Chapter 118: Unscrupulous Compatriot

Chi Jiuyu directly led Zhang Yunlu into the third floor of the cafeteria—the core area housing a hundred-story tower.

Even she rarely came here to spend, as it was simply too expensive to afford…

But today was different: her master's promised one million contribution points had just been credited, and she was now a wealthy fish.

Yet according to her master's words, these were expenses for their current mission, so any leftover would likely be reclaimed after mission completion.

Then why not enjoy it now?

Thus, after more than an hour, Chi Jiuyu emerged from the cafeteria again with Zhang Yunlu, her belly swollen to fullness.

"Phew! Full, full!" This time she'd truly eaten her fill. "Little Yunlu, I won't be accompanying you to the Starry Sky Simulation Arena."

She was about to depart for the stars and needed to return to recharge the starship and replace all its modules.

I'll just charge it all to energy consumption and get my master to reimburse me!

"Mm." Zhang Yunlu gave a slight nod.

Since she was going to the Starry Sky Simulation Arena afterward, she hadn't eaten much.

"Let's go."

Chi Jiuyu leapt lightly, her entire body transforming into a blade of light that shot skyward.

Only after the blade of light vanished completely from view did Zhang Yunlu summon a flying shuttle and step inside.

Without Chi Jiuyu's supervision, a novice like her couldn't ride a sword alone—she'd need to practice at a designated training ground.

The Starry Sky Simulation Arena happened to be one such place.

…

…

Not long after the two left, three figures arrived near the cafeteria.

Tourists and Sword Sect disciples passed by, yet none so much as glanced their way—as if they were utterly invisible—these were Xu Xing and the other two.

Yuanjun looked up toward the direction Zhang Yunlu had departed.

A mere Creation Foundation Establishment cultivator, closely associated with the Sword Sovereign's disciple, and her understanding of the Dao was unusually peculiar…

"It seems you intend to take her as your disciple?"

"Indeed."

"She's even learned the Purple Rampart Zi Yuan Guan Qi Method."

It appears the Dao-Union junior from within the sect who fell into a mental demon had once considered taking her as a mantle disciple.

In a way, he might as well have competed with the Sword Sovereign for a disciple? That's rather amusing.

"May I give her a gift, then?"

Bie Xuening glanced at her coolly: "Do as you please."

Xiang Yuanjun smiled lightly: "Since she's already mastered the Purple Rampart Zi Yuan Guan Qi Method, I'll give her a suitable companion technique."

A wisp of spiritual light drifted out and swiftly vanished toward the horizon.

What she sent was no profound or extraordinary method—merely another concealment technique from Zi Huan Zhenjun's lineage.

With the foundation of the Purple Rampart Zi Yuan Guan Qi Method, she'd find it easier to learn.

Because the Sword Sovereign was involved, she could not divine what this junior would do next, yet she could see this concealment technique was the most suitable for her.

"You never showed such generosity toward Lingzu's disciple or Yuan."

"That matter involved Huo. In most cases, I still prefer not to interfere in other Dao companions' calculations."

This was merely a casual act.

The two are incomparable.

"By the way." Xu Xing spoke up. "What became of Lingzu's disciple who followed Yuan after his disappearance?"

"Lingzu's disciple." Yuanjun paused. "She did not vanish with Yuan."

The Zhengdaoda Sect alliance was founded under Yuan's leadership; as the direct disciple of Ling Yin Fang's founder, her identity was inherently sensitive, and the Zhengdaoda Sects didn't want their own sects swallowed by the Xian Sect without warning.

Thus, during the early days of the Zhengdaoda Sect alliance, to avoid suspicion, Lingzu's disciple returned to Ling Yin Fang.

Only after the Zhengdaoda Sect alliance stabilized and the world's transformation bore initial results did Yuan go to Ling Yin Fang to meet that disciple. At the time, all believed the two would become Dao companions.

After all, Yuan's cultivation had reached an extremely terrifying level, even holding potential to become an Absolute Apex existence—he had every right to do so.

Yet no one expected that after his final visit to Ling Yin Fang, he vanished without warning.

And the "Xian Sect Murdered the Holy Emperor" theory was first raised at that time.

"Over forty years ago, while traveling through Qing Xu, I encountered her again. She seemed to be searching for traces of Yuan." Yuanjun continued.

"Does she not know where Yuan went?"

"From her behavior, she likely knows something—but precisely where Yuan went, she probably truly does not know."

"What is Lingzu's stance on this?" Xu Xing asked again.

"Lingzu has taken no position." Yuanjun sighed. "And when I was in Qing Xu, I asked the disciple whether she needed help."

After all, Lingzu's disciple was quite admirable, and she was willing to lend aid.

"Even you, Yuanjun Dao companion, couldn't find Yuan?"

If Yuanjun's path could seek someone, that person had virtually no chance of hiding.

"No. She refused my help." Yuanjun felt a pang of emotion. "She likely fears my interference might bring trouble to Yuan."

Truly, she loved him deeply.

"Hmm…"

In that case, this transmigrator compatriot seems rather unscrupulous.

…………

Starry Sky Simulation Arena.

Situated among the mountains, it too was built by leveling several Dashan, its area slightly larger than the cafeteria.

Rows of pure white, semicircular buildings stood neatly aligned, wreathed in mist and clouds, resembling giant buns placed in steamer racks, obscuring the view beyond.

Upon entering, one could immediately see the interior layout.

Payment area, rest area, and Starry Sky Simulation Training Ground.

Behind the counter in the payment area stood two Jianzong disciples clad in pure white uniforms, both at Foundation Establishment realm.

In the rest area, three Jianzong disciples, also at Foundation Establishment realm, were chatting, their brooms and various cleaning tools beside them—though these tasks could easily be replaced by magical devices.

But doing so would leave many low-rank Jianzong disciples with nothing to do and lose their income, so the tasks were simply issued as assignments.

Tasks like these are typically what Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment Jianzong disciples can handle.

Zhang Yunlu arrived at the payment area and, following the instructions of the two fellow disciples at the counter, swiped her identity jade tablet across a device.

Beep!

In a crisp alert tone, her contribution points instantly vanished—twelve hundred points.

The Starry Sky Simulation Training Ground charged by time: ten contribution points per minute. Zhang Yunlu purchased two hours directly.

"Ye Shijie, the duration you purchased is two hours, one hundred and twenty minutes, and timing will begin once you enter the Starry Sky Simulation Training Ground," said the disciple behind the counter with a smile.

Zhang Yunlu, though newly promoted, had already climbed to third place on the Foundation Establishment ranking list! Calling her Ye Shijie is not excessive.

To address her as Junior Sister out of arrogance would be sheer insolence.

"Ye Shijie, please enter from the left side. I will activate the simulation device for you."

"Thank you."

Zhang Yunlu gave a slight nod, then passed through the large door on the left and entered the Starry Sky Simulation Training Ground.

Looking around, the interior was likewise a pure white space, blindingly bright.

The floor, made of some unknown material, felt soft beneath her feet.

'I still sense nothing unusual.'

Her eyes swirled with purple qi as she softly recited the technique that had suddenly appeared in her mind: "The Purple Qi Concealment and Spirit Hiding Method."

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