Chapter 4: A Change in Attitude

Lin Miaoxuan’s gentle laughter, in the eyes of those around her, seemed to be the delighted anticipation of receiving pills from her companion. The server, wringing his hands, thought to himself that if this sale went through, he’d earn half a spirit stone’s commission—enough to splurge in the mortal city at the foot of Green Mountain for quite some time.

While Cao Xuan was still debating whether to buy Qi Gathering Pills or Qi Condensing Powder, Lin Miaoxuan had already seen through the situation: “So he really is out of spirit stones.” That realization left her somewhat bored. She was destined to become a formidable Foundation Establishment cultivator—how could someone so insignificant, who might not even remain in the Outer Sect, dare to strike up a conversation with her?

At that moment, a few other pairs of cultivators nearby began whispering among themselves as they witnessed the scene.

“Tsk, someone actually came to the Spirit Herb Pavilion to put on airs without a coin to their name.”

“Heh, junior brother, you’ve got it wrong. I think that fellow is rather clever.”

“Spirit stones are meant to be shown to female cultivators, not spent on them.”

“In the cultivation world, who isn’t short on resources? If you have spirit stones, use them to increase your cultivation. Once your strength grows, you’ll never lack for women.”

The junior brother was not entirely convinced by this analysis and retorted, “That’s true, but isn’t it awkward for him right now?”

“Haha, this is where female cultivators excel! They’ll bring you to places like the Spirit Herb Pavilion or the Talisman Pavilion, act coquettish, and then what do you do? If you buy, you lose resources for your own cultivation; if you don’t, you lose face.”

A glimmer of naive confusion appeared in the junior brother’s eyes. “So what’s your point, senior brother?”

The senior waved his hand grandly. “We cultivators should focus on the Dao first and foremost! Women are obstacles on the path—if you banish women from your heart, you’ll cultivate like a god!”

“That female cultivator is clearly a gold digger. Junior brother, remember to stay far away from such types.”

Similar remarks rippled through the crowd—some saying Cao Xuan was overreaching, others calling Lin Miaoxuan a gold digger who’d toss Cao Xuan aside once she advanced in cultivation.

Though these were whispered conversations, both Cao Xuan and Lin Miaoxuan, being cultivators with senses far keener than mortals, caught every word with perfect clarity.

Lin Miaoxuan, who had only wanted to embarrass Cao Xuan and leave quickly, now found herself included in the gossip. In that instant, her opinion of Cao Xuan plummeted.

[Ding~ Lin Miaoxuan’s favorability -30]
[Current favorability: -20]

Cao Xuan saw the prompt in his mind and thought, “Come on, man!” He realized he had a favorability system, but the current rating was abysmally low.

“System, what happens if I max out her favorability?”

[Ding~ When a female cultivator’s favorability exceeds 90, she will become the system binder’s devotee and you will receive a lottery draw. Additionally, each point of favorability gained will yield generous rewards, varying with each woman.]

Cao Xuan understood, feeling both enlightened and deeply shocked. “So it’s a bootlicker system—flatter her hard enough and the roles reverse. This is the ultimate investment rebate system!”

He didn’t care about his “cringe” status. If nothing else, until he claimed the final reward, he could at least gauge his standing in a woman’s heart from the favorability score.

“So I only had ten points in Lin Miaoxuan’s heart to begin with!” Cao Xuan shook his head. Ten spirit stones, ten points of favorability—it made sense. Seeing her favorability now at negative twenty, he didn’t mind; he wanted to test his theory. As for the noisy gossip around them, he paid it no heed. Compared to the keyboard warriors of his previous life’s internet, this was nothing.

Most importantly, at this point, he saw Lin Miaoxuan more as a gold mine to excavate than someone to fawn over. There was no embarrassment in that.

Lin Miaoxuan’s patience had worn thin; she forced a stiff smile. “Senior Brother Cao, if you don’t need pills right now, let’s return to the sect.”

She had earned her ten low-grade spirit stones—there was no need to risk her reputation. After all, she might one day encounter a better senior brother. A better self deserved better.

Finishing her words, Lin Miaoxuan turned to leave, certain that Cao Xuan, if he had any sense, would not remain to embarrass himself further. After all, Green Mountain Market, though open to itinerant cultivators, was mainly frequented by disciples of Azure Cloud Sect. In a few days, rumors would spread throughout the Outer Sect: some disciple, broke and pretentious, had humiliated himself taking a junior sister to the Spirit Herb Pavilion.

Cultivators led monotonous lives centered on the six arts of cultivation; even a whiff of gossip could keep people talking for ages.

Just as everyone was preparing to watch the spectacle and the shop assistant’s face fell in disappointment, a clattering sound rang out as a pile of spirit stones rolled across the counter.

“My god, how many spirit stones is that?!”

A small mountain of a hundred spirit stones sat on the counter, stunning the onlookers.

The server stood there, speechless.

Large transactions were not unheard of in Green Mountain Market, but most were handled discreetly via storage pouches. Most Outer Sect disciples scarcely had enough spirit stones for their own cultivation—spending ten or twenty on purchases was already generous. No one had ever seen a hundred spirit stones brazenly stacked on the counter.

Cao Xuan said coolly, “Here are a hundred low-grade spirit stones. Give me ten Qi Gathering Pills and five bottles of Qi Condensing Powder.”

The server stammered, “P-please wait a moment while I count.”

Soon enough, he respectfully handed over six porcelain bottles—one containing ten Qi Gathering Pills, the other five, Qi Condensing Powder.

A hush fell over the entire Spirit Herb Pavilion. All eyes were glued to the six bottles on the counter, a faint glimmer of greed in their gazes. How many low-level cultivators had to struggle endlessly for resources?

Lin Miaoxuan, too, turned back at once, her eyes shining as she looked at the pills on the table.

“Could it be that Senior Brother Cao is actually the scion of some cultivation family? Otherwise, how could he so casually produce so many spirit stones?”

“I almost missed my chance—I nearly overlooked a great opportunity.”

[Ding~ Lin Miaoxuan’s favorability +40]
[Current favorability: 20]

Cao Xuan took the six porcelain bottles and glanced at the panel in his mind, speechless.

“So the world of cultivation is this realistic too? When a poor man plays golf, it’s like shoveling manure. But when a rich man shovels manure, it’s like playing golf, huh?”

Looking at the ordinary-looking Cao Xuan, Lin Miaoxuan suddenly found that there was an inexplicable charisma in his every gesture.

“No wonder Senior Brother Cao invited me out and spent ten low-grade spirit stones without a second thought—he clearly isn’t lacking for resources.”

In that instant, Lin Miaoxuan’s attitude shifted completely. She decided that accompanying him for an afternoon stroll might not be such a bad idea after all.