Chapter 163: Nalan Hongwu Falls into the Pit

At that moment, Nalan Hongwu and Old Fu strode in from the outside.

Almost the instant Nalan Hongwu crossed the threshold, An Huwei and his companions followed closely behind.

Furthermore, a few customers who had previously wanted to wait until Dong Qingli and her party finished before deciding whether to watch also drew near, their interest piqued.

Nalan Hongwu’s eyes fell squarely upon the text inscribed on the small blackboard: "Today’s New Arrival?"

"Zhu Xian?" Nalan Hongwu stroked his beard, musing aloud, "What a grand and imposing title."

"And what exactly is a television series?" he inquired.

Fang Qi promptly repeated the explanation he had just given to Dong Qingli and the others.

"A novel where one can experience the true scenes firsthand...? Are you saying..." Nalan Hongwu cast a glance at Dong Qingli, Ye Xiaoye, and the rest standing nearby. "You have all finished watching it?"

"How was it?! Is it worth these few spirit crystals?" From behind, An Huwei stepped forward as well. "With such an arrogant title, could it possibly be even more impressive than the Legend of Sword and Fairy?"

"Whether it surpasses the Legend of Sword and Fairy, I cannot say." Dong Qingli had not yet reached the later stages of the game, after all, but having just finished four episodes of *Zhu Xian*, her heart was still pounding with excitement. "However, the Qingyun Sect within *Zhu Xian* is truly magnificent! Patriarch Qingye's swordplay has reached absolute perfection, a realm of divine mastery! I reckon he is scarcely any different from a true immortal! What is more, one can actually observe the sword techniques of a master like Daoist Qingye up close!"

"To think such a thing is possible?!" The group felt their interest stir. To behold a battle between supreme masters of such caliber was a privilege that wealth alone could never purchase.

This was especially true for the likes of An Huwei and Nalan Hongwu; the higher their realm, the harder it became to advance. If they could witness the battles of ancient, exalted cultivators and glean even a shred of comprehension from them, it would be worth any price.

Indeed, this was their very purpose when playing games like Sword and Fairy; otherwise, mere numerical progression would not have held such a powerful allure.

"Of course!" At this, Ye Xiaoye chimed in with pride, "And the plot is utterly riveting. I feel it won't lose to the Legend of Sword and Fairy at all!"

"Furthermore, the Virtual Cinema has a new feature that allows you to eat snacks while you watch—it is extraordinary!" Dong Qingli added. "You can enjoy today's new item, 'Cola,' while immersing yourself in *Zhu Xian*. The games don't have this function!"

Nalan Hongwu and An Huwei found their resolve swaying. They exchanged a look: "Shall we... take a look?"

"Let us see it," Ouyang Zhen agreed. "The new offerings in the Proprietor's shop are generally trustworthy."

Without further ado, the men paid their fees, each took a bottle of Cola, and found their seats.

"Ah...! This taste is exhilarating!" Before the viewing had even commenced, An Huwei took a preliminary sip. "The mouthfeel resembles Sprite, yet the flavor is richer, deeper, and lingers longer! Excellent! Excellent!"

"To think that after Sprite vanished, we now have Cola!" Nalan Hongwu also took a draft. "A single sip of this beverage seems to wash away all gloom, leaving the mind thoroughly refreshed! Grand! Hahaha! This spirit crystal was well spent!"

"Hee-hee!" Seeing the elders begin their screening of *Zhu Xian*, Ye Xiaoye let slip a sly smile.

On the screen, *Zhu Xian* had already begun.

"Heaven and Earth are ruthless; they treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs!"

"Heaven and Earth are ruthless; they treat the myriad creatures as straw dogs?" Nalan Hongwu rolled the words over his tongue, pondering their hidden meaning. He found them profoundly enigmatic; though seemingly simple on the surface, the resonant, bell-like voice echoing in his ears made them feel like the ultimate truths of the Great Dao!

This single sentence was also the opening line of the "Heavenly Tome" within *Zhu Xian*!

The first episode was, naturally, the most spectacular. It chronicled the decline of the Qingyun Sect up to the miraculous rise of Patriarch Qingye. Though it spanned but a single episode, it bore witness to the rise and fall of a great sect over more than two millennia!

As time flowed on, the Qingyun Sect emerged as the undisputed number one sect beneath the heavens. At that juncture, the vision shifted, settling upon two young boys.

These unfolding tapestries of an unseen history, combined with the sensory immersion of the experience, felt like a journey of the soul. As they became deeply engrossed in the narrative, these men—who had already climbed to the peak of the mortal mountain—felt as though they had returned to the foothills, undergoing a renewed baptism of the spirit.

Unlike the game, here they could perceive everything yet alter nothing, remaining mere bystanders observing the trajectory of lives in another world.

Some were born extraordinary, while others were born dull and slow.

When they watched the two youths take their first steps into the Qingyun Sect...

With such vast differences in talent and temperament, where would their destinies ultimately lead them?

"It is indeed brilliant...!" Such was the thought that resonated within their minds.

Just as they were watching intently, subconsciously sipping their Cola and losing themselves in deep reflection, the view before them...

Went black!

"What is the meaning of this?!" Nalan Hongwu stared at the words 'To learn what happens next, tune in to the next chapter' appearing before him, nearly spraying his mouthful of Cola across the screen!

An Huwei and the others were equally dumbfounded. They checked the Virtual Cinema interface: "One, two, three, four? All finished?"

"Wait... I finished watching it all, but it feels like it has only just begun?!"

Nalan Hongwu sat in a daze for a long while before coming to his senses. He slapped the table forcefully: "Kid Fang! Where is the rest of it?!"

By this time, Ye Xiaoye, Dong Qingli, and their companions had exhausted their gaming hours for the day. They peeked out from behind the computer desks in the rear, finally letting out well-meaning, amused smiles.

Fang Qi replied calmly, "Is it not written clearly right there? 'Tune in to the next chapter.' That means you must wait until next time to see the rest!"

The faces of Nalan Hongwu and An Huwei twitched simultaneously. "You ask me to wait for the next time right when it is getting good?!"

"If we are speaking of quality, every single episode of this series is good!" Fang Qi curled his lip and advised, "If I let you watch the whole thing without rest, given your advanced years, Old Master, what happens if you drop dead of exhaustion in my internet cafe?"

Nalan Hongwu’s face grew darker still. "Mind your tongue! You’re the one who’s going to drop dead in an internet cafe!"

Nalan Hongwu cursed silently in his heart. Had it been in accordance with his past temperament, he would have drawn his blade and struck the boy down long ago!

An Huwei interjected, "Then at least tell us, when can we watch the continuation?"

"Two episodes will update tomorrow!" Fang Qi stated.

An Huwei's face contorted in frustration. "We have to wait until tomorrow?! Can you not at least let this Lord see what becomes of Xiao Fan first? Was he accepted into the Qingyun Sect or not?!"

"If you ask this old man, he certainly was not!" Nalan Hongwu countered. "The boy is dull-witted and clumsy! How could a great sect of cultivators accept such a student? Unless he encounters a master by pure chance, much like Li Xiaoyao did?"

"No, no, that cannot be right!" An Huwei argued. "Old Master, Li Xiaoyao possessed peerless talent. How can this Zhang Xiao Fan possibly compare to him?!"

Nalan Hongwu slapped the table in utter annoyance. "Whatever the case, you brat, just let us finish watching it!"

By this time, the internet cafe was growing increasingly crowded. By the time Ye Songtao, Xue Daolv, and the others brought their disciples through the door, there were scarcely any seats left.