Chapter 30: Both Great Beauties Wish to Grasp the Future!

On his way over, Cao Xuan deliberately spent a thousand spirit stones to purchase two storage pouches. He also had the Ling Herb Pavilion custom-design them according to his specifications: a pink floral motif suitable for Lin Miaoxuan, and a cyan herbal pattern for Chen Qianru, reflecting her expertise in medicinal herbs.

There is a saying from his previous life: "A bag cures all ills." In the world of cultivation, a storage pouch is perhaps the equivalent of a bag. Producing two of them in a single gesture instantly silenced the crowd.

Hold on—seriously?

The male cultivators, who had been watching the scene unfold with amusement, immediately sensed trouble. Storage pouches! For an outer-sect candidate, that was out of reach. Outer disciples received a monthly stipend of twenty spirit stones—one would have to save for twenty-five months, nearly two years, without spending a single coin, to afford one. For cultivators, who must constantly invest in their own progress, the time required would only increase. Even if one took on extra missions, working during the day and running themselves ragged at night, perhaps they might manage to acquire a storage pouch within a year.

But this man had just produced two at once. How could anyone compete?

In an instant, the mood among the male cultivators changed. They all waved dismissively.

"Come on, Junior Sister, let's go. There's nothing to see here—such a scoundrel isn't worth your attention."

"Exactly. Junior Sister, I hear there's a spring deep within Moonwatching Valley where one can watch the stars and moon. Shall we go?"

"Let's disperse. Let those lovebirds quarrel; why should we get involved?"

One after another, the men, thinking of their wallets and future cultivation resources, wanted nothing more than to flee this place of strife.

The female cultivators, on the other hand, were in no hurry. In fact, their feet seemed rooted to the ground.

"Wow, what beautiful storage pouches! Judging by the style, these must be the work of the Melodious Pavilion under the Hehuan Sect of Central Province—the craftsmanship is exquisite."

"Under the moonlight, I finally see this Senior Brother clearly—he's truly a fine figure, handsome and noble."

"Tsk, tsk. Unlike some people who only ever look at the fancy clothes of the Mysterious Garment Pavilion, but never consider buying something from the Melodious Pavilion."

"Indeed. If my Senior Brother would buy me something from the Melodious Pavilion, even just a bit of rouge or powder, I'd gladly wear the Mysterious Garment Pavilion's clothes for him."

"Sigh, some people never try to improve themselves—always finding fault with others instead of learning from those who stand out."

"That's right—always putting others down, never considering that maybe they themselves should work harder!"

Nothing draws a crowd like drama—except, perhaps, comparison.

Originally, stargazing at Moonwatching Valley was a romantic affair, but when Cao Xuan produced the two storage pouches, the atmosphere changed. The men fell silent, faces sour.

"My goodness, is this really something hard work alone could achieve?"

But at this moment, reasoning with the women was a lost cause.

Just then, Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru both reached out for the pouches, only to hesitate, turning their heads with a cold huff.

"I don't want it. Since you bought one for Chen Qianru too, you might as well just give them both to her!" Lin retorted.

The surrounding females' eyes sparkled. Come on, sister, if you don't want it, I do! Handsome Senior Brother, look over here—I'll take it!

Lin Miaoxuan's eyes brimmed with mist. "I heard you and Chen Qianru were seen strolling together in the Herb Valley, Senior Brother Cao. I didn't want to believe it. I didn't expect you really have something going on with her. You even bought her a storage pouch. If you didn't want to buy one for me, you could have just said so!"

Unwilling to be outdone, Chen Qianru replied, "Lin Miaoxuan, I don't know what you're thinking. Senior Brother Cao and I are innocent. We were simply discussing alchemy in the Herb Valley—nothing as sordid as you imagine. But you, I heard you bought clothes from the Mysterious Garment Pavilion and went to the Linyun Inn. Are you trying to seduce Senior Brother Cao, to bind him to you?"

"No wonder he's been ignoring you these three months!"

"And you're right—I do have feelings for Senior Brother Cao. I believe I'm a better match for him than you are. If you don't want the storage pouch, then I most certainly do!"

Though Chen Qianru had been annoyed that Cao Xuan bought two pouches, she now snatched the green one without hesitation, even reaching for the pink one as well.

Seeing Chen Qianru's shamelessness, Lin Miaoxuan was taken aback. If she didn't claim her pouch, wouldn't that just hand it over to this wretched woman? Absolutely not!

She seized the pink pouch. "Senior Brother Cao bought this for me. You shameless hussy!"

The nearby men could only roar inwardly, "Can't you two beauties stop arguing?"

"Isn't the real issue this scoundrel, stringing both of you along? Shouldn't we be condemning him together?"

"Has the world turned upside down? Why is no one holding the man accountable?"

"I recall hearing about a former peak lord of the Artifact Refining Peak in Azurecloud Gate, who courted two protectors at once. When his duplicity was revealed, both female protectors joined forces and beat him so badly he had to seclude himself for ten years to heal!"

"Why is it that, faced with a similar scene, the two female cultivators are fighting each other instead of the man?"

The men were utterly perplexed. More importantly, no one else seemed to think anything was amiss.

One of their junior sisters even declared, "That's right. For such an outstanding man, you should fight for him by any means necessary."

Another looked dazed, muttering to herself, "I used to think the clothes from the Mysterious Garment Pavilion were made for shameless men. But maybe not; I could buy some myself, invest ahead of time—perhaps I'll meet someone even richer... ahem, a better partner."

The mood at the scene grew increasingly delicate. The men, feeling something was off, didn't even know the term "gold digger," so they could only bow their heads in frustration. The women, on the other hand, felt justified—if someone else could meet a good man, why couldn't they meet an even better one?

They didn't consider the odds stacked against them; to Cao Xuan, they weren't even worth a glance. Still, they thought, I'm a little fairy too—why shouldn't I receive the same treatment?

By producing two storage pouches, Cao Xuan instantly dispelled any desire Lin Miaoxuan or Chen Qianru had to unite against him. As outer disciples, they understood the value of such gifts. With the resources from normal cultivation, they couldn't fathom when they'd ever afford a storage pouch.

Chen Qianru wanted to join the Alchemy Peak precisely for the "perks"—the chance to earn more spirit stones. It was said some unfortunate outer disciples died without ever owning a storage pouch!

Forget those who claim not to need one, insisting cultivation resources suffice; that's just the excuse of the weak.

Now, the path to becoming "strong" was right before them—in the form of Cao Xuan. Both Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru were determined to seize their futures.