49: Wasteful and Despicable, You Deserve to Die!

Meng Xuanji didn't even lift her eyelids as she calmly said, "You don't have spiritual roots."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hao felt somewhat disappointed. "What? No spiritual roots? Am I not the chosen one?"

However, Meng Xuanji added, "But your true qi is remarkably pure. It must be from an advanced cultivation method." This made Shen Hao think about the impressive lightness technique he had displayed earlier. Meng Xuanji believed that Shen Hao's heritage was not simple, but without spiritual roots, he was destined to remain a mortal. After a hundred years, he would just be a pile of dust.

She then glanced at Song Yongci and nodded. "This girl, however, does have spiritual roots. If she's willing to become my disciple, I wouldn't mind accepting her."

What? Shen Hao didn't expect his maid to have spiritual roots. "Damn, this world is insane. The young master has no spiritual roots, but the maid has them? This is crazy!" Even Song Yongci seemed shocked.

Meng Xuanji ignored their reactions and, without waiting for Shen Hao's approval, lightly placed her white jade hand on Song Yongci's back, starting to probe her spiritual power. After a moment, a flash of light passed through her eyes, and her heart was filled with astonishment. "A top-tier water spiritual root."

Meng Xuanji, herself possessing a high-level golden spiritual root, realized that Song Yongci's was even better, a perfect water root—one grade higher than her own. She never expected someone like Shen Hao to have a maid with such a remarkable gift. It was truly a waste. Such a precious talent should not be serving as a maid.

Feeling furious, Meng Xuanji shot a sharp, piercing look at Shen Hao, as if wanting to tear him apart. Her glare was so intense that Shen Hao couldn't help but feel puzzled. He absent-mindedly touched his face and asked, "Is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?"

Meng Xuanji, usually calm and collected, was now breathing heavily, her anger clearly visible. Her teeth clenched, and she was ready to strike Shen Hao down. However, she took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, though her gaze remained full of fury.

"Your maid's spiritual roots are so strong that she could easily break through to the true essence realm without needing a beast's inner core. She could even reach the spirit elixir realm, just like me. Therefore, I want to take her as my disciple."

Shen Hao was stunned. He couldn't believe Song Yongci had such exceptional potential. "Sure, I have no problem with it," he replied.

Song Yongci's eyes instantly filled with tears, and she looked at Shen Hao with pleading eyes. "No, my lord, I don't want to leave you. I'm not interested in cultivation."

This made Meng Xuanji anxious. "If you cultivate, you'll rise above others. You'll live for hundreds of years, keep your beauty, and be far better than staying as a maid."

Song Yongci shook her head. "What's the point of living for hundreds of years? It's just waiting for death in loneliness. I have no interest in that. I only want to stay by my lord's side and serve him. That makes me happy."

Meng Xuanji was frustrated. "You're wasting your talent! You have the rarest spiritual root, destined to be among the elite. To waste it like this is such a shame."

Song Yongci shook her head resolutely. "I don't have any big dreams. I'm just happy being with my lord."

Shen Hao smiled gently and gave her a hug. "Don't worry, if you don't want to learn, you don't have to."

Meng Xuanji was exasperated. "Don't you realize this is her chance?"

Shen Hao shrugged. "I don't think so. A long, lonely life isn't worth it. Better to stay close to someone you care about. Why force her into something she doesn't want?"

Meng Xuanji was deeply disappointed, and she turned to Song Yongci. "You're wasting an incredible opportunity. You could have had all the men in the world at your feet, but instead, you want to stay as a maid?"

Song Yongci shook her head, confused. "I've never heard of it."

Meng Xuanji, speechless, felt as if her throat had been constricted. She was on the verge of losing her temper.

In an effort to calm Meng Xuanji down, Song Yongci softly said, "No matter how many men there are, I'm not interested. In this life, I only want to be my lord's maid."

Shen Hao, pleased by this, laughed. "That's right, I'm quite charming, huh?" He chuckled, enjoying the moment.

"Useless wood, it can't be carved!" Meng Xuanji muttered to herself, clearly frustrated, and closed her eyes, not wanting to look at Song Yongci any longer.

Shen Hao, amused, said, "Meng Xuanji, I don't agree with that. Useless wood is meant to be burned, not carved. Forcing it is like defying nature."

Meng Xuanji let out a cold snort and refused to look at him any longer. Shen Hao, however, remained carefree. "I'm not concerned with your spirit elixir realm cultivation. My maid is more important to me than any of this."

Meng Xuanji, unable to contain her frustration, couldn't help but feel the pain of seeing such a great talent being wasted.

Shen Hao, still happy with the situation, gave Song Yongci a kiss. "You're so obedient. Once we get to Yangling Mansion, I'll treat you to a hotpot."

Song Yongci, curious, asked, "What's a hotpot?"

Shen Hao, not sure how to explain, thought for a moment. "It's a spicy dish. You'll love it."

"Spicy food? Isn't that poisonous?" Song Yongci asked.

Shen Hao paused, realizing that in this world, spices were often toxic. "Don't worry, I'll make sure it's safe."

Meanwhile, Meng Xuanji, hearing their laughter and lightheartedness, was driven mad by the noise. She couldn't take it anymore. With a cold glare, she vanished from the carriage in an instant.

Shen Hao, unbothered, continued enjoying his time with Song Yongci, knowing that he didn't need to depend on Meng Xuanji for anything.