69 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 69: "Dear Host, the main mission of assisting the investigation has been completed~" the system cheerfully announced to Yan Zhu Guang. This mission had dragged on for quite a while, even longer than the time when Yun Chang Yue killed He Sheng. However, the rewards were exceptionally generous. Not to mention the rewards from the previous series of missions, just the reward from this last one was a windfall on its own. The system teased Yan Zhu Guang, "Guess what the reward is this time?" Yan Zhu Guang, alongside Yun Mi Xue, was on her way to Tian Yu City. Following Gu Chen's instructions to keep up appearances, they had to head to Tian Yu City to cooperate with the elders for further "investigation." Throughout the journey, Yun Mi Xue was still pondering the matter between the Former Sect Leader and Su You Mo Jun. Although she trusted Yan Zhu Guang's reasoning and Gu Chen's evidence, accepting this harsh reality was a different matter, and she needed more time. The Yun family was an affiliate of the Feng Hua Xian Sect, and since childhood, Yun Mi Xue had interactions with the Former Sect Leader and Madam Qian. Before her passing, Yun Mi Xue had also spent a lot of time with Madam Qian. The demeanor of both the Former Sect Leader and Madam Qian was gentle, earning them the care and respect of many disciples in the Feng Hua Xian Sect. Despite the lack of innate talent, their son, Li Guan, received preferential treatment and was promoted beyond the normal limits, with many disciples easing his path and never troubling him. She once admired the deep bond between the Former Sect Leader and Madam Qian; even as Madam Qian's health declined and her appearance aged due to nurturing Li Guan, the Former Sect Leader stayed by her side until she exhausted her life span. Could such a person, after losing his wife, immediately father a daughter with a demonic sect's member? That alone might have been forgivable since Madam Qian had passed, and seeking another partner wasn't inherently wrong, apart from Su You Mo Jun's identity. Yet, did he really aim to seize his daughter's life-saving elixir for his advancement in cultivation? Yun Mi Xue found this hard to accept. Yan Zhu Guang understood Yun Mi Xue's struggle with the collapse of a long-held image, hence, she refrained from disturbing her, believing it'd be best to let the senior sister resolve it in her own mind. Meanwhile, Yan Zhu Guang busied herself with discussing the main mission's outcome with the system. Still playing mysterious, the system had lost a bit of its appeal to Yan Zhu Guang, who simply inquired, "What is it?" The system pouted, "Dear host, you're no fun at all." However, it quickly perked up again, "The reward this time is a training room located within a time fissure! Time fissure, host, isn't that amazing?" "A training room inside a time fissure?" Yan Zhu Guang pondered, "What is that?" The system paused, recalling that its host belonged to this world and might not be aware of such things, which was normal. "It's a space where time doesn't pass. You can enter from this world, train to your heart's content inside, and when you exit, the world outside remains at the same moment when you left." Yan Zhu Guang showed a flicker of interest, "Sounds intriguing. What are the limitations of this training room? Is there spiritual energy inside? Can I comprehend the laws of heaven and earth in there?" "Um..." The system's enthusiasm waned, "No, there's no spiritual energy inside; you'd have to rely on what you bring with you. And since it's a self-contained little world, sensing the path of the heavens should be impossible. Moreover, because it's a temporarily created space, you can only enter once, regardless of how long you stay, but once you exit, the space will close." As it spoke, the system felt increasingly unsure. It seemed this space would be of little use. Even if time stood still, without any resources, it had limited utility... Given the host's discerning standards, she probably wouldn't see much value in this space. Sighing, the system prepared itself to provide another reward for the host. After understanding what the space offered, Yan Zhu Guang wasn't as excited as the system initially hoped. Nevertheless, her mind worked swiftly, conjuring several potential uses for such a space. She asked the system, "You said that time won't change. If my abilities improve in that space and I step back out, will my improvements remain?" "Of course, it wouldn't revert," the system quickly assured, "Otherwise, these training rooms would be entirely useless, wouldn't they? Whatever strength the host achieves inside the space will remain afterward." "Okay." Yan Zhu Guang thought for a moment and inquired further, "Does the bone age change?" "Not at all," the system replied, "Our time fissure training room differs from those that accelerate time; nothing related to time changes. Whatever age you are going in, you stay that age coming out." "Well, that's quite peculiar." From Yan Zhu Guang's perspective, changes in strength are intrinsically linked to the passage of time; power grows steadily, not overnight. So the system's description suggested this training room could decouple the two, halting time while allowing bodily changes to persist? Yan Zhu Guang was rather curious about the underlying principles of this anomaly. The system chuckled, "That's classified, a trade secret. I'm afraid I can't divulge that, besides... I don’t really know the details either." Yan Zhu Guang hadn't anticipated it would. She revealed her real plan, "You know I possess a spirit medication realm, and its essence is a jade pendant." "If I enter the training room, then the realm, leaving the jade behind in the room, can I still ensure time stasis while progressing with my cultivation within the realm?" "Uh..." The system hadn’t considered such circumstances, "In theory, that's feasible." Ah, its host was indeed sharp; why hadn't it ever thought of that? "Very well," Yan Zhu Guang decided, "This training room is somewhat useful. Go ahead and claim the reward." "Understood!" The system promptly procured Yan Zhu Guang's mission reward and then asked, "Shall the host accept the next mission?" After completing the mission to help uncover the Former Sect Leader's death, a new mission appeared, entailing probing the mysteries surrounding Su Qian Er. This task also classified as a main mission. Although there wasn't a numbered suffix now, likely, it would expand into a series upon acceptance. "Indeed, Host," the system noted, "Thus far, you've concluded the ‘Former Sect Leader's Daughter', ‘The Celestial Constitution', and ‘Su You Mo Jun's Daughter' series. Accepting the mission grants three rewards." "This task is actually integrated within the main storyline?" Yan Zhu Guang questioned. "Not exactly," the system scratched its metaphorical head, "Given this is the first emergence of a reincarnator in the world, unlike in previous attempts where her rebirth remained dubious, the higher-ups wish to discern Su Qian Er’s circumstances, spurring the addition of this main mission." "The past completed series count towards bug discovery rewards. Despite its provisional nature, if it's unrelated to the senior sister, there won’t be any penalties for failing this main task." "Thus, the host might as well take it; the rewards are essentially free without any downside." With free rewards at stake, there was no reason to hesitate. Yan Zhu Guang nodded, "Accept it." Upon Yan Zhu Guang's acceptance, the task progressed quickly to step (four), and the system remarked awed, "Wow! Dear host, the rewards include a hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones, five thousand wood spirit stones, and a top-grade defensive spirit artifact coupon." Yan Zhu Guang was rather surprised, "How generous!" "Given it's a potential world bug, one that risks leading to world dissolution, generous rewards are expected." Internally, Yan Zhu Guang pondered, "With that in mind, I feel a bit short-changed." "Uh..." the system struggled to articulate, "Does the host find it lacking? Actually, securing additional rewards from above is an arduous commendation. Bargaining with them might not be so lenient. They... aren’t as approachable as I am." "Don't worry," Yan Zhu Guang softly replied, "I'm not one to exploit the situation and drive up the stakes unjustly." Su Qian Er herself might indeed link back to the senior sister's mystery, so doubting her was natural. Hence, the rewards were merely unexpected bonuses, unworthy of haggling over. The system sighed with relief, realizing Yan Zhu Guang might have been jesting earlier, not anticipating its earnestness, compounding the situation with undue seriousness, "Sorry, dear host, I misunderstood you." "No apology needed. My usual assertiveness must have left an indelible impression on you?" "No, no," the system quickly retracted, "I just had a momentary lapse!" Outside of initial reluctance, the host had been reasonable and agreeable. Plus, when she made something delicious, she never hesitated to share, even using her own points for the system to taste. Truly, the host was admirable. "Alright, I'll stop teasing, hold on to the rewards. I’ll review them later when I have the time." At this point, they were nearing Tian Yu City. "Alright, Host, I'll store it in your inventory," the system replied. Yun Mi Xue had finally settled her mind. Since everything was concluded, there was no need to dwell on the past, which only brought unnecessary troubles. "Are you planning to continue with your training, Zhu Guang?" Yun Mi Xue asked. "Now that this matter is resolved, it shouldn't delay your cultivation any longer. The Sect Leader has been informed about the secret realm. If you decide to leave, the elders won’t suspect anything." Yan Zhu Guang shook her head. "I’d rather stay by Senior Sister’s side." She patted the jade pendant hanging at her waist. "I’ve gained plenty from this trip. Rather than continuing to hone my skills, I need a period of secluded cultivation to consolidate my progress and attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core stage." "Had I known, I wouldn't have agreed to bring you to Tian Yu City. You should’ve stayed back at the sect." Yan Zhu Guang clung to Yun Mi Xue’s arm, "I don’t want to leave Senior Sister. You’ve been away from the sect for three years, and now that we’re finally together, you've been swamped with matters of the Former Sect Leader. Don't you want to spend more time with me?" Yun Mi Xue, feeling a bit overwhelmed, glanced around and sighed, "You mischievous girl, how can you act so spoiled?" "What’s wrong with being spoiled with my Senior Sister?" Yan Zhu Guang leaned her head affectionately on Yun Mi Xue’s shoulder. "It's perfectly justified; who dares make fun of me for it?" Then, she clenched her fist for emphasis, "Anyone who dares to tease me, I’ll beat them up!" Yun Mi Xue couldn't help but break into a smile, "How can you be so shameless? Alright, alright, I’ll give in to you. Just remember not to act thoughtlessly when we meet the elders and senior sisters later; don’t disrupt any important sect business." Yan Zhu Guang was satisfied, "Don’t worry, Senior Sister, when have I ever messed up anything important?" Meanwhile, in the system space, the system covered its face in mock embarrassment, finding the whole scene rather mortifying.