The moment Wang Jianqiang's gaze fell upon Wang Yuyao, the familiar light screen surfaced in his sea of consciousness:
Name: Wang YuyaoGender: FemaleCultivation: Qi Refining, Ninth LayerAge: 33 / 100Roots: Water, Wind, Wood – Triple Spiritual RootsVirtue/Evil Value: 0
"Greetings, Senior Brother Wang."
Her voice was soft, respectful, carrying the subtle tremor of someone who knew she was treading on delicate ground.
Wang Jianqiang returned to himself, studying the beautiful woman before him more closely. Her long black hair was tied with nothing more than a simple colored cord, cascading over her shoulders. Her plain dress could not conceal the proud curves of her body; in fact, its simplicity only made her natural elegance more striking.
As she lowered her head under his scrutiny, he spoke, "You've come for Perfect Yunxia Pills as well, haven't you?"
Yuyao's heart skipped. As well? So Su Yutong had come here before her? Judging by the stormy look on her face when she left, she must have been turned away. If even the sect's celebrated beauty, a newly risen prodigy, had failed… what hope did she have?
Still, she had come this far.
"Yes," she admitted quietly, "I know the Perfect Yunxia Pills are beyond precious. I wonder if Senior Brother might be willing to part with one?"
Her lashes trembled, and she bit her lip, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Of course," Wang Jianqiang said simply.
She blinked. For a moment she thought she had misheard. Then her eyes widened, shimmering with disbelief. "You… you would really agree?"
Wang Jianqiang nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He had noticed how she had subtly sided with him outside, rebuffing Su Yutong's condescension. Intelligent, humble, respectful—such traits stirred warmth in him.
"How many do you need?"
Yuyao's voice grew smaller. "One will be enough."
A single pill. Such modesty.
He flicked his fingers, and a Perfect Yunxia Pill rolled across his palm. The rich fragrance instantly filled the room. Yuyao's breath caught; her eyes lit up, and she leaned forward unconsciously, as though drawn to it.
"Do you know the price?" he asked.
Her expression faltered. Carefully, she offered, "Five… five thousand spirit stones?"
It was the amount she had paid at the Waifang Hall.
Wang Jianqiang shook his head. Her shoulders stiffened, despair threatening to wash over her. She whispered, almost inaudible, "Then I cannot afford it…"
She turned to leave, each step heavy with resignation.
"Wait."
His voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Where are you going?"
"I… I don't have the spirit stones," she admitted, face flushed with shame.
For a heartbeat, silence lingered between them. Then Wang Jianqiang chuckled. "The hall pays only thirty-five hundred per pill. Give me that much."
Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "Truly?"
"Of course," he said, his gaze steady, his tone warm.
Her heart quivered. Gratitude suffused her face, turning her already-beautiful features into something breathtaking. A delicate blush rose to her cheeks, like the first bloom of spring.
Wang Jianqiang studied her quietly. His chest tightened. How could such a woman look at me like this?
"The pill's strength is great, but one alone won't take you far," he said slowly, his eyes locking with hers. There was a strange gravity in his voice, pulling her closer. "Tell me… would you like more?"
Her lips parted. Desire flashed in her gaze, only to dim just as quickly. "But I have nothing left. My resources are gone… I cannot offer more spirit stones."
His smile deepened. "And if I did not ask for stones?"
The faintest tremor ran through her frame. She looked at him with wide eyes, hope mingled with caution. "Then… what would Senior Brother ask of me?"
The silence thickened. Wang Jianqiang leaned closer, his voice dropping low, almost intimate. "You're clever. You already know the answer."
Her face burned crimson. For a long moment she said nothing, only lowered her gaze, fingers twisting the hem of her sleeve. But in her heart, a storm was raging.
Cultivation was merciless. Without these pills, her progress would halt, her dreams crumble. And here was a man willing to offer her what she most desired.
Finally, she whispered, "If this is what Senior Brother asks… then Yuyao is willing."
Her voice trembled, but there was no hesitation. Only a fierce, desperate resolve.
Warmth spread through Wang Jianqiang's chest. This was not the empty disdain of Su Yutong, but genuine respect, genuine need. He reached out, letting his fingers brush hers as he pressed the pill into her palm. Their skin touched—warmth on warmth, lingering longer than it needed to.
Yuyao's breath caught again. Her lashes fluttered, but she did not pull away.
Later, when the door opened once more, the two of them stepped out together.
Wang Jianqiang's mood was light, his steps steady. Yuyao, cheeks still faintly flushed, walked beside him with lowered eyes, her every gesture filled with soft grace.
Her Virtue/Evil Value, once a flat zero, had surged to fifty in an instant—far higher than Chen Jiaojiao's carefully maintained smiles.
Wang Jianqiang's lips curved. For the first time in years, he felt not like a discarded failure, but like a man being truly seen.
"Here is your first pill," he said, handing her another bottle.
Yuyao accepted it with both hands, her smile shy yet luminous. Then, after a pause, she looked at him with worry flickering in her eyes.
"Senior Brother… perhaps you should rest tomorrow. Your body…"
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Rest? Hah! Your Senior Brother is strong as a bull!"
He thumped his chest proudly—only to stagger a step, saved from embarrassment by Yuyao's quick hand on his arm.
Her touch lingered. Their eyes met. For a breath, the world seemed to narrow to just the two of them.
And in Wang Jianqiang's heart, a single thought roared louder than ever:
Foundation Establishment—I must reach it!