While Torvin was engaged in the grueling, mundane task of planting seeds, another step towards strength and freedom, the ripples of Wu Qingcheng's earlier declaration were already spreading far beyond the confines of Lanyue Palace.
News traveled swiftly through cultivation channels – secret arrays, messenger birds, ancient scrying mirrors. The announcement that Wu Qingcheng, the enigmatic and powerful Palace Master of Lanyue, one of the Five Emperors reigning over the Sifang Continent, was taking a consort sent shockwaves across the land.
Central Plains, Great Qin Imperial Capital, within the Emperor's private study: Ying Cangtian, the reigning Qin Emperor, let the jade slip containing the report clatter from numb fingers onto a stack of state memorials. His gaze became distant, unfocused.
Eastern Lands, Great Thunderclap Monastery, beneath the ancient Bodhi tree: The venerable Abbot Sanzang, deep in meditation, accidentally crushed the prayer beads he had meticulously polished for centuries upon hearing the whispered report from a disciple monk.
Western Regions, Asura Blood Sect Headquarters, within the Bone Throne Hall: Gudili, the seductive and terrifying Sect Matriarch, lounged upon cushions of flayed demon beast hide. A slow, predatory smile spread across her face as the news reached her. "Lanyue's Ice Queen finally thaws? Interesting. Prepare the void ship. We shall attend this… wedding." A low, dangerous chuckle echoed in the hall.
Southern Border, depths of the Serpent Mire, within the Black Witch Cult's hidden altar: Adebayor, his body a writhing canvas of venomous snakes and parasitic insects, threw back his head and laughed, a sound like grinding stones. "Married? Kek, finally! One opportunity… at long last! Hahahaha!" His form dissolved into a swarm of noxious insects, vanishing into the swamp's depths.
The intentions varied – political consideration, ancient rivalry, opportunistic scheming, pure curiosity – but the result was the same: the eyes of the continent's most powerful figures were now turning towards the remote Northern Wilderness and the unprecedented event unfolding within Lanyue Palace.
Meanwhile, utterly oblivious to the continental stir he had inadvertently caused…
[External Task: Completed (Plant designated spirit herb seeds according to regional specifications). Time Elapsed: 2.2 days.]
"Ugh… finally," Torvin gasped, collapsing onto the edge of the freshly planted spirit field. He lay sprawled in a '大' shape, chest heaving, muscles screaming from two solid days of meticulous planting.
'Task complete. Reward…? Ah, right. This system of mine doesn't grant rewards. Just logs completion.' He reminded himself, suppressing a flicker of disappointment born from old habits consuming fiction.
"Finished already? Remarkable diligence, Young Friend Li."
Bai Ji materialized nearby – not appearing from behind this time as Torvin merely grunted, too exhausted for conversation.
Bai Ji strolled along the edge of the newly planted fields, inspecting the work. Then, his gaze snagged on something just beyond the designated plots. He walked over, peering at a patch of disturbed earth littered with chewed stalks and missing… leaves? His expression shifted from confusion to dawning horror.
"These… these markings… where did you eat last night?" Bai Ji's voice was dangerously quiet.
Torvin, with eyelids drooping, gestured vaguely towards a small, adjacent hillock obscured by mist. "Needed energy. Found some leafy greens… over there. Quite nutritious, even if bland."
Bai Ji vanished in a blur of motion. A moment later, a strangled roar of pure, unadulterated anguish echoed from behind the hillock.
It was – or rather, had been – Bai Ji's private cultivation patch. Decades of effort nurturing rare, almost mature spirit herbs: Thousand-Year Ginseng Root, Nine-Leaf Ganoderma, Soul stabilizing Cordyceps, even a budding Tianshan Snow Lotus. Herbs meticulously cultivated for specific alchemical purposes, vital for refining pills crucial for the Spirit Herb Peak's contribution to the Palace. Now… ravaged. Eaten raw like common weeds by someone with no concept of their value or purpose. Wasted! Decades of work! Devoured by an ignorant… consort!
Torvin, oblivious, drifted into exhausted sleep, faint snores escaping him.
Bai Ji reappeared, trembling, his face pale, eyes burning with a mixture of fury and utter despair. He looked down at Torvin's sleeping form, saliva dried at the corner of his mouth. The urge to stomp, to pulverize, was almost overwhelming. But Wu Qingcheng's mandate stayed his hand. His face… must remain presentable for the wedding. Tarnishing Palace reputation… unacceptable. The irony was crushing. Bai Ji, Peak Lord, cultivator of rare herbs, forced to endure this desecration without recourse. He swallowed his rage, the bitterness a physical ache. o(╥﹏╥)o
The next morning, Torvin awoke feeling… better. Less drained than the previous day as Viltrumite physiology kicked in. He sat up, stretching stiff muscles. Then he saw Bai Ji sitting cross-legged five meters away, meditating, though his aura felt… strained.
Torvin squinted. 'He guarded me all night? Strange...' A flicker of something akin to appreciation surfaced, quickly suppressed. But why does he look like he wants to commit murder? Puzzling.
"Good morning, Elder Bai!" Torvin called out cheerfully, feeling comparatively refreshed.
Bai Ji opened his eyes, the gaze he turned on Torvin distinctly lacking warmth. "Morning? The sun has been up for an hour. And it is Martial Uncle Bai."
Torvin ignored the correction. "Provisions, Elder Bai? The… greens… from yesterday filled the void, but offered little satisfaction." He patted his stomach, which was already rumbling again.
'Greens?' Bai Ji's face twitched violently. "Those were not greens!" he bit out, struggling for control. "Those were decades of painstakingly cultivated Tier-4 Spirit Herbs!"
"Ah," Torvin blinked. "Explains the nutritional density. Still bland, though."
Bai Ji choked, clutching his chest. He needed to leave. Now. Before he did something regrettable. "No tasks today!" he snapped, rising abruptly. "Find your own occupation!"
"Wait, Elder— Martial Uncle Bai," Torvin called after his rapidly retreating back. "What about access to the Gravity Crag?"
"Inquire with the Palace Master!" Bai Ji's voice echoed back, filled with frustration, before he vanished towards the upper peaks, needing solitude to process his grief.
"Hmph." Torvin muttered. He pulled a bland, energy-rich ration bar from a spatial ring Bai Ji had provided with the disciple robes and began chewing thoughtfully. 'Tasks completed here. Next logical step: broader reconnaissance. Locate training facilities. Assess other disciples. Gather information.'
He returned to his wing in Embracing Moon Palace, washed quickly, and donned the clean Outer Disciple robes. Stepping outside, he considered his transport options. Walking was inefficient for covering large distances within the Palace grounds while flying remained out of the options as the drawbacks of the Overdrive Protocol still lingered.
Even flying swords required Qi, which Torvin did not have any control over yet, so that left… walking. Or finding someone willing to give him a ride.
He started walking towards the central areas, intending to head towards the location Bai Ji had vaguely indicated as the "Trading Peak" – likely a hub for mission postings and disciple interaction. Along the way, cultivators on swords and beasts zipped past. Many paused or slowed, staring openly at him – the infamous, talentless Consort-to-be who had somehow battered the Grand Elder. His notoriety, it seemed, preceded him.
He needed directions. Spotting a burly disciple with a thick beard nearby, Torvin hailed him. "Disciple, a moment."
The burly disciple startled, then quickly bowed, his voice booming. "Disciple Zhang Xiaofei greets the Esteemed Consort!"
Torvin winced internally at the volume. "Xiaofei… yes. Lower your voice slightly. I require directions to the mission posting area. The Trading Peak, I believe?" He kept his request simple, direct.
"Yes, Esteemed Consort! The Mission Hall is on Trading Peak! This disciple is heading there now! Shall we travel together?!" Zhang Xiaofei beamed, seemingly thrilled by the interaction.
"Excellent. Lead the—"
Before Torvin could finish, Zhang Xiaofei hopped onto his flying sword and shot off like a cannonball, yelling back, "Follow me, Esteemed Consort!!"
Torvin stared at the rapidly receding figure. "...way." He finished lamely. 'Right...' He sighed. Looks like it was walking after all.
'Note to self: Make walking mandatory for everyone within the palace grounds upon achieving sufficient authority.'