40: Chapter 40 Unlock Rewards

“Ah… take me as a disciple? I thought you were going to… ” Fire Qingrou looked panicked, and as she spoke, she realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly shut her mouth.

“You thought I was going to do what?” Zhang Bufan asked teasingly.

“No, nothing.” Fire Qingrou shook her head like a rattle-drum, so embarrassed she wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.

“Alright, I’m talking serious business with you!” Zhang Bufan put away his smile and said sternly, “Fire Qingrou, I am now officially taking you as a disciple on behalf of my Master Li Zhongdao. Are you willing?”

Taking Fire Qingrou as a disciple on behalf of the Old Man was something Zhang Bufan had already planned. It could complete the task and also give the Old Man a naturally gifted disciple, which was a win-win situation.

If the Old Man knew I found him such a disciple after he revived, given that old guy's personality, he'd probably be laughing in his sleep.

Seeing Zhang Bufan's serious expression, Fire Qingrou knelt down without hesitation and said earnestly, “I, Fire Qingrou, am willing to become Li Zhongdao’s disciple. Once a Master, always a father; I will never betray him in this life or any other.”

“Good, good, good. From now on, you are my Master’s second disciple.” Zhang Bufan was excited and quickly helped Fire Qingrou up, smiling, “From now on, you can call me Senior Brother.”

“Senior Brother.” Fire Qingrou called softly, her tone a little shy.

“Good, good, good. Today is a bit rushed, and Senior Brother hasn’t prepared any good gifts. See if there’s anything you like in here.” Zhang Bufan was very happy and poured out all the treasures from his Storage Ring, piling them into a small mountain. He continued, “If there’s nothing you like, it’s alright. Senior Brother will definitely make it up to you in the future.”

Fire Qingrou stared blankly at the mountain of treasures before her.

Ever since Zhang Bufan and Fire Qingrou became Senior Brother and Junior Sister, he felt a sudden connection between them, a very close one.

“Ding, congratulations, Host, for completing the first phase of Task One. Rewards have been issued.” Just then, the System’s voice rang in Zhang Bufan’s mind.

“Fire Junior Sister, Senior Brother suddenly had an epiphany and will return to his room to Cultivate. You can take whatever you like from these things, don’t be shy at all. You can even take all of them.” After speaking, Zhang Bufan didn’t bother with the still-dazed Fire Qingrou and rushed towards his room.

Zhang Bufan had been looking forward to the System’s rewards for a long time, and now that they could finally be revealed, how could he not be excited?

After closing the room door, Zhang Bufan rubbed his hands and said eagerly, “System, open the rewards for me.”

“Host, rewards have been opened.” After the System spoke, a transparent panel appeared in front of Zhang Bufan.

“System, is this reward a Cultivation Technique for the Soul?” Zhang Bufan had thought it would be some powerful Martial Skill, or perhaps a Spiritual Artifact or Magic Treasure, but he didn't expect it to be a Cultivation Technique for the Soul.

“Hmm, isn’t this what you need right now?” The System explained, “Moreover, this Cultivation Technique is very suitable for your personality. After practicing it, it can operate on its own and does not require you to Cultivate diligently.”

“Haha, then isn’t it tailor-made for me?” Zhang Bufan said excitedly.

“Sort of.” The System replied.

This Soul Cultivation Technique is called the [Cosmic Visualization]. Just by its name, you know it’s very powerful.

Zhang Bufan put Baldy down, sat on the futon, and as soon as he began to Cultivate, he immediately became immersed, entering a state of meditation.

“Alas, those pioneers all failed. This kid is also taking a different path. Whether he succeeds or not, it’s the last time.” Just then, the System’s faint voice echoed in the room.

At this moment, Zhang Bufan was deeply immersed in Cultivation, oblivious to the outside world, otherwise he would have been very shocked, how could the System’s voice have resonated externally?

Baldy suddenly heard the sound and looked at Zhang Bufan with a look of surprise and uncertainty.

“Hehe, you little peanut, you and this guy are truly a perfect match…” The System’s voice gradually faded, then completely fell silent.

“Chirp, chirp, chirp!” Baldy chirped softly, his sapphire-like eyes wide open, staring intently at Zhang Bufan, his expression very puzzled.

Huo Family Grand Hall.

Fire Ru Lie sat in the main seat, looking grimly at the Elders below, and angrily said, “You are truly something, to actually side with the Jiang Family. You have disgraced the Old Ancestor.”

“Family Head…” The Second Elder was about to speak, but Fire Ru Lie waved his hand, cutting him off.

“The Grand Elder’s crime is unforgivable, but now that his Cultivation has been abolished, break his legs and throw him out of the Huo Family.” After speaking, Fire Ru Lie coldly swept his gaze over the other Elders and continued, “As for the rest of you, considering your years of contribution to the Huo Family, I will spare your lives. However, your Cultivation resources will be halved for the next three years. Do any of you have any objections?”

“Thank you, Family Head, for your leniency.” The Elders were instantly grateful.

“Alright, you can all leave.” Fire Ru Lie waved his hand.

After everyone left, Fire Ru Lie sighed helplessly. He knew very well what kind of people the Third Elder and the others were—typical fence-sitters. However, now that Elder Huo Tu was crippled, if he were to deal with these Elders as well, the Huo Family would simply fall apart.

“Fortunately, there’s Xiao Rou.” Fire Ru Lie thought of his granddaughter, a knowing smile appearing on his face, and he muttered to himself, “Xiao Rou said that Senior Zhang wanted her to unconditionally agree to a request. I wonder if it will be that kind of request. But it’s also good; with his strength, if he covers us in the future, no one will dare to bully my Huo Family anymore. But what about Tianjian Sect?”

Fire Ru Lie’s brows furrowed tightly as he thought of Tianjian Sect. If Tianjian Sect insisted on avenging Jiang Lili, could Senior Zhang really stop them?

It would probably be difficult.

“Forget it, we’ll take it one step at a time. The Huo Family has already been destroyed once anyway, what else is there to fear?”

Fire Ru Lie stood up and walked towards Zhang Bufan’s courtyard. He wanted to see if his granddaughter and Zhang Bufan had anything going on.

Fire Ru Lie arrived at the courtyard and saw from afar that the courtyard gate was open.

“These young people are too impatient, they don’t even close the door.” Fire Ru Lie chuckled, about to go help close the door.

But when he arrived at the entrance, he saw Fire Qingrou staring blankly in the courtyard, while Senior Zhang was nowhere to be seen.

“Xiao Rou, where is Senior Zhang?” Fire Ru Lie hesitated for a moment, then walked in and asked.

When he reached Fire Qingrou’s side, he saw the large pile of treasures on the ground and was instantly dumbfounded.

“Grandpa, you’re here! Do you think I should choose a Martial Skill or a Spiritual Artifact?” Fire Qingrou saw Fire Ru Lie enter and quickly pulled his arm, asking.

“This, this, this…” Fire Ru Lie didn’t know what to say.

Although the highest grade among the large pile of items in front of him was only fifth-grade at first glance, the sheer quantity was enormous. Fire Ru Lie had never seen so many treasures.

“Forget it, I’ll just pick a long sword.” Fire Qingrou directly picked up a fifth-grade Spiritual Artifact long sword.

“Xiao Rou, where is Senior Zhang?” Fire Ru Lie asked quickly after recovering.

“He’s in the room!”

“You two finished so quickly?” Fire Ru Lie asked softly, “Xiao Rou, um… should we have someone make some soup to nourish Senior Zhang? Hehe, you know what I mean.”