Enticing Her with Profit

Pill Hill City.

A small spirit medicine shop.

A young woman hurried into the shop and asked the shopkeeper behind the counter.

"Shopkeeper, do you have any 'Wangshu Grass) here?"

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man, said with a smile.

"Please forgive us, sir, but our shop Wangshu Grass."

The young woman frowned slightly and complained.

"I've searched most of Pill Hill City, why don't any of the shops Wangshu Grass?"

The shopkeeper said, "As you probably know, Wangshu Grass is not only scarce but also not very useful, used only in a few eighth- or ninth-grade pills. Therefore, there are not many shops in the entire Pill Hill City that keep this spirit medicine in stock year-round, but there are a few. However, a few days ago, an Alchemist from who-knows-where suddenly bought up all the Wangshu Grass in the city. If you want this herb, you'll probably have to wait quite some time."

"They're all sold out?" The young woman looked surprised and asked again, "How long will it take?"

"Well... I can't be sure," the shopkeeper said. "Wangshu Grass n't a local spirit medicine; it's unique to the far north Snowfield of the Purple Star Immortal Domain. When it will arrive in Pill Hill City depends on when a medicine merchant returns from the far north Snowfield."

The young woman's expression darkened, and she made no attempt to hide her dejection.

The shopkeeper added, "If you truly need the Wangshu Grass urgently, perhaps you could make a big fuss and offer a high price. It's likely that some high-level Alchemist have some in stock."

"Alas! There's nothing we can do about it." The young woman sighed. "I need quite a few Wangshu Grass. I've searched the entire Cloud Pill Sect's inventory, and I've only managed to get about fifty plants. I'm still short half. If I were to make a big fuss and offer a high price, I'd have to spend a fortune."

The shopkeeper smiled but didn't reply.

At that moment, a man walked into the shop.

The shopkeeper immediately adopted a respectful expression and went to greet him.

"Senior, what would you like to buy?"

The shopkeeper was so polite because the visitor was a cultivator at the Immortal Realm, while he and the young woman were only at the Tribulation Transcendence stage.

The visitor was none other than Song Wen.

"Does your shop have the Soul-Guiding Flower?" Song Wen asked.

"Yes, we do." The shopkeeper nodded hurriedly. "May I ask how many plants you would like, senior?"

"I want ten trees that are over a thousand years old," Song Wen said.

"Yes, senior, please wait a moment, I will go and fetch it right away."

The shopkeeper turned around and spoke to the young woman again.

"Please make yourself at home, guest. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer."

"Shopkeeper, you go ahead with your work, I should be going too," the young woman said.

The shopkeeper said no more and turned to go to the backyard.

The young woman then walked out of the shop.

"Young friend, please wait a moment," Song Wen suddenly spoke up.

He came to this shop not to buy a few Soul-Guiding Flower, as those were only ninth-grade spirit medicine and had no effect on him.

His real target was the woman in front of him.

According to the information provided by Jiang Wanyue, this woman's name is 'Wu Liu'. Although her cultivation level is not high, she is Yuan Yuze's senior sister. The two are about the same age and have had many interactions since childhood, and have a deep friendship.

"What guidance do you have for me, senior?" Wu Liu asked, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Young friend, are you looking for the Wangshu Grass?" Song Wen asked.

"Indeed." Wu Liu looked puzzled, yet also wary. "How did you know, senior?"

"Young friend, please don't worry. I merely overheard your conversation with the shopkeeper outside the shop; I had no intention of prying into your private affairs," Song Wen said.

Song Wen certainly didn't overhear this by chance; Jiang Wanyue had already found out through her past connections that Wu Liu was searching for Wangshu Grass all over the Cloud Pill Sect, but hadn't collected enough.

As for the Wangshu Grass in Pill Hill City, it was all bought by Jiang Wanyue.

Upon hearing this, Wu Liu's guarded expression immediately lessened.

"I see..." Wu Liu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Senior, why did you suddenly call me back? Could it be that you have news about the Wangshu Grass?"

Song Wen smiled slightly and said, "Young friend, you are indeed exceptionally intelligent."

"How many Wangshu Grass do you have, senior? And how old are they?" Wu Liu pressed.

Just as Song Wen was about to reply, the shopkeeper emerged from the backyard, carrying ten jade boxes in mid-air.

"Senior, here are ten thousand-year-old Soul-Guiding Flower. Please examine them."

The ten jade boxes were opened one by one and flew to Song Wen.

Song Wen did not respond immediately, but instead spoke to Wu Liu first.

"Please wait a moment, young friend. Let me buy the medicinal herbs first, and then we can discuss this in detail."

"That's only right," Wu Liu hurriedly replied.

Song Wen's gaze swept over the ten jade boxes one by one, each containing a spiritual herb with small white Xiao Hua.

Afterwards, Song Wen put away the ten jade boxes and asked the shopkeeper.

How much is it worth?

"Originally, each thousand-year-old Soul-Guiding Flower was priced at ten thousand Superior Spirit Stones, but since you are personally here, I will offer a 20% discount. I only hope that you will patronize my shop more often in the future," the shopkeeper said enthusiastically.

"No problem."

With a wave of his hand, Song Wen conjured countless Spirit Stone into the air.

"The quantity is just right." The shopkeeper scanned the Spirit Stone with his Divine Sense and then put them away. "Does Senior need any other spirit medicine?"

"No more for now," Song Wen said.

"Welcome to visit again, senior." The shopkeeper nodded and bowed.

Song Wen then addressed Wu Liu.

"Young friend, how about we find a quiet place to discuss this further?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking." Wu Liu pointed to the southwest, "There's an Azure Tea House not far away. The tea room there is quiet and the Spirit Tea is fragrant. I wonder if you would deign to go there, senior?"

Her initiative in suggesting a meeting place clearly indicated her wariness of Song Wen, lest Song Wen harbor ill intentions and lead her to a place pre-set with traps or formations.

"As you say, fellow Daoist," Song Wen replied.

"Please follow me, senior."

Wu Liu rose off the ground and floated out of the spirit medicine.

Song Wen followed closely behind.

The two flew over two long streets and landed outside a teahouse.

As soon as he entered the teahouse lobby, a beautiful maidservant came to greet him and spoke to Wu Liu in a very familiar manner.

"Senior Wu, what brings you here today?"

Wu Liu said, "I have distinguished guests to entertain today. Please arrange a fine tea room for me."

"A-3 Tea Room is currently available. Senior Wu, please follow me." After saying this, the beautiful maid walked deeper into the hall.

Wu Liu turned to face Song Wen Wendao beside her.

"This Azure Tea House is a property under my Cloud Pill Sect. I come here often, and the maids here all recognize me."

Song Wen nodded in acknowledgment, without saying anything more.

He knew perfectly well that Wu Liu was hinting at something to him:

This place belongs to the Cloud Pill Sect. Even if they enter the tea room and are alone, if Song Wen dares to make any rash moves, he will find it extremely difficult to escape.