Chapter 204: No One Leaves Empty-Handed
Wu Xuan Cave.
Lian’er, nestled in her bed, was dreaming sweetly.
She was in Chen Yin’s room, happily munching on a cheesecake, his hand gently stroking her hair.
She loved the feeling of his touch, the gentle pressure of his fingers on her scalp, like a soothing massage.
And he always had the most delicious treats, things she had never tasted before.
As she dreamed, a loud knocking startled her awake.
She rubbed her eyes and stumbled towards the door.
“Who is it? It’s the middle of the night—”
“Grand Witch! Where’s the Grand Witch?!”
Lian’er recognized the frantic voice.
Hu Luo was one of the few remaining loyal disciples of the Wu Xuan Cave.
She opened the door, and Hu Luo said urgently, “We have to find the Grand Witch!”
“What?”
Lian’er was confused.
But before Hu Luo could explain,
A sharp blade pierced through his chest from behind.
Lian’er’s eyes widened in horror.
She felt something warm and wet splatter on her face, a sickening metallic scent filling the air.
Her vision blurred, the room darkening.
Hu Luo’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief, his face contorted in a silent scream.
As blood trickled from his lips, he used his last breath to whisper,
“…Run…”
Lian’er didn’t hear him.
She watched in horror as his body slumped to the ground.
Behind him stood a group of strangers, dressed in unfamiliar uniforms, like disciples of a cultivation sect.
One of them looked at Lian’er and asked, “Are you the caretaker?”
Lian’er didn’t answer.
“If you don’t want to die, cooperate.”
The disciple seemed relaxed. He could sense that this seemingly harmless girl was just a beginner, at the early Gathering Qi Realm.
No threat to him at all.
“Where does your Grand Witch keep her treasures?”
Lian’er remained silent.
“Cat got your tongue?” The disciple frowned and slapped her face roughly. “I’m talking to you—”
The next moment, he screamed in terror and stumbled backward.
A strange purple discoloration, reeking of decay, spread rapidly across his hand and up his arm.
“Ah! What is this?! Help—”
Within seconds, his flesh melted away, his body dissolving into a puddle of goo.
The other disciples, their eyes wide with horror, drew their weapons and surrounded Lian’er.
Lian’er stared at Hu Luo’s body, her brow furrowed in sadness.
“Why… did you kill him?”
No one answered. They just backed away, their eyes wary.
“You’re all bad people!”
Lian’er’s face turned red with anger. She clumsily formed a hand seal, trying to replicate the low-level technique Chen Yin had taught her.
“Bad people!”
A small ball of energy shot out from her hand and exploded harmlessly on the ground, creating a small crater.
The force behind the attack was far greater than that of a Gathering Qi Realm cultivator, but the technique was crude and unrefined, like a child wielding a giant sword.
As the dust settled, the disciples looked at Lian’er, their eyes narrowed.
She was panting, her face flushed, her hair plastered to her forehead with sweat.
“Careful! This Wu Xuan Cave witch must have countless poisonous Gu worms! Don’t get too close!”
“It seems she only knows Gu techniques, not spells. Stay back and observe.”
Lian’er’s eyes filled with tears.
…Bad people.
All of you are bad people.
Don’t bully the people of the Wu Xuan Cave!
She gathered her energy again and launched another attack.
The explosion echoed through the mountains, startling the birds in the forest.
Under the cover of darkness, countless unseen battles raged.
Inside the secret realm…
“This is the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma?”
Chen Yin looked at the small, yellow plant with curiosity.
“What’s so special about this thing that an Immortal would wait hundreds of years for it to ripen?”
“The scriptures only offer a vague description of its properties.” The Grand Witch’s eyes were fixed on the Ganoderma. “It’s a divine object, perhaps not even meant for this world. A true immortal herb.”
The masked man gently touched one of the leaves, and the plant trembled slightly.
“But according to the Wu Xuan Ancestor, it’s not ripe yet.”
“What should we do?”
The Grand Witch frowned.
Chen Yin stared at the Ganoderma, a thought suddenly crossing his mind.
“…Grand Witch.”
“Hmm?”
“Want to make a bet?”
The Grand Witch looked at him with surprise.
“If I can make this Ganoderma ripen, you grant me one wish. How about that?”
“Really? Can you really do it?” A flicker of excitement crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by suspicion. “What’s your wish?”
“Let me think…”
Chen Yin imagined a rather… interesting and slightly erotic scene.
Just thinking about it made his blood rush.
“I want you and Nan Xiaoxiang to take a bath together.”
A stunned silence filled the air.
The masked man stood there silently, his gaze fixed on Chen Yin.
The Grand Witch was speechless, then her face flushed crimson.
“What kind of ridiculous request is that?!”
“You and Nan Xiaoxiang seem to be on bad terms.”
Chen Yin said seriously, “I think it would be… interesting to see you two bathe together.”
…Maybe they’ll even start fighting. I love watching girls fight.
The Grand Witch shook her head vehemently. “No way! I’m not taking a bath with that woman!”
“Really?”
Chen Yin teased, “If you didn’t care, why did you go out of your way to provoke her? You’re the Grand Witch. If you don’t like her, just beat her up in the bath. She’s just a mortal, she can’t fight back.”
“You wouldn’t mind if I hurt her? You wouldn’t intervene?”
“Of course I would mind.” Chen Yin blinked innocently. “And I’d love to ‘intervene’.”
The Grand Witch understood his meaning, her cheeks flushing slightly. “You pervert!”
“What can I say? I have a thing for long-legged beauties.”
“Can’t you ask for something else?”
“If you’re willing to wait, that’s fine too.” Chen Yin shrugged. “Maybe the Ganoderma will ripen on its own in a few days.”
The Grand Witch hesitated.
…According to the Wu Xuan Ancestor, the Ganoderma was nourished by the children who participated in the Sacred Child trials.
That was something she couldn’t accept.
If the trials continued, then what was the point of everything she had done?
But without the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma, Lian’er…
Thinking of the approaching Triennial Day, she gritted her teeth.
It was just a bath with Nan Xiaoxiang.
They were both women. What was the big deal? She could just ignore her and pretend she was alone.
“…Fine.”
The Grand Witch said, her voice firm, “I agree.”
“But don’t get ahead of yourself. If you can’t make the Ganoderma ripen—”
Her words were cut short as her eyes widened in disbelief.
Chen Yin gently channeled his blue spiritual energy into the Ganoderma, and its color instantly shifted from a pale yellow to a deep, vibrant orange.
The small, withered leaf beneath the other three began to grow rapidly.
Within moments, the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma, now with four healthy leaves, was fully mature, its potent spiritual energy filling the chamber.
“This…”
The Grand Witch was stunned. She quickly tried to infuse it with her own spiritual energy, but nothing happened.
“H-how did you do that?”
“Want to know?” Chen Yin grinned. “It’s probably because of my unique physique. If you want this ability, it’s not impossible.”
“Really?” The Grand Witch’s eyes lit up. “How?”
“Simple. Just leave my genes inside you, and our offspring will definitely—”
Before Chen Yin could finish his sentence, the Grand Witch turned and walked away.
She had no sense of humor. Chen Yin shrugged.
The masked man couldn’t help but sneer. “Perhaps you should refrain from making such vulgar remarks to women.”
“What?” Chen Yin grinned. “Are you jealous that I’m flirting with her?”
The masked man paused, then said calmly, “…I didn’t know you were interested in men as well.”
“If you’re truly interested, I might consider it.”
The masked man, unable to endure his teasing gaze, snorted and walked away.
But as soon as he was out of earshot, he said to his System, his voice filled with a mixture of disgust and confusion, “He’s… he’s actually bisexual? How could he…”
“…Considering his behavior these past few days,” the System couldn’t help but comment, “I think he’s more likely to have recognized you.”
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