Chapter 79: Ling Yuqing!

As the woman vanished, the auction hall dispersed, and those leaving felt deflated, some sighing with regret. There had been treasures, but the inability to obtain them brought true disappointment. Most frustrating of all was seeing others reject earth-rank techniques without a second thought.

Tap, tap—

Yafei knocked on the door.

“Could that person be inside the VIP room?” the woman wondered, glancing at the “VIP” sign above.

“Come in,” a voice called from within, as her imagination ran wild.

Yafei and her companion entered.

“Hey there, beautiful, what brings you to your brother?” Qian Mo teased, waving his hand and tossing his hair.

“Uh…”

The two women who entered fell silent, speechless at Qian Mo’s words.

“This is the terrifying presence from earlier?”

“Impossible—it doesn’t match my impression! If it’s really him, he doesn’t seem nearly as frightening as I’d imagined,” the woman thought, instantly reassessing the man before her. Her previous anxiety eased, and she let out a small breath.

“Oh come now, don’t make that face. I’m a good person, really. I rarely hit anyone—as long as others don’t provoke me, I won’t kill them,” Qian Mo said with a cheerful grin.

“My dear, hand me the pills,” Qian Mo reached out to Yafei.

“My dear?” The woman was startled—she never expected Yafei to have a man, let alone this one as her husband! Her surprise was written plainly across her face.

“You… you’re married?” she asked cautiously, wanting to confirm.

Yafei moved toward Qian Mo as he continued teasing, “Yes, we are. Why? Don’t we look like a couple? What’s the matter, beauty—do you wish to become like us?”

Qian Mo embraced Yafei greedily, inhaling her scent.

Yafei twisted his back ninety degrees with her jade-like hand.

“Ah!”

“Ouch! Wife, I’m sorry! It hurts! Let go…” Qian Mo pleaded.

“You really are too much—day in and day out, never serious. Can’t you behave yourself?” Yafei scolded, patting his back.

“…You two are so inconsiderate—can’t you see a lonely single woman here? Yet you flaunt your affection right in front of me!” The woman felt a pang of discomfort in her heart.

“Ahem!”

“Alright, back to business. Beauty, what’s your name?” Qian Mo cleared his throat and asked.

“Um… Sir, my name is…” the woman started, but Qian Mo interrupted, “What? You call me ‘sir’? Do you know how old I am? I’m only twenty! Do I really look that old?”

He feigned a fierce expression.

“I didn’t mean it that way… Young master!” she quickly corrected herself.

“Don’t scare her,” Yafei said.

“Alright, tell me your name.”

“Young master, my name is Ling Yuqing.”

“Ling Yuqing? Hmm… a lovely name, very pleasant,” Qian Mo praised.

“So, Miss Ling Yuqing, what is this precious item you mentioned?” he asked curiously.

“Young master, please look—this is something I found by chance in a certain place. I can sense something powerful within it, but no matter what I try, I cannot open it,” she explained, taking out a multicolored, diamond-like object from her ring, faintly glowing.

“This is…” Qian Mo reached out to accept the diamond.

“System, what on earth is this thing?” he asked mentally.

“After calculation, the item in the host’s hand is merely a facade. The true treasure is sealed inside. This object is not native to the Dou Qi Continent, but comes from a higher plane. Inside is likely the legacy or memories of a great power, extremely valuable. Would the host like to sell it to the system?” the system replied.

“My goodness! From a plane beyond the Dou Qi Continent? That’s different—so much potential! The legacy of a great power? Memories? Hm… I won’t sell it. With something so valuable, I’ll keep it for myself!” Qian Mo rejoiced inwardly.

“Heh! Who’d have thought a few hundred World Coins could bring me such fortune… Jackpot!” he thought gleefully.

“System, if I sell it, how much would you pay?” he asked again.

“After calculation, the system can offer three million World Coins,” came the reply.

“Forget it, I’ll keep it. I don’t need coins right now anyway. Worst comes to worst, I can steal things from other clans, or even raid their ancestral tombs—tsk tsk!” Qian Mo chuckled.

“Husband? Husband?” Yafei noticed Qian Mo had been lost in thought for some time and tapped him.

“Young master? Young master?” Ling Yuqing asked cautiously.

Coming out of his trance, Qian Mo returned to reality. “Ahem! I was just thinking. I’ve checked your item—it’s indeed worth exchanging for my Vitality Pill. I can protect you during the process.” He handed her the box containing the pill.

“Wonderful!” Yuqing took the box with delight, carefully opening it as light spilled out.

She picked up the pill gingerly, “Is this the Vitality Pill?”

“Before you take it, I must ask you two questions: How old are you, and what is your cultivation level?” Qian Mo asked, though he could already see her rank; it was only natural to ask.

“I’m twenty-two, a two-star Dou Practitioner,” Yuqing replied.

“Good. Take it here—I’ll guard you. How much you absorb depends on your own ability,” Qian Mo instructed solemnly.

“Remember, don’t rush! Otherwise, it will be useless. Absorb slowly, as your body requires,” he warned.

“I understand!” Yuqing said, placing the Vitality Pill in her mouth and assuming a meditative posture.

It melted instantly. She could feel it dissolve, transforming into a warm stream that flowed through her veins, bones, and finally gathered in her qi dantian. The warmth gradually cooled, merging seamlessly with her energy.

Her aura soared: from a two-star Dou Practitioner… to three stars… five stars… seven-star peak… eight stars… nine-star peak… one-star Great Dou Practitioner!

She didn’t stop there. Her cultivation continued to climb.

Three-star Great Dou Practitioner… five stars… nine-star peak… one-star Dou Spirit… three stars… five stars… eight stars… nine stars… one-star Dou King!

After reaching Dou King, her progress slowed: one-star Dou King early stage… mid stage… late stage… peak… two-star Dou King… early… mid… late… peak.

Ding—

Finally, Ling Yuqing’s cultivation settled at two-star Dou King peak.

“Hmm, not bad! You now possess two-star Dou King strength. Though not the strongest, at your age, it’s more than enough. From here on, your cultivation speed will far outpace the norm—no need to worry about your rank anymore,” Qian Mo observed as Yuqing sat in meditation.

When all was calm, Ling Yuqing opened her eyes, utterly incredulous and overwhelmed. It felt like a dream—afraid it was just that, she slapped her cheeks repeatedly.

“Ouch, it hurts! This is real! I’m not dreaming! I… I’ve actually become a Dou King! And at two-star peak! This…”

Looking at Qian Mo with deep gratitude, she bowed, “Thank you! Thank you! I don’t know how to repay you!”

“Repay me? With your hand in marriage!” Qian Mo thought, but with Yafei present, he dared not say it aloud, sneaking a glance at her.

Yafei caught his eye and glared, knowing full well this incorrigible man was thinking something improper!

“Ahem! In truth, it’s nothing. It was a fair exchange—I received what I wanted, you got what you needed. It’s a fair deal; you don’t need to thank me so profusely,” Qian Mo said, helping her up gently.

“Sister Ling Yuqing, if you don’t mind, I’d like to be your elder sister. From now on, we’ll be sisters!” Yafei offered warmly.

“Sister?” Ling Yuqing looked at Yafei’s outstretched hand and murmured.

“Mm.”

At last, she took the hand and nodded, accepting, “Sister Yafei,” Yuqing said.

“Sister Yuqing,” Yafei replied.

“Oh my! Isn’t my wife just shortening the distance for me? Now that they’re sisters, won’t it be easier for me to pursue her? Tsk tsk, my wife knows me well!” Qian Mo thought, delighted.

If Yafei knew his thoughts, she’d surely give him a thump: “Knows you, my foot! I genuinely wanted a younger sister—not another wife for you!”

(End of chapter)