With no better option, Li Qingchen changed his route and headed straight for his grandfather.
As soon as he stepped into the Li family's small world, dense spiritual energy surged around him, rushing uncontrollably into his body. This was where the family's core figures resided — a place only those of Li blood could enter, aided by secret techniques.
Even then, entry required the ancestor's permission. Among the younger generation, only a few of the Great Geniuses could come here — and even among them, only Li Qingchen could step into the very heart of the realm.
The small world was opened only in times of true crisis, when the Li family faced ruin.
Adjusting his breathing, Li Qingchen steadied his aura and moved toward his grandfather's cave mansion.
Though he'd visited many times, every trip left him sighing in awe — the Spirit Qi here was beyond anything outside, almost alive.
He couldn't understand why the elders refused to open it to the clan's disciples. Wouldn't it help their cultivation?
He didn't know that this was a rule among ancient families: each guarded their small worlds like secret hearts. Without enough talent, one could never enter.
While these thoughts drifted through his head, his grandfather's calm voice reached him even before he entered.
"Qingchen, why are you here? Do you have something to tell Grandpa?"
Looking up, Li Qingchen saw his grandfather already waiting outside.
"Grandpa," he tilted his head, puzzled. "Who's Li Xueruo?"
Li Daoyuan blinked. Of all questions, he hadn't expected this. His expression shifted subtly — amusement mixed with disbelief. Is this brat already starting to chase girls?
Impossible. I was ten before I learned that trick… surely he can't be ahead of me.
Seeing that his grandfather was giving him a strange look but saying nothing, Li Qingchen pouted. Then, with the sudden confidence only children possess, he leapt onto Li Daoyuan's back, tugging at his beard with both hands.
"Tell me, or I'll pull it all out!" he threatened, voice soft but fierce.
Li Daoyuan laughed despite himself. Even a Quasi-Saint would struggle to pluck his beard — this little rascal had no chance.
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you. She's the founder of your Qingchen Society — you really didn't know?"
Then his face grew serious. "But listen, you're still young. It's fine to talk, but don't do anything else."
Li Qingchen froze. "Huh?!"
What kind of grandpa says that? He just wanted to complete a system task! What "anything else"? He was five! Well… technically, given his physique, maybe he could — no, stop thinking about that.
He sighed, nodded obediently, and hopped down.
Just as he was leaving, another thought struck him.
"Grandpa, where does she live?"
"She's talented," Li Daoyuan said, stroking his beard. "Probably in the East Courtyard."
"Thanks, Grandpa!"
Watching his grandson scamper off, Li Daoyuan could only chuckle and shake his head. "This kid… too noisy for his own good. What if he scares the poor girl?"
Outside, Li Qingchen sped toward the East Courtyard — the first true system task of his life. Curiosity burned inside him. What kind of reward would he get for cleaning a girl's room?
The East Courtyard housed the Li family's most gifted disciples, each with their own mansion or yard. After asking for directions several times, Li Qingchen finally found Li Xueruo's residence.
But each time he asked, the disciples gave him a strange look, like he was up to something. The stares left him more flustered than he'd like to admit.
Finally, he arrived outside the courtyard… and froze.
He'd found it — but now what?
He couldn't exactly walk up to her door and say, "Hey, I'm here to clean your bedroom."
That sounded wrong on every possible level.
He paced in circles, muttering under his breath, "This is hard… Maybe I should just barge in."
"Overthinking never solved anything," he remembered a line from an old film his past self loved, "sometimes you've just got to walk through the door."
Just as he was debating whether to act on that thought—
"Divine Child Qingchen! What are you doing here? Are you looking for me?"
The sudden voice made him jump. He spun around, panicking.
"No! Absolutely not! I wasn't planning to go in— really!"
"Then why not come in for a bit?"
Li Xueruo tilted her head, confusion softening into amusement. Her voice was calm, lilting — like a stream over jade.
When Li Qingchen turned, he froze again.
She was breathtaking — sixteen or seventeen, with skin like snow and eyes as clear as water. Her almond-shaped face was gentle, framed by dark hair tied with a soft pink ribbon. The simple white robe she wore shimmered faintly under the sunlight, the flowers beside her making her seem even brighter.
"Are you really Li Xueruo?" he asked dumbly.
She nodded, smiling. "That's me. Come on, it's fine — I'll take you inside."
Before he could react, she gently took his hand. The warmth of her palm startled him.
So soft… he thought dazedly, as she led him into the courtyard.
Inside, Li Qingchen blinked in surprise. The room wasn't girlish at all — simple, bare, neat to the point of austerity.
Li Xueruo noticed his look and laughed lightly.
"Not what you expected, right? Everyone says it doesn't feel like a girl's place."
Li Qingchen shook his head too quickly. "No, no— it's fine!"
"It's alright," she smiled. "Even I think so. Maybe I just like simple things."
He nodded. "I get that. I don't really like fancy stuff either — unless it looks cool."
Their conversation flowed easily after that. Most of it was driven by Li Xueruo, who seemed endlessly curious about him. She kept asking questions — to the point of nearly inquiring about the colour of his underwear.
By the end, Li Qingchen felt like he finally understood how celebrities must've felt in his past life — cornered, smiling, and quietly dying inside.