Chapter 19: Pie in the sky

“According to the customs of the immortal and demonic paths, if one party breaks an engagement, they should pay a sufficient price to compensate for the other’s loss of reputation.”

Seeing Li Xingruo’s hesitation to show her sincerity, Si Ruochen coughed and reminded her.

As he spoke, he turned, extending an arm to gesture at the Huangji Sect’s peaks. “The Huangji Sect is a righteous leader among immortal sects. Though I’m unworthy, I’m still the master of Chui Xing Peak. If I easily agree to your request to cancel the engagement, how will Chui Xing Peak maintain its standing in the sect?”

He added politely, “I don’t wish to trouble you over the engagement, but for the sect’s reputation and Chui Xing Peak, I must play the villain.”

Tch!

Li Xingruo nodded perfunctorily, sneering inwardly: Immortal sect folks are just as Master said—hypocrites, one and all! Want benefits? Just say so, don’t prattle about sect honor.

After mentally roasting the immortal sects, she smiled: “Breaking the engagement last-minute is my fault. You’re too kind, Immortal.”

“Indeed.”

Si Ruochen nodded, agreeing.

“…?” Li Xingruo was stunned. That’s something you say?

I was just being polite—can’t you tell?

Exhaling softly, she looked up. “What do you think would show my sincerity, Immortal?”

Si Ruochen stroked his chin, pondering briefly. “Simple. I suffered an injury from a cultivation mishap. If you can heal it, I’ll agree to cancel the engagement.”

“You jest, Immortal. I’m just a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator. How could I heal your injury?”

Li Xingruo rejected the idea outright.

Are you kidding? The Huangji Sect couldn’t fix your injury, and you expect me to? Am I some divine fruit from a sacred tree, curing all ailments?

“You’re not skilled in healing…” Si Ruochen frowned, then sighed. “Fine, forget I mentioned it. I was just clinging to a faint hope. Since you’ve come all this way to Chui Xing Peak, I believe you’re sincere. I won’t make things difficult.”

“Of course, I came with utmost sincerity. Why else would I be here?”

Admitting she was dragged here wasn’t something Li Xingruo would do.

But for some reason, after saying this, she felt Si Ruochen’s expression flicker with something odd.

She wondered if, after losing his cultivation and status in the sect, he’d grown so jaded by the world’s coldness that her “sincerity” touched him.

If so, in the negotiations ahead, if she acted more respectful, wouldn’t he be so moved he’d make huge concessions?

With this in mind, Li Xingruo curtsied like a refined mortal lady, lowering her gaze. “Healing your injury is beyond my ability. Could you propose another condition? If it’s within my power, I won’t hesitate.”

Then, she realized she’d miscalculated again.

Her increased respect didn’t move Si Ruochen—she wasn’t sure if he was touched, but he certainly didn’t budge.

He said, “If you can’t heal… how about providing a Nascent Soul-level lightning demon core? I’ll agree to cancel the engagement and pay you a thousand spirit jades. Sound good?”

“No way.”

His demand was even more outrageous than the last, and Li Xingruo shook her head. “Immortal, I’m a mere Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator. A Nascent Soul demon is three realms above me—I’d die trying to get a core. Asking a weak mortal girl like me for such a thing is too much…”

She softened her tone: “My humble family can’t compare to a super sect like Huangji. How about you take a loss and name an easier condition?”

“Alright, since you put it that way, I’ll take a loss.”

Si Ruochen’s response, like the Hehuan Sect aunties’ tales of stubborn men, made her ears burn.

Pausing, he said, “Since you’re new to the martial world and likely lack rare treasures, I won’t press you there. How about a deal?”

“What deal?”

Wary from his previous demands, Li Xingruo braced herself.

She feared he’d suggest using her water-type Heavenly Spirit Root to… aid his cultivation.

If so, even at the risk of angering the Huangji Sect, she’d beat him senseless and dunk him in the lotus pond to drink foot-washing water!

“I’ll agree to cancel the engagement and recommend you as an inner sect purple-belt disciple in the Huangji Sect, providing cultivation resources for three years.”

Unlike his earlier outrageous demands, Si Ruochen not only agreed to the cancellation but offered terms most cultivators couldn’t refuse.

“Huh?”

Thinking she’d misheard, Li Xingruo blinked. “What did you say, Immortal?”

Having studied the Huangji Sect’s details before leaving the demonic path, she knew how generous his offer was.

The sect’s disciple selection was brutally strict.

Even a highly talented cultivator needed three years of outer sect trials and passing all tests to enter the inner sect.

Inner sect disciples were ranked by uniform color—purple, gold, black.

As top-tier purple-belt disciples, they enjoyed lavish benefits that had made her drool when reading the sect’s dossier.

But the more tempting Si Ruochen’s offer, the warier Li Xingruo became.

He’s going all out—what does he want from me?

Is he really eyeing my water-type Heavenly Spirit Root, planning to train me quickly so I can… help restore his cultivation in some unspeakable way?

Stepping back, she fixed her eyes on him: “With you offering so much, what do I need to do?”

“Don’t look at me like that—I’m no lecher.”

Seeing her caution, Si Ruochen smiled. “I just hope, as a Huangji Sect disciple, you’ll help this crippled peak master revive Chui Xing Peak.”

“Revive Chui Xing Peak?”

That sounds familiar…

Li Xingruo muttered inwardly, then realized: if she joined the sect as a core purple-belt disciple, as he suggested…

Hiss!

No need to marry, and she’d be a huge step closer to stealing treasures and sabotaging the spirit vein.

There’s such a good deal?