While the major factions bustled about gathering resources, what was our protagonist Wu Tong up to? Sunset Forest. The Eye of Ice and Fire.
While the major factions bustled about gathering resources, what was our protagonist Wu Tong up to?
Sunset Forest.The Eye of Ice and Fire.
On a branch about three meters up a banyan tree beside the herb garden, Wu Tong sat leaning against the trunk. His right leg rested on the branch while his left dangled freely, swaying as he feigned sleep with half-lidded eyes.
Though he appeared to be napping, his consciousness was fully immersed in the chat group, idly scrolling through messages.
Shameless: Guys, I need advice. What should I do in this situation?
After resurrecting his grandfather, Zhang Chulan had been helping Zhang Huaiyi walk back when he suddenly ran into Feng Baobao, who had come searching for Zhang Xilin's grave.
Zhang Chulan stared at the disheveled yet undeniably stunning girl before him, her unkempt appearance doing little to hide her beauty and graceful figure.
But his mind was far from admiring her looks—instead, he was sweating bullets.
He knew exactly what meeting Feng Baobao here meant.
As the grim reality of his impending fate dawned on him, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, merging into a single cold drop that trickled down his temple.
'Why is Baobao-jie here? Is today when the plot officially starts?'
Passerby: RIP. Just accept your fate.Truth-Seeker: RIP. Just accept your fate.Dragon King Spits Water: Haha, Zhang Chulan, you're screwed. With Baobao-jie's personality, you're probably gonna take a little trip underground.
Shameless: Seriously? No one's gonna help? We're group friends! Comrades! Bros and sis!'
Truth-Seeker: The problem is, there's not much we can do. We can't cross worlds right now, and your grandpa just got revived. His qi hasn't recovered after the detox, so he can't fight either.Truth-Seeker: Face it, you've got no options. You can't beat Baobao-jie anyway.
Shameless: ...Shameless: So I just have to follow the original plot?
This completely threw a wrench into Zhang Chulan's plans.
Camera Girl: I don't get it. Why is Zhang Chulan panicking over meeting Feng Baobao?Camera Girl: Aren't they friends?
Aboard the Astral Express in the Star Rail world, March 7th scratched her head in confusion as she read the chat.
Sky-Founding Queen: Little March, don't you remember? At the start of the story, Feng Baobao was about to bury Zhang Chulan alive.
Seeing March's innocent confusion reminded He Xi of her own naive past—before that Celestial bastard and his schemes had hardened her.
A flicker of killing intent flashed through her eyes before she shook her head. There'd be time to settle that score later.
For now, she'd enjoy the show. Grinning, He Xi refocused on the chat.
Camera Girl: Ohhh! Hey, Zhang Chulan, maybe check the group shop for something useful?
Shameless: No point. Between the detox potion, revival coin, stealth barrier, and disguise mask, I've already blown most of my points.
Slime King: Stealth barrier and disguise mask? Then why not just ditch Baobao-jie and—
Before Rimuru could finish, Zhang Chulan guessed his suggestion.
Shameless: Won't work. The stealth barrier was used to hide the revival coin's light show. And Baobao-jie tracks people by qi signature—changing my face means nothing. Besides, I gave the mask to Grandpa.Shameless: And there's no way I can outrun her. Once my qi runs out, she'll catch me anyway.
Camera Girl: Then why not try talking to her?
Shameless: ...
Truth-Seeker: Let me explain. Everyone knows Baobao-jie's… unique. Call it a pure heart or just plain stubborn—either way, she's single-minded.Truth-Seeker: You really think she'll listen to Zhang Chulan, her intended victim, when she's dead set on burying him?Truth-Seeker: In the original story, she still tried to bury him even after he begged. If not for Liu Yan Yan's interference, he'd have been six feet under.
...
"Under One Person" World.Back Mountain Path.
Feng Baobao stared at the young man helping an elderly man with kind eyes. The more she looked, the more he resembled her target.
Expressionless, she cut straight to the point: "You… Zhang Chulan?"
As she spoke, she subtly pulled out a shovel from behind her back, eyeing him like a predator. The moment he confirmed, she'd pounce.
"Nope, not me. Wrong guy." Zhang Chulan denied instantly. You're already holding a shovel, lady—you think I'm dumb enough to admit it?
Anyone with half a brain would do the same.
"Yes. You Zhang Chulan." Feng Baobao paused, scrutinized him, then doubled down.
Done talking, she charged, shovel raised.
Zhang Chulan had no choice but to fight back.
Zhang Chulan attacked.
Zhang Chulan got wrecked.
Zhang Chulan got tied up.
Nearby, Zhang Huaiyi watched the scuffle with amusement. His gaze lingered on Feng Baobao, a complex mix of nostalgia, guilt, and sorrow swirling in his eyes.
...
"Wait—what are you doing?!"
Bound and helpless, Zhang Chulan watched Feng Baobao dig a hole with terrifying efficiency. This girl's insane.
Was she really about to bury him alive?
Just as panic set in, Feng Baobao suddenly whipped out her Gangben Zero-One and flung it at him.
Oh crap, she's skipping the burial and going straight for murder?!
Before he could scream—
"RAAAGH!"
A roar erupted behind him. But with a flash of steel, a cleaver embedded itself in the forehead of a reanimated corpse that had crawled from a grave.
The corpse collapsed, but it was only the beginning. More zombies shambled into view.
Feng Baobao didn't hesitate. Cleaver in hand, she charged.
As she got bogged down fighting the horde, Zhang Chulan mentally cheered. Liu Yan Yan, you absolute legend! Perfect timing!
"Grandpa, quick! Untie me—let's bail!"
Zhang Huaiyi, ever the sly old fox, made quick work of the ropes.
"Let's go." He smiled as Zhang Chulan stretched.
"Right. Once we hit Longhu Mountain and sell those techniques, we can cure Great-Uncle Tian."
Golden light enveloped Zhang Chulan as he carried his grandfather downhill, continuing their earlier conversation.
He hadn't hidden the chat group from Zhang Huaiyi—after all, the group had no rules against sharing. Probably because it was "officially sanctioned," given that world consciousnesses were among its creators.
"Mm. I'll talk to Shixiong. If we can heal Jinzhong, he won't mind the Tian Shi Fu techniques being shared."
"Besides, Tian Shi Fu has more than just those. Selling the others might be enough to save him."
Zhang Huaiyi's fists clenched at the thought of Tian Jinzhong's fate in the original story. Rage simmered beneath his calm exterior.
The gratitude and guilt he felt toward Tian Jinzhong, who had suffered so much for his sake, were overwhelming.
If I couldn't protect him back then, and still can't now… then what's the point of this power?
But with Zhang Chulan's newfound advantage, the boy no longer needed his protection.
Which meant it was time to settle some scores.
Quan Xing… acting leader, Gong Qing.
A crimson glint flashed in Zhang Huaiyi's eyes, burning with fury.