Chapter 87

At that moment, an enraged roar erupted from Star Island.

The roar was filled with fury, sounding somewhat exasperated and frantic. The entire Star Island trembled under its intensity.

Wu Lüchen’s face was pale as he gasped for breath and asked, “Captain… we’ll be safe soon, right?”

Ning Xu responded with a nod, “We’ll be off the island very soon.”

They were already close to the island’s edge, just a short distance away from completely escaping Star Island.

Hearing this, Wu Lüchen’s expression didn’t improve much. In fact, what he truly wanted to ask was—would those demons lock onto them and come hunting them down?

After all, anyone could hear the sheer rage of that demon expert from the roar just now.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t bring himself to ask the question.

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

Meanwhile, the Melon-Eating System was still cursing.

【What’s that old geezer barking about like a dog?】

【I really wanna teach him a lesson!】

【Host, I’ve memorized his face for you. We absolutely have to take him down in the future!】

Ning Xu: “Damn right! We have to!”

Brother Pig had snatched food from a tiger’s mouth. From the moment Brother Pig stole the demon core fragment, Ning Xu and these demons had become mortal enemies.

A battle to the death between her and these demons was inevitable.

—

The moment they left Star Island, the Melon-Eating System let out a sinister laugh.

【Ahhh, this feels so good! Too damn good!】

As soon as they crossed the boundary of Star Island, the oppressive force that had been pressing down on them vanished. Everyone felt significantly lighter.

Ning Xu exhaled and asked, “What’s so exciting?”

The Melon-Eating System was thrilled.

【The surviving cultivators of the Li Clan are fighting those demons! It’s like watching a blockbuster!】

【Oh ho! All the surviving cultivators have joined the Li Clan’s side, and now the two groups are battling like there’s no tomorrow!】

【Fight! Fight hard for me!】

Ning Xu wasn’t surprised to hear this.

Star Island was the Li Clan’s territory. With such a huge incident happening today, if the Li Clan just sat there and took the beating, now that would be truly strange.

The wealthiest clan in the cultivation world had already taken two major hits and lost so many clan members. If they didn’t retaliate, tomorrow, rumors about them being weak and spineless would spread like wildfire.

Since the Li Clan had begun to counterattack, those demons were probably too occupied to come after her.

That meant she was temporarily safe.

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

Ning Xu and the others had no objections.

In just the blink of an eye, Ning Xu’s group found themselves in an unfamiliar place.

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

Shenqi Feng smiled and asked, “We’re safe now. What are your plans next, fellow Daoists? Are you going to rest here or…?”

Ning Xu cupped her hands in a salute. “We plan to take a walk near Star Peach City and check on the Wu Clan’s situation.”

Shenqi Feng didn’t ask what was so interesting about Star Peach City. He simply nodded. “In that case, I suppose this is where we part ways.”

Then, he introduced himself, “I am Shenqi Feng, and this is my sister, Shenqi Dan. After everything we’ve been through today, I think it’s fair to say we’re bonded by life and death now, right?”

Ning Xu could sense Shenqi Feng’s goodwill.

She didn’t know why the Shenqi siblings were so eager to befriend her, but in the cultivation world, having one more friend was never a bad thing.

She replied, “Sure.”

“If you ever need anything, just come find us at the Shenqi Clan’s territory!”

“Alright.”

“Well then…” Shenqi Feng clasped his hands in a farewell salute. “Daoist friend, until fate lets us meet again.”

Ning Xu returned the salute. “To you both, may we meet again.”

Just as the Shenqi siblings were about to leave, the Melon-Eating System couldn’t hold back any longer and excitedly shared the latest gossip with Ning Xu.

【Shenqi Feng’s so-called “good brothers” are currently locked in a fierce internal struggle.】

【Who would’ve thought that after all this time, we still haven’t seen male cultivators fighting over a female cultivator? Instead, we’re witnessing a bunch of big, burly men scheming against each other over another man! Hahahaha!】

Ning Xu glanced at Shenqi Feng’s departing figure, looking intrigued. “Tell me more.”

The Melon-Eating System cackled.

【It all started when one of Shenqi Feng’s brothers accidentally discovered something another brother had secretly prepared for him.】

【That thing, well… cough, let’s just say it was something for the bedroom. You get what I mean.】

【At that moment, the first brother lost it.】

【He had been silently guarding Shenqi Feng’s purity for so many years, staying loyal and untouched, only to find out that someone else was scheming to claim Shenqi Feng’s “first time”?!】

【And to make it worse, he himself hadn’t even had a taste yet!】

Shenqi Feng: ???

【Then, the two of them started tripping each other up like crazy!】

【Somehow, the whole group found out about it.】

【And anyone who had feelings for Shenqi Feng jumped into the fray.】

【Now it’s turned into a bunch of big guys getting jealous and fighting over him!】

Ning Xu was absolutely amazed.

“The protagonist isn’t even there, and they’re still going at it this hard? If Shenqi Feng actually went back, wouldn’t they be stirring up drama every single day?”

The Melon-Eating System snickered.

【Don’t worry. Eventually, the most dominant of the bunch will come out on top.】

【No way would the top dog tolerate anyone else coveting their boss. That possessiveness is off the charts!】

Ning Xu chuckled and asked, “Why can’t the ‘boss’ be the top dog himself?”

The Melon-Eating System scoffed.

【Shenqi Feng might have that leader vibe, but his ‘friends’ are all even more aggressive than him.】

【Even if he wanted to be the dominant one, I doubt he’d be able to pull it off.】

Shenqi Feng: …

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

Shenqi Dan shot her brother a look that said, You’re on your own, before pulling her slightly stiffened brother away.

Once they left, Ning Xu quickly set her next plan into motion.

“I need to find someone. You guys can head to Star Peach City first and wait for me there. I’ll meet up with you once I find them.”

The others understood—Ning Xu was probably going to look for that artifact cultivator whose achievements had been stolen.

They didn’t ask further. In the end, aside from the Innocent Cultivator staying behind, everyone else went ahead to Star Peach City.

—

Rescuing the orphan wasn’t difficult.

Ning Xu quickly located her and broke the formation that had trapped the artifact cultivator.

As soon as they met, a look of suspicion and fear flashed across the girl’s face.

“You…”

Ning Xu tried to appear approachable and harmless.

The artifact cultivator was still very young—at least younger than Ning Xu.

“I heard that the popular magic artifact that helps cultivators withstand tribulations was actually your creation?”

Hearing this, the artifact cultivator’s face twisted with grief and anger. “How do you know that?”

Before Ning Xu could respond, two voices answered simultaneously.

Ning Xu: “I found out by chance.”

Melon-Eating System: 【There’s nothing in this cultivation world that we don’t know!】

Artifact cultivator: ???

Shock, surprise, and other emotions flickered through her eyes. Countless thoughts raced through her mind.

She asked, “Did you come to save me?”

Ning Xu: “Yes.”

“Then… do you have an ulterior motive?”

Ning Xu answered, “I’m planning to open an auction house. I value your skills and want you to help me.”

Melon-Eating System cackled.

【Motive? Of course, we want you to make money for us! Work like an ox! Make us a fortune! Let’s rake in the cash! Get rich! Dominate the cultivation world!】

Hearing this, the artifact cultivator let out a long sigh. Making money? That was much easier to deal with than people who wanted fame and power.

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