Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Yun Jin looked at Ye Cheng now as if he were a precious treasure.

She had once thought that forming a master-servant contract would be more cost-effective. But now, she realized she had misunderstood the system.

Folks! Always take the legitimate route!

A servant contract drained a person's potential all at once. A master-disciple bond, on the other hand, formed a sustainable feedback loop. Both parties could benefit.

She was even starting to wonder—

In this world, a planting master's pinnacle was the ninth grade.

If she could train Ye Cheng to reach that level…

Then what about her?

With the system's rule of keeping the master one tier above, what kind of absurd level would she ascend to?

Yun Jin could already picture it: casting a Little Cloud Rain Technique and watching entire fields of spiritual plants shoot up to millennia-old maturity.

Two words came to mind: absolutely unbeatable.

Her gaze on Ye Cheng grew fiery with ambition.

Gu Jinghong, standing off to the side, pressed his lips together.

This Ye Cheng had just joined, yet he was already receiving such favor…

Gu Jinghong knew, as a servant, he had no right to object.

Still, he couldn't help himself. Bitterly, he said, "Master, Ye Cheng only has three spiritual roots. His talent is quite average. Training him will take time and effort. I also possess both water and earth roots and am suited for planting techniques. If Master needs assistance, I can…"

Before he could finish, searing pain shot through his head.

Yun Jin had punished him via the contract.

Gu Jinghong's face paled, but deep inside, he felt a trace of joy.

Ah, that familiar feeling!

She had finally punished him again.

Would Ye Cheng get this treatment?

Of course not.

Gu Jinghong!" Yun Jin snapped. "How dare you compare yourself to Ye Cheng? He is my first disciple, destined to inherit my legacy. You? You're just a servant. In the future, he will be half a master to you. Who gave you the right to criticize your superiors?"

A smile tugged at Gu Jinghong's lips. "Master's reprimand is just. This servant will never dare again."

He was smiling?!

Yun Jin eyed him suspiciously. "Remember your place."

"Understood."

See?

Why would Master scold him and not others?

It could only mean he held a special place in her heart.

Hidden behind his blood-tinged pupils, a twisted delight flickered.

Yun Jin, of course, had no idea what kind of twisted thoughts were swirling in Gu Jinghong's head.

She focused back on Ye Cheng. His talent was one thing, but with the system's help, innate ability wasn't a deal-breaker. What truly mattered was his character.

And in that regard, she trusted him.

Training him well would give her a competent assistant and raise her own planting proficiency. A worthy investment.

But Yun Jin had never been one to do a good deed without ensuring credit. Whenever she helped someone, she didn't just want them to know—she wanted the whole world to know. So of course she wouldn't just silently help Ye Cheng break through his bottleneck using the system.

Where's the drama in that?

If she was going to help, it had to be loud and grand. She glanced at Ye Cheng, who was struggling through the jade slip, brow furrowed in concentration.

Suddenly, she shouted, "Disciple! Calm your breath and focus your spirit! I will assist your cultivation!"

Ye Cheng instinctively obeyed.

The next moment, Yun Jin placed her hand on top of his head.

"Use simplification now!"

Then, in a solemn tone, she declared, "I will now transmit my insights directly into your mind using a secret art. This method is draining, and I can't hold it for long. You must absorb everything!"

Draining?

Ye Cheng panicked. He tried to protest.

But Yun Jin's voice rose again, cutting him off. "Clear your mind! Focus only on the area you're stuck in. I will guide you through!"

Ye Cheng was overwhelmed with emotion.

Master...

She had already done so much for him. What had he done to deserve it?

Fighting back tears, Ye Cheng cleared his mind and turned his attention to the part that had stumped him.

And then—

It shifted. The knot began to loosen.

He sank into full concentration.

In the time it took to burn one incense stick, he made the breakthrough.

Eyes snapping open, Ye Cheng exclaimed, "Master, I did it!"

"Good." Yun Jin pulled her hand away, her face pale, as if she had exhausted herself.

"Master!" Ye Cheng looked stricken. "Are you alright? It's my fault. If I weren't so slow, you wouldn't have needed to go this far!"

Yun Jin gave a weary but satisfied smile. "It's nothing. As long as you learned it."

"Master…" Ye Cheng couldn't hold it anymore. Tears welled up in his eyes. "I will work harder than ever. I won't let you down."

Yun Jin gave a light cough. "This technique is unique. Though you may not feel anything now, the planting knowledge has already taken root in your subconscious. If you face difficulty later, the technique will help you through. Ye Cheng, I have high hopes for you."

"Yes, Master. I will do my best," Ye Cheng replied solemnly.

"Alright. Go cultivate well. And don't forget to tend to the spirit fields. I may bring in more seeds soon." Yun Jin tried to rise but stumbled, her face turning pale again.

Gu Jinghong rushed to support her.

Yun Jin sighed. "Looks like I overestimated myself. I'll need to rest for a few days."

Gu Jinghong immediately shot Ye Cheng a venomous glare.

How could this guy deserve Master's care?

Ye Cheng, wracked with guilt, moved to help her too, but Gu Jinghong subtly blocked him.

All Ye Cheng could do was bow deeply and swear he would train harder and take good care of the fields.

Yun Jin nodded with a pleased look. "As long as you grow, anything I give is worth it. Go on."

"Yes, Master," Ye Cheng said, his eyes misty.

Yun Jin turned to Gu Jinghong. "Stay here and watch over Gun Gun while he cultivates. I'll go back and enter closed-door cultivation for a few days."

Gu Jinghong was reluctant but dared not disobey.

Only once she was out of Ye Cheng's sight did Yun Jin's complexion regain its glow.

Perfect.

The bond value had just hit 80. Her acting was flawless.

Yun Jin, you manipulative genius.

Satisfied, she strutted off.

~

Gu Jinghong cast a cold glance at Ye Cheng.

"Senior Brother Ye," he said flatly. "You may be Master's disciple now. But just as Uncle-Master Ma could revoke your title, so can Master."

Ye Cheng blinked, confused.

Gu Jinghong smirked. "But I? Master will never annul my contract. The only way out is death."

He raised his chin. "So our bond is eternal. You? Not even close."

With that, he scooped up Gun Gun and stalked off, leaving Ye Cheng utterly bewildered.

…Was this a competition now?