Immortal Way Is Heartless, The Fairy Is Indifferent

"Xi'er's defensive magic item is the mid-grade magic item Shocking Gold Bell. Although it's a defensive magic item, it also possesses some sonic shockwave power. This Golden Silkworm Gu was repelled by the Shocking Gold Bell without taking damage; it's truly formidable."

Seeing how formidable the Golden Silkworm Gu truly was, even Lüo Bing's cold and frosty beautiful face showed a hint of emotion. Rarely did she offer such a positive evaluation.

Her eyes were like polished lacquer, and her gaze was filled with heroic spirit. Her aura was always elegant and serene, making anyone who saw her feel they could only admire her from afar, daring not to harbor the slightest disrespectful thought.

"Fairy Lüo flatters me. While this Gu worm is indeed powerful, it should be nothing to Fairy Lüo's strength. It is also my honor to be able to refine Gu for you again, Young Master Chen."

Chen Dengming immediately complimented her with a smile.

Kind words are free, and a sweet tongue fears no one.

In the presence of someone powerful, if you have the opportunity to speak, it's always best to say what sounds good.

Actually, his words carried a subtle undertone.

Back then, Lüo Bing had sent him to the Gathering Place without even deigning to tell him her name, seemingly certain that she would never meet him, a mere mortal, again and didn't want to deal with a useless person.

Yet now, they had met again, and it was she who had invited him. This proved that he, who had been considered a mortal with poor aptitude back then, was not entirely without value.

Perhaps, when Lüo Bing posted the bounty back then, she hadn't explicitly mentioned him by name not just because she couldn't bring herself to interact with a mortal, but also out of embarrassment.

"You don't need to say any more nice words."

Lüo Bing shook her head lightly, her black hair fluttering in the wind, carrying a wisp of faint fragrance.

She was in a bad mood because her fiancé, Luo Ping, had failed to establish his Foundation for the third time.

Three failures to establish his Foundation meant that the hope of establishing his Foundation in the future was slim. Her engagement to Luo Ping was likely to change. Returning the betrothal gifts was a minor issue; the problem was, she feared the Luo Family might not even be willing to accept the gifts back, which would imply the woman's side was breaking off the engagement.

But continuing with the marriage was also impossible.

The relationship between the Luo Family and the Luo Family had begun to change subtly. Even the Zhu Family, which had been hesitant to make a move due to the potential alliance between the Luo and Luo families, was starting to stir. The Rogue Cultivator Gathering Place was the first to become restless.

She turned sideways, finally deigning to look at Chen Dengming. Her wise eyes seemed to have seen through Chen Dengming's little bit of unyielding thoughts. She said calmly, "You indeed possess some skill and a strong, steadfast mind, even surprising me. But unfortunately, I already informed you about the conflicting Spiritual Roots and the drawbacks of the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique, yet you didn't heed my words.

Actually, now that you've cultivated this far, it might be good to pause. You don't have much time left in the future; you could travel around and see things. Why push yourself so hard?"

"Conflicting Spiritual Roots and the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique? Not much time left in the future?"

Xu Wei, who had been quietly standing by, was a little surprised. She felt that the words of this Young Miss Luo carried a less than auspicious meaning, as if she were saying Young Master Chen didn't have much time left. Why would that be?

Chen Dengming suddenly smiled, not offering an explanation. He said, "Perhaps it's unwillingness to accept fate. In life, if you don't try, how will you know it's impossible?

I am now a Medium-grade Spiritual Root, and my cultivation speed has picked up. Perhaps in the future, I can even improve to a High-grade Spiritual Root and have hope of establishing my Foundation?"

"Pfft—"

Lüo Bing didn't speak, but Xi'er chuckled, her eyes carrying a hint of mockery. She wanted to say something, but glancing at Xu Wei's worried expression, she didn't speak, merely shaking her head with pity.

Lüo Bing no longer dwelled on such trivial matters. She thought Chen Dengming was probably possessed, his brain fried from cultivation.

High-grade Spiritual Root?

She suspected the other party now had at most ten years of lifespan left. The Youth Preserving Pill couldn't hide the change; in reality, he looked like an old man despite his 'youth.'

Continuing to cultivate the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique would absolutely lead to a swift death.

She had kindly reminded him, but he didn't appreciate it, so there was nothing she could do.

"Since you insist on pushing yourself, you can also look for a formation called the Spirit Seizing Formation in the future. This formation might be useful to you.

Alright, you have refined the Golden Silkworm Gu, so our transaction can officially proceed.

I need you to refine ten more Golden Silkworm Gu for me, to be refined simultaneously. Xi'er will prepare all the materials. Once it's done, you will receive the rewards you are due, and then you can leave."

Lüo Bing changed the subject, looking directly at Chen Dengming and stating the transaction terms bluntly.

She had changed her plan; she wanted ten Golden Silkworm Gu refined simultaneously.

Because, in her opinion, this kind of transaction might only happen once.

The relationship between the Luo Family and the Luo Family was currently tense. She had to break through to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible to change her own fate. Not only was her time tight, but Chen Dengming's time was also tight.

Since the other party refused to heed her advice and insisted on continuing to cultivate the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique, he would likely have little time left after this.

She planned to return to the sect immediately and break through to Qi Cultivation Tenth Level, after which she would make final preparations to break through to Foundation Establishment.

And to break through to Foundation Establishment, she would need a Foundation Establishment Pill. She would have to compete with many fellow disciples in the sect competition, participate in sect missions, and perform excellently before she could finally obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

All of these required powerful strength. The Golden Silkworm Gu was a method she could think of to quickly increase her strength, besides arming herself with magic items.

Compared to spirit pets, which were very time-consuming to nurture and quite valuable, the Golden Silkworm Gu's strength, while only average to her, was relatively inexpensive to produce. If she could cultivate about ten Golden Silkworm Gu before the sect competition, it would be a significant help.

"Ten? Simultaneously?"

Chen Dengming frowned and pondered, "After it's done, besides one hundred low-grade spirit stones, will it also include the right to temporarily reside and cultivate in the Luo Family Mountain City for a hundred days?"

"That's right!"

Lüo Bing nodded. "Actually, you've already used half of that hundred-day temporary residence right. The remaining half will end after the transaction is completed."

Chen Dengming was stunned.

It could be like this?

Was this some kind of nested doll?

It's just like his boss at his company in his past life. The boss would say things like "starting salary of 100,000 a year, with five social insurances and one housing fund," but after joining, he'd only get fifty to sixty thousand in hand for the entire year. When asked why, the answer was that food, lodging, and even the company's share of the five insurances and one housing fund were all deducted from his salary.

Exploitation! Just as expected of a daughter from a prominent Cultivation family; she's no easy pushover, just like his boss from his past life.

Lüo Bing glanced at the stunned Chen Dengming. "However, considering I've increased the difficulty of the transaction, I can grant you an additional hundred days of temporary residency. But you can only use it after three years?"

Chen Dengming was surprised. "Why? You said I don't have much time left, yet you want me to use it only after three years?"

Lüo Bing turned her back, calmly stating, "Because I'll soon be leaving the sect. You are not at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation, nor are you a servant of the Luo Family. You have no right to reside in the mountain city. While I'm here, no one will say anything, but it will be different after I leave."

This was, of course, just an excuse. In reality, Lüo Bing merely wanted Chen Dengming to live a few more years.

This wasn't because she cared deeply about Chen Dengming, but rather to keep a path open for the future.

If she still needed the Golden Silkworm Gu after three years and Chen Dengming was still around, then everyone would be happy.

"Alright."

Chen Dengming could only accept this reason. He then looked at Xu Wei and said, "I have a request too. I want her to stay with the Luo Family. You said that as a servant of the Luo Family, she could stay in the mountain city. Why not let her be a servant of the Luo Family? You've seen her diligence these past few days, Fairy Lüo."

"Immortal Master Chen," Xu Wei was touched, her eyes filled with emotion.

Lüo Bing frowned slightly.

Xi'er almost couldn't help but speak up to reprimand her. After all, Xu Wei came from Zanhua Tower. Allowing her to stay temporarily in the Luo Family was already a great favor; how could she possibly stay permanently?

"She can stay, but she is, after all, a Mortal. If she doesn't become a Cultivator within the next forty-nine days, she will have to leave the Luo Family. If she breaks through and becomes a Cultivator, she can stay as my Gu-refining attendant."

Lüo Bing pondered for a long time, finally looking at Xu Wei and saying indifferently.

She had indeed noticed Xu Wei's diligence and appreciated it.

But if she didn't become a Cultivator, a Mortal wouldn't be qualified to stay in the Luo Family.

Even if she became a Cultivator, if Chen Dengming hadn't cared so much about this woman, Lüo Bing might have considered letting her live a few more years, like a string holding a kite. Lüo Bing wouldn't have easily agreed.

After all, Cultivation resources were limited, and having an extra person cultivating at home was a waste of resources.

In this world, there was no such thing as kindness without reason.

"Miss!"

Xi'er stomped her feet anxiously.

Lüo Bing ignored her and said deeply, "But I must remind you, the Luo Family has strict rules. While I'm home, it's fine, but if she breaks the family rules when I'm not here, it's normal for her to be beaten to death."

With that, she turned and swept her sleeves away.

This was, after all, a transaction. After the transaction, they would go their separate ways.

If Chen Dengming was still alive in three years and she needed him, they might meet again.

If Chen Dengming was not alive in three years, then there would be no need for Xu Wei to stay in Lüoshan City and waste resources.

The Immortal Way was heartless, and Cultivation was indifferent. Fairy Lüo's icy demeanor was not just on the surface, but compared to the other Cultivators at the Ascension Convention, Fairy Lüo wasn't the coldest.

Chen Dengming, however, didn't know if Fairy Lüo was truly heartless and cold as cement, only that Xu Wei's tears were hot and her body was warm.

The young woman, moved to tears, had thrown herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably, looking utterly pitiable. She no longer called him "Immortal Master" but "Young Master Chen" repeatedly.

Chen Dengming didn't know whether to embrace her or not.

In truth, he was truly "cement-hearted." When he embarked on the Immortal Path, he had already resolved to forget the mortal world, to avoid entanglements during his cultivation.

The reason he treated Xu Wei well was that she had treated him genuinely well, even more so than his seven wives and concubines in the mortal world. She was someone with whom he had a connection, but he had no intention of becoming Dao Companions with her.

Therefore, he was in an awkward position. This young woman might have mistaken his kindness for a lifetime of devotion...