23: Chapter 23 Qin Wenjun

Wang Bin was originally immersed in the wondrous world of Artifact Refining, his thoughts leaping like nimble flames in the crucible of knowledge.

However, at this crucial moment, a crisp sound of footsteps and the faint fragrance of women subtly invaded his senses like ghosts. Immediately, an alarm blared in his heart, as if a huge rock had been thrown into a calm lake.

Wait!

This was his golden period for delving into Artifact Refining. The Art of Artifact Refining was profound and vast, like a majestic and mysterious treasure trove, where every detail might hide the key to a higher Realm.

Now was the critical moment for him to produce Spirit Liquid. He just needed to master basic Artifact Refining and then try to make a compressor. This timing was very crucial.

Recalling his high school days, in those naive and ignorant years, the sweetness of love was like a poppy, beautiful but poisonous.

He was swept into the vortex of puppy love, which led to his failure in the college entrance examination.

The originally bright path to university, that broad road leading to the palace of knowledge, gradually blurred in the mist of early romance, and he ultimately missed out.

That was an eternal pain in his heart, a deep scar, constantly reminding him of the cost of distraction.

Now, at this critical juncture of his great Cultivation endeavor, fate seemed to once again place such a test before him. Was he going to repeat the same mistakes, be distracted by women again, and let the past tragedy replay on his Cultivation path?

Just as Wang Bin's mind was making a difficult choice like surging waves, he inadvertently looked up and saw one of the delicate women looking at him with a pitiful expression.

The woman's eyes were like clear lake water, yet they hid endless sorrow, as if a thousand words flowed within them.

That gaze was like an invisible hand, gently plucking at Wang Bin's heartstrings, instantly shaking his originally firm resolve.

Wang Bin secretly mused, 'Forget it, let's observe the situation first.'

Moreover, he was now a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, with the Spiritual Qi in his body surging like a mighty river, ceaseless and powerful.

With his current Cultivation, when it came to matters of men and women, even entertaining four women in one night would be a piece of cake.

Bah, bah, bah, what was he thinking? How could a Cultivator be so degenerate?

Career and love could both be abundant!

As long as it was handled properly, it was not impossible to enjoy the beauty of the human world while pursuing the Great Dao.

Bah, bah, bah, it's better to observe the situation first. He couldn't let this momentary impulse cloud his judgment.

Huang Youcai respectfully cupped his hands towards Wang Bin, his movements fluid and humble.

"Lord City Lord, the maidservants you requested, I have brought them to you. These are the four.

These women were all carefully selected by me, and they all possess Spiritual Roots.

Additionally, there are ten Mortal maidservants. I considered that they are far inferior to these Spiritual Root maidservants, so I temporarily did not bring them in, lest they offend your eyes."

Wang Bin's heart jolted, and his gaze swept over the four women like lightning.

He saw that each of them was beautiful and moving, with skin like snow, bright eyes and white teeth, and extraordinary temperaments; some were gentle like a spring breeze, some were cool like winter plum blossoms, some were vibrant like blooming peonies, and some were nimble like a fawn in the forest.

Such appearances caused ripples in Wang Bin's heart.

However, he instantly became alert again, 'Wait! Could this seemingly beautiful situation be a carefully designed conspiracy?'

Who would conspire against him, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator banished to a corner?

Could his secret have been discovered by them?

Secret? What secret did he have?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. Was it a flaw he unintentionally exposed, or was someone secretly spying on him?

Thinking of this, he looked at Huang Youcai with eyes as sharp as an eagle's and full of doubt, trying to find a clue from his expression.

"Cough cough, Lord, they are all Five Spiritual Roots."

Huang Youcai cleared his throat twice, breaking the brief silence, and slowly said.

Hearing this, Wang Bin suddenly understood. Although there was a hint of disappointment in his heart, he quickly let it go.

After all, in the Cultivation World, the quality of one's Spiritual Root determined one's potential for Cultivation. Five Spiritual Roots were indeed far inferior to supreme Spiritual Roots like Heavenly Spiritual Root and Earthly Spiritual Root, just like the difference between an ordinary stone and a dazzling gem.

However, on second thought, he became full of joy again.

After all, Five Spiritual Roots were still Spiritual Roots! As long as one could Cultivate, one was a Cultivator, a lucky person favored by the heavens.

Plus, they were all beauties, weren't they Fairies!

Their beauty was like brilliant stars, adorning this dull Cultivation life.

Hehe, this was truly a huge gain.

To die beneath the peony, to be a romantic ghost; even if he couldn't Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage in this life and could only live for another eighty years in this world, what did it matter?

He wanted to make these eighty years as poetic as a painting, like a magnificent symphony, every note filled with joy and satisfaction, so that he would not have lived in vain and would be worthy of his hard-won Cultivation journey.

He turned his gaze to the first woman in palace attire on the left. She was dressed in luxurious palace robes, her sleeves fluttering, as if a Fairy had stepped out of an ancient painting.

The exquisite embroidery, like living creatures, danced on the fabric, showcasing her extraordinary status.

Qin Wenjun

Wang Bin said, "You first introduce yourself and also state your requirements."

Qin Wenjun took a small step forward, her light steps like a dancing butterfly.

She imitated Huang Youcai, performing a graceful bow, her voice clear and melodious, like a mountain spring flowing:

"This humble one, Qin Wenjun, is the princess of the Qin Kingdom, eight hundred li away. Although our Qin Kingdom is only a Mortal nation, it also has a long history and splendid culture.

This humble one is twenty-five years old this year. In the eyes of the secular world, I have reached the age for marriage, but this humble one is devoted to the Dao and is still a virgin.

I possess Five Spiritual Roots and Cultivate the Thick Earth Art. Currently, I am at the Qi Refining Stage.

My wish is to pursue the Great Dao, hoping to one day Cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Stage Realm, and I need a Cultivation environment with abundant Spiritual Qi."

Before Wang Bin could turn his gaze to Huang Youcai, Huang Youcai's sound transmission entered his ear, the transmission like a thin thread, directly resounding in his mind:

"Lord, I have asked about all these matters beforehand. What Qin Wenjun said is entirely true.

Moreover, I have already arranged for reliable people to personally investigate the Qin Kingdom to ensure everything is foolproof.

Besides, she is only at the Qi Refining Stage. In this Cultivation World, she is as insignificant as an ant and cannot cause any trouble. Lord, there is no need to worry."

After hearing Huang Youcai's reply, Wang Bin agreed with his view, so he turned back and continued to say to Qin Wenjun:

"Since you are the Princess of the Qin Kingdom, although it is a Mortal nation, your country should also have a First-Grade Spiritual Vein, right?"

Qin Wenjun lowered her head, gently biting her lower lip, a hint of helplessness and resentment flashing in her eyes, and she said through gritted teeth:

"This humble woman is only a Five Spiritual Roots, already disliked in the Cultivation World, and being a woman, I am even more despised.

Our country's Spiritual Vein is only a First-Grade Medium Grade, like a not-too-big, not-too-small cake, barely enough for four to five Qi Refining Cultivators to Cultivate, and there's no share for me at all.

Those Spiritual Root royal descendants and nobles, like hungry wolves, scramble for those limited resources, and I can only stand by, feeling sad.

I originally wanted to participate in the Sect test, which was my last hope. I longed to find my own Opportunity in the Sect, but the minimum registration requirement was also Four Spiritual Roots, which was like a cruel threshold, mercilessly blocking me outside."

Wang Bin gently tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, the rhythm like the beat of his thoughts.

His eyes were as deep as an abyss. After a moment of contemplation, he directly said, "Although I am in the Cultivation World, I am always fair and decisive in my actions, not liking to procrastinate.

Now I give you two choices. The first choice is to be my maidservant, and you will live in the City Lord's Mansion.

The annual salary is twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Although these Spirit Stones are not many, they are a fortune for you.

The Spiritual Qi concentration of the entire City Lord's Mansion is comparable to a First-Grade Spiritual Vein. This place is like a natural Cultivation treasure trove. After you finish your duties each day, you can fully immerse yourself in this ocean of Spiritual Qi and enjoy the pleasure of Cultivation.

The second choice is to be my Dao Companion, which means you will join hands with me to spend our Cultivation years.

The annual salary is one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, which is enough for you to live a prosperous life.

You will also have ten days each year to Cultivate in the Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivation Room, which is definitely an excellent Cultivation Holy Land for you right now. Cultivating there for one day is equivalent to ten days of effort outside.

Of course, other benefits will not be lacking. If you can bear me a child, I will cherish you as a treasure, Cultivate you with all my might, and do my best to ensure you reach the Foundation Establishment Stage.

At the very least, I will provide you with a Foundation Establishment Pill, which is a priceless treasure that will give you one chance to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, thus embarking on a new journey of Cultivation."

Upon hearing such tempting choices, Qin Wenjun's heart immediately churned like a turbulent sea, experiencing intense struggle.

She secretly glanced at Wang Bin, who was seated above. He had an ordinary appearance, not the kind of stunning handsomeness, just looking like a middle-aged man of thirty or forty, with faint traces of time on his face.

Moreover, she heard that he was already one hundred and twenty years old, an age older than her grandfather. In her heart, this was simply an insurmountable age gap.

She knew that being a virgin was beneficial for Cultivation before the Golden Core Stage, making the Cultivation path smoother.

Although the temptation of the Foundation Establishment Pill was immense, and the annual salary was an additional eighty Spirit Stones, a huge fortune, she was, after all, a dignified princess of a nation. The education and dignity she had received since childhood made it impossible for her to humble herself like that.

Furthermore, she believed that in such a rich Spiritual Qi environment, with her perseverance, like a tenacious vine climbing a cliff, she would definitely be able to quickly Cultivate to the Qi Refinement Late Stage.

By then, she would resign from her maidservant position and venture to the neighboring Demon Beast Mountain Range.

Although the Demon Beast Mountain Range was fraught with dangers, it also contained countless Opportunities and resources. She could accumulate resources there to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. All of these were plans she had already made, clearly imprinted in her mind.

She mustered her courage and nervously said, "Lord, I choose the first option, to be a maidservant."

Her voice trembled slightly, as if she had used all her strength.

Wang Bin's tapping fingers on the chair paused, his heart filled with disappointment.

This was a true princess! The thought of her status and her incomparably luxurious palace robes made him incredibly excited.

Those palace robes were like a symbol of status, carrying countless honors and mysteries, and he so wished to claim that honor and mystery for himself.

Forget it, a forced melon isn't sweet. He knew this truth well.

"Don't worry, don't be afraid. I said I am a fair person.

However, if you change your mind, you can come to me anytime, of course, before you turn thirty.

You may stand aside."

Wang Bin tried to make his tone sound more gentle, but he couldn't help but feel a hint of regret in his heart.

Qin Wenjun breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a huge stone in her heart had finally fallen.

However, she also felt a bit ashamed and annoyed.

Hmph! What 'after thirty, it doesn't count'? She would still be a little Fairy after thirty!

She secretly clenched her fists, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes. She wanted to prove that her choice was correct.