Chapter 20: The Strange Flow of Time

In the chat group, Pang Bo was chatting idly with Yue Buqun.

【Pang Bo: Old Yue, didn't the Hundred Herbs Tonic I sent you work at all?】

【Yue Buqun: The Hundred Herbs Tonic is slightly better than the Millennium Spirit Marrow the group master sent, but it still does nothing for me!】

【Yue Buqun: Ever since I cultivated and opened the Ren and Du Meridians, reaching the peak of the Primordial Realm, my cultivation has stalled completely—I have no idea why!】

【Yue Buqun: It's a pity the group master is still in seclusion; otherwise, I could have asked him for advice!】

【Pang Bo: How about trying the cultivation technique I'm using? I've recently been practicing the Dao Jing, and my strength has advanced rapidly—I've already opened my Bitter Sea. If you want, I can send it to you!】

【Yue Buqun: Really? Then I'd be grateful if you'd help me, Brother Pang Bo! But I wonder if I can even practice the Dao Classic like you? Back then, we all failed to cultivate the techniques Han Li uploaded!】

In fact, ever since Han Li uploaded the Qi Condensation realm cultivation technique, Pang Bo, Cao Cao, and Yue Buqun had already tried many times.

But no matter how they practiced, they could never even enter the door.

【Pang Bo: Didn't Han Li already say that cultivating those techniques requires a spiritual root? We can't practice them—not necessarily because we're in another world, but possibly because we lack a spiritual root!】

【Pang Bo: Forget about that for now—I'll send you the Dao Jing right away; you can try practicing it!】

【System Prompt: Pang Bo uploaded a group red packet: Incomplete Dao Jing.】

【Pang Bo: Technically, I should send you a few more bottles of Hundred Herbs Tonic—this stuff is even more effective than the Millennium Spirit Marrow when opening the Bitter Sea—but I don't have much left myself; I'm almost out!】

【Yue Buqun: Brother Pang Bo, you're too kind! Just giving me the cultivation technique for free has already filled me with gratitude!】

During this period, except for the group master Lu Qingshan, the novels documenting the deeds of all other members had been granted access permissions, and Yue Buqun had naturally studied each member's world in detail.

So he knew clearly that among all members of this chat group, he and Cao Cao possessed the least resources.

That meant he would need help from other members many times in the future, while others rarely needed his help at all!

Precisely because of this, he became even more courteous toward other members and would never endlessly demand favors.

Just then…

【System Prompt: Lu Qingshan claimed the Dao Jing!】

【Lu Qingshan: Hello everyone! It's been years—how have you all been lately?】

【Pang Bo:??】

【Pang Bo: Holy shit, the group master's finally spoken up!】

【Pang Bo: Years? It's only been a little over half a month!】

【System Prompt: Cao Cao claimed the Dao Jing!】

【Cao Cao: Over a month has passed on my end! But… the group master is still the strongest—just logged in and already got a red packet! Envy. JPG】

【System Prompt: Han Li and Yue Buqun claimed the Dao Classic!】

【Pang Bo: This… you guys are all always lurking, but as soon as I send a red packet, you all pop up!】

【Han Li: I just happened to log in at the right time! But I've also only experienced a little over a month on my end—how has it been years for the group master?】

【Pang Bo: @Han Li! Wait, didn't you say a few days ago that your time flow was roughly the same as mine? How did it suddenly speed up?】

…

Thus, as everyone chatted back and forth, they quickly realized the differences in time flow rates across their respective worlds.

Indeed, only a little over half a month had passed in the group's time, roughly matching the Covering Heaven World where Pang Bo resided.

But for the worlds of others, the time flow was drastically different!

Sometimes, when Han Li logged off for just one day, three or four days had passed for Yue Buqun;

at other times, the opposite occurred—when one day passed for Yue Buqun, ten days passed for Han Li!

In short, the time flow rates across the worlds were utterly chaotic, with no connection to world tiers—utterly impossible to discern any pattern.

Of course, since half a month had passed in group time, and with Pang Bo's active participation, everyone had grown increasingly familiar with the group's functions—even mastering emoji packs!

【Pang Bo: Group master, the Millennium Spirit Marrow you gave me helped immensely, so I've prepared a gift for you during this time!】

【System Prompt: Pang Bo uploaded a group red packet: A completely shattered Buddhist artifact, one Nine Marvelous Immortal Herb fruit.】

"This is…"

Seeing Pang Bo's uploaded red packet, Lu Qingshan's heart stirred slightly.

Although these items inside the red packet were likely useless to him, they might still offer some insight for his cultivation.

Moreover, Pang Bo's consistent thoughtfulness in sending him red packets proved he was a man who repaid kindness.

With such mutual exchange, the group's atmosphere would surely continue to improve.

【Lu Qingshan: Didn't someone just claim my Millennium Spirit Marrow was worse than some Hundred Herbs Tonic? How is it helping you so much now?】

Lu Qingshan wasn't surprised by the Millennium Spirit Marrow's effects—it was merely some liquid he'd casually taken from the Landscape Lake inside his body realm, no stronger than cheap Purple Light Dew.

But seeing Pang Bo complain about it, he couldn't resist teasing him.

【Pang Bo: Group master, please don't be angry! I was just joking with Old Yue! The Millennium Spirit Marrow truly helped me and Ye Zi immensely—the Hundred Herbs Tonic distributed in my cave realm has some effect, but the quantity is far too scarce, nowhere near as much as the Millennium Spirit Marrow you gave me!】

【Pang Bo: Without the Millennium Spirit Marrow you gave me, Ye Zi and I probably still wouldn't have opened our Bitter Sea!】

【Lu Qingshan: That's more like it!】

【System Prompt: Lu Qingshan claimed the completely shattered Buddhist artifact and the Nine Marvelous Immortal Herb fruit.】

【Cao Cao: I've also prepared a gift for you, Group Master—though it can't compare to the things you already have, it's my sincere offering.】

【System Prompt: Cao Cao uploaded a group red packet: Ten fine jades, a hundred jars of fine wine…】

【Lu Qingshan: Meng De, you're thoughtful!】

【System Prompt: Lu Qingshan claimed the fine jades and fine wine…】

In Huashan's grand hall, Yue Buqun noticed this scene and his heart skipped a beat.

He had been far too careless!

Although Yue Buqun knew his resources were scarce, he had still felt a faint sense of relief before.

After all, his world still had some Wu Gong manuals—at least better than Cao Cao's world.

But now...

Han Li, who could help the group owner, naturally needed no further mention; Pang Bo's gift was also quite precious; even Cao Cao had sent a gift to express his intentions...

Yet he had been thinking only of how to break through to the Primordial Realm lately, and had actually forgotten this most important matter...

【Yue Buqun: Group Owner, I have also prepared a gift for you. However, since our Huashan Sect has few members, the gift is still being prepared. I hope you can allow me a few more days!】

【Lu Qingshan: It's fine, Mr. Yue; your intention is enough!】

【Lu Qingshan: By the way, I wonder how everyone has been lately? Have you encountered any troubles? If you need my help, just say so!】

【Pang Bo: My situation is actually quite good for now, but Ye Zi has already been targeted by that Elder Han! Group Owner, I wonder if you have any way to help deal with that Elder Han?】

Although in the original work, Ye Fan not only suffered no harm under Elder Han's schemes but actually benefited from the misfortune, since Pang Bo knew about this in advance, he naturally did not wish to let Ye Fan take such risks again.

As for the matter in the original work where he was possessed by an ancient monster of the Meng Yao Zu, that was easily resolved; all he needed to do was avoid the Demon Emperor's tomb at the right time!

【Lu Qingshan: It's a small matter! I'll just prepare a weapon for you!】

Immediately, Lu Qingshan quickly dug out a weapon from a corner of A world ring.

【System Notice: Group Owner Lu Qingshan has uploaded a designated red packet, B9-class laser gun.】

【Lu Qingshan: This is an instant-fire B9-class laser gun. Its power is quite impressive, and it is simple to operate; you can easily kill that Elder Han with it!】

【System Notice: Pang Bo has claimed the B9-class laser gun.】

【Pang Bo: Thank you, Group Owner! Once Ye Zi and I obtain the Emperor Scripture and the Medicine King later, we will certainly prepare one for you, Group Owner!】

【Yue Buqun: Group Owner, thanks to the Millennium Spirit Marrow you gifted, I have now cultivated to the peak of the Primordial Realm. However, no matter how I cultivate from here on, I cannot break through. I wonder if Group Owner knows the reason?】

【Lu Qingshan: Does continuing to use the Millennium Spirit Marrow and the Hundred Herbs Liquid not work either?】

【Yue Buqun: That's right! Recently, I have been taking the Millennium Spirit Marrow, and even used a bottle of Hundred Herbs Liquid that Brother Pang Bo gave me, but there is still no effect!】

【Lu Qingshan: Then perhaps it is due to the world's level. I am unable to resolve this now; perhaps when the chat group adds other functions in the future, there will be some solutions.】

【Yue Buqun: So that is how it is!】

【Cao Cao: Group Owner, thank you again for the Millennium Spirit Marrow you gifted! I only let Yuan Rang use a small amount, and a few days ago he was already able to suppress Lu Bu. If not for Lu Bu's Red Hare horse running so fast, he might have been beheaded by Yuan Rang on horseback!】

Xiahou Dun suppressing Lu Bu?

After imagining this scene, a sense of collapse arose in Lu Qingshan's heart.

But who could blame Cao Cao for joining the chat group?

【Han Li: @Lu Qingshan, Group Owner, I wonder if the Can Tian Zao Hua Dew has been of any help to you?】

【Lu Qingshan: The Can Tian Zao Hua Dew has indeed been of great help to me. Thank you, Daoist Han. In the future, I may well need to ask for your help!】

【Han Li: Group Owner, you are far too polite. If I can help you, Group Owner, that would be the best of all!】

【System Notice: Han Li has uploaded a red packet, one drop of Can Tian Zao Hua Dew.】

【Han Li: However, this Can Tian Zao Hua Dew dissipates very easily, making it extremely inconvenient to store. Group Owner, you must find a way to deal with this!】

【Lu Qingshan: Daoist Han, please rest assured. Leave this problem to me to solve!】

Hearing these words, Han Li within the Yellow Wind Valley also felt a stir in his heart.

If the Group Owner could truly resolve the problem of the Can Tian Zao Hua Dew dissipating easily, it would also bring some benefits to him.

Just then...

【System Notice: Detected increased activity within the chat group. The chat group is beginning to upgrade!】

(End of this chapter)