"As expected, it still came."
Looking at the approaching flying boat, Qi Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and his expression was quite strange.
Just like before, the script given by the System was cliché and terrible; if it were a novel, it would definitely be a flop.
According to the System, after the original host and his sister escaped from the Black Tiger Gang's pursuit, they would encounter a Saintess from the Linglong Holy Land.
Then, like most 'trash-to-treasure' tropes, the original host's sister was actually a peerless Genius with a hidden Spiritual Root, spotted by the passing Saintess, and taken back to the Linglong Holy Land for careful cultivation.
As for the trashy original host, due to his poor Aptitude and unsuitable gender, he was ruthlessly disliked by the Linglong Saintess, left to grieve alone, and eventually transformed his grief and indignation into motivation, vowing to slap the faces of all who looked down on him...
In Qi Yuan's previous life, this plot was typical third-rate melodrama, the kind that had been outdated for over a decade.
However, reality is always so surreal. Ever since this brain-dead System appeared, even his actions as a Genius Daozi started to become strange.
Alas, considering the many benefits the System has given, let's just treat it as playing a small Cultivation game. Cultivating all day long is quite boring anyway.
Just as Qi Yuan was trying to convince himself, the flying boat arrived before the two of them.
This spirit boat had an extremely extravagant appearance, with carved beams and painted pillars, its surface covered in dense, light-golden patterns that subtly formed a sturdy defensive Formation, and it also had a Restriction to block Divine Sense, making it difficult for people to peer inside.
The next moment, the door opened, and a group of men and women with extraordinary temperaments stepped out.
The first to emerge was a young male Cultivator with a high Daoist bun and a face full of righteousness. He had a broad face, large ears, a full forehead, and short, straight, thick eyebrows, giving him a simple and imposing appearance.
In other words, he was (ugly) in a distinctive way.
Beside him was an exceptionally beautiful woman.
The woman wore a water-blue neon dress with a jade-white silk sash around her waist. She possessed the beauty of a Fairy, with skin as radiant as snow, exuding a pure, refined, and ethereal aura.
It was as if a Fairy from the Moon Palace had descended from the Nine Heavens into the Mortal Realm, cool, sacred, and untouched by worldly dust.
In contrast to her, the other female Cultivators, who were originally quite beautiful, seemed to fade into the background, completely reduced to mere foliage.
"Qi Shidi, why are you here?"
Upon seeing Qi Yuan, the only male Cultivator among the newcomers was the first to ask, his expression filled with doubt.
This male Cultivator was none other than Qi Yuan's fellow Senior Brother, Lu Changfeng, the true Disciple of the Tai Xuan Holy Land's Sect Leader.
And the peerless beauty beside him was none other than Xiao Yueni, the current Linglong Saintess of the Linglong Holy Land.
Xiao Yueni was the Linglong Holy Land's representative specifically sent to attend the Daozi conferment ceremony. Now that the ceremony was over, she was returning to her Sect from the Tai Xuan Holy Land and happened to pass by Qingyun Town.
Compared to Lu Changfeng, Xiao Yueni's attention was currently focused on the Mortal girl behind Qi Yuan, a hint of interest appearing in her beautiful eyes.
Qi Yuan smiled slightly and explained:
"So it's Senior Brother Lu and Immortal Xiao. I was just traveling coincidentally and discovered a group of evildoers here, causing great harm to the region. I couldn't help but eliminate the Black Tiger Gang and, by the way, rescued this little Mortal girl."
It was Qi Yao's first time facing so many radiant Cultivators. Hearing Qi Yuan speak of her, she immediately clutched the corner of her clothes nervously, wishing she could bury her head in her arms, looking utterly ill at ease.
"So that's how it is. Just a bunch of annoying ants, killing them is no big deal."
Hearing Qi Yuan's explanation, Lu Changfeng nodded, lightly brushing the matter aside. He then turned his gaze back to Xiao Yueni and said softly:
"Immortal Xiao, since that burst of spiritual power came from Qi Shidi, let's continue on our journey. I'll accompany you for a bit longer."
His words carried an undeniable hint of flattery.
Qi Yuan felt a chill.
No, this place is over a hundred thousand miles from the Tai Xuan Holy Land's Sect, and it's already ridiculous that you're seeing her off this far, yet you still want to continue...
However, Lu Changfeng's next words shocked him even more:
"Immortal Xiao, the journey to the Linglong Holy Land is long, and there are still Demonic Path evildoers rampant in some areas. A group of women might encounter danger on the way. Why don't I accompany you to ensure your safe return to your Sect, if that's alright?"
Huh?
Qi Yuan was stunned.
Although he had heard that Lu Changfeng harbored affection for the Linglong Saintess, he never expected it to be to such a profound extent.
What a bootlicker this guy is!
The Linglong Saintess is a powerful Cultivator at the Late Stage of Nascent Soul, and she carries the supreme Legacy of the Linglong Holy Land. In terms of combat power, she is virtually unrivaled below Soul Transformation. Does she need a Middle Stage Nascent Soul as a protector?
"Greetings, Qi Daozi."
Xiao Yueni first nodded to Qi Yuan as a greeting, then her beautiful face turned cold, and she said to Lu Changfeng in a chilly tone:
"Our Linglong Holy Land is not just a name; we can take care of ourselves. There's no need for Junior Brother Lu to continue accompanying us."
This world is called the Yunmeng Great World. It teems with billions of living beings and countless races, and its area is vast and boundless. The Human Race only occupies a small corner of it.
Among the Human Race, apart from a few Demonic Path Sects that are not tolerated by the world and operate mysteriously, all other Cultivation forces respect the Seven Great Holy Lands.
As one of the Seven Great Holy Lands, the Linglong Holy Land, though composed entirely of female Cultivators, has a long history, profound foundations, and is even presided over by more than one Mahayana Grandmaster. It is by no means inferior to the Tai Xuan Holy Land.
Lu Changfeng's words, using phrases like "a group of women" and "needs protection" to describe the Linglong Holy Land, were already very restrained of Xiao Yueni not to lose her temper on the spot. Naturally, she wouldn't give him a pleasant look.
After speaking, Xiao Yueni ignored the other party, lightly moved her lotus steps, and walked directly in front of Qi Yuan, saying earnestly:
"Qi Daozi, to be frank, this little girl behind you has a special Physique, possessing a very rare hidden Spiritual Root that happens to align with a Legacy within our Linglong Holy Land. I wonder if you could do us a favor and allow her to become a Disciple of the Linglong Holy Land?"
"If you agree, consider it a favor I owe you, and I will surely repay it in the future."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat.
Indeed, just as the System described, the Linglong Saintess still discovered Qi Yao's hidden Aptitude and wanted her to join the Linglong Holy Land.
It seems that apart from the parts involving the main character being wildly off, the information about others was indeed true.
Seeing Qi Yuan's silence, Lu Changfeng's mouth hung open, his eyes almost popping out.
This is a favor from the Linglong Saintess, and you're actually hesitating?
If I had this Opportunity, I'd probably wake up laughing in my dreams!
Thinking of this, Lu Changfeng's gaze towards Qi Yuan was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. He wished he could strangle this guy and take his place.
Even when Qi Yuan took the position of Daozi from him previously, he wasn't as furious as he was now.
For a moment, Lu Changfeng fell into deep internal conflict.
He wanted Qi Yuan to refuse, thereby completely offending the Linglong Saintess, so that the Saintess would remember his own virtues, yet he was also afraid of facing the disappointed expression of his goddess...
Just as Lu Changfeng was feeling conflicted, Qi Yuan suddenly smiled faintly and said with a sincere expression:
"I apologize, Immortal Xiao, Xiao Yueni is not my personal servant or maid. I believe I have no right to decide her future. How she chooses should be up to her."
Saying this, he turned to look at Qi Yao and said:
"Xiao Yueni, are you willing to become a Disciple of the Linglong Holy Land?"
Qi Yao's delicate body trembled upon hearing this, and tears welled up in her eyes from gratitude. She looked up at the Linglong Saintess standing not far away and replied with a firm expression:
"Brother Qi, I... I am willing to become a Disciple of the Linglong Holy Land. Only this way will I have the chance to repay your kindness."
She naturally knew that the Linglong Holy Land was one of the top forces in the Cultivation World, and an invitation personally extended by the Linglong Saintess was an Opportunity that ordinary people could hardly imagine.
Therefore, although she felt very reluctant to leave Qi Yuan, she was even more aware of the gap between them, and joining the Linglong Holy Land was the only way she could change her fate at the moment.
"Good."
Qi Yuan smiled gently at her, then turned and cupped his hands towards Xiao Yueni, saying:
"Immortal Xiao, I hope you will take good care of Xiao Yueni in the future."
In reality, even if Qi Yao didn't agree, he would have found a way to persuade her.
Originally, Qi Yuan planned to bring Qi Yao back to the Tai Xuan Holy Land to raise her, but the newly appeared task immediately made him abandon that idea.
If Qi Yao's fate deviated significantly, wouldn't he be at a loss when he received future tasks concerning the original host's sister?
To be safe, before thoroughly understanding the System's characteristics, it was better to let things take their natural course.
Now that Qi Yao had made the correct choice, it saved him some effort.
There is actually such a man in this world who respects women so much?
Xiao Yueni was first surprised, then she looked deeply at Qi Yuan, her impression of him greatly increasing. She praised:
"Qi Daozi, I didn't expect that at such a young age and in such a high position, you would be so upright and honest, even caring about the thoughts of a little Mortal girl. That is truly commendable."
"Rest assured, as long as I am here, I will never treat her unfairly."
After speaking, she smiled enchantingly at Qi Yuan, her smile like a hundred flowers blooming, her spring eyes shimmering, perfectly breathtaking.
Even with Qi Yuan's extensive experience, he couldn't help but feel a moment of daze, secretly thinking:
No wonder the Linglong Saintess is regarded by many busybodies as the number one beauty of the Righteous Path. Without some self-control, one truly can't resist her.
She smiled!
Lu Changfeng looked at Xiao Yueni, who was smiling like a blooming flower, and he was completely stunned.
Not only Xiao Yueni, but the other female Cultivators from the Linglong Holy Land also cast their gazes towards Qi Yuan, their respect evident.
"Thank you, Qi Daozi, for making this possible. Xiao Yueni will surely repay you generously in the future."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the women of the Linglong Holy Land departed, taking the somewhat reluctant Qi Yao with them, completely ignoring Lu Changfeng who was still standing there in a daze.
"Senior Brother Lu, if there's nothing else, Junior Brother will return to the Sect first."
Seeing this, Qi Yuan shook his head and took the initiative to bid farewell.
After a long while, Lu Changfeng finally reacted. He slapped his forehead abruptly and said with deep regret:
"That's right, it's indeed inappropriate for a grown man like me to be mixed in their maiden boat. No wonder Immortal Xiao didn't accept my good intentions."
"In that case, I will follow secretly and ensure Immortal Xiao's safety... Junior Brother, you go back by yourself."
After muttering to himself for a bit, he wasted no time, immediately soared into the air, and used his Escape to chase after them.
Holy crap!
Qi Yuan was dumbfounded. Normally, Senior Brother Lu Changfeng was quite normal, and his Aptitude was definitely not inferior to his own. He never expected him to be such an oddball.
At this moment, he finally understood why his Master had skipped over Lu Changfeng and chosen him as the Daozi.
This guy is truly the ultimate bootlicker!
If this Lu Changfeng ever ascended to the position of Sect Leader of the Holy Land, he would probably give away the entire Tai Xuan Holy Land...