'300 points for the first customer... let's see what you've got for me.'
"Four hundred spirit crystals." Then, in a tone that was neither harsh nor kind—like a world-weary old sage—he added:
"Excuse me?"
Xiao pressed his lips together. Four hundred spirit crystals? This was broad daylight robbery!
Even though he was an inner disciple of the Golden Clouds Sect, his total savings barely amounted to thirty spirit crystals.
Four hundred spirit crystals? That was a price only core disciples or elders could afford. Even if he wanted to, there was nothing he could do with such a cost.
"Four hundred spirit crystals. No discount. If your sister's life isn't worth it, then forget it."
Even though Lian would've liked to give a discount to his first customer, unfortunately, the system was greedy and didn't allow it.
Each spirit crystal equaled one celestial point. If he took 300 spirit crystals, he'd get nothing—everything would go to the system. Naturally, he needed a profit too.
Xiao's hands trembled. His gaze shifted between Lian and his storage ring.
What if this man really knew how to save his sister? He didn't want to risk it and lose the only chance he might have.
A deep silence followed for a few seconds.
"Can I give something of equal value instead?" he asked, gritting his teeth.
"Sure, no problem."
"This... is our family's heirloom sword. My father died wielding it... but if it can save Li Lin... then it's worth it." He sighed in the end.
He pulled out a long sword with a black-and-silver sheath from his ring.
Lian took the sword without hesitation. Instantly, the system, like a hyper-efficient office worker, activated.
[Scanning...]
[Treasure: Slumbering Soul Sword – Rare Grade]
[Recycling successful. +285 Celestial Points obtained.]
Lian raised an eyebrow. He put down his teacup, leaned slightly toward Xiao, and calmly but firmly said:
"Not enough.."
It felt like a hammer struck Xiao's brain.
"What?! The family heirloom isn't enough?!" It was a rare-grade treasure!
He was sure that if it went to auction, it'd easily fetch four hundred soul crystals.
Treasures are ranked as: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Celestial, Heavenly, and Divine.
Lian shrugged and didn't reply. The sword was only worth 285 points, and the system took it all. even 15 points remained to reach the price.
Xiao was clearly hurt. His pride cracked. But in the end, he pulled out a blue pendant from under his robe. A soft light glowed from the transparent stone.
"This… is my mother's necklace. It's not a treasure, but it's made of red gold. It's valuable."
Lian took the necklace. The system activated again.
[Analyzing item...]
[Red Earth Pendant]
[Recycling successful – Points gained: +120] [Total points: 405]
"Still not enough?"
"No, it's enough." Lian gave a small smile—not of joy, but of satisfaction from a fair deal.
Then, he purchased the answer to Xiao's question from the system, costing him 300 points.
His smile almost made Xiao angry, but he didn't dare speak up.
"Your sister's illness is called Spirit Bone Corrosion."
Lian's gaze calmly landed on Xiao, who looked like he'd been slapped.
"One of the rarest illnesses in the mortal realm. It eats away at the spiritual bones from within. No outward signs, but it burns away the root of life. By the time symptoms show, it's usually too late."
"First, it paralyzes the person and makes cultivation impossible. Then, once it fully dries up their life root, it kills them."
Xiao's lips trembled, and his eyes glimmered with shock. The sect elders and even his master had done countless examinations on his sister but never identified the illness.
Until one day, a well-known alchemist visited their sect and, by chance, checked his sister—naming the illness Spirit Bone Corrosion.
Yet the man in front of him had said it outright, without even meeting her.
Maybe… maybe he really knew how to cure it.
"H-How do you even know the name of the disease? We were just guessing for years… even the sect elder wasn't sure…"
"I told you... here, the secrets of the heavens are revealed. Now listen closely. I won't repeat it."
"Silver Lily Tears, Breath Tree Sap, Blue Moon Bone."
"First, mix the lily tears with the tree sap. Then, grind the blue moon bone into powder. Drop the liquid on it drop by drop. You only get one shot. If you get the dosage wrong…"
Lian said it calmly.
"My sister dies?" Xiao whispered in panic.
"Then you die too."
Silence. Fear.
A scroll appeared in Lian's hand, listing general information and locations where the three ingredients could be found. He handed it to Xiao.
Xiao bowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground, and with the utmost respect said:
"I'll repay this favor with my life… Immortal Master!"
Lian, who was pouring tea, paused for a moment.
Master? Immortal? Immortal Master? How the hell did that happen?
He glanced at the boy and couldn't stop himself from thinking—was there something wrong with his brain circuits?
He didn't even have cultivation, let alone being immortal.
But he didn't bother to correct him. If that title could bring more customers, then why not?
"I'll be back! Immortal Master, thank you so much! When my sister gets better, I'll bring her here to thank you too!" Shao Xiao's eyes were full of emotion. He jumped up, stepped back, and shouted before rushing out.
When the door of the booth opened and closed, silence returned. But just before leaving, Shao Xiao knelt one last time in front of the building, then left without hesitation.
"Why did that guy kneel in front of the building?"
"Maybe he's just an idiot? Or a beggar?"
"Those robes… I recognize them! That's the uniform of the Golden Clouds Sect's inner disciples!"
"But why would someone like that kneel in front of a scammer's building?"
Everyone turned and looked at the pavilion with changed expressions. What could possibly be inside that made an inner disciple of the Golden Clouds Sect kneel?
"Phew, thank god a customer showed up." Lian let out a sigh. This whole time, he was worried no one would come at all.
But who would've guessed not only would a customer show up—but he'd make this much profit?
"How many points do I have left?"
[Calculating… You have a total of 105 Heavenly Points remaining.]
"You're basically robbing me." Lian took a deep breath.