As for the additional two hundred Stone-Clad Wolves that Young Master Su had personally purchased from Bai Xifeng, he made a formal request that she temporarily keep the carcasses stored inside her personal storage rune. Since the rune possessed the extraordinary ability to preserve everything within its spatial anchor in a perfectly frozen state, without even the slightest hint of biological deterioration, it ensured that the valuable hides and minerals would retain their highest possible quality until the guild’s dismantling process could officially commence.

Bai Xifeng agreed to the logistical arrangement without even a moment of hesitation. It cost her nothing to keep them in her space, and it simplified the guild’s immediate storage crisis.

Thus, the trio departed from the bustling Armament Master Guild and began their journey back toward the familiar gates of Tianlong School.

Originally, Bai Xifeng had harboured hopes of using this rare excursion to wander through the vibrant city streets and browse the shelves of several specialised shops she had noted on the way in. Unfortunately, both teachers immediately shot down the idea the moment she subtly hinted at it. They had travelled to the city strictly for official guild business, not for leisure, and they were intensely eager to escort such a valuable, and now incredibly wealthy, student safely back behind the protective fortifications of the academy.

In the end, Bai Xifeng had no choice but to obediently follow their instructions, returning directly to Tianlong School alongside her silent guardians.

By the time they finally stepped back onto academy grounds, the sun was hanging high and heavy in the sky, signalling the peak of the lunch hour. Feeling the sharp pangs of hunger brought on by the morning’s intense mental exertion and high-stakes negotiations, Bai Xifeng headed straight toward the school’s restaurant.

To her surprise, even though it was currently the height of the lunch rush, there were remarkably few students gathered inside the dining hall today. Bai Xifeng purchased several fragrant and flavorful dishes, the steam rising enticingly from the bowls, before walking toward a quieter, shadowed table near the side of the hall and taking her seat with a sigh of relief.

She was only halfway through her meal when the sound of a familiar voice drifted over from behind her. Turning her head, she saw Jia Xiaobo standing there, accompanied by a girl whose face she did not recognise.

"Hi, Xifeng..." Jia Xiaobo greeted her, sounding somewhat awkward as she shifted her weight nervously from foot to foot.

"Oh... hi." Bai Xifeng acknowledged the greeting with a calm nod, her expression remaining neutral and unreadable.

"Can we sit here with you?" Jia Xiaobo asked carefully, glancing toward her companion as if seeking silent approval.

"Yeah." Bai Xifeng gestured casually toward the empty chairs across from her. "Go ahead."

"Xifeng... do you remember the thing we discussed the other day?" Jia Xiaobo asked cautiously after they had settled into their seats.

"Hmm?" Bai Xifeng tilted her head slightly, her eyes reflecting a brief flicker of confusion through her bangs.

"That matter... about the storage rune. You mentioned that if someone were looking to purchase one, I could bring them directly to you." Jia Xiaobo reminded her softly.

"Oh... right. I remember now." Bai Xifeng nodded slowly, her gaze shifting to the unfamiliar girl sitting beside Jia Xiaobo. "So, I take it she is the prospective buyer?"

"Yes. She is looking for a storage rune with the same capacity as mine." Jia Xiaobo confirmed.

"And what exactly do you plan to use the storage rune for?" Bai Xifeng asked, her tone shifting into the professional, business-like cadence she had utilised earlier that morning at the guild.

Jia Xiaobo had opened her mouth to answer for her friend, but the stranger suddenly held up a hand, choosing to speak for herself.

"Hello, Lady Bai. My name is Tian Yun, and I am also a pharmacist." The girl introduced herself with a polite, measured bow of her head. "I wish to utilise the storage rune primarily to preserve my rare medicinal herbs and delicate ingredients in a state of perpetual freshness. It is difficult to maintain their medicinal potency during long travels."

"Hmm..." Bai Xifeng nodded thoughtfully, calculating the materials and time required. "In that case, the price will be ten thousand taels. However, I have a new condition. You will need to pay a fifty per cent deposit in advance."

Both Jia Xiaobo and Tian Yun were visibly taken aback by the steep price and the firm condition. However, Tian Yun recovered with surprising speed, her eyes showing a spark of determination. She agreed without further hesitation.

"Very well. I will prepare the funds and deliver the deposit to you later this afternoon." Tian Yun stated decisively.

Seeing Tian Yun accept the terms so readily, Bai Xifeng let out a sweet, radiant smile that reached her eyes.

"Great. Then I will look forward to the deposit." Bai Xifeng stated.

The moment that smile bloomed on Bai Xifeng’s face, both girls froze as if caught in a spell. At that precise instant, Tian Yun understood a truth that few had yet realised. Bai Xifeng was genuinely dangerous. That ethereal, beautiful smile of hers was practically fatal, a velvet glove hiding a fist of iron.

Neither Jia Xiaobo nor Tian Yun departed immediately. Instead, they stayed to accompany Bai Xifeng while she finished her lunch. Since all three of them were students of pharmacy, the conversation naturally drifted toward their shared craft. Tian Yun was especially stunned to discover that Bai Xifeng was already a Lord Rank Pharmacist despite her incredibly young age.

"Right? Even I was completely stunned when Teacher Qian first revealed her rank." Jia Xiaobo added with an exaggerated, knowing nod.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko*