Chapter 1675: Forced Sale
The stall owner glanced at Fang Chen and replied perfunctorily, "Top-grade spirit stones? Aren't these a few enough?"
He didn't seem particularly enthusiastic, as if the items before him were neither especially worth selling nor particularly urgent to move.
"I already have these. Do you have any new ones?" Fang Chen asked.
"A collector, huh?" The stall owner couldn't help but size Fang Chen up a few times. "It's rare to see cultivators in the Enlightenment God Palace who are willing to fuss over top-grade spirit stones. Usually they buy one or two to take a look, play with them a bit, and then resell them. From what you're saying, you've collected quite a few?"
"Not that many. Just a few dozen," Fang Chen replied casually.
Just a few dozen?
The stall owner's face went rigid. He then forced a smile. "That's... impressive."
After that, he ignored Fang Chen and turned to deal with other customers. His expression practically spelled out his doubt.
Fang Chen didn't mind. He continued browsing and found a few other stalls selling top-grade spirit stones. Unfortunately, all of them were ones Fang Tianzun had already refined.
It seems the batch I obtained before was relatively easy to collect because there was a larger supply. The others are much rarer. Gathering them will be difficult.
Fang Chen sighed inwardly and continued searching.
If the Enlightenment God Palace truly headed to the Taicang Realm to suppress demons, it would be best if Fang Tianzun advanced to the fifth transformation. That would give him far more confidence and assurance.
"Daoist Jiang, I spent a full 100 immortal crystals on this spiritual treasure fragment, and you're offering 80, isn't that a bit much?"
"It's already just a fragment. You still want to sell it for 120 immortal crystals? How is that any different from robbery? I wasn't born yesterday. We all know what this thing is worth. You're haggling over every immortal crystal, but I bet you're secretly pleased by my offer."
Jiang Chen?
Hearing a familiar voice, Fang Chen looked over. Jiang Chen was standing before a stall with several first and second transformation immortals beside him, arguing with the vendor.
After many years apart, Jiang Chen's aura was clearly stronger than before.
Fang Chen faintly smiled. Looks like he's at least at the fourth transformation now. Seems he's spent his merit. That means his qualification exam to become a core disciple will be pushed further back.
"Daoist Jiang, my business is small and humble. I can't afford to take such a loss. I truly bought this spiritual treasure fragment for a hundred immortal crystals. If you really want it, I'll sell it to you at my cost. I won't earn a single crystal."
The stall owner was practically pleading. Although he was also a fourth-transformation immortal, he knew Jiang Chen's background and didn't dare offend him.
External cultivators came in many kinds. Someone like Jiang Chen, whose backing extended into the Elder Council, was essentially no different from a core disciple to the ordinary members out there.
The cultivators beside Jiang Chen chimed in to scold the stall owner.
"You really are tactless. Since you know Senior Brother Jiang's background, how can you still doubt his words?"
"If Senior Brother Jiang says it's worth 80, then it's worth 80. We won't pay an extra crystal more than that."
Their words caught the attention of people nearby.
"Who's that?"
"You've never heard of Jiang Chen? He's quite famous among the external cultivators of the Palace."
"Famous? Why? Don't tell me he is at the sixth transformation. If he is, that'd be something."
"Heh. Let's just say there's an elder in the Elder Council who also bears the surname Jiang."
Those who had been unaware sharply gasped.
The Council of Elders were Ancient Immortals. That meant Jiang Chen had an Ancient Immortal backing him, possibly even a core disciple. Now they understood why the stall owner was so helpless and conciliatory.
They did believe the vendor was being truthful about the fragment's price; otherwise, why would he risk offending such a figure over a mere twenty immortal crystals.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, his gaze sharp as he stared at the stall owner. "Daoist, it's not that I care about a few immortal crystals. It's just that I don't want to be treated like a fool. If I allow people to rob me blind, people will laugh at me behind my back."
His smile grew. "Tell me, are you trying to make a fool of me?"
The stall owner's expression darkened. He looked at the fragment in his hand, then at Jiang Chen, seemingly weighing a decision.
At that moment, someone approached and smiled at the stall owner. "Senior Huang, why is it so lively here? What's going on?"
Before the stall owner could respond, the newcomer suddenly looked surprised upon seeing Jiang Chen.
"Senior Jiang? You come to the Enlightenment Market as well?"
Jiang Chen's expression stiffened slightly, then he nodded calmly. "Anyone can come here. Of course I would come too. But I didn't expect you here. What do you lack that requires you to come personally? You could just ask your brother, or Core Disciple Fang?"
Nanming Shaoze smiled faintly. "I prefer to rely on myself. If I need something, I buy it myself. I bring however many immortal crystals I have and buy accordingly. I will never rely on my brother or Core Disciple Fang to take advantage of others."
The crowd's expressions grew strange. Though some didn't recognize Nanming Shaoze, they could tell from Jiang Chen's attitude that that person had a decent background. Otherwise, how would he dare speak so sarcastically?
Jiang Chen's face darkened. "Are you mocking me?"
Nanming Shaoze looked surprised. "How would I dare? I heard you've advanced to become a fourth-transformation Immortal Sovereign. That makes you a true figure of stature. What right would I have to mock you?"
Jiang Chen was silent for a few breaths, then suddenly chuckled. "You have a point. You're just a junior. Even if you have your brother or Fang Chen backing you, in front of me, you still need to behave. My current cultivation isn't far from your brother's. It's even stronger than Fang Chen. When I obtain qualification for the core examination and advance to core disciple, you'll have to show proper respect when you see me."
Nanming Shaoze's eyes narrowed.
Jiang Chen's smile vanished and he said in a low voice "You'd best stand aside and watch. Don't interfere in my transaction. You don't have the qualifications, nor the authority."
After speaking, he cast a cold glance at the stall owner.
The stall owner sighed to himself. If Jiang Chen refused to give Nanming Shaoze face, then he would truly have to swallow the loss.
With that thought, he slowly said, "Then Iβ"
"Jiang Chen, you're already at the fourth transformation and still pulling these shady sales tactics?"
Fang Chen walked over, smiling faintly.
Nanming Shaoze froze for a moment, then broke into joy. "Core Disciple Fang!"
Jiang Chen's expression changed drastically. He had never expected to run into Fang Chen in a place like this.
