It was a coincidence indeed!
Upon entering, Yun Xiao immediately noticed the carved sign hanging at the door—Menglin Pavilion. He thought little of it then; after all, the name was quite common.
It was not as unique as Zhao Xuanran, whose name truly matched his character...
This woman in the black dress was certainly a figure from the Harmony Divine Palace. She was powerful and ruthless.
Now, encountering her within this dark shop felt like confronting a ferocious beast in its cave, her dark Corona adding tremendous pressure.
Yun Xiao and the War Princess had stolen the Six-Hearted Beast from right under her nose. So, though he felt a slight ripple in his heart, he quickly subdued it and regained his composure.
He had advised the War Princess, regardless of whom she met, to keep her pride. Shyness or hesitation would only show a lack of lineage, making one easily oppressed.
So, upon meeting Zhao Menglin, the War Princess did not falter but spoke evenly, “I’ll choose a few Calamity Sources.”
“Hmm?” Zhao Menglin rose from her recliner and sized up the War Princess.
Behind her, Yun Xiao stood in the shadows.
“What, out of stock?” the War Princess asked.
“Nonono, there are plenty.” Zhao Menglin smiled wryly. With that, she gestured towards a dark, icy corridor behind her, saying, “Follow me.”
Her figure was quite fine among humans, pear-shaped, with hips that drew eyes like a pendulum as she moved.
However, compared to the War Princess, her innate talents were modest at best.
The War Princess and Yun Xiao followed Zhao Menglin deeper into the chilly corridor.
Yun Xiao didn’t spare Zhao Menglin a glance, pleasing the War Princess, who thought to herself, “This fellow still has taste, not swooning at every woman.”
Just then, Zhao Menglin stopped in front of a dimly lit ice room, pointing inside.
“The Calamity Sources are all in here. Go in and choose; they're all things I've killed myself, stolen, or had left over over the years," she said with a slight lift of her chin, her eyes cold and teasing, her pride deep and chilling, turning her casual words into a daunting revelation.
Indeed, why would someone from the Harmony Divine Palace run a shop in Harmony City?
The reason was simple, to dispose of unwanted cultivation resources.
After advancing in cultivation, unwanted celestial weapons, magic treasures, Calamity Sources, medicinal pills, and demon bones could all be sold outright.
Indeed, treasures obtained through plunder and pillage could be sold openly if one dared face potential retaliation!
Harmony Street was essentially an alley of laundered goods, officially constructed by the Harmony Divine Palace. Anything could be sold here, as long as one was bold enough to put it up for sale. The consequences, however, were one's own to bear.
Those who dared to open shops on Harmony Street generally boasted significant status and identity. This was why the Menglin Pavilion carried a demeanor of shadowy depths and privacy...
In fact, most shops on Harmony Street shared this aesthetic. Buildings gleaming with opulence often signified a lack of worthwhile items.
These discarded treasures or those gained through violent means often carried the risk of being overlooked, making Harmony Street a treasure trove for cultivators from the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm eager for a good find.
It was said that just the private shops on Harmony Street numbered in the tens of thousands, indicating the scale of this enterprise.
Zhao Menglin was a woman positioned higher up the food chain in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm!
So, she carried herself with confidence, her gaze upon the War Princess always tinged with a hint of aggression.
"Correct," Zhao Menglin replied with a smile.
"Any chance of a discount?" the War Princess asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not a chance in hell. You won't get it for one jade less," Zhao Menglin said, arms crossed, her smile persisting.
"How about throwing in something extra?" the War Princess said, glancing at the other ice chambers, "You've got plenty of good stuff here, right?"
"No extras," Zhao Menglin declared.
"Then no deal. It’s boring," the War Princess said, preparing to set down the ice niche.
"Wait, I suppose I could include something," Zhao Menglin suddenly said.
Her quick change of heart went unnoticed by the War Princess, but Yun Xiao's brow furrowed. He sensed it. This woman bore malice toward the War Princess! She didn't want the War Princess to leave just yet, so even the rules could be bent on a whim.
"Have her give a Sword Heart," Yun Xiao whispered directly into the War Princess' heart.
"Throw in a Sword Heart," the War Princess said to Zhao Menglin. "You're a Sword Cultivator; you should have some to spare."
"You're kidding, Sword Hearts are hot commodities, set aside as life-saving treasures," Zhao Menglin said, though she made no move to stop the War Princess, who picked up the ice niche and casually asked as she passed by, "Which room holds the Sword Hearts? I'd like to take a look."
"The very last one." Zhao Menglin continued to smile as she pointed down the corridor to its end.
The deeper the War Princess went, the harder it would be to escape this cage.
CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! The War Princess led the way with Yun Xiao attending behind her. She truly embodied royalty, at least in height and presence.
KLANG! The two reached the final chamber, a room secured with a hefty door. The War Princess pushed it open to reveal an even darker space, where an ice-blue sarcophagus lay at the far end, lined with about 100 frigid Sword Hearts!
These Sword Hearts, each bristling with the raw power of Sword Prisons, were vastly superior to those of the Celestial Court.
"These precious items, just out in the open like this, aren't you afraid they’ll be stolen?" the War Princess turned and asked Zhao Menglin.
Zhao Menglin gave a light laugh. "Little sister, shops on Harmony Street are under the protection of the Harmony Divine Palace. We're all legitimate businesses here, don't be absurd."
"Heh." The War Princess crossed her arms. "A Calamity Source for purchase, and throw in a Sword Heart."
"The cheapest Sword Heart here is worth 2,000 Supreme Immortal Jades," Zhao Menglin replied with a shake of her head, viewing the young girl as utterly naive, bordering on foolish.
"Either way, no Sword Heart, no deal," the War Princess chuckled.
With that, she called out to Yun Xiao, "Hey piggy, let's go!"
At this nickname, Yun Xiao nearly lost his temper.
"Wait..." Zhao Menglin suddenly stepped in front of the War Princess, smiling sweetly. "Little sister, what's your name?"
"Feng Yao," the War Princess replied offhandedly, then with a cold lift of her brows, asked Zhao Menglin, "What, does your shady shop intend to fleece its customers?"
"Not at all." Zhao Menglin dropped her façade, her smile broadening. "I’m just proposing a great future for you. Just use that clever tongue of yours, and you’ll have endless wealth and honor."
"What? My eloquence can bring me riches and honor?" the War Princess quipped, intrigued yet skeptical.
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