Hua Yueyun's rosy lips parted slightly as she took a sip of flower petal tea, exuding an irresistible charm. With a sweet smile, she said to Shen Xiang, "Gongzi, come have some tea before we get down to business."
Shen Xiang rubbed his nose, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious. He had just sparred with someone and refined a batch of Great Revival Pills, leaving him sweaty and disheveled.
He chuckled, "Master Hua, you're far more beautiful than the flowers outside. I just can't figure out why you're so warm toward me. This enthusiasm is really making me feel quite hot!"
As he spoke, Shen Xiang cursed silently, calling her a "vixen" in his heart. Ever since he entered, the fire in his belly had been quietly burning.
Though he managed to maintain a calm exterior, his mind was still in turmoil. He had previously seen Bai Youyou's and Su Meiyao's jade-like forms and had even shared intimate moments with the ethereal beauty, Xue Xianxian. He had also encountered the breathtakingly elegant Empress of the Divine Weapon Heavenly Kingdom. But he had to admit, the woman before him, Hua Yueyun, was on par with those beauties.
"Gongzi has the genius fairy, Xue Xianxian, by your side. How could you possibly spare a glance for someone like me?" Hua Yueyun feigned self-pity, her lovely face showing a hint of envy.
Shen Xiang turned his head, avoiding the sight of the stunning woman before him. He drank a cup of flower petal tea and said, "Master Hua, let's get to the point. I have a Millennium Blood Ganoderma to sell. I trust you'll offer me a fair price!"
Hearing this, Hua Yueyun stopped teasing the innocent young man and sat down to pour him another cup of tea. "I'm surprised. A Millennium Blood Ganoderma is incredibly valuable, especially for someone who practices alchemy like yourself. Don't you realize how precious it is? If you need money, I can lend it to you."
Shen Xiang was startled. He couldn't understand why such a beautiful, mature, and extraordinary woman was treating him so well, even offering to lend him money.
"This woman is calculating. I need to be careful," Shen Xiang reminded himself, well aware of the saying, "There's no such thing as a free lunch."
"No thanks, I don't want to owe anyone any favors. If Master Hua isn't interested, I'll take my business elsewhere." Shen Xiang stood up, unwilling to endure more of this woman's charm, as it was becoming too much for him to handle.
Hua Yueyun sighed softly, took a small sip of tea, and said in a melancholic tone, "Though I may appear to be a high-ranking estate owner, my true identity is nothing more than a maid in Danxiang Taoyuan. It's only because of my looks and a bit of wit that I was entrusted with managing this estate."
Shen Xiang could hardly believe that such a stunning beauty was merely a maid!
"Shen Gongzi, you are a rare talent, both in strength and alchemy. Few in the martial arts world can compare to you! I'll be blunt—I want to recruit you into Danxiang Taoyuan. If you join, I'll receive a reward and finally be able to leave this barren, qi-deprived place." Hua Yueyun pouted, her expression full of sorrow.
A martial arts sect gaining a prodigious talent was undoubtedly a good thing for them, but Shen Xiang was suspicious. "Are you saying that if I join Danxiang Taoyuan, you'll be rewarded? You don't seem like just a maid. I sense your strength is at least at the eighth level of the Mortal Martial Realm!"
Hua Yueyun was taken aback and said, "Shen Gongzi has sharp eyes. I'll be honest with you—only if you become a true disciple of Danxiang Taoyuan will I receive a reward. Many prodigies fail to reach the True Martial Realm. I've seen it happen countless times."
Shen Xiang smiled faintly. "You must have tricked quite a few people, then."
Hua Yueyun pouted, "I didn't deceive them. They all willingly joined Danxiang Taoyuan. Besides, joining the sect doesn't harm them."
Shen Xiang shook his head. "I'm not joining Danxiang Taoyuan. I plan to enter the Taiwu Gate!"
Hua Yueyun scoffed, "Taiwu Gate? Shen Gongzi, you should know that Taiwu Gate is the hardest to enter among the eight major sects. No matter how talented you are, if you can't pass their hellish trials, you'll be turned away!"
Shen Xiang's eyes gleamed with determination. "That's what makes it a challenge!"
Hua Yueyun wrinkled her nose and huffed angrily, "Idiot! You could've had an easy path with me leading you into Danxiang Taoyuan, but you insist on going to that cursed Taiwu Gate. You'll regret it later!"
"If I regret it, that's my problem. Thank you for your concern, Master Hua!" Shen Xiang smiled at her.
Hua Yueyun bit her lip, pouting as she looked at Shen Xiang with a mixture of anger and frustration. "Stop calling me 'Master Hua.' I can't bear that title. Now that you know my true identity, don't raise me up like that... Just call me Yueyun from now on. Otherwise, I won't sell any more medicinal pills to the Shen family."
Just moments ago, she had been a seductive enchantress capable of making men lose their minds. Now, she had turned into a sulking young girl, which made Shen Xiang laugh. "Yueyun, can we talk about the price of that Millennium Blood Ganoderma now?"
After a couple of sips of tea to calm herself, Hua Yueyun finally said, "Since you're set on selling it, I won't stop you! But you really are a fool—selling such a rare herb and refusing to join Danxiang Taoyuan... How did someone as bright as Xue Xianxian fall for a dummy like you?"
Her lovely face was once again filled with anger, though it only added to her charm. Shen Xiang couldn't help but admire her beauty. If Hua Yueyun knew what he was thinking, she would have been furious.
"You're in a rush for money. I'll lend it to you. Even though I'm just a maid, I'm not short on spirit coins, and I can freely use Danxiang Medicine Store's funds," Hua Yueyun said.
"Women sure are chatty. Just give me a price! I don't want to owe you anything," Shen Xiang said with a smirk.
Hua Yueyun spat lightly in disdain. "Forty thousand large spirit coins."
Shen Xiang was pleased with the price and nodded. "I'll also be buying some herbs from you."
He handed her a list along with the Millennium Blood Ganoderma. Hua Yueyun sighed as she took the herb. "If you joined Danxiang Taoyuan and became a true disciple, I could become your maid... Then I'd be yours for life."
Shen Xiang raised an eyebrow. That was quite the tempting offer, but he refused. "Xianxian would get jealous."
Hua Yueyun stuck out her tongue and said, "Talking to you is infuriating. I'll be back."
As Shen Xiang watched her sway her alluring figure away, he let out a sigh of relief. Su Meiyao giggled, "That little vixen is quite the charmer! Having her as a true disciple's woman would be a good deal. In those martial sects, true disciples hold high status."
Shen Xiang asked, "Why is that?"
Bai Youyou replied, "True disciples are usually beyond the True Martial Realm. Though those martial sects are vast with countless disciples, true disciples are few. They represent the core strength of the sect."