35: Chapter 35 Is this woman mentally ill?

Thump, thump, thump.

Chu Xiao’s brows slightly twitched. With a sweep of his Divine Sense, he clearly perceived the situation of the incoming person.

Outside the courtyard gate stood three people, all dressed in Inner Sect Disciple attire.

Leading them was a woman, and the other two were young men following closely behind her.

He reined in the vast aura that he hadn't fully controlled since his recent Breakthrough, then casually walked out of the quiet room and opened the gate of his separate courtyard.

Outside the gate, the soft afternoon sun shone down, illuminating the figures of the visitors.

As soon as Chu Xiao opened the door, his gaze involuntarily fell upon the woman leading the group.

The woman wore a light purple Inner Sect Disciple long dress, her figure graceful and curves exquisite.

Her clean, oval face, without any makeup, surpassed countless worldly beauties.

Her skin was as fair as snow, delicate enough to be broken by a mere touch. Her autumn-water-like eyes sparkled with captivating radiance as she looked around, as if they could speak.

Her temperament was elegant and refined, like an orchid quietly blooming in a secluded valley, making people forget the mundane world upon seeing her.

Even with Chu Xiao's Heart-Nature, which had been tempered as hard as rock by countless battles, a hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes the moment he saw this woman.

Of course, this astonishment was not romantic affection, but rather a pure appreciation for something perfect, like admiring a peerless divine weapon forged to its extreme.

"This must be Senior Brother Chu Xiao."

The woman's cherry lips parted slightly, her voice clear and melodious, like an oriole emerging from a valley.

She bowed gracefully to Chu Xiao and introduced herself: "This Junior Sister is Dong Linger. Like these two Senior Brothers, I am also an Inner Sect Disciple. I apologize for this abrupt visit today, and I hope Senior Brother will not take offense."

The two male Disciples behind her, one with an arrogant expression and the other with a hint of flattery in his eyes, now looked at Chu Xiao with complex gazes, mixed with scrutiny and subtle jealousy.

However, Chu Xiao’s gaze only lingered on Dong Linger for a moment.

He then directly bypassed the two followers whom he considered insignificant and asked plainly, his voice devoid of emotion: "Something wrong?"

These two simple, direct words caused the faces of the two male Disciples behind Dong Linger to immediately darken.

The arrogant young man was about to reprimand him but was stopped by a look from Dong Linger.

Dong Linger seemed to have anticipated Chu Xiao’s coldness. She maintained a polite smile and said unhurriedly: "Senior Brother Chu is straightforward, so this Junior Sister will not beat around the bush."

"I have come this time on behalf of my Family—the Dong Family of Tongtai City—to formally extend an invitation to Senior Brother, hoping that Senior Brother can become an Honored Guest of my Dong Family."

"Honored Guest?"

Chu Xiao’s eyebrow twitched.

He, of course, knew what an Honored Guest was.

To put it simply, they were enforcers hired by Cultivation Families. They enjoyed the Cultivation resources provided by the Family during normal times, but at critical moments, they had to step forward and risk their lives for the Family.

For other Disciples who had just been promoted to Inner Sect and lacked resources, this might be a godsend opportunity. But for Chu Xiao, it seemed somewhat useless.

An Honored Guest? To earn that meager salary?

The Spirit Stones he had just plundered from Thousand-Mile Smoke-Extinguisher and Ye Lingyun combined were already a sum that would make even ordinary Golden Core Elders envious.

Not to mention those precious Medicinal Pills and Cultivation Techniques.

Killing people and seizing treasures was far faster and freer than being a dog for some Family.

Thinking this, he had already made up his mind. Without the slightest hesitation, he uttered three words: "Not interested."

As soon as his words fell, the atmosphere in front of the separate courtyard instantly became somewhat solidified.

Dong Linger’s smile froze slightly, and the two male Disciples behind her changed color dramatically.

The arrogant young man finally couldn't hold back and coldly snorted, "Chu Xiao! Don't be so unappreciative! Junior Sister Dong personally inviting you means my Dong Family thinks highly of you! For you to become an Honored Guest of our Dong Family is a blessing you've cultivated over several lifetimes!"

Chu Xiao’s gaze finally moved away from Dong Linger and he faintly glanced at the young man.

Just one glance, and the young man trembled as if struck by lightning.

"Senior Brother Chu, please calm down."

Dong Linger quickly stepped forward, blocking the Disciple, and smiled apologetically at Chu Xiao: "My companion has a quick temper, and his words were offensive. I hope Senior Brother will forgive him."

She was secretly bitter in her heart. Before coming, she had repeatedly warned that Chu Xiao was arrogant and not comparable to ordinary Disciples, and that he must not be treated with ordinary methods. Yet, a mishap still occurred.

At the same time, her evaluation of Chu Xiao rose a few points.

Just a single glance could make Senior Brother Wang, also an Inner Sect Disciple, as silent as a cicada in winter. This person's strength and Heart-Nature were probably even more formidable than rumored.

Such a Genius must be won over no matter what!

Dong Linger took a deep breath and laid out her bargaining chip: "Senior Brother Chu, you must feel that the usual Honored Guest salary is not worth your Dharma Eye."

"My Dong Family is willing to offer Senior Brother a monthly salary of two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"

"Moreover, this is just the starting price. In the future, as Senior Brother's Cultivation improves, the salary will also increase. My Dong Family will never mistreat any Genius!"

Two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

As this number was uttered, even the two male Disciples behind her gasped, and the jealousy in their eyes towards Chu Xiao grew even thicker.

This price was already comparable to some weaker Early Stage Golden Core Honored Guests!

The Dong Family was willing to pay such a huge price just to win over a Disciple who had just been promoted to Inner Sect!

Dong Linger looked at Chu Xiao with full confidence.

She believed that no one could refuse such a temptation.

Her visit this time was an investment, a huge gamble.

She was betting on Chu Xiao’s invincible potential displayed during the Outer Sect assessment.

She wanted to secure this future powerhouse for the Dong Family's chariot before all other forces reacted.

However, to her surprise, after hearing this astronomical reward, Chu Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, not even a flicker of his eyelids.

"Not enough."

Again, just two simple words, but they completely shattered Dong Linger’s confident expression.

She was somewhat flustered.

Spirit Stones were something all Cultivators couldn't refuse.

This man in front of her remained unmoved in the face of such generous compensation.

Could it be that he truly had no desire for money?

In her desperation, Dong Linger gritted her silver teeth, as if having made a certain decision, and made her final concession: "Senior Brother Chu! As long as you agree to become an Honored Guest of my Dong Family, Spirit Stones are just one aspect."

"My Dong Family can promise that besides Spirit Stones, anything my Dong Family can provide, whether it's Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, or any other resources, we will do our utmost to find them for you!"

"Any resources?"

Chu Xiao finally reacted. He repeated the words, his eyes intently fixed on Dong Linger.

His gaze carried a peculiar sense of scrutiny.

From Dong Linger’s smooth forehead, to her delicate collarbone, then to the graceful curves outlined by her long dress, and finally back to her slightly flustered pretty face.

This gaze carried no hint of lust, but was filled with undisguised appraisal and evaluation.

Being scrutinized up and down by such a blatant gaze, Dong Linger felt her cheeks flush instantly, a rush of heat going straight to her head.

A wave of heat rushed straight to her head.

In all her life, this was the first time she had been looked at by a man with such direct eyes.

That gaze made her feel an unprecedented sense of embarrassment, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

He... what does he mean? Could it be that what he's interested in... is me?

As soon as this thought emerged, Dong Linger’s mind went blank!

Meanwhile, Chu Xiao, looking at the woman who suddenly flushed, whose heart pounded, and whose breathing became erratic, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Strange, why did her blood suddenly rush to her head?

Could it be... that there was a problem with her Cultivation Technique, causing her spiritual energy to flow in reverse?

Or, did she have some hidden injury or ailment?