"An ordinary yellow-grade magical treasure costs only a hundred low-grade spirit stones, yet this yellow-grade qiankun ring demands a thousand?" Qin Yang's eyebrow arched. He'd thought himself a sudden tycoon, but his wealth proved surprisingly fragile.
The shop attendant, observing the young master's guest with utmost respect, explained, "Our Wanshan Chamber of Commerce's qiankun rings aren't merely exceptional in quality. Their designs are personally crafted by grandmasters... Moreover, this particular ring is a supreme-grade yellow-tier artifact."
"Too expensive," Lou Mengyu interjected. "Perhaps we should reconsider."
Yet her gaze remained fixed on the ice-blue qiankun ring.
Entirely azure with intricate patterns, it radiated ethereal beauty. The design had captivated Qin Yang instantly - an absolute match for Lou Mengyu's elegance.
While ordinary yellow-grade qiankun rings held space equivalent to a single large bundle, this one accommodated three bundles - nearly matching the capacity of a black-tier artifact.
"Say whether you like it or not!" Qin Yang demanded imperiously.
"I don't!" Lou Mengyu gritted her teeth.
Qin Yang rolled his eyes, secretly finding her stubbornness adorable.
With a hearty laugh, he declared, "This one. I'll take it."
The attendant beamed, hastily presenting the qiankun ring with both hands.
"But..." Lou Mengyu hesitated, unwilling to part with the spirit stones.
Though born into the Lou Clan, constant marginalization by her cousin Lou Qinru had left her in a position inferior even to common noble families.
She'd never handled so many spirit stones in her entire life!
Under Qin Yang's firm insistence, the ring was finally secured.
Qin Yang took the ring, his expression suddenly solemn. His eyes, brimming with deep affection, locked onto Lou Mengyu.
Lou Mengyu's heart skipped a beat. Why was Qin Yang acting so strangely?
"Put the spirit stones aside for now," Qin Yang instructed.
Obediently, Lou Mengyu set the stones on the counter.
Qin Yang grasped her left hand, his lips moving soundlessly.
Though no words were spoken, everyone knew what he was murmuring.
With practiced ease, he slipped the ring onto her left ring finger.
The ice-blue gemstone complemented her alabaster skin perfectly, creating an image of flawless harmony.
Jin Wanshan watched from the sidelines, his heart twisting like a wrung cloth. "He... he's accepting it already?"
Seeing Qin Yang's serious demeanor, Jin Wanshan snorted derisively. "It's just a ring. Why make such a fuss?"
Qin Yang ignored the comment, a knowing smile playing on his lips. His voice softened as he spoke, "When you advance, we'll upgrade to a Profound Grade Qiankun Ring. For now, let's establish the bond and store the remaining spirit stones."
A sudden curiosity gripped Lou Mengyu. She stared at Qin Yang and asked, "What were you muttering earlier?"
Qin Yang's eyes widened in feigned surprise. "Muttering? I wasn't muttering at all." He shook his head vigorously.
Jin Wanshan and the shop assistant nodded from the side.
He had muttered, he really had muttered!
"Why did you personally put this ring on my left ring finger? Is there some significance to this?" Lou Mengyu's sharp senses detected something amiss.
Qin Yang maintained his innocent act. "No, no significance at all."
But his smile betrayed him completely.
"Are you not buying it yourself?" Lou Mengyu frowned. "The spirit stones are yours; you should be the one keeping them. Accepting this ring from you is already..."
Qin Yang's expression hardened as he feigned offense. "What's yours and mine? When I asked you for money to buy spirit herbs earlier, you didn't object then. Besides, we're... we're not strangers. Why make such distinctions?"
The unspoken words hung between them, each person interpreting them differently. And one thing was certain - none of their interpretations matched what Qin Yang had intended.
Jin Wanshan suddenly felt as if he'd lost something irreplaceable. He grabbed the shop assistant's arm in a vise-like grip, squeezing until tears threatened to spill from the man's eyes.
Once a Qiankun Ring recognized its master, only that master could open it. Lou Mengyu admired the ring's craftsmanship, gently caressing its surface. With a flick of her wrist, she swept the spirit stone package from the counter, the stones vanishing into the ring's storage.
"I have the Qiankun Ring, but it shouldn't only contain spirit stones," Qin Yang said to the shop assistant. "Bring out everything interesting, useful, and fun!"
Those in the Qi Gathering Realm could only use yellow-grade magical artifacts. Attempting to activate higher-grade items not only failed but could also result in backlash.
The assistant, as if granted amnesty, hastily freed himself from Jin Wanshan's clutches.
Item after item was laid out before them.
Cultivation manuals, martial techniques, pills, and magical artifacts - everything was available. Over a dozen female assistants carried platters laden with goods.
"I don't need cultivation manuals or martial techniques. As for pills..." Qin Yang frowned. "They're all too subpar."
The assistant explained, "These are all high-grade pills - essential Gathering Qi Pills for cultivation and Breath Recovery Pills for restoring true qi during combat..."
"I'm not referring to the types being subpar," Qin Yang corrected. "I mean their quality is subpar. We only consume supreme-grade pills."
The assistant whispered, "There are no supreme-grade second-order Gathering Qi Pills or second-order Breath Recovery Pills..."
Qin Yang waved dismissively, unwilling to waste more breath. "Remove all the pills. Bring me clothing-type magical artifacts and jewelry-type artifacts instead."
The shop assistant hurried to comply.
"Women's, women's!" Qin Yang nearly lost his composure. "Why can't you show a bit of sense, you fool?"
"Right away! Right away!" The assistant scrambled to attend to them.
Moments later, a variety of magical silk garments and hair ornaments were presented.
"These are all useless..." Lou Mengyu frowned. She had been frugal since childhood, and while she appreciated these items, she never considered purchasing them. She could only allocate her limited resources to more valuable investments.
The Gathering Qi Pills and Breath Recovery Pills they'd acquired earlier were far more practical. Those were the true necessities for preparing against the impending demonic beast tide.
"Useful or not doesn't matter," Qin Yang interjected. "What matters is how they look." He began trying various ornaments on Lou Mengyu while examining different silk garments.
"What's this? How thin it is!" Qin Yang picked up a black gauze garment and examined it closely.
Lou Mengyu's face flushed crimson as the assistant whispered, "That's meant to be worn... underneath."
"Oh?" Qin Yang's interest was immediately piqued.
The assistant began enthusiastically promoting the item: "Don't let its thinness deceive you. It's magically temperature-regulating, completely stain-resistant, and offers decent defense. More importantly, it's supremely comfortable for the wearer... and for those who see it..."
Qin Yang and the assistant chuckled in unison, leaving Lou Mengyu's face burning with embarrassment.
Jin Wanshan stood to the side, utterly despairing. What exactly was the relationship between these two? To think they'd even purchase such garments...
"These, these, I'll take all of them." Qin Yang gestured emphatically at the black gauze garment worn beneath.
The shop assistant understood immediately and hurried to have everything packed.
"I absolutely won't wear this!" Lou Mengyu protested vehemently.
"Money is but an external possession..." Qin Yang began.
Lou Mengyu shook her head resolutely. "Impossible! I'll never wear that!" The mere thought of the transparent black gauze that barely covered her body made her blush so fiercely she wished to vanish into the ground.
"Whether you wear it or not is your choice, but whether I buy it is mine. And I've already decided." Qin Yang shrugged.
After payment, all items were carefully stored away.
"Who dared call my refined Gathering Qi Pills and Breath Recovery Pills 'trash'? I demand to know who dares such arrogance, claiming to only consume supreme-grade pills!" An elderly man approached in a fury.
"This is our fourth-rank dan refiner here in Wanshan City, Elder Wu," the shop assistant explained.
Elder Wu clasped his hands in greeting toward Jin Wanshan. "Greetings, young master." His sharp gaze then swept between Qin Yang and Lou Mengyu before settling on a furious snort.
The man's temper burned like wildfire, and as a fourth-rank dan refiner, he was undoubtedly at least a Zongshi-level expert!
Qin Yang's tongue clicked against his teeth. Even this branch of the merchant guild in Wanshan City had a Zongshi-level expert guarding it? The sect leader of the Thousand Hidden Sect himself was only at that level!
"Supreme-grade pills? Might I ask if the Face-Preserving Pills you consume are also of supreme-grade?" Elder Wu demanded loudly, his face twisting into a cold sneer.