Chapter Six: Negotiations, You Can Have Anything You Desire

Lin Fan regained his composure, his gaze settling on Bai Xiyue’s face. It was a countenance of pure, endearing beauty; her skin was as fair as solidified cream, and her features were as exquisite as a painting. Her large, watery eyes were particularly striking, clear enough to reflect the very soul of anyone who looked into them.

A sudden stir of inspiration struck Lin Fan. A thought flashed through his mind: if Bai Xiyue was a handmaiden sent by Su Xingyue to attend to him, could he not ask for a few more like her?

The more he pondered, the more feasible it seemed. He could have a few maids to manage his daily life and meals, a few to keep him company and ward off boredom, and perhaps some to play chess, perform music, or paint with him. Naturally, he could also request those skilled in song and dance to provide entertainment whenever he felt listless. If he could assemble a group of eight, wouldn’t his current crisis be easily resolved?

Admittedly, this might lead others to think he was not a man of serious character. Though, in truth, he wasn’t entirely serious to begin with. But for the sake of his own life, it was all worth it.

With a plan in mind, his appetite suddenly surged. He picked up his chopsticks and began to feast. Bai Xiyue, meanwhile, served him with utmost devotion, picking out dishes, filling his bowl, and pouring soup, kept busy and seemingly content.

Lin Fan devoured the meal like a storm sweeping across the fields. Once sated, he patted his slightly rounded belly in satisfaction. Leaning back against his chair, he turned his gaze to Bai Xiyue, who was busy clearing the table.

"Little Yue'er, where is your mistress?"

"Could you help me call for her? I have something important to discuss with her!"

Bai Xiyue’s movements paused slightly at his words. She looked up, her clear eyes meeting his.

"Mistress is... she is currently in seclusion. Is it very urgent?"

Lin Fan nodded. "Very urgent. It is a matter of life and death!" This time, he wasn't lying; it concerned his own life, after all.

"Then I shall go at once!"

Bai Xiyue quickened her pace, finished tidying the dishes, and then, swaying her slender waist, she departed from the small courtyard. Lin Fan returned to the pavilion to continue working on his ink-wash plum blossom painting.

Before long, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside the courtyard. The gate creaked open, and the frantic figure of Su Xingyue appeared before him. She strode into the yard, her ample chest heaving with every step, a sight that left Lin Fan feeling dizzy.

"You arrived so quickly?" Lin Fan asked, surprised.

Su Xingyue looked puzzled. "What do you mean, quickly?"

"I asked Little Yue'er to find you. Was it not she who summoned you?" Lin Fan was even more confused.

Su Xingyue shook her head, her face etched with anxiety. "I came to see you for a different emergency."

"My mother began a period of closed-door cultivation half a year ago to break through the bottleneck of the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Everything had been proceeding smoothly, but when I checked on her recently, I discovered her condition was dire. It seems she is on the verge of suffering a cultivation deviation." Her voice trembled, revealing her extreme worry.

Lin Fan blinked, looking blank. "Sister, is there anything I can do to help?"

"My mother is stuck at the bottleneck and cannot break through, which has led to this cultivation deviation. If she could complete the breakthrough successfully, perhaps she wouldn't be in this state." Su Xingyue took a deep breath. "That is why I have come to ask for your help—to help her break through her current barrier!"

Lin Fan’s heart leaped. His opportunity had arrived! Help? He was certainly willing to help, as it was a mutually beneficial situation. However, he couldn't help for free. While taking advantage of someone’s desperation wasn't the act of a gentleman, he couldn't afford to care about that when his own life was at stake.

He feigned hesitation. "This..."

"It’s not that I don’t want to save her. You know that my 'Primordial Heaven-Sun Sacred Body' acts as a furnace, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to convert into Heaven-Sun energy, which I then use to assist others in breaking through."

"Every time I use this ability, it causes immense damage to my own body!"

"And Sister, you know that the higher the cultivation level, the greater the strain on me. I... I truly want to help, but..." Lin Fan spoke with a touch of calculated artifice.

Su Xingyue quickly replied, "As long as you are willing to help, I will grant you any reward you desire! By the way, didn't you say that spirit stones could also replenish your energy?"

Lin Fan’s eyes lit up, though he pretended to be lost in thought. "Sister, if I do this, could I perhaps leave this small courtyard to move about?" he asked, testing the waters. He didn't ask for his full freedom, knowing she would never agree.

This time, it was Su Xingyue’s turn to fall silent. Lin Fan’s ability to help others break through was far too heaven-defying. With enough time, she could overcome any bottleneck in her cultivation. Reaching the Golden Core stage would be no dream, and perhaps even the Nascent Soul stage would be within reach. But if Lin Fan were allowed to interact with the outside world, news would inevitably spread, and with her current strength, she could not hope to keep him safe. She weighed the pros and cons in her mind.

"That condition... no. You must choose something else," Su Xingyue said, refusing him firmly.

Lin Fan had anticipated this answer and was not surprised.

"Sister, staying in this courtyard all by myself is truly too boring. It’s stifling," Lin Fan said pitifully, his voice tinged with grievance. "How about... you find some people to keep me company and relieve my boredom? How does that sound?"

He tentatively put forward his request. This time, Su Xingyue did not hesitate as she had before.

"I can agree to that."

"Our Su family is an affiliate of the Hehuan Sect. The female disciples in our sect are all incredibly talented, well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting," Su Xingyue said, a faint, charming smile playing on her lips.

"You can have whichever kind you desire. Once you help my mother complete her breakthrough, I will arrange it for you. I guarantee you will be satisfied!"

With his goal achieved, Lin Fan let out a long sigh of relief. The heavy weight in his heart finally settled.

Su Xingyue led him out of the courtyard. Just as Bai Xiyue had said, two Su family disciples stood guard at the entrance. Lin Fan followed closely behind Su Xingyue. The Su estate was vast and exquisitely built, with pavilions, rockeries, and flowing water—a new view at every turn. From time to time, they passed pairs of Su family cultivators.

Finally, they arrived before a secluded pavilion surrounded by swirling spiritual energy; it was clearly an excellent place for cultivation.

"Mother! I have found a way to save you!" Su Xingyue called out standing before the pavilion.

"Cough, cough, cough..." A fit of violent coughing echoed from within.

"You... you must not come in!" The voice returned, filled with irrepressible pain.

"My... my breakthrough has triggered a backlash from my inner demons..."

"I... I can no longer control myself..."

"If you come in... I fear I might harm you..."

The voice was fragmented, clearly indicating that the person inside was in a perilous state.