“No problem, I’ll give it to you later,” Lu Xian’er agreed readily, making Lin Yun’s heart sink. Crap, I asked too little!
But since he had already named the price, even he couldn’t shamelessly raise it now.
At that moment, Lu Xian’er looked him up and down and asked, “By the way, I am Lu Xian’er, Young Valley Mistress of Joyous Harmony Valley. May I ask your name?”
Lin Yun smiled calmly. “Just call me Lin Yun.”
Hearing that, Lu Xian’er searched her memory but couldn’t recall any powerful senior or renowned healer by that name. “I heard you’re the director of this orphanage?”
“That’s right. I’m just trying to do a little good in the world.”
“I see. Young Master Lin is truly noble.” Lu Xian’er nodded approvingly, feeling a bit more favorably toward him.
She then remembered Bai Xiaoxue and couldn’t help but ask, “So, that Xiaoxue girl’s swordsmanship—was she trained by you?”
“I merely gave her a sword technique. Everything else she figured out on her own.”
“How is that possible? Given her age, how long could she have even been training?”
“Maybe… that’s just what a genius is,” Lin Yun said with a smile, looking at Lu Xian’er. “Just like you.”
Lu Xian’er shook her head. “If she really figured it out on her own, I might not be able to compare to her.”
To achieve such accomplishments at that age through self-study—she was practically a monster!
After a brief pause, Lu Xian’er cautiously asked, “But since she’s so talented, would you consider letting her join our Joyous Harmony Valley?”
Honestly, she didn’t hold much hope. No one would willingly hand over such a gifted disciple.
To her surprise, Lin Yun chuckled lightly. “I don’t mind either way. It just depends on whether Xiaoxue wants to or not.”
At that moment, light footsteps approached from outside.
“Director! I’ve finally mastered sword intent completely!”
Bai Xiaoxue’s joyful voice came from the doorway. She pushed the door open, bouncing in with delight.
“Director? Did you just mention my name?” She ran up to Lin Yun and leaned close like a kitten seeking affection from its owner.
Lin Yun smiled and patted her head. “Perfect timing—we were just talking about you. Lu Xian’er, the lady you brought back, is awake now.”
Lu Xian’er smiled when she saw her. “Little sister, thank you for saving my life earlier!”
Bai Xiaoxue waved her hand. “It’s nothing. I should be thanking you for showing me your sword intent! Without that battle, I might’ve taken much longer to comprehend it!”
“By the way, little sister, have you given any thought to what I mentioned last time?” Lu Xian’er looked at her with anticipation. “As long as you join us, I’ll personally guarantee with my position that the valley will devote all its resources to you. You’re destined to become a better sword cultivator than I am!”
But Bai Xiaoxue simply shook her head. “Sorry, I still want to stay here. The Director gave me everything—I have to repay him first!”
Hearing this, Lin Yun smiled. “Xiaoxue, what I hope for most is that you follow your heart and make a choice you won’t regret.”
“Follow my heart?” Bai Xiaoxue paused, then thought seriously and declared, “Then I definitely don’t want to go!”
“What… why not?” Lu Xian’er couldn’t understand. She believed the offer she made was already beyond generous.
Bai Xiaoxue pouted. “Because if I join, I’ll have to pick a partner for dual cultivation, right?”
“Well… yes. Most of Joyous Harmony Valley’s secret techniques are rooted in dual cultivation…”
Even someone like her, with a unique physique, would eventually need dual cultivation to reach higher realms. Bai Xiaoxue, if she joined, would naturally have to do it sooner than later.
“Then I don’t want to dual cultivate with anyone.”
“I see… alright then.” Lu Xian’er sighed. If Bai Xiaoxue truly rejected dual cultivation, then she indeed wasn’t suited for Joyous Harmony Valley.
Bai Xiaoxue smiled and said, “Sorry. But I appreciate your kind offer, senior.”
“It’s fine. Whether you join or not is your choice.” Lu Xian’er smiled softly. “In the end, I really do have to thank you for saving my life.”
Bai Xiaoxue nodded happily, then reached out her small hand.
Seeing this, Lu Xian’er extended her hand to shake it. But then Bai Xiaoxue asked curiously, “Senior, this is…?”
“Isn’t this a handshake?”
“Nope.”
“Then this is…?”
Lu Xian’er paused mid-sentence. For some reason, this felt strangely familiar.
Sure enough, Bai Xiaoxue rubbed her fingers together playfully and grinned. “Didn’t you say there’d be a big reward for helping you, senior?”
“That’s true. What do you want?”
“How about fiv—hm, sixty thousand black crystals?”
“…”
Lu Xian’er’s expression turned strange as she glanced at Lin Yun.
Lin Yun coughed and quickly shook his head. “Of course not. I swear!”
“Heh…” Lu Xian’er didn’t look convinced.
Bai Xiaoxue tilted her head, looking adorably puzzled.
In the end, Lu Xian’er still nodded. “Alright, I’ll pay the black crystals.”
“Yay! Thank you, senior!”
“Sixty thousand black crystals for my life—not a bad deal.”
“Technically, it’s ninety thousand,” Qing Yue muttered from the side, making Lu Xian’er wince.
For her, ninety thousand black crystals was nearly all the wealth she’d saved over the years. But since she’d already agreed, she had to act generous—otherwise, what was the point?
“Even if it’s ninety thousand, it was worth it.”
After all, Joyous Harmony Valley had invested well over a million in her over the years.
“By the way, there’s something else I wanted to ask…” Lu Xian’er looked at Bai Xiaoxue and asked tentatively, “That black box the demonic cultivator had…”
“You mean this?” Lin Yun pulled out the black box from his robe—the very same one taken from Yan Bei.
The box was made from a special material and reinforced with powerful seals, offering near-impenetrable protection.
When Lu Xian’er saw the box, a fiery glint appeared in her eyes. “Yes, that’s the one!”
She nodded and took a deep breath. “The item inside is something our Joyous Harmony Valley desperately needs. Would Young Master Lin be willing to name a price and sell it to us?”
“I’ve heard the box contains the rumored treasure that can grant someone a chance to become an Emperor.”
“That’s true, but the chance is slim.”
“Whether it’s slim or not, I’d still like to see what’s inside first.”
Lin Yun smiled. He was also very curious about the treasure inside.
Lu Xian’er warned, “Young Master Lin, there’s a seal on the box. Even Dao Condensation Realm cultivators would struggle to break it open.”
“Really? That strong?” Lin Yun was surprised. Then he casually squeezed the box in his hand—crack! A sound like shattering glass rang out.
He smiled at Lu Xian’er. “Done. It’s open.”