However, Lu Jing''s attempts to sow discord were precisely what Ye Chen wanted. After hearing her words, his expression grew even darker.


    This, of course, pleased Lu Jing inwardly. But she quickly feigned guilt, her face filled with a self-reproachful look. "Have I said too much? Fellow Daoist Ye, really, please don''t overthink it. Lin Ke''er is solely focused on her cultivation. She cares nothing for matters of love. She''s not interested in romance. Most cultivators are like this, with no interest in anyone or anything other than their own cultivation. Even if that leader''s younger brother is exceptionally talented, it doesn''t concern her. She won''t get involved with him."


    Ye Chen couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly. She had already begun subtly criticizing Lin Ke''er for being selfish. Lu Jing truly had a sharp eye for people.


    Yet, Ye Chen''s expression grew even more despondent. "So, that means she wouldn''t be interested in me either."


    Lu Jing silently praised Ye Chen''s insight. This was exactly what she had been hinting at. However, she quickly shook her head and reassured him. "It''s not like that. Ke''er acts differently towards you, Fellow Daoist Ye. You''ve helped her so much, and Ke''er definitely feels grateful to you. With a little more effort, perhaps you could really succeed."


    But once that seed of doubt had been planted, any normal person would start to think that Lin Ke''er must treat them differently, simply because they had offered gifts. And once those gifts were no longer coming? It was certain that Lin Ke''er would abandon them without hesitation. And in truth, that was the way it would likely unfold.


    Ye Chen had long seen through everything. Yet, his expression grew even more distressed. Unable to sit still any longer, he suddenly stood up, his voice tinged with discomfort. "Apologies, Fellow Daoist Lu, I don''t feel well. I must rest now…."


    Lu Jing hadn''t expected Ye Chen to be so emotionally affected, reacting so strongly after the truth was revealed. Her heart swelled with anticipation. Such a passionate simp would soon be hers.


    She immediately put on a sympathetic expression, her voice full of concern. "In that case, please rest well, Fellow Daoist Ye…. By the way, I have a low-grade Clear Heart Talisman here. It''s the first talisman I''ve ever crafted, and I''ve kept it with me as a memento. Seeing you so troubled, I''d like to offer it to you."


    This was one of Lu Jing''s tactics. Lin Ke''er had always taken what was offered without giving anything in return. She might say she would repay the favor, but had taken no real action.


    And what about herself? She was not only generous and warm-hearted but also took the initiative to offer Ye Chen a gift. Though the Clear Heart Talisman wasn''t worth much, it was the first one Lu Jing had ever crafted. The sentimental value was undeniable. The difference between the two was clear. It would surely cause Ye Chen to feel even more disillusioned with Lin Ke''er.


    As expected, seeing the Clear Heart Talisman, Ye Chen was momentarily surprised. It seemed as though something had occurred to him, and he shook his head inwardly.


    Then, with a casual gesture, he took out a small pill bottle from his sleeve. "To let you leave empty-handed would be impolite of me. This pill is for you, Fellow Daoist. Inside are ten middle-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills."


    Upon hearing this, Lu Jing''s eyes gleamed with hidden delight. She was very familiar with this pill bottle. For the past two months, every week, Ye Chen had sent Lin Ke''er a bottle just like this.


    Ten middle-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills were worth roughly one and a half low-grade spirit stones. Forty pills in a month, that''s six low-grade spirit stones. It was nearly the same amount as her earnings working as an apprentice at the talisman shop.


    Lu Jing had long coveted those pills. This bottle, clearly prepared for Lin Ke''er, was now being offered to her, because Ye Chen had grown disappointed in Lin Ke''er and wished to return her gesture. This meant that her words had indeed left an impression on him.


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    However, Lu Jing had no intention of accepting the gift. Instead, she wanted to establish a clear divide between herself and Lin Ke''er, to completely crush Lin Ke''er and take Ye Chen, the little simp, for herself. Once Ye Chen was entirely hers, wouldn''t she be able to get anything she desired?


    With this thought in mind, she immediately shook her head and said, "That Clear Heart Talisman was a token of my sincerity. There''s no need for a return gift! Fellow Daoist, I''ll take my leave now."


    Ye Chen watched as Lu Jing deliberately acted as if she were indifferent to the pills. He couldn''t help but smile inwardly. Those who initially refused gifts were always the ones who wanted more in the end.


    In his past life, many of the women who played the "green tea" role and tried to bait men always set up this kind of facade. Once they had you within their grasp, and once they were certain they had you figured out, they would strip you of everything you had without hesitation.


    Ye Chen wasn''t fooled by such tactics. For him, giving gifts was a matter of principle. He could just shove the gift straight into her hands, but the act of giving a gift was something he would never skip.


    So, Ye Chen spoke seriously, "It''s no trouble. This batch of pills is nothing more than something I casually concocted. In comparison, the first time holds far greater significance. If you refuse, then please take away the Clear Heart Talisman as well."


    Lu Jing was taken aback by his words. What did he mean by "first"? Was it the first Clear Heart Talisman or….


    But she didn''t dwell on it for long.


    Instead, she became more convinced of Ye Chen''s value, realizing that he was far more significant than she had initially thought. An alchemist capable of refining middle-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills; just this alone was a mark of immense wealth.


    But this wasn''t exactly rare. Even in Silver Moon Market, there were alchemists more skilled than Ye Chen. The problem was, no matter how much those other alchemists earned, she wouldn’t get anything from them.


    But Ye Chen…. He had returned a bottle of middle-grade Qi-Nourishing Pill simply because she’d given him something as insignificant as a Clear Heart Talisman. Such generosity was unprecedented in Silver Moon Market. Lu Jing felt she had hit the jackpot.


    Lu Jing saw that Ye Chen was resolute, and with no other option, she reluctantly took the pills from him. Gently swaying her ample figure, she thanked him, "Since you insist, I won''t be impolite. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye. I''ve recently been learning to make Exorcism Talismans, and I''m close to succeeding. Once I refine my first one, I''ll be sure to give it to you, Fellow Daoist. After all, it wouldn''t be proper to receive without giving in return."


    Ye Chen nodded at her words. However, his mood remained low, and he had little interest in continuing the conversation.After a few more exchanges, he escorted Lu Jing out.


    Once Lu Jing left the backyard of Ye''s Medicine Shop, she couldn''t contain the joy on her face.This trip had been beyond worthwhile. She had received a bottle of middle-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills in an instant.But those pills were only the beginning.


    Ye Chen had also given Lin Ke''er spells, external cultivation techniques, and gifts valued in middle-grade spirit stones.These were things Lu Jing desired, and she wanted even more.


    So, Lu Jing had made up her mind. She would take full advantage of Lin Ke''er''s absence while she ventured into the mountains and snatch Ye Chen, this little simp, completely into her grasp. She would train him into her personal, devoted simp. From now on, everything Ye Chen had would be hers alone.


    Thinking of this, Lu Jing couldn''t help but feel excited, her steps growing lighter as she walked faster. Because of her exaggerated figure, even simple movements seemed large and commanding, drawing the eyes of many male cultivators.They couldn''t take their eyes off her.


    Hastily, Lu Jing quickened her pace and left. It wasn''t hard to understand why she was so excited. Though Lu Jing had better luck than Lin Ke''er, having been blessed with the talent for talisman-making, her advantages were still limited.


    Talisman-making was one of the six essential arts of cultivation. But for a rogue cultivator like her, the cost of learning to make talismans was immense. No rogue cultivator would teach her since that would only breed competition. Instead, she had to sign an apprenticeship contract at a shop.


    In the beginning, she spent five whole years just learning to process basic materials, earning a meager reward of only one low-grade spirit stone a month. Without food and shelter provided, Lu Jing would have never been able to endure.


    Now, Lu Jing could craft some basic talismans. But these talismans belonged to the shop, and she was still paid a fixed salary, which had only increased to five low-grade spirit stones per month. Her apprenticeship contract was a long one, spanning thirty years. The terms were harsh, essentially consuming her entire youth.


    But she had no choice. Without learning, there was no future. At least with these skills, she could hope for a career. It could be said that most rogue cultivators in this cutthroat cultivation society had no real choice. They knew it was a trap, but they had no option but to jump in.


    It was no wonder Lu Jing valued Ye Chen so highly. After all, if she had Ye Chen, she would be able to cut at least thirty years of struggle off her life.