“Sir, can you truly cure my head illness?”
“As long as it can ease my symptoms, I’m willing to pay any price.”
Gu Luoqing’s head was splitting with pain. She directly knelt behind Shen Lian’s back.
For a cultivator of the Primordial Unity Realm, such an act was rare and humbling. But if there was even the slightest hope of curing this tormenting illness, she no longer cared about pride.
For her, this past century had been like living in hell.
Not only had her cultivation halted, but due to her condition, the Longevity Chamber of Commerce had gradually lost ground to the rising World Auction Chamber.
If not for the intense hatred she held toward Su Yuheng surpassing her mental limits, she might’ve ended her life long ago.
Shen Lian gently waved his folded fan as Gu Luoqing finished speaking.
A breath of life essence followed the movement of the iron fan, transforming into specks of green Spiritual Light that entered Gu Luoqing’s body.
“Mm…”
In just a moment, Gu Luoqing felt a refreshing coolness sweep through her mind, instantly easing her headache.
Ten breaths later, the pain vanished completely.
“It’s gone?”
Gu Luoqing blinked in disbelief and shook her head slightly. The agony that once made her want to die had vanished without a trace.
She immediately bowed and expressed her gratitude, “Sir, your divine ability is extraordinary. Thank you! May I ask your name?”
“Let’s skip the formalities, President Gu. I came to your Longevity Chamber of Commerce today for a partnership.”
As soon as his words fell, Shen Lian turned around.
The moment she saw his face, Gu Luoqing froze.
“You… you’re Shen Lian?”
“Do I not look like him?”
Hearing his confirmation, Gu Luoqing was deeply shocked.
Of course she knew Shen Lian—but they had always been enemies.
The Longevity Chamber of Commerce and the World Auction Chamber had always been business rivals. Naturally, she and Su Yuheng stood on opposite sides.
When the World Auction Chamber was first established, it couldn’t hold a candle to the ancient Longevity Chamber of Commerce.
But due to Shen Lian’s involvement, supporting Su Yuheng from behind, the Longevity Chamber of Commerce was suppressed again and again.
Eventually, long-time clients of the Longevity Chamber gradually shifted over to the World Auction Chamber.
What truly drove them into decline, though, was the incident decades ago when Gu Luoqing was ambushed by Su Yuheng while breaking through to the Primordial Unity Realm, leaving her with the head illness.
That led to the World Auction Chamber monopolizing the market, and if not for centuries of deep-rooted foundation, the Longevity Chamber would have long been devoured. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping(.)com.
In the early stages of their rivalry, Gu Luoqing had even tried to meet Shen Lian privately, hoping he would stay out of her conflict with Su Yuheng.
But after meeting him, she realized he was just a pathetic simp, someone who would even offer to drink his seven Senior Sisters’ foot-washing water.
Convincing him to switch sides was harder than ascending to the heavens.
And now… he had come on his own initiative to propose a collaboration?
There had to be a trap.
She stood up and said, “What’s your real reason for coming to me this time? Is it another scheme from your Senior Sister to humiliate me?”
Shen Lian’s gaze turned cold. “I don’t have time for these childish games. I came to you for a deal. Accept or reject—your choice.”
“Heh… partnership?”
Gu Luoqing couldn’t believe a simp like him would suddenly wake up and abandon his seven Senior Sisters to walk the righteous path.
To her, it was clearly Su Yuheng pulling strings again—just another plot against her.
“Apologies, Fellow Daoist Shen. I don’t think there’s any need for cooperation between us. But to thank you for treating my illness, the Longevity Chamber is willing to offer you a reward. Whatever exists in our chamber, you may take as you please.”
“Hahahaha…”
Shen Lian burst into loud laughter.
“Gu Luoqing, are you planning to kick the donkey after it carried you across the river?”
He raised a finger and pointed at her face.
“I always repay kindness—and revenge. No one reaps without effort from me. No one makes promises and turns their back on them.”
Gu Luoqing’s lips curled slightly. “Fellow Daoist Shen, I said the Longevity Chamber will pay you for the treatment. As for cooperation, I just don’t see what we have to cooperate on.”
Even though she sensed that Shen Lian’s current presence was nothing like what she remembered, her ingrained impression made her instinctively think he was still the same pathetic pushover.
Everything he displayed now must be a performance arranged by Su Yuheng and the others.
“You’re sure you won’t cooperate?”
“I believe I’ve made myself clear.”
“In that case, the partnership is void.”
With that, Shen Lian snapped his folding fan shut.
“My head…”
In that very instant, the headache she thought had been suppressed reawakened.
“No! Fellow Daoist Shen… Shen Lian, wait!”
Gu Luoqing panicked and cried out to stop him.
“If we’re not working together, there’s no need for further discussion. President Gu, did you really think I’d help you for no reason… without preparing a backup plan?” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“Your condition was caused by an interference during your Tribulation breakthrough to the Primordial Unity Realm. A remnant strand of sinister thunder was left in your brain, unable to be dispelled. Every day from noon to afternoon, you suffer intense pain for a full hour. I imagine it’s quite unbearable, isn’t it?”
“Shen Lian, you’re right! Please help me suppress it again. I can’t take this pain… I’ll do anything, anything!”
As the soul-splitting pain grew stronger, Gu Luoqing began trembling uncontrollably.
“This is my final question—do you agree to the cooperation?”
“I do! I do! Fellow Daoist Shen, as long as you cure me, I’ll agree to anything you ask!”
“Swear it on your Dao Heart.”
“I, Gu Luoqing, swear—this day, I sign a partnership contract with Shen Lian. Should I violate it, I will suffer the torment of karmic fire, my soul destroyed, with no grave to be buried in!”
As soon as the oath was spoken, a translucent scroll floated before Shen Lian.
Upon opening it, the words “Dao Heart Oath Contract” glowed at the top.
“Hmph.”
With a cold snort, Shen Lian pressed his finger onto the contract.
Instantly, the oath took effect, dissolving into glowing specks of Spiritual Light.
At that moment, Gu Luoqing’s mind felt clearer than it had in centuries.
Before she could fully savor the relief, Shen Lian’s voice sounded beside her, “Let’s go inside. There are things I need to make clear to you.”
“Alright.”
Gu Luoqing no longer dared show the slightest resistance. She immediately welcomed him into the chamber.
…
At the same time Shen Lian and Gu Luoqing entered the Longevity Chamber of Commerce, Su Yuheng descended from the void, arriving at the ruins of the destroyed auction house.
“Who… who did this!”
Seeing the wreckage before her, Su Yuheng’s aura exploded.
In an instant, the already destroyed venue shattered further from her rage.
“No matter who it is, I’ll find you… and rip you to pieces!”
But when her eyes landed on a crumbling wall within the debris—where the words [The killer: Shen Lian] were written—she froze.
“Shen Lian? That trash?!”
“No… it’s impossible! That worthless piece of trash wouldn’t dare touch my World Auction Chamber!”
“I don’t believe it… I don’t believe it!”
“Shen Lian! You worthless scum, come out here! This time, don’t expect my forgiveness!”