Chapter 286: Chapter 284: A Great Windfall
"Damn it, Jiang Chen snatched all ten Celestial Fate Orders with base points."
"What are we supposed to do?"
"He’s too greedy, isn’t he? Taking all ten for himself..."
"Who can we blame? If Dugu Xue and the others hadn’t ganged up on him, he wouldn’t have taken them all!"
Watching Jiang Chen hold the ten Celestial Fate Orders, everyone was whispering amongst themselves.
Dugu Xue’s face was incredibly grim as he stared intently at Jiang Chen. "Jiang Chen, you’re hoarding all ten Celestial Fate Orders. Aren’t you afraid you’ll bite off more than you can chew?"
"We can allow you to keep one, but you must hand over the rest. Otherwise..." the Ghost Emperor said sinisterly. With a grasping motion of his hand, a ball of black energy exploded, unleashing a terrifyingly chilling aura.
The other experts also looked at Jiang Chen with grim faces.
It seemed a fight would break out over the slightest disagreement.
These ten Celestial Fate Orders not only contained base points that would give them a certain advantage.
They were also a symbol of status and face.
They were some of the strongest experts from the Ten Great Dynasties in Celestial Relief City, yet they hadn’t managed to snatch a single Celestial Fate Order with base points. If word got out, wouldn’t they become a laughingstock?
Jiang Chen calmly looked at them and said lightly, "You want me to hand over something that’s already in my pocket without you bleeding for it? Are you dreaming?"
These men were all shrewd.
The moment they heard him, they understood his meaning.
The six of them exchanged glances.
Dugu Xue said with a ferocious expression, "My suggestion is to just kill him and take them!"
"Kill him?"
Mengg Wanqing rolled his eyes. "If he were that easy to deal with, Huaa Ruyi wouldn’t be dead. This guy is a certified Evil Star. If we really piss him off, there’s no guarantee he won’t drag one of us down with him. And when that happens, will it be you dying with him, or me?"
The few who had been somewhat tempted moments before immediately deflated.
They had absolute confidence in suppressing Jiang Chen if they worked together. However, they also knew very well that with Jiang Chen’s strength, if he disregarded everything to take one of them down with him, whoever he targeted would have a slim chance of survival.
They could only give up on the idea.
Just then, Xing Haisheng, Xu Canghai, and Shaoyang Yu, who had been watching from the sidelines without interfering, walked up to Jiang Chen.
Dugu Xue and the others were stunned, somewhat puzzled. "What are Xu Canghai and his group up to?"
Xing Haisheng smiled at Jiang Chen. "Brother Jiang, your divine aura is truly admirable!"
"Hahaha, you flatter me!"
Jiang Chen waved his hand, then looked at Xu Canghai and Shaoyang Yu and asked, "Brother Xing, and these two are?"
Xing Haisheng quickly said, "This is Xu Canghai of the Sun and Moon Pavilion, and this is Shaoyang Yu of the Fiery Sun Sect!"
"Ah, so it’s Brother Xu and Brother Shaoyang. I’ve heard so much about you!" Jiang Chen clasped his hands in greeting toward the two.
Xu Canghai and Shaoyang Yu also quickly returned the salute, being very courteous. "You’re too kind, Brother Jiang!"
Before this, they certainly wouldn’t have been so courteous to Jiang Chen. But after witnessing him forcefully slay Huaa Ruyi, they were completely won over by his strength.
That was why they were being so polite.
This was the status and respect that came with strength.
Jiang Chen chatted with the three for a while before Xing Haisheng was the first to speak. "Brother Jiang, the three of us actually have a favor to ask!"
"It’s about the Celestial Fate Orders, isn’t it?"
Jiang Chen smiled.
The three exchanged an awkward glance.
Jiang Chen waved his hand, took out nine Celestial Fate Orders, and spread them out before him with a smile. "The first Order is mine. For the rest, you can each pick one and go!"
"Uh..."
The three of them, Xu Canghai included, looked at each other, completely dumbfounded.
They had expected Jiang Chen to make an exorbitant demand, and they were prepared to pay a hefty price. But instead, Jiang Chen was just giving the items away?
Xu Canghai took a deep breath, his gaze toward Jiang Chen now holding even more respect. He said in a deep voice, "Brother Jiang, I won’t say any more than necessary. This Storage Ring contains 150,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals as a small token of my gratitude! If you ever need anything from me, Xu Canghai, in the future, just say the word. I, Xu Canghai, would go through a mountain of swords and a sea of flames for you!"
"You’re too kind, Brother Xu!" Jiang Chen smiled.
Xu Canghai ultimately chose the fifth Order, not going straight for the top three.
This made Jiang Chen think more highly of him, and in his heart, he accepted him as a friend.
Afterward, Shaoyang Yu also paid 150,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals and took the sixth Order.
Xing Haisheng hesitated for a long time before finally taking out 200,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals and taking the third Order. He said in a deep voice, "Brother Jiang, my pockets are rather empty; this is all the Spirit Crystals I have. If you ever come to my Han Dynasty, I, Xing Haisheng, will surely welcome you with open arms!"
"There’s no need for such pleasantries between brothers!" Jiang Chen chuckled. His gaze swept over to Dugu Xue and the others, and a grin spread across his face as he yelled, "Selling Celestial Fate Orders! Highest bidder wins! Limited quantity, they’ll be gone if you’re too slow!"
The six of them, including Dugu Xue, exchanged a glance.
They quickly rushed over.
Dugu Xue said with a grim face, "150,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals. Give me that second Order!"
The Ghost Emperor said in a deep voice, "Here are 50,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals. I want the fourth Order!"
"..."
However, Jiang Chen didn’t even glance at the two. He said coolly, "I have six Celestial Fate Orders left: the tenth, ninth, eighth, seventh, fourth, and second Orders. The tenth through eighth Orders are 300,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals each. The seventh Order is 400,000, the fourth is 600,000, and the second Order is one million Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals. It’s a small business, no bargaining!"
Dugu Xue: "..."
Ghost Emperor: "..."
Mengg Wanqing: "..."
Everyone was completely dumbfounded.
Wum Jiuling said angrily, "Xing Haisheng only paid 200,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals for the third Order just now. How come when it’s our turn, even the tenth Order costs 300,000?"
Jiang Chen shot him a glance and said coolly, "They’re my friends. Are you?"
"I..."
Wum Jiuling was speechless.
’Friends?’
’Just now, they had joined forces and nearly driven Jiang Chen to his death!’
’It’s a good thing they weren’t mortal enemies.’
’Where did this ’friend’ talk come from?’
Jiang Chen said coolly, "Take it or leave it. Ten breaths left!"
"Everyone, let’s just not buy them. If he can’t sell them in the end, he’ll have to give them to us anyway!" Dugu Xue suddenly said. Everyone nodded in agreement. He looked at Jiang Chen smugly. "Kid, you want to fight us? You’re still too green! 10,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals, give me the second Order. Otherwise, you won’t get a single Spirit Crystal!"
Jiang Chen shot him a glance, his eyes filled with thick ridicule.
He took out the tenth Order.
He toyed with it in his palm when suddenly, a surge of True Flame erupted.
HISS—
Using his Artifact Refining Skill, he actually melted the tenth Order into a puddle of molten metal.
"HISS—"
Dugu Xue and the others, who had looked sure of their victory just a moment ago, sucked in a sharp breath. They stared at Jiang Chen in disbelief. "You... How dare you?"
"Why wouldn’t I dare?"
Jiang Chen shrugged. "For you, this stuff is about face, about getting an advantage. Just imagine, after the Celestial Fate Hunting is over, you meet up with the experts from your respective dynasties, and it turns out everyone else got a top-ten Order, but you got nothing. How embarrassing would that be? But it’s different for me. I already have the first Order. The rest are just scrap metal to me!"
"That’s five breaths already. If you don’t buy soon, I’ll destroy them all!" Jiang Chen looked at them, completely unfazed.
Dugu Xue and the others glared at him furiously.
"Three breaths!"
Dugu Xue and the others exchanged glances, their faces showing their anxiety.
"Two breaths!"
Mengg Wanqing was already getting restless, unable to hold back any longer.
"One breath! Alright then, if nobody wants them, I’ll just destroy them all..." Without another word, Jiang Chen summoned the True Flame for Artifact Refining in his palm and made a move to melt all the Celestial Fate Orders in his hand.
At that moment, Dugu Xue and the others could no longer hold back and shouted one after another, "Don’t... We’ll buy!"
The ninth and eighth Orders were bought by Shan Yanlin and Zhou Dong for 400,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals each.
The seventh Order fell into Mengg Wanqing’s hands; he paid 500,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals.
After a round of bidding, the fourth Order was bought by Wum Jiuling for the high price of 700,000 Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals.
Now, only the second Order remained.
Dugu Xue and the Ghost Emperor, their eyes filled with longing, entered a fierce bidding war. In the end, the Ghost Emperor bought the second Order for the high price of 1.5 million Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals.
Dugu Xue became the only one among the top experts who failed to obtain a top-ten Order.
His expression was incredibly ugly.
Dugu Xue stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ghost Emperor and stared at Jiang Chen, a sharp, cold glint in his eyes. "Jiang Chen, I’ll remember you. You got lucky this time. You’d better pray you don’t fall into my hands next time!"
"I’ll be ready whenever you are!"
Jiang Chen said, neither servile nor overbearing.
Their eyes met, and sparks flew.
Just then, the City Lord’s Mansion once again lit up with blinding rays of light, and more Celestial Fate Orders flew out. However, these were just ordinary Celestial Fate Orders, so Jiang Chen and the others didn’t participate in the scramble.
Jiang Chen returned to his chariot and began to carefully take stock. He had earned a full four million Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals this time.
He had already doubled his entire net worth!
’I was worried about not having enough Spirit Crystals before, but now with these four million-plus Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals, it should be enough for me to cultivate my *Divine Demon Fusion* to the Late Stage of the Fourth Stage. However, I’ve only gathered half the materials for refining the Third-Revolution Tyrant Essence Pill, and the other half is still nowhere to be found. I wonder if there are any Spirit Medicines in this Celestial Fate Ancient Realm. I’ll have to put some effort into looking for them when the time comes!’ Jiang Chen muttered to himself.
Just then, a cry of surprise came from outside the chariot. Everyone’s gaze froze as they looked toward the City Lord’s Mansion.
A golden Flying Carpet was seen slowly emerging from within the City Lord’s Mansion.
It gradually rose into the air.
On the Flying Carpet stood an aged figure that emitted a white glow, its entire body transparent...
