"You—!"
Xue Qingxian's fair face flushed instantly, a soft pink spreading across her cheeks.
"Shameless!"
Luo Yang smiled faintly.
"Junior Qingxian, how exactly am I shameless?"
"Weren't you the one who said you didn't like me? If that's the case, what's wrong with me taking back the things I gave you?"
"Besides, I'm not even complaining that you've worn them. Just remember—return them in their original condition."
Her face turned red as an apple. She shot him a fierce glare before turning to leave.
"I'll return everything. I'll bring it to you tomorrow!"
Luo Yang tossed the arm guard lightly in his hand and called out loudly, "Don't forget the Nourishing Palace Pill I gave you!"
"And the Gentle Kiss Sword!"
"And the King-Blood Treasure Medicine!"
"Oh—and that pair of black stockings!"
"Make sure you return all of it!"
Xue Qingxian lowered her head, her face burning with embarrassment as she hurried away.
Luo Yang chuckled.
Compete with me? Did she think he was still the original spineless simp?
Calling that guy a simp was generous. He didn't even know how to do it properly.
Three years of chasing her and he hadn't even made it to bed. Truly the disgrace of all simps.
"I didn't realize Young Master Luo gave her so many things. Even a King-Blood Treasure Medicine? He must've been serious."
"Looks like he's really done this time. She'll probably regret it once she gets home and thinks it over. Losing someone like him as a backer isn't something you brush off."
"Exactly. Acting all cold and proud now—she'll regret it once she calms down."
"A man like Young Master Luo and she doesn't like him? Taking his gifts while refusing to let him get close."
"That's just playing both sides."
"If Young Master Luo waved at me, forget sharing a bed—I'd do anything."
…
Ding! Host qi-blood has reached 200 cards, the peak of Non-Martial Artist. Proceed with third bone tempering?
"Third bone tempering?"
Luo Yang murmured.
A Non-Martial Artist completing three bone temperings was extremely rare across Huaxia—almost unheard of.
To achieve it, qi-blood had to surpass 200 cards. And the difficulty of the third tempering increased exponentially compared to the first two.
Very few people chose to accumulate qi-blood to 200 while still a Non-Martial Artist. It consumed too much time, and the returns often didn't justify the delay. Most would enter the Martial Artist realm after two temperings and use the saved time to progress further at Rank One.
The original Luo Yang had also planned to break through at 190 cards.
But now, his qi-blood had reached 200—the absolute limit.
He could perform the third bone tempering.
Luo Yang didn't hesitate.
"Proceed with the third bone tempering."
Ding! Beginning third bone tempering.
A warm current flowed rapidly through his body, refining every bone in an instant.
Ding! Third bone tempering complete. Host may now enter the Martial Artist realm.
Ding! It is recommended that the host break through in a quiet environment.
Luo Yang flexed his hand slightly. He could feel his control over his qi-blood becoming far smoother and more precise.
"L-Look!"
"Is Young Master Luo waving at me?"
"I think he is!"
"Go, go!"
A sweet-looking girl in a Lolita dress, her long hair tied into twin tails, shyly stepped forward until she stood before him.
"S-Senior Luo…"
"You called me?"
Luo Yang looked her over.
Face: 90 points.Figure: 88 points.Twin tails: 1000 points.
"Yeah. Let's go. I'll take you out, get you something nice to eat."
The Lolita girl beamed.
"Really?!"
With a faint smile, Luo Yang led her into his luxury supercar and sped off.
…
The next day.
On a large white bed, Luo Yang held the Lolita junior close, absentmindedly twirling her twin tails in his fingers.
So this is what it feels like to be a rich young master.
A playboy should live like one. Acting like a eunuch every day—what was the point?
Throw enough money around and someone will always follow.
Ding! Host may now break through to the Martial Artist realm.
Qi-blood will not increase further until breakthrough.
Luo Yang froze.
Damn it.
Why didn't you say so earlier?
Is flirting more important than breaking through?
Damn it!
"Break through!"
Ding!
Host qi-blood at 200 cards. Three bone temperings complete. Beginning breakthrough to Martial Artist!
Buzz—
His qi-blood surged violently. A strange force mobilized the energy within him, driving it toward a single focal point.
At first, Luo Yang paid little attention.
Then his expression changed.
He glanced downward.
What the—
Didn't that just calm down earlier? How is it—
It's definitely this damn system.
Ding! System advised host to break through in a quiet location.
Ding! Host has broken through. Entered Rank One Martial Artist. Qi-blood exceeds 1000 cards.
Breathing Makes You Stronger module reactivated.
Ding! Host breathes once. Qi-blood +1 card.
Ding! Friendly reminder: Due to breakthrough after three bone temperings and rapid qi-blood growth, certain areas may become as hard as bone. Host should exercise discretion.
"Shut up!"
Luo Yang knew exactly what the system meant.
With qi-blood this vigorous, if he didn't…
His gaze fell on the sleeping twin-tails girl beside him.
Guess she'll have to work a little harder.
…
Outside the hotel, Luo Yang stretched comfortably.
Breaking into the Martial Artist realm felt incredible. His whole body brimmed with strength.
The twin-tails junior probably had it rough, but he wasn't heartless.
He had left her five second-grade Qi-Blood Pills, one Contraceptive Pill, and an A-rank Spirit-tier martial art, Falling Leaf Palm.
That was more than enough to make her happy for a long time.
Time to head back to Jingwu.
Luo Yang slid into his luxury supercar and vanished from the hotel entrance in a flash.
He was beginning to truly enjoy this kind of life.