From a little distance away, hidden half-behind a thick patch of bushes—
Hei Long had a front-row seat to one of the most embarrassingly delusional displays he'd ever witnessed.
He placed a hand over his mouth, barely suppressing his laughter as he watched it all.
'Too good…' Hei Long thought, his shoulders trembling.
His attention briefly drifted back to the woman who had coldly ignored Lin Fan's attempt: the Saintess.
His eyes narrowed slightly as faint, golden text shimmered into view above her head:
[Name: Ji Yao]
[Love Meter: Indifference]
[Cultivation: Middle Stage, Sacred Realm]
'Nice. Starting with Indifference — not bad.'
Hei Long gave a silent nod of approval.
That was good.
That meant she hadn't judged him yet.
Hei Long also understood how difficult this particular target was.
In the novel, Ji Yao was a classic untouchable — the Ice Saintess, cold to all men and women alike.
Her heart was sealed by frost and pride, with almost no one even managing to make her blink, let alone blush.
A challenge.
But Hei Long wasn't too worried.
He stretched his arms lazily, a slight smirk curling on his lips.
And then—
"Um, why are you crouched down behind the bushes?"
Hei Long blinked and slowly turned his head.
Yue Yu stood right behind him, hands behind her back, tilting her head with a curious smile.
She looked down at him like she'd caught a squirrel trying to steal spirit fruits.
Hei Long casually dusted off his robes and rubbed the back of his head.
"Ah, you missed something hilarious."
He pointed ahead—
Yue Yu's gaze followed his finger just in time to see Lin Fan stomping away, red-faced, kicking a rock off the path like a tantrum-throwing child.
"…"
Yue Yu's eyes widened. "Wait… don't tell me—"
Hei Long gave a half-nod, trying not to laugh again. "Yep. He actually tried to flirt with the Saintess."
Yue Yu covered her mouth with both hands as a light giggle escaped her lips. "Oh no… That poor idiot."
"Yeah," Hei Long said, glancing back toward Lin Fan, who was now muttering angrily at a tree.
Yue Yu rubbed her chin:
"You seem… surprisingly happy to witness his failure."
Hei Long shrugged:
"I appreciate comedy. And watching someone embarrass themselves without realizing it? Peak entertainment."
"I guess that's true…" Yue Yu said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Then, after a moment's pause, she added with a bright smile:
"Anyway, I was actually looking for you. I was wondering if you wanted to cultivate together sometime. I've got a bunch of pills that can help boost our cultivation."
Hei Long raised his hand casually, cutting her off. "I'm good."
"Oh… really? Why not?" Yue Yu blinked, surprised.
Hei Long tilted his head toward the side, casually pointing a thumb behind him:
"You should ask that guy."
Yue Yu followed his gesture—and saw Lin Fan repeatedly knocking his head against a tree trunk in frustration.
"...Him?" Her brow furrowed. "Why him?"
Hei Long's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile.
He took a step forward, slowly, and rested a hand lightly on her shoulder:
"I'd rather you betray him—not me."
His voice had dropped, no longer playful.
Cold. Emotionless.
Hei Long's gaze bore into hers like an executioner's blade, sharp and final.
"Because if you betray me," he said, almost whispering, "I won't be as merciful."
Yue Yu froze.
Her smile vanished.
A chill ran down her spine as the weight of his words settled over her.
She swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
"I—I would never betray you!" Yue Yu stammered, waving her hands in front of her like she could dispel the pressure with denial alone.
Hei Long's eyes narrowed, not in anger, but in quiet disappointment.
He shook his head slowly, clicking his tongue.
"Don't treat me like I'm some dumbass," he responded flatly.
"…"
Yue Yu opened her mouth, but before she could speak—
Hei Long raised a single finger and gently placed it against her lips.
"However…" he leaned in slightly, voice dropping back to its earlier, smoother tone:
"You can betray that dumbass."
He gave a small nod toward Lin Fan, who had now slumped at the base of the tree, muttering to himself about fate and women.
Yue Yu stared at Hei Long for a long second, heart pounding.
Then, slowly, she gave a hesitant nod.
Hei Long smiled again—this time a little wider:
"Good girl."
"Just so I understand… You want me to betray Lin Fan?" Yue Yu asked hesitantly:
"Build a connection with him… and then throw him away?"
"That is correct," Hei Long replied without hesitation, his hands clasped calmly behind his back.
She glanced at him, conflicted:
"But… do you want me to get close to him? Like… physically close?"
Hei Long turned his head slightly, eyes sharp.
"Absolutely not. You are not to let him lay a single finger on you. No hand-holding, no accidental brushes, no lingering glances, and especially no showing skin. Keep every inch of yourself untouched. Understood?"
Yue Yu nodded quickly. "Don't worry! I've never let a man lay a finger on me in all my life. I'm still a virg—"
She clamped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide as she realized what she'd just blurted out.
Hei Long rubbed the bridge of his nose. "No need to be embarrassed. That's good to know, actually. If you weren't…" his gaze hardened for a second:
"I wouldn't be wasting my time talking to you right now."
Yue Yu swallowed nervously, the blush on her cheeks deepening:
"I… see. But why does that matter? Why can't Lin Fan touch me?"
Hei Long stepped closer, and without warning, pulled her into a loose embrace.
Yue Yu stiffened—but didn't pull away.
"Isn't it obvious?" Hei Long whispered. "You're one of my women."
"One of your… women?" Yue Yu echoed softly, tilting her head to look up at him, stunned:
"But… why me?"
"Because I choose who has value. And you do." Hei Long leaned in, brushing her ear with his breath:
"Besides… as the Young Master of the Hei Family, I have more wealth, pills, and power than you've ever seen. Stay with me, and you'll never struggle again."
Yue Yu's eyes lit up.
Greed and hope clashed in her gaze.
She hesitated for only a heartbeat, then nodded fiercely:
"I'll be one of your women!"
Yue Yu stood on her toes and kissed Hei Long.
As their lips parted—
Hei Long gave the faintest sigh, eyes already drifting away from her.
'So easy…' he thought, rolling his eyes inwardly.