Chapter Thirty-Six: The Intelligent Time Television

Catching up, Tianming said nothing more and simply followed silently behind her. He had noticed that at this moment, Wang Shangshang seemed unwilling to speak, and so he refrained from disturbing her further. Instead, he split his attention between glancing at the path ahead and passing the time with the lottery page—truly multitasking.

“Dora, start the lottery for me!”

Focusing inward on the image of the lottery in his mind, Tianming immediately used the opportunity he had earned from advancing his cultivation. Though he was now within the Heavenly Evolution Sect, one could never be too cautious—after all, if he drew something valuable, it would be a windfall.

“Yes, Master.” Dora’s indifferent tone sounded in his mind as the wheel began to spin rapidly.

Tianming’s heart rose and fell with the golden pointer…

Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Congratulations, Master, you have obtained the ‘Smart Time Television.’ Usage limit: three times. Permanent access may be purchased for 9,999,999,999 spirit stones. Function: Allows you to see any person’s past or the events that will occur in the next ten minutes of their future. Viewing time is limited to five minutes.”

Astounding!

At this moment, that was the only word Tianming could use to describe his excitement. He had never expected that the all-powerful Dora could even offer treasures related to time. If he ever drew something like a time-stopper, wouldn’t that defy the very heavens?

But Tianming could only imagine such things. With his luck, how could he ever draw such a prize? Only the truly fortunate could hope for that; he was better off not thinking about it.

“Dora, activate the Smart Time Television. Hide the display so that only I can see it.”

Such a heaven-defying treasure—Tianming had no desire to let others know. He understood all too well the proverb: “A person without sin is still envied for their treasures.” Even with a protagonist’s aura, he wasn’t about to invite trouble; after all, who wouldn’t want to live quietly as a handsome man?

“The Smart Time Television has been virtualized. Open your eyes to view it, Master. Timing begins now—the display will vanish automatically when time is up.”

As Dora’s words faded, a massive, virtual, transparent screen appeared before Tianming. The Smart Time Television covered everything around him, yet he could still clearly see the path ahead beyond its field of vision…

“Please choose: past or future?” Before Tianming could open his eyes, Dora spoke again.

“The future!” Tianming nodded subtly as he opened his eyes.

Ten minutes later…

What appeared before his eyes was, astonishingly, the legendary God’s-eye view, allowing him to see everything around both himself and Wang Shangshang in the image—remarkably immersive, truly worthy of the Smart Time Television.

From the scene, it seemed that in the next ten minutes, his future self and Wang Shangshang were still traveling together. But why, in the future, was he carrying her in his arms?

And they were flying in midair?

Moreover, they were soaring on a bamboo-copter, just like in the cartoons—what on earth was going on?

At that moment, the two of them seemed to stop abruptly and started speaking—quite intensely, at that. Unfortunately, Tianming could only see the images, not hear any sound. He could only stare helplessly, thinking to himself that even the most perfect things have their flaws.

After all, when do things ever go as one wishes?

“Xiao Tian, what’s wrong?”

Sensing the sigh from behind, Wang Shangshang turned gracefully to look at Tianming.

What?

Just as Tianming was scratching his head in bewilderment, lost in thought over what they might say, Wang Shangshang suddenly stopped. He hadn’t expected that, and because his attention was so focused on the images, he had no time to react—the two of them tumbled to the ground together like a rolling barrel, her sweet voice mixing with the flurry. They rolled a few times before finally coming to a stop.

They found themselves in an exceedingly awkward position!

“You… scoundrel, rascal!” Wang Shangshang puffed her cheeks in anger, fuming.

The strong masculine scent nearly suffocated her with its intensity, her heart pounding in her chest. Breathing rapidly, she shot Tianming a fierce glare from below.

Never in her life had any man—let alone a stranger—held her like this, especially in public view. At that moment, she hated both the Third Elder and this man intensely; if it weren’t for him, things wouldn’t have come to this…

“Shangshang, I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean to,” Tianming apologized quietly, head lowered.

The near-romantic fragrance washed over him, making Tianming draw a sharp breath and subdue his agitation. Staring at her apple-red cheeks, he could only stammer out apologies.

He felt no joy at having beauty fall into his arms—only a cold sweat and a stifling sense of ambiguity, as if a single second had stretched into a century. Even letting go proved difficult.

Soon, a crowd gathered around them. Disciples passing by stopped, gaping and staring, their expressions exaggerated. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing under the broad daylight…

“Damn, this young man…”

“Absolutely outrageous! How are us single folks supposed to live after seeing this? Even public displays of affection are this bold?”

“Exactly! It’s shameful. We must demand the Law Enforcement Hall to punish them!”

As Tianming’s headache grew, a gentle, warm breath suddenly brushed his ear, making his heart tremble.

“Hush, say nothing. Hurry and lift me up,” Wang Shangshang whispered, her lips pursed.

Resting atop Tianming’s chest, her flushed face lifted with utmost seriousness, gazing at Tianming with tender eyes.

“All right… forgive me!” Tianming nodded at her and lowered his voice.

Although he was reluctant, there was nothing else he could do. He might not mind embarrassment, but a young lady’s reputation was at stake. If rumors started because of him, the Third Elder would likely have his head.

With that thought, Tianming’s blood surged. Taking advantage of his height, he scooped Wang Shangshang up in a princess carry. He was not one to hesitate—no point pretending otherwise at this stage.

Hmm?

Suddenly gathered into his arms, Wang Shangshang let out a soft cry and squeezed her eyes shut in shame. Her willow brows trembled, and she buried her small head deep in his chest, desperate not to be seen. Her long, black hair cascaded across Tianming’s shoulders, a sight to delight the heart.

…Whew!

Together, together!

The male disciples watching the spectacle brightened at once, some gazing enviously at the soft figure in Tianming’s arms, wishing they could trade places with him.

The air grew heavy with a stifling sense of intimacy.

“Shangshang, thank you,” Tianming said gratefully, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

His gaze fell upon her delicate form, half hidden by her snow-white dress. At that moment, Tianming’s mind was clear, his grip firm.

It was as if a sense of responsibility had awakened within him.

For in that intimate embrace, he could clearly feel her subtle trembling—he knew that it had taken great courage for Wang Shangshang to make this choice. Now, his duty was to get them out of this awkward place as quickly as possible.

“…Mm.”

Perhaps out of fear of being recognized, or simply shy, Wang Shangshang only responded with a soft, muffled hum.

“Tianming, my friend, you two—”

Just as he was about to produce the bamboo-copter from the two-dimensional world, just as the Smart Time Television had shown, a tall, handsome figure dressed just like Tianming pushed through the crowd. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened at the scene before him.

“Brother Chu?”

It was none other than Chu Qingchen. The way he appeared, it was as if he had caught a couple in the act. Tianming, mortified, wished he could vanish into the earth—this was too dramatic.

“Ah, age must be catching up with me—I can’t see clearly. Sorry, I mistook you for someone else, carry on!” After a moment of dazed silence, Chu Qingchen’s eyes spun wildly, then suddenly brightened as he turned and strode away, leaving Tianming behind.

“Brother, this is actually a misunderstanding…” Tianming began to explain, his mouth twitching.

“I understand!” Chu Qingchen’s voice rang out before Tianming could finish.

His retreating back radiated the air of a man who, having resolved a matter, leaves without looking back—concealing his achievements and fame.

“Sigh…” Tianming exhaled softly.

What rotten luck!

Shaking his head, Tianming glanced down at the delicate little hand clutching his chest. He could only sigh and, helplessly, set the bamboo-copter atop his head. There was no way he could run after Chu Qingchen to explain while carrying Wang Shangshang—that would have been far too awkward.

And so, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, the two of them calmly ascended into the sky, leaving the clamor and gossip behind. Nestled in his arms, Wang Shangshang furtively glanced up at Tianming’s handsome, resolute face, her thoughts unknown.

Unbeknownst to them, the two of them soon became but a white speck, vanishing into the endless expanse of clouds.