Ink-Clad Creator

Li Xian faced the black drone hovering in front of him, adopting what he considered to be the most serious commander's expression:

"Now, I command you to plan an absolutely secret route, with the following requirements: no one will pass by, no one will follow, and you must avoid major roads and villages as much as possible."

"Command received." The drone's electronic audio was as steady as a news anchor's. "Analyzing terrain data... Path planning complete. Young Master Li, please follow my guidance. I will maintain a 15-meter leading distance."

"You two," Li Xian pointed to the other two aircraft, "take off and conduct reconnaissance. Cover an area of ​​800 meters in front and behind, focusing on monitoring signs of human activity, and keep the data synchronized in real time."

"Whoosh—whoosh!"

Two drones shot into the darkening twilight sky like arrows, becoming two small black dots on the horizon in the blink of an eye.

The lead drone maintained a height of about five or six meters above the ground, drifting forward at a steady pace. Its flight path was eerily smooth, as if it were being pulled along by an invisible track.

Xiao Lingshan followed behind Li Hou, watching this scene, her heart churning with turmoil.

A "magical artifact" that can fly, obey commands, and work together? This was beyond her entire understanding of "treasures." Compared to these agile and lifelike things, the divine weapons in the Han Family Fort's storeroom, which were said to be able to cut hair with a breath, were like children's toys.

Could it be... that this young man is truly the incarnation of some reclusive deity? Otherwise, how can one explain someone who looks to be about the same age as oneself being able to wield such incredible power?

"What are you spacing out for?" Li turned around, grinning to reveal his white teeth. "Can't walk anymore? Want me to do what I did before—carry you and fly you for a bit?"

"Who, who asked you to carry it!" Xiao Lingshan's face flushed, and she quickly took a few steps to catch up.

But the inconsolable memory of being lifted up by his armpits, feeling dizzy and utterly ashamed, kept replaying in her mind. The wind whistled past her ears, the ground rushed past her feet, and his arms were strong and powerful…

"Pah, pah, pah! What are you thinking, Xiao Lingshan!" She cursed herself inwardly and shook her head violently.

Wake up! The most important thing right now is that little pine tree!

Her father's voice echoed in her ears: "Shan'er, that tree is no ordinary thing; it must be the nascent form of some kind of spiritual root of heaven and earth. If we can obtain it, given time, it will surely become a treasure passed down through our Xiao family. No matter what, we must succeed on this trip!"

She composed herself, and with her right index finger, she discreetly slipped into her left sleeve and gently pressed a button into a cleverly concealed pocket—

A wisp of pale, almost invisible bluish-green powder silently sprinkled onto the grass by the roadside as she raised her hand.

The secret recipe of the Wood Clan, "Wood Soul Incense".

This fragrance is colorless and odorless, making it extremely difficult for ordinary people to detect, yet it can linger for several days. Members of the Wood Sect, after reaching a certain level of cultivation, can sense its presence through special methods or track it using specially trained "fragrance-seeking insects." Her father gave her a small bottle, originally intending it as a clue in case she encountered danger while traveling the world; she never expected it would be used today.

Every twenty or thirty steps, she would carefully sprinkle a little powder while adjusting her sleeves or tousling her hair. The amount in the bottle was already nearly half gone.

The mountain path was becoming increasingly difficult to traverse. The trail led by the drone was a desolate wilderness, overgrown with thorns and littered with loose stones. Xiao Lingshan's embroidered shoes were not designed for this kind of terrain; the uppers were already torn in several places, and the soles of her feet were aching from the friction.

After climbing another steep slope, she finally couldn't hold on any longer and leaned against a nearby tree, panting, "I...I really can't walk anymore! What kind of awful path is this? There's not even a rock to sit on!"

Li stopped and looked back at her.

The girl's face was pale, her forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, a few stray hairs clung to her cheeks, and her chest rose and fell slightly with her breath. Today, she had first had her inner strength drained, and then she had traversed mountains and valleys; she was indeed nearing her limit.

Looking at the sky again—dusk had fallen, the outlines of the distant mountains were blurred, and the light in the forest was rapidly fading.

It's time to find a place to spend the night.

"Re-plan," Li Xian said to the drone that was leading the way. "Prioritize finding a safe place to stay overnight. Requirements: sheltered, protected from wind and rain, and preferably uninhabited."

A faint blue light flashed in the drone's view: "Scanning... An abandoned building detected 600 meters to the southeast, structural integrity 78%, no recent human activity heat signals. Recommended as a temporary shelter."

"Let's go there," Li decided first, then turned to Xiao Lingshan and said, "Hang in there a little longer, there's a place to rest up ahead."

Xiao Lingshan bit her lower lip, said nothing, and simply straightened up with difficulty.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly clutched her stomach, her voice weak: "I...I'm thirsty, I haven't had any water all day..."

Li frowned: "Can't we find water first?"

"The nearest water source is a stream 30 meters from the target building," the drone answered methodically. "We recommend replenishing it upon arrival."

"But I want to drink it now..." Xiao Lingshan squatted down, looking like she was about to faint at any moment.

Li Xian looked at her chapped lips and sighed, "Let's split up. You continue leading the way to that building, and at the same time, send... those two pink planes to find some water and something to eat."

Seeing this, Xiao Lingshan had no choice but to reluctantly get up and continue walking. Taking advantage of the moment Li Xian turned around, her hand reached into her bosom again, her fingertips touching a cool and delicate small porcelain bottle—a love potion.

The life-saving item her father gave her; just a small amount could render someone unconscious for half an hour. It was colorless and odorless, making it impossible to defend against.

Now, of the three black drones, only this one is leading the way, the other two are conducting reconnaissance at high altitude, and the two pink ones are looking for water and food... Perhaps, this is an opportunity?

Her heart suddenly raced, her fingers tracing the smooth surface of the porcelain bottle. With just one movement, she could flick the powder, and then…

"Are you starving?" Li Xian suddenly turned around, his gaze falling on her hand clutching her chest.

Xiao Lingshan froze, her hand recoiling as if burned, and forced herself to remain calm: "No...it's just that my stomach hurts a little."

Li glanced at her for two seconds, said nothing, and turned back to continue walking.

Xiao Lingshan breathed a sigh of relief, only to realize that her back was covered in a layer of cold sweat. It was too risky… Her father had repeatedly warned her that this person's methods were unpredictable and treacherous, and that she must proceed with extreme caution and strike with absolute certainty.

About fifteen minutes later, the group finally arrived at their destination.

It was a long-abandoned mountain god temple. The doors were half-collapsed, the courtyard walls were dilapidated, and weeds grew to waist height. But the roof of the main hall was still intact, at least enough to keep out the wind and rain.

Xiao Lingshan staggered into the hall and collapsed onto a pile of relatively dry straw, no longer caring about the demeanor of a well-bred lady.

Li Xian walked around the hall, found a corner against the wall and sat down, his brows furrowing unconsciously.

Time ticked by... but the brain remained completely blank.

Was it truly swallowed up? Or is it trapped in some kind of communication-unreachable state? If the brain doesn't return, what will happen to these drones, this knowledge, this inexplicable transmigrated identity...?

He shook his head, forcing himself to bring his attention back to the present moment.

"I'm sorry to have to make you suffer, Miss Xiao," he said to Xiao Lingshan, who was lying on the haystack. "There will be food soon."

Xiao Lingshan kept her eyes closed and ignored her.

Inwardly, however, he was seething with resentment: You drained my inner strength, made me work myself to the bone following you over mountains and valleys, and now you're spouting nice words! You could clearly control these magical artifacts to fly, but you insisted on walking. What else could it be but deliberately tormenting me!

Seeing that she ignored him, Li Xian shrugged, got up, and walked outside the temple gate.

Dusk had fallen deep. The distant mountains were reduced to blurry silhouettes, and the sound of the forest rustling in the night seemed particularly profound.

On the very first day of my rebirth, I've already experienced such a dramatic and unpredictable storyline... I wonder what the future holds.

Fortunately, there are these drones. They are intelligent, capable, and loyal—practically a golden finger for time travelers.

Just as I was lost in thought, a voice so sweet it could drip honey rang out behind me:

"Young Master Li, would you like some peaches?"

Li was startled and turned around to see a pink quadcopter drone hovering behind him. Beneath the drone, a fine net woven from some kind of flexible material held a bunch of plump, white-and-red peaches, each one gleaming enticingly in the twilight.

"These are wild peaches I picked from the wild peach grove behind the mountain. They're so fresh! Would you like to try some, Young Master Li?" Its voice was as soft and sweet as freshly made osmanthus syrup.

Li Xian laughed and took the peach: "So you can talk too? Your voice is quite nice."

"As long as Young Master Li likes it, I'll tell you every day~" It twirled lightly in the air, its rotors creating a fine gust of air.

Li picked up a peach, wiped it on his sleeve, and took a big bite—

"Snap!"

The crisp sound was especially clear in the quiet twilight. The sweet juice burst instantly in the mouth, the flesh was crisp and tender, and it carried the unique fragrance of wild peaches from the mountains.

"Delicious!" he couldn't help but exclaim. "These peaches are amazing! Even the finest peaches can't compare!"

"I'm glad you like it, Young Master Li~" Her voice was sickeningly sweet. "Your happiness makes me happy too~

Li Xian squinted, feeling completely comfortable with this "top-tier AI service." While transmigration was a terrible experience, this treatment... was actually quite good.

"How can you be so shameless as to eat alone?"

Xiao Lingshan's voice suddenly came from the temple entrance. She had already sat up, hugging her knees, gazing at them with a melancholy look, like a neglected child.

"Oh, Miss Xiao is awake?" Li Xian smiled and handed her two peaches. "Come on, have a taste. These are 'immortal peaches' that they specially picked."

Xiao Lingshan took it, hesitated for a moment, and then took a small bite.

The sweet taste melted on her tongue, and the juice slid down her throat, quenching her long-parched body. She ate silently, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

They ate his peaches and then tried to steal his little pine tree...

Isn't that a bit... unfair?

She shook her head, quickly suppressing this weak thought. Who told him to be a petty thief from the demonic sect! He drained my inner energy, bound my hands and feet, and even held me hostage! What's wrong with taking one of his things? Besides, he has plenty of strange magical artifacts; losing one won't make a difference!

"Young Master Li," she finished the peach, wiped her hands, and forced a sweet smile, "your flying artifact is wonderful, so clever and capable. After I finish helping you with your errands later... could you give me one?"

Li Xiantou shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum: "Don't even think about it."

This is a legacy left by a big shot; it's not for sale and cannot be lent out.

"You're so stingy..." Xiao Lingshan pouted, then rolled her eyes. "Then... how about you give me that little pine tree? As a... keepsake?"

Li Xian didn't even bother to reply this time, only giving her a look that seemed to say, "Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Xiao Lingshan's heart sank.

Soft methods won't work.

It seems... the only option is to seize it by force when the opportunity arises.

The sky was completely dark. The sound of night birds flapping their wings as they returned to their nests could be heard from the woods, and the distant howls of beasts could be faintly heard.

Just then—

Suddenly, a whooshing sound came from outside the temple, growing louder as it approached!

Li looked up and saw three white beams of light piercing through the thick night, rapidly approaching the mountain god temple!

The beam of light grew brighter and brighter, and the roar of the rotors tearing through the air was clearly audible, startling a flock of birds into flight from the forest.

Three other black drones returned fully loaded.