Unlike Bai Xia—who’d grumble but still take the coins without hesitation—Tianzheng genuinely looked down on the system’s measly hundred-gold reward. Even if it could now fetch wildly unequal wealth, he didn’t care.
Admittedly, it might sound a bit arrogant, but money was just a number to him. If this tiny gesture could get Bai Xia motivated? Totally worth it.
He’d only known her a short while, yet Tianzheng already saw her as a friend.
Strangely, from the very start, there’d been zero stranger-distance between them. Beneath her innocent-looking exterior hid a sly, mischievous streak—but humans are visual creatures, and Tianzheng was no exception. Her cute appearance earned major points. Her personality wasn’t truly annoying either; whimsically clever, she often left people amused and exasperated.
All in all, Tianzheng genuinely liked Bai Xia. Otherwise, he wouldn’t indulge her so much.
Of course, his liking held zero romantic or ulterior intent. He never considered himself a lolicon. In his mind, he preferred voluptuous, tall, seductive women with hourglass figures. What he felt for Bai Xia was pure big-brotherly affection for a cute little sister.
Naturally, Bai Xia couldn’t read minds. Had she known his thoughts? She’d have snatched every coin from her purse and hurled them straight at his face!
*Who does he think he is, acting all high and mighty? How’s that different from guys saying, “I’ll just rub, not go in”?*
…Just kidding.
Anyway, Bai Xia accepted Tianzheng’s coins without hesitation or shame. Refuse? Impossible. She was so broke she was practically begging on the streets. If a rich guy offered loot? Why say no? She prided herself on being refreshingly straightforward.
“As expected, Senior Tianzheng is the best! You must be the reincarnation of a saint who did good deeds for nine lifetimes! If you ever have spare cash, please let me help carry it—my bag’s huge, and it’s never too full!”
Patting her noticeably plumper coin purse, Bai Xia’s frustration over the system’s trickery eased slightly—though a hint of resentment lingered.
Tianzheng, suddenly handed a legendary *nine-lifetimes* “nice guy” card, instantly regretted giving her all the coins. Too late. Once in Bai Xia’s purse, coins never returned. She wasn’t greedy—just desperately strapped for cash lately.
“You… sigh, never mind.” He shook his head slightly, glancing around. “We’ve checked everywhere. Head back?”
Bai Xia hesitated. Logically, staying was pointless—but leaving still stung. For a fleeting second, she even wanted to burn the place down. (Impossible. Barely any flammable material here.)
She sighed. Newbie time was precious. They’d wasted half the day here; the return trip would take hours more.
The newbie village’s flaw? No town portal scrolls—too small-scale. Otherwise, one scroll and *poof*, back home. No leg-breaking runs.
But complaining changed nothing. Who’d guess this grand-looking ruin held *nothing*?
“No choice. If there’s nothing… wait?”
Stretching as she stood, Bai Xia froze mid-sentence. Her eyes widened, locked on something behind Tianzheng.
Puzzled, he turned—and froze too.
“Tell me,” Bai Xia murmured, pointing. “That… definitely wasn’t there just now, right?”
“…I don’t think it was.”
Before them stood a magnificent golden palace!
Bai Xia was certain: it hadn’t been there earlier. Too massive, too tall. With ruins of uniform height surrounding them, they’d have spotted it from outside instantly.
So… how?
While Tianzheng pondered, Bai Xia’s eyes gleamed with demonic delight. Her voice turned singsong: “Oho~ho~ho~! Of course the system wouldn’t deceive someone as cute as me! Treasure *had* to be here!”
“Wait! Come back!”
Tianzheng yanked her back, exasperated. “Calm down! A palace popping up out of nowhere is *suspicious*. What if you trigger a trap?”
“But what if it vanishes again?” she shot back. Neither saw it appear—it simply *was*. Waiting outside yielded nothing.
“Fine. But if trouble hits, hide behind me. *Immediately*.”
Relenting, Tianzheng kept hold of her hand as they approached—no letting her bolt in excitement.
Closer now, the contrast sharpened. The ruins: dull, faded gray. The palace: vibrant, brilliant hues.
Scale-wise? The palace stretched endlessly. Even its base—countless steps slanting skyward—towered over surrounding structures.
Wait… ordinary buildings once stood there. Crushed? Covered? No trace remained. The palace now sat like a shining pearl, seamlessly embedded into the ruins.
