Rewards

Chapter 42: Rewards

Not far away, Situ Kong stared as Chen Lin killed Han Shuitong and Liu Han one after another, then walked toward him. His mouth went dry, and he couldn't help shuddering.

Only when Chen Lin reached his side did Situ Kong manage a bitter smile. "What, are you going to kill me too, Brother Chen?"

Chen Lin smiled faintly, helped Situ Kong to his feet, and waved a hand. "I killed them because they'd seen too much. If word got out, it would bring me endless trouble."

Whether it was the top-grade Dharma Artifact, the Void Spirit Mother-Son Sword, or the Senzu Bean's astonishing ability to heal, if word got out, countless people would covet them. To avoid trouble, Chen Lin had chosen the most direct solution: kill them to silence them.

Situ Kong's expression shifted. He said slowly, "Doesn't that mean you're not worried I'll reveal your secrets?"

"I've always been clear about favors and grudges. You've helped me several times, and I remember it all. Naturally, I won't make things difficult for you." Chen Lin waved a hand, his expression as composed as ever.

"Good. That's good."

Hearing that Chen Lin had no intention of making trouble for him, Situ Kong kept his expression unchanged, but the last trace of tension in his heart quietly faded. Quick-witted as he was, however, his eyes shifted, and he suddenly declared solemnly, "It's rare for Brother Chen to trust me so much. I, Situ Kong, swear upon my soul that I will never reveal your secrets. Should I break this oath, may I be reduced to ashes beneath the Nine Heavens tribulation lightning, body and soul alike!"

"Brother Situ, why make such an oath? I naturally trust you."

When he heard Situ Kong make a soul oath, Chen Lin pretended to look unconcerned, though in truth he, too, quietly felt relieved. It wasn't that he'd never considered killing Situ Kong. If Situ Kong hadn't helped him just now, Chen Lin would have killed him without hesitation. But though he was ruthless, he couldn't repay kindness with enmity. As things stood, everyone was satisfied.

"Brother Situ, this place isn't safe to linger in. Let's gather the medicinal herb for the mission and leave the Demon Prison as soon as possible."

Chen Lin looked relaxed on the surface, but deep down, he felt a weight pressing on him.

He still remembered how, just after entering the Demon Prison, he'd felt as if a pair of eyes were watching him from the shadows. Even he had thought the feeling might be an illusion, but his ingrained caution wouldn't let him take it lightly. He'd kept an eye on his surroundings every moment. It was best to finish the mission and leave as quickly as possible.

"Agreed!"

Situ Kong naturally had no objections. He was still injured, and he certainly didn't want to linger in the Demon Prison.

Before long, the two of them found a strange plant deep within Yin Corpse Cave, growing in a crack in the rock. It had three pitch-black leaves and was exactly the "Shadow Moon Poison Leaf" mentioned in the mission.

They carefully placed the Shadow Moon Poison Leaf in the prepared jade box and exchanged smiles. With that, their mission in the Demon Prison was complete.

At last, Chen Lin said he had some private business to take care of and told Situ Kong to go ahead. He would catch up shortly.

Situ Kong was curious, but clever enough not to ask why. He simply reminded Chen Lin to be careful, then left first.

Only after Situ Kong disappeared from sight did Chen Lin's gaze flicker. He had stayed behind to deal with the corpses of Jiang Yue and the others.

These corpses were all monsters at the very least in the Late Xiantian Stage. Jiang Yue in particular, as a Demon Cultivator of the Sea Opening Realm, had a set of scales and a horn on his head that were both excellent materials for crafting artifacts.

Chen Lin opened the Main God Trading System and unhesitatingly traded the corpses of Jiang Yue and the other monsters to the Main God Coffin. The haul was naturally substantial. He didn't overlook their Storage Bags either, collecting them without hesitation. As for what was inside, he planned to look after leaving the Demon Prison.

Finally, Chen Lin picked up the Yin Corpse's head nearby and stowed it in his Storage Bag. He scanned the area, made sure nothing had been left behind, and then shot into the air with satisfaction.

He had now reached the mid-Xiantian stage and had naturally mastered the art of flight. He was much faster now, and in less than the time it took an incense stick to burn, he caught up with Situ Kong.

About half a tea's time later, a blurry figure appeared in the place where Chen Lin had vanished.

The figure was an unremarkable young man. He first looked impassively in the direction Chen Lin had gone, then glanced at the gruesome battlefield. A strange glint passed through his calm eyes.

"Interesting. He actually managed to kill both the Yin Corpse and that little fellow of the Sea Opening Realm. That saves this old man the trouble of rescuing him... It seems my cheap disciple does have a few secrets, but they're of no consequence..."

The young man murmured to himself, but his words sounded deeply world-weary.

Suddenly, his previously indifferent expression changed, and a strange look of compassion appeared on his face. Pressing his palms together, he spoke in an oddly mellow voice: "Amitabha, Benefactor Hong. We have fought for so many years, and the flame of your soul is about to go out. Why not take refuge in my Buddha now? The light of eternal life will naturally shine upon you."

"Stinking monk, shut up!"

The compassion on the young man's face lasted only an instant before it turned savage and vicious. His eyes flickered as he sneered. "Hmph! You hypocritical, fake-compassionate monks, dangling the promise of a next life before cultivators. If people enter your Buddhist sect, aren't you high-ranking bastards the ones who benefit? Just wait. Once my cheap disciple has mastered the immortal arts, it'll be the death of you, old monk... Hahaha!"

Amidst his wild laughter, the young man's figure flickered and vanished from the spot.

"Brother Chen, let's part ways here. I'll go turn in the mission. As for the Sea-Breaking Pill we'll receive for it, I'll personally deliver it to you tomorrow."

Halfway up a mountain in the Myriad Demon Sect's Underworld Spring Branch, Situ Kong cupped his hands toward Chen Lin.

Chen Lin smiled faintly and returned the gesture. "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Situ."

Watching Situ Kong leave, Chen Lin's gaze flickered as he headed toward his cultivation residence.

As soon as he opened the courtyard gate, Chen Lin spotted a graceful figure standing there. It was Yang Qianqian, leaning by the entrance and gazing up at the sky, lost in thought.

At the sound, the little girl snapped back to attention and looked over warily. When she saw Chen Lin, a flash of delight appeared in her eyes.

"Oh? Stinky monster, you're back already?"

Chen Lin smiled faintly and walked toward Yang Qianqian, teasing her as he spoke. "What, you missed your husband after just one day apart?"

"Stinky monster, what nonsense are you talking about?!"

Yang Qianqian stretched out her pale, delicate wrist like a little beast baring its claws. She glared at Chen Lin, poised to smack him.

Chen Lin's eyes shifted. With a mischievous grin, he swiftly reached out toward Yang Qianqian's hand and sneakily caught it.

"Such delicate fingers, skin smooth as cream... Tsk, tsk, Sister Qianqian, your hand is so white it's practically banished the night..."

"You!"

The little girl stared blankly, and only after a long moment did she come to her senses. Seeing Chen Lin holding her hand, she grew both embarrassed and angry, and with a little cry, snatched it back.

"You disgusting, shameless, perverted stinky monster! I'm going to fight you!"

Chen Lin chuckled and quickly dodged Yang Qianqian's grab. He returned to the room and hurriedly shut the door. No matter how much the little girl shouted, he refused to open it.

Sitting cross-legged on the meditation cushion, Chen Lin took the incomplete Buddha Relic from his Storage Bag. Only then did the Guide's cold voice ring out.

"Ding!"

"Contractor, main mission complete. Incomplete Buddha Relic acquired. Current progress: complete. The system is issuing your reward. Would you like to receive it now? Yes/No."

"Yes."

With a whoosh, ten Foundation Strengthening Pills appeared in front of Chen Lin.

"Contractor has automatically learned the skill—Legilimency."

"Legilimency: The user must look the target in the eyes to read their emotions and memories. Note: The user's soul power must be stronger than the target's."

"Contractor has completed the main mission. The system is issuing a special reward: the contractor may randomly draw one precious item from another plane. Would you like to begin the draw now? Yes/No."

Chen Lin chose yes without hesitation.

"Drawing item... Draw complete."

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained the item: Gamma Bomb."

"Gamma Bomb, created by physicist Dr. Robert Bruce Banner (from the world of the Hulk)."