Chapter 30: One Million High-Grade Essence Stones, Not a Single One Less (Seeking Votes)

Mu Ran was in high spirits when suddenly, Li Zifeng interrupted him, causing a flash of displeasure to cross his face.

"Teacher, my third uncle is here. He has something to discuss with you," Li Zifeng continued.

"Brother Mu Ran, what are you researching in the alchemy room? Let me take a look for you." Before the words had even faded, another voice rang out from outside the door. The owner of this voice was none other than Li Zifeng’s third uncle, Li Wenqing. As he spoke, he pushed the door open and walked in forcefully.

When Li Zifeng and Li Wenqing entered the room and saw there was someone else present, their attention immediately locked onto Chu Tianchen.

"So, Brother Mu Ran has a guest. But this person... why do I find him somewhat familiar?" Li Wenqing stared at Chu Tianchen for a moment before speaking.

"It’s you?" Li Zifeng’s eyes narrowed.

Before he could continue, Li Wenqing’s gaze shifted from Chu Tianchen to the first-grade pill in his hand. "So, Brother Mu Ran, you’ve taken on another disciple? Looking at this, he must have just been promoted to a first-grade alchemist. Less than twenty years old and a first-grade alchemist—he counts as a talent," Li Wenqing said with a smile.

As he spoke, his eyes scanned the room, finally finding his target: the fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron. He walked straight toward it, his eyes filled with intense heat.

"What a rare and magnificent cauldron," Li Wenqing praised.

The next moment, in front of everyone, he focused his intent, and a blood-red flame instantly ignited the fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron. He casually took out a fourth-grade medicinal herb and tossed it into the cauldron. About a quarter of an hour later, a faint, fragrant aroma of herbs wafted from it.

"This fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron is practically tailor-made for me," Li Wenqing remarked. "Brother Mu Ran, to be honest, I came here today specifically for this cauldron. I hope you will accommodate me."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ran looked at Li Wenqing with an expression of disbelief. Although the people from the Yunmeng Marsh Valley were unreasonable, they at least dared not openly "rob" others in broad daylight.

"Haha, I was just too excited when I saw this fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron, my apologies. Brother Mu Ran, name your price," Li Wenqing continued.

"Brother Wenqing, I truly cannot give you this cauldron," Mu Ran said after a moment of hesitation. "How about this: look around my alchemy room. Anything else that catches your eye, feel free to take it."

"Brother Mu Ran, I have come with great sincerity this time," Li Wenqing pressed. "I have already heard from Ah Feng about the situation with the Yunmeng Marsh Valley. You are Ah Feng’s teacher; your business is the business of our Li family. With this fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron to assist me, I believe it won’t be long before I can step into the ranks of the sixth-grade alchemy masters. As for the Yun Changshan matter, leave it to me."

"Teacher, my third uncle is right," Li Zifeng chimed in urgently. "That Yunmeng Marsh Valley is being far too overbearing. To demand seventy percent of our alchemy hall's profits—isn't that just treating us like their servants? My third uncle is being very sincere. My father is busy right now, but he said that once he is appointed General and gets his affairs in order, he will come to visit you as well."

"Brother Mu Ran, I am only borrowing this cauldron. Once I reach the level of a sixth-grade alchemist, I will certainly return it to you," Li Wenqing added with a smile. "Moreover, if I can become a sixth-grade alchemist, I will be able to help you in return, assisting you in your own promotion to the fifth grade, right?"

Mu Ran glanced at Chu Tianchen. From his expression, one could tell he was furious and speechless, yet unable to erupt. After all, the man before them was a high-level fifth-grade alchemist, and his family was about to be officially declared a General’s Estate. They were, if anything, more formidable than the Yunmeng Marsh Valley.

"Gentlemen, please stop making things difficult for Master Mu Ran," Chu Tianchen said, stepping in to break the tension. "He said that everything here, except for the fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron, is yours to take—that is already the height of his sincerity. Because everything else here belongs to him, he has the authority to decide. As for the cauldron, the decision is truly not his to make."

Mu Ran, who had been about to speak, felt immense gratitude as he watched Chu Tianchen’s calm demeanor. Regardless of whether the cauldron belonged to him, he would never have wanted to hand it over. To a sixth-grade alchemist, this cauldron was a rare treasure, let alone to him. Having just offended the Yunmeng Marsh Valley, he truly did not want to offend the Li family as well. Furthermore, without Chu Tianchen’s consent, he could not shift the burden onto him.

"Brother Mu Ran, are the new disciples you take in these days this arrogant?" Li Wenqing glanced at Chu Tianchen, his expression darkening instantly.

"Brother Wenqing, there is a misunderstanding," Mu Ran said quickly. "Young Master Tianchen is not my disciple. He is my friend, here as a guest today."

"Master Mu Ran, you need not feel any pressure. This fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron is something I lent to you in the first place," Chu Tianchen said.

"Yours? Could it be that you actually saved Tang Shisan?" Li Zifeng frowned.

Chu Tianchen shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"This... how is that possible?" Li Zifeng murmured.

"May I ask who this young master is?" Li Wenqing inquired.

"Who I am is unimportant. Isn't the important thing that you want this fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron?" Chu Tianchen replied with a smile.

"Exactly, exactly. Is this young master willing to sell it? I am prepared to offer great sincerity," Li Wenqing stated immediately. To him, it didn't matter who the owner was, as long as he could take it away.

Chu Tianchen slowly raised a single finger.

"One million low-grade spirit stones? No problem," Li Wenqing said generously.

Chu Tianchen couldn't help but chuckle out loud. Even Mu Ran nearly lost his composure, feeling a strong urge to curse.

"A distinguished high-level fifth-grade alchemist—truly an eye-opener. Your offer is certainly lavish," Chu Tianchen said with a smile. Li Wenqing’s complexion turned a shade of iron-gray.

"As an alchemist, do you truly not know the price of a fifth-grade cauldron?" Chu Tianchen continued unhurriedly. "Or did the person beside you tell you that I am a fool, easy to toy with?"

"You—name your price," Li Wenqing said, dropping the pretense, his face now completely grim.

"One million... high-grade spirit stones!" Chu Tianchen said, his finger lifting slightly. His tone carried an authority that brooked no negotiation.

"One million high-grade spirit stones?! You certainly have the nerve to ask for that much. The market price for a fifth-grade cauldron is at most ten to twenty thousand high-grade spirit stones," Li Wenqing said coldly, his eyes filled with intense chill and a hint of killing intent.

Chu Tianchen smiled. So, he did know the market price. Offering a million low-grade stones—which was equivalent to only ten thousand high-grade stones—was no different from robbery.

"You are correct, but that applies to ordinary fifth-grade cauldrons. This Fu Dan Cauldron is made of superior materials, forged by at least an eighth-grade blacksmith, and is almost completely free of impurities. It is enough to rival a standard sixth-grade cauldron," Chu Tianchen said with calm composure. "Given the quality and the material, it would fetch at least five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones on the market. Furthermore, within the Da Qian Dynasty, this cauldron is unique. I believe that if I were to openly list it for one million high-grade spirit stones, there would be many willing to pay. At the very least, the Yunmeng Marsh Valley would be happy to take it off my hands."

After he finished speaking, Li Wenqing replied with a gloomy expression, "Fine. As you say, five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones. I have twenty thousand high-grade spirit stones on me, along with three fifth-grade pills, which together are worth another ten thousand high-grade spirit stones. I will have the rest sent over once I return."

As he spoke, Li Wenqing set the items down and prepared to walk away with the fifth-grade Fu Dan Cauldron. Seeing this, Chu Tianchen stepped forward, blocking his path.

"First, I said one million high-grade spirit stones—not a single one less. Second, payment upon delivery," Chu Tianchen said in a deep voice.

"You won't even give the Li family face?" Li Wenqing’s eyes sank, and the aura of a Tongshen Realm expert erupted instantly.