Chapter 7: Isn’t This a Huge Bargain?

————Game Forum————

Awakened Roast Goose: Has anyone heard of a game called "My Virtual Girlfriend"? The production quality is top-notch, the character models are detailed, the interactivity is strong, and even the micro-expressions aren't repetitive. The only downside is that it's a bit pay-to-win.

Love Over Penis: Never heard of it.

Shanghai Uncle: What? Is there really such a game?

Pink Ferrari Cow: OP, can you share the installation package here? I'd like to try it out.

————————————

…

Chen Huaian couldn't find the game on any search engine.

Sharing the installation package was out of the question because he realized the game didn't even have one. Based on his experience, a game of this caliber should be at least 10GB, but his pitiful 64GB phone showed no change in storage before and after installing the game.

The game's smoothness and level of detail were also far beyond what his budget phone, which struggled to run even basic games, could handle. Therefore, there was only one possible explanation!

Chen Huaian adjusted his glasses.

He must have been targeted by a powerful hacking group!

This game was their creation, and he was just a lab rat for their experiment!

"Sigh… but their game is really well-made," Chen Huaian muttered dejectedly, staring at Li Qingran, who had just finished meditating in the game.

So well-made that he was willing to spend money on it.

The girl's external injuries had completely healed, and her remaining lifespan had increased from six hours to three years.

At that moment, she was carefully storing away the eight array flags.

He could even hear her murmuring to herself.

"The senior has been so kind to me. I can use the materials from these array flags to make a protective charm or something. If I ever get to meet him, I'll give it to him as a gift." She then shook her head vigorously. "But someone as great as the senior would probably just laugh at such a humble gift…"

The developers had gone a bit overboard with the details.

Chen Huaian thought that if the charm Li Qingran made could actually be sent to him, even if it was just a gimmick by the game developers, it would be an emotional knockout.

Should he try using a communication talisman to tell her he'd appreciate it?

But looking at the restored price of the communication talisman in the virtual girlfriend store, he chose to remain silent.

It was pointless. This was just a game.

The newly opened Qi Refinement Stage Virtual Girlfriend Store offered a wide range of items, but the prices and quality made his vision go dark. Low-grade spirit stones were 50¥ each, mortal-grade thunderfire talismans were 576¥ each, communication talismans were 300¥ each, low-grade mortal swords were 998¥, mid-grade mortal swords were 4998¥, and high-grade mortal swords were 9998¥…

What annoyed Chen Huaian the most was the thunderfire talisman.

The special offer gave him immortal-grade talismans, but now he could only buy mortal-grade ones.

Although he hadn't seen the power of mortal-grade talismans, he knew they were far inferior to immortal-grade ones.

And then there were the weapons.

Mortal-grade was the lowest tier, followed by magical artifacts, spiritual artifacts, innate spiritual treasures, and immortal artifacts.

He couldn't even imagine how much the higher-tier weapons would cost.

"Is the game developer out of their mind? 9998¥ for a sword? Who would buy that…" Chen Huaian scoffed. He could barely accept spending money on other things, but if he ever bought a weapon from this store, he'd write his name backward!

Just as he was pondering this, Li Qingran, who had been fine moments ago, suddenly frowned, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

She took a moment to stabilize her surging qi and muttered gloomily, "Thanks to the senior's help, at least my spiritual power isn't dissipating anymore. But my dantian is shattered, my foundation is gone, and without a spiritual root, it's harder than climbing to the heavens to expel the fire poison in my body. My cultivation speed will only get slower…"

There were only two solutions to her current predicament.

Either return to the Qingyun Sect and ask for a healing pill, or venture into the surrounding Wanqing Mountains to search for medicinal herbs.

The former was almost impossible—she was no longer a disciple of the Qingyun Sect and didn't want to trouble her former acquaintances.

The latter was risky, but it was her preferred choice.

Before, she was too weak and could only wait for death in the hut. Now, even if she encountered that demon wolf again, she at least had the strength to fight back.

Li Qingran's voice was soft, but Chen Huaian could hear everything, even the thoughts in her mind.

"Why go back to the Qingyun Sect? Why risk going to the Wanqing Mountains?" Chen Huaian immediately opened the recharge interface.

His virtual girlfriend was spitting blood! What was he waiting for?

Even though he knew this was just the game's way of squeezing money out of him, he couldn't control his hands.

He bought the monthly pass without hesitation.

If he didn't buy it this month, the price would go up next month. He had to seize the opportunity.

That's how he consoled himself.

[Monthly pass purchased successfully! You have received one 'Transmission Meditation' session!]

[Medicine and spirit stone supplies have been delivered!]

After the notifications, two bags fell from the sky and landed on the table with a loud thud, startling Li Qingran.

"What's this…" Li Qingran approached and poked one of the bags. It was bulging, and she could feel the spiritual energy inside. She looked up at the ceiling and cupped her hands respectfully. "Senior, did you drop these bags?"

There was no response.

Li Qingran wasn't surprised. She was gradually getting used to the senior's way of communication.

If he didn't say anything, it meant yes.

These bags were clearly a gift from the senior.

Having already accepted his help before, she didn't hesitate and opened one of the bags with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity.

Clatter—!

A pile of spirit stones spilled out.

Li Qingran counted them in astonishment—there were 50 low-grade spirit stones.

In the Qingyun Sect, inner disciples at the Qi Refinement stage received a monthly allowance of 30 to 40 low-grade spirit stones, while Foundation Establishment disciples received 60 to 100. Spirit stones were not only currency but could also be crushed to absorb their spiritual energy. They were essential for setting up arrays, refining weapons, and more.

These 50 low-grade spirit stones were already quite valuable.

What Li Qingran didn't know was that this was just her daily allowance.

"Qingran thanks the senior for the spirit stones."

To a Nascent Soul or Soul Formation expert, 50 low-grade spirit stones might be nothing, but she still had to express her gratitude and respect.

Chen Huaian couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. He subconsciously wanted to stroke his beard, but he didn't have one.

How should he put it?

Even though the monthly pass was expensive, low-grade spirit stones were sold individually for 50¥ each. So, wasn't this a huge bargain?

Li Qingran then opened the second bag, which contained a red brocade box. The moment she picked it up, she could smell the pure medicinal aroma inside.

"The medicinal scent is so refined!"

Over the years, she had helped her second senior brother manage spiritual herbs and occasionally served as a test subject for pills. She was familiar with most Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment pills. Her second senior brother was highly talented, and the pills he refined were of excellent quality, earning praise even from the Alchemy Hall elders. However, even his pills carried a hint of impurity, unlike the pure aroma emanating from this box.

She opened the box to find a red pill inside.

The pill was translucent, like red jade, and completely free of impurities.

"Great Restoration Pill, immortal-grade!"

Li Qingran covered her mouth in shock. The talismans were immortal-grade, and now the pills were too. Was the senior a genius who excelled in everything?

The Great Restoration Pill was a common healing medicine for cultivators from Qi Refinement to Golden Core stages.

It was affordable and had broad effects, treating both internal and external injuries.

It was said that even a perfect-grade Great Restoration Pill could detoxify, so an immortal-grade one would definitely cure the fire poison in her body.

Whether it was the spirit stones or the pill, the senior had given her exactly what she needed, tailored to her situation.

A warm feeling spread through Li Qingran's heart. Since childhood, only her parents had shown her such meticulous care.

"Whether the senior likes it or not, I must prepare a gift for him!"

Li Qingran silently vowed.

Meanwhile, outside the screen, Chen Huaian received a notification.

[Li Qingran is about to begin healing. Would you like to use a 'Transmission Meditation' session to personally assist her? (Enhanced effect)]

"Wait… personally?"

Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, sensing that something was off.