Chapter 40: A Transaction and 350x Cashback

Yu Liang walked out of the pavilion with the crowd, but his steps slowed once they reached the main path. Ding Yun was still beside him, chattering about the lecture, when Yu Liang stopped and turned to face him.

"Ding Yun, do you have time right now?"

The round disciple blinked, surprised by the sudden seriousness in Yu Liang’s tone.

"Time? Sure, I’ve got nothing urgent. Why?"

Yu Liang glanced around briefly, then lowered his voice.

"There’s a matter I need your help with. Something serious and If you can handle it, you’ll profit immensely from it."

Ding Yun’s expression shifted instantly. The easy smile faded, replaced by sharp attention. His eyes studied Yu Liang carefully, as though seeing him for the first time.

"Serious, huh?" Ding Yun’s voice lost its casual tone. "Alright. You’ve got my attention Mr. Genius, where do you want to talk?"

"Come let’s talk about it at my cave as It’s near."

Ding Yun nodded. The two of them separated themselves from the group and made their way to the south district. Both of them remained silent, no longer discussing the lecture as they had before. It seemed that Ding Yun’s mind was working, considering possibilities.

When they reached Yu Liang’s cave, he unlocked the door with his jade token and gestured for Ding Yun to enter. The inside was simple and clean, with only the basic furnishings. Ding Yun glanced around briefly before settling onto the cushion near the low table.

Yu Liang sat across from him with calm expression.

"I’ll get straight to the point," Yu Liang said. "I need materials and a lot of them."

Ding Yun leaned forward slightly. "What kind of materials?"

Yu Liang pulled out a piece of parchment from his sleeve and set it on the table. It was a list, written in neat characters.

"Crimson-Eyed Frost Bear marrow, Blood Root, Jade Essence powder, Thousand Year Ginseng, Blacksteel Ore, Spirit Spring Water and several others."

Ding Yun picked up the list, eyes scanning the names. His expression didn’t change at first, but as he read further his brow furrowed and by the time he reached the end, his gaze snapped up to meet Yu Liang’s.

"This..." Ding Yun’s voice carried disbelief. "This is a body cultivation technique, isn’t it? And not a cheap one at that."

"Yes."

Ding Yun set the list down carefully, as though it might explode.

These were not regular cultivation resources that one could simply buy in the local market. The marrow of the Crimson-Eyed Frost Bear was from a very powerful spirit beast, Blood Root was quite hard to obtain, and Thousand Year Ginseng took centuries to grow. Even the Spirit Spring Water was from very rare spiritual springs that were not easily found.

The other materials were not any cheaper either. Jade Essence powder and Blacksteel Ore were both highly valued when it came to refining pills and making artifacts, and having all of these materials together increased their price tremendously. It could be done but buying them together that presented the actual difficulty.

"Yu Liang, do you understand what you’re asking for? Each of these materials is expensive on its own and together?" He shook his head. "You’re looking at tens of thousands of spiritual stones. Maybe more, depending on availability."

Yu Liang nodded. "I know."

"And you want all of this? Not just one cycle’s worth?"

"I want enough for multiple cycles. The more I can stockpile now, the better."

Ding Yun stared at him, then let out a slow breath. "You’re serious."

"Completely."

Ding Yun leaned back, fingers drumming on the table. His mind was clearly racing.

"Alright. Let’s say I can get these materials. And I can as you know I’ve got connections with suppliers, both inside and outside the sect. But it’s going to take time, and more importantly it’s going to cost you."

"How much time?"

"A month. Maybe less if I push hard."

"That’s acceptable."

Ding Yun’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And the money? You’ve that kind of wealth?"

Yu Liang met his gaze evenly. "Don’t worry about the money."

Ding Yun studied him for a long moment. His earlier assumptions about Yu Liang being another poor disciple who had clawed his way up from the handyman quarters with nothing but grit began to change.

There was something else at play here. Something Yu Liang hadn’t revealed.

Ding Yun’s thoughts began to race. Was there a backer behind him? A family backing him who did not want to reveal themselves? An inheritance or treasure trove? Whatever it was, Yu Liang obviously had some backing that he wasn’t bragging about.

And Ding Yun knew better than to pry too deeply. Information was valuable, but so was discretion. If Yu Liang wanted to keep his sources private, that was his business.

Ding Yun grinned suddenly, the sharpness in his eyes softening into something more familiar.

"Alright. I can work with this and leave it to me. Within a month, I’ll have everything on this list delivered to your cave."

He picked up the parchment again, grin widening.

"As for the price... let’s see. Total cost for these materials, given current market rates and availability, will be around forty thousand low grade spiritual stones. Adding my commission... let’s call it ten percent and you’re looking at forty four thousand total."

Yu Liang said with a smile. "Acceptable."

Ding Yun blinked, momentarily caught off guard by how quickly Yu Liang agreed. Most disciples would have tried to negotiate, to bargain down the commission. But Yu Liang just... accepted it.

"Good," Ding Yun said, recovering quickly. "I’ll need half upfront to secure the suppliers. The rest when I deliver."

Yu Liang reached into his robe and withdrew his storage ring. He pressed his palm against it, and a moment later a leather pouch appeared on the table with a heavy thud.

Ding Yun’s eyes widened slightly.

Yu Liang pushed the pouch toward him. "That’s forty four thousand. Full payment now as I trust you’ll get me everything on the list."

Ding Yun stared at the pouch, then at Yu Liang, then back at the pouch. His mouth opened, then closed.

"You’re... paying in full? Right now?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No, I just—" Ding Yun shook his head, a laugh escaping him. "Most people pay in stages. Or set up a contract. Or at least haggle a bit."

Yu Liang’s lips curved slightly. "You see, I prefer to settle things quickly."

Ding Yun picked up the pouch, testing its weight, then opened it and glanced inside. The spiritual stones glinted faintly, packed tightly together. He closed it again and looked at Yu Liang with a new expression with part respect, part curiosity.

"You’re full of surprises, Yu Liang."

[ Ding! Host has spent 40,000 low grade spiritual stones ]

[ Multiplier Triggered: 350x ]

[ Host receives 14,000,000 low grade spiritual stones ]

Yu Liang said nothing. He just watched as Ding Yun tucked the pouch into his own storage ring.

Ding Yun stood, grin back in full force.

"Alright, in one month everything on that list will be here. You’ve got my word on it."

"Thank you."

Ding Yun paused at the door, glancing back.

"You know, I’m starting to think you’re not just some lucky guy who happens stumbled your way here. There’s more to you than you’re letting on."

Yu Liang smiled playfully. "Ohh, does it matter?"

Ding Yun chuckled. "Not to me. As long as the money is in place, I don’t care where you come from."

He left and the door closed softly behind him.

Yu Liang sat in silence for a moment, then exhaled slowly. The transaction was done and materials would arrive within a month, and he could begin the Iron Marrow Refinement Method properly.

But he couldn’t just sit idle while waiting.

He stood and moved to the small desk, pulling out a fresh sheet of parchment. His brush moved quickly, listing missions from the mission hall that he’d noted earlier.

Herb gathering, Beast hunting, Escort duties and Patrol assignments.

Nothing too difficult, but enough to keep him active and build his reputation as someone who worked consistently.

Over the next few days, Yu Liang threw himself into missions with a vigor that surprised even him. He took on three tasks in the first week more than most outer disciples completed in a month. Each one was finished efficiently, without fuss, and his contribution points began to accumulate steadily.

Other disciples started to notice it too. The ’former handyman disciple’ who had broken through after battle was now constantly on the move, always taking missions and coming back successful.

Yu Liang didn’t slow down. He kept moving, kept working, letting his actions speak louder than words.