Lu Chengze: "I am Lu Chengze of the Lu Family Chamber of Commerce. May I ask your name, Miss?"
The young woman looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, yet could her cultivation level actually be higher than his own?
Murong Yunsheng: "Murong Yunsheng."
"So it is Miss Murong. May I ask what exactly is the treasure you hold in your hand? If it fails to interest me, I am afraid I cannot agree to have you travel with us."
Although the Lu Family Chamber of Commerce knew that bringing certain people back to the Shuangmeng Continent could earn them a fair amount of Spirit Stones, they were also responsible for the safety of anyone who boarded their ships. In comparison, those Spirit Stones were not quite as tempting.
Murong Yunsheng: "Three ninth-grade medicinal pills. Does that interest you, Young Master Lu?"
She was certain he would be moved.
Medicinal pill grades, from lowest to highest, were ranked 1 through 9, followed by Spirit, Earth, Heaven, and Divine grades. While ninth-grade pills were not considered rare in the Central Continent, the same could not necessarily be said for other continents.
Sure enough, the moment the words left Murong Yunsheng’s lips, the surrounding crowd gasped in unison. Ninth-grade pills...
Where on earth did this girl come from to possess such things?
One had to understand that the most formidable pharmacists and pill masters currently on the Shuangmeng Continent were only at the seventh level. A ninth-grade pill was an invaluable treasure.
Lu Chengze’s expression turned solemn. "Miss, let us discuss this further on board the ship."
"Please, this way, Miss!"
A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Murong Yunsheng’s mouth. This was exactly the effect she had wanted. It seemed her seat on the Lu Family’s ship was guaranteed.
...
In a luxuriously decorated cabin on the ship, Murong Yunsheng sat before a tea service, facing a smiling Lu Chengze. The two were alone; Lu Chengze had already dismissed everyone else.
She took out the three ninth-grade medicinal pills she had prepared from her storage ring. As she opened the brocade box, a rich, fragrant aroma of medicine wafted out.
Lu Chengze’s pupils contracted. Staring at the three pills, seemingly enthralled and unable to pull his gaze away, he murmured in disbelief, "They really are ninth-grade pills."
Murong Yunsheng seemed to have expected this reaction. "Young Master Lu, are these three ninth-grade Soul-Nourishing Pills sufficient payment for my passage on your Lu Family Chamber of Commerce ship?"
"Enough? Of course they are—more than enough! Miss Murong, our ship departs in three days at the hour of the dragon (7:00–9:00 AM). I will reserve a cabin for you; please be sure to arrive on time." As he spoke, Lu Chengze carefully took the box and placed it into his storage ring as if it were a precious treasure.
*I’ve struck gold,* he thought to himself. *If these three ninth-grade pills were auctioned off at the trade pavilion under our chamber's name, they would fetch a sky-high price.* And naturally, he wouldn't let anyone else develop any covetous ideas regarding such precious medicine.
Murong Yunsheng: "Then I thank you, Young Master Lu."
She stood up, preparing to leave, but—
Lu Chengze: "Wait a moment, Miss Murong."
Lu Chengze: "You are not from the Shuangmeng Continent, are you?"
Though phrased as a question, his tone was one of absolute certainty. Anyone native to the Shuangmeng Continent would know that their merchant ships never carried outside passengers, nor would they come seeking the Lu Family Chamber of Commerce. It was even less likely that they would possess ninth-grade pills.
Murong Yunsheng did not bother to hide it and gave a slight nod. "Indeed."
After all, this was impossible to conceal. She had only a superficial understanding of the Shuangmeng Continent, and attempting to pose as a native would only lead to her being exposed.
Lu Chengze: "Could it be that you are also here for the Tianluo Ruins that open in three months?"
He could think of no other reason.
Now it was Murong Yunsheng’s turn to be bewildered. *The Tianluo Ruins? What on earth is that?*
Observing her look of confusion, Lu Chengze realized that Miss Murong truly knew nothing about the opening of the ruins.
Lu Chengze: "The Tianluo Ruins open once every hundred years. This time, they are located in the Magical Beast Forest at the heart of the Shuangmeng Continent. People from all the various continents are already making their way here for this very reason. It is said that the ruins are filled with countless treasures, and some are even willing to risk their lives to enter in search of the high-level magical beasts dwelling within."
Murong Yunsheng raised an eyebrow. It seemed this Tianluo Ruins held quite a few treasures.
"Are you going, Young Master Lu?"
Lu Chengze chuckled softly. "Naturally, I intend to go and see for myself."
Opportunities like this were rare, and as one of the great families of the Shuangmeng Continent, the Lu Family could not afford to be absent.
Lu Chengze: "Miss Murong, there is no need to rush your decision. There are still three months left; you might as well take your time to consider it."
Murong Yunsheng: "That is true."
...
At night.
Murong Yunsheng lifted her hand, and the candles in the room were instantly extinguished. With a slight shift of her focus, her figure vanished from the spot.
"Ah, the air in here is so much fresher!" Murong Yunsheng took a deep breath, satisfied.
Rolling mountains stretched into the distance, partially veiled in mist. A small stream meandered down from the mountains, gathering before her into a massive lotus pond before flowing away toward an unknown destination. The surroundings were filled with countless fruits, vegetables, and rare spiritual herbs. Beside the stream stood a large tree covered in fiery-red blossoms.
Not far away stood a few bamboo buildings, and behind them, a three-story modern villa, accompanied by several large warehouses. In front of the villa sat several automobiles... a helicopter... and even a tank.
The sky was like a vast, azure sea, clear for thousands of miles, dotted with a few pristine white clouds.
A youth, looking about seventeen or eighteen, reclined languidly under the tree with the fiery flowers. A flame-shaped crimson mark graced his forehead, and he was dressed in a bewitching red robe. With his hands behind his head and his eyes half-closed, he was resting. Hearing the movement, he slowly opened his eyes; his crimson pupils added an air of otherworldly charm.
Chiyun: "Yo, so you finally decided to come in?"
Murong Yunsheng looked at him with a cold smirk. "Chiyun, are you looking for a beating again?"
Chiyun: "..."
...
Three days later.
To avoid being tracked, Murong Yunsheng had hidden in the inn for the full three days.
At the hour of the dragon (7:00–9:00 AM).
The ship was already bustling with people. Seeing Murong Yunsheng, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity. They were astonished that their young master had actually agreed to bring this girl along, and curious about her identity, given that she could produce ninth-grade pills.
Lu Chengze: "Miss Murong, you are quite punctual."
Murong Yunsheng: "Naturally. This is a ticket I worked hard to obtain; if I missed the departure, I wouldn't even have a place to cry."
Hearing this, Lu Chengze couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.