71: Chapter 71 Master, you yourself

The smile on Meng Yudie's face stiffened slightly.

Over the centuries, she had encountered countless people within the Hehuan Sect and across the entire Qingzhou region.

Be it Elders from those renowned righteous sects,

or the top-tier geniuses who prided themselves on being dashing and romantic.

Which of them, upon seeing her, didn't wear a facade of righteousness on the surface while secretly swallowing hard?

As long as she gave them a slight look or a flirtatious glance, those men would be willing to risk their lives.

But someone like Cao Kun, sitting on the edge of the bed with his robes open, staring directly at her chest,

and brazenly saying he 'wanted it every second'—this kind of scoundrel,

she was encountering for the first time.

What made Meng Yudie even more frustrated was,

for a moment, she couldn't tell whether this brat was genuinely captivated by her,

or deliberately playing the fool to deflect her words.

The desire in his eyes was real.

But that air of casual indifference,

clearly conveyed the message: 'You're nothing special to me either.'

This stirred an extremely unfamiliar sense of uncertainty in Meng Yudie, who was accustomed to manipulating all men as she pleased.

"Giggle..."

After a brief moment of astonishment, Meng Yudie suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, covering her mouth as she let out a delicate laugh.

The expanse of snowy white on her chest heaved even more violently.

She completely ignored Cao Kun's remark, swaying her hips as she walked directly over to Liu Rumeng, who stood nearby, flustered and at a loss.

Gently lifting her disciple's flushed face,

while her sidelong gaze kept darting toward Cao Kun.

"Oh dear, my foolish disciple,"

Meng Yudie drew out her words, her tone laced with obvious sarcasm.

"Look at how red this little face is, what a state you're in. You've even put this outer skirt on backward."

Hearing this, Liu Rumeng lowered her head to look.

The ties of the red gauze skirt were indeed fastened at the front.

Instantly, her face flushed crimson with shame. She wished she could dig a three-bedroom apartment right there on the spot and didn't dare make a sound.

Watching her disciple's submissive, utterly compliant demeanor, Meng Yudie marveled inwardly.

She viewed Cao Kun's methods with even higher regard.

She looked at Cao Kun again.

Leaning her body slightly forward, she adopted the posture of an open-minded Elder.

"Young Friend Cao, you really are something, not understanding a bit of tenderness toward the fairer sex."

Meng Yudie cast a flirtatious glance at Cao Kun, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering like rippling water.

"Our Hehuan Sect is, after all, a Holy Land for Dual Cultivation, focusing on the harmony of Yin and Yang."

"For you and Rumeng to engage in Dual Cultivation, as her Revered Master, I naturally support it a hundred percent."

At this point, she shifted her tone.

Her crimson little tongue inadvertently licked her full, luscious lips.

"However, this girl Rumeng is still young, after all. Her body hasn't fully matured, and she hasn't yet learned many of the secret techniques of Baihua Peak."

"If Young Friend Cao feels it's not satisfying enough..."

"As her Revered Master, I wouldn't mind taking the field myself to offer you both some guidance."

"I guarantee to make Young Friend Cao... forget all about returning home."

After throwing out this blatant hint,

Meng Yudie was brimming with confidence.

No one could refuse her personal invitation.

Especially not a hot-blooded young lad.

As long as this brat dared to take the bait, she had plenty of methods up her sleeve.

However,

Cao Kun remained completely unmoved.

He raised his hand and pulled Liu Rumeng, who was standing beside him, into his embrace.

His large hand unceremoniously cupped Liu Rumeng's perfectly round, perky, and ample rear.

"Mm..."

Liu Rumeng let out a suppressed whimper, leaning limply against Cao Kun's chest, not daring to struggle in the slightest.

"Many thanks for Peak Master Meng's kind offer."

Cao Kun looked at Meng Yudie with a half-smile, his tone utterly perfunctory.

"I think Rumeng's current physique is just fine."

"Young and full of vitality, soft and obedient."

"No need to learn any secret techniques."

Upon hearing this,

the seductive smile on Meng Yudie's face stiffened once more.

Rejected?

She had actively extended an olive branch, and she was actually rejected by a mere youngster?!

An intense sense of defeat surged in her heart.

Following closely was an extremely fierce competitive desire.

*You brat, quite picky, aren't you?*

*Could the charm I've honed over centuries really be inferior to that of a green, inexperienced little girl?*

Meng Yudie inwardly cursed Cao Kun for his lack of appreciation, but her outward demeanor grew even more enthusiastic.

Her eyes darted, and she decided to temporarily retreat from the direct confrontation, opting for a roundabout approach to test the waters.

"Since Young Friend Cao favors Rumeng so much, I can rest assured."

Meng Yudie smoothly changed the subject.

Her gaze, very naturally, fell upon the black iron ring around Liu Rumeng's snow-white neck.

This was the true purpose of her condescending visit to this damp Immortal Cave today.

"Speaking of which, this Magical Artifact around Rumeng's neck is truly exquisite."

Meng Yudie pretended to be making casual conversation, yet her tone carried a hint of astonishment.

"Even my Divine Sense at the Late Golden Core Stage was instantly repelled by it."

"Looking across the entire Qingzhou region, defensive Magic Treasures of this caliber are as rare as phoenix feathers."

She lifted her eyes to look at Cao Kun, a gleam of shrewdness flashing in her gaze.

"I am quite fond of this item. Since Young Friend Cao is so generous, I wonder if you have... any extras in your possession?"

"Just name your price. Regardless of the number of Spirit Stones, I am willing to purchase it at a premium."

As soon as these words were spoken,

Liu Rumeng, nestled in Cao Kun's embrace, felt utterly terrible.

She secretly lifted her eyelids, glancing at her Revered Master whose eyes were filled with greed.

Then she slightly turned her head, stealing a peek at her Revered Master whose lips were curled in a wicked smile.

A buzzing sound filled Liu Rumeng's mind.

*Defensive Magic Treasure my ass!*

*That's clearly a death warrant that locks the Divine Soul and controls life and death!*

*Revered Master, oh Revered Master, you old fox, usually sharp as a tack, how come today you're blind, rushing headlong to jump into this old lecher's fiery pit!*

Liu Rumeng opened her mouth, wanting to warn her Revered Master.

But the words reached her lips only to be swallowed back down.

She knew her Revered Master all too well.

Given Meng Yudie's personality, even if Liu Rumeng desperately told her this thing was a trap,

she absolutely would not believe it.

On the contrary, she would think Liu Rumeng was deliberately obstructing her, not wanting her to obtain a similar Magic Treasure.

*Forget it,*

*if I ruin Revered Master's plans, my own fate would definitely be worse.*

*Revered Master, you haven't been that good to me usually anyway. This time, you old... you're on your own!*

By now, Cao Kun was almost unable to suppress the impulse to roar with laughter in his heart.

*This old green tea bitch has finally taken the bait.*

However, Cao Kun didn't agree immediately. Instead, he let out a long sigh, his face full of regret.

"Peak Master Meng has a good eye."

"This item is called the Chongwu Spirit Ring."

"Chongwu Spirit Ring?" Meng Yudie repeated the name.

She searched through the catalog of Magic Treasures in the Qingzhou region in her mind but came up with nothing.

The corner of Liu Rumeng's mouth twitched violently.

*Chongwu Spirit Ring my ass!*

*Could you at least put some effort into making up a name on the spot!*

"That's right."

Cao Kun opened his mouth and began spouting nonsense.

"I was lucky before and managed to pick this up from an extremely well-hidden ancient ruin."

"The crafting techniques for this treasure have long been lost. It's exceedingly rare."

He held up two fingers, waving them before Meng Yudie's eyes.

"I searched that ruin thoroughly and only found two in total."

"Rumeng has one here, and my Revered Master, Yu Linglong, wears the other one."

After saying this, Cao Kun spread his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

"Gone."

"Not a single drop left."

Hearing that there were none left, a fire instantly flared up in Meng Yudie's heart.

People are like this.

The more unobtainable something is, the more it itches in their hearts.

Especially seeing that her arch-rival Yu Linglong had one, while she did not.

How could Meng Yudie, who had always been fiercely competitive, swallow this anger?

"Young Friend Cao, are you sure not a single one is left?"

Unwilling to give up, Meng Yudie leaned forward again, her tone urgent.

"Search carefully again. Spirit Stones are not an issue. High-grade Medicinal Pills, Top-Grade Spiritual Plants, even the unique Cultivation Techniques of my Baihua Peak—you can choose whatever you like!"

Cao Kun caught sight of Meng Yudie's expression—utterly unwilling, as if she wanted to search him on the spot.

He deliberately remained silent for a few breaths, building up the suspense, before speaking slowly.

"Ready-made ones are indeed gone. However..."

Hearing these three words, Meng Yudie's ears immediately perked up.

"However, while the ready-made ones are gone,"

"I also brought out a formation diagram for crafting this Chongwu Spirit Ring from that ruin."

Meng Yudie's eyes lit up.

It could be crafted? That meant she could have as many as she wanted?!

"It's just..."

Cao Kun frowned again, pretending to be troubled.

"The crafting Materials are extremely scarce, difficult to find anywhere in the world."

"But, as luck would have it, I happen to have just enough Materials left for one final set."

These words, with their twists and turns,

completely manipulated Meng Yudie's thoughts.

"One final set of Materials?"

Meng Yudie was overjoyed, completely overlooking the loopholes in Cao Kun's words.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of that peerless Magic Treasure that could repel attacks at the Late Golden Core Stage. Without hesitation, she spoke:

"Young Friend Cao, name your price! What equivalent resources do you need? I'll return to Baihua Peak right now to fetch them for you!"

"As long as you can craft this final Chongwu Spirit Ring for me, you can set any condition!"

*Hooked.*

Cao Kun sneered coldly.

*Since you're actively sticking your neck out, I won't be polite.*

"Good! Since Peak Master Meng is so sincere..."

Cao Kun didn't hold back either, directly making an outrageous demand.

"Then I want two sixth-grade Hunyuan Golden Pills."

As soon as these words were spoken,

the Immortal Cave fell silent.

The seductive smile on Meng Yudie's face nearly cracked.

Hunyuan Golden Pills!

Those are the pinnacle among sixth-grade Medicinal Pills!

A supreme treasure specifically used by Core Formation stage Cultivators to enhance the quality of their Golden Cores, and even to impact the Nascent Soul Realm!

In the entire Qingzhou region, the Alchemy Grandmasters capable of refining this pill could be counted on one hand.

This item has always been priceless and unavailable on the market; you couldn't buy it even with Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

In the treasure vault of her Baihua Peak, accumulated over centuries, she only had three stored in total!

And this brat was asking for two with a single sentence?

Meng Yudie inwardly cursed Cao Kun's ancestors for eighteen generations.

*Too ruthless!*

*This is outright robbery!*

But...

Thinking about that ultimate life-saving Magic Treasure that could block a full-force strike at the Late Golden Core Stage and perfectly repel even Divine Sense,

ensuring she would never have to fear sneak attacks or ambushes again...

Meng Yudie gritted her teeth.

*You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. Such a Magic Treasure is a rare opportunity.*

*As long as I can get my hands on it, what are two mere pills?!*

"Fine!"

"Two it is! I agree!"

But Meng Yudie was no pushover either.

As an old fox of the Hehuan Sect, she left herself an out, adding, "However, we must follow the rules. Payment upon delivery."

"Once this Magical Artifact is crafted, I must first verify its authenticity, confirm it truly has the miraculous effect of repelling Late Golden Core Stage attacks, and that there are absolutely no issues."

"At that time, I will naturally present the two Hunyuan Golden Pills to you with both hands."

As she spoke these words, Meng Yudie's heart was practically dizzy with laughter at her own cleverness.

*Agree first to stabilize you.*

*Once the Magical Artifact is crafted and I get my hands on it for verification, I'll forcibly claim ownership and put it on my neck!*

*Then I'll just turn hostile and renege on the deal. Let's see what you can do about it?*

*Two Hunyuan Golden Pills?*

*Dream on!*

*I must make you experience the treachery of the Cultivation world!*

Liu Rumeng, standing nearby, saw her Revered Master's expression, clearly planning to get something for nothing, with perfect clarity.

She closed her eyes in despair.

*It's over. Completely hopeless.*

*Revered Master is really digging her own grave this time.*

*Others might not know what that black ring is, but how could I, someone already firmly ensnared, not know?*

*That thing, as soon as it makes skin contact, immediately forces its way into the Divine Soul, forcibly establishing a Revered Master-servant Divine Soul contract.*

*Revered Master still plans to verify the goods and then renege?*

*Once that thing is around your neck, you old... you'll be kneeling on the ground calling him Revered Master!*

Liu Rumeng suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for her Revered Master.

"No problem, Peak Master Meng is decisive. It's a deal!"

Cao Kun agreed with extreme alacrity, without a hint of hesitation.

He stood up, casually straightening the long robe on his body.

"However, this treasure is of extremely high grade. Crafting it is quite intricate and will require some time."

"Three days."

"Three days from now, bring those two Hunyuan Golden Pills and come find me directly at the Inner Sect Alchemy Hall."

"At that time, I guarantee to deliver a flawless Chongwu Spirit Ring to you."

Seeing Cao Kun agree so readily, a sliver of doubt flickered in Meng Yudie's heart.

But the temptation of the ultimate Magic Treasure was simply too great, overpowering that bit of unease.

"Good, it's settled!"

"Then I won't disturb you two from continuing... to consolidate your cultivation. In three days, at the Alchemy Hall."

Seeing her objective achieved, Meng Yudie didn't linger any longer.

"Disciple, serve Elder Cao well."

After leaving this meaningful remark,

Meng Yudie's figure once again transformed into a sky full of pinkish-white flower petals, dissipating within the Immortal Cave.

Liu Rumeng stared blankly at the spot where her Revered Master had vanished.

After a long while, she mechanically turned her head to look at Cao Kun.

"You..."

"You're really going to put that thing... on my Revered Master?"

Cao Kun looked down at Liu Rumeng's lovely face, frozen in shock, and let out a couple of wicked chuckles.

"What?"

"Feeling sorry for your shrewd, calculating Revered Master?"

He reached out, pinching the black beast ring around Liu Rumeng's neck, gently stroking it.

"Don't you want some company? Little maid."

"Besides, you heard it yourself just now. She insisted on buying it."

"I'm merely helping fulfill her wish!"

Cao Kun leaned close to Liu Rumeng's ear, his warm breath brushing against her neck.

"Just imagine..."

"In three days, when your arrogant Revered Master actively puts that black ring around her own neck."

"At that time, you Revered Master and disciple can stand side by side in this Immortal Cave, calling me Revered Master."

"Don't you think..."

Cao Kun let out a soft, low chuckle, his eyes gleaming with extreme possessiveness.

"...this scene, just thinking about it, is incredibly thrilling?"

Liu Rumeng shivered all over.

In her mind,

that utterly absurd scene began to take concrete form.

*Finally... I'm not the only one suffering this humiliation!*

Biting her lower lip, Liu Rumeng unconsciously shrank further into Cao Kun's embrace.

"Revered Master... you're so bad..."

Meng Yudie