen someone as insanely good-looking as you. And thats saying something, even with you being bald! I cant even imagine how stunning youd be with hair! No joke, you make that celebrity, Cai Yifanwho''s on this seasonlook like a joke, and hes had work done!" "I think Im just average," Chen Huaian replied, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Not a chance!" The driver shook his head. "You know what it is? Aura. Looks aside, your aura alone crushes all those male celebrities. Its got this I dont know enlightened monk kinda purity! You should play Tang Sanzangyoud be an instant hit!" Chen Huaian chuckled. "If thats the case, wont I steal the spotlight from the celebrities?" At this, the drivers face fell. He slapped the steering wheel. "You know what? Be careful of that Cai Yifan guy. Hes a big deal, not someone to mess with. The show is basically set up to promote him. If you run into him, keep a low profile. Were just regular folksno need to butt heads with celebrities." Chen Huaian took note. But really, what kind of conflict could he, a terminal cancer patient, possibly have with a celebrity? On the other hand would that celebrity even dare mess with him? After being dubbed "The Top Version T0 Creepy Old Man" and "The Little Celestial" in past incidents, wasnt he essentially the hidden boss of reality itself? If that celebrity actually tried to stir trouble with him Well. Hed let him experience firsthand the phrase: "I really messed up." "Oh my god! Cai Yifan is finally here!" "Good evening, Fan-ge!" "Fan-ge, youre getting more and more handsome! Your career is totally skyrocketing!" At the foot of Tianmen Mountain, the production team of "Daring Adventure with Celebs" had gathered. A striking young man, dressed in tailored designer wear and adorned with an expensive brooch, stepped into the spotlight. Cai Yifan. A current trending "fresh meat" celebrity. He wasnt quite at the level of true A-listers yet, but he was rising fast, with a bright future ahead. He hadnt joined the show because he particularly liked it. His company had arranged it, saying it would help improve his public image and attract more casual fanslaying the groundwork for the lead role he had secured in an upcoming movie. The problem? Cai Yifan had zero acting skills and would require dubbing. If he didnt build up goodwill now, the movie would get torn apart by critics before it even premiered. From his own perspective, he despised being here. First, he hated hikingit was exhausting and made him sweat. Second, the show was live-streamed. That meant he had to suppress his real behaviorno cursing, no smoking, no picking his nose. The program started at 9 PM sharp. He was supposed to arrive by 7 PM to prepare. He showed up at 8:40 PM instead. All the other guestsincluding a washed-up celebrity and three minor influencershad obediently arrived early. Theyd even filmed some behind-the-scenes clips in advance. On a show like this, BTS clips were essential. Even though it was a live broadcast, the footage would later be edited into a pseudo-documentary for replays. After all, not every working-class viewer could sit down at 7 PM sharp to watch TV. "Oh, finally, Xiao Fan, youre here," the director, Zhang Dao, greeted him, barely hiding his frustration. He was pissed but didnt dare say anything harsh. "Go get ready. Well shoot some filler clips in the meantime." Cai Yifan gave him a bored look and rolled his eyes. "Make sure the camera angles are perfect. Capture my best angles. I need to approve the footage before you upload anything. If it doesnt make me look good, its not going up." "Of course, of course," Zhang Dao forced a smile, mentally cursing Cai Yifans entire bloodline. Cai Yifan went to change and get his makeup done. Even though they were about to hike up Tianmen Mountain at night, makeup was mandatory. Had to cover up those dark circles. The cameraman was dumbfounded. So this entire BTS clip would just be Cai Yifan changing clothes and getting his makeup done? All the other guests had introduced themselves, demonstrated their outdoor survival gear, and discussed potential hiking challenges and secret weapons. And Cai Yifans contribution? Striking a few pretentious poses. Was this a hiking show or a fashion runway?! At 8:50 PM, everyone was in position, ready to start filming. Then, a staff member ran up to Zhang Dao, whispering nervously. "Director Zhang One more guest hasnt arrived yet." "Who?" Zhang Daos eyes narrowed, barely restraining his temper. "The mystery guest you arranged." "Oh, right. The mystery guest." Zhang Dao had been so infuriated by Cai Yifan that he had completely forgotten. "Find out where they are!" "We did. The driver said they ran out of battery." "WHAT?! F***! Cant anything go smoothly? Ask them for their exact location and send a car immediately!" Zhang Daos face darkened. He grabbed his head in frustration but still announced the shows start. A five-minute delay was no big deal for them. For the TV station, however, it would be a broadcast disaster. At that moment, on a deserted hiking route, Chen Huaians car had stalled. "Were still a ways from the meeting point," the driver sighed. "Damn electric cars, not as reliable as gas ones. Battery drains way too fast in cold weather." Chen Huaian glanced at the time. The show started at 9 PM sharp. He was always punctual. He looked up at the steep rock face, testing it with his foot. Solid. Stable. If he climbed directly, hed be there in no time. "Guess Ill go up myself," he said. "What?" By the time the driver turned aroundChen Huaian was gone. The night was dark. The wind howled over Tianmen Mountain. A shadow soared up the vertical cliff face like a phantom. Chen Huaian grinned under the moonlight. "Tonight I feel unstoppable!" Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 61: Who Could Be More Handsome Than Our Brother? Chapter 61 C Who Could Be More Handsome Than Our Brother? "Hei, everyone! What''s up? Born in 2006, dreaming of being a rap leader, so pretty, so G-G! Every day, its all about style! A boy who loves to rap, creativity is his ace, he can rap anytime, anywhere, the world is his stage! Your attention is my fuelhello, everyone! I am your dearest Chenchen baby, SongZiChen!" "One plus one is cutie, two plus two is cutie, three plus three is also cutie! Hello, everyone! I am your little cutie, Wang Yitao~" "Hello, everyone! Im rookie actress Su Xingchen. Ive only acted in a short drama so far, but Ill keep working hard!" Finally, after two complete disasters, a somewhat normal introduction came from a sweet-faced young woman. She had a pure and innocent look, her big eyes still carrying the na?ve foolishness of a fresh college graduate. After speaking, she even playfully waved a little fist. Director Zhang nodded in approval. This young actress had a good image and decent presenceworth giving more screen time. "Hello, everyone! I am your familiar Wang Lulu! My dear Lu Baos, good evening! My new album releases next weekmake sure to listen~" Wang Lulu was a washed-up singer, a mother of two. She had joined the show hoping to regain some popularity. Finally, it was Cai Yifans turn. "Yo, everyone! Im Xiao Fan." With just one sentence, the previously calm chat exploded. Ahhhhh! Fan-ge is so handsome! Yi Fan Yi Fan, forever outstanding! Why waste time on others? Just focus on my brother! Does the production team not understand who the biggest star is? OMG, Fan-baos schedule is packed, and he still came for an outdoor show? So exhausting! Mommy feels heartbroken~ Seeing the barrage of comments, Director Zhang felt slightly better. Cai Yifan was insufferable, but he was undeniably good-looking and had real popularity. Spending three million to bring him onto the show had been worth it. "You know, Im super handsome. I play basketballsuper handsome. I hikealso super handsome." Cai Yifan barely said anything. Instead, he struck over ten different poses. And yet, the chat became even wilder. The flood of comments blurred into an unreadable mess. When Cai Yifan finished, the director, realizing the mystery guest still hadnt arrived, quickly signaled him to stall for time. Cai Yifan saw the director''s expectant look and scoffed inwardly. He, the biggest celebrity here, had already arrivedso why should he wait for some no-name mystery guest? And why should he even help cover for them? He smirked and said deliberately, "I heard theres a mystery guest tonight? Someone about my age, right? I wonder if they can be as handsome as me? But if were all waiting here for them, they must be suuuuuper amazing~" Director Zhangs face turned green. This idiot! Instead of changing the subject, hes making things worse! Sure enough, the chat went into another frenzy. Of course, my brother is the handsomest! Mystery guest? Not worthy of making my Fan-ge wait! How is the production team allowing a late guest? Kick them out! Omg, such a diva! So arrogant! "Ahaha, well, if were talking about looks, Fan-ge is obviously the most handsome," Su Xingchen jumped in, trying to salvage the situation. "But since theyre a mystery guest, they should make a grand entrance and keep the audience excited, right?" She thought this would spark discussion about the mystery guests identitysomething to buy time. But no one responded. She was left awkwardly hanging in silence. Even Cai Yifan, whom she had just complimented, acted as if he hadnt heard her, offering not even a glance. Su Xingchen pursed her lips. Her face turned scarlet, her ears burning. Neither stepping forward nor retreating felt rightit was like being covered in crawling ants. At that moment "Excuse me, is this the ''Daring Adventure'' production team?" A clear yet oddly stupid-sounding voice echoed from the cliffside behind them. Everyone turned. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cameraman immediately swung his camera toward the new arrival. Under the spotlight, a gleaming bald head entered their view. The light reflected off his shiny scalp, nearly blinding them. A young man stood at the edge of the cliff, leaning slightly on a cane, his face lit with a gentle smile. The wind ruffled the collar of his hiking jacket, casting a shadow on one side of his face. The exposed side seemed to glow with a divine radiance, giving the illusion of an enlightened monk. The shadowed side, however, carried an unsettling charmlike a bottomless abyss, luring people in. The illusions faded in an instant, leaving behind only one thought in everyone''s minds: "Handsome." Too damn handsome. How could a man look this good?! Director Zhang stared at Chen Huaian. His mind wasnt focused on how Chen Huaian had even climbed up a cliff. Nor on why he had appeared there in the first place. His only thought was: "This is it. This is my golden opportunity to rise from a small-time director to a major one." He had to hold onto this man. This was the future of top-tier viral content. Cai Yifan? He was nothing. "Sorry, Director. I cut it too close," Chen Huaian said, glancing at his watch. He had tried his best but still only arrived at exactly 9 PM. That probably caused the crew some trouble, right? That was not acceptable. Director Zhang didnt care at all. Instead, he hurried forward in three large strides, grabbing Chen Huaians hands with an eager smile. "Its fine, its fine! Chen Huaian, right? No problem at allits great that youre here!" Then, as if he had just realized something, his expression turned deadly serious. He gave a solemn nod and said in a low, reverent voice: "Chen Huaian You, my friend are unbelievably, impossibly, ridiculously good-looking." Chapter 62: What Are You Trying to Do? Chapter 62 C What Are You Trying to Do? Everyone was utterly mesmerized by Chen Huaians "beauty." Several makeup artists in the crew stared blankly at him, their professional instincts kicking in. They worked with celebrities daily and knew better than anyone how much "adjustments" went into those facesplastic surgery, contouring, strategic lighting. Many stars looked like entirely different people before makeup. But this guy? Flawless. Rosy lips, white teeth, and though his complexion was a bit pale, it only added to a natural, serene, Zen-like aura. The most shocking part? He wasnt even wearing makeup. A pure, naturally perfect face. And he was bald. If he had hair, how godly would he look?! "...Am I really that handsome?" Even Chen Huaian, slow as he could sometimes be, felt something was off. He had always considered himself "moderately handsome." Sure, he had a noticeable edge over regular people, but if he were truly drop-dead gorgeous, wouldnt he have had a girlfriend by now? But now, with the program director personally confirming it, things were different. People in the industry were practically half-scoutsthey had a keen sense for good-looking, camera-ready faces. If they said he was handsome then he really was. "...Could my ''potential activation'' have improved my looks?" Chen Huaian fell into deep thought. Maybe vampires were just people who had mastered cancer cell mutations? That would explain why they were all ridiculously good-looking. Too bad vampires didnt exist. Otherwise, hed definitely go and exchange notes on "cancer cell management." Who knewmaybe then he wouldnt have to die. "Perfectly handsome. Absolute god-tier visuals," Director Zhang said as he turned the live chat toward Chen Huaian. The chat, which moments ago had been singing praises for Cai Yifan, had completely flipped. AHHHHHHH!!! The mystery guest is TOO HANDSOME!! Oh my god, Im a sinner, but he really is hotter than Fan-ge! Im sorry, baby! Mommy shouldnt have been mad at you for being latetake as long as you want next time~ Does anyone know his name?! Is he a celebrity?! How come I dont recognize him?! Wait he looks kinda familiar Chen Huaian took it all in and finally accepted reality. "Looks like I really am that handsome." This time, it was a statement, not a question. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Director Zhangs eyes glowed like he had struck gold. "Alright, now that our mystery guest is here, lets continue Xiao Chen, why dont you introduce yourself?" Cai Yifan had been watching quietly all this time. And he could feel ithe was no longer the center of attention. Him! Cai Yifan! The star of the show! Now pushed to the sidelines? Unacceptable. He noticed Chen Huaians braced right leg and the cane tucked under his arm. Without thinking, he blurted out: "Director Zhang, my schedule is packedI barely get two hours of sleep a night. I had to squeeze out time to come here." "And were night hiking, right?" "If we bring a disabled guy along, wont we be hiking until tomorrow afternoon?" "I dont mean to look down on disabled people, but shouldnt someone in his condition be resting at home instead of slowing down a variety show?" The moment he finished speaking, he felt sure of how the chat would react. Theyd feel sorry for himpitying his exhausting schedule. Then, theyd slam the production team for forcing a cheap publicity stunt. No matter how handsome this guy was, what did it matter? Cai Yifans fanbase was unbeatable. Except, thats not what happened. Silence. Every single person looked at Cai Yifan in shock and outrage. Even the live chat froze for a moment. Only Chen Huaian remained calm. He even looked at Cai Yifan with the kindly patience of an elderly monk. Then, he smiled gently. "Youre absolutely right, brother." "A disabled guy like me would only hold everyone back." "But I didnt want to miss this opportunity." "Because this might be my only chance to reach the top of Tianmen Mountain in this lifetime." He turned to face the camera. He bowed slightly. Then, he flashed an effortless, carefree smile. "My name is Chen Huaian. A late-stage bone cancer patient, with my life in its final countdown. I hope that in these dying embers of my existence, I can still burn brightly. To those watchingthank you for sharing this moment with me. Bearing witness to my journey. I am on my way." Dead. Silence. The only sound was the wind rushing through the mountain pass. Then Sniffles. A few makeup artists wiped away tears. Su Xingchens eyes were red. She looked at Chen Huaian with pure maternal tenderness. Cai Yifan? His mouth hung open. A cold sweat ran down his back. "Bro what are you trying to do?!" Meanwhile, in Cai Yifans DMs: Agent: Xiao Fan, are you trying to kill yourself?! Youre DONE FOR! Your competitors are ALL roasting you alive! Theyre saying you mock disabled and terminally ill people! DO YOU EVEN HAVE BASIC HUMAN COMPASSION?! What were you THINKING saying those words just now?! The public persona we built for youyou destroyed it in one sentence. Agent: Find an opportunity to apologize to Chen Huaian. And it has to be sincere. The first few messages, Cai Yifan could barely tolerate. But the last line? His blood boiled. "Apologize?!" To a nobody?! He was the future megastar. Soon, A-list actors would share the screen with him. Even at his company, third-tier actors called him senior, and top celebrities gave him face. And nowhis agent wanted him to bow his head to a cripple?! He furiously slammed his response: Why the hell should I?! Hes just a regular person! And Im a future superstar! I dont care what they sayI wont apologize to some cripple! He hit send. Then, he shut off his phone. He didnt check the live chat. He already knew his fanbase would have his back. They could twist white into black, flip haters into fansif he played the victim, theyd instantly attack Chen Huaians page. But As they continued hiking Cai Yifan noticed something strange. Despite the physical exertion, despite the two female guests and two other young male celebs starting to sweat Chen Huaian looked completely fine. No sweat. No labored breathing. Apart from his slightly limping gait, he didnt seem like a disabled person at all. A suspicion formed in his mind. "...Is this guy faking it?" Was this all an act? Some productions did pull stunts like thishiring people with special conditions for publicity. But someone this handsome? That would be hard to come by. If Chen Huaian was actually just a normal person acting pitiful Then he, Cai Yifan, could expose the fraud. Not only redeeming himself but also teaching this show a lesson. Andmost importantlyshutting down this scene-stealing nobody. His gaze darkened. Time to set a trap. Chapter 63: I’ll Expose You! Chapter 63 C Ill Expose You! "An-ge, is there really no cure for your cancer?" "No cure." "Not even with money?" "Still no cure." "I''m sorry." Su Xingchen lowered her head apologetically. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Its fine, haha~" Su Xingchen felt immense sympathy for Chen Huaian. But looking at the calm confidence on his face, she realized she had no right to pity him. This was a man radiating light and warmth. He didnt need pity. His life was far more brilliant than most. Maybe this was what people meant by "heaven is jealous of talent." The gods gave him peerless beauty, only to take away his lifespan. What should have been a tragedy was instead turned into an inspirational comedy by his own unwavering optimism. Their conversation was all captured on the live broadcast. By now, the chat was completely devoid of Cai Yifans fans. Every comment was purely emotional. Im crying this guy is too strong An-ge, well all be here to witness your journey! I was just cursing him for being late I feel so guilty now This show just became a must-watch. Director Zhang clicked his tongue. People were so fake. Online audiences were even more hypocriticalmagnified to absurd degrees. Just moments ago, they had been yelling for Chen Huaian to be kicked out. Now? "Tears, tears, tears!" But what nobody knew Despite his calm exterior, Chen Huaian was suffering. He wanted to check his phone so badly. Was Li Qingran safely in Lingxi Valley by now? Was she being bullied as a new disciple? Unfortunately, he couldnt play his game until the show was done. Even glancing at his phone had to be done in secret, when the cameras werent on him. But could the damn cameraman stop filming him all the time?! Chen Huaian felt like he was going to break. Meanwhile, Cai Yifan was plotting. "Ah! Suddenly, I feel super energized! Can I lead the group?" With an exaggerated bounce, he hopped to the front and asked the guide. "You want to lead?" The guide, a retired mountaineer, glanced at Cai Yifans thin arms and legs. He sighed inwardly. "This is not a tourist route," the guide explained patiently. "Its night, and if something unexpected happenslike encountering wild animalsyou need to make the right call immediately. Otherwise, youll provoke them. Are you sure youre up for it?" Wild animals? In 2034? Cai Yifan almost laughed. Even if there were wild animals, would they dare attack such a large group of people? This guide was just worried about his paycheck. If he lost control of the group, his salary might get docked. Typical blue-collar worker behavior. Cai Yifan sneered internally. No matter how hard they worked, theyd never compare to someone like hima top-tier idol. "Relax, Uncle! I trained in Shaolin as a kid! Still got ͯ (virgins urine), havent lost my powers yet!" "Im super strong! Even if we see a bear, Ill knock it out!" To "prove" himself, Cai Yifan flexed his "muscles." Yes, he had gone to Shaolin. But he left after less than a month. Back then, he thought the experience was worthless. After he became famous, however, his agency repackaged it into: "Shaolin-trained, pure-hearted.""Martial arts background, strong physique.""Disciplined, resilient, hardworking." To sell the image, his company even trained him for a month in stage-fighting. Didnt matter if it looked **weak**as long as it looked good. His brain-dead fans wouldnt know the difference. Sometimes, even he himself started to believe he was some kind of martial arts master. Thats why every time he led a team in online games, hed always tell the support: "Relax, Im strong. Just follow my lead." Then, five minutes laterdead. But still, he felt great about himself. Cai Yifan: The Eternal Feeder. The guide didnt want to argue. Instead, he gave Director Zhang a questioning look. The director paid him. If the director approved, hed step aside. Director Zhang frowned. What was Cai Yifan up to now? At worst, he was probably just trying to fix his image. Since Cai Yifans agency had a deal with Pineapple TV, Zhang reluctantly decided to let him have this one chance. "Let him." The guide nodded and moved to the back. This was actually the second most important position. Predators, like wolves, often follow large groups from behind, waiting for an opening. But clearly, no one in the production team considered this possibility. Meanwhile, the live chat was split into factions. Fan-ge leading the team? So brave! (But not as handsome as Bald-ge~) Fan-ge and Huaian-ge together? Best ship ever! Huaian-ge is the handsomest! Smelly Fan-fans, stay away! Hey! I love both Fan-ge AND Huaian-ge! Cant I support both?! Exactly! Huaian-ge, we love you too~ Chen Huaian had no idea that his fanbase was growing at lightning speed. Nor that his new fans were already fighting with Cai Yifans. The weird thing? The fighting was incredibly weak. Cai Yifans fans hesitated. Because deep down, even they werent sure they wanted to fight back. After all This bald guy was just too damn handsome. He looked like he had divine blessings stacked on top of divine blessings. There was nothing to criticize. Even trying to insult him felt wrong. Every time they looked at his face, their aggression melted away. All they wanted to do was watch. Just watch. Peacefully. Like monks in meditation. Cai Yifan took full advantage of his leader role. "Keep pushing forward, everyone!" he called out, arms spread wide. "At this pace, how long will it take to reach the top?" "Dont you all want to see the first sunrise from Tianmen Mountain?" "One, two, threecharge!" He sped up. The cameraman, desperate not to lose him, ran after him. The other celebrities, afraid of losing screen time, forced themselves to keep up. Su Xingchen almost followed toobut then she glanced at Chen Huaians cane. Her heart softened. "An-ge, are you okay? Do you need help?" "Im fine," Chen Huaian smiled. "Im used to my cane by now. Honestly, I might be faster than you." Because He was a superhuman. Did he need help? Absolutely not. He picked up his pace. His right leg felt incredibly strong tonightlike it had unlimited energy. Su Xingchen watched in shock as he overtook her. Was this the speed of a disabled man? She felt a brief suspicionbut it quickly turned into self-reproach. "Hes probably just forcing himself for our sake He must be in pain!" "Im crying, QAQ!" Up ahead, Cai Yifans eyes glinted. "Hes taking the bait." "Just as I expected," he thought. "If hes faking his condition people will notice." And Ill expose him. Meanwhile, above them, hidden in the trees A middle-school-aged girl sat lazily on a branch, a backpack hooked on her shoe. The wind rustled the leaves. She sniffed the air Her eyes flashed cold. "Sh*t. Somethings coming." Chapter 64: A Tap on the Shoulder Chapter 64 C A Tap on the Shoulder "Fan-ge, slow down a bit!" "Yeah, Fan-ge, you trained when you were a kid, but we didnt!" Song Zichen and Wang Yitao were even weaker than Cai Yifan. At first, they could barely keep up. Later, they fell behindeven lagging behind Chen Huaian and the two female guests. But they didnt want to miss screen time, so they forced themselves to run until they were completely out of breath. Meanwhile, Cai Yifan was struggling too. His face was pale, his forehead dripping with sweat. He was exhaustedbut for the sake of exposing Chen Huaian, he pushed on. Seeing that the moment was ripe, he finally stopped to catch his breath. Then, pointing at Song Zichen and Wang Yitao, he mocked them. "You two grown mencan you even keep up?!" "Look at Chen Huaian. Hes disabled, yet hes climbing better than both of you." "And hes not even sweating." At first glance, this sounded like praise. But in reality, he was calling attention to something unnatural. And everyone noticed. Song Zichen and Wang Yitao stared at Chen Huaian. It was true. They had been climbing for over half an hour. Everyone was panting and sweating. Even the professional mountaineer guide was perspiring. But Chen Huaian? Not a single drop of sweat. His breathing was steady. He was completely unaffected. The realization spread through the group. They exchanged glances. Something wasnt right. Only Su Xingchen remained clueless, instead smiling brightly. "Huaian-ge, your endurance is amazing! Such willpower!" Director Zhang, meanwhile, had seen Chen Huaians medical reports. He knew Chen Huaians cancer was real. His condition had even worsened to late stage. As for whether there was any hope of a curehe didnt know. He only knew that Chen Huaians illness was severe. But even he was surprised at how effortlessly Chen Huaian was keeping up. As a director, his job wasnt to investigate the truth. It was to keep the show running. So, with expert timing, he suddenly interrupted. "Shh" He put on his most serious face and whispered, "Do you hear that?" The cameraman zoomed in. Everyones attention immediately shifted. Director Zhang deepened his voice. "Its a wolf howl." Wolf howl?! The two female guests immediately tensed. It made sensethis was the mountains. Wolves were a real possibility. Even though Tianmen Mountain had been developed into a tourist attraction, its wild nature still existed beneath the surface. If they had taken the main tourist route, encountering a wolf would be extremely unlikely. But they were on a side path. And it was nighttime. The staff knew Director Zhang was just diverting attention. They held back their laughter. Truly, a seasoned directorquick on his feet. Besides, even if a wolf showed up, they had nothing to fear. They had so many people. And if things really went south They could just pile into the backup van and drive away. A wolf couldnt outrun a van. "I didnt hear any wolves." Cai Yifan wasnt letting go of this. He smirked and said, "But hey, even if theres a wolf, whats there to fear?" "Im here, after all! Ive trained before! And worst case, we have Huaian-gehes probably some hidden expert!" Director Zhang laughed. "You?" He chuckled darkly, then added in a low, chilling voice: "Im not talking about normal wolves." His voice grew ominous. "Im talking about Tianmen Mountains ''Shoulder-Tapping Wolf.''" The Shoulder-Tapping Wolf. An infamous legend. According to myth, these wolves were exceptionally cunning. They only hunted at night. They would silently sneak behind their prey Then, they would rise on two legs And gently press down on the victims shoulder. The moment the prey turned around Their head would be bitten off. The group exhaled in relief. "Oh, its just a story," someone muttered. sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wang Lulu rolled her eyes. "Director, you really love messing with people," she scolded, patting her ample chest. Su Xingchen also relaxed. She hated wolves. Not just wolvesshe was scared of dogs and cats too. Oddly enough, she wasnt that afraid of bugs or snakes. Cai Yifan laughed mockingly. "Director, Im 1.9 meters tall. What kind of wolf can reach my shoulders?" Height had always been his pride. He would brag about it every chance he got. "If a wolf can tap my shoulder, itd have to be 2.5 meters tall." "The biggest wolf in the world is only 2 meters max." "And thats not even in our country." Just then A long, eerie howl echoed through the mountains. Awoooooo! The night fell silent. Even the insects and birds stopped making noise. The group froze in fear. Director Zhang was stunned. He had been making it up But now, a real wolf had answered. Cai Yifans neck stiffened. A chill ran down his spine. He slowly turned But there was nothing there. The howl had come from far away. It wasnt a direct threat. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and laughed nervously. "Heh I scared myself." The moment he said that His shoulders suddenly felt heavy. Something had just pressed down on him. Two large, heavy ''hands'' settled firmly on his shoulders. Meanwhile, deep in the forest A small figure darted through the trees like lightning. The thick underbrush didnt slow her down at all. She moved like a martial arts master. Even though she was wearing a middle school uniform. "AAAAAHHHH!!" A piercing scream shattered the stillness of the night. The girl''s expression darkened. Her steady steps faltered slightly. "Damn it! Who the hell is hiking the side path at night?!" She had no choice. She had to intervene. This was her duty. Ever since the Spiritual Qi Revival began ten years ago As a civilian demon slayer This was her responsibility. The hunt had begun. Chapter 65: Does He Have a Plan? Chapter 65: Does He Have a Plan? The 1.9-meter-tall Cai Yifan had been foolish his whole life, but today, he finally had a moment of clarity. Maybe it was because of the folklore that Director Zhang mentioned, but the instant he felt something press down on his shoulder, his first reaction wasnt to turn around. Instead, he crouched low and rolled on the spot, scrambling back to the group in a mix of tumbling and crawling. When he got back on his feet, he finally saw what was behind him. It was a massive wolf, standing upright on its hind legs. From a rough estimate, its body length had reached at least 2.5 meters. Its entire form was wrapped in thick, black fur, yet its body appeared oddly twisted. Its head was enormous, with a mouth so wide it looked like it could swallow a truck tire whole. However, its limbs were disturbingly thin, and in its eerie green eyes, reflected the terrified faces of the people around iteyes filled with killing intent and hunger. The sight of this monstrous wolf made the crews scalps tingle with fear. Not a single one of them could utter a sound. Except for one. Wow~ Chen Huaian murmured. His casual remark instantly disrupted the atmosphere of terror. He genuinely wasnt doing it on purpose. He wasnt afraid at allin fact, he found it a little amusing. For some reason, he felt like this wolf wasnt all that impressive. In terms of sheer presence, it wasnt even worthy of carrying Daoist Qingxuans or the Qingyun Patriarchs shoes. So when he saw this odd-looking wolf, instead of feeling instinctive fear, he actually thought it looked kind of funnyits oversized head, its too-thin limbs, and its bizarre posture. It didnt have the overwhelming dominance and ferocity of a true demonic beast. Nor did it look like an ordinary wild animal. It gave off the vibe of a malformed runtlike some kind of mutant that had suffered from developmental issues. Did it drink too much nuclear wastewater or something? But then again, Tianmen Mountain wasnt anywhere near the ocean S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaians casual Wow snapped the mountain climber uncle back to reality. Swallowing hard, the older man kept his eyes on the slowly approaching monster wolf, forcibly calming himself. Nobody panic! If you ever encounter a wolf in the wild, never turn your back and run. Especially nowwe outnumber it, and theres only one of them. It wont attack easily. We just need to back away slowly toward the van, and well be safe. The van was less than 50 meters awaynot far at all. But every step they took felt nerve-wracking, terrifying. Keep eye contact with it so it knows were not afraid. But dont provoke itthat might set it off! The uncle had some experience. The monster wolf clearly showed aggression but hadnt attacked yet, only baring its fangs and growling threateningly. The cameraman, ever professional, kept rolling. Whether or not this was part of the show, he kept his lens locked onto the beast. The livestream was still ongoing. Meanwhile, the chat had exploded. Oh my god, that wolf is HUGE! This this is CGI, right? Just for the show? Huaian baby, come to Mama! Mama will protect you! T-T Is this real or staged? Someone call the cops! Xiao Fan-ge, Im sorry but between you and Huaian-ge, I still choose to worry about Huaian-ge Wait, isnt Cai Yifan a Shaolin secular disciple? Hes been practicing martial arts since childhood. Shouldnt taking down one wolf be a piece of cake? ????¨???? Song Zichen wasnt reading the comments, but he suddenly remembered what Cai Yifan had said earlier. Poking him in the waist, he whispered, Fan-ge, d-didnt you say you practiced martial arts since you were a kid? Go fight it off! Use your uh use your virgin urine to scare it away! Cai Yifan was already on edge, and the unexpected poke to his waist sent him over the limit. He turned and shrieked at Song Zichen, Martial arts, my ass! Youre the one who trained! Your whole family trained! You expect me to fight a damn monster that big? Are you insane, or am I?! The uncle shielding the group turned pale. Idiot! he cursed inwardly. The giant wolf had been observing them cautiously. But Cai Yifan and Song Zichens shouting was like a lit fuse to a powder kegit instantly enraged the beast. Its body hunched, dropping to all fours in a pouncing stance. The uncles heart nearly stopped. He spun around and shouted, RUN! Get to the van! But the monster wolf was even faster. In a blur, it lungedsending Song Zichen and Zhang Lulu flying. The beast landed in the middle of the group, throwing back its head in a chilling howl. Anyone with a bit of knowledge could tellit was calling for reinforcements. Sure enough, the nearby bushes rustled, and a second monster wolf, slightly smaller, leaped out. Now there were two. Their predatory gazes locked onto the group, effectively splitting them into two factions. One group was close to the van. The other was trapped outside. And unluckily, Chen Huaian was in the latter. Along with him were Su Xingchen and the main camera operator. Su Xingchen and the cameraman were completely despairing. There was no way they could get past the wolves to the van. And Zhangs group couldnt risk their lives to save them. What now? As panic set in, one person remained perfectly calm. Chen Huaian. Aim for the skies, Superman, he whispered to himself. His cancer cells and boundless potential surged within him, resonating with his life force. He could hear them. His cold, sharp eyes locked onto the wolf demon, filled with contempt and confidence. Did these beasts even realize who they were dealing with? Chen HuaianImmortal Chenthe one who had once smashed through Qingyun Sects gates with a single sword strike, reducing them to rubble. Even the despicable Qingxuan Old Dog had been forced to kneel in the sects central plaza, unable to move. And this oversized, malformed mutt thought it could intimidate him? Su Xingchen noticed Chen Huaians eerie composure. Does he have a plan? he wondered. Then, he saw Huaian lower his stance, set his footing, and raise his canepointing it straight at the monster wolf. And with his free hand, he curled a finger, beckoning the beast forward. Su Xingchen: No no, wait! Dont underestimate Huaian-ge! Maybe maybe he really knows martial arts! Hope flickered in Su Xingchens heart. Yes! Huaian-ge had terminal cancer and was disabled. If he hadnt tempered his body through rigorous training, how could he still be standing? How could he have climbed Tianmen Mountain so effortlessly? The answer was obvious. The monster wolf snarled at the provocation and leaped. Su Xingchen squeezed his eyes shut in terror. But in a flash, Chen Huaians cane shot forward like a dragonbrimming with killing intent, even carrying a hint of sword momentum! Fast! Precise! Ruthless! His cane struck the wolfs head. CRACK! Was that its skull breaking? Su Xingchen cracked open one eyeonly to see two broken halves of the cane on the ground. Oh. It was Huaian-ges cane that shattered. Yet, Chen Huaian still stood tall before them, an unbreakable fortress. Did he have another plan? Su Xingchen and the cameraman stared at Huaians back, waiting. Chen Huaian slowly turned. With a kind, yet tragic smile, he softly spoke: Stop staring ENEMY SHAMED, RETREAT IMMEDIATELY!!! Chapter 66: A True Powerhouse Chapter 66: A True Powerhouse The monster wolf was stunned by that cane strike. It shook its head a few times before finally regaining its senses. It couldnt understand. There was no way an ordinary human could dodge its pounce. Yet this human had stopped it with just a wooden stick? What confused it even more was At the moment that stick came down, it felt something. A terrifying shiver down its spine, a chilling sensation that told it if that stick had been a sword, its head would already be on the ground. Was this human strong? The wolf stared at the three fleeing figures, its eyes filled with doubt. If this human was that strong, why was he running? So he wasnt strong. That strike just now mustve been a fluke! Chase! The wolf figured it out. It was fastjust a few strides, and it had already closed in on Chen Huaian from behind. Its glowing eyes locked onto the back of the humans neck, gleaming brighter with excitement. On Chen Huaians back, a shadowy black dragon wavered between illusion and reality, slowly becoming more distinct. Then, in a flash Chen Huaian accidentally stepped on a rock. His body instantly lost balance, and two Thunderfire Talismans slipped from his chest, falling to the ground. At the same time, his right leg reflexively swung backward. The unexpected kick landed right under the wolfs chin. CRACK! BOOM! A sharp, sickening snap rang out The wolfs jaw shattered. A massive force blasted the creature into the air, sending it tumbling deep into the bushes. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian landed flat on his back. Su Xingchen and the cameraman, who had been running ahead, saw the scene and immediately rushed back to help him up. Dont! Just keep running! Chen Huaians face was pale from pain. He didnt even know what he had kicked, but his right foot felt like it had fractured. He still thought the wolf was chasing him. No way! Were not leaving you behindlets go while its still down! Su Xingchen and the cameraman grabbed him from both sides and started dragging him forward. Chen Huaian finally turned his head Only to see nothing behind them. Empty. Huh? He could have sworn that wolf was right on top of him just now. So where did it go? Weird. Really weird. Meanwhile, in the bushes The monster wolf with its shattered jaw staggered to its feet. Compared to the cane strike earlier, its head felt even more dazed now. Its ears buzzed, and its lower jaw throbbed with agonylike it had been slammed by one of those human iron boxes. ???????????? This pain only ignited its fury. Its eerie green eyes slowly turned red. Heavy breaths escaped its throat, and its body began to expand, its thick fur bristling like steel needles. Ever since it had gained higher intelligence, no human had ever made it feel this much pain. The last time it felt this way was when it got hit by a damn iron box. Humans. They all deserve to die. This mountain was supposed to belong to them. Now, it was just a playground for humans to hike and sightsee. They had been forced deeper into the forests, always on the lookout for those high-speed iron boxes. Why?! Awooooo! The wolf howled, bursting from the bushes. It emerged in full glory, its kingly presence commanding fear and respect, bloodlust surging. The darkness of the night seemed to embrace it, as if cheering for its vengeance. It would make the humans pay for their humiliation. Locking onto their scent, the wolf bolted forward at lightning speed. Then, it stepped on one of the fallen Thunderfire Talismans. Huh? BOOOOOOM! Back with Chen Huaian He suddenly froze. That thunderclap just now sounded familiar. Like he had heard it somewhere before. Why is there thunder? Su Xingchen also felt something was off. It was sunny just now and why does the wind smell like somethings burning? Dragging along an adult was exhausting. Su Xingchen and the cameraman were quickly running out of strength. Fortunately, they spotted a small wooden hut nearby. The three of them rushed in and slammed the door shut. Chen Huaian leaned against the door, sitting down. His foot didnt hurt anymore. But since he was technically supposed to be a disabled person, he figured he should keep up appearances. Wouldnt want the show to find out and make him pay back the compensation, right? Huaian-ge, why are you sitting by the door? Thats dangerous. Su Xingchen moved to pull him further inside. But Chen Huaian simply raised a hand, stopping him. His expression was calm as he spoke: If that wolf comes, at least I can buy you two some time to escape through the window. I dont have much time left to live anyway. You saved my life, so naturally, Ill return the favor. Su Xingchens eyes turned red again. He sniffled and pouted, sitting beside Chen Huaian. Huaian-ge, youre too nice. I already called the policeeveryones gonna be okay! Chen Huaian nodded casually. You flatter me. Im just an ordinary person. He reached for his phone, about to open a game Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then he saw the camera lens still aimed at him. Chen Huaians face froze. Wait. Youre still recording?! The sweat-drenched cameraman grinned, showing a set of pearly whites. Heh Professionalism. Five Minutes Ago AAAAAH! WOLF! THE WOLF IS EATING PEOPLE!! HAHAHA! WOLF! ITS HERE! HAHAHA Cai Yifan twitched uncontrollably on the twisted, half-destroyed van door. The others were huddled in terror inside the wrecked van. Not far away lay a gigantic wolfdead in a pool of blood. Its body had expanded to four meters. A true colossus. At first, they thought hiding in the van would save them. They didnt expect the wolf to treat the van like a toy it could rip apart. Standing next to its corpse was a schoolgirl. She held a spear in one hand. Blood dripped from its tip, mixed with yellow-white brain matter. Wolf brains. Lin Lingling wiped the blood from her face, expressionless. She glanced at Cai Yifan. His leg was mangled, and his mind had clearly snapped. He kept muttering nonsense. Tch. A Shaolin secular disciple? With this level of mental resilience? Lin Lingling scoffed. The fact that she once idolized him disgusted her now. Ever since she became a Demon Slayer, celebrities had lost all meaning. Stars? Nothing. This world was far more thrilling than she had ever imagined. It just hadnt fully erupted yet. For now, to keep society stable, everything was still covered up. But truth couldnt stay hidden forever. Uh Miss Hero? Director Zhang hesitated, choosing his words carefully. A second wolf chased after three people. They ran west. Please, save them. WHAT?! YOURE JUST TELLING ME NOW?! Lin Linglings eyes widened in rage. She rushed west Then, suddenly A blinding light flashed across the sky. BOOOOOOM! Lin Lingling froze. Her eyes widened as she saw thunder crash down from the heavens. The wolf demons aura vanished instantly. A powerhouse. Lin Lingling felt the righteous force within that lightning. She immediately knew Not only was there another Demon Slayer They were a damn big shot. Chapter 67: I’ve Got More Chapter 67: Ive Got More Lin Lingling followed the path of the lightning strike. Finally, in a five-meter-wide crater, she found the charred corpse of the wolf demon. Its jawbone is shattered Based on the fracture pattern, it looks like it was hit by a blunt weapon. That means the powerhouses weapon was probably a hammer or a staff. Since a bigshot had already handled the situation and there was no scent of human blood, it meant the missing three were safe. So, without any burden on her conscience, Lin Lingling crouched down and began studying the wolfs corpse. She reached out, picked up a wolf bone, and lightly pinched it It crumbled into dust. Her pupils contracted. A lightning-based attack and with this much power Could it be a General-level slayer?! But there were only a handful of Generals in the world! Lin Lingling was shocked by her own deduction. Currently, Demon Slayers were ranked into four levels: White, Scholar, Soldier, and General. She was only at White-level, which meant she was considered a civilian Demon Slayer. Civilians could take missions but werent officially employed. It was similar to being a bounty hunterno forced assignments, work was voluntary, and killing demons for profit was fair game. However, if you overestimated yourself and got killed well, tough luck. No one was coming to collect your body. Lin Lingling had been paying for her tuition with money earned from slaying demons. Otherwise, who knew where shed be right now? Probably screwing bolts in some sketchy sweatshop. Her ultimate goal? To become an officially recognized Demon Slayeronly then would she gain access to the real secrets of this world. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hmm? Whats this? She bent down and picked up a piece of yellow paper. It was lying just three meters from the wolfs corpse. Intricate vermillion symbols were drawn on itrunes that pulsed with latent thunder energy. The moment she realized what she was holding, her fingers trembled. If she had demonic energy in her, shed probably be incinerated on the spot. So the lightning earlier came from this talisman. Lin Lingling inhaled sharply. If the powerhouse was able to unleash that level of destruction just by using a talisman This was unprecedented. Even the strongest Demon Slayer in Huaxia couldnt pull off something like that. Who the hell was this person?! She steadied herself and continued following the footprints. Finally, near the wolfs corpse, she found an old, abandoned rangers cabin. Inside the Cabin Why hasnt the wolf shown up yet? Huaian-ge, how can you say that?! Su Xingchen turned pale. The cameraman was speechless. What, are you looking forward to it? No, its justaccording to the Law of Balanced Danger, if were safe, it means the other group is probably in trouble. Chen Huaian rubbed his chin and said casually, Those two wolves were huge. Do you really think Zhang and the others could survive just by hiding in the van? ?????Ψ?????? At his words, Su Xingchen and the cameramans expressions darkened. Right If the van crew was dead, wouldnt they be next? How could they outrun these beasts in the middle of a mountain wilderness? Just then Creak The cabin door slowly swung open. Moonlight poured in, casting a huge shadow on the wall. But it wasnt a wolf. It was a girl. Lin Lingling stood in the doorway, illuminated by the moon, and examined the three people inside. Two men and one woman. One bald guy, one innocent-looking young woman, and one buff cameraman. None of them looked like a powerhouse. They had no aura of inner strength. So the bigshot wasnt here? Her eyes flickered with doubt. Had the powerhouse already left? As expected of a General-level Demon Slayer. Come and go without a tracea mere rookie like her couldnt even detect them. Little sister, there are wolves outside. Hurry in and hide. Seeing a cute schoolgirl, Su Xingchen let out a sigh of relief. Though why was she carrying a long spear on her back? Cosplay? Whatever. As long as she wasnt a wolf, that was good enough. The wolves are already dead. Lin Linglings spear was still dripping blood, but her face remained emotionless as she spoke in a trembling, frightened tone: Oh no, I was just hiking, and then I saw a wolfs corpse I panicked and ran here Im so scared~ Su Xingchen: This girl is suspicious as hell. Meanwhile, Chen Huaians gaze locked onto her. His eyes scanned her up and down before stopping at her hand. Then, he blinked. Little sister, where did you find that talisman? Lin Lingling froze. She looked at Chen Huaian. Then she looked again. And again. And again Until she was staring hard. Holy shit. Hes hes really freaking hot. When she first entered, she hadnt paid attention. Now that she looked closer she wanted to superglue her eyes to his face. But she was a dignified Demon Slayer! She forcefully suppressed her internal fangirl meltdown, coughed twice, and responded with a straight face: Talisman? No idea what youre talking about. Thats just my keychain. Demon Slayers were sometimes forced into public exposure. In the past, monsters were rare, so they had to completely conceal their identities, often making civilians sign non-disclosure agreements. Later, authorities even developed memory-erasing drugs. But these days, monsters were everywhere. Secrecy was becoming impossible, and those drugs were too expensive to hand out like candy. So, unless the monster looked completely unnatural, the official narrative was simple: It mutated from drinking seawater. And Demon Slayers? They were just highly skilled martial artists. Sometimes, they worked alongside security forces and were called Special Operations Agents. Bottom linethe public could never know the truth. So, naturally, her first instinct was to deny everything. Unfortunately But this talisman should be mine, right? To prove his point, Chen Huaian reached into his jacket pocket And pulled out a wrinkled Thunderfire Talisman. Keychain, my ass. This schoolgirl might look pure and innocent, but she was a straight-up liar. Lin Lingling: ? Look, Ive got more. Chen Huaian casually pulled out five more talismans. Lin Lingling: ??? Chapter 68: Your Virtual Girlfriend Has Joined the Sword Pavilion Chapter 68: Your Virtual Girlfriend Has Joined the Sword Pavilion The Tianmen Mountain trip ended in a complete mess. Cai Yifan was traumatized into insanityhis title as a Shaolin secular disciple had turned into a joke. Song Zichen and Wang Yitaos public image shattered beyond repairtwo grown men had been more cowardly than a young girl when facing danger. Thanks to the cameramans dedication, Su Xingchens reputation as a kind-hearted lamb skyrocketed, going viral online. Zhang Lulu, while not particularly impressive, still gained moderate popularity. But the real internet sensation, the one dominating discussions, was The middle school girl who fought a wolf with her bare hands. The impossibly handsome, effortlessly calm, and terrifyingly composed "National First Male God"Chen Huaian. (Of course, "National First Male God" was just a nickname given by netizens.) Despite the accident on the show, the incident boosted its ratings dramatically. And since no one died, the internet quickly downplayed the dangerinstead, the main takeaway became the ridiculous expressions of the male celebrities. Chen Huaians face became a meme as well But because he had been so calm, there were no ugly or embarrassing screenshots. Every single meme of him looked insanely cool. Hotel Front Desk Receptionist A: "The hottie from Room 418 is back!" Receptionist B: "Really?! This morning, I even sent Auntie to check, and he wasnt here yet~" Receptionist A: "So, should we send him a green bubble message?" Receptionist B: "Ugh, Im just a hotel receptionist. Hed never be interested in me." Standing in front of the counter, Lin Lingling was speechless. She was short, barely taller than the counter itself. And with the 32-inch monitors sitting on the counter, her entire lower face was blocked from view. Excuse me, Id like to book Room 417. Lin Lingling raised her ID card with both hands. Receptionist A: "Oh, come on, youre not bad-looking. What if he actually likes you?" Lin Lingling: Excuse me, Id like to book Room 417! Receptionist B: "But I weigh almost 180 pounds" Receptionist A: "Thats fine! Curvy girls are trendy now~" Lin Lingling had had enough. She took a deep breath and snapped "YOU HEARD ME?! I SAID I WANT ROOM 417!!!" The two receptionists finally noticed her. "Ah, sorry, little sister. Room 417 is already taken~" "What about 419?" "419 is available." "Ill book it for a month. Swipe my card." sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lin Lingling, expressionless, slammed her bank card onto the desk. After checking in, she wordlessly dragged her huge suitcase into the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, Lin Lingling thought back to last night. After confirming that Chen Huaians talismans were 100% real, her first reaction was: Chen Huaian must be the hidden expert. But something felt off. Chen Huaian had no inner forcejust a regular person. He failed every single test. On the way down the mountain, she had asked if he was General-ranked. Chen Huaian had looked at her like she was an idiot and replied Still unconvinced, she tried giving him coded phrases. She said: (The correct response was: ) Chen Huaian, instead, responded: She tried again: (The correct response was: ) Chen Huaians answer? A total disaster. His completely clueless expression told her This absurdly handsome man had zero knowledge about the Demon Slayer Bureau. But then where did he get those talismans? Who was he? Did he even know how to use them? Maybe he was just a random civilian who stumbled upon some powerful artifacts? As a Demon Slayer, besides exterminating demons, she had another mission: To identify civilians affected by Spiritual Qi Revival. Some of them could become alliesthey needed to be informed about the Demon Slayer Bureau.Some of them could turn into dangerous threats. Lately, serial murder cases had been rising. Some were committed by monstersbut many were by humans who had gained unnatural powers. And these humans were often far more terrifying than the demons. She had returned the talismans to Chen Huaian. (Even with her adorable youthful face, she couldnt get away with stealing them.) But she wasnt about to let him go. Thats why she booked the room next to his. To find out what he really was. If he was just a random civilian, she would buy back those dangerous items. (And, yes, she definitely wanted them for herself.) Standing at the door of Room 419, Lin Lingling turned to look at Room 418. The door was shut tight. A talisman was firmly stuck to it. The exact same Thunderfire Talisman that had killed the wolf demon. What the hell?! DOES HE EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE THEM?! Lin Lingling clawed at her head, feeling like she was about to lose her mind. What if he was actually a high-level expert on a secret mission? Wouldnt she just be barging into his business? Forget it. Ill just stay here for a few days and observe. Meanwhile, in Room 418 Chen Huaian split his fresh Caos Spicy Duck with Baji. Then, plugging in his phone, he booted up his Virtual Girlfriend app. Last night had been a mess. After everything, he had to spend half the night in the police bureau. Why? Apparently, getting attacked by wild animals required a formal police report, complete with heavy security presence, as if it had been a terrorist attack. Ҩ?????????? An eye-opening experience, to say the least. Chen Huaian muttered to himself. Lingxi Valley. A sect full of beautiful women. Surely, hed get to feast his eyes on some stunning beauties, right? But when he opened the game It was a wasteland. Ruins. Broken pillars. Desolation everywhere. This was Lingxi Valley? The famous sect of female healers? The sect plaque was shattered, the inscription barely readable. Chen Huaian slowly typed a question mark. Then, a game notification popped up: Your Virtual Girlfriend, Li Qingran, has joined the sect: Sword Pavilion. Sword Pavilion C A sect entirely composed of Sword Cultivators. Due to the nature of Sword Cultivation, this sect is known as the poorest sect in Cangyun Realm. Chen Huaian: Heavenly Divination! Get out here! I demand a disability refund! Chapter 69: Chen Huai’an Is a Grand Elder?! Chapter 69: Chen Huaian Is a Grand Elder?! Half a Day Earlier Disciple Qingran greets the Sect Master! Li Qingran bowed gracefully to Su Qinian. She had successfully passed all the Sword Pavilion''s assessments and officially joined. Only now did she realize that, in order to snatch Spirit Stones, the four elders of the Sword Pavilion had all been deployed. The one who had flown her here was Senior Sister Yue Qianchi, Su Qinians direct disciple, wielder of the Xuanwu Sword. The Sword Pavilion had few disciples, and its buildings were old and run-down. Everything reeked of poverty. Along the way, she saw no more than a hundred disciples, and many of them seemed a bit eccentric. Hahaha, no need to be so formal, Qingran! Now that youre in our Sword Pavilion, youre family! Su Qinian stroked his beard and led Li Qingran to the sects main square, smiling as he spoke: I tricked you into thinking this was Qingyun Sect earlierhad no choice. Too many people were watching, and we just pulled off a big heist. Couldnt risk exposure. Li Qingran wasnt comfortable with the idea of robbing others. Though the Sword Pavilion hadnt harmed anyone, it still wasnt the right thing to do. But when she thought about how this might be her masters sect, she let go of her reservations. She even started understanding Su Qinians actions. As a prestigious sect known for its sword cultivation, they wouldnt resort to this if they had a choice. Clearly, they had been desperate. This was probably a one-time thing. Once the Sword Pavilion got through this crisis, it wouldnt happen again. Until A short, chubby elder named Yuan Sanshi spoke up: Sect Master, this haul was amazing! We got over a hundred thousand low-grade Spirit Stonesshould last us for a while. Who do we rob next? Su Qinian didnt even hesitate. A month from now, Zhongzhou Secret Realm. We hit them again. Thoughts? The elders beamed with joy and cupped their hands. Sect Master is wise! Li Qingran: She took back everything she just thought. Sect Introductions Since they had kidnapped Li Qingran, they now had to take responsibility. Su Qinian had the elders line up and introduced them: Qingran, our Sword Pavilion has six peaks: Xuanwu Peak (My Peak) C Practices the Xuanwu Sword Intent, a heavy sword style that splits mountains and shatters boulders. Lingyun Peak (Elder Yuans) C Masters the First Momentum Sword, carrying the power to dominate vast lands. Cangjian Peak (Elder Lis) C Masters the Hidden Sword Techniquea sword that remains sheathed until it must taste blood. Luoshuang Cliff (Elder Wangs) C Masters the First Frost Sword, creating a bone-piercing chill that blankets the land in snow. Ruthless Peak (Elder Wus) C Masters the Ruthless Sword Intent, a blade that cuts not just flesh but also the soul. Wanjian Peak (No ones) C Holds the legendary Stele of the Peerless Sword Intent, but since none of us cultivate it, it has no elder to guide you. Choose wisely. ???????????????? Seeing Li Qingran looking dazed, Su Qinian stroked his beard and suggested: You have a Pure Water Spiritual Root and an Absolute-Grade Dantian. Youre a once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy. I suggest you join Elder Wangs Luoshuang Cliff. His Ice Soul Sword Technique is a perfect match for your Water Spiritual Root. Youll progress at lightning speed. Also, never reveal your Absolute-Grade Dantian to anyone. Inside the Sword Pavilion, we can protect you. Outside peoples hearts are sinister. It could bring disaster. Li Qingran nodded. Disciple will remember. When she first underwent the aptitude test, she had feared that her Absolute-Grade Dantian would draw trouble. To her surprise The Sect Master and elders were only briefly surprised. Later, she learned that over thirty disciples in the Sword Pavilion had graded Dantians. Senior Sister Yue Qianchi had a Second-Grade Dantian. Though an Absolute-Grade Dantian was incredibly rare, it wasnt shocking here. Sword Pavilion seemed unassuming because it avoided competition. It looked impoverishedbut it hid deep power. Like a sheathed blade. Perhaps the only thing that could stir these sword maniacs emotions was being broke. Even though the Sect Masters recommendation was excellentLi Qingran didnt forget her goal. She wanted to become a healer. To do that, she couldnt focus solely on sword cultivation. She couldnt follow an elder. Otherwise, if their views clashed, it would cause problems. So, she bowed and said: Disciple wishes to enter the Sixth Peak. Su Qinian chuckled helplessly. You still wish to become a pill or healing cultivator? Li Qingran lowered her head in silence. Very well, then. The Sixth Peak it is. He didnt force her, but he offered a parting remark: From the looks of your internal energy, you likely already have a master. I wont worry about you lacking a cultivation technique. The Sword Pavilion, despite its focus on swords, has deeper foundations than any sect in the Cangyun Realm. We may seem small and impoverished, but Once you enter the Scripture Pavilion, youll see another world entirely. Li Qingran didnt think he was exaggerating. The confidence and arrogance in his voice were undeniable. Her regret at not entering Lingxi Valley diminished greatly. Besides Maybe this place really was connected to her Master. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thinking of this, she couldnt help but ask Sect Master, if I may ask do you know any senior named Chen? A Chen? A sword cultivator? Su Qinian raised an eyebrow. Yes. Ah Ahahaha Su Qinian glanced at her expectant eyes, his mind spinning. Of course! Grand Elder Chen was once our Sword Pavilions Supreme Elder! However, he left long ago. Even I dont know where he is. Probably off slaying demons for fun somewhere. I see! Li Qingrans heart filled with excitement. So this really was her Masters former sect! No wonder their sword styles were so similar! Train hard, Su Qinian said. When Grand Elder Chen returns, Ill introduce you. Hes very strict with his disciples. Only the strong are worthy of meeting him. Yes! Disciple will remember! Li Qingran bowed deeply, her face radiant with joy. Alright, go pick a cave residence with your Senior Sister. Su Qinian gestured to Yue Qianchi. She understood immediately and led Li Qingran away. After They Left Elder Yuan: Sect Master Do we actually have a Grand Elder Chen? Su Qinian: Hell no. Elder Yuan: Then why did you? Su Qinian: Shes an Absolute-Grade Dantian holder. If she trains seriously in swordsmanship, she has limitless potential. But she clearly had a master who focused on healing techniques. So I had to lie. He gazed at the vast clouds beyond the mountain, eyes deep. This is the Era of Great Struggle. Only a sword at your waist can protect you. Healing and alchemy? If war erupts, all it takes is one enemy to burn down your clinic and smash your pill furnaceand youll be helpless. I did this to protect her. The elders exchanged glancesthen bowed deeply. Sect Master is wise! Chapter 70: Choosing a Cave Residence Chapter 70: Choosing a Cave Residence Qingran, this is where we live in the Sword Pavilion! Riding on a flying sword, Senior Sister Yue Qianchi pointed toward a towering ten-thousand-meter peak in the distance. Li Qingran looked closely and saw numerous man-made caves carved into the mountainside, along with small stone huts. Around these dwellings, some cultivators had their own spiritual fields, and the various plants and decorations displayed their personal tastes. For example One cultivator had planted chrysanthemums in front of their cave. Another had massive cacti covering the entrance. Though she hadnt met their owners, Li Qingran could already tellthese two must have completely opposite personalities. Seeing Qingran lost in thought, Yue Qianchi chuckled, assuming she found the mountain too shabby. She explained, Unlike other sects, our Sword Pavilion doesnt have many natural blessed lands. So, to increase Spiritual Qi concentration, Sect Master redirected the Qi from all the other peaks into this one. This means that, although we all live here together and its a bit cramped, the cultivation conditions are much better. And besides, its livelier this way! Hearing this, Li Qingran nodded, admiration flickering in her eyes. The Sect Master must be a pragmatic person. He was willing to sacrifice the sects reputation to prioritize the well-being of its disciples. Back when she was in Qingyun Sect, she had wonderedwhy didnt the Sect Master just consolidate the Spiritual Qi into one area instead of letting the disciples compete with each other? She had once brought up the idea to Daoist Qingxuan. He had scolded her as a fool. he had said. But Li Qingran had always believed that a sect should be like a familyunited, helping one another, not constantly fighting. Maybe she was just too naive. Junior Sister, you seem deep in thought. Something on your mind? No. Li Qingran met Yue Qianchis clear eyes, her face turning slightly red as she lowered her head. Senior Sister, I think this place is great. Which cave residences are still available? Yue Qianchi gestured toward the upper half of the mountain. Up theremost of them are empty. Some were dug out by disciples themselves. Some are just craters left behind when Master fought the sects guardian beast. If you dont like any of them, you can dig your own. Why do most people choose to live lower on the mountain? Li Qingran asked curiously. Convenience. Yue Qianchi shrugged. Flying swords are tiring. Our Sword Pavilions philosophy is: If you can stand, dont fly. If you can sit, dont stand. If you can lie down, dont sit. If you can sleep, dont wake up. If you can uh, never mind the last part. Li Qingran: So this is the lifestyle of Sword Pavilion cultivators? Theyre so lazy. As they neared the mountain, she saw several sword cultivators lying around in random places. One was lounging on the back of a turtle by a waterfall, basking in the sun. At first glance, it looked lazybut upon closer inspection, there was a strange meditative aura to it. Thats Duan Feng, a cultivator of the Ruthless Dao. Hes in deep comprehension. Yue Qianchi rolled her eyes. Hes usually as stiff as a coffin board. Super boring. She then took Li Qingran on a full tour around the mountain. Well, Junior Sister, have you decided where you want to stay? Li Qingran blinked. A vision flashed in her mind A cliffside residence, where she could watch the sunrise, listen to the chirping birds, and gaze at the vast skies. Senior Sister, I want to live at the mountaintop. Alright. Yue Qianchi wasnt surprised. Most new disciples chose the mountaintop. The scenery was breathtaking, and the view was unmatched. At first, they didnt mind flying everywhere. But after a while Theyd realize how exhausting it was to fly every single morning just to make it to early lessons. Waking up extra early. Flying long distances while others leisurely walked over. Drenched in sweat before class even started. Then came summer. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The scorching heat baked them alive. A full day of sun exposure on the mountaintop was unbearable. Then came winter. Blizzards. Freezing winds. Down below, flowers bloomed. Up above, they froze their butts off. Within six months, most disciples gave up and tried to challenge senior disciples for better-located caves. The lower on the mountain, the stronger the disciple. Still, Yue Qianchi took her to the peak. There was an abandoned stone house covered in dustit had clearly been vacant for a long time. Alright, Junior Sister, this is your stop. If you need anything, use a Communication Talisman to contact me. Or just visit me at Cave One at the mountain base. Just then, a faint aroma of wine drifted through the air. Yue Qianchi, previously calm and composed, suddenly lit up. Her eyes sparkled as she hurriedly set Li Qingran down. Licking her lips, she grinned mischievously Senior Sister has to go drink. Kekekekeke~ See you! And she was gone. Her flying sword roared down the mountain at full speed. Her voice echoed through the peaks Junior Sister, dont be late for morning lessons! Then, another voice responded Xu An! Im counting to three! Hand over your new brew, or Ill destroy your cave! Tch! Over my dead body, tomboy! BOOM! Two sword intents clashed in the distance. The mountain shook from their battle. A few cranes napping on the cliffs barely flinched. Clearly, this was a daily occurrence. Li Qingran stood by the cliffside for a moment, then turned and entered the stone house. A new beginning. She clenched her fists in determination. Tomorrow, after morning lessonsshed visit the Scripture Pavilion. She had to cure her Master. She had to ensure his eternal life. With that thought, she grabbed a broom and began cleaning the dusty room. Suddenly A familiar voice echoed in the void. Qingran, we have been apart for a day. Did you miss your Master? Chapter 71: FarmVille?! Chapter 71: FarmVille?! "Qingran, I missed you so much!" In Room 418, Chen Huaian hugged his phone, furiously typing away. He had no idea that his words were being heavily edited on the other side. Meanwhile, on the table nearby, Baji had just taken a bite of Caos Spicy Duck and was now trembling violently from the spiciness. Hearing Chen Huaians voice, Li Qingrans eyes softened like melted honey, her entire being radiating joy. "Master! Qingran missed you too!" She looked around but couldnt see Chen Huaian. "Master, where are you?" I am still battling a great demon, but I have left a sliver of my divine sense here so I can occasionally speak with you. Li Qingrans heart sank in disappointment but quickly recovered. She asked with concern, "Master, were you injured by the great demon? And your poison?" Do not worry about me. I am fine. "Oh, thats good! Master is the strongest!" But deep down, Li Qingran didnt believe it. With such a severe poison, her master must be suffering. She could already picture it A white-haired immortal, drenched in blood, resting against the corpse of a demon beast, his sword still embedded in its body. Even in agony, he still forced himself to speak to his distant disciple Just imagining it Her heart raced a thousand times faster. No, no, no! Face burning, Li Qingran shook her head furiously. This wasnt the time for such thoughts! "Master, I have joined a new sect. Everyone here is very kind to me. Tomorrow, I will visit the Scripture Pavilion to search for a cure for your poison!" ??????? Hearing this only made Chen Huaian more frustrated. Which sect did you join? "The Sword Pavilion!" Li Qingran touched her lips and smiled. "I originally planned to join Lingxi Valley, but some unexpected things happened. Their Young Mistress doesnt like men, so when she found out my Master was male, she kicked me out." What?! Outrageous! Chen Huaian rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out of their sockets. He mentally wrote down the name of this Lingxi Valley Young Mistress in his personal revenge notebook. "Qingran, just wait! The next time I run into that Young Mistress, Ill teach her a lesson! How dare she kick you out? Who does she think she is?! You are Immortal Chens treasured disciple! No one bullies you and gets away with it!" Hmph! Lingxi Valley must have a death wish! How dare they wrong my disciple?! When I return, I shall wipe them from existence! "Master, its really fine." Li Qingran shook her head gently. "This matter is already in the past. Everyone has their own principles. Since she wouldnt accept me, I simply found a better home." Chen Huaians eyelid twitched. "The Sword Pavilion?!" "Yep!" Li Qingran giggled. "This was your old sect, wasnt it, Master? I figured it out as soon as I saw them riding flying swords without wind-shielding formations! Im so smart, right?" Wait. Chen Huaians brain froze. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wind-shielding formation? You need a formation to ride a flying sword? Where is it? How do you activate it? And The Sword Pavilion was his old sect?! Since when?! Who told you that? "The Sect Master!" Li Qingrans eyes sparkled with admiration. "He said you were the Supreme Elder of the Sword Pavilion! But youve been away for a long time, and he doesnt know where you are now. He also told me to train hard, or else you wouldnt even bother looking at me as your disciple!" Li Qingran clasped her fingers together, blushing shyly. Chen Huaian stared at her naive, trusting expression. If he had to guess This dumb girl had been scammed. That Sword Pavilion Sect Master mustve figured something out and improvised a masterful deception. Now, Li Qingran was the donkey, and Chen Huaian was the carrot tied in front of her. Chen Huaian couldnt help but laugh in exasperation. "Right, Master! Should I tell the Sect Master about your current situation?" "If he knew, maybe he could help you!" Li Qingrans eyes lit up. After all, she wasnt sure how strong Su Qinian was, but if he was as powerful as Wu Duantian, he might be able to assist her Master. No wait actually, yes.** Go ahead.** Chen Huaian had wanted to refuse. He wasnt really a Supreme Elder, after all. But then he thought If this Sect Master was already using his name to manipulate Li Qingran Why not play along and see how hed cover for it? "Alright! Ill go see the Sect Master tomorrow!" Li Qingran nodded seriously. Chen Huaian opened the game map and scanned the entire Sword Pavilion. To his surprise Everyone in the sect was a green light. Not a single yellow or red dot. That meant Not one person harbored ill intent toward Li Qingran. Everyone had goodwill toward her or at least toward their fellow disciples. Even the two light dots currently fightingthough their battle seemed intense, there was zero malice between them. "Fine, fine. Not joining Lingxi Valley isnt a big deal." Chen Huaian shook his head. Plans never keep up with changes. Just like how he had no idea that climbing a mountain would lead to fighting two massive wolves. Just then, a notification popped up. Your Virtual Girlfriends residence is too run-down. Recharge 68 to give your girlfriend a cozy home! Chen Huaian scoffed. 68? Peanuts. Even if this was just a trap to unlock more microtransactions So what? He, Chen the Pay-to-Win Immortal, had plenty of money! Charge it! SWOOSH! Just as Li Qingran was about to start cleaning, a golden light flashed Her stone hut transformed into a beautiful wooden house, complete with brand-new furniture and decorations. It was exactly like before. Her heart clenched. More than Spirit Stones, magic artifacts, or even divine pills What she remembered most was that rainy night. When her master had simply spoken the word "Home" And, instantly, a house appeared to shelter her from the storm. It was just a simple house, built from wood and stone. Yet to herit was the most precious thing in the world. When Master took her away from Wanqing Mountain, she had looked back at that tiny house for a long time, feeling reluctant to leave. Chen Huaians care had always been subtle and unnoticed by others. And that made it even harder to repay. Meanwhile, back in Room 418, Chen Huaian stared blankly at his screen. You have unlocked the "Virtual Girlfriends Residence" feature.** You may now purchase the following upgrades to assist your Virtual Girlfriends cultivation:** Basic Spirit Gathering Formation: 10,000 Intermediate Spirit Gathering Formation: 100,000 Cultivatable Spirit Field: 5,000 Upgrade Spirit Field (Lv1): 1,000 Build Spirit Beast Pen (Unlocks Pet Store): 50,000 Upgrade Residence to Lv2: 998 Chen Huaian slowly typed a question mark. Then, he zoomed out to see the surrounding landscape. There were large, divided plots of land just waiting to be developed. A single, ancient game name escaped his lips Is this FarmVille?! Chapter 72: That’s It? Just Some Grass? Chapter 72: Thats It? Just Some Grass? Although this game was pretty outdated, Chen Huaian instantly recognized that the Cave Residence System was just a reskinned version of the classic QQ Farm. Chen Huaian scoffed, then upgraded Li Qingrans cave residence to Level 2. With a flash of golden light, her small wooden hut expanded, now larger by an entire section. Two new side rooms appeared as well One with a bathing tub, the other with a stove for cooking. Chen Huaian took a moment to observe the terrain. The mountain itself already had a Basic Spirit Gathering Formation. But if he added another Basic Spirit Gathering Formation inside the house, the effects would nearly match those of an Intermediate Formation. And the best part? It didnt require extra materialsperfect for a spendthrift like him. Charge! Basic Black Armor Formationgotta keep Qingran safe. Charge! After a few more microtransactions, the cave residence had completely transformed. It still wasnt a luxurious pavilion, but it had refined aestheticsclean, elegant, and fully equipped with all essentials. In Qingyun Sect, this would be considered a high-class residence. In Sword Pavilion? A literal dream mansion. Just as Chen Huaian was considering what else to charge for A soft, hesitant voice came from the game. M-Master please, thats enough this is too much Li Qingran stood at the edge of her bed, her small hands nervously gripping her sleeves, her delicate face flushed bright red. She had already witnessed Masters mystical abilities before, so she wasnt shocked. But now Her cave residence had changed so muchhow was she supposed to explain this to her fellow disciples?! She couldnt possibly say she built all this herself, right?! "Qingran says this is enough?" Chen Huaian thought otherwise. A girl saying "I dont need it" means she definitely wants it. "Qingran, everyone else has Spiritual Fields. Master will set up some for you too!" Ah! Master, no, please! "Ten large plots should be enough, right?" Ten?! Li Qingran vaguely remembered that Senior Sister only had two plots. And she had boasted about them, since cultivating a fertile Spiritual Field was no easy feat. Now, Master just casually offers her ten?! "Alright, ten it is!" BOOM BOOM BOOM! The land surrounding the wooden hut trembled. Ten glowing plots of fertile Spiritual Fields emerged from the ground. Chen Huaian even upgraded them a bit. Now, they were all Level 1 Spiritual Fields. Li Qingran trembled as she opened the door. She stared at the vast stretch of fertile fields, then her knees gave out. She collapsed onto the ground, eyes shut in despair. Once Master gives something, theres no taking it back. She could already see the future. She was about to become Sword Pavilions biggest legend. Would the other disciples start calling her "Masters Favorite Disciple" behind her back?! Meanwhile, Chen Huaian Wasnt Done "This outfit looks nice. Wear it to sleep!" A piece of clothing dropped onto the bed. Li Qingran picked it up And her face turned as red as a tomato. It was a white silk nightgown The back was completely open. The waist and hips were tightly fitted. There was a slit up to the thighs. One look, and it was obvious This dress would perfectly showcase every curve. No way she could wear this outside. Did Master want her to wear this to bed? Could that mean Master wants to see her in it?! Ahhhh, she couldnt think about it! Too embarrassing!! Her face burned, turning so red it reached her ears. But if this is Masters request maybe its okay As Li Qingran spiraled into her own thoughts Chen Huaian had already logged out of the Virtual Girlfriend Shop. In reality He hadnt thought that deeply at all. The shop had randomly refreshed this discounted sleepwear for only 18 yuan. Quest Update Main Quest 2.0: Help Your Virtual Girlfriend Establish Herself in Her New "Foster Home"COMPLETED Rewards: Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid (Delivered) A Pot of Nuwas Earth (Delivered) Main Quest 3.0: Zhongzhou Secret Realm Instance opens in 30 days! Increase your Virtual Girlfriends Survival Rate in the instance! Every 30% increase earns a "Heavenly Insight."** Current survival rate: 0%.** ??????? THUD! A familiar sound echoed at the door. Chen Huaian was unfazed. Another mysterious delivery. He wasnt in a hurrythose items could be picked up anytime. Right now, he was more focused on Main Quest 3.0. He had long suspected that this MMO-type game would have instances. With such a massive map, there had to be plenty to exploremaybe even World Bosses! Leaving Wanqing Mountain was just leaving the tutorial. Joining Sword Pavilion was where the real game began. From now on, he would experience the Cangyun Realms power struggles through Li Qingrans perspective. And with that Endless dangers. Some would be scripted events. Some would be triggered by players. And Zhongzhou Secret Realm seemed to be a scripted event. Chen Huaian stroked his chin. With their high favorability, he might actually convince her to skip it. Of course, hed soon realize how naive that idea was. He checked Li Qingrans status. Status: Daydreaming Cultivation Progress: 399/800 (Qi Refinement 3rd Layer) Remaining Lifespan: 143 years Favorability: 85 (Budding Affection) She was blushing, lost in fantasy, surrounded by pink bubbles. Her cultivation had reached Qi Refinement 3rd Layer. And with 0% survival rate, that meant her current strength wasnt enough for the Secret Realm. She needed rapid improvementboth in techniques and power. Then again, there was a full month left. He should have plenty of time. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a pay-to-win player, he just needed to charge money and enjoy the game. It was the developers and game designers who had to worry about balance. Chen Huaian opened the door. As usual, two boxes sat outside. One had a tiny sprout peeking out. The other was heavy with a faint earthy smell. He brought the dusty boxes inside and grabbed a pair of scissors and wet wipes. On the coffee table Baji, who had been half-dead from spicy duck, suddenly flipped over. Its cat eyes glowed, locking onto the boxes. Chapter 73: Could This Be a Real Talisman? Chapter 73: Could This Be a Real Talisman? "Good stuff! Absolutely top-tier stuff!" Baji stared intently at the box, unblinking. It had a feelingif it ate whatever was inside this box, its strength would skyrocket. At that point, even those human-made iron boxes wouldnt stand a chance against its jaws. It could swallow them whole and refine them in an instant! After being fed "sh*t" for so many days, was this big shot finally willing to give it something delicious? Chen Huai''an opened the box with a pair of scissors. As expected, inside was a plant. The other box contained a soil clump in a small potcolorful, almost unnaturally so. He planted the plant into the soil, placed the pot on the windowsill, and stared at it for a while. Unable to shake his doubt, he pulled out his Thousand-Degree Identifier to scan it. The result came back instantly: [GrassA type of plant.] Wait, seriously? Just an ordinary patch of grass? Chen Huai''an was speechless. This game company was really cutting corners. A pot of orchids barely cost anything nowadays, and they had the nerve to send him a dirty little patch of grass? That was just lazy! And that soilit looked like some kind of industrial pollution with all those colors. Completely unaesthetic. Then, he noticed something else in the box. Pulling it out, he found a talisman, sealed in a plastic pouch, along with an instruction sheet. [Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Talisman: Please affix this talisman to the flowerpot to protect the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid from being devoured by gluttonous demonic beasts.] Chen Huai''an: "" A gluttonous demonic beast? There were only mosquitoes and one dumb cat in his room. Whatever. Hed treat it as decoration. The flowerpot, engraved with celestial palaces and auspicious clouds, was quite pretty, even if all it housed was a limp little patch of grass. He peeled off the talisman and stuck it onto the flowerpot. A talisman-covered flowerpot with a droopy plantdefinitely something a normal person wouldnt do. From a distance, the whole setup looked unhinged. Meanwhile, in the game, Li Qingran was pacing around the bed, hugging a set of clothes. Since there wasnt anything urgent to do, Chen Huai''an logged off. ?????????? He hadnt even had breakfast yet after all that. Once he finished eating, he planned to head to the square to practice swordsmanship. Hopefully, that old man would be there today. While Chen Huai''an prepared breakfast, Baji sneakily approached the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid. The closer it got, the denser the spiritual energy became. [How could such a spiritual plant exist in this era of depleted Spiritual Qi? Where on earth did this big shot get it from?] Baji stared at the orchid, completely baffled. But none of that really matteredit was still edible. It edged closer, swallowing greedily at the thick scent of Spiritual Qi. SuddenlyZAP! A violent arc of lightning crackled through the air. A terrifying pressure loomed over its head, sending it scrambling backward, rolling onto the sofa in sheer panic. Only then did Baji notice a piece of yellow paper stuck to the side of the flowerpot. A talisman. And one far more terrifying than the ones on the doors and windows. If it dared to so much as touch that flowerpot, it would die instantly! As it retreated to a safe distance, the overflowing lightning from the talisman gradually withdrew. [Hah I was too na?ve.] Baji lifted its head at a dramatic 45-degree angle, gazing toward the ceiling. [Like this big shot would ever let me eat something so valuable.] Shaking its head in self-mockery, it continued gnawing on its unfinished Cao Hei Duck. Still, as long as the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid was around, this place would soon become a cultivation sanctuary. The entire room would be infused with Spiritual Qi. Ordinary rice would transform into Spirit Rice, Cao Hei Duck would become Spirit Black Duck, and even a pet fish could eventually gain sentience! Sure, the food might still taste like crap, but at least itd be crap-flavored chocolate now. With that comforting thought, Baji ate even more enthusiastically. [Breaking News: A Wild Wolf Spotted on Tianmen Mountain! Authorities Have Intervened to Ensure Tourist Safety.] While scrolling through Douyin, a short news video caught Chen Huai''an''s attention. [What do the experts say about this unusually large wolf?] Chen Huai''ans lips twitched as he watched the old white-haired professor confidently spout nonsense. Less aggressive? If that thing was less aggressive, then why the hell did it tear apart a van like a chew toy? That said, the past decade had indeed seen the rise of many mutated creatures. It all started ten years ago with a catastrophe so outrageous it angered both heaven and man. At the time, people didn''t take it seriouslyuntil the effects of seawater pollution became impossible to ignore. Mutated creatures were just one of many consequences. There had been rumors that the chickens used in fast food were genetically modified to have extra legs and wings, but those had always seemed like urban legends. Now? Chickens with three to five heads were a reality. Previously, such creatures only existed in labs. Now, even regular poultry farms occasionally produced multi-headed chickens. And not only did these mutated chickens survive, they actually had longer lifespans. Worse yet, each head had its own independent thoughtsmeaning they often fought each other. Rarity breeds value. Though their safety for consumption remained uncertain, some places had already started treating multi-headed chickens as a luxury delicacy. Certain farms had even begun intentionally breeding them. Like most ordinary people, Chen Huai''an firmly believed that mutated creatures were a disaster waiting to happen. For now, at least, they were still manageable. As long as bullets could kill them, there was no immediate threat. But once these creatures evolved beyond the reach of gunfire, the truth would no longer be something the authorities could suppress. Then again, Chen Huai''an figured he wouldnt live to see that day. After all, he wasnt going to make it past this year. And once he was gonewho cared if the world drowned? Oh? Isn''t that Director Zhang? The screen cut to an interview with a middle-aged man, and Chen Huai''an grinned dumbly. Several photos of a charred crater appeared on screen, showing the lightning-blasted remains of a mutant wolf, reduced to charcoal. As Chen Huai''an shoveled rice into his mouth, he suddenly froze. That crater Something felt off. The thunder he heard that night. That familiar lightning-scorched ground. And the missing Thunderfire Talisman He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a few crumpled Thunderfire Talismans, staring blankly at the red cinnabar inscriptions. Carefully, he laid out seven of them on the coffee table. Then, cautiously, he poked one with his finger. After a long silence, he muttered: Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No way. These are real talismans? Chapter 74: Is This Plant Really Suspicious? Chapter 74: Is This Plant Really Suspicious? Since childhood, Chen Huai''an had always prided himself on being sharp-minded. Some people might remain oblivious to subtle bodily changes. But not him. The moment he felt something unusual, he knewthe truth was clear. Cancer cellsthe most mysterious of all cellshad activated his genetic potential, turning him into a castrated version of Superman. Sure, he couldnt take down a wolf with a single hit. But thanks to his regeneration, he could last at least thirty seconds longer than a normal person in a fight against one. That, in itself, was extraordinary power. And now, his sharp mind recalled certain details from the previous night. First, where had that girl found the talisman? From what he gathered, it had been near the mutant wolfs corpse. Second, the power and effects of this talisman were identical to the Thunderfire Talismans in the game! Third, there was something off about the wolf''s corpse. If it had been struck by lightning, the head or back should have been the most damaged. But in reality? It was missing its left legblown off as if it had stepped on a landmine. Putting these three clues together made things intriguing. It was highly likely that, in his panic while escaping, he had accidentally dropped two talismans, and the mutant wolf had stepped on one. That thunderclap he heard? It wasnt just a coincidence. The wolf had been blown apart by his own talisman. Mystery solved. Even Conan himself would have no choice but to kneel before this deduction! Which meant Right now, there were seven ticking C4 bombs just sitting on his coffee table. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huai''an instinctively backed away. Wait. If these things exploded randomly, theyd have gone off already. Maybe Im just overthinking? He had already told the cleaning lady not to tidy his roomespecially since he had a cat hiding in there. But the cleaning lady still came by occasionally to clean the other rooms. If these talismans required specific conditions to activate, it meant they had a trigger mechanism. And how were talismans used? You threw them! Chen Huai''ans eyes lit up. Excited, he grabbed the talismans, threw on some clothes, and rushed out the door. Not long after he left, the door to Room 419 creaked open. Perfect! That pretty boy finally left! Lin Lingling peeked out, scanning the empty hallway, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. She had been waiting for Chen Huai''an to leave. Now was her chance to investigate his roommaybe she could uncover some clues. The door? No way in. Which left only one optionthe window. With a nimble flip, Lin Lingling climbed out of the hallway window. It was just past 6 AM, and the streets were already bustling with early commuters. But she moved fastbarely touching the air-conditioning units as she hopped gracefully toward Chen Huai''ans window. Not a single pedestrian noticed her. Outside Room 418, a yellow talisman was stuck to the window. It radiated a majestic, righteous auraa silent warning. "Intruders will be executed without mercy!" Lin Lingling froze. So cautious? He actually knows how to use talismans?! Peering through the window, she saw nothing unusual inside. Well except for one thing. Who the hell plants ordinary grass on a windowsill? And why use such gaudy, multi-colored soil? Something wasnt right. She stared hard at the seemingly ordinary grass. As a martial artist, her eyesight far surpassed that of normal people, allowing her to see details that others would miss. And what she saw made her gasp in shock. The veins of the grass leaves were etched with intricate patterns. "Winding corridors, high-reaching eaves; each structure embracing the terrain, interlocking with one another" Lin Linglings eyes widened. She even forgot to breathe. On those delicate grass leaves, there was an elaborate, hidden depiction of a celestial palace among the clouds. If not for her perfect angle under the sunlight, she wouldnt have noticed at all. "Did he carve this?" No. Impossible. She immediately rejected the idea. There were no carving marksevery single brushstroke was naturally formed. It was as if this plant was born this wayas if it was meant to grow with such magnificent, intricate leaves. This was definitely no ordinary plant! But what exactly was it? Even with her current level of strength, she couldnt tell. To truly uncover its secrets, shed have to hand it over to the Demon Slayers Bureau. But even if there was no talisman blocking her, she wouldnt dare. First, stealing was immoral. She was already considering breaking into his roomshe couldnt steal from him too. Second, what if this pretty boy was actually a big shot? If she only took a look, the worst shed face would be crippling humiliation. But if she stole something, she might end up scattered into ashes. She still had a long life ahead of her. She hadnt yet seen the full extent of the world. She had a dreamone day, she would soar through the skies on a flying sword. So breaking a leg was finebut losing her life was not. Fine. If I cant get in, Ill find another chance later. Just as Lin Lingling prepared to leave Hissss! A chilling snarl erupted. Her back went cold. It felt as if she had just fallen into an icy abyss. Her neck stiffly turned, as if controlled by an unseen force. And then she saw it A black cat had silently appeared on the window ledge, its golden eyes locked onto hers. It was staring at her The way a predator watches a helpless mouse. That that growl just now came from the cat?! The sound was like steel scraping against shattered glasssharp, violent, and filled with an urge to destroy everything. With slow, deliberate steps, the black cat advanced. Its movements were elegant, but domineeringlike a king surveying its domain. The shifting sunlight elongated its shadow on the wall behind it, distorting into a massive, monstrous shape. A demon. Lin Linglings pupils shrank. She had no idea what level of demon it was, but its aura alone was so overwhelming that she couldnt move. So this guy lived with this thing? How? How did they coexist?! She had no time to think. The black cat suddenly raised a paw. Boom! It slammed down violently. Buzz! A shockwave of black ripples exploded outward, lashing at Lin Lingling like a whip. Regaining control of her body, she tried to retreatbut it was too late. An overwhelming force slammed into her, twisting her insides into a chaotic mess. Her foot slipped And she fell from the windowsill. Baji peered out the window, keeping a safe fists distance from the yellow talisman. It snorted at the girl lying motionless on the awning below. "Tired of living, are we? You dare covet the bosss spiritual plant?" "Too bad I cant touch you. Otherwise, youd be dead." It was displeased, but there was nothing it could do. Glancing at the flowerpot, where the talismans lightning flashed ominously, Baji quickly hopped off the windowsill and curled up on the sofa. To the great Dao-comprehending master, it was nothing more than a cat. And so, it would play the role of a cat. If its true nature was ever exposed It would die a horrible death. Meanwhile, Chen Huai''an arrived at an isolated corner of the square. He wasnt heading to the old mans usual training spot. Not yet. First, he had to test whether these talismans actually worked. Chapter 75: Am I Using the Wrong Stance? Chapter 75: Am I Using the Wrong Stance? "If I blow a hole in the square, how much would I have to pay?" Chen Huai''an stared at the grassy field in deep thought. He wasnt exactly broke right now, but he doubted he had enough to cover that kind of damage. "Is there anything I can blow up without having to pay for it?" After pondering for a while, he made his way to a nearby garbage dump. The place was nearly overflowing with trash, and the collection truck hadnt arrived yet. Since it was all garbage anyway, blowing a hole here shouldnt be an issue. "Alright here goes!" His eyes sharpened as he took a deep breath, reaching into his bag. With his index and ring fingers, he pinched a Thunderfire Talisman and yanked it out. Biu The talisman flew about half a meter before flopping weakly to the ground. Chen Huai''an: "" No, wait. Maybe it needed an incantation? He picked up the talisman and shouted, "Waaah! By the decree of the heavens!" Biu The talisman flew half a meter and flopped down again. Was the incantation wrong? Chen Huai''an frowned and tried again: "Condense!" "Go!" "Fly, you fool!" "Purple Zap!" "Adoken!" "Chi-Bi-Ni!" "Saiban!!" One by one, the talismans all flopped lifelessly to the ground. Chen Huai''an fell into deep contemplation. No, this didnt make sense. In the game, he never chanted anything. So the problem wasnt the incantation. That meant his stance was wrong! How did immortals throw talismans? He tested different poses The shot put spin, the javelin throw, the poker card flick, the Salt Bae sprinkle Nothing worked. "Hah I was too naive after all." He tilted his head back at a melancholy 45-degree angle, staring wistfully at the sky. With a self-deprecating chuckle, he muttered, "Theres no such thing as talismans. No such thing as the cultivation world. Its all just the delusions of a terminal cancer patient." ???????????????? A stray dog trotted past, sniffed at his shoe Its face changed instantly. With a terrified whimper, it bolted like it had just seen a ghost. Chen Huai''an blinked, then suddenly had a revelation. Back then, the talisman only activated when it landed on something alive. So just throwing it wasnt enoughhe needed a specific target! But what should he use as a target? Bajis face immediately popped into his mind. Back in the room, Baji was curled up on the sofa, dozing off Suddenly, it shivered violently. A bone-chilling sense of doom washed over it, from head to tail. It whipped its head around, scanning for danger Nothing. And yet, it knewsomeone had just harbored a murderous intent toward it. "No, no, Baji is too cute," Chen Huai''an shook his head. "I cant go around abusing animals." The ominous presence around Baji suddenly vanished. "Hmm, Ill just buy a fish at the market later." That seemed like the most ethical solution. He was going to eat it anyway, so technically, it wasnt cruel. Besides, normal fish preparation involved descaling and gutting. If the talisman worked, itd just zap the fish into instant charcoala quick and painless death. With his conscience cleared, Chen Huai''an cheerfully jogged to where the old man practiced martial arts. Sure enough, the old man was there. "Yo, kid! You didnt show up yesterday. I thought you were just on a three-day hype train!" Old Man Lis murky old eyes brightened up at the sight of Chen Huai''an. He had actually felt a little disappointed when the kid didnt show up. "Hahaha, no way! Something just came up yesterday, Li Lao." Chen Huai''an propped up his selfie stick and opened the game. The moment the screen loadedhis nose nearly spurted blood. Inside the game, Li Qingran had changed into the newly purchased sleepwear. Perfect fit. She sat on the edge of the bed, her cheeks red like crushed cinnabar, the blush spreading down to her slender neck. Loose strands of hair framed her face, partly covering her ears like red jade hidden in black silk. She puffed up her cheeks and blew at her bangs, revealing a smooth forehead. Her delicate collarbones were exposed, forming tiny pavilions amidst soft jade mountains. Beneath them, a small jade pendant rested against the skina green phoenix on a red string, resembling plum blossoms on snow. Her waist was slender, barely a handful. Under the dim candlelight, her tiny feet swayed slightly, making her graceful curves shift ever so gently, like a breeze stirring the night. And those feet Those dainty little feet "Oi, kid. What the hell are you looking at? Its pitch dark." Chen Huai''an jerked back to reality, instinctively slapping a hand over the screen. With an awkward laugh, he stammered, "N-Nothing! Just reviewing exam materials! Ahaha ahahahaha!" "At least youre responsible. My grandsons your age, but all he does is start businesseslost twenty million and still wants to start another one!" Old Man Li sighed, rubbing his temples. Chen Huai''ans eyes lit up. "Wait, Li Laowhat did you just say?" "About my grandson starting a business?" "No, the last part." "That he lost twenty million?" "Yes! Yes, exactly!" Chen Huai''an beamed with 99% shameless flattery. "Li Lao, entrepreneurship is a heavy burden! Having your grandson carry it alone is simply too cruel! Why not count me in?" "Eh, well its not impossible," Old Man Li waved a hand dismissively. "But my grandson took out loans for it." Chen Huai''an: "Lets just stick to martial arts." Back to practice. Chen Huai''an forced himself not to look at Li Qingran. Instead, he checked his Green Lotus Sword Manual progressand was immediately dumbfounded. The first 12 chapters of the sword techniques had all reached 99% comprehension. Just a little more, and they would break into the next stage. Even more shocking The first move, , and the second move, , were already unlocked and ready for training. "What the hell?! What happened?!" Chen Huai''an was completely stunned. He didnt remember practicing any of these. How did they all level up on their own?! sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Had he been training in his sleep?! "Kid, I see youre pretty interested in swordplay." While Chen Huai''an was frantically clicking around, trying to find answers, Old Man Li smugly spoke up. "I went home and studied your stance from last time. Turns out, it was actually a sword technique opener. So I dusted off my old Tai Chi Sword skills What do you think? Wanna learn from this old man?" Chen Huai''an narrowed his eyes. "Wait Old Man Li, are you actually good at swordplay?" "Ahem" Old Man Li lifted his chin. "Not to brag, but probably the best in the province." "Whoa! Thats insane!" Old Man Li beamed, slapping Chen Huai''ans shoulder. "I guarantee, kidone look at my swordplay, and youll be begging to call me Master!" Chapter 76: What? Sword Qi?! Chapter 76: What? Sword Qi?! Seeing Old Man Li hype himself up so much, Chen Huaian couldnt help but feel a bit excited. "Watch closely, kid! My swordplay is crazy stylish!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, Old Man Li got into position, executing a full Tai Chi Sword routinestarting slow, then gradually picking up speed, only to slow down again. As expected of an old-timer, his swordsmanship was solid. At least, to Chen Huaians untrained eye, thats all he could really say. Old Man Lis movements were graceful and fluid, clearly the product of years of practice. Everything flowed seamlessly, without the slightest awkward pause. It even looked like it could be used in an actual fight But something still felt off. He couldnt put his finger on it, but some movements felt unnecessarylike they could be removed or replaced with something more efficient. Of course, he wasnt some grandmaster, so he didnt dare critique. "Well? Feels swordy enough for you?" Old Man Li stroked his beard, confidently sheathing his sword, his face practically glowing with pridealready prepared for Chen Huaian to shower him with a 3,000-word essay of praise. "Its good. Very swordy!" Chen Huaian gave him a big thumbs-up. Old Man Lis smile immediately dropped. "What, you think my swordplays lacking or something?" "No, no!" Realizing the misunderstanding, Chen Huaian scratched his head awkwardly. "Li Lao, I actually feel like I had some breakthroughs recently. How about you take a look?" "Alright, but if I see flaws, I wont hold back." "Sounds good! Let me borrow your sword." Chen Huaian took the sword, steadied his breath, and closed his eyes for a moment. His stance sank into a solid horse stance, his form shifting naturally into the "Crane Stance" from the . The instant he took position Old Man Li, who had been prepared to critique harshly, suddenly widened his eyes in shock. One day. It had only been one day. Yet this kid felt like an entirely different person. Not only was his leg fully recovered, but just two days ago, he had still been a complete beginner. But now His movements were flawless, his entire body moving as one unified entity. Most importantly He had "Shen". Modern martial arts were often mocked for being flashy and impractical, precisely because they focused only on form, neglecting "Shen"the spirit of the technique. ?????o?????? True mastery lay in the balance of form and spirit. And "Shen" was far more important than form alone. Why did ancient soldiers drill the same thrusting motion endlessly? Because through sheer repetition, they could break through their limitsunderstanding how to strike with maximum power, where to target for armor penetration, and how to react instantly in combat. The moment that movement became second nature, when it no longer required thoughtthat was the birth of "Shen". The best warriors forged their "Shen" through battle, refining their techniques until a single perfected strike could command a hundred-man battalion. A general was simply a warrior who had mastered multiple "Shen" techniques. As Old Man Li pondered this, Chen Huaian had already completed the first twelve chapters of the . At first, it was just individual stances. But gradually, the moves flowed together, forming a seamless display of strikesthrusting, slashing, sweepingevery motion clean and decisive, with no wasted effort. For a moment Old Man Li could see it. A swordsman in white, moving like a drifting dragon, swirling through the air with carefree elegance. A sword in one hand, a jug of wine in the otherwild and unrestrained. "This this is impossible." Old Man Li was utterly dumbfounded. This kid wasnt some novice. He was a master. Noeven the masters he had seen before had never displayed "Shen" in so many techniques at once. Most so-called masters only managed to embed "Shen" into two or three moves, and that alone made them famous. But this kid Who the hell was he?! Suddenly, the flowing sword movements halted. Chen Huaian stood tall and unmoving, eyes closed, his sword returning to its sheath. His left hand held the scabbard, his right hand resting on the hilt. A breeze swept past. The air shimmered with sharp energy. "A shooting star, white-feathered, sheathed at my waist A sword blossom, autumn lotus, its radiance unleashed." The moment he finished speaking Shing! Old Man Li couldnt even see the sword move. All he saw was a silver arc of light, gleaming in the morning sun. The light fractured, scattering like a blooming autumn lotus. A faint hissing filled the air And then The petals of that illusory lotus began to shatter, fading into nothingness. With a sharp clang, Chen Huaians sword returned to its sheath. Old Man Li stood there, speechless. His throat felt dry, unable to form a single sound. His mind buzzed, overwhelmed. Was that a sword technique a young man should be capable of? That autumn lotus bloom Was that sword energy?! How much raw power and speed would it take to pull that off? How many years of experience did it take to reach this level?! Chen Huaian, however, simply frowned at the old poplar tree in front of him. "Not good enough" His goal had been to cut off a tree branch. Sure, Old Man Lis sword wasnt sharpened, but even a kid could lop off a branch with enough force, right? Yet the branch still swayed in the wind, completely untouched. "Forget it. Its just game mechanics anywaylooks good enough." He had already figured out the reason behind his progress. That VR helmet he had worn mustve directly mapped the sword techniques into his neural pathways. That was why everything felt so natural today. A glance at the timealmost 9 AM. He still felt fine, but apparently, that sword routine had taken quite a while. "Li Lao, its getting late. I need to stop by the market, so Ill head out first." He stuffed the sword back into Old Man Lis hands, pried his fingers open to secure the sheath, and turned to leave. It wasnt until long after Chen Huaian had disappeared that Old Man Li finally snapped out of his daze. Without a word, his expression turned grim as he approached the poplar tree. He didnt look at the brancheshe ran his hand along the trunk, feeling for something. A moment later His fingers found a deep, thin groove in the bark. So thinas fine as a strand of hair. If he hadnt touched it, he might have never noticed it. Old Man Lis breathing stiffened. His muscles tensed. He walked around the tree And on the other side, he found another identical cut. The sword had sliced through the entire trunk. His hand trembled as he reached for his phone, dialing a number. A rough, smoky voice answered "Yo, Old Li! Havent heard from you in agesforgot about your old pal?" Old Man Li ignored the joke. "Old Peng, I need you to brace yourself. I just met a kid" "He can use Sword Qi." "WHAT?!" The voice on the other end skyrocketed eight octaves. "Are you sure?!" "Dead sure." Old Man Li stared at the poplar trees cut, voice quivering. "Right in front of me. Swishone sword straight through." "Stay there, dont move! Im coming over from the Demon Slayers BureauNOW!" Chapter 77: Is Chen Huaian a Ticking Time Bomb? Chapter 77: Is Chen Huai''an a Ticking Time Bomb? "Amitabha, boundless longevity and fortune, Amen... Benefactor Fish, this humble one knows that you have already taken on a demonic form. To prevent you from bringing disaster upon the world, today, I shall uphold the will of the heavens!" Chen Huai''an bowed three times to the still-living ten-pound bighead carp on the cutting board. Then, he took out a Thunderfire Talisman tied to a clothes-drying rodprecautionary measures to avoid blowing off his own hand when activating it. "My apologies!" As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Huai''an pressed down on the drying rod, his eyes flashing with determination. He silently recited, Snap! The bighead carp flopped once on the cutting board, its eyes widening. Nothing happened. Chen Huai''an fell silent, tilting his head at a dramatic forty-five-degree angle to gaze at the ceiling, his expression full of melancholy. At the dining table, Baji stared blankly at Chen Huai''an''s bizarre behavior, utterly confused. "Oh, I see now." Chen Huai''an smacked his forehead. "You have to hold the talisman in hand to activate it. Alright then..." Steeling himself, he grabbed the Thunderfire Talisman and pressed it directly onto the fish. The fish thrashed violently. Nothing happened. Chen Huai''an: "..." Baji: "..." The black cat couldn''t comprehend it. If this guy really wanted to kill the fish, why wasn''t he infusing the talisman with Spiritual Qi? Did he not know that activating a talisman required Spiritual Qi infusion? All set-trigger talismans worked the same way: They either triggered automatically when sensing demonic aura, killing intent, ghostly energy, or malicious intent.Or the user had to manually activate them with Spiritual Qi. Could it be this guy doesn''t know that? Baji stared at Chen Huai''an''s back, as if he could see a sinister, scheming smile on his face. Baji took slow, cautious steps backward, retreating into the shadows. It was done. The fear was unbearable. When would this paranoid nightmare finally end? Only Spiritual Qi brought it some measure of comfort. It had already done its best to learn the ways of a cat, but pretending to be an actual housecat required far too much effort. At any moment, it could slip up and reveal itself. Like just now. "...Forget it. I really am just a superhuman. A mere superhuman." Chen Huai''an shook his head, sighed, and found a basin to hold the bighead carp. He filled it with water and placed the whole thing on the windowsill. ??N????????? The basin was a bit small, leaving half of the fish''s tail sticking out. But beggars couldnt be choosers. At least it was still alive. "Baji, such a big fish, and youre not interested?" He turned to look at the black cat in surprise. Ever since Baji recovered from its injuries, it had been acting incredibly suspicious. Almost like a paranoid madman. Baji stiffened at his words, then scrambled onto the windowsill and started licking the fishs tail like crazyall while sneaking glances at Chen Huai''an''s face. Chen Huai''an: "..." This cat was not normal. Shaking his head with a chuckle, he decided to ignore both the bighead carp and Baji. He also failed to notice: The Spiritual Qi from the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid was slowly seeping into the room, permeating his skin. It became nourishment for both his cancer cells and his normal body cells and bones. Baji was actively absorbing Spiritual Qi. The previously half-dead fish near the flower pot was calming down and no longer flipping belly-up. Subtle changes were happening. Chen Huai''an simply opened his Virtual Girlfriend game. He could finally teach Li Qingran how to practice swordsmanship. Under a poplar tree, a burly middle-aged man with a scruffy beard scanned the surroundings anxiously. "Lao Li, wheres that young man you mentioned?" "He said he was going to the market. By now, hes probably already bought his groceries and gone home." The bearded man panicked. "Then why didnt you keep an eye on him?" Old Man Li rolled his eyes. "You told me to stay put! How was I supposed to keep an eye on him? You think I can clone myself?" The bearded man opened his mouth but sighed in resignation. "Fine, lets check the sword marks first." Old Man Li led the way as they circled the old poplar treeonce, twice, over and over again. Finally, they stopped beneath the tree, staring at the trunk in stunned silence. It seemed like they were struggling to process what they were seeing. After a long moment, Old Man Li turned to the bearded man. "Well? What do you think?" The bearded mans face darkened. "...Hard to say." "Hard to say?" "Yeah, I''m only at Master Rank, what the hell do I know?" "So you''re saying this kid''s sword strike was beyond Soldier Rank?" The bearded man fell silent. Old Li, seeing his constipated expression, also fell into silence. General Rank? Unthinkable. Even Soldier Rank was already ridiculous. "Old Li, remember last year when Wang Laohu poached someone from our province?" The bearded man''s eyes flickered with recollection as he rested a hand on the tree trunk before continuing, "That kid was originally a video content creatorjust messing around with old-school sword techniques for fun. But when Spiritual Qi Revival hit, those sword techniques suddenly became second nature to him overnight. When he was tested at the Demon Slayer Bureau, he immediately ranked top-tier Master Rank." "I heard that this year, he''s already at Soldier Rank and has taken care of more than a dozen high-difficulty cases. His fame is skyrocketing But even so, he can barely unleash Sword Qi. The power of his attacks? Honestly, its not even as good as when he just swings the sword normally." "I know. That ungrateful bastard." Old Li snorted, clenching his fist, eyes flashing with anger. He would never forget that betrayal. Wu Haiting. Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had personally guided that kid in comprehending sword techniques. But the moment he saw an opportunity for more money, he abandoned them, letting the neighboring provinces Demon Slayer Bureau snatch him up. C Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau had invested a ton of resources in his training, only for another province to reap all the rewards. As a result, their department had been struggling for the past two years. Not enough high-rankers, poor performance, sluggish response times to casessometimes, they even had to beg headquarters to send reinforcements from other regions. The embarrassment was secondary. The real tragedy was the number of civilians killed by monsters because they lacked a high-ranking slayer. If they had even one Soldier Rank expert, things wouldnt be this bad. "That''s why, Old Li, we must bring this young man into the Demon Slayer Bureau!" The bearded man grabbed Old Lis hand, speaking with urgency. "Last month, we lost several good kids. Right now, there are fewer than twenty active demon slayers left!" "I cant promise anything." Old Li sighed, shaking his head wearily. "I get why youre desperate, but we cant rush this. First, I dont even know where he lives. Second, Ive only met him a few timesI have no idea what kind of person he really is. "If this kid has truly mastered Sword Qi, none of us combined would be a match for him. Have you forgotten about that rogue Awakener back in Year 31? Look how much slaughter he caused! We still havent caught him! "And why? Because we underestimated the risk, overestimated his humanity, and misjudged his ambitions." The bearded man fell silent again. He couldnt deny it. With their current capabilities, they wouldn''t be able to control an Awakener who had fully mastered Sword Qi. Sure, guns and explosives could still threaten most Awakeners But once someone reached Master Rank, they developed an instinctive danger sense, making them significantly harder to shoot. Soldier Rank Awakeners? As long as they werent caught in heavy gunfire, they could use cover and survive most firearm attacks. And General Rank? They could parry bullets with a sword. "I get it." The bearded man took a deep breath. "I was being impatient. Old Li, heres the planyou keep in contact with that young man. Find a way to test his character. If he checks out, we can slowly introduce him to the Demon Slayer Bureau and feel him out." "Sounds reasonable." Old Li nodded. Since Chen Huai''an was interested in sword techniques and ancient martial arts, he figured the young man would eventually return to this place. Theyd have another chance to meet, and when that happened, hed try to find out where he lived. That way, tracking him down later would be easier. With their discussion over, the bearded man hailed a cab back to the Demon Slayer Bureau. But he barely sat down before his phone started vibrating. Glancing at the caller ID, he immediately answered. "BOSS! WE HAVE A SITUATION!" The voice on the other end was frantic. "A civilian demon slayer just reported that there are suspected Grade A monsters in Tianfu CityTWO of them!" "Two Grade A?!" The bearded mans face changed. His fist clenched. "Got it! Im coming back immediately!" He hung up. Through the taxi window, he looked at the towering city skyline. His brows furrowed. Outside, the streets were bustlingcars honking, pedestrians rushing to work. None of them knew that their world was on the brink of chaos. Neon lights flickered. Ghosts roamed the streets at night. In North America, evil spirits ran wild. In Europe, entire regions had become hunting grounds for vampires and werewolves. Sometimes, he missed the old dayswhen he was just an office worker. Sure, back then, life was dull. He was nothing more than a NPC background character. But at least he never had to worry about getting killed at any moment. The world had changed. And monsters were appearing more and more frequently. Chapter 78: Damn, Is This Lingxi Valley? Chapter 78: Damn, Is This Lingxi Valley? "Qingran, baby! I''ve already learned a bit of the Green Lotus Sword Manual! Ill turn you into a peerless Sword Immortal right now!" Qingran, you''ve been in the sect for some time now. As your master, its time I teach you some self-defense techniques. Li Qingran was just about to sit down and cultivate when her master''s voice echoed through the void. Master is finally going to teach her a technique?! Her heart filled with joy. "Yes, Master! I will study diligently and never bring shame upon you!" She obediently sat on the cushion, hands resting on her knees, back straight. However, she didnt notice how her kneeling posture accentuated her slender waist and curvy figure. Her expectant and admiring gaze made Chen Huai''an''s heart tremble slightly. These small workshops truly terrifying! This was the nth time he had marveled at it. Today, I will teach you a sword techniqueGreen Lotus Sword Manual. It consists of thirty-six chapters and twelve forms. I''ll teach you the first twelve chapters and the first two forms for now. "Why not all thirty-six chapters and twelve forms?" Li Qingran''s hands clenched on her knees, a hint of anxiety and eagerness in her eyes. She carefully said, "Master, I will study very hard! Im not that slow! You can try giving me everything all at once!" Ahem, its not that I think youre slow. Its just that this sword technique is very powerful. You need to build a solid foundation firstrushing wont get you anywhere. Hearing this, Li Qingran calmed down. As long as Master didnt think she was stupid, that was enough. Back at Qingyun Sect, Daoist Qingxuan and Lu Changtian had often called her dumb and useless. Now that she was following Chen Huai''an, she desperately wanted to prove herself. She wanted to leave a good impression. She had been abandoned too many times before. She didnt want to be discarded like trash again. Watch closely! I will demonstrate the first twelve chapters of the Green Lotus Sword Manual, then break them down for you. Chen Huai''an followed the game''s instructions, setting up his phone on a selfie stick. The game automatically switched to recording mode. "So I just need to perform the technique once?" A small window popped up in the top-left corner of the screen. Inside was a white-haired celestial in black robes, holding a Blackscale Sword, mirroring Chen Huai''ans exact movements. Chen Huai''an made a Monkey Reaching for the Moon gesture. The celestial copied him perfectly. "Oh, rightthis is my in-game avatar!" Chen Huai''an suddenly remembered. He now understood how the game worked. If this werent a game, Li Qingran wouldnt see him as a bald guy in pajamasshed see the white-haired celestial instead. And sure enough, thats exactly what happened. The moment the words Watch closely! fell, Li Qingrans vision blurred. When she came to, she was no longer in her small wooden hut. Instead, she found herself in a dimly lit, independent space. Though the surroundings were dark, there was a single bright figure standing five meters ahead. White robes. A sword on his back. Snow-like hair. Her master. Unlike in Qingyun Sect, where her masters presence was terrifying and oppressive, here, he felt much closer, more real. Back in the sect, her master was like a godunreachable and untouchable. But now He felt within her grasp. Focus! Pay attention in class! Before she realized it, her master had already moved to her side. A wooden ruler lightly tapped her headsmack! It didnt hurt, but her face heated up instantly, making her want to crawl into a hole. "So fun! The disciple can even interact and get scolded for daydreaming! The expressions are so realistic, too!" Chen Huai''an laughed as he lightly tapped Li Qingrans forehead with the ruler. Once she straightened up and focused, he finally began his demonstration. A flying sword descended upon Luoxia Peak. A young man named Xu An stepped off, carrying two gourd flasks filled with spiritual wine. He had brewed this wine himself, carefully refining it so that three parts of its intoxicating properties were neutralized. Now, it wasnt too strongjust a refreshing drink that aided digestion, calmed the mind, and boosted Spiritual Qi absorption. ??N????B????? "Senior Sister said the new Junior Sister was placed on the abandoned Ten Thousand Swords Peak. As her seniors, we should take good care of her But damn it, I only had six flasks, and they left me with just three!" Xu An shook his head and sighed. If he gave two flasks to his Junior Sister, hed only have one left. But giving just one seemed too stingy. In the end, pride won over thriftiness. "Screw it. Ill just give them to her." "She should be at the stone hut at the mountaintop, right? Wait a secondstone hut?!" Xu An froze, his eyes widening. What the hell?! Is this still Luoxia Peak?! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This this looked like Lingxi Valley! Where the hell was the stone hut? Instead, there stood a beautifully furnished wooden house, nestled within a bamboo forest. More importantlythere were ten freshly cultivated spirit fields, overflowing with so much Spiritual Qi that it was turning into mist! The wooden house sat half-hidden among the bamboo, with a gentle stream flowing from deep within the forest, forming a crystal-clear pond beside the house. Lotus flowers bloomed on the waters surface, while several Celestial Cranes flapped their wings, playing in the pond. "The clear pool reflects the bamboo grove, lotus petals adorn the pavilion" Xu An muttered in awe. "This this is what a true Immortals Cave Residence should look like!" "Compared to this, my cave is nothing but a dog kennel!" But the real question was How did Junior Sister set all this up in less than half a day?! And what about these ten spirit fields?! Did she have some kind of divine artifact?! Xu An glanced at the two wine flasks in his hand and suddenly felt hesitant. He was never good at socializing, and now, faced with such an extravagant sight, he felt even more out of place. "Forget it. I wont go in." Standing on the stone steps in front of the wooden house, he placed the wine flasks down and turned to leave. But just then, he sensed a faint ripple of Dao aura emanating from inside the house. His face changed slightly. "Junior Sister has already entered enlightenment?" Glancing around, he noticed the house had no defensive formations. "Enlightenment is a critical moment in cultivation. It must not be disturbed." "Ill set up a concealment formation to prevent any interruptions." Xu An patted his waist. Swish! A black sword shot out, circling the house as he quickly inscribed runes. Within moments, the formation was complete. He then sprinkled a handful of Spirit Stones at the formations core. In Sword Pavilion, there werent many dangers. This formation was merely a polite gesturea subtle way to signal to others that the person inside didnt wish to be disturbed. Once finished, Xu An nodded in satisfaction. "Interesting, interesting~" "A Junior Sister arrives, cultivates ten spirit fields within half a day This is something everyone needs to see!" He grinned, laughing heartily. Then, he leapt onto his flying sword and soared into the sky. Chapter 79: Are They Going to Take Over My House? Chapter 79: Are They Going to Take Over My House? Qingran, the essence of the is poetryinfusing poetry into the spirit. A single word, a single sword; words can empower sword techniques with greater strength. "I see, Master. I will remember this." Li Qingran stared intently at the white-robed figure carrying a sword on their back, growing even more certain of one thingher master must be an unparalleled Sword Sovereign. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This also reaffirmed her previous speculationher master had to be the Supreme Elder of the Sword Pavilion. Every cultivator from the Sword Pavilion carried an air of sharpness. Some were like freshly forged blades, brimming with vigor; others like drawn swords, their edge exposed; some like sheathed swords, their power concealed; and then there was the Pavilion Mastersteady as a mountain. But none of them possessed an aura as overwhelming as her masters. That was a sword capable of splitting the heavensan unparalleled, peerless blade! And such a sword needed a perfect sheath to match. She wanted to be that sheath. But right now, she was still far from worthy. Six full hours. It took Li Qingran that long just to grasp the first twelve chapters of the . She had never encountered such an intricate sword technique before. The seemingly simple foundational movements turned out to be incredibly difficult to string together. Just executing each move correctly had drained most of her . The depletion of her energy and sheer exhaustion made her sway unsteadily. Her entire body felt light-headed, and all she wanted was to collapse onto the bed and sleep under her masters warm yet imposing gaze Wait, master?! Li Qingran bit down on the tip of her tongue, hard. No sleeping. Hang in there! Her master was still teaching her sword techniqueshow could she allow herself to lose focus? Qingran, perform the sequence again from start to finish. Then, well conclude for today. Tomorrow, I will teach you the first sword stance. "Yes, Master." Li Qingran steadied herself, silently cheering herself on before rising to perform the sword dance. Chen Huaian tossed a handful of peanuts into his mouth, watching the screen with an enraptured expression. In truth, Li Qingran had already grasped the basics of the first twelve chapters. He just wanted to watch her perform again. On the screen, the young girl wielded her Su Xian Sword, assuming the Crane Stance to start. Her light steps and graceful form exuded elegance, her movements smooth and unwavering. Her hand twirled the sword in intricate flourishes, her robes swirling in the air as the shimmering blade gleamed like the seasons first snowfallunpredictable yet mesmerizing. ?a???s Chen Huaian was completely enthralled, losing track of time. He also failed to notice the exhaustion creeping onto the girls face. By the time she had completed the twelve-chapter sequence, Li Qingran was drenched in sweat. Her sleepwear, already thin and translucent, clung to her skin, giving Chen Huaian an unintended feast for the eyes. "Master how was my performance?" Li Qingran sheathed her sword, gripping the hilt with her right hand while subtly concealing her trembling legs behind her skirt. She tried to maintain a composed expression, but her labored breathing and flushed face betrayed her exhaustion. A bead of sweat slid from her brow to the tip of her delicate nose, then down to the corner of her lips. The tickling sensation made her instinctively stick out her tongue to lick it away. She could only imagine how disheveled she must look. With her completely drained, her technique had faltered in the last two chapters. She had forced herself through sheer willpower, enduring the discomfort to finish. She gazed longingly at the ceiling. She knew her master was watching hershe could feel it. But why had he remained silent for so long? Did he think she performed poorly? Outside the screen, Chen Huaian took a deep breath to calm himself. Not bad. Keep it up! Hearing her masters praise, Li Qingrans lips curled into a bright smile, her heart swelling with joy. It was as sweet as honey. Her fatigue seemed to melt away instantly. This was what she had been waiting fornothing mattered more than her masters approval. "Master, I am slow-witted. It took me six whole hours to grasp the basics. Im sure Master could have mastered it in half an hour." She leaned against her , fingers playing with the hem of her robe. Her lowered gaze held a hint of playful mischief. She didnt want Chen Huaian to leave just yet, so she deliberately found something to chat about. Chen Huaian wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead. In reality, he had practiced the for a long time. If not for the gaming helmet helping him memorize the basic movements, it wouldve taken him at least a week to reach teaching proficiency. Ahem No need to be so modest. Six hours for an initial grasp is already impressive. "Then how long did Master take?" Hmm cough about fifteen minutes. "Wow! Master is truly amazing! I must work even harder to catch up!" Chen Huaian felt his face heat up under her gaze of pure admiration. After exchanging a few more words with her, he quickly made his exit. His stomach was growling after spending so much time watching her practice. Li Qingran didnt press him to stay either. Instead, she obediently went to bathe and change into fresh clothes. She didnt restonce some of her exhaustion faded, she immediately sat down in meditation to restore her depleted . Meanwhile, over at "Hey! Have you heard? The new junior sister got a fancy house and ten spiritual fields on her first day!" "What?! No way!" "Have you heard? The new junior sister came with a grand house and fifty spiritual fields!" "Breaking news! The new junior sister unlocked a hundred spiritual fields and built an immortal estate in the span of a single incense stick!" "Unbelievable! Do you guys know? The new junior sister owns a celestial palace in the clouds, a hundred acres of spiritual land, and even captured two Azure Dragons as pets!" "What? No way!" "Lets go check it outwho cares if its true or not?!" Suddenly, the sound of swords slicing through the air filled the sky outside the window. Li Qingran jumped in surprise. She quickly got up and opened the window to check. The scene outside made her jaw drop. A massive crowd of sword cultivators hovered in the sky, their robes billowing in the wind as they stood on multicolored flying swords, completely surrounding the peak. They were all disciples of the Sword Pavilionincluding the Pavilion Master and the elders! "What what is happening?" Li Qingrans face went pale. Her mind blanked out as she instinctively shut the window and crouched against the wall in a defensive position. "Junior Sister Qingran, no use hiding! We can all see you!" It was Senior Sister Yue Qianchis voice. Li Qingrans brain went even more blank. Did they see her master giving her special treatment? Did they see her practicing in her sleepwear?! Her sleepwear with little frogs and lotus flowers printed on it?! She hadnt even put on stockingsher bare feet were exposed?! Ahhh! "No matter how much you hide, your house and spiritual fields wont disappear. Come out!" "Oh" Li Qingran let out a small sigh of relief. But her heart clenched again. Why were they all gathered here?! Considering the Sword Pavilion disciples notoriously aggressive nature She nervously pushed the door open, pressing herself against it like a tiny crab guarding its shell, looking up at the sea of floating sword cultivators. She had a very, very bad feeling. Had the entire come to confront her? Were they seriously going to take over her house?! Chapter 80: The Sword Pavilion’s Tradition? Chapter 80: The Sword Pavilions Tradition? Sar?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The house and spiritual fields were given to her by her masterthere was no way she would hand them over to anyone. But since her master was the Supreme Elder, surely they wouldnt dare try anything right? "Junior Sister, why are you guarding that door so tightly?" Just as Li Qingrans thoughts ran wild, Yue Qianchi, standing on her flying sword, chuckled and teased, "Whats the matter? Afraid well tear down your little house and take it over?" The surrounding Sword Pavilion disciples burst into laughter. There was no malice in their laughteronly amusement. Li Qingran, caught red-handed, turned bright red, unable to say a word. "Li Qingran, did your master create this house and these fields for you?" The one who spoke was the Pavilion Master, Su Qinian. Li Qingran lifted her gaze for a brief moment before quickly looking away. She mumbled, "Yes my master arranged it. Master said its for me alone The spiritual fields Im the only one tending them too" "Oh." Su Qinian glanced at the fields, silently astonished. The fertility of these fields was already at the level of . Even his own medicinal garden was only about this leveland it wasnt much bigger than what Li Qingran had. Yet, right under his nose, ten such fields had been cultivated in an instant. Who exactly was Li Qingrans master? There was no way someone could infiltrate the Sword Pavilion without him noticing. They must have used some kind of treasure but even so, such a feat was practically divine. "Master, Junior Sister Qingran is afraid youll steal her spiritual fields~" Yue Qianchis playful remark snapped Su Qinian out of his thoughts. Seeing Li Qingrans wary expression, he rolled his eyes. "You think Im going to tend to your spiritual fields for you? You sure have high expectations!" The Sword Pavilion disciples erupted into laughter once again. Li Qingrans face turned an even deeper shade of red. "D-disciple didnt mean it that way" Su Qinian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then what you mean?" "I just" Li Qingran shut her mouth, unsure what to say. She had never seen a sect master interrogate a disciple like this before. Su Qinian, seeing her at a loss, stroked his beard in satisfaction and said, "You chose this peak for your cave residence. However you develop it is up to you. No matter how extravagant it becomes, its still yours. Our Sword Pavilion may not be rich, but were not so desperate that we need to seize resources from our own disciples." ???????S? "Thats right, Junior Sister. We were just curious and came to take a look. I mean, its not every day you see such a large spiritual field," Yue Qianchi added with a sigh. If she had a field like this, she wouldnt have to spend money on spirit herbs anymoreshe could just grow her own and even sell the excess for a profit. "Senior Sister you can plant your herbs here if youd like" Li Qingran figured Yue Qianchi had always been kind to her, so helping her grow some spirit herbs wasnt a big deal. Yue Qianchi snorted and crossed her arms. "I appreciate the thought, but you should use the fields yourself. Youre planning to become an or a , arent you? Youll need these fields. Work hard!" "Oh, righthere, take this." She pulled a small cloth pouch from her storage bag and shoved it into Li Qingrans hands. "These are basic spirit herb seeds. I bought too many last time. You can have them." "Senior Sister" Li Qingran opened her mouth to refuse, but Yue Qianchi cut her off with a smirk. "If you refuse, Ill plant dogtail grass all over your field!" Li Qingran: "" "Junior Sister, I brought you two jugs of spirit wine this morning. Dont forget to take them inside." From his flying sword, Xu An, the senior disciple of Lingyun Peak, waved at her with a smile. "You must be the new Junior Sister, right? Im Gongsun Sheng, second disciple of Lingyun Peak." A sword cultivator stepped forward, taking out a small device and handing it to her. "This is something I crafted. Just infuse it with , and it will unleash 108,000 spirit steel needles. It might save your life one day." "Junior Sister, I am Zhen He, a direct disciple of Hidden Sword Peak." Another sword cultivator, sitting on a celestial crane with his sword across his lap, handed her a small pouch. "Inside are three , each containing my condensed sword energy. They can instantly kill anyone below the and heavily injure those at the . Keep them for protection." "Junior Sister, I raise celestial cranes. Heres one for you." "Junior Sister, I dont have much, so here are some elixirs. Heh heh!" "Junior Sister, this hairpin suits youtake it!" One after another, gifts were pushed into Li Qingrans hands until she could no longer hold them all. The pile of items grew so high that even the celestial crane from Zhao Le Senior Sister had to help carry some. "Here. Take this." A cool, indifferent voice spoke. Li Qingran peeked out from behind the mountain of gifts and blinked in confusion. The speaker was the she had seen earlierthe one who cultivated the while sleeping on a turtles back. "I am Duan Feng, direct disciple of ." Duan Feng held out a dark, heavy sword case. His tone was as calm as ever. "Joining the Sword Pavilion means becoming a sword cultivator. Your sword is no longer just a weaponit is your partner, your kin. Even if it is a wooden sword, you must remain loyal to it until it is no longer usable." "Nearly all of our resources go into . This sword case can temper and restore your blade, enhancing its sharpness over time. It is yours now." "I I cant accept this Its too, too valuable" Li Qingran was already overwhelmed by the sheer number of gifts. She stammered, unsure of what to do. "Its just an object. Besides, I have a better one." Duan Feng placed the sword case on top of the pile, perfectly balancing it before turning and walking away. His own sword hung at his waistits dark, polished blade wrapped in a faint green glow. He was also the only disciple who wasnt floating in the air. When all the gifts had been given, Li Qingran found herself completely surrounded by presents. The celestial crane had to carry some for her. This outcome was far beyond anything she had expected. She had thought her fellow disciples would demand something in return, but after giving their gifts, they simply left, chatting and laughing among themselves. Yue Qianchi helped Li Qingran carry everything into her house. The two of them sat on the cliffside of , each holding a jug of Xu Ans spirit wine under the moonlight. "This is a tradition in the Sword Pavilion. Youll get used to it." Yue Qianchi ruffled Li Qingrans hair with a gentle smile. "But why did they give me so much?" Li Qingran was still confused. Wasnt the Sword Pavilion supposed to be ? One senior even gave her all his , keeping only a single one for himself. Yue Qianchi gazed at the moon, eyes filled with sorrow. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke. "Junior Sister its been a long time since we had new disciples in the Sword Pavilion." "The path of a sword cultivator is difficultfar harder than in other sects. It requires immense perseverance and countless resources. We dont want to lose another disciple to hardship." Li Qingran might not know the history of the Sword Pavilion, but she could see the sadness in Yue Qianchis eyes. She reached out and firmly grasped Yue Qianchis hand, fingers interlacing. "Senior Sister, I wont die. Ill do my best to live on. And you cant die eitheryoure our Pavilions Senior Sister!" Yue Qianchi frozethen let out a hearty laugh. "Thats right!" She raised her wine jug, letting the moonlight flow into her drink. "As long as I, Yue Qianchi, am here, no one will harm my fellow disciples!" Chapter 81: The Breathing Technique and Hidden Turmoil Chapter 81: The Breathing Technique and Hidden Turmoil Late at night, Chen Huaian turned over in his sleep. "Emmm Qingran hasnt been bullied in her new sect, right?" He groggily reached for his phone, took a quick glance, and saw Li Qingran diligently cultivating in-game. Satisfied, he casually tossed his phone aside and went back to sleep. On the windowsill, the black cat, Baji, curled up into a ball, breaking into a cold sweat. Only when it confirmed that Chen Huaian had fallen asleep again did it let out a sigh of relief. Facing the under the moonlight, it slowly released a suppressed auraa menacing energy that belonged to the . Dark tendrils extended from its body, merging into the rooms shadows, filling the air with a sinister presence. That big green fish sure is lucky. Baji scoffed at the blue carp leisurely bathing in the basin, absorbing . In this era of dwindling , living in a place rich with energyunder the protection of a powerful masterwas an unimaginable fortune. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As for how Baji understood the current world? It had learned from watching TV whenever Chen Huaian turned it on. Eventually, it figured out how to turn it on itself whenever Chen Huaian left. Now, it knew that the metal box that nearly crushed it last time was called a . It wasnt a human weaponjust a transportation device. Real human weapons were things called and , which were like long-range hidden weapons that could kill enemies from afar. With this newfound knowledge, Baji became even more convinced that its master was here to comprehend the . He must have traveled across countless worlds, sealing his power and memories to experience different , refining his path to perfection. But no one should mistake a sealed master for an easy targetif he dared to suppress his own strength and memories, he must have a means of self-preservation. Baji speculated that the was his secret weapon. Unlike human phones, its masters device had a pitch-black screen that only he could see. It was a tool for comprehending the a treasure that even Baji had once coveted. But after witnessing the terrifying last time, it no longer dared to entertain such thoughts. This carp must have been left here on purpose by the master. If the master intends to keep you, then I shall grant you a stroke of fortune! As one of the Four Ancient Fiend Beasts, the was practically the ancestor of all demons. To bestow sentience upon a creature and transform it into a true demon was an effortless act. Baji pressed its paw against the carps forehead, allowing a single drop of dark red blood to seep into its skin. At this rate, it will fully demonize in two months. Baji retracted its paw, its round eyes gleaming with cunning. Once the carp became a demon, it would serve as the perfect distraction. As long as its masters memories remained sealed, his attention would be focused on the newly transformed carpmeaning he wouldnt have time to notice anything wrong about Baji itself. ?a??? Kekekeke! Im a genius! "Stupid cat, what the hell are you screeching about in the middle of the night" Half-asleep, Chen Huaian casually threw a pillow in Bajis direction. His hand brushed against his phones screen. A game notification popped up. Your remaining lifespan: 57 days Today''s fortune: Minor Blessing C Auspicious for Marriage "Youre kidding, right? Three-Zero, are you seriously expecting me to believe this story?" A burly, bearded man stared in disbelief at the school-uniform-clad girl in front of him. What had she just said? Some mysterious expert casually threw out seven or eight capable of summoning divine lightning? Andhe was with a high-grade demonic entity?! Was this even anymore?! "Brother Wu, I may not be an official member of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, but you know my character." Lin Linglings wounds were wrapped in simple bandages, and after applying the Bureaus special wound-healing salve, she felt much better. But she still had to lean against her spear for support. She added, "Moreover, I suspect that demon isnt just a high-grade entityit might be a ." The bearded man, Wu, let out an exasperated sigh. The Demon-Slaying Bureau categorized demonic entities into several levels: Among them, were newly awakened creatures affected by the . They primarily evolved by consuming flesh and devouring one another. But ? Only a could handle those. Anything weaker than that would just be throwing themselves into the meat grinder. Because were as intelligent as humansmeaning tricking them into submission was out of the question. If Lin Linglings report was accurate and this really was a , they were in deep trouble. Especially since the C-Province Demon-Slaying Bureau ! He and Old Li were both merely . There was no way they could take on such a threat. "You also said this demon is living with a mysterious Revived, correct? And that this Revived can use Thunder Talismans?" "Thats right. I even tested himhe seems completely unaware of the Bureau." Lin Lingling rubbed her chin, deep in thought. "I have two theories. One, this person is a , someone who naturally awakened and is unaware of the Bureau. But the fact that a wild Revived can already so skillfully is suspicious Two, he might actually a member of the Bureau or another private exorcist organization, just executing a secret missionhence why he ignored my probing questions." "No, theres a third possibility." Wus expression turned grim. "Have you considered that he might be an ?" "An ?" Lin Lingling recalled the video account she had seen of Chen Huaian and his carefree, idiotic, yet strangely demeanor. Could an Uncontrolled Revived really have kind of gaze? She had never even considered the possibility. Wu, however, remained unconvinced. "People can pretend, you know." "This situation is too serious to ignore!" Wu slammed his hand on the table, his eyes sharp. "Youre the only one whos interacted with this mysterious Revived, and he hasnt attacked you yet. That means your new mission is to . The moment heor the demon in his homeshows any abnormal signs, you report back immediately!" "Ive already requested a Soldier-Class backup from headquarters. You just need to stall for time." "Me?" Lin Lingling pointed at herself, her lips twitching. "You want , a mere , to ?" "If you do it well, Ill promote you to ." Wu grinned, hands folded smugly. "You know were short-staffed. Most freelance exorcists are cowards. But you, Three-Zero Youre different. Youre fearless. I believe in you. Just stall until our reinforcements arrive, and Ill make you . Hell, Ill even make you an !" "Isnt already an automatic promotion?" "Not the same thing!" Wu pulled out a document from his desk. "This is the newly developed . If I promote you, youll gain access to the first three volumes." Lin Linglings face twitched. They really perfect the ?! Her fingers tightened around her spear. After a moment, she raised her head and met Wus gaze. "Deal." "But Im broke. I need a quick demon-slaying job on the side." "No problem!" Wu gestured toward the mission board, grinning. "Pick anything you like!" Chapter 82: Are You Serious?! Chapter 82: Are You Serious?! "Disciple Qingran humbly prays to the heavens for mercy, to dispel calamities, and to bless my master with safety and peace." At dawn the next day, Li Qingran followed her usual routinebathing in incense and offering three bows to the sky, praying for her master''s well-being. Afterward, she rode the celestial crane gifted by Senior Sister Zhaole and headed toward the sect''s Sword Pavilion plaza. She had always been a punctual person, believing that arriving early was enough. But the moment she reached the plaza, she was stunned. The entire plaza was already packed with people. The rooftops, the ancient pines, the very tips of the bamboo in the grovewherever one could stand, sit, lie down, or meditatewere all occupied by disciples of the Sword Pavilion. The better the vantage point, the more crowded it was. Clang! A sudden sword cry pierced the air, and from the front of the crowd, a dazzling sword light shot skyward. Then came the sounds of battle. "Get lost! This is my spot!" "You think just because you say so, its yours? I say its mine!" "I left my flying sword here to claim this spot!" "Like I care!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The intense clashing of swords roared into the sky. Yet, none of the surrounding disciples of the Sword Pavilion seemed inclined to intervene. Instead, they watched with great interest, even discussing who would win. "Youll have to come even earlier next time, Junior Sister." A voice came from above, and a figure gracefully landed on the tip of a bamboo stalk beside herit was Xu An, the same senior brother who had gifted her spirit wine the day before. "Senior Brother Xu." Li Qingran quickly bowed in greeting. "No need to be so formal." Xu An, holding a wine gourd, looked slightly intoxicated as he chuckled. "The sects morning lessons are extremely important. Theyre when the elders answer cultivation questions and the direct disciples share their battle experiences. Only after this do the elders of each peak take their disciples back for specialized sword training." "I see..." Li Qingran nodded, still somewhat confused. Sword Pavilions teaching model was vastly different from Qingyun Sectsit even seemed quite eco-friendly. "Thats why you need to arrive early and claim a good spot. Sometimes, the direct disciples will spar, and the closer you are to the front, the more details you can observe. Its very beneficial for both cultivation and swordplay," Xu An explained. His intoxication seemed to swell as he swayed precariously atop the bamboo stalk. Yet, no matter how much he wobbled, his feet remained firmly planted on the tip. "But Senior Brother, you arrived late too." "Me?" Xu An waved dismissively. "No one dares take my spot. The very front is reserved for the top three direct disciples of each peak. If anyone wants my spot, theyll have to beat me first." At the front, the sword fight seemed to have reached its conclusion. One disciple, cursing under his breath, leaped onto a nearby rooftop and promptly knocked down another disciple who had already secured a good spot, taking it for himself. ??????B DongDongDong! A distant, ethereal bell tolled from the mountainsnine chimes in total. Instantly, the entire plaza fell silent. "Morning lessons are starting." Xu Ans expression turned serious, and his drunkenness vanished in an instant. "Junior Sister, Ill be heading to the front. See you later~" The moment he finished speaking, Li Qingran blinked, and Xu An was already gone, leaving only the swaying bamboo behind. Li Qingran was completely absorbed in the morning lessons. The elders of the Sword Pavilion didnt just dump their own experiences onto the disciples and call it a day. Because the gap in cultivation levels was too vast, much of their knowledge would be incomprehensible to lower-level disciples. So, instead, they carefully deconstructed their insights, tailoring them for each cultivation stage so that all disciples could grasp them easily. At the same time, they exposed disciples to knowledge above their current level without hindering their progress. This reminded Li Qingran of her time in Qingyun Sect. Back then, when Daoist Qingxuan taught her the Chiyun Technique, he simply recited the incantation and left her to figure it out on her own. Translating the incantation into something she could actually understand had already taken her a ridiculous amount of effort. After the morning lessons ended, the disciples left under the guidance of their respective elders. But Li Qingran didnt leave right away. She wandered around the small plaza for a while. Finally, she spotted the Sword Pavilion Master, Su Qinian, fast asleep on a towering ancient pine. "Sect Master, this junior has something to report!" Standing beneath the tree, she bowed respectfully. No response. She looked up and saw that this late-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse was sleeping soundlycompletely unguarded! "Sect Master?" "Junior Sister, that wont wake him up." Out of nowhere, Yue Qianchi appeared, grinning mischievously as she draped an arm around Li Qingrans shoulder. "Master can sense killing intent from a hundred miles away, but within the Sword Pavilion, no matter how close a disciple gets to him, hell sleep right through it," Yue Qianchi explained while rummaging through her storage pouch. Soon, she pulled out a bronze gong and a wooden mallet. She raised an eyebrow at Li Qingran. "Today, Senior Sister will teach you how to wake up a sleeping sect master." Li Qingrans face paled. "Senior Sister, this... this doesnt seem appropriate..." She could already guess what Yue Qianchi intended to do. This was outright disrespect! In Qingyun Sect, this kind of offense would get someone expelled! "Its fine." Yue Qianchi leaped onto the tree, positioned the gong right above Su Qinians head, and swung the mallet in a wide arc. BOOOOM!!! Li Qingran instinctively shut her eyes in terror. When the echo finally faded, she cautiously opened them againonly to see Su Qinian now sitting cross-legged, his face dark as thunder, his jaw twitching. The culprit, Yue Qianchi, was nowhere to be found. Oh no. Li Qingran hurriedly bowed. "Sect Master, that wasnt me. It was" She bit her lip and ultimately decided not to rat out her senior sister. Let the sect master figure it out himself. She simply shut her eyes, resigned, and muttered, "Disciple got dust in her eyes. I didnt see anything." "Hah! You think I wouldnt know it was that damn girl Yue Qianchi?" Su Qinian ground his teeth, his fists clenched inside his sleeves. "That brat is getting bolder! Ill make her clean up after the sects guardian beast later!" "Ah? Thats it?" Li Qingran let out a sigh of relief. Cleaning up after the guardian beast wasnt even a punishment. She had done plenty of that beforeit was just a little smelly. But upon hearing her response, Su Qinians expression twisted. A sinister grin crept onto his face. "Heh... So it was her, huh? Heh heh heh... Good! Well done! Heh heh heh..." Li Qingran was dumbfounded. She hadnt expected the sect master to trick her into confessing! Without realizing it, she had sold out her senior sister. Lowering her head, she pressed her hands together in silent apology. Senior Sister, Im so sorry QAQ. Sect Master is way too cunning! "Save your prayers. That brat is doomed." Su Qinian jumped down from the pine tree, straightened his robe, and asked in confusion, "Anyway, why were you looking for me?" Li Qingran steadied herself and bowed deeply. "Sect Master, my masterSenior Grand Elder Chen is currently fighting a great demon. He said he has been poisoned and may not have much time left. Since he is a Senior Grand Elder of the Sword Pavilion, I thought I should inform you." Master. Senior Grand Elder of the Sword Pavilion. Poisoned. What? Su Qinians eye twitched. Wait... this is serious?! Chapter 83: Found the Memorial Tablet? Chapter 83: Found the Memorial Tablet? The so-called "Senior Grand Elder" was just a lie Su Qinian had told Li Qingran to motivate her to cultivate harder. In reality, the Sword Pavilion never had a Senior Grand Elder, let alone one with the surname Chen. But now what? Li Qingran''s master was poisoned and dying. Leaving him alone didnt sit right with Su Qinian. But stepping in? He didnt have the resources for that "Qingran, was informing me of this your idea or your master''s?" Su Qinian decided to stall and gauge the situation first. "It was my master''s wish, and it is also mine!" Li Qingran bowed deeply again. "Sect Master, is there any way to save my master? I am willing to do anything!" Su Qinian felt his head spin. Great. Not only had he accepted a disciple, but now he had also indirectly acknowledged a nonexistent Senior Grand Elder in the Sword Pavilion? Was this even appropriate? Was this right? Since the situation was getting out of hand, Su Qinian decided to create some distance. Testing the waters again, he said, "When I joined the sect, that Senior Grand Elder had already left for a journey. I only know his surname is Chen, but I dont recall his full name" "My master''s name is Chen Huaian!" Li Qingran immediately supplied. "Ah, I see. Then follow me to the sects ancestral hall. Ill check the records and see which Senior Grand Elder he was, and based on his cultivation level, we can figure out a solution." Su Qinians real plan? The ancestral hall only contained memorial tablets of deceased elders, along with some for those who had left the sect and were missing. Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If they didnt find any tablet for a Chen Huaian, hed simply claim it was a mistake, brush the whole thing off, and then offer Li Qingran another encouraging lie to keep her focused on improving her strength. It wasnt selfishness. The Sword Pavilion simply couldnt afford distractions right now. Resources were dwindling. They barely had enough for their own people. Li Qingran wasnt sure why she needed to confirm her masters identity, but clinging to hope, she obediently followed Su Qinian to the ancestral hall. The hall was old. But it was immaculately maintained. Li Qingran noticed a female sword cultivator sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard. She wore plain robes, her long white hair cascading down her back. Tall and slender, she stood bathed in the morning light, her pale face glowing with an ethereal radiance. Time had left no trace on her features. ???????? For a moment, Li Qingran felt as though time itself had merged with this woman. "Senior Sister Lin," Su Qinian greeted with a bow. It was the first time Li Qingran had ever seen the usually irreverent Pavilion Master act so proper. The woman merely nodded slightly, as if she barely noticed their presence. Su Qinian offered no explanation about her identity and simply led Li Qingran inside. The hall was filled with neatly arranged memorial tablets. Compared to the halls dilapidated state, the tablets themselves gleamed as if they had just been placed there. Li Qingran couldnt help but think of the ethereal woman outside. The tablets must be her workcarefully maintained day after day, preserving the memory of those who had come before. Su Qinian lit three incense sticks, placed them in the burner, and bowed three times before turning to Li Qingran. "Well split up and search. Rememberdo not move the tablets. You can look, but dont touch!" Li Qingran nodded seriously. "Understood! I wont touch anything!" "Good, youre well-behaved, so I wont keep an eye on you." With that, Su Qinian wandered up to the second floor, planning to stall for time. He was certain. There was no record of any ancestor or senior with the name Chen Huaian in the Sword Pavilion. Li Qingran searched carefully, but with each passing moment, she grew more anxious. Especially when she reached the section dedicated to those with the surname Chenyet still, no sign of her masters name. Minutes ticked by. Su Qinian eventually came back down, finding Li Qingran frantically scanning the memorial tablets. Though he felt a pang of guilt, he steeled himself and said, "Well? Did you find your masters tablet? If not, I must have remembered wrong. Ahsuch is age, my memory fails me at times." Li Qingran didnt respond. She kept searching, even revisiting the tablets Su Qinian had already "checked." Her eyes were red, her lips tightly pressed together, as if determined to check every single one. Su Qinian didnt stop her, instead patiently continuing, "Qingran, even if your master isnt one of our sects Senior Grand Elders, Ill still try to help him. You dont have to" "I found it!" The sheer joy in her voice cut Su Qinian off mid-sentence. "What?!" Su Qinian spun around, stunned. Li Qingran rushed forward, clutching a memorial tablet in her arms. Her eyes were slightly red, tears shimmering at the corners, but her face carried a look of profound relief. "Master I found my masters tablet!" Chapter 84: Isnt This Triple Zero? Chapter 84: Isn''t This Triple Zero? "Hiss! This isnt right! This shouldnt be happening!" Su Qinian yanked out another strand of his beard, utterly baffled. "So, Sect Master, is this my masters memorial tablet or not?" Li Qingran stared at Su Qinian anxiously, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of her dress. The Sect Master had been staring at the tablet for over ten minutes now. Could there be some issue? "Well how should I put this?" Su Qinian tore his gaze away from the memorial tablet, his expression complicated. The inscription read "Chen _ An," with the middle character missing. Li Qingrans master was named Chen Huaian, but with a missing character, he couldn''t be completely sure if this tablet belonged to him. However, Li Qingran''s master had claimed he was once a Senior Grand Elder of the Sword Pavilion Su Qinian was completely confused. His memory told him there had never been a Senior Grand Elder named Chen Huaian in the Sword Pavilion. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the ancestral halls records suggested there been a highly revered ancestor with the name Chen _ An. The tablet was placed at the very topan indication of great status. Since it was missing a character, and because Su Qinian had no recollection of a Chen Huaian, he had originally glossed over it. If not for Li Qingran double-checking every tablet he had already dismissed, they might have completely missed it. Could it be that, when he first joined the sect, this "Chen _ An" had indeed left on a journey? Did his random nonsense just turn out to be ?! Still in disbelief, Su Qinian took the tablet and hurried outside to find the white-clad female sword cultivator. Li Qingran quickly followed. "Senior Sister Lin, you joined the sect earlier than I did. Do you recall an elder named Chen _ An?" The woman in white turned at the mention of the name. Her beautiful face instantly darkened as she unsheathed her sword and Su Qinian on the head with its scabbard. "Who gave you permission to move the memorial tablets? Are you looking for a beating?" Despite being the Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion, Su Qinian didnt dare resist. He simply lowered his head and endured her scolding. "I do recall an ancestor with the surname Chen," Lin Yuxi eventually admitted, though her expression remained indifferent. "But Ive long forgotten his full name." ??????Bs She carefully returned the tablet to its original place and glanced at the two younger cultivators. "That ancestor left on a journey a long time ago. He was the senior martial brother of our masters master. This tablet is extremely old. The previous caretaker of the ancestral hall failed to protect it, and one day, our sects guardian beast got in and clawed away the middle character." Su Qinians vision darkened. So the nonsense he had spouted had actually ? "Is there any other information about this ancestor?" He wanted final confirmation. "Hmm" Lin Yuxi frowned in thought. "He did leave behind a saying, engraved on the stele at Ten Thousand Swords Peak." "You mean the inscription on the Ten Thousand Swords Peak stele was left by this Chen ancestor?!" Su Qinian was shocked. "I always thought our master wrote it!" "I haven''t been to Ten Thousand Swords Peak yet. May I ask what it says?" "I suppose there''s no harm in telling you." Su Qinian stroked his beard before reciting, "Just eight simple words, yet filled with overwhelming might, perfectly encapsulating the sword intent cultivated at Ten Thousand Swords Peak ''When the Dao collapses, only the sword remains!''" Su Qinian shook his head, lost in admiration for the phrase''s boundless arrogance. But Li Qingran only blinked, her gaze flickering with uncertainty. The words certainly carried an imposing presence, but they didnt sound like something her master would say. Her masters words always carried an ethereal quality. But that wasnt important. The past was the past. Her master had gone through countless experiences over the yearsof course, the way he spoke would change. "That settles it." Su Qinian clenched his fist, sealing his conclusion. "Li Qingran, your master, Chen Huaian, was not a Senior Grand Elder, but an of our sect. Perhaps he was just an elder when he left, and since his position within the sect is hard to define now, he told you he was a Senior Grand Elder instead." Li Qingran didnt respond. Actually, her master had never told her anything. She had asked. "Since your master is an of the Sword Pavilion, this matter must be handled with the utmost care. Go ask your master where he is now and what kind of poison he has been afflicted with. The Sword Pavilion will spare no expensewe find the antidote, even if it costs us everything!" Su Qinian''s voice was resolute. He was all in. Forget the sects principle of never abandoning a single disciple Just the title alone was worth going broke over. If they managed to save this ancestor and bring him back, what did the amount to? They could Qingyun Sect with the entire Pavilion. Dig out every last one of their spirit stones. Make their guardian beast with Qingyun Sects mother snake. Would the Qingyun Sect dare say no? Would they ?! "" Lost in his fantasy, Su Qinian laughed like a true sword cultivator. "Su Qinian! You touched an ancestors memorial tablet. Report to the Law Enforcement Hall and receive one hundred lashes!" A cold voice suddenly rang out from behind him, sending a shiver down his spine. "Ah, Senior Sister, I the Pavilion Master now, you know" "Pavilion Masters get punished too." Lin Yuxi shut the doors to the ancestral hall with a cold glare. "Or what? Are you waiting for me to drag you to the sect plaza like when we were kids? Spank your backside with a vine rod in front of the Sword Pavilion disciples?" Su Qinian''s face turned green. He hurriedly grabbed Li Qingran and made his escape. He knew Senior Sister Lin do it. "Sect Master, Id like to visit the Scripture Pavilion as well." Although Su Qinian had already promised to handle the situation, Li Qingran felt it was best to have a backup plan. Her masters poisoning couldnt be delayed. If Su Qinians efforts failed, she might still find a solution in the Scripture Pavilion. "Go, go." Su Qinian waved her off in boredom. "The Scripture Pavilion is at the peak of the North Summit. Just remember to follow the rules." He summoned his flying sword and prepared to head to the Law Enforcement Hall. Then, he hesitated, turned back, and fixed Li Qingran with a dark expression. "Qingran, about todays events, you" Li Qingran straightened her posture, her face solemn as she cupped her fists. "This disciple simply visited the ancestral hall with the Sect Master, glanced at the memorial tablets, and left. I saw , met , and no one said a single word to us. This disciple also has where the Sect Master is headed now." "Mm~" Su Qinian stroked his beard in satisfaction. "Good girl!" With that, he soared into the sky on his sword. Li Qingran let out a quiet breath of relief. She unhooked the bell at her waist, summoned her celestial crane, and flew towards the North Summit. Boom! Boom! That morning, Chen Huaian was still asleep when two loud thuds echoed from outside. Groggily, he opened his eyes. "" On the sofa, the black cat, Baji, also opened its golden eyes, a cold glint flashing within. Blood and the scent of that little thief from before Chen Huaian got up and opened the door. A strong stench of blood hit him straight in the face, making him frown. A blood trail stretched from the window at the end of the hallway, leading to his doorstep. And lying at his feet was a small, trembling figure. Dressed in a bloodstained high school summer uniform, her hair matted with dirt and gore, her face was nearly unrecognizable. A collapsed, bloodied little girl. And most importantly He her. "" Chapter 89: Disciple Won’t Let You Die! Chapter 89: Disciple Wont Let You Die! Back at the hotel, Chen Huaian let out a small sigh of relief. Nothing in his room had been touched. Good. He it when people messed with his stuffwhether it was the police or anyone else. At the sound of the door opening, Baji poked its head out from the corner. Seeing that it was Chen Huaian, the black cat immediately let out a and began its paw-licking performance. Meanwhile, the big green fish in the washbasin peeked its head out slightly, as if secretly listening in on the rooms conversation. Chen Huaian plugged in his phone to charge. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he began sorting through the chaos in his head. Somethings wrong with the world. Hearing his muttered words, Bajis paw froze mid-lick. Slowly its gaze lifted in horror. Has he finally realized?! "Ever since I came back from Tianmen Mountain, things have felt off. That mutant wolf died way too strangely, Triple Zero kept asking me weird questions, and then today she almost right in front of me." "The police took me in for questioning, but then I ran into that clearly someone with a lot of power, yet he was pretending to be an internet caf owner. And his behavior? Completely ." As Chen Huaians thoughts connected the dots, his eyes shone brighter and brighter. Meanwhile, Bajis expression grew more and more terrified. The big boss Is about to awaken his memories?! The air in the room darkened, as if something had blinded the heavens. Thisthis terrifying presence It could overturn the sky itself! "HYDRA SHIELD THE AVENGERS X-MEN! HAHAHA!" Baji: "???" What the hell was the boss talking about?! Baji swiped the sock Chen Huaian had thrown on its face and, realizing that nothing was actually happening, resumed licking its paws. "That girl, Lin Linglingdressed in a school uniform, carrying a long rifle, and wandering around deep in the mountains? That was weird enough!" "But then, she was the one who killed that mutant wolf!" "And that bearded guy? He has enough authority to control the police, but hes clearly not part of law enforcement." "He even gave me a mysterious addressit secret organization!" Chen Huaians eyes lit up as he clenched his fist. "Ive got it!" "Triple Zero and Beardy are agents of a secret organization. They must have discovered that my cancer cells have transformed me into a superhuman, so they deliberately made contact!" ??? "And Beardy offering 100,000 yuan for my talismans? That was his way of leaving a lasting impression on me!" "As for Triple Zero Hmm" He rubbed his chin in thought. Why exactly had she been covered in blood at his doorstep? That part still didnt make sense. "Eh, whatever. Theyve already found out about Tumor Superman. Theyll definitely come looking for me again." With his "Think too much? Just let it go" mindset, Chen Huaian shrugged and logged into his Virtual Girlfriend game. "Master! Youre finally here!" The moment he went online, Li Qingranwho had been meditating on a prayer matimmediately opened her eyes. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She tilted her face up, looking toward the ceiling, her smile bright and soft. She could feel her masters warm gaze upon her. "Ah~ Only my Virtual Girlfriend can heal my soul!" Chen Huaian gazed at the blushing, sparkling-eyed Li Qingran on his screen, feeling his heart melt into warm, soft fluff. "Master, so much has happened while you were gone!" Li Qingran excitedly began counting on her fingers. She talked about the morning lessons at the Sword Pavilion How the teachings were clear and easy to understand, how the elders and direct disciples werent arrogant, and howaside from the occasional brutal fight for seatingeveryone generally got along well. Then she moved on to the cunning Sect Master, and how Senior Sister Yue Qianchi had into waking up. Every time she got to something funny, she would burst into laughter. "Oh! And Master, these are all the gifts my senior brothers and sisters gave me!" Li Qingran proudly displayed the pile of items on her bed Meticulously explaining each ones function, who had gifted it, and why. Looks like you really like the Sword Pavilion. Chen Huaian was relieved. After all the bullying she had endured at Qingyun Sect, it was clear that she was much happier here. "Of course! Its a wonderful place. Everyone treats me so well," Li Qingran said with heartfelt gratitude. "As expected of Masters former sectafter just a few days, it already feels like home." Chen Huaian awkwardly rubbed his nose. Yeah. The Sword Pavilion was definitely his former sect. That was just a big fat lie the Sect Master had fed her. "Oh, right! Master, I told the Sect Master about your poisoning today!" Li Qingran sat up straight, her expression suddenly serious. Oh? What did he say? Chen Huaian was curious. How would the Sect Master wiggle his way out of one? "He took me to the ancestral hall to confirm your identityand we found your memorial tablet!" Chen Huaian: "?" "I also joined Ten Thousand Swords Peak! And the inscription on the steleWhen the Dao collapses, only the sword remainsthat was written by you!" "Hehehe, even though Master is thousands of miles away, I still managed to choose your mountain as my sect!" Unable to maintain her serious face, Li Qingran grinned cutely. She truly believed This was fate. She was Masters disciple. And she had chosen his mountain. This was destiny. Chen Huaian: "???" Wait. No. Thisthis doesnt make sense. They actually found his memorial tablet? And now he was canonically the founder of Ten Thousand Swords Peak?! At this rate, wouldnt the game eventually reveal that he actually some long-lost Senior Grand Elder of the Sword Pavilion?! Even if this game was released in 2034, it would still be the most clich, overdramatic, soap opera-level storyline ever! "Master, the Sect Master asked which province youre in and what your current cultivation level is, so he can send over detoxification pills." Chen Huaian froze. Province? Bro, Im in ASIA. What the hell was he supposed to say now? Fortunately, the game provided dialogue options: After a moment of silence, Chen Huaian mimicked the games tone and said: "I am not in Cangyun Realm. I am trapped in an alternate space, surrounded by endless demon beasts. It is too dangerous for you to reach me. However, if you prepare the detoxification pills, I can use my divine abilities to retrieve them from your location." "A trapped space full of demon beasts" Li Qingrans face turned pale, her breath hitching. So Master had been suffering alone in such a place? Her eyes burned, moisture gathering. But she clenched her fists Her voice resolute: "Master, dont worry! I found an all-poison antidote in the Scripture Pavilion! I will refine the best detoxification pill for you!" Her determination blazed. Tears slid down her cheeks. Her fists trembled as she swore "I will not let you die!" Chapter 90: You Want to Divine the Future Too? Chapter 90: You Want to Divine the Future Too? "Master, may I askwhat is your current cultivation realm?" As soon as Li Qingran regained her composure, she immediately started gathering crucial information. This master Chen Huaian paused. Since this was a free response, he could technically say whatever he wanted. In the Cangyun Realm, the highest cultivation stage was the Mahayana Realm. Once a cultivator surpassed their tribulation, they would ascend to the Immortal Realm. Claiming he was at the Mahayana Realm would be too ridiculous. So Chen Huaian hardened his resolve and made a bold choice. This master is currently at the Void Piercing Realm! The moment those words appeared, both the game world and the real world fell into a stunned silence. Baji: "QAQ!!!" T-The boss is a Void Piercing Realm powerhouse?! Waitif he were truly at the Void Piercing Realm, he wouldve already seen through my true form! Then what exactly is the bosss real cultivation? Why would he say that?! Baji curled into a ball, trembling in the corner. The Void Piercing Realm was the stage right before Mahayana. Cultivators at this level could already sense the Heavenly Tribulation they would face upon reaching Mahayana. This was why it was also known as the Tribulation Stage or the Insightful Stage. At this level, a cultivator had to contemplate their path forward If their Dao Heart was not firm enough, they would almost certainly die under the tribulation lightning. And how did Chen Huaian know this? Because he had just randomly activated a Heavenly Divination. The heavens trembled! Countless sect elders and reclusive cultivators were thrown into shock! "Immeasurable Heavenly Lord! It has been two days since that supreme expert last performed a Heavenly DivinationI thought something had happened to him!" ?????? "Honestly, life felt a bit empty without it." "What did he divine this time? I swear" "Damn it! Notify all sect disciples to be extremely careful in their actionsespecially those infiltrating righteous sects! That all-seeing cultivator has returned!" In the Law Enforcement Hall, where Su Qinian was currently getting flogged, he suddenly stopped mid-punishment and stared at the sky for a long time. But Li Qingran didnt care about the chaos unfolding in the world. She was deep in thought about the significance of the Void Piercing Realm. A realm beyond Fusion, yet beneath Mahayana. At this stage, a cultivator could analyze Dao Laws, condensing the power of an entire world within their Mud Pill Palace, creating a miniature inner world. Only Holy Land leaders were supposed to have this kind of terrifying strength. Yet even a cultivator of this level was trapped in that alternate space It was proof of how dangerous the demonic beasts within must be. If that was the case Then her masters poison must be exceptionally difficult to cure. A shadow loomed over her heart. She was already preparing for the possibility that the Hundred Herb Detoxification Pill might not work. But no matter whatshe had to try. "Understood, Master." Li Qingran rose to her feet, bowed toward the ceiling, and declared, "I will go discuss this with the Sect Master immediately!" Then, clutching her bell, she hurried out the door. Chen Huaian scratched his head as he watched her rush toward the Sect Masters Hall. Only for her to find it empty. Li Qingran furrowed her brows and anxiously paced in circles. After some thought, she suddenly turned and rode her celestial crane to the Law Enforcement Hall. Sure enough She found Sect Master Su Qinian standing at the entrance. A row of disciples stood before him, faint traces of whipping marks on their backs. Faint murmurs of conversation drifted through the air. " Now, regarding todays events, you all" "" "" "" Su Qinians face darkened instantly. His eyes narrowed, settling on the last disciple who had spoken. Then With a cold smirk, he said: " Go get yourself a hundred lashes!" The disciples grin immediately vanished And reappeared on Su Qinians face instead. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Li Qingran waited patiently for the disciples to leave. Only when Su Qinian was about to fly away on his sword did she finally descend on her celestial crane. She rushed up to him, bowed deeply, and said, "Sect Master, I have an important matter to report!" "Oh, Qingran, what is it?" Su Qinian had already noticed her earlier, but to avoid suspicion, he pretended he had only just seen her. With a fake, sword-cultivator-esque smile, he stroked his beard. "Sect Master, I have been to the Scripture Pavilion. I obtained an ancient pill recipe that may help Master!" Su Qinian nodded knowingly. "Elder Jiong already informed me," he said with a grin. "That pill formula comes from an ancient alchemy master. His pills were famous for their simple refinement methods, complex ingredients, and incredibly effective results. The fact that you acquired his recipethis is a tremendous opportunity for both you and your master." Hearing this, Li Qingrans face lit up. She cupped her hands and added, "Master also informed me that he is not in the Cangyun Realmhe is trapped in an alternate space and cannot receive direct assistance. However, he possesses a great divine ability that will allow him to retrieve the detoxification pills from my location." "Oh?" Su Qinians eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise. "So hes not even in Cangyun Realm? That means his cultivation level must be" "Master is at the Void Piercing Realm." Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Silence. A single leaf drifted onto a sword hilt. Plop! Su Qinians sword fell to the ground. He hurriedly bent down to pick it up. "" "" His voice trembled slightly, an unmistakable hint of excitement in his tone. A Void Piercing Realm Senior Grand Elder?! If they rescued him, then the Sword Pavilion could walk sideways across the Cangyun Realm! As long as the Holy Lands didnt interferethey would be invincible! No more fighting over resources. No more beast-related problems. Their guardian beast wouldnt have to rip up the back mountains grass just because it was in heat! They had to save himat any cost! "" With a serious expression, Su Qinian declared: "" Chen Huaian: "" Okay, sure. This was touching and all But calling a Senior Grand Elder fallen sounds a little inappropriate, dont you think? Su Qinian immediately led Li Qingran to the Medicine Garden, planning to verify the required herbs. And if they couldnt identify them He raised a jade tortoise shell and vowed: "If the Medicine Garden elders dont know these herbs, then I shall divine the futureeven if it costs me my lifespan!" Chen Huaian, watching from outside the game: "Oh? So you wanna divine the heavens too?" "Alright, lets see what happens next." Chapter 91: Living Up to Expectations Chapter 91: Living Up to Expectations Before Su Qinian brought it up, Li Qingran had no idea that the Sword Pavilion even had a Medicine Garden. She had always assumed that every disciple just carved out a small plot of land near their cave residences, growing their own herbs separately. But once they arrived at the Medicine Garden, she was stunned. Unlike the dilapidated ancestral hall and the run-down Scripture Pavilion, the Medicine Garden looked brand newwell-maintained, vibrant, and flourishing. Standing at the entrance, Su Qinian hesitated. Clearing his throat, he called out toward the garden, "" For a moment, the Medicine Garden fell into silence. Then "GET LOST!!!" A thunderous roar exploded from within. BOOM! The garden doors swung open violently, and a gale-force wind erupted outward, causing the very air to distort and tremble. The fierce wind swept through the garden, bending and nearly snapping countless herbs. Su Qinian, however, casually summoned a wind-shield barrier, looking completely unfazedas if he were used to this. Once the wind settled, he dismissed his barrier with a wave and turned to Li Qingran. "Qingran, that loudmouth just now is our Medicine Garden ElderLiu Yuanqing. Dont be fooled by his temper; hes actually a pretty decent guyQingran?" Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When he didnt get a response, Su Qinian turned to look Only to see Li Qingran clinging to the edge of a cliff. Apparently, she had been blown away by the gale and had just climbed back up, her once sleek, silky hair now a complete birds nest. "Ah this" Su Qinian awkwardly scratched his head, chuckling, "" At the entrance of the garden, an elderly man had already appeared. Despite his white hair, he had a childlike complexion, a kindly face, and an aura of wisdom. However, when his sharp, piercing eyes settled on Su Qinian, they burned with undisguised fury "*Sect Master Su, I respect your title, but if you come to steal spirit herbs again, I will fight you for three hundred roundsTO THE DEATH!" Li Qingran stared at Su Qinian in shock. Su Qinian ignored her expression and simply laughed. "" "" Elder Liu narrowed his eyes. "" "" Elder Liu emphasized again. "" Giving up, Su Qinian shamelessly admitted, "This disciple here wants to refine a Hundred Herb Detoxification Pill, but there are some ingredients I dont recognize. We came to ask for your expertise." ????????????????? "" Elder Liu remained skeptical, shooting Su Qinian a cold glare. " He unsheathed his sword with a , his spiritual energy surging, his robes fluttering from the force. Before the situation escalated, Li Qingran stepped forward and knelt down on both knees. "" If she let these two bicker any longer, they were definitely going to start fighting. She had already figured it out The Sect Master had stolen herbs from the Medicine Garden way too many times. And since the Medicine Garden was a separate department from the main sect, Elder Liu held absolute authority herehis status was on par with Su Qinians. Elder Liu examined Li Qingran carefully. Seeing that she was a well-mannered, charming young woman with an earnest expression, his anger softened slightly. " Who is your master?" "" Elder Liu: "Ah?" As someone who had joined the Sword Pavilion later, Elder Liu wasnt familiar with its ancient history. All he knew was that Su Qinian held the highest rankhe had never heard of any "Senior Grand Elders" or "sect ancestors." If such a person had existed, the Sword Pavilion wouldnt be so poor! He turned to Su Qinian for confirmation. Su Qinian nodded. "" "" Elder Liu snorted, but his hostility faded. He approached Li Qingran with a much gentler expression and said, "" After she carefully listed all the ingredients, she nervously watched Elder Lius reaction. Thankfully, his expression remained calmunlike Su Qinians, who had been completely baffled earlier. "See? Every other elder in the Sword Pavilion is reliable except for the Sect Master." She had just reached this conclusion in her mind. Elder Liu stroked his beard in thought. Then, pulling out a thick record book, he began flipping through itoccasionally shaking his head, occasionally nodding and muttering to himself. After a long while, he finally closed the book and looked up. "" Li Qingrans eyes brightened. "Then that means!" "" "" Hearing that one word, her heart clenched. "" "" Su Qinian immediately took over the conversation, reassuring Li Qingran, "" "" Elder Liu nodded. "" Li Qingran stepped back, bowed deeply, and declared, "" She understoodher senior brothers and sisters would be seeking their own opportunities in the secret realm. She couldnt expect them to prioritize finding her herbs. So she had to go herself. She had to find those two ancient-era medicinal primers. Su Qinian and Elder Liu exchanged glances. They had wanted to refuse After all, she was the disciple of the Senior Grand Elder. Her safety was paramount. But seeing her determination, they hesitated. Finally, Su Qinian relented. "" Li Qingran lifted her head, her snow-bright eyes meeting Su Qinians. She declared firmly, without hesitation: "Disciple Qingran will not disappoint!" Chapter 92: Who Wouldn’t Be Anxious? Chapter 92: Who Wouldnt Be Anxious? "So, after all that, you were just waiting for me here?" Chen Huai''an shook his head as he watched the plot unfold. His main quest was to increase Li Qingrans survival rate in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm. At the time, he had wondered if he could prevent Li Qingran from going at all. But now? The storyline had locked her fateshe was destined to go, and the reason? To refine the Hundred Herb Detox Pill for him. Well it wasnt entirely unexpected. Still, it felt pretty nice to have someone this concerned about him. Chen Huai''an suddenly thought of his ex-girlfriend. After seeing him make money from livestreaming and even appear on a variety show, she actually had the nerve to message him on Green Bubble, asking to get back together? Screw that! Back when he was hospitalized, she hadnt visited him even once. Reality proved that even a virtual girlfriend provided more emotional value than a living, breathing person. Shaking his head, Chen Huai''an suddenly caught the scent of blood on himself. That was when he rememberedafter all the chaos earlier, he still hadnt changed clothes. "This hotels a no-go now. Gotta take a shower and get out of here!" He quickly packed up his things, grabbed a few fresh outfits, and headed for the bathroom. Baji stared at the neatly packed suitcase. Even though it still didnt fully understand human matters, it could tellBoss was about to leave. [Please, let Boss forget I exist when he leaves.] Baji prayed silently in its heart. Sure, staying here meant it could absorb Spiritual Qi every day, but life was just too stressful! It had lost weight! Out there, all it had to do was find a quiet place to lay low. As the worlds Spiritual Qi continued to recover, thered be more than enough to go around. By then, even without Boss spiritual plants, it could still achieve true Spiritual Qi freedom. ????????????? If it stayed any longer it feared it might end up with that thing they talked about on TV. Right! Depression! Baji slinked into an inconspicuous corner, trying to shrink its presence as much as possible while dreaming of a peaceful life. Hospital Although Lin Lingling wasnt yet an official Demon Slayer, the bearded officer still rushed to the hospital out of concern for his soon-to-be subordinate. He also wanted to find out exactly what had happened. He remembered that the mission she took was supposed to be fairly simple. Given her abilities, she shouldnt have been severely injured. "A miracle! An absolute medical miracle!" "Incredible! Ive never seen a human with such insane self-healing abilities!" The bearded officer halted at the hospital room door. Something was off. What was going on inside? He leaned in to listen. "Can you believe this? When she was brought in, she had three broken ribs on each side of her chest. Now? All six are almost fully healed!" "And get thisdespite being covered in blood, we just ran tests, and she isnt even anemic! Can you believe that?" "You know what this means? Her red blood cells and stem cells regenerate way faster than a normal persons!" "Should we report this to the director? This girl could be a breakthrough for medical science!" "No can do. Shes got a special status. I got a call just before coming intold us to keep our mouths shut. Ugh, I dont know what these big shots are trying to cover up all the time, but somethings seriously off" Wait Lin Lingling had that strong of a self-healing ability? Why didnt she ever mention it before? What a hidden gem! To officially join the Demon Slayers, one had to meet two conditions. First, they needed to reach the "Master" rankthis required handling five incidents of any difficulty level. Second, they had to join voluntarily. Of course, as the head of the Tianfu Demon Slayers, he had the authority to waive the first requirement if he saw promising talent. Like Lin Lingling. Honestly, not many Awakened individuals wanted to join the Demon Slayers. Why? Because, in the past, there wasnt anything particularly tempting to lure them in. Plus, there was a rule requiring at least one mission per montheach mission meant facing danger. Most ordinary people who suddenly gained powers? They got cocky. They craved freedom. But after seeing how terrifying demons could be, that same ego made them value their lives even more. Money? Some Awakened could make easy cash just by using their abilities. The Demon Slayers salary meant nothing to them. And cracking down on those misusing their powers? Not so simple. What could they even charge them with? If someone used their power to pick up antiques on the cheap and resell them, that wasnt exactly a crime. Its not like they were harming society. Could you really call it "illegally obtaining assets"? Recruitment had been an uphill battle from the start. Lin Lingling was an exception. Her parents were divorced, her father didnt care, and her mother didnt love her. She barely had enough money to attend school. What she lacked most was money. So when he offered her financial support, this girlwho often didnt even have enough to eatwas moved to tears and swore to join the Demon Slayers. However, according to the initial assessment, her strength was only at the White Rank, and she had no self-healing abilities. Did she awaken this regenerative power after surviving this recent danger? No point in eavesdropping any further. The bearded officer coughed twice and walked in, flashing his credentials to the doctors. "Alright, this is no longer your concern. Leave." The doctors exchanged glances before exiting the ICU. The bearded officer pulled out a syringe and injected it into Lin Linglings arm. Less than ten minutes later, she slowly regained consciousness from the anesthesia. "Boss?" Lin Lingling blinked groggily at the bearded officer. He casually raised the now-empty syringe. "High-speed cell regeneration serum. Cost me 10 merit points. You owe me." "Thank you." Lin Lingling bit her lip, truly grateful. For each mission, depending on the difficulty, a Demon Slayer could earn anywhere from 1 to 100 merit points. She only had three merit pointsnot nearly enough to buy such a high-grade healing serum. "No need for thanks. Its an investment." The bearded officer sat by her bed, lighting a cigarette. "Now, tell mehow did an ordinary mission land you in this condition?" "Faulty intel." Lin Lingling clenched her teeth in frustration. "No idea how long that mission was on the board, but damn it, the report said there was only one Grade-A Black Rat Spirit. When I got there? It wasnt oneit was a whole swarm!" "They reproduced?" The bearded officer raised an eyebrow. "Exactly! Two adult Black Rat Spirits, leading a whole litter of smaller ones. Lucky for me, they werent the type that eats flesh, or Id be dead by now." Seeing Lin Linglings angry expression, the bearded officer awkwardly scratched his nose. As the head of the Demon Slayers, it was his responsibility to keep intel updated. But could he really be blamed? They were severely understaffed! He had just gotten back from a mission himselfhadnt even had time to sit down properly. At least he had taken the chance to test out the new issued from above. And he had to admitit was damn effective! Before, he used to be cautious when facing Grade-A demons. But now? With the , he could go full force. That dog demon he fought earlier had been running for its life. The Demon Slayers would only grow stronger from here. Thinking that, his guilt eased a little. Yeah tonight, hed grab a copy of the for Lin Lingling. That should at least boost her survival rate. "So, how many did you kill?" he asked, steering the conversation away. "The mother. And all the little ones," Lin Lingling replied, expressionless. "The father lost his mind after that. I couldnt beat him." The bearded officer paused. Well yeah. If it were him, hed lose his mind too. Still, he reassured her, "You did well. Ill count this mission as complete. Ill have people handle the cleanup By the way, you used the scent-masking potion, right?" Lin Linglings face went pale. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her still-groggy mind suddenly realized what she had forgotten. The bearded officer narrowed his eyes. "Why arent you saying anything?" "I I thought this mission was easy. I was sure Id get the kill, so I didnt buy the potion" Lin Lingling admitted, looking like she was about to cry. The bearded officers face darkened. Which meanton Chen Huaians side "Boss! We need to save him!" Outside, a few doctors had been eavesdropping. Then BANG! The ICU door flew off its hinges, embedding itself into the opposite wall at an angle. All they saw was a pitch-black blur darting out the eighth-floor window. ... Chapter 93: This Is What You Get for Cosplaying!! Chapter 93: This Is What You Get for Cosplaying!! Hotel. Baji was dozing off to the sound of running water from the bathroom. Suddenly, a thick, resentful aura filled the airit was demon energy, and it was getting closer. [A demons coming?] Baji leaped onto the table and peered out the window. Sure enough, the bushes below rustled violently, as if some wild beast was charging through. The shaking stopped near the drainage pipe. The next second, a massive black rat, about the size of a calf, shot out like an arrow and scaled the hotels exterior wall in just a few leaps, reaching the second floor. [Heh, it really is coming straight here.] Baji let out a cold laugh. That rat demon was overflowing with resentmentit was probably related to that human cub from earlier. The human must have left some blood traces near Boss room. The rat demon must have tracked it here. [Too bad it never should''ve come. Coming here is a death sentence!] [Forget that Boss is already at the Void Fragmentation Stagejust the talismans on the door and windows alone will turn it into mincemeat! Kehehe~] Baji felt no sympathy for a demon dying in front of it. It to the demon kind but wasnt truly one of them. In ancient times, humans lumped it together with ordinary demons, but it was something far beyond thata true-born fiend, a being that transcended demons entirely! In fact, in some ways, it was a natural predator of demons. After all, compared to puny humans who could barely fill a gap between its teeth, demon kingsthose towering beings spanning dozens or even hundreds of meterswere far more appetizing. [Tch, but with Boss here, I cant reveal my identity. Otherwise, that rat demon wouldve been a nice little snack for my recent cravings] Baji licked the corner of its mouth, its eyes flashing red for a brief moment. Then, the bathroom door creaked open. It quickly suppressed its hunger. "Meow~" "Oh, Baji, almost forgot about you." Chen Huaian stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed, and smiled when he saw Baji. Even though Baji had an almost nonexistent presence, after taking care of it for a few days, he had grown fond of the little guy. Besides, Baji was incredibly well-behaved. Unlike other cats that caused chaos by parkouring all over the place, Baji barely made a sound. And those eyesit always looked so melancholic, like it had the worst luck in the world. Just looking at it somehow put him in a good mood. Baji: "?" Damn it! It had been so focused on the rat demon that it forgot to find a hiding spot! Chen Huaian grabbed a shoebox and held it up against Baji for size comparison. Realizing it was too cramped, he swapped it for a storage container instead. Then, without giving Baji a chance to react, he lifted it and gently placed it inside. ??????????S "Sorry, Baji, youll have to bear with this for now. Once were past this, Ill buy you a proper cat carrier," Chen Huaian said apologetically as he closed the lid. Baji sat inside, feeling utterly cold inside. But it quickly calmed itself down. [No big deal. This is actually an opportunity.] This storage container wasnt easy to carry around, so Boss would probably just hold it directly. Which meant As soon as Boss left the room, Baji could jump out and escape! [The world will be mine again! Kehehe! The skys the limit! The oceans my playground!] Just as this wonderful thought formed The lid opened again. A massive green carp was tossed inside. Baji: "???" The green carp: "" The lid slammed shut again. Chen Huaians voice drifted from outside. "Ugh, this fish is a hassle to carry around. Might as well leave it in the box for Baji to eat." Baji and the green carp locked eyes. The carp flapped twice, looking at Baji with big, teary fish eyes, filled with desperate pleading. [Forget it. Im escaping soon anyway, might as well let this one go.] Baji forcibly suppressed its hunger and convinced itself: [A cat of my size shouldnt be able to eat such a big fish anyway. Just hold back a little longer] Just a bit more, and freedom would be within reach! The next second Chen Huaian spoke again: "Ill take the talismans off the door and windows too. Those cost me 200,000 yuan. Damn, what a scam." SLAP! A hand pressed down on the storage container. Bajis heart nearly jumped out of its chest. Trembling, it slowly looked up. Through the thin lid, it could just barely make out two rectangular paper strips being pressed onto the top of the container. They were talismansfresh ones, just taken off the door and window! And Boss had slapped them onto the storage box! [Ha I was far too naive.] Baji stared at the lid at a 45-degree angle, eyes welling up with tears. [This is Boss were talking about! How could he not see through my little scheme?] [Even if he didnt notice, that blinding fortune of his would still suppress me!] [Theres no escape. Absolutely no escape] Meanwhile, Chen Huaian remained completely unaware that his casual actions had just sent Baji into a state of existential crisis. He had finished packingclothes and that potted plant went into the suitcase, while the storage box (now tightly taped) was secured on top. As for himself, he wore an old, faded tracksuit. It was a bit old-fashioned, but he was used to it. Not that it stopped random girls from asking for his Green Bubble contact whenever he stepped outside. However Just as he opened the door A scream rang out from nearby. "AHH! MONSTER! MONSTER!!" It was the cleaning ladys voice. Turning his head, Chen Huaian saw the woman had collapsed on the floor, curling up against the wall, trembling in fear. In the hallway, with its plush red carpet A massive black-furred rat was steadily approaching. Its coarse black fur scraped against the wall, making a sharp creaking noise, proving just how tough its body was. It didnt even glance at the terrified cleaning lady. Its blood-red eyes were locked solely on the figure standing at the end of the hallway Chen Huaian. One step. Two steps. Moving like creeping claws. Like the devils approach. "A mutant rat?" Chen Huaian stared at the monstrous rodent. Strangely, he felt no fear. His mind subconsciously compared it to Daoist Qingxuan and found this rat was . It wasnt even as threatening as the mutant wolf he had encountered at Tianmen Mountain. But logically He figured he grab something for self-defense. Too late to think. The black-furred rat suddenly lunged! "SCREEEE!!" It zigzagged wildly, screeching, A black whirlwind tearing through the hallway at terrifying speed. Too fast! Chen Huaian had no time to dodge. On instinct, he raised both hands to shield his face, his mind going completely blank. But The rat never struck. Hearing no impact, Chen Huaian slowly lowered his hands. The massive black rat had come to a dead stoptwo meters away. Even though they were different species, he could clearly see the sheer terror in the rats trembling eyes and shaking body. "Its afraid of me?" Chen Huaian steadied himself, confirming his judgment. Underneath the rat, a puddle of yellow liquid was quickly spreading. It pissed itself. He took a few steps forward. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even when he stood right in front of the black-furred ratit didnt dare to move. "Seriously? Youre scared of me? Thats it? " Chen Huaian swelled with confidence, standing with his hands on his hips in front of the trembling rat. Completely oblivious to the fact that the rats horrified gaze was actually fixed on the toppled storage box behind him. "So this is the fear caused by a difference in life force level?" "Wow, this is the biggest rat Ive ever seen." He circled around the rat, observing it like some kind of rare specimen. It stood frozenjust like those stiff zombies in dramas with talismans stuck on their foreheads. A mischievous idea struck him. Pulling a Thunderfire Talisman from his pocket, he pressed it to the rats forehead. "" "Today, I shall make you cosplay as a zombie rat!" Chapter 94: At What Cost? Chapter 94: At What Cost? Just as the talisman was about to stick to the black-furred rats forehead The rat suddenly seemed to snap out of its daze, instinctively shrinking its head downso far that it actually retracted into its own chest cavity. But it was too late. The talisman had already left Chen Huaians hand, following his intent with pinpoint accuracy and slapping directly onto the rats forehead. And at that exact moment At the far end of the hallway, the bearded officer finally arrived, only to witness the scene unfold before his eyes. "OH SH*T! STOP!" His pupils shrank in horror, a cold chill running from his spine straight to the top of his head. Too late. Where the talisman met the rats forehead, a glowing sphere the size of a coin appeared, crackling with electricity. The sizzling sound of arcing energy grew louder and brighter. Without hesitation, the bearded officer grabbed the limp hotel maid, rolled to the side, and crashed through a nearby door, tumbling into a room just as BOOM! A pillar of lightning tore through the hallway. The entire hotel shook with the force of the explosion. Heart still pounding, the bearded officer glanced at the splintered remains of the door he had just broken through. The explosion had originated a full fifty meters down the hallway, yet even from that distance, the shockwave had shredded the door into pieces. The sheer power of that talisman terrifying. The hallway was a tunnel-like structureonce an explosion occurred inside, the blast spread indiscriminately, making escape nearly impossible. "Sh*t did Chen Huaian get blown to pieces?" He peeked out cautiously. The entire hallway was now engulfed in thick smoke, the air reeking of burnt flesh. Several room doors had already caught fire. At the very end of the corridor, Chen Huaian sat slumped against the wall, head bowed, unmoving. His suitcase and storage box lay in front of him. To his left, the hallway was a charred ruin, blackened meat splattered across the walls and floor in a grotesque, radial pattern. To his right, within a two-square-meter radius, everything was untouched. The only unscathed spot in the entire hallway. That was the power of the mysterious talisman. The bearded officer had witnessed its true might. Anxious, he hurried over to Chen Huaians side, carefully reaching out to check for any signs of breathing. But before he could touch him A charred hand lifted and pressed against his own. The bearded officer froze. The young man in front of him still had his head lowered, his burnt fingers still faintly smoking. A beam of light fell across his sharp, almost unreasonably handsome side profile And on those lips curled a sinister, knowing grin. "Heh Hehehe HAHAHA! So thats how it is!" Chen Huaian lifted his head, looking directly at the bearded officer. His lips parted in a wide grin, wisps of black smoke seeping through his clenched teeth. "So I wasnt a tumor-ridden superhero after all" His smile widened, voice dripping with glee. "Im the Lightning King!" The bearded officer: "???" "So this world is already broken, isnt it?" "Yeah, you could say that." "What the news calls mutant beasts arent actually mutationstheyre demons. There are many of them, and more keep appearing. Even some of those famous supernatural cases and serial killings in recent years? Most were caused by malicious spirits and demons. Some were rogue Awakened humans who lost control." Ra??????? Outside the hotel, now surrounded by police cars, the bearded officer and Chen Huaian sat crouched on the curb, watching the city traffic flow by. "You smoke?" The bearded officer offered a cigarette. "Nope." Chen Huaian shook his head. "Im Luo. Just call me Bearded Luo." Luo lit his own cigarette, exhaling smoke as he muttered, "My ability is Devour and Assimilate but I havent decided on a target yet." Chen Huaians thoughts were still a tangled mess. He pointed to himself. "So Im an Awakened?" "Yup." Luo took a drag, squinting as he exhaled. "I was planning to reach out to you eventually. Just hadnt decided whether to tell you the truth about this world. Compared to other Awakened and demons, your physical body is weak. But one thing is undeniableyour Awakened ability is incredibly powerful." "You mean the talismans?" Chen Huaian looked down at his charred hand. The moment the talisman exploded, he had been flung back by the force Yet despite the sheer destruction it had caused, it hadnt killed him. It had obliterated the black-furred demon rat, but all he had suffered was a minor burn on the hand that had held the talisman. "Your talismans come from that mobile game, dont they?" Luo asked. Chen Huaian was momentarily stunned. "Wait you can the game, Uncle?" "No, I cant. Only you can," Luo shook his head, exhaling a ring of smoke before continuing, "Its your . Only youand only can use it. No one else can control it. But a Spirit Artifact thats completely invisible to others? Thats pretty rare." Innate Spirit Artifact Chen Huaian mulled over Luos words. Up until now, he had assumed his changes were due to some kind of cancer-induced evolution. But thinking about it carefully hadnt his life started shifting dramatically ever since he got the game? Without that game, he wouldnt have gone climbing at Mount Tais. If he hadnt climbed Mount Tais, how could he have encountered all those opportunities? "I know someone with an ability similar to yours," Luo suddenly said. "His initial assessment put him at . Codename: Divine Brush. His Spirit Artifact is a brushwhatever he draws becomes real. But depending on how logical or overpowered the creation is, he has to pay a price. If the cost is too high, it could even take his life." Luos gaze darkened slightly as he focused on Chen Huaian. "Creating something from nothing thats one of the hardest things to do. And your talismansyour Spirit Artifact generates them, doesnt it?" Chen Huaian nodded. That wasnt wrong. Besides the talismans, he had also received a Protective Talisman, a string of Spirit Stones, and a potted plant. No wonder no matter how fast he ran to the door, he never caught sight of the mysterious delivery person. There had never been a hacker. Never been a courier. The gamehis Innate Spirit Artifacthad simply created those items out of thin air. "Then whats the price?" Luos eyes bore into Chen Huaian, a trace of urgency in his voice. He needed to know what it cost to generate such powerful talismans. This wasnt just about Chen Huaians Awakener classification. It was about the future of the Tianfu Demon Slayers. Chen Huaian met Luos gaze, opened his mouth then fell silent. Does it cost money? Somehow, he had a bad feeling about that answer. If Luo was rightif this world was about to be overrun by demons if this was about to become an era of Awakeners Then money would mean nothing to them. A man without sin may still die for carrying treasure. If money was all it took to buy these talismans, then what was he? A walking loot chest? Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What if they decided to experiment on him? What if they locked him up and forced him to mass-produce talismans every day? What ifsomeone tried to steal his Spirit Artifact? Luo said that an Innate Spirit Artifact could only be used by its owner but was that really true? Chen Huaian didnt want to assume the worst about people. But his entire life had taught him otherwise. If people were truly trustworthy, he wouldnt have spent his days scraping by on a meager pension. If people were truly trustworthy, his ex wouldnt have cheated on him. If people were truly trustworthy, his college roommate wouldnt have fought him for the poverty aid scholarship. So "The price is my lifespan." Chen Huaian stared into Luos eyes. Not a single muscle on his face twitched. Not a flicker of hesitation. Not even the slightest change in heartbeat. That was the answer he gave. Chapter 95: The Multitudes of Life Chapter 95: The Multitudes of Life "Lifespan? Thats such a heavy price?" Luos mouth hung open, and the half-smoked cigarette slipped from his fingers onto the ground. A sudden wave of guilt hit him. The talisman he had usedone that Chen Huaian had traded his life forhad only cost him 100,000 yuan. At the time, Chen Huaian probably hadnt even realized its true value. Looking back now, it felt like he had deliberately tricked him. "Wait how do you know the cost is lifespan?" Luo frowned. "I remember you didnt even know these talismans could be used before." Chen Huaian had already prepared his answer. With a flawless, unwavering expression, he said, "Thats true. I didnt know at first. As for how I confirmed that the cost is lifespan" He casually lifted his pant leg. Underneath, his skin was covered with dense, tumor-like bone growths. Luos breath hitched. "To be honest, Im a terminal cancer patient," Chen Huaian said matter-of-factly. "But a week ago, I was still in the mid-stage of cancer." Luos mind blanked for a second. Then, as realization dawned, his face twisted in shock. "So youre saying that using those talismans accelerated your cancer?" "Exactly." Chen Huaian nodded. "The doctors said theyve never seen cancer spread this aggressively. And conveniently enough, the rapid deterioration started right after I began exchanging for talismans." "Then how long do you have left?" "Who knows?" Chen Huaian chuckled lightly. "If Im lucky, maybe six months. If not, one month." Luos entire brain crashed. It was impossible to reconcilethis brightly smiling, outrageously handsome young man was actually a dying man. But those horrific tumors they proved it was real. This wasnt a joke. "Sh*t, Im such a bastard!" Luo mentally slapped himself. He was the head of the Tianfu Demon Slayers, and yet he had cheated a terminally ill patient out of a priceless talismanfor a mere 100,000 yuan! Forget his own conscience, if the other regional Demon Slayer divisions found out, wouldnt they roast him alive behind his back?! "Huaian, brother, I owe you an apology," Luo blurted out, trying to ease his guilt. "I shouldnt have tricked you into giving me a talisman." "Eh, its fine~" Chen Huaian waved him off casually. "I still have more, anyway. I was already terminally ill, destined to die. Whats a little more lifespan loss?" ?N?? Luo said nothing, staring at Chen Huaian in silence. And yet, his guilt only deepened. "Ill transfer you another 100,000!" "Great!" Before Luo could even process what had happened, Chen Huaian had already whipped out his phone, QR code ready for payment. Luo: "" After the transfer, the air between them felt noticeably more sincere. "Huaian, whats your plan from here?" "My plan" Chen Huaian and Luo both stared at the bustling traffic ahead. Truthfully, his plan hadnt changed at allkeep making money to top up the game. Before, he had been willing to spend money on just because he wanted to. Now that he knew it was an Innate Spirit Artifact, he was even more willing to spend. After all What if the game someday offered an item that could cure his cancer? And beyond thatwas the world inside the game actually real? If it wasnt, then why did his seem so vividly alive? But if the games world was real Then why hadnt that civilization already surpassed Earths by an unimaginable degree? A basic-grade Thunderfire Talisman was already this terrifyingly destructive. What about an immortal-grade talisman? Or even higher-level ones? Wouldnt just one of them have the power of a missile or even a nuclear bomb?! It didnt make sense. If a three-dimensional world could dominate a two-dimensional one, then why hadnt Cangyun Realm already obliterated Earth? And another thing The game had main quests, storylines, and dialogue choices. What kind of real world operates like a scripted RPG? If it were truly real, then shouldnt he be an actual god, capable of controlling its fate? If he really had that kind of power, hed already be immortal by now. Everything about Cangyun Realm felt more like a game. So, Chen Huaian was now certain that was, in fact, his Innate Spirit Artifactjust as Luo had called it. As for whether the cultivation world inside the game was real He still wasnt convinced. Seeing is believing. Of course, Chen Huaian Li Qingran was real. But sometimes, hoping too much was a dangerous thing. It meant that if reality turned out to be different, the mental cost of disappointment would be unbearable. Luo assumed Chen Huaian was simply lost, unsure of what path to take. He understood that feeling wellmany Awakeners had felt the same way. So, he patted Chen Huaians shoulder. "This world is only going to get more chaotic. Everything weve sworn to protect could shatter at any moment." On the sidewalk, a group of schoolchildren held hands, singing a nursery rhyme. On a park bench, a young couple embraced, lost in a passionate kiss. Sunlight stretched across an elderly man carrying a basket of groceries. A delivery driver, waiting behind him, let out a resigned sigh, forced to slow down. Chen Huaian watched these scenes play out. And Luos voice murmured beside him S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Brother Huaian, why not join the Demon Slayers? I can introduce you to Awakeners with healing abilities. Maybe they could help with your cancer." "The Demon Slayers arent like beforewe have techniques now, like Breath Cultivation. Think of it like the cultivation methods in novels. It allows us to absorb Spiritual Qi and strengthen our bodies. Right now, only the Demon Slayers have access to it." "But" Luo took a deep breath, "I dont want you to join just for the benefits. I want you to join for a greater mission." "To protect our homeland." "To protect humanity." "To defend our peaceful way of life." Luo stole a glance at Chen Huaian. This was a standard recruitment speechone the Demon Slayers had been trained to deliver. Usually, at this point, most Awakeners would show some reaction. Especially young men like Chen Huaian. This was the kind of hot-blooded rhetoric they loved to hear. But Chen Huaians face remained completely blank. "Thank you for saying that," he said, smiling as he scratched his head. "And thank you for the invitation." Then, still smiling, he said something that wasnt funny at all "You know, Uncle Luo my parents died in a forest fire when I was a kid. The government was supposed to give me 200,000 yuan in compensation, but by the time I actually got itdue to all sorts of complicationsit had shrunk to 20,000 yuan." "I struggled to survive. I thought that if I just got into college and graduated, Id finally make it." "Then I was diagnosed with terminal cancer." "The hospital didnt care. They just asked, Do you have insurance? Do you have money? If not, they told me to go find some first. No money, no treatment." "My girlfriend cheated on me. When she found out I had cancer, she dumped me without hesitation." Luo hesitated, his voice strained. "So you think this world is unfair?" "No," Chen Huaian shook his head. "I think this world is very fair." "If you cant afford treatment, you wait for deaththat makes sense." "If compensation money never reaches the victims, thats just normal bureaucracy." "If a girlfriend leaves her boyfriend because hes terminally ill, well who could blame her?" "Then why" Chen Huaian exhaled softly. "Its just that" "When I was at my lowest, this world never embraced me." "So if youre asking me to turn around and embrace the world now" "Id find that absolutely disgusting." Luo met his gaze. The light in Chen Huaians eyes flickeredon and off, like a candle in the wind. And yet, despite standing under the warm glow of the sun, Luo couldnt shake the feeling that this young man Was already completely dead inside. "Uncle Luo, what youre protectingis your world." "But my world" "Isnt worth protecting." At the end of the street, Chen Huaians figure grew smaller as he walked away, dragging his suitcase behind him. Just before disappearing into the crowd, he turned back, flashed a smile, and waved goodbye. Then, without hesitation, he vanishedblending into the faceless sea of humanity. Luo sat in silence on the steps, lighting cigarette after cigarette. Even now, Chen Huaians final words still echoed in his ears "I wont be joining the Demon Slayers. At least not now. I dont see a reason to, and I dont believe in your so-called mission." "But if you ever need my help, feel free to ask. I dont know if Ill be useful, but Ill consider it." The traffic light changed from red to green. Luo stubbed out his cigarette and disappeared into the moving crowd. He didnt return to the Demon Slayers headquarters. He just wandered. To see the people who lived under the same sky Yet existed in entirely different worlds. Chapter 96: It’s All Real Chapter 96: Its All Real "Crap! I totally forgot!" Chen Huaian had just settled into his new placea duplex apartment near the Wetland Park with a monthly rent of 2,000 yuanwhen the realization hit him. "Didnt that old man say that killing demons comes with bounty rewards? I havent joined the Demon Slayers, but as a freelance demon hunter, I should still be able to claim the money, right?" He had no idea how much that black-furred rat was worth. A demon that weak probably wasnt too valuable. Maybe a few thousand yuan, at most. "Eh, whatever. Demons are everywhere now. Even if each one is only worth a thousand or so, as long as I kill enough, the money will pile up naturally!" Just thinking about this made Chen Huaian excitedhe could finally make money in a way that suited him. He didnt need to join the Demon Slayers to claim bounties at Longteng Internet Caf. Freedom, profit, and extra perks. What could be better than that? Just as he was enjoying this thought RING RING! His phone rang. An unknown number. "Hello? Whos this?" [Brother Huaian~] A familiar voice came through. "Uncle Luo? Howd you get my number?" [Oh, I saved it when the security bureau checked your phone Not important. Im calling to tell you that Ive arranged for a healer to look at your cancer. Three days from now, come over.] "Wait, what? But I never joined the Demon Slayers." [Doesnt matter. I cant just sit back and watch you die, can I? I already call you brother.] "Isnt it a bit rude to trouble someone else like this?" [Its free.] "Alright, Im in!" Chen Huaian agreed instantly, without a trace of hesitation. As long as it was free, nothing else mattered! [Then meet me the morning after tomorrow, 9 AM, third floor of Longteng Internet Caf.] Luo sounded like he already knew exactly how to handle Chen Huaianhis voice carried the faintest trace of amusement. "Got it, no problem!" They also discussed the bounty for the black-furred rat. Turns out, Chen Huaian had completely underestimated it. The bounty was a whopping 20,000 yuanand that was only because the demon had been blown to bits, making it unrecoverable. If the corpse had been intact, the bounty wouldve doubled. The money would be transferred to Luo after the claim was processed, and he would send it straight to Chen Huaian. [Alright, thats it. Im hanging up.] Luo ended the call without saying much else. He was still walking through the busy city streets. But as he moved through the crowds, he started to see things more clearly. Chen Huaian refusing to join the Demon Slayers was disappointingbut if he could show him that humanity still had warmth, still had kindness, then one day, Chen Huaian would be moved. ???? One day, he would join the Demon Slayers. "Tsk, tsk, the older the wiser! Damn, Im a genius!" Luo patted himself on the back for his brilliance. His mood, which had been a bit low, suddenly lifted. His thoughts drifted to another key recruitthe swordsman prodigy that Elder Li was hoping to bring in. "Chen Huaian might be a lost cause for now, but that sword kidwe cant afford to miss him! Hes the future of Tianfu!" Luo clenched his fist. Chen Huaian had too much baggagea tragic past, terminal cancer, a cheating ex But surely, that sword kid wasnt also cursed with a sh*t family, a dying body, and a two-timing girlfriend Right? "If the world is really ridiculously coincidental, Ill eat sh*t while doing a handstand!" "Man, there really are a lot of good people in the world." Chen Huaian put down his phone with a sigh. Too bad those only started showing up after he became an Awakener. If they had appeared that, maybe he really would have been touched. He plugged in his phone to charge, then quickly tidied up his new place. The first thing he did was take the talismans off the storage box and stick them on the door. Before, they were just decoration. Now that he their real power, he treated them like landmines against demon intrusions. Next, he opened the storage box. Inside, Baji looked miserable, its entire body limp, eyes half-lidded, completely drained of energy. "Probably suffocated in there. Ill give you an acupuncture treatment later." Chen Huaian lifted Baji out and placed it aside before reaching in to grab the motionless green carp. He figured it had already kicked the bucket. But the moment his fingers touched its tail PAH! The green carp suddenly flipped into the air, performing a flawless carp-leap half a meter high, nearly scaring Chen Huaian out of his skin. "HOLY SH*T, IS THIS FISH SENTIENT?!" He stared at the glaring, wide-eyed fish lying on the floor, its gaping mouth opening and closing frantically as if it were cursing him out. It had been out of water for nearly three hours From the hotel to his rental apartment, with an extra hour wasted on house hunting and bargaining. And it still wasnt dead? Not only that It still had so much damn energy?! "...Is this thing a demon?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes and pulled a talisman from his pocket. Luo had told him that abnormal creatures were most likely demons. And if not demons, then evil spirits. Either way The solution was simple. Just kill it. Minimum bounty: 20,000 yuan. [This dumbass fish!] Baji glared daggers at the green carp. If it hadnt been weakened by the talisman explosion, it would have squashed this stupid fish already! The green carp froze, instantly playing dead. Its bulging fish eyes rolled back, its entire body stiffening as it began to emit the unmistakable smell of salted fish. "...Why does it look half-dead again? A last burst of energy before dying?" Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow, grabbed the completely limp green carp, and tossed it into the bathroom bathtub, filling it halfway with water. Only when he saw it floating belly-up, barely breathing, did he finally relax. "Guess it really was just a dying twitch. At least its not actually dead." He put the talisman away. "" However The moment he closed the bathroom door Inside the bathtub, the green carp flipped over immediately, its eyes burning with determination. Then It frantically gulped down water, chugging so fast that bubbles overflowed the entire tub. "Meow~" When Chen Huaian returned to the living room, Baji was licking its paw while meowing at him, looking noticeably better. "Good kitty. Hungry? Ill get you something nice." Seeing that Baji was back to normal, he decided against acupuncture and instead ordered a bag of cat food on Meituan. He collapsed onto the sofa, finally letting his mind settle to sort through his chaotic thoughts. Meanwhile, Baji let out a sigh of relief. [As expected, Boss sealed the doors and windows again. Theres no escape. Absolutely no escape] At this point, it had resigned itself to fate. As for why it didnt want acupuncture? It had already faked a limp on one leg. If it got stabbed again and actually became lame What then?! Would it have to crawl around dragging both hind legs? That sounded like hell! Chen Huaian lined up all the items he had received from on the coffee table: Spirit Stone Bracelet Protective Talisman Potted Plant Thunderfire Talisman Blackscale Sword Spring Needle Technique Meridian Opening Acupuncture Green Lotus Sword Manual And the ones he couldnt take out? He wrote them down on paper. Staring at the collection, he narrowed his eyes. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So far, he had confirmed: The Virtual Girlfriend game = Innate Spirit Artifact. The talismans from it were real and usable. Then Wouldnt that mean everything else from the game was real too? He stared at the pile of items, deep in thought. "So, what secrets do you hold? Let me take a closer look Kehehehe~" His gaze turned sharp and analytical Like an X-ray scanner, sweeping across every item on the table. Chapter 97: Junior Sister, Let’s Head Down the Mountain! Chapter 97: Junior Sister, Lets Head Down the Mountain! Chen Huaian carefully picked up the now-faded protective talisman. The writing on it had blurred, as if soaked in water, making it barely legible. Before, he had always treated this talisman as just another game giveaway, never connecting the strange occurrences around him to it. But now that he knew the Thunderfire Talisman was real, did that mean this protective talisman was real too? Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. The talisman had only started fading after he returned from Mount Tais. That trip had been full of unexpected dangersfirst, he had broken his leg, then encountered a landslide. Either of those incidents could have been disastrous for him. Yet, what actually happened? Not only did he return from Mount Tais unscathed, but he even got a hefty reward from a real bigshot, earning himself some startup funds. "So, the talisman actually worked? Thats why it faded?" Chen Huaian toyed with the talisman, then brought it to his nose for a sniff. He had already washed it, but the light fragrance still lingeredit definitely wasnt from detergent. His theory was sounding more and more plausible. "If only I had another talisman, I could test this out Maybe I should log into the game later and ask Li Qingran for one?" Would that even work? If it did, wouldnt that mean he could get all his items for free in the future? That thought alone made his heart race with anticipation. "Speaking of which, there was also that imperial procession on Mount Tais. That must have been another anomaly caused by the Spiritual Qi Revival. I thought the emperor seemed off at the time, but as for whats really going on over there, only the Demon Slayers Bureau would know It sounds like an official organization, so their intelligence network must be decent." ??????O?? Baji, who was sprawled on the couch, silently listened to Chen Huaians rambling. Its small, weak body instinctively shrank further into the corner. Its over. The calamity was coming. The bigshot had fully realized that this world wasnt normal. Was this the moment his lost memories would resurface? If that happened, would it still be able to keep its Taotie identity hidden? There was no stopping him from uncovering the worlds anomalies anymore. No, it had to run. It needed to find a way to escape! Baji stared at the spiritual plant by the window, lost in thought. At its current rate of absorbing Spiritual Qi, in about a week, it would reach the power level of a two-hundred-year-old demon. By then, breaking through the window and escaping would be easy. Sure, the talismans would leave it badly injured, but as long as it could get away, a little damage was nothing. Better than staying here and risking death at any moment! While Baji was busy plotting its escape, Chen Huaian continued checking his other items. The spiritual stone bracelet was most likely realhalf of its beads had already turned cloudy, meaning their Spiritual Qi had been depleted. But when? And how? That would require further testing. The potted plant by the window was also suspicious. When he tried to cut a leaf, his scissors wouldnt even make a dent. He decided to keep it for now and see if it grew a mouth or something. As for the Blackscale Sword, he had already decidedhe was sleeping with it from now on. A divine weapon like this shouldnt just be left hanging by the bedside. It needed to be close to him, absorbing his unique aura! Heh heh! The orange-red sunset cast long shadows on the coffee table, the glass reflecting the harsh light. Chen Huaian blinked against the glare, suddenly realizing it was already dinnertime. His phone, fully charged and resting on the couch armrest, chimed with a notification. After everything that had happened today, he was exhausted. Unplugging the charger, he picked up the phone and launched . There were a few things he wanted to test. But when the game loaded, he found that Li Qingran wasnt in her room. She was standing at the peak of Falling Sunset Summit, bathed in the golden hues of dusk. Before her stood Senior Sister Yue Qianchi and Pavilion Master Su Qinian. The three of them had solemn expressions, as if engaged in a serious discussion. "Whats going on?" Chen Huaian turned the volume up to max. Their voices became much clearer. "Li Qingran, the journey is long, and your cultivation base is still weak. This time, Ill have your senior sister escort you. Itll be good for both of you to have company along the way," Su Qinian said. "But wouldnt that be too much trouble for Senior Sister?" Li Qingran hesitated, glancing between Su Qinian and Yue Qianchi. "Ah, no trouble at all." Yue Qianchi waved dismissively. "My cultivation has already reached a bottleneck. Master has been telling me to go down the mountain for experienceitll help with my breakthrough." She noticed Li Qingran still looking unsure and leaned over, nudging her playfully. A grin spread across her face, exaggeratedly fawning. "Hehe, Junior Sister, Im not escorting you for free. Youre covering the drinks on the way!" "Hmph! Drinking every dayone of these days, itll kill you!" Su Qinian lifted a hand, aiming to smack Yue Qianchis head, but she dodged with a laugh. Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sighing, Su Qinian turned to Li Qingran and said helplessly, "Your senior sister is addicted to alcohol. Keep an eye on her so she doesnt mess things up on the way." With things settled, Li Qingran could only nod and bow respectfully. "I understand, Pavilion Master. Ill make sure to keep Senior Sister in check." "Tch, Old Su, you think Junior Sister can stop me? Hah!" Not far behind Li Qingran, Yue Qianchi hung upside down from a tree branch, making a face at Su Qinian. Su Qinian pretended not to see her. "Alright, get ready. You two should set off soon." He then took out two pouches and handed them to Li Qingran. "Though the Sword Pavilion is lacking in resources, as its master, I must at least provide you with travel funds. Here are twenty low-grade spirit stonesten for each of you." Li Qingran: "" Yue Qianchi: "" "What? Not enough?" Su Qinians face darkened as he shoved the pouches forward, leaving no room for argument. Li Qingran had no choice but to accept. "Thank you, Pavilion Master." "Pavilion Master?" She gave the pouch a tug but found she couldnt pull it away. Su Qinians grip was firm. Only when Yue Qianchi pried his fingers open one by one did the pouches finally land in Li Qingrans hands. "Master, if you dont want to give it, just dont." Yue Qianchi rolled her eyes so hard they nearly flipped over. Caught red-handed, Su Qinian coughed awkwardly, then threw his flying sword into the air, stepping onto it in a flash. "Hmph! You two take careIm leaving!" The Pavilion Masters exit was dramatic. He merged with his sword, weaving through the twilight clouds. Only Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi remained atop Falling Sunset Summit, the air filled with the scent of sun-dried grass. It smelled nice. Like a summer night. Li Qingran turned to look at Yue Qianchi. Under the setting sun, Senior Sisters face was flushed a brilliant red. Yue Qianchi withdrew her gaze from the fading trail of Su Qinians sword, then slung an arm around Li Qingrans shoulders, laughing. "Come on, Junior Sister, lets head down the mountain!" Atop Falling Sunset Summit, the sky burned crimson. A great sword cultivator used the clouds as ink and the sword as a brush, writing Safe travels. Chapter 98: I, Immortal Chen, Want to Live! Chapter 98: I, Immortal Chen, Want to Live! Qingran, where are you two planning to go? "Ah! Master!" Walking down the mountain path with Yue Qianchi, Li Qingran suddenly froze, blinking her big eyes as she looked around. Realizing belatedly that her master wasnt actually there, she lifted her gaze to the sky, her face lighting up with joy. "Master, Senior Sister and I are heading to Lingxi Valley to seek medicine~" Lingxi Valley? That far? "Theres no other choice~" Li Qingran explained, "Elder Liu searched the entire herb garden and could only gather part of the ingredients needed for the Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill. The rest can only be found in Lingxi Valley, so I plan to head there and search for them." Saying that, she pulled Yue Qianchi, who was looking completely lost, in front of her. "Master, this is Senior Sister Yue Qianchi. The Sect Master arranged for her to accompany me. With her watching over me, this journey will be much smoother." Yue Qianchi glanced around, but no matter how she looked, she couldnt see the so-called "Master" Li Qingran was speaking to. Awkwardly, she followed Li Qingrans gaze and forced out a polite smile, clasping her hands in greeting. "Senior uh, hello?" This was too weird. Who was Li Qingran even talking to? She hadnt heard any voice at all. Was someone speaking directly into Li Qingrans mind? If so, this was beyond awkward. Yue Qianchi dug her toes into the ground, feeling utterly embarrassed. She might be the revered Senior Sister of the Sword Pavilion, but outside the sect, she was actually quite shy. Your Virtual Girlfriend has left the Sword Pavilion. Team Mode activated. A small team interface appeared in the upper left corner of Chen Huaians screen. Li Qingran was the team leader, marked by a chibi avatar with a little red flag. Chen Huaian was in the second slot as the vice leader, represented by a white-haired Immortals avatar, but there was an unknown Spirit Transformation buff attached to his name. ??????? Yue Qianchi wasnt automatically included in the teamher name popped up as a pending request: Allow Yue Qianchi to join the team voice chat? "Uh sure." Chen Huaian twitched his lips. The bearded guy had mentioned that some Awakened had companion spirits called Divine Brush with abilities similar to his. But he doubted any other Awakened had a companion spirit as entertaining as his. Sword Pavilion Senior Sister - Yue Qianchi has joined the team. With that notification, Chen Huaian found he could now access Yue Qianchis basic info. Yue Qianchi - Senior Sister of the Sword Pavilion Traits: Alcoholic, Loyal, Protective Bio: Witnessed her parents perish in a fire as a child, nearly dying herself. She was later rescued by Sword Pavilion Master Su Qinian. A Golden Single Spiritual Root cultivator, she practices the Xuanwu Sword Intent and is the Sword Pavilions true personal disciple. It seemed that once someone became an ally, more of their details became visible, even including a brief life history. Chen Huaian found this feature very reassuring. "Oh wow, not bad. This is like having a follower in an MMO, huh?" He had been a bit wary of Yue Qianchi, worried she might have ulterior motives for getting close to Li Qingran. After all, his Virtual Girlfriend was a walking treasure trove, and he couldnt possibly monitor her 24/7. But thankfully, this was just a game. With one simple information display, all his worries vanished. Suddenly, Yue Qianchi heard a voice directly in her mind. So, youre Yue Qianchi? I often hear my disciple mention you. Startled, Yue Qianchi jumped slightly. However, her adaptability was strong. She quickly turned to Li Qingran, teasing, "Looks like Junior Sister talks about me quite a lot, huh?" Li Qingrans face instantly turned crimson. She fidgeted with her fingers, unable to meet Yue Qianchis gaze. "I-I dont talk about you that much Master is exaggerating" With you watching over Li Qingran, I can rest assured. Chen Huaian meant it as a compliment, but his words had an unexpected effectLi Qingrans eyes reddened. "Master, what nonsense are you saying!" She clenched her fists, wrinkling the hem of her dress, her voice trembling. "I am foolish and untalented, yet I am willing to travel far and wide to seek a cure for you, without a single complaint. Last night, I stayed up grinding and sorting those herbs, straining my eyes to ensure not a single mistake Cant you at least try a little harder for yourself, for my efforts? Please dont say such things, as if youre entrusting me to someone else!" Finishing, she wiped her eyes and lowered her head, staring at her feet in silence. Speaking so boldly to her master was improper, but she couldnt hold back. Even if she was punished, she had to say it. Yue Qianchi looked up at the sky, then at Li Qingran. After a brief hesitation, she finally wrapped an arm around Li Qingran and pulled her into her ample embrace. She didnt care whether Li Qingrans master was up in the sky or elsewhere. She scowled and said, "Senior, you take care of your own disciple. Im only twenty-eightI dont want to suddenly have a kid! Itll ruin my chances of finding a Dao Companion!" "Alright, alright, Qingran, dont cry." She gently stroked Li Qingrans head. "Listen, if your master dares to abandon you, Ill toss you into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain and feed you to the demonslets see if he dares then!" sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingran: "" Meanwhile, in the real world, Chen Huaian fell silent. He hadnt paid much attention to Yue Qianchis joking threat. His mind was still replaying Li Qingrans words. To be honest, he had always thought the Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill was just a game quest. He had casually mentioned that he was "poisoned," so Li Qingran went off to find the best detoxification pill for him. But he knew the truthcancer wasnt poison. It was something far worse. Even with Spiritual Qi Revival, the bearded guy hadnt guaranteed a cureonly that an Awakened might be able to try. "So someone actually cares about me? Worries about me? Fights to keep me alive?" Chen Huaian murmured, his once dim eyes now flickering with a new light. "Even if even if it''s just my companion spirit!" The bearded guy had said: Companion spirits live and die with their host. His companion spirit wanted him to live. His companion spirit was using this game, using Li Qingrans voice, to tell him Chen Huaian, live on. Dont give up! Alright! Hearing his voice echo through the sky, Li Qingran lifted her head slightly. Across two entirely different worlds, their gazes met. Chen Huaian pressed down on the communication talisman and took a deep breath. I will not die. I will live! He, Chen Huaian, was going to survive. "You damn heavens, after putting me through all this suffering, you still want me dead?" "Well, screw you! Im going to live!!!" Baji, curled up in the corner, trembled as it watched Chen Huaian shouting at the ceiling. It shook its head. Hes lost it. Boss has completely lost it! Memory recovery always causes temporary insanity. Looks like hes getting close to fully awakening I need to run! I must escape! Meanwhile, Chen Huaian steadied himself. Before, he had been indifferentspending money, fighting demonic wolves, facing black-furred ratsbecause he believed he wouldnt live long. But now? If it meant staying alive, hed do whatever it took. Slay demons, make money, find the best hospital. Didnt they say there was a 1.5 million per shot miracle drug? If one wasnt enough, hed take ten! If ten didnt work, then a hundred! If those failed, there were still acupuncture techniques like the Spring Renewal Needle and Meridian-Opening Needle. As long as he had money, he would keep upgrading treatments until he was cured. Chen Huaian stood up, his heart burning with resolve. He marched to the door, flung it open And found a small figure standing there. The sudden movement startled the girl, making her yelp as she stumbled back and fell on her butt. Chen Huaian instantly recognized her. Raising an eyebrow, he muttered, "Three Zero?" Chapter 99: A Warm Welcome Chapter 99: A Warm Welcome "I''m here to monitor you." Lin Lingling took a sip of her drink, her tone assertive and her expression calmonly her slightly trembling voice betrayed her nerves. The couch was three meters long. Baji sat on the far left. Lin Lingling sat on the far right. The space between them was like a vast no-mans-land. Chen Huaian twitched at the scene. "Triple Zero, are you afraid of cats?" Lin Lingling shot a glance at Baji and swallowed. "Yeah." "Arent girls supposed to like cats and dogs?" Chen Huaian was surprised. He reached out and ruffled Bajis head. The cat wasnt uglyon the contrary, he had assumed it would be popular with girls. And yet, Baji was clearly just as scared of Lin Lingling as she was of it. Hah, wasnt this a beautifully tragic case of mutual fear? Lin Lingling lowered her head, silent. It wasnt that she was afraid of catsit was that this thing wasnt a cat! Before she arrived, the bearded guy had already warned her. Based on talisman power alone, Chen Huaian could be classified as at least a Grade B Combatant Awakener, but since talismans required extreme costs to acquire, his official designation was set at Grade A Instructor-Level Awakener. For someone like hera White-Grade Rookiethat made him a bonafide ! And in the eyes of this bigshot, that was just a "cute little kitty"? No wonderbigshots even had unique tastes in pets. Chen Huaian settled himself between Baji and Lin Lingling. Immediately, he could both of them relax, as if an invisible weight had lifted from the room. "You said youre here to monitor me?" "Yes." Lin Lingling was direct. "Though, monitoring is secondary. Youre extremely important to the Demon Slayers Bureau, and considering the powerful talismans in your possession, potential security risks must be accounted for. Thats why a formal bureau member needs to keep watch. Of course, my primary job is to provide you with supportif you ever need anything related to the bureau, just let me know, and Ill handle it for you." ???????? "And if I refuse to cooperate?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Lin Lingling turned to face him fully. Her short legs, which had been dangling off the couch, folded into a cross-legged position. Then, in a completely serious manner She knelt. Pressed both palms to her forehead. Took a deep breath And ! She bowed, forehead hitting the floor. "Please, let me monitor you!" Chen Huaian: "" He stared at her for a long moment, then, for some reason, asked, "You get paid for this?" "Yeah." "How much?" "One thousand a day." "Fifty-fifty." "Deal." Chen Huaian stretched out his hand, flashing a friendly smile. "Welcome aboard." Lin Lingling gripped his fingers and gave them a solemn shake. "Ill be in your care!" Baji: "" "...Right, since I have to monitor you, Ill need to live nearby, but all the apartments above, below, and next door are already occupied," Lin Lingling murmured, cheeks flushing slightly. "So, from now on, well be siblings. Youre my big brother, and Im your little sister. Thatll be our cover story. Since Im still a student, this will help conceal our Awakener identities if we ever go on missions together." "Sure." Chen Huaian pointed to the master bedroom. "You can have that one. Private bathroom, but dont come out here to use the restroomI like sleeping naked." Lin Lingling: "" "Call me first." Lin Lingling: "???" Her face froze. Her mouth twitched. After a long hesitationher pride warring with her survival instinctsshe barely managed to choke out the first syllable, "O" Before she could finish, she grabbed her suitcase, dashed into the master bedroom, and slammed the door shut. Baji was dumbfounded. The bigshot just let a human kidone who its true identitymove in?! Wasnt this a massive security risk? At this rate, its Taotie identity would be exposed before the bigshot even ! For the first time, Baji felt a deep, suffocating pressurelike a snake coiling around its throat. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian rubbed his chin in thought. Sure, being watched wasnt ideal, but there were two sides to every coin. With Triple Zero around, he could finally dig into the details of the Demon Slayers Bureaus operations. He could have asked the bearded guy, but since that guy was higher up in the ranks, there were probably things he wouldnt share. Lower-level members like Lin Lingling? Much easier to extract information from. The Demon Slayers Bureau was watching him. But wasnt also watching them? After all, if he wanted to make money, he needed to understand the playing field. "Hey, Triple Zero!" He knocked on the master bedroom door. Immediately, a pair of cautious eyes peeked out from the crack. "After dinner, I want to take a demon-hunting mission. Can you help me?" Lin Lingling blinked in surprise. The bearded guy Chen Huaian to take missionsfrequent participation would keep him engaged with the Bureau and help tackle the growing demon problem in Tianfu District. She had expected persuading him to be difficult. Yet here he was, asking to take a mission. Then again, most newly awakened individuals were eager to test their abilities. It was only after facing the true horror of demons that their enthusiasm turned into fear. "No problem," she said. "The next mission refresh is at nine tonight. We can check it out then. The latest mission reports will be fresh." "Meaning your Bureaus intel always fresh?" Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Lin Lingling realized her mistake and quickly looked away, pushing the door closed a little. "Haha, hahaha, what? No way! Our intel is up-to-date! There''s members would ever be put in danger due to outdated reports!" The bearded guy had hernever expose the Bureaus shortcomings. Their issues were only temporary. In time, things would improve. If Chen Huaian found out the truth, would be the one getting a pay cut. "...Then why did you come back covered in blood?" "Well, obviously because the intel was faul" Lin Lingling froze. Her face went blank. Then, in an instant, she slapped her hands over her mouth. The bedroom door slammed shut. Chen Huaian stared at it, suddenly enlightened. The Demon Slayers Bureau was . So much so that they couldnt even update their mission intel in time. That settled it. No way was he officially joining them. Freelance bounty hunter it was. After all, his main goal now was . Behind the door, Lin Lingling leaned against the frame, drained. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. The angrier she got, the more flustered she became. In frustration, she gave herself a light slap and grumbled, "Lin Lingling, you absolute idiot! Three damn zerosthats what your brain is worth!" Lingxi Valley. "Young Mistress, two disciples from the Sword Pavilion will be arriving tomorrow. Their invitation letter has already been delivered." "Oh? Sword Pavilion?" Behind gauzy curtains, Yun Suxin, who had been meditating, opened her captivating eyes and gazed at the disciple standing outside. "Did they state their purpose?" "Yes, Young Mistress. Theyre coming to purchase some spiritual herbs." S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lingxi Valley, home to vast spiritual fields, was one of Cangyun Realms biggest suppliers of rare herbs. Many sects and rogue cultivators bought herbs from themnot only were the prices lower than the market, but the quality was guaranteed. Lingxi Valley welcomed all business. But Sword Pavilion? That was a different story. "Excellent." Yun Suxins lips curled into a playful smirk. Sword Pavilion had crossed Lingxi Valley before. She hadnt settled that score yet. And now, they were delivering themselves to her doorstep? Oh, she would make sure to give them a welcome. Chapter 100: Might Have Been Seen? Chapter 100: Might Have Been Seen? "Prepare yourselvesactivate the illusion array in front of Lingxi Valley!" The disciple delivering the report hesitated. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If they opened that formation, wouldnt those two Sword Pavilion disciples be trapped inside indefinitely? "Young Mistress?" She didnt understand why their usually courteous and polite mistress would take such an action. "Just do as I say. Why so many questions?" Yun Suxins voice turned cold. The disciple didnt dare ask further. She quickly bowed and retreated. "Hmph, if you can break out of the illusion, then Ill allow you to enter the valley and buy your herbs. But if you cant well, enjoy yourselves in there for a few days~" Yun Suxin murmured, closing her eyes again to resume her cultivation. The Zhongzhou Secret Realm was about to open. She had to raise her strength as soon as possible. Breaking through to Golden Core Perfection before then would be ideal. She find the Ruins of the Medicine King Valley this time. The situation on her mothers side had reached a critical point. She couldnt afford any delays. This was her chance. "Senior Sister, how long until we reach Lingxi Valley?" "Hmm probably by tomorrow afternoon." That night, Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi stopped in a small town and checked into an inn. They had spent the entire afternoon flying on their swords, draining their Spiritual Qi, so they had to find a place to rest. Yue Qianchi took a sip of the drink on the table Immediately, her brows furrowed. "What the hell is this?" "Hehe, its fruit wine~" Li Qingran stuck out her tongue and grinned. "The Sect Master doesnt want you drinking too muchhes afraid youll crash your sword into a cliff. But I know you like alcohol, so I got something milder. Fruit wine doesnt get you that drunk. Plus, its even more expensive!" ???? Yue Qianchi looked at Li Qingrans adorable, expectant expression and finally sighed in resignation. Clicking her tongue, she muttered, "Tch, fine not like this small town has any good liquor anyway." Had any other junior dared say that to her, she wouldve smacked them with her sword hilt. But Li Qingran was different. She was beautifuljust looking at her made people feel at peace. Beauty really could improve ones mood. "Senior Sister, do you have something on your mind?" Li Qingran noticed that Yue Qianchi was only drinking and not eating, and her usually sharp brows held a trace of worry. "Its not really a big deal." Yue Qianchi leaned back, giving a bitter chuckle. "Junior Sister, remember how our Sword Pavilion made a move during the Disciple Recruitment Tournament?" Li Qingran nodded. "Well, Lingxi Valley was there too. Their Young Mistress was personally present. That woman is as cunning as a fox and was the one who searched her during the commotion. Shes probably already figured out that it was us who took the new disciples. So, this trip to Lingxi Valley for medicine wont be easy." "Ah?" Li Qingran blinked, concerned. "Then what if they refuse to sell us the herbs?" Yue Qianchi downed the last of her fruit wine, snorted, and said, "Then well them to sell. We paying, after all!" Li Qingran pursed her lips and let out a dry laugh. There was just one problem. They didnt have enough money. Those herbs were extremely valuable. The Sect Master only gave them ten low-grade Spirit Stones each. Even adding in the Spirit Stones her Master had given her over time, it was far from enough. So their plan was to barter instead. They had brought some specialty items from the Sword PavilionFlying Swords, Concealed Sword Pellets, and the like. Sure, it was a bit shabby, but their quality was top-notch defensive artifacts. Even the Tool Refining Sect had praised the Sword Pavilions craftsmanship. Lingxi Valleys cultivators werent particularly skilled in combat and relied heavily on external tools for self-defense. These items were what they needed. After chatting for a while longer, the two decided to sleep since they couldnt cultivate in their current environment. Li Qingran lifted the beds canopy, then turned around Only to see Yue Qianchi had already stripped down to just a dudou. Her ample curves stretched the upper part taut, while the lower part hung loose, like a curtain. "Ahhhhh! Senior Sister, what are you doing?!" Li Qingran slapped her hands over her face, her blush spreading all the way to her ears. "Hm? Whats the big deal?" Yue Qianchi stretched lazily, then reached back to undo the strings on her shoulders, casually saying, "Sleeping with clothes on is uncomfortable. Ive been stuffed in them all dayI need to let loose. Besides, were both girls. Whats there to be shy about?" "B-But But" Li Qingran stammered, lips trembling. Then A realization hit her. Her Master always knew what she was doing. Which meant he could everything happening around her. Including this. "Senior Sister, wait!" Too late. Yue Qianchi was already completely bare. She tilted her head in confusion at Li Qingrans distress. Seeing her Junior Sisters bright red face, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. She reached out One hand yanked off Li Qingrans outer robe. The other wrapped around Li Qingrans waist and her into bed. The canopy lifted. The blanket rolled over. Two soft, delicate bodies tumbled into the sheets together. Li Qingrans mind went completely blank. All she could register was the against her back, and a playful, wine-scented breath tickling her ear. "Hehe~ Youre that shy? Come on, let me see how well youve developed~" "N-No, Senior Sister, its not that Im embarrassed!" "Then what is it? Youve been acting weird from the start." Li Qingran buried her face in the blankets, her voice trembling. "Senior Sister My Master has great divine abilities. He can always see whats happening around me. Just now, youyou" The warm body behind her . Then, it got even . "Youre joking, right?" "Youre saying your Master can actually ?!" A tiny, guilty whisper answered. "Mm" "N-No way" Yue Qianchis face burned as if she were on fire. She stammered, "H-He wouldnt be all the time, right? I mean, doesnt he have things to do? And if he really could see, he wouldve looked away or at least somehow, right?" Li Qingran curled up tighter, biting her lip in silence. Would her Master look away? Of course, she knew the answer. Even when she was bathing, she could his ever-present gaze Just as the two were panicking, overthinking, and utterly at a loss A Medium Spirit Gathering Formation appeared out of thin air in their room. Even while traveling, one must not neglect cultivation. A solemn voice echoed through the void. As soon as the words fell, the formation activated. Li Qingran whimpered like a mosquito. Yue Qianchis scalp tingled, her eyes widening in despair as she watched the Spirit Gathering Formation light up beside the bed. Her last hope shattered. "Theyre already sleeping? This early?" In a taxi, Chen Huaian glanced at the game. When he logged in, Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi were already lying in bed. "Probably because the Spiritual Qi is too thin in mortal lands Guess Ill set up a Medium Spirit Gathering Formation so they can cultivate while they rest." With that thought, he casually activated six hours of the formation. Li Qingran was already at Qi Refinement Peak, but her survival rate was still only five percent. She to train harder. No slacking off just because of a trip to Lingxi Valley. "" Chen Huaian grinned smugly. Seeing that the taxi had arrived at Dragon Soar Internet Cafe, he logged out. Chapter 101: Making Money! Chapter 101: Making Money! Dragon Soar Internet Cafe looked no different from any ordinary cyber cafe. In fact, business seemed pretty bad. Dim lighting, a faint smell of smoke, and only a dozen or so active computersit gave off the vibe of a place barely clinging to survival. Chen Huaian glanced at Lin Lingling beside him and asked, "Didnt you say the bearded guy was coming to meet us?" "Uh" Lin Lingling hesitated for a moment, then started walking forward. "Maybe he got held up. No big dealIll take you up." They climbed the stairs at the back of the cafe to the fourth floor. The stench of blood hit them immediately. Lin Linglings pupils shrank. Something had gone wrong. The two quickened their pace, rushing through the corridor until they reached the only lit room at the end. The smell of blood was even stronger. Inside, three sofas were arranged haphazardly. A few people sat there, with the bearded guy in the center, head down, smoking. On the floor in front of them Two mangled corpses. "BOSS!" Lin Lingling called out as she led Chen Huaian inside. Her eyes flickered to the bodies for a split second, then her breath hitched, and a shiver ran down her spine. The corpses had gaping holes in their heads. The brain matter was gone, leaving only a hollow cavity. Their faces were twisted into grotesque expressions of pain, blood streaming from their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears. ??????????s They had been Demon SlayersWhite-Rank. One of them was young. Lin Lingling vaguely recognized him. She remembered He used to be a programmer. They had even gone on a mission together once. On the night they submitted their mission report, the guy had suddenly confessed to her. Said he her. Said he wanted to have a with her. Didnt even care that she was underage. Dude was eight or nine years older than her. It had been an instant . But seeing him dead here like this She couldnt help but feel a deep unease. "You two arrived at just the right time." The bearded guy snuffed out his cigarette, his face dark. "The situation is urgent. Some demon has set its sights on us. These two Awakened were killed by itand then the demon dumped their bodies here as a warning." "This thing isnt just hunting us." "Its us." "The demons have gotten too bold!" "Damn right! Once I master breathing techniques, Ill make them suffer!" "BOSS, what do we do?" The Demon Slayers in the room were furious. Chen Huaian scanned the room, quietly nodding to himself. These people walked the razors edge, protecting the mortal world from demons. At least for now, they still had their fighting spirit. The logical next step? They would analyze the demons abilities. Identify its location. Then hunt it down together, proving the Demon Slayers Bureaus strength, boosting morale, and reinforcing their unity. Right? Lin Linglings blood boiled with determination. She clenched her fists and said solemnly, "Boss! Just tell us what to dowell follow your lead!" The bearded guy crossed his hands on the table. His eyelids drooped as he looked around the room. Then, in a deep voice, he said "We run." Chen Huaian: "???" Lin Lingling: "" "Brilliant move, Boss!" "Yeah, a strategic retreat is key. The demon will see it coming!" "BOSS! THIS ISNT RIGHT!" Lin Linglings eyes widened in disbelief. "That demon came knocking on our door, and were just going to run away?! Were Demon Slayers! And besides, running wont solve anythingwhat, are we gonna let it chase us forever?!" The bearded guy sighed. He knew Lin Lingling had a point. But that demon was not an easy target. He had spent the entire previous night in the Demon Slayers Bureau headquarters. Yet, despite tight security, the demon had snuck in undetected and dropped these corpses in his office. If it could do that It could just as easily kill him in his sleep. He was the strongest one here. And even he wasnt confident. If he brought the White-Rank and Instructor-Level slayers into this fight, hed just be sending them to their deaths. Now that breathing techniques had been introduced, it made more sense to lay low. They just needed timeonce they were stronger, demons like this would be nothing. "Lin Lingling, I understand what youre saying, but" "Understand what?" A sharp voice echoed from above. A chilling, deranged laugh followed. "Ke-ke-ke~ Demon Slayers afraid of demons? Your first instinct is to flee? How !" "WHO?!" The bearded guys instincts screamed danger. Everyone snapped their heads upward. The ceiling Was now covered in a massive black web. At its center A spider the size of a conference table. Its back faced them. Then Its head twisted a full 180 degrees, revealing a ghastly human face. The face resembled a mask, its features drawn in red paintgrotesque eyes, a nose, and a grin stretching ear to ear. "A demon!" The Demon Slayers drew their weapons. Some had guns. Some, like Lin Lingling, wielded blades. But from the fear in their eyes, it was clear This wasnt just any demon. "Not a demon," the bearded guy muttered grimly. "A Lost One." His eyes darkened as he yanked open a nearby cabinet, pulling out a ridiculously large shotgun and a cleaver-like blade. Then, he fired. BOOM! The spider tried to block with its web. Taking advantage of the moment, the bearded guy roared "This is a Grade D Combatant-Level Lost One! You guys are outmatchedcall headquarters! Ill hold it off!" "Ke-ke-ke! ? Hold off?" The Lost One lunged, ramming into the bearded guy and smashing him through a wall. A pained scream echoed through the dust. "CHEN HUAIAN, LETS GO!" Lin Lingling grabbed his wrist and bolted. A Combatant-Level threat was way beyond their league. She had seen too many die. She wasnt some reckless newbie anymore. The other Demon Slayers also fled. It wasnt cowardicecalling for reinforcements was their only chance. Their only hope was that their boss could hold out. "What the hell that?" In a deserted alley, Chen Huaian looked at Lin Lingling, who was still panting heavily. "A Lost One." Lin Lingling wiped her sweat, then side-eyed Chen Huaianwho wasnt even out of breath. "Technically not a demon. There are two types: Awakened who gain powers and turn against society.Awakened who receive twisted, cursed powers and are eventually corrupted beyond recognition." "So that thing was the second type?" "Yeah." Lin Lingling pulled out her phone, anxious. "Lost Ones are mentally broken and insanely strong. Theyre all high-bounty criminals. I need to call for backup!" "A bounty?" Chen Huaians eyes lit up. His lips curled. "Meaning that thing is ?" Lin Lingling hesitated, then nodded. "Of course. Theyre wanted criminals. But I dont know the exact bounty." "More than demon bounties?" "Definitely." "Good." Chen Huaian pulled out a talisman. Fact: He never felt threatened by the wolf demon. It instantly died. Fact: He never felt threatened by the giant rat demon. It instantly died. Now: He hadnt felt threatened by that spider. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thus Conclusion: The spider was about to instantly die. Chen Huaian turned and walked back toward the fight. Lin Lingling gawked. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Chen Huaian paused, then grinned. "Making money." Chapter 102: This Thing Doesn’t Work on Me! Chapter 102: This Thing Doesnt Work on Me! "Little Mustache, werent you so cocky when you were hunting me down? Why so quiet now?" On the second floor of the internet cafe, amidst the rubble of a collapsed wall The Human-Faced Spider stood there, nearly unscathed, brimming with arrogance. In the corner, the bearded guy sat slumped, leaning against a cracked cleaver, his entire body drenched in blood. He had been right. This Lost One was indeed Combatant-Rank. Just one rank above himyet the gap was like a chasm. The bearded guy lifted his head with difficulty, his vision swimming in a sea of red. Through his blurry sight, he could still make out the deranged, triumphant face of the spider. That guy He had once been a normal Awakened. He had gained the ability to control and mutate spiders. But when he refused to join the Demon Slayers Bureau, they had been forced to keep him under surveillance. Then one day The informant who had been monitoring him vanished. When the bearded guy finally tracked the guy down, he found that this once-human Awakened had turned into a spider monster And the informant? His body parts were scattered across the entire living room. Some of them were inside the spiders belly. Monsters like him had a specific name within the Bureaus leadership Aberrant Lost Ones. These special cases had only started appearing after the "Black Coffin Rises to the Heavens" Awakening incident in Changbai Mountain three years ago. There wasnt solid proof that the two events were linked But the Bureau was nearly certain. The truth was Their understanding of Awakening Events was still shallow. They hadnt even fully deciphered the earliest case "Kunlun Immortal Palace", from a decade ago. All they had gotten from it was a breathing technique engraved on a stone tablet at the base of the thousand-layer staircase outside the palace The "Primordial Return Technique." And even that had taken them ten years to decode. "If this were two days ago, this whole branch of the Demon Slayers Bureau mightve been wiped out." "...What?" The Human-Faced Spider narrowed its eyes at the bearded guy. The mans head drooped, his body weak and near collapse. Yet A grin split across his bloodstained, unshaven face. Slowly The bearded guy stood up, lifting a trembling hand. The spider tensed, sensing something amiss. With explosive speed, it lunged forward like a cannonball, razor-sharp legs slashing. A severed arm went flying. But the bearded guy just laughed. From his remaining hand, he suddenly yanked out a bloodstained talisman And slapped it onto the spiders forehead. His lips moved. "Boom." Silence. Nothing happened. The Human-Faced Spider twitched, then slowly peeled the talisman off its face. It tossed it on the ground and kicked the bearded guy over with a sneer. "Boom what, you dumbass?" The bearded guy stared, dumbfounded. The hell? Was the talisman fake?! No way He had seen the radiant, golden aura of righteous energy on it! But then He glanced down at the talisman again. The once-brilliant aura Had completely vanished. "...Hey, little mustache." The spider mockingly patted his face, voice dripping with sadistic delight. "When you pulled that thing out, I almost panicked." "Thought it was some kind of trump card." "But this?" "This is just comedy." Memories of being hunted by this man surged through the spiders mind. The humiliation The anger Letting the bearded guy die quickly would be too easy. No He needed to savor this. With a cruel chuckle, the spider whispered, "How should I torture you?" "Maybe Ill wrap you up in webs, leave only your head exposed" "Then slowly inject digestive fluids into your feet." "Let your body melt away, bit by bitwhile you watch me eat you alive!" "Ke-ke-ke" Suddenly A soft breathing sound came from behind him. Very close. The spiders hair bristled. He whipped his head around And found himself staring at a ridiculously handsome, buzz-cut young man. Standing just two meters away. Holding a talisman. Identical to the one he had just thrown away. "...Who the hell are you?" The spiders instincts screamed danger. How had this guy gotten so close without him noticing? Had he been too focused on the bearded guy? The young man said nothing. He just moved closer, lifting the talisman. The spider stepped back, eyeing it cautiously. Then He snorted. "You think that cheap-ass talisman can do anything to me?" The young man took another step forward. "Then try it." "You seriously think Id be dumb enough to slap that thing on myself?" "I think youre too scared to." "...Heh. You little shitfine! Ill do it just to shut you up!" "Then do it!" "Fine, I will!" "DO IT!!!" The spider lifted a leg, ready to slap the talisman onto itself But at the last second He hesitated. "...Wait a second." "You really think Im that dumb?" A twisted grin spread across his face. His scarlet eyes gleamed with sinister intelligence. "If I had to guess" "The moment I put this thing on, theres gonna be a smoke bomb effect or something." "Blinding me" "Letting you grab mustache-man and escape!" The young man remained silent. Then, without warning He casually poked the spider in the face with a laundry pole. Then He dove under a desk, curled into a ball, and grabbed a chair cushion as a shield And covered his ears. He sighed sympathetically. Then Light. Thunder. Fire. BOOM! A blinding white explosion ripped through the entire second floor. Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When the dust settled The second floor was practically destroyed. From the wreckage A tiny, palm-sized, charred spider scurried toward the cafes entrance, frantically trying to escape. Its mind was a chaotic mess. But one thought was crystal clear If it didnt run, it was dead. Dodging overturned computer desks Evading collapsing debris Jumping over burning keyboards It leaped toward the exit Only for a girl to step into its path. No problem. She wasnt an obstacle. Except She raised her hand And slapped a talisman onto the door. The spiders six eyes widened in horror. "OH F**K, NO!" BOOM! Under the desk, Chen Huaian closed his eyes in pity. A soft chime rang from his pocket. His game interface had a new message. Target Eliminated: Spider Demon Rewards: Demonic Cultivation Fragment x1 Spider Silk Armor x1 (Delivered) Chapter 103: Everything Makes Sense Now! Chapter 103: Everything Makes Sense Now! "A spider dead?" A thousand miles away from Dragon Soar Internet Cafe, deep inside a construction site, a corpse lying in a coffin suddenly opened its eyes. "Hah Useless fool. Couldnt even kill a measly Instructor-Rank Lets see what happened." Closing his eyes, he activated a secret technique. Above his head, a wailing ghostly remnant of the Human-Faced Spider dissipated into nothingness. At the same time, his mind was flooded with the last five minutes of the spiders vision. A girl placing a talisman on the internet cafes door. Vision zooming in A thunderous explosion of blinding white light. Thenagony. Even now, the holy aura left in the spiders spirit had yet to fully disperse. "Tsk." The corpse puppet reached up and dug out his burnt eyeballs, casually tossing them aside. Inside his eye sockets, flesh wriggled, quickly regenerating two fresh new eyes. "A new face Seems like Tianfu Districts Demon Slayers Bureau picked up a promising recruit. This power its strong. And highly effective against my kind." "Should I eliminate him now?" Murderous intent flashed in his gaze. But then, he thought of his unfinished plans and suppressed it. "Forget it. If we cross paths in the future, Ill simply deal with him then." Lin Lingling suddenly shivered, rubbing her neck. For some reason, her nape felt ice-cold. But that wasnt important. She gritted her teeth and pushed away a massive fallen couch. And there She found Chen Huaian, half-buried under rubble, his butt sticking up in the air. "Chen Huaian! Are youare you okay?!" She scrambled to pull him out, arms and legs flailing. "Not bad. Didnt die." Chen Huaian let Lin Lingling help him up, then looked around at the surrounding wreckage with lingering fear. Sixty percent of the second floor had collapsed. The room he had been in? Nearly obliterated. Only the exact spot he had been hiding remained untouched. If he had fallen through, he wouldve been hospitalized for months. "Good, good. Youre fine." Lin Lingling gave him a once-over, only relaxing after confirming he was uninjured. Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Then again He was insanely handsome. Of course girls were interested. Hahaha! Standing tall, he placed his hands on his hips Only for Lin Lingling to sigh dramatically and mutter, "If you died, where the hell would I find another job thats this easy pays this well?" Chen Huaian: "" "By the way, how was the talisman? Worked well?" "Middle! Middle as hell!" Lin Linglings usual deadpan expression brightened with excitement. She eagerly gestured with her hands, mimicking her own movements "I just slapped it onbam! And that spider? Dead as a doornail!" "This talisman costs 100,000 yuan per piece." Chen Huaian pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. "I know youre just a middle schooler with no money. But as a future shining star of the Demon Slayers Bureau, youll be loaded someday! Just sign this IOUpay me back whenever you feel like it." "O-One hundred thousand?!" Lin Linglings eyes went huge. Sure, being called the shining star made her happy, but But not 100,000 yuan happy! She pleadingly looked at Chen Huaian. "Cant you you know, maybe" "No." "Big bro~" "Still no. Not even if you called me Onii-chan." Chen Huaians eyes were merciless. His heart belonged to Qingran. Which meantevery cent mattered! "Cough, cough, cough" A series of weak, pained coughs came from the first-floor wreckage. Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling looked down. They heard a feeble voice groaning, "Can you two finish your conversation after you pull me out?" "Brother Huaian, I owe you one. If you hadnt shown up, I dont even wanna think about what wouldve happened." Missing an entire arm, the bearded guy leaned against the wall, looking at Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling with genuine gratitude. Then His eyes gleamed with hope. "Are you planning to join the Demon Slayers Bureau?" "Our organization is amazing, you know! We have a guaranteed salary, and we teach breathing techniques! All you have to do is one mission per month!" sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian smiled benevolently, then asked, "If I joined, could I investigate why my parents compensation was stolen and get everyone involved sentenced to death?" "...Huh?" The bearded guy froze, then hesitated, "Uh we dont exactly have jurisdiction over that. But dont worry! As our influence grows, well eventually have enough power to help you get justice!" He genuinely believed that. With breathing techniques now cracked, the Awakened raised by certain elites would soon be outmatched by Bureau-trained Demon Slayers. As their authority increased, outside forces would have less and less control over them. When that time came, helping Chen Huaian settle a grudge would be nothing. But Chen Huaian just chuckled coldly and shook his head. "Forget it. This world still seems way too peaceful. I think Ill wait a little longer." "...Not even interested in breathing techniques?" "Nope." Seeing his firm stance, the bearded guy didnt push further. He understoodthis wasnt something that could be persuaded away. "Fine by the way, the Human-Faced Spider was a wanted criminal. You get the bounty20,000 yuan. Ill submit the report. Youll have the money by tonight." "Lin Lingling, tell me more about those breathing techniques." Watching the bearded guy get loaded into an ambulance, Chen Huaian turned to Triple Zero with curiosity. He wasnt completely uninterested. These techniques felt similar to the internal energy cultivation methods of Cangyun Realm. "What are you up to?" Lin Lingling took a step back, wary. "Breathing techniques arent allowed to be shared. Ive got a chip in my brainif I reveal them, Ill explode!" Chen Huaian remained unfazed. "If you guys want me to join the Bureau, dont you at least need to explain the benefits?" Lin Lingling thought for a moment. That was fair. So she admitted, "I dont know much either. I only got the Prologue and Volume 1. The Prologue helps Awakened open all their meridiansthats the foundation. Volume 1 teaches Qi Absorptionbut you cant use it without open meridians." "I see." Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, rubbing his chin. Lin Lingling grinned smugly. "So? Interested in joining now?" She casually threw a palm strike at a nearby tree. The sheer force shook several leaves loose. "Check it out! I havent even mastered Qi Absorption, and Im already this strong!" Chen Huaian didnt respond. His eyes shone with excitement. Then He suddenly threw his head back and laughed wildly. "HAHAHAHAHA!" Everything made sense now. Why had his right leg felt so powerful during mountain climbing? Why had his spiritual stone bracelet dimmed over time? Because By pure dumb luck, he had poked his right leg with an Acupuncture Needle And accidentally opened a meridian. Now It was time to open them all. Chen Huaian turned and sprinted home. The age of Tumor Superman was over. Now Immortal Chen was about to rise. Chapter 104: Heh Heh! You’re the One! Chapter 104: Heh Heh! Youre the One! Lin Lingling had no idea what had gotten into Chen Huaian. The moment they got home, he locked himself in the spare bedroom and didnt come out. "Whatever. Not my problem. After all that chaos, Im gonna drop dead if I dont sleep." She cautiously glanced at Baji on the couch Only for their eyes to meet. Both of them shuddered simultaneously. Why is this human brat staring at me? Gonna snitch on me? C Baji, trembling. Why is this big demon glaring at me? Gonna eat me? C Lin Lingling, legs weak. The memory of that monstrous shadow on the wall made Lin Linglings scalp go numb. She bolted for the master bedroom. Baji watched her disappear, then let out a long sigh of relief. It immediately jumped onto the windowsill, joining the Big Green Fish in absorbing the mysterious spirit plants Qi. This place was like serving an unpredictable emperorone wrong move, and it was over. It had to escape. As soon as possible. Meanwhile, inside the spare bedroom Chen Huaian had already logged into My Virtual Girlfriend. A system notification popped up. Demonic Cultivator Fragment x1 obtained. Spider Silk Armor received. "Huh? Demonic Cultivator Fragment? What the hell is that?" "And wheres the Spider Silk Armor? I dont see any package at the door." Usually, rewards arrived outside his apartment in a mysterious package. He had checkednothing there this time. Just as he finished speaking A package suddenly appeared on his bed. Spider Silk Armor C Delivered to Immortal Chen. Chen Huaian stared at the package. His mouth twitched. "Wow. Not even pretending anymore, huh? All those delivery packages beforejust for show?" He tore it open. Inside was a vest-like garment Similar to a bulletproof vest, but far lighter. The outer material was silky smooth, yet beneath it, he could feel rigid armor plates. A strong gut feeling told him These plates were made from the Human-Faced Spiders exoskeleton. Between the plates, silver threads held everything together. He tugged at themsuper elastic. So this was the "spider silk" part. Killed a demon, got armor out of it. Even though the thing had been blown to dust Not a single resource was wasted. "Good stuff. Wearing this should lower my chances of getting turned into minced meat." Without hesitation, he put it on. Then, he made a mental note The Spider Silk Armor now joined the Blackscale Sword as part of his "sleeping essentials." He checked the new Demonic Cultivator Fragment. Demonic Cultivator Fragment: A token obtained from slaying a demonic cultivator. Collect 10 fragments to unlock the Righteous Cultivator Faction Shop. "Oh, so that Human-Faced Spider was a demonic cultivator?" Chen Huaian smacked his fist into his palm. That made sense. He didnt particularly care about righteous or evil paths. After all, in novels and games, the so-called Righteous Dao wasnt always so righteous. Its not about the sect, its about the heart. But If being evil meant looking like some horrendous monster Then yeah, hed rather be a handsome, righteous cultivator. "Wait, didnt I also kill a demonic cultivator in the game before? Why didnt I get a Demonic Cultivator Fragment then?" Three possibilities Only real-world kills counted. The in-game enemy hadnt actually died from the lightning strike. The fragment drop rate was random. Either way, he mentally noted it down for future reference. In the game, Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi were still meditating. For some reason, Yue Qianchi had wrapped herself up tightly in blankets Wasnt she hot? Chen Huaian didnt dwell on it. Instead, he opened his character panel and navigated to Talent Abilities. Several options appeared: Golden Needle Acupuncture Lv2: Spring Renewal Needle (Small Mastery), Meridian-Opening Needle (Initial Mastery) Green Lotus Sword Manual (Initial Mastery) Tideborn Technique (Conditions Not Met) "Just as I thoughtI can cultivate the Tideborn Technique!" Seeing his hunch confirmed, Chen Huaian grinned. It didnt specify what conditions were needed But he had a good guess All meridians must be opened. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if that wasnt 100% correct, opening all his meridians would only benefit him. "Alright! Time to level up my Meridian-Opening Needle!" He checked the details: Meridian-Opening Needle (Initial Mastery): Unblocks meridians but has a high risk of causing disability. Upgrade to Small Mastery: Requires 1999 in in-game purchases. "1999? Thats actually a steal!" Before, he hadnt paid attention. But now? Now, he knew better. "Top up!" He swiped his card, loading 1999 into the game. But The upgrade didnt unlock. "Ohright. I actually have to spend the money." No problem. Time to spend! His gaze swept the game interface. He noticed that Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi were still using a Mid-Tier Spirit Gathering Formation. He clicked his tongue. "Chen Huaian, have some dignity! How could you let Qingran baby cultivate with trash-tier formations?! Time to step up my game5.3 more hours of Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation! And lets stack them!" Ten Spirit Crystals materialized, surrounding the existing Mid-Tier Formation. Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi snapped awake. "Enemies?!" Yue Qianchis eyes sharpened as she scanned the room Only to freeze in shock. "HOLY SHIT! Thats an Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation?! The Spirit Qi is insane!" Before, when the Mid-Tier Formation appeared, she had been briefly mortified But the pure joy of cultivating in it had made her forget the embarrassment. Who cared if she was seen? Li Qingrans Master was supposedly some Supreme Elder A thousand-year-old cultivator pursuing The Dao. Surely, he had no unseemly thoughts about a young woman like her. Hell, even if she offered herself, hed probably reject her outright. Back at the sect, she rarely even used Low-Tier Spirit Gathering Formations. The only reason her cultivation had progressed so smoothly was thanks to Su Qinian funneling all the peaks Spirit Qi into Falling Sunset Summit. Otherwise, shed never have reached Golden Core Mid-Stage. She had expected no cultivation opportunities on this trip. But just before bed? Her Master had casually summoned a Mid-Tier Formation. Now, at midnight? He just dropped an Advanced one on top of it. Yue Qianchi gulped. Advanced Spirit Gathering Formations Were those even something she was worthy of? "Junior Sister, your Master is unreal." She gave Li Qingran a thumbs-up. Then, after a moment "By the way, Junior Sisterdoes your Master have a Dao Companion?" "DaoDao Companion?" Li Qingran blushed. But then She suddenly tensed, eyeing Yue Qianchi suspiciously. "Senior Sister why do you ask?" Yue Qianchi smirked playfully. "I mean, look at meIm a beauty. If your Master doesnt have a Dao Companion Maybe I could" "NO!!!" Li Qingran crossed her arms, her face burning. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Meanwhile Chen Huaian had just finished upgrading his skill. Meridian-Opening Needle: Small Mastery achieved. A new upgrade appeared Upgrade to Great Mastery: Requires 6666 in in-game purchases. "Hmm Thats very reasonable! Top up!" But how should he spend the money this time? Extending the Spirit Gathering Formation again? Nah Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi still had to travel. He browsed the in-game shop Until his eyes landed on something perfect. He grinned wickedly. "Heh heh This is perfect. Youre the one!" Chapter 105: So This Is the Great Sumeru Hand?? Chapter 105: So This Is the Great Sumeru Hand?? The My Virtual Girlfriend Shop (Qi Refinement Tier) had limited purchase options. A lot of the items were starting to feel too low-tier for Chen Huaian Ordinary magical artifacts, low-grade spirit stones, basic talismans that only Li Qingran could use Sure, spending money on them would count toward in-game purchases, but why waste it? Luckily, the shop refreshed one exclusive item every week. Last time, it had been a set of clothes, which he had bought for Li Qingran. Today was Monday A new item had appeared at the bottom of the store, glowing with a purple radiance. Lingxiao Flying Boat C Price: 8888 Capable of long-distance flight, speed equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivators sword flight. Maximum capacity: 12 passengers. Full-speed flight consumes 1 spirit crystal per hour. First purchase includes 6 hours of full-speed flight. "Nice. Thisll keep Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi from wearing themselves out or running into danger on the road." Chen Huaian topped up another 2222, bringing his total to 8888. With a wave of his hand, he bought it instantly. BOOM! Above Qinghe City, space rippled violently A majestic flying boat appeared out of thin air. The city was already under curfew, but a group of night patrol guards spotted it And stood there, completely stunned. "Look! That must be an immortals ship!" "An immortal! An immortal has arrived!" "Hahaha! An immortal! I need to get home and have my wife pray for a child!" "A flying boat?" At Qinghe Citys Lords Mansion, a young girl sitting in a tree opened her eyes, gazing at the sky. Her pupils were as clear as a spring, but when she furrowed her brows, a strange red glow flashed within them. "Could it be the Zen Sect tracking me down? No It shouldnt be this soon" No, not the Zen Sect. A deep, hoarse voice whispered in her ear Drifting far and near, rising and falling like the wind, a voice of endless murmuring. Ke-ke-ke I see them. That flying boat belongs to two little girlsone at Qi Refinement Peak, the other early Golden Core. Their flesh smells delicious. Especially the one at Qi Refinement Peak Come on. Kill them. Devour them. You and I will both grow stronger. The voice was thrilled, manic, becoming sharper by the second. The girls eyes darkened, her clarity replaced by bloodlust and greed. Her trembling right hand grasped her blades hilt. The sword shook in excitement A thick, crimson demonic aura rose from its scabbard, twisting into the cold night air. Yes Thats it. Draw me. Let loose the killing intent in your heart. Ke-ke-ke The girl suddenly tossed the sword to the ground. Then jumped down from the tree And stomped on the scabbard. "Tch. Nice try." She scoffed, her eyes clear once more. You You dare deceive me?! The blade trembled violently. The surrounding stone slabs cracked, etched with thin, chaotic sword scars. "So what if I tricked you? What, you gonna kill me?" The black sword knew It couldnt kill her. It gradually calmed down, lying motionless on the ground. But its voice turned sinister. One day you will be mine. Mo Shumei I hope you can still act so high and mighty when that day comes. The blade fell silent. The girl picked up the black sword, sheathing it at her waist. She gazed at the flying boat above with a trace of worry. Behind her The inner courtyard of the City Lords Mansion lay in ruins. Under the moonlight, one could barely make out the corpses littering the ground. The City Lord of Qinghea tyrant who had exploited the people, raised vicious enforcers, and drained the citys wealth Had been judged. Everyone. Slaughtered. Not even the chickens or dogs were spared. Every time her killing intent surged, she was forced to massacre. Which was why the righteous sects had hunted her relentlessly. Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With the Zhongzhou Secret Realm opening soon, she had to find the remaining volumes of the Rakshasa Heart Sutra. Otherwise One day, just as the black sword had warned She might completely lose herself to her killing urges and become nothing more than a puppet to the blade. "Alright Ive recovered enough." She pulled out a bottle of oil, spilling it across the courtyard gate. A flick of her fingers A flame flickered to life. As the mansion was engulfed in fire, she leapt over Qinghe Citys walls Vanishing into the wilderness. Inside the game Flying Boat is ready. Would you like to transfer the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation to the Flying Boat? No (Wasting the formation). Yes (Directly transfer the formation). Pay 88 to use the secret technique Great Sumeru Hand (Transfer the formation without interrupting Li Qingran and Yue Qianchis cultivation). Chen Huaian was about to select Option 2 But then Another notification appeared. Warning! Your Virtual Girlfriend is breaking through to Foundation Establishment! Chen Huaian: "" Of course this happened right now. No telling how long it would take. Fine. Might as well pay the 88 for a seamless transfer And also see what the hell this "Great Sumeru Hand" was. As 88 disappeared from his bank account WHOOOM! A massive, semi-transparent hand of pure Spiritual Qi descended from the sky. It clamped onto a tavern, yanked it out by the roots Chen Huaian: "HOLY SHIT!" Then, as if shaking off dust, the giant hand swung the tavern back and forth Flung out all the random customers inside Then, with a flourish, it hurled the tavern onto the Flying Boat. BOOM! Slam dunkperfect three-pointer! Chen Huaian: "WHAT THE HELL, YOU REALLY JUST THREW IT?" At least the customers were fine The hands Qi field had cushioned their fall. He glanced at Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi. Completely unaffected. Okay That was actually impressive. Please confirm destination. There was only one optionLingxi Valley. So even after buying the Flying Boat, he still had to follow the plot. Chen Huaian tapped the selection. Another notification popped up Meridian-Opening Needle is advancing to Great Mastery. Process will take approximately three hours. Your actions were too fastTo avoid brain explosion, please rest. Progress bar: 2%. Before knowing this game was linked to his companion spirit, he wouldve laughed off the "brain explosion" warning. But now? His head was already throbbing. The jump from Small Mastery to Great Mastery was massive. "Alright, fine. Sleep it is." By the time he woke up His Meridian-Opening Needle would be fully upgraded. And Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi Would have arrived at Lingxi Valley. Lingxi Valley. "Heh Sleep for a bit. By the time I wake up Those two Sword Pavilion rats should be arriving." Yun Suxin was about to lie down But for some reason She felt uneasy. Still, she scoffed. "This is my Lingxi Valley. What could possibly go wrong?" She chuckled softly. Closed her eyes And drifted into peaceful sleep. Chapter 106: A Flying Boat Stuck in the Illusion Formation?! Chapter 106: A Flying Boat Stuck in the Illusion Formation?! BOOM! Yun Suxin was rudely awakened by a deafening explosion. She glanced out the window. It was already dawn Most of Lingxi Valleys disciples should either be cultivating or tending to the spirit fields. Who the hell was making such a racket at this hour?! Her residence sat high above a waterfall, giving her an unobstructed view of most of the valley with a single sweep of her spiritual sense. The moment she opened her door Her vision darkened. Something massive and diamond-shaped had impaled itself into the outer Illusion Formation of the valleys entrance. It was blocking the rising sun, casting a huge shadow over the area. Down below, the disciples of Lingxi Valley were in chaos, running around like ants on a hot pan. "W-What is that?" Yun Suxin narrowed her eyes. Using her exceptional eyesight, she quickly took in the details of the object. A flying boat. A medium-sized oneLingxi Valley had a few of these themselves. But Who the hell piloted a flying boat like this?! Just ramming it straight into an Illusion Formation This wasnt just reckless flying. This was a provocation. "Young Mistress! Trouble! BIG trouble!" A Lingxi Valley disciple came stumbling over, panting heavily, his face still pale from shock. "A flying boat crashed into our formationright at the formations core! The outermost layer of the illusion has been broken!" "Im not blind," Yun Suxin snapped, her brows furrowing. "Any idea which sect it belongs to?" The disciple gulped. "From the flags and emblems on the ship Its Sword Pavilions." "Sword Pavilion?" Yun Suxins first reaction was disbelief. Sword Pavilion? Buying a flying boat? Bullshit. If Sword Pavilion could afford a flying boat, shed eat that flying boat. "Are you sure?" The disciple hesitated. "Uh N-Not entirely. But the markings do match Sword Pavilions" After all Sword Pavilion excelled in swordplay, but their poverty was equally legendary. Their combat prowess was ranked number one in Cangyun Realm. But when it came to spending money? They were beyond stingy. Any money they did make was immediately reinvested into their flying swords. The idea of Sword Pavilion spending on luxuries was laughable. "Should we inform the Valley Master?" The disciples voice was uneasy. "What if they came with hostile intent?" Yun Suxin thought about her mothers current condition Then shook her head. "No need. Fetch Elder Liang. Well go investigate ourselves." Meanwhile, on the flying boat. The violent shaking had woken up Yue Qianchi and Li Qingran. "Its already daytime? Damn Advanced Spirit Gathering Formations are no joke. One night of training here was like half a month on Falling Sunset Summit." Yue Qianchi stretched with satisfaction. Then frowned. Something felt off. Yesterday, when they checked into the inn, the sky hadnt been this blue, and the clouds hadnt been this white She turned to look at Li Qingran And froze. "Junior Sister! Youve broken through to Foundation Establishment! Holy crap! Your cultivation speed is insane! Then again, youve been bathing in high-tier formations every day No wonder~" Li Qingran had just finished circulating her energy when she heard Yue Qianchis teasing. Her cheeks flushed bright red. "I-Its not like Im soaking in honey or sugar every day Senior Sister, dont say weird things!" "If you want, you can come cultivate with me on Falling Sunset Summit anytime! Ill ask Master for permission!" "My Master might act mysterious, but hes actually super kindhed definitely agree!" "Yeah, no thanks." Yue Qianchi was tempted But the last thing she wanted was to be a third wheel. Even worse, she didnt want to accidentally get seen again Even if her Master was probably just a cold, emotionless old man. Li Qingran was about to insist, but Yue Qianchi playfully grabbed her. "Waaah!" Li Qingran yelped and hid under the covers, her face burning. Yue Qianchi flexed her fingers and grinned mischievously. "Not bad, Junior Sister! Youre developing well! Almost catching up to me now~" "Q-Quit it, Senior Sister!!" Two minutes later Fully dressed, the two stepped out of their room. Only to realize The inn was completely empty. Confused, they walked toward the front door And froze in stunned silence. The once bustling streets of Qinghe City were nowhere to be seen. Instead Endless mountains. Rolling clouds. "Wait this is a flying boat?" Yue Qianchis eyes caught the formation core beside the entrance. Inside Six Spirit Crystals were glowing faintly. Two of them were almost depleted. Clearly This flying boat had carried them and an entire damn tavern through the night. "The entire inn was uprooted?" Li Qingran examined the area. This had Masters handiwork written all over it. This flying boat must have been sent by Master To help them reach Lingxi Valley faster. Master was still so thoughtful. Even while trapped, he still worried about her. Even when moving an entire building, he used a divine ability to ensure their cultivation wasnt interrupted. Master was truly wonderful! Li Qingran pressed a hand to her chest. Her heart felt warm but also a little sour. Master had done so much for her Yet she still couldnt help him immediately "Holy shit, Junior Sister! Were already at Lingxi Valley!" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yue Qianchis excited shout snapped Li Qingran out of her thoughts. Wait They had already arrived? That fast?! She rushed to the edge of the flying boat, peering down alongside Yue Qianchi. As the morning sun rose, the scenery below became even more breathtaking. The valley was lush and vibrant, filled with endless spiritual fields. At its heart A cliffside waterfall cascaded down like a ribbon of white jade. Lingxi Valleys most famous landmark. They had indeed arrived. "Hah! So it really is two Sword Pavilion rats!" A cold voice rang out. Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi looked up A woman in blue robes and a burly bald man had landed atop the inns roof. The woman wore a veil, revealing only a pair of piercing, furious eyes. The bald man was towering and thickly built, with rouge smeared on his face and a massive black saber slung over his shoulder. Despite his boorish appearance, his powerful aura was undeniable. "Who are you calling a rat?!" Yue Qianchi shoved Li Qingran behind her. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she drew her Xuanwu Sword, pointing it at the two figures above. But Yun Suxin wasnt looking at Yue Qianchi. Her gaze landed on Li Qingran instead. "You?!" She scoffed. "Never thought youd join Sword Pavilion. Tsk, tsk What a waste of talent, entering such a pathetic sect." "Whats wrong with Sword Pavilion?!" Yue Qianchis face flushed red with rage. She stepped forwardonly to be crushed under a sudden, overwhelming pressure. It was the bald mans aura. Yue Qianchis heart sank. This wasnt just any cultivators aura It was Nascent Soul Realm. And if Yun Suxin was giving the orders This was about to be a serious problem. "Hmph! You crashed your flying boat into our formation And you have the nerve to act arrogant?!" The bald man grinned savagely. "Young Mistress, why waste words? Let me just cut off their arms and legs Toss em in the black dungeon until Sword Pavilion pays a ransom!" Chapter 108: What a Fateful Encounter Chapter 108: What a Fateful Encounter "F*** me, I was just taking a normal naphow did I almost wipe out my whole team?!" The alarm clock by his bed was still ringing, but he hadnt had time to turn it off. Chen Huaian stared at the game screen, his heart still pounding. The first thing he did upon waking up was log into the gameonly to be greeted by a blood-red warning pop-up: [Alert! Li Qingran has provoked the Dao and is about to be executed by heavenly punishment!] What the hell?! He didnt even have time to thinkhe instantly selected the games emergency override option to stop Li Qingran before she got herself obliterated. As soon as the warning disappeared, he let out a long breath. "Damn that felt like getting choked out by a giant python! What the hell happened while I was sleeping?!" He had no idea what had transpired while he was asleep, but he could get a rough idea from Li Qingran and Yue Qianchis status screens. [Status: Trapped in illusion, mind in turmoil] [Cultivation Progress: 12/1000 (Foundation Establishment C Early Stage)] [Affection Level: 99] That was Li Qingrans status. For Yue Qianchi, he couldnt see her affection level or cultivation progress, but there was an extra status effect: [Nightmare Corruption]. On the screen, Yue Qianchi was running around like a madwoman, her face twisted in terror as if she were trying to escape from something invisible. Chen Huaian cranked up the volume and finally heard what she was screaming about. "Fire! So much fire! Get away!" "Its burning! Somebody help! Put it out!" She tripped over something and tumbled into the mud, then crawled into a corner, curling up tightly. Her whole body trembled as she pressed her chin against her knees, burying her face in her arms. From beneath her arms came the muffled sound of sobbing. [Your teammate Yue Qianchi is being consumed by the illusions heart demon! Help her escape!] "Yeah? And how the hell am I supposed to do that?!" Chen Huaian was at a complete loss. There wasnt even a button to call out to her. "Wait dont I have a dumb disciple for this?" He smacked his forehead, then quickly sent a voice transmission to Li Qingran: "Qingran, your senior sister is losing her mind! Slap her a couple of times or dump some cold water on herwhatever it takes to snap her out of it!" At that moment, Li Qingran had been standing dazed in a corner of the illusion. Hearing Chen Huaians voice, she instantly snapped back to reality. For a second, she was stunned. Then, her eyes turned red, and tears came pouring down. She was crying, yet her lips curved into a smilea joy so overwhelming that it was almost suffocating. "Master! Master, youre alive!" "Of course I am! Whats with all this dead or alive nonsense? I told you, I wont die! Now hurry up and help your senior sister!" Hearing his voice again, Li Qingran finally snapped out of her trance completely. She saw Yue Qianchi trembling in fear and immediately rushed over. As she ran, she pinched her waist The pain was real. This wasnt a dream. Her master was truly alive. Everything she had just experienced was an illusion. She had thought that extreme sorrow would suffocate her. But she never expected that joy could make it just as hard to breathe. "Senior Sister, wake up!" She took a deep breath to steady herself, then waved a hand in front of Yue Qianchis face. A second later, her hand was shoved away. "Fire! The fireits everywhere!" "Put it out! Qingran, put it out! Cant you see it?!" "Senior Sister, theres no fireits just an illusion." Li Qingrans heart ached as she pulled Yue Qianchi into a tight embrace. She had never seen her senior sister so terrified before. It was the kind of fear that felt like being plunged into a bottomless abyss Where darkness stretched endlessly in every direction. Where every breath was filled with suffocating cold. Where despair consumed everything. "Fire! There has to be fireits burning me!" "Qingran, hurry! Theres no time! If we dont stop it, everyone will die!" Yue Qianchis tear-streaked face was a mess of mud and desperation. "Master, what should I do?" Li Qingran looked toward the sky. Chen Huaian was too busy furiously tapping through his skill tree to notice her question. He was working on maxing out his Meridian-Opening Acupuncture Technique One more upgrade, and it would reach perfection. At that point, he could safely open all his meridians without any risk of crippling himself. But for now, he had more important things to deal with. A wooden basin filled with ice water appeared in front of Li Qingran. Next to it A whip. A cold voice echoed in the void: "Here. Choose." "Master do I really have to do this to Senior Sister?" Li Qingran hesitated as she looked between the ice water and the whip. "Isnt this a bit too cruel?" Silence. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Yue Qianchis condition was deteriorating. Li Qingran bit her lip. Finally, she made her choiceshe dragged the basin of ice water over. Then, she dipped the whip in the water. After a deep breath, she turned to Yue Qianchi and bowed. "Senior Sister, forgive me!" With that, she grabbed Yue Qianchi, flipped her over, and Crack! A single lash landed squarely on Yue Qianchis backside. "Goddamn, this girl is a genius!" Chen Huaian blinked in surprise. What was that saying again? Ah, right "Kids make choices. Adults take both." And Li Qingran? She had just proven the wisdom of that phrase. Ice water and a whipwhy not both? Ice-cold punishment. A brutal wake-up call. Damn. Thats savage. But that wasnt even the biggest deal right now. What really caught Chen Huaians attention was the new pay-to-win options that had just appeared in his interface: Spend 6,998 to summon a Purple Heaven Divine Lightning Talisman and blast open the illusion array. Spend 19,998 to unleash the Blackscale Flying Sword and tear through the illusion array. Spend 44,444 to temporarily ascend to Fusion Realm C Early Stage and execute the Green Lotus Sword Manual: Eleventh Form C Celestial River Slash. All three choices would allow him to clear the illusion. The only difference Was how flashy he wanted to be. A normal clear. A double-clear. Or a super ultra VIP deluxe max clear. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Then, his gaze flicked to the amount he needed to finish upgrading his Meridian-Opening Acupuncture Technique. After a long silence, he exhaled deeply. And muttered "Boundless Heavenly Lord This Lingxi Valley truly shares a fateful bond with me." Chapter 109: A Waterfall Plunging Three Thousand Feet Chapter 109: A Waterfall Plunging Three Thousand Feet What is fate? According to Chen Huaians personal understandingfate was nothing more than cause and effect. Whether it was a cursed fate or a blessed one, it always boiled down to either planting the cause or reaping the result. [Upgrading Meridian-Opening Acupuncture from Mastery to Perfection requires 30,000.] When this message popped up Chen Huaian knew. His fate with Lingxi Valley had arrived! "I am not a violent man," he sighed dramatically, gazing at the ceiling with feigned compassion. "But this top-up deal is simply too tempting. I have no choice but to endure the pain and pick option three." With that, he pressed his finger firmly on the third selection. He had assumed the game would immediately show his character cutting Lingxi Valley in half with a single sword strike. But no. The developers knew exactly how to keep players hooked into spending more money. A new prompt appeared [Please put on your gaming helmet.] Inside Lingxi Valley "What?! Those two Sword Pavilion disciples actually broke through the Heart Demon Illusion?!" As the second-ranked authority over the sects illusion array, Yun Suxin could sense some of the changes within it through a secret technique. Just now, the heart demons that had been plaguing Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi had been eradicated. She didnt know what their demons were, but she knew one thing They had escaped. And without the heart demons interference, the second-layer illusion was significantly weakened. "Should I make it harder for them?" She thought about it, then shook her head. "No need. Lets see how far they can go." Yun Suxin wasnt the type to go back on her word, so she decided not to meddle with the array further. Little did she know, that single decision would not only save herself But also her sect and her mothers life. In Chen Huaians room With a solemn expression, Chen Huaian put on his gaming helmet. Inside the illusion array Before Li Qingran A figure in white robes, sword strapped to his waist, slowly took form. This time, God-Mode Chen Huaian didnt arrive with grand special effectsno dramatic black dragon shadow, no blazing aura. And yet, just standing there, he seemed to merge with the heavens and earth, an invisible pressure rippling outwards. "Master!" A voice filled with excitement rang from behind him. Chen Huaian turned slightly Only to see his little disciple, Li Qingran, standing there holding a small whip, her big eyes blinking unblinking at him, overflowing with joy and admiration. Goddamn, shes too damn pretty. Chen Huaian sighed inwardly. No matter how many times he saw her, his heart still skipped a beat. Especially with the way she looked at himwith pure reverence, a hint of subtle longing. Like a flower bud on the verge of blooming As if all he had to do was lean a little closer, and she would open up completely. Who the hell could resist that? Before his face could heat up, he quickly turned away. Switching into his mentor mode, he coughed lightly and said in a deep voice "If the illusions heart demons could trap you, it means your heart is not yet strong enough. Cultivation begins with cultivating the mind. How many times have I told you this?" "Qingran understands her mistake." Li Qingran lowered her head, her small hands clasped behind her back, fingers fidgeting slightly. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her long lashes cast shadows over her flushed cheeks, hiding the shyness and happiness in her eyes. Her master had never actually said those words before But everything her master said was right. As long as she listened to him, it didnt matter what he said. Even if he was scolding her Wasnt that just proof that he cared? Otherwise, why would he only reprimand her and not Senior Sister Yue? "Mmm, knowing your mistakes and correcting them is the path to greatness," Chen Huaian said, casually throwing out some vague wisdom. "Since I am here in person today, I will break this illusion for you!" He lifted his gaze toward the illusions ceiling. Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi couldnt see it But he could clearly make out the arrays core, the flow of its energy. It looked an awful lot like an electrical circuit diagram. "Master, how will you break this illusion?" Li Qingran had moved to his side, her curious and worried gaze locked onto his face. Chen Huaian smirked. His right hand rested on his sword hilt. "With a sword, of course!" As his words fell Li Qingran watched as her masters figure soared into the air, white robes billowing, silver hair flowing like cascading snow. A faint glow surrounded him. With a flick of his wrist, his sword spun into a dazzling bloom of silver light, sweeping out in an arc like a moonlit river. So beautiful. And the man within that moonlight Unparalleled. But his true body was still battling a great demon elsewhere. Should he really be using his strength so recklessly? Li Qingran had no idea what kind of power Void Refinement Realm cultivators possessed. She dared not question itshe could only worry in silence. "Watch closely, my discipletoday, I shall teach you another sword technique!" Clang! A sword rang out. The heavens changed color. A deafening roar shook the world. The sun dimmed. The blue sky darkened into an abyssal navy, clouds scattering to reveal a sky clear as glass A sky reflecting the stars and the Milky Way. This phenomenon didnt just cover Lingxi Valley It spread across hundreds of miles. Countless people gazed up at the endless galaxy above, their hearts filled with awe and dread. A bone-chilling terror gripped them. Yun Suxin stumbled out of her room, face pale as she looked up at the celestial anomaly. Forgetting all pretense of composure, she shot into the sky on her sword, stopping beneath the celestial river. Amidst the sea of stars, a lone white figure danced with his sword upon the Milky Way. She tried to approach But an overwhelming pressure pinned her in place. "Senior may I ask who you are? Why are you attacking Lingxi Valley?" "If there has been some misunderstanding, then I apologize! Please, let us discuss this calmly! Lingxi Valley will do everything in our power to satisfy you!" To manipulate the heavens and earth, to summon celestial anomaliesthese were the traits of a Fusion Realm Grand Cultivator. But this man was no ordinary Fusion Realm expert. He had summoned the Star River itself! What kind of terrifying existence was this?! A few legendary names flashed through Yun Suxins mind, but none of them matched the ethereal swordmaster before her. The power of the galaxy grew stronger. The entire world trembled. That sword-wielding silhouette shifted from elegant and refined to vast and overwhelming. The sheer pressure from his sword sent chills crawling up Yun Suxins spine. She didnt hesitate. She dropped to her knees. "Senior, please! Spare us! I am the Young Mistress of Lingxi ValleyI will take responsibility!" Her mother was still recuperating in the valley. She could not let this man destroy everything. "Spare you?" A voice boomed like rolling thunder, making Yun Suxins vision blur. "Too late! Less talkingtake this strike first!" The white-clad cultivator chuckled. "The sun rises over the incense burner, mist curling into the sky From afar, the waterfall hangs before the river!" BOOM! The Star River roared. Below, Lingxi Valley trembled. Disciples collapsed to their knees, shivering. The sects so-called elders had long since fled, leaving only a few behind Too terrified to even run. "Senior please stop" Under the crushing heavenly might Yun Suxin could barely force the words from her throat. Her vision blurred. The last thing she saw was that white figure rising into the sky, sword poised And slashing forward! "A waterfall plunges three thousand feet As if the Milky Way falls from the Ninth Heaven!" As the last syllable echoed The celestial river shattered into countless sword beams, raining down upon the valley. Chapter 110: Fate’s Cut Runs Deep Chapter 110: Fates Cut Runs Deep In front of the Lingxi Valley Grand Hall A female disciple collapsed to the ground, her face deathly pale as she stared at the massive sword scar before her. The gash, several dozen meters wide, began at the sects entrance and stretched all the way to the back mountain. The cut was so smooth it gleamed like a mirror, its depths unfathomable. If one listened closely, faint echoes of sword resonance could still be heard. "AhBaihua Peak! Baihua Peak is gone!" A horrified cry rang out. Baihua Peak was one of the prominent cliffs within Lingxi Valleyhome to the Elders Hall and the Sect Master''s residence. And now, it had been split clean in half. The chasm between the two halves revealed a single, thin strip of sky, as if a mountain god had cleaved it with a divine axe. The once-majestic waterfall that cascaded down Baihua Peak had also been severed, its flow interrupted midair. The wind howled through the chasm, a sorrowful, whimpering sound that sent shivers down the spines of the disciples. A single sword had sundered a mountain. A single strike had carved a canyon. Who was the white-robed figure who had walked upon the galaxy? What kind of terrifying sword mastery was this? And why had he struck at Lingxi Valley? Perhaps the only ones who knew the answer were the two kneeling figures before Chen HuaianYun Suxin and Lingxi Valleys Sect Master, Yun Baiyu. Yun Baiyu shielded Yun Suxin with her own body, kneeling on one knee as she gripped the Blackscale Sword in her hands. Blood trickled down her pale wrists, staining the pristine sleeves of her robes in a striking shade of crimson. "Senior please have mercy " She barely managed a few words before coughing up blood. Her body was already frail, and now, after shouldering half the force of that sword strike on behalf of Lingxi Valley and her daughter, her injuries had worsened. "Mother, you!" Yun Suxin struggled to rise, but Yun Baiyu turned back, eyes cold as she commanded, "Kneel down!" Yun Suxin opened her mouth, her body trembling slightly. In the end, she obediently lowered her head and knelt once more. Her fists clenched and unclenched repeatedly, her face alternating between red and white. Yun Baiyu turned back to face Chen Huaian. She didnt dare meet his gaze. Instead, she fixed her eyes humbly on his boots and forced a bitter smile. "Senior, might you be an elder of Sword Pavilion, one of the hidden recluses? No matter the reason for your anger, as the sect master of Lingxi Valley, I will take full responsibility. My daughter is still youngplease, do not hold her actions against her." Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her tone was submissive to the extreme. Because in the Cangyun Realm, strength was the only law. She had once believed that forging many alliances would ensure Lingxi Valleys survival. That even if a crisis arose, numerous cultivators would stand by their side. But three years ago, that naive belief had been shattered. Back then, a legendary Ancient Spirit Blade had emerged from the Eastern Continents secret realm. To claim the blades recognition, countless cultivators had turned on each other, slaughtering without remorse. By the end, there were no longer allies or enemiesonly blood-soaked corpses. Even her own Dao Companion had betrayed her, striking at her without hesitation. From that day forward, she understood Lingxi Valley could not rely on outsiders. They could only rely on themselves. Strength alone determined survival. And now, faced with this white-clad sword cultivator If she had been at her peak, perhaps she wouldnt have to kneel like this. Perhaps she wouldnt have to beg for her sects survival. But reality was cruel. This mans sword It was simply too terrifying. Was this the legendary sword cultivator known for the strongest killing prowess in Cangyun Realm? Today, she had experienced it firsthand. Chen Huaian remained silent. Not because he was trying to act cool But because he was actually a little freaked out. That one sword strike had turned out way stronger than hed expected. He had always kept in mind that Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi had only come here to buy herbs, so when he swung his sword, he had deliberately held back. But he was worried that if he didnt make a strong enough impression, it wouldnt serve as a proper deterrent So he had used 80% of his power. And that 80% had nearly wiped Lingxi Valley off the map. If this woman hadnt arrived in time to take the hit Lingxi Valley would have been completely obliterated. Along with Yun Suxin, the sects disciples, and all the precious spirit fields and herbs. [Your Avatars remaining active time: 10 seconds.] A notification popped up in his vision. Chen Huaian snapped back to reality. His gaze fell on the sect master before him. She had the face of a young girl, yet her hair was stark whitehe had no idea how old she truly was. After a brief pause, he furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice "My disciple came here to buy herbs. And yet, your daughter deliberately activated the illusion array to hinder them. I did some calculations and felt that Lingxi Valley and my sword had a connection. So I drew a little in the sky, and what do you knowour connection turned out to be quite deep indeed." Yun Baiyus lips twitched. A connection?! If this was fate, then fate could go to hell! But she could only force a smile. "Then has Senior settled this fate today?" "Of course." Chen Huaian nodded sagely, then started spouting absolute nonsense: "Fate is a wondrous thing! For example, I just cut down this mountain, and it made me very happy. So you seethis is fate!" Seeing the sect masters face remain blank, he awkwardly coughed and added "Well, I have other matters to attend to, so Ill take my leave. Those two are my juniorsplease look after them for me. Ill come back someday to explore more of our destined connection." With that, just as his 10 seconds ran out Chen Huaians figure dissipated into countless sword lights and vanished into the wind. Yun Baiyus heart clenched. That was just an avatar And it was already this powerful?! If his true form had come instead When the hell did Sword Pavilion produce such a monstrous old cultivator?! There had been no warning, no rumorsnothing. Thank the heavens her daughter had only used the second-layer illusion array. If she had activated the third layer, actually harming those two little sword cultivators This madman might have reduced Lingxi Valley to dust and scattered it to the winds! A wave of terror surged through her. And with her injuries worsening, dizziness overtook her. A pair of hands caught her from behind. Yun Suxins eyes were red, her lips trembling. "Mother, are you are you okay?" "Im fine." Yun Baiyu weakly patted her daughters head, her gaze filled with affection and guilt. "Dont worry. I just need time to recover. That sword cultivator didnt strike with full forcethis was just a warning." Yun Suxin pouted. Nearly cutting our sect in half counts as a "warning"?! Sword Pavilion people had no sense of reason. First, they robbed us. Then, they destroyed our illusion array. And now, they almost collapsed our entire sect. And yet they were the ones being apologized to. What kind of twisted logic was this?! "Alright, go greet those two Sword Pavilion disciples." Yun Baiyu forced a neutral tone. "Treat them as honored guests. Especially the younger one." That one was his disciple. People with that kind of backing Should never be provoked. Chapter 111: All Converting to Sword Cultivators Now? Chapter 111: All Converting to Sword Cultivators Now? "Here are the spiritual herbs you requested." Yun Suxin packed up all the herbs listed and shot a sideways glance at Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi, snorting coldly. "Thatll be eighty thousand low-grade spirit stones. How do you plan to pay?" Sitting in front of his phone, waiting for his Meridian-Opening Technique to break through while watching the story unfold, Chen Huaian was not happy. The hell? I already cleaved your sect in halfnow you still want money? [Please choose how to proceed:] <1> Spend 4,000,000 to purchase 80,000 low-grade spirit stones for payment. <2> Spend 88 to strike again and one-shot Yun Suxin. <3> This item and I are fated. 50 bucks for a single low-grade spirit stone, and youre charging full price? Chen Huaians mouth twitched. He picked option three. No reasonhe just liked forging connections. Li Qingrans ears twitched slightly, as if hearing something. Her face turned a shade of pink as she stammered, "Um My master just sent me a message to relay to you" Yun Suxins scalp tingled. She instinctively took a step back. "What what did he say?" "He he said" "These herbs and I are fated." Yun Suxin: "" Yue Qianchi: "" Li Qingran awkwardly averted her gaze, lowering her head, her earlobes flushed pink. Everyone knew what that phrase meant. No wonder Sword Pavilion was so proficient at robbery. Turns out, it was a time-honored tradition. Yun Suxins chest heaved violently, her delicate face turning as red as fire. Her beautiful eyes burned with barely restrained fury. She inhaled deeplythen another deep breathbefore barely suppressing her anger. Gritting her teeth, she growled, "Fine! Your Sword Pavilion truly is ruthless!" She shoved the bag of herbs toward them and turned away. "Take them! Not a single spirit stone required! Satisfied now?! Tell your master never to ''forge connections'' with Lingxi Valley again! We have no fatewell never meet again!" Li Qingran carefully stowed the herbs into her storage pouch and nodded seriously. "Lingxi Valley is renowned throughout Cangyun Realm. If I ever need more spiritual herbs, Ill definitely return." "" Yun Suxin clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles cracked. Her teeth gritted audibly. She repeatedly told herself to stay calmto endure this humiliation. That sword cultivator backing Li Qingran was too terrifying to provoke! For her mother. For Lingxi Valley. She had to endure this disgrace. She refused to say another word. Only when Li Qingran and Yue Qianchis footsteps faded completely did she finally turn back. To her surprise, there was a worn-out storage pouch left on the table. It looked like it had been used for years, with frayed edges and exposed threads. It was exactly Sword Pavilions style. Inside, the pouch was filled with Sword Pavilion specialties. Although the total value didnt quite reach 80,000 spirit stones, it was close enough. Yun Suxins expression softened slightly. She picked up the pouch and hmphed under her breath. "At least your Sword Pavilion has some conscience left." This was already the best possible outcome. The illusion array was broken, requiring repairs. The sects entrance was sliced in two, needing reconstruction. They couldnt let outsiders see Lingxi Valley in this state. Just thinking about the expenses made her exhausted. Yun Suxin let out a tired sigh. Suddenly, her mothers voice echoed in her mind. "Suxin, come to the back mountain." Lingxi Valley C Back Mountain Sect Master Yun Baiyu had changed into fresh robes, seated beside the massive sword scar. This was the deepest cut, spanning twenty meters wide. Sword intent still surged from within, sharp currents of sword qi bursting out at intervals, leaving countless marks on the surrounding rock walls. Yun Suxin stared into the abyssal scar, her spine chilled to the core. What truly terrified her was that The swordsman had already left. And yet, his sword intent lingered, imprinted into the scar without fading. "Suxin, this is an opportunity." Yun Baiyu gazed at the sword scar, a hint of excitement in her expression. "This persons sword mastery I have never seen its equal in my life. Even True Martial Holy Lands strongest sword cultivator, Zhang Yibai, is far inferior!" "Really?!" Yun Suxins eyes widened in shock. Zhang Yibai. Master of True Martial Holy Land. Rumored to be at the peak of Void Refinement Realm, hailed as the strongest sword cultivator in Cangyun Realm. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Could this mysterious swordsman truly be stronger than Zhang Yibai?!" "Not necessarily," Yun Baiyu replied, pulling her daughter to sit beside her. She shook her head. "Zhang Yibai hasnt drawn his sword in five hundred years." "Five hundred years ago, he unsheathed his sword only three times And slaughtered the demon race from top to bottom. Of the Nine Demon Emperors, four fell by his blade." "That was five centuries ago." "No one knows what his cultivation realm is now" "But in terms of sword mastery alone" "This swordsman is stronger than Zhang Yibai was five hundred years ago." "So what?" Yun Suxin grumbled, feeling increasingly unmotivated the more she heard about how terrifying this sword cultivator was. She pouted, "Sure, his sword mastery is incredible, but what does that have to do with us?" Yun Baiyu pointed at the sword scar. "Look." Suddenly A streak of sword qi shot out from the sword scar. Clang! A nearby rock split open with a sharp crack. Even though it had only been a glancing blow, the wind pressure alone made Yun Suxin break out in a cold sweat. "For a sword cultivator, the most important thing is sword intent," Yun Baiyu said with a faint smile, her eyes gleaming. "Comprehending sword intent is the key to improving swordsmanship. Right now, this sword scar is overflowing with sword intent that refuses to dissipate. Isnt this the perfect opportunity to study it?" Yun Baiyus gaze sharpened as she continued, "From now on, all Lingxi Valley disciples will study this sword intent. We will convert to sword cultivation. Our sect will still focus on medicine, but we will take up the sword as a secondary pathso that when our disciples leave the sect, they will at least be able to defend themselves!" Yun Suxins mouth hung open. She felt likethis wasnt how things were supposed to go. But She couldnt find a reason to argue. After all, Lingxi Valleys combat ability had always been weak. And it wasnt like they had the means to comprehend sword intent on their own. Its not like they could just move into Sword Pavilion, right? Even at Sword Pavilion, a sword scar imbued with sword intent like this would be considered a sect-defining treasure. "That senior cultivator must have deliberately left this sword scar behind," Yun Baiyu murmured, admiration and regret in her voice. "Sword Pavilion cultivators may be blunt and direct in their actions, but they have a sense of measure. They dont take more than they need, nor do they go too far. You didnt truly harm those two Sword Pavilion disciplesso in return, he shattered our protective formation and split our sects entrance in half as a warning. But in the end He left this sword scar behind as a parting gift. And this gift is exactly what we need, arriving at the perfect time!" "Are you exaggerating?" Yun Suxin looked skeptical. "Its exactly as I say." Yun Baiyu sat upright, her tone serious. "At this level of cultivation, every action carries meaning. Go inform the entire sectfrom today onward, everyone will spend three hours each day studying this sword intent!" "Ugh fine" Yun Suxin scratched her head, still feeling that something was off, but she obediently went to deliver the message. Not long after Yun Suxin left, Yun Baiyus breath suddenly hitched. A rush of internal injuries surged up, and she coughed out a fresh mouthful of blood. Her pale cheeks flushed with a sickly shade of pink, and the light in her eyes dimmed slightly. "Old wounds and now, new ones" She muttered to herself, clutching her chest with a bitter smile. "But it doesnt matter. I was already dying. This just speeds up the process" She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. At least before I die, Suxin and Lingxi Valley finally have a path forward. Now theres no need to seek help from Yaochi Holy Land. At the thought of that place, Yun Baiyu shuddered involuntarily. Three years ago, she had barely survived a visit to Yaochi Holy Land for treatment. She had sworn then She would rather die than go back a second time. "Boundless Heavenly Lord! My Meridian-Opening Acupuncture has finally reached perfection!" After waiting forever, Chen Huaian finally saw his technique reach max proficiency by midday. "But damn, Im almost broke." He let out a helpless laugh. Sure, pay-to-win upgrades were fast, but if his acupuncture technique turned out to be useless, he might actually cry. Still No matter what, his situation was way better than before. In the past, he had no idea how to make money. Now, if he ever ran out of funds, he could just go take some demon-slaying missions at the Demon Slayer Bureau. Chen Huaian washed his hands, disinfected his needles, and was just about to start acupuncture on his own leg When his hand suddenly froze. Wait. "No way. The first time I try this, I should be cautious." His eyes darted around. .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } A person can open their meridiansso why not a cat? If I mess up the cat, I can still take care of it for life. But if I mess up myself is the cat gonna take care of me? The moment that thought crossed his mind, his guilt vanished instantly. "Alright, lets try this on Baji first!" Chapter 112: It’s a Taotie! Chapter 112: Its a Taotie! [Danger! Killing intent detected!] Baji, who had been peacefully cultivating, suddenly flipped over, feeling an overwhelming sense of suffocation, like being constricted by a giant python. It quickly scanned its surroundings No threats detected. Until The door to the guest bedroom creaked open. Chen Huaian stepped out, holding his silver acupuncture needles, his gaze sweeping the room until he spotted Baji by the windowsill. Ever since the big blue fish had revived, Baji had relocated to the windowsill. After all, the bathtub was meant for bathingnot for keeping a fish. But, being a responsible pet owner, Chen Huaian had moved the big blue fish into a large baby bathtub so its tail wouldnt stick out. "Baji, today, I bestow upon you a great opportunity!" Chen Huaian approached step by step, a gentle and benevolent smile on his face. But in Bajis eyes That smile was more terrifying than a rampaging Xingtian! [Its over! Hes giving me a great opportunity?! Has his memory awakened? Did he discover my true identity and now wants me dead?!] Bajis fur bristled. It bolted. Its current strength wasnt enough to break through the talisman-sealed doors and windows, so it could only try its best to hide. Baji ran. Chen Huaian chased. The entire living room turned into a war zone. One moment, Chen Huaian was crawling under the table The next, he was digging behind the coffee table After several rounds of chaos, he finally cornered Baji against the wall. "Weird." Chen Huaian caught his breath and frowned at Baji, who had curled into a shivering ball. "Baji is usually so obedient. I can hold it whenever, grab it wheneverwhy is it so scared today?" He thought for a moment. Then, he remembered something. Lin Lingling just moved in. It all made sense. Cats are incredibly sensitive and territorial creatures. To them, every living thing is either a catbig cat, small cat, or two-legged cat. They recognize friend or foe primarily by scent. Especially for a former stray cat like Baji, new smells were a huge source of stress. Its probably just stress from the new environment. "Baji, dont be afraid. Even if you become crippled, Ill still take care of you for life! Ill buy you the best cat food! And even find you a lovely calico wife!" Chen Huaian squatted down, his shadow looming over Baji, speaking words that made the little black cats soul tremble. [Hah so this is my fate?] Bajis eyes filled with sorrow. In that glorious era of the past, it had been captured by the Celestial Clan, tamed, and forced to guard Xingtians severed head. After the Great Cataclysm, it had barely survived by going into deep slumber. Yet, now that it had just awakened, it had once again fallen into captivity. Am I doomed to be nothing but a guard dog for eternity?! No! I cant give up! Even if it costs me my life, I will fight! Bajis gaze locked onto Chen Huaians left hand, a red glint flashing in its eyes as it crouched, preparing to pounce. But the next second A sharp numbness spread through the back of its neck. Its entire body went limp. "Still gotta rely on distraction techniques!" Chen Huaian grinned, hoisting Baji into the air. Just now, he had lured Baji with his left hand, while his right hand struck like lightning, grabbing the cat by the scruff of its necksealing its fate. For big cats, grabbing the scruff might not work. But for small cats like Baji? It was an instant KO. [Damn it! This wretched, weak body!] [Move! Move, damn it!!!] Baji struggled with all its might But all it could manage was a pathetic little twitch. It felt like its entire body was frozen solid, unable to move an inch. "Awoo!" "Awoo woo!" Hearing the sounds coming from Baji, Chen Huaian was momentarily stunned. He lifted the little black cat up to his face And burst out laughing. "Wow, Baji! You can bark like a dog?!" "Wait no, this actually sounds more like a wolf!" He plopped down on the sofa, still holding Baji by the scruff. To prevent it from moving during the acupuncture, he kept his right hand firmly gripping its neck, while his left hand moved like flowing water, swiftly unpacking the needle set. Two fingers lightly pinched a silver needle. "Be good. This will be over in a flash." "If were lucky, you might even turn into a super cat!" "Ill make videos of you doing backflips and barking like a dogif you go viral, you can even earn your own cat food!" Backflips? Barking like a dog?! Bajis eyes burned with pure humiliation. I am the ancient vicious beastTaotie!!! I am Taotie!!! Even when it was captured by the Celestial Clan, it had at least been given an important roleguarding Xingtians severed head. Humiliating, yes, but still dignified. And now THIS HUMAN WANTS ME TO PERFORM CIRCUS TRICKS?! UNFORGIVABLE!!! It opened its mouth, ready to let out a furious roar But before it could make a sound, Chen Huaians hand moved like lightning. The silver needle struck. In an instant Baji froze completely. Even its eyes couldnt move. "Kekeke, little cat, if my acupuncture technique is sound, youll thank me one day!" Chen Huaian smirked. As soon as Bajis full meridian network appeared before his eyes, his pupils glowed with a faint golden light. Bajis mind went blank. For a brief moment, it wasnt Chen Huaian that it saw It was Fuxi, Wu Peng, and Shennonglegendary figures of the ancient past. Their shadows overlapped with Chen Huaian, merging into one. It felt as though the hands holding the silver needles were no longer Chen Huaians, but those of the ancient saints themselves. Even if it could move, Baji wouldnt have dared to. "No wonder they call this the Perfected Meridian-Opening Acupuncture!" Chen Huaian worked swiftly, every movement crisp and precise. His mind felt clearer than ever, as if he had entered a state of enlightenment. Compared to before, treating Baji now felt completely different. His control over force and timing had reached a level of absolute mastery. Not only could he pinpoint the effects of every needle before he even placed them He could also see all of Bajis internal issues. And there was something very strange. Baji limped when it walked. But Its legs were completely fine. Was it a neurological issue? If so, then this was easy to fix. For a meridian-opening specialist, curing a neurological condition was barely even considered a challenge. But nerve-related treatments were always tricky. He would need to use at least a hundred needles And it would hurt. Hopefully, Baji could handle it. As soon as the thought crossed his mind His hands blurred into motion. A row of silver needles pierced straight into Bajis forehead. "AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Creak The master bedroom door cracked open, just a sliver. A pair of cautious eyes peeked out. Lin Lingling. She had been meditating, but suddenly heard a series of miserable wails. They were so bloodcurdling that even shewho had seen plenty of horrorsfelt a chill down her spine. She hesitated. What if it was some horrifying mutation? But Her job was to observe Chen Huaian. No matter how scared she was, she had no choice but to check it out. And when she saw She was stunned speechless. Chen Huaian was sitting on the sofa, holding a set of silver acupuncture needles And he was stabbing the hell out of that cat demon. Acupuncture itself wasnt strange. But the way he was doing it Was inhuman. His movements were too fast. His hands moved like dancing butterflies, flickering between spots in a blur She couldnt even follow it with her eyes. Lin Lingling had already unlocked her bodys two primary meridians, boosting her reaction speed and perception far beyond an ordinary persons. If she entered the Olympics right now, she could probably shatter every world record in history. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And yet Even she couldnt keep up with his hands. "This This is Kirin Arm strength, isnt it?" Lin Lingling gasped in awe. His kidney health must be incredible. But it wasnt just the speed. There was something mysterious about Chen Huaian right now. His eyes glowed with a faint divine light. His entire aura had shifted. He no longer felt like his usual charming monk-warlock hybrid. Instead He resembled a divine physician. But why? Why was he treating a cat demon? Healing injuries? That didnt make sense. The cat demon wasnt injured. Lin Lingling had already noticed many times That cat was faking its limp. She had seen it leaping across the living room with perfectly fine legs. Yet, it always pretended to be crippled in front of Chen Huaian. Strength enhancement, then? Lin Lingling pursed her lips, held her breath, and continued observing. Then .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } A wild thought struck her. What if What if this cat demon wasnt just some random stray? What if it was A creature that Chen Huaian had personally raised and trained? Chapter 113: Need to Test Him First Chapter 113: Need to Test Him First It worked! Everything was completely unblocked! No wonder this cat demon was so strong yet acted like a harmless little kitten around Chen Huaian. It must have known all along that Chen Huaians acupuncture could help it evolve So it had been faking a disability to trick him into treating it! What a cunning little monster! Should she expose it? Lin Lingling hesitated. For now, the cat demon seemed harmless. Since the founding of the Demon Slayer Bureau, there had been cases of non-hostile demons And some awakeners had even gained their powers through contact with such creatures. The last time the cat attacked her, it was because she had tried to sneak in illegally. Now that she was here legally, the cat had barely acknowledged her presence. So Could she assume that, for now, this demon wasnt a threat? Lin Lingling shook her head vigorously. No! Chen Huaian must know about this. Everything was just her own speculation. What if this cat was actually a hidden predator, waiting for the right moment to strike? At the same time She couldnt let the cat know she was the one who warned Chen Huaian. Otherwise, it might get angry and attack her! Of course There was also one more possibility. What if Chen Huaian already knew the black cat was a demon? She had made up her mind on how to handle this. But first, she needed to test Chen Huaian. After observing for a while, she finally gathered the courage to push open the door. She walked over and sat down on the couch next to Chen Huaian. But The moment she glanced at Baji, she subtly scooted to the far edge of the couch. At this moment, Chen Huaian was just finishing up the acupuncture. He glanced at Lin Lingling and said casually, "Oh, 000, youre up early. What do you want for breakfast?" Lin Lingling was still nervous, but she tried her best to sound natural. "Uh Id like some baozi." Chen Huaian didnt even lift his head. "Oh, Id like some too. Go buy them." Lin Lingling: "?" She had thought he already bought them. Turns out, he was just too lazy to go himself. She obviously wasnt actually going to buy breakfast, so she quickly changed the subject. "Chen Huaian, demons are getting more and more common now. Its still dark outsideyou shouldnt be wandering around. Even stray cats and dogs on the streets, or even a fish at the market, could turn out to be demons. The moment you get too close, they might attack you without warning!" By the windowsill, the big blue fish, which had been secretly eavesdropping, immediately sank into the water. On Chen Huaians lap, Bajis pupils shrank as it locked its gaze onto Lin Lingling, heart pounding. [This human brat what is she trying to do?!] [Is she about to expose me?!] A murderous glint flickered in Bajis eyes. Big mistake. It should have found a way to eliminate this brat before she became a problem. Just now, when Chen Huaian was needling it, the pain had been unbearable But deep inside, it had felt immense pleasure. Because it knew Chen Huaian wasnt harming it. He was opening its meridians! For the past few days, it had been absorbing spiritual energy mainly to expand its own meridians. Its goal was to unlock its full potential, grow strongerthen smash through the windows and escape! But the slow, natural process of expanding its meridians would take a long time. Chen Huaians acupuncture, on the other hand Was a brutal, yet incredibly fast method of opening them all at once. A hundred benefits, and not a single drawback. Most importantly Since Chen Huaian was helping it evolve, that meant he still didnt know its true identity. After todays treatment, it could even deliberately show some minor demon traits That way, it could stay undercover without suspicion. And when the time came It could run whenever it wanted. What could be better than this?! But now This damn human brat was about to ruin everything! "Are you saying that Baji might be a demon?" Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow as he removed the last of the silver needles. "Baji, are you a demon?" Faced with Chen Huaians question Baji flipped onto its back, curled its paws, and let out the softest, most innocent meow. "Meow~?" Chen Huaian picked up the cat and turned it toward Lin Lingling, grinning. "See? How could such an adorable little kitty be a demon?" Then, he smirked. "Though maybe it has the potential to become one in the future." Lin Linglings eye twitched. She could tell. Chen Huaian knew NOTHING. Maybe in the future? Bro, your cats already halfway there. By the time this cat demon became a Demon General, itd be too late! "I didnt mean anything by it," Lin Lingling forced a smile at Baji. "Even though Im afraid of cats, Baji is clearly not a demon. Its just an ordinary Hajime cat." Baji tilted its head and looked up at Chen Huaian: Meow~ [Yes! Exactly! Thats the truth!] [Im just a meridian-opened little kitty!] S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Definitely not an ancient vicious beast like Taotie or anything] "Here, take this." Lin Lingling pulled out a watch and handed it to Chen Huaian. "This is a custom-made watch from the Demon Slayer Bureau." Chen Huaian blinked and stared at the watch for a solid two seconds before taking it. "Uh why are you giving me a Demon Slayer Bureau watch?" Lin Lingling had already prepared her excuse. She waved her hand dismissively and said casually, "Even though youre not officially a Demon Slayer, the boss thinks highly of you. This thing isnt worth muchjust has a few extra features. You might as well use it." She made it sound casual But in reality, she was crying inside. This watch was worth fifty thousand! It had tons of functions, but its main feature was its ability to scan for demonic energy. And that feature was very easy to find on the interface. She was sure Chen Huaian would eventually use it. And once he did He would naturally discover the truth about Baji. At that point, the cat demon wouldnt suspect her at all. After all It couldnt talk, which meant it was assumed to be brainless. According to the Demon Slayer Bureaus records, all captured demons that had human-level intelligence were capable of speech. And most of them werent particularly smart. So she wasnt worried about being exposed. "Nice, this watch is pretty good. Thanks." Chen Huaian took the watch and started examining it seriously. Lin Lingling let out a quiet sigh of relief. Now, she just needed to buy herself another watch. Otherwise, she wouldnt be able to accept or complete missions. Fortunately, the Demon Slayer Bureau had plenty in stock She could just call for a courier delivery. After taking another few glances at Baji, she was about to return to her room to cultivate. But just as she stood up Chen Huaian suddenly called out to her. "Hey, Triple Zerowhere did the Demon Slayer Bureaus Tianfu District office relocate to? Where do I go to accept missions?" Lin Lingling paused and turned around. "Its not that complicated. Theres an app on the watch for accepting missions. Just call me if you decide to take onefirst-time missions require a senior Demon Slayer to accompany you." That was completely made up. There was no such rule. Chen Huaian definitely didnt need her guidance. She just wanted to tag along. "Tsk tsk, this watch is pretty damn interesting~" Chen Huaian played around with the Demon Slayer Bureaus official watch, looking like a total country bumpkin. Truthfully He had never used something this high-tech before. The number of features on it was insane. But the one that stood out the most was The demon detection function. Back in the day, there had been a craze over an augmented reality game where people caught Pokmon in the real world. There had also been games that detected ghosts using real-world backgrounds Very immersive stuff. This demonic energy detector gave him the same kind of feeling. Just imagine You see a cute little dog on the street. But the moment you scan it, you find out its actually a demon. Isnt that just like opening a mystery loot box? He tapped on the app, and a user guide popped up. [This detector can scan entities ranging from Demons to Demon Generals (Evil Spirits are measured using the same scale).] [The detected energy level will be displayed in different colors:] Yellow (Low) Orange (Moderate) Red (High) Purple (Extreme) [To use the scanner, point the camera at the target and press the scan button.] [Scanning consumes a lot of energyplease remember to charge the device.] "Perfect! Its an idiot-proof tutorial!" Chen Huaian understood it instantly. But theory wasnt enough. He needed to test it out. He had to scan something. Something close by. .bg-container-104480abc32{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Something easy to target. For example The little black cat playing with a ball next to him. Chapter 114: Completely Barbecued Chapter 114: Completely Barbecued [Fully opened meridians!] [Surging power!] [The beginning of evolution!] Baji zipped around the living room, leaping across furniture with a ball in its mouth, moving so fast it left afterimages behind. Ever since awakening in this cats body, it had discovered an irresistible urge to paw at round and long objects. If it didnt bat them around a few times, it felt unbearably restlessespecially when excited. Like now. With its meridians fully open and spiritual energy flowing freely, its cultivation was bound to progress at lightning speed. Its strength would soar, and soonfreedom! Feasting! An endless gluttonous banquet! Kekeke~ Baji was feeling a bit too confident, convinced that it could afford to stick around here a little longer. "Baji, come here!" Hearing Chen Huaians call, Baji slammed on the brakes, stopping atop the windowsill, then turned to look at him. [Ah~ Its the big boss~] It instinctively licked its paw, not even realizing its own cat-like behavior. [The boss gave me an acupuncture treatment. Even though getting too close is risky, I still have to give him some respect.] With elegant feline grace, Baji strolled over to Chen Huaian, then flopped down on the ground and rolled onto its back, exposing its belly. It had learned this trick from watching TV catsa move that instantly lowered human vigilance. Originally, Baji had scoffed at the idea. But after testing it, it realized the tactic actually worked. Maybe that was why cats had survived into modern times, despite being physically weak creatures. If they hadnt learned such tricks, the human cultivators favored by the Dao would have wiped them out long ago. Sometimes, playing weak was the best survival skill. "Looks like Baji knows I healed its leg. Its getting more obedient." Chen Huaian rubbed Bajis head, feeling deeply satisfied. Since Baji was so cooperative, there was no need to pin it down with acupuncture again. He raised his watchs camera, aimed it at Baji, and pressed the scan button. A green scanning line appeared, sweeping up and down over Bajis body. For a moment, the lines surrounding Baji glitched, flickering between multiple colors as if short-circuiting. Then The screen froze on a mess of rainbow hues, the green scanning line vanished, and the entire screen went black. Pa! The app force-quit. The watch shut down on its own. Chen Huaian: "?" "No way. This is the quality of the Demon Slayer Bureaus equipment? Or is the battery just dead?" He plugged the watch into a chargersure enough, it had completely run out of power. Pressing the power button, he waited for it to reboot, planning to scan Baji again while charging. Meanwhile, Bajis golden feline eyes flickered as it silently watched the watch in Chen Huaians hands. [That device just now it felt like it was trying to peer into me. Some kind of detection artifact? But it doesnt look like one] Just to be safe, Baji completely retracted its aura. Then, it continued rolling on its back, flicking its fluffy tail against Chen Huaians pants as if nothing had happenedfully committing to its Hajime cat disguise. Chen Huaian quickly rebooted the watch, opened the app, and scanned Baji again. This time, everything looked completely normal. [Scan Complete!] A big green checkmark appeared on the screen. [Scan Result: This is an adorable little cat!] "Ha, I knew it. No way Bajis a demon." Chen Huaian shook his head in amusement, chuckling at himself for even entertaining the idea. Every demon he had encountered before was ugly as hell, looking as insane as they acted. Not like Baji, who was covered in sleek black fur, practically a walking shadow, with bright golden eyes that shone like gems. Something this cute couldnt possibly be a demon. That saidhe still felt a tiny bit disappointed. "Dont worry, Baji. Now that all your meridians are open, one day, youll become a truly powerful demon!" He patted Bajis head reassuringly. Baji felt both touched and conflicted upon hearing Chen Huaians words. [Didnt expect the big boss to have such high expectations for me] As one of the ancient vicious beasts, its very existence was born from evil and catastrophe. It still vaguely rememberedback when it was young, it couldnt control its hunger or instincts. It had devoured the very Chiyous body from which it was born, consuming all living creatures within a hundred-mile radius By the time it had grown strong enough to control its appetite, it had already become a feared monster, hunted by all. To survive, it had to keep fighting and eating, and through that endless cycle, it earned its infamous name The dreaded beast, Taotie. If only it were just an ordinary demon. But it couldnt tell the big boss its true identity. The moment Chen Huaian learned it was Taotie, he would definitely kill it before it could grow strong again. No one would ever keep a beast like Taotie by their side. And anyone who did would be hunted by the world. Chen Huaian, unaware that Baji was staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in emo reminiscing, was busy thinking about his next target. Since Baji wasnt a demon, that was a bit disappointing But there was still one more creature in the house that might be worth scanning. He didnt expect much. It was just for testing purposes. He casually aimed the watch camera at the big blue fish in the water basin. He shouldnt have done that. The moment the scan finished, his face froze. His eyes widened to the size of full moons. "HOLY SHT!**" "Triple Egg! Get out here now!!!" Inside the bedroom, Lin Lingling jerked upright, startled by Chen Huaians sudden shout. Oh f*.** It was happening. She took a deep breath, grabbed the spear leaning against the wall, and charged for the door. She and the big boss might have a chance against that cat demon if they fought together. Even if she died here today, she would fight for her future peace of mind! "Chen Huaian! Ive come to assist you!" She kicked the door open, spear raised, and leaped into action Only to see Chen Huaian standing by the windowsill, his face full of delight as he hugged a massive blue fish. Why was he hugging the fish? For a brief moment, Lin Linglings brain short-circuited. Chen Huaian lifted the fish higher, grinning like an idiotically pure soul. "Hey, Triple Egg! Guess what?!" "You were actually right! That random fish I bought from the market" "It really is a demon! Hahaha!" The big blue fish: "" What the f* is he talking about?** Lin Lingling stared blankly at the fish spitting water in protest, then turned to look at Baji, who was sitting smugly in the corner watching the show. Her gaze drifted back to Chen Huaian. Her brain fully shut down. The fish is a demon? Sar?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then what about Baji? [Hey, little brat, the device you gave the boss can detect demon energy, huh?] [Kekekeke, what a shame. Ive long since learned to suppress my aura at will!] A chilling voice echoed in her mind. Lin Lingling froze in place. Her head slowly turned toward the corner Where Baji was calmly licking its paw, looking at her with an inscrutable expression. Oh f*.** The cat demon can talk. The cat demon has intelligence. Her dream of flying swords and immortal cultivation Her path to ascension All of it Her face drained of color, an icy chill shooting up her spine. .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Her legs went weak. With a soft "thud" She collapsed to her knees. It was over. She was completely barbecued. Chapter 115: This King Also Wants Four Seas Baozi Chapter 115: This King Also Wants Four Seas Baozi [Afraid now? This king advises you to act normal!] [Though I am a demon, I have never harmed cough, cough I have no intention of harming this young one! Do you think all the strange fortunes on him appeared out of nowhere? Of course not! This king was the one who granted them to him!] Lin Lingling was momentarily stunned. She stared at Baji in shock. Baji met her gaze, its golden eyes gleaming with a strange, bewitching light. After fully opening its meridians, it had awakened some of its primordial Taotie abilitiesone of which was affecting the minds of others. This ability wasnt too powerful, but it also wasnt weak. It didnt dare use it on Chen Huaian, but on Lin Lingling? There was nothing stopping it. Lin Lingling had no idea she had already fallen under its influence. She suddenly felt enlightened, as if everything made sense. It all connected perfectly! So thats why Chen Huaian and Baji got along so wellthey had this kind of relationship. Baji wasnt just any demonit was the Demon Slayer Bureaus most mysterious, most sought-after Fortune-Granting Demon! Chen Huaian was a big shot, but Baji Baji was the real big shot! The only strange thing was why did this big shot sound like a child? [See that blue fish that little brat is holding?] Lin Lingling followed Bajis gaze to the big blue fish struggling in Chen Huaians arms. Baji let out a sinister chuckle. [That fish is a demon I personally awakened! Since I didnt want to reveal my identity, I decided to turn a random blue fish into a pet for that kid. Who knows? Maybe one day it could even evolve into a mermaid and surprise him.] [But now hmph!] Lin Lingling shivered at the cold sneer in its tone. [Because of you, that kid found out the fish is a demon ahead of time! What if he kills it now?] Just as it finished speaking, they both heard Chen Huaians voice muttering thoughtfully "Triple Egg, have you ever eaten a demon before? Do you think demon fish would taste extra delicious?" He paused, then glanced at Lin Lingling, frowning slightly. "And why are you kneeling? Its not New Years yet." The big blue fishs eyes widened in terror, its head whipping from side to side. Its gills flapped rapidly, slapping against Chen Huaians hand, as if begging for mercy. Clearly, it understood every word. If a mere low-level demon could already comprehend human speech, it only confirmed Lin Linglings suspicionthis fish wasnt some wild-born demon. It was one of Bajis creations, an awakened being rather than a naturally evolved monster. She couldnt let the fish get eaten. If it died, Baji would never forgive her. She quickly adjusted her mindset, clenched her sweaty palms around her spear, and forced a stiff smile. "Uh Chen Huaian, not all demons should be killed. Also, demon meat isnt something you can just eatit could cause serious problems." Chen Huaian frowned, still staring at the fish. "But it looks delicious." "Dont. Seriously, you cannot eat it." "Not even a little?" "No." "Isnt it said that boiling water can kill all bacteria? If thats not enough, pressure cooking it should do the trick." Chen Huaian swallowed. Boundless Heavenly Lord, Ive never eaten a demon before in my life. If there was some kind of risk, so what? It wasnt like he was guaranteed to live long anywaywhats stopping him from trying? Lin Lingling: "" Big Blue Fish: "" Baji: "" Seeing that neither Baji nor Lin Lingling could stop its impending doom, the big blue fish spasmed. Then It suddenly gaped its mouth wide and spat out a pearl the size of a quail egg. The pearl rolled across Chen Huaians palm. Then the fish looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. "You can produce pearls?" Chen Huaians eyes narrowed, suddenly serious. The big blue fish nodded furiously. "How often can you produce one?" The fish froze, eyes darting left and right. "Alright, Ill call out different timeframes, and you nod when I get it right." The fish nodded. "One day?" No reaction. "One week?" Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No reaction. "One month?" The fish quickly nodded. "Too slow! Im very disappointed!" Chen Huaians face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh. "Im giving you one weekevery single week, you must present me with a pearl! If you fail" "Ill throw you into a pressure cooker and turn you into soup!" The big blue fish frantically nodded. "Good, we have a deal!" Chen Huaians face lit up with a benevolent smile as he reached out two fingers and gently shook one of Little Qings fins. Then, he carefully placed the big blue fish back into its basin. "From now on, youre part of the family. Your name is Little Qing!" Chen Huaian tapped the fishs head. "Youre a demon, but Baji isntso from now on, youre not allowed to bully Baji!" Bully that black cat? Little Qing was completely dumbfounded. Even if you gave her a hundred lives, she wouldnt dare! "A naturally formed pearl with perfect luster like this it should sell for around forty to fifty thousand, right?" Chen Huaian held the pearl under the light, studying it carefully. Next to him, Lin Lingling poured a bucket of cold water on his enthusiasm. "Little Qing is a freshwater fish. Forget about how a fish is even producing pearlsthe fact that its from freshwater means its a freshwater pearl. Those arent worth much. Even if the quality is top-tier, itd only go for two to three thousand at best." "Two to three thousand?" Chen Huaian did some quick mental calculations. Should he just cook the fish, or settle for a measly income of less than ten thousand a month? Before he could decide, Lin Lingling added, "But if you sell it to the Demon Slayer Bureau, thats a different story. Since its a product of a demon, it can be used for research. At Little Qings level, its pearls would be valued at ten thousand each." Ten thousand?! And if size didnt matter, he could make Little Qing produce pearls every three days. That would mean ten pearls a month A hundred grand! The murderous intent in Chen Huaians eyes vanished. His expression softened into a grandfatherly smile. "Truly a valued family member!" "No matter whether youre turned into fish soup or producing pearls, youve found your purpose. Wonderful!" Lin Lingling rolled her eyes. She felt like if Little Qing stayed here any longer, it was going to lose its mind. At this point, she might as well report both Baji and Little Qing to the Demon Slayer Bureau as harmless, fortune-granting demons. Not only would that help evaluate Chen Huaians strength, but more importantly It would allow them to observe Baji and Little Qings potential and decide if they were worth further contact. Right now, the Demon Slayer Bureau was desperate to grow stronger. Even if the methods werent entirely safe, they had no choice but to consider every possible source of power. "Chen Huaian, I need to step out for a bit." Chen Huaian glanced at Triple Zero, thinking What a coincidence. He had been trying to find an excuse to get rid of her anyway. He immediately nodded. "Alright, go ahead Oh, by the way" "I really like the Four Seas Baozi from that place in the city village." "Pick some up for me on your way back~" Lin Linglings face turned green. The city village?! That would mean detouring all the way there after going to the Demon Slayer Bureau A round trip of at least three to four hours! By the time she got back, the baozi would be lunchtime already! Besideswas she a damn servant?! "You" Just as she was about to argue A cold, eerie voice whispered in her mind. [This king also wants Four Seas Baozi.] Lin Lingling shuddered. She fell silent. Then, she flashed a bright, cheerful smile. "Sure thing, big bro! Ill go buy them for you right now!" .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Standing by the window, Chen Huaian watched as Lin Lingling got into a ride-hailing car. His carefree expression vanished. He turned back toward the sofa, took out his silver needles, and sat downhis face serious. "Ive already confirmed the safety of the Meridian-Opening Acupuncture" "Now, its time to open my own meridians." Chapter 116: Time for a Test Chapter 116: Time for a Test A dimly lit room. A gently swaying curtain. A mysterious black cat perched on the sofa. A blue fish with an eerie gaze lurking in a water basin. And at the center of the rooma handsome man, bare-chested, radiating confidence. "So this is what opening meridians feels like?" Chen Huaian clenched his fists and took a deep breath. The wind hummed softly by his ears. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The grass on the windowsill was green. The bananas on the table smelled like bananas. The cat litter box was still just as foul-smelling. Then Faster than words could describe Chen Huaian suddenly opened his eyes, stepped forward, and threw a straight punch at the wall! BANG! "AOOOOUUUUHHH!!!" A miserable howl echoed through the entire apartment complex. Countless neighbors shuddered, wondering if someone was slaughtering a pig. Baji remained silent for a momentthen continued licking its paw. Little Qing blew a bubble, flicked its tail, and sank back into the water. Ten minutes later, Chen Huaian sat on the couch, his swollen fist wrapped in medicinal ointment. While applying the ointment, he had figured it out. It wasnt that his meridian opening had failed It was that he didnt have a proper internal cultivation technique. Without an internal technique, he had no spiritual energy. He had never practiced martial arts. He didnt work out. His body lacked strength. Without spiritual energy reinforcing his strike, his punch was basically pointless. Besides thathe had noticed another issue. After opening his meridians, the spirit stone bracelet on his wrist had completely dimmed. It wasnt that the opening process consumed the spirit stones energy. It was that his acupuncture technique required spiritual energy to circulatewhich he didnt have. "More importantly my injuries arent healing quickly anymore." Chen Huaian stared at his swollen, baozi-sized hand and finally understood. Back then, his fast recovery wasnt because of his cancer cellsit was all thanks to the spirit stone bracelet. For a while, he had fantasized about developing some kind of monstrous, mutated arm, like K9999 from King of Fighters, a massive bio-weapon that could punch demons into oblivion. How cool would that be? But now it looked like he had no choice but to become a proper cultivator instead. Sigh. The curse of being exceptional. When you have too many great choices, its inevitable to feel a bit regretful about the paths you didnt take. Chen Huaian opened the game, checking on Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi, who were cultivating on the flying boat. He zoomed in on Li Qingrans face, studying it like he was admiring a priceless porcelain artifact. If there was a word to describe herit could only be "stunning." It was that feeling That feeling of your student days, when you would sit under an old campus tree, watching the shadows dance through layers of leaves. A girl sat there, slowly turning the pages of a book. A breeze lifted her hair, and with a gentle, fleeting smile, she tucked a loose strand behind her ear. She didnt know you. You didnt know her. But that single moment could define an entire summer. Everyone had probably encountered someone like that in their youth. And for Chen HuaianLi Qingran was that kind of person. Just looking at her was a pleasure. Without thinking, he reached out and poked her cheek. Her skin dimpled under his touch, as if he had actually touched her in real life. "...Amitabha. Form is emptiness, and emptiness is form!" Chen Huaian pulled himself together and opened the talent menu. The Tideborn Technique, which had previously been greyed out and unavailable, had now fully lit up Meaning he had met the requirements to cultivate it. "Kekekeke!" "I will make the heavens bow before me!" Chen Huaian tilted his head back and laughed wildly, opening the Tideborn Technique. A genius like him, a chosen one of destiny, would definitely figure out how to cultivate in just one day. As the saying goesone small step in Qi Refinement, one giant leap to Immortal Lord! Suddenly Whoosh! The sound of rushing waves echoed in his ears. For a moment, he felt as though he were standing before a vast, boundless ocean, watching waves crash against the shore. Within the swirling tides, he saw a vague silhouette of a cultivator, surrounded by spiraling spiritual energy, every movement causing the sea to rise and fall, the sun and moon to shift. But just as quickly as the vision appeared, it vanished. In its place, an ancient, oceanic-patterned scroll unfolded before him. [Tideborn Technique C First Volume: Wave Watching] "To begin cultivation, one must first empty the mind, calm the breath, and connect the five points of the body to the ground, establishing harmony between heaven and man. This posture aligns with the dual forces of yin and yang, bridging the Three Realms, forming the foundation of entry" The first page was filled entirely with dense text. Chen Huaian stared at it for a moment. Then, in silence, he pulled up Baidu Translate. Sure, he could cultivate. But first, he needed to translate all this nonsense into normal human language. Otherwise, with his terrible liberal arts knowledge as a science student, he wouldnt understand a single word of this. "Just now I think Master touched my face?" Li Qingran opened her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering twice as she felt the lingering warmth on her cheek. A rosy blush spread across her face, and her ears burned. She glanced at her senior sister, confirming that it was definitely her master who had touched her. First of all, her senior sister was fully focused on refining spiritual energy within the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation. Second, the force felt completely different. Masters touch was delicate and careful, as if he were cherishing something fragile. Unlike her senior sisterwho would squish her cheeks into ridiculous shapes while laughing her head off. "Master rarely checks on me, and I was just cultivating" Li Qingran pouted slightly, furrowing her brows. "I missed my chance to talk to him" Then again "Wait, thats not right. Master would definitely prefer that I focus on cultivating. If I was serious about my training when he came to check on me, hed probably be happier, right?" "But that means I wont get to talk to him" She let out a soft sigh, fidgeting with her fingers. If she focused too much on cultivation, shed miss her chance to know when Master visited. But if she didnt cultivate, shed get scolded by him "Ugh so complicated~" [Qingran.] A familiar voice suddenly rang in her ears. Li Qingrans eyes brightened, and her lips curled into a crescent-moon smile. She looked up into the sky. "Master! Youre here!" Feeling his gaze on her, she hurriedly explained herself "Master, I really was cultivating just now! I just trained for too long, so I wanted to rest a little bit" [Mhm.] Li Qingran hesitated, sensing something was off. "Master do you have something on your mind?" Her heart clenched slightly. She could tell that her master seemed a little down, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. Chen Huaian was indeed exhausted. He had spent half an hour trying to understand the Tideborn Technique And he still couldnt even figure out the first step. It was all written right there, but reading it felt like a tiger trying to swallow the skyhe had no idea where to even begin. Even learning the Green Lotus Sword Manual hadnt been this frustrating. That technique had diagrams, clear-cut steps, and the added bonus of VR-assisted learning through the game helmet. But the Tideborn Technique? Nothing. Just a wall of classical Chinese text that made his brain hurt. And when he ran it through Baidu Translate, the result was a complete messlike half the meaning had been lost in translation. Now he understood why it took the Demon Slayer Bureau ten years to decipher breathing techniques. Even though the Tideborn Technique was a system-generated method, and all the characters were recognizable Chinese, he still couldnt make sense of it. But he couldnt just leave it untouched. So he came up with a brilliant plan. Seeing that Li Qingran had stopped cultivating, he casually said .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } "Qingran, hows your progress with the Tideborn Technique?" "Explain it to me in detail, so I can check if youve been cultivating correctly." Li Qingrans eager eyes sparkled as she heard his voice again And then, his next words struck her like a heavenly decree. [Qingran, youve been cultivating for some time now. The Tideborn Technique is deep and mysterious so today, I shall TEST you!] Chapter 117: Then What Are We Waiting For? Chapter 117: Then What Are We Waiting For? Li Qingran''s heart racedwas her master finally going to personally teach her? She couldn''t tell whether she was more excited, expectant, or nervous. Since following her master in cultivation, she had never once worried about her progress. Ordinary cultivators lacked Spirit Stones, but she never had to fret over that. Ordinary cultivators struggled to find Spiritual Qi, yet she had an uninterrupted supply from Intermediate and Advanced Spirit Gathering Formations every night. Ordinary cultivators lacked resources, but her master had given her the Tideborn Technique, perfectly suited to her Water Spiritual Root. On top of that, she had Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills and all kinds of elixirs to ensure her cultivation proceeded smoothly. For defense, she wielded the Su Xian Sword, a top-tier magical artifact. Even her senior sister, a true direct disciple, couldn''t help but drool over it. sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each volume of the Tideborn Technique was meticulously detailed, easy to understand, and filled with first-person insightsclearly annotated with her masters own comprehension and thoughts. Unlike Daoist Qingxuan, who simply handed down crude, unannotated transcriptions, forcing disciples to figure everything out on their own, wasting precious time. But perhaps because everything had been too smooth, she and her master had missed out on a lot of the normal master-disciple teaching experiences. A disciples path without personal guidance was incomplete, distortedshattered. Like a young sapling struggling to grow. She needed her master''s guidance. Without it, no matter how much sunlight she had, she could never grow into a towering tree. Now, finally, the chance had come. She could finally experience what it felt like to be taught directly by her master! Outside the Screen Chen Huaian stared blankly at Li Qingran, who lay on the bed, her face flushed red, twisting and turning as if itching all over. He hadn''t done anything What was going on? Did she have fleas on her butt or something? Completely baffled, he still sent her a voice transmission: Do you have any questions about the Tideborn Technique? Asking directly was too blunt, too undignifiedhe had to keep up appearances. Li Qingran bit her lip, lowering her gaze. "M-Master I feel like I don''t understand anything" She wasnt good at lying. Whenever she lied, she panicked. Her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her robe as she stammered, "Disciple is slow-witted I need Masters guidance Please, Master, take some time to teach me" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. The opportunity had arrived. Feigning thoughtfulness, he replied: Very well. Let''s start with the first volume. Tell me about your cultivation insightsIll see where the problem lies. Li Qingran took a deep breath. She had to seize this opportunity. She had already fully comprehended the first volume of the Tideborn Technique. If she gave a perfect answer, her master wouldnt find anything to correct. So she had to hold backgive a slightly flawed explanation. Not too simple, or shed seem dumb. "Disciple Disciple will demonstrate for Master now." She sat cross-legged on the bed, assuming the Tideborn Techniques meditation posture. She deliberately moved slowly, with slight hesitations, as if struggling. Her expression remained uncertain. Little did she know, outside the screen, Chen Huaian was furiously screenshotting and recording. "So thats how you sit? Thats different from what Ive been doing!" "No wonder I couldn''t activate itmy hand posture was all wrong! F*!"** "Even my visualization was offI was picturing ocean waves, rivers, and bottled mineral water when I was supposed to visualize the sun and moon! Damn it!" After grasping the basic preparation steps, Chen Huaian continued: Your foundation is still unstableyou need to reinforce it. Now, show me how you draw Spiritual Qi into your body. Li Qingran inwardly marveledher master saw through her act immediately! But thankfully, he hadnt realized she was faking it. If he were actually here in person, she probably wouldnt be able to hide it. "When the mind enters a state of clarity, one can perceive the lingering energy between heaven and earthethereal, shifting, sometimes white, sometimes blue, constantly weaving and dispersing At this moment, I use my intent as a guide, drawing a strand of Spiritual Qi toward me and feel a cool, gentle energy seeping in through my Baihui Acupoint" "When the Spiritual Qi sinks deeper and circulates along the Ren and Du meridians, it enters a Qi cyclone state, allowing the Qi to automatically flow into the body. At this stage, the interplay of Yin and Yang Qi naturally merges with the Taiji visualization, producing a warm sensation in the Dantianthus completing the Spiritual Qi absorption, the first major cycle of the Tideborn Technique." Li Qingran finished her explanation, her face flushed as she respectfully bowed toward the empty air. "Disciple is slow-witted. My understanding of the Tideborn Technique is still shallow, even crude. It does not compare to even a ten-thousandth of Masters comprehension I humbly ask Master to guide me." Chen Huaian: Just now, Li Qingran had basically chewed up the entire first volume of the Tideborn Technique and spoon-fed it to him. And she called that shallow and crude? Then what did that make his comprehension? Trash? Now that she was asking for guidance, what the hell was he supposed to say? Chen Huaian was in trouble. His scholarly knowledge was extremely limitedif someone asked him what a banana tasted like, the best he could come up with was "banana-flavored." But now, Li Qingran was looking at him expectantly. He couldnt just make something up, could he? Fortunately, he''d read plenty of novels back in his school days. So he started quoting whatever came to mind: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years westnever underestimate the youth!" "When Yin and Yang reverse, I shall stain the sky with my blood!" "Aba aba aba..." Silence. Li Qingran waited eagerly for a long time. Suddenly, a thunderous voice echoed through the air: **"All things embrace Yin and hold Yang; the collision of energies brings harmony. Collision refers to the interplay and stimulation, while harmony signifies balance and coordination. Yin resides within, while Yang manifests externallythey exist in mutual dependence and cannot be separated. The rising tide is Yang, the falling tide is Yin; the sun represents Yang, the moon represents Yin. The tides rise and fall, the sun and moon cycle, Yin and Yang push against one anotherthis interplay forms the rhythm of time, the path by which all things grow. This is the foundation of all transformations, the fundamental order of heaven and earth. To cultivate the Tideborn Technique, one must grasp this principlenot merely drawing in surface-level Spiritual Qi, but understanding the essence of the harmonious collision of heaven and earth. Only by channeling this harmony into the body and refining it into form can one align with the Dao and reach true mastery!"** Li Qingran''s eyes shone brighter and brighter as she listened. Suddenly, a layer of spiritual radiance erupted from her body. Spiritual Qi surged toward her from all directions, converging like a tidal wave, resonating with the principle of Yin-Yang Harmony. She knew this was a rare opportunity, so she immediately calmed her mind, centering herself in deep meditation. Just yesterday, she had barely broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stageher foundation was still unstable. But now, as she listened to her masters lecture, her wavering foundation instantly solidified. At the same time, her internal Spiritual Qi surged wildly, breaking past bottlenecks at an alarming speed She shot straight into the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment in one leap! Only then did the breakthrough slow down. She opened her eyes, bowed deeply toward the empty air, and spoke with a trembling voice: "Master has imparted knowledge without reservationyour teachings are as vast as the heavens and earth. Disciple will cultivate diligently and never fail Masters expectations!" With that, she performed a solemn three-kowtow bow. Just a single lecture had granted her an epiphany. Her master wasnt just giving her some ordinary internal cultivation insights. He had merged his comprehension of the Dao from the 龳 with the Tideborn Technique, chewed it up, and spoon-fed it to her! Li Qingran''s heart burned with gratitude and reverence. In this era, where could she possibly find another master who would care for their disciple this much? She had to cure the demonic poison plaguing her master Even if it cost her life! Beside her, Yue Qianchi had been startled awake by the sheer intensity of Li Qingrans breakthrough. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief. By the Heavens! Li Qingran just reached Foundation Establishment yesterday And today, shes already broken through to mid-stage?! This absurd cultivation speed was beyond terrifying! But instead of feeling jealous, Yue Qianchi was overjoyed. She immediately took up the role of a guardian, shielding Li Qingran as she continued meditating. This was her Junior Sister of the Sword Pavilion. Hell yeah! As the Flying Boat continued its journey The Sword Pavilion finally came into view. Sect Leaders Hall "Report! Sect Leader, a Flying Boat is approaching our sect!" .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } "Flying Boat?!" Su Qinian, who had been carefully polishing his Flying Sword, abruptly paused, his sharp gaze snapping toward the reporting disciple. His tone turned cold and decisive: "Then what are you waiting for? Shoot it down!"" Chapter 118: That Guy Chapter 118: That Guy "Sect Master, should we use that move again?" Upon receiving Su Qinians approval, the Sword Pavilion disciples eyes gleamed with excitement. "Thats rightsame move as always!" Su Qinian narrowed his eyes, sneering coldly. "The skies above our Sword Pavilion are sacred, not to be violated! Even with our record of shooting down twelve flying boats in a single year, there are still fools who dare to fly one over our heads? Courting death!" With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Go make the preparations!" "Yes, Pavilion Master!" "Qingran, I suddenly have a very bad feeling about this" Yue Qianchi had always trusted her instinctsthey had saved her from peril countless times. But now that they were already within Sword Pavilions territory, what could possibly go wrong? "Senior Sister I dont think the Pavilion Master knows we have a flying boat," Li Qingran murmured as she gazed at the towering mountain peaks ahead. "When we were at Lingxi Valley, flying in so boldly was already pretty disrespectful. Sword Pavilion must have similar rules, right? Do you think its possible they might try to shoot us down?" Yue Qianchis face instantly drained of color. "Sh*t!" Now she understood where that bad feeling had come from. Given the way Sword Pavilion handled things, any unknown flying boat entering their sects airspace wouldnt be scanned, warned, and then warned again. No, their policy was simple: see an unfamiliar flying boat? Blast it out of the sky. As for "familiar" flying boats? There were none. Because Sword Pavilion didnt own any. Flying boats were a luxurious waste of Spirit Stones, providing zero combat advantage compared to a flying sword. Even if someone gifted a flying boat to Sword Pavilion, the elders would immediately dismantle it and sell the parts for Spirit Stones. So even if their flying boat had a Sword Pavilion emblem, the disciples wouldnt believe it. And as for her brain-dead master and the wayward elders? Yeah, theyd never believe it. Just as Yue Qianchi realized disaster was imminent HUMMMMM! A spiritual ripple surged from Sword Pavilions mountain gates, parting the clouds, sending flocks of birds scattering in all directions. Her heart sank. "Oh no the Sects Grand Formation just activated!" Yue Qianchi rushed to the front of the flying boat, frantically trying to send a voice transmission to the disciples below. But they were still too far from the mountain gateher transmission wouldnt reach. Left with no choice, she sprinted back to Li Qingran, urgency in her voice: "Junior Sister, we need to get off the flying boat immediatelythat guy is coming!" "That guy?" Li Qingran blinked in confusion. Before she could ask further A long, echoing wolf howl split the skies. Back Mountain of Sword Pavilion Su Qinian stood at the entrance of a massive, pitch-black cavern, now unsealed by the Grand Formation. Inside, a pair of glowing crimson eyes stared back at him. Even though the creatures full form was hidden in darkness, just its gaze alone was enough to reveal its massive size. Yet, neither Su Qinian nor the other disciples showed the slightest fear. "Do a good job, and Ill find you a wife next year," Su Qinian said, gesturing for the disciples to open the gates. The heavy stone gate rumbled as it lifted. A piercing wolf howl tore through the sky. Then A massive shadow burst from the cave, thundering forward with booming footsteps, like a black hurricane tearing across the mountain. Sword Pavilions Guardian Beast The Howling Moon Wolf King, Da Ha. A late-stage Demon King, equivalent to a Late Nascent Soul cultivator. Its traits: thick-skinned, gray fur, three-flame markings on its face, and incredibly powerful. Its weaknesses? One-track mind. Too much energy. Obsessed with destruction. Su Qinians master plan: let Da Ha wreck the flying boat. After all "The Guardian Beast doesnt know any betterwhats the big deal if it destroys a flying boat?" "Its job is to protect the sectif it attacks something flying over Sword Pavilion, thats totally reasonable!" "A flying boat can be repairedbut can you fix the psychological damage to our poor Guardian Beast?! Hes just a child! If he gets hurt, you owe us compensation!" In short, robbing flying boats was one of Sword Pavilions main revenue streams every year. However, in recent years, fewer and fewer flying boats dared to pass over Sword Pavilions airspace. The only ones who still did were sect heirsna?ve young elites who had just left their sects for their first cultivation journey. These second-generation sect disciples typically came from powerful backgrounds, so as Sword Pavilions Pavilion Master, Su Qinian couldnt just loot them completely. For the sake of maintaining appearances, hed at least let them leave with their clothes on. And judging by the extravagance and sheer size of the flying boat overhead It was definitely carrying an extremely wealthy sect heir. Su Qinian grinned to himself. He was already planning how to spend the loot. First, hed replenish the sects inventory. Then, hed buy some materials for Yue Qianchis swordthat girl had been using a dull blade for too long but was too stingy to replace it. Oh, and some premium spirit winestealing from Xu Ans stash all the time wasnt sustainable. If there were extra Spirit Stones, hed even treat Da Halet the big guy enjoy himself a little. After all, if the wolf bottled up too much energy, it could lead to problems. Da Ha was already an expert at dismantling flying boats. With him on the job, they could completely take it apart before the victims even had a chance to call for reinforcements. "Kekeke~" Watching those gleaming Spirit Stones practically fall into his lap, Su Qinian almost felt like standing with his hands on his hips and laughing into the sky. "Master! Dont attackits me and Qingran!" A voice rang out in his mind. Su Qinian froze, the grin on his face stiffening. His gaze locked onto the tiny black speck in the distancethe flying boat. Right next to it was an even larger black speck, its wings spread wide Da Ha. "Holy sh*t! The ones on that flying boat are Yue Qianchi and Li Qingran?!" Su Qinians expression changed dramatically. As a Late Nascent Soul cultivator, he instantly pinpointed the origin of the voice transmission. Given his understanding of Yue Qianchi, there was no need to verify whether it was really her. The surrounding Sword Pavilion disciples were also stunned. "No way" "Where the hell did Senior Sister Yue and Junior Sister Li get a flying boat?!" "Thats not the problem! Whos going to stop Da Ha?!" BOOM! A violent gust of wind sent the Sword Pavilion disciples tumbling. Before the deafening shockwave even faded, Su Qinian had already launched himself into the sky. At the front of the flying boat Da Has mind was already completely overtaken by a primal urge. DESTROY FLYING BOAT! BREED! DESTROY FLYING BOAT! BREED! It didnt matter if Yue Qianchi was on it. Didnt matter if Li Qingran was on it. All lies! They were all fake! Nothing could stop him from tearing this flying boat apart "HOOOOWL!" Da Ha dove down, aiming straight for the horrified Yue Qianchi and Li Qingran. His massive body twisted midair, slamming directly into the flight formation array of the flying boat. "BEAST! STOP!!" Su Qinian was so furious his face turned green. But Da Ha cultivated sword techniques, meaning his flight speed wasnt much slower than Su Qinians. Since Su Qinian reacted a second too late, he was ten steps behind. All he could do was watch helplessly as Da Ha crashed down "Were screwed!" Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment Space warped at the front of the flying boat. A white-haired cultivator suddenly appeared. He didnt use any grand techniques. Didnt even seem to move much. He simply stood in midair And kicked. BOOM!!! For a brief instant, space itself fractured. Then, under the laws of the Dao, it slowly mended itself. A powerful shockwave burst outward, shattering the surrounding clouds and violently hurling the flying boat a hundred meters away. As for Da Ha The massive beast was sent hurtling backward Even faster than before. Before anyone could blink, he had vanished from sight. BOOOOM! A mountainside in the distance collapsed, followed by an agonized beastly roar. Su Qinian gulped, his throat dry as he stared at the white-haired figure standing high above. .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Just as he was about to speak The white-haired cultivator let out a cold snort. This is your first warning. If it happens again I wont mind having some roast wolf for dinner. Chapter 119: The Lost Book Chapter 119: The Lost Volume "Spent big to flex, and now Im completely broke sigh" Chen Huaian did a quick calculation of his remaining balance and felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. "Alright, lets at least get the basics down with the Tideborn Technique first. Once Three Eggs gets back, Ill check the app to see if there are any missions I can take." Now that Li Qingran was safely back at her sect, he didnt need to keep watching over Sword Pavilion. With that, he closed his eyes and resumed his cultivation practice, following the insights Li Qingran had taught him. At the Sword Pavilions Mountain Gate A group of disciples stood around, staring at the bruised and swollen Da Ha, who lay unconscious on the ground, their faces full of awe and fear. "Hiss! This is the first time Ive ever seen that menace get beaten this badly" "I heard it was some mysterious senior from our sect that did it supposedly, hes Junior Sister Lis master." "That powerful?!" "Honestly, I think its good Da Ha got a beatingmaybe now hell stop digging up our Spirit Fields behind Luoxia Peak every day." "Uh but if I remember correctly, it was the Pavilion Master who gave the order to attack the flying boat, right? Not Da Has fault he got wrecked" "Ahem!" The conversation was getting a little too real. Su Qinian cleared his throat twice, shutting the disciples up before smiling and personally welcoming Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi as they disembarked from the flying boat. That white-haired powerhouse had left immediately after delivering his warning, but Su Qinian wasnt stupid That "warning" had been aimed at him, not Da Ha. So, of course, he had to treat Li Qingran well now. "Welcome back! How did things go? With the twenty low-grade Spirit Stones I gave you, Im sure you handled any trouble with ease~" Yue Qianchi rolled her eyes but didnt bother correcting him about what had actually happened at Lingxi Valley. Despite his usual laid-back attitude, Su Qinian genuinely cared about Sword Pavilions disciples. If he found out Yun Suxin had deliberately set up an Illusion Formation to mess with them He might just storm into Lingxi Valley with his sword and demand an explanation. "Sect Master, weve gathered all the necessary spiritual herbsonly two more medicinal ingredients remain." Li Qingran bowed respectfully, her face bright with excitement. Now that she was back at the sect, she could finally begin preparing the medicine. Every step toward curing her masters poison filled her heart with pure joy. "Very good! Very good!" Su Qinian grinned smugly, crossing his arms. "I knew itour Sword Pavilions reputation is unmatched! That Lingxi Valley wouldnt dare give you any trouble! Hmph, hmph, hmphhahaha!" Yue Qianchi rolled her eyes again. "Wouldnt dare give us trouble?" If Li Qingrans master hadnt stepped in to save them, theyd probably still be stumbling back in humiliationand the flying boat would be confiscated. "Youve been traveling long enoughyou must be tired. Why dont you both rest first?" Su Qinian turned to Li Qingran. "Ill take you to the Medicine Garden later." With that, he walked over to Da Ha to check on his injuries. The stupid mutts chest had completely caved in from that single kick. The impact force had exploded outward from his back, leaving a bloody, mangled mess Though his chest wasnt pierced through, the damage to his back was even worse. Fortunately, he was a Guardian Beast, and the white-haired powerhouse hadnt gone for the kill. Da Ha still had a bit of life left in him. But if he wasnt treated immediately, hed be unconscious for days. Su Qinian sighed and shook his head, looking both frustrated and helpless. He thought his warning had been obvious enough Yet, Li Qingran marched forward two steps, stood straight as a board, and solemnly cupped her hands. "Sect Master, disciple is not tired and does not need rest." "I would like to go to the Medicine Garden and meet Elder Liu immediately!" Su Qinian: "" "Master," Yue Qianchi stifled a laugh, stepping in to take responsibility. "Ill carry Da Ha to the Sect Hall and let the elders check on him. You should take Junior Sister to the Medicine Garden." Li Qingran finally realized what was going on. She glanced at the Guardian Beast The same beast that her master had beaten into a pulp. Her ears burned red. But So what? Her masters affairs would always come first! With this thought in mind, Li Qingran fixed Su Qinian with a determined gaze. Su Qinian led Li Qingran to the Medicine Garden, where Elder Liu Yuanqing was already standing at the entrance, waiting. However, his expression looked far from friendly. "Elder Liu." Li Qingran bowed respectfully. Su Qinian, on the other hand, grinned mischievously. "Old Liu, why the sour face? I havent even gone to your Medicine Garden to appreciate the flowers in the past two days." Liu Yuanqing snorted and completely ignored him. He simply turned to Li Qingran, motioning for her to enter the Medicine Garden, before slamming the door shut behind them Leaving Su Qinian yelling outside. Inside, Liu Yuanqing forced a smile and asked, "Did you manage to purchase all the herbs on the list?" "Yes, Elder Liu, Ive gathered everything," Li Qingrans eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can we proceed to the next step?" The Hundred-Grass Detoxification Pill was an extremely complex elixir. Unlike regular elixirs, it required an additional stepSpiritual Purification. This purification process could only be done using a special alchemy cauldron. Before their trip to Lingxi Valley, Elder Liu had promised to help her find one. "Thats great," Liu Yuanqing sighed, but his face darkened. "However the Spiritual Purification process is going to be a bit tricky." "Why?" Li Qingrans heart clenched, her brows furrowing slightly. Liu Yuanqing stroked his beard and paced back and forth before hesitantly explaining: "I heard that Zhou Xuanzi, the Sect Master of the Alchemy Sect, possesses a Dragon-Wave Cast Cauldron. This cauldron was forged from seawater, making it perfect for refining the Hundred-Grass Detoxification Pillits exactly what we need for Spiritual Purification. I used to have some personal ties with Zhou Xuanzi back in the day, so I thought borrowing the cauldron would be easy But he outright refused. Even when I offered Spirit Stones, he still wouldnt lend it out." "Why wouldnt he?" Li Qingran bit her lip, speaking anxiously. "Were only borrowing it for a short time! If he thinks the payment isnt enough, we can negotiate! Surely hes willing to at least discuss the terms" "Impossible." Liu Yuanqings eyes flashed with anger, his voice turning cold. "That man is just a snob who looks down on others. Back when I was still in Zhenwu Sect, he treated me with nothing but respect. But now that Ive settled in Sword Pavilion, do you know what he said? He said he doesnt associate with beggars." BANG! The Medicine Gardens doors flew open with a single kick. Su Qinian stormed inside, his face dark with rage. "Which son of a b** called our Sword Pavilion a sect of beggars?!**" "Elder Liu, say the wordIll go kill him right now!" "Alchemy Sect. Zhou Xuanzi. Late Nascent Soul Perfection." Liu Yuanqing shot him a cold glance, then pointed at the door. "One hundred low-grade Spirit Stones. Pay up." "One hundred Spirit Stones?! For your busted wooden door? Why dont you go rob someone?!" "I AM robbing you! Got a problem?" "I wont pay! Im broke!" "Then leave your flying sword!" "Hell no!" "You f*ing mule!**" "Youre the f*ing mule!**" Li Qingran: "" Something wasnt right. In her mind, Elder Liu should have been different from Pavilion Master Su. That was what she had always believed. But now, somehow, the two of them overlapped perfectly? "Since Zhou Xuanzi has the cauldron, that makes things difficult." Su Qinian frowned, rubbing his chin. The Alchemy Sect was a sect dedicated to medicine, but its nature was nothing like Lingxi Valley. Lingxi Valley specialized in spiritual herbs. The Alchemy Sect, on the other hand, thrived on alchemyattracting countless rogue cultivators, making it a chaotic melting pot of different cultivation paths. Because of its complicated ties with various factions, few wanted to provoke them. Su Qinian wasnt necessarily afraid of Zhou Xuanzi. But he was concerned about Sword Pavilions disciples. They frequently interacted with rogue cultivators while on missions. And the last thing they needed was to end up on a hit list because of some sect feud. "Is there really no other way?" Li Qingrans voice wavered slightly as she looked down, pressing her lips together. They had come so far already. She couldnt give up now. "Theres one other way." Elder Liu pulled out an ancient scroll, unrolling it for Li Qingran and Su Qinian to see. "This is a lost volume from the Medicine King Valley. It records a technique that allows a cultivators body to replace an alchemy cauldron for Spiritual Purification But it must be done by a cultivator with a Water Spiritual Root." Su Qinian skimmed two pages Then his face twisted in horror. He immediately threw the scroll away, roaring: "What kind of twisted technique is this?!" "Just burn it already! Ill go rob the Alchemy Sect and take that damn cauldron myself!" "Are you insane?!" "Im not letting a Sword Pavilion disciple go through something like this!" "Did you even read it properly?! Thats NOT something a human should be doing!" While the two elders were arguing, Li Qingran had already picked up the scroll, carefully reading through it. The words were bone-chilling. But when she thought of her master, still suffering from the demonic poison Her resolve only grew stronger. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Elder Liu, Pavilion Master Su," she interrupted, bowing deeply. "For my masters sake, I am willing to try." Chapter 120: It’s Decided—You! Chapter 120: Its DecidedYou! The room was silent. Chen Huaian was cultivating. Da Qingyu and Baji were also cultivating. As he completed the first major circulation of the Tideborn Technique, the surrounding Spiritual Qi surged toward him, forming a Qi cyclone inside his body. Then, with a soft , a wisp of clear Qi rose from the top of his head and dispersed into the air. Chen Huaian opened his eyes, unable to suppress his excitement. "Hahaha! It worked! Ive finally done it!" Baji cracked open one eye, glanced at Chen Huaian, now at the first level of Qi Refinement, then swiftly turned away, curling up into a more cat-like position and continuing his own cultivation. "So this is what Qi Refinement feels like?" Chen Huaian clenched his fists. It was a completely different sensation. He could distinctly feel Qi flowing through his limbs and meridians. As he tightened his grip, most of the Qi in his Dantian was drawn toward his fists, concentrating there. He looked at the wall. Somehow, he just knew If he punched it now, he could at least leave a dent. A small step in Qi Refinement, a giant leap toward Immortal Ascension. His senses had also sharpened significantly, making him aware of things he had never noticed before. For instance, something was off about the potted plant on the windowsill. He leaned in. The Spiritual Qi around it was so dense that it felt like a spring of clear water, seeping into his body with every breath. "My god Im so sorry, Grass Bro! I have sinned!" Staring at the ugly little plant, Chen Huaian was utterly stunned. He hurriedly poured some water into the pot. Up until now, he had completely neglected it, leaving it to survive on its own. Looking closer, he finally noticed This seemingly ordinary weed was anything but. Its leaves were crystal clear, and faintly etched into its surface were intricate carvings of celestial palaces. The level of detail was on par with ancient scroll paintings. "This thing is insane!" Chen Huaian gave the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid a thumbs-up. At first, he thought its name was just some exaggerated title. Turns outit was the real deal. But this raised an important question. The pot it was growing in contained Nuwas Earth. If he planted himself in it, waited patiently, and nurtured himself Would he one day turn into Sun Wukong? He stared at the small lump of Nuwas Earth, barely the size of two fists, and decided to drop the idea for now. "Now all I need is money. Who knows when my bounty reward will arrive I feel so unsafe being broke" Chen Huaian opened his wristwatch, quickly locating the mission app. Its name was as straightforward as it was brutal Demon Slayer Bureau Bounty Center. The moment he launched the app, a flood of missions filled the screen. Fifty tasks, listed top to bottom, densely packed. Scrolling all the way down, he saw seventy more pages. That meant there were already over three thousand unresolved demonic disturbances, and that number was only what had been officially recorded. Many new cases were likely happening right now, still waiting to be reported. "So the world that seems normal to ordinary people is actually a complete mess behind the scenes The government is really pulling off a miracle keeping things under wraps." Chen Huaian shook his head. At this rate, the situation wouldnt stay contained for much longer. But that wasnt his concern. He was here to make money, not save the world. "Lots of missions, but most of them pay peanuts. The high-paying ones are too far away And some of these overseas ones are just ridiculous" The three highest-paying missions currently available were: [Mission: Travel to Japan and Seal the Cursed BladeMuramasa] Time Limit: None Location: Osaka Details: Discuss in person Reward: 10 million Recommended Rank: Shikigami Master [Mission: Travel to Southern Europe and Assist in Sealing or Eliminating the Vampire Progenitor] Time Limit: None Location: Holy Cathedral Details: Discuss in person Reward: 30 million Recommended Rank: Gold-Tier Hunter [Mission: Investigate the Black Coffin Cliff of Dragon-Tiger Mountain] Time Limit: None Location: Dragon-Tiger Mountain Details: Discuss in person The reward for the mission was simple: survive and bring back useful intelligence, and youd get five million. The recommended cultivation level? Soldier rank or higher. Chen Huaian stared at the high-reward missions, feeling a deep sense of temptation. But thats all it could betemptation. The cursed blade and vampire progenitor were clearly big shots. If he, a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, dared to take them on, hed be throwing his life away. As for the Black Coffin Cliff, the fact that the only requirement was to survive and report back meant that nine out of ten people who entered never made it out. The last one probably went insaneotherwise, the mission wouldnt be so vague about what was actually inside. No details? That meant the unknown. And the unknown was usually the most dangerous. Right now, he needed a high-paying mission that was also nearby. Many of the listed missions had already been investigated but remained unresolved. One, in particular, caught his eyeit was right in his neighborhood. [Mission: Exorcise the Wandering Spirit] Time Limit: Three days Location: Unit 1906, Building 3, Phase 2, Dijun Jincheng Details: Investigators have confirmed unusual nighttime disturbances in the residence. Preliminary assessment suggests a wandering spirit. Reward: 5,000 bounty, additional rewards for turning in collected materials. Recommended Rank: White rank Wandering spirits were the lowest tier of ghosts, weaker than even minor demons. According to San Ge Dan, white-rank Demon Slayers typically took on these small jobs to gain experience and earn a living. That meant this kind of mission was in high demand. And sure enoughafter refreshing the app, the mission was already gone. Someone else had snatched it up. But that was fine. Chen Huaians eyes had already locked onto another mission. [Mission: Investigate the Abandoned Construction Site at Century New City, Phase 3] Time Limit: One week sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Reward: 50,000 bounty Details: Unknown. Further exploration required. Recommended Rank: Master rank Note: Three white-rank civilian Demon Slayers have already gone missing. Simply entering the site and bringing back any concrete intelligence will earn you 50,000. Fully resolving the incident will grant an additional 50,000. Any recovered materials will be evaluated separately. "Century New City, Phase 3?" Chen Huaian tried to recall the location. He had glimpsed it the last time he and San Ge Dan went to Longteng Internet Caf. A quick map search confirmed it It was only a ten-minute cab ride away. "Its decided. Youre the one." A hundred thousand Spirit Stones on the line. Chen Huaian accepted the mission. There was still some time before Lin Lingling returned, so he continued cultivating. Meanwhile, at the Tianfu Demon Slayer Bureaus new basethe Panjia Courtyard Market. Lin Lingling had just submitted her initial reports on Baji and Xiao Qing to her superiors and had purchased a new wristwatch. But the moment she logged in A mission alert popped up. [You have accepted a Master-rank mission: Investigate the Abandoned Construction Site at Century New City, Phase 3. Time limit: One week. Failure to participate within the time limit will result in a loss of reputation points. Please proceed to the mission location as soon as possible.] "Holy sh*t!" Lin Linglings hand trembled, nearly flinging the watch away. She immediately realized what had happened. Chen Huaian had taken the mission. Since he didnt have his own Demon Slayer account, he had been using hersand she hadnt logged out yet. But that wasnt the problem. The problem was This mission was bad news. Back when she wanted to take it, another Demon Slayer had fought her for it. But Uncle Beard had warned her not to go. That same Demon Slayer who had stolen the mission from her? Never came back. After three white-rank Demon Slayers went missing, the mission was upgraded to Master rank. And even now, there was still no solid intelligence. The fact that they couldnt determine the real danger level meant it could be even worse than Master ranka complete death trap. And now, thanks to that idiot Chen Huaian, he had walked straight into it. Chapter 121: Spiritual Root Mystery Box Chapter 121: Spiritual Root Mystery Box Afternoon. A massive bronze cauldron had appeared in front of the small house on Luoxia Peak. At each of its four corners, Spirit Stones were embedded as array cores, connecting to four formations that continuously spewed pill fire. "Qingran, are you sure you want to use that secret technique?" Standing before the cauldron, Su Qinians expression was grim. As the Pavilion Master of Sword Pavilion, and given his own personality, he hated seeing his disciples go through such ordeals. But this was an unusual situation. "Disciple has already made up her mind." Li Qingran smiled, her eyes clear and untroubled, showing not the slightest hint of fear. In fact, there was a certain lightness in her demeanor. No matter what, at least there was a solution now. If they had been forced to rely on that Alchemy Sect Masters cauldron, she would have been completely stuck. "Alright, Su old man, stop nagging already. Qingran is doing this out of filial piety. Yes, this process is going to be unimaginably painful, but its not lethal. Besides, if Qingran endures this, it could be a stroke of fortune for her." Unlike Su Qinian, who was always overprotective, Liu Yuanqing was much more open-minded. He preferred supporting his disciples in pursuing their own paths. Turning to Li Qingran, he said, "If you have any additional requests, just say the word. Su Qinian and I will do our best to accommodate you." Li Qingran recalled the contents of the secret manual and thought for a moment. Her eyes brightened slightly as she spoke. "Pavilion Master, Elder Liu, I have only one request. Please set up a formation that completely blocks spiritual senses and sound. Im afraid of making noise, or worsehaving Master sense something and grow anxious. Hes already poisoned and could face a battle against a great demon at any moment. I dont want to be another distraction for him." Liu Yuanqing and Su Qinian exchanged a knowing glance. Su Qinian let out a deep sigh, flicked his sleeve, and looked away. Liu Yuanqing stroked his beard and nodded. "That wont be a problem. Your master really did pick a good disciple Leave the formation setup to me and the Pavilion Master. For now, you should go sort and cleanse the spiritual herbs. Theres still time before Zhongzhou Secret Realm opens, so just purify ten herbs a dayyoull have plenty of time to finish." Li Qingran bowed in thanks and returned to the house. Su Qinian walked over to the bronze cauldron, tracing the dragon carvings along its surface with his fingers, and let out a bitter laugh. "Liu old man, that senior is a Void Transcendence Realm cultivator. Even if hes just sending an avatar, its still no joke. Do you really think our formation can block his senses?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It should hold up. You know my formation skills." Liu Yuanqing glanced at the small stone house, then at Su Qinian, who still looked worried, and sneered. "Look at you, hesitating like a fool. If you want to save that Void Transcendence Realm elder, this is the only way for now. Even a junior like Qingran is willing to make sacrifices. Dont you dare drag your feet." Su Qinian gritted his teeth and gripped the hilt of his sword, his expression dark. "That damn Zhou Xuanzi Just wait. If I ever catch him alone" A sharp sound rang out as his killing intent surged. The ground beneath him cracked in interwoven lines of sword qi, forming hundreds of thin cuts. Liu Yuanqing involuntarily shivered at the sheer pressure. "Hell Su old man, how many people have you actually killed?" "Lost count." "Chen! Huai! An!" Lin Lingling kicked open the door and saw Chen Huaian sitting perfectly fine on the couch. She let out a long sigh of relief. She had sprinted all the way up the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. Even though she wasnt an ordinary person anymore, she was still out of breath. Chen Huaian glanced at her and chuckled. "Whats up with you? Did it start raining outside?" "Why the hell did you take that mission?!" Lin Lingling pushed her sweaty bangs aside and stomped over, hands on her hips. "Do you have any idea how much trouble youve just signed up for?!" Chen Huaian nodded. "I know." "Then why did you still take it?!" "Because the bounty is high." "Three white-rank Demon Slayers have already gone missing! And theres zero confirmed intel! This mission is a complete death trap!" "But the bounty is high." "Arrrgh! You cant cancel it once youve accepted it! Now what?! Now what?!" "The. Bounty. Is. High." "High bounty my ass! Are you gonna die if you dont make money?!" Lin Lingling glared at him, then collapsed onto the couch, completely out of energy. "Whats the point of a high bounty if you dont live long enough to spend it" "You just said it yourself. If I dont make money, I wont live long enough to spend anything at all. I need money to survive." Chen Huaian stood up, grabbed his coat, and looked out at the city skyline. Without turning back, he said calmly, "If youre scared, you dont have to come." He was now at Qi Refinement Stage 1. He had the Blackscale Sword. He still had some Thunderfire Talismans left. More importantly, he had finally figured out how to properly use them. And he had also learned one critical thing The talismans cinnabar inscriptions must never be contaminated by blood. Now, he felt invincible. "Who the hell are you calling scared?!" Lin Lingling, unable to tolerate being provoked, exploded on the spot. "Fine! Lets go! If anyone chickens out, theyre a damn dog!" The two took a cab downtown. The driver gave them a weird look when they mentioned the destination. "What are you two going there for? That construction sites been abandoned for ages. People say its haunted." "Ah Were just going for a walk nearby. Not actually entering the site." Hearing the word "haunted", Lin Linglings face paled instantly. She had no issues with wolf demons or rat demons. But she absolutely hated ghosts. Even the weakest wandering spirit would have her running for the hills. Was this mission actually going to involve an evil spirit infestation? "Alright. Buckle up." Lin Lingling glanced at Chen Huaian and saw that he was playing with his phone again. She had no idea why he found that thing so interesting. What she didnt know was His phone wasnt just a phone. Uncle Beard had deliberately kept that detail from her. On his screen, Li Qingran was busy sorting spiritual herbs. A massive cauldron had appeared outside her small house, though he had no clue what it was for. Without disturbing her, he opened his Battle Order System. With Li Qingrans breakthrough to mid-Foundation Establishment, a new high-tier reward had appeared. A glowing purple mystery box with a question mark on it. As he claimed it, the box burst open, revealing a vein-like crystal. [Five-Element Spiritual Root Mystery Box] [Open to receive a random Five-Element Single Spiritual Root. Chance to obtain a rare spiritual root.] Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. His heart pounded wildly. The moment he stepped into Qi Refinement, he realized a harsh truth He had no Spiritual Root. In the cultivation world, that meant he had the worst possible aptitude. Forget entering major sects like Sword Pavilion or Qingyun Sect Even the smallest sects wouldnt accept him. The only reason he had managed to cultivate at all was because the Tideborn Technique was incredibly well-designed, and because Li Qingran had practically spoon-fed him every bit of knowledge. But so what? He didnt have a Spiritual Root. But his companion spirit sure knew how to take care of him. "Lets see what I get." Chen Huaian tapped the mystery box. Chapter 122: Haunted Construction Site? Chapter 122: Haunted Construction Site? The moment the mystery box opened, a golden arc of lightning shot out. [Rare Spiritual Root: Lightning (Single)] "Huh? Wasnt it supposed to be a Five-Element Spiritual Root?" Chen Huaian was momentarily stunned. As far as he understood, the Five Elements referred to Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Lightning wasnt part of the traditional Five Elements. If anything, it was considered a derivative element. But that didnt matterLightning Spiritual Roots were even better. He glanced at Lin Lingling, who was clearly nervous but trying to act calm. If he clicked "Claim", would the Spiritual Root just appear in his hand? Itd be much more convenient if it automatically merged into his body The moment this thought crossed his mind, a game notification popped up. [Lightning Spiritual Root has been delivered!] Chen Huaian blinked. For an instant, his mind roared with the sound of thunder, then fell silent. Peering inside his Dantian, he saw that his barren, rocky meridian space had changed A sapling formed of pure lightning had sprouted, its crackling energy blending seamlessly with his internal Qi. "So this is what a Single Spiritual Root is like" He watched as the Spiritual Qi within his Dantian instinctively gravitated toward the Lightning Root, becoming infused with tiny arcs of electricity. Its very nature was changing. Comparing this to the Earth-Wood Dual Spiritual Root he had drawn from Mu Baishuang, he finally understood why Single Spiritual Roots were superior. A single root meant pure specialization, allowing for unparalleled affinity with that element. A dual root, while still good, lacked the same purity. This wasnt the same as having two completely separate trees inside his Dantian If that were possible, having multiple Single Roots at once would be even stronger. At that moment, Li Qingran finished sorting her spiritual herbs. She ground ten portions into medicinal paste, carefully holding them in her hands as she walked toward the massive cauldron outside her house. Chen Huaian closed his personal talent screen and sent her a voice transmission. [Qingran, what are you doing?] "Master!" Li Qingran looked up in surprise, her first instinct to hide the medicine behind her back. A flicker of panic crossed her face before she quickly composed herself and gave a sheepish smile. "Disciple is preparing to refine medicine for Master. Im just getting things ready for the Hundred-Grass Detoxification Pill." [Using that cauldron?] "Yes, the refining process is very complex. The first step is Spiritual Purification, which requires me to enter the cauldron and use my own Spiritual Qi as fire to burn away impurities from the herbs." [Is it dangerous?] "Of course not!" Li Qingran glanced to the side, avoiding eye contact as she replied with a perfectly straight face. "Its just a little exhausting. Ill probably burn through all my Spiritual Qi, but thats no big deal! Master, you dont have to worry. I still need to go to Zhongzhou Secret Realm to find the last two medicinal ingredients for youI wont do anything reckless!" Silence. She gripped the herbal paste tightly, nervous sweat forming on her palms. Blushing slightly, she spoke again, her voice trembling. "Disciple Disciple wants to stay by Masters side forever. So Master must do his best toobeat those demons to a pulp!" [Of course. I was just about to go demon huntingI''ll make sure theyre completely wiped out!] Through the phone screen, the two of them exchanged a silent smile. Just then, the taxi arrived at their destination. Chen Huaian put his phone away and stepped out with Lin Lingling. Back at Luoxia Peak, Li Qingran exhaled in relief as she felt his presence withdraw from her mind. She steadied herself, stepping into the bronze cauldron just as the setting sun cast a warm glow over the mountain. With a wave of her hand, she sealed the lid with her Spiritual Energy. "Master, do your best Qingran will do her best too." Inside the pitch-black cauldron, she sat cross-legged, carefully holding the herbal paste. A protective layer of Water Spiritual Qi surrounded her, locking in the medicinal properties. Then She activated the formation. Roaring flames erupted from the cauldrons four corners, blazing intensely as the purification process began. Above Chixia Peak, hidden within the sea of clouds, Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing stood, watching the pill flames rise from the cauldron at the mountains summit. "Old Liu, do you think Qingran can endure this? Its not just the pill fire burning her bodyshes using her own Spiritual Qi as fuel, which means the poison from the herbs will circulate through her entire system before being expelled. The pain will be unimaginable" Liu Yuanqing frowned slightly, equally uncertain. But recalling what he had heard from Elder Jiong, he reassured him, "That girl is completely devoted to her master. The Heart-Test Barrier in the Scripture Pavilion? She shattered it with a single sword strike. I believe she can do it." Su Qinian sighed. "Damn, must be nice. If my disciple were half as obedient as Qingran, Id be burning incense in gratitude." "You mean Yue Qianchi?" "Yeah." "Alright, Ill send her a message." " You son of a b****!" "This is Century New City, Phase 3? Looks pretty normal to me" "They say its haunted. Over ten workers died in a single night, and the whole construction site was shut down!" "Are you sure it wasnt just some kind of accident?" "Look, all we need to do is stay inside for one night. If anyone wants to back out, no worrieswe wont judge~" Ahead of Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling, a group of four college girls had already arrived. They were all gorgeous, with perfect figures, standing there like a scenic display. Unlike San Ge Dan, who was just a middle schoolertotally out of his league. "Hmph. Just a bunch of reckless college girls," Lin Lingling muttered, crossing her arms with a mature, unimpressed expression. Chen Huaian pulled his gaze away from the girls. In the past, he might have stared a little longer But after being around Li Qingran, his standards and self-control had both been significantly raised. "In situations like this, what do you guys usually do?" Lin Lingling shrugged. "Warn them to stay out. But you know what they sayyou cant talk sense into people who are asking to die." She nudged Chen Huaian with her elbow. "You go handle it. Nobody listens to me." Whenever she worked with other Demon Slayers, she was never the one to deal with civilians. She had tried a few times, but people just dismissed her as a cringy middle schooler with an overactive imagination. Chen Huaian walked up to the four girls, offering a polite smile. "I work here. This place isnt safeplease dont go inside." Before he even finished speaking He saw the girls faces turning red at visible speed. One of them, the shyest, immediately lowered her head, blushing all the way to her ears. The most outgoing one, a blonde with dyed yellow hair, let out a suppressed squeal. "Holy sh**ultimate god-tier handsome guy?! Can I get your WeChat?!" She stepped closer, eagerly grabbing his arm. It was obvious she had acted on impulseprobably the first time she had ever done something so bold. Still, she kept some distance, her chest barely brushing against his arm, her mix of shyness and courage making her unexpectedly adorable. "Are you a celebrity?" "Dont worry, I just want to check out your WeChat postsI promise I wont assassinate you!" With the bravest girl leading the charge, the other three finally let go of their reservations, dropping all pretense and surrounding Chen Huaian in a flurry of excitement. It took everything he had to pull himself away from their sugar-sweet ambush and return to Lin Linglings side. The middle schooler was leaning casually against a streetlight, watching him with half-lidded eyes. "Enjoy yourself?" "Yeah." "Tsk. Trash-tier fish." Chen Huaian slowly typed out a question mark in his head. How did that make him trash-tier?! "Theyre not going inside?" He nodded. "I gave them my phone number. They agreed to wait outside. Said theyd pick me up when Im done and take me back to school." Lin Lingling narrowed her eyes. "Heh." Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With no more distractions, the two of them activated their wristwatch detectors and stepped into the abandoned construction site. Meanwhile, ten meters beneath the site Inside a black coffin, A corpses eyes slowly opened. Chapter 123: Let’s Talk This Out Chapter 123: Lets Talk This Out "So, another batch of Demon Slayer Bureau rats has come sniffing around?" "They never learn" A haze of black mist spread across the corpse puppets pupils, allowing him to perceive the entire construction site. He immediately spotted Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling approaching. Though their figures appeared blurry, their cautious movements gave them awaythey were definitely Demon Slayers. As for the four figures outside the site, they were probably just ordinary people. "Good timing. My Death Coffin Formation is fully set up, which means I can move freely now. Ill kill the four outside first for a quick meal, then seal off the site and deal with the Demon Slayer rats properly." A twisted grin stretched across the corpse puppets decayed face. The coffin lid creaked open at an angle as his figure slithered out like a black serpent. "Chen Huaian, dont you think this place is freezing?" "Nope." sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Chen Huaian, are you afraid of ghosts?" "Yes." "Trash." Chen Huaian twitched as he glanced at the small figure glued to his side. "If Im trash, why are you sticking to me?" Lin Linglings face turned red as she immediately took a step away, looking off to the side as she muttered, "I wasnt." "Then why are you shaking?" "Whowhos shaking?!" Their banter lightened the eerie atmosphere, but just as they started relaxing A horrifying scream pierced the air from outside the construction site. Lin Linglings face drained of color as she spun around, raising her wristwatch to activate the camera drone. The screen displayed a black mist surging into the sky. "Damn it! Its an evil spirit! Those four girls might be in trouble!" She was just about to rush toward the entrance, but Chen Huaian moved faster. His eyes turned icy cold as he grabbed her shoulder Then launched forward with explosive speed! "Wh!" Lin Linglings eyes widened, and before she could even gasp, the sheer wind pressure forced air down her throat. She felt like a ragdoll in Chen Huaians grip, her feet leaving the ground. The surrounding darkness blurred into streaks, and with a few agile shifts in direction, they were already at the entrance. The moment he set her down, she still felt dizzy from the speed. At the construction site entrance, the air reeked of blood. Three of the college girls were huddled in the guardhouse, trembling in fear. Outside the door, the streetlight flickered ominously, its dim glow casting twisted shadows. The source of those shadows was a towering, two-meter-tall humanoid figure. Its back was turned to them, its grotesque chewing noises echoing in the eerie silence. "So its you Demon Slayers again. One of you even looks familiar Youre faster than I expected." The creature stopped chewing and casually tossed something onto the ground. Lin Linglings pupils contracted as soon as she saw what it was. Her entire body broke out in cold sweat. It was half of a human head. The blonde college girl who had flirted with Chen Huaian Now reduced to a half-eaten corpse. "You ate her?!" The corpse puppet didnt answer. Instead, it casually swung its arm And flung a mangled corpse straight at them. Blood splattered through the air, obscuring their vision. Behind the flying remains, a blackened claw with billowing dark smoke shot forward, hidden within the corpses shadow. The attack was fasttoo fast. Even before the claw reached them, the sheer force of the wind sent chills down Lin Linglings spine. She could already see herself getting torn to shreds. "Chen Huaian, dodge!" Her adrenaline surged as she shouted, rolling behind a nearby sand pile for cover. But deep down, she had already lost hope. The aura radiating from this evil creature was terrifying. No wonder the three white-rank Demon Slayers had all died here. No wonder their bodies were never found They were all eaten. Now what? She had already sent out a distress signal, but it would take time for reinforcements to arrive. Would they even make it? She turned toward Chen Huaians direction And froze in shock. He hadnt dodged. He hadnt moved an inch. "Hey! You" A sharp, metallic clang rang out. Before Lin Lingling even saw him draw his sword, a blinding sword light erupted The flying corpse split cleanly in half, the hidden claw behind it also severed in one stroke. Blood splattered across Chen Huaians face. Chen Huaian didnt even blink. Holding his Blackscale Sword, he pointed it directly at the now frozen corpse puppet and spoke in a cold, detached voice. "Hey. You know I kinda liked it when she called me handsome and asked for my number." The corpse puppets throat clenched as if an iron vice had locked it in place. His decayed pupils fixated on the man before himface drenched in blood, eyes as calm as still water. He couldnt move. The suffocating coldness of death had wrapped around him. Black ichor dripped from the swords edge, sizzling as it hit the ground. It was his blood. He was afraid. "T-This senior perhaps there''s been some misunderstanding between us" "Misunderstanding? No." A blade flashed. A severed head spun through the air. The corpse puppets towering frame stiffened before toppling over. Chen Huaian frowned. The creatures aura felt eerily similar to the Human-Faced Spider from before. Yet, killing it didnt drop a Demonic Cultivator Fragment So what was it? Had it not truly died, or was there an element of chance to these drops? "Youre dead meat, kid!" A voice screeched from the severed head, which suddenly sprouted long, black tendrils. It twisted, turning back toward him while frantically scuttling away. "You think you can kill me?! Kehehe! Ill remember your face! When Lord Black Coffin awakens, every last Demon Slayer will die!" "Oh, so youre not dead yet." Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. His foot stomped down hard. The ground exploded beneath him. Lin Lingling felt like two firecrackers had just gone off inside her eardrums. In the blink of an eye, Chen Huaian had vanished. The fleeing severed head picked up speed, its limbs wriggling like a centipede. Without a body weighing it down, its speed had reached insane levels. Even a top-tier Master-rank Demon Slayer would have trouble keeping up unless they specialized in agility. If only it had finished eating that woman, it couldve grown wings and escaped even faster But this should be enough. Lord Black Coffin was close by. As long as it could reach him A sharp sound cut through the air. The head turned And nearly had a stroke. Chen Huaian was already on its heels, bouncing off the concrete beams of nearby buildings, moving like a phantom. With a single side-flip, he twisted midair and brought his sword down. The blade gleamed, reflecting a cold, deadly light. "W-Wait! Senior! L-Lets talk about this" "Shut up." Chen Huaian grabbed the squirming head with one hand. With the other, he raised his sword. "Drop the Fragment." A silver arc flashed. The severed head split cleanly in two, embedding into a nearby concrete wall. A game notification appeared on his phone screen. [Demonic Cultivator Fragment x1 obtained.] "So, its a guaranteed drop after all." Chen Huaian confirmed his theory and turned to reunite with Lin Lingling. He found her in the shadows of a ruined building, curled up against the wall, hugging her knees. She looked completely shut down. Chen Huaian sighed. Well she was still a middle schooler, after all. At her age, he had been more concerned about pulling girls hair than seeing people getting ripped apart. Not everyone was built to handle this kind of brutality. Walking over, he waved a hand in front of her face. "Hey. Yo. You still with us?" "Come on, youre a Demon Slayer. I know tonights been a bit of a bloodbath, but" Before he could finish Lin Lingling lunged. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she thrust her spear directly at his face. Chapter 124: So You’re Chen Huai’an? Chapter 124: So Youre Chen Huaian? Lin Linglings spear strikes were sharp and relentless. Back at Tianmen Mountain, he had already witnessed her skill firsthand. He had no idea who taught her, but the way she handled her two-meter-long spear was starting to resemble that famous line from the poemsa cold gleam arrives first, the spear follows after. She was faster than before. Much faster. But to Chen Huaian, whose vision was now enhanced with Spiritual Qi, she was still too slow. Tilting his head, he easily dodged the incoming spear tip. With a quick motion, he grabbed the spear shaft, and with a sudden burst of power He flipped Lin Lingling over his shoulder and slammed her into the ground. A heavy echoed. Lin Lingling let out a sharp cry of pain, her body tumbling straight into a pile of construction debris. Chen Huaian swiftly stepped forward, his eyes locking onto the back of her neck. There, a red-butt spider was latched on. It didnt take a genius to figure outher sudden attack was definitely related to the spider. The moment the creature sensed it had been exposed, it tried to scurry away. But the Blackscale Sword was faster. With a clean arc, he sliced it in half. A muffled groan came from somewhere above. Chen Huaians ears twitched. He had heard that. "Huh? Another Fragment? Hehehe" "Found you." The voice came from somewhere high up. Chen Huaian couldnt fly on a sword, and taking the stairs would be too slow. So instead Under the cover of the dark night, a bizarre figure appeared, gripping a black sword in his teeth, crawling up the side of a vertical building with all four limbs. His speed was faster than a human-faced spider. With proper control of Spiritual Qi, one could mimic the way a spider clung to walls. And how was he so skilled at this? What a joke He had done far more advanced wall-climbing techniques in the game. This was childs play compared to what his game character had mastered. "A Demon Slayer rat dares climb up here to die?" A cold scoff came from behind him. Chen Huaian barely turned his head before a black shadow pounced. He couldnt see what it was exactly, but a gleam of light flashed from beneath its robes A hidden blade, poised like a venomous fang ready to strike. Chen Huaian reacted instantly. His sword slashed back. He hadnt fully mastered any techniques from the Green Lotus Sword Manual yet. But he had completely memorized the first twelve chapters. Though these chapters werent as powerful as the sword techniques, they still refined his precision and speed to near perfection. No unnecessary movements. No fancy tricks. Just pure, ruthless efficiency. A silver flash streaked through the air. A sharp followed. The black-cloaked figure was forced to retreat, landing a few meters away. Only then did Chen Huaian get a good look It was a man completely wrapped in black robes, his face hidden behind a mask. At the moment, the man was staring in disbelief at the two broken halves of his dagger. "Impossible! Who the hell are you?!" Black Coffin Messenger was in shock. His dagger had been forged from Blight-Iron, a gift from Lord Black Coffin himself. Its durability was comparable to diamonds, and its poisoned edge ensured that any wound inflicted would bleed unstoppably. With this dagger, he had effortlessly slaughtered Demon Slayers, including a high-ranking Master-rank officer. Not a single weapon had ever withstood its edge. Only firearms had ever posed any threat to him. But the young man in front of him? He wasnt using guns. He was using a sword. And it had just cut through his weapon like butter. Was it also forged from a special material? Something stronger than Blight-Iron? "Hand over the Fragment!" Chen Huaian didnt bother answering. He simply kept attacking. His Spiritual Qi was running low No time for useless chatter. "Wait, senior!" Black Coffin Messenger frantically backed away, dodging the flashes of sword light. "I dont know what Fragment youre talking about! But if you need resources, just say the word! With Spiritual Qi Revival accelerating, the Demon Slayer Bureau is a terrible place to be. Why dont you join us at Dragon-Tiger Mountain instead?" "Hand over the Fragment." "I really dont know what youre talking about!" Black Coffin Messenger continued retreating, step by step, until he was finally pinned against the edge of the rooftop. "Brother, come on, we have no personal grudge!" "Sure, we took over this construction site, killed a few workers, but at least we werent like those other demons running around causing chaos!" He quickly pulled several items from his robes and tossed them on the ground, then bowed his head. "I have a family to feed. This is all the treasure I own. Please, just let me go." Chen Huaian didnt even glance at the scattered trinkets. He narrowed his eyes. "You got money?" Black Coffin Messenger froze. Then he quickly nodded. "Y-Yeah! I do!" Chen Huaian pulled out his phone and held up a QR code. "Here. Add me on WeChat and transfer some money. How long you live depends on how much you send." Black Coffin Messenger: "" With Spiritual Qi Revival in full swing, money was probably the least valuable resource in this new world. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had no idea why this young man wanted money, but he didnt dare question it. He obediently scanned the code and sent every last cent he had. A total of 580,000 yuan. This was the money he had earned as a hitman during the early days of revival. He had already spent a lot of it over the years. "Senior, thats everything I have, I swear!" He forced a flattering smile, revealing a set of stained, yellowed teeth. "Not bad, thats a lot of money." Chen Huaians eyes gleamed. Damn. Doing missions was just small-time earnings. Robbing mission targets? Now that was where the real money was. This was way better than streaming or bounty hunting! "So Master Chen, am I good to go now?" Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah, of course. For every 10,000 yuan, you live 0.1 extra seconds. Rounding up, 580,000 gets you a solid six seconds. No need to thank me. Heh." "You" "Six, five, four, three, two, one." Chen Huaian raised his sword and swung. A head flew into the sky. Then another swift strike The head split into two in midair. He pulled out his phone to confirm the kill. [You have slain Black Coffin Messenger. Rewards obtained:] Demonic Cultivator Fragment x1Blight-Iron Essence x1Broken Black Serpent Dagger x1Mind-Control Gu Worm x1 "As expected.** Precise headshots seem to be the best way to kill these troublesome Demonic Cultivators." He glanced at the loot scattered on the ground. "So even items they willingly hand over count as loot drops? What a weird system." Still, he scooped everything up and stuffed it into his bag. When he descended from the rooftop, carrying his sword and the severed head, Several vehicles were already parked at the construction site entrance. The Demon Slayer Bureau officers had finally arrived. But it wasnt Uncle Beard who had come. It was someone even more familiar. "Dont worry about me, just find Chen Huaian!" Lin Lingling was hunched over, one hand gripping her long spear, the other pressed against her ribs. Two female medics were tending to her injuries. "I dont know why I blacked out, but when I woke up, he was gone! Could he have been captured by the evil spirit?!" A Demon Slayer officer crouched beside her. "I already sent a team to look for your partner. For now, focus on yourselfyouve got two broken ribs." Lin Lingling shrugged it off. "Meh, it happens. Getting hurt is part of the job." Hearing footsteps behind her, Lin Lingling turned her head. The moment she saw Chen Huaian, her eyes lit up. "Chen Huaian?! Youre okay!" "Still breathing." Chen Huaian sidestepped her and stopped in front of a white-haired old man. The old man, in turn, stared at him in shock. "Wait Li Lao?" The old man blinked, his expression even more bewildered. "Youre Chen Huaian?!" Chapter 125: A Careful Choice Chapter 125: A Careful Choice "Sigh, truly a case of failing to recognize a hidden expert." "Sigh, truly a case of dragons flooding the temple." Chen Huaian and Elder Li Yunfeng sat inside the guardhouse, shaking hands with a sense of mutual regret and surprise. "I remember Uncle Beard telling me about an exceptional Awakened who could use talismans but I never thought it would be you." "And I never expected you to be a high-ranking officer in the Demon Slayer Bureau! Nearly scared me to death!" Li Yunfeng carefully observed Chen Huaian. The young man before him felt different from when they had last met. Before, he was like a sheathed sword, his sharpness carefully hidden away. But now, the blade had slid half an inch from its scabbard, its edge starting to reveal itself. "Truly, heroes emerge from the young. You can use talismans, and now you wield swordsmanship as well. If Uncle Beard had known about this, your ranking in the Bureau would have definitely been raised." But despite Li Yunfengs praises, Chen Huaian didnt look particularly pleased. He was staring out the window, his brows furrowed. Outside, there were three white stretchers lined up. On them lay the bodies of tonights victims. From beneath one of the white sheets, a few bloodstained blonde hairs peeked out. It was the girl who had once smiled at him, flirted, and asked for his number. Her friendsthe other three college girlsstood at a distance, crying but not daring to come closer. That horrific scenewatching their friend being devouredwas something they might never be able to forget. "Am I considered strong in the Demon Slayer Bureau?" Chen Huaian withdrew his gaze. "You are. Very strong. And very rare." Li Yunfeng nodded. He wanted Chen Huaian to officially join the Demon Slayer Bureau. Right now, Chen Huaian was only taking bounty jobs for money. But the most critical and classified missions werent publicly listed. More importantly, the Bureau was currently trapped in political games, being used by aristocratic families and government officials to maintain a fragile balance. They desperately needed a true powerhouse to break this deadlock Because the Bureau wasnt meant to be a pawn in the political world. It was meant to be the ultimate protector, eradicating demons and evil spirits without compromise. "Even if Im as strong as you say, I still failed to save that girls life." Chen Huaian clenched his fists. His lips curled into a bitter smile. "Do you regret it?" "Of course I do." "Then thats good." Li Yunfengs wrinkled eyes softened, a complex emotion flashing through them. "If you can still feel regret, then this world still has something worth protecting." "You want me to join the Bureau." Chen Huaian saw right through him. "Heh, I do have that thought." Li Yunfeng sighed with a wry smile, tapping his own chest. "Unlike you, I barely feel that regret anymore. Ive seen too many cases like this. Ive long since grown numb." Chen Huaian fell silent for a moment. "Then why do you stay in the Bureau?" Li Yunfengs gaze lowered slightly. "My family was killed." He let out a slow breath. "Eaten by demons. I have nowhere else to go." sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What about your son, the one who started his own business?" "Yeah hes starting a business in the afterlife." "Hey! You old fraud!" "Hahaha." Lin Lingling had two fractured ribs and needed medical attention. She had assumed it happened while she was unconscious, thinking the evil spirit had crushed her. Chen Huaian decided to never tell her the truth. "The mission bounty has been transferred to you." Li Yunfeng sat inside his car, then suddenly remembered something. He rolled down the window. "Oh, right. The two Awakened Healers I arranged for your cancer treatment will arrive tomorrow morning at 9 AM. Meet me at Panjia Courtyard Market." Then, without further urging him to join the Bureau, he left. Chen Huaian stood under the streetlights, exhaling a long breath. "So much happened tonight" He felt a brief moment of uncertainty. Lin Lingling was still a rookie. If she had faced those two creatures alone, she would have stood no chance. Forget the Black Coffin MessengerLin Lingling wouldnt have even been able to handle the corpse puppet on her own. If he hadnt been here tonight, shed probably have ended up like that college student. But neither the corpse puppet nor the Black Coffin Messenger seemed like big players. From what they had said, it was clear that they belonged to a larger organization. And whatever they were planning, it was still unknown. If that plan fully unfolded, would the Tianfu Demon Slayer Bureau even be able to handle it? "Hey, Chen Huaian, are you falling back into your bad habit of worrying about other people? Does being kind ever pay off? Trying to be a hero?" He tapped his forehead a few times, sneering at himself. "And who do you think you are, anyway? Youre just a Qi Refinement Stage 1 rookie. Killed a couple of small fries and now youre getting cocky? For all you know, their boss is some ancient monster who could squash you with a single finger." The summer night breeze was warm, carrying the crisp scent of the city. Chen Huaian let the wind clear his mind for a moment. Once he felt sober enough, he hailed a cab and went home. [The boss is back!] At the sound of the door unlocking, Baji, who had been meditating on the windowsill, and Xiao Qing, who had been balancing upright on the water surface, quickly switched to normal pet positions. [The boss already knows youre a demon. Whats the point of pretending? Stay upright.] Hearing this, Xiao Qing drooped miserably but remained standing on the water. Chen Huaian didnt even glance at his two weird pets. The first thing he did was plug in his phone and open My Virtual Girlfriend. He had already thought things through. Yes, he had some abilities. But he was also dying of cancer. If he couldnt even save himself, why the hell should he care about other people? Focus on whats within reach. Make sure his own happiness was secured first. Like right now. [Your viewing has been blocked by a formation!] Chen Huaian tried to check on Li Qingran, but she was nowhere on Luoxia Peak. There was only one place she could beinside that giant cauldron. But when he attempted to monitor her, the system popped up a notification. [Illusion Formation set up by Elder Liu Yuanqing.] [Isolation Formation set up by Elder Liu Yuanqing.] [Pill Fire Formation set up by Pavilion Master Su Qinian.] And that was just the top three. There were also Spirit Gathering Formations, Black Armor Formations, Soundproofing Formations, Frost Sealing Formations, and dozens more. The entire screen was flooded with formation names. Chen Huaian slowly typed a question mark in his mind. What the hell was Sword Pavilions alchemy department doing? Stuffing his precious Qingran into this many formations and not letting him see? [Would you like to pay 1888 to bypass all formations?] With his newfound fortune, Immortal Chen let out a disdainful chuckle. "1888 yuan? Thats pocket change." Charge! A payment confirmation screen popped up. .bg-container-10448f2396e{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } [Please select your method of breaking the formations.] Use profound formation knowledge and break them with a single punch. Use profound formation knowledge and summon your flying sword to slash through. Grab the formation with one hand and refine it instantly. (Warning: Li Qingran may be in an undressed state. Please choose carefully!) Chapter 126: Directly Breaking Through Chapter 126: Directly Breaking Through High above the sea of clouds, Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing, who had been keeping watch over Luoxia Peak, suddenly opened their eyes. Liu Yuanqings gaze gleamed with a faint green light as he checked the formations operational status. He turned to Su Qinian and said, "Its about time. The first phase of Spiritual Purification should be ending. Call Yue Qianchi to help bring her out." "Why Yue Qianchi? Cant we do it?" Su Qinian asked, confused. After all, both of them were Nascent Soul cultivators. If something went wrong, wouldnt they be more reliable than a mere Golden Core cultivator? "You know nothing, you old fool!" "The inside of the cauldron is blazing hotall clothing is burned away. Do you really think its appropriate for two old men like us to be looking at that?" "Damn. Yeah, thats a fair point." Su Qinian immediately understood. He let out an awkward laugh. "Alright, alright. Ill send Yue Qianchi a voice transmission right now." But before he could The sky above Luoxia Peak suddenly changed. A thunderous boom shook the heavens. A massive hand, formed entirely of Spiritual Qi, emerged from the swirling clouds, its fingers grasping the formation barrier atop Luoxia Peak. Liu Yuanqing: "!!!" Su Qinian: "!!!" "This aura its Li Qingrans master!" Su Qinians face turned ashen, his voice trembling slightly. "Old Liu Are you sure your formation can hold up? If that guy finds out what Li Qingran is going through, well be lucky if were only skinned alive!" "It it should be fine." Liu Yuanqing was also shaken, but he forced himself to sound calm. "Relax. This formation was famous even in the Zhenwu Holy Land!" "Oh yeah? How so?" "Well There was this female elder who asked me to set up a secluded barrier. I thought she was using it for cultivation, but turns out she was sneaking around with another elder. When her husband found out, he blasted the formation for half a day, but still couldnt break in." Su Qinian: "You absolute bastard." "Hey, that was a long time ago!" But as the formation barrier creaked ominously, Liu Yuanqings voice grew unsteady. "Quick! Help reinforce the array! Its not gonna hold!" The next second A shattering explosion echoed across Luoxia Peak. Dozens of overlapping formations collapsed under the Qi-formed giant hand, their combined shockwave powerful enough to flatten the mountain. Yet before it could spread, the hand simply squeezed And the explosive energy was instantly crushed, refined, and absorbed. Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing were blown back over a thousand meters, landing in the distant clouds. For a moment, neither of them dared to move. Below, all that remained on Luoxia Peak was the enormous cauldron. Though no figure had appeared, an invisible pressure now loomed over the entire mountain peak. The disciples of Sword Pavilion stood frozen, too terrified to even lift their heads. Even though the aura wasnt hostile, it was so overwhelming that their bodies instinctively submitted. All they could do was stare at the ground in absolute silence. Chen Huaian was furious. Sure, he had just seen Li Qingrans naked body. But he was still furious. There was no doubtLi Qingran was breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair flowed like cascading silk, her eyebrows delicate like distant mountains. Her skin was as smooth as white jade, her figure Well, lets just say even the most seductive demoness would be ashamed to stand next to her. At first, his face burned and his heartbeat raced. But then, he saw her condition. And his rage ignited. Li Qingrans face was deathly pale, her body riddled with poisonous scorch marks from the alchemy flames. Every inch of her skin bore burn wounds, a testament to the agonizing pain she had endured. The formations were healing her, but the process was vicious She was being burned alive, over and over again, only to heal and burn again. When his divine sense enveloped her, she was still kneeling inside the cauldron, maintaining a rigid, meditative posture. Her hands cupped a clump of purified medicinal gel, formed from water-element Spiritual Qi, having finally expelled all impurities. [So, this is what you called Spiritual Purification?] Chen Huaian immediately paid 66 to restore Li Qingrans injuries while sending her a voice transmission. [Why didnt you tell me about this before?!] Li Qingran slowly regained consciousness. A surge of warm energy flowed through her body, repairing her scorched meridians. Combined with the familiar presence of her masters divine sense, she instantly realized what had happened. He knew. Everything she had kept hidden from him He had discovered it all. Li Qingran lowered her head, biting her lip, suddenly at a loss for words. [Speak.] The sheer weight of his presence made her shudder, forcing her to finally stammer out an answer. "Master disciple never meant to deceive you. I only wanted to help you. The Hundred-Grass Detoxification Pill requires Spiritual Purification, but this process doesnt actually harm me" The stern gaze lingering in the void did not fade. Nor did it offer any response. Li Qingrans voice grew softer and softer, until, at last, she simply bowed her head, letting two silent tears fall to the ground. "Master Im sorry" [Did it hurt?] "Yes." She didnt dare lie anymore. [Hmph!] A robe fell before her, and the voice in the void softened slightly. [Put on your clothes and wait inside the hut. Ill deal with you later!] Li Qingran shrank her neck slightly, quickly and carefully pouring the purified medicinal gel into a small porcelain bottle before dressing herself. As she pulled on her robes, she suddenly realized something, and her face turned an even deeper shade of red. A soft, delicate shyness flickered through the depths of her eyes. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian shifted his vision away from the cauldron. Opening the map interface, he zoomed in on the two floating green dots in the sky. Liu Yuanqing and Su Qinian, still standing awkwardly on the clouds, appeared at the center of his screen. [Liu Yuanqing! Su Qinian!] The moment his thunderous voice echoed across the void, both old men shuddered violently. **[I entrusted Li Qingran to Sword Pavilion, hoping she could grow up happily, not so she could come here and be abused! I trusted you both completely And what did you do? You threw my trust to the dogs?!]** Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing felt like they had just swallowed bitter herbs. Didnt Li Qingran say her master was on the verge of death, surrounded by great demons? How the hell did he have the leisure to watch over Luoxia Peak?! And even worsehow did he remotely destroy the entire defensive formation they painstakingly set up?! Feeling the rising fury in the void, Liu Yuanqing hurriedly stepped forward. "Senior, please calm your anger! There is a long explanation for this situation. At least hear us out firstif you still find it unreasonable, you can punish us later!" Chen Huaian snorted coldly. [Speak. Im listening.] [So, its because that bastard Zhou Xuanzi from Alchemy Sect refused to lend the cauldron, forcing Li Qingran to take this dangerous approach?] Chen Huaians eyes narrowed, his voice carrying the weight of six hundred thousand yuans worth of rage. Liu Yuanqing and Su Qinian had explained everythinghow they had no choice, how Li Qingran insisted on doing this, and how it was all for the sake of refining the Hundred-Grass Detoxification Pill. "Senior, you can confirm this with Li Qingran herself." Liu Yuanqing cupped his hands. "Everything we did was to help you, and this was her own decision." "As a Sword Pavilion disciple, I shouldnt have allowed Li Qingran to harm herself like thisthis is my failure." Su Qinians face was grim as he stepped back and bowed deeply toward the void. "Senior, will you allow me some time? I will disguise myself, infiltrate Alchemy Sect, and steal the cauldron!" Chen Huaian nearly burst out laughing. [Is Sword Pavilions way of doing things nothing but sneaking around like thieves?] Su Qinians face reddened, and he coughed awkwardly. "That was my mistake. My skills are lacking, and I have embarrassed our sect in front of the ancestor" [A measly Alchemy Sect, and youre treating them like some kind of untouchable force?!] S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaians tone didnt waver, not even for a moment. With a grand flourish, he spread his arms wide .bg-container-10448869e4d{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Sixty thousand yuan coursing through his veins like the power of heaven itself. Even his words shook the very clouds above Luoxia Peak **[Take the direct approach! Smash through the gates! Break their sects foundation! Let them know When Sword Pavilion wants something, it should be delivered to Myriad Sword Peak immediately!]** Chapter 127: Diplomacy Before Violence Chapter 127: Diplomacy Before Violence Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as the words fell, Liu Yuanqings blood boiled with excitement. Su Qinians nostrils spurted out twin streams of blood. It was just a result of his excitement causing the capillaries in his nose to burst, but he didn''t care in the slightest. He cupped his hands toward the void and bowed deeply. "Senior, Ill prepare immediately!" Those tumors from the Pill Sect strutted around all day, flaunting their arrogance. Now that a senior was willing to step in, how could they not beat them until they were searching the ground for their teeth!? Chen Huaian originally thought Su Qinian was going to prepare by gathering some magical artifacts or equipment. But five minutes later, the guy returned, pulling out three masks and a set of night-walking clothes from his storage pouch. "Senior, as long as we wear these, those Pill Sect tumors wont know it was us. Then you can go all out!" Chen Huaian: "." Get lost! The Pill Sect wasn''t far from the Sword Pavilion, at least much closer than Lingxi Valley. Three hours later, Liu Yuanqing and Su Qinian arrived within the Pill Sects territory aboard a flying boatspecifically at Luoyan Manor. Also on board were Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi. Bringing Li Qingran was a necessity; without him, Chen Huaian wouldnt be able to maintain his vision on Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing. Li Qingran essentially served as his planted eye. As for Yue Qianchi? He was just brought along for entertainmentto keep Li Qingran from feeling awkward or bored with two old men for company. "Patriarch, Luoyan Manor is just ahead. Whats the plan?" Liu Yuanqing turned back, looking toward the empty space above Li Qingrans head. He couldn''t see the patriarch, but it didnt matterwherever Li Qingran was, the patriarch was too. "The patriarch is obviously going to slice that bastard Zhou Xuanzi out of his hole with a single sword strike!" Su Qinian rocked his head smugly as he looked toward Luoyan Manor. Truthfully, even if it came to a direct conflict, the Sword Pavilion wouldnt fear them. After all, sword cultivators had an undeniable combat edge. What he really feared was that their reckless actions might drag innocent Sword Pavilion disciples into trouble. But now, with the patriarch backing them up, everything was different. It didnt matter if the patriarch could watch over the Sword Pavilion at all times. The other sects didn''t know that. As long as they established their dominance, their disciples would have an easier time when out on missions. Any troublemakers would have to think twicewas provoking the Sword Pavilion worth inviting a disaster upon their sect? Bullshit! The Sword Pavilion is a righteous sect. If we start cutting down people''s gates the moment we arrive, how are we any different from the demonic sects? Diplomacy before violencedo you understand? We need to show the grandeur and sincerity of the Sword Pavilion! Su Qinian shrank his neck and nodded hastily. In the next moment, the voice from the void continued: There are plenty of outer disciples outside the manor. Kidnap a few as a gift for Zhou Xuanzi. Su Qinian: "???" Liu Yuanqing: "." Oh, so was what he meant by "diplomacy before violence." In the back of the flying boat, Yue Qianchi, who had been watching the drama unfold while munching on snacks, was utterly dumbfounded. He turned to Li Qingran and asked, "Qingran, was your master always like this?" Li Qingran blushed slightly, bit his pink lips, and lowered his head as he muttered softly, "Master is actually very reasonable But since Master was once from the Sword Pavilion well, its only natural that hed have a bit of the Sword Pavilions style." "Hey! Junior Sister, thats a bit of a loaded statement!" Yue Qianchi slung an arm around Li Qingrans waist, his mischievous fingers pinching the soft curve of her slender waist as he grinned. "Are you saying the Sword Pavilion has a certain reputation?" Li Qingran blinked at him. As if to say: If the Sword Pavilion didnt have that kind of reputation, would she have even joined? They seriously had no self-awareness! For Su Qinian, kidnapping a few people was hardly a technical challenge. The Pill Sect had industries scattered all around, and Luoyan Manor was surrounded by them. He casually walked into a tavern, pretending to be drinking, and easily approached a few disciples of the Pill Sect. Within moments, they were knocked out and dragged away. The Pill Sect reacted swiftly. Not even half an hour later, before the flying boat could get far, one of their elders arrived. "Who are you people? Why did you kidnap our disciples? Do you intend to make an enemy of the Pill Sect?" The elder was a woman. Upon seeing the battered, swollen faces of the captured disciples, her expression darkened. "Well, if it isnt Elder Fei. Do you still recognize this old man?" Liu Yuanqing removed his mask and stroked his graying beard. "You?!" Of course, she recognized him. Liu Yuanqing had just visited the sect a few days ago. She had personally led him to meet the sect leader. However, the discussion clearly hadnt gone well, and Liu Yuanqing had left fuming. "What does the Sword Pavilion want now? And why did you kidnap our disciples?" At this point, she was almost certain that the Sword Pavilion was here to cause trouble. But the Sword Pavilion wasnt a force to be trifled with, and she wasnt foolish enough to lash out rashly. Even if she did, she wouldn''t win. "I came to your tavern for a drink, but your disciples served me watered-down fake wine. Are you deliberately looking down on the Sword Pavilion?" Su Qinian took off his hat, then viciously smashed a wine jug on the ground. Elder Fei twitched at the sight of the broken jug. The businesses around Luoyan Manor catered to rogue cultivators and even mortals. Everyone in the entire Cangyun Realm knew that all the alcohol sold there was diluted. If someone wanted genuine medicinal wine from the Pill Sect, they had to go Luoyan Manor. Trying to find high-quality medicinal wine in the public-facing businesses? That was just asking for trouble. Then again, sword cultivators who spent all day in their sects refining their swords might not have known this. Elder Fei lifted her chin slightly, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes, though her words remained polite. "If Sect Master Su wanted good wine, our Pill Sect would gladly have sent a few fine jugs your way. There was no need for you to come all this way yourself. How about thisIll personally gift you one hundred vats of genuine . In return, could you release our disciples?" "No deal." Su Qinians expression remained stony. "You people look down on the Sword Pavilion!" "I am the Sword Pavilions sect master. Your disciples recognized me, and they still served me fake wine. This isnt just an insult to me; its an insult to the entire Sword Pavilion!" His voice rang loud and clear, carrying across Luoyan Manors surroundings. The cultivators in the area turned their gazes skyward, eager to watch the commotion. "Whats going on?" "Seems like the Sword Pavilions sect master drank fake wine here." "Ah, no wonder hes pissed. But honestly, the Pill Sect is pretty shady. Theyre rich enough, yet they still dilute their wine" "So what? You dare go against the Pill Sect?" "Even the Sword Pavilions sect master only kidnapped a few disciples to make a statement. He wouldnt actually dare strike the Pill Sect directly, would he?" As murmurs filled the air, a sudden rang from the flying boat. The cultivators collectively froze. Then, from the flying boat, Su Qinian bellowed: "Patriarch! The Pill Sect has insulted the Sword Pavilion! How should they be dealt with?" .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } Dark clouds churned in the sky, sword intent rising. All around Luoyan Manor, every swordregardless of rankbegan to tremble violently. They must be cut down! A thunderous voice erupted from the void. The sky above the flying boat darkened as the gathering sword energy condensed into a massive sword, poised to descend upon Luoyan Manor. Chapter 128: Try Moving and See? Chapter 128: Try Moving and See? "A mere Nascent Soul Perfection, and you dare call yourself a patriarch?!" Just as the colossal sword was about to strike Luoyan Manor, a soft chuckle echoed through the air. From within the manor, a figure soared into the sky, casually tossing out a cauldron. The moment it left his hand, the cauldron expanded against the wind, growing into a massive object that shielded the manor''s rooftop, blocking the incoming sword. The giant sword and cauldron collided. Under the immense pressure of the sword, the cauldron was forced backward, yet in the process, the sword blade shattered inch by inch. Ultimately, the cauldron held its ground, preventing the sword from slamming into Luoyan Manor. The impact of the collision dispersed the surrounding clouds, leaving the sky above Luoyan Manor perfectly clear. The cultivators around the manor swiftly backed away, finding themselves open mountaintops with good vantage points. They took off their shoes, sat or lay on the rocks, and spread out sunflower seeds, peanuts, and spring waterfully prepared to enjoy the show. "Weve triggered the boss fight!" Chen Huaian squinted his eyes. That previous sword strike didnt cost muchonly 8,888. For that price, forcing the Pill Sects sect master, Zhou Xuanzi, to personally appear was an absolute steal. High above Luoyan Manor stood a man in a deep blue robe with silver trim, a folding fan in hand. He had a pale face, thin lips, narrow eyes, and a sharp, sinister look. His gaze toward the flying boat was filled with anger, and his aura of Nascent Soul Perfection spread outward, thickening the surrounding air like glue. Chen Huaian could see the text hovering above his head When Zhou Xuanzi first emerged from the manor, his name was still yellow. After taking a single sword strike, it instantly turned redclearly, he had been provoked to his limit. "The Pill Sect''s sect master, Zhou Xuanzi, has appeared!" "Now this is going to be a spectacle. Sword Pavilion''s Sect Master, Su Qinian, is at Late Nascent Soul Stage, while Zhou Xuanzi is at Nascent Soul Perfection. If the Sword Pavilions so-called ''Patriarch'' is also just at Nascent Soul Perfection, then they probably wont fight." "Why do you say that?" "The Pill Sect has plenty of strong cultivators. Zhou Xuanzi may be the sect master, but hes not the strongestit''s their guest elders who are the true powerhouses! Worst-case scenario, Zhou Xuanzi himself is loaded with treasures. Did you see that cauldron just now? That was the Subduing Dragon Cauldron, a sentient spiritual artifact!" The surrounding cultivators whispered among themselves as they watched the sky. Zhou Xuanzi hovered at the same level as the flying boat, getting a clearer look at the people onboard. He let out a sneer and was the first to speak. "Oh? And here I was wondering who it could be. Turns out its just Sect Master Su from the Sword Pavilion and that washed-up reject from Zhenwu Holy Land, Liu Yuanqing. Since were all righteous cultivators, lets settle this sensibly. Release my Pill Sect disciples immediately and apologize, and we can pretend this never happened." "Go f*** yourself, and f*** your mother too!" Su Qinian had already been holding back a firestorm of rage over Li Qingrans situation. Now, with Chen Huaian backing him up, he didnt hesitate. Without another word, he attacked. The moment he moved, his entire figure transformed into a streak of sword light, flashing across the sky. The sheer speed of his attack sliced through the air with a sharp screech, causing an aching pain in the ears of every cultivator present. "Ive heard that Sect Master Su''s Xuanwu Sword reigns supreme. Allow me to experience it firsthand!" Zhou Xuanzi let out a hearty laugh and stamped his right foot in the void. Yin and yang divided, forming a massive black-and-white battlefield that enveloped the surrounding thousand miles. It was as if the entire space had been transformed into a giant chessboard. Activating Heaven and Earth Form, Zhou Xuanzis figure shifted into that of an elderly man with a flowing white beard, seated outside the chessboard with a game piece in hand. A black stone fell onto the board And countless sword shadows erupted in unison, clashing toward Su Qinians streaking sword light. Within the board, sword shadows overlapped, sword Qi surged, and metallic clashing sounds echoed endlessly. The surrounding cultivators couldnt make out the battle clearly, but the sheer murderous aura left them speechless. Zhou Xuanzi moved his pieces frequently, but his black swords were continually shattered by Su Qinians heavy sword. His expression turned grim. Clenching his teeth, he placed a white stone on the board. The white pieces linked together, forming an enormous spiritual energy dragon that roared ferociously and lunged at Su Qinian. The battlefield became a chaotic storm of black swords and the dragons ethereal form, completely engulfing Su Qinians silhouette. Back on the flying boat, Yue Qianchi was holding his breath, eyes fixed on the chessboard. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian remained perfectly calm, watching the dazzling special effects like an idle fisherman. He could see the health and energy bars of both Su Qinian and Zhou Xuanzi. Despite how impressive Zhou Xuanzi looked, his energy bar had already depleted by a third, while Su Qinian had barely lost any health at all. But more importantly Su Qinians energy bar hadnt even budged. His rage bar, however, was steadily rising. "Showy nonsense," Chen Huaian snorted. Even though Zhou Xuanzi was at Nascent Soul Perfection, without his artifacts, he wasnt a match for Su Qinian. The Sword Dao was supreme in slaughter, after all. Black and white pieces continued to fall, yet Su Qinian grew closer and closer to the boards edge. Growing desperate, Zhou Xuanzi slammed down two pieces simultaneously. At that moment, from within the chaotic whirlwind of attacks, an enraged roar erupted. "GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!" Gale winds howled. Black swords shattered. The white dragon crumbled. Through the blinding shockwave, a dark silhouette emerged, heavy sword in hand, slashing skyward. "Mountain-Shattering Blast!" A crimson sword shadow burst forth, vast as the sky, heavy as a mountain. It grew larger and larger, expanding until it filled the entire chessboard before cleaving downward with unstoppable force. The chessboard shattered. Black and white pieces scattered like dissipating spiritual energy. A long, jagged sword wound split Zhou Xuanzis Heaven and Earth Form from his forehead to his chest And then, with a resounding , his technique completely collapsed. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he plummeted from the sky. Su Qinian, eyes blazing with battle intent, shot out from the wreckage of the chessboard, dragging his Xuanwu Sword along, shrouded in killing intent. He swung his blade down mercilessly toward Zhou Xuanzi. "Go! Die!!" Just as the sword was about to land, a white-robed figure suddenly appeared beside Zhou Xuanzi. With a single finger, he tapped the descending sword tip. A ripple spread outwardlike a mirage, like the reflection of the moon in the water. Everything froze in place. "Amitabha. Sect Master Su, killing Zhou Sect Master would be a bit excessive, wouldnt it?" The monk, clad in pale moon-white robes, held a meditation staff. With each step he took, lotus flowers bloomed beneath his feet. Smiling, he lifted his staff and pressed it gently against Su Qinians forehead, his voice soothing yet chilling. "Sect Master Su, do you still insist on your path? If so, this humble monk wouldnt mind replacing the Sword Pavilion with a new sect master." "It''s the Laughing Buddha! A Fusion Realm expert!!" A horrified cry rang out from the spectators. In that instant, a pale golden finger extended from Su Qinians forehead, lightly pressing against the monks staff. An unfathomable force surged forth Blasting the Laughing Buddha a thousand meters away. .bg-container-10448ed3ed0{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-ssp-10448{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} .bg-container-10448f61e68{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } .bg-container-10448222eb6{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center; z-index: 2147483647 !important; } The illusion shattered. Spiritual energy howled. The monks pupils contracted sharply, his reflection capturing the figure before him A sword cultivator clad in a flowing black robe, silver hair cascading like a waterfall, exuding an aura of boundless coldness. A voice, as frigid as the void, rumbled beside his ear. "Try moving, and see what happens?" Chapter 129: You Just Think You’re About to Die! Chapter 129: You Just Think Youre About to Die! The smile vanished from the Laughing Buddhas face. But when he sensed that the sword cultivator before him was only at the early Fusion Realm, his smile returned. "Amitabha." He clasped his hands together, his expression benevolent as he lowered his gaze. "It seems you must be" A sword light flashed. The monks head flew high into the air. Chen Huaian straightened, sword in hand, as the Blackscale Sword, drawn only half an inch from its sheath, slowly slid back in. The Laughing Buddhas body flickered, and his severed head reattached itself. His smile remained, but there was now a cold edge to it. He took a deep breath and politely cupped his hands, finishing his interrupted sentence. "You must be an elder of the Sword Pavilion. This humble monk is Leng Chanshin. Might I ask your esteemed name?" Chen Huaian took a step forward, the Blackscale Sword sliding half an inch from its sheath once more. Leng Chanshin reacted instantly. He barely raised his hand And his body was sliced cleanly in half. His form reassembled again, but now his expression darkened. "Sir, dont go too far!" The Blackscale Sword came out three inches. A dense flurry of sword Qi shredded the monk into countless tiny pieces. When he reformed again, the Laughing Buddha was no longer laughing. Chen Huaian stood half a meter away from him, smirking. "Try moving again. See what happens?" Leng Chanshins face twitched. His once benevolent expression twisted into rage, his eyes widening in fury, his face darkening like ink. Fiery red hair erupted from his scalp as he bellowed, "Wrath!" A massive Dharma manifestation erupted from the ground. Three heads, six arms. Each face bore a different expressionanger, sorrow, joy. Blackened fangs jutted from its jaws. Each of its six hands held a steel trident, its golden armor gleaming under the radiance of the Buddhas light. Unlike Zhou Xuanzis Heaven and Earth Form, Leng Chanshin didnt merely summon his Dharma manifestationhe it. He the Dharma form. The Dharma form him. This technique not only amplified his strength but also eliminated the common weakness of such formsleaving the main body vulnerable to attack. This was the true pinnacle of Heaven and Earth Form. A power only Fusion Realm experts could wield. "You forced this upon me!" Leng Chanshin roared. "A mere early Fusion Realm, and you think you''re something special?!" S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, he swung all six of his steel tridents, stirring up a hurricane. They tore through the air like shattered celestial pillars, crashing down upon Chen Huaian with the force of a collapsing sky. Meanwhile, Zhou Xuanzi, who had just regained consciousness on the ground, turned deathly pale upon seeing the monstrous Black Sky Dharma Form. Panicked, he sent a voice transmission to the Laughing Buddha. "Senior! Luoyan Manor is the foundation of my Pill Sect! Please, do not!" The Black Sky Dharma Form twisted its three furious faces toward Zhou Xuanzi. Flames blazed in its eyes. "You are nothing. Do you dare tell what to do? Begone!" The crushing aura of a Fusion Realm master slammed into Zhou Xuanzi like a tidal wave, adding to his already grievous injuries. He coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed to his knees. In a rented apartment, Chen Huaian sneered as he topped up 88,000. Then another 188,000. Above the clouds, a pair of cold, sword-gleaming eyes snapped open, locking onto the six tridents. He took a step forwardFusion Realm, mid-stage. Another stepFusion Realm, late-stage. The Blackscale Sword was fully drawn, resting in his palm. "My dear disciple," Chen Huaian murmured, "your master is in the mood today. Watch closely." Aboard the flying boat, Li Qingrans eyes sparkled. She didnt blink, staring fixedly at the lone swordsman facing the monstrous Dharma form. To her That solitary figure was the heavens. The heavens. Chen Huaian gripped his sword with both hands, angling the blade toward the sky. His aura soared, spiritual energy surging into the Blackscale Sword, making its edge glow ever brighter. Above Luoyan Manor, snow filled the sky. Yet there was no chill in the air. "Snow?" "But its not even the season for snow?" The spectating cultivators were stunned. On the flying boat, Liu Yuanqing caught a snowflake. Pain stabbed his fingers. His pupils contracted, his voice trembling. "This This isnt snow. This is sword intentmanifested as snow!" He gazed up at the heavens, unable to make out Chen Huaians silhouette. All he heard was the swordsmans solemn recitation: The sword rose. A streak of sword light sliced through the sky. Wherever it passed, the fabric of space twisted, the force of the sword Qi tearing apart every cloud within a thousand miles And with them, the six descending tridents. "You" Leng Chanshin''s face twisted in horror. For the first time, he felt it A lethal threat from this seemingly insignificant swordsman. Late Fusion Realm. This swordsman was at the late Fusion Realm?! Since when? His divine abilities should have allowed him to see through any concealed cultivation. So why couldnt he see through man?! Before the Black Sky Dharma Form, a lone swordsman in white danced with his sword. Each movement left behind a phantom afterimage, frozen in place Some standing, some sitting, some reclining, some leaning, some gripping their blades, some soaring forward. Within moments, a spectral army had gathered. One final strike. Chen Huaians gaze locked onto Leng Chanshin. Their eyes met Leng Chanshin turned and fled. "Running now? Too late." Green Lotus Sword Manual C Ninth Form: Severing Loulan. The final strikeabsolute in its power. But to unleash it, he had to complete two preparatory strikes first. In gaming terms, it was a three-phase ultimate with a long cast time. Leng Chanshin had failed to block the first phase. He had failed to interrupt the second. And nowhe was dead. Chen Huaian lifted his Blackscale Sword, pointing it at the monks Dharma form. Behind him, an army of phantoms stood ready. Sword intent soared. Ten thousand swords were drawn. Sword Qi surged skyward. The gathered sword energy merged into a single white arc, piercing through the Black Sky Dharma Form. Explosions of sword Qi erupted. The Black Sky Dharma Form was torn asunder. Leng Chanshin plummeted, his body riddled with sword wounds, blood pouring from him as he crashed before Zhou Xuanzi. Chen Huaian descended from the air, sword in hand. "Spare me, senior! Spare me!" Leng Chanshin, barely clinging to life, trembled in terror. "It was a mistake! A moment of blindness! I meant no offense!" His body shivered as Chen Huaian drew closer. When had the Sword Pavilion gained such a terrifying sword cultivator? One strike had destroyed his Dharma forms weapon. Another had obliterated the Dharma form itself. This power was ! "Whats wrong, little monk? Are you afraid?" "Y-Yes! Im afraid!" "No, youre not afraid." Chen Huaian stepped past him, scoffing. "You just youre about to die." The Blackscale Sword slid into its sheath. A gentle breeze passed by. Leng Chanshin stiffened. Agonizing pain wracked his body. The light faded from his eyes. A second later His body crumbled into dust. Nearby, Zhou Xuanzi knelt in a pool of blood, trembling as Chen Huaian approached step by step. He hesitantly looked up. The white-haired swordmaster smiled. A kind, almost smile. "Sect Master Zhou, you and I are fated to meet." Chapter 130: Fate—Its All About Opportunity! Chapter 130: FateIt''s All About Opportunity! "Senior, this is our Pill Sects finest medicinal wine, Dragon Spring Brew. Drinking a single vat is equivalent to running an Intermediate Spirit Gathering Formation for half a day." "Not bad. This item is fated to be with me." "Senior, this is a freshly refined Golden Formation Pill. If a disciple is stuck at the Foundation Establishment Stage and cannot break through, they can take this pill to advance. Our sects Golden Formation Pills are crafted using a unique recipe with minimal side effects." "Not bad. This item is fated to be with me." "Senior, this is a Millennium Frost Jade Bed that I stumbled upon. It aids in calming the mind and enhances cultivation. When used for alchemy, it reduces the pain from alchemical flames and helps expel residual toxins. Originally, I had planned to gift it to my useless personal disciple" "Not bad. This item is fated to be with me." Liu Yuanqing and Su Qinian followed behind Chen Huaian as they walked through the long corridors of the Pill Sects treasury, watching as Zhou Xuanzi bowed and scraped before them. Then they looked at Chen Huaian, who accepted without hesitation. For the first time, they were utterly by their Supreme Elders sheer . Every time they heard the phrase, Li Qingrans delicate face turned redder. This was embarrassing. How could her master say such shameless words with that smiling face? Yet, as she glanced at Chen Huaians tall, straight figure, his silver hair flowing like drifting clouds, his black sword hanging at his waist, and his aura shrouded in divine radiance Suddenly, she thoughtmaybe a little shamelessness wasnt so bad. It didnt make him any less handsome, wise, or formidable. Beside her, Yue Qianchis admiration was practically written all over his face. " This was exactly the boldness the Sword Pavilion should have! Their Supreme Elder was personally teaching them the art of being a true sword cultivatorthrough his actions. By the time they had finished raiding the treasury, anything that wasnt nailed downand even some things that werehad been taken. The only reason they didnt take more was because Liu Yuanqing, Su Qinian, Li Qingran, and Yue Qianchis storage pouches were already full. Otherwise, even the discarded items would have been packed up. Zhou Xuanzi had been watching Chen Huaians expression closely. The Pill Sect was wealthy; gifting these items wasnt a major loss. If it helped him establish a good relationship with this Sword Pavilion powerhouse, it was well worth it. But This elder didnt seem ready to leave yet. Could he be Eyeing Subduing Dragon Cauldron?! That was a spiritual artifact! It had been with him for many years, and the artifact spirit inside was more than just a toolit was . He couldn''t bear to part with it. But if he didnt The elder might not be satisfied. In the end, he had to make the sacrifice. Zhou Xuanzi gritted his teeth, retrieved the Subduing Dragon Cauldron, and lowered his voice humbly. "Senior, this is a treasured cauldron I obtained in my youth. It is both offensive and defensive while also serving as an excellent alchemical furnace. Since you are fated to be with it, I humbly present it to you in hopes of forming a good relationship." Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. He hadnt expected Zhou Xuanzi to actually give up the cauldron. After arriving at Luoyan Manor, he had gotten a full picture of its hidden power. Aside from the now-dead Laughing Buddha, there was still a Fusion Realm early-stage guest elder and at least ten Nascent Soul cultivators. The Pill Sects arrogance wasnt baseless. Su Qinian hadnt dared to provoke them freely, precisely because he considered the safety of the Sword Pavilions disciples. That was why Li Qingran had endured the pain of spiritual refinementbecause the Pill Sect was too strong to defy openly. As for Zhou Xuanzi? He was nothing more than a greedy opportunist. That much was obvious. But people like him were easy to deal with. As long as you kept him beneath you, he would forever be a bootlickernever a threat. Of course, even dogs bite when cornered. And Chen Huaian had no need for this cauldron. Sword cultivators didnt use cauldrons. And Li Qingrans refinement process required a different one entirely. "Sect Master Zhou~" "Yes, Senior!" Zhou Xuanzi straightened up nervously. "Your attitude is sincere. Your devotion is commendable. Your offerings are appreciated. However" Chen Huaian deliberately drew out the last word, making Zhou Xuanzis heart clench. Was he about to ask for more?! "But this cauldron is not fated to be with me." The moment those words fell, Zhou Xuanzi let out a deep sigh of relief. Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing also relaxed. "" Zhou Xuanzis eyelid twitched. He had just relaxed, and now this Sword Pavilion elder was playing games with him again?! "You also have a Dragon-Patterned Tidal Cauldron, dont you?" "That cauldron is fated to be with my disciple. Let me see it." Oh. So what he wanted. Zhou Xuanzi suddenly remembered Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hadnt Old Man Liu come asking to borrow that cauldron before? He turned to glare at Liu Yuanqing. Liu Yuanqing simply stroked his white beard, looking pleased with himself. Zhou Xuanzi nearly exploded. Pretending to suffer injustice, only to return with overwhelming force? Despicable! Shameless! Absolutely vile! Angry as he was, Zhou Xuanzi still obediently handed over the Dragon-Patterned Tidal Cauldron, presenting it with both hands. "Senior, is this the cauldron you desire?" Chen Huaian glanced at Liu Yuanqing. Liu Yuanqing nodded. "This is the one." Chen Huaian took the cauldron and stuffed it into Li Qingrans arms. Then, turning back to Zhou Xuanzi, he said, "My disciple is only borrowing this cauldron. Once shes done, well return it." Zhou Xuanzi hurriedly waved his hands. "Senior jests! Its just a cauldronconsider it a gift for your disciple!" "You are most thoughtful." Chen Huaian immediately accepted. Zhou Xuanzi: "." The transformation had a time limit, and Chen Huaian was ready to leave. Zhou Xuanzi tried to invite them for a banquet, but Chen Huaian wasnt interested. Just before boarding the flying boat, he paused and looked back. "Oh, one more thing." Zhou Xuanzi stiffened. "That Laughing Buddha, Leng Chanshin he might not be dead." Zhou Xuanzis face darkened. "If he ever comes bothering you, tell him that the Pill Sect is under my protection. If he still wont back off, come find me at the Sword Pavilion, and Ill deal with him myself." Zhou Xuanzi was deeply moved. Tears nearly welled in his eyes. This was his biggest worrythat Leng Chanshin wasnt fully dead and would blame him for what happened. But now, with the Sword Pavilions backing? Perfect! As the flying boat disappeared into the distance, Zhou Xuanzi stood there in a daze. Only one thought remained in his mind Chapter 131: Please Punish Me, Master Chapter 131: Please Punish Me, Master On the flying boat. Chen Huaian stood at the bow with his hands behind his back, gazing at the endless sea of clouds, exuding the demeanor of a true master. Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing looked at his figure in admiration. This... was only his avatar! And his real body was still battling a powerful demon! Not only that, but his real body had also been poisoned by the demon! If not for these hindrances, wouldnt the avatar he summoned be even stronger? What could such a great figure be thinking at this moment? sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His divine sense must be overlooking the entire Cangyun Realm, manipulating the winds and clouds at will Chen Huaian, however, was feeling miserable. He was praying for the duration of this avatar to end as soon as possible. Although wearing the VR helmet allowed him to be close to his beloved Qingran, the problem wasthere were too many third wheels on this flying boat! Now, he just felt awkward. This was his first time acting as a leader. Who the hell knew what a leader was supposed to say in a situation like this? Maybe he should just use Heavenly Divination? Its free anyway, so why not? Boom! Suddenly, the sky above Cangyun Realm shifted violently, even causing the flying boat to tremble slightly. "Who is divining the Heavenly Dao?!" "It seems to be the same great figure who frequently performed divinations before. Is something major about to happen in Cangyun Realm?" Liu Yuanqing and Su Qinian glanced at the sky in panic and immediately lowered the altitude of the flying boat. Heavenly Divination went against the natural order and could easily provoke the wrath of the Dao. What if a lightning bolt struck them as collateral damage? As soon as Chen Huaian received his answer, the sky over Cangyun Realm returned to calm. A group of cultivators collectively sighed in relief and resumed their cultivation. Becoming a leader is easy. When it comes to speaking, just make your subordinates summarize things for you. Having them summarize now and then not only helps uncover missing details but also keeps them under pressure. Finally, giving a bit of praise or criticism would naturally increase their loyalty and sense of belonging. With that in mind, Chen Huaian cleared his throat and suddenly said, "Have you learned anything from observing me today?" Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing immediately perked up. This was a test from their senior! Su Qinian took two steps forward, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, "Senior, I believe that as a member of the Sword Pavilion, we should act with dominancestraightforward and decisive! We must never be sneaky or hesitant! From now on, I will ensure that all disciples of our pavilion carry themselves with your unyielding spirit!" Liu Yuanqing quickly followed up, "I believe that the Sword Pavilion should act with reason, with righteousness on our side. Our approach should be balancednot too fast nor too slowso that others willingly submit to us!" Chen Huaian nodded. "Mm." Honestly, he had no idea what they were talking about. But it didnt matter. All he needed to do was vaguely repeat what they said in a slightly more refined manner. After a brief pause, his voice resonated in the air: "Arrogance must not grow unchecked, desires must not be indulged, joy must not be excessive, and ambition must not overflow! One must cultivate virtue through martial strength and subdue others with virtue! Just like Zhou Xuanzidespite how much Ive taken from him, he still had to respectfully send me off. That is true control of the situation!" Su Qinian''s eyes gleamed with realization as he bowed deeply. "Hearing these words today is like having cold water poured over my head, instantly clearing my mind. I am in awe!" Liu Yuanqing carefully mulled over "Chen Huaians" words and nodded repeatedly. As expected of a senior! While he and Su Qinian could only utter empty phrases, their senior spoke profound wisdom. In Cangyun Realm, where the strong prey on the weak, only strength grants one the right to speak of morality. True dominance lay in wielding overwhelming power while still adhering to virtuethat was true subjugation. It sounded simple but was incredibly difficult to achieve. Take the so-called , for example. He possessed great strength but indulged in reckless slaughter to justify his path, discarding morality long ago. Chen Huaian was utterly baffled as he looked at the deeply moved expressions of Su Qinian and Liu Yuanqing. Did he just say something profound and awe-inspiring? All he did was repeat their words! This misunderstanding was getting way out of hand. He had to stay away from these two old menstupidity might be contagious. As soon as the flying boat arrived at Luoxia Peak, Chen Huaians avatar time was about to end. For the last few seconds, he decided to make one final impression. He soared into the air and slashed out a sword strike. Clang! Sword Qi surged, tearing open a rift in the void. His figure then dissipated into countless strands of Sword Qi, vanishing into the rift. Li Qingran clutched the Dragon-Patterned Cauldron, gazing at the spot where her master had disappeared, hesitating to speak. Didnt Master say he was going to punish her? How could he just leave like that She hadnt even had a proper conversation with him yet. Pouting in frustration, she lightly kicked a small, unfortunate rock into the bushes. "To have the honor of traveling with your master today, I have gained much insight. I shall now return to closed-door cultivation!" Liu Yuanqing smiled at Li Qingran, his eyes filled with indulgence, as if looking at his own granddaughter. "I have also learned a lot. Once I store these resources in the warehouse, I too shall enter seclusion for some time" Su Qinian stroked his beard, looking at Li Qingran as if she were a walking treasure trove. With that, the two Nascent Soul powerhouses each returned to their respective mountains. Yue Qianchi, meanwhile, licked her lips as she clutched her nearly-bursting storage pouch, her eyes gleaming. She placed a few bottles of mild spirit wine at the entrance of Li Qingrans small house and chuckled. "That brat Xu An always tries to bribe me with spirit wine. Well, today, Ill drink Dan Sects finest wine right in front of his face. How satisfying! Hahaha!" Imagining Xu Ans pitiful expression, Yue Qianchi burst into laughter. "Senior Sister, you should drink less. Too much alcohol isnt good for you" "Dont worry, dont worry. They call me Yue ! Alright, Im off~" Yue Qianchi leaped onto her flying sword and dashed into the sunset-drenched sky of Luoxia Peak. Li Qingran lingered at the peak for a moment before hugging the Dragon-Patterned Cauldron and heading back to her small house. She hadnt spoken much with her master today. Her heart felt empty. As soon as she stepped inside and sat down, she suddenly felt an all-too-familiar gaze watching her. She instinctively looked toward the void, her previous frustration vanishing in an instant. Her peach-blossom eyes sparkled with excitement. "Master!" Qingran, do you realize your mistake?! Her masters voice carried no true reproach, but Li Qingran still lowered her head, fiddling with her nails, her small hands properly placed on her lap. Her heartbeat quickened, and even her breathing became unsteady. "Qingran knows her mistake. Qingran should not have deceived Master Please, Master, punish me" How would Master punish her? She felt a bit nervous. The Sword Pavilion had a Hall of Discipline. There was also the Cliff of Reflection. Would Master send her to one of those places for punishment? She disliked dark places But if it was Masters order Hmph, of course, there will be punishment! A moment of silence stretched through the void. Every second felt like an eternity to Li Qingran. Suddenly, a few pieces of clothing fell onto her bed. Among them was a dudou (a traditional undergarment). Before she could even be shocked, her masters voice echoed againthis time, a little awkwardly. Since you rarely go down the mountain, I made you some new clothes to change into. Hmm But you still have plenty of old clothes, dont you? Your embroidery skills are quite poor and need practice. So As punishment, you shall repurpose fabric from your old clothes and make a few scented sachets and storage pouches for me! Do you accept? Chapter 132: Thoughtful Materials Chapter 132: Thoughtful Materials So this was Masters punishment? Li Qingran sat in a daze for a long while before finally coming back to her senses. She quickly nodded, her delicate face flushing red. "Qingran is willing but, Master, is this really the only punishment? Arent you afraid Ill repeat my mistakes in the future?" A chuckle mixed with mild scolding echoed from the void. You dare?! Li Qingran shrank her head back. At least for now, she really didnt dare. This was the first time Master had spoken to her so sternlyit startled her. Tomorrow, I have another battle with that great demon. I need to rest and regain my strength, so I wont disturb you any further. With those words, the presence watching over her slowly faded. Li Qingran knew Master had left. Resting her cheeks in her hands, she sat in the chair for a while before turning around to sort through the clothes Master had given her. "Master made these clothes himself?" Looking at the garments in her handsflawlessly stitched, elegantly styled, and embroidered with intricate patternsshe was secretly astonished. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She never imagined Master had such craftsmanship. Then again, in that subspace where he resided, where would he even buy clothes? He must have no choice but to make them himself. She draped one over her shoulders to try it on. It fit perfectly. Then, with a blushing face, she hesitantly picked up one of the two dudou and tried it on as well. It, too, fit just right. It made sense for the outer garments to fitafter all, those could be estimated based on height and body shape. But this was an undergarment How did Master get the measurements so precise? Had he secretly watched her while she bathed, relying on his incredible eyesight to measure every detail? That image involuntarily surfaced in her mind. Adding to that, these clothes were personally sewn by Master himself. If she hadnt known, it wouldnt have mattered. But now that she did, it felt as if she could still feel the warmth of his hands lingering on the fabric. This feeling Was not good at all. Li Qingran rubbed her legs together, covering her flushed face with both hands before rolling onto her bed, tossing and turning. Wrapped up in her blanket like a cocoon, she rolled around for a long while before finally calming down. She hadnt forgotten Masters punishment. Tonight, she would work overtime to finish it. "Using old clothes to make something for Master" She bent down, pulling out a small chest from under her bed. It contained all her old clothes, even the ones she had brought from Wanqing Mountain. Some were already torn, but she had kept them anyway. A cultivators body underwent purification, removing all impurities and leaving them crystal clear. Clothes, no matter how long they were worn, never absorbed odors from sweatsince cultivators sweat was as pure as ordinary water. So, naturally, clothes never truly got dirty. That said, after battles, she had still washed out bloodstains and dirt. "Scented sachets and storage pouches are things one keeps close I need the softest, finest material." Muttering to herself, she laid out the neatly folded garments one by one. Finally, her gaze landed on one of her dudou. There was no doubtthis fabric was the softest and most delicate. After all, it was meant to be worn against the skin. But Li Qingran held up the dudou, her face growing redder, her ears burning. Would it really be appropriate to use this fabric to make Masters scented sachet and storage pouch? If Master ever found out, wouldnt she die of embarrassment? "No, Master isnt watching right now. As long as I dont say anything, hell never know." She took a deep breath, allowing her oxygen-starved brain a moment to recover. Master had given her so muchwhat she gave in return had to be the best. Master never hesitated to help her, so when she had the chance to give something back, she shouldnt hesitate either. "Its decided. Ill use this fabric!" "Cultivators at the Fusion Realm are really tough to kill." Chen Huaian set his phone down, still reviewing his previous 300,000 spirit stone battle. The Smiling Buddha had seemingly been sliced to pieces, but there was a high probability he wasnt dead. After all, neither demonic cultivator fragments nor righteous cultivator fragments had dropped. And strangely, no loot had dropped either. Or perhaps righteous cultivators simply didnt drop fragments? He was more inclined to believe that Leng Chanxin wasnt entirely dead. That said, even if he had survived, he was definitely gravely woundedotherwise, he wouldnt have been so terrified in those final moments. For cultivators, losing their cultivation base was more painful than losing their flesh. Leng Chanxin likely wouldnt show up in Cangyun Realm for a while. "Now, lets see if tomorrow Li Qingran will actually give me the scented sachet and storage pouch she makes." Lying on his bed, Chen Huaian rested his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling light above him. He had always been suspicious about whether this world of the companion spirit was real. If it wasnt real, then why were the details of Li Qingran refining herbs for him so incredibly accurate? The whole purpose was just to provide him with a pill as a rewardwas there really any need for such intricate detail? They could have easily skipped the hardcore steps and just handed him the reward directly. But if this world was real Then why couldnt he physically interact with it? And why was his strength in that world so inexplicable? Sure, 300,000 spirit stones had only gotten him a Fusion Realm experience card, but even that level of power felt absurd. It didnt quite fit. So, he had conducted a small experiment. Originally, his punishment for Li Qingran wasnt this. He simply wanted to see if true interaction with game characters was possible. If tomorrow, when he received the sachet and pouch, the materials were new, rather than made from her old clothes, then he would stop entertaining the idea. That would basically confirm that the game world wasnt realjust a resource world that existed for him alone. Without him, that world would cease to exist. "Man, this is nerve-wracking" Whether the world turned out to be real or fake Whether the Demon Slayer Bureaus treatment for his cancer would go smoothly tomorrow As Chen Huaians thoughts swirled, drowsiness slowly took over, and he drifted into sleep. On the windowsill, Baji cracked open one eye before closing it again, resuming its meditation. In the water basin, Little Qing, who had been standing upright all day, finally sank into the water to rest. The night passed without a word. The summer moon hung like a silver hook in the sky. Chapter 133: Real or Fake? Should I Ask Customer Support? Chapter 133: Real or Fake? Should I Ask Customer Support? Qingyun Sect It had been some time since Lu Changtian''s dantian was destroyed. At first, he wallowed in self-pity, but now he had mostly calmed down. A few days ago, Daoist Qingxuan found him a pill that boosted his physical strength to the equivalent of the . However, the price was steephis meridians were nearly shattered. Without restoring his dantian, he would only have five years left to live. The was his only chance. "But even at Qi Refinement Peak, I''d be cannon fodder in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm sigh." Without strength, how could he stand out in the Secret Realm? Without standing out, how could he catch the eye of a Holy Land elder and gain a fortuitous opportunity? It was a dead-end loop. Inside his cave residence, Lu Changtian finished a set of punches and stared silently at his reflection in the poolshirtless, his body now swollen with bulky muscles. He hated this look. He missed his former ethereal, immortal-like appearance. But he had no choice. "Changtian-gege~~" A sweet voice came from outside the cave. Lu Changtian''s somber expression melted into a smile. It was Mu Baishuang. She had been visiting him every day. Her companionship was the biggest reason he had managed to emerge from the shadow of his ruined dantian so quickly. Her concern for him was genuine. Just picturing her adorable, caring face filled him with renewed determination. "Come in, Shimei." He remained shirtlessafter all, she had seen him like this plenty of times. Formality between them felt unnecessary. Mu Baishuang bounced in with her hands behind her back. The moment she saw his bare chest, her smile faltered slightly, and a flicker of disdain flashed through her eyes. But outwardly, she kept up her actcheeks flushing, twirling a strand of hair by her ear, and pouting playfully: "Aww~ Changtian-gege, your muscles are sooo impressive! Every time I see them, my heart goes ~" Lu Changtians smile broadened with pride, but he quickly stifled it, coughing lightly. "So, what brings you here today, Shimei?" "Hehe, good news!" With a playful grin, she revealed a scripture from behind her back. "Look! I bought you a from the sect''s auction house. It cost me my entire savings! They say this one''s incrediblequick, check it out!" Lu Changtian stared at her radiant smile. His heart ached with warmth. Since his fall from grace, he had witnessed firsthand the fickleness of peopleadmiration replaced by mockery. Only a few truly cared for him now: his master, a handful of junior brothers, and most of all, . She visited daily, comforted him, and now had even spent every last spirit stone to get him this technique. "Thank you Shuang''er." His voice was thick with emotion as he accepted the scripture, vowing silently to protect her at all costs. Even though he doubted the techniques usefulness. If even their master couldn''t find a suitable , how could she? "Changtian-gege, promise you wont tell Master I got this for you, okay~?" Mu Baishuang leaned closer, her eyes glinting with an almost otherworldly charm. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "If Master finds out, he''ll scold me for wasting money on random techniques." Lu Changtian nodded and lowered his gaze to the scripture. One lookand his eyes widened. The technique was intricate, systematicprofound beyond measure. It claimed that with sufficient meat intake, his cultivation would skyrocket. This was no worthless trash technique! "Amazing truly amazing! " His fists clenched, trembling with excitement. "Shimei, you''ve found me a true treasure! With this, Ill tear through the Zhongzhou Secret Realm! If the Holy Land elders notice me, they''ll help restore my dantianthen, with both body and Qi cultivation, Ill surpass my former self!" "Hehe, helping you is my greatest joy, Changtian-gege~" Mu Baishuangs smile was dazzling, her beauty breathtaking. Her gaze lingered on his elated face as she slowly backed out of the cave. Her lips curled into a mocking smirk. The scripture clearly read The Next Morning Bobo~ Dd~ Dli la~? () The alarm blasted at 6 a.m. sharp. Chen Huaian shot up from bed like a rocket, lunging for his fully charged phone. In one swift motion, he punched in his 64-digit password, opened a hidden folder, and scanned his fingerprint to log into his game. Lifespan Remaining: 49 Days Today''s Fortune: Minor LuckFavorable for Romance, Unfavorable for Medical Visits "F***, what terrible luck!" Chen Huaian felt his vision darken. But the next notification made his eyes sparkle. Your virtual girlfriend, , has sent you a little gift. It has been delivered. He turned his headand sure enough, two packages had materialized on his bed. With a swipe of his phone, he tore into the packages. Inside A and . The sachets exuded a sweet floral fragrance with a hint of creaminesspleasant, yet unfamiliar. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. The material of the storage pouch He had never seen anything like it. It wasnt from the game store. It wasnt any outfit or item he had purchased. So then Was this really from ? Li Qingran? Or Could it be her ? No he didnt recall her wearing anything like this. It was too soon to jump to conclusions. Chen Huaians eyes flashed with calculation. Or Chapter 134: Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao Chapter 134: Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao Cangyun Realm The winds howled, and the heavens shifted. Su Qinian lifted his head, his face filled with shock. Unbelievable truly unbelievable! That powerhouse probed the yesterday, and now theyve done it again within six hours. Arent they afraid of divine retribution? At the , Mu Baishuang glanced at the sudden change in the skies, her heart uneasy. With the opening soon, the frequent divination attempts might disrupt her plan Near the , within a mountain cave Leng Chanxin raised his head. A golden vertical eye emerged on his forehead. A thin beam of light shot from the eye, colliding with the celestial radiance. Suddenly, his body trembled, his face paled, and he spat a mouthful of blood. Him again?! His chest burned with pain, and he quickly withdrew his aura. The golden eye on his forehead turned scorched and blackened. He had only wanted to exploit the divination to glean some clues. But the entity probing the heavens was that enigmatic old ancestor from the ! He could only pray that the old monster hadn''t noticed him sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Oh Chen Huaian froze mid-thought, realization dawning. So thats why it felt so familiar wait WHAT THE F***? A ?! He stared wide-eyed at the storage pouch and sachets in his hand. Now it made sense. Of course, it made sense! He hadnt bought these fabrics from the . Yesterday, he did purchase a red dudou from the store but these were pale blue. Which meant No I cant jump to conclusions just yet. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Something wasnt right. Were these materials or ? He immediately conducted a thorough examinationsight, smell, and touch. But he was stumped. He couldnt recall clearly What color was dudou again? His in-game intimacy level unlocked the bathroom feature, but every time he peeked, the steam was too thick to see clearly. And honestly, who would stare at laundry when there was in the room? He wasnt that brain-dead. Howeverhe did remember detail. The dudou had a crooked lotus leaf and a little frog embroidered on it. At that moment Li Qingran was sitting cross-legged, facing the rising sun, practicing her morning breathing exercises. She hadnt yet entered deep meditation. Chen Huaian seized the chance and pressed his : Hearing her masters voice first thing in the morning made Li Qingrans cheeks flush with joy. Was there anything more delightful than being acknowledged by her ? Her eyes darted toward the table The sachets and pouch she had stayed up all night crafting were indeed gone. She bowed slightly toward the sky, her blushing face hidden under the golden veil of morning light. Shizun~ Qingran greets you~ Chen Huaians heart nearly skipped a beat She was too damn cute. But he maintained his aloof composure. Li Qingrans heart burst with happiness. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled sweetly. Im so glad Shizun doesnt think Im clumsy! My cultivation is still low, so the pouch is small but once I reach the , Ill make you bigger ones! He pausedthen went for the kill. Ah Li Qingran froze, her lashes trembling. Her heart pounded wildly. How should she answer?! Lying would be pointless would see through it in an instant. But if she told the truth, wouldnt he be angry? Her whole body felt like it was crawling with ants. Suddenly, the voice from the talisman sounded again Te tea sachets? A p-pillowcase?? Li Qingran panicked. Shizun, I But his presence had already fadedhe must have gone to handle his affairs. No room to explain. Her brain went blankthen spiraled into chaos. Her trembling hand opened a small wooden box. Inside The remaining fabric, neatly folded. Large pieces, enough for a pillowcase. Scraps, plenty for sachets. But the thought of her Brewing tea with sachet Resting his head on pillowcase Her cheeks burned furiously, even redder than before. The sight of her flustered reflection in the mirror Peach-blushed skin, moist eyes shimmering She was more captivating than her after a drunken night. Her heart trembled, and she tore her gaze away from the mirror. Shizun doesnt Her breath steadied. Her frantic thoughts slowed. If Shizun knew, he wouldnt have asked. So As long as dont say anything Hell know! Her flustered panic turned into quiet resolve. Since likes it And since I am his Its my duty to Li Qingran! She puffed her cheeks, slapping her own burning face lightly, Youre overthinking it again! Her resolve firmed. She sat down, brought out her needle, thread, and a spirit stone for preservation. Piece by piece, she began crafting. When her fingers hesitated over the cloth embroidered with the She pausedthen Stuffed it the tea sachet, completely hidden. Meanwhile Chen Huaian, now dressed and ready, stepped out the door. From her reaction He was already of the truth. But If was realif she was truly a and not just some game NPC Then pressing her any further would be . So, he switched tactics. A classic move Flanking the problem from the side. Why tea sachets and a pillowcase? No deeper reason He just happened to be in the mood for tea lately. And he wanted a new pillowcase. Whats wrong with that? Chen Huaian hopped into a cab, biting down on half a crispy from downstairs. Driver, to Panjiayuan Market. You got it, buddy! Seatbelt on! Chapter 135: Hope for a Cure Chapter 135: Hope for a Cure "Huaian, my brother, let me introduce youthis is your attending physician for the cancer treatment, a , Xiang Xiaoyuan." Inside a seemingly ordinary spice shop in the Panjiayuan Market lay a hidden chamber. Sitting across from Chen Huaian was , who now sported a flashy a recent upgrade from his mechanical ascension. Beside him stood a shy, soft-smiling girl. Chen Huaian glanced behind the folding screen and noticed another woman sitting quietly. She made no move to show herself, and he wasnt interested enough to pry. Instead, he greeted Xiang Xiaoyuan with a polite smile. The girl wasnt a stunner, but her presence felt gentle and serenelike a scene of water flowing under a small stone bridge. She had pale, delicate skin and large, expressive eyes. The moment Chen Huaians smile landed on her, her cheeks flushed a deep pink, and she lowered her gaze to her toes. The Bearded Guy beamed. "Huaian, dont let her shy demeanor fool you! Xiaoyuans a ! Took me a hell of an effort to get her here! Shes saved of people with her ability!" Hearing him pile on the praise, Xiang Xiaoyuan blushed even deeperso much so that she looked like she wanted to bury her face in her ample chest. "That impressive?" Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. He hadnt arrived with much hope, but The Bearded Guys confidence sparked a flicker of anticipation. "Impressive? More like ! Let Xiaoyuan take a lookcome on, dont be shy, hahaha!" The Bearded Guys motives werent entirely selfless. He had recently learned from that Chen Huaian was . If he could get Chen Huaian cured, maybejust the guy would take an interest in joining the . His eagerness doubled at the thought. Chen Huaian and Xiang Xiaoyuan sat facing each other. "So, what should I do?" he asked. Xiang Xiaoyuans voice was soft, barely a whisper: J-Just give me your hand Her lashes quivered as she kept her gaze lowered, voice as delicate as her petite frame. Chen Huaian reached outovershooting completely and extending his arm . Xiang Xiaoyuan: "?!" "Umm could you bring it back a bit? I cant reach like this" He awkwardly reeled his arm back, now curled comically in front of his chest. Xiang Xiaoyuan: "" Was this the legendary powerhouse The Bearded Guy raved about? Why did he feel like a socially-awkward NPC? With a small sigh, she composed herself. J-Just place your hand she repeated, cheeks puffing slightly in exasperation. Oh. Chen Huaian obediently laid his hand in hers. Her palm was small, soft, and warm. A milky-white glow flared from their contact, enveloping his wrist. Xiang Xiaoyuans usual bashfulness vanished. Her brows knit in deep concentration, her face solemn and tense. A moment passed. She released his hand, palm slightly damp with sweat. Her wide eyes stared at him, brimming with disbelief Like she had just encountered something . "You this " The Bearded Guy immediately leaned in. Xiaoyuan! Whats going on? Talk to me! "" Her voice was tight with shock. "Seventy percent of his body is already overrun with cancer cells. Theyre devouring his bodys nutrients every secondby all logic, he shouldnt be alive. Not for " She paused. Becauseby all logic Chen Huaian should have already during her diagnosis. But here he sat. Not only alive But , , and . It was impossible. The law of conservation of energy applied even to cancer cells. They couldnt proliferate endlessly without consuming his life force. Yet was feeding them. Some other had been sustaining these cancer cellskeeping them too busy to become malignant. But The Bearded Guy only cared about : Xiaoyuan, cut to the chase! Can you fix him or not?! Xiang Xiaoyuans gaze flicked to Chen Huaian. Then, she gave a soft, firm nod. Before learning , my ability had time limits But now With breath cultivation supporting me, I can maintain my long enough to wipe out every last cancer cell inside him. Her abilitywas legendary. It could heal wounds, obliterate disease, and even regenerate lost limbs. The Bearded Guy, despite having known her power, had opted for over limb regenerationsimply because he his flashy mechanical arm. But cancer? Seriously?! The Bearded Guy slammed his knee in excitement. Xiang Xiaoyuan blushed again. I Im the only one in the world who can. The Bearded Guy all but jumped for joy. A talent like Chen Huaianwas a victory in itself, bureau recruit or not. Chen Huaians heart pounded with exhilaration. Before today, he had misunderstood everything. He had thought his bizarre symptoms came the cancer Hell, he even jokingly called himself . Back then, hed have losing his cancer What if his powers with it? But now He knew. His abilities had to do with the cancer. The cancer was just . So Xiaoyuan, he said with a grin, Lets get rid of this crap. Xiaoyuan, need anything? The Bearded Guy was practically bouncing. No. Just give us a quiet room. The Demon Slayer Bureaus was a labyrinth far beyond Chen Huaians expectations. He had thought the behind the spice shop was already the final secret But it led to secret door. Behind an . sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The elevator opened into a sprawling subterranean complex A task hall, mission boards, and dozens of private rooms. Since the outpost was newly constructed, most rooms were still awaiting assignments. Xiang Xiaoyuan chose one. Inside Chen Chen Huaian, just lie on the bed. Her voice trembled slightly. The warmth on her cheeks hadnt faded since they entered the room But the moment her hands touched his leg Every trace of nervousness vanished. Her faceresolute. Were starting Soft white light burst from her eyes Delicate veins of glowing patterns spread down her arms and calves, tracing like over her skin. Those were her . The pipelines for her . The invisible she deployed They flooded Chen Huaians body And the began. Within his body The crumbled. Cut down by an onslaught that was swift, relentless To her healing factor The cancer was nothing more than The tide was one-sided. Victory seemed imminent Until. When her power reached his The battlefield . The cancer cells Suddenly. A erupted within his body. Cancer cells near his Not only that They began to . They hid behind normal cancer cells Using them as And when her healing factor arrived The sprang from cover And Xiang Xiaoyuans pupils shrank. Her brow drenched in sweat. This was something Her entire focus was within his body So she Above his heart Suddenly. His flesh With a sickening , his T-shirt shredded. From his chest emerged. A grotesque of writhing flesh Warped into the shape of a . At the limbs center A malformed . And within that palm A single, bloodshot . It snapped open And Stared directly At. Chapter 136: Demonization! Chapter 136: Demonization! Captain Zhao, didnt I say Tianfu District produced a real talent? In the mission hall, sat beside a short-haired woman. They both puffed on cigarettes, eyes on the massive screen displaying countless mission listings. Hes something, alright, the womanexhaled a smoke ring. You mightve missed it, but hes already got in him. No way The Bearded Guy froze mid-puff. I swear, I didnt teach him . I like the kid, sure, but Id never break the bureaus rules. Breath Cultivation was the core techniqueits key to breaking the monopoly of ancient cultivation families. If Chen Huaian the bureau, The Bearded Guy could authorize him for the of the technique on the spot. But if he stayed No chance. Zhao Ying flicked ash. Your understanding of is still shallow. Awakened types come in many formsAbility-types, Beast-bound types, Spirit-bound types, Ghost-bound types, and Ancient Martial types. Not every Awakened needs to store Spiritual Qi. I said he has Qi. But it could be , not something he can regenerate. The Bearded Guy grunted thoughtfully. Chen Huaians had already granted him powerful . If it could produce too Then that Companion Spirit was straight-up . If Xiaoyuan cures his cancer, The Bearded Guy asked, Will his combat rating go up? Zhao Ying gave a half-nod. Depends. His talismans burn who knows what price his sword techniques demand. If his Companion Spirit can , maintaining a cycle of power and recovery He could easily reach , maybe even . But if he cant offset the lifespan cost Hes just a powerful . A shooting starbright, but short-lived. The Bearded Guy cracked a grin. He doesnt like the short-lived type. His Qis got a to it. Just as the words left his mouth A exploded from the treatment room. Zhao Yings expression turned razor-sharp. She shot to her feet CRASH! A wall And from the wreckage, came flying out Her petite frame into the front desk of the mission hall, rolling lifelessly to a stop. The Bearded Guy bolted to check her pulse. And at the broken wall A emergedlocked in brutal combat with a Wielded by Zhao Ying. The monstrous claw moved with , exchanging fierce blows. Zhao Yings eyes narrowed She saw her opening. Her blade flashed She drew into a stance ZZZT!! The air as her flashed SHLINK! The . But The stump stitching it back together . And the It didnt fall. It . Into a And Zhao Yings blade again The wolf was a burst of charred flesh and black blood. Yether gaze stayed fixed on the source. The still extending Connected To Zhao Yings eyes flashed with grim understanding This isnt just cancer. Its She had seen it before. When diseasestwisted by became . But usuallythose victims They Their bodies hijacked Their humanity And the bureaus response was always Exterminate. But Chen Huaian He wasnt . The creature hadnt him It was This This was the . If this things willing to hide Zhao Ying thought, then it was . Feeding. Growing. Biding its time Until He died And it Zhao Yings eyes turned cold. Ill Her palm electric arcs snapping along her Tang Dao The blade The , an avalanche of raw flesh and death Zhao Ying Didnt flinch. SSSHNK!! Her was . of lightning wove a And the claw EXPLODED Into a of and . The air reeked A foul stench of . Zhao Ying stood firm Tang Dao Eyes sharp But then FWOOSH!!! A She Too A like a into her abdomen. Her body Then through the opposite wall. Zhao Ying coughed blood, one hand stabbing the floor to stay upright Her vision She saw it The A black, writhing Snapped backinto The The smoke cleared And what she saw A No A and It the room Walls and forced outward by its . Its body A of Its But The grace of an Twisted into something . Its like Its And At its Cradled in its Unconscious. Zhao Yings knuckles Worse The Had reached Commander Rank. Her heart That Was a gap she The Dragons eyes Settled on In those eyes Its mouth Split Wide Revealing of And from that maw A A Of of A dares defy ? Had you struck You might have But now I have With of this vessels I have On his On his On his I am The Dragons voice A of Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now Perish. The A Ripped from the structure And Straight At Zhao Ying. She Could The Dragon Chapter 137: Get Out of That Kid! Chapter 137: Get Out of That Kid! Boom! At the critical moment, the bearded man shielded Zhao Ying. His mechanical arm deployed an energy shield to block the collapsing wall. Yet, the impact still sent him reeling, stars dancing in his vision as blood spurted from his mouth and nose. "Captain Zhao, take Xiaoyuan and leave! I''ll hold it off!" "Are you kidding me?" Zhao Yings brows knitted tightly, her voice cold and firm. "That cancer fiend absorbed dragon energy from somewhere and has reached the level. How are you going to hold it off?" "I''m , youre . You and Xiaoyuan staying alive is more important than me!" The bearded man shoved Zhao Ying toward the hall without looking back, roaring, "Go! Now!" Zhao Ying gritted her teeth. Leaving a teammate behind wasnt her style, but she had to admithe was right. If she stayed, both she and Xiaoyuan would die. Xiaoyuan was crucial to the Demon-Slaying Bureau. Even if she and the bearded man perished here, Xiaoyuan to survive. She had no choice. Zhao Ying cast a deep, hard look at the figure facing down the demonic dragon. Then, without hesitation, she bent down, hoisting the unconscious Xiaoyuan onto her shoulder and limped toward the emergency exit. The bearded man gripped a massive cleaver, his eyes locked on the creature crawling out from the ruins, its monstrous bulk crushing the walls as if they were paper. This underground stronghold was fortified with cutting-edge tech from the Demon-Slaying Bureau headquarterswalls thickened and reinforced to withstand direct RPG blasts. But to the demonic dragon, the walls crumbled like toys, crushed effortlessly. The bearded mans roar of defiance met only disdain. With a casual swipe of its claw, the dragon whipped up a violent gust, forcing his eyes shut against the stinging wind. Boom! Despite his swift dodge, he was still sent flying by the massive claw, crashing hard into the rubble. Heh The demonic dragon curled its lips in mockery, withdrawing its gaze from his broken, bloody figure. Then it opened its maw and let out an eerie, bone-chilling howl. Its entire body convulsed as more flesh and sinew surged, its form swelling larger. From every inch of its body, countless tentacles erupted, piercing through the ceiling above, ripping open a path to the surface. "More I need energy!" But even after breaking through to the open air, it felt disappointed. The spiritual energy here was pitifully thina barren wasteland compared to the rich energy it had tasted in that old rental apartment. Still, if there was no energy would do. By the time Zhao Ying emerged with Xiaoyuan, she had already ordered the market evacuated. The monstrous commotion had long driven vendors and customers into a panicked exodus. But the dragon was undiscriminatingit began with the butcher shops. Store after store was devoured, and its body swelled, soon stretching over a hundred meters. "Not enough " Its crimson eyes swept around, claws tearing through the market stalls. It craved preydead flesh was unsatisfying. Suddenly, it caught the scent. It spun abruptly and crashed through a storefront wall. With another swipe, the ceiling was gone, exposing those cowering beneath. Dont dont look Dont look! Under the table, a trembling mother held her two children close, pressing their faces into her chest. Her voice shook, teeth chattering in fear as the monstrous head lowered, jaws yawning wide. " Keh keh keh" Just as it lunged Pain. A searing agony exploded in its neck. It twisted, an eye bulging from its writhing flesh to locate the source A blood-soaked man clung to its neck, hacking with all his might. "GET OUT! Get out of that kids body! AAAAHHH!" The bearded man coughed blood, his eyes blazing with killing intent and fury. His mechanical arm, gripping the cleaver, tore into the regenerating flesh with relentless, frenzied strikes. One slash. Another. And another Muscles ripped, his blade dulled and chipped. Sparks flashed from his mechanical arms joints, arcs of electricity searing his nerves with agony. Yet, he felt nothing. He had promised Such a bright young man. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If Chen Huaian lived, he would save countless lives. He would lead the Demon-Slaying Bureau to shatter the aristocratic clans monopoly And eradicate every last demonic scourge. "" Suddenly, he felt it. A cold gaze. The monsters eye. The bearded mans body trembled from the primal chillyet he , his mouth bloody, teeth bared in a feral sneer. F*** you! His shredded vocal cords spat the curse, blood bubbling with every word. Thenhe reached behind and pulled out a high-explosive grenade. With a click, the pin came free And he rammed it, deepinto the gash his blade had carved. His mechanical arm shoved it furtherdeeperhalf his body following it inside the wound. BOOM! The blast painted the market in a storm of gore. Flesh rained down. The dragon howled in agony, its monstrous wail splitting the air. The bearded man was flung away like a broken doll, hitting the ground with a lifeless thud. That close-range detonation could obliterate anything But a fiend? ...Cough, cough The bearded mans vision blurred as he stared up at the sky. His ears rang, everything distant, hollow. Blood seeped from his lips as he triedtried to stand. But his handswerent there. Blown to oblivion. With only his hips, he incheddraggedtoward the sound of squelching flesh. The dragon Behind him Its neck, reduced to half a stump, was already . The wound, carved by blade and bomb alike, sealed by fresh, pulsing flesh. Too slow for the dragons taste. But just for the mother and her children to escape. Too slow Yet For him to turn around. The dragon, roaring in a fury beyond hunger, lunged. This time It wasnt for food. It was for vengeance. BOOM! A thunderous impact Blood burstbones shattered A lone screw, flicked from the carnage, clattered, rollinginto a distant pool of crimson. The dragon lifted its claw, surveying the bite wounds on its palm Barely a second passed, and they vanishedhealed as if never there. It turned The carnage behind it forgotten The world beyondwaiting. There was out there. It could them. At the entrance of Panjiayuan Market The armored blockade stood, soldiers bristling with weapons. Sirens flashed, casting warning lights over tank plating. Above, from the open hatch of a helicopter, Zhao Ying lowered her phone, her face steeled as she stared down at the colossal beast prowling the market entrance. Residents, from their windows and balconies, recorded The sudden emergence of a fiend A threat no longer in the shadows A terror the world The truthcould not be hidden now. But that was the lesser nightmare. The greater problem No slayers were available. The highest combat force on-site Do we have to rely on the aristocratic clans for backup? Zhao Yings fists clenched, her lips trembling. She knew what the clans would demand. The The lifeblood of the Demon-Slaying Bureau. A treasure bought with The to slaying demons And the last chipagainst aristocratic tyranny. If she handed it over The Demon-Slaying Bureau would become No more than a leashed By the very clans that once the monsters. Chapter 138: Off-Field Support and Life-Bound Artifact Chapter 138: Off-Field Support and Life-Bound Artifact Mucous membranes, tumors, writhing blood vessels, and twisted lumps of flesh... This was the deepest part of Chen Huaians soul. The twisted crimson formed a terrifying depiction of Abh Hell. Yet, amidst the blood and filth, there was a patch of pure land. A majestic, pitch-black spiritual coffin stood there, glossy like ink, with a five-clawed golden dragon carved on its surface. The dragon radiated a dazzling aura of dragon qi, instantly burning any writhing flesh that dared approach into ashes. But strangely, some of the flesh remained connected to the coffin, as if all the sprawling meat and blood were extensions from it. Chen Huaian lay inside the coffin, utterly baffled. Chains of countless locks shackled his body. The occasional slick, squelching sound of the flesh echoed by his ears. Uh from a psychological and psychiatric perspective, my consciousness must be trapped. In plain terms, Im self-isolating. In internet slang... I guess this is what they call ''yy syndrome''! And to break free from this self-imposed prison, I need to awaken myself and shatter this nightmare. Chen Huaian found it ridiculous. He had always been an optimistic person. By all logic, this situation shouldnt be happening. All he did today was treat his cancer. Yet somehow, he ended up in this mess Wearing a dragon robe, locked in this pitch-black box. Wait... Was his ultimate dream actually to be an emperor or something? Trying to figure out how to escape, Chen Huaian recalled an article he once read. A psychologist had said: The first thing that popped into his head Was his game. Specifically, the image of Li Qingran, with her soft, smiling eyes. And at that moment The darkness before his eyes suddenly lit up. A game interface appeared. Chen Huaian blinked, confused. Wait, what? This actually worked?! But he quickly realized This must be a hallucination from his subconscious. No way the game could truly manifest here. The scene unfolded. Li Qingran sat at a table, sewing with a needle and thread. Beside her was a stack of fabric. She paused to stretch lazily, then continued her work. A small box on the table already held several finished tea sachets, exactly the kind he had asked her to make. The detail was uncanny Almost too perfect for a mere illusion. Suddenly, a system prompt popped up: The player is currently in an abnormal state. Would you like to spend 6 yuan to receive off-field support from your virtual girlfriend, Li Qingran? Yes (Receive Li Qingrans help to suppress the Cancerized Demonic Dragon) No (Be devoured by the Cancerized Demonic Dragon, losing all Dragon Qi) Chen Huaian paused. What the hell was a ? And what exactly was ? But now wasnt the time for questions Just click YES! Since he had leftover in-game funds, the system automatically deducted the 6 yuan. Selection successful. Please wait... A progress bar appeared in the top-right corner. Then, in the scene, Li Qingran Who had been quietly sewing Suddenly lifted her head. Her peach-blossom eyes sharpened, filling with concern and determination. It was as if she could see him beyond the screen. ... Qingran, your master needs your help. Inside her cozy room, Li Qingran heard a familiar voice. "Master?! Whats wrong?!" She immediately stood and bowed toward the void. Please, tell me what I should do! Though you are only at the mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, I need you to forge your Life-Bound Artifact immediately. Only then can you aid me. Li Qingrans eyes flashed with resolve. Disciple obeys! She didnt ask why. Her master needed herthat was all that mattered. A Life-Bound Artifact It was something cultivators typically forged only after reaching the Golden Core Stage. Not everyone could even succeed. To create a Life-Bound Artifact was to craft a treasure bound to ones soul, evolving alongside their cultivation and growing stronger with them. A cultivator only had chance in their lifetime to forge it. Failure meant they could never try again. And the lowest known threshold for forging one was the Golden Core Stage. No one had ever succeeded before reaching that realm. Li Qingran knew all this. But she didnt care. If her master needed her to do it She . Conveniently, the materials required for the forging had already appeared on the table Clearly, a gift from her master. Though you are only in the Foundation Establishment Stage, you possess a Supreme-Grade Dantian and a Pure Water Spiritual Rootpeerless talents. Others at your level cannot forge a Life-Bound Artifact... but can. Use these materials well. Li Qingran examined the treasures before her Her heart trembled. Any one of these materials could spark a bloody war in the cultivation world. But there was no time to hesitate. Li Qingran immediately swallowed the Celestial-grade Tranquility Elixir, carefully poured the Supreme-Grade Spirit Essence onto the Snow Lotus Platform, then sat cross-legged to meditate and begin the forging process. ... Your virtual girlfriend is currently forging her Life-Bound Artifact! Progress: 50%... Chen Huaian glanced at his subconscious wallet. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another million gone for the top-tier materials. Didnt matter. In a realm built by his subconscious, he had no budget. If it took ten million, hed still pick the for her. After all, in his mind Li Qingran deserved nothing less. He wondered Since he was a sword cultivator, and Li Qingran studied in the Sword Pavilion Her Life-Bound Artifact would probably be a sword... right? Time passed. The progress bar reached 80%. A soft aura gradually emerged around Li Qingran. The luminous aura condensed toward the Snow Lotus Platform. The Supreme-Grade Spirit Essence responded Malleable as clay, it began shifting, twisting, and molding into form. ... A Life-Bound Artifact Forged from the subconscious, it always embodied what the cultivator treasured most. Li Qingrans brows furrowed in concentration. Images flashed through her mind Swords, spears, staffs, cauldrons, shields But none of them felt . Suddenly A bizarre image flitted through her thoughts: A simple, square, pitch-black object. It looked like... a . Plain, sturdy. With an odd inscription in simplified ChineseDian Guan Bao. This is important. Guard it well... Her masters voice echoed through her subconscious. But back then, she hadnt received this so-called . Now Her heart was clear. This what she cherished most Because it was what her master had told her to protect. And the only way to truly it Was to forge it into her Life-Bound Artifact. The Spirit Essence on the Snow Lotus Platform began reshaping rapidly The blurry form solidified. Finally The forging completed. Chen Huaian stared, utterly dumbfounded At what Li Qingran was now holding. The : She succeeded. The : The result was... questionable. Zooming in on the object He could clearly see a familiar, commercial logo embossed on its surface Dian Guan Bao (Power Bank). Wait... Sister, what the ...?! Thats Thats the he bought online!! Chapter 139: Roaming the Void Chapter 139: Roaming the Void "I must be seriously sick..." Chen Huaian sighed and shook his head. Sure, everything in his subconscious was just his imagination But imagining Li Qingrans Life-Bound Artifact as a ? That was straight-up insane. What use was a power bank anyway? Wait... actually, as a lightning cultivator, could use it to recharge himself... But Li Qingran wasnt a lightning cultivatorshe had a water spiritual root. Water... conducts electricity? Hah, what a duo. A match made in heaven. The only comforting thought was that this was all just a dream. Now, he was curious How would his subconscious Li Qingran help him break free? The progress bar hit 90%. "So... this is ?" Li Qingran, who had just achieved the impossible Forging a Life-Bound Artifact at the Foundation Establishment Stage Didnt look the least bit happy. Her only concern was how to use this artifact to help her master. A Life-Bound Artifact shared the owners soul and heart. So, even if she didnt fully understand what a "power bank" was She could grasp its abilities instinctively. Four abilities surfaced in her mind: Spiritual Source, Recharge, Roaming the Void, Endless Metamorphosis. Spiritual Source: The core function The power bank could serve as an endless fountain of spiritual qi, directly connected to her dantian. Unlike a Spirit Gathering Formation, it provided instantly usable qi. In battle, even if she ran out of spiritual power The power bank could keep her going. Recharge: The secondary function When not in use, the power bank could be "charged" by channeling her qi into it during cultivation. Sure, it slowed her cultivation speed But it was a worthy trade-off. Shed simply add two more hours of cultivation a day to keep it fully charged. Roaming the Void: The artifacts divine ability Its nature was shrouded in mystery Even to her as the artifacts master. The ability seemed... linked to . It required a full gauge of Heart Resonance to activate Allowing her to descend into her masters subspace projection. Currently, her Heart Resonance was at 100fully charged. But how to replenish it? That part was fuzzy It depended on the bond between her and her master. And the key to that Lay in his hands. What should she do next? She didnt hesitate Just ! Lifting her power bank, she gazed into the void "Master, Ive successfully forged my artifact. Should I use the ability ?" Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A voice resonated from beyond Yes. With this ability, you can manifest in my subspace. The Cancerized Demonic Dragon has trapped mecome and help suppress it. Do not fear. While youre in the void, youll be protected by the artifacts divine law. The dragon cannot harm you. Li Qingrans eyes flashed with determination. "Im not afraid, Master!" The power bank floated to her chest She swiftly formed seals with her hands. Her divine sense plunged into the artifact Activating! An enigmatic radiance enveloped her The laws of the Dao surged around her form. In the next instant Her body turned semi-transparent A spectral avatar, wreathed in destructive Dao runes. If a Nascent Soul powerhouse like Su Qinian or Liu Yuanqing had witnessed this They would have been terrified out of their minds. For those runes embodied the . They formed an unbreakable shield An aura so lethal That if anyone dared touch her The heavens themselves would strike them down with divine lightning. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldnt survive a single bolt. Chen Huaians progress bar hit 100%. Your Virtual Girlfriend, Li Qingran, has arrived! At the games announcement A sudden disturbance erupted outside the coffin. Wait. He wanted so badly to kick open the coffin lid and see for himself. But this was still his subconscious... Man, his imagination deserved an award. Outside the dragon-engraved coffin In the blood-drenched, pulsing darkness A blinding cleaved through the void. A crack opened And from it emerged Li Qingran, gripping her Su Xian Sword. Her eyes scanned the scene In an instant, she locked onto the coffin. Inside Her delicate face twisted with icy rage. "You wretched beasthow dare you seal my master in a coffin?!" Anger drained the color from her cheeks Her brow creased, her lips tight But beneath the fury was pain. Her master Trapped here In this foul, vile abyss. How long had he suffered alone? How much agony had he endured? Her chest burned. Her sword hummed in her hand. Her spiritual sense unfurled Honing in on the concealed demonic aura. This subspace was chaotic Everything was twisted and warped. She couldnt gauge the beasts power But a primal instinct told her It had to be the divine law from . "" With a single stomp on the void Li Qingran forward A comet blazing toward the churning, bloody mass. The grotesque horror The writhing abomination A sight that would make lesser cultivators collapse in terror Didnt even make her blink. Her eyes burned with one thing To her master To her master Kill. Crush. Meanwhile Tianfu District C A Certain Street The colossal, rampaging suddenly... . Its burning, blood-red eyes Flashed with something alien The battlefield fell silent The Demon Slayers who had been locked in desperate combat Stared, stunned. The towering beast, which had been slaughtering them without mercy Just... . "What... whats going on?!" "Dont waste this chance" From the helicopter above Commander Zhao Ying barked into his radio "Hit it with everything youve got! Its regeneration is strong, but its not invincible! Take it down while its vulnerable!" His voice was steady But he exhaled deeply, shoulders relaxing slightly. Five elite-grade Demon Slayers were already down Severely wounded. The evacuation barely kept ahead of the destruction. If the rest of his team fell He wouldve had to resort to... Whatever caused the dragon to freeze He didnt care. But they would seize this window And it. "One more thing" Zhao Ying added, voice clipped "If you see a near the dragons core Do NOT engage him unless necessary. Prioritize !" But the Cancerized Demonic Dragon It wasnt hesitation. It wasnt fear. It was because An had breached its very . A girl. Wielding a sword. And the aura around her Was . The beast had no time to counter No time to evade It was already too late. In the heart of the void Li Qingrans eyes Blazed with primal, lethal resolve. Her sword Tore through the slashing tendrils And in a blink She was . Face-to-face with the beast. Her master had never shown her the of the Green Lotus Sword Manual But he had given her the to study on her own. She had him to teach her Not because she didnt want to learn But because... She wanted him to teach her To share those moments To be with him But silence Didnt mean ignorance. She had learned. Understood. Mastered. And now She would . Her Su Xian Sword Sang from its scabbard. A clear, pure note Sharp enough to split heaven and earth. Her voice rang with a battle hymn Clear, steady, unstoppable: Her blade A dragon ascending from the deep A beam of searing A single stroke Swift as lightning Not just the beast The writhing ocean of blood and flesh. The attack Was too . Too . The beasts senses to comprehend it. A world reborn in swordlight The void, . The beast A shattered echo. But Li Qingran Was no longer looking at it. Her blade returned to its sheath The battle Already . Her eyes Red with unshed tears. Her lips trembled Her hand Touched the cold surface Of a black coffin. Her voice broke A choked whisper: "Master... Im here." Her fingers curled on the coffin lid Her body shivered And the tears Finally "But... why" Her voice cracked into a sob "Why are you... already in the coffin... QAQ..." Chapter 140: Rising from the Coffin Chapter 140: Rising from the Coffin Tianfu District, a certain street. Ever since the demonic dragon stopped moving, several battle-hardened Demon Slayers had been taking turns attacking it, trying to assist Chen Huaian. They coordinated with tank artillery, bombarding the creatures waist and tail in hopes of freeing him. However, the dragons flesh rapidly regenerated, and every shattered piece of its body transformed into demonic wolves and black-furred rat demons. If they didnt control their attack frequency, the number of smaller demons would only increase. But if they slowed down their assault, they couldnt completely tear the dragon apart. Even if the monster just stood there and let them attack, they still wouldnt be able to kill it. Captain Zhao, Old Wang and the others are out of energy. We cant keep this up. Zhao Yings expression was grim as she listened to the transmission. She responded coldly, If theres no other choice, cut off the dragons head and take it along with Chen Huaian for containment! Taking the dragons head was still a risk. Who knew if it could regrow its body? But one thing was certainthe dragons regeneration must be consuming some form of energy. The real question was: where was Chen Huaian storing so much energy to fuel this terrifying regeneration? It was on par with the ancient progenitors of the Balkan blood clans. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At least those vampires still feared sunlight after their revival. But this demonic dragon? It seemed completely unstoppable. For now, their only option was to keep exhausting its energy and see what happened Understood, Captain Zhao! Well do our best! After clearing out the smaller demons with heavy weaponry, the Demon Slayers charged toward the dragon again. Then A sudden change erupted! A streak of sword light shot in from the west, piercing straight through the demonic dragon. Trailing behind the flying sword was a phantom of a young woman. She seemed oblivious to everyone around her. With a flick of her wrist, her sword danced like a flurry of petals, leaving streaks of sword light in the air. In the blink of an eye, she shredded the dragons body into pieces, leaving behind only its head. This This is A Sword Immortal! A female Sword Immortal! The onlookers gasped in shock. Zhao Yings pupils shrank as she leaned out of the tank hatch for a clearer look. As one of the core members of the Demon Slayer Bureau, she had some knowledge of Kunlun Immortal Palaceone of the Bureaus greatest secrets. At the base of Kunlun Immortal Palace, there was a staircase with ten thousand steps. The Bureaus strongest General-ranked expert had only managed to ascend to the 108th step. And upon that step, an ancient engraving depicted a breathtaking scenea grand exodus of Sword Immortals emerging from the mountains, soaring through the sky on their swords, an awe-inspiring and majestic sight. The phantom of this female Sword Immortal looked almost identical to the sword cultivators in that engraving. Who was she? And what was her connection to Chen Huaian? Zhao Yings mind was in chaos. The woman was stunningly beautiful, her figure graceful, her expression serene. Everything about her felt real, as if this wasnt just some summoned entity but the lingering will of a true Sword Immortal. At that moment, she stood before the dragons severed head. She made no further move to attack. Instead, she gently placed her hand on Chen Huaians face. The Demon Slayers around her held their breath, but joy shone in their eyesbecause the dragons regeneration had stopped. The shredded flesh no longer morphed into smaller demons. The demonic dragon Had it been suppressed by her? Deep within the soul. Li Qingran clung to the dragon-carved coffin, sobbing uncontrollably, smearing tears and snot all over the wooden surface. She blamed herself for arriving too late, for allowing her master to be sealed inside a coffin. "Im not dead yet. Why are you crying?" A muffled voice suddenly came from within the coffin. Li Qingran froze. She sniffled, accidentally blowing out a snot bubble, then hastily wiped her face. Grabbing onto the coffins edge, she shouted, Master, your disciple will open this coffin for you right away! Chen Huaian: Hey now, the way she said that Did she think he was some ancient zombie waking from its tomb? Li Qingran gritted her teeth, using every ounce of her strength to pry the coffin open, but it wouldnt budge. She even climbed onto the side, trying to kick it openstill no luck. Sensing the commotion outside, Chen Huaian suggested, Uh maybe try cutting it open with your sword? What Li Qingran heard instead was: She did as instructed. The moment her sword cut through the restraints, Chen Huaian felt his body lighten. Seeing his disciples desperation He kicked the coffin lid open and rose. The coffin lid flew through the air. So did Chen Huaian. From the severed flesh, more demonic dragon heads emerged, lunging toward Li Qingran with relentless ferocity. This time, Chen Huaian had an image to uphold. He was free now. And in this subconscious realmhe was the true emperor. BEGONE! With a single word, the dragons trembled violently and retreated. Throughout the entire subconscious space, the chunks of flesh and rotting meat recoiled, withdrawing into the surrounding darkness. They didnt disappear completely. Like venomous snakes hiding in the shadows, they lay in wait for the perfect moment to strike again. Chen Huaian slowly descended from the sky. He began adjusting his appearance. Hmm. He was still dressed in a dragon robe, and his spiritual energy was in peak condition. Well, this was his subconscious world, after all. Here, whatever he willed became reality. Chen Huaian landed gracefully in front of Li Qingran, his Blackscale Sword at his waist, his chin slightly raised, eyes narrowed like a blade. To complete the look, he even added a subtle black dragon aura swirling around his robes, mist curling around him like divine clouds. He could see it in Li Qingrans eyesjoy, guilt, and growing concern. Wait. Why was she looking at him with ? Master Master, Li Qingran spoke first. She wiped the corner of her eyes, holding back her tears as she hesitantly said, Master your hair is gone. Her voice trembled with sorrow. It must have been those vile demons! They trapped you in that coffin and even shaved your head to humiliate you Wu~ QAQ Its all my fault! If only I were stronger! If only I had finished refining the Hundred Herbs Detox Pill sooner Chen Huaians face turned pale. He instinctively reached for his head. Only to grasp Nothing. He forgot to give himself hair! Was his entire image ruined in her eyes?! No, no, waitthis was his subconscious! This was just a dream! Nothing to panic over. Stay calm. Stay composed. But in that brief moment of fluster, Li Qingran had already caught his reaction. She stifled a giggle, her hands clasped in front of her as she tilted her head slightly. With a pout, she murmured, Master, dont worry Even without hair, youre still the most handsome master in the worldespecially in my heart. Chen Huaian was pleased. You arrived just in time. What reward do you want? Reward Li Qingran hesitated, her face blushing as her eyes darted nervously. Chen Huaian waved a hand. Say whatevers on your mind! Li Qingran mustered up her courage, still avoiding his gaze. After a long pause, she finally whispered: Master Can I have a hug? Chapter 141: General-Class Containment—Chen Huai’an Chapter 141: General-Class ContainmentChen Huaian Li Qingrans hands were soft and warm, like holding a tiny, fluffy kittens paw. Chen Huaian savored the lingering sensation, staring at the spot where she had vanished. The hug never happened. The moment he grabbed her hand, a rift in space appeared behind her. In the blink of an eye, she was sucked away The alarm had rung, stopping everything at the last second. "If Li Qingran is real, then her hand must feel just like that." Chen Huaian flexed his right hand, feeling an itch in his heart. What a pity it was just a dream, just his subconscious. Otherwise, hed definitely savor the feeling for a few days before washing his hand. The world of flesh and blood was crumbling. His subconscious was transitioning back to wakefulness. Chen Huaian knew he was about to wake up. Captain Zhao, the female Sword Immortal has disappeared! The demonic dragon is gone too! Chen Huaian is still unconscious, but his condition seems stable. Should we approach? Observe first. Zhao Ying lowered her communicator, her nerves on edge. From what she had seen, the Sword Immortal had slain the demonic dragonbut there was a chance it was only suppressed. Their next course of action depended entirely on Chen Huaians state when he woke up. Also, Captain Zhao, I regret to report that the rescue team only found Director Luos body in the marketplace. It has already been transferred to the forensic department. I see. Zhao Ying clenched her fists, grief flickering in her eyes. So, in the end, that man still died. He had promised to repay the life she had saved. But even lasting this long against a General-class demonic dragon was already beyond his limit. Once everything here was settled, she would visit the funeral home to see him one last time. Under countless watchful eyes, Chen Huaian trembled and slowly woke up. A dim sky, shattered streets, piles of flesh and blood, a crowd of onlookers, flashing police lights, and countless police carshe could even see tanks and missile trucks in the distance. Chen Huaian was dumbfounded. Wasnt he underground receiving treatment? Was this a film set or something? And what was with all these people holding weapons, looking at him like he was some kind of threat? He wasnt ! Chen Huaian, can you understand me? A middle-aged man with a bare chest and fists burning with fire waved at him. Chen Huaian pointed at himself. Uh whats my role in this scene? Whats my line? Am I supposed to understand whats happening? Fire Fist furrowed his brows, momentarily speechless. This kid did he seriously have no idea what just happened? Just answer thisare you Chen Huaian? Yep, one hundred percent genuine. Give me proof of your identity. Chen Huaian thought for a second before blurting out, Im wearing blue boxer briefs with a banana print today. Fire Fist: ??? The Demon Slayer Bureau members: Fire Fist grabbed his communicator, his expression serious. Captain Zhao, I think Chen Huaians mental state is unstable. I recommend activating the forced containment protocol. Zhao Ying: Pass the communicator to Chen Huaian. Ill speak with him. Fire Fist cautiously stepped forward and even more cautiously tossed the communicator to Chen Huaian, as if handling an explosive device. Chen Huaian caught it. A cold female voice came through. [Chen Huaian, I am Zhao Ying, execution officer of the C Province Demon Slayer Bureau. Luoalso known as Bearded Guyand Xiang Xiaoyuan were my subordinates.] Chen Huaian: Ah, Ive heard a lot about you. [Listen, I need to inform you of some things. Prepare yourself.] Zhao Ying began explaining How his cancerous cells had mutated into a demonic entity. How Xiang Xiaoyuan was thrown aside. How the cancer turned into a monstrous dragon. How Bearded Guy died fighting it. How the dragon rampaged through the streets, seeking blood and destruction. How the Bureaus reinforcements arrived. How the female Sword Immortals phantom finally took it down. Every detail, nothing omitted. At first, Chen Huaian remained calm. But as the explanation continued, his face grew paler and paler. He looked at the destroyed streets around him, at the Demon Slayers and guards watching him with wary eyes. His voice trembled. I did all this? [Yes.] II hurt Xiang Xiaoyuan and killed Bearded Guy? [Not exactly. It was the out-of-control demonic cancer cells inside you that did it. This isnt your fault.] Zhao Ying watched as Chen Huaian squatted down, clutching his head in confusion and disbelief. She let out a small breath of relief. His reactionhis expressions, his body languageeverything fit the profile of a young university student suddenly thrust into an unimaginable situation. Well if she ignored the blue banana-print underwear comment. It was time to announce the containment plan. [Because you still have the potential to relapse into a demonic state, you are classified as an unstable factor. You will be temporarily contained by the Demon Slayer Bureau. We will conduct thorough examinations and evaluations. Your containment will last until we are certain the threat you pose has been neutralized.] Zhao Ying took a deep breath and stared at the young man at the center of the scene. In truth, they werent qualified to contain someone of General-class level. At least two General-class Demon Slayers would be needed for a successful capture. But in this case, Chen Huaian retained his self-awareness. That made voluntary containment a possibility. Now, she just needed his response. Will I be locked in a prison? Chen Huaian stared at the blood-soaked ground, where his reflection looked back at him, pale and shaken. [Not a prison. Its a relatively free space. To help you adjust, you can bring anything you want from your rental apartment. If necessary, we can even replicate your living environment.] No need. Ill just take my cat, a potted plant, and a fish. Chen Huaian let out a bitter laugh. Demonic cancer? He never couldve imagined such an absurd development in his life. No wonder his subconscious had been filled with such bizarre visions. And the Sword Immortal girl Zhao Ying mentioned Li Qingran must have really come to help him. That explained why he could touch her. If they were both in soul form, then of course he could feel her warmth. This basically confirmed itLi Qingran was real. His companion spirit, the one linked to the game, was connected to a real-world cultivation realm, Cangyun Realm. He should have been excited. But he couldnt bring himself to smile. Hurting Xiang Xiaoyuan was already bad enough. But knowing Bearded Guy had died because of him He never wanted to be some world-saving hero. He had little attachment to this world. But that didnt mean he wanted to become a butcher, his hands soaked in innocent blood. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Especially not the blood of someone who had genuinely cared about him. Hearing Chen Huaian agree to containment, Zhao Ying finally relaxed. Detaining a General-class individual was possible. The challenge was convincing them to comply. Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she frowned. The funeral home? She answered, puzzled. A trembling voice came through the receiver: Captain Zhao, you need to send someone over right now Director Luohehes The voice cracked. He came back to life! For real! Hes moving! Chapter 142: Chen Huai’an, You Are Important! Chapter 142: Chen Huaian, You Are Important! So youre telling me this is Old Luo? Despite triple-checking, Zhao Ying still couldnt believe what she was seeinga lump of bloody, mashed-flesh floating in a glass tank. Captain Zhao, Id never lie to you! The pale, visibly shaken subordinate next to her patted his chest, swearing his honesty. When Director Luo was brought in, he was nothing more than a flattened meat pancake. Standard procedure is to perform an autopsy before cremation, but the moment the scalpel touched him, the pancake suddenly screamed AOOO! Scared the forensic girl so bad she peed herself. Zhao Ying twitched her nose. No wonder there was a faint stench in the air. Someone had actually wet themselves. Not surprising, though. That pile of mangled flesh was already nightmare fuel. A forensic examinerwho wasnt even a Demon Slayer, just an ordinary womanwitnessing it suddenly scream? A total mental breakdown was inevitable. But now, Luo was no longer just a pile of mush. The mass of flesh had started forming limbsthings resembling hands and knees were beginning to take shape. We discovered that Director Luo seems to be undergoing reconstruction, the subordinate quickly explained after noticing Zhao Yings confusion. Exactly! A toothless mouth suddenly opened within the meat lump and spoke in a muffled voice. Im rebuilding myself! Stop stabbing me with scalpels, damn it! You think that doesnt hurt?! AHHH! A GHOST!! THUD The moment the meat lump opened its eyes, one of the Demon Slayers shrieked and fainted, smacking into the glass door. Bearded GuyLuorolled his newly formed eyes and clicked his tongue. Captain Zhao, your people need serious training. Their mental fortitude is lacking. Zhao Yings lips twitched, but a faint smile appeared in her eyes. If it were me when I first started, I wouldve emptied an entire magazine into you. Thats pretty violent. Thanks for the compliment. And welcome back, Old Luo. Still remember what my ability is? Of course. Cellular Assimilation. In a secluded room within the funeral home, Zhao Ying and the partially reformed Luo sat across from each other. She handed him a cigarette, lit one for herself, took a deep drag, and relaxed into the sofa, crossing her legs. I remember you could never find a suitable target to assimilate. So you absorbed the demonic dragon? Correct. Luo wiggled his cigarette at her. Thanks for the trouble, Captain Zhao. She flicked open a lighter and lit his cigarette. Luo took a deep inhale, exhaling smoke from countless pores across his barely-formed body. When that dragon crushed me, I didnt just sit there waiting to die. I bit off a chunk of its flesh and activated my Cellular Assimilation ability. Honestly, I didnt expect much but as you can see, I survived. Any side effects? Of course. Every organ in my body is now composed of mutated cancer cells, just like that dragon. The only difference is that I dont have its dragon aura. And to keep my body functioning, I need an absurd amount of food to generate energy. The energy consumption of these cancer cells is insane. If I ever run out of energy and all the cancer cells starve to death, Ill die for good. Zhao Ying stared at his significantly smaller body. Then how are you sustaining yourself now? Self-cannibalization. Luo lifted his shirt, revealing a second mouth on his stomach, actively gnawing on his still-forming torso. F***! You shouldve said that sooner! I was worried youd pull out your gun and empty a magazine into me. Zhao Ying was speechless. She quickly contacted her team to deliver 200 pounds of pork for Luos recovery. Hows that brat Chen Huaian doing? Luos tone was anxious, his bloodshot eyes fixated on Zhao Ying. You didnt kill him, did you? Nope. We couldnt even beat that dragon. Zhao Ying rolled her eyes. So now A female Sword Immortal appeared and suppressed him. Hes currently in containment and undergoing medical evaluation. Oh, good. Good, good, hahahaha. Luo sighed in relief, rubbing his newly grown hands together. That kids got potential. Sure, hes got some instability, but if theres a way to avoid killing him, Id rather not. Hes definitely not a bad person But wait! Whats this about a Sword Immortal? I dont know either. Maybe its part of his abilities? Zhao Ying massaged her temples, then shifted the conversation. What are your plans? Are you staying as the Director of the Tianfu Demon Slayer Bureau? Be honest, if you dont go back, that kid will probably join us out of guilt. Do you want to disappear for a while? I can request a transfer for you. It was a tempting offer. Luo hesitated for a long time. But in the end, he shook his head. Maybe youre right, but he deserves to know the truth. More than anyone, I understand how torturous it is to live with guilt and regret. Zhao Ying saw the darkness flicker in Luos eyes. She knew he was thinking about his shattered past. She stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. So, Ill go back as Director, Luo finally said, flicking his cigarette butt into the ashtray with a smile. Even if Chen Huaian doesnt join the Demon Slayer Bureau, he can still be an ally. No need to pressure him into anything. Alright. Well go with your plan. Mr. Chen Huaian, unfortunately, the cancerous cells inside your body havent disappeared. However, they seem to have entered a dormant state. Dressed in a hospital gown, Chen Huaian stood in a metal containment chamber. A voice came through the intercom from the Demon Slayer Bureaus medical staff. A small, reinforced-glass window allowed him to see outsidefully armed soldiers stood at attention, watching him like he was Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not that he blamed them. After all, he carrying a monster inside his body. Chen Huaian let out a bitter chuckle. Got it. So what happens now? [You will remain in Containment Room 0 with your pets Uh, and well need daily blood samples from you.] Let me talk to him. A new voice replaced the intercom speaker. Soft, warm, and familiar. [Chen Huaian, its meXiang Xiaoyuan.] [Please, dont have any self-destructive thoughts. Seventy percent of your body is now composed of demonic cancer cells. If we forcefully kill them, you will die too. Im leading the research teamtrust us. We find a way to help you absorb and control the cancer cells.] Hearing Xiang Xiaoyuans voice, Chen Huaian felt a slight weight lift from his chest. He looked up at the surveillance camera. Why are you helping me so much? Bearded Guy died because of me. [I mourn Director Luos death deeply.] Inside the monitoring room, Xiang Xiaoyuan held the microphone, her eyes filled with sorrow. But she forced herself to remain strong. She spoke with conviction: This isnt your fault. Every Demon Slayer accepts the possibility of sacrifice when they join the Bureau. As for why were helping you? If I wanted to sound noble, Id say saving a life is the greatest virtue. But to be bluntsomeone who can control General-class power is important. Not just to the Demon Slayer Bureau, but to the entire worlds fight against demons and evil forces! Her voice grew firm. Chen Huaian, you are important! To the world, you are important! Please give our team some time. We save you! Chapter 143: Harmonious Neighborhood Chapter 143: Harmonious Neighborhood Containment Room Zero. It was, by all accounts, the largest of all the containment rooms. Chen Huaian sat on the couch and cracked open a can of cola. His daily life hadnt changed muchin fact, he was now living off free food and drinks. Even though he had told the Demon Slayer Bureau not to bother with room decorations, they had still recreated his rental apartment down to the smallest details. The windows, for example, had been replaced with holographic projections that displayed a fake outdoor view, complete with fans simulating a natural breeze. At a glance, it almost felt real. Containment Room Zero was at the end of the corridor, with Containment Rooms One and Two on either side. Both were already occupied. When he passed by, Chen Huaian caught glimpses of his new "neighbors." In Containment Room One sat a giant two-meter-tall plush bear. It had soft pink fleece and a white belly, looking quite cuteexcept for the fact that the walls of its containment room were covered in deep fist imprints and were on the verge of collapsing. Containment Room Two housed something even weirder: a sniper rifle with an eerie design. Its gun body was wrapped in dark red chitin, with visible muscle tissue moving between the cracks. The sniper scope wasnt a lens but a single, large golden eyeball that actively swiveled around. Chen Huaian had locked eyes with the sniper rifle once. The damn thing had laughed at him. A high-pitched, shrill cackle. Honestly, after just one day of living here, he could already tellthis place had and the Containment wasnt just for creatures the Demon Slayer Bureau couldnt destroy, like the plush bear. Some items, like the sniper rifle, couldnt be controlled but still had potential value. Apart from that, Chen Huaian had made another interesting discovery. His room shared walls with both Containment Rooms One and Two. Each of these walls had a sliding metal door, revealing thick glass windows when opened. Through them, he could observe his two "neighbors," though he wasnt curious. His windowsill had the same setup as before. Baji, his black cat, was there. The water basin for his big green fish had been replaced with a luxurious aquarium, and the sat on top of it. For some reason, ever since moving in, Baji had become unusually dazed, constantly staring out the window in a trance. Chen Huaian scooped a bowl of cat food, patted Bajis head, and smiled kindly. Eat up. A nice lady bought this for you. Honestly, not abandoning you guys is the best I can do right now. Youre still so smallif you were out there on your own, you wouldnt last long. Baji glanced at the cat food. Then at Chen Huaian. After a long silence, two tears rolled down its furry face. Internally, it screamed: The doors and windows had no suppression talismans anymore. They didnt them. Baji had tried to escape. But the walls and glass were specially reinforced with some unknown material that suppressed demonic energy. To Baji, this place was nothing less than a At this point, its only option for escape was waiting for to fully awaken. But if woke up completely, it would be devoured instantly. If chose to stay trapped here forever, then Bajis life would be no different from beforeexcept instead of guarding the severed head of the ancient war god Xing Tian, it was now At least before, it could leave whenever it wanted. Now? That dream was dead. Look at that. Even the stupid cat was moved to tears. Chen Huaian sighed. He flopped back onto the couch, zoning out. Touching this, glancing at thatno matter what he did, he just couldnt calm down. The moment he sat still, all he could think about was Bearded Guys death. Guilt, regret, shamehow could he ever face him again? If he had never gone for cancer treatment Bearded Guy would still be alive, right? He picked up his phone, thinking some music might help. But he couldnt listen to a single song. The cheerful ones felt out of place. The sad ones felt like In the end, after much hesitation, he opened Maybe this was the only thing that could ease his tormented soul. To him, the screen beyond was his safe harbor. And knowing that Li Qingran was real only made this feeling more profound. Someday they would meet, right? But as soon as he launched the game, his screen went black. [Your remaining lifespan: 37 days!] [Todays fortune: Misfortunefinancial loss. Favorable for relocation.] [Notice: Dear player, due to excessive advance spending, your recharge system has an outstanding balance of 687,500. Until the debt is repaid, all in-game purchases have been suspended. Thank you for supporting !] Bro. That one million was ! Chen Huaian nearly lost it. At the time, he had thought it was just a dream, just his subconscious. So when the option to spend a million appeared, he had maxed it out without hesitation. Looking back now thank god the limit was one million. If it had been ten million, hed be financially doomed. Honestly, before all this, one million wasnt a big deal. He could just grind Demon Slayer Bureau missions and earn it back quickly. But now? He was in containment. Where was he supposed to make money? Wait could he start a livestream from the containment facility? That giant bear that could punch through walls, plus the mutant lobster sniper rifleboth had insane entertainment value. Hed call Zhao Ying later and ask if it was possible Master?! A familiar voice called out from his phone. Chen Huaian snapped back to reality. Li Qingran was staring at him through the screen. Every time he logged in, she sensed his presence instantly. Master, how are things on your end? Li Qingran leaned on her desk, standing up so quickly that she knocked over her chair. Her voice was soft, but her peach blossom eyes were filled with worry and urgency. The handkerchief on the table was crumpled into a ballclearly, she had been restless while unable to reach him. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Im fine. Thanks to you, I had a chance to catch my breath.] Chen Huaian pressed the transmission talisman. Looking at Li Qingran, all his frustrations about his massive in-game debt disappeared. The girl on the screen was real. His very own, personal Dao Companion. Even if they were separated by two whole worlds Just knowing that fantasy had turned into reality made his heart race. He had to survive. Make money. Make Li Qingran the strongest cultivator in Master? For some reason, his gaze today felt unusually intense. Like he wanted to her. Li Qingran bit her lip, letting out a soft whimper. She suddenly remembered how she had asked for a hug before. Her face flushed red. Her ears burned. Her legs went weak. Hurriedly, she picked up her chair, sat down properly, and pressed her hands tightly on her thighs, flustered. Her gaze fell on the tea sachet on the table. Without thinking, she grabbed it and held it in front of her face, only leaving half of it exposed. Master, the tea sachet you asked for is ready, she whispered. As for the pillowcase I still need a bit more time Chapter 144: Let Me Calculate That for You Chapter 144: Let Me Calculate That for You Chen Huaian never imagined the day would come when he achieved true milk tea freedom. Though, to be fair, he didnt even need to add milk. His tea sachets had a special effectonce brewed, they naturally infused the tea with a faint, creamy fragrance. Too much milk would overpower the teas essence, making it cloying. A subtle, lingering creaminess was the real key to a perfect cup. Like the one he was drinking now. A flavor that, he was certain, no one else in the world could experience. But in reality, he wasnt in the mood to enjoy it. Because the latest update to had just delivered a brutal reality check. [Main Quest 3.0: Countdown to the opening of the Zhongzhou Secret Realm21 days remaining. Please increase your Virtual Girlfriends survival rate in the dungeon! Every 30% increase in survival rate grants a Heavenly Divination hint. Current survival rate: 61%.] [Heavenly Divination Hint 1: Available to unlock] [Heavenly Divination Hint 2: Available to unlock] Chen Huaian had assumed that Li Qingran, who had already reached the , possessed a , a , the , and a solid set of sword techniques and internal cultivation methods, would have a in a minor secret realm like this. Worst case scenario, she still had for self-defensethose things could ! Yet, when he checked the quest log Her survival rate was a mere 61%. That was basically the same as in his eyes. For a moment, Chen Huaian felt as if the sky had collapsed. What the hell was wrong with this ? How was it so difficult that even his couldnt guarantee a ?! He tapped on [Heavenly Divination Hint 1: After entering the dungeon, the player will be completely unable to interfere in any way. Only observation is permitted. (Tap for more details)] That was a first. He opened the expanded description. Just this one rule had already cranked the difficulty up to He then checked and its corresponding explanation. [Heavenly Divination Hint 2: A large number of demonic cultivators and some monster cultivators will appear within the Zhongzhou Secret Realm.] Chen Huaian: ??? This was a ! He had previously heard from Su Qinian that the Zhongzhou Secret Realm was a for all righteous sects in the Minor secret realms opened every year, while major secret realms opened once every ten years. This year was a rare occurrenceboth were opening simultaneously, an unprecedented spectacle. If it was a righteous sect gathering, If he didnt know about this, fine. But now that he , he had to do something about it. After some thought, Chen Huaian decided on a two-pronged approach. First, was the top priority. No amount of strategy mattered if she wasnt strong enough. Second, he needed to He didnt know who the enemy was yet or where theyd strike from, but Su Qinian could alert the other sects to prepare. Yes, this might tip off the demonic cultivators. But that was still than letting them infiltrate unnoticed. Besides, he had If it worked, maybe he could some threats before they even had a chance to act. With that in mind, he activated his and spoke to Li Qingran, who was focused on sewing a pillowcase. Qingran, go summon Pavilion Master Su. I have something important to discuss with him. A short while later. By the water pool atop Su Qinian and Li Qingran sat across from each other. Well, sat. Li Qingran was just eavesdropping. Meanwhile, Su Qinian respectfully bowed to the air above Li Qingrans head. Patriarch, what instructions do you have for me? [This old one observed the celestial signs last night, calculated the heavenly fate, and discovered that a great calamity will befall the Zhongzhou Secret Realm!] Su Qinians mouth twitched. Was the mysterious grand cultivator who had been constantly divining the lately The thought passed quickly. He believed the Patriarch had the power to perform But for him to be , still able to predict its fate and even that seemed a bit exaggerated. However, Chen Huaians next words made Su Qinians body go rigid. [This calamity may result in nine out of ten Sword Pavilion disciples perishing!] What?! Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Qinian slammed the table and stood up, his eyes flashing with sharp sword intent. Which sect dares to slaughter my Sword Pavilion disciples within the Zhongzhou Secret Realm?! Fights between disciples were common in the secret realm, but overall, the atmosphere among the righteous sects remained relatively harmonious. Sure, rivalries existed, but outright massacres? That was nearly unheard of. [It is not the righteous sectsit is the Demonic Sect!] The moment those words landed, Su Qinians first instinct was disbelief. The had been almost completely eradicated in Any demonic cultivator who dared to appear wouldnt last before being hunted down by the disciples and elders of the righteous sects. How could a of them suddenly show up, strong enough to threaten the entire ? Patriarch, do you have any concrete details? Su Qinian asked, clearly troubled. [Very well. Let me calculate that for you.] Chen Huaian activated He only got free calculation per day. Would it reveal the locations of the demonic cultivators? He wasnt sure. But so far, had given him useful information. If worst came to worst, he could just and tell the Sword Pavilion to stay on high alert. The fate of other sects? He typed his query: Show me the locations of all demonic cultivators! Display them on the map! A loading circle appeared in the After a long pause, a bright red warning popped up. [Are you certain you want to divine the locations of demonic cultivators? Be warned: The resulting karmic backlash will cause massive fortune depletion!] Fortune depletion? Chen Huaian sneered. What could possibly go wrong? He was already stuck in Confirm. Calculate it for me. [Performing Heavenly Divination] BOOM! The skies over darkened in an instant. Atop storm clouds churned, lightning crackled, and an overwhelming pressure descended from above. From within the ominous clouds, a colossal golden vertical eye slowly opened. The moment its gaze swept over , he felt as if his very soul had been Stunned, he gawked at the sky, unable to form words, his throat tightening as if a boulder had lodged in it. The mysterious cultivator divining the heavens Chapter 145: The World Is Crawling with Demonic Cultivators! Chapter 145: The World Is Crawling with Demonic Cultivators! Chen Huaian noticed a new [Severe Fortune Loss] debuff on his status panel, but he had no time to care. As the Heavenly Divination progress bar filled, more and more red dots began appearing on the mapso many that they became a dense, suffocating cluster. This wasnt extinction. This was practically open-world random mobs! A quick glance revealed that aside from Holy Lands and the Void Abyss, nearly every righteous sect had demonic cultivators scattered across their territory. And the worst part? There was one red dot inside the Sword Pavilion. Right on Luoxia Peak. As the progress bar continued, the number of red dots kept refreshing across the map. Chen Huaians expression darkened as he glanced at Su Qinianwho was staring up at the sky with a dumb smile, completely unaware of anything. He had thought the Sword Pavilion was pure and righteous, standing on unshakable moral ground. But in reality? The enemy was already inside their gates, and this clueless Pavilion Master didnt even know it! At last, Heavenly Divination completed. Chen Huaian stared at the massive swarm of red dots covering the map, sucking in a sharp breath. Righteous sects forming an unbreakable alliance against demonic cultivators? Yeah, right. How the hell were they supposed to slaughter that many demonic cultivators? And once they struck one location, the others would immediately relocate. There was no way he could afford to waste his daily Heavenly Divination just to track these guys. The phenomenon atop Luoxia Peak faded. After his initial shock, Su Qinian had already crafted a dramatic, eloquent speech in his mind. Taking a deep breath, he cupped his fists toward the void above Li Qingrans head and enthusiastically praised: Limitless Virtue! Patriarch, you are truly a SWORD MAN! Too SWORD! In the Sword Pavilion, praising a sword cultivators strength meant praising their sword. For example: But for someone of the Patriarchs level, Su Qinian felt that no flowery language could do justice. So he simply declared: "Sword Man." The highest, purest praise a sword cultivator could receive. Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. [I used Heavenly Divination to help you, and instead of gratitude, youre insulting me?!] Patriarch, no! I would never! Su Qinians face was filled with innocence and injustice. He took a step back and respectfully bowed again, earnestly explaining: I was merely praising your swordsmanship! You are truly sword itself, I meant nothing else! Chen Huaian: ??? Li Qingran: Pavilion Master Su, you should really stop talking. Li Qingran had spent enough time in the Sword Pavilion to understand its unique language quirks. But her Master hadnt been here in ages. It was normal for him to be unaware. If Su Qinian kept going, she was genuinely afraid her Master might slice Luoxia Peak in half. Qingran, how could I not say more? Su Qinian stroked his beard and shook his head. The Patriarchs divine abilities are beyond comprehension. Clearly, he was dissatisfied with my wording! Today, I must properly honor our Grand Sword Man! [Enough! SHUT UP!] Chen Huaian understood Su Qinian wasnt actually insulting him. But the way he said it was just It made misunderstandings unavoidable. Su Qinian obediently closed his mouth, staring at Li Qingrans head in confusion, unsure why the mysterious Patriarch was so annoyed. Taking a deep breath, Chen Huaian continued: [I have already divined the locations of most demonic cultivators. And yet, you still thought they were extinct? Hah! Cangyun Realm is practically infested with them!] [Some are gathered in strongholds, others are scattered across the landhidden like stars in the sky. There are even countless demonic cultivators inside your righteous sects!] Patriarch, you must be joking. Su Qinians disbelief only grew. Wasnt this impossible? If there were that many demonic cultivators, why hadnt any of them become a major threat over the past few years? [You dont believe me?] Chen Huaian chuckled coldly. Su Qinian didnt dare he didnt believe, so he simply lowered his head and waited for more proof. [Very well. Your own Sword Pavilionright here on Luoxia Peakhas a demonic cultivator. I will find them for you!] Ignoring Su Qinians shock, Chen Huaian zoomed in on the red dot within the Sword Pavilion. He enlarged the map again and again, refining the image down to the individual plants and buildings on Luoxia Peak. There. A cave dwelling on the mountainside. A sword cultivator was sitting inside, meditating. But apart from sword energy, there was also a faint trace of demonic energy emanating from his body. Ordinarily, this disciple probably hid his aura well. But inside his own cave, there was no reason to expect a satellite-level scan to expose him. With the target confirmed, Chen Huaian transmitted: [There is a cave halfway up Luoxia Peak, marked by a peach tree at the entrance. The wooden plaque reads 157. Bring the disciple inside to me. Whether he is a demonic cultivator or not will be clear once you interrogate him.] Wooden plaque 157 Wooden plaque 157 Su Qinian muttered, recalling the caves owner. A square-faced, kind-looking disciple. A quiet, polite, diligent member of the Xuanwu Peak division. Not the most talented, but personally vetted by Su Qinian when he joined the sect. He was always respectful to his fellow disciples, hardworking in cultivation, and fulfilled his sect duties without fail. Someone like him was a demonic cultivator? Su Qinian had a million questions in his mind. But since the Patriarch had spoken, he had no choice but to bow and say: Understood. I will bring him in. Howeverif he is a demonic cultivator, I would humbly request that you grant him a small opportunity as compensation. Su Qinian always tried to treat his disciples fairly. He understood how devastating it would be for an innocent disciple to be falsely accused of being a demonic cultivator. He wasnt arrogant enough to challenge the Patriarch, but he still wanted to fight for fairness. Other sect leaders wouldnt dare to ask for such a thing from a powerful Patriarch. But Su Qinian? He would. He wanted every Sword Pavilion disciple to leave their sect with dignity and return with pride. In Cangyun Realm, even the weakest creatures struggled to survive. He was just a slightly bigger ant among them. That was all. [Fine! Excellent!] Chen Huaian wasnt offended by the request. In fact, he now respected Su Qinian a little more. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [If that disciple is a demonic cultivator then I will personally take him as my disciple and train him myself!] Chapter 146: Your Investigation Doesn’t Count—Let Me Do It! Chapter 146: Your Investigation Doesnt CountLet Me Do It! After some time, Su Qinian brought the Xuanwu Peak disciple to the summit of Luoxia Peak. Chen Huaian finally got a clear look at him. How to describe it He looked like a taller version of Wu Dalang. Even though he had no idea why he was summoned here, his face carried an endearing, dopey innocence. Junior Sister, the view up here is amazing, Tu Xinghe cupped his hands toward Li Qingran, scanning the mountaintop scenery with a hint of admiration. Li Qingran might be the youngest disciple of the Sword Pavilion, but she undoubtedly received the best treatment. Not just because of her exceptional talent, but also because she had an incredibly powerful master. A master who was apparently their Sword Pavilions Patriarch. Truly enviable. Chen Huaian also felt that Tu Xinghe didnt seem like a demonic cultivator at first glance. Didnt look like one. Didnt act like one. Even his demonic aura was completely suppressed, making it understandable why Su Qinian never noticed anything unusual. Tu Xinghe, do you know why I brought you to the summit of Luoxia Peak? Replying to the Pavilion Master, this disciple does not know. Su Qinian turned around, fixing Tu Xinghe with a sharp glare. Have you ever practiced demonic arts? Tu Xinghe flinched, his face full of shock. His complexion turned pale. P-Pavilion Master I I dont understand what you mean Ever since I joined the Sword Pavilion, I have only learned the orthodox techniques of our sect. I have never come into contact with any demonic cultivation methods! Would you dare to extend your hand and allow me to investigate? This disciple obeys. Tu Xinghe stretched out his hand. Su Qinian placed two fingers on his wrist, sending his Spiritual Qi and Spiritual Sense inside to examine him. After a moment, he found nothing. Patriarch. He turned toward the empty space above Li Qingrans head and bowed, his meaning clear. [Hmph! Your investigation doesnt countlet me do it!] A cold snort echoed from the void. Both Su Qinian and Tu Xinghe felt their hearts tighten. One was scared. The other was also scared. But after that brief response, silence. Li Qingran looked up, confused. Little did she know, Chen Huaian was currently staring blankly at his phone screen. [Recharge 6 to obtain a Demon-Exposing Mirror to reveal Tu Xinghes identity.] [Recharge 66 to obtain a Grand Purity Talisman to expose Tu Xinghes identity.] [Recharge 666 to instantly extract and refine the demonic energy within Tu Xinghe, revealing his identity.] Three options. And he couldnt select any of them. Because he was broke. Not only broke, but also 68,000 in debt. This game had finally revealed its true malicious nature. But everyone on Luoxia Peak was waiting for him. He couldnt just do nothinghe had already boasted about exposing the demonic cultivator. If he didnt handle this well, his Sword Pavilion Patriarch status was going to lose all credibility. At that point, what kind of look would Li Qingran give him? A look that said: Faced with the looming threat of becoming a nobody, Chen Huaians mind spun rapidly. Then, a thought struck him These stored lightning infused with the righteous power of heaven and earth. They werent as powerful as the Heavenly Tribulation Lightning, but they originated from the same divine force. The higher the talismans grade, the more potent its holy energy, making it an instant trigger for any evil auralike demonic energy. If demonic energy wasnt evil, then how did his Thunderfire Talisman obliterate that human-faced spider demon back then? This realization gave Chen Huaian a plan. He activated the Transmission Talisman and spoke to Li Qingran: [Qingran, take out the Supreme-Grade Thunderfire Talisman I gave you and place it on the table!] Li Qingran immediately obeyed. Su Qinian stared at the talisman, still confused. Tu Xinghe also didnt understand what was about to happen, but a sense of unease crept into his heart. [This Thunderfire Talisman was personally refined by me to suit Qingrans needs. It doesnt require Spiritual Qi to activate and can automatically detect demonic energy, monster aura, killing intent, and more. All you need to do is touch itif you have no demonic energy, it wont react.] Li Qingrans ears twitched slightly, a warm feeling blooming in her heart. Her lips curved into a soft, gentle smile. Master was always so thoughtful toward her. Su Qinian casually brushed his hand over the talisman. Nothing happened. Safe. Of course, the Patriarch could intentionally trigger the talisman during Tu Xinghes turn. But as the Sword Pavilions Patriarch, he had no reason to resort to deception. Su Qinian trusted this completely. He turned to Tu Xinghe and ordered: Touch the talisman. This is merely a routine inspectionevery disciple in the Sword Pavilion will go through this. This is not a personal accusation If you are innocent, the Patriarch will even grant you an opportunity. Tu Xinghes face turned even paler. He knew exactly whether he had cultivated demonic arts. Just looking at the talisman, he could already feel its holy lightning locking onto him. He forced himself to step forward. He stretched out his hand. Before he could even touch the talisman Electric arcs flashed along the surface of the talisman. If he actually made contact, he would be incinerated by divine lightning on the spot. THUD. Tu Xinghe collapsed onto his knees. Su Qinians heart skipped a beat, but his shock was quickly replaced by rage. He pointed at Tu Xinghe and bellowed: You! Wretched beast! You truly practiced demonic arts?! Patriarch Pavilion Master This disciple is guilty and deserves death. Tu Xinghe repeatedly kowtowed toward the void and Su Qinian, his tears streaming down. This disciple has always been mediocre. Every time I compared myself to my fellow disciples, I felt worthless Then, one day while hunting demons, I met a female cultivator. I fell in love I thought we would become Dao Companions But as we left the mountains, a Golden Core monster attacked. She sacrificed herself to let me escape As he spoke, Tu Xinghe sobbed uncontrollably. So because of this, you felt weak and turned to demonic cultivation? Su Qinians voice was like frost. Yes. Tu Xinghe rolled up his sleeves, revealing countless scars across his arms. He laughed bitterly. Righteous cultivation requires talent and strong foundations. But I wanted power quicklynot just for myself, but so I wouldnt lose anyone else. So I turned to demonic arts. They didnt require talent. All I had to do was refine my own blood and Qi He lifted his gaze, his eyes manic. Pavilion Master There is no such thing as an evil techniqueonly evil intentions! As long as I stay true to my heart, is it truly wrong? Demonic arts work! In just one month, I made tremendous progress! If the price is just a bit of blood SHUT UP! Su Qinian kicked Tu Xinghe over and furiously roared: You fool! You call this a small price? Do you know what happens next?! But before Tu Xinghe could end his own life A voice thundered from the void. [STOP!] A fragrance brushed past. Tu Xinghes hands suddenly felt empty. He opened his eyes. Li Qingran stood before him. And she had taken his sword. Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 147: Disciple, Come Inside for a Talk Chapter 147: Disciple, Come Inside for a Talk Had Junior Sister always been this powerful? Tu Xinghe couldnt help but marvel in his heart. Unlike him, a complete failure who not only had poor talent but also turned to demonic cultivation, making himself neither human nor ghost. He didnt think the Patriarch would spare him. There were many punishments far worse than death. But he accepted them. He deserved whatever was coming. So, he lowered his head and silently awaited the Sword Pavilion Patriarchs judgment. [Why are you in such a hurry to die? Trying to cover up the origins of your demonic cultivation?!] Tu Xinghe trembled and knelt, his voice shaking. This disciple dares not! I simply feel that I deserve deathI have no face to continue living If the Patriarch wishes to know anything, I will tell all! [Hmph! I never gave you permission to die. Since when do you get to make that decision for me?!] Tu Xinghe stared at his dirt-covered hands in silence, his heart already dead. [Where did you obtain this demonic technique?] This disciple acquired it while completing a sect mission. I encountered a demonic cultivator wearing a fox mask. I have no idea what realm he was in, but I was completely helpless before him. He didnt kill mehe provoked the regrets in my heart, agitated my unwillingness, and finally handed me a demonic cultivation manual, saying it would help me. Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian felt a headache coming on. Tu Xinghe had clearly fallen into a trap. If he had stolen the manual from a demonic sect stronghold, that wouldve been easy to deal with. But with only the vague description of a fox-masked cultivator, how the hell was he supposed to track them? That person could switch masks anytime next time, they could wear an ox mask, horse mask, or whatever the hell they wanted. And chances were, this was not an isolated incident. If Tu Xinghe had encountered a demonic recruiter, then other sects probably had similar disciples who had fallen into the same scheme. Ambition. Regret. Hatred. For cultivators, these emotions were far too common. They lived longer than mortals, making it inevitable that they would clash with others. And these young, inexperienced disciples were perfect targets for corruption. For now, gathering more information was the priority. [What is the name of this demonic art? Show it to me!] Tu Xinghe obediently took out a jade slip, placing it on the stone table. Noble Patriarch, this technique is called Heavenly Demon Blood Refining Secret Codex. Its core principle revolves around using blood essence to enhance spiritual energy and muscle strength. [You have obtained Item: Heavenly Demon Blood Refining Secret Codex (Fragment 1 of 3)] Chen Huaian blinked at the new item notification. The moment his hand gripped the jade slip, a flood of new information surged into his mind. After digesting it, he understood. This technique originated from the Heavenly Demon Sect, one of Cangyun Realms ancient demonic sects. It was part of their sects core cultivation art, the Heavenly Demon Art. There were three sections: Main Manual - Sub-manual 1 - Sub-manual 2 - The Blood Refining and Gluttonous Devouring methods were secondary. The true core was the Heart Devouring Method, which allowed its practitioner to control anyone cultivating the other two techniques within a certain range. It all made perfect sense now. The demonic cultivators of Cangyun Realm were playing a long game. Their real target was the upcoming Zhongzhou Secret Realm expedition. Every sect would be sending their most talented young disciplesthe future elite of the righteous path. If the demonic cultivators could slaughter all those fresh new recruits, it would be a devastating blow to the righteous sects. Tu Xinghe, for example, might have been mediocre compared to his monstrous fellow disciples, but in any other sect, he would absolutely qualify to enter the secret realm. No wonder Li Qingrans survival rate in the secret realm was so low. Chen Huaian shook his head. This wasnt just a secret realm expedition anymore. This was a mass execution site. And the righteous sect disciples were the fish. If he followed his usual cowardly strategy, the best move was not to enter the secret realm at all. Let the righteous and demonic factions kill each otherit wouldnt affect Li Qingran or the Sword Pavilion for now. But his main quest objective was there. The Hundred Herbs Detox Pill ingredients could only be found in that secret realm. Which meant Li Qingran would have to go. Wait. If my cancer was cured before the Zhongzhou Secret Realm opened, Li Qingran wouldnt have to go, right? Chen Huaian slapped his forehead. Whether or not the Demon Slayer Bureau could cure him was irrelevant. Now that he knew Li Qingran was real, why didnt he just ask her for a cure directly? Mutated cancer? That was just a minor inconvenienceeven ordinary elixirs could probably deal with it! Im a damn genius! Hahahaha! Chen Huaian threw his hands on his hips and laughed three times. On the windowsill, Baji and Little Qing shivered in terror. [Tu Xinghe, I am not a bloodthirsty man. Disperse your demonic cultivation, receive one hundred lashes at the Disciplinary Hall, then reflect at the Sword Grave for a week!] Tu Xinghes eyes widened in shock. Patriarch You Youre not killing me? [Whats the point? If you truly regret your actions, correcting them is far more valuable than a meaningless death.] Patriarch! Tu Xinghe kowtowed deeply, tears welling up. He didnt understand what meant, but he felt the immense expectations placed upon him. The Patriarch believed in him. The Patriarch wanted him to grow. He was supposed to fight against fate, wielding his sword against heaven itself! A sword cultivators path didnt require demonic arts. His past failures and regrets should have been his motivation to move forward. If the Patriarch didnt hold his past mistakes against him Why should he? With newfound resolve, a wisp of clear energy rose from Tu Xinghes head. He immediately sat down, entering a state of enlightenment. Not only did he fully expel the demonic cultivation, but his cultivation rose instead of fallingfrom Foundation Establishment (Late) to Peak Foundation Establishment, even showing signs of breaking into Golden Core. Damn These Sword Pavilion disciples are insane. I barely said anything, and hes already having an epiphany Chen Huaian was jealous as hell. Why was his cultivation speed so slow?! Why had he never experienced enlightenment?! Clearly, it was his demonic cancer cells holding him back. This had nothing to do with his natural talent. He was certain of it. Time to fix his body. [Su Qinian!] This junior is here! Su Qinian immediately knelt. [The demonic sects have infiltrated numerous righteous sects by spreading demonic techniques. Notify all righteous sects to conduct internal investigations!] Yes! Please rest assured, Patriarch! With that, Chen Huaian turned to the adorable Li Qingran, standing obediently to the side. His voice instantly softened. "Qingran, baby, come inside~ Lets talk about something good, hehehe" After a long silence, a voice from the void solemnly declared: [Disciple, come inside for a talk.] Chapter 148: Asking My Disciple for Elixirs Chapter 148: Asking My Disciple for Elixirs Su Qinian glanced at Tu Xinghe, who was meditating, then at Li Qingrans retreating figure, his mind unable to settle. The Patriarch is truly the Patriarch He had thought Chen Huaian would kill Tu Xinghe without hesitation. Yet, against all expectations, Tu Xinghe not only survived but also broke through his past regrets, turning misfortune into a blessing. Perhaps fate was already predestined. And the Patriarch was simply someone powerful enough to grasp fate and twist it as he pleasedshifting Tu Xinghes destiny in an instant. Setting up a barrier formation around Tu Xinghe, Su Qinian stepped onto his flying sword and left. The Patriarchs command had seemed simple. But executing it would be extremely difficult. Convincing the other sect leadersthose ancient, arrogant monstersthat their own disciples had fallen to demonic corruption would be no easy feat. Su Qinian knew exactly how prideful those old monsters were. After all Even he had been guilty of the same arrogance. Inside the small hut. Chen Huaian wanted to ask Li Qingran for elixirs. But he wasnt sure how to bring it up. So, for now, he simply stared at his cute little disciple and pretended to be deep in thought. [Qingran, what do you think about todays events?] Master is a very gentle person, Li Qingran propped her chin on her hands, gazing at the empty space above her head with sparkling eyes, like twinkling stars. "Even though Master always appears cold on the outside, Qingran knows Master has a soft heart!" Even if she couldnt see her master, it didnt matter. She could picture him perfectly in her mind. Hmm, youre absolutely right! Chen Huaian felt amazing. But what Li Qingran actually heard was: [Stop flattering me.] Chen Huaian cleared his throat and continued, "So, my dear disciple, do you have any extra elixirs? Any type will dojust give them to me. I need them for an important purpose!" There was a moment of silence. What Li Qingran actually heard: [I have been researching the path of alchemy, but due to being in an isolated space, I lack materials. If you could provide me with some elixirs, even if they dont help much, I could still study their medicinal properties.] Li Qingran blinked and believed him completely. Without hesitation, she took out all the elixirs she had and placed them on the table. Master, take whatever you need. Her heart swelled with admiration. Compared to Master, she felt like a lazy pig. Blushing from shame, Li Qingran clenched her fists and made a decision Starting today, she would only sleep two hours a day and spend all her time cultivating! Chen Huaian stared at the pile of elixirs on the table. Most of them he could take with him. However, some had restrictions: Some displayed Exclusive to Li Qingranmost likely elixirs given through the Monthly Card and Battle Pass system, like healing pills and Spiritual Qi recovery pills. Some showed Unavailable at Current Realmthese were breakthrough elixirs, like Foundation Establishment Pills, which required him to reach Qi Refinement Peak first. Still, he wasnt picky. What was here was enough to experiment with. Chen Huaian took one or two pills from each type, leaving the rest untouched. He needed to test them first. If any elixir helped with his cancer, he would only ask for that one in the future. "Qingran, these are excellent. Ill take some to study and use." Li Qingran looked at the basic elixirs on the table and felt embarrassed. Her Master was such a powerful being How could he possibly need these low-grade pills? He was obviously just taking them for her sake. If he truly needed them, he would have taken all of them. Li Qingran straightened her back, bit her lip, and whispered: "Master, I will work hard to cultivate and improve my alchemy skills so that I can refine even better elixirs for you in the future!" She had originally planned to just buy better pills, but That would make her seem useless. The Spirit Stones she had all came from Master. Using Masters own Spirit Stones to buy pills for Master would be too shameful. The thought alone made her cringe. [Good!] Chen Huaian logged out. He stared at the four elixirs in front of him, his eyes shining. Superior-Grade Great Rejuvenation Pill Superior-Grade Qi Cyclone Pill Superior-Grade Marrow Cleansing Pill Superior-Grade Detoxification Pill He was betting on either the Qi Cyclone Pill or the Detoxification Pill. If he could increase his cultivation, maybe he could suppress or expel the demonic cancer cells. If the Detoxification Pill worked, it could directly cure him. First test: Qi Cyclone Pill. Chen Huaian popped the pill, washing it down with water. Immediately, he felt Spiritual Qi rapidly gathering around him, seeping into his body. Even his Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid seemed to amplify the effect, making the Qi absorption even stronger. Normally, he couldnt even sense Spiritual Qi properly, but now, he felt completely immersed in it. Wasting no time, he sat down to cultivate his Tideborn Technique. Two hours later, the pills effects faded. Chen Huaian grabbed his phone to check his cultivation progress. Cultivation Level: Still at Qi Refinement Stage 1. No change. Then, a notification popped up. [Your remaining lifespan: 32 days.] Chen Huaian: ??? Something felt off. Wait How many days did he have before? 37 days? Had he just lost five days of his lifespan? Maybe it was the Qi Cyclone Pill? No way. There was no record of this pill shortening lifespans. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian took another Qi Cyclone Pill and cultivated for another two hours. Checking his phone again Cultivation Level: Qi Refinement Stage 2! New notification: [Your remaining lifespan: 28 days.] Chen Huaian froze. His mind went blank. Then, suddenly "YOU SON OF A!!!" Li Qingran: Chapter 149: It Nodded! Chapter 149: It Nodded! Chen Huaian had never hated his cancer more than he did right now. Not only was this damn thing trying to completely take over his body, but it was also stealing his Spiritual Qi?! The Qi Cyclone Pills effects had been almost entirely devoured by the demonic cancer cells. His brilliant plan to purge the cancer had actually ended up feeding it instead. You really think I dont have a way to deal with you? Chen Huaians expression darkened, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. The moment midnight struck, he was going to use Heavenly Divination to find the perfect countermeasure. He would ensure that The sky could no longer blind him. The earth could no longer bury him. And this damn cancer would bow down and call him daddy! With that thought, he grabbed his water cup and took a big gulp to calm himself. But today, even water refused to obey him. Instead of going down his throat normally, it rushed into his windpipe, sending him into a violent coughing fit that nearly killed him on the spot. As he choked, the spilled water flowed along the metal floor seams, making its way toward an old, exposed electrical wire. SizzleSnap! A sharp spark erupted from the wire, and then Complete electrical failure. The first to be affected was Containment Room Zero, where Chen Huaian was housed. Since Rooms 1 and 2 shared some of the same circuits, the failure triggered a domino effect, short-circuiting all three containment rooms. The entire containment system collapsed. In a matter of seconds, all three rooms were plunged into darkness. And then The thick, reinforced metal walls separating Containment Rooms 0, 1, and 2 began to slide open. All of this happened within a few heartbeats. By the time Chen Huaian realized what was happening, his room had already gone pitch black. The kind of darkness where you couldnt even see your own hand. Did I just uh maybe short-circuit the entire electrical system just by drinking water? Chen Huaian carefully set down his cup, already experiencing firsthand the true horrors of fortune loss. They werent joking when they said unlucky people could choke on water. But choking on water and accidentally causing a facility-wide power outage? That was some next-level bad luck. The Demon Slayer Bureau wont make me pay for damages, right? I already owe 680,000 where the hell am I gonna find more money As he sat in the total darkness, filled with bitter regrets Thud. Thud. Two heavy footsteps echoed, shaking the floor beneath him. Chen Huaians head snapped toward Containment Room 1. From within the black abyss, two crimson eyes glowed menacingly. The creature was watching him. And with each thunderous step, it was moving closer and closer. Ah, f***. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaians breath hitched. Baby Bear is alive. Meanwhile, in the monitoring room The power just went out in Containment Room Zero! A group of Demon Slayers and researchers stared at the blackened screens showing Rooms 0, 1, and 2, their faces grim. It must be a system failure, one of them guessed. Xiang Xiaoyuan, although just as anxious, remained calm. As long as the containment walls remain closed, we shouldnt have a major problem. Uh, Captain Xiang? A researcher wiped cold sweat from his forehead, his hands trembling. T-The containment walls for Rooms 1 and 2 they just opened by themselves. Xiang Xiaoyuan: WHAT?! Xiang Xiaoyuans expression instantly changed. Damn it! This is REALLY bad! One of the Demon Slayers nearby groaned in despair. Yeah, no kidding, Captain. KSC-01that giant pink teddy bearcan punch through several meters of steel walls like theyre made of paper. Its basically the Hulk in plushie form. And KSC-02that demonic sniper riflecan blow a General-rank Demon Slayer to pieces if theyre not prepared. Now theyre in the same room together?! Were so screwed. Fixing the electrical system was easy. The real problem was going to be separating Baby Bear and the Demonic Sniper Rifle afterward. If they werent careful, they were going to lose some people today. Bring me KSC-67. Xiang Xiaoyuan turned to one of the Demon Slayers. Also, make sure to wear your protective eyewear, and find an available Demon Slayer who isnt assigned to any critical missions right now. Wait Captain, youre planning to use KSC-67 to suppress all three containment rooms? No Xiang Xiaoyuan sighed and shook her head. Im afraid we might need it to stop Containment Room Zero from killing the other two. KSC-67: Serene Light Hourglass. A relic-class containment artifact, the Serene Light Hourglass was a black wooden hourglass with a crystal funnel and glowing blue sand grains. Its effects were simple Any creature that gazed into it would gradually enter a state of deep calm. Currently, it was effective against all creatures of General-rank and below. However, it had a major drawback: The user and the target both experience short-term memory loss. The more it is used on the same person, the worse the memory loss becomes. After five uses, the affected persons memories become chaotic. After ten uses, it can even cause permanent personality disorder. Because of this dangerous side effect, the Serene Light Hourglass was only used in absolute emergencies. Five minutes later, the team carrying KSC-67 arrived at the containment room entrance. Inside, the darkness remained absolute. But they could hear the sounds of battle. The floor trembled. The walls rattled. And in between the chaos The piercing gunfire of the Demonic Sniper Rifle. Theyve already started fighting Xiang Xiaoyuan exhaled and gestured toward the electricians. Get the lights back on first. With a flick of a switch The containment rooms lit up. And the sight before them made everyone freeze in shock. Xiang Xiaoyuan, who had already expected disaster, still felt her lips twitch. Inside Containment Room Zero The walls were destroyed. The floor was warped. The furniture was shredded. In the center of the wreckage lay a massive pink teddy bear, breathing heavily, its body torn at the seams. Around its neck was the Demonic Sniper Rifle, its barrel bent into the shape of a bow. The snipers golden eye stared miserably at the ground, its pupil trembling with pure despair. And sitting cross-legged on Baby Bears stomach, shirtless and perfectly composed Chen Huaian. A faint aura of energy swirled around him. He casually waved at the onlookers. Yo. Then, with a kind, innocent smile, he spoke: All this destruction? Yeah, that was them. Had nothing to do with me. If youre looking for someone to pay for damages, go after them. He patted Baby Bears stomach. Right, Baby Bear? Baby Bear couldnt respond. So, Chen Huaian grabbed its head and slammed it into the metal floor. Boom. Boom. A spring popped out of Baby Bears head. The floor shattered. Chen Huaian looked up with a bright, fatherly smile. See? It nodded. Chapter 150: Time to Settle Some Debts Chapter 150: Time to Settle Some Debts "KSC-0... must be contained in a specialized containment unit 100 meters underground. The unit is constructed with 15 meters of high-strength alloy and 5 meters of energy shielding to withstand KSC-0s destructive capabilities (though field tests suggest this may not be enough). KSC-0 is a young male Revived One, noted for his handsome appearance and a suspected charm effect, as he has already caused multiple female Demon Slayers to neglect their work and frequently visit the restroom. KSC-0 appears to be a na?ve, clueless university student, but occasionally exhibits unstable behavior. His estimated destructive potential is extremely high. His body contains an uncontrollable General-rank Demonic Cancer Dragon, and tests indicate that KSC-0 can easily overpower KSC-1, the toy bear with a 5-ton punching force (in its pink form)..." Luo Saihu stared at the report in front of him, utterly dumbfounded. After a long silence, he looked up at Xiang Xiaoyuan. "...Based on the containment risk classifications, isn''t rating Chen Huaian as A-Class (Apollyon-level) a bit too much?" "It''s not excessive at all." Xiang Xiaoyuan sighed and handed him a photograph. In the picture... Chen Huaian was holding down the giant teddy bears head with one hand. With his other hand, he was gripping the demonic sniper rifletwisted into a pretzel shape. Both the bears and the rifles heads were buried into the shattered metal floor, as if in repentance. "Motherf!! Is this for real?!" Luo Saihu knew exactly how notorious the Toy Bear and the Demonic Sniper Rifle were. These two were infamous as the "twin tumors" of the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureaus containment facility. The Toy Bear was practically unkillable, possessing limitless strength. When it entered attack mode, its fur would gradually shift from pink to deep red. Once fully red, its punching force would exceed 100 tonsmeaning it had to be either subdued or calmed down while still in pink mode. Meanwhile, the Demonic Sniper Rifle was a living weapon with a sentient spirit. However... It was extremely arrogant. It had a short temper. It frequently jammed or misfired out of spite. Most importantly, it refused to be used by men. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Only female Revived Ones could wield it, and the prettier the woman, the more stable the rifles mood. But even then, after about five shots, it would get bored and refuse to fire. The rifle was classified as a cursed artifact, similar to Japans infamous Muramasa demon swords. But unlike the Muramasa blades, it had still helped the Bureau eliminate several high-threat monsters in the past. Its power and arrogance were undeniable. And yet, here it was... Reduced to a crumpled mess, trembling like a bullied schoolkid. When had anyone ever seen the Demonic Sniper Rifle suffer such humiliation?! "Weve already moved Chen Huaian to a new containment roomlarger, more comfortable. The last one was completely wrecked... Hes been debating whether he should compensate us for damages. Honestly, the losses are significant... but even if Director Li Changbai comes back, I doubt he''d dare make this guy pay." Li ChangbaiGovernor of the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau and a General-rank Demon Slayerwas currently dealing with the Black Coffin anomaly at Mount Longhu. That situation was just as troublesome, and he hadn''t returned to the containment facility in a long time. For now, the facility was being managed by Zhao Ying, Xiang Xiaoyuan, and the various division chiefs. Luo Saihu was silent for a moment before saying, "...I want to meet this kid. Can I?" "Of course. Chen Huaian is in a terrible mood, but Im sure hell be happy to see you." Xiang Xiaoyuan gave Luo Saihu a meaningful smile. "Welcome back, Director Luo... Its truly a relief that youre alive." Chen Huaian was completely stunned when he saw Luo Saihu. For the past two days, he had been drowning in guilt... He had assumed Luo Saihu had already been cremated. Yet now, here he wasalive and standing in front of him. And strangely... Luo Saihus presence felt oddly familiar. Something about his aura gave off a strange sense of kinship... Almost as if... They were long-lost twin brothers?! Luo Saihu noticed Chen Huaians dumbfounded expression and grinned. "Surprised to see me alive, kid?" He flexed his arm, and his cancerous cells writhed, forming a giant eyeball on his bicep. "My ability is Assimilation. At deaths door, I absorbed the dragons demonic cancer cells and survived. Now, my body is fully composed of these super cells, and Ive even ranked up to Elite Soldier-Class." Chen Huaian stared at the eyeball on Luo Saihus bicep, his brain buzzing. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out "Bro, youre the real Tumor Superman?!" "...Tumor Superman? Thats a fantastic name!" Luo Saihu nodded approvingly. "Every Elite Soldier-Class Demon Slayer needs a codename... From now on, Im Tumor Superman." After chatting for a bit, the topic shifted to money. "Any ways to make money?" Chen Huaian looked at Luo Saihu with hopeful eyes. "Like... I dont know, maybe livestreaming? That Toy Bear and Sniper Rifle would make great streamers." Luo Saihu: "" Still... After thinking it over, Luo Saihu realized it was actually feasible. "Chen Huaian... since the Spiritual Qi Revival, the existence of monsters can no longer be kept secret. The Demon Slayer Bureau, the government, and major factions have shifted from concealment to public awareness and education. But we need time... and a more subtle, entertaining approach. Your idea isnt bad. Ill bring it up with Zhao Ying." After all, only Chen Huaian could keep those two containment objects under control. However, Luo Saihus expression darkened slightly. "...But why do you need so much money? You''re in a containment facilityfood, clothing, and shelter are free. You just need to wait for treatment. Where would you even spend money?" Chen Huaian hesitated. He trusted Luo Saihu... But he couldnt reveal the truth about the pay-to-win system. Instead, he deflected. "...I was poor all my life. I never want to feel helpless again. If I had money, I wouldve gotten checkups earlier and caught my cancer in time. My ex-girlfriend left me because I was broke and terminally ill. In todays world, money isnt everything... But without money, youre nothing." Luo Saihu studied Chen Huaian for a long moment. He knew Chen Huaian wasnt telling the whole truth... But instead of pressing, he simply handed him a bank card. "Theres 600,000 on this card. Half is from bounties and materials I sold... The rest is your mission bonus." As he turned to leave, his expression hardened. Some debts... Were long overdue. "Drive to the Forestry Bureau." "Forestry Bureau? Why?" Luo Saihu stared at the list of government officials Zhao Ying had sent him. His eyes turned ice cold. "Time to settle some accounts." Chapter 151: Stray Cats and Dogs Chapter 151: Stray Cats and Dogs What? Sect Master Su, youre saying my Zen Sect has disciples practicing demonic cultivation? Ha! Amitabha, why dont you come over? This humble monk will personally bless your head with enlightenment. The hell are you saying? Sect Master Su, have you lost your mind? Theres no way my Black Blade Sect has demonic cultivators. You youre not trying to find an excuse to start another Sect Tournament, are you? No need for the hassle. Consider your Sword Pavilion the winner already. What? Youre the Sect Master of the Sword Pavilion? Get lost! Scram! Su Qinian sat cross-legged, hugging his sword, staring at the gilded ceiling of the sect hall in silence. The world is really going downhill My Sword Pavilion is at least a renowned sect in the Cangyun Realm, yet were being treated like this by these sects! In just half a day, he had already contacted multiple sects, warning them that they might have disciples practicing demonic cultivation and urging them to investigate. But he wasnt about to personally go to each sect to check for them. He wasnt that free, nor did he have the time. Even if he were that free, those sects wouldnt necessarily let him in. Hed probably be stopped by their elders before even reaching their gates. Its hard to reason with people who are already dead inside. Tsk Su Qinian snorted coldly. The smaller sects were still in awe of the Sword Pavilion and promised to investigate, though he knew most of them were just paying lip service. Among the major sects, the Pill Sect and Lingxi Valley assured him they would conduct thorough inspections, which gave him some relief. Both were well-known sects, though not as prestigious as the Sword Pavilion. Still, if they uncovered demonic cultivators and made it public, the other sects would have to take it seriously. That just leaves Qingyun Sect Su Qinians gaze landed on the jade slip engraved with the words Qingyun. His expression turned complicated. The Sword Pavilion and Qingyun Sect didnt get along. Deep down, he didnt really care if the Qingyun Sect lived or died. But morally speaking, he should still give them a heads-up, whether they listened or not. Forget it, forget it. No matter what, Qingyun Patriarch is still my white moonlight. Ill notify her Su Qinians expression twisted as he finally injected a wisp of Spiritual Qi into the jade slip. He cleared his throat, adjusted his voice, and activated the jade slip. A Spiritual Qi projection flickered into existence. Staring at his own reflection in the light screenhis white hair, aged face, and weathered featureshe felt as if he were seeing the old woman herself. Until A youthful girl appeared in the light screen. Sect Master Su, long time no see. She smiled charmingly, looking no older than sixteen or seventeen, yet exuding a mature allure that could only be cultivated through years of experience. Su Qinian immediately shut the projection, staring blankly at the air for a long time before muttering to himself, By the heavens When did she have a daughter? She didnt even tell me! He tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, eyes filled with sorrow. What nonsense are you spouting? A cold snort came from the still-active jade slip. This old one has no daughter. I simply took a Youth-Restoring Pill. Hearing that familiar raspy voice, Su Qinian suddenly felt at ease. He reopened the projection and smirked. Rong Qingyun, what the hell did you do to yourself? You dont look the least bit dignified. Thats not important. I need to ask you something. Is Li Qingrans master in your Sword Pavilion? Yes. Su Qinian blinked in surprise, wondering why she was asking, but answered honestly. Li Qingrans master is our Pavilions Grand Elder. Given his seniority, calling him an ancestor wouldnt be an exaggeration. Can you get me his personal communication jade slip? Qingyun Patriarchs face turned slightly red. She bit her lip and averted her gaze. Su Qinian: ??? Wait a minute. Something felt off. If she wanted a private jade slip, she could just ask for it. What was with that shy expression? Rong Qingyun, dont tell me Aiya~ Ive recently taken an interest in swordsmanship~ Qingyun Patriarch covered her flushed cheeks, her eyes brimming with allure. She twisted slightly and said coyly, That seniors swordsmanship is extraordinary. I just want to deeply study the way of the sword with him~ Su Qinian fell silent. No joke, if his senses werent failing him His white moonlight was about to get stolen. By his own Grand Elder. The feeling was peculiar. Sort of like an ex-dao companion falling for your grandfather. He mulled it over for a long time before finally asking just one question. Does your son know? For once, his conversation with Qingyun Patriarch was pleasant. Usually, they couldnt go three sentences without an argument. Rong Qingyun solemnly stated that if the matter of demonic cultivators infiltrating sects was something that senior had pointed out, then she would ensure that her sect master and elders conducted a thorough investigation. She would not allow demonic cultivators to take advantage of the situation. After closing the jade slip, Su Qinian let out a dry laugh and sighed. Phew! Good thing I have over a hundred white moonlights. Otherwise, my Dao heart wouldve shattered today! He then grabbed the Qingyun Sects jade slip from his collection of private communication slips from female cultivators, looked at it with distaste, and tossed it aside. Then, he hopped onto his flying sword and headed for the peak of Luoxia Mountain. Time to report to the old ancestor. Qingran, these are the responses from all the sects in the Cangyun Realm. In a small room, Su Qinian handed a jade slip to Li Qingran. Just as he was about to leave, he paused and turned back, his tone meaningful. By the way, I just had a chat with Qingyun Patriarch. That old hag mustve lost her mindshe actually took a Youth-Restoring Pill and turned herself back into her younger self. Damn, shes all charming and seductive now, ripe and luscious, fresh and dewy Say, does she know your master? Li Qingran, who had been focused on sewing a pillowcase, suddenly looked up sharply. Sect Master, did you give it to her? No, I didnt have one to give, and even if I did, I wouldnt. Su Qinian quickly shook his head, a cold sweat forming on his forehead. By the heavens. He actually saw a trace of killing intent in Li Qingrans eyes. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thats good. Li Qingran let out a relieved sigh, a gentle smile gracing her face. Master is very busyhe has to fight great demons and suppress the poison in his body. Theres no need for stray cats and dogs to disturb him. Absolutely, absolutely. Haha I, uh, I have things to do. Ill be off now. Su Qinian let out a dry chuckle and bolted from Luoxia Peak. Too scary. She was just shy of outright calling Qingyun Patriarch a stray dog. At least his other disciple, Yue Qianchi, was better. A little slow, a bit too fond of drinking, but at least he didnt have rebellious thoughts or interfere with his private life. With a disciple like this, the old ancestor probably wouldnt be able to build his harem in peace. Su Qinian flew off on his sword, shaking his head and sighing. Tsk tsk, Rong Qingyun Youre really pitiful Heh. At her desk, Li Qingran sat in a daze for a long time. Then, she took apart the half-finished pillow. Replacing the fabric with one embroidered with lotus leaves, she pulled out a tea sachet she had never gotten the courage to gift, carefully turning it inside out to reveal a tiny frog embroidery. Gently tracing the frog and lotus leaf with her fingers, her hands trembled slightly. Her face grew redder and redder. But in the end She didnt change it back. Chapter 152: You Can Also Divine the Heavens? Chapter 152: You Can Also Divine the Heavens? "I originally thought that senior was exaggerating... but to think my Lingxi Valley actually had a disciple practicing demonic cultivation!" At Lingxi Valley, Yun Suxin stood at the sect''s main square, her delicate face filled with anger. Kneeling before her was a trembling female disciple, her face covered in tears and snot. Around them, the other disciples of Lingxi Valley stood with their heads lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly. Lingxi Valley strictly prohibited its disciples from forming Dao Companions or developing romantic feelings for opposite-sex cultivators. If caught, severe punishment followed. But compared to cultivating demonic arts, that punishment was nothing. The severity wasnt even on the same level. "Spare me, Young Mistress! I was just momentarily bewitched..." The female disciple didn''t dare to meet Yun Suxin''s furious gaze. Her body trembled violently, her face a mess. If she had another chance, she would never have gotten involved with that demonic cultivator. No matter how handsome, strong, or charming his voice was, no matter how wealthy he seemedhe was still a demonic cultivator. What good could possibly come from that? Now, she had realized her mistake. She regretted it... but it was too late. "Practicing demonic arts is a crime punishable by death!" Yun Suxin waved her hand, her voice cold. "Someone, give her the Soul-Severing Venom!" The Soul-Severing Venom was a deadly poison unique to Lingxi Valley. It wasnt completely incurable, but it was potent enough to serve as a terrifying deterrent for those who committed capital offenses. "Wait." A voice rang out from behind Yun Suxin. Yun Baiyu stepped forward, her cold gaze sweeping across the crowd before settling on the kneeling disciple. She spoke indifferently, "Destroy your own dantian. Considering your decade-long service to Lingxi Valley with no prior offenses, I will allow you to remain as a servant disciple, tending to the herb gardens." Hearing this, the female disciple felt as if she had been granted a divine pardon. She kowtowed repeatedly, crying, "Thank you, Valley Master! Thank you for your mercy!" At this point, simply surviving was a blessing. What did cultivation even matter anymore? At least within Lingxi Valley, there was an abundance of Spiritual Qi and medicinal herbs. It was still far better than becoming a powerless mortal at the mercy of fate. ... "Mother, you made me play the bad guy again today!" At the back mountain of Lingxi Valley, Yun Suxin had completely dropped her fierce persona. She clung to Yun Baiyus arm like a koala, pouting. Yun Baiyu chuckled, gently patting her daughter''s head to comfort her. "One day, youll inherit Lingxi Valley. You need to establish your authority early on." "I refuse. Lingxi Valley is yours to manage... forever. A thousand years, ten thousand years, it''s all yours." Yun Baiyu smiled bitterly in her heart, knowing this wasnt an argument she could win. So she changed the subject. "Good thing that senior had Sect Master Su warn us. Otherwise, wed still be in the dark. The way this demonic cultivation technique conceals itself is truly frightening. If not for using the Heart-Mirror Artifact, we might not have discovered it until disaster struck." Normally, whenever the Sword Pavilion''s Grand Elder was mentioned, Yun Suxin would argue stubbornly. But today, she remained uncharacteristically quiet. With the Zhongzhou Secret Realm about to open, some demonic cultivators had intentionally spread demonic techniques within sects... Their malicious intent was obvious. If not for the Sword Pavilions warning, the consequences would have been unimaginable. "Suxin, go notify the other sects. Warn them and urge them to investigate their own disciples immediately," Yun Baiyu instructed seriously. "Sect Master Su may be highly respected, but many sects might not take his words seriously." "Hehe, you''re right, Mother. Who would believe that bandit leader Su Qinian? Only our Lingxi Valley can be trusted~" Yun Suxin giggled as she imagined how the other sects must have dismissed Su Qinians warnings. Humming happily, she grabbed the communication jade slips to contact them. Yun Baiyu watched her daughter hop away, her eyes filled with warmth and reluctance. The stabbing pain in her chest and meridians served as a constant reminder... She didnt have much time left. ... Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lingxi Valley and the Pill Sect almost simultaneously announced that they had uncovered disciples practicing demonic cultivation. The moment the news spread, the entire Cangyun Realm erupted in chaos. Those sects that had ignored Su Qinians warnings immediately began emergency investigations. Soon, word spread from the Pill Sect that the demonic technique was incredibly subtle and easy to hide. This prompted various sects to rush to purchase the Pill Sects newly developed Demon-Revealing Pills for their disciples. Within days, a wave of demonic cultivators hidden among the sects was exposed. Furious sect leaders ordered a massive purge. Unfortunately, most sects couldnt even catch a single demonmany had already vanished without a trace. Qingyun Sect also purchased a batch of Demon-Revealing Pills. Sect Master Wu Duantian distributed the pills to the peak elders, ordering them to conduct inspections. At Chixiao Peak, Daoist Qingxuan handed the pills to Lu Changtian. "I dont believe our Qingyun Sect has any demonic cultivators... especially not on Chixiao Peak. But since its an order from the Sect Master, just have everyone take the pills under your supervision." "Lu Changtian, Ill leave this to you," Qingxuan said casually before walking away, not bothering to oversee the process himself. As Lu Changtian was about to distribute the pills, Mu Baishuang suddenly stepped forward and snatched them from his hands, giggling. "Hey, little junior sister, you" "Senior brother, I heard that the Pill Sects pills are the best in Cangyun Realm. Unless the Holy Lands or the Void Abyss intervene, their pills are unrivaled. I was just curious to take a look~ Why are you being so mean?" Mu Baishuang pouted, feigning grievance. The three other disciples of Chixiao Peak immediately chimed in. "Senior brother, just let junior sister take a look. Its no big deal." "Yeah, even if she throws them away, I, Xiao Yifeng, can refine an even better batch in no time!" "Senior brother, junior sister clings to you all the time. Why are you being so strict with her?" Under their combined pressure, Lu Changtian was left speechless. Fortunately, Mu Baishuang only examined the pills for a while before returning them. "Here, you stingy senior brother! Hmph, these Demon-Revealing Pills are nothing special. They dont even compare to second senior brothers alchemy skills~" Hearing this, Xiao Yifeng beamed with pride, immediately praising Mu Baishuang for her discerning taste. Lu Changtian, still focused on keeping order, failed to notice that the pills in his hand had been switched. An hour later... Qingyun Sect held an emergency assembly. Three disciples who had cultivated demonic arts were exposed. After failing to provide information about the demonic sects whereabouts, they were executed on the spot. Throughout the entire sect meeting, Daoist Qingxuan kept his eyes closed, looking detached from the situation. Why? Because Chixiao Peak remained completely cleanno demonic cultivators among them. Everything was normal. ... "Young Master, many of our pieces have been exposed. What should we do next?" In a secluded spiritual field outside Qingyun Sect... Mu Baishuang stared at the mirror in front of her, her expression serious. Within the mirror was a blood-red pool. Sitting in the center was a towering man with cascading crimson hair. His features were striking, exuding an otherworldly allure. Even with his eyes closed, his presence was mesmerizing. Mu Baishuangs gaze grew increasingly heated. Her breathing quickened, her hands unconsciously sliding toward her thigh. Suddenly, the man in the blood pool opened his eyes. A surge of demonic energy erupted. His long crimson hair billowed wildly, and the blood around him churned violently with his breath. A sinister gleam flashed in his red eyes as he sneered coldly. "Hmph! Id like to see who dares interfere with my Heavenly Demon Sects plans!" With that, he lifted his gaze skyward. His crimson pupils glowed with a sinister light, piercing into the heavens... He began divining the secrets of fate. ... Chapter 153: Why Is It Still You?! Chapter 153: Why Is It Still You?! Perfect! Its the Young Masters Heavenly Demon Sky-Peering Technique! A secret art that sacrifices the karmic fates of other living beings to glimpse a fragment of destiny Only a demonic prodigy like the Young Master could possibly master such a technique! Mu Baishuangs gaze grew increasingly intoxicated. Her fingertips unconsciously traced circles on her thigh. These supple, fair thighs had never been touched by any disciple of Chixiao Peak. Even if someone accidentally brushed her hand, she would scrub it with a handkerchief for half a day. Yet now, her mind was filled with visions of the Young Masters warm hands gliding over her skin... From the mirror, agonized wails rang out. The cries came from the dark prison behind the Heavenly Demon Young Master. Layer upon layer of cages intertwined in a complex formation, clearly part of a sinister array. A chilling demonic aura spread through the cave, making it resemble hell itself. Within the cages were imprisoned cultivators and mortals alike. At this moment, countless streams of blood and life force flowed into the Heavenly Demon Young Master. His pupils glowed with a commanding radiance. He saw it. He saw the silhouette of a white-haired sword cultivator. That man was surrounded by black dragons, wielding a black-scaled longsword. That sword cultivator Actually Looked more handsome than him?! Even from just a glimpse of his back, the Heavenly Demon Young Master reached this undeniable conclusion. Unacceptable. As the Number One Most Handsome Demon Cultivator in the Cangyun Realm, his looks were sacred, indisputable, and absolute. Trying to act mysterious? Let me see your face! He intensified his Heavenly Demon Sky-Peering Technique, sacrificing more prisoners. One by one, the cultivators and mortals in the cages exploded into clouds of blood. As the last sacrifice perished, the blood pool churned violently, its stench overwhelming. And at that moment He finally saw the sword cultivators face. Wha What WHAT THE HELL?! Staring at that face The unreasonably, outrageously, devastatingly handsome face The Heavenly Demon Young Master felt his Qi violently recoil, surging straight into his heart and lungs. PUH!!! He clutched his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood. His aura instantly weakened. Ah! Young Master! Mu Baishuang snapped out of her daze, completely abandoning her fantasies. She watched in horror as the Young Masters demonic eyespierced through by sword intentbegan bleeding. A backlash from divining the heavens. Even though the Young Master had used a secret technique, he still suffered backlash That meant the one he had spied on had greater mastery over fate than someone trained in the Heavenly Demon Sky-Peering Technique?! How was that possible?! Just who was this person who had secretly thwarted the Heavenly Demon Sects plans? She needed to investigate. Young Master, are you alright? Youre bleeding Soaking in the blood pool, the Heavenly Demon Young Master, Ji Dong, wiped the blood from his lips and gritted his teeth. Im fine. Those demonic cultivators we planted in righteous sects were bound to be discovered sooner or later. Their deaths mean nothing They were always part of my plan. As expected of the Young Master! Mu Baishuangs eyes shone with admiration. No matter the situation, the Young Master always planned ahead. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unlike hershe always got emotional when things happened How embarrassing. But you Ji Dongs cold gaze pierced through the mirror, locking onto Mu Baishuang. You told me Qingyun Sect had a Taiyin Dao Body. When are you going to bring it to me? Mu Baishuangs face instantly turned pale. She hesitated, then lowered her head and whispered, Young Master, the Taiyin Dao Body was taken by a cultivator. It seems that person has accepted them as a disciple She shivered under the Young Masters increasingly icy stare and quickly pledged herself to the task. But that person will definitely enter the Zhongzhou Secret Realm! When the time comes, I will personally ensure that special physique is yours! Hmph! Remember what you said! Ji Dong dismissed the mirror projection with a flick of his hand. He tried to regulate his breath But the more he circulated his Qi, the more chaotic it became. A rogue sword intent rampaged through his meridians. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth again. He barely managed to suppress it. The backlash had been insane. He had merely glanced at that sword cultivator and lost an entire month of cultivation. Unbelievable! Heh I might not be able to deal with that old monster But cant I still crush that special physiques master? Ji Dong once again began divining the heavens. His plan was simple. Mu Baishuang would handle the special physique. He would handle their master. A two-pronged approach! Victory was assured! Moments later PUH!!! The cave echoed with the violent sound of projectile vomiting blood. Followed immediately by a hysterical scream. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! ITS YOU! ITS STILL YOU?! ... ... Noon had arrived. It was time for Heavenly Divination. Chen Huaian bathed, changed, and recharged his energy. With a murderous resolve, he logged into the game. Today, either the cancer cells die or he does. Chen Huaian had spoken. His killing intent toward cancer cells was so strong that he completely ignored the eager, expectant look in Li Qingrans eyes. Heavenly DivinationStart! What pill can suppress the demonic cancer cells in my body? Player is currently under the "Lost Fortune" debuff. This divination is free, but will increase your "Lost Fortune" stack by two layers. Continue? Chen Huaian glanced at his 998 layers of "Lost Fortune" and sneered. What difference do two more make? He had so many that he was already numb to it. Do it, damn it! Heavenly Divination in progress A sudden shift in the winds swept across the Cangyun Realm. Countless cultivators looked up in alarm. Heavenly Divination complete. The Hundred Herbs Detox Pill can completely suppress the demonic cancer cells in the players body. (Click for details) Chen Huaian: I click. Details: The Hundred Herbs Detox Pill, also known as the Hundred Herbs Rebirth Pill, works by upgrading all normal cells in the user''s body. Since toxins cannot affect upgraded "super cells," cultivators who consume this pill gain immunity to all poisons. I see. Chen Huaian understood. Right now, the reason he couldnt defeat his cancer cells Was because the demonic cancer cells were on a higher level than his normal cells. To overcome them, he needed to raise his cultivation. But the problem washis cancer cells would grow stronger alongside him. In this scenario, any nourishment was just feeding the cancer. Even detox pills were useless Because cancer wasnt a toxin. Which meantthe Hundred Herbs Detox Pill was the only cure. Instead of removing the disease It directly upgraded his bodys resistance. Heh. Chen Huaian let out a bitter chuckle. His gaze dimmed. No matter how much I struggle in the end, the one who can save me is still my Qingran baby. She still has to risk herself in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm Im powerless utterly powerless hahahaha "Master, I finished making your pillowcase~" A soft, gentle voice chimed from the screen, carrying nervous excitement. Chen Huaian snapped back to reality. His eyes narrowed His lips curled into a sinister smirk. Confidence. Determination. Belief. All returned to his once lifeless gaze. Oh? A pillowcase made of special fabric? Interesting. With this pillowcase As long as he buried his face in it day and night What could possibly be impossible for Immortal Chen?! Chapter 154: Fear of Not Having Enough Money Chapter 154: Fear of Not Having Enough Money Mm, not bad, your efficiency is pretty high. Send it over so I can take a look, hehe! Chen Huaian rubbed his fingers together, his face beaming with excitement. What Li Qingran heard: Leave it on the table, Ill take it myself. Ugh~ Master is still so cold and aloof. Li Qingran hesitated for a long while before finally placing the neatly folded pillowcase on the table. After another moment of hesitation, she averted her gaze and murmured, Master, I forgot to give you a tea sachet before. I just found it today, so Ill leave it here with the pillowcase. After saying that, she quickly fished out a small tea sachet from behind her and stuffed it into the pillowcase. Then, she lowered her head, staring at her hands fidgeting on her lap, remaining completely silent. Beneath her bangs, her misty eyes trembled slightly. Her fluttering eyelashes betrayed her nervousness and unease. Will Master notice the secret behind the pillowcase and tea sachet? And if he does what will he think of me? But no matter what this was his request. Since it was Masters own demand, surely he wouldnt think badly of her, right? Yes, yes! Master was also responsible for this. She couldnt be blamed entirely. She hadnt done this on purpose. She was just just fulfilling Masters request. That was all. Chen Huaian had no idea that a certain young girl was deep in self-hypnosis. He had already received the pillowcase and tea sachet. And he quickly noticed something interestingthe embroidery on them. The pillowcase had a lotus leaf. The tea sachet had a frog. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. This wasnt simple. Hmm was this intentional? Or just a coincidence?! After careful analysis, considering Li Qingrans shy and reserved personality, she definitely wouldnt have done this on purpose. His request alone must have embarrassed her enough. It was more likely that she simply hadnt noticed the embroidery when making the pillowcase and sachet. But does that even matter? What mattered wasthe lotus leaf was on the left, the frog was on the right. That was all he needed to know. Compared to the previous tea sachet the one in his hand now was a true imperial-grade treasure. Chen Huaian immediately wrapped a pack of tea leaves in the frog sachet and brewed a cup of tea. Then, he replaced his pillowcase with the lotus leaf one and buried his face in it. Inhale! Exhale! This soft fabric This intoxicating scent~ Hiss~ The potency!!! But something still felt a little off. Chen Huaian hugged the pillow and thought for a moment before realizingit was the pillow itself! The material wasnt good enough. He needed a new one! Qingran, your pillowcase and tea sachet are great. Hmm Do you have any softer fabrics? Master also needs a matching comforter, bedsheet, table mat, headrest, scarf, gloves, mask Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian rattled off a long list of items. What Li Qingran heard: Your thoughtfulness has been received. Very good. I am pleased. That was it? Li Qingran stared longingly into the void. That was all Master had to say? Did that mean he had noticed or not noticed? Probably not. Otherwise, he wouldve said something more. Thinking this, she felt both relieved and disappointed. Her heart raced wildly. She suddenly wanted to see how Master would react if he knew the secret behind those items. How would Master treat her then? No, no, this is too risky! She pinched her thigh, and the sharp pain finally cleared her mind, burning away the blush of embarrassment. She kept reminding herselfthat kind of thought was unhealthy. It was inappropriate. It was disrespectful to Master. If she wasnt careful, she might not even be able to remain his disciple anymore. To avoid giving Master a chance to ask any suspicious questions, Li Qingran quickly changed the subject. Master, Sect Master Su sent a message. Hes already warned the other sects about the spread of demonic techniques. Later, both the Pill Sect and Lingxi Valley discovered disciples cultivating demonic arts. Once these two sects announced it, all the sects in the Cangyun Realm began conducting strict internal investigations. Every disciple who practiced demonic arts has been caught. Li Qingrans eyes sparkled with admiration. This was her Master. Su Qinian might be unreliable, but Master could still make use of him to trigger a domino effect that turned an unreliable situation into a reliable one. This must be the art of leadership. She wondered When would Master make use of her? What about Qingyun Sect? Chen Huaian recalled that he had already encountered a demonic cultivator there before and casually asked about it. Qingyun Sect also caught disciples practicing demonic techniques, Li Qingran replied. Didnt expect them to actually listen. Chen Huaian shook his head. He hadnt really expected Qingyun Sect to uncover its hidden demonic cultivators. That sect gave off an air of untouchable arrogance. If not for Li Qingrans safety in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm, as well as his own Sword Pavilions interests, he wouldnt have bothered warning them at all. He opened his Main Quest to check Li Qingrans survival rate. By now, the demonic sects plans should have been disrupted, so her survival rate should have increased. And yet Li Qingrans Dungeon Survival Rate: 62% Heavenly Divination Hint #2: The Zhongzhou Secret Realm will contain a large number of demonic cultivators and some demonic beasts. What? Why is it still so low? Chen Huaian frowned. The 1% increase was only because Li Qingrans cultivation had improved. But the Heavenly Divination Hint hadnt changed. That was strange. Could it be that the demonic sects plan wasnt about having these disciples betray their sects in the secret realm? Tonight, Ill use another Heavenly Divination and every day until the Zhongzhou Secret Realm opens. I refuse to believe I cant figure this out! Chen Huaians expression darkened. Tonight, he would directly divine the demonic sects plans in Cangyun Realm. As for the Lost Fortune debuff? Heh. A bit of bad luck? So what? He was already living in a 15-meter-thick alloy-reinforced Supreme VIP Suite. What could possibly happen? Would the damn thing explode?! DING LING LING! A phone rang. It was the public line of his suite. Chen Huaian got up to answer it And immediately tripped on nothing, slamming face-first into the floor. Youre saying you want to use KSC-01 Toy Bear and KSC-02 Demon Sniper Rifle for livestreaming? Zhao Ying stared at the video feed, watching Chen Huaian, who had just smashed his nose into the floor, now covered in blood. A General-ranked Revived One, an A-Class Containment Subject And he tripped on flat ground and broke his own nose? Who would believe this if they didnt see it happen?! Thats right. Chen Huaian nodded, his fractured nose already healing. He held it as he spoke in a muffled voice. Those two brats dont listen, right? Just let them live with me. Ill make them behave and complete missions for you. At the same time, Ill use them for my livestreams and all earnings will be mine. Hows that? Zhao Ying thought it over seriously. Spiritual Qi had already revived, and monsters were becoming impossible to hide. The Demon Slayer Bureau and the major clans needed to help the public adjust. And livestreamingan entertaining yet educational approach seemed like the perfect way. As for why Chen Huaian needed money? The bearded guy already told her the reason. Chen Huaian had money insufficiency anxiety. Honestly, she understood completely. All Revived Ones had their own quirks. For example she herself liked electrocuting herself with a taser multiple times a day. Alright. Ill arrange for KSC-01 and KSC-02 to move in with you. She hesitated, then added, Just go easy on them, alright? Relax. We get along great. Do you have any other requests? Chen Huaian thought for a moment, then raised a finger. Yes! Get me a silicone pillow. Full silicone filling, skin-like texture Zhao Ying: Huh? Chen Huaian: Ah, I just like hugging toy bears and chewing on lobsters while I sleep. Gotta have good sleep quality, you know? Zhao Ying: Chapter 155: Completely Blown Away Chapter 155: Completely Blown Away "Babybear, todays livestream is crucial. Make sure you play your role as a punching bag welldont disappoint me." "Mr. King Shrimp Sniper, I know you dont respect me, but I expect every blind shot I fire with you to hit the target. Otherwise, Ill shove your barrel straight into your own scope!" Chen Huaian slung his left arm over the strawberry bear''s shoulder while gripping the sniper rifles barrel with his right hand. After a round of friendly negotiations, both the bear and the sniper temporarily reached a mutual understanding with him. "Let me introduce youthis is Baji and Xiaoqing. Theyre your new friends. From now on, get along or Ill personally gut whoever starts trouble." The toy bear glanced at Baji and Xiaoqing, its big round eyes flashing darkly. These two must be important to Subject 0 If I kill them, hell be devastated. Ill wait for the right moment. The sniper rifle let out a sharp, mocking laugh. Some dumb cat and fish? One shot each. Baji, watching the bear and shrimp pretending to be friendly, curled its lips in disdain. A stuffed toy that just happened to be alive, and a stick with a spirit inside? The first one was nothing more than a puppet with self-control, and the second was a glorified stick trying to be friends with a primeval vicious beast like itself? Ha! Still considering Bosss face, it would reluctantly give them a chance. Xiaoqing: Bloop bloop bloop With all his actors in place, Chen Huaian was feeling confident. He now had: A cat that could do backflips A fish that could stand on water A toy bear that could punch through walls And a sniper rifle he could stroke like a pet With a lineup like this, he was destined to dominate the pet influencer market. He could already see money raining down upon him. If this didnt make him rich, hed have no choice but to steal bounties from demon-slaying missions or risk exposing his secrets by smuggling goods between worlds. Filled with anticipation, Chen Huaian logged into his short-video platform account. The moment he opened the homepage, he was completely dumbfounded. Normally, his feed was filled with posing influencers or rich kids showing off their lives. But now? Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A fire-breathing dog. An electrified snake. People running across rooftops. A child casually bending ten steel rods with their bare hands. What the hell is all this nonsense?! So, theyre not even pretending anymore?! Back then, any video of supernatural events would be immediately deleted. Now, the platform was actively promoting them?! Chen Huaian almost vomited. He turned to look at Baji and Xiaoqing. A cat that can do backflips? A fish that can stand on water? Pfft. Theres already a cat online that shoots wind blades. If you compared cats some cats were better off being thrown away. But Chen Huaian was a responsible owner. He would never abandon Baji. Instead, he dropped a set of dumbbells in front of the cat and patted its head solemnly. "Youre a grown Hakimi now. You have to learn to grind on your own and earn your own damn food." "Your goal is to become a muscular super-cat. Dont let me down." Baji: "" Oh. So Boss wants me to focus on body refinement. No problem. As an ancient beast, it had always cultivated both physically and spiritually. If Boss liked muscles, then it would lean more toward physique training. "Xiaoqing, youre a grown fish spirit now." Chen Huaian dropped a pile of black stockings, white stockings, and a copy of into the water basin. His voice was cold and commanding. "You need to learn from mermaids. Grow yourself a pair of beautiful legs, wear stockings, and shake your ass to earn your own food." "Otherwise youre turning into pickled fish on someones dinner plate." Xiaoqing: "" I want to run away. Chen Huaian bit the bullet and tried a few different livestreaming ideas. For example: Wrestling with Babybear but he kept tripping over his own feet and getting slammed into the ground. Shooting targets with the Sniper King except the targets kept falling over on their own before he could shoot. No matter how he tried to fix them, theyd fall again the moment he turned around. Viewers kept leaving. Chen Huaian got so frustrated that he shot the wall in anger. But the sniper got pissed too, unloading fifty rounds in a single burst. The bullets collided mid-air, triggering a chain explosion. The containment suite was instantly reduced to a battlefield. Fortunately, the 15-meter-thick alloy walls held up. Only a 10-meter-wide crater was left in the aftermath. Chen Huaian shut down the livestream. After a whole night of chaos The sniper had lost weight and looked completely drained. The strawberry bear was covered in black and yellow bruises, like it had been pulled out of a dumpster. Baji, on the other hand, looked completely fine. It didnt even have to participate. As an old employee, it just needed to quietly lift weights. Meanwhile Xiaoqing had already put on black stockings. It had officially set its sights on growing legs. Livestreaming. A golden road to riches. Chen Xianzun had walked it all the way into a black hole. "To think that I, Chen Xianzun, once so glorious, have now fallen to such pathetic depths" He stared bitterly at his livestream earnings. Tonights revenue: 38,000. Refunds from underage viewers: 20,000. Platform''s 50% cut: 19,000. Final balance: negative 1,000. What the hell is this nonsense?! Chen Huaian grabbed a syringe and shot milk tea directly into his mouth. This was currently the only way he could drink without choking. He was so speechless that he actually started laughing. Leaning against his battle-damaged sofa, he mindlessly scrolled through videos. No more heavily filtered influencers. No more rich kids showing off their money. No more endless livestream product ads. Only bizarre supernatural videos. Suddenly, his finger stopped. Breaking News: At 9 PM Capital Time, the Forestry Bureau Director of C-Province, Li Wenbo, and Deputy Director, Zhang Bin, were found guilty of embezzling over 30 million. Li Wenbo is also accused of gambling, money laundering, colluding with criminal organizations, and even hiring assassins. A total of 57 related individuals have been arrested. The case has been handed over to the provincial prosecution office, and Li Wenbo is expected to receive the death penalty This government-backed news video stood out like a wolf among huskies. It slammed straight into Chen Huaians face with its sheer intensity. The video showed corrupt officials being escorted away by armed guards. The comment section was filled with cheers. Some netizens even claimed that the entire corrupt network was being uprooted, and that even their higher-ups would be investigated. In a corner of the footage Chen Huaian spotted the bearded guy from the Demon Slayer Bureau. Standing quietly in the shadows of the Forestry Bureau, smoking a cigarette. "...Trying to move me with this? To make me join the Demon Slayer Bureau?" Chen Huaian snorted. But his eyes were a little heated. He scrolled away. Paused. Then reluctantly scrolled back. "...I wont lie, Bearded Guy" "This time, you really got me." "That was genuinely badass~" Chapter 156: Hello, Tyrant… Goodbye, Tyrant Chapter 156: Hello, Tyrant Goodbye, Tyrant "This kid what a waste of that handsome face." Bearded Guy watched Chen Huaians livestream replay and couldn''t help but let out a bitter chuckle. If he had Chen Huaians looks, hed have gone straight into showbiz. Getting suplexed by a strawberry bear? An unfixable, self-falling target dummy? Was this some kind of scripted comedy effect? If he looked like that, he wouldve already debuted as a celebrity instead of wasting time as a joke streamer. Just then, his phone rang. A frantic voice came through the receiver. "Director Luo, something happened! Governor Li Changbai has been critically injured! He was just carried out from the base of Mount Longhu!" "What?!" Bearded Guys expression changed instantly. "Im on my way." Li Changbai was C-Provinces only General-ranked Demon Slayer. If even he was injured that meant the evil entity hidden in Mount Longhu had to be at least General-level as well. By the time Bearded Guy arrived at the emergency medical station near the mountain, it was already late. Li Changbai had regained consciousness, but his condition was terrible. His once jet-black hair had turned stark white. His face was wrinkled and sagging. He didnt look like a middle-aged man anymorehe looked like he had aged into his seventies. It was as if decades of life had been ripped away from him. "Director Luo I heard you got promoted to Elite Soldier-class? Congratulations." Li Changbai lifted his murky eyes, forcing a tired smile. "Heh, just luck." Bearded Guy gave him a polite response before immediately shifting the conversation. "What exactly happened in Mount Longhu? Can the situation still be controlled?" Li Changbai stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Still all about the job, huh? As expected of Director Luo Well, I called you here precisely to tell you something important." "The Black Coffin inside Mount Longhu has fully emerged. The entity sealed within far surpasses General-rank." "But" Li Changbai let out a ragged cough, his breath unsteady. "But I wasnt injured by the entity inside the coffin I was attacked by someone else." Bearded Guys expression hardened as he sat down beside him. "I call them the Coffin Keepers." "There are four of them, all wearing white masks, each inscribed with a single character, , , ." "I managed to kill , , and , but I was completely exhausted by then. My plan was to retreat, recover, then head back to finish off ˡ" "But I didnt expect that thing to follow me down the mountain." "It waited until I let my guard down near the exit and then suddenly struck." "" Li Changbai''s body convulsed violently as he coughed up mouthfuls of black blood. Bearded Guy immediately stood up to call for medical personnel But Li Changbai grabbed his wrist tightly. "Sit down and listen." "I dont have much time left." "ˡ it steals its victims lifespan. Even if you called Xiang Xiaoyuan over, she wouldnt be able to save me." "Governor Li you" Bearded Guy stared at him, helpless. He had never imagined he was here to witness Li Changbais final moments. Li Changbai waved a weak hand, his clouded eyes locking onto Bearded Guys. Then, with one final burst of strength, he gripped Bearded Guys hand tightly. "The Coffin Keepers goal is to resurrect the entity sealed in the Black Coffin." "If that thing revives" "C-Province will be drowned in blood." "Ive heard about your special ability." "You have demonic cancer cells." "You dont have a lifespan to steal." "Youre the only one who can kill ." "Luo Haisheng." "Go. Kill. ." Bearded Guys gaze turned cold. "Where is ? Still in Mount Longhu?" "Yes" "If that thing is still breathing then Ill make sure to kill it!" Li Changbai let out a final, relieved sigh. He pulled out a black compass, shoving it into Bearded Guys hand. In the center, a bright red characterˡgleamed ominously. "This is the Lin Clans Soul-Chasing Compass." "With it, youll be able to track down." "And one more thing" Li Changbai pressed his frail hand on Bearded Guys shoulder. His voice was low, but firm. "Dont do this for me." "Do it for Tianfu." "For C-Province." "For Daxia." "For every unfortunate soul like you and me" Li Changbai stared at the ceiling. His voice faded. By the time Bearded Guy snapped out of it The General had already breathed his last. He clenched the compass in his trembling fingers, then slowly reached out And gently closed Li Changbais eyes. Then, he stood up and walked away. It was time to kill some evil. "Money. I need money! Whos got money?!" "Money! Wealth from all directions!!!" Sigh, Boss is having another episode. Baji sighed as he watched Chen Huaian screaming into the couch. But Boss losing his mind all the time is actually a good thing. It means his condition is stable. Its not a sign that his memory is about to return. That gives me more time to prepare. sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that thought, Baji dripped a drop of its blood into Xiaoqings mouth. Hurry up and get stronger. Follow Bosss ordersgrow a pair of beautiful legs. If you can pull that off, our lives will be much easier. Xiaoqing obediently nodded. Normally, it would take years for her to fully transform into human form. But since Boss was in a hurry She had already devised a compromise. Partial transformation. Her combat strength would be slightly suppressed, but Living under the same roof with Boss and Boss Cat, there wasnt really a need to fight, anyway. Meanwhile Outside Containment Suite #0. A dimly lit corridor. The flickering lights cast eerie shadows along the walls. Two Demon Slayers stood outside the thick alloy doors, nervously whispering. "...So this is the Zero Containment Suite, huh? Damn, that door looks insanely thick." "Of course. They say this place holds C-Provinces strongest containment subjectKSC-0." "Title: The Tyrant." "Apparently, the moment he arrived, he immediately crushed both KSC-01 and KSC-02. His power is so terrifying they had to reinforce the doors." "...Think we can convince him to help us? What if he just punches us to death?" "Emmm I heard hes usually calm, as long as Tumor Dragon doesnt show up. But hes also super cold and aloof maybe we should just ask?" CLANK! The metallic viewport on the alloy door slid open. A half-visible, devastatingly handsome face appeared. A pair of eyesbrimming with excitement. The two Demon Slayers froze in terror. And then "HELLO, TYRANT. GOODBYE, TYRANT." "NO OFFENSE INTENDED! WE MEANT NO OFFENSE!" "STOP RIGHT THERE!!!" Chen Huaian grinned, his expression both sinister and eager. "Do you have money?" "Whatever you need me for doesnt matter." "As long as youve got money, Im in! Keh keh keh!" The two Demon Slayers exchanged panicked glances. Then, they both forced out flattering smiles. "Of course! Absolutely!" "As long as Tyrant-sama helps us all the bounty rewards and material sales profits are yours!" Chapter 157: If You Don’t Speak, I’ll Shut You Up With My Lips Chapter 157: If You Dont Speak, Ill Shut You Up With My Lips "Hunting down a Black Coffin Emissary at Linchuan Cemetery? Tsk tsk, you guys sure are gutsy Taking on such a difficult mission as mere Master-ranked Demon Slayers?" Chen Huaian glanced at the mission details provided by the two Demon Slayers, his expression filled with surprise. He had encountered a Black Coffin Emissary beforethat flute-playing creep who controlled the three zeros at the construction site. If that one represented their average strength these two Master-ranked guys were basically walking into a meat grinder. "We just want to rank up faster," one of them admitted, sitting rigidly upright, hands neatly placed on his knees. The two of them sat straighter than elementary school students. But then again To their left was KSC-01, To their right was KSC-02, And directly across from them sat the legendary Tyrant, who, at least, fairly approachable. Honestly, anyone in their position would be shrinking back in fear. "Whats the benefit of ranking up?" Chen Huaian asked. "It lets us unlock the next part of the Qi Absorption Technique." "Yeah, right now, the Qi Absorption Technique is tied to our rank as Demon Slayers. If we want to obtain the rest of the technique, we need to do missions, accumulate experience, and get promoted." "I see" Chen Huaian rubbed his chin and nodded thoughtfully. The Demon Slayer Bureau had really stepped up its game. Originally, they required Demon Slayers to take at least one mission per month at their rank level. According to Bearded Guy, many Demon Slayers didnt even want to go on missions. But now? With the Qi Absorption Technique as a carrot, they were all scrambling to take on missions. And recently, he had indeed noticed an influx of fresh-faced newbies in the containment facility. "Actually there''s another reason we came to you for help," one of the Demon Slayers added cautiously. Seeing that Chen Huaian was silent, he must have thought the Tyrant was reluctant to join. "Besides us, there are two more rookies on this mission. They''re White-ranked newbies from noble families. Theyre willing to supply us with resources in exchange for letting them tag along." "But because of them, the difficulty of the mission has increased." Chen Huaians eyelid twitched. Good grief. They even turned this into a veterans carrying newbies situation? Did they even realize their own level?! Even without the noble rookies, these two were already throwing themselves into a death trap. Now, with two weaklings in tow, they were practically delivering their own corpses. For a moment, Chen Huaian was completely uninterested in helping. Fighting was easy. The hard part was babysitting newbies while fighting. Still, he asked anyway: "How much are you paying me?" "100,000!" "The Demon Slayer Bureau has increased bounties a lot recently!" "And the noble disciples are adding 200,000 on top of that. Plus, you get 100% of the profit from selling the mission materials. We just want the noble resources and ranking credit." Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. Then, the corners of his lips curled into a benevolent smile. This was a good deal. After all, with pork at 5 yuan per pound, he could eat forever on 300,000. "Deal. Looking forward to working with you!" The mission was set for midnight at Linchuan Cemetery. As the time approached, Chen Huaian opened his livestream platform and posted an announcement: [Tonight: Live Demon-Slaying Action.] Nowadays, there were plenty of educational supernatural videos circulating online But an official Demon Slayer Bureau-affiliated livestream was one of a kind. It was like a SWAT team live-streaming a drug bust. The hype was guaranteed. The moment the announcement went up, a watchful employee monitoring Chen Huaians account noticed it. "Captain Zhao, should we stop him from streaming?" Zhao Ying rested her chin on her hands, thinking for a moment before shaking her head. "No, dont stop him. Instead feature his stream on the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureaus official homepage." "Huh?" "And give him a boost in traffic." "" The employee felt like this might not be the best idea. But since Captain Zhao had spoken, that was that. Meanwhile, Zhao Ying picked up her taser, zapped herself, and shuddered violently At the same time, she thought back to a certain unpleasant meeting with the noble family representatives half an hour ago. A cold smirk appeared on her lips. "Heh So you think that now that Governor Li is dead, you can push C-Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau around?" "Then let me show you what KSC-0 really means." "Let me show you what it means to be called The Tyrant!" [HOLY SH*T, THIS IS AN OFFICIALLY SPONSORED DEMON-SLAYING LIVESTREAM?!] [BABE, COME QUICK! THIS ONES FOR REAL! @SuperBigLittleNanliang] [Wait a sec why does the streamer look kinda familiar? Hey streamer, be honest, were you the guy climbing Mount Tais?] Midnight. Chen Huaian started the livestream. The chat exploded instantly. He was already in the car with the four Demon Slayers, en route to Linchuan Cemetery. And as it turned out The two noble rookies were both girls. Chen Huaian felt a deep sense of contempt. These guys were already terrible at carrying newbies, and now they were carrying female newbies? Pathetic. "Hey, is this pretty boy the expert you guys hired?" The pink-haired girl to his left was practically melting into his lap, her voice filled with teasing curiosity. "He seems more suited to coming home with me and having babies." "Demon-slaying is so dangerous Why risk getting hurt? Id feel so bad~" "Exactly." On his right, the mature woman hugged his arm tightly, her ample chest completely engulfing his bicep. She even leaned in and blew a breath into his ear. "Cant say if youre good at slaying demons, but I bet youre great at making babies." "With a face this handsome wouldnt it be a tragedy if it got scarred?" The two Master-ranked Demon Slayers shrank in their seats. They desperately wanted to warn the reckless noble girls about who they were messing with. But What if they ruined the Tyrants fun? They had no idea if he actually enjoyed this kind of attention. Reality check: Chen Huaian did not enjoy it. Their cheap perfume was giving him a migraine. It didnt hold a candle to the natural milk tea scent from Li Qingrans tea sachets and pillowcases. But the back seat was small, and he needed to keep these rookies safe. So he endured. From the moment they entered Linchuan Cemetery, his attention was locked onto the car roof. A hundred meters overhead, a flock of crows circled ominously. Among them, a sinister presence had already locked onto their vehicle. They were being watched. Likely by the Black Coffin Emissary. But since the enemy wasnt making a move, neither would he. This 300,000 bounty was worth playing safe. If his aura scared the target away, hed be pissed. "Little brother, why so quiet? Not much of a talker?" The pink-haired girl was just about ready to climb onto his lap. "Yeah~ If you wont talk, little brother, Ill just shut you up with my lips~" The older woman leaned in, her plump red lips dangerously close. Just as their lips were about to touch A violent gust of wind slammed down from the sky. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the same moment, Chen Huaians eyes snapped open. He bellowed one word "HAH!!!" BOOM!!! The car roof exploded. The doors shattered into pieces. The two girls spat blood as they were blasted away. And Chen Huaian? He grinned savagely. His shirt was gone, his muscles glistened, and Spiritual Qi surged violently around him. He kicked off the broken car frame and launched himself skyward, brandishing his Blackscale Sword. "Keh keh keh!" "300,000. Hand it over!" Chapter 158: Killing Night Crow Chapter 158: Killing Night Crow Among the Black Coffin Emissaries, there was a strict hierarchy. And Night Crow, as one of Riangs core subordinates, firmly believed he was among the top ten. Countless Demon Slayers had died at the hands of the Black Coffin Emissaries. Most had long since learned to fear them like the plague. But this one This reckless maniac had just charged at him head-on. Fool. That meant death. Tonight, Lord Riang was conducting a ritual hereno one was allowed to interrupt. From the sky, a massive shadow plummeted downward, stretching out a razor-sharp claw to meet Chen Huaians Blackscale Sword. CLANG! Sparks erupted. Both fighters recoiled, landing on separate gravestones, locking eyes across the misty cemetery Murderous intent surged between them. With just one clash, Chen Huaian immediately sensed that this giant crow-like creature was no ordinary Black Coffin Emissary. The last one he fought wasnt even at Qi Refinement Stage. But this big crow had easily blocked his sword. That meant its strength was at least equal to hisor greater. Meanwhile, Night Crow was equally shocked. Beneath his black robes, his clawed hand had been severed at the base, blood gushing out like a fountain. In all of C-Province, he was familiar with every Elite Demon Slayer, especially those in Tianfu District. But this manyoung, strikingly handsome, and completely unrecognizable? Impossible. Was he an out-of-province reinforcement? Or an elite from a noble family? While the two stared each other down, the four Demon Slayers who had been blown away finally picked themselves up from the ground. The two noble girls werent seriously injuredthey had just suffered Qi disruption from the shockwave of Chen Huaians Spiritual Qi. But injuries werent the issue. Losing face was. They had just opened their mouths to complain Until they saw it. A towering figure, clad in black robes, standing amid the dense mist. A monstrous being, its face hidden behind a bone-white mask. A grotesque beak-like mouth, its crimson eyes glowing like twin searchlights. Standing just a few meters in front of it Was Chen Huaian. Compared to that hulking entity, he looked no larger than a child. Their complaints died in their throats. "Fk this mission." The pink-haired girl visibly trembled. "Lets get the hell out of here." The older woman, face pale, hurriedly nodded. "Yes! We need to leave! Right now!" The two Master-ranked Demon Slayers exchanged glances. Though hesitant, they didnt dare to abandon ship. This Tyrant was their trump card. If they were to retreat, they had to make sure the Tyrant came with them. But before they could move Chen Huaian and Night Crow attacked at the same time. A swirl of mist coiled beneath Night Crows tattered robes From within, countless blood-red ravens burst forth, shrieking as they filled the air, wings flapping violently and whipping up a stench of blood. SHING! The Blackscale Sword left its sheath. The blade gleamed like cold moonlight piercing through dark clouds. But the moment it slashed through the flock of ravens It was snagged by thick, cloying demonic miasma. "Excellent swordsmanship! Keh keh keh! But unfortunately" Before Night Crow could finish Chen Huaians grip tightened. He lowered the blade three inches, allowing the moonlight to glimmer along its edge. Then, in a flash of spinning wristwork, a whirlwind of sword energy erupted from the blade. FWOOSH! The entire flock was shredded. A storm of black feathers filled the sky. Night Crow staggered back several steps, barely dispersing the devastating sword intent. His expression darkened. "You can unleash Sword Qi?!" "Keh keh Thats not all I can do!" Chen Huaian mockingly mimicked the Black Coffin Emissarys laughter. His thumb pressed against the swords guard. Though he stood perfectly still, his image flickered A low mist spread across the cemetery. As Blackscale Sword slid inch by inch from its sheath A dragons roar echoed. Sensing the impending killing strike, Night Crow immediately summoned a black coffin as a shield. "The long winds and crashing waves will not stop me!" sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian intoned the words like a poetic chant, running two fingers along the blades spine. White dragon patterns suddenly etched themselves into the Blackscale Sword. The Spiritual Qi within him surged violently, his sword trembling in anticipation. "I will sail the boundless seas with my banners held high!" As his words fell The sword flashed. A streak of white light surged forth like a dragon breaching the surface of the water. BOOM!!! The black coffin exploded, its corpse puppet reduced to mincemeat. Night Crows robes tore apart, revealing his curse-ridden pale flesh. Desperately forming hand seals, he tried to resist Until he felt a searing pain in his chest. Looking down, he found a gaping hole the size of a bowl. The sword-wielding man stood ten meters behind him, casually twirling his blade. "...This isnt the Demon Slayer Bureaus swordsmanship Nor is it any noble familys style!" Night Crows eyes bulged, his trembling claws frantically ripping at the rampaging sword energy still devouring his insides. Blood gushed from his mouth. "Who who the hell are you?!" With a grin, Chen Huaian placed his sword back into its sheath. "In short" "Im an outrageously handsome, terminally ill, world-class university student, also known as KSC-0, The Tyrant." CLANK! The moment his sword clicked into its scabbard Night Crow collapsed. The gaping wound on his chest widened, the sword energy burrowing even deeper into the earth, carving a deep abyss into the graveyard. Black Coffin Emissary slain. Acquired: Demonic Cultivator Fragment x1. Chen Huaian pulled out his phone and checked his progress. Perfect. This was how things should be. Much better than that last guy, who had kept running around even after losing his head. He liked enemies who died properly. "Oi, 300,000!" Chen Huaian walked over to the four dumbstruck Demon Slayers, waving his hand. "The Black Coffin Emissary is dead. Target successfully protected. Mission proceeding smoothly. NowPAY UP." "If you try to weasel out, just knowI also happen to be an expert in hand-to-hand combat." Never again did he want to owe money to that cursed virtual girlfriend game. With zero debt, he could uncover every last demonic plot in Cangyun Realm. Keh keh keh! "W-Whoa Tyrant, that sword technique was insane. Will it be taught in the Bureau?" "I knew KSC-0 was strong, but one-shotting a Black Coffin Emissary?" "Handsome guy, sign my chest~" The four Demon Slayers were shook. Especially the two girls, who now desperately wanted to take Chen Huaian home. A man this powerful and this handsome was a rare commodity in todays world. "Signing your chest costs 5,000." Chen Huaian scribbled his name and grinned. "Cash only." "No problem, transferring now~" "Handsome, sign here too~" The older woman turned around, throwing him a sultry gaze. Chen Huaian looked at the tempting sight before him But his eyes were filled only with profit. Was that a peach-shaped backside? No. It was a stack of cash. "Signing your ass costs an extra 10,000." None of them noticed Night Crows corpse began to twitch. And deep within the cemetery Chains snapped. A new horror was waking up. Chapter 159: Slaying the Ghost Riang Chapter 159: Slaying the Ghost Riang Just as he was praising the last Black Coffin Emissary for being an honest fighter Here comes the boss. Chen Huaian stared intensely at the ghastly old monster sitting atop the bronze coffin. Fighting Night Crow hadnt been stressful at all. But facing this one? Pressuremaxed out. All his previous opponents had been dangerous, but none had given him the feeling of imminent death. This one? This one did. What was this things cultivation? Late Qi Refinement? Peak? Black Coffin Emissaries were Master-ranked enemies. That meant this thing had to be at least Elite-rank, possibly even General-rank. Chen Huaian licked his lips. They tasted bitter. People called him Tyrant, KSC-0, whatever. But all of that was because of the Cancerous Demon Dragon inside him. Without it? He was barely at Elite rank. Even if he used every low-grade Thunderfire Talisman he had, it probably wouldnt make a difference. "You guys go first. I''ll hold him off." He barely tilted his head, quietly signaling to the four paralyzed Demon Slayers behind him. Then, he gripped Blackscale Sword tightly, bracing himself. At his level, he could at least stall for time. But anyone else here? Instant death. "Tyrant" The two Master-ranked Demon Slayers had tears in their eyes. "Dont call me Tyrant. That sounds disgusting." "Call me Supremely Handsome Chen Huaian!" The moment he finished speaking He launched himself into the air. His Spiritual Qi was nearly depleted. He couldn''t afford drawn-out swordplay. He had to treat himself like an assassin targeting a fragile mage. Fast. Precise. Lethal. Riang watched him approach And didn''t move. Instead, he threw his head back and laughed. "Good! At least you have spirit!" "But lets see if you can withstand my Soul Lanterns!" Riangs face split apart on both sides, revealing a black-toothed, fang-filled maw. His skeletal claws reached out, and one of the thirteen bone lanterns drifted toward Chen Huaian. As it neared The light inside the lantern shifted from pale white to blood red. The moment it touched Chen Huaians sword CRACK! The blade froze mid-air. Rust spread rapidly across its surface, corroding it on the spot. The Spiritual Qi within the sword was siphoned away. The hand gripping the sword broke out in decay spots. "Strange why do you have so little lifespan left?" Riangs smugness flickered. On the bronze pillars, the Soul Flames barely flickered. Weak. Unstable. The bone lantern, unable to extract enough lifespan, shuddered violently, nearly cracking apart. Riangs face darkened. If a victims lifespan was too short, then his Soul Refining Secret Art would backfire. He would lose an equal amount of his own lifespan and cultivation base instead. "Heh. Old bastard." "Didnt expect that, did you? Your daddys dying!" Chen Huaian dropped to one knee, a strand of gray hair falling over his face. But the old man looked even worse. He still had a chance. Even though his Spiritual Qi was drained, and his limbs screamed with exhaustion If he could just stall for time, recover even a little, then he could activate the Thunderfire Talismans. Though he doubted low-grade ones would be enough. He did have heaven-grade talismans, but They were all gifts to Li Qingran. And in-game, any item gifted through microtransactions was permanently tagged: Usable Only By Li Qingran He couldn''t take them back. Suddenly Something inside him stirred. A whispering voice slithered into his ears, coaxing him to relinquish control. The Cancerous Demon Cells were waking up. "Hmph. If you have no lifespan left" "Your companions must." Riangs gaze shifted past Chen Huaian, landing on the two female Demon Slayers who were still running for their lives. His lip curled. The bone lanterns flew forth Straight for the girls. They wouldnt escape. He would kill them all. FLASH! sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A blast of crimson light. In an instant, the two young women aged into withered old crones. They collapsed, horrified, scratching desperately at their sagging skin. The pink-haired girls butterfly hairpin clattered to the ground, breaking into three pieces. Chen Huaian whipped around And nearly exploded with rage. His 300,000! Just like that?! Riang absorbed their lifespan, his long gray hair turning silver once more. Then he gestured And the bone lanterns flew again This time, toward the two Master-ranked Demon Slayers. "DONT LET THE LANTERNS TOUCH YOU!" A gravelly roar. BOOM! A massive block of concrete hurtled through the air, shattering one of the bronze pillars and disrupting Riangs attack. A hulking figure landed in front of Chen Huaian. His eyes glowed red, steam venting from his pores, purple veins writhing beneath his muscular frame. Bearded Guy. He had tracked Riang here using the compass. "Another sacrifice?" Riang swiped a claw, sending five black tendrils to wrap around Bearded Guys throat. The bone lanterns red glow enveloped him. But this time Nothing happened. The black lines snapped. Bearded Guy ripped off his shirt, revealing a mass of writhing black tumors. Cancerous flesh. The light from the lanterns did nothingexcept make the tumors multiply faster. "I heard you suck lifespan." Bearded Guy grinned, tearing off a chunk of his own mutated flesh and hurling it at Riang. "Go on, then." "SUCK ME DRY, I DARE YOU." His weakness is the bronze pillars beneath the coffin. A flesh tendril extended from the back of Bearded Guys head, whispering directly into Chen Huaians ear. What you see outside is a corpse puppet. His real body isnt even in the coffin. Its a trick. His limbs and heart are sealed inside the pillars. Ill distract himYOU DESTROY THE PILLARS. Chen Huaian didnt even have time to be disgusted by the biological whispering method. He simply nodded. In the time he had stalled, he had recovered a sliver of Spiritual Qi. Enough. He reached into his robes. His fingers closed around the Thunderfire Talismans. With a smirk He waited. Bearded Guy rushed in. Riang, now unable to drain lifespan, was getting pummeled mercilessly. But no matter how badly he was torn apart, his body kept regenerating. "Fools." "You cant kill me." "Killing me only makes my master stronger Just like when you killed, , and ͡" His broken mask twisted into a smirk. "Youll all die regardless." "Oh yeah?" Bearded Guy saw Chen Huaian rise to his feet. The time had come. Tentacles erupted from his body, locking down Riang, the coffin, and the pillars. The opening was set. Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. He flicked his wrist The Thunderfire Talismans shot forward. BOOM! A golden inferno erupted. Bearded Guy barely jumped away in time. Within the flames Riangs body melted. His mask crumbled away, revealing a skull-like grin. His final words echoed through the blaze. "I offer this" "To the Corpse Ancestor" "Let the feast begin." Chapter 160: The Black Coffins Rise Chapter 160: The Black Coffins Rise Riang was dead. Very dead. When Chen Huaian saw the system notification pop up in-game A Demonic Cultivator Fragment had dropped. That meant the lifespans he stole had been restored. The two girls were the happiest of all. After all, if there was one thing women couldnt tolerate, it was aging into old crones. So when it came time to divide the mission rewards, they were surprisingly generous. Of course Their generosity probably had something to do with his face. Chen Huaian didnt rely on his looks. But not relying on them didnt mean he wasnt handsome. It was like having cheats in a game You didnt have to turn them on, but it was always good to have them ready. "You really went all out, huh?" Inside an armored vehicle, Bearded Guy glanced at Chen Huaian, who was sitting cross-legged in the passenger seat, meditating. "You tell a guy to destroy a bronze pillar and he nearly blows me up along with it." He let out a gruff chuckle. "This jobs payout is five million." "When the bonus comes through, Ill give it all to you." "I just need the experience credit." Chen Huaians eyes snapped open. He stared at Bearded Guy. "You serious?" "Serious." "Father!!!" Bearded Guy: "" "Alright, thats unnecessary." "If it werent for you, taking down his true body wouldnt have been realistic." Bearded Guy said it lightly, his tone casual. But Chen Huaian could tell He was exhausted. Every ability had a cost. His sword techniques drained Spiritual Qi. Bearded Guys abilities must have taken their toll as well. Among the five people in the car The two noble girls and two Demon Slayers were passed out in the back. Chen Huaian was recovering thanks to his Spiritual Qi. But Bearded Guy? He looked the most energetic, but was probably the most drained. "Why are you staring at me?" Bearded Guy gripped the steering wheel, smirking. "By the way, kid I saved your life." "You owe me one." Chen Huaians sympathy immediately evaporated. He clicked his tongue. "Oh? What, you want me to work for you now?" Bearded Guy chuckled. "Would you?" "Not a chance. I like my freedom." "But arent you a contained object?" "Yknow you were pretty cool before you opened your mouth." "HA!" Bearded Guy let out a booming laugh. "Dont worry, I know youre not the type." "Just messing with you." Chen Huaian didnt reply. But he did remember the debt. If he got the chance Hed repay it. He never owed favors. Even back in Cangyun Realm When he and Li Qingran hitched a ride on a flying boat, the Innkeeper had gotten shortchanged. So later, Li Qingran had repaid the debt with a bag of low-grade spirit stones Enough to buy a hundred inns. Everything had cause and effect. After a long pause, he finally asked: "Hey, Uncle." "You really seem to love killing demons." "Every time you take one down, you look excited." "Why?" "Is it because you get better Qi Absorption techniques that way?" Bearded Guy was silent. For a moment. Then He smiled. A bitter, distant smile. "Doesnt matter if I tell you." "This isnt some big secret in the Bureau." "Winter Solstice. Seven years ago." "South City. Old Cotton Mill." His cancerous left hand tightened around the wheel. "My wife and daughter" "They were hiding from the snow in the boiler room." "A Painted Skin Demon found them." "Turned them into human lanterns." "Heh." His right eye bulged, veins pulsing with rage. But his voice? Calm. "That thing wore my wifes skin." "Called me Haisheng-ge in her voice." "That day, this rotting body of mine decided it would only feed on one thing" "Demon bones." Chen Huaian rubbed his nose. He regretted asking. "Feeling guilty, kid?" "No need." Bearded Guy grinned, baring his teeth. "In the Bureau, almost everyones got a story." "None of them are happy ones." "Maybe, at first, we joined because of those stories." "But by now" He glanced out the window. "Its just about the demons and the abominations." "They dont need a reason to kill." "Just like an avalanche doesnt need a reason to bury sheep." "But were human." "We need a reason to get back up." "At the end of the day" "Its all just to keep ourselves going." Chen Huaian looked outside. Night had fallen. City lights blurred against the drizzle. The armored car drove through Spring West Road. A giant naked-eye 3D screen played a cross-dimensional concert. A virtual idol sang, digital snowfall cascading over a crowd of cheering teenagers. "You have a new food delivery order~!" AI notifications buzzed from the storefronts. A girl in a dinosaur onesie skated past the car, sipping milk tea through a straw. Her pigtail hairband bumped against the window. The beeping of a scanning device mixed into the citys strange symphony. This was his home. A city no longer monochrome, but painted in vibrant hues. BUMP! The car lurched violently. One of the noble girls slammed into the front seat, shrieking. "What was that?!" The older woman pointed, her voice trembling. Chen Huaian turned. A black coffin floated in the night sky. Blood-red light pulsated from its surface. From the center of the coffin, a white face protruded. Neither laughing nor crying. Mocking. When the first Black Coffin pierced through the city squares digital billboard, A streaming influencer froze mid-dance. A giant coffinthe size of a shipping containerhad descended. Its surface wasnt carved with patterns. It was covered in thousands of embedded, bloodshot eyes. "Holy sh*t, what the hell?! Some kind of AI special effect?!" Before the man holding a selfie stick could finish A second Black Coffin crashed through a Starbucks dome window. The latte foam splashed onto its surface. The coffee stain morphed into a screaming human face. The city convulsed. Spring West Roads 3D screen glitched. The idols dress dissolved into static. Asphalt bulged, swelling like fermented dough. A pregnant woman shrieked as she fled a maternity hospital. The glass panels of a skyscraper turned into rows of black coffin lids. Inside the offices, people pounded on the glass, their handprints merging into blood symbols. Plop. A straw fell to the ground. The girl in the dinosaur onesie stood motionless, staring at the sky. Thirty-six Black Coffins. High above. Forming a twisted ring. Aligned with the 36 Celestial Stars. Below The riverbed cracked open. Revealing a colossal bronze tomb. Encircling the tomb Twelve Black Coffins stood upright in twelve locations. Aligning with the Twelve Earthly Branches. As the last coffin settled All of Tianfu District trembled. Deep underground The coffin at the Zi position slowly opened. A wave of corpse energy blanketed the river. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Beneath the earth A heartbeat echoed. Chapter 161: The Corpse King Awakens Chapter 161: The Corpse King Awakens "Something''s wrong!" The Bearded Guy yanked the steering wheel, bringing the armored vehicle to a screeching halt by the roadside. His expression was grim. As a seasoned Demon Slayer, he could smell the overwhelming scent of danger in the air. And this was not a threat he could handle alone. Perhaps even if every Demon Slayer in C-Province''s Demon Slayer Bureau took action, they still might not be able to deal with it. "You four, and Chen Huai''an, leave now! Head to the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau and request reinforcements!" As he spoke, he grabbed his machete and stepped out of the vehicle, throwing open all the doors. "What about you, Uncle?" Chen Huai''an got out and stared at the Bearded Guy, who had walked to the trunk. "I''m the only one here who''s Elite Soldier-Class," the Bearded Guy muttered around the cigarette between his lips as he popped open the trunk, revealing an arsenal of heavy weaponry. He tilted his head and smirked. "If I don''t stay, who will?" "I think I can help." Chen Huai''an pursed his lips. Yes, he was simply offering his assistancehe had nothing to do with the Demon Slayer Bureau. "You?" The Bearded Guy pulled out a bottle filled with a pale golden liquid, uncapped it, and poured it over a box of ammunition. He then turned to Chen Huai''an with a sharp look. "You''re not part of the Demon Slayer Bureau. You can''t help me, and you shouldn''t stay here. Get moving!" "I''m a Containment Object." "Containment Objects need clearance. Without clearance, they stay in the containment facility. Your clearance expired as soon as you completed the mission to kill the Black Coffin Emissary," the Bearded Guy said as he loaded bullets soaked in golden liquid into a massive shotgun. Then, he shoved a bottle of the same liquid into Chen Huai''an''s hands and jerked his chin. "Holy water from the Churchworks well against demons and malevolent spirits. The Bureau pours a ton of funds into getting this stuff. Things have been a bit better since we developed the Qi Absorption Technique... Take this and use it for self-defense." Seeing that Chen Huai''an was still standing there, unmoving, the Bearded Guy grinned wickedly. "Whats wrong, kid? Join the Demon Slayer Bureau right now, and I''ll throw you straight into this mission. The bounty on this big guy is at least twenty or thirty million. Tempting, isnt it?" "Uncle, you look way cooler when you shut up." "HAHAHAHA!" The Bearded Guy watched as Chen Huai''an and the others left, finally letting out a breath of relief. "Go. The farther, the better." The further they went, the safer theyd be. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, the Bearded Guy hefted his machete and shotgun, stepping onto the dry riverbed. The easygoing facade on his face vanished, replaced by a heavy, horrified expression as From the center of the riverbed, a solid gold coffin slowly rose from an ancient bronze tomb. Creak The coffin lid opened with a slow, eerie groan. A burst of frost-white corpse energy billowed outward. Inside, a figure sat up. The Bearded Guy''s pupils shrank violently. It was a gaunt man draped in imperial yellow dragon robes. His skin was an eerie bluish-gray, his veins writhing like black serpents beneath it. The golden crown on his head swayed as if moved by an invisible force, its strings of jade beads dangling eerily. At the ends of each bead-string hung a shriveled child''s skull, with incense sticks stabbed into their hollow eye sockets. The smoke coiled into twisted script in the air. His ten fingers gleamed with a cold, bronzed sheen, and a blood-red mole at his brow pulsed with a sinister light, distorting the space around his face into a swirling vortex, making his features impossible to see. The sheer, suffocating terror radiating from this creature was enough to make the Bearded Guy''s blood run cold. But that wasnt the only reason for his fear. He had seen this thing before. After being promoted to Elite Soldier-Class, he had the privilege of visiting the stone monument beneath the thousand-step staircase of the Kunlun Immortal Palace. That monument was engraved with countless stone reliefs. One of those engravings depicted this very scenea monstrous figure rising from a golden coffin. What did this mean? A prophecy? The Bearded Guy recalled the other engravings on that monument and felt a chill creep up his spine. If all those figures recorded in the stone truly began appearing one by one... This world would become a living hell. Before he could think further, the Corpse King moved. He tilted his head back and let out an ear-piercing howl. The sound was like the static of a million old television sets, screeching in unison. Corpse energy surged forth. The river instantly froze over. The ginkgo trees along the banks shed their leaves in a flurry. A man in a business suit sprinted along the shore, his briefcase bursting open, sending contracts flying like snowflakesonly for the papers to turn into funeral money the moment they touched the corpse energy. "We can''t let this bastard scream any longerif he does, the whole city will be dead!" The Bearded Guy cursed as he charged across the frozen river toward the Corpse King. He knew he stood no chance against this monster. But he also knew He couldnt let more people end up as unlucky as him. "F***ing beast, SHUTTHEHELLUP!" His blade spun in a deadly arc toward the Corpse King. At the same time, he raised his shotgun. A burst of azure flames erupted from the barrel. Bang! Bang! There was no sound of bullets piercing fleshonly sparks flashing before the Bearded Guy''s eyes. His pupils contracted. In a blink, the Corpse King''s withered hand had caught his blade mid-swing. Beneath the dangling skulls, that distorted face remained unscathed. Not a single shotgun pellet had found its mark. "You motherf***er! How thick is your damn skin?!" The Corpse Kings response was a single, swift movement. A punch. BOOM! The Bearded Guy spat blood. He looked down. His chestpierced clean through. The Corpse King retracted his hand, pulling out a pulsing tumor. He raised it to his mouth, then hesitatedit wasnt a heart, and it didnt smell fresh. The Bearded Guy chuckled hoarsely. "Haha Old bastard bet you didnt expect this I aint got a heart!" He clenched his fist and swung at the Corpse King''s faceonly to feel as if he''d hit a steel wall. AAAHH! Pain shot through him as he reeled back, his fingers shattered completely. He finally understood what it meant to have skin tougher than a city wall. His punch hadnt harmed the Corpse King. But to the Corpse King, it was an insult. "ROAR!" The monster slammed the Bearded Guy into the ground. Then its claws lashed out. The sickening crack of shattering bones. Agonized screams, stretched like a violin string snapping. Flesh tore apart like shredded cloth. Blood splattered across grayish-blue scales. Severed limbs convulsed before rolling into the river. The Bearded Guy, now just a dismembered head, glared up at the Corpse King. The pain was unbearablehis mind had gone blank. But still, he smirked, spat at the monsters feet, and sneered: "I... pfft!" Squish. A single stomp crushed his skull. The Corpse King took a deep breath. At last, silence. "By the order of Heaven and Earth, the source of all Qi!" A solemn chant rang out from the rooftops lining both sides of the Jin River. Seven Demon Slayers stood atop separate buildings, hands forming seals. Their auras interlinked, and above each of their heads, a yellow banner billowed in the wind. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As their incantations grew louder, seven stars ignited beneath the frozen river, forming the Big Dipper Formation. The Corpse King stood at its corethe Pojun Star, Yao Guang. In that moment, the crimson Yao Guang Star in the sky mirrored its counterpart on the frozen river. A blood-red sword slowly took form above the Corpse King''s head. On the ice below, the Bearded Guys shattered eyes watched silently. He had been torn to pieces. But at least The Demon Slayer Bureau''s reinforcements had finally arrived. Chapter 162: Beautiful Legs, Little Qing Chapter 162: Beautiful Legs, Little Qing "You guys head back to the Demon Slayer Bureau first." "Bro... uh, Supreme Hunk Chen Huai''an, you''re not coming with us?" "No, I''m staying for a bit." Chen Huai''an turned to glance in the direction of the Jin River, his expression darkening. That aura... felt familiar. Not in the sense that he had encountered it before, but rather, he recognized the level of power it represented. That monster... was on the same level as Daoist Qingxuan. Even though he was only at the Qi Refinement Stage, he was a special casesomeone who had not only witnessed the Nascent Soul Stage but had also reached it himself. He could clearly perceive the monsters cultivation level... Nascent Soul. If Elite Soldier-Class corresponded to Qi Refinement Peak, and General-Class corresponded to Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, then what did Nascent Soul correspond to? It didn''t matter. Whatever it was, the Demon Slayer Bureaualong with the Bearded Guystood no chance against it. Charging in would be nothing but suicide. As he walked away, he took in the sight of the once-bustling streets now eerily silent, the neatly arranged rows of cars now nothing but crumpled wreckage. He kept thinking... As a human, what could he do? He didnt particularly love this world, but he didnt hate it either. Most importantly... he didn''t want the Bearded Guy to die. His cultivation, his pursuit of strengthit was all for protecting the people he cared about. He made money so he could keep Li Qingran safe, so she wouldnt have to suffer even the slightest harm. A clenched fist... was meant to shield what it held. If the Bearded Guy was going to die... then what could he do? Chen Huai''an ran through everything he had at his disposal. A cat. A fish. The Blackscale Sword. Some spiritual grass. Leftover elixirs. Mutated cancer cells from his demonized body... None of those could possibly stand a chance against that thing. Finally, his mind froze on one imagea talisman. The Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky. It had originally been used to protect the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid from being eaten by greedy demonic beasts. But now... it might just be his best weapon. "I need to get back to the containment facility." Chen Huai''an pressed his lips together, took one last look toward the Jin River, then slipped into the nearest car he could find. Even under the best conditions, with the current traffic chaos, it would take at least an hour to get back. But the containment facility had aircraft. If he could get Zhao Ying to approve it, he might be able to take a helicopter. "Don''t die, Uncle Bearded..." "Wait for me..." Meanwhile, at the C-Province Containment Facility, Containment Chamber 0. Baji sat cross-legged on Strawberry Bear''s belly, one paw stepping on Lobster King. The powerful demonic aura it radiated kept the two Containment Objects completely immobilized. The boss just left, and you two are already forgetting whos in charge? Baji snorted. These two actually dared to challenge it? Did they not know the meaning of death? Did they not understand that among demons, bloodline suppression was absolute? And it just so happened... that Baji was one of the four strongest among them. It had already beaten the living hell out of Strawberry Bear and Lobster King, but after being bullied by the boss for so long, this was a rare opportunity. The boss was gone. No one was watching the monitors. Wasnt this the perfect time for some "friendly bonding" with its dear companions? Just as Baji was about to continue its beatdown... "Blub blub blub~" Fish, stop making weird noises. Can''t you see I''m dealing out justice? "Blub blub blub blub!" Shut up... Baji turned its head toward the windowthen its brain froze. A pair of snow-white, slender legs dangled from the windowsill, wrapped in black stockings. Following that view upward... Emmm... A half-fish body. Little Qings mouth opened and closed, her dead-fish eyes blinking. The "blub blub blub" noises came from her lips. Noticing Baji''s stare, she leaped off the windowsill and stretched her beautiful legs. Baji had zero appreciation for human aesthetics. That was human territory. To it, her transformation was... a complete failure. You dont actually think you look good like that, do you? Little Qing stared at Baji, nodded confidently, then spun in a full circle. "Blub blub blub?" Not beautiful? Baji twitched. Id say your chances of being turned into pickled fish just skyrocketed. Little Qing disagreed. "Blub blub blub!" Humans love legs like these! Master is always staring at videos of pretty legs. He even drools. ...Fine, whatever.** If you believe it, so be it. Baji shook its head in exhaustion. Demons these days were impossible to manage. How could they trick humans without a good-looking disguise? And Chen Huai''an wasnt even a normal humanhe was a big boss wrapped in a normal human skin. Then, suddenly... a shadow moved. Baji''s eyes widened. Behind Little Qing... A plant was standing up. The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid had grown legs from its roots and was stretching. ...Was it waking up?! This was insane! High-grade spiritual plants were not supposed to become sentient this fast! Becoming a plant demon was at least ten thousand times harder than what Little Qing had done! Then... something even crazier happened. The orchid curled its leavesand ripped the Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky off its flowerpot. Opportunity! A once-in-a-lifetime golden opportunity! Bajis pupils shrank. In a blur, it launched itself forward, mouth wide open, lunging toward the spirit orchid. If it ate this thing, its cultivation would skyrocket... and then... BOOM! A black shadow flashed past. Baji was sent flying. It smashed into the alloy wall with such force that it left a five-meter crater. It didnt move again. Strawberry Bear and Lobster King watched in horror. Their heads dropped. They didn''t dare to look up. That wasn''t just a cat getting wrecked. That was... their dignity. Their last hope. Little Qing stood frozen in shock. Her two beautiful legs pressed tightly together. Her dead-fish eyes blinked rapidly as she backed away. But the sentient orchid didnt harm her. Instead, it perched in its flowerpot on her head... Then whipped her fish tail. And pointed... outside. "Blub blub?" You... want me to take you out? The tenderest leaf at the orchids center bobbed up and down. "Blub blub." But theres a wall. We cant leave. The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid motioned for Little Qing to walk to the wall. A ripple of space distortion followed And in the next second, a fish and a plant had slipped outside. Inside the chamber, Strawberry Bear and Lobster King stared through the glass. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dumbfounded. Moments later, on the streets of Tianfu District... A fat-headed fish with gorgeous, black-stockinged legs sprinted wildly down the road With a potted orchid holding a talisman balanced on her head. Their destination was clear. They were charging straight for the Jin River. Chapter 163: Burning a Hole in the Night Chapter 163: Burning a Hole in the Night "Qingran, what do demons look like after they transform?" Most demons choose to take human formeither as handsome men or beautiful women. Since they feed on essence and energy, they need an attractive appearance to lure humans... Did Master encounter some kind of strange demon? Chen Huai''an paused for a moment, then turned on his camera and snapped a photo of Little Qingwho had a pair of long, black-stockinged legs, but an oversized fish head, with a potted plant perched on top. Inside a small chamber, Li Qingran stared at the image reflected in her Spiritual Qi Mirror in complete silence. After a long pause, she cupped her hands and said, "Heh... Master, your disciple is foolish. I have never seen such a bizarre demon before. But... the clothing on its legs is quite nice. Did Master make it?" Yes, I was bored. Li Qingran blinked. She completely understood Master! That subspace he lived in was filled with either bloody, mutilated demons or grotesque fish-like monstrositiesthere was no beauty to be found anywhere. Of course, Master would need something aesthetically pleasing to lift his spirits. So, he made these clothes for a long-legged fish. "Master, I want to try them too." Chen Huai''an, staring at his phone, was momentarily stunned. Because on his screen, a system notification had popped up: Your Virtual Girlfriend is requesting a gift: One pair of stockings. Would you like to send it? "...I can give Li Qingran gifts?" His jaw dropped before he quickly processed the situation. This was a great thing! Li Qingran always wore those Daoist robesand while they did look great, they were missing something. But now... he could send her anything. Maid outfits, camisole dresses, stockings, JK uniforms, one-piece swimsuits... Whats that? Indecent? Small-minded thinking. Theyre all for his eyes only. Thats called romance. Unfortunately, he didn''t have any on hand right now... and it wasnt like he could yank them off Little Qings legs for her. More importantly, this wasnt the time for giftshe had people to save. So, for now, he declined: I am about to battle a great demon. Once I have time to rest, Ill make you a few pieces. "Hehe, thank you, Master~ Master is the best~" Li Qingran lowered her gaze, the cloud-patterned silk of her embroidered shoes pressing against the jade tiles as her fingers idly toyed with the flowing sleeves of her robe. It wasnt the first time Master had given her something. But this time, she had asked for it herself. When she made the request, her heart pounded. What if Master refused? Yet he hadnt even hesitated. Did that mean... she held an important place in Masters heart? But... that outfit looked so embarrassing. Would she really have to wear it for Master? Lost in thought, her face turned red. Then she dove onto her bed, buried her face in the blankets, and rolled back and forth. Meanwhile, Chen Huai''an had finally accepted Little Qings bizarre transformation. Even so, every time his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a fat-headed fish in black stockings sitting in the passenger seat, the urge to comment on it nearly overwhelmed him. Seriously was she stuck like this forever? If so, maybe he should cover her fish head when they went out. Five minutes ago, he had been driving back, but the chaos from the monsters attack had led to countless traffic accidents, blocking the entire highway. With no choice, he abandoned the car to travel on foot. He could run faster using Spiritual Qi than he could drive anyway. But the moment he got out he saw Little Qing sprinting toward him. The key thing was She had brought the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid. And the orchid had brought the Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky. Almost as if it knew he needed it. But Little Qing couldn''t communicate. No matter what he asked, she only responded with "Blub blub blub." Otherwise, he would have loved to figure out the logic behind it all. Right now, less than twenty minutes had passed since the monsters appearance. The Bearded Guy had an immortal body and backup from the Demon Slayer Bureauhopefully, he could hold on a little longer. Chen Huai''an clenched his fists, worried. But for now... all he could do was pray. Above the Jin River, blood splattered like ink. Corpse energy rolled like a tide. When the broken blade plunged into the ground, Luo Haisheng heard the sound of his own body shattering. Just like seven years ago, on that winter night when the Painted Skin Demons claws pierced his chest. The Corpse King approached slowly, dragging a bronze sword along the ground, sparks flying from its tip. His blade was broken. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His bullets were spent. His holy water was gone. All he had left at his waist was a pack of cigarettes. He really wanted to light oneto clear his foggy mind. But he didnt even have the strength to lift a finger. In front of him lay the corpses of his fellow Demon Slayers. Behind him, barely anyone was left standing. They had never faced an enemy this powerful. The neon-lit streets of Japan boasted about how difficult their Demon Blades were to contain. The European Union wailed about their terrifying vampires and demons. But all those things? Compared to the monster before them... They were nothing. The Corpse King stood before the Bearded Guy. "Ants." His voice was a sigh, like a rusted blade scraping against a coffin lid. "We are humans, not ants!" The Bearded Guy gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. "Maybe we''ll die today, but..." With difficulty, he pressed his machete forward. His legs had already been severed, and he no longer had enough energy to regenerate them. "But in the millions of ''tomorrows'' to come..." He glared at the Corpse King, his cancer-ridden body completely spent, his strength drained. Even so, he stood tall and roared in defiance. "...there will come a dawn when you will regret not kneeling and learning to fear humanity!" "Heh. I look forward to it." The Corpse King raised his bronze sword, hovering it over Luo Haishengs head. The Seven Star Formation flared again But only six stars lit up this time. "No!" Luo Haisheng turned, shouting But it was too late. Before the seventh star could fade, a Demon Slayer had thrown out a cinnabar talisman. Halfway through the air, the talisman froze into an ice shard from the corpse energy. The Corpse King vanished. Luo Haisheng counted One... Two... Three. By the time the third ice shard hit the ground, the Demon Slayers head had already been twisted into a spiral. Another one dead. Luo Haisheng collapsed onto the frozen ground, grief-stricken. Why? Why had such an overwhelming monster appeared now? Who... Who could stop it? "Old Luo." A weak voice spoke behind him. It was Zhao Ying. "Release the Demonic Dragon inside Chen Huai''an..." "No." The Bearded Guy scowled, his mangled fingers carving bloodied grooves into the ice. "If we release it, what happens to Chen Huai''an?" "If we dont, we all die. We cant wait for reinforcements." At that moment The Corpse King inhaled deeply. He was counting. The heartbeats of the living. The lifeless eyes of the dead. The brain matter in his bronze fingernails. And at one hundred and nine... He smelled lightning. The Corpse Kings brow twitched. He looked toward the mouth of the Jin River. A young man walked toward them. He stepped upon the boundary between sky and water. Cold mist rose half a foot beneath his feet. His black trench coat was darker than the night. The lightning arcs in his hair were brighter than snow. In his right hand, he held a half-burned talisman. Its edges... Burning with violet thunder. And burning a hole... in the night. ... ... Li Qingran Chapter 164: Divine Thunder’s Wrath Chapter 164: Divine Thunders Wrath On the frozen river, every step Chen Huaian took felt like walking a tightrope. With 1,000 layers of fortune loss, even moving forward felt like he might slip and never stand again. Disciple, let me test you. What is the grade and power of the Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky? Li Qingran recalled the books she had read in the Scripture Pavilion and answered, The Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky is a divine talisman crafted by Grand Cultivators during thunderstorms, condensing the lightning of the Nine Heavens. Even at its weakest, it is of the High-Grade level and is often used by Nascent Soul Stage cultivators in battle. When activated, it transforms the user into divine lightning, unbreakable by anything. If an opponent is caught off guard, even a Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivator could suffer serious injuries. Then compared to the Nine-Yang Purple Thunder Talisman, which is stronger? The Nine-Yang Purple Thunder Talisman is a talisman refined by lightning-attribute cultivators using their own innate thunder power. Its also designed for battling Nascent Soul cultivators and can summon divine lightning from the Nine Heavens. But if I had to compare Li Qingran tapped her lips, tilting her head in thought. I still think the Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky is superior. Nine Heavens Divine Lightning is the purest Yang, a force derived from the Dao of Heaven itself. The difficulty of refining such a talisman is far greater. If I gave you one, would you dare to use it? Li Qingran shrank back, shaking her head like a rattle drum. Master, you must be joking! Im only at the Foundation Establishment Stage. How could I possibly control a divine talisman like that? Even the residual power of the lightning would be enough to fry me to ashes! After speaking with Li Qingran, Chen Huaian had his answer. The Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky might not be able to kill a prepared Late Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. But the Corpse King was a creature of evil and corruption. Pure Yang lightning would naturally counter him. That meant The power multiplier should be at least three times! Behind the Corpse King, from a pile of rotting flesh, a mangled mouth moved. Huaian kid? Chen Huaian stood among the corpses littering the Jin River, his gaze locking onto the Corpse King, Di Jiang. The killing intent in his eyes cut like an icy blade. "Uncle, I, Chen Huaian, owe you my life" "A debt of revenge can wait, but a debt of gratitude must be repaid immediately!" "Condense!" With a single shout, the Nine Heavens rumbled. Dark thunderclouds surged together, devouring the sky. The remaining half of the talisman instantly burned to ashes. Chen Huaians hair turned silver-whitenot from aging, but from the liquid lightning coursing through his strands like molten silver. Some unseen force lifted his body into the air. The talismans energy surged into his right handcarbonizing it as bolts of lightning coiled like dragons through his meridians. His body had become the vessel for divine lightning! "N-Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation?!" The Corpse Kings eyes widened in horror. Staring at the lightning-clad figure above, disbelief filled his face. "Who who the hell are you?! A reincarnation of the Thunder Division? No thats impossible! The timing isnt right! Right now, I should be the strongest! The old ones guaranteed it!" "Quit your yapping!" Chen Huaian snorted coldly and slammed the thunder talisman against his own forehead. His fingers formed a sword seal, and he pointed to the sky. His lightning-filled eyes radiated divine might. Blood veins burst at the corners of his eyes, evaporating into mist of pure electricity before a single drop could hit the ground. "Violet Sky, Punish Evil" Lightning poured from his mouth as he spoke S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ten Thousand Thunder REFINE THE WICKED!" BOOOOOOM! From above, the sky split open. Countless pillars of violet lightning descended in an instant. The frozen river shattered into floating ice shards, lifted into the air by the sheer electromagnetic force. Electric arcs snaked between them, forming a web of divine judgment. The Corpse Kings golden crown disintegrated, revealing a scalp covered in thousands of sealed demon nails. "Block it BLOCK IT!" With a roar, he formed a seal with both hands. A massive imperial avatar manifested behind himadorned in dragon robes, exuding a sea of corpse energy. Its blue-skinned, fanged face glowed with hellfire, and countless undead soldiers appeared at its feet, standing as his final defense. And yet Under the descending divine thunder They shattered. "I I REFUSE!" The Corpse King screamed toward the heavens, his voice shattering glass for a hundred miles. Cracks spread across his face. His bronze fingernails peeled away, revealing charred bones beneath. His body was crumbling. "You lying bastards! I wont forgive you!" "I was chosen by the Heavens!" "I have endured TWELVE Heavenly Tribulations!" Above, Chen Huaians entire body had turned to blackened charcoal Only his lightning-filled eyes remained bright. "Heavenly Tribulation couldnt kill you?" "Then I WILL!" The final bolt of violet lightning fell A pillar of thunder, as vast as the sky itself. BOOOOOOOOOOOM! When the clouds cleared, The Corpse King, Di Jiang, was gone. Only a handful of ashes and melted gold remained. Chen Huaians burned body plummeted from the sky. He saw nothing. He heard nothing. He thought nothing. When a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator used a Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky, they briefly became divine lightning itself, wielding a fragment of the Daos will. But in doing so They were also refined by that very power. For a mere Qi Refinement cultivator to endure such heavenly judgment The price was simple. Total obliteration. Kunlun Mountain. The sealed doors of the Immortal Palace suddenly opened. Celestial music played, and rainbows gathered at the peak. The Demon Slayers and awakened clan heirs who were studying the Kunlun Stone Tablet gazed at the phenomenon, dumbstruck. A majestic female voice echoed from the heavens: This world has suffered under demons and evil spirits for too long. Today, I open the Heavenly Gate to accept disciples. To enter the Kunlun Immortal Palace, one must climb the Ten-Thousand-Step Staircase. Reach 1,000 stepsbecome an Outer Sect Disciple. Reach 3,000 stepsbecome an Inner Sect Disciple. Reach 5,000 stepsbecome a True Inheritor. Reach 8,000 stepsinherit the sects legacy. Surpass 10,000 stepsbecome the next Palace Lord. As the voice faded, The barrier sealing the upper 9,000 steps disappeared. Great Thunderclap Monastery. Golden clouds filled the sky. A True Buddha manifested. The Bodhi Tree transformed into a Vajra Guardian, and golden blood dripped from the temples glazed tiles. All beings suffer. The Buddhist Land has no doors. From the ground, 3,000 golden lotuses bloomed. Only those who save themselves may see me. As the Buddhas final words echoed, His form dissolved into a crimson sunset. Across the monastery grounds, Every personbeliever or notsuddenly grew a Buddhist scar on their forehead. And inside a nutrient pod in the containment facility Chen Huaians charred remains lay motionless. Completely unaware That the world was changing. Chapter 165: I Know Chapter 165: I Know "How''s Chen Huaians condition?" "Not great." Xiang Xiaoyuan looked solemnly at Luo Haisheng, whose body was also inside a nutrient pod. Thanks to his incredible self-healing abilities, his body had already regenerated halfway. "What do you mean, ''not great''?" Luo Haisheng frowned. "Didn''t the brats legs already start growing back?" He pointed at the dark red tissue sprouting from Chen Huaians legs inside the pod. Though the rest of his body was still charred black, at least there was some hope. "I dont think youll want those legs to grow back," Xiang Xiaoyuan said, handing him a medical report. Luo Haisheng took one look at it and his mind went blank. The report showed that the new muscle tissue regenerating on Chen Huaians body Was entirely made of demonic cancer cells. So that raised a very serious question. Once Chen Huaians body fully regrew Would he still be Chen Huaian? Or would he become a fully-formed demonic tumor? "...Theres a tree-like, high-density cluster of Spiritual Qi inside Chen Huaians body. Unlike any Spiritual Qi weve encountered, it displays pure lightning attributes and cannot be extracted," Xiang Xiaoyuan explained as she handed Luo Haisheng another report. "The Lightning Qi Cluster has preserved Chen Huaians last remaining brain cells. Right now, its engaged in an all-out war against the demonic cancer cells inside his body. But its so aggressive that its burning itself out just as fast. Meanwhile, the demonic cancer cells are spreading too rapidly. Our simulation tests show two possible outcomes: One Both forces destroy each other, and Chen Huaians brain explodes. Two The demonic cancer cells win, completely taking over his body." Luo Haisheng clenched his jaw. "No way. We cant let the Demonic Dragon devour Chen Huaian." "Is there any way to slow down the cancers growth?" he asked. "What if we pull Chen Huaian out of the nutrient pod?" "That would indeed slow the growth," Xiang Xiaoyuan admitted, "but it would also starve the Lightning Qi Cells to death." Luo Haisheng fell silent, staring at the unrecognizable young man inside the pod. Chen Huaian saved him. Saved the Demon Slayer Bureau. Saved Tianfu District. Saved all of C-Province. And yet, the hero was now lying here, his body rotting away, being consumed by a force he had no control over. "...Back then, we swore wed save him," Xiang Xiaoyuan whispered, lowering her head. "But looking at him now it feels like we were just talking out of our asses." "No. Theres still one way." Xiang Xiaoyuans head snapped up in shock. Luo Haisheng grabbed the edge of the nutrient pod, his charred fingers crushing the metal casing beneath his grip. "Ill use my cancer cells," he said. Xiang Xiaoyuans pupils contracted. "Waityou mean?" "My ability is cellular assimilation," Luo Haisheng explained. "My cancer cells are fundamentally the same as the Demonic Dragons. The only difference is that mine lack Dragon Qiso they never became demonic or gained independent thought. ButI am still the dominant mind. I can command my cancer cells to treat the demonic ones as enemiesturning them into a kind of targeted medicine. Plus, they have incredibly high reproduction rates." Xiang Xiaoyuans breath hitched. "But how do you know your cancer cells wont override Chen Huaians consciousness?" Luo Haisheng smirked. "Thats easy. Put me in a biological pod and use the Neural Bridge to separate my consciousness from my body. Then my cells can go into Chen Huaian as reinforcements. That way, the demonic cancer loses its growth advantage." Xiang Xiaoyuan hesitated. "But our technology still cant safely store a detached consciousness." Luo Haishengs smirk didnt waver. "I know." "If we do this, youll die." "I know." Xiang Xiaoyuan looked at him with complicated emotions. From a practical standpoint, Chen Huaians potential and strength far outweighed Luo Haishengs. So, from a logical standpoint, his proposal would pass immediately. The only people who wouldnt accept it Were his friends. Luo Haisheng suddenly punched his hospital bed, letting out a bitter chuckle. "I was supposed to die at the feet of the Corpse King, as a hero. "But then this damn brat stole my thunder. And Im pissed." His gaze turned teasing as he grinned at Xiang Xiaoyuan. "Xiaoyuan think about it. If I sacrifice myself to save Chen Huaian, that brat will worship me like a father for the rest of his life. Having such a powerful son? That sounds f*ing amazing.**" Xiang Xiaoyuan laughed through her tears. Then she wiped her face and turned away. "...You should talk less. Youre really ruining your image as a Bureau Chief." "Hah! Thats exactly what that brat said!" Luo Haisheng bellowed in laughter. The plan was approved immediately. Luo Haisheng lay calmly inside the biological pod, the Neural Bridge connecting him to the adjacent pod where Chen Huaian lay. "Chief Luo, the procedure is about to begin. Do you have any last requests?" Xiang Xiaoyuans eyes were red, her voice choked with emotion as she gave him a final salute. "...Light me a cigarette." Luo Haisheng exhaled slowly. "F***ing hell, I lived for decades and that was my one vice. Might as well enjoy my last one." Xiang Xiaoyuan silently pulled out his favorite cigarette, lit it, and placed it between his lips. "Oh, and" Luo Haisheng suddenly reached into his pocket and tossed her a badge. "I always wanted that brat to join my team. I even made him a badgejust like Triple Zero got one. But I guess there wont be a chance anymore. So just give it to him as a keepsake." Xiang Xiaoyuan held the badge tightly. "Stop looking so damn miserable." Luo Haisheng grinned. "Now hurry the f*** up. We cant let that brat lie around too long. He might get a cold ass." She nodded. The biological pods lid closed. The surgery room doors sealed shut. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The red warning lights flashed. C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau. In the conference room, tensions ran high. "Captain Zhao, C-Province really caused quite a stir this time," an old man sneered. "You borrowed our Soul Pursuit Compass. Now that your business is done, shouldnt you return it?" Zhao Yings lips pressed into a thin line. "The Soul Pursuit Compass was destroyed." "With a monster like the Corpse King, what did you expect? It shattered like a toy. But well compensate you." "Oh? Thats great!" The old man smirked. "Then hand over the Corpse Kings remains as payment." Zhao Yings eyes darkened. She knew these people were looking for trouble. But before she could speak A lazy voice cut through the air. "Who the hell said Im a corpse?" Everyone turned. A tall young man leaned against the doorway, his hospital gown slightly disheveled. Lightning crackled in his sharp, narrow eyes. Chen Huaian smirked, locking eyes with the elder seated in the center. "Old man, youve lived a long life" He chuckled coldly. "You really wanna die now?" Chapter 166: Do You Have Money? Chapter 166: Do You Have Money? Ten minutes ago Chen Huaian watched as Luo Haishengs body withered into a pile of bones beneath the morning light. Reaching out, he plucked the half-burned cigarette still clenched between the skeletal jaws. "I hate people like you the most," Chen Huaian muttered, staring into the hollow sockets of the Bearded Guys skull. "Always yelling about protection and redemption, doing things just to make yourself feel moved. Who cares about you? How long do you think people will even remember your name? People should live for themselvesif you dont, Heaven and Earth will wipe you out. And look at you now. Wiped out." He snorted, tossing the cigarette onto the ground. "You really were just a f***ing gambler." "Betting your own life just to save mine? Did you even ask if I wanted to take this goddamn deal?" The scent of disinfectant mixed with the illusionary aroma of cigarette smoke. Chen Huaians fingers clenched around the biological pods frame, lightning sparking between his knuckles. "And you even said Id be your adopted son, huh?" His teeth ground together. "Now I cant even burn incense for you because theres no damn corpse left!" His gaze flickered over the autopsy table, where Luo Haishengs ashes had been analyzed. Next to it, a petri dish contained a sample of demonic dragon cellsa dark red, writhing mass. Chen Huaian slammed the dish onto the glass surface, watching as the viscous substance oozed down like rain streaks, reflecting the lightning raging in his eyes. "You bet your life just to shove your mutated cancer cells into my body" His forehead pressed against the cold glass, his eyes bloodshot. "But do you know whats really f***ing ironic?" "Not only did you dump your cells into me, but you also sneaked in some of your own personal bullsh*t!" Chen Huaian let out a hoarse laugh, his voice dripping with anger. "Your living cancer cells are eating away at the demonic dragon cells in my body and you left behind a damn recording." His fists clenched. "Every time those cells fight inside my brain I hear your smoky-ass voice humming Sweet Honey!" A bolt of lightning split the night sky. Inside the petri dish, the demonic dragon cells began multiplying wildly. Yet the moment Chen Huaians fingers brushed against them, They burned to ashes. His eyes locked onto the scattering embers And for a brief second, he saw the moment Luo Haishengs skull was pierced by the neural probe. His fury slowly settled. Reaching out, he grabbed a diamond-shaped crystal from the biological pods side. According to Xiang Xiaoyuan, this crystal contained fragments of Luo Haishengs separated consciousness. But there was no way to know if those fragments were still viable. Right now, this crystal was just a symbol of hope. Maybe in the future, as Spiritual Qi continued to recover, they would find a way to piece those memories back together. But for now "Bearded Guy dont think you can just peace out like this." "I dont owe anyone favors. And I dont do adopted dads. So one day, youre gonna come back. And apologize for that goddamn song stuck in my head." One last glance at the ashes in the pod. Then he turned and walked away. Outside the room, Xiang Xiaoyuan quickly wiped her red-rimmed eyes and stepped forward. She pressed a badge into his hands. "Chief Luo made this the day he met you. He wanted you to be part of his team." Chen Huaian lowered his gaze. The badges front was inscribed with a bold, sweeping (An). The back bore the Demon Slayer Bureaus emblema sword cutting through flames. At the bottom, there was a serial number: . A number that must have been added after he became a Containment Object. "Thanks." Chen Huaian nodded. Then A loud, arrogant voice drifted in from the conference room down the hall. This was the Demon Slayer Bureaus HQ. Who the f*** dared to act so high and mighty here? Stepping to the door, he saw three men seated across from Zhao Ying. An old man and two middle-aged men, all dressed in black-and-white martial robes. Their posture was relaxed, filled with arrogance and disdain. "Then hand over Chen Huaian. We are very interested in this Revived Ones corpse. If not, his Companion Spirit will do just fine." Clan members. Chen Huaian immediately understood who they were. The Demon Slayer Bureau had risen to the top thanks to the Qi Absorption Technique, making them a leading power. The only forces capable of standing on equal footing with them Or even looking down on them Were the Ancient Clans. But so what if they were from a powerful clan? They had the audacity to say they wanted his Companion Spirit? Ridiculous. "Who the hell is calling me a corpse?" Chen Huaian strolled in, leaned against the doorframe, and locked eyes with the old man. "Old man, youve lived a long time" His voice was icy. "You really wanna die now?" "How dare you!" The two middle-aged men erupted in fury, leaping forward with their hands curled into claws. Their movements carried the roar of a tiger. "Tiger Fist?" Chen Huaian let out a mocking laugh. "More like a couple of sick kittens scratching around." He raised his hands, lightning coiling in his palms. Then he clashed with their attacks BOOM! A deafening thunderclap exploded. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Both men were blasted backward, their hands charred black, howling in pain as they rolled across the floor. The Lightning of the Violet Sun had permanently altered his Spiritual Root. Now, every move he made carried explosive thunder energyespecially effective against evil spirits. Chen Huaian had been in a terrible mood already. And these idiots had walked right into his fists. "You are Chen Huaian?" The old mans face twitched before he quickly smiled, his voice oily and smooth. "My apologies, Mister Chen. The Corpse King was such a powerful foe. I had assumed no one would survive his hands. Seeing you now well, you are truly a hero among the young generation!" He leaned forward. "Why dont you join our Lin Clan as a Guest Elder? We have far more resources than the Demon Slayer Bureau." Now that Kunlun Immortal Palace, Great Thunderclap Monastery, and other legendary sects had revealed themselves, they were openly recruiting talented disciples. If an Ancient Clan could produce a disciple chosen by these legendary sects, their entire lineage would rise. And Chen Huaian Just the fact that he had survived after slaying the Corpse King was proof enough. His original goal was to claim Chen Huaians Companion Spirit. But now, seeing him alive, the target had shifted To Chen Huaian himself. Both Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan held their breath. If Chen Huaian defected, the Demon Slayer Bureaualready weakenedwould be slowly overtaken by clan influence. Chen Huaian stared at the old man for a long moment. Then, slowly He smirked. "So" "You guys got money?" The old man blinked. Then he burst into laughter, slapping his knee. "Of course! How much does Mister Chen desire?" Chen Huaian hesitated. Then, looking slightly embarrassed, he raised ten fingers. "Ten million?" The old man chuckled, shaking his head. "No need to be modest! Ill make it one hundred million!" "No, no, no." Chen Huaians grin widened. Teeth flashing, he tilted his head and said: "Youre wrong, old man. I want TEN. BILLION. DOLLARS." Chapter 167: Bearded Guy, You Scammed Me! Chapter 167: Bearded Guy, You Scammed Me! "Ten billion? What the hell do you need that much money for?" The old man froze for a moment, but he didnt get angry. The Lin Clan wasnt a business family, but in the past ten years since the Spiritual Qi Revival, they had used their ancestral Tiger Fist techniques to quickly adapt. Money was no longer a pressing concern for them. Ten billion was possible. But it would mean shutting down several industries. More importantlywhy? Why should they pay that price? Was Chen Huaian really worth it? "I have financial insecurity syndrome," Chen Huaian replied with an easy smile, his words making both Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying despair. Xiang Xiaoyuan clenched her fists, feeling that Luo Haishengs sacrifice had been wasted. But Chen Huaian wasnt wrong. No matter which side he joined, he would still end up fighting demons and evil spirits. If he followed a clan, his ideals would inevitably clash with the Demon Slayer Bureau. One day, they might even become enemies. The old man narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard. "I heard you used a talisman to kill the Corpse King, Di Jiang," he said. "Id like to knowcan this talisman be produced stably? And what price does it require?" His true goal had always been Chen Huaians Companion Spirit. Right now, only Companion Spirit users could access their abilities. But what if, in the future, there was a way to steal that power? If the Lin Clan could mass-produce high-grade talismans, they would rise above all others. Chen Huaian met his gaze and responded sincerely: "No, that talisman cost me ten years of my lifespan. I probably wont ever be able to get another one." This was technically true. The Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky was a main quest reward in , bundled with the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid. It wasnt available in the store or Fortune Carp Pool. And considering its power It was probably insanely expensive. If it cost a million yuan, then using another one might literally kill him. Not to mentionhe never wanted to use it again. The first time, he hadnt realized the danger. But after nearly dying, he knew better. The old mans face darkened. A one-time use item With a lifespan cost Even if Chen Huaian could get more, how many times could he actually use them? The Corpse King, Di Jiang, had been classified as above General-Class, reaching Marshal-Class. And Marshal-Class was nothing to the Lin Clan. They had plenty of resources to nurture their own Marshal-Class Revived Oneswho wouldnt demand ten billion upfront. His voice turned cold. "Chen Huaian, our Lin Clan is offering sincerity. One hundred billion is too much, but if you join us, I can personally guarantee you one billion upfront and a monthly salary of over one million. The transfer can happen immediately." Chen Huaian saw the shift in tone and knew the deal was off. Too bad. If he had known the Lin Clan had classified the Corpse King as Marshal-Class, he would have laughed in their faces. "A so-called prestigious clan cant even pay ten billion?" His eyes flashed with lightning, his aura pressing down. "Then get the f* out** of my sight." The old mans anger flared before he quickly calmed down. "Chen Huaian, do you truly fear no retaliation from our Lin Clan?" he sneered. "To be bluntour clan has already formed an alliance with the Demon Slayer Bureaus Headquarters. A General-Class Revived One will soon be taking control of C-Provinces Bureau. Furthermore, our Lin Clans top talents are currently heading to Kunlun Immortal Palace. I suggest you reconsider." "Reconsider your mom." Chen Huaian grinned mockingly. "Get lost." "You" The old man saw the arc of lightning twisting around Chen Huaians fingertips and fell silent. He slowly put on his hat. "Since thats the case, I wont disturb you further." "Mountains do not move, rivers flow forever. Lets see what happens next." With that, the Lin Clan members left, defeated. Only Xiang Xiaoyuan, Zhao Ying, and Chen Huaian remained in the conference room. Xiang Xiaoyuan hesitated before finally asking, "Chen Huaian if they had actually given you ten billion would you have joined them?" "Of course." He nodded without hesitation. "You! You have no conscience!" "How do I not have conscience?" Chen Huaian pouted. "The Bearded Guys goal was to eliminate demons and evil spirits. Besides, didnt your HQ already partner with the clans?" Zhao Yings face darkened. "I just checked my email," she said grimly. "Several General-Class members believe aligning with the newly revived forces is more important than standing alone. The clans have more elites than the Demon Slayer Bureau, so Headquarters formed an alliance." She sighed. "But now we have a bigger problem. Li Changbai is dead. After everything that happened with the Corpse King, the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau is crippled. Headquarters is demanding we nominate a new General-Class Director ASAP Otherwise, theyll send a clan member to take over. But where the hell are we supposed to find" Her eyes slowly turned toward Chen Huaian. Xiang Xiaoyuan did the same. Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. "Why the hell are you two looking at me?" "Are you seriously thinking of making a college student the Director of C-Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau?" "I havent even joined the Bureau yet!" Zhao Ying adjusted her glasses and sighed dramatically. "As Director, youd have full control over C-Provinces resources. That includes money." Chen Huaian: "" Xiang Xiaoyuan nodded. "If you manage the C-Province Bureau well, the money flow wont be any worse than a clans wealth. Money makes money." Chen Huaian: "" He hated to admit it. But it sounded pretty tempting. Zhao Ying suddenly slid a card across the table. It was black with golden edges. "This is C-Provinces currently available budget." "The PIN is 7777. It holds ten billion yuan but half of it must be used for Demon Slayer Bureau expenses." Chen Huaian took the card without hesitation. "What kind of expenses?" "Holy Water from the Church, for example." Chen Huaian frowned. He recalled the bottle of golden liquid from before. It had strong righteous energy, comparable to a low-tier Thunder Talisman. But far weaker than higher-grade versions. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How much does it cost per bottle?" "One million." "WHAT?!" Chen Huaians eyes bulged. "That diluted garbage costs a million per bottle?" That meant the Thunder Talismans he sold to the Bearded Guy for 100,000 were an absolute scam for himself! "Bearded Guy you scammed me, you bastard!" His teeth ground together, his fist slamming onto the table. "Cancel every damn order!" Zhao Ying hesitated. "But without Holy Water, our Demon Slayers will lack key supplies" "Leave the resources to me." Chen Huaians eyes gleamed. It was time. Time to start his two-worlds trading empire. Chapter 168: The Mysterious Number Chapter 168: The Mysterious Number "Master hasnt visited me all day" By the bedside, Li Qingran paused her cultivation, resting her cheeks on her hands as she stared into the void, a hint of worry between her brows. No matter how busy Master was, he would always check in on her at least once a day. This was the first time he had disappeared for a full day. Could he have encountered an unbeatable monster in that subspace and gotten seriously injured? "If only the Zhongzhou Secret Realm would open sooner" Li Qingran bit her lip and let out a soft sigh. Every day, she used the Dragon-Patterned Tao Alchemy Cauldron to refine her spiritual herbs, preparing for the eventual creation of the Hundred Herbs Detox Pillthe only way she could help her Master. Aside from that, all she could do was train hard. She was still too weak to be of any real assistance. Qingran. A familiar presence brushed against her mind. Li Qingrans eyes brightened. "Master!" "Master, where have you been? Did something happen? Your disciple missed you so much" Mn. I battled a great demon and suffered serious injuries, but its been dealt with However, one of my companions sacrificed himself to save me. His body was destroyed, leaving only a fragment of his soul. "Ah" Li Qingran opened her mouth but hesitated. She didnt offer empty words of comfort. Instead, she quietly retrieved a bottle of spiritual wine from under her bedone of the Dan Sects brewsand poured Master a cup. Her voice was soft: "Master, this is the Dan Sects Relief from a Hundred Sorrows. Your disciple may not be able to handle liquor, but I can still share a drink with you." Chen Huaian didnt refuse. He clicked [Drink], and the wine materialized in his hands. Instantly, the rich fragrance of aged liquor flooded through Containment Chamber 0. Baji, who had been dozing off, immediately snapped awake, eyes gleaming. But one glance at the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid, which was staring him down, made him wilt back onto the floor. Damn it. If he were still at full strength, how could he let some tiny weed intimidate him? Meanwhile, Li Qingran took a single sip And her cheeks instantly flushed. Dan Sects liquor was notoriously strong. The alcohol gave her a bit of liquid courage, and she finally spoke the words in her heart. "Master dont be sad. Those who protect the world are the true heroes. That senior wouldnt want to see you like this either. Your disciple will train hardhard enough to become the sword at your back, so youll never have to face separation and loss again." Chen Huaian chuckled. "Oh? So if youre at my back, I become invincible?" Li Qingrans face turned even redder. She pouted, then whispered shyly: "Your disciple will become very, very strong. Your disciple can protect you too" Before she could finish, her body swayed, and she collapsed against the headboard, eyelids drooping. She was completely drunk. Her flushed cheeks didnt hold the shyness of a maiden, but rather the carefree intoxication of a mischievous little fox. She murmured sleepily, rubbing her cheek against her koi-patterned sleeve: "Master this wine is way harder to memorize than the Sword Manual" The moonlight spilled through the ornate windows, turning the half-empty wine cup on the table into a frosted silver pool. A slight breeze rang the bronze chimes under the eaves, which startled the small silver bells tied around the girl''s wrist But not enough to wake the sleeping figure curled under the cloud-patterned quilt. Chen Huaian smiled. Then he carefully moved the cup away from the edge of the table. Like hell he was drinking that. Li Qingran got wasted off one sipif he drank even half a cup, he might die on the spot. Better water it down first. Maybe it had some special effects. Using his finger, he gently pulled the blanket over her. His gaze softened. Then it sharpened again. He had several urgent goals to accomplish. His top priority was to help Li Qingran survive the Zhongzhou Secret Realm and eliminate all threats. Second He needed to find a way to revive Luo Haisheng. If a "fragmented soul" was just an incomplete set of three souls and seven spirits, then there had to be a way to summon them back. Compared to that, running cross-realm trades was just a side hustle. And lastly Power. Reality had changed. The emergence of Corpse King Di Jiang had left him feeling completely unsafe. Who knew if an even stronger enemy might appear next? He didnt have a second Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky. Opening his inventory, Chen Huaian found three new items. [Demonic Cultivator Fragment] [Broken Soul-Suppressing Nail] [Imperial Sword C Sinking River] "Equipment drops? Nice!" Relief washed over him. Corpse King Di Jiang had truly been annihilatedno secret escape plans, no trickery. But these drops were odd. The Soul-Suppressing Nail, for example. If he remembered correctly, it had been nailed into Di Jiangs face. But what was truly strange Was that there was a number inscribed on it. 137. What did it mean? A serial number? An employee ID? Or did this mean Di Jiang was the 137th one, implying there were at least 136 more like him? Or was it just a fragment of some larger code leading to a shocking secret or treasure? Chen Huaian shook his head. "No, wait is it possible that this is just a manufacturing number? As inthis was the 137th Soul-Suppressing Nail produced? Maybe if I collect all of them, Ill get a free Di Jiang silicone doll." Maybe his imagination was running too wild. He moved on to the Imperial Sword C Sinking River. The sheath was made of flood dragon skin wrapped around millennia-old darkwood. The hilt was reinforced with dragon bone, wrapped in black silk from a water serpents cocoon. sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The blade was forged from Nether Iron and Heavenly River Frost Crystal, giving it a silvery sheen, with wave-like patterns running along its edge. Most notably The entire blade was covered in frost. Weapons with built-in elemental effects were always valuable. [Imperial Sword C Sinking River (High-Grade Spiritual Weapon / Sword Soul Missing)] [Di Jiang, the Emperor of Shang, forged this sword during a great drought. To summon the Heavenly River and save his people, he poured his life force into it. His soul transformed into a dragon, forever bound to the blade.] "Holy sh*t, backstory!" Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. "So Di Jiang was actually a good emperor? Why did he turn into a Corpse King then? And why was his face covered in Soul-Suppressing Nails? Was his tomb looted or something?" He materialized the sword. A wave of imperial majesty radiated from the blade. "Nice sword, nice sword!" Reaching out to grab the hilt His hand froze mid-air. Literally. A layer of frost formed over his fingers before he could even touch it. "I spit on you." Chen Huaians eye twitched. He promptly hung the sword on the wall. "Fine. Stay there and think about your actions." Then, with a smirk He reopened My Virtual Girlfriend. 10 billion in funds. It was time. Time for the demonic cultivators of Cangyun Realm to experience the wrath of heavenly divination. Chapter 169: Found You Chapter 169: Found You Today''s Divination: Extremely Unlucky. Avoid Everything. Remaining Lifespan: 6 years Chen Huaian ignored his ominous fortune and immediately opened the customer service system. "Help me divine who is the mastermind behind the demonic cultivators in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm." This is your first divination of the day. This divination is free. Warning: Due to the players Fortune Loss reaching 1,000 layers, to prevent accidental death, this divination has been rejected. Please reduce your Fortune Loss first! Chen Huaians eye twitched. He had already experienced the hell that was 1,000 layers of Fortune Loss. Everything he did required extreme caution. Would you believe that even in a containment facility, he had managed to eat food with bugs in it? And when he tried to switch plates, he still ended up with food poisoning? And then he clogged the toilet? Only for the water supply to be cut off that day? And when he finally went out to get toilet paper, he stepped on his shoelace and faceplanted? If an ordinary person had 1,000 layers of Fortune Loss, they wouldnt survive an hour. But Chen Huaian was stubborn. He was a cultivator. Even when he broke his nose from the fall, his body healed instantlyso it seemed like nothing was wrong. But only he knew how miserable this was. To put it bluntly If he hadnt had 1,000 layers of Fortune Loss, he might have never encountered the Corpse King, Di Jiang. The Bearded Guy wouldnt have died. Di Jiang could have revived somewhere else, rather than right in his face. All of this was because of his sh*tty luck. "Tell mehow do I remove the Fortune Loss state?" **Performing good deeds can reduce Fortune Loss. Depending on the merit, you can clear 1 to 1,000 layers. Alternatively, you can remove it by paying: First 100 layers: 1,000 per layer 101-400 layers: 10,000 per layer 401-700 layers: 100,000 per layer 701-1,000 layers: 1,000,000 per layer.** "One million per layer?! Why dont you just rob me?!" Chen Huaians screech distorted the phone speaker. "I killed the Corpse King, Di Jiang! How does that not count as a good deed?! Do you know how many people would have died if he was still alive?!" Di Jiangs resurrection caused over 50,000 deaths. You inherited this karma, nullifying any merit you earned. "THATS how you calculate merit?!" Chen Huaian raged. But then He couldnt be angry anymore. Justice delayed was not justice at all. 50,000 people had already died. If he wanted true merit, he should have prevented their deaths in the first place. A "hero" was a title anyone could claim. But a true hero Had to be perfect. "Fine. I understand. Ill pay." He wasnt going to spend everything to clear all 1,000 layers. Just clearing the first 100 was enoughso he could at least divine information. The rest hed earn back through other means. Reality was in chaosthere were evil spirits appearing every day. He could grind his Fortune Loss down bit by bit. "Tell mewho is behind the demonic cultivators in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm?" With 900 layers of Fortune Loss, Chen Huaians face was dark. This is your third question of the day. Cost: 1,000. Warning: This divination involves extremely heavy karma. Performing it will increase your Fortune Loss layers. Confirm? "Confirm!" Cangyun Realm, Sky Shrouded in Storm Clouds. Across the continent, countless cultivators trembled as they gazed at the heavens. Thunder boomed, and a colossal golden eye wreathed in lightning slowly scanned the world, as if searching for something. But after a few moments, the divine phenomenon vanished. The old monsters of the major sects merely opened their eyes, glanced at the sky, then went back to meditating. Nothing worth getting worked up over. However, deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, inside a blood-soaked cave, a man soaking in a blood pool suddenly shot upright. His face twisted. "H-how dare they spy on me?!" He was Ji Dong, a newly ascended Nascent Soul Perfection demonic cultivator. And his heart was pounding in fear. He hadnt even looked directly at that golden eye. Yet he still felt like he had been skinned alive, his flesh crawling. "What the f" In a flash of intuition, he immediately cast a divination spell. And then PUFF! Blood sprayed from his mouth and nostrils. "HIM AGAIN?! What does he want?!" Just for a fraction of a second, he had seen a sword-wielding figure in the divination. And his scalp nearly burst open. It was like being stared down by a pythonpure suffocation. "Waithe saw me just because I looked at him?!" Ji Dongs face twisted. But he cultivated secret techniques! That shouldnt be possible! "Stay calm I have to stay calm." He inhaled deeply. Since he had already been exposed, his priority was survival. He had prepared an escape plan in advance. Even if every demonic cultivator in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm was exterminated, the real mastermind behind it all would remain hidden. And he wanted to live. He had to restore the glory of Tianmo Sect, even if it meant bowing to the true overlords. "Master, I may have been discovered." Ji Dong pulled out a jade talisman, his face filled with flattery. A faint female figure appeared inside. "The one watching me is a sword cultivator," he explained quickly. "My subordinates have confirmed his identity. Hes a Grand Elder of the Sword Pavilion, called Chen Huaian." Chen Huaian? The womans voice was perplexed. Ive never heard of him. There is a Chen in the Sword Pavilion, but not that name. "Perhaps hes using a fake identity. Master, my preparations are complete. We only need to wait for the Zhongzhou Secret Realm" Leave the Ten Thousand Mountains. Her voice was calm. I will conceal your presence. That sword cultivator will not find you. Hide in a remote place and wait until the storm passes. Ji Dong exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Master!" He immediately left his cave, disguised himself as a merchant, and checked into an inn in a small mortal town. Cultivators rarely visited these placesthey were the safest hideouts. With his new disguise and his Masters protection, he was completely safe now. Meanwhile, in Containment Chamber 0. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the merchant-dressed middle-aged man in the inn. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Slowly, his lips curled into a cruel grin. "You bastard" "I found you." "Heh HEH HEH HEH." Chapter 170: Indeed, Very Big Chapter 170: Indeed, Very Big The mastermind had been found. Chen Huaian figured that as long as he killed this old rat, Li Qingrans survival rate in the instance dungeon would skyrocket to 100%. But the system didnt offer a direct option to execute the demonic cultivator. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Either the distance was too far for precise targeting, or this wasnt considered part of the main storyline. But so what? This was a real world. Every action he took could change its fate. Chen Huaians finger hesitated for a moment before gently pressing down on the soft curve of Li Qingrans cheek. Though he couldnt feel the sensation directly, just by watching her cheek sink in slightly, he could imagine the softnesslike his fingertip sinking into cotton. "Mm" Li Qingran stirred slightly, pouting in her sleep. Her dimples appeared as her brows knitted together, her lashes trembling slightly. "Master, stop shaking The flying boat is about to fall into the Sea of Stars" Her sleepy murmurs were as sweet as osmanthus syrup, dissolving into the night breeze. The hem of her dark red dress shifted, revealing a small portion of her lilac silk stockings, embroidered with a slightly crooked little rabbit. As she turned in her sleep, her foot tapped against the bamboo beds edge. Flying boat falling into the Sea of Stars? She had already started dreaming in just a few minutes? Chen Huaian had initially planned to wake her up and have her fetch Su Qinian. But seeing how deeply she slept, he couldnt bring himself to disturb her. Li Qingran had been training relentlessly lately. Her cultivation had already reached the late Foundation Establishment Stagean incredible speed, even among prodigies. But that was because she was putting in eight to nine hours of training daily. "Without Li Qingrans Eye Surveillance ability, how am I supposed to notify Su Qinian?" Chen Huaian switched his game perspective to outside her small chamber. Even when he zoomed out completely, he could only see the entire peak of Luoxia Mountain. Dragging the map around only revealed fog-covered areas. When he didnt spend money or trigger special story events, his Divine Sense range was pitifully small. Would you like to pay 998 to expand Divine Sense coverage to the entire Sword Pavilion? Next upgrade requirement: Li Qingran must reach the Golden Core Stage. Talk about perfect timing. Chen Huaian grinned and paid without hesitation. 998 was nothing to him. As soon as the money was deducted, his Divine Sense expanded, revealing a huge section of the darkened map. "So this is what it feels like to scan an area with Divine Sense?" Sweeping his vision across the peak, he felt like everything was under his control. As he focused on a figure, the view zoomed in automatically. It was Yue Qianchi. Seeing what she was doing, Chen Huaian quickly looked away. "Damn, avert your eyes, avert your eyes but that really is huge." Li Qingran had mentioned before that Yue Qianchi slept completely naked. She wasnt lying. No wonder she had so many formations guarding her cave residence. He locked onto Su Qinians location inside the Sect Leaders Hall and zoomed in. Su Qinian was half-reclining on a bamboo couch, resting his cheek against his hand. In his other hand, he held a private communication jade slip, wearing a lovestruck idiot smile. A faint, deliberately soft voice came through the jade slip: Little Yueyue, this lord misses you so much~ How have you been? Your cultivation hasnt fallen behind, right? Hehe maybe I should come personally to inspect your progress By the way, Im a little short on spirit stones lately. Lend me some? Just a little bit will do~ Ah, Little Yueyue, youre the best~ Chen Huaian: "" So this was why the Sword Pavilion was always poor, yet somehow never ran out of resources for its disciples. Their Sect Leader had been working hard behind the scenes in a very different way. "Ahem!" Chen Huaian cleared his throat. Su Qinian flinched in terror, nearly dropping his jade slip. "Holy sh! Oh, hahaha Ahem, Old Ancestor! W-When did you get here?" Seeing Su Qinian frantically hide the jade slip behind his back, forcing a stiff smile, Chen Huaian almost laughed out loud. Ive been here for three breaths Who would have thought that the esteemed Sect Leader of the Sword Pavilion would have so many cherished companions? Truly admirable. Su Qinians heart nearly stopped. His back broke out in a cold sweat. How did Old Ancestor know what I was doing?! Even the Divine Sense of a Void Refinement expert shouldnt be able to see this much. The entire Sword Pavilion was protected by a sect formation, reinforced by generations of Sect Leaders. Not only did it provide defensive power, but it also ensured privacy for the disciples. Could it be that Old Ancestors strength had already reached a level where he could ignore the formations barriers? If that was the case Then all those times he borrowed spirit stones from cherished companions Had Old Ancestor been watching the entire time?! For the first time in years, Su Qinians old face turned red, sweat dripping down his temples. "Uh Old Su, I just performed a divination and discovered that the true mastermind behind the demonic cultivators in Zhongzhou Secret Realm is currently disguised as a merchant in an Eastern Continent mortal town. Take some men and kill him for me." A pause. Then a deep, solemn voice from the void: Just now, as I sat alone upon the seat of the Violet Micro Constellation, I beheld the descent of the Greedy Wolf Star, plummeting into the dust of the Eastern Continent At the tranquil ferry dock, shrouded in the smoke of cooking fires, a lone wanderer dressed as a merchant clutches the threads of three thousand blood-stained fates! Su Qinian: "???" "Wait, Old Ancestor, what are you talking about?!" Individually, he understood all those words. But put togetherwhat the hell was he even saying? Was Old Ancestors cultivation so insane that he now used the Violet Micro Star as a meditation cushion?! After another pause Im telling you to go to the Eastern Continent and kill a demonic cultivator. Hes the mastermind. Su Qinian finally understood. "Ah! Now it makes sense!" "This is what you should have said from the start, Old Ancestor!" "But whats his cultivation level?" Nascent Soul Perfection. "HSSSS!" Su Qinian sucked in a sharp breath. "Old Ancestor! Im not his opponent! How about you directly boost my cultivation to Nascent Soul Perfection? Ill just grab a sword and go end him right away!" Fool! Why not summon the Sect Masters of the Pill Sect, Lingxi Valley, and the other sects to join you? Asking me to boost your cultivation? Do you want me to ventilate the Sect Leaders Hall for you? Su Qinians neck shrank. He let out a dry laugh. "Yes, yes, Old Ancestor! Youre absolutely right!" It was just a joke, but Old Ancestor was serious. Truly, Old Ancestor was strict and righteous Worthy of being the Peak Lord of Ten Thousand Swords Peak. A moment later, the voice from the void spoke again: Oh, and bring Qingran with you. Let her see the world. But wait one hour before waking her up. Su Qinian blinked. "Old Ancestor, why one hour later?" A cold snort echoed. Because my disciple is sleeping. Let her rest longer! What? You have a problem with that? Su Qinian straightened up immediately. "Not at all, not at all!" Chapter 171: In the End, I Still Have to Pay-to-Win Chapter 171: In the End, I Still Have to Pay-to-Win Night. A pitch-black night. Wind. A bone-chilling wind. Ji Dong leaned against the bedside, gazing at the small town beneath the night sky, an overwhelming desire for slaughter rising in his heart. As a demonic cultivator, now that he had arrived in the mortal world, if he didnt stir up some trouble for the righteous sects, hed be unworthy of the title! Where should I start killing? Ji Dong took a deep breath, sensing the night wind, and finally set his eyes on the mayors residenceit reeked of blood. A thick, nauseating stench. Heh this place will do. His figure flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared at the entrance of the mayors residence, where the sharp cries of a woman rang out. My lord, please, stop hitting her! I beg you, stop! Xiaocui is still young, she didnt mean to disobey you Inside the courtyard, an elderly man with graying hair was lashing a mother and daughter with a rattan whip studded with barbs. The two were already drenched in blood, their bodies battered beyond recognition, but the old man, panting heavily, refused to stop. A glint of cold light flashed. A three-foot bloodstained blade suddenly pierced through the old mans back. Ji Dong strode through the moonlit doorway, his black boots stepping onto the stone path, passing by the old mans corpse, whose eyes remained wide with disbelief. What a marvelous spectacle. A drop of crimson dripped from the tip of his sword as Ji Dong casually tapped his fingers against the hilt, laughing as he observed the scene. How amusing! They call us demonic cultivators more wicked than ghosts and monsters His cold, dark eyes swept across the blood-drenched courtyard, grinding half of the rattan whip under his boot. Yet how can we compare to the so-called righteous gentlemen and their bone-peeling cruelty? The household servants had already been scared out of their wits, scattering in all directions. Ji Dong swung his blade, and within moments, the entire households wretched lackeys had been slaughtered, leaving only the mother and daughter behind. Above the clouds, aboard a flying vessel, Su Qinian stared blankly at the scene below, swallowing hard. He turned to Li Qingran and hesitated. Patriarch are you sure this is our target? His actions dont seem like those of a demonic cultivator Something wasnt right. If this guy was a demonic cultivator, then what did that make their Sword Pavilion? Sect Master Su is absolutely right. Pill Sects leader, Zhou Xuanzi, leaned against the ships sandalwood railing, his folding fan reflecting the silhouettes below. But to be certain, we should examine what cultivation technique he practices. Why dont we lower the flying vessel for a closer look? As soon as he spoke, the blood pooling in the courtyard suddenly surged toward Ji Dong. The mother and daughter shriveled into dry corpses in an instant. Ji Dongs blood-red eyes lifted toward the sky, a sinister grin spreading across his lips. Hiding in the shadows? Since youre here, why not show yourselves? Alright, confirmed. Hes definitely a demonic cultivator. Su Qinian smacked himself in the face, filled with regret. He shouldve acted soonermaybe then the mother and daughter wouldnt have suffered such a fate. Rage flared in his eyes as he drew his sword and leaped off the vessel. A streak of sword light cut through the night, the iron sword tassel stretching taut in the wind, the blade aimed directly at the blood-red figure below. So, its a Sword Pavilion lackey? Good! Ji Dong knew his identity had been exposed. But his opponent was merely at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, and he had just consumed a vast amount of blood, bringing his secret technique to its peak. He could finish this sword cultivator within a few moves and retreat with ease. Facing Su Qinians incoming strike, Ji Dong didnt evade. Instead, he advanced, throwing out a palm. An eye opened in his palm. As the blood-red pupil widened, the sword was caught mid-air. Ji Dongs left hand moved faster than moonlight. Su Qinian was forced back three meters, five bloody gashes splitting open his shoulder. The first palm is to teach you the weight of life and death. The sword edge scraped against the demonic patterns in his palm, sparking embers. Boom! The clash of two Nascent Soul cultivators energies shattered the entire stone-paved street into dust. The second palm is to measure your journey through the underworld. A colossal claw formed from blood mist crashed down, reducing the mayors residence to rubble. As Su Qinian retreated, he unleashed seven streaks of sword energy, but the demonic aura corroded them, leaving only three faint glimmers of light. His grip on his sword trembledhis palm had been split open to the bone. Oi, what the hell are you all standing around for? Get down here and help! Su Qinian steadied himself and roared toward the flying vessel. Ji Dongs eyes narrowed. More opponents? Before he could react, an ink-black chessboard had already spread across the battlefield, its black and white pieces shifting ominously, murderous intent seeping from within. Zhou Xuanzi? You came to die too? Just by looking at the chessboard, Ji Dong immediately recognized his opponent. His gaze locked onto a figure in midair, a man holding a folding fan. A mere demonic cultivator dares to be so arrogant? Zhou Xuanzi sneered, his narrow eyes glinting coldly. You mongrel, how dare you spread demonic techniques in my Pill Sect? Today, youll serve as the soul of my chessboard! Amitabha This humble monk would also like to test Ji benefactors Heavenly Demon Art. Another calm voice rang out. Ji Dong glanced sideways and spotted a bare-chested Zen Sect monk standing atop a crumbling courtyard wall, palms pressed together. And it wasnt just him. More than ten Nascent Soul cultivators from various sects had appearedsome were respected elders, while others were sect masters themselves. The entire town trembled under the overwhelming pressure of their cultivation. The flying vessels Dao aura spread outward, shielding the town while isolating Ji Dong. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian silently withdrew his phone and paid 98, concealing his power and reputation. At this point, even Ji Dong, as arrogant as he was, realized he was in deep trouble. But he couldnt understandhadnt that person already concealed his presence from the heavens? If the heavenly secrets were hidden, how had these righteous sects found him? And with so many gathered here, they had clearly planned this well in advance. Heh and you lot think you can kill me? A crimson demonic aura surged skyward. Ji Dong stood tall before the Nascent Soul powerhouses, his presence growing more oppressive. A mocking smirk tugged at his lips. Good timing! Saves me the trouble of hunting you all down myself. Before his words had even faded, his left hand formed a seal, sending a palm strike that shattered Su Qinians righteous sword energy and the Zen masters Buddhist light. The blood mist suddenly condensed, forming a massive, sky-blotting palm that came crashing down. Within its lines, an endless sea of blood churned, suffocating the spiritual energy for miles around. As the righteous cultivators hastily formed a defensive formation, Ji Dong transformed into a blood cloud and fled at full speed. That b*****d! Hes running! Su Qinian barely slashed through the blood palm when Ji Dongs eerie laughter echoed from the sky. Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After the Zhongzhou Secret Realm, my Tianmo Sect will rule the world! Prepare your necks! Hahaha Strike and retreat. The perfect strategy. Ji Dongs blood-cloud escape technique was the best for fleeing. Burning blood essence was a small price to payhe had already replenished plenty earlier. Even a Nascent Soul Perfection cultivator wouldnt be able to catch him. This was the confidence granted by the most powerful demonic technique of the ancient era! Aboard the flying vessel, Chen Huaians face darkened as Ji Dong neared the edge of his divine sense range. D**n it, a bunch of useless fools In the end, I still have to pay-to-win! A screen popped up with three options: Top-up 6 to unleash the Great Sumeru Hand and instantly refine Ji Dong! Top-up 66 to unleash a single sword strike and shatter Ji Dongs last hope! Top-up 666 to unleash the Great Sun Crippling Kick, granting Ji Dong an unforgettable foot fetish experience! Chapter 172: Crushing Your Dreams with One Kick Chapter 172: Crushing Your Dreams with One Kick If this were before, Chen Huaian would have chosen the frugal route and recharged 6. But today was different. With ten billion in hand, of course, he had to take Li Qingran on a grand tour of the worlds wonders. Disciple, watch closely. Your master is about to make his move! A thunderous voice echoed through the void. Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi hurried to the edge of the flying vessel, peering into the distance. Little did they know, Chen Huaian was facing a critical decision at that moment. Please select your divine foot! Recharge an additional 6 to unlock the White Silk Jade Foot, leaving Ji Dong trembling with excitement. Recharge an additional 12 to unlock the Black Silk Long Legs, showing Ji Dong the true meaning of humiliation. Recharge an additional 36 to unlock the Old Frostbitten Leg, delivering a kick so foul it leaves a lingering stench. For just 48, enjoy the limited-time combo: Layered Socks, Pig Waist Leather Shoes, and a Size 34 Mini Ice Cream! Use the free Serious Kick with no special effects, shattering Ji Dongs dreams in one stomp. Chen Huaian: Wait, what? White silk jade feet? Black silk beauties? Was this really necessary? He had assumed the so-called "foot fetish benefit" was just a joke. He hadnt expected it to be real. Though, he was a bit curious what would the Great Sun Crippling Kick wrapped in black silk look like? That had to be a sight to behold. But no matter how rich he was, he couldn''t spend recklessly. Better to try the other versions later when he was on even better terms with Qingran. Wouldnt want to ruin his perfect masterly image in front of his dear Qingran. Chen Huaian chose the Serious Kick. Please place your phone on the ground and step on it. Chen Huaian: Cangyun Realm. The Nascent Soul cultivators gave it their all, but Ji Dongs demonic escape technique was too fast. Su Qinian gritted his teeth. This demon cultivator was absurdly strong, and his cultivation technique was among the vilest of the wicked. If they let him escape, the mortal world would suffer a bloodbath. He turned back toward the flying vessel, preparing to seek help from their patriarch And then, everything froze. A terrifying pressure erupted from the flying vessel, engulfing the sky and earth. The air felt like it had turned to stone. Everyone stood still, unable to even part their lips. Their gazes were locked onto the gathering storm clouds, where a massive azure foot emerged, shrouding the sky. Its target? Ji Dong. Infinite Dao Venerable Su Qinians eyes widened in shock. Patriarch has has made his moveno, his kick! So, Master was serious about kicking after all Li Qingran blinked at the enormous foot in the sky. For some reason, even though it was just a foot, it seemed incredibly majestic. If she could cling to it, it would probably feel so safe and secure. Thats one hell of a foot Yue Qianchi shivered, hugging his arms. One stomp like that wont it flatten an entire city? The flying vessel shot forward, drawn by an invisible force. Meanwhile, Ji Dong had already fled into the desolate wilderness between two mortal kingdoms. He was pondering which nation to massacre for a fresh supply of blood when he suddenly felt an overwhelming killing intent lock onto him. Not good! He glanced backhis scalp went numb. Above the clouds, a colossal bronze foot loomed over him, blotting out the sky. The sheer pressure of its presence alone caused his demonic aura to stagnate. At first, it seemed distant. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, in the next instant, the embroidered boots bearing taotie patterns shattered through space, appearing right above his head! AHHH! At the brink of death, Ji Dong coughed up blood from all seven orifices. He barely managed to summon his Blood Asura Avatar But before it could fully materialize, his right shoulder exploded. His shattered collarbone pierced through his demonic body, spraying black blood onto the bronze foot, where it sizzled and evaporated. His escape incantation had barely begun when the force of the descending foot sent his avatar tumbling. The ground quaked, stones levitated, and then BOOM! The bronze foot stomped down. The land within a hundred-mile radius collapsed into a massive crater. Ji Dongs screams were pitiful. Spare me! Please, my lord, have mercy! But the bronze foot merely lifted again. Ji Dong craned his neck skyward, his throat raw from his bloody pleas. My lord SAVE ME!!! Thousands of miles away. Deep within the mountains, an ancient temple crumbled. A gray-robed nun opened her eyes. She raised a withered hand and pierced through space with a single finger, pressing it against the forehead of Ji Dongs shattered avatar. At that moment, his forehead caved in. But his collapsing Blood Asura Avatar abruptly reformed Only now, its left side radiated the serene presence of a sacred Buddha, while the right side was corrupted by demonic markings. A crimson, fang-filled grin stretched across its half-human, half-monstrous face. In one pale hand, it held a jet-black string of prayer beads. Silence. The hybrid form of the Buddha-Demon Avatar barely lifted a finger And the entire sky rippled. Aboard the flying vessel. Li Qingran and Yue Qianchis backs ran cold. Before they could react, the ships defensive barriers shattered like glass. A thousand feet away, the clouds twisted as though gripped by an invisible hand. A massive, otherworldly finger, wrapped in decayed bones and Bodhi leaves, pierced through space, leaving fractured voids in its wake. Damn it! Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi are still on that ship! Su Qinians eyes went bloodshot as he charged forward to rescue them But before he could reach them, the giant finger impaled the vessel. BOOM! The formation core shattered. Spiritual energy spiraled out of control. The explosion obliterated the surrounding clouds. The aftermath left everyone in stunned silence. And then Through the settling dust and smoke, a lone figure emerged. Patriarch! Su Qinians eyes welled with tears. His heart, which had nearly leaped out of his chest, suddenly settledso quickly that he almost lost balance on his flying sword. Chen Huaian stood amidst the wreckage. Behind him, Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi were completely unharmed. Chen Huaians left hand gripped the Buddha-Demon Avatars gigantic finger, his sleeve torn away from the force of impact, exposing a taut, muscular arm. Crack! With just a slight twist of his fingers, the Avatars arm began crumbling from the fingertips down. The hybrid Buddha-Demon Avatar stared at the intruding force. Its pupils shrank. Then, in an eerie, layered voiceone male, one femaleit chanted: Bodhi is not a tree. The clear mirror is not a stand. Do you realize that by disrupting my plans, you have interfered with the fate of the entire Cangyun Realm? When judgment comes, do you understand the karma and sins you must bear? Chen Huaian chuckled. Hands clasped behind his back, his smile held no warmth. Only the cold glint of a sword lay hidden within his gaze. Oh? A lesson on karma? Fine then. Lets settle this karma right here and now. His right hand slowly clenched into a fist. The battlefield fell into an eerie stillness. Even the falling debris from the destroyed vessel hung motionless in midair, as if the very laws of the world had been frozen. Disciple, Chen Huaian stretched out a hand, fetch me a jug of wine. Li Qingran, momentarily dazed, quickly fished out a wine jug from her storage pouch, handing it over reverently before retreating to the side, eyes sparkling as she gazed at her master like an enamored fangirl. Chen Huaian popped the seal. Tilting his head back, he took a swig. As the alcohol rolled down his throat, his eyes grew clearersharp as a sword glistening with frost. Wind swept through his dark robes, revealing a black-scaled sword hanging at his waist. Drunken eyes see the sword most clearly. He never drew his blade. Yet the spiritual energy surging around him had already taken the form of one. I have a swordone that can intoxicate the heavens. Chen Huaian lifted two fingers, pointing at the Buddha-Demon Avatar. Staggering slightly, he let out a carefree laugh. Lets see if you can handle the karma of this strike. Chapter 173: So… Why Don’t You Give It a Try? Chapter 173: So Why Dont You Give It a Try? "Ancestor is about to recite poetry!" On the flying sword, Su Qinian gazed at the terrifying sword intent rising in the sky with a solemn expression. Zhou Xuanzi, standing beside him, was momentarily stunned. "Sect Master Su, why do you say that?" "Whenever Ancestor draws his sword, he recites poetry. And whenever he recites poetry, someone dies," Su Qinian murmured. "This time, its going to be a big one." "Oh!" Zhou Xuanzi snapped his fan shut, clapping his hands with a grin. "Then if we gag him before he draws his sword, stopping him from reciting, does that mean the sword wont strike?" Su Qinian cast him a sideways glance. "So why dont you give it a try?" "I wouldnt dare." Above the sky. As the last sip of spiritual wine slid down his throat, a few drops trickled down Chen Huaians chin, yet before they could hit the ground, they were sliced into mist by invisible sword qi. Clang! A sharp cry echoed from the sword sheath. Though the sword had yet to be drawn, its momentum had already taken shape! In an instant, the sea of clouds spanning a thousand miles turned into frost and ice, collapsing into a ring-shaped vacuum centered around the figure in black robes. Chen Huaians half-drunken eyes narrowed as he laughed aloud and recited: With a flick of his sleeve, the wine gourd exploded, sending countless drops scattering across the sky, reflecting the image of the frenzied swordsman. He swayed slightly before continuing: The Blackscale Sword was unsheathed, and its sword intent surged into the heavens. All eyes turned toward the black-robed figure, watching as the very space behind him split apart. A colossal Sword Dao manifestation rose into the sky. Standing upon the sea of clouds, towering into the heavens, its sword-like form radiated an aura of sharpness. At times, it sat cross-legged among the clouds, cradling its sword in deep meditation; at others, it leaned drunkenly against the moon, plucking its blade like a zither, singing an endless ballad. Suddenly, the manifestation raised two fingers like a sword and began to inscribe words in the air. The sky trembled. Ink-like strokes erupted across the heavens, the sheer force of the calligraphy piercing the firmament itself, turning the vast sky into a grand scroll where ink waves surged like a raging sea. Chen Huaian flicked his wrist, scattering glimmers of cold starlight. His sword danced like a dragon, slicing through the clouds and hooking onto the crescent moon. A waterfall of ink suddenly descended from the sky, a solitary streak of black cutting through the layers of mist. Just before it reached the earth, it condensed into an incomparably sharp edge The ink seeped into the swords core, its blade now wrapped in frost. The thousand-foot sword light had been tempered from the very poetry inscribed across the heavens. Laughter rang out. The Buddhist-Demonic manifestation, which had been momentarily frozen, suddenly regained movement. Yet the moment it did, the ink-forged sword came crashing down. "Well met!" The Buddhist-Demonic manifestations left eye bloomed with golden lotuses, while its right eye blazed with hellfire. Six white jade hands formed a colossal mudra, one hand channeling the infernos of the underworld, the other the tranquility of the Buddhist Pure Land. The sound of chanting interwove with demonic howls, shaking even the Nascent Soul cultivators watching from afar, leaving them dizzy and disoriented. Su Qinians face turned pale at the overwhelming impact of the clash. Though he knew this was a rare opportunity to gain insight into Sword Dao by observing the Ancestor, for the sake of his own life, he swiftly retreated to a safer distance. Boom! The ink sword collided with the divine seal. The sky cracked, and the earth trembled. The vast deserts spanning thousands of miles were reduced to mere fragments. "Younger one, if this is all you have, you are unworthy of burdening this old nun with your karma." The Buddhist-Demonic manifestation was no longer as solid as before. Cracks spread across its white jade arms and had now reached its chest. However, the entity believed that this was the sword cultivators limitthough she was weakened, she still had strength left to fight. Did the sword cultivator have any more to give? Chen Huaian lifted his sword and recited once more. The swords movement traced out the words in ink, coiling into a dragon of poetry. Behind him, the Sword Dao manifestation suddenly raised its wrist. A brush the weight of a mountain slashed through the clouds. The words glowed with sword light. The ink of surged like waves. As the final stroke was completed, the heavens collapsed inward. The inky mark spanning across the sky condensed into yet another sword. The sword fell. A silent explosion drained all color from the world. The Buddhist-Demonic manifestation stared blankly at the celestial figure above the clouds, as if entranced. Beneath the fading crescent moon, Chen Huaian sheathed his sword and shook his head with a sigh. As his words fell, a thin sword mark split the manifestations brow. A gust of wind blew past, and the divine form shattered, dissolving into countless embers of karmic fire. Thousands of miles away, deep within the collapsed ruins of an ancient temple A gray-robed old nun trembled violently in meditation. Her face paled as she coughed up a mouthful of blood. Ignoring the blood staining her lips, she immediately sat cross-legged to regulate her breathing. Only after a long while did she recover. Even though she had descended via an incarnation that had fused with Ji Dongs manifestation, it was still a portion of her true essence. Yet with only two strikes, that sword cultivator had nearly shredded her very being. The residual sword intent, carried along by her scattered power, had even reversed back into her soul like a parasite burrowing into bone. If not for her being at the third level of the Void Piercing Realm, she would have been utterly annihilated. Any cultivator at the Fusion Realm in her place would have perished the moment the backlash struck. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old nun''s face darkened, her gaze flickering with uncertainty. If he were an ancient figure, he should have been aware of the crisis looming over the Cangyun Realm. But his reaction just now showed he knew nothing. Moreover, the legendary Sword Pavilion Ancestor named Chen had long since left this world, and their Sword Daos were completely different. There was no way such a monstrous sword cultivator could have emerged out of nowhere during her closed-door cultivation. The old nun murmured to herself, a chilling glint flashing in her eyes. "Master, save me! I dont want to die!" Ji Dongs remnant soul clung to her desperately, his ethereal form riddled with countless sword wounds. He was fading fast. "Save you?" The old nun sneered and grabbed his soul. "You are but a lowly demonic cultivator. I was never shielding you from fate. Your destiny was sealed the moment you left the Ten Thousand Mountains." "You You tricked me!" Ji Dong howled in fury. "You wretched hag! May you die a miserable death!" The old nun merely chuckled coldly. Her fingers closed around Ji Dongs soul, crushing it into nothingness. Only her whisper lingered in the temples ruins Chapter 174: You May Leave Chapter 174: You May Leave At a rate of 100,000 per minute for a late Fusion Realm body, Chen Huaian had already spent half an hour in Cangyun Realm. Why not stay longer? Just take a look at the horrifying expenseif he didnt control himself, forget ten billion, even a trillion wouldnt be enough to sustain it. Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Besides, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Leaving right after a brief appearance would make Qingran miss him every day. It was definitely not because his avatar couldnt physically touch her, so he simply gave up. To make traveling more convenient for Li Qingran and the others, Chen Huaian bought a mid-sized flying boat. The Virtual Girlfriend Shop had now upgraded to mid-Foundation Establishment, allowing for direct purchases of mid-sized flying boats. Onboard the flying boat, Su Qinian was all smiles, looking as if he were celebrating the New Year. "Fellow cultivators, you''ve all had a long journey. How about having a meal here? Rest assured, though the Sword Pavilion may be poor, we still uphold proper hospitality." "Ah, about thatSect Master Su, I have a pill refining in my furnace. I should head back first" Zhou Xuanzi chuckled awkwardly and was the first to excuse himself. "Oh! I just rememberedmy spirit beast is having a difficult birth. I need to return and handle it immediately," said an Elder from the Beast Taming Sect as he turned to leave. "Amitabha This humble monk must also go beg for alms" One by one, the cultivators vanished, each with their own excuse. In no time, the once-crowded flying boat was completely empty. Su Qinian watched as even the Nascent Soul cultivators fled in a hurry, utterly baffled. Today should have been a day of joy! His ancestor had put on a spectacular display, eliminated a great threat to Cangyun Realm, and it was finally time for Sword Pavilion to shine. He had even overcome his own anxiety to host a banquetyet everyone ran off as fast as they could! "You seriously dont know?" Yue Qianchi tilted his chin towards Chen Huaian, who stood near Li Qingran, never straying more than half a step away. "Look at that killing formation," Yue Qianchi said. On the flying boat, tens of thousands of spiritual qi swords hovered in midair, sword intent so thick that the sky had turned dark. Su Qinian turned around and took one glanceand immediately shivered. Countless swords twisted in the air, roaring like dragons, crackling like thunderous lightning cascading down from the heavens. The entire flying boat had become a prison of swords. "...Fine, fine. This works too. At least I saved ten low-grade spirit stones." Shaking his head, he clasped his hands behind his back and obediently returned to his seat inside the boat. Even Li Qingran had gained insight into the sword, and he needed to digest what he had just witnessed as well. Yue Qianchi scoffed. Seriously? So stingy. Good thing those Nascent Soul cultivators didnt stayotherwise, Sword Pavilions hard-earned reputation would have instantly crumbled. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian was in the middle of flexing. But he wasnt flexing just for the sake of it. Li Qingran had entered a state of enlightenment, and he was protecting her. Why the grand display? Simple. He rarely got to see her in person. Now that he finally did, he had to give her the best. His protection had to be absolute. Seeing that Li Qingran still needed more time, Chen Huaian shifted his attention to his recent gains. After slaying the Buddhist-Demonic manifestation, the loot didnt drop immediately. Only a few minutes later, he received a Demonic Cultivator Fragment and a book"Heavenly Demon Technique"clearly the cultivation method of the mastermind behind the scenes. What really caught his attention was this: That Demonic Cultivator should have died instantly, yet some unknown force revived his manifestation. Moreover, the Buddhist-Demonic manifestation wasnt controlled by a single individual. And the Buddhist portion of it felt pure and balanced, clearly originating from a highly orthodox Buddhist technique. Curious, he asked the Sect Leader of the Zen Sect for insight. But even that monk couldnt give him a clear answer. He only mentioned that Cangyun Realm had many rogue cultivators who practiced Buddhist techniques. The Buddhist Order had strict precepts, and many Buddhist cultivators were expelled for breaking them. For example, Cold Zen Mind, also known as Smiling Buddha, was a prime case. Over the years, who knew how many of these rogue Buddhist cultivators were out there? And among them, there could very well be one or two ridiculously powerful ones. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. To be safe, he decided to perform another round of Heavenly Divination. Previously, divining that Demonic Cultivator had cost him fifty layers of Fortune Loss, leaving him with fifty layers of leeway. That should be enough. The loading circle in his customer service interface spun for a long time before a warning box popped up: "The targets fate has been concealed by a Dao Artifact. Forcibly divining will increase your ''Fortune Loss'' by at least 2000 layers. At your current strength, you cannot withstand a Fortune Loss above 1000 layers. Please reach Foundation Establishment before trying again." Chen Huaian frowned. This was the first time he had encountered something his Heavenly Divination couldnt penetrate. He tried another question. "This is your fourth divination today. This answer will cost 10,000 but will not increase your Fortune Loss." Chen Huaian fell silent for a moment. Then, his gaze slowly shifted toward Su Qinian, who was meditating in the next room. His eyes glinted. "Sect Master Su, what is a Dao Artifact?" "Uh A Dao Artifact is a spiritual artifact that contains a trace of Dao Law. These artifacts have various mystical properties There''s also another theoryhighly talented and fortunate cultivators can be refined into Dao Artifacts. But thats usually something demonic sects do to extend their lifespan." Chen Huaian nodded. "Good. Your knowledge is solid. You may leave." Su Qinians smile froze. "Uh thats it? Youre not going to ask anything else?" Chen Huaian closed his eyes. "Nope." Su Qinian: "???" Where was his opportunity? Where was the Ancestors guidance? Just one simple question that any Nascent Soul cultivator could answer, and now he was dismissed? He wanted to protest, but in the end, he shut his mouth. Ancestor had his own reasons. Ancestor was a Void Piercing cultivatorevery action carried deep meaning. It wasnt something he could question. Su Qinian sulked as he pouted and sat back on his mat, casting resentful glances at Chen Huaian. Chen Huaian felt his gazeand ignored it. Chapter 175: This Is Against the Natural Order!! Chapter 175: This Is Against the Natural Order!! "Speaking of which, now that the Demonic Cultivator is dead, Qingrans dungeon survival rate should have improved, right?" Chen Huaian opened the main quest panel and Li Qingrans status panelonly to be shocked. Their affection level had dropped to 19?! Looking closer, he noticed something was different in the status bar. [Li Qingrans Affection Level: ?19 (Secret Crush)] But why was the heart gray? It looked just like a consumed game item. Chen Huaian scratched his head. Why not just make their feelings official? Being secretly admiredwasnt that the best feeling ever? Just imagine As twilight creeps over the windowpane, a girls gaze lingers in the dusk, stirred even before the evening bell tolls. Her eyes, like cherry blossoms soaked in morning dew, hover just behind you, trembling before shattering into fleeting fragments. Only her lashes remain, fluttering against her pale cheeks, casting the shadow of a butterflys panic Such a sceneonly a girl in secret love would reveal! It was absolutely not because his real combat strength was embarrassingly weak and he feared that one day hed be exposed and unable to hold his head high in front of Li Qingran. Shoving that thought aside, he focused on his main quest. [Li Qingrans Dungeon Survival Rate: 82%] Killing just one mastermind had boosted it from 61% to 82%. And honestly, at the end of the day Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Taking out more masterminds wasnt an option for nowthe enemy was hiding in their turtle shell. Li Qingrans strength couldnt skyrocket overnightthis wasnt a game where you could just boost her stats instantly. He had already maxed out all her cultivation aids, from elixirs to spirit gathering formations. The path of cultivation was real and had to be walked step by stephaste would only bring disaster. His gaze swept across the room, landing on Yue Qianchi, who was drinking and dozing outside. It was known that Yue Qianchi and many Sword Pavilion disciples were Li Qingrans teammates. And what did teammates do? They helped and protected each other. Thusstrengthening her teammates meant strengthening her protection. According to the safety amplification principle, the stronger the team, the safer Qingran would be. Chen Huaian immediately had a plan. "Yue Qianchi!" He waved at the tipsy woman outside. "Eh?" Half-drunken, Yue Qianchi blinked in confusion, raising her flushed face, still dazed from the scent of wine. " A-Ancestor, youre calling me?" "Yeah. You." Though confused, Yue Qianchi quickly straightened her clothes, tightened her belt, and Her already ample chest swelled even more, threatening to burst through her tunic at any moment. She, however, remained oblivious, only staggering forward with a sloppy bow. "Ancestor, ~ yousummoned this junior for what reason?" Chen Huaian said nothing. He simply opened the Virtual Girlfriend Shop And started spending. A batch of 100 Supreme-Grade Great Rejuvenation PillsBuy! A batch of 100 Mid-Grade Spirit StonesBuy! A batch of 100 Supreme-Grade Essence Restoration PillsBuy! Mid-Grade Flying Swords? Buy! Three of them, just because. Mid-Grade Thunderfire Talismans, Black Armor Talismans? Buy! 100 of each! After a massive shopping spree, Chen Huaian dumped the pile of resources right in front of Yue Qianchi. With a grand wave of his hand "All yours!" Yue Qianchi stared blankly at the mountain of treasures for a long moment. Then, without warning, she slapped herself across the facea crisp, loud smack, as if shed put her full strength into it. Chen Huaians eye twitched. Before he could say anything, Yue Qianchi dropped to her knees and bowed deeply. "AncestorI know youre at least a thousand years oldbut if this is your wish then I I dare not refuse! This concubthis disciple accepts her fate!" Chen Huaian: "???" Wait. What?! He definitely didnt mean that! Seated in meditation, Li Qingrans eyebrows furrowed slightlyshe seemed on the verge of breaking out of her enlightenment. Chen Huaian panicked and quickly coughed. "You fool! That is not my intention!" Li Qingrans furrowed brows smoothed out, and the corners of her lips curved upward. Meanwhile, Yue Qianchi paled in shock, the drunken haze fading from her eyes. Her lips trembled. "Th-Then does Ancestor wish to adopt me as a goddaughter first, and then?" She gasped. "No! Ancestor! That would be against the natural order!!" Chen Huaian felt a chill run down his spine. He turned slightly and saw a brewing storm of ice and snow in Li Qingrans gaze. "Shut up!" he snapped. "I merely see you as a promising junior and have granted you some opportunities. Take them, or dontits up to you!" He reached out, ready to reclaim the resources. But before he could, Yue Qianchi had already thrown herself onto the pile, hugging the loot tightly like a shameless rogue. "Thank you, Ancestor! May you live ten thousand years!" She kowtowed ten times in quick succession. Chen Huaian turned to look at Li Qingran. The thin layer of ice on her face had melted away, replaced by a sweet, satisfied smile. Chen Huaians expression darkened. At the same time, he exhaled in reliefbut still scolded her anyway. Li Qingrans neck stiffened as if a small bird had pecked her, her back straightened like a taut bamboo stalk, and her serious expression immediately returned. "Enough. Take your resources and go. Train diligentlydo not grow arrogant." Chen Huaian rubbed his temples in exhaustion, waving Yue Qianchi away. "Understood, Ancestor! This disciple will not grow arrogant!" Yue Qianchi quickly stuffed what she could into her storage pouch and crammed the rest into her robes, then backed away carefully, as if afraid Chen Huaian might change his mind. The moment she stepped out of the room, a wild scream echoed through the air. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! IM RICH!! IM FREAKING RICH!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!" Chen Huaian: "" What happened to ''not growing arrogant''?! He glanced at Li Qingrans dungeon survival rate Sure enough, it had increased. [Li Qingrans Dungeon Survival Rate: 84%] Chen Huaian clenched his fist, his eyes burning with determination. At this rate, all he had to do was bribe everyone at Luoxia Peak, and Li Qingrans survival rate would hit 100% in no time! And how much would it cost? A few million? A billion? That was nothing. Just as Chen Huaian was celebrating his genius strategy, something changed. The girl sitting behind him stirred. Li Qingran had broken through. Thanks to her Supreme-Grade Dantian, she had retained a faint awareness of the outside world even during enlightenment. But with her master by her side, she was able to let go of all distractions and fully immerse herself in her comprehension. Images of Chen Huaians sword techniques played in her mind, their trajectories growing clearer with every repetition. Then A sharp energy surged from within her dantian. Her brows twitched. The bottleneck holding her back dissolved into her meridians. Foundation Establishment Late Stageachieved. At the same moment, a notification popped up in Chen Huaians vision. [Your Virtual Girlfriend has reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage! A new Supreme Battle Order reward has been unlocked!] Happy Lunar New Year! ???? Chapter 176: Could Chen Huai’an Be the Son of Fate? Chapter 176: Could Chen Huaian Be the Son of Fate? Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes... Something wasnt right. The Battle Order rewards for Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment were already at their peakFoundation Establishment Perfection. Now, there were two supreme-tier rewards left: A Golden Mystery Box for Foundation Establishment Late Stage. A Sword Spiritual Root for Foundation Establishment Perfection. Chen Huaian claimed his Battle Order rewards, staring at the Golden Mystery Box in his inventory... but he wasnt happy. Why? Because he had terrible luck with mystery boxes. He was already cursed with bad gacha luck, and now, with 950 layers of Fortune Loss, if he actually pulled something good... Well, hed cluck like a chicken in front of a five-speed electric fan. [Open Golden Mystery Box? (Contents: 1% chance of Supreme reward, 98.9% chance of Gold-tier reward, 0.1% chance of Purple-tier reward)] Chen Huaian let out a bleak laugh. He already saw his fate unfolding before his eyes. Open! A burst of dazzling light shot out, blinding him in the face. [Congratulations! You have obtained... Supreme Reward - Scarlet Heart Insight: Lingxi Inscription!] Chen Huaians eyes widened in shock. A Supreme-tier reward?! Even with 950 layers of Fortune Loss, he still managed to pull the rarest 1% drop?! But, thinking back, it made sense. Ever since he got this Virtual Girlfriend game, he had already been blessed by fate itself. Surviving 950 layers of Fortune Loss without dying was proof enough that he was playing on a broken version of reality. This Supreme reward was rightfully his! That said... Glancing at Li Qingran, who was still stabilizing her cultivation, Chen Huaian quickly checked the item descriptionif it turned out to be useless, or worse, something he couldnt use yet, then he was screwed. [Scarlet Heart Insight: Lingxi Inscription] The inventory icon displayed a golden wisp of qi. Chen Huaian pondered for a moment... Good stuff! Very, very good stuff!! Before he could decide which technique to modify first, a soft voice suddenly called out. "Master... What are you looking at?" Chen Huaian froze. He looked up... and for a split second, his mind went blank. Li Qingran stood under the moonlight, the silver glow draping a hazy radiance over her pure white dress. Her skin shimmered like flowing milk, each breath making her delicate collarbone shift ever so slightly. As she tilted her head, strands of dark hair slid over her slender neck, her gaze brimming with emotions like misty rain, dissolving into the soft dimples at the corners of her lips. Chen Huaian didnt dare look any longer. He felt like Tang Monk in front of the Queen of Womens Countryhe could only look at his nose, and his nose at his heart. "I was just... observing the grand affairs of the world!" He quickly diverted. "But, Master... You were just staring in my direction for quite some time..." "Ah! I heard Sect Master Su is quite skilled in cooking... How about we have him demonstrate?" Chen Huaian deflected. "Master... You made embroidered socks for the fish demon... Can you make a pair for your disciple as well?" Li Qingran lightly bit her red lips, her gaze avoiding his face, instead lingering on his throat. She also didnt dare look at him directly. "Hmm... Thats no problem. Ill send them to you as soon as I return." Chen Huaian shut his eyes tightly, pretending to cultivate. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze brushed against him. He cracked his eyes open slightly Right at the edge of the bamboo bed, a pair of small, embroidered shoes had stopped just an inch away. Li Qingran stood with her head lowered, saying nothing. A deep blush crept from her collar to her ears. Chen Huaian remained silent. Internally, he chanted Buddhist scriptures. Meanwhile, at the door, Su Qinian peeked his head inside, originally wanting to thank Ancestor Chen for giving his unruly disciple a golden opportunity. But the moment he looked in... He saw the master and disciple sitting stiffly on the bamboo bed. One with silver hair cascading down, exuding a celestial aura, yet with brows furrowed deeply in turmoil. The other with flushed cheeks, fingers twisting her silk dress, gaze downcast, seemingly lost in thought. Su Qinian swallowed his words instantly. His instincts told him... It was best not to interrupt this delicate atmosphere. Otherwise, he might end up entangled in some kind of cosmic karma he couldn''t handle. Silently... He stepped back, extended his leg, and gently closed the door. Time ticked by. Both of them... Were reaching their limit. Just then The flying boat shook slightly and finally came to a stop. Luoxia Peak had arrived. Chen Huaian exhaled in relief, standing up. Li Qingran blinked before quickly rising as well. Instinctively, she reached out to hold his arm... But her hand passed straight through. She stared blankly at her palm, a fleeting hint of sadness flashing through her eyes. Her masters poison hadnt been fully cured. His real body was still fighting a great demon somewhere far away, locked in an unimaginable battle... possibly on the verge of life and death at any moment. "Im not that old yet, Qingran... I dont need help walking. Weve arrived at Luoxia Peaklets go." His avatar didnt have much time left. Chen Huaian instructed Su Qinian to gather all disciples of Luoxia Peak at the summit. "If Im bestowing an opportunity... I should at least see if they are worthy." Just as midnight passed... The Heavenly Divination cooldown refreshed. Chen Huaian immediately asked [Heavenly Divination in progress...] Across Cangyun Realm, the skies trembled, causing cultivators to glance upward before resuming their meditation. [Heavenly Divination complete!] [Answer: Just ask Sect Master Su Qinian.] Chen Huaian: "" What a waste of a divination. Turns out, Sword Pavilion had a sect-guarding treasure called Heart-Refining Sword Mirror. This artifact was used to temper a disciples Sword Heart, and it had the added function of revealing their loyalty and character. This explained why, when accusations arose about a disciple cultivating demonic arts, Su Qinian refused to believe it. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That very disciple, Tu Xinghe, hadnt used the Heart-Refining Sword Mirror even once since he started dabbling in dark artshence, he had remained undetected. Hearing that Ancestor Chen planned to grant every disciple a great opportunity before the Zhongzhou Secret Realm expedition, Su Qinian was overjoyed. He ran around Luoxia Peak, carefully waking up every disciple lost in cultivation. By the time they all passed through the Heart-Refining Sword Mirror and assembled at the summit... It was already late into the night. Chen Huaian stood in midair, hands behind his back. Behind him, the Blackscale Sword hovered three inches above the ground, its chilling sword aura scattering the moonlight like drifting snow. These disciples were about to fight for their lives in Zhongzhou Secret Realm. For themselves... And for the sect. The Secret Realm was unquestionably dangerous. And now... A mastermind hidden beyond his divinations was lurking inside. Even with all his efforts, he had only raised Li Qingrans survival rate to the low 80s. The dangers... were clear as day. As the Ancestor of Sword Pavilioneven if it was just a disguise... He had to say something. Chapter 177: The Spirit of a Sword Cultivator Chapter 177: The Spirit of a Sword Cultivator Chen Huaian took a moment to compose himself... He was a science major, not exactly great with words. But after descending into Cangyun Realm so many times through his recharged avatar... After seeing so much of the world... He found that his mind had unknowingly become more refined. Now, with countless disciples staring at him, his adrenaline surged, and his mind went blank... But somehow, the words flowed naturally from his heart. "Disciples of the Sword Pavilion... look!" Chen Huaian raised two fingers like a sword and drew a line across the sky. Clang! From afar, a snow-capped mountain suddenly collapsed, its peak sheared off with a single sword cry. The clean, iron-straight cross-section was exposed, gleaming under the moonlight. Su Qinians eyelids twitched. That mountain had just been cultivated, with several spirit fields on it. In an instant, at least a million low-grade spirit stones worth of investment was wiped out... with just a flick of the ancestors finger. Chen Huaian spoke, his voice firm. "A disciple of the Sword Pavilion must stand like this mountains ridge." "For three thousand years, wind and frost have battered it... Its peak has crumbled, its slopes have fractured... yet this sword ridge remains unyielding. It would rather shatter than bend. It would rather break than bow." With that, Chen Huaian took out a half-broken sword It was Li Qingrans former sword, the one he had taken after giving her the Su Xian Sword. Originally, he had kept it as a souvenir... But now, it had become a symbol. The disciples gazed at the fractured blade. The swords body was riddled with cracks, yet it still emitted an inch of unwavering sword intent. "The core of the Sword Dao... is spine first, edge second!" Chen Huaians silver hair swayed without wind. Behind him, an ancient pine tree that had stood for three thousand years was silently shattered by the invisible sword intent released with his words. "A sword... must be like pine and cypress against the snow! Even under a hundred layers of frost... it must pierce through, carving a path straight to the heavens!" Su Qinian glanced at the destroyed pine tree... Then he silently added another ten low-grade spirit stones to the sects expense log. "Lastly... there is the matter of sharpening ones sword." "A fellow disciple is your grindstone... A blade tempered in blood, an edge sharpened by the soul... Only then, in the moment of life and death, can it drink deep of demonic blood!" "This time, when you enter the Secret Realm, remember these three things!" Chen Huaian put away the broken sword... and with a wave of his sleeve, his sword intent fused with the moonlight, sinking into the foreheads of all the disciples who were listening with rapt attention. "The swords edge is not for slaughter... but for the safety of your comrades." "The swords aura is not for fame and glory... but to keep the righteous path alive." "And when your sword breaks... do not grieve." His voice suddenly softened But at that very moment, the entire Sword Pavilion trembled. In the sects ancestral shrine, where Lin Yuxi was meditating, the memorial tablets of past ancestors began shaking violently. In the Sword Grave at the back of the mountain, where broken swords lay embedded in the ground, they suddenly quivered in unison. Crack! The sound of shattered scabbards tore through the night. Countless streaks of azure sword light soared into the sky. The broken swords rose into the air, spiraling around the summit of Luoxia Peak, their blade edges humming. The disciples looked up, watching the swords shine. Upon each broken blade, golden names surfaced These were the names of fallen Sword Pavilion disciples from past generations. Chen Huaian gazed at them as well. For a moment, countless images flashed through his mind Blood and tears. Roars of defiance. Unyielding spirits. His eyes grew slightly misty, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Their sharpest sword technique... was the way their broken bodies shielded their comrades." "Their brightest sword light... was the final explosion of a sword formation as their souls vanished." Hummm! Suddenly, some disciples own swords began unsheathing on their own, resonating with the broken blades in the sky. "Sheathe your swords." Chen Huaian lowered his gaze, giving a soft command. In an instant S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All the swords fell silent. "If the day comes when your sword breaks... then use your bones as your blade... your blood as your edge... and your soul as your flame." "For ten thousand years, the Sword Pavilion has stoodnot because of some peerless divine sword... but because of the unbreakable sword bones of those who refused to turn their backs to the enemy." What does it mean to have the spirit of a sword cultivator? The wind tore his words apart. But on Luoxia Peak, the sword intent surged toward the heavens, and the sword cries echoed like temple bells. At the edge of the Sword Grave, a withered iron fir tree, dead for thirty years, suddenly sprouted new leaves. The avatars time ran out. Chen Huaian took off his VR helmet, his hands shaking, his mind in a daze. Deciding to praise himself, he gave a thumbs-up to his own reflection in the mirror. The resources had been distributed. Li Qingrans survival rate had increased to 99.999%. But... It still wouldnt reach 100%. Chen Huaian accepted this. He had spent a ton of money... But he hadnt just given things away for free. He made the Sword Pavilion disciples work for himthe alchemists refined pills for him, the talisman makers crafted seals, the swordsmiths forged sword marbles, and those who couldnt do any of that? They had to write Sword Dao insights, which he collected for reviewbut in reality, he was just hoarding them like a merchant. He even had Su Qinian order spirit wine from the Pill Sect, under the excuse that he liked to drink. After giving away so many resources, even the most stingy Sect Master of the Sword Pavilion... Was moved to tears. Surprisingly, he didnt even haggle. Chen Huaian was deeply satisfied. Otherwise, he might have had to ventilate the Sect Leaders Hall. Without Li Qingrans gentle gaze watching over him... He finally had the energy to examine his Supreme-tier reward. Chen Huaian had thought the Scarlet Heart Insight would appear physically, but instead, it directly integrated into his mind. A golden flash of enlightenment lit up in his consciousness. And now, it was completely under his control, ready to be used whenever he pleased. He took out the Heavenly Demon Techniquea stone tablet the size of an adults forearm, covered in bloody, writhing text that exuded demonic energy. Just looking at it... Even his spiritual beasts were unnerved. Chapter 178: The Modifier Chapter 178: The Modifier The reason the Demonic Path was so reviled was simpleit was inhumane. The same logic applied to animal abusers. Chen Huaian spent half a day reading through the entirety of the Heavenly Demon Technique. He hadnt even practiced it yet, and he already felt like he was developing psychopathic tendencies. Because this technique was absolutely monstrous. Among its many vile methods, the most horrifying was the refinement of the Demon Eye, which required Consuming the flesh and blood of ones closest kin. Refining their pain and terror into power. And "kin" didnt just mean familyit included any Dao Companion who had ever genuinely loved the cultivator. Not only that, but at least 99 souls had to be sacrificed for the process to succeed. Absolutely insane! Meanwhile, the Tideborn Technique was way too mild in comparison. With that thought, Chen Huaian decided to test the Scarlet Heart Insight in his mind and applied it to the Heavenly Demon Technique. The moment he did, the stone tablet underwent a drastic transformation. [Heavenly Demon Technique] [Preview of Modifiable Aspects] Steal the unborn Qi of the heavens and earth Absorb demonic Qi from demonic cultivators Refine the unyielding souls of all beings Refine the souls of demonic creatures and spirits Bones as firewood, blood as lantern oil Burn the bones and blood of demons and evil spirits Nine Tribulations Thunderfire to temper the body Nine-Nine Violet Sky Divine Lightning to refine the body Refine the Demon Eye through rage, desire, greed, and resentment Forge the Fire Eye with Samadhi True Fire Seven Emotions as shackles to bind Dragon Marrow Yin-Yang Fusion to condense Dragon Spine Boil the hearts flames with the wails of the masses Forge a Golden Body through the faith of all beings Sun and moon worn as ornaments, stars reduced to dust in ones palm. At the peak of this path, refine the heavens, refine the earth, refine demonsburn all evil as fuel! Chen Huaian stared in shock, his mind completely blown. t... this is literally the ultimate technique modification system!"* This... This was what you called Was this even a demonic art anymore? This was basically a divine-grade body-refining technique! And more than that... It was an absolute nightmare for demons and evil spirits. The Tideborn Technique was a magic-based path... The Heavenly Demon Technique was now a body cultivation path. Chen Huaian could already imagine himself dual-cultivating both arts, grabbing demons with his bare hands and refining them on the spot. Refine! He had to refine it! Chen Huaian held the stone tablet as if it were a precious artifact. The only reason he still had "long-distance relationship anxiety" was because his real body was too weak compared to his avatar. But if he fully mastered this and became an unstoppable powerhouse... Then the day he met Qingran in person, she wouldnt be able to do anything but surrender on the bed! "Modify!" [Would you like to finalize the modifications to the Heavenly Demon Technique? The original stone tablet will be preserved.] [Please name the new technique.] Chen Huaian rubbed his chin before smirking. Buzz! A new stone tablet manifested next to the original black tablet. Unlike the old one, which constantly leaked demonic energy... The new tablet radiated a fiery golden aura, exuding nothing but righteous brilliance. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian stored away the black stone tablet. This thing was a ticking time bomb... Who knew when it might come in handy? He then opened the first chapter of the modified technique Blood Cocoon Refinement. The process was simple: Absorb the blood and flesh of 100 demons or evil spirits to reconstruct ones body, condensing a new layer of flesh refined from pure power. The more demons he consumed, the stronger the new body would become. 100 demons was merely the threshold for unlocking the next volume. One thing worth noting Although the general doctrine of the technique had changed, its core essence had not. For instance, when he placed two pages of the old Heavenly Demon Technique beside the new stone tablet, they tried to merge... But the righteous aura of the new tablet rejected them outright. It was as if the remnant pages were trying to acknowledge the new version as their master, but the new version refused to recognize them. Which meant... Even if he cultivated the modified technique, he could still control those who practiced the original demonic version. A flood of schemes and exploitation tactics instantly filled his mind. "Hehehe... Qingran, its time to power up... We need more demons! Where are the demons?!" Chen Huaian was thrilled. After all, the Demon Slayer Bureau had tons of bounty missions, and most of them involved hunting demons and evil spirits. He was itching to go grab some contracts... But then he looked at the time 4:30 AM. Even though he was at Qi Refinement 2nd Layer, he still needed rest. From the moment Di Jiang descended, he had been on edge, dealing with one thing after another. Now that everything had finally settled, he could feel the exhaustion creeping in. Collapsing onto his bed, he was just about to close his eyes... When he suddenly remembered something. He hadnt annoyed anyone yet today. Quickly sitting up, he opened the games customer service panel. He had already tested this before. Even if he didnt pay the cost, the Heavenly Divination anomalies would still manifest. Which meant Even if he spent nothing, the enemy would still feel like they were being spied on. [Heavenly Divination in progress... Warning: Target is protected by a Dao Artifact! Forcibly divining will result in a minimum of 2,000 layers of Fortune Loss! Current player level cannot withstand this burdenDivination has been rejected!] Chen Huaian grinned maliciously, shut off his phone... And knocked out cold. Ten Thousand Mountains Seated in meditation, Lingpu suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Her body shuddered violently as she woke with a start. Snapping her gaze to the sky, she saw thick black clouds rolling in, lightning crackling wildly. A golden vertical pupil scanned left and right, exuding an oppressive aura of surveillance. Lingpus expression darkened. Her grip tightened around her Dao Artifact. She wasnt afraid of being watchedat her Void Piercing 3rd Realm, she could easily fight that sword cultivator... What she feared was her carefully planned schemes being exposed. Luckily, the golden eye vanished moments later. The sense of being watched disappeared with it. Crack! A hairline fracture appeared on her Dao Artifact. Chapter 179: Too Much Thunder Is Indecent Chapter 179: Too Much Thunder Is Indecent "Milord... Di Jiang is dead." "Dead again? He just came out! Who killed him?!" "...A human." Silence filled the depths of the void... Then suddenly, two eerie blue lights flared to life. They were eyes, yet they seemed to have frozen entire galaxies within their glassy pupilsfragments of an ancient, primordial cosmos. Clank! The sound of chains colliding shattered the stillness. A shadowed figure stood up, and behind them, the constellations in the sky shifted off course under the weight of an invisible pressure. "A variable... A variable has emerged?!" "Observe him... Record him! This... could be our opportunity!" A frantic voice echoed across the cosmos, brimming with excitement and greed. "...Understood, milord. But what should we do next? Di Jiang is already dead." "If hes dead... then release another one." C Province, Demon Slayer Bureau Headquarters. "Captain Zhao Governor Chen just spent tens of millions overnight." Inside the office, Xiang Xiaoyuan rested her chin in her hands, looking deeply troubled. "Chen Huaian is probably purchasing resources," Zhao Ying replied casually, dipping her fried dough stick into soy milk as she spoke. "He did say he''d help solve our supply issues, right? If hes not buying the Holy Water and Crosses from the Church, then hes probably sourcing alternatives..." "If he was actually buying resources, thatd be fine!" Xiang Xiaoyuan sighed heavily. "But hes not!" Zhao Ying raised an eyebrow. "...What, did he blow millions at some shady online marketplace?" "No, not that." Xiang Xiaoyuan pulled up the transaction history, showing it to Zhao Ying. Every single purchase was from "Heavenly Dao Interactive Entertainment." And judging by the name... It sounded like a gaming company. "Wait... Youre telling me Chen Huaian spent millions on a video game?!" Zhao Ying was dumbfounded. "What kind of game needs millions in microtransactions?! With that much money, he couldve made his own damn game, played as the GM, and given himself anything he wanted!" "Exactly! And I even looked up this company, but it doesnt exist!" "Could it be that Governor Chen got scammed?!" Xiang Xiaoyuans brows knitted together tightly. Chen Huaian was powerful, sure... But he was also young. And with those innocent, honest-looking eyes, he just had that "guy whod hand over his wallet to a scammer" kind of vibe. Considering all that... There was a very real chance that he had been conned! "This is a tricky situation," Zhao Ying muttered, rubbing her temples. "Its common for college students who suddenly come into wealth to lose control of their spending I expected as much from Chen Huaian, but I thought hed be blowing money on fancy cars and women... not on a damn mobile game." "We need to approach this carefullyease him into the conversation, appeal to his emotions, help him see reason" Knock, knock, knock! A rapid series of knocks interrupted their conversation. "Captain Zhao!" A subordinate poked their head into the room, looking hesitant. "Someones here A Revived One, claiming theyve been sent to replace our Governor." Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan exchanged glances. Zhao Yings expression darkened as she got up and gripped the doorframe tightly. "What the hell is this?! I already uploaded Chen Huaians credentials yesterday! Why are they still sending someone else?!" "I... I dont know." "I do." A smug voice cut in from the hallway. A woman stepped forward, her tall frame casting long shadows under the flickering overhead lights. The sharp click of her high heels echoed with each deliberate step. The tight leather outfit accentuated her curves, the seams straining against her narrow waist. At her hip hung a dark green whip. Her face was obscured by shadows until she drew closer, revealing cold, predatory emerald eyes beneath her bangs. A dangerous woman. That was Zhao Yings immediate assessment. "The person you recommended isnt qualified to be Governor," the woman said flatly. "So they sent me instead." She didnt even extend a hand for a handshake. Her tone was polite... But her posture screamed arrogance. "Zhao Ying, is it? Pleased to meet you. I am Lin Chen. Firstborn of the Lin Clan. From now on, I will be in charge of everything related to C Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau." Zhao Yings expression darkened further. "...Youre saying Chen Huaian isnt qualified to be Governor?" Was this a joke? Did they not understand how powerful Chen Huaian was? That man could make KSC-01 and KSC-02 tremble without even lifting a finger. Before, they thought it was because of the Demonic Dragon Cancer Cells inside him. But when they extracted those cells to revive Luo Haisheng, those same cancer cells became dormant in the process. Yet KSC-01 and KSC-02 still refused to act up. Which meant... Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The thing they feared most wasnt the Demonic Dragon. It was Chen Huaian himself. "His strength is an illusion," Lin Chen said coolly, stepping past Zhao Ying and taking the main seat in the room. "All he did was use enchanted artifacts to kill one Marshal-rank entity." "And artifacts are nothing but external crutches. The cost of using those talismans? Ten years of lifespan per use." Lin Chen crossed her legs, heels tapping against the floor. "So tell me... how long can he possibly live?" "Only real, trained experts like myself are fit to be Governor." Zhao Ying almost burst out laughing. She stared at Lin Chen like she had just said the dumbest sh*t imaginable. "Youre telling me that the Headquarters classified Di Jiang as a Marshal-rank threat?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Yes. The Elder Families and Demon Slayer Bureau Headquarters reviewed all submitted reports and jointly agreed on this classification." Lin Chen spread her fingers. "The devastation Di Jiang caused was less than 100 square kilometers. The death toll was under 100,000." "A destruction level like that... is actually on the lower end of Marshal-rank entities." "Do you know how many humans were converted into vampires in the Balkans?" Lin Chen grinned. "Over five million." "Now that is what you call Marshal-rank destruction." Clink! The sound of glass slamming onto a table cut through the room. Even Xiang Xiaoyuan, usually the calmest person in the office, couldnt hold back her anger. "But Di Jiangs destruction was contained only because Chen Huaian arrived in time!" "Exactly," Lin Chen said, tapping her heel lazily. "Which is why, despite his lower than expected destruction, his potential was considered high enough to barely qualify as Marshal-rank." Zhao Ying snorted. She once believed the Demon Slayer Bureau represented the light of the world. But now? If Headquarters had truly rotted to the core... Then what was the point of believing in them? Click! A door opened at the back of the conference room. Chen Huaian yawned, rubbing his eyes as he stepped out. His gaze swept the room before settling on Lin Chen. "...A new recruit?" Then, his gaze drifted lower, his brows knitting together in disapproval. "Your thunder is way too big." "No leather outfits allowedits indecent." Chapter 180: The Vanishing of Him, Her, and It Chapter 180: The Vanishing of Him, Her, and It When the thunder is too big... even leather can''t contain it. Chen Huaian understood that combat personnel wearing tight leather outfits made senseit provided mobility and protection. But leaving intentional gaps in the outfit? In this summer heat? Who was she trying to test?! He had just woken up and was in the prime condition of the day. He couldnt tolerate thisit had to be sternly stopped! Lin Chen clutched her chest, her cheeks flushing slightly, yet her cold, predatory eyes flashed with killing intent. "You''re courting death!" She lashed out with her whip, the air screaming as the barbed tip ripped toward his face. Lin Chen could already see itthe moment her whip tore his skin, his flesh peeling away in a satisfying spray of blood. Yet before it could even touch him, the whip was repelled by an invisible force, rebounding violently and shattering the office window instead. The impact was so strong that Lin Chen staggered back several steps. "Captain Zhao, how much for the window?" Chen Huaian flicked his fingers, his eyes flashing with mischief. In less than 0.5 seconds, he had already analyzed the situation. This thunderous beauty wasnt some new recruitshe was clearly here to stir trouble. If that was the case He might as well profit from it. "This is a custom-made tempered glass window, about 20,000 yuan per panel," Zhao Ying replied, watching him closely. Was it just her imagination, or did Chen Huaians aura feel different today? Like a sword that had just been sharpened... Chen Huaian wiggled his eyebrows at Zhao Ying. "Cough... Captain Zhao, think carefully... Is this window really only worth that much? I seem to recall it has a rather special origin... Something incredibly valuable..." At first, Zhao Ying didnt catch his meaning. But then she remembered Chen Huaians crippling fear of poverty. She understood immediately. Slapping her forehead, she pretended to have a sudden realization. "Oh, right! Governor, I just remembered! This window isnt just tempered glassits infused with rare materials for your offices protection. Its actually 150,000 per panel!" From 20,000 to 150,000a sevenfold markup. Very reasonable. Anything higher would insult peoples intelligence. Chen Huaian felt satisfied and turned to Lin Chen, who was still fuming. "You heard her, right?" He smirked. "So... card or mobile payment?" Lin Chen ignored the question, staring hard at Chen Huaian. "They call you Governor... So youre Chen Huaian?" "Thats right! In the flesh!" Chen Huaian straightened his back, putting on his most self-important expression. "I am the one and only, the super invincible handsome devil, the peerless jade-faced white dragon, the elegant and charming, the irresistible heartthrob, the legendary Chen Huaian!" Zhao Ying & Xiang Xiaoyuan: "..." Lin Chen: "..." C Province Demon Slayer Bureau actually picked this clown as their Governor? Had everyone gone insane?! Yet as her eyes scanned his profile, she couldn''t help but feel a flutter in her heart. Handsome... He really was ridiculously handsome. Even with his shameless boasting and childish behavior, his god-tier visuals couldnt be overshadowed. She even felt an impulse to break off her engagement... Lin Chen quickly shoved those thoughts aside, reminding herself that she was here to take over, not to swoon. Her eyes narrowed. "Chen Huaian, I am the true Governor authorized by C Provinces Headquarters. Your appointment was not approved, so from today onward, you are my subordinate." She smirked. "I still need a secretary. Youll do." Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A secretary? You mean... the kind of secretary thats busy when theres work, but when theres no work, gets ganked?" Lin Chen fluttered her lashes, her voice turning seductive. "If thats how you want to interpret it... I wouldnt object~" "Nope, I refuse." Chen Huaians gaze dropped to her assets before snapping back up with righteous determination. "I will remain Governor, but you can be my secretary. Rest assured, I wont gank you." What a joke! As long as he stayed Governor, he had an endless supply of funds. After experiencing the power of a 10-billion-dollar budget, there was no going back. Lin Chens expression darkened. sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Unfortunately, its not your decision to make." She cracked her whip again, pointing it at him. "Lets fight. If you win, Ill pay for the damage and leave immediately. If you lose... youll be my secretary, and Ill gank you every day!" Chen Huaian had zero interest in entertaining this battle-hungry woman. He had far more important things to dolike taking exorcism contracts, slaying demons, and grinding his newly modified Heavenly Demon Technique. But when he tried to sidestep her, she blocked him again. A benevolent smile appeared on his face... But the cold gleam in his eyes told a different story. "Alright then... Ill give you one free hit." "If you can withstand one palm strike from me, Ill admit defeat." He had already planned it out He would smack her vertically, sending her flying through three more windows. That would rack up an additional 450,000 yuan in damages. As for her strength? From what he could sense, she was barely at the Qi Refinement stage. Her spiritual energy was unstable, indicating she had cultivated some subpar internal technique. Honestly, she didnt seem that strong. "You sure you want to do this?" Lin Chen hesitated. Something about his stance felt unnaturally oppressive. But she still had her Esper abilitiesshe was confident she could hold her own. "Stop stalling." Chen Huaian stepped back half a pace His foot slammed into the alloy floor, sending a thunderous boom through the room. His palm clenched slightly Blue arcs of electricity crackled between his fingers, writhing like seven caged thunder serpents. The moment his gaze locked onto hers, Lin Chen felt her spine stiffen in fear. For the first time... She wondered Could she really take this hit? But before she could answer A Demon Slayer suddenly burst through the door, panting heavily. "Captain Zhao! Governor Chen! We have a situation in Jinde Town!" "Jinde Town?" Lin Chen blinked, turning to the messenger. "You mean the one near Lin River?" "Yes, that one!" The Demon Slayer caught his breath. "Half a month ago, a batch of flawless porcelain artifacts was excavated from an ancient kiln ruin. Countless archaeologists and students flocked to the site... But as of yesterday, all of them have vanished." "**Over 3,000 people**gone without a trace." "Sounds like an anomaly..." Lin Chen remained calm. Her family, the Lin Clan, was based near Jinde Town. J Provinces top two Demon Slayer Generals were her uncle and cousin. So no matter what this anomaly was She wasnt worried. Until "The J Province Bureau immediately dispatched two Demon Slayer Generals to investigate..." "But as of now, they are also missing." Lin Chen shudderedher face turning pale. The messenger took a deep breath before delivering the final blow. "And just two hours ago... The residents of Jinde Town also began disappearing." Chapter 181: Blood Porcelain Chapter 181: Blood Porcelain "Brothers, we''re about to strike it rich! I''ve been treasure hunting for twenty years, and I can tell you right now... theres something big down here!" sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingyang grinned at his selfie stick and phone, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Behind him was an unopened kiln cavean archaeological site yet to be fully excavated. Ever since the official revelation of the Spiritual Qi Revival, tomb raiding was no longer considered a criminal actit had even gained an air of mystique. Of course, Li Qingyang wasnt a professional grave robber. He only knew some half-baked tricks... enough to chase internet clout and make a living. With how tough the job market was for university graduates these days, livestreaming was a way out. Who wanted to kiss up to their boss when they could make money entertaining viewers instead? But up until now, his livestreams had flopped Because the places he explored werent dangerous enough. But today was different. Today, he had snuck into the restricted ruins of the Jinde Town Ancient Kiln, a site sealed off by the Demon Slayer Bureau. For ordinary people like him, getting past the Demon Slayer Bureau''s security lines was impossible. But for some reason, in the past few days... All the patrols had mysteriously vanished. Sensing an opportunity, he wasted no time sneaking in. With his questionable skills, he dramatically "discovered" a kiln cave Even though the area was full of already half-excavated kilns. For the sake of content, he deliberately chose an untouched one. [Streamer, youre insane! You really dared to enter the Jinde Town ruins] [I heard something happened there... You should leave while you still can.] [Open the kiln! Lets see whats inside!] [No offense, but... Evil spirits, begone.] As viewer numbers skyrocketed, many began spamming exorcism charms in the chat. Li Qingyang was scared too But he needed money. He wanted to make it big, marry rich, and live the high life. So even if he was terrified, he had to press on! "Alright, brothers! Gifts first, then Im going down!" As virtual gifts flooded the screen, he stopped hesitating, clenched his jaw, and descended into the kiln cave. Inside, the kiln was much larger than expected. A narrow opening let in a sliver of moonlight, casting a cold, eerie glow over the ancient porcelain ruins. Adjusting his phone mount, Li Qingyangs tired eyesdark circles visibleswept across the cave. The structure was intricately designed. A deep stone corridor led further in, its floor littered with shards of broken porcelain. The air was damp, heavy with the earthy scent of clay and mold. His flashlight illuminated the arched walls, where fragments of kiln furniture were embedded Each piece resembled half-opened eyes, staring at him through the dark. "Brothers, this place is incredible. Did you know? This kiln cave was reconstructed based on historical records... In its prime, it housed thirty-two interconnected chambers!" He brushed his fingers along the wall as he walked And suddenly, his palm touched something smooth and warm... Like the soft hand of a woman. A chill shot down his spine. Whipping his flashlight around His eyes widened in excitement. "Sh*t! Look at what I found!" The light fell on a porcelain vase, resting quietly on a stone pedestal. Its glaze was deep red, like congealed blood, shimmering under the light. Thin veins of crimson swam beneath the surface, giving the impression of blood flowing within. From the inside, a vague human silhouette could be seen through the translucent glaze. When he ran his fingertips over the surface, it gave off a strange glow, like the rosy hue of a young girls skin. "Brothers! This is it!" "This must be the legendary blood porcelainsaid to be fired using the bones and blood of young girls as tribute!" Brushing away cobwebs, his face lit up with greed. Originally, he had only planned to stream for money, with no intention of stealing artifacts. But fortune had smiled upon him! Even though he was no expert, he had researched enough to know If this vase was authentic, it was worth at least tens of millions! Suddenly, the chat exploded with messages. [666! The streamer actually found something real!] [Damn, this is insane.] Yet as the messages rolled in, the pace of the chat became frantic. [Bro, behind you!!] [SHES RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!] At the end of the kiln corridor, a woman in a scarlet silk dress stood motionless. Her face was porcelain-pale, her nails blackened with embedded clay dust. At her feet, a blue-and-white porcelain basin sat filled with fragments of blood-red ceramic. "This is Mingde-era sacrificial porcelain..." The vase was suddenly in her hands. A chillingly sweet smile spread across her lips. "The last batch of imperial bone porcelain... If you like it, sir, why not name your price?" "Give it back! I found it first!" Blinded by greed, Li Qingyang lunged at the woman. What was a ghost compared to a fortune in porcelain?! Even if she was supernatural, she was still just a woman Surely she wasnt physically strong?! He failed to notice the deep grooves on her wrists, where kiln saggars had once bound her. Nor did he see the ten clawed fingers scratching at the inside of the vase. Snatching it back, he turned and bolted. Glancing over his shoulder The woman had not moved. She merely smiled, watching him go. Muttering under his breath, he climbed up the rope and emerged from the kiln mouth. Now he was truly safe. "Alright, brothers! Any antique experts here? Help me authenticate this beauty!" Rubbing his cold, suddenly black-spotted hands, he held the vase to the camera. The glaze rippled, its veins of crimson swirling. When chat exploded in panic, he finally noticed something was wrong His reflection in the glaze... It was slowly being absorbed into the porcelain. "H-Haha... Brothers, check out these amazing special effects!" His forced laughter rang hollow. Cracks spread from his fingertips, turning his skin porcelain-white. From the kiln entrance, the woman appeared again Her smile unchanging, her face splitting apart inch by inch... A fountain of blood burst from the fractures. Li Qingyang tried to scream But his throat only produced a shower of shattered porcelain shards. The camera tilted sideways, the screen capturing His body spasming violently... breaking apart. The last thing his audience saw Was a pair of snow-white feet stepping into frame. The woman bent down, picked up a shard of blood porcelain... And disappeared into the darkness of the kiln. "And thats how Jinde Town unearthed a literal nightmare." Closing the Demon Slayer Bureaus report, Chen Huaian sighed. Turning to the grim-faced Demon Slayer officer, he deadpanned "Bro, dont tell me those two General-rank experts died just like that?" "And seriously... Why cant archaeologists just chill?" He clapped the folder shut. "Congratulations, idiots. Youve officially dug up your ancestors." Chapter 182: Direct Assault Chapter 182: Direct Assault "You better not insult archaeology! Do you think we just dig randomly? We go through rigorous planning, just like construction sites! This isnt some amateur digging up dirt operation!" "...Who are you again?" Chen Huaian finally noticed the young man sitting on the sofa beside the Demon Slayer. "Im a graduate student in archaeology from Z University!" "Then why werent you among the missing?" The young mans face flushed red. He opened his mouth but couldnt answer. One of the remaining Demon Slayers in Jinde Town, Elite-Rank Slayer Huang Gubei, quickly explained, "The day of the incident, this kid left town to meet his girlfriend. Thats how he avoided getting caught up in it." Chen Huaian chuckled. "Then you better thank your girlfriend properly." He wasnt actually angrythis was typical bureaucratic nonsense. "But no matter what you say, the fact remainsyou dug up the buried bone porcelain." "It doesnt matter how much preparation you did or what tools you used. At the end of the day, did you dig or not?" The young archaeologists lips twitched in resistance. "W-Well, you cant just call it digging..." "Enough. Keep whining, and Ill bury you myself." Chen Huaians face darkened, and the atmosphere in the conference room grew heavy. The young man instantly shut up. He was just an ordinary humanwhat was the point of arguing with a room full of superhumans? Even if he explained, they wouldnt understand. Fine. Call it digging. Whatever. Huang Gubei sighed. "Thats the situation. If we dont act soon, I fear more residents will disappear." "Two General-Rank Demon Slayers have already vanished without a trace... We had no choice but to request reinforcements." "So how many reinforcements arrived?" Chen Huaian asked. "As far as Generals go... Only Miss Lin." Huang Gubei hesitated, glancing cautiously at Chen Huaian. "I heard youre the newly appointed Governor of C Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau... But have you actually reached General Rank?" At his words, Xiang Xiaoyuan turned to count the leaves outside the window. Zhao Ying suddenly found her shoes very interesting. Because officially, Chen Huaian was only classified as Elite-Rank, Grade A. They had submitted his promotion request, along with his Governor appointment, but Headquarters refused to approve it. Chen Huaian didnt even blink. "I am, of course, a General." He pointed at Lin Chen. "Miss Lin can vouch for me." Lin Chen froze for a second. "...What do you mean, I can vouch for you? Are you really a Ge" Crackle! She was cut off by the sound of electricity arcing through the air. In an instant, everyones hair stood on end from static. Lin Chen stared at the man across from her. He was smiling pleasantly, holding a writhing thunder serpent in his palm, its sparks leaping half a meter high. "Miss Lin, I never got the chance to throw my palm strike earlier. How about... I do it now?" "You... You...!" Lin Chens fist clenched, her teeth grinding audibly. But feeling the pressure radiating from him, she chickened out. Not just chickened outshe was deeply unsettled. Back at C Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau, when Chen Huaian offered to spar with her, he had nowhere near this level of aura. Which meant He had only intended to use 50% of his strength back then! And now, if he went all out... Wouldnt he just obliterate her with a single slap?! Forcing a stiff smile, Lin Chen turned to Huang Gubei. "Ah... Y-Yes! Thats right! Governor Chen is definitely a General. A very, very strong General! Headquarters just... hasnt processed his paperwork yet!" If she couldnt defeat him, she might as well boost his reputation. The higher he climbed... The harder hed fall. Lin Chen smiled seductively, but her eyes gleamed with malice. "Did I say that right, Grand Governor Chen?" Chen Huaian nodded solemnly. "Perfectly accurate." Then he added, completely straight-faced: "Your uncle and cousin are both useless trash." Lin Chen: "???" Xiang Xiaoyuan / Zhao Ying: "" Huang Gubei, oblivious to the tension, felt immensely relieved. With such a confident General, the Jinde Town incident was as good as solved. Even if only one General from C Province had come A General this powerful was worth five normal ones. "Now, lets talk about compensation." Chen Huaian sat up straight, clearing his throat. "Since two General-Rank Slayers are already dead, this means the incident is at least a General-level threat." "As the reinforcement team, I demand full ownership of all rewards, including bounty money and material resources." "Of course!" Huang Gubei readily agreed. "General-level missions provide enough merit points to exchange for top-tier resources from Headquarters! You could even earn an entry pass to challenge the Kunlun Immortal Palace Staircase!" Kunlun Immortal Palace Staircase? What the hell is that? Chen Huaian rolled his eyes and tapped the coffee table twice. "I only want money." "Money?!" "Thats right." Huang Gubei was stunned. The top-tier cultivation resources at Headquarters were coveted by Slayers worldwideeven foreign Revived Ones schemed to get their hands on them. But this guy? He only wanted cash. Staring into Chen Huaians unyielding, greedy eyes, Huang Gubei hesitated for a moment Then nodded. "As long as you resolve this anomaly, Ill pay whatever amount within our means." sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At 5:00 PM, as the setting sun struggled behind the clouds... Chen Huaians team arrived at the bone porcelain ruins. "Captain Zhao, whats the standard Demon Slayer Bureau procedure for handling an anomaly?" Chen Huaian stared intently at the abandoned kiln caves carved into the hillside. Zhao Ying began counting on her fingers: "First, gather data on the victims, analyze their cause of death, extract anomaly traces, reverse-engineer the anomalys nature, assess its true risk level, assign appropriately ranked Slayers, then discuss the best elimination strategy before engaging" "Too much hassle." Chen Huaian waved dismissively. "By the time we finish planning, the evil spirit will be sitting in my lap." "But this process exists to increase Slayer survival rates!" Zhao Ying frowned. "The anomaly is centered around these kiln ruins. Whether the spirit is inside or not, this place is its originit will return here eventually." Lin Chen rolled her eyes. "Obviously! But its lair is dangerousdont tell me you..." "So were going to storm it directly." Chen Huaian cut her off with a casual wave of his hand. "Storm it?! No investigation? No preparation?!" Lin Chens eyes widened. "Are you insane?! Are you suicidal?!" Chen Huaian didnt respond. He simply walked forward. The evening twilight carved razor-sharp shadows into the dusty ruins. The kiln caves curled within the ravines, resembling ribs soaked in festering blood. The wind howled through the arched doorways, carrying the sound of metal scraping against clay. He felt it. The presence of something watching. His footsteps faded into the dark. His low laughter drifted in the wind. Chapter 183: Give Your Master a Demonstration Chapter 183: Give Your Master a Demonstration "This is utter recklessness! Hes your Governorwhy arent you stopping him?" Despite her grudge against Chen Huaian, Lin Chen wasnt heartless enough to watch him walk straight into certain death. "Governor Chen is just like this," Zhao Ying replied with an exhausted smile. If they could convince him otherwise, they would. But they couldnt beat him, and they sure as hell couldnt talk him out of it. Chen Huaian was the kind of person who, once he set his mind on something, nothing could change it. The best they could do now was offer him support from the outside. This was a General-rank anomaly. If she and Xiang Xiaoyuanboth Elite-rankfollowed him in, theyd only become liabilities. A total of 20 reconnaissance drones had already encircled the bone porcelain ruins, scanning the area. These drones could map out the terrain and lock onto anomalies, even calculating their energy levels. But due to technological limitations, if the anomalys power exceeded Elite-rank, the detection would become significantly less accurate. "Governor has entered the ruins." Xiang Xiaoyuans voice turned serious. Beside her, Zhao Yings expression darkened, her fingers suspended mid-tap on the armrest. "Whats the situation? Any energy levels detected?" "None so far." "Keep monitoring. Report immediately if anything happens." "Understood." The C Province Demon Slayer Bureaus support team was now fully engaged. Lin Chen, meanwhile, wasnt about to sit around doing nothing. Just as she was about to suggest going in after Chen Huaian, Huang Gubei rushed over. "Miss Lin! We have a new development!" Panting heavily, sweat beading on his forehead, he spoke in an urgent tone: "Energy spikes detected north of town, near the food street. My men checked it outthe entire area is now sealed by an anomaly." "They believe a Ghost Market has formed." Lin Chens eyes narrowed, a cold murderous aura flashing through them. Ghost Market. This was a sign that anomalous forces had reached a critical threshold. It meant the anomaly was no longer just killing peopleit was expanding its influence. Mass slaughter was the most direct and brutal way for spirits to grow stronger. But "transactions"? They were far more insidious. When humans offered themselves willingly, their sacrificial power became purer, bringing greater joy to the spirits. In essence, a Ghost Market was a domain where spirits dictated the rules. And every human within it was nothing more than livestock. "...Ill handle this." Lin Chen rested her hand on her whip, her tone cold and firm. "You focus on evacuating civilians and preventing more people from entering." "Im heading over now." She cast a glance toward the ruins. Chen Huaian had chosen to tackle the spirits lair directly. She, meanwhile, would eradicate the Ghost Market. At least this way, she wouldnt be a bystander. As a member of the Lin Clan, she refused to fall behind. The darkness was absolute. From the outside, it looked like a few simple burial mounds. But once inside It became clear this was a massive underground palace. ck. I thought it was just a coffinI couldve just sliced it open and been done with it."* Chen Huaian scanned his surroundings. Ahead of him, three corridors stretched in different directions. Pulling out his radio, he contacted Xiang Xiaoyuan: "Xiang, pinpoint the anomalys location for me." [Apologies, Governor. The detection system has not yet picked up any anomalous energy signatures Please proceed deeper? The terrain map has been uploaded to your phone.] Chen Huaian opened the mapand immediately felt his head ache. Because the layout in the map and the layout he was seeing in front of him were completely different. The map showed a series of rooms ahead. But in reality? It was just a corridor. And no energy levels detected?! The evil aura in the air was suffocatingstrong enough to burn his sinuses like a spoonful of wasabi. Clearly, something was interfering with the Slayer Bureaus detection system. Everything they saw remotely was fake. And that was probably why the two missing Generals never made it out. They were fighting blind, based on false intelligence. "Ha... So it all comes down to me, after all." Chen Huaian scoffed, then opened his Virtual Girlfriend game. When it came to occult knowledge, Li Qingran was far more knowledgeable than he was. A soft, sugary voice rang out: "Master! Youre here~" The instant sweetness in her tone made Chen Huaian feel like someone had drizzled honey directly onto his brain. "Qingran, I just finished a fighttime to test your knowledge!" A deep voice echoed from the void: [Indeed, this Lord has slain tens of thousands of demons and earned a moment of respite So I have come to examine my disciples progress!] Li Qingrans long lashes fluttered, her gaze filling with worry. "Master You must be exhausted after slaying so many demons. Have you been hurt? Shouldnt you rest first? Perhaps we can continue this lesson tomorrow?" "Cough... No need." Chen Huaian almost choked on his own bluff. "The best time is right now!" "Qingran, when wandering the cultivation world, you will often lose sight of your enemys whereabouts. Especially when trapped by illusions cast by spirits." "In such cases how would you find their location?" Li Qingran tilted her head, biting her lower lip. "Master that wouldn''t happen to me." "Spirits like that are low-level beings. Their illusions wouldn''t work on me." Chen Huaian: "" This brat Since when did she start talking back like this?! "Cough! Lets just pretend you got trapped. How would you find them then?" [Disciple, one must understand that even the smallest skills have value when refined to their peak. The ability to discern truth from illusion is fundamental! You must not neglect it!] Li Qingran bowed her head in shame. "Yes Disciple understands her mistake." She concentrated, visualizing herself in such a situation. Her long lashes fluttered, light reflecting off her irises as realization dawned. "Master! There is a technique called Chongxu Spirit Sight. By channeling spiritual energy through a specific meridian pathway, it allows one to see through illusionsvery useful at the Qi Refinement stage." Chen Huaians eyes narrowed slightly. "Not bad Demonstrate it for me?" Li Qingran obediently performed the technique. However, for Chen Huaian, watching her wasnt enough. "Hmm... Good. But I want a closer lookshow me the exact spiritual energy flow through your meridians." Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingran froze. Her face turned bright red. "Master T-That would require me to remove my robe" Chapter 184: Instant Refinement Chapter 184: Instant Refinement Five minutes later Li Qingran finished dressing, her face still burning red. Even though she had only exposed her back, she had still been nearly bare. Just thinking about her masters gaze lingering on her skin made her heart quiver and her mind go blank. "Master..." Li Qingran lowered her head, gripping the hem of her sleeve, turning around slowly, her voice soft and hesitant. But The gaze was gone. "Master?" "Master!" He left?! After staring at her back and well, her butt, after examining her technique, shouldnt he have at least said something?! She stomped her foot in frustration before sinking onto her bed, her hands cupping her scorching cheeks. Staring out the window at the fading twilight, she murmured dreamily: "Master must think Im too stupid" "Masters tests always have hidden meanings. Next time, I have to think carefully before answering." "If Im too dumb will Master start disliking me?" "After all, Master is such a brilliant, unmatched genius" "Hehehe~" The unmatched genius Chen Huaian wiped his nosebleed and tightened his belt. "Heh mere worldly beauty cannot sway this Lords resolve!" With his back hunched and his hands behind him, he marched forward. Now that he had mastered Chongxu Spirit Sight, he made Li Qingran demonstrate it at least ten times. Not because he was distracted by her flawless comprehension or exquisite natural talent. No, no. It was because he was a diligent and thorough scholar. "Spirits and phantoms you cannot hide!" Chen Huaian channeled his spiritual energy into his eyes, following the specific meridian pathway Li Qingran had demonstrated. In an instant The world shifted. "...Oh." Before him, a perfectly straight corridor stretched inward, flanked by rows of chambers on both sides. Now it made sense. It wasnt that Xiang Xiaoyuans map was wrong It was that he was wrong. With his vision cleared, his target was obvious. At the far end of the corridor, thick, swirling spiritual filth seeped from the darkness like coiling smoke. Chen Huaian grinned. He licked his lips, stepping forward. On either side, piles of shattered porcelain filled the rooms. The fragments were as smooth as a young maidens skin, and their rich crimson glaze gleamed like freshly drawn blood. The air grew heavier, the scent of clay and mildew twisting into the stench of decay and old blood. As he walked deeper The scattered shards turned into small mounds. Then, gradually, they began forming figuresgrotesque humanoid shapes, their hollow sockets watching him, their mournful wails thickening the air like fog. The white candles along the walls flickered, their flames stretching long and twisted. The shadows cast by the porcelain figures slithered like gnarled vines, writhing against the walls. Womens death screams echoed. Knives grinding against dull stone screeched. The wet thud of flesh being chopped apart resounded. Behind him, he could feel them staring Hundreds of cracked porcelain faces, their expressions frozen in agony, watching his every move. At the corridors end There was no coffin. Only a stone pedestal. And atop it A porcelain vase. Its glaze was deep crimson, and within its surface, a delicate human form lay trapped. The figure was slender and graceful, her curves seductive, but her body was twisted in agony, kneeling, her joints warped in pain and hatred. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "...This vase is definitely worth a fortune." Even as a complete amateur, Chen Huaian could tell This blood porcelain was flawless. No wonder the archaeologists had swarmed here. If he were in their shoes... Hed come running too. "Sir has a fine eye." A chorus of layered female voices whispered from behind. "That is Mingde-era sacrificial red porcelain a priceless bone china artifact." "If sir fancies it why not purchase it?" "Purchase?" Chen Huaian smiled kindly at the vase. "Fate has brought this treasure to me" "So, of course" "Ill just take it!" His hand shot out, lightning crackling between his fingers. Seven writhing thunder serpents surged forth, reaching for the vase. Before his spiritual energy even touched it, a piercing shriek erupted from within the porcelain. And from behind Hundreds of bone porcelain ghosts wailed in unison. Chen Huaian slammed his hand down, gripping the head of the porcelain maiden closest to him. With his other hand, he drew the Blackscale Sword, turning to face the swarm of howling specters. His grin widened. The ghosts didnt understand his words. Blinded by hatred, they rushed forward. So many spirits So many to refine A blood-red script unfurled in his mind. A thousand writhing runes slithered into his pupils. Veins bulged at his temples, dark sigils spreading from his jaw to his cheekbones. His fingers sank into the porcelain maidens skull Crack! Her ceramic head shattered Splintered shards melted instantly, dissolving into a thick, inky liquid that seeped into his skin. Boom! A violent pulse of raw power exploded from his spine, surging up his vertebrae, igniting every nerve with searing heat. It wasnt like the ethereal, cooling flow of Spiritual Qi. No. It felt like swallowing an entire river of molten lava Every pore of his body spewing violent, burning energy. Yes. This was it. Like taking a hundred vitality boosters at once. t this feels amazing!"* "KEKEKEKE!" Against the crumbling stone walls, his shadow swelled, writhing into a grotesque demonic form. Porcelain shards splattered like blood ink, painting the chamber in red. And amidst the ghosts furious howls Their screams grew tinged with fear. Lin Chen lay sprawled on the ground, utterly spent. Her body was pierced by countless thin porcelain shards, each one embedded deep into her flesh. The shards trembled with every labored breath. Her leather outfit was torn beyond recognition, barely concealing her bleeding body. "Cough cough" She couldnt move. The porcelain maiden loomed over her, clutching a bloodstained shard, stepping closer. The red silk dress had turned to liquid, dripping down in thick rivulets. "Such a handsome sir" "But not as lovely as I was" The porcelain maidens jagged lips curled. "Now, dear sir you will become my next masterpiece." She raised the shard. Lin Chen shut her eyes. Then A chilling, inhuman laugh echoed from the void. "KEKEKEKE There you are, you slippery little fish!" The air split apart. A searing red claw erupted from thin air Scales gleaming, fire roaring, heat distorting the space itself. The porcelain maidens head was seized instantly. A voice filled with frenzied delight boomed: "BE INSTANTLY REFINED!!!" Chapter 185: What Should I Do Next? Chapter 185: What Should I Do Next? Lin Chens eyes snapped open at the sudden shift in the air. The blood-red sky above the Ghost Market was cracking apart, like a shattered mirror. The corrupt spiritual energy that had once suffocated the marketplace was now melting away, dripping like wax under a blazing sun. Above her, she heard the eerie, frenzied laughter: "Refine!" "Kehehe All of yoube refined!!!" Three meters above, the once terrifying Bone Porcelain Maiden flailed wildly Struggling, wailing in despair, her porcelain face fracturing Yet she was still dragged into the void by a scorching, monstrous claw. The air split apart, the crimson fog vanishing instantly. And then Silence. For a long moment, Lin Chen just sat there, stunned. A chill crept down her spine. Even after the Ghost Market had collapsed, she could still hear that laughter echoing in her mind. "...M-Mother of God" She shivered violently, shrinking into the corner of a half-destroyed storefront. Her lips quivered. She was General-ranked Her strength came from two sources: Her enhanced physique, strengthened through Qi Absorption techniques.Her awakened abilityVenomous Physique (Juedu Ti). She could secrete deadly toxins from every part of her body. Her weapons, once coated in her poison, had no known antidote. If an enemy was poisoned, they had only three options: Wait to die. Find a healer like Xiang Xiaoyuan to extract the poison. Get a Qi Absorption master at Layer 3 or above to force it out. She was a formidable opponent, even among General-ranked individuals. But in recent years, with the rise of Qi Absorption cultivation, General-rank wasnt as impressive anymore. Still Even if she was near the bottom of General-rank, she shouldve been able to at least put up a fight. Yet against the Bone Porcelain Maiden, she had been completely powerless. If the Bone Porcelain Maiden was that strong, she had to be at least Commander-rank (Shuai-level). Then what the hell was the thing that had just devoured her? Was it King-rank (Wang-level)? Or worseEmperor-rank (Di-level)? The more she thought about it, the more horrifying it became. Her only hope now Was that the King- or Emperor-rank monster had already eaten its fill and wouldnt bother with a "weak little woman" like her. When the Ghost Market fully disappeared, leaving nothing but the ruined street, Huang Gubei and the Demon Slayer team finally found her. "Miss Lin! That was incredible!" Huang Gubei rushed over, his face full of admiration. "You single-handedly took down the Bone Porcelain Maidenthe same spirit that two General-rank slayers failed to defeat!" He ran a final scan, confirming that all anomalous energy had dissipated. His respect only deepened. "Governor Chen was rightyour relatives really are useless." "Demon Slayer Bureau needs more true strong warriors like youwhere your rank actually matches your real ability!" Lin Chen: "" She had complicated feelings about her uncle and cousin, sure But did she really need to hear this much slander about them right now? Besides She hadnt even done anything! But she had no time to argue. Because she was still haunted by the thing she had seen. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. "Theres a serious problem." Her expression turned grim. "The spirit that destroyed the Ghost Market wasnt me." Huang Gubei froze. "What do you mean?" "It was another spirit. Something far more terrifying." She shuddered at the memory. "I heard it laughing. Calling out Refine, refine!" "It had a voice like a wild beast. It reached out of the void, grabbed the Bone Porcelain Maiden with a single claw, and dragged her in like she was nothing." "Id bet my life that shes already been devoured." Her hair stood on end just thinking about it. That was the first time she had ever seen a spirit that feared something else. "...Theres something even worse hidden in this town?" Huang Gubei went pale. A cold sweat broke out across his back. The other Demon Slayers also looked deeply disturbed. Some even looked like they were considering quitting on the spot. If things kept escalating, this job wasnt worth it anymore. "WaitChen Huaian!" Lin Chen suddenly snapped her head up. "He went into the Bone Porcelain Ruins, right?" "If theres something stronger than the Bone Porcelain Maiden, its probably hiding in those ruins!" "We need to warn him immediatelytell him to evacuate!" Chen Huaian had already refined and absorbed the flesh and blood of ninety-nine spirits. The remaining evil energy, still not fully processed, dripped from his skin like thick black ink. He reached into the void and dragged out the Bone Porcelain Maiden One hand gripping her skull. "Spirit you are fated to be mine." A wicked grin split across his face. "Be proudyou shall contribute to my cultivation!" The Bone Porcelain Maiden shrieked, her porcelain body shattering into fine, razor-thin shards. But these shards The same ones that had torn Lin Chen to ribbons Left nothing but faint white scratches on Chen Huaians hardened skin. The realization finally hit her. "You What are you?!" "What the hell are you?!" She struggled in pure terror. The aura rolling off this "human" was even more demonic than hers. More than any spirit she had ever encountered. More than any true demon. It was like a bottomless black hole, consuming everything S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A devouring maw, hungering for all spirits. Chen Huaian blinked. "What am I?" For a moment, his thoughts were foggy Lost in the sheer euphoric rush of power. Then, with a sudden clarity, he straightened his back Planted his hand on his hip And proudly declared: "I am the one and only, drop-dead gorgeous, universally beloved, legendaryLin Chen!" Bone Porcelain Maiden: "???" "Enough chit-chattime to become my foundation!" His grip tightened. Only one spirit left. One more. Then the first stage of Blood Cocoon Refinement would be complete. Then he could unlock the second stageHundred Bone Resonance. With a single flex of his wrist CRACK. The Bone Porcelain Maidens skull shattered. Her essence dissolved, streaming into his body As the final spirit was absorbed, a satisfying surge coursed through him His entire body pulsed, his muscles stretching, bones crackling. But even then His mind was still restless. With nowhere to vent He punched the wall. BOOM! The entire chamber shook. Then he punched again. And again. Until the ruins trembled. Outside, Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying stared in confusion. "Theres no evil energy detected so whats with all the shaking?" Zhao Ying furrowed her brow. "...Maybe hes plowing the fields?" From the blurry drone footage, it honestly looked plausible. Inside the ruins A hundred punches later Still not enough. Feeling lost, his body acting on instinct Chen Huaian pulled out his phone. Opened his hidden album. Stared at certain images. And then Snap. His other hand ripped his belt off. Chapter 186: You... Want to Be Connected to Me Too? Chapter 186: You... Want to Be Connected to Me Too? Just as Chen Huaian was about to enjoy life... A chill swept in from behind, accompanied by a sinister hiss. I''d like to see who dares to destroy my foundation and kill my Bone Porcelain Girl! Chen Huaian abruptly turned his head. On the rock wall behind him, a massive white porcelain face was rapidly forming. Compared to the delicate, oval-faced Bone Porcelain Girl, this face looked imposing and solemn... Narrow eyes, a wide and square mouth, with two dabs of red on thick lips that contrasted starkly with the pale porcelain, adding an eerie touch. That mouth was too big... Couldnt it be a little smaller? Chen Huaian thought to himself with regret. Meanwhile, the Bone Porcelain Mother, now fully formed on the rock wall, reached out a claw toward him. You... want to be connected to me too? Chen Huaian tilted his head, then suddenly drew the Blackscale Sword. A crimson sword aura slashed diagonally, extending ten zhang, shattering the ghostly hand. Black blood splattered from the broken porcelain, staining an entire section of the wall. This single strike startled the Bone Porcelain Mother, who had come seeking revenge. She stared coldly at Chen Huaians face, which was still devastatingly handsome despite being splattered with black blood. She memorized his appearance, but at the same time, realizing that she had only just descended and hadn''t yet recovered her full strength, she hesitatedif she fought this monster now, it wouldnt end well for her. A retreating thought formed in her mind. Interesting! Ill remember you... Well see who prevails next time! She began withdrawing into the rock wall. But ten zhang away, the dark figure standing still suddenly lunged forward. A sword stabbed into her face. Heh heh heh! Don''t leave now! This is your chance to become the foundation of my path to the Dao! Black blood spurted from the wound on the Bone Porcelain Mothers forehead. Chen Huaian pulled out his sword and immediately stabbed again. His arm swelled into an unnatural arc, his wrist wound tight like a high-tension spring. In less than a second, he had stabbed dozens of times. There was no technique, no sword intenthe was wielding the Blackscale Sword like a hammer... yet the sheer force still made the Bone Porcelain Mother howl in agony. The already fragile Bone Porcelain Ruins could no longer withstand the destruction. The ceiling rocks collapsed in chunks. Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Bone Porcelain Mother had never encountered such a lunatic before! If she couldn''t win, she could at least flee, right?! Ignoring the pain in her face, she didnt dare continue fighting and hastily retreated, making a quick escape. Chen Huaian kept drilling the wall for another ten minutes. Only when his pent-up aggression was fully vented did his mind clear up, allowing him to think again. Who am I? Where am I? Did I do all this? He stared at the airtight ruins around him, completely dumbfounded. A gust of wind blew past... and his work pants dropped to the ground. F***! Wheres my belt?! Who the hell stole my belt?! ... ... Governor Chen, are you saying that you killed dozens, maybe even a hundred, General-rank Bone Porcelain Girls in the underground ruins? At the J Province Demon Slayer Bureau... Chen Huaian, Xiang Xiaoyuan, and Zhao Ying sat on one side, with Huang Gubei and Lin Chen on the other. I know its hard to believe, Chen Huaian clasped his hands together, his expression serious. But, its the truth. Uh... We have full faith in your strength, Huang Gubei hesitated before cautiously asking, but do you have any proof? You know, when we slay demons, we usually collect materials from their bodies. These can be exchanged for resources and serve as evidence of our hunt. No, Chen Huaian shook his head. That can be arranged, Huang Gubei pursed his lips. It really cant. He would have loved to keep something as proof... The problem was, he had devoured every last bit of the Bone Porcelain Girlsthere wasnt even a speck left. Where was he supposed to find evidence now? Then what about your combat recorder? Huang Gubei tried a different approach. Chen Huaian tilted his head, recalling a fragment of memoryhis swelling muscles bursting through his clothes, the recorder falling from his chest. He had been too focused on killing the sinister entity at the time to notice, and... stepped on it, crushing it to pieces. Xiang Xiaoyuan placed the shattered remains of the recorder on the table, pursing her lips in an awkward smile. Maybe we can try data recovery? The card is shatteredit cant be restored, Huang Gubei picked up the warped memory card, sighed, then turned his gaze back to Chen Huaian. Governor Chen, we absolutely believe in your strength and your experience... but the bounty requires approval from headquarters. If you could provide any evidence, wed at least have something to report. Otherwise... Lightning arced across Chen Huaians palm as he smiled. His foot twisted against the ground... The alloy flooring cracked instantly, and the entire office sank three inches. The meeting room fell silent. Sigh. Huang Gubei swallowed his words along with his saliva. How about thisyou provide some leads? We cant just let you walk away empty-handed. The meaning was clear. Since Chen Huaian had no physical evidence or combat footage, he could just make something uplike suggesting the Bone Porcelain Girls were backed by a more powerful sinister entity, or that they were tied to some deeper secret. It didnt matter if it was true or not. Even fabricated intelligence could fetch some rewards. Killed means killed. Not killed means not killed. Chen Huaian snorted coldly, unmoved. A man of honor takes what is rightfully his. I wont stoop to fabrications for a rewardI will claim what is rightfully mine! Uh... Was there something strange mixed into that statement...? Huang Gubei didnt have time to think too hard about it. He simply smiled awkwardly and tried to appease the man in front of him. Governor Chen, J Province Demon Slayer Bureaus funds are jointly controlled by the Lin family and headquarters. I wasnt the governor before, and I have even less authority to allocate funds now. Thats why Im telling you we have to go through the official channels... Otherwise, Id have wired the money to you already. Cut the nonsense. I can prove it myself. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, sparks of electricity flashing as a hint of menace gleamed in his gaze. To tell the truth, there really is an old monster behind those Bone Porcelain Girls. I fought it... and it ran! That thing knows exactly how many I killed. Ill just capture it and bring it here! Honestly, even he had no idea how many he had slain. His mind had been blank at the time... and he had lost his belt. All he knew was that he had met the basic requirements for the first volume of the Heavenly Demon Technique. All that was left was to consolidate his gains. I see! Huang Gubei immediately seized the opportunity and grinned. So youre saying... theres a stronger sinister entity behind the Bone Porcelain Girls! That alone is worth at least ten million! Youve done a huge favor for our J Province Demon Slayer Bureau! Oh? You dont believe me? Chen Huaian sneered as he stood up. Once the clock strikes midnight tonight, Ill bring that old monster here myself... Just dont wet your pants when you see it! Lin Chen frowned slightly as she watched Chen Huaian stride away. Did that mysterious sinister entity have some connection to Chen Huaian...? Why did they both love referring to themselves as my lord...? She tried linking Chen Huaian to the grotesque demonic claw but found the idea too far-fetched. His abilities were sword aura and lightningboth had nothing to do with sinister entities, and lightning specifically countered them. There was no way he was connected to that monstrous presence. Still... is it just me? Her gaze, filled with intrigue, traced from Chen Huaians waist down to his long legs as she muttered to herself... He looks taller... ... ... Chapter 187: Let Your Master Test You Chapter 187: Let Your Master Test You Phew... Finally got that big shot out of here. Huang Gubei let out a long breath, slumping hard against the couchonly to shiver as he realized his clothes were drenched in cold sweat. The pressure was unbearable, like being strangled by a massive python. His office had hosted two General-rank Demon Slayers before, both with fiery tempers who exploded at the slightest provocation. But even those two combined didnt put him under as much pressure as a single hair from Governor Chen. Just what the hell had this guy gone through in that ruin? Before he entered, he was like a razor-sharp blade. But after coming out... he was like a bloodstained sword pulled from a pile of battlefield corpses. Miss Lin, do you think Governor Chen was telling the truth? That there really is some ancient monster behind the Bone Porcelain Girls? Its possible, Lin Chen mused, recalling the demonic claw she had seen reaching out from the void. Maybe that claw belonged to the monster Chen Huaian mentioned. But if that were the case, why had the claw killed the Bone Porcelain Girl instead of protecting her? Then again, there was no real rule among sinister entities that said they wouldnt kill their own. She glanced at Huang Gubei and said indifferently, Maybe the sinister entity we encountered at the Ghost Market was the one Chen Huaian mentioned... Either way, well know after midnight tonight. Whether hes bluffing or telling the truth, he has to show results. So be prepared. Youre right... After all, this Governor Chen... hes ridiculously strong... ... Deep underground in the stone cavern beneath Jinde Ancient Town, a towering white porcelain statue of a Bodhisattva loomed. Ordinarily, a Bodhisattva should have a kind and compassionate facebut this one was anything but. Her expression was sinister, her head adorned with a draping crown, her robes stained blood-red. Her sleeves were embroidered with wandering ghosts, and instead of standing on a lotus pedestal, she stood atop a pile of bones forged from white porcelain. Suddenly, blood seeped from the statues eyes, her face twisting into a ghastly grimace as a shrill voice echoed through the cavern: Its only been ten years since the revival of Spiritual Qi... and cultivators are already this strong?! This isnt how it should be... Something is definitely wrong here... The Bone Porcelain Mother recalled that lunatics deranged expression That lunatic... had been cultivating demonic arts? If it wasnt the method of Di Jiang, then was there a new Dao lineage emerging? Why didnt she know about it?! And if he was a demonic cultivator, shouldnt they be on the same side? Wasnt there a rule set by those ancient beings that demonic cultivators and sinister entities werent to fight each other during the early stages of Spiritual Qis revival? Did that lunatic not fear the consequences of breaking those rules? She pondered for a long time but couldnt make sense of it. This situation was unlike anything she had ever encountered. But no matter what, since she was here, she had to focus on recovering her strength as soon as possible. Ill recover first. The cultivators of this era know so few techniquesthey wont be able to find my hiding place... Despite her confidence, she wasted no time. Closing her eyes, she formed a series of hand seals. To recover quickly, she had to switch from her ghostly form to her stone form, which would allow her to better absorb sinister energy. However, the stone form was more fragile and required protection. A crimson glow filled the cavern as the sound of countless porcelain shards rustled in the shadows. Dense ranks of Bone Porcelain Girls stepped forward, each carrying a blood-colored porcelain jar. Raising the jars high, they poured the dark liquid onto the pile of bones beneath the Bone Porcelain Mothers feet. Then, one by one, they shattered into porcelain fragments, merging into the bone pedestal. As the ritual continued, the Bone Porcelain Mothers aura surged at an alarming rate. During the Mingde era, a county magistrate, desperate to save his critically ill son, performed a blood sacrifice of young girls to forge Blood Bone Porcelain. He then presented it to the Earth Fiend Ghost Mother. For three years, countless lives were sacrificed. The Earth Fiend Ghost Mother used the Blood Bone Porcelain to construct her ghostly Buddha body. But in the end, she didnt save the magistrates son. Instead, she created a blood porcelain jar and disguised it as his child. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, she was a ghost cultivator... She knew how to kill, not how to save. ... Governor Chen... Is there really an even stronger sinister entity behind the Bone Porcelain Girls? Inside the SUV, Xiang Xiaoyuan, who had turned back to glance at him four or five times, finally asked outright. Yeah. They dont believe me... and you guys dont believe me either? Chen Huaian rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. But, Governor... the drones didnt detect any sinister energy. That detection system of yours is obsolete, Chen Huaian scoffed. He had been in there fighting and wreaking havoc for so long, and they were telling him there was no sinister presence detected? Then what the hell had he been killing? Air? Governor, if there really is such a powerful sinister entity, maybe we shouldnt go at midnight. Thats when Yin energy is at its peak. Wouldnt it be safer to go at noon instead? Zhao Ying, who was driving, frowned slightly and turned her head a bit. She trusted Chen Huaians words. After all, his eyes were clear yet utterly foolishlike a college kid incapable of lying. Its fine. Midnight is exactly when I want to go. Chen Huaian opened his Virtual Girlfriend game. There was no way to explain the real reason to Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying. The whole point was to strike when the Yin energy was strongest. For one, it would help him pinpoint the targets location. For another... he was worried about killing the damn thing again. This time, he needed to capture it alive. Anyone who had played Pokmon or Seer Hero knewif you didnt have a skill that left an enemy at one HP, the best bet was to fight something with high defense and a thick health bar. To him, this wasnt just about cultivation materials... It was about money! Governor... Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan still wanted to persuade him, but Chen Huaian was already done listening. He impatiently put on his headphones, pulled up the partition between the front and back seats, curled up in his chair, and said, Alright, do whatever you want. Im playing my game. Switching the backseat to silent mode, he blocked out their voices. His eyes fell on Li Qingran, who was lying sideways on a bamboo bed inside the game, sound asleep. A memory surfaced in his mindLi Qingran demonstrating the meridian flow of the technique for him. Licking his lips, he grinned wickedly. She was asleep... That meant her reflexes would be dull, right? He reached out and poked Li Qingrans slender, soft waist. Qingran, wake up... Let your master test you~ Feeling the soft flesh sink slightly under his fingertip, Chen Huaian could already imagine how springy it must be. Too bad this is all just theory... If only I could actually touch... Just then, a notification popped up. [Congratulations! Your affinity with your Virtual Girlfriend has reached ?30! You have been awarded a True Immersion experience!] [Keep increasing your affinity to unlock more features!] [Reward: A one-time-use True Immersion glove has been delivered!] ...What the hell?! Chen Huaian froze. Before he could even process the meaning of the notification... A pair of pink gloves materialized on the seat next to him. True Immersion? Picking up the gloves, he stared at them blankly. Muttering to himself, he asked... What... does True Immersion mean? ... ... Chapter 188: Another Enlightenment?! Chapter 188: Another Enlightenment?! Chen Huaian tore open the packaging and found a printed instruction sheet between the gloves: [True Immersion One-Time Experience Gloves: Due to the immense energy and strong karmic ties required to project a player''s five senses into the Cangyun Realm, this version is a trial experience only. Please continue deepening your karmic bond with your Virtual Girlfriend to reduce energy consumption and achieve full sensory connection sooner.] Oh! Chen Huaian instantly understood. Just moments ago, he had been lamenting his inability to touch Li Qingran, to experience firsthand whether her skin was as soft and bouncy as marshmallow filling. And now, the opportunity had come knocking. If his understanding was correct, as long as he wore the gloves, he would be able to physically touch Li Qingran! But that raised an important question. Chen Huaian stroked his chin, eyes narrowing. Did the gloves to be worn on his hands? Was there a way to put them on another body part, make it like a hand, and then... hold hands with Li Qingran? Wouldnt that be the same as... Enough! Chen Huaian, how can you be this shameless? Thats your Virtual Girlfriend! You should respect, cherish, and love her! Not act like a damn beast! It took less than ten seconds for Chen Huaian to suppress his depraved thoughts. He picked up his phoneonly to see a warning message pop up on the screen: [Do not wear the gloves on any other body part. Consequences are at your own risk.] Hah! Do I look like kind of person? You think I need some measly game system to remind me? Scoffing, Chen Huaian flipped the gloves inside out and Shoved them over his head. The controlled vision, touch, smell, hearing, and tastefully engaging all five senses. The way to use a one-time experience glove was to wear it on the ! Anything else would be a total loss! This was wisdom. There werent many humans as as him left. ... ... In her sleep, Li Qingran felt something strange. It was like a summer night from her childhood, playing hide-and-seek with the neighbors kids. The silly boy searching for her could never find her, and eventually, she dozed off inside a pigpen. Surrounded by piglets... Their warm, soft snouts nudging her hands, feet, and cheeks... Wait a second. Wasnt she in the small house her master had given her? Where did the piglets come from?! Drowsily, she opened her eyes. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a soft veil over the room. A gentle breeze rustled the bed curtains. Yawning, she traced her fingertip along her lips, letting out a sweet, sleepy hum. Then... A movement by her cheek. Li Qingran turned her headand gasped in shock. There was a beside her bed! A hand formed of Spiritual Qi wouldnt have scared her, but this one was bizarre. It had... a face. Yes. A full set of facial features... on its palm. Fear lasted only a moment before recognition struck her. Because that palms face... was her masters. Ah! Master, you... why are you on a hand?! Chen Huaian: ... He felt both regretful and relieved. Regretful for not taking the systems warning about consequences seriously. Relieved that he had at least bottom line and hadnt attempted anything more outrageous. Otherwise... It might not have been just facial features appearing on his palm. This was a lesson. Never try to outsmart a game that was dead serious. Gloves belonged on hands. And butts belonged in underwear. That said... He hadnt exactly lost out. He had experienced how soft and smooth Li Qingrans little hands were, how delicate her waist felt... And her scent... Master. Master? Li Qingran waved her hand in front of his palm-face. Master, are you okay? Your expression looks scary. Are you injured? Feeling unwell? No! Chen Huaian snapped out of it, quickly composing himself. My dear disciple, I am researching a secret technique that allows an avatar to partially manifest the true body. For example, though I am an avatar, I can materialize parts of my real self... That way, I can conveniently drink the tea you brew. I see. Li Qingrans gaze softened, admiration sparkling in her eyes. Master, youre incredible! Its thanks to great cultivators like youwho dare to experiment and innovatethat us junior cultivators have so many techniques to choose from! Hahaha, youre absolutely right! Chen Huaian forced a laugh. Since when was Li Qingran so good at flattery? If she kept this up, he might start floating. I came to test you. He quickly shifted gears. The longer he talked, the more likely he was to expose himself. What if Li Qingran wanted to this secret technique? Then what? Huh? A test... again? Li Qingran blinked in surprise. Realizing her tone was off, she hurriedly waved her hands, causing the bells on her wrist to jingle in a flustered mess. No! I didnt mean it that way! Its not that I dont want Master to test me... Its just... I was a little shy before. She averted her gaze, biting her lip until it turned red. I very willing to be tested by Master! Its beneficial to my cultivation... Thats all I meant. Of course, Chen Huaian knew she was just embarrassed. But he had no choice. He needed to find the Bone Porcelain Mothers location, and his previous use of had been ineffective. He needed a stronger techniqueone that could track an enemy using the traces they left behind. For this, he had brought back a porcelain shard stained with black bloodthe Bone Porcelain Mothers blood. Unfortunately, it wasnt enough proof to claim his bounty. The J Province Demon Slayer Bureau folks probably didnt even what the Bone Porcelain Mother was. Hm. I understand. Chen Huaian nodded, going along with her words. The Zhongzhou Secret Realm is approaching. Im concerned about your safety, so I want to test whether your knowledge is sufficient. Yes, Master. Hearing this, Li Qingran was deeply moved. Right! Why was she treating Master like an ordinary man? He was her ! Even if he saw her, so what? Master would have improper thoughts about her! She had been thinking too narrowly. Then, Ill give you a question! Chen Huaian put on a serious face. Theres a saying: Suppose you failed to completely kill a demonic cultivator and only have traces of them left behind. What method would you use to track them down? Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Good. What a choice of words! Li Qingran pondered deeply, eyes flashing with realization. In an instanther previously settled Spiritual Qi began to surge again. Even with her average comprehension, she had grasped layers of insight in just ten words: First, Sword IntentThe image of half-cut grass, left unfinished yet poised for renewal, mirrored the principle of an unfulfilled sword strike. When springs breath rejuvenates it, one can grasp the essence of an ever-renewing Sword Intent. Second, FateEven the lowly wild grass, though cut down a hundred times, will regrow if a single root remains. A cultivator defying the heavens is no different from that grass. Third, KarmaAn uncut weed is an unresolved karma. The lingering roots represent persisting burdens, fated to become an inner demon when the tribulation comes. Just like a surviving enemy will always be a blade in the shadows. A streak of green light shot from Li Qingrans head into the sky. Within the light, faint Dao patterns swirled. Chen Huaian, utterly baffled, glanced at her status Enlightenment. Wait... Shes having another enlightenment?! ... ... Chapter 189: Wait! Let Your Master Get Closer! Chapter 189: Wait! Let Your Master Get Closer! At the peak of Luoxia Peak, purple mist drifted in from the east. Disciples in deep meditation were startled awake, staring in astonishment at the swirling purple aura at the mountaintop. Xu An took a swig from his wine flask and sighed with a wry smile. That little junior sister is absolutely insane. Shes only been in the Sword Pavilion for how long? And this is already her third enlightenment? At the foot of the mountain, Yue Qianchi lay sprawled across the treetop, gazing at the bright moon above. The grass stem in his mouth stopped swaying as he muttered, Tsk... Is there something wrong with the feng shui down here? Or am I just too untalented? No, no, thats not it! It has to be because Li Qingran is gifted... and because her master teaches her so well! Flipping down from the tree, Yue Qianchi hopped onto his flying sword and sped toward the Sect Leaders Hall. She didnt care anymore. Today, Su Qinian to make her achieve enlightenment too. If not, she was camping outside his door until he did! ... Disciple Qingran thanks Master for his guidance! Li Qingrans eyes burned with determination as she bowed deeply to the floating face in her palm. I am now just one step away from reaching the Foundation Establishment Peak! Before the Zhongzhou Secret Realm opens, I will surely achieve completion! Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was all thanks to Master! Without his teachings, how could she have cultivated so quickly? If that was the case... She should do her best to cooperate with his tests. Chen Huaian maintained a calm expression on the outside, but inside, his mind was in turmoilfilled with question marks. What the hell did he say that made Li Qingran achieve enlightenment?! Why was it that they both had human brains, but she could reach enlightenment while he was still stuck at the Qi Refinement Third Layer?! Meanwhile, Li Qingran had already started contemplating his question and quickly came up with an answer. Master, I know a technique called Its a secret art I learned in Qingyun Sect, originally used to locate dragon veins and usually paired with Dragon-Seeking Incense. However, Ive made some slight modifications, allowing it to track enemies instead. The best partit doesnt require any special materials! As she spoke, a hint of pride slipped into her tone. But under Chen Huaians gaze, she quickly lowered her head, fingers tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I... I only made a minor modification. Compared to a great cultivator like Master, who can create techniques from scratch, its nothing But I will work hard to be like you! Chen Huaian: ... He was starting to worry about how to explain himself when they met in person. But he couldnt break character now. He had no choice but to keep bluffing. With a faint smile, he said with an air of wisdom, The level of mastery I possess isnt something you can surpass so easily. You still have much to learn. Now, this secret technique of yours sounds promising, but since you modified it yourself, there could be flaws. Show me how it worksIll assess it for you. Yes, Master. Li Qingran obediently nodded, then turned around and Her fingers hooked onto the sash of her robe, giving it a light pull. The silk slid off her shoulders like cascading moonlight. Her long, ebony hair spilled down her back like ink, filling the air with a delicate fragrance. The floral screen behind her swayed as if stirred by her scent. Her spine, as straight as a swords sheath carved from fresh snow, bore a single beauty mark beneath her shoulderlike a drop of ink on a jade scroll. As she lifted her arms to adjust her hair, the mark flickered under the candlelight. Chen Huaian was dumbfounded. He had expected Li Qingran to be this... straightforward. This girl... Was she embarrassed?! The robe slipped past her waist, barely caught by the curve of her hips. She cradled her shoulders with slender arms, tilting her head slightly. Her porcelain-white neck flushed coral pink, a warm glow trickling down like the first light of dawn. Her cool fingertips brushed against her scarlet earlobes, but the blush escaped through her fingers, creeping up to her cheeks. She embarrassed. Chen Huaian could tell. She was just holding it in. Master, I will now demonstrate the meridian flow of ... Her delicate voice carried from the front. Li Qingran kept her head lowered, hands resting at her sides, her fingertips trembling slightly. A layer of mist covered the polished bronze mirror near the window, veiling her reflection. She sighed softly in relief. Then A voice rang out behind her. Wait! Since my current form affects my vision... let your Master get ! Li Qingran: ... She heard soft rustling sounds behind her. And then... She felt it. His breath. Warm. Brushing against the dip of her lower back. Goosebumps spread across her skin. Her heart quivered, the corners of her eyes tinged red. Her long lashes trembled, catching the mist of her breath. Fingers clenched tight around the sash of her robe. The candle wick crackled, startling her. The word Master caught in her throat, her voice trembling. She bit her lip, nearly drawing blood. Finally, she managed to stammer, ...Can we... start now? Go ahead. ... ... The meridian path of was much more intricate than Perhaps because the technique itself was of a higher level... Or because Li Qingran had personally modified it, making it somewhat disorganized. Even after watching her demonstrate it seven or eight times, Chen Huaian still felt lost. So he simply recorded the entire process. Of course, there was also the possibility that his was simply not suitable for studying techniques. Master... Your nose is bleeding. Li Qingran, now properly dressed, turned around and gasped at the sight of blood trickling down from Chen Huaians nose. Instinctively, she cupped his hand in hers and examined him closely. Unexpectedly His nose blood. Li Qingran hesitated, then... Licked her lips. D-Disciple, stop! Chen Huaian felt like he was about to die on the spot. Frantically, he shouted, That sinister entity has come to attack! It hit me and made my nose bleed! Well stop here for todayIm off to beat it up! Right on cue, his session ended. Chen Huaian immediately logged out. The room fell silent. The hand bearing his facial features vanished from Li Qingrans grasp. For a long moment, she remained still, dazed. Then, slowly, she climbed back onto her bed, knees drawn to her chest. Her unbound hair draped over her shoulders like a curtain. The candlelight flickered, casting twin shadowsone curled at the beds edge, the other stretching over her folded legs. I want to see Master... She murmured softly, reaching for a piece of black jade at her waisther personal spiritual artifact, disguised as a pendant. Infusing it with spiritual energy, the back of the jade revealed a glowing number 35. Her But... it still seems so far away... Her sigh melted into the moonlight. The candle on her table flickered in the night breeze. A droplet of wax fell onto the half-finished sachet beside it. The silk thread embroidered with the words snapped once more. ... ... [Li Qingrans Affinity Score: ?35] [Please continue your efforts. The one-time-use True Immersion gloves have expired.] Yo, wait a second. Chen Huaian wiped his still-dripping nose, chuckling wryly. This is starting to feel like some setting... His face darkened. He had been chugging those health-boosting tonics left by the former governor at the Demon Slayer Bureau, thinking Now, it seemed... he might have overdone it. All the pieces are in place... Just need one final push. Suppressing all unnecessary thoughts, he muttered a Buddhist chant. His top priority... Was mastering before midnight. ... ... Chapter 190: Armor Fusion! Chapter 190: Armor Fusion! "Before midnight, I''m going into closed-door cultivation for a bit. You two go do your own thing." Xiang Xiaoyuan blinked her big eyes at Chen Huaian, who had two tissues stuffed up his nose. "Governor, you''ve lost quite a lot of blood... Are you really okay?" She glanced at the backseat of the car. Blood was everywhereon the seat, on the flooreasily over a thousand milliliters. Then, she took another look at Chen Huaians pants. Hmm... Menstrual bleeding could be ruled out. It wasnt that she had a weird imaginationit was just that some sinister entities had completely absurd abilities. They had encountered one before that could make men pregnant with ghost infants, so a male-period-inducing entity wasnt entirely out of the question. "I''m fine. The air is dry, nosebleeds are normal." Chen Huaian got out of the car and went inside. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan exchanged glances, then silently looked up at the drizzling sky. ... Chen Huaian spent an hour fully refining the energy he had absorbed from the sinister entity. He clenched his fist, his skin now covered in blood-red scales. As he flexed his fingers, the tightly adhering scales twisted slightly, almost like living things. Looking in the mirror, he saw his entire right arm swollen and armored with scales, his veins bulging like writhing purple dragons under the lamplight. "This look is too demonic..." Chen Huaian frowned. And this was just his If this spread across his whole body, wouldnt he look like a full-blown demon?! Sure, he hadnt met a Demon Slayer stronger than himself yet... But the world was vastthere were always stronger people, just as there were mountains beyond mountains and lightning beyond lightning! What if some particularly powerful guy saw him and thought he was a demonic cultivator or a sinister entity? He needed a and battle cry to counterbalance his appearance. One second of high-intensity brainpower later, he had an answer. "Xiang Xiaoyuan, Zhao Ying, come in for a moment." The two women entered, confused. Without hesitation, Chen Huaian activated his full power. In an instant, blood-red scales enveloped his entire body, and his frame swelled to nearly twice its original size. He no longer looked remotely humanhe resembled a bipedal monster. Xiang Xiaoyuan turned pale as a sheet, teeth chattering. Zhao Ying instinctively took a step back, gripping the Tang blade at her waist with a grim expression. She had that something was off about Chen Huaian ever since he came back from the ruins. And the amount of blood he had lost in the car... Even a Demon Slayer shouldnt be perfectly fine after losing that much. Now... Was he finally revealing his true nature?! Zhao Ying clenched her jaw. Damn it. Trouble always came at the worst times. Just as the two women entered full battle mode Chen Huaians mouth split into a sinister grin, revealing sharp fangs. Then, with a voice as deep as a thousand truck engines revving at once, he bellowed "BLOOD DEMON ARMORFUUUUUSION!!!" Xiang Xiaoyuan: "???" Zhao Ying: "..." ... Outside the room, Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan both let out a deep sigh of relief. "For a second, I really thought the Governor had been possessed by some sinister entity..." Xiang Xiaoyuan patted her chest, still shaken. "Who think that?" Zhao Ying muttered. She took out her stun baton and zapped herself, hoping the mild pain would help her nerves settle. "If hed waited before shouting that ridiculous phrase, I I wouldve swung my blade at him... Not that it wouldve done much." "The Governors new ability seems incredibly powerful. It must be from his companion spirit. The real question iswhats the cost?" Xiang Xiaoyuan glanced into the room. Chen Huaian was in there, hunched over his phone, occasionally letting out a little chuckle. She bit her lip. The glass divider was fogged up, but from the outside, she could vaguely see what was happening inside. The Governor had claimed he was in But that had nothing to do with cultivation. That was the laugh of a man who had been... starved... and had found the right website. Zhao Ying was about to reassure Xiang Xiaoyuan When suddenly Two jets of blood sprayed from Chen Huaians nose. The blood splattered onto the ceiling. Meanwhile, inside, he was sitting cross-legged, seemingly deep in meditation. "...So is the price of power." Drip, drip. Blood trickled down from the ceiling. Even though the view was hazy, the sheer of it was palpable. One must always pay the price for what they gain. Zhao Ying finally understood. The Governor, who normally seemed carefree and unserious, had always been fighting against demons and sinister entities in his way. He was trading his for Those blood sprays from his nose were the proof. Chen Huaian picked up his phone, glanced at it And immediately, another two blood jets erupted. This time, there was no doubt. Looking at his phone = drawing power from his companion spirit. The nosebleeds = the price he had to pay. Xiang Xiaoyuan couldnt hold back her emotions any longer. Wiping away tears, she sniffled, "The Governor is dedicated, too selfless... And to think I him before! He must be the one suffering the most over Bearded Guys death!" Zhao Ying lowered her head in silence, then let out a long sigh. "The Governor... We should treat him better from now on. Even if he doesnt have long left, hes still provincial Governor. Even if headquarters wont acknowledge him, will!" Originally, their support for Chen Huaian had been more out of necessity than choice. But now Both Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan had accepted him as their Governor. Meanwhile, inside the room, Chen Huaian was unaware of the deep emotional bond he had unintentionally formed with them. He was too busy nosebleeding all over the place while watching a featuring Li Qingran. "Holy sh*t... This is damn good!" He had Li Qingran had a great figure. But this time, he had seen it in full detail, and his suspicions were If he had to describe it in the most scientifically precise way possible The curvature ratio of her waist to hips had shattered the limits of the Cartesian coordinate system. The Riemann manifold, when visually observed, was causing a gravitational lensing effect! He had to find a beautiful mathematical equation to encapsulate her divine proportions. But in the end, he realized No mathematical formula could ever do justice to Qingran Baby. ... Jinde Ancient TownBone Porcelain Ruins. Lin Chen and Huang Gubei had been waiting for some time. As the clock hands aligned perfectly at midnight A pair of blinding headlights cut through the darkness, making them squint. From the light, a tall figure emerged. His stride was arrogant, exuding a Even his two subordinates behind him were walking with exaggerated swagger. As he drew closer, Lin Chen finally saw him clearly. It was Chen Huaian... with two tissues stuffed in his nostrils. "Youre here. But your nose..." "Women, dont ask." Chen Huaian raised a single finger, his eyes deep and brooding. A cold smirk curled at his lips. "This is the price of gaining immense power. Just a little lifespan, just becoming a monster that all fear. As the saying goesI walk not into the Great ThunderI walk into Hell so that others dont have to. After tonight... Hell will be Only I, Chen. Huai. An, will remain." Lin Chen stared at him like he was a complete dumbass. But before she could speak Chen Huaian formed a hand seal. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He visualized Li Qingrans technique in his mind He saw the white mathematical formulas... The perfect geometric curves... His eyes narrowed, and the tissues in his nose instantly turned red. "Hidden in darkness? So what... Tonight, I will leave you nowhere to run! Dragon-Seeking Guidance!!!" A golden light shot into the sky Transforming into a dragon, diving straight into the Bone Porcelain Ruins. ... ... Chapter 191: Dun Dun Dun Dun! Chapter 191: Dun Dun Dun Dun! Kunlun Immortal Palace A young man in a moon-white robe knelt before an ornate screen. Beyond the screen, the silhouette of a woman stood with her hands clasped behind her back. Incense smoke curled in the air, mingling with strands of ethereal Spiritual Qi. A low, solemn voice drifted from behind the screen. "Wang Shouyi! The Ziwei star dims, the Greedy Wolf devours the moon. Three nights ago at midnight, I used the to observe a surge of blood-fiend energy deep within the earth veins of Jinde Town. The Bone Porcelain Mother was once an imperial sacrificial vessel of the previous dynasty, tempered by a thousand years of vengeful fire to gain sentience. Now, she seeks to mold a Buddha body with fiendish flames, nourishing jade bones with human bloodher sins are boundless!" The woman unfastened a sword case and tossed it onto the stone table outside the screen. At that moment, nine talismans burned into ashes. "I bestow upon you the This sword is a mid-grade magical weapon, its hilt embedded with a its power is unparalleled. You must go to Jinde Town. At the third quarter of the Yin Hour, when the sinister energy is at its peak, invoke the to sever her ghostly formremember, you must destroy the beneath the ground along with it!" "Disciple obeys!" Wang Shouyi respectfully took the with both hands and bowed deeply toward the woman behind the screen. It had been ten years since the He was the first person fortunate enough to be admitted to the Immortal Palace. After a decade of arduous cultivation, it was finally time for him to descend the mountain and slay demons! "Mm. Go now. Do not tarnish the prestige of Kunlun Immortal Palace... After this, the cloud patterns on your Dao robe should increase by another mark." ... The 9,900 Heavenly Steps of Kunlun loomed, each step suffused with crushing spiritual pressure. Revived beings from the Demon Slayer Bureau and ancient noble families struggled up the stone stairway. Even General-rank warriors, revered in the outside world, bled from their seven orifices under the weight. A scion of the Langya Wang Clan crawled forward on all fours, teeth clenched tight. Everyone was here for the chance to enter Kunlun Immortal Palace. It was said that immortals dwelled within, and to become a disciple was to touch the path of immortality itself! Suddenly, a exploded from the depths of the clouds. A streak of azure light sliced through the mist. A figure soared through the air, standing atop a blade of condensed sword energy, its glow nearly solid. His robes fluttered like the wings of a crane, untouched by the wind. A barrier of luminous Spiritual Qi shielded his form, making even his long hair and sleeves remain still despite his movement. "A A Kunlun Sword Immortal!" someone shouted in awe. The swordsman glided lazily across the sky, drifting further into the distance. A sea of revived cultivators could only watch in silence, their gazes filled with longing. ... The golden trail of circled the ruins before plunging straight down into the earth veins. Deep underground The eyes of the White Porcelain Bodhisattva cracked open. The moment she lifted her gaze A of golden light struck her square in the face, instantly coating her in a thin layer of radiant gold. "WHO?!" Her expression darkened, fury boiling in her eyes. Why... Why was it damn hard to recover her strength in peace?! Could these people pick a better time to attack her?! Nearby, space trembled. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rock layers and the Bone Porcelain Mothernow standing eight zhang tallrose to her full height. With a fierce palm strike, she slammed the collapsing stone wall. A streak of blue light darted through the smoke and dust. "In the name of Western Kunlun, IZhang Shouyihave come to purge this evil!" A young man clad in emerged, his voice trembling the very air. "Vile creature! You have nourished jade bones with human bloodyour sins are boundless! Your time of judgment has come. I shall send you to the depths of hell!" Before he could finish speaking He was sent back at twice the speed he had arrived, crashing into the rock wall and leaving a man-shaped crater. The Bone Porcelain Mother withdrew her palm. Her face cracked and twisted into a grotesque sneer, her blood-red eyes burning with fiendish light. "Ah... A little from Western Kunlun, huh? You got here quick!" Her voice dripped with mockery. "Lets see who sends who to hell today!" From the crater, Wang Shouyi groaned and pushed himself free. Though his robes were torn and his chest ached, he had no injuries. With a defiant glare, he raised his sword and charged at the Bone Porcelain Mother once more. ... "You didnt believe me, did you? Well, now that Ive pinpointed the old monsters location, how about we go down and have a look?" Chen Huaian gestured toward the massive hole at his feetthe very one he had crawled out of earlier. It was a perfect entrance back underground. "Haha... Governor Chen, IIm just a mere Elite-rank. Surely I dont need to go down there?" Huang Gubei shrank back, forcing a nervous laugh. "If we run into that old monster, youd have to protect me. Thatd just be extra trouble for you, right?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. "Coward." Huang Gubei: "..." Chen Huaian turned to Lin Chen. "Stop posturing. Fine, Ill go. You think Im afraid?" Just as she spoke The ground in front of the ruins erupted. A giant white porcelain hand shot up first, followed by the massive eight-zhang-nine figure of the Bone Porcelain Mother. Shards of bloodstained porcelain and rubble rained down like a storm. Atop her head, Wang Shouyi hung upside-down in midair, a trail of blood dripping from his lips. His left shoulder was a mangled mess, dark with ghostly energyclearly a wound inflicted by the Bone Porcelain Mother. Wang Shouyi crashed to the ground right in front of Chen Huaian and the others, coughing up blood. "" Noticing the stunned expressions around him, his face paled. "Who are you people?! What are you doing here?!" His voice was urgent, ignoring the blood at the corner of his mouth. "This place is ! Leave at onceI will hold her off!" He shakily got to his feet, turning back to face the fully-transformed Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. Her white porcelain face flickered between two extremesone side smiling serenely, the other twisted into a demonic grimace. Dark spiderweb cracks of blood ran beneath her glazed surface. Her nine-tiered ornaments were half porcelain, half bone. And in her "Holding the Flower" mudra She clutched a shattered wish-fulfilling jade. The entire figure exuded an unnerving, incomplete perfection. "Because of , I had to use my forbidden technique to recover some strength... Now my foundation is damaged! My Buddha Body must be reforged!" The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas mismatched mouth opened wide. Her voice echoed in dual tonesmale and female, overlapping and distorted. Her ruthless gaze locked onto Chen Huaian and Wang Shouyi. Especially Chen Huaian. She recognized him. "Good... GOOD! Youve come at the perfect time! Since you seek to destroy my Buddha Fetus Ill use you to restore my strength instead!" As her shrill howl filled the air A sea of Bone Porcelain Girls crawled forth from the white bone pile. Their eerie grins stretched wide, their ghostly figures swarming in all directions. Huang Gubei trembled violently. Lin Chens expression darkened. Zhao Ying pulled Xiang Xiaoyuan behind her, unsheathing her electric Tang blade. Chen Huaian stood firm, hands on his hips. Calmly, he pulled out his phone And pressed play. "DUN DUN DUN DUN!" "BOSS BATTLE START!!!" ... ... Chapter 192: The Old Fox Chapter 192: The Old Fox The absurd music brought the tense atmosphere to an abrupt halt. Wang Shouyi, standing at the forefront, stumblednearly falling flat on his face. He turned to glare at Chen Huaian and the others, his voice filled with frustration. "Why are you all still here?! Are you trying to get yourselves killed?!" "Were from the Demon Slayer Bureau." Zhao Ying shifted her gaze from the Bone Porcelain Mother to Wang Shouyi, scrutinizing him. "Hunting demons and ensuring the safety of the people is our duty." "The Demon Slayer Bureau? I''ve heard of you." Wang Shouyi pulled two crumpled talismans from his sleeve, his tone grave. "But do you even know what realm this Bone Porcelain Mother is in? Mid Foundation Establishment. Your General-ranks correspond to Mid Qi Refinement to Peak Qi Refinement. This Bone Porcelain Mother is between Commander-rank and King-rank. You are not her match. And despite that... youre still staying to fight?" No one responded. But Wang Shouyi assumed they were standing behind him, resolute and unshaken. His eyes misted over with emotion. This... is humanity. Even knowing the odds were hopeless, they still dared to raise their swords against gods and ghosts alike. Glory to my people! Even if he died today, he would hold the Bone Porcelain Mother back to give his fellow humans a chance to escape! "Youre absolutely right." Suddenly, a voice drifted from behindgrowing fainter. "Then well leave this Bone Porcelain Mother to you. Well go support you from the back." Wang Shouyi whipped his head aroundeyes widening in horror. The so-called "righteous warriors" had already taken down the surrounding Bone Porcelain Girls and were now walking away. "...Ha." S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wang Shouyi let out a bitter laugh. Fine. This was what he wantedfor them to leave. Turning back to face the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva, the sorrow in his eyes burned awayreplaced by fury and killing intent. The was unsheathed. With a battle cry, Wang Shouyi charged forward. "Vile creature! Accept your fate!" ... From behind a small sand dune near the ruins, the group silently watched the mysterious young man get absolutely manhandled. Xiang Xiaoyuan, the most soft-hearted of them, finally broke the silence. "Maybe I should go heal him? If nothing else... at least we should help collect his corpse..." "Didnt that guy himself say this monster was Commander-rank minimum? If we go in, were just throwing our lives away." "Captain Zhao is right!" Huang Gubei gave her a big thumbs up. He liked people who knew their limits. "This boy is an enigma," Lin Chen muttered, watching Wang Shouyi get blasted away by a shockwave. "Hes clearly not local... And yet, despite being beaten like this, hes still standing. At the very least, hes Commander-rank himself... But Ive never heard of such a strong cultivator before. Hes far too young..." She turned to Chen Huaian. "Governor Chen, what do you think?" Chen Huaian said nothing, his brows furrowed as he stared at his phone. He had miscalculated. When he first fought the Bone Porcelain Mother, she had only felt like a Peak Qi Refinement enemy. With his First Volume of the Heavenly Demon Technique and his Qi Refinement Second Layer cultivation, a genius like him could easily kill a Peak Qi Refinement enemy with a flick of the wrist. But now? In just half a day, she had leveled up significantly. She had entered her second phase The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva Form. A full-on boss transformation. This was bullsh*t. It wasnt that he couldnt fight herit was that he had no guaranteed way to win. So... when in doubtask Virtual Girlfriend. But this time, he wasnt asking Li Qingran for techniques. Against such a huge power gap, a few extra skills wouldnt make a difference. He was here for items. He lowered his voice, distanced himself from the others, and murmured into his phone. "Master! Youre here!" Li Qingran had been preparing to meditate, but as soon as she sensed his presence, she immediately perked up. "Master, did you already defeat that great demon? Were you hurt?" Chen Huaian glanced at the raging Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. With a straight face, he lied through his teeth. " "" Thats right. He was going to scam them. The Virtual Girlfriend Shop only allowed Li Qingran to use its items. But anything given to her by other disciples was fair game. While the quality wouldnt match the Virtual Girlfriend Shops premium goods, sheer quantity could make up for it. "" Li Qingran took out her Communication Jade Slip and contacted Yue Qianchi. In the background, the sound of clashing swords echoed. "Master, I want enlightenment! Not a beating!" "You damn brat! If I beat you hard enough, youll definitely achieve enlightenment!" "AAAAHHH! The Sword Pavilion Master is trying to kill me! HELP!!!" Li Qingran: "..." Yue Qianchi was clearly unreliable. So she tried Xu An instead. Xu An took her request seriously. He immediately searched every disciples cave residence on Luoxia Peak, gathering all the completed talismans and pills. Though not every disciple was skilled in alchemy or talisman crafting, he still managed to collect a few dozen of each. Among them was an unfamiliar item. A Sword Orb. "...What is this?" Li Qingran hesitated. Master only asked for talismans and pills. He didnt mention Sword Orbs. "Ah, this?" Xu An scratched his head sheepishly. "Senior Brother Zhen He insisted I bring it. He said he wanted the Patriarch to evaluate it. Honestly, I get it. Zhen He wants to know if his Sword Orb is good enough to be recognized. If the Patriarch doesnt want it, I can return it to him." Just as Li Qingran was about to speak A booming voice echoed through the void. "WAIT!" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes at the Sword Orb. If he remembered correctly, it was capable of heavily wounding any Golden Core cultivator. And it could instantly kill anyone below Foundation Establishment. He zoomed in on Zhen Hes profile. Zhen He, Personal Disciple of Sword Pavilion Steady and humble. Hides his true strength.Only reveals a fraction of his sword intent. Evaluation: Ultra Cunning Old Fox. Chen Huaian squinted. Something wasnt adding up. A guy this low-key and cautious wouldnt overestimate his own creations. So if he claimed his Sword Orb could "heavily wound" a Golden Core cultivator... It could probably kill one outright. And he had three of them. "This Sword Orb has some flaws. Ill take a closer look at it!" Chen Huaian snatched up everythingtalismans, pills, and the Sword Orbsbefore immediately logging off. Xu An blinked, stunned. "...No wonder hes the Patriarch." Li Qingran smiled proudly. Her Master was the strongest. The most powerful of all! ... ... Chapter 193: The Sword Orb Chapter 193: The Sword Orb "Kunlun Palace''s little dog... is this all you''ve got?!" The battlefield had sunk several meters deep from the impact of the ongoing battle. Wang Shouyi was once again sent flying, his body tumbling across the ground, carving a trench dozens of meters long. The protective glow around him flickered twice before vanishing entirely. His Heart-Guarding Mirror shattered, and his moon-white Daoist robe lay in tatters. The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva extended a single finger. An d (swastika) symbol flickered at its tip as it stabbed toward Wang Shouyis chest, ruthlessly draining the spiritual energy from his Dantian and Purple Mansion. Gritting his teeth, Wang Shouyi desperately formed a hand seal. Two talismans exploded against the porcelain armor, but the flames were absorbed by the Bodhisattvas cracked glaze. The fire was reflected back at him, scorching his fingers black. Worst of all His Seven-Star Linked Sword Formation, originally suspended in midair in the shape of the Big Dipper, was being devoured by the Blood Marrow Golden Wheel behind the Bodhisattvas head. "Daoist brat!" The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas grotesque face loomed close, her bloody tongue shooting out to wrap around Wang Shouyis right hand, stopping him from forming further seals. "Didnt your master ever teach you? The kilns of Jinde Town..." A chilling, glass-on-glass screech echoed from all directions. "...are best at refining your Daoist righteousness to ashes! Hahahaha!" Wang Shouyi felt his spiritual energy rapidly draining. Even his Ancient Sword of Judgment, which had been holding back the Bodhisattvas finger, was losing its radiance. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the monstrous Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. Ten years of bitter cultivation. He had descended the mountain to slay demons and prove his worth. He thought this first mission would be a mere test of his skills. He hadnt expected to run into a Foundation Establishment-stage ghost cultivator this powerful. The ghastly flames surrounding the Bodhisattvas porcelain finger pressed down inch by inch, threatening to crush both him and his sword to dust. Blood spilled from Wang Shouyis lips. At that moment BOOM! A thunderclap split the sky. For an instant, the entire world turned white. A bolt of lightning crashed downstriking the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva! "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" The ghostly shriek reverberated through the ruins. The pressure on Wang Shouyis sword lightened for just a moment. But he was already too exhausted to fight back. His Ancient Sword of Judgment slipped from his fingers. The world spun before his eyes. As he collapsed backward, he suddenly felt someone catch him. Turning his head slightly, he glimpsed the Demon Slayer Bureau membersthe ones who had "" To think he would be saved in his final moments. Tears welled up in his eyes. This... is humanity. Glory to my people! "" Lin Chen tilted her chin toward the figure at the front. Wang Shouyi turned his gaze. The man who had stood at the very back earlier, the one with a ridiculously handsome face, now stood at the very front. His shoulders were not particularly broad, But beneath the moonlight, his shadow covered everyone behind him. "" Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wang Shouyis voice trembled. His finger shook as he pointed at Chen Huaian. "" Then, he promptly passed out. Xiang Xiaoyuan: "..." Zhao Ying / Lin Chen: "..." "" Chen Huaian paused, still holding up his lightning talisman. Quickly, he reached down and pulled up his pants. His belt had snapped earlier, and every time he flared his spiritual energy, his pants inflated slightlyas if they really were about to fall off. "" The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva, her head scorched black from the strike, sneered at him. "*Brat, your thunderfire has righteousness... but it still lacks power. My kiln flames devour righteousnessI''ll use yours to restore my strength!*" Her white porcelain arms flickered with ghostly fire. Within the flames, visions of the past appeared The Mingde era. Countless young girls thrown into the kilns as blood sacrifices. These sacrifices had forged the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas sinister form A monstrosity blending ghostly and Buddhist energies. "" Chen Huaians face twisted in disgust. Did this mean that while she was performing blood sacrifices, she actually thought she was saving them? What kind of twisted logic was that?! What he didnt know was that The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva had been born in a time of extreme drought. Famine had driven people to cannibalism. Instead of letting these suffering people kill and eat each other, She believed it was better to offer them in blood sacrifices. She genuinely thought she was doing good. For the girls sacrificed, They were not just sacrifices to "resurrect" the magistrates son, Their families also received food in return. Families could keep their remaining sons alive. It was a willing exchangea "mutual agreement." A "fair trade." "" The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva raised her hand. Her praying hands suddenly parted. Her right hand, once human-sized, expanded like a collapsing mountain. The palm was inscribed with blood-red scriptures, The air froze solid, The wails of countless ghosts shrieked around them. She had been weaker than Chen Huaian before. But nowher strength had surpassed his. If she consumed both Chen Huaian and Wang Shouyi, She could fully restore her foundation. To her, this was fate. She cared little for Wang Shouyi. A Western Kunlun disciple? So what? He was just an "Outer Disciple." The true Inner Disciples of Western Kunlun wouldnt even care if he died. He was just a pawn. "" Chen Huaian gazed up at the descending giant palm. "" He flicked through his crumpled lightning talismans. Their handwriting was terrible. Clearly, these kids hands had been shaking while making them. How could talismans drawn so poorly have high quality? Not a single one was mid-grade. All of them were trash. The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva sneered. "" BOOM! The giant palm slammed downward. "" Chen Huaian shook his head. Casually, he reached into his pocket And tossed a Sword Orb into the air. This Sword Orb had been created by Zhen He, the most notoriously cunning disciple of the Sword Pavilion. "" Real men dont look at explosions. Chen Huaian calmly turned away, hands in his pockets, walking toward Zhao Ying and the others. "" Shiiing! The Sword Orb exploded. A single sword aura slashed out Piercing straight through the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas palm... And her entire body. The clouds split apart. The sky cracked open, revealing the moon. Walking in the moonlight, Chen Huaian smirked as he listened to the sound of stone crumbling behind him. "*Good sword. Good... schemer.*" ... ... Chapter 194: Spoils of War Chapter 194: Spoils of War Zhen He had been too conservative. This Sword Orb wasnt just "guaranteed to kill anyone below Golden Core." Even actual Golden Core cultivators would have to think twice before facing it. No wonder he was the Sword Pavilions number-one schemer. Cunning as hell! "Brat! You destroyed my Buddha Fetustoday, I will have your life!" A sinister gust of wind surged from behind as the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva shrieked in fury. Still reveling in the majesty of that single heaven-splitting sword strike, Zhao Ying instantly snapped back to reality and shouted "Governor, behind you!" Chen Huaian didnt even look back. His right arm expanded, blood-red scales spreading across his skin. The aura behind him closed in fast. The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva, having lost her Buddha Fetus to the Sword Orb, had regressed to her original form. Her strength had plummetedshe was now weaker than when they first met. At best, mid-Qi Refinement level. Chen Huaian was only at Qi Refinement Second Layer... But the First Volume of the Heavenly Demon Technique wasnt something to be measured by normal standards. "Die!" The Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva stabbed a claw toward his back. Chen Huaian tilted slightly left, letting the attack slide past. His right hand shot out like lightning, pressing firmly against her forehead. "Instant Refinement!" "AAAAAHHHHH!!!" A terrifying wail filled the air as ghostly energy surged from her body into Chen Huaians hand. His eyes darkened with spectral mist, while the Bone Porcelain Mother shriveled like a punctured balloon. Paralyzed, she could only glare at him with hateful eyes. "W-what... is this technique?! A demonic art? No... thats not right... What kind of demonic art can refine ghostly energy...?!" But her decaying body gave her no time to find an answer. As the last of her strength drained away, her hatred only deepened. "**Brat... You wont be laughing for long...! One day... you will join me in hell!**" Before she could finish speaking Her ghostly body collapsed into a pile of ashen dust, scattered by the wind. [You have slain the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva.] Rewards Obtained: Ghost Cultivator Fragment x1 Blood Porcelain Bottle (Filled with Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas Ashes) x1 Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas Jade Ring Chen Huaian exhaled in relief as he saw the kill notification pop up on his phone. Like Di Jiang, this Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva was surprisingly straightforward. No last-minute transformations. No self-destruction moves. Just dead. And three dropped items. He was very curious about them. But with Zhao Ying and the others still watching, it wasnt the time to start looting. "G-Governor, did you really kill her?" Xiang Xiaoyuan was still dazed, her mind replaying the heaven-splitting sword strike that had pierced through the clouds. Her gaze toward Chen Huaian was like a teenage girl seeing Jay Chou in his prime. "Mm-hm. Shes dust now." Chen Huaian casually threw a handful of ashes into the wind. "That was... an entity nearly reaching King-rank. You... killed her with just one sword?!" Zhao Ying and Huang Gubei both stared at him, eyes burning with disbelief. Even Lin Chens gaze was complicated. Chen Huaian frowned. Did I overdo it? Technically, that wasnt his powerit was the Sword Orb. He shouldnt be getting this much attention. But there was a way out of this. Without hesitation, he opened his phone and pulled up Li Qingrans cultivation video. As expected BLOOD SPRAYED FROM HIS NOSE. Then, with a groan, he collapsed backward, his pupils dilating as he forced out a painful whisper "Ugh... Cough, cough...! The backlash... finally came... It... hurts... So much...!" The sudden shift in behavior was absurd. One second, he was a walking deity. The next, he was dying on the ground. But concern overruled logic. "Call an ambulance!" Without hesitation, Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying rushed to his side. "Wheres the injured person?HOLY SH*T, WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS KID?!" The paramedics had arrived. They immediately spotted Wang Shouyi Bloodied, bruised, and barely clinging to life. Naturally, they prepared a stretcher for him. But before they could lift him up Xiang Xiaoyuan yanked him off. "The injured person is here." She pointed at Chen Huaian. The paramedics hesitated. The handsome young man looked perfectly fine aside from some minor nosebleeds. His breathing was steady. His skin was glowing with health. If anything, he looked like he had too much yang energy and needed to drink some herbal tea. "Are you sure this is the injured person?" "Absolutely!" Xiang Xiaoyuan insisted. "Hes got internal injuries!" The medical team sighed. Fine. They would treat the **"critically wounded" handsome guy first. As for Wang Shouyi?** He could wait for the next round. Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying finally relaxed as they watched Chen Huaian get taken away. Anyone else could get injured. But not Chen Huaian. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As for the mysterious young swordsman... Xiang Xiaoyuan wouldnt let him die either. She sat down to meditate, restoring her spiritual energy. Once she recovered enough, she would heal him herself. If possible, shed even recruit him into the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau. Hospital Room. "Governor Chen, your injuries have fully healed. Your nosebleeds have stopped. Youre free to leave." "But my head hurts. I feel like I dont have much time left. I still have cancer cells in my body..." "Your cancer cells are dormant." "Dormant or not, theyre still cancer cells. I still have a headache. Im critically injured. I need to stay." The doctor: "..." Forget it. With any other Demon Slayer, he would have just kicked them out. But this guy was the C-Province Governor. Fine. Let him stay. Every day, theyd just give him some supplements, maybe some brain tonics. Eventually, hed leave on his own. Finally Alone. Chen Huaian checked for cameras. None. Good. He pulled out his loot. First Item: Blood Porcelain Bottle. It was even better than the one he saw in the ruins. He activated the Virtual Girlfriend game, using the identification feature. The bottles details appeared [Blood Porcelain Bottle (Containing Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva''s Ashes)] Effect: Drip a single drop of blood into the bottle to summon a Blood Porcelain Girl for battle. Summoned entitys strength scales with blood donor. Max Power: Early Golden Core Stage. (WARNING: The Blood Porcelain Bottle is fragile. If shattered, it loses all effects.) "Hell yeah." Chen Huaian immediately scrapped the idea of selling it. Summoning a personal bodyguard just by dripping blood? And if he used Nascent Soul-level blood... The possibilities were endless. As for where to get Nascent Soul blood...? "Heh heh heh." His grin turned wicked. There was a certain over-energized beast at the Sword Pavilion. If he bribed Su Qinian with spirit stones, He could just "borrow" some of its blood. And if that didnt work He had other targets. The elders blood would do just fine. "This... is what it feels like to have a Sect backing you?" Chen Huaian leaned back, smirking. "So damn nice." ... ... Chapter 195: I Am the Demon Chapter 195: I Am the Demon The second battle trophy the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas Jade Ring. It was made of white nephrite jade, exquisitely crafted, giving off an ancient and mysterious aura. Chen Huaian frowned. Not because it looked worthlessbut because it had a series of numbers etched into it: 137. To confirm his memory, Chen Huaian pulled out the Soul-Suppressing Nail from his inventory and placed the two items side by side. Sure enough The 137 on both artifacts was identical. If it had been carved by hand, then whoever did it was the same person. "Interesting." He ran his fingers over the jade ring, narrowing his eyes. At first, he thought the 137 on the Soul-Suppressing Nail indicated that it was the 137th nail produced. But that theory didnt hold up anymore. The jade ring wasnt a mass-produced item like the Soul-Suppressing Nails. It was purely decorative. So that meant 137 wasnt a quantityit was a serial number. Which led to an even bigger problem. If the Di Jiang he killed was #137, And the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva he killed was #137... Then where were the others? How many more Di Jiangs and Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas existed in this world? And Who was the one numbering them? What purpose did they have for categorizing sinister beings and demons like this? Whoever it was, they were definitely not weak. And now that Chen Huaian had killed two of their numbered creations... He had probably caught their attention. "Thats not good..." He sighed inwardly. Theres no way this person is friendly. The fact that they released beings like Di Jiang and the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva meant that they were an enemy. And at his current strength, he wasnt ready to fight someone like that. "I need to get stronger. Fast." Right now, cultivating Spiritual Qi would accelerate the revival of the cancerous demonic dragon in his body. So he hesitated to cultivate every day. But now, with the Heavenly Demon Technique, he could temporarily switch to body cultivation. Body refinement required massive resources, especially at the early stages, where a cultivator needed huge amounts of medicinal pills to build their physique. Originally, this wouldve been a problem. But he had the Sword Pavilion backing him. He could also trade with the Pill Sect and Lingxi Valley. If he wanted, he could instantly acquire every resource he needed for body cultivation. Just like now Many of the pills crafted by the Sword Pavilion disciples were perfect for body refinement. And he had another thought. The Heavenly Demon Technique could refine and absorb sinister entities. So... Could it refine the demonic cancer dragon in his body? Chen Huaian pressed the call button next to his hospital bed. A nurse quickly entered. "Governor Chen, do you need to use the restroom? I can help you walk over... or if it''s inconvenient, I can... hold it for you..." Chen Huaian: "..." He stared silently at the blushing nurse. Honestlysometimes, being too handsome was a curse. Especially for a righteous man like him. "I want to use the training room. Arrange it for me." He swiftly snatched his shoes from her hands and put them on. The nurse pouted slightly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I can help you put them on next time... You''re still a patient." "I have epilepsy. If I kick you by accident, I might kill you." Chen Huaian stared straight ahead, eyes so serious they looked downright evil. This was the J-Province Demon Slayer Bureaus affiliated medical center, dedicated to treating injured Demon Slayers. It had several rehabilitation training rooms for recovery exercises. Chen Huaian shut the frosted glass doors of the training room and settled onto a meditation mat. But before he could begin A loud chatter erupted outside. He glanced up And nearly blacked out. The hallway was jam-packed with nurses, completely surrounding the entire training room. "Damn it! All of them are witches!" Chen Huaian shut his eyes, ignoring them, and took out a handful of Marrow Cleansing Pills. Then, he activated the Heavenly Demon Technique. His consciousness dove deep into his body, seeking the demonic cancer dragon hidden beneath his Thunder Spiritual Root. Outside The nurses whispered excitedly. "Whos that guy? Hes making such a huge commotion while training!" "Thats the C-Province Governor, Chen Huaian~ That rebellious, devilish energyso hot!" "Wait... But C-Province doesnt even have an officially appointed governor yet?" "Who cares?! We only recognize Chen Huaian, baby~!" Inside Chen Huaian was completely unaware that he had just acquired a fan club. He was focused on a deadly game of Go But the board was his flesh and blood. The lines were his meridians and pressure points. And the pieces were his own active cancer cellsinfused with demonic energy. Across from him, the shadowy form of the demonic cancer dragon coiled, smirking with malice. "Little one, why do you insist on fighting me? I am a part of you. Strengthening me is strengthening yourself~" Its twisted body slithered, its voice sickly sweetbut its eyes burned with killing intent. Ever since Chen Huaians active cancer cells had fallen under his control, And ever since he had stopped cultivating Spiritual Qi, The demonic cancer dragons life had been hell. It was now trapped in one corner of his Thunder Spiritual Root, unable to move. The other cancer cells, now obedient to Chen Huaian, constantly bullied it by singing old love songs at it. Every single day. Nonstop. "I am the true master of this body. You? Youre just a stray dog that tried to bite its owner. One day, Im going to boil you alive and make dragon stew." Chen Huaian placed a piece on the board. "Pa!" The active cancer cells, infused with demonic energy, transformed into a blood-red wolf and rampaged across the board. The demonic cancer dragon retaliated, summoning black mist-like pieces to form a sinister black serpent. A battle erupted The two sides clashed fiercely, blood-red wolves tearing through black-scaled serpents. For a while, it was a stalemate. "Its pointless." The dragon sneered. "This battle will only end in mutual destruction. Your meridians will be damaged. Your foundation will weaken." But as the fight dragged on The black pieces dwindled. The dragon looked upexpecting Chen Huaian to be exhausted. Instead Chen Huaian calmly flicked his fingers. A wave of blood-red pieces flooded the board. The wolf mutated, growing larger and larger. It sprouted flaming wings. Two bulging growths formed on its neck. And in seconds It grew two more heads. A three-headed blood demon beast. Pure. Overwhelming. Malice. "Y-you" The demonic cancer dragons eyes widened in horror. "Why dont you need Spiritual Qi?!" Chen Huaian grinned, revealing rows of sharp fangs. "Because I am the demon. What the hell do I need Qi for?" ... ... Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 196: A Lot of Potential Chapter 196: A Lot of Potential Chen Huaians battle of wills with the demonic cancer dragon lasted three days. For three days, he neither ate nor drank, locked inside the training room. Within those three days, His Spiritual Qi completely drained, and his Demonic Qi surged. The once-mighty cancer dragon had been refined down to just a single head. It wasnt that Chen Huaian took pity on it The cancer dragon had threatened to self-destruct, detonating the Dragon Qi inside his body. "Brat! Dont push me!" "The Dragon Qi is under my control!" "If I make it explode, your body will be torn apart!" "Oh?" Chen Huaian stood on the dragons remaining head, looking down. His clawed fingers patted its snout twice. "You dare to threaten me?" "Thanks to your demonic cancer cells, Ive already cultivated the First Volume of the Heavenly Demon Technique to the third level." "My body has become demonic." "Even if you detonate the Dragon Qi, it wont do sh*t to me." His eyes gleamed with malice. "From today onward" "Every time you divide a new demonic cancer cell..." "Ill eat one." "If you dont divide, Ill beat the sh*t out of you." "I will make sure you never know peace!" "Kekekekeke!" Faced with the insanity in Chen Huaians eyes, For the first time, the demonic cancer dragon felt true fear. And regret. Previously, when Chen Huaian ran out of Spiritual Qi, It had tried to steal Demonic Qi instead. But the Demonic Qi was uncontrollable The moment it absorbed any, it started getting eaten alive. Thats why it had lost its entire body, leaving only a head. If not for using Dragon Qi as a last-ditch bargaining chip, It would have been completely erased. "Im going to start cultivating Spiritual Qi again." "So youd better work hard..." "And provide me with more food." Chen Huaian lifted his foot off its head, smirking coldly. Thenhe vanished. Only the blood-colored wolf, formed from his demonic cancer cells, remained. It glared hungrily at the weakened dragon. "Motherf...!" The cancer dragons curses were cut off as the scene faded. Returning to Reality. "Damn mutt! You dare threaten me?! I ought to grind your bones to dust!" Chen Huaian opened his eyes, Lowered his hands And instantly absorbed all the blood mist inside the training room. Regular cultivators would waste the excess impurities expelled during body refinement. But the Heavenly Demon Technique allowed him to recycle it. Truly worthy of being the number one demonic technique of ancient times Even after being altered, it was still absolutely insane. Chen Huaian stood up and stretched. The impurities from his marrow cleansing peeled off his skin like a shattered cocoon, Revealing bronzed, powerful muscles beneath. As he moved, his bones crackled like firecrackers. Stepping in front of the mirror, He noticed His muscles had grown significantly. His height had also increased. His build was not overly bulky, But it was getting dangerously close to Baki Hanma levels. "Damn, if only I could keep absorbing demonic cancer cells endlessly." Chen Huaian was very satisfied with his progress. His "official" cultivation level was still Qi Refinement Second Layer. But his physical strength alone was easily at Foundation Establishment. Demonic techniques were fast. But they also had limitations. His appetite for new prey was growing. Soon, demonic cancer cells wouldnt be enough. He would need to devour stronger entities. That was one reason why he spared the cancer dragon. The Dragon Qi explosion didnt scare him But the Dragon Qi itself was valuable. He couldnt just let it go to waste. Once Li Qingran refined the Hundred Herbs Detox Pill, S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The cancer dragons usefulness would end. At that point He would slaughter it without hesitation. "AHHHH! GOVERNOR CHEN!" "GOVERNOR CHEN IS SO HOT!" The screams outside the training room snapped Chen Huaian out of his thoughts. His eyelids twitched. He turned Only to see a swarm of nurses pressed against the glass. They were even more excited than three days ago. All of them had rosy cheeks, Their hands covering their eyes, Yet still peeking through their fingers like they had just found a rare treasure. "Governor Chen has so much potential!" "WOW! So BIG~!" Chen Huaian: "..." Yes, his muscles had grown. But Wait. Wait. His expression froze. His gaze slowlymechanicallylowered. "WHAT THE FK?!" BOOM!!! One of the training room walls EXPLODED. Elsewhere Wang Shouyi had just left the medical ward. Suddenly A streak of red light rushed toward him at insane speed. "This speed...! Could it be a monster?!" His expression darkened. This was the Demon Slayer Bureaus medical center It was full of injured personnel and medical staff. If a sinister entity attacked here... The casualties would be devastating! "I have to stop it!" "VILE BEAST! CEASE AT ONCE!" Wang Shouyi drew his sword and charged forward. "GET OUT OF THE WAY! IM NOT WEARING CLOTHES!" A furious roar echoed from the blood-red blur. Wang Shouyi paused mid-strike. Wait. Was that... A person?! He quickly withdrew his sword But that moment of hesitation proved fatal. BOOM! Chen Huaian slammed into him at full speed. "" Wang Shouyis eyes bulged. He felt like he had just been hit by a half-ton truck. His vision blurred. The last thing he saw was the orphanage director from his childhood, smiling at him from the heavens. "HES IN CRITICAL CONDITION! GET HIM TO THE ICU!" "SH*T, HIS PUPILS ARE DILATINGGET THE DEFIBRILLATOR!" An Hour Later Chen Huaian sat next to a hospital bed, looking at the mummified Wang Shouyi with a sheepish grin. "Uh... Bro... Sorry about that. I was in a hurry and couldnt stop in time..." "No problem... I understand... Cough, cough..." Despite his injuries, Wang Shouyi smiled. "Governor Chen, you slayed the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. Because of you, countless people were saved. I... thank you, on behalf of the common people." Chen Huaian scratched his head, feeling even more guilty. He had expected Wang Shouyi to be angry. To demand compensation. To curse him out. But saying "thank you"?! This guy was too pure-hearted! "" "" "Brother, I like you." "Why dont you join my Demon Slayer Bureau?" "I promiseTOP-TIER benefits!" At that moment A voice interrupted them. "Wang Shouyi, dont be fooled." A stranger entered the room. "That manChen Huaianis nothing but a fraud!" Chen Huaian turned His gaze darkened. The newcomer ignored him entirely, stepping toward Wang Shouyi. "I am Lin Haoheir to the Lin Family. If you join us, I will make you the official Governor of J-Province!" "...Hoh?" Chen Huaians smirk returned. "Interesting." ... ... Chapter 197: Preparing a Grand Gift Chapter 197: Preparing a Grand Gift Lin Hao simply couldn''t believe that Chen Huai''an had the strength to kill the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva with a single strike. The situation had been critical at the time, and Chen Huai''an had acted suddenly. When Xiang Xiaoyuan retrieved the battle recorder, she discovered that it had been destroyed by the shockwaves from Wang Shouyi and the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva''s battle. Though the exterior looked intact, the internal components were completely ruined. The same happened to the drones... The moment Chen Huai''an activated his first Thunder Talisman, they all plummeted from the sky as if drunk. With the massive outburst of Spiritual Qi, these technological devices were gradually becoming obsolete. When everyone visited the medical ward to check on Chen Huai''an, they happened to run into Lin Hao, who had followed Wang Shouyis scent. Thus, the earlier confrontation ensued. "Lin Hao, I warned you... If you want to get yourself killed, fine, but don''t drag the Lin family down with you." Lin Chen snorted coldly and turned to leave. Her words made her stance clear. Chen Huai''an, being a reasonable person, wouldn''t hold her accountable for what happened next. A glint of coldness flashed in Lin Haos eyes. My foolish little sister... Wang Shouyi is a disciple of Kunlun Immortal Palace. Even if the credit for killing the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva goes to Chen Huai''an, he has to find a way to pass it to Wang Shouyi. If I can get Wang Shouyi to join the Lin family, our good days will truly begin. A mere provincial governor of the Demon Slayer Bureau? That''s nothing in comparison. Wang Shouyi looked about sixteen or seventeen years old... That age... just the right time to be impulsive and hungry for recognition. He must want the credit for killing the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lin Hao''s lips curled into a sly smile as he already began plotting his next move... Not only could he latch onto Wang Shouyis golden thigh, but he could also deal with Chen Huai''an in the process. However, the next second, Wang Shouyis face darkened. Though he looked young, his overwhelming aura, bolstered by his immense strength, was terrifying. "Mr. Lin... First of all, the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva was killed by Governor Chen. I fought it for a long time and couldn''t do anything to it... If not for Governor Chen stepping in, I would already be a corpse. He is my savior. You insult my savior, and that makes me very angry. Also, I see no respect for the strong in you... If your family is the same, then your days are numbered. I will not join the Lin family. Please leave... I dont want to see you." As soon as he finished speaking, the hospital room fell into a dead silence. Chen Huai''an secretly gave Wang Shouyi a thumbs-up. Good one... The kid may be young, but his mouth sure is venomous. He actually cursed the Lin family to an early demise. Chen Huai''an immediately decided to give Wang Shouyi a 500-spirit-stone raise in his monthly salary. Lin Haos face turned pale and then flushed red, but he didnt dare to lash out at Wang Shouyi. He could only force a smile and find a way to back down. "Brother Wang, you might have some misunderstandings about me and the Lin family... Regardless, my invitation still stands. If you ever change your mind, come find me... I guarantee the benefits will be far better than joining C-Provinces Demon Slayer Bureau." Wang Shouyi nodded seriously and said, "There is no misunderstanding." Lin Hao: "..." ... Lin Hao left, having come in high spirits and left in utter defeat. That conversation had been a complete disaster. When Chen Huai''an saw Huang Gubei arrive, he immediately asked about the bounty money. "Even though theres no battle footage of the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattvas death, both you and Lin Chen witnessed it firsthand. Forget the hundred-plus Bone Porcelain maidens I killed earlier... Consider those a bonus. The bounty for the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva should at least be paid, right?" "The bounty can be issued." Huang Gubei forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "But headquarters requires you to submit a report detailing how you executed that strike and what artifacts you used. They also demand that you turn in the artifact for evaluation... Once the review is complete, the reward will be issued." "Oh?" Chen Huai''ans lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "If I recall correctly, the Demon Slayer Bureau never had such a rule before. What if I refuse?" "If you refuse... then there will be no proof that you killed a King-level evil spirit..." Huang Gubei averted his gaze, not daring to meet Chen Huai''ans eyes. In his mind, he had already cursed the ancestors of those idiots at Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters eighteen generations over. Do these morons even bother coming to the scene? Do they think this is someone they can mess with? They actually want to take his spirit artifact? Even if it costs him his lifespan to use it... Even if he wont live long... As long as he''s alive, he''s still a terrifying force to reckon with. "Interesting... very interesting." Chen Huai''an wasnt angry at all. In fact, he even found it amusing. Back when he was just an ordinary person, he had encountered situations like this before. Most of his parents compensation money had been embezzled. At the time, he was powerless, and it was Luo Haisheng who helped him sort it out. He had thought that after becoming a Revived One and joining the Demon Slayer Bureau as a governor, he would no longer run into such problems... but he had been naive. Turns out, some things never changehuman greed, blindness, and stupidity. "I will turn in the artifact... Wait a moment." Chen Huai''an walked over to a chair and sat down, opening the game. "Governor Chen, should I and Lin Chen go talk to headquarters again?" Huang Gubei felt a chill down his spine at Chen Huai''ans eerie calmness. He had a terrible feeling... as if something disastrous was about to happen. His eyes darted toward Wang Shouyi, who looked just as baffled on the hospital bed. He suddenly thought Wang Shouyi might be able to help smooth things over. Just as he was about to suggest it, he saw Chen Huai''an wave his hand indifferently. "No need. Just prepare a helicopter for me... I will personally deliver the artifact to Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters." Huang Gubei shuddered and gasped. "Youre not planning to" "Relax, brother..." Chen Huai''ans smile was as gentle as a saints. He didnt even lift his head as he said, "Its just a small spirit artifact... Is it worth ruining relationships over? I just feel that I have a deep connection with the headquarters. Ever since I took office, I havent visited... Now that I have the chance, shouldnt I go and pay my respects? Society values human connections... and I understand that very well." Huang Gubei was still filled with doubt and suspicion... But seeing that Chen Huai''an didnt seem intent on making a big scene, he wondered... Could it be that he finally understood how things worked? Honestly, he had wanted to suggest that Chen Huai''an send some gifts to headquarters a long time ago. The Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters was no longer the same as before. With Kunlun Immortal Palace and Great Thunderclap Monastery awakening, the Qi Absorption Techniquesomething the Bureau spent ten years decipheringhad become a joke. Now, the strongest Revived Ones dictated the rules. Among the first batch of candidates to take the Immortal Palace entrance exam, seventy percent came from noble families. This led to a complete reshuffling of the Demon Slayer Bureaus higher-ups overnight. Under anothers roof, one must learn to bow their head. To survive in the Demon Slayer Bureau... One had to play by the rules. ... Chen Huai''an was a reasonable man. Since headquarters wanted an artifact, then as a governor, naturally, he had to send one over. However, he had no intention of handing over his Sword Marrow. Sword Marrow? What was that? He was going to give them something much betterBone Porcelain Bodhisattvas Blood Porcelain Bottle. But before that... He needed Old Sus help to modify it a little. Only then would it be a truly grand gift... Chapter 198: Five Thousand Jin Chapter 198: Five Thousand Jin "Three days from now, the Zhongzhou Secret Realm will open. The ancestor has already given you words of encouragement before, so I won''t repeat them today... Its true that acquiring resources from the secret realm to benefit yourselves and the sect is your goal, but above all, you must ensure your own safety!" sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In front of the Sword Pavilions Sect Leaders Hall, a large group of disciples stood assembled. Su Qinian and the elders stood before them, their expressions solemn. Every year, the Zhongzhou Secret Realm marked a major reshuffling of sect rankings. Especially this timeonce every ten years, both the major and minor secret realms would open simultaneously. This meant that not only disciples below the Nascent Soul Stage would enter, but also elite cultivators above the Nascent Soul Stage, and even elders and sect leaders might personally take action. The secret realm contained countless ancient treasures and divine techniques. Any gains could significantly enhance the sects overall strength. However, if elite disciples or even sect elders perished inside, it would be a devastating loss. After all, while the secret realm was filled with valuable opportunities, it also harbored great dangers. Traps and formations were the least of their worries... The greatest threat was the ancient remnants. The Zhongzhou Secret Realm was once an ancient battlefield. Within it lay the ruins of thousands of sects, with an uncountable number of cultivators having perished in the war. Though many of their souls had dissipated over time, their physical bodies remained intact. Over thousands of years, lingering thoughts fused with the decaying will of the secret realm, reanimating their corpses into mindless monsters with only the instinct to killthese were the ancient remnants. Some even claimed to have encountered living ancient cultivators within the secret realm. However, due to the lack of solid evidence, such sightings were ultimately dismissed as mere encounters with ancient remnants. "In short, the Zhongzhou Secret Realm is extremely dangerous! Do not treat this like an ordinary sect mission! The moment you enter, follow the sects signals and regroup immediately! Under no circumstances should you act alone! The secret realm is completely isolated from the outside world... Neither I nor the elders can come to save you. You can only rely on yourselves and your fellow disciples. Understood?" "Yes, Sect Leader!" the disciples responded in unison. "Good. Tomorrow, we depart for Zhongzhou! Rest well tonight and conserve your strength!" In past years, the entire sect had been on edge before heading to Zhongzhou, tense as a drawn bowstring. But this year was different. Su Qinian and the disciples all wore confident smiles, eager to plunder the secret realm. All thanks to the ancestor, who had bestowed them with an abundance of resourcesenhancing not only their cultivation but also providing life-saving treasures and defensive artifacts. With such an ancestor, what more could they ask for? As the disciples flew back to Luoxia Peak on their swords, only Li Qingran remained behind, stepping forward to greet Su Qinian. "Ah, Qingran." Su Qinian stroked his beard with a squint-eyed smile. "Youre not heading back to Luoxia Peak... Does the ancestor have an order for me?" "Master would like some blood from the sects guardian beast," Li Qingran said respectfully, bowing gracefully. "If the guardian beast is not available, Master said your blood would also suffice." "...The guardian beasts blood?" Su Qinian paused, his hand halting mid-stroke of his beard. After a moments hesitation, he asked, "Did the ancestor mention what it''s for? If you cant say, its fine. Ill go fetch it right away... But how much blood does he need? Would five thousand jin be enough? Any more than that, and the guardian beast might just bleed to death..." "Ah, not that much!" Li Qingran waved her hands, laughing dryly. What a joke... Five thousand jin? That would be fatal for the poor beast! "Master said he encountered a monster similar to our guardian beast and wants to study the beasts blood to see if he can tame the creature." "I see... If they are similar, then theyre likely of the same lineage. Ancient beasts are stubborn... I remember how much trouble I had taming Dahu back then. But if the ancestor uses Dahus blood as bait, he might really have a chance at subduing that monster." Su Qinian nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with admiration for the ancestor. "Wait here. Ill be back shortly!" With that, the Pavilion Master leapt onto his sword and took off. Moments later, a miserable, inhuman wail echoed from the back mountain. After a while, Su Qinian returned on his sword, carrying a waist-high wooden tub filled with the guardian beasts blood. "Here, this should be about four to five hundred jin. The ancestor can use it as he pleases. If its not enough, just come find me for more... No need to be polite. After all, its not my blood, heh heh." Su Qinian set the tub down in front of Li Qingran. "Then I thank you on behalf of my master." "Bahaha, think nothing of it~" ... On the back mountain, the guardian beast Dahu howled at the moon, its eyes brimming with tears. On its backside, right in the fattiest part of its flesh, a sword was still embedded. Blood trickled from the wound in a steady stream. The injury itself wasnt too bad. But the humiliation... That hurt far more than the wound. Revenge should not wait overnight. Tomorrow, when the entire sect left for Zhongzhou, only the weird old man in the Scripture Pavilion and the violent woman in the ancestral hall would remain. By then, the back mountain would be completely unguarded. Dahu swore to make Su Qinian pay dearly! ... "Chen Huai''an, is this the artifact you used to kill the King-level Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva yesterday?" Demon Slayer Bureau Headquarters, conference hall. A porcelain bottlenow tainted with the guardian beasts bloodsat before Chen Huai''an. Opposite him, five elderly men sat in a row. These five were the current rulers of the Demon Slayer Bureaus headquarters. Four of them hailed from prestigious families. Only one was an original high-ranking officer of the Bureau. The rest of the Bureaus former leadership had either been dismissed or reassigned. The man who had spoken was the one seated in the centerWang Jingshan, patriarch of the Wang family. Before the rise of Kunlun Immortal Palace and Great Thunderclap Monastery, he had been one of the strongest General-rank cultivators in the Huaxia region. His title. He had mastered the Wang familys blade techniques. When the Spiritual Qi Revival had just begun, he was among the first to benefitcomprehending blade intent from his techniques and manifesting an energy mass in his mind shaped like a blade. Now, with the teachings of Kunlun Immortal Palace, this phenomenon had been given a formal explanation. It was called a Blade Spiritual Root. With it, Wang Jingshan had successfully challenged the Kunlun Immortal Palaces entrance steps, reaching the four-thousandth stepqualifying him for the Inner Sect, his future limitless. Once the Demon Slayer Bureau was fully under his familys control, he planned to leave and study true immortal arts in the palace. As for the Qi Absorption Technique he once desperately sought? What a joke. That trash was only for the stubborn fools still clinging to the Bureau. "Indeed," Chen Huai''an said with a beaming smile, pushing the Blood Porcelain Bottle forward. "This is the artifact that enabled me to defeat the enemy." "Youre sure? This bottle looks like it came from a kiln cave..." Wang Jingshan examined the porcelain bottle before passing it to the other four Demon Slayers. Undeniably, it was a fine artifact. The faint ripples of Spiritual Qi emanating from it confirmed that it was a spirit tool. However, no matter how he looked at it... it didnt seem like something that could unleash sword energy. If not for Lin Chen swearing an oath that Chen Huai''an had landed the killing blow, he would have assumed Wang Shouyi had been the one responsible. After all, Chen Huai''an had always relied on Thunder Talismans to fightnever had he displayed any sword techniques. "Of course Im sure," Chen Huai''an said with utmost sincerity, looking the five elders in the eye. "This Blood Porcelain Bottle countered the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. The Blood Porcelain Maiden within it had a deep hatred for the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva. Youve likely already reviewed the historical records of Jinde Towns kiln caves. You should know exactly why." "So... the real killer was the Blood Porcelain Maiden?" "Precisely." "Then how do we awaken her?" "Just add blood." ... Chapter 199: Kill Without Mercy Chapter 199: Kill Without Mercy Chen Huai''an walked out of the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters and let out a long breath as he gazed at the sky. In the end, those five old men only gave him fifty million as a bounty and officially recognized his title as the Governor of C-Province''s Demon Slayer Bureau. Killing a King-level evil spirit... and all he got was a sum that might as well have been thrown at a stray dog on the roadside. "Bearded Uncle... The Demon Slayer Bureau you dedicated your life to has turned into this disgrace. Even if you were alive, you wouldnt want to see this." He sneered, his gaze fixed on the dying ember of the sunset at the horizon. "Since thats the case... lets just erase them. Worst case, Ill protect your world in your place." "Governor Chen! Over here!" Huang Gubei waved from beside a car. Chen Huai''an cast one last glance at the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters before heading toward the black business vehicle. The Blood Porcelain Maiden had once harbored an unrelenting hatred for the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva, yet she had been powerless to resist, reduced to nothing but a vengeful spirit. After killing the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva, the Blood Porcelain Bottleinfused with the bodhisattva''s ashesnurtured the Blood Porcelain Maiden anew. Of course, she wasnt exactly a benevolent entity. But she was obedient. And she only listened to him. Blood... was like water mixed into cementit determined the strength of the Blood Porcelain Maiden. He had already dripped the guardian beasts blood into the bottle, and the Blood Porcelain Maiden was now undergoing her final stage of rebirth. By midnight tonight, she would be fully formed. A Ghost Core-level evil spirit... By calculation, she might even surpass the Bone Porcelain Bodhisattva in power. What ranking would she be given? Top-tier King-level? Or perhaps... Emperor-level? "Governor Chen, what are you thinking about?" From the drivers seat, Huang Gubei glanced at the rearview mirror. Chen Huai''ans deep, serene eyes seemed to hide an abyss. The only time Huang Gubei felt even slightly at ease was when Chen Huai''an was speakingotherwise, he always had the nagging fear that the next second, this man might transform into a monster. "I''m thinking... When people get old, they should move their bodies more." "Uh... You''re right... But what if they can''t move anymore?" "Then they should just hurry up and die." ... "Son, Ive got good news for you! You know that King-level entity in Jinde Town? It''s been killed! And I even got my hands on the spirit artifact that was used to slay it!" Wang Jingshan beamed as he ended his call. His son, Wang Lingchuanan undisputed prodigy. At just twenty-one, he had climbed all six thousand steps of the Heavenly Palace and been accepted as a personal disciple. But being a personal disciple didnt mean he had already secured the palaces full favor. A decade ago, Kunlun Immortal Palace had secretly recruited a group of geniuses, allowing them to cultivate within the palace for ten years. These disciples had already reached terrifying levels of powerWang Shouyi was among them. Though his son was talented and strong, he had been training for ten fewer years. He was nowhere near those core disciples level. However, with some high-grade spirit artifacts... the situation could change. Like this Blood Porcelain Bottle. His ambitions were grand. As the worlds Spiritual Qi revival deepened, the earth would inevitably become a land teeming with divine treasures. And he... would turn it into his personal garden. All resources would flow into the Wang family''s coffers, with other aristocratic clans only able to scavenge the scraps. Backed by Kunlun Immortal Palace and an endless supply of resources, the Wang family would one day reign supreme as the foremost immortal clan. Was there anything more exhilarating? "I still have some time before I enter the palace... I should test the Blood Porcelain Bottle first." Wang Jingshan wasnt worried about being tricked by Chen Huai''an. At worst, the bottle simply wouldnt be as powerful as claimed. As for whether it could harm him? The thought never even crossed his mind. After all, he was stationed at the Demon Slayer Bureaujustice incarnate. Without his guidance, would the Bureau have such an efficient demon-slaying system? Chen Huai''an daring to betray him would mean making an enemy of the entire world! Besides, he himself was an Elite Soldier-Class powerhousenot so easily killed. Wang Jingshan bit his fingertip and let a drop of blood fall into the porcelain bottle. Spirit artifacts like this were easy to usewhoever fed it blood would gain its loyalty. No way in hell would it devour its own master. The drop of blood sank into the porcelain bottle. But the expected reaction never came. Instead, the bottle trembled violently with a chilling sound. A crimson mist spewed forth. Wang Jingshans expression twisted as he instinctively staggered back two steps. In the reflection of the full-length mirror across the room, he saw a woman in blood-red garments standing behind him. She had appeared silently. Her features were eerily delicate, her complexion pale yet glazed with an unnatural luster. Her lips were tightly pressed together, marked only by a tiny dot of rouge at the center. Her eyes were pitch blackno whites, no pupilsjust an abyss of pure, murderous intent. The moment he sensed the killing intent, Wang Jingshans instincts screamed danger. He didn''t hesitate. In a single step, he drew his blade from its scabbard and slashed behind him. Azure blade energy surged forth. This strike, executed in the face of life and death, was utterly ferocious. The sheer force of the attack gouged deep scars into the alloy wall... Yet it cut through nothing. A foul wind swept from behind him. Wang Jingshans scalp went numb. His pupils shrank. "Sh*t!" As he turned, an arm formed from shattered porcelain shards extended from the bottle... Its razor-sharp claws pierced straight through his chest. The force was terrifyingeffortlessly lifting his 180-pound body into the air. Blood splattered onto the office floor. Wang Jingshans eyes widened in agony as he stared at the crimson claws protruding from his chest. Beside his ear, the Blood Porcelain Maidens chilling breath lingered. "" "He... He dares... He actually dares...!" The Blood Porcelain Maiden didnt respond. She simply withdrew her claws and flung Wang Jingshan to the ground like discarded trash. As his pupils gradually lost focus, she bent down and removed the jade token from his waist. Her abyssal gaze grew even redder. "Kill... Kill... Kill... Master''s command is... Kill without mercy!" Within the Demon Slayer Bureau, everyone with a jade token on their waist was now marked for death. As for those outside... or the ones lucky enough to escape? They were outside her orders. But against a Ghost Core-level entity... How many could actually escape? The piercing shriek of alarms echoed through the headquarters. Amid the flashing red warning lights, she strode forward, her fingers curling into a blood-forged blade half a meter long. With a casual swing, the Demon Slayer Bureaus once-proud metal security walls were sliced apart like paper. ... Chen Huai''an had returned to Containment Facility No. 0. Though he had an office as Governor, he still preferred staying in the facilityit was far more comfortable. There, he had a backflipping cat, a two-legged fish, a runaway spirit orchid, a strawberry bear, and a sniper rifle in the shape of a lobster. What could be better than this? He opened . Li Qingran was cultivating. She was draped in a thin, sheer robe, her long, pale legs exposed in the moonlight. "This girl was just at late-stage Foundation Establishment... Now shes already breaking through to peak Foundation Establishment?" Glancing at her status, Chen Huai''an was astonished. What the hell was this cultivation speed?! Why did he have to struggle just to advance a single layer in Qi Refinement?! "It must be the lack of Spiritual Qi." He narrowed his eyes in deep thought. Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To solve his slow cultivation problem, he needed motivation. His gaze drifted toward Li Qingrans exquisite, pale feet... Wouldnt it be a waste to leave them bare? He picked up the phone. "Governor Chen, do you need something?" Zhao Yings voice came through. "Little Zhao, I dont know much about womens fashion." Chen Huai''ans voice was stern, utterly righteous. "Go buy me the finest white and black silk stockings. 100 pairs of each. Top quality only." ... Chapter 200: A Genius Like No Other Chapter 200: A Genius Like No Other "Why do you need women''s stockings?" Zhao Ying blinked in confusion. Next to her, Xiang Xiaoyuan perked up her ears, eyes wide with curiosity. "Ahem, why ask so many questions? Fine, Ill tell you. I need them for comprehending the Dao! You wouldnt understand the details, just get them for me." The call ended. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan exchanged glances. "What the hell? Comprehending the Dao with stockings?" "Never heard of that before." Xiang Xiaoyuan shook her head. "But since the Governor needs them, well just buy them. The world is vast and full of strange things. Havent we seen all sorts of Revived Ones? Compared to some of them, using stockings for enlightenment is nothing." "Good point." Zhao Ying shivered slightly, suddenly remembering a Revived One they had dealt with last year. That person called himself Super Poop Man. She had no desire to recall what his actual ability was. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian was waiting for his cultivation resources when two visitors arrived outside Containment Chamber 0. He recognized them bothElder Li and Lin Lingling, who had just been discharged after her recovery. Lin Linglings eyes were red, as if she had only just learned about Luo Haishengs death. Elder Lis expression remained mostly unchanged. As a seasoned Demon Slayer, he had long grown accustomed to life and death. However, when Chen Huaian looked into his eyes, he could see a deeply buried sorrow. "Long time no see, Elder Li and Triple Egg." "Bearded Uncle is dead." Lin Lingling sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Governor Chen, Zhao Ying has already informed us about what happened. Thank you for slaying the Corpse King, Di Jiang. If not for you, C-Province would have been doomed." Elder Li patted Lin Linglings head and forced a small smile. "As Demon Slayers, sacrifice is inevitable. Dont cry, girl This was Old Luos choice, and it was what he would have wanted." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian didnt know what to say. One was Luo Haishengs comrade-in-arms. The other was a junior he had valued deeply. Compared to Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan, these two had a much deeper connection to Luo Haisheng. His emotions right now were probably similar to someone who had received a life-saving organ donationgrateful yet burdened with guilt. "Whats the current state of the Demon Slayer Bureau in Tianfu District? Any new recruits?" "Yes, more than before. I was originally the Deputy Director of the Tianfu District Bureau, but now Ive taken over as Director. Dont worry, Old Luo was lazy and dumped most of the management on me anyway." He pushed Lin Lingling a few steps closer to Chen Huaian and sighed. "Itd be a waste for this girl to stay under my wing, so I shamelessly brought her to you." Chen Huaian smiled bitterly and rubbed his nose. "Elder Li, you dont have to be so formal with me. Just call me like you used to. I only became Governor because I was forced into it. Honestly, I had zero interest in the position. If not forAhem, never mind." He nearly exposed his greedy nature. He quickly changed the subject. "So, about Lin Lingling?" Before he could finish, Chen Huaian noticed something unusual. Lin Lingling was radiating a sharp, unstoppable aura. It was completely natural, flowing from within hersomething she had never possessed before. "She might have awakened a Spiritual Root." Elder Li glanced at Lin Lingling, who was staring down at her toes. "The concept of Spiritual Roots comes from Kunlun Immortal Palace. Its said that people with Spiritual Roots resonate with specific elements. "For example, someone with a Fire Spiritual Root can control fire and remain unharmed even in an inferno. "This girl can resonate with guns. I also heard that General-rank Wang Jingshan from the Wang family resonates with blades, confirming he has a Blade Spiritual Root. So, I figured Lin Lingling might be the same." "Is that so?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. This wasnt a simple matter. If Lin Lingling really had a Gun Spiritual Root, she was definitely worth nurturing. Without hesitation, he reached out and yanked the Shrimp Salary Kingwho had been hammered into the alloy wall by the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchidout and tossed it at Lin Linglings feet. "Try resonating with this gun." Dragon Sniper: "???" Lin Lingling: "" "Governor Chen, thats not the kind of gun she resonates with." Elder Li coughed. "Oh!" Chen Huaian quickly reacted and extended a hand toward Lin Lingling. "Here, give me your hand. Ill check your potential. Stay stillif you resist, Ill suplex you on the spot." Since there was no long gun nearby, he decided to directly inspect her inner state. As a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, he couldnt freely scan others. He needed Triple Eggs cooperation. Lin Lingling hesitated, then placed her hand in his palm. The glass door beside them reflected the redness creeping up her ears. "Dont resist! Im going in." Chen Huaians divine sense entered Lin Linglings body. Deep in her Spiritual Sea, he immediately saw an oversized, extravagantly designed long gun wrapped in fire serpents, exuding immense power. The fire serpents on the gun reacted aggressively to his divine sense, preparing to attack. To avoid harming Lin Lingling, Chen Huaian didnt provoke them and swiftly withdrew. "Governor Chen, how is it?" Elder Li rubbed his hands in anticipation. Lin Lingling also stared at him, holding her breath. The air around them seemed to fall silent. "Well it''s not bad." Chen Huaians eye twitched. Internally, he was burning with jealousy. Outwardly, he maintained an indifferent, unimpressed demeanor. Damn it. Why?! How?! That old Wang geezer having a Blade Spiritual Root was one thing. But Lin Lingling, that silly little fool, was even more outrageous A pure Gun Spiritual Root combined with a pure Fire Spiritual Root. Even in the Cangyun Realm, shed be considered a peerless prodigy! Weapon Spiritual Roots were already rare. Combined with a single-element Spiritual Root, the two could perfectly complement each other. Despite his frustration, Chen Huaian still reported truthfully, "Lin Lingling has a pure Gun Spiritual Root and a pure Fire Spiritual Root. Among ordinary people, shes a rare genius though compared to me, shes still a little lacking." "I actually have a Spiritual Root? Sweet! Awesome!!" Lin Lingling pointed at herself, mouth forming an "O" shape. "Yes, you do." Chen Huaian forced a tired smile. "Then what about you?" Lin Lingling looked at him eagerly. Since he claimed she was still lacking, his Spiritual Root had to be even stronger, right? She really wanted to know~ "Me?" Chen Huaian fell silent for a moment. Then, he took a deep breath, placed his hands on his hips, and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! I possess the ultimate Spiritual Rootsgold, wood, water, fire, earth, lightning, ice, wind, poison, sun! Swords, spears, axes, staves, bows, whips, hammers, fists, palms I am a one-in-ten-million Full Spiritual Root wielder!" Under Lin Lingling and Elder Lis shocked and admiring gazes, Chen Huaians ears turned slightly red. He waved his hand lightly, turned around, and left them with a profound and mysterious back view. His voice echoed through the room, deliberately lowered: "Ahem, keep this a secret! A genius like me might attract the attention of evil cultivators!" Chapter 201: Governor, What Dao Are You Comprehending? Chapter 201: Governor, What Dao Are You Comprehending? "Governor Chen, dont worry! Ill keep your secret safe!" Elder Li saluted with a straight face, while Lin Lingling nodded vigorously, her expression serious. "Governor Chen, you can rest assured a million times over! I swear I wont tell anyone, even if someone holds a gun to my head!" "Good, good. Youre both trustworthy comrades." Chen Huaian nodded in satisfaction. "Lin Lingling, see how humble Governor Chen is? You should learn from him!" Before today, Lin Lingling had always seen Chen Huaian as just a powerful Revived One, a big shot. But now He had summoned divine lightning to kill the Corpse King, Di Jiang, saving the entire C-Province from disaster. Even the Bearded Uncle she respected so much had sacrificed his life to protect him. Suddenly, she understood why Bearded Uncle had made that choice. She was still grieving his death, but she felt no resentment toward Chen Huaian anymore. At this moment, in her heart, Chen Huaian was just as great as Bearded Uncle. This was what a hero looked like! His back was so broad. His eyes were so bright. He "Governor, your stockings have arrived!" Zhao Ying pushed open the back door and walked in, followed by several Demon Slayers carrying large bags. "We got white stockings, white garter stockings, black stockings, black garter stockings, cross-bandage, black-and-white butterfly, rose lace, cow print socks, black-and-white fishnets, rhinestone fishnets, spotted black silk, black-and-white floral vines Over a thousand pairs, all in the sizes you requested. Some were out of stock, so we couldnt get the full hundred pairs for those." Zhao Ying set the bags down and looked up. She froze when she saw Lin Lingling and Elder Li standing there. Then, she turned to Chen Huaian He had his back to everyone, hands clasped behind him, standing in complete silence. Oh no. Zhao Ying suddenly had the feeling she had messed up. Chen Huaian didnt speak. She didnt dare move. She didnt move. The Demon Slayers behind her didnt dare move either. Then One of the bags split open, spilling black-and-white packages all over the floor. "Ahem, these handkerchiefs are quite stylish. Very trendy." Elder Li commented with a straight face. Lin Lingling, however, had no such tact. She blurted out directly, "Governor, whyd you buy so many? Are you going to wear them yourself? Its okay, you dont have to be embarrassed. If you have any conditions, just tell us. We understand!" In the shadows, Chen Huaians fingers twitched. Behind Zhao Ying, Xiang Xiaoyuans eyebrow twitched as well. She immediately stepped forward with a forced laugh. Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haha, these are actually for Ying-jie and me! But the office is too full, so were just storing them here for now! Ahahaha Ahahahahaha" "Oh, I see! That makes sense!" Elder Li elbowed Lin Lingling. "Our Governor is such a generous man, dont you think, Lin girl?" But Lin Lingling still didnt get it. She scratched her head and said, "But dont we have storage space in the Spatial Warehouse? Even if you bought a ton, it wouldnt be full, right?" "Uh" Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan were speechless. One was furiously rubbing the hem of her clothes, while the others face turned beet red, sweating profusely. "Enough! Stop covering upits disgraceful!" Chen Huaian suddenly turned around, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone. "These are mine. I ordered them. And I need them to comprehend the Dao! Unlike you all, with your dirty minds! "You see nothing but indulgence in these items! But what do I see? I see history! I see cultural heritage! I see the wisdom of the working people! I see aesthetics!" He spoke with righteousness, hands slipping in and out of his pockets. "Oh! I get it now! Then, Governor, what Dao are you comprehending?" Silence filled the room. "Ahem, Triple Egg, youre now a member of the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau." Chen Huaian ignored her question and pointed outside with a serious face. "As Governor, I order you to go to the training field and run fifty laps. Thats part of your training for today." "Uh will you tell me what Dao youre comprehending after I finish running?" "Just runNOW!" Lin Lingling went off to run laps. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan delivered the goods and promptly left. Elder Li found an excuse to slip away as well. Only Chen Huaian remained in the containment chamber. A cold, oppressive atmosphere spread through the room. Baji curled up in a corner, silent as a grave. Little Qing hid in the bathtub, pretending to be a normal fish. The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid stayed still for once. Strawberry Bear lay stiffly on the ground, pretending to be dead alongside the Shrimp Salary King still embedded in the alloy wall. "No matter. "These misunderstandings are nothing to me. "As long as my power keeps growing, these misunderstandings will eventually turn into understanding!" Ever since he started cultivating the Heavenly Demon Technique, he had become more irritable. Just now, he had actually felt the urge to blow up the entire C-Province containment facility. To calm himself down, he opened the Virtual Girlfriend game. Li Qingran was his safe harbor. Just looking at her soothed his mind. [Your remaining lifespan: 93 years] [Today''s fortune: Minor MisfortuneAuspicious for marriage, inauspicious for shopping and visiting others.] Chen Huaians eye twitched. Damn, this thing was accurate! Seeing that Li Qingran was still cultivating, he casually recharged 88 yuan to set up a noise-isolating formation. Then, he carried the cultivation resources Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan had brought into Li Qingrans small room. Unlike many modern girls, Li Qingrans room was frighteningly clean and minimalist. There were no dopamine-style decorations, just black, white, and gray tones. The only spots of color were her bedding and the clothes she woreall of which were gifts from him. He vaguely remembered that in the past, even her own clothes were mostly plain-colored. Looking around, Chen Huaian felt a pang of sorrow. Such a beautiful and well-behaved girl didnt even have a second hairpin, let alone other accessories. Even Yue Qianchi, who was carefree and sloppy, would wear different jewelry depending on her mood and the weather. Was it that Li Qingran didnt like dressing up? Impossible. It had to be because life at Qingyun Sect had been too harsh. Her spirit stones were taken by her senior brothers. She was always under intense pressure, constantly in survival mode, with no time to even think about things like dressing up. Over time, it simply became a habit. On the windowsill, a few stalks of purple irises swayed in the moonlight, their delicate fragrance lingering in the air. Her shadow stretched across the floor, merging with the faint silver glow. Outside, the grass rustled softly with the chirping of insects, like fine sand slipping through fingers. For the first time in a long while, there was no worry in her peaceful expressiononly quiet confidence and anticipation. Chen Huaian looked at Li Qingran and silently made a vow. "Just wait I will make you the most beautiful and happiest Sword Immortal in the Cangyun Realm!" Chapter 202: How Does It Compare to the Mermaid Demon? Chapter 202: How Does It Compare to the Mermaid Demon? Silver light streamed through the crimson window lattice, scattering like fine sand, illuminating the girls jade-white toes inside the canopy bed. Li Qingran held the weightless fabric between her fingers, sinking into its cloud-like softness. "So this is what Master called ''white silk''? Its said to be woven thread by thread from the silk of the extremely rare Ten-Thousand-Year Listening Winter Silkworm from the Western Region" Curious, she brushed the thin stocking against her cheek. The cool, silky texture sent a shiver down her spine, making her ears flush with a soft crimson hue. Master had briefly explained how to wear it. Yet it still felt a bit strange. Li Qingran gently pulled the fastening strap at the top of her thigh, tightening the remaining fabric around her toes. The fit instantly became smoother. A light tapping sound came from behind the screen. [Does it fit?] The clear, cold voice carried a hint of amusement. Li Qingran quickly pressed her legs together, her pale skirt trailing down, revealing glimpses of fair skin beneathlike early snowfall lightly dusted with peach blossoms. "It it feels like it might slip off" She clutched the hem of her skirt, peeking out half her face. The bell on her wrist chimed softly with her movements. Suddenly, she felt a gentle tug on her ankle. A bamboo-ribbed folding fan lifted the gauzy curtain, its tassel brushing against her tensed foot. A faint scent of sandalwood drifted toward her as her master leaned in. [You need to fasten it like this.] The fan bone traced along her calf through the stocking. Li Qingran curled her toes in embarrassment, the sheer fabric imprinting faint pink lines against her skin. "Master you''re too close" In the polished bronze mirror, their reflections nearly overlapped. Li Qingran turned her face away, her breath quivering. She instinctively shrank into herself, her reddened eyes more vibrant than the vermillion cinnabar on the table. "And and this outfit doesnt seem very proper" Her voice was barely above a whisper, the incense curling around her loose hair, veiling even the watery shimmer in her eyes. Chen Huaian straightened up, snapped the folding fan shut in his hand, and put on a serious expression. "Proper or not, this is called !" "Besides, its not like your whole skirt is see-through. At most, it just shows your calves up to your knees Do you realize what a great item this is? It keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Right now, when the night is chilly, doesnt it feel much warmer?" His sudden shift in demeanor left Li Qingran stunned for a few seconds. She pressed her lips together. She was about to say that at Foundation Establishment Peak, she was no longer affected by heat or cold. But before the words left her mouth, she swallowed them back down. She simply lowered her head and obediently followed her masters lead. "Master is right. It truly is warm As expected of the Ten-Thousand-Year Listening Winter Silkworm." She knew her master liked hearing things like this. So she said it, just for him. "Good. Then you must wear them every day." Chen Huaian nodded in satisfaction. In three hours, the Zhongzhou Secret Realm would open, and all the disciples of the Sword Pavilion would be heading there. Every sect had powerful figures stationed at the exit of the secret realm. With Sword Pavilions small numbers, Chen Huaian needed to be there personally to hold the ground and ensure nothing unexpected happened to Li Qingran when she returned from the realm. Now that he had plenty of money, he simply purchased a one-day Nascent Soul Perfection Experience Card to check out the Zhongzhou Secret Realm in advance. He could only project an avatarstill unable to touch Li Qingran directlybut the folding fan could. Once tonight was over, he planned to burn that fanout of jealousy. "Stand up. Let me see." Li Qingran obediently stood up. A sudden breeze lifted the gauze curtain in front of the bronze mirror. Startled, she quickly pressed down her fluttering skirt. The sheer white silk wrapped around her legs glowed like pearls under the moonlight. As she stepped back, her dainty feet disappeared into the shadowed folds of the canopy. "What are you hiding for?" The folding fan pressed gently against her trembling knee. "Turn around." Her bare feet grazed scattered violet petals as she slowly spun. The hem of her skirt flared slightly, revealing the soft curves of her legs beneath the tight silk. Li Qingran clutched her sleeves, not daring to lift her gaze. Stray strands of hair brushed against her collarbone. "Master how does it look? Do I look strange wearing this?" Chen Huaian casually wiped the tip of his nose. He glanced down, watching her toes trace a faint arc on the stone floor. Silently, he opened his games auto-translation function and inputted his thoughts: [Not bad. Even more lustrous than the jade lotus roots I once saw at Yaochi.] Li Qingran suddenly tilted her head. "Then, how do I compare to Masters long-legged mermaid demon?" " A mere fat-headed fish demon is nothing compared to my disciple!" "So Master admits the fish demon has beautiful legs?" "Thats not what I meant. I" "Hehe~" Li Qingran grinned, lifting her skirt slightly and spinning around in place. As her skirt swirled, Chen Huaian felt as if he had stumbled into a field of flowers, his brain drowning in osmanthus honey. "Master, should I wear this tomorrow?" "I thought you said it wasnt proper?" "Well, its not that bad. Female cultivators wearing long skirts always reveal a bit of leg when they walk. The silk stockings you gave me actually cover more!" She let her skirt fall and clasped her hands behind her back, standing directly in front of Chen Huaian. Her eyes lifted slightly, long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, carrying an emotion he couldnt quite describe. "Master do you think I look pretty in this?" "You do." "Does Master like seeing me wear this?" "Mm Its fine." "Does mean you like it or not?" "Uh L-Like." "Then Ill wear it!" The next morning. Sword Pavilion disciples gathered at the sects main square. Su Qinian glanced left and right, waiting for Chen Huaian and Li Qingran. Meanwhile, Chen Huaian was dealing with an in-game microtransaction dilemma. [Main Quest: Zhongzhou Secret Realm has opened. Please escort Li Qingran to the secret realm.] [Current survival rate: 99.999%] [Heavenly Divination Tip 1: Once Li Qingran enters the dungeon, the player cannot interfere.] [Heavenly Divination Tip 2: The Zhongzhou Secret Realm contains demonic cultivators and a few monster cultivators.] [Heavenly Divination Tip 3: Major upheavals will occur when the secret realm closes.] [Please choose your mode of transportation!] 1 Recharge 1888 for access to a large flying boat that can carry all Sword Pavilion disciples. 2 Recharge 9999 for access to the Lingxiao Sword Formation, a floating sword array capable of carrying all disciples. 3 Recharge 188888 for access to the Nine-Dragon Imperial Chariot, an opulent vehicle pulled by nine flood dragons. 4 Spend nothing and ride your raggedy flying sword with Li Qingran to the secret realm in utter poverty. "...HEY! What the hell?!" Chen Huaians face darkened at Option 4. He didnt like wasting money on vanity purchasesbut this game was straight-up insulting him for being broke! Could he let that slide?! Absolutely not! He slammed his selection on Option 3. Today, he was going to show every sect exactly what kind of prestige Sword Pavilion carried! "Qingran, get ready to leave!" Chen Huaian selected the Nine-Dragon Imperial Chariot. "ROOOOAAAR!" Nine thunderous dragon cries echoed across the sky. The clouds split apart, golden sunlight spilling through. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nine black flood dragons emerged from the horizon, pulling an enormous chariot as they broke through Sword Pavilions protective array, circling down toward Luoxia Peak. Before they even arrived, the fierce winds of their descent bent the grass and trees at the summit. "Master!" A soft voice called from a small house. Chen Huaian turned backand froze. Li Qingran stood at the doorway, half-dressed, one foot slipping into a shoe while the other, clad in white silk, delicately balanced on tiptoe. The golden bell on her ankle kissed the faint rouge stain on her skin. Feeling his gaze, she giggled and skipped toward him. For a moment, Chen Huaian forgot to breathe. His folding fan slipped from his grasp At that instant, he didn''t know whether to pick up the fan, or his wildly racing heart. Chapter 203: Zhongzhou Secret Realm Chapter 203: Zhongzhou Secret Realm "Junior Sister looks even more beautiful today!" "You dont say! No, really, you dont say! She was already stunning before, but today shes just..." "I get it! Its those special silk stockingshow should I put it..." As the two struggled to find the right words, a third voice drifted over, carrying a hint of intoxication and poetic elegance: "Soft clouds caress her ankles, lotus steps trail luminous mist. Jade-like beauty shames frost and snow, as springs warmth graces the canvas." The crowd turned their heads to see the newcomer, a man with a string of wine gourds hanging from his waist. He hadn''t even lifted his foot before his gait already swayed with drunken grace. Within seven steps, he recited again: "Silk wraps jade steps, mist rises in her wake. Moon essence solidifies, frost kisses her feet. Who dares claim the world lacks beauty? A wisp of cloud veils an exiled immortals face..." "Hahaha! Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" "Oh! Its Senior Brother Xu An! No wonder, no wonder!" "Senior Brother Xu An is composing poetry againquick, someone shut him up!" "Xu An, how dare you spout nonsense about our Junior Sister?" The icy voice of Duan Feng, the senior disciple of Ruthless Peak, rang out. "Not at all, not at all~" Xu An lifted his wine gourd, shaking his head with a hearty laugh. "Beauty flourishes for those who cherish it, and we are but mere spectators in this fleeting river of time. Since we are spectators, why shouldnt we admire?" "Tch, what the hell is he talking about?" Duan Feng felt a throbbing in his temples and took two steps back, distancing himself from Xu An. He was a swordsman, a brute meant for killing. Appreciating poetry and beauty? No thanks. He''d rather embrace the sword in his arms. "If Junior Sister adorns herself for a cherished one" The voice came from within azure robes embroidered with cloud patterns. The man carried a sword at his waist, his fingers lightly resting on its dragon-carved hilt. His appearance was unremarkable, his demeanor warm, but his piercing hawk-like eyes made him impossible to underestimate. "Then tell me, Xu An, who is it that has won her favor?" Xu An, knowing full well it was a trap, refused to take the bait. Instead, he smirked and replied sarcastically, "Senior Brother Zhen He, whoever you sought to appraise your Hidden Sword Marblesthats the one." Laughter erupted from the crowd. Everyone turned to look at the very front of the Nine Dragons Imperial Carriage. A man stood there, clad in black combat robes that accentuated his tall and lean frame. A powerful surge of sword energy radiated from him, slicing through drifting clouds. His long, silver hair billowed like a waterfall, and his hands rested behind his back. His straight, unwavering stance exuded a sword intent sharp enough to pierce the heavens. The ancestor of the Sword PavilionChen Huaian. The disciples of the Sword Pavilion were already familiar with this scene. It wasn''t that no one in the sect had ever harbored thoughts about their lovely Junior Sister. But one glance at Li Qingrans gaze toward the ancestor said it allfalling petals yearning for a stream, yet the waters flowed toward the boundless sea. All they could do was silently offer their blessings and focus on their training. "What are you all yapping about? Were almost at the secret realm! Get your act together!" Su Qinian strode over, his face dark, and promptly kicked each of the personal disciples from various peaks. The disciples of the Sword Pavilion instantly ceased their chatter and found their respective positions in silence. Only Yue Qianchi, the senior sister, remained unbothered by Su Qinian. She didnt care for rules, and she had the privilege of using her close relationship with Li Qingran as an excuse. Seated in a private chamber at the front of the carriage, she continued discussing fashion with Li Qingran. She had also taken a liking to silk stockings. But she preferred black ones. The Zhongzhou Secret Realm Amid a vast expanse of a hundred thousand mountains, two colossal bronze gates towered in the sky. Around them, floating peaks housed ancient sect-built Dao Inquiry Platforms. At noon, the sea of clouds suddenly churned like boiling water. Twelve floating peaks trembled in unison as golden-blue stones peeled from their surfaces, scattering like a shower of golden dust. A faint glow emanated from the twin bronze gates, and within them, a swirling mist began to take form. The ancient runes engraved on the doors shifted like swimming fish. At the archway of the secret realm, a nine-headed black serpent sculpture coiled ominously. Spiritual Qi seeped from the cracks in its scales, converging in the sky to form a hundred-mile-wide tidal vortex. "The secret realms gates are about to open!" "This time, the Zhongzhou Secret Realm is undergoing a grand opening of both major and minor realms. The spectacle is indeed astonishing!" "Of course! Eighteen sects are participating, and thats not even counting the rogue cultivators. There are some real powerhouses among them... Competition is going to be fierce this time." From afar, rogue cultivators watched as the sects flying boats landed on the floating peaks, taking their designated positions. The Qingyun Sects flying boat was the largestrumor had it that the Qingyun Patriarch had severed a piece of the twilight clouds and refined it into the vessel. From a distance, it truly looked like a cloud descending from the heavens. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lingxi Valleys Hundred Blossom Spirit Boat, surrounded by bluebirds and butterflies, left a fragrant trail wherever it passed, making it highly recognizable. The Pill Sect, as always, arrived in an old-fashioned alchemy cauldron boat. That thing was so ancient that moss had started growing on it! The Spirit Beast Sect, ever unpredictable, was riding a white-scaled giant python this year. A stark contrast from last year, when they came with a massive flame-boar, whose lava-covered mane cracked the ground with every step. "Wait, isnt that the Sword Pavilions Dao Inquiry Platform? Why are people from the Shaoyang Sect up there?" A cultivator pointed toward the smallest floating peak in shock. "Shaoyang Sect has been making waves these past two years. Theyve got a genius who reached the Golden Core Stage before turning thirty, and their sect leader, Zhang Tinghai, has achieved Nascent Soul Perfection... If he finds an opportunity in this major secret realm, he might even break through to the Fusion Realm!" "Come to think of it, the Sword Pavilion usually arrives first every year. After all, their flying swords are the fastest, and they always secure a prime position. But why havent they shown up yet?" "Tch, theyve fallen from grace~" "Fallen? But I heard the Sword Pavilion was the first to uncover demonic cultivators hidden within sects and even led a coalition to slay a powerful devil..." "Thats just hearsay. Did you see it with your own eyes?" On the Qingyun Sects Dao Inquiry Platform Lu Changtian gazed at the floating peak beside him. The Sword Pavilion had occupied that peak in previous years, yet today, the Shaoyang Sect had claimed it. It was clearSword Pavilions strength had truly waned. "Li Qingran, Li Qingran... Look at this. This is the choice you made." "I told youleaving the Qingyun Sect for the Sword Pavilion... youll regret it one day." Thinking of the Sword Pavilion disciples and their pitiful state, he could already picture Li Qingrans miserable expression. But he was different. Thanks to Junior Sister Mu Baishuang, he had found the perfect body-tempering technique. Although his cultivation level hadnt fully recovered, his combat strength was as formidable as ever. This technique only required resources to progress rapidly. Once his realm caught up, those so-called geniuses would be nothing in his eyes. The secret realm held countless treasuresthis was his golden opportunity. He instinctively turned to exchange a glance with Mu Baishuang. Lately, she had been in a foul mood, even refusing to join the secret realm expedition. She seemed utterly distracted. As her senior brother, it was his duty to check on her. However, when he turned She was gone. That girl... Where did she run off to? Before he could think further "ROOOAAARRR!" A chorus of dragon roars echoed from the horizon. Lu Changtians head snapped back. At the far edge of the sky, the clouds surged violently. From within, massive dragon claws emergedripping nine deep scars into the heavens. ... Chapter 204: Just Cut It Down Chapter 204: Just Cut It Down "Whats going on with the Shaoyang Sect? They took over the Sword Pavilions Dao Inquiry Platform. Qingxuan, go tell them to get lost." Sitting inside a cloud-draped pavilion, the Qingyun Patriarchs voice carried an undeniable authority. Unlike her usual hoarse, elderly rasp, today she sounded like a mature woman still brimming with charm. "Motheruh, I mean, Patriarch... Its just a platform. Let them have it. Our sect doesnt even get along with the Sword Pavilion, so why should we step in for them?" Daoist Qingxuan looked bewildered as he cupped his hands. "Besides, the Shaoyang Sects leader is already at Nascent Soul Perfection at such a young age. Wouldnt it be better to pull them to our side?" "Are you going, or not?" A wave of pressure radiated from within the pavilion. Daoist Qingxuans expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to carry out the Qingyun Patriarchs command, a sudden force surged from the distant horizon. The sky darkened abruptly. The crowd looked up, only to see a colossal war chariot blotting out the sun. It was so massive that it dwarfed even the floating peaks where the Dao Inquiry Platforms stood. Nine adult flood dragons were shackled to its front, their chains rattling in midair with every movement. "Wh-Which sects flying vessel is that?!" "Look at that flag... Holy sh*t, thats the Sword Pavilion?!" "Wasnt the Sword Pavilion supposed to be poor? Where the hell did they get a flying fortress that biglet alone nine flood dragons to pull it? Arent the demon clans furious?!" The entire crowd gawked at the imposing Nine Dragons Imperial Carriage. Slowly, the massive vessel came to a stop between the floating peaks of the Qingyun and Shaoyang Sects. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Nine enormous bronze pillars fell from the chariot, embedding themselves deep into the mountain below. The nine flood dragons coiled around them, locking the floating fortress firmly in place. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the dust settled, the secret realm entrance fell into a brief but complete silence. Every cultivator was left dumbfounded. "Who was it again? The one who said the Sword Pavilion was broke?" "I-I dont know..." On the Nine Dragons Imperial Carriage Chen Huaian glanced around and asked, "Sect Master Su, didnt you say our Sword Pavilion, as a grand sect, had its own exclusive floating platform? Where is it?" Su Qinians face stiffened. He forced a smile, then hesitantly pointed toward a peak draped in Shaoyang Sect banners. "That one, over there. Thats our floating platform..." "You sure?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes at the peak. "Absolutely." "Then why are there people on it?" "Patriarch, they took over our platform," Yue Qianchi blurted out, clinging to Li Qingrans arm as if eager to stir up more trouble. "Theyre bullying the Sword Pavilion!" "Interesting." Chen Huaian let out a cold chuckle. "Disciple, hand me the sword." Li Qingran immediately offered the Blackscale Sword with both hands before obediently stepping back to stand with Yue Qianchi. Su Qinian hesitated. Seeing Chen Huaians darkened expression, he stammered, "Patriarch, youre not going to" "This platform is too small for the Sword Pavilion. Lets just cut it down." Chen Huaian gave a slight flick of his wrist. The Blackscale Sword unsheathed three inches, its blade humming violently. The sheer intensity of its sword intent caused the surrounding floating peaks to sink slightly. SCHIING! A formless sword aura erupted, Like a celestial brushstroke slashing across the sky. Clouds rolled aside in terror. The twilight itself was torn into a cascade of fiery embers. When the sword aura struck the floating peak There was no deafening explosion. No tremor. Only a thin beam of light pierced through the mountains core. Then, without warning, the entire peak split cleanly in two. Its natural formations collapsed instantly. The divided halves drifted apart before plummeting toward the mountain range below. "WHO DARES?!" Amid the crumbling ruins, Shaoyang Sect disciples scrambled for safety. A furious roar echoed from the chaos. A middle-aged cultivator shot forward, flames of spiritual energy bursting from his body. His headpiece had been sliced clean off, leaving his hair disheveled and unkempta truly pathetic sight. "I did." Chen Huaian gazed indifferently at the Shaoyang Sect Master, his thumb resting against the swords hilt. "This floating peak belongs to the Sword Pavilion. If I wish to cut down my own platform, what of it? My last strike spared your disciples, but if I draw my sword again, I cant make any promises." "You!" Shaoyang Sect Master Zhang Tinghai knew he was in the wrong, but his pride burned. However, seeing that Chen Huaian was also at Nascent Soul Perfection, he found some confidence. "Your sect didnt show up for half a day, so we occupied the platform for the time being. Whats the big deal? If you wanted it back, you couldve just asked. Why go straight for destruction?!" "Stealing our platform and then justifying it?! Shameless! Patriarch, cut him down!" Yue Qianchi fanned the flames from behind. "You insolent bratsilence!" Zhang Tinghai unleashed a mighty technique, summoning a massive crimson palm that burned with radiant fire, aiming directly for Yue Qianchi. He wasnt trying to kill herjust to injure her enough to even the scales. That way, they could both back down. After all, in recent years, the Sword Pavilion had remained low-key, avoiding disputes with other sects. Their only major show of force had been during the Ascension Tournament, and even then, the true events were only known to Lingxi Valley. Some sects blamed Qingyun Sect for it instead, keeping their grievances buried. During the recent demon purge, he had been in seclusion, unaware of the full situation. As far as Zhang Tinghai was concerned, the Sword Pavilion had fallen from power. And now, with his newfound strength at Nascent Soul Perfection, he was feeling untouchable. But he had made two critical miscalculations: One, the Sword Pavilion was fiercely protective of its own. Two, he had grossly underestimated Chen Huaian. The moment he struck, Su Qinian and the elders of the Sword Pavilion instinctively reached for their sword hilts. But Chen Huaian was faster. A flash of cold light cleaved through the twilight. Where he had stood, only an afterimage remained. Seven consecutive echoes rippled through the aireach a ghostly sword strike. Slash, thrust, cleave, cuteach blade left behind a shimmering afterimage of mist. When Chen Huaian reappeared, the residual sword aura had already formed into drifting strands of silk-like energy. The fiery palm was annihilated instantly. The sword aura continued, cutting into Zhang Tinghais right shoulder, severing his Tianzong and Jianjing meridian points. His energy defenses shattered in an instant. Sssht! A mist of blood sprayed into the air. Before his severed arm could even hit the ground, it was shredded into minced flesh. Zhang Tinghai was left frozen, still in the motion of his attack. "AHH!" Staggering backward, he clutched his empty shoulder, his face twisting in agony. He stared at Chen Huaian in disbelief. "You... you never even unsheathed your sword" His words died in his throat. Chen Huaian merely ran his fingers along the frost-edged blade, still resting in its scabbard. The slash that had severed Zhang Tinghais arm... Was nothing more than sword aura leaking from the attack. As the twilight bathed the battlefield, Only then did the onlookers notice A massive sword scar ran for a hundred meters across the valley below. Its edges were as smooth as a mirror. "If anyone from my Sword Pavilion speaks out of turn, its for us to discipline them." Chen Huaians icy gaze locked onto Zhang Tinghai. "That last strike was called ." "If you dont want to find out what happens when Blackscale leaves its sheath..." "I suggest you disappear." Chapter 204.5: My Mother Likes the Sword Pavilion Patriarch Chapter 204.5: My Mother Likes the Sword Pavilion Patriarch Chen Huaians two consecutive strikes didnt just terrify Zhang Tinghai. The surrounding sects that had gathered to watch the spectacle were also shaken. For those like Lingxi Valley, the Pill Sect, and the Zen Sectsects that had participated in the demon purgethey werent too surprised. They had already heard rumors of the Sword Pavilions newly returned ancestor, a man of unparalleled strength. As for his actual cultivation realm? That was still up for debate. Some claimed he was in the Fusion Realm, others said Fusion Perfection, and some even suspected the Void Refinement Stage. But one thing was certainno one in their right mind believed this Sword Pavilion Patriarch was weaker than the Fusion Realm. After all, he was merely an incarnation standing there. If he chose to show his full strength, that would depend entirely on his mood. "Patriarch, isnt the Sword Pavilion being a little too aggressive? The Shaoyang Sect is still a major sect, yet theyre given no face at allits just a Dao Inquiry Platform" Daoist Qingxuan trailed off mid-sentence. Because he saw his mother gazing at the Sword Pavilions war chariot. Through the layers of clouds, her longing gaze practically radiated from the pavilion. A bad feeling welled up in his heart. Thinking back to her recent odd behavior He arrived at a ridiculous conclusion. His mother had fallen for the Sword Pavilion Patriarch?! "Qingxuan, what did you just say?" Daoist Qingxuan swallowed hard, glancing at his mother before forcing out, "N-Nothing I was just saying that the Shaoyang Sect has no shame for stealing the Sword Pavilions platform." "Indeed." Rong Qingyun let out a cold snort. "From now on, our sect will not sell them any pills or magical tools. No disciples of Qingyun Sect are permitted to associate with the Shaoyang Sect. If I find anyone disobeying, they will be expelled!" Daoist Qingxuan: "" It was over. This all but confirmed it. His mother was smitten. He clenched his fists as he stared at Chen Huaians back, filled with resentment and helplessness. He had imagined countless reasons for his mothers sudden change in attitude toward the Sword Pavilionbut never in his wildest dreams had he considered that his own family had been stolen! Meanwhile, on the Qingyun Sects flying vessel Lu Changtians gaze locked onto the ethereal figure beside the Sword Pavilion Patriarch. He wasnt the only one watching. The disciples of Chixiao Peak were also staring. "Thats Junior Sister Qingran?" Lu Changtian murmured. She had changed. So much so that even he found her unfamiliar. It was as if a delicate ink painting had been cut from old parchmentonly to be suddenly filled with color. The girl who once stood at the end of the corridor, lowering her head to adjust her skirt Had now become a lively young doe, adorned with golden bells, stepping lightly through the spring breeze. He remembered how Li Qingran used to smileher gaze always carrying a hint of hesitance, like the reflection of moonlight trembling over thin ice in early spring. Serving tea to Daoist Qingxuan, she would force a polite smile. Being scolded by the elders, she would bow her head in helplessness. Even when seeking him out for sword guidance, she had been cautious, always carrying a touch of unease. But now? The girl standing beside the Sword Pavilion Patriarch smiled gently, her brows dusted with the glow of dusk. Even her eyelashes shimmered in the honeyed light. The hem of her pale moon-colored dress revealed lotus-embroidered shoes adorned with silver bells, chiming merrily with every step. The once pallid wrist that had always been hidden beneath faded sleeves Now bore delicate golden-threaded bangles, shimmering as she wiped down the Blackscale Swords scabbard. The red silk cords wrapped around her wrists and anklessymbols of longing for love. Had she really started wearing these things? And for whom? Lu Changtians gaze instinctively fell on Chen Huaian. That was the Sword Pavilion Patriarch It couldnt be him, could it? But this Sword Pavilion Patriarch had somehow maintained a youthful appearance. His sharp, dignified features made Lu Changtian suddenly feel like Qingyun Sects so-called "most handsome disciple" was a complete joke. Not to mention, the other men from the Sword PavilionXu An, Duan Fengthey were all striking in their own way. The more Lu Changtian thought about it, the more his mind spun. Beside him, a few junior disciples whispered in confusion. Xiao Yifeng shook his head. "Li Qingran seems to be living quite well in the Sword Pavilion Werent we told the Sword Pavilion was struggling?" "Tch, shes just obsessed with dressing up now. Not focusing on cultivation," Yun Zimo scoffed, gripping his sword hilt tightly, his tone laced with bitterness. Zhang Hanxiao rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "She looks She looks even prettier than Junior Sister Mu Baishuang" "Shut your mouths!" Lu Changtians gaze sharpened as he turned toward them. "Enough of this gossiping! She is no longer a disciple of Qingyun Sect, let alone Chixiao Peak! She belongs to the Sword Pavilion now!" "Zhang Hanxiao, comparing her to Junior Sister Baishuang? Thats an insult! How do you think Junior Sister Baishuang would feel if she heard that?" "Senior Brother is right." Zhang Hanxiao shrank back, forcing an awkward smile. Lately, Mu Baishuang had been distant. At first, they tried to approach her, but after being ignored enough times, they eventually lost interest. "Speaking of which, where Junior Sister?" Yun Zimo scanned the area but found no sign of Mu Baishuang. He turned to ask Daoist Qingxuan. Daoist Qingxuan, still brooding over his mother, was in no mood for their nonsense. Irritated, he snapped, "The secret realms gate is about to open, and the three great holy lands are about to appearyet youre still fussing about your Junior Sister nonsense? Have some damn ambition!" "Mu Baishuangs a grown woman. Shes not a lost child. Shes not entering the secret realm anyway, so she probably went off to some mortal city to pass the time. You can look for her you come out of the secret realm." Lu Changtian and the others didnt dare argue and kept their concerns to themselves, waiting for the secret realm to open. Meanwhile, on the Sword Pavilions war chariot After losing his arm, Zhang Tinghai no longer had the courage to provoke the Sword Pavilion. Not a chance. That old monster from the Sword Pavilion hadnt even drawn his sword and had already severed his limb. If he actually that blade, wouldnt he just cleave him in half?! With no choice but to endure the humiliation, Zhang Tinghai slinked away, leading his disciples deep into the Ten Thousand Mountains. But the dark glances he kept throwing toward the Sword Pavilions war chariot Clearly, he wasnt letting this grudge go. Deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains Inside a hidden formation. Mu Baishuang placed a tombstone before the cave where the Demon Heir used to cultivate. She knelt among the shattered rocks, her fingers tracing the blood-red inscription"Grave of the Demon Heir." Tears splashed onto the still-wet bloodstains. "You always said that blood should only be spilled on the battlefield to restore the Demon Sects glory." A cold, hollow laugh escaped her lips. Her bloodstained nails dug into her palms, crimson seeping into the carved name. "But blood" "Will soak the entire Sword Pavilion!" A cursed talisman in her sleeve smoldered, its edges curling with dark flames. Nine Nether Demonic Qi coiled around the silver bells in her hair. As the last strands of her severed hair drifted to the tombstone, the cave behind her echoed with the wails of ten thousand ghosts. Slowly, she turned. Bowing deeply, she addressed the elderly nun standing behind her. "Senior please, perform the ritual." Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lingpo, the old nun, gazed at the overwhelming hatred in Mu Baishuangs eyes And beneath it, an untraceable flicker of delight gleamed in her own. "You understand that by using this technique, you will be offering your soul to the Nine Hells? There will be no turning back. Certain death awaits you." "It matters not." "The Heir is dead so I shall die too." "Very well." The old nuns voice was steady. "But remember" "That Sword Pavilion Patriarch is a formidable foe. And he is merely an incarnation. I advise you to strike when the secret realm is closingwhen the chaos may grant you a chance." "Yes. I will remember." Chapter 205: The Three Holy Lands Chapter 205: The Three Holy Lands Time passed by second by second. When the Spiritual Qi vortex inside the bronze gates finally stabilized, the two massive doors trembled violently. The floating mountains around them were drawn toward the gates by an invisible force. The cultivators knew that the secret realm had opened. The smaller bronze doors led to minor secret realms, their Spiritual Qi vortex glowing purple. The larger bronze gates led to major secret realms, accessible only to Nascent Soul Stage cultivators and above, marked by a golden vortex. This was because, at this time every year, the accumulated Spiritual Qi from the dragon veins below would burst open the passage between Cangyun Realm and the Ancient Battlefield. The vortex functioned like a teleportation arrayany cultivator who approached it would be transported into the battlefield. Despite the opening of the secret realm, no one moved. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of the Three Holy Lands. It was tradition that the chosen prodigies of the Three Holy Lands entered first. Finally, the sound of nine chimes echoed through the sky. In the sea of clouds above the floating mountains, three colossal figures gradually emerged. To the west, a hundred-zhang-tall Buddha sat solemnly above the clouds, forming the Flower-Hand Seal, supporting a hundred dignified Buddhist cultivators in his massive hands. To the east, purple mist billowed from the clouds. On a Taiji Dao platform where yin-yang fish revolved, dozens of black-and-white-robed cultivators stood in formation, their robes flowing with Daoist essence. To the south, a vast emerald lotus pond rippled gently. Three hundred female cultivators, dressed in light green robes, stood atop lotus platforms, their ethereal voices filling the air like a celestial melody. Upon witnessing this scene, all sect cultivatorsincluding the rogue cultivators from the Ten Thousand Mountainsheld their breath, not daring to utter a word. The Three Holy Lands had arrivedFanjing, Zhenwu, and Yaochi. Lu Changtian gazed at the towering Taiji Dao platform with deep yearning. Zhenwu Holy Land was the one he longed to join the most. If he could catch the attention of one of its True Masters, he would gain entry and learn their teachings. Zhenwu cultivated the balance of extreme yin and extreme yangone of the fundamental Dao principles. It was leagues above sects like the Joyous Zen or Hehuan Sect, which only grasped yin-yang through superficial techniques. Zhenwu had long reached a profound state, touching upon the very essence of the Dao. At the center of the Taiji Dao platform, an elderly man sitting cross-legged opened his eyes. His pupils swirled with yin and yang, and from them, two beams of sword intentone of pure yang and one of pure yinsoared into the sky. This man was Zhang Yibai, the Lord of Zhenwu Holy Land and widely recognized as the strongest sword cultivator in Cangyun Realm. He stroked his beard with a smile and said, "Fellow Daoists, you''ve been waiting long enough, so I won''t waste any more time." Then, he glanced toward the other two Holy Lands, his voice carrying across the floating mountains. "Revered Jade Yao, Master Fanyedo either of you have anything to add?" "Amitabha." Master Fanye, the Lord of Fanjing Holy Land, stood upon a fiery dragon. Behind him, a three-headed, six-armed Vajra apparition loomed large, yet his face bore an expression of benevolent serenity. "Daoist Zhang, Ive noticed that many great cultivators have been performing Heavenly Divinations in Cangyun Realm recently. Could it be... that you have foreseen some great treasure appearing in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm?" He clasped his hands together, smiling. "Why dont you share your insights? After all, fate has brought us all together here." Zhang Yibai''s expression stiffened. Something valuable had indeed appeared in the Zhongzhou Secret Realm. But it wasnt something he had divined through Heavenly Calculationhe had foreseen it years ago through an ancient divination ritual. Heavenly Calculation was a technique that shortened ones lifespanwho would use it so recklessly? "Master Fanye jests," Zhang Yibai replied. "The Zhongzhou Secret Realm is entirely isolated from Cangyun Realm. I am hardly capable of such precise calculations." Fanye remained silent for a moment, pressing his palms together. Then, with a chuckle, he asked, "Then tell me, Daoist Zhangare you going in or not?" "I have reached a bottleneck in my Dao comprehension," Zhang Yibai replied. "Naturally, I must enter and seek an opportunity to ascend." "Amitabha. Then this humble monk shall also enter." Fanye nodded in satisfaction. Zhang Yibai''s expression darkened as he flicked his dust whisk behind his back. Just then, a melodious female voice drifted from Yaochi Holy Land. "If the two of you are going, then I suppose I shall join in as well." A woman in plain robes stepped forward from Yaochis Dao grounds. A bluebird, carrying a flowering branch in its beak, flew past the sea of clouds, forming a bridge of iridescent light. Jade Yao, veiled by a flowing silk curtain, walked gracefully across the bridge. A delicate ancient bell at her waist chimed with each step. The ancient bronze inscriptions on the massive gate gleamed with azure light, reflecting upon her robes like flowing moonlight. The moment she reached the other two Holy Lords, a strange occurrence took placeFanyes Buddhist prayer beads suddenly heated up, while Zhang Yibais sword hummed within its sheath. No one could see her face beneath the veil, but no one doubted her beauty. After all, she was the one woman in the world who could make even Master Fanye close his eyes and recite scriptures for inner peace. "Mother, Jade Yao is so beautiful! So strong and elegant! If only I could enter Yaochi Holy Land" Yun Suxin, the young mistress of Lingxi Valley, gazed at the bronze gates, eyes shining with admiration. Yun Baiyu glanced at her daughter and sighed. Thankfully, Yun Suxins talent wasnt high enough to qualify for Yaochi Holy Land. Otherwise, she would have had to worrythat place was far from what it seemed. "What a divine beauty," murmured Xu An, shaking his head as he paced back and forth. "Though her face is unseen, she has already stolen my" Before he could finish, Duan Feng swiftly stuffed a cloth into his mouth. "Master?" Most of the cultivators had their eyes locked on Jade Yao. Li Qingran, however, anxiously turned to look at his master. "Huh?" Chen Huaian lay sprawled across a dragon throne, chin resting on his palm. Seeing his disciple glance back, he barely opened his drowsy eyes, yawned, and looked even more uninterested. This whole Zhongzhou Secret Realm thing had way too much pretense. Couldnt they just storm through the gates the moment they opened? He wanted to see battle! He wanted bloodshed! He wanted chaos! Not a bunch of old fogies standing around, exchanging fake pleasantries before queuing up like it was some fancy banquet! Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hehe, it''s fine~" Seeing her master nearly dozing off, Li Qingran covered her mouth and giggled, her silver anklet chiming lightly. Her master was different from the others. Even the Pavilion Lord Su and several sect elders had been staring at Jade Yao in awebut her master? He didnt even spare her a glance. Instead, he was falling asleep. Jade Yao was stunning. Her presence was intoxicating. But Chen Huaian only cared about facesand since hers was hidden, she might as well have been invisible to him. Not to mention, all this formal pageantry made him feel like he was stuck in a boring business meeting. Unbeknownst to them, however, Jade Yaos hidden gaze flickered toward their direction. Her eyes narrowed slightly. She cultivated the Shangqing Jade Derivation Art, a technique that made all living beings, intelligent or not, develop a natural affection for her. Even Master Fanye had to activate his Buddhist techniques to resist. Even Zhang Yibais twin swords trembled with reaction. Yet This sword cultivator wasnt affected at all. And she had never seen him before. Who was he? Would he become an unexpected variable in the secret realm? Suppressing her curiosity, Jade Yao lightly tapped the spiritual ring beside the bronze gates. A chorus of birdsong echoed through the sky, and spiritual rain drizzled down from the clouds. The concentration of Spiritual Qi surged, reaching the level of an Intermediate Spirit Gathering Formation. This was the moment most cultivators had been waiting forthey immediately sat down to cultivate, eager to absorb the abundant Qi. "The Zhongzhou Secret Realm is now open." Jade Yaos red lips parted slightly. "The prodigies of the Holy Lands shall enter the minor secret realm first." Chapter 206: Sword Spiritual Root Chapter 206: Sword Spiritual Root The Holy Maiden of Yaochi, Song Chiyue. The First Disciple of Zhenwu, Qin Luofeng. The Foremost Monk of Fanjings Hui Generation, Master Huikong. These three were the most gifted young cultivators of their time. Not yet thirty years old, their cultivation bases were already near the Nascent Soul Stage. Song Chiyue had a Pure Wood Spiritual Root, a First-Grade Dantian, and was at Golden Core Peak. Qin Luofeng had a Pure Sword Spiritual Root, a Second-Grade Dantian, and was at Late Golden Core Stage. Master Huikong had a Pure True Fire Spiritual Root, a Second-Grade Dantian, and was at Golden Core Peak. Beyond their innate talents, these three also had the overwhelming resources of their Holy Lands backing them. The weapons they wielded, the treasures they carried, and the trump cards hidden on them were beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators. As soon as Jade Yao finished speaking, the three young prodigies stepped forward, each followed by three disciplesthe core disciples of their Holy Lands, whose talent ranked just below the three prodigies. These disciples, ranging from Early to Late Golden Core Stage, would enter the Zhongzhou Secret Realm alongside them. Song Chiyue stood beside Jade Yao and gracefully bowed. Her appearance and demeanor were a mirror image of Jade Yao, even her clothing style was identical. If not for the fact that everyone knew Jade Yao had never taken a Dao Companion, it would be easy to mistake Song Chiyue as her daughter or younger sister. Qin Luofeng had a handsome yet solemn expression, dressed in a simple gray-white Daoist robe. A sword case rested on his back, and a Celestial Crane stood quietly beneath his feet. He remained silent behind Zhang Yibai, his presence exuding both calmness and sharpness. Master Huikong, on the other hand, stood bare-chested, his muscular torso coiled with red-hot flame patterns, making him look like a dragon incarnate. Yet, his face was delicate and refinedso much so that if he dressed as a woman and wore a wig, he could easily pass as one. "Enough, go inside. The other cultivators have been waiting long enoughtheyre bound to start complaining soon." With a flick of Zhang Yibais dust whisk, a formless force propelled the twelve disciples toward the bronze doors of the minor secret realm. The young elites turned back to bow deeply toward their respective Holy Lords before stepping through the gate. With the prodigies gone, it was time for the disciples of various sects to enter. "The so-called Holy Land prodigies Heh. This is it?" Chen Huaian shook his head. He could clearly see their stats. And to be honest, they didnt even come close to his Qingran baby. Sure, Li Qingran wasnt at Golden Core Stage yet. But how old was she? She wasnt even twenty! The youngest among the Holy Land prodigies, Song Chiyue, was already twenty-seven. In modern terms, she was on the verge of becoming a "leftover woman", a prime target for family-arranged marriage pressure. Unlike his Qingran baby, who was still fresh and tender~ "Master, those are the Holy Land prodigies You shouldn''t say that" Li Qingran tiptoed and lowered her voice, glancing around nervously. She had heard that Holy Lords were exceptionally prideful and protective. Even though her master hadnt said much, his disdainful and mocking tone was already an insult to them. "I''m just stating the facts." Chen Huaian flicked open his folding fan with a crisp snap and gently lifted Li Qingrans chin with the edge. The silver bells on her ankle jingled as she stumbled, almost falling onto the dragon throne. "Master!" Li Qingran hastily steadied herself with her sword hilt, the red tassel wrapped around her wrist swaying lightly. In the single sliver of light beneath the Holy Pavilion, the faint blush at the tip of her ear spread down her neck like cinnabar ink bleeding into parchment. They were very close. Less than a fists distance apart. If she took just half a step forward, their lips would touch. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was Master going to? "You''re about to enter the secret realm. I have something for you." Chen Huaian had pulled her close not to tease her. Li Qingran had finally reached Foundation Establishment Peak, unlocking her final Battle Order rewardSword Spiritual Root. And not just one, but two Sword Spiritual Roots. One for him. One for her. Li Qingran stared at the silver miniature sword floating in her masters palm. Without a doubtit was a Pure Sword Spiritual Root. According to the Heavenly Craft Record, there were three ways for Spiritual Roots to be born: Innate Spiritual Roots, granted at birth. Artificial Transfer, using secret techniques to graft them. Natural Formation, birthed by heaven and earth. Sword Spiritual Roots were especially unique, as they were not part of the Five Elements. When sword intent gathered in one place for a thousand years, its sheer sharpness could pierce through ley lines, condensing into sword-shaped crystal clusters within Spirit Stone veins. These crystals sang under moonlight and vanished under sunlight, requiring the seal of supreme sword intent to preserve their energy. Through special secret techniques, even a cultivators Spiritual Root could be extracted and sold as a resource. Of course, this practice was strictly forbidden in the righteous path and was typically done by demonic cultivators. Some old monsters, when facing a lifespan bottleneck, would resort to desperate measureseither by possessing a more talented youth, or by stealing anothers Dantian, Dao Body, or Spiritual Root to strengthen themselves. This not only helped breakthrough barriers but also extended their lifespan. As for the disastrous heavenly tribulations such actions invited in the future That was a problem for later. At the end of ones lifespan, nothing mattered. As long as they lived, there was still a sliver of hope. And now, Master was gifting this precious Sword Spiritual Root to her? If word got out, it would undoubtedly cause a bloodbath. Its value was on par with the greatest treasures within the secret realm. She had thought her master was about to get closer to her. "Master, this is far too valuable. I" Li Qingran hesitated, bowing her head in refusal. She was his disciple, yes, but she couldn''t be greedy. Her master was a sword cultivatorsurely, this was far more useful for him. However, the next secondher master casually pulled out another one. Li Qingrans eyes widened in shock. Masters left hand now held a second Sword Spiritual Root. "What''s the matter? Is this thing rare?" Chen Huaian raised a brow. "I already have a Sword Spiritual Root. Now I have two extra. Do you want it or not? If you dont, Ill just throw it away~" He swung his arm as if about to toss it. "Master, no!" Li Qingran lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his to stop himonly to end up snatching the Sword Spiritual Root. "Fine! Ill take it!" She held it tightly, torn between laughter and exasperation. This priceless treasure, and Master was treating it like garbage? Did he want to turn the secret realm entrance into a warzone? Chen Huaian lightly tapped her forehead with his fan, his expression suddenly stern. "From now on, whatever I give you, you are not allowed to refuse." "If you refuse, Ill" "Throw me away too?" Li Qingran pouted, rubbing her forehead, nose slightly scrunched in defiance. "Ahem. Enough nonsense. Hurry up and refine it." "I dont know how~ Master, help me~" Like hell she didnt know. Chen Huaian chuckled at her puppy-eyed act. Fine. He''d help her refine it himself. Not far away, Yue Qianchi rolled her eyes as she mimicked Li Qingrans tone. "Master, I dont know how~ Please help me~" Li Qingran shuddered, biting her lip as her face flushed scarlet. "Stand up straight. Stop twisting around." Behind her, Su Qinian swiftly kicked Yue Qianchi. This damn disciplewas she planning to tear down the entire Sword Pavilion one day? Chapter 207: 100% Safety Index Chapter 207: 100% Safety Index Chen Huaian watched as Li Qingran stepped into the minor secret realm. It was a strange feeling. Kind of like a father sending his daughter off to school. As her master, he felt that she needed to grow on her ownto experience the world without always being under his protection. Yet, at the same time, he worried. Although she wouldnt be entirely without protection (after all, Sword Pavilion was her safety net, and he had armed that net to the teeth), there was still a possibility that she might encounter a situation she couldnt handle. It was a contradiction that gnawed at him. "Old Ancestor, what are you planning next? Why dont you explore the major secret realm for a bit?" Su Qinian sidled up to him with a grin. Chen Huaian immediately saw through his intentions. This guy just wanted him to carry the team. He knew that Chen Huaians strength was ridiculous, and if he entered the major secret realm, Sword Pavilion would essentially have an invincible protector. But Zhongzhou Secret Realm wasnt a playground. The minor secret realm would close before the major one did. And the third prophecy from the games main questline was very clearwhen the secret realm closes, instability is likely to occur. That meant even if Qingran survived and exited safely, she might still face danger. So he couldnt go in. He needed to stay outside and prepare for anything. "Ill pass. Ive been to the Zhongzhou Secret Realm countless times before. Theres nothing in there that interests me anymore. You guys go ahead." Su Qinian looked a little disappointed. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If the Old Ancestor had gone with them, as long as they didnt run into the three Holy Land geezers, Sword Pavilion could basically dominate the entire major secret realm. "Then Old Ancestor, where do you think all the best treasures will be?" He settled for second-bestfishing for intel. Chen Huaian paused, his eye twitching. Damn it. Lately, hed been getting really annoyed with people who kept asking endless questions. "That was over a hundred years agowhats the point of me telling you? Do you really think those treasures would just sit in the same spot for a century, waiting for you to come grab them?" He rolled his eyes, then closed them completely, entering meditation modehis entire posture screaming dont bother me. Su Qinian let out an awkward chuckle. Yeah he had to admit, that question was kinda dumb. "Alright, then. Old Ancestor, well be heading in first." Exchanging a glance with the other elders, Su Qinian and his group took off on their flying swords, heading for the major secret realm. Once they were gone, Chen Huaian finally exhaled, shifting into a comfortable position on his dragon throne. "Finally peace and quiet." Most of the major sects had already sent their elites into the secret realms. The only ones left were a few elders or sect leaders guarding the young disciples too weak to qualify. Sword Pavilion was an exceptionaside from him, their entire sect had gone in. With both the minor and major bronze gates now fully open, countless rogue cultivators soared into the sky, rushing toward the entrances like a swarm of locusts. "People say the cultivation world isnt crowded, but look at this. Theres plenty of folks here. The struggle against heaven is truly endless fun." Chen Huaian sighed, then suddenly narrowed his eyes. He sat up, staring intently down below. Among the mass of airborne cultivators, a trace of demonic energy suddenly flared. A blood-red figure burst through the crowd, moving at blazing speed, and slipped into the minor secret realm. Even from a thousand meters away, Chen Huaian could feel the chilling sharpness of their blade aura. A demonic cultivatorbut also a blade cultivator. Their cultivation base was only at Early Golden Core Stage, not particularly impressive. But their understanding of blade intent? Easily on par with those so-called Holy Land prodigies. "Golden Core Stage, huh" Chen Huaian muttered. "With Sword Pavilions disciples around, that demonic cultivator wont pose much of a threat to Qingran but" His gaze shifted toward the three Holy Lands'' floating platforms. Unlike sects, Holy Lands had deep, unfathomable foundations. Even with many of their disciples inside the secret realm, they still had plenty of powerful cultivators remaining. Just by sensing their presence, he could tell that each Holy Land had at least a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators and at least one or two at the Fusion Realm. And yet They let an Early Golden Core demonic cultivator just waltz into the minor secret realm? How ridiculous. Was it because they thought he was too weak to matter, so they ignored him? Or were they deliberately turning a blind eye? Chen Huaian shook his head. Maybe he was overthinking things. With the secret realm fully open, the Holy Land cultivators were probably just chatting or cultivating, not bothering to monitor who went in. Only he, playing the overprotective father, was overthinking it all. What he didnt know was this The moment he decided not to enter the major secret realm Li Qingrans main quest survival rate jumped from 99.999% to 100%. Inside the Zhongzhou Secret Realm. It was like a shattered glass world, suspended upside-down in the sky. Ruined floating islands. Veins of black iron rock. A vast Mirror Lake, shattered into three thousand fragmented reflections, each showing a different season. There were snow-covered isles, dense forests, endless deserts, and even molten chasms spewing lava. Weathered ancient stone tablets, their surfaces pitted by time, leaked faint mists of primordial script. A hundred meters away, an ink-black pine forest was disintegrating into golden sand, carried away by the harsh gales. Gigantic beasts, their forms shadowy and elusive, drifted through spatial fractures like ghostly fish, their tails sweeping fiery trails into the distant Twin Moon Pool. The moment Sword Pavilion disciples arrived, Yue Qianchi immediately signaled for everyone to regroup. The Twin Moon Pool was a well-known landmark in the secret realm. Every year, Sword Pavilion disciples gathered there first. As soon as the team was assembled, Yue Qianchi, Xu An, Duan Feng, and the other core disciples did a headcount. Once confirmed that no one was lost, Yue Qianchi pulled Li Qingran to her side. Stepping onto a stone platform, she drove her Xuanwu Sword into the ground with a heavy boom, then spoke with authority: "Same rules as alwaysgroups of five. Follow the resource list for your respective peaks. If you encounter ancient remains, avoid combat unless absolutely necessary. Finding resources is our second priority. Our first priorityis that everyone makes it home alive!" "Yes, Senior Sister!" The disciples responded in unison. Yue Qianchi then turned to Li Qingran, grinning. "Come on, Junior Sister. Were going straight for the Medicine King Valley ruins. I know the general location. The others can handle gathering sect resources." "Senior Sister, I can go alone. You''re stronger, you should sta" "Stay where?" Yue Qianchi rolled her eyes and wrapped an arm around Li Qingrans shoulder, smirking. "With your not-even-Golden-Core cultivation? Youre sticking to me like glue." "I" Li Qingrans face burned crimson. The surrounding disciples burst into laughter. "Go on, Junior Sister," Xu An chuckled. "Or are you saying you dont trust Senior Brother Duans skills?" He patted Duan Fengs shoulder. Duan Fengs face darkened, but he didnt argue. He simply nodded at Li Qingran. "Xu Ans right. Youll be safe with Senior Sister Yue." Li Qingran swallowed her gratitude, nodded, and followed Yue Qianchi toward the north. Not far from Twin Moon Pool A young girl with a demonic blade crouched in the shadows, peering at the Sword Pavilion disciples with a grim expression. "Great I made it in, but why the hell did I get transported right next to Sword Pavilion?" Her demonic blade quivered, cackling eerily. [So many juicy sword cultivators~ Why not kill them all and temper your blade intent with their blood?] "Shut up!" She slammed the blade into the ground and stomped on it. "Stay quiet. If they find me, Im throwing you away first." The blade shuddered. And fell silent. Even a demonic weapon didnt want to end up in the hands of a bunch of sword cultivators. Chapter 208: The Saintess Urgent Summons Chapter 208: The Saintess'' Urgent Summons Just as the Sword Pavilion disciples were preparing to take action, a female cultivator in a blue robe, her face hidden under a veiled hat, landed in front of the Yin-Yang Twin Moon Pool. "Look at the emblem on her clothesit seems like... someone from the Jade Pool Holy Land?" "What is someone from the Jade Pool Holy Land doing here?" "Could it be that there''s some treasure in the Yin-Yang Twin Moon Pool?!" Zhen He, the chief disciple of Cangjian Peak, narrowed his eyes and folded his fan with a sly smile. "How about thiswe pretend to leave, wait for this Jade Pool Holy Land girl to uncover the treasure, then suddenly show up and catch her off guard? That way, we avoid any danger and still get the treasure. A brilliant plan, dont you think?" Duan Feng frowned slightly. "The plan is clever, but... dont you think it''s a bit too underhanded? We of the Sword Pavilion should act with honor and integrity..." Before they could continue their discussion, Xu An, eyes hazy with drunkenness, had already staggered over with his wine gourd in hand. He leaned in and grinned at the female cultivator. "Fairy from the Jade Pool, look at the beautiful scenery of the Yin-Yang Twin Moon Pool. Why not take a stroll with me along the shore, drink some wine, and compose poetry? Wouldnt that be delightful?" The blue-robed woman was momentarily stunned, as if she hadn''t expected Xu An to be so bold as to hit on her. "I am here to deliver a message on behalf of the Saintess." Ignoring Xu Ans teasing, the female cultivator stood before the Sword Pavilion disciples, her voice cold and laced with an air of superiority. "The Saintess has discovered the ruins of a massive ancient sect, where demonic energy is surging, and many remains of demonic cultivators roam the area. Numerous treasures are buried within the ruins. She is now summoning all disciples from the major sects to help purify the demonic energy and eliminate the wandering corpses. Once the demonic energy is cleared, each participant may choose one treasure. If none are to your liking, you may also request something from the Saintess, and within her ability, she will do her best to grant your request." The disciples exchanged glances upon hearing this. Even Xu An, his eyes clouded with intoxication, suddenly perked up. Choose any treasure, and if unsatisfied, ask the Saintess for something else? Wouldnt this be the perfect chance to gather all the resources on their wishlist? "May I ask which sects the Saintess has summoned? And is participation mandatory?" Zhen He leaped down from a tree and cupped his hands toward the female cultivator. "Apart from your Sword Pavilion, all other major sects have also been notified." She cast Zhen He a sideways glance. "Whether you go or not is up to you. The Saintess will not force anyone. But, as they say, opportunities dont come twiceif you regret it later, dont go crying to the Saintess." Zhen He exchanged looks with Xu An but did not give an immediate response. Instead, he said politely, "We should discuss this matter among ourselves first." "Heh, take your time." The blue-robed woman turned to leave, her voice indifferent. "The ruins have fallen from the Celestial Mirror Lake, forming a newly descended fragment of an ancient world. Just head west, and you''ll see itas well as the disciples from other sects. I have more sects to notify, so I wont be staying." With that, she stepped forward. A lotus bloomed beneath her feet, and in the blink of an eye, she had already vanished hundreds of meters away, leaving only a faint silhouette in the distance. "Everyone, what do you think?" The drunken haze on Xu Ans face vanished, replaced by a serious expression. Duan Feng stroked his chin in thought for a moment before saying, "The Pavilion Master told us to avoid ancient remains and to be cautious above all else. Its best if we dont go." "Senior Brother, that was advice for when we were facing ancient remains alone," a Sword Pavilion disciple raised his hand. "This time, it''s different. The Jade Pool Saintess has summoned nearly all the sects, so the risk is significantly lower. If we dont go, wont all the benefits go to others?" "Hiss! That actually makes a lot of sense..." "Ancient remains are indeed dangerous, but if disciples from all the sects dare to face it head-on, are we Sword Pavilion sword cultivators supposed to be cowards?" Duan Feng thought about it and found the argument reasonable. He nodded. "Since everyone agrees, then we shall go." The Jade Pool Saintess was leading the effort to purify the demonic energy, and with so many sect disciples participating, even the elite geniuses from other Holy Lands would be present. As the saying goes, if the sky falls, the taller ones will bear the brunt. If things went south, at least they wouldnt be the first to die. So what was there to fear? "Xu An, send a message to that girl, Yue Qianchi, so she knows where to find us." Duan Feng thought of Yue Qianchi and Li Qingran, who had gone ahead, and added a reminder. Xu An raised his wine gourd. "Got it~" Meanwhile "Those little punks! Causing trouble the moment I turn my back!" Yue Qianchi''s face darkened the instant she read the message from her transmission jade. "Whats wrong, Senior Sister?" Li Qingran leaned over to glance at the jade, but the words had already vanished. "Nothing major," Yue Qianchi waved it off, then looped her arm around Li Qingrans, explaining, "The Jade Pool Saintess is summoning sect disciples to help purify demonic energy in an ancient ruin. Shes offering rewards afterward, so Xu An and the others decided to go for it." "An ancient sect ruin?" Li Qingran pondered for a moment, a hint of concern surfacing. "A ruin covered in demonic energy... that means there must be great danger. Could there be remnants of ancient cultivators?" "There definitely are," Yue Qianchi nodded. "But as cultivators, its unrealistic to avoid all dangers. Opportunity and risk go hand in handwe have to seize the chances that come our way... What concerns me is the lack of information. We know too little about those from the Holy Lands. If things go south, would their disciples just abandon everyone else and flee?" Seeing the worry in Yue Qianchis eyes, Li Qingran wasnt sure how to comfort her, so she simply tightened her grip on her senior sisters hand. "Senior Sister, once we find the last three medicinal ingredients for the Hundred Herb Detox Pill, lets hurry to support Senior Brother Xu An and the others." "Mm. Last year, I came across what seemed to be the ruins of the Medicine King Valley in this minor secret realm, but there wasnt enough time before it closed, so I didnt explore. If we head straight there this time, we should find the three herbs the Grandmaster needs." With that, the two quickened their pace. Elsewhere "A ruin shrouded in demonic energy... That must have been the battlefield of an ancient war between demonic cultivators and righteous sectsa brutal sect-wide massacre." Mo Shumei watched as the Sword Pavilion disciples left, deep in thought. Last year, she had obtained her demonic blade, Soul Abyss, and the first volume of from an ancient battlefield ruin. It had been a near-death experience, one that had forced her to cultivate a sinister technique that was impossible to abandon. If she wanted to suppress Soul Abyss, she had to enter a secret realm and find the second volume. "Hey, cursed blade, do you think Ill find the missing pages there?" The demonic blade remained silent. Mo Shumei flicked its surface with her fingerstill no response. "If you''re staying quiet, that means you''re hiding something. Guess Ill just have to go find out myself." Hmph! Foolish girl! The righteous sects are gathering thereif you go, youll die for sure! "Awfully nervous, aren''t you?" Me? Nervous? Not at all! Hurry up and die already, so I can take over your body! Heheheh! Mo Shumei chuckled. "Good. The more you try to stop me, the more I want to go." The demonic blade trembled violently, as if fuming. Ignoring it, Mo Shumei sheathed her weapon and carefully tailed the Sword Pavilion disciples. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 209: Joint Operation Chapter 209: Joint Operation The ancient sect ruins were shrouded in thick demonic energy. Standing before the grand formation, Song Chiyues cold gaze was fixed on the ancient cultivator remains wandering within. "Saintess, the Sword Pavilion disciples have arrived." Song Chiyue raised an eyebrow. "Good. Lets begin." "Not waiting for the other sect disciples?" "No need. This is enough." sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, the open space behind the three disciples of the Jade Pool Holy Land was already packed with cultivators. Disciples from major sects like Azure Cloud Sect, Lingxi Valley, Dan Sect, Blade Sect, and Zen Sect had all gathered, with a total count exceeding a thousand. In the past, whenever these disciples entered a minor secret realm, they were always competitors, often even fighting fiercely over opportunities. But today, they stood on the same side, creating an unusually harmonious scene. The Sword Pavilion disciples were among them, positioned right beside the Azure Cloud Sects group. Lu Changtian swept his gaze over the Sword Pavilion disciples but did not spot Li Qingran. His brows furrowed as he stepped toward Duan Feng, the leading disciple. "Daoist friend, isnt Li Qingran a disciple of your Sword Pavilion? Why isnt she with your group?" Upon seeing the Azure Cloud Sect token at Lu Changtians waist, Duan Fengs expression darkened. His sharp gaze locked onto Lu Changtian as he sneered, "None of your damn business." Lu Changtian was taken aback for a moment, anger rising within him. He barely managed to suppress it, forcing a smile as he cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Lu Changtian, once the senior disciple Li Qingran admired most. I only asked out of concern since I didnt see her among you. Nothing more." Duan Fengs eye twitched, his grip tightening around his sword hilt. He took a deep breath before turning to Xu An. "You tell him." Xu An knew that if this dragged on, Duan Fengs temper might push him into drawing his sword. So he swayed forward, flashing a wide grin full of pearly white teeth. "Ohhh~ So you''re the our little junior sister used to look up to? Let me think... Are you the same who called her stupid when she sought your guidance in swordsmanship? Or maybe the one who crippled her dantian with a single palm and then had Daoist Qingxuan extract her spiritual root?" His voice was loud. Loud enough for every disciple present in the clearing to hear. Lu Changtian''s smile froze. His face turned pale, then flushed red, fists clenching tightly. "Qingran made a small mistake back then. Of course, she had to be punished. But the matter is long pastwhy bring it up now?" Xu An twirled his wine gourd between his fingers, lazily eyeing the Azure Cloud emblem on Lu Changtians sword. "Oh, right, right, of course! Your sects tournament forbids injurieswhoever causes harm must be punished by death. Qingran mistakenly wounded another female disciples shoulder, an unforgivable crime. Naturally, she deserved to be" he emphasized each word, "?" At those last words, the insects in the grass fell eerily silent. With a sudden , Xu An crushed his wine gourd in his hand. Wine splashed onto Lu Changtians face. His gaze, once playful, turned piercing cold. "Lu Changtian, and you think you have the right to say you ?" Lu Changtian''s face darkened, but he remained silent. He knew he had been wrong. At the time, he had acted on impulse, blinded by his desire to avenge his junior sister, Mu Baishuang. He had wanted to teach Li Qingran a lesson she would never forget. But looking back now Since when had sect tournaments ever been injury-free? Were they supposed to just exchange flashy moves without actually fighting? Crippling Li Qingrans dantian over something so trivialhe shouldnt have done it. But what was done could not be undone. And his pride would not allow him to apologize. The surrounding disciples whispered among themselves, their gazes sharp with scrutiny. Lu Changtian felt as though he were sitting on needles. "Hmph. No point in arguing." He stared at Xu An for a moment, then flicked his sleeve and walked away. He regretted asking about Li Qingran. If not for the presence of the Jade Pool Saintess, he would have preferred to settle things right here. But he hadn''t forgotten his true goal in this secret realmto perform exceptionally well and catch the attention of the Holy Land elders. If he could gain entry into a Holy Land, his dantian problem would be easily resolved by their grandmasters. "Senior Brother, where''s Li Qingran?" Zhang Hanxiao asked as soon as Lu Changtian returned, his voice eager. Nearby, Xiao Yifeng and Yun Zimo perked up, listening in. Lu Changtians expression turned even darker. He coldly stared at Zhang Hanxiao. "All the way here, its been Li Qingran this, Li Qingran that. Whats your deal? Tell me, is your junior sister Mu Baishuang or Li Qingran?" "Hey, I was just asking. Whats got you so pissed?" Zhang Hanxiao frowned. Everyone knew Mu Baishuang liked Lu Changtian. Most of them had already given up any hope of pursuing her. Now they werent even allowed to ask about Li Qingran? Just how greedy was Lu Changtian?! "Shes probably been dumped in some corner by the Sword Pavilion." Lu Changtian closed his eyes. "Li Qingran has dull talent, a petty heart, and a strong jealousy streak. Her character is rotten. The Sword Pavilion isnt a trash heap. If even our Azure Cloud Sect didn''t want her, isnt it natural for them to throw her away too?" Zhang Hanxiao had wanted to find out where the Sword Pavilion had left Li Qingran so he could play the part of a good guy. But before he could move, the Jade Pool Saintess spoke up. "Thank you, fellow Daoists, for coming to our aid. I, Song Chiyue, always keep my word. Once we purify the demonic energy and eliminate the demonic remains, each of you may choose one treasure. If none satisfy you, you may request something else from me. However, I ask that everyone put forth their full effort in the upcoming battle!" "Fairy Song, open the ruins'' seal! We will give it our all!" someone immediately called out. "Yes! Since the Jade Pool Saintess asks for our help, even without rewards, we would not hesitate to brave fire and water!" "Hahaha! Well said, Brother Li!" Song Chiyues lips curved into a slight smile, and she bowed gracefully to the gathered cultivators. Even such a small gesture left many of them utterly captivated. "To ensure everyones safety and prevent demonic remains from escaping and endangering other cultivators in the secret realm, we must first make some preparations before breaking the seal." She lifted her gaze toward the top of the ruins barrier. "Daoist Qin, Master Huikongthe next part is up to you." Following her line of sight, the crowd saw two figures seated atop the towering stone pillars at the ruins entrance. On the left was Monk Huikong, bare-chested with his hands pressed together. On the right was Qin Luofeng of the True Martial Holy Land, gripping a horsetail whisk, his expression solemn. "Amitabha." Monk Huikong was the first to act. Forming a hand seal, the prayer beads on his wrist dropped to the ground, transforming into golden lotuses. Sanskrit scriptures glowed in red above his forehead. The stone tiles beneath him shimmered with golden patterns, and a fierce wind sent his kasaya billowing. Behind him, his vajra staff split into eighty-one luminous pillars, encircling the ruins entrance and the gathered disciples. Each pillar ignited with blue flames, forming a protective dome of glass-like radiance. "Master Huikong has deployed the guardian array. Its Buddhist light will purify the demonic energy while suppressing the strength of the demonic remains," Song Chiyue explained. Hearing this, the previously wary disciples finally relaxed a little. The formation was quickly completed. At last, Qin Luofeng stood from his meditative position, stepping down from the pillar. He removed the sword case from his back, planting it into the ground with a piercing gaze. "Daoist Qin will guard the rear. If any demonic remains break through Master Huikongs formation, he will deal with them," Song Chiyue announced with a smile. Hidden among the crowd, Mo Shumei kept her head down, forcefully suppressing the demonic energy within her body. An array and a rear guard She wasnt sure if the ancient remains could get in. But she knew one thing for certain. Until these people were done setting things upshe wasnt getting out. Chapter 209.5: The Demonic Formation Chapter 209.5: The Demonic Formation Outside the Secret Realm "Can show me what''s happening inside the secret realm?" Divination in progress Due to the secret realm''s independent heavenly laws, the player is unable to view its internal situation! If you insist on seeing inside, your current balance and luck deficit cannot afford the cost! "...Alright then." Chen Huaian spread his hands in surrender. He was How great would it be if he could watch what was happening inside? Like watching a movie. His relaxed mood stemmed from the fact that under his main quest, had reached 100%. The weight pressing on his heart had finally lifted. Even when it had been at , he hadn''t felt secure. "Should I just log off and take a break?" Glancing around, he felt there was no need to stay here any longer. After all, keeping his incarnation active was Even with ten billion, he couldn''t afford to waste resources like this. Just as he was about to withdraw his incarnation, a suddenly echoed from the distant . The roar shook the entire area outside the secret realm, startling all the gathered cultivators. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes toward the disturbance, sensing faint traces of . What the hell? This place was packed with who would dare cause trouble here? But after a moments thought, he understood. Right now, the of each sect had entered the minor secret realm. The strongest members of each secthad all ventured into the . The only ones left behind, aside from the , were, to put it bluntly, the . Well, , of course. If the demonic sects wanted to make a move, would be the perfect time to catch the major sects off guard. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But would the just sit back and do nothing? Chen Huaian turned to glance at the sanctuaries of the , speculating in his mind. Just then, something happened. From within each Holy Land, a single cultivator took to the skies. All of them were Nascent Soul stage powerhouses. "The Ten Thousand Mountains are filled with demonic energy!" The one who spoke was a white-robed elder from . His expression was thunderous, his killing intent soaring as he projected his voice to all the cultivators present. "With both the major and minor secret realms open, our sect defenses are at their weakest. This old man fears the demonic sects may be stirring up trouble! Any Nascent Soul-level cultivators present, come with me to investigate and bear witness! The rest of you remain hereour three Holy Lands have more than enough powerhouses to protect all disciples!" Among the major sects, most had only left behind Nascent Soul cultivators to guard their younger disciples. Upon hearing the elders call, several Nascent Soul cultivators immediately responded. But not everyone was foolishthose sects that had Nascent Soul protector remained where they were. Chen Huaian left behind to stand guard and soared into the sky on his sword. With all the disciples inside the secret realm, there was nothing left for him to protect. Might as well go check things out. Over in the camp, Daoist Qingxuan was about to take off when SMACK! The swatted him down like a fly. "Whats a cultivator like you doing trying to join the fun? Stay here and guard the disciples! going!" Without waiting for a reply, the Azure Cloud Ancestor in a blur, heading in the same direction as Chen Huaian. Daoist Qingxuan lay sprawled in the crater he had created, staring blankly at the elder''s departure. He looked like he was about to cry. The True Martial Holy Land elder waited barely a breaths time. As soon as he had gathered , he led the force in a grand procession toward the demonic energy surging over the Ten Thousand Mountains. "Daoist Chen, is that you ahead?" Chen Huaian was leisurely flying through the air when suddenly, a sweet, saccharine female voice called out from behind him. The sound sent a full-body shiver down his spine. In his experience, only those live-streaming hosts spoke with such an exaggeratedly coquettish tone. But this was the Cangyun Realm. This was the first time he had heard someone speak in such a way hereand it nearly killed him from sheer secondhand embarrassment. He turned his head instinctively and was even more confused by what he saw. A female cultivator he didnt recognize. Judging from her robes and the token at her waist, she was from the Azure Cloud Sect. A Nascent Soul female cultivator, at that. That shouldnt be possible Wasnt the Azure Cloud Ancestor the only Nascent Soul powerhouse in the sect? What the hell was going on? His eyes narrowed as he focused on the girl, and her basic information immediately surfaced before him. Azure Cloud AncestorRong Qingyun Cultivation Level: Mid Nascent Soul (Internal Injuries) Age: 1,273 years ...Wait. Sis, what?! Chen Huaian was dumbfounded. But the person before him was clearly a petite, fair-skinned, delicate-looking loli cultivator barely over 1.6 meters tall! Seeing Chen Huaian staring at her, Rong Qingyuns cheeks flushed slightly, and she secretly delighted in his reaction. She was pleased with the effects of her Youth Retaining Pill and even prouder of the beauty she had possessed in her younger days. "Daoist Chen, do you still remember olthis humble girl?" she asked sweetly. Chen Huaian looked at the flying beside him, his lips twitching as he stiffly replied, "You you''re the Azure Cloud Ancestor?" "Aiya~ Don''t call me that!" Rong Qingyun pouted. "Just call me ~" She clasped her hands in greeting, flashing him a bright, sweet smile. "The other day at the Azure Cloud Sect, I had no choice but to appear in my older form. After all, I have to maintain a dignified image in front of my disciples~" She giggled and batted her eyelashes. "Daoist Chen, youre about my ageyou should understand, right?" "Ahaha sure, I guess..." Chen Huaian barely held back his urge to run. He immediately sped up to put some distance between them. But no matter how fast he went, Rong Qingyun stuck to him like glue, constantly trying to chatter and make conversation. Chen Huaian didn''t believe a single word she said. and still pretending to be young? Even if she had appeared in her youthful form from the start, he wouldnt have had any thoughts about her. After all, Baby Qingran was the real deala genuine, fresh-faced young maiden. How could a Youth Retaining Pill-augmented, artificially freshened-up old hag possibly compare? And beyond appearances, her behavior was even more off-putting. She was supposed to be a highly respected, venerated elder, yet she was acting like some delicate young maidenit was unbearably awkward. It reminded him of those middle-aged livestreamers who relied on beauty filters and heavy makeup to pretend to be teenage girls while making cringey, low-quality content. The cognitive dissonance was unbearable. Thankfully, Nascent Soul cultivators were fast flyers. Before long, they arrived over the mountain range where the demonic energy was emanating from. The sight below was ghastly. A dense, oppressive fog of demonic energy blanketed the forest. Toxic miasma ate through the surrounding rock formations, exposing jagged, vein-like patterns of molten stone along the mountainside. Within the blackened haze, hundreds of bronze pillars were driven deep into the earths fissures, and from those fissures, thick clouds of blood mist surged upward, condensing into a massive, upside-down blood-red cloud. Around the blood cloud, countless nightcrows cawed in ecstasy. Even the midday sun seemed to warp and twist as it passed through, turning the entire area into a sickening shade of rusty brown "Someone set up a high-level demonic formation around the secret realm?!" The surrounding cultivators'' expressions darkened. With this much demonic energy, it was obvious that whoever had set up the formation was up to no good. Their goal was most likely to slaughter all the cultivators outside the secret realm in one fell swoop. The True Martial Holy Land elder looked especially grim. Underneath his robes, his fists trembled, veins bulging from sheer rage. "Everyone, this is urgent!" His voice rang out. "No matter what this formation is meant for, we must destroy it immediately!" Chapter 210: Found You! Chapter 210: Found You! The assembled cultivators had no fondness for demonic cultivators to begin with. Now that these demonic cultivators were setting up a formation near the secret realm with such obvious ill intent, it only fueled their anger. One by one, they unleashed spells upon the formation, bombarding it relentlessly. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes at the demonic formation. If they were planning something nefarious, shouldnt they be more discreet? Yet here was this grand formation, openly displayed for all the righteous cultivators to see... Was it intentional, or just carelessness? Heavenly Divination, tell me who set up this formation. Heavenly Divination in progress Failed. The target is under the protection of a Dao Artifact. Players Fortune Loss Layer is too high! The skies above Cangyun Realm churned with ominous clouds. For the first time, Chen Huaian found himself standing beneath the weight of his own divination. At the boundary where the mountains met the sky, a vortex of black clouds emerged. From within, a golden vertical pupil extended its gaze, scanning a particular spot within the vast Ten Thousand Mountains before abruptly dissipating. The cultivators sensed the disturbance in the heavens, but they were accustomed to sudden divinations appearing above them. With only a casual glance upward, they continued their assault on the demonic formation. Only Chen Huaians eyes lit up, gleaming like a starving wolf spotting a stray sheep. Protected by a Dao Artifact again? Could it be that old crone who intervened for Ji Dong before?! Though his Fortune Loss prevented him from pinpointing the persons exact location and details, the ripples of his divination were undeniable. His current incarnation was already within Cangyun Realmhe could follow the trail straight to them! With that thought, Chen Huaian immediately flew in the direction where the golden pupil had vanished. With so many cultivators attacking the formation, it was already on the brink of collapse. His presence wouldnt make much of a difference. Qingyun Patriarch was still immersed in the joy of battling demonic cultivators alongside his beloved. On such a bright and glorious day, what could be more romantic than destroying a demonic formation together? Then, in the blink of an eye, he saw Chen Huaian soar away on his sword. Daoist Chen, where are you going? Rong Qingyun hurried to follow, but a powerful force shoved her backso overwhelming that even she, at the Fusion Realm, couldnt resist it. None of your damn business! Chen Huaian snapped before disappearing into the distance. Ah~ Even the way he rejects people is so domineering and alluring Truly~ Qingyun Patriarch squeezed her legs together, covering her flushed cheeks in a lovestruck daze. Then, turning her gaze back toward the demonic formation, her eyes gleamed with a murderous light. Daoist Chen must have something urgent to handle. When he said none of your damn business, he was actually trying to keep me from getting distracted Hmph! If it werent for this formation, I could have gone with him! This is all your fault! Under the stunned gazes of the surrounding cultivators, Rong Qingyun pulled out over a dozen spiritual artifacts from her storage pouch and flung them toward the formation like disposable trashthen detonated them all at once. Boom! Boom! Boom! The violent explosions accelerated the collapse of the demonic formation. The sheer recklessness of using precious spiritual artifacts as bombs left the nearby cultivators both awestruck and heartbroken. As expected of Qingyun Patriarchshe truly despises demonic cultivators! But isnt that a bit wasteful As the cultivators murmured among themselves, Rong Qingyun pulled out another dozen spiritual artifacts and hurled them into the fray. Patriarch Qingyun, stop! Those are spiritual artifacts! If you really dont need them, why not give them to me? Ill break the formation for you! A Fusion Realm elder from Zhenwu Holy Land trembled at the sight, his beard quivering. Turning to his subordinates, he asked, Who is that? Thats the Qingyun Sect Patriarch. Ah, I see! The Zhenwu elder nodded repeatedly, clapping his fists together in admiration. Ive long heard that Qingyun Sect is the strongest sect in Cangyun Realm, known for their deep foundations and unwavering hatred for evil. Seeing is believingthe rumors were true! When Daoist Zhang returns from the major secret realm, I must put in a good word for Qingyun Sect! Encouraged by his words, the surrounding cultivators attacked with even greater fervor. Some even followed Qingyun Patriarchs example, throwing their unused magical tools into the battle and detonating them. Though their weapons werent as powerful as hers, sheer numbers made up for it. The demonic formations collapse accelerated yet again. Meanwhile, a thousand miles away. At the edge of the Ten Thousand Mountains, hidden in a dense forest, Ling Pus expression darkened. This doesnt make sense The formation is collapsing way too fast. Have these sect cultivators grown this much stronger since last year? At this rate, it wont last even half an hour Just as she muttered to herself, an intense sensation of being watched prickled at her skin. Ling Pu looked up. Through the thick canopy of interwoven branches and leaves, a golden vertical pupil was scanning the area. For the third time that day. Glancing at the Dao Artifact in her handnow riddled with seven cracksLing Pu gritted her teeth. That damn mysterious sword cultivator used to perform divination just once a day. What the hell is going on today? Is he insane? Does he have a death wish?! Hes already performed three divinations just to locate me! Is he planning to burn through all his Fortune just to take me down?! At that moment, the sound of a sword cutting through the wind echoed in the distance, rapidly approaching. Accompanied by a chilling, sinister laugh. Jie jie jie! You bastard, I found you! The moment the voice rang out, an ominous premonition surged in Ling Pus heart. She hastily formed a hand seal and vanished from her spot, leaving behind only a faint golden lotus shadow. Boom! A devastating sword aura slammed into the ground. The impact sent the earth shuddering as a towering pillar of yellow sand erupted into the sky. When the dust settled, the land was scarredtrees reduced to dust, a sword mark stretching across a hundred feet. Ling Pu reappeared a thousand meters away, standing on the edge of a cliff. She gazed at the figure floating in the air, his spiritual energy surging like a blazing sun, her expression solemn. How did you find me? Chen Huaian pointed skyward. For the fourth time today, he activated Heavenly Divination, surpassing the ten-thousand limit. Behind him, the golden vertical pupil manifested again, shining like a radiant halo. Its cold, detached gazeimbued with a trace of the Daos authoritypierced through the thinning clouds, locking onto Ling Pu. So thats it she muttered, her lips curling into a cold smirk. Youre tracking me through the fluctuations of divination. Ling Pu scrutinized Chen Huaian before chuckling darkly. This incarnation of yours is only at Nascent Soul Perfection. She tapped her fingers against the prayer beads around her wrist. Let me guessdid using divination damage your true bodys core? Is that why you can only manifest an incarnation this weak? The setting sun bathed the clouds in gold and crimson. A deep, resonant Buddhist chant filled the air as the drifting clouds scattered. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ling Pu, the old nun, abruptly turned away. Behind her, a thousand-armed Guanyin Dharma Manifestation burst forth. Golden light swirled around her as she sneered, Boy, with your pathetic levelbarely at the Fusion Realmyou think youre worthy of dueling me? With a light knock of her bony fingers against her prayer beads, her figure merged into the Guanyin Manifestation. Amitabha! The Guanyin joined its palms together, while the thousand arms behind it spread wide as if to tear open the sky. As Ling Pu reopened her eyes A killing intent as vast as the ocean surged toward Chen Huaian. Chapter 211: Three Realms of the Sword Chapter 211: Three Realms of the Sword Who said my true self is only at Nascent Soul Perfection? Chen Huaian stepped forward, and in an instant, his aura surged, breaking through from Nascent Soul Perfection to the Fusion Realm. Ling Pus Dharma Manifestation trembled slightly. She was about to speak when Chen Huaian took another step. His aura surged againFusion Realm Mid-Stage. Another stepFusion Realm Late-Stage. With seven steps, he reached Ling Pus level, achieving the third stage of the Void Refinement RealmVoid Shattering. At that moment, the spiritual pressure around him distorted the very space within a ten-meter radius. Ling Pus face twisted in shock, and even her Dharma Manifestations narrowed eyes widened in disbelief. You your incarnation alone possesses such power? Then your true body who are you? She racked her brain but couldnt fathom who Chen Huaian truly was. In the Void Refinement Realm, every stage was a world apart. If his incarnation had reached the third stage of Void Refinement, then his true self must at least be at the sixth stage or higher. Yet, in Cangyun Realm, there were only a handful of cultivators at that levelall ancient monsters from the Holy Lands or the Void Abyss. Such figures were anything but obscure. She should have recognized him. But Chen Huaians aura, his sword techniquesshe had no recollection of any of it. Chen Huaian remained silent and took another step forward. BOOM! The heavens trembled! His cultivation surged once more, surpassing Ling PuVoid Refinement Fourth Stage: World Quantification. The space around him began to collapse, and behind him, the projection of a barren micro-world emerged. Within the pressure of his spiritual energy, the swirling forces of yin and yang intertwined. Everywhere his gaze landed, sword marks were left in his wake. I amChen Huaian! He raised his hand. The void behind him split open three meters wide. His micro-world collapsed, imploding into a singularitythen compressed into a black sword in his grasp. The blade flickered between light and shadow, swirling with the essence of yin and yang. The tip of the sword pointed at Ling Pu. I dont care what schemes youre plotting or what tricks youre trying to pull. But if you dare harm my disciple I will. Take. Your. Life. Chen Huaians eyes narrowed as he raised his arm, gathering the force of heaven and earth into his sword. The Dao begets One, One begets Two, Two begets Three, Three begets all things. The contained a total of twelve sword techniques. After mastering all twelve, one could unlock three hidden secret volumesonly accessible upon reaching the Void Refinement Realm. The first and most fundamental of these secrets "Dao-Origin Sword!" Before the sword was drawn, the world fell silent. As the sword was drawn, the world lost its color. The words seemed to echo directly in Ling Pus ears. Being a full stage below him, she had no way to resist. It was as if she had been frozen in time and space, her perception of reality fading, her concept of time dissolving. In that instant, she heard the sound of the Dao collapsing. And what was being destroyed Was her Dao. Chen Huaian sheathed his sword and turned to leave on his flying sword. Behind him, the Bodhisattva Dharma Manifestation remained motionless. Only upon closer inspection could one see a thin sword scar running from its brow straight down into the earths veins. Ling Pus soul had been erased in an instant. Behind her, the sky was carved with sword energy stretching thirty thousand miles. As the last withered leaf fell to the ground, the entire autumn mountain collapsed in complete silence. Chen Huaians heart ached. Summoning an incarnation at the Void Refinement level was insanely expensive. Void Refinement First Stage1 million per minute. Second Stage5 million. Third Stage10 million. Fourth Stage50 million. He had maintained Void Refinement Fourth Stage for half a minute. Over 25 million gone. This wasnt just burning money. This was a money incinerator. And after the Void Refinement Sixth Stage, the system wouldnt even allow him to purchase further power unless his true body reached Foundation Establishment Peak. Why? Because the Sixth StageFormless Realmtouched upon the essence of the Dao. Crossing that threshold could break through the barriers between two worlds, directly affecting his true self. So, he had to increase his own cultivation in the real world to withstand it. Chen Huaian found this quite reasonable. After all, killing a Void Refinement Third Stage old monster like Ling Pu from another world was already absurdly overpowered. With that logic, 25 million was a steal. Money well spent. And he had no regrets. Killing Ling Pu had rid him of a major threat. Player has slain Forsaken Disciple of the Pure Nirvana SectLing Pu. Obtained: Righteous Cultivator Fragment x1, Damaged Dao Artifact x1. Oh? Ling Pu, who set up a demonic formation, still counts as a righteous cultivator? Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Something wasnt right. It seemed the game classified or cultivators based solely on the techniques they practiced. But after watching enough TV dramas, he had his own views. The so-called righteous could still commit acts of evil. And those who practiced demonic techniques werent necessarily wicked. Take himself, for example. He cultivated the . So what? He was still upholding justice! Like when he cleansed the Demon Slayer Bureau headquartershe did it to make the world a better place for Uncle Bearded Guy. If sacrificing all the aristocrats could create a more stable reality Then so be it. Hed be the executioner if he had to. The strong should support the weak. Now that he had grown strong, it was time to start supporting. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On his way back to the main group, he examined the damaged Dao Artifact he had obtained. And nearly jumped. He expected it to be a weapon or armor. Instead It was a polished, timeworn skull. Damaged Dao Artifact: Skull of Zhao Zhenlong, Disciple of the Pure Hao Sect. Due to repeated backlashes from divination and sword energy impacts, this Dao Artifact is now unusable. Its Dao laws have dissipated, covered in cracks and sword scars. (Perhaps this could be a collectors item? Or maybe presenting it to the Lingxi Valley Master or Pure Hao Sect Leader would yield unexpected results? Well That last sword strike must have been too much. Otherwise, this artifact would still be functional. Chen Huaian tossed the skull back into his inventory, rubbing his chin. No way he was handing this thing over to the Pure Hao Sect. Something told him Zhao Zhenlong was either the sect leaders son or father. Pulling out a skull like that would be a huge misunderstanding. Not that he feared misunderstandings. As for Zhao Zhenlongs connection to Lingxi Valley, he had no idea. But compared to a sect he had never dealt with, Lingxi Valleys Master was beautiful, kind-hearted, and reasonable. Even if there was a misunderstanding, shed probably hear him out before forcing him into a fight. Unlike some people. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! By the time Chen Huaian returned to the demonic formation, the cultivators were still hurling magic tools at it and detonating them. The once-mountainous terrain had been blasted into a crater. He twitched at the sight. He had just killed a Void Refinement Third Stage old monster and come back, and these guys still hadnt broken the damn formation?! What a bunch of useless idiots! Oh my~ Daoist Chen is back~ Qingyun Patriarchs eyes lit up upon seeing him. She hurriedly stuffed the half-broken magical tool in her hand back into her pouch. Her bloodthirsty aura vanished in an instant, replaced by a gentle, charming smile. Daoist Chen, are you hurt? There was a huge battle thousands of miles away just nowthe shockwaves even reached here~ I was so scared~ Chen Huaian took a deep breath. He hadnt even felt this much pressure when fighting Ling Pu. Now, though? Facing Qingyun Patriarch felt like stepping on a landmine. He glanced at the formation below. If he sliced through it now, shed stop bothering him, right? Just as he was about to draw his sword BOOM! The formationafter barely holding out for half an hourfinally collapsed. Cheers of relief erupted from the cultivators. The Zhenwu elder let out a sigh And then, a second later, his face paled. Not good! Everyone, get back!! Chapter 212: Luring the Tiger Away? Chapter 212: Luring the Tiger Away? Elder Qi Zhengyan of Zhenwu Holy Land swiftly formed a hand seal, and beneath his feet, a massive Taiji Diagram unfurled, expanding to shield nearly all the cultivators above the demonic formation. BOOM! The instant the formation shattered, the power that had been brewing within finally erupted. A hint of Reversal Dao Law was concealed within, and any cultivator with even a shred of Dao comprehension immediately sensed that something was terribly wrong. No wonder this formation had been so difficult to break. Its thick, impenetrable shell had never been its true defenseit was merely a disguise, concealing the Dao resonance at its core. It had been absorbing all the energy from the cultivators relentless attacks this whole time. And now, under the influence of the Reversal Dao Law, that accumulated energy had reached its absolute peak. The moment the Taiji Diagram materialized It detonated. Hold the damn line!! Elder Qi roared. A blazing crimson beam erupted from the center of the formation, piercing the heavens. The red light painted Qi Zhengyans deeply wrinkled face in a fiery glow. Cultivators scattered in all directions as the protective Taiji Array shattered in just two seconds under the overwhelming force. Two elders from Yaochi Holy Land and Pure Nirvana Holy Land, both at the Fusion Realm, exchanged glances. Elder Qi, well assist you! They landed atop the Taiji Array, pressing their hands downward. Their eyes shone with divine light as they funneled their spiritual energy into the formation. But even with their combined efforts, a rapid crackling sound rang out The Taiji Array continued to fracture. A thousand meters away, Chen Huaian stared at the rising pillar of crimson energy with his mouth slightly agape. He hadn''t expected this demonic formation to function like an energy cannon, where whatever was fired into it would be fired back out just as violently The moment the formation exploded, Qingyun Patriarch had already activated her Natal Artifact, teleporting both of them to safety. It was a blue mist-like cloud, moving at unimaginable speeds and transforming them into pure vapor. Even if they had been hit directly, Chen Huaian estimated they would have remained unscathed thanks to her artifact. These demonic cultivators are more cunning than I expected! This formation was nothing but a trap! Rong Qingyuns face was pale. She was already suffering from internal injuries, and just now, she had exerted her full strength to protect both herself and Chen Huaian. But it was all worth it. As long as Chen Huaian-gege was safe, nothing else mattered. Daoist Chen, what do you think these demonic cultivators are trying to achieve with this commotion? Rong Qingyun gazed at him softly, eager to hear his wise and charismatic insights. Surely, someone as powerful, charming, and knowledgeable as him would have an extraordinary perspective! Chen Huaian thought for a moment. Then, he opened the system translator. "I believe No. 56 rebar should be mixed with spaghetti to avoid disrupting the excavators biochemical indicators" What Rong Qingyun heard was: I believe this could be a diversion tactic. Ah! As expected of Daoist Chen! Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and she clapped her delicate hands. Yuner thought the same! This place is far from the entrance of the secret realm, beyond the reach of divine senses. Ill contact that useless son of mi , the Second Elder, at once! She took out a Transmission Jade Talisman and asked a few questions. Surprisinglyand somewhat reassuringly The secret realm entrance was completely normal. There was no sign of an ambush. But at that moment The Taiji Array, which had been barely holding on, was on the verge of collapse. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Elder Qi, this isnt working! An elder from Yaochi Holy Land glanced back at the Nascent Soul cultivators who hadnt yet evacuated, his tone urgent. We cant keep taking this head-on. Instead of resisting, why not redirect the energy somewhere else? By now, Qi Zhengyans face was drenched in sweat, his complexion ghastly pale. After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded. Alright My spiritual energy is nearly depleted. Assist me in redirecting it! The three elders pressed down on the Taiji Array simultaneously. Qi Zhengyan focused on stabilizing it. The Yaochi and Pure Nirvana elders worked to tilt the arrayredirecting the immense energy elsewhere. Hold the damn line!! With a unified roar, the three elders exerted their full strength. The cultivators watched as the Taiji Array slowly shifted its angle. The formation itself carried traces of Reversal Dao Law, meaning the energy beam striking it was refracted, much like light bouncing off a mirror. This significantly reduced the pressure on Elder Qi Zhengyan, who had been struggling to maintain the array. From a distance, Chen Huaian observed the shifting array with a nagging sense of unease. And then As the Taiji Array fully tilted and the energy beam was redirected sideways It finally hit him. That beam was now headed straight for the entrance of the secret realm. Qi Zhengyan and the others could barely withstand such terrifying energy. What about the old, weak, and injured near the secret realm? How the hell were they supposed to block it?! Wait. These three old bastards Did they do this on purpose?! Chen Huaians lips twitched. There werent any Sword Pavilion disciples near the secret realm, so he wasnt exactly worriedbut he did have some suspicions about these elders'' motives. Yet, without proof, accusing them outright was meaningless. Youre going to hit the secret realm entrance at this rate! Rong Qingyun had also noticed the problem. She hurriedly approached Elder Qi Zhengyan, who was already meditating to recover. Qi Zhengyan had just breathed a sigh of relief Only for it to catch in his throat when he heard her words. He turned to check the trajectory of the energy beam And sure enough, it was headed straight for the secret realm entrance. Quick! Tilt the formation again! The elders of Yaochi Holy Land and Pure Nirvana Holy Land immediately adjusted their positions to assist. A few seconds later The energy beam angled upward, shooting toward the sky, completely missing the secret realm entrance. Only then did the three elders finally exhale, drenched in sweat. Qi Zhengyan remained seated in the center of the array, forming seals with both hands. Eight golden chains of spiritual energy locked down the chaotic formation patterns, stabilizing the remnants of the array. He took a deep breath and swept his gaze over the gathered cultivators. His voice boomed like a great bell, echoing in all directions: "I have exhausted a century of cultivation to suppress this formation. All of youreturn to the secret realm entrance immediately and investigate any anomalies!" The cultivators didnt hesitate. They expressed their gratitude and swiftly departed. Rong Qingyuns earlier warning had made it clear that something was amiss, and they werent about to waste time. Chen Huaian followed the crowd back to the secret realm entrance. There was no widespread destruction in sight. However, the disciples stationed outside various sect camps appeared restless. The moment they saw their elders return, their tension visibly eased. Chen Huaian frowned slightly. Had he misjudged the situation? Had those elders truly not redirected the energy beam intentionally? Unfortunately, there were no Sword Pavilion disciples stationed here, so he had no way of getting a reliable answer. After thinking for a moment, he turned toward the Lingxi Valley compound. Lingxi Valley Dojo The white jade platform shimmered under a golden sunset glow. In the midst of it, Yun Baiyu, the master of Lingxi Valley, was channeling spiritual energy through her palm, gently soothing her anxious disciples. Just then A tear split through the eastern clouds, and a streak of sword energy descended like a frozen star. Chen Huaian had arrived. Even before his sword was fully sheathed, the sharp aura of his sword intent shook the peach blossom trees bordering the dojo, causing a cascade of petals to fall. Lord Sword Sovereigns presence graces my humble valley. Yun Baiyu gracefully rose and greeted him with a polite bow. No need for formalities. Chen Huaian glanced around and nearly chuckled. Every single Lingxi Valley disciple here wore a sword at their waist. Huh. Since when did Lingxi Valley disciples start training in swordsmanship? He wasnt here to figure that out, though. So, he got straight to the point: You never left the secret realm entrance. Did you witness anything unusual? Oh? So thats what Sword Sovereign came to ask about. Yun Baiyu raised a delicate brow, adjusted her flowing sleeves, and spoke with lingering apprehension: Moments ago, a surge of immensely powerful energy came streaking from the west. It shattered the protective barrier surrounding the secret realm entrance and narrowly missed my Lingxi Valley dojo before shooting straight into the Small Secret Realm Gate She exhaled softly, as if still shaken by the experience. Fortunately, it didnt strike any sect compounds, so at least we were spared a disaster. Chapter 213: Zhao Zhenlong’s Identity Chapter 213: Zhao Zhenlongs Identity "S-Shot it into the secret realm?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, realizing this wasn''t a simple matter. He quickly checked the main quest status in the game and confirmed that Li Qingrans survival rate was still at 100%. Only then did he let out a small sigh of relief. Alright, maybe he was just being overly paranoid. Even if that pillar of light, filled with violent energy and reversed Dao resonance, had crashed into the secret realm, it was unlikely to have directly hit Li Qingran. After all, a secret realm was a small world of its ownthe chances of her getting struck were as slim as finding a needle in a haystack. Besides, what was there about Li Qingran that would make her a target? Its not like she had a Supreme-Grade Dantian, a Pure Water Spiritual Root, a Sword Spiritual Root, and a Taiyin Dao Body or anything... "Hiss" Chen Huaian sucked in a breath. Wait a minute Li Qingran actually had all of those things. With his constant pay-to-win spending, Li Qingranalready a natural geniuswas beyond what could even be called a prodigy at this point. Stacked with all these incredible talents, she was practically a walking cheat code. Compared to her, even the so-called once-in-a-millennium geniuses from the three Holy Lands were a joke. "Master Chen, are you worried that the disciples of the Sword Pavilion might encounter unexpected danger in the secret realm?" Yun Baiyu caught a glimpse of Chen Huaians furrowed brows and smiled reassuringly. "Rest assured, the Sword Pavilion disciples are powerful and highly united. As long as they dont run into the three Holy Land prodigies, theyll be able to walk through the minor secret realm unchallenged. Plus, with you personally overseeing the Sword Pavilion, any evildoers with ill intentions will have to think twice before making a move." "Hmm, you have a point." Chen Huaian wasnt about to explain his actual concerns to Yun Baiyu. As long as Li Qingran was safe, the other disciples of the Sword Pavilion should be fine as well. Since he was already here at the Lingxi Valley dojo, he took out Zhao Zhenlongs skull. "Daoist Yun, do you recognize this?" Yun Baiyu looked at the skull in Chen Huaians hand, confused. He cupped his hands and asked, "Would Master Chen be willing to enlighten me?" "This is Zhao Zhenlongs skull." As soon as those words left his mouth, the color drained from Yun Baiyus face. Her eyes locked onto the hollow sockets of the skull, slowly filling with a thin layer of moisture. "Master Chen are you certain?" "Of course." Seeing her pale complexion and trembling lips, Chen Huaian was already making some educated guesses about Zhao Zhenlongs identity. "I obtained this skull after a battle with a rogue cultivator from the Burning Purification Sect. The skull had been refined into a Dao artifact by that cultivator. Curious about its original owner, I used a secret technique to divine its origins. Thats how I learned that his name was Zhao Zhenlong, a disciple of the Pure Hao Sect, and that he had some connection to your Lingxi Valley." "Zhao Zhenlong He he was my Dao companion. He was also Suxins father..." Yun Baiyus fingers clenched tightly around her sleeves, her gaze lowering as tears finally fell. "Master Chen, may I take a closer look at the skull?" "I dont see why not." Chen Huaian handed the cracked and sword-scarred skull to Yun Baiyu. The skull was already useless as a Dao artifact. Even if it werent, he saw no harm in giving it to her. After all, it was the remains of her late husbandreturning it to her was, in a way, an act of merit. As Yun Baiyu gently traced her fingers over the bone, she could almost picture Zhao Zhenlongs face in her mind. She had no doubt nowthis was truly his skull. But why? Zhao Zhenlong had long since become a guest elder of the Yaochi Holy Land. He had ignored both her and their daughter for decades. And now, after all this time, the only thing left of him was a skull? "If Zhao Zhenlong was your Dao companion, why wasnt he at Lingxi Valley?" Chen Huaian mused. Even though Yun Baiyu was clearly grieving, his curiosity was blazing. The thirst for gossip was simply unstoppable. "He was exceptionally talented and caught the eye of the real powerhouses from the Yaochi, Burning Purification, and Zhenwu Holy Lands. In the end, he chose to study at Yaochi for three years. But when those three years were up, he never returned. All he left was a letter telling me and our daughter that he had become Dao companions with a Yaochi elder and that we should not disturb him" Yun Baiyu took a deep breath. The slight redness at the corners of her eyes was like frost clinging to autumn leavescold, fragile, and ready to fall. "Oh. So, he was just a scumbag," Chen Huaian said, finally understanding. "Actually, Lingxi Valley didnt always forbid male cultivators from joining. It was because of what happened to Suxin that the rule was put in place. Her trauma from that experience was so deep that she refused to let any disciple in the sect form Dao companionships, fearing they would suffer the same pain." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Chen Huaian nodded in understanding. After all, there werent many men like himloyal, devoted, and the very pinnacle of what a perfect husband should be. In the ruthless world of cultivation, where the law of the jungle reigned supreme, relationships werent bound by modern moral constraints. Here, strength dictated everything. "Master Chen, do you know where that rogue from the Burning Purification Sect fled to?" Yun Baiyu wiped away her tears, her expression hardening as she furrowed her brows. "Although I despise him, I still want to know the reason behind his death." "Hes dead." Chen Huaian patted his sword sheath. "I went a little overboard and cut him down with a single strike." Yun Baiyu froze. That was a rogue cultivator from the Burning Purification Sect. There was no way his strength was merely at the Nascent Soul Stage. He was at least in the Fusion Realman old monster of immense power. And yet, Master Chen had killed him with a single slash, speaking about it as casually as if he had swatted a fly. Just how deep did the Sword Pavilion Patriarchs strength truly run? At that moment, Yun Baiyu felt fortunate for the choice she had made in the past. When Master Chen had drawn his sword at her, she had chosen to step back rather than retaliate. Looking back now, if she had chosen a more aggressive path, Lingxi Valley might have already been wiped off the map. Seeing her lowered gaze, Chen Huaian assumed she was upset about losing a lead. He offered a suggestion. "That old bastard may be dead, but didnt Zhao Zhenlong join Yaochi? You can always ask around there. Since he was a Dao companion of a Yaochi elder, they must have some information." Yun Baiyu nodded, though a bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Thats probably my best option" But how easy would it be to question the female cultivators of Yaochi? Over the years, she had tried taking Yun Suxin to Yaochi several times, only to be met with locked doors. The elders of Yaochi had even warned them, stating that Zhao Zhenlong was now a guest elder and deeply involved with one of their own. While his actions had been despicable, he was still a member of Yaochi. Repeatedly coming to demand answers would only tarnish the Holy Lands reputation. After being warned twice, Yun Baiyu had given up searching for him. She had once stayed at Yaochi to recover from an injury. It was then that she realized that the so-called Holy Land wasnt as sacred as it seemed. There was little camaraderie among disciplesrelationships were cold and selfish. The female cultivators of Yaochi were obsessed with cultivation and longevity, willing to do anything for power. They fought over spirit stones, pills, artifacts, and even powerful Dao companions Recalling those crazed faces, Yun Baiyu shuddered. That was why she never let Yun Suxin study at Yaochi. She didnt want her daughter to become one of those cultivation-obsessed lunatics. Now that Zhao Zhenlong was dead, maybe she could finally get some answers. Even though there would be obstacles, she wouldnt trouble the Sword Pavilion Patriarch any further. Master Chen had already gone out of his way to retrieve Zhao Zhenlongs skull and divine his identity. That alone was a great favor. How could she ask for more? Chapter 214: Care to Repeat That? Chapter 214: Care to Repeat That? "What is love in this world? It makes people makes people uh makes people fondle the Great Thunder!" Returning from the Lingxi Valley dojo, Chen Huaian swayed his head back and forth, sighing in exasperation. What a wonderful woman Lingxi Valleys Valley Master wasdelicate and beautiful, with a gentle temperament, the charm of a young maiden combined with the allure of a mature woman. And on top of that, she had a famous daughter ranked high on the Beauty List~ And yet, Zhao Zhenlong, that damn bastard, had abandoned all of that to indulge himself in the Yaochi Holy Land? Well, look where that got himhe played himself to death. Serves him right! Chen Huaian spat in disdain and lounged comfortably on his throne in the Sacred Dragon Hall. He could more or less guess how Zhao Zhenlong had met his end. The environment in the Holy Lands was undoubtedly far more cutthroat than any sect. Zhao Zhenlong had strong talent, so he must have been treated like a treasure when he first joined. But as even more talented cultivators entered Yaochi, his value would have plummeted. Perhaps he had been kicked aside by a Yaochi female cultivator, felt too ashamed to return to Lingxi Valley, and wandered aimlesslyonly to fall into the hands of that old hag from the Spirit Lotus Sect! Brilliant deduction! Chen Huaian gave himself a score of 100. Out of 10. "Heavenly Divination, is there a way for me to monitor my dear Qingrans safety in the real world at all times?" It had already been half a day. Chen Huaian was starving and planned to log off for a meal. Might as well check on any movements from the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters while he was at it. But with Li Qingran still inside the secret realm, logging off now made him uneasy. Heavenly Divination in progress Divination complete. This is your fifth divination today. 100,000 deducted. Option 1: Draw from the new Fortune Carp Prize Pool for a chance to obtain the Supreme Gold rewardLife Soul Lantern. The lantern''s color will indicate your virtual girlfriend Li Qingrans status: Green for Safe, Yellow for Injured, Red for Seriously Injured, Black for Near Death, and if the lantern shatters, she is dead. Option 2: The Sect Master of Shaoyang Sect possesses an artifact called the Yang Soul Mirror. With a personal belonging of Li Qingran, you can use it to view her basic condition. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the hilt of his Blackscale Sword. The Sword Pavilion also had soul lanterns, but they were primitiveeither lit or extinguished, signifying life or death. Unlike the Fortune Carps prize pool item, which provided detailed status updates. The second Fortune Carp Prize Pool had increased in price along with Li Qingrans cultivation. Previously, one draw cost 100. Now, a single pull was 999. With his current level of fortune loss, hed need at least a thousand pulls to guarantee a jackpot. That meant spending a full 1,000,000! At the same time, the description in the games system suggested that the Yang Soul Mirror might be even more effective. However, obtaining it would likely put him at odds with the Shaoyang Sect Master. "Should I be a miserable unlucky bastard, or should I be a bandit? That is the question." Chen Huaian pondered for a moment. So what if that Shaoyang Sect Master, Zhang Tinghai, got upset? Was his grievance worth 1,000,000? With a million, he could afford to practice the first ten moves of the Green Lotus Sword Manual with his Nascent Soul Perfection cultivation. At that point, how many Shaoyang Sect Masters could he even cut down? Having made up his mind, Chen Huaian soared towards the mountain where the Shaoyang Sect was temporarily staying. "What are you doing here?" On the mountaintop, Zhang Tinghai stared warily at the figure before hima man dressed in black robes, smiling pleasantly, yet radiating an overwhelming spiritual pressure that pinned every Shaoyang Sect disciple to the ground. "Daoist Zhang, I hear you possess an artifact called the Yang Soul Mirror. Is that correct?" "I do," Zhang Tinghai admitted, unsure what this old ancestor of the Sword Pavilion was up to. Chen Huaians smile grew even friendlier, revealing a neat row of white teeth. "I feel a connection with it." "Huh?" Zhang Tinghai was momentarily stunned, not comprehending what he meant. "I performed a divination and discovered that I am fated to obtain this item. So, I have come to fulfill this karma." Zhang Tinghai stared blankly at Chen Huaian. The hell was this nonsense? This Sword Pavilion ancestor wasnt bald, had no Buddhist scar on his forehead, and wasnt glowing with divine light. Then why was he talking like one of those insufferable monks from the Zen Sect or those tumor-ridden maniacs from the Burning Purification Sect? "You want my Yang Soul Mirror? Well, youre not getting it!" Zhang Tinghai scoffed, outright rejecting him. He still held a grudge from before. The Sword Pavilions old ancestor had destroyed their dojo with a single slash, showing zero respect. And now he wanted to take his Yang Soul Mirror? If he gave it away, how would he monitor his own son inside the secret realm? Chen Huaian didnt respond. He simply elevated his cultivation to Fusion Realm Perfection. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. BOOM! The mountains surface cracked apart, sending debris flying in all directions. The entire peak where the Shaoyang Sect resided instantly split into jagged pieces like a shattered puzzle. "Care to repeat that?" Zhang Tinghai dropped to his knees, his face deathly pale. Cold sweat drenched his robes. An invisible force crushed against his spine, making his bones crack audibly as he was lifted three inches off the ground, his legs dangling. He didnt dare move. Forcing a smile, he stammered, "S-Senior I-I too feel the deep karmic bond between you and the Yang Soul Mirror!" "Hmm." Chen Huaian nodded slightly, retracting his oppressive aura. "Well said. Continue." Zhang Tinghais feet touched the ground again. His legs trembled like jelly, but he wasted no time in pulling out the Yang Soul Mirror and respectfully offering it with both hands. "To assist Senior in fulfilling his karmic destiny is the duty of this junior. Please, Senior, do not hesitate to accept it." Chen Huaian took the Yang Soul Mirror and narrowed his eyes. "Has anyone threatened you today?" "N-No!" Zhang Tinghai frantically shook his head. "Absolutely not! Everything Ive done today has been entirely voluntary!" "Good." Chen Huaian stored the Yang Soul Mirror into his player inventory. Then, tapping Zhang Tinghais shoulder three times, he added, "Should your Shaoyang Sect face any calamity in the future, just mention my name. If its within my power, Ill help you weather it once." To him, this was just an empty promisea useless gesture. But to Zhang Tinghai, it was a miracle. A favor from a Fusion Realm Perfection cultivator! The Sword Pavilions old ancestor was truly generous. Even though he uh, "fated away" his Yang Soul Mirror, he still left behind a valuable favor. With someone of this strength backing them, the Shaoyang Sect had essentially been handed a get-out-of-jail-free card! As long as the Holy Lands didnt interfere, no other sect would dare provoke them. As for his son? The Yang Soul Mirror could only let him seeit couldnt save anyone. Watching helplessly wouldnt change anything. And if his son died well, he could always have another. Wait Come to think of it, that Sword Pavilion ancestor never even mentioned his name. Zhang Tinghai watched as Chen Huaian disappeared into the horizon, lost in thought. "Hold on a second!" He slapped his thigh, realization dawning. Powerful cultivators at this level often had unique titles. And just now, the Sword Pavilion ancestor had tapped his shoulder three times. Could it be his title was ?! Feeling enlightened, Zhang Tinghai cupped his hands toward the distant sky, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "This whole damn realm is full of lunatics." Standing on his flying sword, Chen Huaian sighed and shook his head. He had barely even tried, hadnt even given his name, and yet Zhang Tinghai was grateful beyond words. Arent cultivators supposed to be smart? Why were they all such gullible idiots? Buying their own demise and handing him the cash? "Whatever. Lets test out this Yang Soul Mirror." Chapter 215: If You Understand, Nod Chapter 215: If You Understand, Nod By the time Chen Huaian pulled out the Yang Soul Mirror, he had already returned to the real world. After all, he could only use the required medium items herethings like a tea bag and a pillowcase. Placing the Yang Soul Mirror on the pillowcase, ripples spread across the mirrors surface like water, gradually revealing Li Qingrans blurry figure walking through the scene. Someone was holding her hand, and judging by the bracelet on the wrist, it was undoubtedly Yue Qianchi. Beyond that, the rest was shrouded in mist. "That girl Yue Qianchi isnt bad." Chen Huaian was quite pleased. He had never explicitly instructed Yue Qianchi to protect Li Qingran. This was entirely her own decision. Just this alone was enough to make his massive investment in the Sword Pavilion worth it. As long as he could get a rough idea of Li Qingrans status, he was satisfied. Even Heavenly Divination couldnt fully reveal the situation inside the secret realm, so the mirror had already done its best. For now, Li Qingran seemed to be in good condition. Chen Huaian hung a tea bagmade from a bellybandon the mirror and walked out of his private room. Since survival rates could fluctuate, even though it was currently increasing, he had to consider the possibility of a sudden drop. So, whatever he did, he was bringing the Yang Soul Mirror with him just in case. The containment facility, 0 (Containment Unit 0), was eerily silent. Baji, Little Qing, Strawberry Bear, and King Shrimp Salary were all gathered around the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid, seemingly in deep meditation. None of them even noticed him coming out. By now, it was nighttime. Chen Huaian recalled his previous order to Zhao Yingnot to disturb him under any circumstances. So, he took the initiative to make a public phone call. "Governor Chen! Youve finally come out of closed-door cultivation!" Zhao Yings voice trembled on the other end of the line, her tone anxious. "Governor Chen, theres been a huge incident! The Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters was attacked by a powerful evil entity! Many Revived Ones were slaughtered overnight! The area around headquarters is now under lockdown, and Demon Slayer branches from surrounding provinces have been called in for reinforcements!" "Oh, and then?" "And then?! Then, should our C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau send reinforcements? This is serious! That evil entity is incredibly strong!" "And what does the headquarters being massacred have to do with us?" Chen Huaian casually dug his nose and flicked the booger onto the alloy wall. "Uh" Zhao Ying was momentarily stumped. After a long silence, she hesitantly said, "Well what if our C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau ever needs reinforcements in the future and no one comes to help? Also, some have speculated that after the evil entity is done at headquarters, it will start targeting other provincial bureaus. Many provinces have already sent reinforcements." "Who made that speculation? The noble families, I assume?" "How did you know?" Chen Huaian sneered. How could he not know? After all, his direct order to Bone Porcelain Woman had been to target noble familiesspecifically those of Elite Soldier-Class and General-Class strength. Nowadays, General-Class cultivators were becoming more common, especially among the noble families. More importantly, he had never given Bone Porcelain Woman the order to leave the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters. That meant all the Revived Ones sent for reinforcements would follow the same directiveanyone wearing a noble family identity badge and meeting the strength criteria would be executed on sight. If the noble families hadnt spread rumors that Bone Porcelain Woman would attack other bureaus, then the provincial Demon Slayer Bureausthose not yet infiltrated by noble familiesmight have just sat back and watched the chaos unfold. They were panicking. As for whether innocent people might get caught in the crossfire Well, he couldnt guarantee that. But considering his Fortune Loss status hadnt changed at all, killing these noble family members didnt seem to count as a karmic crime. "Governor, so should we send reinforcements?" "Sure." Chen Huaian glanced at the Strawberry Bear and King Shrimp Salary perched on the windowsill, then nodded. "Ill be continuing my closed-door cultivation, so I wont be available to travel. But Ill have KSC-01 and KSC-02 fully cooperate with your operation. "Also, I suggest not sending too many Demon Slayers. After all, our C-Province Bureau suffered heavy losses during the Di Jiang incident. Its only reasonable that we contribute fewer people." Zhao Ying was slightly disappointed to hear that Chen Huaian wouldnt personally lead the operation. After all, rescuing headquarters would be a major achievement, helping his future promotion prospects. Despite her distaste for the noble families, as his subordinate, she still wanted her superior to climb the ranks. However, when she remembered the terrifying destructive power of KSC-01 and KSC-02, she figured that sending them alone was already a significant show of sincerity. "Understood, Governor Chen. Ill come to retrieve KSC-01 and KSC-02 now." Zhao Ying hung up, then instructed Xiang Xiaoyuan to select personnel for the final mission preparations. "Weve got a job to do." Chen Huaian patted Strawberry Bears shoulder. Strawberry Bear jolted in shock, instantly standing uphis massive head nearly hitting the ceiling. "Well, well, youve grown, huh?" Chen Huaian clicked his tongue, giving the bear an appraising look. Compared to when they first met, Strawberry Bear had doubled in size. Since he spent most of his time sleeping, Chen Huaian hadnt noticed the change until now. Now, the bear stood at a towering five or six meterslike a walking fortress. "What are you standing so tall for? Get down!" Strawberry Bear obediently dropped to the ground with a BOOM, shaking the entire containment chamber. Chen Huaian grabbed both the bears thick neck and King Shrimp Salarys sniper barrel, looking at them coldly. "Listen up. Your mission is to go to the Demon Slayer Bureau headquarters and bring back your colleague, Bone Porcelain Woman. The Revived Ones accompanying you will handle her containmentIll make sure she cooperates. "Your job is simplewatch over the operation. If anyone tries to interfere you . "Bash their heads into their chests. Beat the sh*t out of them." After a pause, he patted both of them on the shoulder. "Understand? If you do, nod." Strawberry Bear solemnly nodded his massive head. King Shrimp Salary bent its gun barrel twice in acknowledgment. "Good." Chen Huaian released the two trembling containment objects, his expression returning to one of benevolent kindness. "The retrieval team is on their way. Follow protocol, and harm any colleagues. Otherwise, Ill personally bash your heads into your chests especially ." He grabbed King Shrimp Salary by the barrel and lifted it up. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Quit with that only women can use me crap! From now on, holds you better be able to fire a full-powered shot, or Ill bend you into a pretzel!" A single tear slid down King Shrimp Salarys sniper scope. Its barrel bent twice in resignation. Outside, the sound of the containment chamber doors opening echoed through the facility. Chen Huaian shoved King Shrimp Salary into Strawberry Bears furry hands and pushed them both toward the exit. "Alright, off you go!" Then, he turned back into his private roomtime to log back into the game and continue monitoring. As the containment chamber doors hissed open, steam billowed out. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan stood at the ready, surrounded by a heavily armed security team. This was and ! The two most mysterious and powerful containment objects under C-Provinces Demon Slayer Bureauexcluding Governor Chen himself. Some security officers were already trembling in fear. "Stay calm," Zhao Ying reassured them. "Governor Chen has pacified them. They wont" Her words cut off abruptly. Because through the mist, a colossal shadow emerged. A pair of crimson eyes gleamed ominously. The killing intent was palpable. Everyone stared, breathless, at the two-story-tall monstrous bear. "Captain Zhao they hurt us, right?" Xiang Xiaoyuan stammered, gripping a nearby wall for support. "I Im not so sure anymore" Zhao Ying swallowed hard. And then BOOM! Strawberry Bear suddenly dropped to his knees and bowed to them, planting King Shrimp Salary into the ground. Then, from his furry belly pouch, he pulled out two forms. Employee Performance Evaluation Form 1. Did the employee complete the assigned task diligently? 2. Did the employee harm any colleagues? 3. Did the employee follow instructions? Please provide a final rating out of ten. Holding the forms, Zhao Ying glanced between KSC-01 and KSC-02, her eye twitching. Xiang Xiaoyuan shivered, staring into the abyss of Containment Unit 0. Then, raising his trembling hand, he gave a shaky thumbs-up. "Governor Chen a-a-absolutely badass!" Chapter 216: Sudden Change Chapter 216: Sudden Change At the same time, within the small secret realm. Yue Qianchi and Li Qingran successfully located the entrance to the ruins of the Medicine King Valley. Compared to last year, the location of the ruins had shifted, but it had become easier to find. However, actually entering the ruins proved to be a challengethe sealing formation of the Medicine King Valley ruins was obscure and difficult to decipher. If they hadnt happened to run into Yun Suxin, who was exiting the ruins, they might have wasted half a day just figuring out how to get inside. These are Dragon Tongue Apricots and Blood Wave Mandarins. No need to thank me. Yun Suxin handed the two missing medicinal ingredients for the Hundred Herb Detoxification Pill to Li Qingran. These two herbs werent anything special back in ancient times, but with the decline of spiritual energy in the Cangyun Realm, the environment outside the realm is no longer suitable for their survival. Li Qingran and Yue Qianchi looked at Yun Suxin, who spoke as if she were listing off household items, with admiration. At the moment, they were inside the Medicine King Pavilion within the ruins. The pavilion had a spiraling tower-like structure, with wooden walls lined with countless compartments, each storing different types of spiritual herbs. Some compartments had already been searched through, but those protected by restrictions remained well-preserved. The two medicinal ingredients had been found among these countless compartments. For them, this task would have been extremely difficult. Yet Yun Suxin had done it in less than half an hourincluding the time needed to break the restrictions. Miss Yun, did you also come to the Medicine King Valley in search of some herbs? Any luck? Yue Qianchi asked curiously. Yun Suxins expression darkened as she tightened her grip around the porcelain medicine bottle. Her long eyelashes cast fragmented shadows under her eyes. The atmosphere grew heavy. Yue Qianchi felt a little awkward, realizing she might have asked something she shouldnt have. She quickly waved her hand with a dry laugh. If its inconvenient to talk about, forget I asked. I was just making conversation. My mother has severe internal injuries. I came here looking for medicine to heal her, but her condition has already corroded her foundation and severely damaged her lifespan. Yun Suxin shook her head with a bitter smile, her voice as soft as a fallen leaf. The Medicine King Valley may be great, but theres no longer any sign of a divine pill like the Primordial Replenishing Pill. Primordial Replenishing Pill? Li Qingran froze for a moment. That was the very pill her master had used to heal her dantian. She had already known the pill was incredibly valuable, but now she realized it was even rarer than she had imagined. She looked at Yun Suxin, who was weighed down by grief, her expression complicated. What others had to risk their lives forwhat might still be unattainable even after countless hardshipshad simply been granted to her as if it were a gift from the heavens. If not for her master, wouldnt she be in the same despair as Yun Suxin right now? The Medicine King Valley probably doesnt have any Primordial Replenishing Pills left. Yue Qianchi frowned in thought. Five years ago, when the small secret realms Medicine King Valley ruins first appeared, twelve Primordial Replenishing Pills were found. Nine of them were taken by disciples of the Holy Land. Those twelve might have been the valleys entire stock However, there were many great sects in ancient times. Even if the Medicine King Valley has none left, perhaps another major sect does. I plan to try my luck with Song Chiyue. Yun Suxin steadied her emotions, a hint of hope flickering in her eyes. Have you heard? Song Chiyue discovered the ruins of an ancient sect. This sect masters ruins are newly unearthed and completely unexplored. Regardless of whether theres a Primordial Replenishing Pill inside, anyone who helps purify the demonic energy there gets to make a request. I plan to ask for the Primordial Replenishing Pillmaybe she has one. Yue Qianchi thought this was a long shot. The Holy Land had taken nine of the twelve pills, and in the past five years, they had surely used them on their disciples. But she still offered some reassurance. The Holy Lands disciples are all geniuses. There havent been any reports of their dantian suffering damage in recent years, so they must still have some left Were heading in that direction too. Why dont we travel together? Yun Suxin glanced at Li Qingran, hesitant, her fair face turning slightly red. She had clashed with Li Qingran before, and even though she had helped her obtain the medicinal ingredients, she still cared about what Li Qingran thought of her. Traveling with Sword Pavilion disciples would be ideal. Especially since Yue Qianchi was already at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realmonly slightly weaker than the top disciples of the Holy Land. Even Li Qingran had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, an absurdly fast improvement. Traveling with these two would significantly increase her safety. Li Qingran noticed the hesitation and embarrassment in Yun Suxins expression. She stepped forward, taking Yun Suxins cold hands in her own, and smiled warmly. You helped us find the two medicinal ingredients, so now well help you find the Primordial Replenishing Pill. If that doesnt work, well look for alternative pills. Theres definitely a way to extend your mothers life! Yun Suxins fingers trembled slightly in Li Qingrans palm. The words "thank you" were on the tip of her tongue, but when she spoke, they came out as a choked whisper instead. Inside the ruins of the ancient sect. A group of cultivators was locked in battle with the remnants of demonic cultivators. Song Chiyue wasnt standing idly in the backshe was leading the disciples of Jade Pool at the very front. Her flower vines rampaged through the battlefield like a maddened dragon. She stood at the heart of the writhing vines, her white dress billowing as the soul bell rang sharply. Amidst the scarlet mist, she was like a winter plum blooming in the snow. A flick of her wrist sent vine tendrils as thick as wooden planks sweeping through the battlefield, reducing everything within ten meters to mangled fragments. She didnt slay many of the powerful demonic remnants. But she had single-handedly killed more of the ordinary ones than all the other cultivators combined. Her flower vines had a massive attack range. Normally, they were as obedient as fresh sprouts at her fingertips, but now, they had transformed into ruthless blades, a grinding machine shredding every demonic corpse that came too close. This greatly eased the pressure on the other sect discipleseach of them only needed to focus on a single opponent at a time. The demonic remnants within the sect ruins ranged from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core in strength. They felt no pain and had only an insatiable instinct for slaughter. Normally, they would have been formidable enemies, but the Buddhist light formation set by Monk Huikong suppressed them, and with the demonic energy within the ruins gradually dissipating, their strength was reduced to about sixty percent of its full potential. Hahahaha! What a thrill! A disciple from the Blade Sect cleaved a demonic remnants head off and kicked its body aside. Drunk on the exhilaration of battle, he howled in laughter. I hardly ever see demonic cultivators in the outside world, and I always regretted not getting a chance to kill any. But now, Im getting my fill in this secret realm! Well said! Well said indeed! The surrounding cultivators cheered as they glanced at Monk Huikong, who was maintaining the Buddhist formation, and at Song Chiyue, who was fighting the hardest at the front. They praised, With cultivators like Song Daoist, Huikong Daoist, and Qin Daoist in our Cangyun Realm, how could mere demonic cultivators dare to cause trouble? They must be hiding in some dark corner, trembling in fear! Mo Shumei, standing behind one of the cheering disciples, rolled her eyes. She hadnt chosen to be a demonic cultivator, but she was one nonetheless. And from what she knew, demonic cultivators werent cowering in fear at all. On the contrary, they had moved into the mortal world, living like kings while righteous cultivators constantly fought over resources. Now wasnt the time to engage these self-righteous cultivators. She needed to lay low. Daoist friend, if you are in any difficulty, you may stand behind our Sword Pavilion. A gentle voice spoke. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mo Shumei looked up and saw that it was Xu An, one of the personal disciples of the Sword Pavilion. Interesting. These Sword Pavilion disciples sure were kindhearted. She didnt refuse. Offering a polite thanks, she retreated to the rear and found an inconspicuous spot to sit. She could feel something inside the sect ruins bronze gates drawing her in. But the time wasnt right yet. As the cultivators advanced further into the ruins, the demonic remnants they encountered grew stronger. But with the sects great gates in sight, they gritted their teeth and persevered. ThenBOOM! From the fragmented sky above, a sudden red light shot down, piercing the mist. The terrifying energy wave crashed directly onto the core of Monk Huikongs formation. The formation, once bathed in Buddhist light, was instantly corrupted. The energy wave, infused with a reversed Daoist resonance, spread across the entire formation in the blink of an eye. Monk Huikongs face changed drastically. He tried to retract his inner energy, but he was a step too slow. A bitter taste surged in his throat. With a violent cough, he spewed a three-foot-long stream of black blood. Around him, all eighty-one eternal lamps flickered and went out. Chapter 217: Formation Backlash Chapter 217: Formation Backlash What was that red light just now? By the heavens, that scared me! The gathered cultivators stared at the sky. The red light had come and gone in an instantstriking the formations core before vanishing without a trace. Look at Master Huikong! a disciple suddenly cried out. All eyes turned toward the bronze pillar at the ruins entrance. Master Huikong, who had been meditating there, now lay motionless, blood oozing from his seven orifices. Not only had all eighty-one of the Eternal Lampsset as secondary formation nodesbeen extinguished, but they had also been ignited with demonic flames. Huikong had fallen unconscious, which should have caused his Purification Formation to collapse. Yet, the formation still remained. Something else was keeping it runningbut its function had been completely reversed. Originally, Huikongs formation purified demonic energy and suppressed the strength of the demonic remnants. But now, an eerie, malevolent aura surged from the formations core. The demonic remnants, bathed in this newfound energy, saw their strength soarthose at the peak of Foundation Establishment instantly broke through to the Golden Core realm, mid-stage Golden Core remnants advanced to late-stage, and late-stage Golden Core remnants pushed toward the grand completion stage. In contrast, the disciples of the sects found that their spiritual energy circulation had become sluggish. The surrounding spiritual energy they could draw upon was rapidly diminishinginstead of suppressing the demonic remnants, they were the ones being suppressed! S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If that had been the extent of the issue, panic wouldnt have erupted just yet. But then, a disciple collapsed to the ground with a shrill scream, shattering the eerie silence within the formation. Mymy spiritual energy is being drained dry! This formation its not just suppressing our spiritual energyits absorbing it and converting it into demonic energy! My spiritual energy is disappearing too! Wait mine doesnt seem to be affected The disciples of the Sword Pavilion remained relatively calm. Duan Feng, Xu An, and Zhen Hethe three personal disciplesquickly questioned the others and soon reached a conclusion. Only those below the Golden Core realm are having their spiritual energy drained. Those at Golden Core and above arent losing energy but are still being suppressed. Duan Feng casually sliced through a demonic remnant lunging at him. His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. We only have fifteen disciples above Golden Core in the Sword Pavilion. The rest are at various stages of Foundation Establishment. There are too many demonic remnantsif this keeps up, well be at a huge disadvantage. Resources dont matter anymore. All Sword Pavilion disciples, listen up! Withdraw from the formation! At Duan Fengs command, not a single Sword Pavilion disciple hesitated. They either repelled or killed the nearby demonic remnants before swiftly retreating toward the formations boundary. The personal disciples stayed behind to cover their retreat. Seeing this, the disciples of Lingxi Valley and the Pill Sect also followed suit. As for why they acted so unanimouslybefore entering the small secret realm, their elders had given them clear instructions: Do not provoke the Sword Pavilion. If the Sword Pavilion avoided a place, they should avoid it too. If the Sword Pavilion charged forward, they could explore cautiouslybut they shouldnt compete for resources, because they wouldnt win. Now that the Sword Pavilion was retreating, it meant the situation was critical. Naturally, they had to follow suit. Both Lingxi Valley and the Pill Sect were among the most renowned sects in the Cangyun Realm. The Pill Sect, in particular, had ties to many other sects, as its disciples frequently visited and exchanged knowledge. Seeing the Pill Sect disciples withdraw, other sect disciples also began retreating from the battlefield. In an instant, nearly half of the disciples abandoned the fight against the demonic remnants and moved to withdraw. And the tide of retreat only seemed to be growing. A Sword Pavilion disciple reached the formations edge first. The moment he stepped forward, his head slammed against an invisible barrier. Senior Brother! The barrier wont let us out! What?! Duan Feng strode up to the formations boundary and struck it with his swordbut the barrier didnt budge an inch. His expression darkened. What the hell is Huikong doing?! Why would he set up a formation that only lets people in but not out? Has he lost his mind? Boom! Boom! Boom! Upon realizing they were trapped, the sect disciples erupted into panic, launching a barrage of attacks against the barrier. But instead of breaking, the formation absorbed the spiritual energy from their spells, growing even stronger. You cowards! A cold voice rang out from above. Everyone looked up to see Song Chiyue standing atop a massive canopy of flower vines, her expression frosty. Youre all ready to run just because of a small setback? she sneered. This is merely a formation backlash. Ive already assigned disciples to heal Master Huikong. All you need to do is hold out for half an hour. Once Master Huikong reverses the formation, these demonic remnants will be nothing! Hearing this, hope reignited in some hearts. Although the demonic remnants had grown stronger, holding out for half an hour seemed possible. Song Chiyue tapped her toes against the vines, and thousands of emerald-green needles rained down, piercing through the battlefield. Wherever they landed, demonic remnants were instantly torn apart. This surge in momentum reignited the disciples fighting spirit. Song Chiyue continued, If I, a mere woman, can stand at the front, then surely the rest of you can as well. If you still lack confidence, Ill call in Qin Daoist to assist If we stand united, well hold out until Master Huikong awakens and reverses the formation! Shes right! We cant give up! Listen up! This formation contains reversed Dao principlesinjecting spiritual energy into it only fuels the demonic energy! Instead of wasting our energy attacking the formation, we should focus on holding back the demonic remnants and buy time for Master Huikong! Come on! Lets take down these demonic remnants! In just a few words, the retreat was halted. The disciples turned back and resumed their battle against the demonic remnants, forming small groups to fight more efficiently. Seeing this, Song Chiyues lips curved into a slight smile. Her voice rang out again, loud and clear: Now this is the spirit of Cangyun Realm cultivators! If we drive back the demonic remnants and open the sect ruins, everyone here may choose two treasures from the spoils! If nothing suits you, you may come to me for additional resources! The moment she finished speaking, the sect disciples fought with even greater fervor. Song Chiyue glanced at the Sword Pavilion disciples, pursed her lips, and continued leading the charge. Senior Brother, what should we do? Everyones fighting the demonic remnants now. Should we The Sword Pavilion disciples gazed expectantly at their three senior brothers. They wanted resources, but more than that, they felt it would be embarrassing to just sit back. Duan Feng frowned but hadnt spoken yet when Zhen Hethe most composed of the Hidden Sword Peak disciplessnapped open his folding fan and fanned himself lightly. We, of course, should retreat to the very backright by the formations edge. Senior Brother Zhen He, what do you mean? Xu An asked. Zhen He smirked, a mysterious glint in his eyes. Just watch. He pointed toward the towering bronze gates of the sect ruins. There, amid the swirling demonic energy, six blood-red figures sat cross-legged. They were clearly demonic remnantsbut nothing like the ones outside the gate. As the strongest sword cultivators in the Cangyun Realm, we must act at the most critical moment. Wasting our energy on these lesser remnants is pointless. Instead, we should wait until the others are too exhausted to fightthen well step in and clean up. That way, we get both resources and prestige. The Sword Pavilion disciples exchanged knowing glances. That makes sense! We cant just swing our swords at anything! Exactly! If we strike, it must be against worthy opponents! Brilliant idea, Senior Brother Zhen He! Well wait by the formations edge! Ignoring the looks they were getting, the Sword Pavilion disciples sat down near the barrier, closing their eyes to meditate. Zhen He shook his fan with a grinbut his gaze met those of Xu An and Duan Feng, and they silently exchanged messages. Somethings wrong. Jade Pool Holy Land is acting suspiciously. Chapter 218: Betrayal Chapter 218: Betrayal The Grand Secret Realm Boom! Boom! Boom! Under the blood-red sky, deep within a rift valley, the sound of bones shattering echoed. The entire secret realm trembled under the terrifying surge of demonic energy. A thousand-foot-tall skeletal demon tore through the mountain walls, crawling out of the abyss. Its jagged bones were wrapped in strands of blood and shredded flesh, and between its densely packed ribs, the remains of countless cultivators were wedged. However, the overlapping sword scars covering its bones were proof of the intense battle it had endured. Damn you, Holy Land scum! Ive been hiding in this Grand Secret Realm, and you still wont let me go? Zhang Yibai didnt respond. The Yin-Yang Twin Swords in his hands hummed violently, their sword light surging like a tidal wave toward the skeletal demons left leg joint. Break! A cold shout rang out. Crack! The massive white bone snapped, and the skeletal demon staggered, collapsing into a boiling lava pool. Its ghostly fire eyes flared as it let out a furious roar toward the sky. I hate you! I HATE YOU ALL! I was just one step away from becoming a half-step Demon Immortal! I was already hiding in this sunless realm, suffering in seclusionand yet, you three old dogs still came to hunt me down, even launching a sneak attack while I was in closed-door cultivation! Karmic Vajra Purification! With a thunderous shout, Monk Fenye leaped into the air. His bronze-hued skin radiated a metallic sheen, and the nine-ringed monk staff in his hands blazed with golden Buddhist light. Nine golden rings transformed into shackles, locking around the skeletal demons neck. The red Sanskrit script embroidered on his kasaya detached from the fabric and materialized in the air, forming thirty-two crimson lotus flames that began to scorch the skeletal demons body, causing it to sizzle and crack. Jade Yao Zhenren flicked her sleeves gracefully. Her Ice Soul Needles swirled through the air like dragons encircling the battlefield. The usually cold and aloof Palace Master of Yaochi even revealed a rare hint of amusement in her tone. The True Martial Sword Intent of the Void is indeed as extraordinary as rumored. If Zhang Daoist hadnt gone all out to drive this wretched creature out of the Ancient Burial Grounds, I wouldnt have been able to pinpoint its fatal weakness Zhang Yibai saw that the skeletal demon was now trapped and exhausted, its strength nearly depleted. It was secure. His nerves finally relaxed. Howeverbefore Jade Yao Zhenren even finished her sentence, a chilling gleam suddenly shot from her fingertips. The Ice Soul Needles, which had been restraining the skeletal demon, abruptly turned and rained down like a storm toward Zhang Yibais acupoints! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The ambush happened too fast. The moment Zhang Yibai sensed danger, he immediately withdrew his swords, forcibly shifting his stance to protect his vital points. His true essence surged in reverse through his meridians, a metallic taste rising in his throat. The Yin-Yang Twin Swords formed an impenetrable sword net before him. But his attacker was none other than Jade Yao Zhenrenanother Grand Ascension cultivator, just like him! Most of the needles were deflected, but seven managed to pierce through, embedding themselves deep into his right shoulders Tianzong acupoint. At the same time, a sinister gust of wind rushed from behind. Monk Fenye, who had somehow moved behind him unnoticed, pressed a blazing red d symbol onto his back! Boom! A crimson fire lotus exploded behind Zhang Yibai. His moon-white Daoist robe was instantly shredded, exposing charred, bloody flesh. You! Zhang Yibai staggered, dropping to one knee. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips, evaporating into mist as it touched his blade. His gaze snapped to the lava poolwhere the skeletal demons form was now vanishing into thin air. The eerie blue ghost flames in its eyes had transformed into two small serpents, slithering obediently into Jade Yao Zhenrens sleeve. Monk Fenyes once-benevolent expression twisted into a gleeful smirk as he taunted, Zhang Zhenren, do you like the little gift that Jade Yao Zhenren and I prepared for you? The crimson lotus fire in his fingertips burned away the last remnants of Zhang Yibais protective golden light. You opposed our plan back then, babbling about heavenly principles and cosmic balance Zhang Yibai, the heavens are already collapsing! Do you really still care about balance? We walk different pathsso for the sake of what comes next, we had no choice but to send you on your way. Jade Yao Zhenren descended lightly onto an ice crystal platform, her jade hairpin having transformed into a three-foot-long azure sword. The reflection of her blade captured the cold gleam in her eyes. The blood, flesh, and soul of a Grand Ascension cultivator, combined with a divine weapon like the True Martial Swords, should be enough to knock on the gates of immortality. From her sleeve, she withdrew two bronze soul lamps. One contained the ghost fire of the skeletal demon. The other was emptyclearly prepared for Zhang Yibai. So this was your plan all along No wonder the skeletal demons location was suddenly exposed a few years agoand it even coincidentally went into secluded cultivation. Zhang Yibai let out a bitter laugh. He had thought this was a stroke of luck, a chance to slay the demon and gain karmic merit to further comprehend the Void Sword Intent. He had planned to claim all the benefits for himself. But Monk Fenye and Jade Yao had insisted on joining him. Fine. He had been magnanimous. He had agreed to share. He never imagined this was all a trap! Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But His bloodstained fingers suddenly plunged into his own chest. With a snap, something shattered. Blinding golden light burst from between his fingers. A colossal Taiji diagram unfurled across the sky of the secret realm. I have comprehended the Yin-Yang Void Sword Intent for three thousand six hundred years Yet I have never once used my very soul as the blade, nor unleashed a strike that truly borders upon the Dao of Yin-Yang! The ground collapsed under the sheer pressure of his energy, revealing an abyss. Zhang Yibais body plummeted into it, his tattered robe flaring wildly in the wind. Thenhis tightly shut eyes snapped open. One eye was Yin, the other Yang. Within them, Dao flowed. Today, Zhang Yibai of the Void Sword Sect shall use this broken body to send you both to hell! Crack! The blood-red sky split apart. Suspended above the abyss, Zhang Yibais blood-drenched white robe billowed in an unseen wind. The True Martial Swords hovered three inches from his brow, their blades reflecting the swirling Yin-Yang energies. Three thousand years of contemplationonly today do I finally grasp the true meaning of the Void. He chuckled as he wiped away the golden blood at the corner of his lips. As his fingertips traced the edge of his sword, his entire right arm ignitedblack and white flames intertwining. Monk Fenyes chest convulsed in terror. His nine-ringed staff melted into molten gold before he could even lift it. Retreat! This is But before he could finish, Jade Yao Zhenrens Ice Soul Needles disintegrated into nothingness. Beneath them, a massive thousand-zhang Taiji diagram unfurled, mirroring the now Yin-Yang-colored sky. Zhang Yibai became his sword. The secret realm began to twist and collapse around him. Wherever the Yin-Yang Void Sword Intent passed, space fractured, the very fabric of the world warping under its weight. Yin-Yang Voidshatter all illusions, reveal the truth! With that final whisper, the True Martial Swords dissolved into nothingness. No sword light. No sound. Only the Dao itself, resonating through the heavens. And the world was erased. Meanwhile, in the Cangyun Realm At an unnamed deep pool, the water suddenly boiled. A translucent sword shadow emerged, entwined in Yin-Yang energy. At its tip A faint, flickering soul flame danced. How could the True Martial Emperor possibly die so easily? Chapter 219: Jade Yao Zhenren Must Be Heartbroken, Right? Chapter 219: Jade Yao Zhenren Must Be Heartbroken, Right? What terrifying energy ripples! Could it be that a secret treasure has appeared? Lets go, lets go! We have to check it out! The battle among the three great Holy Land cultivators had been so intense that every cultivator exploring the Grand Secret Realm had been alerted. Curiosity was an inherent human trait, and even these experienced cultivators were no exceptionif anything, their curiosity was even stronger. Pavilion Master, what do you say? Should we go take a look? The elders of the Sword Pavilion all turned their eager gazes toward Su Qinian. Whats there to see? What if its dangerous? Su Qinian narrowed his eyes, pressing his right hand lightly against the hilt of his sword. His tone was serious. Its better to let those other cultivators go ahead first. If theres something valuable He reached into his storage bag and pulled out a black hood, giving the elders a look that needed no explanation. Ohhh, I see now! As expected of the Pavilion Master! The Pavilion Master is truly farsighted! The elders all took out their own black hoods, grinning in understanding. The black hoods they had now were different from before. Back when the Sword Pavilion was poorer and lacked resources, Su Qinian and the elders hadnt been able to add any formations to their disguises. But ever since the Grandmaster had distributed a wave of resources to the disciples They had enhanced the black hoods with numerous formations, mostly to conceal their presence, block spiritual perception, and alter their facial features. Now, as long as they wore the hoods, no one could recognize them unless they were vastly stronger. When traveling the martial world, such black hoods werent always necessary But they were a must-have. The cultivators soared toward the source of the battles aftermath. The closer they got to the core area, the more unsettled they felt. The entire battlefield was enveloped in a terrifying sword intent. The mountains, sliced cleanly by sword qi, were as smooth as mirrors, their cuts gleaming like polished glass. The sky itself was split into two halvesone Yin, one Yang, with swirling clouds surging within. Beneath this bizarre sky, flowers, trees, birds, and beasts were all frozen in place, eerily motionless. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that everythingliving or deadhad been pierced through by sword intent. A light touch would reduce them to dust, scattering into the wind. What what happened here? Why is there such terrifying sword intent?! I can feel the Dao of Reincarnation in this sword intent Just who could have comprehended such profound laws? Look! Its Master Fenye and Jade Yao Zhenren! As the cultivators reached the center of the battlefield, one of them pointed toward a bottomless abyss, spanning a thousand feet wide. At the edge of the abyss, Jade Yao Zhenren and Monk Fenye sat cross-legged, meditating to recover. Inside the abyss, the White Bone Demon Saint lay on the verge of death, its pale blue ghostly fire flickering weakly in its hollow eyes. Yet, its body still radiated an overwhelming demonic aura. Two broken swords were embedded in its body. A cultivator recognized them instantly Thats thats the Yin-Yang Void Swordsthe personal swords of Zhang Yibai, the Lord of True Martial Holy Land! But at this moment, the legendary swords had lost their radiance. Their sword spirits seemed to have vanished? No wonder there was such a commotion! An elderly cultivator stared into the abyss, dumbfounded. The three Masters have subdued a Demon Saint! A Demon Saint. That was the pinnacle of demon cultivation, just one step away from becoming a Demon Immortalrequiring only a final tribulation. And demons had a much harder time cultivating than humans, making them even stronger at the same level. The fact that it had taken three Grand Ascension realm cultivators to suppress it spoke volumes about its power. Amazing but Master Fenye and Jade Yao Zhenren both look injured Wait, where is Zhang Zhenren? Among the crowd, two elders from True Martial Holy Land were present. Their eyes swept over the devastated battlefield, and when they saw the Yin-Yang Void Swords but no sign of Zhang Yibai, their faces paled. They frantically searched near the abyss, calling his name and scanning with their spiritual senses. They wanted to ask Fenye and Jade Yao, but they didnt dare interrupt them while they were healing. After a while, Monk Fenye was the first to open his eyes. He glanced at the two True Martial eldersthen let out a deep sigh. Amitabha His bloodstained monks robe fluttered in the wind. He gazed down at the swirling demonic energy in the abyss, his voice suddenly choked with emotion. Zhang Zhenren used three thousand years of cultivation to forcibly comprehend the Dao of Reincarnation in order to suppress the berserk White Bone Demon Saint. Just to protect the millions of lives in Cangyun Realm, he fought until his Daoist robe was completely destroyedyet even then, he still held tightly onto his broken swords We searched the entire secret realm, and yet not even a single bloodstained scrap of his robe remains His withered fingers dug deep into the scorched earth. The mountain wind lifted tattered talismans into the air. Monk Fenye suddenly trembled violently, murky tears splashing onto his corroded monk staff. Hes gone Even if we scoured the eighteen layers of the underworld wed still never find him again The two True Martial Holy Land elders turned deathly pale. They stared at Monk Fenye in a daze. Then, they heard another stifled sob. Turning their heads, they saw Jade Yao Zhenrenher head lowered, shoulders trembling slightly. No impossible! The Holy Lord was the greatest sword cultivator in Cangyun Realm! Hes slain countless great demonshow could he be killed by a Demon Saint?! You did you do something?! Did you force the Holy Lord to face the Demon Saint alone?! sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Faced with their accusations, Monk Fenye and Jade Yao Zhenren said nothing. They only silently revealed their severe injuries. Jade Yao Zhenrens once jet-black hair had turned completely white, and half of Monk Fenyes body was nearly entirely decayed. Seeing their dire conditions, the two elders, no matter how much they doubted them, remained silent. Elders, please dont say such painful things. Yes, Zhang Zhenrens disappearance is a tragedy, but Jade Yao Zhenren and Master Fenye have also suffered greatly. The surrounding cultivators murmured among themselves. Ive never seen Jade Yao Zhenren cry for another cultivator before She must be truly heartbroken Exactly! I heard Zhang Zhenren and Jade Yao Zhenren were incredibly close. If not for their pursuit of the Dao, they might have even become Dao companions! Damn the demon race! They actually left two of the Three Holy Land Masters seriously injured and one missing Fellow cultivators, we must make an enemy of the demon race! Jade Yao Zhenren and Monk Fenye listened to the growing outrage but remained silent. They actually had plenty of heavenly treasures to restore their injuries. Even with damaged foundations, they could have quickly recovered until their wounds were no longer visible. But they chose not to. Nor did they leave the battlefield. Instead, they waitedwaited for the cultivators to gather, to witness the sceneso that they could convince the world that Zhang Yibai had died at the hands of the White Bone Demon Saint. What could True Martial Holy Land do, even if they doubted them? They had no choice but to accept this reality. With Zhang Yibai dead, True Martial Holy Land was leaderless and no longer a threat. Their only fear was the Abyssal Ruins. Within the Abyssal Ruins, nine Supreme cultivators pursued immortality in seclusion. And among them was one who was Zhang Yibais closest friend. But as long as they entered the Abyssal Ruins themselves Zhang Yibais death would remain an eternal secret. Chapter 220: Breaking the Formation! Chapter 220: Breaking the Formation! As the news of Zhang Yibai, the master of the True Martial Holy Land, going missing spread across the Grand Secret Realm, the battle at the ruins of the great sect inside the Lesser Secret Realm had reached its climax. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the cultivators, even while struggling against the weakening effects of the formation, they managed to push the front lines all the way to the bronze gate. At this moment, the number of demonic cultivator remains guarding the entrance had dwindled to just a few. This was largely due to Song Chiyue leading the charge from the start, and later, Qin Luofeng entering from outside the formation. His terrifying Sword Intent of the Void had significantly relieved the pressure on the sect disciples. "Heh, just some mere demonic cultivator remains, nothing special at all..." Standing before the bronze gate, several sect disciples sneered at the remaining five demonic shadows. "Only a few left inside. With our numbers, we could easily crush them even if we just threw ourselves at them!" "Fellow Daoist Li is absolutely right. These slightly stronger demonic cultivator remains are only at the peak of the Golden Core stage. With us here, along with Fairy Song and Daoist Qin, taking them down should be no trouble at all~" Just as everyone was boasting, Song Chiyue and Qin Luofeng''s expressions darkened. Qin Luofeng looked up at the surging blood clouds above, his fingers tightening around the scabbard in his grip, making a cracking sound. Inside the sealing formation, the remains of countless demonic cultivators were crumbling inch by inch. Black flames rose between the bones, turning them to dust before they even hit the ground. All that pure demonic energy was rushing toward the six demonic shadows lurking behind the bronze gateconverging like rivers into the sea. Their twisted silhouettes rapidly solidified before everyone''s eyes, ancient blood-red demonic patterns flickering in and out of existence, as if an ancient beast was about to break free from its cage. "Song Chiyue, how much longer until Huikong''s injuries heal?" Qin Luofeng pressed down on his trembling sword case, his brow furrowed with concern. "Qin Luofeng, what''s the point of questioning me?" Song Chiyue snorted. "I wasn''t the one who injured Huikong. His wounds are severe, and I''ve already ordered my subordinates to focus on healing him. If you think it''s too slow, how about thisyou deal with the demonic cultivator remains inside the bronze gate, and I''ll go heal Huikong instead?" Qin Luofeng glanced at the base of the bronze pillar. Three disciples from the Jade Pool Sect sat cross-legged around Monk Huikong, their faces solemn as they channeled energy into him, attempting to expel the poison from his body. "If you heal Huikong, how long will it take?" Qin Luofeng asked. Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "One incense stick of time," Song Chiyue replied flatly. "Fine!" Qin Luofeng slapped his sword case. With a sharp clang, the Yin-Yang Twin Swords unsheathed and landed in his hands. "One incense stick!" His voice rang out like clashing metal. Before he even finished speaking, he had already turned into a streak of light, rushing thirty meters forward. Inside the bronze gate, a surge of purple-black demonic flames erupted. The six demonic shadows now bore the markings of ancient demons. Two of them locked eyes with Qin Luofeng, their pupils igniting into swirling crimson vortexes. One held a demonic sword. The other wielded a blood-red scythe. As soon as they landed, the stone tiles within a hundred-meter radius shattered into crimson sand. A foul wind swept through, carrying the pressure of the Nascent Soul realm, engulfing the battlefield. Over a hundred sect disciples in the vicinity immediately coughed up blood and stumbled backward, their faces filled with utter shock. This shouldn''t be possible. The Lesser Secret Realm prohibited any cultivator above the Nascent Soul stage from enteringanyone of that level would be forcibly expelled. Because of that, everyone had always assumed that nothing inside the Lesser Secret Realm could surpass the Nascent Soul stage. But now... Nascent Soul-level demonic cultivator remains had appeared! Right before their eyes, the remains had broken through from the peak of the Golden Core stage to the Nascent Soul realm! In an instant, all their arrogance and confidence shattered like glass. Qin Luofeng barely dodged in time, but the demonic energy sheared off three inches of his black hair. As the severed strands scattered in the wind, his speed abruptly increased. The Yin-Yang Twin Swords crossed, carving out a path of alternating light and darkness. The moment his sword aura clashed with the demonic energy Boom! The entire underground palace trembled violently, sending shattered tiles and debris flying in all directions. Watching Qin Luofeng charge into the bronze gate, Song Chiyue''s lips curled into a barely noticeable smirk. She adjusted her long dress, then walked over to Monk Huikong and sat down beside him, beginning to channel her energy. Huikong opened his eyes slightly. For a brief moment, their gazes met, and without words, they understood each other. Some sect disciples began fleeing in fear. Others, braver ones, stayed behind to support Qin Luofeng. And among them, a small figure surged against the tide, charging straight toward the bronze gate. Are you out of your mind? Six Nascent Soul-level demonic cultivator remains! At Mo Shumei''s waist, her demonic blade trembled violently. Six Nascent Soul demonic cultivators would be bad enough, but even if they don''t target you first because you''re a demonic cultivator, Qin Luofeng is still there! Hell cut you down like one of them! "Shut up!" Mo Shumei''s eyes locked onto one of the demonic remains that had yet to awaken. That one held a black saber, and within its rising demonic energy, a terrifying saber aura surged toward the sky. That saber aura... It was exactly the same as the technique she practiced! More importantly, she could sense the presence of the on that demonic cultivator! Only by continuing to cultivate the could she suppress the demonic blade. She refused to become its puppet. For freedom. For survival. So what if she had to risk her life? Put me down! I dont want to die with you! "You have to help me!" Mo Shumei gripped the blade tightly, increasing her speed. She had already broken away from the crowd, weaving past Qin Luofeng and the two battling demonic remains, charging directly into the bronze gate. Help my ass! "If you dont help, Ill send you to meet your damn father right now!" Mo Shumei pointed her saber straight at the yet-to-awaken demonic cultivator. This was her only chancebefore it regained consciousness. She had to make Soul Abyss unsheathe. I dont have a damn father! Soul Abyss struggled. "Then Ill send you to the Sword Pavilion instead!" Sching! With a sharp clang, Soul Abyss was forcibly unsheathed. The underground palace echoed with the wails of a thousand tormented souls. The chains wrapped around the blade shattered inch by inch, and a blood-colored tide, thick like the waters of the underworld, surged from the scabbard, slowly engulfing the entire saber. The terrifying demonic aura even made Qin Luofeng, mid-battle, momentarily breathless. But he had no time to look back. The relentless attacks of the demonic remains left him no room to breathe. Even with all his talents and trump cards, against two Nascent Soul-level opponents, he was barely holding on. His only hope was for Huikong to awaken and resolve the formation. Or at the very leastbreak it open. At the edge of the formation, Xu An had already set up the Three Talents Sword Formation in secret. "The time has come!" With the demonic energy being drawn into the bronze gate, the formation was at its weakest. This was his moment. Xu An bit the tip of his tongue, spitting blood onto the array disk. "Break!" Chapter 221: Sword Bones Chapter 221: Sword Bones Boom! Three spiritual swords cried out in agony at the same time. Their respective swordmasters coughed up blood. "Hold on!" Xu An roared, pushing upward with both hands as if to hold up the sky. Zhen He remained silent, his black hair gradually turning white. Duan Feng, his blood-red eyes locked onto the demonic cultivator remains, gritted his teeth. "Break!" The three combined their sword intents. The sword barrier collapsed into a three-zhang-long sword aura, carrying their life essence and slashing the Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains away. The sword aura struck again. Crack! The once unshakable demonic formation finally cracked open. Everything had happened too fast. From the moment Xu An activated the formation to the moment the Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains retaliated, only two or three breaths had passed. Only now did the disciples of the Sword Pavilion realize what their three senior brothers had been doing. As soon as the demonic barrier split open, guided by the sword formation, the swords of a hundred Sword Pavilion disciples simultaneously unsheathed and hovered in the air. The surging demonic tide at the opening was forcefully cleaved apart by the flying swords, creating a passage. Duan Feng, blood dripping from his mouth, shouted, "Go!" The demonic cultivator remains charged forward again, condensing boundless demonic flames into a fist that smashed against the sword formation. Boom! The Ice Soul Sword cracked from the tip, fine fractures spreading across its surfacemirroring the bleeding wounds on Duan Feng''s body. Zhen He had already fallen to one knee, but his spine remained rigid, supporting the collapsing formation core. A gray-robed disciple suddenly knelt and bowed deeply. "If Senior Brother does not leave, how can we survive alone?" Before he could finish speaking, Xu An lashed him with sword energy, sending him flying out of the breach. "Fool! Do you want our blood to be spilled in vain?" At the edge of the formation, disciples from other sects were already fleeing through the opening carved out by the Three Talents Sword Formation. Yet, the Sword Pavilion disciples stood rooted in place, unmoving. A disciple from the Ruthless Cliff grasped Duan Fengs blood-soaked sleeve tightly. "When our ancestor founded the Sword Pavilion, he made a ruleSword Pavilion cultivators never abandon their comrades and flee! Senior Brother, have you forgotten what the ancestor told us that day?" Behind her, the Sword Pavilion disciples unsheathed their swords in unison, the cold gleam halting the surrounding demonic energy for a moment. Duan Feng swallowed the blood rising in his throat. His left eye had already been crushed to pulp by the formation''s pressure. He pressed his fingers against the disciples pressure points, instantly sealing her meridians with his true energy. "The one breaking the rule today is me, not you!" A disciple suddenly leaped toward the formation core, attempting to merge himself with sword intent to strengthen the Three Talents Sword Formation. Zhen He struck him on the nape with the hilt of his swordhis trembling sword, Cang Yun, looked like a withered leaf in the wind. "Go!" Seeing the demonic cultivator remains charging again, Xu An quickly formed a hand seal, activating runes beneath the surrounding disciples. Before they could react, the Sword Pavilion disciples were teleported out of the demonic formation. Transforming a killing formation into a teleportation arraythough only shifting his own position, Xu An had to take the full brunt of the demonic cultivator remains'' next attack. Zhen He waved his sleeve, summoning a ten-zhang gale, forcibly flinging the last few stubborn disciples out of the formation. "Duan Senior Brother!" Duan Feng glanced down at the junior sister clutching his sleeve, her fingers bloodied yet refusing to let go. For the first time, a gentle smile tugged at his lips. He brushed his fingers against her tear-streaked face, let his hand slide down, then pushed her out of the demonic formation with force. In the void, his final words rang out sharply. "If anyone dares to turn back today, they are unworthy to call me Senior Brother!" As the last disciple vanished from sight, Zhen He collapsed to his knees, his sword, Cang Yun, snapping in two at his side. Duan Fengs Ice Soul Sword shattered into fragments, and he sat motionless, drenched in blood as if dredged up from a river of carnage. Xu An gazed at the now-empty formation core and chuckled softly, his trembling fingers still gripping the array disk. The Three Talents Sword Formation was barely holding together. Outside the formation, not just one but two Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains now stood. Monk Huikong had originally intended to awaken the third, saber-wielding demonic cultivator remains. But for some reason, that one remained motionless. Fortunately, dealing with the three Sword Pavilion prodigies, two Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains were more than enough. "Senior Brother," Xu An smiled bitterly, lifting his shattered Lingxian Sword to support his failing body. "A swordsman lives by his sword. When the sword breaks, so do we... Our swords have broken." "You are mistaken, Junior Brother Xu," Zhen He rose to his feet, his cold gaze fixed on the two hovering demonic cultivator remains. "Do you remember what our ancestor said?" Duan Feng let out a hoarse, guttural roar. "If one day, our swords shatter... Then we shall forge swords from our bones, hone blades with our blood, and ignite our souls as fire!" The three of them stood side by side. Behind them, the sect disciplesterrified by the Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remainsscrambled away in fear. Behind them, the demonic formation slowly began to close. Beyond the breach, countless Sword Pavilion disciples watched with grief-stricken eyes, pouring their energy into keeping the gap open, throwing ancestor-bestowed Thunderfire Talismans and self-refined sword orbs at it, all in vain. The demonic formation, strengthened by the energy wave outside the secret realm, had become unbreakably resilient, especially on the outer layers. Anyone below Nascent Soul couldn''t shatter it from the outside. They could only watch as the breach sealed shut. "Sword Pavilion has endured for ten thousand years not because of a peerless sword," Xu An declared. "But because of the unyielding bones of swordsmen!" "Today, I, Zhen He, chief disciple of the Hidden Sword Peakbecome the sword!" "Today, I, Duan Feng, chief disciple of the Ruthless Cliffbecome the sword!" "Today, I, Xu An, chief disciple of the Soaring Cloud Peakbecome the sword!" "Three swords as one!" Facing the two charging Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains, the three of them burned with fearless resolve. Their voices merged, ringing like swords. "Sword Formation" "Open!" Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Qin Luofeng died. Not at the hands of the two Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains. But under the divine ability of Monk Huikongthe Great Sun Vajra Seal. That enormous palm, shimmering with gentle Buddhist light, was meant to strike the demonic cultivator remains. Yet it viciously smashed into Qin Luofengs chest instead. The surrounding disciples stared in shock and horror. Huikong merely clasped his hands together. His delicate, almost feminine face displayed sorrow and regret. "Amitabha This humble monk only wished to liberate the demonic cultivator remains. But alas, Daoist Qin chose to step into my path. This humble monk has sinned." His gaze swept across the scattered sect disciples. They were the elites of their respective sectsamong them, geniuses with single spiritual roots, special physiques, and exceptionally powerful dantians. Of course, none of them could compare to him or Song Chiyue. But ten years ago, he and Song Chiyue hadnt been any more talented than some of these so-called geniuses. Geniuses could be harvestedjust as he and Song Chiyue had been. In truth, he was not Huikong. And Song Chiyue was not Song Chiyue. They bore these names to remain hidden. To act as the Holy Lands prodigies. To become the guiding stars for other sects to chase after. And nowit was time to reap the harvest. "For the sake of atonement," Huikong declared, "I shall personally ensure you all escape!" He began his work. Some he knocked unconscious and stored inside his space-warping Sumeru Ring. The restthose deemed uselesswere left to the demonic cultivator remains. Near the demonic formation, Song Chiyue sneered at the unconscious Sword Pavilion prodigies. "Good, good, good. Three of themeach with supreme-grade dantians and sword roots..." "Shame Yue Qianchi isnt among them." Huikong frowned. Something was wrong. "Wait... Where is the saber-wielding demonic cultivator remains?" Chapter 222: Such a Fast Blade Chapter 222: Such a Fast Blade "Forget about that demonic cultivator remains. It''s just an unstable puppet." Song Chiyue manipulated the flower vines to drag the unconscious sect disciples together, separating the three chief disciples of the Sword Pavilion into a different spot. Then, she took out spirit stones and began arranging the teleportation array. Seeing Monk Huikong still preoccupied with tracking the missing saber-wielding remains, she scoffed, "Hurry up and help set up the formation! The Lesser Secret Realm is about to close. We need to use the opening of the secret realm''s gate to transfer all these materials out in one go. If anything goes wrong, there''s no guarantee that will remain as the Holy Maiden and the Buddha Child!" Hearing this, Monk Huikong shuddered, his eyes flashing with fear. He immediately abandoned his obsession with the missing remains and turned to assist Song Chiyue in setting up the transfer array. "This time, so many sect disciples escaped. Won''t we be exposed?" Huikong placed a magical artifact at the auxiliary array node and glanced at Song Chiyue. "Everything in the Grandmaster''s plan is interlinked. The problem outside the secret realm can be blamed on the True Martial Holy Land. As for inside" She sneered. "Do you really think those sect disciples who escaped saw what happened inside the grand formation? Anyone who knows our secret is either a corpse or raw material now. Once we transfer these materials out, to the outside world, they''re just dead bodies." Song Chiyue smiled, her eyes filled with scorn and indifference. "And even if a few lucky ones manage to expose us, so what? Who would believe that the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool and the Buddha Child of the Burning Purity Temple aren''t righteous? Who would ever believe that the two great Holy Lands are nothing but a hellscape of cannibalism? And if worse comes to worstthere''s still the True Martial Holy Land to take the blame. As long as Zhang Yibai is dead, we can pin anything on them." "Hopefully, the Grandmasters can truly take care of Zhang Yibai," Huikong muttered, his gaze darkening. He had witnessed Zhang Yibais sword firsthand. That day, when the three great Holy Lands were besieged by the demon clans, Zhang Yibai alone wielded twin swords, cutting his way from the southern edge of the demon army to the north. Not a single demon could last even one exchange against him. He slaughtered them so thoroughly that the demon army abandoned their weapons and fled madly into the southern wastelands. Only then did Zhang Yibai finally stop. That battle cemented his title as the number one sword cultivator in the world. Zhang Yibai was the eldest of the three Grandmasters, nearing the end of his lifespan. But the closer he was to the end, the more terrifying his cultivation became. "It''s done." Song Chiyue withdrew her flower vines and clapped her hands. In the formation behind her, the unconscious sect prodigies gradually faded from sightsome were sealed into a subspace, while others were stored in Huikong''s Sumeru Ring. Surveying the battlefield littered with corpses and the still-intact grand formation, Song Chiyue spoke indifferently, "Once we open the formation, we need to gravely wounded. The demonic cultivator remains can continue to pursue the more talented disciples. We will be seen as exhausted, having fought with all our strength. No one will suspect us." Monk Huikong immediately found a spot to lie down, then punched himself in the chest, coughing up a mouthful of blood. "I''m ready." Song Chiyue leaned against the crumbling ruins, one hand hidden in her sleeve as she gently stroked the formation disk. Boom! The ground trembled as the demonic energy within the grand formation began converging toward its core. "Brilliant plan. Truly brilliant." A cold voice rang out from behind them. The speaker was half-shrouded in the demonic energy beyond the bronze gate, his right hand resting on the hilt of his saber. Even without unsheathing it, the pressure from his presence alone made the surrounding air freeze. "Who?!" Huikong and Song Chiyue turned sharply toward the source of the voice. But all they could see through the dense demonic mist was a pair of crimson eyes and a vague silhouette. Step by step, the figure approached, exuding a bone-chilling killing intent. "No wonder every year, disciples go missing in the Central State Secret Realm. And they''re always the most talented ones. Turns out you two were behind it all." Song Chiyue narrowed her eyes. She didnt know who this person was, but their aura wasnt strongjust another demonic cultivator. Her initial tension eased. "What would a demonic cultivator like you understand? Do you know why our righteous Holy Lands have always been able to suppress you demonic cultivators? Because know how to allocate resources! Only by gathering the best materials can we create a true powerhouse that dominates an era!" "Extracting spiritual roots, devouring Dao bodies, transplanting dantians, seizing souls How are you any different from the heretical and demonic paths you claim to oppose?" Huikong and Song Chiyue exchanged a glance before sneering. "And you, a mere demonic cultivator, dare lecture ?" Huikong casually rotated the prayer beads in his hands. Instantly, the three motionless demonic cultivator remains around them sprang into action, closing in on the intruder. Though their strength had weakened as the demonic energy was drawn into the formation core, they were still at the late-stage or peak Golden Core realm. Song Chiyues eyes gleamed with greed as she gazed at the saber-wielding girl standing before them. "Good, good, good! Another Dao Body, and a single-saber spiritual root, no less. A shame you''ve fallen into the demonic path Since you''ve shown yourself, youll be added to our today." Mo Shumei said nothing. Her figure flickered for a brief moment. A withered leaf, caught in mid-air between their crossed gazes, suddenly froze. Song Chiyues loose strands of hair lifted despite the absence of wind. Sching! A flash of blood-red saber light. The ruined wall beside the bronze gate collapsed in an instant. "So fast" Song Chiyues pupils contracted. A thin red line appeared across her neckshallow at first, then deepeningbefore her head tilted unnaturally. Thud. Her head hit the ground. Huikong watched without a flicker of emotion. He simply pressed his palms together and commanded the demonic cultivator remains to attack. He even sent one charging out of the formationto harvest more "Your saber is fast, but not fast enough to kill me!" Behind Mo Shumei, a cluster of flower vines burst from the ground, swirling into a new formthe exact likeness of Song Chiyue. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Tch." The saber-wielding girl frowned. Soul Abyss''s cold voice rang in her mind. You only have half an incense stick''s time. After that, the backlash begins immediately. The second layer of the can suppress and even control me, but it can''t prevent the backlash If you want to survive, kill the demonic cultivator remains first, then escape. Do not fight Song Chiyue. "You actually ?" Mo Shumeis jaw tightened as she watched the demonic cultivator remains and Song Chiyue close in. She knew exactly how much this demonic saber coveted her body. After spending so much time together, she had learned one thingthis blade was a ruthless predator that devoured everything. Its words could never be fully trusted. Believe what you will. I simply refuse to end up in the hands of the Holy Land. I want your body wholenot with your spiritual roots extracted, your Dao Body stolen, and your dantian ripped out, leaving you a worthless husk. Mo Shumei snorted, saying nothing. She shifted her saber, redirecting her attack toward the demonic cultivator remains instead. Both were at the peak of the Golden Core stage. With the power of her demonic saber, she could drive them back, create an opening, and escape. At that moment, the demonic energy fully absorbed into the formation core. The demonic formation collapsed. The battlefield, littered with corpses, was now fully exposed to the remaining sect disciples outside the formation. And standing there, locked in battle with Song Chiyuewas Mo Shumei. Chapter 223: A Bunch of Fools Chapter 223: A Bunch of Fools The ruins of the sect spanned across the entire valley, vast and imposing. After reaching the site, Yun Suxin bid farewell to Yue Qianchi and Li Qingran, heading alone toward the Alchemy Pavilion. By now, the sealing formation had completely vanished, fully exposing the ruins. The demonic cultivator remains that had rushed out from within had slaughtered or scattered the surrounding sect disciples. No one dared remain near the formation anymore. One mile outside the demonic formation, the gathered Sword Pavilion disciples huddled beneath a rocky outcrop, looking like withered leaves battered by a storm. Some knelt on the ground, clutching their broken swords, the moon-white fabric of their robes soaked in blood. Some had turned away, shoulders trembling under the weight of grief and exhaustion. The evening breeze carried the scent of smoke, mingling with the lingering stench of blood. "Senior Sister Yue! Junior Sister Qingran!" "Youre back! Something terrible has happened!" A Sword Pavilion disciple staggered forward, grabbing Yue Qianchis sleeve with a choked voice. His robe was in tatters, and his boots were caked with dried, dark-red blood. Yue Qianchi clenched her sword hilt tightly, her gaze sweeping across every pale, grief-stricken face. Noticing the absence of three senior disciples, her nails dug into her palm. "What happened? Where are Senior Brothers Xu An, Duan Feng, and Zhen He?" "The grand formation malfunctioned," a disciple whispered hollowly, his eyes empty, his spirit shattered. "It was supposed to purify demonic energy, but instead, it started strengthening the demonic cultivator remains. It became a demonic formation that allowed entry but no escape. The senior brothers set up the Three Talents Sword Formation to send us out but when we went back to search for them, they were gone. Alive or dead, we couldnt find them" "What?!" Yue Qianchis body trembled. Her fingers gripped so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Through clenched teeth, a hoarse, distorted roar burst forth. A surge of Xuanwu Sword Intent exploded from her, distorting the air around her with sheer force. Li Qingran stumbled back a step, barely managing to stay upright by using her sword as support. She looked at her senior sisters trembling shoulders. The deep-blue robe flared wildly under the storm of unleashed sword intent, as if on the verge of being torn apart. "And the Holy Maiden of the Jade Pool? What was she doing?!" Yue Qianchis bloodshot eyes locked onto the disciple. Each syllable dripped with killing intent. "Why did the formation fail? Answer me!" No one had ever seen Yue Qianchi this furious before. To every Sword Pavilion disciple, she had always been carefree, playful, and easygoing. She could crack jokes, let things go, and was never one to hold grudges. She fought fiercely on the training grounds yet offered gentle encouragement to struggling juniors. "It was an energy wave," the disciple muttered, lowering his head, unable to meet her gaze. "They said it contained some kind of reversed Dao resonance. When it struck the formation core, the formations function reversed. Monk Huikong was severely injured, coughing up blood. Then, Nascent Soul demonic cultivator remains emerged. Our senior brothers realized the urgency of the situation and sent us out" The disciple choked on his words, his eyes filling with tears. "When the formation collapsed, all we saw were corpses. The Holy Maiden and Monk Huikong seemed to be gravely wounded too The battlefield was covered in signs of battle" sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldnt hold back his sobs any longer. "Senior Sister, we to go back and find them, but we couldn''t break the formation" "After the formation disappeared, we tried searching for them while the Holy Maiden was holding back the demonic cultivators and their remains. But we were chased by a demonic cultivator remains. If not for the ancestors talismansand the fact that the remains had weakenedwe wouldnt have made it out. None of the other sect disciples survived after encountering that thing" By the time the disciple finished, Yue Qianchis rage had begun to settle. Anger, grief, regretnone of those emotions would help with what needed to be done. "Xu An, Duan Feng, and Zhen He are all incredibly strong. Theres no way they were simply killed. They must be unconscious somewhere on the battlefield. You couldnt find them because the demonic cultivator remains were still nearby." She took a deep breath and made a swift decision. "The Lesser Secret Realm is closing soon. When the gate reopens, you all must stay hidden here. As soon as the door opens, leave immediately. Do not hesitate. I will go to the ruins and find our senior brothers. I bring them back!" "Senior Sister, that demonic cultivator remains might still be there!" "Yeah, Senior Sister, its too dangerous!" The Sword Pavilion disciples all tried to stop her. They had already lost three senior brothers. They couldnt bear to lose their most beloved senior sister too. "Then well go together!" one disciple suggested. "If we run into the demonic cultivator remains, we can help share the burden!" "Junior Brother Zhang is right! We still have the ancestors talismanswe can help you, Senior Sister!" The disciples eagerly pulled out their Thunderfire Talismans. But after two battles, only a handful remained. Yue Qianchi looked at the familiar faces before her. The cold wind bent and broke the surrounding grass, but it couldn''t extinguish the fire in their eyes. Some gripped blank talisman papers, pretending they were real Thunderfire Talismans. Others clutched used-up sword marbles, holding them high as if they could still be of use. These fools Did they really think she wouldnt notice? A sting of warmth and sorrow spread through her chest, blurring her vision. These were her Sword Pavilion juniors. The best, the bravest, the most foolishly endearing juniors. As their senior sister, she had failed to protect her three fellow disciples. That was already her fault. She couldn''t let anyone else throw their lives away. Yue Qianchi sniffed, forcing her emotions down. Then, her expression hardened. Boom! Her Xuanwu Sword crashed into the ground, and her voice turned ice-cold. "Shut up! Im going alone! Do you want to make it for the demonic cultivator remains to find us?! Youd only be dead weight! How many times have I told you to train harder? And now look at youyou can do nothing but watch while your senior brothers shield you from harm!" The empty talisman papers fluttered in the wind. The hands holding weapons trembled. On the reflective surface of her sword, she saw their pale, frozen faces. Her heart clenched. But she gritted her teeth and forced herself to be cruel. This was the first time she had ever spoken so harshly to her juniors. she thought. Her gaze swept over each of them, then she lowered her eyes and roared: "Are you deaf?! Go wait at the secret realms gate! When it opens, leave immediately and find the ancestor!" She turned away, resolute. Behind her, she heard the subtle rustling of movement. The sound of swords being sheathed. Thenone by onethuds of knees hitting the ground. "Sword Pavilion disciple, Yao Le, obeys Senior Sisters command!" "Sword Pavilion disciple, Yu Qingshi, obeys Senior Sisters command!" "Sword Pavilion disciple, Tu Xinghe, obeys Senior Sisters command!" One by one, they kneeled. Yue Qianchi looked down at the ground. Her shadow trembled. The sound of muffled sobs scattered in the wind. She didnt turn back. She couldnt afford to. If she looked back now Those fools would see her cry. Chapter 224: I Believe in You Chapter 224: I Believe in You "Senior Sister, I''ll go with you." Yue Qianchi paused mid-step as the sound of hurried silver bells rang in her ears. Turning around, she saw Li Qingran already running up to her. Her brows furrowed instantly. "Junior Sister, go back. Don''t make trouble!" "I''m not making trouble," Li Qingran said firmly. "Senior Sister, if too many disciples from the Sword Pavilion go together, we''ll be an obvious target. But bringing just me along shouldn''t be a problem, right?" Before Yue Qianchi could refuse, Li Qingran pulled out a handful of Thunderfire Talismans from her storage pouch and waved them in front of her. They werent just ordinary talismansthey were of high grade. "Look, Senior Sister! Master gave me plenty of these for self-defense. Even though I''m not at the Golden Core stage yet, I can still help you!" Yue Qianchi was pleasantly surprised to see the talismans, but she still shook her head. "Junior Sister, stay behind and protect the younger disciples for me, okay? You may not be the strongest, but I know your potential. In terms of real combat ability and intelligence, none of them can compare to you. Now, with the Grandmasters talismans to aid you, Im sure you can lead them safely to the secret realms exit, right?" Li Qingran hesitated. sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yue Qianchi was rightthe threat of the demonic cultivators remains hadn''t been fully eliminated. If it attacked once, it could very well attack again. Right now, the Sword Pavilion disciples were demoralized, and their survival tools were running low. If they encountered another Golden Core cultivator at full poweror worse, something even strongerwhat would they do? After a few seconds of contemplation, a thought flashed through Li Qingran''s mind. "Senior Sister, what if I split these Thunderfire Talismans and Mystic Armor Talismans among the others?" "No." Yue Qianchi placed a firm hand on Li Qingrans shoulder. She was half a head taller than her, and her serious gaze locked onto Li Qingrans eyes. "Qingran, I need you to take the junior disciples to the exit. The Sword Pavilion disciples are formidablewhy would we fear the remains of a demonic cultivator? What Im truly worried about is if you all refuse to leave and instead run toward the formation despite my warnings." "Li Qingran, youre the only one I trust." Li Qingran felt the weight of that hand on her shoulder grow heavier. She saw the mist gathering in her senior sisters eyes and heard the trembling voice tinged with a faint plea. "Qingran, please help me. Get them out safely, okay?" Li Qingran looked into those pleading, misty eyes. She swallowed back all the words she wanted to say and simply nodded. She took out the last three supreme-grade Thunderfire Talismans she had and stuffed them into Yue Qianchis hand. "Senior Sister, take these. You might need them." Yue Qianchi pulled out just one and solemnly placed the other two back into Li Qingrans hand. "One is enough." Then, she took out a sound-transmission talisman as thin as a cicadas wing and handed it to her. "This is a Secret Sound Talisman. If there''s any important news, Ill use it to contact you." "Senior Sister" Li Qingran held onto the talisman and tried to return the Thunderfire Talismans. "Enough!" Yue Qianchi cut her off. "I''m strongI won''t need them. The day you reach the late Golden Core stage, you can tell me what to do!" With that, she firmly turned Li Qingran around, gave her a push toward the rocky outcrop, and ordered, "Go!" Then, she turned and dashed away, her ponytail swaying behind her. All that was left was her swift, unrestrained silhouette. Li Qingran stood there, staring at the fading figure. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted after her. "Senior Sister, Ill get everyone to the secret realms exit Ill be waiting outside for you and the others to return!" Yue Qianchi raised a hand and gave a firm thumbs-up. With a few quick movements, she disappeared into the twilight. D*mn it, that demonic cultivator actually got away. On the battlefield in front of the sect ruins, Song Chiyues expression was grim. She hadnt expected that demonic woman to be so terrifyingly powerful. At first, she had swiftly cut down two demonic remains with ruthless efficiency, making it seem like a fierce battle was about to begin. But before Song Chiyue could react, the woman suddenly exploded with power, caught her off guard, and sent her flying with a single strike. Then, like a madwoman, she had charged through everything in her path and fled. By the time Song Chiyue came back to her senses and tried to track her with spiritual sense, the woman was already long gone. The one suffering the most, however, was Monk Huikong. He had been faking an injury, but the backlash from the two demonic remains dying first had hit him hard. To make things worse, that demonic woman had deliberately slashed him once before leaving. Now, he was genuinely injuredno need to pretend anymore. His body was covered in bloody gashes from the residual blade energy, and he sat there looking like a dying monk. Still, as serious as his wounds appeared, they werent actually that bad. There were likely still disciples watching from the shadows, so he didnt bother healing himself, letting the injuries remain for show. I just hope that demonic cultivator doesnt interfere with our plan Monk Huikongs face was dark. What interference? Song Chiyue scoffed. The righteous and demonic paths are irreconcilable. Even if she reveals what happened, who would believe her? Do you think the sects of the world would trust us, the Holy Land, or a mere demonic cultivator? Ridiculous. Now, we just have to wait for the secret realm to open. She wasnt about to chase after that demonic cultivator and risk unexpected complications. Instead, she sat down near Monk Huikong. Theres still some time left. Have your controlled demonic remains search the area again. See if there are any valuable materials we missed. Dont rush me. Huikong pressed his palms together, closing his eyes. His lips moved slightly as he muttered, This humble monk is already searching. Excuse me, are you the Holy Maiden of Jade Pool and Master Huikong? Hearing the voice, Song Chiyue turned her head and immediately brightened. A young woman in a blue dress stood not far away, tall and elegant, with a delicate beauty. She was none other than Yun Suxin, the Young Valley Master of Lingxi Valley. With just one glance, Song Chiyue recognized that Yun Suxin possessed a Yi Wood spiritual root. While such talent wasnt on par with the three personal disciples of the Sword Pavilion, it was still rare. More importantly, the materials they had gathered today didnt include a Yi Wood spiritual root. Among those known to have this affinity, Song Chiyue was aware of only twoXiao Yifeng from Qingyun Sect and the woman standing before her. But Xiao Yifeng hadnt come to purify demonic energy. She had been regretting that she might not be able to complete the Five Element Spiritual Root set this year but now, the missing piece had come knocking on her door. So, its the Young Valley Master of Lingxi Valley, Song Chiyue said with a deliberately frail voice, pretending to struggle as she tried to stand up, only to fall back down. She forced a weak smile. Suxin, what brings you here? This sect ruin is crawling with demonic remains, and Fellow Daoist Qin has already gone missing. Master Huikong and I are holding the fort, but we cant guarantee your safety. If theres nothing urgent, I advise you to leave quickly. There was no way she had come for nothing. If that were the case, she wouldnt have sought them out. Song Chiyue quickly assessed the situation. Rumor had it that the Valley Master of Lingxi Valley had suffered damage to his dantian and was nearing the end of his lifespan. The Young Valley Master must have entered the secret realm in search of medicine. Yun Suxin, however, felt something was off. The Holy Lands disciples were never known for their selfless righteousness. With demonic remains wandering the ruins, why hadnt they withdrawn? Were they really staying here to suppress them? And if the rumors were truethat there was a Nascent Soul-stage demonic remain lurking herewerent they just waiting to die? Still, the clue to the might only be known by Song Chiyue. With the secret realm closing soon, Yun Suxin suppressed her doubts and gracefully bowed. Senior Song, Senior Huikong, may I ask if you know the whereabouts of the ? Or if the Jade Pool Holy Land still possesses one? If so, I am willing to pay any priceso long as I can obtain one to save my mother. So, she was here for the . Song Chiyues eyes narrowed slightly. The Holy Land did still have one leftan immortal-grade but it was stored in their treasury as a contingency resource for Real Person Yuyao. Of course, she couldnt say that outright. She had to find a way to pull Yun Suxin into the game. It wasnt convenient to act at the entrance of the ruins, but inside Heh~ There is one. Its inside this sect ruin, Song Chiyue coughed weakly, taking out a handkerchief to dab at the blood on her lips. Suxin, as you can see, Im in no condition to guide you there myself. But I can give you the exact location. Would you be willing to go find it on your own? Chapter 225: Clouds of Suspicion Chapter 225: Clouds of Suspicion There was no way the sect ruins were free of dangerespecially after such a brutal battle. Who knew how many disciples had perished here? But as Yun Suxin thought about how her mother might not last another year, she cast all hesitation aside. She only had her mother left. If her mother passed away too, she didnt know what meaning her life would have anymore. Ill go. Yun Suxin cupped her hands toward Song Chiyue, her voice firm. Senior, please tell me the exact location. Song Chiyue took out a map without hesitation, marked a spot with her brush, and handed it over. Here. Go. Then, she added a warning, When I passed through earlier, I saw demonic remains wandering around that area. Be careful. If it gets too dangerous, retreat and find another way. Yun Suxin accepted the map and thanked her before stepping through the massive bronze gate. Her mind, however, was full of doubts. This wasnt a simple sketch but a highly detailed map. On her way here, she hadnt heard anything about Song Chiyue exploring the ruins. In fact, they had only claimed the ruins had just appeared So where did this map come from? Had she mapped the entire place after the battle while injured? Yun Suxin kept these questions to herself but silently raised her guard. Something was off about Song Chiyue. And if Song Chiyue was suspicious, then Monk Huikong might not be trustworthy either. But in this world, knowing something was wrong didnt mean you could afford to stop. Sometimes, walking straight into a tigers den wasnt about being reckless. It was about having no other choice. Not long after Yun Suxin entered the ruins, Song Chiyue was about to follow when Huikong suddenly gave her a look. Wait. We have another target. Before his voice had even faded Boom! A massive greatsword slammed into the ground five meters in front of them. As the dust settled, a woman in dark combat robes stood tall, her sharp gaze like a blade. It was Yue Qianchi, who had just arrived at full speed. Song Chiyue glanced at her and suppressed the joy surging in her heart, though the corners of her lips still curled up slightly. What a stroke of luck. They had been lamenting their failure to capture Yue Qianchi And now she had delivered herself right to their doorstep. Song Chiyue! Monk Huikong! Other disciples might tread carefully around the Holy Maiden of Jade Pool and the Purging Flame Monk. But Yue Qianchi wasnt like them. Especially not nowwhen her heart was burning with urgency and fury. Where are my three fellow disciples from the Sword Pavilion? Speak! Song Chiyue remained silent. Huikong lifted his gaze slightly and let out a cold snort. How rude, Daoist Yue. The failure of the formation was beyond our control. The entire battle against the demonic remains was witnessed by many sect disciples. And yet, you come here acting as if we owe you an explanation? Master Huikong, maybe say less. Song Chiyue sighed and looked at Yue Qianchi, her pale face filled with regret. Daoist Yue, it was fortunate that the three Sword Pavilion disciples formed a sword array to relieve the pressure on us. If not for their help, Monk Huikong and I might not have been able to withstand the demonic remains assault. As for their whereabouts Hurry. Up. Yue Qianchis grip on her sword hilt tightened, her knuckles cracking. Her last shred of reason was barely holding her back from smashing these two into pulp. They chased the demonic remains into the ruins for revenge. They havent come out since. We dont know whats happened to them. Song Chiyue sighed. Yue Qianchi frowned. If it were any other disciples, she might have believed Song Chiyues words. But those threeher junior brotherswere different. She knew them too well. Xu An was cunning, Duan Feng was calm, and Zhen He was the most cautious of them all. If the other Sword Pavilion disciples had retreated from the battlefield, Zhen He would have prioritized survival above all else. And if he had chosen to fight, it would only be because an immediate threat had to be eliminated. There was no way they would recklessly chase after the demonic remains into the ruins. Song Chiyue had no idea her words had already planted suspicion in Yue Qianchis heart. The battle had been pure chaos. She had never expected the three personal disciples to survive the siege of four Nascent Soul demonic remainslet alone ensure the safe retreat of all the other Sword Pavilion disciples. Surely at least a few of them must have died? So, in her mind, saying they had gone into the ruins for revenge was completely reasonable. I see, Yue Qianchi said, her gaze deep as she stared at Song Chiyue. Im going in to find them. The ruins could be dangerous. Ive recovered a littlewhy dont I accompany you? Song Chiyue stood up and stretched. I was planning to look for some disciples from Jade Pool inside anyway. Yue Qianchis sharp eyes flicked between Song Chiyue and Huikong. Then, she suddenly chuckled. What about you, Master Huikong? Wont you join us? This humble monk will pass. Huikong closed his eyes again, resuming his meditative posture. My injuries are severe. Id only be a burden. So be it. Yue Qianchi clenched the supreme-grade Thunderfire Talisman Li Qingran had given her, hoisted her greatsword, and strode toward the bronze gate. Song Chiyue followed two steps behind. Her hand, hidden behind her back, was already signaling Huikong. Huikong saw the signals and smirked coldly. At the same time, in his mind, he was viewing a completely different scene Through the eyes of a demonic remain, he observed a long, winding line of disciples moving through the forest. At the very front, a young female sword cultivator in a simple white dress led the group, encouraging them along the way. Using a secret technique to enhance his demonic remains vision, he saw an incredible sight A powerful, radiant aura of fortune surrounded the woman. Like a pearl fresh out of water glistening under the sun, she was dazzling beyond compare. Huikongs eyes glowed faintly gold. Who was this? sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sword and water dual-affinity single spiritual root? And even more shockinga supreme-grade dantian?! He no longer cared about Song Chiyues side of things. This girlhe had to capture her. Such a rare treasure The Grandmaster would surely reward him handsomely. Li Qingran led the Sword Pavilion disciples toward the secret realms entrance. The landscape and ruins within the realm shifted every year, but the entrance itself never changed. As long as they followed the Mirror River westward, they would reach it. They were already close. Occasionally, they even encountered disciples from other sects. Li Qingran stopped near a rocky outcrop. With her supreme-grade dantian, dual spiritual roots, and unparalleled intuition, she suddenly sensed an overwhelming sense of danger. She was being watched. And not just herher entire group. She pretended not to notice and subtly moved from the front of the group to the rear, carefully confirming that the gaze followed her. That settled it. She was the real target. But the Sword Pavilion disciples could get caught in the crossfire. After everything they had been through, they were already exhausted. Another fight could be disastrous. She, however, still had strength left to fight. And she had the survival tools given to her by her master. So Li Qingran suddenly tugged Tu Xinghes sleeve. Senior Brother, can you take everyone to the entrance first? I just remembered that my master asked me to find a spirit herb. I think I saw it on the way here. Tu Xinghe hesitated. Is it far? Not too far. If I hurry, Ill be back in half an hour. Li Qingran smiled. Alright. But wait. Tu Xinghe called over a few others and handed her all their defensive tools. Take these. Its probably safe near the entrance, but better to be cautious. Li Qingran didnt refuse. She accepted the talismans, pills, and sword orbs. Only by taking them would her senior brothers and sisters feel at ease. And that was exactly what she needed. As long as they made it to the entrance, their master would be waiting. Then, they would be truly safe. Chapter 226: True Tiger Luring Tactic Chapter 226: True Tiger Luring Tactic Heh, interesting Did she notice my gaze? Monk Huikong murmured to himself as he controlled the demonic remains to follow the girl who had split off from the main group. "As expected of someone blessed with great fortune! But this works just as wellit saves me the trouble of creating more diversions." Sword Pavilion disciples were all highly talented. His initial plan had been to wipe them out in one fell swoop. But now, he had changed his mind. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The value of this single female cultivator alone was equivalent to the entire Sword Pavilion combinedincluding the three personal disciples and Yue Qianchi. A supreme-grade dantian utterly unheard of. Not for thousands of years had such an extraordinary talent appeared. Whether as raw material or a vessel, she was the perfect choice! Song Chiyue had already claimed the three personal disciples for herself. Then, she wanted to take Yue Qianchi and Yun Suxin back to Jade Pool as well, leaving his sect with mere scraps? Unacceptable! So he wasnt going to tell Song Chiyue. This girlhe would take her for himself. "Hey, isnt that Li Qingran?" On a mountain peak, a group of senior disciples from Chixiao Peak was busy breaking through a restriction. Inside was likely an ancient cultivators cave dwelling, and they had already looted several similar sites with great success. It was precisely why they hadnt responded to Song Chiyues summons. "Looks like it," Yun Zimo followed Zhang Hanxiaos pointing finger. In the distance, Li Qingran was dashing through the mountain terrain, frequently glancing over her shoulder with a tense expressionas if she were being pursued. "Senior Brother, didnt you say Li Qingran was thrown into some remote corner of Sword Pavilion?" Xiao Yifeng glanced at Lu Changtian beside him. Then, he froze. Lu Changtians eyes were bloodshot, fists clenched tightly, his body trembling slightly as he stared at Li Qingran with undisguised killing intent. "S-Senior Brother?!" "What?" Lu Changtian withdrew his gaze, and the murderous aura instantly disappeared. Xiao Yifeng blinked in confusion. Had he imagined that just now? "I said thats Li Qingran. It looks like something is chasing her." "Oh." Lu Changtian nodded, then spoke with forced calm, "I see her. Li Qingran may no longer be part of Chixiao Peak, but she was once our junior sister. Are we just going to stand by and watch her struggle? Come, lets go help her!" "Uh?" Xiao Yifeng was dumbfounded. "Senior Brother, you youre acting weird. Didnt you always find Li Qingran disgusting? You already have Junior Sister Mu Baishuang, dont tell me you still" "What nonsense are you spouting? That was just angry talk." Lu Changtian rolled his eyes, sheathed his sword, and walked down the mountain without looking back. "Do you take me for such a petty person? Arent you even curious to see how our former junior sister has fared in Sword Pavilion? Come, lets go." The remaining three exchanged glances. It seemed reasonable enough? So they followed him down the mountain. "Youve been following me for quite a while. Dont you think its time to show yourself?" Li Qingran came to a stop in an open area. The usual gentleness on her face had vanished, replaced by cold indifference and killing intent. "Hehehe As expected of someone with a supreme-grade dantianso sharp!" A figure cloaked in dense demonic energy stepped out from the shadows of a rock. Wherever it passed, the plants withered, the insects fell silent, and a powerful late-stage Golden Core pressure filled the air. "A demonic remain?" Li Qingran frowned. "No Demonic remains are the soulless corpses of fallen cultivators, controlled by lingering grudges in the secret realm. "They have no thoughts, no consciousness, only the instinct to kill. "But you can speak?" The creature before her was unmistakably a demonic remainits body skeletal and dry, eerie blue flames burning within its hollow eyes. So why could it talk? Could someone actually control demonic remains? Could this be connected to the disaster at the formation? "Impressive knowledge, girl. But its a pity Today, I shall leave you buried within this secret realm!" As soon as he finished speaking, Huikong made his move. The demonic remain lunged, extending ghostly claws that sealed off all escape routes. Late-stage Golden Core versus peak Foundation Establishmentthere was no way she could win! The girl stood frozen, seemingly paralyzed by fear. No doubt she had sensed the overwhelming gap in strength and fallen into despair. Golden Core stage cultivators were powerful. Li Qingran calmly watched the approaching demonic remain and reached into her storage pouch. She grabbed a large handful of talismans. These were all low-grade Thunderfire Talismans, the kind her master casually handed to her in bulk. Over the years, despite occasionally using them during missions outside the sect, she had accumulated around four or five hundred. Her master seemed to enjoy crafting talismans, and these were just worthless scraps to him. So pulling out a handful now didnt feel like a waste at all. Demonic beings feared lightningshe would weaken it first! With clear-headed precision, Li Qingran flung the Thunderfire Talismans. A direct fight was impossible, so she had to suppress the enemy first. Huikong, watching through the demonic remains eyes, saw the girls hands move slightly Then, suddenly, the sky was filled with flying talismans. He swore on his lifehe had never seen so many talismans at once. And they were real! Boom! Boom! Boom! Thunder rained down from above. Normally, scattered talismans would strike at random, but the demonic remains thick demonic energy acted as a beacon, ensuring every lightning bolt hit its target. Hundreds of bolts struck at once, charring the demonic remain and electrocuting Huikong through their connection. Back at the sect ruins, a disciple pointed at Huikong, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, and gasped. "Look! Monk Huikongs head is smoking!" "Not surprising. Hes so powerful, even his healing process makes noise!" A single low-grade Thunderfire Talisman wouldnt harm a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. But hundreds of them? That was a different story. Moreover, the demonic remain wasnt truly at late Golden Core strength. As its demonic energy was depleted, its power continued to decline. Just as expected, its attack was interrupted, and its cultivation plummeted to mid-Golden Core. The demonic remain spat out a mouthful of black smoke, staring at Li Qingran in disbelief. "Y-You How do you have so many Thunderfire Talismans? Are you a talisman master?!" "I have more." Li Qingran pulled out another handful and casually tossed them. This time, they were mid-grade Thunderfire Talismansseventy in total. Another barrage of lightning rained down. The demonic remain staggered back, its aura further weakenednow barely above early Golden Core. "D*mn it! If this continues, Ill lose!" Huikongs expression darkened. There was no magic formation here to replenish the demonic remains energy. If he didnt come up with a solution fast, it would be ground to death. "What if I infused it with my own power?" Huikong glanced at his hands, still glowing with sacred Buddhist energy. If he channeled his Buddhist energy into the demonic remain, it could gain resistance to lightning while stabilizing its cultivation. But the moment he did that, it would leave a markexposing his involvement! Across from him, Li Qingran reached into her pouch once more. Huikongs eyes twitched as she pulled out yet another handful of talismans. This time, there were fewer But the righteous aura radiating from them was even stronger. They were all high-grade Thunderfire Talismans. Huikongs face twitched violently. Was this girl playing or not?! Forget ithe had had enough! He pulled out the soul pearl controlling the demonic remain and pressed his radiant palms against it. "I have to end this quickly!" Chapter 227: You’re Not Taking Anyone! Chapter 227: Youre Not Taking Anyone! Half of the demonic cultivators remains were still a shattered skeleton, while the other half had transformed into the golden body of a Buddhist Arhat. Li Qingran was stunned. This shouldnt be possible. Buddhist energy and demonic energy were supposed to counteract each other. The only way this could happen was if the demon had embraced Buddhism or if Buddhism itself was demonic! So, was the one controlling the demonic cultivators remains a Buddhist disciple? From Zen Buddhism or perhaps Burning Purity?! I had no intention of using this technique, but you forced me to! Huikong dropped all pretense. The demonic remains pressed its palms together and thrust out a massive hand. A skeletal hand, wrapped in Buddhist lighthalf demon, half Buddhashot toward Li Qingran in an instant. She threw out all her top-grade Thunderfire Talismans. Boom! Boom! Boom! Thunder and fire rained from the sky, neutralizing part of the demonic Buddhas attack. The remaining lightning surged toward the remains, but the golden Arhat body formed a shield, blocking the impact. Lay down your resistance, and youll suffer less. Huikong pressed his palms together and struck again. This palm strike was even fiercer, forming a golden symbol in mid-air, pressing down like an unshakable force. This female cultivator had already used low-grade, mid-grade, and top-grade Thunderfire Talismans. Top-grade talismans were already incredibly rare. There was no way she had anything better. Or so he thought. The next second, Li Qingran reached for her storage pouch. "Amitabha! No way!?" Huikongs vision darkened. She had really taken out two supreme-grade Thunderfire Talismans! Wasnt the Sword Pavilion supposed to be the poorest sect in the Cangyun Realm? Werent their disciples so lacking in resources that even the elders and sect leaders had to rob people to make ends meet? Were those rumors false? Otherwise, how could a Sword Pavilion disciple have so many precious talismans? Who was the real chosen one of a sacred land here?! Li Qingran had no idea her actions had just shaken a Buddhist prodigys faith in reality. She held the two supreme-grade Thunderfire Talismans in each hand. The edges of the talismans ignited with violet-gold flames, and the cinnabar lightning patterns writhed like serpents. Within a single breath, they burned away. Two deep rumbles echoed in the sky. "Not good!" Huikong felt an ominous premonition. Supreme-grade Thunder Talismans were incredibly rare, but he could feel the sheer power of the incoming lightning. Goosebumps rose all over his body. He could no longer afford to hide his identity. Controlling the demonic remains, he summoned his life-bound artifacta nine-ringed staff. The staff spun above his head, transforming into a golden alms bowl covered in sacred inscriptions, flipping over to shield him. The sky split open. A golden thunderbolt as thick as a barrel struck down, smashing into the alms bowl. It scattered into countless golden serpents, spreading everywhere. Huikong, controlling the demonic remains, felt an overwhelming pressure bear down on him. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even with the shield, the demonic parts of the remains began dissolving under the righteous force. Crack! The second bolt of lightning descended. The golden alms bowl shattered. A hundred miles away, in front of the ruined sect, the real Huikong, seated in meditation, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. The lightning dissipated, leaving nothing but scorched earth within a hundred-meter radius. Two deep craters remained in front of Li Qingran. In one of them, the demonic remains shuddered once before collapsing. Only its head, half-destroyed by the lightning, remained. Half of its face still bore the features of an Arhat. The skeletons mouth opened and closed, and from within came Huikongs unfiltered voice. "Good, very good! I had planned to take you alive for an opportunity! But since you refuse to cooperate" In front of the ruined sect, Huikong formed a hand seal. "Contain the vast in the small, see the cosmos in a speck of dustEndless Passage!" As his voice fell, he vanished instantly. All that remained was a single bodhi leaf drifting in the wind, turning to dust. Endless Passageakin to the Daoist technique of Shrinking the Ground into an Inch. Though flying was forbidden in this minor secret realm, movement techniques like this were still usable. However, such techniques required extraordinary talent. Normally, only a Nascent Soul cultivator could even begin to learn them. But Huikongs talent was undeniable. By the mid-Golden Core stage, he had already mastered Endless Passage. He emerged from golden light, standing atop the ashes of the demonic remains. "Amitabha." Huikong pressed his palms together, blood streaming from his eyes, mouth, and nose. Crossing over a hundred meters in an instant was nothing for a Nascent Soul cultivator. But he was only a Golden Core. Forcing this technique had left him gravely wounded, yet it was more than enough to deal with a mere peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. "Its you?!" Li Qingran was utterly shocked. The face of the Burning Purity Buddhist Child, Huikong, was unmistakable. A muscular body with an absurdly small head. His features were unnervingly delicate, almost feminine. Even with blood streaming from his orifices, he didnt look pitifulhe had an eerie, sinister charm. But Compared to her masters devastatingly handsome face, he was nothing. A body like his, with a face like thatshe found it revolting, as if he had been stitched together from mismatched parts. "Lady cultivator, since youve seen my face, that means you must come with me today!" Behind Huikong, golden Buddhist light surged. His late-Golden Core aura filled the air, shaking the ground and turning the lightning-scorched dust into a dense black mist that obscured the surroundings. "My three senior brothers from the Sword Pavilionwas it you who made them disappear? Was the demonic formation trapping everyone also your scheme?! What did you do to them?!" Huikong didnt answer. He simply stepped forward. But the smirk at the corner of his lips said everything. The ground trembled. With each step, his height grew by three meters. His body expanded by one meter. Seven steps later, he had transformed into a towering giant Buddha. The earth quaked beneath his feet. Li Qingrans expression darkened, but she showed no fear. She tightened her grip on . A peak Foundation Establishment cultivator versus a Golden Core late-stage monk this was going to be a tough battle. She had suspected the one controlling the remains was a Buddhist cultivator. She had even considered the Zen sect or Burning Purity. But she had been too constrained by the common understanding of sacred lands. Now, the brutal truth stood before her. "Lady cultivator, you will come with me!" Huikong swung his massive golden hand toward Li Qingran. She locked onto the incoming phantom Buddha hand. Her mind recalled the first and second forms of the . Right hand firm on the sword guard, she prepared to strike. Then A blood-red blade light shot from behind. It severed the phantom Buddha hand in one stroke And in the next, it cut off Huikongs arm. "Huikong," a calm, icy voice said, "Youre not taking anyone today." A tall figure had appeared atop a stone pillar behind Li Qingran at some point. The blood moon hung high. Frost lined the cracks in the blue bricks. Mo Shumei stood under the moonlight, the sheer fabric on her scabbard fluttering in the wind. "How much time?" Less than fifteen minutes. The demonic blade trembled. "Enough." As she spoke, Mo Shumei turned into a shadow. She leaped from the stone pillar Blade aimed straight at Huikong. Chapter 228: Li—Boundless Love for Qingran Chapter 228: LiBoundless Love for Qingran Mo Shumei had originally planned to head straight for the secret realms exit. But halfway there, she sensed Huikongs revolting presence. She knew both Huikong and the Jade Pool Saintess, Song Chiyue, were nothing but trouble. Curious, she came over for a lookand sure enough, Huikong was up to no good. She hadnt intended to interfere. But when she saw the female cultivator Huikong had cornered, she found her oddly familiar. Hadnt she seen this girl before in a mundane county town? Back then, she had been on a flying boat with the Sword Pavilions senior sister, Yue Qianchi. Since she was from the Sword Pavilion, Mo Shumei couldnt just ignore this. Back when the battle broke out at the sect ruins, the Sword Pavilion disciples had helped her conceal herself, giving her the chance to bide her time. Without that opportunity, she wouldnt have been able to seize the second volume of . That blade demons remains had been an absolute nightmare. Even after dragging them into the Blade Domain with , she had barely managed to win. The backlash had nearly crippled her. She had planned to take out Huikong while was still unsheathed, then leave the secret realm to find a safe place to recover. But now Half a quarter-hour later. Mo Shumeis expression was grim as she stared at Huikong, who stood atop a lotus platform. She had shattered his Arhat body Yet the monk still had more cards up his sleeve. The lotus platform beneath him was a powerful defensive artifact. It was nearly broken, but it had held up against her fierce attacks. Hmph! I told you not to meddle! Now the backlash is coming! Try not to die, will you? Before finished speaking, searing pain erupted from every fiber of Mo Shumeis being. It was a soul-deep agony, an overwhelming force that crushed her consciousness like an avalanche. She let out a strangled sound, half a gasp, half a whimper. Even biting through her tongue couldnt stop her body from collapsing. Her knees slammed into the ground. The demonic blade scraped against the stone, its edge flashing cold light, barely supporting her trembling frame. Huikong had been prepared to retreat. This mysterious demon cultivator was strongif he had been uninjured, he could have suppressed her. But he was wounded, had burned through his trump cards, and had barely managed to fight her to a draw. The lotus platform beneath him was his last line of defense. If it broke, hed have no choice but to flee. And yet Something seemed wrong with her? He scanned her from head to toe, then smirked. Amitabha. Lady cultivator, it seems youve been consumed by demonic backlash. He shook his head with mock sympathy. Such is the fate of those who practice demonic arts. Swift power, rapid advancement but sooner or later, it takes your life. The demon sea is endless, but salvation is just one step awaycome with me to the Holy Land. Our sect has supreme Buddhist techniques that can cleanse you of all filth. "You shut up!" Mo Shumei gritted her teeth, struggling to stand. But her bones felt as if they had been ground to dust. Even moving a single finger was nearly impossible. Her voice hoarse, she forced out a warning to the girl behind her. "Run! What are you waiting for?!" Li Qingran looked at Mo Shumei, kneeling on the ground, unable to rise. From her aura alone, she was undoubtedly a demon cultivator. Li Qingran had no fondness for demon cultivators. So, when Mo Shumei fought Huikong, she hadn''t intervened. But she also hadnt left. She had simply watchedtrying to understand this demon cultivators motives. And now, even in crisis, the first thing Mo Shumei did was urge her to escape Was it truly possible for a demon cultivator to be righteous? Li Qingran didnt know. But she decided to trust her instincts. was drawn. Mo Shumei saw a sharp sword light flash past her. It was aimed straight at Huikong. Li Qingran murmured the verse as she struck. Her sword moved like a dragon. Where she passed, three misty water blossoms bloomed Like a fleeting illusion. No ethereal swordsman toasting the moon, only a lone, frost-haired swordswoman standing poised. With her single-sword spiritual root, she had previously been able to form only one mist image. Now, she could create three. She could shift between them at will. "Good swordplay! Lets see how you fare against my !" Huikong reached out But his hand closed on empty air. The figure before him vanished into mist. In an instant, she had returned to her original position, while the other two mirages transformed into sword energy One left, one right, slicing toward him. The attack was too fast. So fast he had no time to form a Vajra hand seal. Two sword marks split the lotus platform. Already battered by Mo Shumeis earlier assault, the platform finally shattered. With a sound like breaking jade, Huikongs protective golden light collapsed. And so did his heart. "My artifact!" The lotus platform beneath his feet was now nothing more than shattered scraps. Huikong could only watch, his eyes reddening with grief. Yes, he was a sacred lands Buddhist Child. But his resources were earned, not granted. The Burning Purity Patriarch was mercilessif anything displeased him, he would replace Huikong in an instant. There were plenty of candidates vying for his position. Glaring at the young swordswoman ten meters away, her sword aura towering, Huikong clenched his fists. His throat tensed Then he roared, like thunder: A sonic blast erupted. A massive symbol formed in mid-air, smashing toward Li Qingran. This attack wasnt meant to injure. It was meant to cover his retreat. His kasaya billowed as he leapt back a hundred meters. Reaching into his robes, he grasped a communication talisman. His Buddhist energy was down to twenty percent To be safe, he had to summon his three subordinates! There was no longer any need to maintain his false saintly image. What mattered now was securing his resources. Huikong was fast. But A sword was faster! Li Qingrans wrist flicked. traced arcs of cold light. The swords blade reflected two points of chilling starlight in her eyes. Mo Shumeis pupils shrank. She saw tremble with a resounding hum And then it struck, leaving an arc like a waning moon. In that instant, a phantom swordsman appeared behind Li Qingran. His black robes billowed. His long, pale hair whipped in the wind. His wrist overlapped with the girls As if he were guiding her hand. For a fleeting moment, a tempest of sword energy erupted. The earth around them became a lattice of crisscrossing sword marks. Mo Shumeis throat went dry. She prided herself on her blade skills. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But her technique was nothing compared to this girls sword intent. What sword masters legacy had she inherited?! Huikong turned, forming a hand seal to block. He managed to halt one strike But his momentum was broken. Still, he kept moving. He fled toward the sect ruins, his figure swallowed by the lingering gray mist. "Pity," Mo Shumei murmured. "If you were Golden Core stage, that bastard wouldnt have stood a chance." She shook her head, then forced herself into a meditative position, fighting through the pain. If Huikong was calling reinforcements, she had to purge the Blade Domains demonic backlash first Even if it was nearly impossible. "Golden Core, huh?" Li Qingrans grip on tightened. Her gaze locked onto Huikongs retreating figure, mist curling around him. Her eyes shone like frost at autumns end. "Then I''ll just break through." Chapter 229: A New Battle Pass Chapter 229: A New Battle Pass Your Digital Girlfriend Has Reached the Golden Core Stage! The system notification jolted Chen Huaian awake. A new game prompt flashed across his retinal display. Whenever he used the immersive game helmet, notifications appeared like this. He still wasnt used to itfelt like someone had shoved a smartphone directly into his brain. She broke through to Golden Core inside the secret realm? Chen Huaian picked up the and saw Li Qingran standing with her sword, , held in a reverse grip. Her eyes were half-closed That was the look of someone comprehending enlightenment, breaking through a major realm! He felt a surge of satisfaction. Like a father who had painstakingly tutored his daughter, only for her to shock everyone by scoring first place in the final exams. This was his disciple. ChenBig-SpenderSword Immortals disciple. Absolutely badass. Now that she had reached Golden Core, getting out of the secret realm safely should be a given, right? Chen Huaian checked her survival rate. Still at 100%. Good. Very reassuring. At that moment, a new prompt popped up Limited-Time Offer, One-Time Only: Golden Core to Nascent Soul Premium Battle Pass! Receive an 800,000x rebate! Purchase now for only 0.99 billion , and obtain a vast selection of supreme-tier treasures, including top-grade spirit artifacts and immortal-grade elixirs! The price returns to 9 billion in 24 hours! Oh? Another battle pass?! Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, stroking his chin. Something was off about this. He had expected a new battle pass to appear after Li Qingrans breakthrough. But he hadnt expected it to be so expensive! Even with the discount, it still cost a billion! How much would the Nascent Soul to Soul Formation pass cost? And then from Soul Formation to Unity? This kind of predatory pricing couldnt be encouraged. Otherwise, no matter how much money he made in the real world, it would never be enough to sink into this game. That was his reasoning Yet he still clicked on the reward details. First, the reward for early Golden Core stage: Sword Bones x2 (freely selectable traits). Special Note: Unlocking the Battle Pass C Sword Bone Reward will also make Sword Bones available for purchase in the Digital Girlfriend Store. "Hiss! Thats some good stuff!" Chen Huaian hesitated. For sword cultivators, there were three key factors: Sword Spiritual Root, Sword Heart, and Sword Bones. These were the hardware, the foundation. Only with solid hardware could one fully utilize the softwareSword Qi, Sword Intent, and Sword Dao. Sword Bones could be tempered through Sword Intent, but the process was highly dangerousmany died attempting it. But mere Sword Bones werent enough to shake Chen Huaians Dao heart. He continued reading. The rewards for mid and late Golden Core stages were Supreme Mystery Boxes. The reward for peak Golden Core was explicitly revealed Immortal-Grade Phoenix Essence Pill. Oh? Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes further. Pills were just consumables At best, they boosted strength, healed wounds, replenished energy, or repaired damage. At most, they could resurrect someone. But a resurrection pill wouldnt be in a mere Golden Core to Nascent Soul battle pass That would be too broken. Immortal-Grade Phoenix Essence Pill: Can repair Dao Body defects. Example: Resolves the flaw of the , which prevents its owner from engaging in intercourse or bearing children. (Note: Only one such pill exists in the entire Cangyun Realm; it cannot be obtained through any other means.) "Hiss!!" Chen Huaians face changed. What the hell was this game system trying to imply?! Did it think he was that kind of master, lusting after his disciple?! But there was indeed a saying that those with the could not engage in intercourse, or else the Dao Bodys effect would be lost. Lunar, after all, meant pure Yin. No Yang could be introducednot even externally. Chen Huaian clicked to unlock the battle pass. And claimed the first rewardSword Bones x2. He wasnt doing this for any improper reason. It was for Li Qingrans health. If her Dao Body had a flaw, of course he had to fix it. As a responsible and caring master, he had to ensure his disciple had no weaknesses! It was absolutely not for any other reason. Mm. Joining the Demon-Slaying Bureau was the right choice. Chen Huaian muttered to himself as he examined the two newly acquired in his inventory. But being the Provincial Demon-Slaying Governor is still too poor is there a higher-paying position? Sword Bones were a rare trait among sword cultivatorswhen ones Sword Intent reached an extreme, it fused into the very bones, becoming part of the body. Sword Intent would condense into the spinelike a sword standing straight within the body. A sword cultivator with Sword Bones could enter the state with ease. What other sword cultivators treated as an ultimate moveSword Bone users could spam it like basic attacks. Chen Huaian glanced at the two items in his inventory. They looked like dried chicken tendons. He frowned. Forget how the game system had extracted Sword Bones as separate items Just the appearance alone These chicken tendon-looking things did not inspire confidence. Whatever, thats not important. He opened the selection menu. Scanning through the extensive list of Sword Bone options, he finally chose Pure Yang Sword Bone. And for Li Qingran Profound Yin Sword Bone. Why these two? Because together, they represented the Dao of Yin and Yang. It was absolutely not because it would make certain more harmonious. Mm. The Sword Boneser, would have to stay in his inventory for now. His current avatar couldnt use them. After claiming his rewards, another notification popped up Your Digital Girlfriend has reached Golden Core. Your karmic bond has deepened! You now qualify to unlock the ! Limited-Time Offer: Unlock a one-month subscription for only 88! Next month, the subscription returns to 888/month. This purchase initiates automatic billing. Note: Auto-subscription cannot be canceled. Im not exactly short on cash right now. Chen Huaian activated the Digital Girlfriend Cultivation Log, sighing But forcing auto-renewals? This is basically daylight robbery. The game system remained silent. But he could practically hear it sayingBuy it or dont. (1) 6:00 AM: Woke up. Thought about Master 17 times. Took to the Central State Secret Realm. Thought it was too bigif only she could ride Masters flying sword instead. She could hold onto his waist (even if she couldnt reach). (2) 2:00 PM: Entered the secret realm. Thought about Master 23 times. (3) 6:00 PM: Teamed up with Yue Qianchi and discovered the ruins of the Medicine King Valley. 11:15 PM: Encountered Yun Suxin. Obtained a missing herb for the Hundred Herbs Detox Pill. Good impression of Yun Suxin increased. Feeling happy. Thought about Master 87 times. 11:43 PM: Left the Medicine King Valley ruins to rendezvous with Sword Pavilion disciples. (4) 12:56 AM: Arrived near the sect ruins. Joined the Sword Pavilion main group. (5) 2:31 AM: Left the team. Headed to an unnamed forest. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. (6) 2:52 AM: Encountered the Burning Purity Buddhist Child, Huikong. Conflict ensued. 3:10 AM: Observing battle. Thought about Master. 3:18 AM: Observing battle. Thought about Master. 3:25 AM: Couldnt watch anymore. Joined the fight. 3:42 AM: Broke through to Golden Core. Beat the crap out of Huikong. So this is the ? Combining it with the Even if he could only see Li Qingrans state, the details were far clearer now. He could easily fill in the blanks. No wonder shes my disciple. Chen Huaian chuckled, shaking his head. Daring to snatch a sacred land disciples opportunity? Shes got guts. Impressive. Impressive! Chapter 230: Die! Chapter 230 C Die! Chen Huaian didnt get to enjoy his moment of satisfaction for long. The log refreshed. <7> 4:04 AM: Li Qingran killed the Holy Lands Buddhas SonHui Kong. Chen Huaian: ? Wait, hold on. Sis, werent you just supposed to snatch some opportunities? Whyd you straight-up kill him?! When he saw this log entry, he was completely dumbfounded. The Holy Lands reputation was too massiveeven someone like him, who had only descended into the Cangyun Realm in an avatar, had heard of it. Setting aside all that stuff about slaying demons, upholding justice, and dominating the world, the Holy Land was essentially a divine presence in the eyes of other sectsa symbol of prestige and righteousness. And now Li Qingran had just killed one of their Buddhas Sons. It felt like his daughter not only aced the whole school but also forced the former top student to drop out. Before he could even process the shock or think about what to do next, another notification popped up. <8> 4:10 AM: Li Qingran looted the body, obtaining a large amount of resources and a damaged spiritual weaponNine-Ring Arhat Golden Staff. Well, damn, she even looted him?! Chen Huaians face turned pale. <9> 4:12 AM: Li Qingran rescued a demonic cultivator girl and carried her toward the secret realms entrance. Thinking of her master. Chen Huaian: Huh?! Hold updont start thinking about your master just yet! Killing Hui Kong? He could reluctantly accept that. Rescuing a demonic cultivator? That was barely acceptable. But doing both? Together? That was too much! Now fully awake, Chen Huaian anxiously glanced in the direction of the three Holy Lands, feeling guilty as hell. How the hell was he supposed to explain this later? He couldnt possibly go to war with the three Holy Lands, could he? They were said to have cultivators at the Great Ascension Stage, while he, limited by his real-world cultivation, could only push himself to the fifth level of the Void Fusion Stage at best. There was no way he could take them on It seemed his disciple had stirred up some serious trouble. His first instinct wasnt to scold herit was to figure out how to help her escape. Stay calm. I need to stay calm. Chen Huaian sat upright in his chair, though it felt like he was sitting on a pile of nails. He could only keep reassuring himself, Li Qingran must have had a reason for doing this. I just need to trust and support her Hmm, maybe that bald monk got greedy and made a move on her? Or maybe he was after her treasure? Or perhaps he was just looking for trouble?! The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. And the angrier he got. Before he knew it, he blurted out, F***er, good job killing him! Damn bald donkey, you deserved it! As for saving that demonic cultivator girl well, like he always said, while every demonic cultivator hed encountered so far had been bad news, that didnt mean all of them were. Maybe this girl had some tragic backstory. Chen Huaian successfully brainwashed himself and was now just waiting for his disciple to return so they could flee from the Sword Pavilion. Then, another notification popped up. <10> 4:22 AM: Li Qingran and the demonic cultivator girl encountered four direct disciples from Qingyun Sects Chixiao Peak. Huh?! Chen Huaian frowned. In the Soul Mirror, Li Qingrans gaze was ice-cold, and she had already drawn her sword into a battle stance. Li Qingran, Im very disappointed. I never expected you to turn into this after leaving Qingyun Sect. Lu Changtians face was grim as he looked at the trembling demonic cultivator girl in Li Qingrans arms, dark energy swirling around her. He and Zhang Hanxiao had tracked her down, first hearing the sounds of battle, then witnessing lightning storms raging in the distance. To be safe, they had waited for the thunder to subside before moving forward. But when they finally emerged from the dense gray mist that clouded the secret realm, they found Li Qingran carrying a demonic cultivator girl in her arms. I dont need to care about your opinion. Li Qingran shot Lu Changtian an indifferent glance, sidestepped him, and started walking past. But he immediately blocked her path. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His eyes lingered on her faceit was even more beautiful than before. It only made him feel that Mu Baishuang wasnt that special after all. Once, Li Qingran would smile at him with admiration. But now, all she had for him was coldness and disgust. Why? She had idolized him before. Was it just because of one mistake? Who hasnt made a mistake before?! Li Qingran, you need to walk the righteous path. I am walking the righteous path. Shes a demonic cultivator. She saved my life. And that wasnt a lie. If it hadnt been for Mo Shumei exhausting Hui Kongs trump cards and exposing his injuries, she wouldnt have stood a chance against himeven after breaking through to the Golden Core Stage. After all, he had been a prodigy and was still suppressing three minor realms below his actual level. Youre completely deluded. Is this what the Sword Pavilion and your master taught you? Come back to Qingyun Sect with me. Lu Changtian reached out to grab her wrist. Li Qingran stepped back, dodging his hand. Her right hand pressed against her sword hilt, her gaze sharp as a blade. The Sword Pavilion is excellent, and my master has taught me well. Her fingers pushed against the sword guard. The Su Xian Sword slid out of its scabbard. The killing intent reflected in its blade was almost tangible. You insult my sect, you slander my master. Today I, Li Qingran, will settle both new and old debts with you together! Hearing this, Lu Changtian wasnt angry. Instead, his eyes gleamed with excitement. Deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, before the tombstone of the Demon Lords successor, Mu Baishuang knelt with her hair disheveled, her fingers tracing the cold stone. A twisted, ferocious smile spread across her face. Chen Huaian you killed the Demon Lords successor, so Ill kill your disciple first! At that moment, in the secret realm, Lu Changtians eyes became increasingly vicious, overlapping with Mu Baishuangs gaze in an eerie resemblance. Facing Li Qingrans gleaming blade, he drew his sword without hesitation. Li Qingran, today, Ill teach you what it means to respect your elders and betters! Their swords clashed with a metallic clang. Lu Changtian staggered back over ten feet, the ground beneath him splitting with deep cracks. His fingers turned pale from gripping his sword too tightly, and blood seeped from his palm, dripping onto the hilt. He looked up abruptly, the taste of iron thick in his throat. His usually cold expression was now filled with utter disbelief. You When did you reach the Golden Core Stage? The wind seemed to freeze around him. His pupils shrank. Ten feet away, Li Qingran ground her shoe against a shattered stone fragment, frost-like patterns spreading silently beneath her feet. The Su Xian Sword was angled downward, its scabbard almost touching the cracked ground. A thin, precise fissure stretched straight from the blades tip to just half an inch from Lu Changtians boot. Lu Changtian, I told you back in Qingyun SectI owe you nothing. As she spoke, her sword gleamed under the dim sky, the sliver of moonlight reflecting in her eyes like twin cold stars. Lu Changtian swallowed hard, taking several steps back. His own sword trembled in its scabbard, like a snake being gripped by the throat. But But I was your senior brother! Go Her voice was as sharp as the winter wind, her sword vibrating with a cold hum. Die! Sword energy tore through the twilight. Chapter 231: Today, I Will Kill You Chapter 231 C Today, I Will Kill You What are you all standing around for? Help me! Staring at the fierce sword light, Lu Changtian raised his hand to form a sword shield, but since he had switched to body cultivation, the defensive power of the Small Wuxiang Sword Technique had significantly weakened. Knowing he couldnt withstand the strike alone, he called out to his three junior brothers for help. After all, he was their senior brother. Though Zhang Hanxiao, Xiao Yifeng, and Yun Zimo were bewildered by the sudden conflict, they still instinctively moved to block Li Qingrans sword energy. Youre siding with evil? Then Ill kill you all together! Li Qingrans gaze turned even colder, mist rising around her body. She was about to unleash another sword technique but suddenly realized she was nearly out of spiritual energy. The was incredibly powerful, combining speed, destruction, and suppression into one. Its unpredictable movements made it hard to counter, but it also consumed far more spiritual energy than techniques like the Small Wuxiang Sword Technique. Back when she first formed her supreme-grade dantian, she thought having so much spiritual energy was a waste. But after learning the , she quickly realized how na?ve she had been. The four disciples of Chixiao Peak barely managed to withstand her sword energy. Seeing that Li Qingran was running out of spiritual energy, their expressions lit up with excitement. Li Qingran, youre out of spiritual energy! Lets see what you do now! You youre really trying to kill your own senior brother? Even a dog would have some loyalty, but youre just heartless! Open your eyes, everyone! Li Qingran no longer considers us her senior brothers. To her, were just enemies now. Havent you realized it yet? Lu Changtians expression darkened as he steadied himself with his sword. If were enemies, then one of us must die! Li Qingran, we crippled you once, we can do it again! Shut up. Li Qingran looked at the four of them and found it ridiculous. Why had she stayed at Chixiao Peak for so long, desperately hoping they would change? Perhaps they had always been like this. It was just that the title of senior brother had blinded her. At first, she couldnt see their true nature, but over time, it became clear. Running out of spiritual energy didnt mattershe could just replenish it. Li Qingran summoned her life-bound artifact. To Lu Changtian and the others, it just looked like a black disc. What kind of artifact was this? Was it an offensive weapon? A defensive tool? Or something for escaping? The disc spun in her palm, emitting a faint blue glow. But in the next moment Their faces twisted in horror. Li Qingrans depleted spiritual energy was visibly restoring itself at an alarming rate. In just a few breaths, she was fully replenished. A-a spiritual energy recovery artifact?! Zhang Hanxiao gasped. No its not just that Lu Changtians face turned grim as he stared into Li Qingrans eyes. The exhaustion in her gaze had completely vanished. This strange artifact didnt just restore spiritual energyit also rejuvenated the users physical state. A relic like this existed in the Cangyun Realm? He had never heard of such a thing! Zhang Hanxiao took two steps back, trembling as he looked at the surging sword intent around Li Qingran. Uh S-Sister Qingran, I have no grudge against you. Actually, my stomach isnt feeling great, so Ill be leaving first With that, he turned and fled. He was just in the Foundation Establishment Stagehow could he fight a Golden Core cultivator? A flash of sword light pierced through him. Zhang Hanxiao stared blankly at his chest, now stained red with blood, before collapsing. The mist in front of him swirled, forming a ghostly swordsmans silhouette, its robes still damp from the dissipating moisture. Junior Brother! Xiao Yifeng rushed to Zhang Hanxiaos side and checked his pulse, only to find he was already dead. His eyes turned red with fury. He whipped his head toward Li Qingran, his expression contorted with rage. You killed him?! How could you His answer was the ringing of a sword. Li Qingran barely movedshe simply rotated her wrist, and in his final moments, Xiao Yifeng saw a streak of blinding sword light. That was the last thing he ever saw. His head rolled into the grass. Li Qingrans icy gaze landed on the two remaining men. Her lips parted, her voice chilling: Two. Her master was right. If you dont cut the weeds at the root, theyll grow back in spring. These people had long since deserved to die. When they first came to Qingyun Sect, her master had spared their lives only for her sake. But if he had truly wanted, with his Void Fusion-level strength, he could have wiped out Qingyun Sect in an instant. He had been too considerate of her feelings. Now, she regretted ever hesitating. She had only caused trouble for both herself and her master. Fine. Today, she would end this once and for all. Yun Zimo, we have to work together, or none of us will make it out alive! Lu Changtian growled under his breath. Dont even think about runningshes in the Golden Core Stage. We cant escape. But the secret realms entrance is about to open. Once it does, the flight-restricting formation will be disabled Lu Changtian, youre pathetic. Lu Changtian froze. In his mind, Mu Baishuangs twisted face appeared. Junior Sister you I gave you the Heaven Demon Art, yet you cant even handle Li Qingran?! Do I have to do everything myself?! Heaven Demon Art? What Heaven Demon Art? For the first time, he saw Mu Baishuangs expression filled with fury. In his memory, she had always been gentle and innocent. But this version of her made his soul tremble. The cultivation technique I gave you wasnt a body-refining artit was a fragment of the Heaven Demon Art. I infiltrated Qingyun Sect from the beginning to help the Demon Lord break through his bottleneck. And when the time was right to bring Qingyun Sect to ruin. You were just my pawn! The spells enchantment faded. Lu Changtian and Yun Zimo suddenly snapped back to their senses. But oddly enough, they didnt feel much different. It was just that, looking back, Mu Baishuang didnt seem nearly as charming as before. In truth, the one who had genuinely treated them well was Li Qingran. She had never played coy, never showered them with sweet words. But compared to Mu Baishuang, her actions had always spoken louder. I understand now! I finally understand! Lu Changtian clenched his fists, his bloodshot eyes filled with regret. So everything we did to Li Qingran was because of your manipulation?! A cold chuckle echoed in his mind. Then it became wild laughter. No. Mu Baishuangs voice turned indifferent. That was simply your own wretched nature. My demon art only amplified what was already there nothing more. I dont believe you! Believe whatever you want. Her voice faded. At the same time, Lu Changtian felt his consciousness slowly slipping away, as if something was devouring him. Senior Brother? Senior Brother? Yun Zimos face twisted in horror as he watched Lu Changtian muttering to himself, standing frozen in place. What the hell was wrong with him? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, in the next second Lu Changtian suddenly turned around, a twisted grin on his face, and slammed his palm onto Yun Zimos forehead. The Heaven Demon Devouring Technique activated. Lu Changtian, now bursting with Golden Core strength, pinned Yun Zimo in place, leaving him unable to move. His body melted like wax in a fire. After devouring Yun Zimo, Lu Changtian turned his gaze toward Li Qingran. He licked his lips, eyes brimming with demonic energy and hatred. His robes fluttered in the swirling dark aura. His lips did not move, yet from his throat came a terrifying chorus of overlapping voicesLu Changtians and Mu Baishuangs. Li Qingran, your master killed my Demon Lord! Today, I will kill you! Chapter 232: Vengeance Fulfilled Chapter 232 C Vengeance Fulfilled <11> 4:35 AM: Li Qingran used the artifact Lightning Pipe to restore spiritual energy and killed Zhang Hanxiao and Xiao Yifeng. Good kill! Chen Huaian nodded repeatedly as he read the log while watching the events unfold in the Soul Mirror. Having these two tools was so convenientespecially the Soul Mirror, which allowed him to monitor everything in real time. No more worrying about missing any of his little disciples actions while he was busy. Those four beasts from Qingyun Sect had long been on his kill list. Back then, he lacked the power and had to consider the numerous Nascent Soul cultivators and even a Soul Formation elder within Qingyun Sect. So, he had to fake being magnanimous. But now that Li Qingran had avenged herself, it was like removing a thorn from his heart. This would only help her cultivationher mind would be at peace, free from lingering resentment. Good, goodthis was a great thing! <12> 4:36 AM: Thought of her master twice. Felt her masters love. Favorability +5. Current favorability ?47. Chen Huaian: ??? Wait, he hadnt even done anything! How was she suddenly feeling his love? What the hell was this girl imagining all day?! <13> 4:37 AM: Encountered Lu Changtian, who was possessed by Mu Baishuangs avatar. Witnessed Lu Changtian refining Yun Zimo and felt immense pressure. Thought of her master. Oh? Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Mu Baishuang who was that again? Oh, right! A hidden Nascent Soul demonic cultivator within Qingyun Sect! Originally, he had left her there to stir up trouble for Qingyun Sect. But after taking Li Qingran away, he hadnt expected to cross paths with Qingyun Sect again, so he had gradually forgotten about it. Yet now, Mu Baishuang was interfering again?! Avatar, huh If I recall correctly, Mu Baishuang never entered the secret realm. Chen Huaian glanced toward Qingyun Sect. Their ancestor, Rong Qingyun, seemed to sense his gaze and immediately turned to throw him a flirtatious look. Suppressing the discomfort in his heart, he transmitted his voice across the distance. Daoist Qingyun, does your sect have a disciple named Mu Baishuang? Where is she right now? Mu Baishuang? Rong Qingyuns mind conjured an image of a delicate and charming female disciple. Her expression instantly darkened. She initially wanted to question why Chen Huaian was asking about her disciple, but then realized she had no right to interrogate him. Forcing down her irritation, she replied, Daoist Chen, give me a moment. Ill ask around. As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and roared toward Chixiao Peak. Qingxuan, get your ass over here! After questioning Qingxuan, Chen Huaian got his answer. Mu Baishuang had indeed not entered the secret realm. As for her whereabouts, no one knew. Qingxuan only mentioned that she had recently lost interest in cultivation and might have gone to a mortal city to relax. Chen Huaian was speechless. This Qingxuan was quite the charactera master who didnt even know where his own disciple was. Utterly unqualified. Since Mu Baishuang was a Nascent Soul demonic cultivator, it was entirely possible that she was using some kind of dark art to control Lu Changtian from outside the secret realm. In that case Heavens Calculation! Locate Mu Baishuangs true body for me! Heavens Calculation in progress The winds of the Cangyun Realm shifted, though this time, no golden vertical pupil appeared. Clearly, the targets strength and background werent enough to require Heavens Calculation to exert its full power. Heavens Calculation complete. Target location has been marked on the map! Chen Huaian glanced at the map. He pressed his right foot against the Holy Pavilions floorand shot into the sky. Li Qingran, your master is strong, and so are you. Your master was powerful enough to kill the Demon Lord with ease. But now Mu Baishuang picked up Yun Zimos sword and pointed it at Li Qingran. I am at the late Golden Core Stage. You are only at the early Golden Core Stage. Even if you have an artifact that restores spiritual energy, so what? If I kill you in one strike, you wont even have the chance to recover! So, Chixiao Peaks corruption was your doing all along. Li Qingran glared coldly at Mu Baishuang. She had suspected her before but never had any concrete evidence. Mu Baishuang was a master of deception, and with the sudden personality shifts of her four senior brothers, she never even got the chance to investigate. Fortunately, her master had taken her away from the filth of Chixiao Peak. She no longer cared why those four had turned out that way. A late Golden Core opponent would be difficult to handle, but not impossible. She didnt need to defeat herjust delay her long enough for the secret realms entrance to open. Once her master arrived, she would be safe. Mu Baishuang neither confirmed nor denied her accusation. Enough talktime to send you on your way! She had already planned how to kill Li Qingran. Li Qingrans swordplay was unpredictable and fluid. So, she would trap her in the , create illusions to distract her, then use to teleport behind her and pierce her heart with one strike. She could already picture the blood splattering Mu Baishuangs pupils shrank. A crimson line trailed from the corner of her lips. Slowly, mechanically, she lowered her head. A swords ethereal shadow had pierced through her chest. The piercing chill of sword energy spread through her entire body, freezing her very soul. Mu Baishuang was stunned. Someone had ambushed her from behind? No. That wasnt right. She was only an avatar, possessing Lu Changtians body through dark magic. All the pain should have been transferred to him. That was the power of the even if Lu Changtian died, her true body wouldnt suffer any harm. So This pain was coming from outside the secret realm. Her true body had been struck! Her avatar instantly dissipated. A suppressed consciousness awakened within the broken body. Lu Changtians knees crashed to the ground. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Both hands clutched his chest, unable to stop the blood from spilling. Sword intent rampaged within his wounds, shredding his organs, meridians, and dantian into ruin. A faint jingling sound echoed in his ears. He weakly lifted his head. Li Qingran was approaching, her white skirt fluttering through the grass, the silver bells around her ankles swaying with her steps. His gaze followed her upwards That same beautiful face. S-Save me I Im sorry But the girl merely stepped past him, leaving behind only a fragrant breeze. Master! From behind, he heard her joyful voice. Once upon a time, hadnt Li Qingran called him Senior Brother in the same delighted tone? He knelt there. The last glimmer in his eyes flickered and faded. His soul, too, was shattered by the sword intent. Standing behind Lu Changtian was a phantom swordsman, clad in black robes, holding a black-scaled sword. He slowly retracted his blade. Li Qingran instantly recognized the figureit was her master. Yet, the phantom did not respond to her call. Recalling Lu Changtians odd behavior and Mu Baishuangs sudden collapse, she quickly pieced it together. Her master must have found Mu Baishuangs true body. Otherwise, Mu Baishuang wouldnt have abandoned Lu Changtians body so quickly. Master saved me again Li Qingran watched as the phantom disappeared, warmth blooming in her heart. Ugh damn it, that hurt like hell A pitiful groan came from the nearby grass. Li Qingran snapped out of her daze. Oh no, I forgot about the demonic cultivator girl! Slapping her forehead, she hurriedly rummaged through the grass. During the chaotic battle, she had tossed the girl aside in a rush. And, to avoid her getting accidentally injured She had thrown her far. Chapter 233: The Secret Realm Opens Chapter 233: The Secret Realm Opens Deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, near the remnants of the demonic array Kneeling in a pool of blood, Mu Baishuang gasped for breath as Chen Huaian slowly withdrew his sword. Cough cough Sword Pavilion Patriarch? How did you find me She had taken every precaution to remain hidden, setting up five layers of formations to conceal her presence. Yet now, those formations lay shattered, their cores broken, still lingering with remnants of sword intent. Finding you? Wasnt difficult at all. A simple deduction of fate was enough. Did you think you were Lingpu, that old hag? Mu Baishuangs pupils shrank sharply as she stared at Chen Huaian in disbelief. Lingpu you killed Lingpu? Yes. Chen Huaian nodded. An old dogeasily slaughtered. Mu Baishuang was momentarily stunned. She had known Lingpu was dead. A great battle had erupted deep in the Ten Thousand Mountains. With her weak cultivation, she hadnt even dared to go near. She only knew that after the battle, Lingpus presence had completely vanished. The world still carried faint traces of sword intent, and back then, she had assumed Lingpu was slain by a great sword cultivator from True Martial Holy Land. Now, she knew the truth. What level of cultivation did Chen Huaian possess? The aura he exuded was only at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage So thats it. A cunning old fox, deliberately concealing his true strength. No wonder the formation couldnt stop himit had been cleaved apart with a single strike. No wonder she couldnt muster even the slightest resistance against him. And to think she had been planning to take advantage of the chaos when the secret realm opened to launch a sneak attack Any last words? Chen Huaian gazed at Mu Baishuang, whose life force was rapidly fading. His previous strike had pierced her heart meridian, and his sword intent had shredded her meridians, organs, and internal structure completely. On the surface, it seemed like just a single sword wound. But inside, her body was utterly destroyed. This technique came from the tenth form of the Moon Rising Over Tianshan. With his modern-day mindset, it was easy to understandit was basically a shotgun blast. Sword Pavilion Patriarch? Heh Dont get too cocky. Mu Baishuang coughed up blood, her bloodstained fingers digging deep into the dirt. Every word she uttered carried an icy chill. Even if you have unparalleled power so what? In their eyes youre just another piece The last words froze within her dimming pupils. She collapsed forward into the pool of blood, hands outstretched toward the shattered stone tablet of the Heavenly Demon Young Lordyet in the end, she failed to reach it. A chess piece, huh? Chen Huaian mulled over the meaning behind Mu Baishuangs words. In the cultivation world, treating all beings as mere chess pieces was a common occurrence. But even a pawn could break free from the boardor flip the entire board over. Id like to see who dares to use me as a chess piece. Chen Huaian snorted coldly. With a flick of his sleeve, a burst of sword energy slashed apart the ruins around him. Then, riding his sword, he soared into the sky. Behind him, rocks crumbleda makeshift grave for both Mu Baishuang and the Heavenly Demon Young Lord. Acquired: Demon Cultivation Fragment x1, Dead Soul-Devouring Gu C Sub-Gu x1 Seated on , Chen Huaian waited. In fifteen minutes, the entrance to the minor secret realm would open. <15> 5:45 AM: Li Qingran has rejoined the main Sword Pavilion forces and is heading toward the minor secret realm entrance. Has found an excuse to leave the group and is now waiting near the secret realm with the demon cultivation girl. Thinking about Master. Not bad, he knows how to keep the Sword Pavilion out of trouble. Chen Huaian nodded approvingly at the log entry. When the secret realm opened, a flood of cultivators would emerge. If Li Qingran left the secret realm alongside a demon cultivator, it would draw unnecessary attention. Slipping away to transfer her elsewhere was the right move. If he really couldnt handle it, asking his masterChen Huaianfor help was always an option! But why hadnt Li Qingran sought his help? Did he not trust him? Second-guessing each other was the worst thing between master and disciple. Chen Huaian quickly took out the dead Gu worm he had obtained, shifting his focus. Soul-Devouring Gu C Sub-Gu: The owner of the Main Gu can completely seize control of the Sub-Gu host. If the Main Gu dies, the Sub-Gu can only survive for one week. If the Sub-Gu dies, the host dies as well. Ugh, demon cultivators will always be demon cultivatorsnothing but sinister tricks. Chen Huaian clicked his tongue and shook his head. Mu Baishuang had been obsessed with avenging the Heavenly Demon Young Lord, never realizing he had only treated her as a tool. Or maybe she had realized, yet willingly played the role of his pawn. A classic love-struck fool. Pathetic. Simping leads to nothing but misery. If you''re going to learn from someone, learn from Sword Pavilion Lord Su Qiniannow that man wasnt a simp, he was a warrior. Fifteen minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Chen Huaian straightened his posture atop , sitting upright in anticipation. A deep hum resounded from the minor secret realm entrance, drawing the attention of all the sects and cultivators present. When the secret realm opened, numerous teleportation formations would activate, transporting cultivators out. However, teleportation formations existed throughout the secret realmnot just at the entrance. The formations at the exit were simply denser. As a result, every time the secret realm opened, there was always a chance that rare treasures would accidentally get ejected. This was the moment cultivators had been waiting for. Even if they hadnt entered the realm, they could still scavenge whatever got thrown out. Our senior brothers and sisters will be coming out soon! This year, we came preparedwell definitely get plenty of resources! My big brother promised to find me a Barrier-Breaking Pill! Once I have it, I can finally build my foundation! Many sect disciples and rogue cultivators were eagerly waiting. As the secret realm entrance hummed for the third time, a massive spatial rift tore open in the sky above. Violent winds howled, lightning crackleda far greater commotion than in previous years. However, according to past experiences, some cultivators should have started emerging by now. Yet, after several secondsnothing. Until A broken corpse plummeted from the rift, landing in a sects arena with a sickening , splattering blood and flesh everywhere. Like a signal flare, the first body was soon followed by an endless cascade of corpses. Bodies rained down like dumplings into the forests, sect grounds, even holy landsnone were spared from the carnage. H-How are there so many corpses?! I dont know! There were always some, but never this many I see Senior Brother! I see him! Sect disciples took to the skies, rushing toward the falling bodies. As they retrieved their fallen comrades, grief consumed them. Every corpse was in a state of utter ruin, bearing clear signs of having been killed by demon cultivators. Even Chen Huaian was momentarily stunned. He quickly checked his Li Qingran was still flying his sword. He double-checked his survival probability100%. No issues. With potential errors ruled out, he steadied himself, waiting. Soon, the first wave of surviving disciples emerged from the teleportation formations. Chen Huaian scanned the crowd, immediately spotting the Sword Pavilion disciples. Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their faces were pale, hauntedthey had clearly survived a nightmare. And then, his heart sank. Four were missing. Zhen He, Duan Feng, Xu An, and Yue Qianchinowhere to be seen. He maneuvered forward to meet the returning disciples, about to question them when A thunderous roar erupted from Sword Pavilion disciplesharboring demon sect cultivators! The evidence is clear! Return our Holy Sons life! Chapter 234: Now, Can I Kill You? Chapter 234: Now, Can I Kill You? Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A thunderous roar erupted from sect grounds. A towering rose to the sky, pointing toward the teleportation gate near the secret realm. With a golden light descending, Li Qingrans figurecradling the unconscious demon cultivator girlwas fully exposed before the gathered cultivators. The golden light acted like a prison, locking Li Qingran in place, rendering her immobile. Sword Pavilion harboring a demon cultivator? Impossible! Yeah, the Sword Pavilion may be unconventional, but theyd never shelter demon cultivators! Look! That female sword cultivator is holding a girl tainted with demonic aura! And she has a demonic blade at her waist! Thats the ! Do you remember the great battle three years ago? We all thought was destroyed, but someone actually took possession of it! The crowd erupted into a heated discussion, pointing at the girl trapped within the Buddhist light. More and more disciples were teleporting out of the secret realm, with fewer corpses fallingbut still, the surroundings were dyed blood-red. A female disciple from knelt in a pool of blood, cradling the lifeless body of a young man in blue robes. His chest was riddled with wounds, his flesh torn open, and dark purple demonic energy seeped from his injuries. These these wounds are all from a blade! Her reddened eyes locked onto Li Qingran with hatred, teeth clenched in fury. My senior brother was killed by a demon cultivator! Whos to say it wasnt the one youre holding?! The demonic aura emanating from the was overwhelming. Normally, Mo Shumei could conceal it using the . But now, unconscious and provoked by the , the swords killing intent and demonic energy clashed violently against the Buddhist radiance. Thats not what happened! and set a trap! They lured the cultivators into the ancient sect ruins only to slaughter them all! Li Qingran desperately explained, but her words were met with nothing but cold laughter from a elder. Ridiculous! If our Holy Land truly had such malicious intent, tell mewhat reason would we have? To steal resources from ordinary sect disciples? The Three Great Holy Lands the resources. Would we really need to compete with minor sects? Li Qingran glanced at the its appearance bore a striking resemblance to , the monk who had died in the secret realm. She had been extremely cautious when exiting the realm with the demon cultivator girl, making sure no demonic aura leaked. She had deliberately avoided the crowd, moving discreetlyyet the elder had found them instantly. And not only that, he had used to forcibly expose the girls demonic energy, as if he had known all along what had happened in the secret realm As if he had known she was a demon cultivator! This esteemed master speaks sense. Why would a Holy Land do something so dishonorable? Exactly! If youre going to fabricate lies, at least make them believable. The Three Great Holy Lands have been revered since their founding. They possess limitless resourceswhy would they need to prey on lesser sects? Such a shame. These two girls are stunning, but theyve chosen the wrong path No one believed Li Qingrans words. To them, her accusations were absurd. Would a Holy Land target sect disciples? That was like an elephant deliberately hunting antswas there any need? Im telling the truth! I saved her because she once saved me from that monk, Huikong! It is and who are the true butchers of cultivators! Li Qingran stood alone amidst the glaring Buddhist light. Countless eyes, filled with hatred and disdain, burned into her like searing brands. Someone among the crowd shouted "Execute the demon witch!" Gradually, the chant spreadechoing relentlessly. Her grip on her sword tightened, her knuckles turning white. The wind lifted her sleeve, revealing three scorched marks on her wristwounds from her battle with Huikong. Why wont you believe me? Im telling the truth The sect grounds loomed over the minor secret realm like an ominous storm cloud. Bloodstained dangled, their shadows dyeing half the cliffs in ink-black. Master pressed his palms together in a mockery of piety, sneering as he sent a Buddhist seal hurtling toward Li Qingran. Sheltering a demon cultivator makes you a demon cultivator. And now, you even dare to twist the truth? Ridiculous! Look arounddo you see anyone who believes you? "I do." A calm voice rang out. And the chaos fell silent. A terrifying aura of absolute supremacy descended, silencing the crowd. Li Qingrans lashes trembled. From the sky, streaks of silver-white sword energy rained down With just its presence, the crumbled. The hem of a black robe swept past her bloodless fingertips. The man stood before her, hands behind his backblocking Buddhist seal. A flash of sword light The Buddhist seal exploded into fragments of golden fire. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes at the . At the , he no longer needed to draw his sword A single glance, a slight movementhis sword intent alone could kill. Master A trembling voice came from behind. Master, Im telling the truth No need to explain. Chen Huaian tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a faint smile. I know my disciples character better than anyone. Even if the entire world is wrong, my disciple can never be wrong. Li Qingran froze. The sword tassel at her masters hilt swayed in the wind, blurring into a streak of crimson in her vision. The deafening shouts of condemnationfading further and further away In , she had been framed, despised, and abandoned by all. She had wished for someonejust one personto stand by her, to believe in her. And now, facing an even graver crisis, with no proof to expose scheme and no strength to defy the overwhelming accusations Someone had stepped forward to shield her. Someone had lit a flame for her in the coldest winter, a light that would never be extinguished. Someone had stood unwavering, even against the raging tide of malice. Who are you? expression darkened as he sensed Chen Huaians cultivation. A figure of such strengthexisting outside the Three Great Holy Lands? Why had he never heard of this man before? I am Chen Huaian. Standing tall, his black robes billowed in the mountain wind, completely shielding the frail figure behind him. She is your disciple? Then you must be some elder from the Sword Pavilion? sneered. Are you truly willing to throw away your life for this sinner who harbors a demon cultivator? Think carefully. If you interfere, youll be making an enemy of every sect in the ! Youll be opposing the Three Great Holy Lands! Youll be dragging the entire into disaster! Chen Huaian raised two fingers. Firstmy disciple is not a sinner. SecondI hereby renounce my ties to the Sword Pavilion. From now on, we are no longer connected. His cold gaze locked onto the . Within his eyes, two gleaming stars of sword energy ignited. The corners of his lips curled into a ruthless smirk. Now, can I kill you? Chapter 235: Three Thousand Tribulations, Sealed Within This Sword Chapter 235: Three Thousand Tribulations, Sealed Within This Sword The Sword Pavilion disciples finally snapped out of their shock after hearing Chen Huaian declare his departure from the sect. Patriarch, you mustnt! The Sword Pavilion cant lose you! Patriarch, there must be some misunderstanding. Lets wait for the Pavilion Master and the elders to return and discuss this properly! Chen Huaian cast a sidelong glance toward the Sword Pavilions grounds. So, you all think my disciple is a sinner who harbors demon cultivators? No, Patriarch! We believe in Junior Sister! Weve all seen how Junior Sister treats us. I believe her. The Three Great Holy Lands are indeed suspicious. We still have no news of our senior brothers and sisters. They were likely captured by the Holy Lands! Among all the gathered cultivators, only the disciples of the Sword Pavilion still trusted Li Qingrans words. The Sword Pavilion had always been different from other sects. They didnt hold the Holy Lands in blind reverence. Simply put, the Sword Pavilion might be poor, but they would sacrifice everything for their disciples. No exploitation, no schemingonly a singular goal: to walk further along the path of the sword. Chen Huaians gaze softened. Good. I didnt train you all for nothing. Tell that brat Su Qinian I have great love for the Sword Pavilion. With disciples like you, the Sword Pavilion shall endure for eternity. He withdrew his gaze. It was precisely because the Sword Pavilion was so precious that he had to protect it. By publicly severing ties, he ensured that wouldnt openly retaliate against the sect. And besides He was about to kill someone. Master saw the murderous glint in Chen Huaians eyes and felt a chill crawl up his spine. Since you insist on this course of action, then lets wait until the Great Secret Realm closes. The Holy Lands True Lords will personally decide Wait? The sword hummed. Azure light split the sky. You dared to imprison my disciple with then today, I shall cleanse my sword in your light! At the sound of his voice, Chen Huaian vanished. Only a sword formation remained, shielding the two girls within. Master forehead burned with heat. He looked up The black-clad swordsman was already upon him. The killing intent in those eyes burned like twin cold stars, hidden beneath the shadow of silvered hair. Prajna Buddha! Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Seal! Without hesitation, unleashed his strongest divine technique, hoping to counter the incoming strike. Though he was only at the first stage of , he could tell at a glancethis man far outclassed him. He had to go all out. But before his Arhat could fully manifest, a thin red line bloomed at his throat. The endless heavensreduced to a single scar. Chen Huaian stood upon the Arhats shoulder, spinning his sword in a graceful flourish. The Arhat shattered into dust. In the midst of crumbling Sanskrit, true form was revealedstanding atop the head of a massive ox-headed beast, his body radiating . A deep gash marred his neck. As Chen Huaians gaze fell upon him, blood trickled from the corner of lips. Many incarnations yet all of them worthless. Worthless or notwhy dont we let your disciple test that? Knowing he was no match for Chen Huaian, lunged toward the sword formation, hoping to seize Li Qingran as a hostage. But the sword was faster than his hand. With a piercing His was severed. Chen Huaians expression turned frigid. Is this what so-called high monks resort to? His killing intent surged even further. Three thousand tribulationsall within this sword. At those words, the world warped. felt killing intent closing in from all directions. Everything around him faded The sky and earth drained of color. All that remained was the lone swordsman above, standing vibrant amidst the monochrome void. Silver light rained beneath the dark clouds. The swordsman swayed, his image fracturing into countless afterimages, an endless cascade of dancing blades. When the wine pot tips, candlelight scatters Before the sword moves, frost has already fallen. An autumn storm casts reflections on the mirror Revealing a drunken madman, eyes full of stars. At the final word, Chen Huaian stepped forward. The moonlight beneath his feet shattered. The infinite sword shadows collapsed into one. He gripped his sword in reverse As the wind lifted his silver hair, his eyes snapped open. A pale serpent of sword light tore through the heavens. Unstoppable. Inescapable. eyes widened. A breeze passed A thin red line split his brow. His crumbled. His broken form fell. Even his soul was shredded by sword qi. As Chen Huaian sheathed his sword Only then did the surrounding cultivators hear the sound of his strike. To them, it seemed as though Chen Huaian had merely walked past . That was all. A lifetime of reckless abandon, joy now spent Half a hearts courage, cast into the swords cold edge. Chen Huaian murmured, his fingers tracing his sword hilt. The elders of , who had intended to join , immediately retreated three steps. What a joke. A Holy Land elderslain. His incarnation within the secret realmalso slain. At least the resources had been secured by three other disciples, hidden away safely. They only had to waitone of them would become the next Holy Son. There was no need to fight this terrifying sword immortal. And why should they? Once the opened, Master would emerge to deal with this arrogant swordsman. Under Chen Huaians suffocating presence, the entrance to the secret realm fell into absolute silence. Li Qingran remained within the sword formation, eyes fixed on her master, afraid he might be harmed. Then The communication talisman at her waist flickered. Senior Sister! Had Yue Qianchi already rescued the three Sword Pavilion disciples? She hurriedly took out the talisman Only to see five words: Kill Song Chiyue. Now! Kill Song Chiyue?! Li Qingran scanned the crowd but saw no sign of her. But if the demonic array was the handiwork of the Three Holy Lands, then the was undoubtedly involved. The three missing Sword Pavilion disciples had likely died by her hands. Master! Kill Song Chiyue! Li Qingran cupped her hands around her mouth, channeling her spiritual energy to amplify her voice. Understood. Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. Back when he entered the secret realm, he had memorized Song Chiyues aura. Finding her now was effortless with his divine sense. Yet, after scanning the area She was nowhere in sight. Just as he was about to use to locate her A teleportation formation flickered near corpse. Song Chiyue emerged, flanked by three disciples, her expression momentarily dazed from the teleportation. In the next instant A chilling wave of killing intent descended upon her. You dare?! On the platform, three elders roared in fury, striking out simultaneously. Slaying was one thingthe and Holy Lands were both allies and rivals. His death benefited them. But to target Holy Maiden? Unforgivable! sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian said nothing. Three swords flashedforcing the elders back. The fourth descended. Like a river of stars reversed Plunging from the heavens. A silver-white sword curtain swept across the land. In the wake of its passage A bottomless abyss opened in the Ten Thousand Mountains. The and her three disciplesreduced to dust. Chapter 236: What I, Yue Qianchi, Have Said Chapter 236: What I, Yue Qianchi, Have Said A quarter of an hour ago, within the small secret realm. In the end, Song Chiyue, you crippled my junior brothers. They dont even know it was your Holy Lands doing, so why not let them live? Inside the prison deep within the sects ruins. Yue Qianchi gazed at the three junior brothers Song Chiyue had just released, his face full of sorrow. What Song Chiyue wanted was her Innate Five-Spirit Constitution. This physique, when paired with the five single spiritual roots of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth, could evolve into the Innate Five-Absolute Constitution. If those five single spiritual roots were mutated ones, then the result would be an even stronger Innate Primal Saint Constitution. Master Yuyao needed this physique to ensure she could ascend to immortalityrather than ending up like the old monsters trapped in the Abyss, struggling to survive. Thus, by threatening to self-destruct, Yue Qianchi was able to meet her three junior brothers. Xu An, Zhen He, and Duan Fengall had their spiritual roots extracted, their dantians crippled, and had been tortured beyond recognition. No one knew what secret technique Yaoxi Holy Land had used, but these three once-brilliant prodigies had been reduced to mere mortals. Even their Dao Bodies had been stolen. Yun Suxin had suffered the same fate. However, she was merely unconsciousher talents had yet to be extracted. So this was your goal all along? To eradicate all the sects'' genius disciples, steal their talents, and let your three Holy Lands reign supreme? Yue Qianchi gritted his teeth. A sect is just a sectlike a frog at the bottom of a well, unable to see the bigger picture. Song Chiyue casually played with her fingers and said indifferently, Our pursuit has never been about dominating Cangyun Realm, but about knocking on the Gates of Heaven and stepping onto the path of immortality! If your Holy Land has so many geniuses, and Master Yuyao is already at the Grand Ascension Stage, why cant you just ascend? Why must you persecute the sect disciples? Heh Song Chiyue chuckled. Yue Qianchi, do you have any idea how long its been since anyone from Cangyun Realm has become an immortal? Five thousand years! It has been five thousand years since a cultivator has successfully ascended! Yue Qianchi was stunned. Thats impossible. Wasnt there an ascension from Yaoxi just last year? That was fake. That person failed the Tribulation of Ascension and was struck dead. They just told the outside world it was a success. Otherwise, how else could they fool you pathetic fools who are so desperate to squeeze into the Holy Lands? Song Chiyues eyes were filled with madness and disdain, but only she knew that this disdain was born from her own fearfear of the future, fear of the tribulation. No one could ascend. No matter how much preparation was made, they would always fall before the Heavenly Tribulation. Regardless of how powerful ones dantian, Dao Body, or mutated spiritual roots were, regardless of how many powerful artifacts one preparedit was all meaningless before the Heavenly Lightning Tribulation. The tribulation would always scale in intensity with the cultivators strength. Like a threshold that constantly adjusted itself, its only purpose was to prevent all beings from attaining immortality. Those with poor luck would be struck into dust, their souls completely annihilated. Those with good luck would become rogue immortals, lingering on the edge of death. As for Grand Ascension cultivators who were nearing the end of their lifespans but wished to survive longer, they had only one choiceto hide within the Abyss to escape the tribulation. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Abyss was a special place within Cangyun Realm. Once inside, the Heavenly Tribulation could no longer sense them. Sitting atop a stone stool before Yue Qianchi, Song Chiyue rested her face in her hands. A strange, unreadable smile surfaced on her delicate face. When Master Yuyao had only a few hundred years left of her lifespan, she was already on the brink of madness. She refused to cower in the Abyss like those weaklings, waiting for the right moment to sneak out. She also refused to die under the tribulation just like that. So, she conspired with Reverend Burn Karma of Burning Purity Holy Land, who was also nearing the end of his lifespan. The two hit it off immediately. At first, they didnt know how to proceed. Until one day, within a great secret realm, they stumbled upon an ancient scriptureThe Supreme Profound Hidden Sutra. This scripture treated the body as a tool, advocating the refinement of oneself into a Dao Artifact. And since Dao Artifacts could be forged and refined, why not add materials into oneself as well? Thus, from this principle, an offshoot of the scripture emergeda forbidden fragment containing a technique to extract the talents of other cultivators. No matter if it was spiritual roots, dantians, or Dao Bodiesall could be refined into a pill. Whoever consumed this pill would inherit the talents of the one it was made from. She lifted her sleeve, revealing pale skin covered in twisted, centipede-like blood scars. I am not Song Chiyue. I am Master Yuqing, the Grand Elder of Yaoxi Holy Land. Song Chiyue was my personal disciple. Even though I have possessed her body for over a hundred years, the scars left from the soul takeover have yet to fully fade. Once they do, I will have completely mastered this body. Yue Qianchi had already suspected as much, but it was still difficult to believe. This plan was insaneso twisted that it wasnt just demonic cultivation anymore. They were treating all cultivators like livestock, keeping them for slaughter. Demonic cultivators could massacre entire towns, drown cities in blood. But Master Yuyao and Reverend Burn Purity had a plan to annihilate the entire Cangyun Realm. If this forbidden technique were exposed, Yue Qianchi could already foresee cultivators turning against each other, slaughtering their own for the sake of seizing talents. She couldnt suppress the chill that ran down her spine. Im telling you the secrets of Yaoxi not because I think youll escape. You wont survive. Song Chiyue lifted Yue Qianchis chin playfully, admiring her delicate face as she giggled. So beautiful and so talented. If I had been born with your gifts, I wouldnt have needed to steal someone elses body Be good and come back with me to Yaoxi. Youll be implanted with five mutated single spiritual roots, and until Master Yuyao needs your body, youll be well-fed and taken care of. By then, you will be the new Holy Maiden of Yaoxi. Yue Qianchi stared at Song Chiyue. The moment she realized Song Chiyue was actually Master Yuqing, she knew Song Chiyues injuries were fake. Even a Supreme-Grade Thunderfire Talisman wouldnt be enough to kill Song Chiyue. Anyone who had reached the level of Master would at least be at late-stage Soul Fusion. Although Master Yuqing couldn''t use her full Soul Fusion strength while inhabiting Song Chiyues body, that didnt mean she had no means to fight at that level. If Im going to be Master Yuyaos future vessel, then I must be very important to you, right? Yue Qianchi smiled. She glanced at her three junior brothers huddled in the corner, a flicker of guilt and sorrow flashing through her eyes before she turned back to Master Yuqing. How about we make a deal? Ill go with you obediently. In exchange, they leave this secret realm alive. I also wont harm myself. I guarantee that Master Yuyao will get a perfectly healthy and well-endowed Dao Vessel. Master Yuqings eyes briefly flicked toward Yue Qianchis chest before curling her lips in disdain. Shameless. But she had to admitthis was purely natural, something no amount of stolen spiritual roots, dantians, or Dao Bodies could ever provide. It could only be obtained through soul takeover. How touchingsuch deep bonds between sectmates. Master Yuqing sighed and shook her head. Those three disciples had already been implanted with tracking parasitesthey could be found at any time. But she still pretended to be moved. Well, what can I say? Im a generous person. This goes against the rules, but since youre so attached to your Sword Pavilion disciples, I suppose I can make an exception. How do you want me to do this? I want to personally set up the Teleportation Array, and I will send them to a place only I know. Master Yuqing frowned. Im not supplying you with the materials for a Teleportation Array. I have my own. Yue Qianchi squeezed the Supreme-Grade Thunderfire Talisman between her fingers. As long as she embedded a miniature energy conversion formation into the Teleportation Array, the massive energy from the talisman would be converted into its energy core. Once the small secret realm reopened, her three junior brothers would be safely teleported away. By then, the Grandmaster would only need to make a simple deduction to find their location. Yue Qianchi stood in front of the Teleportation Array Master Yuqing had prepared for her, her gaze lingering on her three junior brothers. The moment the secret realm opened, she would be sent to Yaoxi Holy Land with no chance of escape. In return, her three junior brothers would be sent somewhere safe. But that wasnt enough. She clenched the Secret Transmission Talisman in her palm. Buzz! The gate of the secret realm opened, and both Teleportation Arrays activated at the same time, bursting into radiant light. She fixed her gaze on her junior brothers. Her eyes were slightly red, and as the formation spun faster, the wild energy currents sent her ribbon fluttering in the wind. At the last moment, as the final rune lit up, she suddenly closed her eyes and turned her head away. Her long, delicate eyelashes cast butterfly-wing shadows across her cheeks. The next second The world spun. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself inside a dungeon brimming with spiritual energy. The cold stone walls pressed against her back, and the stench of blood filled the air. She staggered forward, steadying herself against the wall. In the corner, a figure lay curled upCloudheart Valleys Young Mistress, Yun Suxin. Her disheveled hair barely concealed her pale, bloodstained face. She was covered in scabbed-over wounds. Yue Qianchi swept her gaze across the room. The dungeon was filled with captured sect disciples, many of whom she recognized. She knew immediately She had arrived at Yaoxi Holy Land. The Secret Transmission Talisman burned hotter and hotter in her palm. Yue Qianchi bit down on her tongue to steady her voice. Kill Song Chiyue. Now! Despite her best efforts, her voice still trembled slightly at the end. As soon as the message was sent, the talisman crumbled into dust, slipping through her fingers. I told you A faint smile curled Yue Qianchis lips as she gently brushed her thumb across her waist, where her jade token was inscribed with the words "Sword Pavilion." The moonlight filtered through the dungeons ceiling, casting a glow over half her body. Her eyes shimmered, reflecting the glistening trail of an unwiped tear. As long as I, Yue Qianchi, am here No one will harm my Sword Pavilions disciples!! Chapter 237: Rivers of Blood Chapter 237: Rivers of Blood "Sword Pavilion Grandmaster! How dare you kill our Yaoxi Holy Maiden?!" Three Yaoxi Holy Land elders were forced back by sword qi, their eyes burning with rage as they stared at the bottomless Abyss of Swords before them. Song Chiyue herself was not particularly important to Yaoxi, but she represented their reputation and was responsible for carrying out Master Yuyao''s crucial plan. They had no idea if Song Chiyue had transferred all the resources to Yaoxi Holy Land before her death. If she still had them on her Suddenly, a wisp of remnant soul shot out from the Abyss of Swords. But it wasnt Song Chiyues faceit was someone else entirely. The figure moved so fast that no one could see them clearly. Without even glancing back at Chen Huaian, they immediately turned and fled north at full speed. Song Chiyue''s body was annihilated. Master Yuqing''s soul had escaped. At the Void Refinement Realm, life-saving techniques were abundant. As long as one''s soul remained intact, they would never truly die. Even if they existed in soul form indefinitely, they wouldnt fade away. For Nascent Soul and Soul Fusion cultivators, however, leaving the body for too long would mean never being able to return. "Do you really think you can escape?" Master Yuqing thought she was fast. Until A streak of sword light descended from the heavens, blocking her path. Standing there was a man with gray hair, clad in dark robes, carrying a sword on his back. The pressure radiating from his body was something she could never hope to resist. Just locking eyes with him for a single moment, the sword intent within his gaze alone was enough to make her eyes burn with searing pain. Master Yuqing gritted her teeth and changed direction, attempting to flee another way. But no matter which way she turned, this man was always in front of her. "Where is Yue Qianchi?! Where are the three personal disciples of the Sword Pavilion?!" Senior, your cultivation is beyond my comprehension. I admit defeat. Kill me if you must. I will never speak. Master Yuqing let out a bitter, venomous laugh. She had already planted tracking parasites in every material. Even if some managed to escape, they could always be found again. Her first priority upon leaving the secret realm had been to eliminate all loose ends. But instead, she had walked straight into a sword strike that obliterated her body. And her opponent was a sword cultivator so powerful that she couldnt even muster the will to resist. But so be it. If she died, she died. Master Yuyao would avenge her. "You refuse to speak?!" Chen Huaian raised a hand. Countless phantom swords materialized around him and impaled Master Yuqing from all directions. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each strike tore through her very soul, a slow and agonizing execution. Her face contorted in pain, but she only sneered at Chen Huaian with a mocking, defiant grin. "Stop!" "Let our Holy Maiden go!" The three Yaoxi elders had caught up. Seeing this scene, how could they possibly stand by?! They all unleashed their most powerful techniques at once. "Noisy." Chen Huaian tilted his head toward them, his gaze as sharp as lightning. "Ill kill you all too." As soon as he spoke Three colossal sword curtains descended from the heavens. Their terrifying pressure made the very earth tremble beneath them. The three Yaoxi elders went pale. Panicking, they unleashed their personal domains and called upon the power of their inner worlds to resist. But they were only second- and third-stage Void Refinement cultivators. The gap between each stage in the Void Refinement Realm was like a bottomless chasm. How could they possibly be a match for Chen Huaian? The first elder was still forming a hand seal when The sword curtain pierced straight through him, shattering his inner world to dust. The second elder barely had time to channel his domain power, but it lasted less than a single breath before the sword curtain erased him from existence. The third elder attempted to teleport away, but as soon as he exited the sword formation, a streak of sword qi caught up with him Slicing his head clean off. Before his corpse could even hit the ground, yet another silver sword curtain descended Reducing him to nothingness. In less than three breaths, all three Yaoxi Void Refinement elders were obliterated. Within the Ten Thousand Mountains, four more abysses now surged with lingering sword intent. The lake beside them collapsed into the newly-formed chasms, sending water gushing downward. The surface of the lake reflected the fluttering hem of a dark robea fleeting shadow like a meteor streaking across the water. CRACK! Chen Huaian turned his head. Master Yuqings soul was now covered in fractures But they werent from his swords. Her own soul was breaking apart. A gust of wind blew past. Master Yuqings entire existence was erased. Even as she turned to dust, the smirk of mockery and defiance still lingered on her fading face. Chen Huaian''s expression darkened. What kind of cult was this Yaoxi Holy Land? They had brainwashed their people so completely that they would rather be obliterated than confess anything. But it didnt matter. With his Heavenly Divination, he could find Yue Qianchi and the others even without any confessions. The Great Secret Realm''s entrance was about to open. He had just killed the Holy Maiden of Yaoxi, three Void Refinement elders, and a Burning Purity elder. He was now an enemy of both Yaoxi Holy Land and Burning Purity Holy Land. Even though he had officially left the Sword Pavilion, there was no guarantee these two Holy Lands wouldnt try to retaliate. He needed to prepare for the consequences. Chen Huaian contemplated for a moment, then formed a plan. Chaos. First, Sword Pavilion disciples were suspected of harboring demonic cultivators. Then, the Sword Pavilion Grandmaster personally arrived, ruthlessly slaughtering a Burning Purity elder, then killing Song Chiyue. The three Yaoxi elders had chased after him, leaving behind a massive sword formation protecting two young girls. The surrounding sect cultivators didnt know what to do. "Everyone, attack this sword formation with me!" A Burning Purity elder stepped forward. He was desperate to prove himself. Burning Purity had already lost one elder, and their Buddhist heir, Burned Heart, had also been killed. The Holy Land would soon choose a new Buddha Child. Even though Yaoxi''s three Void Refinement elders had been defeated, they had still bought time. If he could capture the Sword Pavilion Grandmasters disciples, perhaps they could use them as hostages. The surrounding sect disciples hesitated. "What are you all waiting for?!" "Those are demonic cultivators!" "Anyone who helps break the formation will be rewarded with cultivation resources!" At these words, rogue cultivators grew eager. Some sect disciples exchanged glancesgreed flickering in their eyes. The assault on the sword formation began. But before the first attack could land A thunderous roar shook the heavens. "IMPUDENT!!!" BOOM! A monstrous sword intent descended. In an instant Blood flowed like a river. Chapter 238: Consider This Your Final Warning Chapter 238: Consider This Your Final Warning "You cough Youve killed so many cultivators. You may use righteous techniques, but how are you any different from those demonic cultivators? Do you intend to make enemies of the entire world?" The monk''s robes were soaked in blood. Leaning on his staff, he stumbled to his feet, his body covered in countless sword woundsnot a single patch of skin was intact. For a Buddhist cultivator, stepping into the Void Refinement Realm meant their Buddha Light was practically invulnerable. But in the end, he had still fallen beneath Chen Huaians sword. Chen Huaian said nothing. He merely flicked his sword hilt. A single streak of sword qi silently shot from the scabbard. A sword lightwider than half a sword formationinstantly swallowed the monk whole. The world fell into silence. Around the secret realm, not a single cultivator dared to utter another word. Everyone bowed their heads, trembling. Even breathing too loudly felt like a riskone misplaced breath, one stray glance, and death might follow. The three Great Holy Lands might have Supreme Elders who could crush this Sword Pavilion Grandmaster. But so what? At this moment, until the three Supreme Elders exited the Great Secret Realm, this one man, one sword could slaughter all of them in an instant. "From this day forth, I, Chen Huaian, along with my disciple Li Qingran, officially withdraw from the Sword Pavilion. "If you seek revenge, come for me alone. "But if you dare trouble the Sword Pavilion I cant promise that your sects mountain wont suddenly be split in half." As he finished speaking, his hand rested on his sword hilt. His movement was slow. Yet the air around them seemed to freeze. It was as if an unseen weight pressed against their chests, suffocating them. Above the crimson clouds of dawn, a vulture glided silently. The morning sun, hanging over the cliffside, looked like a drop of blood suspended in the sky. The sword cultivators fingers trembled ever so slightly. Shing! Two consecutive, ear-piercing cracks rang out from the scabbard. The sea of clouds churned like tides beneath the force of his sword intent. Someone saw two columns of white smoke rise from the distant mountains. Someone else heard the deep, muffled groans of the earths ley lines. Then As if an invisible giant hand had suddenly gripped their throats, Yaoxi Holy Land and Burning Purity Holy Land''s sect grounds were crushed in an instant. Crack! The spiritual peaks shattered. From the sky, a downpour of blood-red rain began to fall. By the time the dust settled, there was nothing left of Yaoxi and Burning Puritys sect grounds. Only the blood-red sun remained, hanging alone in the sky. Chen Huaian lowered his gaze to the black-scaled sword humming in his palm. Without sparing another glance at the surrounding cultivators, he dispersed his sword formation and grabbed Li Qingran and the demonic cultivator girl by the shoulders. Then He soared into the heavens. Only a single sword cry echoed across the land. "Consider this your final warning." He couldnt just leave the Sword Pavilion unprotected. But by destroying two Holy Land sect grounds before leaving, the deterrence was more than enough. Now, before the Great Secret Realm opened, he had to set everything in motion. He had to leave. If he stayed, all he could do was keep killing. With the speed of a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator, he ripped through the void, arriving at Sword Pavilions mountain in mere moments. He landed on Falling Sunset Peak, placing the two girls down. The demonic cultivator girls condition was worsening, but he had no time to deal with it. "Li Qingran!" "She cultivates demonic techniques. You cant use your own energy to heal her. If you have any gentle healing pills, give them to her. I need to set up a formation." Standing at the edge of Falling Sunset Peak, his expression was grave as he issued his command. "Understood, Master! I wont do anything reckless," Li Qingran responded firmly. She could sense it Master was about to do something extremely important. This was not the time to cause any trouble. "Heavenly Divination, how can I completely hide the Sword Pavilion so that even a Supreme Elder cannot find it?" Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This is your first Heavenly Divination today. This attempt is free! Calculating Above the Sword Pavilion, thunderclouds surged, and a mighty celestial force flickered through the lightning. Moments later A system notification popped up. Two solutions available for completely hiding the Sword Pavilion: Option 1: Use 108 artifacts imbued with the Dao of Concealment to set up the Heaven-Shrouding Absolute Formation. This will block all divination attempts. Any cultivator below the Third Tribulation of the Grand Ascension Realm will be completely blind to it. Those above the Third Tribulation will only see vague traces and be unable to discern its exact location. Option 2: The player''s current avatar cultivation is late-stage Void Refinement and has not yet refined a Minor World. The player may refine the Sword Pavilion into a Minor World. When the player logs out, they will enter God-Hidden Mode, making it impossible for enemies to detect both the player and the Sword Pavilion. First option? Forget it. Where the hell was he supposed to find 108 Dao artifacts?! Not to mention, they specifically needed to be imbued with Concealment Dao Rhythms. If he had to buy them, any artifact related to the Dao would cost at least a billion spirit stones. "If I choose the second option and refine the Sword Pavilion into a Minor World, what happens when I log back in?" You can purchase the Supreme VIP Heavenly Concealment Package for a limited-time offer of 1 billion spirit stones per month. This will render you completely undetectable in Cangyun Realm. "Thats robbery!" Chen Huaian gritted his teeth. But it wasnt unacceptable. After all, he could make more money. "Another questionif I refine a Minor World, do I have to stay in Void Refinement forever?" Void Refinement cost 80 million per minute. That was insane. You only need to purchase Void Refinement Stage 1 when logging in. The system also offers Game Auto-Mode, reducing costs to 1% of normal rates when offline. In Auto-Mode, you can access game functions and interact with NPCs but cannot control your avatar. Once you wear a VR headset, you will exit Auto-Mode and be fully online. Void Refinement Stage 1 costs 1 million per minute. 1% of that would be 10,000 per minute. That meant 14.4 million spirit stones per day. Still expensive, but manageable. There was no haggling with the system. At this point, Chen Huaian seriously suspected the game system was in cahoots with Cangyun Realms Heavenly Dao. He once thought 10 billion spirit stones would last him a long time. Now, at this rate He was going to need a lot more money. Detected items in inventory that can be converted into Spirit Crystals.** Soul-Pinning Nail of the Corpse King Jiang (100 Spirit Crystals) Jade Ring of the Bone China Bodhisattva (10 Spirit Crystals) "Waitreal-world items can be converted into Spirit Crystals?!" Chen Huaians eyes lit up. This This is amazing! "Convert them!" Conversion successful. 110 Spirit Crystals have been added to your inventory. Extracting karma You have obtained:** Remnant Soul of the Corpse King Jiang x1 Remnant Soul of the Bone China Bodhisattva x1 Chapter 239: The Minor World System Chapter 239: The Minor World System Remnant Soul of the Corpse King Jiang: A soulless fragment. Perhaps collecting more fragments could awaken its consciousness. Remnant Soul of the Bone China Bodhisattva: A soulless fragment. Perhaps collecting more fragments could awaken its consciousness. The Soul-Pinning Nail and Jade Ring were returned to his characters inventory, completely intact. He could even take them back into the real world. However, the ancient and mystical engravings on them had vanished, making them feel like cheap knockoffs rather than the real deal. But what interested Chen Huaian the most were these two remnant souls. What did this mean? If he collected enough, could he actually summon the original beings?! Just the thought of it sent a chill down his spine. "I choose Option Tworefining the Sword Pavilion into a Minor World. Also, enable Auto-Mode while offline." Auto-Mode Activated! Please follow the systems guidance to complete the Minor World refinement. Instantly Chen Huaian''s perspective shifted. It was like he had suddenly zoomed out into ultra-wide-angle mode. EverythingFalling Sunset Peak, the Sword Pavilion, and its surroundings had collapsed into a small, spherical object. The world around him was a vast darkness, dotted with twinkling stars. There were also two other floating spheres nearby. One was slightly larger, hovering in front of him, but it was barren and desolate. The other had mountains, rivers, and oceans, floating above him, its size at least ten thousand times larger than the barren one. It was clearly the Cangyun Realm. Please grasp the sphere containing the Sword Pavilion. Chen Huaian hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand on the sphere. Now, loudly declare: Refine instantly! Chen Huaian: "" This was so embarrassing But in the end, he took a deep breath and shouted "Refine instantly!!!" The Sword Pavilion TremblesThe Sky Changes The moment his voice fell, the sky above the Sword Pavilion transformed. Fierce winds roared. Clouds scattered. Thunder rumbled. The once-clear sky darkened within seconds. The entire mountain range where the Sword Pavilion stood began to quake violently. In the black storm clouds above, five enormous azure pillars descended from the heavens. Inside the Scripture Repository, Elder Jiong, who had been meditating, snapped his eyes open and looked toward the sky. "This is bad!" On the back mountain, Da Ha, who had been digging the ground, looked up at the apocalyptic sight And pissed himself. Within the ancestral shrine, a white-haired sword cultivator, Lin Yuxi, narrowed her eyes. In the Sword Graveyard, tens of thousands of swords trembled violently. Then They surged into the sky, spiraling around her. "Who is performing a ritual here?!" "Has the Sword Pavilion offended some great cultivator?!" Elder Jiong gazed at the five sky-piercing pillars, his forehead instantly drenched in sweat. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Those werent just pillars. They were fingers. A massive hand was reaching down from the void! What was this mysterious powerhouse trying to do?! How had their Pavilion Master gone to one Secret Realm and ended up provoking such a terrifying existence?! "No time to hesitate! Elder Jiong, help me defend the Pavilion!" Lin Yuxi formed hand seals, and the sky full of flying swords merged into a single, massive blade. Though its power was overwhelming, compared to the five descending fingers, it was as small as a needle trying to pierce a giants palm. Before her sword even made contact, it had already begun to crack apart. "Ugh" Blood dripped from Lin Yuxis lips. Forcing her cultivation to peak Soul Fusion had reactivated her old injuries. In the thunderclouds above, two enormous golden orbs of lightning formed. Like a pair of eyes, they emerged from the storm, gazing down upon them. Then A booming voice echoed across the land, shaking their very souls. "Go!" Lin Yuxi and Elder Jiongs attacks crumbled instantly. Yet They werent injured. Instead, a gentle force sent them safely back to the peak of Falling Sunset. Lin Yuxis internal injuries were even stabilized by a soft sword intent that entered her body. "This this sword intent feels so familiar" Lin Yuxi stared blankly at her hand. If the other party was strong enough to kill them instantly, why hold back? What was their goal? At that moment, Elder Jiongs confusion deepened. Because a girl in white had just stepped out of a small wooden hut. "Li Qingran?! When did you return?!" "Elder Jiong, Master brought me back." Li Qingran bowed gracefully. "And where is the Grandmaster?" Li Qingran pointed toward the massive azure hand hovering over their heads. "That''s him." Elder Jiong: "" Lin Yuxi: "" No wonder that sword intent felt familiar. It was their Grandmaster''s sword intent. Unfortunately, the commotion he caused was so enormous that she hadn''t recognized it at first. But since it was Grandmaster Chen Huaian, then It was fine. After allsect gates were made to be torn down and rebuilt. Out with the old, in with the new. "Li Qingran, where are the other Sword Pavilion disciples? And what about the Pavilion Master? Shouldnt you all have returned together?" Li Qingran gazed at Elder Lin, her expression filled with bitterness. "Elder Lin, Elder Jiong, it''s a long story. Since Master is currently performing a ritual, please come inside, and Ill explain everything in detail." The three of them had just stepped into the hut when From far across the sky, a voice echoed through the sword cries and rolling thunder. They could barely make out four distinct words "Refine instantly!!!" The Sword Pavilion Has Been Refined Refinement complete! Since the player has chosen Auto-Mode with Void Refinement Stage 1, the Minor World system has been activated. Click Minor World to view your Minor World. Chen Huaians perspective remained in Cangyun Realm for a moment. Butthe Sword Pavilion was gone. In its place was a smooth, flat cut of land, as if the entire mountain range had been erased. He tapped on Minor World, and his perspective shifted instantly. Now On a barren wasteland, there stood a single, lush mountain rangeas if someone had just dropped a high-poly model into an unrendered game environment. At the center of this pristine mountain range was the Sword Pavilions sect grounds, perfectly intact. The peaks, halls, disciples abodes, and even his hut atop Falling Sunset Peak were all still there. "This isnt gonna work." Chen Huaian rubbed his chin, shaking his head repeatedly. His Minor World was too barren. Right now, the Sword Pavilions mountains stood alone, looking completely out of placelike someone had just dropped a premium Unreal Engine 5 model into a raw Unreal Engine 4 scene. And the problem didnt stop there. The spiritual energy was thin. There was no sign of life in the surrounding wasteland. How could his Sword Pavilion disciples possibly live in such an empty, desolate world?! He had to fix this. But before thathe needed to log out and enter Auto-Mode to conserve his funds. A Paywall the Size of the Heavens Once in Auto-Mode, he quickly found a menu labeled Minor World Construction Store Minor World Construction Store ???? Basic Spiritual Energy Module C 3 billion (Limited-Time Discount!) ???? Intermediate Spiritual Energy Module C 15 billion (Limited-Time Discount!) ???? Advanced Spiritual Energy Module C Requirements Not Met ???? Tier 1 Prosperous Mountain C 1 million per mountain ???? Tier 1 Prosperous River C 100,000 per 50 km ???? Small Basic Spirit Stone Mine C 30 million per mine (Covers 100 li with Basic Spiritual Energy) ???? Small Intermediate Spirit Stone Mine C 3 billion per mine (Covers 100 li with Intermediate Spiritual Energy) ???? Page 1 / 99 "Wang Defa?!" **?!)* Chen Huaians temples throbbed just looking at these prices. What Minor World?! This was a money pit!!! But Then he remembered He could exchange real-world artifacts for Spirit Crystals, which could then be used for purchasing features. Sure, using money now wasnt ideal, but What if, in the future, currency became obsolete, and only Spirit Crystals could be used? Worst case scenario Spirit Crystals were also good for cultivation, so it wouldnt be a waste. But for nowbeautifying his Minor World could wait. The Great Secret Realm was about to open. He needed to retrieve the Sword Pavilion disciples, Su Qinian, and the others. Not to mention He still had to find the three personal disciples and track down Yue Qianchi. There was no time to waste. He had work to do. Chapter 240: The Big Fish Eats the Small Fish Chapter 240: The Big Fish Eats the Small Fish The entrance to the secret realm was in complete chaos. Too many sect cultivators had been slain by Chen Huaians sword. Some hadnt even realized what had happened before their elders or juniors were reduced to a mess of flesh and blood, leaving no remains to bury. Damn you, Sword Pavilion! My Yunlan Sect will never share the same sky with you! But that senior is no longer part of the Sword Pavilion So what? He was once with the Sword Pavilion, so this matter is their responsibility! Amidst the wails of grief, harsh words like these echoed frequently. Yet, no one dared to say they would seek trouble with Chen Huaian. The Void Fusion Realmthis was already the pinnacle of cultivation in the entire Cangyun Realm. Even the grand elders of major sects could only look up to such profound cultivation. Not to mention, this one wasnt just any ordinary Void Fusion cultivatorhe had already slain nearly a dozen of his kind today. For a cultivator in the Fusion stage, getting killed was already a rarity, yet in this mans hands, even an early-stage Void Fusion cultivator was slaughtered like a mere dog. Our sect is already weak, and now we''ve lost so many disciples. We are no match for the Sword Pavilion. Besides, there is no need for us to act. Now that the Holy Lands of Yaoci and Fanjing have been destroyed, the two True Saints will not sit idly by! Thats right. When the Great Secret Realm opens, we should first surround the Sword Pavilion disciples! As the various sect cultivators glared at the Sword Pavilions disciples and secretly plotted, the long-silent entrance to the Great Secret Realm suddenly let out a thunderous roar. Much like the activation of the smaller secret realm, a teleportation array flickered with light near the massive gate. Before long, figures began emerging from the airthese were mostly elders from different sects. However, the moment they stepped out and looked around, they were dumbfounded. Elder Li, why does the sky seem so open now? Uh It seems that Yaoci and Fanjings strongholds are gone? Elder Wang, why does the air smell so strongly of blood? Could it be that our killing intent is too strong Looking down at the mountains beneath the secret realm, they saw the peaks were stained crimson. A lake had even turned a faint red. Countless sect disciples and rogue cultivators scurried through the mountains, with battles and cries of sorrow echoing from all directions. This is bad! Somethings happened! A sect elder hurried back to his sects grounds, only to find his disciples pale as ghostsless than a tenth of them remained alive. Who?! Who did this?! Who dared slaughter my sects disciples?! It it was the Sword Pavilions patriarch a disciple stammered, trembling. Good! Very good, Sword Pavilion! The elder didnt bother asking for detailshe immediately turned and flew toward the Sword Pavilions domain. The same scene played out across multiple sects. Before long, the Sword Pavilions stronghold was completely surrounded by sect elders and leaders from all over. Where is the Sword Pavilions patriarch? You dare kill our disciples?! Today, we will slaughter every last one of you! After declaring his intent, one sect elder discreetly turned to his disciple and whispered, By the way, whats the Sword Pavilion patriarchs cultivation level? The disciple glanced at him hesitantly, then lowered his head and mumbled, V-Void Fusion Realm What?! Void Fusion?! The sect elders back stiffened as he sucked in a sharp breath. Why didnt you say so earlier? You didnt ask Swallowing hard, the elder turned back toward the Sword Pavilion, his expression changing immediately. Clearing his throat, he spoke in a much gentler tone: Ahem, there must be some misunderstanding here. Could we perhaps discuss what offense my sects disciples have committed against the senior? If the senior does not wish to meet, that is fine as wellwe can certainly negotiate appropriate compensation Of all the people to provoke, why did it have to be the ultimate old monster of the Void Fusion Realm?! He had already made up his mindonce this was over, he would resign from his sect immediately. This was terrifying. He needed to find a remote place to hide for a few decades before resurfacing! Fellow cultivators, there must be a reason for all this bloodshed. Why dont we get the facts straight before making a decision? A voice rang out from the crowd. When everyone turned to look, they saw that the speaker was Yun Baiyu, the Valley Master of Lingxi Valley. Instantly, they parted to make way. Lingxi Valley and the Pill Sect were both famous in the Cangyun Realm for their expertise in medicine, but Lingxi Valley had a far better reputation. The Pill Sect focused primarily on making moneyanyone with enough spirit stones could buy the best treatment from their disciples. Meanwhile, Lingxi Valley disciples healed people without being so mercenary. Had anyone else spoken up, the sect leaders and elders would have dismissed it as nonsense. But since it was the Lingxi Valley Master, it was worth some serious thought. And it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the Sword Pavilion patriarch was a Void Fusion powerhouse. Fellow Daoist Yun is right. We should get to the bottom of this before assigning blame. A step down was immediately taken. The truth was, no one wanted to take responsibility. A few sects with more backbone chose to endure the humiliation in silence. Those who truly had the courage to act had already done sothey wouldnt have run here demanding an explanation from the Sword Pavilion. As for those who hadnt acted yet, they were merely lying in wait, searching for the right moment. After questioning their disciples, the sect elders and leaders quickly turned dumbfounded. As it turned out, the Sword Pavilion patriarch had been protecting his disciple by setting up a sword formation. But the disciples of various sects, incited by an elder from Fanjing Holy Land, had charged in to break the formation. When the Sword Pavilion patriarch returned and saw people attempting to destroy his disciples defense, he had wiped them all out on the spot. Whether or not the disciple was sheltering a demonic cultivator was irrelevant. The Sword Pavilion was infamous for protecting its own in the Cangyun Realm. To openly attack the disciple of a Sword Pavilion elder? Wasnt getting slaughtered the natural consequence? Fairness? Justice? Righteousness? Strength was fairness. Strength was justice. Strength was righteousness. Sigh, this whole mess Its hurting our sects relationship with the Sword Pavilion. Indeed, indeed. Why did those juniors get involved in the holy lands grudges against the Sword Pavilion? Having learned the truth, most sect leaders were already thinking of backing down. By the way, where are the people from Fanjing and Yaoci Holy Lands? someone suddenly asked. They they were cut down by the Sword Pavilion patriarch in just two sword strikes. He also also killed many elders and disciples from the holy lands At these words, the air fell deathly silent. Seeing the shifting expressions of these wily old foxes, Yun Baiyu knew things were about to take a bad turn. Suddenly, a cultivator from an unknown sect stepped forward, wearing a righteous facade. We righteous cultivators must stand against demonic cultivators! Our disciples assisted the holy lands in attacking the sword formationthis was an act of justice! Yet they were slain by the Sword Pavilion patriarch! No matter how strong he is, must we bow to him? No! We must seek justice! No matter how powerful he is, the True Saints of the holy lands will surely avenge us! In that instant, the sect elders who had just emerged from the Great Secret Realm found themselves perfectly aligned with those outside who had planned to encircle the Sword Pavilion. The big fish eats the small fish, and the small fish eats the shrimp. Indeed! With the True Saints backing us, we have nothing to fear! Today, we shall avenge our fallen disciples! The atmosphere grew tense as the Sword Pavilion disciples unsheathed their swords, preparing for battle. Just then A series of sword cries split the sky. Everyone looked up to see five flying swords streaking toward them. Upon those swords stood none other than Su Qinian, the Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion, along with the four Great Sword Peak Elders. At last, the elders of the Sword Pavilion had returned from the Great Secret Realm. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 241: You Cannot Keep the Sword Pavilion’s People Chapter 241: You Cannot Keep the Sword Pavilions People Fellow Daoists, what business do you have surrounding my Sword Pavilions domain? Su Qinian furrowed his brows. He and the elders had made great gains in the Great Secret Realm. Yet, the moment they emerged, they were greeted with the sight of their sects disciples being bullied. His face darkened immediately. Your Sword Pavilion patriarch harbored a demonic cultivator and slaughtered our sects disciples! Until the True Saints of the Holy Lands arrive, no one from the Sword Pavilion is going anywhere! Su Qinian landed at the entrance of the Sword Pavilions grounds. With a glance at the eager eyes of his disciples behind him, he and the four elders stepped forward, standing between them and the opposing sect cultivators. You claim my patriarch harbored a demonic cultivator? What a joke! Not long ago, it was my patriarch himself who personally slew the Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect! He loathes evil and injusticehow could he possibly shelter a demonic cultivator? Su Qinian slammed his Xuanwu Sword into the ground with a resounding boom, shaking the earth beneath them. Lets be honestarent you all just here looking for trouble? Perfect timing. I had a lucky breakthrough in the secret realm. Lets see if I can stretch my limbs with you all! The sect elders and leaders present were mostly at the Nascent Soul stage. No one dared to make a move against Su Qinian. Now that he had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, he was practically invincible below the Soul Formation stage. Sect Master Su, your patriarchs actions were witnessed by all! He destroyed the strongholds of two Holy Lands! Thats right. If I were you, Id surrender and beg for mercy now. Perhaps when the True Saints arrive, they might let you die with your body intact. The Holy Lands strongholds? Destroyed?! Su Qinian looked up, and his heart sank. Just before leaving the secret realm, he had been chatting with the elders about how clear and cloudless the sky looked today. Well, of course it was cloudlessthe two towering strongholds that once blocked the sky were gone. Now, only the Zhenwu Stronghold floated alone in the eastern sky. And judging by the commotion over there, they must have already learned of Zhang Yibais demise. So their patriarch really did destroy the strongholds of Fanjing and Yaoci? And wiped out all the disciples inside? Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even with his experience of juggling multiple love interests, Su Qinian still found his vision going dark. He barely managed to steady himself by gripping the Xuanwu Sword. What the hell had happened while they were inside the secret realm?! Despite feeling an impending catastrophe, Su Qinian forced himself to remain composed and spoke coldly: Our patriarch is a reasonable man. If he chose to protect a so-called demonic cultivator, then that person must not be an ordinary demonic cultivatorthere must be more to the story. If he destroyed the two Holy Lands strongholds, then they must have been opposing him first! High above in the clouds, the hidden Chen Huaian nodded in approval. Yes, yes! This was why he admired Su Qinian. The man had said exactly what he wanted to hear. He had chosen to remain hidden precisely to observe the Sword Pavilions stance on this matter. After all, he wasnt some benevolent philanthropist. Granting the Sword Pavilion a place within his miniature world was already a great favor. If they wanted him to continue developing the miniature world and providing cultivation resources, they had to prove they were worthy of his investment. And now, with Su Qinians firm stance, the Sword Pavilion had passed the test. Sect Master Su, where is your sense of reason?! Are you saying that the Sword Pavilion is incapable of wrongdoing? Whether my people have done wrong is for the Sword Pavilion to judgeno one else may interfere. Su Qinian placed his hand on his sword hilt, his gaze turning icy. Of course, if you think you can defeat me, then maybejust maybeIll allow you to say a few bad words about us. His voice dropped, laced with a chilling threat. Otherwise you die. Pavilion Master. Elder Li from Hidden Sword Peak approached Su Qinian and whispered a few words. He had just finished gathering information from the Sword Pavilion disciples and had pieced together the full picture. All four of the Pavilions direct disciples had vanished. Many other sects top talents were missing as well. Li Qingran had exposed Fanjing and Yaoci Holy Lands sinister plots, and their patriarch had acted decisively, slaughtering multiple Void Fusion powerhouses from the Holy Lands. Every cultivator who had attempted to touch the sword formation had been obliterated. That was why the entire battlefield reeked of blood. So thats how it is Then theres nothing more to say. Su Qinians expression darkened. Their patriarch had left the sect to protect them. Now, their four top disciples were missing. The thought of Yue Qianchi and the others uncertain fate made Su Qinian clench his fists tightly. A cold, murderous intent brewed in his eyes. Since its founding, the Sword Pavilion had always avoided worldly conflicts. Even during its lowest days, it had only resorted to robbing passing flying boats and spirit stones. Morally questionable? Sure. But they had never harmed anyone. And if they compared it, the spirit stones theyd robbed paled in comparison to how much the Pill Sect extorted in a single transaction. If the world insisted on making an enemy of the Sword Pavilion Then All Sword Pavilion disciples, heed my command! Su Qinian stomped the ground. BOOM! The earth trembled as his Xuanwu Sword hilt leaped into his grasp. Behind him, every Sword Pavilion disciple drew their swords in unison. We will carve our way through! No matter who stands in our wayeven if the heavens themselves oppose uswe will return to the Sword Pavilion today! They had already steeled themselves for battle. With the True Saints yet to emerge from the secret realm, now was the best chance to break out. As for Yue Qianchi and the others Though it pained him, the Sword Pavilion had more disciples than just those four. Ensuring the survival of the rest took priority. Once they handled the immediate crisis, he would personally hunt down the four disciples whereaboutsalive or dead, he would bring them back. Destroying our Holy Lands stronghold, slaughtering our Saintessyou think you can just leave?! Suddenly, an enraged female voice ripped through the sky. Emerald vines burst from the earth, twisting like giant serpents. In mere moments, they encased the entire Sword Pavilion in a massive prison. A female cultivator in flowing green robes hovered in midair, her eyes cold as an icy lake. With a wave of her wide sleeves, a crushing spiritual pressure swept downward, causing the very stone bricks of the Sword Pavilions grounds to fracture and splinter. She was in the Void Fusion Realm. And her cultivation was even higher than the three Yaoci elders who had stayed behind. She was Jade Condensation, the Second Elder of Yaoci Holy Land. She had originally entered the Great Secret Realm alongside Jade Yao. However, Jade Yao was still inside, recovering from her injuries. Upon sensing that True Saint Jade Qing was in danger, she had stepped out to investigate. When she learned that three Void Fusion elders had been killed and their stronghold destroyed, her fury knew no bounds. There was no way she would allow the Sword Pavilion to escape! Sword Pavilion scum, die! Jade Condensation thrust her palm forward. Before her attack could even land, the sheer force of her energy sent a violent gale tearing through the air, nearly knocking the Sword Pavilion disciples off their feet. Until A sword cry rang out. In an instant, the wind stilled. Jade Condensation felt a sudden chill at her throat. A black sword had somehow appeared at her neck. Reflected in its polished blade was her own frozen expression of shock and horror. She had not even seen the moment that sword was drawn. Y-Youre the Sword Pavilion patriarch? You cannot keep the Sword Pavilions people. Chen Huaian did not answer further. He merely tapped the swords guard with his fingers. The sword cry shattered her soul. The vine prison collapsed in an instant. Tell Jade Yao and Monk Fanye. Chen Huaian sheathed his sword, his cold gaze sweeping across the gathered cultivators. If anything happens to my four direct disciples your Holy Lands will never know peace. And then With a casual flick of his fingers Every Sword Pavilion disciple vanished. The sun burned bright overhead. And above the Sword Pavilions domain A single, razor-straight sword mark split the clouds apart. Chapter 242: The Purpose of Yaoci Chapter 242: The Purpose of Yaoci The three missing Sword Pavilion disciples were found in Da Has den. To be honest, if it werent for Heavens Secret Divination, even Chen Huaian wouldnt have guessed that the three direct disciples were actually trapped in Da Has foul-smelling dog den. At this moment, the three disciples lay unconscious at the cliffs edge of Falling Sunset Peak. Even though they reeked of filth, no one showed any disgust. Their spiritual roots and Dao bodies are completely gone. Their dantian has been crippled The people of these so-called Three Great Holy Lands truly have no humanity! Su Qinians eyes burned red as he looked at the disciples, who had been tortured into such a miserable state. The four elders of the Sword Pavilion also wore expressions of pure hatred. Li Qingran had already explained everything that had happened. Even though there was no concrete evidence to prove Li Qingrans words were true, Su Qinian and the four elders believed it immediately. Not just because the patriarch stood behind Li Qingran But also because of Yue Qianchis last transmitted message. If this was the work of demonic cultivators, why did Yue Qianchis message tell them to kill Song Chiyue? And even stranger According to the patriarch, the soul inside Song Chiyues body wasnt even her own. It belonged to Jade Qing, a long-lost elder of Yaoci Holy Land. When all other possibilities are ruled out, the least likely answer must be the truth. The ones behind the disappearance of countless sect prodigies were none other than Yaoci and Fanjing Holy Lands. As for Zhenwu Holy Land, their involvement was still uncertain. Pavilion Master, Patriarch, Yue Qianchi is definitely being held in one of the Three Holy Lands! Let us prepare to rescue her immediately! Elder Li of Hidden Sword Peak spoke with a deep bow. He had watched Yue Qianchi grow up. Her tragic past had been deeply ingrained in his heart Her parents perished in a fire, leaving her an orphan at a young age. If it hadnt been for the Pavilion Master passing by at the right time, she might have been kidnapped by traffickers and sold. Because of this, all the elders of the Sword Pavilion cherished her dearly. And she had never let them down. Before she was even thirty, she had reached the Golden Core stage, displaying incredible talent and becoming the ideal senior disciple in the hearts of her fellow Sword Pavilion members. Now that she was in enemy hands, how could they just stand by and do nothing? Sit down! Su Qinian shot Elder Li a sharp glare. Rescue? How? Do you want to make things even more chaotic?! Pavilion Master, Yue is your disciple! Elder Li dropped to his knees, his voice trembling, each word filled with deep emotion. Su Qinian turned his back to them and took a deep breath. He wanted to calm himself, to remain rational as the leader of a sect But he still choked up. Do you think I dont know that Yue Qianchi is my disciple? But you all are also my Sword Pavilion disciples. In my heart, your lives matter just as much as hers. The Holy Lands are dangerous, filled with Void Fusion powerhouses. I will not allow you to throw your lives away! But Pavilion Master I will go. I will bring Yue Qianchi back myself. Enough! Everyone, shut up! Chen Huaian tapped the hilt of his sword. He had already attempted a Heavens Secret Divination to locate Yue Qianchi. But something was blocking it. With his current level of karmic backlash, he was unable to determine her exact location. However, based on the direction of the Heavens Secret Eye, it was clear that she was inside Yaoci Holy Land. But the problem was Yaoci Holy Land did not exist in the Cangyun Realm. It was hidden within a subspace, much like the Sword Pavilion now existing within his miniature world. All three Holy Lands resided inside their own independent small worlds. The origins of these small worlds were unknown, but they were sealed from external spiritual energy and could only sustain themselves by draining energy from the Cangyun Realm through powerful formations. This was why the spiritual energy inside the Holy Lands was far denser than that of the Cangyun Realm. Getting inside a Holy Lands small world would be extremely difficult. But the real issue was strength. If he had Tribulation Transcendence-level power, saving Yue Qianchi would be a simple matter. Qingran, do you have any of Yue Qianchis personal belongings? Bring one here. Since Yue Qianchi often visited Li Qingrans place, sometimes even sleeping over to absorb his spiritual energy, there should be something of hers left behind. And it definitely wasnt because he had seen it before. Li Qingran rummaged around his small house for a moment before coming out with a wrapped cloth item. Master, this is Senior Sisters Li Qingran carefully bundled it up, making sure no one around could tell what it was. She stepped forward, intending to whisper it into her masters ear Only for Chen Huaian to grab the cloth without hesitation. I know. Li Qingran: ??? Wait. How does Master know? He figured it out just by looking at a piece of cloth? Chen Huaian placed the cloth bundle next to the Yang Soul Mirror. He usually used the mirror to observe Li Qingran, but since Yue Qianchi often visited, sometimes she was also in the frame And she never knew. She was careless by nature, so she had inadvertently gifted him a few unexpected sights. For example, she never wore a bellyband, because it felt restrictive. Instead, she preferred binding cloth, which was more comfortable and easy to move in. Not that Chen Huaian wanted to know. He was absolutely not that kind of person. The Yang Soul Mirror quickly activated. Yue Qianchis image appeared within the glass. She was sitting cross-legged in meditation, her surroundings obscured But based on her condition, her life was not in immediate danger. Patriarch, how is she? Su Qinian wanted to look but didnt dare step forward. Shes fine. Chen Huaian gave Su Qinian a reassuring answer. Yaoci Holy Land must have a use for herthey wont kill her anytime soon. They might even treat her well. Right now, we have two major concerns. Firstthe Holy Lands will hunt us down. All Sword Pavilion disciples must remain inside my miniature world to cultivate. No one is allowed to leave for sect missions. I will provide all necessary resources. Secondwe cannot rush Yue Qianchis rescue. Those two Tribulation Transcendence True Saints are beyond our capability to provoke. Before we act, we must first understand why Yaoci Holy Land wants her. Only then can we act accordingly. Chen Huaian could tell that Yaoci Holy Land wasnt merely trying to destroy Yue Qianchis talent. If that were their goal, they would have already done it. Why go through the trouble of keeping her alive? Su Qinian realized he had been too rash. Charging into the Holy Lands at Nascent Soul Peak? That was suicide. He wouldnt just failhe would be throwing away his life for nothing. But how were they supposed to figure out the Holy Lands true goal? Master, that demonic cultivator girl I saved in the secret realm She seemed to have a grudge against the Holy Lands. Maybe she knows something? Li Qingran recalled a crucial detail. sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That girl had immediately exposed Hui Kong as soon as she attacked Which meant she had clashed with the Holy Lands before. Just as she spoke A surge of demonic energy erupted from a small house at the peak of Falling Sunset Peak. Everyone turned to look. A girl stood in the doorway, gripping a demonic blade. Her robes fluttered violently in the raging demonic aura. The bloodthirst in her gaze twisted the air itself. And then, she spoke. A low, guttural growllike a beast. Kill Then, a crazed, maniacal cackle. Kill! Kill! Kill! Hahaha! Anyone who stands in my wayDIES! Chapter 243: Secrets Chapter 243: Secrets The Demonic BladeSoul Abysshas claimed countless lives. If one recklessly wields a power beyond their control, such as activating the Blade Domain at the Golden Core stage, the backlash from demonic energy is inevitable. Aside from excruciating pain, the wielders body may temporarily be possessed by the vengeful spirits trapped within the blade. The possession only ceases when these spirits have had their fill of slaughter and absorbed enough baleful energy. However, the baleful energy they consume also strengthens Soul Abyss, pushing it closer to a state where it can overpower its wielderturning them into nothing more than a mindless puppet, completely enslaved to the blade. In essence, Soul Abyss draws its power from the vengeful spirits within and can manipulate them to attack. However, when demonic energy backlashes, it cannot control whether the spirits emerge or not. Its like a dog that has been locked inside for too longonce the door cracks open, it bolts out, unstoppable. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just like now. It really didnt want the demonic backlash to happen because this was the Sword Pavilion. As a young girl slowly stepped forward, Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Mo Shumei Status: Demonic Backlash Demonic backlash? Interesting! Su Qinian chuckled. Old Ancestor, so this is the demonic cultivator Qingran brought back? Interesting~ A certain elder stroked his beard. This is the first time Ive observed a demonic cultivator up close. Quite intriguing. The vengeful spirits vision blurred for a moment. In the next second, it realized it was already surrounded by a group of cultivators. Each one radiated the overwhelming pressure of the Nascent Soul stagesome even more unfathomable. KKill The vengeful spirits voice wavered then suddenly, in a bizarre turn of events, it broke into a folk song: Then, without missing a beat, it performed a little dance. Immediately after, it bolted from Mo Shumeis body and scurried back into Soul Abyss. The demonic backlash ended. Mo Shumeis eyes snapped open. With a startled yelp, she plopped down onto the ground. Mom, help me! Her gaze landed on the gleaming jade tokens at the waists of these cultivators, all engraved with the words Sword Pavilion. She suddenly felt very, very close to death. A tall figure loomed over her. Young girl, Su Qinian said, cracking his knuckles, his face dark and unreadable. At such a tender age, and yet you''ve chosen to walk the demonic path? Troublesome. But it doesnt matter. Since youve stepped into my Sword Pavilion, whatever you practiced before is irrelevanthenceforth, you will be nothing but a proper swordsman. His gaze sharpened. The Holy Land of Jade Pool harbors sinister intentions. What do you know? Mo Shumei took a deep breath. From the gaps between these high-ranking Sword Pavilion cultivators, she spotted Li Qingran peeking in from the doorway. That steadied her nervesif only a little. She didnt remember how she got here. After leaving the secret realm, she had barely managed to suppress the demonic backlash. But then that Buddhist light hit her. Her demonic energy had boiled over like water in a kettle, completely uncontrollable. After that, she lost consciousness. Clearly, that female cultivator must have dragged her all the way back to the Sword Pavilion. But it didnt matter. Even if she told them the truth, they wouldnt believe her. Mo Shumei let out a cold snort, lowering her gaze to the grass beneath her feet. The Sword Pavilion was a righteous sect. And the righteous sects worshipped the Three Great Holy Lands without question. Even if they harbored doubts, they would never believe that a Holy Land could be so utterly depraved. Not to mention, as a demonic cultivator, anything she said was inherently unreliable in their eyes. Lets hear it first, Chen Huaian said indifferently. I have already slain many Nascent Soul elders of the Holy Lands and even destroyed Jade Pool and Burning Puritys dojos. Right now, I am just as much a public enemy in the Cangyun Realm as any demonic cultivator. I have no bias against your identity. He paused. Besides, you were brought here by my disciple. His tone softened slightly. I trust her. At that, Li Qingrans face flushed red. She hid behind the door, covering her face with her hands, twisting side to side in embarrassment. Mo Shumei, however, was utterly dumbfounded. You what? You killed Holy Land elders? You destroyed their dojos?! Correct. Chen Huaian nodded, exuding a faint trace of Nascent Soul-stage pressure. It was a minuscule amountjust enough to prove his strength without outright crushing a mere Golden Core cultivator like Mo Shumei. But it was enough for Soul Abyss to tremble. The usually arrogant demonic blade was eerily silent. Back when they entered the secret realm, Soul Abyss had mocked the righteous sects, saying they could barely muster a few Unity-stage cultivators and were being crushed like dogs by the Three Holy Lands. But now Seeing how the blade quivered, Mo Shumei couldnt help but take this old Sword Pavilion ancestor seriously. He wasnt bluffing. There was no need to deceive her. Fine. Ill tell you, she said at last, crossing her arms. Not that it matters. The Holy Land isnt going to keep playing nice forever. Sooner or later, theyll bare their fangs. She exhaled sharply. Jade Pools True Person Yuyao is nearing the end of her lifespan. She is attempting to create a Five-Element Perfect Physique for a body-snatching ritual. Her voice grew colder. The Five-Element Perfect Physique is the strongest cultivation physique. It requires five distinct mutated single spiritual roots and a Grade-1 Dantian. Yuyao wants to become an immortal. Wait a minute, that doesnt make sense! Su Qinians eyes widened in disbelief. I can understand stealing a physique. I can even understand transplanting spiritual roots. But a Dantian? Thats part of a persons body! How the hell do you take that?! Mo Shumei rolled her eyes. I knew you wouldnt believe me. She sneered and clammed up. Dont interrupt. Chen Huaian shot Su Qinian a glare before turning back to Mo Shumei. Continue. How do you know about Jade Pools plan? And how exactly are they extracting Dantians and physiques? Because I used to have a Metal spiritual root. Mo Shumeis voice dropped to a low murmur. But Jade Pool tore it out. Her fingers clenched around the hilt of Soul Abyss, trembling. I was young then. My family thought it was a great fortune and sent me to a Jade Pool outpost in East Continent, believing Id become one of their disciples. But that very night, Song Chiyue ripped out my spiritual root, crippled my cultivation, and tossed me into a beast pen as food for spirit beasts. By sheer luck, the beasts werent hungry that day, so they ignored me. Thats how I found a chance to escape. But my cultivation was ruined. I had to change my name and go into hiding. Still, word got out. To draw me out, Song Chiyue slaughtered my entire family. Yet even as my parents died, they never revealed my whereabouts In a Central Continent secret realm, I stumbled upon this demonic bladeSoul Abyssand fragments of the . This cursed blade tempted me onto the path of demonic cultivation. I had no choice. If I wanted revenge I had to embrace the demonic arts. She lifted Soul Abyss, offering it to Chen Huaian. The blade trembled violently. Seeing this, Mo Shumei smirked and pushed it even closer. The mighty, boastful demonic bladecowering like a frightened child. Lets see how scared you get today, you damned knife! Chen Huaians lips twitched. Are you surrendering yourself for judgment? Or offering up the blade for execution? This brat definitely did that on purpose. Just look at how much that sword was shaking! Chapter 244: A Polite Refusal Chapter 244: A Polite Refusal After a thorough discussion, the situation became clear. The Holy Land of Jade Pool had already gathered four types of mutated single spiritual roots, with only the Profound Water Root missing. Single spiritual root cultivators were already incredibly rare, and those with a mutated single spiritual root were even scarcer. While there was a slight possibility of more than one appearing at the same time, as far as anyone knew, the only known cultivator who had awakened a Profound Water Root upon reaching the Golden Core stage was Li Qingran. That meant the Holy Land had only two optionseither capture Li Qingran or wait for another Profound Water Root cultivator to emerge. For now, this meant that Yue Qianchi was safe, at least in the short term. This damn Holy Land of Jade Pool Chen Huaian frowned deeply. They must have some secret method for pinpointing cultivators with special talents. That means finding Li Qingran is just a matter of time. Since this involved Li Qingrans safety, he couldnt afford to be careless. Keeping her hidden inside the small world would prevent the Holy Land from finding her, but what was the difference between that and a caged bird? Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a responsible master, he couldnt just lock his disciple away. His duty wasnt to imprison her but to ensure she had the ability to protect herself. Or, at the very least, he needed to find some artifact that could disguise her Profound Water Root. Heavenly Fate Calculation! Keeping her hidden in a small world is too rigid. Is there a more flexible, convenient solution? The Cangyun Realm was in turmoil. Heavenly Fate Calculation Complete. Yes, there is. Please increase Li Qingrans cultivation realm. Upon reaching the mid-Golden Core stage, she will receive a Supreme Battle Order Blind Box, which has a chance of containing an item that can disguise her Profound Water Root as an ordinary Water Root. If the player is unsure, an additional 50 million can be spent for a targeted draw! 50 million for a guaranteed pull? Thats some serious daylight robbery! Chen Huaians face turned green. He had thought that with 1 billion in funds, he could finally spend freely and even relax for a while. But after the small secret realm expedition, his expenses had skyrocketed. The elders and disciples of the Sword Pavilion had all returned to their respective cultivation abodes, and the three direct disciples were gravely injured, taken back by their elders for healing. As for restoring their talents that was a problem for another day. Neither Su Qinian nor the other elders had asked anything of him. After all, their Dantians had been shattered, their spiritual roots stripped, and their Dao bodies destroyed. Recovering from such devastation was nearly impossible. Just the required to restore a Dantian was already something he had no leads on. The elders remained silentnot because they didnt want to burden Chen Huaian, but because they didnt want to pressure him. Chen Huaian, on the other hand, also kept quietnot because he lacked the funds, but because he had already made up his mind. He wasnt the type to make empty promises. He would only bring up a solution when he had one. Watching Chen Huaian muttering to himself by the cliffside, Mo Shumei shivered. Does your master always talk to himself like this? She rubbed her arms. They say the stronger a cultivator is, the weirder their personality gets Is he hiding some strange habit or something? Master is comprehending the Dao, Li Qingran declared seriously, hands on her hips. Its like a chess player strategizing against an imaginary opponent. It may seem like hes talking to himself, but in reality, hes engaging in a profound discussion with another version of himself about the Grand Dao! Thats a bit much, dont you think?! Of course! My master is incredible! Mo Shumei had never had a master. Before practicing demonic arts, she had cultivated her familys techniques. After turning to demonic cultivation, she had learned everything haphazardly from the , taking a wild, unstructured approach. Whenever she hit a bottleneck, shed ask the demonic blade for guidance. And since the blade was a notorious liar, she learned to do the opposite of whatever it suggested. That method usually worked. She had never known what it was like to have a master. This matter settled, I must leave temporarily. With a flash, Chen Huaian appeared before Li Qingran, retrieving an icy-cold chicken tendon from his player inventory. This is the , a treasure I happened to acquire. Since you have yet to condense your sword bone, why not use this? Li Qingran blinked in confusion as she accepted the . She could immediately sense its perfect compatibility with her and . A sword bonean ultimate manifestation of a sword cultivators comprehension of sword intent. The Pavilion Master and the four elders of the Sword Pavilion all possessed sword bones. With such an advantage, they were guaranteed to reach the Unity stage in the future. A sword bone signified a deeper understanding of the sword than most Nascent Soul cultivators, making them far more powerful than ordinary practitioners of the same realm. Hiss! Just what kind of godly existence is this Sword Pavilion Ancestor?! Hes casually handing out sword bones?! This is insane! Soul Abysss voice rang out in Mo Shumeis mind. What? Is this thing that impressive? Of course it is! Soul Abyss scoffed. Listen, if you could condense a blade bone or a blade heart from your blade intent, you wouldnt even need to cultivate the to suppress me effortlessly! And yet, this Sword Pavilion Ancestor not only extracted a sword bone but is actually gifting it to his disciple?! Absolutely terrifying! Master, I cannot accept this sword bone. After a moment of hesitation, Li Qingran respectfully held the chicken tendon with both hands and returned it to Chen Huaian. Why? Chen Huaian paused, deliberately adopting a displeased tone. Did I not tell you that you are never to refuse a gift from me? I do not dare disobey Masters commands. Li Qingran bit her lip, lowered herself into a deep bow, and then lifted her gaze, eyes filled with unwavering determination. But in matters of cultivation, Master has already given me so muchhelping me decipher techniques and providing countless resources. But a sword bone is different from a spiritual root or a Dantian. It is the embodiment of a cultivators understanding of their own Dao I wish to forge my own path and condense my own sword bone. She bowed again, lowering herself even further, and did not rise. She knew she might never catch up to her masters swordsmanship in her lifetime. But if she simply followed his footsteps, she would forever be the little girl hiding behind him, relying on his protection. Being protected felt nice. But that wasnt what she wanted. She wanted to walk her own path. To one day stand beside her master as his equal. And perhapseven if the odds were laughably smallone day, she might be able to protect him instead. A pure aura erupted from the top of Li Qingrans head. Three ethereal flowers bloomed in succession. The five energies within her consciousness coalesced and spread throughout her limbs and bones. At that moment, her already resilient meridians glowed as if coated in golden glass. Her Dantian, previously unstable after her Golden Core breakthrough, expanded significantly, stabilizing her cultivation realm in an instant. Three Flowers Atop the Crown! Five Energies Converging to the Origin! Epiphany Her Dao Heart is crystal clear! In Mo Shumeis mind, Soul Abyss let out a twisted, envious wail. WHY?! Why wasnt it her who picked me up back then?! The demonic cultivators lips twitched. Then, without hesitation, she grabbed Soul Abyss and stomped on it. Chen Huaian silently observed the girl before him, her figure subtly emanating Dao resonance. For the first time, a twinge of guilt surfaced in his heart. Had he been too focused on pushing what he thought was best onto her? He had never stopped to consider what truly wanted. She wasnt some lifeless doll for him to dress up. Nor was she a paper-cutout waifu to be controlled. She was Li Qingran. A living, breathing girl of the Cangyun Realm. Unique. With a soul of her own. Alright. Chen Huaian withdrew the . Under the girls careful gaze, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair. Neither of them noticed That this time, the hand he used was not an avatar. For the first time, they could truly feel each others presence. Master youre not mad at me? Li Qingran looked up at him with hopeful eyes. Im not mad. You wont kick me out? I wont. Hehe~ Master is the best. Chapter 245: The Death of the Demon Dragon Chapter 245: The Death of the Demon Dragon Main Quest 2.0 Completed: Help the Digital Girlfriend Survive the Central Continent Secret Realm Dungeon Reward Acquired: Sect Summoning Order Sect Summoning Order: Can be used in the real world to summon disciples, elders, or the sect master of the Sword Pavilion for 30 minutes. The cooldown period ranges from one day to one month, depending on the number and strength of those summoned. (As the players cultivation increases, the cooldown period will decrease.) The ''Sect Summoning Order'' has been added to your inventory. Main Quest 3.0: Uncover the Holy Lands Conspiracy, Challenge the Holy Land of Jade PoolLi Qingran and Yue Qianchi share a deep bond. Please assist Li Qingran in rescuing Senior Sister Yue Qianchi. (Quest Failure: Sword Pavilion is annihilated, Li Qingran is mortally wounded, her spiritual root is extracted, her Dao body is stolen, and she will never progress in cultivation again, living a life of regret / Quest Success: Sword Pavilion survives, Li Qingran survives, and the players avatar survives.) Current success rate: 0% The moment Chen Huaian logged out, his phone was flooded with game notifications. Why the hell do I die too if I fail?! And why is it 0% again?! That number gave him goosebumps every time he saw it. But after some thought, he pieced together the logic. If the quest failed, it meant Li Qingrans would be taken. True Person Yuyao would then complete the , steal Yue Qianchis body, and experience a massive power surgeso much so that even his wouldnt be able to hide him. Then, shed casually flick her finger and obliterate his existence. That terrifying? Wouldnt that make her a half-step Immortal?! Chen Huaian shuddered. Once someone became an Immortal, they essentially became part of the or at the very least, its enforcer. In some cultivation novels, exceptionally powerful Immortals could stand on equal footing with the Heavenly Dao itself, or even refine and control it. If this games system was a subordinate of the , and the opponent was a half-step Immortal yeah, thatd be a nightmare. No way, I need to power up fast. A sense of urgency welled up in his heart. Of course, he had always worked hard on his cultivation. It was just that his progress had been excruciatingly slow. Ultimately, he was still a mere mortal. Even with a , his trash-tier talent meant he was barely scraping by. Your digital girlfriend has refined a Hundred Herbs Detoxification Pill for you! Please check your inventory! The moment the notification popped up, the materialized beside him. Just before logging out, Li Qingran had gone to Elder Liu with a batch of spiritual herbs. He hadnt expected the pill to be completed so quickly. Looks like Elder Liu was rightthis pill wasnt difficult to refine. It just required high-quality ingredients. As long as the materials were available, the rest was easy. Perfect timing. The first layer of has hit a bottleneck, and devouring the demon dragons cancer cells isnt working anymore. No better time than nowlets do this! Chen Huaian let out a sinister chuckle, picked up the , and swallowed it in one go. The moment he did His vision went black. And he passed out. The demon dragon, which had been forcibly suppressed all this time, had not been idle. Though it was reduced to a mere headits body completely devoured by the it had never stopped looking for a way to break free. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As everyone knew, the most terrifying thing about viruses was their ability to mutate. And the demon dragon had been mutating. That devouring force hasnt been as overwhelming lately. That must mean my mutations are working! Just like drug resistanceif I keep evolving The demon dragon eyed the that crackled with electric arcs, all of them humming the melody of as they floated around it. Its plan was simple: disguise a portion of its own cells as these mutated , infiltrate them from within, and then take over. Once that happened, white pieces would turn black. By then, the tables would be completely turned. It had already made its move. Kekeke! Arise, my new mutated cancer cell! The demon dragon let out a crazed laugh. A new cancer cell, identical to the ones surrounding it, was born right next to its body. Indistinguishable from the rest, it seamlessly blended in. Success! Kekeke! SUCCESS!!! It immediately commanded the new cancer cell to multiply. Soon, a tiny portion of its body had regrown. Unfortunately, it didnt have enough nutrients to continue growing. At this point, it needed the host to provide sustenance Which meant Chen Huaian would soon feel unbearable hunger. Wait, no! If he gets hungry, hell notice somethings wrong! The demon dragon narrowed its eyes, rubbing its chin with a claw. Hmm what if I just eat a few cancer cells? Theyre packed with nutrients. Just a little nibble shouldnt make a difference, right? With that thought, it hesitantly swallowed one. Immediately, its front claws began to regrow slightly. Damn, this guys been eating well, huh? Kekeke! From now on, all of this will be mine! Ill feast like a king! Is that so? A deep voice echoed from above. A massive shadow loomed over the demon dragon. Only then did it realize Everything had gone dark. It looked up And saw an enormous towering over it. It was over ten times larger than before. Its gaping maw alone could swallow the demon dragon whole Not to mention that right now, the dragon only had a head left. Did I not tell you? Chen Huaian stood atop the blood wolfs head, controlling it with ease. I didnt devour you because you were still useful. But now? Youre not. Impossible?! How did your cells evolve this much?! The demon dragons eyes filled with horror. Chen Huaian smirked. This was the effect of the . It strengthened all his cells, granting him complete immunity to poisons and diseases. More importantly, it had triggered a chain reaction with his , making his physical body even more terrifying. Wait! Dont devour me! I-I can still be useful The demon dragons pupils shrank as it made a last-ditch effort. Kid, dont you want ? If you devour me, Ill destroy the Dragon Qi with me! Ill! You cant move, can you? Chen Huaian watched as the demon dragons body stiffened, gradually turning gray and lifeless. The detoxified golden cells around it had bound it like chains. With a flick of his hand He plunged his fingers into the dragons head. And pulled out a tiny, golden dragon. It was barely alive. This was the his rightful inheritance, which had almost been stolen by the mutated cancer cells. Now, it was time to take back what was his. No dont kill me I was wrong I The demon dragons body shrank, until only its eyes and tongue remained. Three seconds later Only a writhing, black cancer cell was left. You werent wrong. You were just meant to die. Chen Huaian crushed the last cell underfoot. A deafening dragons cry erupted through his body. In Containment Room #0, Chen Huaian slowly opened his eyes. A terrifying aura burst forth, making the metal walls creak inward from the pressure. Even on the windowsill flipped over in shock. It locked eyes with Chen Huaian. And froze. Those werent human eyes. They were golden And slit like a dragons. Chapter 246: Skyrocketing Talent Chapter 246: Skyrocketing Talent Back when he had the Dragon Soul, he never knew how to absorb it. Only now, after truly absorbing it, did he realize just how much of a great opportunity he had missed before. At this moment, a golden Dragon Soul resided near his dantian. Every bit of spiritual energy passing through his dantian was strengthened by the Dragon Soul, and this enhanced energynow imbued with dragon essenceflowed through his meridians, reaching every inch of his body, reinforcing it completely. Honestly, he should have become a Super Saiyan long agoif not for those damn cancer cells holding him back all this time. The ancestors were rightif youre sick, you need treatment. Wise words, indeed. Chen Huaian observed the Dragon Soul near his dantian. Perhaps because it had been tormented by those demonic cancer cells for too long, the Dragon Soul remained in a dormant state. It needed to be nourished continuously with spiritual energy to gradually recover. But this nourishment wasnt a one-sided sacrificeit was a win-win. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For example, right now, his spiritual energy absorption speed had increased more than tenfold. So it wasnt a lack of spiritual energyit was my own talent that was the problem. Chen Huaian shook his head with a bitter smile. The Dragon Soul had compensated for his dantians innate deficiencies. With his single lightning spiritual root, his talent was already on par with the prodigies of the Cangyun Realm. But now, he could go even further. He took out the Pure Yang Sword Bone, the Mysterious Yin Sword Bone, and the Sword Spiritual Root from his storage bag. Brilliant spiritual light instantly filled the room. Ba Ji was dumbfounded. Boss, what the hell is going on today?! First, there was that Ancestral Dragon aura, and now its sword bones and sword spiritual rootswhats he planning to do?! Wait could it be that Boss is finally about to awaken his past lifes memories?! Chen Huaian noticed Ba Ji staring at him and responded with a profound, enigmatic smile. Even Ba Ji could sense his transformation. Truly, he was an irresistible man. That smile nearly scared Ba Jis soul right out of its body. Its over, its over Ba Ji ran to the curtains, clutching its head in both hands. My cover is about to be blown My pathetic life is coming to an end Wait! Since Boss carries the Ancestral Dragons aura, maybejust maybehell spare me for the sake of the Ancestral Dragon? As for its relationship with the Ancestral Dragon Well, it wasnt exactly a father-son thing. After all, as a naturally born fiend, it didnt have a father. But it been beaten up by the Ancestral Dragon before. And as the saying goes, "A beating can forge a bond"so that counted as kind of connection, right? Since Qingran didn''t want the Mysterious Yin Sword Bone, that was fine. Chen Huaian would just dual cultivate yin and yang by himself. Who cared whether he could absorb two at once? Bottoms up! Hiss! Damn, this really does look like chicken tendons and tastes kinda like it too! But as for the Sword Spiritual Root, there was no particular sensationit simply transformed into a streak of blue light and merged into his consciousness, aligning itself beside his single lightning spiritual root. A moment later, both the Pure Yang and Mysterious Yin Sword Bones were fully absorbedwithout any risk of his body exploding. Chen Huaian closed his eyes, adjusted his breath, and meditated. Two distinct sword auras surged around him, forming the shadowy apparitions of twin swordsone black, one whitecircling his body. With a mere thought, the Mysterious Yin Sword Intent condensed into a shadowy swordsman in front of him, slashing forward with a blade of darkness. The shadow vanished in an instant, while he himself remained completely still. Mysterious Yin Sword Intentpure yin forms a shadow, the shadow wields the sword, and the sword moves at will. Pure Yang Sword Intentpure yang fuels internal force, the sword intent is fierce, and the sword moves with the body. Yin and yang combineillusion and reality intertwine It seems Ive accidentally created something terrifying. Chen Huaians eyes narrowed slightly. He had initially worried that these two sword bones might conflict if merged together. But to his surprise, it was as if they had always been meant to be fused. Compared to existing separately, their combined state produced a synergy where one plus one was greater than two. The Emperors Swordhanging on the headboard, trembled violently. Even though it was a different kind of entity, it could still sense the swords eager anticipation. This blade to be wieldedto be unsheathed. Chen Huaian glanced at the sword and sneered. Oh? Now you want to stick close to me? Dream on. Stay on the wall where you belong! Back then, it had been so cold and indifferent to him. From now on, hed make sure this useless sword understood the pain of being out of its league. was the real onethe sword that had been with him through thick and thin was never to be abandoned. I may not have sudden epiphanies, but in a way doesnt that just make me a different kind of genius? After indulging in some self-admiration, Chen Huaian closed his eyes and resumed his cultivation. In the past, whenever he meditated, his mind would always be flooded with distracting thoughtslike Li Qingrans little feet, the close-up shots of her wearing a bellyband, or those snowy white thunderbolts. But today was completely different. His mind held nothing but a single sword, flickering with arcs of lightning. In an instant, he entered a deep meditative state. Somewhere in the void, he felt an illusionno, perhaps it wasnt an illusion at all. He had become a vortex, immersed in a vast ocean of spiritual energy, pulling all the surrounding energy into himself. And perhaps it really an illusion. Ba Ji and Xiao Qing lay collapsed by the windowsill, their faces filled with despair. The once crystal-clear leaves of the had withered slightly. Its all been drained All the spiritual energy is gone Ba Ji cautiously glanced at Chen Huaian, who was still meditating, and trembled. So this this is Bosss true power? His cultivation alone can instantly drain all the abundant spiritual energy in the room? His absorption rate is so fast that even the divine cant keep up This is terrifying. Absolutely terrifying! Governor Chen, are you there? Somethings happened! It was hard to tell how much time had passed. For Chen Huaian, it was about as long as it took to complete over a hundred cycles of . A voice from outside the containment center pulled him out of his cultivation state. Most cultivators hated being interrupted during trainingit could cause their entire energy cycle to collapse. But for Chen Huaian, this wasnt a problem. He naturally exited meditation, and the cycle of energy still continued around his sword intent, albeit at a slower pace. Young people need to be steadydont make such a fuss! Chen Huaian opened his eyes and swung the door open, frowning at the panting young girl outside. Three-Egg, this better be important. If youre just here to ask what enlightenment I gained from staring at silk stockings, I swear No, its not that! Lin Lingling blurted out, speaking rapidly, her face full of urgency. Its Captain Zhao and Captain Xiang! They went to the Exorcist Division Headquarters to contain the , but when they were about to leave, they got blocked by the noble clans! Theyre demanding that they hand over the containment object or they wont let them go! What about and ? What the hell are they doing? They got beaten up too Chen Huaians face darkened. KSC-01 and KSC-02 might not have been able to defeat the , but they were definitely strong enough to handle general-level exorcists. They had even grown stronger by absorbing spiritual energy while following him. Even if a marshal-level exorcist had intervened, they should have still been able to hold their ground. Prepare the helicopter. Chen Huaian threw on his coat, strapped the to his waist, and said coldly: Id like to see just what the hell is going on. They dared to lay a hand on his subordinates? Perfect. He was running low on cash anyway. Chapter 247: Investigate! Go All Out! Chapter 247: Investigate! Go All Out! Cangyun Realm, Yaochi Holy Land. "Youre telling me some Sword Pavilion Ancestor killed four of my Void Shattering Realm elders and the Yaochi Saintess, then went ahead and our sacred dojo?" Jade Yao Zhenren had just emerged from seclusion. She let out a cold laugh. "Are you joking with me?" "My Lady, I swear every word is true." Kneeling before her, Jade Ning Zhenren trembled. Although they both carried the surname, which suggested similar ranks within the Yaochi Holy Land, in reality, she was nothing more than a lowly servant in front of Jade Yao Zhenren. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It wasnt just because of Jade Yaos Grand Ascension cultivation. It was because of her terrifying, erratic temperamentwhere even the slightest displeasure could mean a fate worse than death. After all, with her secret technique, the physical bodies of others were nothing more than disposable vessels. She could always replace them with someone more obedientsomeone who knew how to grovel properly. "If the Sword Pavilion had such a powerful ancestor, why has there been no trace of him before?" Jade Yaos expression darkened. She had returned to Yaochi Holy Land to go into seclusion as soon as the secret realms gate opened. She was unaware of what had transpired outside. And yet, such devastating losses had occurred. "He has already left the Sword Pavilion" "So what? Why didnt you go after him?" Jade Ning hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head. "My Lady, we find him. Not even with the Astrolabe. His destiny is completely concealed. Im afraid only a Grand Ascension cultivator like you has any chance of tracking him." "Useless! If you cant find him, then why havent you gone after the Sword Pavilion?" Even though she was being scolded as worthless, the Void Shattering Realm cultivator dared not utter a word of protest. She meekly replied, "The Sword Pavilion has also vanished. Weve scoured everywhere, but we cant find it. We suspect that person refined the Sword Pavilion into a small world. Thats why both he and the sect have disappeared without a trace." Jade Yao stood up, a frosty glint in her eyes. Her injuries had not yet healed, and the damage to her foundation was irreparable. Fortunately, once the vessel was completed, she could directly seize it. At that point, further deterioration of this bodys foundation would no longer matter. "Bring me the Astrolabe." Jade Ning breathed a sigh of relief and quickly fetched the Astrolabe. Before long, it was brought before Jade Yao. This was a precious Dao artifact, its smooth mirror surface crafted from the shell of a ten-thousand-year-old demonic turtle. Beneath it, nine skullseach belonging to a genius cultivator who had comprehended the Dao in lifeserved as its base. Jade Yao used the Astrolabe to divine the secrets of fate. With her own blood as a medium, she formed seals with her hands, drawing a mark on her forehead to open the . First, she sought to uncover the identity and location of this Sword Pavilion Ancestor. Yet, within the Astrolabes mirror, all she saw was a dense fog. She couldnt see anything clearly. Gritting her teeth, she instead attempted to divine the location of the Sword Pavilion itself. Across the vast Cangyun Realm, the winds howled, lightning crackled. The hidden secrets of fate swept through all five continentsso thorough that even the True Martial Holy Land was laid bare. But the Sword Pavilion? Nothing. Jade Ning anxiously asked, "My Lady, did you find anything about that person or the Sword Pavilion?" She, too, bore an immense grudge. If not for that Sword Pavilion Ancestor interfering, their plan for the Central State Secret Realm would have been flawless. Now, Yaochi and the had both suffered heavy losses. And guess where the resources to cover those losses would come from? Them. Jade Yao wiped the blood trickling from her eyes, nose, and mouth, and replied casually, "That man hides himself well but I still managed to find a few clues. Fetch the from the treasury. Have the vessels dantian refined to its peak quality. Once we locate the , we will begin the ritual immediately." "As expected of My Lady!" Jade Nings admiration was boundless. "I knew only could deduce his whereabouts!" Jade Yaos lips twitched slightly. She shot Jade Ning a sideways glance. "Less talking. Get it done." Jade Ning scurried off obediently. Only then did Jade Yaos face suddenly changeshe coughed up another mouthful of blood. "A mere Void Shattering Realm cultivator actually managed to cause to suffer backlash from the secrets of fate?!" She stared at the blood splattered across the Astrolabe, her expression a mix of fury and disbelief. Already, Zhang Yibais Dao of Reincarnation had left a lingering curse within her body. Now, on top of that, this attempt to divine the Sword Pavilion had worsened her injuries even further. Before entering the great secret realm, she had been approaching the of the Grand Ascension stage. Now? She had been to barely having passed the . And this kind of cultivation losswas . Zhang Yibais Dao of Reincarnation was like a curse, sealing away her ability to progress. She could only regress. In other words This body was . "If I can survive three tribulations and ascend as a Half-Immortal, I wouldnt even need the Astrolabe. Id be able to locate him and the Sword Pavilion myself. Ill settle this score then." Jade Yao took a deep breath, suppressing her anger. For now, she needed to focus on obtaining the and perfecting the . Once that was done, she would have the strongest dantian, the strongest spiritual root, the strongest Dao bodycombined with her near ten-thousand-year accumulation of cultivation and treasures She would ascend to immortality. Could the Heavenly Dao stop her? "My Lady, bad news!" Jade Ning rushed back in, panic in her voice. "The is missing from the treasury!" "WHAT?!" Jade Yaos eyes widened. The blood she had just managed to suppress surged again. "And thats not all." Jade Nings voice trembled. "Were also missing a , Qin Luofengs , the you collected long ago and, uh, some spirit stones and spirit crystals." "WHO DARES STEAL FROM THE YAOCHI HOLY LAND?!" Jade Yao was livid. She immediately reached for the Astrolabe to investigate. The secrets of fate churned across the Cangyun Realm. But the Astrolabes mirror only reflected darkness. Jade Yao swayed. Her vision blurred And she blacked out. Burning Purification Holy Land. "Venerable Buddha, word is that the Yaochi Holy Lands treasury was looted by some mysterious force. Even Jade Yao Zhenren personally attempted a divination and failed to uncover anything." "Amitabha. is excellent news." Reverend Karma chuckled in satisfaction, pressing his palms together in prayer. "The Yaochi Holy Land took nearly all the benefits from the Central State Secret Realm, leaving us with mere scraps. Their misfortune is but karmic retributiona true delight." "Venerable Buddha," a monk rushed in, lowering his voice. "As per your instructions, we checked our own treasury. Weve been robbed too." "What?" Reverend Karma stiffened. "What was stolen?" "The , the and a few relics and spirit crystals." "WHAT?!" Reverend Karmas face turned red with fury. His hand, clutching his prayer beads, trembled. "Investigate! Investigate with everything we have!" "That was and the ! The thief still be within the Holy Land. Dig up every inch of ground if you have tofind them!" Chapter 248: Wait for Them to Come Out Chapter 248: Wait for Them to Come Out "Captain Zhao, were taking the for your own good. Not only does she have immense research value, but her danger is obvious. If she loses control, wont the entire C Province Exorcist Division be wiped out? That would break our hearts, too!" Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan glared at the kindly smiling old man before themhis words were utterly shameless. To contain the , the C Province Exorcist Division had fought a fierce battle. KSC-01 and KSC-02 had especially distinguished themselves, battling her for three hundred rounds. If not for them exhausting her strength, the containment team wouldnt have even had the to use the containment artifact. They wouldnt have even been able to get close to herlet alone seal her away. And yet, during the battle, these people were to be found. Now that the fight was over, they conveniently showed up to . The old man in front of them was Wang Rui, patriarch of the Wang family and a senior member of the Exorcist Divisions headquarters. During the massacre at headquarters, he had conveniently . And once it began, he had only stayed on the sidelines, urging the provincial divisions to come to their aid. According to the Exorcist Divisions long-standing rules, the containment artifact should go to the branch that made the greatest contributionnot be claimed by headquarters just because the incident happened there. "Sis Ying, we shouldve listened to the Governor! We never shouldve gotten involved in this mess!" Xiang Xiaoyuan pouted, her chest heaving in anger. "Senior Wang, since we were able to contain the , we can naturally ensure she wont lose control. And even if she , our C Province Exorcist Division has KSC-0 to suppress her. KSC-01 and KSC-02 now take direct orders from KSC-0." Zhao Ying deliberately avoided revealing that KSC-0 was actually Chen Huaian himselfthat was just too ridiculous to explain. So she simply used KSC-0 as a against Wang Rui. "KSC-0? The Tyrant?" Wang Rui, privy to certain classified files, chuckled and shook his head. "The is classified as King-level. Your Divisions No. 0 containment object is Marshal-level. Using a Marshal to suppress a Kingdont you think thats a joke?" "In contrast, Wang family have the ability to suppress a King-level entity." "Oh? Is that so?" A voice rang out. Chen Huaian pushed open the conference room doors and walked in, his gaze cold as he locked onto Wang Rui. "Mr. Wang, can you take responsibility for what you just said?" "And who might you be?" Wang Rui frowned. He being interruptedespecially by young men who were infuriatingly handsome. "I am Chen Huaian, Governor of the C Province Exorcist Division." Chen Huaian casually shrugged off his coat and tossed it to Lin Lingling behind him. He glanced at Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan, giving them a subtle signal. "Since Mr. Wang claims he has a way to suppress this containment object, why dont you let her out?" As he entered, he had already spotted Strawberry Bear and Shrimp King. These two were beaten up, but in reality, they hadnt suffered any injuries. They were merely being suppressed by a mysterious force. That force came from the black-robed figure standing behind Wang Rui. The robed man was shrouded completely in darkness, his hands gripping an ancient formation disk that radiated a solemn, oppressive aura. It was this aura that kept Strawberry Bear and Shrimp King immobilized. Wang Ruis expression flickered slightly. He tapped his fingers against the conference table. "Governor Chen, now that the entity is contained, theres no need to release it. If someone gets hurt, that would be a grave misstep." Seeing Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan hesitate, Chen Huaian walked directly up to the Blood Porcelain Vase, swiped a finger across its surfacecovertly dripping in Da Has demon bloodand then tossed it toward Wang Rui. "Mr. Wang, you must be joking. Since our C Province Exorcist Division is of handling such a menace, we wont argue with you over it." With that, he turned and waved to his team. "All personnelwithdraw!" He slung Strawberry Bear over one shoulder, hoisted Shrimp King with the other, and strode out. Though Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan were unwilling, the Governor had spoken. They could only follow. Once they stepped outside, however, they realizedChen Huaian hadnt left at all. He was casually chatting with KSC-01 and KSC-02, laughing and joking. "Governor sure has a great bond with those containment objects," Xiang Xiaoyuan murmured in admiration. "Who else but the Governor could manage that?" Zhao Ying sighed, letting go of her frustration. Sure, they lost a critical containment object. But at least no one got hurt. That was a win for everyone in the C Province Exorcist Division. As they approached, they finally caught what Chen Huaian was saying. "You two useless lumps of trash! Couldnt even handle something this simple?! Starting todayyoure sleeping standing up!" Xiang Xiaoyuan: "" Zhao Ying: "" "Governor, arent we heading back?" They glanced aroundthere wasnt a spare helicopter in sight. Even the one that had brought Chen Huaian here had already left. "Back? For what? Do you know how expensive fuel is?" Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian shoved his hands in his pockets. With a snap of his fingers, Lin Lingling, ever the bootlicker, hurried over and draped his black trench coat over his shoulders. "Governor, want a smoke?" She pulled out a cigarette. "Where the hell did you get that?" Chen Huaian frowned. "Minors arent allowed to smoke!" "I, uh swiped it from the conference table earlier." Lin Lingling stuck out her tongue. "Governor, so what are we waiting for? A ride?" Xiang Xiaoyuan asked, still confused. "Wait for what ride?" Chen Huaian snatched the cigarette from Lin Linglings hand and tossed it to the ground, grinning ominously. "Were waiting for them to come out and beg us." "Come out and us???" "Yep. Just wait." Chen Huaian cast his gaze toward the Exorcist Division headquarters, a wicked smirk curling at his lips. Only knew The Bone Porcelain Woman had willingly allowed herself to be contained. Otherwise, no matter how hard Strawberry Bear and Shrimp King fought, they wouldnt have lasted three whole days against her. This whole scenario? Just a scripted playone that only knew the ending to. Wang Ruis face was pale as he stared at the Blood Porcelain Vase, now glowing with a sinister red light. The malevolent entity within was stirring. He turned anxiously to the black-robed man. "Mr. Tokugawa can you really handle this thing?" The robed figure, Tokugawa Kazuya, scoffed. "Wang Rui-san, are you the Tokugawa Clans Onmyd? This is but a mere vengeful spiritI, Tokugawa Kazuya, can suppress it with ease! "Did you see how I immobilized C Provinces two containment objects?!" As he spoke, blood mist began seeping from the vase. The seductive silhouette of the Bone Porcelain Woman emerged from the swirling red fog. A bone-chilling wind swept through the conference hall. Wang Rui gulped. Still, with Tokugawas guarantee It be fine, right? Tokugawa lifted his right arm, twelve vermillion talismans bursting forth. Blue-white lightning crackled across the talisman circle, casting eerie shadows across the Bone Porcelain Womans pale face. Candle flames in all four corners turned ghostly green. "Such power!" Wang Rui gasped. The more special effects, the stronger the technique, right? Tokugawa roared, channeling all his strength. All twelve talismans fused into one And then The Bone Porcelain Woman simply Flicked her wrist. CRACK! Silence. Tokugawa Kazuya slowly looked down at his hand. The formation disk in his palm Shattered. Chapter 249: Demon-Sealing Box Chapter 249: Demon-Sealing Box "My formation disk... broke? How is that possible?! That was my Tokugawa familys Demon-Suppressing Disk!" Tokugawa Kazuya couldnt believe it. Ever since the spiritual revival, the Tokugawa family had exorcised countless ghosts and spirits. In today''s Osaka Hyakki Yagy, one of the core forces resisting the evil spirits was precisely their Tokugawa family. You could say, when it comes to exorcism, their family''s onmyji were absolute professionals. Something like this had never happened before. The formation disk... actually shattered?! You have to understand, this formation disk was a spiritual artifact brought out from their mysterious ancestral shrine! Tokugawa Kazuya hadnt even recovered from the shock of the disk shattering when a cold gust of yin wind swept toward him. Crap! Sensing that chilling murderous intent, he immediately formed a hand seal. A talisman ignited with ghostly blue flames flew from his sleeve, landing on the ground and transforming into a three-eyed white wolfone of his shikigami, Banhina, adept at both offense and defense. He had gone through a lot to form a contract with this shikigami. Go, Banhina! Stop her! The three-eyed white wolf let out a howl and charged at the Bone Porcelain Woman. The next second, it was swatted apart by a swipe of her ghost claw, torn into fluttering talisman scraps. "Howhow is that possible?!" Tokugawa Kazuyas eyes widened. Even his strongest shikigami had been instantly destroyed by this cursed spirit. What level this thing?! But hed watched the entire process when the C Province Exorcist Division had contained this cursed spirit. Back then, it wasnt even close to this strong. At most, it was just slightly stronger than KSC-01 and KSC-02. Mr. Wang Rui, I think we need to reopen talks with the Governor of the C Province Exorcist Division, Tokugawa Kazuya said, face pale, retreating step by step. But the Bone Porcelain Woman strolled toward him like she was taking a walk in the park. She wasnt in any rush to attack, just flickering casually around him from front to back, left to rightlike a cat toying with a mouse. Mr. Wang Rui? Wang Rui?! Tokugawa Kazuya looked backthere was no sign of Wang Rui. Even Wang Ruis subordinates had retreated. At some point, the entire conference hall had been emptied, leaving him there all alone. B*stards! Tokugawa Kazuya trembled with rage. And right then, the Bone Porcelain Womans hand wrapped around his throat. twisted his neck into two segments. Governor Chen, I think there mightve been a little... misunderstanding between us, Wang Rui said while holding Chen Huaians hand, tears and snot running down his face, an ingratiating smile plastered across his old, wrinkled features. After giving it some serious thought, I believe the cursed spirit should be handled by whoever contained it first. Your C Province Exorcist Division is fully capable of handling itits best if you take it back. Is that so? Chen Huaian flashed two rows of pearly white teeth. Mr. Wang, youre being too modest. The Wang Family has many talents. This cursed spirit is strongperfect to place in your family mansion as a guardian spirit. No, no way Wang Rui looked like hed just eaten a frog. Putting thing in the Wang Family estate? Thats not a guardian spirititd turn the place into a haunted house! Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Of course we can continue containing it, Chen Huaian continued. But when we did it last time, we used up a lot of resources. If we want to do it again, we just dont have enough. After all, were just a regional Exorcist Division. Resources are limited. Right now, we dont even have enough funds for helicopter fuel to get back. He gently pushed away Wang Ruis wrinkly old hand, looking helpless. So, maybe... lets just forget it? Our Wang Family can provide the resources! Whatever you need, just say it! Wang Rui was no fool. He instantly realized Chen Huaian was fishing for benefits. Fine, let him fish. As long as he took that Bone Porcelain Woman away, hed agree to anything. He was really at his wits end. Nowadays, each powerful family had managed to find one or two mysterious factions to partner withlike Kunlun Immortal Palace, Great Thunder Monastery, and so on, all representative of powerful mystical forces. These families supplied talent. The mysterious factions supplied resources. But there were only so many of those factions to go around. The cake was already mostly eaten. The Wang Family wasnt willing to fall behind, so they had to bring someone in from outside Daxia. Hed thought this new partner was legit. The guy had hyped himself up as some kind of spiritual pillar of ghost-slaying in Neon Country. Turned out he was all flash, no substance. Sure, his flashy skills looked great, but they were useless. Still got one-shot by the cursed spirit. Youre saying I can name any price I want? Chen Huaian looked Wang Rui in the eyes. This time, hed learned his lesson. He knew these noble families were loaded, so he decided to go big: I want 100 billion. How much?! Wang Rui was stunned. Sure, money wasnt as valuable as before, but the currency system hadnt collapsed. They still needed money to trade resources with other factions, and sometimes they bartered. But taking out 100 billion in one go would seriously hurt the Wang Family. Governor Chen, its just a cursed spirit. Does it really cost that much to contain it again? Wang Rui didnt dare get angry with him. He tried to stay calm: Why dont you just tell me what specific resources you need? Ill get them for you. Blood of a Nascent Soul-stage demon beast. Go find it. What? Wang Rui froze. Chen Huaian continued: Also Spirit Crystals, Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills, top-tier spiritual artifactsyou can give me those instead if you''d like. No one from the Wang Family had ever gotten into Kunlun Immortal Palace. But they had heard plenty from other families. According to what theyd learned, the first step to becoming immortal in Kunlun was Qi Refining, followed by Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Souland only after that came the Divine Transformation stage. Qi Refining cultivators were comparable to Marshal-level. Foundation Establishment was equivalent to Marshal to King level. Golden Core was equal to Emperor level. Right now, there werent even any Emperor-level demons or cursed spirits, yet Chen Huaian just casually asked for blood from a Divine Transformation beast? And claimed it was needed to suppress the cursed spirit. Did even have that stuff? Please, dont joke around Where am I supposed to find blood from a Divine Transformation beast Wang Rui smiled bitterly. If you dont have it, then give me 100 billion. Chen Huaians fingers moved slightly in the pocket of his coat. The Bone Porcelain Woman, who had already killed the onmyji, stepped out of the broken doors one slow step at a time. Wherever she passed, the floor was paved in blood porcelain and frost coated everything. Her eerie, enchanting face twisted at an unnatural angle, crimson eyes locking directly onto Wang Rui. That one glance nearly made Wang Ruis soul leave his body. O-okay, okay! I dont have 100 billion on hand right now, but IIll give you all my available liquid assets first! As he spoke, Wang Rui pulled out a black card with golden edges and shoved it into Chen Huaians hand. Theres over 40 billion in this one. Lets count it as 40 billion! Ill transfer the other 60 billion right away! Please, Im begging youjust suppress that cursed spirit! Chen Huaian passed the black card to Zhao Ying behind him to check. Nowadays, national-level threats like Neons demon blade Muramasa or the vampire ancestor of the Balkans could go for tens or even hundreds of billions. The Bone Porcelain Woman being worth a hundred billion? Totally fair. Honestly, he even thought hed underpriced her. Governor, 47.8 billion. Its legit. Zhao Ying nodded at Chen Huaian, full of admiration. Just that morning, shed been complaining to Xiang Xiaoyuan, saying Chen Huaian had dumped ten billion into a game and was about to run out. How was the C Province Exorcist Division supposed to operate after that? Then their Governor came out of closed-door cultivation and immediately pulled in a massive amount of emergency funding. Getting things done takes money. Chen Huaian gave Strawberry Bear and Shrimp King a little push. The three cursed spirits started brawling again. Strawberry Bear turned into a five-story-tall super bear. Shrimp King casually possessed a corpse and grabbed a sniper rifle. The sheer scale of the fight left Wang Rui utterly speechless. After 300 intense rounds, the Bone Porcelain Woman barely breathing returned to her porcelain bottle. Zhao Ying immediately took out the wooden box Chen Huaian had prepared and sealed her inside. Th-that wooden box it can suppress a cursed spirit that strong? Wang Rui looked at the wooden box in a daze. Thats right, Mr. Wang, you may not know this, but this is the Demon-Sealing Box. I paid a heavy price to craft it. There are only a few of them in the entire C Province Exorcist Division, Chen Huaian explained with a smile In reality, this thing was just a pill or sword case from the Sword Pavilion. He had tons of them. Hed ordered a batch from Sword Pavilion and stashed them all in the C Province Exorcist Division warehouse. There were still over a hundred sitting in storage. Wang Rui stared at the box and swallowed hard. This was a treasure. If he could buy one with money, thatd be a steal. Other factions would only trade for something like this. He asked cautiously, Um, Governor Chen... would you be willing to sell me one or two Demon-Sealing Boxes? Well Chen Huaian hesitated for three seconds, then finally nodded reluctantly. Were all exorcists here, all Daxia people. Daxia people dont trick Daxia people Ill sell it to you for 10 billion each. I can let you buy up to five. Please understandthis is the best I can offer. 10 billion each?! Can I pay with diamonds, antiques, or calligraphy? Nope. Only cash. Gold is also acceptable. Chapter 250: Want to Try a Bone-Cleansing Pill? Chapter 250: Want to Try a Bone-Cleansing Pill? Two hours later, Wang Rui stood teary-eyed in the now-empty Wang Family estate. To scrape together that 1500 billion, he had gone all insold everything that could be sold. Now, the Wang Family only had usage rights to this estate for one more day. After tomorrow, itd be taken away. Despite how it turned out, Wang Rui had no regrets. His tears were from nostalgia and a bit of sorrow. After all, this place held memories of his childhood. Even though the process of C Province Exorcist Division containing the Bone Porcelain Woman had been a bit slapdash, at least it had saved his life. And on top of that, he now had five seemingly ordinary Demon-Sealing Boxes in his possession. As long as the green hills remain, therell always be wood to burnthese were the green hills he was leaving for the Wang Family! No wonder it can suppress a King-level cursed spirit Just looking at it, you can tell its extraordinary! Wang Rui stroked one of the boxes on the table, eyes full of obsession. Hed already had it appraised. It looked like it was made of woodand it woodbut not from any known species in this world. It was a brand new type of treepossibly an immortal tree. Even more important, the Demon-Sealing Box clearly had been handcrafted by a true master. The carvings were both sharp and refined, exuding a kind of distinct aura. You could practically feel the sculptors sharp temperament through the engravings. Wang Rui didnt have the vocabulary to describe it. But he knewit was a damn good box. That Governor of C Province Exorcist Division, heh what a fool! Wang Rui couldnt help but chuckle at the thought of trading 1500 billion for something so good. Sure, money could still buy resources , but as spiritual energy continues to revive, currency might not vanish, but high-level resources would soon only be tradable with other high-level resources. Maybe that Governor had strength, but his vision was short-sighted. Right now, it like Wang Rui got the short end of the stickhis entire family had to walk away with nothing. But in truth, he had foresight. Compared to Chen the Governor, was the real wise man. And in this new era, only wise men like him would go the distance. Wang Debiao! Come here! Wang Rui waved over his most beloved grandson. The burly, thickset Wang Debiao trotted over obediently and knelt respectfully before his grandfather. Eldest grandson, see these five wooden boxes? Yes, Grandpa! Wang Rui patted him on the shoulder, his tone deep and serious: Im giving you three of them now. The other two will go to your eldest brother and second sister. At the upcoming Monster Hunting Tournament led by Kunlun Immortal Palace, you must perform well. Dont let the Wang Family lose face. With these three Demon-Sealing Boxes in hand, the hope for our familys revival rests on your shoulders! Thank you, Grandpa! Wang Debiaos tiger-like eyes welled with tears. He kowtowed three times before respectfully receiving the three Demon-Sealing Boxes from Wang Ruis hands. These were treasures capable of suppressing King-level cursed spirits. And his grandfather had given him of them, just like that! Rumor had it that the top ten in this tournament would be awarded the rare Bone-Cleansing Pill, while the top three would receive even more precious resources from mysterious factions. He hadnt been confident before, but with these boxes, there was no way hed let Grandpa down now. Clan Leader, someone from the Tokugawa family is here to see you. A subordinate whispered in Wang Ruis ear. See them? See my *ss! Wang Rui waved a hand like swatting a fly and sneered, Tell them to crawl back where they came from! Our family head saidget lost! A Wang family member threw a body bag on the ground, then turned and walked back into the estate. The row of black-robed men standing at the gates stood silent for a long time. One of the leaders stepped forward, unzipped the bag, and upon seeing its contents, began trembling with rage. His fingers shook as he zipped it back up: B*stards! Kazuya, dont worrywell definitely avenge you! Inside the body bag, Tokugawa Kazuyas corpse was barely recognizable. His body had been chopped up like a pile of diced meat. There was a cause and a culprit. Since Tokugawa Kazuya had been killed by a cursed spirit, then they would take revengeon cursed spirit. Tokugawa Dairyo turned to his subordinates, his tone grim: Gentlemen, we came to Daxia to prove the strength of our Tokugawa familys onmyji. Now Kazuya has been brutally murdered by a cursed spirit, and the Wang Family, who had agreed to work with us, looks down on us. We cannot just let the Tokugawa name be trampled like this! But, sir that cursed spirit has already been contained by C Province Exorcist Division. So what? Tokugawa Dairyo stared down the speaker until the man lowered his head. We must prove that the Tokugawa family is capable of suppressing King-level cursed spirits. Only then will we have more opportunities for collaboration! Even if shes been containedwell break her out. can kill her! His voice was low and resolute. Back in Neon, the situation was getting worse by the day. The Tokugawa family was touted as one of the key forces suppressing the Hyakki Yagy. But in truth? There wasnt much "suppressing" going on. More often than not, it was the evil spirits chasing down. They were just more organized and disciplined than the average awakened person. That gave them a slight edgebut not much. If this continued, Ghost Kings would soon emerge. They might even see terrifying figures like Ibaraki-dji When that happened, the Tokugawa family would be doomed right along with everyone else. So, when they heard that Daxia had factions like Kunlun Immortal Palace and Great Thunder Monastery, they set their sights here. Neon had no mysterious factions of its own, so they hoped to leverage Daxias to help suppress the Hyakki Yagy. Partnering with noble families was step one. Theres an old Daxia saying: Their real goal was to use these families as a stepping stone to connect with the mysterious factionsthen learn their techniques. Understood, sir! Please give the order! Tokugawa Dairyo pondered for a moment, then his eyes gleamed. Gentlemen, the C Province Exorcist Division is strong. From what Ive learned, they have three major containment objectsKSC-01, KSC-02, and the mysterious KSC-0. Sneaking in to release the Bone Porcelain Woman wont be easy. So we need to draw their attention away. There''s an old Daxia saying Aha! Brilliant! No wonder you''re our leader! Sir, do we have any wise sayings like that in Neon? B*stards! We dont have ancient sayings, okay?! Tokugawa Dairyo folded his arms and snorted coldly. The Exorcist Division is based in Shudu City. Your job is to release cursed spirits , but scatter the locations. Thats the only way to pull most of their exorcists away! What about you, sir? Me? Ill sneak into the Exorcist Division and release the cursed spirit myself. Theres another Daxia saying: When I give the signal, you all come and help me finish the job! Tokugawa Dairyo swept his gaze across his subordinates and barked: Gentlemen, any questions?! Reporting in, sirnone! Good. Begin the operation! C Province Exorcist Division Money come, money, come, money~ In the recreation room, Chen Huaian was wearing sunglasses, dancing to music with Shrimp King in hand as he sang. Xiang Xiaoyuan was curled up next to Strawberry Bear in the corner, watching dramas and sobbing uncontrollably. Lin Lingling sat in front of a mountain of empty chip bags, hugging an extra-large bag in her arms as she tilted her head back and devoured them like a whirlwind. Zhao Ying hesitated again and again, but finally couldnt hold back and interrupted: Governor Chen, I know youre in a good mood right now, but I have to sayeven though the Wang Family paid 1500 billion for five Demon-Sealing Boxes, it may seem like were dumb, but actually, got totally ripped off. Ripped off? No, no, no~ Chen Huaian wasnt the slightest bit annoyed. He turned off the music and led everyone to the Exorcist Divisions warehouse. Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying were still a bit puzzled at first. But when the warehouse doors opened, a strong medicinal aroma hit their nosesand they were stunned. The once-empty warehouse was now with Demon-Sealing Boxes. Those so-called 100-billion-a-piece boxes were piled in messy little hills, easily numbering over a thousand. G-Governor these are Zhao Ying had seen a lot, but even she couldnt stop her lips from trembling as she stuttered. I told you beforeId handle the resource situation~ Chen Huaian walked over to the mountain of supplies crafted by Sword Pavilion, casually picked one up, and opened it. Inside was a porcelain bottle. On its wooden cork, Li Qingrans scribbled handwriting read: The girl had even helpfully labeled every item. Chen Huaian waved the bottle toward Zhao Ying and the others. Family, anyone wanna try a Bone-Cleansing Pill? Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 200: This Venerable One Is Truly a Peerless Genius Chapter 200: This Venerable One Is Truly a Peerless Genius "Why do you need a girl''s stockings?" Zhao Ying blinked, a little confused. Next to her, Xiang Xiaoyuan perked up her ears, her eyes going wide. "Ahem, why are you asking so many questions? But fine, This Venerable One doesnt mind telling youI need them to comprehend the Dao! The exact method is beyond your understanding. Just buy them for me." He hung up. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan exchanged a glance. "What the heck, using stockings to comprehend the Dao?" "Never heard of it." Xiang Xiaoyuan shook her head repeatedly. "But since the Governor asked for them, lets go buy some. Theres nothing too weird in this vast world. Weve seen all kinds of Awakened. Compared to the really ridiculous ones, using stockings to comprehend the Dao is nothing." "True." Zhao Ying shivered. She suddenly remembered an Awakened theyd received last year. That one had called himself Super Poop Man and she really didnt want to recall what his abilities were. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While Chen Huaian waited for cultivation resources. Two guests arrived outside Containment Unit 0. Chen Huaian recognized both of themOld Li and Lin Lingling, who had just finished recovery and been discharged. Lin Linglings eyes were red, as if shed just learned of Luo Haishengs death. Old Li''s expression hadnt changed much. As a veteran Exorcist, he was used to dealing with death and separation. Only when Chen Huaian looked into his eyes, Could he see a trace of sorrow deeply hidden in their depths. "Long time no see, Old Li and... Triple Egg." "Bushy Beard is dead." Lin Lingling sniffled and wiped the corners of her eyes. "Governor Chen, Zhao Ying has already told us what happened. Thank you for killing the Corpse King, Emperor Jiang. If you hadnt stepped in, the whole C Province mightve been doomed." He patted Lin Linglings head and forced a smile. "As Exorcists, sacrifice comes with the job. Dont cry, girl... This was Old Luos own choiceand exactly what he wouldve wanted to see." Chen Huaian didnt know what to say. In front of him stood Luo Haishengs comrade, and a junior he deeply valued. Compared to Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan, these two had much stronger emotional ties to Luo Haisheng. What he felt now was probably like someone whod received a life-saving kidney, facing the family of the donor. There was some guilt, but more than thathe felt indebted. "Hows the situation with the Exorcist Division in Tianfu now? Any new recruits?" "Yeah, even more than before. I was originally the Deputy Director of Tianfus Exorcist Division, and now Ive taken over as Director. Dont worry, back then Luo just dumped all the management work on me anyway." He nudged Lin Lingling a step forward toward Chen Huaian, sighing. "Its just a shame about this girl. If she keeps following me, her talents will go to waste. So I thickened my skin and brought her to you." Chen Huaian gave a bitter smile and rubbed his nose. "Old Li, dont call me Governor. Just talk to me like before. I was pushed into this roleI never had any interest in being Governor. If it werent for ahem, never mind." He almost blurted out his greedy nature. He quickly changed the subject: "So, about Lin Lingling?" Before he could finish, Chen Huaian already sensed something unusual. There was a sharp, unstoppable aura radiating from Lin Linglingnatural, from within. She definitely didnt have that before. "She mightve awakened a Spiritual Root." Old Li glanced at Lin Lingling, who was staring at her toes, and said uncertainly: "The term Spiritual Root came from the Kunlun Celestial Palace. Supposedly, people with a Spiritual Root can resonate with a corresponding element or object. For example, someone with a Fire Spiritual Root can control fire, and even remain unharmed in a sea of flames... This girl resonates with guns. And I heard that Wang Jingshan of the Wang Family, a Marshal-Level, resonated with blades and was thus confirmed to have a Blade Spiritual Root. So I wondered if Lin Lingling might be the same kind." "Is that so?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, realizing this wasnt a simple matter. If Lin Lingling truly had a Gun Spiritual Root, she was definitely a junior worth cultivating. So he reached back and yanked out the Shrimp King, who was still embedded in the alloy wall by the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid, and dropped him at Lin Linglings feet. "Try and see if you can resonate with this gun." Dragon Sniper: ??? Lin Lingling: "Governor Chen, thats not the kind of gun she resonates with." Old Li coughed lightly. "Oh!" Chen Huaian realized and reached out his hand to Lin Lingling: "Come, give me your hand. Ill check your depth. And dont even think of resisting, or Ill give you an over-the-shoulder throw right here." Since he didnt have a long gun for Lin Lingling to test with, he decided to inspect her internally instead. As a mere Qi Refining cultivator, he couldnt just scan others freelyso he needed Triple Eggs cooperation. Lin Lingling pursed her lips and hesitantly placed her hand in Chen Huaians palm. The glass door beside them reflected her bright red ears. "Dont resist! Im going in." Chen Huaian sent his divine sense into her body. Soon, deep in her Sea of Consciousness, he saw a ridiculously oversized long gun, flames coiling like serpents around the barrelemanating immense power. The fire serpent on the gun sensed his divine sense and immediately took an aggressive stance. To avoid hurting Lin Lingling, Chen Huaian backed off right away without engaging it. "Governor Chen, what did you see?" Old Li rubbed his palms, eyes full of hope. Lin Lingling also stared at Chen Huaian eagerly, holding her breaththe entire atmosphere seemed to fall silent. "Mm, well... not bad." Chen Huaians mouth twitched. Inside, he was seething with envy, but on the outside, he acted calm and indifferent. D*mn it. Why?! Seriously, why?! It was already ridiculous enough that that old Wang geezer had a single Blade Spiritual Root. Now even this silly-looking loli Lin Lingling turned out to be even more monstrous. Single Gun Root plus Single Fire Root. Even in the Cangyun Realm, shed be a born prodigy! Weapon Roots were already rare, and she even had one of the Five Elements to pair with itthey complemented each other perfectly. Though he was bitter, Chen Huaian still told it straight: "Lin Lingling has a Single Gun Spiritual Root and a Single Fire Spiritual Root. Hmm... among regular people, thats pretty rare talent. But compared to This Venerable One, she still falls a bit short..." "I really have a Spiritual Root? Woo! Totally got it!!" Lin Lingling pointed at herself, mouth forming an O. "Yeah, youve got one." Chen Huaian smiled wearily. "Th-Then what kind do you have?" Lin Lingling stared at Chen Huaian. Since he said she still fell short. His root had to be even more amazing, right? She really wanted to know~ "Me?" Chen Huaian paused for a moment. Then he took a deep breath, put his hands on his hips, and burst out laughing. "This Venerable One has Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Thunder, Ice, Wind, Poison, Sun Blade, Spear, Axe, Sword, Staff, Bow, Whip, Hammer, Fist, Palman unparalleled, one-in-ten-million Omni Root!" As Lin Lingling and Old Li stared at him in stunned awe. Chen Huaians ears flushed red. With a casual wave, he turned his back to them, leaving only a mysterious silhouette. His deliberately lowered voice echoed through the room: "Ahem, uh, you two must keep this secret for This Venerable One! A genius of my caliber is bound to draw the envy of evil cults and rogue factions!" Chapter 251: Flickering Candle in the Wind Chapter 251: Flickering Candle in the Wind So this is a Bone-Cleansing Pill? Thats insane! Lin Lingling stared in disbelief at the concrete wall shed just punched straight through. Over in the American District, they have this rare resource called the Superman Gene. Its an injectable druggives ordinary people a 1% chance of awakening the gene and gaining super strength... Zhao Ying clenched her fists, joints and muscles letting out cracking sounds, clearly brimming with power. Feeling the transformation in her body, she couldnt help but sigh, This Bone-Cleansing Pill is even better than the Superman Gene. And that gene only works 1% of the timeplus, regular people can actually die from it. The awakened faction in the U.S. was called the Super Enforcers. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back when different regions exchanged technologies, she could only envy the American Gene Serum. Their holy water, mithril crosses, and even the onmyji shikigami and talismans from Neon were more advanced than anything the Exorcist Division had. Compared to that, their tools looked like they were used by a bunch of cavemen swinging rocks. Thats why they had to spend a ton of funding to import better resources. And if all the money went toward resources? Well, of course bounties would get cut. Thats why the Exorcist Divisions missions always seemed so stingy. It wasnt stinginessthey just had no money. But now things were different. Now, had access to a resource even more advanced than the rest of the global factions. Governor, where did you get these Bone-Cleansing Pills? Chen Huaian was lounging atop a mountain of supplies, legs crossed, rolling his eyes: If youve got resources, just use em. Dont poke around too much. Knowing too much wont do you any favors. Zhao Ying covered her mouth and wisely stopped asking. Xiang Xiaoyuan came out of the shower, sniffed her arm, and only relaxed after confirming the weird stench was finally gone. Bone-Cleansing would purge the filth from your body. For these Common-grade Bone-Cleansing Pills, a single use couldnt expel everything. Only High-grade and above could do a full cleanse in one go. And above that, Top-grade and Immortal-grade pills not only cleansed but also supercharged the effects. Of course, Chen Huaian this kind of effect. It would take 20 Common-grade pills to fully expel the filth and push the body to its mortal limit. It was basically like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey. Governor, this Bone-Cleansing Pill is . Xiang Xiaoyuan clenched her fists. As a medical staff member, shed never imagined she could one day have the power to smash a wall with one punch. And best of allshe didnt even bulk up! The Exorcist Division had tools in the past that could boost physical strength and endurance, but the side effects were horrifyingnot just bulging muscles, but also thick beard stubble and armpit hair like a prehistoric jungle. Sure, she wanted to get stronger. But price? No thanks. Shed rather stick to logistics. All right, distribute the Bone-Cleansing Pills, Chen Huaian said. Anyone whos been with the Exorcist Division for over a year gets one for free. As for the rest, youll need to earn them through meritcomplete missions, earn points, and trade them in. How many points it takes? Thats up to you all to decide. He handed the warehouse access card to Zhao Ying: This Venerable One needs to enter closed-door cultivation. Dont bother me unless its urgent! Governor! Zhao Ying clutched the card, stunned. Arent you worried some members might just take the pill and then quit the Division? Youre giving these away without any restrictions at all? Chen Huaian paused mid-step, then chuckled: Do you really think people are dumb? Zhao Ying watched in silence as his figure disappeared out the door. Right now, she felt nothing but movedand guilty. Earlier, shed complained that Chen Huaian blew all his money on games, thinking hed forgotten his promise to get resources for the Division. He the governor, after all, so she didnt press him. But now she realizedshed been too cynical. Hed quietly prepared for them behind the scenes. And even gave every veteran member a free Bone-Cleansing Pill! He really wanted to increase their survival chances against monsters and cursed spirits. Xiao Yuan I was so wrong. Zhao Ying wiped her teary eyes, her nose stinging. We should never gossip behind the Governors back again. Its not easy for him either. Who knows what he went through to get these resources? And hes so good-looking these pills really seem like something only a mysterious faction would have access to Xiang Xiaoyuan recalled Chen Huaians carefree expression earlier when Zhao Ying asked about the source. A bold guess flashed through her mind: Ht! Sis Ying, you know how mysterious factions have all those ancient freaks with high cultivation? What if the Governor sold himself to Zhao Ying instantly slapped her hand over Xiang Xiaoyuans mouth and shook her head hard: Shh! Nobody needs to knowjust you and me. Especially not Lin Lingling! Meh? Lin Lingling had somehow popped up behind them and tilted her head. You mean he sold his ? Thats not a big deal. There are so many male escorts nowadays. Totally understandable. Wait hereIm going to buy some Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills for the Governor right now! With that, the girl jumped out the window and bolted toward the pharmacy. Xiang Xiaoyuan @ Zhao Ying: Did I say anything? Xiang Xiaoyuan asked. Nope. Nothing at all. Zhao Ying shook her head furiously. So this conclusion came entirely from Linglings imagination, right? Zhao Ying nodded again. Exactly. Then were good. Lets go pass out the pills The two exchanged a smilesome things didnt need to be said aloud. Containment Site 0 Chen Huaian had sent Shrimp King and Strawberry Bear to go stand by the wall before heading inside to begin closed-door cultivation. Sure, theyd done well on the last mission, but discipline and punishment from leadership didnt need a reason. He pulled out his phone and logged into the Digital Girlfriend game. Now that he had money, it was time to help his three personal disciples regain their talents. Sword Spiritual Roots and Sword Bones were priceybut that was only a problem for the old him. Now that he was sitting on 1500 billion, he could gear up every single disciple in the Sword Pavilion if he wanted to. Chen Huaian opened the in-game shopand went silent for a moment. Sword Spiritual Root: 50 million (First-time purchase only, price doubles with each additional purchase) Sword Bone: 100 million (First-time purchase only, price doubles with each additional purchase) The fine print was small. Chen Huaian couldnt remember if this had always been there. Maybe it was added in a new patch. He couldnt prove it either. With that pricing model, trying to equip hundreds of Sword Pavilion disciples would burn through 1500 billion in no time. Still, if he kept making money, thered be chances later. Instead of the inner world, the games current view showed the area the small world. It was pouring rain in the canyon where the Sword Pavilion used to stand. In the middle of it, he spotted a woman in plain white, kneeling before a stone stele. Thats Yun Baiyu, the Head of Lingxi Valley? Chen Huaian furrowed his brows. As he focused on her figure, her status popped up: Head of Lingxi Valley: Yun Baiyu Status: Flickering Candle in the Wind Chapter 252: Fear of Meeting IRL Chapter 252: Fear of Meeting IRL Back when he gave Lingxi Valley a middle part, Yun Baiyu came out and blocked a sword for them. Even then, Chen Huaian had already noticed Yun Baiyu had internal injuries. Its just that her condition wasnt as bad as a candle flickering in the wind. Now it basically meant this Valley Master could drop dead at any moment. Chen Huaian looked around. The reason he chose to log out beneath the ruins of the Sword Pavilion was based on the logic that the most dangerous place is often the safesta classic hide-in-plain-sight tactic. But there was still a chance the three Great Holy Lands would monitor even the Sword Pavilion ruins. As long as Im only online for a moment, it should be fine. Now that he had money, Chen Huaian was feeling bold. He slapped the VR headset on his head and instantly went from idle mode to being online. His figure appeared next to the Sword Pavilions stone stele. Knowing her days were numbered, Yun Baiyu knelt in front of the stele without much emotion. Just a worthless life, thats all. She only worried about Yun Suxins safety. After being drenched in rain all night, she looked completely worn out. Suddenly, a sword cry echoed by her ear. Yun Baiyu instinctively turned her headand saw a figure in dark robes. Further up, the face was obscured in shadow, lit faintly from behind. But just from the pair of cold, star-like eyes, she instantly recognized who it wasSword Pavilion Patriarch, Chen Huaian. Senior, I knew youd come back to check in! Yun Baiyu was so overjoyed she was crying. She was about to tell him about Yun Suxin when Chen Huaian raised a hand to cut her off. This isnt the place to talk. Chen Huaian turned toward the bamboo forest behind him. You disciples from Lingxi Valley hiding in there, come out. You really think I cant see you? As soon as he finished speaking, the bamboo rustled. Several Lingxi Valley female disciples, faces red and heads lowered, stepped out and obediently lined up behind Yun Baiyu, not daring to meet Chen Huaians gaze. If Valley Master Yun has something to say, lets talk inside my private realm. Chen Huaian raised his hand, and a massive green palm formed in the air, enveloping Yun Baiyu and the disciples. With a violent spatial tremor, Everyone near the Sword Pavilion stele vanished instantly. Sword Pavilion Patriarch really here. Not long after Chen Huaian and the others left, a figure in green robes emerged from behind the clouds above the valley. She wore a veil hat and had a jade token from the Yaochi Holy Land hanging at her waist. Finding the Sword Pavilion Patriarch is a big deal. I need to report this ASAP! The moment they entered the private realm, Chen Huaians eyes lit up as another wave of notifications popped up. You killed 1,372 righteous cultivators in the Central State secret realm and obtained 1,372 righteous cultivator shards. The Demonic Path Faction Store has been unlocked for you! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Qingrans Cultivation Log 1 22:00 Felt like my chest wasnt full enough while bathing. Thought about using the enhancement method Senior Sister Yue once mentioned but then remembered shes still trapped in Yaochi Holy Land. So, kept cultivating till midnight. 2 1:00 Thought about Shizun 47 times before sleeping. Dont know if the Hundred Herb Detox Pill worked on his demon poison. Felt slightly better thinking that once he recovers, hell be able to visit more often. 3 4:00 Got hungry. Snuck a plate of fruit while Shizun wasnt around. Realized that while fasting has its merits, it definitely takes away one of lifes great pleasures. 4 9:00 Why hasnt Shizun come today? Got up and practiced swordplay. Missed Shizun. 5 12:00 Super curious about Shizuns private realm. Went exploring nearby with Mo Shumei. Turned out to be a complete wasteland. Kinda disappointed. Missed Shizun. 6 13:00 Back in my room to continue cultivation. Reinforced Sword Style One (Mastered) and Sword Style Two (Mastered). Began comprehending Sword Style Three: White Deer on Azure Cliff. Achieved initial mastery. Not totally satisfied with the power. Missed Shizun. 7 16:30 Visited my three senior brothers across the peaks. My hatred for the Holy Land deepened. Feeling anxious about my weakness. More logs to be updated... Uhhh wait, she already got Sword Style Three to initial mastery? Chen Huaian rubbed his chin, realizing hed just uncovered one of Li Qingrans little secrets. Her Green Lotus Sword Manuals Sword Style One and Two were already masteredjust one step away from perfection. Yet when shed come asking him about swordplay, shed always pretend that Style One had just been mastered, Style Two was barely started, and she had no clue about Style Three. From the outside, it looked like he was the one teaching her, but in reality, he was the one learning the most from it. So she was playing dumb this whole time? Hiding her real strength?! Thank goodness he always had the game system translate his instructions. Otherwise, if hed spouted something useless, wouldnt he have exposed himself on the spot? Chen Huaian shivered. He was honestly developing a bit of fear of meeting IRL. He was super into her, had created this image of himself as a 61 rich, handsome elite guy, but in reality none of that checked out. Sure, he was confident that Li Qingran wouldnt dump him just because he was weak or average, but there was one thing that was hard to swallow He was supposed to be , but in the future, he might end up permanently . Unacceptable! A mans gotta rise up! Even without the main quest breathing down his neck, Chen Huaians drive to cultivate had just gone into overdrive. He couldnt let himself drown in the soft, pink dreamworld that Li Qingran built, and he sure as h*ll wasnt gonna mooch off her forever. Train. He had to train! If it doesnt kill him, then train til it almost does! Senior, this place is Yun Baiyu and the Lingxi Valley disciples looked around, recognizing the place but also feeling something was off. This is the Sword Pavilion. Chen Huaian dismissed the Demonic Faction Store prompt. No rush checking out what was for salehandling Yun Baiyus situation came first. But its the Sword Pavilion inside my private realm, he added. Oh, so this is Seniors private realm no wonder Yun Baiyu was about to say no wonder the spiritual energy is so thin, but wisely swallowed her words. Chen Huaian glanced sideways at Yun Baiyu and secretly sighedthis Valley Master was really stunning. Even though she wasnt young, she didnt have that old-lady vibe like Qingyun Patriarch did. She had that elegant, mature wife kind of charm, yet still had the face of a young maiden. Right now, with her pale complexion and silver hair, she radiated that protective pull only a woman on the edge could trigger. If it werent for Li Qingran, he mightve taken her in right then and there to see what that sauce tasted like. Sensing a fiery gaze suddenly on him, Chen Huaian immediately snapped his eyes back and cleared his throat. Valley Master Yun, what brings you to my Sword Pavilion? Hearing that, Yun Baiyus eyes turned red at the corners. She dropped to her knees and kowtowed deeply. Her voice trembled: Please, Senior, save my daughter. Im willing to pay any price even if it means giving up all of Lingxi Valley, including myself. Cough, coughwatch what youre saying! That burning gaze from behind got even more intense. Chen Huaian was starting to sweat bullets. He quickly said, Get up. I have a treasure called the Yang Soul Mirror. Give me a personal item of your daughtersI can use it as a medium to check her condition. Ill also try to calculate her whereabouts. Thats what he said. But honestly, hed already drawn his own conclusion. Yun Suxin had good talent. Most likely, shed been captured by Yaochi or Fanjing. If she was lucky, they just crippled her and locked her away. If she wasnt her life might already be forfeit. Chapter 253: Target – Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill Chapter 253: Target C Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill Yun Baiyu immediately pulled out a jade pendant. Yun Suxin had tons of jewelry and changed it up daily, so finding something close to her body was easy. Chen Huaian took the pendant and hung it on the Yang Soul Mirror. But nothing appeared on the mirror. It wasnt because Yun Suxin was dead The Yang Soul Mirror could show the state of even the dead, down to dismembered corpses or ashes. He handed the jade pendant back and said to the panicked Yun Baiyu, Dont worry, its just not close enough to her body. Give me something even more personal. It has to be closehair or blood would also work. Yun Baiyu rummaged through her storage pouch for a while, then blushed deeply and pulled out a pair of bloomers. She stammered, Senior, would this work? Suxin has already reached Foundation Establishment she doesnt shed hair anymore... Chen Huaian gave it a casual glance. He was about to grab it When a small hand beat him to it, snatching up the bloomers and placing them on the Yang Soul Mirror. Shizun, let me help you. That sweet and syrupy voicesoft and stickysounded right by his side. Chen Huaian turned his head and saw his little disciple, Li Qingran, had already come up next to him. He didnt even need to guess whose scorching gaze had just been boring into his back. Ahem not bad. Chen Huaian cleared his throat and nodded seriously. The Yang Soul Mirror activated again. Yun Suxins figure appeared within it. Yun Baiyu gasped and burst into tears the moment she saw her daughterstreams of tears slid silently from the corners of her eyes. Yun Suxin looked awfulworn thin, her face pale as gold leaf, and her aura faint. She appeared to be suspended midair, her body stretched out in a spread-eagle position, head drooping, unconscious. Chen Huaian keenly noticed visible frostbite on the parts of her skin that were exposed. Cultivators were supposed to be immune to heat and cold. So if someone had frostbite, it could only mean that Yun Suxin had lost her spiritual energyshe was no different from a mortal now. In other words, she had been crippled. Senior, do you know where my daughter is now? Yun Baiyu, tears brimming, instinctively reached out and clutched his sleeve. Li Qingran glanced at the gesture but didnt say anything. Let me divine it. Chen Huaian flickered and reentered the Cangyun Realm. He couldnt perform fate-divination inside his private realm. This is your first fate-divination today. This attempt is free. Divination failed. The targets fate is being obscured. Your luck debt has reached 987 layers. Unable to forcibly break through fate. Please increase your strength or reduce your luck debt to -17,563 layers. Chen Huaian: F***ing ridiculous! Judging from the direction of the golden vertical eye, Yun Suxin wasnt at Yaochi Holy Land anymoreshe was now at Fanjing Holy Land in the west. She mightve originally been at Yaochi, but for some reason had been transferred. Maybe it was some kind of loot-splitting deal between Yaochi and Fanjing. The situation was more or less clear. Just then, Chen Huaian felt a gaze peering at him from the horizon. He wasnt intimidated. He flipped off the direction it came from with a middle finger, then tore open space and returned to his private realm. So the Sword Pavilion Patriarch here! Up in the clouds, Real Person Yuning narrowed her eyes. She had come personally after getting a report from her subordinates. But actually confronting the Sword Pavilion Patriarch? Not a chance. The Sword Pavilion Patriarch was at least at the fifth stage of the Void Fusion Realm. She was only at the fourth. Going up against him would be suicide Even a hundred Void Fusion Stage Four cultivators would be throwing their lives away. The power gap between stages in Void Fusion was no joke. Still, just confirming his location was enough to awaken elders at Stage Six or even Nine from their secluded cultivation to go take him down. What was that hand gesture just now? Did he notice me? Yuning frowned. She was a master of stealth. It have been so easy to detect her. But that gesture still left her feeling seriously offended. Now that the Sword Pavilion Patriarch had returned to his private realm, She immediately began setting up a massive trap formation on the spot. Yuning lightly touched the vine bell at her waist, a cold smile curving her lips. Array formations were the only way to challenge higher-realm cultivators across stages. As long as enough resources were poured into the formations core, it could work. And Yaochi Holy Land was never short on resources. When Chen Huaian got back to his private realm, he found Luoxia Peak already surrounded by a crowd. He got closer and realized the cause Yun Baiyu had fainted from grief and her own internal injuries. The disciples of Lingxi Valley were medical cultivators, but the gap between their strength and their Valley Masters was too great. They were helpless and could only stand there anxiously. Luckily, Elder Liu from the medicine garden was already examining Yun Baiyus condition. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. How is she? The crowd quickly stepped aside when they saw their Patriarch had returned. Elder Liu lifted his eyes, brows furrowed tightly, and shook his head with a sigh: Her dantian has ruptured and her vitality is severed Its hard to imagine someone like the Lingxi Valley Master would have so many internal injuries. As far as I know, Lingxi Valley isnt known for combat. Where would she even get in so many fights? With a broken dantian, internal injuries become impossible to repair. The long lifespan she shouldve had is being consumed by these injuries. Shes already beyond saving. Even treating the injuries would just be a band-aid. Unless her dantian can be restored. Back in the day, the Valley Master often took the Young Mistress to Yaochi Holy Land, one of the Lingxi Valley disciples said, eyes rimmed red. They went many times. Once she came back covered in injuries and never returned again. After that, she was always in closed-door cultivation. Every time she came out, she looked visibly weaker. Could it be the people from Yaochi did this to her? Yaochi Holy Land are a bunch of monsters! a Sword Pavilion disciple cursed loudly. Yeah, seriously! Our three senior brothers were also crippled by those Yaochi witches. One of them is still unconscious, and Senior Sister is trapped in Yaochi too. The Sword Pavilion disciples were boiling with rage. They were ready to draw their swords and storm Yaochi on the spot to rescue their Senior Sister and avenge their three senior brothers. No need to guess. It Yaochi Holy Land, Chen Huaian said coldly. His anger thickened the air around him. To restore the dantian, we need a Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. Not only Yun Baiyu needs onemy three personal disciples at the Sword Pavilion need one too. Elder Liu, Elder Li, disciples of Lingxi Valleydo any of you know where we can find the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill? Hed already used fate-divination on this. The result? Embarrassing. The game system could only offer him one mortal-grade Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill and it was sitting in the Koi Prize Pool as the one left in stock. You had to spend money to draw for it. Not cheap, either. Cost aside, one pill wasnt enough. Uh Elder Liu looked troubled. He was well-traveledused to be part of the Zhenwu Holy Land. Even there, the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill was rare. He only knew that Yaochi had been collecting them years ago. So maybe Yaochi still had a stash. But theres no way their Patriarch could just charge into Yaochi. That place was guarded by someone in the Ascension Realm! Senior. A cool voice came from the back of the crowd. Everyone turned around with mixed expressions because that girl had a faint demonic aura around her. Righteous cultivators were naturally prejudiced against those of the demonic path. If she hadnt been saved by the Patriarch himself, some Sword Pavilion disciples wouldve already drawn their swords. Mo Shumei stepped forward and gave Chen Huaian a respectful salute. Even though shed mentally prepared herself, she still felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze. She forced herself to stay calm. Junior was once sent to one of Yaochis strongholds. At the time, they were aggressively gathering Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pills. I overheard a lot of things maybe some of that info could help you? Chapter 254: Daughter of Danyun Chapter 254: Daughter of Danyun Oh? Lets hear what youve got, Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Hed only saved this demon cultivator girl because his little disciple had asked, and he hadnt really thought much of her. Didnt expect a surprise bonus. In that sense, Li Qingran was the real lucky charm here! Mo Shumei bit her lip and gave another deep bow. Before I share this information, Id like to make a deal with you, Senior! Insolent! Elder Lius eyebrows shot up in fury as he pointed at Mo Shumei. The Sword Pavilion taking you in was already a huge favor. That the Patriarch overlooks your identity is his generositydont push your luck! Elder Liu, its fine. Let her speak. Im curious myself, Chen Huaian waved him off. He really was curious what kind of deal Mo Shumei wanted. In his mind, there were only a few possibilities: Maybe she wanted help suppressing the blade spirit inside her demonic sword. Maybe she wanted to become his disciple. Or maybe she was hoping to get some rare resource. Cangyun Realm cultivators generally didnt ask for much more than that when facing someone as powerful as him. At that moment, the demonic blade at Mo Shumeis waist began to tremble. What are you doing?! Im warning you! Soul Abyss is only strong because of ! Without me, its just a regular spiritual weapon! Mo Shumei ignored the sword. She bit her lip again, looking like she didnt know how to say it. After a long struggle, she finally squeezed the words out between clenched teeth: Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I Ive lived a hard life. Ive wandered the Cangyun Realm for years. As soon as people found out I was a demonic cultivator, theyd attack me without question. Even people I was on good terms with would suddenly turn on me. I had no choice but to kill them all. So all these years, Ive been completely alone. Only your disciple, Li Qingran, never judged me for being a demon cultivator. I know its bold but I want to ask you to let me be friends with her. She remained bowed, forehead to the ground, motionless. The demonic sword stopped shaking and went completely silentlike it was stunned. Elder Liu, who had a harsh rebuttal ready to go, was dumbfounded. The words got stuck in his throat. Uhh Chen Huaian looked over at Li Qingran and found even she looked surprised. Seriously she just wanted to be ? That was the big request? But what Chen Huaian didnt understand was that judgment and prejudice were like mountains. Mo Shumei had been crushed under that mountain for seven or eight years. The demonic cultivators didnt like her either. She didnt get along with them. Righteous cultivators killed demons on sight without hearing any explanation. Even if she did heroic things, people would assume she had ulterior motives. Over the years, Mo Shumei had saved countless people. Some became friendsonly to turn on her the moment they learned the truth. Some even ratted her out to righteous sects, which then hunted her relentlessly. Others shifted from gratitude to suspicion, then to total distance. One memory stood out: Years ago, during a snowstorm, she saved a hunter in the mountains. When he found out she was a demon cultivator, he refused to eat the rabbit meat she had huntedhed rather starve. She left the roasted rabbit outside his cave and walked away. It was enough to get him through the night. But when she returned the next day, he had already frozen to death and the rabbit hadnt been touched. Since then, shed never formed relationships with anyone. She kept doing what she believed was right, but never interacted with the people she saved. Like the time she killed an entire corrupt lords family in a mortal city because their actions brought misery to the people. Sure, the next ruler might do the same, but that was fineshe could just come back and kill them too. She killed, then left. That was it. Never got involved beyond that. It sounded cool, but in reality, she had no friends. The only one who talked to her was her annoying sword and nine out of ten things it said were lies. Now, Mo Shumei stood there nervously, waiting for Chen Huaians answer. After traveling with Li Qingran, she learned the girl no longer had any family. To her, her Shizun was like a parent. So even if Li Qingran wanted to be her friend, if her master said no thatd be the end of it. Thats up to Li Qingran. Why ask me if you want to make a friend? As someone from the modern world, Chen Huaian couldnt understand Mo Shumeis worries. But precisely he couldnt understand, he ended up giving her the answer she most wanted to hear. Thank you, Senior. Whether I can become Li Qingrans friend or not Ill earn that myself. Mo Shumei nodded solemnly, then turned to Li Qingran, standing tall and serious. Qingran, I become your friend. Just wait! Li Qingran was so startled by the sudden declaration she took a half-step back, her cheeks turning bright pink. She quickly hid behind Chen Huaian and refused to come out. Back to the main topic. A flicker of memory passed through Mo Shumeis eyes. When Yaochi Holy Land was aggressively collecting Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pills, they were also looking for a reclusive figure named Danyun. Later, it was said they found herand the pill search abruptly stopped. It only resumed half a year later. That made me wondercould this reclusive Danyun have something to do with the pill? Her Dao name starts with Danonly the Dan Sect elders ever use that naming style. She mightve been a high-ranking elder, maybe even above Zhou Xuanzi. If she was part of the Dan Sect, she definitely knew alchemy. So if Yaochi found her is it possible they made her refine the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pills? The crowd went silent, everyone deep in thought. Chen Huaian felt her reasoning was highly plausible. Danyun either knew how to make the pill or had the recipe. As for why the search resumed half a year later most likely, Danyun had died and no one else could make the pill. He didnt care what had happened to Danyun personally. What he care about was the recipe. If the recipe existed I heard that Danyun had a daughter whos still missing. The only thing for sure isYaochi never found her. A few years ago, while I was wandering the mortal kingdoms, I saw Yaochi had issued a bounty. Among those listed was Danyuns daughter. Chen Huaian sharply looked up, eyes locking onto Mo Shumei. Whats her name? Dan Bai, Mo Shumei said softly. Shes Danyuns only daughter. Dan Bai is Danyuns only child, Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. And Yaochi is still looking for her So she probably inherited her mothers alchemy skills. She might not just the recipe she might be able to the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill herself? Exactly, Mo Shumei nodded. But the problem ishow do we find her? Find someone? Thats easy. Chen Huaian smiled. Everyone knew Chen Huaian was a sword genius but not many knew he was also a master at locating things. His powerful search and fate-divination skills came from talent hard work. Chen Huaian exited the private realm and opened the in-game customer service interface. Fate-divination! Find Dan Bais location for meright now! Chapter 255: Forced Breakthrough Chapter 255: Forced Breakthrough sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This is your second fate-divination of the day... Initiating fate-divination! Fate-divination failed. The targets fate is being concealed! Forced breakthrough requires reducing Luck Deficit to at least 500 layers! Chen Huaian: ?? What?! Even this is blocked? But he quickly came to his senses. It made senseDanyun mustve used some method to protect her daughter. That also explained why the Yaochi Holy Land had never managed to find Dan Bai all these years. Fate-divination: how can I obtain the recipe for the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill? Chen Huaian changed the question. Initiating fate-divination This is your third attempt today. The cost has been deducted. In the Cangyun Realm, the skies once again shifted ominously. But at this point, no one paid attention to the frequent changes in the heavens. Even the appearance of the golden vertical eye only made people blink lazilythey were used to it by now. Fate-divination complete. Obtain the recipe by locating Dan Bai or Danyun. Youve got to be f***ing kidding me! What a waste! He basically paid to hear the exact same thing he already knew. Give him his ten grand back! Chen Huaian gritted his teeth. This was like buying a battle pass, collecting all the rewards, then brainlessly paying extra for the deluxe passjust to level up 10 more times for nothing. Fine, looks like Ill have to clear my Luck Deficit. He glanced at his whopping 987 layers of Luck Deficit and felt dizzy. To be honest, it wasnt that bad in day-to-day life he wouldnt die from things like getting electrocuted, falling into open manholes, or flaming helicopters exploding nearby. It just added a little spice to an otherwise boring life. But the one thing he couldnt stand? Severe constipation, or biting into a meal and finding steel wool or a dead fly. No way was he giving up food. Humans had mouths and invented cuisine for a reasonit was to enjoy life. Back when he had no money, he just gritted his teeth and swallowed it all down. Now that he was rich, it was time to end this cursed lifestyle. Chen Huaian opened the player menu, selected the debuff Luck Deficit 987, and hit Clear All. Clearing Luck Deficit 987 layers will cost: 1001,000 + 30010,000 + 300100,000 + 2871,000,000 = Total: 320 million. Confirm? Three hundred twenty mil? Thats pocket change! Do it! Payment complete. Your Luck Deficit has been cleared! The moment the notification popped up, Chen Huaian felt like a breeze swept past his face Birdsong! Flowers blooming! He never really noticed the weight of 987 layers of bad luck. But now that it was gone, he felt amazinglike hed lost ten pounds! The sensation was like finally getting into a public restroom after holding it in for hours, ripping off your pants, and unleashing a flood of relief. SO GOOD!! Chen Huaian struck a poseone foot on the Sword Pavilion stele, hands on his hips. Nowforcefully break through and locate Dan Bai for me! Initiating fate-divination. Targets fate is concealed. Beginning forced breakthrough! Player has gained 500 layers of Luck Deficit. Chen Huaian gave an evil grin and instantly spent 13.1 million to clear the new 500-layer debt. From this day forward, he vowed: he would carry Luck Deficit. He refused to be a constipation boy ever again. Forced breakthrough complete. Dan Bais location has been marked on the map! Meanwhile, deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains. A hidden valley beneath the clouds, resting quietly under the moonlight. Next to a wooden cabin, a girl in a plain white dress rolled up her sleeves, carefully sorting sun-dried spiritual herbs on a bamboo tray. All around her were squirrels, mountain sparrows, rabbits some even monster beasts. They all stared at her longingly. Just a little longer. The ingredients are ready, but the meal still needs time, she said with a gentle smile, patting a chubby sparrow on the head. That sparrow was the size of a drum, so fat its meat jiggled when it moved. It had over three centuries of spiritual energydefinitely king of the sparrows. Dan Bai was just about to take the herbs inside to boil water when a sudden sense of dread swept down from the sky. The animals and beasts around her were even more sensitive. They dropped to the ground, trembling violently. She looked up toward the sliver of sky visible between the cliffs. Her mother had placed a powerful illusion array here years ago one that had lasted through time. Even Real Person Yuyao of Yaochi Holy Land, at the Ascension Realm, had never found this place. Usually, when spiritual senses swept overhead, she felt nothing. But todaytoday was different. Dan Bais pupils shrank. From within the clouds a massive golden vertical eye slowly opened. Its gaze covered a wide area, but somehowshe it was looking straight at her. A split second later A bolt of golden lightning tore through the sky, striking straight toward the valley. Dan Bais face turned pale. She instinctively raised her arms to shield herself. When she looked again, the illusion array over the valley had cracked like spiderwebs. Inside the cabin, the formation disk in the corner had already melted. She watched helplessly as the runes etched into the array crumbled apart her mothers masterpiece. An array built with her lifes knowledge and countless rare materials was torn through like paper. Thankfully, it was just one strike. The golden eye had only one goal: destroy the array. Once it confirmed the damage was done, it slowly faded back into the clouds. In no time, the sky cleared. Moonlight and stars returned. It was the first time Dan Bai had ever seen the clear night sky outside her valley. But she had no time to enjoy it. The arrays broken. I have to leavenow. Dan Bai bit her lip, eyes flashing with urgency. She didnt even spare a final look at the animals that had kept her company all these years. Yaochi Holy Land could show up . She had to find a new place to hide. Right now, she still didnt have the power to rescue her mother. If got caught too, then thered be no hope left. Chen Huaian had no idea that his forced breakthrough had just thrown the target into danger. Hed always assumed it just read fate more accurately not that it would someones concealment array. Had he known, he definitely wouldve surrounded the array first, destroyed it. Chen Huaian immediately opened the map and saw the marked location: Deep in the Ten Thousand Mountains. Right near the territory of the monster race. To survive there, either Danyun had given her extremely thorough protection, or Dan Bai herself was a total powerhouse. No time to waste. Chen Huaian prepared to head out immediately. Just as he spread his spiritual sense the minimaps environment suddenly changed. A massive red ring appeared, taking up nearly half the minimap. Eighteen smaller circles surrounded it, nested within the larger ring like alien crop circles left by UFOs. But this was the Cangyun Realm. Chen Huaian knew immediately this was a formation. Someone had set up a massive array around him while he was in his private realm?! His eyes narrowed sharply. On the minimap, a red dot was directly on top of his own white triangle marker. If the enemy wasnt on the ground Then they were in the sky!!! Chapter 256: Suppressing Yu Ning Chapter 256: Suppressing Yu Ning Yaochi Holy Land had existed for over ten thousand years. The holy land had produced many powerful figures and left behind various formidable techniques. One of them was a formation known asthe Juexian Grand Array. From the name alone, you could guess its power: even immortals would be doomed inside. Of course, in reality it wasnt terrifying, but within the Void Fusion Realm, it was definitely one of the most potent and targeted arrays in existence. Sword Pavilion Patriarch, lets see where you run to this time! Real Person Yu Ning gazed down through the clouds, smiling as she watched the figure below. The Juexian Grand Array had massive coverage, combining entrapment, suppression, and slaughter in one. It had eighteen formation cores that were hidden and interconnected. She had poured everything into the setupno resource spared. It was more than enough to deal with a Void Fusion Stage Five opponent like the Sword Pavilion Patriarch. He absolutely couldnt break out in a short time. And as time passed, the arrays power would steadily growuntil it completely annihilated its target in body and soul. She could already imagine the Sword Pavilion Patriarch kneeling before her, begging for mercy. Dont think that scene was rarethose ancient Void Fusion monsters had all lived a long time, and the longer they lived, the more they clung to life. Once they realized death was near, fear would always follow. Inside the array, Chen Huaian held his sword in his right hand, brow furrowed in thought. He originally intended to fly straight up and yank the enemy out of the sky but this array was actually anti-air?! Not only that, it had fused the surrounding space into a solid plate. Even tearing a hole in space to escape was impossible. The one who set this up clearly came preparedspecifically targeting Void Fusion Realm abilities. Which meant the enemy had to be from one of the Three Great Holy Lands. If that was the case, then the only option was to break the array. Just like fixing a TV, step one was always brute force. So he casually swung a sword at the formation. Sword intent surged like a tide, and a silver-white sword curtain hundreds of feet wide slammed into the array. But all it did was make a few ripplesthe formation didnt even flinch. Chen Huaian smacked his lips and was about to use a stronger sword technique When a shrill, sinister laugh echoed from above. Sword Pavilion Patriarch, stop wasting your energy~ Chen Huaian looked up and saw a faint figure of a Yaochi female cultivator half-visible in the clouds. He couldnt get a read on her through the array, but if she dared to show up, she had to be in the Void Fusion Realm too. The fact that she didnt dare face him head-on and relied on a formation meant she was weaker. That meantshe could be killed. Chen Huaian instantly slapped a mental label on her: Killable. This is the Juexian Grand Array of our Yaochi Holy Land. Youll never break it from the inside. Even attacking from outside would require at least three Void Fusion Stage Nine elders working together, using a formation to counter a formation. Your only chance is to destroy all eighteen formation cores. But can you even find them? As she smugly cackled, Chen Huaian glanced at his minimap one large red ring, inside it eighteen smaller red circles. So those little rings were the formation cores, huh? Thanks for the tip! Chen Huaian cupped his hands politely toward Yu Ning. Ah, such a sincere and honest world, this Cangyun Realm. If this were the real world, a rival wouldnt say before trying to screw you over. Some would let you die without even knowing . Chen Huaian added another tag to Yu Nings profile: Killable + Really Helpful. The array had now fully activated, starting with realm suppression. He could already feel his cultivation being pushed down, regressing step by step but he didnt panic. He calmly strolled toward one of the small red circles on the map, spread out his spiritual sense, closed his eyes, and began sensing his surroundings. He found a formation core?! Yu Nings mind short-circuitedthen she shook her head. No way! That had to be pure dumb luck! The Juexian Grand Array covered a massive area, but the cores were tiny and unevenly scattered. Seeing him standing over one now, she figured it had to be coincidence. Hmph, scaring myself for nothing~ Yu Ning patted her chest, trying to relax But in the very next second, Chen Huaian swung his sword down toward the ground. Yu Nings unfinished words turned into a panicked scream: AH! He found the core? How is that possible?! sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Could it be the Sword Pavilion Patriarch isnt just a sword genius but also a formation master?! Whatever. Good thing I planned for backup. Yu Ning was now extremely grateful she hadnt cut corners while building the array. Had she gone with a budget version, one of the cores wouldve been destroyed just now. She had no doubt about the destructive power behind that swing. Inside the array, Chen Huaian frowned slightly. His last strike had missed the actual core. The moment he attacked, the core had shifted locations. Interesting. No wonder this is called the Juexian Array. The grand array contains smaller arrays. The cores arent just hiddenthey move automatically when under threat Chen Huaian smirked. If it had been anyone else in the Void Fusion Realm, theyd probably have fallen for the Yaochi witchs trap. But wasnt just anyone. Even now, with his power suppressed from Stage Five to Stage Three, it was more than enough to deal with eighteen formation cores. The Green Lotus Sword Manual had twelve distinct techniques, each with its own style some mighty like a prison, some overwhelmingly forceful, some shattering all defenses, others faster than the eye. The Tenth Form C Moon Rises Over Tianshan condensed sword intent into moonlight, blanketing an entire area with relentless, seamless sword strikes. Even in the late Nascent Soul stage, that technique had leveled the gates of Qingyun Sect. Now at Void Fusion Stage Three, Chen Huaian raised two fingers like a sword and pointed skyward. A sword cry thundered through the air. Behind him, moonlight rose from the ground. The moon rises over Tianshan, amid the sea of clouds and mist! As the ethereal chant echoed out, Yu Ning gradually lost sight of his figure. That black robe, once stark against the pale moonlight, now melted into the lonely glow. Yu Ning couldnt tell if the chant came from his mouth, from the heavens, or right beside her earor even inside her mind. All she could see was a single sword light, growing thicker and more intense within the moonlight. Someone was dancing with a sword inside the moon. Then suddenlythe sword intent surged! Not good!! The strike wasnt aimed at Yu Ning but she something was wrong. A boundless killing intent had engulfed the entire array. What poured down wasnt just moonlight it was sword qi. Under Chen Huaians control, the sword qi targeted all 18 formation cores. Each time a core shifted, a blade of moonlight followed it. How powerful was Moon Rises Over Tianshan at the Void Fusion level? Last time, it had left a forest of sword holes in the main hall of Qingxuan Sect. Now, sword qi rained down like falling meteors, each trailing glowing tails. Like shattered stars crashing to earth. Explosions echoed. Crater after crater formed, each interconnected. The ground beneath the array began to cave in. Forget 18 formation cores. Even 108 of them wouldnt survive this. The Juexian Grand Arrayshattered! Yu Ning turned to run, tearing open space and using the fastest speed she had ever mustered to flee toward Yaochi Holy Land. But the very next second A hand grabbed the top of her skull. In the other hand, that person was still holding a leftover spirit crystal he even had time to the rest of the arrays materials. Running already? Chen Huaian clutched Yu Nings head, his smile growing colder. Did I give you to run? With the final word, the veins in his hand bulged And dragged her straight down from the sky. Her skull smashed into the earth, the impact exploding outward. Blood mist bloomed in the moonlight. Bone fragments flew with dirt. His black robe was now dotted with red along the hem. In the rising dust, Chen Huaian rose slowly, stepping off the cracked ground. His blood-soaked fingers clenched tight and Yu Nings soul was ground to dust in his palm. Pfft. What kind of trash dares bark in front of ? With a flick of his hand, the blood was evaporated. He slashed open a void in front of him and streaked toward the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains. Chapter 257: Bring Dan Bai Back Chapter 257: Bring Dan Bai Back Real Person, Yu Ning is dead. Real Person Yuyao, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, finally showed a flicker of emotion upon hearing those words. She opened her eyes, and her icy gaze fell on the Yaochi disciple before her. Didnt she lay down the Juexian Grand Array for the Sword Pavilion Patriarch? She still ended up dead?! Do you know how exactly she died? A Void Fusion Stage Four shouldnt go out without so much as a sound. Under that stare, the disciple felt like her blood was freezing. Yu Ning had been one of Real Person Yuyaos trusted followers But now that she was gone, Yuyao reacted as though a Yaochi dog had died. There was no sadness for a dead dog. Only one question: how did the dog get beaten to death? This disciple knew that perfectly well. She understood Yaochi''s cruelty and since she now lived in Yaochi, she too had become part of that cruelty. Yu Ning died instantly. Her soul was shattered in a blink. From the soul lamp, we can tell it was done by a single thread of sword intent. She didnt have time to escape or even call for help. Trash, Yuyao snorted coldly. Right now, her top priority was finding a Blackwater Spiritual Root to complete the Five Supreme Physiques for the Vessel. Next was to obtain a Celestial-grade, or at least High-grade, Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill to raise the Vessels dantian level as much as possible. If they couldnt get a Celestial-grade pill, then theyd pile on the High-grade and Supreme-grade ones Eventually, quantity would lead to quality. The plan to craft the Vessel had originally been going smoothly. But then the only Celestial-grade Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill in existence was inexplicably stolen. Another one was near-impossible to find, forcing her to switch to a backup plan. As for the Sword Pavilion Patriarch? He was just a clown jumping around. Shed deal with him after the possession was done. A flash of cold glint appeared in Yuyaos eyes. She glanced sideways at the Yaochi disciple. Go. Bring Danyun to me. I told youIve done my best! Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pills are hard to refine to begin with. One success out of ten furnaces is considered lucky. Two pills out of ten being usable is divine intervention! If you want pills, I can make you some. But if youre asking for you might as well kill me now! Yuyao stared at the crazed woman before herhair a mess, actions erratic. Her lips curved into a cold smile. Danyun, dont think I dont know youve been failing on purpose. I didnt push it before because my need for the pills wasnt urgent. But now? Lets settle the bill for all the resources youve wasted over the years. Danyun smiled faintly and said nothingjust pointed at Yuyaos face. Old hag, what, trying to copy my white hair now? Getting anxious because your lifespans about to run out? Listen, you gotta accept aging. Stop taking Beautifying Pillstheyre pointless. Once you die, your bodys still gonna rot and stink like everyone elses. Every word Danyun spoke was like a knife. But Yuyao didnt get angry. Those insults didnt hurt her even one-thousandth as much as the theft of that Celestial-grade pill. She didnt fear becoming a hated figure in history. She feared not becoming an immortal, and eventually watching her lifespan fade away. Danyun. Ive found your daughterDan Bai. That single sentence wiped the smile off Danyuns face. A cold spark flared in her eyes. But she still scoffed and pointed at Yuyao again. You couldnt find my concealment array all these years, and now suddenly you found her? Save it for the kids. It wasnt me who found the array, Yuyao said, watching Danyuns face turn pale. Your daughter came out on her own. Shes in the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains. For some reason, she ran from her hiding place. Had she stayed put, your illusion array was solid enough that I couldnt have found her before I reached the Triple Tribulation Realm. But now Yuyao waved her hand. A sharp vine flicked across Danyuns forehead, extracting a drop of blood and dropping it into the formation disk held by the Yaochi disciple beside her. The golden sand within the disk began to swirl, outlining the terrain of the Ten Thousand Mountains. The drop of blood sank into the map, floating steadily in place. Ive been watching the threads of fate day and night for this exact moment! Yuyao saw the despair and fury in Danyuns eyes and smiled like a victor. What are you going to do? Come at me! Leave my daughter out of thisshe knows nothing! Danyun struggled madly, her hoarse voice squeezing out from between her teeth like a dying mother beast. Maybe she really know nothing, Yuyao said, lightly brushing the corner of the formation disk. I dont have anything personal against your daughter. I just want her to come and stay at Yaochi Holy Land for a while. And as for you, Danyun you will refine at least a High-grade Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill for me. Yuyao suddenly leaned close, right into Danyuns facenow twisted with rage and despair. She spoke each word clearly: One month. Ill give you one month. Refine the pillyour daughter lives. Failyour daughter dies. With that, Yuyao didnt spare her another glance. She waved her hand, ordering Danyun dragged away and locked up again. They had captured Danyun years ago solely to make her refine Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pills. But a recipe alone wasnt enough. You needed a special physique, and special technique. Danyun had both. And she had deliberately made mistakes to delay Yaochis plans. In decades, she had produced only 32 pills just one was High-grade, the rest all mortal-grade. It wasnt until Yuyao got curious one day and examined Danyuns blood that she found it contained the potency of High-grade pills thats when she realized the old fox had been playing her all along. Danyun was perfectly capable of refining High-grade and even better pills. Her skills and talent were real. Yaochi had gathered the best ingredients. Even if she messed up on purpose, shed still occasionally get a high-quality pill. And every time one succeeded, Danyun ate it herself. When caught, she wouldnt admit a thing. If memory loss werent a risk in soul possession, Yuyao wouldve had one of her elders seize Danyuns body already to extract every last secret. Yuling, Yuquan. Present! Two figures stepped out from the sea of blossoms, standing behind her. You twoone Void Fusion Stage Five, one Stage Sixare considered unstoppable in the Cangyun Realm. Now go bring back that little wretch Dan Bai. Any questions? Yuyao passed the formation disk, still holding Danyuns blood, to Yuling. Of course not, Real Person. The only reason we couldnt catch her before was because she never left hiding. Now shes running around in the open grabbing her will be easy. A sinister smile twisted Yulings normally kind-looking face. Dont get cocky. If you run into any of those old freaks from Zhenwu Holy Land, it could still get dangerous. The two elders bowed in agreement. A starved camel was still bigger than a horse until the final split from Fanjing was complete, Zhenwus Void Fusion elders were still a serious threat. Go. Yuyao turned away, her figure vanishing into the shadows. Only a cold voice lingered in the air: sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If we can force Danyun to refine the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill for us Then in the future, your dantians will also be improved. And when the time comesascending to immortality may not be just a dream. Chapter 258: Begin the Array Chapter 258: Begin the Array Did you hear? Everythings going crazy in the Cangyun Realm! What happened? You didnt join the Central Continent secret realm, did you? Tch, Zhenwu Holy Land is basically public enemy number one now! One mistake led to tons of sects losing their top disciples, including the other two Holy Lands. Even Master Zhang died in battle. Zhenwus now facing massive compensation claimstheyre in total chaos. And to top it off, Sword Pavilion has a Patriarch whos shielding a demon cultivator... what a messy time. Come on, tell me more? I overslept and totally missed the Central Continent event. Damn Even in mortal world taverns, it wasnt rare to see cultivators appear. Especially in cities close to cultivation sects, where you could spot rogue cultivators wandering around. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Compared to being nobodies in the cultivation world, these scattered cultivators with only Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment strength could act like kings among mortals. Some of them, lacking ambition, actually enjoyed this kind of life. If their lifespan wouldnt improve anyway, they might as well live it up: marry three to five beautiful wives, pop a few Beautifying Pills wasnt that the dream? Uncle Zhang died in battle? In a quiet corner of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, Dan Bais face turned grim. She was dressed as a man right now, in scholars robes with a bamboo basket on her back. Inside the basket was her beloved fat mountain sparrow. Master Zhang Yibai of Zhenwu Holy Land could be considered half her teacher. When she was younger, he once granted her a wisp of sword intent to study. But shed never been interested in swordsmanship. In the end, she followed her mother and learned alchemy instead. That brief chance with Zhang Yibai had passed. Even so, she knew Zhang Yibai was a good person. Definitely not like the wolves in sheeps clothing from Yaochi or Fanjing Holy Lands. Unfortunately, in todays world, the major sects were completely brainwashed by public opinion. The Holy Lands were seen as the ultimate justice, the greatest blessings of the Cangyun Realm. Anyone who dared speak against them was publicly shamed sometimes even accused of being a demon cultivator trying to defame the Holy Lands. Thats why, after her mother was taken, Dan Bai went into hiding for years and still didnt dare seek justice because no one would believe her. Not even those in Zhenwu Holy Land. Sigh now that my mothers formation is gone, my locations probably been exposed. No idea how long I can stay hidden Dan Bai popped a peanut into her mouth but the famously delicious Drunken Peanuts of Jiangchi City tasted like ash. Immortals from Yaochi Holy Land have arrived! A joyful shout rang out on the street outside the tavern. Before Dan Bai even reacted, the tavern was already empty. Even the performers had scattered. Everyone had gone out to see the Yaochi Immortals. But Dan Bai felt nothing but a chill running through her whole body. The Yaochi people found me this fast? Was it just coincidence, or No, I need to get out of here now. She quickly swallowed a stealth pill and gave one to her fat mountain sparrow in the basket. Shed already taken this pill beforethis extra dose was just to be safe. Chirp-chirp! Shhh! One more peep and youll be someones roasted dinner! Dan Bai made a fierce face, successfully scaring the bird into tucking its head back into the basket. Then, carrying the basket, she slipped out of the tavern and merged into the crowd. This was not the time to walk against the flow. If everyone was going to see the Immortals, she had to go too. Otherwise, with how sharp Yaochi cultivators were, any sign of suspicious behavior would get her caught. She just had to make it through this. Then shed find a chance to escape the city. What a disgusting swarm of ants. A cold, aged voice drifted out from beneath Real Person Yulings veil. Are we sure that girls in this city? Yuquan glanced at the formation disk, then nodded. The blood bead hasnt moved. Shes still hereprobably in the crowd right now. The streets of Jiangchi City were packed with people mortals and rogue cultivators alike, all begging for pills, discipleship, or immortality. Even simple farmers had dreamed of digging up a divine pill in the fields and ascending overnight. The noise boiled like water in a pot, making Yuling and Yuquans temples throb. The fawning of these ants no longer gave them any sense of superiority maybe it once had, but now it was just disgusting. Silence. An invisible wave of sound rippled from Yulings mouth. The crowd immediately fell quiet. Those shouting prayers and requests froze in place. The ones closest were knocked unconscious by the wave. Yuling waved her hand, and water vapor coalesced into a girls portrait. Dan Bai saw it from the crowd and quickly looked down, nervously adjusting the fake mustache at the corner of her mouth. This person is a fugitive of Yaochi Holy Land. She stole our Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. That thief is in Jiangchi City right now. Whoever finds her or turns her in will be handsomely rewarded! She clapped her palm into the water vapor the portrait burst into a fine mist that landed on everyones forehead. Dan Bais appearance imprinted itself in the minds of every mortal and rogue cultivator present. People began recalling faces, hoping to win favor and rewards. Shes actually pretty cute. Hard to believe shes a thief. Well, if she could steal from Yaochi, shes gotta have skills! Rustling whispers filled the air. Dan Bai clenched her fists, trembling with rage. Those monsters from Yaochi had taken her mother, and now they were smearing her nameaccusing her of stealing pills?! The truth was, Yaochi had stolen their alchemy recipe, then forced her mother to make pills for them! Shameless! For the first time, she regretted not following Zhang Yibai to learn the sword. If she had even his strength she wouldve drawn her sword and cut down these two despicable witches right now! No ones seen this little thief? Yuling was already getting impatient. Immortal! Ive seen her! A shifty-looking man stepped out. But before he could say another word A vine burst out from the ground and shredded him into pieces. Blood splattered. The crowd screamed and backed away. Dont try any tricks in front of me. The moment you open your mouth, I already know if youre lying. Looking at the unrecognizable corpse on the ground, no one dared speak again. Who would dare lie to a Yaochi Real Person? You know what level theyre at? Ha! Exactly. Ants will always be antsdumb as bricks. The rogue cultivators sneered, mocking the foolish mortals. Those with self-awareness like them would never offend Yaochi Real Persons. Naturally, the Real Persons wouldnt bother them either. But that smug thought barely lasted a minute. Yuling saw no one stepping up, even though Dan Bai was definitely here. Her expression darkened. Useless trash. Not one person had even a vague memory of seeing her?! The formation disk only gave a rough location if they took too long, it might cause trouble. Yuquan. No more waiting. She said coldly, Begin the array. Chapter 259: The Swordsman Beneath the Moon Chapter 259: The Swordsman Beneath the Moon For ancient cultivators in the Void Fusion Realm, setting up a formation that could trap all mortals and rogue cultivators within a city and cut off all outside connection was as simple as a flick of the wrist. As the grand array activated, the mortals on the streets remained clueless. But the rogue cultivatorsmore attuned to dangerhad already gone pale. D **! Whyd my dumb *ss come here today?! Rogues treasured their lives the most. They''d spent years crawling through the Cangyun Realm, eyes wide open, ears always alertjust to survive. Now, sensing something was wrong, some began edging toward the edge of the array. One cultivator even burrowed underground using Earth Escape. Yuling and Yuquan noticed the reactions below but werent worried. Once the kill array was activated, it became a net from heaven and earth. Not even a fly would escape. Dan Bai, I know you''re in the city, Yuling Real Person said coldly. Ill give you three breaths to step out from the crowd Otherwise, Ill start by killing these folks in the front. She pointed toward the unconscious mortals still lying on the street stunned by the earlier sonic blast. From the ground, countless vines burst forth and wrapped around them. A twitch of her finger, and theyd be torn into pieces. The entire city went silent. Not out of fear but because the oppressive pressure of a Void Fusion Realm cultivator had gripped every throat. Even breathing took conscious effort. One breath... Yulings voice was colder than ice. Rogue cultivators looked at each other in terror. They couldnt believe thisYaochi Real Persons were really going to kill innocent people?! But the threat was clearly no joke. Someone clutched a magical artifactthen let go. Yulings name was infamous. Even if ten thousand joined forces, it would be like moths flying into flame. A few brave ones started forming a defensive array in secret but were immediately pulled back by companions. You trying to get us all killed?! Within the crowd, Dan Bai raised her head. She looked toward the Yaochi Real Persons sitting high above the clouds, her eyes burning with hatred. So this was Yaochi Holy Land. This was the righteous sect all cultivators dreamed of. Now threatening to massacre an entire city of innocents just to catch her. Two breaths... Yulings finger curled slightly. The vines tightened. The unconscious began to awaken screaming in agony. A childs cry pierced the sky. His mother struggled to shield him, only to be ripped away by the vines. She couldnt wait any longer. Dan Bai couldnt stand by and watch an entire city die because of her. With the array in place, there was no escape. She stood up, pushed through the crowd, removed the fake mustache from her lip, and loosened her topknot. Her black hair unfurled in the wind. Her cold eyes locked onto Yuling. Yaochi scum. Im right here! Her voice wasnt loud, but it rang through the entire city. Thats the one on the wanted poster? Shes even prettier in person You know, Yaochis starting to look like the real villain here. Eh, careful now. Maybe those Real Persons are just using tough tactics. Dont let that cute face fool youshe could be a cold-blooded killer. Amidst the murmurs, Dan Bai stepped forward, one step at a time until she stood at the very front of the crowd. Slaughtering mortalsthis is what Yaochi Holy Land stands for? If you want to capture me, then why drag innocent lives into it? You little wretch, you finally showed yourself! Yulings eyes gleamed with a twisted joy, lips curling into a cold sneer. If you hadnt hidden in Jiangchi City, would I have even considered a kill array? You knew we were comingso you shouldve surrendered earlier, instead of forcing me to drag you out! Dan Bai knew there was no point arguing. Looking at how everyone around her stared, she understood right now, she had no allies. She was completely alone. Im out now. Can you let them go? she asked softly. Let them go? What about Yaochi Holy Lands reputation? Yulings tone didnt change. She clenched her fist. The vines tightened further. Yuquan began chanting more vines sprouted across the entire city. Even the rogue who had burrowed underground was dragged out, tightly bound. Theyre insane! Theyve caught the fugitivewhy are they still trying to kill us? The rogue cultivators snapped awake, their terror turning into anger and panic. So this is the so-called Yaochi Holy Land? What difference is there between you and demon cultivators?! Youd wipe out a city to catch one person?! Righteous my a**! Please, Real Person! Spare me! A middle-aged cultivator in sect robes dropped to his knees, kowtowing desperately. Ill give you everything I havejust let me live! I swear I wont breathe a word about this. You can even wipe my memory! Even if it hurts my soul or damages my foundationI dont care! Too troublesome, Yuling chuckled. Its easier to kill them all. Slaughtering Jiangchi City was the most efficient solution. Later, they could fake a few traces and blame it on the demon sects. In fact, they might not need to fake anything Zhenwu Holy Land was already falling apart. Soon, the Cangyun Realm would belong solely to Yaochi and Fanjing. Dan Bais face darkened. She hadnt thought Yaochi would sink low. Even now that shed surrendered, they were still planning to slaughter the entire city. If thats the case... then she might as well fight to the death! Dying here would be better than being captured. ...Sorry, Mom. She had failed. She still wasnt strong enough to save her mother. Just then A cold, clear voice rang out from the edge of the city. Yaochi Holy Land? Heh impressive. In the moonlight, the tall weeds at the citys edge swayed violently in the wind their silvery tips sparkling like shattered moon dust. A man in black stood amidst the grass, sword in his arms. His figure flickered in and out of sight like a brushstroke of dried ink smudged by time. Only Yuling and Yuquan, standing high in the sky, could clearly see the sword cultivators silhouette. Dan Bai looked back but from her view beyond the towering city gate, she could only see a blurred figure. Wind swept past her face. She blinked instinctively and in that instant, the figure had already appeared at the city gate. Sword in his right hand, he walked slowly, cloak billowing behind him in the wind. Step by step, he passed through the streets, through the crowd, until he stood beside Dan Bai. And then, with one final step he moved in front of her. His hair flowed like ink. His black sword sheath reflected the moonlight. The sword tassel swayed in the wind, red like burning flame. The hand gripping the sword was long-fingered and powerful, fitting the hilt as though the blade had grown from his flesh. Who are you? Yuling and Yuquan couldnt sense this mysterious swordsmans cultivation level. And that very of clarity made him all the more terrifying. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I am Chen Huaian looked up, the gleam in his eyes as cold as fresh snow on a blade. Seven words sliced through the air, shattering the pressure that had suffocated the city. Sword Pavilion PatriarchChen. Huaian. Himself! Chapter 260: You and I Are Fated Chapter 260: You and I Are Fated Sword Pavilion PatriarchChen Huaian?! The moment his name was spoken, Yuling and Yuquan''s expressions changed drastically. No wonder hed strolled into the trap array like it was nothing. Other than the elders of Zhenwu Holy Land, the person they wanted to encounter and believed they would encounterwas Chen Huaian. But why was the Sword Pavilion Patriarch even here? Theyd been cautious of Zhenwus reaction only because of Dan Bais vague connection to the late Zhang Yibai. But Chen Huaian? They had thoroughly investigated beforehandhe had nothing to do with Dan Bai. Dan Bais gaze fell on the figure standing before her, her eyes drawn to the black-scaled sword in his hand. The swords aura swirled with black and white yin-yang energiesvery similar to the sword intent Zhang Yibai had once gifted her, though deeper and far more profound. She didnt know this sword cultivator. But the fact that he stood in front of her now, shielding her And that familiar sword aura Had already earned him her goodwill. Her usual guardedness around strangers half gone in an instant. Sword Pavilion Patriarch Chen Huaian, youve already slain multiple elders of Yaochi Holy Land. Your crimes are unforgivable! Yuling Real Person shouted, her voice cold. And now, youre even standing in our way to capture a wanted criminal of Yaochi? Are you really determined to go against us? Yuling didnt want to fight Chen Huaian. Even though she was already at Void Fusion Stage Six no one knew exactly what level of strength this Sword Pavilion Patriarch had reached. Chen Huaian didnt answer. His dark robes fluttered in the moonlight, like ink drifting off the edge of calligraphy paper. His gaze deepened. His fingertips brushed the sword hilt. And then, in a flashhe gripped it tight. The entire world seemed to hold its breath. The insects stopped chirping. The wind froze. Even the moonlight seemed to pause in midair. In that silence a killing intent surged unseen. No words, no movement and yet, both Yuling and Yuquan felt a chill run down their spines. Hes drawing his sword! Yuquans warning barely left her mouth before Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sword unsheathed. No sound of intent. No visible stance. Only a streak of white light flashed across the sky. The sword qi split the darkness like a glacier shatteringblinding and unstoppable. Chen Huaians afterimage formed behind Yuquans back. Black-scaled sword tilted downward. A single droplet of blood fell from the tip. One kill every ten steps. A chilling voice whispered by Yuquans ear. And not a soul left behind, even a thousand miles out. Blood hit the ground before her body did. The wind left no trace. The sword left one too many. Yuquans pupils never had time to contract her soul had already been shredded by sword intent. Her body froze in place, like a sculpture locked in moonlight then dropped from the sky, crashing to the earth like a broken sack. The crowd scattered, only daring to look from a distance. Only then did they see a thin red line had appeared across her neck. She had been beheaded in a single sword strike. Normally, Void Fusion cultivators wouldnt die even if their bodies were destroyed their powerful souls could fight independently, even possess new bodies. But from Yuquans state she was well and truly dead. What a terrifyingly fast sword! Yuling didnt even have time to grieve. In fact, her eyes lit up with a twisted excitement: Ive heard of your peerless swordsmanship, Chen Jianzun. Tonight, Ill see it for myself! Chen Huaians revealed cultivation was only Void Fusion Stage Five. She was a full stage higher. And in Void Fusion, one stage was like an entire world of difference. She could kill him. Chen Huaian didnt bother replying. His eyes were flat, expressionlesscompletely in sage mode. His sword had already returned to its sheath. But the swords shadow under the moon had already frosted over. Sword Form Seven C Wandering Swordsman. When activated, the swordsman enters a tranquil state of mind. An aura of killing intent envelops the body. Within this field, all enemies perceive time more slowly, while the swordsman moves with peak speed and unmatched evasion at least, thats how Chen Huaian interpreted it. Yuling attacked first. Her fingertip flicked. A vine-wrapped bell flew from her waist, as a lush green world flickered into existence behind her. The ground quaked. Massive vines burst from below like giant snakes, barbed and glowing with eerie green light. Each one strong enough to pierce a cultivators protective aura and laced with deadly poison. In seconds, a net of vines had completely enclosed Chen Huaian. Hes trapped! The crowd gasped in horror. Why are we even worried about the Sword Pavilion Patriarch? Wasnt he the one sheltering a demon cultivator? So what?! a rogue snapped back. At least he didnt try to kill us like Yaochi just did! DIE! Yuling shouted. The vine net tightened like a vice. The sword was unsheathed. A flash of silver crossed the night. The vines were instantly shredded into nothing every cut as smooth as a mirrors surface. Yulings eyes flickered in surprise, but she quickly calmed. Of course it wouldnt be that easy to kill the Sword Pavilion Patriarch. She formed a hand seal, chanting rapidly. The surrounding air shimmered even the moonlight began to blur. An illusion? Chen Huaians voice was calm as dead water. His cold eyes scanned his surroundings. The cityscape fadedreplaced by an endless ocean of vines. Massive plant-serpents hissed and twisted toward him. Thousands of thorny vines dropped from the sky and rose from the ground. Yuling floated above them, her form splitting into countless copies each holding a whip, her eyes cold and cruel. This Ten Thousand Vine Illusion Realm is part of my own pocket world, she cackled. Even a five-thousand-year-old demon saint was trapped in here Lets see how long you last, Chen Jianzun! But before she finished Chen Huaians eyes flashed with killing light. He might not be able to break a Stage Six illusion normally. But it didnt matter. So what if a Void Fusion stage was a world of its own? His yin-yang sword intent, paired with the sacred sword arts of the Green Lotus Sword Manual, was more than enough to crush this illusion. Sword silhouettes fused with his figure, freezing mid-motion as he prepared to draw. Drank with Prince Xinling, drew my sword across my knee! Sword drawn. Yuling hadnt even seen his movement only felt the sky suddenly darken. In the next instant A dazzling burst of sword light erupted from the black-robed figure. Pale sword energy split the heavens like a white gash slashed through black ink. The illusion shattered in an instant. All of Yulings clones were wiped out in a single strike. Only her true self remained, standing there stunned. H-how... how could this be One strike? In a blink the sword cultivator was already at her side. Yuling instinctively tried to drag him into her small world even if it risked damaging her foundation. But her body was moving like molasses. Her once-proud spiritual energy couldnt keep up with her thoughts. Even her life-saving treasures wouldnt activate. All she could do was watch as the sword light drew closer. No Maybe it wasnt that she was too slow. It was himhe was too fast. At extreme speed, Chen Huaian twisted his wrist, the blade arcing toward Yulings forehead like moonlight. You... are already dead. The tip flashed cold. A spark of light tapped against her brow. Her protective necklace shattered. A spiritual shield formed and was instantly crushed by sword intent. Behind her, the Drunken Immortal Restaurant exploded into ruins under the sweeping sword energy. A clean sword scar stretched from her heels to the city gate. Chen Huaian sheathed his sword. Yuling collapsed, eyes wide open in death. Moonlight flowed like water, gently blanketing the silent city. Everyone stared in stunned silence at the man in black beneath the moon. Senior, IDan Baithank you for saving my life. Dan Bai dropped to her knees, bowing deeply. If this man hadnt appeared today, she would have fallen into Yaochis hands. Her mother would become a tool for refining pills. She herself mightve died, or worsebeen used, broken, or controlled. Any chance to save her mother would have been gone. Youre Dan Bai? I am, Senior, she said, head still lowered. Chen Huaian turned to her. Looking at the girlbarely in her teenshe smiled warmly. You and I are fated. Chapter 261: Divide and Feast Chapter 261: Divide and Feast In Dan Bais mind, a true sword cultivator should be free-spirited, cold-blooded, and aloof. Just like how the Sword Pavilion Patriarch had stood before her earlier, shattering an illusion with a single sword and taking that Yaochi hags head. Not like the creepy uncle he was nowgroping around the corpses of Yuling and Yuquan with a weird pervy grin on his face. Yuquan had a decent figure and regularly took Beautifying Pills, maintaining the appearance of a woman in her twenties. Yuling, though? Her old skin sagged looseno texture at all. Of course, Chen Huaian wasnt actually trying to get handsy with two dead bodies. He wasnt that desperate. He was doing what every gamer was born to dolooting. When youre playing a big world ARPG like this one and especially when NPCs drop loot anyone who loot is probably fresh out of rehab. D*mn it, what a pair of broke *sses! Chen Huaian stared at the loot hed just picked up: a few hundred spirit crystals, three average-looking spiritual weapons, and some random pills. That was it. They were elders from a Holy Land, for crying out loud! Shouldnt they be carrying tens of thousands of crystals, hundreds of spirit weapons, and a whole stash of top-tier pills?! Hed seen better on dead Sword Pavilion disciples. Absolutely shameful. Dan Bai took half a step back. She thought she just heard the Sword Pavilion Patriarch curse? As a righteous cultivator, shouldnt he show some respect to the dead? She wanted to remind him. But remembering what kind of people Yuling and Yuquan were, she kept her mouth shut. Senior Chen, thank you again for saving my life, she said with a graceful bow. I still need to find a way to rescue my mother. Once I succeed, Ill definitely come back to repay your kindness. She turned to leave Jiangchi City. It wasnt that she was ungrateful she just felt like a burden. She didnt have the nerve to stick around or ask the Patriarch for more help. Hed already saved her life. Asking him to help save her mother too? That would be pushing her luck. Not to mention Yaochi Holy Land had Ascension-level old monsters. She didnt want to drag her savior into that mess. Just as she lifted her foot A cold voice rang out behind her. Hold it! Senior? Dan Bai turned, confused only to see a large hand grab her shoulder. Didnt I say, Chen Huaian said, you and I are fated. What, he was going to let this duck fly away ? No chance. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a flick of his sleeve, he activated his power and dragged Dan Bai directly into his small world. And just like that, both Chen Huaian and Dan Bai vanished. The crowd of mortals surged forward rushing to loot Yuling and Yuquans corpses. I heard if you eat an immortals flesh, you can live longer. Just cutting off a piece isnt a big deal, right? Is this really an immortal? Skins still tight after thousands of years! Hurry, search them! Maybe theyve got treasures left! I got the immortals robe! Haha, I got her clothes! The rogue cultivators nearby exchanged looks and shivered. They had watched the Sword Pavilion Patriarch loot the bodies whatever was worth taking, he had already taken. But they honestly hadnt expected the mortals to go this nuts. Elders of Yaochi act no different than demon cultivators. They were ready to slaughter a whole city just to force Dan Bai out. And even after she revealed herself, they still wanted to kill everyone to silence the witnesses. Ending up like this ripped apart by mortals? Id say they got what they deserved. Hey, you think that stuff about the Central Continent Secret Realmwhat the Sword Pavilion disciple saidcould it be true? That it was actually the Holy Lands who killed the elite disciples? The crowd fell silent again. Before this incident, they had always believed Holy Lands were untouchable. Their people were righteous, uprightrole models for every cultivator in the Cangyun Realm. But after what happened today Yaochis image had shattered. Those two elders had been arrogant. Eerie. There wasnt a shred of righteousness in their actions. Ironically, it was the Sword Pavilion Patriarch who looked more like the real righteous cultivator. Aside from looting corpses, that is. Whether its true or not, its not for us rogue cultivators to judge. Yeah, but if we run into sect disciples, maybe we can drop a few hints. Let them decide what to believe Well said, Brother Li. As for me, Ive decided if I ever run into people from the Holy Lands again, Im walking the other way. This is Dan Bai, daughter of Danyun. Chen Huaian pushed the girl toward the Sword Pavilion crowd. Immediately, the disciples lit up like wolves spotting a lamb. Worthy of being the Patriarch. So efficient! You already found her? Even Su Qinians usually gloomy face broke into a rare smile. With Dan Bai, they might actually be able to refine the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. At least the crisis facing their three personal disciples could be solved. Dan Bai blinked in surprise. Shed heard of the Sword Pavilion but this was her first time seeing the place. More importantly Had the Patriarch not saved her by coincidence? Had he been looking for her all along?! Aside from knowing the recipe and how to refine the pill, she was just a regular alchemist. So that could only mean Chen Huaians goal was the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. Why did it feel like shed just escaped one wolfs den only to fall into another? That thought made her shrink back slightly. She looked at Chen Huaian with puppy-dog eyes. Senior why did you bring me here? II dont know anything Im dumb Didnt you say you wanted to repay me? Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Then help me refine the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. He led her into the hall and pointed toward the unconscious figures on the bed the three Sword Pavilion personal disciples, and the Lingxi Valley Master, Yun Baiyu. He introduced them one by one. You dont have to worry. Yes, I brought you here to refine the pill, but its not for some shady purpose. Its to save lives. So Senior also knows what Yaochi and Fanjing are up to? Dan Bais heart clenched when she saw the tortured states of the three disciples. Her reason for becoming an alchemist had always been to save lives. If the Sword Pavilion opposed the Holy Lands then she had no reason not to help. I know the gist of it, Chen Huaian nodded. You said your mother was taken by Yaochi? That means we have a common enemy. Why not join forces? Junior is willing to offer what little help I can. Dan Bai bowed deeply. Saving her mother had always seemed like an impossible task. But now, with the Sword Pavilion and Chen Huaian backing her maybe there was hope. No need to be stubborn. She raised her head, brows slightly furrowed in hesitation. To be honest Ive known how to refine the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill since I was a child. Ive memorized the recipe. But the ingredients are extremely rare. I dont have any on me. Well have to rely on you all to gather them. Leave the materials to me. You just focus on refining the pill. Chen Huaian shot Elder Liu a glance a silent signal to assist Dan Bai. Sword Pavilion might be poor, but thanks to Elder Lius work, the herb garden was thriving. It likely had at least some of the required materials. There wasnt a moment to lose. Organizing the herbs alone would take time. And with the three personal disciples barely hanging on not to mention Yun Baiyus worsening condition Chen Huaian sighed, his gaze falling briefly on the still figure of the Valley Master. She didnt have much time left. Chapter 262: He, Chen Huaian, Will Shoulder It All! Chapter 262 C He, Chen Huaian, Will Shoulder It All! Master, somethings happened! What now?! Master Yuyao opened her eyes, gazing through the gauzy canopy at the elder kneeling outside, her expression dark and stormy. This wasnt the first time shed been interrupted while healing and meditating. She had clearly warned themif it wasnt urgent, she was not to be disturbed. Yu Ling and Yu Quans soul lamps have gone out! What? Master Yuyao shot up, seething with fury. Wheres Dan Yuns daughter, Dan Bai? Have you caught her?! No. The elder trembled under her pressure, head bowed. Yu Ling and Yu Quan had already found Dan Bai, but the Sword Pavilion Patriarch interfered. Not only did he kill Yu Ling and Yu Quan, he also took Dan Bai Useless! Absolutely useless! Master Yuyaos whole body shook with rage. Her voice rasped with fury. That Sword Pavilion Patriarch is only at the fifth stage of the Void Fusion Realm. Even if hes at the peak of the fifth stage, Yu Ling was already at the sixth stagehow could she be killed by someone from the fifth stage?! Master, Elder Yu Ling mustve underestimated him. She didnt even bring out her small world. According to our intel, that Sword Pavilion Patriarch strikes extremely fast. Though hes just at the fifth stage, his understanding of the sword is nearly on the level of laws. Sword cultivators are born for slaughter, so Excuses. Just excuses. Master Yuyao clenched her fists, helpless in her fury. She hadnt been able to divine the Sword Pavilion Patriarchs location. If she had, she wouldve killed him long ago. She had also considered that this attempt to capture Dan Bai might attract people from the Zhenwu Holy Land. If Dan Bai called for help, Zhenwu would definitely act for Zhang Yibais sake. Thats why she had people go demand compensation from the Zhenwu Holy Land, leaving them scrambling to deal with the mess. She never expected some Sword Pavilion Patriarch to show up halfway through! Master, what should we do now? the elder asked carefully, sneaking a glance at Master Yuyao before quickly lowering her head again. Find someone to pretend to be Dan Bai. The mother and son havent seen each other in over ten years. As long as she looks close enough, they wont notice Master Yuyao narrowed her eyes, her clenched fingers turning pale. True Qi surged silently around her, not visible on the outside, but in the shadows, it gathered into a storm of killing intent like a tsunami waiting to explode. She hadnt planned to deal with the Sword Pavilion or its patriarch yetafter all, nothing was more important than attaining the Dao and ascending. But this matter had completely enraged her. She gave another order: The Sword Pavilion Patriarch is elusive and can hide within a small world to avoid detection. We must devise a trap to lure him out and kill him. Only then can I vent this hatred! As expected of Master! The elder quickly flattered her. Why didnt I think of luring the enemy? But Master, how do we lure him out? Hes from the Sword Pavilion, of course he cares about the Way of the Sword. Ordinary spiritual herbs and treasures wont interest a monster at the fifth stage of Void Fusion. Master Yuyao paused, took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision. Use Zhang Yibais Zhenwu Twin Swords as bait. Though the sword spirits have withered, their fame alone is enough to tempt him into the trap! Huh? Master, arent those swords in the Zhenwu Holy Land Theyre fakes. Master Yuyao sneered. Ive had the real ones stored away for a long time. How could I let treasures like that slip through my fingers? You truly are unparalleled, Master! The elder was full of admiration. Just as she was about to throw in another wave of flattery, a Yaochi disciple stumbled in, panic written all over her face. She dropped to her knees between the elder and Master Yuyao with a loud thud. The elder blinked. If she remembered right, wasnt this disciple assigned to guard the Yaochi treasure vault? Did something happen to the vault again? Her heart skipped a beat. Master, something terribles happened! the disciple cried out. Master Yuyaos teeth ground audibly, her face turning even darker. She was already annoyed just hearing the words something terrible. What now?! Were missing a hundred portions of the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients from the treasure vault What?! Darkness swam before Master Yuyaos eyes, and the world spun. She collapsed unconscious again. Who wouldve thought! This this Demon Path Faction Shop actually sells ingredients for the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill! Chen Huaian rubbed his hands, beaming as he looked at the neat rows of one hundred portions of Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients in his backpack. As soon as he left his small world, he used Heavens Calculation to search for the ingredients. He never expected the answer to be right under his nose. Too bad hed wasted 100,000 on the game. If hed just checked the earlier, he wouldnt have spent that money. As for why the Demon Path Shop had Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients Chen Huaian gave it some thought and kind of got it. Just look at what this shop sells. Buddhist relics, panties from Yaochi female cultivators, bellybands from Lingxi Valley disciples, the Pleasure Sects Seduction Techniques, all sorts of strange spiritual roots, an absurd variety of pills and talismans, and even fragments of orthodox cultivation manualsclearly, this was all loot! The Demon Path Faction Shop just sells stolen goods from when demon cultivators kill righteous cultivators! If its stolen, then of course its reasonable to have Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients. You ask? The answers simple: they robbed someone. To buy stuff from this shop, you need Righteous Cultivator Shards, spirit crystals, and money. For example, one portion of Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients costs 20 Righteous Cultivator Shards, 2 spirit crystals, and 10 million. After killing Yu Quan and Yu Ling, both of them exploded with lots of shardsover a hundred each. Combined with what he already had, he just barely had over two thousand shards, enough to exchange for one hundred portions of ingredients. If he hadnt run out of shards, he couldve kept going. There were still over two hundred in stock~ Looks like Ill need to find some righteous cultivators to kill in the future. A cold glint flashed in Chen Huaians narrowed eyes. No, indiscriminate killing makes me no different from evil scum. If I must kill, it must be justified! He corrected his own thinking immediately, clenching a fist in his palm. Then Ill kill the cultivators from Yaochi and Burning Purity Holy Land! The reason? They harmed my disciples and sect members As for those innocent Holy Land cultivatorswell, lets just say they were fated to meet me. Chen Huaian had it all figured out. Humming a tune, he tore open the void and returned to his small world. The moment he landed, he saw Elder Liu and Dan Bai standing atop Luoxia Peakone looked utterly dejected, the other anxious. Patriarch, youre back? Elder Liu hurried over like shed seen her savior and said awkwardly, Patriarch, we dont have any Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients in the Sword Pavilionnot a single one Its not that theyre rare or precious. Its mainly that the spiritual energy in the Sword Pavilion is too weak. Some of the herbs just wont grow in our medicine gardens. These herbs probably only grow in the Three Great Holy Lands. Sigh, the Sword Pavilion used to be so powerful Its my failure as Pavilion Master. Su Qinian leaned on the Black Tortoise Sword, gave a bitter smile, and sipped his drink gloomily. Truth was, the entire Cangyun Realms spiritual energy was thinning. It wasnt just the Sword Pavilionother sects were declining too. Only the Three Great Holy Lands were barely holding on. And where did their spiritual energy come from? It was being siphoned off from the smaller sects. Everyone wore bitter, troubled expressions. As the Sword Pavilion Patriarch Of course, this was the moment for him to step up! The Sword Pavilion was lacking in resources. These ingredients were hard to come by. The pressure was enormous But he, Chen Huaian, would shoulder it all! Facing away from the crowd, Chen Huaian squinted at the overly harsh sunlight, and casually simulated a setting sun in his small world. The sunsets rays bathed his figure, casting a tall silhouette behind him. Everyone was subconsciously drawn to that backlit figure, holding their breath. Its just Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients, thats all With a playful chuckle Everyone watched as the Patriarch casually flicked his storage ring. Thena pile of white jade boxes fell to the ground, filling the air with a rich medicinal fragrance. Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 263: Just Want to Spend a Bit More Time with Master Chapter 263 C Just Want to Spend a Bit More Time with Master Patriarch, where did you get so many Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients? Elder Lius expression grew more and more shocked with each jade box she opened. Too nosy. Why dont you go ask why the rice a chicken eats turns into eggs?! Before Chen Huaian could think of how to answer, Su Qinian had already snapped back with a line. Elder Liu thought about ittrue. Who cared where they came from? Even if the Patriarch stole them from another sect, they could always make up for it later. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No need to ask. No need to ask. Dan Bai was also checking through the jade boxes, categorizing the spiritual herbs inside, but a trace of doubt crept into her eyes. Because on the back of the jade boxes was a peony design. If she remembered correctly, that peony was the symbol of Yaochis medicine hall. Could it be that these Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill ingredients came from Yaochi Holy Land? The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Given the current spiritual energy environment in the Cangyun Realm, only places like the Holy Lands had enough spiritual energy to support the herbs required for the pill. Then how had the Sword Pavilion Patriarch gotten them from Yaochi? There was no way he broke in and stole themMaster Yuyao wasnt blind. Could it be the Sword Pavilion Patriarch had some hidden identity, maybe even ties to Yaochi? The more she thought about it, the creepier it got! Senior, Im still inexperienced, and I cant match my mothers success rate in refining the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. From a hundred sets of materials, I might produce less than one-tenth I wanted to be upfront about that, so please dont blame me. Dan Bai hesitated for a long time before finally mustering the courage to step in front of Chen Huaian and say it. She forced herself to meet the Sword Pavilion Patriarchs eyes. She wanted to see how hed react. One-tenth? Thats a great success rate! Chen Huaian looked at the girl in front of him, genuinely surprised. Back when he handed out ingredients to Sword Pavilion disciples, the good ones barely hit a success rate of one in twenty. The worst ones were at one percent. Thankfully, those herbs werent too precious, so even if they wasted some, it was tolerable. Compared to ten billion, it was a drop in the bucket. Hed even tried refining pills himself. Thought it was just mixing the herbs in the right ratios, tossing them in a pressure cooker, and boiling off the moisture. Turned out what he got was all dregs and toxic waste pillsnot a single usable one. The Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill is a divine-grade pill. A ten-percent success rate is insane! Elder Liu stroked his beard, shaking his head in awe. I thought I had some accomplishments in alchemy, but compared to a real genius, that was just laughable. Sword Pavilion disciples all looked over with eyes full of envy, jealousy, and admiration. That was the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill! If she had a ten-percent success rate with that, didnt that mean she could make normal pills with near-perfect success? Dan Bai felt the stares and froze. she thought. Shed long heard that Sword Pavilion disciples focused only on swordsmanship, knowing next to nothing about anything elsethey couldn''t even be considered normal people. Now she saw it for herself. The reputation was well-earned. She shouldve said her success rate was only one percent... Dan Bai bit her lip. Forget it. Saving lives came first. Shed restore the dantians of the three personal disciples and the Valley Master of Lingxi Valley first. Then shed pretend to fail over and overafter that, she wouldnt be able to refine even a single more Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill. Then shed see how this Sword Pavilion Patriarch reacted. Hed killed Yu Ling and Yu Quan, yes, but knowing how ruthless Master Yuyao was, what kind of tricks wouldnt she use? If the Sword Pavilion Patriarch was truly suspicious, hed definitely reveal something once she failed to refine more pills. Im glad Senior understands. Ill start refining now. She bowed and turned. How long does it take to make one batch of the Hunyuan Heaven-Mending Pill? Chen Huaian asked. With a good cauldron, one hour is enough. If its subpar, maybe half a day. Dan Bai answered honestlythere was nothing to hide. Alright, wait here a sec. Chen Huaian vanished from the small world with a . Less than a stick of incenses time later, he returned, carrying a groggy manDan Sects Pavilion Master, Zhou Xuanzi. Jiangchi City wasnt far from the Dan Sect. In fact, when the city had been locked down, there were quite a few Dan Sect disciples among the crowd. Chen Huaian figured the Dan Sect would definitely have some high-quality pill cauldrons, but he wasnt sure exactly where. Not a problemjust grab the sect leader. The best stuff was bound to be on him. Huh? Where am I? Am I dreaming? Zhou Xuanzi, our Sword Pavilions pill cauldrons are too ordinary. Let me borrow one of yours, Chen Huaian said as he shook the drowsy Zhou Xuanzi awake. Who?! The audacity! No way! Youre dreaming if you think Ill lend you my cauldron Zhou Xuanzi looked up, his angry face instantly changed: Ahahaha! Its Senior Chen! My deepest apologies! This Lord wants to borrow a cauldron. That a problem? Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. No problem at all! Absolutely not! Just please put me down first. Chen Huaian let him down, and Zhou Xuanzi hurriedly laid out over a dozen pill cauldrons for everyone to see. He flattered, Sword Master Chen, these are my best cauldrons. Feel free to pick anyor all. Uh just leave me one, okay? I still need to make pills, you know. Chen Huaian looked at Zhou Xuanzi suspiciously. This Dan Sect master used to be pretty aloof toward him. What the h*ll was this attitude now? What he didnt know was that news of him killing eight Void Fusion cultivators had already spread through the Cangyun Realm like wildfire. Who didnt know the name of the Sword Pavilion Patriarch now? Some cultivators were even so awestruck theyd given him the title Sword Master of Poetry because he composed a poem with every strike of his sword. In fact, people in the cultivation world were already compiling his verses into exclusive books. Even mortal poets were singing his praises. There were even rumors That if you could fully comprehend his poetry, you could master his invincible sword intent. Unfortunately, Chen Huaian had been holed up in the small world lately, totally disconnected from the outside otherwise, hed be milking the praise for all it was worth. Chen Huaian gestured for Dan Bai to come pick a cauldron. Zhou Xuanzi found Dan Bai oddly familiarlike someone from the pastbut with the Sword Pavilion Patriarch standing right there, he figured she was probably the old mans descendant and kept quiet. Ill take this one. Dan Bai instantly picked the best of the bunch. That sharp eye for quality made Zhou Xuanzi even more puzzled. The girl felt so familiar, he couldnt help but glance at her a few more times. Dan Bais expression remained flat, ignoring his gaze. She had no fondness for Zhou Xuanzi. If it hadnt been for him, her mother wouldnt have been kicked out of the Dan Sect. If her mother had stayed Then even Yaochi wouldnt have dared snatch her so brazenly. Dan Bai carried the cauldron into a side room of the small wooden house. Zhou Xuanzi packed up the rest of the cauldrons and quickly left the small world. He didnt want to stay another second around the Sword Pavilion Patriarchit felt like a rabbit sitting next to a tiger. The others also returned to their own cavessome to cultivate, some to rest. Compared to earlier, the heavy atmosphere was gone, and even their footsteps felt lighter. Master. A soft voice called from behind. Chen Huaian turned. Moonlight filtered through the parasol trees leaves at the cliffs edge, giving his waterfall-like white hair a soft, silvery glow. He caught the faint orchid scent from Li Qingrans hair. The moonlight wrapped around them like a fuzzy cocoon. Why arent you asleep? He immediately realized what a dumb question that was. Cultivators didnt sleep. They cultivated. I just wanted to spend a bit more time with Master. Li Qingrans eyelashes cast shadows like butterflies beneath her eyes. The night breeze lifted her skirt slightly, and a leaf happened to land gently on her shoulder. Master dont you want to spend a bit more time with your disciple too? Seeing his silence, she gently pressed on. Her voice was like a breeze curling around his fingers, with a trembling softness full of hope. No. Chen Huaian quickly looked away, flustered. Master still hasnt told me was the great demons poison fully cured? She looked up, concern flickering in her eyes. Thanks to you, this Master is fully recovered. Then does Master no longer need to descend with a projection now? Joy and relief shone in her brows and eyes. Her voice trailed off, and she reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Her flushed earlobe glowed faintly under the moonlight. Uh That question was hard to answer. Chen Huaian remembered telling Li Qingran that he descended as a projection because hed been poisoned by a great demon. So in theory, now that the poison was gone, he should be able to return to the Cangyun Realm from that made-up subspace. But now how was he supposed to explain this!? Need helpurgent! Just as cold sweat broke out on Chen Huaians back A game prompt popped up in his vision: Players favorability with digital girlfriend has reached ??5 Reward unlocked: One-Time Full-Body Sensory Raincoat x1 Chapter 264: Hands-On Teaching Chapter 264 C Hands-On Teaching A one-time full-body sensory raincoat?! Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Something about this didnt feel simple. Raincoats and umbrellas sometimes meant the same thing. And umbrellas well, there wasnt much difference between a big umbrella and a little one. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So, in conclusionraincoat = little umbrella. Which raised a question: was this little umbrella meant to be worn the head or the head? Last time, when his favorability increased, hed received gloves as a reward. Those gloves let his hands from the real world temporarily manifest in the Cangyun Realm. So this raincoat must work similarly. And right now, hed been fretting over how to smooth over the promise hed made to Li Qingran before. Wellask and ye shall receive. Thats right. This Master return to the Cangyun Realm now. Now that he had a solution, Chen Huaian calmed in an instant, returning to his usual easygoing demeanor. Master I still dont really understand a few of the techniques from the . Li Qingran bit her lip and twisted the hem of her dress. Whether it was because she was lying or just embarrassed, her cheekswhich were already pinkflushed even redder. Chen Huaian blinked. What now? Asking about sword techniques again? If it were his projection, he could fudge his way through using the in-game translator. But if he put on that raincoat, hed be traveling to the Cangyun Realm. How was he supposed to fake it then? Still, if a disciple had a need, what kind of master would he be to ignore it? Even if her need might be fake. How did Chen Huaian know? Roll the footageCultivation Diary: 1 1.15: Masters body is better now, so he wont be so busy anymore. He can come visit me more often. 2 1.18: How should I make Master stay longer? Maybe I should ask about sword techniques Even though Ive already learned the first three moves. If I pretend to know nothing, Master might think Im hopeless. But I cant mess up either. Sigh. So hard. Ahem Qingran, how about I explain things the way I always have? To keep up appearances, Chen Huaian played the stalling game. Truth was, he it when Li Qingran asked him for help with sword techniques. Because it always deepened his own understanding of the . Dont be fooledjust because his projection used those sword styles like it was second nature didnt mean he actually understood them that well. It was more like clicking a button to cast a skill. Didnt even require -level combosjust press and go. Total beginner mode. Li Qingran didnt press him further. She just nodded hesitantly. Chen Huaian let out a quiet sigh of relief. That raincoat could be used anytime. First, hed get through this sword-teaching session. After a while, with a little help from the game systems processing Just as Chen Huaian thought hed dodged the issue, he heard Li Qingrans shy voice behind him. Master, this disciple is dull-witted. Your explanation was very thorough, but I still dont get it. She glanced up at him, summoning her courage. I mean is there a more direct way to help me understand? Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Like sudden enlightenment? N-No, not that Li Qingran waved her hands, looking away, cheeks puffed slightly. She want sudden enlightenment. No process? Just instant results? What would be the point of that? Chen Huaian watched as she turned to face the moonlight over Luoxia Peak, hands clasped behind her back. Her soft voice came with the breeze When I was little and practicing martial arts, if there was something I didnt understand, my mother would always teach me Shed correct my posture herself. That helped more than just explaining it Oh. Chen Huaian got it. She wanted him to teach her up close. Could he agree to that? Wasnt that even riskier? Master is there something youre not telling me? Li Qingran looked at him with pleading eyes. Was he unwilling to guide her personally? Heavens Calculationemergency assist! Chen Huaian met Li Qingrans gaze and folded instantly, immediately pulling up support. Heavens Calculation complete! Players current understanding of the first three techniques is sufficient to teach your digital girlfriend! Please be confident. You currently possess: single sword spirit root, single lightning spirit root, Pure Yang Sword Bone, Mysterious Yin Sword Bone, and the soul of a dragon Any of these alone significantly boost your talent, perception, and comprehension of martial arts. Please do not overly rely on the Heavens Calculation system! Enjoy your game! Chen Huaian nearly teared up reading the pop-up. This had to be the only game that actively players from relying too much on premium assists, right? Hed never seen that anywhere else. D*mn you, game system But since the system itself now vouched for him Chen Huaians eyes sharpened with determination. He looked back at Li Qingran. This Master has no secrets. Theres just one last thing to handleIll be right back. Wait here. With that, he logged off. Time to put on that one-time sensory raincoat! Moonlight fell like water, gently blanketing the little courtyard. In the center, a pool of autumn water mirrored the stars above. A breeze passed, sending ripples across the surfacelike the stirrings in a young girls heart. Chen Huaian stood in a corner of the courtyard, black robes fluttering slightly, casting a sharp silhouette against the night. His black-scaled sword was tilted at an angle, its blade reflecting the figure of a girl in plain robes standing before him. Master could you could you teach me again? I forgot Li Qingran bit her red lips, her gaze flickering, a blush between her brows. She held her , standing three steps away. Her wrist was tilted just slightly off, causing the sword stance to drooplike a kite with its string cut. She didnt care anymore if Master thought she was a dumb disciple. She just wanted a bit more of the warmth from earlier. Chen Huaian smiled faintly. You just learned it, and already forgot? Next youll forget which hand the sword goes in. His tone sounded scolding, but it was as soft as ripples on water. Disciples just slow. Thats I need Master to teach me. Li Qingran pouted adorably. Master already showed me a dozen times, but I still cant remember how to move my wrist or where to put my waist She struck a clumsy pose, her sword tip nearly hitting the ground. It was miles off from the core of the The sword follows the heart, and the heart follows the sword. Chen Huaian watched her silently. He kept a straight facebut inside? Pure chaos. With great righteousness, he said: Fine. This Master will teach you again! He stepped forward, standing behind Li Qingran. That crisp pine scent (really just soap) wafted into his nose again. Li Qingran felt faint. Warm breath brushed her neck. Then a strong, warm hand gently grasped her sword-holding wrist. The other rested at her waist. The moment he touched her, she felt her legs go soft. Stand up straight! Look at you, all loose and floppy Waist like jade, hands like a swimming dragon! Chen Huaians voice was deepsounded like a motorcycle starting up. No one had taught him how to do this. He just it should be done this way. Let the sword follow your intent, the stance move with your will! Li Qingran kept her head down, letting her Master guide her posture. His warm hands felt like fire, leaving her heart a complete mess. Her lashes fluttered like tiny fans, the blush from her ears already creeping down her neck. The swords momentum smoothed outlike water flowing under the moon. Sword light spilled like silver threads. Feel that? Chen Huaians breath brushed her ear. Li Qingran dared not turn aroundshe just nodded faintly, fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt. Suddenly, she lost her balance and leaned backright into his chest. S-Sorry, Master! I just lost my balance Flushed, she tried to stand. But in the moonlights shadows, a flicker of cunning flashed through her eyes. Chen Huaians arm instinctively tightened. His hand lingered at her slim waist for a moment before slowly letting go. What the h*ll was that? Like a warm mochi just filled his arms. But just as he was about to appreciate the softnessit was over. Who knew how much sword intent Li Qingran had learned All he knew was, his own was about to go berserk. Again. His voice remained calm. But deep in his eyes, a flicker of heat ignited. Li Qingran smiled slightly and resumed her stance. This time, her movements were smooth, gracefultotally unlike before. Sword light danced like water, weaving a silver net beneath the moon. Stunningly beautiful. When she finished, she looked up at her Master. Master did I do well this time? Chen Huaian didnt call her out. He just reached out and patted her head. Not bad. Starting to look like your Master now. Just like Heavens Calculation saidhis understanding of the sword was still ahead of hers. Hed just never taken time to really reflect on it, so he assumed he hadnt improved much. Li Qingran sheathed her sword, her skirt fluttering in the night breeze. Like a bud ready to bloombut still hesitant. She looked at her Master. Her apricot eyes were veiled, lips softly pressed. Then since I did so well this time, do I get a reward? Still want a reward? Chen Huaian sheathed his sword too. Lets hear it. Li Qingran hesitated. Her hands folded in front of her. She lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes. Disciple wants Her voice dropped lower and lower, fading like a breeze. Disciple wants Master to hold her. The last two words were barely audible, but in the quiet night, they sounded crystal clear. Chen Huaians fingers froze. What kind of flirty bait-and-switch move was this? Earlier shed run off like she hadnt had enough. Now she was offering herself up again? The emotional rollercoaster was driving him crazy. Ahem Thats not too much to ask. Chen Huaian forced a serious face to cover the anticipation and the grin tugging at his lips. He opened his arms. Come here. Hehe~ Li Qingran stepped forward lightly. Her soft form pressed into his solid chest. She rested her cheek on his shoulder, breathing deeplysurrounded by his scent. That faint cedar smell so good. If shed ever been to the modern world, shed knowit was soap. Master her voice was soft, tinged with a sigh, like moonlight through clouds. It feels so good being in your arms. Chen Huaian stiffened. Then slowly relaxed. His hands, not sure where to go, hovered a momentthen finally settled at her slender waist. Moonlight bathed the courtyard. The world hushed. Just the two of them, breath intertwined. Master how many swords are you wearing at your waist? After a while, Li Qingran suddenly broke the silence. One. Why? Then Her hand slipped to his waist. Chen Huaian frozethen immediately leapt back three steps. Ahem! This Masters body feels unwelltodays lesson ends here! Ill be off! Before the words even settledhe shot straight into the sky! Eh? Master? Li Qingran reached out her hand. But in the moonlit night sky, only a streak of silver sword light remained, piercing the heavens. Strange. Master clearly only had one sword at his waist Li Qingran pinched her fingers, face full of suspicion. Chapter 265: Monster Hunting Tournament? Chapter 265: Monster Hunting Tournament? Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was insane. Chen Huaian swore on an Old Beijing Chicken Wrap. Li Qingran actually used the Yunnan Folk Song Secret Technique on him. Retreat. Immediate battlefield retreat. If he didnt get out now, his dignified image as a Master would be completely ruined. You have gone offline Single-use Sensory Raincoat destroyed Please continue increasing your affection level with Digital Girlfriend to unlock more game functions! Your Heart Link with Digital Girlfriend has reached 105. You may spend 100 to activate Seeing the item destroyed, Chen Huaian couldnt pretend he didnt feel anything. If he hadnt force-quit the session, that raincoat would''ve lasted at least a solid 24 hours. By then, who knows, maybe a kid wouldve already been conceived. What was the Heart Link again? Chen Huaian thought it over for a bit. Combined with Li Qingrans affection level, he quickly figured it out. Right now, his affection level with Li Qingran was which didnt mean just 5 points, but a whopping 205. The exact relationship status wasnt displayed though. The dim heart in front indicated he had already used onceback when he battled the demonized cancer cells and Li Qingran helped him escape. The glowing heart at the end represented one available use. Every 100 points of affection granted one use. So Li Qingran also has a chance of coming to the modern world? Just not sure if itll be her avatar or her real self. Chen Huaian stared at the suspicious bump under the blanket, lost in thoughtthis bizarre modern world could totally be explained as a pocket sub-world. As for how terrible his real cultivation state was? Oh right, Ill just say my cultivation is suppressed in this world! Chen Huaian suddenly thought of Secret Realms. Secret Realms had their own rules and could even restrict flying. So would it be weird for the modern world to suppress his cultivation? Not at all! And as for why Li Qingran wasnt suppressed... ever heard of World Repulsion? He was strongthe stronger you are, the greater the repulsion. Someone like Li Qingran, who was only at the Golden Core stage, wouldnt be affected. In that case, even if he used the Sect Summoning Order, thered be no issues. That excuse would totally hold up. F***, Im a genius! Chen Huaian clapped his fists together with a sly grin on his face. Governor, I came to see you~ And I brought some important news! The message phone by the bed suddenly rang. It was Lin Linglings voice. No idea when shed left the message. Chen Huaian glanced at the timeit was almost morning. He stepped out of the room and opened the gate to Containment Site 0. Looking around, he saw a petite figure curled up pitifully in the shadows by the doorway. It was Triple Zero. Chen Huaian looked at the still-young middle school girl and felt a little guilty. Hed been a bit too strict with Lin Lingling sometimes. Like making her run 500 extra laps around the training field. For a newbie cultivator, that had to be brutal. Honestly, the Exorcist Divisions cultivation method sucked. The breathing technique they had, called , sounded fancy, but in the Cangyun Realms six-tier systemSaint, Heaven, Earth, Mystic, Yellow, Humanit barely scraped the Yellow tier. No need to look far. Just check the Demonic Path Faction Store. They had legit Earth-grade techniques at decent prices. Time to make it up to this girl. Didnt cost him anything anyway. Chen Huaian picked up the sleeping Lin Lingling and dropped her on the sofa. No idea what this girl had bought. She was clutching it tightly like it was a treasure. Hey, wake up. If you dont, your big news is gonna rot into spam. Mm Governor Lin Lingling rubbed her eyes. The moment she saw Chen Huaian, she perked right up, pulling out ten boxes of Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills and holding them up high: Governor, youve worked so hard. I cant do much, but please take these. Chen Huaians face darkened when he saw the label. What the hell? Did he look like someone with kidney deficiency? He looked full of life all day long! Still, the little girl meant well. Shes just a kidwhat does she know? No need to be petty. Chen Huaian took them and stashed them in a drawer. No need to buy these again. I dont need them. Ohh. Lin Lingling nodded. Deep down, she thoughtjust as expected of the badass shed watched rise through the ranks. Straight-up amazing! An absolute king!!! Even when facing those ancient old hags from the mysterious factions, probably centuries old, she bet he could still hold his ground while playing mental chess with them. Truly a role model for the ages! A symbol of hope for all Exorcists! So, whats this big news? he asked. Oh right! Its about the Monster Hunting Tournament, organized by Qingfeng Sect under Kunlun Immortal Palace and Little Thunder Temple under Great Thunder Temple, together with over a dozen other mysterious factions. Lin Lingling pulled a flashy flyer from under her skirt and handed it to Chen Huaian. Each provinces Exorcist Division gets one slot. The rest go to the major families. Just participating earns you a bunch of resources So, Governor, you interested? Chen Huaian skimmed the flyer. Right now, mysterious factions were popping up left and right. In Huazone, the most famous were Kunlun Immortal Palace and Great Thunder Temple. But names like Wudang, Emei, Shaolin, and other familiar sects had also reappeared. These werent tourist traps anymore. They were real cultivation sects. Qingfeng Sect was one of them. The so-called Monster Hunting Tournament was about hunting monsters and cursed spirits within designated areas set by the factions. Rankings were based on number and strength of kills, with the top 100 getting rewards. Even the lowest tier reward was a Cyclone Pill. That was a basic enlightenment pill to help normal people sense spiritual energy. A big deal to regular folks. To Chen Huaian? It was garbage on the roadside. Top ten rewards included techniques and Bone-Cleansing Pills, plus a shot at entering a mysterious faction for training. Top three would receive a Masters Enlightenment Session, directly boosting power, guaranteed to reach Foundation Establishmentstraight from the flyer. Sounds a bit too good to be true. These mysterious factions handing out freebies? Chen Huaian didnt believe in free pies falling from the sky. If it were just Bone-Cleansing Pills, he couldnt care less. One glance at the Dan Sect and he could be popping those like candy. As for techniques? Please. The Sword Pavilions scripture library was overflowing with secret artshe already had some of the best. But A guaranteed boost to Foundation Establishment. Chen Huaian had to admithe was a little tempted. Sure, his talent was almost maxed out, aside from his Dantian. Right now, it was the environment that was slowing his cultivation. Even a full day of spiritual energy from the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid wasnt enough to train for a single hour. He was burning through spirit stones like firewood. Crazy, right? And maybe it was because of his dual Sword Bones or body refinement, but his Dantian was like a bottomless pit. He did the mathif Li Qingran needed 1 unit of spiritual energy to complete one layer of training, he needed 100. At his current levelQi Refining, fifth layer Breaking through to Foundation Establishment, even ignoring the insane spirit stone cost, would take half a month to a full month. In the Cangyun Realm, that was enough time for half the world to change. No telling what might happen... This actually sounds pretty good. Ive got no big missions right now. Ill join. Chen Huaian nodded, then asked, So, how do I sign up? Hehe~ Lin Lingling stuck her tongue out. We already signed you up! Chen Huaian: ??? Chapter 266: A Gamble Chapter 266: A Gamble This is an internal energy technique. And this is a spear technique. Chen Huaian slapped two jade slips down in front of Lin Lingling, speaking seriously. The first one suits your single Fire Spiritual Root, and the second works with your current spear skills. Go train with them! sea??h th n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lin Lingling took the two jade slips with a dazed expression. Her sixth sense told herthese were top-tier treasures. Far more valuable than the breathing technique recorded on the Kunlun Stone Stele, which the Exorcist Division had spent a decade deciphering! Governor Lin Lingling looked at Chen Huaian with big, shining eyes. He waved her off with a carefree air. Enough. Dont start with that this is too precious, I cant accept it crap. If Im giving it to you, I mean it. But you spread these around. You need to understand the concept of an innocent man gets blamed for holding treasure. Alsoif I can give it to you, I can take it back. Thats not what I meant. Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Then what do you mean? Expressionless and dead serious, Lin Lingling offered a suggestion: Governor, the jade slips are crammed full of text. Just understanding it is gonna take forever. Im a science studentlooking at all that writing gives me a migraine. Isnt there a way I can just instantly learn the techniques? Like you grabbing my head and yelling Activate! or something to flip the entire situation? Chen Huaian: Thirty seconds later Lin Lingling was launched out of Containment Site 0 with her head in a death grip. The two jade slips were thrown out right after her. Scram! The alloy doors slammed shut with a loud . Pouting in grievance, Lin Lingling puffed out her cheeks. It was just a suggestion. If he didnt have that kind of method, fineno need to be so aggressive. But then she remembered: those techniques Chen Huaian gave her he probably got them by selling his . Such amazing techniques He mustve been rubbed down with steel scrubbers until he turned into a dried radish Although Governor Chen always acted like he didnt care much about the Exorcist Division, when the time camehe really ! Two subordinates were still standing at the gate. When they saw Lin Lingling get thrown out, they both looked stunned. Her usual blank expression returned in an instant. That three-no face was back on. What are you staring at? Thats the Governors way of showing love. Does he ever pat heads? Youre right, Captain. The two Exorcists immediately lowered their heads. Lin Lingling snorted and crossed her arms. You two have a mission. Go out and buy some ginseng, deer antler, epimedium, and oyster extract or something. Six-Flavor Rehmannia Pills arent nourishing enough. Our good Governor of the C Province Exorcist Division deserves to be supported by each and every one of uswith ! Captain, the Governors code name is KSC-0, the Tyrant. If he finds out we bought him that kind of stuff, wont he us apart? One of the team members looked uneasy. To put it bluntlywasnt the Governor already superhuman? Did he this kind of thing? You guys dont get it. Ever heard of returning to simplicity? Lin Lingling spoke with deep conviction: A thousand-mile levee can collapse from a single ant hole. Our job is to patch every ant hole before that happens! Then Captain, what are off to do? I havent submitted the Governors tournament application yet. Gotta take care of that. With hands behind her back, Lin Lingling strutted off in her proud little duck-walk. As if she hadnt consulted Chen Huaian about signing him up? Of course she had his permission. Thats called social finesse, people When Chen Huaian returned to the Small World He had more than just the Black Scales Sword on his hiphe now also carried the . Back when he only had a Sword Spiritual Root, the Chenjiang Sword was already throwing flirty glances his way. Now that he possessed both Pure Yang and Profound Yin Dual Sword Bones, Chenjiang turned into a full-blown sword simp. The moment his hand gripped the hilt, the whole sword let off a misty vapor and trembled with excitement. Chenjiang was like a fallen noble lady marrying down as a concubine, who, after enduring cold stares for a while, finally accepted her place. Then came the favorand once she got a taste of that power, she understood capital. Perhaps because he often wielded it to kill Void Fusion Realm enemies The sword spirit within the Black Scales Sword was starting to take shape. That sword was like a gentle, understanding little wife. Sensible, composed, and with all the makings of a proper wife. Even when he held Chenjiang, Black Scales would just give a soft humnot even a hint of jealousy. Put that on any other Sword Pavilion disciple? Two swords, both developing spirits? Theyd be at each others throats until one devoured the other. Senior, Ive refined four . Due to limitations in technique and ingredients, theyre only middle-grade. Please dont be offended. Dan Bai had been waiting by the pool on Luoxia Peak for a while. In truth, shed finished the pills much earlier. But she deliberately waited another half hour before coming out of the hut. She wanted to stall longer, but in the end, couldnt bear to see Yun Baiyu and the three Sword Pavilion disciples continue suffering from internal injuries. Middle-grade ? Thats already excellent. Chen Huaian took the four porcelain bottles and was instantly hit by a wave of medicinal fragrance. These werent Celestial-grade pills, so they didnt cause any Heaven-Earth phenomena. But he was satisfiedif he had to buy these, even just regular-grade ones would cost tens of millions per pill. How effective are middle-grade ones? Can they repair the Dantian? They can. Dan Bai nodded. Common-grade ones have a chance to fail. Middle-grade almost always succeed. Superior and high-grade pills can even the Dantian. As for top-grade and Celestial-gradethose definitely enhance it. But top-grade pills probably only my mother can refine those. Celestial-grade ones are legendary. They require not only skill and materials, but also the right time, place, and people. Dan Bai glanced at Chen Huaian and couldnt help asking: Senior, you mustve already given Miss Li Qingran a very high-quality , right? She was staring at a point three inches below Chen Huaians navel, her eyes beginning to glow faintly. Yet your Dantian, Senior its actually the lowest tier. And even so, youve reached the Fifth Stage of the Void Fusion Realm. Your talent and comprehension Im in awe. Li Qingran affection +30, current ??35 A system prompt popped up in front of him. There was a shadow leaning by the huts windowa little girl was clearly eavesdropping. Chen Huaian went silent. He honestly wasnt sure if Dan Bai was praising him or insulting him. You can the state of a Dantian? I can. Dan Bai blinked her sparkling eyes and explained sincerely, My mother and I were born with Spirit Eyes. We can see information that even special divine abilities cant detect Thats also why my mother was captured by the Holy Land of Jade Pool. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. He didnt get itDan Bai had been so guarded around him before. Why was she suddenly revealing everything? Youre not afraid Ill use you? Dan Bai dropped to her knees, her tone firm and unwavering. I absolutely do not believe someone who prioritizes giving his best resources to his disciples could be like those hypocrites at Yaochi. Please, Senior, I beg you to save my mother. With our alchemy and Spirit Eyes, we can help the Sword Pavilion rival the Three Great Holy Lands! There was one thing she hadnt said aloud She had seen Chen Huaian under the moonlight, patiently and warmly teaching Li Qingran sword moves. That gentle demeanor overlapped more and more with a man from her memoriesher father. It was her father who had taught both her and her mother the art of alchemy. If he hadnt gone missing in the Great Secret Realm Shed be the daughter of the Dan Sects Master right now. Fate was cruel But no matter what Anyone who reminded her of her father couldnt be a bad person. Gazing at the man in black robes before her, Dan Bai silently whispered in her heart: Mother forgive me for being willful this once. Im betting everything. Chapter 267: Im Sorry, Could You Please Describe Your Problem in Detail? Chapter 267: I''m Sorry, Could You Please Describe Your Problem in Detail? Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian felt that at this moment, Dan Bai had officially broadened her path. Her words clearly meant she was ready to follow him now. To put it bluntly, wasnt he just the chosen one? The #1 anti-cancer warrior, blessed with a Digital Girlfriend game, and could grow stronger just by swiping his card. What other cultivator in the Cangyun Realm was as overpowered as him. Lets not even talk about his real body. Dan Bai gave each of the four injured people a , and then fed them a second type of pill. Before Chen Huaian could ask, she explained: Valley Master Yuns Dantian only has internal injuries, so the secondary medicine is mainly nourishing. The effects are mild and wont affect his cultivation. As for the three Sword Pavilion disciples, their Dantian was completely destroyed and needs to be rebuilt. So the secondary pills focus on stabilization, and Ive adjusted the medicinal herbs based on their different Spiritual Roots. These stabilization-based pills have aggressive properties, so after the Dantian is restored, the three disciples will experience a temporary drop in cultivation. But it wont be a big dealtheyll recover soon. I see. So even though all the injuries involve the Dantian, the secondary treatment still has to be tailored precisely to the individual. Thats true medical cultivation. Thats what a real alchemist looks like! Elder Liu was full of admiration, his expression when looking at Dan Bai was... strange. It was like he was looking at a granddaughter. This was already the second girl hed wanted to adopt as a granddaughter in his twilight years. Unfortunately, both of them were way too talented. He could only look on with envy. Truth be told, hed always had a dream of becoming a pill cultivator. You could tell just from how obsessed he was with playing with spirit herbs. But knowing how to plant herbs didnt mean knowing how to them. In alchemy, his talent might only be better than the rest of the Sword Pavilion. Dan Bai, you and your mother have studied alchemy for many years. Do you know if theres any way to resurrect an ordinary person? Chen Huaian turned his gaze from the three disciples to Dan Bai. Those three were definitely stable now. Their vital energy was returning. It wasnt just thanks to the . After the bearded guy died, hed asked Elder Liu and Su Qinian about it in roundabout ways. Hed even tried a Heavenly Fate Calculation. Their responses were mostly the same. Ordinary people had fragile soulsresurrection was nearly impossible. For cultivators, as long as the soul was intact, resurrection was pretty simplejust rebuild the body. Even if the soul was broken, there were secret arts to restore it. As for the Heavenly Fate Calculationit reported that Luo Haisheng was no longer in the Cangyun Realm, so it couldnt provide a resurrection plan. Still, Chen Huaian hadnt given up. Youve reached the point of cultivating immortality, and you still cant bring back an ordinary person? What kind of immortal are you? Seeing Dan Bais incredible medical skill today, how effortlessly she operatedhe started seriously considering reviving the bearded guy again. Resurrect an ordinary person? Dan Bai tilted her head. Now thats an interesting question. My mother and I actually discussed it before. Theoretically, once an ordinary persons soul enters reincarnation, the concept of resurrection no longer applies. Even if you bring them back, itd just be an empty shell. So to resurrect someone, a fragment of their soul must still remain. Besides that, youd need some extremely rare materials. For exampleNuwa Earth Chen Huaian blinked. He had that! Back then, hed thought Nuwa Earth was just some colorful mud. He nearly threw the whole potherb and allinto the trash. As for the soul fragment Chen Huaian vanished on the spot in front of everyone. The first thing he did after logging off was take out the crystal containing the last preserved cell of the bearded guy. Over time, even with daily injections of high-purity nutrients, the cell inside had started to shrivel. This cell was nothing like a normal one. It couldnt be cultured at all. Like a fish out of waterbarely hanging on. Modern stuff should be able to go into the Cangyun Realm, right? Through the players inventory Chen Huaian thought about how hed brought in a pair of stockingsalbeit as a gift item from the Digital Girlfriend game. He needed to let Dan Bai see the cell. With her Spirit Eyes, maybe she could tell if there was any soul residue. Chen Huaian tried putting the crystal into his inventory. He tapped open the player inventory on his phone, placed the crystal on the screen, and waited quietly for a minute. Nothing happened. F***! How is this supposed to go in?! Chen Huaian was losing it. Fine. Lets try a Heavenly Fate Calculation. Heavenly Fate Calculation complete. This calculation is free: To prevent pollution of the Cangyun Realm, you cannot bring modern items into it. Cant bring them in? Then how come the stockings went through? Im sorry, could you please describe your problem in detail? I saidwhy could go in? Im sorry, could you please describe your problem in detail? F*** your mom! Chen Huaian rolled his eyes in fury. Detected offensive language. Youve been muted for 30 minutes. Chen Huaian: Fine. Fiiiine. Chen Huaian let out a snort of laughter. You think this kind of thing can stop ? Just one second of activating my super brain Boom, solution found. He thought for a second, eyes gleamed, and he put the helmet back on to log in again. So everyone saw the Sword Pavilion Patriarch vanish and reappear in an instantthen dash straight into the little hut without looking back. WhoaOld Liu, our Patriarchs escape technique is nuts. No spatial ripples at all. Like a ghost! Elder Liu gave Su Qinian a side-eye, huffing through his beard: Stop talking nonsense! If the Patriarch is a ghost, what does that make us? Ox-headed demons? Black-and-white spirit wardens? Still the Patriarchs escape technique something else. Maybe thats why the Holy Land of Jade Pool couldnt catch him. Inside the hut Li Qingran froze when Chen Huaian suddenly burst into her room. She instinctively pulled her robe over her chest, but seeing it was her Master, she relaxed again. Master? You It was the first time shed seen her Master look so flustered. Usually, he was always calm and unhurried. Emergency! Chen Huaian looked at his little disciple with a desperate gleam in his eyes. Qingran, I have a very pretty crystal orb. Say ityou want it! Eh? Li Qingran stared at her Masters face, so close to hers. Her breathing quickened, and her soft earlobes flushed pink. M-Master I dont know Its okay. Just say I want Masters crystal orb. Thats all. Li Qingran blinked. She didnt really get what this was about, but she obediently went along with him. Pouting slightly, she hesitated and said: DiscDisciple wants Masters crystal orb? Your Digital Girlfriend has wished for a gift from you. A prompt popped up in his field of vision. Hahahaha! Chen Huaian threw his head back and laughed wildly, hands on hips. Thenlogged off at the speed of light. Li Qingran stared at the now-empty room in a daze for a long while. Master seems a little different from before She lay down on her pillow, gazing out the window at the moonlight, her mind drifting through memories of her Masterso cold, aloof, unapproachable But also so handsome, so dashing. He was still handsome now, still dashing. But compared to beforehe felt a little more human. Honestly? She liked this version of Master more. Li Qingrans eyes curved into a crescent-shaped smile. Her little feet swayed gently to the sound of the wind chimes. The room echoed with a girls soft murmur: The old Master was way up high unreachable The Master now feels much closer. Chapter 268: A Glimmer of Resurrection Chapter 268: A Glimmer of Resurrection Chen Huaian placed the crystal containing Luo Haishengs cell onto his phone screen. Just moments ago, the screen had resisted. But now, the tiny player inventory expanded and effortlessly absorbed the large crystal. Chen Huaian was thrilled. So what if the Heavenly Fate Calculation pretended to be a robotic assistant? He had his own ways to When he logged back in, sure enoughthe crystal orb was now accessible from his inventory. Seeing Li Qingran already in meditation, he quietly closed the door and found Dan Bai waiting outside. This is the remains of an old friend of mine, Chen Huaian said, placing the orb in her hands. Can you take a look and see if theres any hope of bringing him back? Dan Bai accepted the crystal orb, and her gaze toward Chen Huaian now held even more admiration and emotion. Combined with his previous question, it was clearthis so-called old friend was just an ordinary mortal. And yet, the Sword Pavilion Patriarch had carefully preserved the remains for who knew how long, just for the hope of one day bringing him back to life. This crystal must be at least a thousand years old. A thousand years of preservation... They always said time erodes all thingsbut it hadnt eroded the deep loyalty and affection in this mans heart! Someone like this could be in league with the monsters at the Holy Land of Jade Pool. Her earlier worries were completely unnecessary. As Dan Bai activated her Spirit Eyes to examine the crystal orb, she made a silent decision. Shed refine the remaining 96 all at once. Soon, every Sword Pavilion disciple would have one. And if they didnt need it, they could store it in the sects treasury for emergencies. After all, now that she had formally pledged herself to the Sword Pavilion and Sect Master Su had approved it, she was officially a disciple of the Pavilion! Chen Huaian waited with great anticipation for her verdict. But he saw the girl bite her lower lip, wearing a strange expression, hesitant to speak. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whats wrong? Is resurrection impossible? Its alrightjust be honest. Ive already mentally prepared myself. Well Dan Bai hesitated for a moment, then drew her finger through the air in front of his eyes. Youd better see for yourself Chen Huaian took the crystal orb and looked Sweet~ So sweet~ Your smile is so sweet~ Fake smoke, fake booze, fake friends, fake friends~ Fake love, fake warmth, fake tendernessyou lured me home and kicked me out at 3 a.m. Were the stars of our village But once the love is gone, you said we needed to see a fortune-teller~ A tidal wave of chaotic music flooded Chen Huaians mind. Inside the crystal orb, Luo Haisheng was wearing a black suit, a Batman mask, and a rose between his lipspassionately dancing to the beat. The visuals. The soundtrack. Forget Dan Bai going silent. Even was about to cryhe should not have said Luo Haisheng was his old friend. Shouldve said he was some random guy off the street. Senior, your your friend is quite the character, Dan Bai said with an awkward smile on her delicate face. She was trying really hard to be understanding. He was a mortal, after allnaturally his tastes and behaviors were a bit different from cultivators. Even if the difference was massive, this was how she was trying to console herself. Mm This friend of mine, well, you could say he was gifted in the arts, Chen Huaian cleared his throat and said seriously, Dont be fooled by his strange moves. Thats a traditional folk dance and mountain song from his homeland. Didnt you feel the vibe of freedom? Dan Bais eyes lit up in realization. She stared at the orb for a bit longer and nodded thoughtfully, I see. Very free! Chen Huaian, glad to have talked his way through it, quickly asked, So, how is it? Is there hope for resurrection? Senior, your friend doesnt just have a soul fragmenthis is sealed inside this crystal orb. All he needs is a body. But mortal bodies arent like those of cultivatorstheyre fragile. And all you have left is this small bit Dan Bai sighed, full of concern. If only you had Nuwa Earth. Unfortunately, I only know of one basin being held by the Burning Purification Holy Land. Reverend Karma from there treats that Nuwa Earth like his baby Her implication was clear: the only way to get that Nuwa Earth was to fight Reverend Karma. And since the Sword Pavilion Patriarch wasnt in the Grand Ascension Stage, there was no way he could win that fight. So getting the Nuwa Earth? Impossible. I already have some Nuwa Earth. I got it while traveling other worlds years ago, Chen Huaian lied with a straight face. Not a big deal. All the Sword Pavilion disciples here knew his true body was off exploring the multiverse. So, now that I have itwhats the next step? You actually managed to get your hands on Nuwa Earth?! Dan Bai gaspedbut then quickly calmed down. Makes sense. Even with just a basic Dantian, youve cultivated to the fifth stage of the Void Fusion Realm. Clearly, you carry great fortune. So obtaining Nuwa Earth isnt surprising. Chen Huaian: Dan Bai was perfect in every way Except for that mouth. Bury the remains in the Nuwa Earth, she instructed. Ill prepare a special medicinal solution for you. Youll need to water it with the solution daily. In at most half a month, the remains will form into an embryo. Dan Bai didnt notice anything wrong with her phrasingin fact, she felt like she was doing a great job of flattering him. Embryo? Hell turn into a baby?! That was kind of creepy. Not that he couldnt accept it. This is a necessary step. Dan Bai nodded. Then she frowned slightly and added, But since its a new body grown from Nuwa Earth, with the help of the solution, it should grow rapidly He might be a full-grown adult in a month. Chen Huaian skeptically held the crystal orb. He didnt want to raise a kid. But if he to, well, he could just hand him off to Xiang Xiaoyuan. She was the caretaker, after all. As long as Luo Haisheng could be revived, that was all that mattered. Hed get to see how the glorious world hed hoped for had turned into a complete sh*tshow. Mm From the side room came a low groan. Everyone turned toward the open door and saw one of the Sword Pavilions core disciples, Duan Feng, slowly sitting up. Is this the Sword Pavilion? he murmured. His memory still lingered on that moment when he was sent flying and coughing blood after being struck by a demonic corpse. He looked to his sidesXu An and Zhen He were also slowly waking up. On the opposite bed lay a curvaceous woman, her figure obscured behind gauze curtains, her identity unclear. Chen Huaian walked into the room. Duan Feng, seeing the Patriarch, immediately tried to get up and pay respectsbut a gentle force pressed him back down. Your Dantian just finished healing. Dont move. My Dantian? Just healed? Duan Feng froze, instinctively placing a hand on his abdomen. He closed his eyes to sensehis face gradually turned pale. His Dantian showed signs of being completely rebuilt. Which meantit had been destroyed before!? What terrified him more was that his Dao Body and Spiritual Root were gone too. Who did this? The demonic corpse?! But instead of worrying about himself, Duan Feng quickly asked after his juniors: Thenwhat about Xu An and Zhen He? Theyre the same, Su Qinian said, stepping into the room and standing half a step behind Chen Huaian, his voice grim: Your Dantian, your roots, your constitutionsthey were all crippled. Not by demonic corpses or demonic cultivators. But by the Holy Land of Jade Poolone of the Three Great Holy Lands. The Burning Purification Holy Land is likely allied with them. His tone grew heavier with every word. Duan Feng looked out the door at the unfamiliar faces and the Sword Pavilion disciples gathered outside. But one person was missing. That bold, loud, bright presence. If he was injured and unconscious, his Senior Sister would always be the first one by his side when he woke. A bad feeling surged in his chest. He stared blankly at Sect Master Su, voice trembling: Sect Master where is Senior Sister? Your Senior Sister Su Qinians eyes turned red at the corners. He let out a sigh. Shes still trapped in the Holy Land of Jade Poolbecause she stayed behind to save you all. Chapter 269: Finally Meeting? Chapter 269: Finally Meeting? Holy Land of Jade Pool. Danyun, weve already caught your daughter. Real Person Yuyao looked coldly at the woman inside the cage, whose clothes were in tatters and whose body was covered with wounds. Her voice was calm and indifferent. In the corner, Danyun trembled violently upon hearing those words. She lifted her head abruptly, and the killing intent in her eyes chilled the very air inside the cage. Impossible! You cant break my formation! You couldnt have caught my daughter! Yuyao, you old hag! Youre lying to me! Lying to you? Real Person Yuyao chuckled coldly and clapped her hands. Someone, bring Danbai here. With the sound of approaching footsteps, a thin girl was dragged in front of the cell door. The hem of her skirt was stained with splatters of red, and her bare feet were covered in mud. Real Person Yuyao lifted the girl''s chin, revealing a delicate face partially hidden under messy hair. A satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. This girl really did look quite like Danbai. But they couldnt use illusions on Danyun she was born with Spirit Eyes, and no trickery could escape her gaze. So they had to find a girl who naturally resembled Danbai to fool Danyun. As long as the two didnt physically interact, and after not seeing her daughter for more than ten years, it would be extremely difficult for Danyun to distinguish whether this girl was the real Danbai. Danbai! The moment Danyun saw the girl, she froze completely. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, tears instantly welling up and streaming silently down her cheeks. It had been thirteen whole years since she last saw her daughter. These tears were born from years of accumulated longing and the overwhelming guilt and pain of seeing her daughter imprisoned here as well. She struggled to rush forward, but the chain that sealed her cultivation yanked her back. All she could do was press herself against the ground, staring at the shivering girl in Real Person Yuyao''s grasp. The girl raised her head at the sound and blankly stared back at Danyun. A thin layer of mist gathered in her glassy eyes. That look in Danyun''s eyes... it reminded the girl of her own mother. Back during the famine years, her father and older brother had dragged her to the marketplace to sell her. Her mother had stood in front of them, staring at her with the exact same expression. Her mother had gripped her tightly, refusing to let them take her away, until her father knocked her unconscious. Only then did that calloused hand slowly let go... Not going to recognize your mother? Real Person Yuyao suddenly tightened her grip on the girl''s chin, hinting at what the girl should do. M-Mother! the girl called out to Danyun, her voice trembling as tears streamed down uncontrollably. The tears were genuine. She could feel the overwhelming love and longing coming from the woman inside the cage. She had been bought from slavers by these so-called immortals. They ordered her to act out a play and deceive a woman. If she obeyed, she wouldnt just live shed be allowed to cultivate in this immortal territory. One day, she might even become one of those exalted immortals herself. She had once yearned for this immortal land, believing it must be a place without suffering. But upon entering the Holy Land of Jade Pool, those indifferent eyes that looked down on her like an ant made her feel suffocated. Compared to facing these so-called immortals, she would rather stay here pretending to be this woman''s daughter. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At least... at least when this woman looked at her, there was warmth. Danyun, this Venerable said we would catch your daughter, so we caught your daughter. You have one month. Within that month, this Venerable wants to see at least one Top-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill! Real Person Yuyaos voice grew cold. Her grip around the girl''s neck tightened. Only when the girls face turned purple and she whimpered in pain from suffocation did Real Person Yuyao finally let go. Stop it! Dont touch my daughter! The chains scraped sharply against the stone floor as Danyun took two steps forward. Seeing the girl kneeling on the ground, coughing painfully, Danyun bit her lip hard. What do you need so many Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills for? Of course, to forge a vessel, Real Person Yuyao answered nonchalantly, walking up to the cage and locking eyes with Danyun. And to repair my damaged foundation Danyun, Danyun, if you obediently help this Venerable ascend to immortality, your daughter will be safe, and so will you. When this Venerable becomes an immortal, how could I treat you poorly? Dont refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Danyun opened her Spirit Eyes and glared at Real Person Yuyao. She immediately saw it Real Person Yuyaos foundation was indeed damaged. Part of it was sealed by the Dao of Reincarnation, while another part was marred by backlash from Heavenly Fate. Wheres Real Person Zhang? Real Person Yuyao knew Danyun had spotted the problem and didnt bother hiding it. She sneered, Dead. This Venerable and Reverend Karma killed him together! Youre all insane Dont you fear Heavens wrath, causing such chaos in the Cangyun Realm? Though she had already suspected Zhang Yibai''s fate, hearing it from Real Person Yuyaos own mouth still filled Danyun with fury. If Heaven wont let this Venerable become an immortal Real Person Yuyao''s eyes were filled with madness as she shouted, then this Venerable will trample Heaven itself! Real Person Yuyao left the dungeon, satisfied. Danyun had promised to produce at least one Top-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill within a month. As for the High-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills required to stabilize her foundation, those could be refined within seven days. As for the Celestial-Grade, she knew it would require the perfect timing, location, and people, so she didn''t force it. The girl they brought in to play Danbai had, of course, been locked away elsewhere, so Danyun wouldnt notice anything strange. Danyun only requested to see the girl once a day to ensure her safety. That was a trivial demand. Inside the dungeon. The moment Real Person Yuyao left, the girl was taken away as well. Inside the damp and gloomy cell, Danyuns sorrow slowly faded. This girl wasnt Danbai. Though she resembled her daughter greatly, even down to the near-identical birthmark between her brows But... No was still no. How could a heartless monster like Real Person Yuyao understand that a mother would never mistake her own child? So why didnt she expose them? Because she knew, the moment she did, this innocent girl would be killed without mercy. So she simply played along as if she hadnt noticed. As long as Real Person Yuyao hadnt really caught her daughter, that was enough. Danyun looked up at the narrow strip of sky above, and the icy glint in her eyes gradually ignited into a raging fire. You want to ascend? Fine, you old b***h, Ill help you ascend! After being imprisoned for over a decade, the only thing that kept her going was the hope of one day escaping to see her daughter again. But Real Person Yuyaos threat revealed a deeper danger. If Yuyao wasnt eliminated, her daughter would never be safe. She had to do something. And besides, hadnt she already seen her daughter? Danyun dragged the pill cauldron and the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill materials to herself. She was born with Spirit Eyes and was also a prodigy in alchemy. Before she turned twenty, she was already a renowned Grade-One Alchemist throughout the Cangyun Realm. Later, she became Dao companions with the previous Sect Master of the Dan Sect. Under his guidance, her understanding of alchemy advanced by leaps and bounds. Seven days. Within these seven days, she would use the formula and materials for the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, but take a different path. She would exploit the tiniest variable and refine a poisonous pill capable of crippling Real Person Yuyaos foundation permanently. Danyun knelt on the ground, holding up the cauldron with both hands, bowing to Heaven and Earth, and to the spirits of the underworld. No one could harm her daughter. Even if it costs me my life! A bolt of lightning tore through the night. In that pale flash, Danyuns silhouette stood with arms wide open. Pill flames surged from all directions, like thousands of fiery serpents, engulfing her thin figure. Chapter 270: An Immortals Blessing Chapter 270: An Immortal''s Blessing Pavilion Master, Patriarch, we want to rescue Senior Sister! Duan Feng, Xu An, and Zhen He knelt solemnly in front of Su Qinian and Chen Huaian. Rescue? With what? Just the three of you? Youre only at the Golden Core stage! Real Person Yuyao could blow on you and youd be dust! Su Qinian was so angry that his beard puffed out and his eyes bulged. He showed them no kindness at all. This... Duan Fengs eyes dimmed as he clenched his fists. Without strength, you couldnt even protect the ones you wanted to protect. So much for being the so-called Senior Brother of Loveless Cliff, the undisputed number one among the younger generation of Sword Pavilion disciples in the end, he was nothing. Pavilion Master, the three of us can trade ourselves for Senior Sister. Xu An, kneeling beside Duan Feng, suddenly spoke up. No matter what, the three of us are surely worth more than Senior Sister. Shes got a bad temper, and when shes drunk, she starts fights. Were much more well-behaved than she is. Idiots! Su Qinian was both furious and amused. He pointed at Xu An and scolded him head-on. You want to exchange yourselves for Yue? And then what? Yue will shout to swap herself back for you? And then keep taking turns forever? Did you all eat those Heaven-Mending Pills for nothing?! We can cripple our own Dantians and Bullsh*t! Su Qinians roar cut him off. Do you think the Jade Pool Holy Land captured you just to weaken Sword Pavilions strength? Theyre aiming to strip away your talents and transfer them to their own people. Even the three of you combined dont compare to your Senior Sisters Five-Element Perfect Physique! Su Qinian took a deep breath. Back when he rescued the dying Yue Qianchi from the flames, he did have selfish motives. If she were just an ordinary girl, at most he wouldve dragged her out of the fire. Theres no way he would have brought her back to Sword Pavilion and cared for her so meticulously. It wasnt because he was heartless. It was just that there were too many pitiful people in this world. People died of hunger every day. Children were trafficked every day. Could he save the entire world? Sword Pavilion couldnt possibly shelter that many orphans, nor afford the resources. Pavilion Master... Zhen He, who had been silent the whole time, wanted to say more. Su Qinian, annoyed, waved his hand to cut him off. Shut up! Go reflect on your mistakes at the Sword Tomb! Without my permission, none of you are allowed to come out! He then turned his sharp gaze to the other Sword Pavilion disciples. Same goes for you all! No one is allowed to visit! He knew exactly what kind of trouble his disciples got into. Back then, even though facing the Sword Tomb was supposed to be punishment, that Yue girl would always sneak in to bring food and fun things to the punished disciples. In the end, all the other Sword Pavilion disciples started imitating her. The Sword Tomb reflection became more like a reward! Starting today, Sword Pavilion would return to strict discipline! ... At the Sword Tomb. The three core disciples knelt before the Sword Pool. They couldnt help but recall how, whenever they got punished, Senior Sister would always come visit them. Xu An loved drinking, so Yue Qianchi would bring him the best liquor. Duan Feng loved martial arts novels, so Yue would sneak down the mountain to buy him a whole basket. Zhen He liked trinkets, poetry, and calligraphy, so Yue directly kidnapped a poet back to Sword Pavilion! Reflecting on their mistakes became drinking wine, composing poetry, and enjoying art. But now... that figure would never show up again. Senior Sister got into this mess to save us. No matter what, we have to find a way to get her out. Xu An choked, feeling like something was stuck in his throat neither coming up nor going down. But with our current strength, we cant even step into Jade Pool. Duan Feng suddenly let out a short, bitter laugh. To put it bluntly, we cant even leave Patriarchs Small World. Why bother? Zhen He said flatly, his voice cold. Yet, his eyes had lost all their usual sharpness and brightness. Might as well accept were just a bunch of useless losers. A gust of wind blew past. The sound of boots lightly stepping on the ground caught their attention. They looked up to find someone already standing in front of them. It was none other than the Patriarch, Chen Huaian. Patriarch, why are you here? Xu An blinked in surprise, then gave a bitter smile. Didnt Pavilion Master say no one is allowed to see us three losers...? Su Qinian? That brat isnt worth sh*t. Chen Huaian folded his hands behind his back and sneered. Whos bigger? The Pavilion Master or the Patriarch? I want to see you three, whos going to stop me? Is he going to yell at me? Draw his sword against me? Huh? The three disciples exchanged glances. Indeed, he wouldnt dare. The Pavilion Master was only at Divine Transformation completion. Even if he broke through to Unity Stage, he wasnt even a hairs match for the Patriarch, who was at the Fifth Stage of Void Fusion. And... they were jealous. This was the authority that came with absolute strength. If they had power surpassing Jade Pool, would Jade Pool dare capture their Senior Sister? Patriarch! Our strength is too weak to save Senior Sister. If youre willing to help, I, Zhen He, will be your slave, your servant! Zhen He dropped to his knees, practically smashing his forehead against the cold stone floor with a dull thud. Enough, this Venerable has no shortage of slaves and servants. Chen Huaian raised his hand, lifting Zhen He up and shook his head. Yue girl wont be in danger for a while. Jade Pool needs her Five-Element Perfect Physique and those Top-Grade or even Celestial-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills. And that missing Profound Water Spiritual Root isnt easy to find. Do you think Top-Grade or Celestial-Grade Pills are so easy to refine? But, what if... Zhen He asked anxiously. There is no what if. Chen Huaians face grew serious. This Venerable will not allow a what if to happen. Every day now, the first thing he did after coming online was to calculate if a new Profound Water Spiritual Root had appeared. Once it did, he would strike immediately, determined to snatch it into the Small World before Jade Pool could. Then, Patriarch... are we just supposed to sit here and watch, unable to do anything? Xu An raised his head, staring into Chen Huaians eyes, red and dry, like embers after a fire. He was searching for an answer. Or maybe, just something to keep him from collapsing. What you need to do is train well. Chen Huaian turned to gaze at the overcast sky, his cold voice slowly drifting down: Because one day, this Venerable will lead you all to storm the Holy Land. By then, dont come crying to me if your fists arent strong enough and you get beaten into the ground by Jade Pools disciples! Storm the Holy Land. Xu An trembled. The embers in his eyes burst into flames, his clenched fists turning bone-white. Suddenly, he threw himself to the ground, slamming his head down and shouted hoarsely, I beg the Patriarch to help me! Zhen He and Duan Feng also knelt and bowed. We beg the Patriarch to help us! Chen Huaian laughed. In the eyes of the three Sword Pavilion core disciples, he finally saw their fighting spirit rekindled. Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You are Sword Pavilion disciples, and I, as the Patriarch, naturally will help you! Xu An originally a Grade-Three Dantian with a Single Metal Spiritual Root. Now that your Dantian has recovered, this Venerable grants you a Molten Gold Spiritual Root and a set of Sword Bones. As for your Spiritual Origin Physique... youll retrieve it yourself! Zhen He originally a Grade-Four Dantian with a Single Fire Spiritual Root. This Venerable grants you a True Fire Spiritual Root and a set of Sword Bones. Your Innate Sword Body, youll take it back yourself! Duan Feng originally a Grade-Three Dantian with a Single Earth Spiritual Root. This Venerable grants you a Later Earth Spiritual Root and a set of Sword Bones. Your Scarlet Heart Dao Physique, likewise... get it back yourself! Chen Huaians hands glowed with golden light as he placed them atop each disciples head. Clang! The autumn wind was bleak, and within the Sword Tomb, countless flying swords trembled and rang out in unison. Even the spirits of the past Sword Pavilion disciples bore witness to this moment. An immortal blessing, a lifelong bond. ... ... Chapter 271: Choked on Water Chapter 271: Choked on Water When Chen Huaian walked out of the Sword Tomb, he spotted a sneaky figure cautiously peeking around and tiptoeing towards it. With a flash, he landed a kick right on that figure. The figure let out a miserable yelp and almost fell off the flying sword. Ah! Its you, Patriarch! I thought someone was ambushing me Su Qinian scratched his head, the anger of being sneak-attacked disappearing instantly as his eyes turned innocent. Pavilion Master Su sure was mighty just now, Chen Huaian mocked with a sarcastic smile. He imitated Su Qinians earlier words word for word: Without my permission, none of you are allowed to leave the Sword Tomb! Without my permission, none of you are allowed to visit Tsk tsk, then what are you doing here at the Sword Tomb now? Farming vegetables? Su Qinians face flushed bright red, his graying beard making it even more noticeable. But he didnt dare lose his temper at the Patriarch and could only mutter awkwardly, Ah, Patriarch, I was just talking out of anger earlier. Theyre my Sword Pavilion disciples after all. Of course, I treasure them dearly. I just came to check on how theyre doing. As they spoke, the sound of more flying swords came from above. Four even sneakier figures were creeping past the clouds at turtle speed. When they saw Chen Huaian and Su Qinian, they froze on the spot and immediately tried to flee, but Su Qinians face darkened as he shouted, You''ve already been spotted! Elders, why are you running? You think the Patriarch and I are going to eat you? The elders from the various peaks awkwardly descended and stood obediently before Chen Huaian and Su Qinian. Uh, Pavilion Master, we just thought the scenery in this Small World was beautiful, so we were wandering around out of boredom, absolutely nothing else, one elder said stiffly. Hahaha! Exactly, Elder Wang is right! The scenery here is stunning! another elder chimed in. Yeah, its been a while since we went out to stretch our legs. What a treat, what a treat! The four elders desperately tried to cover for each other. Su Qinian lifted his head to glance at the surroundings. Outside the mountain range where Sword Pavilion was located, it was all barren wasteland, scorched earth without a single tree. This was what they called "beautiful scenery"? Who were they trying to fool? Youre all full of crap! This place doesnt even have Su Qinian suddenly cut himself off. Chen Huaian gave him a sidelong glance. Go on, finish the sentence. Ahaha, Patriarch, you know I didnt mean it like that. What I meant was Birds dont dare to, uh, relieve themselves here because they all respect you! Su Qinians face was so red it was about to bleed, but he somehow managed to patch up the sentence. Everyone present could tell... That patch-up was as good as nothing. Alright, this Venerable knows its barren here, but Chen Huaian raised his finger to the sky. BOOM! Heaven and earth trembled, clouds scattered. An enormous stream of spiritual energy poured down like a waterfall from a crack in the sky. The barren wasteland was instantly cleansed by the surge of energy, and vegetation began to sprout crazily on the impoverished land. In the blink of an eye, the wasteland transformed into a lush green field. Intermediate Spiritual Qi Module 1.5 billion. Purchased directly. Expensive, yes, but a one-time investment raised the entire Small Worlds spiritual energy concentration to the level of Sword Pavilions former Luoxia Peak, or rather, even denser than what Luoxia Peak ever had. If only his main body could enter. Wouldnt cultivating here be heaven? Spiritual energy! Such rich spiritual energy! Su Qinian was dumbfounded. It was true that a Void Fusion cultivator could gather spiritual energy into their Small World, but nothing like this. That was usually a slow process of gradually accumulating spirit herbs and treasures, painstakingly nurturing spiritual energy over time. Yet here the Patriarch just casually pointed at the sky And the spiritual energy poured down like rain? No, this wont do. Chen Huaian shook his head repeatedly as he looked around. Sword Pavilion was following him now. If it remained the same as before, what would be the point? He couldnt afford the Advanced Module for now, but wasnt there still spirit veins? Patriarch, I think its already amazing! Su Qinian was thrilled. In the past, they had to divert spiritual energy from other peaks just to enrich Luoxia Peak, but now, the entire Sword Pavilion was enveloped in this rich spiritual energy. How could this still be not enough? The others saw Chen Huaian remain silent as he pointed to the sky again. BOOM! The ground rumbled. This time, spiritual energy didnt come from above, but from below. Su Qinian and the elders stared in shock as crystalline spirit stones burst out of the ground beneath their feet! They knew full well Sword Pavilions spirit stone mines had long been depleted. How could new veins appear out of nowhere in such a short time? This shouldve taken ages of accumulated spiritual irrigation. Making a Small World grow spirit stone veins Was this really just the power of the Void Fusion stage? Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Intermediate Spirit Stone Vein (Large) 700 million each. Chen Huaian bought ten and directly embedded them under the Sword Pavilion''s mountain range. A single large Intermediate Spirit Stone Vein could sustain Intermediate Spiritual Qi concentration for a thousand miles, similar to the effect of the Spiritual Qi Module. Quantity leads to qualitative change. Even though he couldn''t buy Advanced Modules or Advanced Spirit Stone Veins yet, with enough Intermediate veins, he could still boost the local spiritual energy to nearly Advanced level. But nearly was as far as it could go. To truly rival a Holy Lands spiritual energy concentration, hed still need Advanced Modules and Advanced Veins. Chen Huaian glanced at the unlock conditions for those: (1) Players own strength reaches Golden Core stage. (2) Defeat Jade Pool Holy Land and Burning Purification Holy Land. () What do Advanced Spirit Stone Veins have to do with the Holy Lands? Chen Huaian was speechless. The Small World Shops prerequisites were absurd. Its not like spirit veins were stolen from the Holy Lands. Patriarch! I realize my mistake! Please withdraw your divine power! Su Qinian was scared pale as he knelt down, trembling in the overflowing spiritual energy. The four elders also kowtowed, afraid to lift their heads. Harvest and cost always balance out. What terrifying price did the Patriarch pay to flood the Small World with such rich energy? Could it be Sacrificing his own foundation, draining his lifespan?! Chen Huaian raised a brow. What were they doing? Wasnt abundant spiritual energy a good thing? Patriarch! Please take care of your health! Sword Pavilion cant go on without you! Su Qinian was snotting and crying all over the place. Chen Huaian: Wait. Did this guy misunderstand something? With a spin of his eyes, Chen Huaian suddenly clutched his chest and broke into a violent cough. Ah! Patriarch! Su Qinian staggered forward in panic, tears in his eyes. Youyoure okay, right? Dont scare this junior! This junior can''t handle it! Im fine. Choked on water. Su Qinian: (Ѧء)? Void Fusion cultivators choke on water? Is that even possible? Alright, spiritual energy is a good thing. For me, the best reward is for you all to train well! Chen Huaian folded his hands behind his back, putting on a stern face, playing the role of the high and mighty. In truth, he was grinning inside. After all, he had a Sect Summoning Order~ The stronger Sword Pavilion became, the safer hed be in the real world. If one day every Sword Pavilion disciple reached the Grand Ascension Stage Wouldnt he just walk sideways across reality? ... After settling the Small World, Chen Huaian instantly logged off to save expenses. At the same time, a freshly refined Top-Grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill appeared in his player inventory. Still warm, freshly made~ ... ... Chapter 272: A Big Shot is a Big Shot Chapter 272: A Big Shot is a Big Shot As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. Today, this Venerable will plant a bushy beard. Next year, Ill harvest a bushy beard. Chen Huaian tugged at the leaf of the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid and swiftly yanked it out, roots and all. Legend had it that if you were fast enough, plants wouldnt even react in time and could be transplanted seamlessly. Ah! The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid let out a scream comparable to a certain teacher from movies. Its leaves shriveled up, desperately trying to cover its roots. But Chen Huaian didnt even look at it, casually setting it aside. Then, he stuffed the Bushy Beard Crystal into the Nuwa Earth and replanted the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid right back into the soil. The orchid''s screams stopped abruptly. It wiggled uncomfortably for a bit as if the dirt felt strange, but eventually it accepted its fate. Lets add some potion. Chen Huaian took out a potion prepared by Dan Bai. This potion had an ominous milky-white color and gave off a strange and unpleasant smell. Looking at the orchid, Chen Huaian hesitated and muttered, Would this potion be absorbed by the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid...? Better safe than sorry. Ill just transplant it into regular soil for now. Its still a spiritual herb, so its got to be tougher than ordinary weeds. As soon as he finished speaking The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid furiously shook its leaves. So youre saying... you wont absorb this potion, right? The orchid nodded. A kind smile spread across Chen Huaians face. He knew this herb was intelligent enough to understand him. After all, it had previously delivered the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Talisman with Little Qing. Although, after that, the orchid had never done anything unusual again, standing in its pot like a completely ordinary plant. Sometimes you just had to be tough. Give it some medicine. Otherwise, certain spirit plants loved to play dumb and act innocent. Since the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid promised it wouldnt absorb the potion, things were simple now. Without further ado, Chen Huaian uncorked the bottle and poured the potion right onto the orchid. It wasnt out of some weird hobby. But letting the potion slowly seep through the soil and into the crystal was much better than forcefully soaking the crystal directly. Otherwise, what if he ended up cultivating a big mans face on a babys body? Wouldnt that be a total disaster? After finishing, Chen Huaian observed it carefully. Indeed, the orchid didnt absorb the potion. It just looked extremely aggrieved, curling up all its leaves like it had been bullied. Chen Huaian shook his head, dismissing the absurd image forming in his mind. It was just a little plant spirit. Could it possibly turn into a cute little girl? If it really could, hed eat the entire pot of Nuwa Earth! On the windowsill, Bajii and Little Qing watched as their big brother got bullied, neither daring to say a word, nor even move. They looked calm on the outside but were terrified inside. Until Chen Huaian took out ten Spirit Crystals from his player inventory and placed them on the ground. T-Thats Spirit Crystals! Bajii sat up with a flip. Spirit Stones were everywhere in the Ancient Era, people wouldnt even bother picking them up if they fell. But Spirit Crystals were different. They were the essence of Spirit Stones, containing highly concentrated and purified spiritual energy, so pure that cultivators could directly absorb it without refining. Even in the Ancient Era, Spirit Crystals were precious and monopolized by the major sects. Yet now, Spirit Crystals had appeared in this barely revived spiritual energy era the equivalent of someone pulling out a missile during the cold weapons era. It just didnt make sense! Where did the boss get these Spirit Crystals?! Bajii stared at the sparkling crystals, drooling. Just now, it faintly sensed spatial fluctuations. Could it be... the boss had a private space for storing Spirit Crystals? Highly likely. These old monsters who sealed their memories and souls during the end of the Dharma era always left themselves a backdoor. Now that the spiritual energy was reviving and the era of great competition was here, of course the boss would reactivate his hidden resources. Bajii narrowed its eyes. It felt like it had seen through the truth. And as the bosss little kitty... It could definitely drink some soup from the big pot! What? The dignity of an Ancient Fierce Beast? What the h*ll was that supposed to be? With that thought, Bajii jumped off the windowsill and rubbed against Chen Huaians leg, wagging its tail furiously. Oh? Bajii. Chen Huaian finished setting up the Advanced Spirit Gathering Array, and when he felt the soft fluff by his leg, he chuckled. Whats up? Planning to train with this Venerable? No problem. He knew Bajii had absorbed so much spiritual energy by now it was clearly more intelligent than ordinary cats. It definitely knew he was preparing something good. The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid couldnt supply enough spiritual energy. Hed have to use Spirit Crystals combined with the Advanced Spirit Gathering Array. That, paired with the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, would achieve the best effect. Woof! Bajii barked. Dont ask why it didnt meow. It was because the boss liked to hear it bark like a dog. Chen Huaian sat cross-legged in the center of the array, placing Bajii on his lap. He then took out the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill that Dan Bai had refined. That little girl even apologized to him. But honestly, he already knew Dan Bais true refining capabilities. He could see part of the game character information. Dan Bais character sheet spelled it out clearly: Dan Bai, daughter of Danyun, Dao Companion of the Dan Sects former Sect Master Alchemy prodigy, born with Spirit Eyes. Alchemy success rate 92% (provided she has the formula, materials, and a qualified cauldron). Specializes in refining Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills (+10% success rate). Has a chance to produce Top-Grade or Celestial-Grade Pills (if Heaven, Earth, and Man are all aligned) So when Dan Bai claimed she only had a 10% success rate, he knew immediately that the girl was guarded against him. He didnt know why she was wary. But he had no intention of exposing her. Chen Sword Master had always conquered people with virtue. He would never pressure the younger generation, especially a kid like Dan Bai. Compared to forcing others to submit through power, Chen Huaian much preferred winning them over with charm. Just look at Lingxi Valley every female cultivator there practiced swordsmanship. That, was proof of his personal charisma! A Divine Pill! Bajiis pupils shrank as it stared at the pill in Chen Huaians hand. Just the scent alone was enough to make its head spin. Just how many treasures did this boss still have up his sleeve? At this moment, any thought of escaping was utterly gone. To put it bluntly, it used to view Chen Huaian as a tiger, an enemy of gluttonous beasts, like a rival predator. But now, it saw him as an elephant while Bajii was just an ant. Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Would an elephant even bother squashing an ant? Might as well cling to him and scrounge whatever it could. Dont hesitate! Hesitating would be disrespectful to the boss! Chen Huaian downed the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill in one gulp. From today on, the last remaining flaw in his body would be completely remedied. Other than not having a Dao Physique, all his other conditions combined made him the kind of monstrous genius even the Jade Pool Holy Land would drool over. The Advanced Spirit Gathering Array activated. Pure spiritual energy surged from the Spirit Crystals, forming mists within the array, even condensing into liquid that circled around Chen Huaian. Bajii, sitting within the array, also benefited. However, just as it had absorbed a little purified spiritual energy, a terrifying suction came from the bosss Dantian. Oh no! Bajiis fur stood on end. It tried to flee the array immediately. But it was too late. The suction force directly pinned it down against the bosss Dantian. At the same time, the hard-earned demon energy it had cultivated was showing signs of being refined and purified. What kind of pill did the boss just take? Bajii struggled frantically, tears almost bursting out. That tiny bit of cultivation it worked so hard for... It could only watch helplessly as it was being drained away bit by bit Meanwhile, Chen Huaian was still savoring the pleasure of his Dantian upgrading. He had no idea that Bajii was about to be squeezed dry. Nor did he notice, deep within his Dantian, the slumbering Dragon Soul was slowly awakening, its scales glowing with dazzling golden light under the cleansing of the pure spiritual energy. Chapter 273: Incomplete Dragon Soul Chapter 273: Incomplete Dragon Soul As the dragon soul gradually solidified from its phantom form, black veins suddenly appeared on Chen Huaian''s bare upper body. The demonic energy surged within a radius of ten feet, and the Heavenly Demon Art automatically activated under the attraction of dragon qi and the aura of a ferocious beast. The First Volume of the Heavenly Demon Art Blood Cocoon Condensation refined the flesh and blood of demons and evil spirits to strengthen the body, forming an indestructible dermal membrane. At this moment, dark red fascia oozed from every pore of Chen Huaian''s body, weaving into a semi-transparent cocoon. The blood cocoon simultaneously absorbed the dragon qi and the sinister beast qi from Bajii. The two forces intertwined like a yin-yang fish, swirling across his body. After a while, both forces were fully refined and absorbed. The shattered cocoon turned to dust before even hitting the ground, revealing Chen Huaians muscular and tightly-knit body. His skin shimmered with the luster of jade, with faint flashes of gold and blood-red glow, all of which eventually faded away. At this moment, the First Volume of the Heavenly Demon Art reached its pinnacle! The Heavenly Demon Art ceased to operate, and Chen Huaians dantian underwent a transformation. The dragon soul swam inside his dantian, leaving ripples of golden brilliance wherever its tail fin swept. On the windowsill, Little Qing shrank into the water basin. Seeing the blazing sun-like radiance emerging from Chen Huaians lower abdomen, just a single glance made its eyes sting. All the spiritual energy flowing into the dantian was immediately refined into golden dragon qi, which, under the circulation of the Tidal Art, spread throughout his body. By now, the suction force coming from Chen Huaian had already slowed, and the ten spirit crystals of the high-level Spirit Gathering Array had long since turned into dust. Bajii collapsed on the side, and you could clearly hear faint dragon roars and the sound of iron sand flowing within the boss''s body. Once the Tidal Art completed its first major circulation, the dragon qi had completely spread throughout his body. Creakcreak! Fine golden dragon scales slowly began to grow from his knuckles, extending up to his neck. Eventually, they gathered into a golden line along his spine, fading gradually as it reached the tailbone. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thats... dragon tendons! What the hell is this boss up to?! Bajii stared at the anomaly on Chen Huaians body. It could only be stunned in its heart, powerless to give any reaction. It couldnt even twitch an ear, let alone get up. After a while, Chen Huaian opened his eyes, a flash of golden vertical pupils passing through his gaze. Holy sh*t, is the effect of the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill this insane? Chen Huaian was shocked by the explosive surge of power within his body. In just this short period, he had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining. One more step and he would hit perfection. With a little rounding up, how was this any different from reaching Foundation Establishment directly? Finally got to feel the joy of a genius breaking through realms one after another, Chen Huaian shook his head with mixed emotions, but these spirit crystals and high-level Spirit Gathering Arrays sure dont last long... In just half an hour, he had drained ten spirit crystals dry. To think that ten spirit crystals could usually sustain Li Qingran, Yue Qianchi, and even three core disciples for ten whole hours of cultivation without issue. Was he really going to have to spend money on more spirit crystals? But the Digital Girlfriend Store didnt sell spirit crystals. And the high-level Spirit Gathering Array was for Li Qingrans exclusive use. Now, the only sources of spirit crystals were loot drops from powerful cultivators in the Cangyun Realm, or exchanging modern items with karma like the Soul Suppressing Nail from the Corpse King Emperor Jiang. Only spirit crystals could sustain his current cultivation speed of devouring spiritual energy. The Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid could barely maintain a comfortable cultivators living environment. Bajii, whats wrong with you? Chen Huaian noticed Bajii lying motionless next to his thigh like a dead cat. That shouldnt be happening. Bajii should be jumping around just like him. This was a high-level Spirit Gathering Array! How dense must the spiritual energy be? Could it be that the dense spiritual energy had overloaded it into this half-dead state? Just as Chen Huaian was about to reach out and examine Bajiis condition, before his hand could touch it, Bajii suddenly sprang up like a carp, stumbled into a corner, and curled up, refusing to come out. Useless! Chen Huaian shook his head. A wild boar cant chew fine bran! Bajii almost burst into tears hearing Chen Huaian mutter. It had lost more than half of its cultivation. Before, it could still conceal its demonic aura and true form. Now, maintaining its cat form was already its limit. If the boss really probed, wouldnt its identity be exposed? Sure, it considered itself an ant, but that was only because the elephant hadn''t noticed it yet. If it did, whether it crushed it or not would depend entirely on the elephants whim. Treading on thin ice... This kings entire life, treading on thin ice! Bajii buried its cat head into its paws and silently cried. Even Little Qing now had higher cultivation than it. It swore it would never cultivate with the boss again in this life! This time it cost cultivation. Next time, it could cost its life! Chen Huaian opened the game to check his player character panel. It wasnt like he couldnt sense his own state. Mainly, the game panel gave him more detailed and quantified information. He wouldnt have known if he hadnt looked, but when he did, he was startled. Chen Huaian (Main Body) Age: 21 (Remaining lifespan: 732 years) Realm: Qi Refining Ninth Level Talents: Yin-Yang Sword Bone, Divine Lightning Spiritual Root, Sword Spiritual Root, Grade-One Dantian - Dragon Platform, Dragon Soul (Incomplete) Techniques: Tidal Art (Upgradeable) Heavenly Demon Art - First Volume: Blood Cocoon Condensation (Pinnacle) Sword Manual - First Style (Pinnacle) Sword Manual - Second Style (Pinnacle) Sword Manual - Third Style (Pinnacle) ... Twelfth Style (Barely Understood) Green Lotus Secret Dao Birth Sword (Barely Understood) Combat Power Evaluation: You sure this isnt hacked? Only the first three sword techniques were fully mastered. The rest were at minor completion or just barely understood. But Chen Huaian was already very satisfied. After all, even the game panel admitted he was basically cheating. What puzzled him was how did the First Volume of the Heavenly Demon Art reach perfection without him noticing? He originally thought hed still need to devour a good number of demons and evil spirits before completing it, but he could already start training the Second Volume Bone Resonance. Did he accidentally swallow some bloodline-overloaded super demon while cultivating just now? He had absolutely no memory of it! And what did this Dragon Soul (Incomplete) mean? Could it be that the cancerous demon dragon that was wreaking havoc inside his body had actually devoured part of the dragon soul? That would be a disaster. He hurriedly sank his consciousness into the dantian to check on the dragon soul. Compared to before, when it was weak and half-dead, the soul coiled within the dantian now had the majestic body of a dragon. Only its eyes were shut. With those dragon eyes closed, no matter how imposing its body was, it still felt lifeless. Chen Huaian couldnt help but think of a famous saying The finishing touch to a dragon. Could the missing part of the dragon soul be those eyes? If he completed the dragon soul Would his dantian be able to upgrade to top-grade? Li Qingran had a top-grade dantian. His was only grade one. That didnt sit right. A good lock deserves a good key. Otherwise, you wouldnt even be able to turn it. Compelled by a strange attraction, Chen Huaian reached out to touch the dragons head. A dragon roar exploded deep within his soul. Anger, sorrow, helplessness, hysteria. Chen Huaian couldnt understand the dragons roar. But its scream still condensed into a clear message in his heart. Taishan. ... ... Chapter 274: The Clown Turned Out to Be Himself? Chapter 274: The Clown Turned Out to Be Himself? Governor, Ive already brought back the full details about this Monster Hunting Tournament. Its going to be held at Taishan! In the conference hall, Lin Lingling wore a serious expression as she pinned the map onto a small whiteboard, holding a pointer stick in her right hand. She called herself the Governors little assistantand honestly, she kinda looked the part. Only problem? She wasnt even half as tall as the whiteboard. Although only Chen Huaian would actually participate in the Monster Hunting Tournament, every single exorcist from the C Province Exorcist Division who didnt have a mission showed up. Partly to catch a glimpse of the famous Governor of the C Province Exorcist Division, and partly to learn and broaden their horizons. The C Province Exorcist Division was no longer the lifeless organization it used to be. Ever since Chen Huaian fully shared the breathing technique, more and more Awakened actively joined the Exorcist Division. Not to mention, Chen Huaian was the hero who had slain the Corpse King Emperor Jiang. Many Awakened came because of his fame, only to discover that the benefits were unexpectedly generous. Not only was the breathing technique freely taught, but resources were abundant. Compared to the churchs holy water and the Onmyji talismans available on the market, the Exorcist Divisions talismans and sword marbles were far more effective. All you needed was to do missions and rack up merit pointsyou didnt even have to shell out loads of cash. Rumor had it that veteran exorcists even had access to the legendary Bone-Cleansing Pills, something neither other divisions nor aristocratic clans could get their hands on. Some Awakened who only planned to temporarily stick around ended up never leaving. The veterans stayed, the newcomers kept flooding in, and the C Province Exorcist Division grew stronger. Tasks that used to go unclaimed were now fought over, leading to the implementation of an elite plan. Regular Awakened werent even accepted anymorethey only took geniuses. Even the early members now had to meet monthly quotas. Miss three months in a row and you were out. Back then, most didnt care if they got kicked out. Now? Everyone worked their *sses off to meet and exceed targets. No one dared slack off. Because honestly, the C Province Exorcist Divisions resources were just too tempting, and they had a monopoly. Who dared to break the rules? And so, this was the scene: over a hundred people packed the conference hall. Chen Huaian sat stiffly, looking all serious, but it wasnt from nerves. It was because dozens of hungry eyes were glued to him from behind. They all belonged to female Awakened who had joined the Exorcist Division. Some were university students, others office ladies, a few were internet celebrities, and even some married housewives. You dont mess with themseriously. Not even when facing the Corpse King Emperor Jiang did he feel this much pressure. He still remembered how, just as he stepped out of the elevator, this group of fangirls almost smothered him with their... enthusiasm. Thank god Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan had a terrifying reputation. One word from them, and the girls backed off immediately. On the whiteboard was a map of Taishannot just the single mountain, but the entire surrounding mountain range, covering a vast area. Taishan had now become a paradise for monsters and evil spirits. In fact, most mountain areas were the same. So, it wasnt surprising that the Monster Hunting Tournament was held here. What Chen Huaian was more concerned about was that the dragon souls guidance also pointed him toward Taishan. What exactly was hidden in Taishan? Could it be connected to all this? Governor, are you even listening? Lin Lingling tapped the whiteboardshe noticed Chen Huaian spacing out. Im listening, keep going. Chen Huaian blinked and refocused. By now, Lin Lingling had already marked over a dozen peaks within the Taishan region. Governor, this here is the mountain where our C Province Exorcist Division will be stationed. Youll set out from here. Lin Lingling pointed at a small hill near the center of the mountain range. Well have one exorcist stationed here to provide support. Ill go! A female exorcist, looking like a college student, suddenly raised her hand, eyes shining with excitement. The Monster Hunting Tournament lasted three daysthis was basically a chance to be alone with the Governor for three whole days! And honestly, following such a powerful exorcist like the Governor was bound to bring both opportunities and... romance. M-Me too! another exorcist, with the face of a typical influencer, also raised her hand. I want to support the Governor too! Count me in! Im a healerI can heal the Governor! A healer? So what? Im pure, are you? So what? Ive got experience. I even brought clothes... The conversation in the conference room quickly spiraled out of control. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuans faces turned pitch-black. Shut up! Lin Lingling roared. Tiny body, T-Rex voice. The entire room instantly fell silent. The exorcist assigned to support the Governor has already been chosen. Facing their pitiful, expectant gazes. Lin Lingling pointed at herself. Thats right. Its me. The female exorcists: ... The Governor is a critical resource of our C Province Exorcist Division. To prevent him from being polluted, the most suitable candidate is, of course, a little girl like me, Lin Lingling scanned the crowd, expressionless. Any objections? Before anyone could respond, she slapped the table. Anyone who objects will be chickenslapped! Ahem, Triple Zero, focus, Zhao Ying sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Oh! Lin Lingling nodded and continued, The force behind this Monster Hunting Tournament is Qingfeng Sect, a subsidiary of Kunlun Immortal Palace. According to their investigation, there is an extremely powerful monster within Taishan. Its strength might have already reached King-level! Besides that, there are huge numbers of Soldier-level, General-level, and Marshal-level monsters and evil spirits. Killing a Teacher-level earns you 1 point; Soldier-level, 10 points; General-level, 100 points, and so on. Three days later, a big shot from Qingfeng Sect will descend upon the peak of Taishan and distribute rewards based on the rankings. Lin Lingling then looked straight at Chen Huaian. Governor, any questions? Yeah. Chen Huaian furrowed his brows. Since the monsters in Taishan are so strong and densely packed, wouldnt it be suicide for the aristocratic families and exorcist participants to enter? Oh, right. The aristocratic families and our Exorcist Division members are just extras. Basically NPCs. Lin Lingling said it as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Huh? Because the real protagonists of this Monster Hunting Tournament are the disciples of hidden sects. If someone from the aristocratic families or our Exorcist Division makes it onto the rankings, that would already be pretty impressive. Hidden sect... disciples?! Chen Huaian was dumbfounded. He had clearly stayed in Containment Site No.0 for too long and been too obsessed with the game. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He hadnt expected that just a short period of ignoring the real world would result in a ton of incomprehensible developments. Governor, do you remember the ancient martial arts craze that started around 2024 to 2025? Zhao Ying patiently explained, knowing that Chen Huaian hadnt kept up with recent news. Back then, youd see people piercing soda cans with sewing needles, slicing watermelons with playing cards, even throwing knives to split dragon spines... Most of us thought it was just special effects or props, like playing cards made of metal or something. But it was all real. Since that time, hidden sects had already started infiltrating our daily lives, even promoting themselves on short video platforms. We just took it as entertainment back then. Chen Huaian froze, his expression screaming: Youve got to be f***ing kidding me. Back then, he even laughed at all that splitting dragon spines, five-hit lightning combos nonsense. Wasnt that just clown behavior? Throwing darts, cards, or needles to shatter glass? Come on, anyone could see it was fake! Eggs smashing rocks? Please. Even if it were real, the problem would have to be with the cards! He had stood firm in that belief. And now, ten years later, the boomerang had come right back to smack him in the face. The clown... turned out to be himself?! ... ... Chapter 275: Ascenders Chapter 275: Ascenders Throwing needles, paper cards, dartsthose were just minor tricks. Yet even these bits of leftover junk, casually leaked by the hidden sects, had already caused people to cry out in disbelief back then. In truth, those sects had long been secretly recruiting disciples during that era. These minor tricks were merely bait to lure the fated ones to come knocking. If someone showed decent talent, theyd be accepted into the sect to cultivate. Now, with spiritual energy revived, these sects were finally surfacing. And those lucky few who had joined them years ago were now ready to showcase their abilities in this era of fierce competition. The Monster Hunting Tournament was their grand debut. After Zhao Ying''s detailed explanation, Chen Huaian got it. But he wasnt envious. Sure, hidden sects were powerful. And sure, those lucky ones whod been cultivating for ten years had the edge. But if he were to pull out his Yin-Yang Sword Bone, Divine Lightning Spiritual Root, Sword Spiritual Root, and Dragon Soul... So what? Not to mention, he also had the Sword Pavilion backing him. He wasnt originally interested in the Monster Hunting Tournament. Even the hidden sects didnt stir him. His only real interest was figuring out that inheritance transmission and the dragon souls guidance. If the key to completing the dragon soul really lay within Taishan, then there was no avoiding it. 9 PM they got off the plane. Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling arrived at the resting area designated by Qingfeng Sect. He thought it would be some immortal-style mountain villa. Instead, it turned out they had booked an entire nightclub complex. Downstairs was a food street, upstairs was a full suite of foot massages, body rubs, and more. The upper floors were packed with girls singing karaoke in the arms of wealthy patrons, and the rooftop doubled as a hotel. Across the street? A bar district. One word: debauchery. In the crowd around the venue, Chen Huaian spotted quite a few familiar faces, mostly from aristocratic families. For example, Lin Chen and Lin Hao, the brother-sister pair. Last time Lin Hao tried to stir up trouble at the Exorcist Division and even tried to poach Wang Shouyi into the Lin family. After Wang Shouyi rejected him, Chen Huaian thought for sure this young master wouldnt let it go. But surprisingly, he hadnt caused any more trouble since. Maybe Lin Chen had talked him out of it? At the moment, Lin Hao was drunkenly clinging to a heavily made-up nightclub girl, chatting animatedly with a man wearing short, fitted clothes with a distinctly old-school, traditional style. Judging from his expression and stance, Lin Hao was clearly fawning all over the man. Lin Chen stood behind him, tall and beautiful, her face cold and brows furrowed, obviously disgusted by her brother''s groveling, but couldnt say anything. When she spotted Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling, her eyes immediately lit up. Governor Chen! She jogged over, showing a bit of nervous respect toward someone stronger. Governor Chen, do you still remember me? Compared to their first meeting, this girls attitude had completely changed. Seeing how pretty Lin Chen was, Lin Lingling immediately stepped forward to block Chen Huaian. This time, she was definitely right to come along. Look at this place, full of temptation... What if the Governor got corrupted by some scheming woman and wasted precious resources and energy on nightclub girls? Then how would he have the strength to face those old monster ladies of the sects during the inheritance battles? Without energy, there would be no resources. The bright future of the C Province Exorcist Division would be ruined! She couldnt let that happen. She would protect the Governors sword with her own life! I remember you, Chen Huaian gave a kind smile, and I still owe you a slap. Want me to return it now? Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lin Chens smile froze. She thought a friendly face would melt the ice. Turns out this guy actually held a grudge? Who the hell holds onto grudges like that?! Immortal Master! Thats him! A voice piped up from behind Lin Chen. Chen Huaian tilted his head slightly. Lin Hao and that old-style dressed man were both looking this way. Originally, he wasnt interested in Lin Hao or the traditional-looking guy. But now that he focused. He could faintly see the aura around them. A new ability that had appeared with his recent cultivation progress. He wasnt sure if it came from the Dragon Platform Dantian or the Yin-Yang Sword Bone. It was similar to fortune-telling masters ability to see qi. But this wasnt fake. For example, those three eggs earlier had glowing red faces. Especially after practicing the two techniques he provided, they had a swirl of purple qi above their heads. Red and purplea sure sign of good fortune. As for Lin Hao... He was shrouded in black qi, his glabella dark and shiny. Looked like death wasnt far off. Then Chen Huaian turned to the traditional-looking man. There was also a faint red and purple glow, but far weaker than the three eggs. Moreover, this red and purple glow was veiled by a layer of gray qi. Like a fresh, juicy fruit coated in dust. Chen Huaian didnt know what the gray qi was. But his sixth sense told him it definitely wasnt good. So youre that arrogant fool? The old-style man walked up to Chen Huaian. His gaze was cold, carrying the loneliness of a cultivation genius who had trained ten years ahead of others and looked down on the world. Only problem washe was barely 1.7 meters tall. No matter how cold his eyes were, he still had to look up at Chen Huaian. Me? Arrogant? Chen Huaian pointed to himself. Arrogant about what? Back then, it was Wang Shouyi who rejected Lin Hao, not him. Oh, I see. Interesting, interesting. The traditional mans lips curled into a devilish smirk. So youre also an Ascender. I am Li Zaitian, Qingfeng Sects core disciple. Also an Ascender. Ascender? Chen Huaians mouth twitched. What the hell? He carefully sensed the guys cultivation. Yup, training ten years earlier really made a difference. Already at Foundation Establishment. Not bad. But still light-years from actually ascending to immortality. No need to deny it. The ten-year mark has passed. Theres no longer any need to hide our identities. Li Zaitian clasped his hands behind his back and turned to gaze up at the bright moon, his voice cold and detached. But even as Ascenders, one must not be arrogant. Otherwise, heaven will punish you. As they say, three feet above your head, there are gods. Youd better behave yourself. After that, he turned and walked away, full of that cultivation expert vibe. Immortal Li, is that it? Shouldnt you at least... Lin Hao wasnt happy with how Li Zaitian only threw out two sentences and left. In his mind, with Li Zaitians power, shouldnt he have just slapped Chen straight into the ground? What else? A mere mortal like you thinks you can tell me what to do? Li Zaitian squinted, then casually slapped Lin Hao, sending him flying. Get lost! Laughter erupted around them. Chen Huaian glanced around and noticed many people dressed like Li Zaitian. Their auras were completely different from aristocratic disciples or exorcists. Not exactly condescending, but definitely distinct from ordinary people. At the same time, he noticed something else. All of them had that same layer of gray qi, covering what would have been flourishing red and purple qi. Are all these people Ascenders? Something feels off... He really missed his game abilitiesbeing able to read basic information at a glance. Too bad that didnt work in the real world. Otherwise, he wouldnt be so clueless now. Looking at the variety of cultivators around him. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, Ascenders? How interesting... ... ... Chapter 276: The Person I Like Chapter 276: The Person I Like Lets just assume that Ascender means someone who has a shot at becoming immortal. Other than that, Chen Huaians super brain couldnt make any other connections. Just after midnight, led by Lin Lingling, the two of them took a helicopter to a mountain peak that belonged exclusively to the C Province Exorcist Division. On the mountaintop, there was just a single flag stuck into the ground and a run-down straw hut that was too shabby to even complain about. There wasnt even a single piece of furniture inside. Come on, the organizers are a hidden sect, right? Why are they so stingy? Chen Huaian walked into the straw hut and saw a piece of rice paper stuck to the bare walls. Ten flamboyant characters were scrawled across it: Chen Huaian: ... What the h*ll? Did Qingfeng Sect preemptively counter his verbal complaints? D*mn. Theyd better not pull any special treatment nonsense on this mountain. If he found out they were, hed cut them down with a single slash! Triple Zero, these conditions are brutal. Are you sure youll be okay staying here alone? Even though Lingling was pretty strongespecially after cultivating the technique he gave her and rising to the Marshal-levelaside from the veteran Zhao Ying, she was already the strongest in C Province Exorcist Division. But still, she looked like a tiny girl not even 1.6 meters tall, and he couldnt help but feel a little worried. Relax, Governor. Lingling casually pulled out snacks and manga from her space device, waving him off: The strong never complain about the environment. Especially someone like methe chosen one of this version. But, Chen Huaian hesitated, they never said this mountaintop is outside the attack range of demons or cursed beings. It looks like a safe zone, but theres really no actual protection. Hearing that, Lin Lingling froze, processing it for a moment. Then suddenly dropped to her knees and smashed her forehead to the ground. Governor, I regret this! Is it too late to go back?! Chen Huaian: ... Too late. The choppers already gone. Just stay here and behave. Governor, how about I go monster hunting with you instead? Ignoring her pitiful puppy-dog eyes, Chen Huaian shook his head flat-out: No. Even though this mountaintop wasnt that secure, it was surrounded by cliffs. No matter what, it was still safer than going with him. He was going to follow the guidance of the Dragon Soul deep into the mountainswho knew what kind of monsters he might run into? With the state of his current physical body, he couldnt afford to split his focus protecting a little girl. Still, her safety was a legitimate concern. Give her some Talismans? Not reliable. If someone stole them, theyd be useless. Maybe set up a formation around her? Like how Sun Wukong drew a circle to protect Tang Sanzang. Chen Huaian rubbed his chin in thought. That could work. But with his current Qi Refining strength, the formation wouldnt be that powerful. He and Lin Lingling stared at each other, neither able to figure it out. When in doubt, consult the Digital Girlfriend. He pulled out his phone to play a game for a bit. Heavenly Fate Calculation: Has a genius with the Profound Water Root appeared yet? Heavenly Fate Calculation complete. None detected yet. Then when will one appear? This is your second calculation today. 100 has been deducted... Heavenly Fate Calculation complete! If the player wishes to select one fixed outcome from the 30 million possible futures in Cangyun Realm, you must bear at least 10,000 layers of bad karma. Proceed? No. Chen Huaian curled his lip. Using the Heavenly Fate Calculation to peek at the future was just too costly. If his real body had Nascent Soul strength, maybe hed try. With 10,000 layers of bad karma, he could die just by taking a step or even choke to death on a breath. At that moment, Li Qingran was still awake, visible faintly through her room window, chatting with Mo Shumei. Chen Huaian was about to go monster hunting, so he didnt show up and interrupt. But as usual, he checked on Li Qingrans status. Everything looked normalexcept for the icon flashing beside the affection score. Chen Huaian tapped the heart, and a notification popped up. Current Affection Level: ??40 Your Digital Girlfriend''s Heart Link is full. Divine Wandering in the Void can now be activated. Your current strength is Qi Refining Level 9. Support summon duration: max 24 hours Seeing that, Chen Huaians eyes narrowed. Divine Wandering in the Void, huh? If he remembered correctly, that let him summon Li Qingran to his side. Sort of like an avatar descending. Well then, problem solved. He couldnt lay down a strong formation with his Qi Refining power, but Li Qingran, a Golden Core cultivator, definitely could. And given that monsters were all over Taishan, he genuinely might face threats he couldnt handle. If he could invite Li Qingran to assist in battle, itd be way safer. And as for whether this made him look like he was mooching off a woman? Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Heh. Honestly, mooching off a woman takes skill too. And if its a cute, charming sword cultivator like Li Qingranwho wouldnt want to? Triple Zero, Im gonna call over a big sister in a bit, Chen Huaian said mysteriously. Shes great at formations. The one she sets up will keep you safe, so stay put on this mountain. Big sister? Lin Lingling caught the key point, suspicious. You mean big sister? Or like, big sister? Chen Huaian: ... Shes a big sister. Lin Lingling nodded, then shook her head, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. She said bitterly, Governor, I get it. I totally get it. Those women know how to keep themselves young, but who knows how many years old they really are... definitely loose-skinned and vicious. You mustve had it rough Chen Huaian slowly typed out a question mark in his head. What the h*ll? Is this girl in or what?! He didnt even want to explain anymore. The more he said, the worse itd sound. Once Li Qingran showed up, this little brat would understand. The two girls werent even that far apart in agemight even hit it off. Qingran, listen to me: If youve got feelings for him, then go all out! No hesitation! But... wont he think Im the kind of girl whos too easy? Mo Shumei crossed her fingers in front of her chest. Wrong! Totally wrong! She nodded dramatically. As they say, Just take the initiative, and youll seeits way easier than you thought. R-Really... Li Qingran lowered her eyes, nervously twirling a lock of hair around her finger. Her lips parted a few times, but the words never came out. Yes! Mo Shumei nodded firmly. Though inside, she was . She never thought someone like Li Qingran, such an outstanding woman, would actually worry about not being able to get the man she liked. Shed always figured someone like Li Qingran could just casually pick from a crowd of elite cultivators. So who the heck was this guy she liked? Must be some kind of prodigy. One of the three core disciples, maybe? But even that didnt seem to add up... Li Qingran stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks burning bright red. Her lips trembled as she whispered, But... hes different. He cant be judged by common standards. Mo Shumei crossed her legs and sneered, All men in this world are the sametwo legs and a d*ck. When they see a beautiful female cultivator, their brain shuts off. What makes him any different? With your looks, Qingran, what kind of man you get? Come on, spill the tea! I want to see what kind of guy this is. Li Qingran didnt answer, her toes anxiously scrubbing at the floor. But she really did need Mo Shumei, her trash-talking strategist, to give her some advice. Carrying the weight of longing and uncertainty alone was just too hard. If if I tell you, you tell anyone, okay? She barely managed to squeeze the words out, her voice barely louder than a mosquito. Dont worry, I wont breathe a word! Mo Shumei perked up, sitting upright, ears ready. You you have to swear it! Li Qingran bit her lower lip. Fine! I, Mo whatever-my-name-is, swear to the heavens! Mo Shumei raised four fingers to the sky, solemnly declared: Todays matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. If I tell anyone else, may lightning strike me five times over! Li Qingran stared at her for a moment, then clenched her fists and took a deep breath, like she was gathering every ounce of courage she had. Finally, she lifted her head. Her voice was so soft it could be blown away by the wind. Master. She said, The person I like is Master. Chapter 277: Is This… Master’s Wife? Chapter 277: Is This Masters Wife? Mas Master? Mo Shumei was stunned, staring blankly. Wait... you mean the Sword Pavilion Patriarch? She was still clinging to the hope that Li Qingran meant someone else. But when she saw Li Qingran shyly lower her head and nod twice ever so slightly... The answer was obvious. Dear heavens. Mo Shumei stared at Li Qingran with her mouth agape. Youyou rebellious disciple who dares go after your master! Li Qingran hurriedly slapped a hand over her mouth, her pretty face flushing red. W-What are you saying! I havent done anything yet It took Mo Shumei a good while to pry Li Qingrans hand off. Now that Li Qingran had reached Golden Core, she was actually kind of tricky to deal with. But at the same time, she started to calm down. Well, she couldnt exactly blame her. If the person Li Qingran liked really was the Sword Pavilion Patriarch, then yeah you judge this the normal way. And sure, he wasnt like all the other men in the world. Because technically he wasnt a man anymore. He was basically a male antique. And a male antique is the same as a man. Old men, you could say they had flavor. But a male antique? Even with all the poetry and books Mo Shumei had read, she couldnt find the right words to describe it. She could only look at Li Qingran with a tangled expression. Um Qingran, do you even know how old your master is? N-No idea, Li Qingran pouted. Okay, then do you know if your master already has a Dao companion? Also no idea. Mo Shumei let out a long sigh. Lets put the age thing aside for nowhes at least a thousand years old, minimum. But come on, someone whos lived for that long, how could he not have a Dao companion already? So before you do anything else, the first thing you need to figure out is whether or not hes taken. Li Qingran fell silent. She really hadnt thought too deeply about it before. Her master was always alone, so she just assumed he didnt have a Dao companion. Thats what she told her senior sisters too. But now that she thought about it shed never actually heard him say it himself. All right, I understand now! After a while, Li Qingran lifted her head, face serious. Ill find out the truth soon enough! As soon as the words left her mouth A mysterious pull surged in her chest. Her body warmedit was the life-bound artifact reacting. Li Qingran immediately summoned her artifact. The call was growing stronger and clearer by the second. Her master was calling hersummoning her through Divine Wandering in the Void. Her master needed her help! She didnt hesitate for even a second and pressed her hand against the artifact. At the same time, she turned to the demon-cultivator girl beside her. Shumei, Im going to be gone for a while. Please watch over me! There was no danger in her masters small world. She was just worried others might freak out if they saw her body lying still. So she needed Mo Shumei to guard her and explain things, just in case someone interrupted their connection. Huh? Oh okay. Mo Shumei didnt fully understand what was going on, but she nodded. The next second, Li Qingran collapsed straight back. Mo Shumei quickly caught her and laid her gently on the bed. After a quick check Li Qingrans Yang Soul had already left her body. She didnt even say where she was going Mo Shumei backed out to sit by the door, sighing helplessly. This girls perfect in every waybut shes a rebel whos chasing after her master! Totally outrageous Hope she doesnt get her heart broken by the Sword Pavilion Patriarch. That girls Yang Soul has already left this realm. She probably used some secret technique to go see her master. Soul Abyss rumbled at Mo Shumeis waist. It had been pretty well-behaved lately. Only when Li Qingran wasnt around would it dare to whisper a few words. It knew too wellso long as Li Qingran was present, that Nascent Soul-level old monster could place his divine sense on it at any time. And who knew when he might get annoyed and refine it into nothing? Still, it hadnt given up. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no way someone like Mo Shumei would stay in this small world forever. All it had to do was play it low for now. Once she left It could go back to being her daddy. Seriously, she went to find the Sword Pavilion Patriarch Mo Shumei frowned. But with his strength, shouldnt be the one going to her? Thatd be safer. A Yang Soul is really fragile, you know. Why do you care so much? You bored or something? Why not let me out to stretch my legs? Kekeke! Oh, sure. Mo Shumei smirked. Lets go to the Sword Tomb right now. Ill let you out and give you all the fresh air you want. NO! Soul Abyss fell silent immediately. Bringing a demonic blade into the Sword Tomb? Thatd be like throwing a lamb into a den of wolves. Mo Shumei snorted, amused. She crossed her legs and sipped her tea. Such a nice, peaceful lifemight as well enjoy it for three to five years. Summoning the Digital Girlfriend required a special ritual. Well not special. Just needed to set up a formation in an open space. Governor, wheres that pretty big sister you mentioned? Shes coming, Chen Huaian said, exasperated. He placed down the last spirit stonethis was already the eighth time Triple Zero had asked. Couldnt this girl be a little more patient? But Governor, its already 12:30. Lin Lingling glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes ago, an elder from Qingfeng Sect had shown up and used a sound transmission spell to announce the start of the Monster Hunting Tournament. Other mountaintops had long since sprung into action. Meanwhile, their mountaintop was still in chill mode. Still messing around with some summon the pretty big sister formation. Lin Lingling was not buying it. Governor, dont tell me youre scared to fight? she narrowed her eyes and pouted. Tch, what a scrub~ If you really summon some pretty big sister, Ill eat my phone. The next second, the formation lit up. Li Qingran appeared at its centerwhite robes, sword at her waist, elegance radiating from her like a fairy. Lin Lingling: !!! Holy sh*the really summoned a pretty big sister! Even though the spiritual energy revival had long since shattered her worldview, at this moment, watching her governor literally conjure a living person, her worldview shattered again. Chen Huaian side-eyed Triple Zero smugly. Eat your phone! Eaaaat iiiit! Master~ came a soft, tender voice. Chen Huaian felt a tickle at the back of his neck, his whole body going a bit numb. Wait a second. This wasnt right. It wasnt the first time hed heard Li Qingrans voice. He heard it every day in the gameit shouldnt be big of a deal. But when he turned around and met those watery eyes They were gentle and bright, like theyd traveled across countless worlds just to find his gaze. Brimming with warmth, and holding a delicate, blooming affection. For a moment, Chen Huaian froze, speechless. He thought hed gotten used to Li Qingrans beauty. But the truth was, it was only because her projections powerful realm suppressed his desires, forcing him to stay rational. Now that he was back in his original bodyonly then did he truly understand what soul-stealing meant. Especially when she was aiming to steal his soul, and his alone. But that warmth in her eyes soon faded, like the tide receding from the shore. What replaced it was a subtle sadness, a touch of hurt, and a hint of jealousy buried deep. Li Qingrans gaze drifted between Chen Huaian and Lin Lingling. She lowered her eyes, lips pressed together. Her grip on the Su Xian Sword turned her knuckles whitebut her expression didnt reveal a thing. After a moment of silence She lifted her chin slightly and spoke in a voice that was . Master, is this your wife? Chapter 278: Ancient-Style Forbidden Love? Chapter 278: Ancient-Style Forbidden Love? Chen Huaian might not be the brightest, But even could tellLi Qingran was in a mood. Her voice mightve been calm, but just look at her eyeshazy like a misted-over window. Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of her sword, and invisible sword energy swirled around her. The knee-high grass around the formation had already been shaved down to bare turf... At this rate, she was probably going to draw her sword any minute now. Masters wife? Me? Lin Lingling pointed to herself, face full of confusion. She glanced between Chen Huaian and Li Qingranthen suddenly got it. Ah, so Li Qingran must be the big sister the Governor was, uh serving. And now they were role-playing? An ancient-style forbidden romance between master and student, huh? Say what you willseriously, say what you will. This beautiful big sister might be who-knows-how-many years old, but she really had maintained herself well. That fresh, youthful aura of a young girl was perfectly intact. Even if they were doing a period-style forbidden love story, there wasnt a hint of anything out of place. Were not like that, really. Qingran, you misunderstood. Chen Huaian hurriedly waved his hands and explained, Shes uh, you could say shes a junior from the same sect. Yeah, totally! Pretty Big Sis, Im only 12 years old. How could I be in that kind of relationship with the Governor? Dont worry! Lin Lingling, finally not acting all cold and robotic in front of the beautiful lady, actually started buttering her up with lively enthusiasm. Li Qingran shifted her focus to Lin Lingling and noticed her cultivation was only Qi Refining Stage 3. And based on her bone age, she really was just 12 years old. Theres no way Master would make a 12-year-old his wife. Thats just ridiculous. Clearly, shed been overthinking it. Misunderstanding cleared, the cloudiness in her eyes vanished. She blinked, and a smile slowly crept onto her lips. Seeing Li Qingran unable to suppress her smile, Chen Huaian finally let out a breath of relief. He stole a glance at his phone and saw a bunch of notifications. Your Digital Girlfriend will descend in 1 minute Please select your special effects package: 1Nascent Soul Realm cultivation (only applies to Li Qingran) C 9999 2Matching white hair as projection C 666/day 3Matching outfit as projection C 888/day 4Temporary speech correction C 1998/hour ... Your Digital Girlfriend will descend in 10 seconds! ... Your Digital Girlfriend has descended. Special effects package closed. Good luck! ... Chen Huaian: Waithold on. He mightve forgotten something kinda important. He was currently dressed in a T-shirt, shorts, and a buzzcut. Classic modern guy look. Wouldnt that totally give him away?! A waft of fragrance came his way as Li Qingran slowly approachedstep by step, like a curious deer exploring the woods. At first, she just stood next to him, acting casual, but kept sneaking glances at his side profile. Her bright eyes sparkled with curiosity. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In a seemingly unintentional moment, she leaned in and took a soft sniff, inhaling deeply. Yep, it was that unique scent that only her Master had. Li Qingran held her hands behind her back, lips curved in a soft smile. Master, is your hair still growing back? Ahyeah. This world suppresses my cultivation, so its growing kinda slow. Chen Huaian quickly gave the excuse hed prepared in advance. Thank god hed thought about this ahead of timejust in case. I see. No wonder your cultivation only shows as Qi Refining Stage Nine. Li Qingran didnt question him at all. After all, this a whole new world. The spiritual energy here was so thin it made her feel physically uncomfortable. And as for her Masters strange clothing, she naturally assumed it was just to blend in. Nothing strange about it. Sigh. Thats why I summoned you here. Chen Huaian faked a heavy sigh and said solemnly, This world suppresses cultivation in a terrifying way. Grand Ascension gets pressed down below Qi Refining. Void Fusion is squashed under Foundation Establishment. Unity Stage gets knocked down to Golden Core But below Nascent Soul, theres no suppression. Im about to step into danger, and Im running out of options. Li Qingrans expression turned serious instantly. I understand. Then it was absolutely right of you to summon me! Helping Master solve problems is exactly what a disciple should do! Lin Linglings gaze ping-ponged between the two of them, mouth slightly open. What the heck is all this? Heavenly Dao suppressing cultivation Void Fusion and Unity Stage What even this? These two were way too deep into this role-play thing! Uh Governor, dont you think youre a little into character...? Into character? Whats that supposed to mean? Li Qingran blinked innocently, totally confused by Lin Linglings comment. Chen Huaian quickly slapped a hand over Lin Linglings mouth and let out a nervous laugh. Ahaha, nothing! This kid just says the darnedest things sometimes. Even I dont understand half of what shes babbling about, hahaha! Lin Lingling: Mmph! Mmmph! Mmmph! (Im a kid!) Ahem. Disciple, please set up a defensive formation for her. Chen Huaian clamped a hand on Lin Linglings shoulder and turned to Li Qingran with a serious tone: Its too risky to bring her along. If we run into danger, I might not be able to protect her. Once the formation is set, we can head out. He was desperate to get moving with Li Qingran already. Every extra second they lingered around this idiot girl was another chance to blow his cover. Sure, Li Qingran trusted him completelyshe believed anything he said. But he still had a conscience, okay?! Understood. Leave it to me! Li Qingran nodded, face composed. She immediately took out spirit stones and began setting up a Golden Core-level stealth array, with a layered Mystic Armor Formation embedded inside. Even the way she knelt to draw the formation was beautiful to look at. Governor, youre a ! Lin Lingling, now free, instantly gave Chen Huaian a big thumbs-up. You sweet-talked a thousand-year-old big sis into doting on you, and now shes even giving us resources for the Exorcist Division. Youre my idol! If you dont shut up, I swear Ill toss you off this cliff! Chen Huaians face darkened. Thankfully, the stealth formation was already in place. He and Lin Lingling were outside of it now. Otherwise, with Li Qingrans Golden Core strength, she wouldve heard that little whisper of hers. A thousand-year-old big sis? Exorcist Division? Inside the formation, as she worked on embedding the Mystic Armor Formation, Li Qingran tilted her head. Then simply chuckled and shook her head. Kids will be kidsjust saying random things Just in case, lets embed a medium-tier killing formation inside too. After some more setup, the formation was complete. Chen Huaian gave Lin Lingling a strict set of instructions Only when she promised to leave the formations range did he finally set off with Li Qingran. Next up: a beautiful wilderness adventure with his lovely little disciple And he didnt want interrupting it. Near the mountaintop belonging to C Province Exorcist Division Lin Hao put down his binoculars, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. F**stard Chen Huaians left. Boss, should we make our move now? A few Awakened from the Lin Family huddled around him, sneaky as rats. Not yet. Wait a little longer, Lin Hao ducked back behind cover, silently counting the minutes. Three days ago, hed tried to buy supplies from C Province Exorcist DivisionRejuvenation Pills, Sword Spheres, Talismans, especially the Bone-Cleansing Pill. When he found out what the Bone-Cleansing Pill could do, he was It had the same effects as the ones used by those hidden sects! It didnt take a genius to realizethat stuff was insanely valuable. But Zhao Ying, that b*tch, coldly turned him down, saying his offer lacked sincerity. What, wasnt thirty million enough for a single pill?! Originally, he planned to cozy up to a cultivator during the Monster Hunting Tournament and leech some resources. But none of the Ascenders would even look at him. So what if theyd been cultivating ten years ahead of him? If had ten extra years, hed crush all of them! Stillhe had to admit one thing. Spiritual revival was moving fast. New changes every day. He was already falling behind. And in times like these, even a single misstep could destroy your future. To be a true elite, you needed the freshest, highest-quality resources. The Monster Hunting Tournament had thembut he couldnt get any. C Province Exorcist Division had thembut they wouldnt give him any. But d*mn it, he wanted a Bone-Cleansing Pill! Couldnt they just sell him ? He couldnt even imagine how great hed feel if he had onereborn, practically! Since they wouldnt give it to him... Then hed just have to kidnap someone in exchange. Chapter 279: Bugs Chapter 279: Bugs Fifteen minutes after Chen Huaian left. "Alright, that''s enough time. Anyone who should''ve left is long gone by now!" A flash of cold light flickered in Lin Haos eyes. He waved his hand and ordered, "Move!" He was a cautious person by nature. These fifteen minutes of waiting had already guaranteed that even if Chen Huaian heard any movement or received a distress signal, he wouldnt be able to rush back in time! And once they got the job done, there was no need to stick around for the Monster Hunting Tournament. He''d pull out with his team immediately. Counting Lin Hao, a total of five people surrounded the cliff where Lin Lingling was. They rushed up the mountain from five different directions at full speed. At this moment, Lin Lingling was completely unaware of the danger approaching. She was curled up with a manga book in her arms, munching on snacks with great enthusiasm. Just the snacks alone could''ve filled a giant fridgetons of food, endless supply. ... "That''s weird. Wheres the cabin on the mountaintop? I swear I saw it just now..." Lin Hao stood at the top of the mountain with his men, staring blankly at the empty clearing in front of him. Forget the cabinthere wasn''t even a rock left behind. Could Chen Huaian have taken the time to dismantle the cabin before leaving? At least there should be some rubble, right? "Young Master, maybe its an illusion?" one of his men suggested. "Remember that time with Immortal Li Zaitian? You wanted to find his room, but you just kept wandering around the hallway in circles. Maybe its like that..." "Shut up!" Lin Haos face darkened. He squinted at the clearing and shouted, "Hey, little girl from C Province Exorcist Division! We know you''re in there! Come out and behave yourself. It''ll hurt less that way!" Inside the cabin, Lin Lingling, who was shoving snacks into her mouth, froze. They were treating her house like it was theirs to loot. The f**k? Could she tolerate that? She was the Chosen One of this version! Without even thinking, Lin Lingling tossed her bag of chips aside, grabbed her spear, and stormed out. The moment she stepped outside the concealed array, she appeared right in front of Lin Hao and his men. "Trying to mess with your great-aunt? Lets see whos got a death wish!" Having made great progress in her cultivation lately, Lin Lingling was feeling pretty cocky. She glanced left and righttwo Marshal-levels, three King-levels, all rich family brats. And the leader was none other than Lin Hao, eldest son of the Lin Family, known as the Flaming Fist. Fight them? No way in hell! Lin Lingling gave an awkward laugh, slung her spear onto her back, and immediately scurried back into the cabin. "Governor! Help! Someone''s trying to kill me!" She rushed back inside and immediately tried to contact Chen Huaian using the Exorcist Division''s special wristwatch. Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is powered off. Please try again later. "Were screwed!" Lin Linglings legs went weak, and she collapsed to her knees. She shouldve knownGovernor Chen and Thousand-Year Sister were off on a private date. No way theyd let her tag along and play third wheel. "Definitely an illusion!" Outside, Lin Hao got more anxious when Lin Lingling disappeared again. He activated his powers immediately. His fists were enveloped in roaring flames as he turned and barked at his men, "Smash it!" The illusion had to be right in front of them. Since they couldnt find the exact spot, smashing everything would do. The four subordinates attacked. Energy blasts slammed into the concealed array, but it didnt even ripple. "F***ing useless trash, let me do it!" Lin Hao stepped up himself. His blazing fists struck the array, and his whole body slammed into it. With a loud bang, he broke through and stumbled into the formation. The hidden cabin reappeared before him, and inside, the small girl was crouching, trembling. Lin Hao understood instantlyand grinned wickedly. "So thats how it is. Just a concealment and defense array. It can''t stop someone from entering! Hehehe..." "Governor, help!" Lin Lingling screamed while raising her spear, ready to give Lin Hao a nasty surprise. "Scream all you want! Even if you shout your throat raw, no ones coming to save you!" Lin Hao advanced step by step, a cat playing with a mouse. Lin Lingling narrowed her eyes. Real hunters often show up as prey. Fighting five opponents was tough. But just one King-level Lin Hao? Heh. Time to send him flying. Lin Hao took three more steps forward. Lin Lingling tensed, ready to strike. Just then, the entire array trembled. Lin Haos foot happened to step right onto the threshold. "What the hell?!" A chill of deadly intent swept over him, making Lin Hao shudder. He looked aroundand saw that above his head, countless translucent flying swords had appeared, shimmering like illusions. The blades gleamed with cold light, slowly solidifying into reality. Lin Hao stared upward in shock, subconsciously backing toward the edge of the array. And the flying swords above followed his movements, adjusting their aim. He realized it instantly. These swords were locked onto him. The killing intent was coming from them. Run! Lin Hao whipped around and sprinted for the edge of the array. At this point, catching the girl didnt matter. Saving his own skin was the priority. But when he reached the edge It was like slamming into an invisible glass wall. Lin Hao clutched his nose and rolled around on the ground in pain. "What the f**k is this formation?! You can come in but you cant get out?!" Through the corner of his eye, he could clearly see his subordinates outside the array. They were barely half a meter awaybut he couldn''t touch them at all. Originally, the four subordinates had wanted to rush in to help. But seeing the swords above Lin Haos headand watching him trappedthey stopped dead in their tracks. They didnt get paid enough to die. "Young Master, hang in there! Well go find someone to help you!" "Young Master, stay strong!" "Young Master, you got this! QAQ!" And just like that, the subordinates all ran away. No matter how loudly Lin Hao screamed, it was useless. "F***ing traitors! A bunch of traitors!" Lin Hao trembled with rage, his face dark and menacing. "Just you wait, if I get out of this alive" The sound of swords rang from above. Before he could finish his sentence, the countless flying swords rained down, piercing him through from every direction. Inside the cabin, Lin Lingling watched wide-eyed as the mighty King-level Lin Hao was turned into a human pincushion in seconds. He didnt even have a chance to struggle. Only after the dense shower of flying swords finally vanished did she snap back to her senses. "Holy sh*t... Thats insane!" Lin Lingling pinched her thigh in disbelief, still staring dumbfounded. She suddenly remembered that when Governor Chen left with Thousand-Year Sister, he had asked her to set up a formation for Lin Lingling. She had thought it would just be a basic concealment and defense array. She didnt expect it to be a massively deadly sword formation! "No wonder the Thousand-Year Old Maiden from a hidden sect is so badass..." Lin Lingling stroked her chin, her eyes narrowing. Following the Governor = gaining resources. The Governors resources came from Thousand-Year Sister. Protecting the Governors sword = protecting Thousand-Year Sisters happiness. Therefore: resources = Thousand-Year Sisters happiness. "I''ve decided!" Lin Linglings eyes lit up as she punched her palm. "From today on, this lady will protect Thousand-Year Sisters happiness! No one touches the Governors mighty sword except Thousand-Year Sister!" ... Deep in Taishan, two figures were hurrying through the forest. Chen Huaian noticed that Li Qingran beside him had slowed slightly, her delicate brows knitting together. He asked with concern, "Whats wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" "Its nothing, just a little bug..." Li Qingran smiled. She could see what was happening back at the sword formation. Although Lin Hao was already dead, she still expanded the formations range slightly with her spiritual power. Since this was someone her Master wanted to protect, she would protect her too. Besides, she rather liked that little girl. "A bug? Where?" Chen Huaian pretended to look around concernedly, but really he just wanted an excuse to stare at Li Qingran. "Its in" Li Qingran paused, tilting her head and blinking her lively eyes, a sly smile playing at the corners of her lips. "In my eye... Its kinda uncomfortable..." She rubbed her eye with a troubled expression, but the way her lips curved up made her look like a little fox who had eaten honey. Chen Huaian, too concerned, didnt notice her teasing. "It flew into your eye? Let me take a look!" Li Qingran lowered her hand. Her eyes, slightly reddened, glistened with moisture as she gazed up at him. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She bit her lip softly and whispered: "Mmm... Master... can you blow on it for your disciple?" ... ... Chapter 280: Fire Cloud Chapter 280: Fire Cloud A little bug flew into his disciples eye. Of course, he had to blow it out. Chen Huaian didnt really think about what kind of bug could get into the eye of a Golden Core cultivator. He took two steps closer, then suddenly pausednot because he figured anything out, but because he was worrying about what he ate for lunch, and whether his breath would smell. Other cultivators at the Qi Refining stage wouldve already started fasting in a half-hearted wayif you didnt eat, you didnt poop, which was a step toward a pseudo impervious body. But Chen Huaian couldnt accept a life without food. Living without cola and fried chicken would basically kill him. Hed had wontons for lunch and tofu pudding for dinner. Not a big deal. Chen Huaian inched a little closer. Li Qingran also quietly took half a step forward, closing the distance between them to the absolute minimum. Mo Shumei had said it: take the initiative, take control into your own hands. Right now, her Master was at his most vulnerable moment under the influence of the world''s powerit was also her best chance to get close to him. She could tell just from the way he looked at her. Her Master wasnt some cold, unfeeling stone. He could be stunned by a beautiful girl too. It was just that his strong cultivation suppressed those desires. Now she was at the Golden Core stage, while her Master was only at the ninth layer of Qi Refining... It was the perfect opportunity! Charge! Chen Huaian leaned down, holding his breath. "Wheres the bug? I dont see anything..." His voice was low but slightly trembling. He could see the tiny, delicate hairs on Li Qingrans face and his own reflection in her slightly dewy eyes. "Its, um... a really tiny bug. Maybe you should get even closer?" Li Qingran suggested sweetly. Get even closer? Chen Huaians heart gave a violent thump. If he got any closer, his nose would be touching her foreheadwouldnt that be way too much?! But whatever. Since it was Li Qingrans request... Chen Huaian slowly leaned in, his breath growing increasingly unsteady. Li Qingran, staring at her Master''s blushing face, gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, secretly calculating the distance. If she just stood on tiptoe, she would be at the same height as him. Then she could pretend to lose her balancelike she stumbled on a rockand use the momentum to crash into him. Thats what Mo Shumei had taught her toodont overthink it, just make sure you get physically close first. As long as she could kiss himeven if it was just a light brushshe could use that as an excuse to cling to him afterward. "I still dont see any bug..." Chen Huaians nose was now just a hairs breadth from Li Qingrans forehead. Her bright, clear eyeswhere the hell was a bug supposed to hide in there? Besides, seriouslythis was a Golden Core cultivator. What kind of bug could possibly pull this off?! Reality hit him. Meanwhile, after a brief moment of hesitation, Li Qingran finally tiptoed forward. "Ah~" She faked a twisted ankle and fell toward him. The two of them instantly collided Except... Li Qingran passed right through him. Chen Huaian: ... Li Qingran: ... Chen Huaian stood there, completely motionless. Li Qingran was stuck one-third of the way through his projection, frozen mid-fall. The buzzing insects around them seemed to fall silent. The air grew scarily still. "Uh, Li Qingran..." Chen Huaian broke the silence first: "Im just saying, you know, since this is a projection descending into the world, a bug really shouldnt be able to fly into your eye. Is there a chance that... its your real body" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Master, p-please dont talk right now..." Li Qingran lowered her head, her face flushing crimson. Even the tips of her ears turned bright red. Her eyes darted around frantically, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. "Alright, alright, this venerable one wont speak." Chen Huaian scratched his nose, obediently shutting up. Inside his Dantian, his Dragon Soul gleamed brilliantly. He once again felt a call from deep within the mountain, this time even more urgent than before. It was like someone was crying out for help. But compared to when he first arrived at Taishan, the location of the call was much less clear. It felt like it was coming from everywhere at onceno matter which way he went, it was like running around like a headless chicken. Couldnt they give him a better hint or something? "ROAR!" Suddenly, a deafening roar exploded nearby. It sounded like a lions roar, amplified a thousand times over, full of rage and killing intent. Chen Huaian looked up and saw a fire cloud rushing toward them at high speed, instantly dyeing half the sky red. "Dont let that beast get away!" a cultivator shouted. "Beast, stop right there!" Several figures flew after the fire cloud, soaring through the sky. Under the fire cloud, many figures moved through the forest below. The ones flying were Foundation Establishment cultivatorsor "Ascenders" as they liked to call themselves. The ones running on the ground were all Qi Refining cultivatorsabout dozens of people chasing after the fire cloud. The fire cloud spiraled in the sky. At first, it was heading west, but suddenly, it sharply turned eastright toward Chen Huaian and Li Qingran. "Oh sh*t!" Seeing the fire cloud barreling toward them, Chen Huaian felt an impending sense of doom. Even though it was injured, the aura it gave off was something he definitely couldnt handle right now. "Master, please stay behind me." Li Qingran stepped in front of Chen Huaian. Her Su Xian Sword unsheathed, her eyes sharp and focused. Her whole presence radiated sword intent and killing intent, fierce and domineering. At that moment, she was no longer the shy little disciple blushing in front of her Masterbut a finely honed blade. Sir, save me! A weak voice echoed in Chen Huaians mind. His gaze locked onto the fire cloudhe instantly knew the voices source. "Qingran, let that fire cloud in." "Yes, Master!" Li Qingran didnt hesitate. Although the fire cloud was thick with demonic energy, it carried no killing intent toward her or her Master. It was obvious the creature recognized Chen Huaian and had fled toward him on purpose. The fire cloud swooped to a stop in front of Chen Huaian, then shrank rapidly, turning into a tiny red star that zipped into Chen Huaians Dantian. The cultivators chasing it quickly arrived at the scene. They didnt see the fire cloud vanish into Chen Huaian. All they knew was that once they got here, the fire cloud was gone. "Hey! You two! Did you see a Vermillion Phoenix Fire Cloud Snake pass through here?" The leader barked. He wore a short robe that mixed traditional and modern elementslike sneakers paired with ancient-styled clothes. Definitely someone from a hidden sect. Chen Huaian shook his head. "Didnt see any phoenix-snake-whatever. Just a fire cloud flew overhead and disappeared on the other side of the mountain." "Really?" The man squinted suspiciously, his gaze falling on Li Qingran. His eyes lit up with amazement. What a beautiful girl! Way prettier than those so-called beauties whod been cultivating in sects for ten years. The difference was like man-made jade versus a masterpiece sculpted by nature itself. "Which sect are you Ascenders from?" He tilted his chin arrogantly. "Im Luo Yun, personal disciple of Zhengyi Sect. Were hunting down a King-level beast. Why dont you two team up with us? Its safer, and youll get a share of the points." The number of people each hidden sect could send to the Monster Hunting Tournament varied depending on the sects strength. Seeing only two of them, Luo Yun assumed they were from some small secteasy to push around. "Heh, no thanks. Were used to working alone. Wouldnt want to trouble you." Chen Huaian politely cupped his hands. He needed to study the fire cloud, and getting entangled with these people would just be a waste of time. Luo Yuns face darkened. "Whats the matter? Are you looking down on our Zhengyi Sect?" Before he finished speaking, the other cultivators from Zhengyi behind him all wore unfriendly expressions, clearly ready to start something. Chen Huaian paused, the polite smile vanishing from his face, replaced by a benevolent, almost grandfatherly grin. "Alright then. This venerable one will ''look up'' to you." If you dont drink the wine offered nicely, youll have to drink the punishment wine. Chen Huaians face turned cold. From between his teeth, a single word shot out like a knife: "Kill!" ... ... Chapter 281: Qingran Wants to Become a Hardworking Cultivator Chapter 281: Qingran Wants to Become a Hardworking Cultivator Chen Huaian had killing intent toward Luo Yun. Because the way Luo Yun looked at Li Qingran was nothing good. Li Qingran also had killing intent toward Luo Yunbecause her Master had killing intent toward him. Whoever her Master wanted dead was someone she would kill without hesitation. Moonlight flowed like water across the mountains. The insects fell silent, the wind stilled, and the air turned heavy and frozen. Luo Yun hovered in the sky, about fifteen meters away from Chen Huaian and Li Qingran. When he heard the word "kill," he found it laughable, even wondering if he had misheard. Until Chen Huaian and Li Qingran both gripped the hilts of their swords at the same time. The killing intent surged like a blizzard crashing down on him. "This leaders mine!" Chen Huaian and Li Qingran charged at the same time. Both cultivated the , their footsteps falling into perfect sync. In three quick steps, they were already right in front of Luo Yun. "Yes, Master!" Li Qingran brushed past Luo Yun in a flash, instantly accelerating. In the blink of an eye, she had already darted ten meters behind him, her sword whirling toward another Ascender. "Just a mere Qi Refining stage? You dare try to kill me too?!" Luo Yun, being mid-Foundation Establishment, found Li Qingrans speed too fast to react. But he could barely respond to Chen Huaians thrusting sword. He hurriedly drew his own sword to block. "White-feathered meteors tucked at the waist." "What?!" Luo Yun didnt even see Chen Huaian open his mouth. Rather, the figure charging at him suddenly sped up so fast that only a ghostly afterimage remained. Only a cold voice echoed by his ear. Chen Huaians Black Scales Sword twisted and shot forward. The tip of the sword quivered lightly, like it was threading a needle or teasing a piece of jade. Then, with a sharp flick, it sealed off all of Luo Yuns possible sword paths. All Luo Yun could see was a blur of sword light; his entire vision turned into a blinding white haze. As another line"The autumn lotus of sword blossoms flashes out from its sheath"sounded near his ear, a cold sweat dripped from Luo Yuns temple. Who the hell was this guy?! How could he wield such terrifying sword techniques? How could a Qi Refining cultivator easily face off against someone at the Foundation Establishment stage?! He couldnt even see where the sword was coming from or track Chen Huaians figureonly a suffocating sense of death surrounding him from every direction. Just blocking the attacks already took everything he had. They say brute force can overcome finessebut when he swung his full-powered sword, the opponent easily neutralized it, toying with him. Pure defense couldnt last forever. Especially for someone like him, who wasnt even good at defending. At one moment, the sword intent suddenly shifted. Luo Yun couldnt handle it anymorehis sword was knocked out of his hand. At the same time, a flash of cold light passed before his eyes. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no way to dodge. His vision flickeredand then faded into complete darkness. Chen Huaian stood beside Luo Yuns fallen body, holding his sword while the scabbard remained empty at his waist. A drop of blood slid down the blade. Fifty meters away, Li Qingran stood in her plain clothes with her sword on her back, glancing back at him. All around her, more than a dozen bodies lay scattered, the scent of blood thick in the air. "Not bad. Your swordplay now carries a bit of this venerable ones power." Chen Huaian smiled lightly. His swordsmanship had already reached the pinnacle. Compared to Li Qingrans comprehension, he was still a whole level higherso he wasnt embarrassed to say such things. "Your disciple still needs to learn a lot more from Master." The killing aura faded from Li Qingrans face. She sheathed her sword and walked up to Chen Huaian, standing obediently by his side. This whole fire cloud and cultivator situation really came at the right timeperfect for breaking the awkwardness between her and Master. Even though she didnt like these people, she still left them whole corpses. A little mercy. "Master, that fire cloudwhat exactly is it? Do you know it?" Reminded by Li Qingran, Chen Huaian snapped back to reality and immediately checked his Dantian. Inside his Dantian, right in front of the Dragon Soul, a tiny red snake was crouching in a posture of worship. Its body was growing increasingly translucent, obviously close to death. The fire cloud had only been its demonic soulits physical body had long been destroyed by the Ascenders. Noticing Chen Huaians spiritual sense sweeping over, the little snake struggled to flip over, sticking out its tongue and speaking in a low, feminine voice: Thank you, sir, for saving my life. Zhu Yu will never forget this favor. But Zhu Yus fate has come to an end. I can only guide you to the Dragon Lord. Please forgive me. The little snakenamed Zhu Yuhad sorrow and regret flashing in its eyes. Its body curled tighter as its demonic energy spread out like mist, gradually merging into the Dragon Soul in the Dantian. Its voice became lighter and lighter: Zhu Yu will repay sirs kindness in the next life... Please, sir... quickly go aid the Dragon... Dragon Lord... And then, the demonic soul completely dissipated. It had sacrificed itself to the Dragon Soul. As the holder of the Dragon Soul, Chen Huaian also caught a glimpse of fragmented memories. Zhu Yu had begun cultivating three hundred years ago. Later, after receiving a bit of Dragon Qi, its cultivation skyrocketed. Its mission was to guide the person chosen by the Dragon Soul. Originally, it wasnt supposed to diebut a group of Ascenders had come after it. Luo Yun was among them, but the one who had destroyed its physical body was anothera hidden sect elder, a monster who had lived since the Ming and Qing dynasties and had been hiding ever since. In these three hundred years, Zhu Yu had never committed any evil. Instead, it had done many good deedslike helping reckless mountain climbers who wandered off the main path and faced danger. It couldnt save everyone, but it saved whomever it could. Yet, right after it received its enlightenment and woke up, a group of Ascenders came and killed it. "So, there was supposed to be a guide, but the guide was killed. It barely escaped with just a soul fragment?" Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. "And in order to deliver the message and fulfill its mission, it even sacrificed the last bit of its soul..." The Dragon Soul awakening, Zhu Yu receiving enlightenment, the sudden Monster Hunting Tournament that looked like free benefits, and the strange group of Ascenders All of these things mixed together gave off a strong sense of deliberate orchestration. Its human nature to kill demons. Chen Huaian could understand peoples prejudice against demons and spirits. But interfering with the opportunities that rightfully belonged to him? That was unacceptable. "I guess you could say I knew it." Chen Huaian nodded at Li Qingran, then shook his head and sighed. "But its already dead. It burned itself out." "I see... Im sorry, Master." Li Qingran tugged at the hem of her clothes, her eyes downcast. "What are you apologizing for?" Chen Huaian crouched down and started rummaging through Luo Yuns body. "Master, are you..." Li Qingran blinked. Was Master investigating the enemys background by examining the corpse? Surely a grand Void Fusion cultivator wouldnt just be... looting the body, right? "Of course Im looting." Chen Huaian didnt even lift his head. "Ah?" Li Qingran froze. A Void Fusion cultivator... looting a Foundation Establishment corpse? Chen Huaians hands paused mid-search. He realized his behavior didnt match his level of cultivation at all. But in moments of extreme crisis, adrenaline floods the body and boosts the brains thinking speed. And so, without even thinking, he blurted out: "Disciple, sweat drips onto the soil, and every grain is hard-earned!" "When this venerable one was just a little cultivator, there was no sect, no friends, and definitely no resources. Everything I had, I scavenged from the dead." Chen Huaian stuffed all the little bottles and jars from Luo Yuns body into his spatial gear, then stood up with his hands behind his back, sighing dramatically. "Time flies. Things are much better now. This venerable one can finally hand out resources to the younger generation. If only back then there had been a senior like that for metsk tsk..." "Your disciple understands." Li Qingrans eyes grew red, her expression touched. She could almost picture how much hardship her Master had suffered to reach his current leveland how many sneers and cold shoulders he had endured. And here she was, misunderstanding him. She hadnt thought deeply enough. Shed thought looting corpses was beneath himbut it was just a survival habit forged through years of hardship. "From today onward, your disciple will learn from Master. I will become a frugal, hardworking cultivator who never lets any resource go to wasteeven if its looting corpses!" Li Qingrans tone was solemn and full of determination. Chen Huaians heart settled completely, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "A student worth teaching!" What he didnt know was that with this single lesson... He had accidentally created one of the of the future famous Qingran Fairyhailed as the number-one female sword immortal of the Cangyun Realm. No matter what enemy she killed, even if it was just an ant, she would meticulously loot every last usable resource. It was... Almost too tragic to watch! ... ... Chapter 282: The Lake Surface Chapter 282: The Lake Surface They say the Governor of the C Province Exorcist Division went north to attend the Monster Hunting Tournament! Is that info reliable? Totally reliable, Lord Daliang! Tokugawa Daliang narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips curling up beneath his mustache. Yoshi! What a golden opportunity! They had already been planning to unleash a large number of monsters across Tianfu District and the surrounding areas. Originally, they were a little concerned that the monsters they released wouldnt be strong enough and would quickly be cleared out by the Exorcist Divisionor worse, that theyd fail to lure C Provinces strongest Exorcist, the Governor, away from the containment center. But now? The guy left on his own. This really felt like a blessing from Amaterasu herself. What had already been a sixty to seventy percent chance of success just jumped up by another thirty percent. Tokugawa Daliang could practically see the moment his people subdued the Bone Porcelain Woman, turning her into a Shikigami and reaping a huge reward. Notify everyonestart moving! he ordered. The Monster Hunting Tournament lasts three days. That Governor might return on the fourth. We must infiltrate the Exorcist Division and secure the Bone Porcelain Woman before he gets back! Yes, sir! C Province Exorcist Division Wonder how the Governor and Lin Lingling are doing now Zhao Ying sat in front of her computer desk, the glow of the screen reflecting in her eyes behind her glasses. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shed been poring over reports all night and was starting to feel sleepy. Back in the day, the Exorcist Division was constantly overwhelmed. One moment theyd be logging new monster or cursed spirit sightings, the next theyd be shorthanded and scrambling for backup. It was pure chaos. But now, under the Governors leadership, C Provinces Exorcist Division had all the resources and personnel they needed. With such a big team, even newly posted missions got resolved in less than half a day. There werent even enough missions to go aroundExorcists were doing group runs, and there were no longer any short-handed calls. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuans workload was slashed in half overnight. Life had gotten so chill that it almost felt weird. She even brought her penguin plushie to work Just as Zhao Ying was about to open QVideo to unwind with a drama Suddenly, the Exorcist Divisions mission system flooded with over a dozen new mission alerts. Suspicious Marshal-level cursed presence detected at Tongsen Jinyue Residential Neighborhood. Situation pending confirmation. Confirmed Teacher-level cursed spirit appearance at Wandan Mall. Quantity pending confirmation. Besides their core members, C Provinces Exorcist Division had also recruited a group of observerspart-time employees who were paid just to report sightings. These observers were usually Awakened, capable of sensing or seeing monsters and cursed beings, but too weak to fight them. So they stayed off the front lines and strictly relayed info. Back then, processing these reports was a nightmare. But now? Ying-jie, we got missions incoming?! Xiang Xiaoyuan pushed the door open, face lit with excitement. Yup, tons of them. Like ten new ones per minute. Zhao Ying adjusted her glasses, lips curling into a smirk. This kind of sudden outbreak of cursed beings isnt normal. But no matter who''s behind itor whats behind itour C Province Exorcist Division has nothing to fear now! There was a time Zhao Ying wouldnt have dared say something that bold. But now? With all the resources from the Governor backing them up? She could say it without batting an eye. Notify everyone. Get ready for combat. Zhao Ying stood up, grabbed the Tang Sword resting on her desk, and a cold glint flashed through her eyes. Our Exorcist Division is back in business! Taishan Chen Huaian followed Zhu Yus guidance deeper into the mountainous area. The monsters they encountered along the way were growing in numberand in strength. Fewer Ascenders were around, but the ones they did meet were much more powerful. So far, the strongest one hed seen was at Peak Foundation Establishment. Ascenders were pretty easy to recognize. They had a unique vibehard to explain, but kinda like a newly rich upstart. No matter what they did, it came with a ton of flash and noise. Killing a monster? The explosion could be heard miles away and the visuals lit up the entire sky. Master, the cultivators in this world use spiritual energy in such flashy, wasteful ways Li Qingran muttered as they passed by an Ascender mid-battle. Then she turned curiously, Master, why did you come to this world? Why not return to the Cangyun Realm? The spiritual energy here is so thinit doesnt seem suitable for cultivation. Another killer question. Chen Huaian looked calm on the outside, but he was panicking inside. His brain went into overdrive, and half a second later, he had an answer. You dont know this, but the Cangyun Realms resources are drying up fast. One day, theyll run out completely. I couldnt just sit and watch that happenI had to think about the future, he said, shaking his head with a sigh. Dont be fooled by how thin the spiritual energy is here. Ten years ago, this world didnt have any spiritual energy at all. You mean this world is undergoing spiritual revival? Li Qingrans eyes widened. Every cultivator in the Cangyun Realm could see the resource problem coming. But since spiritual energy hadnt totally dried up yet, most folks just figured the real top dogsGrand Ascension and Void Fusion-level cultivatorswould handle it. Why stress about it themselves, right? Thats right. Chen Huaian clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the night sky. The reason I left the Sword Pavilion to wander the Three Thousand Worlds was to find a new pathfor myself and for the Pavilion. If the Cangyun Realm really does fall apart, if the resources collapse then I, this Venerable One, will lead the Sword Pavilion here, to thrive in this world. So even though this world repels us, even though I risk being hunted by its cultivators, I must establish a foothold hereno matter what. I see Li Qingrans eyes reddened slightly. Her heart trembled, and a sour warmth rose in her chest. She said softly, So Master has been thinking so far ahead always looking out for the Pavilion and for me And I kept asking you to return to the Cangyun Realm. Ive been so selfish. Hearing that, Chen Huaian let out a quiet breath of relief. Thank goodness Li Qingran was kind of gullible. Whatever he said, she believed it. Not like that little brat Lin Lingling What he said wasnt entirely made-up, though. The Cangyun Realm really was running dry. And this world was going through a spiritual revival. As for moving the entire Sword Pavilion here? That was just hot air. Lets be realno Grand Ascension cultivator could just travel freely across the Three Thousand Worlds. There were only a handful of them in the Cangyun Realmcould count them on one hand. Thats why he could get away with this BS. If they could world-hop, Real Person Yuyao and Reverend Karma wouldve bounced ages ago. The call of the Dragon Soul was getting closer. Suddenly, the dense mountain peaks opened up into a clearing. The two of them dashed through the woods and arrived in an area ringed by cliffs. Under the night sky, a lake stretched out before them. A fierce wind whipped past Chen Huaian and Li Qingrans faces. Yet the lake itself remained perfectly stilleerily so. Like a black eye staring up at the stars, cold and silent. The dark water seemed to conceal some terrifying presence. Chen Huaian didnt recall any lake this size near Taishan. Which could only mean one thingthis lake formed recently. But what kind of existence could create a lake this vast out of nowhere? He already had the answer in his heart. A dragon. Chapter 283: This Awful World Should Just Explode Already Chapter 283: This Awful World Should Just Explode Already The lake wasn''t exactly deserted. On the cliffs surrounding it stood twelve figures, each shrouded in a glow of spiritual energy, positioned according to the Twelve Earthly Branches, encircling the lake. Each of them tightly gripped a golden chain. The chains extended deep into the lake. The night was pitch black. Amid the silence, the clanging of chains would occasionally burst forth, and the previously calm surface of the lake would suddenly tremble violently, as if some massive creature was thrashing about within. Whos there? Among the twelve figures, an old man in a dark robe glanced toward Chen Huaian and Li Qingran, a flash of surprise and confusion crossing his face. A 9th-layer Qi Refining and a Golden Core at the out-of-body Yang Soul stage? Chen Huaian said nothing. Because he hadnt figured out what kind of BS to spin yet. Also, the aura from these twelve figures was similar to Li Qingrans No, stronger than hers. For Li Qingrans safety, and his own, he had to be cautious with his words. Compared to the Ascenders theyd encountered along the way, these twelve old cultivators lacked that out-of-place nouveau riche vibe, but instead gave off a stale, musty feelinglike a group of antiques freshly dug out of their graves. Clang! The chain trembled again. The old mans face darkened. He withdrew his gaze and refocused on the lake. Forget it. Since you two managed to make it here, whether by strength or luck, its your fate Once the formation is activated, you can supply spiritual energy from the auxiliary nodes. Youll be credited some of the points for suppressing the Flood Dragon. So it really was a Flood Dragon chained beneath the lake? Chen Huaian touched his chest. The Dragon Souls resonance had reached a peak. Clearly, the Flood Dragon now trapped by the twelve peak Golden Cores was strongly connected to the Dragon Soulit was calling out to him for help. Only he could hear the Flood Dragons anguished howls from beneath the water. The so-called Dragon Lord, a being meant to dominate a region and yet, here it was, locked down by twelve cultivators. This was the classic tale of a tiger fallen to the plains, bullied by dogs Master, should we make a move? Li Qingran mouthed the words, gesturing at her neck. Not yet. Chen Huaian replied with lip movements as well. Mostly because theyd get wrecked if they tried. Otherwise, hed already charged in. Besides, they still didnt fully understand what was going on with this formation. Better to wait and observe. Senior. Chen Huaian cupped his hands toward the twelve cultivators in the air, putting on a humble front. May I ask where the auxiliary node is located? The old man shot him a glance. Didnt your sect elders teach you this? Hmph! Getting more careless by the generation. He raised his hand and pointed toward a cave by the lake. Head over there. The other nodes are already full. Many thanks, Senior. Chen Huaian gave Li Qingran a look. After doing a quick sweep to confirm there was no danger, the two of them entered the unassuming cave. Inside were already more than a dozen Ascenders, all gathered around a circular bronze formation disk that hadnt yet been activated. And one of the faces was surprisingly familiar. Governor Chen! At the formation disk, Wang Shouyis eyes lit up when he saw Chen Huaian. Chen Huaians face instantly darkened at the sound of that title. He quickly glanced at Li Qingran beside him. Luckily, her focus was fully on the formation disk and didnt seem to notice. Ahem, so its Brother Wang. What a coincidence! Chen Huaian cupped his hands. As Wang Shouyi stepped closer, Chen dropped his voice and said, Just call me by my name. Governor Chen sounds way too formal. Are we really that distant? Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alright, Brother Chen. Wang Shouyi adjusted right away, flashing a bright white grin. Then he turned and introduced him to the other Ascenders: This is the senior I met at the Exorcist Division. If it werent for him, Id be long dead. From today on, you all better show him the same respect you show me! Senior Chen! the group of Ascenders behind Wang Shouyi immediately cupped their hands and shouted in unison. Chen Huaian: This f***ed-up world should really just explode already. Are you kidding me right now? Seriously?! He turned his headand sure enough, Li Qingran was looking at him with her big blinking eyes, curiosity and wonder sparkling in those watery pupils. If he were a love expert, hed know this was the moment the girls heart began to fall. After all, a girl''s first step toward falling in love was always curiosity and fascination. Too bad Chen Huaian was no love expert. He was straight-up panicking. Alright, alright, enough of that nonsense. Chen Huaian quickly changed the topic. Brother Wang, since youre a disciple of Kunlun Immortal Palace, can you tell me who those twelve old guys outside are? Brother Chen, youre asking the right guy. Wang Shouyi smacked his lips and organized his thoughts: Those twelve are elders from various hidden sects. Each of them has lived for hundredsmaybe over a thousandyears. Theyve only come out recently because of the spiritual energy surge. Their goal is to hunt the Flood Dragon. Ordinary Ascenders just target cursed beings and monsters. And those monsters? Theyre the Flood Dragons minions. But the dragon itself is tough to kill, and the twelve elders cant risk being interrupted during the formation. So, to avoid being swarmed, they organized this whole Monster Hunting Tournament. Chen Huaian had a lightbulb moment. No wonder the rewards had seemed too good to be true. Turns out they were just using them as labor. Did the Flood Dragon do anything evil? Chen Huaian asked again. Uh Ive never heard of anything specific. Wang Shouyi shook his head, then added with conviction: But monsters and cursed spirits are all threats. Just because theyre not hurting people now doesnt mean they wont in the future. Better to wipe them outor at least bring them under human control. Thats the only way to eliminate the danger completely. The Ascenders behind Wang Shouyi all nodded in agreement. Clearly, they shared his views. Or ratherthis was the mainstream opinion now. Chen Huaian thought of Little Qing with the beautiful legs, and the buff black cat Bajii back at the containment center. And the shy Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid. Technically, all of them were monsters. But none of them had ever shown any signs of being dangerous. The prejudice in peoples hearts really was like a mountain. Chen Huaian only nodded, choosing not to debate whether or not the Flood Dragon was evil, or if it deserved to die. Wang Shouyi was an Ascender from the Kunlun Immortal Palaceit was that sect that brought him into cultivation. From both identity and upbringing, Wang Shouyi was bound to support the doctrine. But Today, he would have to go against Wang Shouyi. The Dragon Soul was calm and noble. If the Flood Dragon was truly a remnant of the Dragon Soul, then it couldnt possibly be evil. Just like Zhu Yuwho, under the Flood Dragons teachings, had only ever saved people, never harmed them. Chen Huaian walked to the mouth of the cave and looked out across the lake and toward the opposite shore. He noticed that aside from their current cave, there were eleven other obviously manmade caves carved into the cliffs. They corresponded to the twelve Earthly Branches, clearly serving as the other nodes of the formation. He genuinely liked Wang Shouyi. If he destroyed the formation disk Wang Shouyi was guarding, itd bring him trouble. So hed have to mess with the other eleven instead. He turned back to glance at Wang Shouyi. On Wang Shouyis head, red light and Purple Qi intertwinedthe same as Lin Linglings. Clearly, he was someone with strong talent and great destiny. But there was still a layer of gray mist shrouding himthough thinner than most other Ascenders. Just what was this gray mist? Never mind. One thing at a time. First, go mess with the other formation nodes. With that thought, he prepared to leave the cave with Li Qingran. But he had barely taken two steps when Wang Shouyi called out behind him: Brother Chen! The formations about to activatewhere are you and sis-in-law going? Chen Huaian stumbled, nearly faceplanting. Next to him, Li Qingran lowered her head and pinched her skirt, her pretty face turning red at a speed visible to the naked eye. Ahemdont worry about it. Chen Huaian cleared his throat. This Venerable One just needs some fresh air! Chapter 284: Heavenly Demon Art, Activate! Chapter 284: Heavenly Demon Art, Activate! Chen Huaian and Li Qingran rushed toward the nearest cave. At the same time, the formation quietly activated. Twelve beams of spiritual light shot straight into the sky. As a thunderous rumble echoed through the mountains, a massive golden formation disk unfolded in the night sky, painting even the dusk in shimmering gold. What kind of formation is this?! Li Qingran looked up at the array above them, stunned. Twelve Earthly Branches Dragon-Locking Golden Chain Formation! To maintain his image as a knowledgeable master, Chen Huaian blurted it out without hesitation. Bind! All twelve hidden sect elders roared in unison. The spiritual energy within the formation flowed through their bodies, channeling into the golden chains and igniting arcs of lightning along the links. The lake surface began to boil violently. Lightning crackled and danced beneath the dark water. Through the electrified web, one could faintly make out a long, thrashing black shadow. Rooaarrr! A violent dragons roar erupted from beneath the water. But it was strained and exhaustedfilled with agony and despair. In his Dantian, the Dragon Souls resonance grew even stronger. Its tightly shut eyes emitted a howling cry, as if echoing the beasts pain. Chen Huaian knew he was running out of time. He and Li Qingran entered one of the caves. Inside, over a hundred Ascenders sat cross-legged around a formation disk, channeling all their spiritual energy into it. All of these cultivators were strongnone below Peak Qi Refining, and the most powerful were on par with Wang Shouyi, ranging from Late to Peak Foundation Establishment. The higher their cultivation, the thicker the gray mist hovering above their heads. But Chen Huaian didnt have the time to study the mist right now. Disciple, go! No sooner had the words left his mouth than Li Qingran, sword in hand, spun forward like a startled swan, striking the formation disk with a single elegant slash. A golden shield sprung up to protect the disk, but it was instantly shattered by Su Xian. Her strike was blocked, but it startled the Ascenders around the disk, snapping them out of their meditative focus. Who dares to interrupt our formation?! Get lost, or well kill you too. Chen Huaian followed just behind Li Qingran, rushing toward the formation disk. His eyes swept over the speaker like cold blades. He had no personal vendetta with these Ascenders. He was only here to seize the opportunity that belonged to him. If he didnt have to fight, he didnt want to. Li Qingrans Golden Core cultivation was already exerting pressure over the areaif these Ascenders were smart, theyd retreat. And for a moment, he did see fear and hesitation in their eyes. They knew the spiritual revival meant abundant resources ahead. As long as they survived long enough, they could become powerhouses. So, of course, they valued their lives more than most. However, that fear didnt last even a second. Anyone who disrupts the formationkill them! A chilling voice came from the back of the crowd. A figure in a cyan robe could barely be seen. Chen Huaian wanted to get a good look at which hidden sect this person belonged to, but his view was quickly blocked by the crowd of Ascenders surrounding him. Kill all who interfere! The fear and hesitation vanished. The Ascenders eyes turned firm and fanaticalmore intense than soldiers fresh out of rehab. Chen Huaian felt a wave of dizziness. Clearly, these Ascenders were being manipulated. Which meant there was no other choice. Qingran! Smash the formation! This Venerable One will hold them off! Yes, Master! Li Qingran leapt into the air, dodging over the heads of the crowd, and stabbed down toward the formation disk. Chen Huaian stayed close behind her, slashing away at the charging Ascenders to clear her path. But there were simply too many of them, and the cave was tight and cramped. Some swarmed him, while others tried to block Li Qingran from reaching the disk. In a moment of desperation, Chen Huaian dropped the act and went all infully activating the Heavenly Demon Art. He slowly lifted his head. A strange red gleam flickered in the depths of his eyes. His fingers twitched and contorted, and a ferocious power stirred to life within him. Ill give you one more chancestep aside, or else Boom! A deep vibration pulsed through his limbs and bone marrow. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Demonic energy surged from his body. His muscles began to swell at a speed visible to the naked eye. Thick veins bulged like snakes under his skin. Crack! Crack! His bones shifted and reshaped, his height shooting up nearly a foot, bringing balance to his once-bulky frame. The expanding physique tore through his upper clothes, revealing a body built like iron. Black demonic markings spread from his heart across his chest, climbing up his neck and covering half his facemelding with his glowing crimson eyes. Hes hes a demon cultivator! A Demon Cultivator! Hes actually a Demon Cultivator! Even with their minds affected, the Ascenders couldnt help but cry out in shock. Chen Huaian said nothing. He crouched low, like a hunting leopard. Time seemed to freeze. The next instant Boom! Rock and dust exploded. A three-foot-deep crater was left where he stood. Chen Huaians massive body turned into a blur as he launched forward. Stop him! someone yelled in panic. A dozen weapons came flying from all directions, aiming straight for his vital points. Heavenly Demon Art, First LayerBlood Cocoon! Chen Huaian sneered. His fists clenched. The demonic energy around him thickened into a solid crimson armor of scales. Clang! Clang! Clang! The sound of metal striking metal rang out like a storm. Sparks flew everywhere. Blades and swords bounced off his skin like theyd hit blacksteelnone left a scratch. Still not backing off?! Chen Huaians voice rumbled like thunder. Then die! He hadnt planned to kill them all. But the situationand his limited timeleft him no choice. With a powerful sweep of his right arm, he unleashed a burst of wind. Bang! Several nearby Ascenders were sent flying. Their protective auras shattered, their chests caved in. Dead on the spot. Expressionless, Chen Huaian took another step forward. The ground beneath his feet cracked, spiderwebbing out across the cave floor. The surrounding Ascenders reeled from the shockwave. He spread his fingers and reached for the nearest Ascender. That man barely managed to raise his sword in defense, but the weapon shattered like tofu in Chen Huaians grip. Crack! His fingers closed around the Ascenders head, and a rush of demonic energy from his palm devoured him. The man didnt even have time to scream before his body shriveled like a dried spongecollapsing into a desiccated corpse. Blood Cocoon could refine monsters and cursed spirits but that didnt mean it only worked on monsters and cursed spirits. After all, this was a variant of the original Heavenly Demon Art. Its essence was to refine everything. Just didnt offer much besides scraps from righteous cultivator shards. Hes a monster! A demon! someone screamed in terror. Everyone, attack! Take him down! The man in cyan robes behind the crowd was nearly losing it. No more chances, Chen Huaian muttered as his fists clenched tight. Boom! The air itself screeched from the pressure. He stomped the ground with both feet, launching forward like a cannonball. Bang! Bang! Bang! Each punch landed with the crack of shattering bone. Flesh slammed against flesh. Blood sprayed. Bodies were sent flying like rag dolls, falling back down one by one. His punches sped up from three per second to ten then to a hundred. He bulldozed his way through the cave like a human wrecking ball. Li Qingran stood atop the shattered formation disk, watching her master plow through the enemy like a passing hurricanecompletely stunned. He turned, reached out, and slammed his claw-like fingers into the chest of the last man in cyan. Blood sprayed across the rock wall behind them like a fountain. Blood ran down Chen Huaians arm. He exhaled and casually tossed the corpse aside. In less than a minute, no one in the cave was left standing. The ground was littered with mangled corpses. Shattered organs and severed limbs were scattered everywhere. The thick stench of blood made even the light in the cave seem darker. Chen Huaian shook the blood off his hand. His eyes fell on the jade token at the waist of the cyan-robed Ascenderit bore the carving of a white jade palace. If he remembered correctly, that was a Kunlun Immortal Palace ID badge. M-Master Li Qingran looked at Chen Huaians body, a stunning display of violent aesthetics. Her wide eyes were like copper bells, her lips shaped into a perfect o. She instinctively covered her cheeks with both hands, even her speech was stuttering. Sorry, disciple in the martial world, we dont always get to choose. Chen Huaian knew the Heavenly Demon Art had scared her. But hed already taken that into account when he used it. So, he raised a hand to his forehead, covering half his face, and used a voice like it was stuck in a dozen tractorslow, bubbling, and full of hopeless gravityto explain: Ahem. My cultivation was suppressed I had no choice but to rely on a body-tempering technique to survive in this world, so T-Thats not what I meant Li Qingran covered her eyes with one hand, but a gap formed between her fingers anyway. Her other hand flailed about awkwardly, pointing vaguely at Chen Huaian. Her voice trembled, a mix of shyness and curiosity. Master, y-your pants Chapter 285: Sect Summoning Chapter 285: Sect Summoning Whats wrong with my pants? These shorts were a street-market finddirt cheap, ten bucks a pair, so comfy its like not even Wait a sec! Chen Huaian realized something. He looked downand his old face instantly turned red. Turns out his Heavenly Demon Art transformation had bulked him up so much, it straight-up burst his pants. Now was definitely not the time for a nuclear reveal. He quickly pulled out a fresh pair of pants from his space device and threw them on. Disciple you didnt see anything just now, he said, shamelessly forcing the words out. Chen Huaian stood by one rule in lifein extremely awkward situations, as long as he wasnt embarrassed, the embarrassment would be someone elses problem. I saw everything, Master. Li Qingran averted her gaze and bit her red lip. Chen Huaian: Seriously? Why does nothing ever go by the book? Now he was the one feeling awkward. The cave fell silent again. Just as Chen Huaian was breaking into a nervous sweat, unsure how to respond, a furious roar from outside saved him. Who dares destroy our Twelve Earthly Branches Dragon-Locking Golden Chain Formation?! What kind of name is that? Chen Huaian froze. That simple and blunt? Hed just made it up on the spotand it turned out to be right. But before he could react further, an attack had already landed. Boom! The explosion ripped the entire cave to pieces in a single wave. As the dust settled Chen Huaian saw Li Qingran standing in front of him. Su Xian Sword was held horizontally as she braced it with one hand, forming a barrier of swirling sword energy just a foot ahead, blocking the blast''s aftermath. D*mn, that old fart went all out. Chen Huaian looked around. The corpses of the Ascenders had all been obliterated to mush. And the thing wasthe old man didnt even know they were dead. He clearly never planned to leave anyone in the cave alive. Killing you, the little thief who sabotaged the formationtheir deaths will be worth it! The elder let out a cold snort and struck again at Chen Huaian and Li Qingran. But even with his higher cultivation, his full-force palm was still effortlessly blocked by Li Qingrans sword aura. Hm? The old mans brow furrowed in surprise. He could sense that Li Qingrans Yang Soul stage had just entered Golden Core, yet she blocked his blow so easily? In that case All of yousix stay to stabilize the formation! The rest, come with mewell kill these two first! At his order, five more Golden Cores released their chains and closed in with the elder. With the pressure of six Golden Core cultivators descending, Li Qingrans expression turned grim. She gripped Su Xians hilt tightly and turned to Chen Huaian: Master, if you have something to dogo. Ill hold these six off for you! She didnt know what Chen Huaian was trying to do. She didnt care why he had Demon Cultivation techniques. She only knew he was her Master. She would never mistake her Masters aura. As long as it was himthat was enough. She didnt need to care about anything else. Even if she had to face six Golden Cores, even knowing she had no chance. How could I let you face danger alone? Chen Huaian shook his head, then casually pulled out his phone, opened the Digital Girlfriend game, dragged out the players inventory, and manifested an item from it. To be honest running into so many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators in the real world had been a shock. If he were just an average Exorcist Division Governor, witnessing the power gap between himself and the Ascenders wouldve already broken him. Too bad for themhe wasnt average. He was a walking cheat code. Attack! came the old mans cry from the sky. The six Golden Cores each unleashed their techniques toward Li Qingran. The surging spiritual energy stirred up a hurricane; even before their strikes landed, trees and stones around them were pushed back in a wave nearly ten feet high. Master, go! Li Qingran turned her head, urgency in her voice. Only to see Chen Huaian holding a jade token in one hand, which he pushed forward On the front of the token was a boldly carved character for Sword. The back depicted the mountain gate of Sword Pavilion. Below the gate, embossed in gold, was a single word: Summon. A Sect Summoning Token from the Sword Pavilion? Li Qingran blinkedbut somehow it felt different This Venerable One is the Sword Pavilion Patriarch. Chen Huaian stepped forward to stand before her, facing down the torrent of spells, sword light glowing in his eyes. The token in his hand lit up in response. Gripping it tightly, he roared: Today, I invoke this tokenSword Pavilion disciples, answer your masters call! Space trembled violently, as if it had frozen in place. The six Golden Cores expressions shifted dramatically. Behind this young manwho wasnt even Foundation Establishmentthey saw the illusion of a towering sect: jagged peaks, ancient pavilions, though worn down, emanated a sword intent that pierced the heavens. The moment the illusory sect appeared their techniques shattered inch by inch. Meanwhile, in a Small World Inside the Sword Tomb, three Sword Pavilion Core Disciples who were reflecting on their mistakes suddenly felt a pull. Three streaks of sword qi slashed open the void before them. Duan Feng stood up, face solemn. He bowed toward the rift in the air: Sword Pavilion disciple Duan Feng, answering the call! As his voice fell, he vanished from sight. Xu An and Zhen He also rose one after another. They too cupped their hands in respectful salute to the rift. Sword Pavilion disciple Xu An, answering the call! Sword Pavilion disciple Zhen He, answering the call! Whoosh, whoosh! With a ripple in space, the two disciples vanished. Deep within the Sword Pavilion, in the Sect Masters Hall Su Qinian suddenly opened his eyes and glanced toward the Sword Tomb. He smacked his lips, then closed his eyes again to resume cultivation. These three Sword Pavilion Core Disciples were the strongest among the sects younger generation. Each one had Golden Core strength. Chen Huaian gripped the Summoning Token tightly. At his side, three silhouettes were beginning to materialize. It wasnt that he didnt want to summon stronger elders or even the Pavilion Master. It was justat his current level, summoning Su Qinian could only last a minute. What could he do in a minute? sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But summoning three Core Disciples? That lasted a full half hour. And judging by what hed seen, the real worlds Ascenders lacked the foundation and core techniques that cultivators from the Cangyun Realm had. That old Golden Core couldnt even overpower Li Qingran with a full-force strike. With that in mind, three of Sword Pavilions Core Disciples should be more than enough to deal with these twelve Golden Cores. If nothed burn more time and call in reinforcements. Disciple Duan Feng greets the Patriarch. The first to arrive, Duan Feng, blinked when he saw Chen Huaian. He even doubted his eyes for a moment. It wasnt until he saw Li Qingran beside him that he was sure it was really the Patriarch. Disciple Xu An uh, Patriarch, you changed your hairstyle? Disciple Zhen He uh, hahaha uh greetings, Patriarch. Chen Huaians face darkened. Aside from Duan Feng, these two needed to face the Sword Tomb wall for another year. Is this a time to be joking?! Show some respect! Especially when meeting the Patriarch! Blame these guys for the hair. Theyre yours. Chen Huaian shifted the blame with a cold voice. Protect Li Qingran. Hold off those twelve Golden Cores. Can you manage it? Duan Feng glanced up at the sky. They were Golden Cores, surebut their aura was flimsy and unstable, likely the kind built on pills by some no-name sects. He could take five at once without a problem. He looked back at Chen Huaian and cupped his hands. Rest assured, Patriarch. With the three of us hereno one will touch even a single hair on our little junior sisters head. Chapter 286: The Flood Dragon Chapter 286: The Flood Dragon I have great faith in you threebut protect yourselves as well. And also Chen Huaian pointed toward one of the caves. Help this Venerable One destroy all the formation nodes. If possible, avoid unnecessary killing. But if someone comes at you with the intent to kill, show no mercy. Just leave it to us, Patriarch, Duan Feng said, gripping his sword hilt. His gaze was sharp as a blade. Junior Brother Zhen is known for the power of his sword. Junior Brother Xus sword is famed for its momentum. And my sword is known for its speed. The moment he finished speaking Clang! A sword cry echoed. Only Duan Fengs afterimage remained. Chen Huaian looked up, and in the dusky twilight, he saw a streak of sword light pierce the sky. One slash swept toward the twelve Golden Cores in the air. The other turned into a beam of light, piercing straight toward one of the caves holding a formation node. The one aimed at the Golden Cores was sword qi. The first three were forced back instantly, barely managing to block it with everything they had. And in that instant, the sword qi ripped open a gap in their encirclement. Chen Huaian knew this was his chance. He bolted toward the lake and dove straight in with a splash. The twelve Golden Cores in the air didnt even have time to react. Hes trying to escape?! Who cares if he is! Focus on the ones right in front of us! The leading Golden Core elders expression darkened as he turned to face Xu An and Zhen He. They were both Golden Cores too, but the sword intent emanating from their bodies made his skin crawl. And lets not even talk about that sword light tearing apart the other eleven formation nodes at terrifying speed. If they didnt quickly suppress these four unknown Golden Core cultivators, they could forget about completing the mission those lords had assigned. Theyd be dead men walking. Meanwhile, atop Mount Taishan, by the cliff An old Daoist in a gray robe, beard trailing to the ground, suddenly opened his eyes. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His gaze glowed like an eagles, piercing through the mountains to see the battle unfolding above the lake. So the Dragon Souls chosen one has finally arrived He murmured to himself, voice tinged with a chilling smirk. Todays setup: trap the Flood Dragon, extract its tendons, steal its soul. The Monster Hunting Tournament? Just a public-facing smokescreen. The rewards? Bait to attract participants. Spiritual revival was about to enter the intermediate stage. Only those with a Dragon Soul could anchor fortune and fate in the coming era. Qingfeng old man Decades ago, when the Wokou invaded your Qingfeng Sect, it was my palm strike that wiped out their entire squad and protected your sect from destruction. Isnt it time you repaid that favor? A voice echoed from the horizon. Faint silhouettes could be seen among the gloomy clouds. Wudangs Zhou Renchuan? Song Qingfeng smiled. If you hadnt used that damn Mountain-Shattering Palm back then, I wouldve already slaughtered all those ghosts myself. Calling that a favor? Sounds more like a nuisance! He stood up. With no visible movement he simply took a step forward, and his figure instantly leapt a hundred feet away. Whoever wants the Dragon Soul todaylets settle it with fists. Whoever hits the hardest gets it. Under the lake Chen Huaian stood at the head of a colossal creature lying in the mud, stunned beyond words. This wasnt his first time seeing a dragon. Hed even ridden in a dragon-drawn carriage before. The damn thing was still in his player inventory. If only he had enough strength to handle the black dragons, he could summon the Sacred Chariot into the real world just for fun. But even all those black dragons combined didnt match the sheer scale of this Flood Dragon. Coiled up, its body was hundreds of feet long. If fully extended and soaring across the skies how magnificent would that be? And yet, such a mighty creature was now hanging by a thread. He stood by its head, where the Flood Dragon slowly opened its weary golden eyesvertical pupils tinged with exhaustion. Youve finally come A voice like rolling thunder rang in Chen Huaians mindlow, respectful, and full of longing. Warmth spread through his Dantian. Looking down, he saw the golden Dragon Soul swimming out from within him. Though only the size of a fist, it radiated a terrifying majesty that froze the entire lakebed. Thats when Chen Huaian realizedthe Flood Dragon wasnt talking to him. It was talking to the Dragon Soul. The Dragon Soul didnt speak. But the Flood Dragon seemed to hear something in silence. Its gaze turned toward Chen Huaian, scanning him up and down. Hes weaker than the previous inheritors. The Flood Dragons voice thundered inside his skull. Was there no better choice? Excuse me? Chen Huaians face darkened. Whats that supposed to mean?! He was the dignified Patriarch of the Sword Pavilion! In the Cangyun Realm, people trembled at the mere mention of his name! And here he was, being looked down on by a lizard. Hey, show some respect when you speak! Chen Huaian poked the Flood Dragons nostril with his sword sheath. I came here to save your ***. There are twelve Golden Cores outside guarding you. I couldve easily just ignored this mess! The Flood Dragon gave him a long starethen rolled its eyes, full of disdain and contempt. Whats with that look?! Chen Huaian twitched at the corner of his mouth. Good thing he wasnt in his Heavenly Demon Art state right now. Otherwise, with that kind of temper, he mightve already slashed this oversized snake in the face. This is the ninety-ninth time. Your true soul has thinned to this extent If you fail again, youll vanish forever. Is it worth it? The Flood Dragon ignored Chen Huaian and stared at the Dragon Soul with complicated eyes. After a long pause, it seemed to get an answer. It sighed deeply. Chen Huaian took out a few healing pills from his inventory. As arrogant as the Flood Dragon was, it was still clearly powerful. If he could save it, thatd mean gaining a solid meat shield in this world. A total win. Kid, what are you doing? Healing pills. You want some? No. The Flood Dragon shook its head. You cant save me. I dont want to be saved. You trained so hard and got so damn big, and now you dont wanna live? Chen Huaian tried persuading it gently, How about thiscome out with me, eat good food, drink fine wine. Im the one and only cheat player in this world, with a ton of secret cards. I may look like Im just Ninth-layer Qi Refining, but under extreme anger I can get extremely angry. The Flood Dragon gave the Dragon Soul a skeptical look. The Dragon Soul shook its head and floated back into Chen Huaians Dantian. Out of sight, out of mind, apparently. Kid, Im sacrificing myself to restore the Dragon Soul. From this moment forward, youll be the only True Dragon Physique in this world. At this point, the Flood Dragon had no choice but to accept that its chosen inheritor was well kind of an idiot. But hey, people say idiots have their own kind of luck. The previous ninety-nine inheritors had all been proper cultivatorssome absurdly powerful, others frighteningly intelligent. But none of them had ever changed anything. Maybe the twist of fate would come from this dopey bastard. Who knows? It was an all-in gamble now anyway. Youre giving me such a huge inheritance right after we met? Hakyryu, you old softie Chen Huaians nose tingled, and he let out a sneeze. Flood Dragon: Remember. Never become an Ascender. No matter how tempting it seems dont do it. The Flood Dragon rose from the lakebed, coiling above Chen Huaians head. The twelve golden chains that bound its body snapped under an overwhelming force. Even trapped, it had saved a final sliver of strength for this moment. To sacrifice itself and complete the Dragon Soul. And to brand this warning deep into the inheritors soul: Above all else never become an Ascender!!! Chapter 287: The Ever-Changing Old Ancestor Chapter 287: The Ever-Changing Old Ancestor Under the lake, turbulent undercurrents surged wildly, and a deep vortex formed on the surface. Golden light flickered frequently within the vortex, like lightning weaving through dark clouds. Faintly, one could hear roars and dragon cries echoing from within. Everyone battling above the lake froze for a moment. They all sensed that boiling Dragon Might. The Golden Core elder, who was already getting overwhelmed by Xu An, had another drastic change in expression. D*mn it! The flood dragon sacrificed itself! How could this be? Dont tell me that Qi Refining stage cultivator is the Inheritor?! The Golden Core elder couldnt believe it. Why would the Dragon Soul choose such a weak person as its inheritor? The Sect Master had clearly warned them to be wary of Golden Core cultivators who werent Ascenders. He had been wonderingspiritual energy recovery had only begun ten years ago. Besides the Ascenders, who else could reach Golden Core? But here one was, a Golden Core showing up with a Qi Refining stage cultivator. Back then, he was already cautious, pretending not to notice while trying to stabilize the situation. At first, he suspected the Inheritor was the female cultivator who came with the Qi Refining stage kid. But she was just a Yang Soul projectiondefinitely not someone who could inherit the Dragon Soul. Then he thought maybe it was one of those three sudden genius sword cultivators. So he tried his best to stall for backup. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Turns out... he was wrong about everything! At the bottom of the lake. Golden radiance erupted from the cracked dragon scale atop the flood dragon furnace, gathering into thousands of golden soulfire threads that surged into Chen Huaians brow. Chen Huaian wanted to speak, to stop the flood dragons self-sacrificebut his body wouldnt move, like a player locked in a cutscene. The soulfire poured into his dantian. Already a top-grade Dragon Platform, it ascended even further. The Dragon Soul, eyes closed till now, fully awakenedits golden vertical pupils slowly opened. His dantian evolved into a supreme-grade, and in a moment of insight, Chen Huaian learned its nameAshen Scale. His physique underwent dramatic changes as the Dragon Soul reshaped his body. Chen Huaian saw a golden dragon shadow coursing through his bloodline. He saw generations of Inheritors perishstruck down by heavenly tribulations, shattered beneath sky-crushing palms, executed at guillotines. They gazed toward the cloud-covered sky, toward the overwhelming divine might above. Upon those clouds stood countless invincible figures. Their eyes were filled with resolve, defiance, and hatred. Eventually, all those gazes aligned with Chen Huaians own. ROAR! A dragons cry exploded from the lakebed. Tiny golden scales spread across Chen Huaians forehead. Blood at the corners of his mouth turned to molten lava. His pupils shrank into vertical slits. Dragon horns jutted out from the sides of his skull. He clenched his fistscurrents swirled tightly around him. He roaredclouds churned above the lake, thunder gathering. He swung his dragon tailthe entire lake boiled as if oil had been poured into it. Those who carry the Dragon Soul must defy the heavens. Only now did Chen Huaian understand why the Ancestral Dragon chose him. Back then, when he dragged his sick body up Mount Tai, he really had defied the heavens. He also realized why the flood dragon had looked at him with such disdain. Because every past Inheritor had been far strongerso strong they could battle immortals with brute force. But even now, he still didnt know what kind of enemies those Inheritors had faced. Or why they chose to oppose them. Still, he remembered the flood dragons wordsDont become an Ascender. With the backing of Cangyun Realm and the Sword Pavilion, he was confident he didnt need to rely on any sect in the mortal world. In that case, he wouldnt count as an Ascender right? Right now, Im at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment! Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. With the Dragon Soul completed, he had gained a new abilitypartial dragon transformation. Compared to the Heavenly Demon Art, partial dragon form enhanced his physique in all areas and also boosted spiritual energy efficiency. The same sword strike, when made in dragon form, would carry Dragon Qi. Once Dragon Qi invaded an opponents body, it would trigger fear and dread. In life-or-death combat, fear was fatal. It was no different than turning your back on the enemy. At the same level, fear meant death. Somethings definitely up with these hidden sects and Ascenders appearing since spiritual energy recovery began Chen Huaian squinted up at the lake surface. Even through the water, he could clearly see the battle above. With Duan Feng joining the fight, the twelve Golden Core cultivators were starting to fall behind. His mind held only fragments from the memories of past Inheritors. Not enough to piece together the full story. All he knewthe enemy came from the heavens. Which meant he couldnt reveal that he was the Dragon Souls Inheritor. Or hed be hunted forever. Anyone who saw me inherit the Dragon Soul today must die. Images of several people flashed through his mind, and his eyes burned with killing intent. He controlled the dragon scales to mask his entire face. Only the golden vertical pupils remained visible. Then he drew the Emperors Sword C Chenjiang, which he rarely used, and launched himself toward a figure on the lakes surface. On the lake. The Golden Core elder was already struggling against Xu An. Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming killing intent surge up from below. Not good! His heart sank. Just as he was about to dodge There will be times when the wind and waves are strong. A misty chant echoed from beneath the surface. With a faint trace of a dragons roar. BOOM! A beam of sword energy burst from the water. Like a glimmering golden thread, it trailed a spiraling dragon form and pierced straight through the elders chest. Blood blossomed like red plum flowers against the inky night sky. Behind the Golden Core elder, Dragon Qi condensed into a phantom swordsman who sheathed his blade. Only then did a ghostly voice echo Ill sail my cloud-filled sails to cross the vast seas! As a Golden Core Ascender, he shouldnt have been injured by that strike. But his spiritual energy had already been drained by Xu An. He couldnt even form a protective barrier. Add the lethal force of the Green Lotus Sword Manual, and Chen Huaian crossed an entire realm to kill in a single strike. Old Ancestor?! Xu An was dumbfounded. Old Ancestor, why does your hairstyle keep changing?! Just a moment ago, the Old Ancestor had short black hair. Now, he had flowing crimson-gold hair down his back, dragon scale armor covering his body, dragon horns sprouting from his head, a tail swishing behind himhis whole body glowing under the wash of spiritual energy like a walking lightbulb, shiny and sparkly. As expected of the Old Ancestortruly ever-changing! This isnt the time to discuss hairstyles. Chen Huaian, after confirming Li Qingran was safe, scanned the surroundings and said solemnly, Ignore the other cultivators. But these remaining eleven Golden Core must die. The Ascenders in the cave didnt know who he wasonly these eleven had seen him descend into the lake to inherit the Dragon Soul. So they had to die. Besides, those fragmented memories told himhe and the Ascenders, along with whatever backed them, were destined to be mortal enemies. Kill? A mocking laugh came from the rolling clouds. Several ethereal, sage-like figures flickered in the mist. Just a fledgling who inherited the Dragon Soulwho gave you the guts to kill our people? Tonight, this old man will skin your dragon hide and pull out your dragon tendons! Swordcome! A streak of sword light flew in from the west, landing in the mans hand. He flicked his wrist. CLANG! The entire cloud layer suddenly sank and split in two. A torrent of pale sword light cascaded down like a waterfall. That sword forceno way a Golden Core could block it. Protect the Old Ancestor! Duan Feng roared. Xu An and Zhen He moved at once. The three core disciples stood in a triangle formation, preparing the Three Talents Sword Array. Break! From the clouds, someone pointed a finger. The moment the formation activatedit shattered. We cant hold it? Then lets go all out! Chen Huaians eyes blazed. He pulled out the Sect Summoning Order and pressed it to his forehead. BUZZ! Space trembled. Inside the Sword Pavilion. Su Qinian, still chatting with a hundred white moonlight girls, blinked in confusionthen instantly vanished from his couch. Only a private voice-transmission jade slip drifted lazily to the floor. Chapter 288: Your Disciple Disagrees Chapter 288: Your Disciple Disagrees Where the h*ll did I just get dragged into?! That was Su Qinians first reaction the moment he descended into the real world. A single breath through his nose was enough to tell how terrible the air quality was here. The spiritual energy was pitifully thinworse than even the Sword Pavilion. Was this even a place a cultivator could stay in? He looked up, and saw the Sword Pavilion Old Ancestor glowing brightly like a lightbulb, with only Foundation Establishment-level cultivation. If it werent for the familiar aura, he wouldve almost failed to recognize him. Seriously, what did realm matter? As long as it wasnt Void Fusion, he''d already reached Void Fusionwhats the harm in hiding his cultivation in front of a mere Divine Transformation? Morning, Old Ancestor~ Chen Huaians mouth twitched. He was just about to respond. The next second BOOM! A sword aura crashed straight down on Su Qinian, its aftershock cleaving the entire lake vertically in half. Two towering walls of water stood on either side, refusing to close. A protective golden glow flared up around Su Qinians body, and he emerged unscathed. However, the sword aura had come so fast that the defense only triggered after contact, and as a resultSu Qinians half-gray hair got clean-shaven in one swoop. The three personal disciples stared, dumbfounded, at their Pavilion Master''s shiny bald head. Not a word dared be spoken. Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Qinian lowered his head, watching as locks of hair drifted slowly past his eyes. His shoulders trembled. Whos there?! The figure in the clouds hadnt realized the seriousness of what had just happened. Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect, Song Qingfeng, stared suspiciously at the man. He squinted, but couldnt see through his opponents cultivation. He couldnt believe someone had physically taken that sword head-on. That was a late-stage Nascent Soul attack. In the current stage of spiritual recovery, a Nascent Soul cultivator was practically a walking deity. Who?! What replied to Song Qingfeng was a voice boiling with rageit wasnt even suppressed. It had simply gathered into the sword, now reaching its peak. The tip of the sword touched the lake surface, sending out ripples. As Su Qinian looked up, those ripples froze. The entire lake solidified under the pressure of a peak Divine Transformation cultivator. Cliffs on the shore reflected in his sword blade until the sword and mountains were indistinguishable. He floated upward, both hands lifting that mountainous blade. And slashed down. It was dawn, and the sky should have been filled with pale morning lightbut it was blotted out by that overwhelming sword shadow. A crude black smear was violently drawn across the sky. The entire cloud layer above collapsed downward. Song Qingfeng looked up. His pupils contracted to pinpoints. What he saw wasnt just sword energyit was as if Mount Taishan itself was crashing down on him. It was boundless. Inescapable. At that moment, he understood. This person who blocked his sword was in a completely different league. Divine Transformation! A realm that shouldnt exist at the dawn of spiritual energy revival. Only those ancient monsters from Great Thunder Temple or Kunlun Immortal Palace could possess such terrifying power. Run! Only one option remainedrun! Forget about the Dragon Soul or whatever else. If he died here, what use would the Dragon Soul be? He used an escape technique, shrinking space to inches. In a blink, he was ten miles away. But that creeping chill on his back hadnt disappeared. He turned his headand was horrified. That mountain-like sword shadow was still overhead. It looked like it was falling slowlybut no matter how he twisted and dodged, he couldnt escape its range. In that moment, he felt like the monkey in the Buddhas palm. Senior! Must we resort to killing upon first meeting? Maybe this is all just a misunderstanding! I have ties to an elder from Kunlun Immortal Palace. Please, Senior, show some mercy! Qingfeng tried to yield. After all, Qingfeng Sect was a subordinate sect of Kunlun Immortal Palace. Surely someone with Divine Transformation power knew of Kunlun Immortal Palace But all that echoed from the sky was a furious roar: F* your Immortal Palace! Go tell my d*mn hair that from the depths of hell!** Senior! II have hair regrowth serum F* your serum!** DIE! BOOM! The sword aura descended. Body and soul were pulverized into dust. Back on the lake, Su Qinian ran his hand over his freshly-shaven scalp, and his fury only deepened. Now its your turn! Before his words even faded, he vanished from sight. The shadowy figures within the cloud layer scattered in panicbut how could they escape the palm of a peak Divine Transformation cultivator? To Su Qinian, it was just a matter of lifting his sword and swinginglike slicing tofu. In under a minute, the remaining Golden Core cultivators were wiped out. Down to the last speck of ash. Old Ancestor, Ive embarrassed myself. Su Qinian came to stand before Chen Huaian, cupped his hands, and forced a smile as he pulled a cloth from his storage pouch to wrap around his shiny bald head. The three Sword Pavilion disciples saw their Pavilion Master like this and struggled not to laugh. Their faces turned bright red from the effort. If they let even one snicker escape, their next wall-gazing sentence at the Sword Tomb would be doubled for sure. Well done. Chen Huaian nodded with authority. Maybe it was because theyd spent so much time together. Even with just Foundation Establishment cultivation, he could remain unflustered before a peak Divine Transformation powerhouseupholding the dignity of the Sword Pavilions Old Ancestor. Does the Old Ancestor have any other orders? Only now did Su Qinian take the time to properly examine Chen Huaians new look. Half-human, half-dragon. Definitely the bloodline of a true dragon. Only someone like the Old Ancestor would dare go this far. Anyone else below Void Fusion Either they''d get hunted by righteous sects in Cangyun Realm as a half-human demon, or get ambushed by demonic sects after their dragon bloodline, or, even worse, get a bounty placed on their head by the beast clans for insulting the true dragon bloodline. Seeing Chen Huaian remain silent, Su Qinian looked around and asked again: Also, Old Ancestorwhats with this world? It seems like Why ask so much? Chen Huaian waved it off. Knowing too much wont help you. Times upgo back. As he spoke, the Sect Summoning Order above his head dimmed, its energy spent. A spatial rift opened above Su Qinian and the three personal disciples, sucking them away in a blink. The crisis of his identity being exposedresolved. Chen Huaian let out a sigh of relief. Sitting next to a peak Divine Transformation without flinching? Yeah, that calm was all an act. As for his current look and cultivation well, once Li Qingran returned to Cangyun Realm, that little girl would cover for him with a flawless story. The battle was over. Chen Huaian exited his half-dragon state, and immediately felt lighter. Ah~ Master, youryour pants again Behind him came Li Qingrans startled cry. Chen Huaian turned around. Li Qingran immediately slapped a hand over her facebut it was clear she was peeking through her fingers, her sparkly eyes shining. After the last time, Chen Huaian was already immune. With practiced ease, he pulled out a pair of pants and slipped them on. Expression calm. Almost righteously bold. Eyes off what you shouldnt be seeing! Or youll never find a Dao Companion! He scolded as he pressed her little head down with one hand. Li Qingran let him press her down, puffing her cheeks and pouting. I dont want a Dao Companion. In cultivation, its Wealth, Partner, Method, Ground. Dao Companions come second. Theyre important! Chen Huaian lectured earnestly. If Li Qingran had said she only wanted him as her Dao Companion right now, he wouldve said yes on the spot. Never mind whether they''d get exposed if they met in real life. It was better to have an identity than none at all. But then, Li Qingran said Master, I disagree! Oh? Then tell mewhat do you think? Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Lets hear it. Li Qingran blinked her big eyes, totally serious. She counted on her fingers as she listed her points: First, having a Dao Companion means sharing resources. Master gave me so many resourcessharing them with someone else is such a loss. Second, having a Dao Companion means spending time and energy on the relationship. If I dont maintain it well, some other female cultivator might snatch him away. Id lose both my man and my wealth. Third, if my Dao Companion dies, it could affect my emotions and damage my Dao Heart. My cultivation might stall forever. Id die heartbroken. In conclusion! Li Qingran made a big X across her chest with her fingers. Forming a Dao Companion has zero benefits! So I only want to stay by Masters side forever, as your little disciple! Chapter 289: Then Master, You Shouldnt Have a Dao Companion Either Chapter 289: Then Master, You Shouldn''t Have a Dao Companion Either You know that actually makes a lot of sense, Chen Huaian stroked his chin thoughtfully. That logic? Kinda genius. It sounded exactly like the modern-day reasons for not dating or getting married. Stay single and you spend your money however you want. Get married? Now youre splitting expenses. Add kids and suddenly its split three, four ways. Fights mess with your mood, and if you get cheated on and divorced, you lose both your money and your pride. Worst part? Wasted time, energy, and money. And in the end, youre left with nothing. Right? Right? Li Qingran lifted her chin smugly, eyes twinkling. Then she asked slyly, So, does Master have a Dao Companion? No, Chen Huaian shook his head. Did you before? she pressed. Chen Huaian opened his mouth. Yeah he had an ex. An ex-girlfriend who treated him like trash. Only after they broke up did he find out While he was working odd jobs, his girlfriend had been swiping male models at shopping clubs. With his money, no less. Back then, he was considered pretty decent-looking But no way he could compare to those pretty boys who literally made a living off their looks. Peoples desires are never satisfied. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She counted as a Dao Companion, technically. Dao Companions were supposed to help each other walk the path. But when theres no more helpingwhen it turns to betrayalthats called a breakup. Yeah, Chen Huaian answered truthfully. As soon as the words left his mouth, he saw a wild spark of curiosity bloom in his little disciples eyes. She straightened up and leaned in slightly, like a flower reaching for the sun. Then why arent you still with her? Well Chen Huaian thought for a bit, trying to sum it up in a way Li Qingran would understand: **Back then, Master was still weak. No talent, no strength. I was even gravely ill and constantly on the brink of death So under those circumstances, its only natural that my Dao Companion would choose to leave. She had every right to find someone better, didnt she?** Li Qingran went quiet. This kind of thing was common even in Cangyun Realm. Talents from small sects would abandon their partners once they joined bigger sects. There were even cases where people turned on their Dao Companions for resources and killed them. Li Qingran didnt think betrayal was ever normal. But survival turned many into monsters. Dont worry, Master. Ill never leave you. Because Im powerful now and have lots of resources? Chen Huaian asked with a smile. Nope. Li Qingran smiled too, her lips curling gently like a moon hiding behind clouds. **Because Im your disciple, not a Dao Companion. All I need to do is follow Master. Dao Companions have way more to worry about. A teacher is like a father. Sure, some people abandon their parents, and some parents abandon their kids but Im not one of those people.** With Chen Huaians life experience If anyone else had said something like that, hed have rolled his eyes internally. But this was Li Qingran. He believed her. She was the one whod been so cruelly cast out of Qingyun Sect, forced to live in a straw hut on the verge of death before she finally gave up on them. It showed just how loyal and devoted she truly was. I believe you. Then Master, you shouldnt find a Dao Companion either. Alright. I wont. Heehee~ Her smile was like melting snowsoft and pure. With a disciple this amazing, who needs a Dao Companion? That was Chen Huaians honest thought. Chen-ge A voice called out behind him. Chen Huaian turned his head. Li Qingran instinctively gripped her sword hilt and narrowed her eyes at the newcomer. The gentle kitten instantly went into full alert mode, bristling like a hedgehog. Wang Shouyi came rushing over, looking like a complete mess. Chen-ge, you okay? There was this huge battle on the lake just now. The cave we were in got destroyed, everyone got buried, and the formation disksomeone sliced it in half with a single sword strike Holy sh*t! Chen-ge, you you reached Foundation SLAP. Chen Huaian grabbed Wang Shouyis mouth and clamped it shut like a platypuss bill. This place just had a major battle. Not somewhere low-level cultivators like us should be hanging around. Lets movenow! Chen Huaian cleared his throat, shooting a deadly glare at Wang Shouyi. Wang Shouyi didnt know why his mouth got silenced, but Chen Huaians expression said it all: Shut. Up. Chen Huaians plan now was to blend in like a wolf among huskies and quietly finish this Monster Hunting Tournament. As for that brutal battle on the lake? That was the Sword Pavilion Master with his three disciples and a tiny dragon guy. Whats it got to do with him? Every debt has its debtor. Good luck proving it had anything to do with Chen Huaian or Li Qingran. Li Qingran followed behind her Master and Wang Shouyi, her curious eyes glued to Chen Huaians back. The cultivation Master was displaying now was Foundation Establishment. Which meant his true bodys cultivation had been suppressed by the worlds will down to Unity Stage. That explained why only Foundation Establishment-level was visible. As for why Pavilion Master Sus cultivation didnt drop? Time. Su Qinian had only been here for under a minute. The worlds will probably hadnt even noticed him yetno time to suppress his power. But Master had been here much longer, so the Heavenly Daos suppression had already locked onto him. His cultivation would definitely be pushed down further until the gap between his true self and shown power was balanced at Golden Core. Im so smart! Li Qingrans lips curled into a self-satisfied smile. Her eyes sparkled. No need to bother Master with questionssolving the mystery on her own? Thats what a thoughtful disciple does! Up ahead, Chen Huaian kept a stern expression. Looking calm and collected on the outsidebut internally losing his sh*t. This was bad. Really bad. Just like that saying: one lie leads to a thousand more. It felt amazing summoning Su Qinian earlier. Watching Su Qinian thrash those people felt even better. But how the h*ll was he supposed to explain Su Qinians peak Divine Transformation cultivation?! Wouldnt that blow his cover wide open? But judging by Li Qingrans behavior, it didnt look like she noticed anything? If she didnt notice, that was great. If she stayed this adorably clueless, that was perfect. She wasnt like that lunatic Lin Linglingasking a million questions a day. Chen-ge, did you see a sword cultivator earlier? Wearing gray battle clothes, scar on the corner of his eye? Wang Shouyi led Chen Huaian up a mountain occupied by disciples of the Kunlun Immortal Palace, and once he started talking, he couldnt stop. Man, you wouldnt believe it! This guyfwoosh!burst into the place, and fwoosh!cut the formation disk with one strike. Then hebam!kicked a hole in the cave, and fwoosh!was gone. Whole thing took maybe three seconds! After all that fwoosh-ing, Wang Shouyi looked totally awestruck. When will I ever be that cool with a sword? No idea. Never saw him. Chen Huaian glanced up at the sky. He knew Wang Shouyi was describing Duan Feng. Among the three personal disciples, only Duan Feng had a scar by his eye. That guy hadnt just killed an Ascenderhe wrecked all the formation disks. Guy had terrifying execution skills. True. Youre lucky you didnt. Youd have been sliced in half. Chen Huaian rolled his eyes. Speechless. Li Qingran stayed behind him, head down, trying not to laugh. Senior Brother Wang, we lost contact with Senior Brother Zhang Another disciple came over and whispered in Wang Shouyis ear. Wang Shouyis expression grew serious. He cupped his hands toward Chen Huaian. Chen-ge, Ive got some stuff to deal with. The elders from all sects were attacked and have gone missing. Looks like the tournament is ending early. If you didnt manage to hunt enough beastsdont worry He tugged Chen Huaian aside, out of view. Then, sneaking a look around to make sure no one was watching, he shoved a porcelain bottle into Chen Huaians hand. Whispered real quiet: This is a Bone-Cleansing Pill from Kunlun Immortal Palace. Mid-grade. Way better than the tournament rewards. Keep it for yourself, dont tell anyone. Chapter 290: Your Eminence Chapter 290: Your Eminence Chen Huaian glanced at the porcelain bottle holding the Bone-Cleansing Pills. The quality inside was about the same as a mid-grade version in Cangyun Realm. But from the mouths of Kunlun Immortal Palace folks, it had already become a premium-grade product... Was the gap between the two realms really that big? From the look in Wang Shouyis eyesequal parts heartache and reluctancethis pill was clearly a rare treasure to him. And yet now, he was just giving it away like that to return a favor? Hakyryu, you little brat... I appreciate the gesture, but this Venerable One cant accept it. Chen Huaian pushed the bottle back into Wang Shouyis hand. Chen-ge, the hidden sects are about to make big moves, Wang Shouyi said earnestly, pushing the pills back again. Spiritual energy is about to enter its next phase, and everythings going to start accelerating like crazy I cant explain the details, but trust megetting stronger is critical. Dont look at me as just a Foundation Establishment nowonce the tournament ends and I head back, Ill be Golden Core in no time. Golden Core in no time, just from going back? Chen Huaian stared at him in disbelief. Judging from the purple aura and red glow atop his head, even comparing Wang Shouyi to Lin Lingling, much less Li Qingran, he fell short. Cultivation speed is tied to talent. Unless youre relying on pills to boost your realm. But too many pills damages your foundation. Even if you reach the realm, your power becomes hollow. Wang Shouyi didnt seem like the type to throw away his future for a shortcut. So how was he about to jump to Golden Core so quickly? Even if the spiritual energy revival was ramping up, it shouldnt be that fast Raising your realm that fastare there no side effects? Chen Huaian asked, suspicious. None, Wang Shouyi shook his head. I used to think so too, but after trying it once, there were no problems. The amount of improvement still depends on personal effort and accumulation. Theres no such thing as getting something for nothing in this world. Chen Huaians mouth twitched. Kid, yescultivation does relate to effort and accumulation. But realm breakthroughs? Not that directly. He figured Wang Shouyi still viewed cultivation a bit too simplistically. But judging by that constipated expression, the matter probably involved things he wasnt allowed to speak of. If talking meant paying a price Then there was no need to press further. He could tell this kind of power-up came with serious issues. Then this Venerable One will only accept half, Chen Huaian said, pouring out three pills. He intended to bring them back to Cangyun Realm for Yun Baiyu to analyze. The remaining half he returned to Wang Shouyi. Little bro, C Province Exorcist Division always welcomes you. You better show up! He liked this kid. If Ascension really was some grand conspiracy, then within his ability, Chen Huaian wanted to save him. But in the end, it depended on Wang Shouyis choice. If he didnt come to the Exorcist Division, then there was nothing he could do. Ive already reported this to Her Eminence. Wang Shouyi took back the bottle without further protest and smiled. She didnt oppose it, which means shes probably allowing it. Once everythings settled, Ill definitely visit C Province. Looking forward to it. Chen Huaian left with Li Qingran. He wasnt planning to leave the Monster Hunting Tournament just yet. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There were still rewards to be claimed. Though he had no intention of taking one of the top spots and receiving a transmission of techniques. He was now Foundation Establishment and carried the Dragon Soul. Any such transmission would inevitably be probed. So better to just trade for more Bone-Cleansing Pills and be present to see what the whole transmission process looked like. After Chen Huaian and Li Qingran left, Wang Shouyis face turned serious. He found the disciple who had reported to him earlier, speaking in a grim tone: Are you sure Senior Brother Li is dead? Couldnt he just be buried under the cave, unconscious? Hes definitely dead. His soul lamp shattered. The disciple spoke cautiously. Senior Brother Li was leading disciples from other sects, assigned to protect the north formation. When the array was attacked, an elder from Qingfeng Sect struck the cave with a palmbut thats not what killed him. His corpse had traces of demonic energy. Demonic energy? So the real killer was a demon cultivator?! Wang Shouyi frowned deeply. But the ones who attacked the formation and fought with the sect elders were clearly four sword cultivators. Their aura had been upright and righteous. No one knew which sect they were from, but they were definitely not demon cultivators. Among them, one had even reached the Divine Transformation realm. Divine Transformation! As a top disciple of Kunlun Immortal Palace, Wang Shouyi had access to some classified intel. He knew that within Kunlun Immortal Palace and Great Thunder Temple, many terrifying experts were lying dormant. These cultivators were waiting for spiritual energy to flourishwhen the time came, they would awaken, and with resources, attempt to ascend even higher. But to keep the spiritual energy revival from collapsing under too much military might, there was an unspoken rule. Each phase of the revival determined the max level of power that could appear. Right now, in plain sight, even Golden Core Ascenders from Foundation Establishment were considered the peak. The twelve Golden Core elders who had laid out the dragon-sealing array on the lake had only made brief appearancesthey would never expose themselves to the public. Not to mention the several elders now missing. They were all meant to appear publicly after the next phase began, when sects began recruiting openly again. But now a Divine Transformation had shown up. That meant someone had broken the rules. And anyone who broke the ruleswould become the enemy of all factions! Senior Brother, what do we do now? Go wait atop Mount Taishan, Wang Shouyi said solemnly. Ive already messaged Her Eminence. With the sect leaders missing and the Monster Hunting Tournament in chaos, shes agreed to personally come and resolve the situationand divine the truth behind the attack and Li Shixiongs death. Half an hour later. Wang Shouyi stood with Kunlun Immortal Palace disciples on a cliff at the peak of Mount Taishan. Other disciples and managers from hidden sects were present too. But all of them stood at least five hundred meters away, heads bowed, eyes on the ground. Over a thousand people stood in the freezing windnot a single sound was made. As the sun rose, the stars faded. In the sky above, faint light trembledlike a giant hand parting clouds and plucking stars. The glow that descended upon Mount Taishan grew brighter, more solid. Strands of silver light tore through the clouds and rained down on the mountain. A graceful figure emerged, parting the silver threads as she stepped forward. She was shrouded in a fine mist, long gray hair flowing down her back like a waterfall. Her pale green robes billowed in the wind. She was barefoot, unsullied by dust. The grass and trees bowed at her feet. The cloud sea parted behind her. The rising sun hovered directly behind her head, framing her like a halolike a celestial radiance above a true immortal. Her face was hidden in shadow. Only a pair of cold, indifferent eyes glowedemitting a chilling light. Wang Shouyi took only a single glance before immediately lowering his head and kneeling. Your Eminence! The woman said nothing, only walked through the air to stand before Wang Shouyi. A terrifying pressure suddenly fell. It wasnt aimed at Wang Shouyi aloneit pressed down on every Ascender present. Useless trash! Her voice wasnt loud, but every person felt as if their chest had been smashed by a hammerlike thunder booming right by their ears. Your Eminence, please calm your anger! Wang Shouyi took a deep breath and spoke tremblingly: What happened today was beyond our control. The sect masters of each faction have gone missing, and we ordinary disciples were no match for the attackers. We beg Your Eminence to understand! He lowered his head again in reverence. BANG. His forehead hit the stone slab with a dull thud. He knew exactly how powerful she was. If she got truly angry, millions of lives would be a light price. He respected and admired her deeply. Without her, he wouldnt be where he was today. Even though in her eyes, he was just a slightly talented disciple To him, she was everythinghis sky, his teacher, his parents. Bring me the formation disk. The anger in her voice lessened slightly. But the killing intent intensified. This Venerable One wants to see who dares to cause trouble under my very nose! Chapter 291: No Such Person Chapter 291: No Such Person The Formation Disk the Her Eminence wanted was different from the Formation Disk used in the Twelve Earthly Branches Golden-Lock Dragon-Trapping Formation. That disk was crafted from gilded gold, with the brilliance of stars, moon, and galaxy swirling on its surface. Compared to it, the latter looked like rubble next to fine jade. Wang Shouyi watched as Her Eminence raised the Formation Disk with both hands. As her vast spiritual power poured into it, the entire Mount Taishan seemed to tremble with a resonating hum. Stars and moon spun across the disk, casting projections of mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas into the airincluding a detailed image of Mount Taishan itself. She was about to start calculating the Heavenly Fate. Wang Shouyi thought to himself, eyes full of yearning as he looked at the disk. This was the power of cultivators. In the modern world, finding someone required ID info and GPS tracking. But cultivators only needed a thread of karmato knock upon the doors of the Heavenly Dao with it, and all things under heaven could be known. Everything and everyone, tangible or intangible, had nowhere to hide. This was also the path he intended to walk! But soon, he saw confusion and bewilderment flash across Her Eminence''s face. Could there actually be something in this world that even Her Eminence couldnt solve? Hua Jin, one of the leading figures of the Kunlun Immortal Palace, ranked just below the Elders and above the core disciples. At present, she was the acting authority of the Kunlun Immortal Palace. Until the spiritual revival entered the intermediate stage, all decisions of the sect were made by herbecause the higher beings above her were still in slumber. Hua Jin specialized in astrology. She had once served as the national advisor to a certain Empress during the Tang Dynasty, though she had used disguises and aliases back then. She never believed anything in this world could be hidden from her. And only someone at her level could truly understand that even omniscience and omnipotence could not override Heavens Mandate. As for anything beneath Heavens Mandatethere were no illusions to her. But now, this belief that had lasted over a thousand years crumbled in an instant. She actually couldnt deduce the identity of the one who ambushed the formationonly that they still existed in this world. And those four Sword Cultivators mentioned by Wang Shouyi and the other Ascenders? No such persons could be found! Even if a Nascent Soul cultivator could pay a price to obscure their presence from fate... The other three Golden Core cultivators couldnt be traced either? Even when she risked draining her own karma and damaging her foundation to intensify the searchshe still came up empty. Her Eminence? Wang Shouyi saw Hua Jin frowning and furrowing her brows, so he nervously called out in a whisper. Quiet! Hua Jin shot Wang Shouyi a cold glance, her tone tinged with irritation. Wang Shouyi lowered his head, not daring to speak further. The other Ascenders around them also fell silent, like cicadas in winter. But a subtle sense of awkwardness quietly rose among the crowd. Hua Jin gritted her teeth and forced herself to try again, but could only give up for now. Still, facing this many Ascenders, she couldnt just say, All I got was that the enemy is still in this world, right? That would be as pointless as pulling down your pants to fart. Wang Shouyi, Hua Jin retracted the Formation Disk, already having a plan in mind. She gave orders to the disciple before her: This ambush on the formation was indeed unexpected. The enemys methods are cleverbut no matter how clever, they cant escape this Venerable Ones eyes! Wang Shouyis eyes lit up at her words. Then he heard Her Eminence continue, This Venerable One has captured a trace of Heavenly Fate... mm, Wang Shouyi, just go about your business as usualfollow your instincts. Fate will guide you. In the end, youll find the culprit who attacked the formation. Report back to this Venerable One when the time comes! After speaking, she cast her eyes over the other Ascenders and said coldly, The rest of you, same goes for you. Be more observant in daily life. The Monster Hunting Tournament ends here. As for what comes next, this Venerable One will appoint a trusted aide to take over. You all just wait. With that, she tore open a spatial rift, grabbed the Formation Disk, and left in haste. Leaving only Wang Shouyi and the other Ascenders standing in disarray atop Mount Taishan, buffeted by the cold wind. Five minutes ago. Chen Huaian brought Li Qingran back to the C Province Exorcist Divisions mountain headquarters. The moment he looked up, he saw Lin Haos corpse already riddled with holes like a honeycomb. Cant say I didnt warn youyou were practically radiating bad luck, Chen Huaian muttered as he casually kicked the corpse off the cliff to avoid polluting the air. Inside the cabin, Lin Lingling was holding her slightly rounded belly and scrolling through short videos on her phone. Snack wrappers had already piled up into a mountain around her, and yet somehow this girl never seemed to gain weight no matter how much she ate. Huh? The Governor and Bigcough, coughSister are back~ Lin Lingling glanced at her smartwatch to check the time. She shot a suspicious look at Chen Huaians lower half. That was fast. Was the Governor... not up to it? In her mind, the battle shouldve lasted at least 48 hours, right? Governor, are you sure youre okay? Lin Lingling asked bluntly. What do you mean okay?! Chen Huaians face turned black. He hadnt figured out what Triple Zero was implying yet, but he could tell it wasnt anything good. Lin Lingling then turned to Li Qingran: Pretty Big Sis, do you think the Governor is okay? This kind of thing needed a firsthand testimony for a full evaluation. After all, it concerned the Governors virility and the future of the C Province Exorcist Division. As long as the person involved was satisfied, everything was fine. Li Qingran glanced at Chen Huaian beside her. Her beautiful eyes were full of affection and mirth, her gaze clinging to him even when she looked downit was like her eyes were still stuck to him: I think... Master is amazing. Totally okay. Just from that lovesick gaze, Lin Lingling knew the deal was sealed. The Governor had completely won over Pretty Big Sis. So much so that time had become irrelevant. Lin Lingling quietly pulled Chen Huaian to the side and whispered, Governor, even though Pretty Sis doesnt mind, you still need to take those supplements I had someone buy for you every day. If one day the love fades, at least you can still keep her with your body! Chen Huaian snapped back to reality. So in Lin Linglings eyes, he was like some beast of burden in training? Just as he was about to teach this cheeky brat a lesson His phone buzzed violently in his pocket. Chen Huaian pulled it out and saw that the Digital Girlfriend game had launched on its own. And there was a crimson notification box on the screen flashing a message: [Detected: Player is currently being targeted by an unknown force''s Heavenly Fate Calculation!] [Please immediately put on your VR game headset to prevent location exposure!] [Calculation will begin in approximately one minute!] [If your location is exposed, any resulting consequences are your responsibility!] This was the first time the Digital Girlfriend game had ever given such an urgent warning. Chen Huaian quickly realized this Heavenly Fate divination might not be coming from the Cangyun Realm, but from this very world he was currently in. Without hesitation, he grabbed his AR helmet and put it on. Didnt matter what kind of weird looks Li Qingran might give himthis was urgent. From Lin Linglings perspective, the Governors behavior just looked kind of bizarre. Mid-conversation, he suddenly pulled out something like a motorcycle helmet, put it on, and lay down flat on the ground. It gave off serious performance art vibes. But in Li Qingrans eyes... What she saw wasChen Huaian lay down, and only his physical body remained. His soul had vanished the instant he put on that special battle-helmet-looking armor! sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Master had actually completed a total soul departure from one world in just an instant!? Chapter 292: Are You Sure Shes Your Disciple? Chapter 292: Are You Sure She''s Your Disciple? Go with the feeling, huh... Wang Shouyi mulled over Her Eminences words. Even if what she said sounded like it meant nothing, he was convinced there had to be a deeper meaning. The other Ascenders might not get it, but as Her Eminences personal gatekeeper disciple, he had to understand. Her Eminence couldnt be wrong. She wouldnt say anything useless. If I go with the feeling, then next, Ill be joining the C Province Exorcist Division. Wang Shouyi narrowed his eyes, then smacked his fist into his palm. So thats it. I get it. I understand now! That means the ones who ambushed the formation are most likely within the C Province Exorcist Divisionor at the very least, theyll appear there in the future. And as long as I join the Exorcist Division, Ill catch them slipping sooner or later! That... thats the real meaning behind Her Eminences words! Wang Shouyi didnt even consider how others might interpret her instructions. In his mind, he was absolutely certain. Should I tell Brother Chen about this? Let him keep his eyes open, make sure he doesnt recruit anyone he shouldnt. That way, we avoid potential disasters in the Exorcist Division down the line... Wang Shouyi paced along the edge of the cliff, chin in hand. But if I tell him, I might tip them off. That could make the targets wary and either stop them from joining or push the hidden ones into deeper cover... Forget it. He shook his head, gritting his teeth. Brother Chens been good to me. I have to take Her Eminences orders seriously. Ill keep it to myself for now! If Her Eminence ever turns her wrath toward the Exorcist Division, Ill step up and take responsibility. Thatll be my way of repaying Brother Chen! Whats up with Senior Brother Wang? No clue. Hes just been muttering to himself over there like hes possessed or something. The nearby disciples from Kunlun Immortal Palace and other Ascenders all exchanged weird looks as they watched Wang Shouyi act strangely. They hadnt gotten any useful information out of Her Eminence, nor did they understand what she meant. In situations like this, the usual strategy was to bluff and go with the flow. After all, the law doesnt punish the massesthat principle applied here too. The person Hua Jin sent to handle the aftermath was Wang Shouyis senior sister, Hong Li. She and Wang Shouyi were both orphans who were lucky enough to be picked up by Her Eminence. The only difference was, Wang Shouyi already had a name. Hong Li wore a flowing red dress, a gauzy veil hat on her head, and had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation. The moment she descended on Mount Taishans peak, she gathered everyone for a meeting. Aside from distributing the rewards for the Monster Hunting Tournament, they also had to deal with another issuethe sect leaders from all the hidden sects were confirmed dead. To avoid disrupting the post-tournament disciple recruitment plans, new leaders had to be appointed on the spot. Once the Digital Girlfriend games warning disappeared, Chen Huaian removed his VR headset and brought Li Qingran and Lin Lingling along to the meeting. He wasnt really interested in the rewardshe just wanted to see how they were going to deliver that enlightenment to the Ascenders. Now, when I call your name, step up and submit your demon materials to exchange for points! Hong Li swept her eyes across the crowd, her tone stern. At that, the faces of many Exorcist Division members and family clans turned glum. They were only allowed to send a limited number of people to the tournament. Plus, it was originally scheduled for three days but got cut short by unexpected eventsless than a day total. Some groups had only killed a few minor demons. The unlucky ones didnt get anything at all. C Province Exorcist Division, step up and submit your materials! Soon, it was Chen Huaians turn. Most of the sect disciples and family clans had already submitted their items before him. The highest score so far was just over twenty thousand. Chen Huaian wasnt sure how many points hed get. Basically, every time they ran into demon creatures on the road, Li Qingran would finish them in a single sword strike. His job was just to collect their body parts as proof afterward. When he pulled the materials out of his spatial storage, even he jumped in surprise. Eyeballs, ears, and noses from demonic entities were now piled into a small mountain on the table. That many?! Hong Lis eyes went wide, staring between the materials and Chen Huaian like she couldnt believe what she was seeing. This guyhandsome to an excessive degreewas just a Foundation Establishment cultivator... Mid-stage, sure, and not an Ascenderbut still. That kind of kill count? Way off the charts. You killed all of these? She squinted coldly at him. Not all of them. Some were killed by mmyself, and the rest by my disciple. Chen Huaian gestured at Li Qingran beside him. Golden Core, disciple? Hong Li sensed the early Golden Core aura coming from Li Qingran and gaspedreaching Golden Core stage during the early phase of spiritual revival, and not even an Ascender yet? That kind of talent was terrifying. No way she couldve done it herself. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You sure shes your disciple? Hong Li asked. Positive. Chen Huaian nodded. Is there a rule that a Master has to be stronger than their disciple? Who made that rule? You? Or was it Heaven? Hong Li was stumped. True enough, there wasnt any such rule. It just went against common sense, thats all. She took a deep, thoughtful look at Li Qingran, silently memorizing her face. Such an incredible talentit would be a huge waste if the Kunlun Immortal Palace couldnt bring her in. As for this C Province Exorcist Division Governor? He probably used some shady means to keep her aroundcalling her his disciple? Could he even teach her properly? What a waste of a treasure! Alright, your total is 23,750 pointscurrently the highest score. Head over to the right and wait. She pointed toward a massive boulder on the east side of Mount Taishans peak, where some Ascenders were already setting up a formation. Looked like they were prepping for a transmission of techniques? Do we have to accept this reward? Chen Huaian asked. Are you stupid? Hong Li rolled her eyes. If you dont want it, dont take it! You think were begging you to accept it or something? Then she flashed a friendly smile at Li Qingran: Sis, youre welcome at the Kunlun Immortal Palace anytime. Her Eminence loves talented folks like you. Shell pour every resource into nurturing you... Just dont follow the wrong person and ruin your future. I was born my Masters person, and Ill die my Masters ghost. Li Qingran raised four fingers to the sky, her expression solemn. Hong Lis face froze, forcing a stiff smile, and the look she shot Chen Huaian grew even sharper. But Chen Huaian didnt care. He walked over to the boulder and carefully watched the disciples setting up the formation. Watched for a good whileand still didnt understand a thing. But it was fine. He had cheats. Disciple, let me quiz you. Just by looking at these array patterns, what do you think this formation does? Ah, time for another pop quiz from her Master. Li Qingran perked upanother chance to make a deal! Do I get a reward if I get it right? Of course. What kind of reward? The corners of her lips lifted slightly, then pressed together again. Like she was trying to hide her excitement, but the blush on her cheeks and the smile creeping up gave her away. Chen Huaian glanced away at her glowing expression, clearly a little flustered. Whatever reward you want, just name it. Then I want... Li Qingran started to speak, then suddenly stopped, her cheeks blooming red. But Master, you cant laugh at me when I say it! Chen Huaian immediately promised, I absolutely wont laugh. He watched as his little disciples lips moved, her teeth gently biting her lower lip in hesitation. The shyness on her face was like ripples on a lake in spring, brushing across her fair cheeks. She looked down, nervously fiddling with the hem of her skirt, her voice so soft it was barely a whisper. J-just... I want... I want Masters bloomers size... Chapter 293: This Venerable Wants Money! Chapter 293: This Venerable Wants Money! Chen Huaian had imagined a lot of possible rewards Li Qingran might ask for. But the one thing he didnt expect was for her to want his underwear size. What, was she planning to design some super-stretch, black-tech undies for him after all the clothes-tearing incidents lately? Given what he knew about Li Qingran, that was actually pretty likely. Wearing underpants hand-made by your girlfriendwasnt that the ultimate male fantasy? No problem, Chen Huaian agreed without a second thought. In a voice like a dozen tractors stalling at once, he dramatically declared, As long as you get it right, a measly size? Ill tell you in a flash! Really?! Li Qingran couldnt believe her Master actually said yes. It was such a bold requestshed already mentally prepared herself for rejection. Truth be told, shed long had a plan: in the future, everything her Master ate, used, or wore would be made by her. Once he got used to it, hed never be able to leave her. That was the double insurance plan. Her "rebellion against master and ancestors" would begin with learning his underwear size! Nearby, several Ascender disciples were practically gagging on yesterdays dinner. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After setting up the formation in front of the pair, they ran off to work on the next one. Master-disciple relationships these days... the morals are just falling apart! Tell me about it. A Golden Core cultivator calling a Foundation guy Master, and now theyre flirting? Pfft! Li Qingran completely ignored the snark from those Ascenders. She just crouched down, face flushed, big eyes focused as she studied the formation. It started as a way to cover her embarrassmentbut the more she looked, the more confused she got. Her elegant brows drew into a frown. Whats up? Any ideas? Chen Huaian noticed her expression and gently asked. Mm... didnt Master say the formations function is to infuse power into a cultivator? Thats right. Li Qingran bit her lip, hesitating. Seeing this, Chen Huaian immediately leaned in, putting his ear next to her. And then he heard Li Qingran whisper tightly: After a close inspection, I think the core function of this formation is... exchange. Exchange? Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. Explain. The person using the formation has to give something up to get something in return. But as for what exactly needs to be given, I cant tell until the formation is activated. Li Qingran looked at him expectantly. It wasnt a perfect answer, but it was everything her knowledge could offer. If it were Master, hed probably understand the entire function of the formation at a glance. Hed know what the user needed to give up and what they would receive. Not bad! Chen Huaian nodded sagely, then raised his chin and folded his hands behind his back, coolly saying, But as this Venerable Ones disciple, the bar is high! Ill give you another chanceonce the formation starts, observe it again. Master, youre the best! Li Qingrans face lit up with joy. She hadnt expected a second chance at all. Neither of them noticed the burning glare coming from someone in the crowdWang Debiao, grandson of Wang Rui, patriarch of the Wang Family. Previously, Wang Rui had spent 150 billion RMB to buy a few Demon-Sealing Boxes from Chen Huaian. In reality, they were just ordinary wooden containers. Three of them were gifted to his most beloved grandson, Wang Debiao, in hopes that he would shine during the Monster Hunting Tournament. If those boxes had any redeeming features, it was probably that they were handmade by disciples of the Sword Pavilion, maybe carrying faint traces of Sword Intent. Anyway, during the tournament, Wang Debiao had used one of the Demon-Sealing Boxesand nothing happened. He threw it at a big demon, expecting it to get trapped inside like some kind of Pokmon. What actually happened: the demon got pissed. The beast was way out of his league to begin with. He got chased all over the place until an Ascender finally showed up and saved him once the tournament ended. Even after barely escaping with his life, he still wondered if hed used the box wrong. Until one of the other Ascenders bluntly told him: Dude, thats just a block of wood. Wang Debiao instantly lost it. He hated Chen Huaian, but he didnt have the strength to do anything about it. All he could do was sulk and shoot daggers with his eyes from the crowd. Meanwhile, Hong Li had already reviewed everyones data and selected the top three scorers to receive the transmission of techniques reward. Thanks to mooching off Li Qingran, Chen Huaian naturally ranked number one. But just as Hong Li began arranging things, he started shaking his head. This Venerable One refuses this reward. Can I trade it for something else? Like... money or something? Youve lost your mind, Hong Li froze, her cold gaze locking onto Chen Huaian. Do you even know how many people dream of standing before the Ascension Pillar to receive this transmission? Only three slots were released for this tournamentand youre turning it down?! Fine, then this Venerable One accepts it, Chen Huaian suddenly turned to face the surrounding Ascenders and announced loudly: But since its this Venerable Ones reward, I should be allowed to use it however I want, right? Name your price! Highest bidder gets the transmission slot! Instantly, Mount Taishan erupted in uproar. Wang Shouyi, who ranked third, was stunned all over again. The first time was seeing Chen Huaian take first place. The second time... was now. He quickly rushed up to stop him: Brother Chen, dont! Not only is auctioning such a rare reward basically blasphemyits the Ascension Pillars power! One-in-a-million chance! You really gonna throw that away?! Chen Huaian just shook his head. His eyes turned distant, and his voice choked with emotion: How could this Venerable One not know the value of such an opportunity? But I also know my own talent. Giving this to me is a waste. Better to give it to someone truly gifted. All this Venerable One needs is a bit of money and resources. A carefree life, thats enough for me. So you think youre unworthy of the opportunity, is that it? Hong Li raised her eyebrows in surprise, then nodded slowly. Well, at least you have some self-awareness. Technically, theres no rule against auctioning a rewardthough its never been done before. If you truly want to pass this on to someone more suited, then fine. Ill allow it. But what exactly do you want for it? What should everyone use to bid? The crowd fell silent. All eyes fixed on Chen Huaian, eyes sparkling. Some had already begun pulling out all sorts of treasurescultivation pills, spiritual artifacts, talismansregardless of value, they laid them out first, talk later. Meanwhile, the family clans and Exorcist Division Awakened could only sigh in frustration. This kind of opportunity was always based on item-for-item trade. Ascenders had sect support and treasures to offer. But the rest of them? What could they give? And then... They heard something heavenly. That ridiculously handsome man flamboyantly raised one finger to the sky. His lips moved: This Venerable wants money! I want RMB! Chapter 294: A Contract of Servitude Chapter 294: A Contract of Servitude The moment Chen Huaian said those words, everyone was stunned. Especially the Ascenders who had just emptied their storage to bid. Money? He wanted RMB? For them, Ascenders resources were priceless and not for salenot even for money! Wasnt that better than cash? But when it came to money yeah, they really didnt have much. For them, money was only useful for daily necessities. When it came to cultivation resources, everything was traded. Meanwhile, the family clans and Exorcist Division folks were overjoyed. This C Province Exorcist Division Governor had clearly lost his mind! But chances like thisbumping into a moronwere rare. If they didnt act now, when would they? So, someone immediately placed a bid. Capital City Exorcist Division offers 1 billion RMB! From today on, Governor Chen is my sworn brother, a distinguished guest of the Capital City Exorcist Division! I hope everyone can give me, Liang Baigan, some face. A young man in a Tang-style suit stepped forward and cupped his hands to the crowd. Just 1 billion? Thats a joke! another voice shouted. S Province Exorcist Division offers 100 billion! Governor Chen, please consider! Shut the f*** up! Chen Huaian dropped his hand and roared. The shout exploded like thunder, leaving everyone nearby dizzy and disoriented. Only then did people rememberthis Governor was no pushover. He was the real deal. This Venerable One hasnt even started the bidding, and youre all already panicking like headless chickens? Then may I ask, Governor Chen, whats the starting price? someone quickly asked. 1000 billion. Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes and spat out a number that left jaws dropping. Now that the Digital Girlfriend game wasnt pretending anymoreand with the Cangyun Realm practically breathing moneyevery breath was like inhaling cash. Fifth stage of Void Fusion was already priced at 80 million per minute. Before, they kept things modestNascent Soul was the default, and theyd only activate Void Fusion briefly to show off. Now, because of the small worlds existence, the base state had been bumped up to first stage of Void Fusion, which still ran 1 million per minute. Put simply, Chen Huaian had truly become that old internet meme: a man earning millions per minute. If he didnt think they might not even have that much cash on hand, he wouldve set the price at 5000 billion. Who cared how hed sustain the Cangyun Realm avatar later? First, hed drain the world dry. W-what? 1000 billion?! Governor Chen, what the h*** are you gonna do with that much money? Yeah, I mean high-grade resources are traded item-for-item nowadays Chen Huaian rolled his eyes, too lazy to answer. Some people were still frozen in shock, while others had already whipped out their phones and started making calls. Transmission of techniques was different from passive Spiritual Awakening. Theoretically, even an ordinary person could receive it and instantly become a cultivator. And being a cultivator meant a long lifeto rich folks with no talent but a desperate hunger for cultivation, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. One Awakened finished his call and raised his hand: Governor Chen, could you wait a little? My boss says hell be here in a helicopter within thirty minutes. He promises to make you a satisfying offer! Who''s your boss? Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow. You know the guy behind the total AI automation and new energy revolution. Oh. Chen Huaian knew who it was. The richest man in Huazone. That worked. They said money makes the world go roundand right now, the rich could still buy Awakened as loyal dogs. Those tycoons had probably already tried every trickcell culture, blood analysis, bio-hackingonly to find they still couldnt awaken. Some of the Awakened participating in the Monster Hunting Tournament were probably working for those rich guys, hoping to win things like Bone-Cleansing Pills or a transmission opportunity. Unfortunately, the competition was brutal. Only after entering did they realize: Ascenders totally crushed Awakened. Chen Huaian agreed to wait thirty minutes. And during that half hour, the Awakened around him scrambled to raise funds, sell assets, do whatever it took. Even Ascenders began selling their resources on the spot to the Exorcist Division and family clans, just to gather cash. High-tier resources that normally never entered the market were nowthanks to Chen Huaians money-hungry attitudesuddenly up for sale again. Chen Huaian felt very satisfied. This was how money should movemoney needs to circulate, or how else was it gonna end up in his pocket? Thirty minutes later, over a dozen helicopters landed in sequence on Mount Taishans peak. Word had already spread, and it wasnt just Huazones richest man who showed upmany other top-tier tycoons from various industries were here too. Youre Governor Chen? Truly a man of great talent! Ive heard so much about youhero of the flood rescue! Your reputation is well deserved! Werent you also one of the Top Ten Most Touching People of the World? A hero at such a young age! Chen Huaian blinked at the dozen or so middle-aged and elderly men in front of him and slowly raised a question mark. Hero of the Corpse King disaster? Sure. But flood rescue hero? What the h*** was that? Top Ten Most Touching People? Where did that even come from? If they couldnt think of a relevant title, maybe just dont slap random accolades on him? No need for flattery. Youre all big names. Lets get to itstart bidding. He waved them off casually, unfazed. Even in the past, these kinds of people didnt impress him. They were capitalists. Not saying they were all evil, but ones with actual conscience were rare. In a world where the economy had collapsed but tech was exploding, most industries were replaced by AI. Forget graduateseven post-docs couldnt find jobs. Unless your degree was in AI or new energy, you were totally screwed. Life was getting more high-tech, but wealth was concentrating at the very top. The rest of the world? Drowning. Spiritual revival was another full reset of the game board. Sure, the rich could use money to grab resources early on But talent and awakening? They couldnt buy that. Even if they won this transmission, theyd only have power, not the capacity to use it. Chen Huaian scanned themevery single one had the most average kind of spiritual root and dantian. Could they really handle a transmission? He glanced at Hong Li, who looked indifferentseemed like it didnt matter who received the transmission. Interesting, Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. He was getting more and more curious about this so-called transmission of techniques. Bidding began. Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A few tycoons set a high starting bar, and the price quickly soared past 1 trillion RMB. Just as the bids were leveling off I bid 2 trillion! Wang Debiao, heir to the Wang Family, suddenly jumped in, raising his hand with a proud expression. I sold my Kunlun Immortal Palace Ascension Staircase qualification for this! Nobody try to outbid methe transmission is mine! He had just sold that spot to another tycoon. That qualification gave one a chance to enter Kunlun Immortal Palaceon paper, it was even more valuable than this transmission. But passing the Ascension Staircase also required high talent. That tycoon had probably bought it for a mildly gifted junior. 2.5 trillion! Huazones richest man raised again. 3 trillion! Wang Debiaos face twisted with rage as he gritted his teeth and went all in. Wang brat, where the hell are you getting that kind of money? Even the richest man was stunned. 3 trillion was nearly 90% of his liquid funds. If he spent that, a ton of his businesses would grind to a halt. The transmission was rarebut not worth risking everything. After all, with spiritual revival ongoing, there would be other opportunities for longevity. But the Wang Clan? How could they have that kind of cash? Where were they getting the funds?! Wang Debiao didnt answer. Instead, a smirk curled his lips. He reached out and took a freshly signed document from a subordinate beside him. It was a contract of servitude. His own contract. Chapter 295: Ibaraki-dōji Chapter 295: Ibaraki-dji As Tokugawa Daliang finished forming the hand seal, the spiritual pressure around him surged to its peak. The ground cracked inch by inch under the invisible force, and the surrounding Exorcist Division agents were forced to retreat. At the epicenter, crimson demonic energy burst into the sky. Tokugawa Daliangs eyes flew open as he held his sword with both hands, bowing deeply in kneeling worship. The Tokugawa family held a forbidden technique known as the Reverse Summoning Ritual. Onmyji typically had three ways of dealing with demons and monsters: annihilation, sealing, and banishment. The thirdbanishmentwas only used when facing overwhelmingly powerful creatures and often required the sacrifice of many Onmyji to successfully exile a single monster. And even then, there was still a chance the monster would return. The so-called Reverse Summoning Ritual was about bringing back the banished. The Tokugawa family had once used this technique to fight the heavily armed U.S. military to mutual destruction. The summoned monster had taken a direct hit from a nuclear blastfalling silent in the aftermathbut it also happened to spare the Tokugawa family from extinction. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tokugawa Daliang didnt have the power to bring that great demon back. But he could use the Reverse Summoning Ritual to connect with Osakas Hyakki Yagy. Drawn by the rituals energy, the resulting spatial rift would be immediately sensed by the most powerful nearby demon. How strong the summoned demon might beTokugawa Daliang had no idea. It was basically like pulling a random item from a blind box. The summoned monster would attack indiscriminately, which was exactly why his subordinates were all terrified. But it was also the only way to survive now. Let me show you the demons of Neon! Tokugawa Daliang focused and shouted, a mist of blood spraying from his mouth: Open! BOOM! A crimson rift tore open above his head. A pale giant claw, covered in red runes, reached out from the rift, gripping its edge. With a crack, it tore the portal wider, revealing a monstrous face and golden beast-like pupils. Mmm! The scent of humans! The creatures language was twisted and ancient, yet every word echoed clearly in everyones minds, easily understood. The monster pushed its head out of the spatial rift. Fiery orange-red hair whipped wildly behind it. Crimson bull horns curved from both sides of its skull. A massive mouth stretched across half its face, filled with fangs that gleamed menacingly under the twilight sky. It wore a tattered samurai armor on its upper body, exposing a broad chest covered in blood-red demonic tattoos. The moment they saw the creatures face Tokugawa Daliang stood frozen in place, eyes wide, as if something had stuck in his throat. Ibaraki-dji? Zhao Yings face darkened. This was bad. Ever since the Hyakki Yagy erupted in Osaka, all sorts of legendary demons from Neons mythology had emerged. And Ibaraki-dji was one of them. Legend said he was the subordinate of Shuten-djiimmensely powerful, nearly impervious to blades or bullets. Arrogant, brutal, yet cunningnot just brute force but also a formidable schemer. A top-tier demon. The joint task system between Neon and Huazone hadnt been updated in ages. It was likely Neons Onmyji organizations were overwhelmed and could no longer manage system updates. Based on last weeks expired data, Ibaraki-dji had been ranked as Marshal-Level upon arrival, same as the Demonic Blade. Since then, he had wreaked havoc across Neonhis power had undoubtedly soared. Zhao Ying herself was now at Marshal-Level. And yet, even with Ibaraki-dji not fully emerged from the rift, she could already feel the crushing pressure. That meant Ibaraki-dji was at least Marshal-Level possibly even King-Level! Oh? So youre the one who summoned me, little bug from the Tokugawa clan, Ibaraki-dji''s gaze landed on Tokugawa Daliang, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. He stepped out, slamming a massive foot to the ground. BANG! The ground buckled violently. Blood and flesh splattered, drenching the Neon agents nearby. Summoning me comes at a cost. Your lives will do! Heh heh! Under Ibaraki-djis oppressive presence, the Tokugawa Onmyji could only watch in horror as his foot came downnone could even move. Once all the summoners had been crushed Ibaraki-dji suddenly spun around, his savage gaze locking onto Zhao Ying and her group. Only then did he have time to observe his surroundingson nearby storefronts were familiar yet unfamiliar block-style characters. Ibaraki-dji froze, pupils narrowing into slitswhere the h*ll had he been summoned to? Could it beHuaxia?! Hey, woman. Is this the Huazone? Ibaraki-dji turned his head toward Zhao Ying and the others. Thats right. This is indeed the Huazone, Zhao Ying replied. Shed used the moment he was slaughtering to evacuate all Exorcists below Marshal-Level. Now only a dozen remainedeither Marshal or Pre-Marshal ranks. Only they might have a chance of contending with Ibaraki-dji. Too bad the Governor was still at the Monster Hunting Tournamentotherwise, this foreign demon wouldnt have had the chance to act so wildly here. What Zhao Ying didnt know was that just hearing this was Huazone had already made Ibaraki-dji hesitate. I''m not allowed to descend into Huazone yet... That damned Tokugawa bugwhy the hll did he summon me here?!* Ibaraki-djis gaze flicked between the Exorcists who were already forming a battle formation, a storm of uncertainty in his eyes. He hadnt gotten official permission to descend. But slinking back to Osaka with his tail between his legs wasnt his style. He was one of Neons most infamous demonshe had appearances to maintain. Its just a projection anyway. Ill kill a few and leave... Whats the big deal? Those higher-ups probably wont even notice... With that thought, his eyes turned vicious again. He raised his hand and pulled a mass of sticky flames from the void The fire condensed into a three-meter-long spiked mace. Then, with a stomp of both legs, he launched like a crimson blur straight toward Zhao Ying at the front. Kill ten! Kill ten and then leave! The blazing mace slashed through the air in a wide arc, like it was about to shred the dawn light itself. Unstoppable! Zhao Yings heart screamed a warning. All units, fall back! Dont take the hit head-on! Before the words finished, in that critical moment Zhao Ying pulled out two sword spheres from her spatial gear and activated them, diving into a roll to avoid Ibaraki-djis strike. Its useless! Just let me kill you! Once Im done, Ill leavedont waste each others time! Heh heh! He didnt even care about the two black spheres Zhao Ying threw. Assumed they were just fragment grenades or somethingmaybe laced with holy water. But diluted holy water had no effect on a demon of his rank. All pointless struggle However The moment those black spheres hit the ground, a terrifyingly sharp aura erupted. From where the spheres activated, two phantom sword cultivators appearedeach in gray robes, right hand loosely gripping invisible sword hilts. Their features were blurry, but both raised their heads, cold light glinting beneath messy hair. They stepped forward, lowered their stances Then suddenly drew their swords. SHING! Twin arcs of sword light slashed the gloomy sky into four, Sword Qi howled in all directions. Ibaraki-djis armgripping his macewas instantly severed and torn to shreds by the rampaging Sword Qi. Currently known female actors: En Jing, Lin Qiting; the other two remain unknown. Chapter 296: You Dare Act Tough on My Turf? Chapter 296: You Dare Act Tough on My Turf? Ibaraki-dji dropped to one knee. Scalding blood gushed from his severed arm and quickly ignited into flames. From the blaze, a new limb rapidly regenerated. Two deep sword scars crisscrossed his chest, with lingering Sword Qi still gnawing viciously inward. Though the attack hadnt defeated him, it had made Ibaraki-dji''s aura grow even more frenzied. "Interesting! You actually managed to wound me! And you even dared to cut off my arm... Do you know what I hate the most... is losing a f***ing arm!" Ibaraki-dji let out a twisted grin as he slowly rose, his body visibly swelling. He couldn''t remember the last time he had suffered such a serious injury. With his indestructible body and insane regeneration, he used to rampage through tens of thousands of samurai without a scratch. It wasnt until Minamoto no Yorimitsu and others tricked him with poisoned wine to weaken his strength that several samurai captains were finally able to jointly banish him to the subspace beneath Rashmon. He had escaped onceonly to have his arm chopped off by Watanabe no Tsuna, a retainer of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, before being forced back in again, badly injured. He still hadnt avenged his exile and lost limb. But now... the age of samurai was long gone. The newly revived Onmyji factions and samurai clans were just a bunch of clueless chicks. During the Hyakki Yagy in Osaka, he had led a horde of demons to dominate one region, convinced that no one in this worldaside from the gods themselvescould hurt him. And yet, here in the East, he had encountered one. I was only planning to kill ten, but... your struggle is really getting me pumped! Ibaraki-djis voice grew rough, like muffled thunder, and his body continued to risesoon towering nearly three stories tall. His skin turned crimson, muscles bulging like jagged cliffs. The horns on his forehead extended more than a foot, and blood-colored demonic flames wafted around him like mist. The severed right claw was fully regrown, now morphed into a monstrous demon claw covered in black scales. Even the air trembled with his every breath. The atmosphere warped under the heat. He stepped forward The ground cracked beneath his foot, and water from burst underground pipes instantly evaporated into steam under the heat of his body. In his wrath, Ibaraki-dji no longer cared whether his actions would offend any mysterious higher beings. All he wanted was to crush every human before him to bits in this eyama Demon King form. Seeing his aggression, Zhao Ying was already preparing to retreat with her team. Evacuation of the surrounding area was mostly complete. Now it was just about buying time until backup arrivedno need to take this head-on. But her intention to flee had already been seen through by Ibaraki-dji, betrayed by a single glance. Trying to run? Ibaraki-dji sneered. If he couldnt find any descendants of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, then these Huazone people would do for venting his anger. Without moving a muscle, a ghostly afterimage of a demon formed behind him. The phantom swiftly formed hand seals. With a mournful howl, the ground split open in jagged fissurespale skeletal claws reached out from below, grabbing the legs of Zhao Ying and the others. These claws werent just physical. Everyone who tried to struggle felt a tearing pain deep in their souls. Die! Flames erupted in Ibaraki-djis eyes. In a blur of motion, his massive body streaked forward, crossing over a hundred meters in an instant and appearing right before Zhao Ying and her team. The black-scaled demon claw slashed through the air Howling wind shrieked with its descent. Sparks flew from the friction between claw and air. Even before it landed, the pressure alone from the displaced air crushed down on their chestsso hard they nearly blacked out. Watching that massive claw fall toward them Zhao Ying felt utterly frozen. In that instant, she suddenly remembered something Chen Huaian had said to her and Xiang Xiaoyuan before heading to the Monster Hunting Tournament: This world is dangerous. Real strength is what truly matters. Resources are great, but if you rely on them too much, one day youll fall. You still have to work hard on your cultivation She used to think the C Province Exorcist Division was unbeatable. Now she realized... they were still far from enough. Zhao Ying clenched her jaw, shut her eyes, and quietly said her goodbyes in her heart. She didnt notice the space in front of her suddenly twist violently A blurry figure appeared out of nowhere. It was a figure much smaller than Ibaraki-dji. But though small, it radiated a demonic aura even more terrifying than Ibaraki-djis own. CRACK! A pale finger pressed against Ibaraki-djis incoming claw. Sparks burst as nail met black scale. Chen Huaian, in his Demonic Form, had arrived and stopped Ibaraki-dji cold. A whirlwind burst from where the two forces collided. Hey, little Neon punk. Chen Huaian looked up. His vertical pupils of fiery gold locked with Ibaraki-djis beast-like eyes. Trying to hurt my people on my turf... Youre seriously lacking manners. Just as he finished speaking, his pupils narrowed to needle points. His fingers curled, grabbing Ibaraki-djis massive claw With a sudden explosion of strength from his arm, he hurled the demon with a judo throw straight into the air and smashed him to the ground. The area, already wrecked by the demons rampage, was completely reduced to rubble. Ibaraki-dji crawled out from the debris, heart pounding in fear at the strange human who had suddenly appeared. Wh-What the h*ll are you? This Venerable One Chen Huaians figure flickered and vanished. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan couldnt even track his movement. In the blink of an eye, Chen Huaian was already above Ibaraki-djis head. He punched down BOOM! Stones and bricks from the whole street shot into the air and then rained back down. Chen Huaian stood in the crater, One foot stomping Ibaraki-djis head into the dirt. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He tilted his stiff neck, vertical pupils blazing with demonic fire: This Venerable One, Containment Item 0 of the C Province Exorcist Division, codenameTyrant. Feel free to come start sh*t here again anytime. The demon before him was only a projection. Chen Huaian knew he couldnt keep it here. With one final stomp, he sent a shockwave through the ground, shattering Ibaraki-djis body into pieces. Mission complete. Chen Huaian casually pulled on the last pair of boxers he had left. Hed have to be more careful about hiding his Sword Dao strength in the Cangyun Realm going forward. Priority for secrecy was: Dragon Soul Green Lotus Sword Manual and Sword Intent As for the terrifying physique and power of the Heavenly Demon Art That could be exposed. After all, mutated monsters were everywhere these days. He was just more thoroughly mutated. With a Containment Item label on him, people were less likely to suspect anything. And it wasnt like he meant to smash a crater in the ground. It was justwithout the pit, everyone wouldve seen him standing there butt-naked. Governor! Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan, overcome with emotion, nearly burst into tears. Xiang Xiaoyuan quickly pulled out a leather jacket and ran over Its freezing out here! If he catches a cold bare-chested, then what?! But before she reached him, a graceful silhouette had already appeared at Chen Huaians side. She gently draped a coat over him, her expression tender But the sideways glance she gave carried a veiled warning and subtle chill. Xiang Xiaoyuan paused mid-step, stunned. Zhao Ying looked at Li Qingran, struck by a sense of familiarityas if shed seen her somewhere before. But she couldnt quite place it. Whos this? Hearing Zhao Yings question, Chen Huaian actually didnt have a ready answer. After all, he had just happened to fly over in a helicopter, saw something was wrong, and jumped straight into the fight. Ahem! From the back of the crowd came a dainty cough. Lin Lingling walked out with a swagger like she owned the place, one hand under her chin, expressionless: Allow me to introduce! This pretty lady right here is the C Province Exorcist Divisions Group Resource Management Liaison Departments Overseas Hidden-World Investment CEO! Chapter 297: Call Him Chairman Chen Chapter 297: Call Him Chairman Chen Huazone already has such powerful cultivators? On the rooftop of a skyscraper in Osaka, Ibaraki-dji looked grimly at the cracks running across his body. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was said that Huazones development far outpaced Neons. After all, their Spiritual Revival was backed by five thousand years of history and a massive divine system. He used to scoff at that notion. But after todays battle, he realized he had severely underestimated them. That guy clearly was just one of Huazones Exorcists, yet he shredded Ibaraki-djis avatar with a single punch. Even among Neons Onmyji, such strength was a rare gemhe might very well be the strongest. Still too weak Ibaraki-dji muttered, clenching his fist. I need to rapidly boost my power before the mythic descent begins kill more, eat more otherwise, the days ahead wont be easy. He stood up and was about to leap from the rooftop when his body suddenly froze in place. Cold sweat streamed down his temples. It wasnt that he didnt want to move. It was that a massive oppressive force had descended He couldnt move. Above the firmament, thunderclouds gathered. Furious winds and torrential rain surged. Roaring thunder, like the wrath of gods, exploded beside Ibaraki-djis ears. Suddenly, a phantom hand pressed down on Ibaraki-djis broad shoulder. The hand was tinychildlike. Compared to Ibaraki-djis body, it looked like a grain of rice. But that tiny hand Carried a crushing force that made Ibaraki-djis body sink violently downward. BOOM BOOM BOOM! That hand pressed him through more than thirty floors of reinforced concrete, And kept goingdeep into the crust Until jagged bedrock sliced his body to shreds and forced out agonized howls before finally halting. Ibaraki-dji. Youve crossed the line. A cold voice echoed beside his ear, laced with a casual yet deadly intent. You are not permitted to enter Huaxia. Ugh Ibaraki-dji coughed up blood, struggling to open his mouth. I I thought it was just an avatar BOOM! That hand shoved his head another hundred meters down. Now his skull was dangling above the magma of Mount Fuji. Even your avatar is not allowed! Pleaseplease dont kill me Rules are rules. Please The hand let go. Ibaraki-djis head plummeted toward the lava Before it hit, a giant serpent head lunged from the magma and swallowed it whole in one snap. CRUNCH CRUNCH the skull was crushed into paste. The serpent head alone was dozens of meters wide No telling how massive the body lurking beneath the lava was. More serpent heads surfaced, Each one casting worshipful, submissive gazes at the phantom figure above. Yamata no Orochi, your time has not yet come either. Take this as a warning. The great serpent known as Yamata no Orochi bowed its heads in obedience. Only after the phantom vanished did it dare relax. A flicker of resentment and longing passed through its many eyes. It peeked once through the cracks in the rock above Then obediently sank back into the magma. Meanwhile Rashmon, Kyoto. A crimson rift split the blood-colored sky. A new Ibaraki-dji climbed out. Looking around, those golden beast eyes shone with madness and obsession. Mmm~ the scent of humans! Heh heh heh! This Venerable One is back again! He flexed his twisted right arm, pupils flashing as if recalling something. Finally, realization struck. He growled in a low voice: Minamoto no Yorimitsu Watanabe no Tsuna! Just you waitI will have my revenge for this severed arm! Heh heh heh! With that, he glanced up at the sunlight to get his bearings Then set off toward a familiar direction. Without Lin Lingling, this team would fall apart. Chen Huaian gave Three Eggs (nickname for Lin Lingling) a secret thumbs-up. Overseas Hidden-World Investment CEOwhat a top-tier title. Even if he flipped his belly inside out, he wouldnt have come up with something so badass. Sure, if he had a little more time, he couldve figured out some kind of identity for Li Qingran too. Something like her master wouldnt be a bad cover. The problem was her strength. If anyone said the wrong thing in front of her, hed be totally exposed. But now, with Three Eggs tossing out that stream of nonsense Even though the actual meaning was basically "Executive CEO of Resource Supply for the C Province Exorcist Division" Zhao Ying, Xiang Xiaoyuan, and the Exorcists present got it. The only one who didnt understand was Li Qingran. Master, whats an Overseas Hidden-World Investment CEO? Li Qingran blinked up at Chen Huaian, her big eyes full of curiosity. Oh, that just means disciple. In this world, thats how its called. Not many people know this termif you ask someone else, they probably wont get it. Chen Huaian put on a sincere smile. I see! Li Qingran nodded seriously, hand on her chin. Then what do people call someone like that here? Uh Chen Huaian was briefly stumped. Then quickly replied: Chairman! You can call your Master Chairman Chen! Got it, Chairman Chen! Li Qingran straightened up, face serious and back perfectly upright. She didnt even know why. It just felt right to call him that. So this girls our Exorcist Divisions secret resource sponsor, huh? Zhao Ying sized up Li Qingran, eyes sparkling. Not an ounce of fat to spare, not a bone out of place. Perfect figure, flawless skin like polished jade She looks exactly like one of those hidden sect cultivators! Shed always wondered how Chen Huaian got his hands on things like Bone-Cleansing Pills. Now it all made sense. They really did come from a hidden sect. And judging by the sword-shaped character carved onto the jade pendant at her waist Could it be Sword Sect, or maybe Sword Pavilion? As for how the Governor met her? Simple. Zhao Ying pushed up her glasses and gave Chen Huaian a respectful glance filled with admiration. So this is why he spends so much on in-game purchases They used to think he was just addicted to games. But now they understood Chen Huaian found a cultivation romance inside a video game, and even made it real. And this "romance" was standing right in front of them. Clearly, she was one of those "innocent girls" from a hidden sect who had just stepped into the outside world and started exploring online games out of curiosity a pure-hearted "Ancestor"! Genius. Absolute genius. While others were still studying how to enter hidden sects Their Governor had already solved the problem at the root. Zhao Ying was in awe. Chen Huaian met her gaze And felt totally lost. What now? What the heck were Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan imagining again? If only he had telepathy he could finally see what these subordinates were constantly smirking about all day. Zhao Ying stepped forward and gave Li Qingran a deep, enthusiastic bow: Ancestorah no, girlie! From now on, were all family! Today, Xiaoyuan and I will cook personallyplease do us the honor! Looking at this pretty, warm-hearted young woman, Li Qingran was stunned. She had been cautious around Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan. After all, they werent like Lin Lingling. They were adults and capable of flirting with men. But it turned outthey didnt treat her like an outsider at all! Li Qingran immediately felt guilty. Shed assumed the worst about others. Biting her soft pink lips, she flushed and shyly clasped her hands together: Um I Ill be in your care from now on! As soon as she said it, her ears turned beet red. These people Seemed just like the ones at Sword Pavilion. No wonder Master liked it here~ Heehee. I like it too! Chapter 298: Double Standards System Chapter 298: Double Standards System Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan went off to cook. Though Li Qingran was currently in a Yang Soul Out-of-Body state and couldnt eat like a normal person, she did have a special method of taking in food. Since she still had two hours left before returning to the Cangyun Realm, Chen Huaian took her for a little walk around the Containment Center. This place where Master lives feels so peaceful, Li Qingran said, lightly pinching Little Qings black-stockinged legs and turning to look at Chen Huaian. Is it because Master already drove away the great demons? Ahahaha, exactly right. Chen Huaians heart skipped a beat. He rubbed his hands together and forced a smile. Those big demons come from another world. But their goal is to invade this one. This Venerable One figured this world had useful resources, so I fought with them and managed to temporarily drive them back. Oh, I see. Li Qingran had no doubts. So Master helped this world, and yet the Heavenly Dao here still rejects you? She puffed her cheeks and pouted in indignation. The Heavenly Dao of this world is seriously ungrateful! Chen Huaian: Ever since he got the Digital Girlfriend, hed known the Heavenly Dao was very realand not just a passive system. But since Li Qingran was from the Cangyun Realm, badmouthing this planets Heavenly Dao shouldnt be a problem. Minor issue. Chen Huaian waved it off breezily. Your Master isnt the petty type. Besides, the Heavenly Dao is trying to protect this worlds ecology. If cultivators from the Cangyun Realm all came flooding in here, this place would fall into chaos. Mmm, that makes sense, Li Qingran nodded. She tilted her head and blinked. Then how did Master come to this world? Can disciples of the Sword Pavilion come here too someday? Chen Huaian went silent. Then broke out in a cold sweat. Then gently placed a hand atop Li Qingrans head and said solemnly: Qingran, some secrets arent meant for you to know. You just need to understandeverything Im doing right now is for you, and for the Sword Pavilion. He turned away, gazing up at the ceiling light, leaving her with a tall and noble silhouette bathed in soft golden glow. Li Qingrans heart trembled. What burden was Master carrying? Was it exhausting? If only she could just hug him tight and tell him not to work so hard The room went quiet. Some things needed no words. This is garlic shrimp, this is braised beef, heres mapo tofu, and over here: crispy duck, tofu pudding, spicy hotpot, cold skewers, mala soup, Dongpo pork knuckle, and sweet-and-sour fish Zhao Ying listed out the dishes one by one, beaming as she looked at Li Qingran. To leave a good impression on the C Province Exorcist Divisions secret resource backer, she had really gone all outpulling every trick she had in the kitchen. Some dishes were even ordered straight from a famous nearby Sichuan restaurant. Li Qingran stared wide-eyed at the colorful spread of food, frozen in awe. Even in her current out-of-body state, she could smell the mouthwatering aromas. Shed assumed the cooking here was just like back in the Cangyun Realmsimple steaming, boiling, stir-frying, or deep-frying. She never imagined thered be so many completely new methods of preparation. Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan exchanged a look and both smiled subtly. Theyd guessed Li Qingran came from a Hidden Sect, age unknownpossibly a prodigy who had slept for centuries, or a great cultivator who had maintained eternal youth through seclusion. Either way, she definitely wouldnt be familiar with modern food culture. And as the saying goes: to win someone over, start with their stomach. Especially when it came to girls! Nine out of ten girls were foodies. And the last one? A gourmet. These are your usual meals? Li Qingran asked, stunned. Thats right, Zhao Ying nodded, pushing the mapo tofu toward her. Want to give it a try? Li Qingran swallowed hard. She recalled her childhoodbefore entering the Qingyun Sectwhen she used to frequent all the top restaurants in the city. She had always loved food. But once she started cultivating, she was told to abstain from food. To strengthen her power and better adapt to the life of a cultivator, her diet got stripped down stage by stage: first bland white rice, then just spring water, then soybeans, and finally Fasting Pills. Once she reached Foundation Establishment, she fully stopped eating to achieve a pseudo-purified body. Technically, by the Golden Core stage, she no longer needed to fast. Her body could fully eliminate impurities from food. But at that point, cultivators were expected to embrace asceticism: How can one cultivate the Dao if they indulge in gluttony? Master She looked toward Chen Huaian, only to find him already chomping down on crispy duck, oil dripping from his mouth. She gawked Wait, doesnt Master fast?! What are you staring at? Eat! Chen Huaian tore off a duck leg and plopped it into her bowl. D-Disciple doesnt need to fast? she asked nervously. Isnt cultivation about letting go of desires Back when they first met, she had no cultivationwas basically a normal personso eating and drinking was fine. But now she was officially on the Dao path. Surely the expectations were different? Fasting? Forget that nonsense! Chen Huaian wiped the oil from his mouth and grinned: Youve already reached the purified body stage. If you want to eat, eat! Just look at your senior brothersexcept for Duan Feng, those two punks Zhen He and Xu An eat like kings every meal, and they still drink too! In my school, we dont have all those uptight rules. Cultivation isnt about suppressing your natureits about going with the flow. sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thats what we call Dao follows nature~ He took a loud sip of ice-cold colasssshhhkkk. A perfect finish. Li Qingrans eyes lit up. Her heart stirred with enlightenment. She had been stuck at early Golden Core for a while, but now That bottleneck seemed to be loosening. Once she returned to the Cangyun Realm and entered seclusion again, she might just break through to mid-Golden Core. Truly worthy of being her Master She looked at Chen Huaian with absolute adoration. Only he could turn a simple meal into a profound Dao lesson. Li Qingran focused, using her spiritual power to lift a spoonful of mapo tofu. The silky-soft tofu quivered like jelly, giving off an irresistible aroma. She inhaled deeply. The scent and color faded from the spoon as the food transformed into a wisp of blue smoke. Her eyes lit up She began chewing in small bites, her cheeks gently puffing, head swaying side to side, savoring every last bit of joy as if trying to spread it throughout her whole body. Zhao Ying, Xiang Xiaoyuan, and Lin Lingling all stared, unblinking. It was their first time seeing someone eat with their soul. No wonder the offering fruits on the shrine spoiled so fast. They werent going bad They were being eaten by the soul they were offered to. When Li Qingran finished the spoonful and looked up, she found everyone watching her. Her cheeks turned red. She looked down, a little embarrassed Her eating mustve looked so silly, like a starving ghost reincarnated. But she swore, it was the most delicious thing shed ever tasted. Who knew food could have so many layers? The tender tofu was laced with creaminess, subtle spice, a dash of numbing heat, savory minced meat, and some kind of magical umami that exploded on the tongue Aahhh~ She covered her face with both hands, big eyes squinting in bliss. How was it? Tasty? Zhao Ying asked eagerly. So good!! Li Qingran nodded furiously and gave a big thumbs-up. You should take some home later, Chen Huaian said, seeing how much she liked it. He instantly whipped out his phone and started placing takeout orders from nearby specialty restaurants. I can really bring it back? Li Qingrans eyes sparkled with interest but she was also curious how he planned to get it across realms. Should be doable, Chen Huaian saidthough not 100% sure. Last time he tried bringing the crystal with the bushy beard spirit across, it got blocked. So he opened up the Digital Girlfriend Game to check with customer service. But before he could ask A game alert popped up: Your Digital Girlfriend loves modern food. You may pack modern meals as offerings for your Digital Girlfriend. Chen Huaian: Bringing spirit crystals = environmental pollution. Bringing snacks = normal feeding. What kind of double standard dog system is this!? Chapter 299: The Missing Spirit Herb Chapter 299: The Missing Spirit Herb The duration of Divine Wandering in the Void ended. Li Qingran was reluctant to part with it. To her, this world was still full of wonders and mysteries waiting to be explored. But most importantly, her Master was herea real, living Master, not just an untouchable projection. Unfortunately, the two worlds didnt overlap. She was destined not to stay here for long. Before leaving, aside from packing up some tasty food, Chen Huaian also picked up a few other items. "This one, spicy chicken ramengive it to Pavilion Master Su, hell love it." Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian wore a wicked grin. Heh heh, time for the Pavilion Master to experience the marvelsand madnessof modern tech and snacks. "This is Kangshi Noodles and Black Elephant brand. Tastes pretty good. Just add hot water and its ready to eat. Though it has zero nutritional valuejust for fun When you hand it out to the Sword Pavilion disciples, make sure to tell them not to eat the packaging! Seriously, dont forget!" With that, under the shocked stares of Zhao Ying and the others, Chen Huaian pulled out another giant package. His grin was still wicked, but now it carried a hint of mischief too. "Master, whats that?" Li Qingran asked. "This!" Chen Huaian shook the bag dramatically. "This is the real heavy hitterWeilong Spicy Strips! Heh heh heh!" "Oh!" Li Qingrans eyes went wide. She asked hesitantly, "Are they really that tasty?" "Well, how do I put this..." Chen Huaian wobbled his head, thinking. "Theyre definitely tasty, but... you and the Sword Pavilion disciples should go easy on them. No nutritional value either. But we can sell them to the other sects." "Sell them to other sects? Master, are you planning to start a business?" After tasting Earths delicacies, Li Qingran had absolute confidence in this ''Weilong Spicy Strip.'' "You could say that," Chen Huaian mused. If they could trade these junk snacks for cultivation resources, Sword Pavilion would be making a killing. Of course, no one would trade top-tier resources for them, but even maintaining a steady supply of basic goods would be a huge win. After all, the Small World only had spirit stones right now. Nothing else. Resources were seriously lacking. "Take these Weilong Spicy Strips back with you. Let the Pavilion Master and the Elders try them first. Let Lingxi Valley and the Dan Sect try them too. Once we get a sense of their interest, well set a price, then expand the market to every sect across the entire Cangyun Realm." "Got it." Li Qingran nodded, then asked, "Master, whats the production volume of these Weilong Spicy Strips?" Chen Huaian smirked, spread his arms wide toward the sunlight outside the window, and declared: "Endless! Infinite supply! Heh heh heh!" Holy Land of Jade Pool Inside the prison cell, Dan Yuns alchemical flame gradually withdrew back into her body. Naked, she hugged a pill cauldron, slowly opened her eyes, but her face suddenly turned pale and a trickle of black blood slid from the corner of her mouth. Her aura was noticeably weaker than before. Over eighty thousand simulations and Ive finally figured out the inverse reaction of the pills effects. But the aura of this new Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill is totally different from the original formula. That b***h Yuyao isnt an idiotshes bound to notice Not much time left. What now? Dan Yun formed a hand seal, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. This wasnt her first time attempting to simulate a solution. Each attempt brought her closer to her end, to the severing of fate itself. But no matter how many times she tried, no result came of it. If todays attempt failed again, her only option would be to take the riskier routeforce Real Person Yuyao to take the pill. She had thought todays simulation would be another desperate struggle. But then, a sliver of change finally slipped through the previously fixed Heavenly Fate. Delighted, Dan Yuns gaze sharpened, and without hesitation, she traded what little life force she had left for that one glimpse of possibility. But once she learned what the variable was, her expression became strange. "Weilong Spicy Strips? What the heck is that?" As a Pill Cultivator, she considered herself well-versed in all kinds of spiritual herbs. But she had never heard of anything called Weilong Spicy Strips. No impression at all. Dan Yun, how goes it? Real Person Yuyao pushed open the cell door and stepped in, her cold gaze landing on Dan Yun. Seeing Dan Yun looking so pale and weak, the corner of her lips lifted slightly. That meant Dan Yun was genuinely afraid now. And only a fearful Dan Yun would obediently refine the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill for her. Not great, Dan Yun replied flatly, giving Yuyao a glance. What do you mean? Dont tell me you cant make it! Real Person Yuyao stepped closer, her gaze sharp and venomous. Dan Yun, your daughter is in my hands. If you dont produce the pill, Ill turn her into a human pill myself. Dont think I wont do it! Real Person, its not that I wont make it. Its that the formula for the Supreme-grade Heaven-Mending Pill is different from the normal one. I have to modify the formula using Heavenly Fate simulation while refining. Without the missing ingredient, I cant make the supreme-grade pill. Yuyaos stern expression eased slightly, and she frowned. So have you figured out what herb is missing? Just say the wordno matter what it is, Ill find it for you. As long as you make me a supreme-grade or immortal-grade pill, I guarantee you and your daughters safety. I figured it out today. Dan Yun said coldly. The herb is called Weilong Spicy Strips. Go find it, Real Person. WeiWeilong Spicy Strips?! Yuyao twitched at the corner of her mouth. Youre sure? What kind of spirit herb was that? That name was so bizarre. She had lived for thousands of years and had never heard of such a thing. Of course Im sure. Dan Yun gave her a sideways glance and sneered: Or does Real Person think Id joke around with my life and my daughters life? Fine! Yuyao didnt bother questioning why something called sounded so weird. She nodded immediately, Wait here. Ill find this spirit herb for you within a week! With that, she hurriedly stormed out. Hissthis Weilong Spicy Strips Dan Yun gazed out the tiny window of the dungeon and muttered: What the hell is that, anyway Sword Pavilion Limitless Heavenly Venerable! This delicacy known as Black Elephant Instant Noodles must have a karmic tie with me! Indeed, indeed! Who knows where the Patriarch got such rare stuff This Kangshi NoodleBraised Beef Flavorhas not a shred of beef in it, yet tastes like beef Strange! Curious! But absolutely delightful! I still think instant noodles are just okay. Personally, I love those Weilong Spicy Strips and a cold Ice Cola~ Tsk tsk. If I could have a strip and a can of cola before sword training every morning, life would be better than being an Immortal! Atop Luoxia Peak, Li Qingran smiled faintly at the joyful scene unfolding before her. She had expected Masters snacks would be popular, but even this exceeded her imagination. Everyone in the Sword Pavilionfrom disciples to Elders to the Pavilion Master himself Even Elder Jiong, who had been skeptical at first, was now full of praise. Even Senior Sister Lin from the ancestral hall, who initially turned her nose up After one bite of spicy strips... She was now flying around on her sword, A pack of spicy strips in her left hand, a pack of chicken tendons in her right, joyfully snacking away in mid-air. As for why she didnt come down... well, she was one of the Pavilions mysterious seniors. She couldnt let the juniors see her pigging out like that. These things are... actually that good?! Mo Shumei stared at the greasy strip between her fingers, utterly stunned. Shed roamed the martial world for years and eaten all kinds of weird stuff But nothing had ever left such a deep impression. Girl, youre already fasting, stop eating. Give me a bite, will ya? Soul Abyss, the demonic blade at her waist, trembled like crazy. The smell of the spicy strips was driving it nuts. The countless souls sealed inside were all going berserk, nearly rioting. Mo Shumei snorted and moved the strip further away. You dumb blade, what the h*ll do you eat for? Here, chew on the plastic wrapper instead. At this moment, Pavilion Master Su Qinian and Valley Master Yun Baiyu of Lingxi Valley had also tasted the spicy strips. Li Qingran observed their varied expressions, but one thing was clearthey were very pleased with the Weilong Spicy Strips. She thought to herself, Seems like its time to convey Masters intentions. Chapter 300: Let’s Start With a Thousand Tons Chapter 300: Lets Start With a Thousand Tons "This Weilong Spicy Strip... is it really as endless as the Patriarch claimed?" Su Qinians eyes were shininghe saw in Weilong Spicy Strips the hope for the Sword Pavilions rise. He was at the peak of Divine Transformation Realm. Normally, someone at his level had almost no appetite left. But the moment he bit into a spicy stripit all came back. Everything came rushing back. From this one strip, he tasted the spicy sauce his mother used to make when he was a child. The more he ate, the more addicted he became. The flavor deepened. He seemed to see... his father making beggars chicken for the first time, the first time the family scraped together enough money to eat outscene after scene flashed before his eyes... Only then did he realize that true gourmet food had power. A power that came from deep within the soul. It had nothing to do with cultivation. Just one bite... and even the strongest would fall to their knees! Master said so, so it should be fine, Li Qingran replied with a smile. Valley Master Yun Baiyu of Lingxi Valley wiped the oil from the corner of her mouth. She usually preferred lighter flavors, so her loss of composure today made her a bit embarrassed. Still, she couldnt help but praise, This item seems to possess some kind of magical pull. I just can''t stop eating it But I wonder, how much does it cost? What price did Senior Chen set? If its reasonable, Id gladly purchase a batch for Lingxi Valley. Master said you two could decide the pricing, Li Qingran answered seriously. Best if it can be promoted across all the sects. That way, it could bring revenue to the Sword Pavilion. Let us set the price? Su Qinian and Yun Baiyu exchanged a surprised glance, both feeling deeply honored. It was just a snack, surebut it was something unheard of in the Cangyun Realm, a true rarity. And yet the Patriarch handed over the pricing authority just like that... If the Patriarch wishes to promote this item across all the sects, and he can guarantee steady supply, then I believe we shouldnt price it too high. Ideally, it should be affordable for ordinary sect disciples, Su Qinian reasoned. Yun Baiyu nodded. Pavilion Master Su is right. Why not set it at ten lower-grade spirit stones? That way, it wont seem too cheap, but disciples with a bit of spare change can still give it a try. Swapping for resources like pills or spiritual artifacts is fine too, Su Qinian added, eyes gleaming. Lets base it on the rate of ten lower-grade spirit stones. Any resource with equivalent value can be exchanged. Ten lower-grade spirit stones per packwhat does Master think? Li Qingran lifted her gaze to the sky. She could feel a certain gaze falling upon her. Approved! Junior Su Qinian and Yun Baiyu, pay respects to the Patriarch! Su Qinian and Yun Baiyu immediately bowed toward the direction Li Qingran was looking. No need for formalities. Since the price is set, spread word of it to all sects immediately. I want Weilong Spicy Strips circulating across the entire Cangyun Realm as soon as possible! Back in the modern world, Chen Huaian was grinning strangely in front of his phone. Just imagine itcultivators all over Cangyun Realm carrying spicy strips with them. Eat one before cultivating, chew a few while taking a break on missions, even snack during battle. Crack open a pack anytime, gnaw on a few... Everyone talking with spicy breath all day long. That would be awesome. And key pointpricing them at 10 lower-grade spirit stones was a huge win. One bag only cost 1 RMB, while even during promotional deals, one lower-grade spirit stone in the Digital Girlfriend Store went for 50. Thats a 500x profit marginand thats without buying directly from the factory. Senior, about my daughter... I still beg your help Chen Huaian glanced at Yun Baiyu, who was kneeling with both knees on the floor, and said solemnly, Rest assured. I still have some matters to settle here. When the time is right, I will personally lead the charge on the Holy Land of Jade Pool to rescue both our Sword Pavilion Core Disciple Yue Qianchi and your daughter Yun Suxin! He was currently at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but his avatar could now unlock strength equivalent to the Eighth Stage of Void Fusion. Still, even that wasnt enough to face the Holy Land of Jade Pool. Luckily, the situation of Yue Qianchi and Yun Suxin wasnt too urgent. There was still room to maneuver. With your words, I can rest easy. Yun Baiyu was moved to tears, bowing toward the void again. To support Seniors venture, this junior is willing to purchase a batch of Weilong Spicy Strips with ten million lower-grade spirit stones! Yun Baiyu stood up, her tone sincere. Disciples of Lingxi Valley travel everywhere to practice medicine. I can have them bring along these snacksitll also boost the publicity. Who knows? This product might dominate even the mortal realm, where food is everywhere. Wait, how much? Ten million spirit stones?! Chen Huaian looked at the still-elegant beauty and his mouth twitched. She really did have money, huh? But he didnt dare imagine the fragrant Lingxi Valley being filled with the strong smell of spicy strips. Still, it was her heartfelt gesturehow could he say no? Chen Huaian immediately gave the go-ahead, then called out to Zhao Ying. Xiao Zhao, Ive got something for you to handle. Whatever you need, Governor! Zhao Ying beamed, looking at Chen Huaian like he was witnessing a living talisman of prosperity. So Li Qingranuh, I mean, Director Lireally likes these spicy strips. Her sects disciples like them too, so she wants to bring more back. No problem! Zhao Ying lit up. Ill go buy them now! Interest was good. With interest, resources werent an issue. That way, Governor Chen wouldnt have to work so hard all the time. Overworking wasnt good for his liver or kidneys. Wait a sec, Chen Huaian called him back. Seeing Zhao Yings puzzled look, he added, Lets just go straight to Weilongs factory. Zhao Ying froze. Huh? So how many spicy strips are we talking about here? Chen Huaian quickly did the math. Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ten million spirit stones equaled a million bags of spicy strips. One bag was 150gthats 150 tons. Factoring in Lingxi Valleys future demand and the inevitable shortage once it caught on... Lets just start with a thousand tons, Chen Huaian said, looking straight at Zhao Ying. Zhao Ying: He didnt want to think this way, but Was that sect made up of mutant creatures or something?! They needed 1,000 tons of spicy strips?! Maybe thats the difference between cultivators and normal peoplecultivators didnt have to worry about constipation or hemorrhoids. Got it. Ill take care of it now. Zhao Ying nodded with difficulty. Cangyun Realm, Holy Land of Jade Pool Have any of you ever heard of a spirit herb called Weilong Spicy Strip? Real Person Yuyao summoned all disciples and elders at or above the Unity Stage into the palace. Everyone looked around at each other, then collectively shook their heads. I see. Yuyao frowned, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Pass it downall disciples of the Holy Land are to stop their current tasks and go search for the spirit herb Weilong Spicy Strip! The whole palace erupted in shock. One elder stepped forward, Real Person, should we still track the Sword Pavilion and the Sword Pavilion Patriarch? What about the group with the Profound Water Root? Forget the Sword Pavilion and their Patriarch for now. Yuyao waved dismissively like shooing a fly. Leave the Profound Water Root group alone too. Everyone else, go find this Weilong Spicy Strip! I want results within seven days! Her expression darkened, the air in the palace turning cold and heavy. Otherwise youll all face punishment! Moments later, a group of gloomy elders and disciples walked out of the palace. No leads, no detailsjust a name. And that name was so weird, they couldnt even guess what it might be. Where were they supposed to start? Still, a command from Real Person Yuyao wasnt something they could disobey. They had no choice but to obey. Inside the palace Real Person Yuyao stood by the edge of a pond, eyes fixed on the lotus platform within, gaze vicious. Weilong Spicy Strip Her voice echoed low in the hall. No matter what kind of spirit herb you are you wont escape my grasp! Chapter 301: Daoist Mengchu’s First Mission Chapter 301: Daoist Mengchus First Mission While the Holy Land of Jade Pool had secretly ordered a search for the "Spicy Strips," the fastest batch of Lingxi Valley disciples had already set off with them. Real Person Yuyao believed that Spicy Strips was some rare spiritual herb. To prevent others from interfering, she insisted that the search be carried out covertly. At present, True Martial Holy Land had already collapsed. The Burning Purification Holy Land, though previously a partner, had begun to show signs of tension due to conflict over interests. Both Holy Lands wanted to split the spoils of True Martial Holy Land. Burning Purification demanded seventy percent of the resources from True Martial as compensation, claiming the Holy Land of Jade Pool had profited greatly from the secret realm. But how could Real Person Yuyao agree? In her eyes, the amount of consumables you could collect from the secret realm depended entirely on your own abilities. If your sect wasnt capable, what right did you have to ask for compensation? Still, she had no time or energy to argue with Burning Purification right now. And both she and Reverend Karma knewif the two Holy Lands went to war, it would be a pyrrhic victory. Both sides would suffer, and no one would come out ahead. So for now, the two sects remained in a deadlock. Ironically, True Martial Holy Land managed to catch a breather in this strange tension. Some elders of True Martial had already sensed something was off. In this Central State Secret Realm mission, their own Real Person Zhang Yibai had died in battle. Elder Qi Zhengyan of the Unity Stage was scapegoated for the demonic formation incident outside the realm. Even the Sects personal disciple, Zhao Zhenlong, had died under mysterious circumstances inside the secret realm. Basically, every single unlucky thing had fallen on them. But True Martial Holy Land had always been favored by heaven and earth. If divine punishment had really come, it shouldn''t have struck down three of their core pillars at once. This triple tragedywas it a scheme to wipe True Martial out? Looking at the bigger picture, the ones who benefited were only the Holy Land of Jade Pool and the Burning Purification Holy Land. And curiously, these two sects had barely suffered any casualties. Sure, it looked like many had died in the Central State Secret Realm, but upon close inspection, most of the dead were ordinary sect disciples. Aside from a few elders killed suddenly by the Sword Pavilion Patriarch, the Burning Purification and Jade Pool Holy Lands had virtually zero losses. And why did the Sword Pavilion Patriarch go on a killing spree? Because those two sects had tried to lay hands on his disciple. His disciple had warned everyone: Jade Pool and Burning Purification had problems. He even suspected they were sheltering Demon Cultivators. Whether that part was true remained uncertain. At the time, the elders of True Martial Holy Land hadnt thought much of the accusation. But now, thinking back Was it possible the disciple had been right? True Martial Holy Land Grand Hall of True Martial Now that Zhang Yibais Soul Lamp had shattered, confirming his death, and even Zhao Zhenlongthe top personal disciplehad perished in the secret realm, True Martial Holy Land was left leaderless. As a result, Daoist Mengchu, an elder at the Ninth Stage of Void Fusion Realm, had to temporarily assume the role of Sect Leader. Everyone here suspects the Jade Pool and Burning Purification may harbor ill intentions. But does anyone have actual evidence? Daoist Mengchus tone was grave as he looked around the hall. No one stepped forward. Not a word of advice. Nothing. Zhang Yibai and Zhao Zhenlongs deaths had crushed morale across the entire sect. Even if they had evidence, what could they do? Each of those rival sects had a cultivator at the Grand Ascension Stage. Confronting them would only hasten True Martials destruction. Daoist Mengchu looked out over the eerily silent assembly and sighed. He tucked his sleeves and said solemnly: When you joined the True Martial Holy Land, surely you heard the tale of Real Person Zhang. Real Person Zhang harnessed the essence of heaven and earth, splitting it into yin and yang, and from this, comprehended the Dao of endless reincarnationeternal and unbroken. Our entire sect was founded upon that very principle. But do you know what that heaven-and-earth essence he acquired actually was? Everyone looked up at the white-haired, elderly Daoist. Many of the younger disciples had grown up listening to tales of Zhang Yibais greatness. They knew of his legendary talent, his unmatched brilliance across the Cangyun Realm. But they didnt know what that mystical heavenly essence actually was. Daoist Mengchu didnt keep them guessing. He lifted his left hand, summoning Pure Yang Sword Intent, then lifted his right, calling forth Profound Yin Sword Intent. He fused the two into a single, warm, glowing light. The so-called essence of heaven and earth is actually Righteous Qi. The elders voice rang like a bell in their earsfirm, and powerful. Our True Martial Sect stands on the foundation of Righteous Qi. Though some of you cultivate only Pure Yang Sword Qi, and others only Profound Yin Sword Qi both paths draw upon the same source. Now, our founding ancestor has died under suspicious circumstances, and even his direct disciples body is nowhere to be found. Are we, disciples of Righteous Qi, really going to cower at such a moment? The crowd of True Martial disciples felt a wave of shame in their hearts. Exactly. The verse said: "The dark cannot corrupt True Martial; the heavens ink, the earth parchment." They had upheld their sect for over three thousand years. When had they ever bowed to fear? Were they going to let their founder die without even learning the truth? What right did they have to still call themselves disciples of True Martial? Elder, what should we do? one elder at the Unity Stage stepped forward, fists clenched, eyes red. Please guide us! There are no cowards in True Martial! Give the word, and well all draw our swords and march on Jade Pool and Burning Purification! Fools! Daoist Mengchu scolded. Charging in blindlyhow is that different from suicide? Dying wont bring peace to our founders soul! It wont clear True Martials name! The Unity elder bit his lip, lowered his head, and fell silent. What we need now is clarity, not confusion, Daoist Mengchu said, narrowing his eyes. Truth was, he hadnt summoned everyone here just to say these things. He already had a plan in mind. The one sect thats clearly clashed with Jade Pool and Burning Purification is the Sword Pavilion, he declared loudly. I intend to conceal my identity and contact them. Through the Sword Pavilion, we might uncover the truthwhether Jade Pool and Burning Purification really are corrupted. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But... isnt the Sword Pavilion harboring a Demon Cultivator? someone asked, raising a hand. And are you sure it was a Demon Cultivator? Daoist Mengchu countered. What if it was just a disciple who accidentally practiced demonic techniques? Does practicing a demonic art automatically make someone a Demon Cultivator? Can they not disperse their cultivation and start over? Dont jump to conclusions. Think for yourselves. Dont believe everything you hear. Just like nowyouve all started to suspect Jade Pool and Burning Purification, havent you? With that, a faint mist began to rise from Daoist Mengchus body. As the mist dispersed, his appearance had completely transformed into that of a young cultivator, his cultivation base now suppressed down to the Nascent Soul stage. Everyone stared, stunned. This wasnt just aura suppression or hiding his spiritual signature he had completely become someone else, even down to the temperament and presence. Hahahaha! Who says a man cant be young again? Daoist Mengchu laughed gently, shaking his head. A longsword as pale as moonlight appeared in his hand. Then, before their very eyes, his figure faded into mist and vanished. Only a lingering voice echoed in the great hall This old man takes his leave. Chapter 302: Sweeping Across the Cangyun Realm Chapter 302: Sweeping Across the Cangyun Realm "You''ve been poisoned by the Venom of the Flame Python. I''ve already detoxified you. The medical fee is 100 low-grade Spirit Crystals." "Thank you so much, Fairy! The Detox Pill sold at the Dan Sects Pavilion costs over a thousand low-grade Spirit CrystalsI really couldn''t afford it. You Medical Cultivators of Lingxi Valley are the most conscientious!" The rogue cultivator cupped his hands to the Lingxi Valley disciple in gratitude. Even though the female cultivator in front of him was stunning, he didnt dare look too long. Everyone knew the rules of Lingxi Valley. Besides, it was a prestigious sect. Even without those strange rules, hed never have the chance to make someone like her his Dao Companion. Just being able to interact for a moment was already a stroke of luck. "Healing people is part of the Dao of Lingxi Valley." The girl smiled gently and accepted the pouch filled with 100 low-grade Spirit Crystals. Lingxi Valley had a large supply of spiritual herbs at affordable prices. Even if she used them to make medicine or pills, she still made a profit. Though, of course, it couldnt compare with the Dan Sectthat bunch was ridiculously greedy. "Then, I shall take my leave." The rogue cultivator was reluctant, but he knew it was time to go. However, just as he turned, the girl called out from behind: "Hey, wait a second!" His heart skipped a beatcould it be? Could his luck with women finally be turning? He spun around in surprise, only to see the Lingxi Valley girl holding a strange-looking bag. The bag was brightly colored with big bold letters printed on it Zhou the Skinflint? Uh... The rogue cultivator twitched his nose, catching a seductive and peculiar aroma in the air. "This... what is this thing?" "Its called Spicy Strips," the girl smiled mysteriously, her eyes crescent-shaped. "A special type of snack. It''s said to have originally come from the Sword Pavilion. It was originally priced at 10 low-grade Spirit Crystals, but now it''s only 5. I dont usually like foods with such strong smellsif I get cravings, I just pick some wild fruit from the mountains. But this one, this spicy strip" She pouted slightly, a blush creeping up her face as she looked away. "Its just... too addictive." Her string of cute expressions nearly reeled the rogue cultivator in like a hooked fish. He immediately shelled out 5 Spirit Crystals to buy the spicy stripspartly to learn what kind of snacks the fairy liked, and partly to see just what kind of magical food could make the cool and aloof fairy of Lingxi Valley say the words too addictive. He stepped out of the temporary clinic, bathed in the cool night breeze, turning the bag labeled Zhou the Skinflint over in his hands, unsure how exactly to eat the contents. What did "Zhou the Skinflint" mean? Was it the name of a cultivator who made this snack? To stamp ones name right onto the productthat cultivator must be full of confidence and ambition. "Looks like theres a transparent layer of fabric on the outside? Such delicate craftsmanship. Im guessing I need to tear this open." He muttered to himself as he tore open the bag. Instantly, a wave of even stronger, devilishly tempting aroma exploded at his nose. "Th-this smell" His eyes widened. He sworehe had never smelled anything this intoxicating in his life. There was a rich meatiness laced with a teasing spicy notebut it wasnt just spicy. The aroma was something no ordinary spice could produce. It was so magical, it felt like just smelling it was already eating it. He gulped and pulled out a strip, shoving it into his mouth. BOOM! The complex compounds, born from a fusion of another worlds technology and shady enhancement tricks, exploded across the cultivators taste buds like a storm. Sure, cultivators werent afraid of chiliunless it was some spirit-grown fiery chili. He shouldve been able to resist such heat. But his body surrendered on its own, letting the odd spicy sensation surge through every inch of him. In the chill night wind, the man shuddered in pleasure. Sweat beaded on his brow. All the pressure that had been bottling up and blocking his breakthrough suddenly melted away. He even felt happy. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In a cultivation life full of monotonyno entertainment, no Dao Companion, no resources, no progress It had been a long, long time since he felt even a shred of happiness. A seven-foot-tall man raised his head to the sky. A tear, tinged with the flavor of spicy strips, slipped from the corner of his eye. "This this truly is a divine object!" He scarfed down the rest of the spicy strips in seconds. Even after licking his lips, he still wanted more. It was goodno doubt about itbut the portion size? Kinda stingy. Just that little bit? Thats it? "But hey, its just 5 low-grade Spirit Crystals." He weighed his pouch of crystals in his hand, made up his mind, and turned around to head back to the clinic. In the bleak night breeze, his footsteps faded awaylighter, quicker. Gone was the beaten-down rogue cultivator slaving away for cultivation and resources, living like the walking dead day after day. What remained was a simple man, chasing happiness and joya living, breathing person. In less than three days, spicy strips had swept across the entire Cangyun Realm. With their bizarre flavor, devilish aroma, unique aftertaste, and price point cheap enough for even outer disciples, they quickly went viral across sects big and small. These days, if a sect disciple went out without a pack or two of spicy strips on their waist, theyd be laughed at when meeting friends. There were many types of spicy strips. The most popular were Beef & Horse Mix, Zhou the Skinflint, Palace-Fried Kundi, and Mala Geese. Some cultivators even became collectors, vowing to taste every type of spicy strip out there! And since different types were distributed across different sects, disciples started traveling more between sects. Even sects that had old grudges seemed to cool down a bit under the spicy strip crazewar vibes easing subtly. Just as the Sword Pavilion was raking in mountains of profits from the spicy strip boom... The disciples sent out by the Holy Land of Jade Pool, after scouring barren lands and dangerous zones with no trace of rare herbs, began narrowing their search. They planned to coordinate with various sectssearching secretly within themto find if anyone had Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips. Central State, within Dan Sect territory. Inside a hidden room of the Treasure Pavilion. A Dan Sect disciple stood trembling before a young woman in green robes. He had only been told a distinguished guest needed attendingbut he never expected the guest to be a fairy from the Holy Land of Jade Pool. And who knew what she was looking for? Jade Pool already had the richest resources among the holy lands. What could they possibly not have? It was bizarre and a little creepy. "Ill make this quick." The green-robed womans expression was cold. "Im looking for a rare spirit herb. As the general steward of the Treasure Pavilion, youve seen your fair share of odditiesmaybe youve heard of it. But whether youve seen it or not, youd better bury this conversation deep in your gut. If a word leaks" Her eyes narrowed. Though she didnt move, a wave of killing intent flooded the room, making the air freeze and the temperature plummet. The Dan Sect disciple felt it. He wiped his sweaty palms, hands trembling. He bowed deeply. "Dont worry, Fairy. Ill speak freely, and if I dont know, Ill pretend today never happened. You were never here May I ask what it is that you seek?" The woman paused, as though gathering momentum. The air stilledtaut like a pulled string. The Dan Sect disciple held his breath, focusing on nothing, palms soaked. What could it be? Would he be silenced just for hearing the name? While his thoughts spiraled Four clear, firm words shot from the womans icy lips: "Flavor. Dragon. Spicy. Strips." Chapter 303: Was He Telling the Truth? Chapter 303: Was He Telling the Truth? Dan Sect Disciple: "???" What the h*ll? Excuse me? Whats wrong with the women from the Holy Land of Jade Pool? If you want spicy strips, just ask for spicy stripswhy act like its some serious business? He was nearly scared out of his soul. The Dan Sect disciple finally exhaled in relief, his previously straightened back slumping again. He said helplessly, So you were just looking for spicy strips? Why didnt you say so earlier? I recently stocked up a batchtheres Cow-and-Horse Combo, Spicy Boar, Greatsword Jerky, Tear-Apart-Your-Mom Beef Jerky... Which one do you want? Ill give it to you for free! The woman looked utterly confused, her face growing cold. A few vines shot up from the ground, instantly binding the Dan Sect disciple tightly. You messing with me? she growled. I said I wanted Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips, not this Cow-and-Horse nonsense or whatever Spicy Boar... And I have no idea what youre even talking about! Hey, dont get violent! the Dan Sect disciple panicked, straining his neck as he shouted, Those ARE all Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips! If you dont believe me, Ill take one out for you to see! Hearing that, the Jade Pool disciple released him, curious to see what kind of trick he was trying to pull. He wore a bitter expression as he dug through his storage ring for a while, then pulled out a colorful heap of packaging and dumped it on the table, forming a small pile. There, these are Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips. You really think Im that easy to fool? the woman in green sneered, killing intent practically seeping from her eyes. She pointed at the packaging on the table and snarled, I asked for a spiritual herb. Look carefullydo any of these messy things look remotely like spiritual herbs? And youre telling me this is Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips? Do you think we Jade Pool disciples are idiots?! The Dan Sect disciple was being choked so hard by the vines his eyes were rolling back, but he still tried to explain: Cough, coughSenior, this really is Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips. Its food! It was never some kind of spiritual herb... Hmph! Still trying to trick me?! The vines tightened. Her face darkened as she continued pressing him: Speak! Where is Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips, really?! At this point, the Dan Sect disciple was so strangled he couldnt get a word out. And with his cultivation suppressed, he couldnt resist. As he struggled violently, his foot accidentally kicked the table, sending the pile of spicy strips tumbling to the floor. One packet happened to roll right up to the womans feet. She frowned and picked up the bag that emitted a strange, tantalizing aroma. Right in the center of the bag were four large characters: Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips, with three round little words underneath Devilishly Spicy. Could this really be Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips? She glanced at the disciplewho had now passed out from the strangulation three meters awaythen crouched down and started sifting through the pile of spicy strips. Not all of them were labeled "Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips." There were plenty of odd names. But regardless of the name, the upper right corner of each bag had a distinctive red circle, and inside it were two golden charactersFlavor Dragon. So... he was telling the truth? Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips really arent spiritual herbs? She murmured to herself, her expression flickering with doubt and realization. Whatever. Better to bring these back for now. Even if they werent the exact Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips the Real Person was seeking, at least shed found some clues. Better than returning empty-handed. At the very least... she wouldnt be punished by the Real Person, right? Holy Land of Jade Pool, Luoshen Palace. Real Person Yuyao sat at the head seat, brows furrowed. Before her were the disciples and elders she had sent out to search for Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips. The reason for her frown? Her palace currently reeked of a bizarre stench. At first, the smell had seemed rather appetizingpleasant, even. But after lingering for a while, it developed a sour tinge, like the saliva of mortals... and gradually began to stink. And the source of this stench? The mountain of unknown items piled high on the palace floor before her. Youre saying these are Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips?! Real Person Yuyaos face was ashen. If it had been just one person who brought these back, maybe it wouldve been excusable. But every single team had returned with the same thingsor nothing at all. Sar?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Please judge wisely, Real Person, said an elder as he stepped forward, bowed three times, and respectfully explained: We initially searched near the beast dens of the Desolate Region and the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains, but found nothing after much effort. So we shifted tactics and started searching within the major sects. Thats when we discovered that these Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips were already popular among sects. Its just that people usually call them by whatevers on the packaginglike Cow-and-Horse Combo or Kissy Mouth, and so on. Thats why our intelligence department couldnt detect them until now. But these really are Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips. Real Person Yuyao listened quietly, then fell into silence. She picked up one of the spicy strip bags, tore it open, and immediately the pungent smell intensified. Everyone in the room started sniffing instinctively. Some Jade Pool disciples even looked at the spicy strips and swallowed. Hmph, food made by other sects is that tasty? Real Person Yuyao noted their reactions, plucked out one strip, and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened at once. This taste was utterly bizarre. As she chewed, her eyes narrowed, savoring the flavor. In thousands of years, no food had ever managed to stir her appetite. But this so-called Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip actually did. Other cultivators might think its just an ordinary snackat most a noveltybut she didnt see it that way. For something to move a Grand Ascension Stage cultivator like her this could not be ordinary. She was starting to believe that this was the spiritual herb Dan Yun was searching for. But whether it truly was, only Dan Yun could confirm. Where did this item originate? Have you investigated? She flicked the orange-red grease from her fingers and exhaled a strong burst of spicy aroma. Reporting to the Real Person: its said the spicy strips originally came from the Sword Pavilion, and were later spread by disciples from Lingxi Valley and the Dan Sect, quickly gaining popularity across the Cangyun Realm, one elder replied. Oh? Lingxi Valley and Dan Sect? Real Person Yuyao narrowed her eyes and chuckled coldly: So theyre cozy with the Sword Pavilion, and may know its location, hmm? No one responded. Even the disciples and elders werent sure if Lingxi Valley and the Dan Sect actually knew where the Sword Pavilion or its Patriarch were. But for these spicy strips to spread so quickly, there had to be a bridge of communication. Find that bridge, and maybe they could find the Sword Pavilion. In this silence, tacit agreement was almost certain. Bring me the Valley Master of Lingxi Valley and the Sect Master of the Dan Sect. This Venerable One shall interrogate them personally. Real Person Yuyao grabbed another bag of Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips and tore open a spatial rift. Through it, everyone could vaguely see it was locked onto the dungeon where Dan Yun was held. Real Person Yuyao stepped into the rift, her figure vanishing, leaving only her cold voice echoing in the hall: Send all these Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips to This Venerable Ones treasury. If anyone dares to sneak a bitehmph! Everyone froze in place, as silent as statues, eyes on the floor. Privately, they all felt lucky theyd kept a few bags in their storage rings. Otherwise, everything wouldve been confiscated by Real Person Yuyao. Jade Pool Dungeon. Real Person Yuyao tossed a bag of spicy strips in front of Dan Yun, who was currently meditating while hugging a pill cauldron. This what you meant by spiritual herb? This Venerable One found it for you! Two spicy strips rolled out of the torn packaging and landed by Dan Yuns feet. A burst of explosive aroma instantly filled the dungeon. Dan Yun stared at the two oily, shiny, unidentified items on the floor, then looked up at Real Person Yuyao. His expression turned into one of absolute disbeliefas if he were staring at a dumb deer. Chapter 304: The Great Pill Disassembly Technique Chapter 304: The Great Pill Disassembly Technique So it turns out that even Real Person Yuyao from the Holy Land of Jade Pool could have a moment where it seemed she''d been kicked in the head by a donkey. Dan Yun stared at Real Person Yuyao, and that was the only thought running through her mind. Everyone knew that pill refining materials were basically spiritual herbsonly in rare cases would you need spirit liquids or special minerals. Even if Yuyao had brought a rock, it would''ve made more sense. But this? A bag of strange-smelling snack food? She might as well just call Dan Yun an idiot to her face. "Real Person, I feel I should remind youits pointless to try and fool me with random food." Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dan Yun pointed to the spicy strips on the ground and sneered: "Just because you say its the Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip doesnt mean it is. If I try refining it, never mind whether I can make a top-grade or even celestial-grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, let me just askyou, would you dare eat it?" Real Person Yuyao went quiet for a moment. Dare she eat it? Sureafter all, it did taste surprisingly good. But was this thing really the Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip? She wasnt certain herself. Wasnt that exactly why she came to Dan Yun for confirmation? "I had people search every corner of the Cangyun Realm, and the only thing named Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip was this." Yuyao pointed at the brand name on the package and continued: "Maybe your Heavenly Fate Calculation was off? Maybe this Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip isnt actually a spiritual herb. Why dont... you try divining it again?" Dan Yun let out a cold laugh. She didnt really want to waste her effort on another calculation. But on second thought, maybe she should. For one, it might lower Yuyaos guard, and twoit might help Yuyao realize just how brainless she was being. "Fine. Ill divine it again." Dan Yun picked up two strips from the floor. A cold gleam flickered in her eyes as a mysterious light began to glow faintly in her pupils. This time, the purpose was just to verify whether this was the real Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip, so the energy cost wasnt as steep as a full-blown search. The result soon appeared in Dan Yuns mind. Her usual calm and disdainful expression froze up, and her elegant brows furrowed tightly. Yuyao noticed her constipated look and couldnt help but ask: "Well? Is this Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip really the one you were looking for?" Dan Yun was silent for a long while, staring at the oily red strip in her hand, eyes full of disbelief and confusion. Eventually, she gave a stiff nod, the corner of her mouth twitching. "...It... It really is." "There we go!" Yuyao beamed inwardly. She didnt care why the Flavor Dragon Spicy Strip wasnt a spiritual herb. All she knew was that Dan Yun could now refine at least a top-grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill. That was enough. Even if this thing turned out to be a piece of dog sh*tso what? As long as it helped her ascend, shed still eat it. "Dan Yun, now that you have all the missing ingredients, how long until the top-grade pill is ready?" Yuyao asked, barely able to hide her impatience. "Three days," Dan Yun replied coolly. "Come pick it up then." "Hahaha! Good!" Yuyao was overjoyed. "Dan Yun, rest assuredonce the top-grade pill is done, Ill let you and your daughter leave the Holy Land of Jade Pool safely. If you manage to refine a celestial-grade pill, you can take your pick of elder seats in the sect!" She promised again. Compared to last time, she even sweetened the deal. But Dan Yun only gave her a faint look and shook her head. "If I succeed in refining a top-grade, or even celestial-grade pill, all I ask is that you let me and my daughter leave the Holy Land of Jade Pooland swear a blood oath never to bother us again." Yuyaos face darkened at that. Did she think the Holy Land of Jade Pool was some kind of backwater dump? It was the most sought-after sect in the Cangyun Realm. Cultivators would kill to get in. Ungrateful! She was furious inside, but still managed to nod on the surface. "Fine." Yuyao left. She left behind over ten bags of Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips, saying Dan Yun could ask for more if needed. Dan Yun still frowned, holding one of the bags, turning it over and over in her hands, more confused the longer she stared. Shed refined pills her whole life. Any material placed in her handsshe could basically tell at a glance how to use it, its properties, and how it would interact with other herbs. But this thing? She couldnt see through itreally couldnt. "Aspartame, Carrageenan, Sodium Benzoate, BHA..." Dan Yun muttered each ingredient out loud as she read the label, her brain getting more scrambled the further she went. "What are these things? Are they even native to the Cangyun Realm?" But the phrase "ingredients list" she could at least vaguely understand. With the advantage of her Spirit Eyes, she could analyze information faster than others. Even obscure ancient textsshe could slowly figure out their meanings. "This food seems to be made of all the items on this list Just a snack, and its got over a hundred ingredients?! Aside from sugar, oil, salt, and chiliI''ve never seen the rest!" Dan Yun popped a strip into her mouth. As a top-tier Pill Cultivator, her tongue was one of her sharpest tools. Things invisible to the eyeshe could often detect through taste. At her level, she could reverse-engineer 90% of pills just by sampling them. "Tss The taste... is really something." Dan Yun didnt practice strict Fasting, so she found it quite tasty. But what caught her attention more Was that she couldnt reverse-engineer this snacks recipe. "Maybe I should try using Masters divine technique?" Dan Yun tossed the strip into her Pill Cauldron, placed her hands beneath it, and released her pill firea searing blaze that filled the entire underground chamber with heat. One of her cultivation techniques was a long-lost secret artThe Great Pill Disassembly Technique. This technique could deconstruct a pill and reduce it to its original raw materials. The more ingredients used, the higher the cost and pressure of the technique. Since Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips contained over a hundred ingredients, she had to break them down bit by bit. And so she didfor an entire day. After over ten rounds of medicinal supplements, her Spiritual Energy was completely drained. She had long since run out of the strips Yuyao first gave her. To get enough material, shed gone back and asked for many more. Now, over a hundred packs had been completely broken down. The entire underground chamber was thick with the odd, spicy strip aroma. But in the end, she had extracted over a hundred types of powdered crystals. She sorted them and placed them into porcelain bottles. Then began testing each powder one by one Determining their general properties. "Aspartameadds sweetness to pills. Doesnt have the sour aftertaste of sugar, more of a cloying, almost bitter sweetness..." "Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoatethese two reduce a pills rate of decay." "Erythrosineused for coloring." "Carrageenanhelps form the pill more easily, but doesnt alter its medicinal effects." "Butylated Hydroxyanisolestabilizes fats in the pill, making it keep longer." ... Over a hundred ingredients. Dan Yun''s pale fingers gently brushed the rims of each bottle, like she was reciting sacred scriptures. The light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter. At the same time, so did the killing intent deep in them. Chapter 305: Shareholders’ Meeting? Chapter 305: Shareholders Meeting? "Welcome, everyone, to the first Sword Pavilion Gudong meeting." Su Qinian cleared his throat, glanced at Chen Huaian beside him, and whispered: "Old Patriarch, is that how Im supposed to say it?" "Its shareholders, not Gudong," Chen Huaian rolled his eyes, hands clasped behind his back. Hed corrected Su Qinian countless times already. Besides sweet-talking his hundred-plus White Moonlight lovers, this Sword Pavilion Master really didnt have much else going on upstairs. Still, as he looked around at the hundred-plus female cultivators in attendance, Chen Huaian couldnt help but marvel. Battle wolves really were something else! If it hadnt been for these many White Moonlight minor shareholders, there was no way the Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips wouldve gone viral across the Cangyun Realm in such a short timeno matter how much Lingxi Valley and the Dan Sect promoted them. Lingxi Valley and Dan Sect mainly handled the big players like the Blade Sect and Zen Sect. But the small sects and rogue cultivators? Those were all connections made through Pavilion Master Sus many White Moonlights. That said, the current atmosphere among the hundred-plus women was a bit tense. Especially the way they were looking at Su Qinianjust a little murderous. "Ahem, all the spicy strips from the last batch have been sold, bringing in total profits of about 80 million low-grade Spirit Crystals. None of this wouldve been possible without your hard work and support for the spicy strips... The main purpose of todays meeting is to confirm market demand and split the loot" "Ahem!" Chen Huaian cut him off, shooting him a sharp glare. "Dividends! Its called dividends!" "Ah, right, right! Dividends, dividends!" Su Qinian gave an awkward cupped-hand salute and smiled at the various shareholders present. "Sorry, Im just too used to saying ''split the loot.'' Bad habit!" "Its been four or five days since spicy strips hit the market. Lets hear everyones gathered info hmm, Blade Sect, why dont you start?" The Blade Sect Sect Master stood up, his expression serious. He saluted those on either side, then pulled out a crumpled piece of xuan paper, swallowed nervously, and began reading stiffly: "Respected Sword Pavilion Patriarch, honored Pavilion Master, and dear sect colleagues, good morning! I" "Keep it short! No one asked for your life story!" Chen Huaian knocked the table and sighed. "Why dont you just start from the day you were born?" If any other sect master had said that, the Blade Sect head wouldve sliced them up on the spot. But this was Sword Pavilions Patriarch. He bowed repeatedly in response. "Dont know about the other sects, but in Blade Sect, the most popular flavor is Mala Geese. Each disciple eats at least three packs a day. Some even claim they can feel sword intent from it... We plan to purchase another one million Spirit Crystals worth of Mala Geese for reserves. We also hope for more flavor options." As the Blade Sect master spoke, Li Qingran, sitting beside Chen Huaian, was already scribbling notes rapidly with pen and paper. Mo Shumei, standing behind her, stared blankly at the characters written on the page. Because she couldnt read a single word! They always said handwriting reflects the personpretty person, pretty script. But in Li Qingrans case, the opposite seemed true? "Qingran, got it all down?" Chen Huaian glanced at his little disciple. "Yes, Master!" Li Qingran nodded seriously, her face composed. "Next, Zen Sect." "Sword Pavilion Patriarch, this humble monk and our disciples really enjoy the, uh" The bald-headed old monk hesitated, eyes drooping, clearly struggling to speak, then finally squeezed out three shameful words through gritted teeth: "Kissy Mouth Snack." A ripple of muffled laughter spread through the room. The monks face flushed as he pressed his palms together: "Amitabha. We would like to order another one million Spirit Crystals worth of Kissy Mouth. Our only request is could we rename it? Saying that name in public feels a bit... indecent." "Request denied. Kissy Mouth is its signature. Change it, and it just loses the magic. If you dont like it, try Tear-Apart-Your-Mom Beef Jerky insteadthough none of you have moms, anyway." Chen Huaian waved dismissively: "Next! Next!" With the banter flowing, the heavy atmosphere around the meeting table started to lighten. Each sects rep began voicing their thoughts and opinions, while Li Qingran kept jotting everything down furiously. Turns out, each region had totally different taste preferences when it came to spicy strips. For instance, in the Northern Continent, where the weather was cold, people favored the ultra-spicy and ultra-numbing types. In Central and Eastern Continents, sweeter flavors were the hit. Western cultivators preferred salty and savory kinds. Chen Huaian had gathered this data specifically to boost spicy strip sales. Right now, he and Sword Pavilion were in the same boat. If Sword Pavilion thrived, he thrived. It was the backing he needed in the real world. The second half of the meeting was dedicated to dividends. Since the main promoters of the spicy strips were these very shareholders, it was only fair that a portion of the profits be distributed among them. Tens or hundreds of thousands of Spirit Crystals might be nothing to big sects like Lingxi Valley or the Dan Sect. But for small sects and individual rogue cultivators, that was an unimaginable fortune. In fact, it pretty much saved Su Qinians life. Originally, his hundred-plus White Moonlights had been ready to throw hands at the meeting. But once the Spirit Crystal distribution began, the previously hostile mood vanished instantly. When each of them received tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of low-grade Spirit Crystals, their fierce, icy gazes softened. Instead of murderous intent, they now looked at Su Qinian with sweetness in their eyes. A broke battle wolf deserved death. But a battle wolf that rained gold? Thats a Wolf King! The atmosphere was just reaching a fever pitch when A Dan Sect disciple entered with a grim expression. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees in a slick sliding bow before Dan Sect Master Zhou Xuanzi. "Sect Master, somethings happened!" The disciples voice was loudinstantly freezing the hall in silence. Across the table, Yun Baiyu felt her heart skip a beat, sensing something ominous. Even Zhou Xuanzis folding fan stopped swaying. His brows furrowed. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Speak." "Just now, we received wordour Dan Sect industries, including the sect headquarters itself, have been surrounded by people from the Holy Land of Jade Pool. A Void Fusion Realm elder is demanding to see youimmediately!" "What?!" Zhou Xuanzi felt a chill climb up his spine, a cold sweat soaking his back. Once, hearing that the Jade Pool was visiting wouldve filled him with excitement. Now, just hearing their name sent him into a panic. Why? Because hed heard what happenedhow Jade Pool had nearly slaughtered an entire city just searching for Dan Bai. The once-pristine image of the Holy Land of Jade Pool and Burning Purification Holy Land was already beginning to crumble in the eyes of other sects. All that was missing now was one solid piece of damning evidence. As for Sword Pavilion? They were business partners. As the saying wentthere are no permanent enemies, only shared interests. Sword Pavilion brought them profit. Harboring one Demon Cultivator? Not a big deal. Especially since that Demon Cultivator was sitting right there at the tablea stunning female cultivator who hardly looked evil. Besides, Sword Pavilions Patriarch already explainedshe was only practicing demonic techniques because of a curse from the Demonic Blade. She wasnt actually a bad person. A demon cultivator? More like a poor soul with bad luck. For the sake of spicy strips and Spirit Crystals, she was just a pitiful human being. Not caring what the other elders thought, Zhou Xuanzi slid to his knees in front of Chen Huaian, giving three full kowtows: "Please, Patriarchhelp save my Dan Sect! Ill buy another 50 million Spirit Crystals worth of spicy strips!" Chapter 306-307: Enemies at Jade Pool Chapter 307: Enemies at Jade Pool Jade Pool Holy Land Dungeon. So thats how it is. What I truly needed were these colorless, tasteless powders that can mask the scent of other ingredients. Dan Yun had just attempted to refine a batch of low-grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills. But this batch had effects opposite to the original not only did it have no healing properties, it even exacerbated existing foundation damage. For cultivators with no such damage, however, the pill had no effect at all. Her original intent was to craft a poison pill that indiscriminately harmed the foundation. But then she heard that Real Person Yuyao had already found a vessel for the Five Supreme Spiritual Bodys soul possession. That meant one of the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pills was surely meant for that vessel. And since Real Person Yuyao wanted to seize the Cangyun Realm''s most gifted physique to break into the Immortal Gate, the demands on the vessels Dantian would be extremely high. So, Dan Yun chose to scale back the pill''s destructive range making the damaging effect target only those with already weakened foundations like Real Person Yuyao. With that narrowed scope, the number of auxiliary ingredients needed would be reduced, and the difficulty of refinement lowered. The next step was incorporating part of the base ingredients from Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips to completely mask the scent of the supplementary materials resulting in the pills before her now. This new pill has the opposite effect of the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill, so it shouldnt keep the same name. What should I call it? Dan Yun pondered aloud as she popped one into her mouth. It melted instantly, with a flavor indistinguishable from the original Heaven-Mending Pill. Since her own Dantian and meridians were intact, the pill had no effect neither harmful nor beneficial. It was like eating nothing at all. No, this wont do. Real Person Yuyao is too suspicious. What if she tests it on someone... Dan Yun calmed herself, narrowing her eyes. She would refine one single top-grade Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill first and only one. This way, Real Person Yuyao would assume it was extremely difficult to produce and wouldnt casually use it for testing. Alongside that, Dan Yun would prepare a small batch of low- and mid-grade pills around a dozen with no tampering. Because Real Person Yuyao was likely to test the pills. Even from inside this dungeon, Dan Yun occasionally heard bits and pieces of Real Person Yuyaos usual style cautious to the extreme when it came to achieving immortality. She not only tested pills herself but would try them on both normal cultivators and those with damaged Dantians. And where would she find cultivators with ruined Dantians? The Jade Pool dungeon was full of them. This pill will be called Immortal Severing Pill. Dan Yuns lips curled into a mocking smile. Let those who dream of immortality lose that chance forever. The name Immortal Severing Pill fits perfectly. Sect Master Zhou, please, theres no need for this between us. Chen Huaian smiled warmly, raising his hand to gently support Zhou Xuanzi, who had gone pale from shock. How delightful. Everything was proceeding just as planned. Spreading the spicy strips through the Dan Sect and Lingxi Valley wasnt just about making money for the Sword Pavilion. He had another goal a hidden one: To completely bind Lingxi Valley and the Dan Sect to his own cause. In fact, Yun Baiyu, the Valley Master of Lingxi Valley, had already expressed her intent to follow his lead. But Chen Huaian didnt trust mere words. Talk was cheap. Real leverage came from interests and pressure. Beyond those two sects, every other sect in the Cangyun Realm was also on his radar. And things were unfolding exactly as he anticipated he had deliberately spread the word that the spicy strips were products of the Sword Pavilion, distributed through the Dan Sect and Lingxi Valley. As expected, the Jade Pool Holy Land now blamed both sects. If he guessed right, a Lingxi Valley disciple would soon rush in with news that they too had been surrounded by Jade Pool. [Ten, nine, eight...] Chen Huaian silently counted down. [Seven, six... five] Right on cue. A female cultivator from Lingxi Valley stumbled in, collapsed to her knees before Yun Baiyu, and said in a trembling voice: Valley Master, terrible news! I just received wordour Lingxi Valley has been surrounded by Jade Pool Holy Land. They demand your immediate appearance for confrontation! Chen Huaian squinted slightly. Perfect. It was like everything had been rehearsed. Yun Baiyu froze momentarily, then quickly turned and looked at him with pleading eyes. When it came to facing Jade Pools Void Fusion Realm powerhouses, only this Sword Pavilion Patriarch had the strength to stand against them. Senior... Before Yun Baiyu could finish, Chen Huaian stood up and waved his hand sharply, his face turning stern: Valley Master Yun, say no more. The Jade Pool Holy Land is arrogant and domineering, with even a record of persecuting disciples from other sects. You and Sect Master Zhou are both allies of the Sword Pavilion. Now that my allies are in danger, how could This Venerable One, as the Sword Pavilion Patriarch, just stand by and do nothing?! Mo Shumei, hearing this, narrowed her eyes and muttered inwardly: What a clever move. His speech sounded righteous, but it had essentially publicly roped the Dan Sect and Lingxi Valley into Sword Pavilions camp. And it also sent a message to other sects and smaller powers: The Sword Pavilion protects its own. Of course, whether this speech achieved its intended effect depended on whether this Sword Pavilion Patriarch could actually handle the Jade Pool forces. You twodo you know the cultivation level of the intruders from Jade Pool? Chen Huaians gaze landed on the two disciples who had come to report. It was the first time they were being questioned directly by a Void Fusion Realm powerhouse and not just any, but the famous Sword Pavilion Patriarch himself. The two Foundation Establishment disciples were so nervous they just stood there dumbly. What are you waiting for? Answer the Patriarchs question! Zhou Xuanzi hurriedly urged. R-Reporting, Patriarch! the Dan Sect disciple dropped to his knees and stammered: This juniors cultivation is low and I couldnt discern their realms. I only saw an old woman in red, standing atop a flaming lotus. Her magic weapon seemed to be a fan wreathed in fire. The crowds expressions shifted. As sect leaders and elders, they had some knowledge of Jade Pools notable figures. That must be Real Person Red Lotus, one of Jade Pools Grand Elders, Zhou Xuanzi said with wide eyes and a grim face. Shes a peak Seventh Stage of Void Fusion... For Jade Pool to send someone like herhow can we possibly stand against that? Peak of the Seventh Stage? Chen Huaian snortedjust a roadside boss. He turned to the Lingxi Valley disciple: What about on your side? Who came? Reporting, Patriarch, I saw several figures standing in the clouds. The one leading them was a female cultivator in a pale yellow gown. I couldnt make out her face, but she stood on multicolored clouds and had a white deer beside her. Her weapon appeared to be a long flute. A white deer and a flute... Yun Baiyu murmured with a bitter smile. That must be the one known as Flute Fairythe Head of Jade Pools Qiongyin Pavilion. Her rank is equal to Real Person Red Lotus, but shes even stronger. She reached the Eighth Stage of Void Fusion five hundred years ago... So now were basically dealing with one peak Seventh Stage, and one pseudo-Eighth Stage of Void Fusion? S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chen Huaian took two steps forward. His silver-blue hair whipped around wildly, his robes surging with turbulent sword energy. At the same time, his Sixth Stage Void Fusion cultivation erupted into the air. Seems like it, Zhou Xuanzi sighed in despair, leaning weakly against the wall. Senior... maybe we should let this go. Were no match for people at their level. And maybe... maybe Jade Pool didnt come to pick a fight... A foolish, wishful thought! Do you even believe that yourself? Chen Huaians eyes flashed with icy light as he sneered. Heh. Just a couple of Seventh and Eighth Stages and you''re already losing your nerve? Fine then Everyone stared in confusion. Chen Huaian placed both hands behind his back. Then, his aura surged and he no longer concealed it. This Venerable One will now ascend!