Lu Changsheng's words instantly rekindled Ning Yuxin's spirit.
As the daughter of Cangzhou's wealthiest man, money was the one thing she didn't lack—and if spending money could enhance her swordsmanship, then nothing could be simpler!
"Senior Brother Lu, do you really have a way?"
"It's not a big problem, though... the price might be a little steep."
Lu Changsheng hesitated, looking troubled.
"How much?"
"Twenty thousand and three spirit stones."
Lu Changsheng held up two fingers.
Having learned from last time, he confidently quoted a sky-high price.
After all, even a peak master only earned a little over a hundred spirit stones per month. What he just asked for was equal to a decade's total salary—no small amount.
He'd even left some room to haggle. At the very least, he hoped to make 14–15 thousand in profit.
But he once again underestimated the Ning family's wealth.
Without even blinking, Ning Yuxin pulled out a pouch from her spatial ring—full of sparkling spirit stones. A full twenty thousand of them!
"Uh..."
Lu Changsheng was stunned.
This girl was too rich—and didn't even try to bargain!
"Just how rich is your Ning family? You didn't even flinch giving out twenty thousand spirit stones?"
"If spending money helps me improve my swordsmanship, what's twenty thousand?"
As he accepted the spirit stones, Lu Changsheng sighed in his heart.
Clearly, reincarnation was a skill—where you were born directly decided your entire life.
"So, Senior Brother Lu, what's next?"
Ning Yuxin asked, watching him put away the spirit stones.
"You don't need to read these books anymore. If you like, you can keep them as souvenirs. Just go back and get a good night's sleep. Come see me tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
No, thank you!
Lu Changsheng took a deep breath.
He hadn't expected the money to come this easily.
At this rate, as long as he kept helping her improve, he could probably make tens of thousands without much effort.
Still, he gave a cautious reminder:
"Junior Sister Ning, there's one condition you must promise me."
"What is it?"
"You can't tell anyone about our arrangement. Technically, the method I use to enhance sword intent comes from one of my Master's old friends. He doesn't like attention, and if this leaks, not only will Senior Brother Zhou be upset with you, I'll also get dragged down with you."
"Understood!"
Ning Yuxin nodded seriously and promised multiple times before finally leaving.
Last time, she had still doubted the Swordheart Enlightenment Pill, but now she had no doubts at all.
After all, she had truly awakened sword intent, and even Zhou Qingyu had marveled at it.
So she was more than willing to trust Lu Changsheng.
And with just twenty thousand spirit stones, even if it didn't work, it was no big deal.
Lu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.
He took the 20,003 spirit stones and made his way to Cangyun City, entering an herbal medicine shop.
He spent exactly three spirit stones on ingredients.
The remaining twenty thousand?
That was for labor.
Since Ning Yuxin arrived at Qingyun Peak, his life had skyrocketed.
He had earned more in one day than he used to make in several months.
He even started considering whether he should offer Ning Yuxin a full upgrade package:
Sword Dao Level 4
Qi Refinement Level 9
Charging her a hundred thousand wouldn't be too much, right?
After all, in his eyes, neither Sword Level 4 nor Qi Level 9 was difficult to achieve—as long as she wasn't completely talentless and had money.
Even Zhou Qingyu had reached his current level thanks to Lu Changsheng's behind-the-scenes guidance.
He'd already paved the path—Zhou merely walked it.
The more Lu Changsheng thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
He was just about to go draft a plan when suddenly—a few figures walked straight toward him.
"Lu Changsheng!"
A cold voice full of resentment rang out.
Lu Changsheng looked up.
It was Shi Feng, and beside him stood a man in his mid-twenties, along with an old man who seemed experienced and formidable.
"Oh, Brother Shi! Long time no see—how've you been? Why the sour face?"
Lu Changsheng greeted him with a smile.
Even though the group included a Core Formation cultivator, he showed no fear.
This was Cangyun City, his sect's territory—he could pretty much walk sideways here.
Shi Feng looked ready to explode.
Why did he look resentful? Did Lu Changsheng really not know?
Just as tension rose, the old man suddenly spoke with a warm smile:
"So this is the junior brother of the Little Sword Immortal. Impressive indeed—your manner and lineage both stand out!"
"You flatter me, elder."
Lu Changsheng replied modestly.
Shi Feng's face twisted further.
He couldn't stand the hypocrisy. This was the same guy who had had him beaten into the ground, and now he was all polite and humble?
The young man next to them gave Lu Changsheng a brief glance, then chuckled.
"Such modesty."
The old man echoed, clearly playing along.
"What brings you all to Cangyun Sect?"
Lu Changsheng asked casually.
"The mountains behind Cangyun often experience beast tides once every few decades. We're just passing through, offering a bit of help—and taking the chance to admire Cangyun's grandeur."
"Oh really?"
Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow and glanced over the group.
Something about their presence felt... off.
The way they looked at him—it was like they were judging a criminal.
After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Changsheng turned and left.
Watching him go, the old man muttered:
"Qi Gathering Layer 3... his aptitude is mediocre. Not much different from the rumors."
"Elder, don't let him fool you. That guy is the worst. Last time he—"
Shi Feng immediately began recounting how he had been humiliated and beaten down by Lu Changsheng.
"Don't forget why we're really here. Don't let a petty grudge ruin the big picture."
"Yes, sir."
Meanwhile, Lu Changsheng returned to Qingyun Peak, still mulling over their words.
"These guys tried to set me up before. You think I believe they're just here to 'help' with the beast tide?"
He wasn't buying it.
Whatever they were planning, it was none of his business.
The sect had faced beast tides for centuries—they were used to it.
A few outsiders couldn't stir up much trouble.
The elders would handle it. He didn't need to worry.
Besides, how could such trivial matters compare to making spirit stones?
He made his way to the alchemical room, and since Ye Tianyi wasn't around, he started refining Ning Yuxin's pill immediately.
After all, he was a man of integrity.
If he couldn't even keep his word on this, how was he going to keep making money off the gullible rich?
And if he couldn't make money, when would he ever break through to Nascent Soul and rid himself of the suffering of his cultivation method?
This time, no matter what—he was going to earn enough spirit stones off Ning Yuxin to hit the Nascent Soul stage!
The next morning, Lu Changsheng was already waiting outside, and when Ning Yuxin arrived, he handed her a bottle of freshly made pills.
She took it, feeling the residual warmth radiating off the glass.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"Payment made, goods delivered… What thanks? We're family now!"
Lu Changsheng waved it off, then added:
"This time, the method is a little different. You'll need to use the pill inside the sect's Sword Cavern. I'll take you there."
With that, he turned and began walking.
Ning Yuxin nodded and followed him deeper into the sect.
But this time, as she looked at Lu Changsheng's back, she felt something was... different.
He didn't seem anything like the rumors said.
This level of attentiveness and responsibility wasn't something a notorious playboy would have.
And Lu Changsheng certainly was attentive.
After all, if the pill didn't work, and Ning Yuxin lost trust in him, how would he keep milking her for spirit stones in the future?
Because let's be honest—these days, finding such a naive and rich young lady was rare!