Chapter 1: The Greater My Master, the Richer I Become

"Ah..."

"No, my disciple, you mustn’t..."

In the dimly lit room stood a woman of ethereal beauty, clothed in a simple white dress—her allure otherworldly and enchanting. At this moment, she was cornered against the wall by a young man of striking features, his eyebrows like drawn swords, his eyes bright as stars, and his face sharply defined.

The atmosphere grew tense.

"Master, it's been five years," the young man said. "Do you know how I've lived through these five years?"

His name was Su Yifan. He was not only the woman’s disciple but her personally chosen inheritor.

Su Yifan gripped her wrists tightly, his face drawing close—so close that they could hear each other's breathing and the thundering of their hearts.

"Yifan, don’t..." she pleaded, turning her face aside. "I am your master, and I am much older than you. We are not suited for this."

"So what?" Su Yifan chuckled softly. "They say a woman three years older is worth her weight in gold. The older my master, the richer I become."

"But... mmm—"

She tried to protest, but before she could finish, Su Yifan pressed his lips to hers.

In the instant their lips met, her eyes widened in shock, her body trembled, and she stood frozen.

After three seconds, she pushed Su Yifan away and gazed into his eyes, her own burning with intensity. "Yifan, do you understand the consequences of this?"

Su Yifan’s expression was earnest. "Rest assured, Master. I am serious. I swear I will take responsibility for you."

No sooner had he spoken than he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedside. As he laid her down, his lips descended once more.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, she found herself unable to resist—perhaps it was his words, or perhaps she too harbored feelings for him.

Soon, the whisper of clothing being removed filled the room...

Here, 9527 words are omitted...

The next morning.

The sun was just rising in the east.

On the rooftop, Su Yifan sat cross-legged as usual, immersed in cultivation. With each breath, faint streams of purple energy drifted softly from the east, gradually merging into his body.

This was the "Primordial Purple Qi Sutra," Su Yifan’s main cultivation method. It was divided into the stages of Minor Achievement, Mastery, and Perfection. Each advancement in the technique transformed his body in ways that could only be described as earth-shattering. Beyond physical transformation, the Sutra had countless other applications...

Two hours later, Su Yifan opened his eyes, a sharp light flickering within them.

Descending from the rooftop, he found his beautiful master already waiting at the door.

"Master, you’re awake," Su Yifan said, recalling the passion of the night before as he beheld her.

A flush crept across her lovely face at the sight of him.

She paused, her voice gentle as she asked, "Have you truly decided to leave the mountain?"

"Yes." Su Yifan nodded. "I’ve been away from home for five years. It’s time I returned."

After last night, he had told his master his intention to descend the mountain. Despite his reluctance, he still had family and friends in the mundane world—he owed them a visit, no matter how hard it was to leave.

"It’s true," she said softly, turning her gaze away. "I have taught you all that I can. Since you have made up your mind, then go."

Su Yifan stepped forward and embraced her slender waist, pulling her into his arms.

"Don’t worry, Master. I promise to return."

"Who... who wants you to come back?" she retorted, slipping from his hold and stepping back.

Su Yifan smiled wryly, making no move to approach her again. He walked outside to a stone table, picked up a canvas bag, and started to leave. After a few steps, he stopped.

She watched, puzzled.

Suddenly, Su Yifan dropped the bag, turned, and ran to her. She tried to evade him, but before she even moved, his hands were around her waist once more, drawing her close.

"Let me go..." she protested, trying to push him away.

But his grip only tightened, one hand at her waist, the other cradling her head as he silenced her with another kiss.

After an indeterminate time, Su Yifan finally let her go, reluctantly, and turned to leave. This time he did not hesitate; grabbing his bag, he leapt down the mountain.

Only after his figure had vanished did the woman stir from her reverie. She gazed long in the direction he’d gone, murmuring softly, "I’ll wait for you."

She looked up at the rising sun before returning to her room. Casting a glance at the bed, she saw a conspicuous stain of crimson on the sheets.

...

A short while later.

A lone figure darted through the forest—it was Su Yifan.

With a swish, he landed on a branch, leaped into the air with a graceful spin, and touched down on a mountain road.

He steadied himself, turned to look back at the mountain, and his thoughts drifted to five years ago...

Five years ago, when he was sixteen.

That day, he received a call from his younger sister. The moment he answered, he heard her sobbing.

A fierce protector of his sister, Su Yifan was immediately alarmed and pressed her for details.

He learned that she had been surrounded by a group of wealthy young men who intended her harm.

Enraged, Su Yifan rushed to the address she gave. Upon arrival, he saw several youths advancing on his sister.

Without hesitation, he grabbed a stick from the ground and charged at them. Caught off guard by his sudden attack from behind, they were quickly beaten down. The leader had his arm broken in the scuffle.

The next day, the family of the boy whose arm he’d broken came seeking justice. They were influential, and Su Yifan’s father, Su Zhenguo, wanted him to apologize.

"Yifan, just go and apologize," his father urged.

"Why should I? He was the one bullying my sister. Why should I apologize?" Su Yifan protested.

He argued his case, refusing to relent.

But his father would not listen. With a slap, he struck Su Yifan across the face.

Stunned and bewildered, Su Yifan wondered—why? Why was he being punished for protecting his sister? Was it truly wrong?

Loss, helplessness, bitterness, disappointment—all surged through him.

In a fit of anger, he stormed out of the Su family home.

While wandering outside, he was chased by a group of unknown assailants. Facing what he thought was certain death, fate intervened.

A stunningly beautiful woman appeared, saw his potential for cultivation at a glance, and saved him. She invited him to train with her on the mountain.

At first, Su Yifan refused. But she tempted him with talk of beautiful scenery, fresh air, and numerous lovely senior sisters.

Innocent and wounded, Su Yifan believed her. Still angry at his family, he followed her to what she called a hidden immortal mountain.

The scenery was indeed breathtaking, the air pure, but there were no beautiful senior sisters—only this woman, who appeared a few years older than him, and a simple wooden hut.

Realizing he’d been deceived, Su Yifan tried to leave, but leaving the mountain was far harder than climbing it.

So he was compelled to stay.

From that day onward, she drove him relentlessly—cultivating, divining, setting formations, studying medicine, refining elixirs...

In the blink of an eye, five years passed.

...

Su Yifan exhaled, steadying his emotions.

Just then—a red convertible sped toward him from behind at breakneck speed.

The next instant—

Bang!