"No other way to obtain a spiritual root?"
"Is this battle pass really mandatory?"
"Does the game think my money grows on trees?"
While Chen Huaian raged and questioned, the screen popped up the System Girlfriend's Shop.
The first item in sight was a shining golden Xuan Shui Spiritual Root, priced at ¥19,990,000.
This top-tier five-element spiritual root was already the cheapest option; below it were even more outrageously priced roots—zeros stretching longer than his life expectancy.
There weren't any ordinary spiritual roots for sale.
This store only sold the best of the best.
The worst part? The Xuan Shui Root was locked, requiring Li Qingran to reach the Nascent Soul stage before it could even be purchased.
Insane.
If he had ¥19.99 million, wouldn't it be better spent treating his cancer?
With that much, he could live a long, comfortable life instead of wasting it on some game.
Clearly, this game never intended for him to obtain a spiritual root through shop purchase.
"Heh… then what's there left to say?"
Chen Huaian let out a bitter laugh.
Well, at least the game had inadvertently helped him unlock his genetic potential.
So… spend it is.
Another large chunk of money vanished from his e-wallet.
He collapsed onto the sofa. That wave of emptiness hit harder than post-release melancholy, and it felt much more long-lasting.
"Meow…"
A weak cry came from the side.
He jerked up like a carp leaping from water and rushed to the shoebox.
"Yo, tough little nose nugget!"
Compared to earlier, the little black kitten looked a lot better—it could at least move around now.
Though the wounds were still terrible, they were visibly healing faster than expected.
"I, Chen, am truly a genius."
This time, he said it with certainty.
But he quickly shook his head and let out a self-mocking chuckle.
"Too bad I'm dying…"
He didn't notice the little black cat glaring at his neck with a murderous glint in its black eyes—blood-red malice flashing like a spark.
[Eat him… Eat him…]
[Devour him, and the wounds will heal…]
[A measly bird wasn't enough…]
"What you looking at?"
Chen Huaian stared right back into the cat's eyes.
The instant it met his gaze, the kitten's menacing look turned clear and innocent. Its vertical pupils rounded out as it let out a soft "mew".
"Still uncomfortable?" Chen rubbed his chin. "Alright then…"
He turned around and exposed his defenseless back.
[Now's my chance!]
The black cat arched its back, fur standing on end, ready to pounce with murderous intent.
But in the next second, the man suddenly turned around—
Left hand holding a silver needle set,
Right hand grabbing the cat by the scruff.
The kitten's eyes widened in shock.
[Damn it! What did this cursed human do?! Why can't I move?! This frail body—MOVE!]
"Only did one round of acupuncture earlier—let's do a reinforcement round!"
Chen gently laid the cat on the couch, wrapped it in a towel, and began inserting needles again.
Who knew if this cat had rabies or not?
Since it could move again, it was best to be cautious.
A scratch would mean a hospital trip—and those vaccines were pricey.
[Despicable human, how dare you restrain this king with a towel!]
The cat struggled violently, baring its teeth.
Chen was ready this time—two quick needles to key points.
The kitten's eyes once again popped wide.
[What is this technique?! Again I can't move?!]
"So useful." Chen nodded while inserting needles.
"Even if I can't use this on people, faking a vet license and opening a pet clinic might actually be profitable. Those pet owners would probably thank me with banners."
"Is this a male or female cat?"
He lifted the tail to check.
"Oh, male… then when you grow up, I'll personally do your neutering. Can't have you messing around with lady cats."
The black cat: ??
[Did this human just say he's going to NEUTER me?!]
[Unforgivable… Unforgivable!!!]
[Eat him. I must eat him!!!]
But as the acupuncture continued, the cat felt its wounds healing rapidly.
The pain in its body was fading.
The needles didn't hurt—it was almost… comfortable.
Warm energy surged inside, making it sleepy.
[Hmm… maybe this human has more uses than just food… This needle technique can heal? Interesting… So there's still a legacy of the Golden Needle Arts in this era?]
[Fine. I'll wait until he heals me, then devour him. That way, I'll inherit the technique too. Fufufufu…]
---
[Your Electronic Girlfriend has finished absorbing the Immortal-Grade Mysterious Restoration Pill]
A game window popped up.
Chen Huaian's eyes lit up.
In three swift motions, he yanked out the needles and tossed them precisely into the shoebox—
Thud! The lid shut with a snap.
The black cat: "…"
[You haven't finished healing me yet!!!]
"Wraaaoowww!!!"
[Human, I'll have your head!!!]
Ignoring the furious scratching from the shoebox, Chen focused entirely on Li Qingran's status.
**[Status: Meditating — New Dantian forming]
Cultivation Progress: 3679/5999 (6th Level)
Remaining Lifespan: 273 years
Favorability: 50 (Respect)
**
"Whoa, things are heating up!"
Seeing her lifespan hit 273 years, Chen felt a mix of pride and envy.
At noon, the game had updated his own predicted lifespan: 129 days.
He didn't believe it—but yeah, he was terminal. Naturally, he envied someone with such a long life.
Soon though, he felt at peace.
Game time matched real-world time.
As long as he kept burning money and nothing happened to Li Qingran, even if he died, she'd live on for over 200 years—carrying the memory of him through this character.
Suddenly, his earlier spending didn't feel so pointless.
Provided the game company doesn't pull a scummy move.
He remembered stories where games suddenly shut down, erasing players' characters and investment—
And the compensation? Worthless items from other garbage games under the same company.
It was basically property theft.
Thankfully, this game hadn't shown that dreaded phrase:
"All final interpretation rights belong to the game company."
---
Meanwhile, inside the game—around Li Qingran—
The curtains stilled.
The swirling dust calmed.
Spiritual energy settled.
Chen saw golden, plant-like sprouts emerging around her.
They spread rapidly through the room, budding with glowing flower bulbs—
Something remarkable was about to be born.
[Li Qingran is entering the final stage of Dantian formation. A top-grade Dantian may attract external threats. Recharge ¥88 to protect her during the process?]
"Another cash trap?" Chen smirked in disdain.
He knew the script.
If he didn't pay, the game would probably spawn some elder demon to rob her Dantian.
Could the demon succeed?
Of course—they wrote the rules!
¥88 wasn't much. Chen paid up.
---
[Choose your protection mode: – Avatar Projection: ¥100,888
– Gluttonous Beast Mount: ¥58,888
– Sword Spirit: ¥38,888
– Ultimate Package: ¥35,888
– Advanced Package: ¥18,888
– Intermediate Package: ¥1,888
– Basic Package: ¥188
– Custom Combo: Add to Cart & Pay]
Chen's lips twitched.
So the ¥88 was just the entry ticket to this pay-to-win fair.
But thankfully, the add-ons weren't too extortionate.
All listed packages could apparently help Li Qingran pass this test.
Buying pricier ones was just for showing off.
He imagined future players reaching this point—
Big spenders would get flashy effects, while others could only envy them.
Most would settle for the plain Basic Package.
It wouldn't hinder progression, just the flair.
Chen wasn't a fool.
He picked the Basic Package.
Funny thing was…
A guy who thought ¥15 takeout was expensive, now felt ¥188 was reasonable?
This game was truly evil.
[Deploying Basic Protection Package]
Lightning burst forth, forming a massive glowing array centered on Li Qingran's cabin—
Covering a hundred-meter radius—
Then vanishing.
Around the room, ten Divine-Grade Thunderfire Talismans appeared.
Inside, on her desk, sat a massive purple talisman radiating electricity—
Its mysterious strokes writhing like dragons—
The size of an adult's arm—
A Nine Suns Violet Thunder Talisman.
---
"This is where the monsters start showing up, huh?"
Chen folded his arms smugly.
The progress bar hit 90%.
---
Cangyun Realm – Wanqing Mountain.
A barren rocky ravine.
A black, murky pool hidden beneath layers of crag.
Suddenly—
Two evil eyes snapped open.
"Delicious! What a scent!"
"It's… it's a Dantian! A supreme-grade Dantian! Impossible—someone in this era condensed a perfect Dantian?!"
"Kekeke! Heaven helps me! Heaven truly helps me!"