Chapter 42: Human Feelings and Transactions

  Previously, I was thinking that after I stabilized in the Xiuzhen realm, how to repay Rong Hongtian's kindness. My cultivation is not as good as his, and I have no valuable items on me, so I can only comfort myself by saying that I will find a way to repay him in the future. Who would have thought that the opportunity would come so soon!

  The next day, early in the morning, when Lu Hongtian, who had returned to the inn at some unknown time last night, knocked on her door with a face full of joy that he couldn't hide, and smiled at her, Zuo Xiaoyao already knew that the effect of the Dan medicine was definitely better than his estimate, otherwise, he wouldn't be so out of control.

  As expected, the two had not yet sat down at the table in the room when a soundproofing device was activated and Rong Hongtian's voice came through to her ears: "The effect is quite remarkable, even better than what's recorded in the data about Xi Jing Dan. I've also tried one myself, and there's some minor effect, although it's far from comparable to the effects on disciples who have reached the Nascent Soul stage or the Liquid Stage."

  At this point, Hongtian shook his head with some regret, and Xiaoyao couldn't help but laugh and tease: "If it's already ineffective against me, let alone someone as powerful as Rong Shangren, then it shouldn't be a first-rate elixir, but rather a second or even third-rate one!"

  Luo Hongtian handed the three jade vials originally used to hold the Qingchen Dan back to Zuo Xiaoyao, and pushed a storage bag in front of her, smiling triumphantly. "The market price for second-grade elixirs is generally thirty to eighty first-grade spirit jades per pill. How about we, the Luo family, buy them at the price of eighty spirit jades?"

  "No need, if it weren't for Brother Luo being here this time, I might have paid a terrible price for my previous recklessness. It should be mutually beneficial, at the price of 60 pieces, let's just say it's Xiao Yao thanking Luo Hongtian for being so thoughtful and taking care of me!"

  Taking over the three crystal clear white jade bottles, Zuo Xiao Yao smiled and shook her head in refusal. Without waiting for Rong Hong Tian's response, she took out the storage bag from last night from her pocket. With her spiritual power and consciousness simultaneously released, the spirit jade inside the storage bag on the table entered the one in her hand in a straight line.

  Two minutes later, looking at the storage bag placed in front of him, Lu Hongtian said with a hint of melancholy and jest, "Seventy is also okay, I really can't figure out how you thought about it. What's the point of earning more? This Jingchen Dan will be sold in our Lu family shop in the future, each one will definitely sell for over 100 Lingyu, don't regret it later!"

  Everyone is a sensible person, after she agreed to give the exclusive distribution right of Jingchen Dan to the Lu family, it can be considered as giving a great favor, even if in her mouth, it was to repay his kindness, while Zuo Xiaoyao's initiative to yield benefits at this time represents a meaning that Luo Hongtian naturally understands.

  Since the birth of Jingchen Dan, Zuo Xiaoyao has been in a community of interests with the Lu family, needing to support and respond to each other, and jointly face all the storms that will come in the future. No matter what happens in the future, when the Lu family makes any decision, they must consider her concession at this time. At the same time, it also represents that she, who has not taken advantage of the Lu family, has absolute freedom!

  No need to worry about an empty wallet anymore, Zuo Xiao's mood is naturally very good. Money is the foundation of a person's confidence, and this saying is indeed true.

  The not-so-small area of Zhengning Pavilion had yet to be fully explored, and after dealing with the Jing Dust Dan matter, the two continued their stroll around Zhengning Pavilion. Unlike yesterday, they now had money in their pockets and a convenient storage bag to store items, so Zuo Xiaoyao went on a shopping spree.

  Of course, with the help of Hong Tian, among the most numerous ones, apart from ordinary jade bottles, the rest are mostly classics that record common knowledge and history in the Cultivation Realm. There is a small part in book form, but most are three-inch-long jade slips, which are the same size as those in the Zi Yuan realm. Through Hong Tian's introduction, Zuo Xiao Yao now knows that such jade slips are used to record information 'books' in the Cultivation Realm. As long as spiritual power is applied, one can view the contents of the 'book', very convenient!

  As she wandered to the outskirts, Zuo Xiao Yao only then discovered that the surrounding mountains below were basically all ancient-style residential courtyards, but there were many of them, layered and stacked amidst lush grass and trees. They were all connected by stone staircases, and from time to time, people dressed in various styles of clothing walked on top, a far cry from the steep stone staircase they had climbed up to Zhengning Tai earlier.

  Standing in front of the wooden railing at the edge of the stage, looking down at this scene, Zuo Xiao Yao had many questions. "Have all these households lived here for generations? If the descendants born in the family are ordinary people who cannot cultivate the truth, will they be sent away?"

  "Some have been living here for generations, but they are a minority. Most of them are temporary tenants. Some immortal families have branches in the mortal world. When children are born and reach 100 days old, it can be detected whether they possess the qualifications to practice immortality. If not, they will basically be sent away. Children who grow up in this immortal realm are absolutely not allowed to return to the mortal world!"

  Speaking of which, Hongtian Luo's feelings are quite deep, and it is likely that the Luo family also has such a helpless situation.

  Just as the two were talking, a clear voice suddenly came from behind, saying "Master Hongtian? Is that really you?"

  Turning back to look, a fashionably dressed young girl was walking quickly towards them, looking even younger than her, around 18 years old. However, since getting to know Luo Hongtian and leaving Shennongjia, she had discovered that judging by appearance alone, she still looked like she was under twenty years old. Zuo Xiaoyao had long recognized that determining the age of a cultivator could not be done simply by looking at their appearance; many times, their cultivation level was also an important basis, although neither could be completely relied upon.

  Seeing the person with a pleased expression standing beside them, Lu Hongtian seemed somewhat surprised. "Lian Ke! Isn't your master with you?"

  "I've said it many times before, Master Hongtian just calls me Ke'er, don't call me Lianke, you must be reminding me that I'm pitiful! Why do you never change?"

  With a slightly spoiled and pouting expression, the young girl named Lian Ke, who had reached the late stage of Nasal Qi cultivation, still had a bit of a sulky mouth. Her small face, which was about the size of a palm, made this kind of resentful expression, clearly showing that she was being playful and coquettish. Her delicate features and curious almond-shaped eyes darted back and forth between Xiang Xiaoyao and Luo Hongtian, obviously trying to detect some ambiguous intentions from the two!

  "Next time, change! The closer we get to the opening of the trading fair, the more fellow travelers will arrive ahead of time, and the environment will become even more complicated. You can't wander around alone like this outside, your master is worried about you. By the way, this is Xiao Yao, you should address her as Senior Xiao."

  Hongtian smiled and replied, his expression as gentle as his words, exuding tolerance, care and guidance towards his junior, despite their seemingly similar age on the surface.

  "Hello, Senior Xiao!"

  With a respectful bow, Liang Ke continued with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Master Hongtian, you look like a young brother, but your words are as old-fashioned as can be. Are you trying to trick me?"

  Qian Hong Tian Xia raised his head, touched his nose, and cleared his throat slightly uncomfortably before speaking. Xue Xiao Yao smiled and took out a bottle of ordinary jade bottle filled with Yi Qi Dan, saying "This bottle of Yi Qi Dan is just suitable for Ke Er's current cultivation, I'll give it to you as a gift! If you like it, just call me Sister Xiao Yao, no need to be polite!"

  Although she seemed to be fearless when arguing with Luo Hongtian, it only showed that the two had a close uncle-nephew relationship. However, after seeing the jade bottle handed over by Zuo Xiaoyao, Lian Ke still subconsciously looked at Luo Hongtian first, as if seeking approval from her "parent".

  But then she got the approval of Hong Tian, but didn't notice that a strange color flashed in his eyes. Ling Ke respectfully took over the jade bottle and said, "Thank you, Sister Xiao! This is great! I was just thinking of taking advantage of this big transaction to earn some spiritual jade to buy elixirs. I didn't expect Sister Xiao to send charcoal in the snow. My master not only has a bad name, but also being very stingy, doesn't even provide me with the necessary funds for my cultivation!"

  "If I were really stingy, I wouldn't know Qin Lian, how did you grow up to be so big and have the opportunity to come here and teach me?"

  PS: The second update will be around 6 pm tonight!