Chapter 254: Chapter 218: I Need You
"This person is interesting."
Liu Ruyan watched Shen Wang’s back, her eyes wavering with interest.
She landed on the arena, right on a spot with bloodstains.
This was Shen Wang’s blood; though dried from the battle, she still sensed a strong life force.
Her gaze flickered, and she elegantly turned to float after Shen Wang in the direction he left.
Some people saw this and were immediately filled with envy, jealousy, and bitterness.
"As expected, only with strength can you catch the beauty’s attention."
"Senior Sister Liu rarely takes the initiative to talk to men her age, let alone those at the Foundation Establishment Stage."
"Still got to improve my strength, hoping someday Senior Sister will spare me a glance."
Under many eyes, Liu Ruyan confidently caught up with Shen Wang, who was about to return, and said, "Junior Brother, please wait."
Shen Wang stopped, sizing up the tall and graceful Liu Ruyan. She looked to be under a hundred years old, yet she had Golden Core Level cultivation—clearly a genius.
He said, "What can I do for you, Senior Sister?"
"I would like to get to know you, exchange cultivation insights, do you mind?"
Liu Ruyan smiled lightly, captivatingly.
"As long as you don’t mind I have wives and concubines."
Shen Wang smiled faintly. This woman’s cultivation was higher than his, yet she showed interest in him. She must have some purpose.
"Haha, Junior Brother is truly amusing. I came to find you to make friends with someone who understands arrays and can fight well. I have no current intention to become Dao Companions."
Liu Ruyan smiled calmly, unbothered by Shen Wang’s straightforwardness.
"Sure, we can be friends and see if we can develop into Dao Companions."
Shen Wang smiled. He was at the Golden Core Level too, so now he could boldly seek Golden Core Level Dao Companions.
"Alright, let’s see if Junior Brother is someone worth entrusting."
Liu Ruyan nodded, glancing at the people watching them. "How about we find a quiet place to talk?"
"Let’s go to the Hundred Fragrances Tower and have something to eat."
Shen Wang hadn’t forgotten the taste of Spiritual Snake Meat last time. With a beauty accompanying him, it was naturally better.
"Sure, I’ll treat."
Liu Ruyan generously offered.
"How about some Dragon Meat?" Shen Wang said casually.
"I can’t afford it. Don’t look at me as a Golden Core Cultivator; I’m actually very poor."
Liu Ruyan started to moan about her poverty.
"You haven’t even mentioned your background and name yet," Shen Wang said.
"Liu Ruyan from Alchemy Pavilion."
Liu Ruyan answered simply.
"A Pill King from Alchemy Pavilion without spirit stones? I don’t believe it."
Shen Wang expressed doubt. Alchemy was more profitable than refining arrays. After all, elixirs were consumed often, arrays weren’t needed all the time; a single array could last hundreds of years, a bottle of elixir couldn’t last a century.
"Truly not a single spirit stone, recently all my efforts to refine high-tier elixirs have been failures, I’m almost out of clothes."
Liu Ruyan said gloomily, "When I succeed and earn spirit stones, I’ll treat you then."
Hearing this, Shen Wang stopped at the Hundred Fragrances Tower’s entrance and looked at Liu Ruyan, "With your level, being in deficit, refining Top Grade Dharma Pills?"
"Yes, only challenges like these can push my limits."
Liu Ruyan nodded, "If I keep refining what I’m good at, my skill won’t improve much."
"Alright, I believe you. How about treating me to Spiritual Snake Meat today?"
Shen Wang said unceremoniously. This woman likely needed something from him, so there was no need to be polite.
"We can add Spiritual Rabbit and Spirit Goose Meat too. This much I can afford."
Liu Ruyan generously told the maid, "Bring a pot of Cyan Bamboo Wine."
Soon, they were seated in a private room. Shen Wang looked at the verdant wine, muttering, "Quite different from Red Flame Wine, containing much Essence of Plants."
"Red Flame Wine is fiery, while Cyan Bamboo Wine is milder. If you want more, I can order another pot."
Liu Ruyan offered.
"No need, let’s try the new flavor."
Shen Wang shook his head. Seeing the served roast goose, stir-fried rabbit cubes, and spiritual snake soup, he felt an appetite and picked up his chopsticks to start tasting.
Liu Ruyan smiled as she poured wine for Shen Wang, "Where are you from, Junior Brother?"
"From a fallen clan, the family is gone now."
Shen Wang said while enjoying the delicious roast goose.
"So, Junior Brother is a noble descendant from the lower class."
Liu Ruyan praised, "Being able to surpass someone like Yan Wuji, who comes from a strong family background, with such a common Body Refining Technique as Dragon-Suppressing Force."
"Talent isn’t just about origin. Even among ordinary people, geniuses can be born—he just had bad luck running into me."
Shen Wang said nonchalantly. He found the rabbit cubes tasty too, confirming in his heart that good ingredients were key; anything would taste good with them.
"Indeed, Junior Brother Wang’s talent is extraordinary."
Liu Ruyan nodded, "I see a strong bloodline in you, likely a reemergence of ancestral traits—a sign of your resurgence."
Shen Wang glanced at Liu Ruyan, who had eyes like two beautiful gems, realizing that his act of playing weak by bleeding had exposed the uniqueness of his bloodline.
He said, "Senior Sister Liu observes keenly. With such fierce combat, few noticed the drops of blood, especially since they were destroyed by the fight’s aftermath."
"An alchemist must be observant, or a furnace of elixir is ruined just like that. Isn’t it the same for you as an array master?"
Liu Ruyan said plainly.
"Indeed, so this is why you sought me out?"
Shen Wang quipped playfully. Liu Ruyan, being an alchemist, must have sensed the medicinal value of his blood, though she didn’t know about his Longevity Bloodline.
"Junior Brother is clever, deducing everything from a few words."
Liu Ruyan didn’t deny it, implicitly admitting her intent.
Shen Wang showed disappointment, "I thought you were attracted by my handsome face, agile body, and strong power, but it turns out you want my blood."