Chapter 28: Aoki, are you there?

“At that moment, I just pointed at her like this.”

Cuìhuā gestured toward the direction near the jade bed and said, “She saw me and immediately turned around to leave!”

“What about that guy lurking at the gate of the Sanctuary? What did he look like?”

The Holy Maiden Yuèlán was very interested in the shadowy figure Cuìhuā had just mentioned appearing at the Sanctuary’s gate.

“Well…”

Cuìhuā’s eyes darted around as she thought, then said hesitantly, “They said it was a black shadow, but… she had blonde hair?”

That uncertainty in her words suddenly sent a shock through Yuèlán’s heart, and immediately her right pinky began to tremble violently.

Blonde hair…

It has to be that demon! It has to be Yuèqǐ!

She’s back!

“Holy Maiden, are you alright?”

Cuìhuā asked Yuèlán with concern.

“I’m fine! I’m fine! But you must keep this matter to yourself for now, understand?”

Yuèlán warned.

“Of course. I will obey the Holy Maiden’s instructions.”

Cuìhuā nodded.

Then Yuèlán gave a few orders for Cuìhuā to take good care of Aoki before leaving the place.

A long time later, after the two inside the Sanctuary both thought Yuèlán had left, the one lying down suddenly sat up, still shaken, and stared at Cuìhuā.

Cuìhuā’s expression was also strange as she looked back at the one on the bed.

“I thought you were going to say something.”

Aoki swallowed hard.

“I was going to say it… but if I really angered you and you exposed my secret…”

Cuìhuā hesitated, her face full of fear.

“What happened?”

Aoki moved his body.

“She touched my chest.”

“Huh?”

“But I wasn’t wearing a bra.”

“Ah.”

Aoki understood now. Yuèlán probably suspected Cuìhuā was a female elf, but because Cuìhuā was extremely flat-chested and wasn’t wearing a bra, she didn’t notice.

Last time, if Cuìhuā hadn’t been wearing a bra and only had some transparency in the front, Yuèlán might have really thought she was a male elf.

Was she really that flat?

However, Cuìhuā probably realized from this that Yuèlán’s obsession and terrifying nature in certain matters were not to be underestimated.

Cuìhuā had said she was afraid of angering Yuèlán, but if she didn’t feel Yuèlán’s threat toward her, she wouldn’t have kindly helped Aoki.

Still, it was a good thing. Now she was a grasshopper caught in the same rope, so to speak.

Everything was left unsaid.

“Is she really the Holy Maiden?”

Cuìhuā’s question surprised Aoki. Why did it seem like Cuìhuā had sensed a lot of things?

“On the surface, she seems to be, but with her like this… she’s very dangerous, far more dangerous than you could imagine.

So I want you to help me with something.”

“I have no choice, Lord Aoki.”

Cuìhuā wasn’t stupid and knew she was currently in a very passive position and could only obediently be a pawn.

Looks like even this little lackey was about to be dragged into a big player’s conflict.

This time, Holy Maiden Yuèlán’s condition was very abnormal. Why did she suddenly leave like she was running away?

Next time… next time I’ll definitely be in trouble, definitely!

Watching Cuìhuā fall into thought, Aoki lay back down on the jade bed.

This time, he did not enter simulation again.

【First Stage of the Xianxia World Simulation Completed】

【The host experienced a total of twelve years and three months】

【Childhood sweethearts, mutual feelings in youth, silently supporting each other in early adulthood】

【You and Lín Qǐ were so closely connected that you couldn’t speak your true feelings; love faded away like the wind, turning into regret】

【She always felt destined to be your savior, desperately wanting to gain power, hoping to hear you call for help, perhaps believing that would be the best token of love she could give you—freedom】

【Now, rewards are being calculated】:

【1. “Qi Decision” *1, a wondrous book received from Master. It seems to help you break free from a vegetative state…

It appears to be part of a larger book; you might be able to find the other parts from “other places.”

Upper body movement ability has now been unlocked!】

Reading the reward, Aoki frowned steadily.

The first “Qi Decision” reminded him of the last time he received a spiritual vein transplant, when Master mentioned that the Qi Decision might have other parts held by some demon tribe. That seemed to be true.

So if he wanted to obtain it, he would need to get it from “other places.” Aoki guessed well—that probably meant other simulation worlds?

The last note added: “upper body movement unlocked”?

That meant even if his normal human form’s time ran out, his upper body wouldn’t be vegetative.

Simply put, he was evolving from a vegetative state to partial paralysis?

Holding the worn book in his hand, Aoki felt a surge of hope.

【2. Fake Spiritual Vein *1. The spiritual vein is the foundation for cultivators; without it, there is no spiritual energy. But you possess a fake spiritual vein capable of deceiving the laws.

To use spells, please cultivate first.】

This meant… cultivation in a fantasy world?

Not surprising, considering he had transferred from a fantasy world simulation to a Xianxia world simulation.

But he still needed to cultivate first…

Aoki recalled how spiritual power was used in the Xianxia simulation and raised a finger, clearly feeling a mysterious flow of energy spraying from his fingertip—probably “Qi,” not spiritual energy.

He silently approved.

This would be the foundation for the future vengeful Holy Maiden to defeat the Demon King.

The last reward surprised Aoki a bit.

【3. Silver Bell, a mysterious silver bell that emits a clear chime when shaken.

It comes in pairs, but now there is only one lonely bell.】

Aoki opened his palm, revealing a remarkably familiar silver bell.

His heart suddenly tightened. The sadness that had been diluted by his joy rushed back to overwhelm him.

No… why was this here?

Actually, Aoki should have noticed something was off when the first “Qi Decision” appeared in his hand.

But only now did he realize it.

Things from a virtual world could appear in reality!

Lín Qǐ…

“No, what am I thinking? That’s impossible.”

Aoki forced a smile, suppressing the pain and loss he didn’t want to mention, and sneered, “It’s just the system. Items appearing doesn’t mean the simulation world truly exists.”

He muttered, “But what use does this have? Is this really a reward?”

He shook the silver bell in his hand and, on impulse, infused his Qi into it.

“Ding ding ding…”

*****

“Ding ding ding…”

At the border of the Rose Kingdom, Lín Qǐ suddenly froze as if electrocuted, staring blankly at the silver bell hanging at her waist.

“Huh? Lín, what’s wrong?”

The halfling priestess Xiǎo Yà behind her asked curiously.

“D-did you just hear my silver bell ring?”

Lín Qǐ asked excitedly.

“Eh? No, I didn’t.”

Xiǎo Yà shook her head, glancing at the noisy crowd preparing to enter the Rose Kingdom.

“Aoki, are you there?”