Senior Sister Really Knows How to Humble Herself

"Of course I'm serious. Do you think I'd joke about something like this, junior brother?" Chu Mengyou's cheeks were slightly flushed, as if she were speaking to a lover.

Yet her demeanor showed no trace of shyness or awkwardness.

Her composure only deepened Li Chuan's bewilderment.

It was as if, in his past life, he had been walking down the street when a famous celebrity suddenly appeared before him and asked, "Want to go on a date?"

Good heavens, even if he had to sell everything he owned and go into debt, he’d say yes!

After steadying himself, Li Chuan asked, "Senior Sister, what do you want from me?"

If he had exceptional looks or talent, he wouldn’t have asked.

But he didn’t. So what could Chu Mengyou possibly want from him?

Surely she wasn’t just here to do a good deed and help a lonely junior brother!

Or… did she have a thing for older men?

Instead of answering, Chu Mengyou posed her own question: "Junior brother, how many Spirit Stones did you contribute to the sect when you joined?"

Li Chuan replied, "Between artifacts, manuals, elixirs, spirit herbs, and Spirit Stones, the total came to—"

Chu Mengyou’s eyes brightened in astonishment. "Over 50,000 Spirit Stones? Junior brother, you truly are extraordinary!"

Anyone joining the Yin-Yang Sect mid-way had to surrender all their possessions, down to the clothes on their back.

But this was merely the bare minimum—contributing didn’t guarantee entry.

If the offering fell short, they’d be turned away regardless.

Beyond wealth, aptitude mattered too. Even with enough Spirit Stones, poor talent meant rejection.

Li Chuan, at his age, was only at the third level of Qi Refining. His lack of talent was obvious.

Even his appearance didn’t meet the Yin-Yang Sect’s standards.

Yet he had been accepted. That could only mean one thing: his contribution had been staggering.

Though Chu Mengyou had suspected as much, the figure of 50,000 Spirit Stones still shocked her.

After all, the requirement for those at the tenth level of Qi Refining was just 3,000 Spirit Stones.

As long as one’s total assets reached that amount, and they had passable looks and talent, they could join.

Of course, exceptions existed beyond Li Chuan. Take Su Yaoyue, hailed as the most beautiful cultivator in the Qi Refining stage—she had been accepted despite contributing only 1,000 Spirit Stones, all because of her peerless beauty.

Li Chuan gave a bitter laugh. "What good are Spirit Stones now? They’re no longer mine. And after years of chasing them, I’ve ended up looking like this—hardly worth it."

Only now did he understand the saying from his past life: No amount of wealth is worth sacrificing one’s health.

He had fought tooth and nail, amassing treasures and riches far beyond his peers, only to find that none of it could buy him a higher realm.

His struggles now seemed like a cruel joke.

Chu Mengyou, however, praised him. "Junior brother, though your talent is lacking, you’re only at the third level of Qi Refining. Judging by your appearance, you’re around 70, yet you accumulated such wealth in mere decades—that’s remarkable."

Li Chuan’s face twitched. "Senior Sister, I’m actually only 49. This aged look comes from too many brushes with death, forcing me to push my limits each time."

"Ah!" Chu Mengyou’s eyes sparkled even brighter. "Then you’re even more impressive! To gather so much in just twenty or thirty years!"

Suddenly, she took two steps forward, closing the distance between them. Her breathtaking face leaned in without warning, her warm breath brushing against Li Chuan’s ear, sending a shiver through him.

He felt her soft hand take his, then a slender finger slip between his loosely curled fingers.

A sultry voice whispered in his ear: "Junior brother, earning my favor is simple. Just 1,000 Spirit Stones, and I’ll spend a day with you."

"You joined the Yin-Yang Sect to break through, but without guidance, you’ll struggle. At the tenth level of Qi Refining, I’m more than qualified to teach you. Any questions you have, I’ll answer."

Li Chuan jolted in surprise. He hadn’t expected Chu Mengyou’s terms to be so straightforward—just Spirit Stones!

And she even offered cultivation guidance as a bonus!

So this was how a fairy stood on her own. He had racked his brain earlier, fearing she’d ask him to do something dangerous.

That said, with only his sect stipend left and no savings, scraping together 1,000 Spirit Stones quickly would be perilous.

But no matter the difficulty, he’d find a way.

Why? Because Chu Mengyou was one of the Ten Great Beauties of the Qi Refining stage.

Resisting was impossible. Absolutely impossible.

"But Senior Sister, 1,000 Spirit Stones is a bit steep," Li Chuan suddenly said.

Chu Mengyou’s clear, lovely eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re actually haggling with me?"

She couldn’t believe Li Chuan was trying to lower the price.

But since this affected how many times he could "learn" from her, Li Chuan pressed on. "Senior Sister, I’m slow-witted. A single day of guidance might not be enough. Naturally, I’d hope for more."

Chu Mengyou looked at him, torn between amusement and exasperation. "Then name your price."

Her smile remained as pure and beautiful as ever.

Li Chuan: "1,000 Spirit Stones for four days."

Instantly, Chu Mengyou’s face darkened.

Though a few extra days meant little, Li Chuan’s offer severely undervalued her.

Afraid she might storm off in anger, Li Chuan hurriedly added, "Senior Sister, you know how long it takes a third-level Qi Refining cultivator to save 1,000 Spirit Stones."

"At this stage, those at lower levels can’t afford it, while those at higher levels are saving for Foundation Building."

"You probably don’t want to wait years, either. I’ll find a way to gather 1,000 within half a year."

After a brief pause, Chu Mengyou relented. "1,000 for two days. That’s my final offer."

Li Chuan grinned. "Deal. Once I save 500, I’ll come find you—so you can put those Spirit Stones to use sooner."

"…?"

Chu Mengyou froze, realizing she’d been outmaneuvered.

Her eyes narrowed. Why not split it into 100 Spirit Stones per visit?

Truthfully, that was exactly what Li Chuan had in mind. But fearing her wrath, he decided to save 100 first and approach her directly.

"I’ll be waiting. Remember—not a word to anyone." As she turned to leave, Li Chuan called out, "Wait, Senior Sister!"

"What now?" She crossed her arms, eyeing him skeptically.

Li Chuan said, "Everything you just told me still feels like a dream. I’m worried you’re just teasing me."

"Oh? What do you want then? Don’t tell me you expect a trial run right now?" Chu Mengyou smirked.

Li Chuan’s heart skipped a beat. He nearly blurted out that he wouldn’t refuse.

Instead, he said, "Just a kiss from you, Senior Sister. Then I’ll know you’re serious."

Chu Mengyou did not refuse. Instead, with a playful glint in her eyes, she raised her delicate hand and pointed at her fair face. "Do you want to kiss me here... or here?"

Her slender fingers lingered near her soft lips, yet her expression remained one of innocent curiosity—a blend of temptation and naivety that made Li Chuan lose all restraint. He cupped her tender cheeks in his hands.

"Your lips, of course."

Li Chuan leaned in.