"Ding! The Host has completed a side quest, gaining 50 Counterattack Points and 200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
"The Host has formed a good relationship with a Prodigy of Fortune; Luck has increased."
As the System's notification echoed in his mind, Qi Yuan vaguely felt a profound and mysterious aura descend from the sky and land on him, making him feel a bit better.
Besides that, nothing special happened, as if it was just a psychological effect.
Luck is the most elusive and unpredictable thing; Qi Yuan couldn't experience its specific effects in a short time.
Everyone knows that Luck truly exists and always plays a role at critical moments, determining the ultimate success or failure of an endeavor.
To some extent, one's fate and Luck are the Foundation of a Cultivator, representing the upper limit they can reach in this life.
Qi Yuan gained an increase in Luck just by beating up a few Mortal servants—it was an absolute bargain.
Not to mention him; even Hengzhen of the Combined Dao Realm would probably not be able to resist such a temptation.
"System, the more side quests like this in the future, the better. I can handle it."
Although bullying the weak is not a glorious thing, it must be said...it feels really good!
Soon, Qi Yuan suppressed the joy in his heart and subtly glanced at the new ring on Lin Zhen's hand.
He truly is a Prodigy of Fortune; he can encounter fortuitous encounters just by walking around. The material of this ring is something even he can't discern, so it's definitely not a simple item. Perhaps it even comes with an old man in residence or something.
However, despite his curiosity, Qi Yuan had no covetous desires. It wasn't because he was noble, but because a Prodigy of Fortune's possessions are not easily taken.
A Prodigy of Fortune like Lin Zhen is under the Heavenly Dao's close attention from birth. If one wants to take significant advantage of him, it's best to first ask if Heaven agrees, otherwise, they might gain it but not live to enjoy it.
Qi Yuan holds a high position in Tai Xuan Holy Land and has the System, so there's no need for him to covet something of unknown origin that might have significant hidden dangers.
Forming a good relationship with Lin Zhen and incidentally benefiting from his Luck and blessings is the best choice...
With this thought, Qi Yuan reined in his thoughts, and his gaze towards Lin Zhen became even more benevolent, as if he were looking at an unexcavated Treasure Trove.
"Brother Lin, what are your plans for the future?"
"I'm going back to participate in the test."
Lin Zhen took a deep breath, a flicker of determination in his expression.
"Where I fall, I will rise. Wang Luchuan and I have a blood feud and the hatred of a stolen wife. I will settle this score with him personally."
"So what if he's a Genius with dual Spiritual Roots? Once I join Falling Cloud Valley and embark on the Immortal Path, I will repay him tenfold, a hundredfold!"
As he spoke, Lin Zhen clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands, his eyes filled with endless rage.
"Hmm, ambitious!"
Qi Yuan's smile grew wider, and he secretly mourned for the arrogant little fatty for a moment.
Why offend anyone else? He just had to offend a Prodigy of Fortune. Isn't that just asking for trouble?
...
When Qi Yuan brought Lin Zhen back to the entrance of Falling Cloud Valley, it immediately drew the attention of all the young men. The previously noisy atmosphere instantly fell silent.
Standing in the center of the crowd, enjoying the flattery of those around him, Wang Luchuan's expression stiffened, and he looked at Lin Zhen with undisguised surprise.
How could he still be alive and back?
Shouldn't he be dead already?
Beside Wang Luchuan, Liu Yingying's expression also subtly changed, then she lowered her head in shame, unwilling to face him.
Upon seeing the unfamiliar man standing beside Lin Zhen, Wang Luchuan seemed to understand something. His face immediately darkened, and he walked directly in front of the two, coldly saying to Lin Zhen:
"Weren't you leaving? How do you still have the nerve to come back?"
"Also, I kindly sent a few of my subordinates to escort you. Where are they now?"
Hearing Wang Luchuan's distorted words, Lin Zhen trembled with anger.
"Wang, you clearly sent people to harm me, yet you're still pretending here. You're simply a beast in human clothing, worse than a dog or pig."
Wang Luchuan scoffed dismissively, his eyes full of ridicule:
"You say I harmed you? Where's the evidence? Without evidence, don't falsely accuse others, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"You—!"
Lin Zhen was furious. Of course, he couldn't produce evidence, and even if he could, the other party would have a thousand ways to evade and argue, or even turn the tables.
After all, the outcome was that he was still alive, while the three servants were dead.
Seeing this, Qi Yuan, who had been observing with cold eyes, stepped forward and said calmly:
"Your three subordinates were born with shallow blessings and cheap lives; they were all short-lived ghosts. Not long ago, they were carried off and eaten by wild beasts. I advise you to accept your grief and move on."
Wang Luchuan frowned slightly, a hint of apprehension flashing in his gaze towards Qi Yuan. His tone became much weaker, "Who are you, and why are you interfering in our private grievances?"
Although he had not yet entered the Dao, he could still feel the faint oppressive aura emanating from the other party.
This oppressive feeling could only be possessed by Cultivators. No matter how arrogant and overbearing he was, he would instinctively feel fear when facing a Cultivator.
Even if the young man in front of him was just a Loose Cultivator with low cultivation, he was not someone a Mortal like him could easily provoke.
Qi Yuan completely ignored him, instead sweeping his gaze over the surrounding crowd, his tone full of coercion.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My humble name is Qi Da. From now on, I'm protecting Lin Zhen. Anyone who dares to bully him is going against Qi."
All the young men present felt a chill in their hearts and quickly averted their gaze.
Wang Luchuan's expression shifted constantly. He knew it was impossible to touch Lin Zhen today, so he glared at the two with a sinister look, not even daring to utter a threat, and slunk away with his group of followers.
After Wang Luchuan left, Lin Zhen was even more grateful to Qi Yuan, almost in tears:
"If not for Big Brother Qi's help today, I'm afraid..."
But before he could finish, Qi Yuan interrupted him:
"Brother Lin, we are quite congenial; there's no need to be so polite."
He had to admit, having a dignified Prodigy of Fortune refer to himself as a younger brother in front of him made Qi Yuan secretly pleased.
As for a low-level cannon fodder villain like Wang Luchuan, he didn't even have the interest to teach him a lesson, as it would simply lower his own standing.
Of course, if the brain-dead System issued a quest, that would be another matter.
Now that he thought about it, ever since this broken System appeared, he was either crushing weaklings or on his way to crushing weaklings, never encountering a decent enemy, yet the rewards were all incredibly useful, which made him feel a bit embarrassed...
Qi Yuan thought shamelessly.
...
The next day.
The mountain gate of Falling Cloud Valley opened wide.
A flash of white light shimmered in the Void Realm at the valley entrance, and then several Cultivators from Falling Cloud Valley, dressed in uniform robes, flew out from it. These Cultivators stood in the air, releasing a powerful pressure that instantly silenced the previously noisy crowd, making the area so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Yin Qingyuan, the Elder of Ru Dao Pavilion who led them, first surveyed the surroundings, then announced loudly:
"I apologize for the long wait. Today is an auspicious day, suitable for all matters. The Falling Cloud Valley entrance examination officially begins."
"Due to sect rules, all guests aged eighteen or above who have not yet begun Qi Refining are asked to return. If there are Loose Cultivators of the Qi Refining Realm among you, for every level of cultivation higher, the age limit can be extended by two years."
"All those who do not meet the requirements or are eliminated during the assessment can claim travel expenses from Falling Cloud Valley..."
It was her.
Qi Yuan recognized the beautiful female Cultivator standing among the group of Falling Cloud Valley Cultivators at a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
She was clearly only eighteen or nineteen years old, yet her cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and her Foundation was solid, her background astonishing, fully comparable to some True Disciples within the Holy Land.
He hadn't expected such a person to exist within Falling Cloud Valley.