When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins-Chapter 16 – Elder Mu, would you still be willing to be my father?

Mu Xiaochuan's gaze was sharp as he slowly swept over the disciples who were intimidated by his aura. A sense of indescribable satisfaction and pride surged in his heart. With a wave of his hand, he said loudly, "From now on, everyone should perform their duties. Dismissed!"
The disciples all bowed and then withdrew in an orderly manner. Mu Xiaochuan stretched lazily and leisurely walked towards his residence—the Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
As the name suggests, the Listening Bamboo Pavilion was surrounded by a lush bamboo forest. The gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, adding a touch of elegance to the place. Compared to the small room he used to live in as an Outer Sect Deacon, this scenery was particularly enchanting in his eyes.
Before he reached the door, the lively figure of Su Yao came into view. She was tiptoeing, peering in his direction. Upon seeing Mu Xiaochuan return, she immediately beamed with joy, bouncing over to greet him and pushed open the door. Lin Yue quickly followed, carefully supporting Mu Xiaochuan, afraid he might stumble.
"Elder Mu, you're back. You must be tired. Come in and rest," Lin Yue's voice was as gentle as water, almost melting Mu Xiaochuan.
Once inside, Lin Yue busied herself, helping him take off his Deacon's Daoist Robe and change into comfortable casual clothes, even arranging his shoes neatly. Lunch was already prepared: steaming spirit rice porridge with a few exquisite side dishes, all of Mu Xiaochuan's favorites.
Sitting at the table, Mu Xiaochuan was fed spoonfuls of porridge by Lin Yue, her attentive manner more filial than that of a daughter.
After the meal, Lin Yue assisted Mu Xiaochuan with washing up and helped him to bed for a rest.
Enjoying the meticulous care of Su Yao and Lin Yue, Mu Xiaochuan felt content: "Being served like this is indeed quite enjoyable. No wonder people on Blue Star in my previous life liked being leaders. If this continues, I might really become unable to take care of myself."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for feeling physically and mentally pleased, earning 10 Thrill Points." The system's voice echoed in Mu Xiaochuan's mind.
Lying in bed, Mu Xiaochuan thought for a moment and opened the system panel.
[Host: Mu Xiaochuan]
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[Thrill Points: 210]
[Realm: Foundation Establishment Stage One]
[Cultivation Technique: Withered Tree Revives Technique (Minor Achievement), Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique (Entry Level)]
[Secondary Cultivation: None]
[Spiritual Artifact: Greenwood Spirit-Pattern Staff (Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact)]
Having recently earned quite a few Thrill Points, it was a good time to see what he could exchange for. With a thought, Mu Xiaochuan opened the Thrill System Shop.
He first clicked on the elixir section, where Qi-Gathering Pills, Spirit-Gathering Pills, Vein-Nurturing Pills, Marrow-Cleansing Pills, and Rejuvenation Pills were all available. Mu Xiaochuan decided to check out the Qi-Gathering Pills and Spirit-Gathering Pills first.
Qi-Gathering Pills were divided into low, medium, high, and perfect grades, requiring 2, 5, 10, and 20 Thrill Points respectively. Spirit-Gathering Pills followed the same grading, requiring 10, 30, 50, and 100 Thrill Points respectively. Qi-Gathering Pills were for Qi Refining stage cultivators, while Spirit-Gathering Pills were for Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. The higher the quality of the elixir, the better the effect.
Mu Xiaochuan recalled that back when he was a Qi Refining stage disciple, obtaining a low-grade Qi-Gathering Pill was a huge blessing. As for medium-grade Qi-Gathering Pills, only those with exceptional talent or who were key figures in the sect's training had the chance to consume them. He had only heard of high-grade Qi-Gathering Pills and had never seen them. As for perfect-grade Qi-Gathering Pills, they were unheard of.
Now, with the Thrill System, getting any quality of elixir was a breeze.
"In that case, I'll exchange for some low-grade Qi-Gathering Pills and medium-grade Spirit-Gathering Pills first. Many people have helped me, and I should repay them. As for the high-grade and perfect ones, I'll hold off for now; they would be too shocking to reveal." Mu Xiaochuan thought to himself.
"System, exchange for three medium-grade Spirit-Gathering Pills," Mu Xiaochuan silently commanded.
"Ding! Exchange successful, 90 Thrill Points deducted, 120 Thrill Points remaining."
"System, exchange for sixty low-grade Qi-Gathering Pills," Mu Xiaochuan silently commanded.
"Ding! Exchange successful, 120 Thrill Points deducted, 0 Thrill Points remaining."
Some might question spending until nothing is left, isn't it painful? What a joke, is Mu Xiaochuan still the kind of person who scrimps and saves? Besides, isn't it said that 'wealth comes and goes'?
With the system's notification, sixty-three elixirs emitting a faint spiritual aura appeared in Mu Xiaochuan's hand. The Spirit-Gathering Pills, in particular, were a light green, smooth and round, with a faint spiritual glow, clearly extraordinary.
"What rich spiritual energy!" Mu Xiaochuan took a deep breath, immediately feeling refreshed, with the spiritual power in his body becoming more active.
Time to try one.
Swallowing a Spirit-Gathering Pill, a vast amount of spiritual energy surged towards the radiant seed within him, which seemed to be activated, bursting with dazzling light. Mu Xiaochuan felt the spiritual energy in his body surge, surpassing the boundary of Foundation Establishment Stage Two. However, as the Spirit-Gathering Pill was consumed, the seed's light began to dim, eventually returning to its normal glow, without any growth.
This was within Mu Xiaochuan's expectations. Yes, after awakening the Thrill System, he could no longer rely on meditation and elixirs for cultivation; the system only recognized Thrill Points.
Despite wasting a precious Spirit-Gathering Pill, Mu Xiaochuan didn't mind. He simply smiled and casually stored the remaining elixirs in his storage pouch.
During the day, with nothing to do, Mu Xiaochuan suddenly thought of Su Qianmeng and the others, deciding to take a stroll to the Outer Sect.
As soon as he stepped into the area where the Outer Sect disciples resided, a familiar and loud voice could be heard from afar, clearly narrating some exciting story. Listening closely, it turned out to be Lin Banxian, whom he disliked the most. At this moment, Lin Banxian was standing among a group of Outer Sect disciples, animatedly describing Mu Xiaochuan's various deeds, not sparing any words of praise.
"You have no idea, Elder Mu is a genius. At eighty, he reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. Do you think he has poor talent? I thought so too, but who knew he was just biding his time. He could have broken through long ago; his strength had long reached Foundation Establishment. He just suppressed it, and finally, at the age of eighty, he broke through five levels and formed his foundation in one go. Such talent is unprecedented!" Lin Banxian said, spittle flying.
A curious disciple asked, "Brother Lin, everyone in the sect knows about breaking through five levels and forming his foundation, but how do you know his strength had long reached Foundation Establishment?"
Lin Banxian looked around and lowered his voice, "You don't know this, do you? When Elder Mu was still a Deacon, he taught Tie Meng and Huang Zitang, an Inner Sect disciple at the seventh level of Qi Refining, a lesson. Everyone knows Tie Meng; he got his spine broken by Elder Mu and now avoids me. Huang Zitang from the Inner Sect is still bedridden."
These were verifiable facts, and the surrounding disciples nodded, a look of sudden realization on their faces.
At this point, another disciple provocatively asked, "Brother Lin, you say Elder Mu treats you well, but I heard Elder Mu once asked if he was your father. Is that true?"
Lin Banxian proudly raised his head, "Of course, it's true. Back then, I did my job well and was loyal to Deacon Mu. He was very satisfied and wanted to take me as his adopted son!"
After speaking, Lin Banxian drooped his head, "It's just a pity I was blind at the time and missed such a great opportunity! If Elder Mu asks again, I'd definitely agree a thousand times."
"Yeah, if only Elder Mu would take me as his adopted son."
"Why didn't I get assigned to clean with Deacon Mu back then?"
Listening to Lin Banxian's words and the crowd's discussions, Mu Xiaochuan found it both amusing and exasperating. Lin Banxian really had a vivid imagination, but he had to admit, he hadn't figured out how to explain his consecutive breakthroughs. Lin Banxian had inadvertently provided an explanation, and with everyone's words of admiration, he felt quite pleased.
At that moment, Mu Xiaochuan heard a "ding" in his mind.
"Congratulations to the host for gaining the respect of the Outer Sect disciples, feeling pleased, and earning 15 Thrill Points," the system's voice echoed in his mind.
"Ah, Elder Mu is here, hello Elder Mu," an Outer Sect disciple passing by exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Mu Xiaochuan.
"Ahem!" Mu Xiaochuan cleared his throat and walked over.
"Elder... Elder Mu!" Lin Banxian jumped over as soon as he saw Mu Xiaochuan.
"Lin Banxian, let's chat as we walk," Mu Xiaochuan said with a slight smile.
"Sure, Elder Mu! I'm so happy to see you again!" Lin Banxian's face was full of joy, his eyes sparkling with excitement, "I knew you wouldn't forget us."
Mu Xiaochuan chuckled, "How have you all been since I left?"
Lin Banxian quickly bowed, "In response to Elder Mu, after you left, we all benefited from your reputation. Now everyone in the Outer Sect envies the four of us."
"Really?" Mu Xiaochuan smiled slightly, "Are you still doing cleaning work? How is Dali's injury? Who's the new Deacon?"
Lin Banxian proudly replied, "Zhan Hongtao has been promoted to Deacon, Li Dali's injury has healed, and the four of us are still doing the cleaning. We all take pride in having worked under you. Zhan Hongtao even follows your example, actively cleaning Yunqi Peak!"
"That's good," Mu Xiaochuan said.
"Elder Mu, should I call the other three out?" Lin Banxian asked cautiously.
"No need, I just came to see you all. By the way, I brought you some small gifts," Mu Xiaochuan said, taking out his storage pouch.
"No, no..." Lin Banxian started to decline but was stunned into silence.
Originally, Mu Xiaochuan planned to give each of them three to five pills, but he generously took out forty Qi-Gathering Pills and handed them to Lin Banxian.
"Aren't you going to take them?" Mu Xiaochuan urged as Lin Banxian stood there in shock.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes," Lin Banxian was so overwhelmed that he didn't know what to do. How could he not be excited? The Outer Sect disciples' stipend was only five Spirit Stones a month, often deducted. After accounting for necessary cultivation, food, clothing, and shelter, it was hard to save even one Spirit Stone a month. It would take three years to save enough to buy one Qi-Gathering Pill, and Mu Xiaochuan had given forty in one go. Not fainting was already a testament to his strong mentality.
With both hands holding the forty Qi-Gathering Pills, Lin Banxian carefully stored them in his storage pouch.
After tidying up the Qi-Gathering Pills and calming down, Lin Banxian knelt down, "Thank you, Elder Mu. We four will repay your kindness today, even if we have to work like oxen and horses."
Mu Xiaochuan helped Lin Banxian up, feeling genuinely pleased to be able to help these former colleagues from the Outer Sect.
At that moment, Mu Xiaochuan heard a "ding" in his mind.
"Congratulations to the host for helping others, feeling pleased, and earning 15 Thrill Points," the system's voice echoed in his mind.
At this time, Lin Banxian looked at Mu Xiaochuan with tears streaming down his face, "Elder Mu, would you still be willing to be my father?"