Hard to Bring Up

In the blink of an eye, all the stalls were packed with people. Everyone was crammed together. The other stalls nearby suffered, trampled beyond recognition by countless feet. However, being weak and powerless, they dared not say anything and could no longer set up their stalls. They had no choice but to temporarily pack up and watch the spectacle.

Some people's eyes lit up immediately when they saw the ten pots of orchids, clearly recognizing them. However, not many people recognized them, so they all turned their attention to the wooden sign, which read: Seven Star Blood Orchid, for sale in large quantities, 200 million high-grade Spirit Stones per plant, fair and square, no bargaining.

"It's Seven Star Blood Orchid! Selling in large quantities? So many! It seems someone at the Treasure Pavilion is willing to pay 20 million per plant."

"The crowd immediately started discussing among themselves."

Look at the sign next to the stone; it reads, "Rare mineral, priceless, highest bidder wins."

Some people had seen these stones at Ye Cheng's stall before. Back then, the highest price was only nine high-grade Spirit Stones. How did they suddenly become priceless?

Those who recognized these ores were silently heaving with unease, but dared not point it out to Yue Qianchou. However, many others were itching to buy these stones; being sold alongside the Seven Star Blood Orchid, and being priceless, they must be valuable items.

"Stop pushing forward. If you step on anything on the stall, don't blame me for being rude," Yue Qianchou warned the crowd with a cold snort, sitting there with his legs crossed. Those in front immediately pushed back.

"Are you kidding? This butcher is a ruthless killer. He dares to offend even the powers of various countries at once, what crazy things wouldn't he dare to do?" Ye Cheng glanced at Yue Qianchou, then at the crowd of onlookers, his heart filled with excitement. Senior Yue is indeed Senior Yue, so imposing wherever he goes. It's a pity that Fu Xian Island can't keep such a talent.

Many people are looking, but not a single person has bought anything yet. Yue Qianchou silently observed those who quietly squeezed out of the crowd and quickly left. He wasn't worried about the goods not selling; the price was so high that it wasn't something the average person could afford.

Even if they don't sell, it doesn't matter. He wasn't expecting to make much money selling so many Blood Orchids. He has plenty of money now. This time, he got a total of 46 billion high-grade Spirit Stones from Yin Baikang, enough to support everyone in Utopia. Moreover, he has a bunch of supreme-grade Spirit Stones and divine-grade Spirit Stones in his stash, so he won't have to worry about money. Besides, he can earn some pocket money every now and then to cover his expenses.

He just wanted to see who was buying up large quantities of Seven Star Blood Orchid. He believed he understood the uses of Seven Star Blood Orchid better than most people, so why would anyone need to buy them up in such large quantities? There was something strange about this.

If anyone possesses a large quantity of Seven Star Blood Orchid, probably no one does. His Utopia Herb Garden is teeming with them, like cabbages. That's why he deliberately offered such a high price to test the waters. If someone is willing to pay such a high price, then their motives become questionable. Who could it be?

The news that Yue Qianchou was sharing a rental with others to set up a stall quickly spread throughout Treasure Gathering Basin.

Wen Lanfeng dismissed the messenger and turned to ask the other two, "Setting up a street stall? What is Yue Qianchou trying to do?"

Nong Zhu shook his head, completely bewildered, and said, "This kid is always talking nonsense and doing things that are hard to understand. Who knows what he's up to? It's strange, where did he get so many Seven Star Blood Orchid to sell?"

"Selling Seven Star Blood Orchid in large quantities?" Lu Yanqing paused, then said softly, "Seven Star Blood Orchid, Lingfang Valley also cultivates one. I have been studying it and have found that this spiritual herb is very magical. When combined with various other spiritual herbs, it can produce different miraculous effects, and it seems to have endless potential to be explored. Unfortunately, the cultivation cycle is too long, and I dare not use it freely. I only pick a Ye Zi to study every now and then, mainly because I am afraid of damaging it."

He then looked at Nong Zhu and said, "These things are very hard to come by. I also wanted to buy a few from Yue Qianchou, but the price of two hundred million per plant is too high, ridiculously high for me. Nong Zhu, could you help me talk to Yue Qianchou and ask him to sell some to me at a lower price? You know that Lingfang Valley is not like other places, we have almost no income and can't come up with that much money. Consider it a favor I owe him, or rather, I can exchange some rare spiritual pills with him."

Wen Lanfeng and Nong Zhu exchanged glances. They all knew that alchemy was Lingfang Valley's forte, but it almost never involved buying or selling. Furthermore, Lingfang Valley's medical skills were unparalleled, yet they never profited from it, always providing free treatment to everyone, including ordinary mortals. Therefore, compared to other forces, Lingfang Valley was truly poor. Its disciples almost never used Spirit Stone for cultivation, instead consuming spirit pills.

But it was precisely because of this that she earned the respect of the world. Cultivators who owed her favors would, if they had the chance to obtain some good spiritual herbs, give them to her free of charge, provided it wasn't too serious. Even ordinary mortals knew that Lingfang Valley loved all kinds of herbs, so if they happened to find any unknown herbs in the deep mountains and wilderness, regardless of their usefulness, they would tirelessly and without complaint deliver them to Lingfang Valley. In this way, Lingfang Valley and everyone else formed a mutually dependent relationship. Furthermore, Lingfang Valley never interfered in the struggles of the Cultivation World and posed no threat to anyone, so everyone was happy to live in harmony with it. After all, one day they might need Lingfang Valley's help, and some incurable injuries from fighting were inevitable. Even the notoriously cunning Yin Baikang would regularly send her a large batch of spiritual herbs free of charge every year.

"Exchange rare elixirs with him?" Nong Zhu muttered, her expression somewhat strange. She thought to herself, "Doesn't that guy have enough rare elixirs already? He can even refine those legendary heaven-defying elixirs himself. I really don't know if he'd even be interested in the rare elixirs you have."

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Lu Yanqing asked.

Nong Zhu shook his head and said with a wry smile, "I trust the two of you, so I won't hide anything from you. Lu Yanqing, if you were to offer him spirit pills in exchange, I'm afraid he might not even be interested in them."

"To be honest, that kid is a prodigy in Pill Formula himself. Some of the elixirs he concocts are practically heaven-defying; his skill in this area might not be inferior to yours. Besides, this guy has many unorthodox methods that others can't, and he always manages to get his hands on rare spiritual herbs. You should have been able to tell from the large quantities of Seven Star Blood Orchid he was selling at his street stall today."

"He's also a master of Pill Formula?" Wen Lanfeng was somewhat surprised. Seeing Nong Zhu nod, he clicked his tongue and said, "I really didn't realize! At such a young age, his cultivation is already outstanding among his peers, and he's incredibly talented and learned. I never expected him to be so proficient in alchemy. He'll be extraordinary in the future!"

As someone with experience, he knew that a person couldn't be distracted by too many things. Everyone has their specialty; once you're proficient in one thing, others will inevitably be weaker. Someone like him, excelling in everything, was truly rare. Wen Lanfeng couldn't help but admire Bi Changchun's discerning eye in choosing disciples once again!

Lu Yanqing paused, recalling that Niu Youde could refine Restriction Breaking Pill and Seven Treasures Pill, and knew that Nong Zhu's words were true. However, she was somewhat skeptical of Nong Zhu's claim that Yue Qianchou had many unorthodox methods. She guessed that Yue Qianchou's ability to obtain various rare spiritual herbs was due to Bi Changchun's influence. It should be known that the vast Demon Ghost Domain was like a virgin territory yet to be unveiled; how could it lack various spiritual herbs? The fact that Yue Qianchou could obtain so many Seven Star Blood Orchid was proof enough.

"Yanqing, how about I buy ten for you?" Wen Lanfeng said somewhat nervously. He knew that this suggestion would definitely be rejected; it had been the same for years. But who would have the nerve to ask Yue Qianchou to give away such a large amount of Spirit Stone for free? By stealing them? That was even more unacceptable. Not only would Lu Yanqing not accept it, but the serious consequences of stealing from Bi Changchun's disciple were something no one could bear. Sure enough, Lu Yanqing shook her head and said, "I appreciate your kindness, but I'll talk to him myself! If he's unwilling, then so be it; I won't force him."

"Alright, alright, let me go find that kid!" Nong Zhu waved his hand and said, "It's just a few Seven Star Blood Orchid! It's not as complicated as you think. If he has more, just ask him to give us some for free. Lu Yanqing, just consider it a favor you owe him! Don't mention exchanging spirit pills for them."

In truth, Nong Zhu really didn't want to ask. She'd recently acquired a celestial sword from Yue Qianchou; if she considered it a betrothal gift, she could console herself. Then, Ziyi had spent so much of his money, which she could also console herself with the thought that it was only right—she'd already prepared her daughter for him, so what was a little money? But then she immediately asked him for a batch of Restriction Breaking Pill and Seven Treasures Pill, and that wasn't over yet; now she had to ask Yue Qianchou for a few Seven Star Blood Orchid.

Even with his thick skin, Nong Zhu felt a little embarrassed. He kept asking the younger generation for things, especially valuable ones; it was really embarrassing. This wasn't how you take advantage of someone. They weren't at his level to be exploited.

Besides, Yue Qianchou had said before he left that he was going to earn back the money his daughter had spent, which is why he set up a street stall to sell blood orchids. Even the disciple of Bi Changchun, the Number One Expert Under Heaven, was forced to sell things at a street stall. How could he possibly ask for something he liked after it was displayed, only to then ask for it to be given away for free?

He was already very unhappy that Yue Qianchou was hanging out with that woman from Spring Sleep Tower, and he was seething with anger, wanting to find an opportunity to teach that kid a lesson. But he was beholden to her, and if he opened his mouth, that money-grubbing guy would lose hundreds of millions for nothing. How could he still bring up that woman from Spring Sleep Tower? You know, that kid isn't someone you can just talk to; one sentence from him could shut you up completely!

Seeing his two friends' dilemma, he couldn't bear it and had no choice but to agree. However, the consequence of agreeing was that he would probably have to turn a blind eye to some things with Yue Qianchou.

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