On most days, the usually talkative Ji Shiyu was uncharacteristically quiet.
Yun Liu glanced at Ji Shiyu, seizing the opportunity right in front of Senior Sister.
Only a fool would pass up easy money.
“Perfect timing. An Earth-grade Spiritual Root isn’t worthy of you, but a Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill should do the trick. Some silly girl spent two hundred and ten thousand down the mountain, but for you, I’ll only charge half.”
Arriving at the right moment was better than being early—the experimental subject had delivered herself to his doorstep.
In the mind of someone obsessed with romance, this sentence translated to: No one else is good enough for you; only I am!
A confession!?
T-too direct! She wasn’t even mentally prepared yet!
What’s with this, saying such things only now—how shameless.
Jing Tan’er lowered her head shyly, struggling to contain her embarrassment, not even caring why he dared to speak so boldly.
“Huh? Why?!”
Ji Shiyu, who had been standing aside, protested with a trembling voice. Her composure was collapsing; she might become the biggest loser.
Another blow out of nowhere—this was nothing less than rubbing salt in Huangmao’s wounds, not just killing but attacking the heart.
“It’s not like I forced you to buy it. A Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill is certainly precious, but if you bring your own spirit material and ask me to refine it, it’ll be much cheaper. If you’re not satisfied, you can always order another one.”
Yun Liu smiled, looking a bit sly. Whether Huangmao had discovered the truth herself or Ao Tian had told her, he didn’t care in the slightest.
Right now, Ji Shiyu would have to be out of her mind to buy another one!
“T-that may be true, but, but… Waaah, you’re bullying me!”
That was all I had!
Ji Shiyu clenched her little fists, almost in tears.
She rushed forward, wanting to bite Yun Liu, but the laughing Senior Sisters quickly held her back.
Rumor had it that someone had gone all out to obtain that Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill in Mist City. Turns out, it was right in front of them.
So, the mysterious, sensational Heaven Dao Pill Alchemist who had shaken the County Guard was Yun Liu?
Jing Tan’er’s eyes sparkled in disbelief. There was no one else in her gaze; it seemed her understanding of the world had shifted a bit.
The figure she once admired and chased hadn’t wasted away or grown lazy. Instead, he’d transformed into a distinguished alchemist?
“Alright, alright, I really can’t do anything about you. Since you’re so sincere about serving me, then this Princess will graciously hire you! Here, all the materials are inside—this Heirloom Spirit Vein is enough to pay you. But I warn you, if you dare mess with me, you’ll have to bear the consequences!”
Her Highness was extremely forthright, “reluctantly” accepting her suitor’s confession, and directly tossed a Storage Bag onto the table.
The Yao Lu Disciples nearly drooled at the sight.
Full payment?
As expected of the Saint Princess of the Zhu Dynasty!
“Fifteen days. I’m only giving you half a month. Any longer, and I’ll start scolding people!”
Yun Liu weighed the bag, half smiling, neither agreeing nor refusing.
If all went well, he’d be safe and sound by then, and should be able to hand over the goods to Jing Tan’er before leaving the Sect.
“And another thing. Since this is so valuable, you have to deliver it to me personally. It’d be best if you brought a bouquet of flowers—only then does it show your sincerity. My request is reasonable, and logical, right?”
The little Princess tapped her fingers, muttering conditions—there were quite a few.
It was as if the Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill wasn’t just a pill, but a token of love between the two.
The two villainess attendants grew even more confused. Clearly, this was just after-sales service, so why did it feel like a marriage proposal, with such a sense of ceremony?
“Of course, if this Princess is satisfied, I might even make an exception and stroll around town with you, have a cup of tea, share a simple meal…”
After all that, Yun Liu finally “understood.” He clapped his palm, thinking: he was still a newcomer without a reputation, so it was normal for clients to have concerns.
“No need for a red envelope—I still have some professional ethics. I’ll never shortchange you. If you don’t trust me, I can even act as your protector and help you complete your Heaven Dao Foundation Establishment, guaranteeing absolute safety.”
Protector… meaning the two of them, alone together in one room?
Isn’t that too rushed?
It’s my first time, you know!
“Hah? Who, who, who wants to go on a date with you? That’s hilarious!”
Then Her Highness bit her lip in a mix of anger (and delight), storming off.
If she’d stayed any longer, she might have burst out laughing or thrown herself into Yun Liu’s arms, utterly shattering her noble and elegant image as a princess.
“Your Highness!”
The two noble girls hurried out after her, leaving the others exchanging bewildered glances.
They had no idea what Jing Tan’er was trying to say.
Today was the ultimate lucky day for the Villainess Trio, but just another ordinary day of tribulation for Huangmao, with the mask of suffering nailed firmly to her face, her misery endlessly paraded.
Huo Tian Tian wiped her brow, worried.
“This Noble Young Lady really is hard to serve, but she sure pays fast. Mr. Yun, do you have confidence?”
“Probably.”
The Yao Lu Disciples cheered and hugged Yun Liu.
If Junior Brother got to eat meat, they could at least drink some soup—promotion and a raise were just around the corner!
Ji Shiyu pouted, full of resentment.
She could only turn her grief into appetite, stuffing all the untouched pastries Jing Tan’er had left into her mouth, as if biting into a certain someone.
So annoying, so hateful, that oily brat—he’s always bullying me, ever since we met.
But the worst part is… why does everything he makes taste so good?
I just can’t bring myself to hate him!
Ao Tian perched atop the chandelier, quietly preening its feathers.
It had foreseen this scene long ago.
What Shiyu needed most right now wasn’t advice, but time to reflect.
Against Xiao Xinran, she didn’t stand a chance.
For her first Trial of Fate to be such an interesting contest was truly wonderful.
Just as the Phoenix Hatchling had said from the start—on the path of inquiry, smooth sailing isn’t always a good thing.
Shiyu’s life had simply been too easy.
At night, Shenhua Pavilion was bright with lanterns, adding a touch of worldly liveliness to the Sea of Clouds’ tranquil cultivation grounds.
Yun Liu leaned against the doorway, gazing into the distance.
Most who ran this place were mortals who had failed the entrance tests but managed to stay by other means, or Outer Sect disciples with ordinary talent and no hope of advancement.
Years of cultivation had made them used to life here, making their own small contributions to the Sect.
Foundation Establishment was a threshold that blocked many mortals with mixed Spiritual Roots.
Only when a cultivator’s Qi Sea was formed and the Jade Palace established as a Spiritual Root could one truly embark on the path of immortality.
Just one step away, yet even a boy with the Heavenly Spiritual Root was turned away—though he could no longer be stopped by a proud, kindred-spirited girl.
The repeatedly frustrated “experience baby” would have clashed with Huangmao again over an Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, but was beaten to the punch by Ji Shiyu.
Then, losing to Xiao Xinran in the Selection Tournament and missing out on the Sect’s Foundation Establishment Pill reward—truly a string of misfortunes.
But if the little Princess started at the same line as the Protagonist and broke free from the cycle of being cannon fodder, Yun Liu wanted to see how far she could really go.
After leaving Huangmao behind, could she, in her own independent story, rewrite her own destiny with her own hands?
A bird suddenly landed on the boy’s shoulder, its sharp beak opening and closing, voice soft as milk.
“Mr. Yun, I want to have a formal talk with you.”
“Hmm?”
Again?
Yun Liu narrowed his eyes, extremely wary.