11: Chapter 11 Feud

Seeing this, Xu Changsheng was startled.

He quickly cupped his fists. "May I ask, Fellow Daoist, is there some hidden reason?"

The madam said helplessly, "Honored guest, I am truly sorry. Yun Xin is unwell today and won't be participating in today's sale."

Xu Changsheng persisted, "I see. In that case, could I meet with her alone?"

Upon hearing this.

The madam became displeased. "I've already said she is unwell. Please do not push your luck, honored guest."

Seeing that Xu Changsheng's cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, she felt no need to treat him as a distinguished guest.

Hearing the madam's refusal.

Xu Changsheng frowned.

No, this involved a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique and his future plans for immortality; he couldn't just let it go.

He lightly tapped the Storage Pouch at his waist.

Watching Xu Changsheng's movements, the madam's eyes filled with disdain.

Could a Cultivator at the Qi Refining Third Layer produce enough Spirit Stones or anything else to move her?

However.

In the next moment.

The madam's expression changed abruptly as Xu Changsheng pulled out a Xie Family Guest Elder Medallion from his Storage Pouch.

A smile returned to her face. "So you are a distinguished guest."

Xu Changsheng raised an eyebrow and put away the medallion. "Cut the chatter. Take me to see the woman named Yun Xin."

The madam looked troubled again. "Honored guest, Yun Xin is really not fit to see anyone right now. I'm afraid you'll be frightened if you see her. Are you sure you want to meet her?"

"Of course."

"Very well, please follow me."

Pushing through the crowd, the madam led Xu Changsheng into the Yihong Courtyard and found a secluded room.

"Yun Xin, come out."

"Yes." A voice like a silver bell, tinged with sobbing, came from inside.

The door opened, and an ugly young girl stepped out, her face covered in large burn scars.

"This is...?" Xu Changsheng was shocked.

The madam looked disgusted. "I told you, honored guest. Yun Xin accidentally scalded her face with hot water yesterday. I was just about to call a physician to treat her, but you wouldn't believe me."

Xu Changsheng looked closely at Yun Xin; she had a frail build and fair skin. If not for the scars on her face, her natural features would have been quite good.

"Fine, I'll take her."

"What?"

Hearing this, the madam's face filled with disbelief.

"What, does Fellow Daoist disagree?"

"No, it's just that Yun Xin's current state..." The madam suspected a trick.

"Stop wasting time. How many Spirit Stones? I'm taking her with me now."

"Right away. Given Yun Xin's situation and the medical expenses, I'll charge you five Spirit Stones."

Without another word, Xu Changsheng tossed the Spirit Stones over and led Yun Xin away by her small hand, which felt soft and smooth.

...

He took Yun Xin directly back to his courtyard.

He told her to sit down.

Yun Xin, unable to see, sat upright on a wooden chair, looking somewhat at a loss. She knew what she was about to face; the madam had made it very clear to her.

Seeing the girl's nervous state, Xu Changsheng reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you."

Yun Xin did not respond.

"Uh, my name is Xu Changsheng. You can call me Young Master Xu."

"Yes, Young Master Xu." Yun Xin's voice trembled, but she seemed slightly more relaxed than before.

Xu Changsheng got straight to the point. "Fellow Daoist Yun, do you have a jade pendant? Could you let me see it?"

"Ah, how did you know?"

Yun Xin's scarred face showed surprise.

"Never mind that for now. Can you take it out and let me see?" Xu Changsheng's voice trembled slightly.

"I can."

Yun Xin unbuttoned her clothes and pulled a translucent jade pendant from her bosom.

He took the jade pendant.

Xu Changsheng could still feel the girl's warmth and fragrance on it. He impatiently swept it with his Divine Sense, only to find that to his Divine Sense, the jade pendant appeared to be an ordinary mundane object without any peculiar traits.

Fortunately, he had the information prompt.

"Miss Yun, may I borrow a drop of your blood?"

"Hmm? Yes."

"Thank you. Please bear with me for a moment."

Xu Changsheng took her delicate hand and pricked her ring finger with a silver needle, letting a drop of bright red blood fall onto the jade pendant.

In the next instant.

The jade pendant erupted with light, and countless silver runes flew out. Upon closer inspection, they were actually the contents of the Great Sun Fusang Scripture.

Xu Changsheng quickly expanded his Divine Sense, firmly memorizing the surrounding information.

"Although it only goes up to the Golden Core Stage, it's enough."

Xu Changsheng felt his head throb slightly and needed time to digest the information. He settled Yun Xin in the side bedroom, leaving behind some Fasting Pills and the keys to the courtyard.

"You can move freely within the courtyard. Eat from this bag of Fasting Pills when you're hungry."

He then returned to his own bedroom.

At the same time.

Wangjiang Restaurant.

In a luxurious private room, Chen Xuan and Su Xiaojing were feasting with Huang Laifu.

"Fellow Daoist Huang, how is the matter I asked you to handle? Has Xu Changsheng been kicked out of Liuyun Market yet?"

Hearing the question.

Huang Laifu groaned inwardly but didn't dare offend Chen Xuan. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Chen. This Xu Changsheng borrowed some Spirit Stones from Wu Laoxie and is barely scraping by in the market for now, but he won't last much longer."

"Very good."

Chen Xuan cheered and continued drinking and eating.

Su Xiaojing also toasted Huang Laifu. She had finally gotten rid of her former Dao Companion; from now on, she could finally hold her head high in front of Chen Xuan.

After several cups of Spirit Wine, Huang Laifu was not drunk; instead, the hatred in his eyes grew stronger.

This Xu Changsheng had not only prevented him from earning Chen Xuan's Spirit Stones but had even caused him a slight loss. Such a losing deal was a sheer humiliation to him.

Regardless of Chen Xuan's attitude, as far as he was concerned, his grudge against Xu Changsheng was irreconcilable.

"Humph, Xu Changsheng, don't think you can rest easy just because you have Xie Wantang's backing."

"I'll make you realize that I, Huang Laifu, reached this position today not just through connections, but through my own methods!"

...

Another day passed.

In the master bedroom.

Xu Changsheng sat cross-legged, exhaling a long breath of turbid air, his eyes shining with brilliance.

This Great Sun Fusang Scripture was indeed a rare, top-tier Cultivation Technique.

On top of its great power, it also incorporated the Path of the Divine Soul. Cultivating it refined one's Dharmic power, Divine Sense, and Divine Soul strength, far surpassing Cultivators of the same rank.

It even contained several profound secret techniques.

Most importantly.

Once the technique reached a certain Realm, it could even temper one's Spiritual Root and improve one's Aptitude, eventually rivaling a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root.

"This is too Heaven-Defying!"

Having spent many years in the market, Xu Changsheng had never heard of a Cultivation Technique that could improve a Spiritual Root.

His face was full of anticipation.

"The Grand Dao, the Grand Dao is within reach."

"I wonder what Yun Xin is doing now?"

Although the information didn't specify Yun Xin's identity, someone carrying such a jade pendant might come from a prominent cultivation clan, only to be sent to the Yichun Courtyard by some twist of fate.

He made a mental resolution: "I must treat this girl well, just in case."

With this thought, he stepped out of his room and into the courtyard.

He saw Yun Xin holding a broom, sweeping leaves. Because she was unfamiliar with the courtyard's layout, her movements were slightly clumsy.