The Price of Selling Himself

"Dharma Master Zhou, sorry for the wait. I truly apologize."

An exceedingly pleasant voice rang out, seemingly brimming with infinite charm, making Zhou Yan's heart skip a beat.

He had not even seen the newcomer; merely hearing her voice made his body go faintly numb and tingly.

The sensation was entirely new to him, filling his heart with yearning.

Yet instinctively, a thread of vigilance also rose within him.

For someone with his state of mind to be affected so greatly by a single voice was truly frightening.

In that instant, Zhou Yan nearly thought the owner of the voice was not human, but a fox demon that had cultivated into human form.

Because only the legendary fox spirits could make him feel this way.

Zhou Yan slowly turned his head, a trace of wariness still in his eyes.

But the instant he saw Yue Yuna, he could not help but freeze slightly.

This woman was too beautiful—the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

And that was not all. Her temperament was even more extraordinary. In the words of a later age, she was both pure and seductive; every gesture made one's hormones surge. She was even more bewitching and alluring than a fox spirit.

Today, Zhou Yan had finally witnessed what it meant to topple a city and captivate a kingdom, what it meant to bring ruin upon a nation!

But she was a genuine human being. Zhou Yan confirmed that in an instant.

He quietly suppressed the romantic thoughts in his heart. Fortunately, the Mystic Yin Qi entrenched within him allowed him to swiftly regain his composure.

"Greetings, Miss."

Zhou Yan gave a slight bow.

Seeing Zhou Yan recover so quickly, Yue Yuna felt a little more satisfied.

"Dharma Master Zhou, you are too polite. Please, sit."

Zhou Yan slowly sat down and looked at Yue Yuna. "May I know Miss's esteemed name?"

At those words, Steward Yue remained expressionless, while Ruyu could not help raising her brows, though she made no other move.

In private, Ruyu might act more casually.

But with an outsider present, Ruyu was extremely mindful of rank and status.

Yue Yuna gave a soft laugh and said directly, "My name is Yue Yuna. I am the Third Miss of the Yue Family."

Then she looked at Zhou Yan and asked, "Dharma Master Zhou, do you know of the Yue Family?"

Zhou Yan nodded and answered truthfully, "I did not know before, but I learned of it not long ago. Still, I do not know what use such a distinguished person as Third Miss could have for a Rogue Cultivator like myself."

Looking at Zhou Yan, Yue Yuna spoke plainly. "It is very simple. I admire you, and I have investigated you. I value your potential, so I wish to take you in as a Guest Elder. What do you think, Dharma Master Zhou?"

Zhou Yan said nothing, but he appreciated Yue Yuna's frankness.

He was not afraid of selling his life to someone. To be honest, he was already selling his life now—only, he was selling it for money.

Even if he joined the Yue Family, asking Zhou Yan to swear undying loyalty would be a joke. At the end of the day, he would still be selling his life for his future.

Zhou Yan understood this clearly, and Yue Yuna understood it even more clearly.

"Third Miss, I have several questions. May I ask them?" Zhou Yan asked calmly.

At his words, Yue Yuna's eyes brightened slightly.

She knew that Zhou Yan was tempted.

She immediately said, "No matter. Dharma Master Zhou, please ask whatever you wish."

Zhou Yan took a deep breath and asked, "If I become a Guest Elder, will I be a Guest Elder of Yue Mansion, or Third Miss's personal Guest Elder?"

This had to be made clear. It was also the most important question.

After hearing this, Yue Yuna answered without hesitation, "If Dharma Master Zhou is willing to become a Guest Elder, then naturally you will be my personal Guest Elder. You need only obey my orders. Aside from my orders, no one in Yue Mansion may command you."

Zhou Yan nodded slightly and continued, "If I become a Guest Elder, what treatment will I receive?"

At those words, a confident smile appeared on Yue Yuna's face.

"Dharma Master Zhou is currently at the Essence Blood Realm. Ordinarily, even if you entered Yue Mansion, you would only be a Third-Rank Guest Elder, receiving one hundred silver dollars each month and permission to read the books in the mansion.

"But I am different. So long as Dharma Master Zhou becomes my Guest Elder, an Essence Blood Realm cultivator will receive three hundred silver dollars each month. You may likewise read the books in the mansion, including knowledge related to cultivation, basic spells, formations, and so on. I can even present Dharma Master Zhou with a Buddhist internal martial arts cultivation method as a meeting gift.

"Once Dharma Master Zhou advances to the Qi-Inducing Realm, your monthly payment will become one thousand silver dollars, and you may freely peruse all manner of secret cultivation arts in the mansion..."

Clearly, Yue Yuna had investigated Zhou Yan's circumstances thoroughly.

Zhou Yan's heart pounded fiercely, and he secretly swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva.

Such terms were practically no different from a pie falling from the sky.

If he had not been worried that Yue Yuna might be a trap, he would have nearly agreed on the spot.

Yet he was utterly unwilling to give it up.

Besides, anyone who offered such excellent terms naturally expected him to sell his life.

Zhou Yan understood this clearly.

Most importantly, the Yue Family's influence was far too great. If he refused, would there be unpleasant consequences?

This was also something Zhou Yan needed to consider.

Or rather, from the moment he had stepped into this secondary residence, he had actually lost all other choices.

Thinking of this was like having a basin of cold water poured over his head, and Zhou Yan suddenly sobered considerably.

"I am willing to serve Miss." Zhou Yan clasped his hands and said.

He had originally wanted to kneel and declare his loyalty, but perhaps cultivation had hardened his bones. For a moment, he simply could not bring himself to kneel.

Fortunately, Yue Yuna did not mind such matters. She rose to her feet and clapped her hands. "Good! From today onward, Dharma Master Zhou is one of us."

As she spoke, she stepped forward and handed the already prepared Prajna Heart Sutra to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan accepted the Prajna Heart Sutra. Looking at this internal martial arts cultivation method he had gained by "selling his life," countless emotions surged within him.

Fortunately, he quickly reined in his emotions. Since he had made his decision, he should not regret it.

Just as when he had chosen the path of Corpse Controlling, he could only continue onward.

"Thank you, Miss." Zhou Yan bowed once more.

Then Zhou Yan carefully asked, "Miss, as a Third-Rank Guest Elder, will I reside in the mansion, or...?"

Yue Yuna understood what Zhou Yan meant and smiled. "That is entirely up to you. The mansion will reserve a courtyard for Guest Elder Zhou, and it will belong to Guest Elder Zhou personally."

Hearing this, Zhou Yan felt slightly relieved.

For some reason, he was somewhat resistant to moving into Yue Mansion. He would rather live outside.

"Thank you for your consideration, Miss. I cultivate the path of Corpse Controlling, and am often accompanied by inauspicious auras such as Yin Qi and corpse Qi. It would be better not to contaminate the mansion. Living outside will suffice," Zhou Yan said politely.

At those words, Yue Yuna had no particular reaction, but Steward Yue and Ruyu both nodded involuntarily.

"How about this? I shall purchase a courtyard outside the mansion for Guest Elder Zhou to use as his residence. It will also make things more convenient for Guest Elder Zhou," Steward Yue stepped forward and said.

Yue Yuna immediately nodded. "Good. Let us do that."

Zhou Yan was somewhat surprised. Just like that, a courtyard had fallen into his hands.