Chapter 68: Flowing Wind, Returning Snow

Beneath the majestic, opulent gate, several blue beams swept over their bodies.

“Welcome to Haicheng Pet Shop.”

A mechanical voice sounded.

Shi Xuan lowered his voice and said, “This scanning gate verifies whether the visitors are human.”

“According to the law, non-citizens are not permitted to purchase pets.”

“But some non-citizens sneak in to buy pets and apply identity devices for them.”

As he spoke.

Jiang Jian walked into the pet shop and looked ahead.

On both sides of the long street, row upon row of pavilion-style shops stretched endlessly.

“Classmate, want to buy two pets? They’re very comfortable.”

A shopkeeper with sharp eyes rushed forward, staring at Jiang Jian’s school uniform, face beaming.

"All fresh female ghosts, a few months old—each includes a free Spirit-Blocking Ring. Take them home and use them however you like."

Behind him, a massive holographic screen flickered continuously.

The screen was divided into dozens of segments.

Each segment monitored one ghost.

Shi Xuan walked up to the screen, curiosity on his face, and asked, “How much?”

The clerk’s eyes darted, then he glanced again at Shi Xuan’s uniform: “Twenty thousand Alliance Coins per female ghost.”

Shi Xuan’s expression changed slightly: “So expensive? Why don’t you just rob someone?”

Jiang Jian frowned slightly and walked past him without a word.

“Don’t leave!”

The clerk hurried to stop him, “Our ghosts are fresh daily—men, women, young, old, beautiful, ugly, fat, thin—we cater to every preference!”

Behind him.

A female customer stared at the screen and waved: “Pack ten male ghosts—pick the tall, handsome ones, and make sure they’re fresh.”

“Madam, don’t rush—I’ll get your order right away!”

The clerk immediately turned, beaming, and hurried to the matron’s side, completely forgetting Jiang Jian.

Shi Xuan walked beside Jiang Jian, muttering: “These wealthy wives really know how to enjoy life.”

Jiang Jian’s expression remained calm as he scanned the shops on both sides: “I want some low-quality ghosts—cheapest possible.”

Shi Xuan, though puzzled, did not press further: “The shops outside sell only pet servants.”

“For bulk purchases, you need to go deeper inside.”

After walking about a hundred meters, the shops on both sides grew sparse.

The clerks inside the pavilions no longer came out to solicit customers.

Some sat at their counters, wearing holographic headsets, lying back in chairs, lost in virtual games—even when customers entered, they showed no reaction.

“Jianghe Pet Shop.”

Shi Xuan stopped and stared at a dilapidated shop: “This place is an old-established wholesaler.”

At the shop’s entrance, the clerk stood with arms crossed, coldly watching passersby.

Jiang Jian climbed the stone steps and examined the holographic display on the counter.

The clerk said nothing, silently watching Jiang Jian.

“How much for these ghosts?”

Jiang Jian pointed to one screen.

Shi Xuan shook his head: “Jiang Jian, why buy these?”

On the monitor, a grotesque ghost lay on the ground, missing limbs, barely alive.

The clerk glanced casually and spat out: “Five hundred Alliance Coins each. Minimum ten.”

Jiang Jian’s gaze flickered: “I’ll take a hundred.”

Hearing this,

the clerk’s calm face showed surprise for the first time.

“You want a hundred of this trash?”

He scrutinized Jiang Jian from head to toe, his eyes lingering briefly on the Linjiang Academy badge, then asked again, “Are you sure?”

Jiang Jian affirmed: “If you have stock, I’ll pay right now.”

Shi Xuan stood aside, speechless.

The clerk’s expressionless face forced a smile: “I’ll get your order ready.”

With that, he turned and walked into the depths of the shop.

Shi Xuan could no longer hold back: “Jiang Jian, fifty thousand Alliance Coins—just thrown away?”

He had money, but he didn’t waste it recklessly.

Fifty thousand Alliance Coins was a fortune for an ordinary student at Shencui University.

Jiang Jian touched the hilt of the sword inside his black cloth bundle and asked instead: “How much of the refined iron have you sold?”

At the mention of refined iron,

Shi Xuan perked up: “Last time I sold three pieces for you. I also sold some for Shan Ye and Liu Tiezhu. If anyone else wants it, I’ll sell yours first.”

Jiang Jian nodded slightly: “No rush.”

As they spoke,

the clerk arrived, panting, carrying a large box.

Thud!

The box was slammed onto the steps.

“One hundred pets, all packed and ready.”

The clerk caught his breath, pulled out a wristband, and handed it to Jiang Jian: "This is the Spirit-Blocking Ring—it controls them."

Jiang Jian took the box, weighed it in his hand, and said: “Good.”

He raised his wrist and swiped across the payment panel.

His identity device immediately chimed.

“Your purchase: 50,000 Alliance Coins.”

“Your balance: 487,609 Alliance Coins.”

Shenque Qi surged.

Jiang Jian lifted the box and walked out: “Let’s go.”

Shi Xuan followed beside him, full of questions.

But he knew better than to press—Jiang Jian wouldn’t answer if he didn’t want to.

Before a large airship.

Shan Ye leaned against the window, gazing at the girl seated inside: “Yinyin, honestly—do you really have no feelings for Jiang Jian?”

Yinyin sighed, brushing her hair back: “Stop watching so many short dramas. You’re obsessed now.”

Shan Ye blinked: “It’s all Shiluohua’s fault. That day at dinner, I heard her blasting an ad, got curious, watched it—and now I’m hooked.”

Yinyin said seriously: “I agreed to join your study squad to focus on cultivation and complete tasks together. Stop playing matchmaker.”

“Alright.”

Shan Ye nodded: “Next week, during the study task, let’s all practice working together.”

As they spoke, the cabin door opened.

Jiang Jian and Shi Xuan entered the cabin.

Liu Tiezhu leaned against his seat, glanced at Jiang Jian’s box, and narrowed his eyes.

Shan Ye asked bluntly: “Jiang Jian, what pets did you buy? Not those, right?”

Jiang Jian said softly: “Which ones?”

“I mean…”

Shan Ye hesitated: “You know… those.”

Yinyin said: “Jiang Jian is definitely not that kind of person.”

At these words,

Shi Xuan, Liu Tiezhu, and Shan Ye all turned to look at Yinyin.

The cabin’s atmosphere grew strange.

After a few seconds of silence,

Yinyin frowned: “Why are you all staring at me?”

“Jiang Jian’s grades are excellent—how could he possibly harm his spiritual essence just for pleasure? It’s unthinkable.”

Shan Ye: “You’re absolutely right.”

The cabin door closed.

Jiang Jian sat down with the box.

Liu Tiezhu stood up, cleared his throat, and turned to Yinyin: “Yinyin, since you’ve joined the study squad, tell us your talent—we should know.”

“Alright.”

Yinyin responded, stood, and walked to the window: “My talent is Level 3 Body: Flowing Wind, Returning Snow.”

"It can dissolve into snow within a short time, then reassemble."

"By heavily activating the Shenque qi."

"In an instant, it can shift dozens of meters."

Yin Yin adjusted her skirt and turned.

Her slender frame suddenly dispersed, fine snowflakes drifting down.

The next moment.

The girl had already appeared at the far end of the cabin.

(End of Chapter)