Just from the sound of her voice, Wen Yuncheng could picture Lin Jinyu’s expression. She was clearly the type who wasn’t good at expressing herself and was easily shy, always showing a cold face to the world, but she always had these moments of sincerity.

“Then I’ll wait for you.” Wen Yuncheng’s eyes curved into crescents, and the tone of her voice couldn’t help but rise with joy and lightness. She said, “I just killed the dragons in Zihua Town and earned a ton of experience. I’m getting ready to kill more dragons.”

“Okay, I’ll go with you,” Lin Jinyu replied quickly. “See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow!” Wen Yuncheng paused for a moment, then quickly made a “mwah” sound at the communication stone. “I miss you a ton, too!”

A smile touched Lin Jinyu’s eyes as she acknowledged it. The two didn’t get overly clingy, and the call ended.

Wen Yuncheng was extremely excited. She pumped the communication stone in her hand fiercely. “Tomorrow! Little Ice Mountain said she’s coming tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow, I’m definitely going to give her a big hug and lots of kisses!” Wen Yuncheng rambled on excitedly, her mind filled with all sorts of thoughts, but her old father let it go in one ear and out the other, indicating he had no interest in this public display of affection.

[That’s about enough.]

[That’s enough.]

[I get it.]

Her old father tried to interrupt several times, but failed.

Finally, when all her skill cooldowns were over, 1947 said impatiently, [Your skills are off cooldown. You should go settle the score with the Huanling commanders!]

Only then did Wen Yuncheng retract her effusive praise for Lin Jinyu and glance at her skill template. Sure enough, the cooldowns were finished. Hmm, for the sake of those ten thousand experience points, let’s go!

However, the moment she went outside, she discovered that the group of Huanling generals had all fled.

“…Senior Chu, why didn’t you try to stop them?” Wen Yuncheng scratched her head. She had been planning a second wave of attacks.

“Seeing that you weren’t coming out, they probably figured your attacks came in waves. They were all desperate to escape. We killed a few of the first-layer Star Emperors, so it wasn’t a total loss.”

Wen Yuncheng wanted to speak but hesitated. The problem was, she didn’t get any experience from the ones they killed! “This-this isn’t a matter of loss or gain! It’s a matter of experience, a matter of dignity, a matter of the Mechanical Overlord’s reputation!”

[That’s enough! Why are you yelling at me?] 1947’s head ached from the noise. If you’re so worked up, why don’t you talk back to Chu Han? You act so well-behaved in front of the Protector, but you take your temper out on your old father? The more 1947 thought about it, the more annoyed it became. It dug up a long-unused suona music recording from its system files and played a tune directly for Wen Yuncheng.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look so pale?” Chu Han saw that Wen Yuncheng’s expression was off, but he couldn’t think of anything he had done wrong. “Is there a problem with that group of Half-Saints?”

Wen Yuncheng waved her hand with difficulty, struggling to overcome the blaring suona music 1947 was playing. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. If they ran, they ran. The monk can run, but the temple can’t. They’ll fall into my hands sooner or later.” And turn into experience points.

“Senior Chu, I’ll rest here for a day. Jinyu is coming to find me tomorrow. After that, we’ll go check out some other strongholds. If things go smoothly, I think… we can try to surround Dragon Island and attack it.”

“Dragon Island? That…” Chu Han frowned. “The Empire can also surround Dragon Island, but attacking it… I’m afraid that’s not possible for now. It will take a lot of effort to resettle and rebuild within the Empire. You’ve temporarily solved the demonic beast problem, but the Empire still needs to take over and completely suppress and bring them under control. Also, the Fu organization is a ticking time bomb. If we attack Dragon Island… the Huanling will definitely not stand by and watch. The Empire will certainly need to leave some Star Emperors behind to guard it. At least two Half-Saints must remain in the Empire.”

“At most, we can dispatch five Half-Saints and a dozen or so Star Emperors. But with that level of strength, it would be very difficult to conquer Dragon Island. You may not know this, but although that Dragon King cannot leave the island, it is also—”

“A Saint-rank.” Wen Yuncheng finished his sentence. She smiled at Chu Han. “Don’t worry, I won’t take any reckless risks. We don’t necessarily have to force our way in. It’s fine even without the help of the Half-Saints, as long as you can provide support and protect me when I escape.” With disguise, replacement, and the Space Shuttle in hand, there was no place in this world Wen Yuncheng couldn’t go. Once she entered Dragon Island, wouldn’t it be like a hungry wolf entering a sheep pen? Even with a sheepdog (the Dragon King) there, she could run the moment it noticed her and slip away the moment it tried to attack. What was she fighting for? Experience points!

Chu Han saw Wen Yuncheng’s eyes shining with extraordinary brightness and how she grew more excited as she spoke. It was clear she already had a plan in mind. He had intended to offer a word of caution, but then he thought about everything Wen Yuncheng had been through over the years and her current cultivation at the first layer of Star Emperor, so he swallowed his words of advice. This was a capable and resourceful young person. The most Chu Han could do was to protect Wen Yuncheng from external and powerful enemies as much as possible while she grew, and to help out when she needed support. As for the rest, it wasn’t really necessary. “Since you’ve already made up your mind, I will discuss it with the Empire. Those Half-Saints also think very highly of you. They believe you will definitely become the new Star Saint and break through the barrier from Emperor to Saint rank. I think they would be more than happy to provide you with support.”

“Is that so? I didn’t realize I was so popular.” Wen Yuncheng scratched her head, a little embarrassed.

“…” Chu Han paused, wanting to say that this was the recognition and high hopes of seniors for a junior. Besides, for Wen Yuncheng to already be a first-layer Star Emperor at such a young age, wasn’t this normal? But the explanation was completely unnecessary; explaining it would only make things more confusing. Protector Chu closed his mouth and changed the subject. “Your ability lacks stamina. After one wave, you have no other options.”

“Jinyu should be able to reach the Emperor rank soon. When that time comes, I’ll act together with her, and I won’t take any risks.” Once the Space Shuttle was built, Wen Yuncheng could take Lin Jinyu with her to escape, so their safety would definitely be guaranteed. After she used up her skills, Lin Jinyu could still fight. Little Ice Mountain definitely wouldn’t mind taking on the Dragon King.

She hoped Number One could finish assembling the Space Shuttle before tomorrow. That way, she could give Lin Jinyu a surprise.

After a brief conversation with the Protector, Wen Yuncheng no longer dwelled on the fact that the Huanling group had retreated from Zihua Town. She figured the Huanling side would probably end their third phase of the invasion early again, and this invasion had been disrupted by her alone. Whether it was defending a town by herself, slaughtering four Emperor-ranks from the Fu organization, or easily butchering six Emperor-rank dragons here, Wen Yuncheng’s combat record could only be described with one word: “terrifying.” Even a Child of the Plane didn’t have hacks like hers.

Even when other Children of the Plane fought above their level, they still had to follow the basic rules! Wen Yuncheng, someone who didn’t belong to the Starry Sky Continent at all, had already transcended the continent’s ranking system. In other words, even if a Saint-rank were to face Wen Yuncheng, if the Saint couldn’t kill her instantly—as long as Wen Yuncheng’s attacks triggered a negative buff, even the Dragon King would be stunned. After all, the cultivators of the Starry Sky Continent had never seen the special effects that came with this kind of template.

Even with the lowest-level launching slide, as long as it could hit an enemy, even the Dragon King would be sent airborne.

Skills were just that domineering and unreasonable.

Host: Wen Yuncheng

Race: Human

Age: 23

Class: Mechanical Overlord

Level: 81

Experience: 44905/137000

Points: 31450

Wen Yuncheng glanced at her panel and sighed inwardly: I probably won’t be able to reach level 82 by my birthday this year.

She wondered if she could rush to level 90 by next year.

Early the next morning, the sky had not yet fully brightened. Wen Yuncheng was still sleeping in her room in the rest area. Number One was still assembling the Space Shuttle, which was mostly complete, with only a few minor parts and details left to finish.

Lin Jinyu arrived at this time. When she landed in the rest area, she saw Protector Chu Han. Having spoken with Wen Yuncheng yesterday, Protector Chu already knew Lin Jinyu was coming, but he hadn’t expected her to arrive so early and in such a hurry.

“Here to find Wen Yuncheng, are you? She’s resting in room 06 in the rest area. …It’s been a while, and you’re already at the third layer of Star Venerate. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared.” Chu Han couldn’t help but sigh as he looked at Lin Jinyu. In the past, Star Emperors and Star Venerates were, if not old men, at least uncles and aunts in their thirties or forties, even the most talented ones. And now? They were being caught up to by juniors in their early twenties. The times really have changed.

“Mm…” Lin Jinyu nodded silently, then looked toward the rest area.

“Go on, go on.” Chu Han waved his hand. For some reason, he suddenly felt a little sour. Hmm, I wonder how my little brats are doing now. Does my wife miss me… Being a Protector really has its downsides. It’s just too busy. When I have time, maybe I can get Lao Mo or Madman Di to hold down the fort here, and I can sneak home for a visit?

Lin Jinyu bowed to Chu Han, then hurried toward the rest area. As she reached the door, she couldn’t help but slow her steps, then gently pushed the door open.

Her eyes met Number One’s.

“Mmm… why are you here so early… it’s not even light out…” Wen Yuncheng mumbled, struggling to roll to the edge of the bed. She held out a hand to Lin Jinyu. “Come here.”

“Squat down a bit.”

Lin Jinyu silently walked around Number One and the spare parts, knelt by the bed, and rested her chin on Wen Yuncheng’s outstretched hand.

“…You’re so cute,” Wen Yuncheng muttered under her breath, poking Lin Jinyu’s cheek with her other hand. “You’ve lost weight.”

“I haven’t. I didn’t encounter any strong demonic beasts,” Lin Jinyu explained in a low voice. Seeing that Wen Yuncheng could barely keep her eyes open, she added softly, “Want to sleep a little longer?”

“You come sleep, too. You must have traveled through the night without sleeping again.” After saying this, Wen Yuncheng remembered that Lin Jinyu often substituted cultivation for sleep. She huffed, then moved her fingers up to touch Lin Jinyu’s eyes. Little Ice Mountain was as soft as ever today; when she went to touch her, Lin Jinyu closed her eyes and let her. “You don’t sleep every day, yet you have no dark circles. Cultivation is really great.”

Long eyelashes brushed against the pads of her fingers. Wen Yuncheng pulled her hand back, rolled over, and patted the bed. “Hurry up!”

“I’ll take a shower first and change my—” clothes…

“Get up here, quick! If you don’t sleep now, the sun will be up! And when the sun’s up, I have to get to work… When we wake up, I have a surprise for you. You’ll definitely like it.” Wen Yuncheng grabbed Lin Jinyu’s hand and pulled her onto the bed. Even though Wen Yuncheng didn’t use much strength, Lin Jinyu was still pulled along. She stumbled for a moment but still took off her outer robe before getting on.

Then, she was embraced by Wen Yuncheng.

What the surprise was wasn’t actually that important.

This moment was already surprising enough.

Lin Jinyu raised her arms to hug Wen Yuncheng, the tips of her ears burning again. She turned her head to gaze at Wen Yuncheng for a while, then her whole body relaxed. Drowsily, she was infected by the sleepiness and drifted off.