The system didn’t dare to argue, although the task required Ji Qianfan to willingly submit as Chen Ye’s disciple.

Considering Chen Ye’s strength, the last time this Dao Venerable drew a lottery, a single dissatisfaction caused him to directly probe into the system’s consciousness and suppress it single-handedly.

Life was more important; it didn’t want to die.

Hearing the system’s words, Chen Ye withdrew his focus with satisfaction, while Ji Qianfan, supporting herself with both hands on the ground, couldn’t lift her body under the overwhelming pressure.

‘This Daoist… what a sudden change of face! Just like that!!’

“I saved your life, that is one favor. I detoxified you, that is two favors. I am willing to pass you my cultivation method and let you become my disciple, so that in the future you can seek your enemies, that is three favors.”

Chen Ye raised three fingers, his tone still indifferent, looking at Ji Qianfan, “If I wanted to harm you, why would I bring you into my sect?”

‘Shameless Dao Venerable, or someone with tens of thousands of years of life, the skin is just different. The first two favors were facts, but the third was imposed without asking anyone’s consent. Seriously, how can someone be this shameless?’

The system murmured quietly in its mind, but dared not utter a word, fearing Chen Ye’s punishment.

Slightly easing the pressure allowed Ji Qianfan a small space to recover, yet as soon as her body returned to normal, Chen Ye’s oppression struck again. Her figure wrapped in the flowing robe was already slick with fragrant sweat and raising her head, she stubbornly stared at Chen Ye, “Who knows if you’re the type that cultivates some Yin-Yang extraction technique, needing me to reach a certain level and once I join your sect and cultivate enough, you’d just use me as a cauldron to harvest from?!”

‘The girl fought back! What a comeback!’

The system in Chen Ye’s mind rejoiced at Ji Qianfan’s words.

It had truly suffered; encountering Chen Ye, repeatedly suppressed, now seeing him falter brought it immense joy!

But Chen Ye’s reaction… was not as the system expected.

Ji Qianfan’s words and gaze failed to move him; instead, a meaningful smile lifted the corner of his mouth as he looked at her, “You understand quite well, huh?”

Ji Qianfan’s body tensed, lips pressed together and she didn’t dare speak.

Having grown up in the palace, her days were spent cultivating or reading novels for amusement. The scenario she just described was a plot she had memorized from those books.

‘No way… I really won’t encounter this kind of plot, right?!’

A deep sense of despair filled Ji Qianfan’s heart.

Chen Ye’s meaningful expression caused massive emotional waves.

“Then I’ll show you something interesting.” Chen Ye said, extending a finger toward Ji Qianfan’s forehead.

Ji Qianfan pressed her lips, eyes closing tightly as the finger approached.

Smack.

A sharp pain shot through her head; she gasped, clutching her forehead, her eyes filled with indignation as she exclaimed, “What exactly are you trying to do?”

She wasn’t a fool. Chen Ye had teased her multiple times without striking, there had to be a purpose!

But… was it really just to take her as a disciple?!

Chin resting on his hand, Chen Ye tilted his head, lightly laughing as he asked, “What benefit would I get from lying to you?”

“You…”

Ji Qianfan wanted to refute, but suddenly thought of something, leaving her speechless…

“You, though born as the ninth daughter of the Human Emperor, beautiful beyond compare, with countless women in the world, why would I choose you? Even if you have talent, many talented women exist. Why go through the trouble to heal you and take you as my disciple?” Chen Ye’s eyes remained calm as he met Ji Qianfan’s gaze.

The depth in his eyes, like a whirlpool, carried a seductive power that drew her into contemplation.

Indeed… countless women exist. She may be the ninth daughter of the Human Emperor, but a cripple and a cripple who brings disgrace to the royal reputation. Why would anyone save her and force her to become a disciple?

Many famous women existed.

The genius senior sister of the Great Luo Sect…

The saintess of the Jade Gong Sanctuary…

And so on.

Compared to them, what was she?

This mysterious Daoist had removed the poison deep in her blood and organs, letting her cultivate again. A person of no small ability. What benefit would there be in deceiving her?

If she truly had a special constitution, it would have already been discovered.

Furthermore, if the Daoist saved her, her murderous elder brothers would surely send assassins again. She couldn’t return directly to the palace.

Thus, if he took her as a disciple, she would become a burden tying him to danger.

Having endured so much, the young girl’s eyes reflected confusion, appearing weak and helpless.

The room fell into silence.

“Taking disciples is not about talent, it is about fate. No matter how gifted you are, without fate, you can never join my sect. I have never taken disciples before. Seeing you have fate, I pay attention to you. I ask one last time, do you wish to become my disciple?”

Chen Ye’s initially indifferent tone ended like a thunderclap, shaking Ji Qianfan’s mind and heart violently.

The confusion gradually lifted, as if enlightened, rescued from the abyss, her thoughts surging.

Recalling her suffering and humiliation, her loss of strength, her mother weeping because of others’ criticism, the grief-stricken image replayed vividly.

She had done nothing wrong, so why endure this humiliation, bringing pain to herself and those closest to her?

Her fair, jade-like hands clenched tightly, nails piercing her palms, the sharp pain clearing her mind.

She Ji Qianfan would take revenge, clear her name and make those who framed her pay a tragic price!

No hesitation! The opportunity was at hand.

Though the Daoist before her was mysterious, now she had no other choice.

Ji Qianfan knelt, bowing fully, willing to submit, striking three times toward Chen Ye.

Her delicate, pretty face carried decisiveness, the heroic aura between her brows now stronger, like a great transformation had occurred.

“Disciple Ji Qianfan pays respects to Master!”

Seeing this, Chen Ye smiled slightly. In Ji Qianfan, he saw the shadow of a future Human Emperor.

“Rise.”

As his words fell, the system’s congratulatory voice rang in Chen Ye’s mind:

[Ding! Congratulations Dao Venerable on completing the task Apprentice Ji Qianfan, the reward has been issued, please check!]

The system could only marvel at Chen Ye’s skill in persuasive speech; fooling someone, he did it flawlessly…

The key was, Chen Ye could actually do it.

The task was completed…

Yet the system felt no joy.

Chen Ye, however, was very pleased.