Little Junior Sister, We Can’t Handle This Grind Anymore - Chapter 21

Feng Qingran had no time to pay attention to Zhao Si. Her gaze was fixed on Zhang San’s stall, where a girl around eleven or twelve years old was rummaging through the items.

“Boss, do you have any other stones here?” the girl asked.

“What color are you looking for?” Zhang San asked with an ingratiating smile. Business had been exceptionally good for him today.

“Take them all out for me to see,” the girl replied in a soft, sweet voice, her delicate features glowing with charm.

Zhang San beamed and waved his hand, revealing a stack of colorful stones on the stall—each one exquisitely beautiful.

Su Yanran’s eyes flickered slightly at the sight of so many stones. Since spiritual power and divine sense couldn’t be used here, how was she supposed to inspect them all?

“Miss, these are all the stones I have in stock,” Zhang San said, studying Su Yanran.

The girl seemed pleasant at first glance, but her eyes lacked the clarity of the young woman from earlier. There was also an air of hostility around her—she wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

Could she be the friend that other girl was looking for?

Zhang San glanced toward Feng Qingran’s direction but saw her shaking her head at him.

Su Yanran checked a few stones but didn’t find the dragon bone she was looking for. Frowning in impatience, she decided there was no point in inspecting each one.

Since all the stones are here, what I need must be among them.

With a bright smile, she asked, “Boss, I’ll take all of these. How much?”

Zhang San narrowed his eyes. Could there really be a treasure hidden among these stones?

“Thirty thousand high-grade spirit stones, and they’re all yours,” he said, deliberately quoting an exorbitant price.

“What?! That’s practically robbery!” Su Yanran’s voice rose sharply. Even if she had that many spirit stones, she wouldn’t waste them here.

Zhang San, a seasoned veteran of the black market, was adept at reading people. Seeing that Su Yanran was furious but not walking away, he immediately realized there was something valuable in the stones.

If only that secret realm hadn’t been destroyed—I could’ve gone back for more of these stones.

“Business is about mutual agreement. If you don’t want them, feel free to leave,” Zhang San said dismissively, waving his hand.

Su Yanran clenched her fists. Why does everyone insist on opposing me?

Suppressing the murderous intent rising in her chest, she reminded herself that killing was forbidden in the black market.

Seeing her hesitation, Zhang San deliberately provoked her. “If you’re not buying, step aside. Don’t block my stall.”

Su Yanran took a deep breath. “I don’t have that many spirit stones. Can I trade something else?”

“What do you have?” Zhang San perked up immediately.

Su Yanran pulled out a pill from her sleeve and handed it to him.

Zhang San inspected it, then frowned. “A low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill? Only a ten percent success rate. It’s barely worth ten thousand high-grade spirit stones.”

Su Yanran’s expression darkened. How dare a mere stall owner look down on my pill?

But considering the value of the dragon bone, she reluctantly took out the Solid Origin Pill her father had given her and handed it over.

Zhang San’s attitude shifted instantly upon seeing the pill. A high-grade Solid Origin Pill—eighty percent chance of breaking through to the Golden Core stage, with minimal pill toxicity.

His father had been stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment for centuries, his lifespan nearly exhausted. This pill was perfect for him.

“The Foundation Establishment Pill plus this one will just cover the cost,” Zhang San said, gesturing for Su Yanran to take the stones.

“Boss, could you throw in a storage bag? Mine is full,” Su Yanran said awkwardly.

Thinking of how the Solid Origin Pill could save his father’s life, Zhang San handed her an extra storage bag. “You’re lucky it’s me. Anyone else would’ve extorted you further.”

The sellers in this area were the most unscrupulous—himself included.

That was why, despite the black market’s bustle, this particular section remained sparsely populated.

Su Yanran took the storage bag, packed up the stones, and left without another word. Her downcast eyes burned with venom. No one takes what’s mine without consequences.

Distracted, she walked toward the next area without even noticing Feng Qingran.

Feng Qingran watched thoughtfully before approaching Zhang San, who was preparing to leave.

Zhang San brightened upon seeing her. “Ah, it’s you! Sorry, but I’ve sold all the stones.”

“Could I take a look at that Solid Origin Pill?” Feng Qingran asked.

“Sorry, miss, but this pill is for my father. I can’t sell it,” Zhang San said apologetically.

Feng Qingran held out two Spirit-Tempering Fruits. “These can serve the same purpose as the Solid Origin Pill—and without leaving any pill toxicity.”

Zhang San recognized the fruits immediately. He had been envious when Zhao Si obtained some earlier. But now that they were right in front of him, he hesitated.

“Miss, I may be greedy in business, but I can’t just take these for free…”

“One is repayment for the booklet you gave me. The other is for the Solid Origin Pill,” Feng Qingran said, keeping an eye on Su Yanran’s retreating figure.

“Deal.” Zhang San quickly took the fruits, storing them carefully, and handed over the pill.

The girl even gave me a justification. Not taking this advantage would hurt my conscience.

Before leaving, Zhang San lowered his voice. “Miss, for cultivators, choosing friends wisely is crucial. Be wary of those who might harm your fortune.”

Feng Qingran thanked him politely, then tossed the pill into her spatial storage.

“Yuan Bao, examine this pill,” she transmitted silently.