The next morning, Jiang Yuan clocked in at the Criminal Investigation Department as usual. He waited most of the day, but no official documents came in for processing.
"Ah, looks like I'll only get the base reward today," Jiang Yuan sighed inwardly, feeling a bit disappointed.
Sitting in the grand hall's armchair, Jiang Yuan idly opened the leaderboard and began browsing.
[Leaderboard] 1st: Proud Dragon Emperor - Level 125 2nd: Dominating the World - Level 124 3rd: Jiang Yuan - Level 123 4th: Hamster Pudding - Level 123 5th: One Blade Breaks All - Level 122 6th: Shattered Moon Flowing Clouds - Level 122 7th: Promising You a Lifetime - Level 122 8th: Dominating Arrow God - Level 122 9th: Call Me War God - Level 122 10th: Ding Ye - Level 121
Huh? Pudding's level has caught up to mine? How so fast?
Seeing Hamster Pudding tied with him on the leaderboard, Jiang Yuan immediately opened his friend list and sent a message.
"Darling, you're amazing, already at level 123!"
Soon, Hamster Pudding replied, "Who told you to ignore me for two days? I had no choice but to focus on leveling up!"
Sensing a hint of displeasure in his partner's tone, Jiang Yuan quickly responded, "It's my fault. I've been busy with magic artifacts these past two days and didn't spend time with you. I'll come find you after work!"
"Work? What does that mean?"
Seeing Hamster Pudding's reply, Jiang Yuan smiled and explained his daily routine of reporting to the Criminal Investigation Department.
"Pfft, hahaha! You have to clock in even in the game? That's hilarious!"
After reading Jiang Yuan's response, Hamster Pudding sent him a voice message, laughing.
"Jiang Yuan, the game's updating in a few hours. How about you come with me to enjoy the scenery?"
The celestial realm was full of breathtaking sights. Since learning to fly on a sword, Hamster Pudding often explored alone, but without Jiang Yuan's company, she never lingered long.
"I'll come find you right now. There's nothing to do here anyway."
Jiang Yuan checked the time—there was still an hour and a half before the 9 o'clock update, perfect for exploring other parts of the celestial realm with Hamster Pudding!
[Ding! Player Hamster Pudding has sent you a team invitation. Accept?]
After teaming up, Jiang Yuan saw the coordinates she sent in the team channel.
Leaving the Criminal Investigation Department, Jiang Yuan summoned his Frost Wolf mount and rode to the coordinates, finding Hamster Pudding, who had just finished her golden pill quest.
"Jiang Yuan, does my new outfit look good?"
Hamster Pudding spun around in front of him, smiling happily.
Jiang Yuan looked closely. She wore a black off-shoulder dress embroidered with cloud patterns, accentuating her alluring figure—elegant yet captivating.
"Darling, you're naturally beautiful. You look great in anything!"
Jiang Yuan gave a thumbs-up, not holding back his praise.
"You're annoying!"
Hamster Pudding shot him a glare, pretending to be angry, but her eyes were full of affection.
"Come on, I'll take you somewhere!"
She took Jiang Yuan's hand, led him to a quiet spot, and summoned her flying sword.
"This sword... is it Longxiang?"
Jiang Yuan's eyes lit up as he looked at the broadsword engraved with dragon patterns floating before her, asking in surprise.
"Yep! How is it? Cool, right?"
Hamster Pudding nodded with a smile.
Unlike Jiang Yuan's free Qing Shuang sword from the beginner pack, hers was a top-tier sword pulled from the "Longxiang Secrets" gacha in the shop!
"About twenty thousand, I think? Want me to pull one for you too?"
Hamster Pudding tilted her head, thinking, then said to Jiang Yuan.
"I don't need it. The free sword from the pack still has 28 days left."
Jiang Yuan shook his head. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it—since playing *Ten Thousand Realms*, he'd earned tens of millions—but he never spent money on cosmetics or items that didn't boost stats. Plus, he didn't want to be seen as a kept man.
"What? Isn't being kept nice?"
Hamster Pudding, sharp as ever, seemed to read his mind. She hooked a finger under his chin, looking into his eyes with a smile.
"Do you think I need to be kept now?"
Jiang Yuan grabbed her delicate hand, pulled her close, and she spun into his arms.
"Then what do you want?"
Hamster Pudding tilted her head up, meeting his gaze.
"I want... hey, this part seems pretty soft?"
Jiang Yuan wrapped an arm around her waist, his gaze drifting from her face down to a certain prominent area on her upper body, grinning.
"You pervert!"
Hamster Pudding blushed, spat at him, broke free from his embrace, and stepped onto the Longxiang sword hovering above the ground, waving him over.
Jiang Yuan jumped onto the sword, standing behind her, naturally wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Up!"
Hamster Pudding pointed at Longxiang with two fingers, chanting, and the sword glowed with divine light as it slowly ascended.
Half an hour later, she flew Jiang Yuan to a place in the celestial realm called "Zhenwu Hall," the palace of the True Martial Demon-Suppressing Emperor.
Landing on a rooftop, Hamster Pudding hopped off, sat down, dangled her legs, and pointed into the distance.
Jiang Yuan followed her finger. Ahead, above a sea of clouds, a rising sun slowly emerged from the east, casting golden light, serene and magnificent.
"The sun rises in the east, its path shining bright! What a grand sight!"
Sitting side by side with Hamster Pudding, Jiang Yuan admired the sunrise, letting out a sigh of awe.
"Every time I come here, I think of a line from Fan Zhongyan's *Record of Yueyang Tower*."
Hamster Pudding gazed at the sunrise over the clouds, speaking to Jiang Yuan beside her.
"Oh? Tell me."
Hamster Pudding was a talented woman, and on this, they shared much common ground.
"'Ascending this tower, one feels a sense of joy, forgetting favor and disgrace, facing the wind with a drink, brimming with delight!'"
Hamster Pudding looked into the distance, reciting the timeless verse in Jiang Yuan's ear, then continued, "The celestial realm is such a wonderful place! Whenever I'm stressed, I fly my sword and explore the scenery, and all my worries fade away for a while."
"Darling, I've neglected you these past few days. I'm sorry. From now on, I'll spend more time with you enjoying the views."
Jiang Yuan pulled her into his arms, kissed her forehead gently, and said with a hint of tenderness.
They leaned against each other, sitting on Zhenwu Hall's rooftop, watching the sunrise over the sea of clouds, until the system broadcast the update announcement.