Ye Jinghong felt incredibly pleased after being hit by this rapid-fire chain of flattery. He chugged a few more gulps of wine and sighed, “Splendid! You truly understand me, Junior Sister!”
As Jiang Ye perfunctorily laughed along with him, he exclaimed in his mind, “Holy crap!! I actually got it!! This was way too easy!”
In the normal game storyline, obtaining Ye Jinghong's Purple Mystic Protective Pendant was widely known to be incredibly tedious.
Not only did one have to make a name for themselves on Sword Peak, but they also had to complete dozens of chain quests for this guy. Only upon reaching the Foundation Establishment realm could they finally trigger this Adventure Quest.
Moreover, this Purple Mystic Protective Pendant was a low-grade treasure tool, making it an excellent life-saving magic treasure for the early game.
Magic treasures were categorized into several grades: Mortal Tool, Magic Tool, Treasure Tool, Spirit Tool, Profound Tool, Heaven Tool, and so on. Each grade was further divided into four minor ranks.
He hadn't expected that merely flattering the “King of Showoffs” a couple of times at the very start would land him a treasure tool. It seemed that as long as he raised an NPC's favorability high enough, many storylines didn't need to follow the standard game progression.
Jiang Ye rubbed his hands together in excitement. There were so many True Disciples here, so there had to be plenty of good items. He felt he could squeeze out a bit more.
He fastened the jade pendant directly to his waist, then carefully wrapped a few pieces of golden, crispy roasted chicken in a lotus leaf.
After that, he eagerly trotted over and handed them to Fourth Senior Sister Qi Linger, Third Senior Brother Gu Changqing, and Fifth Senior Sister Qin Zhiwei.
The three True Disciples looked at the chicken in their hands. Their wrists sank slightly; for a moment, they felt as if the meat weighed a thousand jin.
Right after, Jiang Ye's voice, filled with admiration, drifted into their ears. “My, oh my! This low-grade treasure tool jade pendant Eldest Senior Brother gave me... Look at this carving, look at this texture! Tsk, tsk, tsk...”
Third Senior Brother Gu Changqing's lips twitched.
The meat stuffed in Fourth Senior Sister Qi Linger's mouth instantly got stuck in her throat.
Fifth Senior Sister Qin Zhiwei was completely dumbfounded. “?” Wait, did this involve her too?! She was only in the Qi Condensation realm!!
Jiang Ye didn't care about any of that. He hovered around the three of them, showering them with attentiveness—pouring wine, helping them roast meat, and acting incredibly considerate.
Finally, Gu Changqing was the first to break.
With a flick of his fingers, three crimson talismans instantly appeared in his palm. He said with heartache, “Junior Sister Bai, these are Tier Two high-grade 'Explosive Flame Blazing Fire Talismans.' They can force a layer of explosive blazing fire onto your sword, doubling its attack power. Take them.”
Jiang Ye snatched them in a flash and smiled. “Oh my, oh my! Third Senior Brother, you are far too polite! How could I possibly accept this!”
Even as he spoke, his eyes stared straight at Qi Linger beside him.
Gu Changqing's lips twitched... He wasn't being polite at all...
Qi Linger's lips twitched as she squeezed out a smile reminiscent of the 'Fake Smile Boy.' With a flip of her hand, she retrieved a translucent green hairpin from her spatial ring. Forcing an awkward smile, she handed it over. “Junior Sister Bai... This is a top-grade magic tool, the 'Jasper Mind-Clearing Hairpin.' It can automatically help you ward off some mental attacks. Take it...”
Jiang Ye snatched it with extreme familiarity, his mouth still repeating, “Oh, Senior Sister! You're too polite! How could I possibly accept this!”
Right after.
Jiang Ye directed his devil-like gaze toward Qin Zhiwei.
The usually heroic and valiant Qin Zhiwei was on the verge of tears.
She was also only in the Qi Condensation realm. These senior brothers and sisters were giving out magic tools at the very least. The only thing of value on her entire body was her top-grade magic tool longsword.
But if she gave that to Bai Zhirou, as a sword cultivator, she would have to resort to fistfights!
Yet, looking into “Bai Zhirou's” bright eyes, Qin Zhiwei's heart softened. She swallowed with great difficulty, her small hand trembling as she reached for the longsword at her waist.
Just then.
Bai Zhirou's delicate body shuddered as Jiang Ye's slightly regretful voice echoed in her mind: “Damn it, I got kicked offline again. I'll leave the rest to you, Little Bai. Try to fleece these NPCs for everything they've got.”
Bai Zhirou: “...”
How could she possibly have skin as thick as a city wall like Jiang Ye?!
She looked up and caught sight of Senior Sister Qin's trembling hand.
Her face instantly flushed red. She waved her hands frantically like a propeller and said in a rush, “S-Senior Sister Qin! I was just kidding!”
Qin Zhiwei's hand froze on the hilt of her sword. She forced a smile that looked worse than crying. “T-This... This is what a senior sister should—”
“N-No need! There's really no need, Senior Sister!”
Bai Zhirou broke into a sweat from anxiety. To hide her awkwardness and her face that was practically smoking from embarrassment, she quickly mimicked Jiang Ye's usual tone. “E-Everyone, hurry up and eat! If we don't eat now... the m-meat will get dry!”
Having said that, Bai Zhirou quickly lowered her head, grabbed the roasted chicken leg that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and took a small bite.
“Mmh?!”
Bai Zhirou's beautiful, large eyes suddenly lit up.
This was... way too delicious!
Growing up, when had she ever tasted such a celestial delicacy? She finally understood why Jiang Ye had eaten so wildly earlier.
“Come! Junior Sister Bai, the exceptionally talented pillar of our Sword Peak! Let us continue to drink and sing wildly!”
Right then, Ye Jinghong, his eyes still bound by the black ribbon, laughed heartily once more. He handed a bowl of spiritual wine that was nearly overflowing directly to Bai Zhirou.
Startled, she hurriedly accepted the bowl with both hands and murmured in a voice as quiet as a mosquito, “T-Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother.”
“Hahaha! Splendid! Cheers!!”
Ye Jinghong laughed genially. The way he looked at Bai Zhirou held no romantic affection; it was purely the appreciation of a kindred spirit. At this moment, he only wanted to sigh in emotion: “I am not alone on this path.”
Feeling a bit awkward, Bai Zhirou raised the wine bowl and took a cautious sip.
Instantly.
The spicy yet intensely fruity spiritual wine immediately bloomed down her throat.
“Junior Sister Bai, try this. I just picked this sweet-sap corn from the celestial fields and roasted it for you.”
The cold Gu Qingxue smiled faintly, a gentle ripple shimmering in her eyes as she considerately held a skewer of golden roasted corn to Bai Zhirou's lips.
Flattered by the unexpected favor, Bai Zhirou's face flushed red as she hurriedly took it, whispering a thank you to Senior Sister Gu.
Just then, Ye Ningning also stuffed a handful of beef into Bai Zhirou's hand. “Junior Sister Bai! Quick, try this!”
Bai Zhirou cradled the corn and beef in her arms, sitting beside the warm campfire.
In her ears was the noisy clatter of over a hundred Sword Peak disciples raising their cups and toasting one another.
Before her eyes, the True Disciples, putting on no airs whatsoever, were laughing and chatting loudly with the surrounding disciples.
The firelight reflected off the young girl's breathtakingly beautiful face.
In this instant, Bai Zhirou's wandering, unsettled heart felt a long-lost warmth of home.
She still clearly remembered that when she was young, during festivals, her father and mother would gather the neighbors and set up a giant communal pot at the entrance of the village.
Back then, it was rare to see a whole chicken on the table. Her father would also buy two jars of unfiltered wine to drink. Everyone would gather around the fire, chatting and laughing just like this—noisy, yet warm...
Clack.
A sudden sharp sound interrupted the girl's thoughts.
Ye Jinghong, holding an empty wine bowl, tapped it discontentedly against the stone in front of Bai Zhirou. Tilting his head, he muttered, “Hey, hey, hey, Junior Sister Bai, are you raising fish in there? I downed mine just now.”
Bai Zhirou: “...”
Earlier, Jiang Ye had toasted every single senior brother and sister. His drinking style had been incredibly bold and heroic, earning cheers from everyone.
Gu Changqing also laughed. “I think Junior Sister Bai is drunk. She's suddenly speaking so softly and acting all girly.”
Bai Zhirou: “?”
“Oh no, I've become the body double!”
A snort sounded in her mind as Jiang Ye completely lost his composure.
Bai Zhirou was also speechless. Wasn't this all his doing!
Nearby, Qi Linger, whose face was flushed red from drinking, immediately grew displeased. Hands on her hips, she slurred her words and scolded, “What are you guys talking about! What do you mean 'girly'? Our Junior Sister Bai is a massive beauty to begin with, alright?!”
At those words, the surrounding True Disciples froze.
Jiang Ye's series of moves tonight had unconsciously made them treat Bai Zhirou like one of the boys, completely ignoring her peerless beauty!!
Rate on N.U.
