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

Chapter 230: Could You Leave Your Name, Little Friend?

The moment they emerged from the Ji Clan Ancestor’s secluded dwelling, Ji Yuntian immediately composed himself, his expression turning warm and amiable as he addressed Qi Yuan.

“Just now, I was momentarily overcome by agitation. My conduct was abrupt, and my tone perhaps a bit too sharp. For any discourtesy, I ask that you, Little Friend, do not take it to heart.”

He was all smiles and excessive politeness, referring to himself with the humble “Ji” and showing no intent to bully the younger generation with his status. He looked the very picture of a kindly elder.

He was, for all intents and purposes, an entirely different person from the snarling, aggressive figure of moments before.

Qi Yuan wasn’t even slightly surprised. He simply waved a hand with airy nonchalance. “Clan Leader Ji was merely concerned for Senior Ji’s well-being. It was a display of profound loyalty and commendable filial piety. How could I possibly hold a grudge over such trivialities?”

Ji Yuntian’s cheek twitched, but he kept the mask of friendliness firmly in place. “Little Friend is truly straightforward and sincere—a rare talent among the youth. You are bound for greatness; one day you will surely soar to the highest heavens.”

He leaned in slightly. “Since you’ve traveled all this way, why not allow me to host a simple banquet in your honor? It is only right that I fulfill my duties as a host.”

“No need,” Qi Yuan declined flatly, his eyes narrowing. “I have urgent matters to attend to. I won’t trouble you this time. Perhaps another day.”

At this point, the mere mention of a “banquet” triggered an automatic mental image of Situ Yan’s disastrous “Hongmen Banquet.” He had developed a genuine psychological shadow regarding dinner invitations. Besides, he had zero interest in making small talk with a man of Ji Yuntian’s generation.

Ultimately, this Demonic Cultivator titan’s sudden bout of politeness was purely transactional. If Ji Yuntian didn’t still need him, Qi Yuan—an outsider with an unclear background—would have been erased from existence the moment they left that room, silenced so thoroughly that not a speck of his soul would remain.

When dealing with Demonic Cultivators, so-called friendship was the least valuable thing; it was better to just talk about benefits directly.

Sure enough, seeing Qi Yuan’s lack of interest, Ji Yuntian’s expression shifted. He quickly reached out to stop him, his tone turning grave and urgent. “Little Friend, please, do not be in such a rush. I have two more favors to ask—favors that concern the very future of the Ji Clan. I hope you can find it in your heart to grant them.”

He straightened his robes, his face a mask of absolute sincerity. “Of course, I would never ask you to toil for nothing. State your conditions. As long as it is within the Ji Clan’s power, we shall not refuse.”

“Oh?” Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth curling upward. “Clan Leader Ji, if you have business, just say it. No need for the theatrics.”

Ji Yuntian’s eyes flickered with a brief struggle before he gritted his teeth and spoke. “First, I hope that once you leave, you will not utter a single word regarding the Ancestor’s physical state to anyone.”

“And most importantly,” he continued, his voice dropping an octave, “I must trouble you to contact that Pill Dao Master once more. Ask him for a solution—an antidote, if you will—to the side effects of the Prolonging Life Pill.”

To prove his determination, Ji Yuntian stared deeply into Qi Yuan’s eyes. “If you can achieve these two things, my family will pay any price. My word is my bond!”

Qi Yuan let out a soft chuckle and gave a meaningful nod. “It’s possible. However, that Master is a recluse; he appears and disappears like a dragon in the clouds. Even I need a stroke of luck just to catch a glimpse of him. You’ll have to be patient, Clan Leader.”

He paused, his eyes gleaming. “As for the payment… it’s simple. Permit me to enter the Ji Clan’s family treasure vault and freely select three items. Do we have a deal?”

In truth, Qi Yuan was confident he could have retrieved the Immortal Cauldron fragment using his Earth Evasion Technique. But why bother with the risk when he could walk through the front door as a guest? He was a righteous disciple, after all; if a few words could get him what he wanted, there was no need to sneak around.

The demand for three items was a deliberate smokescreen. If he walked in and asked for a specific piece of “useless” scrap metal, Ji Yuntian would immediately suspect the fragment’s significance, leading to unnecessary complications.

“You want to pick from the vault?” Ji Yuntian blinked, then nodded without a second thought. A hint of relief actually colored his voice. “Of course! I will personally escort you there right now.”

“Anything within the vault is yours for the taking. I only ask that you do not forget your promise regarding the Ancestor.”

To Ji Yuntian, this was a bargain. The Ji Clan’s heritage was ancient, and their accumulated wealth was immense. The “family vault” held vast quantities of Spirit Stones and artifacts, but they were mostly replaceable commodities. The true, irreplaceable heirlooms were either in the ancestral temple or kept on the persons of the Ancestor and the Clan Leader. They weren’t left to collect dust in a warehouse.

Compared to the Ancestor’s recovery, three random items were a pittance. He didn’t trust this young man at all—especially after the earlier incident—but he had to cling to the only hope he had left.

“Excellent. Lead the way, then.”

With the Clan Leader himself as his guide, Qi Yuan strolled into the heavily guarded vault without any obstruction.

Facing the glittering array of rare treasures, Qi Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony. He moved with purpose, quickly selecting a Top Grade Dharma Treasure: the Yin-Yang Void-Shattering Seal, a formidable offensive weapon. Next, he grabbed a bottle containing a single Azure Spirit Obstacle-Breaking Pill.

He had been harassed by illusions far too often lately, and he still had two 10,000-year Phantom Star Fruits in his possession. This Saint-grade Pill was the perfect counter; by holding it in his mouth while using the fruit, he could unleash the illusion without falling victim to it himself. It was a shame the vault only had one, but it was better than nothing.

Seeing the visible wince on Ji Yuntian’s face as he claimed these high-tier items, Qi Yuan knew his choices were solid.

Finally, putting on an air of having had enough, he casually wandered over to a corner and scooped up the Immortal Cauldron fragment. He tucked it away as if it were a mere curiosity.

“Many thanks for the hospitality, Clan Leader Ji. My three items are chosen. Farewell.”

Qi Yuan turned to leave, but Ji Yuntian’s voice stopped him.

“One moment. Might I ask for your name? I would like to remember the man who aided us. Should you ever have need of us, the Ji Clan will do its utmost to assist you.”

“My real name is inconvenient. But for now, Clan Leader Ji… you may call me Pangolin.”

Without another word, he vanished from the vault in a blur of movement.

“Pangolin?”

Ji Yuntian stared at the empty doorway, his brow furrowed as he slipped into deep, suspicious thought.