20: Chapter 20 My husband is shy; this is his heartfelt gift to my sister.

Inside Wanbao Pavilion, the mess at the main entrance had already been quickly cleared away by the shop assistants.

Dripping with sweat, Qian Tong invited the Hehuan Sect group to the VIP private room on the second floor and ordered people to bring out all the "treasures of the shop."

"Sect Master, Madam, Elder."

Qian Tong rubbed his hands together with a flattering smile. "These are currently the highest-grade treasures in this shop. Would you care to take a look?"

Three brocade boxes were placed on a long table.

Wang Yang opened the first one with anticipation.

It was a longsword gleaming with a cold light.

"This is the 'qingshuang sword', a High Grade Magical Artifact! It cuts through iron like butter and can slice a hair with just a breath..." Qian Tong introduced it laboriously.

Wang Yang's eyelid twitched.

A High Grade Magical Artifact?

This thing might be fine for a Disciple in the Qi Refinement Stage, but for a wife and an Elder in the Foundation Establishment Stage?

Wouldn't that be embarrassing?

Even though Ye Qingcheng's "water-severing blade" was a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact, it was still a whole level higher than this Magical Artifact!

He opened the second box.

It was a set of robes for defense.

"This is the 'flowing cloud water-sleeve skirt', a High Grade Magical Artifact! It can withstand a full-strength strike from someone at Qi Refining Perfection..."

Wang Yang sighed and closed the lid.

"Pavilion Revered Master Qian."

Wang Yang looked at Qian Tong with some disappointment. "Is this all your Wanbao Pavilion has? You don't even have a decent Spiritual Artifact?"

Qian Tong gave a bitter smile and bowed repeatedly.

"Sect Master, please forgive me! Our Qingshi Town is just a remote little town after all. The highest-level people who pass through here are usually Cultivators in the Late Stage of Qi Refining. Spiritual Artifacts used by great Foundation Establishment Cultivators cost thousands of Spirit Stones and are only for those destined to find them. This small shop... simply can't afford to stock them."

"If the Sect Master truly wants good items, you would have to go to the main pavilion in 'Flowing Cloud City' a hundred miles away, or attend a large-scale auction."

Wang Yang nodded helplessly.

True, how could one buy max-level equipment in a starter village shop?

He turned to look at the three beauties behind him.

Ye Qingcheng and Su Qingge clearly hadn't held much hope either, as their expressions remained indifferent.

Lin Xiaowan, however, was staring at the 'qingshuang sword' and the set of robes next to it, her eyes sparkling and drool nearly escaping her mouth.

"Even though there are no Spiritual Artifacts, we can't have come here for nothing."

Wang Yang waved his hand, pointing at the items on the table.

"This 'qingshuang sword' and that 'flowing cloud water-sleeve skirt'—pack them up!"

"They're for Xiao Wan."

"Huh?!"

Lin Xiaowan snapped her head up, pointing at herself in disbelief. "Revered Master... they're... for me?"

"Nonsense."

Wang Yang rolled his eyes. "Your Revered Master's wife and Elder Su have no use for this junk. If I don't give it to you, who would I give it to? Take them quickly and don't embarrass me outside; a grand eldest Disciple shouldn't be dressed like a village girl."

"Waaaah... Revered Master, you're the best!"

Lin Xiaowan was moved to tears. Holding the two pieces of equipment worth hundreds of Spirit Stones, she almost wanted to pounce on Wang Yang and give him a kiss, but she was stopped by a look from Ye Qingcheng.

These were Top Grade Magical Artifacts!

Back at the Iron Fist Sect, even Cultivators like Wang Ergou weren't qualified to wear them!

"How much in total?"

"It would have been eight hundred Spirit Stones, but since it's the Sect Master, after the discount... just seven hundred will do!" Qian Tong knew how to play his cards.

Wang Yang paid readily.

After buying the equipment, Wang Yang was about to leave when his gaze was drawn to the jewelry section in the nearby counter.

Although there were no Advanced Magic Treasures here, Wanbao Pavilion was a business after all, and they had plenty of decorative trinkets to please female Cultivators. Although most had no defensive power, they had the advantage of being—beautiful.

Wang Yang's gaze locked onto a pure gold Phoenix hairpins.

The craftsmanship was extremely exquisite; the Phoenix's eyes were rubies, and the tail feather tassels hung down, swaying gently with the breeze, looking exceptionally noble.

"I'll take this one."

Wang Yang picked up the hairpin, turned, and walked up to Ye Qingcheng.

"Wife."

Wang Yang's voice softened, completely ignoring the outsiders nearby. "You've worked hard these past few days. Although this hairpin isn't some powerful Magic Treasure, I think it suits your temperament very well."

Ye Qingcheng was stunned.

She looked at the mundane-looking hairpin in Wang Yang's hand, but an indescribable sweetness surged in her heart.

She was a Saintess and had seen countless rare treasures.

But this was the first time this man had given her jewelry.

"Husband is very thoughtful."

Ye Qingcheng lowered her head slightly, revealing a section of her snow-white neck. Her shy appearance made Qian Tong's eyes almost pop out of his head; he quickly looked down, not daring to watch.

Wang Yang personally helped her insert the hairpin and nodded with satisfaction: "Truly beautiful."

"Ahem..."

Just then, an extremely faint, slightly awkward cough came from the side.

Wang Yang turned around to see Su Qingge holding her zither, looking out the window pretending to enjoy the scenery. However, her slightly pursed lips and stiff back radiated a sourness that said "I'm a third wheel."

Wang Yang scratched his head.

Oh no.

He was so busy coaxing his wife that he forgot there was a "mission objective" here too.

But... what should he give her?

Wang Yang looked around the counter; the remaining jewelry was either too vulgar or too gaudy, not at all fitting for Su Qingge's cold and immortal-like temperament.

Moreover, he and Su Qingge had only known each other for a day. Would giving her jewelry directly be too abrupt?

With his "straight-man thinking" kicking in, Wang Yang hesitated for a long time and ultimately didn't dare to make a move.

"Um... Pavilion Revered Master Qian, let's settle the bill," Wang Yang said dryly.

Su Qingge's gaze as she looked out the window dimmed slightly.

Although she wasn't the type of woman to covet vanity, and she had joined the Hehuan Sect for revenge, not for these things, seeing Ye Qingcheng's happy expression and then looking at herself...

"In the end, I'm just an outsider," Su Qingge mocked herself in her heart.

However, right at that moment.

A jade hand suddenly reached toward a corner of the counter and picked up a "Cold Jade Bracelet" that was emerald green throughout and free of any Impurities.

"Wait."

Ye Qingcheng's voice rang out.

Wang Yang and Su Qingge looked over at the same time.

They saw Ye Qingcheng holding the bracelet, walking up to Su Qingge with a gentle and graceful smile.

"Sister Su."

Ye Qingcheng took Su Qingge's delicate hand and, without allowing any argument, slid the bracelet onto her wrist.

The emerald green jade bracelet complemented Su Qingge's snow-white wrist, creating a breathtaking beauty.

"This..." Su Qingge was a bit dazed. "Madam, this..."

Ye Qingcheng leaned into her ear and said in a playful voice that only the two of them could hear:

"My husband, although he has heaven-defying methods, is sometimes foolish and thin-skinned when it comes to pleasing girls."

"Just now, he looked at this bracelet several times, thinking it particularly suited your cold temperament, but he was too embarrassed to give it to you directly, fearing you'd find it abrupt."

"So, he specifically sent a voice transmission asking me to do it on his behalf."

After saying this, Ye Qingcheng turned to look at Wang Yang, winked, and said loudly:

"Husband, you wanted to buy this bracelet too, right? Since Sister Su looks so good wearing it, let's settle the bill for it as well?"

Wang Yang: ???

When did I ask you to buy it?

When did I even look at that bracelet?

But seeing Ye Qingcheng's frantic hinting and Su Qingge's gaze—which held a hint of shyness amidst the surprise, and then transformed into touched emotion—

Wang Yang suddenly had a flash of inspiration!

This is the legendary... Divine-Grade assist?!

Is this the magnanimity of the primary wife?!

"Cough! Yes! That's right!"

Wang Yang immediately puffed out his chest.

"Elder Su... cough, Qingge. Since you've joined my Hehuan Sect, we are family. I saw that this Cold Jade Bracelet is gentle and restrained, which perfectly matches your Zither Heart and Sword Gall. It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't refuse it."

Su Qingge stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist, feeling its cool and gentle touch.

So... he didn't ignore me.

So... he was considering my feelings and feared I would be embarrassed, so he had the Madam pass it to me instead?

Even the Madam could be so generous and inclusive...

The last bit of estrangement and the "outsider feeling" in Su Qingge's heart quietly melted away at this moment.

She looked up, and for the first time, a hint of soft warmth appeared in those cold eyes as she gave Wang Yang a graceful bow:

"Thank you, Sect Master... for your kindness."

"Qingge likes it very much."

[Ding! Guest Elder Su Qingge's favorability toward the host has increased significantly!]

Wang Yang listened to the System's notification and watched this scene of "sisterly affection."

In his heart, he silently gave Ye Qingcheng a big thumbs up:

"Wife, you're the real Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect!"

...

The group left Wanbao Pavilion, returning fully loaded.

Wang Yang walked at the front, brimming with high spirits.

His left hand was holding a red rose wearing a Phoenix hairpin, and his right... cough, although he wasn't holding her, he was followed by a white peony wearing a jade bracelet.

Behind them followed a silly, happy little sidekick decked out in top-tier equipment.

"Let's go! Back to the mountain!"