"Alright, there's no other resource exchange, so I'll give you these twenty-six Flame Explosion Talismans," Lin Chen said to Zhang Caiyun and the others.
"Young Master Lin Chen, um... we've shared life and death situations before. Would you consider lending us some talisman inscriptions? Once we exit the Secret Realm and return to the Zhang Family, we'll immediately give you the spirit crystals," Zhang Caiyun said softly to Lin Chen, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Alright, but you have to write me an IOU as proof."
"How many talisman inscriptions would you like to borrow?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen agreed without hesitation.
After all, as long as there's proof, he doesn't fear Zhang Caiyun and the others denying it in the future. With the IOU, he could approach the Zhang Family confidently. Despite having trust in Zhang Caiyun's character, Lin Chen is clear-minded when it comes to money matters.
"Alright, I'll write it now."
Zhang Caiyun agreed readily and immediately wrote the IOU for Lin Chen.
"I'll give you twenty-six talismans first; for the other inscriptions, come here tomorrow, and I'll give the rest to you."
After receiving the IOU from Zhang Caiyun, Lin Chen looked at her and remarked casually.
Afterwards, Lin Chen returned to the Fiery Fire Venerable's cave under the Fire Sea, preparing to refine talismans for Zhang Caiyun and the others.
Watching Lin Chen walk away, Zhang Caiyun's opinion of him shifted; this guy was such a money-lover, yet he agreed so promptly this time. Although he asked her to write an IOU, he still lent them the talismans.
"Sister Caiyun, don't look at Young Master Lin Chen like that. You don't understand him well enough. Although he's fond of money, he's not stingy in matters like these. Since Young Master Lin Chen agreed, he'll definitely give us the talisman inscriptions tomorrow."
"Not to mention just a hundred talismans, even if you ask for a few hundred, Young Master Lin Chen would have lent them to us."
Seeing Zhang Caiyun's look, Zhang Hongying immediately spoke up.
After hearing Zhang Hongying's words, Zhang Caiyun slapped her thigh, showing a regretful expression.
"Is that so? Then tomorrow, let's ask him to lend us more talisman inscriptions directly," Zhang Caiyun said softly.
"Sister Caiyun, don't do that; those talisman inscriptions are already enough for us. When dealing with Young Master Lin Chen, sincerity is most important. Although he'd agree to lend them to us if you do this tomorrow, he might not be as genuine with us later, and our relationship would merely become transactional."
Gazing at Zhang Caiyun, Zhang Hongying gently advised.
Regarding Lin Chen, she might not know him very well, but she grasped his character and knew Lin Chen is someone who holds principles in high regard.
"Really? You seem quite knowledgeable about Lin Chen, yet claim you're not interested in him. Young Master Lin Chen is incredibly talented and values relationships and loyalty; he's a rare good man. Hongying, you ought to seize the opportunity. I asked him earlier, and he's not interested in me, or else I'd pursue it."
Watching Zhang Hongying, Zhang Caiyun teased with a smile.
Regarding Lin Chen, it's not an exaggeration to say his talent surpasses all the Heavenly Pride of the Zhang Family's younger generation.
"Sister Caiyun, actually... I already have someone I like."
Pushed by Zhang Caiyun's probing, Zhang Hongying confessed, blushing, not wanting the misunderstanding to deepen further, revealing her affection for someone.
"What! You actually have someone you like? Who is it that could compare with Young Master Lin Chen?"
Stunned by Zhang Hongying's words, Zhang Caiyun immediately blurted out her question.
Listening to Zhang Caiyun's surprising tone and excessive praise of Lin Chen, Zhang Hongying harbored mixed feelings.
Before this, Zhang Caiyun had quite a few complaints against Lin Chen and mistakenly thought there was something between herself and Lin Chen, being utterly opposed. Yet now she suddenly approved and even urged her to dual cultivate with Lin Chen.
"Actually, it's the Young Master Yang beside Young Master Lin Chen."
Without hiding from Zhang Caiyun, Zhang Hongying immediately revealed her crush.
"Oh, so it's him; you mean Yang Minghui, right? That man is indeed quite handsome. No wonder you don't fancy Young Master Lin Chen but like him."
"But that Young Master Yang is born too handsome and delicate; I suspect if he's truly a man."
Zhang Caiyun remarked casually.
Words without ill intention, but the listener takes them to heart; Zhang Hongying assumed Zhang Caiyun was insulting Yang Minghui as overly delicate.
"Sister Caiyun, how can you talk about Young Master Yang like that," Zhang Hongying responded immediately, displeased upon hearing Zhang Caiyun's remark.
"Alright, I won't say it again."
Seeing Zhang Hongying truly upset over this matter, Zhang Caiyun decided not to bring it up anymore.
However, Young Master Yang was indeed good-looking; no wonder he had charmed Zhang Hongying immensely. Zhang Hongying herself wasn't less beautiful compared to Yunlong Heavenly Palace's Four Great Beauties, and attracted numerous admirers, yet showed no interest in them, now surprisingly captivated by Young Master Yang, dismissing even Lin Chen despite his excellence.
Nonetheless, Lin Chen warned Zhang Hongying multiple times, yet she ignored it completely, so her feelings for Yang Minghui were doomed for tragedy.
…
In the underground of the Fire Sea, inside Fiery Fire Venerable's cave.
Lin Chen entered the Primordial Myriad Transformation Cauldron; as soon as he stepped into the Second Layer Space, he was greeted by the sight of a colossal five-thousand-feet-tall Profound Turtle, its shell shimmering, resembling a gigantic island.
Watching Little Profound Turtle display divine skills to enlarge its body, Lin Chen marveled at the power it might wield with even a single smack.
However, when Lin Chen's gaze fixed upon the Star Map in the sky, his expression turned extremely gloom.
Predictably, during its time cultivating in the Second Layer Space of the Primordial Myriad Transformation Cauldron, Little Profound Turtle had absorbed substantial amounts of Starlight Power from the Star Map.
The eleventh Star Map appeared significantly dimmed; if Little Profound Turtle continued absorbing for some time, it might extinguish completely.
"Little Profound Turtle, ease up absorbing, don't extinguish the eleventh Star Map again, or else the cultivation speed in this space will be greatly reduced."