Chapter 26: The Proposal

"Damn it, we must have been played."

"Check the surroundings for any magic circles or the like; I don't believe an ordinary girl can just disappear into thin air."

A few dark wizards searched the alley for over ten minutes, exhausting every method they knew, but there was no sign of Mo Qianxun. In the end, they were forced to leave, filled with frustration.

Back at the training ground, Mo Qianxun was immediately surrounded by Chen Min and the others the moment she returned.

"You guys weren't waiting here the whole time, were you?" Seeing the tension on their faces, Mo Qianxun felt a warmth in her heart.

"Don't be ridiculous! You suddenly teleported away; you scared me to death." Chen Min grabbed Mo Qianxun’s hands and checked her from head to toe. Only after confirming she was unharmed did she let out a sigh of relief.

Mo Qianxun reached into her Qiankun bag, pulled out a sack filled with materials, and looked at Zhao Jianguo with a meaningful expression. "Uncle Zhao, hurry, I brought back some materials for artifact refining and alchemy from the magical world. See if you can research anything from them."

Zhao Jianguo and the others were stunned for a moment before eagerly crowding around. "Are you serious? Let me see."

Mo Qianxun dug into the bag and pulled out the head of a Blood-Eyed Rabbit.

Staring at the rabbit head with three eyes, they were all dumbfounded.

"This... is this a rabbit's head?"

"Why does this rabbit have three eyes?"

"Ew, it’s staring back at us even in death! All three eyes are wide open, and they’re so red... does it have pink eye?"

"..."

Observing their varied expressions, Mo Qianxun giggled. "This is a Blood-Eyed Rabbit's head. The mage who sold it to me said its third eye has the power to restore one's youth."

"Restore?"

"Youth?"

Incredulity washed over their faces. If this item were real, it could be the salvation for the veteran professors who had dedicated their entire lives to the country.

"That’s what he told me, but I don’t know the specifics. It will need the professors to study it properly."

"Fine, I’ll call them over right now." It was a treasure—a true treasure! As Zhao Jianguo walked away, he felt as if he were walking on air.

Lu Tao and Chen Min walked on either side of Mo Qianxun, whispering to ask about her ordeal.

When they heard about the dark wizards who intended to rob her, a flash of fear crossed their eyes. Thank goodness, thank goodness nothing happened.

"It’s just a pity that I’m an ordinary person and can’t fight them. However, I asked Alyssa, and she said she can craft magic weapons that ordinary people can use, but because the materials are rare, it’s not really feasible right now."

"So, you mean we might have a chance to use magic too?" Chen Min looked at Mo Qianxun with sudden excitement. Does that mean she might have a chance to learn *Expelliarmus* or *Avada Kedavra*?

"Theoretically, yes. But that would require me to collect enough materials or have enough gold coins to purchase them." Right now, the main problem is that we are poor.

Lu Tao and Chen Min sighed in unison; it all came down to poverty.

Luo Qing, who had been walking in front listening to them, suddenly spoke up. "We have merchant points, don't we? Those points can be exchanged for the currency of other worlds. Next time, you can ask that alchemist how many gold coins it would take to make such a magic weapon. We can pool resources from both sides."

"This... is that allowed?"

"Why wouldn't it be? These points are meant to be spent on important matters, not wasted. Of course it’s fine." Luo Qing smiled. Besides, he was there to back them up. Even if Old Zhao couldn't negotiate it, he was still there. Furthermore, he didn't think the higher-ups would refuse such a proposal.

"By the way, I have some things left over that Sister Mei'er gave me." Mo Qianxun took out her Qiankun bag.

"You managed to get in touch with the Qingqiu side in the other world?"

Mo Qianxun nodded obediently. "Yes, thanks to Sister Mei'er's help. Otherwise, not only would I have failed the mission, but I might have frozen to death in that place. Oh, and this too." Mo Qianxun took off the necklace from her neck.

"Mr. Johnson gave me this necklace because he saw I was cold. They say the gemstone is a crystallized fire dragon heart, containing the power of flames. After putting it on, I felt warm all over."

Only then did the three notice Mo Qianxun's attire. Apologies—they had been too worried about her to notice she had changed her clothes, and then, with the distraction of those magical materials, they hadn't paid any attention to her appearance at all.

"Qianxun, this outfit is truly beautiful. Did Sister Mei'er give you this too?" Chen Min looked at the clothes with envy.

Mo Qianxun nodded. "Sister Mei'er was worried about me being cold, so she specifically found some thick clothes for me. Oh, right, I think our base should build a stable; Sister Mei'er gave me a Pegasus."

The three of them stopped in their tracks, looking at Mo Qianxun with complex expressions.

"A Pegasus? Is it the kind of Pegasus I'm thinking of?"

"A Pegasus, like the one Sun Wukong watched over in *Journey to the West*?"

"A Pegasus, a flying horse?"

"Yeah, why are you all so excited? You've already seen a fox spirit; why would a Pegasus shock you?" Mo Qianxun clearly had forgotten how she reacted when she first saw it.

"Heh, fine. If one day you suddenly tell me you met the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, I wouldn't even be surprised anymore." Chen Min’s expression had already gone somewhat numb; she was even more envious of Qianxun now.

"Hey, what if one day I can bring people to the other world? Then you can see whatever you want." Mo Qianxun did not realize that she had spoken without intent, but the listeners took it to heart.

The gazes of the three instantly focused on the phone hanging around Mo Qianxun's neck.

At this moment, 008, the entire system, was also bewildered. *Host, you...*

"Why are you all staring at 008? I was just saying that casually." Mo Qianxun noticed something was off and laughed awkwardly.

"No, what you said is very likely. Perhaps with the system's upgrades, it really could happen." A thoughtful look crossed Luo Qing's face; he seemed to be contemplating something.

As for Lu Tao and Chen Min, the looks they gave 008 were filled with madness and fervor.

008: ... *Cough, cough, don't look at me like that, you're making me shy.*

[Host, the list of candidates has been selected. Would you like to take a look?] *Better change the subject quickly.*

"Selected? Let's wait a bit. We'll talk about it once we get to the office."

The four arrived at Zhao Jianguo's office. As soon as they pushed the door open, they saw Zhao Jianguo waiting for them, beaming with joy.

"Whoa, I haven't seen you this happy in a long time, Jianguo." Seeing his expression, Luo Qing spoke instinctively.

Chen Min: ...Hiss~ that phrase...

Lu Tao: ...Seems a bit familiar.

Mo Qianxun: ...Heh, butler? Special assistant?

Zhao Jianguo: ...My ears.

Luo Qing: ??? How strange.