A grand competition is not like a coming-of-age ceremony; there is no leisurely banquet afterward for guests to mingle and strengthen ties. With the Misty Cloud Sect's leader being a woman, most of the male guests felt it would be improper to linger.
And so, once the competition concluded, the various guests said their farewells and departed for their respective homes.
A few, however, remained behind for their own reasons. Nalan Su, for instance, pulled his daughter aside to give her some earnest, last-minute instructions.
And then there were Chen Guan and Jia Xingtian.
"Sect Leader Yun Yun," Jia Xingtian called out, his voice calm but firm. "Could you spare a moment? Young Master Chen has something he would like to discuss with you."
Since it was a Dou Huang making the request, Yun Yun naturally would not refuse.
"This way, please."
Yun Yun led the way, walking toward a private side hall. Chen Guan took a step to follow but noticed that Jia Xingtian remained where he was.
"Haha, you go talk to her yourself," the old man said with a knowing smile. "Just do what you need to do. I'm no good at these negotiations. Besides, I haven't been to the Misty Cloud Sect in many years. I think I'll take a look at the scenery while I wait for you."
Chen Guan suspected he was being teased again, a callback to their conversation on the journey here. He didn't take it seriously, simply rolling his eyes before entering the side hall alone with Yun Yun.
Perhaps it was due to his status or the sheer talent he had displayed, but Yun Yun treated him with no condescension, despite being a Sect Leader and a Dou Huang powerhouse. After inviting him to sit, she had a disciple serve them both fragrant tea, her every action impeccably polite.
Once the disciple had left and closed the door, Chen Guan exchanged the requisite pleasantries before getting straight to the point.
"You seek the Na Ling?" Yun Yun asked, her voice calm.
Chen Guan nodded silently. He had made a special trip to the Misty Cloud Sect for this very purpose; his desire was already laid bare. There was no point in feigning indifference. She's no fool. Playing games would be a waste of time.
He was here, and he was mentally prepared to pay a premium.
Yun Yun did not reply immediately. She recalled something Gu He had once mentioned: the Na Ling's greatest function was to create a special space within a practitioner's body to store unique items.
For example… a Heavenly Flame.
If the Pill-King hadn't shared these little-known facts with her, she would have been completely in the dark. Now, seeing Chen Guan seek the Na Ling, she couldn't help but wonder. Does he have the same plan as Gu He?
"Your information is very accurate," she finally said. "My Misty Cloud Sect does indeed possess a Na Ling. But since you know of its existence, you must also know how precious it is—no less valuable than a sixth-grade medicinal pill. What do you intend to offer in exchange?"
"Ten fourth-grade Vitality Pills, four fifth-grade Recovery Pills, and one Dragon Force Pill."
These were all items he could procure from the royal family's treasury, so he made his opening offer. The price was not low. Although the Na Ling was precious, its use was highly specific.
Unfortunately, just as he had expected, Yun Yun shook her head, rejecting the offer.
Of course. With Gu He at their side, the Misty Cloud Sect has more high-grade pills than even the royal family. In other aspects, there was little difference. Whatever the royal family could offer, the Misty Cloud Sect could likely match.
Chen Guan silently considered his next move. He had plenty of other treasures.
Soul Nourishing Powder, its formula, an Earth-rank Dou Skill, a soul cultivation method, that puppet…
But the value of those items far exceeded that of a single Na Ling. To use them for the exchange would be foolish. He could accept taking a small loss when asking for a favor, but he refused to be slaughtered like a pig.
Just as he was wrestling with his options, Yun Yun spoke again.
"I do have an idea. But before that, I want to know… what is your true relationship with the royal family?"
This time, it was Chen Guan's turn to shake his head. He knew exactly what she was about to propose. Leaving the royal family was impossible for him right now, so there was no point in continuing down that path.
"Sect Leader Yun Yun, my second offer is a Dou Wang-level puppet. This is the most valuable item I can bring to the table."
"I acquired this puppet through a chance encounter, after going through untold hardships and surviving several near-death experiences. The master who refined it was a true genius. Not only can it perfectly exert the strength of a two-star Dou Wang, but its body is also incredibly durable, no less so than a Magical Beast's. More importantly, it possesses a high degree of spirituality. Beyond combat, it can even complete simple commands, such as this."
Chen Guan retrieved the puppet and, with a silent command, had it pour them both a fresh cup of tea. He was in negotiation mode now, highlighting only the positives. He would never tell her that this particular model couldn't fly.
"It is indeed a fine item," Yun Yun conceded, her interest piqued. A puppet with the combat power of a two-star Dou Wang that was absolutely obedient held immense value. "But a strength of two-star Dou Wang… is that all?"
"Sect Leader, you overestimate my fortune. To have obtained even one of these divine puppets was a blessing from the heavens. If I hadn't resolved to stay within the Imperial Capital for the next few years, where I won't face too much danger, I would never offer it in trade. Keeping it for self-defense is an absolute trump card."
He put on a look of such profound heartache that Yun Yun almost believed him.
"But I clearly remember the puppet you used at Princess Yao Ye's coming-of-age ceremony last month," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "That wasn't this one, was it?"
"…"
Careless! To have a lie exposed so directly is truly embarrassing.
Yet, there was no change in Chen Guan's expression. His face didn't redden; his heart didn't race. As long as I'm not the one who's embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to someone else.
"I was speaking of Dou Wang-level puppets. To be honest, I risked my life to obtain two Dou Ling-level puppets from that same encounter. Both are equivalent to a three-star Dou Ling. I used one of them for the ceremony."
"If you are still not satisfied," he pressed on, "I am willing to add one of those Dou Ling puppets to the trade. This is my absolute bottom line. I need to keep one just in case. Sect Leader Yun Yun, if I were in Nalan Yanran's position, surely you wouldn't want your disciple to be helpless when facing danger, would you?"
Chen Guan stood up, adopting a posture that clearly said, "Agree, or I walk." It was a haggling trick he'd learned from the aunties in the market when he was a child buying vegetables.
Yun Yun sat there, a strange look on her face. This conversation had repeatedly refreshed her opinion of the young man before her. He'd gone from a once-in-a-century genius to a little liar who spun tales without blushing and now to a clever bargainer armed with all sorts of twisted logic.
You are you, and Yanran is Yanran. What does one have to do with the other?
But she had to admit, it was effective. His strange but effective logic had successfully diverted her train of thought, and she could actually understand his reasoning for wanting to keep a trump card.
"Forget it," she sighed. "Since you are so sincere, I will grant the royal family this favor. One Dou Wang puppet and one Dou Ling puppet in exchange for the Na Ling."
Chen Guan looked up, a flicker of genuine surprise and relief in his eyes. The Na Ling hasn't been given to Gu He yet? I thought the Pill-King would be involved in this transaction, and I'd have to pay an even steeper price.
I didn't expect it to be so easy.
It wasn't that it was simple. It was just far easier than he had anticipated, and the price he paid hadn't reached his absolute bottom line. What Chen Guan didn't know was that while Fa Ma knew the Misty Cloud Sect had a Na Ling, he didn't know they had two.
Fearing a delay might complicate things, Chen Guan immediately took out the two puppets and erased his spiritual imprint in front of Yun Yun. She, in turn, was not one to procrastinate. Asking him to wait, she left the side hall and returned within minutes.
The exchange was made. He guided Yun Yun to successfully bond with the Dou Wang puppet, and the transaction was complete.
Just as the young man, in a fine mood, was about to chat a little longer, a loud, booming laugh suddenly spread throughout the entire Misty Cloud Sect.
"Hahaha, old ghost Yun Shan, I knew you were still alive! Have you made any progress all these years? Come on, let's have a fight!"
Inside the side hall, Chen Guan's face froze. Someone's promise from earlier that day still echoed in his ears.
"No one is more polite than me!"
***
(End of Chapter)
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