Is It Wrong to Bully the Novice Village for System Rewards?

After pocketing the communication talisman, Qi Yuan dissolved the privacy barrier and stepped out of the main hall. He spotted a passing maid carrying a tray of spirit fruits and gently signaled for her to stop.

“Junior Sister, a moment,” he asked with a polite, disarming smile. “Do you happen to know a new disciple named Qi Yao?”

The maid froze. Being approached by a strange man in the Exquisite Sanctuary was a rare and terrifying event. She gripped the tray tighter, her cheeks flushing.

“She… she should have entered the sect about three months ago,” the maid stammered. “You mean Senior Sister Qi? She entered with my batch, but her talent is terrifying. The Sect Master took her in personally as a Legacy Disciple on her very first day.”

Qi Yuan nodded, maintaining his serene facade.

The ‘maids’ in the Resting Mist Courtyard were actually servant disciples of the sanctuary. While their status was low, they were still disciples of a top-tier sect. Any male guest foolish enough to harass them would likely find himself castrated and mounted on a pike before he could unzip his trousers.

“I see,” Qi Yuan said warmly. “Senior Sister Qi and I are old acquaintances. Could you tell me where she is? I would like to visit her and catch up on old times.”

This was a calculated move. If the legendary Cheng Huang beast was truly hiding in the Exquisite Sanctuary, Qi Yuan needed an excuse to roam the grounds without looking suspicious. ‘Visiting a little sister’ was the perfect cover story.

He wasn’t going to stick his neck out too far—if the beast was inaccessible, he would bail immediately—but he had to at least take a look.

The maid bit her lip, looking troubled. “Senior Sister Qi is currently cultivating in the Jade Cicada Palace. It is a restricted area. Without a direct escort from a senior sister of the palace, outsiders cannot enter.”

She glanced up at him apologetically. “If you wish to see her, you must obtain permission from our Holy Maiden.”

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Junior Sister.”

Qi Yuan nodded, his mind working. The Holy Maiden, Xiao Yueni, still owes me a favor from the illusion incident. Time to cash it in.

Before he could formulate a plan, a streak of light descended from the sky. A female cultivator in splendid formal robes landed in the courtyard. She bowed deeply to Qi Yuan.

“Holy Scion Qi,” she said respectfully. “My Holy Maiden has prepared a banquet at the Jade Cicada Palace to welcome the distinguished guests. She has specifically sent this servant to invite you.”

Qi Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. Well, that saves me the walk.

“Lead the way.”

The Jade Cicada Palace.

The venue was nothing short of magnificent. The grand hall was a masterpiece of crystal and gold, bedecked with glowing lanterns and streamers woven from spirit silk. The air hummed with the scent of high-grade incense and the faint pressure of ancient arrays. It was the kind of opulence only a top-tier sanctuary could afford.

Qi Yuan landed on the plaza outside the hall, his white robes settling around him. Standing at the entrance to greet him was Xiao Yueni, dressed in a flowing light blue gown that accentuated her ethereal, fairy-like temperament.

Beside her stood a young girl of thirteen or fourteen. She was delicate and pretty, with eyes that sparkled with innocence.

It was Qi Yao, the original host’s younger sister.

“Big Brother Qi!”

Qi Yao’s face lit up the moment she saw him. She abandoned all decorum and ran over, grabbing his sleeve. “Senior Sister Xiao wasn’t lying! You really came to see me!”

Qi Yuan smiled, a genuine softness entering his expression. “Little Sister Qi. I heard you are now a Legacy Disciple. Congratulations.”

Qi Yao beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. “If it weren’t for you protecting me back home, I would have died a hundred times over. I wouldn’t be a disciple here without you. Just wait! Once I become a powerful cultivator, I will protect you!”

Looking at her radiant, untroubled smile, Qi Yuan felt a pang of guilt. He decided right then to keep his mouth shut about the Qi family massacre. Telling her now would only destroy her cultivation state. He would find the killer first, then break the news when justice had been served.

“Holy Scion Qi,” Xiao Yueni approached, her voice melodic. “It has been months. Your cultivation has advanced beautifully. You truly live up to your reputation.”

She gestured toward the open doors of the hall. “Please. Let me introduce you to your peers.”

Qi Yuan followed her inside.

Three young cultivators were already seated at the VIP tables. As Qi Yuan entered, two of them turned to scrutinize him. The third remained motionless.

In the center sat a young man with gaunt cheeks and a simple, wash-faded blue Daoist robe. He looked poor, but his aura was terrifyingly still—like a deep, stagnant pool. He gave off a vibe of absolute detachment.

To his right sat a man who was the complete opposite: gold crown, brocade robes, jade belt. He lounged with a wine cup in hand, looking like a dissolute young master from a wealthy mortal family, his eyes half-lidded with intoxication.

And then, a few seats away, sat a woman in white.

She was stunning, possessing a beauty that seemed carved from cold jade. But the air around her was frozen. She sat there like an iceberg in a flower garden, radiating a “do not approach” aura so sharp it could cut skin. She seemed completely lost in her own world, oblivious to the gathering.

“Fellow Daoists,” Xiao Yueni announced. “This is the new Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, Qi Yuan. We are all comrades on the path of immortality; today is a chance to forge bonds.”

At the mention of the name “Qi Yuan,” the ice-sculpture woman trembled. She lifted her head, her gaze locking onto him for a split second before darting away. A flicker of profound sorrow passed through her eyes, gone so fast Qi Yuan almost missed it.

“The Supreme Mystery Holy Scion lives up to the rumors,” the rich-looking cultivator said, standing up to bow. His tone was friendly, if a bit lazy. “I am Zhuang Qingyun, Holy Scion of the Boundless Sacred Ground. A pleasure.”

The poor-looking Daoist nodded slightly, his voice calm and flat. “Tu Ruoxu, Holy Scion of the Eternal Sacred Ground. Greetings, Fellow Daoist.”

A table of monsters, Qi Yuan thought, returning their greetings with practiced elegance. These are the top ‘Heavenly Prides’ of the generation. Not a single one of them is simple.

“Qi Yuan of Supreme Mystery. An honor to meet you both.”

Then, the woman in white spoke.

“Qin Lingxue.”

Three syllables. Her voice was crisp and melodious, but it carried a hidden edge of sword intent that made the air temperature drop ten degrees.

Qin Lingxue?

Qi Yuan stiffened internally.

The fiancée? The one who is supposedly a super-genius sword cultivator?

He looked at her. She was currently at the early Nascent Soul stage—impressive, but lower than him. Yet, his instincts were screaming. She felt… dangerous. Like a loaded gun sitting on the table.

Seeing the awkward silence, Xiao Yueni stepped in to smooth things over. “Fairy Qin is the master of the ‘Abyssal Frost Sword’ from the Abyssal Sanctuary. Her personality is naturally cold, dedicated only to the sword. Please do not take offense, Holy Scion Qi.”

The Abyssal Frost Sword?!

Qi Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.

That’s a Spirit Treasure.

In the hierarchy of magical items, a Spirit Treasure (Lingbao) was leagues above a mere Dharma Treasure. It meant the sword had a sentient spirit. It was a weapon of mass destruction. For a Nascent Soul junior to be acknowledged by such a weapon… she was a freak of nature.

If they fought, that sword alone could probably chop a Soul Formation cultivator in half.

Great, Qi Yuan thought, forcing a polite smile. My ‘fiancée’ is a walking nuke with emotional damage.

“The Master of the Abyssal Frost Sword,” Qi Yuan said, bowing slightly. “I have heard much of your renown.”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the entrance.

A man strode into the hall. He wore a high crown and wide sash, his face handsome but twisted with arrogance. He didn’t bow. He didn’t greet anyone. He walked straight to an empty table, sat down, and slammed his hand on the wood.

“Wine! Meat! Hurry up!” he barked at the serving girls. “I have serious business to attend to after I eat.”

As he shouted, he turned his head and shot a glare at Qi Yuan—a look filled with undisguised aggression and battle lust.

Who is this clown? Qi Yuan wondered.

A voice transmission from Piao Genshuo suddenly buzzed in his ear, sounding urgent.

“Brother Qi! That’s Ji Tianpeng, the Holy Scion of Purple Sun! He’s here for you. My advice? Eat fast and get out the back door. Do not accept his challenge. The guy is a lunatic…”