After Transmigrating into a Book as a Cannon Fodder Character, The System Turned out to be Completely Unreliable! - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Attack

“You’re dressed in rags and you stole from me. You’re filthy—what part of that says trustworthy?” Ye Lingxi crossed her arms and said seriously.

Every word hit him like an arrow. Clutching his chest, he said, “You really don’t believe me?”

“Yup.” She picked her nose, clearly showing she didn’t buy a word he said.

Grandpa Lan bit a handkerchief. “So I was wrong to trust you after all.”

Wait—where did that handkerchief come from?

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Seeing that she truly didn’t believe him, he said, “If you don’t trust me, I’ll prove it right now.”

“Huh?” Before Ye Lingxi could react, he touched her forehead—and she immediately passed out.

He entered her spiritual consciousness.

“Didn’t expect it to look like this. Just darkness everywhere.” He walked a few steps and saw the golden humanoid glow. “So this is your spiritual sense? Not bad. But why is it so chaotic?”

He circled around, unsure how to awaken it. Then he channeled a bit of his own spiritual energy into it and suddenly felt something different. “Interesting… very interesting.”

“Truly fascinating.” He stayed inside for a full hour, letting his spiritual sense resonate with hers. Before long, he exited.

Both of them were lying on the ground. The kids poked at their faces. “Are they dead?”

“Don’t say that! How could Grandpa Lan be dead?!”

Just then, Ye Lingxi woke up. She felt power surging through her. She opened her palm, and a golden flame lit up her face. The children curiously leaned in.

“What kind of fire is that? It’s so warm!”

“Big sis, you can make fire?”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Was that supposed to be a compliment? She gave a helpless smile.

“Grandpa Lan?” The kids’ voices made Ye Lingxi glance at the old man she’d just accused of bluffing.

He patted the dust off his clothes.

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Your clothes are already in tatters—what’s the point?

The kids rushed over and hugged him. “Grandpa Lan, we thought you weren’t going to wake up!”

“We were so worried!”

“Sorry for making you worry.” Then all their eyes turned to Ye Lingxi and the fire in her hand.

“Big sis, Grandpa Lan helped you. Can you not take him to the authorities?” The children’s soft voices tugged at her ears.

Hearing that made her feel like the villain. She looked at the flame in her hand, then closed it and stood up.

The kids clung tightly to Grandpa Lan, afraid she might still do something.

Ye Lingxi bowed and cupped her fists. “Thank you, elder, for your help. Please don’t hold a grudge against a junior’s recklessness.”

Seeing she had no intention of turning him in, the kids cheered and danced. “Yay! Grandpa Lan can stay with us!”

Watching their joy, Ye Lingxi couldn’t help but smile too.

Once things calmed down, Grandpa Lan pulled her aside. “Your spiritual sense has just awakened. You need to be extra careful. As for your sword—you’ll have to figure that out on your own.”

Ye Lingxi: Sigh.

Everyone kept saying the same kind of vague advice lately. She picked up her broken sword and pondered: What’s the deal with this sword? Why does everyone say the same thing about it?

“Thank you for your guidance, elder. I’ll remember it.”

He stroked his long beard. “Good, good.” He placed one hand behind his back. “As long as you don’t hold me accountable for earlier, we’re good.” He winked at her.

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Goosebumps. Is everyone in this world this weird?

Speaking of elders—she had told Lan Muxu that the Hundred Spirit Grass came from an old man. And Lan Muxu was obsessed with finding that person.

The kids here also called him Grandpa Lan. Could he be the one she’s looking for?

She glanced at his scruffy appearance. Ugh… probably not. Lan Muxu is so young and elegant. Cultivators care a lot about their looks—there’s no way it’s him.

He flicked something from his nose and asked, “You still need something? You’ve been staring at me—are you admiring me or something?”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Can I take back my thanks? This guy is shameless.

“No, nothing.” She quickly waved her hands.

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” He turned to leave, but Ye Lingxi couldn’t help calling out.

“Wait.”

He turned back. “What is it?”

“I heard the kids call you Grandpa Lan. Is your surname Lan?” she asked cautiously.

He let out an “oh”: “I thought you were asking something serious. I just made that name up. If you don’t want to call me Grandpa Lan, calling me Brother Lan is fine too.” He suddenly leaned in close, making Ye Lingxi feel disgusted.

“You should go,” she said, pushing his face away with her hand.

Grandpa Lan: “So stingy.”

Ye Lingxi: “…”

Seriously? This isn’t about being stingy—it’s about boundaries between men and women!

At his age, he’s still acting like a lecher, throwing himself at any woman he sees.

She couldn’t take it anymore. “I should head back now.”

It was late, and she needed to prepare for tomorrow’s assessment.

“Come visit when you have time.”

Hearing that, Ye Lingxi picked up her pace and muttered, “Move, legs! Run faster!” She left behind only a trail of dust.

Grandpa Lan: “…”

“Grandpa Lan, you’re just letting big sister leave?”

He chuckled. “We’ll meet again.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” He stretched, hands behind his head. “Time for us to sleep too.”

The sky gradually darkened.

Just as Ye Lingxi was about to return to Qingyang Sect, trouble found her.

She ran into a demonic creature.

A mass of black mist surrounded her. She drew her broken sword and cautiously watched the swirling darkness.

As soon as it got close, she blinked away a few steps and slashed at it.

But the mist didn’t disperse—it clung to her blade like glue.

This is bad!

Ye Lingxi hadn’t expected to encounter such a troublesome demon. No matter how she slashed, it wouldn’t disappear—like an immortal cockroach.

The black mist crept closer. No matter which way she ran, it blocked her path.

“Tch.” She slashed again, cutting a gap in the fog and darted through it. But when she looked back, the mist was already reforming and flying toward her.

No matter how fast she ran, it eventually wrapped around her.

“Help!” she screamed to the sky. Just as she was about to be consumed, a streak of blue sword energy blasted the mist off her.

Ye Lingxi blinked, stunned. Before she could react, a figure flew past her. A man grabbed her arm and lifted her into the air.

She looked down—the mist was fusing again. Then she looked up and saw it was Mo Huaishu. She instinctively called out, “Master?”

Mo Huaishu didn’t answer. She just shot her a glare.

Ye Lingxi immediately felt uneasy. That look was terrifying. No matter how many times they met, she was still afraid of her.

But wait… why is she here? And why did she save me?

Mo Huaishu brought her back to Qingyang Sect and casually dropped her to the ground. Ye Lingxi rolled a few times before stopping.

“Ow…” she groaned, rubbing her backside. She looked up and said, “Thank you, Master, for saving me.”

Mo Huaishu’s expression darkened. Her voice was cold as ice. “You snuck out without permission. Do you realize your mistake?”

Ye Lingxi broke into a cold sweat. She found out I snuck out and even came looking for me?

“I… I admit my mistake,” she said, kneeling. No matter what, she couldn’t afford to anger her. That would never end well.

Mo Huaishu snorted. “How’s your preparation for tomorrow’s assessment?”

Why is she asking about that now?

“I snuck out to prepare for the assessment,” Ye Lingxi replied, trying to sound convincing. Like I’d tell her I just wanted to buy snacks. My cravings got the better of me.

“Oh?” Mo Huaishu raised an eyebrow. “So you’re ready? I’ll be watching tomorrow.”

Ye Lingxi was confused. Why is she suddenly asking me this kind of question? She never talks to anyone except Bai Luotang, let alone shows concern.

What’s going on today?

Could it be… she’s after my spiritual power? Planning to use it to extend Bai Luotang’s life? Trading one life for another—it’s not a bad deal, since I’m just cannon fodder anyway.

Sob… cannon fodder has it so rough. No one treats us like real people. You main characters are the worst.

“I won’t let you down, Master,” she said. But after that, there was only silence.

She bit her lip nervously. Did I say something wrong? Is she going to kill me?

Ye Lingxi slowly looked up—only to find no one there.

“Huh? Where’d she go?”

She straightened up and looked around. “Seriously? She left without saying anything?”

Ye Lingxi stood and returned to her dorm. Finally, she could rest. Tomorrow’s the final assessment. I have to pass and survive to the end of the story.

Muttering to herself, she drifted off to sleep.