Chapter 50: The Strange Voice in My Heart

In the kitchen, two spiritual fish swam leisurely in the tank.

Suddenly, a hand plunged into the water, startling them into frantic escape—but the tank was small, and one was quickly caught.

Its golden scales were coated in a slimy film, slippery to the touch.

Yet Chi Jiuyu gripped it firmly and pulled it out.

The spiritual fish struggled violently, its tail accidentally slapping the tank and causing the nearly half-full water to slide outward.

“Good thing this tank is specially made.”

Otherwise, it would’ve been shattered by that blow.

She held the writhing fish in one hand and lightly tapped its head with the other.

*Pop!* A thread of magic power surged in, instantly extinguishing the fish’s life. She then skillfully scaled it, opened its belly, removed the organs, severed the head, and laid the prepared body aside.

Chi Jiuyu pulled out her phone, activated the camera, and used the Art of Spirit Manipulation to make it hover behind her.

After finishing this, she stepped to the fish’s side and struck it hard.

A burst of magic power sent the entire fish soaring into the air; Chi Jiuyu’s gaze locked onto it as her kitchen knife slashed out!

*Shhh!* Dozens of fine sword qi crossed through the air, slicing the fish’s body into even segments. Her other hand caught a porcelain plate—the paper-thin fish slices landed inside, neatly aligned.

Chi Jiuyu set down the knife with delight, gazing at the perfectly arranged slices on the plate.

I’m so damn awesome!

Actually, one slice had slipped slightly off-center, but she’d quietly adjusted it.

After admiring it for a while, she waved her hand, summoning the phone, trimmed away the unimportant parts of the video, and sent it to “My Most Respected Master.”

Future Master of the Sword Sect: “How’s it look, Master? My cousin and I are preparing to eat fish today.”

My Most Respected Master: “/hanging”

My Most Respected Master: “/whip-yellow-duck”

Pfft. Chi Jiuyu tossed the phone into her storage ring and carried the fish slices out of the kitchen.

“Cousin! Look at how beautifully I sliced these fish!”

Xu Xing sat on the sofa, one hand holding his phone, from which a familiar sweet voice still streamed.

“I’ve arrived at the hotel~ The environment here is excellent, and the surrounding area is lined with spirit gathering arrays—plenty of spiritual energy. When you visit Xuanjian City, consider staying here!”

You got paid to advertise this, didn’t you?

No, that’s not the important part.

“Cousin, you’re watching the Hehuan Sect’s livestream!”

This time, it’s definitely not out of curiosity about their cultivation methods.

Xu Xing looked up at her: “Yeah, so what?”

So what…

Chi Jiuyu fell silent. Indeed, there was no rule forbidding her cousin from watching Hehuan Sect livestreams.

Hmm…

She set down the fish slices and turned back toward the kitchen.

Xu Xing returned to his phone. On screen was Jiang Yujiu, the Hehuan Sect’s charm cultivator he’d met before—no longer in her palace gown, but now wearing a white tight-fitting tank top and denim shorts, kneeling on the bed, her long, dazzlingly pale legs exposed. Streamers flooded the screen.

【Exploring Ancient Cultivators’ Relics in Xuanjian City】

It seems disciples from other immortal sects won’t be far behind.

Xu Xing closed the livestream and put down his phone.

In the kitchen, Chi Jiuyu pulled out the phone she’d just stored in her ring.

Future Master of the Sword Sect: “Master, Cousin is watching the Hehuan Sect’s livestream!”

This time, the other side didn’t reply immediately, as before.

Huh? Network lag? After a long pause…

My Most Respected Master: “Brother isn’t that kind of person.”

Chi Jiuyu raised an eyebrow.

I’m your disciple! You don’t believe me?

…………

In the hospital, Xiao Fan entered a ward.

On the window-side bed lay a tall, muscular man, eyes closed, his breath weak.

Beside him sat a middle-aged woman.

“Mom.”

The woman turned, saw Xiao Fan, and smiled faintly: “Little Fan.”

“How’s my brother?” Xiao Fan stepped forward, standing at the foot of the bed. “Has he improved?”

“Yes, I asked the doctors today—he could wake up any day now.” As Xiao Fan’s mother spoke, she noticed her son stood motionless, lost in thought.

She grew concerned: “Are you alright, Little Fan? Should you get checked?”

Xiao Fan startled back to reality, forcing a weak smile: “Don’t worry, Mom, I’m fine.”

“Why don’t you go rest? Your brother’s condition is stable now—you don’t need to worry.”

Xiao Fan didn’t refuse. He nodded: “Alright, Mom. I’ll head back then.”

He turned and walked quickly out of the ward.

Xiao Fan’s mother watched his retreating back, guilt deepening within her.

“Little Fan has sacrificed too much this time.”

She didn’t think further, assuming her son was upset over his fake Foundation Establishment.

But after leaving the ward, Xiao Fan lowered his head, eyes filled with dread.

A voice—only he could hear—faint, hazy, both real and illusory—echoed in his ears.

No—it felt like it came from deep within his soul.

“Why sacrifice your own future for your brother?”

“Do they really not know you bought the Barrier-Breaking Spirit Elixir?”

“No—it’s all lies!”

“They’ve known all along. They wanted to save the better son. You? You were just the one they abandoned.”

“Human nature is this: those spirit coins were placed there deliberately for you to see. They’d rather save your brother than you.”

“You’ve been abandoned!”

“You’ve been abandoned!”

“You’ve been abandoned!”

As the voice grew faster, Xiao Fan’s inner agitation intensified.

“Hey! Watch where you’re walking! This is a hospital!”

“Shut up!” Xiao Fan roared, turning around.

His voice was loud—everyone in the hallway turned to look.

The one who’d warned him was a patient in a hospital gown, pale and emaciated. The shout left him embarrassed.

But before he could react, Xiao Fan suddenly bowed deeply.

“I’m so sorry! I’m in a bad mood—I didn’t mean it! Truly sorry!”

His apology came so fast, the patient was stunned.

“N-no problem. Just be more careful next time.”

Xiao Fan bowed again, then turned and hurried out of the hospital.

The onlookers, expecting drama, dispersed.

Outside, Xiao Fan glanced back, heart still pounding.

Huh… huh…

After several deep breaths, he felt slightly better.

What’s wrong with me? He pressed his hand to his chest.

What was that voice?

After a long while, Xiao Fan looked up.

Amid the bustling crowd, a single figure stood motionless—strikingly noticeable—yet everyone around him acted as if they saw nothing.

He blinked: “Master Huo?”

“The opportunity was before you, yet you failed to seize it.”

Huo’s voice was calm as he stepped forward; with each step, Xiao Fan felt himself drifting farther from the world around him.

When he reached Xiao Fan’s side, nothing remained—only endless white stretched before him.

A technique utterly incomprehensible.

How high is Master Huo’s realm? “Only once.”

Huo raised a finger—a storage ring landed in Xiao Fan’s palm.

An opportunity?

Xiao Fan quickly understood.

Was Master Huo referring to the cup I picked up earlier?

Huo stared at Xiao Fan, for once feeling a flicker of exasperation.

He had once granted many people fortune, but never before had anyone abandoned an imminent great opportunity over just two spirit coins, as Xiao Fan had.

Please collect and follow!! (Chapter End)