"This way, Young Master," the attendant from the Immortal Terrace Pavilion called out politely, guiding Ye Chen inside.
It was a significant transaction involving a cultivation technique, so she lacked the authority to handle it and needed to consult a higher-ranking expert. She led Ye Chen to a waiting room and excused herself to bring the resident appraiser from the upper levels, a seasoned elder responsible for evaluating valuable artifacts.
"Young Master Ye, please wait here," she said with a courteous smile.
Ye Chen took his time, sipping tea as he waited. Soon, a kindly elder with white facial hair entered the room, his demeanor warm and professional.
…
Meanwhile, in the grand Da Zhou Palace, towering palatial structures stood proudly, exuding splendor and magnificence. At the center of these imposing buildings was the royal palace, radiating wealth and prestige.
"Sir, aren't you going directly to the Da Zhou Palace?" Chu Xinyue teased, glancing at the dashing young man beside her.
"The Da Zhou Dynasty's situation seems to have improved recently," she observed. "I wonder if it's because they fear the returned Da Zhou War Emperor or if they're cautious of your connection with the dynasty."
Chu Xinyue chuckled. Rumors had spread that Da Zhou's War Emperor, nearly slain by a human emperor-level beast in the Ancient Desolate Forbidden, had been saved by a mysterious person from the Upper Realm. This news, no doubt spread by the War Emperor himself, likely aimed to use Qin Tian's reputation as a deterrent against ill-intentioned individuals.
After all, the whole Qingyun Realm respected anyone from the Upper Realm, with even the Da Xia Dynasty holding back, unwilling to provoke a potential Upper Realm ally of Da Zhou.
"No need." Qin Tian smiled faintly, uninterested in Da Zhou. A lower realm dynasty held no allure for him; if not for the presence of the child of destiny and a fate-bound heroine, he wouldn't have come at all.
"Let's wander around," he said, narrowing his eyes. The system had just alerted him to Ye Chen's presence nearby. He intended to observe this child of destiny and decide how best to siphon his fortune.
…
At the Immortal Terrace Pavilion:
"Farewell, Young Master Ye!" The appraiser at the Pavilion's entrance bowed respectfully to the young man departing with a satisfied smile.
The appraiser was thrilled. Who would've thought that the infamous, "worthless" heir of the Ye family would trade a Divine Mansion-level technique for spirit stones? Upon examining it, he had confirmed its authenticity and judged it to be a top-tier Divine Mansion technique—a rare find.
This wasteful young master must be desperate for spirit stones to part with such a valuable technique. Surely, the King of Ye would be furious if he ever found out.
"Bet that old appraiser thinks I'm an idiot for parting with a Divine Mansion-level technique for a mere hundred thousand spirit stones," Ye Chen sneered to himself. These people, ignorant of the broader world, would never understand the abundance of techniques and insights within his mind.
"Rebirth has granted me a unique advantage: a mind brimming with countless techniques, secrets, and opportunities known to no one else."
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a familiar figure entering the Immortal Terrace Pavilion—a young woman dressed as a man. Recognizing her instantly, Ye Chen's heart raced. It was Ji Lingxian.
Seeing her beautiful face brought a hint of wetness to his eyes. His affection for Lingxian was as strong in this life as it had been in the last. Back when he was still a weak, talentless young man, she had saved him from a perilous situation. That kindness had kindled his admiration for her.
"I wonder what she's looking to buy," he murmured. Now, with spirit stones from the sale of his Divine Mansion technique, he could finally buy something for her.
"Before, I never once bought Lingxian a gift." Guilt flashed through his heart; he had been too focused on cultivation and had neglected those around him. Especially Lingxian, who had taken her own life for his sake in their previous life. He owed her everything.
"This time, I won't let Lingxian follow the same path. I'll protect her," he resolved, wiping his eyes and putting on his most confident expression before reentering the Pavilion.
"How may I assist you, Young Master?" A refined attendant asked, noticing the handsome young man who almost seemed more beautiful than some women.
"I… I'd like to buy some golden silkworm threads," Ji Lingxian murmured, a hint of hesitation in her voice, before turning to the attendant with a polite request.
She thought a robe woven by her own hands might make a fitting gift. Would he appreciate it? She wasn't sure, and her confidence wavered. After all, he was from the Upper Realm, someone of extraordinary status and ability.
Initially, she had considered giving him one of the treasures from her private collection, something simple and impersonal. Yet, inexplicably, she found herself wanting to craft something by hand, to offer him something from the heart, though she told herself it was merely a gesture of gratitude for saving her grandfather.
"Certainly, I'll fetch that for you right away." The attendant smiled, already calculating her increased commission. With the extra spirit stones from this sale, she might finally break through to the Spirit Meridian stage.
"Lingxian…"
Hearing someone call her name, Ji Lingxian turned, her eyes meeting those of a young man at the door.
"Who are you?" she asked, confused. She didn't recognize him, but his face seemed vaguely familiar.
"It's me, Ye Chen, the Ye family's heir," he replied, unfazed by the unfamiliarity between them.
Ji Lingxian's eyes lit up with recognition. This was the son of the Ye family, who she remembered meeting once as a child, though she had never gotten to know him well.