Chapter Thirty-Five: Possessing Both Fortune and Immortal Aura

The texture of the Cloud Brocade was soft and velvety, shaped like the points of a five-star flower. When spiritual energy was infused, it instantly soared into the air, spreading pale blue light from its central array node, forming a complex and intricate barrier before her.

“Sister, did you see? This supreme-grade artifact’s array is missing a corner!” Luo Yingying immediately pointed out the flaw at the lower left corner of the Cloud Brocade.

Manager Qian wiped sweat from his brow; Luo Yingying was too young and lacked composure—her act was far too blatant.

Fearing that Qu Yiqiu would notice something amiss, he hurried to interject, “Yes, yes, Fellow Daoist Luo is observant. This artifact does indeed lack a corner in its array, so its power is much diminished. Hence, I can only offer it as a token gift. I hope you won’t mind.”

Qu Yiqiu regarded the two calmly, then smiled. “Although the Cloud Brocade’s array is missing a corner, its defensive capability still rivals that of a superior artifact. Manager Qian giving it to me as an extra gift makes me feel a bit embarrassed.”

“No matter, no matter! As long as you’re pleased, and you frequent our Treasure Pavilion in the future, even a damaged supreme artifact is nothing! Business is about longevity!” Manager Qian’s eyes curved into slits as he smiled.

Thinking of Chi Yushu’s intentions, Luo Yingying chimed in, “Sister, don’t worry. Manager Qian won’t suffer a loss; a damaged supreme artifact is hard to sell anyway. You’ve just happened to come by!”

“Yes, yes! I hope you both will visit our humble shop often! And if your master refines pills, our Treasure Pavilion would be honored to welcome you!” Manager Qian’s plump, round face quivered with his exuberant smile.

Qu Yiqiu smiled, lips pressed together. “Thank you, Manager Qian. Please tally up the total for the Frost Jade Ribbon, the Restoration Elixir, the Essence Pill, and the Foundation Pill—five bottles in all. How many spirit stones in total?”

“Certainly! I’ll calculate right away.” Manager Qian pulled a pale purple jade abacus from his robes, flicked it lightly, and promptly announced the result.

“The three types of pills come to eighty-two thousand low-grade spirit stones, the Frost Jade Ribbon is eighteen thousand, totaling twenty-six thousand two hundred low-grade spirit stones. How would you like to pay?”

He finished in one breath, looking at her warmly.

Luo Yingying, hearing the sum, quietly smacked her lips and then shot Manager Qian a covert glare, pressing her hidden right hand downward from within her sleeve.

Her meaning was clear—she wanted Manager Qian to report a lower price.

Manager Qian caught the signal from the corner of his eye but remained silent.

With the addition of a damaged supreme-grade defensive artifact at this price, it was already exceedingly low. Any further reduction would make even a fool suspect something was wrong with the two of them!

Seeing that Manager Qian ignored her, Luo Yingying grew anxious and blurted, “Manager, could you lower the price a bit? Sister needs to reserve some Essence Pills for herself; how could she have so many spirit stones to buy…to buy…”

Qu Yiqiu smiled and gently shook her head at Luo Yingying, stopping her from bargaining further.

“Sister Luo, besides those thirty-some bottles of Essence Pills, I still have some Yin Condensation Grass my master hasn’t finished refining. After returning, I can ask my master to produce a few more batches. Before we depart tomorrow, I’ll have enough pills prepared.”

Manager Qian’s price is already quite generous. I’m grateful you brought me here, so I’ll pay for the pills and artifacts with these Essence Pills plus some spirit stones.”

Manager Qian was overjoyed to hear this. He had thought she was a penniless fairy relying on connections, unable even to afford the spirit stones needed to maintain her appearance! Now it seemed her wealth matched her noble bearing—deep and unfathomable.

“Thank you for your patronage! If you ever need anything else or wish to sell spiritual pills, just mention Qian Taiduo’s name at Treasure Pavilion! The staff will give you the same favorable terms!”

His smile bloomed like a flower.

Seeing Qu Yiqiu’s calm demeanor, Luo Yingying didn’t press for a further reduction.

After some discussion, because Qu Yiqiu’s Essence Pills were of top two-mark grade, Manager Qian offered a slightly higher acquisition rate than usual.

Qu Yiqiu produced thirty-nine bottles of Essence Pills and eight thousand five hundred low-grade spirit stones, purchasing two supreme-grade artifacts and three-mark pills.

Manager Qian didn’t inspect each porcelain bottle in detail; after a cursory glance, he stored them away and escorted the two downstairs.

Watching Qu Yiqiu and Luo Yingying’s graceful figures depart, Manager Qian and the shop assistant both wore entranced expressions.

“Fellow Daoist Chi (Senior) was right. You could pick her out of a crowd at a glance! So beautiful! So ethereal! Truly enchanting!”

…

Qu Yiqiu and Luo Yingying walked and chatted as they returned to the Celestial Evolution Sect.

By then, the sun hung low in the west, leaving only a faint blush across the sky.

“Sister Qu, I didn’t dare tell you at Treasure Pavilion—the Cloud Brocade actually has no real problem!”

As they neared Little Flat Peak, Luo Yingying hesitated, turning her head to speak.

Qu Yiqiu feigned surprise. “Why do you say that, Sister? Wasn’t the Cloud Brocade’s array missing a corner at the Pavilion?”

Luo Yingying nervously glanced at the evening glow, then pulled out a scroll of array diagrams from her storage pouch, grinning. “For those unfamiliar with this array, they’d think the Cloud Brocade was damaged.

In fact, it’s not. I happen to have a similar array diagram. If you can memorize its patterns, you can restore the Cloud Brocade to its full state.”

She unfurled the scroll.

Qu Yiqiu’s gaze swept over it and immediately recognized the array lines matched those of the Cloud Brocade exactly.

“Heh… Sister, take the diagram home. Repair it tonight, and tomorrow you can bring it to the battlefield!” Luo Yingying chuckled awkwardly, rolled up the scroll, and handed it to her.

Qu Yiqiu didn’t rush to accept it, but calmly looked at her. “Sister Luo, did Brother Chi ask you to do this?”

Luo Yingying froze, her expression faltering. “You… you knew?”

Qu Yiqiu sighed. “Sister, you’re not suited to lying.” In fact, her attempt was riddled with holes.

Luo Yingying scratched her nose, face full of apology. “Sister, Brother Chi only wanted to compensate you.

Last time, you risked your life alone to eliminate the evil spirit. The sect reward our team received should have belonged to you.

But you refused the team’s reward and were forced by the Mystic Intent Sect to participate in the Five Sect Tournament.

Brother Chi, considering your safety and our mistakes, specially offered the Cloud Brocade to protect you and lend you strength… I didn’t want to lie to you…”

“I understand, Sister. You’ve worked hard, and I’ve gained much from this trip. I’ve already accepted the Cloud Brocade, so let’s call the previous mission settled. Please tell Brother Chi there’s no need to dwell on it anymore.”

Qu Yiqiu spoke with quiet composure, finally taking the array diagram.

Luo Yingying saw the resolute light in her eyes and nodded, “I understand, Sister. I’ll let Brother Chi know.”

“All right, we’re at Little Flat Peak. I won’t walk you any further, Sister Luo!” Qu Yiqiu smiled calmly, turning lightly up the mountain.

“Mm, see you tomorrow, Sister…” Luo Yingying gazed at her graceful figure, sighing deeply.

Next time, she would never do such a thing again!