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 Huai’an’s money just blown in by the wind?

As Chen Huai’an wrestled with his frustration and confusion, the system’s Virtual Girlfriend Shop popped up on the screen.

The first item catching his eye was the gleaming

Xuan Shui Spiritual Root

, 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

Xuan Shui Spiritual Root

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, wouldn’t it be better spent curing his cancer?

If cured, he could relax and spend the rest of his life in comfort.

Clearly, this game wasn’t planning to let him obtain spiritual roots through this route!

“Heh, then what’s the point?”

Chen Huai’an 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 Huai’an collapsed onto the couch, the emptiness hitting him harder than any post-climactic blues he’d ever felt.

“Meow…”

A weak cat’s cry interrupted his melancholy.

Chen Huai’an immediately sprang to his feet and dashed to the shoebox.

“Well, aren’t 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 Huai’an, you’re 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 won’t 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.

【Eat… Eat him…】

【If I devour him, my injuries will heal completely…】

【That stupid bird wasn’t enough…】

“What are you staring at?”

Chen Huai’an and the kitten locked eyes.

As his gaze met the kitten’s, its fierce expression softened instantly. Its slit-like pupils rounded, and it let out a small, plaintive “meow.”

“Still not feeling well?” Chen Huai’an rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Alright then…”

He turned his back, exposing himself completely.

【Now’s my chance!】

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 kitten’s eyes widened in shock.

【What the… What did this damned human do? Why… why can’t I move? This frail body, move already! Move!】

“You only got one round of acupuncture earlier. Let me reinforce it now!”

Chen Huai’an 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. That’d cost a fortune.

【Curse this vile human, daring to swaddle me in a towel…】

The black kitten struggled madly, baring its fangs.

Chen Huai’an, well-prepared, expertly jabbed two acupoints with his needles.

The kitten’s eyes bulged again.

What kind of sorcery was this?!

It couldn’t move. Again.

“Wow, this technique is really effective.” Chen Huai’an marveled, shaking his head as he worked. “If I can’t 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 Huai’an peeked.

“Oh, a boy. Alright, once you grow up, I’ll personally perform your neutering. Can’t have you harassing lady cats everywhere…”

The kitten: ???

【Did… Did this human just say he’s going to neuter me?】

【Unforgivable… Absolutely unforgivable!】

【I must devour him! I must!!!】

But as Chen Huai’an 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.

【Hmm… This human… Perhaps he’s useful for more than just food… His needle technique seems to be capable of healing. Interesting. So, there are still inheritors of the golden needle technique in this era? Intriguing…】

【Fine then, I’ll wait until he heals me completely before eating him. Then the golden needle technique will be mine! Muahaha!】

…

【Your Virtual Girlfriend has absorbed the Primordial Heaven-Mending Pill.】

A game window popped up.

Chen Huai’an 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: “…”

【You haven’t finished healing me yet!】

“Meowwww!!!”

【Human! I’ll have your life!!!】

Ignoring the kitten’s enraged scratching from inside the shoebox, Chen Huai’an focused entirely on Li Qingran.

【Status: Meditation and Dantian Reconstruction in Progress.】

【Cultivation Progress: 3679/5999 (Sixth Level).】

【Remaining Lifespan: 273 years.】

【Favorability: 50 (Respect).】

“Wow, things are heating up!”

Seeing that Li Qingran’s lifespan had extended to 273 years, Chen Huai’an 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 didn’t pull a fast one and shut down the servers.

Turning his attention back to the game, Chen Huai’an 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!

【Li Qingran is entering the final stage of Dantian reconstruction. A Grade-One Dantian may attract prying eyes. Would you like to top up 88¥ to protect Li Qingran?】

“Another cash grab?”

Chen Huai’an smirked with disdain.

He knew full well that without the purchase, Li Qingran’s Dantian reconstruction would fail, and some old monster would conveniently appear to steal it. After all, the game’s script was entirely in the developers’ hands.

Thankfully, 88¥ wasn’t much, so he paid up.

【Please select your guardian method:】

Avatar Guardian: 100,888¥ per session.

Gluttonous Beast Mount Guardian: 58,888¥ per session.

Sword Spirit Guardian: 38,888¥ per session.

Ultimate Guardian Package: 35,888¥, includes one Miniature Zhu Xian Sword Formation, one Xuanwu Formation, and seven Nine Suns Lightning Talismans.

Advanced Guardian Package: 18,888¥, includes one Thunder Lock Dragon Formation and one Nine Suns Lightning Talisman.

Intermediate Guardian Package: 1,888¥, includes one Sky-Piercing Sword Formation and ten Supreme Lightning Talismans.

Basic Guardian Package: 188¥, includes one Thunderfire Scorched Sky Formation, ten Supreme Thunderfire Talismans, and one Nine Suns Violet Lightning Talisman.

Custom Combo Package: Add items to your cart and pay as you go (limited-time offer, act now~♥).

Chen Huai’an’s lips twitched.

How naive he’d been.

The 88¥ was just the key to opening the floodgates. Without it, he wouldn’t 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 Huai’an 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.

【Basic Guardian Package activated!】

A glowing lightning array materialized around Li Qingran’s small room, extending for a hundred meters before fading from sight. Simultaneously, ten Supreme Thunderfire Talismans appeared on the room’s exterior. Inside, a massive Nine Suns Violet Lightning Talisman glowed on the table before her, its surface etched with arcane patterns.

“Now it’s time for a monster siege, right?” Chen Huai’an crossed his arms, already predicting the game’s next move.

Li Qingran’s 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! It’s unbelievable—an unparalleled genius in this era has actually condensed a supreme Dantian!”

“Jie jie jie! Heaven favors me! Truly, heaven favors me!!!”