Not a ripple disturbed its surface, yet the air between Li Ren and Zhao Wei felt heavy, like a storm waiting to break.
Twenty spirit stones.
And a future favor.
Li Ren did not respond immediately.
Silence, he had learned long ago, was one of the most powerful negotiation tools.
Zhao Wei watched him carefully, waiting for a reaction. Most servants would have agreed instantly. Even outer disciples would hesitate before refusing an inner disciple’s compromise.
But Li Ren simply stood there, thinking.
Inside his vision, the system flickered.
Partial Settlement Proposal Detected
Offer Value: 20 spirit stones equivalent
Remaining Debt: 28 spirit stones equivalent
Status: Negotiable
He studied the numbers.
Accepting now would be safe.
But safe collections rarely led to growth.
“You’re undervaluing the debt,” Li Ren said calmly.
Zhao Wei’s eyebrow lifted slightly.
“Oh?”
“The inheritance was divided among three,” Li Ren continued. “One died. One was abandoned. You gained not only resources but advancement opportunity.”
Zhao Wei’s smile faded a fraction.
“You’ve done your research.”
“I collect properly,” Li Ren replied.
The karmic pressure between them intensified subtly, reinforcing the legitimacy of the claim.
Zhao Wei folded his arms.
“Then state your terms.”
Li Ren considered carefully.
This wasn’t just about spirit stones.
This was about precedent.
If word spread that inner disciples could bargain debts down easily, future collections would become harder.
But if he pushed too far…
Zhao Wei might choose retaliation later, outside karmic protection.
Balance mattered.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Thirty spirit stones,” Li Ren said. “And the remainder converted into a formal obligation.”
Zhao Wei’s eyes sharpened.
“You want a contract.”
“Yes.”
Zhao Wei laughed softly.
“You’re ambitious for a servant.”
“I’m practical,” Li Ren corrected.
For several moments, Zhao Wei said nothing.
He turned toward the pond again, watching the reflection of the inner sect towers.
“You understand what happens if I agree?” he asked.
“Explain.”
“You gain legitimacy,” Zhao Wei said. “Others will believe you can enforce debts even against inner disciples.”
“That’s already happening,” Li Ren replied.
Zhao Wei smirked faintly.
“True.”
He turned back.
“And if I refuse?”
Li Ren met his gaze evenly.
“Then foreclosure begins.”
The system pulsed.
Full Collection Available
Collateral Options:
-
5 years lifespan
-
Advanced cultivation reserves
-
Technique fragment (Inheritance Art)
For the first time, Zhao Wei’s expression changed noticeably.
He could feel it.
The invisible threat wasn’t bluff.
His instincts screamed that resisting completely would cost him more than negotiation.
“…You’re dangerous,” Zhao Wei said quietly.
“So I’ve been told.”
Zhao Wei reached into his robe and withdrew a storage pouch.
He tossed it lightly.
Li Ren caught it.
Inside, spirit stones shimmered with dense energy.
The system confirmed immediately.
Direct Payment Detected: 30 spirit stones
Warm energy radiated faintly through the pouch.
Zhao Wei spoke again.
“The remaining eighteen becomes a favor,” he said. “One task. Within reason.”
Li Ren didn’t answer yet.
Instead, he opened the system interface.
Remaining Debt: 18 spirit stones equivalent
Conversion Options Available:
-
Lifespan extraction
-
Technique collateral
-
Contractual obligation
Contractual obligation.
That was new.
He selected it.
Golden light formed briefly between them—not a chain this time, but a thin thread of light connecting their shadows.
Debt Converted: Binding Obligation Established
Debtor: Zhao Wei
Creditor Authority: Li Ren
Value: 18 spirit stones equivalent
The thread vanished instantly.
Zhao Wei exhaled slowly.
“…So that’s what it feels like,” he murmured.
The oppressive weight lifted slightly from his chest.
Not gone.
Just balanced.
“The debt is settled,” Li Ren said.
Zhao Wei nodded.
“For now.”
They stood in silence for a moment longer.
Then Zhao Wei spoke again.
“You’re not planning to remain a servant long, are you?”
“No.”
“Good,” Zhao Wei said. “Because after today, remaining unnoticed will be impossible.”
Li Ren already knew that.
Collecting from outer disciples created rumors.
Collecting from an inner disciple created history.
As Li Ren turned to leave, Zhao Wei added quietly:
“A warning.”
Li Ren paused.
“The elders watch anything that disrupts balance,” Zhao Wei said. “And you’ve disrupted quite a lot.”
Li Ren nodded once.
“I expected that.”
He continued walking.
Outside the inner grounds, Mei Lin waited beneath a stone archway.
“Well?” she asked.
Li Ren handed her the pouch.
Her eyes widened slightly when she felt the weight.
“Thirty?”
“Yes.”
“And the rest?”
“Contracted obligation.”
She nodded slowly.
“That might be more valuable.”
“It usually is.”
They began walking back toward the servant courtyard.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Li Ren felt the scale truly shifting.
He wasn’t just collecting small disputes anymore.
He was shaping relationships between cultivators.
Debts were becoming influence.
Back in the courtyard, he opened the system.
Debt Qi Updated
Debt Qi: 188/200
A surge of warmth filled his chest.
So close.
One more meaningful collection…
And he would advance again.
He closed the interface slowly.
“The next step won’t stay small,” he murmured.
Mei Lin glanced at him.
“Good,” she said. “Because neither will your enemies.”
Far above, within a quiet pavilion of the inner sect, an elderly cultivator opened his eyes from meditation.
He frowned slightly.
The karmic flow within the sect had shifted again.
“…Someone is altering balances too quickly,” he murmured.
And for the first time…
The elders began to notice Li Ren.