Chapter 2: Out of My League

The house could speak.

To everyone present, this was an obvious sign that it had developed a consciousness.

A house with consciousness was no longer just a house—it was a spirit artifact, and one of considerable grade at that!

How could an ordinary person, without a trace of cultivation, possibly be the master of such a spirit artifact?

He had to be killed!

If they offered the spirit artifact to the young master, they’d surely be rewarded handsomely!

None of them even considered keeping it for themselves. They were only Qi Refining cultivators, and they understood all too well the danger of possessing treasures beyond their means. With their meager cultivation, they couldn't possibly protect a spirit artifact.

So, it was best to hand it over and claim the reward.

In an instant, murderous intent surged in the hearts of the Long family's guards.

Luo Xingchen frowned slightly and said, "I'd consider it a stain on my hands to kill you with a single slap. Leave now, while I'm still in a decent mood!"

"Hey, kid, you’ve got some nerve!"

"A mere mortal—seeing cultivators like us and not showing respect is one thing, but to spout such arrogance? We have no choice but to kill you!"

As the words rang out, one of them surged forward with spiritual energy, brandishing his blade at Luo Xingchen.

But Luo Xingchen didn’t even spare him a glance. He walked straight toward the front door.

"Xiao Buliu, deal with them."

His words were plain, almost indifferent.

"Still playing tricks at death’s door, are you?" sneered the attacker, picturing in his mind the image of Luo Xingchen’s severed head and a gaping wound spraying blood.

But in the very next instant, the scene froze.

To be precise, the one attacking Luo Xingchen was frozen in place, as if struck by a petrification spell.

A long, thick pillar of white light shot from his chest, piercing right through him.

His consciousness faded, until it vanished entirely.

The beam dimmed, then disappeared.

With a heavy thud, his corpse crashed to the ground.

A large, gaping wound in his chest gushed blood, quickly pooling beneath him.

Yet no one paid attention to his corpse; all eyes were fixed in terror on the roof.

The pillar of white light had just shot from one of the thick, black columns atop the house.

As they stared in shock, another beam lanced out, piercing through another body.

The light faded; the corpse fell.

One by one, they were picked off.

In the blink of an eye, only the leader of the Long family’s guards remained.

He was terrified out of his wits. As the white light began to gather atop the black column once more, he didn’t dare hesitate. He frantically activated his movement technique, trying to flee.

But how could his speed compare to a beam of light? He had barely turned when the light pierced him through, ending his life instantly.

Luo Xingchen had already reached the door. He turned, waved his hand, and the corpses and pools of blood crumbled into dust, carried away by the wind.

As if nothing had ever happened.

Luo Xingchen looked at Tie Pipi and said, "The ones chasing you have been dealt with. Take your cat and go."

Tie Pipi shook her head. "Esteemed master, Xiaomiao and I cannot just leave."

"Why not?" Luo Xingchen looked her up and down, an amused expression growing on his face.

"Are you planning to stay and repay me by serving as a laborer, or perhaps by offering yourself to me, or will you leave it for the next life?"

Tie Pipi paused, then ventured, "How about… the next life, maybe?"

Luo Xingchen grinned.

"Very well then. I’ll just kill you now so you can reincarnate."

Tie Pipi: "( ?◇?)?"

Xiaomiao: "(⊙…⊙)"

"Just a joke. With your youth and personal airfield, you are far above my station."

Luo Xingchen waved his hand dismissively.

"I have things to do soon. You should leave."

"Esteemed master, I actually have something to do right now—I can’t go yet!"

Tie Pipi’s face was earnest as she once again raised the lamb leg.

"Maybe you didn’t hear me before. I said, if you helped Xiaomiao and me, I’d share this delicious lamb leg with you… I’m a person of my word! Of course, if you truly don’t want to eat it, I suppose I’ll have to break my promise."

Luo Xingchen glanced at the simply roasted leg in her hand with a trace of distaste.

"No cumin, no chili powder, no spiced salt… nothing at all, and you call this delicious?"

"Esteemed master, what are cumin, chili powder, and spiced salt? Why do they sound so wonderfully fragrant?"

She didn’t understand a word of what he said, but Tie Pipi still swallowed involuntarily.

"Never mind. Meeting me is your good fortune. I’ll show you what real food tastes like. Come in."

Turning, Luo Xingchen entered the house.

Tie Pipi hurried after him, tugging Xiaomiao along.

Inside, she found a world beyond imagination.

A chair that looked impossibly soft, vast, and long.

Glowing glass, as radiant as luminous pearls.

A square box that displayed moving figures.

Everything was new to Tie Pipi; her eyes darted everywhere, dazzled by novelty.

"Esteemed master, your house is so special! Life here must be wonderful!"

"This is how technology changes life," Luo Xingchen replied, dropping onto the sofa.

Just as Tie Pipi was about to speak, she saw a translucent figure appear beside Luo Xingchen.

It was a young woman in a red dress, her hair long—she seemed a few years older than Tie Pipi.

She smiled sweetly. "Welcome home, Master. Welcome, honored guests~"

Tie Pipi studied the lady in red, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Esteemed master, who is this sister? Why does she look like that? Is she a ghost? Does she eat people?"

As she spoke, a trace of fear appeared on her face, and she involuntarily took a step back.

"My name is Xiao Buliu. I am Master’s intelligent housekeeper," the figure replied.

Luo Xingchen added, "You can think of her as the spirit of this palace."

Comprehension dawned on Tie Pipi. "So she’s the artifact spirit! You must have killed those bad men just now, right?"

Xiao Buliu nodded. "Eliminating threats for Master is my duty."

"Hello, Sister Xiao Buliu! I’m Tie Pipi!" Tie Pipi introduced herself brightly, then pointed at Xiaomiao.

"This one, like you, is called Xiao—Xiaomiao. I found her long ago, and now we’re good friends."

"Hello, Pipi. Hello, Xiaomiao," Xiao Buliu greeted each in turn.

"Master hasn’t brought guests in a long time. Would you like something to drink? There’s tea, coffee, cola, Sprite, milk, milk tea, orange juice, chocolate…"

Xiao Buliu rattled off more than a dozen drinks in one breath.

Tie Pipi’s eyes grew wide.

Aside from tea, she hadn’t heard of any of them.

How could there be so many types of drinks?

What should she choose?

Choosing among things she’d never even heard of was so difficult!

Luo Xingchen decided for her. "Milk tea, with caramel, boba, coconut jelly, and ice. Also, bring a large tray and redo this lamb leg."

"No problem. Please wait a moment~" Xiao Buliu replied, not moving an inch.