The Top Efficiency Cultivator

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“I apologize for my condition.”

Lin Shuang’s eyelids also lowered as she looked at the impeccably black shoes in front of her. She did this to block the sympathy that was about to overflow from her eyes.

She had met this steward several times when she went to the Honored Treasure Pavilion to exchange talismans

It was such a shame that a handsome guy like him was either bedridden or coughing up blood, suffering from a body riddled with illness, which affected his work efficiency.

It was a real shame.

“Huangfu Yuan, it is said that he once cultivated to the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm and was just one step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, due to the tragedy of his parents being killed by evil cultivators, he fell into madness during his seclusion and dropped down to the novice level of the Foundation Establishment Realm, suffering from multiple illnesses. Later, he was appointed as the manager of Honored Treasure Pavilion and reluctantly remained in the inner sect of Clearwater Sect.”

“It is said that he possesses no martial prowess and has transformed into a pill cultivator.”

Lin Shuang recalled the information that Zhao Keran had shared with her during their flight on the sword and couldn’t help shaking her head.

How many years did it take to progress from Qi cultivation to the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm?

All of it had gone to waste.

Starting over now, and with the added burden of a severely damaged body, it would take more than twice as long.

If it were her…

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Lin Shuang couldn’t help but feel heartbroken and sighed, “Senior Brother Huangfu, when will the trade with the Wang Mansion take place?”

Huangfu Yuan was taken aback.

Why did she speak to him with such a sorrowful tone and a pitiful look?

“Three junior brothers and sisters arrived early; we need to wait for two days. We will go to the Wang Mansion the day after tomorrow, in the evening.”

The two uses of time words instantly caught Lin Shuang’s keen senses.

“Hmm? The day after tomorrow?”

Behind Huangfu Yuan, Bai Yu became nervous all of a sudden.

This mission was merely a lure to attract evil cultivators. At least two days were required to allow evil cultivators within a radius of a hundred miles who desired the treasure to arrive at the Wang Mansion.

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The three assassins hired by the Annihilation Pavilion were also supposed to arrive the day after tomorrow.

As long as Lin Shuang and Zhou Xuanwu could prove during the mission that they had no connection with the evil cultivators, their encounter with the Diamond Hammer was just an accident and not a deliberate act to destroy the Diamond Hammer’s mustard seed pouch, then they would be in the clear.

At that time, the Annihilation Pavilion’s assassins would capture his master, which would undoubtedly attract the evil cultivators.

The only ones in danger would be the master and him.

Lin Shuang and her companions were safe, with the worst-case scenario being a failed mission.

Bai Yu felt a bit uneasy but stood his ground.

“Yes, Junior Sister Lin. We can only conduct the trade the day after tomorrow,” Huangfu Yuan said calmly.

“As the year draws to a close, Lord wang needs to inspect the military camps and borders, as well as visit several important shops. Once these mundane matters are settled, he can focus on his cultivation.”

The spiritual treasures brought by Honored Treasure Pavilion this time were meant to assist Lord wang in his breakthrough.

However, Lord wang had a packed schedule and was temporarily unavailable.

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Lin Shuang nodded, showing her understanding.

She respected those with busy schedules.

Glancing at the sunlight that had just risen outside the window, Lin Shuang smiled and bid farewell to Huangfu Yuan and Bai Yu.

“We’ll see you in two days, Junior Brother and Junior Sister,” Huangfu Yuan said politely.

Lin Shuang nodded in response but didn’t say anything. She quietly left with Zhao Keran and Zhou Xuanwu.

Soon, the sun set behind the western mountains, casting a rosy glow across the sky.

After reconciling the accounts with Fen Zhai for the day, Huangfu Yuan, with his half-closed phoenix eyes, took a short break.

Four or five small dogs with fur as white as snow, as golden as the sun, and as black as the night were lying beside his soft couch.

He chuckled and reached out to pet them.

“My Lord, we have already located five evil cultivators. They should arrive tomorrow night. The Annihilation Pavilion’s assassins are also just half a day’s journey away.”

“Hmm,” Huangfu Yuan withdrew his hand from the dogs, “release the precise information about the trade at the Wang Mansion on the day after tomorrow.”

Bai Yu, looking at the information reported by the message stone, nodded. However, he stopped halfway through.

Huangfu Yuan leaned against the soft bed, the thick fox fur cascading from his side to the foot of the bed. Up close, each strand was snowy white with hints of gold, while from a distance, it appeared like fire.

“What’s the matter?”

“You can’t stop thinking about it, and pities her if the mission fails?”

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Bai Yu opened his mouth but closed it again, rubbing the corners of his clear eyes, and then looked at the message stone.

“No, my Lord, I’m not wavering… It’s Crown Prince Cheng, Crown Prince Cheng said he’s free today and asked if we could trade now!” Bai Yu explained.

“???”

“He said he’s finished inspecting the borders.”

“??”

“He’s also done inspecting the military camps.”

“???”

“And he’s done visiting the important shops.”

“…”

Bai Yu bit his lip and faced Huangfu Yuan, whose eyes were filled with incredulity at the absurdity of the situation.

“That… His Highness said there’s a Lin-named female cultivator who taught him a secret technique in time management today…”

“???”

“He has already finished his two-day schedule in advance, and he can conduct the trade tonight.”

Huangfu Yuan’s phoenix eyes widened, instantly fully awake.

【Honored Treasure Pavilion Customer Information, New Entry.】

【Lin Shuang】: Senior Brother Huangfu, we can trade now. Is that okay with you?

“…”

“My Lord, can we reschedule the trade for tomorrow noon? Most evil cultivators have secret techniques to hasten their arrival with their essence and blood,” Bai Yu hastily stood up.

But soon, another message arrived, instantly.

【Crown Prince Cheng】: I’m only a hundred steps away from the inn. I’ll be there in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea~

Huangfu Yuan: “…”

Bai Yu: “!”

He had known that she was fast, but after not seeing her for nine years, he hadn’t expected her to be this fast!

The bandits and assassins hadn’t even arrived yet!

Author’s Note:

【Zhao’s Sect Leader Notes 18】: “Let the inner sect senior brothers and sisters also get to know each other, don’t be polite.”

Lin Shuang’s annotation: Keep a low profile, Junior Sister.

Xu Rui, the outer sect manager, annotated: Keep a low profile, Junior Sister.

Zhou Xuanwu added to it: Keep a low profile, talking too much is always wrong.

Half a day later, Xu Rui added another annotation: Junior Brother Zhou, you’ve disrupted the formation. It’s uncomfortable. Can you erase this comment?

Inner sect senior brothers and sisters: …The outer sect is too arrogant!

***