From nothing to the Fifth stage of the foundation realm in three days. Monstrous.
Tianmo ran a hand through his now-white hair, the strands cool and smooth like spun silk. The transformation was drastic. He looked less like a young noble and more like a fallen immortal, cold and otherworldly. Indeed, after all, his hair itself has comprehended the law.
He exited the cultivation room, the air around him still carrying a faint chill, lowering the temperature by a few degrees Celsius.
Ling'er was in the main hall, having just exited her cultivation session.
She froze when she saw him, her eyes widening in shock. The wooden item slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.
"B-Brother? Your... Your hair?"
"A side effect of a breakthrough," Tianmo said calmly, walking past her. "Don't stare. It's rude."
Ling'er scrambled to pick up the item, her face flushing. "I... I'm sorry! It's just... You look different. You look more... scary."
"Good. Fear is useful."
Tianmo didn't stop to chat. He had been cooped up in the Purple Bamboo Peak for days. He needed fresh air, and more importantly, he needed to observe the original plot unfold.
Well, Li Chen merely completed a few sect tasks and exchanged the merit for pills, strengthening his body. A protagonist is a protagonist, he can easily make a breakthrough with a single pill despite having mediocre talent.
Tianmo left the peak, descending towards the outer sect where the atmosphere was livelier. The outer disciples lived in crowded dormitories and spent their days grinding missions or gambling in the taverns.
Tianmo's destination was the 'Drunk Immortal Pavilion,' a tavern situated near the Mission Hall. It was a neutral ground where disciples relaxed, exchanged information, and got drunk.
He pushed open the wooden doors. The smell of alcohol, roasted meat, and sweat assaulted his senses. The tavern was packed, noise levels high.
This is a strange place.
Why!?
Because random dunkards here know all information about the world. It makes no sense for a random outer disciple to know the hidden information about what's happening in the world but it is what it is.
They are so powerful, they can even tell how many times the emperor slept with the empress.
Like how!?
Tianmo found a secluded corner table and ordered a pot of Spirit Dew Wine. He sat alone, his white hair and black robes drawing curious glances, but his cold aura deterred anyone from approaching.
He wasn't here to drink but simply to watch.
And he didn't have to wait long.
The door to the tavern swung open, and a young man walked in. He wore simple, faded blue robes, his hair tied back with a straw rope. He looked ordinary, unassuming, like a blade hidden in a sheath of rust.
It was none other than Li Chen.
He walked to the counter, ignoring the sneers of the richer disciples.
"One bowl of cheap wine," he said, placing a few silver coins on the table. Silver coins were worthless in the cultivation world, used only by mortals. It was a pitiful sum.
"Get lost, beggar," the waiter sneered, wiping the counter with a dirty rag. "This is a place for cultivators. Go drink in the gutter."
Li Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. "I have money."
"That's not money, that's trash," a voice boomed.
A group of disciples stood up from a nearby table. At their head was a burly man with a scarred face. It was one of Zhao Bai's lackeys, a thug named Zhang Hu.
The same Zhao Bai, who got beaten three days ago.
"Li Chen, right?" Zhang Hu walked over, looming over the seated Li Chen. "You humiliated my junior brother in the arena. Do you think you can just walk away?"
Tianmo swirled his wine, watching the scene with mild amusement. This was a classic 'face-slapping' setup. The protagonist gets bullied, endures the humiliation, and then explodes in rage later, beating the thugs and gaining the admiration of the crowd.
It's boring and predictable.
Obviously, if the name of the protagonist is Long Aotian then, it's enjoyable. But Li Chen? Meh just meh.
Names such as Fan, Bai, Chen, and Kai are wannabe Long Aotian. But the level difference is like heaven and earth.
Li Chen didn't stand up. He simply gripped his bowl of wine, his knuckles turning white. "I have no quarrel with you," he said, his voice steady. "Let me drink in peace."
"Peace?" Zhang Hu laughed, a harsh, barking sound. "In the Azure Cloud Sect, peace is for the dead. You think you're hot shit because you won one match? Let me tell you, you're just a lucky dog with a bit of talent."
Zhang Hu slammed his hand down on the table, causing the wine in Li Chen's bowl to ripple and spill over the edge. "Apologize. Kowtow three times, and maybe I'll let you keep that hand of yours."
The tavern went quiet.
All eyes were on the confrontation. This was the law of the jungle playing out in real-time. Most people felt sympathy for Li Chen, but no one dared to intervene. Offending Zhao Bai's faction was a death sentence for an outer disciple.
Li Chen slowly stood up. He was a little shorter than Zhang Hu, but his presence seemed to expand, filling the space around him. "If you want to fight, we can take it outside. Don't disturb the others."
"Hah! Taking it outside?" Zhang Hu sneered. "I can beat you right here, right now."
He raised his hand, gathering Qi in his palm. He was at the mid seventh stage of Qi Refining, significantly stronger than Li Chen's late sixth stage. The pressure he exerted was enough to make others in the tavern tremble.
Just as Zhang Hu was about to strike, a soft, melodic voice cut through the tension like a warm breeze.
"Is there a problem here?"
The crowd parted, and a woman walked in.
She was stunning, not in the innocent, fresh way of Liu Ruyan, but in a ripe, voluptuous manner that commanded attention.
She wore a tight-fitting lavender dress that hugged her curves, accentuating her wide hips and ample chest. A silk sash tied around her waist emphasized the hourglass figure that made men's mouths go dry.
Her face was mature, with high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, and lips painted a deep crimson. Her black hair was pinned up with a golden phoenix hairpin, leaving her slender neck exposed.
She was Madam Lin, the owner of the Drunk Immortal Pavilion. Her husband was a Golden Core realm powerhouse.
Zhang Hu's aggression evaporated instantly. He turned to face Madam Lin, his expression shifting from a thug's scowl to a greasy smile. It's only natural to bully the weak and fear the strong.
"Madam Lin! We were just... teaching this new disciple a lesson about etiquette," Zhang Hu said, bowing slightly. "No harm done."
Madam Lin walked up to them, the scent of orchids and expensive perfume preceding her. She ignored Zhang Hu completely, her eyes sweeping over Li Chen with a hint of sympathy, before landing on Tianmo in the corner.
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer. The white hair, the cold aura, the handsome face that seemed carved from ice. She felt a strange shiver run down her spine. This man was dangerous. Not like Zhang Hu, who was a loud dog, but like a dormant dragon.
"Brother Zhang, my tavern is a business place," Madam Lin said, her voice smooth but firm. "Fighting scares away customers. If you want to beat someone up, take it to the arena. Or better yet, pay for the damages you caused to the table."
She gestured to the cracked wood where Zhang Hu had slammed his hand.
Zhang Hu's face turned red. "Of... of course. Here."
He tossed a bag of silver coins onto the table. "Let's go, brothers. We can't disturb Madam Lin's business."
He shot a glare at Li Chen. "This isn't over, kid."
The group of thugs filed out, the tension in the room dissipating with them.
Li Chen let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He bowed to Madam Lin. "Thank you, Madam. I am in your debt."
"It's nothing," Madam Lin waved her hand dismissively. "Just drink your wine and leave quietly. It's on me, I don't want trouble."
She turned her attention back to the room, clapping her hands. "Alright, the show is over! Back to your drinks!"
The noise level slowly returned to normal, though the whispers were more fervent than ever.
Tianmo watched Madam Lin move through the crowd, greeting customers, smiling, laughing. She was a master of social manipulation, using her femininity as a shield and a weapon.
More importantly,
She is a MILF. A ripe fruit.
Tianmo's gaze remained fixed on Madam Lin as she moved through the crowd. She was a flower blooming in a swamp of mud, and while she played the role of the gracious hostess, he could see the fatigue in her eyes. Managing a tavern full of drunk, aggressive cultivators was no easy task, even with a Golden Core husband backing her.
He swirled the last dregs of his Spirit Dew Wine, the liquid glowing faintly amber in the dim light. The original plot was ticking along nicely... Li Chen was accumulating grievances, and the 'face-slapping' countdown had begun. But Tianmo was bored with watching the protagonist play the victim.
Looking closely Li Chen was talking to a faceless character.
Li Chen's conversation with the faceless disciple was brief. The boy whispered something about a "hidden opportunity" in the Beast Mountain, a classic trope to lure the protagonist into danger so he could find a fortuitous encounter. Li Chen nodded, his eyes burning with determination, and finished his wine in one gulp before leaving the tavern.
Tianmo didn't bother following. He knew exactly how that subplot would play out. Li Chen would find a cave and find a dying old man's ring—receiving a few pills and spirit stones that aid in his cultivation.
It's but a humble sum yet it helps. It was all so formulaic.
He looked at the faceless character, and the faceless character also looked at Tianmo. There were no eyes, nose, or lips.
Woosh!
The next moment, the faceless character vanished into thin air, and other people were acting as if nothing had happened.
'System, who was that faceless character?' Tianmo asked in his mind.
[Faceless character- a character with no name, no face but voice. They exist only to move the plot forward. They are not bound by the laws of the cultivation world. They are a force of nature. They can appear anywhere and say anything. People accept their presence easily and easily forget about them.]
'Hmmm, they are just like the faceless extras in those Chinese movies,' Tianmo thought.
In Chinese movies, you often see faceless extras. They are not given any facial features. This is done to ensure that they can't be recognized as actors.
Tianmo's lips curled into a smirk. Quite interesting. He had originally believed there was some kind of law protecting that person's face but it seems it's the manifestation of Will itself.
No wonder they know every secret of every corner.
'System, does that mean there are more protagonists in this world?' Tianmo asked.
[Yes, Host. There are multiple protagonists. Even if you kill one, another will appear out of thin air. This world can hold up to 38 protagonists at the same time. They will fight for the position of Heavenly son after completing their own plot.]
Tianmo's eyes narrowed. 'System, are there any restrictions on killing faceless characters?' he asked, his mental voice tinged with curiosity and malice.
[No. They are plot devices. Killing them will merely advance or regress the plot. For instance, if you kill the faceless character who delivers news of a village attack, the attack will never happen. If you kill the faceless character who suggests a hidden opportunity in Beast Mountain, the protagonist will not find the fortuitous encounter. However, killing too many may attract the attention of the upper ones.]
Tianmo stood up, leaving a few Spirit stones on the table. A meager tip, but enough to avoid looking like a freeloader.
He walked through the crowded tavern, parting the sea of drunk disciples like a shark through minnows.
He didn't leave immediately. Instead, he made his way towards the back of the pavilion, where the air was cleaner and the noise was muffled by the thick stone walls engraved with runes. This was the VIP area, usually reserved for elders or wealthy merchants.
A pair of burly bouncers stood guard at the red silk curtain leading to the private rooms. They were at the ninth stage of Qi Refining, imposing on ordinary disciples, but ants in Tianmo's eyes.
"Halt," one of them grunted, extending a thick arm. "VIP area only. Show your token."
Tianmo didn't speak. He merely looked at the man.
The bouncer froze. He felt a chill crawl up his spine, a primal fear triggered by the predatory aura radiating from Tianmo. It wasn't a killing intent, but a sense of absolute insignificance, as if he were staring up at an avalanche.
"I... I..." the bouncer stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. He stepped aside instinctively, bowing his head. "P-Please, go ahead, Senior."
Tianmo smirked internally. Fear is the universal currency.
He walked past them and slipped behind the red curtain.
The hallway here was carpeted with soft beast fur, and the walls were adorned with erotic paintings and landscape scrolls. At the far end was a set of double doors made of sandalwood, guarded by a single maid.
The maid looked up, startled to see a guest. She was about to speak when Tianmo raised a finger to his lips.
She stopped, recognizing the gesture of silence. Disciples of high rank often preferred discretion.
"Madam Lin is in?" Tianmo asked softly.
"Yes, Senior," the maid nodded. "She is alone in her study. But she is not receiving guests at this hour."
Tianmo waved his hand, and a bag of Spirit Stones appeared. The maid's eyes widened. It was a small fortune, enough to buy all the necessary items to help break through to the foundation realm.
"I believe she will make an exception for me," he said, his voice low and silky.
The maid's cheeks flushed. She took the bag, bowing deeply. "Of course, Senior. Please, wait here."
She slipped inside, leaving Tianmo standing in the hall. The air here smelled of jasmine tea and expensive incense. It was a stark contrast to the stench of sweat and alcohol in the main hall.
After a few moments, the maid returned. She opened the door fully, bowing again. "Madam Lin is pleased to receive you, Senior. Please, enter."
Tianmo stepped inside, his black robes rustling softly.
The room was a study, filled with bookshelves and a large, ornate desk. The walls were lined with silk scrolls depicting scenes of mountains and rivers, and the floor was covered with a thick, fur carpet.
Madam Lin stood by the window, her back to him. She was holding a teacup, her posture elegant. "I must say, I'm surprised to see you here, Senior. You were very quiet in the main hall."
Tianmo closed the door behind him. "I prefer to observe rather than be observed. Also, I prefer being junior, let's keep it that way."
Seniority is often decided by status rather than age. Calling someone senior is a clear way to tell that your own status is smaller.
Madam Lin turned around. Her face was calm, but there was a hint of wariness in her eyes. "A wise approach. But now, you are in my domain. What can I do for you?"
She didn't have good feelings about him.
She set the teacup down on a small side table. The porcelain made a soft clink as it touched the surface.
Tianmo walked closer, his steps silent on the carpet. "I want you," he said bluntly. There is no need to beat around the bush.
Madam Lin's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
"You," Tianmo repeated, his gaze roaming over her figure. "Swan-like neck, Willow-wasit, long legs... This Wang is but a lustful man, and you are a ripe fruit, ready to be plucked. Obviously, I will make sure you receive sufficient resources to cultivate."
Madam Lin's cheeks flushed. She was used to being admired, but the directness of his words caught her off guard. "Senior, I am a married woman. My husband is—"
"—A Golden Core cultivator," Tianmo interrupted. "Who is never here. You manage this tavern alone.
"1 High-grade stone a month and other resources. I want you to be my maid."
He has an infinite amount of spirit stones. He can afford it.
Madam Lin's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in anger. "How dare you! I am not some courtesan."
She isn't a cheap woman and what's more, she loves her husband very well. She can't betray him for merely 1 High-grade spirit stone. It's an insult to her.
"Oh, could it be that you are fond of your husband?" Tianmo asked, his voice dripping with mock curiosity. He took another step forward, invading her personal space. "A Golden Core cultivator who leaves his beautiful wife alone in a den of wolves to manage a tavern? If he truly cared, he would have locked you away in a golden tower, not let you smile at drunkards for silver coins."
Madam Lin's breath hitched. The words struck a nerve, a raw wound she had tried to ignore for years. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "You know nothing of our relationship. My husband is busy with the Dao. His cultivation is for the benefit of us both."
"The Dao?" Tianmo chuckled, a low, dark sound. "The Dao is a cold mistress. And while he chases immortality, you are withering here. You have the aptitude of a Fourth-grade spirit root, yet you are stuck at the ninth stage of Qi Refining. Why? Because you pour your meager earnings into his pills, into his artifacts, while you wear the same jade hairpin for ten years."
He reached out, his fingers grazing the phoenix hairpin in her hair. It was beautiful, but the gold was tarnished at the edges.
"I am not telling you I need your heart. You can give your heart to your husband, I only desire your body. It's a fair trade... If one High-grade spirit stone is too little then how about two?"
Madam Lin's breath hitched, her chest heaving with a mix of indignation and a terrifying, suppressed longing. Two High-grade spirit stones a month. That was a fortune that could buy her freedom, or at least the power to stand beside her husband as an equal rather than a subordinate.
But it wasn't just the money. It was the way he looked at her. Not with the lustful greed of the drunkards downstairs, but with the possessive hunger of a predator who had already caught his prey. It was a gaze that stripped away her titles, her marriage, her dignity, leaving her bare as a woman.
"You... you are arrogant," she whispered, her voice trembling. "And cruel."
"I am honest," Tianmo corrected, his hand moving from her hairpin to her cheek. His fingers were cold, sending a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the temperature.
"Your husband chases an elusive dream while neglecting the treasure in his own home. I am simply offering to appreciate what he discards."
He leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. "The offer stands, Madam Lin. Two High-grade spirit stones. Resources to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. All you have to do is... serve me."
"At some point, you have to stop being proud. Look at yourself, how dare a Qi-refining realm have pride? It's a joke. You have a child too don't you, have you ever thought about that child? How many resources can a golden core ever offer?"
"Sometimes you have to live for others... Live for your blood and flesh. It seems you forgot that I can choose any other woman too, you aren't the only woman with a hole between your legs. This humble Wang is giving you an opportunity. The Heaven stands before you, how can you still think of Earth!?"
Indeed, you can't be selfish only thinking for yourself. Her husband needs resources as well. Her child is also growing and will start his cultivation journey soon.
Madam Lin closed her eyes, her resolve crumbling like a sandcastle in the tide. The image of her husband's distant back, the endless nights of loneliness, the stagnation of her cultivation... it all weighed on her.
And then there was him. This white-haired devil who had just walked into her life and turned it upside down.
Is Love, dignity, loyalty not even worth 2 high-grade stones? The world is cruel.
She let out a soft, defeated sigh. "If... if I agree. You must promise not to reveal this to my husband. If he finds out..."
"He won't," Tianmo said, his voice smug. "Unless, of course, you want him to."
He pulled back, looking at her with a satisfied smirk. "Now, be a good girl and lock the door."
He anticipated she would try hard to get or increase the price but she easily crumbled. Too easy.
Thump* Thump*
Madam Lin hesitated for a fraction of a second, her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird. Then, with a trembling hand, she walked to the door and slid the heavy bolt into place. The click echoed in the silent room, sealing her fate.
When she turned back, Tianmo was already sitting on the edge of her desk, his legs crossed casually. He patted his thigh.
"Come here."
Madam Lin walked towards him, her movements slow and heavy, as if she were wading through deep water. She stopped between his legs, her head bowed, unable to meet his eyes.
"Look at me," he commanded.
She slowly raised her head. Her eyes were swimming with unshed tears, but there was also a spark of something else—curiosity, perhaps, or the first embers of desire long suppressed.
The last time she slept with her husband was years ago.
Tianmo reached out and grabbed the sash of her lavender dress. With a sharp tug, he undid the knot.
The dress loosened, sliding down her shoulders and pooling at her feet, leaving her in only a thin white undergarment that did little to hide her voluptuous curves.
"Beautiful," Tianmo murmured, his eyes roaming over her body. "Like a ripe peach ready to burst."
He reached up and cupped her breast, his thumb rubbing over the fabric, teasing the nipple beneath until it hardened into a nub.
"Mmm..." Madam Lin bit her lip, a soft moan escaping her throat. Her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch, hungry for the affection she had been starved of. Her mind was telling her to run away, and her morality was cussing her.
Tianmo smirked. "Your body is honest, even if your mouth isn't."
He hooked his fingers into the straps of her undergarment and pulled them down. Her breasts spilled out, large and heavy, with soft areolas and little reddish nipples.
He leaned forward and captured one nipple in his mouth, sucking hard.
"Ahhh!" Madam Lin gasped, her hands flying to his head, her fingers tangling in his white hair. The sensation was electric, shooting straight to her core, making her knees weak.
Tianmo's other hand slid down her stomach, slipping between her legs. He found her wet folds, already slick with arousal.
"So wet," he whispered against her skin. "You've been wanting this, haven't you? You've been dreaming of a man who would take charge, who would treat you like a woman instead of a manager."
"Y-Yes..." Madam Lin sobbed, the admission tearing from her. "I... I have been so lonely..."
"Then let me fill that emptiness."
Tianmo stood up, lifting her effortlessly and placing her on the desk. He swept the tea set and scrolls aside, sending them crashing to the floor, clearing the space.
He pushed her back, forcing her to lie down among the scattered papers and inkstones. He spread her legs wide, exposing her glistening flower to his gaze.
"Please..." Madam Lin whimpered, her face flushed with shame and need. "Be gentle... It has been a long time..."