C10 Jade Water Flower

"I didn't expect the young master of the Ning family to be such a witty individual. I should definitely make his acquaintance. After all, my Skyreach Tower will need the support of the Ning family here in Oceanwatch City."

The woman in the purple robe ceased her laughter and extended her delicate, pale hand toward Ning Que, "Manager of Skyreach Tower, Jiang Qingyan."

"You can just call me Ning Que."

Ning Que reached out his hand as well, but quickly withdrew it after a brief touch with Jiang Qingyan's. He wasn't one to flaunt his status. While Jiang Qingyan's words were flattering, the Ning family was but a speck of sand in the vast ocean compared to the colossal Skyreach Tower. A mere flick could make them vanish.

Given that she had offered a friendly gesture, Ning Que was more than eager to accept. With the Ning family and the Hai family at odds, forging a connection with Skyreach Tower could prove beneficial in critical times.

"It looks like I'm a few years older than you, so you calling me 'sister' wouldn't be taking advantage of me."

Jiang Qingyan gave Ning Que a warm smile, then gestured with her hand. The woman in green quickly stepped forward, presenting a jade box. Jiang Qingyan accepted and opened it to reveal several vibrant green plants with striking green blossoms at their tips. The petals were as thin as cicada wings, fluttering at the slightest breath of wind.

"Hehe, I never expected to come across a Green Water Flower preserved so well. You're quite fortunate, young man."

Ling Jing's voice chimed in, clearly having detected the presence of the Green Water Flower.

"Sister Qingyan, how much are these Green Water Flowers worth in soulstones?"

Ning Xian'er inquired.

Soulstones were the universal currency in Aetheria, essential for cultivators, particularly novices. Absorbing the mixed wakan of the world was a slow process, whereas soulstones contained pure wakan, making the superior choice clear.

"These Green Water Flowers are quite valuable. But for you, Sister Xian'er, since we're acquainted, I'll ask for just five hundred low-grade soulstones."

Jiang Qingyan smiled and turned to Ning Xian'er, whose face immediately contorted with difficulty.

Upon hearing this, Ning Que's brow furrowed. Five hundred low-grade soulstones was no trifling sum. He remembered that Ning Xian'er could only receive a few dozen low-grade soulstones from her family each month, and she frequently lamented to him that it was hardly enough.

There was no way Ning Xian'er could produce five hundred low-grade soulstones.

And he himself had never even handled soulstones before, having had no use for them in the past.

"Five hundred low-grade soulstones, I'm not deceiving you. The Jade Water Flowers truly are worth that amount," the chattering voice of Ling Jing piped up again. Ning Que forced a smile. This was hardly the time to debate the worth of the Jade Water Flowers; the problem was that he simply didn't have the soulstones.

The Ning family's soulstone allocation was strictly managed, and even as the family head's son, he couldn't just squander them. Right now, he doubted he could even obtain them if he tried.

Ning Chaoping might have been able to come up with the amount, but given the Ning family's precarious situation, he was understandably anxious. Ning Que didn't want to add to his burdens.

"Haha, you two are frowning so much, others might think I'm bullying you. I was only teasing. Take the Jade Water Flower as a little gift from me," Jiang Qingyan said with a laugh, observing their reactions and then extending the jade box toward Ning Que.

"This..." Ning Que hesitated, knowing that accepting gifts could obligate him. He and Jiang Qingyan were strangers, and her generosity made him wonder about her motives.

"Take it," Jiang Qingyan insisted, seeing his reluctance. "I'm not expecting anything in return. I just find you endearing and would like to get to know you better." With a laugh, she pushed the jade box into Ning Que's arms and playfully arched her eyebrows at him.

Being called 'cute' was a first for Ning Que. He scratched his head, considering the importance of the Jade Water Flower. After a moment's thought, he accepted it.

"Then I must thank you, Sister Qingyan. Should the opportunity arise, I will be sure to repay your kindness," Ning Que said gratefully.

Ning Que carefully stowed the jade box and gave a respectful bow.

Jiang Qingyan dismissed the formality with a nonchalant wave of her hand. "Enough with the formalities. I've got things to attend to, so I can't play host right now. Just make sure to give me a heads up before you drop by next time, Brother Ning Que."

With those words, she strode forward, her white and delicate legs peeking out from beneath her purple robe, and with a playful smile at Ning Que, she disappeared into the inner hall.

Having received their items, Ning Que and Ning Xian'er didn't linger. They left together, and upon reaching the door, Ning Xian'er suddenly pinched Ning Que's waist with a firm twist of her hand.

Grimacing, Ning Que gave Ning Xian'er a look of confusion, only to be met with an eye roll as she turned away without a word.

The little minx must be feeling jealous.

Ning Que chuckled to himself. He was well aware of Ning Xian'er's thoughts, yet he felt no guilt. His interactions with Jiang Qingyan had been minimal, and her unexpected kindness had taken him by surprise.

Inside Skyreach Tower, Jiang Qingyan sat in contemplation in the inner hall.

"Miss, giving away the Jade Water Flower like that... If Elder Wu asks about it later, what will we do?" the woman in green expressed her concern.

Jiang Qingyan snapped out of her reverie, stretched languidly, her curvaceous figure on full display. "Don't worry about it. I'll handle the explanation to Elder Wu."

"But I'm concerned. Elder Wu is always looking for ways to trouble you. If he learns of this, he'll surely use it as an excuse to undermine you."

"That short-sighted old man is just eyeing my position as steward, hoping to oust me and skim off the top for himself. Do you really think I gave away the Jade Water Flower for nothing? Are you aware of its purpose?"

The woman in green shook her head, indicating her ignorance.

"The Jade Water Flower's use may not be common knowledge, but I happen to know a bit about it," Jiang Qingyan said with a smile. "It's a key ingredient for crafting the Spirit Gathering Pill. The likelihood that the Ning family's young master needs the Jade Water Flower for pill refinement is quite high."

"It seems unlikely, doesn't it? How old is the young master of the Ning family..."

The woman in green expressed her astonishment. A teenage alchemist? That was unheard of, a tale so bizarre she couldn't recall ever encountering it. If it were true, imagine the shockwaves it would send through the community.

"I never claimed he was capable, nor that he wasn't. But isn't it possible there's someone capable behind him?"

Jiang Qingyan's smile was seductive as she speculated, "If I'm not mistaken, there's definitely a powerful figure supporting this young man. Otherwise, how could he single-handedly defeat Tsunami from the Hai family? Tsk tsk, to severely injure a four-star Soul Warrior who had consumed the Spirit Mend Elixir in just one move... Such prowess is unmatched in Oceanwatch City, save for the two venerable elders of the Shadowsea Cult."

Her delicate, seemingly boneless hand lightly sifted through the documents on the desk. Jiang Qingyan's gaze lingered on the name "Ning Que" on the paper, her smile deepening.

The document detailed the day's events at the Ning family's council hall, leaving no stone unturned.

"This little brother has certainly piqued my interest. Befriending him is as good as making an ally of his powerful patron. Now, what do you think—will my investment of five hundred low-grade soulstones result in a loss or a profit?"

Unbeknownst to Ning Que, Jiang Qingyan had deduced so much from his simple exchange of a few Jade Water Flowers at Skyreach Tower. He approached Ning Xian'er, and as they walked side by side, he noticed her feigned annoyance and couldn't resist asking, "Xian'er, I nearly forgot to inquire about your Soul Warrior strength. How do you explain it?"

Initially, Ning Que hadn't intended to probe; everyone has their secrets, after all. Ning Xian'er possessed remarkable abilities, yet she had never shown them off to the Ning family, likely preferring to remain understated.

"I won't tell you," Ning Xian'er huffed, but upon seeing Ning Que's deflated expression, she burst into laughter and then clarified, "I'm not at the level of a five-star Soul Warrior; I'm merely a four-star. I could have handled Tsunami Heaven on my own, but for some reason, my stealth technique seemed utterly ineffective against him."

Ning Que nodded. "It was the black-robed man who sent a message to Tsunami Heaven. Otherwise, you would have easily handled him."

"My strength is roughly on par with Tsunami Heaven's, but the cultivation technique I practice is of a higher tier than his. Even with the Spirit Mend Elixir, he's no match for me."

Hearing Ning Que's supportive words, Ning Xian'er's spirits lifted considerably. She had been dwelling on her defeat to Tsunami Heaven, and knowing Ning Que believed in her prowess brought her great comfort.

"The technique I practice is the high-grade Dark Moon True Technique, a profound cultivation method. It was with me in my swaddling clothes when the Patriarch found me."

Ning Xian'er's demeanor shifted slightly as she continued, "However, this technique is only suitable for those attuned to dark wakan. Besides the foundational practices, it includes several potent soulcrafts, like the Spirit Devouring Vine I used earlier."

"Within the Ning Mansion, only the Patriarch and Wu Cong are privy to this. And now, you're in the know as well."

Ning Que chuckled. "With such a formidable technique at your side, Xian'er, your origins must be remarkable. Perhaps you truly are a banished celestial being."

Ning Xian'er couldn't help but smile at his words, recognizing Ning Que's attempt to cheer her up amidst her melancholy, warming her heart nonetheless.

"Have you ever thought about finding them?"

As they continued their journey, Ning Mansion came into view. Ning Que affectionately regarded the slender figure beside him and whispered.

"I just want to confront them and understand why, so I can find peace."

Ning Xian'er bit her lip with a determined look.

"Rest assured, once my cultivation is complete, I'll be there to support you."

Ning Que smiled, reaching to tousle Ning Xian'er's hair, but she deftly avoided his gesture.

"I'll depend on myself. I'm already a four-star Soul Warrior. Brother Ning Que, catching up to me might prove challenging."

She playfully stuck out her tongue at Ning Que, teasing him.

"Underestimating me? Just wait until my power surges—I'll show you then. Don't run away!"

Ning Que feigned annoyance and took off after Ning Xian'er. Their silhouettes stretched long on the ground as they playfully pursued one another, a scene reminiscent of times past.