A conscientious seller

A single remark from Lu Changsheng perked Ning Yuxin right up.

Her father was the richest man in Cang Province, and money was the last thing she lacked. Besides, being able to improve her swordsmanship just by spending money was undoubtedly the simplest way in her eyes!

"Senior Brother Lu, do you really have a way?"

"It shouldn't be much of a problem, though the price might be a little steep!" Lu Changsheng said with some difficulty.

Ning Yuxin asked, "How much?"

"Twenty thousand and three Spirit Stones!"

Lu Changsheng held up two fingers.

With his previous experience, he boldly named an astronomical price.

After all, even a peak master only received a little over a hundred Spirit Stones a month. This was more than ten years of their total salary, no small sum by any measure.

He had also left himself room to haggle. This time, he had to earn at least fourteen or fifteen thousand.

But he had still underestimated the Ning Household's wealth.

With almost no hesitation, Ning Yuxin decisively pulled a pouch from her ring. It was filled with gleaming white Spirit Stones, a full twenty thousand of them!

"This..."

Lu Changsheng stared blankly. This girl was outrageously lavish. She did not even bargain!

"Just how rich is your Ning Household? Twenty thousand Spirit Stones, and you don't even blink?"

Ning Yuxin said, "If spending money can improve my swordsmanship, what's twenty thousand?"

Taking the Spirit Stones, Lu Changsheng could only feel that he had been born unlucky. Reincarnation really was a technical skill. Being born into the right family directly determined the life one would lead for the rest of one's days.

Watching him put away the Spirit Stones, she asked, "Senior Brother Lu, what should I do next?"

"You don't need to read these books anymore. If you like them, you can keep them as souvenirs. Then go back, get some sleep, and come find me tomorrow morning!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

I should be thanking you!

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath. He truly had not expected her money to be so easy to earn.

At this rate, as long as he kept helping her improve, earning eighty or a hundred thousand would hardly be a problem.

Still, he reminded her, "Junior Sister Ning, there's something you have to promise me!"

"What is it?"

"You can't let a second person know about what's between us. Mainly, improving your sword intent requires help from an old friend of my master's, and he doesn't like people knowing about him. Of course, you can't give me away either. Otherwise, Senior Brother won't like you, and I'll be implicated too!"

"All right!"

Ning Yuxin took it seriously and only left after repeatedly giving her word.

If she had still harbored doubts about the Clear Sword Heart Pill last time, this time they were completely gone.

She had indeed developed sword intent, and even Zhou Qingyu had marveled at how extraordinary it was.

Thus, she was quite willing to trust Lu Changsheng. Besides, it was only twenty thousand Spirit Stones. Even if it failed, it would be no big deal.

Lu Changsheng also nodded in satisfaction.

He brought twenty thousand and three Spirit Stones to Cangyun City, entered a medicinal herb shop, and spent three on herbs. The remaining twenty thousand was his labor fee.

Ever since Ning Yuxin had come to Qingyun Peak, his standard of living had shot straight up. He had made a net profit of twenty thousand in one day, more than he could have earned in several months before.

At that thought, he considered whether to offer Ning Yuxin a comprehensive improvement package.

The fourth level of the sword Dao plus the ninth level of Essence Condensation-charging her a hundred thousand would not be excessive, right?

After all, in Lu Changsheng's eyes, neither the ninth level of Essence Condensation nor the fourth level of the sword Dao was particularly difficult. As long as one's talent was not particularly poor and one had Spirit Stones, that was enough.

His eldest senior brother had attained his current achievements under his step-by-step guidance.

He had already walked the path, making it practically a broad, smooth road for Zhou Qingyu.

The more Lu Changsheng thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. He immediately made to return and draw up a plan, but the moment he turned around, several figures were already approaching him.

"Lu Changsheng!"

An icy voice tinged with resentment rang out.

Lu Changsheng looked over. It was none other than Shi Feng.

Beside him was a young man of twenty-five or twenty-six, with an elderly man following as well.

"So it's Brother Shi. It's been a few days. Have you been well? Why the face full of resentment?" Lu Changsheng asked, a smile hanging at the corners of his mouth.

Even with a Core Formation expert accompanying the other party, he was not the least bit flustered.

After all, this was Cangyun City, the Cangyun Sect's territory. He could practically walk sideways here.

Shi Feng was on the verge of flying into a rage. Did Lu Changsheng not know perfectly well why he was resentful?

Yet the elderly man beside him smiled and said, "So you are the Little Sword Immortal's junior brother, young friend. Truly a distinguished appearance, and a disciple of an illustrious master!"

"You flatter me, elder!"

Lu Changsheng responded with composure and humility.

Shi Feng's expression grew uglier. He could not stand that hypocritical face. Lu Changsheng had not been like this when he had ordered people to gang up on him!

Now, seeing a Core Formation expert, he was putting on a humble, amiable face instead.

The young man sized him up and chuckled.

"You are far too modest, young friend," the elderly man said with a smile.

Lu Changsheng asked, "Have you come to our Cangyun Sect on business?"

"Cangyun backs onto deep mountains, and a beast tide strikes every few decades. We were passing through and thought we would lend a hand, while also taking the opportunity to admire Cangyun's splendor!"

"I see!" Lu Changsheng gave them a suspicious look and said, "Then I won't disturb you. I still have things to do, so I'll be off!"

As he spoke, his gaze kept sizing them up.

For some reason, however, feeling his gaze gave them the sense that they were criminals being scrutinized.

Watching Lu Changsheng leave, the elderly man said, "Third level of Spirit Gathering. His aptitude is rather ordinary, much as the rumors say!"

"Elder, don't let him fool you. This man is utterly shameless. Before..."

Shi Feng recounted his experience of being pinned to the ground and rubbed against it over and over. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

"Don't forget what we came here to do. Don't brood over a trivial matter and ruin the greater undertaking!"

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng returned to Qingyun Peak, somewhat speechless as he recalled their earlier words.

These fellows had wanted to kill with a borrowed knife before, and now they were supposedly being so kindhearted?

Who knew what they were plotting?

Still, he did not care. The sect had long since grown used to beast tides and had ample experience.

With just those two or three people, they could not stir up any waves.

The sect was not stupid either. Anyone with eyes could see through this sort of thing. He did not need to worry about it.

Besides, how could such trivial matters be as important as earning Spirit Stones?

He then went to the Alchemy Chamber to refine Ning Yuxin's pills before Ye Tianyi returned. After all, he was a man of his word.

If he did not have even that much credibility, how would he swindle money out of the rich lady in the future?

If he could not swindle any money, when would he ever break through to Nascent Soul and escape the torment that cultivation brought?

No matter what, this time he had to earn enough Spirit Stones from her to break through to Nascent Soul!

Early the next morning, Lu Changsheng waited at the entrance on time and handed Ning Yuxin a bottle of pills.

Ning Yuxin took it and could still feel the pills' lingering warmth.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

"Payment and goods both... We'll all be family from now on. There's no need for thanks!" Lu Changsheng waved a hand. He did not hurry to leave, but instead said, "Junior Sister, the method this time is a little different. You need to use these in conjunction with the sect's Sword Cave. I'll take you there!"

As he spoke, Lu Changsheng stepped forward to lead the way.

Ning Yuxin nodded and followed behind him, heading straight into the depths of the sect.

Only, watching Lu Changsheng this time, she increasingly felt that he was different from the rumors.

This degree of care and responsibility alone was not something a wastrel would possess.

As for Lu Changsheng, of course he was meticulous. If the pills had no effect and Ning Yuxin lost her trust in him, how would he earn her money in the future?

After all, rich ladies this innocent and easy to fool were few and far between these days!