Big Charles's heart trembled—she really is testing me! Luckily, I’m naturally kind and have never even killed a chicken!

Big Charles said with embarrassment, “I was wrong to overestimate myself and delay my return. If I were to make another mistake and kill a spirit pet, I would truly disappoint you, miss, and my death would be well deserved.”

Samantha Grant gave a faint smile. “It’s not as complicated as you think. Have you ever heard the saying ‘a ten-year-old chicken’s head is as poisonous as arsenic’? This chicken actually gained a twenty-year lifespan by eating poisonous insects, and its whole body is highly toxic. Eating it means certain death—it can’t save you!”

Damn! This test is way too scary!

Big Charles then explained the situation of his soul leaving his body just now.

Samantha Grant frowned. “It must have been the poisonous flood dragon trying to seize your soul! Fortunately, your mind was strong enough to return in time. This can indeed be considered a stroke of luck in experiencing immortal arts... In short, you discovered the poisonous flood dragon underground. Its water-domain demon magic absorbs and stores water from a hundred miles around, which is why the wells have dried up and the whole region is suffering from drought!”

So that’s how it is!

Big Charles hurriedly asked, “And what about the pillar of light?”

Samantha Grant shook her head. “It’s probably some rare treasure. But it’s all just an illusion, usually not in the human realm, so don’t think too much about it.”

Big Charles could only say, “Yongchang City is offering all kinds of rewards for rainmaking and drought relief. So, should we—”

Samantha Grant said in a deep voice, “You’re overthinking it. I’m here to fight the poisonous flood dragon to the death. As for you, you’ll inherit my will. After I die in battle, you’ll receive my scattered general star. That should let your general’s token level up several stars. What I don’t have time to teach you, she can.”

Big Charles wondered if he’d misheard. “Fight to the death!?”

Samantha Grant gave a faint smile. “Do you know what the poisonous flood dragon is? Even saying I’ll fight it to the death is overestimating myself, just because it’s the Dragon Boat Festival.”

Big Charles grew anxious. “Since the poisonous flood dragon is so powerful and we’ve found it, shouldn’t we report to the city and call in all the barbarian kings and cave lords? It’s a festival today, so they’re all in the city.”

Samantha Grant shook her head. “It’s already past the hour of You. The poisonous flood dragon’s strength is starting to recover. Every moment we delay, my chances decrease. Not to mention, after failing to seize your soul, it’s been exposed and might be preparing to escape. This is a fleeting opportunity.”

Big Charles found it hard to accept. “But you don’t have to risk your life! This is Meng Huo’s territory—shouldn’t he take care of it?”

Samantha Grant chuckled. “If you can’t even protect and benefit the people within a hundred miles, how can you talk about caring for the world? Always talking about loyalty and righteousness, but thinking about business in your heart—always demanding others not fear death, but do you dare to die yourself? Of course, I’m not talking about Crippled Lord and Little Five—they’re truly loyal and righteous... After you leave, talk to them about your future ideals. They’re worth befriending.”

Big Charles was shaken to the core. Was this a veiled criticism of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness? Was she giving instructions for the organization’s future?

Samantha Grant smiled again. “What’s with that look? Do you really think this is a final farewell? I’m a general star—if you upgrade your general’s token to seven stars, maybe I’ll come back if I’m in a good mood!”

So she can be resurrected! Why didn’t she say so earlier!

But wait, there’s even a 7-star level? I thought 5 stars was the max! The number of fragments needed must be unimaginable...

Chapter 9: Not Even Qualified to Watch the Battle

As they spoke, the rooster stopped and began circling in place in a passageway.

Samantha Grant said in a deep voice, “We’ve found it. This is the underground entrance you saw when your soul left your body. Ordinary people can’t see or enter it—you need Qimen Dunjia. I know a bit of Qimen magic, but only the basics, so my general’s token can’t do it. You’ve already experienced a bit of soul-leaving. It would be a shame not to cultivate immortality. Some high-ranking ministers aren’t easy to befriend—you need to connect with them through soul-travel, like how King Wu Ding of Shang dreamed of the sage Fu Yue. If you have time, you can go to Mount Qingcheng to seek immortality and ask an immortal to explain why your soul was bitten.”

As she spoke, she began drawing the Bagua and Nine Palaces diagram on the ground.

Big Charles quickly asked, “Seek immortality? Which immortal should I seek?”

Samantha Grant smiled. “When your fate arrives, any immortal will do.”

Big Charles was stunned. Are there really that many immortals on Mount Qingcheng?

But after all, this is the Three Kingdoms, not Investiture of the Gods or Journey to the West. There are only a few famous immortals. Mount Qingcheng does have Zhang Daoling, the founder, but he’s from the Eastern Han. The others are the Southern and Northern Dippers, the Old Immortal Nanhua, Zuo Ci, Yu Ji, and then Zhang Jiao counts as half, but none of them are on Mount Qingcheng... Could it be Bai Suzhen at the foot of Mount Qingcheng? That would be the wrong story...

Wait! There’s one more! A female immortal! If it’s her...

Big Charles was instantly excited. If it’s her, that would be a huge stroke of immortal fate! And given the relationship between their families, it would be normal for them to be close friends, right?

But how to bring it up? Just say it directly!

Big Charles respectfully cupped his hands. “Miss, I... I want to seek immortality from the daughter of Prime Minister Zhuge, Grace Carter.”

Samantha Grant frowned, her voice displeased. “Men and women should not touch—what are your intentions?”

So she does know her! What intentions could I have? Seeking a female immortal is way more interesting than a male one...

Big Charles was both delighted and flustered, embarrassed. “I think, perhaps your magic was taught by her—that’s fate with an immortal!”

Samantha Grant snorted coldly. “And what makes you think she taught me?”

Big Charles said awkwardly, “Men and women shouldn’t touch—surely you wouldn’t go to a male immortal to learn magic, right?”