Yu Dynasty's Immortal Realm, South Mountain Market.
Charles Evergreen stood in his barely furnished room, a space no more than twenty square meters. It was laughable to even think about calling it an immortal's abode—any moderately wealthy household in the Mortal World had far better living conditions.
“Sigh! Pack up and head back to the Mortal World.”
As a transmigrator, he had longed for the path to immortality and wanted to avenge his past self, to ruthlessly punish that fucking love couple. But reality had other plans. This body had an average aptitude for cultivation—just a low-grade spiritual root. How could he possibly rise to power or defy fate and rewrite destiny?
After years of effort, all he had achieved was advancing from the first to the second level of Qi Refining. That alone spoke volumes—he wasn't cut out for cultivation!
Returning to the Mortal World to continue his life as a Prince, living freely and enjoying life as a martial arts grandmaster, didn’t seem so bad, did it? Even if, in a few decades, he would turn into dust, at least he would have lived freely. That was much better than being at the bottom of the cultivation world.
Just think about what his life had been like over the past decade. Waking up early and working until late, barely having time to cultivate. The energy stones he earned each month were almost all spent on paying the rent for this 'shantytown.' It was even worse than being an overworked corporate drone in his previous life.
“Is this the price for being a desperate admirer?”
Charles Evergreen’s mind instinctively recalled the last moments of his past self.
...
“We’re not right for each other, let’s end it here.”
“Not right for each other? After thirteen years together, you’re telling me that now? Is it because of this guy next to you? Just because he’s a local cultivator from South Mountain Market? Because he owns two storefronts?”
The male cultivator behind Ally didn’t have a strong aura, nor was he good-looking—in fact, he was rather ugly, far from being as handsome as the furious Charles Evergreen. But the difference between the two was clear—the man wasn’t wearing ordinary robes but a magical robe! Judging by the special insignia on the cuffs, it must have been produced by the Hundred Treasures Hall. Even if it was the most basic model with the simplest array engravings, it would still cost at least fifty low-grade energy stones.
“Yes! Being with you, I see no future. Hu Daoyou’s two storefronts bring in twenty low-grade energy stones in rent each month, enough to give me the life I want.”
Ally’s words were like the sharpest knife, stabbing Charles Evergreen right where it hurt the most.
He said despondently, “We came from the Mortal World to the Immortal Realm with nothing. The early years were tough, but we’ve finally established ourselves in South Mountain Market. Why give up now?”
Ally shook her head and said, “Charles Evergreen, your so-called establishment is barely making enough to cover the rent for the lowest-grade abode after a month of hard work?”
Charles Evergreen tried to argue, “I’m working hard. And I found a good job at the Spirit Talisman Pavilion!”
Ally sneered, “A temporary worker, making two low-grade energy stones a month, with one of those going to rent—this is what you call a good job?”
The male cultivator, getting anxious, added, “The shopkeeper will teach me talisman techniques. I’m sure I’ll become a Talisman Master in the future…”
But as he spoke, his confidence wavered, and his voice trailed off.
Ally laughed but said nothing more.
After a moment of silence, the Hu-named cultivator behind her tugged at her hand, signaling that they should leave without wasting more time on this man.
Finally, Ally said, “Charles Evergreen, it’s good that you caught us today. Let’s make it clear—after today, we’re done. No more ties between us.”
“I don’t want to live like this anymore.”
“I want to be like other female cultivators, with spirit-gathering pills to take every month, magical robes to wear... even if it’s not a genuine product from the Hundred Treasures Hall, a replica would do...”
“I’m tired of wearing the long skirts I grew sick of in the Mortal World, eating ordinary food, and being so busy I don’t even have time to cultivate just to pay rent!”
“I don’t want to live such a hopeless life anymore. Otherwise, what’s the point of coming to the Immortal Realm?”
Listening to her resolute words, Charles Evergreen bitterly asked, “Are our feelings of over ten years really worth less than two storefronts? You used to see money as dirt!”
“Money may be dirt, but energy stones are not.”
Ally sneered, “Besides, how dare you talk about those years? Thirteen years ago, what were you? And what are you now? I told you long ago that I chose you because you were a Prince, a martial arts grandmaster! You should be ashamed, not questioning me now! Here’s some advice: if you ever find another cultivation partner, when she wants to leave you, think about what went wrong! If a man can’t make a woman admire him or provide her with a good life, why should she stay?”
With that, she leaned into the Hu-named cultivator's embrace and turned to leave.
The Hu-named cultivator placed a hand on Ally’s hip, turned his head, and flashed a disdainful smile at Charles Evergreen, mocking him, “Loser.”
Charles Evergreen finally snapped. Unable to contain his anger, his spiritual energy surged, and flames erupted from his fists as he lunged at the Hu-named cultivator.
In the Mortal World, this punch could shatter mountains and easily defeat martial legends. But facing the unremarkable Hu-named cultivator, all he said was, “You really want to die, huh?”
