Yunluo Mountain Range.

  Silver Moon Market.

  The cold wind howled, knocking something over with a loud bang.

  Ye Chen was startled awake in his room.

  He opened his bloodshot eyes.

  In front of him was a massive pill furnace, still warm, with a faint burnt smell lingering above it.

  The entire room was a mess.

  Clothes, herbs, and various bottles and jars were scattered everywhere.

  Looking at this chaos, Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh.

  He really had transmigrated.

  This was already the third day since Ye Chen had arrived in this world.

  Yet he still couldn't adapt to this world or his new identity.

  Ye Chen constantly longed to return home.

  After all, in his previous life, he was an employee at a state-owned enterprise, working a nine-to-five job without overtime, earning a monthly sary in the tens of thousands, and he wasn't even married, living quite comfortably.

  And what about his current identity?

  An eighteen-year-old from a small family, with some knowledge of alchemy techniques.

  He should have been enjoying resources within the family, continuing to refine his alchemy skills and improve his cultivation.

  But for some reason, he was sent to work as an alchemist at a shop in the Peiyuan Market to earn money for the family.

  The problem was.

  His predecessor's alchemy skills were really not up to par.

  The success rate was less than half of a normal alchemist's, making it impossible to meet expectations.

  He couldn't let anyone find out he was a fraud.

  After all, being an alchemist at the market was considered a good job.

  If he couldn't do it and was sent to do something else, it would be both exhausting and dangerous.

  So his predecessor, in a state of anxiety, panic, and fear, desperately tried to improve his alchemy skills to complete his tasks.

  And then he worked himself to death...

  And that's when Ye Chen transmigrated.

  But now, these challenges were also in front of Ye Chen.

  In the few days since he arrived, Ye Chen had been trying to practice alchemy, hoping he might be a genius.

  But his predecessor was not skilled, and it seemed the teacher hadn't taught well either.

  Ye Chen's memories were a jumbled mess.

  After two or three days of attempts, he was even worse than his predecessor, failing every time.

  Ye Chen finally gave up.

  He even started considering whether to leave the family and see if he could find a mortal city to live a carefree life as a retainer.

  But the path of cultivation was difficult.

  Many cultivators who saw no hope of breaking through would do nothing and just get by.

  With his Second Layer of Qi Refining cultivation, Ye Chen would find it hard to get any good treatment.

  And outside the market, it wasn't safe.

  There were many robber cultivators, and if they caught him, he might lose his life.

  You could say Ye Chen didn't even have the luxury to do nothing.

  "Forget it, I'm done pretending..."

  Ye Chen suddenly got up and pushed open the door.

  Since arriving in this world, he had been hiding and not going out.

  Afraid someone might notice something.

  But now, it didn't matter anymore.

  But as soon as he opened the door, the cold wind rushed into the courtyard.

  Ye Chen shivered and quickly went back inside to put on more clothes.

  When Ye Chen stepped out again.

  He saw someone walking from the front courtyard.

  The person was dressed in a white long dress.

  But she seemed even whiter than the dress, with delicate, fair skin, as if she was glowing.

  Her figure was also quite impressive.

  Even in the slightly thick dress, her slender figure and graceful curves were evident.

  But what attracted Ye Chen the most was her face.

  Youthful and beautiful, with soft features and bright eyes that seemed to shine.

  Just one look would make you feel a sense of pity.

  Seeing her, Ye Chen immediately remembered her identity.

  The woman was a cultivator working in the shop, with a Third Layer of Qi Refining cultivation.

  Her role was roughly that of a receptionist and guide.

  "Fellow Daoist Ye finally came out?

  I noticed you hadn't left your room for five days and was worried you were overworking yourself with alchemy, so I came to check... Seeing that you're alright, I'm relieved."

  In front of him, Lin Ke'er's beautiful face showed a look of relief.

  Being cared for by such a beauty made Ye Chen feel a sudden urge of "Mom, I'm in love."

  But Ye Chen knew this woman wasn't a good person.

  Because in his predecessor's memories, not many pills were refined.

  But quite a few were given to Lin Ke'er.

  His predecessor had been cultivating in the family, somewhat naive.

  After being sent here, he was deceived by this woman's gentleness and concern, thinking Lin Ke'er liked him.

  So when Lin Ke'er casually mentioned her sary was too low, and she couldn't afford pills after paying rent.

  His predecessor immediately gave her a few of the pills he had managed to refine.

  Making Lin Ke'er beam with joy.

  After that, Lin Ke'er would casually bring up the topic every week, praising his predecessor's alchemy skills and the effectiveness of the pills.

  And so his predecessor became a sucker.

  Giving Lin Ke'er pills every week.

  Thinking about it.

  Ye Chen couldn't help but ment what a pathetic lick spirit he was.

  He couldn't even take care of himself, yet he was giving away pills.

  In his previous life, Ye Chen never acted like a lick spirit and never cked girlfriends.

  Because Ye Chen knew, money wasn't for spending on women, but on himself.

  Ye Chen's previous life sary wasn't low, all spent on fitness, travel, buying cars and houses, living a colorful life.

  A post on social media would be filled with comments from girls.

  But if you keep spending money on someone else, not only won't you win their favor.

  Instead, they'll just see you as an ATM.

  Once they've improved using your money, they'll kick you to the curb.

  Weak and a lick spirit, what a combination.

  This made Ye Chen despise his predecessor even more.

  ***

  And in front of him, Lin Ke'er was slightly surprised that Ye Chen didn't react as he usually did, getting particurly moved by her concern.

  But she didn't think much of it.

  Because st time, Ye Chen only gave her five Qi Gathering Pills.

  Although Ye Chen's alchemy skills were poor, and the Qi Gathering Pills were all low-grade with average effects.

  But free things, why not take them?

  Lin Ke'er was indeed short on money.

  So Lin Ke'er's eyes curved into crescents, smiling as she asked, "Fellow Daoist Ye has been in seclusion for so long, you must have refined quite a few pills, right? I'm really envious of Fellow Daoist Ye, having the talent of an alchemist, unlike me..."

  By the end, Lin Ke'er's voice had a hint of sadness.

  Hearing this, Ye Chen felt a sense of pity.

  However, inside, Ye Chen was full of cold ughter.

  His predecessor always gave proactively.

  Now that he didn't react.

  This woman was getting anxious, couldn't hide her true colors anymore?

  This woman was indeed not a good person.

  But Ye Chen wasn't his predecessor, and definitely not a lick spirit.

  Want pills?

  It's not impossible.

  After all, Ye Chen had given up, and although he still had over twenty Qi Gathering Pills refined by his predecessor, he wasn't pnning to meet expectations anymore, whatever happens.

  If he could use these pills to experience the life of a cultivator, it wouldn't be bad.

  After all, Lin Ke'er's looks and temperament were top-notch, with a face like a first love.

  But want them for free?

  Impossible.

  ***

  Just as Ye Chen was about to say something.

  A ding suddenly sounded in his mind.

  "Detected a condition-matching female cultivator..."

  "Destiny Bonding System, officially activating..."

  "Suitable target: Lin Ke'er!"

  "Gift return multiplier: Ten times!"

  Hearing the voice, Ye Chen felt a mix of excitement and confusion.

  Excitement, naturally, because he had a system now.

  But the problem was, the system's description felt a bit off!