Chapter 36: The Girl’s Resolve

After buying clothes for his junior sister, Lin Wuming stood outside the door, waiting for her to change, while pondering his next steps.

He had botched two consecutive missions involving cultivation techniques, hitting the minimum reward each time.

The techniques he received were plainly unimpressive, but on the path of cultivation, techniques were arguably the most crucial resource.

A good technique not only made cultivation easier but also increased one’s potential power and the ceiling of one’s strength.

In contrast, mediocre or inferior techniques not only slowed down progress, but could also cap the cultivator’s advancement regardless of their personal talent.

For example, some techniques only allowed cultivation up to the Core Formation stage and offered no path to Nascent Soul.

The [Basic Vitality Cultivation Technique] was just such a technique.

It only allowed Lin Wuming to cultivate up to the Origin Return stage—not even Core Formation!

So, it was clear—he needed to find a better technique.

Since the system didn’t seem to be offering any new technique-related missions for now, Lin Wuming thought he might as well try to sneak into some powerful sect.

At least that way, he wouldn’t have to worry about his technique anymore…

From his perspective, Wanle Palace didn’t seem bad.

Low-key and unassuming, it suited a “modest man” like him.

If he joined, he could just cultivate quietly and steadily increase his strength and lifespan.

But before that, he still had to complete his current system task.

Only… what exactly did “family matters” refer to?

Lin Wuming scratched his head, still clueless even now.

The “Primordial Sword Soul” certainly sounded impressive, but the mission description was vague, and he had no way to judge the difficulty.

Still, it only required him to handle matters discreetly, so it shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Being high-profile would actually be the tough part.

He didn’t have status or strength, so how was he supposed to act flashy?

With the identity of a branch family’s third young master?

Pffft—

The more Lin Wuming thought about it, the more he realized this time was different from the previous two.

Those had been accidents—bad luck, poor execution.

But this time, no matter how much he messed up, there wouldn’t be a problem.

Because he literally couldn’t act high-profile even if he tried, meaning he would definitely remain low-key.

See? Totally logical.

Therefore, no way would he hit the minimum reward this time!

Step one—figure out what these “family matters” actually are…

His thoughts were interrupted as He Yingying pushed the door open behind him and stepped out.

“Senior Brother…”

Her cheeks still carried a hint of red, and her soft golden eyes were striking.

Her injuries—were completely healed.

Legs, eyes, even her meridians…

Before this, He Yingying never dared to hope she could fully recover.

She knew it was too difficult.

That was why, even after barely escaping death, she had once harbored suicidal thoughts.

But everything changed after meeting this senior brother…

He had cared for her, motivated her, gone to great lengths to raise money, and even risked offending the Tianyin Sect Master to win that grand competition—all to obtain the three mid-grade spirit stones and heal her.

Not to mention his exquisite zither skills, his astonishing talent, and his medical abilities on par with the Master of Shennong Valley…

He Yingying felt that meeting this senior brother was the greatest blessing and luckiest opportunity of her life!

“Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving my life. Yingying will never forget your kindness!”

She suddenly knelt and bowed deeply, expressing her gratitude from the bottom of her heart.

“Uh…”

Lin Wuming twitched at the corner of his mouth, his emotions mixed.

Being thanked by a beautiful girl should’ve been a good thing, but—

“Feels good to be thanked by a beautiful girl, huh? Well, you PAID FOR IT WITH A CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE!”

With that reminder, he couldn’t feel happy anymore.

He Yingying’s thoughts were also tangled.

Meeting this senior brother was the greatest stroke of fortune in her life. So… she wanted to cherish it.

But…

“What… what should I do?”

She lowered her head, face flushed, at a complete loss.

She had secretly read many romantic novels and yearned for the kind of love they described, but now—

Standing before her was a man even better than the dreamiest male lead.

Yet she felt unworthy of him and didn’t dare voice her feelings.

She couldn’t even look him in the eyes.

Her gaze darted around, heart cursing her own cowardice, but she couldn’t overcome her embarrassment.

In the end, she became like a “cooked ostrich”—neck tucked in, face red, completely speechless.

The awkward atmosphere lingered between them, until finally Lin Wuming reached out and gently patted her head.

“Anyway… about some of the things I said before—don’t take them to heart.”

He thought it over.

He really had said a lot of harsh things before.

Now that his junior sister wasn’t blaming him, he actually felt a bit guilty.

He was the senior brother, after all.

He had to maintain his “dignity.”

Apologizing directly felt too awkward.

He’d just treat her better from now on… make up for it.

“Eh?”

He Yingying was startled, then suddenly understood.

“Yes, Senior Brother, I understand. You don’t need to explain…”

‘Understand? Understand what?’

Lin Wuming took a deep breath, confused.

She… knows he’s doing missions?

No, that’s impossible…

But He Yingying was thinking…

‘Just as I suspected—Senior Brother was testing me all along! That’s why he acted so cold… In truth, he must be incredibly kind and gentle deep down!’

She was so moved she could barely contain it.

There was so much she wanted to say—but when she tried, she had no idea how to start.

When she returned to her senses, she realized Senior Brother was still patting her head.

That warm hand softly stroked her hair, and it felt surprisingly nice.

She squinted her eyes in comfort… then suddenly remembered that same hand, during the healing process, had been holding her…

‘Ahh! What am I even thinking!?’

She screamed inside.

‘What’s wrong with me?! Thinking all these improper, shameful things! If Senior Brother found out, he’d definitely look down on me…’

But looking at the nearly flawless Senior Brother in front of her, with a faint (actually bitter) smile, He Yingying pushed away all those wild thoughts and steeled herself.

“He Yingying, you can’t stay weak like this! You have to work hard—to be worthy of Senior Brother!”

With a goal now in her heart, she made a firm decision: ‘One day, when she reached the pinnacle, she’d stand tall and proudly say those words to him…‘

“From now on, you’re mine.”

With that resolve burning in her chest, He Yingying felt more fired up than ever—even more than when she once trained hard to protect her mother.