After slightly stabilizing his cultivation, Zhang Xian successfully advanced to the seventh stage of the Classic of Nurturing Golden Cores with Azure Wood. He then spent ten mid-grade Spirit Stones on travel expenses to return to the Main World.

The technique of cultivating a False Core allowed him to absorb spiritual energy, but it couldn’t enhance his innate talent. His artificially created Wood Spirit Root was of the lowest grade, which explained why his Heavenly Tribulation had been so lackluster.

When Zhang Xian returned to his residence in Shuiyun City, he found the front courtyard transformed. It was filled with exotic herbs and plants, and a small pond had even been dug. Lin Yinyin was carefully watering everything with a watering can.

【Beep! Current Favorability: 40.】

Upon seeing Zhang Xian, she exclaimed with delight, “Brother, you’re finally back!”

These past few days, Lin Yinyin had been living the life of her dreams. Not only had she successfully established her foundation, but she had also moved into a grand mansion in Shuiyun City, with cultivation resources abundant beyond measure.

She no longer had to work in the mines and could instead cultivate spiritual plants and live a carefree life.

The only downside was her brother’s personality. He was a bit strange, and his whereabouts were too unpredictable. He had disappeared again for over two months.

“Hmm, just taking care of some matters,” Zhang Xian replied, noticing that Lin Yinyin had also broken through. “Congratulations on establishing your foundation!”

“Thanks to the Spirit Stones and Foundation Establishment Pills Brother gave me! Otherwise, it would have taken me at least another two years.”

“By the way, Brother! My tribulation this time was incredible—the tribulation cloud had three distinct strikes! The Senior who protected me even invited me to become a Direct Disciple of the Shuiyun Sect, but I declined. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to stay by your side!”

Zhang Xian was deeply moved. “Yinyin, you’re truly remarkable. Reaching the Golden Core is just around the corner!”

“Not at all! Here, this is for Brother, and this is for your younger sister.” Lin Yinyin’s cheeks flushed pink as she handed two boxes to Zhang Xian, then turned and hurried back into the house without looking back.

Zhang Xian opened the first box and found a pair of exquisite mid-grade magical boots. Hmm, not very useful—my System Storage already contains a pile of high-grade ones.

He accepted them graciously nonetheless.

Then he opened the second box. Inside was a neatly folded set of clothing: a goose-yellow short tunic and skirt, along with matching undergarments, delicate cotton socks, and decorative pendants.

Lying on top was a silk handkerchief bearing a delicate inscription: “I’ve used this myself. Your younger sister should like it.”

???

Zhang Xian’s face turned dark with frustration. Does she think I’m some kind of pervert?!

He wanted to explain but didn’t know where to begin. Forget it—let her be happy. Her future cultivation resources still rely on me anyway.

“Focus on your cultivation. I’ll take care of all your resources from now on,” Zhang Xian sent via transmission.

Inside the house, Lin Yinyin glanced at Zhang Xian’s message, and her lips curved into a faint smile. So I guessed correctly!

My Brother is a pervert—he has a fetish for personal items!

This was the conclusion she had painstakingly reached over the past few months. Her Brother wasn’t good with words, but she had to be understanding.

He was too shy to ask directly, so I had to take the initiative myself!

Taking such abundant resources from him in exchange for just a few personal items was a small price to pay—even if it was embarrassing.

More than a month passed. Lin Yinyin and Zhang Xian grew even closer, their cultivation progressing smoothly.

However, her communication talisman kept vibrating with occasional messages, causing Lin Yinyin to furrow her brow slightly.

These days, almost all the “fish” in her pond had been driven away, except for one persistent suitor—Zhao Jia.

“Yinyin, are you there? You haven’t responded to me at all. Can we talk in person?”

“Yinyin, just one meeting would be enough.”

“After all my gestures of affection—can’t you even spare me a single meeting? I’m waiting for you at the teahouse not far from your residence.”

Zhao Jia had just sent this latest message.

Lin Yinyin squeezed her communication talisman tightly, her lips pressed together. Is he following me?

Zhao Jia had been in a terrible mood lately, plagued by rumors and gossip.

Many people at the mine admired Lin Yinyin, and Zhao Jia was considered the most competitive suitor—everyone knew this. He had long regarded Lin Yinyin as his exclusive possession, believing it was only a matter of time before she became his. But suddenly, news spread that Lin Yinyin had been acting intimately with a stranger. They had even entered a certain residence together and hadn’t emerged for days!

Zhao Jia felt thoroughly betrayed, as if he were wearing a massive green hat. Even when miners whispered amongst themselves, he couldn’t help but feel they were mocking him.

Since their parting at the restaurant, he hadn’t seen Lin Yinyin again. Occasionally, they exchanged messages, but her replies had grown increasingly distant, filled with clear rejections. Eventually, she stopped responding altogether.

He knew exactly who the man was—a cultivator who had once appeared at the mine, nothing more than a pervert!

So he launched a private investigation into Zhang Xian. The more he investigated, the angrier he became.

This so-called “Senior” wasn’t a Senior at all—he was just a Qi Refining cultivator over a hundred years old, a complete piece of trash! How dare he lay a hand on Yinyin!

Even more infuriating was that he had deceived Zhao Jia at the restaurant, presenting himself as a “Senior” to Yinyin, causing her to regard that trash with respect. In effect, Zhao Jia had personally pushed his beloved woman into the arms of another. Every time he thought about this, he was consumed by rage, ready to spit blood.

A moment later, Lin Yinyin arrived.

“Senior Brother Zhao, what do you want to talk to me about?” Lin Yinyin wore plain clothes, her expression devoid of emotion.

Perhaps it was because of her recent breakthrough, but Lin Yinyin looked even more radiant without makeup.

In the past, Lin Yinyin always wore a gentle smile, no matter who she was speaking to. But Zhao Jia had never seen her so cold and aloof. This stark contrast only intensified the burning desire in his gut.

I must have her!

“Little Yinyin, you’ve finally come! I’ve ordered your favorite Bi Chun tea,” Zhao Jia said, forcing a smile.

Lin Yinyin sat down. “I’ll drink the tea, but I think I’ve made some things perfectly clear.”

“Yinyin, for so many years, you’ve always known my feelings. Why can’t you accept me? Instead, you follow that pervert Zhang Xian—someone you’ve only known for a few days?” Zhao Jia’s voice trembled with emotion.

Lin Yinyin shook her head. “If you’re going to keep talking like this, then there’s no need for us to meet.”

“I’m telling you, he’s not a Senior at all—he’s just a Qi Refining cultivator over a hundred years old, a complete piece of trash! Who knows where he got those Spirit Stones—maybe they were even stolen from our own mine! How could he possibly deserve you? How does he even compare to me?”

Lin Yinyin certainly knew this. At first, she had thought Zhang Xian was deliberately pretending to be weak to catch a tiger (“playing the pig to eat the tiger”), but after spending time with him, she realized he truly wasn’t a high-level Senior.

She replied calmly, “So what? Senior Brother Zhao, I’ve appreciated your kindness over the years, but that doesn’t mean I have to become your partner. Whom I choose is my business, and it has nothing to do with you.”

“Nothing to do with me? Which time have I failed to give you extra stones? How many gifts have I given you over the years? And now you’re telling me it has nothing to do with me?”

Lin Yinyin casually flipped her hand, and five mid-grade Spirit Stones appeared on the table. Her tone remained unchanged. “I can return your gifts. These five stones are enough to cover everything you’ve given me over the years, and the rest can be considered interest.”

Zhao Jia’s face contorted in anger. “You bitch—”

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a large hand resting heavily on his shoulder.

“Jia’er, remember this: Never lose your composure in any situation!”

Zhao Jia spun around and gasped. “Grandfather!!” He jumped up in fright.