/*
Hey everyone,
Sorry for not being able to upload chapters the last few days.
Life happened, and I suddenly got so busy I didn't even have time to check out the latest One Piece chapter. I just managed to publish this chapter (it's a bit long and can still be considered a raw version).
Although I am done with my personal matters, I may not be able to upload a chapter every day (for now), the only reason being a lack of time to clean up the plot and write more chapters. (Without my realising, my stock chapters ran out!)
I want to provide the best to you guys, so I would like to take my time... especially with that damn proofreading. (I hate it the most; I need a wife to do the proofreading and all the editing stuff!)
Happy reading!
*/
Su Wen had already calmed down from his earlier scare.
'Was I really attacked by some strange bug in this cultivation world? Or was it just a sudden minor panic attack?'
He scanned his body from the inside out with his Soul Sense, then did a bit of light stretching.'Nothing seems off. Nothing happened. No bite marks or anything unusual. I'm just fine. Still… maybe I should concoct a bug-repellent ointment, just in case.'
Then he tilted his head and looked over at Du Yue.
Her eyes seemed distant, yet her expression remained cold.
'Why does she seem so serious… and angry? Does she really think I was in any real danger?'
Su Wen gently shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He held her hand and continued walking towards the ground floor of the tower.
Just as they came down, Su Wen instantly spotted the old man examining a ruddy copper coin while holding it close to his eyes.
He carried the air of a grandmaster, his posture straight, yet his eyes sparkled with cunning delight.
"These mortal items really do have their own charm," he murmured.
Several attendants and apprentices lingered around him, listening attentively to his mutterings, their expressions a mix of reverence and excitement.
One of the attendants had set aside a few items at the old man's instruction.
Contrary to his grandmasterly image, the items were mostly fortune-telling tools... Spirit-Pulling Charms, Illusion Powder vials, Luck-Enhancing Beads, Heaven's Secret Bottles…
The old man studied the copper coin as though it were a token of destiny itself.
Su Wen's eyes twitched.
He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed lightly."Senior Immortal, we have finished our purchases. If you require anything else, please do not hesitate to ask."
The old man nodded serenely, his aura dignified.
"There is no need. I have selected these… low-level treasures to divine the fortunes of mortals on my journey back. This shall be my final gift to the Eastern Continent."
His voice carried the gravitas of an ancient sage, earning cheers from the attendants.
Su Wen bowed once more. "Senior Immortal, thank you for your boundless grace."
Even the attendants bowed deeply, admiration filling their eyes.
As they made their way to the main counter, the steward spoke with respect.
"Honoured guests, we have prepared everything according to your instructions."
The attendant who had accompanied them on the first floor carefully arranged all the items on the counter.
Then steward bowed slightly.
"Sir, these are all the items you selected. The total cost is-"
Su Wen abruptly cut him off and turned toward the old man, who stood there in his trademark reclusive sage posture.
"Senior Immortal," Su Wen said respectfully, "since you will be leaving the Eastern Continent soon, are you truly planning to meet the Grand Elder of the Treasure Tower?"
The old man gave a slow nod, his eyes half-lidded.
"The Eastern Continent's foundation is weak," he said calmly. "With the era of chaos approaching, its standards must rise. I will have that junior mobilise the Treasure Tower's influence to elevate cultivation across the land."
Su Wen inhaled sharply, his expression filled with carefully crafted admiration.
"Senior… the Grand Elder controls vast resources and unimaginable power. Will he truly heed your words?"
The old man's lips curved faintly.
"He is still a junior before me. Why would he dare not show respect?"
He paused, then added lightly,"Besides, spreading the Dao brings great merit. He would not refuse such an opportunity."
Su Wen blinked. "Merit?"
"The Heavenly Law governs all beneath the heavens," the old man replied in a measured tone. "One who spreads the Dao and uplifts the masses accrues boundless fortune. You will understand once your realm is higher."
Then, as if the matter were trivial, he shifted his gaze toward the steward.
"For now, let us not delay business. It is discourteous to keep others waiting."
The steward had been standing frozen, his heart pounding after overhearing their exchange.
He swallowed and bowed even deeper.
"S-Sirs, these items total five hundred and sixty-"
The old man interrupted mildly.
"These minor Grade Three formations are suitable for spirit farming," he said, glancing once at the tray. "But they are insufficient for anything beyond that. Their cost price should be around three hundred mid-grade spirit stones."
He paused, then added casually,"As for use by ordinary mortals, these will suffice."
Su Wen nodded solemnly.
Both of them turned to look at the steward.
Not aggressively... just calmly. Yet the gaze was piercing enough to make the steward break into a sweat.
'How… how did he know the cost price with a single glance?'
He hesitated, clearly unwilling to offend the mysterious immortal wanderer.
"Th-the total price is five hundred-"
Su Wen spoke gently, though there was iron beneath his voice.
"Do not be nervous. Senior was merely assessing the value for future resource arrangements within the Eastern Continent."
His expression hardened slightly.
"Do not attempt to cheat him... not even by a single spirit stone. And do not try to curry favour by underselling either. State a price that does not insult his dignity. Otherwise, you will not be able to bear the consequences."
The steward's throat went dry.
'We charge fifteen per cent above the original instructions. Rarely does anyone from the head branch comes to oversee matters here, and who would even dare to complain?'
He paused, then glanced at the old man.'But if this old monster truly knows the Grand Elder… and if he really intends to influence the Tower… offending him would be suicide.'
The steward clenched his teeth, and as if a decision had finally been made, he bowed deeply.
"Senior Immortal's insight is truly extraordinary. A single glance was enough to discern their worth."
He forced a respectful smile.
"The original price is four hundred and fifty mid-grade spirit stones. However, with your silver token, you receive an additional ten per cent discount."
He lowered his head.
"The final price is four hundred and five mid-grade spirit stones."
With the old man at the front and Su Wen and Du Yue following behind, they walked out of the Treasure Tower.
Su Wen and the old man both held their heads high, exchanging glances filled with cunning, satisfied smiles.
"Old man, we saved more than a hundred mid-grade spirit stones," Su Wen said with a nod. "You're not bad. You look completely natural in that sagely persona."
The old man rubbed his long beard and replied smugly, "Of course I am, brat. I've been in this business for a long time."
Su Wen looked at the smug old man with newfound admiration.'Tricking people for so long, you really do become natural at it. I just wonder why he hasn't been caught and beaten black and blue yet.'
The old man, as if he had guessed his thoughts, spoke up,"You brat, are you disrespecting your elder?"
Su Wen hurriedly replied, his voice filled with fake yet earnest respect,"No, Grandteacher. I was just thinking that being in this business for so long, you're surely a legend."
The old man snorted. "Hmph. Of course I am."
The steward and all the attendants watched their retreating figures, staring at their straight backs with mixed expressions.
One of the younger attendants could no longer hold himself back. He slowly leaned closer to the steward and whispered in a trembling voice,"Steward… d-did you get their names? Especially that Senior Immortal… and the powerful woman?"
The other attendants glanced over as well, nodding eagerly, clearly wanting to know the same.
The steward wiped the sweat from his forehead, then lifted his chin and looked down at them with newfound pride.
Instead of answering, he scoffed.
"You… you think you are worthy of knowing their names?"
The attendants were stunned, not expecting such a response.
The steward spoke solemnly,"Remember this moment. You have been graced by witnessing the presence of beings who walk the heavens. Their names… are not meant for common ears."
He continued aloud, maintaining his composure.
"We can only commit their faces to memory, and I have no doubt that, in time, the world itself will come to know them."
The young attendant swallowed hard, and the others followed suit, none daring to speak.
However, the steward himself had very different thoughts.
'Damn it… I even forgot to ask for their titles or names…'
And so, the legend of the Mysterious Immortal Senior quietly began spreading through the Treasure Tower… and from there, its reach was anyone's guess.
As they walked through the bustling streets of Skyway City, the midday sun hung overhead.
The city felt alive, cultivators moved through the streets, vendors shouted about rare treasures, and the faint hum of spiritual ships echoed as they docked and departed.
Su Wen glanced at Du Yue, who clearly wasn't in the best of moods.
He gently slipped his right arm around her shoulders, pulled her closer, and gave a small peck on her left cheek.
She froze and turned to look at him, her expression still cold and distant.
Seeing that she was still dazed, he lifted her chin and tilted her face slightly, then gave her another peck... this time on her right cheek.
Her cold expression softened just a little as she murmured,"H-Husband... you-"
The old man walking ahead immediately stiffened, his face tightening as he deliberately quickened his pace, clearly unwilling to be affected by their blatant display of affection in the middle of the street.
'These brats… no respect for elders, no shame in public', he grumbled inwardly, shaking his head with exaggerated dignity.
Ignoring both the old man and the curious glances from passers-by, Su Wen didn't give her a chance to finish speaking.
He leaned in and stole a quick kiss from her forehead.
He studied her face... less cold than before, but still not quite there, and spoke softly,"My lovely wife… don't you love me anymore?"
Du Yue froze again. This time, all the coldness vanished, replaced by pure bewilderment.
"Husband, why would you say that?" she asked immediately.
She stumbled over her words, trying her best to express herself."Of course I love you. You are my everything in this world. Without you, I have no meaning to exist. I-I..."
Su Wen gently patted her head and smiled."You worry too much. If I'm your world, then would you really let anything happen to me?"
He looked at her seriously."You are my sword. If anyone dares to hurt me, you'll cut them down. And if you can't win today, then you'll sharpen yourself... until one day, even the heavens won't dare stand in your way."
Her breathing hitched at the words my sword.
"My precious wife…" Su Wen continued softly. "We don't know what the future holds. We can only prepare for it... but we shouldn't ignore the present. Let's enjoy what we have right now… together."
He pulled her a little closer and gently pecked her on the nose.
At last, a small smile appeared as warmth spread through her.
She looked up at him, her blue eyes sparkling.
Su Wen pulled her into his embrace, finally feeling his wife melt like ice beneath the sun.
'What a troublesome wife… but what exactly happened back then? he wondered inwardly.
Meanwhile, Du Yue's eyes burned with fierce determination as she hugged him tightly.
'I just need to cultivate and become stronger… strong enough to wipe away the heavens themselves, so that not even a single bug can ever threaten him.'
Little Suzume perched atop Su Wen's head, happily nibbling on pumpkin seeds, completely relaxed as she enjoyed the winter sun, and the live romance drama unfolding beneath her.
Ahead of them, the old man, now some distance away, along with a few bystanders on the street, glanced back at the couple cuddling openly.
All of them cursed Su Wen inwardly with the same word filled with jealousy.
'Bastard…'
Du Yue tugged lightly on Su Wen's sleeve, her blue eyes sparkling.
All her previous tension had melted away under her husband's kisses."Husband, where are we going next?"
Su Wen answered gently,"We're heading to the Skyfaring Pavilion."
"They handle long-distance travel, flying boats, sky inns, teleportation passes, all of it. They're one of the biggest merchant forces in the world."
He glanced at the old man walking slightly ahead, who seemed unwilling to come any closer, as if they were contagious."Old man, you coming with us?"
The old man clasped his hands behind his back, adopting an ethereal, profound posture, and let out a slow sigh."I follow the guidance of destiny… and also, I don't have any money. So, I am coming."
Su Wen's eye twitched.
Still, he nodded helplessly."Alright. Let's go buy the flying boat tickets," Su Wen said, a confident smile spreading across his face."And with that, we'll finally be leaving the Southern part of the Eastern Continent."
Du Yue smiled gently, clinging to his arm, while Little Suzume, as always, chirped happily, thrilled at the prospect of new places.
The old man nodded as he glanced at both Su Wen and Du Yue.
For some reason, a faint spark of anticipation gleamed in his eyes.