Chapter 317: Beating the Old One, Then Beating the Older One

Chapter 317: Beat the Old, Then Beat the Older

“The realm of immortal cultivation.” Regarding the Great Principle Realm within the Yang God, it was actually the Great Wisdom True Lord who informed Qi Yuan of this.

He did not conceal these matters.

An Qiao let out a “tsk” and said, “Though you’re a newcomer, don’t try to fool me just because I’m older. I still know a few Rebooters. In the realms of immortal cultivation, there’s no such thing as the Yang God Realm. I’ve only heard that the Purple Mansion is the pinnacle of great power, and above the Purple Mansion are the deities, who have long since ascended to… an unknowable realm.”

An Qiao had a certain understanding of immortal cultivators. She had also heard of the realms of cultivation, and naturally did not believe Qi Yuan’s words.

Hearing this, a look of surprise appeared in Qi Yuan’s eyes. “You really know a lot. Can I ask you a question?”

Qi Yuan once again played the role of a freeloader, starting to sponge for information.

“I know far more than that. Go ahead and ask.” An Qiao was generous and took care of newcomers.

After all, the newcomer was so handsome, a delight to behold.

If she could turn him into a little sissy, that would certainly be even more interesting.

Of course, An Qiao only thought about it.

“When immortal cultivators come here, do their realms also drop?”

“They should… yes,” An Qiao said uncertainly.

The man in black tight-fitting clothes beside her added, “It’s not ‘should,’ it’s definitely.”

As for the reason, he did not elaborate.

“Does that mean immortal techniques are on the same level as old martial arts?” Qi Yuan pondered.

According to An Qiao, the natives here all practiced old martial arts. Fighting on home ground allowed them to preserve their strength, but once they went to other parallel worlds in the game, they would drop one level. New martial arts did not have these problems; in all parallel worlds within the game, strength was preserved.

Qi Yuan continued to ask, “If one goes to another world, or even… another universe, can new martial arts still maintain their power?”

This was what Qi Yuan cared about most.

If so, then new martial arts would be terrifying.

The Yang God of the Great Principle Realm could only preserve full strength when going to other worlds.

But a universe was another concept entirely.

“Other universes…” An Qiao was stunned.

As someone not too ancient, she was aware of the concept of other universes.

Scientists had proposed that other universes might exist.

But it was merely a conjecture, not proven.

“If you could take me to another universe, I’d prove it to you,” An Qiao replied.

Not getting the answer he wanted, Qi Yuan did not mind at all. Instead, he looked at the two of them with pleading eyes and said, “Martial techniques can’t be traded, but what about cultivation methods? My moonlight… no, my substitute moonlight is with the monsters. I want to improve my strength to see them one last time.”

These monsters could provide essence blood—weren’t they just like moonlight?

However, these monsters fell short of Qi Yuan’s certification criteria for moonlight.

So they were merely substitutes for moonlight.

“Your moonlight was captured by monsters?” An Qiao misunderstood.

Hearing Qi Yuan say his moonlight was with the monsters, she assumed it had been taken.

The man in black tight-fitting clothes gave Qi Yuan another look, his expression playful. “You haven’t been here a day, and you already have a moonlight? Don’t tell me you’ve taken on this identity and become infatuated with the woman your predecessor loved. That’s not good. My advice is to forget her, treat it like watching a TV show.”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Qi Yuan refused loudly. “My desire to see her is as clear as the sun and moon, as enduring as the seas drying up, as unstoppable as a bursting bladder—I must see my moonlight!”

Qi Yuan’s attitude was sincere, utterly genuine.

Seeing him like this, An Qiao was somewhat moved.

“I have a martial arts cultivation method here, somewhat incomplete, only able to sustain you until the Qi-Blood Realm’s perfection. Do you want it?” An Qiao finally relented and became Qi Yuan’s benefactor.

“Yes! You are truly a good person. My moonlight’s door will surely be especially grateful,” Qi Yuan said happily.

The man in black tight-fitting clothes remained silent.

An Qiao pulled out a worn, yellowed sheepskin scroll from her Qi-Blood Space. It was frayed and incomplete, looking quite aged.

“This method is called the ‘Heaven-Shaking Art.’ The name sounds grand and imposing, but in reality, it’s quite ordinary, barely qualifying as a cultivation method. By the way, after you get the method, train hard and don’t go looking for your moonlight. This mission is unusual; the monsters involved are at least at the Qi-Blood Realm. You’re no match for them now. During this time, just cultivate, follow our instructions, do some investigations, and the mission will be easily completed. It should take… no more than a month or two.”

“A month or two… that long?” Qi Yuan was surprised. “What’s the time difference between here and reality?”

What if one second inside was ten thousand years outside? That would be disastrous.

His hundred million Qin yuan—no, ten thousand trillion—he wondered if he could still withdraw it from the bank.

An Qiao laughed. “You’re already dead; you should cut ties with the past. The time here and reality are one to one. By the way, we’re staying at the county office. Do you want to stay with us?”

An Qiao extended an invitation.

“No, I’m used to going it alone. I like being… a lone ranger.” When he said “lone ranger,” Qi Yuan paused slightly.

Because he wasn’t a lone ranger; Xiao Jia had always been with him.

“Since that’s the case, come find us at the county office if anything comes up. We need to report the results of this investigation to the captain quickly.”

“Alright, goodbye, everyone.” Qi Yuan waved to the group, and then his figure vanished.

In the desolate, ruined courtyard, only An Qiao, the man in black tight-fitting clothes, and a large black dog remained.

"This newcomer... seems a bit unreliable, but my gut tells me he's definitely not ordinary, that he has some secrets," the man in black said softly.

An Qiao smiled mischievously. "Maybe he's come into contact with cultivators and learned a spell."

The man in black recalled their earlier conversation and nodded in agreement.

"Unfortunately, here martial arts are king. Mastering some paltry immortal arts is utterly insignificant," the man in black replied seriously.

Cultivating immortal arts takes far longer than martial arts.

Moreover, upon arriving in this Yellow Springs World, one's cultivation level drops by a full major rank.

So it's truly insignificant.

"Who doesn't have secrets? You have yours, I have mine, and the captain has his," An Qiao said with a faint smile, tugging at the big black dog. "Fatty Dog, let's go."

Fatty Dog muttered then, "Actually, I have secrets too."

But no one paid his words any mind.

Inside the inn.

Qi Yuan sipped tea, studying a sheepskin scroll.

[This is a martial arts technique, incomplete, with 124 flaws. The technique can be improved...]

Qi Yuan's eyes could see hidden information.

This martial arts technique held no great secrets for him.

"What a pity. I don't have enough techniques to fill in the gaps."

For now, he could only improve the technique somewhat, not fully deduce it.

But for Qi Yuan, that was enough.

"Right now, I'm too weak. Just entering the Blood Qi realm—if I met my moonlight, I'd lack confidence. No... I need to boost my strength."

With that thought, Qi Yuan began cultivating the *Startling Heaven Art*.

After about fifteen minutes, Qi Yuan opened his eyes. "Too slow. At this rate, it'll take at least three months to reach the mid Blood Qi stage."

Three months from early to mid stage—if An Qiao knew, she'd surely find it astonishing, muttering *terrifying* and that this kid must not be spared.

But to Qi Yuan, this speed was still too slow. "Looks like I need to add points with Deep Blue."

Beside Qi Yuan, three drops of demon essence blood floated.

He swallowed one drop and began circulating his technique.

"You have devoured a drop of demon essence blood. Your martial cultivation has increased by ten days. Two drops of demon essence blood remain."

Qi Yuan didn't have Deep Blue to add points, so he had to dub himself.

If an outsider saw this, they might think he was mad, but Qi Yuan enjoyed it.

"You devour two more drops of demon essence blood. Your cultivation speed increases. Suddenly, a flash of insight strikes—you seem to grasp the *Startling Heaven Art*, its essence lying in the word 'startle.' A startling thunder is startle, a startling horse is startle, the startling of insects is startle. Your cultivation surges, equivalent to two months of bitter training!"

A few breaths passed, and a crimson glint flickered in Qi Yuan's eyes.

Three drops of demon essence blood had greatly boosted his cultivation, cutting over two months of training time.

"I'm becoming more and more versatile. Back on Wangyue Continent, I could dub for those silent monsters. Now I can... dub for a system."

"If I ever lose my job, I'll just play the role of a system."

Qi Yuan was proud of his dubbing skills, confident he'd never be out of work.

"Alas, I've worked so hard. Why hasn't that moonlight substitute, Old Man Huang, come looking for me yet?" Qi Yuan murmured to himself.

He had just killed Fourth Master Huang. By now, Old Man Huang should have gotten the news.

If Old Man Huang was diligent, he'd come for revenge right now.

But he hadn't.

"Usually, when you beat the old one, an even older one shows up. But since the older one isn't coming, I'll just beat the old one and then beat an even older one."

Qi Yuan decided to take the initiative and go after Old Man Huang, rather than wait passively.

Of course, Qi Yuan didn't know that because the Demon Suppression Bureau had come to Yunyan County, the local demons were strictly forbidden from wandering out. They were all lying low in different areas.

Qi Yuan left the inn, his martial cultivation significantly improved.

If he killed another Fourth Master Huang and met another moonlight substitute, he'd reach the mid Blood Qi stage.

This time, he planned to kill more.

Nightfall arrived.

Qi Yuan stopped in front of an abandoned compound.

Earlier, he had gone to the Huang residence, only to find it empty.

After investigating, he learned that all the demons in Yunyan County had gone into hiding, gathering at various strongholds, apparently holding some kind of Demon Ascension Conference.

Now, standing before the compound, Qi Yuan's expression was relaxed. "This stronghold's strongest is Old Man Huang, a Blood Qi realm demon. Number... around twenty?"

To be honest, the odds were tough.

If Old Man Huang held him off while the other demons attacked, it would be hard for him to escape unscathed.

"System, you're so useless. Why do I need demon essence blood to add points?" Qi Yuan sighed, then a moment later, he realized something.

"Sorry, I misremembered. I don't have a system."

Now Qi Yuan was like someone complaining about his girlfriend's flaws, only to realize he didn't have one.

"Heh, you're from the yamen, aren't you? What are you looking at here? Don't you know this compound is for demons only?"

Just then, a haughty voice came from behind Qi Yuan. A demon with a thunder-beak and a chicken face approached, looking fierce and menacing.

His appearance was gloomy and utterly terrifying.

He stared at Qi Yuan, his eyes flickering, as if ready to devour him at the slightest provocation.

"Chicken?" Qi Yuan immediately recognized it as a chicken demon.

It was the first time he'd seen a male chicken.

"I'm not a demon, but my wife is. So naturally, I'm qualified to enter. I'm a live-in son-in-law!" Qi Yuan said, puffing out his chest.

He had sacrificed too much to meet his moonlight.

"Your wife is a demon?" The rooster demon was surprised, then his disdain deepened. "So you're just a hairless pretty boy."

As a demon, the rooster spirit had always looked down on the hairless human race.

But he couldn't resist that some female demons liked them.

In the rooster spirit's eyes, those female demons were neither fish nor fowl—they plucked all their fur clean, leaving only a few demon traits, and looked utterly hideous.

Truly little demonesses who worshipped humans and fawned on outsiders.

Qi Yuan said with a chuckle, "Can I go in now?"

The rooster spirit cast a cold glance at Qi Yuan. "You'll have to ask the old locust tree spirit at the gate.

He's lived long and can see through disguises."

With that, the rooster spirit swaggered off, tail held high, toward the dilapidated courtyard.

Qi Yuan watched the rooster spirit's retreating figure, a greedy gleam in his eyes. "That's a rooster spirit—I could use it to buy a house. If only I were a civil servant."

As Qi Yuan thought this, he saw a gust of demon wind ahead.

An old man with bark-like skin appeared.

The rooster spirit's demeanor turned respectful at the sight of the elder. "Elder Huai."

The bark-skinned elder gave the rooster spirit a faint glance. "Rooster turned spirit, enter."

The rooster spirit bowed solemnly, then said, "There's a human behind me, claiming to be some female demon's kept man. I suspect he has ulterior motives—Elder Huai must examine him carefully."

The bark-skinned elder turned his gaze to Qi Yuan, his eyes growing deep.

At that moment, Qi Yuan strode forward openly, his smile bright as morning dew. "Xiao Jia... come out."

With Qi Yuan's voice, the space trembled, and a flash of blood-red light flickered.

Beside Qi Yuan, a tall wedding dress appeared.

The crimson gown was in a Chinese style, looking quite eerie against the pitch-black night.

But now, that blood-red wedding dress leaned against Qi Yuan like a clinging bird.

If she had a face, it would surely be adorned with floral makeup and soft, melting brows and eyes.

"This is my wife, Xiao Jia, whom I married with a grand sedan chair," Qi Yuan said, taking her cool sleeve and introducing her generously.

"This is..." The rooster spirit's eyes widened.

He had guessed what kind of demon Qi Yuan's wife might be, but he never imagined... this?

In this world, could a wedding dress become a spirit or a demon?

This was a rare thing.

Even Old Huai's calm gaze shifted slightly at that moment. He looked at Xiao Jia, and a wisp of demonic energy flew past.

He seemed to be judging whether Xiao Jia was a demon.

The rooster spirit beside him also looked tense, eager to know what was happening.

After about twelve breaths, Old Huai finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Wedding dress demon, enter."

Hearing this answer, Qi Yuan was quite pleased.

He glanced at the rooster spirit and said smugly, "I'm going in."

Unable to discern Xiao Jia's cultivation, the rooster spirit looked wary and quickly entered the courtyard as well.

A few breaths later, a desolate sound echoed in the air.

"It seems this old fellow will have to move again. Can't watch, can't watch—the waters are too deep."

Recommending a friend's book, not my alt account—it's a stream-of-consciousness style, where in the apocalypse he activates an urban daily life system and dates a red-faced zombie. "It's the Apocalypse, and the Perfect Life System Only Shows Up Now?"

Synopsis: Meng Xu woke up to find he had activated the Perfect Life System, ready to get a promotion and raise, reaching the peak of life.

But when he pulled back the curtains, he was dumbfounded.

The apocalypse had arrived, zombies everywhere!

Blood and fire filled the land, darkness descended upon the world.

It's the apocalypse, and the Perfect Life System only shows up now?

[A perfect day starts with a chat-up. See that beauty over there? Go talk to her, and you'll have a perfect encounter.]

[Quest Released: Chat Up a Beauty]

[Quest Reward: Freely assignable attribute points +0.5, gain one confidante.]

Staring at the beautiful zombie missing half her face before him, Meng Xu swallowed hard.

System, are you serious?

(End of chapter)