Chapter 1474: Evil Sword

Unsolvable Substitute Marriage: Jiang Fan and Xu Yining

A hint of awkwardness flickered across Jiang Fan's face. He said, "That's what yesterday's me said; it has nothing to do with today's me. If you're looking for someone, find yesterday's me."

The Grand Priest of Wine stood up to his full height, smiling as he shook his head. "Good, those are words Jiang Fan himself would say. It seems you haven't been possessed by the Black Lotus of Tribulation."

Jiang Fan was truly puzzled. The incident where he was almost entangled by the Black Lotus of Tribulation happened in the void, right? At that time, only he, Yue Mingzhu, and the little Qilin were present. How did the Grand Priest of Wine know from across a major state? This was truly strange.

He couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Grand Priest of Wine, do you have any close ties with the Grand Priests of Wine from the other states?"

The Grand Priest of Wine flicked his whisk and smiled indifferently, "Guess."

"Guess my foot!" Jiang Fan muttered to himself.

He said irritably, "Since you're a Sage realm expert, why didn't you intervene when the Two-Star Giant King wreaked havoc?" He, Bodhisattva, and Deputy Palace Master You had almost died at the hands of the Two-Star Giant King.

The Grand Priest of Wine said calmly, "But you didn't die, did you?"

Jiang Fan was speechless, merely glaring at him. However, there was no resentment in his heart. He had vaguely sensed that the Grand Priests of Wine were very cautious in their actions. For example, the Crying Grave Grand Priest of Wine from Hunyuan State didn't act when the Immaculate Great Venerable arrogantly arrived in the Central Lands. He only reluctantly made a move when he was about to launch a killing blow against Jiang Fan and the Star Abyss Great Venerable. Another example is the Weeping Grand Priest of Wine from Guixu State. He didn't directly attack Tianyi City either. Instead, he shielded Sage Ci Xin's senses and let Jiang Fan handle it. It seemed they were wary of something, not easily taking action.

Jiang Fan sighed, his gaze passing over the Grand Priest of Wine as he looked towards his homeland in Taicang State, and asked, "Has anything happened in Taicang State during my absence?"

The Grand Priest of Wine calmly replied, "The calm before the storm."

That meant everything was peaceful. But it was also the final peace. He looked up at the sky and said, "There are only five days left."

The Grand Priest of Wine said nothing, but took out a purple jade pendant and lightly ran his finger over it. The next moment, Jiang Fan's identity jade token beeped. When he opened it, it was clearly a message issued by the Imperial Astronomer's Office to all sect members. The content consisted of only two words: "Five days."

Jiang Fan's heart felt heavy. He said, "There are only five days left. I wonder if the Heavenly Secret Pavilion is ready." He looked in the direction of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, his heart yearning to return, and said, "Junior bids farewell."

The Grand Priest of Wine flicked his sleeve. A black greatsword, dark as ink and resembling a crack in the void, was plunged into the ground before Jiang Fan. It was a full ten feet long! Its entire body exuded a powerful malevolent aura. With just a glance, Jiang Fan felt emotions like mockery and disdain emanating from the sword. If this sword could speak, Jiang Fan had no doubt it would be spouting profanity. Moreover, the sword's malevolent aura would erode one's will. Jiang Fan's own heart grew restless, filled with negative emotions such as lust, murderous intent, and covetousness. In this regard, it was somewhat similar to facing the Blood Pool, just not as severe.

"What an evil sword!" Jiang Fan exclaimed. Lightning surged through his body, clearing away all the invading malevolent energy.

The Grand Priest of Wine watched, nodding slightly. "It seems you can wield this sword. Take it. It's your reward for the Celestial Realm reconnaissance mission."

Jiang Fan had almost forgotten that he had such a reward. How long had it been? He gripped the ten-foot-long greatsword with both hands, feeling its powerful spiritual pressure, and his heart was filled with joy. This was indeed a top-grade spirit sword! Adding it to the four he already possessed, that made five spirit swords. If he gathered six, the "Great Derivation Sword Formation" could be cultivated to mastery! At that point, its power would be far more than it currently was!

Jiang Fan decisively put away the sword, then rolled his eyes and complained, "Isn't this reward a bit late? I've been waiting so long, the flowers have withered!"

The Grand Priest of Wine pressed a hand to the spatial storage device he carried, saying, "I don't have anything here for you to extort." Having dealt with Jiang Fan often, he knew his tricks inside and out.

Jiang Fan rolled his eyes and said, "Farewell!"

The Grand Priest of Wine nodded. "No extorting here, but there is a reward."

Jiang Fan asked, "What do you need me to do, Grand Priest of Wine?" In truth, he had vaguely guessed already.

As expected, the Grand Priest of Wine said, "The Sky-Connecting Black Pillar needs to be moved into the Forbidden Land of Misfortune. That is the most dangerous place in the Central Lands. If the ancient giants descend there, it will cause them significant harm."

Jiang Fan replied without hesitation, "I would do it even without a reward. On the last day, I will move the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar." With that, he cast the Cloud Shadow technique and departed.

The Vast Ocean.

Several giant merchant ships gathered on the sea surface. Among them, a luxurious merchant ship, flying a golden flag with the character "商" (merchant), was surrounded by many other merchant ships like stars orbiting the moon. Numerous powerful formations were carved onto the luxurious merchant ship. One of these formations actually possessed the spiritual pressure of the Divine Transformation realm! Such a top-tier merchant ship was unique not only to Taicang State but to the entire Central Lands. That was the warship of the Proprietor of Jiangshan First-Grade Tower.

Inside the ship's cabin.

Eight individuals, wearing masks or obscuring their figures with mist, sat around a round table. The only one who revealed his true face was the Proprietor of Jiangshan First-Grade Tower. He looked around at everyone, his voice gentle and heartwarming.

"One Deputy Proprietor hasn't arrived yet, has she?"

Today was the Jiangshan First-Grade Tower's last high-level meeting before the war. They were discussing the Jiangshan First-Grade Tower's main tasks during the war.

"Deputy Proprietor Gu hasn't come," said the Deputy Proprietor whose body was shrouded in mist. "I heard she's searching everywhere for the 'Divine Aperture-Opening Nail'. She's put aside all other transactions and is entirely focused on gathering information about the Divine Aperture-Opening Nail. She must have gone mad. She used to be the most active Deputy Proprietor, but now she's not doing any business, just looking for something she can't even use. She no longer seems like a qualified merchant."

The Proprietor of Jiangshan First-Grade Tower nodded slightly and said, "Then we won't wait for her. I've acquired one hundred Grade Five healing spirit pills from Danzhou. What do you all think is a suitable price per pill? Please share your opinions."

The Deputy Proprietors began to ponder. When they had rare and valuable goods, the Deputy Proprietors would discuss together to determine the most profitable and reasonable price.

"Five low-grade crystal mines, I think."

"Are you kidding? You want to buy one Grade Five healing spirit pill for a mere five million crystal stones?"

"At least one mid-grade crystal mine is needed!"

"One mid-grade crystal mine is too little; at least two mid-grade crystal mines."

"Three would be more reasonable."

"Three would be thirty million crystal stones, that's about right. Any higher, and those in the Nascent Soul realm wouldn't be able to afford it."

"Are you all running a charity? Such a sought-after spirit pill, and you'd only sell it for three mid-grade crystal mines?"

"If you ask me, it should be five mid-grade crystal mines. That's the price, take it or leave it!"

Several Deputy Proprietors rolled their eyes. "Speaking of black-hearted merchants, it has to be you, Deputy Proprietor Qin. It's well-known that Deputy Proprietor Qin is utterly heartless."

The Proprietor of Jiangshan First-Grade Tower chuckled, "Five mid-grade crystal mines is indeed a bit black-hearted. Three is more reasonable."

Just then, a petite and exquisite figure in a pink dress rushed in energetically. "Am I late?"

The Proprietor of Jiangshan First-Grade Tower chuckled, "For the Grade Five healing spirit pills, what do you think would be a good price?"

Upon hearing this, several Deputy Proprietors smiled. "Proprietor, you're asking *her*? She'd be happy to sell them at cost price. Deputy Proprietor Gu is the least like a merchant among us."

Gu Xin'er crossed her arms and began to think seriously. "Grade Five healing spirit pills, you say? These are truly rare and valuable treasures! I heard that fellow Jiang Fan sold a single black radish to the old man from the Fire Worship Sect for a high-grade crystal mine. If a Grade Five spirit pill sells for less than a black radish, wouldn't he laugh me to death?"

After careful consideration, Gu Xin'er said very seriously, "Proprietor, five high-grade crystal mines! One less crystal stone would be disrespectful to the Grade Five healing spirit pill!"

The ship's cabin fell silent. Even the Proprietor of Jiangshan First-Grade Tower's face stiffened, and he stared at Gu Xin'er in astonishment. "No, where did Deputy Proprietor Gu go? The one who was known as the only fair merchant in Jiangshan First-Grade Tower? When did she become so black-hearted?"