Chapter 52: Selecting All Options

Chen Huaian paused in his steps.

He thought to himself, It's finally here.

The hidden boss! A common trope in cultivation novels, one that would even be considered cliché if written into a book—the sect's ancestral founder!

Beat the young, and the old come. Beat the old, and the resurrected come.

Invincible in the world, enemies descend from the heavens, an endless cycle, never-ending.

If it were any other player, they might only have the options to flee or face a scripted death.

But Chen Huaian, the Immortal Venerable, was different!

He had money!

"So, you're the old monster hiding within Qingyun Sect, huh? Heh!"

Chen Huaian slightly tilted his head, half of his face shrouded in shadow, with only that vertical pupil still burning brightly.

His words shocked everyone present.

Li Qingran silently watched Chen Huaian, feeling that the way he spoke now was quite different from before he revealed himself.

But… that wasn't important.

All she knew was that her heart was racing.

Wu Duantian and the elders looked at Chen Huaian as if he were a fool. Zhang Hanxiao, who had been playing dead, opened one eye. Lu Changtian stopped writhing on the ground. Mu Baisuang widened her eyes and covered her mouth. Even the half-dead Qingxuan Daoist twitched the corner of his mouth.

The Ancestral Founder of Qingyun Sect, a Unity Realm cultivator, and he called her an old monster?

Though she was indeed old.

But basic respect was necessary, and besides, what was a peak Nascent Soul cultivator like him being so arrogant about?

Even if it was just one realm apart, the difference was like heaven and earth.

"You… called me… an old monster?" The wrinkles at the corners of the Ancestral Founder's eyes twitched violently, but her lips curled into a smile.

However, there was no trace of amusement in that smile—only coldness and killing intent.

"That's right, old. mon. ster."

Chen Huaian wasn't the least bit nervous, but after saying this, he felt that the hidden boss was about to make her move. It was time to unleash the power of money.

So he silently thought: Raise my cultivation to the peak of the Unity Realm!

Since it was brain neural mapping technology, it should be able to capture his stream of consciousness.

As he expected, the game did capture it.

But a prompt popped up: ​**[Realm not yet unlocked and your balance is insufficient!]**​

Chen Huaian: "???"

Then raise me to the late Unity Realm!

**[Realm not unlocked, insufficient balance.]**​

Mid Unity Realm?

**[Realm not unlocked, insufficient balance.]**​

Early Unity Realm?

**[Not unlocked, insufficient balance.]**​

Chen Huaian: "…"

Well, I'm done for. Game over.

The exchange of thoughts took only an instant.

Meanwhile, the Ancestral Founder of Qingyun Sect was already surrounded by surging spiritual energy. A massive, blue-black stone statue with white hair, crimson eyes, and a dignified expression rose behind her. The statue had six arms, each holding a different artifact: a sword, a saber, a spear, a vase, a shield, and a fan. Every movement exuded majesty.

She had directly summoned her Dharma Form.

Chen Huaian's face remained calm, but his heart was panicking.

Was he really about to trigger a scripted death?

**[You have angered the hidden boss, the Ancestral Founder of Qingyun Sect. You have three choices (multiple selections allowed).]​

A game window popped up.

Chen Huaian, who had been about to hunch over, immediately straightened his back.

<[Monthly Limited]​ Recharge 18¥ to obtain a Thousand-Mile Escape Talisman and flee the battlefield.>

<[Super Value 0.001 Discount]​ Recharge 88¥ to temporarily gain the aura of a late Unity Realm cultivator for 30 seconds.>

<[Super Value Discount♡]**​ Recharge 188¥ to increase your charm, making the Ancestral Founder of Qingyun Sect view you in a new light (your success rate in winning her favor increases).>

…

Wait, is the third option for real?

Chen Huaian thought about it carefully. A rich woman from another world? If it weren't for Li Qingran, he would've chosen it in a heartbeat!

This was just a game, and if there was a chance to latch onto a powerful figure, why not?

The game character only needed to enjoy the rich woman's happiness and the skyrocketing stats, while he, as the player, had to consider too many things.

Plus, it would increase his charm value.

But now…

Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes.

Just as the Ancestral Founder of Qingyun Sect was about to go berserk, he recharged 294¥.

Select all!!!

In an instant, the Ancestral Founder's gaze, which had been fixed on Chen Huaian, suddenly faltered.

She felt as if the face shrouded in divine light was eerily familiar.

"Zihao… is that you?"

"No, Zihao is dead. He can't be Zihao, but… the aura is so similar…"

The Ancestral Founder's rising momentum deflated like a punctured balloon. Lü Zihao, the Ancestral Founder's former Dao companion, was once among the top ten most handsome men in the Cangyun Realm. However, his talent was too poor, and despite the Ancestral Founder's efforts to find rare treasures, she couldn't help him break through to the Nascent Soul realm to extend his lifespan.

The Ancestral Founder hadn't always looked like an old woman.

Cultivators had ways to maintain their youth. If she wanted, no one could tell her age. Even if she were a thousand or ten thousand years old, she could look as fresh and tender as a sixteen-year-old girl.

She had just lost the will to live.

But now, a spark had ignited in her long-dead heart.

However, the next second, that spark was extinguished by a single sentence from the other party.

"Old monster, do you think being in the Unity Realm makes you so impressive?"

Chen Huaian chuckled lightly. After speaking, he no longer concealed his aura, which surged upward.

Late Unity Realm!

The entire Qingyun Sect plaza was as if suppressed by a giant mountain, shrouded in shadow.

The auras of two Unity Realm cultivators made the Nascent Soul elders unable to lift their heads, their knees sinking into the stone tiles.

Behind Chen Huaian, a black dragon Dharma Form, larger than the blue stone statue, coiled into existence. Its roar shook the heavens, and its majesty was like a prison. The pair of golden vertical pupils resembled two blazing suns, overshadowing even the light of the real sun.

It seems like I should compose a poem now?

Chen Huaian frowned, suddenly feeling a strange impulse.

Unfortunately, his mind was empty of literary talent. He couldn't just blurt out, "Holy crap, that's awesome!"

So he remained silent, maintaining his aloof demeanor.

Unbeknownst to him, Li Qingran's eyes were already filled with admiration.

"You… you're also in the Unity Realm?" The Ancestral Founder's mind was in turmoil.

This person's figure and aura were so similar to her deceased Dao companion, and his strength was on par with hers. Should she still seek revenge today?

If she did, could she still establish a good relationship with him in the future?

If she didn't, what would become of Qingyun Sect's dignity?

While the Ancestral Founder was hesitating, Chen Huaian was counting down the seconds.

Seeing that the 30 seconds were about to run out, he took the initiative to offer a way out:

"Today, this venerable one has come to Qingyun Sect and witnessed the magnanimity of a great sect. Every debt has its debtor, and I have no intention of punishing others further. Now that the karma has been settled, I shall take my leave. Farewell!"

Five seconds left.

Chen Huaian directly took out the Thousand-Mile Escape Talisman, intending to grab Li Qingran's hand, but he passed through her instead.

Fortunately, the talisman enveloped both of them.

"May I ask for your name?" The Ancestral Founder's gaze followed that majestic figure, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

"Chen Huaian of the Sword Gate!"

Whoosh—!

Chen Huaian and Li Qingran's figures disappeared instantly.

"The Sword Gate? Could it be a hidden sect?" The Ancestral Founder's heart was filled with mixed emotions, but she didn't give chase.

That cultivator's strength might very well surpass hers.

Since he had already shown her face, chasing after him would be impolite.

She turned and walked to Qingxuan Daoist's side.

Her dragon-headed cane tapped Qingxuan Daoist's shoulder, and a green light enveloped him, gradually healing his wounds.

After a while, Qingxuan Daoist, who had caught his breath, looked up at the old woman with difficulty.

"Mother…"

"Shut up and go to the Reflection Cliff to face the wall!"

The old woman snorted coldly and walked past him.

After a few steps, she turned back, her face cold. "Within half an hour, bring me two batches of Youth Preservation Pills!"

Qingxuan Daoist: "?"

"Also, prepare a milk bath and hibiscus flowers."

Qingxuan Daoist: "???"

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