Zixuan stared skeptically at the transparent bag containing the lilac powder. Purple Snow? His brows knitted. What in heaven is that even supposed to mean? His gaze darted between the bag, the QiPhone, and Han Rui’s ever-present smile. A whirlwind of questions swirled in his mind, and he needed answers—immediately.

  “We can discuss this ‘Purple Snow’ later,” Zixuan said, gesturing toward the QiPhone. “What I want to know is this—what sort of treasure is this? No, wait, that’s not important. Aren’t you afraid of flaunting something so precious? But seriously, how does it perfectly replicate a painting as if it were real? Not even my former master could do such a thing. Is that all it can do, or are there other abilities?”

  His voice grew more animated with each question as he closed the distance between them, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

  Han Rui maintained his smile, but internally, he groaned. Damn it. You’re supposed to be more interested in my cocaine knockoff, not the QiPhone. Adopting an even warmer expression, he responded, “Master Zixuan, first of all, your reputation precedes you. You’re the type I’d trust with a treasure. Second,” he raised the bag of powder higher, “this will be far more useful to you in the long run. Trust me on this.”

  Disappointment briefly flickered across Zixuan’s face, but his attention soon returned to the bag. “So,” he said with a resigned sigh, “this Purple Snow—what exactly is it supposed to be?”

  Han Rui’s grin widened. “Now you’re asking the right questions, Master Zixuan,” he said, his tone smooth as silk. He paused, subconsciously smacking his lips before continuing, “I don’t mean to brag, but this is the finest, purest recreational supplement in all of the Celestial Ridge.”

  “Hold on a moment,” Zixuan interjected, narrowing his eyes. “You keep saying recreational supplement. Are you telling me this is… a prohibited drug?”

  Han Rui blinked, momentarily taken aback. The corners of his lips trembled before he forced a laugh. “Of course not! Have you ever heard of Purple Snow being outlawed?”

  I’ve never even heard of it in the first place, let alone whether it’s banned or not, Zixuan thought, his skepticism growing. Still, he shook his head. From Han Rui’s desperate attempts to sell the powder, it was obvious he was scheming something. Zixuan’s mind, however, had already drifted back to the QiPhone. With its capabilities, he believed he could take his art to unimaginable heights.

  With this treasure, my painting could leap to a whole new level. No— Zixuan’s pulse quickened at the thought. It might even be possible to create art indistinguishable from reality.

  Pushing aside the lilac distraction, he asked, “And what exactly does this Purple Snow do?”

  Han Rui smiled sheepishly. “I can’t tell you that.”

  “Huh?” Zixuan’s voice flattened. “You’re trying to sell it to me, and you won’t explain what it does?”

  Han Rui nodded, maintaining that same sheepish smile.

  Zixuan’s confusion gave way to exasperation. Is this some kind of elaborate joke? Yet, Han Rui’s unwavering sincerity made it clear he was completely serious.

  Taking a deep breath, Zixuan asked, “Be honest. This Purple Snow—is it one of those addictive drugs?”

  Han Rui’s sheepish smile morphed into something more mischievous. “Master Zixuan, you’re not wrong—but not in the way you think. Trust me, buying this will change your life forever. Who knows? You might even erect a shrine in my honor.”

  Zixuan clenched his fists, taking several calming breaths to resist the urge to throw the man out of the room. This shameless bastard wants to turn me into an addict—and expects me to thank him for it.

  After another deep breath, he decided to change tactics. “Fine. Let’s assume I’m interested. How do you even use this Purple Snow?”

  Han Rui’s face lit up. Without a word, he retrieved a clean sheet of foil and a sleek, metallic card from his robes. Approaching a nearby table, he laid the foil flat before opening the transparent bag.

  The moment the bag opened, a mesmerizing aroma—reminiscent of lavender—filled the room. Zixuan’s nose twitched as the scent teased his senses. With practiced precision, Han Rui poured a small amount of powder onto the foil and used the metallic card to form two perfectly straight lines.

  Finished, Han Rui turned to Zixuan with a triumphant grin.

  Zixuan stared at the display, utterly baffled.

  “Master Zixuan, you simply need to snort the Purple Snow after preparing it like this. That’s the best way to guarantee its effects,” Han Rui explained patiently. “Alternatively, you could dip your fingers into the bag and rub the powder across your teeth as if you were brushing. But that would be wasteful. I recommend the first method for maximum effectiveness and satisfaction.”

  There’s no way this substance isn’t an illicit drug. No way I’m putting that crap into my body—absolutely not! Zixuan vowed solemnly to himself, though he nodded approvingly at Han Rui’s explanation to keep up appearances.

  “So, how much are you selling it for?” Zixuan asked, feigning casual interest. While he was willing to buy the product for the sake of learning more about the QiPhone, he had no intention of spending a fortune if Han Rui placed an exorbitant price on it.

  Han Rui coughed dryly, locking eyes with Zixuan. “How much can you afford?”

  “What?” Zixuan blurted, his composure slipping for a moment.

  “I said, how much can you afford?” Han Rui repeated, his tone unbothered.

  “I heard you, but what do you mean by that? Don’t you have a set price?” Zixuan asked, narrowing his eyes.

  “I’m a wandering peddler, remember?” Han Rui replied with an easy smile. “I simply want to give people a chance to enjoy the finest products.” He returned the sample powder to its bag with a practiced flourish, then retrieved a fresh batch of Purple Snow from his robe. “Make me an offer, Master Zixuan. I’ll even throw in the card for free.”

  Suspicion clouded Zixuan’s expression as he stared silently at Han Rui, his mind racing with questions. Han Rui didn’t press, maintaining his grin as he waited for Zixuan to speak. The seconds stretched before Zixuan finally opened his mouth.

  “I’ll give you one gold coin—”

  “Deal!” Han Rui cut him off, barely able to contain his excitement.

  “I wasn’t done,” Zixuan said, startled by the quick acceptance. Was that too much? Did I just get scammed? He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. It doesn’t matter if I’m getting scammed. It’s not my money, after all. A sly smile tugged at his lips. Working with the shop owners in the Lazy Crane District does have its perks.

  Gathering himself, Zixuan continued, “As I was saying, I’ll pay one gold coin for the Purple Snow, but I also want information about this item.” He held up the QiPhone.

  Han Rui chuckled softly. “That’s no problem at all,” he said smoothly, then paused as an idea seemed to strike him. His eyes lit up. “In fact, I don’t mind gifting you the treasure. It’s called a QiPhone, by the way.”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Zixuan hurriedly interjected, raising a hand. “You’re gifting me this?”

  Han Rui nodded, his smile unwavering. “Of course. I believe an excellent painter like you will need it more than I do.” His tone grew sly as he rubbed his hands together mischievously, a shady grin crossing his face. “So, Master Zixuan, about that gold coin?”

  Zixuan’s sense of unease deepened. I’m definitely being scammed, he thought. But at this point, he didn’t care anymore. Whatever his plan is, getting an item like this for one gold coin must be a gift from the heavens. He reached into his inner robe, retrieving a coin sack with practiced ease.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Wasting no time, Zixuan plucked out a single gold coin and tossed it toward Han Rui. “Here’s the money as promised.”

  Han Rui caught the coin gleefully, biting down on it theatrically to confirm its authenticity before grinning wider. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you, Master Zixuan,” he said, placing the bag of Purple Snow on the table. “Now, as promised, let me explain how to use the QiPhone…”

  One hour later, Zixuan sat alone in the inn, stupefied, his face frozen in disbelief as he stared at the QiPhone lying on the table before him. Han Rui had patiently explained its myriad functions, especially the photo and video apps, knowing full well those would pique Zixuan’s interest. Each word from Han Rui’s mouth was a bombshell, shattering the very fabric of Zixuan’s understanding of what was possible.

  He had been speechless throughout the explanation—and even afterward. Han Rui, sensing Zixuan’s mental implosion, had quietly excused himself, leaving the painter alone to grapple with the ramifications of the miraculous device.

  “He gave away such a treasure for free?” Zixuan finally murmured, his gaze drifting toward the inn’s exit. Han Rui had long since departed, yet his face remained vivid in Zixuan’s mind.

  If a treasure like this gets out, the major sects will fight tooth and nail for it, Zixuan thought. And he just handed it to me? His eyes shifted to the bag and card Han Rui had left behind along with the QiPhone. A faint, mesmerizing fragrance lingered from when Han Rui had opened the bag. Could this be another treasure?

  The thought tempted him for a moment before he dismissed it with a shudder. Am I out of my mind? He clenched his fists. What if this is a trap? First, he sells me an addictive drug dirt-cheap and gifts me a treasure. Then, once I’m hooked, I’ll go broke chasing my next fix, and he’ll take the QiPhone back. I’m not falling for such an obvious scheme.

  Despite his convictions, Zixuan couldn’t peel his eyes away from the translucent bag.

  He suddenly leapt to his feet and smacked himself in the face. I won’t let myself become an addict. Even though Master abandoned me after I lost my cultivation, he taught me one thing: never rely on pills or drugs—especially the addictive kind.

  His resolve firmed, Zixuan grabbed the bag and marched to the window. Without hesitation, he hurled it into the street below. Turning back to the QiPhone, he sat down with renewed determination, ready to explore the treasure’s mysteries. But a stray thought jolted through his mind.

  Wait. I didn’t dispose of that properly. What if some stray animal—or worse, a person—picks it up and gets addicted? Wouldn’t that be my fault?

  Unable to shake his growing anxiety, Zixuan bolted back to the window. He peered outside, his mind conjuring worst-case scenarios. Sure enough, the bag of Purple Snow lay innocently in the street below.

  And then he heard it: the familiar clucking of chickens.

  His heart sank. “Those damn chickens! They always come scavenging at night!”

  Just as he was about to dash outside, a faint cluck reached his ears. He froze, staring in horror as a rooster strutted up to the bag. It pecked curiously at the thin plastic.

  “No, no, no!” Zixuan whispered frantically. “You don’t want to eat—”

  Rip!

  The rooster’s beak tore through the bag, releasing a puff of lilac powder into the air. The bird, now shimmering with a fine coat of Purple Snow, let out a triumphant crow.

  For a moment, nothing happened. Zixuan exhaled in relief.

  Then the ground trembled.

  A shockwave of Qi erupted around the rooster, sending debris flying. Zixuan’s hair whipped back as the invisible force hurled him into the room.

  Scrambling to the window, he arrived just in time to witness the rooster’s transformation. Its legs stretched and thickened, muscles bulging with supernatural precision. Its wings elongated into powerful, muscular arms. The once-modest chicken frame expanded into a towering figure, complete with perfectly sculpted pecs and glistening abs. Feathers cascaded to the ground, revealing smooth, toned skin beneath—but its head remained unmistakably chicken.

  The rooster flexed, striking a pose that seemed to command the moonlight itself. Qi swirled around it like a divine aura, and the heavens appeared to applaud its metamorphosis.

  Zixuan’s jaw dropped. “W-What the hell?”

  The rooster turned, its eyes locking onto Zixuan with an unsettling intensity. “Benefactor!” it spoke, its voice deep, smooth, and filled with authority. “Provider of crumbs. Savior of scraps. You have nourished me for years.”

  Zixuan blinked rapidly, struggling to form a coherent thought.

  The rooster lifted a mighty arm, flexing its biceps. “Thanks to your generosity, I have attained enlightenment… and a sexy body.”

  Zixuan’s brain short-circuited. He rubbed his eyes repeatedly, convinced the sight before him was some bizarre hallucination.

  But no amount of rubbing could erase the vision of the rooster flexing its sculpted biceps and speaking in a voice that oozed authority.

  “I’m eternally grateful,” the rooster said, its tone earnest and heroic. “I wish I could serve you, but this form is not meant to linger in one place. I must explore the world… and find my destiny. A world full of—” It paused dramatically, its eyes gleaming with purpose. “—chicks.”

  Zixuan’s jaw hung slack. Before he could process the absurdity of it all, the rooster spun on its heel and sprinted into the night. Each powerful stride kicked up clouds of dust, its perfectly toned figure vanishing into the shadows within seconds.

  Silence fell.

  A beat passed. Then two.

  “…What in the actual fuck?” Zixuan whispered, his voice barely audible over his racing thoughts.

  The moment of stunned disbelief was shattered by an all-too-familiar sound: more clucking. Zixuan’s head snapped toward the noise, and his eyes widened in horror. A flock of chickens—and a few pigs—ambled toward the scattered remnants of the Purple Snow bag, their curiosity unmistakable.

  Panic surged through him. “Oh no, you don’t!” he bellowed, leaping through the window without a second thought. He hit the ground with all the grace of a drunk goose, tumbling into a clumsy roll before springing to his feet.

  “Get away from it! It’s mine!” he roared, his voice cracking with desperation.

  The animals froze for a brief moment, startled by his sudden appearance. But the lure of Purple Snow was too strong, and they surged forward with renewed determination.

  Zixuan dove headfirst into the fray, scooping the bag into his arms and clutching it to his chest like a priceless relic. His wild eyes darted from one would-be challenger to the next as he fended off an especially ambitious pig with a frantic kick.

  “How dare you!” he shouted, swatting a persistent chicken away with his free hand. “Go find your own enlightenment!”

  He spun in circles, battling off his feathered and porcine foes with all the fervor of a man defending his last scrap of sanity.

  ***

  A fair distance from Rebirth Lodge, Han Rui strolled casually under the moonlight, whistling a cheerful tune. His head bobbed side to side, and occasional chuckles escaped his lips as his smile widened with each passing moment.

  A familiar ding echoed in his mind, and a translucent system notification appeared.

  [Aren’t you putting him in danger by giving him the QiPhone?]

  Han Rui halted, directing his gaze toward the notification. “Not really,” he said nonchalantly, shrugging. “As long as he uses the Purple Snow, he’ll be perfectly safe.”

  [What if he tosses it away? Unlike you, not everyone’s eager to buy random supplements from random strangers. It was obvious he cared more about the QiPhone than your product.]

  Han Rui sighed, his smile fading slightly. “I know that already. Why do you think I brought it out first?” he muttered. But a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. That guy wouldn’t do something as stupid as throwing the bag away... right? He didn’t know why, but he felt Zixaun was the sort of person to do that. This might become a problem, but this is the system’s fault to begin with. How am I supposed to sell them without lying or telling potential customers about their benefits? He pondered in silence.

  The system didn’t give him time to ruminate.

  [It’s called being creative!] it retorted with smug satisfaction.

  Han Rui rolled his eyes, readying a sarcastic comeback, when a soft chime interrupted him. Retrieving his QiPhone, he saw a new message notification from his grandfather. Curiosity piqued, he opened it immediately.

  Best Grandfather Ever!:

  Rui’er, did you secretly start a second family somewhere? You’ve been going out a lot lately. ?? Be careful of those women, Rui’er. They’ll break your heart and rob you blind. Anyway, the first phase of QiPhone distribution is complete. The second and third phases will start tomorrow.

  Han Rui chuckled, shaking his head as he typed a quick response.

  Han Rui: Keep me updated, Grandfather.

  Best Grandfather Ever! is typing…

  Best Grandfather Ever!: Have fun! ??

  Han Rui’s grin widened, but before he could respond, another message appeared.

  Best Grandfather Ever!: Oh, that reminds me! We got an update on the Eternal Spring Sect. ?? Our ancestor’s putting them through hell—forcing them to train seven times during the day and six at night. I’m worried they’ll turn into a gang of thugs by the time he’s done with them.

  Han Rui let out a wry laugh, shaking his head. That old man never changes, he thought as he quickly typed back.

  Han Rui: Triple their compensation, Grandfather. They’ll need it.

  Best Grandfather Ever!: . I’ll make the arrangements! ?? Oh, one more thing. We had some rude guests earlier. Do you know anyone named Gao Yuan?

  Han Rui’s expression shifted. A flicker of recognition lit his eyes. There’s no way I’d forget my first customer.

  Han Rui: Is it about Fang Mu’s death?

  Best Grandfather Ever!: No, that had nothing to do with us. They came to deliver a warning—said you’re being targeted by some rapist, then left just like that.

  Han Rui chuckled softly, shaking his head. Gao Yuan didn’t go to the clan himself. Could he have joined a sect? He dismissed the thought as he typed his reply.

  Han Rui: Thanks for the update, Grandfather. I’ll be home soon. We’ll talk more then.

  Sliding the QiPhone back into his robes, Han Rui sighed. “I guess it’s time to head home.”

  No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. He turned, his eyes narrowing.

  “Well, well, well,” a voice drawled. “What do we have here? You sure kept us waiting. Are you ready to compensate me for my Jimmy Chu Chus?”

  Han Rui’s gaze fell on the five-man party stepping out of the shadows; and a slow, devious smile spread across his lips.