Chapter 104: The Invitation

"Isn't that a bit too expensive?"

Lin Yang felt the price of 5,000 spirit stones was excessive; after all, that amount could buy two Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Naturally, it is not."

"Our teleportation array is a large-scale one. Each activation costs several thousand spirit stones. Furthermore, our family does not have a resident formation master capable of maintaining it, so we must pay to invite one from the Star Palace. Consequently, half of the revenue we generate is consumed by maintenance costs."

"If we only activate it for one person, we would likely operate at a loss."

"Most of the people capable of paying 5,000 spirit stones are either incredibly wealthy or of high status; charging this is also a way to earn a favor."

Lin Yang almost believed her, and he would have been completely fooled if he weren't a formation master himself. He knew that even if the array were used once a day, it would simply utilize a Spirit Gathering Array to absorb ambient energy for restoration. The actual cost for a single transmission would be, at most, no more than 500 spirit stones. This was an incredibly lucrative business. As for maintenance, the cost was admittedly high, as formation masters—especially high-level ones—were rare.

"Fellow Daoist Shui, you are not being honest. If I were not a formation master myself, I would have been deceived by you," Lin Yang said with a playful tone, taking a sip of tea.

Shui Miao'er realized that Lin Yang had seen through her ruse, but given her age, she still managed to maintain her composure. Without changing her expression, she replied, "It seems I have been exposed by a fellow practitioner. Allow me to offer this tea in place of wine as an apology."

Shui Miao'er poured a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp. "I never imagined you were a formation master. Tell me, are you capable of repairing the teleportation array?"

As she spoke, she stood up and walked over, personally pouring a cup of tea for Lin Yang and handing it to him. Her fingers brushed against his arm, which made Lin Yang feel a slight sense of aversion; having been hunted down so many times, he remained instinctively vigilant. When Shui Miao'er turned back after touching his arm, her expression was one of profound shock, though Lin Yang did not notice.

"I am indeed capable, but I do not yet have the ability to restore a teleportation array on my own, let alone a large-scale one."

Lin Yang casually brushed his arm, finding no marks; it seemed the contact had been entirely accidental. Still, the girl's fingertips were incredibly cold, feeling like ice against his skin.

"I never imagined you could repair such arrays," she remarked.

"The formation master we invite from the Star Palace is currently occupied with repairs elsewhere. I wonder if you would be willing to assist us with the maintenance?"

"Of course, we will not take advantage of you. We will provide ample compensation."

When Shui Miao'er learned that Lin Yang could maintain the array, her heart skipped a beat.

"Has something gone wrong with your family's array?" Lin Yang asked curiously. It was rare for such an array to malfunction. Even with frequent use, it should last for over a decade. Had they really failed to hire a master for all these years?

"Alas, it is said that one should not air dirty laundry in public."

"One of our younger clan members, relying on our family's influence, offended the descendant of a formation master when he visited. That caused the master to refuse our maintenance services. This happened ten years ago."

"As time has passed, the problems with the formation have only multiplied."

"I don't know what kind of compensation you require, but we will certainly be able to provide it."

The profits from a teleportation array were massive; even a Core Formation family relied on it as their lifeline. Without it, they would lose half their income. That was why their family had been constantly searching for a replacement. To think they had just happened to encounter one today.

"Do you have any beast cores?"

Lin Yang had come to the Chaotic Star Sea primarily to find alchemical materials to assist his cultivation, and secondarily to earn spirit stones to advance his profession. Thus, he asked about beast cores, which could be refined into pills to boost his progress.

"We certainly do. If you require them, we can provide you with all the cores from beasts above the Foundation Establishment level that our family possesses."

"While we don't have many Core Formation level cores, we have at least a few dozen, and even three from Nascent Soul level beasts."

"If you are willing to help us maintain the array, I can take it upon myself to grant you all of these cores."

"Are you serious?"

Lin Yang found this news strange, but upon reflection, it made sense: by accepting her cores, he would be indebted to her, making it easier for her to request his services later—it was a long-term investment.

"Naturally, I am."

Just then, a waiter and a maid arrived, bringing a spread of rare delicacies and various medicinal dishes, all crafted from high-grade, precious ingredients.

Only then did Lin Yang realize why this girl was so bold; she was essentially "fleecing the sheep" to treat herself.

"Fellow Daoist, please, have a taste. These dishes were prepared by a chef who learned the craft in the Star Palace; they are not only delicious but can also improve one's cultivation."

"Very well, let us eat."

Lin Yang saw the longing in Shui Miao'er's eyes and realized she wanted to eat but felt embarrassed to start since he was the host. He picked up his chopsticks and sampled two dishes, and Shui Miao'er immediately followed suit.

Truth be told, Lin Yang had never eaten such ingredients before. Not only were they flavorful, but they actually did subtly boost his cultivation. While the effect was minimal, it was still progress. Furthermore, these medicinal dishes even helped cleanse the body of alchemical toxins. It was incredibly worthwhile. Had he missed this, he might have regretted it for the rest of his life.

After eating for a while, he took a sip of soup and looked up to find that Shui Miao'er had already finished. Her eating style was somewhat comical; it was hard to believe a Core Formation expert was such a glutton. Her lips were glistening with oil. Yet, even though she ate quickly, it was strangely pleasing to watch rather than repulsive.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to eat so fast. No one is going to take it from you."

Lin Yang beckoned the waiter over. "Bring another serving of those dishes."

Shui Miao'er was surprised, especially since she had just tried to swindle him, yet he was still paying for more.

"Keep eating, Fellow Daoist. You rarely get the chance to eat such things. Even I haven't had them many times." Shui Miao'er urged him, noticing his slow pace.

"It is fine. Where I come from, no one would ever use high-grade spiritual herbs as mere ingredients. I prefer to savor the taste."

Lin Yang continued to analyze the components of the dish, realizing that the ingredients were indeed quite expensive.