Chapter Eighty: Please Focus on Your Own Lu Ci Yuan

No, at this rate, you’re going to strip the secret realm bare.

Meanwhile, the barrage of live comments was already boiling over, a dense, fiery tide clamoring about how many treasures the streamer could dig up, making 007 relive memories of treasure hunting in the last game world’s ruins.

It was truly an unpleasant feeling; in an instant, the floodgates of memory were thrown open, forcing 007 to recall a black history it would rather have left buried.

—Turning a perfectly good romance game into a hot-blooded battle game, and even causing the host to get one of the love interests killed in the end—this was undoubtedly one of the worst stains in its system’s career.

But now, it was starting to sense that the upcoming black history wouldn’t be confined to just the previous game world.

The plot was running wild again, as if a herd of madcap rainbow llamas were rampaging under the host’s whimsical whip, utterly out of its control.

How had it ever been so blind as to choose this host in the first place?

Facts proved that Xu Nuo was an exceptionally talented game streamer. Even when abruptly switching to a new game—its background worlds apart from the last—she could instantly stir her audience's emotions and flood the screen with commentary.

Lu Ciyuan simply watched as Xu Nuo moved forward, picking up treasures as she went. “Picking up” was more accurate than “finding”—she didn’t even try. The way she did it, so casual and effortless, it was more like collecting freebies scattered on the ground.

Among these were many rare and valuable medicinal herbs and spirit treasures, but in Xu Nuo’s hands, they were as ordinary as cheap trinkets from a marketplace, picked up as if they cost nothing at all.

Lu Ciyuan watched, growing numb. He didn’t know if he should attribute it to the secret realm’s legendary richness—its inexhaustible spiritual treasures—or to Xu Nuo’s luck… or her strength, that she could gather rare treasures as easily as wild herbs by the roadside.

Once Xu Nuo judged she had enough, she finally stopped her ruthless foraging—much to 007’s relief for the innocent flora of the secret realm.

Xu Nuo wasn’t in any rush to leave. She took out her old possessions from the previous world: a supersized tent, bedding, a dressing table, a wardrobe… She had everything, as if she were here for a luxury vacation, leaving Lu Ciyuan dumbfounded.

Xu Nuo was generous; whatever she had, he had too. The viewers were in complete sync, showering Lu Ciyuan with a full set of living supplies as tips.

The items Xu Nuo produced were clearly not from any sect, nor could such craftsmanship be found in the mortal world.

A trace of suspicion flickered beneath the mask Lu Ciyuan wore. He looked at Xu Nuo, something probing in his gaze.

When two tents were pitched, 007 knew its host wasn’t leaving any time soon—this was a sign of settling in.

Up the mountain, into the forest, digging up herbs and hunting for treasures—what fun. At first, Lu Ciyuan didn’t feel at ease, so he followed Xu Nuo to protect her, but after a few days he gave up the notion. With the abundant spiritual energy here, he focused on his cultivation.

Xu Nuo was, in fact, the most dangerous creature in this forest. Though she seemed just a powerless, ordinary woman, incapable of channeling spiritual energy or casting spells, she consistently did things beyond human capacity—always conjuring bizarre items, enough to make even the spirit beasts of the forest keep a wide berth.

Moreover, as Lu Ciyuan observed, Xu Nuo wasn’t as reckless as she appeared. She was, in fact, more cautious and meticulous than anyone, never barging into danger blindly.

One day, after his usual break from cultivation, Lu Ciyuan prepared lunch and went to call Xu Nuo back from her favorite haunt.

But she was nowhere to be found.

A surge of anxiety seized Lu Ciyuan’s heart.

...

Xu Nuo stared at the seemingly endless cave ahead, sighing for the third time.

“Why on earth can’t I find my way out of this wretched place?”

007 replied stiffly, “You said it would be fine.”

About an hour earlier, Xu Nuo had chanced upon a very rare and unusual mushroom. Absorbed in gathering them, she’d lost track of time, only waking from her daze when the system roused her. It was then she noticed she’d wandered to the entrance of a cave.

Even then, Xu Nuo didn’t sense anything was wrong. She simply said it was no problem and ventured inside.

“Host, you’ve just encountered an illusion,” 007 explained.

Xu Nuo was unfazed. “No big deal, as long as the mushrooms are real. These are nearly impossible to find outside.”

007’s attempts to dissuade her were useless.

Xu Nuo plunged headlong into the business of mushroom-picking and promptly got lost in the cave. The path she’d come in by seemed to stretch endlessly; retracing her steps, she couldn’t find the exit. It was as though the trail had lengthened unconsciously, and no matter how far she went, she never reached the mouth of the cave.

Alas, the host had blundered again, but 007 felt only worry, not schadenfreude.

Now it understood: even without the viewers egging her on, she’d stir up trouble—she was the greatest source of instability.

Dear main system, is it possible to unbind from this host? It regretted its choice deeply. It had rushed to recruit Xu Nuo, treating her like a treasure after seeing her profile, but who could have guessed she’d behave like this in-game?

Xu Nuo called out, “Xiao Qizi, are you cursing me in your heart?”

007 jumped—how could this host possibly hear its thoughts?

“Of course not, haha,” it replied awkwardly.

Xu Nuo sounded wounded. “Xiao Qizi, I feel like you don’t love me as much as before. We’ve grown distant, sob sob sob.”

Had it ever loved her that much? Had they ever been that close? And would she please stop sobbing like that?

007’s head ached from her act. Sullenly, it replied, “My dear host, you might as well go love Lu Ciyuan. There’s nothing possible between us.”

Other than that initial spike in affection when they first met, there had been no further increase—this was the real problem, the thing the host should be worried about. 007 truly wanted to ask: Have you been properly loving Lu Ciyuan at all? But it feared the answer would be no.

“But I feel more for you, Xiao Qizi. You’re gentle, adorable, thoughtful, always looking out for me. I’m almost about to fall for you,” Xu Nuo teased.

Unbothered, she strolled along, picking more mushrooms and flirting with the system, driving the bashful little system into hiding.

“Wait, seriously? Not talking to me anymore?” When the familiar AI voice vanished, Xu Nuo gazed at the endless cave, a hint of bitterness on her face. “Xiao Qizi, how will I survive without you?”

007 resolved not to answer her this time. She needed to learn a lesson, to finally remember not to take it for granted or ignore its words, always causing trouble.

But getting lost in a game was hardly intimidating for Xu Nuo. With her years of gaming experience, caves like this always meant there was something good hidden inside.

Was she scared?

No, if anything, she was more excited.

The barrage was thrilled too—they could sense a good show coming.

007, having cold-shouldered its host, stared blankly at the white void in its space for a while but couldn’t help checking on her. Surely, by now, she’d realized her mistake?

Yet when it emerged, Xu Nuo was unhurried, joking with the barrage and even finding time to play on her phone—nothing like the panic and fear 007 had predicted.

Xu Nuo greeted it warmly, “Oh, Xiao Qizi, you’re back.”

007 nearly collapsed with exasperation.

...

Had something happened to Xu Nuo? Or had she abandoned him and left as well?

Conflicting thoughts sawed back and forth in his mind, making even the spiritual energy within him restless. Lu Ciyuan took a deep breath.

No one in the world exists solely for another’s sake. Even the autumn leaves fall in their season—he had understood this long ago. Whatever the cause, he shouldn’t let it shake his heart.

He quickly formed a hand seal and ascertained the direction Xu Nuo had gone, then set off in pursuit.

Meanwhile, on Xu Nuo’s side, the seemingly endless mushrooms were finally picked clean, and at last, something out of the ordinary appeared.

Before her lay two eggs, smaller than chicken eggs, nestled in a bed of soft, precious spirit bird down. The eggs were longish, carefully cradled, surrounded by rare spirit herbs, with a palm-sized spring nourishing the space.

Without a word, Xu Nuo snapped a photo.

“Xiao Qizi, what kind of eggs are these?”

No response.

“I know you’re there,” Xu Nuo coaxed.

Such a good host, understanding it so well. Reluctantly, 007 answered, “I’m not sure, but based on the detected spiritual energy, they’re likely violet-grade spirit beasts—about to hatch.”

Xu Nuo’s curiosity was piqued. “How soon is ‘about to’?”

“Very soon—probably less than an hour,” 007 replied.

Xu Nuo didn’t have to wait long to find out what “about to” meant. A fissure appeared on one pristine shell.

Crack—crack—

The crisp sound echoed through the cave.

Xu Nuo opened her eyes wide, watching the spirit beasts hatch. “Xiao Qizi, can I keep them as mounts?”

007 glanced over, deadpan. “No, you’ll crush them.”

“How would you know if you don’t try?” Xu Nuo rubbed her hands together, full of anticipation. But the eggs stopped hatching halfway.

007 analyzed calmly, “They’re short on energy—can’t finish breaking out.”

Xu Nuo’s look was downright expectant. “So what should I do?”

That gaze was a little unnerving. 007 replied, “Just supplement their energy a bit.”

Xu Nuo browsed the shop for suitable food for baby spirit beasts.

007 couldn’t help commenting, “Didn’t you complain the items were overpriced before?”

Xu Nuo’s eyes were benevolent. “It’s for the children—what’s a little money?”

007 shivered, imaginary goosebumps rising.

Xu Nuo poured the expensive spirit liquid she’d just bought onto the eggs. The little creatures inside instantly perked up, pushing at the cracks until the shells crumbled away.

Two little things emerged—one black, one white, both stubby and plump.

“Hiss… hiss…”

They flicked their crimson tongues, lively and carefree.

They were two snakes, each no thicker than a finger, barely over ten centimeters long—visually short and fat, one glossy black, the other almost chubby in its whiteness.

After watching the whole process, Xu Nuo blurted out, “That’s it?”

Violet-grade spirit beasts, and this was their grand entrance? Not only was their debut plain, their appearance and demeanor were equally unimpressive. How were these any different from ordinary snakes hatching?

007’s tone grew urgent. “Host, you need to leave now!”

“What’s wrong?” Xu Nuo asked, scooping up both little creatures and bolting off with impressive speed.

Before the system could reply, a thunderous rumble answered for it—an earthquake shook the cave, and Xu Nuo darted nimbly through the falling rocks, her moves agile but a bit disheveled.

“What’s going on?” she demanded.

“Dear host, you’ve triggered a dungeon that was meant to be unlocked by your love interest,” 007 reported.

It projected the relevant plot info before her eyes.

Xu Nuo scanned it quickly. “Wait, a Nascent Soul powerhouse is stationed here? And I just stole his spirit pets?”

In the original plot, Lu Ciyuan’s cultivation was already at Nascent Soul level. Challenging higher ranks was par for the overpowered male lead; he fought this mysterious cultivator to a draw, was gravely wounded, and just then, the two spirit beasts hatched and transformed into beautiful women who nursed him back to health…

Xu Nuo frowned. “Hold on, Xiao Qizi, isn’t this supposed to be a one-on-one romance game? What’s with these two spirit beast beauties?”

007 realized something was off. “Sorry, wrong data—this isn’t part of this game’s setting. Purely accidental!”

Xu Nuo just chuckled. “We’ll talk this over when I get out.”

“Trying to leave?”

At that moment, a voice like ice cracking across a snowy mountain resounded, impossible to place—coming from everywhere and right beside her at once. The chill seeped into her very soul, making her shudder uncontrollably.

Xu Nuo was instantly drained of all strength, unable to resist. She gasped—this Nascent Soul cultivator was truly terrifying.

“Xiao Qizi, can I restart?” she whispered.

“You can,” 007 replied, “but you’ll lose all the equipment you’ve obtained, including everything you bought from the shop.”

What a rip-off game.

Xu Nuo cursed under her breath, then said, “Forget it, I’m not restarting.”

007 felt a twinge of pity for its host. In the original, this cold, ruthless cultivator had tormented Lu Ciyuan to the brink of death—and Lu Ciyuan had been Nascent Soul level and famously resilient.

As for the host… 007 braced itself for a reset.

“I won’t kill you,” the voice suddenly declared.

Xu Nuo felt the suffocating chill vanish instantly. She looked up and caught a glimpse of a white robe’s hem.

“One stick of incense. Leave the spirit snakes and depart.”

The tone was icy, inhuman, but the voice itself was hauntingly beautiful. From her years of gaming, Xu Nuo was sure—this was definitely a handsome man!

007 was just relieved its host had survived, but then noticed she showed no signs of leaving. “Host, aren’t you going?”

Xu Nuo dusted off her clothes at a leisurely pace. “Xiao Qizi, do you have any data on this Nascent Soul cultivator? Preferably with pictures.”

007 grew wary. “Host, what are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” Xu Nuo replied breezily. “I'm just curious about him.”

No, based on everything 007 had seen in the last world, this was definitely the host’s instinct to stir up trouble.

007 said seriously, “This character isn’t unlocked yet. Please focus on your own Lu Ciyuan.”

Xu Nuo grumbled, “For a romance game, having only one eligible male lead is unreasonable.”

007 thought: You had so much fun in the last world, I thought you didn’t care about pursuing the targets at all.