Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass

Gu Xian'er's words left Chen Changan stunned.

Become your disciple?

Chen Changan looked at Gu Xian'er, then broke into a smile.

"What a clever girl."

Gu Xian'er was clever and levelheaded, and she knew how to seize an opportunity.

It wasn't that she didn't want revenge. She simply hadn't found the right opportunity.

From what had just happened, Chen Changan and Xuan Wudao's actions had already given Gu Xian'er some deeper ideas.

Even if Chen Changan hadn't asked her to tell him a story, she probably would have spoken up herself, perhaps even finding a way to chat with him a little longer.

As for why she chose Chen Changan rather than Xuan Wudao—

It wasn't just because Chen Changan had started the conversation. Comparing the two, Gu Xian'er felt Chen Changan might be a little more reliable.

"In this life, I may only get this one chance."

"It's not just revenge. I hate having to spend my days in this brothel."

"Benefactor, you said you wouldn't interfere, but I... could become your disciple."

"I hope you'll grant my wish."

Gu Xian'er was a clever person. She knew that when speaking with Chen Changan, being honest would often work better.

Trying to play mind games in front of a powerful person was foolish.

Chen Changan had never actually considered taking a disciple before.

Although Chen Yunxuan and Chen Changan had a teacher-disciple relationship in practice, they had never formally taken on those titles.

Gu Xian'er was already twenty, yet her cultivation was only at the True Qi Realm First Layer.

At twenty, reaching the True Qi Realm might be considered decent in the Northern Domain, but across the Central Heaven Domain, it was merely an ordinary level of talent.

Seeing Chen Changan hesitate, Gu Xian'er grew a little nervous.

"Benefactor, do you think Xian'er's aptitude is too dull, and that I'll never achieve anything?"

"If so, Xian'er can give up on becoming your disciple. I could stay by your side and serve you."

For Gu Xian'er, escaping her current predicament required the help of a powerful person like Chen Changan.

At least in Langya, she couldn't think of anyone besides Chen Changan who wouldn't care about the Lin family's influence.

Even if there were someone like that, would she have any chance of meeting them?

"Perhaps everything is fated."

"Langya is vast. Meeting you must be fate as well."

"Fine. I'll take you away from Langya, but... not right now."

"I have some matters to attend to here in Langya. Once I've dealt with them, I'll take you away."

"As for what path you take after that, you can decide for yourself."

Thump!

As soon as Chen Changan finished speaking, Gu Xian'er dropped to her knees.

Hope—she had finally seen hope of a new life!

"Thank you, benefactor, for saving me."

"From now on, Gu Xian'er is willing to serve by your side for all eternity."

"If I break this vow, may my soul be cast into the depths of hell forever, beyond redemption."

Chen Changan looked at Gu Xian'er and gave a slight nod. "Get up first."

"Yes, benefactor."

"Benefactor, may I ask what I should call you from now on?"

"Should I call you Young Master or Master?" Gu Xian'er asked after getting to her feet.

What should she call him?

For a moment, Chen Changan couldn't think of anything. He'd lived a long time, but he'd never had a maid serve him before.

He'd always been like a grandson to his master...

Young Master didn't seem right. He was already so old—what kind of Young Master was he?

Young Master...

"Forget it. Just call me Young Master from now on."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Now that you're my maid, you can't be too weak."

"Your talent may be average, but that doesn't mean you can't change your fate."

"This is a Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass. Take it."

A Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass?

Gu Xian'er didn't know what it was or what it did, but from the name alone, it clearly wasn't an ordinary thing.

The Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass had been given to Chen Changan by Mu Yunyao, but it wasn't suitable for a man to consume.

Mu Yunyao had said that he could give it to someone he loved once he found one.

But Chen Changan wasn't particular about such things. It was best to put it to good use, and it didn't matter who received it.

"Young Master, this is far too precious. I'm only—"

"That's enough. If I give it to you, take it. All you need to do is obey me. Understood?"

"Yes, Young Master."

"Take it and see whether it can improve your constitution."

"As you command."

Gu Xian'er didn't hesitate. She took the Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass and ate it.

The Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass melted in her mouth, its effects extraordinary. Gu Xian'er was astonished. She had thought it would be difficult to swallow, but it instantly turned into a surge of energy, washing through her body again and again.

"Holy crap, Old Chen, what are you doing? That energy fluctuation is huge!"

"Why didn't you set up a barrier? Aren't you worried everyone nearby will get wiped out?"

As the energy within Gu Xian'er grew stronger, Xuan Wudao, who had been drinking and enjoying himself, rushed over.

Da Huang and Chen Changan had a better understanding between them. Although Da Huang didn't come over, he immediately set up a barrier around Gu Xian'er's room.

"I didn't expect such a huge reaction. I only gave her something to eat."

"You didn't expect it? What you gave her was a Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass. It's the stuff of legends; they say none have appeared in ten thousand years."

"You just handed such a supreme treasure to a maid like it was nothing?"

"Are you out of your mind? You're such a spendthrift!"

Chen Changan didn't really care about these things. To him, they were useless—he had no use for them at all.

But in Xuan Wudao's eyes, it was a different story. He hadn't come over, but he'd been keeping a close eye on everything happening here.

When he heard "Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass," Xuan Wudao nearly spat out the wine in his mouth.

In his heart, he cursed Chen Changan as a prodigal.

"A thing is meant to be used, isn't it?"

"And since I'm its owner, it's up to me to decide who uses it."

"I'm not in a hurry. What's got you so worked up?"

"The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is." Chen Changan said coolly.

"Damn, I've never seen anyone as wasteful as you."

"Wait, who are you calling a eunuch?"

"It's been three thousand years since we last met. Want to see how strong I've gotten?" Xuan Wudao asked, glaring at him.

"Want to be a beggar again?"

"You..."

"Why don't we make another bet? Same old rules, but this time the stakes are that the loser becomes a eunuch!"

"Do you dare?"

At those words, Xuan Wudao immediately wilted. Those stakes were too harsh, and Chen Changan looked so certain of victory that Xuan Wudao had no confidence at all.

It was true that Xuan Wudao's cultivation had continued to grow over the past three thousand years, and he was now immensely powerful.

But he couldn't guarantee that Chen Changan had stood still all this time.

"Forget it. I can't be bothered to argue with you."

"But I really am curious to see what effect consuming the Ninth-grade Phoenix Immortal Grass will have."

Xuan Wudao turned his gaze back to Gu Xian'er.

Gu Xian'er was now enveloped in a powerful surge of energy, her body enduring immense pain.

Yet from beginning to end, she hadn't made a single sound.

"This girl... I really underestimated her. With that kind of willpower, she's got what it takes to do great things."

Xuan Wudao couldn't help seeing Gu Xian'er in a new light.

"This energy seems... a little too fierce!"