Chapter 8: Live Well

“Roar, roar, roar… Wolf Howl Kill~”

The Heavenly Demon Wolf King let out a deafening howl, its sharp claws slashing forward at an unbelievable speed.

Swish, swish, swish…

In that single instant, its claws slashed a hundred times. Space itself seemed to be torn, leaving behind black scratch marks.

After recovering her strength, Xu Lingqing was far stronger than Chen Anping had imagined. Wielding the Yellow-rank Iron Sword from the sign-in reward, she actually went head-to-head against the Heavenly Demon Wolf King’s Wolf Howl Kill.

Chen Anping watched the game screen, his finger hovering over the newly popped-up top-up button, not daring to move.

If anything happened to Xu Lingqing, he would spend the money without hesitation to save her life.

But the outcome of the battle was something Chen Anping had never expected. Xu Lingqing’s proficient combat skills were almost heartbreaking to watch.

The speed of the Heavenly Demon Wolf King’s slashes was dazzling even to Chen Anping, who was watching from outside the screen.

But Xu Lingqing was able to skillfully block the opponent’s attacks, so much so that after blocking a hundred slashes, she only had a few more scratches on her body.

Then, the Heavenly Demon Wolf King stared intently at this unfamiliar young woman.

“A mere Body Tempering realm cultivator actually has such proficient combat skills?”

‘Senior,’ I will not disappoint you!

Xu Lingqing spat on the ground. “Let’s keep fighting. I’m not afraid of you!”

The Heavenly Demon Wolf King burst out laughing upon hearing this.

“Jyejyejye… since you want to die, then I’ll let you know what a real gap in power is!”

The Body Tempering realm was the entry-level for cultivators on the path of cultivation. At this stage, one had only just begun to touch upon the mysteries of cultivation.

Combat techniques were nothing more than fists, feet, and weapons, with no flashy moves.

Only upon reaching the Origin Opening realm, with more than ten specks of spiritual rhyme in the body, could one use spiritual rhyme to form shockwaves to attack enemies.

The Heavenly Demon Wolf King opened its mouth wide, sucking in the surrounding world’s energy.

Suddenly, a black energy orb with destructive power shot out from its blood-red maw, threatening to engulf Xu Lingqing.

“Demon Wolf Annihilation! Die for me!”

The Heavenly Demon Wolf King let out a furious roar towards the sky.

Xu Lingqing’s previously firm conviction instantly crumbled. The reflection of the black light orb filled her eyes, and a wisp of despair welled up in her heart.

Seeing this, Chen Anping’s finger tapped to spend another six yuan without hesitation.

“You will not bully my e-girlfriend!”

Xu Lingqing’s figure instantly vanished from her spot.

The Heavenly Demon Wolf King arrogantly wagged its tail, its face filled with the joy of a victor.

The Shadow-Roaming Azure Bat, having witnessed the battle from mid-air, couldn’t help but mock.

“You stupid wolf, she already ran away!”

“Ran away? A mere Body Tempering realm cultivator could never escape my Demon Wolf Annihilation!”

The Heavenly Demon Wolf King’s jaw seemed to drop. It scanned its surroundings, but there was no trace of her.

…

Xu Lingqing was teleported to the outskirts of Stillness Ridge.

Beside her was a small pond, surrounded by sparsely growing, withered yellow grass and trees.

They survived tenaciously in the harsh environment, like a few decorative touches left by a mighty figure’s brush on this barren land.

Xu Lingqing knelt by the pond and washed the bloodstains from her face, revealing her fair cheeks.

This was the first time Chen Anping had gotten a good look at her face. Xu Lingqing’s fairness was more natural than that of modern women who wore makeup. Her cheekbones were slightly high, her features like they were carved from ice and jade, giving off an ethereal and cold luster.

“Senior, was it you who saved me?”

[Yes.]

“Then what about my dantian?”

[Yes!]

“I… how can I ever repay you…”

Chen Anping watched the game screen, stroking his chin and getting carried away. “Tch, tch, how about you repay me with your body?”

[Live a good life!]

Xu Lingqing shook her head, confused. “Does Senior mean you’re afraid I’ll be a burden to you?”

Chen Anping was at a loss for words for a moment, then explained in a panic.

“No, it’s just that I’m afraid I won’t be here in ten days. At that time, you’ll be bullied by bad people, and I…”

[Not at all. I have important matters to attend to!]

“Pfft, Senior, don’t worry, go do your own thing. Lingqing can take good care of herself!”

Xu Lingqing lowered her gaze, her eyes clear, a silent smile blooming from the bottom of her heart.

A cultivator as powerful as ‘Senior’ must be suppressing powerful demonic beasts for the Firo Continent.

Or perhaps helping the Firo Continent defend against enemies from other continents, or maybe he was busy accompanying his dao companion…

Xu Lingqing’s face turned slightly red. Just as her imagination was running wild about what important matters Chen Anping had to attend to.

The sound of hurried footsteps came from not far away, accompanied by the faint scent of medicine.

Smelling that familiar medicinal scent, the corner of Xu Lingqing’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

It’s you!

She gripped the iron sword engraved with the characters ‘Ling Qing’ in her hand, a furious flame burning in her heart.

A few breaths later, four men in long cloaks rushed over, stopping behind her.

Muyang took off his bamboo hat, his face revealing a greedy expression. His eyes, like a dark pool on a cold night, stared at Xu Lingqing’s back.

“Beauty, all alone?”

Xu Lingqing didn’t speak, but Muyang gave a sinister look to the three men beside him, who then began to close in on her from three directions.

“Since you’re all alone in this wilderness, then you should serve us brothers well!”

A savage smile appeared on Muyang’s lips, and he reached out a hand to grab at Xu Lingqing.

Suddenly, the sharp tip of a sword thrust out from a tricky angle, pointing at his throat.

Muyang’s reaction was extremely fast. He lifted the ball of his foot and shot backward several steps, dodging the sword strike.

After steadying himself, he looked at the familiar face.

This…

Muyang’s mind was in chaos. He didn’t know what was going on and asked in confusion.

“Xu Lingqing, weren’t your meridians already severed and your cultivation crippled by the inner court’s dean? How can you still be alive!”

Xu Lingqing let out a loud laugh. “Hahaha, Senior Brother Muyang, what you said is so ‘right’!”

Muyang didn’t react for a moment. He stood on his usual high horse and proclaimed arrogantly.

“Junior Sister, since you’re still alive, then Senior Brother will take you back to Jialan Academy. I’ll take care of you just like before!”

Xu Lingqing’s smile grew even colder, and the hand holding the sword made a ‘creaking’ sound.

“Take me back to Jialan Academy? Then should I also thank my good Senior Brother?”

Muyang composed his awkward expression and scratched his head.

“No need for thanks. It’s just that my medicine garden has been short a helper recently. If you come help me, I’ll give you two Minor Rejuvenation Pills as a reward.”

Xu Lingqing recalled the painful scene, and her expression instantly turned frosty. A cold glint flashed from the edge of her sword.

“No need. I don’t care for your things!”

Muyang continued to persuade her nonchalantly.

“I say, Junior Sister, don’t you know the old saying? To get something, you have to suffer a little. It’s a blessing in disguise. After all, you did learn some of my alchemy skills.”

[Hint! If you let Muyang return to Jialan Academy, Xu Lingqing will face an uncontrollable crisis.]

[End of Chapter]