Chapter 98 : How Could I Be So Stupid

Chapter 98: How Could I Be So Stupid

The four of them followed the direction indicated by Nan Yuchen, strolling slowly along the bustling street.

Long Tao and Nan Yuchen naturally walked in front, conversing in low voices.

Zhu Huaisu linked arms with Luo Yusi and followed a few steps behind.

On the surface, she appeared to be browsing the strange and varied spirit pet stalls lining both sides of the road, but in truth, her ears were pricked the whole time, closely tracking the movements ahead.

Seizing this rare opportunity, Nan Yuchen finally poured out the doubts he had been holding in for a long time.

He lowered his voice.

“Senior Brother Long, that itinerant merchant senior in the secret realm mentioned the ‘Child of Destiny’… what does it actually mean? I… do I really have something special about me?”

He paused, his tone carrying the confusion and heavy pressure befitting his age.

“The term sounds impressive, but deep down… I always feel unsettled, like I’m being roasted over a fire. I wake up in the middle of the night wondering—what exactly makes me special? If it’s just a Heavenly Spiritual Root plus high comprehension, then Senior Brother Fang is clearly more suited to that title than I am.”

Looking at the unease reflected in Nan Yuchen’s clear eyes, Long Tao secretly smiled bitterly.

He himself was just as muddled about the matter, and the secrets of the System were even more impossible to reveal.

He could only brush it off with vague comfort.

“Junior Brother Nan, don’t think too much about it.

That senior’s thoughts are profound and unfathomable—how could we casually speculate about them? Since he said so, he must have his reasons and his judgment.”

“But… but when I heard him say that, I didn’t feel happy at all.

Instead… instead I felt pathetic.” Nan Yuchen’s voice carried a trace of dejection.

“It feels like… whatever achievements I have now weren’t truly earned through hard work, just pure luck—like heaven feeding me.

If one day… this so-called destiny luck disappears, would I… be beaten back to my original form, becoming an ordinary person, or even… useless?”

This worry of his was something Long Tao could actually understand.

It was like when he used to read those system-transmigration novels in his previous life—he always wondered whether those protagonists, who obtained techniques and divine weapons from the system at almost no cost, ever feared that the system might suddenly turn on them one day and take everything back.

Leaving aside the abstract, even with the scam-prone system currently attached to him, he often worried whether those forcibly enhanced divine souls might one day vanish without warning.

Power not obtained through normal means ultimately left one feeling uneasy.

“Don’t think so much,” Long Tao said, doing his best to make his voice sound more resolute.

“Think about it—some people are born strong, some are born smart.

When those people use their talents to earn resources and status, do you think they don’t deserve it?”

“Of course not,” Nan Yuchen shook his head immediately.

“But… strength and intelligence are tangible things that truly belong to oneself.

Luck and destiny luck, though… they’re just too intangible.”

“What’s the difference?” Long Tao countered, trying to explain it to him in plainer terms.

“You think you obtained a Heavenly Spiritual Root because of luck—then let me ask you: those people born with divine strength, isn’t their strength also ‘luck’? Those born intelligent, isn’t their intelligence also? Most people in this world—forget spiritual roots—can’t even dream of extraordinary strength or sharp intellect.

Why do some people have great strength or brilliant minds? Isn’t that also a kind of ‘destiny luck’?”

“This…” Nan Yuchen was caught off guard by the question and fell momentarily speechless.

“So don’t treat this ‘destiny luck’ as something overly special. It’s just like any other talent you might have—it’s part of who you are.” Long Tao continued earnestly.

“I know what you’re worried about.

You’re afraid that if one day this ‘destiny luck’ disappears, you’ll be left with nothing, right?”

“Mm…” Nan Yuchen admitted softly.

“It’s simple.” Long Tao patted his shoulder, offering an answer that was straightforward yet powerful.

“Then while the ‘destiny luck’ is still with you, do everything you can to strengthen yourself! When your own strength becomes powerful enough to control your own fate, then whether destiny luck favors you or not, you’ll still stand unshaken.

By then, those hollow titles brought by external factors won’t matter anymore.”

These words seemed to truly inspire Nan Yuchen.

The gloom and confusion in his eyes gradually dispersed, replaced by clarity and determination, and some color returned to his face.

“I understand now! Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Long! I know what I need to do!”

Seeing the young man regain his spirits, Long Tao felt a surge of relief.

But in the next second, a thought splashed over him like cold water, freezing him in place.

Wait! What was I just doing? How could I encourage this kid to cultivate harder and raise his realm as fast as possible?! The higher his cultivation, the harder the System’s future tasks will definitely become! I should’ve told him to take it slow and steady instead!

How could I be so stupid?! Long Tao wailed inwardly, wishing he could turn back time and swallow those impassioned words of “encouragement.” This was truly lifting a rock only to smash his own foot!

……

Just as Long Tao was drowning in regret over his foolish words, the four of them stopped in front of an exceptionally grand spirit pet shop.

On the gilded signboard above the entrance, the words “Treasure Beast Pavilion” were written in bold, soaring strokes.

Through the open doors, the interior was brightly lit, with elegant and luxurious furnishings, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of rare spirit woods.

Long Tao only needed one glance for his heart to sink—damn it, this place clearly wasn’t somewhere a Qi Refining disciple like him could afford.

He had still harbored a sliver of unrealistic fantasy, hoping that Nan Yuchen might lead him to some inconspicuous corner where they would meet a seemingly shabby, down-and-out old man who was actually a reclusive expert.

That expert would then recognize Nan Yuchen’s great destiny luck at a glance and generously produce a whole row of extraordinary spirit pet eggs for him to choose from—and maybe Long Tao could even ride along and pick up a bargain.

Sigh… He shook his head, casting off the absurd thought.

Even if Nan Yuchen’s destiny luck were truly that heaven-defying, the problem was—he already had the Yaoguang Azure Phoenix! How could there be any surplus fortuitous opportunity left for him? Truly a daytime dream.

“This is the place,” Nan Yuchen’s voice interrupted his wild thoughts.

“When Senior Sister and I passed by earlier, we heard someone inside mention the word ‘time.’ Let’s go in and ask.”

Steeling himself, Long Tao followed Nan Yuchen into the Treasure Beast Pavilion.

The interior space was far more spacious than it appeared from outside.

Exquisite, ancient cages, water features, and barriers were arranged in orderly fashion, each housing spirit pets of all shapes and forms.

A shopkeeper in brocade robes, wearing a shrewd smile, immediately came forward to greet them.

When his gaze swept over Nan Yuchen and Zhu Huaisu, his attitude became especially enthusiastic, clearly having noticed their extraordinary status.

When his eyes fell upon the unusually built Luo Yusi, a flash of surprise crossed his face before he quickly resumed his professional smile.

“Honored guests, your presence brings great glory to this humble shop! What type of spirit pets are you looking for? We’ve just received two Rainbow-Plume Birds and a Snow Spirit Fox that’s just been weaned—both are top-grade…”

Long Tao took a deep breath and interrupted the shopkeeper’s enthusiastic introduction.

“Shopkeeper, may I ask if your shop has any spirit pets related to the attribute of time?”

“Time attribute?” The shopkeeper was briefly taken aback, then his expression shifted into something rather amused.

“We do indeed have one such creature, however…”

He revealed a smile mixed with regret and a hint of pride.

“Leaving aside the extraordinary price, it has already been reserved by a distinguished guest. The deposit has been paid in full.”

“I see.” Long Tao’s heart sank slightly, but he wasn’t too disappointed.

Judging from the shopkeeper’s tone and the establishment’s level, even if it hadn’t been reserved, he likely wouldn’t have been able to afford it anyway.

The shopkeeper spread his hands helplessly, his tone quite candid.

“There’s nothing to be done. Spirit pets with such abilities are extremely rare. Once word gets out, they’re almost always preemptively reserved by powerful figures. Generally speaking, it’s very hard for them to end up in the hands of… uh, ordinary disciples like yourself.” His words were tactful, but the meaning was clear.

Long Tao wasn’t particularly surprised by the answer.

Just as he was about to see whether there were any other ordinary pets suitable for Xiao Ying, a clear, pleasant female voice—casual yet unrestrained—came from the entrance, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

“Shopkeeper, has the little turtle I reserved a few days ago arrived?”

That voice…!

Everyone inside turned their heads in unison.

They saw a slender figure dressed in simple green attire, her hair tied into a neat high ponytail, striding confidently into the Treasure Beast Pavilion.

Her posture was upright, her aura sharp and unmistakable despite her efficiency and composure.

Who else could it be but True Person Zhiying?

And following closely behind her, step for step, was the newly recruited disciple with a pair of captivating Peach-Blossom Eyes—Xiao Ying.