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It seems we're going with the second version, so I've updated the chapters accordingly for now.
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On the first floor of the Treasure Tower, Su Wen and Du Yue stood in the section where all manuals and scrolls related to Soul Cultivation were stored.
This part of the Treasure Tower was noticeably quieter than the bustling main hall, with only two small rows of shelves tucked neatly into a corner.
The first row held Soul Cultivation techniques, while the second row contained Soul Attack techniques, with Grade 3 being the highest available.
Su Wen glanced at Du Yue, who had already reverted to her clingy personality and was holding onto his arm tightly.
He tried to compare her adorable, innocent expression with the cold, indifferent empress-like aura she had displayed earlier.
Something about it felt strange to him, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what.
Shaking his head lightly, he decided not to think about it any further.
He then glanced at Suzume, who was perched on Du Yue's shoulder, lifted her gently with both hands, and gave her a peck on the head, earning a cheerful giggle.
His gaze drifted to the light red muffler wrapped around her neck, perfectly complementing her light brown feathers.
With a fawning smile, he said lightly,"Little Suzume, are you sure you're not some divine sparrow goddess? With that muffler, you look both elegant and adorable."
"Chirp~ dumb Su Wen… finally, your eyes are working. Of course I've always been elegant and adorable."She giggled proudly, planting her feathers on her tiny waist.
Su Wen's eyelid twitched as he looked at her smug little expression.
Without changing his tone, he continued,"Then surely, with you being such an amazing sparrow, you must have a soul attack technique suitable for her, right?"
Suzume raised a feather to her head, looking like an exasperated aunt indulging a troublesome child."Chirp… it's not that I don't have any. It's just that she isn't eligible to cultivate them yet. Once she reaches that specific realm, I'll give it to her myself."
Then, like a seasoned elder, she crossed her feathery arms in front of her and looked at Su Wen before adding,"Chirp~ my dumb Su Wen… you're still only in the Foundation Establishment realm…"
She paused, her expression turning openly mocking."Chirp… you're far too weak to learn about that cultivation realm yet."
A vein nearly popped on Su Wen's forehead as he stared at her tiny, impish face.
Instead of arguing, he leaned in and gave her several quick pecks until her feathers were completely ruffled.
With a snort, he set her back onto Du Yue's shoulder.
Du Yue giggled at their interaction.
Yet, a faint trace of jealousy crept into her heart as she suddenly found herself wanting to be pecked just like that as well.
Su Wen sighed as he looked at the second row, where only a handful of scrolls lay scattered.
He didn't even spare a glance at the cultivation methods, they already possessed the best ones, gifted by that tiny, mischievous Suzume.
His attention shifted to the attack techniques, which he scanned briefly.
Grade 2 Mind Ripple TechniqueGrade 2 Mind Stir MethodGrade 3 Pink Illusion
Most of them focused on illusions or mental disruption.
He continued browsing a few more until something at the edge of the shelf caught his eye.
A blue-colored wooden box lay tucked to the side.
He picked it up, and the moment he opened it, a faint chill curled out from its edges.
No grade was listed.
Frostshade Soul Erosion: a soul technique that directly froze the target's soul.
"A direct attack technique…" Su Wen murmured, glancing at Du Yue.
Du Yue nodded as she took the scroll in her hand.
As if responding to her presence, an icy chill swirled gently around her fingers.
"Most of the techniques here are low-grade," she said calmly. "They won't give me real strength in soul combat."
Her gaze lingered on the scroll."But this one… it's compatible with my Yin Soul Qi. I think it will harmonize well with me."
Su Wen nodded in agreement, then added,"But the technique is incomplete, and its grade is unknown. If we choose this, we may need to find the later volumes, most likely in the Central Continent, but... that won't be easy."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if instinctively sensing the depth hidden within the technique.
"Husband," she said softly, "let's take this one. I feel this technique isn't simple."
She paused, then continued steadily,"If we find the later volumes in the future, that's good. If not… we can always acquire higher-grade soul techniques in the Central Continent."
Su Wen nodded without hesitation."Alright."
Without wasting any time, he handed the scroll to the attendant.
The attendant accepted it respectfully, then placed it aside with great care.
"Now only the formations remain for us to purchase," Su Wen said calmly.
The attendant bowed respectfully and replied, "All formations, talismans, and treasures are displayed on the second floor. Esteemed guests, please follow me."
Su Wen and Du Yue nodded lightly and followed him up the carved wooden stairs.
They soon arrived at a section where various formations were displayed: defensive formations, offensive formations, sword formations, fire formations, and formations meant for concealment.
Su Wen ignored most of them and walked straight to the shelf holding the formations he needed.
Grade 3 Four Seasons Harmonization FormationGrade 3 Verdant Growth Acceleration FormationGrade 3 Spiritual Qi Gathering FormationGrade 3 Sunlight FormationGrade 3 Soil Nurturing Formation
"Five sets of each," Su Wen said calmly, his tone carrying the effortless confidence of a wealthy young master.
The attendant's eyes widened for a brief moment. These formations were far from cheap…
But he quickly regained his composure, bowed deeply, and began packaging them with the utmost care.
Just as they were about to go downstairs to make the payment, a female voice rang out from behind them.
"Young Master Rush… look at that tiny bird! It's so cute and adorable. I want it… please~ get it for me."
They turned around and saw a pointed-faced young man with horse ears approaching, with two women clinging to his arms.
Where Su Wen could only act like a rich young master on certain occasions, the young man before him radiated wealth as naturally as the sun radiated light.
He wore expensive silk robes, and the provocatively dressed women at his sides casually held Peak Grade 3 treasures as if they were nothing more than sticks.
He swept Su Wen up and down with his gaze for a moment before his eyes turned disdainful, as though Su Wen was not even worthy of being looked at.
Without wasting any time, he took out a storage ring and tossed it toward Su Wen's chest.
"Give that bird to me," he said, as if the deal was already settled.
Su Wen peered inside the ring and saw two hundred sparkling mid-grade spirit stones.
He then glanced at Suzume, who was still in shock, clearly not expecting someone to ask for her.
She snapped out of it and stared back at Su Wen.
Su Wen smirked and reached out toward her with both hands.
Seeing his intention, Suzume hurriedly flapped her wings and flew straight toward his head.
Her feathers turned into tiny fists as she rained them down on him.
"Chirp~ dumb Su Wen… y-you… I'll beat you!" she cried indignantly.
"Oh my, she can speak as well," the woman said in surprise.
"Ouch… stop it, you little...!" Su Wen cried, trying his best to look hurt by her tiny punches.
After a few seconds, she stopped hitting him and looked at him again, only to see the smug expression of someone who had just taken his revenge.
"Chirp~ y-you!!"
Before she could say anything else, Su Wen caught her with both hands and gave her a few pecks.
She immediately calmed down, realising that her dumb Su Wen had only been teasing her for mocking him earlier.
"No one can take my family away from me," he said softly, looking into her tiny eyes as she turned her head with an indignant snort.
Without even glancing at the young man, Su Wen tossed the storage ring back and said calmly,"She is very precious to me. I won't give her to anyone, even if you offered me the whole world."
He held her a little closer, then added expressionlessly,"Please leave."
Young Master Rush's eyes turned cold.
He hadn't expected to be refused, especially after offering two hundred mid-grade spirit stones for a bird he didn't think was even worth ten.
Humiliation surged in his chest as he spoke arrogantly,"Do you know who-"
"Husband."
Du Yue's calm voice interrupted him.
She turned to Su Wen with a serious expression, as if the fate of the entire world depended on his answer.
"Husband, what about me? If someone offered you a lot of money… would you send me away?"
Su Wen looked at her strangely, but knowing her well, he immediately replied with righteous sincerity.
"Wife… what are you talking about? I belong to you and only you. Instead, you should answer me... would you give me away to someone else for money?"
Du Yue froze, not expecting the question to be turned back on her.
Her face flushed red as the thought of him belonging only to her sank in.
"Hehehe… right, you're mine now… so no one can take you away from me," she said softly, then added dominantly with a cold smile,"And not just you. Even little Suzume is mine. You both belong to me."
A chill ran down Su Wen and Suzume's backs, and they both stiffened, not daring to move.
Du Yue suddenly jumped forward and hugged Su Wen tightly, with Suzume pressed between their necks.
Su Wen could only shake his head, but the smile on his face reflected the warmth in his heart as he gently patted her back.
Meanwhile, Young Master Rush and the two women stood frozen.
Young Master Rush's face turned completely red with humiliation.
Not only had he been rejected and ignored, but on top of that, he had been force-fed premium-quality dog food.