Mai Dong fell silent and could only nod.It was expectedthat convincing Xie Qing would not be easy.


    The thing was,with the avable resources of the "Silver Moon" Commerce, it would not be a problem to hire even someone at the Soul Integration level.However, all of themwithoutexceptionhad refused! And those who were weaker, at the Soul Nascent level, were not known for their strength. And if some were strong, they also refused.


    Although the scent of money is sweet, it cannot hide the stench of death. Therefore, in order not to leave only bones in some remote rural areas, cultivators refused.


    And this put Commerce in a predicament.In the past years,there were no such problems, but now...the activation of the devilish cultivators has made many tense.


    Xie Qing drank the wine and sighed.


    "Youdounderstand that you are asking cultivators at the fifth stage of the Soul Nascent to go to certain death, right?No amount of money can help me if a monster infected with devilish qi appears during the journey," Xie Qing exined his position: "And you, as you already know, such monsters have at least the Core Formation level, which poses a danger if they attack in a crowd.


    And they love to do that."


    "I understand your position..."


    Mai Dong also understoodthathe could not force Xie Qing to agreeto this.Sinceit was no longer possible to tempt him further.


    "I apologize for taking up your time," said Mai Dong and stood up, bowing: "I will leave you."


    "Alright. Enjoy your evening."


    "Of course, I don''t want to miss out on such a lucrative contract... but... even I am not sure if I can handle those guys," thought Xie Qing and averted his gaze: "Besides, I will probablybe forcedto protect the annoying mortalsandif they die, I will have to pay a fine."


    ***


    The ball ended sessfully. Huang Jing looked pleased, as did Fang Lan, who was able to meet some people and create asmacquaintance.


    As for Xie Qing, he decided not to return to the ballroom andsimplydrank wine in solitude. It was much easier for him to endure all this boredom.


    And so, when the ball was over, they gathered in a group of threeagain.Now, of course, in more casual outfits.


    "Hehe! I was able to meet some merchants who supply ingredients at favorable prices. I think we can now start the process!" the girl said with a smile.


    "And I had fun at the ball. There were so many familiar faces," Huang Jing said with a smile.


    "And I drank wine. It was delicious," Xie Qing nodded.


    "Eh?"


    "Hm?"


    The duo could not help but look at the young manwho wasstill drinking wine. They were puzzled.


    "Didn''t a representative of the merchant Commercee to you? I thought you had made a deal," Fang Lan asked.


    "Yeah... that''s what I wanted to ask. I heard thatheis from the "Silver Moon" Commerce, and they are famous for their wealth," Huang Jing also said in bewilderment.


    "He offered me to go to the border area near thebarrier,to escort a caravan. Moreover, there will likely be no more than two cultivators in the escort," Xie Qing answered in a carefree voice, leaning back on the back of the chair and shrugging his shoulders: "Should I risk my life for a few spiritual stones? I think I have more important things to do."


    "Well... your truth!" Huang Jing answered and sighed: "But, seriously? This zone is now too dangerous. Some time ago, the demonic beasts became more fierce andare now terrorizing thenearby cities and viges. Most of the trade routes are blockedandit is dangerous to transport goods along them."


    "I heard that there is now a famine thereanda mass evacuation of the poption is required," Fang Lan added with a sigh: "Most of them are mortals or weak cultivators. It''s a pity..."


    "Well, their problem."


    Xie Qing did not particrly want to delve into this mess,and he did not particrlypity them.After all, these people went to these territories, knowing the price and the consequences.


    Huang Jing and Fang Lanalsodid not dwell on this news for long and discussed various topics. Xie Qing lost the power of speech.


    "I forgot that you guys are busy here," hemented with a smile: "I''m the only carefree one."


    "You''re still young."


    "You''re still a kid."


    "..."


    ***


    The night came quickly. Xie Qing grimly looked at his own hands.


    "No hint of a breakthrough again.My soul is strong enough tostart expanding, but itisstuckin development..."


    Soul Nascent.The name alonegivesyouan understanding that you have tocreate a nascent soul.


    At the peak of the Soul Nascent, your soul will already upy almost the entire body, acquiring the physical features of a cultivator.


    It is this result that is considered satisfactory.


    However, right now, Xie Qing''s soul only upied his torso. Whichwas not very satisfactory.


    "It is impossible to contribute to thedevelopment of the sot this stage. It remains only to hope that everything will be fine," Xie Qing thought and sighed: "I don''t understand what is happening, to be honest. With my pace, I should have already formed a soul."


    It was because of this that he felt ufortable for so many days. It seemed to him that he wasgging behind everythingthat wasat odds with his talent.


    Looking out the window, the young man frowned.


    ***


    Early in the morning.Xie Qing wearily rubbed his eyes, opening the door.


    "Who is it?"


    "It''s me," Huang Jing said and looked at Xie Qing''s sleepy face: "Didn''t you get enough sleep? I told youthat we need tochoose a ce for Fang Lan''s branch in the morning."


    "I was thinking about something at night..."Xie Qing waved his handand tookoff his robe,thenbegan to get dressed.


    Two minutester, he already looked fresh. Huang Jing noddedandthey went downstairs, to the first floor.


    In the spacious main hall, on a luxurious couch, Fang Lan was drinking teaandwhen she noticed Xie Qing out of the corner of her eye, she frowned.


    "You overslept."


    "It happens," Xie Qing answered casually and plopped down on the couch, waving his hand: "Give me wine, please."


    Huang Jing also plopped down on the couch and ordered tea for himself. He could not help but say:


    "Drinking wine on an empty stomach is harmful to your health."


    "Dude, are you my mom or something..."


    "Hahaha..."


    Fang Lan smiledand took something out ofher spatial ring,thenthrew it to Xie Qing.


    "Hm?"


    Heeasilycaught the object flying in his direction and, weighing the package, raised an eyebrow.


    "Cookies? How cute."


    "I baked them myself, you know!" Fang Lan smiled: "Eat themandonly then drink this poison.Even if you are a cultivator,you cannot eat on an empty stomach."


    "Well..."


    Xie Qing lost the power ofspeech,but could not help but try a cookie. And he was surprised.


    "Delicious."


    "I''m d you liked it."


    Although Fang Lan''s voice was carefree, there was a satisfied smile on her face. Huang Jing, who was watching all this out of the corner of his eye, smiled.


    "What are you smiling at?" Xie Qingmented in bewilderment, nibbling on cookies. There were crumbs of cookies around his mouth.


    "Nothing~".


    "Hm? You''re weird."


    Shrugging his shoulders, Xie Qing bit into another cookie, waiting for the wine.


    Huang Jing leaned back on the back of the couch and sighed.


    "Well, now I want a girltoo," he muttered.


    "Oh? Have you decided? You know, I found a beauty yesterday..."


    "You mean the girl with the big breasts and the elegant butt?" Huang Jing''s eyes gleamed, but he coughed a little when he noticed Fang Lan''s gaze on him: "Khe-khe, Daoist friend, I think... we will postpone the discussion of this question to another day."


    Friend Huang Jing, hold on! We will find you a beauty!


    ***


    The night before, Huang Jing had expressed his position. Since they were good acquaintances, and what Xie Qing did at the ball had raised his reputation...


    Huang Jingexpressed his insistenceon helping Fang Lan open a branch in this city. Having connections and acquaintances, this was not difficult.


    Therefore,alreadythe next day, that is, today, they could inspect the avable ces.And they were all located quite close to themain activity of the city.


    "This..."


    Fang Lan inspected the room and could not help but nod. There was admiration on her face.


    "This isa very goodroom!It is close to themain activity of the city, and it also neighbors an ingredient store, which is very beneficial!" she said with a smile and then looked at Huang Jing: "How much will the rent cost me?"


    "Zero. I will not allow you or Brother Xie to give a single Huang!"Huang Jing saidwith a resolute look: "Take it as a gift.Refusals are not epted!"


    "This... but I feel ufortable," Fang Lan said indecisively.


    "Just ept his kindness," Xie Qing shrugged and hugged Huang Jing by the shoulder: "And I, well, I will help him meet a hot beauty... hehe..."


    "Brother Xie is too generous... hahaha..."


    The two menughed heartily, and Fang Lan did not know what to say.However,judging bytheir appearance, they werevery pleasedwith the deal.


    And, by the way, if you thoughtthat thiswas a joke (Huang Jing also thought so), then...


    ***


    "S-stop, brother Xie! This is the estate of the Zhao family... they are in charge of trading spiritual items!" Huang Jing said in a nervous voice. Hewas dressedin official clothes.


    "Hoho, son, don''t worry... Ifound outfrom some lovelydies that the youngdy is very fond of the ornament made of Midnight Fire Iron and the precious stone Call of Ten Phoenixes..."


    Xie Qing smiledand pushedHuang Jing towards the entrance, andthenpressed the doorbell.


    "And I brought some useful things and a lucrative contract, so they will agree to give out the young miss of their family! And she, you know, is a beauty!"


    "So why don''t you take her as your wife?!"


    "Huh? Dude, she''s not my type, so..."


    "Ah, you!"