Jiang Tao couldn’t stop shooting nervous glances at Li Hua on their way back. She knew? Knew what? His mind raced, sifting through the possibilities. Did she know about the orchids? Or was it something else?

At least he was certain she would not tell Elder Ji if it was about the orchids. She wasn't the sort so what exactly did she want? She had told him for a reason, so what was it?

The questions were threatening to overwhelm him so he took a calming breath in and out. Slow cycling his qi to ground himself.

He would have to seek her out once they reached the sect and find out what she wanted.

Eventually, after 2 days the trees began to thin, revealing the familiar outline of the sect’s outer gates.

They passed through the gates in an orderly fashion, the senior disciples immediately splitting off toward their quarters. Elder Ji gave one last dismissive wave before vanishing toward the inner sect, leaving the remaining disciples to their own devices.

As the disciples began to disperse, Jiang Tao noticed Li Hua lingering at the edge of the group, her gaze briefly meeting his before she turned to leave.

Without hesitation, Tao followed her. As they reached a quiet, secluded garden near the outer disciple residences, Tao cleared his throat. “Li Hua.”

She stopped and turned, her expression unreadable. In the fading light of dusk, her features were softly illuminated, making her seem even more enigmatic.

“You said you knew,” Tao began cautiously. “Knew what, exactly?”

Li Hua raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by his directness. “I know about your… little discovery. The orchids, the ones you found yesterday.”

Jiang Tao’s heart skipped a beat. So she did know. His hands clenched involuntarily, though he forced them to relax a moment later. “I didn’t think anyone saw me.”

“I didn’t see you, exactly,” Li Hua corrected, stepping closer. “But the way you acted, the tension you couldn’t hide, it wasn’t hard to piece together. Elder Ji is a fool,” Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

Tao swallowed. “And what do you intend to do about it?”

For a long moment, Li Hua said nothing. The silence stretched, amplifying the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves above them. Then, finally, she spoke.

“The elixir or whatever you intend to use it for,” she said softly, her gaze sharp. “I want half.”

“Half?” he asked incredulously. “It’s one single plant, that's extortion.”

She gave him a flat stare. “Fine. Something else then,”

"Something else?" Tao repeated, wary of what she might ask for. "Like what?"

Li Hua studied him for a moment, her gaze steady and calculating. She stepped closer, her voice low and measured. “I don’t care about the orchids themselves, but I care about what you're willing to risk for them. I want you to owe me a favor, Jiang Tao. One that I can call in whenever I see fit."

He was starting to see her in a new light one that wasn't as friendly as before. He had thought they were at least friends but friends would not blackmail you. His naivety had cost him once again.

“If I don’t agree…?”

Then I might have to reconsider keeping your little secret,” she said, her tone calm but carrying an unmistakable edge. “Who knows what the elders might think about you having such a rare resource, an imperial disciple you may be but you’re a peasant with no clan backing.”

His eyes narrowed at that, “To think you were always so…” He trailed not voicing the thought.

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“Pragmatic?” she asked. “Don't take it personally, when there's an opportunity one must always pass like thunder and move like the wind. I simply saw an opening.”

He scoffed, “Whatever you say Lady Li,”

“So you agree?” she asked.

When he signed up for the expedition Tao never imagined it would lead to such a conclusion, being blackmailed by a beautiful girl in a garden.

Jiang Tao’s fists tightened at his sides. “What kind of favor are we talking about?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Li Hua’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Nothing to worry about now. It could be decades or centuries till I have to call it in but a favor, nothing that risks your life or the lives of your loved ones.”

Jiang Tao weighed the situation one more time before nodding. “Fine. I agree to your terms.”

“Swear it.”

“What?”

“Swear it upon the heavens themselves at the cost of your attainment,” she said cooly.

Jiang Tao stared at Li Hua, her demand catching him off guard. Swearing an oath upon the heavens was serious stuff—it would bind him to his agreement under celestial scrutiny and should he break it he would lose his cultivation.

He took a deep breath, centering himself. “Alright. At the cost of my attainment, I swear upon the heavens that I will fulfill your request when you call upon me.”

There was a profound silence, and then Tao knew his oath had been heard with utmost certainty. Heaven would ensure he kept his bargain.

Li Hua offered him a small, satisfied smile. “As a show of good faith, I will take an oath as well. I Li Hua of the Li Clan, swear upon the heavens to never utter a word of this shall I fail may my soul be annihilated,”

Her vow hung in the air like a weight, the gravity of the situation settling over them both. Tao felt a chill despite the warm breeze of the garden.

This chick is hardcore. Way too hardcore. He realized all his assumptions about her were wrong.

Li Hua’s eyes met his, he could now see she wasn't normal at all, she was a total shark. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to return to my quarters. I have a lot to plan for, and I’m sure you do as well.”

As Li Hua walked away, her posture was calm and collected, as though she hadn’t just blackmailed him.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered for the first time after reincarnating.

He felt his insides turn green with regret. This orchid better be worth it.

His mind replayed the conversation, analyzing every nuance of Li Hua's words and the implications of his agreement. He had hoped for a straightforward path when he tested for the celestial Illumination sect, but instead, he was entangled in a web of complexity.

“The heavens are not kind.” He sighed.

Tao turned and started walking back toward the dormitories, the garden’s serenity starkly contrasting his troubled thoughts. The implications of Li Hua’s maneuvering were far-reaching.

As he walked, he couldn’t help but think about the True Yin Phantom Orchid. It was rare and valuable, but its worth seemed to diminish under the shadow of her demands.

Still, he had to remind himself of his original goal—surviving and finding a way to make a name for himself in this world. The orchid was a means to that end.

Entering the dormitory, the other disciples paid him no mind continuing what they were doing without a single glance at him. He could see Yu Hongyi had made it ahead of him and he still looked sulky.

“Brother Tao! You’re back?” Yixing was the exception as always.

Jiang Tao zeroed in on the spot they occupied and let himself fall face-first on the creaky bed in a heap.

“Brother Tao, are you okay?” Zhou Yixing’s voice broke through his reverie, filled with concern. Tao turned his head slightly to see Yixing leaning over the edge of his bed, his brows knitted together.

“I was outplayed…” He sighed

“Outplayed? How and by whom?” Yixing asked.

“Li Hua,” He said with another dramatic sigh. “On how? I can't say.”

Tao knew the entire dormitory was eavesdropping even though they all appeared to be occupied with their own matters. That's all you're getting.

“At least it was by a legendary beauty like Li Hua, there’s no shame in that,” Yixing said trying to find a positive. Jiang Tao let out a groan at Yixing’s attempt to lighten the mood.

“I guess that’s one way to look at it,” he mumbled, though his expression was anything but cheerful.

“Where’s Zhang Yuhan?” He asked finally noticing the prince’s absence.

Zhou Yixing glanced around, his expression thoughtful. “Ah, Brother Yuhan. He’s been a bit preoccupied lately. I think he’s out on one of his solitary training sessions.”

Tao nodded, he would have to do some of that himself. To take his mind off things. Yixing’s saber appeared in his hands as he withdrew it from his storage ring.

His friend wordlessly took it back, sensing that Tao wasn’t in the mood for conversation, and decided to give him some space.

He moved back to his bed, casting a few glances towards Tao but not pressing further.