Lu Zhanyuan was still immersed in the surprise of checking his newly acquired spatial ring when the familiar prompt of the system echoed loudly through the space.
"Ding! The beginner's gift package has been distributed. Does the host wish to start the transmission now?"
"Transmission countdown: 00:59:26."
"Transmission..."
Lu Zhanyuan was stunned for a moment, then asked excitedly, "System, which world are you taking me to?"
"Ding! The purpose of the Heavens Traveling System is to lead the host across the heavens and allow the host to travel continuously through the myriad worlds."
"Ding! The system detects the host's strong resentment and anger, and is now opening the first world for transmission—the cinematic world of The Return of the Condor Heroes."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for triggering the system task—I am not a scumbag."
"Task content: Marry Li Mochou and treat her wholeheartedly. The task duration is twenty years. After the task is completed, you may return to the System Space."
Hearing this system task, Lu Zhanyuan was filled with excitement. "System, you really understand me. I love this task. I must prove myself—I am not a 'scumbag'!"
"Ding! The transmission countdown begins. Please prepare, 10, 9, 8... 3, 2, 1, begin transmission!"
The moment the countdown ended, a dazzling beam of white light erupted from the huge light screen in the System Space and shone upon Lu Zhanyuan.
Amidst the flashing light, his clothes instantly transformed into a set of white robes, and immediately after, he vanished without a trace, as if he had never appeared in this space.
***
In the sky, countless stars flickered like brilliant gemstones inlaid across the firmament, and the bright moonlight poured like liquid silver over a bustling town.
In an uninhabited corner of this town, a flash of white light suddenly appeared, and Lu Zhanyuan emerged quietly, like an elf traversing time and space.
Using the moonlight, he looked around his surroundings with a mixture of vigilance and curiosity, carefully inspected the clothes gifted by the system, and then slowly walked toward the illuminated area ahead.
Lu Zhanyuan stepped out of the corner, gazing at the brightly lit streets before him and the bustling crowds coming and going.
He could not help but wonder: Where and when is this place exactly?
Thump—thump—thump—
Just then, the crisp and rhythmic sound of a bronze gong came from not far away. Hearing the sound, several people on the street quickly ran toward the direction of the gong.
A newcomer with nowhere to go, Lu Zhanyuan was driven by curiosity and followed the crowd toward the sound of the gong.
"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!
Take a look and see for yourselves!
Those with money, give financial support; those without money, lend your presence!"
"Come on, take a look!"
Lu Zhanyuan looked at the densely packed crowd blocking the way ahead and listened to the loud shouts coming from within.
He squeezed back and forth through the crowd, looking around in an attempt to find a less crowded spot to squeeze in and see how these ancient people performed street arts.
As he looked around, his gaze suddenly locked onto a young woman in blue. Wasn't this none other than his target for this trip, Li Mochou!
Lu Zhanyuan secretly cheered for the system in his heart. He had been worrying about how to find Li Mochou in this unfamiliar place.
To think the system was so considerate that it delivered her right to his side. He thought to himself: "When I watched the show before, that scumbag Lu Zhanyuan managed to win over the innocent Li Mochou with some sweet talk. Why don't I give it a try now!"
Thinking of this, Lu Zhanyuan quickly strode over to Li Mochou, squeezed through the heavy walls of people with her, and arrived at the very front of the crowd.
In the open space ahead, several men were performing martial arts while shouting out to the onlookers.
"This young lady, you look so pretty. Aren't you afraid of danger coming out alone in the middle of the night?" Lu Zhanyuan asked with a smile as he stood beside Li Mochou and started a conversation.
Hearing the voice beside her, Li Mochou turned her head to look at Lu Zhanyuan. Upon seeing his quite handsome features, a surge of favorable impression arose in her heart. Remembering his compliment about her beauty, she flashed him a charming smile.
"Danger?"
Li Mochou lifted her chin proudly and looked at Lu Zhanyuan. "I am a successor of the Ancient Tomb Sect! What kind of danger do you think I would encounter?"
"Oh..."
Lu Zhanyuan feigned surprise. "If you put it that way, young lady, you must actually be a martial arts expert!"
"Of course!" Li Mochou continued to lift her chin proudly toward Lu Zhanyuan.
Pointing at the man swinging a broadsword in the arena, Lu Zhanyuan asked Li Mochou, "Then what do you think of this person's martial arts, young lady?"
"This person's martial arts are mediocre. He only knows these two or three cat-and-dog tricks!" Li Mochou turned her head to look at the man and said with disdain.
"I never expected the young lady's martial arts to be so formidable. I am impressed, truly impressed!
Young lady, meeting here is a matter of fate, and we can be considered acquaintances now! My name is Lu Zhanyuan—Lu as in land, Zhan as in slaughter, and Yuan as in abyss." Lu Zhanyuan let out a soft breath, finally finishing his introduction.
"Young lady, might I ask for your name?"
Li Mochou glanced at Lu Zhanyuan, toward whom she had developed a favorable impression. "Alright, my name is Li Mochou!"
"Li Mochou!"
Lu Zhanyuan repeated softly. "Mochou means 'free from sorrow'. Not only are you beautiful, but your name sounds wonderful too."
Hearing Lu Zhanyuan's praise, Li Mochou laughed happily, and her complexion flushed quite a bit. "Lu Zhanyuan, I didn't expect you to know so much. I didn't even know my name had such a meaning!"
"Mochou, may I call you that?"
"I think you seem like a pretty nice guy, so I'll allow you to call me that!"
"Mochou, do you know what love at first sight means?"
Without waiting for Li Mochou to answer, Lu Zhanyuan stared deeply into her eyes and said slowly:
"Mochou, from the very first moment I saw you, I was deeply captivated by you! I couldn't help myself from walking over to your side!"
Li Mochou looked innocently at Lu Zhanyuan before her. "Really? You're lying. My master told me that all men are liars!"
"Mochou, look into my eyes. What do you see?"
"Your eyes are so nice to look at!"
"Mochou, haven't you noticed? There is only you in my eyes!"
Their gazes met, and a subtle atmosphere spread between them.
"Passersby from the south and the north, heroes and gallants from all walks of life!"
Just then, one of the performers in the arena stepped forward and shouted loudly again.
Startled by the sudden shout, Li Mochou hurriedly pulled her gaze away from Lu Zhanyuan's face, turning her head with a somewhat evasive look.
Lu Zhanyuan did not press any further. He walked over to Li Mochou and stood quietly by her side, preparing to wait until the performance in front of them concluded.
"Today, this brother of mine will humbly demonstrate the renowned Iron Palm Divine Skill for everyone!"
"Clap, clap, clap!"
"Bravo!"
"Wonderful!"
"Great!"
Lu Zhanyuan turned his head and asked Li Mochou, who had regained her composure:
"Mochou, can you tell whether this person actually knows the Iron Palm Divine Skill?"
"I heard my master say that those who have mastered the Iron Palm Divine Skill will have the skin on their palms turn darker, and a very thick layer of calluses will form upon them. Judging from this person's palms, none of these features are present. This guy must be a fraud!"