Chapter 354: I’m Not Interested in You
Mu Beiyun’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “You wanted the handkerchief. Wasn’t that for the purpose of arranging a date with me?”
She pressed on, her confusion evident. “A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”
Jiang Chen stated it as a simple fact. “I don’t know you. And I’m not interested in you.”
The words hung in the air, stunning Mu Beiyun into silence. “Ah!”
The line of her suitors stretched from Mystic Heart City to the very gates of her sect. No matter where she went, she was the center of everyone’s attention.
Now, someone was not only rejecting her to her face but was declaring a complete lack of interest. She had never encountered such a situation in her life. It was utterly unbelievable.
Jiang Chen elaborated, eager to conclude the transaction. “The person who is truly interested in you—or rather, in the handkerchief—is a Senior Brother of mine named Long Ao.”
A flicker of recognition crossed Mu Beiyun’s face. “The one who took first place with you in the Thousand Sails Event?”
Jiang Chen nodded. “The very same. My Senior Brother is handsome and dashing, with dual Water and Wood Spirit Roots. He has already been accepted as a core disciple of an Immortal Peak. His future potential is limit…”
Mu Beiyun held up a hand, cutting him off. She clearly had no interest in hearing more. “I don’t care who it is. You may leave.”Jiang Chen’s mouth hung open, the rest of his praise left unsaid. Seeing that she was no longer even looking at him, he knew the conversation was over. He turned and walked away.
He had just reached the door, his hand poised to open it, when Mu Beiyun’s cool voice sounded from behind him once more, tinged with a hint of inquiry. “Your name is Jiang Chen, correct?”
“It is,” he replied without turning back.
Silence followed. When nothing else was said, Jiang Chen glanced over his shoulder. He found her attention once again completely absorbed by the Calyx Boat, which she turned over and over in her hands as if she hadn’t just spoken.
Jiang Chen tilted his head, unable to make sense of her, before pulling the door open.
With a soft creak, the pained cries from the hallway abruptly ceased.
The servants stood frozen in place. Long Xiyao had her younger brother, Long Chenyuan, by the ear and was twisting it mercilessly. The sound of the door opening made her whip her head around.
The scene fell utterly still. They all stared at one another, no one speaking, no one moving.
After a moment, Long Xiyao nonchalantly released her grip and feigned concern with a syrupy-sweet voice. “Little brother, how did you fall down? Does it hurt? Let your big sister have a look!”
A look of pure indignation was plastered on Long Chenyuan’s face. “You phony… Oww!”
Before he could finish, his ear was seized and twisted again, making him grimace in pain.
Watching the comical pair, a flash of envy crossed Jiang Chen’s eyes. He couldn’t help but murmur, “It must be nice to have family.”
His quiet remark made Mu Beiyun, the Long siblings, and all the surrounding servants freeze.
Jiang Chen didn’t linger to watch the rest of their drama unfold. He turned and strode away.
Upon leaving the pavilion, the unsettling sensation of being watched returned.
He couldn’t be bothered with it. He headed straight for the Shattered Demon Market and soon found Jin Fugui and the others purchasing various materials.
Most of the goods in the Shattered Demon Market were related to aquatic demons, sea monsters, and other treasures from the deep. Of course, anything truly valuable had long been claimed by the City Lord’s Mansion, the Five Great Clans, or other major powers. Only a tiny fraction ever trickled down to the public market.
Still, it was more than enough to satisfy the daily needs of cultivators from the Qi Condensation to the Foundation Establishment realm.
Li Xianglin, having Awakened her Fire Spirit Root, was now working as an alchemy apprentice in the Earth Fire District. Her days were spent assisting other alchemists, slowly accumulating experience and skill. Occasionally, she would attempt to refine simple, low-difficulty Pills herself.
“The prices here are incredible! Back in the sect, this would cost several times as many Spirit Stones!”
“These are local specialties, so of course they’re a better deal.”
“Go ahead and buy more. If you’re short on Spirit Stones, I have plenty.”
Once they had shopped to their hearts’ content, the group headed back.
Returning to their residence, Jiang Chen had barely stepped into his room when Long Ao materialized before him, his face alight with curiosity. “Junior Brother, you didn’t forget about the deal with Fairy Beiyun, did you?”
A mischievous glint appeared in Jiang Chen’s eye. He feigned a look of sudden realization. “Ah, Senior Brother, if you hadn’t reminded me, I would have completely forgotten.”
Long Ao’s face fell with disappointment. “I wonder if Fairy Beiyun has already left…”
Jiang Chen grinned, pulling out the Storage Bag and giving it a little shake. “Just messing with you.”
Long Ao stared for a second before it dawned on him. He shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “You little rascal!”
Jiang Chen tossed him the faintly fragrant handkerchief. “A deal’s a deal. The handkerchief is yours. The Shattered Moon Flowing Frost and the ten thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones are mine.”
Long Ao didn’t take it right away. He hesitated, then asked, “Are you truly not interested in Mu Beiyun?”
Jiang Chen countered without missing a beat, “Why should I be interested in a stranger?”
He then stuffed the handkerchief into Long Ao’s hands. “Don’t overthink it. I need to figure out how to use my new ride.”
Long Ao stood there, holding the handkerchief, looking utterly dazed.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen lounged on his couch, examining the palm-sized Shattered Moon Flowing Frost. Compared to the imposing Demon Dragon Water-Avoiding Boat, it was just as stylish but possessed a different kind of appeal. And next to the overtly feminine design of the Calyx Boat, its overall aesthetic was far more neutral.
It felt cool to the touch, shaped like an inverted crescent moon. Once enlarged, it could comfortably seat ten people. In a pinch, it could probably fit up to twenty.
This was his new mode of transport. The Giant Leaf could finally be retired.
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen placed a dual imprint of his spiritual sense and blood upon it. With the system’s aid, its details materialized in his mind.
**Shattered Moon Flowing Frost**
**Effect 1:** Superior Wind Control
**Effect 2:** Superior Water Control
**Effect 3:** Enhanced Durability
**Special Effect 1:** The lunar disc atop the mast glows silver in the presence of demonic aura.
**Special Effect 2:** Coats the vessel in a silver frost, temporarily boosting speed, defense, and ramming power.
***
Time flew, and soon it was the next morning.
Hearing that Jiang Chen, Long Ao, and their group were departing, Zhao Qianyun came to see them off personally. He even brought a generous amount of Mystic Heart City’s local specialties: Tide Sound Flowers, Canglan Pearls, Mermaid Silk Cloth, and jars of Canglan Drunk.
He hadn’t taken the easy route of presenting a single gift for the group to divide; instead, he had prepared a generous portion for each individual.
Zhao Qianyun smiled and cupped his hands. “Brother Long, Fellow Daoist Jiang, everyone, thank you for coming to Mystic Heart City to participate in the Thousand Sails Event!”
Jiang Chen and the others returned the gesture. “Thank you, Young City Lord, for your warm hospitality these past few days!”
Zhao Qianyun then added, as if the thought had just occurred to him, “By the way, if you’re still interested in Dream Island, the offer to return stands for the next seven days.”
Jiang Chen and his friends exchanged a look before decisively refusing. “Our apologies, but we have urgent matters awaiting us back at the sect.”
Zhao Qianyun’s smile never wavered. “In that case, I wish you all a smooth journey!”