Yi Shanyuan and Jia Zixin looked at one another, silently performing the mental arithmetic required for such a massive acquisition. After carefully considering the extreme scarcity of the material and the immense labour involved in obtaining such high-quality specimens, they found her proposal to be remarkably reasonable and gave a firm, synchronous nod of approval.

"Very well. We agree to those terms for the first half of the haul. Now, what about the remaining one hundred Stone-Clad Wolves?" Yi Shanyuan asked, leaning forward with an intense, professional interest gleaming in his eyes.

"For the rest, I am thinking of selling them at the standard market price." Bai Xifeng said simply.

"Market price? You mean you want actual currency?" Jia Zixin asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

He found it unexpected that she would prefer cold, hard gold over the prestige and utility of academy points, which were usually the lifeblood of a student’s progress.

"Yes." Bai Xifeng nodded firmly, her gaze unwavering. "But I will be honest with you. I do not know the exact current market rate for this specific grade of creature-fused mineral. I will have to trouble the teachers to calculate a fair and honest value for me."

Once again, Yi Shanyuan and Jia Zixin huddled together, their voices dropping to low whispers as they discussed the complexities of the academy’s budget and the possible valuation of such a rare commodity. Bai Xifeng waited with complete, unbothered ease, leaning back in her chair and stretching her legs until they finished their lengthy deliberations.

"We agree to the arrangement in principle." Yi Shanyuan finally stated. "However, we still need to formally consult the procurement office regarding the current market price before we can offer a final and binding number. Are you alright with waiting for that bureaucracy to clear?"

"Hmm... I don’t mind a short wait." Bai Xifeng nodded, her expression relaxed. "Then I will hand over the first one hundred Stone-Clad Wolves now to get the process started. Oh... but wait. Do you have a bigger space available? I do not think this cramped inspection room is nearly large enough for me to unload one hundred Stone-Clad Wolves at once."

"Let’s relocate to the Armament Master Division immediately." Jia Zixin suggested, his excitement growing. "We have plenty of wide-open courtyards and reinforced storage bays there. It should provide more than enough space to accommodate the entire haul without causing a bottleneck."

Yi Shanyuan nodded vigorously, already mentally imagining the marvellous, high-grade weapons they could forge from such a bounty. "A magnificent idea. Let’s move out."

"Sure." Bai Xifeng nodded.

With a graceful flick of her wrist and a sudden, sharp surge of Qi, Bai Xifeng drew the four Stone-Clad Wolves back into her storage rune. The two teachers immediately froze in their tracks, their eyes fixed with laser-like focus on the glowing mark etched upon her.

"Student Bai, is that...?" Jia Zixin asked, his voice trembling with a potent mixture of academic curiosity and raw, unadulterated excitement.

"Huh? This?" Bai Xifeng waved her arm casually, displaying the intricate storage rune as if it were nothing more than a common, inexpensive trinket.

"Yes... Is that the legendary, rumoured storage rune?" Jia Zixin asked, his eyes wide with a look of pure disbelief.

"Yes. That is exactly what it is." Bai Xifeng confirmed with a nonchalant shrug.

"I see... I have heard whispers about such amazing spatial items before. If I recall correctly, one was recently auctioned for a truly staggering price at the prestigious Shanghai Pavilion in the Capital City." Jia Zixin stated, looking at her with a profound sense of newfound respect.

"Yes." Bai Xifeng nodded again, offering no further explanation and keeping her secrets close to her chest.

The trio left the private room and began to walk out of the Quest Building. They were just about to step out into the warm afternoon sunlight when Bai Xifeng heard a familiar, formal voice calling out to her from across the crowded plaza.

"Lady Bai."

It was rare for anyone in this school to address her with such traditional formality, using the title ’Lady Bai,’ except for one specific person. Her guess was proven right a second later as she spotted the figure hurrying toward her. It was indeed Zou Weizhe.

"So, it is true that you were saved." Zou Weizhe said as he approached. He breathed a visible sigh of relief, clearly moved to see Bai Xifeng standing safely in front of him. "I truly thought you had lost your life at the Xien Stone Cave during the collapse."

"Well, thank you for worrying about me. But I think I do not need your concern." Bai Xifeng replied, her voice dropping to a chilly, distant tone.

Hearing the icy response from Bai Xifeng, Zou Weizhe did not show any anger, but his follower certainly did. Jin Zhilan stepped forward aggressively, her eyes narrowed as she glared sharply at Bai Xifeng.

"What an ungrateful wretch you are! It is your absolute blessing that His Highness spent even a moment worrying about your well-being!" Jin Zhilan shouted, her voice echoing across the plaza.

Pang!

The sound of the impact was sharp and sudden. Jin Zhilan felt a searing, sharp pain erupt on the left side of her face. She stumbled back, clutching her cheek and looking at Bai Xifeng in utter shock.

"You... You... You dare attack me?" Jin Zhilan pointed a trembling, manicured finger at Bai Xifeng, her face contorting with rage.

Bai Xifeng scoffed lightly, her expression bored. "Do you honestly think you would still be standing if I had truly ’attacked’ you? You should be grateful instead, since I only gave you a simple slap to remind you of your place."

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko*