Chapter 276: The Person I Like

Chapter 276: The Person I Like

Let’s just assume that “Ascender” means someone who has a shot at becoming immortal.

Other than that, Chen Huaian’s super brain couldn’t make any other connections.

Just after midnight, led by Lin Lingling, the two of them took a helicopter to a mountain peak that belonged exclusively to the C Province Exorcist Division.

On the mountaintop, there was just a single flag stuck into the ground and a run-down straw hut that was too shabby to even complain about. There wasn’t even a single piece of furniture inside.

“Come on, the organizers are a hidden sect, right? Why are they so stingy?”

Chen Huaian walked into the straw hut and saw a piece of rice paper stuck to the bare walls.

Ten flamboyant characters were scrawled across it:

“Only those who endure the hardest hardships can rise above the rest.”

Chen Huaian: “...”

What the h*ll? Did Qingfeng Sect preemptively counter his verbal complaints?

D*mn. They’d better not pull any special treatment nonsense on this mountain. If he found out they were, he’d cut them down with a single slash!

“Triple Zero, these conditions are brutal. Are you sure you’ll be okay staying here alone?”

Even though Lingling was pretty strong—especially after cultivating the technique he gave her and rising to the Marshal-level—aside from the veteran Zhao Ying, she was already the strongest in C Province Exorcist Division. But still, she looked like a tiny girl not even 1.6 meters tall, and he couldn’t help but feel a little worried.

“Relax, Governor.”

Lingling casually pulled out snacks and manga from her space device, waving him off: “The strong never complain about the environment. Especially someone like me—the chosen one of this version.”

“But,” Chen Huaian hesitated, “they never said this mountaintop is outside the attack range of demons or cursed beings. It looks like a safe zone, but there’s really no actual protection.”

Hearing that, Lin Lingling froze, processing it for a moment.

Then suddenly dropped to her knees and smashed her forehead to the ground. “Governor, I regret this! Is it too late to go back?!”

Chen Huaian: “...”

“Too late. The chopper’s already gone. Just stay here and behave.”

“Governor, how about I go monster hunting with you instead?”

Ignoring her pitiful puppy-dog eyes, Chen Huaian shook his head flat-out: “No.”

Even though this mountaintop wasn’t that secure, it was surrounded by cliffs. No matter what, it was still safer than going with him.

He was going to follow the guidance of the Dragon Soul deep into the mountains—who knew what kind of monsters he might run into?

With the state of his current physical body, he couldn’t afford to split his focus protecting a little girl.

Still, her safety was a legitimate concern.

Give her some Talismans? Not reliable.

If someone stole them, they’d be useless.

Maybe set up a formation around her? Like how Sun Wukong drew a circle to protect Tang Sanzang.

Chen Huaian rubbed his chin in thought. That could work.

But with his current Qi Refining strength, the formation wouldn’t be that powerful.

He and Lin Lingling stared at each other, neither able to figure it out.

When in doubt, consult the Digital Girlfriend.

He pulled out his phone to play a game for a bit.

“Heavenly Fate Calculation: Has a genius with the Profound Water Root appeared yet?”

【Heavenly Fate Calculation complete. None detected yet.】

“Then… when will one appear?”

【This is your second calculation today. ¥100 has been deducted... Heavenly Fate Calculation complete! If the player wishes to select one fixed outcome from the 30 million possible futures in Cangyun Realm, you must bear at least 10,000 layers of bad karma. Proceed?】

“No.” Chen Huaian curled his lip.

Using the Heavenly Fate Calculation to peek at the future was just too costly.

If his real body had Nascent Soul strength, maybe he’d try.

With 10,000 layers of bad karma, he could die just by taking a step or even choke to death on a breath.

At that moment, Li Qingran was still awake, visible faintly through her room window, chatting with Mo Shumei.

Chen Huaian was about to go monster hunting, so he didn’t show up and interrupt.

But as usual, he checked on Li Qingran’s status.

Everything looked normal—except for the <heart> icon flashing beside the affection score.

Chen Huaian tapped the heart, and a notification popped up.

【Current Affection Level: ♡♥40】

【Your Digital Girlfriend's Heart Link is full. ‘Divine Wandering in the Void’ can now be activated.】

【Your current strength is Qi Refining Level 9. Support summon duration: max 24 hours】

Seeing that, Chen Huaian’s eyes narrowed.

‘Divine Wandering in the Void’, huh? If he remembered correctly, that let him summon Li Qingran to his side.

Sort of like an avatar descending.

Well then, problem solved.

He couldn’t lay down a strong formation with his Qi Refining power, but Li Qingran, a Golden Core cultivator, definitely could.

And given that monsters were all over Taishan, he genuinely might face threats he couldn’t handle. If he could invite Li Qingran to assist in battle, it’d be way safer.

And as for whether this made him look like he was mooching off a woman?

Heh. Honestly, mooching off a woman takes skill too.

And if it’s a cute, charming sword cultivator like Li Qingran—who wouldn’t want to?

“Triple Zero, I’m gonna call over a big sister in a bit,” Chen Huaian said mysteriously. “She’s great at formations. The one she sets up will keep you safe, so stay put on this mountain.”

“Big sister?” Lin Lingling caught the key point, suspicious. “You mean

older

big sister? Or like,

supreme

big sister?”

Chen Huaian: “...”

“She’s a

very pretty

big sister.”

Lin Lingling nodded, then shook her head, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. She said bitterly, “Governor, I get it. I totally get it. Those women know how to keep themselves young, but who knows how many years old they really are... definitely loose-skinned and vicious. You must’ve had it rough…”

Chen Huaian slowly typed out a question mark in his head.

What the h*ll?

Is this girl in

middle school

or what?!

He didn’t even want to explain anymore.

The more he said, the worse it’d sound. Once Li Qingran showed up, this little brat would understand.

The two girls weren’t even that far apart in age—might even hit it off.

…

“Qingran, listen to me: If you’ve got feelings for him, then go all out! No hesitation!”

“But... won’t he think I’m the kind of girl who’s too easy?”

Mo Shumei crossed her fingers in front of her chest. “Wrong! Totally wrong!” She nodded dramatically. “As they say,

when a man chases a woman, it’s like climbing a mountain; when a woman chases a man, it’s like pulling a curtain.

Just take the initiative, and you’ll see—it’s way easier than you thought.”

“R-Really...” Li Qingran lowered her eyes, nervously twirling a lock of hair around her finger. Her lips parted a few times, but the words never came out.

“Yes!” Mo Shumei nodded firmly.

Though inside, she was

shook

.

She never thought someone like Li Qingran, such an outstanding woman, would actually worry about not being able to get the man she liked.

She’d always figured someone like Li Qingran could just casually pick from a crowd of elite cultivators.

So who the heck was this guy she liked? Must be some kind of prodigy.

One of the three core disciples, maybe? But even that didn’t seem to add up...

Li Qingran stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks burning bright red. Her lips trembled as she whispered,

“But... he’s different. He can’t be judged by common standards.”

Mo Shumei crossed her legs and sneered, “All men in this world are the same—two legs and a d*ck. When they see a beautiful female cultivator, their brain shuts off. What makes him any different? With your looks, Qingran, what kind of man

can’t

you get? Come on, spill the tea! I want to see what kind of guy this is.”

Li Qingran didn’t answer, her toes anxiously scrubbing at the floor.

But she really did need Mo Shumei, her trash-talking strategist, to give her some advice.

Carrying the weight of longing and uncertainty alone was just too hard.

“If… if I tell you, you

can’t

tell anyone, okay?”

She barely managed to squeeze the words out, her voice barely louder than a mosquito.

“Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word!” Mo Shumei perked up, sitting upright, ears ready.

“You… you have to swear it!” Li Qingran bit her lower lip.

“Fine! I, Mo whatever-my-name-is, swear to the heavens!”

Mo Shumei raised four fingers to the sky, solemnly declared:

“Today’s matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. If I tell anyone else, may lightning strike me five times over!”

Li Qingran stared at her for a moment, then clenched her fists and took a deep breath, like she was gathering every ounce of courage she had.

Finally, she lifted her head.

Her voice was so soft it could be blown away by the wind.

“…Master.”

She said, “The person I like… is Master.”

…

…