Chapter 7: Punishment

“Warning, warning, host has exceeded the allotted time, please stop immediately.”
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“Warning, host has exceeded the allotted time by one hour. Rest time will be doubled, please stop immediately.”

Ji Jiuxuan finished her boxing practice with delight, feeling thoroughly refreshed. Though the system kept reminding her at intervals—rather annoyingly—she now thought her luck wasn’t entirely ill-fated. This so-called Growth Guardian setup was nothing but a paper tiger!

Adding rest time made no difference at all.

“Ding! Host has ignored warnings and exceeded the time by two hours. Please accept the fatigue penalty.”

Her joy turning to woe, Ji Jiuxuan wondered if she was hallucinating. “What fatigue penalty? Isn’t doubling rest time enough?”

The answer came swiftly, without the system needing to explain. Normally, she could endure the exhaustion from ten rounds of boxing, but with the penalty imposed, she collapsed onto the ground, unwilling to move a muscle.

“System, this isn’t fair! Isn’t it supposed to be just more rest time? Now you’re punishing me physically—I’ll report you for violating the Healthy Growth Act!”

Dazed and speechless, Ji Jiuxuan pleaded for the system to cancel the penalty, but her words fell on deaf ears.

“The system has not violated the Healthy Growth Act. The penalty merely increases your stress, which will benefit you afterward. Multiple warnings were issued, and the host failed to stop in time,” the system explained, sounding aggrieved.

Ji Jiuxuan simply gave up, sprawling on the ground to rest. This was the first time the system responded to her questions; previously, it had always played dead.

“Since this is my first offense, can’t you lift the penalty, system? Just this once—I promise never to break the rules again.” Though the penalty had benefits, she was so exhausted that even moving a finger felt torturous. She’d prefer gains earned through her own diligent cultivation.

“The penalty has been issued and cannot be withdrawn. Please take this as a warning.”

Ji Jiuxuan could only accept her fate. “I just practiced a bit longer. Everyone in this cultivation world pushes themselves so hard, and you want me to slack off? Aren’t you afraid I’ll end up incompetent and die, bringing you down with me?”

“That’s precisely why you should learn to complete your training efficiently within the allotted time. Isn’t there a saying in your modern world? Ten minutes in class are worth more than ten years during recess.”

Ji Jiuxuan finally caught the subtext—the system was dissatisfied with her procrastinating, dragging out her training beyond the scheduled hours instead of focusing during them.

Recalling the educational methods of her modern days, Ji Jiuxuan found herself speechless.

Was she truly at fault? If she finished her daily training tasks within the prescribed time, she’d have the rest of the day to rest. Her cultivation wouldn’t suffer, and she’d have leisure and strength—quite a good deal, upon reflection.

Suddenly, Ji Jiuxuan paused, face stern. “System, I have reason to suspect you’re deceiving me.”

“The host’s suspicion is mere conjecture and unfounded.”

Though something felt off, Ji Jiuxuan had to admit the system’s logic was sound, so she said no more.

To improve her efficiency, she resolved to research how to complete her daily cultivation quickly and well within the allotted time.

When Qi Shuoyuan arrived, he found the little girl lazily lying in the courtyard. Over the past three years, his quest for his daughter and son-in-law had kept him from accompanying his granddaughter, leaving him with guilt and a tendency to spoil Ji Jiuxuan unconditionally.

“Tired?” Qi Shuoyuan appeared harmless, and his gentle tone was like a spring breeze. “Shall grandpa carry you inside to rest?”

Ji Jiuxuan, about to drift into sleep as she watched clouds float overhead, was startled awake by the sudden voice.

Looking up, she called out, “Grandfather!”

Struggling to sit up, Ji Jiuxuan gazed at Qi Shuoyuan with clear, joyful eyes.

He wiped the sweat from her cheek, then cast a cleansing spell. Ji Jiuxuan felt much of her discomfort instantly dissipate.

She stood, leaning against Qi Shuoyuan, and asked, “Grandfather, you’re free today!”

“Yes.”

A fiery red sword appeared in Qi Shuoyuan’s hand. It was small, adorned with ruby crystals, exquisitely crafted. The blade was engraved with the characters, “Child’s Sword.”

“Is this the Child’s Sword?” According to the books, the Child’s Sword was crafted like adult swords, requiring high-quality materials and more time.

Expensive, time-consuming, and impractical, since children rarely had the chance to use them. Most used wooden swords for practice.

“Yes, the Child’s Sword. Do you like it?” Qi Shuoyuan looked at Ji Jiuxuan with anticipation.

Examining the sword’s materials, Ji Jiuxuan knew even disciples who had achieved cultivation in the sect rarely possessed such treasures.

“I like it.” Such a beautiful sword, Ji Jiuxuan adored it from the bottom of her heart, but asked, “Grandfather, is this sword very expensive?”

Upon hearing her answer, Qi Shuoyuan’s face broke into a broad smile. “Not at all. These are materials I had in my spatial storage; I just asked someone to forge it for me.”

“As long as our little Ji likes it, now you’ll have a weapon that suits you for sword practice.” Qi Shuoyuan’s face was full of loving indulgence.

Wen Ying, who had just stepped out, was speechless. Using top-grade Dragon Flame Stone to forge a Child’s Sword was unheard of. A single piece of Dragon Flame Stone would spark a frenzy at any auction.

Only someone like him would give such a treasure to a child.

Standing nearby, Wen Ying said nothing. She wouldn’t admit that she secretly approved. Little Ji deserved only the best.

“Aunt Ying,” Ji Jiuxuan said, feeling a bit guilty. Usually, she practiced both boxing and sword techniques daily. The system limited her study time to four hours; she’d spent three on boxing already. Now, with only one hour left and her body still aching, she dared not exceed the limit.

Gritting her teeth, she resolved to finish her sword practice within that single hour today.

But after the boxing ordeal, she doubted she could manage it.

Wen Ying nodded. “You haven’t practiced swordplay yet. Continue.”

Though Qi Shuoyuan doted on Ji Jiuxuan, he was firm when it came to cultivation.

He patted her head. “Go on. I’ll bring you something nice next time.”

Ji Jiuxuan’s only concern was the system’s restrictions; otherwise, she wouldn’t care at all. She lifted her smiling face. “Is it something tasty?”

Qi Shuoyuan paused. In the cultivation world, most ate fasting pills; food was optional. Ji Jiuxuan’s question surprised him, but he soon smiled. “Besides something delicious, you can ask for other things too.”

He was curious what the little girl would say.

“No, I just want something tasty.” Ji Jiuxuan answered without hesitation. For more than three years, she’d only drunk high-grade spirit beast milk. Though it tasted good, it couldn’t quench her craving for real food.

Thinking of all the delicacies in this world that she’d never tasted, her heart ached with longing.