“Master, I’m going to cultivate now!”
Ruo Ximeng had barely eaten.
Like a little kitten, just a few bites were enough to fill her up.
At that moment, she clenched her small fists, her delicate face filled with determination as she spoke seriously.
“Uh… when it comes to cultivation, it’s all about letting things take their natural course. There’s no need to rush,” Su Chen quickly corrected her.
He definitely didn’t want to turn this adorable, naive little disciple into a cultivation fanatic.
Most importantly—
The cultivation technique and star chart he gave Ruo Ximeng were both fake.
No matter how hard she trained, it would all be for nothing.
Over the past few days, Ruo Ximeng had been cultivating quite smoothly.
To Su Chen and the Imperial Master System, this was only natural.
The star chart was something ordinary people and low-level cultivators used to nourish their spiritual strength.
The results after observing it were minimal—barely useful, really.
As for the “Qi Circulation and Heart Nourishing Art,” it was a basic technique meant for absolute beginners to channel spiritual energy.
There was likely no simpler technique in the entire world.
With such a basic method, it would be difficult not to make progress.
As Su Chen proudly considered how he had managed to pass off the Qi Circulation and Heart Nourishing Art as a supreme heavenly technique to trick his obedient little disciple into diligently cultivating, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
***
[Host! If you have even a shred of conscience left, hurry up and find her a proper cultivation technique!]
[Are you really planning to deceive her for the rest of her life? That’s just bullying an honest girl!]
The Imperial Master System grew indignant again as it watched Su Chen’s smug smile.
It was reminded of all the shady things he’d done before.
That simplest of beginner-level techniques, the Qi Circulation and Heart Nourishing Art, had actually been passed off by this guy as the legendary “Primordial Starforce Scripture,” a secret art of the Human Emperor.
Even as a powerful system, it had never seen the so-called Primordial Starforce Scripture!
“With my strength, does it really matter whether she becomes successful or not?” Su Chen paused for a moment, then spoke with a completely serious face.
[Host, don’t dodge the question! You are you, and she is her. How can you lump both together like that?]
The Imperial Master System continued to argue passionately.
Its mission was to seek out the most outstanding prodigies and monstrous geniuses in the world, and through rigorous guidance, shape them into future Great Emperors.
But this guy—
He went and picked a disciple with absolutely the worst talent possible, and then even handed her a fake cultivation method to string her along.
This was beyond infuriating!
“Why can’t I lump us together? You’re too narrow-minded. My perspective and reasoning are on a different level—something a mere system like you can’t comprehend,” Su Chen replied with a solemn expression, his gaze distant and mysterious.
[Pah! Pah! Pah!]
[If I didn’t already know what kind of person you are, I might’ve believed that nonsense!]
The Imperial Master System sneered in disgust.
Su Chen was nothing more than a reckless brute! Talking about perspective and strategy? What a joke!
“Hm? An uninvited guest… here without permission, huh.”
Suddenly, Su Chen’s gaze turned cold.
Although he hadn’t seen the person yet, he already sensed that someone was approaching.
[Who is it? And don’t try to change the subject!]
The system was still trying to argue with him, unwilling to let go of its righteous indignation.
It couldn’t just stand by and let Su Chen get away with scamming his disciple.
The problem was—if Su Chen kept wasting time and energy on this talentless girl, how would he ever travel the world, discover real prodigies, and fulfill the grand mission of teaching and guiding future heroes?
***
Knock. Knock knock!
At that moment, the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked on.
Just from the rhythm of the knock, Su Chen could tell that the person outside was polite and well-mannered.
When knocking on a door, if the knock is a single loud and sharp strike, it signals mourning.
If it’s a rapid and urgent series of knocks, it’s an emergency.
Only this pattern—one long knock followed by two short ones—is the proper way to announce a visit.
Su Chen absolutely despised the person outside his door.
He had originally planned to use this as an excuse to make things difficult for her.
But to his surprise, the Flame Phoenix—Great General of Yan—was not only incredibly powerful, but also impeccable in her conduct and etiquette.
“Come in.”
After a few breaths of silence, Su Chen finally responded, his tone laced with impatience.
Upon hearing Su Chen’s words, the Flame Phoenix—dressed in a flowing red feathered gauze gown—slowly pushed open the door and entered.
When this woman wore her military uniform, she already radiated a mix of elegance and allure that could stir any man’s heart after prolonged exposure.
Now, dressed in a flawlessly tailored crimson feathered gown, her alluring figure was on full display—graceful, curvy, and breathtaking.
Her skin was fairer than snow, as smooth as lamb-fat jade.
Her chest was full and shapely, and her slender waist seemed fragile enough to be held in one hand.
Her brows were like distant mountains tinged with green, her eyes deep and shimmering like autumn waters.
She wore only light makeup—nothing extravagant—and in her hair bun, there was only a simple wooden hairpin.
Yet she exuded a dazzling aura. Her beauty was captivating, the more one looked at her, the harder it was to look away.
A woman like this would rarely be met with rejection by any man under normal circumstances.
But at this moment, Su Chen’s face clearly showed how unwelcome she was.
“If you have something to say, say it. If not, then leave.”
Su Chen didn’t bother with any pleasantries and cut straight to the point.
“I want to see Ximeng. How is she doing now?”
Flame Phoenix replied gently.
But this gentle tone, in the eyes of the countless soldiers outside, was nothing short of a world-shaking event.
After all, not even the Emperor of Yan would dare speak to the Flame Phoenix so casually.
She was like a proud phoenix soaring above the nine heavens—’who would have imagined that such a revered war goddess would speak so politely to a young man?’
But for those who knew what Su Chen had done recently, this would not be so surprising.
“No need for your concern. Ximeng is my personal disciple. I will naturally take good care of her.”
Su Chen’s tone was cold, calm, and detached.
[Host! Can you say that with a straight face?]
[Did you forget how you gave her a fake cultivation technique and nearly screwed her over?]
Inside Su Chen’s sea of consciousness, the Imperial Master System—the ever-present voice of sarcasm—appeared right on cue.
But Su Chen wasn’t in the mood to argue with the system just then.
“You only know part of what’s going on with Ximeng.”
Flame Phoenix had indeed felt helpless at first, but as her eyes shifted slightly, she suddenly realized Su Chen’s weakness.
Victory is born in strategy before it ever touches the battlefield.
Power is important.
Wisdom is just as crucial.
But when dealing with someone like Su Chen, even she was at a loss.
‘Ximeng, please don’t blame Sister Flame Phoenix for using you as leverage. I just want to see you, even if only once…’
Flame Phoenix sighed inwardly.
Dealing with Su Chen was truly no easy feat.
“Oh? Then why don’t you enlighten me?”
As expected, the moment Flame Phoenix mentioned something about Ruo Ximeng, Su Chen’s interest was piqued.
“Great! Sister Flame Phoenix, you’re here to see me!”
Right then, Ruo Ximeng herself came walking out, originally intending to ask Su Chen a question about her cultivation.
The moment she saw Flame Phoenix, her face lit up with joy.
“Come in and talk.”
Out of consideration for Ruo Ximeng, Su Chen decided to let Flame Phoenix stay, instead of immediately throwing her out.
Naturally, Flame Phoenix didn’t refuse.
The three of them entered the reception hall and sat down, taking their respective seats.
***
“Master, Sister Flame Phoenix is actually a good person.”
Noticing Su Chen’s obvious hostility, Ruo Ximeng quickly tried to explain.
Sister Flame Phoenix was nothing like her royal brother.
She had always treated Ximeng with great care.
She didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding between her master and Sister Flame Phoenix.
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