"Fellow Daoist Lin, my sister has exited her seclusion. She has instructed me to inform everyone to start preparing. We will depart three days from now, at dawn!"


    Jin Wuqing had come to notify Lin Ke''er about the upcoming expedition.


    Upon hearing this, Lin Ke''er furrowed her brow. If this had been before, she would have eagerly agreed to go into the mountains to gather herbs. After all, the rewards were indeed high, and it would allow her to acquire more resources.


    But this time, after her trip to the mountains, her house had been robbed. She had lost a spell, a storage bag, and a high-grade magic tool. When she added up the losses, it was enough to bankrupt her. If she went into the mountains again, by the time she returned, Lu Jing might have already started preparing for a child with Ye Chen.


    Lin Ke''er could not, and would not, allow such a thing to happen. Therefore, with a regretful expression, Lin Ke''er shook her head. "Fellow Daoist Jin, I''m afraid I can''t join the expedition. I''ve encountered a problem in my cultivation and need to remain here. Please convey my apologies to your sister."


    Jin Wuqing was taken aback. Lin Ke''er wasn''t going? He had been thinking of using this trip to the mountains to get closer to her, maybe even employ some subtle tricks to win her over. Perhaps start with a heroic rescue, followed by some comforting, then maybe even slipping her some medicine to make everything fall into place. But now Lin Ke''er wasn''t going at all.


    A worried look appeared on Jin Wuqing''s face. "Is there an issue with your cultivation, Fellow Daoist Lin? Should you be taking a break? If that''s the case, why don''t you take some time off? I''ll speak with my sister and make sure your spot is saved. You can join us next time."


    However, Lin Ke''er firmly shook her head. The benefits of going into the mountains were indeed considerable. But when compared to Ye Chen, the difference was too vast. Plus, there were risks involved in the expedition. With Ye Chen, the most she would face would be a little bit of trouble here and there. So Lin Ke''er''s resolve was strong. She wasn''t going.


    "Sorry!"


    At her core, Lin Ke''er was extremely indifferent. She only showed warmth to those who were useful to her. For those who served no purpose, she couldn''t be bothered to give them the time of day. Since she wasn''t going into the mountains, Jin Wuqing had no further use for her. So after saying a simple apology, she swiftly closed the door.


    On the one hand, Lin Ke''er didn''t want to waste time. On the other hand, she was cautious about Ye Chen seeing this interaction and misinterpreting it. This was a critical moment in repairing her relationship with Ye Chen. If Jin Wuqing''s visit interfered with that, she would be at a loss.


    Jin Wuqing stood before the closed gate, a mix of shock and rage on his face.


    Lin Ke''er had truly turned her back without hesitation. She wasn''t going to the mountains, and she couldn''t even be bothered to invite him in for a seat.


    He recalled the hopeful and expectant expression Lin Ke''er had shown when she first opened the door to him. Now, she had coldly shut him out.


    Jin Wuqing couldn''t help but speculate. Perhaps Lin Ke''er had already arranged to meet someone else today. And most likely, that someone was a man.


    A bitter thought crossed his mind. Who was this man who had taken Lin Ke''er from him so decisively? The woman who had acted so distant and aloof towards him, yet was now so warm and affectionate with this other man that she was even willing to skip a valuable opportunity like the herb-gathering expedition.


    After a long pause, Jin Wuqing silently stepped away from the gate, moving to a nearby corner where he could wait quietly. He stood there for over an hour, growing increasingly impatient. Just as he was about to give up and leave, Lin Ke''er finally appeared.


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    Jin Wuqing quickly followed her at a safe distance, making sure to stay hidden in the shadows. Before long, Lin Ke''er arrived at the entrance of a tavern.


    Jin Wuqing watched from afar as she waited at the door. Soon, a tall but otherwise unremarkable male cultivator approached. The moment Lin Ke''er saw him, her usual cool demeanor melted away. She greeted him with a bright, radiant smile.


    Seeing the two of them chat and head into the tavern together, Jin Wuqing''s expression darkened into a deep frown. He thought for a moment, then turned away and walked off. But not long after, he returned, a lecherous middle-aged man now by his side.


    The meal stretched on for more than an hour. When Ye Chen and Lin Ke''er finally emerged from the tavern, Lin Ke''er''s face was flushed, and her eyes carried a slightly dazed look. The scent of spiritual wine clung to her, blending with her natural fragrance, making her seem even more intoxicating.


    Indeed, at Lin Ke''er''s insistence, the two of them had shared a drink of spiritual wine. It had cost a whole half of a low-grade spirit stone. From the way Lin Ke''er had gone to such lengths, it was clear she was serious in her efforts to win him over.


    Outside the door, Lin Ke''er was half-supported by Ye Chen, her steps unsteady.


    "Fellow Daoist Lin, it seems you''ve had a bit too much to drink. Let me walk you home.”


    Although Lin Ke''er was blushing deeply, her beauty was undeniable, making her seem like a goddess.


    But Ye Chen, despite the allure of the moment, had no intention of taking advantage. He was set on sending her home, nothing more. After all, he had yet to access the fifteen-fold reward, and only had two ten-fold rewards at the moment.


    Acting on impulse and taking Lin Ke''er for himself might be tempting, but if something went wrong with Lu Jing leading to him losing the high-reward feedback, it would be a major loss. In the grand scheme of things, one fleeting moment of pleasure couldn''t compare to the long-term benefits of resources.


    Ye Chen had made up his mind: resources always came first. But just as he was about to escort Lin Ke''er back, she suddenly stopped, refusing to move. She tilted her head back, her eyes half-open, as she gazed at Ye Chen.


    "Why do you still call me Fellow Daoist Lin?" her voice was a little hazy from the alcohol. "I want you to call me ''Fairy Lin'' from now on! I don''t want you to call Lu Jing ''Fairy Lu'' anymore. Only me, Ye Chen. You can only call me Fairy Lin."


    Ye Chen furrowed his brow, pondering whether Lin Ke''er was drunk or just throwing a tantrum under the influence of alcohol. Before he could respond, she rose onto her toes, her soft lips brushing his cheek in a fleeting kiss. The sensation was cool and delicate, but it left an intense impact on Ye Chen. Her eyes locked with his as she asked with a hint of childishness, "Is that alright, Ye Chen?"


    Ye Chen hadn''t expected this move at all. Truthfully, being looked at like that, with her lips so close to his cheek, combined with Lin Ke''er''s pure and alluring appearance, made his heart race wildly, even though he knew who Lin Ke''er truly was. Beauty was indeed the deadliest weapon.


    Ye Chen was about to speak when his heightened senses, amplified by the refining of his internal organs, detected a gaze full of murderous intent locking onto him. He immediately furrowed his brows.


    Subconsciously, he slowly turned his eyes to the source of the killing aura, catching a glimpse of a young man standing next to a middle-aged man. The young man''s eyes burned with fury as he glared at Ye Chen.


    A romantic rival?


    Ye Chen was certain Lin Ke''er didn''t have a Dao companion yet, because if she did, it would contradict the system''s feedback conditions. So, this person was most likely a rival. It was clear that the young man was enraged by the kiss Lin Ke''er had just given Ye Chen. He was probably contemplating violence.


    Ye Chen, however, wasn''t someone who was easily intimidated.


    You want to watch, do you? Then let me show you something even more exciting.


    A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Ye Chen''s mouth, and without a moment''s hesitation, he gazed deeply into Lin Ke''er''s eyes. With unspoken determination, he answered her, "Alright."


    As Lin Ke''er''s expression shifted to one of surprise, Ye Chen cupped her face with both hands and kissed her firmly on the lips.


    Lin Ke''er''s face instantly froze in shock. But Ye Chen was too fast. She didn''t have time to react. In a blur, her first kiss was stolen away. And Ye Chen didn''t just touch her and let go. No, this was a kiss full of passion.


    As Lin Ke''er''s mind caught up, she instinctively tried to push him away, even thinking of biting him. She wasn''t prepared for this at all. But then, she remembered the high-grade magic tool from the day before. She recalled what Ye Chen had said about the things his father had sent. She had already been kissed like this. If she pushed him away now, he might misunderstand. Wouldn''t that make everything pointless?


    With that thought in mind, Lin Ke''er slowly lowered her raised hand. If she couldn''t resist, she''d just have to close her eyes and enjoy it. The feeling was… strangely delightful.


    In the distance, Jin Wuqing watched the passionate kiss unfold. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes burned with fury, a murderous intent so thick it seemed to radiate from him, as though he would kill at any moment.