Xuan Changsheng’s eyes lit up at the words, his expression flattered and pleasantly surprised. “Really, Senior? You’d allow me?”
Yuan Ji gave a slight nod, her gaze pausing briefly behind a tree before she clasped her hands behind her back and walked toward the River God Temple.
Ah Tong watched as Xuan Changsheng followed closely behind Yuan Ji, an uneasy feeling creeping into its heart. It wasn’t until it spotted the tall figure standing at the temple’s entrance from afar that it suddenly realized what was wrong.
Wait a minute!
Wasn’t Qi Yan still at the River God Temple?!
If the novel’s antagonist and protagonist met now, would they start fighting? Would they end up demolishing the temple?!
“Y-Yuan Ji! Did you forget something?” Ah Tong fluttered over to her, stammering nervously. “Is it really okay to go back like this? Maybe we should exchange for a protective barrier first?”
Yuan Ji stared at its anxious expression, utterly baffled.
“Huh?”
“Oh no, it’s too late.” Ah Tong let out a silent wail as it noticed Qi Yan’s gaze turning their way.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for triggering a limited-time mission: Maintain the River God Temple’s structural integrity above 80%. Reward upon completion: 20 Divine Power points.]
Watching Ah Tong fidget and then spotting the mission prompt floating before her, Yuan Ji’s temple twitched. She silently took a step to the side.
Ah Tong must be malfunctioning.
…..
Inside the River God Temple, Ye Wenshu slowly exhaled a turbid breath. “My ancestors, at this rate, I’ll break through soon!”
He had been stuck at his current cultivation level for decades, convinced he’d never advance further. Who would’ve thought he’d one day see hope again?
The thought brought tears to Ye Wenshu’s eyes. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have resisted back then. He would’ve packed his things and rushed to serve the River God without hesitation—forget being a “guardian lion,” he’d have gladly been a brick in the temple!
Before his smile could fully fade, he sensed a presence beside him.
Ye Wenshu looked up to see Qi Yan standing there, his deep gaze fixed intently in a certain direction. Following Qi Yan’s line of sight, Ye Wenshu couldn’t help but mutter, “Huh? The River God brought someone else back?”
The moment the words left his mouth, the air around him grew heavy. Ye Wenshu shrank back, realizing he’d said the wrong thing.
“Ahaha, the River God is truly kind-hearted,” he tried to laugh it off, but Qi Yan’s expression only darkened further.
Not daring to speak another word, Ye Wenshu quietly retreated to a corner, pulling out brush, ink, and silk paper, eagerly preparing to enjoy the drama unfolding before him.
This was going to be interesting.
Qi Yan stared at the detestable figure in the distance, his lips pressing into a thin line. His voice was so low it sent chills down the spine.
“Why is he here, hm?”
The sudden question in his mind startled Qu Yunqing, who had been lounging on Yan Ku’s head. Even as a marten, his thick fur couldn’t hide his panic.
“L-Lord,” Qu Yunqing stammered, scrambling for an explanation but finding none.
He had clearly trapped that man in a secret realm—there was no way he should’ve escaped for at least two years. So how was he alive and well, standing right here?
Suppressing his fury, Qi Yan let out a cold snort. “Useless.”
Qu Yunqing immediately held his breath, pressing his head to the ground, silently praying for the River God to return quickly.
As if sensing something, Xuan Changsheng, who had been following Yuan Ji, slowly looked up and locked eyes with Qi Yan. Then, with a provocative smirk, he mouthed wordlessly:
“You lost.”
Ah Tong, witnessing everything: !!!
It rubbed its eyes vigorously, staring at Xuan Changsheng’s now-innocent expression, questioning its own sanity.
It must’ve caught a virus. That was the only explanation for these hallucinations.
Yuan Ji: ?
The two quickly approached the temple entrance, with Xuan Changsheng speaking first. “So this is where you live, Senior? It’s truly magnificent.”
His eyes swept over the surroundings, pausing abruptly on the chomping, snapping venus flytraps. His voice wavered slightly. “E-Especially those plants—so vibrant and lively. They’re quite… endearing.”
Meeting Xuan Changsheng’s admiring gaze, Yuan Ji nodded slightly, inwardly pleased.
This guy had good taste. Her flytraps really were lively.
Ah Tong, watching from behind, hesitated but ultimately stayed silent.
Fine. As long as Yuan Ji was happy.
Qi Yan suppressed the impatience in his eyes, his gaze gliding past Xuan Changsheng to settle on Yuan Ji. Softly, he said, “You’re back. Next time you go out to collect scraps, let me know. I’ll go with you.”
Yuan Ji paused, her almond-shaped eyes flickering with confusion. She studied Qi Yan carefully, confirming he hadn’t been possessed by something strange, then nodded. “Alright.”
Satisfied, Qi Yan allowed a faint smile as he glanced at Xuan Changsheng, feigning ignorance. “And this is…?”
“I am Xuan Changsheng, fortunate enough to have been saved by Senior,” Xuan Changsheng announced brightly. Before he could finish, he suddenly felt a sharp gaze land on him.
“Changsheng? Xuan Changsheng?! You’re alive?!”
Ye Wenshu’s joy was unmistakable. He grabbed Xuan Changsheng’s hands, examining him up and down with heartfelt relief. “My ancestors, you’ve grown so much!”
Xuan Changsheng: ?
Xuan Changsheng forced a smile. “You are…?”
Ye Wenshu pulled him into a hug, patting his back reassuringly. “You can call me Uncle Ye. Ah, Changsheng, you’re just a step too late—otherwise, you could’ve seen your grandfather.”
Xuan Changsheng’s eyebrow twitched, his smile strained. But at the mention of his grandfather, his eyes widened in shock. “My grandfather?! What do you mean?!”
“Don’t worry, Changsheng. Let me explain.” Ye Wenshu guided him to sit on the doorstep, recounting everything that had happened earlier in detail.
Yuan Ji watched the two figures—one large, one small—with raised brows.
So the “mascot” position was hereditary?
After a brief silence, Qi Yan looked down at Yuan Ji, his dark eyes swirling with complex emotions before quickly settling back into calm. “Let’s go inside. They seem to have much to discuss.”
Yuan Ji hummed in agreement and stepped into the temple. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, “Ah Tong, what was that mission about?”
Ah Tong: …
Don’t ask. Just blame system malfunctions.
…..
Late at night, the temple was quiet. Xuan Changsheng sat motionless on the doorstep, his expression blank, lost in thought.
This wasn’t how his plan was supposed to go.
Originally, he was supposed to infuriate Qi Yan, then gradually win over everyone in the River God Temple, gaining their trust before seizing the opportunity to take what he needed.
But now…
Xuan Changsheng glanced at Ye Wenshu, who was enthusiastically writing a letter to his grandfather, urging him to return soon. Then he looked at his own position. Something felt off.
Before he could figure it out, murmurs reached his ears.
“After listening for a while, I can’t believe he’s Elder Xuan’s grandson. Who would’ve thought?”
“Right? He seems a bit slow, nothing like Elder Xuan. The River God is truly amazing—even picking up trash leads to reuniting lost family members.”
“Maybe ‘collecting scraps’ was just an excuse. Maybe she went out specifically to find him. The River God is too kind.”
“It’s a shame Elder Xuan isn’t here. This would’ve been such a touching scene.”
Xuan Changsheng: …
He silently wiped his face, turning to meet the crowd’s sympathetic gazes. His back teeth ground together.
Fine. He’d spare them for now. Once he found his grandfather, he’d tear this temple apart.
A ruthless glint flashed in Xuan Changsheng’s eyes.
The next moment, he stared in disbelief as the temple walls suddenly grew taller, now lined with spiked vines.
What the hell was this?!
Screams erupted one after another. Ye Wenshu quickly rolled up his letter and dashed into the courtyard. After a brief hesitation, Xuan Changsheng followed.
The dim glow of lanterns illuminated the scene. Yuan Ji, clutching a spirit stone and yawning sleepily, made her way through the crowd to the front yard.
Seven or eight agile figures darted between the snapping flytraps, leaving only fleeting shadows in their wake.
The leader shouted, “Fall back! Now!”
The group immediately leaped toward the eaves, intending to vault over the walls—
Only for the roof tiles to crack loudly underfoot, collapsing beneath them. The intruders tumbled into the courtyard, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Everyone: …?
In the stunned silence, Yuan Ji stared at the prompt before her: [Structural integrity has dropped below 90%.]
She jolted awake.
Crack.
The spirit stone in her hand shattered under pressure, fissures spreading rapidly across its surface.
Ah Tong’s pupils shrank. “Yuan Ji! Throw it—!”
A blinding golden light erupted the next instant, the explosion sending the intruders flying.
Boom!
The crowd watched as the black-clad figures lay sprawled and motionless, unsure if they were even alive.
…Why didn’t they just use the door?
Meanwhile, Yuan Ji surveyed the completely demolished courtyard, then the updated prompt: [Structural integrity has dropped below 80%.]
Her face darkened.
Rubbing her throbbing temples, her voice was icy.
“Who. Did. This?”
