"You want my Pavilion? Then I shall give it all to you."

Shi Lan raised a brow.

"Isn’t that reckless of you? You who is crazy about your reputation, want to give a home that belongs to you and your husband away to someone because he pleased you on his bed. You will become a laugh of the Lake Valley and your ego will suffer a crashing damage."

Sui Rong released an adorable laughter, covering her mouth carefully.

"Benevolent Healer, you do not even know me. Reputation? You think that matters more to me than carving my own future? Make no mistake, I am a woman that values status, and it will indeed be a huge blow if the status I have strived so much to build gets destroyed. But it depends on what reason... I can tell, you’re not an ordinary man. And so, I’m willing to make a bet on you, because of that bet, I will be risking even the reputation I value so dearly."

She smiled at Shi Lan, trying to find a reaction in his eyes.

’Is that satisfying enough for you?’

Shi Lan though was as difficult to read as a calm sea in the darkest night.

If anything... he looked irritated?

Wei Shi Lan’s hand shot out in a blink, and before Sui Rong could tell what was going on, she was being choked by an iron grip.

"You really are a fool, do you want to ruin my mood that badly? Making a bet on me? You dare?"

She coughed, her eyes reddened, her face went pale slowly, but Wei Shi Lan did not release his hand.

"Do you know who I am? You want to play a gamble of fate with me? Such daring words, you really strike my nerves like that woman. Be careful, Sui Rong, you’re someone whom I favor, do not make me abhor you. Such a life will make you curse your existence."

He released his hand, causing her to fall to the ground, coughing profusely.

"Come to Chang’e’s house to receive your special service. Thank you for letting me use your room, I shall repay it some day."

As he was about to walk away, Sui Rong abandoned all her pride and grabbed his leg, groveling on the floor.

"I didn’t mean to cross you wrongly," she let out.

"You are someone who is going to reach great heights, I can tell. You’re a cultivator, aren’t you? I don’t know what realm your cultivation base is but I know you’re hiding your power, just now, you emitted a presence far stronger than even the Patriarch of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect."

She panted, pacing her breath correctly.

"I don’t mean to annoy you, Great Benevolent Healer, I simply meant to say... you... you are someone that I sense will bring great fortune to this world, and I want to be called yours. Even if it means losing my reputation now, I want to be someone you value..."

Sui Rong was on her knees, lowering her head and biting her lips.

In her entire life, she had never had to stoop this low to anyone, this hurt her deeply but she was also sincere in everything she had said.

Shi Lan’s brows were raised and he continued to stare at her.

Before, Sui Rong had spoken as though she wanted to sponsor Shi Lan’s lifestyle, but now she was doing it properly.

It wasn’t about the groveling... it was just that Shi Lan was going to make sure he didn’t create another Star Mother, who would think they made him and brought him to where he was. This was why he deliberately let himself get angry and disciplined Sui Rong.

Now that she had groveled like this, she had proven that she was capable of being tamed.

Shi Lan smiled, and lowered himself, looking into her eyes with his own lightless depths.

"A graceful woman like you shouldn’t crawl on the floor for any man."

He led her up with his finger, and gently held her shoulders.

"It is good that you make your intent known Sui Rong, I am someone that values transparency more than anything. You need not mince words for me."

He looked into the depth of her eyes, a small unreadable smile on his face.

"You have helped me today by lending me your room. I am a man that hates debts. Now, tell me, Sui Rong, what do you want?"

Sui Rong’s face reddened and she tried to look away from Wei Shi Lan but his finger was still on her jaw.

"I... I... want you."

Wei Shi Lan laughed shortly.

"What an outrageous desire, you can’t be that greedy."

Sui Rong’s face squeezed adorably, she still kept it away.

"I am allowed to be greedy if I want to throw away my life for something I believe in."

Her gaze slowly returned.

"I want you to own my bedchamber, and touch me, see places in my body that even my husband has never seen before."

Shi Lan placed his hands behind his back, looking at her with a small smile.

"That... is going to be a bit difficult... you are worthless Sui Rong, you have no body constitution that will benefit my cultivation, giving you my divine dragon, will be like putting it in a pool of dirty water."

The young lady’s eyes trembled. She glared at him, her face a mix of intense sorrow and pain.

Wei Shi Lan still had that small smile. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"But... I can help you. You speak of betting on me, believing in me... it is good that you have the eyes to recognize Mount Tai, but that is still no worth to me. You are too small and will only become a liability in the future. If you want to be mine, then you must be ready for a higher life than this."

He gave her one last look.

"Unless, you’re ready to become a Cultivator yourself, and practice cultivation with me, I cannot give you my body, as it will be a useless thing to do."

Shi Lan smiled again.

"If you have enough resolve, I can make you a Cultivator? But note that I can only give you a start, the rest of the journey depends on your resolve."

She stayed silent, her eyes wide and lost.

"So answer me, Sui Rong... are you willing to go this far for my dragon, or will you choose another desire?"