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

Chapter 256: My Family’s Patriarch is Currently Cultivating the Turtle Breathing Life-Nourishing Technique

Qi Yuan was already moving. The instant Shen Xingxuan lunged at him, he skipped back, opening the distance between them. It only took one sentence to instantly douse the frenzied blonde cat’s murderous rage.

“Senior Sister Shen, hold your fire. Let’s not forget about a certain Heavenly Dao Oath.”

Shen Xingxuan froze mid-pounce. Her flawless, porcelain face rapidly drained of color, then flushed an angry green. She squeezed her eyes shut, drawing in several deep, ragged breaths to forcefully suppress the urge to strangle him.

She had indeed sworn a Heavenly Dao Oath: she could never initiate an attack against the man standing before her. Violating it meant facing the immediate, soul-shattering backlash of the Heavenly Dao itself.

At the time, she thought she had left herself a loophole. If she couldn’t kill him, she could just casually order someone else to do it. Given her exalted status, a single vague hint would have her lackeys lining up to assassinate a lowly disciple. But this scumbag had anticipated her loophole. By holding onto that scandalous recording talisman, he had created the ultimate deterrent. As long as that footage existed, she didn’t dare use proxies to eliminate “Big Qi,” terrified that his death might trigger the release of her humiliating secret.

What infuriated her even more was that “Big Qi’s” physical prowess was downright monstrous. Even if she threw caution to the wind and tried to drag him down with her in a suicidal attack at this close range, the most likely outcome was that the ‘jade’ (her) would shatter while the ‘stone’ (him) remained completely intact…

It was absolutely maddening!

Realizing how thoroughly she had been checkmated, her chest heaved with stifled frustration. Seeing Qi Yuan standing there with that calm, ‘I-own-you’ smirk on his face only stoked the fire. She ground her teeth together.

“You lecherous bastard. What exactly do you want?”

Seeing her looking so thoroughly aggrieved, Qi Yuan feigned a sigh of reluctance. He casually brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve. “Senior Sister Shen, please don’t look at me like that. Everything I’ve done has been strictly for self-preservation. As long as we mind our own business, why would I waste my energy provoking you? I am a man of stellar moral character and impeccable reputation. Think about it—have you heard even a whisper of gossip regarding that day?”

Shen Xingxuan narrowed her beautiful eyes, studying him intensely. Slowly, the rigid tension in her shoulders loosened.

While his claim of ‘stellar moral character’ was pure, unadulterated bullshit, he was tight-lipped. Not a single rumor had leaked, and he hadn’t used the talisman to extort anything from her until today. In a twisted way, he had actually kept his word.

“You had better remember what you just said.” The dark storm clouds between her brows finally began to clear. Pressing her pink lips together, she adopted a stern, serious tone. “Also, you are about to enter Miluo Palace and become Master’s personal disciple. Every word and action of yours will reflect upon the Sect Leader of The Saint Sect. I expect you to rein in your behavior. Do not bring shame to Master’s name.”

She wasn’t just being difficult. The bastard was simply too arrogant. If his actions as an Outer Sect Disciple were any indication, he was a lawless agent of chaos. He had casually blackmailed her, a Legacy Disciple, while he was still a nobody! If she didn’t warn him now, heaven only knew what kind of apocalyptic disaster he’d cause next.

A strange light flickered in Qi Yuan’s eyes. A sly smile crept onto his face. “Senior Sister makes an excellent point. Actually, there is one small matter I’d like to trouble you with.”

“A favor?” Shen Xingxuan immediately went on the defensive, her delicate brows knitting together. Is this lecher finally showing his true colors? Is he going to demand something indecent?

“Indeed.” Qi Yuan gave her soft, slender waist and trembling legs a quick, appreciative once-over before leaning in close, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “To be perfectly honest, I’m used to a leisurely lifestyle. I despise being tied down by strict rules. Senior Sister, I need you to think of a way to convince the Sect Leader to revoke her offer. Just letting me be a regular Legacy Disciple would be perfect…”

His warm breath brushed against her sensitive ear, sending a visible shiver down her spine. She started to jerk away, but the sheer absurdity of his request anchored her in place. She stared at him, her beautiful eyes blown wide in disbelief.

“You… you don’t want to become Master’s disciple? Master is the Sect Leader of The Saint Sect! Countless geniuses would break their own skulls for a chance to study under her, and you want to refuse?!”

Qi Yuan merely shrugged, as if discussing the weather. “People have different aspirations. If others want to kiss the Sect Leader’s boots, that’s their business. I have zero interest in the position. If Senior Sister is willing to pull some strings, I would be eternally grateful.”

Shen Xingxuan stared at him as if he had sprouted a second head. Then, her expression hardened with absolute, fanatical seriousness.

“You are delusional. No one changes Master’s mind once it is set. You can bury that thought right now. Since Master has spoken, your only option is to obediently march into Miluo Palace, or face eternal damnation. Do not think that just because you cleared the Moluo God-Slaughtering Tower you can look down on the world! Once you truly understand her, you will realize that Master is not just the pride of The Saint Sect… she is the most terrifying genius in the entire history of Cultivation!”

For some inexplicable reason, seeing this man treat the supreme glory of Miluo Palace like a chore ignited a fierce protective instinct in her chest. She completely forgot that just five minutes ago, she wanted nothing more than to murder him.

“Alright, fine,” Qi Yuan sighed, clearly disappointed that his easy out was blocked.

With him still leaning in so close, the skin on her elegant neck prickled. Only then did Shen Xingxuan realize how incredibly intimate their posture looked. Her flawless face flooded with crimson. Like she had just touched a live wire, she scrambled backward several steps.

“The Ji Clan Ancestor’s birthday banquet is starting! You need to get over there!” Throwing the sentence at him, she turned and fled in a complete panic.

Qi Yuan watched her sprint away, shaking his head with a troubled sigh. If even Shen Xingxuan couldn’t help him, it seemed he was doomed to become the demonic Sect Leader’s personal disciple.

Whatever, he rationalized, quickly accepting his fate. I can go through the motions. “Big Qi” is the one selling his soul to the darkness, not Qi Yuan. What does that have to do with me?

Having successfully compartmentalized his moral crisis, he looked up—only to find dozens of nearby guests staring at the pavilion. Their expressions ranged from scandalized to deeply impressed.

What are they looking at? Qi Yuan wondered. He considered asking, but checking the time, he realized he’d be late if he didn’t find the Ji Clan’s steward immediately. Pushing the strange looks to the back of his mind, he hurried toward the main reception area.

Shortly after, he spotted Granny Qi.

The woman Ji Chan’er had mentioned was a plump, stout old woman draped in luxurious silks. Despite her elderly, unassuming appearance, the ambient spiritual pressure radiating from her marked her as a genuine Soul Formation cultivator—the Ji Clan’s Deputy Steward.

Upon seeing the token Ji Chan’er had provided, Granny Qi immediately escorted him toward a lavish side hall.

“Young Master Qi,” she instructed softly as they walked, “once your identity is registered here, you may proceed to pay your respects to the Ancestor. However, I must inform you that our Patriarch is currently cultivating the ‘Turtle Breathing Life-Nourishing Technique’ and deeply dislikes speaking. You only need to bow outside the main hall; there is no need to wait for the Elder’s response.”

Turtle Breathing Life-Nourishing Technique? Qi Yuan had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from bursting into laughter. The Ji Clan Head was an absolute genius to pull that excuse out of his ass. To be fair, it was the perfect cover story. It seamlessly explained the Ji Clan Ancestor’s current comatose state without arousing a shred of suspicion.

Naturally, he had no intention of blowing their cover. He offered a polite, understanding smile.

“There is no need for that. Since Demon Venerable Ji prefers his tranquility, this Junior would not dare disturb the Elder’s cultivation. The sentiment is what matters. Please, just take me directly to my seat.”

Since he knew the old fossil was currently little more than a glorified vegetable, he had zero interest in bowing to a mascot.