Chapter 68: The Nine Yin Manual, First Encounter with Flender

On the other side, the girls were speechless at the system's antics, but now it was their turn to receive rewards.

System Notification:

Today, the female characters mentioned by the host are: Xiao Wu (8 times), Zhu Zhuqing (12 times).

The female character mentioned the most is Zhu Zhuqing, receiving the reward: the first volume of the "Nine Yin Manual."

Zhu Zhuqing was stunned to see that her reward was a cultivation technique. Curious, she looked at the description of the "Nine Yin Manual."

Nine Yin Manual:

The manual is divided into two volumes. The first volume contains internal cultivation techniques, and the second volume contains martial arts techniques. This is the first volume. The system has modified it, and the mysteries within it are for you to explore.

Zhu Zhuqing was baffled by the vague description but also intrigued. The system was a bit cocky, leaving her to figure it out on her own. Nonetheless, she could already tell that this manual was likely much stronger than Tang San's "Mysterious Heaven Skill."

The next morning, Su Ming and Xiao Wu woke up and prepared to explore the city. Don't get the wrong idea—it was just sleeping.

When they stepped out, they ran into Tang San, who was conveniently nearby.

Tang San's room was next to theirs, and last night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He had been listening for any signs from the room next door, worried that something might happen between Su Ming and Xiao Wu without him knowing.

Seeing them come out as if nothing had happened, Tang San secretly sighed in relief.

With a seemingly charming smile, Tang San greeted them, "Su Ming, Xiao Wu, want to explore the city together?"

With no other choice, the two let Tang San tag along, trying their best to ignore him.

After some time, they came across a small shop. Tang San's eyes were immediately drawn to a dirty crystal the size of a human head.

He looked at it with fascination and asked eagerly, "How much for this crystal?"

The shop only had one person inside, lazily reclining on a wooden chair with his eyes closed. Hearing someone ask about buying something, he glanced over and, in a lazy tone, said, "100 gold soul coins."

Xiao Wu, standing nearby, was shocked. What is this? Just a dirty crystal, and an ugly one at that, for 100 gold soul coins? Is he robbing people?

Meanwhile, Su Ming's attention was on the shopkeeper's appearance. The man had a protruding chin, wide cheekbones, a flat face, and a hooked nose. His face somewhat resembled the sole of a shoe, giving off a crafty vibe. There was no mistaking it—this was Flender, the Four-Eyed Owl, and one of the Golden Iron Triangle, also known as the Flying Horn.

Without hesitation, Tang San pulled out a pouch with exactly 100 gold soul coins from his soul guide.

Over the years, he had earned a good amount of money from the Spirit Hall's stipend and his work as a blacksmith. For Tang San, this large crystal was a bargain at 100 gold coins!

Tang San declared, "I'll buy it!"

Flender, a bit surprised, gave Tang San a look. Where did this fool come from, willing to spend 100 gold coins on a dirty crystal? I just picked this up randomly somewhere. Looks like I can make a good profit here!

Flender coughed twice and said, "Ahem, I made a mistake. This crystal is 500 gold soul coins. I misread the price earlier."

Tang San frowned. He didn't have that much money on him.

Su Ming shook his head silently. Of course, this would happen. You showed how much you wanted it without even haggling. Who wouldn't take advantage of that?

That said, trying to bargain with a shrewd merchant like Flender wasn't easy.

But that was none of Su Ming's concern, so he decided to just write in his diary while watching.

Su Ming's Diary Entry:

When Xiao Wu and I went out today, we happened to run into Tang San. Unluckily, we had to explore the city together. As expected, we ended up in a small shop, where Tang San became fixated on a crystal.

This crystal isn't just any ordinary rock. The mineral inside can be used to create one of the most powerful hidden weapons from Tang San's previous life—the Dragonbeard Needle, capable of piercing through internal energy defenses!

And wouldn't you know it, the shopkeeper is none other than Flender, one of the Golden Iron Triangle and a notorious swindler!

Initially, Flender offered the crystal for 100 gold soul coins, which already would have made him a tidy profit. But when he saw how eager Tang San was to buy it without even haggling, his greed got the better of him, and he raised the price to 500 gold soul coins!

The girls reading the diary were astonished by Flender's audacity. Who changes the price after it's been set? What a swindler!

Even Liu Erlong, knowing Flender's miserly and greedy nature, facepalmed. He really is shameless!

Flender, oblivious to the fact that his antics were now famous in Su Ming's diary, would likely be unbothered even if he knew—his skin was thick enough to endure anything!

While Su Ming continued writing, he casually watched Tang San and Flender haggle. In the end, they agreed on a price of 200 gold soul coins, with a 10% monthly interest. Tang San would have to pay Flender 10 gold coins every month!

Su Ming chuckled inwardly. That interest rate is outrageous! Only someone like Tang San would agree to such terms. Anyone else would have walked away by now.

Tang San, seeing no way to lower the price further, reluctantly agreed. The crystal could produce dozens of Dragonbeard Needles, making it invaluable to him. It would become one of his most powerful hidden weapons!

Determined to impress Xiao Wu, Tang San imagined her awe when he revealed the finished Dragonbeard Needle.

He pulled out another pouch from his soul guide and placed it on the table. This time, Flender inspected it closely and was shocked. "Where did you get this soul guide?"

Tang San, puzzled, replied, "It was a gift from my teacher."

Hearing this, Flender's expression changed, muttering, "So, you're his disciple. Never mind, take the crystal. No charge."

Flender felt a surge of excitement. If Tang San is here, then Yu Xiaogang can't be far behind!

Although Tang San didn't fully understand why the shopkeeper's attitude shifted so dramatically, he figured it had something to do with his teacher. Still, he insisted on paying for the crystal, knowing its true value.

He left the shop, feeling like he had struck gold.