"Ah, almost forgot. Without a special medallion, a practitioner can't use their cultivation base in the Leng Bing Realm."
"Hm?"
Hearing this, Long Hua looks to Bai Wen with a questioning look, to which, the latter answers—
"Lao Long, your cultivation methods and divine arts are from a different world. The laws of this world aren't able to apply itself to you—since everything was set up with the Everlasting Spirit Realm as a basis."
"I see."
Although this sounds good at first, it also means that Long Hua cannot use any of the cultivation methods, or divine arts that originate from the Everlasting Spirit Realm—so long as he is inside of the Leng Bing Realm.
(Hmm. Shouldn't be too big of a deal, since I'll gradually recall everything that shizun had taught me with each breakthrough. But… Not being able to properly delve into the cultivation methods, and divine arts of this world, rather disappointing.)
Returning their attention to the discussion at hand, Zhen Huai asks Yao Ying—
"What exactly do you have in there?"
"Grandfather gave me a copy of the Cloud Ink Incantation."
With a gleam of great interest, Zhen Huai smiles faintly, whereas Bai Wen remarks—
"Yun family's core cultivation method, is it? That is definitely an item of great value. It's said to be split into a Yin portion and a Yang portion. Females cultivate the Yin portion, whereas males cultivate the Yang portion."
(A cultivation method based off Yin and Yang elements, is it? …Martial Emperor's Step is also based off the idea of Yin and Yang. What if I…?)
Contemplating about what Bai Wen had just said, Long Hua constricts his eyes with a hint of interest.
"May I see the ring?"
"Su-"
"…Little girl, the people gathered here are all as sly as foxes, especially the merchant—who will nab at every opportunity to make money. Once you give him the ring, he may not return it."
Before Yao Ying answers fully, Nuo'er cuts her off, to which, Zhen Huai reacts with a bitter smile, and remarks—
"That's something that only a third-rate merchant would do."
"With how inexperienced this little girl is, it's not appropriate to bully her so much—even if it's so that she may learn something. In the first place, how old are all of you to be putting on such an attitude in front of a child?"
(Adding my previous life, I'm probably well over 1,000 years old…)
(Over 150 at this point.)
(About 70 odd years of age now, I think?)
(Hmm, brother and I were born almost a year apart. I'm probably 70ish now?)
Facing Nuo'er's sharp tone and gleam—Long Hua, Bai Wen, Zhen Huai, and Zhen Rong turns their face away awkwardly, as they count up their age.
"…Ah, Lady Yao Ying is probably hungry. I'll go have the canteen make something."
Cleverly, excusing herself with this, Zhen Rong heads for the exit.
(That little sister of mine is getting shrewder by the day…)
Directing a pleading look to Nuo'er, who seems to be more caring than the others, Yao Ying asks—
"Then, what should I do?"
"Simply entrust it to someone other than the merchant. Although you need help, it doesn't need to come from the merchant directly. In fact, having a third-party that can interpret difficult questions while speaking for you in the negotiation process is a better approach."
Saying this, Nuo'er looks at Bai Wen with a disapproving gaze before—
"Though I say that, your choice of an attorney is rather limited."
Shifting her eyes towards Long Hua.
As all eyes fall towards him, Long Hua emerges from his contemplation, and turns to Yao Ying, to say—
"Your choice. I'm not your guardian, so I won't be responsible for the consequences of your choices."
"…"
Making her decision after a brief moment, Yao Ying walks over to Long Hua, and presents to him the storage ring.
Taking the storage ring, Long Hua uses his divine senses to peek into it. There aren't that many items inside, but there is a jade slip that stuck out to him.
Touching the jade slip with his divine senses, Long Hua sees the details of the Cloud Ink Incantation. Just as Bai Wen had said, it is indeed divided into two portions, both of which, are written onto this jade slip.
(Hmm.)
Making his decision quickly, Long Hua takes the jade slip out of the ring.
"Well then?"
"I've never seen the original incantation, but this should be genuine."
Answering as such to Zhen Huai's question, Long Hua returns the ring and jade slip to Yao Ying before asking—
"So, what sort of help is Zhen-laoban able to give her in exchange for the incantation?"
"The clothes she's wearing, the water she used to shower herself, and the medicines used to soothe her wounds, aren't exactly free."
Hearing this, Yao Ying's complexion pales, while thinking—
(So this is what grandfather meant—when he mentioned how adults are all scum…?)
"Is that all?"
"Course not. Her most concerning issue right now is getting a place to sleep in, and having access to food—all of which can be provided for. However-"
"Zhen-laoban isn't willing to provide such commodities to her forever."
Nodding to this, Zhen Huai says—
"Indeed, one of the things that I hate the most is losing money. So then, Long-xiong, I can see that you're also interested in the incantation. How much are you offering me for it?"
"I knew something was up when you had me stay for a while longer."
In response to this, Zhen Huai smiles.
From the very beginning, Zhen Huai had no real interest in the Cloud Ink Incantation; what he really wanted were the new divine arts that Long Hua had recalled.
And even if Long Hua wasn't willing to speak up for Yao Ying, gaining the Cloud Ink Incantation for cheap, would have still been a major profit.
Turning to Nuo'er, Long Hua says—
"Lady Nuo'er."
"Just Nuo'er is fine."
"Then Nuo'er, are you willing to grant this little girl shelter?"
"Ah?"
Looking between Long Hua and Nuo'er, Bai Wen wishes to say something, since he's the actual owner of the condo unit—that Nuo'er is staying in.
"This matter-"
Turning to Nuo'er, only to be met with a sharp glare, Bai Wen turns silent, while dropping his shoulders.
"Sheltering her isn't an issue. However, rent must still be paid. As for the price of the rent… I can accept NWDs."
With this settled, Long Hua turns back to Zhen Huai, and asks—
"How much is one cultivation method, or divine art worth in other commodities?"
"I can at least provide her with food expenses for half a year."
Shrugging a shoulder to this, Long Hua turns to Yao Ying, and explains—
"NWDs are the mortal currency of this world. Meaning, you need to get a job of some kind to pay for the rent."
Upon Yao Ying responding with a nod, Zhen Huai slides a blank jade slip towards Long Hua from across the table.
Picking up the jade slip, Long Hua inscribes the Tranquil Heart Incantation onto it—along with an explanation of its function.
"Take it."
"Let's see then."
Receiving the jade slip—that is uncaringly slid over, Zhen Huai uses his divine senses to look at the details, and rather quickly his expression turns odd.