You Put On an "I've Got Money to Burn" Act in Front of Others...

Lu Ping looked at Little C calmly, "Why aren't you continuing?"

It even knows it's an office Simulator.

He knows he's not Liu Huangshu!

And then there's Little B, her smell is too strong. She must have gone to see some weird stuff with Little C again.

Little A is the best behaved; the host cherishes you the most.

Lu Ping chose A.

[You chose A.]

[You flicked your sleeve and removed the Restriction, the door opened with a click, and standing in the doorway was Ning Junqiu.]

Ning Junqiu was still dressed in a light blue dress, elegant and beautiful, but she paused slightly as she stepped over the threshold.

[Friend of Women, in effect.]

[Work from Home, effective.]

[Workwear Thugs, in effect.]

[When she saw your upright and honest appearance in your blue robe, she was initially hesitant, but her hesitation subsided.]

"Grandmaster Lu, I apologize for the intrusion and for disturbing your peaceful cultivation."

She sighed softly.

"Fellow Daoist Ning, what makes you say such a thing? Gathering Immortals Tower is your place; how can you say it's an intrusion?"

[You gesture for her to sit down, and freshly brewed Spirit Tea appears on the table.]

[Ning Junqiu sat down at the desk, reached into his sleeve, took out a Storage Ring, and gently pushed it in front of you.]

"I have come today to ask you for a favor."

Her tone carried a hint of apology.

"Shopkeeper Ni has already reserved next month's share of Pills for you, fellow cultivator."

"But a distinguished guest has arrived in the city these past two days, insisting on having this batch of pills made."

[You didn't touch the Storage Ring, but picked up your teacup, took a sip, and said calmly.]

"Gathering Immortals Tower operates on the principle of first come, first served. If this rule is broken so easily, I fear I will not have a peaceful time refining pills in your establishment in the future."

Ning Junqiu gave a wry smile, his expression showing a hint of helplessness.

"How could I not know the reasoning behind this?"

She paused, looked at you, and said,

"However, this guest is incredibly resourceful; he had already taken matters into his own hands before coming. The fellow Daoist who was originally scheduled for the beginning of next month has voluntarily stepped down and postponed his appointment."

"Since the aggrieved party has agreed, Gathering Immortals Tower can't very well stop them."

Ning Junqiu pushed the Storage Ring on the table further in front of you.

"As for you, fellow Daoist, besides offering double the Spirit Stones as a reward, if you desire any other compensation, please feel free to ask, and I will not hesitate."

You put down your teacup and slightly raised your eyelids.

[Options pop up.]

[A: Pretending to be embarrassed.]

[B: Slam your hand on the table and tell her to leave, that this isn't about money, it's a matter of principle.]

[C: Pushing the Storage Ring back, he sighed, "Sister Ning, are you using this to test the cadres? Which cadre can't withstand such a test? We need to add more money, four times the amount..."]

After being reprimanded last time, Little C indeed behaved himself.

Little C, please reform yourself properly. Your host will allow you to be mischievous occasionally.

This whole thing was just a ploy to lure Hua Yunzhen into taking the bait. Now that the fish has bitten the line, we need to act the part and make the most of the opportunity.

Lu Ping chose A.

[You chose A.]

You looked away, your gaze sweeping over the Storage Ring, but you didn't reach for it.

"To make other Spirit Transformation Divine Lord willingly back down, and to be so generous in his actions..."

[Your expression was calm, and your tone was neither warm nor cold.]

"Although Lu is usually lazy and indifferent to external affairs, he has still been informed of some of the happenings in the city these past few days."

"This distinguished guest, could it be Hua Yunzhen, the master of the Desire Sea Pavilion?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Junqiu paused slightly, then nodded gently.

"It is indeed the Pavilion Master Hua the Desire Sea Pavilion. She has just returned to the city and has already sent a visiting card and generous gifts."

"Somewhat strangely, she didn't specify what kind of Pills she wanted to refine, only saying that the medicinal materials were rare and needed to be discussed in person with you."

[You lowered your eyes, and the expression on your face gradually turned cold.]

"Shall we discuss this in person?"

You scoffed lightly, flicked your sleeve, stood up, walked to the window, and stood with your hands behind your back.

"I, Lu, am merely a lowly Early Spirit Transformation Stage. I had hoped to find some peace and quiet on the Northern Sea Coast, but alas, that is not possible."

[Your voice is low and deep, carrying a sense of weariness from being caught up in the machinations of various forces.]

Ning Junqiu, sitting at the table, also darkened upon hearing your words.

"Grandmaster Lu, you flatter me, but what you say... is indeed the truth."

"On the path of cultivation, how can one know the difference between the Nascent Soul Perfection?"

"But once you cross that hurdle and become Spirit Transformation, you realize that what lies beyond is a vast chasm, and even a half-step difference makes all the difference between heaven and earth."

"My Gathering Immortals Tower may look impressive, but it's only through utmost caution that I manage to survive."

[She looked up at your back as you stood by the window, a hint of weariness in her voice.]

"The Great Dao is arduous..."

[You turned around and looked at your charming collaborator, saying,]

"These past two months have been entirely thanks to Fellow Daoist Ning's care, so I, Lu, have taken on this order. However, once this order is completed, it's time for me to leave Nü Zhi City."

"The waves here are too strong; it's not a place to stay for long."

Ning Junqiu's fingertips rested on the table for a long pause, before she finally sighed.

"Since you have made up your mind, I will not insist that you stay."

Ning Junqiu stood up, bowed to you, and his expression became more solemn.

"Thanks to you, fellow Daoist, Gathering Immortals Tower has also benefited greatly these past two months."

"Junqiu thanks you again, fellow Daoist."

"I will arrange for Pavilion Master Hua to come here at noon tomorrow."

After speaking, she left the Storage Ring on the table, turned around, and pushed open the door to leave.

[You watch the door close and slip the Storage Ring from the table into your sleeve.]

[Divine Sense probed inside; four million Low-Grade Spirit Stones.]

[You, Grandmaster Lu, put on a show of "I'm loaded" in public, but secretly you still really crave Spirit Stones...]

Lu Ping: "..."

System, are you mocking me again?!

[The next day at noon, it was still that same private room on the Gathering Immortals Tower.]

[The incense burner emitted a refreshing Snow-Soul Incense, its wisps of smoke rising straight up and dissipating across the rooftop.]

You push open the door and enter; only one person is sitting inside...