I Transmigrated as a Doomed Villain and Awakened a Rebate System, Then Pampered the Protagonist’s Fiancée to Heaven - Chapter 4:

Chapter 4: Lavish Spending

Nineteen bottles of Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Stalactite Essence—each worth 3,000 spirit stones on the market. That made ten bottles equal to 300 mid-grade spirit stones, and nineteen bottles amounted to 570 mid-grade spirit stones.

That was already more wealth than many average cultivators in the Pill Condensation Realm possessed.

“Fellow cultivator, judging by your aura, you seem to be stuck at the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm, unable to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, correct? Our Treasure Pavilion carries many heavenly materials, treasures, and pills that can help with that. We also have countless Foundation Establishment realm magical treasures and cultivation techniques. If you need, I can arrange something for you right now.” Qi Shan smiled as he handed over the spirit stones.

But Chu Qiuran had already decided what he was going to do next.

Now that I have so many spirit stones, of course I’ll spend big and buy something valuable to give to Liu Ruobing and trigger the System’s Tenfold Rebate.

He cleared his throat and looked at Qi Shan, saying, “I plan to spend 500 mid-grade spirit stones on a single item. It’s not for me, but for my Senior Sister. She’s currently at the late-stage Foundation Establishment Realm. What do you think I should get for her, Senior?”

Hearing this, Qi Shan’s eyes lit up immediately.

A big customer out of nowhere? This Chu Qiuran is truly my lucky star!

After a brief moment of thought, he made a suggestion.

“Not long ago, our Treasure Pavilion acquired a spiritual fruit called the Dao Heart Fruit. Though it’s only a century-old specimen, all Dao Heart Fruits are inherently valuable, regardless of their age. After consuming it, there’s a significant chance of awakening one’s personal cultivation path. Some have even gained insight into Sword Intent or Blade Intent through it. Moreover, the Dao Heart Fruit also helps in strengthening the Divine Soul and breaking through bottlenecks. Honestly, aside from being expensive, it has no drawbacks.”

Qi Shan passionately introduced the Dao Heart Fruit. As Chu Qiuran listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. Such a good item is perfect for me!

Not only would Liu Ruobing accept it, but if he took one himself, he’d benefit a lot too.

He had started realizing a serious issue—constantly selling off rare treasures was risky. Once or twice could be chalked up to luck, but after ten or a hundred times, even a fool would start suspecting something.

So the best solution was to spend rebate rewards on resources he could absorb or use himself—like spirit stones, or something like the Dao Heart Fruit.

Without hesitation, Chu Qiuran made the purchase.

…

A short while later, Qi Shan carefully handed him a jade box.

When Chu Qiuran opened it, he saw a golden fruit gleaming brilliantly inside. He couldn’t help but smile with excitement.

Across from him, Qi Shan sighed emotionally and said, “Fellow cultivator, your devotion is truly admirable. To willingly gift such a heavenly treasure to the one you love—your sincerity shines like the sun and moon.”

Chu Qiuran didn’t refute him. He merely thought for a moment, then turned to leave Misty City with the Dao Heart Fruit, preparing to return to the Ethereal Sect.

…

Two days later, early in the morning, at Liu Ruobing’s residence in the Ethereal Sect.

Her beautiful eyes slowly opened, and a faint smile formed on her lips as she sensed the changes in her body.

The medicinal effect of the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Stalactite Essence lived up to its name. After cleansing her meridians and refining her body, she could clearly feel her spiritual Qi flowing more swiftly.

Not only that, her already impressive talent had now reached an even higher level.

“Chu Qiuran…” she murmured softly. She had already found out the name of the youth who gifted her the essence.

She also learned that Chu Qiuran used to serve under the younger brother of Guan Peng, another Registered Disciple.

But recently, that younger brother had died a miserable death in a remote area of the Outer Sect, and both his followers had perished alongside him. Only Chu Qiuran survived.

While most didn’t believe Chu Qiuran had anything to do with it, it didn’t change the fact—his boss was dead, and he was still alive. How could Guan Peng just let that slide?

“Not many Outer Sect disciples can go against Guan Peng. I just happen to be one of them. So that’s probably why Chu Qiuran came to me for protection,” Liu Ruobing reasoned internally. It made perfect sense to her.

Although she disliked dealing with male disciples, especially low-level Qi Refining ones who hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment, she had accepted Chu Qiuran’s gift. Since she’d taken his treasure, it was only right to protect him as much as she could.

Just as she was thinking this, the defensive formation outside her cave dwelling rippled with activity.

Someone was here to see her?

Slightly puzzled, Liu Ruobing checked the formation and saw a young man wearing the robe of a Registered Disciple standing outside the valley.

It was none other than Chu Qiuran.

“It’s him?” Liu Ruobing was surprised. She hadn’t expected him to come to her cave dwelling on his own.

Could it be… Guan Peng had done something to Chu Qiuran, scaring him into seeking refuge?

Thinking this, Liu Ruobing’s expression darkened.

“Guan Peng! You’re looking for death!”

She had publicly promised to protect Chu Qiuran, and now just two days later, he was being bullied? Wasn’t that a slap in the face?

Furious, she stormed out of her cave toward the valley entrance.

Her white robes fluttered, carrying a faint fragrance. Her cold and beautiful face was now filled with intense rage.

Just as she was about to question him, Chu Qiuran suddenly bowed deeply and raised a jade box in his hands.

“Big Sis, this is a heavenly treasure I acquired by sheer luck. I brought it to pay my respects to you!”

Since Liu Ruobing had assumed he wanted to be her little follower, Chu Qiuran simply played along. Framing it as protection money made it easier for her to accept, didn’t it?

Hearing this, the furious Liu Ruobing paused in surprise. But she quickly waved her hand and said, “Take it back. How could I possibly want something from a Registered Disciple like you?”

“A century-old Dao Heart Fruit.”

“But then again… I can’t just ignore your sincerity either.”

Liu Ruobing’s tone shifted. It wasn’t that she had dropped her cold demeanor—it was just that the Dao Heart Fruit was so valuable, even cultivators in the Pill Condensation Realm would struggle to maintain their composure in front of it.

Especially when someone was offering it as a gift. Who could resist?

She opened the jade box. The golden Dao Heart Fruit lay inside.

Liu Ruobing stared in disbelief at the fruit, then looked at the kneeling Chu Qiuran, who wore a look of respectful reverence, and felt momentarily dazed.

“This… is really for me?”

“Of course! As a mere Qi Refining cultivator, without your protection I’d be a goner. Instead of waiting to be killed and robbed for such a treasure, it’s better to offer it to you, Big Sis, and ensure my safety.”

Chu Qiuran’s acting skills exploded at this point. Crossing over from a modern city into a cultivation world—what a loss to the film industry!

Cultivation world, you owe the entertainment world a Best Actor award!