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

The next day.

After leaving a letter for Bai Xirou, who was still in seclusion stabilizing her realm, Qi Yuan arrived early at the External Affairs Hall to prepare for his journey to the Exquisite Sanctuary.

Although the celebration ceremony wouldn’t begin for another half-month, the Exquisite Sanctuary was millions of miles away from the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. Even the fastest top-tier flying vessel would require nearly ten days to cross such a vast distance.

For a major diplomatic event like this, it was crucial to leave a margin for error. It was better to arrive a few days early than to risk being late and losing face.

At this moment, Qi Yuan was dressed to impress. He wore a magnificent white robe embroidered with golden threads, a Seven Treasures Mystic Dao Crown upon his head, cloud-patterned boots on his feet, and a jade belt wrapped around his waist. He looked dignified, elegant, and radiated an extraordinary aura.

As the newly appointed Holy Scion representing the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, his every word and action reflected the sect’s image. Naturally, he couldn’t dress like a hobo.

Fortunately, Qi Yuan was naturally handsome. With the added buff of the “Holy Scion Starter Pack,” he cleaned up quite nicely, drawing frequent, lingering glances from many female disciples along the way.

As soon as he reached the entrance of the External Affairs Hall, a plump, round-faced elder hurried over to greet him, his face wreathed in smiles.

“Reporting to the Holy Scion: The Supreme Mystery Treasure Ship and all ceremonial guards are ready. The accompanying disciples have also assembled. We await your command to depart at any time.”

The speaker was Song Cheng, the Hall Master of the External Affairs Hall. Despite his kindly, amiable appearance, he was a genuine Void Refinement realm expert responsible for the sect’s foreign affairs.

Daoist Hengzhen hadn’t intended for Qi Yuan to travel alone; he had assigned him to lead an entire delegation. After all, if the Holy Scion showed up solo to deliver a gift, it would look cheap. A grand entrance was required to display the prestige of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary.

“Thank you for your hard work, Hall Master Song,” Qi Yuan nodded with a warm smile. “I have no further issues. Let us depart.”

According to the sect’s arrangements, Hall Master Song Cheng was also part of the traveling party. However, even though Song Cheng’s cultivation at the peak of the Void Refinement realm far surpassed Qi Yuan’s, he was essentially just a deputy handling logistics.

For this diplomatic mission, Qi Yuan—as the Holy Scion—held the final say on all matters, big or small.

“As you command,” Song Cheng responded respectfully. “Please wait a moment, Holy Scion. This subordinate will immediately arrange for everyone to board.”

Song Cheng cupped his hands, then turned and strode toward a group of External Affairs Hall disciples, his voice booming.

“By order of the Holy Scion! Everyone board the ship immediately and prepare for departure!”

On a nearby platform, a massive golden treasure ship lay at anchor.

The ship was hundreds of zhang long, majestic and magnificent, its hull shimmering with radiant light. Dense, intricate spirit patterns covered every inch of its surface, faintly emanating waves of terrifying spiritual pressure.

This was the Supreme Mystery Treasure Ship, a unique vessel forged by the sect’s master artifact smiths. It was equipped with specialized arrays for defense, offense, shielding, and speed. The cost of building just one was enough to bankrupt a medium-sized sect.

As the disciples began to board, Qi Yuan’s gaze swept over the crowd. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure trying to blend in.

“How the hell did he sneak in here?”

Qi Yuan muttered under his breath, his expression turning strange. He walked straight up to the suspicious figure and said solemnly:

“Senior Brother, did you think I wouldn’t recognize you just because you’re wearing a hat?”

Caught red-handed, Lu Changfeng rubbed his nose awkwardly.

“Junior Brother… I didn’t expect you to spot me even dressed like this. Sharp eyes!”

Qi Yuan looked him up and down, speechless.

Lu Changfeng was wearing a light green robe that he had apparently stolen from somewhere. Although it bore the insignia of an External Affairs Hall disciple, it was clearly several sizes too small, fitting him like a tight crop top. The fact that he could even force it on was a testament to the malleability of a Nascent Soul cultivator’s physique.

Even more absurd was his lack of effort. He hadn’t bothered to alter his facial features, simply pulling a matching green hood over his head that barely covered half his face.

Standing among a crowd of bare-headed disciples, he stood out like a sore thumb—or rather, a crane standing among chickens.

Honestly, if you’re going to disguise yourself, at least show some professional respect. Do you really think I’m blind?

Qi Yuan knew exactly why Hall Master Song Cheng hadn’t exposed such an obvious intruder. He was likely too embarrassed to call out the Sect Leader’s Head Disciple in public.

Qi Yuan shook his head helplessly. “I made it very clear yesterday. Master does not agree to you going to the Exquisite Sanctuary. As disciples, how can we willfully defy our Master’s orders?”

“Ahem…” Lu Changfeng gave a dry laugh, then winked conspiringly. “Junior Brother, don’t be angry. Look, I’ve already hidden my identity!”

“I’m not going as the Holy Scion’s Senior Brother. I’m just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill disciple in the delegation. How about you turn a blind eye? Consider it me owing you a favor?”

Qi Yuan rolled his eyes. “No. You know Master’s temper better than I do. If I let you go, I’ll be the one getting caned later.”

Hearing this, Lu Changfeng panicked. He grabbed Qi Yuan’s sleeve, his voice dropping to a plead.

“Oh, come on, Junior Brother, help me out just this once! Fairy Xiao hasn’t paid me any attention for a long time. She doesn’t even answer my transmission talismans.”

His eyes reddened slightly.

“I just want to see her from afar. Just to confirm she’s safe and well… that’s all I wish for. Please…”

Qi Yuan felt a shiver of disgust run down his spine.

Damn, this guy’s simping is on another level of pathetic.

As the number one beauty of the Righteous Path, Xiao Yueni was never short of simps. What kind of desperate licking techniques hadn’t she seen? With Lu Changfeng’s low-tier skills, even if he licked until his tongue rotted off, it would be useless!

“Sigh!”

Qi Yuan sighed, reached out, and patted Lu Changfeng’s shoulder. His tone became meaningful.

“Senior Brother, I am only responsible for handling affairs within the delegation. Everything else is beyond my purview.”

“However… as the Sect Leader’s personal disciple, if you intend to travel somewhere for a mission, you can always apply to have the Supreme Mystery Treasure Ship give you a lift along the way. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Huh?”

Lu Changfeng was stunned for a moment. Then, realization dawned on him, and his face lit up with joy.

“That’s right! I just remembered! I happen to have an important sect mission to complete! The location is Reed Flower City, right near the Exquisite Sanctuary.”

“Since it’s on the way, I’d appreciate it if you, Holy Scion Junior Brother, could do me the favor of giving me a ride.”

Qi Yuan waved his hand expressionlessly. “For such a minor matter, you can apply directly to Hall Master Song. No need to bother me with it.”

Lu Changfeng chuckled. “Thank you for the tip, Junior Brother! Senior Brother is immensely grateful and will surely repay you generously in the future!”

With that, he eagerly ran off to find Hall Master Song Cheng.

Watching his retreating, cheerful figure, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Soon, however, he relaxed into a faint smile.

Whatever. The joys of a simp are something I will never understand.

Not long after.

Swoosh!

The Supreme Mystery Treasure Ship, massive as a mountain, sliced through the void. It transformed into a streak of golden light, shooting into the sky and vanishing into the vast sea of clouds.

Inside a luxuriously decorated private cabin, Qi Yuan sat down leisurely. He silently summoned the System’s interface.

[New Task Issued]

[Background: After a difficult and hard-fought battle, with the help of Senior Sister Bai Xirou, you successfully killed the Wang Family Patriarch, Wang Tiande. However, the Falling Cloud Valley area was no longer a safe place for you to remain.]

[After leaving Reed River City, Senior Sister Bai Xirou resolved to venture out to seek the Dao, planning to return for revenge only after achieving success in her cultivation. After parting ways with her, you found yourself missing your sister, Qi Yao, and prepared to embark on a journey to the Exquisite Sanctuary.]

[Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Along the way, you received news that your family had been wiped out by demonic cultivators…]

[Task Objective: The Host must investigate the truth behind the Qi Family’s extermination and eliminate the perpetrator(s) within two months.]

[Task Difficulty: Five Stars (Extremely Difficult)]

[Task Rewards: 1500 Comeback Points, Top-grade Defensive Magical Artifact: Golden Ao Bell, New Talent: Clear Dao Heart.]

[Talent Effect – Clear Dao Heart: Once activated, it significantly fortifies the Host’s Dao Heart, enhances comprehension, and allows the Host to overcome Heart Devil intrusions in the vast majority of situations.]

[Note: This task can be abandoned. No penalty for abandonment.]

The Qi Family… wiped out?!

Staring at the freshly generated task, Qi Yuan’s eyes widened, his face filled with genuine shock.