Chapter 28
He had been injured in his dantian by a demonic cultivator. As a dignified late-stage Huashen (Transformation Stage) cultivator, his master, Wu Duantian, wore a frown every day, bustling about in distress. Wasn’t it all because Zhao Lingtian was exceptionally gifted and had the potential to elevate the future of Qingyun Sect significantly?
When had he ever been subjected to such scorn?
Even a single word, “Get lost,” made Zhao Lingtian feel utterly humiliated.
But there was no response in the vast Wanquanshan (Ten Thousand Green Mountains).
Frustrated and embarrassed, Zhao Lingtian wanted to leave but didn’t want to give up the chance to restore his dantian. He stood there, lost in thought, glancing at Wu Duantian for help.
“Alas, let’s go. What’s meant to be yours will be yours; what’s not meant for you indicates you’re fated to be apart from that senior.” Wu Duantian shook his head with a sigh, feeling helpless in this situation.
If the opponent had merely been a cultivator of equal strength, he could have sought justice for his disciple.
But as it stood, even if that mysterious cultivator had activated their spiritual sense to send a message, he couldn’t trace their location at all.
This indicated that the other party could easily evade them whenever they wished.
From the very beginning, they had been at a disadvantage, and the opponent’s strength was only superior. Continuing to pursue would only lead to further humiliation.
“Master…” Zhao Lingtian protested, unwilling to accept defeat.
Wu Duantian patted his disciple’s shoulder, not summoning his flying sword, but walking away on foot, feigning nonchalance. “Let’s go.”
He felt even worse than Zhao Lingtian.
As a master, he should protect his disciple and stand up for him, yet now he could only swallow his anger and retreat in disgrace.
Meanwhile, Lu Changtian and a group of disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall sat under a pine tree, still shaken.
There had been fifty of them when they arrived, but now only thirty-six remained.
Fourteen disciples had perished in the battle against the red-haired zombie.
Fortunately, a powerful figure had cast a spell in Wanquanshan, and when that bolt of lightning struck, it had also taken the red-haired zombie with it. Without that senior’s help, they would have suffered even greater losses.
“I wonder which great master summoned the heavenly thunder to purge evil. Such methods are beyond our reach,” one disciple sighed.
Though Lu Changtian remained silent, he too yearned for the mysterious master’s abilities.
If he could encounter that figure and receive some guidance, his own cultivation journey would surely be smoother.
“Lu Shixiong, given the current situation, should we continue with our mission?”
“Yeah, Lu Shixiong, we don’t even know if that demonic cultivator is dead or not. Sigh…”
Though the disciples didn’t say it outright, their evasive glances and hesitant words revealed their desire to retreat. Lu Changtian noticed this and felt disdain in his heart. He replied coolly, “The task assigned by the sect leader must be completed. Here’s the plan: since you all seem unfit to continue, head back and report the casualties. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Oh, Lu Shixiong, that doesn’t seem right…”
“Wanquanshan is dangerous; how can you go alone?”
Hearing their insincere pleasantries, Lu Changtian scoffed:
“It's settled then. My mind is made up. I’m the leader, and you will follow my orders!”
With that, the disciples ceased their objections, expressing their gratitude as they left, leaving Lu Changtian standing alone beneath the pine tree.
“Ha, cowardly mice.”
“With your kind of attitude, you’ll never seize an opportunity.”
Continuing the mission wasn’t just about face or the sect leader’s orders.
It was also about seizing chances.
Opportunities are scarce; the fortune of one person is entirely different from that of a group!
…
Inside a small room, everything was calm.
“Thanks to your grace, my dantian can be restored, Senior. I am eternally grateful.”
The girl bowed to the ceiling, having expressed her thanks too many times. She didn’t know how to convey her joy and gratitude; words felt too pale and repetitive. So, she tucked those extra feelings away in her heart.
“What’s with all the thanks? You’re my electronic girlfriend!” Chen Huai'an exclaimed, his mood soaring as his affection level hit 60. “As a cyber boyfriend, isn’t it my duty to help my electronic girlfriend? Qingran, you just focus on your cultivation and trample all over those who look down on you. My life is set, but you’re different. Even though you’re just data, data can grow! Before the game officially launches, I’ll make you the strongest female cultivator! That way, even if Yama comes to take me, I can smile knowing I’ll be reborn as the world’s richest person!”
What Li Qingran heard was:
【Cultivate diligently, stay humble and patient!】
“Yes, I will not disappoint your expectations, Senior!”
Li Qingran bowed deeply, her face serious.
Yet inside, she couldn’t help but think:
The senior is still so aloof, but surprisingly reliable and comforting…
“Hehe.” She couldn’t help but smile, then quickly feigned seriousness as she took out a string of beads from her storage ring.
It was a bracelet made from low-grade spirit stones, each stone polished into uniform beads, looking exquisite.
“Senior, this is a fortune-turning bead I made. It’s not made from good materials, so please don’t mind it. Once I have better materials, I’ll definitely make you a new one!”
Low-grade spirit stones were the only resources Li Qingran felt she could use.
She wanted to use the high-grade spirit crystals reserved for the advanced gathering formation, but she feared it would upset her senior.
However, the low-grade spirit stones given to her daily were likely meant for her to use freely.
Since they were for her to use, she might as well indulge a little.
【Your electronic girlfriend ‘Li Qingran’ has prepared a small gift for you. It has been sent; please check!】
“Wow! A small gift? Qingran, you’re so sweet! Hehehe…” Chen Huai'an grinned widely, feeling that all the money he had spent was worth it.
Even if he knew it was part of the official routine, so what?
The emotional value was priceless!
He accepted it.
Meanwhile, in the Cangyun Realm.
What Li Qingran heard was:
【Not bad, thoughtful.】
…
…
“I wonder when the small gift will arrive…”
At a certain seven-day express hotel.
Chen Huai'an clutched his phone, reluctant to put it down.
“By the way, that talisman from last time was of mediocre quality. I climbed a mountain once, and my sweat washed away the name on it…”
Thinking of this made Chen Huai'an speechless.
He had contributed so much money.
And the talisman had faded?
There was no sincerity at all.
He hoped the next item sent by the officials would be of better quality.
【Tsk, I wonder what this human kid is grinning at that black box for…】
From the gap in the shoebox, a pair of round cat eyes peeked out.
The cat was stealthily observing.
【Right now, my body is too weak to confront them directly. Plus, this human seems to have some special ability; grabbing the back of my neck renders me immobile. To be safe, I’ll wait until this human falls asleep before making my move!】
In the dead of night.
Li Qingran continued her cultivation as usual.
Before sleeping, Chen Huai'an checked his balance out of curiosity, and his face turned green.
Wait, where did all his money go?
In just two days, he had spent nearly all the money he had just earned?
“It seems I need to start the second challenge livestream soon…”
But his foot still wasn’t healed. If he wanted the livestream to be effective, the difficulty couldn’t be lower than Mount Tai; otherwise, who would watch? He could either come up with new tricks, but either option was unfriendly to his current disabled state.
Chen Huai'an wore a frown, finally falling asleep at four in the morning.
Moonlight streamed through the window, brushing over the windowsill and sofa, silently spilling onto the shoebox.
Suddenly, the still shoebox popped open.
Four nimble black cat paws landed softly on the table, making no sound at all.
In the darkness, a pair of cat eyes glowed red, fixated on the sleeping man in bed.
It crept closer.
Stepping into the moonlight.
The shadow cast on the wall was not that of a cat, but a terrifying, massive beast.
Outside the window, the wind stilled, the grass lay still,
The chirping of insects vanished in an instant.
Time thickened in that moment…
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Chapter 29: A Good Sword, A Good Sword!
Any creature is most vulnerable when in deep slumber.
Vulnerable enough to be easily killed by something many times weaker.
Just like at this moment.
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