Chapter 400.1: A Minor Version of Words Become Reality?

Qi Yuan waited earnestly. With this talent, he could probably produce some inexplicable ***

In an unknown world, boundless fallen trees stretched endlessly, while a giant python flicked its tongue. Light flickered. An icy wind, sharp as blades, bored into an old man clad in beast hides. He shivered uncontrollably.

Suddenly, what seemed like a divine voice echoed beside his ears.

—I'm so poor! Could some of you kind souls lend me some money?

He immediately dropped to his knees in reverence, repeatedly smashing his forehead against the ground with loud thuds. He babbled incomprehensibly without pause.

All at once, a flash of inspiration appeared in his mind, as though he had realized something. His mouth formed two syllables. "Poor... money..."

He knelt on the ground in ecstatic joy. A magnificent plan arose in his heart. He would obey the divine command and create an object called money!

***

Within the Underworld, Qi Yuan felt rather bored. "So it's just a wishing well. That's no fun at all. I did not even get any feedback."

He stretched lazily, before thinking of something. What if I run an experiment?

After restoring the Strange Painter's vitality, he left the Underworld and returned to the Jiang Clan's stronghold in Cloud Heaven City. The lamp was still lit. Jiang Lingsu was still in her room.

Qi Yuan closed his eyes and activated the ability of his ears. He wanted to hear whether there were any strange voices nearby, and see what would happen if he responded to them.

Immediately, murmurs entered his ears.

"If only I could become a great expert like the Blood-Clothed Sword God, then my future mother-in-law wouldn't look down on me!"

"If the sky falls, the higher-ups will hold it up. What do tainted cultivation techniques have to do with me?"

"Steamed buns are so delicious!"

"I really want a considerate, faithful dao companion who'll never betray me and can grow old with me. Heavens above, please grant me a dao companion!"

His gaze immediately locked onto the cultivator wishing for a dao companion. It was a homebody cultivator. The dust on his azure robe had practically crusted over. He had probably not moved in many years, simply staying there indulging in wild fantasies.

After some thought, Qi Yuan said, "I'll give you a bit of good luck. May you soon embrace your dao companion."

While he could not alter reality with his words, he could easily alter a sliver of someone’s fortune through them. Besides, Qi Yuan happened to hear his words by chance and casually bestowed a little luck upon him.

***

Inside the cave abode, the homebody cultivator’s eyes darted open, full of shock and panic. "Who? Did a senior pass by? How could he be joking with me?"

If he had accidentally spoken aloud or transmitted his voice and been overheard by some senior, that would have been understandable. But he had merely been thinking those words, and someone still heard them? His nerves immediately tightened as he carefully examined his surroundings.

Finding nothing, he grew uncertain. "Could that voice just now have been an illusion?"

Just then, space rippled. An afterimage emerged from the void and landed upon his meditation cushion. He froze when he saw the strangely shaped object, muttering, "A cup?"

After reading the instructions printed on it, his face turned bright red. "This is a Dao companion?"

His expression became incredibly complicated, filled with a mix of terror, helplessness, and confusion. Some unknown existence had responded to his casual wish, albeit it was a rather bizarre response.

Cold sweat broke out across his forehead. Could my ramblings have been heard by some extraterrestrial evil demon?

***

Surprise also appeared in Qi Yuan's eyes. The image of a homebody cultivator hugging a certain cup appeared incredibly bizarre. "So, I'm basically the God of Wealth who gives away treasures now? I didn't expect I'd grant him the greatest dao companion in all of Canglan World. A top-tier cultivator deserves a top-tier dao companion to live a top-tier life!"

Then, he narrowed his eyes, carefully examining himself. Constantly giving away treasures without receiving anything in return was far too disadvantageous. He even felt tempted to knock that homebody cultivator unconscious and snatch the cup back. Qi Yuan had paid the price, hadn’t he? What exactly had the homebody cultivator contributed?

About a hundred seconds later, he opened his eyes. "It seems my mouth has become clearer, and my ears sharper."

Those were the only changes he had discovered after thoroughly testing himself. Of course, there could be deeper transformations that flew past him. After all, as a newly-minted Violet Palace, he was just a tiny rookie in the cultivation world. In Canglan World, he could occupy a mountain and become its king. If placed in the upper world... Well, he could probably still become a mountain king.

As Qi Yuan let his thoughts wander, Jiang Ruhua’s voice reached his ears. "Hmph! I secretly came over this time. Let's see if you can run this time, you brat! You actually abducted my daughter. I'll break your legs."

Qi Yuan's expression immediately changed. That’s Jiang Ruhua!

Upon sensing his surroundings, he discovered that Jiang Ruhua was approaching Cloud Heaven City. Without thinking, Qi Yuan rushed straight into Jiang Lingsu's room and grabbed her wrist. "Junior Sister, run!"

Judging by Jiang Ruhua's appearance, he had hidden all sorts of talismans and formation plates on himself. He was obviously confident in capturing Qi Yuan!

Jiang Lingsu’s warm breath brushed against him, her almond-shaped eyes widened in alarm. "Ah... H-hey... Senior Brother, what are you doing?!"

A pair of flesh-colored stockings, as thin as cicada wings, dangled from her free hand. Her fair, delicate foot had already slipped into the stocking. She had apparently been changing into them.

The sheer stocking clung tightly to her calf, making her jade-like skin appear even more lustrous. Her smooth, snowy thighs were exposed to the air. Outlined by the stockings, they appeared soft yet voluptuous. Beneath the lamplight, a faint streak of white light ran along her stocking, from her knee all the way down to her foot.

Qi Yuan only glanced once. One must not look at what is improper.

Thus, he shifted his gaze upward. Half-moon-like curves beneath a gauzy veil. ...Alright, even more improper. Higher still—alright, far too improper. Tonight's moon is so big, white, and round.

He silently recited Buddhist scriptures in his heart, Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Where there's emptiness, there's form...

Her pretty face flushed crimson. "Senior Brother, why are you panicking so much? I'm changing into the clothes you gave me!"

Qi Yuan released her hand so she could cover herself. "Quickly get dressed! Your father has come to kill me, he'll be here soon!"

Her face instantly changed. "What?!"

She didn't dare imagine what would happen if her father discovered Qi Yuan inside her room. Without the slightest hesitation, she hurriedly finished dressing amid a flurry of rustling sounds. "Senior Brother, let's run!"

"Mhm. The farther away, the better!"

This time, Qi Yuan decided to take his junior sister to the Yuan God Sharing Society, as well as the Phoenix Heaven branch of the Seeking Dao Palace. Neither place was in the Eastern Lands. He refused to believe Jiang Ruhua could still chase them there. Maybe they should nickname him Jiang Run-Run instead.

About fifteen minutes later, Jiang Ruhua’s incomparably furious roar echoed through Cloud Heaven City. "QI YUAN, YOU DAMN BRAT! YOU CAN’T ESCAPE!"

Clearly, Jiang Ruhua had found another trail and continued his pursuit.