Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Yun Jin considered that if the distance was still too far, she would simply move closer.

Fortunately, the range was sufficient. Ye Cheng was busy working in a nearby spirit field, and after spending a few Simplification Points, the system successfully scanned his information.

[Ye Cheng: Late-stage Golden Core. Triple Spirit Root (Metal, Wood, Earth). Three-star Planting Master. Planting Techniques: Minor Cloud-Rain Art, Insect-Repelling Finger, Earth-Control Art.]

Yun Jin's brow twitched slightly.

This Ye Cheng seemed like he was born to be a planter. His entire profile was filled with nothing but planting techniques, not a single combat art in sight.

Even his spiritual roots were the most suitable types for a planting cultivator.

What could she even say about someone like this?

He was practically heaven's chosen in the art of cultivation farming.

Aside from his basic info, the system had also flagged a problematic jade pendant.

[Defensive Jade Pendant: Activates an automatic barrier upon receiving a fatal attack, nullifying all damage from attacks below Nascent Soul stage. (Status: Poisoned.)]

Yun Jin tapped into the "poisoned" status to see the detailed description.

[Infused with saliva from the Frostmoon Venom Spider. This is a potent toxin. Over prolonged exposure, the wearer will experience fatigue, followed by persistent drowsiness and loss of strength, eventually leading to paralysis and quiet death. The full progression typically takes one month. However, strong emotional fluctuations in the victim will accelerate the process. (Use 20 simplification counts to remove poison and revert pendant to base form.)]

Frostmoon Venom Spider saliva.

Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. Zhao Wujie wanted Ye Cheng dead, but he didn't want to take the blame. So, he chose a more roundabout method.

If Ye Cheng suddenly died a month later, suspicions might arise. But compared to an instant death, the accusations would be far less direct.

How ruthless.

Ye Cheng was a disciple of Ma Hongyu, and both master and disciple had devoted years of diligent service to the sect's spirit fields.

And now, just because Ye Cheng lost a single competition, Zhao Wuji wanted him dead?

While Yun Jin reviewed the information, Gu Jinghong stood silently beside her.

She smirked. "Let's go in."

If emotional turmoil could speed up the poisoning… then she'd just have to trigger it early.

She strode into the spirit fields.

Immediately, the cultivators working there panicked.

"Yun Jin?! What is she doing here?!"

"Is she here to cause trouble?! Help!"

"She's heading straight for Senior Brother Ye Cheng! How does she even know where he is?!"

"Never mind that—someone get Master Ma, quick!"

A few quick-witted disciples rushed off to find Ma Hongyu, while the rest defensively shielded Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng, who had been peacefully watering the plants with his Minor Cloud-Rain Art, blinked in confusion as his juniors suddenly formed a human wall in front of him.

Then he saw Yun Jin strolling toward him.

His pupils constricted slightly.

With her hands behind her back, Yun Jin walked with an air of arrogance and disdain. The very picture of a villainess.

Behind her, Gu Jinghong stood docile and quiet—just like a well-trained lackey.

"Ye Cheng," Yun Jin called, raising an eyebrow and breaking into a wicked grin, "how does it feel to be crushed under this young lady's foot?"

Gu Jinghong blinked, surprised by her sudden shift in demeanor, but quickly lowered his gaze again.

His master's thoughts were not his to question.

Still, Gu Jinghong mentally chastised himself. For one brief moment, he had dared to doubt her. That was unacceptable. He clearly needed to continue cultivating his loyalty.

Yun Jin's arrogant posture set everyone on edge. Even though Ye Cheng had said nothing, the disciples in front of him were already furious.

"Yun Jin, don't push your luck!"

"My senior brother has done nothing to wrong you. You already won the duel, and now you've come here just to humiliate him?"

"This is beneath you!"

"Get out of here! You're not welcome!"

A wave of angry stares locked onto Yun Jin.

She glanced at her status panel and was instantly stunned.

A surge in Emotional Value?

She might have just discovered a new way to farm points.

And these fiery emotions... they were more profitable than she expected.

Maybe she really should consider switching careers—becoming a professional villainess.

With that thought, Yun Jin let out a devilish chuckle and twisted her lips into a sneer. "A bunch of losers barking at me? You, you, and you—every last one of you. And that oh-so-precious senior brother you're all protecting... in my eyes, you're all garbage. Utter trash!"

She jabbed her finger at them one by one as she spoke. Her mocking laughter, exaggerated and theatrical, only stirred the crowd further. Emotions soared. Sleeves were already being rolled up, fists clenched, as if they were moments away from launching an all-out brawl.

Ye Cheng frowned slightly.

He had once admired Yun Jin and had hoped to exchange planting techniques with her.

But now?

Her temperament was clearly flawed.

"Junior brothers and sisters," he said calmly. "Stay composed. The spirit fields are full of delicate plants—we cannot resort to violence here."

While everyone else was fuming, Ye Cheng remained unshaken.

Curious, Yun Jin checked how much Emotional Value Ye Cheng had provided her so far—including the day of the competition.

The total?

A pitiful 100 points.

Yun Jin was baffled.

What kind of person was this?

Did he have no emotions at all?

Was there nothing in this world that could rattle him?

"Senior Brother, even now, all you care about is the spirit plants?"

"Yun Jin has gone too far!"

"I know she's a sword genius, but if we all gang up on her, we might be able to force her to drain her spiritual energy and take her down with us!"

Yun Jin nearly choked.

These were the most pathetic fighting words she had ever heard.

If these disciples had an Emotional Value system like hers, she'd probably be their top contributor.

Most of them were at Foundation Establishment, a few at Golden Core—yet their grand plan was to "maybe die together" with her?

What a bunch of cowards!

"Fighting and killing disrupts the peaceful mindset needed to communicate with plants," Ye Cheng said serenely. "Let her provoke us. It's not like she'll actually kill us."

Yun Jin: "???"

Strangely, his logic seemed to calm the others.

"Go back to your tasks. Ignore her," Ye Cheng instructed.

Reluctantly, the disciples dispersed, still shooting Yun Jin dirty looks.

Ye Cheng resumed his Minor Cloud-Rain Art, paying her no further attention.

Yun Jin smirked.

With a wave of her hand, she summoned her own rain cloud—right next to his.

Ye Cheng paused, but his expression didn't change. He simply continued working.

"Hmm, these look like Moonwhisper Grass. They need water, but too much will drown them." Yun Jin's voice turned sinister. "What do you think will happen… if I suddenly flood them?"

She let out a villainous cackle.

For the first time, Ye Cheng's composure cracked.

His face paled. "Y-You… you can't do that."

Yun Jin stepped forward, her laughter growing more menacing.

"And what if… I insist on doing it?"