Chapter 264: A Youth Wasted If Not Mad

“Did you really buy it?”
Yin Ling was instantly filled with curiosity and asked through telepathy, “What use is this fragment? Is it worth spending so many top-quality spirit stones on?”
As a clerk of the Lingxiao Pavilion, she should have tried every means to persuade customers to spend more, but subconsciously, Yin Ling didn’t consider Su Che a real customer—rather…
She couldn’t explain it herself; she just found it amusing, like discovering a very interesting toy.
Su Che shook his head and replied, “It’s just intuition. I think it might be useful. I’ll study it carefully when I get back. I’m not sure yet.”
This answer was truthful—after all, there was still no answer as to whether the blood-red fragment was useful or not. All that could be confirmed was that it had some connection to that drop of mysterious blood.
When the fragment was sent back to the Immortal Prison, the drop of mysterious blood in the heart chamber gradually calmed down, returning to its dead-like stillness.
Su Che tried taking the fragment out of the Immortal Prison again. Holding it in his hand, the mysterious blood started pulsating violently once more. When the fragment was sent back, it calmed down again…
After repeating this experiment several times, Su Che was convinced that the mysterious blood had no consciousness. It only reacted naturally to the fragment, just like how a magnet naturally attracts iron filings.
“There are a few similar items. Take a look—see if they’re useful to you.”
Out of kindness, Yin Ling offered suggestions to Su Che. However, he saw nothing special about those so-called “rare treasures” and certainly wouldn’t waste spirit stones on random purchases.
After looking for a while longer, Su Che finally lost interest in these so-called rare treasures and casually asked, “In the Floating City, can I get a large number of souls? Preferably high-level ghost generals.”
“Of course,” Yin Ling replied proudly. “The Floating City is the highest-level trading place in the cultivation world. Here, as long as you can afford it, you can buy anything.”
This statement was undoubtedly exaggerated. Su Che didn’t bother arguing and said, “Then please take me to buy some high-level souls.”
“How could it be a trouble?” Yin Ling wrapped his arm around her soft chest. “Even now, are you still being so polite and formal with me?”
Every time faced with her charming tactics, Su Che always responded with a smile.

Just as they were about to leave the Precious Treasures Pavilion, the old monkey behind the counter said in a low voice, “You’re a very special person. After reaching the Ningyin stage, you should come back again.”
Su Che was stunned upon hearing this, but Yin Ling transmitted a message to him, “Don’t pay attention. He’s always like this, often spouting random and strange words. But his judgment is quite good—he can tell that you’re definitely capable of advancing to the Yuanying stage. Right? You’ll reach the Yuanying stage soon, won’t you?”
Su Che nodded silently, agreeing. He knew that in the eyes of these long-lived demon cultivators, several decades could already be considered “soon.”
“That’s great!” Yin Ling said sweetly. “If you reach the Yuanying stage, please come to the Floating City as soon as possible and tell me the good news in person, okay?”
Su Che nodded in agreement, admitting that, whether her feelings were genuine or not, this fox spirit was indeed not unpleasant.
After that, Yin Ling took Su Che to the third floor of the Lingxiao Tower, where they successfully bought over forty ghost generals and more than six hundred ghost guards, at a total cost of thirty-two top-quality spirit stones.
Within the Wan Gui Sect, it would take tens of thousands of spirit stones to buy a single ghost general; in the Floating City, one top-quality spirit stone could buy two ghost generals.
The prices could be considered fair. It was hard to say what counted as a loss and what as a gain—only the buyer could decide what was most convenient for them.
The Netherworld Ghost Emperor had already begun practicing demon cultivation techniques. As time passed, the amount of ghost energy he could handle would inevitably increase, so it was necessary to prepare a large supply of souls in advance to enable him to draw on their power.
Someday, if the Netherworld Ghost Emperor could gather the power of more than ten ghost kings, he would possess true Ghost Emperor strength, equivalent to that of a high-level cultivator at the Yuanying stage.
“Only over forty ghost generals—still a bit too few.”
Since it was public funds being spent, Su Che hoped to buy more this time.
Yin Ling explained with a smile, “The cultivators who come here to trade are at least at the later stage of the Jindan stage. Few of them still buy ghost generals; they’re interested only in the ghost king level. So, there aren’t many low-level souls in stock. If you still want more, I can help you borrow some from other shops.”
“Then please do,” Su Che nodded. “The more souls above ghost guards, the better.”
“Okay,” Yin Ling replied promptly. “I’ll arrange for someone to handle it right away.”

The third floor of the Lingxiao Tower could be considered a VIP area. There were no shops or counters here; instead, it featured an extremely luxurious atmosphere and meticulous service. Whatever request a guest made would be attended to immediately, and then the desired items would be delivered to them. Once verified, the transaction was completed.

In this way, three hours later, Su Che received another 150 ghost generals and over 7,000 ghost guards, at a total cost of more than 17 top-quality spirit stones.

“There are nearly a hundred shops of all sizes in the Floating City, and after checking them all, this is the best I could manage.”

There was no need for Yin Ling to go around personally. Instead, she deliberately acted breathless and alluring, saying, “Well? Are you satisfied?”

“It exceeds my expectations. I’m very satisfied. Thank you,” Su Che nodded.

With 200 ghost generals and 8,000 ghost guards, acquiring such a large number of spirits would be quite difficult if they tried to buy them in the territory of the Ten Thousand Ghost Sect, and they might even encounter other troubles.

Su Che marveled inwardly, “The Floating City truly is the highest-level trading place in the cultivation world. It’s no wonder the entrance fee of 10,000 spirit stones is so high. No wonder so many advanced cultivators are regulars here.”

“What makes you so satisfied?”

Suddenly, Zi Xiao appeared out of nowhere, smiling wickedly. “A young man without some adventure is a waste of his youth. Not bad, Tian Yu. I support you.”

The implication behind his words was obvious. Su Che shook his head helplessly, smiling bitterly. “He’s becoming less and less like our master.”

Yin Ling felt the same way. She covered her mouth and giggled, “Elder Zi Xiao, why do I have the impression that Tian Yu should be your senior?”

“That kid acts like an old man all day long. It’s really boring!” Zi Xiao waved his hand and said to Su Che, “I wonder why, at such a young age, he has so many worries and never needs to vent them?”

“Yes,” Yin Ling turned her head and also looked at Su Che, her eyes sparkling. “Sometimes, it’s good to vent properly.”

Su Che didn’t intend to engage in this conversation. He reached out and said, “Elder Zi Xiao, I just spent 220 spirit stones. I’m here to report it to you.”

“You spent 300 spirit stones so quickly. You’ve reaped quite a lot.”

Zi Xiao didn’t hesitate. He immediately took out a spirit stone bag and handed Su Che 260 top-quality spirit stones.

It was clearly 220, but he insisted it was 300, giving Su Che 40 extra stones. Undoubtedly, those 40 stones would end up in his own pocket.

Such blatant and undisguised corruption left Su Che stunned. He couldn’t help but think, “With such character, would even the Supreme Patriarch trust him to handle affairs?”
Su Che knew that the Patriarch Zixiao surely wouldn’t really care about just a few dozen top-quality spirit stones. So why would he do this?
Zixiao sat down on a chair across from him, as if seeing through Su Che’s confusion, and took the initiative to explain, “My flaws are well known to my senior brothers, so they try not to assign me tasks related to money. That way, I can enjoy some peace. Otherwise, they would gang up on me, treating me like a lackey, forcing me to run around endlessly… Get it now, kid!”
Su Che rolled his eyes in disbelief. He really couldn’t imagine that the real reason was simply laziness…
Yin Ling laughed heartily, her enchanting eyes turning into crescents.
Of course, Su Che also understood that it was precisely because the five patriarchs had a sincere, familial bond that they could be so lenient and unconcerned with trivial matters.
That was why he regarded the Tianxuan Sect as a home, not just a sect…
After the joking, it was time to get down to business.
Zixiao said, “Just now, I gathered a few Yuan Ying cultivators and asked them to arrange a trade fair. It will probably take at least ten days before it can be held. By then, at least thirty Yuan Ying cultivators will be present. This is a good opportunity to obtain the things you need.”
Su Che was overjoyed at hearing this. A trade fair attended mainly by Yuan Ying cultivators would surely have many treasures. Whether he could get the ninth-level Yin Fire was another matter, but he would definitely broaden his horizons.
Yin Ling, who was leaning against Su Che, was even more excited. She shook Su Che’s arm and pleaded, “I want to go too. Can you take me?”
“Can’t you participate?” Su Che asked curiously.
“Mm,” Yin Ling nodded pitifully. She indeed didn’t qualify for such an event.
“One Yuan Ying patriarch can have two companions…” Yin Ling pressed her forehead against Su Che’s shoulder, her voice extremely soft. All her requests were conveyed through her actions and tone, without the need for explicit words.
Su Che knew well that this was also a type of charm she was skilled at, but it didn’t matter. If she wanted to go, then let her go. Having an extra spot unused would be a waste.
Besides, she had worked hard to help him gather so many souls earlier, and he had intended to thank her in some way.

Seeing Su Che nod, Yin Ling cheered and swiftly wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing a sweet kiss on his cheek. Zi Xiao smiled silently, stood up, and said, “Within ten days, go about your own affairs. If there’s nothing important, don’t bother me.” “A young man without adventure is a wasted youth; haha, young man, do something exciting…” The Yuan Ying ancestor of Tian Xuan Zong staggered off somewhere. After he left, Su Che said to Yin Ling, “Help me arrange a room; I have some personal matters to attend to.” “Okay,” she replied softly, her fair cheeks turning red as she thought to herself, “Finally, he’s taken a liking to her…”