Using AFK Points, Accelerate AFK!

At this commotion, Elder Willow Wood and the others quickly turned to look.

Focusing their gaze, they saw Chen Changqing returning on his sword.

"Elder, I'm back."

Chen Changqing landed before Willow Wood and the others.

Willow Wood let out a sigh of relief, sizing up Chen Changqing as he asked:

"Where did you go?"

Chen Changqing's expression remained unchanged as he said flatly:

"While pursuing the demonic cultivators, I stumbled into an illusionary formation. It took some effort to break free."

Willow Wood gave Chen Changqing a deep look but didn't press further.

Then, shifting his gaze, he looked toward Liu Ruyan and the other disciples.

"Ruyan!"

"You are the outstanding disciples of the Seventh Courtyard of the Outer Sect."

"And yet you let Chen Changqing, a mere Fifth Layer of Qi Refining disciple, go after the demonic sect's cultivators alone."

"While you yourselves stood here observing and comprehending."

"To be so unconcerned about a fellow disciple's safety—isn't that a bit too selfish?"

As he spoke, Willow Wood's face darkened, his gaze sweeping directly over Liu Ruyan and the other five disciples.

Liu Ruyan was taken aback, her red lips parting slightly as if to explain something, but the words at the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.

The other disciples also hung their heads in silence.

Seeing this, Chen Changqing quickly cupped his hands toward Willow Wood and said:

"Elder."

"This matter cannot be blamed on Senior Sister and the others. It was this disciple who insisted on going."

"Now that the demonic cultivators have all been slain, our priority should be to return to Mount Shu Sect as quickly as possible and report to the Sect Master, in case the demonic sect makes another move."

Hearing this, Willow Wood's expression eased slightly, and he nodded:

"Very well. This matter is indeed suspicious."

"The demonic sect's sudden appearance at Qingxi Village must have a purpose. We need to report to the Sect Master for a decision."

After that, the group wasted no more time and flew back to Mount Shu Sect on their swords.

Along the way, Liu Ruyan would occasionally steal glances at Chen Changqing.

"Elder Willow Wood seems to hold him in high regard."

"Back when we set out from Mount Shu, he bestowed upon him the High-grade Magic Tool, the Chengying Sword."

"And during the fight with the demonic cultivators at Qingxi Village, he showed great concern for him."

"What exactly is the relationship between this boy and the Elder?"

Liu Ruyan pondered silently.

Beyond that, what also surprised her was this:

Chen Changqing's cultivation was only at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, yet when he killed the demonic cultivators earlier at Qingxi Village, he had burst forth with strength far exceeding that level.

Moreover, his killing of the demonic cultivators was utterly clean and decisive—ruthless and resolute.

The more she thought about it, the deeper Liu Ruyan's curiosity toward Chen Changqing grew.

At the same time, the other disciples felt deeply aggrieved.

"Is the Elder too biased? To scold us over a mere Fifth Layer of Qi Refining disciple?"

"Isn't he just a 'closed-door' disciple? Is he really worth this much attention?"

"We are the outstanding disciples of the Seventh Courtyard!"

"..."

Their hearts burned with resentment.

They could all see that Elder Willow Wood was overly protective of Chen Changqing.

Of course, they dared to be angry but not to speak out.

Just then, Liu Ruyan flew her sword up beside Chen Changqing and asked with a smile:

"Junior Brother Chen, earlier when I saw you fighting those demonic cultivators, the fist technique you used was extremely powerful."

Before Liu Ruyan could finish her sentence, Chen Changqing said:

"Thunderclap Divine Fist."

"I found it in the Technique Hall after breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm."

Liu Ruyan nodded in understanding and said with a smile:

"I observe that Junior Brother Chen's cultivation is merely at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, yet his true strength far surpasses that realm!"

Chen Changqing gave a faint smile and said:

"Senior Sister flatters me. I am indeed only at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining."

Seeing that Chen Changqing was unwilling to elaborate, Liu Ruyan did not press further.

Time slipped by quietly.

Soon, Chen Changqing and his group returned to the sect.

Elder Willow Wood immediately headed to the main peak to find the Sect Master, while Chen Changqing and the others went their separate ways.

Back at his half-mountain wooden hut, Chen Changqing quickly closed the doors and windows, then took out the token he had obtained from the Purple Mansion Secret Realm from his storage pouch, examining it closely.

"Strange."

"What use does this token left by a Purple Mansion great cultivator actually have?"

Chen Changqing turned it over and over, even trying to infuse it with his essence, but the token remained utterly unresponsive.

"Forget it. Since I can't figure it out for now, I'll just keep it for later."

With that thought, Chen Changqing put the token away.

Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the courtyard:

"Is Junior Brother Chen here?"

Chen Changqing pushed open the door and saw Liu Ruyan standing outside the courtyard, dressed in white like snow, her demeanor cool and aloof.

"Why has Senior Sister come?"

Liu Ruyan gave a faint smile and said:

"I came to see you, and also to ask if you plan to participate in the upcoming Outer Court Competition?"

"Outer Court Competition?"

Chen Changqing was taken aback.

In the past, he would never have dared to think of joining any Outer Court Competition.

But ever since awakening the AFK Cultivation System, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, naturally sparking some ambition.

Yet, what Chen Changqing couldn't understand was—

Why had Liu Ruyan suddenly come to him just to ask about this?

While Chen Changqing was lost in thought, Liu Ruyan was also sizing him up.

In the past, as a prodigy of the Seventh Courtyard with Half-step Foundation Establishment cultivation, she would never have paid any attention to a disciple like Chen Changqing.

But after the battle at Qingxi Village, the strength and decisiveness Chen Changqing had displayed forced her to reevaluate this junior brother.

Coupled with Elder Willow Wood's regard for Chen Changqing, Liu Ruyan found herself considering building a connection with him.

After a moment of silence, Chen Changqing nodded and said:

"Senior Sister, I should be participating."

Hearing this, a glint of approval flashed in Liu Ruyan's eyes, and she said:

"Good. I hope Junior Brother can bring honor to the Seventh Courtyard."

Liu Ruyan waved her jade-like hand, and a pill flew over to land before Chen Changqing.

"This Rejuvenation Pill has the effects of healing injuries and boosting cultivation."

"Junior Brother fought those demonic cultivators earlier and must have expended much. I gift it to you."

With these words, she cast a smile toward him and, without waiting for his reply, turned and left.

Chen Changqing took the pill hovering before him, furrowed his brow slightly, and muttered to himself:

"What's going on?"

"Isn't Senior Sister Liu usually so aloof?"

"Why does she act like a different person with me?"

"Could it be... she's taken a liking to me?"

After a brief thought, Chen Changqing gave a wry smile and didn't dwell on it.

Returning to his room, he focused his mind and communicated with the system:

"System, how do I use these AFK Points?"

Soon, the system's voice echoed in his mind:

[Ding!]

[Host may consume AFK Points to increase AFK efficiency!]

[Current AFK Points: 1024 points]

[Use now?]

"Use!"

Chen Changqing didn't hesitate. Why not, if it boosts AFK efficiency?

[Ding!]

[Consumed 1000 AFK Points. AFK efficiency increased to 3x!]

[Current AFK Speed: 3x Speed!]

[Remaining AFK Points: 24 points.]