"I'm out of cash."
After hesitating for a long time, the man shook his head. "I'll come back another time. I'll pass for now."
The items weren't bad, but blowing four hundred thousand Mora in a matter of minutes made his heart ache.
He would wait until tomorrow, or maybe the day after.
He desperately wanted to pull a Vision or an Eternal Youth Pill, but luck clearly wasn't on his side.
Four items for four hundred grand. They had some value, but the gap between expectation and reality left him conflicted—wanting to pull more but terrified of spending more.
It wasn't like he couldn't come back later. He still had three chances left this week.
With that thought, he grabbed his items and walked out.
"He's out! He's out!"
"Brother, what did you get? Give us the details!"
"Yeah, tell us! Did you pull anything good?"
...
As soon as he stepped out of the shop, the crowd swarmed him, faces flushed with excitement.
Here was another witness, another gambler who had tested the waters.
They were dying to know if the jars were worth it.
"I opened four jars. The only thing of value was this Red Gemstone."
Facing the barrage of questions, the man raised his hand, displaying the gem.
Everyone saw the crimson stone glinting in the sunlight.
"What a beautiful stone."
"Just that one gem could probably sell for over a hundred thousand at the Jade Mystery!"
"Still a loss, though. He opened four jars and only got one valuable thing. Definitely a loss."
"Four jars and no Vision. As expected, Visions are incredibly rare. Just like I guessed."
"Sigh. I thought everyone would get good stuff. Looks like it's all luck. Forget it, I'm not opening any. I don't think I have that kind of luck."
...
As the man shared his results, the crowd erupted into debate.
Hearing the reality of the odds, some people left the line, giving up on the idea.
Most of those who left were ordinary folk.
Only the wealthy remained, still queuing with high spirits, ready to enter the shop and test their fortune.
While they were buying and breaking jars, high above the harbor, the Tianquan of Liyue had returned to her palace.
"Lady Ningguang."
Baishi, who had been waiting in the Jade Chamber, stepped forward respectfully as soon as she saw her mistress. "How was your trip to the jar shop?"
"Very fruitful."
Ningguang didn't waste time. "Go contact the Yuheng immediately. Tell her I have an urgent matter to discuss and need her to come here at once."
"Yes!"
Hearing the urgency in Ningguang's voice, Baishi didn't dare delay. She turned and ran out, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hall.
Watching her leave, Ningguang turned her gaze to the five items on her desk.
Eternal Youth Pill. Explosive Tags. Senzu Bean. Economics & Management. Wash-Wash Fruit.
Five items in total.
The first and fourth were useful to her personally. The second and third were of little consequence.
As for the fifth—the Devil Fruit—she wouldn't eat it herself. The side effect was a liability she didn't need.
She already possessed a Vision and could manipulate elemental energy. The fruit's power, while unique, was redundant for her.
However, undeniable was the fact that this ability was precious.
So precious that she couldn't just give it to anyone.
The "Wash-Wash Fruit," as described, was essentially a tool of purification.
It could cleanse the malice from a person's heart.
She wondered if she could test it on a Fatui agent.
The Fatui stationed in Liyue were a constant thorn in her side.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A series of brisk footsteps interrupted her thoughts. A young woman with purple hair tied in twin tails, exquisite features, and skin like white jade walked in.
Her face and figure were top-tier perfection. It was rare to see such a balanced beauty.
"Ningguang, what did you call me here for?"
Keqing strode forward, getting straight to the point.
She had been resting at home when Baishi arrived, claiming Ningguang had an urgent matter. She had come immediately.
Ningguang rarely sought her out for trivialities. If she called, it was something major—usually involving Liyue's policy or safety.
"Didn't Baishi tell you on the way?"
Ningguang blinked. Keqing's question implied she knew nothing about the jar shop.
"Lady Yuheng moved too fast; I couldn't catch up!"
Just as Ningguang finished speaking, Baishi rushed in from outside, panting. "I tried to tell her, but Lady Yuheng was gone before I could finish a sentence!"