At this moment, only a cultivator at the seventh layer of the True Person Realm and three mid-stage True Person Realm cultivators were still able to stand firmly on the ground.
"Too much trash. I've helped our fellow Daoists with a little selection, hope you don't mind."
"Xiao He, distribute a bottle of Qi Energizing Elixir to each fellow Daoist on the ground; consider it a token of gratitude from our Hehuan Sect."
Zhen Ruan first spoke warmly to the female scribe and then turned her head to Yi Chen, saying, "Fellow Daoist's cultivation is indeed admirable."
"But to ask for one hundred thousand taels of gold in merely seven days, don't you think that's a bit too greedy?"
Zhen Ruan brushed the short hair by her temples behind her ear, and Yi Chen surprisingly found traces of charm on her vibrant face, secretly praising the wonder of the Hehuan Sect's cultivation technique. For a moment, he even considered taking some of those techniques back to study with his master.
Charm +10. Happiness +12.
"I've already given you a friendship price by asking for one hundred thousand taels. If you find it expensive, you can try your luck with the rejects on the ground. It's your problem that it's expensive, not mine."
"Give me two days, and I'll return a cleansed Lotus City to you, how about that?"
"Or how about I stand still and take three palm strikes from you? After the three strikes, you add another fifty thousand taels, and if I take even half a step back, I won't take a single coin."
Yi Chen paused for a moment, then made another suggestion.
"Do you speak the truth?" Zhen Ruan's face brightened upon hearing this.
One hundred thousand taels of gold, equivalent to ten drops of the essence of gold, was not something that would cause her Hehuan Sect any real pain, but it was still not an amount to be disregarded casually.
It should be known that she had practiced cultivation for less than sixty years, and her level had already reached the seventh layer of the True Person Realm. Although the man in front of her was not lacking in cultivation, he was far too arrogant. This was a good opportunity to intimidate him and make him easier to manage in the future.
"Come on then, want to try my unorthodox methods? Feel free."
"Then, fellow Daoist, be careful. I've concealed my power, but I'm a genuine True Person Realm seventh-layer cultivator," Zhen Ruan said with a sly smile, removing a mana-concealing jade pendant from herself.
At this point, those knocked down by Yi Chen were watching with the look of spectators at a play.
"Less talk, Fellow Daoist Zhen, just make your move. I won't fight back."
As soon as these words were out, Zhen Ruan felt somewhat annoyed. She gathered her energy and forcefully pressed a pale, jade-like hand onto Yi Chen's chest, emitting a sound like metal clashing against metal.
Unfortunately, the anticipated scene of Yi Chen falling to the ground did not happen.
"Fellow Daoist, did you skip breakfast?"
"Again, I only used five percent of my strength last time." Zhen Ruan's pride was wounded, impressed by his strong foundation and robust physique.
The blood energy in him was as vigorous as the ocean, causing her to feel both amazed and apprehensive.
Zhen Ruan gathered her energy for the second time, holding nothing back.
With a delicate shout, a pale hand slammed once again fiercely onto Yi Chen's chest. Due to her exertion of full force, her face even turned a bit red with the effort.
Another muffled sound, and Zhen Ruan felt her exerted force disappearing without a trace as if it had sunk into the sea, the man before her standing as immovable as a sturdy mountain.
"Fellow Daoist, make it quick, there's one more to go."
"Remember, a hundred and fifty thousand taels of gold in seven days." Yi Chen once again grinned, flashing eight shiny teeth.
"No need for the last strike, I, Zhen Ruan, am convinced."
"Your name, cultivation level, appellation, and sect, if you could please record them. I need to report back to the Sect Master."
Zhen Ruan, her face blushing, suddenly spoke more gently, handing over a book.
Yi Chen picked up the brush and began to write boldly and vigorously.
Name: Zhang San, appellation: Yi Cheng, sect: Fa family, master: Luo Fei.