80: Chapter 80 Dream Rain Butterfly: She's acknowledged me as her master! Cao Kun: Yes, she's acknowledged me as her master!

Leaving Lianxiang Peak, Cao Kun rode the wind all the way.

He had just stepped through the gates of the Pill Pavilion.

Nangong Wan immediately hurried forward to meet him.

Today, she wore an elegant, pale cyan dress, her long hair tied up in a gentle, graceful bun.

Her eyes were clear, and a touch of delicate vulnerability lingered between her brows.

Clearly, the gentle and pure main soul was currently in control of this body.

"Husband."

Nangong Wan walked up to Cao Kun and gave a slight bow.

Though she felt ashamed of the wanton actions performed by her secondary soul,

after Cao Kun's discipline and the favor of the fifth-grade spirit nourishing pill, she had long since acknowledged this man in her heart.

"Mm." Cao Kun casually wrapped an arm around her full waist, giving it a squeeze. "Where is she?"

Nangong Wan's body trembled slightly as she obediently leaned into the crook of his arm, replying softly:

"Peak Master Meng has been waiting in the guest chamber for some time now."

"Judging by her expression, she seems a bit impatient."

"Impatient is good." Cao Kun chuckled lightly. "Come, take me to meet this old vixen."

Nangong Wan led Cao Kun through the front hall of the Pill Pavilion to a concealed stone door in the rear courtyard.

Pushing open the heavy, soundproof stone door,

they saw Meng Yudie seated in the host's chair, one leg crossed over the other.

The hem of her skirt had slipped down her shapely thigh, revealing a large expanse of dazzlingly fair skin.

A delicate embroidered shoe dangled from her toes, swinging back and forth in the air.

Hearing the door open, Meng Yudie stopped swinging the shoe.

She lifted her eyelids, her gaze sweeping over the closely pressed bodies of Cao Kun and Nangong Wan.

Then, covering her mouth, she let out a string of charming, light laughter.

"Oh my."

"Young Friend Cao is truly a busy man, keeping me waiting here for so long."

Meng Yudie leaned forward slightly, the snowy expanse of her chest threatening to spill out.

"I thought you'd become so lost in the pleasures of Lianxiang Peak's tender embrace that you'd even forgotten our agreed-upon business."

Cao Kun's expression remained unchanged; he simply didn't take the bait.

He released Nangong Wan's waist and unhurriedly walked into the chamber.

Pulling out a master's chair opposite Meng Yudie, he plopped down onto it.

"Wan'er, you go ahead and keep an eye on the accounts. You're not needed here anymore." Cao Kun waved his hand.

Nangong Wan nodded obediently. "Yes, husband."

With that, she turned and exited the chamber, closing the stone door behind her.

As the door sealed shut,

the soundproofing Formation within the chamber automatically activated.

Cao Kun understood well that women like Meng Yudie, who had lived for centuries and climbed to the position of a Peak Master, were all shrewd old foxes.

Inherently suspicious, their minds were more convoluted than a honeycomb.

If he acted too eager or too calm, it would surely arouse her suspicions.

The best way to deal with such people was to be even greedier, more mercenary, and more afraid of losing out than they were.

With this thought, Cao Kun propped his elbows on his knees.

Instantly, a miserly grin spread across his face.

"Peak Master Meng, you jest. How could I forget a money-making deal?"

Cao Kun rubbed his hands together, his gaze burning as he stared at Meng Yudie:

"The three days we agreed upon are up. Did you bring the two sixth-grade Hunyuan Golden Pills you promised?"

Seeing Cao Kun's impatient demeanor,

Meng Yudie inwardly sneered.

*He's still just a youngster after all. No matter how high his talent or combat prowess, he's ultimately inexperienced.*

*Getting this worked up over a few high-grade Medicinal Pills reveals his true colors.*

Meng Yudie let out a coquettish laugh.

She deliberately leaned forward a bit more,

making the view at her collar even more profound.

"What's the rush, Young Friend Cao?"

"Since I promised you, I naturally brought the goods. However..."

She deliberately drew out the last syllable.

Her fair hand gently brushed over the Storage Ring at her waist.

A palm-sized sandalwood box appeared in her palm.

Meng Yudie curled her jade-white fingers and lightly flicked open the clasp on the jade box.

*Click.*

The jade box opened just a tiny crack.

A rich, concentrated pill fragrance instantly filled the entire chamber!

After just one whiff,

the Purple-Gold Golden Core within Cao Kun's Dantian stirred noticeably.

*The sixth-grade Hunyuan Golden Pill is indeed the genuine article, a top-tier treasure.*

Cao Kun's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes fixed intently on that jade box.

He displayed just the right amount of fervor and greed.

He even unconsciously stretched his hands forward slightly.

Seeing Cao Kun's pathetic display,

the contempt in Meng Yudie's eyes deepened.

With a *snap*, she closed the jade box again,

sealing away the alluring pill fragrance.

"Young Friend Cao."

Meng Yudie's smile vanished, her tone turning serious.

"How precious is this sixth-grade Hunyuan Golden Pill? You can't find more than a few in the entire Qing Province."

"I can't just hand it all over based on your word alone."

"That 'Chongwu Spirit Ring' you mentioned, the one that can deflect attacks from the Late Golden Core Stage—I haven't even seen a shadow of it yet."

Meng Yudie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms, adopting a negotiating posture.

"For this transaction, I must try it on first to verify its authenticity."

"To see if it's truly as miraculous as you claim."

"What if it's just a piece of scrap metal? Wouldn't my Baihua Peak's entire fortune be swindled away by a little slickster like you?"

Hearing this,

Cao Kun's expression changed, and he shook his head repeatedly without hesitation.

"That won't do! Absolutely not!"

"Peak Master Meng, don't think I'm young and don't know the ropes!"

"This Magical Artifact is a unique relic from ancient times, and it's incredibly sinister. It's engraved with an extremely domineering binding Formation."

"Once it comes into contact with a living person's aura and body temperature, it automatically closes and binds itself, locking tightly around the neck. Even a Great Perfection Golden Core Cultivator wouldn't be able to remove it!"

Cao Kun grew more agitated as he spoke, adopting a protective stance.

"If you try it on, it'll bind to you directly. What if you then renege, fail to produce the Golden Pills, or simply turn around and leave?"

"Who would I cry to then? I can't fight you, and should I go complain to the Sect Master that you robbed me?"

Cao Kun snorted coldly, his attitude extremely firm.

"So there's no room for discussion on this!"

"You must first let me see those two Hunyuan Golden Pills and hand them over to me before we can proceed. Otherwise, this deal is off!"

Meng Yudie's willow-thin eyebrows furrowed slightly.

She had indeed planned to get it for free. Once the Magic Treasure was worn,

regardless of its quality,

she would have an excuse to find fault,

and then logically drive down the price, or even outright refuse to pay.

Initially, she had worried that what Cao Kun produced might be a counterfeit.

But Cao Kun's stingy, unyielding attitude actually dispelled her doubts.

*The more afraid this kid is of me putting it on, the more he emphasizes that it can't be removed once worn,*

*the more it proves this Magical Artifact's defensive mechanism is extremely domineering. It's definitely the real deal!*

Moreover, this kid was clearly afraid she would renege.

She hadn't come today intending to honestly hand over two Golden Pills anyway.

*Such a peerless Magic Treasure is, of course, best obtained for free.*

"Young Friend Cao, your temper is too fiery."

Meng Yudie softened her tone, presenting the bottom-line plan she had already calculated.

"How about this, let's each take a step back."

She reopened the jade box and plucked out a pill that was entirely golden and emanated a misty pill aura.

She placed it into a spare small jade vial.

"I'll give you one Hunyuan Golden Pill first. You give me that Spirit Ring."

"After I put it on and confirm there are no issues with this defensive artifact, that it truly protects its master automatically as you said,"

"I'll give you the other one."

"How about it?"

Cao Kun's brow furrowed tightly.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Meng Yudie and the jade box,

as if caught in a great struggle.

He remained silent for a full ten breaths.

Finally, Cao Kun gritted his teeth and refused again. "No! Absolutely not!"

"What if you put it on and then go back on your word, refusing to give me the other Golden Pill no matter what?"

"You Peak Masters have more schemes than a lotus root has holes. I don't trust you!"

"This deal is too risky. I'm not doing it!"

With that, Cao Kun flicked his sleeve.

He stood up and headed for the chamber door, making as if to pull open the stone door and part ways.

Cao Kun's move of feigning retreat to advance was executed to perfection.

Seeing him actually about to leave, Meng Yudie grew anxious inside.

She had figured it out now.

*This kid is a miser who won't let go of the prey until he sees it.*

Without showing some real gold and silver today, she definitely wouldn't get to see that Magic Treasure.

"Stop!"

Meng Yudie shouted sharply.

In a flash, she appeared directly in front of the stone door, blocking the way.

She forcefully shoved the small jade vial containing one Hunyuan Golden Pill into Cao Kun's arms.

"You little brat, how can you be so ungrateful!"

Meng Yudie put on a stern face, adopting the authority of an elder.

"I, the esteemed Peak Master of Baihua Peak, a Late Stage Golden Core great Cultivator, would actually renege on a debt to a junior? How would I face anyone if word got out?"

"Take this Golden Pill first! Consider it a deposit!"

"Now hurry up and bring out the goods!"

Cao Kun pulled out the stopper and carefully examined the contents.

After confirming the medicinal potency was correct,

he then, with extreme caution, stored the jade vial in his Storage Ring.

He deliberately dawdled for a while, his face still wearing a trace of reluctance.

"Fine... fine then."

"You said it yourself. After you verify the goods and confirm they're fine, you must immediately give me the other one. No reneging!"

Cao Kun slowly reached into his robe.

With a thought,

he directly exchanged 500 task points from the System's Myriad Realms Mall for a brand new [jade beast ring].

Seeing that familiar black iron ring, Meng Yudie's eyes instantly lit up.

*Yes!*

*This is it!*

*Exactly the same as the one on Liu Rumeng's neck!*

*That supremely ancient, returned-to-simplicity texture is unmistakable!*

"Give it here!"

Meng Yudie couldn't even wait for Cao Kun to hand it over.

She snatched the jade beast ring from Cao Kun's hand.

Without the slightest hesitation,

she directly slipped it over her own fair, slender neck.

*Click.*

A crisp sound of metal closing echoed in the quiet chamber.

The black ring locked seamlessly around Meng Yudie's neck.

The next moment,

the previously plain black ring's surface suddenly lit up with a circle of intricate, eerie dark-red Formation patterns.

This red light, like a living thing, slithered along Meng Yudie's skin and burrowed into her body,

heading straight for the depths of her Divine Soul!

Meng Yudie felt a slight, stinging pain in her mind.

An extremely strange connection was established between her and Cao Kun.

She didn't panic.

Instead, an expression of intense fervor appeared on her face.

"It's bound! It's truly bound!"

"Such a domineering contract that directly binds to the Divine Soul, even I cannot resist it. It truly is a peerless ancient Magic Treasure!"

Meng Yudie excitedly stroked the black ring on her neck, unable to put it down.

At the same time,

a crisp, heavenly prompt tone sounded in Cao Kun's mind.

[Ding! Detected that the Jade Beast 'Meng Yudie' has put on the jade beast ring!]

[Binding Formation activated!]

[Divine Soul binding successful!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host. Successfully captured the fifth Jade Beast 'Meng Yudie'!]

[Current Jade Beast taming value: 0/100]

[Reward: 2000 task points!]

Hearing the prompts in his mind, Cao Kun couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips.

*TheThe overall situation is settled.. (The overall situation is settled.)*

Inside the chamber,

Meng Yudie was still admiring the new accessory on her neck in a water mirror.

She looked at it for a good half-incense stick's worth of time.

Only then, satisfied, did she put away the water mirror and turn to look at Cao Kun.

All previous courtesy vanished, and the arrogance on her face was no longer concealed.

"Young Friend Cao, this Magical Artifact is indeed good. I am quite pleased."

Cao Kun stood where he was, his expression surprisingly calm:

"Since Peak Master Meng is satisfied, shouldn't you hand over the other Hunyuan Golden Pill?"

"The other one?"

Meng Yudie covered her mouth with a tinkling, coquettish laugh.

"Oh my, Young Friend Cao, you really are adorably naive."

"Since this item has already acknowledged me as its master, it is now my personal belonging."

"Moreover, I suddenly feel that one sixth-grade Hunyuan Golden Pill is more than enough in exchange for this lump of iron."

She spread her hands, adopting a shameless expression of *what are you going to do about it?*

"As for the other one..."

"I'll consider whether to bestow it upon you some day when I'm in a good mood~"

"That's all for today. I have important matters to attend to and won't waste any more time here with you."

"Farewell~"

With that, Meng Yudie turned to leave the chamber directly.

*Took my things and think you can just run?*

Leaning back in his chair, Cao Kun spoke calmly to Meng Yudie's retreating back.

"I'm afraid that's not up to you."

Meng Yudie's hand, pushing against the door, paused slightly.

She turned her head, looking at Cao Kun's unperturbed demeanor, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

A strong sense of unease abruptly rose from the depths of her heart.

*This kid's reaction is too abnormal.*

*He went to such lengths for the Golden Pills, and now that I've swindled him, he's not the least bit angry?*

*Could there be something wrong with this black ring?*

*But when I put it on just now, I clearly felt the Formation pattern binding it.*

*The Magic Treasure is already thoroughly bound to my Divine Soul.*

*Unless this kid can forcibly erase the Divine Sense of a Late Stage Golden Core Cultivator,*

*there's absolutely no way he could control this artifact.*

"What?"

"Does Elder Cao intend to attack me right here in the Pill Pavilion?"

Meng Yudie sneered, the vast Spiritual Pressure of a Late Stage Golden Core surging faintly within her.

Cao Kun didn't speak.

He simply watched Meng Yudie quietly.

Then, in his mind, he issued an order to the System.

"Activate the disciplinary function!"

[Ding! Command received!]

[jade beast ring disciplinary function activated!]

"Ah——!"

Meng Yudie didn't even have time to react.

A heart-wrenching scream had already escaped her lips!

That power completely ignored her defenses, acting directly on her Divine Soul!

*Thud.*

Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.

"Wh-what is this?!"

Meng Yudie's eyes widened in terror as she desperately tried to mobilize the spiritual energy within her body to resist.

But she despairingly discovered that

her proud Late Stage Golden Core cultivation,

was firmly locked within her Dantian by the suppressing force emanating from the black ring around her neck.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't mobilize even a shred of it.

What made her feel even more horrified was

that she actually felt an irrepressible sense of fear towards this young man before her!

As if with just a single thought from him, her Divine Soul could be utterly destroyed!

"You... what have you done to me?!"

Meng Yudie was drenched in cold sweat.

Her hands clutched desperately at the black ring around her neck, trying with all her might to tear it off.

But the black ring was already deeply bound to her Divine Soul.

No matter how she pried and pulled, she couldn't budge it even a fraction.

"What kind of devilish thing is this?! Take it off! Take it off right now!"

"It's not called the Chongwu Spirit Ring. Its true name is the jade beast ring."

Cao Kun walked slowly to her front.

He crouched down,

looking at her enchanting face, now twisted with fear and pain.

"Peak Master Meng, you can eat recklessly, but you shouldn't speak recklessly."

"You bought this yourself, at a great price."

"You were the one who actively, with your own hands, fastened it around your own neck."

"From beginning to end, I haven't laid a finger on you, nor did I force you."

Cao Kun reached out, pinched Meng Yudie's chin, and forced her to look up.

"What?"

"The esteemed Peak Master of Baihua Peak,"

"after forcing a sale, now plans to falsely accuse me?"

Meng Yudie