Chapter 196 Utter Chaos! The Price of a Grandmaster
Liu Ruyan stood tall, radiating an air of wealth and confidence that only someone born with a golden spoon could possess.
"Money is not an issue," she declared, her voice firm. "Name your price. One billion? Two billion? Or do you want rare cultivation materials? The Liu Family treasury is open."
She was the Young Miss of the Imperial Capital's Liu Family, a bona fide rich woman whose personal assets rivaled small countries. A few hundred million was easy for her to come up with—pocket change, really. And given time, she could mobilize even more funds, liquidating assets or calling in favors.
She also believed that the Imperial Capital's Liu Family—her father and grandfather—would not be stingy with their wealth when it came to purchasing good things like Medicinal Pills that could create a new Grandmaster for the clan. It was a strategic investment.
Liu Ruyan had been stuck at [Grandmaster Peak] for several years. It was a bottleneck that felt like a steel wall. No matter how much she meditated or trained, she couldn't break through to the Great Grandmaster realm. She was growing anxious, eyeing any Medicinal Pills that could increase her cultivation with the hunger of a starving wolf.
Originally, Liu Ruyan and An Zhiyue were known as the "Twin Pearls" of the Imperial Capital—equals in beauty, talent, and strength. But now? An Zhiyue had left her behind in the dust. An Zhiyue was already a Great Grandmaster, a General Instructor, a legend.
Although Liu Ruyan wouldn't envy An Zhiyue maliciously (she loved her too much), she still felt a bit unconvinced and unwilling to accept being the weaker one. She wanted to stand by Zhiyue's side, not behind her.
The Medicinal Pill Shen Anyu gave to the little maid Ruan Lingshan had such excellent effects that it greatly moved Liu Ruyan. It was a miracle drug.
If she obtained it... then the bottleneck that troubled her would surely have a chance to Breakthrough. She could finally ascend.
She was determined to get that Medicinal Pill. Her eyes burned with desire.
No matter the cost, she had to acquire it!
However, listening to Liu Ruyan's generous offer, Shen Anyu just smiled faintly. He leaned back in his chair, swirling the tea in his cup.
"Little Aunt... am I short on money?"
Liu Ruyan was immediately speechless. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Shen Anyu... of course, wasn't short on money. He was the only male descendant of the third generation of the Yanxia Shen Family (Political/Military Titans) AND the Yanxia An Family (Economic Behemoths).
He was the "Prince" of the capital.
How could Shen Anyu possibly lack money? It could be said that the financial resources Shen Anyu could mobilize with a single phone call surpassed even Yanxia's richest man on the Forbes list. He didn't count money; he weighed it.
Shen Anyu looked at Liu Ruyan with a beaming, mocking smile.
She stood there in her black gauze dress, the morning sunlight filtering through the sheer fabric, highlighting her fair and crystal-clear skin. The contrast between the dark cloth and her pale flesh was exceptionally captivating. She was a piece of art he could afford to ignore.
Seeing Liu Ruyan get a bit annoyed at his silence, biting her lip in frustration, Shen Anyu then lazily said:
"Medicinal Pills? I have plenty of them. Bottles of them. For Breakthrough in cultivation, for restoring vitality, for beauty... I use them like candy."
"But I'm even less short on money. Your billions mean nothing to me."
"My resources are reserved for my people. Unless it's my closest kin... or my woman... they are not qualified to enjoy them."
He emphasized the last part, looking her up and down.
Liu Ruyan drew out her words, realizing money wouldn't work. She switched tactics instantly, her voice becoming sweet and cloying:
"Good nephew... come on. I am your Aunt An Zhiyue's best friend. We are as close as sisters! We shared clothes, secrets, and beds since we were kids. Our two families are also old acquaintances, allies for generations. Does our relationship not count? Am I not 'kin'?"
Shen Anyu smiled and said:
"My Little Aunt Zhiyue certainly counts. She is my blood (well, almost). I gave her Medicinal Pills before, which allowed her cultivation to Breakthrough to the [Great Grandmaster Late Stage] with plenty to spare. She is strong now."
"But you?"
Shen Anyu paused. In Liu Ruyan's expectant, hopeful gaze, he shook his head slowly.
He feigned disdain as he said:
"You are just her friend. And a friend who tried to tackle me yesterday. Of course not! Why should I waste resources on an outsider?"
Liu Ruyan felt ashamed and annoyed inside. She wanted to punch him. But she knew she couldn't beat him, and violence wouldn't get the pills.
She had to swallow her pride.
On the surface, she gave a sweet, dazzling smile that could melt glaciers.
She stood up from her chair, swaying her hips as she walked to Shen Anyu's side. She sat on the armrest of his chair, invading his space.
She looked up at him with her small face, her eyes big and watery, and said in a sugary voice that dripped with charm:
"Good An'yu... Little Aunt is begging you, please? Don't be so mean."
"I really, really want to taste the flavor of that Medicinal Pill. I've been stuck for three years. Help me, and I'll owe you a big favor."
Her expression was shy and charming, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Combined with her lazy and alluring delicate face, and the scent of her mature pheromones, she was as captivating as a fox spirit stealing souls.
And her fair, snow-like small hand reached out and gripped Shen Anyu's arm.
Her fingers dug into his muscle slightly.
As if grasping the future.
Holding on tightly, not letting go. She was betting everything on this charm offensive.
Shen Anyu looked at her hand, then at her face. He didn't pull away.
He suddenly said, his voice dropping to a serious, probing tone:
"Little Aunt, you are very skilled at this. You always use your feminine charm on me. Acting cute, acting pitiful, acting seductive."
"Have you ever used it on other men? Do you beg other men like this for resources?"
The air froze.
"Of course not!"
Liu Ruyan said reflexively, almost shouting. She pulled her hand back as if burned.
Then her pretty face flushed with anger, a genuine, fiery red. It was as if she had suffered a great humiliation. Her pride as a martial artist and a noblewoman was stung.
She looked at Shen Anyu furiously, her chest heaving.
"Shen Anyu! What do you take me for? A courtesan?"
"I am the Eldest Miss of the Liu Family! I have never bowed my head to any man! I have never begged anyone! You are the first... and you dare insult me?"
"Hmph! If you're not giving it, then don't! Keep your pills! I don't want them anymore! I'd rather stay a Grandmaster forever than be insulted by a junior!"
As her words fell, Liu Ruyan flung Shen Anyu's hand away violently. She stood up, her eyes misty with angry tears, and angrily prepared to leave. She turned her back on him, intending to storm out of the garden.
Whoosh!
Just then, she felt a gust of wind behind her head. A sharp, fast object was flying towards her.
Thinking it was Shen Anyu reaching out to grab her again or throw something at her, she spun around.
"You dare?!"
She angrily slapped back with her hand, channeling her Qi, intending to block the attack.
Slap!
But she didn't hit a hand. She only touched something cold and hard.
Her expression immediately changed. Her martial instincts kicked in. She turned her slap into a grab, catching the object mid-air with precision.
She opened her palm.
It was a small, exquisite bottle made of high-grade white jade. It felt cool and heavy.
"This is?"
She uncorked it instinctively. A rich, medicinal fragrance wafted out—pure, potent, and filled with spiritual energy. Just one whiff made her meridians hum.
Looking at the Medicinal Pill bottle in her hand, Liu Ruyan looked at Shen Anyu in surprise, puzzled. Her anger deflated like a popped balloon.
Shen Anyu was still sitting there, calm and composed. He smiled slightly, looking at Liu Ruyan with gentle eyes, devoid of the previous mockery.
He said softly:
"Consider it compensation for my inappropriate words just now. I shouldn't have questioned your integrity."
"Inside are one [Essence Nourishing Pill], one [Qi Nourishing Pill], and one [Vitality Pill]. It's a complete set."
"They should help you Breakthrough to [Martial Dao Great Grandmaster]. Use them wisely."
"Also... your answer satisfied me. You have pride. So it's both compensation and a reward."
Liu Ruyan stood there, clutching the bottle. Her emotions were a mess. Anger, gratitude, confusion, and a strange flutter in her heart.
He gave it to her? Just like that? After teasing her?
She snorted lightly to hide her emotion. She glanced at Shen Anyu with her beautiful eyes, which were no longer fierce but complicated.
"I've accepted the compensation. Because you owed me an apology."
"But a reward? Hmph! We have no relationship! What are you rewarding me for? I'm not your subordinate or your pet!"
She clutched the bottle tighter, afraid he might take it back.
"And regarding my charm... I'll use my feminine charm on whoever I please! You don't control me!"
Shen Anyu narrowed his eyes. He stood up slowly.
His aura expanded, pressing down on the garden.
He took a step towards her.
"Is that so?" he whispered dangerously.
Shen Anyu narrowed his eyes and strode forward!
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