Trade Failed

Ning Rongrong knocked on Chen Yuan's door, walked straight in, and casually shut it behind her. Then she looked at Chen Yuan and said,

"Brother Chen Yuan, you have to help me. I've decided to talk to Tang San. You saw the weapons he used and all those abilities of his last night. He was only a Soul Grandmaster, yet he managed to kill a thousand-year Mandala Snake comparable to a Soul Ancestor. There were too many people around during the day, so it wasn't convenient to discuss it. Let's go find him now. He said he owes you a favor, so with you there, he definitely won't refuse."

Chen Yuan had been somewhat bewildered at first, but after hearing Ning Rongrong out, he finally understood. She had recognized Tang San's value. Smiling, he said,

"Since you came to me, of course I won't refuse. Let's go talk to him."

Ning Rongrong's pretty face lit up with joy. With Chen Yuan's support, she felt much more confident. She immediately took his hand and pulled him out the door again.

They arrived outside Tang San's room and knocked. The door soon opened, and when Tang San saw the two of them, a puzzled expression appeared on his face.

"What are you two doing here?"

Ning Rongrong immediately said,

"Tang San, can we come in and talk?"

Tang San hesitated briefly before nodding. He stepped aside and raised a hand in invitation.

"Come in. What do you want to talk about?"

Tang San was already on guard. They had come to see him so late at night, so he had to stay alert.

Once inside, Ning Rongrong seemed possessed by Ning Fengzhi. There was none of a young lady's arrogance about her; she appeared exceptionally approachable as she smiled and said,

"Tang San, we came to discuss a deal. We all saw you kill the Mandala Snake last night. That unimaginable Self-Created Soul Skill, and the weapon you took out at the end—if you're willing to sell them, I'll offer you a price that satisfies you. Truly, as a Support Spirit Master, I desperately need methods like those."

Just as I thought!

Tang San's heart jolted. So Ning Rongrong wanted the Tang Sect's secret arts and Hidden Weapons. Her coveting his methods made his expression turn cold.

He, Tang San, had been a member of the Tang Sect in life and would be a Ghost of the Tang Sect in death. How could he possibly sell the sect's methods? Doing so would disgrace his ancestors and the sect.

Tang San stopped looking at Ning Rongrong and instead turned to Chen Yuan, asking in a low voice,

"So this is why you came?"

Chen Yuan nodded in acknowledgment. He reached out and rubbed Ning Rongrong's head, his fingers brushing through her soft, satin-like hair.

"Tang San, don't misunderstand. This isn't about demanding repayment for a favor. Rongrong is a Support Spirit Master, and your methods really are well suited to her. If you agree, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will give you an immense fortune."

Tang San did not hesitate. He shook his head and refused outright, his eyes calm and his voice cold.

"I'm sorry. I can't sell the sect's methods. This isn't a matter of money; it's a matter of principle. However, the weapon I used to kill the Mandala Snake was a Hidden Weapon called the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. Its power was enough to kill the Mandala Snake. By my estimate, it could even kill a Soul Ancestor. It can be used without Soul Power; you only need to pull the trigger."

"Once we return from this trip, I'll forge a Godly Zhuge Crossbow and some other Hidden Weapons, then give them to Ning Rongrong as repayment for the favor I owe you."

Chen Yuan felt somewhat helpless. Tang San had no intention of selling even a single method from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. The Mysterious Heaven Skill was probably impossible to buy as well.

But Ning Rongrong grew anxious, and her voice became somewhat sharp.

"Tang San, I'm not joking. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is as rich as a nation, and as the Sect Leader's daughter, the funds I can mobilize are enormous. Three million Gold Soul Coins, five million Gold Soul Coins—so long as you name a price, it can be discussed."

Hearing that, Tang San, who had long been accustomed to poverty, nearly lost his composure. For the first time, he understood just how vast the gap between people could be. His breathing quickened slightly before he said,

"You should leave. I absolutely will not sell them. I, Tang San, will never do anything that betrays my sect."

Ning Rongrong clenched her silver teeth and was about to leave in a huff, but she still threw out one last sentence.

"I hope you don't regret this."

Chen Yuan shook his head. It seemed the Mysterious Heaven Skill was out of reach. So be it. His hope of becoming a god did not rest on the Mysterious Heaven Skill. He still had the Meditation Method and could continue cultivating with it.

After leaving Tang San's room, Ning Rongrong bit her fingernail, her gaze icy. She walked all the way to the end of the corridor, where there was nowhere else to go, then lowered her voice.

"Brother Chen Yuan, no one's eavesdropping, right?"

Chen Yuan had at least that much perception. He was perfectly aware of whether anyone nearby was watching or listening in. He shook his head and said,

"Don't worry. Everyone is basically resting."

Only then did Ning Rongrong grit her teeth and say,

"Damn it, Tang San is so ungrateful. He says he has a sect, but what sect could he possibly have? I asked Xiao Wu about him. His father was just a blacksmith and even disappeared years ago. He was a work-study student at the Junior Soul Master Academy. Yet now he's using a sect to brush me off."

"No, could he really have a sect? He cultivated that commonplace Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul to become a three-ring Soul Elder, and he broke through even faster than I did. Something's wrong. Very wrong..."

Chen Yuan looked at Ning Rongrong in surprise. This girl was quite clever. Then again, she was Ning Fengzhi's daughter.

Perhaps noticing Chen Yuan's gaze, Ning Rongrong stopped and asked curiously,

"Brother Chen Yuan, what's wrong?"

Chen Yuan chuckled and said,

"Rongrong, I only realized today that not only have you grown up, you also have quite the bearing of a sect leader."

Sect Leader... Dad!

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment before hurriedly explaining,

"Brother Chen Yuan, I only tried to scheme against Tang San because after that night, I no longer considered him a friend!"

Ning Rongrong looked flustered, as though she cared greatly about Chen Yuan's opinion of her.

"I didn't expect that it would be one thing for him not to sell, but he wasn't even willing to name a price. He even wasted the favor he owed you..."

Gathering her courage, Ning Rongrong stepped forward and hugged Chen Yuan. Rising onto her tiptoes, she lifted her head and kissed him on the lips. Though she often said bold and suggestive things, she truly had no practical experience. Apart from their lips brushing together, there was nothing more.

A moment later, Ning Rongrong's eyes were moist, her cheeks flushed crimson. As their lips parted, she said,

"I'll repay that favor with myself."

Perhaps overcome by embarrassment, Ning Rongrong covered her face after saying that and quickly fled back to her room, looking as though she were running away in defeat.

As Ning Rongrong's figure vanished from sight, Chen Yuan's deep black-and-white eyes were unexpectedly calm beneath the surprise on his face.

He touched his face. It was not red. He pressed a hand to his heart. Everything was normal. Letting out a breath, Chen Yuan thought,

I seem to be overly rational, but perhaps that's for the best. Only by not being swayed by emotion can I remain calm at all times.

Or perhaps that kiss had truly been nothing more than a touch of the lips, leaving no stirring in his heart.

Romantic scenes are difficult to write, so I'll just move things along from the side.