Book One: A Beauty Brings Disaster Chapter 16: Each Harboring Ulterior Motives

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“Young master, this Heavenly Spirit Fruit is indeed a rare treasure for cultivation enhancement, but its effects are ultimately limited to practitioners at the Spirit Spring Realm. Meanwhile, the Huahai Pill, which can also help Spirit Spring Realm cultivators improve their strength, costs only around two hundred thousand silver coins.”

“Your offer for this Heavenly Spirit Fruit far exceeds the price of some precious fourth-grade pills! At such a price, our shop simply cannot accept it.”

At this moment, Yan Tao had regained her composure and began analyzing the situation with Jiang Hao, attempting to persuade him to lower the price.

“Sister Xiao Tao, as far as I know, those ordinary advancement pills only work on cultivators who have remained at the Great Perfection stage for a long time, and whether they can break through to a higher realm ultimately depends on their own strength,” Jiang Hao replied earnestly.

Seeing a change in Yan Tao’s expression, Jiang Hao continued, “But this Heavenly Spirit Fruit of mine, even a cultivator who has just reached the Great Perfection stage of the Spirit Spring Realm has a very high chance of breaking through to the Spirit Sea Realm after consuming it.”

“For those who have lingered at the Great Perfection stage of the Spirit Spring Realm for a long time, the effect of this Heavenly Spirit Fruit is even more undeniable!”

“In that case, Sister Xiao Tao, what do you think this Heavenly Spirit Fruit is worth?” Jiang Hao clearly threw the question back to her.

Yan Tao furrowed her brow slightly, then laughed softly. “Haha! As expected of the young master, it seems I was indeed shortsighted!”

Seeing how shrewd he was, Yan Tao didn’t beat around the bush any longer and spoke frankly, “Young master, since the conversation has come this far, I’m willing to offer one million silver coins. What do you think?”

“One million silver coins—truly befitting the Wanbao Pavilion, generous as ever,” Jiang Hao thought to himself. He had no intention of selling the Heavenly Spirit Fruit for two million silver coins; this price was within his expectations.

“Since Sister Xiao Tao put it that way, if I don’t agree, wouldn’t that be disrespectful? One million silver coins it is,” Jiang Hao replied with a slight look of loss, shaking his head with a wry smile.

“This fellow really hides his abilities well!” Yan Tao sighed inwardly but responded calmly, “Young master is straightforward! It’s settled then!”

“By the way, Sister Xiao Tao, does your shop happen to sell sword cultivation techniques? Preferably third-grade. If not, second-grade would suffice,” Jiang Hao finally revealed the purpose of his visit.

After acquiring the powerful Execution Sword, Jiang Hao urgently needed a sword cultivation technique. According to Feng Ling’er, his strength was currently best suited for cultivating third-grade sword techniques.

“Third-grade sword cultivation techniques?” Yan Tao seemed somewhat taken aback and sighed lightly before smiling wryly. “To be honest, young master, currently the shop only has a first-grade sword cultivation technique.”

“First-grade?” Jiang Hao felt disappointed, never expecting such a luxurious place as Wanbao Pavilion to possess only such low-level manuals.

Sensing Jiang Hao’s mood, Yan Tao stepped forward to explain, “Young master, you may not know—among cultivators, sword cultivators are the most numerous, and Yong’an City is the closest town to the Misty Forest, frequented by many wandering cultivators. Naturally, sword cultivation manuals sell very well.”

“In that case, could you please keep an eye out for suitable sword cultivation techniques? I’m willing to pay a high price,” Jiang Hao conceded and expressed his hope.

“Young master, you’re too kind!” Yan Tao waved her hand lightly, then spoke earnestly, “Seven days from now, our shop will hold a large auction. During that time, many cultivators will come to sell treasures. Perhaps the sword cultivation technique you need will appear then.”

“I wonder if young master will have time to attend?” Yan Tao smiled gently, sincerely inviting him.

“In that case, it can only be so,” Jiang Hao shrugged and smiled wryly.

“Shall I take you to complete the transaction now?” Yan Tao’s eyes glanced at the Heavenly Spirit Fruit on the table, hinting to Jiang Hao to finalize the deal quickly—after all, a caught duck must not be allowed to fly away.

Jiang Hao waved his hand. “No rush, Sister Xiao Tao. I still want to ask you about several kinds of pills.”

“Oh? What kinds of pills are you interested in?” Yan Tao asked curiously.

“Two Juquan Pills, one hundred Spirit Energy Pills, and one hundred bottles of Bailin Dew,” Jiang Hao said without hesitation.

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“I understand the Juquan Pills and Spirit Energy Pills, but why do you need one hundred bottles of Bailin Dew? Are you sure you want to reconsider?” Yan Tao looked somewhat surprised.

Juquan Pills are second-grade pills imbued with powerful spirit energy, nourishing the spiritual power of cultivators at the ninth level of the Spirit Energy Realm, helping them break through the barrier to the Spirit Spring Realm.

Spirit Energy Pills are also second-grade pills that rapidly restore spirit energy, suitable for continuous combat, indispensable for lower-level cultivators.

Clearly, these two types are useful for Jiang Hao’s current strength.

As for Bailin Dew, although it is also a rare spiritual medicine containing the essence of spirit energy, like the fresh dew of dawn, moistening a cultivator’s spiritual veins and significantly accelerating cultivation speed.

However, it is only effective for cultivators below the ninth level of the Spirit Energy Realm, so its effect on Jiang Hao is naturally limited.

No wonder Yan Tao was surprised and asked repeatedly—his requested quantity was substantial.

“Sister Xiao Tao’s insight is sharp, quickly discerning my cultivation level. However, the Bailin Dew isn’t for me but for this young lady,” Jiang Hao said with a light laugh, his gaze tenderly falling on Fan Caiyun nearby.

“Ha ha! I see now. Seems I was overthinking,” Yan Tao said, as if enlightened, then looked at Fan Caiyun with a hint of envy.

“Brother Jiang Hao, why are you buying so much? Didn’t you say to spend less?” Fan Caiyun finally understood that the one hundred bottles of Bailin Dew were for her, and quickly advised.

“You little one, didn’t we agree earlier? Why don’t you listen to Brother Jiang Hao?” Jiang Hao gently stroked Fan Caiyun’s head, his tone soft as flowing water.

“Alright then, Brother Jiang Hao, Caiyun will listen to you,” Fan Caiyun’s fair cheeks flushed, making her look even more charming.

Seeing business approaching, Yan Tao naturally didn’t miss the opportunity and tactfully said, “Young master, now that we are acquainted, how about this: two Juquan Pills for two hundred thousand, one hundred Spirit Energy Pills for nine hundred thousand, and one hundred bottles of Bailin Dew for one hundred thousand, totaling one million one hundred thousand silver coins.”

“Deal!” Jiang Hao agreed readily.

“Oh? Young master won’t bargain?” Yan Tao was slightly stunned and seemed a bit surprised.

“Sister Yao has already given me a discount of one hundred thousand. If I bargain again, wouldn’t that make me too stingy?” Jiang Hao shrugged and smiled honestly.

“Ha ha! Young master is indeed straightforward!” Yan Tao laughed.

In truth, Yan Tao had already offered her bottom price, as these pills were quite valuable themselves. Jiang Hao understood this and naturally didn’t continue bargaining.

Moreover, Jiang Hao had further business requiring Yan Tao’s assistance, so he gave her some face.

“Besides the cost of this Heavenly Spirit Fruit, I still owe Sister Xiao Tao one hundred thousand silver coins,” Jiang Hao said with a smile.

“Look at you, young master. If it’s inconvenient now, you can settle it next time,” Yan Tao said softly with a smile.

Jiang Hao smiled slightly but didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, “To be honest, Sister Xiao Tao, I heard before coming here that the Wild Wolf Gang’s power in Yong’an City is at its peak. Does your shop fear the Wild Wolf Gang?”

Hearing this, Yan Tao immediately understood Jiang Hao’s meaning and replied calmly, “Young master need not worry. The Wild Wolf Gang is nothing more than a lackey in Yong’an City. Our shop looks down on such a small gang. If you have any grievances with them, rest assured.”

Jiang Hao felt relieved and smiled. “It seems Sister Xiao Tao has nothing to hide from me.”

“In that case, would Sister Xiao Tao be willing to accept this Meteor Hammer?” As he spoke, Jiang Hao took out Feng Ba’s Meteor Hammer from the Space Ring and placed it on the table.

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“Meteor Hammer? Isn’t that the spirit weapon of Feng Ba, the third leader of the Wild Wolf Gang? I heard Feng Ba has been missing for some time…” Yan Tao was quite surprised.

After a moment, Yan Tao suddenly understood and sighed softly. “I see, young master. I’m willing to offer ten thousand silver coins for this Meteor Hammer. What do you think?”

“Deal!” Jiang Hao nodded without hesitation.

Though the Meteor Hammer wasn’t worth much, Jiang Hao felt it was somewhat an eyesore. Being able to sell it for ten thousand silver coins was excellent.

“Young master, for the remaining ninety thousand silver coins, would you prefer to settle next time?” Yan Tao seemed concerned about Jiang Hao’s face and intended to do him a favor. After all, she was delighted to make his acquaintance.

“Ha ha! Sister Xiao Tao, you worry too much. By the way, what price would you offer for first-grade Beast Pills?” Jiang Hao asked casually.

“First-grade Beast Pills? About one thousand silver coins each. How many do you have?” Yan Tao asked offhandedly, seemingly unconcerned, as these pills were quite common in the market.

“One thousand silver coins? That price is reasonable. Then I’ll sell them all to Sister Xiao Tao at once,” Jiang Hao considered briefly, then took out a pile of Beast Pills from his Space Ring and spread them on the table.

“Young master, you seem to have quite a few Beast Pills!” Yan Tao smiled awkwardly, clearly surprised.

Afterward, Jiang Hao sold the sixteen storage pouches he had gathered earlier, each selling for five hundred silver coins. Though not much, it was still income.

After purchasing the pills, Jiang Hao left Wanbao Pavilion with Fan Caiyun. Though Yan Tao invited him to stay in the VIP room, Jiang Hao politely declined, citing cultivation.

“Thirty-one thousand seven hundred silver coins remain. I wonder if I can afford a sword cultivation technique then,” Jiang Hao murmured, glancing at the Wanbao Pavilion sign outside, sighing softly.

“Brother Jiang Hao, where are we going now?” Fan Caiyun looked up at Jiang Hao, eyes full of expectation.

“Of course, to find an inn and get your stomach full first,” Jiang Hao replied with a smile, then led the beaming Fan Caiyun into the bustling crowd.

...

“Miss, shall we send someone to follow them?”

In an elegant private room on the second floor of Wanbao Pavilion, Yan Tao respectfully asked a woman dressed in a red robe by the window.

If one looked closely, they would notice that this private room was the very one where Jiang Hao and Yan Tao had discussed their transaction earlier.

“No need. He will definitely return in seven days.”

“As for this Heavenly Spirit Fruit, it will be greatly beneficial to me. Your performance just now was quite good!”

The woman in the red robe spoke with a seductive voice, soft as silk, causing a tingling sensation deep within the heart...