Chapter 13

As the saying goes: “Things will turn into their opposites when they reach the extreme.”

Perhaps life had been too comfortable lately, because when Luo Chu received the invitation to the Immortal Alliance Conference, she froze for a long moment, completely dumbfounded.

[Main Mission Four – Attend the Immortal Alliance Conference, take in the son of heaven, peerlessly handsome, extraordinarily talented, dashing and charismatic, universally adored, flower-blossoming Chosen One Xiao Chen as your disciple, and personally bestow upon him the Kunwu Sword.]

Luo Chu: “…I’m impressed your sesame-seed-sized brain managed to come up with such a long prefix. You could legit compete with Emperor Shunzhi’s honorary title: ‘Emperor of Heaven’s Favor, Establisher of Order, Supreme in Wisdom, Revered in Culture, Illustrious in Martial Prowess, Great in Virtue and Benevolence, Pure in Filial Piety.’”

(T/N: Emperor Shunzi (personal name Fulin, temple name Emperor Shizu of Qing) was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty and notably the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper)

For the past three years, the system had been as silent as death, completely inactive—so quiet that Luo Chu had long forgotten its existence.

Now, this annoying thing had popped up again to assign her a mission, forcing her to confront the fact that she was the villainess of this story.

“Huh? Why did it skip straight to Main Mission Four?”

The orange cat beside her chuckled nervously.

“Heh heh, probably another bug.”

Wuwuwu! It didn’t dare tell her that her precious disciple had used a memory-erasing spell on her.

The Immortal Alliance Conference was where the male lead would rise to fame.

Held once every eight years, the conference drew participants from two main groups:

Rogues and people of martial art world – Those not yet affiliated with any sect could compete for fame or a chance to join an immortal sect.

Disciples of Established Sects – Elite disciples sent to represent their sects, aiming to boost their sect’s prestige and earn the right to enter the Netherworld Ancient Realm for trials and treasures.

The conference consisted of two parts:

1. Free-for-All Melee
At the sound of the drum, cultivators would fight unarmed on a massive platform. Those still standing when the drum stopped advanced to the next round.

2. One-on-One Duels
Winners from the first round would be randomly paired. Victors continued until the top ten were selected, receiving prizes and the right to enter the Netherworld Ancient Realm.

In the novel, the male lead—an outsider—barely scraped through the first round with his agility, only to shock everyone in the second by unleashing his All-Spiritual Root, securing first place. This battle not only won the female lead’s heart but also catapulted him into legendary status, marking the start of his “overpowered, heaven-defying Chosen One journey.”

And for Liu Chengzhi? This was where his tragic life under the original Luo Chu’s abuse began—a loveless existence of suffering.

In the story, the male lead could casually awaken a new root and skyrocket in power.

But over the past two years, Luo Chu had personally watched Liu Chengzhi endure pain, training relentlessly through scorching summers and freezing winters just to stand out as one of the top young cultivators.

This kind of disparity would piss anyone off! They were characters from the same author—why did the male lead get all the best treatment, effortlessly winning everyone’s love, while her disciple, no matter how hard he worked, couldn’t earn a single person’s affection and ended up dying miserably?

Luo Chu leaned back in her bamboo chair, watching her obedient disciple tidy her room, and suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

She wanted this poor child to live—to find happiness with someone he loved.

If only she were the heavens, she’d ensure he was treated well for life.

As if sensing her thoughts, Liu Chengzhi looked up and met her gaze.

He paused, then asked softly, “Master, why are you looking at me like that?”

Snapping out of it, Luo Chu teased, “What, can’t I look at you?”

“Master can look all you want. Does this disciple… meet your approval?”

His fingers, hidden behind his back, clenched so hard they turned white as he cautiously tested the waters.

He didn’t ask if he was “handsome”—just if he was “acceptable.”

“Of course. Everything I raise turns out pleasing to the eye.”

She took a sip of the milk tea he’d brought her.

“To be liked by Master is this face’s greatest honor.”

He walked over, sat by her legs, and rested his head on her lap, smiling contentedly.

“You…” Luo Chu shook her head with a chuckle.

“Such a smooth talker.”

“The Immortal Alliance Conference is in a month. Prepare well, but don’t stress—just do your best.”

“Mn. I’ll listen to Master.”

Liu Chengzhi lowered his eyes, long lashes casting faint shadows.

He gently rubbed the soft fabric of her robes, savoring her presence.

Yes, this was enough.

As long as Master stayed by his side, it was enough.

Those restless thoughts needed to stay buried deep—because Master wouldn’t like them.