Chapter 175: Old Loli’s Secret Meeting at the Teahouse
Night and day turned, and time passed like a fleeting moment.
After Chi Long Mansion, Ye Anping was stuck between the early and middle stages of Foundation Establishment due to his “Golden Finger.”
However, there is a saying among cultivators:
“Major bottlenecks rely on fate, minor bottlenecks rely on money.”
He was not lacking in money at the moment.
Moreover, Xuan Xing Sect was currently in a period of abundant spiritual energy.
Ye Anping bought some Pills and Heavenly Treasures at the marketplace. It took him half a month to overcome the bottleneck and successfully advance to Mid Foundation Establishment.
To avoid attracting attention, he went to the marketplace and spent a large sum of money to purchase two Jade Talismans for himself and his Junior Sister to conceal their cultivation.
According to the unscrupulous merchant, these talismans could even ward off the detection of cultivators at the late Nascent Soul stage. However, Elder Qin, a cultivator at the mid Nascent Soul stage, saw through them at a glance.
Ye Anping’s actual test showed that the Jade Pendants could only block cultivators at the late Core Formation stage. However, even cultivators at the early or mid Core Formation stage with sharp eyes could still see through them.
Indeed, it’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.
Without Liang Zhu by his side to help him run errands and buy things, he was somewhat unaccustomed to it.
The main reason was that it was too difficult to guard against.
If one were to draw an analogy, buying Magical Artifacts and talismans from unofficial shops was similar to his past life’s antique markets.
Furthermore, because cultivators have a much stronger ability to discern the quality of items than ordinary people, the methods of forging were also far more sophisticated than those of ordinary people.
“It’s truly a case of the righteous escalating one foot while the devil escalates ten.”
He rolled the “anti-peeping Jade Talisman” on the back of his hand with five fingers, spinning it around.
However, the more Ye Anping looked at the Jade Talisman, the angrier he became.
He had inquired earlier, and the unscrupulous merchant who sold him the Jade Talisman had already fled…
He had been wise his whole life, only to be tricked by an unscrupulous merchant.
“Sigh—tsk tsk tsk…”
Ye Anping lightly flicked his finger, and the Jade Talisman flew into the air before being caught by him and placed into his Storage Bag. He then turned to look around.
His Junior Sister was currently in seclusion and cultivation. She should also reach Mid Foundation Establishment before they went to Moon Shadow Sword Sect.
So, with nothing else to do, he was now amusing himself in the marketplace, while also continuing to refine his plan for the Moon Shadow Sword Sect matter and searching for ways to replace that important position.
Unfortunately, there were no results yet.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a man suddenly rushed up from the first floor of the teahouse, his face covered in cold sweat, his footsteps almost shattering the floor.
Dong dong dong—
“Hmm?”
Ye Anping turned his head at the sound and saw a familiar person looking around on the second floor. Their eyes finally met.
It’s you?!
The unscrupulous merchant! The one who sold him the Jade Talisman!
His eyes widened slightly, and he had a strong urge to draw his sword and attack. However, before he could stand up, the unscrupulous merchant rushed towards him.
Dong dong dong—
The sound of his footsteps was like thunder.
Ye Anping was stunned, his brow furrowing. Was this a case of walking into a trap? Or did he intend to silence him?
He was still wearing the Sect Uniform of a Xuan Xing Sect Disciple. Did he dare to make a move?
Just as he was contemplating and cautiously reaching for his sword, he saw the unscrupulous merchant bend his knees and slide to a stop by his tea table.
?
Immediately, there were three crisp sounds of heads hitting the floor: “Bang bang bang—”
The unscrupulous merchant held a Spirit Stone bag in both hands and offered it:
“Fellow Daoist! Fellow Daoist! This humble one had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I return these Spirit Stones to you. Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist. Although this Jade Talisman is not as good as I said, it is still a decent Magical Artifact. Consider it compensation for you, and I bestow it upon you.”
“… …”
Ye Anping was dumbfounded. He glanced at the Spirit Stone bag. The amount was exactly as he had paid.
Although he was somewhat confused, seeing that many other teahouse patrons on the second floor were looking over due to the commotion, he couldn’t be bothered to trouble the man.
“Alright.”
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist!! Thank you, Fellow Daoist!! Then I shall not dirty your eyes. This humble one takes his leave!!”
“…Mm, farewell.”
Watching the unscrupulous merchant jump out of the window beside him as if he were going home to collect laundry, Ye Anping was stunned for a long time, unable to recover.
Could such strange things happen in the world? A swindler actually came to his door to admit his mistake and apologize?
Had he suddenly developed a conscience?
“What a mess, such strange things…”
A short while later, the second floor of the teahouse returned to peace. All the teahouse patrons acted as if nothing had happened and went back to their own business. Ye Anping reorganized his thoughts, propped up his chin, and turned to look out the window.
The myriad mountains were golden yellow, dazzling and resplendent. A golden bird circled in his line of sight, occasionally dropping a clump of snow-white “bombs” downwards.
“… …”
“… …”
“… …”
Ye Anping stared at the golden bird and narrowed his eyes slightly. As if struck by a sudden realization, he suddenly understood what had just happened.
The moment he understood, a tender little hand landed on his shoulder.
Ye Anping thought for a moment, feigned surprise, and looked back. However, there was no one behind his chair. When he turned back, a girl with black and white hair and Yin-Yang Eyes was already sitting opposite him, at a table that had been empty.
“Wow~!!”
Si Xuanji, like a young tiger, bared her teeth and flailed her arms, opening her little mouth to let out a startled cry.
Ye Anping felt it was best to cooperate, so he quickly put on a frightened expression and recoiled his head.
“Oh my!”
Si Xuanji narrowed her Yin-Yang Eyes, placed her elbows on the table, propped up her face, and tilted her head, asking:
“Young Master Ye, were you scared?!”
“Ah…” Ye Anping quickly patted his chest and said, “So it’s Miss Xuanji. You gave me quite a scare.”
“Hehe—It’s been a long time. Young Master Ye is becoming more handsome, truly good-looking.”
“Miss Xuanji is still the same as last time, beautiful and sweet-voiced.”
“Why are you becoming so saccharine?”
Ye Anping shrugged slightly and waved his hand over the table. An empty teacup appeared on the table, surprising Si Xuanji.
She tilted her head, looked at the teacup, and asked:
“You didn’t use spiritual energy, how did you conjure it?”
“Just a little mortal trick, I’m making a fool of myself.” Ye Anping formed a Sword Finger with his hand, using spiritual energy to lift the teapot and pour a cup of tea for Si Xuanji. “Please have some, Miss Xuanji. Consider it a thank you gift.”
“Thank me for what?”
“For the matter with the merchant who sold me the Jade Talisman earlier.”
“It was just a small effort. I had heard before that there was a boastful and deceptive Rogue Cult in the marketplace. As I happened to be passing by, I decided to intervene. I didn’t expect him to have scammed Young Master Ye’s Spirit Stones. I must teach him a good lesson.”
Hehe…
That unscrupulous merchant was truly fortunate. After swindling forty thousand Spirit Stones, he was kicked in the backside by a cultivator at the Void Refinement stage himself.
He vaguely recalled something from the mortal world, where even an emperor’s booger would be treasured as an heirloom.
“That is indeed a coincidence.”
“It’s more like fate.”
“I dare not presume.”
“It’s rather boring to stay here. Why don’t we stroll on the street? Last time we went on a night tour of Heavenly Street, perhaps we’ll have a different experience on a day tour.”
Ye Anping was silent for a moment, then nodded:
“Since it’s Miss Xuanji’s invitation, then I respectfully accept.”
… …
