Raising the Price on the Spot

The man flicked his sleeve and went inside silently.

"Young man, speak more politely and don't be too ruthless. Leave some room for future encounters."

The speaker was none other than Guan Zhongkai, who had fought a fierce battle with Yue Qianchou. He was originally stationed at the branch of the World Commerce Association in Zhujin City. After his master, Sikong Jue, arrived, he was dispatched to invite Niu Youde. Because of the one-armed old man from the Ghost Manor, it was inconvenient for Spirit Transformation stage expert to come in person, so Sikong Jue had to send his disciple first.

To Guan Zhongkai's dismay, quite a few people from various countries came to invite Niu Youde, and Niu Youde simply refused to come out of the Ghost Manor. This caused a long queue of people wanting to see him—quite a spectacle! Most outrageous of all, Niu Youde actually raised his price, demanding a meeting fee of 100,000 high-grade Spirit Stones from those who wanted to see him, otherwise he would refuse to see them.

This is simply taking advantage of someone's misfortune... If it weren't for the one-armed old man from the Ghost Manor having enough influence, and Niu Youde's cultivation level being unknown to others, Ghost Manor would definitely have been razed to the ground today.

Guan Zhongkai had been waiting for quite some time and had witnessed the gatekeeper's arrogance and rudeness. Now that it was his turn next, so close by, he couldn't help but give him a warning.

"Leave some leeway? Is that even a concept in the Cultivation World?" Qin Jiaxing stood on the steps, glancing down at him condescendingly. "When I used to play the subservient role, I was polite to everyone, but no one ever left me any leeway. They still didn't treat you like a human being. Besides, I wasn't being ruthless; I was just following Senior Niu's instructions, doing business as required. Alright! Enough nonsense. First, check if you have enough money in your pocket. If not, step aside and don't bother others."

"You..." Guan Zhongkai was on the verge of going berserk and hitting someone, but a Ziyi behind him pulled him back and sighed, "Brother Guan, why bother with him? He's just a petty person who's gotten his way. There's plenty of time in the future!"

This man was none other than Yu Landu, who had long been a close associate of Guan Zhongkai. As he spoke, his tone was meaningful, and he even gestured with Guan Zhongkai's chin toward the one-armed old man pruning trees in the corner, seemingly admonishing Guan Zhongkai to be patient for now and to find another opportunity to deal with this arrogant fellow later.

Threat? I'll stick close to the boss, and I'll be fearless anywhere in the world! Qin Jiaxing stood there nonchalantly, still with that arrogant look on his face. He was feeling incredibly good! He never dreamed he'd have this day in his life, being able to talk back to hundreds of late Tribulation Transcendence stage experts, making them all obedient and submissive in his presence.

Whether or not he would face retaliation later was a matter for the future. In short, he had experienced such a thrill in this life, and even dying for it was worthwhile... Thinking of this, Qin Jiaxing straightened his back a little more. His gaze calmly swept over the crowd below, his demeanor composed and dignified, displaying the air of a master.

When a person is fearless and indifferent to everything, they naturally become invincible due to their lack of desire.

The Rogue Cultivator, cowering nearby and not daring to utter a sound, stared at Qin Jiaxing with envy. They thought to themselves, "This guy's really made it big! He's gotten so bold as to dare boss around a group of late Tribulation Transcendence stage Transcending experts. I'm so envious!"

Not long after, the man who had gone in earlier emerged with a livid face. Many people asked him what had happened, but he didn't answer, quickly disappearing after leaving the room. The group exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what Niu Youde had done to everyone who went in, and why none of the people who came out looked so cheerful.

"Next!" Qin Jiaxing shouted in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft.

Guan Zhongkai gritted his teeth and pulled out a Storage Bag, handing it over. Having learned from his previous experience, he wasn't in a hurry. He waited until the arrogant guy at the door finished counting the Spirit Stone and received permission before striding inside.

The courtyard was secluded and deep. Passing through the plum groves on both sides, one came to the high platform at the entrance of the main hall. Two people stood there. The one standing to the side was expressionless, while the one facing down was smiling and staring at him.

Tsk tsk! What a nemesis, we meet again! Yue Qianchou smiled even more broadly when he saw that the person who came was actually Guan Zhongkai.

"This must be Mr. Niu Youde." Guan Zhongkai didn't like Niu Youde at all. He was just like the gatekeeper outside, always looking down on people. How could he greet guests like that? But he still forced a smile and bowed to Yue Qianchou, saying, "Guan Zhongkai from the World Commerce Association. I have important matters to discuss with you, sir."

As he spoke, he glanced into the main hall, implying that they should go inside to talk.

Yue Qianchou smiled and nodded, then turned and walked slowly toward the main hall with his hands behind his back...

Guan Zhongkai stepped onto the stairs, the man beside him cut in front of him, blocking his way. The man said expressionlessly, "You've already met Senior Niu, please leave! If you still want to talk to Senior Niu, please pay extra: 200,000 high-grade Spirit Stones!"

Guan Zhongkai was stunned for a moment, and after realizing what he meant, his expression twitched as he said, "Are you kidding me? I paid 100,000 high-grade Spirit Stones, and you think it's over after just one meeting?"

"That's right." Fu Chun didn't mince words and explained crisply, "The 100,000 high-grade Spirit Stones is just a meeting fee, not including the cost of the conversation. Senior Niu's time is very precious, and it's already quite remarkable that he's willing to come out to meet for 100,000 high-grade Spirit Stones. If you want to take up more of Senior Niu's time for a chat, you'll naturally have to pay more."

"Are you all money-hungry?! 100,000 high-grade Spirit Stones for just one meeting?" Guan Zhongkai was furious, feeling cheated.

"Please calm down!" Fu Chun continued politely and calmly, "This rule isn't targeting you personally. Everyone who came in before us followed it without exception. Please forgive us!"

"Why didn't you say so earlier? You're deliberately trying to trick us!"

"No!" Fu Chun asked in surprise, "Everyone who leaves here, I make them relay the rules to the people outside. Didn't they tell them? Could it be that they didn't?"

"Uh..." Guan Zhongkai was stunned. Now he understood why everyone who left looked so unhappy. When asked what was wrong, none of them answered. It turned out they had been taken advantage of and didn't want others to benefit, so they deliberately kept quiet.

"If you're not available right now, please leave. Senior Niu's time is precious, and he has a rather short temper. If you take too long, it might cause unnecessary trouble," Fu Chun politely, waving his hand to see him off.

This was a blatant threat! Guan Zhongkai's face turned pale and then red, but what could he do? He had to swallow his anger. If he came all this way and went back to tell his master that he had spent 100,000 high-grade Spirit Stones but hadn't even exchanged a single word with Niu Youde, his master would surely scold him to death.

What bothered him most was that he couldn't see through Niu Youde's cultivation level at all; it was clearly higher than his own. Even if he wanted to lose his temper, he had to consider the consequences.

"Two hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones for a talk? Isn't that a bit outrageous?" Guan Zhongkai's words clearly showed he had given in. He couldn't help it; the money was a minor issue—it wasn't his personal money—the key was completing the task his master had assigned him. It was frustrating!

"No, no, no, two hundred thousand is not expensive at all!" Fu Chun waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Senior Niu said that his price is considered low and fair. If it were Bi Changchun, the number one Number One Expert Under Heaven Bi Changchun, anyone who wanted to see him would probably have to spend a hundred million high-grade Spirit Stones. And he might not even see you, let alone chat with you."

"This... how can this be compared?" Guan Zhongkai almost choked on his words. Who was Bi Changchun? He was someone who couldn't be measured by money. Besides, he wouldn't do something so vulgar; if he opened his mouth, plenty of people would offer him money.

"Why can't we compare? Everyone has a worth! Look..." Fu Chun counted on her fingers, trying to reason with him.

Guan Zhongkai felt a chill run down his spine and quickly raised his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, you don't need to say anything more. I admit defeat. Two hundred thousand? I'll give it to you!"

The queue had already wasted half a day, and the master was still waiting in the Zhujin City! If they dawdled any longer, how long would the master have to wait? Guan Zhongkai quickly rummaged through his Storage Bag, pulled out 200,000 high-grade Spirit Stones, stuffed them into Fu Chun's hand, and said helplessly, "Count them."

Fu Chun counted the money expressionlessly, numb from counting it all, having long lost the initial excitement. Meanwhile, he dealt with the boss's prepared excuses one after another. Today he'd truly witnessed it all. The days when they'd fight over a single high-grade Spirit Stones were utterly childish; this was real money-making! But then again, the boss was probably the only one in the Cultivation World who dared to play like this.

"Please!" Fu Chun away his Storage Bag and respectfully led the way. This service attitude finally made Guan Zhongkai feel a little better.

Yue Qianchou sat smiling at the tea table in the main hall, sipping his tea absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on the clear tea in his cup. Fu Chun led him to his side, then pointed to an empty seat on the other side of the tea table and said to Guan Zhongkai, "Please sit down."

"The price to speak with you, sir, is not small!" Guan Zhongkai plopped down, his words carrying a sarcastic tone.

Yue Qianchou smiled but did not answer. Guan Zhongkai frowned and said, "You're not going to ask for money again?"

"Wait a moment!" Fu Chun said politely, and then took out a transparent hourglass from his Storage Bag. It seemed to be carved from a single piece of crystal, small and Linglong, and quite nice in design.

Fu Chun turned the hourglass upside down on the coffee table. After a soft hissing sound of flowing sand, he quietly stepped aside.

"Ah..." Guan Zhongkai pointed at the hourglass in surprise and said, "What does this mean? Does it mean we're going to charge for the timed transactions?"

"Begin!" Yue Qianchou laughed heartily, finally speaking.

He placed the teacup on the table, pointed to the hourglass, and said, "You mean this? Oh dear! So many people have been looking for me. I had no choice but to do this. Otherwise, they would talk to me for half a day or a whole day, and I would never know when it would end! I'm a soft-hearted person, and I feel bad refusing to see people who come to my door, so I set some harsh conditions. Please forgive me, please forgive me, haha!"

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