Chapter 42: The Jade Box and Delusions

“You’re not replying to your senior sister’s messages—aren’t you afraid of getting punished when you go back?” Xu Xing asked.

“The me who goes back will be the one afraid.”

And even if he didn’t do this, he’d still get beaten up—Chi Jiu Yu silently added to himself.

“Let’s not talk about that. Uncle, on the way here I checked the Spirit Net—further up there’s a really interesting performance, supposedly involving interaction with Iron-Tooth Crocodiles.”

Iron-Tooth Crocodile, a ferocious beast with astonishing bite force, capable of chewing through iron and metal—even Foundation Establishment body cultivators might not withstand their iron teeth and copper jaws.

Continuing upward, halfway up the mountain, they saw a spacious, neatly carved cavity within the mountain’s flank, reinforced with arrays to prevent collapse.

【Iron-Tooth Crocodile Park】

The surroundings and floor were lined with layers of white tiles, making the entire area bright and clean; at the center stood a shallow, enclosed pool, where a monstrous crocodile-like beast, several meters long and covered in glossy black scales, lay sprawled.

When it opened its mouth, its sharp, terrifying teeth—gleaming with metallic luster—could be clearly seen.

This was the Iron-Tooth Crocodile.

Since it was a weekday, there weren’t many tourists, so the two easily found the best viewing spot.

The performance was already halfway through.

A staff member in light blue uniform was crouching, slowly extending one arm into the open maw of the Iron-Tooth Crocodile.

The staff member’s realm was barely Foundation Establishment—if the beast bit down, his entire arm would be crushed to pulp.

The surrounding tourists stared intently, holding their breath unconsciously.

Indeed, no matter the world, there are always those who seek thrills.

Chi Jiu Yu took a bite of cotton candy, her gaze fixed tightly on the crocodile’s mouth—not because she found it thrilling, but because she found this suicidal act fascinating.

Suddenly, the staff member seemed to sense something amiss and swiftly pulled his arm back.

As expected, the Iron-Tooth Crocodile’s jaws snapped shut the next instant, teeth clashing, sparks flying.

“Oh!!”

Many tourists gasped; a middle-aged man nearby touched his right hand, his eyes holding a trace of nostalgia.

The staff member stood up and instinctively clutched his hand—he too had been frightened.

Then he looked at the Iron-Tooth Crocodile, his expression complex.

Man and beast stared at each other.

“The Holy Emperor once said well: ‘Walk by the river often enough, and you’ll inevitably get your shoes wet.’”

Chi Jiu Yu turned her head toward the middle-aged man: “Uncle, you seem awfully sentimental.”

“You bet I am—I used to do this job myself,” the uncle, clearly talkative, replied. “This kid’s lucky—I lost a whole arm back then.”

Luckily, I saved up some money, went to the hospital, paid a healing cultivator, and used elixirs to regrow my arm.

“What happened to the Iron-Tooth Crocodile that bit you?” Chi Jiu Yu asked curiously.

How was the crocodile that bit him dealt with?

“It’s right here,” the uncle said, pulling out a leather wallet—something few cultivators ever used. “Its mouth likes opening and closing, right? So I made it follow me around, and let it close its jaws as much as it wanted.”

I turned its teeth into a pair of bone knives—I now specialize in selling Iron-Tooth Crocodile meat.

Chi Jiu Yu stared blankly at the wallet in his hand, then finally clicked her tongue.

It actually… made sense.

At that moment, another staff member stepped out and conferred briefly with the one who had nearly become Yang Guo.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we sincerely apologize—the performance is over for today. Please exit in an orderly manner!”

The Iron-Tooth Crocodile’s pea-sized eyes seemed to flicker with innocence.

Though the tourists still wanted to watch more, they understood, and began to file out gradually.

Chi Jiu Yu and Xu Xing joined the crowd, walking out together.

She suddenly remembered what the uncle had said: “Uncle, do you think that Iron-Tooth Crocodile will perform with people here again?” “Hmm… those three things probably won’t happen anymore.”

Huh? Didn’t I just ask one question?

Why are there three things?

…………

On the other side of the viewing park, a cartoonish Chi Yu descended from the sky and landed in a secluded corner.

Xiao Fan removed his headpiece and caught the sword as its spiritual glow faded.

“Phew~”

He exhaled deeply—he’d been flying all morning, and his true energy was nearly depleted.

After the combat test, he’d already processed his withdrawal from the academy—he was a man with no future, so continuing his studies made no sense.

The headmaster and principal knew his situation was special, so they didn’t blame him; he was deeply grateful.

Fortunately, his brother’s treatment was successful—his injuries had stabilized, his cultivation base had dropped somewhat, but his foundation had been repaired.

With his brother’s talent, he’d surely regain his full cultivation in no time.

Thinking of this, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Fan’s face.

As he walked into the staff break room, another person in the same plush costume stepped out.

“Go rest, Xiao Fan—eat something, drink plenty of Soul-Replenishing Elixir.”

“Yes, Brother Li.”

The man Xiao Fan called Brother Li nodded, put on his headpiece, then used the Art of Object Control to soar into the sky.

Above, besides the Chi Yu, many other cartoonish beasts floated in the air.

This was his job—dressing as beasts to boost the park’s appeal, mainly to attract young children.

It was relatively easy, and the pay wasn’t bad.

Actually, there were plenty of jobs available after Foundation Establishment, but he hadn’t found a suitable one yet, so he had to make do with this for now.

Entering the break room, a gentle breeze dispersed some of his fatigue.

Xiao Fan took off his bulky costume and placed it aside, then reached for a vial of Soul-Replenishing Elixir from the shelf.

He downed it in one gulp, then walked to a table near the back, where neatly arranged meal boxes sat—etched with a constant-temperature array, so they wouldn’t cool.

He grabbed one at random, turned, sat on the steps by the door, and opened the lid.

The meal contained meat, vegetables, and even spiritual rice—capable of mildly replenishing true energy.

After a few bites, he looked up and happened to see two children, around seven or eight, wielding wooden swords, shouting things like, “When I grow up, I’ll be the sect leader of the Sword Sect!”

Their parents followed behind, laughing and chatting.

“...”

When he was young, he too had wanted to become a sword cultivator—but after his brother joined the Dragon-Elephant Sky-Pillar Sect, he gradually grew drawn to body cultivation.

People are like this: when busy, they forget many bad things; but when alone and resting, they become sentimental.

After a long while, he set the meal box aside and pulled a jade box from his chest.

The jade box was palm-sized, smooth and rounded on the outside.

Though it had always been uncomfortable against his body, for some reason, he’d kept it with him all this time.

“Heh…”

Xiao Fan chuckled bitterly—he knew why.

It was just a foolish hope, clinging to that sales pitch, or perhaps a delusion about his current situation.

He hadn’t opened it yet, afraid that this fragile delusion might turn into a cruel joke.

Please collect, please follow!! (End of Chapter)