Upon clearly hearing the roar carried by the wind, Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtian's faces instantly darkened.
"Senior, has this junior somehow offended you? We've never met before. There's no need to humiliate me like this, is there?"
Zhao Lingtian was indignant.
Wherever he went, wasn't a prodigy like him treated with reverence?
His dantian had been injured by a demonic cultivator, and his master, Wu Duantian, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, had been worried sick, running around tirelessly—all because his exceptional talent could potentially elevate the future of the Qingyun Sect to new heights.
When had he ever been insulted like this?
Even if it was just the word "scram," Zhao Lingtian felt deeply ashamed.
But there was no further response from the Wanshan Mountains.
Zhao Lingtian was both furious and embarrassed. He wanted to leave but couldn't bring himself to give up the chance to restore his dantian. So, he stood there awkwardly, at a loss, and could only turn to Wu Duantian for help.
"Sigh, let's go. If it's meant to be, it will be. If not, it's fate. What's yours will come to you; if it's not, it means you have no connection with that senior." Wu Duantian shook his head and sighed. Faced with this situation, there was nothing he could do.
If the other party were merely a cultivator of similar strength, he could still stand up for his disciple.
But so far, even though the mysterious cultivator had activated their spiritual sense and sent a message, Wu Duantian couldn't trace their location.
This meant that if the other party wished to remain hidden, they could do so effortlessly.
From the very beginning, the other party had taken the initiative, and their strength was at least on par with his, if not greater. Continuing to press the matter would only lead to further humiliation.
"Master…" Zhao Lingtian was unwilling to give up.
Wu Duantian patted his disciple's shoulder and, without summoning his flying sword, began walking away, pretending to be carefree. "Let's go."
In truth, he felt even worse than Zhao Lingtian.
As a master, he should protect his disciple and stand up for him. But now, he could only swallow his pride and slink away.
Meanwhile, Lu Changtian and the remaining law enforcement disciples sat under a pine tree, still shaken.
They had come with fifty people, but now only thirty-six remained.
Fourteen law enforcement disciples had died in the battle against the red-haired zombie.
Fortunately, an expert had intervened in the Wanshan Mountains. When that bolt of lightning descended, it had split into two, one of which had taken care of the red-haired zombie. Without the expert's help, they would have suffered even greater losses.
"I wonder which great master it was, summoning heavenly lightning to vanquish evil. Such a technique is far beyond our reach," one disciple sighed in awe.
Though Lu Changtian remained silent, he too yearned for the mysterious expert's abilities.
If he could meet that senior and receive some guidance, wouldn't his cultivation path become smoother?
"Senior Brother Lu, after such a disaster, should we continue with the mission?"
"Yes, Senior Brother Lu, we don't even know if that demonic cultivator is dead…"
Though the disciples didn't say it outright, their evasive eyes and words revealed their desire to retreat. Seeing this, Lu Changtian felt disdain but calmly said, "The sect master's mission must be completed. However, since you're all in poor condition, go back and report the casualties. I'll handle the rest."
"Ah, Senior Brother Lu, that's not appropriate, is it?"
"The Wanshan Mountains are dangerous. How can you handle it alone, Senior Brother Lu?"
Listening to their insincere courtesy, Lu Changtian curled his lips in disdain:
"It's decided. My mind is made up. I'm the team leader, and you'll follow my orders!"
At this point, the law enforcement disciples stopped protesting and left with profuse thanks, leaving Lu Changtian alone under the pine tree.
"Heh, cowards."
"With attitudes like yours, you'll never seize an opportunity."
Continuing the mission wasn't just about face or the sect master's orders.
It was also about opportunity.
With many monks and little meat, an opportunity for one person and an opportunity for a group were two entirely different things!
…
Inside the cottage, everything was calm.
"Junior Qingran's dantian was restored entirely thanks to the senior's kindness. I am endlessly grateful."
The girl bowed toward the ceiling. She had already said "thank you" too many times and didn't know how else to express her joy and gratitude. Words felt too inadequate, and saying too much might seem insincere. So, she kept the rest of her thoughts hidden in her heart.
"Why thank me? You're my electronic girlfriend!" Chen Huaian, seeing the affection level rise to 60, was overjoyed. "As your cyber boyfriend, isn't it my duty to help you? Qingran, just focus on your cultivation from now on and trample all those who look down on you. My life might be a mess, but you're different. Even though you're just data, data can grow. Before this game officially launches, I'll definitely make you the strongest female cultivator! That way, even if the King of Hell comes for me, I can die smiling and reincarnate as the world's richest man!"
What Li Qingran heard was:
**[Focus on your cultivation. Stay humble and diligent!]**
"Yes, this junior will not disappoint the senior's expectations!"
Li Qingran bowed deeply, her expression serious.
But in her heart, she couldn't help thinking:
The senior is still so aloof, but unexpectedly reliable and reassuring…
"Hehe." She couldn't help but giggle, then quickly put on a serious face and took out a bracelet from her storage ring.
It was a bracelet made of spirit stones, each stone polished into uniform beads, looking very delicate.
"Senior, this is a luck-bringing bracelet I made. It's not made of good materials, so please don't disdain it. When I get better materials in the future, I'll definitely make a new one for you!"
Low-grade spirit stones were the only thing Li Qingran felt she could use freely.
Spirit crystals were needed for the advanced spirit-gathering array every day, and she wanted to use those to make the bracelet but feared the senior would be angry.
But the low-grade spirit stones the senior gave her daily seemed to be for her to use as she pleased.
Since they were for her to use freely, she decided to indulge herself a little.
**[Your electronic girlfriend, 'Li Qingran,' has made a small gift for you. It has been sent. Please check your inbox.]**
"Wow! Another little gift? Qingran, you're the best! Hehehe…" Chen Huaian grinned like a doting aunt in front of his phone, feeling that all the money he'd spent earlier was worth it.
Even if he knew it was just the game's tactic, so what?
Emotional value is priceless!
He accepted it.
Meanwhile, in the Cangyun Realm, what Li Qingran heard was:
**[Not bad. Thoughtful of you.]**
…
…
"I wonder when the little gift will arrive…"
At a certain budget hotel.
Chen Huaian still couldn't put down his phone.
"Speaking of which, the quality of that talisman last time was pretty poor. After just one hike, the senior's name on it was washed off by sweat…"
Thinking about it, Chen Huaian felt speechless.
After spending so much money, the talisman actually faded?
So little effort.
He hoped the official gift this time would be a bit more upscale.
**[Tsk, what's this human boy grinning at that black box for…]**
From the gap in the shoebox, a pair of round cat eyes peeked out.
The cat was sneaking a look.
**[My body is too weak now. A direct confrontation might not be wise. Plus, this human seems to have some special ability—he can immobilize me just by grabbing the back of my neck. To be safe, I'll wait until he's asleep to make my move!]**
Late at night.
Li Qingran continued her cultivation as usual.
Before bed, Chen Huaian checked his bank balance out of habit and immediately turned pale.
Wait, where's his money?
It's only been two days, and the money he'd just earned was almost gone?
"Looks like I need to start the second challenge livestream soon…"
But his foot wasn't fully healed yet. To make the livestream effective, the challenge couldn't be easier than Mount Tai, or who would watch? Alternatively, he could come up with something new, but either option would be tough given his current disability.
Chen Huaian frowned, worried, and didn't fall asleep until 4 a.m.
Moonlight streamed through the window, brushing past the windowsill and sofa, silently falling on the shoebox.
The motionless shoebox suddenly opened.
Four nimble black cat paws landed soundlessly on the table.
In the darkness, a pair of cat eyes glowed red, fixed on the man sleeping on the bed.
It approached step by step.
Walking into the moonlight.
The shadow cast on the wall wasn't that of a cat but a terrifying, enormous beast.
Outside, the wind ceased, and the grass stilled.
The chirping of insects vanished instantly.
Time itself seemed to thicken…
…
…