xiān zi miù zàn le ， lín mǒu zhǐ shì bǐ jiào xīn jí ， zài xià shēn shàng shí zài méi yǒu shén me hǎo de fáng yù fǎ qì ” suǒ yǐ cái jí zhe jiāng wū jīn lóng jiǎ dùn ná huí lái ér yǐ 。” lín jǐng hē le yī kǒu qīng chá ， suǒ shuō de huà yě bàn zhēn bàn jiǎ 。
仙子谬赞了，林某只是比较心急，在下身上实在没有什么好的防御法器”所以才急着将乌金龙甲盾拿回来而已。”林井喝了一口清茶，所说的话也半真半假。
Mistress Dong Fangming couldn't help but mutter to herself. She always had a good eye for people, yet there seemed to be something shrouded in mist around this Lin Xuan before her, making it impossible for her to see through him.
dōng fāng míng yù bù yóu de àn àn dí gū ， tā zì wèn shí rén de yǎn guāng yí xiàng bù cuò ， kě zhè wèi lín qián bèi shēn qián ， què fǎng fú lǒng zhào zhe yī céng mí wù ， ràng zì jǐ bàn diǎn yě kàn bù tòu de 。
东方明玉不由得暗暗嘀咕，她自问识人的眼光一向不错，可这位林前辈身前，却仿佛笼罩着一层迷雾，让自己半点也看不透的。
Even Lady Xiao and she had analyzed that he wasn’t even an Incubus Stage cultivator.
tā yǔ xiù yí shèn zhì hái fēn xī guò ， cǐ rén shèn zhì bú shì yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě 。
她与秀姨甚至还分析过，此人甚至不是元婴期修仙者。
Of course, all of this was just speculation. After all, they hadn't interacted much, so she couldn't be sure if he was truly concealing his cultivation.
dāng rán ， jǐn jǐn shì tuī cè ， bì jìng jiē chù bù duō ， yě bù gǎn jiù cǐ kěn dìng tā yí dìng yǐn cáng xiū wèi le 。
当然，仅仅是推测，毕竟接触不多，也不敢就此肯定他一定隐藏修为了。
But what did it matter anyway?
dàn jiù suàn shì yòu zěn me yàng le 。
但就算是又怎么样了。
Even if the other party were a Senior Ancestor at the Separation Stage, for her father, it would make no difference. It wouldn’t affect their grand plan in any way, and pursuing this further would be pointless.
jí shǐ duì fāng shì yī míng lí hé qī lǎo zǔ ， duì fù wáng lái shuō ” yě sī háo qū bié yě wú ， gēn běn yǐng xiǎng bú dào cǐ cì de dà jì ， zhuī jiū xià qù méi yǒu yì yì 。
即使对方是一名离合期老祖，对父王来说”也丝毫区别也无，根本影响不到此次的大计，追究下去没有意义。
Moreover, Mistress Dong Fangming wasn't heartless. She was deeply grateful to Lin Xuan for his help. When Lady Xiao wasn't by her side, facing the relentless pressure from the White Foolish Young Master of Beast Island had indeed been a headache.
hé kuàng dōng fāng míng yù bìng fēi méi xīn méi fèi de nǚ zǐ ， duì yú lín xuān chū shǒu xiàng zhù ， nèi xīn hái shì fēi cháng gǎn sàn ， dāng shí xiù yí bù zài shēn cè ， miàn duì wàn shòu dǎo bái chī shǎo jiān de bù bù jǐn bī ， què rán tóu téng yǐ jí 。
何况东方明玉并非没心没肺的女子，对于林轩出手相助，内心还是非常感散，当时秀姨不在身侧，面对万兽岛白痴少尖的步步紧逼，确然头疼以极。
Of course, she wouldn’t reveal any of these thoughts. After all, she belonged to the Sea Race and could be considered their leader in a simple sense.
dāng rán ， zhè xiē xīn sī ， tā yě bú huì yǒu fēn háo biǎo lù ， bì jìng zì jǐ nǎi shì hǎi zú ， jiǎn dān de shuō ， jiù shì gè wèi qí zhǔ 。
当然，这些心思，她也不会有分毫表露，毕竟自己乃是海族，简单的说，就是各位其主。
"Senior, you're jesting," Lin Xuan said with a sip of clear tea. His words were half-true, half-false.
“ qián bèi shuō xiào huà le ， shàng cì nín de jiě wéi zhī dé ， míng yù hái méi yǒu xiè guò ， xiū xiān jiè xiàng nín zhè yàng chú qiáng fú ruò de dào yǒu ， shù liàng kě shì bù duō 。” cǐ nǚ zài shēn páng luò zuò ， fǎng fú yì yǒu suǒ zhǐ de kāi kǒu le 。
“前辈说笑话了，上次您的解围之德，明玉还没有谢过，修仙界像您这样锄强扶弱的道友，数量可是不多。”此女在身旁落座，仿佛意有所指的开口了。
Eastern Bright Jade couldn't help but mutter again. She had always been good at recognizing people, yet this Lin Senior seemed to be wrapped in a veil that she could not penetrate.
“ dào yǒu miù zàn le ” lín mǒu zhǐ shì kàn bù guò nà xiǎo zi xiāo zhāng bá hù ， bù jiāng tiān xià yīng xióng fàng zài yǎn zhōng ， hé kuàng tā xiū wèi suī rán bù ruò ， què zhǐ shì yí gè huā jià zi bān de jiā huo ， yǒu shén me hǎo hài pà de 。” lín xuān fǎng fú méi yǒu tīng chū duì fāng de yán wài zhī yì ， yǔ qì qīng miáo dàn xiě yǐ jí 。
“道友谬赞了”林某只是看不过那小子嚣张跋扈，不将天下英雄放在眼中，何况他修为虽然不弱，却只是一个huā架子般的家伙，有什么好害怕的。”林轩仿佛没有听出对方的言外之意，语气轻描淡写以极。
Lady Xiao and she even analyzed that he wasn’t an Incubus Stage cultivator.
“ duì le ， lín mǒu nǎi shì gū jiā guǎ rén yí gè ， wǒ de xíng zōng xiāng bì nà wèi wàn shòu dǎo shǎo zhǔ yě bìng bù qīng chǔ ， jí biàn xiǎng yào bào fù ， yě zhǎo bú dào shì zhǔ ， dǎo shì yì diǎn dà ài yě wú ， rán ér xiān zi bù tóng ， tā chī le kǔ tóu ， nán dào méi yǒu lái sāo rǎo guì diàn pù ？” xiǎng dǎ tàn zì jǐ de xū shí ， lín xuān shì hé děng jiǎo huá de rén wù ， yī jù huà jiù fǎn kè wéi zhǔ 。
“对了，林某乃是孤家寡人一个，我的行踪相必那位万兽岛少主也并不清楚，即便想要报复，也找不到事主，倒是一点大碍也无，然而仙子不同，他吃了苦头，难道没有来骚扰贵店铺？”想打探自己的虚实，林轩是何等狡猾的人物，一句话就反客为主。
Of course, it was just speculation since they hadn’t interacted much, so she couldn’t be sure if he was truly concealing his cultivation.
“ qián bèi zhēn shì gǔ dào rè cháng ， bù guò běn diàn pù ， bìng méi yǒu yù jiàn shén me má fán de 。” dōng fāng míng yù yǎn kǒu qīng xiào shuō 。
“前辈真是古道热肠，不过本店铺，并没有遇见什么麻烦的。”东方明玉掩口轻笑说。
But what did it matter?
“ ó ， mò fēi duì fāng chī le yī cì kǔ tóu ， jiù yǎn qí xī gǔ ， nà kě bù zěn me xiàng nà wèi xiāo zhāng shǎo zhǔ de fēng gé 。” lín xuān yǒu xiē chà yì le 。
“哦，莫非对方吃了一次苦头，就偃旗息鼓，那可不怎么像那位嚣张少主的风格。”林轩有些诧异了。
Even if the other party were a Senior Ancestor at the Separation Stage, for her father, it would make no difference. It wouldn't affect their grand plan in any way, and pursuing this further would be pointless.
“ zhè dào bú shì ” qián bèi yǒu yì bù zhī ， nà rì wèi jiàn xún chá xiū shì ， jù shuō shì dāng zhí zhī rén ， shàn lí zhí shǒu ， shì hòu hóng yè dǎo zhǔ yǐ qīn lín bǐ diàn pù ， duì xiǎo nǚ zǐ zuò le yī fān ān fǔ ” bù jǐn péi cháng le diàn nèi de sǔn shī ” ér qiě hái dāng zhòng xuān bù ， ràng wǒ men ān xīn zuò shēng yì ， zhè jiàn shì qíng ， běn shì hóng yè dǎo fèn nèi zhī shì ， yóu tā jiē xià liáng zi ， qīn zì qù yǔ wàn shòu zūn zhě jiāo shè 。”
“这倒不是”前辈有异不知，那日未见巡查修士，据说是当值之人，擅离职守，事后红叶岛主已亲临鄙店铺，对小女子做了一番安抚”不仅赔偿了店内的损失”而且还当众宣布，让我们安心做生意，这件事情，本是红叶岛分内之事，由她接下粱子，亲自去与万兽尊者交涉。”
"Senior, you have a warm heart," Eastern Bright Jade said with a light laugh as she sat down beside him, seemingly implying something.
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
"Friend, you flatter me." Lin Xuan seemed to miss the underlying meaning of her words. His tone was light and casual.
lín xuān bù yóu de dà gǎn è rán ， nà rì jiàn le hóng yè dǎo de biǎo xiàn ， tā bù yóu xīn cún bǐ yí ， méi xiǎng dào zhè wèi nián qīng de nǚ dǎo zhǔ ， què rú cǐ yǒu pò lì 。
林轩不由得大感愕然，那日见了红叶岛的表现，他不由心存鄙夷，没想到这位年轻的女岛主，却如此有魄力。
"By the way, I am a lone wanderer without any family or friends. My whereabouts are unknown to that Beast Island Young Master, so even if he wants revenge, he won’t be able to find me," Lin Xuan said, turning the tables with his cunning. "However, your Ladyship is different. He took a beating; hasn't he been bothering your shop?"
bù cuò ， bù cuò ， kàn lái xún chá xiū shì tān shēng pà sǐ dào bú shì tā de shòu yì le 。
不错，不错，看来巡查修士贪生怕死倒不是她的授意了。
"Senior has a warm heart," Eastern Bright Jade said with a light laugh.
cǐ nǚ zhè me zuò ， biǎo miàn shàng shì rě xià le dà má fán ， qí shí què yǒu hěn dà de hǎo chù ， bù jǐn néng jiāng bù lì de yǐng xiǎng xiāo chú ， ér qiě hái néng dà dà tí shēng hóng yè dǎo de rén xīn shì qì 。
此女这么做，表面上是惹下了大麻烦，其实却有很大的好处，不仅能将不利的影响消除，而且还能大大提升红叶岛的人心士气。
"Oh? Perhaps after taking a hit, he decided to lay low?" Lin Xuan was surprised.
yǐ ruò dòu qiáng ， tā zhè yàng zuò ” jué duì shì zhèng què xuǎn zé ” lín xuān zuǐ shàng bù shuō ” nèi xīn shēn chù ， yě yǒu xiē guā mù xiāng kàn le 。
以弱斗强，她这样做”绝对是正确选择”林轩嘴上不说”内心深处，也有些刮目相看了。
"Not exactly." Senior, you might not know this, but on that day, there were no patrol cultivators. It’s rumored that the on-duty person left their post without permission. Afterward, the Head of Red Leaf Island personally visited my shop and comforted me. She compensated for the losses in the store and publicly announced that we could continue our business with peace of mind. This matter was within her jurisdiction, so she took it upon herself to handle it."
dāng rán ， pèi fú guī pèi fú ， liǎng dǎo de fēn zhēng ， tā kě méi yǒu shén me xìng qù jiǎo hé 。
当然，佩服归佩服，两岛的纷争，他可没有什么兴趣搅合。
"Oh?"
zhè xiē xián wài zhī huà hái shì shǎo shuō ， zǎo diǎn jìn rù zhèng tí hǎo le 。
这些弦外之话还是少说，早点进入正题好了。
Lin Xuan was taken aback by this revelation. He had seen Red Leaf Island’s actions on that day and felt disdain towards them. He never expected such a young female island leader to be so bold.
“ hāi hāi ， néng gòu jiāng wài huàn xiāo chú ， lín mǒu zài zhè lǐ ， xiān gōng xǐ xiān zi le ， wǒ cǐ cì lái dào le guì diàn ， shì wèi le shàng cì de jiāo yì ， bù zhī dào lín mǒu de bǎo wù ， kě yǐ jīng xiū fù 。”
“咳咳，能够将外患消除，林某在这里，先恭喜仙子了，我此次来到了贵店，是为了上次的交易，不知道林某的宝物，可已经修复。”
Indeed, indeed. It seemed the patrol cultivator's cowardice wasn’t her doing after all.
“ qián bèi fàng xīn ， wǒ bǎi bǎo lóu ， suī rán bù gǎn shuō shì shén me shí lì qiáng dà de diàn pù ， dàn duì yú xìn yù ， yí xiàng hái shì fēi cháng zhù zhòng de ， yī qiè wèi le gù kè ， yī qiè yǐ gù kè de xīn yuàn wéi zhǔ ， jì rán qiān xià xuè zhòu wén shū ， qián bèi de bǎo wù ， dāng rán huì àn qī jiāo fù 。”
“前辈放心，我百宝楼，虽然不敢说是什么实力强大的店铺，但对于信誉，一向还是非常注重的，一切为了顾客，一切以顾客的心愿为主，既然签下血咒文书，前辈的宝物，当然会按期交付。”
This woman’s move not only created a significant problem but also greatly boosted the morale of Red Leaf Island. By weakening their enemies, she made the right choice. Although Lin Xuan didn't say anything, he couldn't help but look at her with new respect.
dōng fāng míng yù shén sè zhèn dìng de shuō ， suí hòu yù shǒu yī fú ， zhǐ jiàn yī dào yào mù de líng guāng shǎn guò ， yī bā zhǎng dà xiǎo de dùn pái jiù chū xiàn zài yǎn pīn le 。
东方明玉神色镇定的说，随后玉手一拂，只见一道耀目的灵光闪过，一巴掌大小的盾牌就出现在眼拼了。
Of course, while he admired her, he had no interest in getting involved in the conflict between the two islands.
wū hēi fà liàng ！
乌黑发亮！
Such subtleties were best left unsaid; it was better to get straight to the point.
què yòu sàn fà zhe yī zhǒng àn jīn sè de guāng zé ， biǎo miàn shàng de huā wén yě fēi cháng qí tè ， jū rán yǔ lóng lín chà bu duō 。
却又散发着一种暗金色的光泽，表面上的huā纹也非常奇特，居然与龙鳞差不多。
"Ahem. Being able to eliminate external threats, I wish to congratulate you, Ladyship. I came here for our previous transaction. Do you have my treasure repaired?"
kàn zhe jiǔ wéi de bǎo wù ， lín xuān yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī lǚ xǐ sè 。
看着久违的宝物，林轩眼中闪过一缕喜色。
"Don't worry, Senior. While we may not be a powerhouse shop, we always place great importance on reputation. Everything is centered around the customer's wishes. Since you signed the blood curse document, your treasure will definitely be delivered as agreed," Eastern Bright Jade said calmly.
qí líng guāng àng rán de yàng zi ” xiǎn rán yǐ jīng xiū fù ， lín xuān shēn chū yòu shǒu ， qīng qīng yī gōu ， zhè dōng xī ， suī bú shì tā de běn mìng bǎo wù ， dàn gēn suí le zhè me jiǔ ， duō shǎo hái shì zhān rǎn le yī xiē lín xuān de yìn jì ， lì kè tōng líng de luò dào le tā de shǒu lǐ 。
其灵光盎然的样子”显然已经修复，林轩伸出右手，轻轻一勾，这东西，虽不是他的本命宝物，但跟随了这么久，多少还是沾染了一些林轩的印记，立刻通灵的落到了他的手里。
A dazzling light flashed as she waved her jade hand, and a shield about the size of a palm appeared before Lin Xuan’s eyes.
qū zhǐ wēi dàn ， yī gǔ piáo hòu zhòng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr biān ， suí hòu lín xuān lüè yī bǎ wán ， jiù fēn chū xiē xǔ fǎ lì zhù rù lǐ miàn 。
屈指微弹，一古朴厚重的声音传入耳边，随后林轩略一把玩，就分出些许法力注入里面。
It was pitch black but emitted an eerie golden glow. The floral patterns on its surface were peculiar, almost resembling dragon scales.
dùn shí ， líng guāng yī shǎn ， wú shù shēn ào yì cháng de fú wén cóng cǐ bǎo de biǎo miàn sàn fà chū lái ， yī céng níng hòu de guāng mù ， píng kōng ér qǐ ， lín xuān liǎn shàng de shén sè ， yě yóu yà rán zhuǎn wéi dà xǐ 。
顿时，灵光一闪，无数深奥异常的符文从此宝的表面散发出来，一层凝厚的光幕，凭空而起，林轩脸上的神色，也由讶然转为大喜。
Seeing his long-lost treasure, a hint of joy flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes.
yǒu xiē bù gǎn xiāng xìn de fàng chū shén shí ， shì le shì ， liàn rán méi cuò 。
有些不敢相信的放出神识，试了试，练然没错。
The shield was clearly repaired with its radiant light. Lin Xuan extended his right hand and gently hooked it. Although not his primary treasure, it had followed him for so long that some of Lin Xuan’s essence had been imbued into it, making it instantly responsive to his touch.
“ qián bèi ， rú hé ， duì yú běn diàn de xiū fù gōng yì ， kě hái gǎn dào mǎn yì me ？” dōng fāng míng yù hē le yī kǒu líng chá de kāi kǒu le 。
“前辈，如何，对于本店的修复工艺，可还感到满意么？”东方明玉喝了一口灵茶的开口了。
He flicked his fingers, and an ancient and substantial voice entered his ears. After playing with the shield a bit, he injected some magical energy into it.
“ qǐ zhǐ shì mǎn yì ， cǐ dùn de fáng yù lì ， qǐ mǎ tí shēng le liǎng chéng yǒu yú 。” lín xuān yě suàn chéng fǔ jí shēn de rén wù ” rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， yě nán yǐ yǎn shì yǎn zhōng de kuáng xǐ zhī sè 。
“岂止是满意，此盾的防御力，起码提升了两成有余。”林轩也算城府极深的人物”然而此时此刻，也难以掩饰眼中的狂喜之色。
Instantly, a thick layer of light appeared from its surface, emitting countless profound symbols. Lin Xuan’s expression changed from surprise to joy.
liàn qì shù zuò wèi xiū xiān bǎi yì ， tā yǐ qián tóng yàng céng jīng shè liè guò yī xiē 。
炼器术做为修仙百艺，他以前同样曾经涉猎过一些。
He cautiously released his divine sense to test it, confirming that everything was in order.
suī rán tán bù shàng zōng shī jí ， dàn shuō chéng nèi háng zhì shǎo méi yǒu shén me cuò 。
虽然谈不上宗师级，但说成内行至少没有什么错。
"Senior, how do you find our repair work?" Eastern Bright Jade asked after sipping her spiritual tea.
yuè shì yuán běn jiù pǐn jí bù cuò de bǎo wù ” xiǎng yào zēng qiáng xī de fáng yù míng xiǎn shì yuè nán de ， zhè jiù yǔ gāo shǒu bǐ cài niǎo gèng nán shēng jí shì yī yàng de dào lǐ 。
越是原本就品级不错的宝物”想要增强牺的防御明显是越难的，这就与高手比菜鸟更难升级是一样的道理。
"Not just satisfactory; the defensive power of this shield has increased by more than twenty percent," Lin Xuan said with a deep expression. Although he had great depth, his joy was hard to conceal at that moment.
wū jīn lóng jiǎ dùn de pǐn zhì ， yuán běn jiù bù dī ， duì fāng jū rán jiāng xī de wēi néng ， tí shēng le liǎng chéng yǒu yú ， zhè zhōng jiān dé yǒu duō dà de fù chū ， lín xuān suī rán bù qīng chǔ ， dàn dà tǐ shàng ， duō shǎo hái shì néng gòu tuī duàn chū yī xiē de 。
乌金龙甲盾的品质，原本就不低，对方居然将牺的威能，提升了两成有余，这中间得有多大的付出，林轩虽然不清楚，但大体上，多少还是能够推断出一些的。
Refinement techniques were one of the hundred arts in cultivation, and he had once dabbled in them. While not reaching master level, he could be considered an expert.
huān xǐ zhī yú ， tā de biǎo qíng bù yóu de guī yú yán sù 。
欢喜之余，他的表情不由得归于严肃。
The harder it is to enhance a treasure’s defense, the higher its original grade. This was similar to how experts find it more challenging to advance than beginners.
“ zěn me ， qián bèi mò fēi bù mǎn yì me ？” dōng fāng míng yù yǒu diǎn chà yì de kāi kǒu le 。
“怎么，前辈莫非不满意么？”东方明玉有点诧异的开口了。
The quality of the Black Dragon Shield wasn’t low to begin with, and they had managed to increase its power by over twenty percent. Lin Xuan couldn’t know exactly how much effort went into this, but he could roughly deduce it.
“ bú shì bù mǎn yì ， ér shì zhè ge rén qíng tài dà le 。”
“不是不满意，而是这个人情太大了。”
Overjoyed, his expression turned serious.
lín xuān xīn lǐ yǒu shù ， dāng chū de hé yuē jǐn jǐn shì xiū fù ， duì fāng què dà fèi zhōu zhāng de zhè me zuò ， zhè ge rén qíng kě bù róng yì hái de 。
林轩心里有数，当初的合约仅仅是修复，对方却大费周章的这么做，这个人情可不容易还的。
"Is there something wrong?" Eastern Bright Jade asked in surprise.
bì jìng tí shēng bǎo wù wēi lì zhè zhǒng shì ， nǐ jiù suàn yǒu jīng shí ， duì fāng shí yǒu ** yě bú huì yuàn yì zuò ， zhōng jiān xiāo hào de jīng shí yǔ cái liào bù jì qí shù 。
毕竟提升宝物威力这种事，你就算有晶石，对方十有**也不会愿意做，中间消耗的晶石与材料不计其数。
"Not unsatisfactory; the favor is too great."
zhè zhǒng hǎo shì ， tóng yàng shì yǒu jià wú shì 。
这种好事，同样是有价无市。
Lin Xuan knew that their contract was just for repair work, yet they had gone to such lengths. Repaying this favor would be difficult.
“ rén qíng ， qián bèi kè qì le ， bù mán nǐ shuō ， qiè shēn zhè yàng zuò ， zhǐ shì wèi le hái nǐ dāng rì jiě wéi zhī qíng de 。”
“人情，前辈客气了，不瞒你说，妾身这样做，只是为了还你当日解围之情的。”
After all, no one would willingly spend countless crystals and materials to enhance a treasure’s power unless forced.
“ ń ， xū yào duō shǎo jīng shí ， lín mǒu suī rán shuō bù shàng fù yù ， dàn hái shì xiǎo yǒu shēn jiā dì ， xiān zi shèng qíng ” zài xià xīn lǐng ， dàn yě bú huì ràng mí zuò péi běn shēng yì 。” lín xuān mò rán piàn kè ， huǎn huǎn kāi kǒu le 。
“嗯，需要多少晶石，林某虽然说不上富裕，但还是小有身家地，仙子盛情”在下心领，但也不会让弥做赔本生意。”林轩默然片刻，缓缓开口了。
"This favor, Senior, you flatter me," Eastern Bright Jade said with a light laugh. "To be honest, I did this solely to repay your help on that day."
“ qián bèi zhè shì shén me huà ， dāng qiè shēn shì bù zhī dào zhī ēn tú bào de rén ma ， xiū fù cǐ bǎo de jià gé ， wǒ men dāng rì jiù shuō hǎo ， hái qiān xià xuè zhòu wén shū ， bā wàn ， qián bèi ná lái jiù xíng le 。”
“前辈这是什么话，当妾身是不知道知恩图报的人吗，修复此宝的价格，我们当日就说好，还签下血咒文书，八万，前辈拿来就行了。”
"Indeed, how many crystals do you need? Although I may not be wealthy, I still have some assets. Your Ladyship’s kindness is appreciated, but I won’t let you make a loss," Lin Xuan said after a moment of silence.
"What are you saying? Do you think I’m someone who doesn’t know the value of gratitude?" Eastern Bright Jade asked with a smile. "The price for repairing this treasure was agreed upon on that day and written in the blood curse document—eight thousand crystals, Senior."
Lin Xuan nodded, his expression serious.
Mistress Dong Fangming couldn't help but mutter to herself. She always had a good eye for people, yet there seemed to be something shrouded in mist around this Lin Xuan before her, making it impossible for her to see through him.
Even Lady Xiao and she had analyzed that he wasn’t even an Incubus Stage cultivator.
Of course, all of this was just speculation. After all, they hadn't interacted much, so she couldn't be sure if he was truly concealing his cultivation.
But what did it matter anyway?
Even if the other party were a Senior Ancestor at the Separation Stage, for her father, it would make no difference. It wouldn’t affect their grand plan in any way, and pursuing this further would be pointless.
Moreover, Mistress Dong Fangming wasn't heartless. She was deeply grateful to Lin Xuan for his help. When Lady Xiao wasn't by her side, facing the relentless pressure from the White Foolish Young Master of Beast Island had indeed been a headache.
Of course, she wouldn’t reveal any of these thoughts. After all, she belonged to the Sea Race and could be considered their leader in a simple sense.
"Senior, you're jesting," Lin Xuan said with a sip of clear tea. His words were half-true, half-false.
Eastern Bright Jade couldn't help but mutter again. She had always been good at recognizing people, yet this Lin Senior seemed to be wrapped in a veil that she could not penetrate.
Lady Xiao and she even analyzed that he wasn’t an Incubus Stage cultivator.
Of course, it was just speculation since they hadn’t interacted much, so she couldn’t be sure if he was truly concealing his cultivation.
But what did it matter?
Even if the other party were a Senior Ancestor at the Separation Stage, for her father, it would make no difference. It wouldn't affect their grand plan in any way, and pursuing this further would be pointless.
"Senior, you have a warm heart," Eastern Bright Jade said with a light laugh as she sat down beside him, seemingly implying something.
"Friend, you flatter me." Lin Xuan seemed to miss the underlying meaning of her words. His tone was light and casual.
"By the way, I am a lone wanderer without any family or friends. My whereabouts are unknown to that Beast Island Young Master, so even if he wants revenge, he won’t be able to find me," Lin Xuan said, turning the tables with his cunning. "However, your Ladyship is different. He took a beating; hasn't he been bothering your shop?"
"Senior has a warm heart," Eastern Bright Jade said with a light laugh.
"Oh? Perhaps after taking a hit, he decided to lay low?" Lin Xuan was surprised.
"Not exactly." Senior, you might not know this, but on that day, there were no patrol cultivators. It’s rumored that the on-duty person left their post without permission. Afterward, the Head of Red Leaf Island personally visited my shop and comforted me. She compensated for the losses in the store and publicly announced that we could continue our business with peace of mind. This matter was within her jurisdiction, so she took it upon herself to handle it."
"Oh?"
Lin Xuan was taken aback by this revelation. He had seen Red Leaf Island’s actions on that day and felt disdain towards them. He never expected such a young female island leader to be so bold.
Indeed, indeed. It seemed the patrol cultivator's cowardice wasn’t her doing after all.
This woman’s move not only created a significant problem but also greatly boosted the morale of Red Leaf Island. By weakening their enemies, she made the right choice. Although Lin Xuan didn't say anything, he couldn't help but look at her with new respect.
Of course, while he admired her, he had no interest in getting involved in the conflict between the two islands.
Such subtleties were best left unsaid; it was better to get straight to the point.
"Ahem. Being able to eliminate external threats, I wish to congratulate you, Ladyship. I came here for our previous transaction. Do you have my treasure repaired?"
"Don't worry, Senior. While we may not be a powerhouse shop, we always place great importance on reputation. Everything is centered around the customer's wishes. Since you signed the blood curse document, your treasure will definitely be delivered as agreed," Eastern Bright Jade said calmly.
A dazzling light flashed as she waved her jade hand, and a shield about the size of a palm appeared before Lin Xuan’s eyes.
It was pitch black but emitted an eerie golden glow. The floral patterns on its surface were peculiar, almost resembling dragon scales.
Seeing his long-lost treasure, a hint of joy flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes.
The shield was clearly repaired with its radiant light. Lin Xuan extended his right hand and gently hooked it. Although not his primary treasure, it had followed him for so long that some of Lin Xuan’s essence had been imbued into it, making it instantly responsive to his touch.
He flicked his fingers, and an ancient and substantial voice entered his ears. After playing with the shield a bit, he injected some magical energy into it.
Instantly, a thick layer of light appeared from its surface, emitting countless profound symbols. Lin Xuan’s expression changed from surprise to joy.
He cautiously released his divine sense to test it, confirming that everything was in order.
"Senior, how do you find our repair work?" Eastern Bright Jade asked after sipping her spiritual tea.
"Not just satisfactory; the defensive power of this shield has increased by more than twenty percent," Lin Xuan said with a deep expression. Although he had great depth, his joy was hard to conceal at that moment.
Refinement techniques were one of the hundred arts in cultivation, and he had once dabbled in them. While not reaching master level, he could be considered an expert.
The harder it is to enhance a treasure’s defense, the higher its original grade. This was similar to how experts find it more challenging to advance than beginners.
The quality of the Black Dragon Shield wasn’t low to begin with, and they had managed to increase its power by over twenty percent. Lin Xuan couldn’t know exactly how much effort went into this, but he could roughly deduce it.
Overjoyed, his expression turned serious.
"Is there something wrong?" Eastern Bright Jade asked in surprise.
"Not unsatisfactory; the favor is too great."
Lin Xuan knew that their contract was just for repair work, yet they had gone to such lengths. Repaying this favor would be difficult.
After all, no one would willingly spend countless crystals and materials to enhance a treasure’s power unless forced.
"This favor, Senior, you flatter me," Eastern Bright Jade said with a light laugh. "To be honest, I did this solely to repay your help on that day."
"Indeed, how many crystals do you need? Although I may not be wealthy, I still have some assets. Your Ladyship’s kindness is appreciated, but I won’t let you make a loss," Lin Xuan said after a moment of silence.
"What are you saying? Do you think I’m someone who doesn’t know the value of gratitude?" Eastern Bright Jade asked with a smile. "The price for repairing this treasure was agreed upon on that day and written in the blood curse document—eight thousand crystals, Senior."
Lin Xuan nodded, his expression serious.