Chapter 28: Another Little Gift?

Chapter 28: Another Little Gift?

Hearing the roar carried by the wind, Wu Duantian and Zhao Lingtian’s 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 word—“Scram”—was 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 it’s yours, it will come to you. If not, it wasn’t meant to be. We can’t 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 couldn’t even pinpoint the senior’s 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 Lingtian’s voice quivered with resentment.

Wu Duantian placed a reassuring hand on his disciple’s shoulder. Feigning calm, he said, “Come, let’s go.”

Inside, his frustration burned even brighter than Zhao Lingtian’s. 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 didn’t 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. I’ll handle the rest alone.”

“Ah, Senior Brother, that’s 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 wasn’t 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; you’re my virtual girlfriend, after all!”

Seeing Li Qingran’s affection level rise to 60, Chen Huai’an couldn’t contain his glee. “As your cyber boyfriend, it’s 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 you’re different. You may be data, but even data can grow. Before the game officially launches, I’ll make you the strongest female cultivator! That way, I can die a happy man and reincarnate as the world’s 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 couldn’t help but think,

Senior is as cold as ever, but he’s surprisingly reliable and comforting…

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 don’t mind. Once I have better resources, I’ll craft you a new one!”

She had used low-grade spirit stones—her only available resources—to make the bracelet. High-grade materials like spirit crystals were essential for maintaining the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation and couldn’t be spared.

[Your virtual girlfriend, Li Qingran, has made you a small gift. It has been sent—please check your inventory.]

“A gift? Li Qingran, you’re the best!”

Chen Huai’an 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 Huai’an found himself in a budget hotel, still clutching his phone.

“Last time, that protective talisman was pretty subpar. It couldn’t even survive a single climb without the ink washing off…”

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.

[What’s 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. It’s safer to act while he sleeps.]

As the moonlight filtered through the window, the cat’s shadow on the wall morphed into a terrifying beast.

The world outside fell silent.

Time itself seemed to thicken…