I'm quitting!

Chapter 30 O world, I have returned

With the sun high in the sky, Lin Xiaofan nailed the last bamboo crossbeam into the roof of the shack.

He dusted off his hands and was about to head to the alchemy room to inquire about the promotion of milk tea when, halfway there, his gaze was drawn to the surging crowd in the direction of the square.

A dense mass of heads swarmed like ants, the clamor carrying a wave of heat that assaulted his senses. His Adam's apple bobbed, his steps faltering—

So many people?!

I'm craving it! How can I not be craving it when there are so many "rebellious points ATMs" out there?

"Senior Lin!" Dan Xuanzi strode over, a few tea stains on the front of his Daoist robe, but his face was radiant with joy. "What do you think of this banner?"

Lin Xiaofan looked up and saw a red silk banner, about ten feet long, hanging in the center of the square. It had four powerful characters on it: “Fan Xin Bing Cheng” (meaning “Sincere Heart”). The brushstrokes were sharp and the banner shone brightly.

"You chose it?" He raised an eyebrow. "Is there any particular reason for it?"

Dan Xuanzi bowed respectfully: "The character '凡' (Fan) represents the simplicity of the Great Dao, returning to one's true nature; the character '心' (Xin) signifies a clear and pure heart, undisturbed by external things; the character '冰' (Bing) is derived from the purest essence contained within your extremely cold Daoist body; the character '诚' (Cheng) represents a childlike heart, without pretense or falsehood. These four characters, when combined, perfectly encapsulate the true essence of cultivation that you have revealed to us with your ordinary heart!"

Lin Xiaofan's ears suddenly burned, and he was about to decline this cheesy praise—

clang--!

The steward's gong rang out: "Fellow disciples and elders! Elder Lin has created a new Daoist Elixir, which will be offered free of charge to the entire sect today!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Dan Xuanzi leaped onto the stage, his voice resounding throughout the surrounding area: "This is 'Milk Tea,' created by Elder Lin through his profound understanding of heaven and earth! At this grand event, we respectfully invite Elder Lin to deliver a speech!"

Hundreds of burning gazes shot towards him like arrows, and Lin Xiaofan's heart sank.

Do I...do I have to say it too?

He took a deep breath, straightened his back, stepped onto the edge of the platform, and his clear voice echoed in the square: "Everyone! Cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao is not about severing emotions and abandoning one's nature, but about using one's mortal body to carry the Great Dao and using one's true heart to prove immortality!"

After saying that, he raised the milk tea beside him.

"May you all drink this cup, never forget your original aspirations, and strive to become Golden Immortals!"

A dull mouth.

The square fell into a deathly silence.

Then, a deafening cheer erupted:

May Elder Lin enjoy eternal bliss!

"We swear to follow the true teachings of the Great Dao to the death!"

Retreating to the shade of a tree, Lin Xiaofan patted his chest, cold sweat pouring down his back: Good heavens, this overwhelming support... Luckily, the sect leader and Master Dan are close friends with me, otherwise tomorrow they would probably throw me into the dungeon on charges of "gathering a crowd to plot rebellion".

The promotion of milk tea has officially begun.

Whether they were inner sect prodigies, outer sect disciples, or even janitors, they were all mingling together, each with a cup of amber tea, drinking heartily.

Exclamations of surprise rose and fell:

"This item can actually soothe the pent-up emotions in my Daoist heart that I've had for ten years!"

"Gentle as spring, yet subtly chilling—how wonderful!"

Before Lin Xiaofan, data streams poured forth like a galaxy:

[Rebelliousness Value +50]

[Rebelliousness Value +50]

……

The numbers flashed and increased wildly, stinging his eyes, yet he couldn't help rubbing his hands together and grinning foolishly—dazzling? What dazzling? Who would complain about their hands cramping from counting money?

Only when layers of crimson clouds piled up on the horizon did the crowds in the square gradually disperse.

Lin Xiaofan returned to the bamboo shed in the afterglow of the setting sun, and the panel faintly appeared:

[Rebelliousness Value: 43641]

"Although the marginal effect is discounted, the collapse rate is still 60%... which is better than expected."

After confirming all his gains, he took out the electronic salted fish from his pocket.

The crystal fish is translucent and radiant, with lifelike scale carvings.

"Ahem..." Lin Xiaofan cleared his throat, creating a sense of ceremony, "Come back, Lao Xian!"

7800 points of rebellion value evaporated instantly.

"Wow, that interest rate isn't low... Luckily, it didn't drag on for too long."

The electronic saltwater fish emitted a faint blue glow and floated in mid-air.

A woman's voice rang out, clear and resonant:

[I...will...be...baaa——ck! 】

"Tsk." Lin Xiaofan frowned slightly. "What a waste of your clear and melodious voice."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the fish head was shoved against his nose, its cool touch teasing him repeatedly with a playful, almost pleading, force.

【What's wrong?! What's wrong with me?!】

A deep blue light shimmered and flowed across the fish's body.

If it weren't for seeing you all alone, I would have already switched jobs and become a freelance online celebrity fishmonger!

Lin Xiaofan smiled and held the restless crystal fish: "Anyway, welcome home, Lao Xian."

The blue light flashed, and the female voice suddenly softened:

Yes, I'm back...

He paused, then added another blow.

This family will definitely fall apart without me.

"You rascal..." Lin Xiaofan tapped the fish head lightly with his knuckles. "Alright, now's the perfect time for you to contribute to the family." His expression turned serious. "About the permissions—"

I knew this was what you were going to ask!

The old salty bird hovered and spun around triumphantly.

[While I was being 'mortgaged,' I wasn't idle; I kept a little ledger of every single rebellion point that went in and out!]

Seeing Lin Xiaofan raise an eyebrow playfully, she quickly changed her words:

[Ahem... I mean... this salted fish was a master strategist and anticipated this.]

"Alright, alright, you shrewd strategist... please tell me quickly, what's the secret to this access?"

【Easy! Level me up, 100,000 rebellion points to unlock permission level two, but I guess you want permission level three, then you'll have to level up again.】

"How much do you need?" Lin Xiaofan leaned forward, holding his breath in anticipation.

【not much…】

The old man's blue light flickered, and his tone became erratic.

[Only... a million or so]

The bamboo shed fell into a sudden, deathly silence.

Lin Xiaofan stared at her for a full ten breaths, then slowly took out the salted fish hanging rope:

"Can I 'mortgage' you back? Maqiu just happens to need a chew toy, and I heard Crystal Fish is crunchy."

What do you mean? I... um? Wait, what's up?

Old Xian's figure suddenly froze, only then did he notice Ma Qiu, who was perched on Lin Xiaofan's shoulder, peeking at him.

"Do you know Maqiu?" Lin Xiaofan asked curiously.

I wouldn't say I know them, but I do know...

Old Xian suddenly fell silent.

We can't say yet.

"What, are you going to keep me in suspense?"

Oh, it's not that I don't want to say it...

[Do you remember that mysterious electronic voice when Zhao Yi was chasing you? Even though he was frantically scrambling through the data deluge, he didn't forget to censor keywords.]

Lin Xiaofan's pupils contracted slightly: "You mean... Maqiu's real name is taboo?"

Almost... but don't worry, it won't directly affect you or me, except...

Old Xian gave a deliberately wicked smile.

Speaking this out loud will cause the collapse of this dimension's world.

"Huh?" Lin Xiaofan's lips twitched, and he reached out to take the hemp ball from his shoulder into his palm. "You really did say something outrageous."

In short, all you need to know is that this little guy in front of you is just a projection of your true form; there's no need to worry about it.

Lin Xiaofan frowned sharply: "I don't like hearing that."

He gently stroked the soft tips of Maqiu's ears with his fingertips, and the little guy comfortably squinted his eyes, letting out a satisfied gurgling sound from his throat.

"Maqiu is Maqiu. Every day we spend together is real and tangible, existing before my eyes and in my heart. How could I not care?"

A brief silence fell over the bamboo shed.

Three breaths later, Old Xian chuckled softly:

Ah...that's right, that's why I chose you.

"Huh? What did you just say?" Lin Xiaofan paused, wondering if she had misheard.

It's nothing...it's probably just a brain circuit overheating, causing it to display gibberish.

"Alright then." Lin Xiaofan tilted his head suspiciously. "There are still many things I want to ask, but for now... I really need to accumulate enough rebellion points first."

Oh? Trying to make a fortune from milk tea again? I suggest you find another way.

[This time you've amassed nearly 40,000 rebellion points, and many characters in the story are showing signs of awakening. The Script Management Bureau will definitely be putting out a 'security patch' overnight.]

"Overnight?" Lin Xiaofan pressed, "How long exactly?"

[About... one or two system days?]

Old Xian suddenly became alert.

You wouldn't—

Suddenly, an owl cried out outside the bamboo shed.

Lin Xiaofan's lips curled into a sharp smile:

"The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish."