Cultivation

"Mr. Qin?"

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

The last time I heard the name Qin Weijiu was when I was chatting with Lou Ji in Wanxiang City and she mentioned it.

Lou Ji said that the woman named Yu Lan was very stubborn, just like those remnants of the Burial Village who were captured alive.

She liked it even without saying anything.

It took Xu Yuan a while to realize what had happened before he remembered the head that Xu Changge had wrapped in the bag.

Previously, the protagonist Qin Mo went to the door to snatch Su the Succubus.

Qin Weijiu in to help stop them, making it a righteous two-on-one fight, but ended up being killed by Xu Changge like a dog.

One was captured alive, and another escaped wounded.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan's expression became slightly strange, and he asked with a smile:

"Qin Weijiu still has the mind to do these things? Has his injury from back then healed yet?"

Su Jinxuan's beautiful eyes flickered, a cold glint flashing within them, and she whispered:

"It has naturally recovered."

Xu Yuan's eyes showed a hint of regret upon hearing this answer:

"It seems his injuries weren't serious enough before."

But thinking about it, it makes sense Xu Changge didn't even use his ultimate move that time, so he shouldn't have any major hidden injuries.

Su Jinxuan shook her head slightly upon hearing this, and said leisurely:

"Qin Weijiu actually seriously injured, but not physically."

"What?"

Xu Yuan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, but reacted quickly, his eyes filled with amusement. "You've been traumatized by Xu Changge?"

Su Jinxuan let out a soft breath:

"Qin Weijiu is a proud man. He was almost killed by your elder brother's three swords during the Tianyuan Grand Competition, and he suffered a crushing defeat at your elder brother's hands in Jingjiang Prefecture. Now, it seems that he has become somewhat obsessed with becoming stronger."

Xu Yuan asked with interest:

"Becoming a demon? What do you mean?"

There are shortcuts to gaining great power in Cangyuan, just like the Secret Method passed down from those who study the Strange Ghost.

This includes both evil practices and righteous Secret Method.

But one thing remains constant: the greater the power one gains, the greater the price one must pay.

A cryptic smile played in Su Jinxuan's alluring peach blossom eyes.

"He used to give off the feeling of a precious gem, gentle and generous to everyone. Now, he looks eerie and sinister, he must have cultivated some kind of Secret Method."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's mind raced with thoughts.

However, they couldn't find a Secret Method that exuded a ghostly aura, which must be something that had never appeared in Cangyuan before.

However, Xu Yuan's expression quickly turned amused.

He could understand Qin Weijiu's thoughts; a proud person would not allow someone to step on their head.

But there's no such thing as success in this world that comes from giving it your all.

There are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding.

Qin Weijiu regarded Xu Changge as a mortal enemy, but based on Xu Yuan's understanding of his elder brother's terrible personality, he guessed that in his brother's eyes, this Mr. Qin was just a passerby with some strength.

After a pause, Xu Yuan shook his head and smiled:

"Could it be that Qin Weijiu plans to challenge Xu Changge to a duel after mastering the Secret Method?"

Su Jinxuan hesitated for a moment, then spoke earnestly:

"Jinxuan mentioned you guys when she was chatting with Qin Weijiu before. She said that if there's a next time, she will definitely kill your elder brother with her own hands."

"Puff"

Xu Yuan couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Although that guy's personality was a bit eccentric, he still acknowledged the sheer size of his fists.

Despite repeated defeats, he fought on despite all odds, yet his courage in attempting to kill Xu Changge at the same level is truly commendable.

According to Xu Yuan's understanding, apart from Qin Mo, who is already dead, there is basically no one in this world who can defeat Xu Changge at the same level.

Seeing Xu Yuan's nonchalant expression, Su Jinxuan's expression turned serious:

"Young Master, Qin Weijiu truly powerful now. His cultivation will definitely break through to the first rank within a year to three years."

Seeing her serious little face, Xu Yuan got up from the bed and sat down opposite her:

"It seems that Qin Weijiu is practicing some kind of Secret Method that overdraws his life force?"

With a wave of his hand, a tea set appeared on the table.

As he slowly poured the tea, he chuckled softly:

"However, Jinxuan, you probably have no idea how strong Xu Changge really is."

Previously, Xu Changge and Qin Weijiu fought outside Jingjiang Prefecture, and the commotion seemed quite large, but this older brother didn't even unleash his ultimate move.

As he spoke,

Xu Yuan pushed a cup of fragrant tea he had just poured in front of Su Jinxuan:

"Moreover, my elder brother stays in the Imperial Capital year-round. Even if Qin Weijiu wanted to seek revenge on him, it would be unlikely, unless he could use some means to lure him out and ambush him."

Su Jinxuan pursed her lips, but didn't say anything more.

Xu Yuan poured himself a cup of tea and said with a smile:

"Qin Weijiu has already practiced that Secret Method that overdraws his life force. If you don't hurry up and cultivate, you might not be able to take revenge yourself."

Upon hearing this, Su Jinxuan bit her lip and tightened her grip on the teacup.

She was well aware of this, but her cultivation was stuck.

Xu Yuan's eyes curved into a smile as he said:

"Hey, don't use force, this cup is very expensive."

"I'll pay you back if it breaks." Su Jinxuan gave him a reproachful look, then smiled charmingly, "Jinxuan still has some money on hand."

"Oh?"

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow and held out a hand in front of her. "The cultivation method of the Charm God Spore was worth 50,000 taels on the market. As for the Great Joy Yin-Yang Art, Jinxuan, you should know how valuable it is after you've cultivated it, right? I'll give you a discount; let's say it's 8 million taels. Here, pay up."

Su Jinxuan stared longingly at Xu Yuan's outstretched hand, her face flushing red and then turning purple, before finally managing to utter a sentence:

"I... I don't have that much silver right now, I'll give it to you later, young master."

Xu Yuan chuckled and shook his head:

"You are currently at the fourth rank of cultivation. Your monthly salary in my Prime Minister's Estate is about eight hundred taels of silver, which is about ten thousand taels a year. If you don't eat or drink, it would take you about eight hundred years to pay me back."

As he spoke,

Xu Yuan stared into her peach-pink eyes. "Su Jinxuan, why don't you just stop cooperating and come directly to my Prime Minister's Estate? You won't have to pay back this money."

"."

Su Jinxuan pressed her legs together, her small hands clutching her plain clothes on her thighs, and stammered in a low voice:

"I... I'll be able to break through to the third rank soon."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes and looked the woman up and down for a few moments:

"But I see that besides your cultivation level, you don't even have a trace of Dao essence on you."

Su Jinxuan stared intently at Xu Yuan and retorted softly:

How do you know I lack Daoist essence?

"Because I possess the Dao."

Xu Yuan opened his hand, circulated his Source Qi, and a translucent, crystalline peach-pink cherry blossom appeared in his palm. "It still Charm God Dao Rhyme."

The pink cherry blossoms glowed softly in the quiet room, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Su Jinxuan stared longingly, without saying a word.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan flipped his hand, the cherry blossoms vanished, and a jade box appeared in his palm. He smiled and asked:

"By the way, could you also help me check how much this thing is worth?"

Su Jinxuan's eyes showed doubt, and she subconsciously asked:

"What?"

Xu Yuan slowly opened the jade box, and there lay a vibrant cherry blossom quietly inside.

The cherry blossoms are almost identical to the Dao essence that Xu Yuan is currently using, but this time they are physical objects.

Su Jinxuan's dark pupils seemed to be affected by something, turning into a peach pink in an instant:

"Young master, is this the Charm God Flower?"

As she spoke, her tone became somewhat uncertain. "And, moreover, the patterns are clear, and there's very little loss of vitality, so it must have formed recently within the last year?"

Xu Yuan smiled slightly and praised:

"You have good taste, so Jinxuan, how much are you planning to spend on it?"

"."

Su Jinxuan pursed her red lips, lowered her head, and her delicate body trembled slightly.

I want it, but I don't have the money to buy it.

Her helpless appearance was pitiful to behold.

Xu Yuan looked at her expression and chuckled to himself.

This little succubus is still the same as before—shy-skinned and unwilling to owe anyone anything.

If it were Lou Ji, she probably wouldn't even blink an eye at that Charm God Flower.

After a long while,

Su Jinxuan spoke softly, her voice gentle:

"The ingredients for ordinary Grade A high-grade pills are usually obtained through auctions, and the price is generally around 200,000."

Xu Yuan grinned upon hearing this:

"You're right, but you can't bargain like this. I remember that Acacia Powder should be considered a top-grade medicine."

A potion capable of rendering even a saintly expert unconscious is naturally considered a top-grade medicine.

After being exposed, Su Jinxuan looked somewhat embarrassed, but the unintentional allure she exuded made one want to pin her down and ravage her.

"I was just mentioning it; the main ingredient for a top-grade pill usually costs around a million."

Superior-grade pills are generally highly beneficial to those First-Grade Mortal Shedding or even become saints.

The main ingredient is extremely rare and cannot be cultivated.

Trying to refine pills is basically all about luck.

Let's see if any fools are foolish enough to dig it up in some remote mountain forest, or like Xu Yuan did before, let's go into the secret realm to look for it.

In the entire past year, the vast Prime Minister's Estate produced only five top-grade pills.

One was given to Lou Ji, one to Feng Jiuxuan, one to Zong Qingsheng, and two to Xu Changge. The old man didn't want any of them.

There will probably be more this year, after all, Old Man Luo provided so many secret realms.

If there were any more pills that could be formed, Xu Yuan estimated that he could also get one.

"."

After a moment of distraction, Xu Yuan nodded and smiled, saying:

"That's the market price, but the problem is, my Charm God Flower has been extinct for thousands of years, and you happen to need it."

"."

Su Jinxuan's eyes began to wander.

She really wanted it, but she didn't have the money.

Let alone five million taels, even five hundred thousand taels would be an astronomical figure for her.

After a long silence, Su Jinxuan gritted her teeth and whispered:

"Young master, if you want Jinxuan to do something, you might as well just say so."

"You'd agree to let me sleep with you?" Xu Yuan asked with interest.

"."

Su Jinxuan blinked her beautiful eyes, a blush quickly spreading across her fair skin, eventually reaching her ears, and her rosy lips trembled slightly.

Silence instantly enveloped the entire room.

I don't know how much time passed,

Su Jinxuan finally calmed down, looked up at Xu Yuan, and said in a clear voice:

"Of course, if you dare, Third Young Master."

The deeper the contact, the more one will be controlled by the Charm Soul Demon Body.

If you were to get close to her, you'd probably fall in love with her instantly.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan chuckled and tilted his head to ask:

"You think you're worth ten million taels?"

"."

The words fell, but their meaning was like a knife.

She came to him tonight to prove that his judgment was right and that she was useful to him now.

Therefore, Su Jinxuan wanted to refute his words, but she didn't know how to do so.

Tens of millions of taels of silver—a figure that is beyond the reach of most people.

A strange pang of sadness suddenly welled up in her heart. Su Jinxuan gripped the hem of her clothes, lowered her eyes, and suppressed her voice:

"Since that's the case, Jinxuan will not buy the Charm God Flower. As for the money I owe you, Jinxuan, I will definitely repay it in this lifetime."

"Hiss~"

Seeing her tearful expression, Xu Yuan laughed out loud.

"."

Hearing the laughter, Su Jinxuan kept her eyes downcast, but her body trembled slightly.

Xu Yuan didn't speak again, and silently pushed the jade box containing the Charm God Flower in front of her:

"Alright, take it. Lou Ji wanted me to keep it for you all this time."

"."

Su Jinxuan bit her lip and remained silent.

Xu Yuan got up and sat down next to Su Jinxuan, his fingertips tracing the teacup as he whispered:

"If you want to argue with me, Jinxuan, you can, but why keep getting angry inside?"

Su Jinxuan's voice was very soft:

"Young Master is right, how can Jinxuan refute him?"

Xu Yuan put down his teacup, extended his index finger, and gently lifted her fair chin.

Eye contact,

He noticed her slightly reddened, peach-blossom-like eyes.

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes, stared at her, shook his head, and said softly:

"Jinxuan, those who look down on themselves are not worth ten million taels of silver, not even a thousand taels."

"A young man should have a pen that soars to the clouds. What you did tonight has proven that my judgment was correct. So, please stop underestimating yourself, okay?"

"."

The room was so quiet that only the faint scent of roses emanating from her body filled the air.

She stared at him, her clenched hands loosening slightly.

Xu Yuan removed his hand from her chin, stood up, and walked towards his bed.

With her gaze turned away, Xu Yuan said softly:

"Su Jinxuan, I, Xu Changtian, am a realistic person. Most people have a price in my heart, but similarly, some people are priceless. I don't know how you see yourself, but I hope you become a priceless person in my heart."

"."

As Su Jinxuan watched his retreating figure, her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

At this time,

Xu Yuan suddenly turned his eyes and smiled:

"Alright, put these things away. You already owe me so much, a little more won't make a difference. There's an old saying: 'The more debts you have, the less burden you carry.'"

The inexplicable feelings that had just risen in her heart vanished instantly. Su Jinxuan took a couple of breaths, her naturally alluring voice still trembling slightly, and gritted her teeth:

"Lord Xu Jinxuan's kindness will be forever remembered by Jinxuan."

Xu Yuan grinned:

"Great kindness needs no thanks, no need to thank me. Repay me with your actions later. Although your cultivation has reached the fourth rank, your combat strength is no match for an ordinary fourth rank cultivator. Putting away the Charm God Flower will help you comprehend the Dao essence more quickly."

After a pause, Xu Yuan, standing by the window, turned and asked:

"By the way, having been an inside man for so long, have you figured out which faction Qin Weijiu actually belongs to?"

"."

Su Jinxuan stood up silently and walked towards the bed.

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

After sitting on the edge of the bed, Su Jinxuan immediately began to remove the boots from her jade-like feet.

Silence fell over the room for a moment.

Xu Yuan looked at her actions with slight surprise:

What's going on here?

Su Jinxuan silently took off her boots, climbed directly onto Li Qingyan's bed, her beautiful eyes darting around, and a smile playing on her lips:

"Young master, didn't you say you would repay me with actions? Tonight is long, Jinxuan will slowly tell you what you want to know."

Xu Yuan chuckled softly and got into bed as well.

"If you're going to cultivate, then cultivate. Why be so ambiguous? Let me see just how deep your cultivation really is."