Chapter Three: You should have said so earlier!

The next day, sunlight streamed through the window, spilling into the room. The disheveled bed was clear evidence of a fierce battle that had taken place. On the sheets, small droplets of crimson were particularly striking.

Su Xingyue slowly opened her eyes. Her complexion was rosy and her face glowed with radiance, clearly well-nourished. She looked at Lin Fan, who was still fast asleep, and a smile tugged at her lips. With a fluid movement, she rose and dressed in moments.

"Ouch!"

As soon as her feet touched the floor, a sharp pain shot through her. Her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed. She quickly steadied herself against the bed frame.

Lin Fan was jolted awake. "Sister, what’s wrong?"

Su Xingyue cast him a reproachful glare, the meaning clear: this was all his doing! Lin Fan scratched his head, dressed, and climbed out of bed.

Seemingly remembering something, Su Xingyue walked over to him. She reached out with a slender finger to tilt his chin up, her eyes smoldering like silk. "Little brother, your constitution is far too rare; it can help others break through their bottlenecks. If word of this gets out, it will likely bring a fatal calamity upon you."

"Don't even think about running away; I simply couldn't bear to see you go." She gave his cheek a light peck. "From now on, you will live in this small courtyard, and I will take good care of you. Of course, as long as you are obedient, I will never treat you poorly. Whatever you want, I can satisfy you—even if you wish to cultivate immortality, that is not impossible."

Lin Fan’s heart sank. As expected, there was no way this woman would let him go so easily. She intended to imprison him and use him as her exclusive "human spirit pill."

Su Xingyue seemed to read his thoughts. "By the way, during our intimate time last night, I cast a Spirit-Locking Spell upon you. If I were to have a single thought..." She trailed off. "So, you must be a good boy."

Lin Fan felt helpless. This woman was truly... well, she was a cold-hearted turncoat. After she left, he pulled out twenty spirit stones. As he gripped them tightly in his palm, the system automatically began to absorb them. The stones slowly shrank like ice cubes held in the hand, and Lin Fan felt the emptiness within his body gradually filling up. This sensation brought him a sense of peace.

He then pulled up his attribute panel.

[Name: Lin Fan]
[Remaining Lifespan: 80 years]
[Cultivation: None]
[Spirit Roots: Five-Element Spirit Root]

Seeing his lifespan increase from sixty to eighty years, his suspended heart finally settled. "Now, I must plan carefully to find a way out. I refuse to be trapped in this courtyard for the rest of my life, serving as Su Xingyue's personal breakthrough machine."

Thinking this, he called out to the system in his mind. "System, system, what are the requirements to upgrade you?"

Yesterday, he had been too busy dealing with that enchantress Su Xingyue to pay much attention to the system's functions.

"Help ten people break through their bottlenecks within three days to initiate a system upgrade. After the upgrade, the host will gain the function of cultivation feedback," the system’s mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

"Cultivation feedback?" Lin Fan asked, puzzled.

"It means that a portion of the cultivation gained by those you have helped will be fed back to you, assisting your own progress," the system explained.

"And if I fail to complete this within three days?" Lin Fan pressed.

"The system will terminate the host!" the system replied coldly.

"Damn it! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Three days? Are you trying to kill me?" Lin Fan was speechless. This system was truly ruthless. He was trapped in this courtyard, bound by that Spirit-Locking Spell, let alone finding ten people to help. He felt a surge of anxiety; three days was not just tight—it was extremely urgent.

*Knock, knock, knock...*

A series of knocks at the door startled him from his thoughts. He got up and walked out of the bedroom. Outside lay a spacious living room with simple yet elegant furnishings. The front door stood open, revealing a flagstone path that wound its way into the courtyard. The yard was expansive, filled with a vibrant array of flowers, and a delicate gazebo stood quietly amidst the blooms, creating a poetic atmosphere.

*Knock, knock, knock...*

The knocking came again, more urgent than before.

"Coming," Lin Fan answered, walking quickly to the gate and pulling it open.

Standing outside was a girl of about seventeen or eighteen. She had a delicate, doll-like face with fair, rosy skin. Her large, watery eyes were like black obsidian, sparkling with intelligence. Her long, silky dark hair fell over her shoulders, and she wore a pale pink gown embroidered with delicate orchids. A ribbon of the same color cinched her waist, highlighting her slender figure.

She held an exquisite food box, from which wafted an enticing aroma.

"I was sent by Master to take care of your daily life. My name is Bai Xiyue. You may call me Xiyue, Sir." The girl’s voice was crisp and melodious.

Lin Fan observed her calmly. The girl looked innocent and harmless, but if Su Xingyue had sent her, things were likely not so simple.

"Very well, come in."

Bai Xiyue followed him into the courtyard, moving with nimble efficiency. She quickly prepared wash water for him, and while he was washing, she laid out the breakfast from the box.

Lin Fan stared into the water basin. The surface, like a mirror, reflected his face clearly. He couldn't help but touch his cheek. His eyebrows were sharp and slanted, his eyes deep like stars. His nose was high and straight, his lips thin and well-defined, and the corners of his mouth held a faint, subtle smile.

He looked much more handsome than before—a blessing in disguise, perhaps. Before he transmigrated, his features were decent, but he had never been considered truly handsome. Now, this face was flawless from every angle—devastatingly attractive.

Bai Xiyue, having finished setting the table, called out, "Sir, I’ve prepared spirit porridge boiled with spirit grains and Phoenix-tail chicken eggs for you. Please eat while it’s still warm."

Lin Fan walked to the table, where a bowl of golden porridge and a dish of pickles awaited. Bai Xiyue stood by, dutifully peeling an egg.

"Calling me 'Sir' doesn't sound right. From now on, call me Young Master," Lin Fan said, sitting down and taking a sip of the porridge. It was sweet and fragrant. Even as a mortal unable to sense spirit energy, he felt his senses sharpening with every spoonful.

Bai Xiyue placed the peeled egg on his plate. "As you wish, Young Master."

Lin Fan nodded. "Did your master give you any other instructions?"

"Master said I should fulfill your requests... to the best of my ability!"

Lin Fan’s gaze swept over Bai Xiyue’s fair face with a playful glint. "Oh? Does that mean... any request is fine?"

A trace of panic flashed through Bai Xiyue’s eyes, like a startled fawn. She bowed her head, not daring to meet his gaze, her slender fingers twisting anxiously.

"As long as it is not... too excessive... it... it is fine..."