’Two debts at once... How unexpected.’
Li Jian remained kneeling on the floor for a while longer, pretending to still be weakly recovering from the medicinal backlash.
After a few more moments, Zheng Qingyao suddenly seemed to remember something.
She opened a drawer, took out a small cloth bag, and casually tossed it toward Li Jian.
The bag landed lightly in front of him with a soft clinking sound.
"Take it," she said indifferently. "A few spirit stones for your trouble. Do not say that this Senior Sister never compensates her test subjects."
Li Jian picked up the bag and opened it slightly.
Inside were around a hundred low-grade spirit stones... nothing particularly generous, but still more than what most outer disciples could easily earn in a short time.
He cupped his fists while still seated and spoke in a weak but respectful voice.
"Many thanks, Senior Sister Zheng."
Zheng Qingyao only gave a light hum in response, already turning her attention back to her jade slip.
Zhao Ming sneered from the side.
"Even giving spirit stones to trash like this... Junior Sister Qingyao is truly too soft-hearted."
Li Jian ignored the mockery.
He slowly pushed himself up from the floor, his body still a little unsteady, and carefully stored the bag of spirit stones into his robes.
After giving one final respectful bow toward Zheng Qingyao, he turned and walked toward the door with measured steps.
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As he walked further away from the alchemy room and the figures of Zheng Qingyao and Zhao Ming disappeared behind him, the weak and respectful expression on Li Jian’s face gradually faded.
In its place, a cold and calculating look slowly surfaced.
His steps remained steady as he descended the path from Alchemy Peak, but his mind was already spinning rapidly.
’So even indirect harm and open disregard can generate Favor Debt...’
’Zhao Ming only mocked me and knocked me with his knee, yet I still gained 70 points from him.’
’And Zheng Qingyao, just by standing by, gave me additional points as well.’
The more he thought about it, the clearer the system’s rules became in his mind.
It was not only direct injury that counted.
Humiliation, loss of face, being used, being disregarded... as long as it caused him genuine harm or loss in some form, Favor Debt would be generated.
Li Jian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’In that case, the way I use these points also needs to be reconsidered.’
Until now, most of his thoughts had leaned toward venting anger and making lewd requests.
But after today’s events, another idea quietly surfaced.
’Rather than immediately spending the points on those kinds of requests...’
’Wouldn’t it be more practical to first use them on things that can improve my cultivation?’
His current strength was still too low.
Average talent, weak foundation, and the identity of an outer disciple left him with almost no status or ability to protect himself.
If he continued like this, even with the system, he would always be forced into a passive position.
’Pills that improve cultivation... techniques... resources... or even guidance.’
’If I can turn Favor Debt into real strength first, then everything that comes after will become much easier.’
Li Jian’s cold gaze deepened as he continued walking down the mountain path.
’For now lewd requests can wait. First... I need to become stronger.’
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With that thought settled in his heart, Li Jian continued down the mountain path at a steady pace.
By the time he returned to the outer sect area, the sky had already begun to take on a faint dusk hue.
The usual noise of outer disciples training and chatting drifted through the air, but he paid little attention to it.
Before long, his simple stone residence came into view.
However, the moment he approached, his steps slowed slightly.
Standing right in front of his door were two figures that were impossible to ignore.
One was a tall and handsome young man dressed in clean outer sect robes.
His appearance was outstanding, with sharp features, long black hair and a confident bearing that made him stand out among ordinary outer disciples.
A faint but solid aura of cultivation surrounded him, clearly showing that his strength was far above the average of the outer sect.
Beside him stood a voluptuous young woman with a strikingly seductive figure.
Her waist was slender, her large chest full and eye-catching, and her slightly raised chin carried a natural charm that drew attention without effort.
Even the standard outer sect robes looked somewhat different on her body, unable to fully hide her alluring curves.
Among the outer sect, her appearance was famous enough that almost everyone knew of her.
Li Jian’s brows furrowed slightly the moment he recognized them.
’These two...’
The man was Han Jin, one of the stronger outer disciples who had already reached the peak 9th Stage of Qi Refinement and was said to be only a step away from Foundation Establishment.
Because of his strength and decent background, many outer disciples treated him with caution and respect.
The woman beside him was Su Qin, widely regarded as one of the top ten beauties of the outer sect.
Not only was her appearance outstanding, but her figure was especially voluptuous and seductive, making her the target of many male disciples’ secret fantasies.
The two of them were a famous Dao Companion pair in the outer sect, and their relationship was well known.
Seeing such a pair standing directly in front of his residence, Li Jian’s eyes narrowed slightly.
A dark look flashed through his eyes as he cursed silently in his heart.
He already knew why they were here.
On the surface, Han Jin and Su Qin were a famous and well-regarded Dao Companion pair in the outer sect.
One was strong and talented, the other was beautiful and charming.
Many disciples looked at them with envy, believing them to be a perfect couple.
But behind the scenes, their true nature was far uglier.
The two of them specialized in bullying weak outer disciples who had no background and no ability to resist.
Those with talent or powerful masters were never touched.
Only the small, weak, and isolated ones would be targeted by them.
And Li Jian... was one of their regular victims.
They had long since noticed that every time he returned from Alchemy Peak after being used as a test subject by Zheng Qingyao, he would often receive some form of compensation... spirit stones, leftover pills, or other small resources.
Because of that, they had simply treated him as a convenient cash cow.
Every few days, they would come to his door like this and "harvest" whatever he had gained.
Li Jian’s steps did not stop, but the coldness in his eyes deepened.
Han Jin was the first to notice him.
A casual smile appeared on his handsome face, but the arrogance and mockery in his eyes were not hidden at all.
"Oh? Junior Brother Li is back."
Su Qin covered her mouth and let out a soft, charming laugh.
Her full large chest rose and fell slightly with the movement as she looked at Li Jian with a playful yet condescending gaze.
"Looking at your pale face, Senior Sister Zheng must have worked you quite hard again today. Did you receive any compensation this time?"
Li Jian’s expression remained calm on the surface, but deep within his eyes, a cold and dangerous light was already gathering.
Just as he was about to respond, a series of soft mechanical notifications suddenly rang out in his mind without warning.
[Ding!]
[Detected: Accumulated harm, humiliation, and resource plunder caused by Han Jin.]
[Favor Debt from Han Jin: 2,200]
[Ding!]
[Detected: Accumulated harm, humiliation, and resource plunder caused by Su Qin.]
[Favor Debt from Su Qin: 2,100]
Li Jian’s footsteps nearly paused.
His eyes widened slightly for a brief moment before he quickly forced his expression back under control.
’Over two thousand...?’
’Each of them already owes me more than two thousand Favor Debt points?’
A strong wave of surprise surged through his heart.