A Fellow Earthling and a Rabbit Mask

Ding~

[Hint: You have triggered a hidden task.]

[A Fellow Earthling from Another World – Click to view details]

As Bai Qiuyuan pondered how to rescue the girl lying on the ground, a task notification from the Modifier system appeared before him.

Bai Qiuyuan: “?”

‘A task? But I’ve never triggered any tasks before.’

‘A fellow earthling from another world?…’

‘A fellow earthling? Could it be someone from modern times!?’

After a moment of stunned silence, Bai Qiuyuan immediately checked the task details.

{A Fellow Earthling from Another World, Task Details:

Yang Xueqing, a female from Earth, originally 20 years old, died in an accident and transmigrated into the body of a young lady from a cultivation family in the cultivation world, bearing the same name.

Currently, Yang Xueqing is seventeen years old and is the illegitimate daughter of the Yang family’s former patriarch.

After the former patriarch’s accidental death, Yang Xueqing became ostracized within the family.

Furthermore, due to her poor cultivation talent, she was consistently mocked and suppressed by her peers.

Her only remaining parent, her mother, was driven to suicide and died by hanging.

The transmigrated Yang Xueqing possesses a cultivation system; given enough time, it is conservatively estimated that she could become an Immortal Emperor-level existence in the future.

In the future, once her cultivation becomes powerful, she may hunt down the host.}

Bai Qiuyuan: “…”

‘Orphaned, a transmigrator with a cheat system… a textbook protagonist template, indeed…’

‘Why would she hunt me down? Could it be because of that bump on her head just now?’

‘Although it did sound quite painful…’

‘But surely not cruel enough to hold a grudge against a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like me, even after reaching Immortal Emperor status?’

Bai Qiuyuan then continued reading.

{Because this Modifier system operates at a bug level, if discovered by the other party’s system, it might issue a task to the other party to fix the bug, which would entail eliminating the host.}

{The host needs to avoid the worst outcome.}

Bai Qiuyuan: “…”

‘So you actually know you’re a bug…’

Just as Bai Qiuyuan entertained this thought, the Modifier continued to display information.

{This Modifier system is now permanently bound to the host and cannot be detached for life.}

{Currently, this Modifier has outlined two types of tasks for the host:}

{1. While Yang Xueqing is unconscious, kill her now. If she dies, her system will also disappear.}

{2. Do not kill Yang Xueqing. In the future, you may be hunted down by the system she carries.}

{Task Reward: None (customizable).}

{Task Punishment: None (customizable).}

Bai Qiuyuan: “…”

‘No task punishment… and no task reward…’

‘In other words, the Modifier presented this task merely as a reminder to myself.’

‘Rather than being a genuine task?’

‘Come to think of it, with both rewards and punishments customizable, it almost seems like I’m assigning tasks to myself.’

After saying this, Bai Qiuyuan fell silent for two seconds before speaking.

“You (Modifier) actually possess self-awareness, don’t you?”

The Modifier offered no reply to Bai Qiuyuan.

Bai Qiuyuan: “…”

Just as Bai Qiuyuan pondered whether the Modifier possessed self-awareness, a girl’s voice broke the silence.

“Many thanks for your assistance, Senior.”

“May I ask who Senior is? And why are you at the bottom of this cliff?”

Bai Qiuyuan froze for a moment, then turned to look at Yang Xueqing, who had been lying unconscious behind him.

Having put away his Luminous Pearl earlier to free his hands for the rescue, Bai Qiuyuan had plunged the cliff bottom into gloom.

With a distance still separating them, Bai Qiuyuan could only vaguely discern a figure half-kneeling on the ground in the darkness.

Bai Qiuyuan: ‘[She was playing dead? I almost fell for it…]’

‘That was close; I almost blurted out “Modifier”…’

Bai Qiuyuan: “…”

‘Should I try a modern secret code… like “Quiet Night Thoughts”?’

‘No, if I say it, I’ll expose that I’m also from Earth, which would only arouse unnecessary suspicion and be counterproductive.’

After a brief silence, Bai Qiuyuan spoke.

“Cough, cough. I am merely an ordinary cultivator who entered this secret realm to cultivate. Who are you?”

Hearing this, Yang Xueqing disregarded Bai Qiuyuan’s youthful voice and began to explain.

“I am Yang Xueqing of the Yang family, a Foundation Establishment Stage Two cultivator. I was just forced to this cliff by… a demonic beast, and thus I leaped to save my life.”

“Many thanks, Senior, for saving me.”

Upon hearing her words, Bai Qiuyuan immediately mused inwardly.

‘She paused when mentioning “demonic beast.” It seems it was likely a person who forced her to the cliff.’

‘According to the melodramatic plots of my previous life, it’s probably someone from the Yang family who disliked this young girl from a concubine’s branch, so they sent assassins after her, or perhaps she’s simply too beautiful and attracted jealousy on her journey?’

‘If I hadn’t already known she was from Earth, I might have truly been deceived by her.’

‘It seems she has already adapted to this world.’

Thereupon, Bai Qiuyuan slipped the spatial ring he had retrieved from the immortal abode onto his finger, then once more produced the Luminous Pearl.

Light reappeared at the bottom of the cliff. Yang Xueqing looked up and then saw Bai Qiuyuan seated on a rock.

The owner of that youthful voice, she noticed, was wearing… the mask of a little white rabbit.

Yang Xueqing: “…”

‘A little white rabbit??’

Instantly, Yang Xueqing was plunged into confusion.

More accurately, she saw a small figure wearing a white rabbit mask and clad in feathered robes.

Yang Xueqing gazed at Bai Qiuyuan, falling into deep thought.

‘???’

‘Didn’t a handsome man save me just now? Who is this person? Why do they look so suspicious?’

‘Also, he’s actually using a Luminous Pearl as a lamp?? Is he really that extravagant??’

Bai Qiuyuan: “…”

Considering that in Yang Xueqing’s eyes, his persona was that of a cool and aloof master.

Bai Qiuyuan, wishing to add a touch of mystery, casually pulled a mask from the Modifier and put it on.

However, at this moment, Bai Qiuyuan had no idea that the mask he was wearing… was that of a little white rabbit.

Bai Qiuyuan placed the Luminous Pearl aside, then retrieved some healing pills from his spatial ring and tossed them to Yang Xueqing, speaking as he did so.

“My name is Bai Qiuyuan. Here are some healing pills; take them to treat your injuries.”

“I don’t know how to heal people, so you’ll have to tend to your wounds yourself.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand without looking, aiming it at the Ink Severing Sword stuck in the ground nearby.

Whizz!

In an instant, the Ink Severing Sword burst from the earth and flew into Bai Qiuyuan’s hand!

Bai Qiuyuan then stored the Ink Severing Sword in his spatial ring.

Observing the spatial ring on Bai Qiuyuan’s finger and his recent Foundation Establishment cultivation display, Yang Xueqing gasped sharply.

‘As far as I know, a single spatial ring currently fetches eighty million spirit stones on the market!’

‘Its rarity is comparable to a Dharma Artifact!!’

‘And it’s priceless, virtually unobtainable!’

‘And that display of wielding a sword with spiritual energy just now! It’s clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivation technique!’

‘To be at Foundation Establishment cultivation at such a young age, just like me! Am I really that terrible at cultivation?’

‘But it doesn’t matter, I have a system to boost my cultivation!…’

Yang Xueqing found a flat spot, sat down, and began to treat her injuries, her mind wandering as she tended to her wounds.

‘Could this child be a direct descendant of some prominent family?’

‘Then what is their purpose in approaching me?’

‘…’

‘Sigh… I must be losing my mind. I fell down here myself; why am I suspecting them of ill intent?’

At this thought, Yang Xueqing decided against further wild speculation. She picked up the pill Bai Qiuyuan had given her, consumed it, and immediately began meditating to recover.

Meanwhile, Bai Qiuyuan, feeling bored, looked up towards the cliff top.

Immediately after, Bai Qiuyuan realized something…

If he hadn’t jumped to catch Yang Xueqing just now, she would have fallen precisely from the cliff directly into the pond he had entered not long ago!!

She wouldn’t have died from the fall! Instead, Yang Xueqing might have sunk directly to the bottom of the lake due to the immense inertia, and then, carried by the underwater currents, been led straight to the cave!

Which was precisely where the treasure had been hidden!

Bai Qiuyuan immediately lowered his gaze to Yang Xueqing, a glint of interest in his eyes.

‘So, originally, this fellow earthling would have stumbled directly upon the cave, and then straight to the treasure’s entrance!’

‘Is this the unique luck of a “protagonist”? I searched for ages to find it.’

‘She’s practically a treasure-hunting rat!’

‘What a talent! It would definitely be entertaining to stay by her side!’

Yang Xueqing, who was meditating with closed eyes to heal: “…”

‘Why do I feel a burning gaze constantly scrutinizing me?’

‘It’s like the gaze of a demonic beast observing its prey…’

Feeling uneasy, Yang Xueqing opened her eyes and looked beside her, only to see Bai Qiuyuan pulling out a string of candied hawthorns from his sleeve.

Yang Xueqing: “…???”

‘He actually brought candied hawthorns?!’

‘Having a spatial ring is truly amazing!!’

‘It’s fine, as long as I leave this secret realm alive, I’ll also have a spatial ring after completing my tasks!’ (Sour grapes)

Subsequently, Yang Xueqing stared curiously at Bai Qiuyuan, chuckling inwardly.

‘Surely you’ll take off your mask to eat, right?’

Just as Yang Xueqing entertained this thought, Bai Qiuyuan gripped the part of the rabbit mask below its lips.

Yang Xueqing: “???”

Crunch!

With a gentle squeeze from Bai Qiuyuan, the lower half of the mask instantly shattered, revealing his mouth.

Yang Xueqing: “!!!”

‘Such a maneuver actually exists!’

Bai Qiuyuan simply sat on the rock, leisurely eating his candied hawthorns.

“Why are you staring at me instead of healing?”

“Could it be… you want some too?”

“Then I’ll share a string with you after you’ve healed. Hurry and focus on your recovery.”

Bai Qiuyuan, in high spirits, smiled as he spoke, seeing Yang Xueqing’s unwavering gaze fixed on him.

Yang Xueqing: “…”

Perhaps it was because many people she had encountered since arriving in this world were only looking for trouble.

This was the first time Yang Xueqing had met someone as amiable as Bai Qiuyuan.

Or perhaps it was some inherent connection between fellow earthlings, but Yang Xueqing simply couldn’t bring herself to dislike the person before her.

‘Though a bit strange, they seem to be a good person…’

With this thought, Yang Xueqing allowed a faint, barely perceptible smile to grace her lips, then resumed her meditation and healing.