There was no denying it—Su Yutong, one of the Three Beauties of the outer sect, was breathtaking.Every glance, every smile, seemed crafted to stir the heart.
Chen Jiaojiao was considered a beauty in her own right, but compared to Su Yutong, she was like a duckling beside a swan—completely eclipsed in both looks and bearing.
Yet, no matter how dazzling Su Yutong was, Wang Jianqiang felt no urge to admire her.Beneath her smile, he clearly sensed a chill, a rejection, as though she were gazing at a rat crawling through a filthy gutter.
It was arrogance—deep, innate disdain—that no amount of politeness could conceal.
And it irritated him.
On her attribute panel, the glaring "–48" Karma Value only confirmed his instincts.
By now, Wang Jianqiang had a deeper grasp of the numbers. A range from 0 to –49 signified dislike; –50 and beyond meant outright hostility.
At –48, Su Yutong's distaste for him was already extreme—like a person stepping on dung, or being forced to kiss a sewer rat.
Still, after a brief frown, he stepped aside and let her in.
Su Yutong's eyes swept over his quarters.
Crude. Dirty.
Disgust clouded her face even more. She refused to sit, as if touching anything inside might soil her.
"Senior Brother Wang," she said flatly, "I came today for the Perfect Yunxia Pills."
She had no time to waste on pleasantries with the sect's most famous "waste."
"How many?"
Wang Jianqiang wasn't surprised. He made no attempt to deny it. The Waifang Hall was full of people; since he had chosen to sell there, secrecy had never been his aim.
"Fifteen."
With their potency, five would be enough to push her to the tenth level of Qi Refining. Ten more could take her straight to perfection.
"Fine," he nodded.
Though her contempt annoyed him, they had no true enmity. Pills were pills—whoever paid could have them.
But Su Yutong's next words made his hand freeze.
"Senior Brother Wang truly knows the greater good. Hand them over, then. And I won't let you suffer—I can reward you with the honor of dining with me."
Her tone dripped with condescension. Not a trace of asking—more like charity.
Wang Jianqiang, who had just taken out the pills, rolled his eyes and put them right back.
So this woman had come hoping to trade air for his pills?
Fifteen Perfect Yunxia Pills were worth over fifty thousand spirit stones at the Hall's lowest price—and she wanted him to pay extra for the privilege of treating her to dinner?
"Senior Brother Wang, what do you mean by this?" she demanded, brows knitting.
"Let's skip the dinner. Spirit stones only—cash for goods." His smile was cold.
"You—what do you mean by this?" Anger flared in her eyes. "Do you not realize that dining with me is a privilege countless disciples dream of? You should be grateful, not insolent!"
"Heh. Then forgive me for failing to appreciate the honor."
His tone turned frigid. "Eight thousand spirit stones per pill. If you want them, pay."
"Eight thousand?!" Her eyes widened. "The Hall sells them for five! Are you trying to rob me, you decrepit old waste?"
"If it's too expensive," Wang Jianqiang said evenly, pointing to the door, "there's the way out."
"You—!" Her chest heaved with fury. "Fine! I'll take three. But I hope you never step outside the sect. Otherwise, you'll have the money—but not the life to spend it."
Her veiled threat only made him snort.
"And why should I sell to you at all? Are you my father, or my grandfather? No deal."
Her threats had crossed the line. Annoyance turned into anger.
"You dare play me?" Su Yutong hissed.
On her panel, her Karma Value plunged to –60. But Wang Jianqiang didn't care.
"Think what you want. Now leave, or I'll call the sect enforcers on you for trespassing."
That threat hit home. Trespassing into another's quarters was no small crime in the Hehuan Sect. Even a genius would suffer punishment.
Her face shifted, darkened. She glared one last time, her Karma Value dropping further to –70, then spat a few vicious words before storming out.
But just as she stepped through the doorway, another figure approached.
A graceful woman in a plain dress, her bearing mature and dignified, yet tinged with allure. Her chest was full and striking, her beauty gentle but not without magnetism.
It was Wang Yuyao.
Both women saw each other. Surprise flickered across Wang Yuyao's face at finding the famed Su Yutong emerging from Wang Jianqiang's humble quarters. But she said nothing—only offered Su Yutong a polite nod before bowing deeply toward Wang Jianqiang.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Wang. This junior sister, Wang Yuyao, has come to request your help."
Before Wang Jianqiang could answer, Su Yutong's mocking voice cut in.
"Request his help? Save your breath. This waste knows nothing but arrogance. You'll only disgrace yourself. Better you tell me your troubles—in this sect, my connections might actually help you."
She shot a glance into the room, clearly trying to flaunt her status.
But her effort backfired.
Wang Yuyao merely shook her head, calm and distant. "No need. What I seek is something you cannot give."
She turned away from Su Yutong, bowing again toward Wang Jianqiang.
"I ask Senior Brother for aid."
Face sour with humiliation, Su Yutong snorted coldly and leapt onto her sword, vanishing into the sky.
Watching her disappear, Wang Yuyao's eyes grew thoughtful. She could easily sense Su Yutong's hostility toward Wang Jianqiang, though she didn't know why. Still, her choice of stance was clear.
Because only Wang Jianqiang could provide the Perfect Yunxia Pills she so desperately desired.
"Come in," a hoarse voice sounded from within.
Wang Yuyao's face lit up, and she stepped inside with quickened breath.