Chapter 79: Since We’re Already Here

[It’s a rare sight to see the Empress Xu at a loss—I haven’t had enough of it yet.]
[I think it’s still not too late to confess to the sect, maybe you’ll get to keep your whole body and die with some dignity.]
[Time to restart.]
007, with reserved propriety, said: “Host, you promised me before you wouldn’t act recklessly again. I just remembered a method that might be helpful to you.”
Xu Nuo asked, “What method?”
007 replied, “Do you see that cliff over there?”
“…I see it,” Xu Nuo’s voice was complicated. “Are you suggesting I jump off and restart? Little Seven, I didn’t know you were so ruthless.”
“It’s not that! Please be serious—this is hardly the time for jokes!”
Xu Nuo consoled it with a cheerful laugh, “Alright, alright, I was wrong. So, what should we do?”
007 explained, “There’s a hidden entrance to a sect secret realm on that cliff. You must fall from a great height, completely unguarded, to have a chance at finding the entrance.”
“In other words?” Xu Nuo said, “Jump off the cliff?”
007 detailed, “Exactly. And you can’t use spiritual energy or carry any protective artifacts.”
“In short, it’s suicide. If you’re lucky enough not to die, you’ll enter the secret realm.”
007: “Correct.”
Xu Nuo glanced below—the abyss was bottomless. Around them, cultivators still shouted for their blood. It seemed that no matter which path they chose, death awaited.
“Little Seven, I hope you’re not trying to scare me on purpose.” Xu Nuo closed her eyes.
“How could I?” 007’s tone was almost gleeful.
“Lu, do you trust me?”
Lu Ciyuan was startled by Xu Nuo’s sudden question. He hesitated for a moment before responding.
“…I do.”
“Good.” Xu Nuo covered Lu Ciyuan’s eyes. “Don’t be afraid.”
“Miss Xu…” Lu Ciyuan started to ask, but the sword beneath their feet vanished. In an instant, their support was gone, and both of them plummeted. The wind rushed past his ears. He couldn’t see a thing, but Xu Nuo held him tightly, her breath mingling with the sound of the wind.
“Don’t be afraid,” Xu Nuo whispered by his ear. “Trust me.”
Hearing this, Lu Ciyuan felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity surge within him, and his tense muscles relaxed.
“…Alright.”
He did nothing, letting himself fall with Xu Nuo.
Sunlight pierced the clouds; the mountains circled them, dappling the ground with shifting patches of light. The wind gradually faded. Xu Nuo opened her eyes and saw a carpet of blossoms and fallen leaves sparkling below.
When they landed, Lu Ciyuan opened his eyes. Through the gaps in his fingers, he caught a glimpse of dazzling colors.
“Lu, let me show you a surprise.”
Xu Nuo led Lu Ciyuan a few steps to the best vantage point, then gently let go of his hand.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
A burst of colors flooded Lu Ciyuan’s vision. The girl before him, dressed in plain robes, stood at the most splendid spot, smiling radiantly at him.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t it?” Xu Nuo couldn’t help taking a few deep breaths—the air was so pure she felt giddy from oxygen. The scenery was breathtaking.
She’d played countless games that boasted stunning visuals, but none could compare to the shock and beauty of this moment. She told 007, “I can already imagine this place becoming the top romantic photo spot when the server opens.”
“But, as they say, a beautiful scene deserves a beauty.” Xu Nuo’s gaze drifted to Lu Ciyuan, trying to glimpse the face beneath his mask. “When will I get to see the face of our beloved capture target?”
“I wonder what would happen if I lifted his mask right now?”
Seeing that her host was digressing again, 007 wisely changed the subject. “Your luck is extraordinary. You arrived and entered the secret realm immediately. As expected of you.”
Xu Nuo, without modesty, replied, “Of course.”
Lu Ciyuan asked, “Miss Xu, where are we?”
Xu Nuo answered, “The sect’s secret realm. Don’t worry, it’s nearly impossible for others to get in.”
Lu Ciyuan had been in the Cave Heaven Sect for many years and had heard of the secret realm—a place rumored to be filled with countless rare treasures, left behind by several elders as the sect’s greatest legacy before their ascension tens of thousands of years ago.
But this secret realm was shrouded in mystery, beyond anyone’s control and entered only by chance. From its discovery till now, only a handful of people had ever entered.
He never imagined the two of them would enter so easily.
But now the question arose. Xu Nuo wondered, “How do we get out?”
007 replied, “With your luck, surely you’ll find the exit. Good luck, you’ll be fine.”
Xu Nuo could hear the perfunctory tone in her system’s voice, but she didn’t care. In a place of such unique beauty, who would be in a hurry to leave?
Especially when this was a legendary secret realm, filled with extraordinary treasures.
Outside the secret realm—
All the surrounding cultivators were stunned. No one expected those two to leap off the cliff—a mortal girl and a menial disciple unable to even reach Foundation Establishment after years of cultivation. Their fate seemed obvious.
After a long moment of confusion, the vice head of Discipline Hall finally spoke. “Vice Sect Master, how should we handle this…”
“Search,” the Vice Sect Master replied wearily. “Alive or dead, bring them back. After all, Miss Xu is the only descendant of Immortal Lord Yunfu. Even if Yunfu has not concerned himself with worldly affairs for years, we must give an account…”
“But the Immortal Lord entered closed-door cultivation half a month ago.”
The Vice Sect Master cast a displeased glance at the vice head of Discipline Hall, unhappy with the implication. “No matter what, find them.”
“Yes, sir!” The deputy quickly bowed his head.
—
A rumbling sound—
Xu Nuo gazed hopefully at the stream, while Lu Ciyuan was catching fish. Though the young man looked frail, his spearfishing was deft and efficient. In no time, he caught a good pile of plump fish and shrimp.
Xu Nuo had already set up the stove. The pot was the same stainless steel one she’d used in the previous world, and she had an abundance of ingredients and spices.
Lu Ciyuan cleaned the catch, seasoned it, and set it boiling with clear stream water. The delicious aroma mingled with the rising steam and drifted through the air.
The viewers’ appetites were whetted.
[Here it comes, at last—today’s essential food segment.]
[I used to watch Empress Xu’s mukbangs in the last world—they were the best accompaniment to my meals. I’ve missed it these last few days.]
[Same here! I always waited for the livestream at mealtimes, just to eat with the host.]
007 protested, “This is a romance game livestream!” It had finally chased away that crowd of bloodthirsty, battle-obsessed viewers, but now it was turning into a cooking show again.
But Xu Nuo and her system lived in different worlds—she happily chatted with the viewers, paying not the slightest attention to the words “romance game livestream.”
[There are far fewer comments now.]
[Yes, but at least the host can actually read our messages.]
[The last world was too intense—people were always fighting. I didn’t dare say a word.]
[There may be fewer viewers, but the atmosphere is much better.]
They ate and chatted, and the viewers showered Xu Nuo with gifts—mostly ingredients and kitchen utensils. The atmosphere was peaceful and warm.
007 thought, perhaps this wasn’t so bad. A food and game livestream was much more tolerable than a combat one.
Xu Nuo prepared fresh vegetables and meat, tossed in some noodles, and made a hotpot.
Lu Ciyuan had never eaten anything like this before. The flavors were rich and tempting, with both meat and vegetables. Unconsciously, he ate quite a lot.
“Are you full?” Xu Nuo asked.
When Lu Ciyuan looked up, Xu Nuo had already finished and was quietly watching him.
“I’m done,” he replied.
“If you’re not full, eat more. There’s no rush.” Xu Nuo stood up. “I’m going to gather some firewood. You keep eating.”
Lu Ciyuan watched her go, unsure how to describe his feelings. After a moment’s daze, he blurted out, “Come back soon.”
“Alright.” Xu Nuo waved at him without looking back.
“Miss Xu, wait for me,” Lu Ciyuan said, rising to follow. “Let me come with you.”
Xu Nuo smiled. “Sure.”
He didn’t know what dangers might lurk in the secret realm. If Miss Xu ran into a wild beast, what then? Quickly, he found a good reason for himself to go along.
Gathering firewood was easy—they soon collected enough. But Xu Nuo did not seem eager to return. Instead, she wandered the woods as if aimless.
007 began to have a bad feeling. “Host, are you just taking a walk and enjoying the scenery?”
“More or less.” After answering, Xu Nuo jogged a bit and stopped beneath a towering ancient tree, then pulled out the small shovel that had once stripped a whole mountain bare.
To 007’s horror, Xu Nuo began to dig energetically—and unearthed a sparkling, white…giant radish?
It looked like a radish—thick as a human calf, pure as jade, with a brilliant red sprout, visibly swirling with spiritual energy.
Xu Nuo hefted it in her hand. “A top-grade nine-leaf ginseng. Not bad.”
So she’d found another spiritual herb—no surprise, considering the host’s perfect luck.
Next, Xu Nuo wandered everywhere with her little shovel, digging up medicinal herbs and spiritual treasures, accurately identifying each by name and usage.
007 couldn’t help but admire her. “Host, did you memorize all the books in the library?” Even as a system, it had never bothered to remember such tiny, fragmented details. But the host had only read through the books once—what a memory and willpower!
Xu Nuo replied honestly, “I haven’t memorized them all—just a few.”
“Host, you’re too modest,” 007 replied.
“No,” Xu Nuo said, pulling out her phone to show Lu Ciyuan. “See, I took pictures of everything.”
Her photo album was packed with shots of the sect’s secret tomes, all neatly sorted and classified.
007 was honestly impressed. “But why keep such a complete herb and treasure compendium?”
“Obviously, to help find herbs! Aren’t we meant to run a cozy farming story? Lu needs a lot of medicine—I have to be prepared. See? It’s already come in handy.”
007 gazed at the heap of treasures she’d just dug up. “Host, you’re supposed to be farming, not foraging.”
Xu Nuo rolled up her sleeves. “Since we’re here, we might as well.”