After knocking on Chen Yuan's door, Ning Rongrong walked in, closing the door behind her. She looked at Chen Yuan and said:
"Brother Chen Yuan, I need your help. I've decided to talk to Tang San. You saw the weapons he used and his abilities last night. They allowed him, a Great Soul Master, to kill a thousand-year Datura Snake, which is comparable to a Soul Ancestor-level opponent. It was too crowded during the day, so I couldn't bring it up. Now that it's late, let's go find him. He said he owes you a favor, so with you there, he definitely won't refuse."
Chen Yuan was initially confused, but after hearing Ning Rongrong's explanation, he finally understood. She had recognized Tang San's value. He smiled and said:
"Since you've come to me, I won't refuse. Let's go talk to him."
Ning Rongrong's face lit up with joy. With Chen Yuan's support, she felt more confident. She took his hand and led him out of the room.
When they arrived outside Tang San's room, they knocked on the door. It opened quickly, and Tang San, seeing the two of them, looked puzzled and asked:
"What's this about?"
Ning Rongrong spoke up:
"Tang San, can we come in and talk to you?"
Tang San hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter:
"Come in. What do you want to talk about?"
Tang San was already on guard. It was late, and they had come to see him. He had to stay alert.
Once inside, Ning Rongrong seemed to channel her father, Ning Fengzhi. She showed none of her usual haughty demeanor, appearing approachable and friendly. With a smile, she said:
"Tang San, we're here to discuss a deal. Last night, when you killed the Datura Snake, we all saw it. Those incredible self-created soul skills and the weapon you used at the end—if you're willing to sell them, I'll give you a price you'll be satisfied with. Really, as a support-type soul master, I desperately need those kinds of techniques."
So that's what this is about!
Tang San's heart tightened. Ning Rongrong wanted his Tang Sect's secret techniques and hidden weapons. Her coveting of his skills made his expression turn cold.
He, Tang San, was a man of the Tang Sect in life and a ghost of the Tang Sect in death. How could he possibly sell his sect's techniques? Doing so would be a betrayal of his ancestors and his sect.
Tang San no longer looked at Ning Rongrong. Instead, he turned to Chen Yuan and said sternly:
"So you came here for this?"
Chen Yuan nodded, admitting it. He reached out and gently patted Ning Rongrong's head, his fingers brushing through her smooth, silky hair. He said:
"Tang San, don't misunderstand. This isn't about cashing in a favor. It's just that, as a support-type soul master, your techniques would be very useful for Rongrong. If you agree, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda will offer you an enormous sum of wealth."
Tang San didn't hesitate. He shook his head firmly, his eyes calm but his voice cold:
"I'm sorry, but I can't sell my sect's techniques. This isn't about money. It's a matter of principle. However, the weapon I used to kill the Datura Snake is called the Zhuge Divine Crossbow. Its power is enough to kill a Datura Snake, and I estimate it can kill a Soul Ancestor-level opponent. It doesn't require soul power to use—just pull the trigger."
"After we return, I'll forge a Zhuge Divine Crossbow and some other hidden weapons for Ning Rongrong as a way to repay the favor I owe you."
Chen Yuan felt a bit helpless. It seemed Tang San wasn't willing to sell any of the techniques from the Mystic Heaven Record. The Mystic Heaven Technique was probably out of the question too.
Ning Rongrong, however, grew anxious. Her voice sharpened as she said:
"Tang San, I'm not joking. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is as wealthy as a nation. As the sect leader's daughter, I have access to vast resources. Three million gold soul coins, five million gold soul coins—name your price, and we can negotiate."
Hearing this, Tang San, who had lived a frugal life, nearly lost his composure. For the first time, he realized just how vast the gap between people could be. His breathing quickened, but he said:
"Please leave. I will never sell them. I, Tang San, will never betray my sect."
Ning Rongrong clenched her teeth, her face flushed with anger. She turned to leave but couldn't resist adding:
"I hope you won't regret this."
Chen Yuan shook his head. It seemed the Mystic Heaven Technique was out of reach. Oh well, the path to godhood didn't rely on the Mystic Heaven Technique. He still had his meditation method to continue cultivating.
After leaving Tang San's room, Ning Rongrong bit her nails, her eyes cold. She walked to the end of the hallway, where there was no more path, and whispered:
"Brother Chen Yuan, is there anyone eavesdropping?"
Chen Yuan had enough perception to know if anyone was spying or listening nearby. He shook his head and said:
"Don't worry. Everyone's basically asleep."
Only then did Ning Rongrong grit her teeth and say:
"That Tang San is so ungrateful! What sect does he even have? I asked Xiao Wu about him. His father is just a blacksmith who disappeared years ago. He was even a working student at a primary soul master academy. And now he's using his 'sect' to brush me off."
"Wait, does he really have a sect? His Blue Silver Grass martial soul is so common, yet he's already a three-ringed Soul Elder, breaking through faster than me. Something's not right, something's very wrong…"
Chen Yuan looked at Ning Rongrong with surprise. This girl was quite clever. Then again, she was Ning Fengzhi's daughter.
Perhaps noticing Chen Yuan's gaze, Ning Rongrong stopped and asked curiously:
"Brother Chen Yuan, what's wrong?"
Chen Yuan chuckled and said:
"Rongrong, I just realized today that you've not only grown up but also have the bearing of a sect leader."
Sect leader? Like her father?
Ning Rongrong was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly explained:
"Brother Chen Yuan, the reason I tried to scheme against Tang San is that after that night, I stopped seeing him as a friend!"
She looked flustered, as if she cared deeply about Chen Yuan's opinion of her:
"I didn't expect him to refuse to sell, not even willing to name a price. He even wasted the favor he owed you…"
Summoning her courage, Ning Rongrong stepped forward and hugged Chen Yuan. She stood on her tiptoes, raised her head, and kissed him on the lips. Although she often made bold remarks, she had no real experience. Aside from the touch of their lips, there was nothing more.
After a moment, Ning Rongrong's eyes glistened, her cheeks flushed. She pulled away and said:
"I'll repay that favor with myself."
Perhaps feeling too embarrassed, she turned around, covered her face, and quickly left, retreating to her room as if fleeing in defeat.
Watching Ning Rongrong's figure disappear, Chen Yuan's expression remained calm, his deep, black-and-white eyes surprisingly unperturbed.
He touched his face—it wasn't flushed. He pressed a hand to his chest—his heartbeat was normal. Letting out a breath, Chen Yuan thought:
'I might be too rational. But that's fine. Not being swayed by emotions allows me to stay calm in any situation.'
Or perhaps that kiss was just a brief touch of lips, leaving no real impression.
---
Author's Note: Writing romance scenes isn't my strong suit, so I'll just push it along from the sidelines.
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,293
---