Gu Xian'er's words left Chen Chang'an momentarily stunned.
Become his disciple?
Chen Chang'an studied Gu Xian'er for a moment before breaking into a smile.
"What a clever girl."
Gu Xian'er was intelligent, composed, and knew how to seize opportunities.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want revenge—she simply hadn’t found the right chance.
The way Chen Chang'an and Xuan Wudao had conducted themselves earlier had given her a deeper idea.
Even if Chen Chang'an hadn’t approached her with his story, she would have found a way to speak to him, perhaps even prolong their conversation.
As for why she chose Chen Chang'an over Xuan Wudao—
It wasn’t just because Chen Chang'an had initiated the conversation. Comparing the two, Gu Xian'er felt Chen Chang'an might be the more reliable one.
"In this lifetime, this may be my only opportunity."
"It’s not just about revenge. I loathe living like this in a brothel."
"Benefactor, you said you wouldn’t intervene, but I… I can become your disciple."
"I beg for your mercy in granting me this."
Gu Xian'er was smart enough to know that honesty was the best approach when dealing with someone like Chen Chang'an.
Playing tricks in front of the strong was nothing short of foolish.
Taking on a disciple was something Chen Chang'an had never seriously considered before.
Though Chen Yunxuan and Chen Chang'an had a master-disciple relationship in practice, they had never formalized it.
Gu Xian'er was already twenty years old, yet her cultivation had only reached the first level of the True Qi Realm.
At twenty, reaching the True Qi Realm might be considered decent in the Northern Region, but in the Central Heaven Domain, it was merely average.
Seeing Chen Chang'an hesitate, Gu Xian'er grew nervous.
"Does Benefactor find my talent too lacking to achieve anything?"
"If so, I can give up on becoming your disciple. Even staying by your side as a servant would suffice."
For Gu Xian'er, escaping her current predicament required the help of someone as powerful as Chen Chang'an.
At the very least, in Langya, she knew of no one else who would dare disregard the Lin Family’s influence.
Even if such a person existed, would she ever get the chance to meet them?
"Perhaps this is fate’s design."
"Langya is vast, yet meeting you here must be some kind of providence."
"Fine. I’ll take you away from Langya—but not yet."
"I still have matters to settle here. Once they’re done, I’ll bring you with me."
"As for what path you take afterward, that will be your choice."
Thud!
The moment Chen Chang'an finished speaking, Gu Xian'er dropped to her knees.
Hope—she had finally glimpsed the hope of rebirth!
"Thank you, Benefactor, for your mercy and salvation."
"From this day forth, Gu Xian'er vows to serve at your side, unwavering for eternity."
"Should I break this oath, may my soul be condemned to eternal torment, never to be redeemed."
Chen Chang'an looked at her and gave a slight nod. "Get up."
"Yes, Benefactor."
"Benefactor, how should I address you from now on?"
"Should I call you 'Young Master' or 'Lord'?" Gu Xian'er asked after standing.
What to call him?
Chen Chang'an hadn’t really thought about it. Despite his long life, he’d never had a personal attendant before.
He’d spent most of his time being his master’s errand boy…
'Lord' didn’t fit—he was far too old for such a youthful title.
'Young Master'…
"Never mind. 'Young Master' will do."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Since you’re now my attendant, you can’t remain too weak."
"Your talent may be ordinary, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be changed."
"Here, take this Nine-Rank Phoenix Herb and consume it."
Nine-Rank Phoenix Herb?
Gu Xian'er had no idea what it was or what it did, but the name alone suggested it was no ordinary treasure.
This herb had been given to Chen Chang'an by Mu Yunyao, though it wasn’t suitable for men.
Mu Yunyao had once joked that he could gift it to a lover someday.
But Chen Chang'an wasn’t one for sentimentality. If something had use, it should be used—who received it didn’t matter.
"Young Master, this is far too precious. I’m merely—"
"Enough. Take it when it’s given. When I speak, you obey. Understood?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"Consume it. Let’s see if it can refine your constitution."
"As you command."
Without another word, Gu Xian'er swallowed the Nine-Rank Phoenix Herb.
The herb dissolved the moment it touched her tongue, an astonishing sensation. She had expected difficulty swallowing, but it transformed into pure energy, washing over her body again and again in a baptism of power.
"Damn, Old Chen, what the hell are you doing? Such intense energy fluctuations!"
"Didn’t you think to set up a barrier? You trying to kill everyone nearby?"
As the energy within Gu Xian'er surged, Xuan Wudao—who had been enjoying drinks with the courtesans—rushed over in alarm.
Da Huang, however, was more in sync with Chen Chang'an. Without needing to approach, he cast a barrier around Gu Xian'er’s room.
"Didn’t expect such a reaction. Just gave her something to eat."
"You didn’t expect it? You fed her the Nine-Rank Phoenix Herb—a legendary treasure said to have vanished for millennia!"
"And you just casually handed it to a servant?"
"Are you out of your damn mind?"
Chen Chang'an wasn’t particularly concerned. To him, these things were useless—he had no need for them.
But Xuan Wudao saw it differently. Though he hadn’t been present earlier, he’d been observing everything from afar.
When he heard "Nine-Rank Phoenix Herb," he nearly spat out his wine in shock.
Internally, he cursed Chen Chang'an as the most wasteful man alive.
"Treasures exist to be used."
"Who uses them is my decision as the owner."
"If I’m not bothered, why are you?"
"The emperor isn’t anxious, yet the eunuch is." Chen Chang'an replied flatly.
"Damn it, I’ve never seen anyone as reckless as you!"
"Wait—who the hell are you calling a eunuch?"
"It’s been three thousand years. Care to test how much stronger I’ve gotten?" Xuan Wudao glared.
"Still itching to be a beggar?"
"You—"
"How about another wager? Same rules, but this time, the loser becomes a eunuch!"
"You game?"
At that, Xuan Wudao immediately deflated. The stakes were too brutal, and Chen Chang'an’s confidence left him with no courage to bet.
Though Xuan Wudao had grown immensely stronger over three millennia, he couldn’t be sure Chen Chang'an hadn’t progressed as well.
"Tch. Not worth my time."
"Still, I am curious—what exactly happens after consuming the Nine-Rank Phoenix Herb?"
Xuan Wudao turned his attention back to Gu Xian'er.
She was now enveloped in a violent surge of energy, her entire body wracked with agony.
Yet from beginning to end, she stubbornly refused to make even the slightest sound.
"This girl... I truly underestimated her. With willpower like this, she’s destined for greatness."
Even Xuan Wudao couldn’t help but regard Gu Xian’er in a new light.
"This energy seems... a bit too intense!"