Virtual Reality Saber Technique

Early the next morning.

After Qin Yuan successfully helped Ye Lingling obtain her Second Spirit Ring, the two soon left Soul Hunting Forest.

The area around Heaven Dou City was dotted with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect informants. The sect had learned long ago that Qin Yuan had taken someone to hunt for a spirit ring.

Ning Wu had arrived early and was waiting at the forest exit. When he saw Qin Yuan, he grinned and walked over to greet him.

Qin Yuan frowned slightly when he saw him.

He had no real ties to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He was just paid to do a job, not provide after-sales service.

Why did Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect keep coming to him?

Ning Wu greeted him familiarly. "Brother Qin, taking another spirit ring commission? Who's this girl? She's very talented."

Qin Yuan cut him off. "What should I call you? And whose orders are you following?"

Ignoring Ye Lingling beside them, Ning Wu told Qin Yuan about Ning Fengzhi's arrangement.

"The Sect Master's meaning is that if you can guide Miss Rongrong's cultivation and studies, and get her on the right track, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will offer you another generous reward."

[Four Star Commissioned Tasks detected. Accept Ning Fengzhi's commission and get Ning Rongrong interested in studying. Mission reward: Divine Slaughter's Domain.]

Qin Yuan was impressed.

As befitted a child of a great clan, every commission involving Ning Rongrong had a high star rating and excellent rewards.

Qin Yuan had planned to claim the system's Virtual Reality Saber Technique reward, then go to Slaughter City for some training. Now it seemed he wouldn't need to.

A Four Star mission was exceptionally difficult. He suspected it wouldn't be easy to change Ning Rongrong's mind along the way.

But for the sake of Divine Slaughter's Domain, he accepted the mission.

"Fine. Tell Sect Master Ning that I accept. But if I need his cooperation, he'll have to cooperate unconditionally."

Ning Wu was only the messenger, so he couldn't make decisions on Ning Fengzhi's behalf. But he promised to pass Qin Yuan's request along.

"I've heard of Ning Rongrong. She's the young mistress of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Are you close to her?" Ye Lingling asked as they traveled.

Qin Yuan sighed and shook his head. "We're not close. Ning Rongrong just asked me to help her get her First Soul Ring. Who knows what Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is thinking? But there's money to be made, so I have no reason to refuse."

Ye Lingling nodded slightly. "I think Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wants to recruit you. Ning Rongrong is just a bridge. Once the time is right, you won't be able to refuse their offer."

Qin Yuan chuckled and patted Ye Lingling on the shoulder. "In our line of work, the most important thing is not to get sentimental. We only deal with the client while the mission is ongoing. Once it's over, we don't contact them again or bother them."

As he spoke, he pointed toward the steps below a distant hillside. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy is just ahead. If you need anything else after this commission, you can find me at my shop in the city..."

When strangers approached, the gatekeeper at Heaven Dou Royal Academy immediately perked up and went over to question them.

"Stop! Who are you?"

Qin Yuan explained why they had come. Knowing that Dugu Yan came from a powerful family, the gatekeeper didn't dare offend her.

Soon, Dugu Yan came to the gate and led Ye Lingling into the academy.

Before leaving, Dugu Yan took several medicinal herbs from her Soul Tool and tried to hand them to Qin Yuan.

"Big Brother Qin, this is the remaining payment. I'm grateful you brought Lingling back." Excitement and relief showed in Dugu Yan's eyes as she spoke.

It was obvious that Dugu Bo had reprimanded her not long ago, making her aware of the risks.

What might happen if she sent a stranger to fetch someone—especially Ye Lingling, who was closely watched by all sorts of factions?

Fortunately, Qin Yuan had a sterling reputation and hadn't entertained any ill intentions. The remaining payment was presumably Dugu Bo's idea.

Qin Yuan waved his hand and didn't take the herbs. "You've already paid me, and we never discussed an additional fee beforehand. Take the herbs back. I have things to do. Goodbye."

With that, he left without looking back.

Just as he'd said before, once a mission was over, he never pestered the client.

Giving up his principles might bring in a hefty sum in the short term. But in the long run, he'd only lose more.

After leaving Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Qin Yuan brought up the system panel in his mind.

[Three Star Commission Mission complete: Safely escort Ye Lingling to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Reward: Max-Level Virtual Reality Saber Technique!]

[Reward granted directly; no cultivation required.]

[One Star Commission Mission complete: Help Ye Lingling obtain her Second Soul Ring. Reward: Ten Thousand Gold Soul Coins.]

In an instant, a vast flood of information poured into Qin Yuan's mind.

He now knew everything there was to know about the Virtual Reality Blade Technique. His limbs seemed to have developed muscle memory, too; the moment he picked up a saber, he could perform the technique at max level.

"Hah, looks like I don't need to cultivate the system's techniques separately." Qin Yuan was quite pleased.

After all, cultivation varied from person to person. Without a master's guidance, you could cultivate until you went into a qi deviation without even realizing it.

Getting a technique at max level saved him countless hours of cultivation and, in a way, protected his safety.

As for the Ten Thousand Gold Soul Coins—

Qin Yuan didn't have a Soul Tool. The system's reward was a Gold Soul Card worth ten thousand Gold Soul Coins.

After claiming his rewards, he hurried back to Heaven Dou City.

The Four Star mission was what mattered most now.

In the original timeline, Tang San, Hu Liena, and the others had risked their lives to obtain Divine Slaughter's Domain. The system was giving it to him as a reward, and he didn't even have to face much danger. How could he let such an opportunity pass?

Heaven Dou City.

Ning Rongrong had been waiting at the shop since early morning. Chen Ze had asked her why, but she hadn't answered.

With no other choice, Chen Ze had temporarily closed the shop to keep the wealthy young lady from running into trouble.

Before long, Qin Yuan walked toward the shop.

When Ning Rongrong noticed the familiar figure, she immediately perked up again and happily went over to him. "Big Brother Qin Yuan, you're finally back."

Qin Yuan was a little puzzled.

He'd assumed Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would send someone to bring him over. He hadn't expected Ning Rongrong to come to his shop herself.

"Oh? What can I do for you, Miss Rongrong? Is there something you need to commission?"

Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks, planted her hands on her hips, and muttered, "Can't Rongrong come see you just for fun?"

Qin Yuan chuckled and led Ning Rongrong into the shop.

"Of course you can. But I need a few minutes to take care of some things."

Ning Rongrong's attitude softened, and she began wandering around the shop.

Qin Yuan turned his gaze away from her and toward Chen Ze.

Chen Ze complained, "Boss, what kind of mission takes two months? You have no idea. These past two months..."

Chen Ze chattered on, recounting everything from the shop's opening day in painstaking detail.

The process had been full of twists and turns, but he'd still made plenty of money. In just two months, he'd brought in several thousand Gold Soul Coins.

"That much?" Qin Yuan exclaimed.

He'd spent almost two months helping Dugu Yan with her mission, and it had been extremely dangerous—he'd nearly lost his own life. Yet Dugu Yan's payment, converted to cash, had only amounted to a few thousand Gold Soul Coins.

But could the risks in those two cases really compare?

If not for the system's extra rewards, Qin Yuan would have quit long ago.

"By the way, Boss, I wrote down all the commissions that came in while you were away."