Playing inventor in a cultivation world

Chapter 114: Rescue Mission (1)

The Inferno Sect was quite far from the Soul Cross Sect, with about a few thousand meters between them. Usually, this would have been a tiring journey, but to a King Stage cultivator like Seraph, it was nothing.

He flew through the air at a low altitude, too fast for anything to witness. As he passed by, he noticed a few spirit beast groups roaming around, reminding him of the upcoming beast tide.

’Sigh, too many things to think about.’

He groaned inwardly, then slowed down his pace as he approached the Inferno Sect. The sect was located right before a dormant volcano, with several grand buildings rising to the sky. Most of them were made of red brick, giving the sect a crimson glow.

Seraph observed the surroundings for a while, then carefully made his way closer.

At the enormous gates, he could see two disciples in guard duty. They appeared relaxed, though. The gates were wide open, and the disciples were chatting carelessly.

"Want to bet how long it takes for our forces to conquer the Soul Cross Sect?" One asked with a cocky grin.

The other, drinking a bottle of booze, burped loudly. "Oh, yeah? Alright! What is your own bet?"

"Heh! Two hours is my bet, and I’m willing to pay you fifty silver spirit crystals if I’m wrong."

"Oh??? You made a big bet, Brother Tun. Hehe, let me bet one hour and a half. If I lose, I’ll also give you fifty silver spirit crystals!"

"Hahaha! You better don’t break your promise."

"Hmph! I should be telling you that!"

Suddenly, the two of them felt a huge wind blow, causing them to cover their face while looking around in confusion. When the wind died down, they were surprised.

"What could have caused that? It’s not usually windy over here."

"Who knows? Pass me the drink, brother. I’m parched."

The two continued to indulge themselves with light talks and jokes, unaware that an intruder had slipped into the sect.

Seraph entered the outer area of the sect and was surprised. It looked like a city, though there were only a few disciples around. Most of them had been taken to war, while those who stayed behind were either too weak or had lingering injuries.

Shaking his head, Seraph slipped into one of the empty houses and soon put on the sect disciple robes.

Then, he covered his hair with a cloth, tying it around his neck with a smile.

He confidently stepped out of the house, greeted a few disciples, then made his way towards the inner area of the sect. He met a few more disciples but decided to ignore them.

Ensuring he didn’t look suspicious, he carried a few materials from a small mining spot and pretended he was going to deliver them somewhere.

After walking for a while, he heard someone calling out to him.

"Hey! Where the hell are you going?!"

Seraph froze and prepared to kill the person if necessary, when they walked over and snatched the materials from his hands.

"This is where we need them, brat. Don’t drink too much booze."

Seraph blinked in surprise, then nodded. "Sorry."

The older man simply snorted and walked away. Seraph quickly escaped before he could call him back or get suspicious. After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the inner area of the sect.

Here, he noticed that there were even fewer disciples, and most of them appeared to be new disciples.

’Then... is the core court empty?’

Walking towards a female disciple that was struggling to pull something from the ground, he helped her pull it out and gave her a smile.

"Sister, I haven’t seen you before, are you new?"

The girl blinked and looked at him suspiciously. However, seeing his smile, she relaxed and answered.

"No, I’m not. Are you?" She smiled back.

"Perhaps." Seraph chuckled and looked away awkwardly.

Seeing him still standing and not moving, the girl narrowed her eyes playfully. "Could it be you need something?"

Seraph stiffened, and he hurriedly shook his head. "O-of course not."

However, the hungry growl of his stomach betrayed him, causing the girl to laugh.

"Come on, you don’t have to be shy. If you’re hungry, come inside and eat. I’m a private chef."

"Eh?" Seraph blinked in surprise, looking hesitant. "Really?"

Instead of answering, the girl took his hand and pulled him inside her house. It was slightly furnished with a few ornaments decorating the room.

At a corner, he could see a pot placed atop the fireplace, with a sweet aroma oozing from it.

Seraph’s nose twitched, and his stomach grumbled in protest again. His face turned red, and he immediately looked away from the food.

The girl laughed and put off the fire, then took a plate and dished the food for him.

Seraph stared at the hot food presented to him, then said in a honest voice. "I really appreciate this. Thank you, sister...?"

"Ariadne. My name is Ariadne." She answered.

Seraph froze, then smiled genuinely. "That... is a nice name."

The girl blinked. "Right? I so much love my name. Hehe, now eat up before your tummy grumbles again."

Under her coaxing words, Seraph began eating. She simply stood and watched him, not saying a word.

This confused Seraph, and he wondered if she had actually poisoned the food.

"Um... why are you looking at me like that?" He asked in an embarrassed tone, as if he was shying away from her gaze.

Ariadne smiled and apologized. "Sorry, I’m just used to watching my younger brother eat. Sigh, it has been many years since I’ve seen him."

She spoke in a melancholic tone, and her words reminded Seraph of his own doting elder sister—Yelena.

’Ah, I miss her...’

Smiling bitterly, he said. "I miss my older sister too. She would always hug me whenever I’m tired or troubled."

Ariadne seemed surprised, then she said to him. "Alright, you should eat up."

Seraph raised a brow, but didn’t complain. As he ate, he observed her expression, then decided to ask.

"I heard that there’s some kind of... dungeon where the sect keeps offenders. Is it true, Big Sister?"

Ariadne was surprised that he asked such a question, and was even more surprised when he addressed her as Big Sister.

Without thinking much if it, she answered him. "Yes, it’s true. Although I haven’t seen it before since it’s in the Core Court, I know it’s there. Disciples who break the rules are often taken there."

"Ohh!" Seraph appeared to be surprised and afraid. "I don’t want to go to such a place."

"It’s okay. You won’t be going there." Ariadne spoke reassuringly and patted his head.

Seraph simply smiled, enjoying the feeling of being petted.

["Hah! A great King Stage cultivator like you, being treated like a dog by this Advanced Stage bitch."]

Inwardly, Seraph frowned. ’Halo? Why are you suddenly being rude?’

["Why can’t I be? After all, she’s a worthless trash without any future! Her meridians have been blocked, so she cannot cultivate again. Hahaha!"]

Halo’s words were derogatory, but Seraph sensed an undertone in them. Hiding his thoughts from the system, he thought to himself.

’Halo is deliberately saying this as a means for me to know there’s something special about her. Unfortunately, I can’t linger here for too long. Tch, this is troublesome.’

Sighing, he ate his last spoon and put down the plate. "Thank you very much, Big Sister."

Ariadne smiled. "You’re welcome, little brother. You’re tired, aren’t you?"

Seraph blinked, then reluctantly nodded. "Somewhat."

"Alright."

Putting on a smile that reminded him of his older sister, Ariadne pulled him towards the bed, and let him lay on it. Then, she climbed beside him and cuddled him like a child.

Patting his head gently, she spoke softly. "There, there. You can sleep now. Put all your thoughts away."

Although she wouldn’t usually do this, Seraph gave her a feeling that she couldn’t explain. Like he was really her younger brother. So, she decided to be like his little sister and cuddle him to sleep.

’Huh... I just said I can’t linger for too long, but she pulls this move.’ Seraph deadpanned, feeling conflicted. If he argued and decided to leave, then he would only be making himself look suspicious.

’Ugh. What do I do?’

As his nose was pressed against her fleshy cleavage, he tried to think of a solution and failed. At least until Halo spoke.

["If you use your superior spiritual energy, you can force her to fall asleep. Then, you can slip away. I can’t believe you don’t know this. Tsk."]

Rolling his eyes, Seraph decided to try this method and hugged her back. She smiled unconsciously and tightened her grip on him.

"Now, go to sleep."

Seraph hummed softly, like he was already sleeping himself. ’You too.’

As he pressed his palm against her back, he channelled spiritual energy into her body, causing her to tremble, then unconsciously relax. Her eyelids turned heavy, and in a few minutes, her breathing had slowed. She was asleep.

Seraph sighed in relief, then slipped out of her arms.