Chapter 380

A faint, icy chill spread from that drop of 【Bingyuan Shenlu】.

Ling Zhiwang had never seen 【Bingyuan Shenlu】 before, but after nearly a century working at the Jiaoyisuo, he had seen enough to recognize at a glance that this dew was extraordinary.

"This is…"

Ling Zhiwang asked, startled: "He Daoist, is this 【Bingyuan Jiazi Lu】?"

"No!" He Pingsheng smiled and shook his head, then picked up the spiritual tea in his hand and drank it in one gulp.

Opposite him, Ling Zhiwang felt a pang of disappointment.

Right now, he only needed 【Bingyuan Jiazi Lu】 to boost his cultivation.

He never expected He Pingsheng would pull out something so nonsensical.

He was even a little angry.

It felt like He Pingsheng was mocking him.

Thus, Ling Zhiwang's expression grew awkward and dark.

He Pingsheng set down his cup and said calmly: "This is called 【Bingyuan Shenlu】, a superior substance to 【Bingyuan Jiazi Lu】. A single drop can fully fill a dantian with ice affinity, and grant all cultivators—regardless of their elemental roots—an extra hundred years of life."

"What is your elemental root, Ling Daoist?"

Ling Zhiwang's face lit up with overwhelming joy.

A hundred years?

Not sixty!

This…

Hiss… hiss… hiss…

Too shocking.

To a cultivator of his rank, a Jin Dan with absolute insight was a supreme treasure.

"I specialize in ice affinity!" Ling Zhiwang drew a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the 【Bingyuan Shenlu】. "He Daoist, speak plainly— I want this drop. What do you need me to do?"

"Or what treasure do you require?"

Ling Zhiwang was nearly two hundred years old; the lifespan of a Jin Dan cultivator was five hundred years.

Theoretically, he still had three hundred years left to live.

But if he consumed this 【Bingyuan Shenlu】, he would live four hundred more.

An entire extra century of life!

He Pingsheng did not immediately state his demand, but asked: "Ling Daoist, are you planning to return home?"

"Yes!" Ling Zhiwang said. "I am from Tiannan City, Nanlong Commandery. I wasn't joking earlier—I intend to return to my homeland, buy land and houses, take many beautiful wives and concubines, and enjoy the bliss of a celestial life, raising my descendants."

"That's all."

He Pingsheng said: "That's a fine choice. But… I plan to open a shop in the Liang Imperial Capital."

"Yet I don't fully understand the intricacies involved."

"I'd like you to help me set it up."

"Thirty years."

He Pingsheng said: "Within thirty years, manage my shop for me, and I'll give you this drop of 【Bingyuan Shenlu】. Of course, during those thirty years, your treatment will be identical to that of any other shopkeeper in the Jiaoyisuo."

"After thirty years, if you wish to stay with my shop, you may. If not, take your wives and concubines home, and I'll give you a sum for your journey."

"What do you say?"

He Pingsheng had no interest in Ling Zhiwang's treasures.

But he himself was still valuable.

Ling Zhiwang blinked, then said: "He Daoist, are you joking?"

"Even opening a shop in Hongshi City is impossible, let alone in the Liang Imperial Capital!"

"He Daoist, you're dreaming."

In Ling Zhiwang's eyes, only two kinds of people could open a shop.

One: those who partnered with city governors under the state's authority.

The other: imperial princes or royal family members, granted special permission.

You, He Pingsheng, want to open a shop—in the capital?

In your dreams.

Of course, opening a shop in some remote area, like the Matou Mountain market of the Cultivation Alliance, was another matter.

But such shops couldn't even sell third-grade goods, and profits were limited.

Not worth it.

"Ling Daoist, take a look at this." He Pingsheng reached into his sleeve and pulled out a jade slip.

Inside the jade slip was the imperial prince's official permit authorizing him to open a shop.

It stated that He Pingsheng could open one shop anywhere within the Liang Empire, but no branches or sub-stores were permitted.

"This… this… this… this…" Ling Zhiwang was overwhelmed with excitement. "Is this real? He Daoist, how did you even get this?"

"Mm…" He Pingsheng nodded. "It's real."

"So, Ling Daoist, interested in helping build a shop from nothing?"

Ling Zhiwang drew a deep breath. "Fine… no problem."

"But I can't do it alone!"

"He Daoist, I need to bring someone with me. Don't worry—he's utterly trustworthy. He worked with me before. His eye for goods is even sharper than mine—he specializes in acquiring items."

"I'll handle sales and management."

He Pingsheng nodded. "Alright… as long as you trust them, it's fine."

"Here, take this."

He Pingsheng handed the drop of 【Bingyuan Shenlu】 to Ling Zhiwang.

After discussing further details, Ling Zhiwang returned with a tall, fat man.

"He Daoist, this is 【Huang Daoist】, named Huang Shen."

Huang Shen bowed deeply upon seeing He Pingsheng. "Huang Shen greets Elder He!"

He Pingsheng's spiritual sense swept over him and found the man was at Foundation Establishment Level 11.

So calling him "Elder" was appropriate.

"No need for formalities," He Pingsheng asked. "What is your elemental root? How old are you?"

Huang Shen replied: "Elder, I have water and wood roots. I am over one hundred and seventy years old."

"Sigh…"

"I've always been unlucky—every time I nearly got my hands on something that could break through my bottleneck, it slipped away."

"But don't worry—I still have about thirty years left. I can definitely help you establish this shop."

"My family has served as appraisers for generations. Though my cultivation is low, when it comes to sourcing goods, I've never failed."

He Pingsheng smiled. "No problem. As long as you're not absolutely enlightened, I can help you reach Jin Dan."

"I'll give you the heavenly treasure that breaks through the bottleneck."

He Pingsheng still had one left.

He had once given the 【Xian Guo Ling】 to Qiao Huizhu, who traded it at the Xiaoyao Immortal Sect for a 【Nan Qi Guo】. She didn't need it—she already had her own.

So Qiao Huizhu later sent it to him via someone.

That happened just two years ago.

He Pingsheng had strengthened the 【Nan Qi Guo】 into two, perfect for giving one to Huang Shen.

But no rush.

Wait.

He'd give it only if the boy proved himself—he didn't know Huang Shen well enough yet.

"Thank you, Elder! Thank you, Elder…" Huang Shen had originally come to ask He Pingsheng for something else, but now, hearing this promise, he immediately forgot his original request.

What mattered more than reaching Jin Dan?