My Silly, Sweet Wife

"What a big snow lotus!"

"Look at how translucent it is—could it really be the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus?"

"Yes, the lotus is exuding a rich spiritual energy; it seems like it truly has been around for a thousand years!"

Amidst the surrounding discussions, someone finally revealed a greedy expression.

"Hey, how much is this snow lotus?"

A young man, around thirty years old, squeezed through the crowd.

He was dressed in brocade garments, had a badge hanging from his waist, carried a treasured sword on his back, and was accompanied by two attendants—clearly a wealthy young master.

Holding a folding fan in his left hand, although the weather wasn't hot, he waved it gently, looking very distinguished.

"Ten thousand spirit stones." The beggar-like person held up a finger.

The young man staggered at the words, almost toppling over on the spot.

Ten thousand spirit stones—why don't you go rob someone?

The crowd reacted with astonishment.

Ten thousand spirit stones—most sects don't even have that in total.

Take the nearby Wan Jian Villa, which reportedly has a spirit stone mine.

In a place like the Hidden Doors, having a spirit stone mine surely makes one wealthy.

However, even Wan Jian Villa only extracts around three thousand spirit stones yearly; mining ten thousand spirit stones would take three to five years.

This guy starts at ten thousand spirit stones.

Does he really think spirit stones are picked up casually on the streets?

"I say, you sure have a way with extortion. Ten thousand spirit stones? Humph, not to mention your Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus is supposedly precious, even a top-tier spirit pill wouldn't sell for such a high price!"

The young man looked disdainful.

The surrounding people shook their heads too.

They couldn't possibly gather ten thousand spirit stones.

But the snow lotus seemed genuinely good; if they could snatch it up, consuming it might offer great benefits.

Of course, if this thing got into the hands of a Pill Master, it could sell for a fortune.

But where would you find a Pill Master so easily?

Pill Masters are extremely rare.

Ye Guichen squeezed into the crowd, listening to the discussions, and his gaze fell upon that Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus.

After observing it for a while, Ye Guichen shook his head secretly.

This Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus did look good, but it's fake—not even a hundred years old, let alone a thousand.

As for why it grew so large, Ye Guichen found it odd.

Perhaps it was induced by something?

Ye Guichen thought he had stumbled upon something valuable but was somewhat disappointed, folding his arms to watch the commotion.

"Haha, if you can't afford it, don't ask about the price. Hey, brother, how did you get this Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus? Don't tell me you stole it from some big sect—paying for it could bring you trouble."

At that moment, a middle-aged man popped his head out.

The middle-aged man was equally lavish, wearing expensive clothes.

Outside, he wore what looked like garments of a high grade.

On his hand was a storage ring.

As he spoke, the middle-aged man rubbed his storage ring and nodded at the beggar selling the snow lotus.

The beggar promptly waved his hand: "Boss, what are you saying? This snow lotus was obtained at the cost of our lives by the Heavenly Mountain Sect. If it weren't for the master's serious illness, why would I sell it?"

"Heavenly Mountain Sect?"

"Does such a sect even exist?"

"Why haven't I heard of it?"

The crowd was bewildered.

In the Hidden Doors, there seems to indeed be a mountain called Heavenly Mountain.

It's said to be the closest place to the Ninth Heaven.

However, due to its perennial icy coldness, with no grass growing and a scarcity of spiritual energy, nearly no one visits.

Someone shook his head: "I have heard of the Heavenly Mountain Sect, said to be ascetics practicing cultivation techniques focused on enduring hardships. Only by suffering immense hardships can they reach enlightenment. They dress in rags, wear torn clothes every day, eat the hardest meals, and live a life much like beggars. Looking at this person here, it seems that's the case indeed."

"Ah? Such a sect exists?"

"The world is vast, truly full of wonders."

"Tsk tsk, indeed. By this account, could it be that this snow lotus is real?"

"Nonsense, of course it's real. This is the Heavenly Mountain Sect's treasured heirloom. If it weren't for my master, I wouldn't secretly take it out to sell." The beggar stiffened his neck, "Buy if you wish, for less than ten thousand spirit stones, I won't sell!"

The well-dressed youth raised his eyebrows in confusion, "Hah, you speak so grandly. Since this is a rare tonic, why don't you give it to your master and why sell it, especially at such a high price? Do you truly think everyone's spirit stones are picked up without effort?"

"What do you know!" the beggar shot back at the youth, visibly annoyed, "My master's illness requires a specific pill known as the Golden Essence Pill, a pill worth a fortune. You can't buy it for less than ten thousand spirit stones. Selling this Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus is naturally to trade for that Golden Essence Pill."

"I see now..."

The crowd was enlightened.

A wealthy middle-aged man smiled faintly, "To my knowledge, a thousand-year-old Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus can't be bought for ten thousand spirit stones. If sold to an alchemist, it can be made into Purple Spirit Pills. These Purple Spirit Pills are required for forming a Golden Core. As long as one swallows such a pill, the probability of forming a Golden Core increases by fifty percent. Worldwide, all Foundation Establishment cultivators regard Purple Spirit Pills as a supreme treasure, saying it's worth a fortune is no exaggeration. A mere ten thousand spirit stones are nothing."

The middle-aged man reached into his storage ring and took out a small pouch.

The pouch rustled, seemingly filled with countless spirit stones clashing inside.

"This storage pouch contains ten thousand spirit stones. Quickly sell me the snow lotus, this money will be yours."

The crowd was in uproar.

They hadn't expected the middle-aged man to be so generous.

The place was bustling with merchants and visitors, yet someone casually producing ten thousand spirit stones was a rarity.

Upon hearing this, the beggar rejoiced, ready to take the pouch. But the well-dressed youth was displeased, "Hey, don't you understand the concept of first come, first served?"

The youth pushed the middle-aged man's hand aside, "I was the first to inquire. Don't think I lack ten thousand spirit stones. I will buy it first, this snow lotus is mine."

With that, he also took out a storage pouch.

The middle-aged man's face darkened, "Hmph, what first come, first served? As they say, you sell to one who recognizes value, but you can't even recognize its worth. What are you buying?"

Saying this, he took a handful of spirit stones from his storage ring and threw them into his pouch, "I'll offer a hundred more spirit stones, this snow lotus is mine."

"You, what do you mean!" The youth's face turned red with anger, "Do you know who I am?"

The middle-aged man was tenacious, "I don't care who you are, today's snow lotus is mine."

"Hmph, this place belongs to Wan Jian Villa. I am Dugu Yue's son, Dugu Jifeng, who are you to compete with me for treasures!"

Dugu Jifeng's face was fierce.

The two followers behind him instantly revealed menacing looks.

"Someone from Wan Jian Villa?"

"Wow, no wonder so arrogant!"

"Being able to produce ten thousand spirit stones implies real wealth."

The crowd was abuzz, evidently wary of Dugu Jifeng.

The middle-aged man initially stood proud, intending to compete with Dugu Jifeng. But upon hearing his name, he instantly wore a smile and quickly put away his spirit stones, bowing to Dugu Jifeng, "So it is Young Master Dugu. Forgive my ignorance for not recognizing you! Since that's the case, I won't press further. Today's snow lotus, I won't compete with you."

After speaking, he sighed, "Ah, I know an alchemist who said if I could get him a thousand-year snow lotus, he'd pay fifty thousand spirit stones. But alas, alas!"

Words spoken casually, yet the listener was intent.

Dugu Jifeng hesitated initially, but upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, his eyes glistened, grabbing the man's arm, "Brother, don't leave. Is what you said true?"

"Indeed." The middle-aged man hesitated, "Young Master Dugu, this Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus is rare beyond measure. Encountering it is a fortune. However, I wouldn't want to upset Wan Jian Villa for mere tens of thousands of spirit stones, so I'll relinquish it today."

Dugu Jifeng's eyes sparkled. Fearing the beggar might regret, he promptly threw his spirit stones to the beggar, snatching the snow lotus, eyeing the middle-aged man intently, "If that's the case, I won't let you suffer. Take me to that alchemist now, then when I get the fifty thousand spirit stones, I'll give you a thousand."

"What?" The middle-aged man seemed hesitant, mouth agape.

"Why, is a thousand spirit stones not enough? Fine, then two thousand!" Dugu Jifeng enticed further, "It's two thousand spirit stones for free. If I didn't see destiny in you, I wouldn't give you this chance."

The middle-aged man contemplated momentarily, then sighed, "Alright, since Young Master Dugu insists, I naturally can't refuse you. But the alchemist's whereabouts are elusive, I must contact him in advance, and he should not be here now. It may take three days for him to arrive."

"No matter, just three days, I shall wait!" Dugu Jifeng was exhilarated, feeling as though he had acquired a fortune, expecting praise from his father.

Ye Guichen, silent all this while, rolled his eyes, watching Dugu Jifeng like observing an idiot.

The middle-aged man and beggar were clearly in cahoots, yet Dugu Jifeng, being foolishly wealthy, had fallen for the scam.

Three days later?

Heh, by then, you'd fear not finding a trace of them.

On reflection, this snow lotus might be worth, at most, a hundred spirit stones.

However, Ye Guichen had no desire to interfere.

Despite knowing Dugu Jifeng was from Wan Jian Villa, there was little good feeling towards them now.

Especially that Dugu Yue, he was nothing great.

Letting them lose a small fortune seemed acceptable.

Ye Guichen chuckled lightly, intending to walk on, when suddenly a joyful cry sounded nearby, "Brother Chen, is it truly you?"