Chapter 1017: Furious Rage

Crash!

Jiang Fan sprang to his feet, knocking over the table in shock. "How much? One hundred million crystal stones?"

Hua Wuying also looked stunned. "The exchange rate for high-grade, mid-grade, and low-grade crystal ores is one to ten. You sold that old man a single radish for a hundred million crystal stones? And he actually dared to buy it? One of you dared to sell, the other dared to buy. A super black merchant and a super dupe — what a pair to meet."

Jiang Fan was repeatedly surprised. "In Taicang Grand State, there aren't many people who possess a hundred million crystal stones, are there?"

Hua Wuying shook her head. "There are quite a few. But those who would spend that much on a single radish are few and far between."

Jiang Fan clicked his tongue. "Heaven help me, I really didn't intend to be a black merchant this time." Realizing he had scammed someone formidable, how could he dare to stay here any longer? He decisively packed up his stall and left, muttering, "I hope that red-faced old man doesn't have any significant background."

***

Blazefire Sect, Forbidden Area.

Venerable Mantra showed surprise: "Senior, did you really find something with nether energy from the Underworld? Unbelievable, someone actually sells such a thing!"

The old man was an elder of the Blazefire Sect. His origins were unknown, but his power was terrifying. He tossed the radish onto the table, looking somewhat displeased. "The kid selling it was ruthless. He demanded a high-grade crystal ore from me." To refine the Phoenix Feather Nine Flame Fan, dense nether energy was needed to suppress the earth fire. This item was only found in the Underworld. The old man couldn't find it, so he decided to browse the market, unexpectedly finding one.

Venerable Mantra clicked her tongue slightly. "A high-grade crystal ore? That is indeed quite ruthless. I'll compensate you for it, Senior."

The old man waved his hand. "It's fine, just a high-grade crystal ore. I can afford it. It's just displeasing to be charged such an exorbitant price. Alright, let's begin the refining." He was about to get up and head to the refining chamber. However, the Sect Master arrived excitedly with Fairy Qianlan.

"Senior, Fairy Qianlan has found what you need!"

The old man was slightly surprised. He looked at the radish in Fairy Qianlan's hand and immediately felt much more relieved. "You bought it too? You must have really been willing to spend." It was nothing for the old man to pay such a price. Fairy Qianlan probably spent her entire fortune, right? So he wasn't the only dupe after all. This felt good, really good.

Fairy Qianlan was startled. "Senior, you bought one yourself? If I had known, I wouldn't have bought it. That brat got a low-grade crystal ore for nothing." She looked disappointed. She had thought she got a great deal and could impress the Senior. Who knew the Senior had also bought one? All that money was wasted.

The old man froze for a moment and asked, "How much did you spend?"

Venerable Mantra also looked surprised. That's not right. The Senior said he spent a high-grade crystal ore. Fairy Qianlan only spent a low-grade crystal ore? The difference was a hundredfold. The price disparity was too huge, wasn't it?

Fairy Qianlan paused, then said, "A low-grade crystal ore, Senior. What's wrong?"

The old man immediately started trembling all over. He looked at the radish in his hand, then at the radish in Fairy Qianlan's hand. The exact same radish, yet that little black merchant charged him a hundred times the price!

"You little scoundrel! How dare you! I wouldn't say anything if you overcharged by a few times, but you bloody overcharged by a hundred times? Did you grow up drinking ink? How can you be so utterly corrupt?" Enraged, he snatched the radish from Fairy Qianlan's hand, roaring repeatedly, "Let's go! Come with me to settle accounts with this little black merchant!"

The entire area fell silent. Even Venerable Mantra was stunned. "This... this is truly outrageous overcharging. Even a sage might not tolerate this." She quickly followed, to prevent the Senior from truly tearing that little black merchant apart in his fury.

The Blazefire Sect Master and Fairy Qianlan broke out in cold sweat. To actually infuriate a Transcendent Realm Venerable to such an extent! Fairy Qianlan's expression changed, and she hastily chased after them, her heart in turmoil. "You brat, you're in big trouble! How could you dare to swindle a Transcendent Realm Venerable? And swindle him so outrageously?"

Thankfully, by the time she caught up, Jiang Fan had already sensed trouble and bolted. She couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. "That brat is clever. Remember to quickly leave the Blazefire Sect and never return in this lifetime. The Venerable will remember you forever."

The old man stared at the empty stall, so angry his lungs felt like they would explode. "That damned little rascal! You swindled a high-grade crystal ore from me and ran away? Argh! I'm furious!"

Suddenly, he noticed Fairy Qianlan had also followed. His old eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward to question her. "You know him? What's his name?" Fairy Qianlan panicked inwardly, wanting to lie, but facing the Venerable's gaze, she couldn't utter a single untruth. "His name is Jiang Fan."

"Jiang Fan, is it?" The old man clenched his jaw and silently repeated the name three times. Only then did he suppress his anger and call out to Venerable Mantra in the distance, "Forget about that kid for now. You're short on time. Once the artifact is refined, I'll take my time finding him!"

Venerable Mantra was slightly pleased. She immediately followed the old man into the Blazefire Sect's artifact refining chamber.

The old man quickly calmed down, took out the blueprint, and nodded. "It is indeed the blueprint for the Phoenix Feather Nine Flame Fan. This person drew it very meticulously, with several details specifically marked. It's clear he's a very careful individual."

Venerable Mantra remembered Jiang Fan using silent meditation to meet her gaze, under the pretense of pouring tea. He had completed the communication right in front of Venerable Evil Crow. She couldn't help but agree profoundly, "He is indeed a very careful person."

Remembering his request, Venerable Mantra tentatively asked, "Senior, this person wants to refine a high-grade spirit sword. Can you help him with that?"

The old man replied without hesitation, "Given my current physical condition, refining a top-grade spirit artifact for you is my limit. I can't refine artifacts for anyone else." Although she knew it was an excuse, Venerable Mantra couldn't press the matter further. The Senior's body was indeed problematic. She sighed softly. "Alright, I'll compensate him separately then."

The old man caught the underlying meaning. "You value him highly? To actually compensate him further."

Venerable Mantra pondered briefly, then simply explained what had happened that day.

After listening, the old man showed disdain. "With the ancient giants present, and still fighting among themselves, he'd be better off dying under the Tribulation of the Five Heavenly Blights. As for that kid, he's actually quite clever and knows how to repay kindness. If his talent is good, you might as well take him as a disciple. Oh, I forgot, it's not convenient for you to take on more disciples. Then send him to the Blazefire Sect. I'll find a capable elder to take him as a disciple."

Venerable Mantra showed gratitude. "Then I thank you, Senior, on behalf of Jiang Fan."

The old man smiled. "No problem at all, everyone has their talents... Wait! What did you say his name was?"