The Wilderness Encounter
Han Yu and Lin Mei were traveling through a secluded, rocky gorge—a place known for rogue spirit beasts, far from the polished paths of major sects. Lin Mei was trying to lecture Han Yu on the ethics of giving away family heirlooms to thieves.
"You are supposed to be finding Ying Li to cure her lovesickness, Han Yu, not accumulating more girls who need therapy!" Lin Mei fumed.
"Lin Mei, you must understand the subtle alchemy of the soul," Han Yu replied, lounging on their enchanted skiff. "The more beautiful rivals I attract, the stronger your own resolve becomes. I'm helping you cultivate stubbornness."
Suddenly, a piercing shriek echoed through the gorge. The air crackled with chaotic, wild Qi.
"That's a Profound Core-level beast!" Lin Mei exclaimed, instantly drawing her sword.
"And a highly distressed cultivator," Han Yu noted, sitting up. His Heavenly Insight Eye instantly located the source: a young woman trapped near a cliff face, fighting a gigantic, three-headed rock hound.
The rock hound was using its earthen Qi to hurl massive boulders. The cultivator, whose robes marked her as a visiting scholar from a minor sect, was barely dodging.
"A genuine Action scene! Finally!" Han Yu grinned. "Time for the signature debut."
The Signature Flashy Rescue
Han Yu leaped from the skiff, leaving Lin Mei behind with a simple order: "Take notes on my technique! It's called 'Cultivating Admiration Through Flashy Heroism'!"
The three-headed rock hound lunged at the scholar, its jaws snapping.
Han Yu arrived in a blinding flash, using Star Shifting Mirage to teleport directly between the woman and the beast. He didn't even look at the woman; he was focused entirely on making his attack spectacular.
He channeled his Dao Celestial Soul energy, summoning his fiercest technique. Instead of hitting the beast, he aimed a full-power blast of Thunder God's Wrath straight into the canyon wall behind it.
KRA-BOOM!
A massive pillar of heavenly lightning erupted, ripping through the rock and throwing the three-headed beast completely off balance. The shockwave scattered the beast's Profound Core-level Qi, stunning it.
Han Yu followed up instantly with a single, elegant motion: he performed a Void Severing Slash. The slash didn't cut the beast, but cleanly severed the rocky ground beneath the creature's paws, dropping it into a momentary, powerless void rift. The beast shrieked in terror as the world warped beneath it.
The young scholar, Hua Ling, watched the handsome man save her life using two terrifying Superpower techniques—one creating a lightning firework, the other ripping reality—all without breaking a sweat.
Han Yu then closed the rift and pointed a casual finger at the stunned, whimpering beast. "Go home," he instructed. "And rethink your life choices." The beast scurried away, utterly defeated.
Earning the Admiration
Han Yu turned to the rescued scholar, Hua Ling. Her wide eyes were fixed on him, filled with awe and devotion.
Han Yu's Thought: "Excellent. Terror, followed by effortless power, finished with magnanimous dismissal. Textbook Love Crystal Diamond acquisition."
"Are you harmed, maiden?" Han Yu asked, his voice low and concerned, radiating charm. He didn't wait for an answer, instead casting a small burst of supportive Qi towards her.
He used the Divine Alchemy Hand skill to instantly refine a simple, fragrant herb he was holding into a perfect Lotus Pill (a high-level healing technique) and handed it to her.
"This will heal your frayed nerves," Han Yu said. "A man cannot abide seeing such delicate beauty distressed."
Hua Ling took the pill, her fingers brushing his. Her devotion was instant and complete. "You... you used the Thunder God's Wrath to save me! And Void Severing Slash! And gave me a healing pill!" she stammered.
"You are the most powerful, most compassionate hero I have ever seen! I—I must repay this life debt!"
Han Yu waved a dismissive hand.
"Nonsense. The only repayment I require is your continued cultivation and happiness." He knew that by not demanding a specific payment, he magnified the internal life debt, strengthening her nascent Love Crystal Diamond potential.
The Ever-Growing Entourage
As Han Yu walked back to the skiff, Hua Ling trailed behind him, declaring her eternal allegiance and insisting she must join his journey to serve and protect him.
Lin Mei watched the scene unfold with profound resignation. She noted the immediate addition of another beautiful admirer to their traveling party.
"Han Yu, that was not a rescue," Lin Mei stated flatly. "That was a recruitment drive. You just earned a life debt from a scholar by using a reality-bending attack as a theatrical prop."
Han Yu shrugged, looking pleased with himself. "But wasn't it magnificent? I used five different high-level skills, didn't break a single rule, and gained a loyal supporter. The Love War requires allies, Lin Mei. And this beautiful scholar will make an excellent scribe for my heroic deeds."
Jin-Jin the Matchmaker Spirit zapped circles around Hua Ling. "Another one for the entourage! The chaos level is rising! Now, back to the lovesick girl! We need that Trial completed!"
Han Yu looked at his growing entourage and sighed, but the glint of ambition in his eyes was undeniable. The path to world conquest, it seemed, was paved with dramatic rescues and accidental proposals.