Qian Shan Xuehui

Tokyo City—Yuquan District.

Among Tokyo City's sixty-five districts, this place could only be considered average in terms of development.

After Saigo Kadoko and the others left.

That afternoon.

Xi Shenlian came running over from Shinjuku District.

His destination was a large cemetery that occupied several mountain peaks.

Since it had only been built around a decade ago, the cemetery still looked quite new overall, and its landscaping and environment were both very well maintained.

Although it was not a holiday, there was still a considerable flow of people at the enormous entrances and exits.

Worshippers were constantly coming and going.

After getting out of the taxi.

Xi Shenlian first looked around.

Then he walked toward a flower shop that looked fairly decent.

The owner was a middle-aged man.

As soon as he saw Xi Shenlian approaching, he promptly greeted him:

"Hello, sir. Do you need some flowers?"

"Yes, I want to go inside and pay my respects to an acquaintance. According to local customs, what kind of flowers should I use?"

Hearing this.

The owner became even more enthusiastic:

"Of course. Let me pick some out for you. What price range are you looking for..."

--

Not long after.

Inside the cemetery.

At a somewhat secluded spot that was nevertheless kept very clean.

Looking at the name on the tombstone.

Xi Shenlian crouched down and placed the flowers in his hand directly in front of the tombstone.

The deceased had been the director of the orphanage where he had once stayed.

His name was Takeoka Seiichiro.

An old man who had loved smoking.

Back then.

He had been the one who took Xi Shenlian in, giving him a place to stay.

However, the man had already been dead for five years after suffering a heart attack.

Thinking back on it now.

Even the name of that orphanage was deeply meaningful.

Origin Orphanage.

It had to be said.

That was incredibly powerful and deeply meaningful.

But when Xi Shenlian looked at the Life Winner System—Luxury Supreme Custom Edition he possessed, he felt from the bottom of his heart that this thing did not quite fit the style of Origin Orphanage.

Was this really something that should exist at the starting point??

Shouldn't things there be a little more subtle??

He was rather perplexed...

At this moment.

After putting down the flowers.

Xi Shenlian casually found a place to sit beside the tombstone.

With a very calm expression, he said to himself:

"Old man, considering how good you were to me back then, and how you took me to the doctor several times intending to treat my brain, I'll look after your family for you... Uh... Once I rule the Earth in the future, should I let them rule Dongying for fun?"

After saying that.

Xi Shenlian scratched his head again:

"Well... That goal seems a little too big, and I might not be able to hold on to the position..."

"How about I make them wealthy for ten thousand generations?"

For a moment.

Xi Shenlian genuinely began seriously considering the matter.

Being in a high position meant managing countless troublesome affairs, and he might not be able to hold on to it. Besides, being an emperor in one's own little domain could easily lead to relatives turning against one another.

If a family remained wealthy for generations, everyone in it would surely live well and happily, without any worries at all.

Therefore.

By comparison.

Xi Shenlian actually leaned more toward the latter.

Simple and straightforward happiness!

While pondering the matter.

Xi Shenlian also pulled a wooden box from System Space. It was about twenty centimeters long, twelve centimeters wide, and five centimeters thick, with an antique appearance.

Old Guard - Infinite Cigarette Case (Ancient craftsmanship must not be forgotten—Old Guard)

As a cigarette case that adhered to ancient craftsmanship, this cigarette case could generate cigarettes of uncertain size, quantity, flavor, effects, and raw materials whenever it was opened, according to the user's mood and thoughts. Every cigarette inside was not only exquisitely crafted and made according to ancient and strict standards, giving it the finest taste and aroma in the world, but smoking them regularly could also extend one's lifespan and eliminate various minor ailments. They could even be given to immortals to smoke!!

He opened the cigarette case.

After taking out a long, slender golden cigarette, Xi Shenlian pulled out an ornate mechanical lighter, lit the cigarette, and then placed it beside the flowers, letting it burn little by little.

A High-end Lighter

No matter when or where it was used, it could produce a flame of a suitable temperature to burn its target. Moreover, any flame it created or ignited could burn and extinguish according to the user's thoughts. Even burning the universe would pose no problem.

"Come on, old man. Have a taste of the premium stuff."

After that.

Xi Shenlian put away the Old Guard - Infinite Cigarette Case and the lighter, then took out another cigarette case—a cigarette case filled with a metallic sheen.

"I'll just casually light one."

Reformist - Infinite Cigarette Case (Technology is advancing; clinging to the old is inadvisable—Reformist Faction)

As a work of art at the forefront of technology, this cigarette case could generate mechanical cigarettes of uncertain size, quantity, flavor, effects, and raw materials whenever it was opened, according to the user's mood and thoughts. Every cigarette could be used permanently and automatically reclaimed. Smoking from the day the universe was born until the day it was destroyed would pose no problem whatsoever. While retaining the flavor and taste expected of top-quality cigarettes and allowing the user to feel comfortable, they could also serve as nutritional supplements, medical products, and even oral cleaning agents. Taking a few puffs every day would benefit both body and mind.

"Mmm~"

"The flavor's really good~"

And so, Xi Shenlian sat beside the tombstone and began blowing smoke rings.

This made the slender cigarette slowly burning beside him look inexplicably like a mosquito coil.

As the two streams of smoke intertwined and swirled around each other, the scene took on a wondrous appearance of being shrouded in clouds and mist, as if some special effects had been added.

A few minutes later.

Xi Shenlian, still pondering things, heard a burst of footsteps.

The faint footsteps were approaching from this direction.

At first, Xi Shenlian paid them no attention, but when he sensed that the person was drawing closer and closer, he still glanced over.

Then.

He saw a girl carrying offerings.

A beautiful girl in a pink down jacket, carrying a fruit basket.

She saw him as well.

He was sitting beside the tombstone, blowing smoke everywhere.

After their eyes met, there was a period of silence.

"..."

"..."

She glanced at the burning cigarette on the ground and the bouquet of flowers, and her cold expression eased slightly.

She determined that Xi Shenlian had probably come to pay his respects.

"Who are you?"

"What are you doing sitting beside my grandfather's tombstone?"

To be honest.

At this moment.

Xi Shenlian felt a little awkward.

"I was once helped by Director Takeoka. After making my fortune, I came here especially to pay my respects."

"Then..."

As he spoke.

Xi Shenlian slowly stood up and took the initiative to greet her:

"It's been a long time, Miss Qian Shan Xuehui."

It was a genuinely sincere greeting.

It was also the gentlest thing he had said in the entire month.

Because he owed her grandfather a debt of gratitude and truly felt that gratitude from the bottom of his heart.

Therefore, she was entitled to face his goodwill.