Chapter 20: Weird Time Flow Rate

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

[Pang Bo: Old Yue, did the Hundred Herbs Tonic I sent you not 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 my Ren and Du Meridians, reaching the peak of Primordial Realm, my cultivation base has stalled completely—I have no idea why!]

[Yue Buqun: It’s a pity the group master is still in seclusion; otherwise, I could ask him for advice!]

[Pang Bo: Why don’t you try cultivating the technique I’m using? I’ve recently been practicing the Dao Jing, and my strength has advanced rapidly—I’ve already opened my Kuhai . If you want, I can send it to you!]

[Yue Buqun: Really? Then I’d be deeply grateful, Brother Pang Bo! But I wonder if I can even cultivate the Dao Jing like you? Earlier, when Han Li uploaded his techniques, none of us managed to succeed!]

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

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

[Pang Bo: Didn’t Han Li already say that cultivating those techniques requires a spiritual root? Our inability to practice may not be because we’re in another world—it could be because we simply lack a spiritual root!]

[Pang Bo: Let’s not dwell on that. I’ll send you the Dao Jing right away—try cultivating 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—it’s even more effective than the Millennium Spirit Marrow when opening the Kuhai , 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, all novels documenting the members’ exploits had been granted access rights, 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 him at all.

Precisely because of this, he became even more courteous toward the other members and would never greedily 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 best—just came online and already got a red packet! Envious.JPG]

[System Prompt: Han Li and Yue Buqun claimed the Dao Jing!]

[Pang Bo: This… you all usually lurk, but as soon as I send a red packet, you all pop up!]

[Han Li: I just happened to come online at the right time! But on my end, it’s also only been a little over a month—how has it been years for the group master?]

[Pang Bo: @Han Li! That doesn’t make sense—didn’t you say just a few days ago that your time flow was similar to mine? How did it suddenly speed up?]

…

Thus, one by one, they began to realize the differences in time flow across their respective worlds.

In the chat group, only a little over half a month had passed, roughly matching the time flow in Pang Bo’s world of Zhe Tian.

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

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

other times, the opposite happened—one day passed for Yue Buqun while ten days passed for Han Li.

In short, the time flow across each world was chaotic, with no connection to world rank—utterly impossible to discern any pattern.

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

[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 Marvels Immortal Herb fruit.]

“This is…”

Seeing Pang Bo’s red packet, Lu Qingshan felt a slight stir within.

Though these items were likely useless to him, they might still offer some insight for his cultivation.

Moreover, Pang Bo’s consistent thoughtfulness in sending gifts proved he was a man who repaid kindness.

With such mutual exchange, the group’s atmosphere would surely improve further.

[Lu Qingshan: Didn’t someone just claim my Millennium Spirit Marrow was worse than the Hundred Herbs Tonic? Now it’s helping you immensely?]

Lu Qingshan wasn’t surprised by the Millennium Spirit Marrow’s effect—it was merely some liquid he’d casually taken from the landscape lake inside his inner world, barely 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 sky domain has some effect, but the quantity is far too small, nowhere near as good as the Millennium Spirit Marrow you gave me!]

[Pang Bo: Without your Millennium Spirit Marrow, Ye Zi and I probably wouldn’t have opened our Kuhai yet!]

[Lu Qingshan: Now that’s more like it!]

[System Prompt: Lu Qingshan claimed the completely shattered Buddhist artifact and the Nine Marvels 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 jade pieces, a hundred jars of fine wine…]

[Lu Qingshan: Mengde, you’re thoughtful!]

[System Prompt: Lu Qingshan claimed the jade and fine wine…]

In Huashan’s grand hall, Yue Buqun noticed this and his heart sank.

He’d been far too careless!

Though Yue Buqun knew his resources were scarce, he’d still felt a faint sense of relief.

After all, his world still had some martial arts manuals—at least better than Cao Cao’s world.

But now…

Han Li, who could help the group master, needed no mention; Pang Bo’s gift was valuable; even Cao Cao had sent a gift to show his sincerity…

Yet he’d been preoccupied only with breaking through the Primordial Realm, forgetting this most important matter…

[Yue Buqun: Group master, I’ve also prepared a gift for you, but Huashan Sect has few members, so it’s still being gathered—please allow me a few more days to prepare it!]

[Lu Qingshan: No problem—your intention is enough!]

[Lu Qingshan: By the way, how have you all been lately? Any troubles? Don’t hesitate to ask for help!]

[Pang Bo: My situation is fine, but Ye Zi has caught the attention of that Elder Han! Group master, can you help me deal with him?]

Although in the original novel, Ye Fan suffered no harm from Elder Han’s schemes and even gained fortune from misfortune, Pang Bo, having learned of this in advance, refused to let Ye Fan take such risks.

As for the original event where a demonic elder possessed him, that was easily avoidable—just steer clear of the Demon Emperor’s Tomb!

[Lu Qingshan: A minor matter! I’ll prepare a weapon for you.]

Immediately, Lu Qingshan pulled a weapon from a corner of his world ring.

[System Prompt: Group master Lu Qingshan uploaded a targeted red packet: B9-class laser rifle.]

[Lu Qingshan: This is a B9-class instant-fire laser rifle—its power is quite impressive, and it’s simple to operate; you can easily kill Elder Han with it!]

[System Prompt: Pang Bo claimed the B9-class laser rifle.]

[Pang Bo: Thank you, Group Master! When Ye Zi and I obtain the Emperor Scripture and the Medicine King, we’ll prepare a gift for you!]

[Yue Buqun: Group master, thanks to your Millennium Spirit Marrow, I’ve reached the peak of the Primordial Realm, but I can’t break through no matter how I cultivate—do you know why?]

[Lu Qingshan: Even continuing to use the Millennium Spirit Marrow and Hundred Herbs Tonic doesn’t help?]

[Yue Buqun: Correct! I’ve been taking the Millennium Spirit Marrow constantly, even used one bottle of the Hundred Herbs Tonic Brother Pang Bo gave me—but still nothing!]

[Lu Qingshan: Perhaps it’s due to world rank—I can’t resolve this now. Maybe later, when the chat group gains new functions, a solution will appear.]

[Yue Buqun: I see!]

[Cao Cao: Group master, thank you again for the Millennium Spirit Marrow! I only let Yuanrang use a little, and just a few days ago he started overpowering Lu Bu—if Lu Bu hadn’t had that Red Hare horse, Yuanrang might have slain him on horseback!]

Xiahou Dun overpowering Lu Bu?

Imagining that scene, Lu Qingshan felt a strange sense of cognitive dissonance.

But what could he do? Cao Cao had joined the group.

[Han Li: @Lu Qingshan, Group master, has the Heaven-Height Creation Dew helped you at all?]

[Lu Qingshan: The Heaven-Height Creation Dew has helped me immensely—thank you, Brother Han. I’ll likely need your help again in the future.]

[Han Li: Group master, you’re too kind—I’m only glad to assist you!]

[System Prompt: Han Li uploaded a red packet: One drop of Heaven-Height Creation Dew.]

[Han Li: But the Heaven-Height Creation Dew dissipates easily—it’s very hard to store. Group master, you’ll need to find a way to preserve it!]

[Lu Qingshan: Brother Han, rest assured—I’ll handle this problem.]

Hearing this, Han Li in Huangfeng Valley felt a stir within.

If the group master could solve the dissipation problem of the Heaven-Height Creation Dew, it would benefit him too.

Just then…

[System Prompt: Detected increased chat group activity—chat group upgrading!]

(End of Chapter)