Flender saw that Liu Erlong was interested in Grandmaster's theories, so he began singing Yu Xiaogang's praises.
"Of course it's true! Forget the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul'—this one volume of the Rakshasa Meditation Method alone is worth a fortune."
Flender turned to the page with the visualization diagram. A wave of malice washed over them from the Rakshasa God, its face green and fangs bared.
Liu Erlong furrowed her brows slightly. She didn't like the feeling.
Still, the fact that it could make even her feel that way meant this Martial Soul Theory did have some value.
Ling Feng should like this gift, right? Liu Erlong thought.
Flender was good at reading people. Seeing her reaction, he hurriedly said, "If you're interested, I can part with this copy of Martial Soul Theory right now."
Yu Xiaogang had been spreading his theories for nearly a year, and they were already widely circulated, so they weren't worth much.
But Liu Erlong, who had dropped out of school early, didn't know that. She nodded. "How much is this book? I'll take it!"
Flender waved his hand. "What's all this talk about money? If you're willing, just give me a few more of those Dragon Ganoderma Leaves!"
Liu Erlong shook her head. "No, I can't give you those Dragon Ganoderma Leaves. I'll pay you instead!"
Those Dragon Ganoderma Leaves were a gift from Ling Feng, and she planned to use them herself. How could she trade them away?
"Oh? You're not here to sell medicine?"
Flender was a little disappointed, but with so many people around, he didn't press her, lest he draw attention.
"In that case, I'll sell you this copy of Martial Soul Theory for two hundred Gold Soul Coins," Flender said.
Liu Erlong took the book, paid two hundred Gold Soul Coins, and headed toward the inn.
She really bought it? Flender thought.
Though Liu Erlong's looks stirred his heart, achieving his dream mattered most to him.
He felt no guilt. On the contrary, he thought Liu Erlong was easy to fool.
If he kept running into people like her, he'd soon have enough money to establish a Soul Master Academy.
After Ling Feng finished absorbing the medicinal power of the Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ginseng's rootlets, he heard a knock at the door and quickly stopped cultivating.
He went to the entrance and opened the door. Liu Erlong stood outside in a loose, pale-blue dress.
"Sorry for the wait!" Liu Erlong said.
Ling Feng shook his head. "It's fine. I was absorbed in cultivation myself and lost track of time."
Liu Erlong took out the copy of Martial Soul Theory she had just bought and handed it to Ling Feng. "This is my gift to you."
Ling Feng was taken aback, then understood what she meant. She was returning the favor.
What a earnest girl! Ling Feng thought.
Liu Erlong probably didn't have many friends, so she didn't know how to act around them. She was being far too formal.
Even so, Ling Feng was happy and accepted her gift.
"Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul? Rakshasa Meditation Method? Why this? What rotten luck!"
Ling Feng was stunned for a moment, and Liu Erlong noticed.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the gift?" Liu Erlong asked.
Ling Feng shook his head. "No. I'm happy to receive a gift from you, but may I ask where it came from?"
Liu Erlong was straightforward and didn't hide anything.
"I bought it at the trading market. The stall owner even said this copy of Martial Soul Theory was worth a fortune! I thought you'd like this sort of thing."
"Worth a fortune?" Ling Feng immediately suspected Liu Erlong had been cheated.
He hurriedly asked, "Oh? What did that stall owner look like? Can you describe him?"
"He wasn't very good-looking..."
Liu Erlong described the stall owner's appearance, but the more Ling Feng heard, the more familiar it sounded.
Why does she make him sound so much like that swindler Flender? Ling Feng thought.
Even Liu Erlong could tell that Ling Feng's reaction to the gift was off.
"Is there something wrong with this copy of Martial Soul Theory?" Liu Erlong asked.
Ling Feng hadn't intended to say anything, but since Liu Erlong had asked, he might as well put Yu Xiaogang in a bad light.
"To be honest, I happen to know who wrote this Martial Soul Theory!"
"This Martial Soul Theory was compiled from theories Yu Xiaogang, an outcast of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, copied from Spirit Hall's library after defecting to Spirit Hall."
Liu Erlong frowned when she heard the words "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Her biological father came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Because of what had happened with her mother, she held a grudge and disliked the clan.
But it was still her father's clan. Hearing that Yu Xiaogang had defected to Spirit Hall left Liu Erlong feeling unhappy.
"An outcast of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? The theories were copied? So he's just someone who trades on a false reputation?" Liu Erlong asked.
Ling Feng nodded. "That's right. Still, it's fine to read this theory and broaden your horizons. Just don't treat it as gospel!"
"Yu Xiaogang seems to be locked up by Spirit Hall now. Who knows when they'll let him out?"
Hearing that Yu Xiaogang was locked up made Liu Erlong feel a little better.
A traitor and plagiarist like him deserved to be locked away.
Ling Feng continued, "This Martial Soul Theory has been circulating for nearly a year. It's worth a few Silver Soul Coins at most—not a fortune."
"How much did you pay for it?"
Liu Erlong's expression stiffened. This thing was only worth a few Silver Soul Coins?
Of course she regretted spending two hundred Gold Soul Coins. That was two months' worth of her allowance. But she was even more afraid that Ling Feng would look down on her for it.
"I... I paid two hundred Gold Soul Coins!" Liu Erlong said through gritted teeth, stumbling over the words.
Ling Feng said, "It's all right. A gift from a friend is precious, even if it's just a stone."
"But that swindler cheated you out of your money. I can't just let that go!"
"Come on, let's find him. We can grab a meal together afterward!"
With that, Ling Feng headed for the trading market Liu Erlong had mentioned.
He had made his living in the Sunset Forest, so he knew the area fairly well and didn't need Liu Erlong to show him the way.
Liu Erlong was slow to catch on, but she hurried after Ling Feng.
"I cheated... made more than two hundred Gold Soul Coins today. Business is pretty good!"
If I could make that much every day, I'd have enough saved up in a year! Flender thought.
He packed up his stall, planning to check the Mercenary Guild for any commissions looking for him.
As soon as he left the trading market, he saw a man and a woman standing not far away, apparently waiting for someone.
The woman was Liu Erlong. She had just bought something from him—easy to fool.
The man was dressed in white as pure as snow. Flender felt like he had seen him somewhere before.
Ling Feng was now technically with Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall had a strict hierarchy, and Ling Feng's rank was that of a White-Clothed Deacon, so he was used to wearing white.
Did she change her mind and decide to sell me the Dragon Ganoderma Leaves?
Even if they're here to cause trouble, I'm not afraid! They're so young. How strong could they be?
I'm a Soul Ancestor. Why should I fear these two? Flender thought.
Besides, a deal was a deal. If they'd been fooled, they had only themselves to blame for their ignorance!
Eager to make money, Flender went over to meet them.