Since we've already come this far and endured the wind for so long, how could we not go in and take a look?
A shop daring enough to display such a signboard must have some substance to it—otherwise, Spirit Hall would have shut it down long ago.
Ning Rongrong and her two companions stepped into the shop.
The moment they entered, Dugu Yan's eyelids twitched.
"Rongrong, how can anyone do business like this? Wouldn't they go bankrupt?"
The shop's interior was small, lacking even a counter. Aside from some antique-looking items hanging on the walls, there was virtually nothing else.
Moreover, they only looked like antiques—at first glance, they didn't seem valuable at all.
"Perhaps the shop owner is a respectable man," Ning Rongrong shrugged.
Truthfully, the moment she saw the signboard outside, Ning Rongrong had already guessed the shop's situation. Entering only confirmed it further.
In the corner opposite them, a man who appeared to be in his fifties lay reclined in a rocking chair with his eyes closed, looking quite comfortable.
He didn't seem like a shopkeeper who cared whether his goods sold or not.
With a sharply pointed chin, a face as flat as the floor, a slightly protruding hooked nose, and an ever-present aura of a swindling merchant—
There was no need to overthink it. This man was none other than Flender, the 78th-ranked Soul Sage and dean of Shrek Academy.
"Rongrong, did you find what you need?"
Dugu Bo swept his gaze across the shop. With his experience, he could tell that most of the items hanging on the walls were soul guidance devices—outdated products that couldn't keep up with the times.
Apart from those, there were what seemed to be mineral ores and some indiscernible objects piled together.
However, when it came to treasure appraisal, Ning Rongrong was the expert.
The reason the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was the wealthiest in the world lay in the unique properties of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
Now that it had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, Ning Rongrong's appraisal abilities had reached an even higher level.
Ning Rongrong quietly wandered around the room a few times before picking up two of the hanging soul guidance devices.
Then, she approached the "rotten crystal" that Tang San would purchase in the future and added it to her collection.
"Shopkeeper, I'll take these three. How much do they cost?" Ning Rongrong asked calmly.
"Three for one thousand gold spirit coins," came a lazy, magnetic voice. The man barely lifted his head, still feigning sleep.
"Deal." Ning Rongrong retrieved a bag of gold spirit coins from her soul guidance device, ready to pay.
"Not enough." The lazy voice turned slightly hoarse. "I meant one thousand per item."
"You're robbing us, you swindler!" Before Ning Rongrong could respond, Dugu Yan finally lost her temper. "One thousand gold spirit coins was already ridiculous, but one thousand per item? Are you obsessed with money?"
"One gold spirit coin is enough to cover a year's living expenses for an average family of three! Even the black market in Heaven Dou City isn't this outrageous!"
"Take it or leave it. Don't block my business if you're not buying." Flender waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.
"You fraud! What kind of business are you running here?" Dugu Yan was on the verge of cursing. Did he really think the three of them were easy targets?
Behind her, Dugu Bo frowned slightly but remained silent, waiting for Ning Rongrong's cue.
"Fine." Ning Rongrong took out two more bags of gold spirit coins without hesitation.
"Wait! Don't let this scammer fool you!" Dugu Yan grew anxious at Ning Rongrong's spendthrift behavior.
Had this young mistress never been outside before? Had she never seen normal prices?
It was obvious this shopkeeper was trying to fleece them.
"Yan'er, don't worry. I believe the shopkeeper is a respectable man." Ning Rongrong turned her gaze to Flender, who was now wide awake.
"Each bag contains one thousand gold spirit coins—three thousand in total. If you don't believe me, you can count them. I'm taking the items now."
After placing the coins on the table, Ning Rongrong motioned for Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan to leave.
Dugu Yan wanted to protest, but Dugu Bo shook his head subtly.
"Wait!"
Flender stood up abruptly. "Put those items back down. I'm not selling anymore!"
"Unless you pay three thousand gold spirit coins per item."
Ning Rongrong turned around, a smirk playing on her lips. "Money handed over, goods delivered. Are you trying to go back on your word?"
"You haven't left the shop yet, so the transaction isn't complete," Flender retorted.
In his mind, he thought:
One last time. This is the last time.
After this, I'm retiring.
With a Soul Sage's keen eyes, he could tell these three were wealthy nobles.
But so what? He was a 78th-ranked Soul Sage—what did he have to fear?
What kind of Soul Douluo or Title Douluo would chase him across the world for a mere few thousand gold spirit coins?
And if they were below Soul Douluo, would Flender even need to worry?
For Shrek Academy's sake, he had no choice but to make a decision that went against his ancestors' teachings.
Even if his methods were dishonorable, it wasn't outright extortion!
As long as the three backed out, he still had some principles—he wouldn't chase them outside to rob them.
This was nothing more than a high-stakes gamble.
Yes, just a gamble.
But the moment he saw the faint smirk on the brown-haired girl's face—the one who seemed to be the leader—his heart sank.
Oh no... This might be bad.
"Take a look at this."
Ning Rongrong's palm now held a crystal ball-like soul guidance device about the size of her hand.
"It's not very mainstream, but I'm sure you recognize it, Shopkeeper?"
Sure enough, Flender's expression changed drastically the moment he saw the crystal.
Ning Rongrong smiled. "I've recorded everything that just happened. Why don't you take a moment to imagine what comes next?"
"Mr. Flender... You wouldn't want—"
"Little girl, do you know who I am?" Flender slowly rose to his feet, his voice low. "Put down that recording soul guidance device, and I'll let you leave with the items. Otherwise..."
As he spoke, soul rings began rising from his feet.
First came two yellow hundred-year soul rings, followed by two purple thousand-year rings. Finally, three pitch-black ten-thousand-year soul rings materialized.
"What? You're actually a Soul Sage?" Ning Rongrong feigned shock. "How is this possible? In my mind, Soul Sages should be heroic figures capable of moving mountains with their strength—not cunning, unscrupulous swindlers!"
"No way! Absolutely no way!" She even took two exaggerated steps back.
Ning Rongrong's performance left Dugu Yan speechless.
Good grief, her acting skills are top-notch! If I didn't know better, I'd think she was genuinely shocked.
Back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she had interacted with dozens of Soul Sages and over a dozen Soul Douluos—yet she had never exaggerated her reactions like this. She always spoke with confidence and composure.
Flender, meanwhile, felt something was off but pressed on.
"Little girl, admit your mistake and put down the recording device. I'm not an unreasonable man."
"Since I've lost this round, I won't raise the price on your purchases."
"Is that so? Well, thank you for that." Ning Rongrong dropped her exaggerated act, her demeanor turning serious.
"What—?"
Before Flender could react or question further—
A cold snort echoed through the shop.
Flender's vision spun violently as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Finally, he realized he had kicked an iron plate. His eyes widened in horror as they landed on the green-haired elder standing slightly behind Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan.
"...T-Title Douluo!"