Within the Wutai Sect's administrative office, sandalwood incense curled through the air.
Shen Xiuyong sat beside his desk, humming a little tune as his fingers clattered across the abacus. He was clearly in a fine mood.
Chen Qing pushed open the door and entered. "Elder Shen, this disciple has come to repay the debt for the Thunderclap Fire Seeds."
Shen Xiuyong set down his abacus and looked Chen Qing over with interest. "Oh? The kid struck it rich? You scraped it together that quickly? Let your martial uncle have a look..."
His gaze carefully swept over Chen Qing. The laziness in his eyes abruptly gave way to a sharp gleam. "Tsk, tsk, tsk! Incredible! You brat... you've reached the middle stage of Embracing Dan Strength?!"
Shen Xiuyong circled halfway around Chen Qing as though seeing him anew. "How long has it even been? Only a little over two months since you returned from Nine Waves Island, right?"
Chen Qing bowed slightly. "I merely broke through by luck. Elder, please don't laugh at me."
"Don't try to muddle through with me."
Shen Xiuyong waved his hand. "Thirty-three thousand, right? Hand it over! I happen to be a little short on money lately."
Chen Qing gave a light cough. "Elder Shen, this disciple fought tooth and nail on Nine Waves Island and only managed to save up this little fortune. The Thunderclap Fire Seeds may be good, but I have yet to touch them, seals intact. How about... you round off the thirty-three thousand taels and make it thirty thousand?"
"Round it off?!"
Shen Xiuyong's eyes widened. "You wish! Those Thunderclap Fire Seeds are Crimson Flame Valley's finest goods! Enhanced versions! Eleven thousand taels apiece, fair price for young and old alike! And you want me to round it off? Do you