Chapter 27: Chu Xuan’s Boudoir, “Affection Grows Over Time?”

"Young master, may I invite you to my chambers to spend the night together?"

Such a shocking statement, uttered without fear, immediately made those around them burn with jealousy.

The person they could only admire from afar was now about to be led away to someone’s room! Even if she had asked for it herself, this was simply unacceptable!

What could possibly happen in a private room? Most of those present could only think of one thing. What else could it be? It had to be those sorts of things—perhaps even ending up being kicked out afterward!

“Damn it! Truly damn it! My goddess, no longer pure!”

“Fairy, you must consider this carefully!”

For a moment, the crowd erupted in commotion.

And if anyone’s mood soured most, it was undoubtedly Yan Chen!

What? Are you saying the spirit stones I gave now benefit Ling Tian? Why do all good things fall into his lap? Why is it that nothing ever goes my way whenever he’s around? Most infuriating of all, a woman as ethereal as a celestial maiden was now uttering such wanton words!

[Yan Chen’s Dao Heart has suffered 17% damage.]

[Quest reward: The Universal Pill Compendium (Stage Reward).]

A notification sounded in Ling Tian’s mind, though the reward was no longer Ancestral Blood.

Ling Tian’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. If 5% was a threshold, then the reward changed at 15%. So, for all ongoing quests, breaking through certain stages yielded different rewards!

Indeed, the longer one perseveres, the greater the harvest!

Ling Tian had previously thought recruiting members for his faction was optional, but now he was truly motivated.

“I know your standards are high, young master. This is my payment to you!”

Chu Xuan, seeing Ling Tian silent for so long, assumed he looked down on her. After all, his status was not ordinary.

She produced a storage ring, showing she was not asking for help in vain, and spoke with utmost sincerity.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.

How could anyone here feel content? They had thought getting something for free was already the height of good fortune, but to do such things and then offer compensation—this was an even higher realm! Truly, comparison is the thief of joy!

Chu Xuan did not even spare them a glance, and as for this young man, not only did she invite him to sleep in her room, she even offered him resources.

Among them, the ones who felt most bitter were Lin Chuchen and Yan Chen.

“That shameless harlot! A pair of adulterers! Is he just a little better looking than me? You’d go so far as to throw yourself at him? How cheap you are!”

“I thought you were different from other women, but you’re even more shameless than the rest!”

Lin Chuchen’s eyes were bloodshot. He glared at Ling Tian and Chu Xuan, and if looks could kill, the two of them would have been slain by him countless times over by now.

To put it simply, Lin Chuchen was already upset at being rejected, but now, seeing Chu Xuan lavishing herself upon another, his resentment only deepened. Did this not make him look even more like a clown?

He could already imagine people gossiping about today’s events over their meals.

And the two culprits behind it all were these two!

Damn them—both deserved to die!

Yan Chen's mood was scarcely better.

The commotion just now had made him think the ethereal maiden had chosen him, prompting her bold declaration. But once again, he was thoroughly humiliated.

Tian Ling, always Tian Ling!

Despicable! If it weren’t for Ling Tian tagging along, perhaps the maiden’s choice would have been him. The thought fueled Yan Chen’s hatred toward Ling Tian to new heights.

“You…”

Luo Changsheng, hearing the rising clamor and seeing hatred and jealousy in the crowd’s eyes, realized things had deviated from their original intent.

Ling Tian said nothing, seemingly indifferent, and was about to politely decline.

But Ling Tian waved his hand, cutting Luo Changsheng off, and casually took the storage ring from Chu Xuan.

“With such sincerity from the fairy, it would be inappropriate to refuse.”

He was half-jesting; even if he had to coax her into joining his nascent faction, he would at least go through the motions.

As for the others—well, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. If they dared make a scene over the maiden’s choice, he would not be so polite.

A shrewd light flashed in Chu Xuan’s eyes. She grabbed Ling Tian’s hand and soared toward her own quarters.

The crowd sighed, knowing the matter was settled; with no further hope, they each went their own way.

“Boss! Give me a few more bowls of wonton soup!”

Xiao Linger, who had been silent throughout, watched Ling Tian leave, her gaze complex and her heart hollow.

Why did her heart twist so when he left? Why did she feel this inexplicable ache?

Unhappy, she vented her feelings on food.

The stooped old man sighed and returned to his usual business.

“Brother, don’t be sad or angry. We’re all wanderers in this world—why must past acquaintances matter?”

Lin Chuchen came to Yan Chen’s side, placing a hand on his shoulder, commiserating with him.

Yan Chen, having gone through much the same, found himself strangely comforted. The two, sharing such similar experiences, quickly became fast friends.

“To hear your words is better than reading ten years’ worth of books! Truly, we met too late. Here, take this communication jade. If you ever need anything, use it to reach me.”

At parting, Lin Chuchen handed Yan Chen a jade token, his meaning clear.

“Certainly, certainly.”

Yan Chen squinted, understanding Lin Chuchen’s intentions, and his mind began to churn with further ideas…

“You, go settle the bill.”

Xiao Linger wiped her mouth and instructed Yan Chen.

Yan Chen shook his head helplessly. Knowing Xiao Linger’s temperament, and how much she’d helped him, he couldn’t bear to quarrel.

“Boss, the bill.”

Standing before the old man, Yan Chen spoke generously. How expensive could so little food be?

“That’ll be two hundred mid-grade spirit stones.”

The old man counted on his fingers, face grave.

“How much? What did you say? Are you robbing me?!”

Yan Chen snorted in disbelief. For a few bites, such an outrageous price—did they really take him for a fool?

“Oh dear! Everyone come see! One of this group was chosen by the fairy, so I wanted to bask in some good fortune and charged a little more. Yet he refuses to pay and even threatens to beat this old man to death! My life is hard enough, working here so long and now facing this trouble. Please, everyone, help me!”

The old man, seeing Yan Chen’s reaction, flung himself to the ground and wailed at the top of his lungs.

In no time, a crowd gathered.

Yan Chen was beside himself with anger—a rascal, a shameless old rogue!

“But—listen to me, I have…”

Yan Chen wanted to call Xiao Linger and the others as witnesses, but they simply turned away, pretending not to know him.

“Fine! Take it! That’s all I have!”

Gritting his teeth, Yan Chen searched himself and managed to produce just over a hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

“Pathetic. Everyone, disperse!”

The old man took the stones and, not content, dealt a final blow.

“Don’t look at me like that. Who told you to annoy me? If not for that young man with you, perhaps the fairy would have chosen me, and I’d have charged you less!”

Seeing Yan Chen’s dark expression, the old man revealed his reasoning, shamelessly.

Yan Chen nearly spat blood. Not only had Ling Tian taken all the benefits, but now he was left to clean up the mess. Was there no justice in the world?

…

[Yan Chen’s Dao Heart has suffered 19% damage.]

On the road, Ling Tian heard the notification in his mind and paused in surprise. He hadn’t done anything, yet Yan Chen’s Dao Heart was so unstable?

“We’re here.”

Ahead, Chu Xuan’s cool voice called back, though it now carried a trace of eagerness.

“Ahem, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

Feeling the incredible smoothness of her hand in his, Ling Tian raised an eyebrow in reminder.

He couldn’t help but feel this saintess was a little too enthusiastic.

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

“It’s nothing. As long as you’re willing.”

Ling Tian shook his head. Since she didn’t mind, it seemed old-fashioned for a man to fuss over such things.

The room was quite luxurious. The scent inside was not overpowering—just a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Not bad; Ling Tian disliked anything too pungent.

The décor was festive, with a large bed more than spacious enough for two.

“Saintess, you…”

Ling Tian’s eyes narrowed. He hadn’t even had a chance to look around before Chu Xuan closed the door, set up a barrier, removed her thin veil, and with slender, jade-like fingers, began slipping off her outer gown, revealing snowy shoulders—utterly captivating.

“Aren’t we here to undergo a love tribulation? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?”

Chu Xuan, hearing Ling Tian’s words, paused, looking at him in genuine confusion.

She had heard from other saintesses that the simplest way was to spend time together until feelings arose. If no feelings developed, it simply meant not enough time had passed.

With such beliefs, she was unwilling to wrong herself. Now, with her idol and chosen partner, it was perfect.

“Isn’t this a bit too crude and straightforward?”

Ling Tian tugged at the corner of his mouth at her explanation. What nonsense! What so-called spending time until love grows!

Before Chu Xuan could reply, Ling Tian continued,

“The heart of the tribulation isn’t about the love itself, but about transcending it, about gaining insight. What you’re saying is misguided.”

With that, Ling Tian turned to leave, wary that Chu Xuan might have other tricks up her sleeve. There would be time enough to discuss joining his faction tomorrow.

But before he could open the door, Chu Xuan’s meaningful voice sounded behind him:

“I didn’t expect that, besides your peerless talent with the sword, you also see things with such clarity, Daoist Tian Ling…”