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Chapter 8: Qi Yuan's Online Friend
Chapter 8: Qi Yuan's Online Friend
Qi Yuan strolled leisurely through the Divine Light Sect, leading his pet with a kitchen knife in hand. Laughter and sweet nothings filled the air, painting a harmonious picture of the cultivation world.
Gazing up at the sky, Qi Yuan thought, "It's time to head back to the peak." With time to spare, he could still indulge in a game on his jade slip.
By the time he returned to the Seven-Colored Peak, night had already fallen. The half-moon hung above the white jade palace, casting a cool glow that illuminated a graceful silhouette through the night's veil.
But as Qi Yuan looked on, the figure vanished from sight.
He withdrew his gaze and glanced at Jiang Ling Su's thatched cottage, murmuring to himself, "If only I had those immobilization talismans, those houses on the Blue Planet wouldn't have collapsed during the earthquake."
With a sigh, Qi Yuan untied the rope from the knife's handle as he entered his courtyard, "No need to tie it up at home, just don't tear the place down, and no one will beat you."
Stroking the fine nicks on the knife, Qi Yuan stepped into the jade slip's virtual world.
However, as he entered the game, Qi Yuan froze.
"Is she here?"
When he first obtained the jade slip, Qi Yuan treated it like a gaming console.
(Note: The protagonist has an unusual thought process and behaves erratically, displaying neurotic tendencies.)
At the time, the game map wasn't unlocked, but Qi Yuan had mysteriously added a friend to his list. This friend was the only one he made during his illness.
After falling sick, Qi Yuan lived alone, devoid of any companions for conversation. This friend in the game became his sole confidant.
Qi Yuan assumed his friend was just another gamer. They often chatted, discussing everything under the sun.
But his friend's words were peculiar, occasionally mentioning terms like 'Imperial Guard' and 'Chancellor'.
Qi Yuan guessed she was an heiress to a wealthy business, but not yet in full control.
They had agreed to team up in the game, but after the map refreshed, his friend's name disappeared from the list.
He hadn't seen her since, let alone formed a team.
Now, seeing her name on the list again, Qi Yuan sent a message, "Are you there?"
Having crossed over to the cultivation world, he wasn't sure if she was still around.
...
Mist filled the air, and the ink painting on the screen seemed to bleed, revealing intricate veins.
"Leave us." The command, both cool and commanding, echoed through the room. Attendants in court dress bowed and swiftly exited.
Alone, the Empress of Nam Chien Kingdom revealed fatigue on her exquisite face.
A decade ago, the Demonic Clan invaded, taking the life of her father, the Emperor.
At just seven years old, she ascended the throne.
The vast empire's weight rested solely on her shoulders.
The Demonic Clan's attacks, neighboring kingdoms' ambitions, and unfaithful ministers plagued her reign.
For ten years, she struggled to maintain the empire's balance.
But the pressure on her shoulders only grew, and a single misstep could mean death.
Recently, Chancellor Sima Ting's collusion with the Northern Han Kingdom became increasingly blatant.
Her situation grew dire.
Three days ago, her trusted Aunt Qin, a King-ranked powerhouse, was ambushed by a group of black-clad assailants and severely injured.
Though the assailants' origins were well-hidden, everyone in the court knew who had sent the assassins.
Knowing her enemy yet feeling powerless, the Empress stood before the screen, her long cyan skirt exuding elegance. The hem was embroidered with golden thread, and a white jade belt encircled her slender waist.
As the belt loosened and the garment slipped away, her flawless skin, smooth as polished jade, was revealed.
Despite her young age, the Empress possessed a proud figure, contrasting sharply with her delicate waist.
She stepped into the bath, her delicate, snow-white shoulders rising above the surface, the white water resembling a thick broth, through which one could almost see the translucent white fat beneath.
The Empress closed her eyes, her weariness gradually dissipating.
Suddenly, a red light flashed across the table.
A glimmer of surprise flickered in Jin Li's eyes.
"Qi Yuan?"
On the table lay the rare artifact, Crystal Jade Tide.
It was rumored that this artifact always came in a pair.
Anyone who possessed one of these artifacts could communicate with the other owner.
In ancient times, this artifact was renowned.
◇◇◇
Unfortunately, times had changed, and now, long-distance communication artifacts were no longer scarce.
The value of the Crystal Jade Tide had diminished, and it had been relegated to the royal treasury.
A year ago, Jin Li had entered the royal treasury and, on a whim, had taken the Crystal Jade Tide.
She never expected that through this artifact, she would meet an intriguing person.
His name was Qi Yuan, and his conversations were as free-flowing as a wild horse, often speaking in ways she couldn't understand.
Since they didn't know each other and were separated by vast distances, she could freely confide in him.
After all, as the Empress, she couldn't let others see her weakness.
Unfortunately, six months ago, for reasons unknown, Qi Yuan had gone silent.
She felt a mix of disappointment and unease.
She was surprised he was still there.
A weight lifted from her heart.
She picked up the Crystal Jade Tide, gripping it tightly, and read the message, quickly replying, "I'm here."
After sending the message, Jin Li paused, then asked, "Where have you been all this time? You've been gone for so long."
"Last time, I was planning to invite you to hunt monsters, but suddenly, I entered the game map and couldn't contact the outside world."
"That must be a dangerous place, right?" Jin Li asked.
In her mind, Qi Yuan was a carefree demon hunter.
His 'monster hunting' and 'game map' meant hunting demonic beasts.
On the other side, Qi Yuan shrugged, "We players are the Fourth Plague; what's dangerous about that? Those monsters are just experience bags for us."
Jin Li's heart calmed as she recognized his familiar tone and responses.
Whenever they talked about heaven and earth, even when Qi Yuan's words were nonsensical, she felt a sense of inner peace.
"This time, while you were gone, I hunted monsters alone for half a year before I finished.
Do you want to team up with me?
With a man and a woman working together, it won't be tiring.
If the two of us team up, we'll definitely level up to 100 quickly."
Hearing this, Jin Li replied, "I have family matters at home that I can't leave."
"So busy that you don't even have time for games?
Sigh, you rich and beautiful people work so hard, what about us poor folks?"
Jin Li couldn't help but smile at this.
"Why don't you come and hunt monsters with me now? I just changed maps, and there are lots of monsters here," Qi Yuan suggested, "I need your support, beautiful Jin."
Seeing his relaxed tone, Jin Li knew he wasn't in danger.
A smile curved her lips, "I'm not available right now."
"What are you doing? If it's not convenient, are you working overtime?"
"I'm..." Jin Li hesitated before finally sending, "Bathing."
On the other side, Qi Yuan was taken aback by her message.
His eyes remained calm, "Why don't we meet up after you're done bathing?"
Jin Li smiled bitterly, "I can't make it."
But then, she had an idea, "Where are you?"
"I was at Xuan Yuan Prohibition, and now I'm on my way to Yi Guan Prohibition," Qi Yuan replied without hiding anything.
He was currently in the game's teleportation array, preparing to teleport to the next map.
"Xuan Yuan Prohibition? Yi Guan Prohibition?" Jin Li was stunned.
Weren't those the Four Great Taboos?
Rumor had it that King Rank powerhouses would bleed to death upon entering, and even Imperial Rank powerhouses faced the possibility of falling.
Wait, even Imperial Rank powerhouses couldn't enter Xuan Yuan Prohibition.
(End of Chapter)
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