Chapter 12 Brother Pot Revitalizes the Cultivation World (12% Progress)
"Xiao Yao, where have you been? You've really worried the family! Stop talking to yourself and come here. I don't blame you for recklessly throwing money around on the street. I'll take back the land deeds you gave away right away." Su's father's sudden words brought Su Xiao Yao and the malfunctioning 996 back to reality.
Su Xiaoyao looked over unhappily and saw Su Pinghe with a greasy smile on his face, which seemed gentle but contained a hidden threat.
The insincere concern sent a chill down her spine, and her good mood vanished instantly.
Indeed, for ordinary people, possessing good things is like burning oneself with ivory. This is, after all, a city ruled by power. What she gives away is meaningless and will only bring disaster to others.
Before she could retort, 996 got angry first.
These hateful bastards! They shattered the iron will of the once-mighty Scroll King!
It said angrily:
[Xiao Yao, oil in the system shop costs 10 points per ton, and a low-grade lightning strike talisman costs 50 points each. If you don't have enough points, as the top student in the system academy, I have enough credibility to apply for an increase in your loan amount.]
Su Xiaoyao suddenly realized what was happening.
Now she has a system, she has a powerful backer, and she no longer needs to feign politeness with these scumbags.
"Aren't you upset that I'm holding you back? If you're tied to me, you probably won't be able to get first place anymore." She felt ashamed.
She was so conflicted. To be honest, she didn't want to work hard, but the 996 work schedule was so good to her, it was really unfair to drag Juan Wang down with a lazy bum.
[We're partners, how can partners complain about each other? I'm a perfect graduate with a 996 work schedule, the strongest support system. If the host is too lazy, where will the other systems' motivation be? I'll give them a break for now, and I'll take over the lazy Xiao Yao from now on.]
996 quickly adjusted his mindset and replied.
Su Xiaoyao opened her mouth, but in the end didn't say anything. She just said, "Help me exchange it."
[Alright, the effect of using talismans in the mortal realm will be greatly reduced, but that's alright. As soon as Xiao Yao uses the lightning strike talisman, I'll immediately pour oil on them to help them burn.]
Su Xiaoyao's eyelids twitched upon hearing this.
Even if she loathed those people, she couldn't bring herself to take their lives.
She belatedly realized that 996 was only friendly to its own people; it was essentially a system adapted to the dog-eat-dog environment of the cultivation world. Its decisive and ruthless approach was the true nature of the top graduate of the System Academy.
“No need, just splash it in the Su residence. I hate that house,” she said.
[Alright, I'll go splash it right now. I guarantee I'll do it evenly and efficiently, helping the low-grade lightning strike talisman unleash its original power and scare them to death.]
Those with perfect execution skills, working 996, took action without hesitation.
After composing herself and feeling confident, Su Xiaoyao raised her head and scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm: "Su Pinghe, you have no right to act superior to me as an elder. Don't tell me you don't know that someone else is inside this body."
The daughter, who had been abandoned in the backyard to fend for herself and had never attended school, suddenly seemed to have divine assistance, coming up with one ingenious idea after another. She couldn't believe that Su Pinghe had no doubts.
But he never questioned it. What he cared about was not Su Xiaoyao as a person, but the benefits that she or "she" could bring.
He wouldn't care even if a ghost possessed him, as long as the benefits were plentiful enough.
Upon hearing this, Su Pinghe quickly glanced at the prince beside him, then forced an ugly smile: "Xiao Yao, it's my fault that I couldn't rescue you in time when you were kidnapped by bandits, but you shouldn't say such foolish things. I am your father. Even if you have a miraculous encounter and obtain a secret treasure, I am still your father. This is an unbreakable blood tie."
When the topic of the secret treasure came up, he looked greedily at the potion cauldron that was spinning around in place, curious about everything.
Su Xiaoyao was somewhat dazed.
Yes, Su Pinghe still doesn't know she's going to become a cultivator, and he still plans to use the old rules to coerce her and put pressure on her through the public.
This was the same scene when she first did something so unconventional a year and a half ago.
But this time is different.
"Wenren Cong, do you know where I've gone?" She looked at the high and mighty prince, wanting to know the answer.
Wenren Cong gently persuaded, "Xiao Yao, stop making a fuss. We searched high and low for you after you disappeared, but thankfully you came back safely. I have already spoken with Lord Su. Although your reputation has been damaged, I am still willing to marry you as my concubine. Come here quickly."
“Xiao Yao, you’re sixteen now, it’s time for you to get married. Which girl your age is like you, always showing your face in public? And the Prince is so sincere…” Su Pinghe looked like a kind father, trying to persuade her with all his heart.
Su Xiaoyao was fed up with his hypocritical words and rolled her eyes, saying, "There are people your age who have died, why don't you go with them?"
"Your Highness, look at this." Su Pinghe said with a helpless expression, bowing and saying, "Forgive me for failing to properly educate my daughter."
"It's alright, Xiao Yao was just acting on impulse. It's my fault for not being able to save her in time." Wenren Cong maintained his elegant demeanor.
Surrounded by voices of envy and criticism, Su Xiaoyao's gaze dimmed.
It would be a lie to say that she didn't care at all if a tall, handsome, and successful man was pursuing her, but this fragile bubble wrapped in a fairy tale eventually shattered.
She sighed inwardly.
Since she's about to leave, she might as well make a clean break before she goes. She's been cautious for two years, so she should stand up straight and be assertive before she leaves.
“There were no bandits. Su Muyao kidnapped me and threw me into a pool full of piranhas, intending for me to die there.” She told the truth with remarkable calmness.
But nobody cared.
"Su Xiaoyao, what nonsense are you spouting! You, a mere concubine's daughter, dare to be schemed against by me!"
"Don't talk nonsense. Even if you and Ayao have always been at odds, you must not tarnish your elder sister's reputation in public."
"Xiao Yao, don't say such hurtful things. Your sister's reputation being damaged will not benefit your marriage either."
A thousand words condensed into a sigh, and Su Xiaoyao calmly dropped a bombshell: "I've been chosen by the immortals and am going to the cultivation world."
Wenren Cong, who was pretending to be sentimental, froze and blurted out, "How is that possible! You're just a five-elemental-root!"
Su Xiaoyao sensed something, and her gaze suddenly sharpened: "You examined my spiritual root. For the past two years, I haven't even known about the existence of the cultivation world. Is this the result of your deliberate concealment of the truth? You just want me to stay in the capital, not giving me any possibility of leaving?"
Wenren Cong wasn't stupid; he must have known that she wasn't the illiterate Su Xiaoyao from before, and he could also see her curiosity and desire to explore the new world.
She knew Wenren Cong too well, so she didn't miss the fleeting ruthlessness in his eyes.
"You really went to great lengths to keep me here and risk my life." Only now did she realize that she was a frog kept at the bottom of a well, and someone didn't want her to see the outside world.
“Xiao Yao, we are blood relatives. You are talking nonsense because you are sick. Your father will not blame you.” Su Pinghe’s tone was cold. He emphasized the word “sick” and walked over to forcefully pull her.
Does he think he has too many hands?
When I came back from working 996, I saw this scene and was immediately furious.
What! Someone dares to bully its weak and helpless little host while it's not around?
This is intolerable!
The moment Su Pinghe touched Su Xiaoyao, his hands were twisted into a pretzel.
He retreated in terror, his eyes filled with fear as he stared at Su Xiaoyao, unable to maintain his pretense: "Su Xiaoyao! How dare you touch me! Even if an immortal has taken a liking to you, cultivators value karma above all else. Your flesh and blood come from me, Su Pinghe, and this debt of gratitude can never be severed!"
Su Xiaoyao found it extremely ridiculous, and spread her hands with a wicked smile: "But when the immortal met me, he said that I was all alone and had no karmic entanglements. The immortal couldn't possibly be wrong, right?"
"you!"
As Su Pinghe showed signs of weakness, she slowly approached, not raising her voice intentionally, but everyone could hear her clearly:
"What do you mean, Su Pinghe? You are not worthy to be Su Xiaoyao's father. You wouldn't even give her a name. Your eldest daughter is named Su Muyao, and your younger daughter was just casually renamed after your eldest daughter. But in the end, you don't care about Su Xiaoyao or Su Muyao. You're not unaware of everything, you just pretend not to see your two daughters' infighting. You're dreaming. In the end, one daughter will be liked by the prince, and the other will be suitable for marriage. It doesn't matter who becomes the princess. The winner can control the prince and help you rise to power, and you can get away cleanly. No one can accuse you of selling your daughter for personal gain."
She looked at Su Pinghe's increasingly ugly face and exhaled a breath of stale air.
"You crushed your concubines to death without showing any respect for your wife, pretending to be blind to the infighting in the inner quarters. Your purpose in becoming an official is to make money, and you are always scheming to climb the ranks. In the end, you rely on selling your daughter to bribe officials. Su Pinghe, you are really not worthy. Your good days are over."
She glanced at the floating panel, raised her hand, and swiped to exchange her loan points for a low-grade lightning strike talisman.
Golden lightning gathered on the horizon, stretching out in all directions like the branches of an ancient tree. Once fully formed, it streaked across the vast sky with dazzling flames, striking the enormous mansion directly.
I've added a special effect; as long as no cultivators on site expose it, it'll be enough to fool people.
The 996 work schedule is like a valiant general calmly directing a massive army, meticulously arranging every step with perfect composure.
Su Xiaoyao subtly shifted her gaze, glancing at the Su residence engulfed in flames, then at the distorted faces before her, and finally at the terrified crowd. She felt as if the scent of mint had permeated her from head to toe, leaving her refreshed and invigorated, all her pent-up emotions dissipating.
It feels so good to be able to say whatever I want!
She thought to herself.
"Su Pinghe, I'm going to become a fairy. You've offended a cultivator and haven't earned any merit for following the dragon. What awaits you is only dismissal from office, confiscation of your property, and separation from your wife and children."
"As for Su Muyao, those who do many evil deeds will surely perish. Su Pinghe will never have a chance to turn things around, and you will never get what you want."
"And Your Highness, it's not that I don't understand anything. It's just that my status was too low to understand before. I know that the affection in your eyes is all an act. You look down on me from the bottom of your heart, but you want to rebel and make money by using my ideas, so you endure your disgust and talk to me. I know all of that."
She bluntly exposed him, gleefully enjoying the sudden change in the expressions of those around her.
Wenren Cong looked up in astonishment, glancing around in a panic.
Today's actions were originally intended to force Su Xiaoyao to marry him, but unexpectedly, they ended up digging their own grave.
“Very interesting.” Su Xiaoyao clapped her hands with a smile. “The way you look at me now is only fear, not disgust. I am still me, but your attitude has changed. It’s like the change in status and position has a magical power that can even transform a person’s thoughts.”
It feels so good to have your status reversed; the words buried deep in my heart have finally found an outlet and come out.
"Let's go, baby."
Why not kill them?
She said in a voice that only she and the 996 workers could hear: "I have lived in a society governed by the rule of law since I was a child. I will not kill people, but I will not let them have an easy time either. Sometimes it is more painful to live than to die. Baby, look at the eyes of the people in Beijing when they look at them. Fear and disgust. Let's see if they have the courage to reopen."
"We'll never meet again in the martial world."
She smiled and waved to them, bidding farewell to the Su Xiaoyao of the past.
"Did I give you permission to leave?" Wenren Cong's face was contorted with rage, his sinister gaze fixed on her.
With a wave of his hand, two figures, one in black and one in white, appeared out of nowhere on the street.
Those two were Golden Core cultivators.
996's tone was serious.
Two Golden Core cultivators, one in black and one in white, stood there holding swords. Su Xiaoyao's vision went black, as if she saw the Black and White Impermanence swinging their soul-hooking chains, eager to try.
She didn't have time to think about why Wenren Cong could command cultivators; she frantically exchanged for low-grade lightning strike talismans.
However, when the powerful lightning approached the Golden Core cultivator, it vanished into nothingness.
[Not really. Even if they are suppressed, they still have the physique of the Golden Core stage. Low-grade spirit talismans can't harm them.]
Su Xiaoyao quickly browsed the store, feeling like crying: "The cheapest mid-grade attack talisman costs 500 points."
The situation veered off course, leaving her in disbelief: "I just wanted to show off a little before I left! This idiot prince isn't planning to silence everyone who heard about his rebellious intentions, is he? Isn't it said that cultivators above the Qi Refining level would have their spiritual power suppressed or even dissipated, and their lifespan would be shortened, if they stayed in the mortal realm for a long time? So there aren't many cultivators in the mortal realm?"
She only became arrogant after confirming with 996 multiple times.
Even the 996 work schedule is getting anxious.
[That's what the information says: There are mortals in the cultivation world, but no cultivators in the mortal world. Only Qi Refining stage cultivators, whose physiques are slightly stronger and whose lifespans are slightly longer than ordinary people, can move freely in the mortal world without restrictions. Why can this guy command Golden Core stage cultivators?]
Su Xiaoyao: "It's not your fault. The information was correct, but we misjudged human nature."
She should have realized this long ago, having been immersed in the capital. As long as enough benefits are provided, there will always be those who are willing to risk their lives to stay in the mortal world and serve the royal family.
It's her fault for not thinking deeply about the cultivation world before she even entered it; she's already learned a lesson before even entering the cultivation world.
The situation reversed too quickly. Su Xiaoyao suppressed her trembling and turned to escape, but she was pinned to the spot by the cultivator's pressure and could not move. If it weren't for her pride holding her up, she would have already collapsed to her knees.
"Damn it, how did I become a brainless villain who dies from talking too much? No way! I, the protagonist of a loser-turned-hero story, died because of my arrogance? I swear, if I had another chance, I would definitely keep a low profile and never be arrogant again!"
She clenched her teeth and spat out a complete sentence through gritted teeth.
"Baby, when you bind to your next host, take a look first. You're so good, you deserve the best and most sought-after task taker. Number one will always be yours!"
【No, no, no, no one is better than Xiao Yao! Let me think, let me think... I've got it! I'll go ask other players for some points; maybe they can smuggle some out for me!】
Before he could finish speaking, Su Xiaoyao and 996 simultaneously saw a violation warning pop up on the system panel.
[Waaaaah, if only I had used the lightning strike talisman on these bad guys, we could have struck first!]
Su Xiaoyao did not agree, but just smiled bitterly: "No, I am a modern person with my own moral bottom line. I will never become like them and disregard life. I can't do it."
As the man in white approached with overwhelming pressure, her body tensed up like a fully drawn bowstring, and she closed her eyes in despair.
Before the pain arrived, a scream of agony followed.
The palm strike cleanly severed a lock of her hair. She felt a sudden release and a sharp pain in her ear. She raised her hand and touched warm blood.
Aside from the wound on the tip of her ear, she suffered no other injuries.
He opened his eyes blankly and saw the witch's potion cauldron, which she often lazily used while walking and resting, suddenly spring up and smash it hard against the white-robed monk.
"Bang!"
The white-robed cultivator was struck so hard that he became dizzy and unsteady on his feet, his magical sword shattering into pieces of scrap metal.
The medicine pot remained intact, standing guard in front of its owner with an imposing presence, facing another black-clad cultivator wielding a sword.
Su Xiaoyao was stunned for a full three seconds before realizing that she wasn't hallucinating; it really was the big pot she had bought that saved her life.
She clutched her pounding heart, overwhelmed with gratitude: "The system's limitations are terrifying! Brother Guo! You repay evil with kindness, Brother Guo! I'll carry you wherever you go from now on! I'll definitely save up two hundred draws to buy you a Transformation Pill!"
The Transformation Pill is for beastmen; the only way to advance an artifact is through the Artifact Forging Technique.
Seeing this, 996 breathed a sigh of relief and gave a reminder.
"Then let's refine it!" Su Xiaoyao declared with boundless enthusiasm.
The large cooking pot can be upgraded using points.
"Then promote him!"
However, leveling up with points only increases the drop rate; it doesn't raise a spirit weapon.
"Then let's keep practicing! It'll save us points! It's just learning another skill, which is my specialty!"
[Ah, Xiao Yao, the big pot is calling you to run!]
"Yes, yes, run!" Remembering her perilous situation, Su Xiaoyao turned and took off running, her voice filled with emotion as she ran. "Brother Guo! The best, gentlest, strongest, and most understanding Brother Guo in the whole world! Even in a fight, you don't forget to tell me to run! I love you to death!"
996's gaze wanders.
The potion pot's original words were actually: "What are you two babbling about! You've both failed at showing off, why aren't you running away? This is a headache, how did I end up with such a stupid owner!"
As a qualified translator, it provides a concise and polished restatement.
No matter how sturdy the potion cauldron is, it is not an offensive weapon. It can withstand the attack of one cultivator but cannot hinder the actions of another.
The white-robed cultivator was furious, wishing he could tear Su Xiaoyao to pieces.
He was revered and worshipped in the mortal realm, and had never been so humiliated before, to be ambushed by a pot! It even destroyed the precious sword he had painstakingly forged!
He sneered and didn't chase after her. Instead, he channeled his spiritual power and struck directly at Su Xiaoyao, who had caused him to lose face and his spiritual artifact.
Su Xiaoyao was startled to find herself under pressure again, and when she turned around, she saw only a terrifying white light.
Just when she thought she was really doomed, a huge golden phantom rose up from the direction of the imperial city.
"Don't be so presumptuous."
An authoritative female voice resounded throughout the capital, its echoes intertwining like an unshakeable boulder pressing heavily on the hearts of thousands.
Golden light enveloped the earth, and everyone ran out of their houses, knelt on the ground, and looked on with fanatical devotion.
"The Dragon God has appeared! Ten years have passed! I have never seen the Dragon God again in my lifetime!"
"Lord Dragon God, please calm your anger!"
Almost everyone in the mortal realm grew up hearing the same legend: the reason why the mortal realm is not affected by the cultivation world, besides the fact that no spiritual cultivators are restricted, is that this land is protected by the Dragon God.
They firmly believed this, because ten years ago, a demonic cultivator descended to the mortal realm to wreak havoc. The Dragon God manifested and sent down a goddess to uphold justice, save the common people from suffering, and appoint the neglected Ninth Prince as emperor, thus bringing about the current peaceful and prosperous era.
They have seen the Dragon God!
Wenren Cong felt cold in his hands and feet, and dared not look at the expressions of the onlookers. He stared straight at the two Golden Core cultivators who had been crushed into powder, their faces ashen.
It's over, everything is over.
His plan to rebel by disobeying orders and raising monks has been exposed, but that's not the worst part.
The most terrifying thing is that the Dragon God appears, and everyone will remember that the emperor was appointed by the goddess. His intention to rebel will then be seen as opposing the gods!
"Go." The deep, solemn voice rang out once more.
He didn't name names, but Su Xiaoyao intuitively felt that the words were directed at her.
The surrounding crowd all knelt down, even the arrogant and ruthless Wenren Cong was no exception. The two cultivators who had attacked mortals were reduced to ashes, and the potion pot that had also been attacked was bound in mid-air and could not move.
She tentatively took two steps back, and when she was not stopped, she immediately turned around, grabbed the pot of medicine, thanked him, and ran out with her head down.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, fairy sister! I am deeply grateful. We'll meet again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Only after she had run out of the capital in one go did she bend over, supporting her knee with one hand, still panting with shock.
"What...what's going on? Are there really gods?" she asked, her eyes wide.
There are no gods or immortals. It should be a golden dragon that was worshipped by humans ten thousand years ago, leaving behind protective power to repay humans before their ascension. Strange, it should have been exhausted after ten thousand years, but it still has energy. It truly deserves to be called a divine beast that enjoys the blessings of heaven and earth.
996 sensed something was wrong, but quickly put it out of his mind.
Never mind, it's good that Xiao Yao is alright.
Su Xiaoyao nodded repeatedly, recalling the scene just now, and the hand holding the pot of medicine tightened involuntarily: "I didn't expect to get a conceited villain experience card, oh my god! I will never do stupid things again, I will hide well until I have the ability! That feeling of having no room to resist just now was too scary! Baby, help me take out the Qi Refining stage basic cultivation technique from the newbie gift pack. I want to learn it first, and then lie down after I have the ability to protect myself."
She looked up at the sky and sighed, "In order to better slack off, I'll just have to curl my hair intermittently."
996 did as instructed, taking out the cultivation manual and handing it to her.
It heard the potion pot mutter: "But once you start rolling, it's endless, not to mention that the 'non-rolling' concept of the retired roll king is likely to be even more rolly than the average person."
"Oh, right, I also need to learn weapon crafting." Su Xiaoyao patted his chest towards the potion pot. "Don't worry, Brother Pot, I, Su Xiaoyao, am a man of my word. I will never go back on my word and will definitely upgrade you. By the way, are there any beginner's manuals for weapon crafting? How many points does one cost?"
[Let me see the basics of weapon crafting. Yes, 50 points.]
"...I'll just find the beginner tutorials on the forum for free. I remember someone shared their experience." Su Xiaoyao was short of money and deterred by the price. She scratched her head and said with difficulty, "I'm out of points."
It's okay, we'll save up slowly and become rich!
"On the bright side, I took some silver from the shop when I passed by the street, so at least I don't have to worry about the travel expenses to the cultivation world."
【Uh-huh】
"It's just a pity about my assets; most of them will be confiscated. Oh well, never mind, it's all in the past. From now on, the sky's the limit, the sea's the freedom to soar; here I come, the world of cultivation!"
As the twilight fades, yet another person's fate is completely overturned.
A note from the author:
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I've updated 6,000 words in one go, so I'll be taking a day off tomorrow~ The first half of the synopsis is finished, and the system's basic functions have been explained along with the plot. In the next chapter, Ah Lian will appear using clones, so stay tuned!
I didn't expect December to suddenly become so busy. Updates might have to be changed to six days a week with one day off. It's like I must have done something terrible in my past life to end up in environmental design this time. If I ever feel like writing a tragic story, I'll have the protagonist do the design work; just hearing that makes me so heartbroken.
Thank you for your support, both new and old friends! q(≧V≦q)
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