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

Chapter 203: Two Puzzles

Just after leaving the market, Qi Yuan received an urgent message from Ji Chan’er telling him to return to the cave immediately. Her tone was unusually serious.

He quickly found a secluded spot, restored his appearance as “Big Qi,” and vanished.

Moments later, he landed in front of Ji Chan’er’s Inner Sect cave.

“Fairy Ji, I was just browsing the market. Why the rush? Did something happen?”

Ji Chan’er nodded slightly, her expression unreadable.

“Do you remember the incomplete chess game you solved at my father’s place?”

“Of course. It was just a game of Gomoku. What about it?”

Qi Yuan was puzzled. He hadn’t given it much thought. Gomoku (Five-in-a-Row) was a simple game; inventing it didn’t necessarily require a transmigrator.

Ji Chan’er didn’t seem surprised by his dismissal. She pondered for a moment before explaining.

“Actually, that chess game was a puzzle left behind by the master of an ancient ruin. It is one of three parts. The key to opening the ruin and claiming the Fated Chance inside requires solving all three.”

Two more puzzles?

Qi Yuan’s interest piqued instantly.

“Fairy Ji, what are the other two artifacts?”

“They were held by the Situ and Shen families,” Ji Chan’er said. “One is a statue of a young woman. The other is a stone tablet carved with mysterious symbols.”

“Like my family, they failed to solve their puzzles for over ten thousand years and eventually dumped them in their storerooms.”

“Recently, I handed our third of the key to the Sect Leader and suggested consolidating all three items. The Sect Leader has now requisitioned the artifacts and placed them in the Mission Hall. Any disciple can attempt to solve them. Success brings a heavy reward.”

She looked at Qi Yuan with expectant eyes.

“You solved the chess game effortlessly. That proves you have a destiny with this ruin. If you can solve the other two, you will undoubtedly attract the Sect Leader’s attention. It would be extremely beneficial for your future development.”

“So, I want to take you to the Mission Hall. There is no harm in trying.”

Qi Yuan stood there, dumbfounded.

Wait. That’s not right.

Beneficial for my future development? I don’t want to develop in the Demon Sect! I want to leave!

And attracting the Demon Sect Leader’s attention? I’m the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary! Being noticed by the ultimate boss of the opposition is a death sentence, not a reward!

He wanted to refuse, but the words died in his throat.

Ji Chan’er meant well. Besides… he really did want to see those puzzles. What if they were treasures left by a fellow transmigrator?

After a moment of thought, Qi Yuan nodded.

“Alright. Let’s go take a look.”

“Great! The Mission Hall is far away. We’ll take the internal teleportation array.”

Ji Chan’er smiled radiantly, grabbed his arm, and flew toward the nearest transport hub.

…

Not long after.

A flash of white light deposited them tens of thousands of miles away.

The Nether Fiend Sect was massive, spanning three demonic domains. Its Inner Sect alone was larger than several Earths combined. To facilitate travel, the sect operated a vast network of teleportation arrays—for a fee, of course.

Rumor had it the arrays were a cash cow run by the three great families. Nobody dared to dodge the fare. Those who tried usually evaporated.

Led by Ji Chan’er, they arrived at a colossal plaza nestled between mountain peaks. At its center stood a magnificent palace: the Mission Hall.

Bulletin boards plastered the plaza, listing tasks ranging from “Assassinate Righteous Cultivator” to “Babysit Elder’s Pet Demon Beast.”

The plaza was packed. A sea of cultivators swarmed the entrance, forming a blockade three layers deep. Everyone was here for the puzzles.

Qi Yuan clicked his tongue.

So many people. Just squeezing in will be a workout.

It made sense. Puzzle-solving relied on intellect, not cultivation. Even a weakling could dream of cracking the code and winning the jackpot. Who would admit they were too stupid to try?

Ji Chan’er glanced at the crowd. Her presence caused an immediate commotion.

“It’s Senior Sister Ji!”

“Make way! Senior Sister Ji is here!”

“Move aside! Anyone blocking her path gets killed!”

The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Disciples bowed, their faces a mix of awe and fanaticism.

Ji Chan’er ignored them, walking through the human corridor with practiced indifference.

Walking behind her, Qi Yuan felt sweat trickling down his back. The gazes directed at him were filled with naked envy, jealousy, and hatred. If looks could kill, he would have been flayed alive a thousand times.

This demoness is too popular. If our relationship gets exposed, I’ll become public enemy number one.

Fortunately, inside the hall, the atmosphere was calmer. The high-status cultivators were focused on the artifacts. They greeted Ji Chan’er politely but without the hysteria of the mob outside.

Qi Yuan spotted a familiar face.

A certain golden-haired, blue-eyed disciple was standing next to a terrifying demonic cultivator, intently studying a statue.

Ji Chan’er’s voice echoed in his ear via transmission.

“Those are the puzzles. The man standing next to Shen Xingxuan is the Mission Hall Master and an Elder of the Shen Family. Do not provoke him.”

Qi Yuan nodded and turned his gaze to the artifacts.