But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 24

The Mu family members worked swiftly, as if they had done this countless times before. In no time, they had cleared away the scattered wreckage.

Mu Chao mustered his courage and cautiously sidled up to Yuan Ji. “Fairy Sister, we’ve taken care of the mutated vines. Where are you headed next? Would you like to come with us?”

When Yuan Ji didn’t respond, he couldn’t help but add, “There are many of us—we can protect you!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the burly servants behind him paused, tightening their grips on their weapons and striking imposing poses.

If the young master says we can, then we can—even if we can’t.

Yuan Ji glanced at their tattered clothes and injuries. Who would be protecting whom? After a moment of silence, she refused without hesitation.

“No need.”

Her mission was complete, and she had even found a second swastika token. Now, she just wanted to return to the River God Temple to rest.

Mu Chao’s bright eyes dimmed instantly. A gaunt elder beside him took the opportunity to whisper a reminder in his ear.

“Young Master, we can’t afford to delay any longer. The branch families won’t wait for us.”

Mu Chao’s enthusiasm waned. “Oh,” he murmured softly, making no further attempt to persuade her. “Then take care, Fairy Sister. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday.”

Yuan Ji had no interest in probing their affairs. Once they left, she turned to Qi Yan beside her. “What about your junior brothers? Are you still rescuing them?”

Or do they even need rescuing at this point?

Qi Yan put on a concerned expression, checking the compass in his hand.

But this time, the compass gave no reaction.

Frowning, he pondered for a moment. “The compass doesn’t detect them in this cave. They must have already left.”

“However, the compass still shows they’re in danger. I should still go look for them.”

Yuan Ji raised an eyebrow, silently watching him.

Just as he was about to leave, Qi Yan seemed to remember something. With a flip of his palm, a crystalline branch adorned with ice-carved flowers appeared before them.

“I borrowed a withered vine from you earlier. Consider this as compensation.”

…

By the time they returned to the River God Temple, A’Tong, clutching the translucent branch, couldn’t help but ask for the seventh time:

“Yuan Ji, did he really just say that and give it to you? Nothing else?”

Yuan Ji pressed her fingers to her temples impatiently. “Yes.”

A’Tong clicked its tongue, stroking the branch repeatedly, utterly baffled by the man’s intentions.

As Yuan Ji approached the temple, she spotted several familiar figures. Her eyelid twitched, and a sense of foreboding washed over her.

“Oh, my dear ancestor! Lord River God, you’ve returned!” Ye Wenshu’s sharp eyes immediately caught sight of her.

His shout drew the attention of the others at the entrance—none other than Mu Chao and his group.

Mu Chao’s eyes lit up, but before he could speak, several dazzling figures flitted past him, accompanied by a wave of floral fragrance.

When he focused, he saw his Fairy Sister now surrounded by exquisitely dressed female cultivators.

“Lord River God, you’re back! We’ve been waiting so long!”

“Lord River God, thank you for saving us! This is peach blossom wine I brought from my sect—would you like to try it?”

“These are chestnut cakes, infused with spirit herbs to boost cultivation. They’re delicious—please try one!”

…

Mu Chao was dumbfounded. Unless he was mistaken, that woman in the pale yellow robe, smiling sweetly, was Huang Li from the Tianji Sect—the one who usually looked down on everyone.

And the one in the crimson dress offering Yuan Ji fresh fruit was Luo Qiushui, ranked sixth on the Ten Great Beauties list.

He mentally identified the others, then swallowed hard.

These women were notorious for their arrogance. What madness had possessed them to act so… demure and gentle?

As expected of Fairy Sister.

Mu Chao marveled silently.

Even the elder behind him, upon spotting Xuan Chengren watching from a distance, gazed at Yuan Ji with newfound reverence.

Forget the female cultivators—even the gatekeeper’s strength is unfathomable. Just who is this girl?

Yuan Ji was startled by their enthusiasm. Her face wooden, she subtly avoided their reaching hands.

Beautiful women are pleasing to the eye, but when they all swarm around you chattering nonstop, it’s anything but pleasant.

In her mind, she asked A’Tong despairingly, “What’s going on with these people?”

A’Tong froze for a moment before realizing the reason.

It had told Yuan Ji before—this was a world that revered strength. If you were powerful enough, you’d earn everyone’s respect.

Yuan Ji’s face darkened as she stared at the smiling cultivators before her, her temples throbbing.

With a resigned sigh, she said, “Let’s go inside first.”

Surrounded by the group, she stepped into the temple—only to freeze at the sight before her, her eyes aching.

She couldn’t understand how something as beautiful as spirit stones could become so blinding when paved across the ground, even more so than the two grand gates.

Taking a deep breath, she asked through gritted teeth, “What is this?”

What happened to her plain, unassuming, comfortably earthy floor? Since when did it grow spirit stones?

Fang Mingzhu handed her a cup of warm tea. “Lady Luo wanted to repay you for saving her life. She suggested paving the ground with spirit stones to reflect the River God Temple’s status.”

Now she finally understood where the extra spirit stones in the system had come from.

Clatter. A’Tong dropped the spirit stones in its hands, thunderstruck. “So we can’t exchange them for the lighthouse now?”

The next second, it rushed into the system shop, clinging to the lighthouse with silent sobs, tears streaming down.

Yuan Ji: “…”

My head hurts.

She should’ve paid more attention to the temple’s affairs instead of assuming Xuan Chengren and Ye Wenshu would handle everything.

Gritting her teeth, she forced out, “Can we pry them back out?”

Fang Mingzhu hesitated. “I’m afraid not.”

Luo Qiushui and the others had reinforced the stones with multiple seals. Removing them forcefully would likely require rebuilding the entire temple.

“Forget it.” Yuan Ji couldn’t bear to look at the floor, her temples pounding. “If we have to, we’ll just cover it with a black cloth again…”

Immediately, she opened the system shop to search for fabric.

At the entrance, Mu Chao and his servants stepped inside, instantly stunned by the sight of the spirit stone-covered courtyard.

His family was one of the wealthiest in Feiyun City, yet even they had never been this extravagant. His hand trembled. They repaid their debt with a floor of spirit stones, and all I gave was… a flower.

Too shabby!

Mu Chao’s face twisted in dismay. He hadn’t brought anything valuable with him, and the rare seeds he’d had were lost somewhere…

Fidgeting, he glanced back at the elder for help. “Elder, do we have any—”

The elder sighed and shook his head. “We left in too much of a hurry. We didn’t bring many spirit stones, only some high-grade medicinal plants.”

“That’ll do!” Delighted, Mu Chao took the jade box and hurried toward Yuan Ji, calling out, “Fairy Sister!”

The female cultivators surrounding Yuan Ji turned. The newcomer was a handsome, somewhat naive-looking young master, his disheveled appearance unable to hide his privileged upbringing.

Luo Qiushui and Huang Li exchanged glances, instantly united against this new “rival.”

“Fairy Sister, I heard them call you River God—is that your name?” Mu Chao scratched his head sheepishly.

Luo Qiushui relaxed. At least he’s an idiot.

She subtly made room for him.

“Yuan Ji,” Yuan Ji replied flatly, her heart still aching over the ruined floor.

Mu Chao’s face lit up as if granted a great honor. He presented the jade box eagerly. “I left in a hurry, so for now, please accept—”

Yuan Ji raised a hand, cutting him off.

“You want to thank me?”

Mu Chao nodded vigorously. “Yes!”

Yuan Ji understood. “No need for gifts.” Seeing his disappointment, she added, “Since you can accelerate plant growth, do me a favor instead.”

“Of course!” Mu Chao agreed immediately, then paused. “What do you need grown, Sister Yuan? Flower seeds?”

Without explaining, Yuan Ji handed him two seeds. “Plant these at the entrance.”

Mu Chao took them and eagerly scurried over, carefully digging two small holes and placing the seeds inside. He pressed his fingers to them, channeling his spiritual energy.

A tender leaf slowly unfurled, its vibrant green hue making everyone hold their breath, afraid a gust might snap it.

Mu Chao poured more energy into it, but the seed seemed like a bottomless pit, endlessly draining his strength. Soon, he was drenched in sweat, his face pale.

Yet he clenched his teeth, refusing to let go. Only one leaf so far—not enough!

The elder behind him stepped forward worriedly, but Yuan Ji approached and lightly tapped Mu Chao’s back. A white light flowed into him.

Like a parched wasteland finally receiving rain, the plant greedily absorbed the energy.

Mu Chao seized the opportunity, channeling Yuan Ji’s power into the seed.

In the next instant, the tender leaves rapidly multiplied, sprouting, branching, spreading—

Until, to everyone’s shock, they erupted into wild, untamed growth.

Thick, interlacing branches, leaves so dark green they seemed almost poisonous—just one glance sent a chill down their spines.

Mu Chao gaped, staring at his hands in disbelief.

Did I just create another mutant plant?!

He reached out to touch the now wall-like plant, but the moment his fingers neared, the inky leaves snapped shut, revealing rows of thorns.

Snap!

The metallic clang made everyone shudder. If that thing bit you…

Trembling, Mu Chao turned to Yuan Ji, his expression worse than crying.

“S-Sister Yuan… did I mess up?”

Yuan Ji, however, looked pleased as she examined the plant.

“No.”

“I specifically chose these seeds.”

“They’re perfect for a wall.”

Everyone: …What?