Pay-to-Win Cultivation: I Get 10,000x Returns

A flicker of surprise passed through Hu Yanqing’s eyes as he casually took the jade slip.

He hadn’t held much hope. After all, what true treasures could possibly be found in a long-abandoned cave dwelling?

However, the moment his Divine Sense probed the jade slip, his eyes erupted with a brilliance he couldn’t conceal.

Recorded within was a fragment of a High Grade Cultivation Furnace Technique.

Although the annotations were missing and the text was riddled with omissions, the profound concepts and exquisite methodologies contained within were leagues above the technique he currently practiced.

If he could comprehend even a fraction of it and integrate it into his own cultivation method, the benefits would be immeasurable. He might even glimpse the threshold of the Soul Formation realm.

“Where did you obtain this?” Hu Yanqing’s voice carried a trace of urgency that was difficult to mask.

“It was discovered by chance in a stone crevice while exploring Luoxia Valley half a year ago,” Lu Yao lied smoothly, fabricating a location without blinking.

“Good! Good! Good!”

Hu Yanqing uttered the word three times in succession, a rare, genuine smile breaking across his face. He reached out and, with unusual tenderness, patted the top of Lu Yao’s head.

“Not bad. You are truly worthy of being my good Yao’er! You have shown great filial piety!”

As he spoke, he retrieved two exquisite jade bottles from his sleeve and handed them to her. “These are some healing and foundation-nourishing Spirit Pills. Take them and recuperate well.”

“Thank you, Master!” Lu Yao quickly knelt and prostrated on the floor, her voice trembling with feigned gratitude.

Late at night. Lu Yao’s residence.

Lu Yao collapsed onto her cold bed, her limbs heavy. The hurdle of Master Hu Yanqing had finally been passed, though it had been a walk on a tightrope over a cliff.

Just as the Senior had predicted, the fragmented Cultivation Furnace technique successfully ensnared Hu Yanqing’s attention. Upon obtaining the jade slip, he had hastily announced that he would enter Secluded Cultivation to comprehend it. For the near future, he wouldn’t have the time to find trouble with her.

Her gaze swept over the two jade bottles Hu Yanqing had bestowed.

The corner of her mouth lifted in a bitter, mocking arc.

She casually picked up one of the bottles and popped the stopper. A faint medicinal fragrance wafted out. Inside were a few healing pills and Spirit Pills for consolidating the foundation—quality: average. Under normal circumstances, for a Golden Core cultivator like her, these would be considered a decent reward.

But when she sent her Divine Sense into her own Storage Bag, that mockery instantly transformed into an indescribably complex emotion.

Inside the bag, Spirit Stones were piled up like a mountain, emitting a blindingly rich Spiritual Qi.

Dazzling arrays of rare Spirit Grasses and exotic materials filled the space, many of which were so high-grade she couldn’t even name them.

These were merely the “advance payment” the Senior had given her.

Compared to the wealth within this Storage Bag—fortune enough to make even a Nascent Soul Grandmaster’s eyes turn red with envy—the two bottles of pills Hu Yanqing had bestowed were as worthless as roadside pebbles.

The immense contrast left Lu Yao’s heart in turmoil.

On one side was her Master: stingy, cruel, and viewing her as nothing more than a disposable tool.

On the other was “Lin Xuanwei”: mysterious, powerful, extravagantly generous, yet possessing methods more ruthless than a demon.

After a long silence, she took a deep breath.

She picked up the communication jade talisman that symbolized her status as an Inner Disciple of the Golden Zen Palace. Spiritual light flickered at her fingertip as she inscribed a message:

[The Golden Zen Palace requires several Outer Disciples to assist with miscellaneous tasks. Immediately submit the roster of all Outer Disciples from this session.]

Send.

Lu Yao clutched the jade talisman, her gaze complex as she stared out the window at the pitch-black night sky.

She knew the task assigned by the Senior had begun. She had already stepped onto a path of no return.

Half a month later. Golden Zen Palace, Mountain Gate Plaza.

The Golden Zen Palace threw its gates wide, commencing the grand recruitment of Outer Disciples.

The plaza was a cauldron of noise and excitement. Hundreds of young cultivators gathered here, their faces written with a mix of nervous tension and burning anticipation.

Presiding over this recruitment ceremony were Song Zhang—the Second Disciple under Palace Master Hu Yanqing—and Junior Sister Lu Yao.

Song Zhang wore the standard black-and-white Daoist robes of the Guiyuan Sect. His posture was ramrod straight, and his features were average at best. However, his long hair was deliberately parted down the exact center of his skull, hanging down his temples in an affectation of casual elegance that only succeeded in giving him a greasy, try-hard appearance.

This hairstyle was currently very popular within the Guiyuan Sect.

Its origin, naturally, traced back to the man hailed as invincible in the cultivation world: Grandmaster Taichu.

The massive jade statue of Grandmaster Taichu atop the sect’s highest peak bore this very same visage, complete with the center-parted long hair. This had led countless disciples to emulate the look, hoping to capture even a fraction of his majesty. Both Song Zhang and the deceased Ouyang Chen were devotees of this style.

Lu Yao stood slightly behind Song Zhang.

Today, she had changed into an elegant, understated dress and applied light makeup, though it couldn’t completely conceal the trace of weariness and fragility lingering between her brows.

After several rounds of rigorous screening, dozens of lucky individuals finally stood out, obtaining the qualification to become Registered Disciples of the Golden Zen Palace.

Most were at the early Golden Core stage. Among them were two cultivators possessing mutated High Grade Spiritual Roots—talents that were truly outstanding.

In any lesser sect, such geniuses would be fought over by elders and groomed as Core Inheritors. But within the deep foundations of the Guiyuan Sect, they could only start as Inner Registered Disciples, facing numerous trials before they could hope to become Personal Disciples.

Song Zhang looked at the vibrant group of new Juniors before him and nodded with satisfaction.

However, as his gaze swept over the crowd, his brows involuntarily furrowed.

One figure stood out like a sore thumb.

It was a slightly plump young man wearing a gaudy brocade robe embroidered with gold thread, contrasting starkly with the simple attire of the other cultivators. His face was ordinary, perhaps even a bit simple and honest. His cultivation was merely at the first level of the Golden Core, and his aptitude was an unremarkable Middle Grade Fire Spiritual Root.

Yu Yun.

The name immediately surfaced in Song Zhang’s mind. He remembered it clearly because this person had been specifically named and inserted into the list by Junior Sister Lu Yao—a blatant “backdoor” connection.

Song Zhang came from a humble background. He had climbed to his current position entirely through his own blood, sweat, and a bit of luck. What he despised most were these pampered young masters who relied on family background to reap rewards without labor.

A natural, instinctive hostility surged in his heart.

He opened his mouth, ready to find a pretext to publicly reprimand this Yu Yun, or simply find an excuse to fail him on the spot.

Right at that moment, Lu Yao stepped forward.

Her clear voice rang out, carrying a trace of indisputable firmness.

“Second Senior Brother, this Junior Sister’s cultivation is still shallow, and I fear I am incapable of instructing too many disciples. These three…” She extended a slender, pale finger, accurately pointing toward three people in the crowd—including the chubby Yu Yun. “…shall be taught by me on behalf of the Master.”

The three who were selected, Yu Yun included, barely suppressed their joy.

The other disciples cast looks of envy and jealousy. Being accepted under this beautiful Junior Sister’s tutelage was infinitely preferable to following the stern-faced, greasy-haired Second Senior Brother.

Especially that center-parted hair… gleaming with oil under the sunlight, paired with his pretentiously profound expression… it was truly an assault on the eyes.

The three hurriedly bowed and quickly walked to stand behind Lu Yao, terrified she might change her mind.

Only then did Lu Yao turn to Song Zhang, a perfectly apologetic smile gracing her lips.

“Second Senior Brother, I will only accept these three. The remaining disciples will require you to expend more effort. Is that alright?”

Song Zhang looked at Lu Yao’s lovely face, so close to his own. He saw the weariness in her eyes, the fragility in her posture.

The annoyance in his heart instantly evaporated, replaced by a surge of pity and a masculine desire to protect.

The corner of his mouth lifted into what he believed to be a dashing, elegant smile. His voice turned gentle, almost sickly sweet.

“No problem, no problem at all. Junior Sister, rest assured. Leave the rest to me—this Senior Brother will teach them with the utmost dedication.”