"Senior… have you ever been to Tianquan City before?"
"Senior, look at this—it's so interesting! My parents used to buy me these when I was little…"
"Senior, is there anything you like to eat? There's this amazing restaurant I know—ah, I forgot… you're already in seclusion from food."
"Senior, this road leads to Feilong Pass. My parents always said… people who left by this road… rarely ever came back…"
Li Qingran turned toward Chen Huaian, but kept her head down, fingers nervously twisting her sleeve.
The loose strands of hair on her forehead fluttered with the breeze.
Beneath her lashes, a flicker of emotion flashed—fragile, unspoken.
Tianquan City.
Her hometown… long since changed hands.
Even the city lord had been replaced—twice.
Now, standing at the gate watching the endless stream of travelers,
Her voice turned bitter.
"Senior, you…"
She dared not look up.
Afraid he might see the redness in her eyes.
---
"…I…"
Chen Huaian opened his mouth, then sighed deeply.
He suddenly felt like one of those irresponsible parents…
Dropping their kid off at daycare just so they could relax.
The so-called 'Nursery'… was really just a sect.
Li Qingran no longer had one.
And according to the game's quest logic, she needed one—
A sect to protect her.
He hadn't realized how urgent it was…
Until his experience card timer began ticking down.
He understood.
In a world where everyone was superhuman,
Li Qingran—with her Supreme-grade Dantian, Taiyin Constitution, and Pure Water Spiritual Root—was practically a walking treasure chest.
If anyone with ambition sniffed her out, she'd be in danger immediately.
And with her measly Qi Refining peak strength, she had zero means of self-defense.
She was basically a wild rare drop in an open PvP zone.
And he couldn't guard her 24/7.
He still had real-world obligations—like earning money from that damn show.
As her cyber-boyfriend and legal guardian,
His job now… was to help her gain footing in a new sect.
So, they came to Tianquan City.
From the top-left corner of the map to slightly right of center.
A mortal city, far from the core cultivation zones.
Spiritual energy here was thin—but that also meant it was safe.
---
"I'm only… leaving temporarily."
Chen Huaian finally spoke.
Not that he really was leaving.
But this incarnation's time was running out, and it was hard to explain.
"Senior…"
Li Qingran noticed the conflict on his face.
Her clenched fingers slowly loosened.
What am I doing…?
She shouldn't keep burdening him.
He had his own life.
Probably even a hundred female disciples waiting for his attention.
He had already done so much for her.
How could she… still ask for more?
"…I understand, Senior. I'll find a place to stay quietly."
---
Chen Huaian glanced at her in surprise.
He thought the conversation had passed.
But when he saw her eyes lowered and red—
She looked like an abandoned kitten.
Wasn't she just slicing down Lu Changtian like a heroic little war goddess?
And now this?
"…Alright, fine. I'll explain everything to you!"
Standing at the gates like this wasn't helping anyone.
He dragged her into a nearby tavern.
Ordered a few dishes from the trembling waiter.
Then turned serious.
"I… ahem... This esteemed one has many responsibilities. I don't have time to look after you."
Li Qingran immediately pouted.
Panicked, Chen Huaian ditched the cold, aloof act.
He reached toward her head—his fingers passing straight through—
and hurriedly explained,
"Look, I'm just a projection.
My real body is currently battling a super terrifying demon beast!"
Li Qingran gasped.
"Senior… are you in danger? Is it… a really powerful demon?"
Well… yeah.
Cancer was quite a beast.
Chen Huaian nodded solemnly.
"It's... difficult. I was poisoned. Might not survive."
What would she understand about cancer, anyway?
Even if the AI was advanced, it couldn't truly feel.
It couldn't return genuine human emotion… right?
But then—
Her face turned pale.
A buzz filled her ears.
Mind blank.
Her heart clenched.
Like someone had stabbed a branding iron into it.
She gripped her sleeve tightly, hands white with pressure.
Senior's cultivation is sky-high, yet even he can't neutralize the poison?
How terrifying must that demon be…?
Of course.
He was a hero, fighting silently for the sake of the realm.
Even with so much to do… he'd still taken time to escort her to Qingyun Sect.
And here she was… still clinging to him selfishly.
---
"Senior… this junior… was wrong."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she knelt before him.
"Hey hey—what are you doing?!"
Chen Huaian panicked, raising both hands.
Even as an invisible force tried to lift her,
She stubbornly remained kneeling midair.
Their eyes met at a strange level.
"Senior, I possess a Pure Water Root—perfect for pill alchemy.
There are countless pill recipes in the Cangyun Realm!
No matter what… I will create an antidote for you!"
Her tone was firm.
Naïve.
But brimming with hope.
He probably searched only the high-level, famous remedies.
But sometimes the rarest solutions were tucked away in humble sect scrolls…
If he searched from the top, she'd search from the bottom.
Cover both ends.
No chance missed.
Chen Huaian's heart trembled.
He couldn't believe this was just some AI NPC.
How could any algorithm simulate this level of emotional depth?
Was this a real person? A GM playing a role just for him?
Every line, every glance, crafted with detail?
Thirty thousand yuan… so worth it.
Even if he died tomorrow… this warmth was real.
He smiled gently.
Softened his tone.
"Don't worry. I'm a Fusion-stage cultivator—
I won't die that easily to some poison.
If you train hard… and become the strongest alchemist in the realm—
that'll be all the comfort I need."
Li Qingran noticed—he stopped calling himself "This Venerable."
Just a normal "I."
And somehow, it made him feel… closer.
More human.
Even if… she still couldn't touch him.
"Senior… I want to become a Pill Master.
I will become one.
I have a Pure Water Root—Lingxi Valley will take me in."
Lingxi Valley.
A famed sect known for alchemy and healing.
Also called the Valley of Sacred Medicine.
Coincidentally, a recruitment event was happening in Tianquan City right now.
They were seeking talents among mortals with spiritual roots.
But… Chen Huaian had crossed them off the list.
Why?
Because she had already practiced the Crimson Cloud Technique—a fire-type combat method totally incompatible with alchemy.
---
"Qingran, I get that you mean well…
But you've already cultivated the Crimson Cloud—"
He paused mid-sentence.
Because he saw the light in her eyes.
Unshakable resolve.
"…You…"
"Senior,"
She bowed again.
"The Crimson Cloud is a fire-based, aggressive art.
Of course I know it contradicts alchemy."
Their eyes met.
"Besides… I'm a Water Root cultivator.
Crimson Cloud was never right for me anyway."
A soft smile touched her lips.
Like she was the one comforting him.
Not the other way around.
"So it's simple, really—
I'll just disperse my cultivation."