Rhubarb: Am I as Dog as You Think

The dense spiritual energy filled Lie Zhankuang's entire body, a sensation that thrilled him beyond measure.

Continuously circulating his cultivation techniques, Lie Zhankuang sought to break through to the highest realm—the Emperor level.

Time slipped away unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

Throughout these three days, Lie Zhankuang had been absorbing the energy of the Immortal Spirit Fruit, while Chen Chang'an waited patiently, watching silently from the side.

"Senior Da Huang, it's been three days since the young master went down. Why hasn't he returned yet?"

"Could something dangerous have happened?"

With no news of Chen Chang'an for three days, Gu Xian'er's heart was heavy with worry.

"There's nothing I can do. My perception can't reach that far down."

"But you can rest assured—I’ve said it before, there isn’t a soul in this world who can harm Chen Chang'an."

"Let’s just wait a little longer."

Though still uneasy, Gu Xian'er felt somewhat reassured by Da Huang's words.

"Dammit, why is this so difficult?"

After halting his cultivation, Lie Zhankuang couldn’t help but curse aloud.

The energy was abundant, but breaking through the barrier to the Emperor realm was proving far more challenging than he’d anticipated.

"Finished?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"No."

"The energy of the Immortal Spirit Fruit is too immense. There’s no way I can fully absorb it in just three days."

"It’ll take at least a year before I can completely refine this energy."

"This thing truly lives up to its reputation as a supreme treasure—it’s terrifying."

"Even with my cultivation, it’ll take a year."

"If it were anyone else, who knows how long they’d need?"

Though he hadn’t broken through to the Emperor realm, Lie Zhankuang couldn’t help but marvel at the Immortal Spirit Fruit’s extraordinary power.

It was undoubtedly a rare treasure, one in a million.

"Is the energy inside the Immortal Spirit Fruit volatile?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"Surprisingly gentle. Even a child with no cultivation could eat it without any adverse effects."

"Though, for them, it wouldn’t be of much benefit."

"First, they wouldn’t be able to absorb it. Second, over time, the energy would simply go to waste."

"And third… well, I don’t actually know."

If you don’t know, then why even mention it?

"Alright, I’ve been down here for three days. It’s time for me to leave. What about you? Any plans?" Chen Chang'an asked, looking at Lie Zhankuang.

Leaving already?

No matter how one looked at it, this was a reunion of old friends. Lie Zhankuang hadn’t expected Chen Chang'an to depart so soon.

After so many years without seeing anyone, truth be told, Lie Zhankuang was reluctant to let him go.

"You go ahead. I won’t be leaving for now."

"I can’t leave this place anyway, and I don’t particularly want to."

"I’ll use this year to attempt a breakthrough to the Emperor realm."

"Once I succeed, I’ll have the confidence to step out again," Lie Zhankuang said solemnly.

"He’s at the peak of the Emperor realm. Even if you break through, you might not be his match."

"I know. But he wouldn’t dare act recklessly against me either."

"Once I leave, I’ll come find you. We’ll have a proper reunion then."

"Deal."

Chen Chang'an smiled and nodded before leaving the Heavenly Pool under Lie Zhankuang’s reluctant gaze.

When Chen Chang'an emerged from the pool, both Da Huang and Gu Xian'er let out sighs of relief.

Though Da Huang knew Chen Chang'an couldn’t die, he was also aware that the young man’s true strength wasn’t yet sufficient.

If something had happened, his life wouldn’t be in danger, but what if he’d been detained?

"What’s down there?"

"Young master, you’re back!"

Chen Chang'an first gave Gu Xian'er a warm smile before shooting Da Huang a sidelong glance.

"Look at her—she actually cares about me. All you care about is what’s down there."

"Your ancestors are down there."

After saying this, Chen Chang'an paused. Had Lie Zhankuang just gotten the better of Da Huang?

Da Huang, however, was long accustomed to Chen Chang'an’s antics and couldn’t be bothered to retort.

"Just tell me already. What’s down there?"

Chen Chang'an then recounted everything that had happened below.

"That kid Lie Zhankuang actually ended up like this?"

"Serves him right for his youthful arrogance."

"Still, it’s good that he’s alive at least."

"Who would’ve thought there’d be an Immortal Spirit Tree in the Heavenly Pool of Cloud Snow Ridge?"

"This thing… I bet there’s only one in the entire Tai Xuan Realm!"

A treasure like the Immortal Spirit Tree couldn’t possibly be found everywhere. Once one existed, another would never appear.

"Da Huang, want to try an Immortal Spirit Fruit?" Chen Chang'an asked with a grin.

"Something this precious, and you’re giving it to me?"

Da Huang eyed Chen Chang'an suspiciously. Since when was this guy so generous?

"Of course. But you’ll have to do something for me in return—something simple," Chen Chang'an said, still smiling.

"Tch, knew you weren’t that kind. Fine, what do you want me to do?"

"Head to the Northern Domain and deliver an Immortal Spirit Fruit to that kid Chen Yunxuan."

The Northern Domain? Chen Yunxuan?

"You really dote on that boy, don’t you? Even with treasures like this, you still think of him."

"But it’s no trouble. The Northern Domain isn’t too far from here."

"Wait—you’re giving me one first because you’re afraid I’ll eat Chen Yunxuan’s, aren’t you?"

"Chen Chang'an, am I really that much of a dog?"

"You literally are a dog."

"I—"

Da Huang understood Chen Chang'an just as well as Chen Chang'an understood Da Huang.

If Chen Chang'an hadn’t given Da Huang a fruit first and simply sent him off to deliver one, this bastard would’ve eaten it on the way, made up some excuse, and returned to demand another for Chen Yunxuan.

Rather than waste time, Chen Chang'an decided to give him one upfront—it made him look generous too.

"Enough nonsense. Go quickly and come back soon."

"Fine, I’ll be fast."

"Where are you heading next?"

"Once we cross Cloud Snow Ridge, we’ll reach Lanling territory. I might go there first."

"Alright, I’m off then."

"Go."

Since Da Huang was traveling alone this time, his speed would be much faster. The round trip would likely take only a few days.

"Young master, shall we set off for Lanling now?" Gu Xian'er stepped forward and asked.

"Don’t you want an Immortal Spirit Fruit?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.

"I’m merely the young master’s servant. Such a precious item should be reserved for someone more important." Gu Xian'er replied calmly, her expression unreadable.

Chen Chang'an stared at Gu Xian'er for a long moment, until her cheeks flushed slightly, before finally looking away.

"What’s wrong with the young master?"

"Could there be something on my face?"

Her face still tinged pink, Gu Xian'er lowered her head, her mind a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts.

"Take it."

"I’d like to see how much your cultivation improves after consuming the Immortal Spirit Fruit."

"This is an order."

Seeing Gu Xian'er about to refuse, Chen Chang'an cut her off with his final words, forcing her to swallow her protest.

"Thank you, young master."

Gu Xian'er hadn’t expected Chen Chang'an to be so generous. As a mere servant, she never imagined she’d be given such a priceless treasure.

"Take it now."

"Yes!"