As evening fell, Lin Ciyan changed into an elegant white long gown.
He looked at himself in the mirror; his sixteen-year-old face was handsome and otherworldly.
She had a tall and straight figure, and her golden-white hair was casually draped over her shoulders.
His cultivation as a level 68 Soul Emperor allowed him to conceal his aura, but the occasional glint in his deep eyes concealed a chilling pressure.
There was a gentle knock on the office door.
" Ci Yan, are you ready?" Han Ruoruo's gentle voice came.
Lin Ciyan turned around and opened the door, his eyes immediately lighting up.
Han Ruoruo stood outside the door, clearly dressed up carefully.
She wore a light purple long dress, the hem of which reached the ground, with a silver ribbon tied at the waist, outlining the woman's graceful figure.
Her long hair was styled into an elegant updo, with a few wisps of hair falling around her ears, making her skin appear even whiter.
A delicate silver necklace adorned her slender neck.
The necklace pendant was a pale blue gemstone, which complemented her gentle eyes.
Most notably, the neckline of the long dress is designed just right, neither too revealing nor too concealing, yet subtly showcasing a captivating curve.
The dress was tailored to fit snugly, perfectly showcasing her slender and graceful figure.
"Senior Ruoruo," Lin Ciyan's eyes flashed with admiration, "You look beautiful today."
A faint blush rose to Han Ruoruo's face, her eyes softening. "This is the first time I've attended such an occasion with Teaching Assistant Lin, so we should be a bit more formal."
She lowered her head slightly as she spoke, revealing a section of her fair nape, which gleamed softly under the light.
Lin Ciyan naturally extended his arm. "Shall we set off?"
Han Ruoruo's smile deepened as she walked to his side.
The two walked out of the teaching building side by side, the afterglow of the setting sun shining on them, like a beautiful painting.
The lights were already on in Shrek City.
The golden building of the Treasure Appreciation Pavilion stands out prominently in the night.
Eight young women in long dresses stood respectfully at the entrance, forming a beautiful sight.
" Teaching Assistant Lin, Teacher Han." A girl in a white dress quickly approached, a professional and sweet smile on her face.
"Welcome to tonight's Treasure Appreciation Fair. Please follow me."
Her gaze lingered on Lin Ciyan for a moment longer, a look of amazement flashing in her eyes.
The two entered the golden hall, and were immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of extravagance.
A crystal chandelier hangs high, and the girls in gold dresses standing on both sides bow in greeting, revealing large expanses of snow-white skin and captivating curves.
Welcome, distinguished guest!
The orderly sounds echoed in the hall.
Han Ruoruo frowned slightly and said softly to Lin Ciyan, "The atmosphere here... is a bit too much."
Lin Ciyan, however, remained calm and even had the leisure to comment. "Indeed, the lighting design could be softer; the current one actually looks tacky."
The smile on the girl in the white dress froze upon hearing this.
Han Ruoruo couldn't help but chuckle, "You're always so direct."
The two stepped onto the golden staircase and arrived at the second-floor exhibition area.
It was much quieter here, with crystal display cases arranged in a neat and orderly fashion, displaying all sorts of treasures.
"You two are welcome to browse freely," the girl in the white dress said respectfully.
"If you find anything you like, please register to purchase it on the west side. You can also have it appraised there if you need to pay on credit."
"Buy on credit?" Lin Ciyan raised an eyebrow. "No need, let's just buy it."
His tone was calm, yet it exuded an undeniable confidence.
Han Ruoruo looked at him, her eyes questioning.
Lin Ciyan smiled and lowered his voice, saying, " Ruoruo, there's something I forgot to tell you. Mu En entrusted me with managing several of the Shrek Academy's businesses in the Star Luo Empire. Now... my annual income is roughly this much."
He held up two fingers.
"Two million Gold Soul Coin?" Han Ruoruo guessed.
Lin Ciyan shook his head.
"Twenty... million?" Han Ruoruo's beautiful eyes widened.
"Yes, and this is just the beginning," Lin Ciyan said casually. "So pick whatever you like today, it's on me."
[Ding! The host calmly flaunts his wealth in front of a beautiful woman, demonstrating the philosophy that 'extreme laziness leads to abundance,' resulting in a +600 " Slacking Value and a slight increase in Slacking Influence!]
Han Ruoruo stared at him blankly for a long time before sighing softly, " Ci Yan, you always manage to surprise me."
"It's alright," Lin Ciyan said with a smile. "Let's go see what good stuff we have."
The two strolled slowly through the exhibition area.
The first thing that caught Lin Ciyan's attention was a piece of jade that was entirely green, about the size of a fist, with a warm, lustrous sheen on its surface.
The sign under the display case reads, "Ten- Ten-Thousand-Year Soul-Warming Jade, produced from the hot spring veins deep within the Star Dou Great Forest. Long-term wear can nourish the soul and enhance the speed of mental power concentration, with remarkable effects on spirit-type Soul Master. Price: 800,000 Gold Soul Coin."
"This is good." Lin Ciyan nodded. "I remember, Xiao Xiao has Twin Martial Souls, so she's good at controlling the battlefield, and mental strength is very important to her."
Han Ruoruo said softly, "You're so kind to the students in your class."
"Since I've become a teaching assistant, I have to be responsible," Lin Ciyan said matter-of-factly. "Besides, Xiao Xiao is indeed very hardworking."
He beckoned to a waiter. "Wrap up this jade."
The waiter responded respectfully, took out the key, and opened the display case.
Han Ruoruo looked at his casual demeanor, her eyes softening even more.
Continuing forward, one treasure after another comes into view.
There are thousand-year-old dragon blood ginseng, mermaid tears from the deep sea, Soul Tool design blueprints with intricate patterns, and even a Soul Bone that is entirely amethyst-like.
The Soul Bone floated in the display case, emitting a faint aura of lightning, clearly originating from a lightning-attribute Soul Beast.
"Leopard left leg bone, ten-thousand-year quality." Lin Ciyan glanced at the price tag.
"Three million two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin... not bad."
"Do you want to buy it?" Han Ruoruo asked.
Lin Ciyan shook his head. "I don't need it. But if Wang Dong needs it..."
Before he could finish speaking, he rejected the idea himself. "Forget it, Wang Dong's light attribute is purer, and the lightning attribute would only interfere with his Martial Soul."
The two looked at a few more items. Lin Ciyan picked out a " Void Spirit Jade " for Xiao Xiao that could improve the precision of Mental Control, and also took a fancy to a " Light Dragon Crystal " that could purify the attribute of light, which he planned to leave for Wang Dong.
In just a quarter of an hour, he had already spent more than four million Gold Soul Coin without even blinking.
The way the waiters looked at him changed.
Han Ruoruo stayed quietly by his side, occasionally offering her opinions in a gentle and considerate manner.
As Han Ruoruo walked to the middle of the exhibition area, a special display case caught her attention.
Inside was a pair of earrings, with two pale pink crystals hanging from a delicate silver chain. Inside the crystals, it seemed as if shimmering light and colorful clouds were slowly rotating, a beauty that was both dreamlike and ethereal.
" Flowing Rosy Glow Earrings," Lin Ciyan read aloud the description on the sign.
"Crafted from 'Morning Glow Crystal,' unique to Sunset Forest, wearing this item can slightly increase the speed of Soul Power recovery and maintain a clear mind during cultivation. Price: 550,000 Gold Soul Coin."
Han Ruoruo's gaze lingered on the pair of earrings for a few seconds.
It was brief, but Lin Ciyan captured it.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
Han Ruoruo gently shook her head. "I just think it's beautiful, but it's too expensive."
"It's not expensive," Lin Ciyan said directly to the waiter. "Wrap this up."
" Ci Yan..." Han Ruoruo to stop her.
Lin Ciyan, however, had already taken out his VIP card.
It was a card made entirely of dark gold, with fine soul-guiding lines inlaid on the edges, and a simple "Lin" character engraved in the center of the card.
Upon seeing the card, the waiter's expression instantly became extremely respectful. He took it with both hands and hurried off to process the paperwork.
"This is..." Han Ruoruo exclaimed in surprise.
"It was given to me by Mu En," Lin Ciyan explained.
" The Shrek Industry Alliance's top-tier VIP card offers a 30% discount at all participating stores, and... includes a quota of three free items per year."
Han Ruoruo was completely speechless.
She then realized that Lin Ciyan's claim of "earning tens of millions a year" was probably an understatement. Possessing such a card meant that he had already effectively controlled a significant portion of the Shrek Academy's business lifeline.
The waiter returned quickly, carrying an exquisite wooden box containing the pair of Flowing Rosy Glow Earrings.
Lin Ciyan took the wooden box and turned to face Han Ruoruo.
" Ruoruo," he said gently, "Thank you for taking care of me during this time."
As he spoke, he opened the wooden box and took out the earrings.
Han Ruoruo's heart beat slightly faster.
Lin Ciyan stepped forward and gently brushed aside the stray hairs by her ear.
His fingers inadvertently touched her earlobe, the warm touch making Han Ruoruo tremble slightly.
"Don't move," Lin Ciyan said softly, gently putting the earrings on her.
Pale pink crystals dangled down, reflecting off her fair skin and slightly flushed cheeks.
As the light shimmers and shifts, it adds a touch of captivating charm.
"It suits you very well." Lin Ciyan took a half step back, admiring the view with satisfaction.
Han Ruoruo gently touched her earring, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you... I really like it."
Their eyes met, and a faint warmth filled the air.
Just then, a crisp sound broke the silence.
" Teaching Assistant Lin! Teacher Han!"
Two "girls" walked briskly from the other side of the exhibition area.