Is It Wrong to Bully the Novice Village for System Rewards?

Chapter 209: This Isn’t Scientific!

The women were undeniably glamorous. They had cultivation bases and dazzling looks, but Qi Yuan saw right through them.

They were flashy counterfeits, forcibly propped up by pills. Their Qi was chaotic and impure, lacking the refined aura of true cultivation.

Worse, most of them had undergone cosmetic alterations.

The saying “there are no ugly women in the cultivation world” existed because cultivation was a process of perfecting the self. As one’s level rose, their features, skin, and aura naturally evolved toward perfection.

However, many average-looking cultivators couldn’t wait. They used forbidden arts during Foundation Building to sculpt their faces. The results, like bad plastic surgery, always felt unnatural. A discerning eye could spot the disharmony instantly.

You want to test me with these vulgar, artificial goods? Do you take me for a starving dog who isn’t picky about his meat?

This Honey Trap is insulting. If you really want to seduce me, you should do it yourself!

Internally sneering, Qi Yuan maintained a mask of righteous indignation.

“True Disciple Situ, please have some self-respect! I am not a casual man. I must decline this ‘gift.’ I have no fortune to enjoy it.”

“If there is nothing else, I will take my leave!”

He turned to go.

Situ Yan blinked, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She hadn’t expected such a decisive rejection.

Is the intel wrong? Is this guy actually a devoted fool loyal only to Ji Chan’er?

She frowned slightly, then switched tactics. Rising gracefully, she called out with a charming, intoxicating smile.

“Wait a moment!”

“Junior Brother Qi, this is your first visit. As the host, I must entertain you properly. You haven’t even had a drink. Why the rush?”

She waved a sleeve. “Attendants! Begin the feast!”

A procession of graceful maids in smoky skirts glided into the hall, carrying trays of exquisite delicacies. In moments, the jade table groaned under the weight of fragrant Spirit Wine and rare dishes.

A troupe of dancers in diaphanous gauze swirled into the center of the room, moving to the rhythm of silk and bamboo music.

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t refuse again. Instead, he sat down calmly in the guest seat.

Since she wants to recruit me, she probably won’t poison the food. Dead men can’t be loyal.

When facing an enemy’s sugar-coated bullets, the best strategy is to eat the sugar coating and fire the bullet back.

Situ Yan sat on her throne, her smile radiant.

“Junior Brother Qi, this wine is ‘Hundred Fragrance Jade Dew.’ It is brewed from the essence of a hundred thousand-year-old spirit herbs. A single cup is worth half a month of cultivation for a Foundation Building disciple.”

A maid poured a cup for Qi Yuan, offering it with both hands. “Young Master, please.”

Qi Yuan sniffed the cup. The aroma was rich and complex, laced with potent spiritual energy.

“Thank you for your hospitality, True Disciple Situ.”

Confirming it wasn’t poisoned, he toasted her and downed it in one gulp.

Whoosh.

A wave of warmth flooded his meridians, relaxing every muscle in his body.

“Good wine,” he praised sincerely.

As the Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary, he had tasted the best wines in the world. This one was top-tier. A single sip was worth a thousand High Grade Spirit Stones. Situ Yan was certainly willing to invest capital.

If he didn’t know her motives were impure, he might have been moved by this rich sugar-mommy.

Situ Yan took a dainty sip from her own cup. Her eyes rippled like autumn water.

“These dishes are prepared from ancient Spirit Fruits and the flesh of high-level Demon Beasts. They nourish the body and soul. Even Nascent Soul cultivators fight for them. Don’t be shy, Junior Brother.”

The maid picked up jade chopsticks to serve him. “Young Master, please eat.”

Qi Yuan, ever cautious, waved the maid away. Instead of the cooked dishes, he grabbed a raw Spirit Fruit from the centerpiece and took a bite.

Situ Yan’s eyes flashed. A mocking smile touched her lips.

Caught you.

In her eyes, he was already a turtle in a jar. A mere Foundation Building disciple wasn’t worth a complex scheme. A little chemistry was enough.

Hundred Fragrance Jade Dew was a tonic on its own. But when combined with certain Spirit Fruits or Demon Beast meat, it triggered a catalytic reaction.

The result was a potent hallucinogen.

Within moments, the victim would lose their mind and descend into madness. Once he started acting like a fool, she would use a Recording Talisman to capture the shameful display. When he woke up, she would own him.

She had planned everything. The only question was: how long could he last?

…

Ten breaths passed.

Twenty.

Qi Yuan finished half the fruit. He sat there, steady as a mountain, his eyes clear and bright.

What is going on?

Situ Yan’s smile stiffened.

Based on her calculations, even an Early Golden Core cultivator would collapse in five breaths. A genius might last eight.

Half an incense stick of time has passed! Why is he acting like nothing happened?

This isn’t scientific!

…

On the other side.

As the Spirit Fruit settled in his stomach, Qi Yuan began to feel… odd.

The dancers in the center of the room started to stretch. Their limbs elongated like rubber, twisting into bizarre, impossible shapes. Their movements became jerky and demonic.

Colorful, spinning circles appeared in his vision, drifting like neon jellyfish.

Wrong.

Qi Yuan stiffened, his internal alarms blaring.

This sensation… it feels familiar.

In my past life, I once ate undercooked magic mushrooms. The symptoms were exactly the same.

Did I just… accidentally eat a psychedelic mushroom?