When Wu Duan Tian and his direct disciple arrived at the site, the battle had long concluded.
The celestial anomalies had vanished, and the subtle spiritual energy fluctuations had dissipated. The senior was nowhere to be seen.
"Residual demonic aura lingers. Could it be that the senior was previously engaged in combat with a demon cultivator?"
He scanned the surroundings and soon spotted a massive thunder crater dozens of meters wide. Upon closer inspection, the crater was three zhang deep, with molten lava flowing within—formed from rocks melted by intense heat, and intermittent electric arcs flickered in the magma.
At this moment, traces of thin demonic aura still remained within the thunder crater.
However, the owner of the demonic aura had disappeared without a trace, whether dead and disintegrated or fled, none could tell.
"To summon such terrifying lightning... tsk, tsk, the senior's strength is truly fathomless," Wu Duan Tian maintained the composure of a Soul Transformation cultivator on the surface, yet inwardly he was profoundly shaken. A Soul Transformation cultivator, aside from further condensing their Dharma manifestation for coordinated offense and defense, could initially channel heavenly forces. However, to borrow the power of heaven like the senior had done was something he could never achieve.
What was the true strength of this senior?
Nonetheless, since they had battled a demon cultivator, they must be a righteous cultivator.
This was reassuring.
"Master, look, there seems to be a woman in that hut," Zhao Ling Tian pointed at the hut by the stream at the foot of the mountain.
Wu Duan Tian glanced over. With the sharp vision of a Soul Transformation cultivator, he could see Fang Qingzhi inside the hut from a distance. He uttered a soft "hmm": "Isn't this the female disciple from Chixiao Peak who deliberately harmed the junior sister? I believe her name was Fang Qingzhi? What is she doing here?"
"Yes, that's Fang Qingzhi," Zhao Ling Tian now saw clearly as well, revealing a contemptuous sneer. "In the sect competition, one should know when to stop, but she insisted on settling personal scores. Being expelled from Chixiao Peak and the sect was well-deserved. I heard Zhang Hanshao sent her back to the secular world. Likely, she sneaked back, thinking she could return to our Qingyun Sect this way."
"No need to waste time on such irrelevant individuals," Wu Duan Tian retracted his gaze. A female disciple whose cultivation had been ruined was not worth his or Zhao Ling Tian's attention.
It was fortunate for Fang Qingzhi that the aftermath of the battle between the two great cultivators had not killed her.
The thunder crater was only three to four hundred meters from the hut. Had it been a hundred meters closer, the residual power of the lightning alone would have been enough to harm Fang Qingzhi.
As for whether the mysterious senior and Fang Qingzhi were connected, Wu Duan Tian never gave it a second thought.
Fang Qingzhi's newly formed Dantian had already been concealed, with all aura and fluctuations completely suppressed. Coupled with the vast disparity in status between them, he saw no reason why the senior, capable of refining divine pills, would concern themselves with such an insignificant ant.
"Zhao Ling Tian, the senior may still be nearby," Wu Duan Tian cautioned his disciple. "After a great battle, the senior would likely seek a quiet place to recuperate. If you can persuade the senior, perhaps they might heal your Dantian."
"Yes, Sect Leader," Zhao Ling Tian replied with confidence.
Born into nobility as a prince of a major secular nation, coupled with exceptional talent and a rare luminous fire spiritual root, Zhao Ling Tian's Dantian was of the fourth rank before its destruction. His handsome appearance only added to his charm, evoking admiration from all who met him.
Cultivation relies on fate and karma, especially for reclusive cultivators stuck at a bottleneck for years. Upon emerging from seclusion, they often travel to seek opportunities and accumulate merits, which in turn aids their breakthrough and enhances their chances of successfully enduring heavenly tribulations.
"Senior!" Zhao Ling Tian stepped forward, bowed respectfully toward the thunder crater, and with tears welling in his eyes, he earnestly pleaded, "This junior, Zhao Ling Tian, a direct disciple of Qingyun Sect, has long admired you since witnessing you refine a divine pill and repel demon cultivators.
My Dantian was shattered by a demon cultivator, and I harbor profound hatred for them.
I boldly seek a cure to restore my Dantian. Might the senior guide me?
Should my Dantian be restored, I will forever be indebted to you. I am willing to serve you as your loyal steed or dog."
Upon hearing this, Wu Duan Tian felt a twinge of jealousy.
Zhao Ling Tian had not spoken thus when he was first taken in as a disciple.
But to restore the Dantian of this beloved direct disciple, he had to swallow his pride for now.
In the vast Wanqing Mountains, no response came. Wu Duan Tian and Zhao Ling Tian waited patiently.
...
"How did Sect Leader Wu and Zhao Ling Tian end up here? It seems they're looking for the senior," Fang Qingzhi glanced out the window, then retreated to the bedside.
Judging from Zhao Ling Tian's words, he sought an opportunity from the senior.
But would the senior grant him such a chance?
Fang Qingzhi was uncertain.
To be frank, in her impression, besides being incredibly powerful, the senior seemed like someone who indiscriminately bestowed opportunities as if they were free gifts.
Admittedly, Zhao Ling Tian surpassed her in every aspect. Whether in talent or background, she couldn't compare.
Clearly, investing in Zhao Ling Tian would yield a better return than investing in her.
Fang Qingzhi returned to the bed, hugged her knees, and sat there with pouted lips that could hang a vinegar bottle.
She didn't want the senior to grant Zhao Ling Tian an opportunity.
It wasn't selfishness or a desire to monopolize the senior's favor.
She knew Zhao Ling Tian was not a benevolent person. Though talented, he was arrogant, conceited, and narrow-minded. If the senior bestowed an opportunity upon someone like him, and if that person went on to cause trouble using the senior's resources, wouldn't that bring unnecessary karma and trouble to the senior?
However, the decision rested with the senior.
She could only watch silently.
...
[Someone is requesting an opportunity from you!]
Chen Ping An was in the midst of claiming his rewards for defeating the boss when he noticed the prompt on his screen.
"What's this?" He was taken aback. Following the game's cue, he spotted Wu Duan Tian and Zhao Ling Tian near the hut.
Their identities appeared above the two NPCs' heads.
"Whoa, big shots! Isn't Qingyun Sect the one Fang Qingzhi used to be part of? A sect leader and a direct disciple? They're coming to me for an opportunity?" Chen Ping An found it both laughable and infuriating.
Who did they think he was?
Fang Qingzhi was his electronic girlfriend.
In other words, he was Fang Qingzhi's cyber boyfriend—no issues there, right?
These people had bullied his "Xian Zun" girlfriend and now dared to ask him for an opportunity?
The game interface conveniently popped up a sound-transmitting talisman dialogue box.
[First activation of the gift opportunity plot. This use of the sound-transmitting talisman is free. You may bestow opportunities upon other cultivators, which might bring unpredictable effects to your electronic girlfriend 'Fang Qingzhi.' Items to grant can be selected from your inventory. (Effects could be positive or negative; please consider carefully.)]
Chen Ping An calmed down upon seeing this.
"What do they want?"
[Cultivator Zhao Ling Tian is asking you for a Primeval Mending Pill. Will you grant his request?]
"What the heck?"
"A Primeval Mending Pill? This BeyOnd wants an opportunity? That's like asking for my life!" Chen Ping An opened his game inventory, dragged out a set of thunderfire talismans, and aimed them at Wu Duan Tian and Zhao Ling Tian: "Can I fry these two dogs to death with these?"
[Wu Duan Tian is a late-stage Soul Transformation cultivator. Will you engage in combat with him?]
It seemed the system didn't have a plot where he could pay to kill these two NPCs.
"Emmm, forget it." Chen Ping An calmed down again.
He knew that what he currently possessed might not be enough to defeat a Soul Transformation cultivator.
If he failed to kill them, it would be awkward. His own reputation wouldn't matter, but he feared it might affect Fang Qingzhi.
In that case, he'd maintain the demeanor of a mysterious cultivator.
Chen Ping An narrowed his eyes, pressed the sound-transmitting talisman, and took a deep breath:
"Go to hell, you... Just look at the both of you, asking me for an opportunity like that's your right? What the hell? Do you even realize how undeserving you are? (1000 words omitted here)."
In the Cangyun Realm.
A gale erupted before Wu Duan Tian and Zhao Ling Tian, bending the grass and trees.
Their eyes lit up as they distinctly sensed the spiritual ripples within the wind.
"Finally, the senior responds!" Wu Duan Tian thought inwardly.
"At last, my Dantian is saved!" Zhao Ling Tian's excitement was palpable, his fists clenched tightly.
They strained to hear every word, lest they miss a single syllable.
But through the gale, only one word came through—a roar of fury.
"Get out—!!!!"
...
Inside the hut.
Fang Qingzhi, sitting by the bedside, first stared wide-eyed, stunned.
Then, she could no longer contain herself. Her eyebrows arched, lips pursed, and a soft chuckle escaped:
"Pfft~"