Zhang Shan knew he was about to infuriate Nan Gong Yao if he kept pushing, so he pivoted quickly.

“Lele, be good now. Think about it—if all else fails, you can learn some skills and come back to rescue me, right? By then, you’ll be just as powerful as the Fairy, flying through the skies and tunneling through the earth. I’ll be relying on you for support! It’s only a few short years. Don’t worry; the Fairy Sister will soon reward us with plenty of wonderful things, and we’ll finally have someone influential to lean on!”

Who said I’d reward you with wonderful things?! And how could there be “plenty”?

Nan Gong Yao clenched her silver teeth. How could this boar-like savage be so shameless?

Still, she forced herself to cooperate. “Very well. This is a talisman from my sect, imbued with my spiritual energy. Once you wear it, ordinary demonic beasts won’t be able to harm you, ensuring your safety for a lifetime.”

With a flick of her delicate hand, a jade token flew straight to Zhang Shan. He caught it—a palm-sized piece of pale-green jade, embroidered with the character “Yao.” It felt warm and smooth to the touch, instantly washing him with a sense of calm.

“A treasure!” Zhang Shan quickly tucked it into his robes.

Seeing that Zhang Shan had already accepted the payout, the little dark-haired girl realized she’d been completely sold out. Besides, she wasn’t stupid. Who wouldn’t dream of flying through the skies? And the thought of being able to support Brother Shan in the future filled her heart with sweetness. Still, the idea of being separated from him for several years left her deeply reluctant.

“Thank you, Fairy Sister! But even if I can’t cultivate, would you mind teaching me a few techniques for ordinary people? At least something to strengthen my body and improve my health.”

Zhang Shan wasn’t satisfied with just the jade token. Someone had merely offered him a sip of soup, and it had already benefited him immensely. What did a little shame matter? He had to grab as much as he could!

Shameless! He is actually pushing his luck even further!

Nan Gong Yao’s ample chest rose and fell with indignation. If not for the little girl’s expectant gaze, she would have blasted him with a bolt of heavenly thunder right then and there.

Taking a deep breath, Nan Gong Yao conjured a small book and tossed it onto the table. “This manual of Primordial Martial Arts from the mortal realm should be enough for you.”

Holy shit, this is incredible!

Zhang Shan eagerly grabbed it. The cover read “Primordial Five Energies,” the characters elegant and refined. He flipped through it casually, finding it richly illustrated with both text and images. Another treasure! A secret manual personally written by the Fairy, still carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.

Zhang Shan tucked it into his chest right next to the jade.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shan spent a long while coaxing the little dark-haired girl, who cried uncontrollably, smearing snot and tears all over him.

Finally, Zhang Shan urged the girl toward Nan Gong Yao.

“Let’s go,” Nan Gong Yao urged quickly, unable to bear staying a moment longer.

“Fairy Sister, please wait!” Zhang Shan suddenly shouted, pulling a short dagger from his belt and offering it forward with both hands. “Fairy Sister, this short dagger is my gift to you, in gratitude for bestowing upon me such treasures and for helping Lele cultivate her skills.”

What is he doing?

It felt as if a dog had suddenly decided to share its most treasured bone with her. Nan Gong Yao was taken aback.

Zhang Shan scrambled to explain, “I know the Fairy Sister has no use for such mundane items, but you’ve shown great kindness toward us. This dagger is a custom passed down through generations in our village. If you don’t accept it, both Lele and I will feel guilty and ashamed before our ancestors.”

“Exactly! That’s right!” the little dark-haired girl chimed in.

Seeing that Zhang Shan had even invoked his ancestors, Nan Gong Yao was speechless. Fine, fine—I’ll just swallow my pride!

With a flick of her sleeve, the short dagger vanished. “I accept your gift. Let’s go.”

【Ding! First-time gift of a “Defective Short Dagger” successful.】 【Triggered Return: Low-grade magical artifact, the Ruyi Short Sword.】

【Special Reminder: The gifted item must be something the Daughter of Destiny needs to trigger a return. However, as this is the Host’s first gift, the return was successful. This exception will not be repeated.】

【Ruyi Short Sword: Low-grade magical artifact. Moves at the heart’s command, capable of striking enemies from a thousand zhang away.】

【Ding! Congratulations, Host! Your first gift triggered the Newcomer Gift: Space Treasury and the Ninefold Nirvana Pill.】

【Space Treasury: Divine-grade spatial magical artifact. Like a mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru, capable of storing countless items.】

【Ninefold Nirvana Pill: Divine-grade medicinal pill. After consumption, it strengthens one’s vital essence and blood, and allows one resurrection upon death.】

Zhang Shan felt the expanded space provided by the System and was immediately overwhelmed with joy. So many years of waiting—it hadn’t been easy!

With this Ruyi Short Sword, hunting would never be a worry again. And this divine-grade pill was practically an extra life!

If he could, he would have hugged Nan Gong Yao’s leg and cried his eyes out.

“I’m sorry, System Father! All these years, I misunderstood you!”

“Brother Shan, wait for me for two years… No, no, not even two years—half a year! I’ll come back to see you!” the little dark-haired girl sobbed, already on the verge of tears again.

Nan Gong Yao flipped her hand, and a blanket of light appeared beneath their feet.

“Fairy Sister, couldn’t you take a few wild vegetable cakes too? They’re our village’s specialty! You can’t find them anywhere else!” Zhang Shan tried to squeeze out one last drop of profit, turning to the stove to grab the pot.

Hearing this, Nan Gong Yao quickly made a “shh” sound and whisked the little dark-haired girl away, disappearing into the sky in an instant.

Five years later.

The small village now boasted a two-story building. Zhang Shan looked almost unchanged from five years ago. After consuming the Ninefold Nirvana Pill, his vital essence and blood had strengthened immensely, and his lingering ailments had vanished completely.

The “Primordial Five Energies” was truly an extraordinary martial art. With a single punch, he could split mountains and shatter rocks. Even a bear over two zhang tall could be sent flying by his internal energy alone. If this were a Wuxia world, he would surely be a Grandmaster by now.

Breaking through this mountain range and venturing out shouldn’t be too difficult now, Zhang Shan mused.

But the little dark-haired girl remained completely silent. She had promised to return after two years of Foundation Establishment cultivation, yet there was no sign of her. Had something happened? Or did she simply no longer wish to return?

This question lingered in Zhang Shan’s heart. Finally, one day, he decided he couldn’t wait any longer. He had stayed here for twenty whole years. It was time to explore the outside world.

Having prepared everything, Zhang Shan set off.

He remembered Nan Gong Yao and the girl flying northeast, so he headed in that direction. When hungry, he hunted; when thirsty, he drank from streams. The sky was his blanket, the earth his bed, and the stars his guide.

After just half a month, Zhang Shan had traveled thousands of li. Having reached the Primordial Realm, he possessed a sharp sensitivity to danger. He carefully skirted areas where he sensed powerful presences lurking in the mountains.

Since this world had cultivators, it made sense that it also had demons and monsters.

Zhang Shan knew he was vastly stronger than he had been five years ago, but he remained cautious. There was always someone stronger. Take Nan Gong Yao—a top-tier powerhouse. To her, a Primordial-level martial artist like him was insignificant.

Late one night, Zhang Shan suddenly felt a burning sensation in his chest. He pulled out the jade token he’d kept close to his body. It was glowing and warm, though he had no idea what it meant.

Suddenly, a stunning figure in white robes appeared before him—none other than Nan Gong Yao herself.

Zhang Shan was dumbfounded. The goddess from his dreams had materialized right before his eyes.

Is she here to take me to see Lele?

Before he could ask, Nan Gong Yao stared at him with a cold expression and formed a hand seal.

Instantly, Zhang Shan’s heart seized! An unprecedented terror gripped his soul, leaving him no time to react. A blinding golden light flashed before his eyes—

BOOM!

【Ding! Host has died. Consuming the Ninefold Nirvana Pill. Resurrection initiated.】

When Zhang Shan came to, it was already daytime. He lay naked on the grass, his body wracked with excruciating pain.

Did I just die?

Killed by Nan Gong Yao?

Zhang Shan was completely dazed. The sensation of death had been so real, so terrifying—the bone-chilling cold, the instant obliteration of consciousness—that he dared not dwell on it.

Damn it! A divine-grade pill gifted by the System, gone after less than one chapter! Zhang Shan’s heart broke with grief.

Why did she kill me?

As he recalled her cold, serene face and graceful figure, Zhang Shan burst into curses.

“You bitch! I’ll torture you to death! A hundred times worse than a nightmare!”