High-Priced Transaction
"Yun... Yun Fairy... is it really you?"
As Yang Fan's gaze met hers, he found himself momentarily taken aback. The lighthearted sparkle in her eyes was an unexpected contrast to the ethereal, tranquil aura he had always associated with her. In that fleeting moment, he felt an inexplicable connection—a sense of familiarity that stirred something deep within him.
With a gentle motion, he opened the wooden box once more, allowing the Yun Fairy to inspect its contents.
"You... who are you?"
The black-faced, middle-aged cultivator named Cheng narrowed his eyes in disbelief, momentarily stunned by the ethereal beauty of this otherworldly maiden.
It was the white-haired elder of the Medicine King Pavilion who recognized her, a warm smile spreading across his face as he remarked, "This young lady is the Yun Fairy from 'Yao Xian Valley.'"
"Could it be that you are the new generation's successor of 'Yao Xian Valley'?"
Cheng's expression morphed into one of shock, indicating that he was more astonished by her status than by her breathtaking appearance.
Yun Fairy nodded slightly in acknowledgment, her alabaster hand gracefully lifting the five-hundred-year-old white jade ginseng from Yang Fan's wooden box for closer examination. Yang Fan felt a jolt of surprise; he hadn't anticipated that the Yun Fairy was the new inheritor of 'Yao Xian Valley.'
Yet, it was the astonished reaction from Cheng that puzzled him—this cultivator seemed more impressed by her lineage than by her beauty. With a mere whisper, Yun Fairy instantly became the focal point of the third floor of the Medicine King Pavilion. The other cultivators present dared not show even a hint of disrespect or frivolity.
"Yun Fairy, do you wish to acquire this white jade ginseng? If so, I would not object to your request," the elder said cheerfully, his demeanor courteous.
Yun Fairy, her serene eyes sparkling with amusement, returned the ginseng to its wooden enclosure and addressed Yang Fan, "Yang Master, would you consider selling this ginseng to me?"
"Of course, I have no objections... but the price…"
Yang Fan was determined not to be taken advantage of.
The white-haired elder and the black-faced Cheng exchanged curious glances, surprised that Yang Fan would dare to negotiate in front of such a remarkable heir of the Medicine King Pavilion. Moreover, their expressions hinted that they might have a prior acquaintance with Yun Fairy.
"Eight hundred spirit stones," she stated calmly, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
Eight hundred spirit stones!
The amount left the gathered cultivators utterly astonished. Wasn't this a loss for her? Even Yang Fan felt a sense of disbelief. Could it be that Yun Fairy was simply a wealthy fool? Yet, as the inheritor of Yao Xian Valley, she would surely possess a discerning eye for medicinal materials and treasures.
The elder raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "May I ask, Yun Fairy, what insights do you have?"
Yun Fairy turned her gaze to Yang Fan, and as their eyes locked, she spoke with a voice as gentle as spring rain, "This is not just an ordinary white jade ginseng. Its essence and vitality are at least three times stronger than that of a typical five-hundred-year-old specimen. If used in alchemy, its effects would be markedly superior. Therefore, I assure you, eight hundred spirit stones is not a loss for me."
Upon hearing her words, the onlookers released their spiritual senses for a thorough examination. After careful scrutiny, they confirmed Yun Fairy's assertion—the vitality of this white jade ginseng was indeed superior to its peers.
Cheng's face fell, regret seeping into his expression. Had he known earlier that he could have acquired it for seven hundred spirit stones, he would have seized the opportunity without hesitation.
Yang Fan, however, was puzzled; how could his ginseng be so much stronger than its counterparts? Then a thought struck him—when he had first acquired the white jade ginseng, it had been on the brink of death, its vitality barely discernible. But after spending time on the verdant soil of the "Xianhong Space," its life force had remarkably revived. He had never encountered a similar ginseng before, leaving him unaware of its true potential.
At that moment, under Yun Fairy's discerning gaze, Yang Fan began to unravel some truths.
"This effect is truly extraordinary..."
Joy surged within him, and he felt an overwhelming gratitude toward Yun Fairy.
"Yang Master, will you accept the offer of eight hundred spirit stones for the ginseng?"
She turned her attention back to him, her expression a delicate mix of jest and sincerity.
"Certainly... I would have no objections."
Yang Fan was elated, grateful for the opportunity, especially since he felt a certain fondness for this captivating woman.
"Deal."
With a graceful flick of her wrist, Yun Fairy conjured eight shimmering spirit stones, their luminous essence radiating pure energy.
Mid-grade spirit stones!
The other foundational cultivators were visibly taken aback. Typically, the currency of the cultivation world consisted of lower-grade spirit stones; mid-grade ones were rarely seen in daily transactions.
Spirit stones serve to accelerate a cultivator's accumulation of magical energy, hastening their progress. Thus, they have become a universal currency within the cultivation realm. A single mid-grade spirit stone could typically be exchanged for a hundred lower-grade stones, a staggering ratio indeed. However, the pure energy contained within mid-grade stones is much more substantial and refined, providing an even greater benefit for cultivation. Many low-level cultivators might never even catch a glimpse of mid-grade stones in their lifetime.
Yang Fan inhaled deeply, then waved his hand, collecting the eight mid-grade spirit stones into his storage pouch before handing the white jade ginseng over to Yun Fairy. Yet, he had begun to reassess the weight of her identity and the power it signified behind her.
No wonder even the renowned young stars of the fishing kingdom's cultivation world pursued her so ardently; it was likely not just her unparalleled beauty and magnetic aura that drew them in.
"By the way, Yang Master, this white jade ginseng is superior to its kind. Where did you procure it?"
After securing the ginseng, Yun Fairy's brow lifted slightly in curiosity, her demeanor relaxed and engaging.
"This item belongs to my master, and as for its origins, even I am unaware."
Yang Fan spoke calmly, maintaining steady composure as he deflected the question, using the enigmatic figure of his master as a shield to protect his secrets.
"I assume your master must be an extraordinary individual, someone truly remarkable. I cannot help but feel curious…" Yun Fairy's eyes met Yang Fan's once more, and within her tranquil gaze, a fleeting ripple of intrigue passed through.
Yang Fan felt a sudden stillness within, as if the essence of life itself momentarily faltered before merging seamlessly with his surroundings. In that instant, he entered a state of heightened awareness, his movements harmonizing with nature itself, brimming with an indescribable vitality—so organic and pure that it evoked no suspicion from those around him.
The fragrant aura of flowers and herbs enveloped him, and for a brief moment, as their eyes locked, an unspoken connection surged between them.
Quickly, he averted his gaze, reminding himself to maintain that heightened state of awareness. His heartbeat steadied, and the extraordinary sensation dissipated like morning mist.
"I must take my leave now. Yang Master, your talents are extraordinary. Should time permit, I would be delighted to exchange insights on our respective medicinal arts in the future."
With a hint of shyness, Yun Fairy bid farewell, her expression softened as she swiftly departed.
The cultivators present exchanged puzzled glances, unable to comprehend the subtle change in her demeanor. They would never suspect that these delicate shifts were somehow connected to this seemingly insignificant mid-stage Qi cultivator before them.