Chapter 15: CH.15 | Loneliness and Heaven’s Fate

When Lin Tian shook the old man’s hand, the grandfather looked overjoyed.

He could already picture Yun Wei wearing the same cultivator robe as Lin Tian.

"You’re willing to accept him?"

"Of course. There’s an old saying in the cultivation world that fortune should never be rejected," Lin Tian replied.

"You’re right."

Lin Tian helped the old man to his feet. He asked him to keep the offer a secret from Yun Wei.

"Don’t let Yun Wei know. He needs to focus on preparing to leave."

"Tonight, tell your daughter-in-law to come to my house," Lin Tian said.

The door opened, and the old man turned to look at Lin Tian. "I’ll let him know."

He and Yun Wei walked away from the place, the old man still smiling brightly.

Yun Wei was just as happy after learning that Lin Tian had accepted his grandfather’s offer.

Lin Tian’s attention returned to the front. "Holder of token number two. Come in."

This time, it wasn’t a milf who entered, but a short-haired man with a sturdy build and worn-out clothes.

He walked in and sat on the wooden chair. He began talking about himself and his family.

"I’m offering 10 low-grade spirit stones for—"

"Sorry, I can’t accept your child," Lin Tian interrupted immediately with a lazy expression.

"But why?" the man asked in shock.

Lin Tian let out a soft sigh, waved his hand to the side, and revealed thousands of low-grade spirit stones.

The poorly dressed man froze in shock, unable to say anything.

"I already have plenty of things like this. What difference would another 10 spirit stones make? They’re useless!"

"I can give you everything I own at home if you want," the man said again, refusing to give up.

"Sorry, you may leave. Try again next year."

The man took a long breath and tucked the money pouch back into his pants. He walked out of Lin Tian’s house with a defeated expression.

"Look! Seems like he got rejected."

"Poor Mei’er. She’ll have to find another dream."

Without stepping outside, Lin Tian called for the third participant.

He remained seated on the long bench in the living room while enjoying warm tea.

"Excuse me."

The door opened. Lin Tian glanced sideways and saw a young woman entering in neat, modest, and clean clothes.

Her shoulder-length black hair framed her face, and her breasts formed soft curves beneath her outfit.

Lin Tian tried to act normal, "Please, sit down."

"Tell me about yourself and your family, along with your offer."

"I live with my husband and his child in this village. We moved here two years ago. My husband works as a merchant. Our daughter is named Xia Yun."

"As for our offer, we might be able to give you five sacks of rice and 20 low-grade spirit stones."

An Yue would probably like getting sacks of rice, but with the amount of money I have, I don’t need rice from her.

"What’s your name?" Lin Tian asked.

"I’m... Yu Mei."

"Let me tell you something. Our sect has plenty of rice supplies. Besides, cultivators like me don’t eat like mortals."

"And as for spirit stones, that’s a huge amount for a mortal family like yours," Lin Tian explained.

"To be honest... that’s everything we own. We sacrificed it all so Xia Yun could join," Yu Mei explained.

Yu Mei lowered her head. Her eyes became watery, and tears fell onto the back of her hand. Lin Tian felt deeply troubled, unsure what to do.

Watching a beautiful woman like Yu Mei cry so helplessly made Lin Tian’s heart ache as well.

"I’ll offer you another deal," Lin Tian said.

Yu Mei wiped her tears, raised her head, and looked at Lin Tian seriously, "What is it? We’ll do our best to fulfill it."

"Cultivators live alone in loneliness for hundreds of years."

"Food brings no satisfaction. Drink does not quench our thirst. We truly live in an empty world with no one beside us."

"The fate of heaven is cruel and heartless. Still, we try to live with what we have."

Lin Tian turned toward her. The corners of his lips lifted into a gentle smile. He reached forward and held Yu Mei’s hand.

Yu Mei felt moved. She didn’t know the true details of a cultivator’s life, but living for hundreds of years without companionship made her understand just how lonely Lin Tian must have been.

"You can help me. Just by spending one night together, at least you could lighten my burden," Lin Tian said.

The young woman in front of him looked uneasy. Her eyes kept avoiding Lin Tian’s gaze.

Still, the man’s face was handsome and charming, far different from her husband’s.

"I... can’t betray my husband," Yu Mei replied softly.

Looks like I can’t force her.

"Alright," Lin Tian murmured as he released Yu Mei’s hand.

"Your loyalty is admirable. I respect it."

"Will you reject Xia Yun?" Yu Mei asked sadly as she looked at Lin Tian.

Lin Tian fell silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. He did not answer with words, only with a nod.

Seeing Lin Tian’s decision made Yu Mei even sadder. Lin Tian could not throw her out, as it would leave a bad impression on him.

It seems she truly wants Xia Yun to join my sect.

"You’re a caring mother who truly loves her child. I’ll give you time to think about your answer to my offer."

"You can keep the rice and spirit stones. All I need is someone to accompany me through the night," Lin Tian replied.

Yu Mei’s crying gradually stopped. She stood up and cupped her hands respectfully toward Lin Tian.

"Please allow me to think about it tonight. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow."

"Of course," Lin Tian replied softly.

Yu Mei walked out and slowly left Lin Tian’s house. Lin Tian now stood outside his home, gazing at the sky with his eyes closed.

Mortal life was truly complicated. Yu Mei had sacrificed all her family’s wealth for Xia Yun, who only possessed average qualifications.

They were filled with hope and ambition, desires and risks.

Life was so unfair. Sacrificing everything for something uncertain.

"Next," Lin Tian called out firmly.

The negotiation process resumed as usual. Lin Tian rejected any offers that did not interest him.

He only accepted those willing to sacrifice themselves for their child’s future.

Self-sacrifice was something noble and worthy of respect.

Lin Tian, with his abilities and status, naturally respected people willing to do such a thing.

Out of eleven families, Lin Tian accepted three children. Even so, he was still waiting for Yu Mei’s answer.

If she refused, Xia Yun would remain a mortal forever.

Lin Tian... had no other choice.

One by one, the families left the place. Lin Tian closed the door and relaxed that night while enjoying warm tea at the wooden table.

The village atmosphere was quiet and lonely. Only the sounds of insects and rustling leaves blown by the wind could be heard.

The villagers had ended their activities and were resting to prepare for the next day.

In the middle of the silence, Lin Tian faintly heard footsteps coming from outside his house. He narrowed his eyes and activated his qi aura vision.

A woman approached slowly, stopping in front of the door before knocking.

Lin Tian set his cup back on the wooden table, walked to the door, and opened it.

"Yu Mei?"

"Wasn’t your answer supposed to come tomorrow?" Lin Tian asked.

"Master Cultivator..."

"This is my first time doing this with another man."

Yu Mei raised her face. Her eyes were watery, and her cheeks were flushed red, "So please... don’t tell anyone."

Lin Tian smiled gently. He reached out and wiped Yu Mei’s tears away with compassion.

"Thank you... for being willing to accompany me, Yu Mei."