Feeling of Love

When Zhong Wen woke up one morning, he was pleasantly surprised to find that he had achieved another breakthrough. Unbeknownst to him, a third strand of spiritual energy had formed in his dantian. This was the sign of breaking through the third stage of the "Human Wheel."

What an excellent technique for the lazy!

In his heart, Zhong Wen thanked the Longevity Technique.

He decided to go for a walk after refining the salt and pills in his room. However, just as he was about to step out, he heard the joyful voice of a young girl outside the door.

"Master's back! Master's back!"

Zhong Wen felt an inexplicable sense of nervousness. After spending several days at Drifting Petal Palace, he had grown accustomed to the tranquil life there. In his past life, Zhong Wen had been a workaholic with a fast-paced life in the big city, and being an entrepreneur meant he had little to no rest throughout the year. Reincarnated on Qingfeng Mountain, he had no business-related stress and spent his days reading, crafting pills, and refining salt. He was even accompanied by several beautiful women. He had grown to love this quiet and serene life.

He hoped he wouldn't be kicked out by the master of Drifting Petal Palace. Because Drifting Petal Palace only accepted female disciples, he felt uneasy about the situation.

Pushing the door open, he found that Liu Qiqi, Yin Ning'er, Lin Xiaodie, and Mrs. Wang were all gathered in the courtyard, surrounding a woman.

This was the first time Zhong Wen had seen Lin Zhiyun, the master of Drifting Petal Palace. However, this moment was etched in his memory forever.

The woman before him appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. She had skin as smooth as jade, eyes that sparkled like stars, and a tight-fitting light blue robe that accentuated her curvaceous figure. Her perfect body shape was enchanting and graceful, with a mature yet alluring aura. Her beautiful face, under the gentle breeze, was so captivating that it seemed as if a heavenly fairy had descended to the mortal world.

Upon seeing Lin Zhiyun, Zhong Wen couldn't help but recall the ancient song sung through the ages:

In the north, there's a beauty, exquisite and independent,

One glance captivates the city, and a second, the entire nation.

Preferring not to know if it's for the city or the nation,

This beauty is difficult to find again!

She was simply a perfect woman!

Zhong Wen sighed and felt an inexplicable feeling of love in his heart. Of course, it was one-sided. During these days, he met many beautiful women, including Liu Qiqi, Yin Ning'er, Zheng Yueting, and even Leng Wushuang, each with their unique qualities. However, he appreciatively interacted with them. After all, he carried a soul that was almost forty years old, making the younger women seem a bit immature in his eyes.

But Lin Zhiyun deeply touched his heart. "I want to marry her!" This thought had suddenly taken root in his mind and refused to go away.

At that moment, Lin Zhiyun also noticed Zhong Wen's presence, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Who is this?" Lin Zhiyun's voice was melodious and ethereal, causing Zhong Wen's heart to race.

"Master, you don't remember? He's the man we rescued from the mountain a few days ago. His name is Zhong Wen," Liu Qiqi reminded her. "You even helped heal his injuries."

"Ah, it's him," Lin Zhiyun realized, as her mind had been preoccupied with other matters in recent days.

"Thank you for your medical treatment, Master Lin."

"Please, Mr. Zhong, no need for such formality," Lin Zhiyun responded with a soft tone. "How have you been recovering in these days?"

"Thanks to the care of Master and the young ladies, I'm doing much better," Zhong Wen replied. He regretted not grooming himself before leaving his room in the morning; there was still a stray hair sticking up on his head.

"Now that you've recovered, you should return home soon. I'm sure your family is deeply concerned," Lin Zhiyun kindly suggested, allowing him to leave.

"Master, Zhong Wen sustained severe injuries, which led to amnesia," surprisingly, it was Liu Qiqi who spoke up for Zhong Wen. "He doesn't remember where his home is, and he's even forgotten how to read."

"Yes, indeed. He doesn't recall where his home is, and even written words have slipped from his memory," Lin Xiaodie, upon hearing about Zhong Wen possibly leaving the mountain, grew visibly anxious. She hurriedly approached, clutching her master's hand, and coquettishly pleaded, "He'll surely starve if he descends the mountain. Master, could we not send him away?"

"Is it true?" Lin Zhiyun paused, glancing towards Yin Ning'er, who remained silent.

"It should be. These days, Xiaodie has been teaching him to recognize words and helping him regain his memory," Yin Ning'er nodded. "Master, what if we let him stay until he could remember his identity?"

All three female disciples pleaded for Zhong Wen, with Yin Ning'er's unexpected support leaving Lin Zhiyun surprised.

Zhong Wen felt a warm sensation in his heart and was touched by their support.

Only Mrs. Wang stood silently to the side without uttering a word or expressing an opinion.

Lin Zhiyun hesitated. The fact that her disciples were pleading for a man felt embarrassing. Drifting Petal Palace was an all-female sect, and having a man on the premises could harm her disciples' reputations. However, she couldn't bring herself to send a severely injured amnesiac man down the mountain to fend for himself.

Suddenly, there was an obnoxious, grating laughter from behind.

"Master Lin, long time no see!"

A middle-aged man in a golden silk robe, overweight and lecherous, entered the courtyard of Drifting Petal Palace. He was sweating profusely, and his eyes looked lascivious. He was fanning himself with a folding fan to dissipate the sweat, making him look even more disgusting.

Behind the chubby man were four strong, well-built men. Each of them looked muscular and exuded a formidable presence. They were skilled practitioners.

Following them were about a dozen strong young men who wore weapons. Though they lacked the aura of the four leaders, they were still robust and martial in appearance.

"Mr. Jin." Lin Zhiyun frowned as she saw that the courtyard had suddenly been filled with so many men. She was displeased by the intrusion.

Liu Qiqi and Lin Xiaodie didn't hide their contempt for Mr. Jin, and it was evident on their faces.

However, Mr. Jin was utterly oblivious to their feelings. He continued to shake his folding fan, thinking of himself as a debonair gentleman, and gazed at Lin Zhiyun with lustful intentions.

"Master Lin, a year has passed, and it's time for you to repay the two hundred Spirit Crystals you borrowed. I've encountered some financial difficulties recently, and I urgently need them," Mr. Jin said with a grin.

He displayed a loan note, waving it around carelessly. The paper had yellowed and rustled in the wind, producing a faint rustling sound.

For some reason, Zhong Wen felt an urge to kick Mr. Jin to the ground and stomp on his chubby face.

"Master, I have one hundred Spirit Crystals," the young girl standing beside Lin Zhiyun suddenly declared.

"Xiaodie? Where did you get so many Spirit Crystals?" Lin Zhiyun was taken aback, looking at the one hundred Spirit Crystals taken out from the little girl’s poket and looking surprised.

"These are from Zhong Wen for my tutoring," Xiaodie said and offered them to Lin Zhiyun.

Lin Zhiyun glanced at Zhong Wen with a complex expression. She knew very well that the "tutoring fee” was not worth so many Spirit Crystals. However, she was in a difficult situation and didn't want to press further.

"Master, I also have fifty Spirit Crystals here," Liu Qiqi said, then turned apologetically to Zhong Wen, "I sold your 'Miracle Elixir', I'm sorry."

"Since it's a gift to you, you can deal with it however you wish. No need for apologies," Zhong Wen said with a warm smile.

No wonder this girl has been looking guilty whenever she sees me these past few days. Zhong Wen realized in his heart.

As Lin Zhiyun looked at the Spirit Crystal notes handed over by her two disciples, one big and one small, she felt a deep sense of emotion.

"Master Jin, here is a two notes worth of two hundred Spirit Crystals. With this, our debt is considered settled," Lin Zhiyun said, handing over the notes.

"Wait a moment!" Mr. Jin's face showed some displeasure as he suddenly exclaimed, "Master Lin, two hundred Spirit Crystals are just the principal. We need to consider the interest for this past year."

"How much is the interest?" Lin Zhiyun's brow furrowed instantly.

"Including both the principal and the interest, it's a total of three hundred and fifty Spirit Crystals."

"What!" Even Lin Zhiyun, known for her gentle nature, couldn't help but get a bit angry. "How can there be so much?"

"It's clearly stated on the loan note as semi-monthly interest, and calculated on compound interest. So, for this year, it amounts to three hundred and fifty Spirit Crystals," Mr. Jin pointed to the text on the loan note, speaking methodically.

Lin Zhiyun carefully examined the loan note and found that Mr. Jin was right; the interest was indeed calculated on a compound interest basis. At the time, she was too preoccupied with saving Lin Xiaodie, so she hurriedly signed the loan note, thinking she could repay the debt as soon as the Spirit Medicine business picked up again. However, to her surprise, the business plummeted, resulting in even more losses.

"Mr. Jin, I can repay the principal, but can you give us a little more time for the interest?" Lin Zhiyun beseeched with a soft tone.

"Mr. Jin, I also have ten Spirit Crystals here that I can give you now," Yin Ning'er, who had remained silent, spoke up. "We will find a way to repay the remaining one hundred and forty Spirit Crystals as soon as possible."

With two beautiful women, one charming and the other lovely, pleading with him, even the toughest person would usually yield. But despite Mr. Jin's lecherous eyes, he remained resolute, "I'm truly sorry, I urgently need these three hundred and fifty Spirit Crystals. If you can't pay in full, Master Lin, you'll have to hand over the deed to Qingfeng Mountain, which I'll use to exchange for some Spirit Crystals."

"No room for negotiation?" Lin Zhiyun thought of the inheritance passed down from the previous generation's head of Drifting Petal Palace, which would be lost in her hands, and the disciples who would become homeless. A sense of bitterness welled up in her heart.

"Of course, Master Lin, without Qingfeng Mountain, if you can't find a place to stay, you can come to my house for a few days," Mr. Jin said with a lustful smile, "I will certainly take good care of you."

Looking at Lin Zhiyun, a woman of great beauty and charm, Mr. Jin's heart was filled with burning lust. If it weren't for Tantai Jin's repeated warnings, he would have ordered his men to seize these beautiful women and bring them home for his enjoyment. Kidnapping women for such purposes was not a strange act for him.

"Master Lin is the sect leader and a revered cultivator; she won't default on her debts, right?" Seeing that Lin Zhiyun was hesitating, Mr. Jin took a step forward and demanded aggressively.

The four strong men behind him followed suit, exuding an intimidating aura.

"Wait." Suddenly, Zhong Wen, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward.

All eyes turned toward him, and Mr. Jin finally noticed that there was a man in Drifting Petal Palace. In his mind, many vulgar speculations arose.

"Master Lin, I suffered severe injuries and nearly lost my life in the mountains. Thanks to the rescue of Miss Xiaodie and Miss Liu, along with Master Lin and Miss Yin Ning'er's care, I barely clung to life. I owe my life to all of you, and I don’t know how to repay this debt," Zhong Wen paused and looked at Mr. Jin, "So, let me pay the remaining one hundred and forty Spirit Crystals."

With that, Zhong Wen reached into his pocket and pulled out several Spirit Crystal notes, handing them to Lin Zhiyun.

"Mr. Zhong, I can't accept this," Lin Zhiyun refused with a shake of her head, "This matter has nothing to do with you."

"Master Lin, if it weren't for Drifting Petal Palace, I would have lost my life." Zhong Wen insisted.

Seeing Lin Zhiyun's hesitation, Zhong Wen suddenly leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Master Lin, judging by Mr. Jin's attitude, it seems he came specifically for the deed to Qingfeng Mountain. If you don't pay the full amount of Spirit Crystals today, he won't let it go. It's better to resolve this trouble in front of us first."

At this moment, they were very close, and Zhong Wen could smell the faint fragrance on Lin Zhiyun's body, causing his heart to flutter with desire.

After listening to him, Lin Zhiyun carefully considered the situation and realized that something was indeed amiss. So, she stopped refusing and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhong, for your righteous help."

Immediately, she handed the Spirit Crystal notes to Mr. Jin, saying, "Mr. Jin, I've returned the full amount, please keep the loan note."

Her tone carried a hint of unfriendliness.

"Young man, this has nothing to do with you. Why are you meddling?" Mr. Jin's face looked unpleasant, and he glared at Zhong Wen. "Could it be that you have an affair with one of these women?"

Lin Zhiyun's expression changed, and she warned, "Mr. Jin, I've already repaid the Spirit Crystals. Please refrain from using obscene language."

"Master Lin, I'll be honest with you. Someone significant has taken an interest in the land of Qingfeng Mountain. Please consider giving it up," Mr. Jin's plans were disrupted by Zhong Wen, and he finally revealed his true intentions. "That person is not someone your small Drifting Petal Palace can afford to offend."

"You..." Liu Qiqi was furious and reached for the sword at her back.

"Qingfeng Mountain is my sect's legacy, and I won't give it up. Please leave," Lin Zhiyun stepped forward to block Liu Qiqi.

"Hey, I wanted to resolve this peacefully, but you brought it upon yourselves by refusing the initial offering. As long as I capture all of you, whether you repay the Spirit Crystals or not, it will be my decision," Mr. Jin had long awaited this moment and excitedly turned to his men, saying, "Please, gentlemen, go easy on them and make sure they live."

The four men each took a step forward and released a powerful aura.

"Four Earth Wheel cultivators! You came prepared," Lin Zhiyun's face turned pale with anger, and she said coldly.

"Hehe, now it's too late for regrets. Ladies, you will all come with me," Mr. Jin's expression had twisted into one of excitement, his gaze showing greed and lust. "I'll take good care of you."

He seemed to have already imagined holding the incomparably beautiful Lin Zhiyun lovingly in his arms.

Trouble!

Zhong Wen's mind raced. The overwhelming power of the four Earth Wheel experts far exceeded his expectations. Even though he had recently advanced a minor level, he knew he couldn't directly confront these fully prepared Earth Wheel cultivators.

The four men made their move, with the leader's right hand forming a claw as he attacked Lin Zhiyun. As his hand moved, the claw's force created a sharp and piercing sound through the air.

At the same time, the other three Earth Wheel cultivators attacked Liu Qiqi, Yin Ning'er, and Lin Xiaodie, aiming to capture all of Drifting Petal Palace's disciples and force Lin Zhiyun to yield.

On the other side, Mrs. Wang and Zhong Wen were completely ignored.

Seeing the dire situation, Zhong Wen had no time to think. He quickly stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Lin Xiaodie, focusing all his spiritual energy into his right hand, intending to use "Flower Shifting and Jade Receiving" to intercept the enemy's attack.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!"

With four loud bangs, the four Earth Wheel cultivators were unexpectedly sent flying backward and crashed into the courtyard walls.

"Pfft!" All four of them spewed blood from their mouths.

What's happening?

Zhong Wen was bewildered.

Upon closer examination, Lin Zhiyun had four sword-shaped lights made of spiritual energy hovering in front of her, and they had caused Zhong Wen's eyes to sting.

So beautiful, so cool, so extraordinary!

Zhong Wen looked at the floating spiritual swords in amazement, experiencing deep reverence for the cultivators of this world for the first time.

"S-Spirit Corporealization... It's Spirit Corporealization!" one of the Earth Wheel cultivators stammered, "Master of Drifting Petal Palace is a Heaven Wheel expert!"

At this point, the expressions of Mr. Jin and his group changed entirely. Contempt, mockery, desire, and lechery were all replaced by awe.

A Heaven Wheel expert, with an ability like "Spirit Corporealization," was leagues apart from ordinary cultivators. While ordinary people could rely on numerical superiority to deal with Earth Wheel or even Earth Wheel cultivators, when facing a Heaven Wheel cultivator, numbers lost their significance.

"How—how is this possible!" Mr. Jin's legs trembled, and he lost his previous arrogance and composure. "How can a Heaven Wheel cultivator be this... this poor?"

Lin Zhiyun waved her hand, and a ray of spiritual energy swordlight struck in front of Mr. Jin.

"Ahh!!! Don't kill me, don't kill me!!!" Mr. Jin was frightened, crouching on the ground, holding his head, and loudly begging for mercy. Tears and mucus were indistinguishable on his pudgy face, and he was trembling. A pungent, foul odor was released from his lower body.

Everyone showed disgusted expressions, including the four Earth Wheel cultivators.

"Leave the loan note, take the Spirit Crystal notes, and get out!" Lin Zhiyun said coldly.

"Master Lin, we apologize for the offense. We'll take our leave!" the lead Earth Wheel cultivator said with clasped fists.

Then, more than ten strong men from behind came forward, carrying Mr. Jin's obese body, and hastily left the scene without looking back, fleeing in embarrassment.

Zhong Wen watched as Lin Zhiyun readily returned the full sum of three hundred and fifty Spirit Crystals to Mr. Jin, and couldn't help but sigh.

What a fool... to stick to principles!

But... I like it!

Seeing the resolute departure of the four Earth Wheel cultivators, Zhong Wen fell into deep thought...