The Zhao Surname Strongman did not care about the conflict between the two. He only asked, "Young Master Jun, how much do you think this 'Flood Dragon Eye' is worth?"
Liao Feijun casually replied, "5.25 million."
The Zhao Surname Strongman was slightly taken aback. "That precise? Is there some reasoning behind it?"
"Of course there is."
Liao Feijun said unhurriedly, "Based on market trends over the past five years, four years ago, my grandfather hosted a secret auction where a Flood Dragon Eye sold for the sky-high price of 8.88 million. Two years ago, through the Deep Web, a Flood Dragon Eye was bought by a mysterious purchaser for 9.25 million. And according to my intelligence, someone is now offering over ten million for a flawless Flood Dragon Eye—this thing absorbs the essence of the sun and moon, contains extremely abundant Spiritual Energy, and has been tempered by two different monsters for over a century. It is a rare raw material for super-grade potions. It can help Transcendents break into higher realms, strengthen their bones and improve the suppleness of their muscles, turning all four limbs as tough and resilient as pythons. Ten million is not expensive."
A glint flashed through the Zhao Surname Strongman's eyes. "Then why can our Blood Wolf Squad's Flood Dragon Eye only sell for a little over five million?"
"Very simple. The ten-million requirement is flawless condition, but your Flood Dragon Eye has a defect."
Liao Feijun lightly snapped his fingers.
A wisp of azure flame shot from his fingertips.
He brought the blue flame close to the Flood Dragon Eye.
Immediately, within the brilliant radiance reflected by the Flood Dragon Eye, a winding, ugly shadow appeared.
It was like a knife scar on a beauty's face—an eyesore beyond words, and such a pity.
"This is—"
The Zhao Surname Strongman's expression changed.
They had not even discovered this flaw themselves.
"I estimate that when you hunted the Red-Tailed Golden Python, you must have used a lightning-element killing move, causing the Spiritual Energy inside the Flood Dragon Eye to become disordered. Then, when collecting the super-beast crystal core, your movements were too rough. The knocking and bumping made the Flood Dragon Eye's Spiritual Energy completely lose control and burst through this extremely tiny crack. Although it is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, a third of its Spiritual Energy has leaked away. Its condition has been seriously diminished, and the potions refined from it would be greatly discounted in effect. That is why I appraised it at 5.25 million. Of course, if you do not believe me, you can have it assessed elsewhere. I believe the price will not differ by much."
Liao Feijun wore a smile, graceful and confident.
The Zhao Surname Strongman's face held half delight and half regret.
He was delighted that they had killed a monster and obtained such a top-grade drop.
What annoyed him was that improper harvesting had cost this top-grade item half its value!
"Who harvested this Flood Dragon Eye? So crude," Liao Feijun asked with a frown.
"Our captain harvested it himself." After thinking it over, the Zhao Surname Strongman still told the truth.
"No wonder. Every trade has its specialty. Being able to kill does not necessarily mean being able to save; being able to chop a monster into minced meat with a flurry of blades does not necessarily mean being able to harvest it precisely and ensure the materials' value is maximized. Your Blood Wolf Squad has been rising rapidly lately. It is about time you found a professional harvesting team to work with," Liao Feijun said.
The Zhao Surname Strongman nodded heavily, convinced. "Young Master Jun is absolutely right. When I return, I will discuss it with our captain and cooperate with the Liao family!"
Liao Feijun smiled faintly, then turned and called toward his circle of fair-weather friends, "Young Master Nie, aren't you currently trying to break through to Three-Star Extraordinary? This Flood Dragon Eye is exactly what you need. Give me some face—5.5 million, and you can have it?"
That Young Master Nie was likewise a distinguished scion of a wealthy family, dressed in fine clothes and riding high. Hearing this, he stepped forward.
Liao Feijun explained, "Do not say I am fleecing you. Although this Flood Dragon Eye is in poor condition, it happens to suit the Dragon Slaying Art you cultivate. I believe it will definitely help you break through to the Three-Star realm."
Young Master Nie laughed heartily, indeed giving him face. "Fine, no need to explain. Why would I not trust you, Young Master Jun? Six million. Deputy Captain Zhao, will your Blood Wolf Squad sell?"
Overjoyed, the Zhao Surname Strongman nodded repeatedly. "Sell, of course we'll sell! Thank you, Young Master Nie."
Then he repeatedly thanked Liao Feijun as well. "And thank you, Young Master Jun, for your guidance. Young Master Jun truly deserves to be called the rising star of Dragon City's harvester circle!"
In just a few words, he had not only explained the origins and nature of an unknown material with perfect clarity, but also made a deal happen. Using his connections and professional knowledge, he had raised the price by 750,000, leaving both buyer and seller delighted.
This was the bearing of a high-end harvester!
In an instant, Liao Feijun became the center of everyone's attention.
As for Meng Chao, he did not even qualify to be looked down upon.
What a joke. Everyone here belonged to high society, high-end business professionals. They were busy—who had time to look down on an ordinary high school student?
Well, Liao Feijun did.
"Martial Uncle Meng, let me give you a few words of advice."
Liao Feijun could not stand seeing Meng Chao slip away silently just like that. With his hands clasped behind his back, he said blandly, "Harvesting is an industry with an extremely low threshold and an extremely high ceiling. To become an outstanding harvester, what matters most is family learning passed down through generations—because all kinds of rare treasures must be studied from childhood, even handled personally, before one can develop a feel for them.
"Perhaps you truly are talented, but constrained by your family circumstances, someone living in public housing like you clearly could not possibly come into contact with a treasure like a Flood Dragon Eye.
"This really is not a circle you should step into. If you force your way in, sharpening your head to squeeze through the cracks, you will only make yourself miserable. And if you make an identification error and delay an important transaction for both parties, can you afford the compensation?
"I do not know what Old Ning was thinking when he chose you, but you should know your own place. Otherwise, you will mislead yourself and others, harm others and harm yourself!"
At these words, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
Meng Chao was wearing Ninth High School's uniform. Ninth High School was a District Key High School, and quite a few of its students came from decent families, so no one had been able to figure out his background.
But now, hearing Young Master Jun say that this kid still lived in public housing, what qualifications did he have to attend such a high-end materials exchange?
Liao Feijun's fair-weather friends were the first to laugh.
Gu Ming, Jiuxin's technical director, even shouted, "I know this kid's background. Not only does he live in public housing, his father was one of Jiuxin's low-level harvesters. He was just swept out the door for having sticky fingers!"
This made the murmurs among industry insiders even louder.
It was only out of respect for White-Haired Ghost Hand that they had not thrown Meng Chao out directly.
Meng Chao's gaze was deep as he stared at the "Flood Dragon Eye," seemingly lost in thought.
Liao Feijun assumed he had been scared silly. Shaking his head, he walked down from the stage.
"Young Master Jun, Young Master Nie, shall we discuss the details?" The Zhao Surname Strongman from the Blood Wolf Squad smiled as he hurried after them.
Ning Xueshi was so angry that she stamped her feet.
Ning Shewo clutched his chest and wanted to go onstage to help Meng Chao salvage his dignity.
"Wait."
At that moment, Meng Chao suddenly spoke. His voice was calm and composed. "Since you called me 'Martial Uncle,' did your martial uncle tell you to leave?"
Liao Feijun frowned slightly, his steps only slowing a little.
"Hey, you. Liao Feijun, right? Do you really think this is a 'Flood Dragon Eye'?" Meng Chao spoke again, his voice full of doubt.
He seemed genuinely puzzled that Liao Feijun could get such a simple question wrong—and wrong so outrageously.
Wrong so outrageously, yet he still dared to come out and show off?
After showing off, he fucking wanted to leave?
Liao Feijun, Young Master Nie, and the Zhao Surname Strongman finally stopped.
"You said you did not know just now. What trick are you trying to pull now? Have you not embarrassed yourself enough?" Liao Feijun's face darkened.
Meng Chao shook his head. "I truly do not know what it is. I only know that whatever it is, it cannot possibly be a 'Flood Dragon Eye'!"
Those words triggered wave after wave of jeers.
Several Senior Harvesters secretly shook their heads. "This really is a Flood Dragon Eye. Liao Feijun is the grandson of Poison Hand, learned and sharp-eyed. This youngster is refusing to lose face. He is afraid to take a terrible fall."
"Little Friend Meng, stop talking and come down quickly!" Ning Shewo was frantic. He too could see that it was a Flood Dragon Eye, yet he had no idea how Meng Chao could turn the tide. This time, he had truly dragged Meng Chao into disaster.
Meng Chao sighed, his face bearing the expression of someone teaching a lesson to elementary school students. "If it were something as simple as a Flood Dragon Eye, naturally I would have known it at a glance.
"But when I took a second look, I found something strange, so I observed it closely for another five minutes.
"You know that Single Wood Grass bears fruit once every three years, and that each time there is a certain chance it will produce a 'Ghost Eye Fruit.' Very good, very good—you have at least studied your books carefully. But do you know that Ghost Eye Fruit can mutate as well? There is a tiny chance it can undergo a second mutation and become the even rarer 'Demon Eye Fruit.' The Demon Eye Fruit was eaten by a Golden Bristle Hyena Pig, the Golden Bristle Hyena Pig was eaten by a Red-Tailed Golden Python, and then the crystal core that finally formed—how could it still be a 'Flood Dragon Eye'? It should be called a 'Demon Dragon Eye.'"
"What!"
Liao Feijun was dumbfounded.
Young Master Nie and the Zhao Surname Strongman looked at each other, seeing the shock in one another's eyes.
Including Ning Shewo, every harvester present fell silent. They rapidly rummaged through their minds, searching for "Demon Dragon Eye," only to find nothing.
"What Demon Dragon Eye? I have never heard of it. You are not just spouting nonsense, are you? Otherwise, why did you not say so earlier?" Liao Feijun shouted angrily.
Meng Chao sighed somewhat helplessly. "Because the Demon Eye Fruit has fifteen different directions of secondary mutation, and the Demon Dragon Eyes formed from them likewise have fifteen different varieties. I am an ordinary high school student living in public housing. My family is poor, and I have not seen much of the world. I only started learning harvesting and appraisal recently. Although I could tell it was a Demon Dragon Eye, even if I racked my brains to the point of madness, I could not figure out which kind of Demon Dragon Eye it was. I could only honestly admit that I knew nothing at all."
Before you continue