Divine Medicine Pavilion, President's Office.
With a troubled look on her face, Shu Mao shakily handed over the box containing the demon spirit crystals to Xue Hui.
Never in her dreams would she have imagined someone paying two billion Demon Spirit Coins for a mere five demon spirit crystals. Yet, without batting an eye, Xue Hui tossed an interspatial ring containing the said amount in her direction while focusing all his attention on the crystals, carefully inspecting them with a satisfied smile on his face. The sight simply didn't make sense to Shu Mao.
"Uhm... Master Xue Hui, I'll go ahead and pass this interspatial ring of yours to the people of the Heavenly Marks Family, so if you'll excuse me." Shu Mao spoke uncertainly, her feet seemingly rooted to the floor, unable to move.
"Oh yeah, thank you, Big Sis Shu Mao. You can leave now," Xue Hui responded nonchalantly, making Shu Mao's eyebrows twitch. Despite that, she still couldn't find the strength to leave the room.
"Y-Yeah, Master Xue Hui, I'm going to go out the door, go downstairs, and pass these two billion Demon Spirit Coins to the people of the Heavenly Marks Family, and they'll forever be gone from your pocket."
Confused, Xue Hui lifted his head and met Shu Mao's desperate gaze. She seemed to be asking him to reconsider his purchase and keep his money.
The sight made Xue Hui laugh inwardly.
"It's fine, Big Sis Shu Mao. It's just Demon Spirit Coins," he stated, unknowingly making Shu Mao even more agitated.
"Two billion Demon Spirit Coins," she clarified through gritted teeth.
If she could, she would have lunged at Xue Hui, stolen those demon spirit crystals, and returned them to the Heavenly Marks Family. In her mind, this exchange was a total scam, and Xue Hui was being deceived by those people.
"Big Sis Shu Mao, I'm not joking. I'm serious here. You can pass that money to them. It's just two billion anyway. I still have plenty in my pocket. If you want, I can give some to you."
"No! Don't you dare! If I had that much wealth, I'd turn into a weirdo just like you!" she blurted out.
Afraid of being infected with whatever Xue Hui had, Shu Mao sprang to her feet and hurriedly left the room, leaving the deadpan-looking Xue Hui alone in the office.
"Rude! It's not like I'm lying. All that money came from my share of the elixir sales. I still have the money from the treasure chamber."
Truth be told, that bastard Nie Li hadn't held back at all when milking his pocket of Demon Spirit Coins.
But since he had done such a great job refining all the demon spirit crystals into God-level growth rates, Xue Hui ignored it.
After all, once he let the demon spirit crystals soak in the Pure Dragon Lineage Fermentation Blood for several days, each and every one of them would undergo a mutation and transform into a demon spirit crystal with a God-level growth rate with dragon bloodline.
And once that happened, no amount of Demon Spirit Coins would be enough to exchange for them.
Time passed. After placing all the demon spirit crystals with God-level growth rates inside the jar of Pure Dragon Lineage Fermentation Blood to mutate, Xue Hui decided it was time to visit the Snow Wind Family so he could ask Ye Zong or Lord Ye Mo for permission to bring Ye Ziyun along on their next trip.
With the task in mind, Xue Hui used the combined powers of the Origin of Piercing and Space to teleport himself directly to the Snow Wind Family mansion.
Unknowingly leaving Shu Mao in utter shock and disbelief after catching a glimpse of him vanishing into thin air.
"Master Xue Hui, I already pa— "poof" ... nope! I saw nothing. This entire day is just a dream. Yup, I'm totally dreaming again. There's no way someone would pay two billion Demon Spirit Coins to buy five demon spirit crystals and then disappear like a wisp of smoke afterward. Yup, another weird dream... You know what? Since I'm only dreaming, this is the perfect opportunity to let my frustrations out. Now, where's that annoying bastard?"
Not long after, the news of Shu Mao getting into a fistfight with the rather annoying alchemy master she had a beef with spread like wildfire throughout the Divine Medicine Pavilion. All the employees were having a blast talking about it, finding the situation rather amusing.
Everyone except Chen Wenrou.
Enraged, she assigned the two alchemy masters to cleaning duty so they could reflect on their actions.
Snow Wind Family Mansion
Ye Ziyun stood outside her father's office, feeling nervous. Currently, Xue Hui and her father were discussing whether she would be allowed to join Xue Hui on his next trip.
Her heart thumped anxiously, hoping that her father would agree.
While she felt uneasy at the thought of going somewhere far away and dangerous, she was still eager to join everyone on their adventure.
Because despite all the danger, Ye Ziyun was certain that the journey would bring tremendous benefits to her cultivation.
Consuming elixirs and meditating could only take her so far before she hit a wall in her progress.
Even her grandfather had once told her that only those with the courage to face the unknown could break through their limits.
Fidgeting nervously, Ye Ziyun stepped closer to the door so she could press her ear against it and eavesdrop on their conversation.
Just then, the door slid open and Xue Hui walked out, nearly bumping into her.
"O-Oh! Hi, Xue Hui. I didn't know you were here. H-How are you?"
That was a lie, and her reddening cheeks couldn't hide it.
While Ye Ziyun indeed had no idea that Xue Hui would visit today, her mother, Ye Yurou, had been quick to inform her about the matter as soon as Ye Zong told her.
As their eyes met, a sudden hint of shyness struck her. She quickly averted her gaze.
At the same time, anxiety crept into her heart. She still didn't know whether her father had allowed her to go.
"Good timing, Ziyun. I just finished speaking with your father about our trip, and we were about to look for you," Xue Hui said before stopping and giving Ye Zong a sidelong glance, wanting him to break the news to his daughter.
Ye Zong cleared his throat and gave Ye Ziyun a stern look, the same one he used whenever he wanted to say something important.
"The outside world is an unknown place to you. It's filled with countless dangers around every corner. Even your grandfather, a Legend Rank expert, has to move with the utmost caution whenever he ventures out there..."
Ye Zong paused.
Everyone could tell that he was having a difficult time continuing, but he knew how important these words were. This concerned her future.
"Once I allow you to join Xue Hui, I must also accept the possibility that you may never return. That's how dangerous the outside world is.
If you're still willing to go after hearing this warning, then I can only come to terms with it. You're already old enough to make your own decisions in life.
My only question is this: are you willing to accept whatever happens to you out there?
Remember, the outside world doesn't have the walls of Glory City, the Snow Wind Family, or even me to protect you. Are you still willing to go?"
Ye Ziyun sucked in a cold breath after hearing her father's words.
She felt scared and reluctant, but her heart screamed at her that if she backed down now, she would never have the courage to step into the outside world again.
"I'm scared, but I'm still willing to go.
I want to become strong. Strong enough to protect Glory City like you and Grandfather have, and this is the only way to do it.
So yes, I would like to accompany everyone and do my best out there."
The father and daughter exchanged meaningful looks.
Ye Ziyun's eyes gleamed with determination, something that filled Ye Zong with pride.
After a moment of silence, Ye Zong finally spoke, satisfied with what he had seen.
"Good, good. If that were the case, then go bid farewell to your mother and Aunt Xue. After that, you may prepare for your journey."
Ye Ziyun's eyes widened in shock.
She couldn't believe that her father was actually allowing her to join Xue Hui on his journey.
Bowing to the two of them, Ye Ziyun hurried off in search of her mother and Aunt Xue to tell them how the discussion had ended.
Once she was gone, Ye Zong let out a shaky breath.
While he had sounded resolute earlier, he couldn't deny that he was deeply worried about his daughter venturing into the outside world.
But alas, Ye Ziyun had made a valid point.
The only way for her to grow was to experience the world beyond the safety of their walls.
"Don't worry, Uncle Zong. Since I'm the one who insisted on bringing her along, how could I let something bad happen to her? I'll keep not only her but everyone safe on this journey."
Ye Zong nodded.
While Xue Hui's words sounded boastful, he had already proven himself capable time and time again.
This was also the primary reason Ye Zong had allowed his daughter to join the expedition.
Knowing that Xue Hui would be with her gave him confidence.
"Then I can only wish all of you a safe trip. I'll leave my daughter in your care, Xue Hui."
Xue Hui nodded in response before bidding his farewell.
He still needed to inform Chen Linlin, Xiao Ning'er, and the trio of girls about their departure.
Meanwhile, in the Sacred Family Mansion.
The entire estate was wrapped in a depressing atmosphere.
Devoid of its usual bustling activity, the members of the Sacred Family chose to remain within their residences, afraid that their presence might incur Shen Hong's wrath.
Sitting in the patriarch's chair, Shen Hong traced the intricate carvings on the armrest with his fingers.
His expression remained solemn, but every now and then the sound of grinding teeth escaped his lips.
The sound alone was enough to make all the elders before him shiver in fear.
They all knew that despite his calm appearance, Shen Hong was boiling with rage internally.
That was why no one dared act carelessly in his presence, afraid that one wrong move might cause him to explode in anger.
And everyone knew that the consequences would be catastrophic if that happened.
Suddenly, a cloaked figure entered the room, attracting everyone's attention and causing a hopeful look to appear on Shen Hong's face.
Since no member of the Dark Guild could enter Glory City, the only way for the Sacred Family to communicate with them was by sending one of their own to deliver and receive messages.
And the person before them had been sent out yesterday to see if there was any news regarding the Dark Guild's plans.
Lifting his hood, the cloaked figure finally revealed his face to everyone.
He was young and handsome.
Many of the elders gave him approving looks. Despite his young age, he had already reached Gold Rank.
He was truly one of the most talented geniuses of his generation.
Shen Hong leaned forward slightly, his brows knitted together and his expression anxious.
He would never admit it, but he was desperate for any help he could get, especially now that the Divine Family and Snow Wind Family were determined to suppress them.
"Any news on their side?" he asked in a low, cold tone.
Before answering, it was customary to greet the patriarch with the utmost respect.
The newcomer clasped his hands and bowed.
"Shen Han greets Brother-in-law."
End of Chapter 74
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