Lin Fan was busy planning his new recruitment strategy. He was about to leave looking for the sect's most "trash" disciples. Suddenly, a junior disciple in formal robes entered his courtyard.
"Elder Lin Fan," the disciple said, bowing low. "I bring a message from Elder Ning."
Lin Fan's eyebrows went up. Elder Ning? Her full name was Ning Xinyi. She was known as the "Ice Phoenix" of the Green Cloud Sect. She was a Core Formation expert, famous for two things: her stunning beauty and her ice-cold personality. She was powerful, respected, and very, very hard to approach.
"Elder Ning wants to see me?" Lin Fan was surprised. "Why?"
"She has invited you for lunch at her residence," the disciple said, handing him a formal invitation scroll.
Lin Fan was confused. He had no connection with Elder Ning. Their paths had never crossed. Why would a powerful and cold elder invite him, a low-level, controversial figure, for lunch? There had to be a reason.
He arrived at her courtyard. It was elegant and clean, with white flowers and a small, clear pond. It felt as cold and beautiful as its owner.
Elder Ning was sitting at a stone table. She wore a simple blue robe, but it could not hide her perfect figure. Her face was beautiful, like a goddess carved from cold white jade. But her expression was like ice.
"Elder Lin," she said, her voice polite but without warmth. "Thank you for coming."
"The pleasure is all mine, Elder Ning," Lin Fan replied, sitting down.
Food was served. It was a simple but delicious meal. They ate in silence for a while. They talked about the sect, the weather, and other boring topics. Lin Fan was watching her closely. He was a game designer. He was trained to see small details, the little bugs, glitches and oddities in everything.
And he saw them.
He saw that her hand trembled just a little when she picked up her teacup. He saw that her spiritual sense, which should be calm and strong for a Core Formation expert, was slightly scattered around her.
Then, it happened. In the middle of a sentence, she suddenly flinched. A flicker of pain crossed her face. It was so fast that most people would miss it. But Lin Fan saw it.
She quickly reached into her sleeve, took out a small, white pill, and swallowed it. She tried to hide the action, but her face was a little pale. She tried to continue the conversation as if nothing had happened.
Lin Fan put down his chopsticks. "Elder Ning," he said in a quiet voice. "Your hand is not steady. Your spiritual sense is in chaos. You are taking Spirit Calming Pills to control it. You did not invite me here for lunch."
He looked directly into her cold eyes. "You are suffering from Qi deviation. Your foundation is unstable."
The ice on her face shattered. All the coldness, all the indifference, the power, disappeared. It was replaced by pure, naked terror. Her beautiful face was pale with fear. She looked at him like a drowning person looks at a piece of wood.
She nodded slowly, her whole body trembling. She was like an obedient pet, admitting her fault. The great Ice Phoenix was scared of losing everything.
"Please... help me," she whispered. Her voice was weak and broken as if she was barely able to hold herself.
Lin Fan smiled calmly. "Of course, I will help. That is what my Secret Realms are for." He paused. "When did it started?"
"A mo..months ago."
Lin Fan was impressed. She held herself for a month, many failed to do even for a few days. "But my help has a price."
Elder Ning's face became complicated. A red blush appeared on her pale cheeks. "I know," she said, looking down. "I have heard the rumors... about your payment." She took a deep breath. "But... I cannot fulfill that request. A night of... passion... I cannot do that."
Lin Fan's smile did not change. He stood up from the table. "I see. Well, thank you for the delicious meal, Elder Ning. I must go now."
He turned and started to walk away. He did not argue. He did not negotiate.
"Wait!"
He felt a soft hand grab his leg. He looked down. The proud, powerful Elder Ning was on her knees on the stone floor. She was holding onto his leg, her face filled with desperation and tears.
"Please... don't go," she begged. "I will give you anything else! Spirit stones! Treasures! Techniques! Anything!"
For a moment watching such a beauty pleading melted Lin Fan's heart. He almost said yes.
Lin Fan looked down at her calmly. "Elder Ning, let me ask you a question. Did I cause your Qi deviation?"
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No..."
"Am I singling you out for this... passionate payment? Or is this my standard price for every beauty?"
She shook her head again. "It is... your standard price..."
The courtyard was silent except for her soft sobs. She would not let go of his leg. He was her only hope.
Lin Fan sighed. Inside his mind, however, a perverted wolf was howling at the moon. 'AWOOOO! The dream milf mommy! Those mommy milkers! I will not accept any other payment! This is the only price! I must squeeze them, milk them!'
Finally, her sobs quieted. "I... I agree," she whispered, her voice full of shame and defeat.
She slowly let go of his leg and stood up. Her hands, trembling, went to the sash of her robe. She started to undress right there in the courtyard.
"Stop," Lin Fan said, his voice firm.
She froze, looking at him with confusion.
He walked to her and gently took her hands. "Elder Ning, I am not a villain who forces women in the middle of the day. I am a man of principle."
He looked into her eyes. "I will help you first. I will open my Secret Realm for you. You will stabilize your foundation. After you are safe, after you are satisfied with my service, then you can decide how to pay me. If you still refuse then, I will have no power over you. I cannot be able to force you. But in the end... it is all about your sincerity."
He then leaned closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "I will be honest with you, Ning Xinyi. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I desire you deeply. My payment is a night of passion because that is what I sincerely want from you. I have no desire to disrespect you or take advantage of you. If you feel indebted to me for saving your life's work, that is my price. If not, then you are free."
His words, a mix of honest desire and seeming nobility, hit her like a warm wave. Her cold heart, frozen for so many years by power and loneliness, began to melt. This man was a scumbag, but he was an honest scumbag. He gave her a choice. He gave her respect.
She looked at him, and for the first time, the ice in her eyes was completely gone. She nodded, a look of sincere determination on her face. "I understand, Elder Lin. I will... pay you with sincerity."
Lin Fan smiled a gentle, understanding smile. But inside, his inner wolf was doing backflips and screaming with joy. 'YES! YES! YES! THE MILF IS MINE! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! AWOOOOOOOO!'