Today, Lu Jing pulled out all the stops and prepared a lavish meal for Ye Chen, ensuring he enjoyed himself thoroughly. Afterward, as the room grew warm, they sat beneath a large tree in the courtyard, lounging in chairs to cool off.


    Ye Chen occasionally glanced at Lu Jing. She was dressed lightly today as well, and now lay back unguarded, her graceful form especially enticing.


    Ye Chen couldn''t help but notice her well-maintained skin, flawless to the point where not even pores were visible.


    During this time, to prevent herself from being swayed by any rumors, Lu Jing had been exceedingly generous, more so than game developers in his previous life.


    However, Ye Chen could tell that she was merely stringing him along, allowing him small liberties but never intending to take their relationship further.


    Ye Chen understood her strategy well. After all, the nature of a simp required a constant tease to keep them engaged. If a simp''s desires were completely satisfied, they''d feel content and lack further motivation to give gifts.


    After enjoying the view for a while and noting the sun setting behind the mountains, Ye Chen decided it was time to leave. He sat up, pulled out a gift he had prepared earlier, and said, "Thank you, Fairy Lu, for your warm hospitality. Please accept this small token of my gratitude!"


    Lu Jing''s eyes lit up at Ye Chen''s words, initially expecting another batch of elixirs and preparing her polite refusals. However, her gaze sharply focused when she saw what was in Ye Chen''s hand—a small blue cloth bag, no larger than a palm, adorned with cloud patterns that lent it a mysterious air.


    At first glance, Lu Jing recognized it. She had seen one like it hanging from the waist of the steward at Li Family Talisman Shop—it was a storage bag, the cheapest of which cost at least fifty low-grade spirit stones.


    Lu Jing had always envied such an item. Carrying belongings was cumbersome, and a backpack could become a liability. Valuable items were difficult to carry safely and leaving them at home risked theft. A storage bag could solve these daily annoyances and even make moving house easier.


    Lu Jing had worried that Ye Chen might reduce his gifts or skip a week due to the swirling rumors. Yet not only had he maintained his generosity, he had also brought her a delightful surprise.


    "This is a one cubic meter storage bag from the Green Cloud Shop, priced at one medium-grade spirit stone," Ye Chen continued. "However, you should be careful not to expose it to magical attacks as it could break."


    Ye Chen emphasized its value, knowing that the higher it was, the more delighted she would be, increasing the chance of an extraordinary reaction.


    Indeed, learning of its size and worth—a whole medium-grade spirit stone—Lu Jing''s excitement was palpable. A flush of pleasure colored her mature, pretty face, her expression awash with surprise. The joy Ye Chen brought her was immense. Her worries had been for naught.


    How could someone like Ye Chen be swayed by mere gossip? If he were so easily influenced, wouldn''t he have changed long ago?


    Overjoyed, yet mindful of the bag''s value, Lu Jing felt it shouldn''t be accepted too hastily and so began the customary dance of polite refusal and humble acceptance. They went through the motions, with Lu Jing eventually accepting the gift.


    Given the captivating view of her ''southern hemisphere,'' Ye Chen was all too happy to indulge in this little charade with Lu Jing.


    ...


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    "Hah, finally back..."


    "Although the mountain offered great earnings, life there was hardly fit for a human. One careless move, and a mere insect almost crippled my arm!"


    "This time, I''ve made a small fortune. Beauties, I''m coming for you!"


    "I''m going to find Fairy Yue. No one is allowed to steal her from me."


    The group reached the entrance of the Silver Moon Market, their voices filled with excitement as they shouted.


    Though the mountain had been lucrative, living amidst its dangers—where even a peaceful night''s rest was a luxury—had taken its toll. Even cultivators could not bear the constant tension, and their spirits had grown heavy under the strain.


    Now, back in the city, they felt their bodies relax, the weight of the wilderness lifted from their shoulders.


    Among the crowd, Lin Ke''er heard the voices of several male cultivators and couldn''t help but wrinkle her brow in disdain. However, she didn''t show it outwardly. For she, too, was weary to the bone, yearning only for a long, restful sleep. A full month spent in the mountains had drained her completely.


    At the front of the group, a tall and imposing woman stood. She was the leader, a cultivator at the seventh level of Qi Refining.


    "Alright, the medicinal herbs are in my possession, and your shares have been tallied. I''ve already advanced one-third of the payment," she said, her voice firm. "Once I''ve finished processing the herbs in three days, you can come to collect the remainder of the payment. Any objections?"


    The woman''s no-nonsense attitude commanded respect, and there was a decisive authority in her tone. The group trusted her completely, without a hint of doubt.


    Only one lecherous middle-aged male cultivator dared to speak up. "Boss, how about you advance me a few low-grade spirit stones? I plan to stay in Spring Pavilion for three days..."


    His words triggered a burst of laughter. While most cultivators were focused on advancing their cultivation, many lower-tier cultivators had already given up hope of breaking through and, instead, indulged in a life of excess. They spent their hard-earned spirit stones on drink, pleasure, and women. A month''s worth of work could be squandered in mere days.


    However, they were not simps. Rather, they bought services outright. Such individuals were far from rare in Silver Moon Market.


    The woman shot a cold glance at the middle-aged male cultivator. "Get lost. The women at Spring Pavilion practice vile, unorthodox arts. Are you relying on them to improve your cultivation? Look at you. You''ve made no progress since a few years ago—if anything, you''ve regressed. If you continue like this, there won''t be a place for you in this team!"


    Her words were sharp, without a hint of mercy. The middle-aged man could only force a sheepish smile, not daring to retort. As they entered Silver Moon Market, the woman turned and walked away. The group scattered, with people heading off in small clusters.


    Lin Ke''er also planned to leave.


    However, a tall, young man walked beside her. "Ke''er, remember to come early in three days. I''ll have my sister allocate you a larger share!"


    Upon hearing this, Lin Ke''er smiled politely. "Then I must thank you, Fellow Daoist Jin."


    The young man, Jin Wuqing, was a cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and had already gained considerable battle experience, making him one of the best in the team. He was also the cousin of the team leader. It was said that they had formed an alliance with a medicinal herb shop and had been gathering herbs in the mountains for the shop.


    Jin Wuqing had been particularly attentive to Lin Ke''er during their time in the mountains. Young and accomplished, he was likely to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining soon, surpassing Ye Chen in almost every way.


    Yet, Lin Ke''er remained indifferent to him. What did the late stage of Qi Refining matter? Her goal was Foundation Establishment.


    After expressing her thanks, Lin Ke''er bid him farewell and walked away, leaving Jin Wuqing somewhat disappointed.


    However, knowing that Lin Ke''er would soon return to the mountains, he comforted himself that there would be more opportunities for them to interact.


    …


    As Lin Ke''er walked down the road, reflecting on her gains, a smile unconsciously spread across her face. Thanks to good fortune, she had discovered a patch of Silver Moon Spirit Grass. Her harvest had far exceeded expectations.


    According to the team leader, she would receive twenty-five low-grade spirit stones from this trip. That was almost a spirit stone a day''s worth of earnings. In just one month, she had earned as much as she had in nearly a year—this was certainly a pleasant surprise.


    Lin Ke''er planned to use the spirit stones to rent a better courtyard in three days. As for Ye Chen, she would keep her promise and treat him to a meal. But at the dinner table, she would make it clear to him—not to allow him to harbor any more expectations.


    After all, though Ye Chen had given her mid-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills, she could now afford one herself. There was no need to sacrifice her own comfort over a few spirit stones.


    Lost in thought, Lin Ke''er arrived at her courtyard. However, as she stood at the door, she heard voices coming from inside. They seemed strangely familiar...