Su Wen bowed and ready to leave.
"Brat, you're as sharp as ever, hmph. What did my bratty disciple teach you at the academy?" the old man said with a crooked grin.
Su Wen froze.
In that instant, everything clicked together… the uncanny nose for spirit stones, the shameless confidence, the way he spoke of the Dao as if it were street food sold at a stall. 'So that's how he knew about the treasure cauldron and the treasure brush.'
A certain irritating aura surfaced clearly in his mind.
…So they were master and disciple.
Su Wen looked at the old man again, his expression strange and complicated.
The old man immediately noticed the look and snorted, straightening his back.
"You brat, I am your Grandteacher! Don't you have any shame for staring at your elders like that instead of paying proper respect?"
His tone was indignant, but the smug glint in his eyes completely ruined any sense of dignity.
Su Wen took out ten low-grade spirit stones and quietly slipped them into the old man's cloth bag with practiced ease.
"I pay respects to the Grandteacher," Su Wen said. He glanced to the side as if checking whether anyone was watching, then gave a bow… polite, but clearly a little too shallow.
The old man's eye twitched.
"…Hmph!" he snorted, clutching the bag closer. "Less respectfully, huh? You brat… so this is how the Dao has tempered you? Cunning, slippery, and shameless!"
He jabbed a finger at Su Wen's forehead.
"Don't think this old immortal didn't notice! Next time, you'd better bow lower. Much lower. Otherwise, I'll make you kneel on one leg and crawl across an entire city while reciting Dao principles!"
Su Wen immediately stiffened, suppressing the smirk tugging at his lips. He hurriedly put on a frightened, obedient expression.
"Y-Yes, Grandteacher… this junior shall… take note of your immense wisdom and boundless magnanimity," he said earnestly.
As he spoke, his hand moved again, smooth, subtle… and a few more spirit stones quietly disappeared into the old man's bag.
The old man paused.
He coughed lightly, straightened his back, and stroked his beard with great dignity.
"Hmph… since you're sincere, this old immortal will let it slide this time."
Su Wen lowered his head and nodded obediently.
"You are becoming more and more pleasing to the eye," the old man said, clearly satisfied.
He rummaged through his tattered cloth bag and pulled out a few worn, yellowed books, tossing them toward Su Wen.
"Study these properly. They'll be of great help to your medical understanding… beyond Grade Four."
Su Wen was genuinely surprised. He didn't open them immediately. His gaze swept over the faded title stamped on the cover… Medical Codex… before he calmly stored the books in his ring. Then he bowed deeply.
"Old man," Su Wen said seriously, "next time, I'll have to increase the respects I pay you."
The old man smirked, clearly pleased by that answer.
"Hmph. Brat, next time I'll empty your spirit ring dry."
He laughed loudly, the sound sharp and carefree… and before Su Wen could even sense any fluctuation of spiritual qi, the old man vanished without a trace.
"Take good care of that girl. She is very frail… be careful not to hurt her, or she will break easily. Never let her heart turn dry and make sure her father gets the justice he deserves!"
Su Wen froze at the con-artist old man's words, his mind briefly running over the implications.
"Damn… so this old man saw everything. Hah. He must have seen everything last time we came to the town as well, and I forgot to ask his name…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
After a long sigh, he pushed the thoughts aside. The old man's cryptic warnings could wait. Su Wen turned his focus forward and continued toward the Treasure Tower. He still had plenty of cultivation resources to purchase, and time was ticking… Du Yue's progress couldn't be stalled.
Su Wen entered the Treasure Tower, his eyes scanning the familiar interior. The moment the attendant from last time spotted him, he practically jumped in alarm, moving as if someone had just stepped on his tail.
"Young master, welcome back! I… I didn't expect to see you so soon!" the man stammered, bowing repeatedly.
Su Wen gave a small nod. "Please show me your Grade 3 soul-nurturing herbs and spirit herbs, and the same for Grade 2."
The attendant hurried to comply, his nervous energy palpable. "Yes, young master! Right this way, please!"
He led Su Wen to the other side of the tower, where all the exquisite products were displayed. Then he spoke with a practiced, professional smile, though the trace of nervousness still lingered in his eyes.
"Currently, we have Spirit Moon Lotus, Ethereal Jasmine, Soulbind Moss, and Crystal Frostleaf," he said, gesturing respectfully toward the first row of jade cases.
"These are all peak Grade 3 spirit herbs, especially suitable for soul cultivation."
He then shifted slightly and indicated another display beside it.
"As for spirit cultivators, we have Serene Echo Blossom, Azure Green Leaf, Illusory Essence Leaf, and Crystalflower. These are also peak Grade 3 spirit herbs, refined for nurturing spiritual qi and strengthening one's foundation."
Su Wen nodded lightly, noticing that the attendant hadn't even bothered to bring out any mid- or low-grade herbs. Everything on display was peak-grade
'Spirit Moon Lotus…' Su Wen thought. 'Yin-qi aligned. It'll be the most effective for her soul cultivation.'
His gaze shifted briefly to the other display. 'As for spirit herbs, I still have that Frost Lotus from before… but one peak Grade 3 herb might not be enough.'
A faint crease appeared between his brows. 'Better to be safe than regret it later.'
He raised his hand and pointed calmly.
"I'll take the Spirit Moon Lotus," he said, then added after a brief pause, "and the Azure Green Leaf as well."
The attendant's eyes instantly lit up, practically glowing like two spirit lamps. Any trace of nervousness vanished, replaced by pure enthusiasm.
"Y-Yes, young master! Excellent choices!" he said quickly, bowing a little too deeply. "I'll prepare them immediately!"
He turned and hurried off at once, moving with the speed of someone afraid that Su Wen might change his mind if he delayed even a second.