Chapter 363 - The Agreement with Old Juan (1/2)
The middle-aged woman was rather plump. Her long hair was tied up in a bun, with strands of stray hair falling down in front from her fringe. Just like the stubbled man, the middle-aged woman was at the Third Cycle Origin Core realm.
Yet despite having the same cultivation level, the stubbled man still hesitated.
While he was confident of beating most others at the same cultivation level, there were far too many entities in Sacred Cliff City that he simply could not afford to offend.
He did not know who the middle-aged woman was. But the sheer confidence exuded by the middle-aged woman was enough to deter him from trying his luck.
”Let's go!” the stubbled man ordered his subordinates before shooting a sly smile at Nanlan Qianxue. ”I will come back for you again, sweetheart. Don't miss me too much.”
After getting no reaction whatsoever from Nanlan Qianxue, the stubbled man clicked his tongue in irritation before leaving the scene with the rest of his subordinates. Those who had been injured earlier hurriedly got up to follow along as well.
”You are lucky to have met me, little girl,” the middle-aged woman snapped at Nanlan Qianxue. ”You should know that women with our looks are susceptible to this kind of trouble, so try to be more careful when you go out next time!”
”What nonsense are you spouting, Old Hag Pingxi! Your looks can't even compare to hers!” someone shouted out from the crowd.
”That's right! Stop calling yourself a fairy when you look like that!” another chimed in heartily.
”Do you blind bastards want to try repeating what you just said?” the middle-aged woman glared at them.
Her deadly stare and threatening words cut deep into their hearts, shutting them up instantly.
”Thank you for the help, Senior,” Nanlan Qianxue put away her sword and clasped her fists towards the middle-aged woman. ”If there is nothing else, I will be getting a move on.”
”Did you not hear what I said? Where are you intending to run off to alone?” the middle-aged woman questioned. ”What if those people look for you again? I won't always be there to save you, you know?”
”It's fine, I should be able to handle them,” Nanlan Qianxue replied. ”Well then, farewell”
With that, Nanlan Qianxue turned to walk away.
”What?” the middle-aged woman felt the corner of her lips twitch. ”Wait! Hold it right there!”
”Is there anything else?” Nanlan Qianxue looked at the middle-aged woman who had dashed forward to stand in her way.
”You really know how to make others worry!” the middle-aged woman grumbled. ”Drop whatever you are thinking of doing right now and come with me instead!”
Nanlan Qianxue blinked blankly, slightly confused by the middle-aged woman's sudden outburst.
She understood what the middle-aged woman was trying to say, and understood that the middle-aged woman only had kind intentions.
But Nanlan Qianxue had already told her that she was fine, so why would the middle-aged woman still insist?
Fortunately, she had nothing important on hand right now.
She had spent a long time cultivating at Mount Asui, and today was supposed to be a rest day for her. All she intended to do was to look around the city for anything that could help with her cultivation.
Seeing that the middle-aged woman probably did not mean her any harm, she decided to listen to the middle-aged woman and follow the latter for now.
After all, she was starting to become curious about the middle-aged woman as well.
Even if she was wrong and the middle-aged woman really had some sinister plan in mind, she would just have to defeat the middle-aged woman in battle.
After all, the middle-aged woman was a Third Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist just like the stubbled man from before!
***
Old Juan's eyes were focused as he scrutinised the sword in his hands.
To put it more correctly, he was scrutinising the inscription that had just been placed on the sword.
”How is it?” Lu Tianzi watched Old Juan's expression carefully, unsure of what the latter was thinking.
He might be sure of his ability, but it had still been a while since he last placed an inscription.
As Old Juan said, this was Sacred Cliff City, the renowned City of Artificers. Even the smallest of errors might just be considered a major flaw in the eyes of the locals.
”This is... excellent!” Old Juan exclaimed in joy. ”The quality of the inscription can be considered above average, and is even comparable to the inscription master that I know. If I didn't personally hand this sword to you earlier, I would never have believed that you are the one who placed this inscription!”
Old Juan put down the sword and stared fervently at Lu Tianzi. ”Why are you trying to pick up smithing when you are such a skilled inscription master? What a waste of your talent!”
”Aren't all artificers skilled in multiple fields as well?” Lu Tianzi shrugged.
In actual fact, Lu Tianzi was not feeling exceptionally pleased.
While Old Juan seemed to have recognised his inscription skills, he also said that it was only of an above average quality. It seemed that he still had a ways to go if he wanted to be truly good at it.
”Indeed, but it will take too long for you to master multiple different fields! If you are this talented in the art of inscription, you might as well take it all the way first. Other matters can come later! Your skills are rather decent, but not perfect. Fortunately, considering your age, there is still ample room for you to grow,” Old Juan placed his hands on Lu Tianzi's shoulders. ”How about this? I can provide you with the resources and connections to improve your inscription skills. In return, you will help me with the inscriptions I need at a discounted price.”
”This...” Lu Tianzi did not expect Old Juan to suddenly make an offer like that.