Chapter 87

At that moment, a furious roar echoed from Star Island.

The roar was seething with rage, tinged with desperation, and it shook the entire island.

Wu Luchen, pale and gasping for breath, asked, “Captain… we’re almost safe now, right?”

Ning Su gave a brief nod. “We’ll be off the island soon.”

They were already close to the edge of the island and would be able to escape completely in just a moment.

Hearing this, Wu Luchen didn’t look much better. In truth, what he really wanted to ask was whether those Demon Race cultivators would lock onto them and come chasing after them.

After all, anyone could hear the furious wrath of a powerful Demon cultivator in that roar.

But he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

Not because he didn’t want to, but because he simply couldn’t.

At that moment, the Melon-Eating System was still grumbling.

【What the hell is that old mutt barking about?】

【I’d love to teach him a lesson!】

【Host, I’ve memorized his face. One day, we’re taking him down!】

Ning Su said, “Damn right we are!”

Brother Pig had snatched food from a tiger’s mouth. The moment Brother Pig stole the Demon Core Fragment, Ning Su and the Demon Race were locked in a life-or-death feud.

So sooner or later, there would be a battle to the death between her and them.

—

The moment they left Star Island, the Melon-Eating System let out a gleeful cackle. 【Oh yeah, that felt amazing!】

As soon as they left the island’s range, the oppressive pressure that had been lingering over them vanished. Everyone felt a noticeable sense of relief.

Ning Su exhaled. “What’s so amazing?”

The Melon-Eating System replied with excitement, 【The surviving cultivators from the Li Family are fighting the Demon Race! It’s like a blockbuster!】

【Oh ho, all the surviving cultivators have joined up with the Li Family group, and now the two sides are going at it like there’s no tomorrow!】

【Fight! Beat them to a pulp!】

Ning Su wasn’t surprised by this.

Star Island was Li Family territory. After everything that happened today, if the Li Family just sat back and took it, that would be the real shocker. The wealthiest family in the cultivation world had taken two major hits and lost so many clan members. If they didn’t strike back, rumors would start flying tomorrow about how weak and pathetic they were.

Now that the Li Family had begun retaliating, those Demon cultivators probably wouldn’t have the time or energy to come after her.

Which meant she was safe, for now.

The Shenqi siblings pulled out a long-distance teleportation talisman. “Fellow Daoist, let’s leave this place first.”

Ning Su and the others had no objections.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived in an unfamiliar location.

Only then did the Shenqi siblings finally breathe a full sigh of relief.

Shenqi Feng chuckled. “We’re safe now. Fellow Daoists, what are your plans? Will you rest here, or…?”

Ning Su cupped her hands. “We’re planning to take a stroll near Star Peach City and check in on the Wu Family.”

Shenqi Feng didn’t ask what there was to see near Star Peach City. He nodded. “In that case, I suppose this is where we part ways.” Then he introduced himself. “I’m Shenqi Feng, and this is my sister, Shenqi Dan. After what we’ve been through today, I’d say we’re comrades who’ve faced death together, wouldn’t you?”

Ning Su could sense that Shenqi Feng was trying to build a friendly rapport.

Though she didn’t know why the siblings were being so cordial, having one more friend in the cultivation world was never a bad thing.

She replied, “I’d say so.”

“Then if you ever need anything, feel free to come find us at the Shenqi Clan.”

“Alright.”

“Well then…” Shenqi Feng cupped his fists. “Fellow Daoist, until we meet again.”

Ning Su returned the gesture. “To both of you, until we meet again.”

Just as the Shenqi siblings were about to turn and leave, the Melon-Eating System couldn’t wait to share the latest gossip with Ning Su.

【Shenqi Feng’s close buddies are in a full-blown internal feud.】

【Who would’ve thought that after all this time in this world, we wouldn’t see male cultivators fighting over a female, but instead a bunch of grown men scheming over another man! Hahaha!】

Ning Su glanced at Shenqi Feng’s retreating figure, her expression lighting up with interest. “Details?”

The Melon-Eating System burst out laughing. 【It all started when one of Shenqi Feng’s bros accidentally saw something another bro had specially prepared for Shenqi Feng.】

【That thing, uh… let’s just say it was something romantic. You know what I mean.】

【So of course, the first guy couldn’t take it!】

【He’s been guarding Shenqi Feng’s chastity for years, staying loyal and pure, and now someone else dares to make a move on Shenqi Feng’s… ahem!】

【And he hasn’t even gotten a taste yet!】

Shenqi Feng: ???

【Then the two of them started sabotaging each other like crazy!】

【Somehow, word got out among their whole group.】

【Now everyone who’s into Shenqi Feng has joined the fray.】

【It’s turned into a full-on jealousy war among a bunch of grown men!】

Ning Su was utterly amazed.

“The main character isn’t even present, and they’re already fighting this hard. If Shenqi Feng goes back, won’t they stir up drama every single day?”

The Melon-Eating System snickered mischievously.

【No worries. Once the infighting produces the strongest top, it’ll all settle down.】

【And that top would never let anyone else lay a hand on his big bro. His possessiveness is off the charts!】

Ning Su couldn’t help but smile. “And what if the big bro is the top?”

The Melon-Eating System replied, 【Even though big bro looks the part, all his friends are even more alpha than he is.】

【Even if he wanted to top, I doubt he could pull it off.】

Shenqi Feng, who was being doubted: …

He really wanted to prove otherwise to the Melon-Eating System, but now wasn’t the time.

Shenqi Dan gave her brother a “good luck, you’ll need it” kind of look, then dragged the slightly stiff Shenqi Feng away.

Once they were gone, Ning Su quickly laid out the next steps.

“I need to find someone. You all can head into Star Peach City first and wait for me there. Once I’ve found them, I’ll meet up with you.”

Everyone understood that Ning Su was probably going to find the Artifact Cultivator whose credit had been stolen.

They didn’t ask any further. In the end, everyone except the Innocent Cultivator went ahead to Star Peach City.

—

Rescuing the orphan wasn’t difficult.

Ning Su didn’t have to expend much effort to locate her and break the formation that had trapped the Artifact Cultivator.

The moment the girl saw her, a mix of suspicion and fear flashed across her face.

“You…”

Ning Su tried to appear friendly and harmless.

The Artifact Cultivator was still quite young, definitely younger than Ning Su.

“I heard that the popular spiritual artifact that helps cultivators survive lightning tribulations was made by you. Is that true?”

At those words, a complex mix of grief and anger crossed the girl’s face. “How do you know that?”

As soon as she asked, two answers came at once.

Ning Su said, “I found out by chance.”

The Melon-Eating System chimed in, 【There’s nothing in the cultivation world we don’t know!】

Artifact Cultivator: ???

Surprise and disbelief flickered in her eyes. In that moment, countless thoughts raced through her mind.

She asked again, “Did you come to rescue me?”

Ning Su nodded. “Yes.”

“Then… do you have a reason for saving me?”

Ning Su replied, “I’m planning to open an auction house. I value your skills and want your help.”

The Melon-Eating System cackled arrogantly. 【A reason? Of course! We want you to make us rich! Work like an ox! Keep the money rolling in! Make a fortune! Rake in the gold! So we can become the richest in the cultivation world and walk around like we own the place!】

After hearing that, the Artifact Cultivator let out a long breath. The cultivators who had taken her in before had wanted fame and fortune. If all Ning Su wanted was for her to help make money, that wasn’t too hard.

“Alright. I’ll help you. But I have a few conditions.”

Ning Su gave a slight nod. “Go ahead.”

The Artifact Cultivator said, “First of all, I don’t want my personal freedom to be restricted.”

Ning Su chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’ll be free. But to protect my interests, during our collaboration, any spiritual artifacts you refine can’t be sold to others. We’ll need to sign a contract about the details later.”

Melon-Eating System: 【We’re decent folks here, no shady imprisonment nonsense!】

The Artifact Cultivator relaxed. “Alright.”

Ning Su asked, “Anything else?”

“Also, for the artifacts you sell, could I get a share of the profits?”

Ning Su didn’t even hesitate. “Of course. As for the split, I take seventy, you take thirty. How does that sound?”

The Artifact Cultivator didn’t really understand these things.

But as long as she got a cut, she was satisfied.

Melon-Eating System, on the other hand, was not pleased.

【Host, wouldn’t a ninety-ten split be better? And you’re giving her thirty percent?!】

Ning Su: “…”

When it comes to being stingy, ruthless, and a shameless profiteer, no one beats the Melon-Eating System!