Chaotic, but Normal Enough

Not just He Xiuyuan-even Ying Huaixu sucked in a sharp breath at the speed of Ye Ningshuang's progress.

He advanced quickly because he was cheating.

Ye Ningshuang advanced so quickly that it was fucking indistinguishable from cheating.

Yet looking at Ye Ningshuang, now at the Body Tempering Third Layer, Ying Huaixu somehow felt that it made perfect sense.

Back when he played the game, Ye Ningshuang had been at the Body Tempering Third Layer during this world mission.

Now, Ye Ningshuang was at the Body Tempering Third Layer.

Things were different from what I knew, but does this mean they're back on track?

Ying Huaixu sheathed his sword, his face deep in thought.

He Xiuyuan, meanwhile, crouched on the ground, thoroughly demoralized.

First Ying Huaixu had dealt him a devastating blow, then Ye Ningshuang had dealt him another.

He Xiuyuan, who had been rather proud of himself before, could no longer muster a shred of pride.

Ye Ningshuang was different.

She bounded happily over to Ying Huaixu. "Senior Brother, I've reached the Body Tempering Third Layer!"

Ying Huaixu nodded. "Oh, well done, Junior Sister!"

Warmth instantly filled Ye Ningshuang's heart.

Senior Brother praised me!

But He Xiuyuan, who had spent a long while wallowing in misery, suddenly stood up and addressed Ye Ningshuang with a serious expression. "Our Divine Firmament Sword Sect may not fear gossip, but try not to show this bizarre way of advancing in front of outsiders!"

Seeing how serious He Xiuyuan was, Ye Ningshuang instinctively looked at Ying Huaixu.

Ying Huaixu nodded solemnly as well. "Listen to Senior Brother!"

Ye Ningshuang nodded.

"Okay!"

He Xiuyuan felt considerably better.

Although Ying Huaixu was formidable, he still showed He Xiuyuan the respect he was due.

That made He Xiuyuan's opinion of Ying Huaixu soar.

After dealing with the wolf pack, they could only hunker down in the ruins until dawn.

Early the next morning, the three swiftly set out again.

But along the way, Ye Ningshuang dealt He Xiuyuan one crushing blow after another.

As they traveled, Ye Ningshuang familiarized herself with her strength at the Body Tempering Third Layer.

She adapted quickly, and even her foundation was rock solid.

She was simply born to cultivate.

Not only that, but Ye Ningshuang's comprehension was practically maxed out as well.

She achieved major mastery of sword and movement techniques suitable for Body Tempering in almost a single day.

Watching her, He Xiuyuan wanted to cough up blood.

He could not even stop himself from grumbling inwardly.

What sin did I commit to end up traveling with two monsters?

He Xiuyuan felt that all the blows he had suffered over his years in the cultivation world did not add up to what he had endured these past two days.

What left He Xiuyuan most speechless was that both of them had fucking low-grade spiritual roots.

If people with low-grade spiritual roots cultivated this quickly, what did that make his supreme-grade metal spiritual root?

He Xiuyuan felt immense pressure.

"We're not too far from Falling Radiance City now, but before we get there, I'm planning to make a breakthrough!"

He Xiuyuan spoke.

Naturally, Ying Huaixu had no objections.

The stronger He Xiuyuan became, the more opportunities Ying Huaixu would have to slack off.

But Ying Huaixu was considering something now.

Should I save He Xiuyuan?

In truth, Ying Huaixu did have a slightly devious idea.

He wanted to try saving He Xiuyuan and see whether the subsequent world missions would still appear normally.

Even if they did not, it would not really matter.

After all, they all unlocked hidden maps.

Even without missions, Ying Huaixu had ways to sneak into them early.

If I save He Xiuyuan and the world missions still appear normally, does that mean minor events can change, but the overall course cannot?

Ying Huaixu's mind began racing.

Before long, they stopped in a small town outside Falling Radiance City.

It was because of He Xiuyuan.

"Junior Brother, I really feel it coming now!"

Ying Huaixu had no choice but to stop.

After they arrived in town and booked rooms, He Xiuyuan rushed off to enter secluded cultivation.

Ying Huaixu, meanwhile, took Ye Ningshuang out for something to eat.

Ye Ningshuang had rarely sought Ying Huaixu out lately.

She had been busy getting a feel for her current strength.

Only while they were eating did Ye Ningshuang ask, "Senior Brother, would ordinary people consider me an expert now?"

Ying Huaixu thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes. At the very least, with your current strength, you could crush those bandits from Peaceful Town!"

"Really?"

Ye Ningshuang's eyes shone.

Just then, another group walked into the inn's main hall.

They looked so utterly unremarkable that they might as well have been background extras.

Their clothes were rustic, too.

Ying Huaixu had not intended to pay them any attention.

Unfortunately, among them was a young master dressed in silk.

The moment that young master entered, Ye Ningshuang's face caught his eye.

"Well, well, where did this fairy come from? How about sharing a drink with me? Make me happy, and I guarantee you'll never have to worry about food or drink again!"

The experts beside the young master also looked at her with unusual interest.

Ying Huaixu felt a headache coming on.

Come on, man. Before you start acting like a spoiled brat, could you at least look at what we're wearing?

Are you really sticking your face out to be slapped without a single thought?

Ying Huaixu stood up.

The young master had been about to lose his temper, but when he saw Ying Huaixu's face, he froze for a moment.

"Are you a man or a woman?"

Ying Huaixu nearly lost his restraint.

In the end, though, he did not rush to attack. Instead, he pointed at his clothes.

"Look at what I'm wearing."

The young master froze.

"Are you trying to see which of us is richer?"

To be fair, the fabric of the Divine Firmament Sword Sect's robes really was excellent.

Ying Huaixu gave up.

"Ningshuang, this is a perfect chance to test your current strength on them!"

Ye Ningshuang was nervous, but also a little excited.

"C-can I really do it?"

Ying Huaixu nodded earnestly. "Believe in yourself!"

Ye Ningshuang nodded.

Perhaps she really was nervous.

Ye Ningshuang struck the young master directly in the chest with her palm.

Bang!

The young master went flying, his body smashing straight through the inn's wall.

"Wha..."

Ye Ningshuang stood dumbfounded.

She had only meant to give it a little try. She truly had not known she possessed such strength now.

Ying Huaixu, meanwhile, made a careful assessment.

"Twenty percent of her strength? Not bad!"

The experts who had accompanied the young master could no longer keep their composure.

Two went to check on him, while the rest glared furiously at Ye Ningshuang.

"You dare hurt our young master? Die!"

They immediately attacked Ye Ningshuang with lethal intent.

Ye Ningshuang hurriedly raised her sword and unleashed the Netherworld Sword Technique.

Shhk, shhk, shhk...

None of those who charged at her lasted even a single exchange. Ye Ningshuang cut them all down.

Looking at the carnage strewn across the floor, Ye Ningshuang could no longer hold back. She turned and vomited.

It was her first time killing anyone, and she had hacked them to pieces.

But Ye Ningshuang only vomited for a little while before forcibly suppressing her unease.

She was not a bad person, but she understood perfectly well that if she had not done that, they would never have shown her mercy.

Her reaction left Ying Huaixu stunned.

Is this what a daughter of the heavenly mandate is like?

Damn, she isn't softhearted in the slightest, and she barely needs any reassurance.

She can actually reassure herself.

At the same time, Ying Huaixu felt that it made perfect sense. She was a future empress, after all. She ought to have such a temperament!