Chapter 5: This Generation’s Master of Penglai Island Has a Serious Problem Part 2

Cheng Huan pouted. “Don’t you need money to eat, drink, and live in this world?”

[But isn’t just a little bit enough?] Little Hedgehog had seen Cheng Huan’s task files and found that Cheng Huan would madly hoard money and treasure in every world.

Even though she couldn’t take it with her, she tirelessly repeated the process.

“Do you know Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?”

Little Hedgehog immediately looked it up. [I know it.]

“Then it’s easy to explain,” Cheng Huan said with feigned seriousness. “The reason I like to make money in every world is to enhance my self-worth. This is a higher form of human evolution, fully realizing one’s potential to achieve ideal aspirations.”

[…] Little Hedgehog mulled it over, then suddenly understood and praised, [Host, you are so amazing.]

Cheng Huan smirked smugly. “Of course.”

Seeing Cheng Huan not taking it back, Lu Qing’an asked, confused, “Senior, aren’t you taking it?”

Cheng Huan waved dismissively. “You keep it. I have no need for these things.”

Anything past midnight would automatically vanish the moment it touched her hand.

Lu Qing’an stiffened and refused. “…Senior, this Beast Core is so precious. I cannot accept it. Please, take it back.”

“It’s useless even if I take it back,” Cheng Huan looked at her, puzzled. “You’re currently at the Late Golden Core Stage, just missing a trigger to break through. This Saint-Rank Beast Core can help you advance. Why refuse?”

Giving away such a good thing for free and she still didn’t want it? This Female Lead was not only stubborn but also thickheaded.

“I cannot accept rewards for doing nothing,” Lu Qing’an said. “Senior saved us twice in the Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss and even led us out. The debt of the Nine-Tailed Bone Fox’s beast blood is not yet repaid. I absolutely cannot accept this Saint-Rank Beast Core as well.”

“How can you call it accepting rewards for doing nothing?”

Cheng Huan sighed, thinking about her inability to end this world’s Retirement Experience. Her gaze, full of hope, landed on Lu Qing’an’s face. “You have to understand, you achieving your dream, attaining the Dao and ascending, is my greatest wish.”

Lu Qing’an’s heart was struck heavily. She froze completely, her emotions surging.

She snapped back to reality and stammered, “S-Senior… What do you mean by…?”

“Don’t keep calling me Senior, it makes me sound old,” Cheng Huan waved her hand. “Just call me Cheng Huan directly.”

Lu Qing’an truly couldn’t make sense of it. She was certain she had never met Cheng Huan since childhood. After all, someone so stunningly beautiful… one could not forget even a single glance.

Their first meeting was just a few days ago in the Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss. She had not only threatened Cheng Huan but also forcefully taken the severed tail of the Nine-Tailed Bone Fox. Everything she’d done was disgraceful.

Now, Cheng Huan not only harbored no resentment for her previous actions, but was also thinking of her well-being, freely giving away such a precious Saint-Rank Beast Core to help her cultivate and transcend tribulation.

Lu Qing’an’s mind was a complete mess. She truly couldn’t figure out what Cheng Huan wanted.

Why was she being so kind to her without asking for anything in return?

Lu Qing’an really couldn’t understand. Just as she was about to ask, her brows suddenly furrowed as she sensed someone approaching. She immediately pulled Cheng Huan into the house to hide.

The room was practically empty, with only a table, four stools, a wardrobe, and a hard wooden bed.

You could take in the entire room at a single glance.

“What’s this?” Cheng Huan saw a straw-woven rabbit on the table. The weaving pattern was unique, making it look remarkably lifelike at first glance. “You made this?”

Lu Qing’an nodded. “Mm.”

“It looks quite similar. Quite cute, actually.” Cheng Huan fiddled with the rabbit’s ears.

She had always liked things that looked fluffy and felt soft and smooth to the touch.

Back then, her Assistant System was fluffy. Its touch was very similar to rabbit fur, silky and soft. Cheng Huan couldn’t get enough of her Assistant System.

Later, the Assistant System couldn’t stand Cheng Huan mauling it every day and got her a Lop-Eared Rabbit from a mission world. Once Cheng Huan had the rabbit to play with, she stopped bothering the Assistant System.

But a rabbit’s lifespan was ultimately shorter than a human’s. A Tasker’s lifespan could be extended, but a rabbit’s could not.

That Lop-Eared Rabbit stayed with Cheng Huan for 12 years before it passed away. The Assistant System, afraid Cheng Huan would torment it again, prepared to get her another rabbit, but Cheng Huan refused.

Some things, once lost, are enough. No one can accompany another forever.

Cheng Huan also reduced the amount she mauled the Assistant System, earning her much fewer complaints from it.

Now, seeing such an adorable straw-woven rabbit, Cheng Huan couldn’t help but think of the Lop-Eared Rabbit she had once raised.

A faint smile appeared on Lu Qing’an’s face. “It’s for you.”

“Forget it. You keep it.”

If she gave it to her, it would vanish at midnight.

Lu Qing’an didn’t insist.

Cheng Huan looked around again. Seeing no other precious ornaments, the place resembled a bare, unpainted house.

She sighed at the Female Lead’s simple and unadorned lifestyle, while thinking to herself: If she had the Female Lead’s status and position, she’d definitely decorate her residence nicely—stuffing the room full of Spirit Stones, Spirit Grass, pearls, gold, magic treasures, and immortal artifacts.

Scanning the room, Lu Qing’an saw only the wardrobe and under the bed could possibly hide someone. The person coming right now was the Alchemy Elder. It was likely that when she had taken out the Beast Core, its aura had drawn the Alchemy Elder’s attention.

Jing’an Peak was very close to the Alchemy Elder’s Li Fire Peak. The Alchemy Elder had high Spiritual Power and a powerful divine sense. She must have detected the Beast Core and came to Jing’an Peak.

The footsteps grew closer. Lu Qing’an opened the wardrobe and found it couldn’t hide a person at all. Though empty inside, it was covered in dust.

Under the bed was even worse.

Lu Qing’an glanced at the bed, her gaze conflicted as she looked at Cheng Huan. “I apologize.”

Before Cheng Huan could react, Lu Qing’an pushed her onto the bed. Just as she wanted to ask, a quilt was thrown over her.

Lu Qing’an took off her outer robe and got into bed. Afraid Cheng Huan would move or make noise, she covered her mouth and whispered close to her ear:

“The Alchemy Elder must have sensed the Beast Core’s aura. You absolutely must not make a sound. Otherwise, the Alchemy Elder will kill you on the spot as a spy.”

Cheng Huan actually really wanted to say: Even if every single person in the Primordial Pavilion came at her, they couldn’t kill her.

And Lu Qing’an had witnessed her ability firsthand. How could she still naively think a Primordial Pavilion Elder could kill her?

But she could feel Lu Qing’an’s nervousness and fear, so she said nothing and lay quietly under the blanket.

Though her gaze involuntarily drifted to Lu Qing’an’s hand, which was also under the blanket.

The Alchemy Elder, while refining pills at Li Fire Peak, had suddenly sensed a fierce Spirit Beast aura. Realizing the source of this aura was the neighboring Jing’an Peak, and recalling that only Lu Qing’an lived there, she worried a ferocious beast had infiltrated Mount Xiang and that Lu Qing’an was in danger. She immediately flew to Jing’an Peak to investigate.

But when she arrived at Lu Qing’an’s residence, that Spirit Beast aura had vanished without a trace, as if everything was just her imagination.

The Alchemy Elder walked to the closed door, gently knocked, and asked, “Qing’an, are you asleep?”

Lu Qing’an didn’t pretend to be asleep since the Alchemy Elder knocking meant she was certain she wasn’t.

“Not yet,” she answered.

The Alchemy Elder pushed the door open, finding a pretext. “I was worried about your condition and came specially to see how your recovery is going.”

She didn’t mention detecting the Spirit Beast aura on Jing’an Peak, afraid of scaring Lu Qing’an.

Upon entering, the Alchemy Elder extended her divine sense to investigate, finding no person or Spirit Beast besides Lu Qing’an present.

Seeing Lu Qing’an already undressed and in bed, she said, “I’ve disturbed your rest by coming so late, haven’t I?”

Lu Qing’an shook her head. “The Elder is only concerned for this disciple.”

“You child, always so sensible and strong.” The Alchemy Elder had watched Lu Qing’an grow up. Because Lu Qing’an had exceptional talent in alchemy, the Alchemy Elder loved her especially.

When she learned Lu Qing’an had been tricked by Mo Le Sect and ended up in the Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss, she’d been so frightened she wanted to go there herself to rescue her. Unfortunately, the entrance and exit of the Ghost Flood Dragon Abyss were very mysterious; without fate, one simply couldn’t enter.

“Thank you for your concern, Elder. This disciple is fine now.”

Lu Qing’an’s pupils suddenly contracted, and she pursed her lips tightly.

The Alchemy Elder noticed Lu Qing’an’s fair, tender cheeks suddenly flush red and thought she might be sick. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Seeing the Elder step forward, Lu Qing’an hurriedly said, “N-no… I’m fine. This disciple is just a little tired.”

“Very well, then I won’t disturb your rest.” The Alchemy Elder had no doubts. After carefully scanning the room once more, she turned and left.

Sensing the Alchemy Elder had gone far away, Lu Qing’an scrambled off the bed in a fluster, her eyes flickering involuntarily. She clenched her fists at her sides, her shy and helpless demeanor making her look as if she had been molested.

Cheng Huan pulled back the quilt and looked at Lu Qing’an. With her usual obtuseness, she marveled, “How come I feel like your hand has no bones?”

Under the blanket earlier, Cheng Huan hadn’t been able to resist the temptation and poked the back of Lu Qing’an’s hand.

She was stunned to discover the feeling was unexpectedly soft. Poking was no longer enough to satisfy her urge.

So, Cheng Huan directly took Lu Qing’an’s hand and stroked it, discovering with amazement that Lu Qing’an’s hand was incredibly soft and tender, like springy, bouncy jelly.

She had wanted to test the feel again, but then Lu Qing’an had quickly pulled her hand away and left.

Scraping her fingers against her palm, Lu Qing’an forced herself to appear calm and swallowed hard. “How can a person… have no… bones?”

“It’s different,” Cheng Huan stepped off the bed and extended her hand. “Touch my hand. The feel of our hands is completely different. Your hand is soft and smooth, unlike mine, which is hard and rough.”

Lu Qing’an looked at the hand offered to her. The woman’s palm was large, her fingers slender and long, her nails round, smooth, and a healthy pink. Her knuckles were well-defined, the lines on her palm clear.

Compared to Cheng Huan’s, her own hand was like a child’s next to an adult’s.

Lu Qing’an tentatively reached out, gently touching Cheng Huan’s palm before quickly withdrawing. “Your hand is better than mine.”

“You call that touching?”

That brief, dragonfly-skimming-water touch—what kind of feel could she possibly get from that?!

Cheng Huan took her hand and placed it on her own palm. “Feel carefully, okay? Experience it. Is the sensation different?”

Lu Qing’an lowered her eyelashes, letting Cheng Huan hold her hand to feel hers.

It wasn’t as rough and hard as Cheng Huan described. Her hand was also very soft and smooth to the touch. You could clearly feel every sinew and the curve of every bone.

Like a piece of fine jade.

“Don’t you think your hand is softer than mine?” Cheng Huan held Lu Qing’an’s wrist, only to find her wrist was also very soft, her skin very smooth and silky.

She rubbed her thumb over it, sighing appreciatively, “Your wrist is also so soft and smooth.”

Lu Qing’an looked up. “…”

Cheng Huan’s finger happened to be right on Lu Qing’an’s pulse, and she suddenly felt a strong, vigorous throbbing.

She exclaimed, surprised, “Huh? Your heartbeat is so fast. Are you sick?”

Lu Qing’an: “…”

Cheng Huan panics: The Female Lead absolutely must not be unwell!

Lu Qing’an panics: She actually touched my hand! I actually touched her hand!