"Hey, hey, hey—Uncle Li, I'm still standing right here,"
Sikong Xi said helplessly.
"Trying to poach people right in front of me isn't very polite, is it?"
"Hahaha!"
The middle-aged man laughed loudly.
"Little Xi, even if Bai Jue is currently a Night Watcher of Tiankui City, that doesn't mean you can block his future. Besides, Tiangang City is more than generous when it comes to treatment."
"That may not be the case,"
Sikong Xi replied with a faint smile.
"No matter how good Tiangang City's treatment is, can it really compare to that of a main city?"
"This—"
General Li froze.
He was about to retort, but something seemed to occur to him, and he fell silent.
"With Bai Jue's ability,"
Sikong Xi continued calmly,
"entering a main city is only a matter of time. That is where he belongs—not places like our smaller cities."
"Tch. He could still stay in Tiangang City for a while,"
General Li muttered, lips pursed.
"Even then, it wouldn't be Tiangang City,"
Sikong Xi crossed her arms and looked toward Bai Jue with a playful smile.
"I think Bai Jue would only stay in Tiankui City. Why don't we ask him ourselves?"
At that moment, however, Bai Jue was completely distracted.
The instant the battle ended, system notifications had already begun echoing in his mind.
[Notification: You initiated combat and unleashed overwhelming combat power, suppressing an enemy far beyond your realm. Your prayer power has increased significantly.]
[Notification: You summoned the Ghost Bride and crushed your opponent in a single move. Your prayer power has increased significantly.]
[Notification: You achieved victory in battle and gained new insight. Combat experience slightly increased.]
[Notification: You have obtained a reward — Witch Clan Bloodline.]
An immense surge of prayer power exploded within Bai Jue's body.
A powerful aura burst outward from him.
His realm shifted violently.
Crack.
It sounded like an eggshell shattering.
He had broken through.
From a High-Tier Apprentice Festival Envoy—
straight into First Rank.
The moment they sensed this aura, Sikong Xi and the others froze.
"This is… a breakthrough?"
"And this aura… First Rank? Did the records get mixed up? I remember Bai Jue only awakened two days ago. How is his cultivation speed this absurd?"
"Damn…"
"So it's not just his ability that's monstrous—his cultivation talent is too?"
"This is insane…"
Shock filled their eyes.
Two days.
Only two days—and he had gone from an Apprentice to a First-Rank Festival Envoy.
At least in Tiankui City, Sikong Xi had never seen anyone advance at such a terrifying pace.
Realm advancement triggered prayer power feedback, strengthening the body and dramatically enhancing physical constitution.
Bai Jue opened his eyes, exhaled slowly, and focused his mind on the reward he had obtained.
[Witch Clan Bloodline: A faint trace of the ancient Witch Clan's bloodline. After use, permanently enhances physical attributes, doubling overall physique.]
"Good stuff,"
Bai Jue murmured, excitement flashing in his eyes.
Since others were present, he didn't take it out immediately, instead storing it safely within his Underworld Palace.
Then, noticing everyone staring at him in shock, he shrugged.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? Did something happen?"
"What do you think happened?"
Sikong Xi walked up to him, circling him once and clicking her tongue in amazement.
"How exactly do you cultivate? You just… casually broke through."
"I was already close to a breakthrough,"
Bai Jue scratched his head and explained after a moment of thought.
"The fight probably gave me some insight."
"I'd like that kind of 'casual insight' too,"
Sikong Xi said enviously.
At that moment, General Li stepped forward, his smile even broader now. He grabbed Bai Jue's hand enthusiastically.
"Bai Jue, impressive—truly impressive! How about this: give me your answer directly. Are you willing to come to Tiangang City?"
"As long as you're willing, any resource you need—anything at all—I'll provide it immediately."
"There's only one condition."
"Once you reach Fifth Rank, you guard a space gate for Tiangang City for three months each year."
"And in the future, I can even personally send you to a main city."
"How does that sound?"
As soon as he finished speaking—
Qian Chen, who had just managed to stand up nearby, felt his eyes turn red with jealousy.
Why wasn't he the one receiving this kind of treatment?
Bai Jue had to admit—it was tempting.
Very tempting.
Resources on demand alone would be enough to sway most Festival Envoys.
But Bai Jue answered without hesitation.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
General Li was stunned and asked in disbelief.
He genuinely believed his conditions were irresistible—especially to someone who had barely left school.
Bai Jue shrugged.
"Probably because I value freedom. I don't like being tied to one place for too long—especially guarding a single location for three months every year."
"Still, if you ever need help in the future, General Li, you can come to me. I'd be happy to assist."
Guarding one place for months on end?
He'd go insane from boredom.
General Li paused, clearly not expecting that reason.
Then he laughed, patting Bai Jue's shoulder.
"Alright. Looks like this old man came here for nothing."
"But getting your promise at least makes this trip worthwhile."
"I told you so, Uncle Li,"
Sikong Xi said with a smile, blinking playfully.
"Hahaha, you little rascal,"
General Li shook his head, amused.
After a moment, he looked at Bai Jue again.
"Let's exchange Inter-Orders. With your ability and cultivation speed, as long as you don't die young, your rise is inevitable. It'll be easier to stay in touch."
"Sure,"
Bai Jue nodded.
After adding each other on Inter-Order, General Li soon departed—he was, after all, a very busy man.
And Bai Jue also learned more about him.
Li Aiguo.
A Sixth-Rank Festival Envoy.
Dual Festivals: Kitchen God Festival and Arbor Day.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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