Ding Li glanced sideways and saw Xiao Wenjing snatch the water cup from Lu Qianchuan’s hand. He sat down beside the bed, supporting Ding Li with one arm while bringing the cup to her lips.
Damn it, were you an angel with broken wings in a past life? Huh? A loyal guardian of love?
Damn cannon fodder male lead!
If you hadn’t dragged me into that awful place, into that damned illusion, would I have even used the Lovesickness Lure on you?
Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice Ding Li glared at him furiously. “You better take responsibility for how I ended up like this, you know?”
Ding Li lowered her eyes. In the next moment, she saw her reflection in the water sure enough, her entire head was wrapped in thick bandages, leaving only her eyes exposed.
She closed her eyes in despair, her heart feeling dead, her whole body going limp as she fell back onto the bed.
“Hey!” Xiao Wenjing’s hand supported her back, the water nearly spilling. “Aren’t you going to drink?”
Who has the mood to drink water after being disfigured? Drink it yourself!
Ding Li lay on the bed, eyes closed, coldly addressing the System: “System, come out we need to talk.”
“Do you think your punishment mechanism is fair? No differentiation, punishing without cause. If you hadn’t insisted on altering the plot and creating the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine, would Xiao Wenjing have dragged me into the illusion? If he hadn’t tried to kill me, would I have used the Lovesickness Lure? Is this my fault? Was it my choice to transmigrate into this book? Did you get my consent before dumping me into this damn story? I went from being an outsider to this was this something I wanted? You randomly set some tyrannical rules, treating me like your beast of burden, did you at least pay me?”
The System remained silent for a long while.
“Don’t play dumb,” Ding Li snapped. “I just want to know if there’s any law left in this world! If not, at least give me the regulations. Show me the documents we need to follow protocol.”
Still, the System did not respond.
Ding Li fumed: “System, don’t hide from me! I know you’re there! If you can punish me, then speak! Speak!”
After a long pause, the System finally responded slowly: “If the host does not complete a task within the specified time, corresponding punishment will be applied.”
“Fine.” Ding Li gave up, slumping. “Then go ahead—kill me now. I’ll be killed by Xiao Wenjing in the end anyway. I don’t want to struggle anymore. Give me the satisfaction.”
After a moment, the System continued: “To encourage the host to complete tasks on time, special items usable in key plot events are now issued. Complete the relevant tasks to collect item fragments and claim the full item. Start the related task now!”
Ding Li felt the same despair as someone given an elixir of immortality at the point of death, only to find it was just a Chenpi Pill.
Damn it, System you’re basically Pinduoduo, aren’t you…
Xiao Wenjing stood up from the bed. At that moment, Chu Zilan approached and stood by the bed, looking at Ding Li.
“How are you feeling?”
Others may be ignored, but a beautiful face still deserves attention. Ding Li slowly turned her face toward Chu Zilan and hoarsely said, “It hurts…”
Chu Zilan, as usual, expressionless, made a sound of acknowledgment. “I’ll have someone take you to the spirit spring in the back mountains. It’s suitable for healing. Stay there for a few days and your injuries will recover.”
Is the cultivation world really this simple and crude? Hit by lightning, and a few days in a hot spring fixes everything? Spirit spring holy water—let me see this for myself!
Lu Qianchuan added, “Miss Ding, don’t worry. Your injuries aren’t too severe. It’s just that with low spiritual power and a weak body, it’s inevitable to suffer some strain.” He sighed and muttered, shaking his head: “How could you be so unlucky…”
Hit by lightning?
Heh.
Because I’m unlucky. Because I’m a jinx. Satisfied now? It has nothing to do with you. Absolutely not because I didn’t flirt with you that I got struck. Happy now?
You cold and heartless person, I will never forgive you! Never!
Chu Zilan finished speaking and left, followed by Lu Qianchuan sighing in frustration.
Ding Li stared blankly at the ceiling, lifeless.
Xiao Wenjing was silent for two seconds, then coldly said, “I warn you.”
Warn me about what? Not to reveal what happened in the illusion…
“Not to tell anyone what you saw in the illusion.”
Heh. Ding Li couldn’t help a bitter smile.
Your crush is your business, has nothing to do with me. I have no habit of exposing others’ feelings, nor am I interested in playing matchmaker. I’m just a small, inconspicuous person I don’t understand, but I respect it.
Xiao Wenjing looked at Ding Li’s difficult yet unmasked bitter smile, eyes narrowing slightly.
Ding Li slowly turned her head to watch Chu Zilan and Lu Qianchuan leave.
Xiao Wenjing followed her gaze and coldly said, “There’s no point looking, they’re gone.”
Ding Li said, “Then you leave too.”
“What did you say?” Xiao Wenjing’s gaze sharpened.
Damn, are you deaf or just ignoring me? Ding Li turned her gaze back to him, hoarsely repeating, “You should leave too.”
Xiao Wenjing, furious, stared at Ding Li for a long while before snorting coldly and sweeping away.
Not long after they left, light footsteps approached from outside the door.
The footsteps drew closer, stopping abruptly nearby.
“Whoa!” The newcomer’s voice was crisp and clear, taking a deep breath.
Who’s this guy? You look like you’ve never seen a mummy before!
Ding Li slowly turned to look.
The young man wore a white robe with bound sleeves, hair tied high, features sharp, exuding energy, with bright, clear eyes.
Too bad no matter how radiant he is, he can’t brighten my dark mood.
Ding Li turned her gaze back.
The young man spoke, “I’m Lin Ziyuan. The older sister said you were injured and asked me to bring you to the spirit spring to heal.”
Ding Li remained motionless, silent.
Lin Ziyuan looked slightly troubled, hand on his chin, thinking. “Can you get up now?”
Ding Li’s voice was hoarse: “Do I look like I can move?”
Lin Ziyuan stood by the bed, contemplating. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “Alright, I’ll carry you on my sword to the back mountains. Don’t worry just a day or half a day of soaking and you’ll be fine.”
He then acted swiftly, lifting Ding Li from the bed.
She had to admit he was strong.
Ding Li gritted her teeth in pain. “Can’t you be gentler?”
Lin Ziyuan realized and quickly apologized, struggling slightly as he brought Ding Li outside and flew on his sword to the back mountains.
Ding Li, wrapped in bandages, was placed into the spirit spring. Lin Ziyuan sat on a nearby stone, waiting.
Indeed, the spring worked. After just a couple of hours, the burning pain on her body disappeared.
If this spirit spring could be made into a potion and sold, how much money could be made? Ding Li thought.
Then the book’s story could shift channels. Transmigrated Ding Li could make a fortune by reselling the spirit spring at Cangshan Sect, low cost, high profit, following the “Green mountains and clear waters are gold and silver mountains” ecological philosophy. Soon, she could reach the peak of life.
By now, Ding Li’s throat no longer hurt, her head cleared, and she felt alive again.
Lin Ziyuan sat there quietly, lost in thought. Ding Li’s eyes flicked toward him. “Are your senior sister and senior brother a Dao couple?”