CHAPTER 98
The Game with the Dragon King
============================================================
"I never intended to leave. I came to borrow the Spirit Pearl. Without it, I won't be going anywhere."
Su Cheng made no attempt to hide his intentions, feeling as though Li Shiyao had possessed him at that moment—all sincerity!
"You seem different from other humans."
Su Cheng thought to himself: Lingxian Hall only had four official members. Holy Maiden Li Shiyu counted as half a person, and Xu Zhanfeng was merely a walking corpse.
"How am I different?"
"You're quite handsome?" Yu Lan showed no shyness. She wasn't a child, after all. Since Su Cheng was being so sincere, she should reciprocate with some honesty.
"Thanks." Su Cheng didn't seem particularly thrilled, maintaining his usual nonchalant demeanor.
Truthfully, he didn't find this body particularly handsome. But after so long here, he was starting to forget what his original face even looked like.
"Also, your performance has been quite good. I'm satisfied."
"So, can you lend me the Spirit Pearl?"
"Heh, no."
Yu Lan was dumbfounded. If you're going to try to trick me out of the Spirit Pearl, you'd better have a decent excuse!
Yu Lan pondered for a long while. Was Su Cheng genuinely stupid, or did he take her for a fool?
You expect me to hand over my father's keepsake after just a few words? How gullible would I have to be to do something like that?
Use your brain, for heaven's sake! If I just handed it over like that, wouldn't I lose all face? How would other dragons look at me outside?
"You really think being handsome gives you license to be unreasonable? That's my father's heirloom, imbued with a thousand years of his cultivation. Do you think it's a glass marble you can just borrow whenever you say so?"
But after saying that, Yu Lan realized… Su Cheng was indeed handsome enough to be unreasonable…
It wasn't exactly handsome in any conventional sense, but he was unexpectedly pleasing to the eye…
Ye Qinghan glanced at Yu Lan. Clearly, she’d fallen for the master. With that lovesick look, she’d probably hesitate to hurt him.
"Shiyao, it's about time. Senior Sister must attend the martial contest. I'll leave matters here to you."
Though the sky above the forest hadn't changed, outside the mountain, a full day had likely passed.
Shi Yao stared in disbelief, her little finger pointing at herself. "Senior Sister?"
"As long as Master isn't in mortal danger, just keep watch. Senior Sister will rush back as soon as the duel ends."
Li Shiyu gazed at her master in the distance, her expression thoughtful. "Rest assured, Senior Sister. I swear on my honor—should Master suffer even the slightest harm, I shall present my head!"
Ye Qinghan felt awkward. He didn't need to guess—this was probably another line from the stories Elder Six had told Shiyu…
"Just keep watch. Tell me all about it when you return. The Master won't be in any real danger."
"So Senior Sister means for Shiyáo to spy on Master?"
"Don't put it so harshly. How could disciples like us commit such treasonous acts as spying on our Master? This is about secretly protecting him. Do you understand?"
Second Grandma nodded solemnly, patting First Grandma's shoulder with conviction. "Shiyao understands. Senior Sister, go with peace of mind."
Ye Qinghan didn't really mind. Master was unlikely to be in any real danger, and Li Shiyu was actually far more dependable than she appeared.
Besides, even if she didn't mention it, should anything unexpected happen, Li Shiyu would likely seek her out first.
She simply left Li Shiyu a few magical artifacts before departing, cloak draped over her shoulders.
Over in Su City, she was already sipping tea with Yu Lan.
"Sister Yulan, I can trade you magical treasures, and I'll return the spirit pearl to you."
Yu Lan was intrigued. Su Cheng didn't seem like a fool. A spirit pearl was no ordinary item—why would he lend it to just anyone?
"What do you need the spirit pearl for?"
It must be said, even though Su Cheng knew this fellow was thousands of years old, being stared at by that childlike face still made him feel somewhat uneasy…
"To save someone."
"Save who?"
"My second direct disciple."
"This Dragon Pearl isn't as powerful as they say. It doesn't cure all ailments. You've been deceived."
"Sister Yulan, my second disciple isn't ill. He's been targeted by a villain—a heretic cultivator from another world. Even if it's just a fragment of his being, he possesses the power of an immortal."
Yu Lan stared into Su Cheng's eyes. She sensed he wasn't lying, but humans were skilled at deception, and she couldn't be certain.
Besides, even if Su Cheng spoke the truth, she had no reason to help.
"Female disciple?"
"I know her fate is fraught with hardship and wish to perform a fate-altering ritual for her. With a spirit pearl formed from the thousand-year cultivation of the Old Dragon King, even that immortal's formidable power would be limited to a mere avatar."
Yu Lan scrutinized Su Cheng once more. Could he truly possess such profound cultivation? To peer into the heavens and discern one's destiny?
"I never would have guessed you possessed such divine abilities. But aren't you afraid?"
"Sister Yulan flatters me. Though I'm no genius, once I decide to take her in, I won't let her down."
Yu Lan smiled, finding Su Cheng rather intriguing. Beneath that scholarly exterior, he could utter such fiercely principled words.
After all, speaking so boldly while seated opposite the Dragon King was no small feat. Across Panlong Mountain, there were countless cultivators whose depths were unfathomable, yet none dared defy her.
"What do you intend to offer in exchange?"
"Anything you desire, as long as I possess it." Su Cheng nearly blurted out the answer. If Yu Lan was willing, what heavenly treasure could compare to her second disciple?
"Then what do you have?"
Truth be told, Yu Lan merely sought someone to converse with. Yet for the Dragon Queen, this proved rather difficult.
Finding someone on Panlong Mountain who could sit and converse with her was no easy task.
"What might Sister Yulan fancy?"
Though Yu Lan possessed the body of a young girl, her mind had undergone a thousand years of refinement.
Su Cheng's secretive demeanor only reinforced the impression that he truly held some trump card—his counterquestion merely masked his unwillingness to reveal his hand.
But now it made sense. This guy had made it to the Dragon King's Palace, so he must have some skills and be well-prepared. It wouldn't be surprising if he had some hidden cards up his sleeve.
"So you really do have something valuable? You weren't acting like this when you were haggling earlier~"
"Dragon King Sister, don't bully me like this. But if you ask, I'll find a way."
"Why don't you guess what this sister likes?" Yu Lan sat back on the sofa, legs crossed, wearing a condescending, teasing expression.
Though she carried herself with the poise of a Dragon King, to Su Cheng, she looked like a mischievous little imp. Honestly… Su Cheng still thought Li Shiyao was cuter…
Su Cheng was no fool, but at least the conversation flowed smoothly now. As long as they kept talking, it was just a matter of price.
But Su Cheng wasn't a sucker. Even if the First Disciple had acquired a fortune in rare treasures, spending them wisely was key, right?
Besides, he had two top-tier SSR disciples who were like hungry wolves, constantly demanding nourishment. The celestial treasures required for their cultivation were not only needed in large quantities but also had to be of guaranteed quality.
While they were genuinely broke when first starting out, every heavenly treasure Ye Qinghan used for cultivation afterward was top-tier! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was literally pounding them into submission with heavenly treasures!
"I have a top-tier immortal pill. Would you care for it, Sister?"
Yu Lan shook her head. Since she'd let Su Cheng guess, he wouldn't nod until he'd pondered it for a while. How else could she test the young hunk's limits?
"A celestial-grade artifact?"
============================================================