Chapter 1638: Giving You a Chance but It's Useless

"Freeloaders: In reality, games, and novels, their presence is almost ubiquitous. Their most adept skill, freeloading, allows them to acquire items without needing money or other valuable exchanges. Freeloaders fear no hardship in their pursuit; their courageous spirit is worth emulating. However, their extremely stingy and exploitative nature harms the interests of value creators, earning them disdain and contempt."

"A famous freeloader's motto: 'If I've had my fun and don't pay, then it's not considered freeloading, is it?'"

"Another freeloader often declared: 'Freeloading brings happiness. Freeloading is momentarily satisfying; continuous freeloading brings continuous satisfaction.'"

Effect: After using the Freeloader skill, you can refuse to pay the negative cost required for using other skills. Uses remaining: 3.

Special Reminder: Freeloading has its limits. Once the cost exceeds a certain threshold, the freeloader will face severe repercussions.

After reading the entire skill description, Zu An was utterly bewildered. In his previous life, there were countless freeloaders online; the authors of the novels he followed would often pitifully plead with readers to stop freeloading. He never expected to encounter the shadow of freeloading even in this new world.

Although this skill's effect description was brief, fewer words often imply greater significance.

This skill could be considered heaven-defying. Many skills in this world adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange—the greater the power, the greater the price. However, the Freeloader skill allows one to directly disregard such costs.

The only point of note was that this Freeloader skill didn't seem to be omnipotent. The skill description suggested that if the cost were too great, even a freeloader might not be able to bear it.

For instance, if he aimed to destroy the entire world, he estimated that even with the Freeloader skill, the backlash would likely annihilate him.

He just didn't know where the Freeloader's limit lay. Crucially, with limited uses, experimentation was impossible; trying it in real combat could easily lead to demise...

The lottery draw was quickly completed. Besides the Lucky Pill and the Freeloader skill, he also drew 720 Primordial Energy Fruits.

He was quite satisfied with this outcome.

He summoned Mo Xi. Her honey-colored skin radiated a captivating glow; she resembled a beautiful female leopard, her well-proportioned thighs imbued with explosive youthful vitality.

Though it wasn't his first time seeing her, he was still filled with admiration. She and Daji were two extremes: Daji was the delicate, soft enchantress who could bring down nations, while Mo Xi was more like a heroic female general on the battlefield. Of course, her attire combined with her skin tone made her resemble the bikini-clad beauties on Western beaches even more.

Compared to Daji, Mo Xi's personality was more unyielding. Previously, she never fully cooperated with his commands; only when he offered Primordial Energy Fruits as bait would she reluctantly comply.

Thus, Zu An always dangled the Primordial Energy Fruits to entice her, unlike how he had unconditionally upgraded Daji in the past.

However, Zu An now understood. Although the Valkyries lacked souls, they likely possessed something akin to 'favorability' levels. If he treated her cautiously, fearing she might exploit his demeanor, she would undoubtedly reciprocate that caution.

It would become more difficult to control her once her level increased. It was better to get along well now, treating it like a 'raising simulation' game.

'Open wide~' Zu An took out the Primordial Energy Fruits. Including the ones he had left over, he now had 1634 in total. Since Daji had already broken through to the seventh rank, more Primordial Energy Fruits would be required for later advancements. It was better to raise Mo Xi's level first.

Upon seeing the Primordial Energy Fruits, Mo Xi's previously indifferent eyes visibly brightened. After a moment of hesitation, she approached him, obediently tilting her head back and opening her mouth.

Seeing her posture, Zu An nearly had a nosebleed. These Valkyries were indeed peerless enchantresses in their previous lives; even without souls, their instincts inadvertently made them incredibly alluring.

Zu An fed the Primordial Energy Fruits into her mouth one by one. Normally, the Valkyries would never allow his body to touch them, but in this situation, his fingers accidentally brushed against her soft lips, and occasionally even her tongue grazed them, yet she showed no hint of aversion.

At this moment, Zu An finally understood why some people online in his previous life found joy in 'feeding' others.

Originally, to save time, he had intended to simply shove many Primordial Energy Fruits into her mouth all at once, but now he changed his mind. Feeding them one by one proved to be quite an enjoyable experience.

...

In total, he fed her 1210 Primordial Energy Fruits, raising her level to the peak of the fifth rank. He withheld the remaining 424, as that amount wouldn't be enough to reach the peak of the sixth rank anyway; it was better to save them for future emergencies.

Mo Xi, however, seemed to want more. The Primordial Energy Fruits were truly delectable for them, and she even couldn't resist licking his fingers.

In that instant, Zu An's hair stood on end. He thought, 'If she licks them like this when the Primordial Energy Fruits are in my hand, what if I were to put them somewhere else...'

He immediately extinguished the thought as it arose. 'Scum, beast, shameless!'

Seeing that there were indeed no more Primordial Energy Fruits, Mo Xi stood up, waiting for him to assign a task. After all, it had always been a clear transaction, with no lingering obligations.

As if sensing her thoughts, Zu An shook his head: 'There's nothing I need you to do. Please get some good rest.'

Mo Xi paused, clearly surprised that he hadn't requested anything of her. Her gaze seemed to soften slightly before she returned to her special space.

The next morning, Xie Daoyun saw Zu An continuously rubbing his hand and couldn't help but ask with concern, 'Brother Zu, did you hurt your hand?'

'It's nothing, just a minor issue,' Zu An replied, thinking to himself, '1210 Primordial Energy Fruits fed one by one last night—how could my hand not be sore?'

Xie Daoyun thought for a moment, then took out a talisman from her robe and placed it on his hand: 'A Meridian-Clearing Pain-Relief Talisman; it can alleviate fatigue and pain.'

Zu An felt a cool sensation spread through his hand and couldn't help but praise her profusely. Although Xie Daoyun wasn't exceptionally strong in combat, she truly was a gold-tier support. Her talismans could perform all sorts of functions; there was nothing she couldn't do that one could imagine.

Hearing his praise, Xie Daoyun's heart swelled with warmth, and her eyes curved like crescent moons as she smiled.

'Sister Ling'er, come with me to the arena to watch the Daoist sect's chief disciples compete. Today should be quite exciting,' Zu An invited.

Xie Daoyun was somewhat tempted but still shook her head slightly: 'I still need to investigate the array formations throughout Purple Mountain. With the Daoist Grand Competition underway, everyone's attention is drawn to Golden Peak, and defenses will be somewhat relaxed. It might be difficult to find such a good opportunity later.'

Before, she had only checked the main peak, but the Purple Mountain range was so vast. She had a vague sense of unease and decided to conduct a thorough investigation.

'Important matters first,' Zu An said, understanding her task and not pressing the issue. He handed her a signal arrow he had acquired from the Embroidery Tower: 'If you encounter any danger, fire this signal, and I will come to rescue you immediately.'

'Mm, thank you, Brother Zu.' Holding the signal arrow in her hand, Xie Daoyun felt a warmth in her heart, thinking, 'Brother Zu is so good to me.'

...

Zu An arrived at the Golden Peak and subconsciously scanned for Chu Chuyan, feeling quite guilty after yesterday's events.

Unfortunately, he still didn't see her. Logically, she should have been there to observe a chief disciple competition of this caliber. Was she truly angry?

He turned to look at Pei Mianman. She clearly saw his gaze but deliberately avoided looking at him, and her face even lacked her usual charming smile.

'What did those two say after that yesterday?' Zu An felt an unbearable itch, wanting to ask her, but unfortunately, he couldn't in such a public setting.

'Huh, what's going on with Grandmaster Huoling and Wan Tongtian? Why do they both look so furious right now?'

'I created an opportunity for you, but it was useless!'

Zu An couldn't stop complaining internally.

Meanwhile, on the arena stage, after Wang Wuxie had concluded his customary opening remarks and speech, he formally announced the start of today's competition.

Since today marked the championship competition for chief disciples, with fewer participants, there was no need for multiple arenas to run simultaneously as in previous days.

The one-on-one matches allowed the disciples from the nine sects to observe, presenting them with an extremely rare opportunity.

The first match pitted Wu Xiaofan of the Zheng Yang Sect against Luo Dongjiang of Mount Luofu.

When the two ascended the stage, the entire Golden Peak fell silent, its occupants watching the combatants intently.

Wu Xiaofan, however, looked remarkably unremarkable, the kind of person one would forget instantly after seeing him on the street.

In contrast, Luo Dongjiang was much taller and more handsome, carrying himself with a distinguished aura that truly befitted the title of chief disciple.

Yet, no disciple on Golden Peak dared to underestimate Wu Xiaofan, for his legends were far too numerous.

Many people began quietly discussing the potential victor, with opinions overwhelmingly favoring Wu Xiaofan. However, a small portion supported Luo Dongjiang, given how impressively he had dominated the spotlight during the group stage.

After all, everyone loves an underdog story.

'Luo Dongjiang is not weak; this is a good opportunity to see Wu Xiaofan's trump card,' said Wan Guiyi of Biluo Palace, full of anticipation. At the same time, he couldn't help but glance at his father beside him. Normally, at this point, his father would discuss the matches and offer commentary.

'What was going on today? Why was his father completely silent?'

'He even deliberately avoided his gaze several times, as if he had done something wrong to him?'