Chapter 2802: Tickets

"Alright."

The cheers from Heng Yue Zong grew even louder, attracting all sorts of bored individuals who had nothing else to do. They came in droves just to watch the spectacle, primarily because the two women were the wives of the Sacred Body, and their dances were truly breathtaking.

Compared to them, Hua Wu's dances from back then—well, that was Nan Ming Yu Shu—fell far short. Even with just Nan Ming Yu Shu's single performance, sons of gods from half of Dong Huang had shown up. These even more exquisite dances were bound to draw an even larger crowd.

Unfortunately, Heng Yue Zong was too small and lacked sufficient space, so entry wasn't open to everyone—a ticket was required. Take Xiong Er, that little chubby fellow, for instance. He’d lugged a small stool and plonked it right in front of the mountain gate, refusing entry without payment.

Consequently, that plump little fresh face was flattened into a meat patty. Not everyone had a good temper, and not everyone carried money when they went out.

Five years later, Jade Maiden Peak was once again bustling with life, and even Wu Ye Dashao's presence added to the lively atmosphere. It was all due to the stunning women and their beautiful dances, which attracted a massive crowd.

"Little worm, why are you everywhere?"

Seeing Long Jie squeeze his way in, Xie Yun shot him a look.

"I just love to join in the fun."

Long Jie stood in the crowd, on his tiptoes, craning his neck like a bobblehead, glancing around. Among everyone there, he was likely the only one not interested in the dancing—he was searching for someone. Who? Dong Shen Yao Chi. He hadn't seen her for days and missed her terribly.

But he couldn't find her.

"You can't watch for free, pay up."

Ye Ling was truly on top of things, carrying a small basket as she scurried around the mountain, much like a rent collector. If you didn't pay, you could go cool off somewhere else.

"No money."

Xiao Yuan Huang was acting all arrogant, making a big show of it.

"A little monkey, not paying?"

Ye Ling didn't push it; she just pulled out a small notebook and jotted down Xiao Yuan Huang's name. She knew she couldn't beat this monkey in a fight, but her old man? Well, that was a different story—he could probably send this monkey back to its mother's womb.

"Come on, girl, your big uncle has something for you."

Xiao Yuan Huang was sly as could be, handing over a storage bag and emphasizing the words "big uncle" extra hard. Ye Chen was the seventh in rank, so calling him big uncle wasn't incorrect, but stringing it together sounded a bit like an insult. Nevertheless, money had to be paid. That guy, Ye Chen, was the type to show no mercy, even to family. He still remembered how Ye Chen had beaten their boss half to death back then.

"Dad's been in a foul mood lately."

Ye Ling took the storage bag but didn't leave; she stayed put in front of Xiao Yuan Huang, one hand on her little basket and the other holding a small mirror to fix her hair. It seemed like she was suggesting the money was a bit light—how about a little more?

"Come on, girl, go ask them—they've got cash."

Xiao Yuan Huang said, handing over another storage bag and shoving Ye Ling toward Nan Di and Zhong Huang.

Nan Di and the others were far more reliable than that monkey; they handed over their storage bags with awkward smiles. The precious daughter of the Sacred Body family was truly surpassing her predecessors. Ye Chen's talents had been passed down perfectly to her.

"Girl, where's your Ninth Aunt?"

Long Jie asked with a grin, his eyes narrowed.

"A little worm, flirting with Ninth Aunt?"

Ye Ling put on an innocent face, deciding not to take the money this time, and pulled out her little notebook again. This had to be noted down for when her dad returned. He might just whip up some snake soup that night—or more accurately, braised Cang Long meat.

Long Jie's mouth twitched, and he quickly stuffed a storage bag into her hands. Some things Ye Ling could know about, but Ye Chen absolutely couldn't find out. Just thinking about it made him recall the past—he'd only sneaked a peek once, and Ye Chen had chased him for over eight million li.

"That's more like it."

Ye Ling chuckled, took the money, and scampered off.

After a couple of steps, she doubled back, now holding a comb. She poked Long Jie with her little finger, batted her eyes, and smiled sweetly. "This is something my Ninth Aunt used—want it?"

"This kid is so thoughtful."

Long Jie said earnestly, waving his hand to take the wooden comb, and in return, he handed over another storage bag without even checking how much was in it. Whatever the amount, it was worth it.

"This jade hairpin is also Ninth Aunt's."

"Here, take the money."

"This handkerchief, Ninth Aunt embroidered it."

"Not bad."

"That one, well, Ninth Aunt gave birth to it."

"Can't afford that."

One girl and one little worm went back and forth, whispering at the top of their heads—one selling goods, the other buying. She had plenty of stock, and he had plenty of source stones.

No wonder she was the little cabbage of the Sacred Body family—her little brain was sharp as a tack. She'd finally caught a rich guy with more money than sense, and she was fleecing him for all he was worth. Anything from jade bracelets to handkerchiefs or combs—as long as it was tied to "Ninth Aunt," the price skyrocketed.

By the time Ye Ling left, Long Jie was flat broke.

As for the stuff she sold him, it had nothing to do with Yao Chi at all—it was just a bunch of trinkets Ye Ling had snatched over the years. Finally, she'd found someone to offload them on.

"Throwing in Ninth Aunt's name works like a charm."

Ye Ling grinned to herself, basket in hand, collecting money as she went. Pay up and you're good; don't pay, and she'd note it down. Her dad could collect later—what a joke, you can't watch the dance for free.

As she walked along, that little chubby guy Tang San Shao popped up out of nowhere, holding a big basket and flashing his pearly whites.

"Yours is too small; mine's bigger."

Ye Ling took one look, glanced at her own basket, and tossed it aside without a second thought. For collecting money, a big basket was way more practical, especially with so many people around.

"You, yeah you—hand over the money."

"Hey, you little chubby black guy."

"Some old man's picking on me."

"Girl, you can't do me like this."

On Jade Maiden Peak, the shouts from Tang San Shao echoed everywhere, turning him into Ye Ling's trusty sidekick. He lugged his big basket around, dedicated to gathering the cash, while Ye Ling focused on her little notebook—pay up, and we're all friends; don't pay, and things get awkward.

And so, this elegant Jade Maiden Peak wasn't just about the graceful dances anymore—it had a new highlight: Tang San Shao and Ye Ling roaming around, raking in money wherever they went.

"Quite the enterprising pair."

Many of the old-timers stroked their beards thoughtfully. Those storage bags were packed with quite a haul. With so many people showing up, they must have collected a fortune. But then, even watching Nan Ming Yu Shu dance back in the day cost tens of thousands, so Chu Xuan and Chu Ling, being even better, were worth every bit.

"Having successors like this brings me great comfort."

Si Tu Nan's words carried a deep weight.

"Don't bother with the chit-chat—pay up."

"Want some specialties?"

"Do I look like I need specialties?"

Shouts and hollers filled the mountain.

The women watched and couldn't help but cough, many rubbing their brows. Having a daughter like this was truly a joy—Ye Chen would be even happier if he were here.

Speaking of Ye Chen, he wasn't happy at all right now.

The scene in the black hole was downright awkward.

Ruo Xi was still dancing, and the peak experts, including Ye Chen, couldn't get near her. Centered on Ruo Xi, a powerful pressure radiated out, pinning everyone in place and rendering them immobile.

"Even if we could get close, we might not be able to move her."

Zao Hua Shen Wang's face was flushed red as he struggled against the pressure, his legs trembling as if about to kneel. The other peak experts were in the same boat—it wasn't that they weren't strong enough; it was just that Xiao Ruo Xi's pressure was terrifyingly overwhelming.

"Come out!"

Ye Chen called out, summoning the Ling Xiao Bao Dian. Since even he couldn't move, he couldn't count on the Saint Venerables. Compared to them, the Ling Xiao Dian was more dependable.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The Ling Xiao Dian hummed as it gathered its power. It knew exactly who Ruo Xi was, and precisely because of that, it had to muster all its strength. Without the capability, showing up would be pointless—it needed to strike and seize Ruo Xi in one go.