"So it finally came to this."

Gazing at the approaching flying boat, Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes, his expression somewhat peculiar.

Just like before, the script provided by the system was both clichéd and terrible, the kind that would definitely flop if turned into a novel.

According to the system, after the original owner and his sister escaped from the Black Tiger Gang's pursuit, they would encounter a Saintess from the Linglong Sacred Land.

Following the typical underdog storyline, the original owner's sister was actually a hidden spiritual root genius, immediately recognized by the passing Saintess and taken back to Linglong Sacred Land for careful nurturing.

Meanwhile, the talentless original owner, due to his poor aptitude and unsuitable gender, was heartlessly dismissed by the Linglong Saintess, left to wallow in sorrow, and eventually turned his grief into motivation, vowing to prove everyone wrong...

In Qi Yuan's previous life, this would be considered a third-rate melodramatic plot, outdated for over a decade.

Yet reality is often so surreal. Ever since this brain-dead system appeared, even his behavior as a genius Dao Child started to become strange.

Sigh, considering the system has provided quite a few benefits, he might as well treat it as playing a little cultivation game. Burying himself in cultivation all day is rather dull.

Just as Qi Yuan was trying to convince himself, the flying boat arrived in front of them.

This luxurious spirit boat was adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, its surface covered with dense pale golden patterns, subtly forming a solid defensive formation, along with a restriction seal that shielded its interior from prying eyes.

The next moment, the door opened, and a group of distinguished men and women stepped out.

Leading them was a young male cultivator with a high Daoist bun, exuding righteousness. His face was broad with large ears, a full forehead, and thick, straight eyebrows, giving him an ancient and majestic appearance.

In other words, he had a uniquely unattractive look.

Beside him was an exceptionally beautiful woman.

The woman wore a water-blue gauzy dress, her waist wrapped in a jade-white silk sash. She possessed an ethereal beauty, her skin fairer than snow, exuding a pure and transcendent aura.

She resembled a moon palace fairy descending from the heavens, cold and sacred, untouched by the mundane world.

In her presence, the other originally attractive female cultivators paled in comparison, reduced to mere foils.

"Junior Brother Qi, what are you doing here?"

Upon seeing Qi Yuan, the only male cultivator among them was the first to ask, his expression puzzled.

This male cultivator was none other than Qi Yuan's fellow senior brother, Lu Changfeng, the Chief True Disciple of the Supreme Profound Sacred Land Sect Master.

And the peerless beauty beside him was the contemporary Saintess of Linglong Sacred Land, Xiao Yuenie.

Xiao Yuenie had come specifically as a representative of Linglong Sacred Land to attend the Dao Child's inauguration ceremony. Now that the ceremony was over, she was returning to her sect, passing through Qingyun Town.

Compared to Lu Changfeng, Xiao Yuenie's attention was focused on the mortal girl behind Qi Yuan, her beautiful eyes showing a hint of interest.

Qi Yuan smiled slightly and explained: "So it's Senior Brother Lu and Fairy Xiao. I happened to be traveling here and discovered a group of evildoers causing trouble. I couldn't help but eliminate the Black Tiger Gang and saved this mortal girl in the process."

It was Qi Yao's first time facing so many dazzling cultivators. Hearing Qi Yuan mention her, she nervously clutched her clothes, wishing she could bury her head in her chest, looking uneasy and apprehensive.

"I see, just a bunch of annoying ants. Killing them is no big deal."

Hearing Qi Yuan's explanation, Lu Changfeng nodded, casually brushing off the matter, then turned his gaze back to Xiao Yuenie, speaking softly: "Fairy Xiao, since that surge of power came from Junior Brother Qi, let's continue our journey. I'll accompany you a bit further."

His words carried an unmistakable tone of flattery.

Qi Yuan felt a shiver of disgust.

Seriously, this place is over a hundred thousand miles from the Supreme Profound Sacred Land's mountain gate. You've already gone far enough escorting her here, and you still want to continue...

However, Lu Changfeng's next words shocked him even more: "Fairy Xiao, the journey to Linglong Sacred Land is long, and there are places where demonic cultivators and monsters run rampant. You ladies might encounter danger on the road, so why not let me accompany you to ensure your safe return to your sect?"

What?

Qi Yuan was stunned.

He had heard rumors of Lu Changfeng's affection for the Linglong Saintess, but he hadn't expected it to be this deep.

What a simp this guy is!

The Linglong Saintess is a formidable late-stage Elemental Infant cultivator, bearing the supreme inheritance of Linglong Sacred Land. In terms of combat power, she's unrivaled below the Divine Transformation stage. Does she really need a mid-stage Elemental Infant as a protector?

"Greetings, Dao Child Qi."

Xiao Yuenie nodded at Qi Yuan, acknowledging him, then her expression turned cold as she addressed Lu Changfeng in a frosty tone: "Our Linglong Sacred Land is not just for show. We can take care of ourselves, so there's no need for Junior Brother Lu to escort us further."

This world is known as the Yunmeng Great World, teeming with countless beings and races, vast and boundless, with humans occupying only a small corner.

Among humans, aside from those mysterious and sinister demonic sects, other cultivation forces are led by the Seven Great Sacred Lands.

As one of the Seven Great Sacred Lands, Linglong Sacred Land, though comprised entirely of female cultivators, has a long-standing foundation and is no less powerful than the Supreme Profound Sacred Land.

Lu Changfeng's words, describing Linglong Sacred Land as "a group of women" who "need protection," were already quite restrained, and naturally, Xiao Yuenie wouldn't show him any kindness.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

After speaking, Xiao Yuenie ignored him and gracefully approached Qi Yuan, speaking earnestly: "Dao Child Qi, to be honest, the young girl behind you has a special constitution, possessing a rare hidden spiritual root that aligns perfectly with one of our Linglong Sacred Land's inheritances. Would you be willing to allow her to join Linglong Sacred Land? If you agree, consider it a favor I owe you, and I will repay it in the future."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat.

As expected, just as the system described, the Linglong Saintess had discovered Qi Yao's hidden potential and wanted her to join Linglong Sacred Land.

It seems that, aside from the parts involving the protagonist being wildly inaccurate, the information about others was indeed true.

Seeing Qi Yuan remain silent, Lu Changfeng's mouth fell open, his eyes wide with disbelief.

This is a favor from the Linglong Saintess, and you're actually hesitating?

If I had this opportunity, I'd be overjoyed even in my dreams!

Thinking this, Lu Changfeng looked at Qi Yuan with envy, jealousy, and hatred, wishing he could strangle him and take his place.

Even when Qi Yuan took the Dao Child position from him, he wasn't as angry as he was now.

For a moment, Lu Changfeng was deeply conflicted.

He wanted Qi Yuan to refuse, thereby offending the Linglong Saintess, hoping she would remember his virtues, yet he feared seeing disappointment in his goddess's eyes...

Just as Lu Changfeng was caught in his dilemma, Qi Yuan suddenly smiled faintly and said sincerely:"Apologies, Fairy Xiao, Little Yao is not my personal servant or maid. I believe I have no right to decide her future. The choice should be hers to make."

With that, he turned to Qi Yao and asked:"Little Yao, do you wish to become a disciple of Linglong Sacred Land?"

Qi Yao trembled, tears of gratitude welling up in her eyes. She looked at the Linglong Saintess standing not far away, her expression resolute as she replied: "Brother Qi, I, I am willing to join Linglong Sacred Land. Only then can I repay your kindness."

She knew well that Linglong Sacred Land was one of the top forces in the cultivation world, and being personally invited by the Linglong Saintess was an opportunity beyond imagination.

Therefore, although she felt reluctant to leave Qi Yuan, she understood the gap between them, and joining Linglong Sacred Land was her only chance to change her fate.

"Very well."

Qi Yuan gave her a gentle smile, then turned to Xiao Yuenie and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Fairy Xiao, I hope you will take good care of Little Yao in the future."

In truth, even if Qi Yao had refused, he would have found a way to persuade her to agree.

Initially, Qi Yuan planned to bring Qi Yao to the Supreme Profound Sacred Land to take care of her, but the new task that appeared made him abandon that idea.

If Qi Yao's fate deviated significantly, he might be at a loss when tasked with matters concerning the original owner's sister in the future.

To be safe, until he fully understood the system's nature, it was best to let things unfold naturally.

Now that Qi Yao had made the right choice, it saved him some trouble.

Is there really a man in this world who respects women so much?

Xiao Yuenie was momentarily stunned, then she looked deeply at Qi Yuan, her admiration growing as she praised: "Dao Child Qi, I didn't expect someone so young and in such a high position to be so upright and considerate, valuing the thoughts of a mere mortal girl. It's truly commendable.

Rest assured, as long as I'm here, she will not be mistreated."

With that, she gave Qi Yuan a radiant smile, a smile as beautiful as blooming flowers, her eyes like spring water, breathtakingly perfect.

Even with Qi Yuan's extensive experience, he couldn't help but be momentarily dazed, thinking to himself: No wonder the Linglong Saintess is hailed by many as the most beautiful woman in the righteous path. Without some self-control, it's hard to resist.

She smiled!

Lu Changfeng was dumbfounded, staring at Xiao Yuenie's flower-like smile.

Not only Xiao Yuenie, but the other female cultivators from Linglong Sacred Land also cast respectful glances at Qi Yuan.

"Thank you, Dao Child Qi, for making this possible. Yuenie will repay you generously in the future."

After a brief exchange, the women of Linglong Sacred Land, along with the somewhat reluctant Qi Yao, departed, completely ignoring the stunned Lu Changfeng.

"Senior Brother Lu, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to the sect."

Seeing this, Qi Yuan shook his head and took the initiative to bid farewell.

After a long while, Lu Changfeng finally reacted, slapping his forehead in regret: "Right, it's indeed inappropriate for a man like me to mix in with their Reed Blossom Treasure Boat. No wonder Fairy Xiao didn't accept my offer.

In that case, I'll follow them discreetly to ensure Fairy Xiao's safety... Junior Brother, you can head back on your own."

After muttering to himself, he wasted no time, immediately leaping up and using an escape technique to chase after them.

Damn!

Qi Yuan was dumbfounded. Usually, Senior Brother Lu was quite normal, and his aptitude was certainly not inferior to Qi Yuan's. Who would have thought he was such a weirdo?

At this moment, Qi Yuan finally understood why their master chose him as the Dao Child over Lu Changfeng.

This guy is the ultimate simp!

If Lu Changfeng really became the sect master, he might just pack up the entire Supreme Profound Sacred Land and give it away...

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan