Yu Daochen instantly understood the meaning, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "City God Lord, I was in such a hurry to get here that I didn't bring any money. Could I make a phone call to have a friend bring some, or do you perhaps have a bank card or Alipay...?"
Yu Daochen knew in his heart that from the City God's tone, she intended to sell the Memory Pearl to him.
Rather than auctioning it off.
But this was even better, as he could claim to have no competition and simply offer a sufficient price.
However, the problem was that the Memory Pearl's value had likely doubled, and he absolutely had to obtain this item.
This City God would surely seize the opportunity to fleece him.
"Money?"
Song Yaning smiled noncommittally, "What use is your mortal world's money to someone from the Underworld like me?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Daochen's brow furrowed slightly, and he tentatively asked, "Does the City God Lord intend to trade goods for goods?"
"Trade goods for goods?"
Song Yaning pondered for a moment and then smiled, "That's a good idea, but what do you have now that you can exchange with me? The Kanglong Jian?"
Yu Daochen fell silent.
She was right; he truly had nothing to exchange with her at the moment.
While the Memory Pearl wasn't a peerless treasure in the hands of others,
It was an unparalleled treasure for him now.
Seeing Yu Daochen's silence, Song Yaning continued, "I didn't plan to use a trade anyway."
Hearing this, Yu Daochen became even more confused, looking at Song Yaning with a peculiar expression.
No money, no treasures... could it be... she wanted his body?
Damn, was this City God this perverted?
Though, it wasn't entirely impossible.
To recover his memories, he could only sacrifice his body.
Seeing Yu Daochen's lewd gaze, Song Yaning understood his thoughts and said with annoyance, "Take away those vulgar eyes. If I were looking for someone, I'd seek a strong and robust man, not a pretty boy like you."
Yu Daochen quickly withdrew his gaze and smiled, "May I ask what method the City God Lord wishes to use for the exchange?"
Song Yaning shot him an annoyed glance and replied, "It's very simple. You promise me one thing."
"A promise?"
Yu Daochen's expression turned serious, "May I ask what promise the City God Lord wants me to make?"
Song Yaning stated it directly, "It's very simple. If the Ghost City encounters any danger in the future, you must come to its rescue immediately."
Upon hearing this, Yu Daochen sensed that things were far from simple and asked in confusion, "With the City God Lord's strength, you likely wouldn't need my help."
Although he hadn't seen Song Yaning make a move, her strength was surely comparable to a Black List expert.
Perhaps even stronger.
If she couldn't resolve an issue, he certainly wouldn't be able to.
Song Yaning also saw Yu Daochen's doubt and answered truthfully, "You can't do it now, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to in the future."
These words left Yu Daochen utterly bewildered, unable to grasp Song Yaning's meaning.
Song Yaning, not wanting to explain further, inquired, "So, are you willing to accept this deal or not?"
Yu Daochen didn't answer immediately but began to ponder.
This promise seemed simple, but it harbored a hidden trap.
Moreover, if she couldn't resolve something, how could he possibly have the ability to do so?
But the Life-Saving Thread was too important to him.
He didn't know the current situation outside the Ghost City, and he needed to recover his memories quickly to go and support them.
"May I ask, City God Lord, why did you choose me?" Yu Daochen inquired.
Song Yaning shook her head and spoke the truth, "I didn't choose you. Chen Shan and the others outside were my chosen targets. The reason I chose you is because you trespassed into the Ghost City."
Upon hearing this, Yu Daochen found it hard to believe, "Just for that?"
Song Yaning nodded, "Just for that."
Yu Daochen still couldn't quite believe it. Just as he was about to ask further questions, Song Yaning interrupted him, "You don't have much time to decide. Make your choice quickly."
"Alright, I agree," Yu Daochen nodded his assent.
Song Yaning's tone suggested she had him completely cornered.
There was no point in stalling any longer; he might as well agree readily.
After all, with the Memory Pearl in her possession, he was already a fat sheep in her pocket.
Seeing Yu Daochen agree, Song Yaning's lips curved upwards, and she conjured a white pearl, handing it over, "This is the Memory Pearl that will allow you to recover your memories."
Looking at the Memory Pearl, the size of a glass bead, in Song Yaning's hand, Yu Daochen found it hard to believe, "You're just giving it to me so easily? Without making me swear an oath or casting some sort of spell on me?"
Song Yaning smiled faintly and replied, "You will definitely come back. Besides, do you really think this Memory Pearl hasn't been cursed by me?"
"This..."
Yu Daochen looked at Song Yaning, and his intuition told him that the Memory Pearl hadn't been tampered with.
But he couldn't rule out that his intuition was wrong.
Indeed, the more beautiful the woman, the more dangerous she was.
His own adorable daughter was much better looking.
"Alright, eat this Memory Pearl and leave quickly. I'm tired," Song Yaning urged.
She clearly didn't want to see Yu Daochen any longer.
Yu Daochen didn't want to waste any more words. He picked up the Memory Pearl, his heart surging with emotion.
He was about to return to being the peerless martial prodigy, Yu Daochen.
He swallowed the Memory Pearl in one gulp, clenched his fists, and his body began to tremble, "This surging feeling, it's like power..."
Like hell it was.
Yu Daochen was speechless, "Why don't I feel anything at all?"
Not even a surge of strength, not even a hint of pain?
Yu Daochen, full of confusion, asked, "City God Lord, perhaps this medicine is expired? Why isn't there any reaction?"
Song Yaning's fair cheeks creased with anger, and she was on the verge of cursing, "What reaction do you want? This is to restore your memory, not a Herculean pill! What more do you expect?"
Seeing Song Yaning's furious reaction, Yu Daochen rubbed the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly, "I was just thinking of giving it some reaction to make this medicine seem more impressive (so the fans know I've recovered my memory)."
Song Yaning looked at Yu Daochen with utter disdain.
She couldn't stand to see this guy for another second.
Although Yu Daochen felt nothing outwardly, his memories had truly returned.
If there was any reaction at all, it was that his mind couldn't quite keep up for a moment.
It was like twenty years of movie scenes suddenly flooding into his brain.
But after adjusting for five or six seconds, it would be fine.
"I, Yu Daochen, am finally back!"
Yu Daochen was ecstatic, a smile spreading across his face, resembling the smug, crooked-mouthed protagonist in a power fantasy novel.