"If the rewards are that substantial, many Peak Qi Refining disciples will surely participate. I'm only at the 9th level—wouldn't the risk be too high?" Lin Haoming looked at Xie Ruolan, certain she was withholding something.
Sure enough, Xie Ruolan gave a soft laugh. "Don't worry about that. To prevent an immediate bloodbath upon entry, the three sects decided to use teleportation arrays. You'll be sent into the mine in groups of three. You won't be alone; I'll find two partners for you so you can look out for one another."
"Heh, Senior Sister Xie, it seems you've prepared everything before coming to find me," Lin Haoming said with a wry smile.
Xie Ruolan didn't deny it. "It doesn't matter if you choose not to go. I've already given you the portion of the reward you deserved. Your future cultivation won't be hindered by a heart demon over this."
Seeing her nonchalant attitude, Lin Haoming knew he was powerless against her. He sighed, "It's just that I lack confidence in myself. You saw that little monk last time; at his full strength, I wouldn't stand a chance even if there were three of me. How about this, Senior Sister—lend me your Yin Soul Banner for the trip?"
"You certainly have some nerve," she replied. "The banner is out of the question. However, I won't let you go in just to die. You're clever; with a few life-saving measures, even if you don't take a top spot, you have a chance at securing at least one Foundation Establishment Pill. Here are two Low-Grade Peak-Tier Earth Escape Talismans. There is almost nothing a Qi Refining cultivator can do to restrict a talisman of this grade. Unless you're truly stupid, this is basically like having three lives. If you still die in there, I'll have nothing left to say."
Xie Ruolan produced two earthy-yellow talismans radiating dense spiritual energy. Lin Haoming was delighted; he knew she truly wasn't sending him on a suicide mission. However, he also noted that she didn't believe he could actually crack the top three—or even the top six.
Escape talismans were far more expensive than defensive ones. Peak-tier low-grade talismans cost nearly one thousand spirit stones each. These two represented a two-thousand-stone investment from Xie Ruolan, which was indeed generous.
Compared to the massive windfall she had gained, however, Lin knew this was pocket change. He pocketed them and continued to smile. "Senior Sister, just running away isn't a solution. I need some insurance!"
Seeing him boldly asking for more, Xie Ruolan thought the boy was getting more courageous by the day. But given the risks, she pulled out two more talismans and a magic tool. "You used up your Stone Armor Talismans last time; here are two more. And this is the Hun Tian Umbrella. It can be used for both offense and defense, and it has fire-repelling properties. It's an excellent high-grade magic tool."
The Hun Tian Umbrella was crafted from the skeleton and hide of a spirit beast. The ribs were like white jade, translucent and smooth, while the canopy was a vibrant red, radiating a faint fire-attribute energy.
Lin Haoming stowed them away immediately. "Senior Sister, how about a spirit beast? I think your Purple Spirit Snake is quite nice!"
"If you want a spirit beast, find your own way! The competition begins in three months. Use that time to figure out how to get stronger," Xie Ruolan snapped, annoyed that he was now eyeing her little Xiao Zi. "I still have to find your teammates. Don't push your luck!"
Watching her leave in a huff, Lin Haoming felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Since they had met, she had always held the upper hand. Seeing her flustered for once was a rare pleasure.
But the pleasure was fleeting. His expression soon darkened again. Three months from now, the battle would be bloody.
In the past, Xie Ruolan had always been by his side during their trips to Red Leaf Mountain. Even as bait, he was safe because her strength was monstrous for an eighteen-year-old. Lin didn't even know how the witch had trained all these years to become so perverted in strength; he wouldn't be surprised if she could kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
But he didn't lose heart. He had been in this world for only a year, rising from a butcher in the Stupa Grotto to the envied Shopkeeper Lin. With the Merit Bead, he still had a chance.
---
A High-Grade Proposition
"Senior Brother Lin, there's someone named Lin Feiyang outside. He says he's an old friend and hopes for a discount!" Bao Wenliang entered just as Lin was thinking about him.
Knowing Lin Feiyang was back to squeeze some benefits, Lin walked out. He usually left the business to Bao now, but Feiyang was special—he managed the spent spirit stone warehouse.
"Shopkeeper Lin! Oh! You've reached the 9th level!" Lin Feiyang noticed the breakthrough immediately.
Lin Haoming smiled. "Haven't you reached the 9th level as well, Junior Brother? What are you looking for today?"
"I want to buy a mid-grade magic tool. I've got my eye on that Tortoise Shell Shield," Feiyang laughed.
The Tortoise Shell Shield was a specialty of Heavenly Sword Mountain, crafted from Cloud-Patterned Tortoises. Lin had acquired three of them during his harvesting trips.
"That shield is one hundred sixty spirit stones. It's mid-grade, but its sturdiness rivals high-grade tools. You have a good eye," Lin said.
"True, true... but about the price? Can you cut me a break for old time's sake?"
"How much are you offering?"
"One hundred twenty spirit stones?" Feiyang grinned.
"What? Junior Brother, that's ridiculous. I'm not running a charity. One hundred fifty stones—that's my absolute lowest. Any lower and I'm losing money."
Feiyang's face fell. "Shopkeeper Lin, I heard you give free gifts for purchases over one hundred stones. How about I forgo the gift and we do one hundred thirty stones?"
"The gift is worth five stones at most. Fine, I'll give up my own commission. One hundred forty stones. Any lower and it's coming out of my own pocket!"
"Not a bit lower?" Feiyang persisted.
Lin shook his head firmly. "I'd rather not sell it."
Seeing Lin's resolve, Feiyang leaned in closer. "Shopkeeper Lin, Senior Brother Lin... how about this? Since my cultivation rose, I've become the supervisor of the spent spirit stone warehouse. What if I give you some High-Grade Spent Spirit Stones?"
Lin Haoming had intended to squeeze some mid-grade stones out of him, but the mention of high-grade stones made his heart race.