Chapter 24: You’re Using This to Test Cadres?

Tianxin Mountain

The Tianxiang Sect’s main base was also equipped with a teleportation array.

No matter where one was, as long as they weren’t in combat, they could instantly teleport back.

Looking at the familiar gatehouse building, Chen Xiaoyan felt a wave of relief, as if she had returned home.

Right, did I forget something?

“Whoosh~” A flash of white light appeared at the teleportation point.

“Xiaoyan sister, why are you running so fast? You didn’t even call me to come along,” Chongchong pouted, looking very displeased.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaoyan clapped her hands, her expression exaggerated: “Ah, I was wondering what I forgot, turns out it’s our adorable Chongchong!”

“Xiaoyan sister, you’re being too perfunctory,” Chongchong said with a pout.

“Eh, really?”

Chen Xiaoyan tilted her head and put on a cute act.

“Xiaoyan sister!!!”

“Haha, alright, alright, my bad. Let’s go hand in our training tasks.”

The two of them headed to Tianxin Pavilion to find Shen Qingqing and submit their training assignments.

“Sister Shen.”

“Sister Shen?”

Chen Xiaoyan searched all around Tianxin Pavilion but saw no sign of Shen Qingqing.

Could she not be in the pavilion?

“I’m in the backyard, come over.”

Suddenly, a gentle voice came from behind Tianxin Pavilion.

Chen Xiaoyan, with Chongchong, followed the voice to the backyard, but the scene that unfolded immediately threw her into panic.

In the backyard was a pond surrounded by several peach blossom trees, the water crystal clear and bottom visible.

The water’s surface was like a mirror, dotted with floating pale pink peach blossoms.

On the stone platform beside the pond, a pink strapless dress and a sheer outer garment were neatly folded and placed.

In the center of the pond, a breathtakingly beautiful woman, clad only in her undergarments, was holding clear water and bathing her snow-white skin.

Her three thousand strands of black hair floated freely on the water’s surface.

“Here?”

Shen Qingqing turned her head and, seeing the two standing stiffly like wooden stakes, smiled faintly.

“What are you standing there for? Come on over.”

“I… I…”

Chen Xiaoyan stammered, blushing deeply and lowering her head, her heart pounding wildly.

Is this sexy scene supposed to be free to watch?

I’m still an innocent young man who can’t handle such a test, Sister Shen.

Ah!!! I’m doomed.

Not daring to look up, she stepped forward timidly with small steps.

“Vice Sect Leader Shen, your skin is so nice,” Chongchong complimented appropriately.

Unlike Chen Xiaoyan, she looked at the scene with nothing but envy.

“You’re Chongchong?”

Shen Qingqing’s gaze shifted to her, giving a quick once-over.

“Yes, Vice Sect Leader Shen.”

“You’re here to submit your training task as well?”

“Yes.”

“Little one, you’re lucky. Come down and soak for a bit.”

“Huh? I can get in and wash too?”

“Of course.”

Chongchong looked at the crystal-clear water with not a trace of impurity, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the refreshing scent of peach blossoms and the invigorating coolness.

She was extremely excited.

There was no such fairyland to experience in reality.

Without hesitation, she took off her strapless dress, revealing the undergarments beneath, and quickly entered the water.

“Wuwu~”

The moment she stepped in, Chongchong felt the water was different from ordinary water; it was soft like jelly when touched.

A chill rushed to her mind, making her shiver involuntarily—very comfortable.

“Xiaoyan sister, you should come in too. It’s really nice.”

Chen Xiaoyan didn’t answer.

It felt like a fire was burning inside her body, making her breathing increasingly rapid.

“Eh, Xiaoyan sister, why are your ears red?”

“Cough cough.”

Hearing Chongchong’s teasing, she coughed a few times and said, “Sister Shen, this disciple is feeling a bit unwell, so I’ll… ah!!!”

Before Chen Xiaoyan could finish her sentence, she suddenly lost control and flew into the pond.

Splash!

“Gurgle, gurgle.”

She hurriedly stood up. The pond wasn’t deep, only reaching waist height.

Shen Qingqing lifted Chen Xiaoyan’s hand, took her pulse, and her brows slightly furrowed.

“It seems your spiritual energy inside is in turmoil. Xiaoyan, what’s wrong?”

“Xiaoyan?”

Seeing Chen Xiaoyan dazed and not responding, Shen Qingqing grew a bit worried and brushed her forehead with the back of her hand.

It was a little hot.

Could it be a fever caused by a cold?

What Shen Qingqing didn’t know was that her approach made things worse.

“Whoosh~”

A flash of white light, and Chen Xiaoyan suddenly vanished from the pond.

“Huh?”

The sudden disappearance stunned Shen Qingqing.

Is this teleportation?

Teleportation is a mark of a powerful cultivator; how could a new disciple like Xiaoyan possibly do this…

Seems like no problem.

Somehow, Shen Qingqing’s spirit platform instantly brightened, and she didn’t think more about it.

“Xiaoyan sister, it’s just taking a bath. Why did you get so scared you logged out of the game?”

Chongchong opened the friend channel and saw Chen Xiaoyan was offline, muttering to herself.

***

Reality

Chen Xiaoyan removed his helmet, holding his left chest, feeling his wildly beating heart, and smiled bitterly.

Never thought the day would come when he’d develop desire for an NPC, and even be scared enough to log out of the game.

Damn, it’s all because this game is way too realistic.

And Chongchong, she even learned to tease me. Next time, I’ll show her.

But…

Recalling the scene at the pond, the faint scent of peach blossoms still seemed to linger in his nose.

“Stop, stop, stop.”

He immediately patted his face, trying to sober up.

Then he asked himself, “Chen Xiaoyan, she’s just an NPC. Isn’t it embarrassing to be like this?”

“Right, Shen Qingqing is just an NPC, a virtual product, not real… not real.”

Thinking this way, Chen Xiaoyan’s inner turmoil eased considerably.

Calm and clear-minded.

Gradually, his mood returned to normal.

He even took a cold shower, then watched half an hour of comedy videos on his phone.

After these actions, he quickly recovered.

“OK, done, time to sleep.”

Just as he was about to sleep, his phone suddenly vibrated.

Could it be the boss adding me as a friend?

Thinking of some extra money, Chen Xiaoyan’s drowsiness vanished immediately, and he hurriedly checked his phone.

Weekend Lazy Bug: Xiaoyan sister, are you okay?

Chongchong?

Ahem! He felt a little disappointed.

Spirit Assassin: I’m fine.

Weekend Lazy Bug: Then why did you log off suddenly?

Spirit Assassin: A bit tired, wanted to log off and sleep.

Weekend Lazy Bug: Really? Xiaoyan sister can’t lie to Chongchong.

Spirit Assassin: Of course it’s true. Otherwise, what else do you think?

Weekend Lazy Bug: Alright, tomorrow I’ll log in and find Vice Sect Leader Shen.

That NPC seems pretty angry that you left without saying goodbye.

Chen Xiaoyan’s face instantly fell.

Going to find her?

Please spare me.

But… if I don’t go, and she’s angry, then my future tasks…

Wait, Shen Qingqing isn’t an NPC, right?

So what if she’s angry?

I’m a respected player.

Why should I care what an NPC thinks?

Tomorrow, I won’t go.

Let’s see what she can do.

Summoning his courage, making a decision, he covered himself with the blanket and closed his eyes to sleep.

Three seconds later,

Chen Xiaoyan opened his eyes and turned over in bed.

Forget it, I’ll go tomorrow after all.