"Not bad. Get ready to depart." The Temple Envoy looked at Ling Xuan, now completely transformed, and gave a slight nod. "The clan has arranged a D9-Grade 'Crimson Flame' spaceship for you."
With that, he swept his hand through the air, and a dazzling holographic image appeared in the Void.
A spaceship, entirely crimson like a blazing flame, hovered within it. Its streamlined hull was covered in intricate energy patterns, and mysterious blue light flowed around the exhaust nozzles.
"I've also prepared something nice for you inside. Off you go." The Temple Envoy smiled meaningfully, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes.
Ling Xuan bowed respectfully and took his leave.
Outside the Temple, he could see the "Crimson Flame" from a distance. It was like a steel behemoth, its hull reflecting the light around it and giving it a particularly imposing appearance.
As he stepped inside the spaceship, soft blue light enveloped him at once.
A figure floated lightly toward him from up ahead, as nimble as an elf. She was a catgirl who was both sexy and adorable.
Her fluffy, milky-white curls were tied into two high ponytails, with pink ribbons at the ends that swayed gently as she moved.
Her small, pointed ears were a rosy pink and twitched playfully from time to time. Tiny crystal studs set in them glittered faintly in the blue light.
A fluffy tail poked out from behind her, its tip a soft pink. It looked as soft as cotton candy and swayed rhythmically with her steps.
She wore a tight pink maid outfit that perfectly outlined her curvy figure.
The hem of her short skirt fluttered slightly, revealing her long, fair legs. Pink ribbon garters were tied around her knees.
A large bow adorned her collar, half-concealing her delicate collarbones and the hint of her cleavage.
A pair of purple thigh-high boots hugged her calves, their silver decorations clinking crisply as she walked.
Her round purple eyes were like deep amethysts, sparkling with mischief and liveliness. Her long lashes fluttered as though hiding countless little secrets.
Her petite nose tilted up slightly, adding to her charm. Her pouting lips were cherry-red, and when she smiled, two adorable little fangs showed.
"Master! I've been waiting for you forever!" The catgirl twirled lightly, her pink skirt spreading like a flower. "I can fly spaceships, find treasure, and tell the funniest corny jokes in the universe! I'll take care of all your adventures from now on—I'm the cutest little assistant in the universe!"
She put her hands on her hips and pushed out her chest slightly, striking a playful yet sexy pose.
"Sure enough, it's an Intelligent Life—and a very high-end model, at that." Ling Xuan nodded in satisfaction. The Intelligent Life's looks and personality were both exactly to his taste.
Oh no, I feel like our ancestors saw right through me, Ling Xuan thought to himself.
"Do you have a name?"
"Not yet! I've been waiting for you to give me one, Master. I'm a newly born Intelligent Life." The catgirl eagerly leaned toward Ling Xuan, her bright eyes blinking.
"Then from now on, your name is Puff." Ling Xuan thought for a moment before settling on the name.
"Wow! I love it!" Puff leaped into the air and performed an elegant somersault. When she landed, she struck a deliberately alluring pose. "The route's all set! The Crimson Flame is about to transform into a super space express and—whoosh!—speed off toward the Zhulong Secret Realm! Puff's going to put on the most spectacular launch show for you, Master!"
"Mm." Ling Xuan nodded, signaling that she could set off.
At his instruction, Puff darted around the console, her jade-white hands rapidly issuing a long string of commands that set the spaceship's engines roaring.
"We'll reach our destination in three days. In the meantime, Master can continue practicing your secret techniques in the Killing Field of the Virtual Universe, or switch on the panoramic simulation and watch the journey."
Puff threw herself into Ling Xuan's arms and settled down in a comfortable pose.
"There's no rush to practice. Cultivation requires a balance between rest and effort. I've been training this whole time, so it's time for some entertainment." Ling Xuan contentedly stroked the cat.
"Master, how would you like to relax and have fun?" Puff gazed up at Ling Xuan with bright, innocent eyes.
"What else? Look up what treasures the Zhulong Secret Realm produces. There are so many good things—might as well take them. They belong to our clan anyway. It's not unreasonable if I take a few extra, right?"
Ling Xuan's eyes gleamed with excitement. The clan had given him plenty of support, but who ever complained about having too little money?
And it'd be even better if he could get some treasures that helped with cultivation or boosted his combat strength.
Most importantly, treasure hunting was one of the great features of this world. How could he miss out?
Most importantly, before he left, the Temple Envoy had said there were tons of treasures and he could take whatever he wanted, right?
He seemed to have said he could take whatever he wanted. Never mind—he definitely said that.
"Understood, dear Master. Puff will organize all the information about the treasures found in the Zhulong Secret Realm right away."
Though Puff was a newly born Intelligent Life, she was an AI butler assigned to Ling Xuan and had extremely high-level access within the Zhulong Clan. Since the realm's produce was no secret, she quickly compiled the relevant information.
"Master, the Zhulong Secret Realm produces all sorts of rare treasures! One of them is called a 'Spirit Essence Crystal Core.' It forms from the dense cosmic energy in the realm and can help people comprehend laws.
"Once fused with the user, it's like having an invisible mentor guiding them as they comprehend laws, greatly speeding up the process. The mysterious, hard-to-understand patterns of the laws also become much clearer. It's generally useful when comprehending a domain."
As Puff spoke, she projected a holographic image of the Spirit Essence Crystal Core into the air. It shimmered with a rainbow of colors, and flowing light drifted slowly within it.
"There's also the 'Origin Energy Spirit Fruit,' which is an excellent treasure for improving Genetic Origin Energy. It's one of the key ingredients used to make E-grade Nutrient Chambers.
"The materials needed for the Star Level Nutrient Chamber you used before were much more advanced, Master, but this is still extremely valuable in the universe."
Puff extended a small hand and tapped the image describing the Origin Energy Spirit Fruit. It enlarged instantly, showing a vial of liquid that glowed softly within its crystal-clear container.
"Also, the 'Soul Essence Fruit' is nothing to underestimate. It can improve the strength of your soul, making it tougher and more perceptive.
"It's a very fine treasure at both the Star Level and Universe Level."
Puff blinked and gave Ling Xuan a detailed report on the Soul Essence Crystal. The Soul Essence Fruit glowed with a mysterious light in the projection, as if it concealed endless secrets.
"Oh, right! There's another rare material: E9-class metal called 'Star Pattern Profound Iron.' It's an excellent material for making top-tier weapons and armor. Weapons forged from it are incredibly sharp, and it's especially suited to bearing the secret patterns of the Law of Fire. They say Star Pattern Profound Iron is one of the auxiliary materials used to make the Prison God Weapon, one of the Nine Divine Weapons of the Controller—the Fire-Void Divine Weapon."
Puff chattered on, her tail swishing merrily as she listed one precious treasure after another before Ling Xuan.
Ling Xuan listened, his eyes shining with anticipation. "I didn't expect the Zhulong Secret Realm to have so many good things. I'll have to search out a few this time. Puff, once we reach the realm, help me keep a careful eye out for these treasures."
"Don't worry, Master! With Puff here, not a single treasure will get away. We'll scoop them all up!" Puff promised, patting her chest, a confident smile on her face.
"Ransack, ransack—no, set off, set off." Ling Xuan was overjoyed.
Thank you to Qin Xianlin for the 900 Qidian Coins! Thank you, Boss Qin. Thank you for the two monthly tickets from Qin Xianlin as well. Thank you, thank you.
Before you continue