Chi Chi stood before the massive mission board, eyes gleaming with excitement as she scanned the various tasks available.
The neatly arranged parchments fluttered in the breeze, each one detailing a different responsibility for the sect’s disciples.
“Guard a merchant caravan on a month-long journey through bandit-infested roads.”
Nope. Too dangerous.
“Assist Elder Jiao in refining spiritual pills.”
Chi Chi winced. She had no desire to become an accidental explosion victim.
“Eliminate a rampaging Ironclaw Tiger.”
That sounded like a fast way to die.
After skipping over anything that involved fighting, heavy lifting, or a risk of getting set on fire, her eyes landed on a small, unimpressive slip tucked into the corner of the board.
Mission: Herb Gathering
Location: Misty Brook Forest
Difficulty: Beginner
Reward: 10 contribution points
Description: Collect Silverleaf Flowers and Verdant Dew Herbs for the sect’s alchemists. No combat expected.
Chi Chi’s eyes sparkled. No danger. No effort. A relaxing trip outdoors.
“Perfect,” she muttered happily, reaching out to grab it—
Only for a hand to snatch it from under her fingers.
Chi Chi turned, already prepared to politely ask for her mission back. But when she saw who it was, she sighed instead.
Yue Xue stood beside her, holding the mission slip between two fingers, staring at her with the same unreadable expression as always.
"You’ll probably get lost before even reaching the forest," Yue Xue said flatly.
Chi Chi gasped, pressing a hand to her chest in mock offense. “I would not get lost.”
Yue Xue didn’t react. “You got lost on the way to the dining hall last week.”
“…That was different.”
“You were five steps away from the entrance.”
Chi Chi pouted. “Well, in my defense, there were too many people, and I got distracted.”
Yue Xue’s gaze remained blank, but the slight twitch of her eyebrow told Chi Chi everything. She did not believe her. At all.
Yue Xue sighed, folded the mission slip neatly, and tucked it into her sleeve. “I’m coming with you.”
Chi Chi blinked. “You don’t have to, you know.”
Yue Xue gave her a long, unimpressed stare. Then, in her usual monotone, she said, “I don’t trust you to return in one piece.”
Chi Chi huffed. “I am completely capable of picking herbs without—”
“You tripped over air during the entrance exam.”
“…That doesn’t count.”
“You almost fell into a well last week.”
“That well came out of nowhere!”
Yue Xue pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaled slowly, and muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like "I should let the boars eat her"
Finally, she turned back to Chi Chi and said, “I’ll make sure you don’t mistake a poisonous plant for an herb and kill us both.”
Chi Chi wanted to argue, but… well. That was actually a very real possibility.
“…Fine,” she mumbled, crossing her arms.
Yue Xue nodded, as if she had expected no other answer, and started walking away.
Chi Chi stared after her for a moment before puffing her cheeks.
She was being babysat.
Again.
But at least it was for a mission with no danger, no fighting, and—
“By the way,” Yue Xue called over her shoulder, “Mistwood Brook Forest has a lot of boars. If one chases you, don’t run toward me.”
Chi Chi’s stomach dropped.
“…Boars?”
Maybe she should’ve just stayed in bed today.
___________
The peaceful hum of Misty Brook Forest surrounded Chi Chi as she knelt by a patch of Silverleaf Flowers, plucking them gently and tucking them into her satchel.
The air was fresh, the scent of earth and greenery filling her senses, and the soft rustle of the trees seemed to whisper, “Relax, you’re doing great.”
Chi Chi took a deep breath, letting the tranquility sink in.
Well, as much tranquility as she could manage, given that she was Chi Chi—a human disaster magnet.
Beside her, Yue Xue moved with the precision of a ninja who’d been born with a sword in her hand.
Her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings as she collected herbs, her movements so fluid it was almost unfair.
Chi Chi glanced at her and sighed.
Of course Yue Xue made herb-gathering look like an art form. Meanwhile, Chi Chi had already tripped over a root twice and accidentally yanked out a weed instead of a Silverleaf Flower. Twice.
“Yue Xue,” Chi Chi said, grinning as she held up a particularly shiny leaf, “I think I’m really getting the hang of this whole ‘peaceful life’ thing. No people, no chaos, just herbs and nature. It’s kind of... nice.”
Yue Xue’s eyes flicked up briefly, her expression as serene as a frozen lake. “You say that now, but you’ll be complaining by the time we get back. You know you’ll trip over something again.”
Chi Chi gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like she’d been stabbed. “I don’t trip that much! Only, like, occasionally. It’s not my fault the ground has a personal vendetta against me!”
Yue Xue’s lips twitched, the closest thing to a smile she ever gave. “The ground doesn’t have a vendetta. You’re just... clumsy.”
“Clumsy?!” Chi Chi squawked, waving her arms for emphasis. “I prefer the term ‘gracefully challenged.’ There’s a difference!”
Yue Xue didn’t dignify that with a response, which Chi Chi took as a personal victory. She was about to launch into a spirited defense of her coordination (or lack thereof) when the universe decided to intervene.
CRASH!
A sudden rustling through the bushes shattered the tranquility, followed by frantic shouting.
“Help! Help!”
Chi Chi barely had time to react before a young man came barreling out of the underbrush like a runaway cart.
His robes were torn, his face flushed with panic, and his hair looked like it had lost a fight with a tornado.
Behind him, a massive wild boar—tusks gleaming and eyes wild—charged toward them with the kind of speed that made Chi Chi’s stomach drop.
“What in the world—?!” Chi Chi yelped, scrambling to her feet.
Before she could even blink, Yue Xue was already in motion.
Her sword flashed like a streak of silver, and with a single, smooth motion, she intercepted the boar.
The beast let out a startled grunt and crumpled to the ground, its massive form now motionless.
Chi Chi blinked, wide-eyed.
Yue Xue casually wiped her blade clean on a patch of grass, as if she’d just swatted away an annoying fly. “It was just a wild boar,” she said, her tone as dry as a desert. “Nothing to make a fuss about.”
Chi Chi stared at her, dumbfounded. “Just a wild boar? That thing looked like it was auditioning for a role in Monster Hunter!”
Yue Xue raised an eyebrow. “Monster what?”
“Never mind,” Chi Chi muttered, waving a hand. “Point is, you’re terrifying. And also amazing. But mostly terrifying.”
Before Yue Xue could respond, the young man who’d been fleeing earlier finally caught up to them, panting like he’d just run a marathon. His face was red, his hair was a mess, and he looked like he’d been through a blender.
“Th-thank you,” he stammered, clutching his chest. “I... I didn’t know what I would’ve done without you. That thing was moving so fast, and I thought I was done for…”
Chi Chi, ever the empathetic one, rushed forward, concern etched on her face. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve been through the wringer.” She lightly grabbed his arm, checking for injuries.
The young man nodded quickly, still catching his breath. “I’m fine, just... a little winded. I didn’t think I’d run into a boar today.” He offered her a sheepish smile, which made him look a lot less like a panicked mess and a lot more like a guy who’d just had a really bad day.
Chi Chi flashed him a warm smile. “You’re lucky Yue Xue was here. I’m sure you would’ve been fine... eventually. But it would’ve been quite the workout, don’t you think?”
The young man gave a shaky laugh. “Yeah, I think I’d rather avoid that kind of workout. My name’s Jiang Han, by the way.”
Chi Chi froze.
That name. Jiang Han.
The instant the name hit her ears, her heart skipped a beat, and a strange shiver ran down her spine. Why did it sound so familiar? Where had she heard it before? Her mind raced, trying to piece together why she felt this odd sense of recognition.
Before she could dive deeper into her thoughts, BunBun’s voice echoed in her mind, interrupting her train of thought.
“Chi Chi, it’s confirmed. His name is in a book you know. A very important book, in fact.”
Chi Chi’s eyes widened. She blinked, trying to process the sudden revelation. "What? Wait, wait... what do you mean?!" she thought back to BunBun in confusion.
“You’re in a novel, Chi Chi. And Jiang Han? Total protagonist material. In fact, he's the one who goes through all the messy stuff in the plot later on... you’ll see."
Chi Chi’s heart was racing now. It hit her like a ton of bricks—Jiang Han was the protagonist of a novel called The Heaven-Defying Path. The novel followed a reincarnated man who was forced to walk a painful, dark road of vengeance. He was reincarnated after being brutally betrayed.
In his past life, he had joined the Tengbang Sect, a place Chi Chi knew well.
Jiang Han, naive and trusting, had fallen for a lie. His girlfriend and best friend had plotted against him, betraying him in the cruelest way imaginable. They had killed him, leaving him to die in the most agonizing of ways.
The tragedy didn’t end there. After reincarnating one month after he had joined the sect, Jiang Han had tried to fight back, only to face even worse betrayal.
His former best friend, now his enemy, had murdered his parents—shattering any remnants of the kindness and innocence he once had.
Jiang Han’s path had been paved with pain, loss, and vengeance.
And it only ended with his death
Chi Chi felt her stomach tighten as the weight of it all sank in.
She had read The Heaven-Defying Path in her previous life, and though she hadn’t finished it, she could already tell how tragic it would become.
Jiang Han had been destined to become a cold, calculating figure, his heart hardened by the cruelties of the world, with a bunch of girls (even unwanted by him) following him around.
But here he was, in front of her.
Chi Chi’s hand hovered over her chest. How could she let this happen? She couldn’t bear to see him fall into that cycle of endless suffering.
The answer came to her suddenly—before it was too late, she would find a way to stop it. She wouldn’t let the cruel twists of fate take him down this path.
Her resolve hardened.
She smiled brightly at Jiang Han, though her thoughts were already working overtime. "Nice to meet you, Jiang Han. I’m Chi Chi, and this is Yue Xue."
Jiang Han gave her a relieved smile, his earlier panic fading. “It’s really nice to meet you both. I’m truly grateful—again. I thought that was the end for me.”
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Chi Chi smiled warmly, though her thoughts were elsewhere. “Don’t worry about it. You’re safe now. Just... be careful out here, okay?”
Jiang Han chuckled softly. “I think I’ll be more careful in the future, thanks.”
Chi Chi’s mind was already racing. She had to protect him. She had to ensure he didn’t walk the same path that tore him apart in the novel.
But how? She couldn’t just blurt out, “Hey, I know your future, and it’s super depressing. Let me fix it!” That would probably earn her a one-way ticket to the local asylum.
Instead, she decided to play it cool. “So, Jiang Han, what brings you out here? Besides the whole ‘running for your life’ thing.”
Jiang Han’s expression grew serious. “I was searching for a rare herb—the Azure Lotus. I heard it grows in this forest, and I need it for... well, for something important.”
Chi Chi’s eyes widened. The Azure Lotus was a highly sought-after herb, known for its potent medicinal properties. It was also incredibly rare and difficult to find. “The Azure Lotus? That’s not something you just stumble upon. What do you need it for?”
Jiang Han hesitated, his expression darkening for a moment. “It’s... for my mother. She’s been ill for a long time, and the Azure Lotus is the only thing that can cure her. I’ve been searching for weeks, but I haven’t had any luck.”
Chi Chi’s heart ached at the pain in his voice. She remembered from the novel that Jiang Han’s mother had indeed been ill, and her death had been one of the many tragedies that had shaped his path.
But in the novel, he had never found the Azure Lotus in time. His mother’s death had been one of the first dominoes to fall, setting him on a path of vengeance.
But now... now Chi Chi had a chance to change that.
“We’ll help you,” Chi Chi said firmly, her voice filled with determination. “We’ll find the Azure Lotus.”
Jiang Han’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’d do that? But... you don’t even know me.”
Chi Chi waved a hand dismissively. “You’re in need, and we’re here. It’s as simple as that. Besides, Yue Xue and I are pretty good at finding herbs. Right, Yue Xue?”
Yue Xue, who had been quietly observing the exchange, gave a slight nod. “If it’s in the forest, we’ll find it.”
Jiang Han looked at them both, his gratitude evident. “I... I don’t know how to thank you. This means so much to me.”
Chi Chi smiled warmly. “Don’t mention it. Now, let’s get moving. The sooner we find the Azure Lotus, the better.”
As they ventured deeper into the forest, Chi Chi couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose.
But as they walked, a nagging thought lingered in the back of her mind.
The novel had been clear about Jiang Han’s path—his suffering, his losses, his eventual transformation into a cold, vengeful figure.
If she changed one part of his story, what would happen to the rest? Would the universe find a way to course-correct, or could she truly alter his fate?
She didn’t have the answers, but she knew one thing for certain: she had to try.
The forest grew denser as they pressed on, the sunlight filtering through the canopy in dappled patterns.
Chi Chi kept up a steady stream of chatter, partly to distract Jiang Han from his earlier ordeal and partly to keep her own nerves at bay.
Yue Xue, as always, moved with quiet efficiency, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the Azure Lotus.
After what felt like hours, Yue Xue suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed on a cluster of plants growing near the base of a large tree. “There,” she said simply, pointing to a delicate blue flower nestled among the greenery.
Chi Chi’s eyes lit up. “That’s it! The Azure Lotus!” She rushed over, carefully plucking the flower and holding it up for Jiang Han to see. “We found it!”
Jiang Han’s face broke into a wide smile, his relief palpable. “I can’t believe it... Thank you. Thank you both so much.”
Chi Chi handed him the flower, her heart swelling with pride. “Take it. Your mother needs it more than we do.”
Jiang Han took the Azure Lotus with trembling hands, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’ll never forget this. If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you...”
Chi Chi shook her head. “Just take care of your mother. That’s all the thanks we need.”
As they continued their journey through the forest, Chi Chi couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she had made a difference. Maybe she had changed Jiang Han’s story for the better.
She had saved Jiang Han from one tragedy. Now, she just had to figure out how to save him from the rest.
______________
Jiang Han didn’t seem too eager to part ways. He hesitated at first, clearly unsure if he was intruding, but Chi Chi—being Chi Chi—waved off his concerns and invited him to join them in gathering herbs.
Yue Xue didn’t object, though she gave him a long, assessing look before turning away as if he wasn’t worth commenting on.
At first, Jiang Han was just a tagalong, keeping a small distance behind them and only speaking when spoken to.
But as the hours stretched on, the stiffness in his posture began to fade.
He cracked the occasional dry joke, shared some insights about the best places to find herbs, and even helped carry Chi Chi’s basket when she clumsily tripped over a tree root for the third time. (Yue Xue, for the record, only sighed in exasperation.)
By the time the sun began to set, the three of them had settled into a surprisingly natural rhythm. Jiang Han wasn’t just following them anymore—he was part of the group.
It became even more apparent over the next few days.
Their herb-gathering mission, originally meant to be a simple in-and-out task, stretched longer as they explored deeper into the Misty Brook Forest.
Along the way, Jiang Han proved himself to be more than just a lucky survivor. He was observant, quick on his feet, and surprisingly skilled in martial arts, though he downplayed his abilities whenever Chi Chi or Yue Xue asked.
One afternoon, as they rested by a clear, bubbling stream, Jiang Han sat on a nearby rock, skipping stones across the water.
Chi Chi, lying on the grass with her hands behind her head, watched the clouds lazily drifting overhead. Yue Xue, as usual, stood nearby, keeping an eye on their surroundings, but she wasn’t as tense as she had been before.
A soft ding rang in Chi Chi’s mind.
[Favorability System Activated.]
Curious, she mentally called up the status screen. Floating in the air before her, two small windows appeared, listing the favorability ratings of the people around her.
➤ Yue Xue: +35 (Wary Acceptance)
➤ Jiang Han: +20 (Cautious Curiosity)
Chi Chi blinked.
That seemed… about right.
Yue Xue, despite her cold exterior, had warmed up to her more than she let on. Her favorability wasn’t exactly high, but considering how guarded she was, +35 was practically a miracle.
Jiang Han’s rating, on the other hand, was much lower, but that was expected. He had been through too much to trust easily. Still, the fact that it was positive at all meant that something had shifted.
Chi Chi felt a small burst of satisfaction.
She wasn’t just guessing anymore—she could see how much progress she was making with people.
She let out a content sigh and mused aloud, “Isn’t it strange? I feel like we’ve known each other forever, but it’s only been a couple of days.”
Jiang Han smirked slightly, flicking another stone into the water. “That’s because you talk so much. Feels like I’ve lived through a whole novel’s worth of conversations.”
Chi Chi gasped, placing a hand over her chest in mock offense. “How dare you? I’m a delight to talk to!”
Yue Xue, who had been sipping water from her flask, muttered, “Debatable.”
Chi Chi dramatically rolled onto her side. “Yue Xue! You’re supposed to defend me!”
Yue Xue merely raised an eyebrow. “You expect me to lie?”
Jiang Han chuckled, shaking his head. He seemed… lighter. The tension that had been in his shoulders when they first met had lessened, and there was a quiet warmth in his usually guarded expression.
For the first time since meeting him, Chi Chi saw something in Jiang Han’s eyes that wasn’t just gratitude or caution. It was the beginnings of trust.
She smiled, sitting up and brushing stray grass from her sleeves. “You know, Jiang Han, if you ever need anything, you can count on us.”
Jiang Han’s hand stilled as he reached for another stone. He looked at her, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. Then, ever so slightly, he smiled.
“…I’ll remember that.”
Ding!
➤ Jiang Han Favorability +5! (25 - Cautious but Warming Up)
Chi Chi barely contained her grin. Progress!
She glanced at Yue Xue, wondering if she had any reaction to their conversation. The system refreshed, and Chi Chi was pleasantly surprised.
➤ Yue Xue Favorability +3! (38 - Slowly Accepting Friendship)
Chi Chi’s eyes widened slightly. She’s warming up to me too?
It made sense, though. Yue Xue still acted sharp-tongued, but she hadn’t scolded her as much lately.
And—Chi Chi watched as Yue Xue handed Jiang Han an extra blanket later that evening without a word—she had started treating Jiang Han with something that wasn’t quite kindness, but… consideration.
A soft warmth filled Chi Chi’s chest.
She checked again.
➤ Yue Xue Favorability +2! (40 - Reluctant Trust)
Chi Chi hid a giggle behind her hand.
She had a feeling she was going to enjoy using this system.
______________
Morning mist curled between the trees as they reached the end of the forest path. The air was crisp, carrying the lingering scent of damp earth and crushed leaves. It was time to say goodbye.
Jiang Han stood a few steps away, hands tucked into his sleeves. His expression was neutral, but Chi Chi had spent enough time with him to recognize the slight stiffness in his posture—the hesitation he was trying to hide.
Yue Xue, standing beside Chi Chi, exhaled. “You’re not hesitating, are you?”
Jiang Han shot her a flat look. “Of course not.”
Chi Chi, grinning, clasped her hands behind her back. “Well, you could always stick around, you know. We wouldn’t mind~”
Jiang Han snorted. “I’d rather not burden you with my bad luck.”
Chi Chi pouted. “Who said you’re a burden?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he shifted his gaze toward the trees, as if looking too long at them would make leaving harder.
Chi Chi tilted her head. Should she check the system?
She called it up mentally.
Ding!
➤ Jiang Han Favorability: +6 (31 - Tentative Trust)
➤ Yue Xue Favorability: +2 (42 - Unspoken Friendship)
Her smile widened.
“Here,” she said suddenly, pulling something from her sleeve.
Jiang Han turned back, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion as she pressed a smooth jade talisman into his palm. It was a soft green, carved into the shape of a small cloud with silver threads running through it.
“What’s this?” he asked, turning it over.
“A communication talisman!” Chi Chi beamed. “If you ever need us—or, y’know, just want to talk—you can use it to send a message. Just pour a little spiritual energy into it, and I’ll hear you.”
Jiang Han stared at the talisman. His fingers curled around it slowly, almost hesitantly. “…You’re really giving this to me?”
Chi Chi blinked. “Of course.”
"You're weird so weird that you wear a mask while sleeping" Jiang Han said with a smirk
Chi Chi replied with a beaming smile "Well, i like being mysterious"
For a moment, he didn’t speak.
Then, very quietly, he murmured, “You’re too trusting.”
Ding!
➤ Jiang Han Favorability: +4 (35 - Uncertain Warmth)
Chi Chi just smiled. “Maybe.”
Yue Xue rolled her eyes. “Just don’t get yourself killed before using it.”
Jiang Han huffed a soft laugh, tucking the talisman into his sleeve. “Same to you.”
Chi Chi clapped her hands together. “Oh! And if you ever want to meet up, just send me a message! I’ll reply, and we can arrange a time and place.”
Jiang Han hesitated for only a second before nodding. “…Alright.”
He stepped back, glancing at Chi Chi one last time. “I’ll see you around.”
Chi Chi waved. “See you around~”
And with that, Jiang Han turned and disappeared down the path, the jade talisman glinting briefly in the morning light.
_________________
The entrance to the Tengbang Sect bustled with activity as disciples trickled in from their assigned missions, some looking weary, others satisfied.
Among them, Chi Chi and Yue Xue strolled leisurely toward the mission hall—except their ‘leisurely’ was noticeably different from everyone else's.
For one, Chi Chi’s basket was overflowing, herbs piled so high that they swayed dangerously with every step. Yue Xue carried two extra satchels, both filled to the brim with rare medicinal plants.
They drew plenty of looks.
“...Did they raid an entire mountain?” someone whispered.
“Where did they even find that many herbs?” another muttered.
Even the mission hall elder, an experienced cultivator with decades of overseeing disciples’ tasks, paused mid-sip of his tea when they approached.
His gaze flickered from their bulging baskets to their calm expressions, and his brows lifted slightly.
“You’re back earlier than expected,” he noted, setting his teacup down. “And with… quite the haul.”
Chi Chi grinned, setting her basket down with a soft thump. “We worked really hard!”
Yue Xue, ever the straight-faced one, simply placed her satchels beside it without comment.
The elder reached for one of the herbs, inspecting it closely.
A flicker of surprise passed through his usually impassive face. “This… This is Emerald Vein Grass. Extremely rare in this season.”
Chi Chi nodded enthusiastically. “We found a whole patch of it near Misty Brook Forest!”
“And these…”
He moved to another pile, recognizing Frostpetal Lotus, Crimson Serpent Leaves, and even a few Moonlight Dew Stalks—each one a high-quality medicinal herb that even core disciples struggled to gather in large quantities.
By now, other disciples had gathered around, whispering among themselves.
“How did they manage all this?”
“Did they rob someone?”
“Forget that—just look at how fresh these herbs are. Some of these wilt after a day, but theirs still have morning dew on them!”
The elder cleared his throat, bringing their murmurs to a halt. He looked between Chi Chi and Yue Xue once more, an approving gleam in his eye. “This is an outstanding collection. Well done.”
Chi Chi preened under the praise. Yue Xue, as usual, remained composed, but Chi Chi could just barely see the corner of her lips twitch—her version of satisfaction.
The elder turned toward the sect’s recording disciple. “Calculate their mission rewards.”
The disciple hurriedly did so, fingers skimming across his jade tablet. His eyes widened.
“Sir, based on quantity, quality, and rarity… They should receive 500 points each!”
A stunned silence fell over the hall.
500 points.
For context, most disciples earned 50 to 100 points per mission. Even exceptional ones rarely crossed 200.
And they had just secured 800.
Chi Chi gasped dramatically. “That much? Whoa~”
Yue Xue gave her a sidelong glance. “You expected this.”
Chi Chi just grinned. “Maybe~”
The elder chuckled, shaking his head. “I doubt anyone will argue against it. You earned it. Keep up the good work.”
Chi Chi practically bounced on her feet as she accepted her new points. 500 points! That meant she could buy snacks, better robes, fun trinkets—
Yue Xue, ever practical, was probably already considering the best cultivation resources to buy.
But more than the points, this mission had been more than worth it.
After all, they had made a new friend.
“Yue Xue, let’s go shopping!” she declared, practically bouncing on her feet.
Yue Xue sighed, already sensing trouble. “For what?”
Chi Chi grinned. “Candy!”
“…Candy?” Yue Xue’s expression turned blank, as though she were trying to comprehend just how serious Chi Chi was.
“You’re going to waste your points on candy?”
Chi Chi nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining. “Think about it! Sweet, chewy, delicious candy! I saw some in the sect’s internal shop before we left, and now I have enough points to buy all the ones I want! It’ll be so much fun!”
Yue Xue looked at her, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.
This was so typical of Chi Chi. Always thinking of sweets and treats, even when there were more important things at stake.
She exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Chi Chi. No.”
Chi Chi blinked in surprise, her excitement faltering. “Why not?”
“Because you should be using your points wisely,” Yue Xue stated firmly, her arms crossed.
“Look at the martial arts section. You can pick a technique that doesn’t require internal energy and actually improve yourself.”
Chi Chi hesitated, her mind battling between the tempting allure of candy and the promise of something more practical.
Martial arts? It did sound useful, especially if it didn’t require her to use internal energy, which she didn’t have. But… candy was just so much more exciting!
Seeing the uncertainty on her friend’s face, Yue Xue pressed on.
“If you don’t have strong internal energy, then at least strengthen your body. Some techniques rely purely on speed and technique. With the right training, you won’t always need qi to defend yourself.”
Chi Chi pursed her lips, her thoughts swirling.
Yue Xue did have a point. A technique that didn’t need internal energy would be a good way to prepare for situations where she couldn’t rely on her seal or the lack of her internal energy.
The idea of defending herself with speed and agility was both thrilling and practical.
With a deep sigh, Chi Chi relented. “Fine, fine. I’ll check the martial arts section. But after that, we’re going to get some candy, okay?”
Yue Xue shot her a sharp glance, but Chi Chi could see the faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Deal.”
Ding!
[Yue Xue Favorability +3! (43 - Looking Out for You)]
Chi Chi suppressed a smile as she glanced down at her talisman.
Even though Yue Xue acted strict, she cared deeply about her. Chi Chi knew her friend just wanted what was best for her.
Her heart warmed a little at the thought.
As they moved toward the martial arts section, Chi Chi looked around, her eyes scanning the available techniques. There were so many to choose from, each one promising different skills and abilities.
But none of them caught her interest until she saw a technique labeled Moonlight Phantom Steps.
The description intrigued her—
Moonlight Phantom Steps was a footwork technique focused on agility and balance rather than internal energy.
It allowed the user to move with fluid, unpredictable grace, shifting direction seamlessly and evading attacks with ease.
The steps were designed to blend into the surroundings, making the practitioner seem like a shadow, disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye.
Ideal for both combat and stealth, it was a technique that relied on speed, precision, and the ability to outmaneuver opponents without direct confrontation.
Elegant and deceptive, it turned movement itself into a powerful weapon..
Chi Chi’s fingers hovered over the technique. It seemed perfect for her.
Not only did it seem like something she could learn with ease, but it also sounded like it would be a lot of fun.
She could imagine herself moving gracefully, almost like a shadow in the moonlight, slipping past obstacles with ease.
With a decisive nod, she purchased the technique, feeling the points being deducted from her account.
It felt so satisfying to make a choice that would improve her—both in terms of self-defence and personal growth.
As she patted her spatial pouch, Chi Chi couldn’t help but grin.
She had secretly stocked up on candies during their journey back to the sect.
Yue Xue might be proud of her for choosing a martial technique, but Chi Chi knew she wouldn’t give up her sweets that easily.
After all, a little indulgence never hurt anyone, right?
Yue Xue might act tough, but deep down, Chi Chi knew she was looking out for her. And as long as they had each other, everything would be okay.
In the end, she didn’t need to waste points on candy—she had all the sweets she wanted and a new martial art.
Yue Xue would be proud.