Volume One, Chapter One: Whoever wishes to cultivate immortality, let them do so!

The Collection of Immortal Pursuits.

Within a private room at the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

"Ye Feng, please don't be like this. We're just fellow cultivators."

"Could you not sit so close to me?"

"Even if you've given me gifts a dozen times, and invited me here to eat and drink at your Drunken Immortal Tavern over the past two and a half years—"

"All of that was your own choice."

"The only reason I came this time was not to make things difficult for you."

"We appreciate each other's company."

"But that doesn't mean you're my type."

"I devote myself wholeheartedly to the pursuit of the Dao. Please, don't misunderstand."

…

Liu Ruyan's words brought a sudden, tense stillness to the room.

Ye Feng gazed at the woman before him, his expression complex.

He straightened his green robe, his fingers unconsciously tracing the tabletop, while countless memories churned in his mind.

It was true.

He had crossed into this world of cultivation two days ago.

Even now, Ye Feng struggled to accept it.

Before the crossing—

Though he worked himself to the bone, at least he was a high-level wage slave making nearly twenty thousand a month.

Through thrift and relentless overtime, he'd almost reached the lowest threshold of financial freedom.

Soon, he would no longer be bound by anyone or anything, free to enjoy life at last.

Who could have guessed that a faulty water heater during a bath would send him to this so-called world of immortal cultivation?

To be honest, such a rare opportunity—cultivation and transmigration—should have made him happy.

This world was indeed as fantastical as imagined.

One could cultivate, soar through the skies, traverse the earth.

Even immortals and ancestral sages truly existed.

After all, who hasn't dreamed of living forever?

But reality was harsh. Simply crossing over was of no use at all.

This world of cultivation was nothing like the Blue Star he once knew.

Here, the strong devoured the weak, social hierarchies were rigid.

Powerful clans and prodigies stood loftily above others.

Ordinary cultivators, poor and struggling at the very bottom, were no more than ants.

Before transmigration, Ye Feng had nearly reached financial freedom.

Now, everything seemed to start from zero.

As a rogue cultivator at the lowest rung,

Ye Feng possessed only the fourth level of Qi Refinement.

With no resources and no innate talent, he could only scrape by between the sects and the mundane world at the Immortal Market.

The sole asset left to him by his predecessor was this Drunken Immortal Tavern before his eyes.

Yet the more Ye Feng sorted through his memories, the more speechless he became.

The tavern had long since been emptied, teetering on the edge of collapse.

He had acquired the despicable habit of fawning over Liu Ruyan, utterly obsessed with her.

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To speak of Liu Ruyan, she truly was beautiful.

Her voice was as melodious as a golden oriole; her features delicate and charming.

Willow-leaf brows, a high bridge of the nose.

Lips full and moist, captivating to the imagination.

Even compared to famous actresses from his previous world, she was not inferior in the slightest.

But such a woman would hardly approach Ye Feng without ulterior motives.

Occasional words of feigned concern had made Ye Feng hopelessly addicted.

Not only did he shamelessly shower her with gifts,

He also turned this Drunken Immortal Tavern into the main stage for currying favor with Liu Ruyan.

To her, coming to the Drunken Immortal was like visiting her own private dining hall.

Just in terms of the money and resources spent on food and drink,

Ye Feng could have advanced two levels in cultivation.

Yet even so, he hadn't managed so much as to hold her hand.

Truly the ultimate example of a sycophant!

But the transmigrated Ye Feng,

A man who focused solely on making money for the sake of enjoying life,

How could he tolerate such a woman?

Even if she was beautiful,

What use was that if he couldn't have her?

So when he realized he had no bargaining chips and no path to advancement,

When even his last trump card had been shattered,

After two days of reflection, Ye Feng genuinely wanted to lie flat.

He was tired—let it all burn.

Whoever wished to cultivate immortality could do so.

Once he got rid of Liu Ruyan, he would sell off all assets and leave.

He'd at least live it up in the world of cultivation for a spell.

Perhaps he'd see what the beauties of this immortal realm were like.

If he couldn't bring himself to start anew, he could go back to the mundane world, become a wealthy tycoon, and marry ninety-nine concubines—that seemed like a decent plan.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.

Looking at Liu Ruyan, still lofty and trying desperately to distance herself,

Ye Feng's disdain roiled within.

Beside him, Liu Ruyan, at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, had rejected Ye Feng.

Seeing him silent, brows faintly knitted, not even bothering to explain,

She quietly wondered if her words had been too harsh.

She had carefully dressed for this visit,

All because she'd heard Ye Feng still had some rare spirit wine he hadn't given her.

If it were true, her words might cause Ye Feng to lose heart.

Liu Ruyan tried to conjure a trace of melancholy,

And said to Ye Feng, "Junior Brother, I remember all your kindness."

"But I hope you keep those beautiful memories in your heart!"

"I'm about to attempt a breakthrough in cultivation, but without enough spiritual resources, I can only train diligently!"

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"So I'm forced by circumstances."

"Ah, if only I had some spirit pills or spirit wine!"

Such treasures were rare indeed.

Any item that assisted cultivation was exceedingly precious.

If she obtained them, perhaps her cultivation could advance further.

Once again, Liu Ruyan hinted madly.

Yet Ye Feng's inner exasperation was impossible to describe.

This woman was simply dreaming.

Let someone else shower her with gifts.

If he gave away his last treasured possessions,

His plan to enjoy himself in the world of cultivation would be ruined.

So Ye Feng had no intention of responding.

The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.

Seeing that Ye Feng seemed truly to have emptied his coffers,

Liu Ruyan quickly lost interest and prepared to rise.

"That's all then, Fellow Daoist Ye. Let's keep our distance from now on."

Ye Feng, relieved and ready to see her off,

Suddenly felt his brow twitch.

In his mind, a clear mechanical voice rang out.

"Ding!"

Detected emotional state and circumstances matching system binding requirements.

Sycophant Capital Ten-Thousandfold Return System has been bound.

Whenever the host gifts a present to a beautiful female cultivator stronger than himself, he will receive a return on the gift.

The return multiplier will be determined by combined factors such as figure, appearance, talent, cultivation level, status, and background.

Any female cultivator meeting the system's requirements will generate a Surrender Value.

The closer the relationship and the higher the affection, the higher the Surrender Value.

The Surrender Value acts as a multiplier; when it reaches 10, identities will be reversed—the sycophant role will switch.

The higher the Surrender Value, the greater the chance of triggering a critical bonus multiplier.

When a completely surrendered female cultivator has a higher cultivation than the host, both sides' gifts can trigger critical rewards.

When a completely surrendered female cultivator has lower cultivation than the host, only her gifts will trigger rewards.

Before gifting, if the recipient's emotional state fluctuates greatly, an extra critical reward may be triggered.

Note: Gift return opportunities refresh every three days.

All rewards cannot be reused or exploited.

"Ding!"

Detected a female cultivator nearby meeting the system requirements.

Return target: Liu Ruyan

Return multiplier: Tenfold

Surrender Value: 1

Ye Feng was momentarily stunned, but then his eyes shone with an astonishing light...

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