11: Chapter 11 Teasing

[Life with a bodyguard and butler is indeed leisurely.]

[You lounged idly in the carriage, the small wooden table laden with snacks and desserts.]

[Today, you wore a light blue silk dress, your long hair loosely tied with a single Green Jade Hairpin, a few strands cascading over your shoulders, gently swaying in the breeze, adding a touch of languidness and casual charm.]

[These were all procured by Young Master Lin when you rested in a nearby town. His thoughtfulness in having you change back into women's clothing naturally had an obvious purpose.]

[You secretly curled your lips in disdain, but what came out of your mouth was:]

“Brother Lin, any girl who marries you would be truly blessed~”

[Your unintentional small gestures easily brought you closer to him.]

[Unfortunately, although he was lustful, he wasn't love-struck, and didn't reveal anything about cultivation.]

[However, you also knew that this couldn't be rushed. To deal with creatures like Sons of Fortune, you could only make them willingly offer resources; cunning exploitation was truly the worst strategy.]

“It's just a small matter, Miss Lin, you don't have to be like this.”

Lin Bufan awkwardly touched his nose.

[The corner of your mouth twitched slightly. This action was indeed typical of a Son of Fortune. Would he also say “just lucky” later?]

[Just as you were thinking this with a mischievous delight, the carriage suddenly jolted, and your skirt slid up significantly, revealing a pair of long, fair legs.]

“Gulp~”

[A clear swallow was covered by the sound of horse hooves, but it didn't escape your keen senses.]

[You secretly chuckled, but pretended not to notice Lin Bufan's gaze, not shying away.]

[Having already set your goal, you didn't care about these things. Everything here was for the sake of becoming stronger.]

[Look all you want, even dual cultivation is fine, but if he doesn't provide enough benefits, then the real him will suffer greatly!]

[Lost in thought, you simply closed your eyes and fell asleep peacefully.]

“Master, what do you think of Miss Lin?”

Lin Bufan gazed infatuatedly at the sleeping maiden, not hiding his admiring gaze at all, and was communicating with his Golden Finger Master in his heart.

To be honest, he had never seen such a beautiful woman; even his former fiancée was a step behind.

“She has a bit of a scheme, but it's harmless.”

[A strange fluctuation emanated from the ring on Lin Bufan's hand, and an ancient voice echoed in his mind:]

“I have seen countless women in my life. This little girl named Qingyu is too transparent in her intentions; she merely wants to attach herself to a cultivator who can protect her.

This girl's family background is clearly poor, yet with such looks, she is still a virgin, which shows she is not a loose woman.

If she has a spirit root, and you truly like her, you can help her. As long as you remain strong, she will not change her heart, and I believe you can do it.”

[Some of your minor tricks did not escape the discerning eyes of this cunning senior, including deliberately showing off your beauty earlier to gain protection.]

[If you had heard these words, you would surely have given a thumbs-up to this unknown senior, because the simulated you had pretty much the same idea.]

[Lin Bufan had also been warned by him, but people with high Appearance always have some privileges.]

[Your methods, in his eyes, only seemed cute and lacking a sense of security, making him feel even more pity.]

“If you like her, you can pursue her, even marry her as a Dao Companion. But Bufan, you must remember, first, do not let it affect your own cultivation, and second, do not easily expose my existence.”

[Once bitten by a snake, one fears a well rope for ten years. This old man clearly suffered a great loss.]

[And Lin Bufan, who had also experienced the vicissitudes of life, deeply agreed, and these two unfortunate master and disciple found a spiritual resonance at this moment.]

[But when he turned his head and looked at your obedient sleeping face, his heart still softened, and he secretly vowed in his heart:]

As long as you don't betray me, I will never let you regret it!

[When you woke up, you noticed a clear change in Lin Bufan's attitude; the affection in his eyes was no longer hidden.]

[?]

[You didn't understand but were happy with the situation. Since you decided to be partners in crime, you weren't going to drag it out too long. Before entering the sect, you planned to tear off this fig leaf and make him a qualified worker.]

[Lin Bufan wasn't Su Yu; you didn't need to scheme carefully. All you had to do was offer so-called “sincerity,” and this big male lead would naturally arrange the rest.]

[Having figured this out, facing Lin Bufan's naked gaze, you shyly lowered your head and pouted with slight dissatisfaction:]

“Brother Lin, what are you looking at~”

“Qingyu, you are truly beautiful!”

[Eyes met, everything was unspoken.]

[With Lin Bufan, a Qi Condensation expert, leading the way, you arrived unimpeded at Yujian City, a stronghold for Xuantian Sword Sect's disciple recruitment.]

[It was still early for the Spirit Root test, so you settled down in this city.]

[During the day, Lin Bufan cultivated, and you patiently stayed by his side. In the evening, he would take you out to explore.]

[Your feelings steadily warmed, and occasional hugs were already normal, but you always put the brakes on at the crucial moment, just before things got heated, preventing him from crossing the final line.]

[Lin Bufan, however, cherished you even more, believing you were not a casual woman.]

[But you weren't thinking about such things at all. You knew very well that after entering the sect, with your beauty and the protagonist's halo, trouble would inevitably arise.]

[You needed an excellent opportunity to elevate your “relationship” and make Lin Bufan pay more attention to your cultivation and safety.]

[Appropriate seduction was merely an emotional catalyst.]

[Time quickly came to the day of the test. The main thoroughfare of Yujian City was bustling with crowds. Lin Bufan held you steadily in his arms, shielding you from most of the prying gazes.]

[The Spirit Testing Platform was set up in the absolute center of Yujian City.]

[It was a spacious, flat plaza, with a three-meter-high white jade pillar standing in the center, its surface intricately carved with dense runes.]

[A green jade crystal embedded at the top shimmered brightly under the sunlight.]

[The plaza was already overflowing with people, but with a Qi Condensation expert clearing the way, you easily pushed to the front of the crowd.]

[At this moment, two men and women dressed in Green Robes, exuding an extraordinary aura, sat on either side of the stone pillar, their eyes closed.]

[Then, one of the men opened his eyes, his gaze lingering on Lin Bufan for a moment, likely having noticed his cultivation.]

[Xuantian Sword Sect's recruitment standards were surprisingly lenient: anyone between six and thirty years old with a spirit root could enter the sect for cultivation.]

[Therefore, it was rare for someone to enter with existing cultivation. After all, wouldn't it be better to go directly to the sect to cultivate?]

[However, that man didn't do anything extra. If a demonic cultivator tried to sneak in, the sect had its own ways to find and teach them a lesson.]

[So he quickly withdrew his gaze, swept over the crowd, and spoke indifferently:]

“The test begins. Approach the stone monument one by one and touch it. Those with spirit roots are to gather here before noon tomorrow. No exceptions for tardiness.”

[Upon hearing this, no one dared to rush; they obediently lined up.]

[After all, the bluestone ground still bearing red traces had already taught a profound lesson to those who didn't follow the rules.]

[The test quickly began.]

[As time passed, you noticed that the probability of having a spirit root was extremely low, and there wasn't a single True Spirit Root.]

[There were nearly a hundred people in front of you, yet only one Five Spirit Root and one Four Spirit Root were detected, both of lower grade.]

[Soon, you reached the front of the crowd. After taking a deep breath, under Lin Bufan's encouraging gaze, you slowly stepped into the center of the plaza.]

[Your exceptional demeanor and stunning beauty attracted a lot of attention. You extended your palm and placed it on the white jade pillar.]

[The next moment, three-colored lights bloomed, and a line of dazzling characters appeared on the stone pillar:]

Gold, Water, Fire, Lower Grade!

...