Yun Qi’s gaze fell upon Lin Yinyin, his pupils contracting slightly.

The last time they met, he sensed her Spirit Root had broken through to a top-grade Water Spirit Root. Now, seeing her again felt completely different.

She stood there seemingly surrounded by intangible water mist. With each breath, spiritual energy converged into her meridians like fine streams, as if her whole person had merged with the world’s water spiritual energy.

Is this still a top-grade Water Spirit Root?

Yun Qi was inwardly shocked.

“Fellow Daoist Lin’s cultivation progress is truly divine,” Yun Qi probed, his gaze lingering on her for a few extra seconds.

“Fellow Daoist Yun flatters me; it’s just good luck,” Lin Yinyin smiled faintly.

Yun Qi’s eyelid twitched.

Good luck?

You call this good luck?

He turned to look at Zhang Xian and couldn’t help but ask, “Zhang Xian, Fellow Daoist Lin’s Spirit Root seems stronger than the last time we met?”

Zhang Xian smiled slightly, his tone calm. “Slight enlightenment, slight enlightenment.”

Yun Qi: “…”

Enlightenment my ass!

Zhang Xian clicked his tongue. “I say, Commander Yun, you old lecher, why do you keep staring at my sister first thing?”

Pfft! Yun Qi almost had a heart attack and blurted out, “Kid, you dare call me a lecher? On the flying boat, you made such a racket the whole night I couldn’t sleep properly, you—”

He suddenly remembered the party involved was right beside them and quickly shut his mouth tactfully.

Lin Yinyin blushed crimson. Later, Brother Zhang Xian had mentioned that incident to her. Remembering it made her embarrassed.

“Alright, what brings you here making a special trip?”

Yun Qi took out three brocade boxes from his robe and handed them to Zhang Xian. “This is what Aunt ordered me to personally deliver: the Immortal Ascension Pill. Kid, you’re really something. I didn’t expect you to auction off the Immortal Ascension Grass and get an Immortal Ascension Pill back. Now you’ve struck gold.”

“Do you know the current value of this pill? The Lingxu Sect specially held a pill appreciation conference for it. That Yang Poxiao is truly a heaven-sent genius, actually able to refine a long-lost Earth-grade pill.”

“Later, the Lingxu Sect sent people to inquire about your origins. All of it was suppressed by Aunt. Besides us two, probably nobody knows your identity. Speaking of which, you’ve got guts daring to give the Immortal Ascension Grass to him to refine the pill. Aren’t you afraid you’d end up empty-handed?”

Zhang Xian smiled and didn’t reply. Switch places; if you had a system, you’d have guts too.

Pill appreciation conference? I’ve still got over ninety Immortal Ascension Pills on me. I could also hold a conference and slap that pill-refining grandmaster in the face.

But Zhang Xian thought, Forget it. That person has no grudge against me, so why show off? Besides, I owe these many pills thanks to Yang Poxiao.

“Then what are the other two boxes?”

Yun Qi chuckled. “These are what the Cloud Raiment Pavilion bought for you. This box contains a Heart-Mending Lotus. It can repair Spirit Root damage. This Heart-Mending Lotus’s quality is infinitely close to Earth-grade. It’s probably hard to find better quality in the Southern Region.”

“The other box is a Marrow-Cleansing Remnant Fruit. Remember I told you before we auctioned a Marrow-Cleansing Remnant Fruit? Later, we contacted the seller. He had another one, so we directly bought it.”

“How reliable, right? Everything you asked for was handled properly.”

Zhang Xian’s face lit up with joy, and he suddenly gave Yun Qi a big hug. “From now on, you are my brother from a different father and different mother!”

Yun Qi, with a face of disgust, pushed him away. “Don’t hug me! Hugging men is disgusting.”

Lin Yinyin snorted. Brother Zhang never hugged me that tightly. Jealous!

“How much did this cost?” Zhang Xian took the brocade boxes.

“Tsk. This is free. Aunt specially instructed it.”

Zhang Xian was startled, then understood Yun Wanqing was repaying a favor.

“Please thank the Pavilion Master for me,” Zhang Xian said solemnly.

Yun Qi nodded and lowered his voice. “By the way, the flying boat matter is already arranged. Aunt specially instructed us to give it the best configuration. She even paid an extra two million spirit stones herself.”

Zhang Xian raised an eyebrow. “So generous?”

Yun Qi gave him a meaningful look. “Aunt said she owes you.” After finishing, he winked suggestively.

Lin Yinyin listened, confused, but her intuition told her these two definitely had a secret. She secretly pinched Zhang Xian but got an innocent look back.

The two chatted for a long time until, upon leaving, Yun Qi said, “After the flying boat is ready, Aunt will personally deliver it. Also, Zhen’er has entered the Profound Ice Array and fallen asleep.”

Lin Yinyin listened, her expression dimming. She quite liked that cute little girl.

Yun Qi took a breath and continued, “For the past hundred years, Aunt has rarely personally handled business matters anymore. I can feel she sees a glimmer of hope in you.”

“Zhang Xian, I know your background is profound. If it’s possible to help Zhen’er, I, Yun Qi, am willing to sell my life to you.”

Zhang Xian punched him in the chest. “Don’t talk so disgustingly. What do I want your life for? Rest assured. If there’s a chance, I’ll definitely do my utmost to help the Zhen girl.”

After seeing Yun Qi off, Lin Yinyin immediately leaned in. “Brother, what riddles were you talking about just now? Why did the Cloud Pavilion Master say she owes you?”

Zhang Xian gave a mysterious smile. “This… I’m not telling.”

“Hah! Brother is really a big lecher. Seeing a beautiful woman, you can’t walk straight. You gave her some rare treasure again, right?”

Zhang Xian smiled and shook his head, his gaze falling on the brocade boxes in his hand. Heart-Mending Lotus, Marrow-Cleansing Remnant Fruit. Perhaps… the day I solve my Spirit Root problem truly is not far off.

Afterward, the toolman Zhenhai carried Zhang Xian and Lin Yinyin back to Spirit Sword Peak.

After dropping the two at the thatched hut, Zhenhai was about to leave.

“Senior Brother,” Zhang Xian suddenly spoke.

“What is the matter?” Zhenhai’s face was indifferent. Although he had accepted the reality of Zhang Xian and Lin Yinyin, it didn’t mean he had a good face for Zhang Xian. Now his heart held only the Sword Dao!

“Senior Brother has been on the peak the longest. Can you tell me about Master’s matters?”

Hah. Old lecher, your reputation is well-deserved. You have Lin Yinyin, hooked Green Wood Peak’s Supervisor Liu, and now you dare extend your claws towards Master. Zhenhai shook his head. “I need to practice the sword; no time.”

Zhang Xian unhurriedly took out a top-grade magic sword from his system space. The sword body flowed with a golden light halo. “Senior Brother has used that sword for many years, right? I happen to have a Geng Gold Sword here; it seems more fitting for Senior Brother’s status.”

Zhenhai caught a glimpse of the magic sword from the corner of his eye, and his Adam’s apple unconsciously bobbed. Top-grade among top-grade magic swords! His own magic sword was also top-grade, but differences between top-grades existed too.

Zhang Xian’s one was clearly master-crafted, belonging to the pinnacle of top-grade. That rich Geng Gold aura… Ah, sorry wife, I might have a change of heart.

“Master’s cultivation seems to have hit a bottleneck. Senior Brother saw I am quite wealthy, so I just want to do my filial duty.”

Zhenhai forcibly endured, moving his gaze away. The top-grade magic sword temptation was great, but his Dao heart was firmer!

These past few months, Junior Sister Chen Tiexin, relying on the big tree Zhang Xian, ate contribution points till full and got kickbacks till her hands were soft. I remained unmoved!

Moreover, how could he bow before a former love rival? I, the dignified Spirit Sword Peak Senior Brother, how can I abandon my dignity!

Thinking this, Zhenhai straightened his back, his tone even colder and harder. “Junior Brother is overthinking. I cannot help Master.”

“Oh right, there’s also this,” Zhang Xian continued as if he hadn’t heard. “Just now, the Cloud Raiment Pavilion Commander gave me a few magic sword maintenance packages. He said it includes ten years of free maintenance and enchantment upgrade service. Also attached is a set of Cloud Raiment Pavilion-produced scabbard cases, an eight-piece set.”

Zhenhai’s eyes instantly went straight.

The next instant, Zhenhai was already sitting on the stone stool in front of the thatched hut, taking out a tea set from his robe, his face full of smiles.

“Junior Brother, Junior Sister, what are you waiting for? Hurry over and drink tea.”