Dual Cultivation System: The Villainous Servant’s Rise

Chapter 279: The Pill Addict’s Gratitude and Elder Sha Zui’s Ploy

“Elder Han, please wait!”

A sweet, melodic voice called out from behind him as he walked toward the Spirit Treasure Hall.

Han Lie turned to see a stunning cultivator with an hourglass figure jogging toward him, her expression a mixture of excitement and thrill. Her face was as exquisite as a lotus blossom, possessing a beauty that could captivate nature itself.

He stared at her for a few seconds before recognition dawned.

Could it be? Wasn’t this Yun Fei, the pill-addicted girl who had tried to rob him years ago?

He couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen her; after all, she was utterly insignificant to him.

But…

Han Lie vaguely remembered her as a pale, weak-looking girl, her body ravaged by the overindulgence of some addictive alchemical pill.

Now, however, her complexion was rosy, and a bright, confident smile played on her lips. The transformation was staggering. She was like a completely different person.

“You are?” Yun Fei stopped before him, and Han Lie feigned ignorance, his expression a mask of confusion.

“I’m Yun Fei, Elder Han! Have you forgotten?” she asked, a hint of panic in her voice. Fearing he truly didn’t remember, she quickly recounted the story of their first meeting.

“Oh, it’s you! I remember now,” Han Lie said, feigning a sudden realization. “Judging by your current state, have you kicked that old habit?”

“Mhmm!” Yun Fei nodded solemnly. “It’s all thanks to the ultimatum you gave me back then, Elder Han. Otherwise… my life might have been lost forever!”

“Elder Han, I am so sorry for what I did. If you wish to punish me, I’ll accept any penalty without a word of complaint!” Yun Fei blinked her large, sincere eyes.

“A penalty? I’ve already punished you. There’s no need for a second,” Han Lie chuckled. “I have to admit, I never expected you to actually break your reliance on pills for cultivation. It proves your willpower is far greater than most.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. For Yun Fei to have quit was a feat of incredible strength. That kind of addiction was like a venomous hook; once it sank in, most people were trapped for life. Back then, Han Lie had only offered a single sentence, a threat, and had never bothered to follow up.

Yet, she had succeeded.

From this alone, it was clear Yun Fei wasn’t a lost cause after all.

“Yes… during those first few months, I don’t even know how I endured it…” Yun Fei lowered her gaze for a moment before looking up, her smile radiant. “But I did it! After I quit, it felt like my entire world had been set ablaze with color. Before, everything was just… gray. I had no future!”

She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with gratitude. “So, Elder Han, I came here today specifically to thank you!”

“Actually, I noticed you during the Sect’s comprehensive competition. You were incredible, Elder. Back then, you were just a servant disciple in the Qi Refining Stage, but in the blink of an eye, it feels like you and I now live in different worlds!”

“The people you surrounded yourself with back then were simply too dazzling, so I never dared to approach you. But today, I finally ran into you!”

To Yun Fei, Han Lie had given her a second chance at life. Without his threat, she would have become a walking corpse, wholly dependent on pills to survive. Without his threat, she would never have found the determination to walk the right path again.

“There’s no need for thanks,” Han Lie said, shaking his head with a smile. “Not repeating your past mistakes is thanks enough.”

“Rest assured, Elder Han! I will never return to those hopeless days!” Yun Fei pleaded, “But as for thanking you… Elder, I sincerely hope you can give me a chance to do so properly. Otherwise… my heart won’t be at peace!”

Han Lie considered it for a moment before relenting. “Fine, fine. But I’m occupied at the moment. We can speak of this again some other time.”

“Then, Elder Han… when do you think you might have time?” she asked, her eyes wide with hope.

“Sometime later. I can’t give you a definite answer right now,” Han Lie replied. “Which Hall are you a disciple of? When I have time, I’ll send someone to notify you.”

He truly couldn’t give her a specific time. He had no idea how long Ye Qingxuan would need for her own cultivation. As for today, his plans were already set. He was on his way to see Xiao Qingge, and he certainly wasn’t going to change them for Yun Fei.

In his mind, tending to Xiao Qingge took absolute priority.

“I’m a disciple of the Sun Moon Hall, Elder Han!”

“Mm, I’ll remember. You may go.”

After finally sending the insistent Yun Fei on her way, Han Lie let out a quiet sigh of relief.

That was too close. She nearly derailed my plans.

Still, he had to admit, Yun Fei’s transformation from a desperate pill addict to this vibrant young woman was unexpected. He had never actually expected her to quit and had even idly considered finding and eliminating her to tie up loose ends.

It seemed he had severely underestimated her willpower.

Pushing the thought from his mind, Han Lie was about to continue toward the Spirit Treasure Hall when a voice, as ethereal and gentle as celestial music, drifted from the shade of a nearby tree.

“I never thought Elder Han had a hobby of guiding the lost little lambs among the Sect’s female disciples.”

“?”

Han Lie’s head snapped toward the source of the voice. Leaning against a tree trunk was a cultivator of elegant, serene temperament. She stood perfectly still, her presence so faint it was nearly undetectable.

Had she not spoken, he would have walked right past without ever knowing she was there.

This quiet woman was none other than Elder Sha Zui, the second seat of the Elder Council.

“S-Senior Sha Zui!” Han Lie managed, forcing an awkward but polite smile. “What are you doing here?”

Elder Sha Zui offered a faint, knowing smile. “I’ve been here for a while. It’s just that Elder Han failed to notice me.”

“Uh…” Han Lie scratched his head, genuinely baffled. That shouldn’t be possible!

“Hehe,” she chuckled, her voice a soft melody. “Your attention was… rather occupied with that young disciple. It’s perfectly understandable that you didn’t see me.”

Han Lie remained silent.

Elder Sha Zui covered her mouth with her sleeve, stifling another laugh before changing the subject. “Now that I’m not in secluded cultivation, my days have felt rather aimless. I wonder if Elder Han would be willing to accompany me for a casual walk and a chat?”

Han Lie was speechless once more.

She had clearly heard his entire conversation with Yun Fei. She knew he had no time, yet she invited him anyway.

Interesting.