In Lin Haoming's memories, the last time he saw Xie Ruolan, she was just a delicate little girl. But five years had passed, and at sixteen, the girl standing before him was a breathtakingly beautiful young woman.
With eyebrows like willow leaves, eyes like stars, and a perfectly shaped nose above a succulent, slightly upturned mouth, she wore a faint, gentle smile. Lin Haoming had never seen a woman this beautiful, even in his past life. In the world of cultivation, blemishes like freckles didn't exist, but even among cultivators, she was peerless.
"What are you staring at? Keep it up and I'll gouge out your dog eyes! Now beat it!"
The sudden roar came from the man beside her. Ling Shengjie, a high-ranking inner sect disciple and great-grandson of a Sect Ancestor, had considered Xie Ruolan his personal property ever since meeting her a year ago. Anyone who dared look at her too long was asking for trouble.
"Senior Brother Ling, don't be like that," Xie Ruolan said, her voice tinged with a hint of feigned anger.
Ling Shengjie immediately softened. "Junior Sister, I'm just looking out for you. People need to know that your beauty isn't for every random cat or dog to gawk at!"
"You certainly are overbearing," Xie Ruolan retorted with a playful pout. "I'd like to see you talk that big in front of Senior Brother Kong."
Ling Shengjie's eyes flared with heat at her flirtatious tone, but he also looked annoyed. "Don't worry. Kong Yuanliang is only a year older than me. If I had that extra year of cultivation, he wouldn't be my match!"
Lin Haoming recognized the names. Ling Shengjie and Kong Yuanliang were both descendants or disciples of powerful Ancestors. It seemed they were both vying for Xie Ruolan's favor. Though she had spoken up for him, Lin saw the truth in her eyes: she didn't respect him in the slightest. She had clearly forgotten the fiancé from her childhood, and Lin had no intention of reminding her. To him, the duel with Guo Xin was far more important. He turned and left without a word.
---
The Business of Beauty
Once Lin was gone, Ling Shengjie turned to the bearded merchant, Wang Chen. "How was business this month?"
Wang Chen smiled and handed a storage bag to Xie Ruolan. "Exactly eight hundred spirit stones."
"Eight hundred? Junior Brother Wang, you're amazing! That's dozens more than last month." Xie Ruolan's Divine Sense swept the bag, her heart dancing with joy.
"See, Ruolan?" Ling Shengjie bragged. "My instincts were right. If you'd listened to Kong Yuanliang, you wouldn't be seeing this kind of monthly income."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Ling," Xie Ruolan said sweetly. "When we return to the second level, I'll buy a few jars of the finest spirit wine to reward you."
As Ling Shengjie basked in her smile, Xie Ruolan cast a hidden glance of pure contempt. This low-IQ pampered young master is a waste of his Ancestor's bloodline, she thought. He's no better than that Lin Haoming was. But it's lucky he's so stupid; otherwise, how could I play him and Kong Yuanliang against each other so effectively?
---
Preparing for War
Lin Haoming didn't go straight home. He visited several other grottos, spending 250 of his 350 spirit stones on Qi-Gathering Pills. He wanted a magical artifact, but without a storage bag, carrying one around would make him a target. Pills were a safer, more practical investment.
Back in his cave, he began a grueling training regimen. He consumed three Qi-Gathering Pills a day while sitting in his Five Elements Spirit-Gathering Array. With this combination, his cultivation speed was astronomical. He calculated that at this rate, he could hit the 8th level in three months.
But he didn't have three months. The Grand Month arrived in just three days.
---
The Stakes are Raised
Outside Manager Ma's grotto, the twenty-four managers of the Stupa Grotto gathered. Lin Haoming stood with Situ Ping's faction, facing off against Zhou Zhiye's group.
Zhou Zhiye was also at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Unlike the cold Situ Ping, Zhou had a wicked, effeminate air about him.
"Senior Brother Situ," Zhou Zhiye drawled mockingly. "I heard you have a 7th-level kid who wants to bet his entire net worth. It's been a long time since things were this interesting. Since he's so confident, I'd like to place a bet on my guy. Do you dare to take it?"
Situ Ping snorted. "Junior Brother Zhou, stop being so indirect. No wonder Master says you don't act like a man."
"Hmph! Fine. Let's have them sign a Life and Death Contract," Zhou proposed. "We'll act as witnesses."
Situ Ping looked at Lin Haoming. "What are your chances?"
Lin Haoming felt the pressure of the powerful cultivator's gaze. He took a breath and replied, "If I go all out, regardless of the consequences? At least seventy percent."
Situ Ping laughed. "You heard him, Junior Brother. We'll do it your way. A Life and Death Contract it is!"
Without even asking Lin for his consent, the deal was struck.