’What?’

’That damn woman... besides Healing, she also awakened Purification? She actually awakened two incredibly rare and valuable Superpowers? How is that possible?’

’And she said we don’t have to hand over Star Coins anymore, and she won’t take any unexpected spoils from our missions? Is she really that kind? It has to be a lie, right???’

It wasn’t just him; a flash of astonishment also crossed the eyes of Jun Yao, Fu Yuan, and Ming Ye.

"You all know that Purification Masters and Healing Masters are in high demand for mission teams. They usually get the largest share of the pay. I have both of these abilities, so I could easily find another team, even if I demanded a double share."

"So, splitting things evenly with you is by no means me taking advantage. The three of you should think it over. If you want to team up, come find me."

Ignoring Si Xie, Jiang Yunnuan’s gaze fell upon the other three men.

’If it weren’t for that damned life-sustaining restriction that forces me to stay by their side, making me little more than an accessory, I would’ve found another team to work with long ago. Why would I be wasting my breath on them?’

"If you cook, I’ll team up with you. I’ll even give you all my Star Coins."

Ming Ye was the first to speak up as soon as she finished.

Jiang Yunnuan was speechless.

She looked at the coldly handsome man. ’I never would have guessed,’ she thought. ’This ice-cold snake-man is actually a foodie.’

Before she could respond, she heard Fu Yuan’s slightly uncomfortable voice.

"Ahem, count me in."

"Me too!"

Jun Yao added coolly.

At this, Jiang Yunnuan paused, belatedly recalling the bizarre fact that her cooking could enhance their Cultivation.

She had initially thought her own Superpower leveling up was a coincidence, but after eating her food, those three had also successfully advanced one after another.

It was clear that her cooking could indeed enhance a person’s Cultivation.

’They must have realized the reason too, but since none of them pressed me for an explanation, they were tactful enough to be good partners to cooperate with.’

"Deal. I can cook for you, but on one condition: you have to listen to me."

Snapping out of her daze, Jiang Yunnuan watched them with a grin, her mind already running through the calculations.

’It’s just cooking. What’s the big deal?’

’Besides, I love good food myself. If a few meals are all it takes to buy the loyalty of four obedient workhorses, that’s a fantastic deal. What boss doesn’t feed their employees?’

’What?’

’We get to eat just by obeying her?’

Si Xie’s eyes widened in instant regret. But then, a thought seemed to strike him. He narrowed his eyes at the other three and spoke, his voice low and heavy.

"I urge you to reconsider. A warrior can be killed, but not humiliated. What if this damn woman goes back to her old ways—lording it over you, trampling on your dignity and honor, even trying to dig out your inner cores? Are you still going to obey then?"

Hearing his inflammatory words, Jiang Yunnuan’s face darkened with fury.

’We were so close to a friendly agreement, but this guy just had to jump in and throw a wrench in the works, making everything ten times harder. What a detestable pot-stirrer!’

Left with no choice, she had to raise her hand and make a promise.

"Ahem, I promise I will never insult your dignity or honor again, nor will I have any designs on your inner cores. When I say ’listen to me,’ I mean in the context of a normal relationship between a Contract Master and her Contractors. It will be completely reasonable."

"Alright!"

After a moment’s hesitation, the three men nodded in agreement. Si Xie instantly panicked.

"Are you serious? You’re falling for that damn woman’s nonsense so easily? Are the three of you that gullible?"

The other three cast him an indifferent glance but didn’t bother to respond.

Jiang Yunnuan, however, looked at him smugly. "I’m not lying to them, you know. They believe me because they’re smart. Unlike you—you’re just stupid and stubborn!"

"You—! Say that again if you dare, you damn woman!"

Seeing how furious and flustered he was, Jiang Yunnuan’s mood soared. She adopted a deliberately high-pitched, provocative tone.

"So what if I say it again? I’ll say it ten times, a hundred times! What are you going to do about it? I have three personal bodyguards. Can you take on all three of them?"

Forget three—he was powerless against even one of them.

Si Xie was speechless.

’Dammit! That cursed woman, and those three bastards are just as bad!’

’He was so pissed off he could just die.’

"Oh, I almost forgot. I still have something important to do. You all should get some sleep. I’m heading out for a bit."

A system prompt sounded in her mind, and only then did Jiang Yunnuan remember she hadn’t done her daily check-in task.

She had been up early cooking, and after just a few bites, her Superpower had started to break through. She had only just woken up from that, and then she’d gotten caught up in bickering with them, completely forgetting about the check-in task.

Thankfully, she had set a task reminder beforehand; otherwise, she would have had to do a random challenge to make up for the missed check-in.

After tapping the check-in button, the system indicated the location was outside, so she turned and hurried out the door.

Watching her leave, the men all wore different expressions. Si Xie, however, was gritting his teeth, so choked with suppressed fury he felt like he might die from the discomfort.

’It’s so late. What is that damn woman running outside to do now?’

Recalling how she’d climbed onto the roof in the middle of the night, a strange look crossed his face. ’That damn woman is definitely not normal.’

He started to follow her out, but a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He turned his head and saw it was Jun Yao.

His expression turned thunderous. "What are you holding me for? Let go!" he snapped.

’What the hell is wrong with this guy?’

"You’re too hostile. Stay away from her for now."

Si Xie let out a cold laugh, his eyes narrowing mockingly. "What, are you really planning to be her lapdog?"

Jun Yao’s gaze turned instantly glacial. "If you don’t know how to talk," he warned, "then shut your mouth."

"Was I wrong? Have you already forgotten how that woman used to treat you?!"

’It’s only been a few days, and this guy has already been completely bought over,’ Si Xie thought with utter contempt.

Jun Yao couldn’t be bothered to respond.

He grabbed Si Xie by the shoulder and threw him onto the sofa.

There was an insurmountable gulf between the Regression Stage and the Beast Transformation Stage. Although they appeared to be only a single rank apart, in Jun Yao’s hands, Si Xie was completely powerless to resist.

「Half an hour later.」

When Jiang Yunnuan returned from her check-in, she found the atmosphere between the men exceptionally strange.

She looked at them curiously. "Why aren’t you guys asleep yet?"

The atmosphere was odd, too, with a tension she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

None of them answered. Even the normally sharp-tongued Si Xie was uncharacteristically silent. Not bothering with them, Jiang Yunnuan turned and headed upstairs.

’Now that the check-in task is done, I have more Points and rewards. I should go back to my room to research recipes and the farm.’

’Since good food can enhance Cultivation, I’ll need to put more effort into it from now on.’

However, just as she reached the stairs, that familiar electronic voice sounded in her mind.

[Ding! A random task has been triggered. The host must successfully enter Ming Ye’s room and spend the entire night sleeping in the same bed with him.]

Jiang Yunnuan: "???"