Chapter 35: Recognized Her at a Glance

A fifth-level alchemist, a sixth-level talisman master, and a fifth-level artifact refiner—before Xiao Jihan rose to fame, such titles already placed one near the pinnacle of the cultivation world. Therefore, even without advertising, simply setting their wares on display drew plenty of inquiries.

But just as Liu Zhiqing had said, these people all wanted to haggle. Even though the prices Liu Zhiqing offered were already fair, the buyers had the habit of bargaining further.

Yan Shu understood this mentality well—after all, she had once been just like them.

Though she had never set up a stall herself, she had spent plenty of time shopping in markets and stores, and was well-versed in the art of selling.

So, when Liu Zhiqing was bargained down yet again, she smiled at the would-be haggler. “Senior brother, this is an earth-escape talisman crafted by a sixth-level talisman master. It can take you six miles underground at the very least, allowing you to avoid any danger. Buying a talisman is like gaining another life in times of crisis, and we only have a limited number—once they’re gone, that’s it.”

The man faltered under her smile, his composure wavering as his face flushed red. “Well… all right then, I’ll take one,” he stammered, not even attempting to haggle.

“Senior sister, this is a spirit-gathering pill refined by a fifth-level alchemist. It’s a rare opportunity. With your beauty, if you were to break through and form your core in one attempt, you’d surely be called a fairy in the cultivation world. A spirit-gathering pill of this grade is worth three regular ones in effect!”

“In that case… if I buy several, can you give me a discount?” the young woman asked.

“Of course,” Yan Shu replied sweetly. “You’re so lovely that even if you only buy one, I’ll give you a better price.”

“Then… I’ll take three.”

“Very good! And, Fairy, would you like a weapon to match? Here I have high-quality spiritual treasures refined by a fifth-level artifact master—comparable to regular magic weapons. You can use them now or even after you reach the Golden Core stage. They’ll double your gains in the secret realm!”

“For only two hundred mid-grade spirit stones, this weapon will serve you well up to the Nascent Soul stage and beyond. Since you’re so charming, I’ll give you all three spirit-gathering pills and a high-grade spiritual weapon for just two hundred and eighty mid-grade spirit stones. You won’t find a better deal anywhere!”

“That expensive?!”

“Not at all. You get what you pay for, as they say. Other vendors are charging twenty mid-grade spirit stones for a single spirit-gathering pill, but mine are three times as effective. As for the weapon, it may seem costly now, but with a trusty blade, your chances in the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm increase. And if you ever decide to sell it, you’ll easily get a hundred and fifty mid-grade spirit stones back, so you’re actually making a profit!”

“All right then.”

After this flurry of activity, Liu Zhiqing found himself relegated to the sidelines.

Yan Shu’s silver tongue worked wonders. She complimented the female cultivators on their beauty, smiled sweetly at the men, and before she knew it, over half their goods were sold—and not a single price was lowered.

Liu Zhiqing watched in astonishment. “Junior sister… you’re a natural at this!”

While tidying up the stall, Yan Shu replied coolly, “Selling requires a sweet tongue. Senior brother, you’re too stiff. If you can’t set aside your pride, of course people will try to bargain you down.”

Liu Zhiqing fell silent. At over five hundred years old, a peak master of one of the five great peaks of Xuanyan Sect, most of his customers were his disciples’ disciples. How could he bring himself to flatter these juniors? Did he have no pride left?

Yan Shu finished straightening the display and was about to greet the next customer when a pair of black boots stopped in front of her.

She looked up into a plain, unremarkable face, topped by a red bar—Favorability: -35 (Dislike).

A rough voice spoke, “How much for the earth-escape talisman?”

Yan Shu stiffened, struggling to get the words out. “T-ten mid-grade spirit stones.”

The man pulled ten spirit stones from his storage pouch and handed them over.

Yan Shu swallowed, then managed a graceful smile. “Congratulations! You are our fiftieth customer, so everything at our stall is half price for you. Is there anything else you need?”

Liu Zhiqing was about to protest, but she discreetly stepped on his foot, stopping him.

She maintained her smile. “Senior brother, is there anything else you’d like?”

The man glanced at her, then turned his attention to the goods, examining them for a moment. “Baby-forming pills, invisibility talismans, spirit beast feed, rejuvenation charms…”

He rattled off over a dozen items, leaving Liu Zhiqing’s face twitching and his heart aching. Just as he was about to lose control, Yan Shu quickly interjected, “Senior brother, you can only choose five.”

The man frowned. “Then two earth-escape talismans, two baby-forming pills, and one invisibility talisman.”

“Very good!” Yan Shu quickly gathered the items and handed them over. “One hundred mid-grade spirit stones for you, senior brother, a nice round number.”

He accepted the goods, took out a high-grade spirit stone, and left without another word.

Favorability: -30 (Dislike).

Yan Shu let out a long sigh of relief, but halfway through, she recalled something and quickly turned to Liu Zhiqing, who was still heartbroken over the sale. “Senior brother, can our illusion pill be seen through?”

Liu Zhiqing sniffed. “Unless the person’s cultivation is higher than mine, there’s no way it can be seen through.”

Relieved, Yan Shu finally exhaled the last of her tension. For a moment, she had feared Xiao Jihan had recognized her. It seemed that even with a new identity, the favorability accumulated between them remained.

More customers arrived, and Yan Shu quickly put on another bright smile. “Senior brother, is there anything you need?”

In the crowd, Xiao Jihan paused and looked back. He saw the usually cold, expressionless face now shining with a sweet smile as she greeted her customers.

He touched his chest, feeling his heart beating quietly and steadily. He hadn’t expected that, after drinking his heart’s blood for a year, she would be able to pierce his disguise and recognize him at a glance.

But what about her?

Remembering her claim that the fiftieth customer would get half off, Xiao Jihan snorted and turned away, his face and even his demeanor changed, as if he had become an entirely different person—insincere to the core.

Liu Zhiqing had meant to ask about that fiftieth customer but, seeing Yan Shu busy with her sales, he let it go. It was only a few spirit stones, after all. As long as his junior sister was happy, that was enough. Besides, she had already sold more today than he usually did by himself.

Just then, his eyes lit up, and he waved to someone in the crowd. “Yu Wen, junior brother!”

Yu Wenche had been searching for Yan Shu among the throng. Hearing Liu Zhiqing’s voice, he turned and immediately spotted the familiar figure he couldn’t get out of his mind, the one now smiling sweetly as she sold wares.

A smile appeared on his lips as well, and he strode toward them.

Yan Shu, busy with a customer, looked up at the sound of Liu Zhiqing’s greeting and saw Yu Wenche approaching, a smile at his lips and an aura of spirit stones about him.

Yan Shu grinned as well. Her golden patron—even his walk exuded the scent of wealth!