Ning Fengzhi's attitude took Lin Feng by surprise.
Testing the waters, he asked,"Then may I ask, Sect Master Ning, what reward can you offer?"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled,"If you can truly help us solve the spirit soul defect issue, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to give you one-fifth of our wealth."
"Oh?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo narrowed his eyes."Such a huge sum — isn't that aiding the enemy? Are you really willing?"
Ning Fengzhi casually took a sip of wine and said calmly,"Did anyone hear that? Don't spout nonsense. It's just a commission for a task.
As for money — it's nothing to our sect. We'll recover it in no time."
"Is that so..."
Lin Feng looked at Ning Fengzhi. This man, often called an old fox, sometimes seemed more like a fickle weathervane.
He chuckled inwardly:"In that case, I can try studying it."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded."Here's a small amount, as a deposit."
A red card was tossed over by Sword Douluo and caught steadily by Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Lin Feng glanced at the number on it and felt his heart skip a beat — now that's a lot of money!Did this guy collect all the gold soul coins on the continent? Is he the Gotham boss of the Douluo world?
"Then we'll take our leave. Scholar Lin Feng, should you have any ideas, please inform me immediately.
Of course, if there are no results, consider this money a reward for your time and effort."
With a sharp smile, Ning Fengzhi left, accompanied by Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo played with the red card, clicking his tongue."Looks like you're quite the hot commodity in the soul master world, unlike that so-called master — famous, but no one wants him."
Lin Feng shook his head."I don't know what else he's after. Just asking me to study spirit soul defects and offering that much money — seems fishy."
He stood up."Let's go. We'll talk more about the use of the Lifegold later."
Qian Renxue stroked her chin."Xiaofeng, what do you think that Lady Yuehua wants from you?
From the way she carries herself — still graceful and alluring — you don't think she's trying to seduce you and eat you, hmm?"
She burst into laughter at her own joke.
Lin Feng shrugged helplessly."Whatever she wants, we're not meeting her today.
I have a guess as to why she wants the Lifegold."
Ling Yuan tilted her head."What is it?"
"Maybe it's for one of her brothers. Who knows?
After all, she still has ties to the Clear Sky Sect."
The next morning, Lin Feng and the others arrived at Yuexuan.
Qian Renxue was still in disguise.
Tang Yuehua, elegant and noble as ever, was already waiting for them.
Her sky-blue hair was elegantly pinned, with a diamond-shaped gem on her forehead.
Somehow, she had found out Lin Feng's identity. Her red lips parted slightly:
"Scholar Lin Feng, please follow me."
She gracefully led them up to the second floor.
The room was filled with fragrance and lavishly decorated. Tang Yuehua sat with poise.
The three of them accepted the tea offered by the maid.
After a sip, Lin Feng praised:"Yuexuan truly lives up to its reputation as one of the finest aristocratic venues in Heaven Dou. Even the tea is unique.
Soft on the tongue, with a subtle fragrance and sweetness that lingers."
Tang Yuehua smiled and nodded."Scholar Lin Feng truly appreciates the finer things. This tea is specially sourced from the tea mountains of the Star Luo Empire.
It's limited in quantity, reserved only for our most distinguished guests."
Lin Feng put down his teacup and looked her in the eye."Lady Yuehua, may I ask why you invited me here?"
Tang Yuehua smiled slightly."You flatter me. I invited you to give a lecture to our Yuexuan students."
"A lecture?" Lin Feng was a bit surprised — that was not the request he expected.
"Yes. While Yuexuan is known for its noble etiquette training, our students' understanding and application of spirit souls is lacking.
I've heard you have unique insights into spirit soul theory, so I hoped you could offer them guidance," she explained.
Lin Feng thought for a moment and said,"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Lady Yuehua.
Teaching spirit soul theory isn't really my strength, and we're not looking to make a public appearance on this trip.
Just meeting you privately like this is already pushing it.
Why don't we cut to the real reason for your invitation?"
Tang Yuehua was slightly stunned, then curved her lips:"As expected of the emerging genius soul master, Scholar Lin Feng.
Very well, I'll be direct. That rare stone you won yesterday — it's of great use to me. But not as much as you are."
Lin Feng suddenly smiled."You're trying to solve spirit soul defects too?"
Tang Yuehua paused, clearly taken aback."How did you know?"
Honestly, the spirit souls in Douluo Continent just keep getting weirder.
From the first to the second arc, there's no end to the number of flawed spirit souls.
Even that green-haired turtle needed a virgin's sacrifice to awaken its bloodline. It's hard to imagine how their ancestors discovered this stuff.
Lin Feng was a little exasperated."Lady Yuehua, I already have too many tasks on my plate — I'm afraid I can't help you."
Tang Yuehua smiled faintly:"No need to rush. I can wait as long as necessary — just being on your radar is enough. I'm in no hurry."
Qian Renxue snorted:"Then what can you offer Xiaofeng in return?"
Tang Yuehua hesitated, her voice tinged with bitterness:"Whatever he desires — I dare not refuse."
"You..."
Qian Renxue frowned. There was an implied suggestion in those words that she did not like.
She glanced at Tang Yuehua — it was hard to guess her exact age, but she had quite the figure.
Heh.
Trying to throw yourself at him? Sounds like you'd be the one benefiting.
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes, crossed her legs, and folded her arms."I'm glad you're willing to give your all. But I don't like what you're implying."
Lin Feng laughed — Qian Renxue's sudden attitude shift amused him.
Tang Yuehua was taken aback. That tone...
Lin Feng straightened up."Back to the point. As a former member of the Clear Sky Sect, even though you left years ago...
You still maintain ties. After what the Spirit Hall did to Tang Hao, forcing the Clear Sky Sect into seclusion — don't you bear any grudge?
And yet you're asking me for help?"
Tang Yuehua glanced at the disguised Qian Renxue, then said:"That's why this is a personal request. And the only one I'm asking is you."
She wanted to continue, but a maid burst in, interrupting her.
The maid looked panicked, gasping with heaving breaths.
Under Tang Yuehua's frown, she took a moment to catch her breath before crying out:
"Madam — that fox girl is gone! The sisters and soul master watching her have all fainted!"
"What!?"
Tang Yuehua stood up at once, her expression changing.
Lin Feng asked curiously,"Wasn't that fox girl not very strong? How did she escape?
And why would she run away? Did you buy her with some ulterior motive, Lady Yuehua?"
"Scholar Lin Feng jests. That fox girl wasn't what the auction host claimed — she didn't end up like that due to a failed spirit awakening.
What I can tell you is that she was found by a surviving soul master on the way back to the city."
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes."What's the soul master's level?"
"A four-ring Soul Ancestor."
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle