Chapter 382: Chapter 501 — Youthful Arrogance
Chapter 501 — Youthful Arrogance
Fang Chen’s gaze was unwavering, fixed on the subtle, precise movents of Shopkeeper Wan’s hands. To any casual observer, it might have seed that he was tense, heart racing with anticipation—the wager was no trifling sum: five hundred top-grade spirit stones, a fortune to most. But Fang Chen’s attention was not born of anxiety. He was studying, learning, morizing. Every slight flick of the wrist, every deliberate pressure of the fingers—he cataloged it all in his mind.
In ti, when Fang Chen finally possessed a Forbidden Spirit Stone of his own, he would open it with the sa fluid grace and effortless mastery. The stone he had selected was slightly larger than average, though in Shopkeeper Wan’s practiced hands, the difference barely mattered. The ti it took for the hidden contents to reveal themselves was almost identical.
“Hm?”
Wei Yiming’s dark eyes narrowed sharply. Experience was an unforgiving teacher, and in an instant, he recognized the telltale signs: there was treasure within that stone. His heart skipped, betraying the practiced composure he maintained in public.
Sure enough, a mont later, the Forbidden Spirit Stone cracked open under Shopkeeper Wan’s hands. A delicate, fragrant mist rose from within, carrying the unmistakable scent of potent dicinal herbs.
Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd like waves.
“dicinal pills as well?!”
“This fragrance… could it be a Saint-Grade Pill?”
“Is it… really that easy to find treasures?”
“Impossible! I bought five stones just now, and not one contained anything!”
“Are these two planted by the Cangqiong Guild to manipulate the crowd?!”
The simultaneous revelation of not one, but two high-quality pills imdiately drew a swarm of spectators. The first floor beca a hive of speculation and excited chatter.
Wei Yiming’s mind raced, analyzing every possibility.
“This boy… is he rely lucky, or does he possess so hidden skill? To select a stone containing a true dicinal pill… it cannot be re chance.”
He maintained his outward calm, but Xiang Zhantian was unraveling. His face paled, his heartbeat thundered.
“That pill must be worthless, just so common elixir. He still loses!” he blurted, trying to convince himself.
Wei Yiming’s lips tightened in annoyance at Xiang Zhantian’s folly. This boy—without foresight, without talent—would be nothing without a strong grandfather’s backing. If left to his own devices, he would never survive a single day in Seven Kings City.
Shopkeeper Wan carefully removed the pill from the stone and placed it into an ornate brocade box. His voice rang out, calm yet imbued with authority:
“The fragrance is rich, the dicinal potency substantial. This is no ordinary pill—it is a Saint-Grade Pill! Its power can strengthen the cultivation of True Saint realm practitioners.”
The crowd collectively inhaled, the air practically crackling with astonishnt.
“During our Cangqiong Guild’s Spirit Stone Gambling Events, items of this caliber rarely appear. To witness such a prize on the first floor is a once-in-a-lifeti occurrence.”
Shopkeeper Wan’s gaze shifted to Fang Chen, his expression a mixture of respect and calculation.
“Would the young friend consider trading with our guild? We can offer five tis its value in equivalent-grade pills.”
Such an offer was staggering, yet understandable. This particular Saint-Grade Pill was entirely unprecedented in the market, holding imnse research value. If the Cangqiong Guild could decipher its formula and thod, producing even a fraction of such pills would guarantee enormous profits.
Of course, the undertaking would be daunting, potentially consuming years of painstaking study by master alchemists, with no guarantee of success. It was a gamble, a high-risk investnt—but one the Guild had undertaken before, sotis reaping great rewards, other tis nothing at all. Few organizations possessed the patience or resources to attempt such ventures.
Fang Chen inclined his head slightly.
“Agreed.”
Earlier, he had sent a telepathic query to Fang Luo, an expert in alchemy. Upon receiving Fang Luo’s approval, he made his decision. Fang Luo understood that Fang Hao could supply the family with the formulas and thods necessary to reproduce the pill. Holding onto an unknown Saint-Grade Pill was impractical; converting it into usable resources was far wiser.
The crowd, witnessing the discussion between Fang Chen and Shopkeeper Wan, began to understand the magnitude of the pill’s value.
“An authentic Saint-Grade Pill!”
“Yes! One that enhances cultivation!”
“So… he’s truly won?”
“Never expected Old Wei to lose.”
“This boy’s just lucky. If he were genuinely powerful, he’d be a household na in Seven Kings City by now—not so unremarkable youth.”
“Exactly! Pure luck! Nothing more!”
Wei Yiming’s expression darkened. Pride stung bitterly—he had lost publicly to a youth with no renown, a humiliation he struggled to accept.
Xiang Zhantian, however, had lost all composure. Two pills lay before him, and with his cultivation in the Great Saint realm, he could discern their potency and value as clearly as day. Yet he could not comprehend how Fang Chen had bested Wei Yiming.
He had planned for victory, rehearsed it in his mind, imagined the praise he would receive. And yet, he had lost. To an unknown youth. The realization was unbearable.
Fang Qiufeng arrived promptly, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips.
“It’s clear now. You’ve lost. Hand over the five hundred top-grade spirit stones—or their equivalent,” he said, voice sharp, like a knife drawn across the tension-filled air.
Xiang Zhantian’s face turned an almost violent mix of red and pale. The loss of five hundred top-grade spirit stones hurt, but losing publicly—facing a crowd—was an indignity beyond asure. It felt as if he had been slapped in full view of everyone, his pride shredded.
Yet he understood that attempting to cheat now would only compound the sha, bringing disgrace not just to himself, but to his family.
With a forced, hollow smile, he presented five hundred top-grade spirit stones, eyes glinting with barely restrained fury as he looked at Fang Luo and his companions.
“Mountains may not move, but rivers will—just wait,” he muttered.
With that, he stord off, fearing that lingering any longer might result in a public outburst he could not control.
As he departed, Fang Chen’s calm voice followed him:
“Take care. Next ti you wish to part with spirit stones, rember to co see us.”
Xiang Zhantian stumbled, a blur of frustration and embarrassnt, quickly vanishing from the Cangqiong Guild’s first floor.
Wei Yiming, however, remained. He approached Fang Chen with a composed but calculating expression.
“I underestimated you. The first floor has been… sowhat chaotic. Shall we continue on the second floor?”
It was clear he sought to reclaim lost honor. Losing to an equal could be tolerated, a matter of luck; he could win next ti. But to lose to a naless youth… that was unacceptable. He would reclaim his pride, even if it consud him.
Fang Chen t his gaze with serene composure, unshaken by the implied challenge.
“Very well. If you wish to gamble, I shall accompany you to the end.”
Wei Yiming had expected consent, but not so decisive and resolute. Youthful arrogance, indeed, he thought with a wry bitterness.
Shopkeeper Wan, ever eager to facilitate wagers, prepared to escort them to the second floor.
“Wait.”
A cold, fear-inducing voice suddenly cut through the murmur of the crowd. Heads turned, revealing the infamous Ghostfire Demon. Despite the bustling first floor, no one dared approach him—a silent testant to his terrifying reputation.
Even Shopkeeper Wan’s brows furrowed. The presence of this ruthless figure, willing to employ any ans to achieve his ends, was unwelco.
“And what brings you here, Ghostfire Daoist?”
The red-haired demon offered a grim, predatory smile, eyes gleaming with nace.
“Nothing much. I am restless. I wish to test my hand against the two of you. Are you willing?”
The air seed to thicken, the crowd holding their breath. A new storm was about to erupt.
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