Chapter 44

Gu Fan's face was icy cold, as if devoid of any emotion.

But inside, he was enduring a fire that was almost out of control.

Cheng Shumeng stood naked before him; such a scene, such a view, was this not a matter of life and death?

And yet, Gu Fan could not show any hint of abnormality. This test of ice and fire almost made Gu Fan suffer internal injuries.

Cheng Shumeng, on the other hand, was trembling all over.

It wasn't because she was being honest before Gu Fan, but out of fear that Gu Fan would fly into a rage...

This wasn't to say that Cheng Shumeng had any issues with her morals. After feeling the sensation of being controlled in her soul, Cheng Shumeng became self-aware. Before Gu Fan, she could have no secrets, and she could not find another man to accompany her!

Everything would eventually belong to Gu Fan!

Since that was the case, being honest before Gu Fan was nothing.

The most critical part was the speculation Gu Fan mentioned. If Gu Fan truly believed that Cheng Shumeng was trying to take his life, Cheng Shumeng could imagine how angry Gu Fan would be.

"Master, I, I really didn't have such intentions!" In the silence, Cheng Shumeng could no longer bear the pressure, and tears streamed down her face.

"Put on some clothes and come see me!" Gu Fan said calmly, then sat on the sofa.

To shift his gaze away from this scene was truly difficult, requiring great willpower.

But Gu Fan managed to do it.

After all, Gu Fan's heart was more inclined towards the Dao. Matters of men and women were just instincts, and instincts were not enough to make Gu Fan lose control.

Cheng Shumeng felt as if a great burden had been lifted, and she quickly ran into the room.

Soon, she came out wearing a nightgown, timidly walking to Gu Fan and making a gesture to kneel down.

"No need, sit down over there!" Gu Fan said calmly.

Cheng Shumeng obediently sat on the sofa, not daring to sit on the same one as Gu Fan.

"Master, I..." Cheng Shumeng spoke softly.

"No need to explain, I know you didn't have such intentions! Best if you never do!" Gu Fan said calmly, his tone frighteningly serene.

"It won't happen, I will never have such thoughts!" Cheng Shumeng quickly assured him.

"Remember, your devouring ability is very dangerous, but I can help you grow and provide you with protection. Although you have lost some freedom, I don't have many demands. So, from now on, keep your little thoughts to yourself!" Gu Fan said coldly.

"Yes!" Cheng Shumeng sat up straight, looking serious.

However, with her wearing a nightgown that couldn't completely hide her curves, her serious expression seemed out of place...

"Just be yourself!" Gu Fan said helplessly, his icy expression finally breaking.

Cheng Shumeng instantly felt the pressure lessen, the oppressive feeling that made her feel like she couldn't even breathe deeply finally disappeared.

"Master!" Cheng Shumeng relaxed slightly, recovering her somewhat serious yet seductive demeanor.

"I, I am not a promiscuous woman. I have used my appearance to create opportunities for myself, but I have always been very clean. I have never let a man touch me..." Cheng Shumeng had to explain clearly, not wanting Gu Fan to think she was a loose woman.

"Can your chastity be hidden from my eyes?" Gu Fan smiled faintly.

Although Gu Fan had not yet entered the Foundation Establishment stage and had not developed divine consciousness, as a cultivator, the various acute senses brought by the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation were far beyond what martial artists or ability users could compare to.

"Master is wise!" Cheng Shumeng flattered Gu Fan slightly.

"I don't have any special feelings for you. I just want to cultivate you. Whether you can help me when you become stronger... I can't say. I just don't want to see such a rare and precious devouring ability appear and then disappear from the world." Gu Fan smiled slightly and said, "So, don't make unnecessary moves!"

"Master, you, you don't like me?" Seeing Gu Fan's attitude soften, Cheng Shumeng mustered the courage to ask softly.

Seductress! Can you not ask such questions?

"It's not about liking. How long have we known each other? Don't overthink it!" Gu Fan said decisively. Cheng Shumeng's thoughts were a bit dangerous. This young man was indeed attractive to women, but her straightforwardness was a bit much.

Cheng Shumeng understood Gu Fan's meaning.

First, all men are the same at heart. Second, Gu Fan absolutely would not allow her to have any intimate contact with other men. Third, Gu Fan didn't mind some temptation.

A woman's heart is intricate, especially when everything was tied to Gu Fan.

"Master, I feel something is off. Before, I would only feel the urge to devour every two or three months. But now, after just two days, the urge is back, and it's very strong, much stronger than before. Why is this?" Cheng Shumeng focused her thoughts, having a long-term plan in mind, and brought the conversation back on track.

"Don't worry about it, this is a good thing. It means you are controlling and integrating your devouring ability faster. The shorter the interval, the faster your progress will be! Before, it took you a long time to digest after absorbing, but now, that time has shortened!" Gu Fan said with a smile.

The Immortal Medical Sect had many records about martial arts and abilities. Gu Fan was well aware of the characteristics of the devouring ability.

This was the importance of inheritance.

For example, Cheng Shumeng, a wild practitioner, not absorbed by any organization, had only a superficial understanding of her ability. When faced with situations she couldn't understand, she would panic and lose direction.

"This means I'm getting stronger faster?" Cheng Shumeng asked happily. "When can I help you, Master?"

"Below the tenth level, you can't escape the devouring instinct. Only at the tenth level can you fully control it and not be influenced by the instinct. So, when you reach the tenth level, you can help me!" Gu Fan said with a smile.

A tenth-level ability user is equivalent to a martial artist at the innate stage, corresponding to the Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation.

The Qi Cultivation stage in cultivation, the Human, Earth, and Heaven stages in martial arts, and the first to ninth levels of abilities all correspond to each other. The systems are different, but there is a comparable standard in the hierarchy.

"What level am I now?" Cheng Shumeng wasn't very clear about her own level, as she had never been tested.

Actually, even Gu Fan wasn't very clear. Ability level testing requires specialized equipment.

"Probably between the fifth and sixth levels!" However, based on the strength of the ability, Gu Fan could estimate a rough range, though not as precise as professional testing equipment.

"The higher the level, the harder it is to advance. What if the interval shortens to one day in the future?" Cheng Shumeng said worriedly.

She couldn't control Gu Fan's freedom. If Gu Fan had something come up and couldn't return in time, Cheng Shumeng was very worried that her ability would consume her until only bones remained!

Gu Fan frowned.

This was indeed a problem.

Although the records of the devouring ability didn't mention such a short interval, Cheng Shumeng's situation was different. She was consuming the spiritual energy of cultivators, which already deviated from the only recorded instance in history.

Moreover, this spiritual energy was from the Immortal Medical Sect, cultivated through the Life Revival Technique, which was different from ordinary spiritual energy.

In this case, Cheng Shumeng's situation was already different from the historical devouring ability user and could no longer be used as a detailed reference.

Given this, it was not impossible for the interval to shorten further in the next two days.

If that happened, and Gu Fan had to go find Huang Lele and couldn't return in time... Cheng Shumeng would be in danger.

If Cheng Shumeng couldn't resist and sought other energy sources, the consequences would be dire!

"Can you take leave?" Gu Fan asked. The historical devouring ability user could no longer be used as a detailed reference, but the general direction was still useful. For example, as long as the devouring instinct remained, progress would continue. The historical devouring ability user became a tenth-level ability user in just one year. So, if Gu Fan fed Cheng Shumeng's devouring ability, it was entirely possible to cultivate her to the tenth level in a short time.

This required Cheng Shumeng to stay close to Gu Fan.

"Master, that bridal shop is mine!" Cheng Shumeng said with a light laugh.

"Yours?" Gu Fan was surprised. Cheng Shumeng was quite young, only twenty-four, right?

"Yes, I started working when I was eighteen. I'm an orphan, raised in an orphanage..." Cheng Shumeng said softly.

"You seem quite capable. Do you want to develop in business?" Gu Fan asked.

"Originally, I wanted to become a tycoon. Because... in the orphanage, I suffered a lot from not having money." Cheng Shumeng said, "If those rich people could care more about orphans, it would have a tremendous impact on their growth. Unfortunately, very few are willing to help. I still remember the old director begging rich people for help. I will never forget that! So, I want to become rich and help orphans like me as much as possible!"

Gu Fan was deeply moved!

Being an orphan, she didn't feel inferior or give up, but instead worked hard to learn skills, earn money, and help more orphans. This was called remembering one's roots! This was called having a great heart!

"Work hard on your cultivation, read more books on economics, management, and medicine. When you reach the tenth level, I'll give you a business empire!" Gu Fan said solemnly.