Volume 6, Chapter 342 – Finally Entering the Dream

Qi Huang wasn’t stupid. The reason she had overstepped her bounds was purely because, after being feminized, she often lost track of who she was, frequently slipping into the mindset of her main body when acting.

In truth, if she wanted to help those around her, the best approach would have been to let Cheng Hongling take the lead. After all, in the eyes of others, they were one and the same. This way, she wouldn’t embarrass the main body or lose face herself.

Cheng Hongling wanted to say something, but in the end, she held her tongue due to the circumstances. Who could blame her when she was strapped for cash?

“What about you? Tell me what you need. With the Evergreen Conference just over a year away, we must improve our strength as quickly as possible.”

Qi Huang finally walked up to her main body and asked, completely unaware that her actions were tantamount to slapping someone in the face and then laughing about it.

The others all turned their gazes toward them, their expressions tinged with something strange. A doppelgänger helping the main body improve their strength, this was probably the only instance of such a thing in the entire cultivation world.

Cheng Hongling was sharp-witted and immediately sensed the meaning behind those looks. Normally proud and aloof, she couldn’t help but feel unsettled. Coldly, she refused, “I don’t need it.”

“Uh… Did I do something wrong?”

Qi Huang was left bewildered. But since the other party had “politely declined”, there was nothing she could do to insist. She’d just have to find out the reason later in private.

In the days that followed, Qi Huang inquired about the rare treasures required for cultivators at the Incarnation Realm and compiled a detailed list. Then, she set off for the Golden Fortune Auction House.

By noon, she had arrived at the auction house in the prefectural city and once again met the beautiful manager.

“Young Master, these are the proceeds from the auction of the cat’s tears over this period.”

As soon as they met, Liu Yingyue handed over over two hundred thousand taels in silver notes.

“This much? It seems you’ve sold quite a lot recently.”

Qi Huang accepted the notes with pleasant surprise.

“I must thank you for introducing me to Brother Huang. Ever since he took over the registration work, none of our consignors have encountered any mishaps, and business has been getting better and better.”

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Liu Yingyue was well-mannered in expressing her gratitude.

“Manager Liu, there’s no need for formalities. As I’ve said before, helping you is also helping myself. If the Golden Fortune Auction House couldn’t stay afloat, my cat’s tears wouldn’t fetch a good price either.”

Qi Huang was exceedingly modest.

“Gratitude is still necessary. Revitalizing the auction house is my responsibility, not yours.”

Liu Yingyue, however, was principled. To show her sincerity, she made an offer: “How about this? From now on, whenever you auction anything here, I won’t charge you handling fees or take a commission.”

“Manager Liu, you should think carefully. The cat’s tears are extremely valuable. Even if the auction house only takes a tenth as commission, it’s still no small sum. You still have to report to your family at the end of the year.”

Qi Huang kindly reminded her.

“Don’t worry, Young Master! Since you started supplying the cat’s tears and with Brother Huang’s help, business has been booming. By year’s end, I’ll easily meet my targets.”

Liu Yingyue spoke with ease. The reason she was being so generous was that she understood the principles of business, mutual benefit was key. Squabbling over trivial gains would only drive away a valuable patron like Qi Huang, and the loss would be immeasurable.

‘What a shrewd manager!’

Qi Huang couldn’t help but admire her. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Very well. But you don’t have to give me this portion of the money. I actually have a favor to ask of you, consider it your commission.”

“As long as it’s within my power, Young Master, just name it.”

Liu Yingyue responded eagerly.

“I need to purchase a batch of ghost tomatoes, but I lack the connections. I’d like to ask the Golden Fortune Auction House to help spread the word and procure them for me.”

Qi Huang stated her purpose.

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“Ghost tomatoes? I think I’ve heard of them. They only grow in places of extreme yin energy, are extremely rare, and highly poisonous.”

Liu Yingyue pondered briefly.

“Yes. Merely touching them causes severe skin ulceration, and ordinary physicians can’t treat it. So, I intend to do the people of the Western Radiance Dynasty a favor by spending money to collect and dispose of this toxic substance. But procuring them requires considerable manpower and resources. If Manager Liu finds this troublesome, don’t force yourself.”

Qi Huang sighed with selfless benevolence.

“How could I? Young Master seeks to benefit the people without asking for anything in return. If I can assist, it’s my honor. How many do you need?”

Liu Yingyue’s delicate face showed admiration, not a trace of suspicion toward the other’s motives.

“As many as possible. All expenses can be deducted from the proceeds of the cat’s tears. If it’s not enough, just let me know.”

Qi Huang was exceedingly generous.

“Young Master, you jest. Though ghost tomatoes are rare, they aren’t known to have any significant use. Setting the purchase price at a hundred taels per piece would already be the upper limi, —there’s no way it’d cost that much.”

Liu Yingyue replied earnestly.

“You decide, Manager Liu. But I wouldn’t mind a slightly higher price. After all, substantial rewards motivate people to take risks. If the price is too low, those living far from Yongning Prefecture might not bother even if they hear about it.”

Qi Huang stated her stance. Since opening her shop in the Honghua Sect, she had already bought up most of the ghost tomatoes in the surrounding prefectures. Now, she could only hope there were still some left in other regions.

“Understood.”

Liu Yingyue nodded obediently.

“Oh, one more thing I’d like to ask you, Manager Liu.”

Qi Huang then took out the list she had prepared and said, “I need the items written here. Do you know where I might purchase them?”

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“Only a small portion of these can be bought from the major pharmacies in Yongning Prefecture…”

Liu Yingyue glanced at the list, then pointed to the rare spiritual herbs required for Incarnation Realm cultivators and continued, “As for the rest, these are precious spirit grasses and medicinal ingredients. They only grow in treasure lands controlled by the Immortal Alliance and never circulate on the open market, they’re priceless yet impossible to find.”

“Ah?”

Qi Huang was stunned for a moment before slapping her forehead, inwardly cursing her own stupidity. If the resources cultivators needed could be bought off the streets, what would be the point of the Evergreen Conference?

“However… if you’re in urgent need, our auction house might be able to gather them, but you’d have to follow the auction process to bid.”

Liu Yingyue added after some thought.

“Really? Then put them all up for auction—the more, the better!”

Qi Huang immediately grew excited.

“My apologies, Young Master! The small amounts we can provide are only because we’ve been operating in Yongning Prefecture for decades. If you need large quantities, I’m afraid you’ll have to find another way.”

Liu Yingyue explained awkwardly before quickly adding, “If my father were still the clan head, there might have been a way. After all, the Golden Fortune Auction House has branches in every prefecture and county of the Western Radiance Dynasty. But alas, as you know, my family’s situation is… complicated.”

“No rush. Gather what you can for now. We’ll deal with the rest after your father regains his position as clan head.”

Qi Huang didn’t want to push her, so she reined in her enthusiasm.

Liu Yingyue worked with astonishing efficiency, immediately arranging for the spiritual herbs to be included in that evening’s auction, skipping even the usual promotional efforts. It was practically a private auction for Qi Huang alone.

Qi Huang, knowing when to reciprocate kindness, bid well above the starting price for some items even when there were no other bidders.

By the end of the auction, Qi Huang had acquired most of the spiritual herbs she needed—a result that left her quite satisfied.

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“Young Master, I’ll continue to keep an eye out for these herbs for you. But if you need them urgently, you’ll have to find another solution.”

Liu Yingyue reiterated.

“It’s fine. These herbs will last for a few months. We can discuss the rest after your father reclaims his position. I hope he’ll be willing to help me then.”

Qi Huang half-joked, half-probed. Since every cultivator required vast resources, having an extra channel was always beneficial.

“You flatter me, Young Master. If my father truly regains his position, you will be the greatest contributor. It’s only right that we repay you.”

Liu Yingyue quickly assured her.

Hearing this, Qi Huang was completely at ease. She then went to purchase the more common medicinal ingredients.

The next day, Qi Huang returned home in high spirits and distributed the large sack of goods. Watching her senior sisters’ faces flush with excitement, she felt like a young mother nurturing her children, her heart brimming with satisfaction.

Of course, what pleased her even more was that she had managed to gather the herbs her main body needed for cultivation. This was no easy feat.

Cheng Hongling, with her strong sense of pride, had initially refused. But after considering that the Evergreen Conference concerned the future of the entire Honghua Sect, she swallowed her pride and accepted.

With her heart at ease, Qi Huang continued dosing herself with the “Soul-Tethering Concoction”, hoping to enter another dream soon.

Heaven rewards the diligent. On the third night after returning from the prefectural city, she finally entered that familiar dream once more!

This time, however, she was no longer Cheng Hongling, but Cheng Ling, a piece of facial skin freshly split off from the main body.

“Let me see what secrets you’re hiding!”

The moment Qi Huang opened her eyes and saw the familiar cultivation chamber, she knew she had succeeded.