Lu Changtian was stunned.
When had it all begun to change? When had his junior sister started seeking him out for sword practice, only for his patience to wane? He had been the one to encourage her to spar regularly. Why had everything spiraled out of control?
He no longer patiently guided her moves, no longer waited daily at the training ground for Fang Qingzhi.
Once, no matter how clumsy she was, he would smile and encourage her, meticulously reviewing their sessions. Later on, no matter how hard she tried, he saw only flaws, foolishness, and a lack of sword - talent in her.
*Ha...*
So that was it.
It wasn't Fang Qingzhi who had changed.
It was him.
At the Foundation Establishment stage, Fang Qingzhi could truly harm Mu Bai Shuang, and they couldn't stop her.
From the beginning to the end, they were merely venting their frustrations.
It was because they hadn't received what they desired that they unleashed their discontent.
Fang Qingzhi had always regarded them as senior brothers and family.
Yet, in her calls of "Senior Brother," they had lost themselves.
Everything had become taken for granted...
Lu Changtian realized the truth.
"Kill or maim me as you will; I deserve it," he said, too ashamed to face Fang Qingzhi, and sighed.
"You... self - destruct your Dantian."
Fang Qingzhi sheathed her sword and turned away, leaving only a slender, upright back.
Lu Changtian pursed his lips, clenched his fists, then slowly unclenched them: "If... if I self - destruct my Dantian, could you forgive me? Qingzhi, would you... return to Chixiao Peak?"
The swaying figure didn't look back.
The biting cold wind carried two resolute words:
"Impossible."
...
"Awesome!" Chen Ping An, who had been on edge in front of his phone, slapped his thigh. "This is what I'm talking about—slapping them back with force! Kkkk! My Qingzhi girl never disappoints; the money's well spent!"
He had half - expected the game developers to pull some stunt, like a heart - softening plot where Fang Qingzhi relents and returns to Chixiao Peak, leading to a tearful reconciliation between master and disciple. In that case, he, as the mysterious senior, might end up as a prop to bolster Chixiao Peak and Qingyun Sect—a truly nauseating prospect! What's the difference between that and NTR?
Fortunately, the game developers seemed to have their wits about them.
[Thank you for supporting our game. Your exclusive game helmet has arrived!]
A window popped up.
At the same time, there was a 'thud' at the door.
Chen Ping An sprang to the door, looked around, and with a practiced motion, picked up the box and returned to the sofa.
Inside the box was a black game helmet resembling a motorcycle helmet but with a more tech - savvy look, featuring the 'Electronic Girlfriend' game logo and a Q - version Fang Qingzhi.
Chen Ping An slowly raised a question mark.
The black cat beside him also slowly raised a question mark.
Chen Ping An: "This thing won't explode when I put it on, right? A bit suspicious. This game doesn't seem like it needs a helmet..."
Black Cat: [If I'm not mistaken... this is a flawed immortal - grade artifact. What's with this big shot? Is he related to the Ancestral Dragon?]
Chen Ping An glanced at the black cat and asked, "Why are you trembling?"
The cat let out a 'meow,' lowered its head, and awkwardly licked its paw.
It's just a little cat, forever a little cat.
What does it know?
Nothing at all!
In the end, Chen Ping An put on the helmet. He might not trust the game developers, but he trusted the three - hundred - thousand - plus he had invested.
[Connecting to 'Electronic Girlfriend'...]
The screen flashed black.
Chen Ping An was stunned. He saw Fang Qingzhi approaching him step by step. Looking around, it was indeed the Qingyun Sect square.
"Whoa! This VR tech is off the charts!"
Chen Ping An had previously tried the latest VR headsets at an arcade. The visuals were realistic, but there was a clear disconnect.
But 'Electronic Girlfriend' was different.
He truly felt immersed!
If there was any disconnect... well, there was a slight one.
Although the visuals and environmental sounds were incredibly lifelike—it was as if Fang Qingzhi really stood before him, with visible capillaries under her skin and the sound of sand rolling—there still felt like a thin veil separating him from the in - game world.
He couldn't physically touch it.
Even so, Chen Ping An was content.
Three hundred thousand? Worth every penny!
Absolutely worth it!
Buying a thermos for a flight, and it's smooth sailing.
...
"Today, I, Lu Changtian, self - destruct my Dantian. First, to atone for my sins, second, to seek my junior sister Qingzhi's forgiveness. Even in death, I have no regrets. I beg my master to fulfill my wish!" Lu Changtian stood up, about to self - destruct his Dantian, when a roar echoed overhead, and his body froze.
"Rascal! I've worked hard to cultivate you to this point, and you'd cast away your Dantian and cultivation for a mere woman? What a coward! Go to the Reflection Cliff and meditate!" Qingxuan Taoist could sit idly no longer as his beloved disciple was about to self - destruct.
Lu Changtian was his favorite disciple, with Xiao Yicfeng second and Mu Bai Shuang third. It wasn't that Mu Bai Shuang lacked talent, but she was pleasing and good - natured.
Having poured so much effort into Lu Changtian, how could he watch him self - destruct?
Chen Ping An, seeing this, thought the game developers were finally feeding him a line.
[Your character projection is activated. You may move freely. Late - stage Soul Transformation state remaining: 21 hours.]
[You may speak freely! Note that your words and actions will influence the plot. Your speech represents your image. Think thrice before you speak!]
Chen Ping An, upon seeing this, immediately swallowed his mouthful of wine.
With a composed expression, he coldly snorted:
"I've said it before. No one is to interfere in today's matters!"
"Qingxuan Taoist, consider this your final warning!"