Will Truly Come to Hate Oneself

As evening fell, the pitch-black night blanketed the sky like pixelated oil from an anime, the stars multiplied, and the moon grew brighter, though its light had a reddish tint, seemingly growing ever redder...

The Qian residence was Jiang Lin's place. Now that Qian Xiaopang had decided to cultivate immortality, Jiang Lin, as Qian Xiaopang's teacher, could not sit idly by.

Although I'm only at the Sea Gazing Realm...

But no matter what, he was still a cultivator at the Middle Five Realm.

He took Qian Xiaopang back to his courtyard. Although he hadn't known where Jiu Jiu had gone since the afternoon, it didn't matter. He didn't need to serve her or anything anyway.

The first thing Jiang Lin did was to Qian Xiaopang's physical attributes assessed.

The heavier the bone structure, the better.

But Jiang Lin wouldn't...

But it doesn't matter if he doesn't know how; Jiang Lin bought a "Cultivation Tester" from the system.

The price isn't high either, 2000 Notoriety Points.

There are so many kinds of cultivators in this world, which perfectly illustrates the saying "all roads lead to Rome." In short, there are all kinds of cultivators.

However, the most mainstream schools of thought are still the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Therefore, this "Cultivation Tester" can effectively determine which path is most suitable for Little Fatty's cultivation.

"Come on, Little Fatty, do these questions."

Cultivation Tester, resembling a tablet computer, was placed in front of Little Fatty. It contained 100 multiple-choice questions and 100 open-ended questions.

It's somewhat like a questionnaire survey.

The topics are extremely varied, for example:

[If you were cheated on, what would you choose: A. Kill your wife to prove yourself. B. Of course, you would forgive her. C...]

[If your mother and your Dao Companion both fell into a river, and neither of them can swim or use magic, and you only have a rope, who would you pull out of the water?]

A wolf fell in love with a sheep. Why was the wolf so madly in love?

In short, the questions were all kinds of bizarre. If Jiang Lin hadn't had a lot of confidence in the products produced by the system, Jiang Lin would have thought that this "Cultivation Tester" was just a stupid product.

After spending half Little Fatty hour completing the questions, Jiang Lin placed the cultivation Cultivation Tester Cultivation Tester on Little Fatty's head as required. Immediately afterward, the Cultivation Tester floated up, turned on the light, and enveloped Little Fatty like a UFO's halo.

After half an incense stick's time, the Cultivation Tester finally yielded its results, and the system's voice rang in Jiang Lin's mind:

[bite...

Tester: Qian Zhenduo

Spiritual root condition: The innate talent is average, even somewhat poor (not highly recommended for cultivation).

Recommended path: Painter Cultivator.

"Painter?"

Jiang Lin was startled.

"Holy crap? System, are you sure you're not mistaken? Just because of those weird questions you asked, and then being tested by your Cultivation Tester for half an incense stick's time? And what do you mean by 'somewhat lacking in aptitude'? This is my first disciple! System, is your Cultivation Tester some kind of counterfeit product?!"

Please do not question the products produced by this system. They are absolutely trustworthy and offer a seven-day no-questions-asked refund policy and a three-year warranty. However, given your integrity, you can enjoy the three-year warranty but cannot get a refund.

Furthermore, the Cultivation Tester is for reference only. The path to immortality is vast and unpredictable, and opportunities are uncertain; everything depends on actual circumstances.

"..."

Jiang Lin's brow twitched slightly. For some reason, he had a feeling that he had been tricked by a Jiang Lin teller! And to make matters worse, the fortune teller had taken his money.

"Teacher, am I really not suited for cultivation...?"

Seeing the somewhat indescribable expression on his teacher's face, Qian Xiaopang felt a pang of disappointment.

I knew it! There's no such thing as easy immortality cultivation... Turns out I'm just not cut out for it...

"No, Little Fatty!" Jiang Lin tossed the Cultivation Tester aside and slapped Qian Xiaopang heavily on his thick shoulder. "You're very suited for cultivation! Especially suited to be a Painter Cultivator! Your future is limitless!"

"Really?" Qian Zhenduo's eyes lit up immediately. "Teacher, you're not lying to me?!"

"Of course! I swear on my integrity! If you don't achieve great success in the future, that money-spraying system will self-destruct!"

Qian Zhenduo's eyes were misty, and tears were welling up in them. "Although I don't know what you're saying, Master, you're the first person to encourage me! All my previous teachers just scolded me and called me stupid! Master! Please accept my bow!"

Qian Zhenduo knelt before Jiang Lin and kowtowed three times.

Looking at the Little Fatty in front of him, Jiang Lin felt a little complicated.

But Jiang Lin believed that there were no students who couldn't learn! Diligence could make up for any shortcomings!

If someone like me, who slacks off all the time, can reach the Cave Mansion Realm, why can't Little Fatty?

When Little Fatty looked up again, Jiang Lin had already removed the Mask, revealing his original face.

"Teacher... you..."

"Since you, Little Fatty, are so sincere in wanting to become my disciple, I cannot present a false face to my first student."

Jiang Lin helped the Little Fatty up.

"Little Fatty, from today onwards, you are my disciple Jiang Lin's disciple."

"Teacher..."

Little Fatty's tears fell drop by drop.

Although I still think the teacher looks more handsome with the mask on, I was still very moved.

"Okay, stop crying."

Jiang Lin took out a stack of anime character drawings he had made from his Storage Bag.

Then, I spent 5,000 Notoriety Points to buy a set of painting tools and 4,000 Notoriety Points to buy a "N" grade book of "The Painter Cultivator: From Novice to Grave" which was on sale for 90% off.

This was the first time Jiang Lin had ever seen a system offer a discount... and it was a 90% discount at that! Jiang Lin even wondered if the system had a bug...

Jiang Lin originally wanted to give Little Fatty a higher-grade cultivation manual, but this was already the most expensive of the N-grade ones at the original price.

If you go any more expensive, you'll get an "R" class, and even the cheapest "R" class Notoriety Points...

Jiang Lin currently has less than 40,000 Notoriety Points remaining...

Jiang Lin now truly understands just how awesome "I am the Bone of my Sword" is.

Of course, this further fueled Jiang Lin's desire to draw the "???" grade Divergence Sword...

However, it's best to just think about it; the system's design is just as terrible as NetEase's!

"Little Fatty, this is all I can give you. You must keep it safe, especially this book, ' From the Painter Cultivator: From Novice to Grave.' Make sure no one else sees it."

"Eh? Teacher, are you leaving?"

"Well, to be honest, the reason I came to Donglin City this time is to slay demons and monsters."

I had been searching for a long time, but I never expected to encounter a monster in your Qian residence.

Your Third Mother is a fox spirit in disguise, who specializes in sucking men's vital energy. Tonight, your master will slay this demon!

Jiang Lin held his left hand in a half-fist in front of him, his face radiating righteousness!

"I'm sorry, Little Fatty, you must be very sad."

"Sad? No way."

Qian Xiaopang waved his hand.

"Third Mother has only been married into our family for three months, and I've only seen her a few times in those three months. I don't have much of a relationship with Third Mother. It's a pity, though, since Father hasn't remarried in a long time..."

Qian Xiaopang sighed, "So it turns out that Father didn't find true love again, but was bewitched by this vixen. No wonder Father insisted on marrying Third Mother three months ago, and his health deteriorated day by day after marrying Third Mother. It turns out he was bewitched. Teacher, will my father be alright?"

"Don't worry, your father will be fine as long as the Qian family business continues to operate. Demon Queen, he'll be alright in two months. Then, I'll give your father a kidney-tonifying medicine."

Jiang Lin patted Qian Xiaopang on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I have some expertise in replenishing kidney essence."

Looking up at the crimson moonlight, Jiang Lin felt a sense of unease for some reason, and his eyelids kept twitching.

"The commotion might get quite loud in a bit, so take my Doggy to your yard and stay with Miss Hu Shuang. Remember not to run around."

Furthermore, although your Third Mother often drains others' life essence to the point of exhaustion, you shouldn't generalize. Your Third Mother has already Become Devil path, but most Fox Demon are quite restrained in absorbing life essence.

You must also be mindful of this in your future practice. Although I have some experience in drawing and often create fan art for my own enjoyment or to sell, I am, after all, not Painter Cultivator.

"Bringing you to our sect isn't impossible, but I don't think those guys can draw as well as I can. After this is over, I'll ask if there are any reliable painting sects."

Actually, Jiang Lin didn't bring the other person into the Become Devil because he was afraid those people would corrupt Little Fatty.

Moreover, the Sun Moon Sect is Demon Sect, and those guys in the Sun Moon Sect are incredibly treacherous, always digging up dirt on people. What if my image in the eyes of the disciples collapses?

"Teacher, why does it feel like you're giving your last words...?"

"You little brat, what are you saying!"

Jiang Lin slapped Qian Xiaopang on the back of the head.

"I possess an indomitable Righteous Qi; why would I fear a mere Fox Demon? Even if she were to absorb my essence, could she possibly exhaust it all?"

"Alright, I'm leaving now."

Jiang Lin waved his hand, put his mask back on, and walked towards the front yard.

Donglin City, apart from the bustling streets in the city center, the lights of thousands of homes slowly went out, and even the Doggy lying in the yards were yawning.

"Tap tap tap..." Jiang Lin straightened his collar and knocked on the door.

"Who?"

A soft, delicate voice came from inside the door, sending shivers down Jiang Lin's spine and making his heart race slightly.

Holy crap...

For some reason, Jiang Lin felt a strange excitement.

I think I understand Ximen Qing's feelings back then...

"Yes, madam, it's me, Si Neike ~~~~"

With a loud clang.

Jiang Lin's words seemed to have barely left his lips when the door opened.

It seemed the other person was even more anxious than Jiang Lin.

"So it's Si Gongzi."

Madam Qian, dressed in revealing clothing, appeared before Jiang Lin.

She also exuded a faint... like dried squid scent.

Did Madam Qian just eat squid?

"I hope Madam Qian will not take offense at our late-night visit."

"Not at all. As the Confucian ancestors said, learning knows no day or night. I'm just glad you don't find it troublesome, young master. Please come in."

Jiang Lin smiled slightly (thinking to himself, "I am devoted to Kato Megumi") and bowed respectfully.

"Then I'll take my leave."

On the top of the Central High Tower of Donglin City, a woman in a white dress stood next to a woman in a black dress.

The woman in the white dress was still veiled, and her silvery-white eyes were even more beautiful than the stars in the sky.

The Woman in Black Dress wore light red makeup to conceal the slight pallor on her face. Her gauze skirt swayed in the air, and her black eyes seemed to be taking one last look at this world.

"Jiu Yi, do I look good tonight?"

Turning around, she looked at the woman beside her and asked with a smile, "As the leader of the Dugu Demonic Sect who has finally emerged from the Blood Name Array..."

The woman in the white dress gently stroked her cheek. "Beautiful, even more beautiful than me."

"I do have some self-awareness, but since the White Empire Ruler has said so, then tonight I'll be the most beautiful woman in the world."

The woman in the white dress shook her head. "I'm not the most beautiful woman."

"Oh? Who is that? Lin Qingwan? Or Xiao Xueli? Or perhaps Jiang Yuni, the leader of the Sun Moon Sect's Twin Pearl Peak?"

The woman beneath the veil smiled slightly, "Then you should ask him. What's the use of asking me? You ask him for me who is the most handsome."

"Tch, the person I like isn't named Jiang Lin. Why would I ask him? What if he says I'm the prettiest? Wouldn't you be jealous to death?"

"Jealous? Xiao Ye, what exactly does it feel like to be jealous?"

The woman called Xiao Ye rolled her eyes at her, "How can you explain that? You'll have to experience it for yourself if you have the chance."

Hearing her friend's words, the woman in the white dress did not respond, but instead looked at the scattered lights of Donglin City.

After a long silence, the woman in the white dress, who was actually Nine-tailed Sky Fox, slowly asked, "Are you really going to do this? Just to find him?"

"Yes." The Woman in Black Dress nodded. "Tomorrow morning, Donglin City will be a dead city."

The Woman in White lowered her eyes slightly. "But you will also disappear from this world, perhaps never to be reincarnated again."

"Wouldn't that be better?"

Looking at the breathtakingly beautiful girl beneath the veil, the Woman in Black Dress tilted her head and smiled.

"Alright, don't be sad. You're clearly Immortal Realm cultivator, why would you pity a mere Nascent Soul Realm cultivator like me?"

The Woman in White smiled gently and slapped away the little hand, "Who pities you? You brought this on yourself."

"That's right, that's the Jiu Yi." The Woman in Black Dress turned around and gazed in the direction of the Qian residence. "Besides, aren't you going to undergo Love Tribulation? Tonight, a Nascent Soul Realm fox will perish for a man. Isn't that a perfect opportunity for you to Guan Dao?"

The Woman in White remained silent, gazing in the direction of the Qian residence, seemingly lost in thought.

"Jiu Yi."

"Um?"

"My men have already gone to the Qian residence. If you want to go now, you still have time; otherwise, he'll really be dead."

The woman in the white dress shook her head, her expression so calm...

"Jiu Yi, actually I have a question, of course, you can choose not to answer it."

"Just ask."

Why did you choose to let Xiao Xueli and Lin Qingwan go?

"Xiao Xueli has a ten-thousand-year-old Sword Spirit at the Jade Purity Realm following her. If she wanted to escape, I couldn't stop her. As for Lin Qingwan, her physique is very special. Although she is Nascent Soul Realm, she has the combat power to rival someone at the early Jade Purity Realm. I was careless and let her escape."

The Woman in Black Dress turned her head. "Just because of a Sword Spirit and a carelessness?"

The woman in the white dress did not answer, but instead gazed into the distance.

Was it really because of a Sword Spirit and a moment of carelessness?

Is this a reason for a Nine-tailed Sky Fox at the Immortal Realm Completion?

The woman's silvery-white eyes flickered slightly, revealing an expression she had never shown since birth...

For her, this was the first time she didn't want to admit her true feelings.

She was afraid.

I was afraid that if I really did something to those two women...

And he...

I'll really hate myself...