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

Shen Honglian narrowed her phoenix eyes, her gaze sweeping over Ji Chan’er with intense scrutiny. After a long silence, she finally gave a slight nod, her fingers absentmindedly toying with the diamond-shaped artifact.

“Speak plainly,” she commanded, her tone laced with a hint of surprise. “You did not come all this way just to deliver trinkets. What is your true aim?”

Ji Chan’er’s lips curbed into a faint, serious smile.

“My grandfather has entrusted this matter to me entirely. I believe that if the three great families remain divided, we will all suffer. But if we unite, we all prosper. Rather than exhausting ourselves in endless infighting and intrigue, why not rally under the banner of the Saint Sect and create a new era of dominance?”

She gestured to the artifact in Shen Honglian’s hand.

“Take this Fated Chance, for instance. You, Sect Leader, can step forward to collect the puzzle pieces held by the other two families. Then, the Sect can issue a public bounty mission. Let every disciple—inner and outer—participate in solving them.”

“As the saying goes, ‘One man’s plan is short, but the wisdom of the crowd is long.’ We have hundreds of thousands of disciples. Surely, someone among them can crack the code, pass the trials, and secure the remaining keys.”

She paused, her expression hardening with resolve.

“To show our sincerity, the Ji Clan offers this item to the Sect unconditionally. Our only request is that when the ruins are explored, the Ji Clan is not excluded from the expedition.”

Shen Honglian’s expression shifted, her eyes thoughtful.

If Ji Chan’er was telling the truth, this was a golden opportunity.

Over ten thousand years had passed, and neither the Shen nor the Situ clans had cracked the puzzles. The artifacts were gathering dust in their vaults. Handing them over to the Sect turned dead weight into potential profit.

If she could broker this deal, she wouldn’t just be preventing a civil war; she would be solidifying her own authority as Sect Leader. It was a move with zero downside and infinite gain.

Shen Honglian’s gaze softened, replaced by a look of genuine appreciation.

“You are truly worthy of the title ‘Phoenix Maiden’ of the Ji Clan. To possess such vision and breadth of mind at your age… it is rare.”

She nodded decisively. “This Palace agrees to your proposal!”

A gentle, almost melancholy smile touched her lips.

“Among the younger generation of the three families, few understand this truth. They only see their clans; they treat the Saint Sect as empty air.”

“They forget that without the Sect’s monstrous power shielding them, the three families would not enjoy their current glory.”

She sighed softly, looking past Ji Chan’er.

“As the Sect Leader, though I carry the blood of the Shen Clan, I refuse to practice favoritism. Over the years, many of my own kin have cursed me in the shadows, calling me ungrateful, accusing me of biting the hand that feeds.”

Hearing these candid words, Ji Chan’er felt a wave of admiration. She bowed deeply.

“The Sect Leader’s heart is open and impartial. This disciple is in awe.”

Shen Honglian waved her hand dismissively. “Is there anything else? If not, you may withdraw.”

Ji Chan’er took a deep breath. The timing was perfect.

“This disciple has one more matter to report.”

“Oh?” Shen Honglian glanced at her. “Let’s hear it.”

A flicker of nervousness passed through Ji Chan’er’s eyes, but she steeled herself.

“This disciple wishes to recommend a talent to the Sect Leader!”

“A talent?”

Shen Honglian blinked, then shook her head with a teasing laugh. “Does the Ji Clan feel it has too many geniuses on its payroll? You want to donate one to me?”

“To be honest…” Ji Chan’er gritted her teeth, deciding to be vulnerable. “This disciple carries little weight within her own family. I have no authority to recruit retainers. But you, Sect Leader—you have always been wise and mighty, with eyes that see through the dust. You will surely see his extraordinary value!”

Her position in the Ji Clan was precarious. Anyone she recruited would be targeted by her Second Uncle, the heir. But if she could get Qi Yuan under the Sect Leader’s wing before the Inheritance Hall opened in six months, he would be untouchable.

Seeing her intensity, Shen Honglian’s curiosity piqued.

“Who is this person you value so highly?”

Ji Chan’er pursed her lips and spoke with solemn gravity.

“The talent I recommend is an Outer Sect Disciple of Blood Refining Peak. His name is Big Qi.”

“His aptitude is average, but his temperament, his mind, and his methods are top-tier. With just a little support, he will become a pillar of the Saint Sect.”

“I guarantee that in the Moluo God-Slaughtering Tower trial next month, he will crush the competition and rise to become a Legacy Disciple in a single bound!”

“Big Qi…” Shen Honglian furrowed her delicate brows, testing the name.

It sounded painfully ordinary.

However, Ji Chan’er had just done the Sect a massive service. A small favor in return was effortless.

“Very well. This Palace will have someone keep an eye on this youth. If he is truly a rough diamond, I will ensure he isn’t buried in the mud.”

“This disciple thanks the Sect Leader on Big Qi’s behalf!” Ji Chan’er bowed joyfully.

After Ji Chan’er withdrew, Shen Honglian smoothed her sleeves and signaled a shadow in the corner. A maid stepped forward.

“Go to the Outer Sect. Investigate a disciple named Big Qi. I want every detail—habits, history, combat style. The more meticulous, the better.”

She paused, her eyes narrowing.

“Do it covertly. Do not alert him.”

“This servant obeys.”

As the maid vanished, Shen Honglian gazed out at the vast sea of clouds, her thoughts drifting.

I am the Lord of the Saint Sect, yet I have no true subordinates.

For this Demon Tower trial, I must find my own blades to wield. I am tired of being constrained by those old foxes on the Council.

If this Big Qi truly has the potential Ji Chan’er claims… perhaps I should take him in personally.

Of course, if he is just another mediocrity, then I will simply forget the name.

Meanwhile.

Wild Wood Valley.

Qi Yuan had no idea he had just been “shortlisted” by the terrifying Empress of the Nether Fiend Sect.

He was currently busy acting as a construction worker, rebuilding a cave dwelling for a certain disgraced “Pill God.”

Though, honestly, the title felt like a misnomer. The man was less of a “God” and more of a “Walking Hazard.”

After half a day of enthusiastic labor, the three men stood back to admire a crude, stone-hewn cave.

Liu Qi, realizing he finally didn’t have to sleep in the dirt, was moved to tears. He grabbed Qi Yuan’s sleeve, sniffling.

“Thank you! Thank you, Fellow Daoists! Your assistance has been tremendous. I, Liu Qi, will never forget this.”

He fumbled in his robes. “To express my gratitude, please accept this Life-Extending Pill! Fellow Daoist Qi, do not refuse!”

Qi Yuan stared at the green pill. This was the one that doubled your lifespan but turned you into a sloth.

He wanted to refuse. He really did. But rejecting a gift after helping build a house felt rude.

“Since you insist… I would be disrespectful to decline.”

Qi Yuan took the bottle. The moment Liu Qi looked away, he whipped out a marker, drew a giant terrifying skull on the bottle, and buried it in the deepest, darkest corner of his storage bracelet.

If he ever ate this by accident during a fight, he wouldn’t just die; he’d die in slow motion. It would be humiliating.

Liu Qi grinned, his mouth stretching wide. “Hehe, Brother Qi is truly a straightforward man!”

He then turned to Piao Genshuo, producing another bottle.

“Senior Brother Piao, you also worked hard! Here, this bottle is—”

Whoosh!

Before Liu Qi could finish, Piao Genshuo teleported tenzhang away, hugging a tree for safety. His face was a mask of pure trauma.

“Are you trying to kill me with kindness?!” Piao Genshuo screamed. “I swore an oath to the Heavens! If I ever eat another one of your pills, I’m a dog!”

Liu Qi curled his lip, disappointed. He turned back to Qi Yuan.

“Ignore him. He has no appreciation for art. Come, I’ll take you to see Senior Sister Zu. She can give you the details on the theft…”