Liu Ruyan burst into laughter: "You're pretty narcissistic and funny. There are definitely people in this sect better than you."

"That's different. What if you just happen to fall in love with me at first sight?"

Shen Wang shook his head and continued eating heartily. Being targeted for his blood meant he needed to eat more to not feel shortchanged.

"Junior Brother, let's not joke around. Senior Sister wants to study a bit of your blood. For that, I'm willing to pay in Spirit Stones."

Liu Ruyan spoke earnestly. Since he had caught on to her intentions, she saw no reason to beat around the bush and decided to be straightforward.

"You're asking me to sell my blood? I'm not that poor yet."

Shen Wang chuckled. Being forced to sell blood under the Sixth Prince's control was one thing, but volunteering to do so was another.

Moreover, he didn't want too many people to know about this, or else every alchemist would be after his blood, and how would he survive then?

"Junior Brother, name your conditions. I am sincere."

Liu Ruyan looked seriously at Shen Wang.

He met her gaze: "Are you so sure that with my blood, you'll succeed in refining it?"

"I'm quite confident."

Liu Ruyan replied, "You're not an alchemist, so I can only give you a rough explanation. Some unique bloodlines serve as a type of medicinal primer. Your blood, which contains abundant vitality, can better neutralize the conflicting powers in an elixir. Of course, this method of using blood in alchemy was popular in ancient times. But as such bloodlines diminished, this practice gradually fell out of use."

"Probably because alchemy led to extinction." Shen Wang displayed a mocking expression.

"No, blood is regenerative. If it were useful, people would nurture it well, not kill the goose for its golden eggs."

Liu Ruyan shook her head: "More likely, the ease of gaining resources through selling blood led to a lack of production and diligent cultivation, causing decline over generations."

"Uh, that makes sense. I'm speechless for a moment."

Shen Wang was stunned. With such a bloodline, even if things went badly, someone like him would be controlled to obtain resources.

"So it's impressive that your foundation is so profound."

Liu Ruyan complimented, "Think about what you're lacking. I have quite a few elixirs suited for you."

In the end, it's still about selling blood.

Shen Wang was a bit speechless: "I'm currently not lacking anything."

From the Sixth Prince, he could get suitable elixirs, even more abundantly than from Liu Ruyan. He could refine arrays and talismans himself, so there wasn't much he lacked.

"That can't be. Think it over carefully. Even if you don't need it, perhaps your family does."

Liu Ruyan was a bit anxious. Without Shen Wang selling his blood, she couldn't just take it by force. If she tried, Old Liu would certainly intervene.

"Uh, let me think."

Shen Wang pondered but still didn't find anything he needed, except for…

He looked at Liu Ruyan. This woman was beautiful, with a kind of calming beauty. Her pretty face was flawless, and her features were pleasing to the eye, making him want to look at her more.

Liu Ruyan thought Shen Wang had thought of something lacking, her big eyes fixed on him with a hint of joy: "Have you thought of it?"

"I thought of it. I'm currently missing you."

Shen Wang pointed at Liu Ruyan, without holding back: "I lack you as my wife. Do you agree?"

Liu Ruyan was stunned for a moment, then her cheeks blushed: "You cheeky guy, what are you talking about, being so bold as to ask for me directly?"

"This is your request, I'm just answering honestly."

Shen Wang shrugged: "Once I have you, your things naturally become mine. Likewise, if you marry me, my blood can repeatedly be available to you. A win-win."

"Win-win, my foot. Didn't you say earlier that you already have wives and concubines?"

Liu Ruyan glared at Shen Wang, annoyed: "You men are really hateful."

"Uh, I'm not very faithful. If that bothers you, you might want to reconsider."

Shen Wang wasn't in a rush. He wasn't asking her for anything; rather she needed something from him.

Ultimately, by putting this proposal forward, he was expressing his stance.

"Impossible, I would never sell myself just for a little blood. People would laugh if they knew."

Liu Ruyan gritted her teeth in frustration.

"It's okay if you don't say anything, and I don't say anything. It'll just be our secret. To the outside world, we can pretend we're mutually in love."

Shen Wang said calmly that if Liu Ruyan dared to marry, he dared to accept.

"Dream on."

Liu Ruyan hummed, looking adorable even when angry. She picked up her chopsticks and began to eat: "Inviting you for a meal was a loss."

"There's nothing lost. Men should marry and women should wed. I think I can barely match you now."

Shen Wang chuckled. Liu Ruyan was intriguing, showing no signs of wanting to forcefully take something, unlike the Sixth Prince.

"You sure have a way with words. I thought you were the cold and aloof type before."

Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes at Shen Wang, playful and cute.

"Without some skill, how could I get a wife?"

Shen Wang said, unconcerned about Liu Ruyan's teasing. "By the way, how old are you? Your alchemy skill is so high; I bet you must be absorbed in alchemy and probably don't have time for a suitor, right? Since time is scarce."

Shen Wang asked casually.

"Asking a woman her age is very impolite."

Liu Ruyan glared at Shen Wang: "Anyway, I'm older than you, so you should call me Senior Sister."

"Alright, Senior Sister Liu. You should be a bit older than me, but I don't mind. After all, 'an older woman is like a jewel, and a thirty-year-old woman is like an empire.'"

Shen Wang continued to eat the meat heartily; otherwise, Liu Ruyan might eat it all.

"I absolutely won't sell myself for a little medicinal primer."

Liu Ruyan muttered, her cheeks puffed, full of meat.

"If you're embarrassed, how about I pursue you for a while? You can then agree half-heartedly, making it seem natural."

Shen Wang suggested with a charming smile.

"You're just… shameless."

After pondering, Liu Ruyan could only describe Shen Wang as shameless.

"No choice, to pursue someone whose cultivation is higher and status is superior, I've got to be a bit thick-skinned."

Shen Wang spoke confidently.

"I give up. I shouldn't have come to you."

Liu Ruyan found herself at a loss with Shen Wang. She couldn't very well beat him up, could she?

The problem was that as an alchemist, her combat strength wasn't that great, and she wasn't sure she could win.

Thinking about this made her even more frustrated, glaring at Shen Wang while continuing to snatch food.

"Never thought Senior Sister Liu could be so petty. That's actually good. After marriage, you'll definitely be great at managing the household."

Shen Wang half-jokingly, half-complimented.

"I'm not marrying you. Stop dreaming."

Liu Ruyan huffed.

"Don't rush. Just consider me a candidate for your future husband. Compare me with other candidates and decide who's better."

Shen Wang replied calmly.

"Do you think this is a marketplace for picking vegetables?"

Liu Ruyan retorted.

Shen Wang smiled: "Isn't that how you women choose husbands?"

"Forget it, I can't out-talk you."

Liu Ruyan lowered her head to drink in frustration.

Shen Wang let the subject drop, not pushing further: "You're an alchemist, so you have a lot of channels to obtain medicinal materials. Could you keep an eye out for any information on the Soul Condensing Grass for me?"

"Soul Condensing Grass? Are you asking for Zheng Bingzhong?"

Liu Ruyan immediately understood: "You don't need to come to me for that. We're already keeping an eye out here, as it concerns the life of an Array King, so the sect takes it seriously."

"Seems like it's really hard to get."

Shen Wang realized he might need to explore channels through the Sixth Prince.

"That stuff is as rare as your bloodline. If you manage to find it, it's usually in forbidden grounds, and those who find it generally won't sell it."

Liu Ruyan said.

"Indeed."

Shen Wang understood. Such life-saving items were hard for even a Nascent Soul Cultivator to acquire. If someone managed to get one and then sold it, it would likely be snapped up immediately, with no chance for others.

They ate for a while.

"Alright, I've got to know this thick-skinned person today."

Liu Ruyan hummed, standing to settle the bill.

Shen Wang took out a bottle: "Since it's our first meeting, here's a gift for you."

"What is it?"

Liu Ruyan was a bit wary.

"It's not harmful. Open it when you get home, it's a surprise."

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