Chapter 3: Cultivation Is Simply Impossible

"Absolutely not, young master," Li Jian San said, casting a sidelong glance at Liu Nan. "What, are you trying to teach me how to handle things?"

"I wouldn’t dare," Liu Nan quickly replied with a forced smile, hurrying to explain, "Young master, he possesses a crippled spirit root. If word gets out that you’re accepting such a waste, it wouldn’t reflect well on you."

"By Elder Liu’s logic, my own cultivation is quite poor. If that’s the case, do I not deserve to remain in Shengjing Sect either?"

If you weren’t the Young Sect Master, I’d have thrown you out long ago, Liu Nan thought to himself, but maintained his smile and said, "Oh, young master, I misspoke. Please don’t take offense. Someone as distinguished as you cannot be compared to the likes of them."

While Liu Nan apologized, Li Jian San quietly sized up Ye Tian. Calm and collected, unhurried and steady—truly deserving of a protagonist’s aura. If he’s granted an opportunity, won’t he step all over me in the future?

Li Jian San’s gaze dropped to Ye Tian’s hand, and he inwardly sighed with relief. Thank goodness, there’s no ring on his finger. If there were an old grandmaster hidden inside, he’d be soaring to the heavens by tomorrow.

Li Jian San smiled at Chu Xier, who stood beside Ye Tian, then said, "Since he’s so determined, let’s give him a chance."

He shot Liu Nan a meaningful look, which the old fox immediately understood. With a forced chuckle, Liu Nan nodded, then turned with a stern expression. "You’re in luck, boy. The Young Sect Master says you’ll get a chance."

"Is that true?" the young girl exclaimed with delight, her gaze toward Li Jian San softening considerably.

"Of course," Li Jian San replied earnestly. "If you can withstand three moves from me, you’ll be admitted into Shengjing Sect."

At his words, Ye Tian’s expression changed, a bitter smile appearing on his face. Before he could speak, Chu Xier burst out angrily, "You’re making things difficult on purpose! My young master hasn’t even begun training—how could he endure three moves from you?"

"If you can’t even handle three of our Young Sect Master’s moves, you’re worse than useless. How could you possibly have the nerve to join Shengjing Sect?" Liu Nan realized he’d misspoken and quickly glanced at Li Jian San, only relaxing when he saw no reaction on his face.

"Young master, let’s just go. They’re clearly trying to make things hard for us," Chu Xier said, reaching to pull Ye Tian away.

But Ye Tian showed no intention of leaving. He gently freed his hand from hers, his gaze resolute. "Very well, I’ll face your three moves."

Seeing this, Li Jian San finally relaxed. He’d been worried Ye Tian would simply walk away, ruining his plans.

"Ding. The system detects that Chu Xier’s favorability toward the host has dropped by ten points."

What? I was hoping to raise her favorability, not lose it! What kind of nonsense is this?

Li Jian San was momentarily dazed. If not for trying to win a girl’s favor, he wouldn’t bother putting himself through this trouble.

He grumbled inwardly, then said, "Let’s begin."

"Alright!" Ye Tian agreed.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Ye Tian landed a heavy blow on Li Jian San, sending him flying backward to crash onto the ground.

Liu Nan was startled and rushed over to help him up. "Young master, are you alright?"

"It’s nothing," Li Jian San replied.

Liu Nan turned to glare at Ye Tian, his face stern. "How dare you injure our Young Sect Master! Do you have a death wish?"

Li Jian San waved a hand magnanimously. "I’m fine. Didn’t you see how well he performed just now? From now on, he may stay in Shengjing Sect."

Chu Xier looked at Li Jian San in surprise. She’d thought he was out to make things difficult for them, but it turned out he’d gone easy on them. She realized she had misjudged him.

"Ding. The system detects Chu Xier’s favorability toward the host has increased by ten. Current favorability: 20."

At last, the favorability has risen—this ploy wasn’t for nothing.

Ye Tian seemed unable to believe his good fortune, asking excitedly, "Is... is it true?"

"Rest assured," Li Jian San said. "As Young Sect Master, that much authority is mine."

"Thank you for your kindness in accepting me, Young Sect Master. I will never forget your great benevolence!" Ye Tian bowed respectfully.

Li Jian San smiled. As if I’d actually trust you. If not for the sake of a girl, I’d have cut you down already, to avoid you becoming a future threat.

Liu Nan said helplessly, "Young master, there was no need to spar with him. If you wanted them admitted, a word would have sufficed."

Li Jian San gave him a look as if to say, "You’re still too young," then said aloud, "Shengjing Sect has its rules!"

As he finished, the system chimed, "The system detects Chu Xier’s favorability toward the host has increased by ten points."

"But you haven’t trained, young master. What if something had happened to you..." Liu Nan fretted. If the Sect Master found out Li Jian San was injured today, he’d be in trouble.

After Li Jian San spoke, Chu Xier’s gaze toward him changed ever so slightly.

Then the system’s voice sounded again: "The system detects Chu Xier’s favorability toward the host has decreased by ten points."

So now she’s looking down on my lack of cultivation. Heh, women...

Soon Ye Tian and Chu Xier were led inside.

Li Jian San then glanced at Liu Nan. "In a moment, do just as I say..." he murmured a few words.

Liu Nan truly had a knack for scheming. After listening, he cackled, "Don’t worry, Young Sect Master, I’ll take care of it!"

"Power is everything if you want to win a woman’s heart," Li Jian San mused as he strolled into Shengjing Sect. Remembering how Chu Xier had just looked down on him for his lack of cultivation, he wore a troubled expression.

Cultivation is exhausting. I could never do it—not in this life. I’ll just have to scrape by as a villain.

So troublesome. Isn’t there some way to grow stronger without training?

"Ding."

"System reward: One Transaction Experience Voucher."

"A transaction voucher? What’s that?" Li Jian San frowned. Those vouchers are usually just supermarket scams to trick old ladies into buying more...

"The transaction voucher allows you to carry out a single exchange. You may search nearby for anyone with a strong desire to trade. If they accept, you’ll both enter the system space to conduct the transaction."

"The system has detected a strong desire for exchange nearby. Would you like to use the transaction experience voucher?"