Chapter 9: Ye Tian’s Deal

"You've had a hard journey, and since the young master approved your entry, I'll give you one chance," Elder Liu Nan said. Hearing this, Ye Tian's face lit up with joy and he hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Elder!"

Elder Liu Nan paused, as if he had suddenly received some news, and a sly, wicked smile flashed across his face before he continued, "Don't thank me just yet. If you agree to one condition, then your theft of the pills can be kept from the Hall of Punishment."

"Please state your condition, Elder Liu Nan. As long as it's within my power, whether it's climbing mountains of knives or plunging into seas of fire, I won't even hesitate!" Ye Tian declared, pounding his chest with determination. He came from humble origins and longed to grow stronger; he was willing to pay any price for power.

Elder Liu Nan coughed lightly, his face twisting into a lewd grin. "The girl you brought with you is quite beautiful. Why not give her to me? Let me enjoy her for a while, and your crimes will be erased."

Ye Tian’s expression changed. "You want Xiao Xi?"

Although Elder Liu Nan’s words were veiled, Ye Tian instantly understood his meaning. He was clearly surprised by the request.

Seeing Ye Tian hesitate, Elder Liu Nan’s face darkened. "What, you’re unwilling? Do you have any idea what pressure I’m under to cover this up for you? Letting your little girl comfort me isn’t unreasonable, is it?"

Ye Tian pretended to be torn, gritting his teeth. "I... I agree."

"Are you sure? There's no turning back," Elder Liu Nan pressed him again.

"As long as you don’t cripple my cultivation and let me stay to train, when my power grows, I can have any woman I want," Ye Tian replied.

Elder Liu Nan smiled, satisfied. "Good, you have potential, young man."

Meanwhile, Li Jian San had been standing outside the door with Chu Xier for quite some time. The entire conversation between Elder Liu Nan and Ye Tian had reached Chu Xier’s ears without a single word missed.

After listening, Chu Xian’er’s face turned deathly pale, and if Li Jian San hadn’t supported her, she might have fainted.

Li Jian San quickly played the gentleman, comforting her, "Little sister, don’t be upset. I believe Ye Tian isn’t that kind of person."

"Let go of me!"

Chu Xier shook off Li Jian San and, like a wounded lover, walked inside.

Ye Tian, oh Ye Tian, even with your protagonist aura, you’re doomed this time.

Li Jian San watched her angry figure disappear and smiled smugly before following her in.

"Xiao Xi, you... what are you doing here?" In the room, Ye Tian saw Chu Xier enter and his face changed drastically, his voice suddenly flustered.

Chu Xier clenched her delicate fists, her gaze full of grievance as she looked at Ye Tian and said,

"Young master, I heard everything you talked about!"

Ye Tian hurriedly grabbed Chu Xier’s hand, trying to explain, "Xiao Xi, listen to me, there’s more to this—"

Before Ye Tian could finish, Elder Liu Nan interrupted with a lascivious smile, "You heard it all, didn’t you? Your young master has already given you to me. From now on, you belong to me!"

Li Jian San, standing aside, couldn’t help but mentally give Elder Liu Nan a thumbs-up for his acting skills. If this old man were on Earth, there’d be no need for movie kings.

"No! I know what kind of person my young master is. I believe he would never do this! You must have forced him, you must have framed him!" Chu Xian’er suddenly shook her head, her voice loud and resolute.

What? How is this happening?

Shouldn’t the plot be that she gives up on Ye Tian, the scoundrel, and her favor toward me rises? This isn’t how I designed the story...

Li Jian San seized the moment to assert himself. "Little sister, don’t rush. Let’s ask what’s really going on first."

But Chu Xier ignored him completely, instead gazing at Ye Tian with gentle eyes. "Young master, this isn’t true, right? Please tell me it’s not true!"

Elder Liu Nan glanced at Li Jian San, his face sinking as he barked, "Girl, do you think Qingyang Sect is a place where anyone can make trouble? If you weren’t a young woman, I’d have thrown you out already. Your young master was caught stealing my pills red-handed. Whether you believe it or not, that’s the truth. If he dares renege, I’ll send him to the Hall of Punishment, and it won’t just be expulsion from the sect."

Li Jian San felt a pang in his chest seeing Chu Xier’s sorrow. This girl really was loyal; the system’s choice of female lead was quite impressive.

Ye Tian kept his head lowered, not daring to move.

Seeing this, Li Jian San knew it was his moment to shine.

He slowly walked up to Ye Tian and patted his shoulder. "Young people make mistakes; it’s normal."

Then Li Jian San turned to Elder Liu Nan. "Elder Liu Nan, it’s not a big deal, is it? Even if he’s wrong, it’s not worth sending him to the Hall of Punishment..."

As he spoke, Li Jian San exchanged a meaningful glance with Elder Liu Nan, who understood and replied coldly, "Young master, this isn’t just about right or wrong. What angers me most is that he promised to give me the girl, and now he’s going back on his word!"

Elder Liu Nan deliberately walked up to Chu Xier, feigning outrage.

He knew perfectly well Li Jian San’s intentions—not to really ruin Ye Tian, but to intimidate him and make Chu Xier remember Li Jian San’s kindness.

Ah, the old tricks of wooing women; how could he not see through them?

"Elder Liu Nan, please, for the sake of my young master’s first offense, let him go this once," Chu Xier pleaded, tears streaming down her face. Her heart was in turmoil—her young master had made a mistake, but if she weren’t so weak, perhaps he wouldn’t be so desperate to grow stronger...

Thinking of this, Chu Xier felt even more heartbroken.

Elder Liu Nan feigned reluctance. "It’s not that I lack compassion, but the sect’s rules are strict. As an elder, I can’t cover up for him."

"And if I cover for him, I take a great risk..."

"I..." Hearing Elder Liu Nan’s words, Chu Xier finally understood his meaning.

She turned back and looked at Ye Tian with lingering sorrow, her eyes brimming with tears.

She knew Ye Tian had indeed violated the sect's rules, but to give herself to this old man was something she could never accept.

Seeing Chu Xier’s distress, Li Jian San realized it was his chance to raise her affection for him. He stepped forward and said, "If Elder Liu Nan feels he’s suffered a loss, I can personally compensate you with three Breaking Origin Pills."

Elder Liu Nan’s face lit up with greed, his mouth watering in anticipation. "Young master, are you serious?"

It was no wonder Liu Nan reacted this way; Breaking Origin Pills were extremely precious.

Unlike Spirit Gathering Pills, which only accelerated cultivation, Breaking Origin Pills could guarantee an advancement for any Foundation Stage martial artist.

Because of their rarity, even elders might not acquire one in a whole year.

After calming himself, Elder Liu Nan turned to Ye Tian. "Since the young master has spoken, I’ll let you off this time."

"Thank you, Elder, thank you!"

"Thank the young master. If not for him, you’d be finished," Elder Liu Nan said, casting a glance at Chu Xier.

"The young master's great kindness, Ye Tian will never forget!" Ye Tian declared.

Li Jian San looked at Ye Tian with a serious expression. "Stay here and train. Don’t make mistakes again, or even I won’t be able to save you!"

He then led Chu Xier out. "Little sister, go back and rest. I’ll have someone keep an eye on Ye Tian; nothing serious will happen, don’t worry."

After Li Jian San finished, Chu Xier looked at him gratefully. "Thank you, young master."

"Ding! System detects that Chu Xier’s affection for the host has risen to fifty points."

Hearing the system's notification, Li Jian San was delighted. After so much effort, he was finally close to winning the lady’s heart.

Finally, Li Jian San sent a message to Elder Liu Nan: "Elder Liu Nan, the rest is up to you. You know what to do..."