"Really?"
Wang Youyun's eyes held a trace of suspicion, while the surrounding onlookers looked at one another. To be honest, most of them did not believe it either.
But since they had come here to buy people anyway, it did not matter whom they bought. They might as well take a gamble. It was only with that mindset that they dared to bid.
This was why, despite the seemingly bustling scene just now, all those sold had been the ones on the right for ten Spirit Stones. Not a single person had dared to touch the ones on the left for thirty Spirit Stones.
"Just as Fellow Daoist said, when one opens one's doors for business, how can one fail to keep faith?" As he spoke, Lin Chang'an swept his gaze around the crowd and jokingly said, "There are only twenty-three over here. If some Fellow Daoist bought them all in one gulp and found nothing, wouldn't that smash our signboard?"
Yet Wang Youyun gave two cold laughs. "How did I hear that the Great Sword Sect was planning to set up a memorial archway and become a righteous sect? This business couldn't be Baldy Zhang's private affair, could it?"
"Tsk, tsk. Looks like some people want to borrow the sect's banner to make a one-hammer deal." As he spoke, Wang Youyun narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze over the crowd, practically telling everyone that something was definitely fishy here.
Zhang Qing, seated at the table, immediately flew into a rage upon hearing this. His eyes wide with anger, he slapped the table and shouted, "Wang Youyun, do you really think everyone is as shameless as you?"
"What, did I hit the mark and make you fly into a shameful rage?"
It seemed Zhang Qing and Wang Youyun had quite a grudge between them. But Lin Chang'an frowned as he looked at the figures around him. If this went on, this business—bah!
If these people truly could not find a good buyer, it would be over. He simply could not bear to watch the suffering of this mortal world.
"Everyone."
At that moment, Lin Chang'an smiled at the crowd and clasped his hands, no longer bothering with Zhang Qing and Wang Youyun mocking each other.
"There are only twenty-three here. That is neither many nor few. Those interested may join hands and buy them all in one gulp. We can inspect the goods on the spot. If there is even the slightest falsehood, we will compensate tenfold for every fake!"
His final sentence was filled with absolute conviction, instantly changing the expressions of the onlookers.
Could there really be a big fish among them? An alchemist! Though they knew these were low-grade goods, and even if it was true, that person's talent was surely limited, they would still absolutely be worth the price.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, could there really be an alchemist among them?"
Someone in the crowd hesitated before voicing the question in his heart. Lin Chang'an, however, clasped his hands with a solemn expression. "This alchemist's circumstances are no great secret. I will first give everyone a little of the truth."
"Qi Refining third layer, proficient in refining Bigu Pills, Qi Condensation Pills, and the like. As for age, he is a little old—thirty. But rest assured of one thing: his mind is absolutely sound, and his body is sound as well."
With Lin Chang'an's guarantee, the crowd instantly erupted. Quite a few people began muttering among themselves.
"Looks like this isn't a one-hammer deal."
"Nonsense. Since they dare say that, it must be true. But this alchemist's talent has probably already reached its end."
"Hmph, hmph. If he truly had potential, would they be willing to sell him?"
As the crowd buzzed with discussion, many people began gathering in groups of three or five to make contact. When Wang Youyun, who had come looking for trouble, saw this, his expression changed. The next moment, he directly ignored Zhang Qing.
"Count me in. Which Fellow Daoist is willing?"
Before Wang Youyun's words had even faded, Zhang Qing sneered. "Wang Youyun, you really refuse to give up. You couldn't sell your own goods, so you came to my place to stir up trouble."
"Let me put it plainly: if you have the guts, buy them all in one gulp. Don't stand here disgustingly making trouble, otherwise—" Zhang Qing gave two cold humphs and said with his chin raised high, "Then forgive me, but I opened my doors for business. I'll sell to whomever I please."
Through a covert Voice Transmission Technique, Lin Chang'an revealed an enlightened look, then smiled and shook his head. It seemed the grudge between the two truly ran deep.
"Heh, looks like the Great Sword Sect is only capable of this much."
Wang Youyun did not miss any opportunity to belittle the other side. He sneered, but he was no fool. Thirty Spirit Stones for an alchemist was indeed worth it, but what about the other goods? Calculated together, he would be taking a loss.
Just then, a burst of hearty laughter sounded from within the crowd. A middle-aged man who resembled a great scholar stepped forward, dressed in a green robe with an elegant smile on his face.
"Since you have opened your doors for business, I trust you would not mind if my Liu Family takes the lead?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhang Qing immediately drew in his neck and put on a courteous smile, even bending at the waist by a few degrees. "Isn't this the Liu Family Head? What are you saying?"
After this Liu Family Head appeared, Wang Youyun's pupils constricted, and he did not dare make any further barbs. Those in the crowd who recognized him all revealed respectful expressions.
"I heard there is an alchemist here." The Liu Family Head smiled elegantly as though his words carried some deeper meaning, looking at the crowd without the slightest trace of arrogance.
"However, my Liu Family is not unreasonable either. My Liu Family will take ten of these twenty-three people. Would the rest of you Fellow Daoists be willing to inspect the remaining thirteen with my Liu Family and see whether what this little friend said is true?"
As he spoke, the elegant Liu Family Head gave a light laugh and teased Lin Chang'an, "This little friend just said that he would compensate tenfold for every fake."
The crowd immediately broke into a wave of good-natured laughter. Someone even patted his chest and laughed loudly. "With the Liu Family Head here, count me in."
"Today, this rough fellow will bask in the Liu Family Head's glory."
"Since even the Liu Family Head does not disdain it, count me in."
For a time, quite a few people in the crowd stepped forward with flushed faces, speaking up righteously. Yet everyone present knew perfectly well that they merely wished to befriend this Liu Family Head.
"Junior Brother, this is the head of the Liu Family. Though his cultivation is only at the Qi Refining eighth layer, under his leadership, the Liu Family has become a Lineage second only to the Beast Taming Zhou Family."
Through the Voice Transmission Technique, Zhang Qing solemnly introduced this Liu Family Head's background to him. Lin Chang'an immediately stepped forward, his face filled with smiles as he clasped his hands.
"Many thanks to the Liu Family Head for resolving this predicament."
"You are too polite." Beneath the Liu Family Head's elegant smile was a feeling like a spring breeze washing over one's face. It seemed he treated everyone this way.
Yet Lin Chang'an did not dare underestimate this gentlemanly and elegant appearance in the slightest. No one who could make a name for themselves in a place like this was simple.
"These ten, then."
The Liu Family Head casually glanced over them, then waved a hand and pointed to the ten on the left. This made the cultivators joining in reveal smiles.
Clearly, the Liu Family Head's casual selection was purely a matter of luck. There was not the slightest sign of cheating. After all, no matter how concealed the Voice Transmission Technique was, it still produced fluctuations of spiritual power.
"Fine. Since the Liu Family Head has chosen, I won't be vague either. I'll take this one."
"I want this one..."
In only a brief moment, all twenty-three sacks on the left had been chosen. The Liu Family Head also looked at Lin Chang'an with a smile and gave a faint nod, while Lin Chang'an wore a humble expression.
But when Lin Chang'an had stepped forward to offer his thanks just now, the fingers of his left hand had clearly trembled once. The Liu Family Head could not help but think more highly of this unfamiliar young man.
I ask all Fellow Daoists to please keep reading.
Before you continue