Crazy-Gossiping-C28
by MarineTLChapter 28
The Melon-Eating System continued its sarcastic remarks:
【These good things would be better fed directly to Brother Pig.】
【Who knows, after eating them, Brother Pig might even produce a litter of high-level spirit beasts for you.】
【Feeding him is a complete waste.】
The disdain in the Melon-Eating System’s words was practically overflowing.
Ning Xu: “…”
She couldn’t respond to that.
This matter had to be discussed with Brother Pig himself. As its owner, even she couldn’t make decisions for it.
At that moment, the food cultivators who had snapped out of their shock greeted Ning Xu enthusiastically.
“Fellow Daoist, come try the snacks we just made.”
“Yes, yes, come this way. I specially prepared peach blossom pastries for you. I hope you like them.”
As for Senior Brother, who was at the center of the gossip, his face remained calm, revealing no emotions. What he truly thought inside, however, was anyone’s guess.
Surrounded by the warm hospitality of the food cultivators, Ning Xu followed them while still munching on her melon.
“This is the cultivation world, right? Even female cultivators from the Hehuan Sect don’t get into trouble, so how is he… this weak?”
Exactly. The Melon-Eating System had already rated him as too weak to even be replenished effectively. Wasn’t that proof of his extreme frailty?
On this topic, the Melon-Eating System had more to say:
【Because he has the heart for dual cultivation but not the constitution for it.】
Ning Xu: “…”
The Melon-Eating System started wildly spilling more gossip.
【That’s why I said earlier that staying in the Wenxin Sect is a waste for him. Someone like him should have joined the Hehuan Sect instead of staying here.】
【There’s no future for him in the Wenxin Sect, seriously.】
【A proper sect like the Wenxin Sect wouldn’t have any advanced dual-cultivation techniques.】
【If he was content with ordinary dual-cultivation methods, it wouldn’t be an issue.】
【But no—he aspires to the Hehuan Sect’s top-tier technique, “Indulgence.”】
Ning Xu asked, “‘Indulgence’? What’s that?”
The Melon-Eating System answered directly:
【The one Elder Wu experienced for a hundred years.】
Everyone: Simple and clear. Got it instantly.
Elder Wu, who was eating melon nearby: …
Could they please leave him out of this conversation? Thanks.
【I won’t elaborate. I’m afraid the main system might detect certain keywords and ban me. In short, this Senior Brother spent a fortune to buy a copy of ‘Indulgence’ from a cultivator of the Hehuan Sect.】
【But what he didn’t know is that the technique has a flaw.】
【The genuine ‘Indulgence’ technique cannot be leaked by Hehuan Sect disciples—not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t.】
How could the Hehuan Sect’s top techniques be easily leaked?
It was the foundation of their sect.
Even the sect leader was bound by vows, making it impossible to reveal a single detail.
Ning Xu asked, “So he still doesn’t know there’s a problem with the technique?”
The Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue.
【He probably has a clue by now. Otherwise, he wouldn’t need to constantly replenish himself every time he returns. That technique drains his body.】
Ning Xu: “…”
“Is he still using the technique now?”
【The answer is obvious.】
Ning Xu was confused. “Why doesn’t he just stop?”
The Melon-Eating System: 【Hehehe.】
Although the Melon-Eating System didn’t spell it out, Ning Xu understood everything from its mischievous laughter.
Was he addicted to indulgence and unable to quit?
Everyone: !!!
Some of the food cultivators who overheard the conversation blushed slightly.
Although they weren’t the ones being talked about, they were still innocent and pure cultivators. Hearing such topics made them feel a bit awkward.
Especially since the protagonist of this gossip was their once highly admired Senior Brother.
Who would’ve thought that the diligent Senior Brother they respected so much was secretly this kind of person?
They had even considered him a role model! Yet it turned out that his frequent trips down the mountain weren’t for training at all!
Realizing this, they felt even more uncomfortable.
Having heard enough gossip about himself, Senior Brother finally couldn’t take it anymore. He made a quick excuse and left.
As soon as he was gone, Ning Xu casually asked, “The welcome banquet is about to start. What could he possibly be busy with right now?”
The Melon-Eating System replied indifferently:
【Who knows? Probably off to indulge himself again.】
Ning Xu: “…”
Staying in the Wenxin Sect really was a waste for him. If sect transfers were allowed, he’d probably be the first to apply.
After a long silence, she simply said, “6¹.”
The others didn’t understand what “6” meant, but judging by the context, they managed to get the gist of it.
- Truly fitting.
When the welcome banquet began, Senior Brother—being the guest of honor—finally showed up.
In previous years, he would deliver a passionate and inspiring speech, earning applause and admiration from his junior disciples.
But this time, he showed no interest in speaking at all.
If possible, he wouldn’t have attended at all.
Unfortunately, his master had just warned him earlier, which also clued him in about the Melon-Eating System’s existence.
Recalling his master’s repeated reminders not to expose himself, Senior Brother forced a smile identical to his usual one.
In the cultivation world, nearly every cultivator was skilled in deception and acting.
No matter how turbulent their hearts were, they could appear calm and composed on the surface.
Standing atop the highest rock of Wan Geng Peak, Senior Brother cupped his hands toward the crowd.
“Thank you, junior brothers and sisters, for hosting this banquet in my honor.”
Following his usual routine, he said, “During my recent travels, I’ve gained some insights and experiences.”
“If there’s an opportunity, I’d be happy to share them with you all.”
The Melon-Eating System complained, 【Share what? Share how to indulge in pleasures?】
The senior brother hesitated to continue speaking. After pausing for a few seconds, he said, as he had in previous years, “Tonight, everyone can drink freely here. I hope you enjoy the food and this relaxing moment.”
“Tonight, we won’t leave until we’re drunk!”
All the disciples shouted in unison, “We won’t leave until we’re drunk!”
After speaking, the senior brother quickly left the scene.
Ning Xu casually asked, “Why did he leave? Isn’t he going to eat the food here?”
The Melon-Eating System responded, 【Impossible! He had his junior brothers and sisters prepare this welcome banquet just to replenish his own health!】
【Lamb soup, venison—these are all highly nutritious foods!】
Afterward, the Melon-Eating System reminded Ning Xu about the pig brother in the small hut.
【Remember to bring some food back for pig brother later.】
Ning Xu said, “…Bring what?”
In front of her was a dazzling array of delicacies. Just as the food cultivators had introduced earlier, there were sweet, spicy, and savory dishes, each exquisitely prepared and resembling pieces of art.
She had eaten and seen all sorts of food, yet this still amazed her.
And this was only the standard for a welcome banquet?
The Melon-Eating System’s earlier advice was spot on!
Making friends with food cultivators really had many benefits!
The Melon-Eating System let out a sly laugh and said, 【What else can you bring? Go for the most nutritious!】
【Get the lamb soup! Don’t forget the venison! And chives—pig brother should love them too.】
【He’s never been picky about food.】
【Take them all!】
Ning Xu said, “…Let’s talk about this later.”
Who packs leftovers before the banquet even starts? At least wait until everyone has eaten first.
The Melon-Eating System reluctantly compromised, 【…Fine.】
【I just hope they have some sense and leave enough for pig brother. Better yet, they shouldn’t touch those dishes at all.】
At that point, Ning Xu simply ignored the Melon-Eating System.
The welcome banquet featured over a hundred long tables.
Banquets in the cultivation world weren’t much different from mortal feasts—just with more people, more refined dishes, and richer flavors.
As a close friend of the food cultivators, Ning Xu was seated at the main table.
To her left was Wu Luchen, and to her right was the Innocent Cultivator.
Once the banquet began, Ning Xu focused on the dishes that interested her the most.
After tasting the food, she realized that not only did the dishes look great, but they also tasted even better.
She couldn’t stop eating after just one bite.
Perhaps worried she might miss out, the Innocent Cultivator beside her occasionally helped serve her more food.
The Melon-Eating System, feeling bored, started chatting again.
【The Innocent Cultivator suddenly turned into a considerate helper.】
【Can you guess which dishes he made?】
Ning Xu stayed silent.
The Melon-Eating System kept rambling, 【He prepared three of his signature dishes today! You should be able to tell, right? You’ve been fed by him so many times already.】
Still no response from Ning Xu.
The Melon-Eating System began to panic. 【Why aren’t you talking to me?】
The truth was, Ning Xu could talk to others, but the Melon-Eating System could only talk to her.
If she ignored it, it would be stuck in a single-player mode.
It was afraid of boredom—it thrived on gossip and chatter.
Watching Ning Xu laughing and chatting with others while ignoring it, the Melon-Eating System started to reflect.
【Are you mad because I asked you to bring more food for pig brother?】
Ning Xu ate another bite of food.
Wasn’t the reason obvious?
The Melon-Eating System was always self-centered. Today, its remarks about asking others not to touch certain dishes for pig brother’s sake made her uncomfortable.
These dishes were prepared for the guests—they had every right to enjoy them.
The Melon-Eating System had no authority to dictate otherwise.
Seeing that Ning Xu was genuinely ignoring it, the Melon-Eating System panicked.
It loved gossiping and couldn’t stand silence.
Finally, it apologized, 【Sorry, please forgive me.】
After hearing the apology, Ning Xu said, “Don’t do it again.”
The Melon-Eating System hesitated.
In its view, letting pig brother have the nutritious food was better than letting the food cultivators eat it.
But it knew Ning Xu wouldn’t agree.
After some hesitation, it reluctantly agreed, 【Got it.】
Sometimes, even a system had to bow its head when under someone else’s roof.
Ning Xu didn’t care whether the Melon-Eating System genuinely understood or not.
If something like this happened again, she’d handle it the same way.
Through this incident, she also discovered the Melon-Eating System’s weakness.
It could be sarcastic, but there were boundaries Ning Xu wouldn’t tolerate.
And just like that, the minor dispute passed quietly.
For the first time, Ning Xu gained a slight upper hand over the Melon-Eating System.
The elders who had secretly been eavesdropping exchanged satisfied looks.
Though the Melon-Eating System was extraordinary, they still felt closer to Ning Xu.
After all, she was one of their own, while the Melon-Eating System wasn’t.
Seeing Ning Xu take control over it was undoubtedly a good thing.
Moreover, after multiple tests, they confirmed that the treasure provided by the Sect Leader was effective.
This meant Ning Xu would be able to join the secret realm expedition set to open in a week.
At that time, only her fellow disciples could hear her conversations with the Melon-Eating System, while outsiders wouldn’t notice anything unusual.
Everyone was already looking forward to seeing what treasures Ning Xu and the Melon-Eating System would bring back.
While the elders felt relieved, the Melon-Eating System couldn’t help but chatter again.
Ning Xu: …
At least it didn’t hold grudges. If it did, things would’ve been much harder.
Despite its sharp tongue and fiery temper, it occasionally acted silly and naive.
Not sweet, but silly—that was enough.
Suddenly, the Melon-Eating System counted down in an amused tone:
【3】
【2】
【1…】
Just as Ning Xu was wondering what it was counting down to, there was a loud thud from a corner of the hall.
A disciple’s surprised cry followed.
The Melon-Eating System immediately quipped, 【I knew it! That old man was secretly stuffing himself!】
【Overindulgence! See? He’s done for now.】
The barely-conscious senior brother: …
The other disciples: …
———
—In Chinese internet slang, “6” (六, pronounced “liù”) is used to praise someone for being skilled or impressive, especially in gaming. “666” is often used to express admiration, similar to saying “amazing” or “you’re awesome!”