Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Arrogantly Interfering
The cultivator selling pecans was dressed in a black Daoist robe, with a spirit-blocking veil obscuring their face.
This was rare in the market, where most were clan cultivators, familiar with each other, often having elders present.
The pecans were placed alone on a piece of golden brocade cloth.
Covered by a translucent jade bowl.
Through the jade bowl, the pecans appeared pale yellow, still with fresh dirt on them.
Clearly recently harvested.
Unlike ordinary spirit fruits that grow above ground, these pecans grow underground. Those unfamiliar with their habits, or who do not recognize their stems and leaves, often miss this kind of spirit fruit.
Ye Jingcheng glanced at the cultivator and then asked if he could take a closer look.
Upon receiving a nod of confirmation, he slightly lifted the jade bowl, revealing fine roots on the spirit fruit.
"Fellow Daoist, for how much are you selling these pecans?"
"You must indeed be from a prestigious family, becoming a great pill master at such a young age!" the black-robed cultivator praised Ye Jingcheng.
"You flatter me, Daoist. I’ve merely read a few alchemy books and noticed these pecans are precious, hoping to offer them to the elders in my family if possible!" Ye Jingcheng squinted, unfazed by the praise, speaking calmly and steadily.
This cultivator wanted to gauge Ye Jingcheng’s background to increase the price, but Ye Jingcheng wouldn’t allow that.
In such uncontrolled markets, prices were very casual; one could quote any price they liked.
Ye Jingcheng wasn’t keen on being a gullible spender.
"You have a filial heart, Daoist, no need to worry. These pecans aren’t expensive, but one of my brothers was injured obtaining them." The black-robed cultivator spoke, his tone growing somber.
"Fellow Daoist, you can have them for three hundred Spirit Stones!"
"Two hundred Spirit Stones!" Ye Jingcheng shook his head, understanding the story the other was spinning.
No matter how touching, the pecans were indeed worth two hundred and sixty Spirit Stones, but that’s at an auction, where there’s a fee involved.
Moreover, the cultivator clearly wanted a quick sale, perhaps having broken a magical artifact or spirit talisman and needing to buy replacements.
Though Taiyi Sect’s shelter was available upon arrival, once off the island, loose cultivators easily became new prey.
Without adequate means, one might become someone else’s sacrificial offering.
"Daoist, that’s too little!"
"At least two hundred and sixty Spirit Stones, that’s the price in the market, and these fruits are rare!" The black-robed cultivator shook his head.
"Two hundred and ten Spirit Stones, Daoist, what you said isn’t quite right. The market is the market, but we’re in Jade Dragon Valley!" Ye Jingcheng shook his head.
"Alright, Daoist, add ten more Spirit Stones!" The black-robed cultivator was silent for a moment, clearly yielding.
Just as Ye Jingcheng was about to finalize the deal, a voice suddenly rang out from behind.
"Two hundred and sixty Spirit Stones, I’ll take it!"
Ye Jingcheng’s face darkened as he turned to see Li Xiangcai, wearing the Li Family’s alchemy furnace robe, approaching unhurriedly.
He directly retrieved a bag full of Spirit Stones from his storage bag.
The black-robed vendor didn’t accept, and Ye Jingcheng moved two steps to the side, blocking the middle.
In stall business at the market, two people couldn’t inquire about prices simultaneously, let alone interrupt a negotiation.
This violated the market norms.
Also an unspoken rule in the Cultivation Realm!
Otherwise, stalls would turn into auctions if everyone did so.
But seeing the other’s arrogant look, they probably hoped Ye Jingcheng would take action, given they were, after all, under Qianhe Ascendant’s watch, backed by the Li Family.
If Ye Jingcheng acted, it would disrespect Qianhe Ascendant.
As for Li Xiangcai’s actions, the worst was earning Ye Jingcheng’s animosity, and the two families were already at odds.
The other clearly had a bullish demeanor.
"My offer is higher; you should sell to me. If not, I’ll remember you!" Li Xiangcai ignored Ye Jingcheng’s murderous gaze, only looking at the black-robed loose cultivator.
The threat was blatant!
These words were quite effective, as the black-robed cultivator visibly shivered.
However, to Ye Jingcheng’s surprise, the black-robed cultivator still spoke to him:
"Daoist, the same question as before, will you take them for two hundred and twenty Spirit Stones?" The black-robed cultivator persisted.
Upon hearing this, Ye Jingcheng was surprised but quickly responded, immediately producing two hundred and twenty Spirit Stones!
Handing them over.
The pecans came into Ye Jingcheng’s possession, quickly placed into the storage bag, and he let out a sigh of relief, while Li Xiangcai was furious.
He hadn’t expected that despite offering forty more Spirit Stones, plus leveraging the Li Family, it still didn’t intimidate the other!
After the black-robed cultivator concluded the transaction, he discreetly sent a sound transmission to Ye Jingcheng:
"Ye Daoist, may I join you when departing? I’m willing to offer ten Spirit Stones."
"No need to board the Spiritual Ship. I have my own magical artifact, just let me follow behind!" The black-robed cultivator quickly added, worried Ye Jingcheng might refuse.
Hearing this, Ye Jingcheng hesitated for a moment before replying:
"I’ll need to discuss this with my elders. Leave me a sound transmission talisman. If I contact you within three days, then it’s settled!" Ye Jingcheng felt some goodwill towards this cultivator for adhering to the rules.
Yet, goodwill didn’t mean he had no caution!
Besides, he truly wasn’t in a position to decide.
Ye Jingcheng continued browsing the stalls, with Li Xiangcai tailing him persistently, much to his annoyance.
Eventually, Ye Jingcheng found another spirit medicine and casually bid, only for Li Xiangcai to again increase the offer by fifty.
The cultivator hesitated once more, but Ye Jingcheng simply walked away.
The vendor promptly closed the deal!
Infuriating Li Xiangcai even more, realizing he’d fallen into Ye Jingcheng’s trap again.
As such, Li Xiangcai continued shadowing Ye Jingcheng like a stubborn leech.
Yet, Ye Jingcheng remained unperturbed, casually inquiring prices, allowing him to follow.
As an alchemy master, even just assessing the properties of spirit medicines was a worthy gain.
Regarding Li Xiangcai, Ye Jingcheng had one thought: to avoid being alone in his proximity.
After surveying most of the area, Ye Jingcheng returned to the Ye Family’s residential complex.
...
In the cave behind the Jade Dragon Pool mountain, Qianhe Ascendant and Luoyuan Ascendant were gathered.
Before them lay numerous spirit eggs and Jade Dragon Grass.
Among them were three particularly striking ones.
"You suspect someone reached the Jade Dragon Pool first?" Qianhe Ascendant asked with slight confusion.
"Yes, the Ye Family is the main suspect. However, Ye Xingliu of the Ye Family and even their two Foundation Establishment Spirit Beasts didn’t move, and others lack the capability!"
"Then it must be the Xu Family or the Mo Family!" Qianhe Ascendant inquired.
"It could also be the Li Family!" Luoyuan Ascendant snorted.
With this, Qianhe Ascendant’s expression changed, yet he couldn’t deny the other’s reasoning, knowing that the distractor of the Purple Mansion Demon Beast was none other than the Li Family!
"Assign the Li Family more work these days, and observe further!"