Don't worry, once we enter the cave dwelling and obtain the treasures, your senior brother definitely won't treat you poorly

Su Ji simply stared at him without speaking, though the smile on his face grew increasingly pronounced.

Wang San knew his little scheme had likely already aroused Su Ji’s suspicion.

Just as he found himself trapped with no way out, scrambling for an excuse to flee, an icy voice echoed in his mind.

"Eat."

It was the Ten-Thousand-Year Bluefrost Herb.

"With my help in balancing its energy, the worst you’ll suffer is an upset stomach. It won’t harm your foundation."

Wang San’s heart instantly steadied.

Right!

He was the Chosen One!

A mere Su Ji was nothing but a stepping stone on his path to greatness—what was there to fear?

His face twisted back into a grin as he bent down, plucked a strand of Greenwhisk Grass from the ground, and shoved it into his mouth without a second glance, chewing loudly.

Next came the Stonevine Tendril, then another herb.

Right in front of Su Ji, he took a bite out of every single peculiar-looking medicinal plant on the ground, forcing himself to swallow each one.

When he finished, he straightened his back and even let out a belch.

"Senior Brother, as you requested, I’ve tasted every single one. Surely you’re satisfied now?"

"Satisfied? Oh, I am."

Su Ji nodded.

Just as delight began to surface on Wang San’s face, Su Ji’s next words froze his expression solid.

"But I happen to have some manners. Seeing someone else’s bite marks on things disgusts me."

Su Ji waved a hand dismissively, his face twisted in disdain.

"You can take them back."

"If you truly want to settle our little dispute, it’s simple—go fetch me a fresh batch."

"Remember, every single herb must be identical. Only then will I believe in your sincerity."

Wang San’s face cycled from pale to green, then from green to purple.

His fists, hidden in his sleeves, clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

This bastard had signed his own death warrant!

Suppressing the murderous rage in his heart, he forced out a few words through gritted teeth.

"Fine. Please wait a moment, Senior Brother."

Just lure Su Ji out of the Love-Longing Sect!

Once outside, he’d make sure Su Ji begged for death!

Su Ji was at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

So was he!

And he was confident—invincible among peers!

As the Chosen One blessed by the White Destiny, with the Bluefrost Herb as his "standard-issue old mentor," Wang San couldn’t fathom a single reason he’d lose.

Barely restraining his fury, Wang San rushed back to the market district.

After spending a small fortune in spirit stones, he procured an identical batch of herbs.

A little over an hour later, when Wang San presented the freshly filled herb pouch to Su Ji, the latter didn’t even glance at it.

"Senior Brother… the herbs are all here."

"Would you check if they’re correct?"

Su Ji didn’t take it.

"Correct or not doesn’t matter. What matters, dear junior, is that I wanted to see your sincerity."

Su Ji cut him off.

"Now, I’ve seen it."

"Our business is settled."

"You can keep those herbs and enjoy them yourself."

Wang San’s fury flared.

What the hell?

Just like that, he changed his mind?

Made him waste his time for nothing?

Was this all just a game to him?!

But then, an overwhelming surge of triumph flooded his chest.

"Really?"

This time, his joy wasn’t faked.

Not that Wang San’s acting had suddenly improved—he was genuinely ecstatic.

After all this humiliation and effort, wasn’t this the moment he’d been waiting for?

"Since Senior Brother has forgiven my earlier recklessness, there’s something I’d like to say… if I may?"

Su Ji shot him a sidelong glance.

"If you have to ask ‘if you may,’ then don’t. Are you an idiot?"

The words nearly choked Wang San to death on the spot.

His face, flushed with excitement, instantly turned ashen, like he’d just lost both parents.

Oh wait—Wang San had lost both parents. Otherwise, someone might’ve taught him that "stealing" wasn’t exactly praiseworthy behavior.

Su Ji watched Wang San’s expression with quiet satisfaction.

The feeling of interrupting someone mid-scheme was undeniably satisfying.

But Wang San’s skin was thicker than Su Ji had anticipated.

With a smile uglier than a forced funeral grin, he pressed on: "Senior Brother, let me be blunt."

"I know of an opportunity—"

"Not interested."

Su Ji turned to leave.

"—an opportunity involving the hidden abode of a Nascent Soul grandmaster!"

Wang San blurted out.

Su Ji’s steps halted.

Seeing this, Wang San’s confidence surged. He seized the moment, laying it on thick:

"Senior Brother, you know as well as I do—in the lands of Great Xia, Golden Core experts are the peak of cultivation."

"A legacy left behind by a Nascent Soul powerhouse? Need I say more?"

Admittedly, Su Ji was tempted.

He stopped retreating.

Wang San, mistaking his pause for hesitation, couldn’t hide the smugness in his tone.

"The treasures left by a Nascent Soul cultivator? Even the scraps would be enough to drown us Qi Refining ants in riches!"

"What do you say, Senior Brother? This is a heaven-sent opportunity! The entire Love-Longing Sect—no, the whole of Great Xia—has no clue it exists!"

"We’d be the first to plunder it."

"Even if we don’t walk away loaded, we’re guaranteed some gains!"

Su Ji slowly turned back, wearing an expression of cautious intrigue.

"Really? You’re not tricking me, are you?"

"If this Nascent Soul abode is so great, why share it? Why not take everything for yourself?"

Wang San, prepared for this question, quickly explained:

"Because I lack confidence going alone."

"A Nascent Soul’s abode isn’t my personal herb garden—you can’t just waltz in and out. Who knows what dangers lurk inside?"

"I’m still new to the outer sect. I don’t have many connections here."

"After careful consideration, I’d rather trust you, Senior Brother, than gamble on some stranger’s greed."

"After all, if even Su Jiu holds you in high regard, your character must be impeccable."

Anyone with half a brain would see through such nonsense.

But Su Ji wasn’t the type to "use half a brain."

His face instantly lit up with greedy excitement. Rubbing his hands, he leaned in eagerly.

"Seriously? Why didn’t you say so earlier!"

"Quick, tell me—what kind of treasures are inside? Any miracle drugs that can instantly elevate someone to Golden Core?"

"Since Nascent Soul is a whole realm above Golden Core, there’s gotta be something, right?"

Su Ji—the actor—was back in top form.

Wang San watched Su Ji’s drooling, foolish expression, his last shred of doubt vanishing.

Of course a former menial laborer would lose his mind at the mention of such wealth.

Suppressing his contempt, Wang San embellished further:

"Miracle drugs? Absolutely! Though an instant Golden Core might be a stretch."

"Rumor has it, before his passing, the Nascent Soul grandmaster refined a batch of ‘Nine Revolutions Revival Pills.’ A single pill can cleanse your marrow, rebirth your body, and propel you straight to the peak of Foundation Establishment!"

"Not to mention his lifetime’s worth of cultivation manuals. Master those, and reaching seventh-grade Golden Core would be as easy as plucking a fruit!"

Wang San grew more animated, as if the treasures were already in his grasp.

"Good! Excellent!" Su Ji slapped his thigh, face flushed with excitement. "This opportunity is mine, Su Ji’s, for the taking!"

He grabbed Wang San’s shoulder with a sincere expression.

"Junior Brother Wang San! This senior brother was wrong before! I was blind to your worth and nearly missed having such a good brother by my side!"

"Don’t worry—once we enter the cave abode and secure the treasures, I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded!"

Watching Su Ji take the bait so easily, Wang San sneered inwardly.

Still dreaming of a share of the treasures?

Once we’re out of the sect, the trap I’ve set will claim not just the spoils—but your life itself!

Su Ji also smirked coldly.

Did this fool really think such amateur acting could fool him?

Once they left the sect, a single flash of his gleaming spear would blind Wang San’s wretched eyes.

What a damn idiot.