Chapter 97

The Melon-Eating System coaxed, 【Host, don’t you think this Love contract is quite useful?】

【In times of danger, it can be summoned at any time.】

【It’s so romantic.】

Ning Xu: …

As far as Ning Xu knew, a cultivator could only form an Love contract with one person in their lifetime. If they wished to break the contract, it would cost a considerable price, such as lowering cultivation or damaging their Dao heart… Therefore, forming an Love contract was something that needed to be approached with caution, not something to be decided impulsively.

Most cultivators, after forming an Love contract, if they ever decided to part ways, would not break the contract.

Because the cost of breaking an Love contract was too high.

For example, the city lord of Furong City in front of her had not broken her Love contract with her former lover.

【Host, forming an Love contract isn’t hard; it can be done in just three minutes. Are you really not considering it?】

Ning Xu’s response was—

“Pass.”

This topic was dropped immediately.

The Melon-Eating System, 【Alright.】

Thanks to the Melon-Eating System’s playful remarks, the tense atmosphere at the scene had lightened quite a bit.

The battle outside the city lord’s manor continued. With the arrival of the city lord’s former lover, the advantage began to shift toward the city lord’s side. Seeing that the city lord now had help, the demon race decided, after some consideration, to withdraw.

Before leaving, they did not forget to leave a harsh remark, “This matter is not over!”

After the demon race left, the city lord’s former lover also did not stay long. Without saying a word, they directly used their transformation ability to escape.

Once the danger passed, Hui Niang, with her soft and limp legs, hurried toward the city lord, “Mother!”

The city lord glanced at her and said, “So, you still know to come back?” After saying that, she took a few high-grade rejuvenation pills and put them into her mouth.

Ning Xu and Innocent Cultivator also followed Hui Niang forward.

The Melon-Eating System was still savoring the previous scene, 【Tsk tsk tsk, that person just now didn’t really have to come. After all, the Love contract only alerted him that the city lord was in danger. Whether he came or not was his choice.

But after sensing that the city lord was on the brink of death, he without hesitation, used the Love contract to come over. After the matter was resolved, he left without saying a word, leaving the place for the city lord and her daughter.】

Ning Xu grew a bit interested and asked a crucial question, “Does that person have a Dao partner?”

【Not yet.】

【But a cultivator’s emotions are really too complicated.】

Ning Xu, “How so?”

The Melon-Eating System explained, 【From the data analysis, it doesn’t seem like he is still attached to the city lord, because his heartbeat rate remained stable, not rising at all. But he still chose to save her the moment he sensed her danger.】

【What does this mean?】

There was too little information to analyze what that Transformation Stage expert was thinking. Perhaps it was out of old feelings, or maybe there were other reasons.

But no matter what, it was clear that this expert was quite measured.

After all, the city lord already had a Dao partner. Once the crisis was over, if he stayed, it would not be appropriate.

While Hui Niang and the city lord were catching up, Ning Xu asked, “Where is the city lord’s Dao partner?”

【In seclusion.】

What was this? At such a critical moment, the current Dao partner was in seclusion, and the former one came to save her.

Was this the advantage of having multiple exes, having more options?

While Ning Xu was chatting with the Melon-Eating System, the city lord of Furong City gradually shifted the conversation toward them.

“These two are?”

Hui Niang introduced eagerly, “Mother! They are my benefactors!”

Benefactors?

The city lord furrowed her brows slightly, her presence exuding a faint pressure, “What happened? What did you encounter?”

Hui Niang didn’t mention it and simply said, “Mother, let’s talk inside.”

—

The city lord’s manor in Furong City was decorated with great elegance and refinement, clearly showing that the city lord was a cultivator with exquisite taste.

The servants in the manor were also very well-mannered.

As soon as Ning Xu and the Innocent Cultivator sat down, a servant brought them fresh spiritual fruits, snacks, and refreshing spiritual tea. They quietly served the items and left without making a sound, everything orderly and peaceful.

The city lord glanced at Hui Niang and said to Ning Xu, “Two fellow Daoists, I will speak with my daughter for a moment. Please feel free to relax.”

With that, the city lord left with Hui Niang.

After they left, Ning Xu began to taste the snacks from the city lord’s manor. It was really enjoyable—taking a sip of the spiritual tea, nibbling on the snacks, it was a delightful experience.

But…

She said to the Melon-Eating System, “The spiritual tea and fruits are fine, but the snacks are nowhere near as good as Innocent Cultivator’s.”

【Isn’t that right? These spiritual tea and fruits are of no real value, they are artificially grown. The spiritual energy content is just average. The snacks, on the other hand, have much more value.】

After that, the Melon-Eating System started to boast, 【These days, spiritual tea and fruits are all second-rate, not worth mentioning.】

Ning Xu became a little more interested, “Are there no high-quality ones?”

【None. Many top-grade and high-quality goods have gone extinct.】

【But to me, these second-rate products are already considered top-grade in the eyes of current powerful cultivators.】

【What can you do? They just don’t know any better.】

Very well, as expected, the familiar Melon-Eating System was still here, always belittling others.

Although the Melon-Eating System said these were second-rate goods, Ning Xu still savored them carefully.

If the top-grade ones were extinct, then these were the best available now.

As she was drinking the spiritual tea, Innocent Cultivator took out two plates of snacks from his storage bag.

One plate was shaped like lotus roots, and the other was shaped like a lucky cat.

Each snack was exquisitely crafted and adorable.

Innocent Cultivator introduced them, “The ‘lotus root’ is filled with red tea and taro paste, and the lucky cat is filled with purple sweet potato paste.”

Taro paste and lucky cat were elements Ning Xu had told Innocent Cultivator about. She didn’t expect him to apply her suggestions so quickly into the snacks.

Ning Xu picked up a piece of the “lotus root” and took a bite. The refreshing taste of red tea paired with the sweet flavor of the taro paste gave her a unique sensation.

Although it was her first time trying it, she already loved the taste.

It could only be said, as expected, Innocent Cultivator was impressive.

After finishing the “lotus root,” Ning Xu ate a piece of the “lucky cat.” Once she finished both snacks, a servant came to inform them that the city lord was unable to entertain them today and asked them to settle in first.

Ning Xu and Innocent Cultivator had no objections.

The city lord had arranged two guest rooms for them. The rooms were simply decorated, but they had all the necessary amenities.

After the servant showed them to their rooms, they left.

Ning Xu did not return to her own room but followed Innocent Cultivator into his room.

This was the first time the two of them were alone in a room together. Ning Xu originally didn’t think much of it, but when she saw Innocent Cultivator’s slightly moist eyes, she inexplicably felt that the room seemed a bit small.

The Melon-Eating System let out a sly laugh, 【Hehe, good, good, good.】

Ning Xu lightly coughed, ignoring the Melon-Eating System, and said to Innocent Cultivator, “Incubate the egg.”

Innocent Cultivator took the “dead egg” out of the spirit beast bag.

If the Melon-Eating System hadn’t said this egg was alive, Ning Xu would have truly thought it had already lost all vitality. According to the Melon-Eating System, this was a rare spirit beast’s self-preservation method, where the glow was suppressed, disguising it as an ordinary spirit beast egg to avoid others’ greed.

Ning Xu spoke, “Although it looks like it’s already dead, how would we know unless we try?”

“Why don’t you drop a drop of blood? Maybe it will come back to life like that?”

Innocent Cultivator, “Okay.”

Without hesitation, he sliced his fingertip.

A drop of blood slowly dripped onto the eggshell’s surface.

In the next second, the originally dull egg seemed to shed its dark outer shell, revealing its true color.

It was actually a golden egg, with magnificent and ancient patterns on it!

Ning Xu circled the egg, observing it closely.

“Golden? Could it be a Phoenix?”

Innocent Cultivator carefully sensed and shook his head, “It should not be.”

After the blood was dropped, not only did Innocent Cultivator manage to revive the egg, but he also formed a master-servant contract with it.

He could vaguely sense the creature inside the egg, but he wasn’t sure exactly what spirit beast it was.

The unknown held anticipation.

Ning Xu said, “Well, just incubate it well. Once it hatches, we’ll know what spirit beast it is.”

Innocent Cultivator smiled slightly, “Okay.”

The Melon-Eating System commented, 【Mama boy, hehe, gentle mama boy.】

Ning Xu: …

The next day, the city lord finally had time to personally entertain Ning Xu and Innocent Cultivator.

Although she had long held a high position, she appeared very approachable and friendly.

“You helped Hui Niang, which is the same as helping the city lord’s mansion.”

“If there’s anything you want, as long as the conditions allow, I will agree.”

As for what they wanted, Ning Xu had already discussed it with the Melon-Eating System.

Upon hearing the city lord’s words, she didn’t hesitate and directly said, “I want to use the secret passage in your mansion.”

The city lord wasn’t surprised that Ning Xu knew about the secret passage.

The demon clan had come for the same secret passage. She didn’t know how they had learned about it.

Since they had helped Hui Niang, she reminded them, “The city lord’s mansion does indeed have a secret passage, which leads to the Endless Sea, and can even take you directly to the shore.”

“But there’s nothing of value near that secret passage anymore.”

“If you venture away from the passage to search for treasure, with your current cultivation, there may be danger.”

Upon hearing this, the Melon-Eating System disdainfully retorted, 【There’s plenty of good stuff.】

【Exactly. The real treasures aren’t so easy to find; they’re excellent at disguising themselves.】

【Maybe the dry grass by your feet is the Wisdom Leaf.】

【But you won’t have the luck to know that, and you’ll just think it’s dry grass.】

【But I’m different.】

【No matter how carefully treasures are disguised, I can see through their essence at a glance!】

【These treasures are meant to belong to my host. Host, you agree, right?】

Ning Xu lightly coughed.

Saying this in front of the city lord’s mansion… Although the city lord couldn’t hear it, Ning Xu still felt it was a bit too much.

She responded, “No worries, this trip is just for experience.”

In other words, they weren’t going for the treasures near the secret passage.

As for whether the city lord believed it, that was the city lord’s business.

Since she had said this, the city lord naturally didn’t try to persuade them further. She only said, “As for the secret passage, you’ll need to swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao, promising not to reveal this matter.”

This was to be expected. Ning Xu and Innocent Cultivator immediately swore the oath, and once the oath was established, both sides confirmed the time to enter the secret passage—tomorrow.

On the day of departure, the city lord didn’t appear, and Hui Niang took them to the secret passage.

“The Endless Sea is especially dangerous. Even though my mother is at the Nascent Soul Stage, she rarely goes there.”

“You must be extra careful on this trip.”

Ning Xu cupped her fists, “Thank you for the reminder.”

Hui Niang reluctantly said, “See you next time.”

Ning Xu, “See you next time.”

After the farewell, Ning Xu and Innocent Cultivator stepped into the secret passage and ventured deeper into the Endless Sea.

The secret passage built by the city lord’s mansion had a luminous pearl every ten steps. The luminous pearls emitted a bright light, dispelling the darkness and oppression in the passage.

The Melon-Eating System excitedly rubbed its hands, 【Baby, here we come!】

Affected by the Melon-Eating System, Ning Xu couldn’t help but feel a bit excited.

After walking for about three hours, the Melon-Eating System spoke, 【We can go out now, host. There’s no danger from demonic beasts near the secret passage for now, but be careful of toxic spirit herbs. Remember to take a high-grade detox pill in advance.

Follow my instructions and move on.

Also, about three meters from the secret passage, there are two Wisdom Leaves. When you pick them, be sure to pull out the roots as well. After picking them, eat them directly, root and leaf together. No need to wait for them to return to their original form, just eat them right away.

This time, we’re definitely going to profit! Let others envy us, hehe.】

Ning Xu carefully remembered the points the Melon-Eating System mentioned, “Got it.”

Afterward, she turned to Innocent Cultivator and said, “After we go out, I’ll pick two Wisdom Leaves, one for you and one for me. After picking them, we eat them, root and leaf, all together. Understood?”

Innocent Cultivator was slightly stunned, then softly said, “Understood.”

Wisdom Leaves were a well-known good thing, even mortals benefited from consuming them, let alone cultivators.

A cultivator has no limit to the number of Wisdom Leaves they can consume in their lifetime, as long as they can find them. The number doesn’t matter; what matters is the cultivator’s aptitude. The more Wisdom Leaves they consume, the more benefits they can gain, theoretically.

Although Ning Xu could have chosen to let one person consume both leaves, she still chose to share one with Innocent Cultivator…

Ning Xu didn’t think much about giving Innocent Cultivator a Wisdom Leaf.

Innocent Cultivator made her three meals a day according to her tastes, rain or shine, without a break. It was really hard work.

She hadn’t paid him any salary, so occasionally giving him a bonus seemed only right.

Even between companions, there should be mutual give-and-take for a long-lasting relationship.

After leaving the secret passage, Ning Xu, following the Melon-Eating System’s instructions, took a detour, walked three meters, and directly picked the two Wisdom Leaves. After tossing one to Innocent Cultivator, she immediately ate the one in her hand.

Innocent Cultivator followed suit and ate the ordinary-looking withered grass.

The two of them consumed the Wisdom Leaves quickly, without letting the leaves emit any distinct scent that would attract demonic beasts.

After eating a Wisdom Leaf, Ning Xu carefully felt it but didn’t sense anything special.

She asked the Melon-Eating System, “Why is there no special reaction?”

The Melon-Eating System explained, 【Wisdom Leaves aren’t the kind of treasure that gives immediate feedback after consumption.】

【Its effects will unfold gradually over a long period of time.】

【This influence is subtle, long-lasting, and its greatest value lies in that.】

Ning Xu understood.

Although there was no reaction after consuming the Wisdom Leaf, Innocent Cultivator had a much stronger reaction.

Not long after consuming the Wisdom Leaf, Innocent Cultivator’s face turned pale, cold sweat dripping from his face. Though his face didn’t show much, Ning Xu could sense something from his aura.

“Si Yan!”

Ning Xu rushed to support Innocent Cultivator and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you okay now?”

At this moment, Innocent Cultivator seemed to be torn apart by several forces, as if he was about to split in half. He endured the intense pain and said, “I… I’m fine.”

This is called being fine?

Ning Xu asked the Melon-Eating System, “What’s wrong with him? Why did he have such a severe reaction after eating the Wisdom Leaf?”

After a few seconds of silence, the Melon-Eating System finally spoke, 【It’s not because of the Wisdom Leaf.】

“Then what is it?”

Concerned about Innocent Cultivator’s condition, Ning Xu’s tone became a bit anxious and impatient.

The Melon-Eating System was silent for even longer this time.

Long enough that Ning Xu thought it wouldn’t answer, but finally, it spoke again, explaining, 【This is the place where Innocent Cultivator fell in his past life.】

【It’s also the place where he lost his innate sword bones in his past life.】

【He may be affected by the magnetic field here, reliving the pain he experienced in his previous life.】