Chapter 422: Handsomeness Can't Be Eaten

"Just tell me the price directly, okay? I'll see if I can accept it!" Wei Yuning said casually.

"Um…" Yao Tou Shi Zi lowered his head, pondering, muttering, "I don't even know if the senior can make it back; success would be fine, but if he fails, he'll have to become a wandering immortal…"

"One drop of True Dragon Essence, plus the pavilion and your house!" Wei Yuning suddenly said.

"Wait, what, you have True Dragon Essence?" Yao Tou Shi Zi rejoiced, stepped forward, and clasped Wei Yuning's arm.

"Of course I do—True Dragon Essence from the black dragon of the Immortal Realm. In terms of bodily strength, the black dragon is no worse than the golden dragon. If this senior gets black dragon essence, even as a wandering immortal he could easily endure five minor heavenly tribulations and a 2,500‑year lifespan!" Wei Yuning coaxed.

With virtually no hesitation, Yao Tou Shi Zi first shook his head and then nodded vigorously, saying, "No problem, I agree!"

After speaking, he immediately rummaged through his clothes and quickly produced two gold‑covered deed pages, the property contracts of Green Forest Guard City.

After erasing the divine imprint on the deeds, Yao Tou Shi Zi said, "Both places are yours now; hand over the True Dragon Essence!"

The deeds contain a special formation, and the divine imprint can only be removed by the original owner. As long as Wei Yuning attaches his own imprint, the house legally belongs to him.

Wei Yuning obtained six drops of black dragon essence from the black dragon's Nether Fire, gave one drop each to Qi Long and two dragon maidens, leaving three drops remaining.

At normal market rates, a single drop of black dragon essence couldn't fetch this price. The two properties: the residence is cheaper, about 50,000 low‑grade immortal stones, and the pavilion, though small, is a commercial shop in a prime location, costing around 30,000 low‑grade immortal stones; together they total at least 80,000 immortal stones.

Yet for those who need it, swapping 80,000 low‑grade immortal stones for one drop of True Dragon Essence that greatly improves the body is certainly worth it, because True Dragon Essence is a rare, hard‑to‑come‑by substance.

Although for dragons the essence isn't especially precious, the Beast Clan has never respected frail humans, and it's exceedingly rare for a true dragon to resort to selling its essence, so True Dragon Essence on the market always has a price but no supply; obtaining it relies on luck.

Wei Yuning actually didn't understand these intricacies; he was merely testing the waters, his original goal was just to buy a pavilion, and who could have guessed Yao Tou Shi Zi would agree outright.

Half an hour later, Yao Tou Shi Zi left, satisfied.

Yao Tou Shi Zi's residence is modest, two stories, about 200 square meters total, a clan asset of the Fierce Lion Clan, but he is the clan chief's son, so he has decision‑making authority.

"Lord of the Guard City, we have the shop, but what business can we run in this pavilion? Is it still just for people to play chess here?" Huo Yun Dao Ren said anxiously.

They never expected that the pavilion's original business was letting people play chess.

Under the clear blue sea and sky, with calm winds, playing chess here is indeed extremely elegant, but that elegance is priced per the hour—one low‑grade spirit stone per hour. Even an immortal wouldn't be so wasteful; you can imagine how poor a business that is.

Yet there's no other way. The pavilion's total price is set, and the cost must be recouped, plus the Green Forest Guard City office's monthly tax of a hundred low‑grade spirit stones.

That's also why Yao Tou Shi Zi has to lease out the pavilion.

"Yeah, how about we sell these two places and buy a proper shop?" Ji Qiuhe suggested cautiously.

They now realize that the Lord of the Guard City will become their major patron; even if future businesses never profit, these two properties alone could support dozens of people to live here for centuries in comfort.

"No need," Wei Yuning waved his hand grandly, with a commanding air, "I'll go back today to make a plan, and return tomorrow to handle it!"

"By the way, is this house for rent or for us to live in?" Huo Yun gestured at the newly acquired seaside villa.

Wei Yuning rolled his eyes and said, "You live there? That's wasteful. I'll just give it to Miss Thus line: Ye Ying to live in!"

Ji Qiuhe and the other were left speechless, but couldn't protest—after all, the Lord of the Guard City is now exceedingly wealthy! A small house here costs as much as two three‑acre mansions in the outer district; it's a bit too extravagant.

Wei Yuning acted on his word; he told Ji Qiuhe and the other to wait here, then used his body technique to dash toward Thus line: Ye Ying's workplace.

Upon entering the doorway of the establishment called "Gem Inn," a pretty female cultivator behind the counter immediately asked, "Sir, are you here for a quick bite or to stay overnight, and how many of you are there?"

"I'm looking for someone; where is Miss Thus line: Ye Ying?" Wei Yuning asked.

"Looking for Little Ying? She just went out with someone a moment ago!" the female cultivator's expression was a bit odd.

"Oh, will she be back?" Wei Yuning said.

"She'll definitely return; we still need to supply water tonight!" the female cultivator smiled faintly, "Young sir, may I ask what relation you have with Thus line: Ye Ying? Also, where are you from, Green Forest Guard City or Immortal City?"

"You asking me?" Since taking on the appearance of Yu Long Shan, aside from Feng, he hasn't had any luck with women; today he just reverted to his true form, and it feels different, leaving him a bit uneasy.

"Of course, you're the gentleman. Is there anyone else here?" the female cultivator giggled, covering her mouth.

"Thus line: Ye Ying is my junior sister; I'm from another world, but I've now settled in Green Forest Guard City!" Wei Yuning smiled. By Green Forest Guard City's standards, the female cultivator's strength was modest, roughly at the early Fusion stage.

"Oh, you're Little Ying's senior brother. By the way, are you that… Senior Brother Yuning?" the female cultivator asked in surprise.

"Yes, what's the matter?" Wei Yuning replied, puzzled.

"You're the senior brother Yuning who is, in name, a Dao companion with Little Ying but not really?" the female cultivator asked again.

"You know that too? Yes, that's right. Any problem?" Wei Yuning smiled.

The female cultivator examined Wei Yuning from head to toe for a moment, then said, "You're lying, aren't you? You just arrived in Green Forest Guard City—how could you possibly have settled down? Sure, you look decent, but surviving here isn't easy. In that case, you'd be better off letting Little Ying pursue her own happiness!"

Wei Yuning was left bewildered; he blinked and asked skeptically, "Are you saying Junior Sister Thus line: Ye Ying already has someone she likes?"

"Yes, she's a patrol guard of the Exploration Division of the Outer Guard of Immortal City, also from the inner city. Apart from not being as handsome as you, she's better in every other way. But good looks can't be a meal; even though you just arrived, you know how pricey this place is compared to a small world. Without some backing, surviving is hard, and you'd have to leave for the nearby Starry Sky Mine to work. So, for Little Ying's happiness, you shouldn't cling to her!" the female cultivator said firmly.

"Right, I'm a patrol officer of the Exploration Department of the Immortal City Outer Guard and also a resident of the inner city. Apart from not being as handsome as you, I'm better than you in everything else. But good looks can't be eaten; although you've just arrived, you know how pricey things are compared to the little world. Without some backing, surviving is hard, so you can only leave and go work at the nearby Starry Sky Mine. Therefore, for Little Ying's happiness, you shouldn't cling to her!" the female cultivator said confidently.

Cultivation begins with menial work/book/84054/