Chapter 70: Mood Adjustment

"Sir, if I may interject," Fang Qi said, his voice dropping to a low cadence. "When chastising your daughter, it is best to weigh right from wrong. Playing games here is not a matter of idle pleasure; it actually bolsters one's strength and practical combat experience."

"I shall settle accounts with you shortly!" Ye Songtao snapped, glaring coldly at Fang Qi with a darkened expression.

The corner of Fang Qi’s mouth twitched slightly as he shrugged.

Nearby, the subtle reminder kindled a brilliant spark in Ye Xiaoye’s eyes. "The proprietor speaks the truth! This Diablo can truly increase one’s strength and benefit cultivation—it even contains quite a few fascinating spells! To say nothing of how it sharpens my combat instincts!"

"And what does cultivating within the sect yield? Blindly working behind closed doors! When real trouble strikes, how much of that prowess can one actually deploy?!"

"Though I am playing here, my cultivation has not lagged behind in the slightest!" Ye Xiaoye declared with righteous indignation. "To your eyes it appears as mere play, but in truth, I am studying!"

"At this very moment, I am delving into the mysteries of the Ice Armor, a remarkably formidable defensive art! As for combat experience and cultivation, if Father does not believe it, you are welcome to test me and see if this young lady has not made great strides!"

"Spoken well!" Intrigued by her words, the eyes of several onlookers brightened in unison.

"Hiss—?!" What manner of situation was this?

Ye Songtao’s face contorted violently. To think that mere play could augment one's strength? That it could elevate combat experience?

Appearing to play, yet in truth studying?

Did he look like an utter fool?

Promptly seizing his daughter’s wrist, Ye Songtao channeled a thread of spiritual energy to investigate, only to discover that her cultivation had indeed achieved a noticeable advancement in a remarkably brief span of time!

Could such a marvel truly exist?

Just how did one play to achieve an increase in strength?

"Young lady," Nalan Hongwu spoke up, "hearing of a thing is empty, while seeing it is truth. If he harbors doubts, let your father try his hand at it as well. Right and wrong will naturally distinguish themselves."

The moment Ye Songtao’s gaze fell upon the speaker, a sudden tremor struck his heart!

He could sense an aura emanating from the elder that was as vast as an abyss and as deep as the ocean, utterly unfathomable!

An aura of this magnitude was something he had only ever encountered upon his own father, the Supreme Elder of the Cloud Ocean Sect!

To think his strength was so incomprehensibly profound!

"Could it be that the girl's strength increased... because she received instruction from such a senior?" Ye Songtao’s mind grew increasingly incredulous.

"Do not overthink it," Nalan Hongwu chuckled, gently stroking his beard. "This old man is merely a customer of this small establishment."

Hearing Nalan Hongwu’s words, Ye Xiaoye’s eyes grew even brighter. Tugging at Ye Songtao’s sleeve, she said, "Father, if you remain unconvinced, you can try it yourself to see if my words ring true!"

"Did anyone ask for your interjection?!" Ye Songtao glared at her fiercely.

Yet in truth, Ye Songtao felt as though a tempest of the highest order had ravaged his mind, leaving his thoughts in utter disarray!

What on earth was going on?

If his daughter spoke the truth...

By all accounts, it ought to be true; he understood his own daughter's disposition well enough, and moreover, an elder of such staggering power had no reason to fabricate lies.

The problem remained: from whence did such a formidable little shop emerge?

His gaze flicked toward Yun Lian, evidently still harboring a measure of skepticism, though his countenance remained solemn and majestic, betraying no sign of his inner turmoil.

Seizing the moment, Yun Lian spoke: "Reporting to the Sect Master, this disciple truly discovered this excellent locus and intended to investigate it thoroughly before presenting a report to the Sect Master!"

"And have you investigated it thoroughly?!" Ye Songtao demanded in a low, severe tone.

"Not yet..." Observing the darkening of Ye Songtao’s expression, Yun Lian hastily added, "But this disciple can guarantee that every word Junior Sister has uttered is absolute truth!"

"Are you aware of the consequences you must bear if even half a word of what you say now proves false?!" Ye Songtao said coldly.

"Every word from this disciple is true; there is absolutely no intention of shields or favoritism!"

"Very well! This Master shall test it!" Ye Songtao said chillingly.

"Proprietor! Activate another Diablo!" Ye Xiaoye cried out in excitement.

Following the instructions, Ye Songtao took his seat before the screen, his expression solemn.

What manner of game could possibly increase strength, teach spells, and enhance combat experience?

How could such a wondrous thing exist beneath the heavens?

Guided by the crowd, he soon crossed the threshold into the game.

"Father! Go this way to accept the quest!"

"Move, move, move—now we go to clear the Den of Evil!"

"Indeed, slay the shaman first, and clear out that Corpsefire!"

"Fellow Daoist, your maneuvering is quite adept!" An Huwei and the others had also gathered to watch the display.

"Father, study the ice element! The damage is high, and it slows the enemy!"

Under Ye Xiaoye’s tutelage, Ye Songtao advanced with unstoppable momentum.

"Hiss—!" Ye Songtao drew a deep breath, his voice laced with astonishment. "This game... it seems it truly possesses merit!"

As he began to learn skills and acquire new, exquisite pieces of equipment, the divine light in Ye Songtao’s eyes burned even brighter.

"This game truly seems capable of elevating strength and combat experience... and it is remarkably engaging to boot..."

"Er... daughter, where does one obtain this particular scroll?" Ye Songtao began to inquire of his own accord. "And why is this equipment so difficult to come by? Since you play as well, hand your father some gear first..."

Evidently, Ye Songtao had succumbed to the allure.

Yet it was at this precise moment that Fang Qi spoke: "This establishment... is about to close."

"What? Closing already?!"

Ye Songtao nearly coughed up blood from the sheer frustration!

What was the meaning of this? Was it intentional?! Just as his interest was fully piqued, the shop was to close?

Fang Qi shrugged. "Closing at midnight, treating young and old with equal honesty."

"...!!" Ye Songtao finally recognized the immense value of these devices and hastily inquired, "Are these artifacts for sale?"

"Before you, many have already posed that question," Fang Qi replied expressionlessly. "Aside from the items listed on the small blackboard, this shop engages in no other business. If you wish to play, come early tomorrow!"

Immediately following his words, he beheld the screen, where the game automatically saved and exited!

Ye Songtao’s face twitched violently!

In that instant, he felt an overwhelming urge to strike someone!

...

That night.

"Could it be that the Sect Master has vanished as well?!"

The hour was late, and a heavy silence draped the grand hall of the Cloud Ocean Sect’s temporary residence.

Elder Li’s countenance was terrifyingly grim.

It was one matter for the disciples to leave and never return, but for the Sect Master to depart for so long without a word?

What under heaven was transpiring?

Just as this foreboding thought crystallized in his mind, he finally caught sight of several long-awaited figures emerging outside the grand hall.

"Elder Li! Tomorrow morning, summon the disciples with the greatest potential in our sect. I shall personally lead them out to play—er... cough, cough..." Ye Songtao cleared his throat twice, trying to mask his embarrassment after nearly letting the truth slip. "I shall personally lead them out for experiential learning!"

...

Fang Qi glanced at the tasks provided by the system:

Task: Sell 80 copies of Diablo II Act I

Progress: 50/80

Task Reward: Diablo II Virtual Reality Remastered Act III

Task: Total playtime of Diablo II players reaches 789/1000

Task Reward: Legend of Sword and Fairy 1 Virtual Reality Remastered

As the number of Diablo players gradually increased, the progress of the playtime task was also accelerating. By Fang Qi's conservative estimate, it would likely be completed by tomorrow evening.

Right at that moment, the system notification chime rang out.

New Task 1: Expand the Shop

Task Description: The average occupancy rate of this internet cafe has exceeded 90%. Please look for a new shop location.

Task Reward: 50 to 100 sets of computers and supporting facilities

New Task 2: State of Mind Adjustment

Task Description: Rapid growth in strength and long hours of in-game slaughter have begun to affect the host's state of mind. Please consciously adjust your mentality.

Task Reward: Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream (Summer Supply Only)

"...Affecting my state of mind? How come I haven't noticed?!" Fang Qi looked at the system task in confusion. "How am I supposed to adjust this thing?"

The system task bar quickly displayed an answer: "In the initial stage, you can do some relaxing and pleasant things."

"Relaxing and pleasant things?" Fang Qi thought about it. He would definitely have to go out tomorrow to look for a new storefront, so where would he find the time to do relaxing and pleasant things?

And furthermore...

He retrieved the rocket launcher from the closet and carefully wiped down its gleaming barrel.

Although he had no idea what kind of sacred figure that assassin from before was, he felt that given his current cultivation level, it would be much safer to bring this fellow along if he was going out.

However...

Carrying this big guy on his back was simply too conspicuous.

"Should I buy another spatial spiritual treasure?"

"Oh right, there are also communication jades. This kind of thing is equivalent to a mobile phone before my transmigration, even though it doesn't have that many functions..."

Now that he was earning money, Fang Qi realized there were actually quite a few places where he needed to spend it.

"Xiaoyue, you watch the shop tomorrow. I'm going out for a bit," Fang Qi spoke up.

"What are you going out for?" Jiang Xiaoyue said anxiously. "...Then what if new customers come?!"

"Tell them to do as they please! They can play or not!"

PS: I wonder if any students have experienced staying home playing games for a long time, becoming irritable and depressed. At times like that, you should remember to go out for a walk, love life, and game in moderation. Mm, that is all.

Important: Please collect and recommend!