Seated cross-legged in his room, Ye Chen was enveloped in what seemed like a Golden Bell Shield. Intriguingly, a faintly colored little dragon moved about on the shield, automatically positioning itself to defend against any attacks, preventing the shield from being quickly shattered.


    Ye Chen was immensely satisfied with this level of defense. His expression shifted, and he softly formed a hand seal: "Go, Majestic Heavenly Dragon!"


    Instantly, the little dragon roared as it left the shield, charging forward with fierce momentum. Just before it could hit the wall, Ye Chen ceased his cultivation, and the little dragon vanished into thin air.


    "This ''Majestic Heavenly Dragon Sheild'' really is formidable—both offensive and defensive," he mused. "Unfortunately, my cultivation level is too low, and what I can conjure is merely a young dragon, far from a true Heavenly Dragon. But it''s still quite good."


    With this defensive spell at his disposal, Ye Chen felt a greater sense of security.


    Yet, advancing his cultivation remained his top priority. He estimated it had been almost three months since he had broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, and he predicted it might take another three months to reach the fifth level. The pace was decent, but Ye Chen felt it could be quicker.


    He had heard that in this world, there were treasures that could accelerate cultivation. However, such items were beyond the current reach of Ye Chen. If possible, he would definitely acquire one to improve himself.


    After completing his practice and noticing the time, Ye Chen prepared a bottle of medium-grade Qi-Nurturing Pills and set out for Lu Jing''s house, as a week had passed since his last gift and they had arranged to have dinner together today.


    Upon arriving at Lu Jing''s house and seeing her, Ye Chen''s eyes lit up once again.


    Today, Lu Jing was dressed even more radiantly than last time, in a fabric soft like silk from Earth, clinging to her like a second skin and outlining every shape. While she only revealed her arms, the boldness of the ensemble was truly sky-high.


    Ye Chen, unabashed, watched intently and nodded in approval. This privilege was indeed delightful.


    The meal Lu Jing prepared was also lavish. After a hearty dinner, Ye Chen presented his gift.


    Lu Jing was not disappointed that the gift was merely pills this time. After all, the spell worth a medium-grade spirit stone wasn''t something even Ye Chen''s father could afford regularly. A bottle of pills cost about one and a half low-grade spirit stones—too good an offer to pass up.


    Most importantly, even if it was just pills, the value added up over time wasn''t insignificant. Thus, Lu Jing was particularly pleased, her movements more animated than usual.


    After some more watching... chatting, Ye Chen, fully satisfied, bade farewell and departed.


    ...


    Leaving Lu Jing''s home, the sun was nearly setting. However, Ye Chen had barely taken a few steps away when a male cultivator approached him quickly, greeting him enthusiastically.


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    "Fellow Daoist Ye, I have long admired your reputation!"


    Ye Chen''s brow furrowed at this. Did this person know him? Could it be a robbery?


    But Ye Chen wasn''t perturbed. Armed with the external Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique, the mystical Black Yellow Sword Finger, and the Majestic Heavenly Dragon Sheild, he was more than capable of handling most mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators. Moreover, they were still in the marketplace, where he could hold out for patrol support if overwhelmed. There was nothing to fear.


    Thus, Ye Chen simply observed the man without responding, though he remained inwardly vigilant.


    The man walked up to Ye Chen and introduced himself, "I am Li Xiang from the Li Family Talisman Shop; the owner is my father."


    Li Family Talisman Shop? The name sounded familiar.


    Ye Chen recalled hearing it from Lu Jing; she worked there as a talisman apprentice. But why was he seeking him out? Had he heard about Ye Chen''s desire to learn talisman crafting from Sun Ye and was now trying to poach a student?


    Seeing the puzzled look on Ye Chen''s face, Li Xiang gave a wry smile and said, "Fellow Daoist Ye, I won''t beat around the bush... Recently, you''ve been pursuing Lu Jing, right?"


    Ye Chen raised an eyebrow—this was about Lu Jing? Was he dealing with a romantic rival now?


    Beauty often brings trouble, a common issue across worlds.


    Ye Chen was prepared for such confrontations, so he replied confidently, "Yes, what of it?"


    When facing a rival, a weak tone would only make them think you''re easy to push over.


    Li Xiang, sensing Ye Chen''s aggressive tone, quickly waved his hands in a placating gesture, "Fellow Daoist Ye, please don''t get me wrong. I''m not implying anything bad. Lu Jing is indeed beautiful and has a great figure; it''s normal to be attracted to her. I''m here to suggest that if you like her, just pursue her normally—could you possibly refrain from giving gifts?"


    Hearing this, Ye Chen became even more perplexed. A romantic rival coming over to advise him to stop giving gifts? Was this a unique method of handling romantic rivals in the cultivation world?


    Li Xiang, seeing Ye Chen''s confusion, grew more frustrated. He had been attracted to Lu Jing since he first saw her six years ago and had always been supportive, helping her with talisman problems and maintaining a good relationship. Sometimes, when Lu Jing worked late, Li Xiang would even walk her home, though he never entered her room.


    Whenever Li Xiang tried to advance their relationship, Lu Jing would reject him, citing her dedication to cultivation and talisman crafting as reasons. Despite these rejections, she continued to treat him the same as before, which made Li Xiang believe he still had a chance, prompting him to remain actively helpful.


    However, Lu Jing''s attitude had changed in recent weeks. She became distant towards Li Xiang, even refusing his offer for private talisman lessons after work.


    This shift made Li Xiang suspicious. After some observation, he discovered that Lu Jing had been visiting the One Leaf Pill Shop after work. The pharmacy had gained notoriety in Silver Moon Market not for its business performance but because of a simp alchemist—a tale even Li Xiang was aware of. This alchemist, named Ye Chen, was notorious for lavishing gifts on a maid, including a top-tier external technique worth a high-grade spirit stone, prepared by his father.


    This alchemist ended up both broke and heartbroken when the woman used the resources to advance her cultivation and then left him for a more promising suitor from a well-off cultivator family. The story had made him the laughingstock of the community.


    Li Xiang had scoffed at such foolishness. In his view, women in the cultivation world are attracted to strength. Rather than empowering someone else, why not strengthen oneself? After all, a powerful cultivator would have no trouble finding a suitable partner.


    But the gossip had caused disruptions. Many female cultivators expressed a preference for such doting partners, leading to some stable relationships among male cultivators falling apart. It was a harmful trend.


    Li Xiang later learned that the woman in the story was Lin Ke''er, Lu Jing''s former roommate. Now, Lu Jing was visiting One Leaf Pill Shop where Ye Chen worked.


    Li Xiang worried about the connection. Today, he had intended to ask Lu Jing about it but saw Ye Chen entering her home...


    Could it be that Ye Chen had switched his attentions to Lu Jing?


    If so, that would explain why Lu Jing had been so distant lately. After all, a simp alchemist known for giving lavish gifts would overshadow someone who only offered guidance.


    For Li Xiang, this revelation was like a thunderbolt. He realized he might have been outplayed by a simp...