Ye Chen observed Lin Ke''er, noting how she had rejected his gift but subtly mentioned that she still had three pills left. It was clear she was hinting that he should send more in a few days. This made Ye Chen want to laugh, but he quickly suppressed the urge. There were more important matters at hand.


    He spoke up directly: "It''s not pills, but a martial technique — Dragon Elephant Fist — that my father prepared for me. It can refine flesh, blood, and tendons. This is a martial art passed down from the Dragon Elephant Sect! I see that you''re close to breaking through to the mid-stage of Qi Gathering. With the assistance of this external technique, you can refine your body and blood, and your progress will be accelerated."


    Upon hearing this, Lin Ke''er, who had been steadfast in her refusal, froze. Her pupils contracted sharply.


    Not pills, but a martial technique? This.…


    The immense surprise hit Lin Ke''er like a sledgehammer, leaving her dizzy.


    A martial technique? And one that could refine tendons and bones? This was far too precious.


    Most basic external martial arts could only temper the flesh, and their effects were mediocre at best. The next level up could refine tendons and bones, but such techniques were rare. Even Qi Refining Stage cultivators would feel their wallets bleed if they had to buy one. The most advanced types could refine tendons, bones, and even internal organs. But those were typically only accessible to top-tier sect disciples.


    Loose cultivators like herself had no hope of acquiring such techniques. Lin Ke''er had never practiced external martial arts, knowing that once she broke through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, she would need to save up more spirit stones and look for a better technique. She never expected Ye Chen to bring this to her directly.


    This….


    Although she knew Ye Chen had feelings for her, she hadn''t anticipated such a generous gesture. Ye Chen was being far too lavish.


    The shop fell into an uncomfortable silence. One of the female attendants looked at Ye Chen with a face twisted by jealousy. The other servants couldn''t help but look at him as if he were some spoiled rich kid.


    Meanwhile, Manager Zhang had appeared in the hallway at some point, his face tinged with a faint greenish hue. He knew Ye Chen was a simp, but he hadn''t expected him to be this hopeless.


    This martial technique was worth at least two or three middle-grade spirit stones. And Ye Chen was just giving it to a woman? What the hell was wrong with him? Was he completely ignoring his own family?


    If Manager Zhang didn''t know better, he would''ve thought Ye Chen came from a Foundation Establishment family. Two or three middle-grade spirit stones… do you even know how many women you could get with that?


    Manager Zhang gritted his teeth as the urge to snatch the jade slip from Ye Chen''s hands almost overwhelmed him. Even though it wasn''t his, just watching made him feel sorry.


    ...


    Ye Chen, however, didn''t care at all about what anyone thought of him. He simply smiled lightly and looked at Lin Ke''er.


    Lin Ke''er pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes filled with longing. But her willpower was still strong. She suppressed the urge to reach out and said, "Fellow Daoist Ye, you also need a martial technique yourself. I can''t accept it...."


    She wanted it, no doubt about that, but her modesty made her resist. She wanted to refuse a few more times before finally accepting it. That way, it would look better. It would appear that she was only accepting because she truly couldn''t refuse. This was the way she had handled things before.


    Ye Chen could see exactly what she was thinking from her expression. A cold sneer rose in his heart.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    This woman had been spoiled by his previous self. She had gotten used to being pampered. She clearly wanted it desperately. But now, she had to make him work for it, like she was the prize.


    Ye Chen felt a rising distaste. He couldn''t keep acting like this, constantly giving in and begging her to take things. He was done. He immediately made a motion to retract the jade slip: "You''re right. If that''s how it is, then I''ll take it back."


    Seeing Ye Chen actually take it back, Lin Ke''er''s eyes widened in shock.


    Ye Chen... was taking it back? How could he take it back? Hadn''t he always insisted that she accept it after a few more polite refusals?


    At that moment, Lin Ke''er was filled with immense regret. She even had the urge to leap forward and snatch the jade slip from Ye Chen''s hands. That was worth several middle-grade spirit stones, an external technique that could refine the tendons and bones! Even if she didn''t eat, drink, or cultivate for the next few years, it would still take her at least ten years to afford it. And yet, just because of one sentence, it had slipped through her fingers?


    Lin Ke''er felt as though, for the next few years, she would wake up in the middle of the night, slapping herself twice in frustration. She was truly regretful. But just at that moment, Ye Chen''s hand paused as he was retracting the jade slip.


    "I just remembered," he said, "My father mentioned he might be able to find a better martial technique. He''ll bring it to me next time... So, you should keep this Dragon Elephant Fist for your cultivation." He spoke and handed the jade slip back to Lin Ke''er.


    Seeing the jade slip that she thought she had lost, Lin Ke''er''s emotions were like a roller coaster. She dared not refuse any longer. She was terrified that this opportunity would slip away for good. Hurriedly, she took the jade slip with both hands, her voice sincere: "In that case, thank you so much, Fellow Daoist Ye!"


    Meanwhile, Ye Chen, hearing the system notification in his mind, was in a particularly good mood. This was how it should be. Just accept it if you want it. No need for fake politeness.


    Ye Chen didn''t even bother to listen to Lin Ke''er''s thanks. He waved his hand dismissively and turned to leave. He was in a hurry to go check the system rewards.


    ...


    Once Ye Chen left, the shop fell silent again. No one believed Ye Chen''s final words. Even if his father were at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, a middle-grade spirit stone a year would be the most he could manage. Could he really bring a better martial technique next time? They all thought it was just an excuse to convince Lin Ke''er to accept the gift.


    Manage Zhang felt even more shocked. Ye Chen''s actions had completely shattered his understanding of what it meant to be a simp. He hadn''t expected there could be someone this extreme. Sending pills was understandable, but giving away a martial technique, especially one that Ye Chen needed for himself? It was utterly foolish.


    For cultivators, the most important thing was their own strength and cultivation. If you gave it all away to someone else, what would happen when their cultivation surpasses yours? Would they even spare you a glance? It was laughable. Ridiculous. Stupid beyond belief!


    Manage Zhang watched the jade slip in Lin Ke''er''s hands with greed written all over his face. Even if he couldn''t use it himself, it would be perfect for his son. Lin Ke''er, a loose cultivator, had no right to possess such a treasure.


    However, Lin Ke''er was quick to react. She immediately pressed the jade slip to her forehead. The next moment, the jade slip lit up and shattered into pieces.


    Manager Zhang couldn''t help but give her a deep, measuring look. This woman was truly clever. Now that the jade slip had shattered after being used, there was no point in coveting it.


    Grinding his teeth, Manage Zhang made a mental note to increase his exploitation of Ye Chen. He just couldn''t understand how the Ye family could raise such a simp. Absurd. Truly absurd….


    ...


    Lin Ke''er, having used the jade slip, quickly scanned the information in her mind. The smile on her face grew even brighter. The Dragon Elephant Fist technique was truly powerful. With this technique, her future prospects would only grow brighter.


    Thinking of this, Ye Chen''s face involuntarily appeared in her mind. Ye Chen was truly kind to her. It was clear that Ye Chen really liked her. Even a cultivator like Lin Ke''er, with a steadfast Dao heart, couldn''t help but feel moved by such attention.


    But as much as she was moved, she knew she could never be with Ye Chen, could never be his Dao partner. Her own goal was to reach Foundation Establishment and go further along the path of immortality. But Ye Chen? He''d probably struggle to even reach the peak of the Qi Refining stage.


    Still, Lin Ke''er silently vowed that once her cultivation reached greater heights, she would repay Ye Chen a hundredfold.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Ye Chen had returned to his room and began checking the system.


    "Gift successful!"


    "Gift was the physical cultivation technique Dragon Elephant Fist."


    "Processing feedback…"


    "Ten times feedback, rewarded with Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique."


    "Detected that the gift you gave was of great importance to the recipient and far exceeded their expectations, causing significant fluctuations in their state of mind, triggering a critical hit reward!"


    "Reward includes a one-day projection of the Dragon Elephant Sect''s founding master, Xu Longxiang, who can provide guidance on the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique."


    "Detected that the host lacks storage equipment. The physical reward will be temporarily stored in the system space and can be retrieved at any time…"