Chapter 138: The Transaction

"Please, come in. Elder Xu is inside," Sun Mao said, gesturing for Qin Yu to enter.

Qin Yu arched a brow and walked into the room without changing her expression. Inside, Elder Xu sat before a desk, wearing reading glasses and feeling the surface of the books laid out before him. Hearing someone enter, he looked up at Qin Yu, whom he had not seen in a long time. He removed his glasses and laughed heartily, calling out, "You've come! Quickly, come over here!"

Qin Yu complied, walking over to sit opposite him and watching him intently.

"I have been researching that 'Source Crystal' you gave me," Elder Xu said, pausing and lifting his chin with a smug, "ask me about it" air.

Qin Yu was momentarily stunned; she hadn't expected someone of his age to be so childish. Since that was the case, she decided to humor him. With a faint smile, she asked, "And what did you discover, Elder Xu?"

Wearing an "I knew you would ask" expression, Elder Xu began, "The energy contained within that object is several times that of an ordinary Tier 3 crystal—a rough estimate would be a hundredfold. What is even more astonishing is that the energy is incredibly pure, and regardless of a user's specific ability type, almost any awakened individual can absorb it. However—"

Elder Xu trailed off, looking at her expectantly.

Catching his meaning, Qin Yu immediately asked, "However what?"

"However, this Source Crystal contains a type of energy we cannot detect. This energy cluster resides at the very center, appearing to be the core of the crystal. Strangely, this energy neither repels nor merges with the crystal's own energy; it is as if the Source Crystal is merely its host," Elder Xu said slowly.

Qin Yu had not expected this answer. She was at a loss for how to respond, especially since everything she knew about the Source Crystal had come from Little Flower.

Elder Xu observed her expression closely. Seeing her bewildered look, he realized she truly didn't know the answer. Yet, if she didn't know, why had she given the crystal to him in the first place? Was it truly just because she had sensed something unusual?

Suppressing his doubts, Elder Xu asked, "How do you intend to dispose of this Source Crystal?"

Hearing this, Qin Yu secretly used her mental power to ask Little Flower if she needed it, but she received no reply. With no other choice, she said, "I haven't thought of a good way to handle it yet. Does Elder Xu have any suggestions?"

Giving her an appreciative look, Elder Xu said with a smile, "In that case, I do have a good proposal. My superior is very interested in this Source Crystal. He would like to buy it for one hundred Tier 2 crystals. What do you think?"

Qin Yu only smiled at him, remaining silent.

Elder Xu felt somewhat awkward under her gaze and reached up to touch his nose, only to realize he had already set his glasses down.

"How about this? I'll add ten more crystals," Elder Xu bargained.

Qin Yu mused to herself that there was no way she would get the Source Crystal back. Rather than burning bridges, it was better to accept the favor; over a hundred Tier 2 crystals would solve the urgent need to boost her strength. With that thought, she stopped making things difficult for him.

"Since you've put it that way, Elder Xu, it would be my fault if I didn't agree," she said with a smile.

Elder Xu stroked his short beard and nodded. "That's the spirit! I'll get the crystals for you right now." He pulled a bag of crystals from a nearby drawer and placed it on the desk.

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow; it seemed the old man had been prepared all along. But she hadn't lost out.

"It seems you were well-prepared, Elder Xu," she remarked meaningfully. In response, she received only a nonchalant smile.

*Old fox,* Qin Yu thought to herself. But since it was done, there was nothing more to say.

She picked up the bag and tossed it into her spatial storage. Elder Xu’s eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance as he watched. "The youth are formidable! Truly formidable!"

"You are the truly formidable one, Elder Xu," Qin Yu retorted.

Elder Xu wore an "I agree" expression that left Qin Yu speechless.

"Since there is nothing else, Elder Xu, I should be going. I have many things to attend to," Qin Yu said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, you are a busy person! My superior specifically instructed me to ask you to convey his greetings to Lord Qingli!" Elder Xu said.

"And who is your superior?" Qin Yu asked out of curiosity.

"Haha! I believe Lord Qingli will know!" Elder Xu chuckled.

Seeing his demeanor, Qin Yu knew she wouldn't get a straight answer. "I will be sure to pass on the message. I shall take my leave now."

"Very well. I am an old man and frail, so I won't see you out," Elder Xu said.

Qin Yu hadn't expected him to see her out anyway. She offered a brief farewell and left. The entire visit had taken less than an hour.

***

After leaving Elder Xu, Qin Yu returned to Qingli’s villa before heading to her own to find Nangong Yao.

When she arrived, Nangong Yao was writing something. Seeing her, he immediately stopped and tucked the paper away into his own storage space.

"Why are you here?" Nangong Yao asked, watching her.

Qin Yu rubbed her chest, which had been aching dullly. "I need to talk to you about something."

"Why are you injured? Here, take this!" Seeing her pale complexion and the way she clutched her chest, Nangong Yao checked her pulse before handing her a red pill.

Qin Yu took the pill and swallowed it immediately. Almost instantly, the pain in her chest subsided significantly. She thanked him.

"What is so important that you had to come find me?" Nangong Yao asked, sitting down.

"It's about Zi—the man you mentioned," Qin Yu replied.

"You've seen him? When? Is something wrong with him? Tell me!" Nangong Yao said, grabbing her hand excitedly.

Qin Yu patted his hand. "Calm down. He is fine. It is you who has the problem."

"What do you mean?" Nangong Yao asked.

Qin Yu recounted everything that had happened between Ling and Zi within the illusion.

After listening, Nangong Yao sat down, looking dejected. "One soul and one spirit, then..." His voice was filled with sorrow and loss, mingled with a touch of fear.

Qin Yu felt this reaction wasn't what one would expect from someone learning they had lost part of their soul. Did he already know he only had six souls and five spirits?

"You knew?" Qin Yu asked.

Nangong Yao nodded, looked up with a bleak smile, and began to recount the unknown secret.