Lu Xian’er’s eyes lit up, her expression full of anticipation. “Please, tell me—what condition?”
“I want three entry slots.”
The moment she heard the condition, Lu Xian’er instantly understood. It seemed this man also planned to enter the Empress Chiyuan’s secret realm.
“Alright, I agree to that condition.” In her mind, Lu Xian’er had further calculations. After all, if Lin Yun entered the secret realm alongside Joyous Harmony Valley, then in a way, he’d be considered an ally.
“Since you’ve agreed, that just leaves the price…” Lin Yun thought for a moment, then smiled and held up two fingers. “This price—how does it sound to you?”
In his mind, for such a precious treasure, 2 million black crystals was already a bargain.
“This price…” Lu Xian’er hesitated, clearly conflicted. Seeing her reaction, Lin Yun frowned. Surely she didn’t think he meant more than that?
But then, remembering he had already earned 900,000 black crystals from her earlier, he wondered if he should offer a discount.
Before he could say anything, Lu Xian’er spoke seriously, “20 million is too much. Right now, our Joyous Harmony Valley can at most give you 10 million black crystals.”
“Eh? 10 million?” Lin Yun was stunned this time. So she misunderstood his gesture?!
Lu Xian’er continued, “If you’re willing to lower your demand, I can personally agree to fulfill three requests in the future as compensation.”
Lin Yun gave a small cough. Clearly, he had underestimated the weight a top Eastern Continent power carried.
Feigning calm, Lin Yun nodded. “Alright, since it’s Miss Lu asking, let’s call it a deal.”
Lu Xian’er breathed a sigh of relief and immediately clasped her fists respectfully, “Many thanks, Director Lin. I’m sincerely grateful!”
Though the price was steep, securing this treasure for Joyous Harmony Valley meant she had fulfilled her mission. She even felt that this Director Lin was rather easy to talk to. If she had pushed harder, maybe he’d have agreed for 7 or 8 million, but it wasn’t necessary.
In the end, the deal was successfully and pleasantly concluded.
Soon after, Lu Xian’er handed over a golden crystal card to Lin Yun. “This crystal card contains 1.2 million black crystals. It can be used at any merchant association across the Eastern Continent. The remaining amount will be delivered to you personally in a few days.”
Lin Yun held back his excitement as he accepted the card and smiled, “Then I’ll wish us a successful collaboration in advance.”
“Yes, it surely will be!” Lu Xian’er smiled and extended her hand. Lin Yun was momentarily surprised, then reached out and shook it.
“See you in a few days.”
After that, Lu Xian’er prepared to leave. After all, she’d been unconscious for a while, and her companions were still in the city. If she didn’t find them soon, they’d surely be worried. Besides, she needed to report this transaction to the valley and start preparing the black crystals.
Even for Joyous Harmony Valley, 10 million black crystals was no small amount.
Just before she left, Lu Xian’er took out a veil from her ring and put it on. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she turned and asked Lin Yun, “By the way, about the veil I had on before…”
“Huh? You took it off for me?” Lu Xian’er froze.
“Yeah, is there a problem?” Lin Yun looked at her in confusion.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks. She bit her lip slightly and said, “N-no problem…”
Her reaction made Lin Yun even more puzzled. But then Lu Xian’er interrupted his thoughts.
“By the way, Director Lin, if you have time, feel free to visit Joyous Harmony Valley sometime.”
“Of course, I’m quite interested in your sect.”
“That’s great. When the time comes, we’ll make sure to give you a warm welcome!”
“Sounds good to me…”
Seeing the two of them getting along more and more, Bai Xiaoxue, who stood to the side, looked extremely displeased.
But before their conversation could go much further, Lu Xian’er turned to her and said, “Xiaoxue, why don’t you walk me out? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about alone.”
Bai Xiaoxue glanced at Lin Yun. He nodded and smiled, “Go ahead. I won’t walk you out then.”
“Alright…”
The two women then left the room, leaving Lin Yun alone with Qing Yue.
Looking at the scroll in his hand, Lin Yun said with emotion, “I never expected that such a small item could fetch over 10 million black crystals.”
Qing Yue chuckled and said, “After all, it’s been many years since the continent has seen someone reach the Heavenly Emperor Realm. If one truly obtained the Empress Chiyuan’s inheritance, they could become the strongest on the continent. Even a random ancient treasure from that realm would be worth tens of millions of black crystals.”
But Lin Yun looked at the scroll in his hand, the text on it so complex and obscure it looked more like alien script.
“What I’m more curious about is—who the hell has the ability to decipher this mess?”
“Director, that’s ancient script.”
“Is there a difference?” Lin Yun shook his head. “I think only the person who wrote it could actually understand it.”
“Maybe it was some great expert in ancient linguistics who deciphered it.”
Qing Yue pondered. Back when she was in Heavenly Demon Palace, she had only heard of this treasure in passing.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she said seriously, “By the way, Director, I think you should be cautious of that Lu Xian’er.”
“I think…” Qing Yue paused for a long time before saying, “She might be eyeing your body. Or rather—she’s into you!”
“Huh? That’s impossible, right?”
“You said you took her veil off, and she didn’t get angry?”
“Uh… does that mean anything?”
“Of course it does. For female cultivators of Joyous Harmony Valley, their veil carries special meaning. Normally, only their dao companion or husband is allowed to remove it.”
“…???”
Lin Yun was completely stunned. “Why didn’t you tell me something so important earlier?”
Qing Yue raised her little hands innocently. “You didn’t ask. I thought you were just taking advantage of her, how was I supposed to know you didn’t know?”
Lin Yun’s mouth twitched. No wonder she’d looked at him so strangely earlier…
“Damn it… this is a huge misunderstanding…”
Out on the street near the orphanage, Bai Xiaoxue walked with Lu Xian’er. Their conversation was light and casual, not particularly deep.
Just as they were about to part, Lu Xian’er suddenly asked, “Xiaoxue, can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“How old is your Director?”
“I’m not exactly sure, but he should be quite young.”
After all, his mannerisms and personality were nothing like those stiff old geezers…
Lu Xian’er nodded and continued, “Then… does he have a dao companion?”
“That, I don’t think so.”
As she answered honestly, she saw Lu Xian’er breathe a visible sigh of relief and mutter, “That’s good… very good…”
At once, Bai Xiaoxue’s alert radar went off. Her brow furrowed tightly.
Wait a second, what’s this woman asking all these things for?
Could it be—she plans to compete with her for the Director?!