"Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong, Xin! How do they look like they've resolved their past grievances? Didn't the Supreme Pontiff have a bad attitude towards Heart of Fire Academy during the Soul Master Competition before?"
"Yes, at that time, didn't Grandmaster say he was very familiar with the Supreme Pontiff? He could even get the Supreme Pontiff to destroy Heart of Fire Academy if necessary. How come the Supreme Pontiff is now on good terms with Heart of Fire Academy?"
"You still call him Grandmaster?"
"Oh, he should be called Jade Useless now."
In front of the cherry blossom honey shop, Flender and Zhao Wuji stood with their arms crossed, gossiping as naturally as breathing. Their eyes occasionally drifted toward the entrance of Heart of Fire Academy, where faint figures could be seen beneath the falling petals.
They had barely finished speaking when the scene shifted.
The Supreme Pontiff's figure gradually disappeared into the depths of the cherry blossoms, following the young man in white. The two silhouettes, one calm and ethereal, the other composed yet faintly exhausted, moved side by side into the drifting pink haze.
However, before leaving, it was unclear what the Supreme Pontiff said to the black-clad person at the school gate when she turned around.
That black-clad person turned his head and walked toward their cherry blossom shop, his pair of dark eyes slowly scanning Flender and Zhao Wuji twice.
That gaze alone made the atmosphere freeze.
Flender and Zhao Wuji quickly straightened their backs, forced smiles appearing on their faces as they hurriedly pulled out a stool.
"Isn't this Spirit Hall's Elder Ghost?"
"Elder Ghost's esteemed presence graces us, bringing glory to our humble abode. Please, quickly take a seat."
"Elder Ghost, are you here to buy cherry blossom honey?"
Gui Mei sneered faintly. "Yes. How much is a jar of your cherry blossom honey?"
"Five…" Zhao Wuji almost blurted out the price, but Flender kicked him subtly under the table.
Flender immediately corrected himself with a strained smile.
"Elder Ghost, our cherry blossom honey is different from others. For those with destined affinity, it costs one thousand gold coins a jar."
"One thousand gold coins a jar? Is this jar made of extraterrestrial meteorite, or is this honey made of gold?"
Gui Mei's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing beneath them.
Flender laughed awkwardly. "Elder Ghost, you misunderstand. Look at the season—there are no cherry blossoms now, right? This is all brewed from the cherry blossoms of Heart of Fire Academy. It naturally carries spiritual significance."
A brief silence followed.
"Alright, then give me two jars."
Gui Mei calmly placed two heavy bags of gold coins on the table.
Flender and Zhao Wuji froze for a moment before exchanging delighted glances. Their earlier nervousness vanished instantly as they "searched" the cabinet with exaggerated seriousness, finally producing two jars labeled Precious Cherry Blossom Honey and placing them in front of Gui Mei.
"Elder Ghost, take a look, how is it?"
"Alright, it's acceptable."
Gui Mei picked up the jars, turning them slightly as if evaluating something far more important than honey.
Then, suddenly—
"However, is this honey guaranteed sweet?"
Flender blinked. "Elder Ghost, what are you saying? I run a honey shop. Would I sell you bitter or bad honey?"
Gui Mei's expression darkened slightly.
He slammed both jars onto the table.
"I asked you—"
"Is this honey guaranteed sweet?"
The temperature in the air dropped instantly.
"Elder Ghost, are you here to cause trouble?" Flender's expression changed. Zhao Wuji also stepped forward half a step, spirit power faintly stirring.
Gui Mei let out a low, chilling laugh.
"Not guaranteed sweet? And you dare sell it for one thousand gold coins? If you can't run this shop, then don't."
His gaze sharpened.
"You even dare to scam our Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong… you're getting too bold."
Nine spirit rings rose beneath Gui Mei's feet, and a surge of terrifying pressure locked the two men in place.
Shadowy ghost hands emerged from the ground, pressing Flender and Zhao Wuji down onto the table. The jars of honey were forced open, and golden liquid was pushed toward them with merciless precision.
"You like money? Then I'll let you eat it. Today, each of you will consume one thousand gold coins worth. Otherwise—heh."
"Mmm—mmph?!"
Their protests were swallowed under overwhelming force.
Half an hour later, Gui Mei left the cherry blossom shop.
Flender and Zhao Wuji lay slumped inside, faces bruised, eyes hollow, stomachs grotesquely swollen like they had swallowed all their life choices at once. Tears of regret streamed down their faces.
We will never dare to sell overpriced honey again.