Chapter 7: Lofty and Above

The noble male cultivator named Hu Yuan is not from any great cultivation family, but his parents are both in the Late Stage of Lian Qi and settled early in Nanshan Fang.

Especially his father, who seems to be a formal member of the First Rank Hall, possesses a fairly good Alchemy skill and thus has a certain status and influence.

As for Hu Yuan himself, he is considered a somewhat famous genius cultivator in Nanshan Fang.

Although he did not inherit his father's pill cultivation talent, his cultivation speed is extremely fast.

At only twenty‑five years old, he already has the Sixth Layer of Lian Qi.

In another two or three years at most, he should reach the Late Stage of Lian Qi.

With such speed and his parents paving the way, there is a decent chance he will break into the Foundation Establishment Realm in the future.

So when Hu Yuan was outside Xiao Zhangqing's gate that day, he said he looked down on Hu Youquan, thought Zhou Yun'e's judgment was poor, and indeed had the right to say such things.

Hu Youquan, in looks, family background, or future prospects, is far inferior to him.

Recently Hu Yuan met Lin Ziyu and was attracted by her delicate looks, refined temperament, and independent character. He felt Lin Ziyu was like a white lotus that emerges from mud unstained.

Although their family backgrounds and talents do not match, he nonetheless launched a fierce pursuit of Lin Ziyu without hesitation, hoping to win the beauty.

"Ziyu, what good food could a place like this have? Let's go to Lai Feng Lou; I'll treat you to your favorite Dragon Carp Fish."

After descending from the Flying Sword, Hu Yuan looked at the chaotic market, his disgust and contempt evident.

He didn't care whether his words would hurt anyone.

Nanshan Fang, a proper gathering place for cultivators, has been turned by these Scattered Cultivators into something like a mundane town, completely lacking any elegance!

He believes all markets in Nanshan Fang should be shut down!

Only then can Nanshan Fang raise its tier and compare with those Immortal Cities.

Hearing Hu Yuan's clearly contemptuous words and realizing he wasn't targeting her, Lin Ziyu felt a bit embarrassed.

"Dao Companion Hu, the ingredients here certainly can't match the high‑end ones at Lai Feng Lou; most are ordinary mortal foods. Yet several stalls here are no worse than Lai Feng Lou, and the Cost Performance Ratio is very high—once you taste them you'll see." Lin Ziyu explained.

These past days, Hu Yuan has taken her to sample various mountain delicacies and sea foods, having visited every famous restaurant in Nanshan Fang.

While Lin Ziyu's horizons broadened, she also felt uneasy, sensing she was taking too much advantage.

Being constantly treated while never returning the favor isn't an equal, healthy relationship.

She needs to keep a proper balance, lest the other think she's a cheap‑seeking female cultivator only after his Spirit Stone.

She, Lin Ziyu, isn't someone who would do anything for a Spirit Stone.

Give and take is needed to command a price.

Otherwise, she'd be no different from those Kun Cultivators.

But she's short on funds and can't afford a place like Lai Feng Lou, where a single meal costs double‑digit Spirit Stones.

If she wants to treat, she can only come to this low‑tier market frequented by Scattered Cultivators.

In such a place, Few Spirit Sands can fill one up nicely.

Even if one orders the highest‑grade, most expensive dishes from each stall, the total won't exceed one Low‑grade Spirit Stone.

Lin Ziyu gritted her teeth, determined she could afford it.

She needn't worry that at the ordering stage Hu Yuan will pick dishes beyond her means.

"Fine, then we'll go by Ziyu's suggestion and give it a try."

Hu Yuan still maintained a lofty demeanor, reluctantly, as if coming to such a place lowered his status.

The Scattered Cultivators nearby, hearing their conversation, felt offended but none dared to speak up.

Can a cultivator who can wield the Flying Sword be someone they can afford to offend?

"Eh, Ziyu, isn't that your neighbor? What was his name again…"

Seeming to have a recollection, Hu Yuan pointed at Xiao Zhangqing nearby and said.

Lin Ziyu had actually seen Xiao Zhangqing as soon as she stepped off the Flying Sword.

She didn't know why, but she felt a bit embarrassed, a shame of being caught in the act. Logically, having a genius cultivator accompany her should be a matter of great face.

In short, she didn't want to be spotted by Xiao Zhangqing, let alone greet him, so she pretended not to see him.

Now that Hu Yuan spoke up, she could no longer keep pretending.

"Call him Xiao Zhangqing," Lin Ziyu introduced.

"Right, Xiao Zhangqing. His Dao Partner ran off with Hu Youquan, hahaha…" Hu Yuan chuckled mockingly, then suddenly a malicious amusement took over, and he walked straight to Xiao Zhangqing, saying: "Since we happened to meet like this, let's invite him to a meal, get to know each other. I'm quite curious why his Dao Partner would be willing to follow Hu Youquan but not follow him…"

Last time, not knowing the situation, he thought Xiao Zhangqing was his rival, a love rival, and also Lin Ziyu's pursuer, which made him a little worried.

After learning Xiao Zhangqing's identity, his worry naturally vanished.

However, today he came to this market to eat, and he wasn't very happy. If it weren't for caring about Lin Ziyu's face, even if someone treated him or even paid him to come, he wouldn't consider it.

As for Lin Ziyu's claim that the taste is excellent and the Cost Performance Ratio is high.

He thought it somewhat laughable in his heart, sneering.

In the Cultivation World, whether it's Magic Treasure, Talisman Script, Pill, or Spirit Food, you get what you pay for.

The richer the contained spiritual energy and the greater the benefit to a cultivator's cultivation, the higher the price must be.

There's no such thing as a Cost Performance Ratio; it's just a self‑deceptive claim by a bunch of poor little brats.

Tonight's dinner is destined to be unhappy and dull. Since he happened to see Xiao Zhangqing, he could look for some fun to spice up the meal.

"Dao Companion Xiao, we met in haste last time and didn't get a chance to greet. Let me introduce myself: I am Hu Yuan… hmm, you should have heard of my name, right? Since fate brings us together again, could you give me some face and share a meal?"

Although Hu Yuan had stepped down from the Flying Sword, his gaze at people still seemed lofty.

Regarding this Local Second Generation Cultivator, Xiao Zhangqing held no goodwill.

Although this guy looked down on Hu Youquan, Xiao Zhangqing didn't think he was much better than Hu Youquan either.

One can tell without thinking that Hu Yuan inviting him to eat together isn't hiding any good plan.

Lin Ziyu didn't want to face Xiao Zhangqing today, and now was forced with no choice; she quickly stepped forward, silently signaling with her eyes for Xiao Zhangqing not to agree.

"What a coincidence, I have matters to attend to today and cannot dine with Dao Companion Hu," Xiao Zhangqing replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Not giving me face?" Hu Yuan immediately furrowed his brows, his displeasure growing stronger.

Lin Ziyu hurriedly said, "Dao Companion Xiao might really have something urgent; since we didn't happen to meet today, let's have a meal together next time we get the chance."

But hearing Lin Ziyu speak up for Xiao Changqing, Hu Yuan felt even more annoyed, and with a half‑smile he said, "Dao Companion Xiao, opportunities to eat with me are few. How about this: today you join me for a meal, and I'll allow you to go out later and say you know me, that you're my friend, Hu Yuan. That way, people like Hu Youquan won't dare to slight you lightly..."

"That bastard!" Xiao Changqing realized, this guy isn't just showing off—he wants to step on me to look impressive! Great.

"Hu Yuan, right? I'll remember this score."

"Dao Companion Lin probably hasn't had time to tell Dao Companion Hu that I'm already a formal employee of Lingfu Pavilion, right?" Xiao Changqing pulled out the token he'd just received, activated its anti‑counterfeit mark with spiritual power, and said lightly, "Your face shouldn't be bigger than Lingfu Pavilion's, so I shouldn't need to borrow yours..."

"Huh?" Hu Yuan stared, blinked, a bit bewildered, and asked, "When did you become a formal member of Lingfu Pavilion?"

By comparison, Lin Ziyu beside him was less surprised.

Last time, knowing Xiao Changqing could draw a Cleanse Talisman, she guessed he might become a regular at Lingfu Pavilion in the future.

I just didn't expect it to happen so fast—only three days have passed.

Two months to barely learn the most basic, simplest Cleanse Talisman, and that's enough to become a regular at Lingfu Pavilion? The requirements are that simple? "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

Xiao Changqing couldn't be bothered to waste more time on that couple, turned and headed into the market's interior.

Wait and see.

For now, he can only rely on Lingfu Pavilion's banner to make a second‑generation cultivator like Hu Yuan wary, so he doesn't dare to act against him.

It won't be long—once his cultivation advances and his talisman skills improve…

(End of chapter)