Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 16 From Poverty to Wealth

Zhao Qiming sighed, a worried look creeping onto his face: "It's about my daughter. After she returned from studying abroad before the New Year, she somehow became obsessed with paranormal adventures. Now she's an online streamer, specializing in haunted house adventure content."

He rubbed his temples, looking somewhat helpless and worried: "Young people seek thrills. I used to think it was just fooling around and didn't pay much attention. She even boasted that she was going to challenge some 'Top Ten Haunted Houses in the World.' But ever since I saw the video sent by Anxi and learned that those... unclean things really exist in this world, I've been unable to feel at ease."

Zhao Qiming looked at Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu with earnest eyes: "You two are truly masters, having witnessed their skills. I, Zhao, shamelessly request a protective magic artifact from you two. Its value is not important; as long as it can ensure my daughter's safety and provide her with more protection when she's being mischievous, I will be eternally grateful!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaolu's eyes lit up—a business opportunity had arrived! She instinctively reached for the "magical artifacts" in her bag, but then she thought, those things are just for show. It's currently a period of spiritual energy recovery; what if his daughter really encounters something supernatural, and her things are useless…

With that thought in mind, Feng Xiaolu gave up, but kept glancing at Chen Anran beside her.

Chen Anran listened to Zhao Qiming's request without changing his expression, but a thought flashed through his mind. A protective magic artifact? He immediately thought of the "Heart-Cleansing and Soul-Suppressing Jade" that was undergoing transformation from the Yin Sha Corpse-Nourishing Jade in the Museum of Evolution.

According to the museum, once the jade has evolved, it will have the effect of "calming the mind and resisting the invasion of ordinary evil spirits". It is perfect for dealing with the interference of low-level spirits that may be encountered when exploring haunted houses. It can both calm the mind and prevent being taken advantage of by illusions, and form a layer of protection. It can be said to be the right medicine for the disease.

Moreover, it will take more than a day for this jade to complete its evolution, which will be just enough to give it to Zhao Qiming before leaving Lin City.

Seeing Chen Anran remain silent in thought, Zhao Qiming quickly added, "Master Chen, price is not a problem! As long as the item is good and can ensure my daughter's safety, I, Zhao, will not haggle!"

Chen Anran raised her eyes, looked at Zhao Qiming, her gaze calm, and slowly extended five fingers.

Zhao Qiming tentatively asked, "Five hundred thousand?"

Chen Anran gently shook his head. "Five million."

"Pfft—!" Feng Xiaolu, who was drinking tea, almost spat out her water. She forced herself to swallow, choking and coughing until her face turned red. She stared wide-eyed at Chen Anran, inwardly screaming: Junior Brother! You're too audacious! Five million for a piece of jade?! Even if our reward for killing those little zombies were increased fivefold, it would only be one hundred thousand!

Zhao Qiming was slightly taken aback; clearly, the price exceeded his expectations. Five million, while not an astronomical sum for the chairman of Tianhe Group, was certainly no small amount for a protective magic artifact. He pondered for a moment, not immediately agreeing, but cautiously asking, "Master Chen, I wonder what's so special about this magic artifact... that I might be allowed to see it? Or, could you briefly explain its effects?"

Chen Anran had anticipated this question and calmly replied, "This item is called 'Heart-Cleansing and Soul-Suppressing Jade.' It was crafted using a secret method of my sect, taking a considerable amount of time to produce, and only one piece remains. Its effects are mainly twofold: first, it can calm the mind and spirit, allowing one to maintain a clear mind even in places of darkness and evil, preventing one from being misled by illusions; second, it can spontaneously resist the intrusion of ordinary yin and filth, forming a protective aura. It is perfectly suited for what your daughter has done. As for the actual item..." He paused, "This jade still requires a final nurturing process, and it will be completed the day after tomorrow. If Chairman Zhao trusts me, I can bring the finished product the day after tomorrow."

Chen Anran spoke calmly and confidently, as if stating something self-evident. His confidence and detachment gave his words immense persuasiveness.

Feng Xiaolu listened in stunned silence, thinking to herself that her junior brother's persuasive skills... no, his marketing prowess was simply surpassing his master's! He even brought up "secret techniques of the sect" and "only one left"!

Looking into Chen Anran's clear eyes, Zhao Qiming recalled the terrifying scene inside the building described by Wang Anxi, and the strange sights in the video of the peach wood sword emitting golden light and glutinous rice bursting into sparks. His heart began to tip. At his level, sometimes he was more willing to believe in this seemingly "ethereal" yet capable of solving real problems. Using five million to buy his daughter tangible peace of mind seemed... worth it.

Zhao Qiming took a deep breath, a resolute look on his face: "Alright! Master Chen is a straightforward man, and I, Zhao, will not mince words! Five million it is! The day after tomorrow at this time, I, Zhao, will be here to await Master Chen's immortal jade!"

As he spoke, he raised his glass: "I, Zhao, would like to express my sincere gratitude once again for your tremendous assistance!"

Seeing this, Feng Xiaolu quickly raised her glass, her face beaming with joy, as if she could already see five million beckoning to her.

Chen Anran also raised her glass in acknowledgment, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The Soul-Soothing Jade costs almost nothing to produce, yet it can be resold for five million. This Evolution Museum is indeed an unparalleled tool for the revival of the sect and the improvement of the lives of the senior sisters.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet concluded in a pleasant atmosphere. Zhao Qiming personally escorted Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu to the restaurant downstairs, where their car was already waiting. Before parting, Zhao Qiming respectfully handed each of them a business card with only their name and a personal phone number on it.

"If you two need anything in the future, no matter how small, you can call me, Zhao, at any time," Zhao Qiming said earnestly.

"Chairman Zhao, you're too kind." Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu accepted the business card, said goodbye, and got into the car.

Back in the hotel suite, after closing the door, Feng Xiaolu finally couldn't contain herself any longer. She excitedly grabbed Chen Anran's arm and screamed in a low voice, "Five million! Junior Brother! You're truly our Yunyin Sect's money tree! You sold a piece of jade for five million! Now our sect won't have to worry about food and clothing anymore! And we can eat very well and dress very well."

Chen Anran was both amused and exasperated by her shaking: "Senior sister, calm down. This is just the beginning."

Feng Xiaolu released him, still rubbing her hands excitedly, "Senior Sister will be ecstatic when she finds out!"

Once the initial excitement subsided, Feng Xiaolu asked with a mixture of worry and curiosity, "Junior Brother, the jade you mentioned wouldn't be that corpse-nurturing jade, would it? Isn't that... a bit inappropriate? You know, in our line of work, we can deceive people, but we can't take lives. Besides, Chairman Zhao still has some influence in the secular world. What if something goes wrong and a criminal case is filed..."

Chen Anran found it amusing and interrupted, "Don't worry, Senior Sister, it's not that corpse-nurturing jade, but a jade pendant that can actually benefit people."

Feng Xiaolu paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered the "nurturing method" that Chen Anran had mentioned to her, as well as the powerful peach wood sword and glutinous rice.

"Was this also cultivated by you?"

Chen Anran smiled and nodded.

Feng Xiaolu breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, but she was still somewhat worried.

"But junior brother, that jade... is it really as miraculous as you say? And can it be properly nurtured in a day or two?"

"I know what I'm doing," Chen Anran nodded confidently.

He had no doubt about the Museum of Evolution's capabilities.