“Miss, you’re exposed.”

Even with her body full of youthful allure, a figure that stirred desire, it failed to cause even the slightest ripple in Chen Ye’s gaze.

His expression remained calm, his eyes slightly moving as if appraising a carefully sculpted piece of art.

But Chen Ye’s gaze made Ji Qianfan feel uneasy all over. The sensation of being completely exposed, save for her private parts, made her increasingly uncomfortable, while her alertness heightened.

‘This Daoist looks proper on the outside, but his mind is perverse.’

Pressing her lips together, she heard the Daoist’s words again, snorted coldly and plopped back into the hot water.

“How does it feel?” Chen Ye stood, stepping closer to the bathtub.

Ji Qianfan immediately submerged herself, leaving only her head exposed, her eyes filled with warning. Like a prairie dog, if Chen Ye came too close, she would instantly… scream!

Chen Ye did not move closer, standing a few steps away, watching her in the tub with a smile, “Is this how you treat the one who saved your life?”

Her expression was cold, but her cheeks remained flushed like a ripe red fruit. She snorted, “I don’t remember my lifesaver being you.”

Her last memory was being rescued by the couple who were her mother consort’s guards.

“The assassins are dead,” Chen Ye said lightly.

“And them?” Ji Qianfan squinted.

“Alive, very much so,” Chen Ye replied.

Ji Qianfan fell silent for a moment, trying to read subtle expressions on the Daoist’s face, but it remained unchanged, as if even the sky and earth collapsed, he would not react.

‘Is this what they call someone who can lie without blushing or flinching?’

Yet, looking at her current state… there seemed to be no other explanation.

The young princess could clearly feel changes in her body. The water had a miraculous effect, the deadly poison that had seeped into her five viscera and six bowels had completely disappeared without a trace.

Within the Xuanyuan Imperial Dynasty, she had tried all methods available, only able to slow the poison’s spread. Even after traveling far and consulting renowned doctors, the conclusion was the same, she was beyond cure, at most able to prolong her life slightly.

But the Daoist before her…

His charming eyes flickered with complex emotions. She lifted her head to Chen Ye, “Why save me? We are strangers, I am a useless person, yet you save me?”

Chen Ye stepped closer to the bathtub, his eyes clear and calm, looking at her small face, “You are no longer useless.”

“Then why save me? You must know who I am, right?”

Ji Qianfan lifted her head, her clear eyes shimmering, softly asking.

Chen Ye, seeing her serious expression, replied, “The Human Emperor of the Xuanyuan Imperial Dynasty had nine children. The first eight were princes; the ninth is a princess. From a young age, she showed exceptional talent, worked hard and was loved by the Human Emperor, but one day her strength vanished, leaving her useless…”

“Stop.”

Ji Qianfan’s voice trembled as she lowered her head.

Chen Ye said no more, for he didn’t need to. Even without looking, he knew Ji Qianfan’s condition.

Mist floated, clouding her beautiful eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks into the water.

The room’s atmosphere, mixed with her soft sobs, felt slightly constricted.

The stronger a person, the softer their hidden side.

Chen Ye glanced at the interface only he could see,

[Apprentice Ji Qianfan: Make Ji Qianfan willingly become your disciple.]

Mission Reward: 1,000 Saint Master Points

Mission Punishment: …None

“Put on your clothes, we’ll talk more.”

Chen Ye gestured and a set of silk robes fell into his hand, placed on a chair by the tub, then he left the room.

Wiping the tears from her face, Ji Qianfan finally stood. Her icy skin and jade-like body, curves fully revealed, long fair legs stepping out of the bathtub. Mist floated with the splashing water, stirring imagination.

* * *

After a while, Ji Qianfan sat properly across from Chen Ye.

Staring at him, she asked, “You haven’t answered me. Why save me?”

Chen Ye blinked, “What do you think?”

Ji Qianfan shook her head, self-deprecating, “A useless ninth princess with no cultivation—I doubt I can benefit you at all.”

She had nothing of value. Though the deadly poison had been dispelled and her body restored, her cultivation would not recover easily. She was no different from an ordinary person. If Chen Ye wanted to use her as leverage… her older brothers would never allow it.

She knew why she had been chased.

She had no intention of participating in royal internal struggles. Heaven gave her exceptional talent and she worked diligently, but other princes were not at peace.

Being born in the royal family meant her life was not her own.

Having survived, she felt content.

“Your talent remains. You can rebuild your strength. Don’t you want revenge?” Chen Ye asked with a smile.

“Of course I do.”

Ji Qianfan clenched her delicate fists, her exquisite face full of resentment. She wanted revenge. She had never offended anyone, only wanted to live her life, yet someone harmed her. She was not a saint to let it slide.

“Then become my disciple.”

Chen Ye tapped the table, bringing Ji Qianfan back from her anger.

“What?”

Ji Qianfan was shocked. The Daoist who looked only slightly older than her, who saved her, actually wanted her to become his disciple?

“Or… offer yourself?” Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, amused.

“No, no, no…”

Waving her hands, Ji Qianfan blushed at the absurdity.

“Then become my disciple,” Chen Ye repeated calmly.

Ji Qianfan bit her lip, hesitated and finally asked, “Why?”

“No more whys.”

Chen Ye’s gaze was calm. With a finger snap, immense pressure fell upon Ji Qianfan, making her body shudder and bow slightly.

He disliked bargaining.

Ji Qianfan gritted her teeth, resisting the feeling of being forced.

A soft sigh sounded in her ear.

Hum!

Her mind went blank. Wrapped in silk robes, her delicate knees hit the ground.

[Dao Venerable… the mission requires willingness.]

Chen Ye, “Any objections?”

[…No.]