CSMCDB - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

[The System isn't deaf. You can tone it down.] 1947 sighed deeply, feeling itself growing older by the second. [This isn't you being kept. Get a hold of yourself!]

But! Doesn't this script look just like a vicious female tyrannosaur and her cherished, delicate pretty-boy husband?

[?] For a moment, 1947 didn't know whether to roast Wen Yuncheng for her mistaken self-perception or for her evaluation of her teacher. If Yan Ling knew this damn brat thought of her as a "vicious female tyrannosaur," 1947 felt its cub would probably be thrown from this high altitude to perform a free fall.

Sigh, you really have no imagination, not a single humorous cell in your body. Wen Yuncheng carefully stretched, not daring to make any big movements for fear of attracting Yan Ling's attention. She shifted into a more comfortable sitting position before continuing to bullshit with 1947: It's so boring just sitting here. Can't you find me something fun to watch?

[Support official releases. One point.]

Wen Yuncheng readily paid one point and then received a novel projected into her mind by the System. She read the beginning and found it was a typical "trash-to-treasure" Long Aotian-style novel.

What the hell did you send me? I want to read about the vicious female tyrannosaur and her cherished, delicate pretty-boy husband!

1947's response was that she could take it or leave it. All sales were final. No refunds.

Wen Yuncheng: Grass. (The botanical kind.)

The flight to the Demonic Beast Great Forest took a total of two days.

Along the way, Yan Ling casually found a flight relay station to board her Gugu Bird, and then took Wen Yuncheng to stay at a random inn for the night.

Watching Yan Ling pay for everything without a word, Wen Yuncheng felt that "vicious female tyrannosaur" could be upgraded to "vicious, rich female tyrannosaur." (Not meant in a derogatory way.)

1947 discovered that this host was truly shameless. This damn brat not only coveted her ex-fiancée's face, but she also coveted a rich woman's money!

[You already have two hundred thousand Star Stones. What more could you want?]

"Only two hundred thousand. Other people might have two billion Star Stones." Wen Yuncheng answered nonchalantly. After all, who would complain about having too much money? But speaking of money, she needed to settle this month's profit share with Yan Ling.

And so, upon arriving at the outskirts of the Demonic Beast Great Forest, Wen Yuncheng waited for Yan Ling to settle the Gugu Bird, and then, after booking two rooms at an inn and sitting down for a meal, she brought up the matter of the profit share.

But before that…

[Mission Complete: Beast Tide]

[Reward Obtained: 3000 EXP, 200 Points]

Host: Wen Yuncheng
Race: Human
Age: 15
Class: Mechanical Master
Level: 15
Experience: 1165/4500
Points: 333

"What, had an epiphany upon arriving at a new place?" Wen Yuncheng hadn't broken through to a new layer, but Yan Ling still caught the subtle energy fluctuation from her level-up. Yan Ling teased Wen Yuncheng while giving the flight relay station staff some Star Stones to take good care of the Gugu Bird. This disciple of hers was truly… extremely peculiar.

Wen Yuncheng could only give a silly smile, trying to get by on cuteness.

It wasn't until Yan Ling had booked the rooms and they were waiting in the main hall for dinner to be served that Wen Yuncheng tentatively spoke up.

"Teacher, I'd like to transfer the Star Stones I earned at the Dueling Arena this month to you." Wen Yuncheng took out her Star Stone card and gave Yan Ling a bashful smile. "As for the travel expenses and the cost of these other things, could you tell me the amount as well?"

"Just transfer the Dueling Arena earnings. That's enough." Yan Ling was very clear about these matters.

Wen Yuncheng generously transferred one thousand Star Stones. "Thank you for introducing me to the vice headmaster. It was a huge help!"

"Focus on your cultivation and cut the chatter." Yan Ling didn't even look at how many Star Stones she'd received. She just tapped the table, waiting for the food. Suddenly, she thought of something, frowned at Wen Yuncheng, and warned, "From now on, when you're out with me, watch your table manners."

Wen Yuncheng: "…Huh?"

"Huh, my ass. If you eat like a starving ghost again, I'll whip you to death."

Wen Yuncheng's survival instincts were extremely strong. She shot to her feet, her posture as straight as a pine tree, and promised firmly, "I promise I'll be careful. It won't happen again!"

Seeing Yan Ling look away, Wen Yuncheng confirmed that her teacher had no intention of getting physical and carefully sat back down. She waited obediently for her food.

Outwardly, Wen Yuncheng was docile, but inwardly she was whispering to 1947: 1947, I think the CP I mentioned is pretty cute. It would be even better if I weren't the pretty boy, sigh. Once I insert myself into the scenario, I get terrified. I'd better just stick to the novel you gave me. It's actually pretty amusing.

[? I gave you a Long Aotian novel.]

"I know," Wen Yuncheng said, unconcerned. "Anyway, some of the stuff that happens in it is so ridiculous, I find it quite satirical. Oh, but the girls in it are all written so well. When I put myself in the protagonist's shoes, I can't help but want to have one in each arm."

[Dream on. I'm tired of even saying it.]

"It's fine, I'm just thinking about it. Thinking isn't a crime." Wen Yuncheng was quite happy, and this happiness lasted until the food was served and she couldn't help but eat a little too quickly, only to hear Yan Ling rap her knuckles on the table.

All of Wen Yuncheng's thoughts snapped back to reality. She sat up straight, controlled her every move, and began to eat elegantly, chewing slowly and deliberately.

1947 discovered that while Wen Yuncheng was a little rascal, she was genuinely afraid of getting hit. Unfortunately, it didn't have any punishment measures… but it couldn't very well use the electric shock punishments meant for rough-and-tumble men on its own female cub. It opened the system log, thought for a long time, and wrote, "This year, apply for the 'Three Merits, Five Virtues' System award."

"Teacher, there seem to be a lot of people here." After a satisfying meal, Wen Yuncheng sat obediently in her seat, looking around curiously. "Are they all here for the Beast Tide?"

"Yes. Some sects also assist the Empire in fending off the Beast Tide. After all, demonic beasts are quite valuable," Yan Ling explained, then added as something occurred to her: "The deeper you go into the Demonic Beast Great Forest, the more complex and dangerous it becomes. I'll take you around to get some experience for the next few days. When the main group from the academy arrives, you'll go with them. Absolutely do not venture deep into the forest. I have some personal matters to attend to."

"Okay!" Although she didn't know what her teacher's personal business was, Wen Yuncheng was tactful enough not to ask.

After that, Yan Ling didn't restrict her any further. She just told her to meet outside the inn at eight the next morning before returning to her own room. Now that Wen Yuncheng had a bit of money to spare and had arrived in an unfamiliar city, she naturally wanted to go out and explore.

The town bordering the Demonic Beast Great Forest was sparsely populated. It was considered a very remote place. However, some powerful individuals did enjoy living here in seclusion.

A city like this was at its liveliest during the autumn Beast Tide. Come winter, the town would become deserted.

As Wen Yuncheng strolled casually down the street, the most common sights were people in various sect uniforms and fully armed Imperial soldiers. Of course, there were also people setting up stalls to trade. The stalls displayed demonic beast corpses or their energy sources—things similar to crystal cores.

As for the corpses, the most common parts were the feathers of various birds, the pelts, scales, teeth, or sharp claws of beasts, and so on. Or well-preserved bones. Of course, some people also sold demonic beast meat.

Wen Yuncheng passed a street stall and was startled by a large eyeball that the stall owner had propped up on a table for display.

"Haha, never seen one of these, have you? One look at you and I can tell you're new here, broadening your horizons. How come you don't have an elder with you? This is the eyeball of a One-Eyed Giant Deer. Want to buy it and give it a try?"

"N-no, thank you!" Wen Yuncheng refused the stall owner's kind offer in a bit of a panic, which made the man roar with laughter.

"Kid, that kind of courage won't do! You need to go in there and train properly."

Wen Yuncheng gave a bashful smile but didn't reply, moving on to the next stall. She discovered that most of the people here were friendly and enthusiastic. Even the few stall owners who were more aloof weren't impatient or disdainful toward her. Wen Yuncheng thought about it. It was probably because the Imperial army and the sects were all gathered here, so people with ill intentions generally wouldn't come around.

She made a full circuit without buying anything, but she did get her cheeks pinched by a few female stall owners who gave her some jerky. The jerky was made from the meat of the weakest rabbits from the outskirts of the Demonic Beast Forest. One of the women even gave her a little white rabbit, which Wen Yuncheng held in her arms with pleasant surprise.

"That woman actually told me to take it home, fatten it up, and eat it. Who could bear to eat such a cute rabbit? Look at this fluffy little cutie~"

[Don't be fooled because it's a young rabbit. When it grows up, it can bite through a block of steel in one go.] Seeing Wen Yuncheng hugging the rabbit, chuckling happily and unable to put it down, 1947 couldn't help but remind her. [You should probably just eat it.]

"No way. Bunnies don't eat meat." Wen Yuncheng didn't believe it, feeling her heart melt from the little rabbit's cuteness. She gently poked the rabbit's three-lobed mouth with her index finger, her expression extremely tender, right up until the little rabbit bit down on it—"Hiss—"

Nightfall.

In a corner of the inn's courtyard, with the owner's permission, Wen Yuncheng started a fire and leisurely roasted the whole little rabbit.

Of course, it would have been even more pleasant if her left index finger wasn't bandaged.

Thankfully, the rabbit was small. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been as simple as just drawing blood.

Sprinkling various seasonings on the rabbit meat as its skin turned golden brown, Wen Yuncheng watched the oil drip down and slurped, her mouth watering. As expected, demonic beasts couldn't be kept as pets, not even rabbits.

They were much safer inside one's stomach.

She took a bite. The fragrant aroma of the meat filled the air, and her mouth was flooded with savory juices.

Wen Yuncheng: Delicious.

Having been taught a lesson by the little rabbit, when Wen Yuncheng stood at the inn's entrance waiting for Yan Ling the next day, she no longer trusted the appearance of any demonic beast.

After having breakfast with her teacher, Yan Ling led her toward the Demonic Beast Great Forest. The town's checkpoint was guarded by Imperial soldiers. Yan Ling registered their names, and then they entered the forest.

"Let's just wander around. Fight whatever we encounter. Only go when I tell you to. Otherwise, stay hidden and be good." Yan Ling didn't have much of a plan; after all, this was her first time mentoring a disciple.

"Okay." Wen Yuncheng was perfectly obedient.

[Time-Limited Daily Mission Activated: Slaughter]

[This mission replaces the Time-Limited Daily Mission: Training]
[Mission Requirement: Independently seek breakthroughs in battle.]
[Mission Reward: Gain 10 EXP for every Star Apostle-level demonic beast killed independently, 100 EXP for every Star Practitioner-level demonic beast, and 1000 EXP for every Star Warrior-level demonic beast.]

Hm? The running mission was replaced? Wen Yuncheng glanced at the rewards and consciously dismissed the four-digit EXP for the Star Warrior level. She estimated that she could probably only get the rewards for the Star Apostle and Star Practitioner levels. This mission… isn't too bad, right?

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