Chapter 436: You'll Be the Sect Leader!
Just as Chen Huaian was envisioning a bright future.
The pressure on his feet suddenly intensified.
Previously, the female disciple from Yaochi had decent strength but seemed overly cautious, as if afraid to offend him.
In the foot massage business, excessive caution is taboo.
Too much caution means not daring to apply proper pressure, and insufficient pressure means unsatisfied customers.
"Not bad, not bad. You're finally getting into the groove."
Chen Huaian lay comfortably with his eyes closed, chuckling, "Yes, maintain this pressure, perfect! You've got talent... Keep this up and I'll promote you to foreman!"
The female cultivator from Jade Pool Holy Land stood to the side, head bowed in awkward silence.
Zhang Mengchu stared at the ceiling, counting the tiles.
The Lingxi Valley disciple pressed against the wall wore an embarrassed expression, clearly wanting to speak but holding back.
Amid this bizarre atmosphere,
the girl massaging Chen Huaian's feet spoke up: "As long as Master is satisfied with the pressure. This is merely my duty."
"Mmm, the pressure's good, but—"
This voice... why so familiar?
Did they switch masseuses?
He opened his eyes and sat up abruptly—the person massaging his feet wasn't Technician Number 11 at all! Number 11 was standing against the wall! The one handling his feet was his disciple Li Qingran.
No wonder the foot wrap felt different.
The difference between an A-cup and C-cup was substantial.
"How is it, Master? Does your disciple's pressure and precise acupoint targeting satisfy you?"
"Li Qingran?! What are you doing here!?"
Chen Huaian instinctively tried to retract his foot, but Li Qingran immediately cradled it against her chest.
"Master has been traveling arduously. As your disciple, it's only right I show filial piety." She maintained her grip on his leg while speaking matter-of-factly, "If others can do it, why can't I?"
"That's not what I meant. This kind of labor isn't necessary—"
"Does Master think this disciple inferior to some Golden Core stage Yaochi cultivator?"
Li Qingran's eyes dimmed as she turned away, her voice trembling slightly, "I understand. After all, I'm merely a military family's daughter, of humble origins. Un Yaochi cultivator—born into immortal cultivation, bathed in spiritual energy since childhood, nourished by spiritual herbs and springs. Her hands must be far more delicate than mine. It's natural Master would prefer her."
The Yaochi female cultivator broke out in cold sweat upon hearing this.
Zhang Mengchu felt no vinegar would be needed for his midday dumplings.
The Lingxi Valley female disciple glanced around nervously, desperately wishing to escape but unable to move.
Chen Huaian was also sweating bullets.
Hadn't his masseuse training program been top secret?
How had Li Qingran barged in?
Seeing his junior disciple sulking, he had no choice but to explain properly: "Master merely considers this work menial, fit only for servants. That's why I didn't involve you. Truthfully, I'd be embarrassed to have you do this."
Li Qingran pressed Chen Huaian's foot against her chin, pouting, "Isn't this disciple Master's girlfriend? Isn't Master this disciple's boyfriend? Isn't it normal for girlfriends to do such things?"
Chen Huaian saw stars.
He suspected Zhao Ying must have fed Li Qingran these ideas.
Objectively speaking,
in a romantic relationship, mutual foot massages were perfectly normal.
But on Earth Star where he came from,
typically only boyfriends massaged girlfriends' feet.
For girlfriends to massage boyfriends' feet...
That usually indicated a sugar daddy arrangement rather than a romantic relationship.
"This disciple understands." Tears welled up in Li Qingran's eyes, "Master deceived me. Master never truly intended to be this disciple's boyfriend."
Chen Huaian felt utterly exasperated.
Attempting to stand was impossible with Li Qingran clinging to his foot.
Forcibly withdrawing his foot might hurt her.
Stuck half-reclined in his chair, he bent forward anxiously, "I never deceived anyone! I swear to heaven!"
As he raised four fingers to swear,
Li Qingran turned back, red-eyed and pouting, "Then... then Master, will you let this disciple massage your feet?"
"Yes!" Chen Huaian agreed immediately.
"Does Master prefer this disciple's massage or that female cultivator's—"
"Will Master seek other girls for foot massages in future?"
"No! I'll have men do it."
"So Master dislikes girls..."
"That's not it." Chen Huaian sighed, "From now on, only you. Only your massages please me. Anyone else tries and I'll kick them to death!"
Complete silence followed this declaration.
The Yaochi female disciple trembled against the cold wall.
Zhang Mengchu continued staring at the ceiling while subtly edging away.
The Lingxi Valley female disciple had fully withdrawn into her corner.
She seemed to have uncovered an inappropriate relationship between Sword Pavilion's Ancestral Master and his disciple.
Rumors said Sword Pavilion's Ancestral Master had eccentric tendencies...
Would she be silenced today?!
"Why are you all still here?" Chen Huaian glared darkly around the room, "I have my disciple for massages now. Don't you have duties? Out!"
"Ancestral Master, this junior's Wangzai milk needs cooling! I'll take my leave!"
Zhang Mengchu fled as if pardoned from execution.
The female cultivators from Yaochi and Lingxi Valley hastily retreated.
With everyone gone, the small room grew quiet.
A peculiar, intimate tension lingered in the silence.
Li Qingran, flushed, continued massaging without speaking.
Her earlier boldness had surprised even herself.
Though her heart had raced like a sprinting deer, her courage had magnified tenfold in the moment.
No words had felt too daring then.
Now alone with her master, embarrassment overwhelmed her.
She focused intently on the foot massage, treating Chen Huaian's feet like precious artifacts requiring meticulous care.
Chen Huaian, preoccupied with advanced spiritual energy module designs, failed to notice Li Qingran's state.
His sudden speech startled her.
"Yes! Master... what is it?"
Flushing deeper, she fluttered her lashes while kneading his foot, gaze darting uncertainly.
"I plan to establish sects in both Cangyun Realm and another world."
"Given my busy schedule and limited trustworthy individuals, I intend to entrust Cangyun Realm's sect to you, while Zhang Yibai will oversee the other world's sect."
"What?!" Li Qingran's eyes widened in shock.
"Master, you... you want me to lead a sect?!"
"Precisely!" Chen Huaian nodded gravely. "Minor worlds remain limited. Only sects rooted in major realms can harness celestial fortunes. Thus I shall establish our sect within Cangyun Realm."
"But... but Master shouldn't appoint me! This... this is improper!" Li Qingran waved her hands frantically.
"Nonsense! Pressure breeds motivation!"
Chen Huaian smiled, seizing the opportunity, "Aren't you Master's girlfriend? As your boyfriend, I must campaign abroad, leaving our stronghold in my girlfriend's care."
Truthfully, many could have qualified.
But Li Qingran's unique connection to his Electronic Girlfriend game system made her ideal.
As sect leader, she'd provide comprehensive oversight—
a living surveillance network.
What could be more perfect?
in his eyes, only Li Qingran deserved to stand by his side!