Chapter 146: The Grand Magic—Trading Market 3

When I found her, she was even more beautiful than Sakura back then.

At Old Ge’s place, the elven girl Xirui trembled uncontrollably, her eyes filled with utter lifelessness—more hopeless, more soul-crushing than when she first arrived at Nara.

Old Ge’s gaze remained fixed on Xirui. His aged face suddenly darkened, and he took a step forward, his eyes instantly sharp and cold.

Driven by jealousy, Old Ge stared at her and said, “I want you to swear on Demon King Nais: only you may approach Xirui. You are forbidden from harming or selling her. Otherwise, your soul will be dragged into the underworld by the King of Hell and suffer eternal torment in the flames!”

Sang Chu looked at the stubbornness and paranoia in his eyes, then glanced at the elven girl who had completely lost the will to live. Although she felt a bit sympathetic, she didn’t want to make such a rash oath. Who knew what might happen once it was made?

“I refuse. You don’t want to sell her to me, and I won’t beg. Anyone can see she’s been toyed with—who knows if she can even use magic anymore? What I need is an elf who can tend to flowers, not a broken plaything who might not even have her powers left.”

With that, Sang Chu turned to leave without hesitation. But in the next instant, Old Ge blocked her path.

His gaze was unreadable. “You’re a cultivator?”

“Yes. Otherwise, why would I bother looking for a wood elf? But this one is clearly no good anymore. I have no interest in damaged goods, and I don’t want to clean up your mess, understand?”

“You’re from the city of Rose?”

Old Ge didn’t move aside. Instead, he stared at Sang Chu, as if trying to confirm something. He seemed to suspect she was indeed from the City of Rose.

Luckily, at that moment, Rabbit had already retrieved the land deed. “Master, I found the deed for Rose City. It’s a place called Rose Town, about a month’s journey from here. The road isn’t safe, so I’ll need to prepare well!”

Glancing at the deed Rabbit handed over, Sang Chu instantly had an idea. She smiled, “Rose Town, huh? Looks like you really do know about the City of Rose. But do you know what the City of Rose represents?”

Old Ge lowered his head slightly, took a deep breath, and looked at Sang Chu. “I can give you this elf, and I won’t charge you any money. But I want a single rose.”

Sang Chu sneered, “Shopkeeper Ge, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? You want to trade a piece of trash for a precious rose?”

Her tone suddenly turned cold. “Don’t waste my time. If you want to make a deal, say it clearly.”

As she spoke, Sang Chu subconsciously tried to use her spiritual power to control Old Ge. But as soon as she attempted it, his eyes instantly cleared.

He looked at Sang Chu in shock. “You… you… are you really of royal blood? Are you the master of the City of Rose?”

Sang Chu didn’t answer, but her silence was enough for Old Ge to believe it. If she truly was the master of the City of Rose, she wouldn’t care about this elf at all.

“Your Highness, I can give you this elf. I don’t want anything in return. But could you promise me—don’t let anyone else touch her.”

Sang Chu glanced at him, her eyes full of disdain. “You think I need her for something? Don’t compare me to yourself!”

“Yes, I’m selfish. That’s why I don’t want anyone else to have her. She’s too beautiful, too charming, too alluring.”

“You’re the selfish one, yet you want to pin the blame on others. Her beauty is not an excuse for you to imprison and abuse her.”

Old Ge looked at Xirui, let out a deep sigh, and said, “You’re right. Take her with you!”

With that, he turned and left, not lingering any longer. Only then did Sang Chu turn to the elven girl. “Do you want to come with me?”

Xirui lifted her head slightly, her delicate face pale as snow. She reached out to Sang Chu, as if silently begging for help.

Sang Chu tossed a card onto the ground. “If you want to come with me, drip your blood on this. Once you become my contracted spirit, I’ll take you away.”

Xirui took the card. Even though it might mean falling into another abyss, she no longer wanted to remain a prisoner here.

She bit her wrist hard, and blood began to flow. In the emerald liquid, there was a faint golden glow—strangely beautiful.

The sight of her blood made Sang Chu’s body react involuntarily, as if something inside her was urging her to devour the girl before her.

Sensing Sang Chu’s reaction, Xirui shrank back, retreating in fear. Sang Chu quickly picked up the card, bit her own finger, and dripped her blood onto it. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t scare you. You should return to the card for now.”

But unexpectedly, Xirui hesitated. It was as if she’d figured something out. She slowly knelt and crawled toward Sang Chu, grasping her bleeding hand and bowing her head.

Rabbit: [Ah Chu, I think she wants to drink your blood?]

[Why?]

Rabbit thought for a moment. [Maybe because she’s too weak after being imprisoned for so long. Now that you’ve contracted her, you’re her master. She can gain strength from your blood, and as her master, you can share your power with her. She wants to recover quickly—maybe to take revenge.]

Sang Chu nodded and extended her hand. “Go ahead.”

Xirui hesitated, having thought she wouldn’t be allowed. She never imagined she’d be permitted to drink.

“I… want…”

Perhaps it had been too long since she’d spoken; her voice was hoarse and weak. She couldn’t even finish a full sentence.

“Drink. It’s just a little blood. I think I can make that decision.”

Xirui’s lips trembled, but she couldn’t say a word. She could only lower her head and gently suck the blood from Sang Chu’s finger.

Gradually, the magical patterns on her skin began to reappear, and the red stones on her ears slowly faded away.

Touching the now-vanished magic stones on her ears, Xirui looked at the magical patterns on her hands, her eyes filling with hope and disbelief.

Sang Chu stood up and handed her a mage’s robe. “Put this on. I’m sure you don’t want him to see your body again.”

A faint blush appeared in Xirui’s eyes, and she smiled as she put on the clothes Sang Chu gave her. “Thank you, Master. I hope I won’t cause you any trouble.”

“No, I’ll wait for you outside.”

With that, Sang Chu turned and left, leaving Rabbit behind just in case.

When Sang Chu emerged with the card, Mu Xue looked up. “Can I see what the elf looks like?”

“No rush. We’ll talk when we get back. Let’s go.”

Ryushi poked Jin Lao, grinning as he followed behind. Once they left the shop, Jin Lao finally spoke. “Your Highness Sang, you really dared to use magic in my trading market!”"