Chapter 356: That's It? No Twist, Nobody Would Watch This Even as a TV Drama

Chapter 356: Is That It? No Twist, Not Even Worth Filming for TV

Within the cemetery, few souls tread.

Wang Yuanyu, a black sackcloth draped over her head, gazed at Qi Yuan, her eyes carrying a hint of admiration and respect.

This bloodline wielder seemed somewhat unhinged, his words startling, yet many of them struck a deep chord within her.

For instance:

"What fear in death? Acquaintances wait on both sides."

"Even sunlight can die; its shadow is its corpse."

"I don't care for women who grow on you—I lack the patience to wait."

Most importantly, on the matters of truth and illusion, and his attitude toward this mortal world, she felt profoundly moved.

So, who was Tu Kongming? Let him roll away!

The memories she cherished were the real ones.

"Say, Ma Longhun never shows up—could it be he can't afford the cemetery ticket?" Qi Yuan suddenly turned his head to look at Wang Yuanyu.

"Huh?"

"I shouldn't have set a ticket price for this cemetery. Originally, I wanted to keep others out, so I turned the Ma family cemetery into a paid attraction, setting a barrier.

I forgot—Ma Longhun might be broke."

Qi Yuan had a sudden epiphany, as if he'd uncovered the crux of the matter.

Hearing this, Wang Yuanyu was caught between laughter and tears. She began to doubt whether believing Qi Yuan's words meant she'd been infected with his madness.

"Mr. Qi, you're overthinking things," Wang Yuanyu said.

Yet, in her heart, she was equally curious. Even his most absurd ramblings, if spoken with conviction, she would half-believe.

Just then, an old woman with a troubled expression approached.

This old woman was Wang Niang.

She glanced at Wang Yuanyu and said softly, "Miss, this old servant has something to discuss with Mr. Qi."

The implication was clear: Wang Yuanyu should withdraw.

Hearing this, Wang Yuanyu felt puzzled but tactfully left.

Now, only Qi Yuan and Wang Niang remained in the cemetery.

Before Wang Niang could speak, Qi Yuan struck first: "Right, pay the ticket fee. I rise early and toil late, diligently guarding this cemetery—I deserve some ticket money!"

Wang Niang had heard such words from Qi Yuan many times before; clearly, he'd demanded tickets from her in the past.

"Here are ten drops of demonic beast blood essence."

Wang Niang tossed the blood essence to Qi Yuan, who accepted it with delight.

Pity that Ma Longhun's parents and kin were mere minor demons, not renowned great ones.

Otherwise, charging fees here could rake in a fortune.

"Mr. Qi, this old servant has an impertinent request, though I'm unsure whether to voice it." Wang Niang thought it best to be courteous before resorting to force.

After all, in a sense, bloodline wielders were also their subordinates.

"One... two... three 'not'—is that an affirmative or a negative?" Qi Yuan's focus was always peculiar.

Wang Niang coughed, her expression melancholy, then continued: "Wang Yuanyu and Tu Kongming were fated lovers for three lifetimes..."

"Why not seven lifetimes of bitter lovers?" Qi Yuan interrupted.

Wang Niang paused, then went on: "Wang Yuanyu was born of noble blood; Tu Kongming was just a poor boy, though hardworking and ambitious.

They studied together, and over time, feelings grew, gradually blossoming into mutual love.

But then Ma Longhun appeared, coveting Wang Yuanyu's beauty, and secretly poisoned her.

To save the young lady, Tu Kongming ventured deep into the icy mountain valley's cold pool, lying on the ice to summon the mystic turtle.

The cold pool's ice froze not only his body but also his soul.

At the cost of one arm, Tu Kongming finally lured the mystic turtle forth, stripped its shell, and refined it into a great medicine, saving the young lady's life."

As Wang Niang spoke, she seemed deeply moved, touched by Tu Kongming's sacrifice.

If any man in this world did such for her, she feared she too would be swayed.

"Poor little turtle, its home stolen while still young," Qi Yuan remarked.

Hearing this, Wang Niang was at a loss for words.

Shouldn't the focus be on the touching love story?

"When the young lady awoke and learned of Tu Kongming's deeds, her heart was moved. They confirmed their bond, fell into love's river, swimming joyfully each day—life was splendid. But happy days are always fleeting." Wang Niang continued reminiscing, a hint of romantic obsession in her tone.

"Was it because someone peed in the river of love?" Qi Yuan thought himself clever, seeing through the truth at once.

Happy days fleeting—wasn't it because someone urinated in that river, stinking up their paradise?

"..." Wang Niang glanced at Qi Yuan, her mouth twitching. She took a deep breath to steady herself. "Because... Ma Longhun appeared.

No one expected him to defy heaven and earth by colluding with foreign tribes.

On the day of the young lady and Tu Kongming's wedding, Ma Longhun arrived with three thousand foreign tribesmen to seize the bride.

The young lady naturally refused. Enraged, Ma Longhun decided that if he couldn't have her, no one else would. He struck at the young lady; Tu Kongming blocked the blow. Already wounded, he fell from that strike, and the young lady, in her grief, took her own life."

"Is that it?" Qi Yuan was stunned. "Boring. No twist?

By modern scriptwriters' logic, shouldn't they have snatched the groom instead?

Or is there more—did Ma Longhun dig up Tu Kongming's bones, turn him into a zombie, and force a love affair?"

Wang Niang pressed her forehead, taking yet another deep breath. "Now, in this realm, the events of that time are reenacted.

Only thus can the young lady truly revive, and this world avoid collapse. The inner workings are far too complex—this old servant does not fully understand.

But... the world line must be reenacted.

Yet now, a small problem has arisen.

As of now, the young lady has not yet fallen in love with Tu Kongming.

This is extremely dangerous. The time left for the young lady, for this world, is running out.

Please, sir, consider the greater good, put the world first, and for now... do not meet with the young lady!"

Wang Niang bowed solemnly, her voice earnest.

Qi Yuan was surprised. "What does that have to do with me?"

"The young lady has spent much time with you, sir, and may develop feelings for you," Wang Niang said helplessly.

Indeed, Qi Yuan's appearance was exceedingly handsome. Though his speech was chaotic and marred the aesthetic, when silent, he made a fine vase.

To put it extravagantly, even Wang Niang, after spending a short while with him, felt her millennia-dry body stir with life.

"Alas, being handsome brings too many troubles. Honestly, I don't think I'm all that—just ordinary."

Qi Yuan imitated that certain East who didn't know his wife's beauty; he was that Yuan who didn't know his own handsomeness.

“But then, this wasn't my fault to begin with, and besides… Wang Yuanyu doesn't seem to have developed feelings for me, does she?” Qi Yuan stretched lazily, his demeanor languid.

He truly hadn't sensed any affection from Wang Yuanyu.

At most, it was admiration and a pleasant rapport.

If there had been love, Qi Yuan would have sensed it long ago.

And if he had sensed it, he certainly wouldn't have been “not proactive,” “not responsible,” or “stringing her along.”

“So telling me this is useless. Wang Yuanyu doesn't love Tu Kongming, not because she fell for me—maybe she simply doesn't like him.

Besides, don't bother me with such trivial matters.

No novelty, no twist—boring.” Qi Yuan shook his head, utterly uninterested in the tale of a three-life couple.

It wasn't even as good as the TV drama about the seven-life bitter lovers he'd once watched.

Upon hearing this, Wang Niang's expression shifted slightly.

She said in a deep voice, “This old woman speaks no falsehood; it concerns the survival of the world.

Not the slightest error can be allowed; better to kill the innocent than let the guilty slip.

Please, sir, leave the young lady, and let her and Tu Kongming return to their destined path!”

Qi Yuan shook his head: “What do I care about your returning to the path?”

“It concerns the survival of the world!”

“And I thought it was something big—just a game server crash, isn't it?

You should sacrifice a programmer to the heavens. Look at my hairline—do I look like a programmer?

Oh, I forgot, you're an NPC; you can't kill programmers.” Qi Yuan waved his hand, then, as if struck by a thought, his expression turned exceedingly gentle. “Oh, by the way, Wang Niang, are you married? I have a friend who's always wanted to find a really awesome wife, and I think you'd be perfect.

Even if you're married, it's fine—just get a divorce. My friend isn't picky.”

Qi Yuan thought of Beihe Han Xianyun; he still worried about this friend's singlehood.

The old crone Wang Niang, hearing this, felt her mind go blank, her thoughts in chaos—she couldn't keep up with Qi Yuan's rhythm. What was all this?

“This old woman has devoted her entire life to the world, with no time for petty love,” the crone Wang Niang refused.

Qi Yuan was somewhat disappointed at this.

Han Xianyun's chances of finding a partner seemed slim.

“Since you're not married, forget it. I won't waste words with you. Don't disturb me while I'm playing the system; I need to start cultivating.” Qi Yuan's mood shifted quickly.

Wang Niang, hearing this, felt her mind in disarray.

She could only understand half of what Qi Yuan said.

She gave him a long, deep look, then vanished.

In the cemetery, Qi Yuan gazed at the tombstone before him, countless images flashing through his mind.

Having gone through so many instances, he seemed to have caught a whiff of something.

“Ah, I can't think anymore—I'll grow a brain, and I don't want to be a big head.”

Qi Yuan couldn't be bothered to think, nor to uncover the truth and reality behind it all.

Only strength mattered most.

Conspiracies, truths, schemes… were they useful?

Useful.

But as long as Qi Yuan was strong enough, all schemes and plots… one punch would annihilate them all.

“You have consumed 100 drops of demonic beast blood essence and gained 100 days of cultivation.”

“You have consumed 100 drops of demonic beast blood essence, and the Explosive Bird-Slaying Fist has finally advanced.

Against flying creatures, damage bonus: 50%.

Against birds, armor penetration bonus: 50%.”

As the voice fell, Qi Yuan's eyes widened.

“Doesn't that mean all men under heaven will fear me?”

“Alas, why don't girls have birds? If they didn't, wouldn't I be invincible?”

Qi Yuan's thoughts wandered wildly.

“No, girls can't be defined—who knows if they have a bird? What if it's hidden in their pants? I've never seen it, so how can I be sure they don't?”

He stopped his idle thoughts and closed his eyes to rest.

Suddenly, a weathered voice rang out.

“Qi lad… I never thought this old man would still be alive.”

The voice came from within Qi Yuan's body.

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up: “Old Divine Thunder, you're finally awake.”

Hearing that long-lost voice, Qi Yuan felt a surge of emotion.

Yet, reunion with an old friend was as calm as water.

In the Origin Land, Divine Thunder Venerable's gaze shifted, filled with boundless melancholy: “I had already steeled myself to die, to fall together with the Mortal Heart Realm.

You, lad, are formidable—you even slaughtered the Yang God.”

Toward Qi Yuan, Divine Thunder Venerable felt both admiration and gratitude.

After all, the Mortal Heart Realm was his home, a primordial world where countless beings thrived.

The Yang God was too powerful to be defeated.

At that time, Qi Yuan turned the tide, displaying extraordinary combat prowess.

But the enemy were two Yang Gods; he never thought they would win.

“Don't bring up the past, Old Divine Thunder. Hurry up and cultivate—give me some gold coins,” Qi Yuan urged.

Only after leaving the Mortal Heart Realm did Divine Thunder Venerable and the other venerables truly thrive like fish in water.

After all, with the boundless potential of the visualization method, Divine Thunder Venerable's cultivation faced no bottlenecks; reaching the Yang God realm was merely a matter of time.

Indeed, if Divine Thunder Venerable had stepped into the Mythical realm in the Mortal Heart Realm and appeared here, he would likely break through to Yang God in an instant.

This was related to the visualization method Qi Yuan provided, the peculiar nature of primordial spirits, and the ancestral land of the Ancient Clan.

“Don't rush me, lad. This old man is cultivating. I'll strive to have reached the Yang God realm by the time I see you.” Divine Thunder Venerable's words were filled with emotion, radiating light.

Once upon a time, the unattainable Yang God was now within easy reach for him.

Moreover, Qi Yuan's spirit infants—those primordial spirits—were much like him.

Having awakened and broken free from the shackles of the primordial world, they thrived like fish in water; breaking through to Yang God was truly as easy as drinking water.

“Hurry up—my enemies are too strong. One Yang God from you probably won't be enough.”

There are others in your world as well; look after them, help them awaken and grow strong,” Qi Yuan said.

Though his divine infant had sprouted in the Primordial Land, they all moved by instinct alone—none had fully awakened like Divine Thunder Venerable.

“Fine, fine, fine—this old man will go find the others right now,” Divine Thunder Venerable grumbled, his face full of complaint. “Just woke up and already so much trouble—should’ve stayed asleep.”

Yet beneath the grumbling, his tone carried delight and pride.

“I have a plan!” Qi Yuan exclaimed excitedly.

Hearing this, Divine Thunder Venerable couldn’t help but press a hand to his forehead. “And what plan is it this time?”

He had already experienced Qi Yuan’s plans—crude and straightforward, hardly worthy of the name, nothing but wild nonsense.

Yet such rough-and-ready schemes always succeeded in the end.

It left Divine Thunder Venerable utterly speechless.

“I want to buy this game, but I have no money.

How about this—we seize it by force!

The plan has three steps.

Step one: you unite the other subjects, boost your strength, and occupy the world below for me!

Step two: as your power grows, you feed it back to me, and I’ll take Archstar and Canstar.

Step three: with the whole world under our control, I can strive to complete tasks and advance to Human Path Martial Lord, Spirit Path Martial Lord, and even Myriad Path Martial God.

A perfect plan—utterly invincible—so easy!”

Whenever Qi Yuan devised a plan, he grew excited, his mind feeling clearer than ever.

Back on Blue Star, he’d have been so thrilled by this plan he couldn’t sleep—he’d need to take some melatonin.

For some people, they’d even have to resort to self-relief.

“Heh, your plan this time has declined in quality—not detailed enough.”

“You’ve reminded me—I made a big mistake this time: I didn’t mark the timeline.

Well, your time flows faster—forty years here equals one of ours.

So for step one, strive to have everyone become a Yang God within three thousand years.

For step two, I’ll aim to unify Archstar within a hundred years!” Qi Yuan said, a trace of lingering fear in his voice.

Even the wisest man, in a thousand schemes, will make one mistake.

The ancients did not deceive me!

Even someone as supremely clever as him could have such an oversight—let alone others.

“The lower realm is called the Primordial Land, and its strongest power is the Eastern Alliance.

The Eastern Alliance has quite a few Martial Lords—their strength is barely passable.

But… behind them stands a formidable figure named Dong Jun, quite mysterious.

This powerhouse might be a Yang God.

What’s more, his methods… are even stronger than those of an ordinary Yang God.”

Divine Thunder Venerable’s face was full of wariness as he truthfully relayed the intelligence he had gathered in the Primordial Land to Qi Yuan.

“Primordial Land? Using the Brush of Mountains, Seas, and State to create countless Mountain-Sea Scrolls?

That guy isn’t really a programmer, is he?” Qi Yuan chuckled.

As for the Yang God realm, he knew of the Heavenly Position Realm and the Ultimate Principle Realm.

What realm did it belong to, to create a world like the Mountain-Sea Scrolls, just like a programmer?

“No matter—let him be strong, let him be strong—I have the Explosive Bird-Slaying Fist, I’m not afraid of him!”

(End of chapter)