Guan Ling

"Forgiving you is no trouble at all. Is there anything you need my assistance with? It seems you are not only feeling down but also facing some kind of trouble!" 

This girl, strikingly similar to Ye Ying, piqued my interest, and her willingness to admit her faults was commendable. If the opportunity arose, I would not mind lending her a hand. 

"Thank you, but... I actually have no idea what trouble I'm in, nor do I know how to ask for your help. So, I appreciate your kindness, but I think I should handle this myself." 

After brushing off her hunting attire, the girl wiped away her tears and put away her weapon. 

I squinted slightly, slipping my hands into my pockets. Activating the ability of the Temporal Order Keeper, the silver symbol on the back of my hand glowed subtly beneath the fabric. In an instant, I glimpsed fragments of her past and future, gaining insight into her predicament. 

Ah, so it is your father who is in grave trouble. While I may not be able to assist him directly, I can help you navigate Demon Island. Perhaps once you gain strength, you might be able to aid your father! 

My suggestion seemed considerate. The wild girl, although astonished that I knew about her father's situation, expressed her gratitude softly, yet her expression soon turned troubled as she said, "I am indeed facing some difficulties. My father's funds have run dry. Could you tell me how to hunt valuable prey on Demon Island?" 

"Ran out completely? Did you spend it all on the Colorful Phoenix Flying martial arts card? You also purchased a set of internal skills and a fist technique, along with these two ribbons." 

I was astonished that this girl could afford so many martial arts cards and even buy a weapon. After all, weapons of treasure grade are typically more expensive than martial arts cards of the same level. I exclaimed, "Your family must be quite wealthy! 

When I was mingling on Demon Island with the Wolf King and Jack the Killer, I was lucky enough to stumble upon someone else's bank card, and that fellow happened to be a super-rich guy. The others were nearly penniless!" 

My praise was sincere, yet the girl appeared bashful, her shyness lending her an endearing quality. It was true that girls were often more charming when they exhibited a touch of gentleness. 

However, that moment of shyness quickly dissipated as she regained her composure, wiping her tears and quietly stating, "This was the last account my father gave me. I spent it all in an instant!" 

"There's no need to dwell on regrets. Earning money on Demon Island is relatively easy. Fortunately, I have some free time these days, and I can accompany you on a few tasks!" I offered in a comforting tone, then curiously asked, "Why did you not learn the internal skills you purchased? Your internal energy seems rather weak; otherwise, you wouldn't have lost to me so swiftly." 

The girl summoned the Book of Demons and inquired, "I don't know why, but no matter how hard I practice, my progress with this martial art remains stagnant!" 

Seizing the rare opportunity to examine another's Book of Demons, I glanced at the inner cover. A lively demon lady was sleeping soundly on the first page, revealing her delicate shoulder and rosy legs. 

"How did you come to acquire this set of internal skill cards?" 

Having spent considerable time on Demon Island, I quickly discerned the issue she faced, as I had encountered a similar obstacle myself. The martial arts card she purchased was called the Great Peng Carefree Technique, one of the highest-priced martial arts cards at the auction house, with a base price of two hundred and ninety million demon coins. 

The difficulty in cultivating this level of martial arts is evident. My own breakthrough to the fifth level of the Transformation of the Great Freedom was only achieved after witnessing the duel between Yan Tianhong and Jack the Killer. With her lack of foundation, mastering such a technique in a short time would be nearly impossible. 

I meticulously analyzed the pros and cons of the martial arts card for her, advising her on where to focus her efforts. Given our similar ages, we quickly forged a solid friendship. 

After exchanging names and adding each other to our communication cards, I learned that this girl, who bore a striking resemblance to Ye Ying, was named Guan Ling. She had come here not to engage in the conflict over Flying Cat Valley but rather to seek opportunities for making money. 

Her father's background was rather unclear. My ability to glimpse past and future was still developing, so I could not ascertain his precise identity. However, I did not believe he would become entangled with me, so I did not expend much effort on the matter. 

Guan Ling's father faced significant setbacks in his career and might be on the verge of being hunted down, with his power crumbling and his family facing dire consequences. He sent his only daughter to Demon Island, reminiscent of high-ranking officials who embezzle vast sums and send their children abroad for education, attempting to pave a path for the next generation despite their own misdeeds. However, I held no admiration for such paternal love. 

Guan Ling had not been on Demon Island for long—just over ten days. Her demon companion was rather lazy, rarely offering her guidance beyond sleeping most of the day, leaving her to navigate on her own. A girl alone in such a peculiar place, lacking financial acumen, inevitably found her circumstances increasingly dire, leading to her despondent state. I inadvertently became a sounding board for her frustrations. 

During our conversation, I discovered that despite her fiery temperament, Guan Ling was not a bad person. Her every word and action revealed a solid upbringing. Noticing my continuous attention to the battlefield, she wisely fell silent. 

The bald man sent by the Four Directions Group was formidable, able to unleash flames with a mere breath. Fearless in battle, he concealed secret weapons within his arms and chest, capable of emitting fierce flames. In a matter of moments, he had charred his opponents, forcing them to retreat. 

As both sides claimed a victory, we entered a brief intermission. I patted Guan Ling on the shoulder and remarked, "You see, that martial artist who was turned to charcoal was still beneath your level, yet he was overly specialized, lacking any magical knowledge, rendering him defenseless against his foes. 

You cannot solely focus on martial arts; you should also learn some related magical techniques. I happen to possess half a set of magical cards; would you like to use them?" 

Guan Ling showed no aversion to my friendly gesture. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and accepted the four Wind and Fire Blade magic cards I offered. Though the value of these cards was considerable, it was not a significant loss for me. 

Despite Guan Ling's differing temperament, character, and demeanor from Ye Ying, her striking resemblance made me thoroughly enjoy her company.