Chapter 494: Chapter 288: Second Identity, Unexpected Gain

He was unwilling to fall out with a Cultivator like this over some trivial matter. At the very least, a semblance of harmony had to be maintained on the surface, so that if they met again in the future, they wouldn’t immediately come to blows.

Moreover, he was representing his Young Master, not himself, which made it all the more important. He could not, under any circumstances, cause trouble for his master.

"My Young Master also possesses some rare resources, on par with the Coiling Phoenix Grass. Perhaps we can make a trade with you, Young Master Li. I can assure you that you won’t be at a disadvantage."

"Of course, we will also invite the Auction’s Steward to witness the transaction, so you can rest easy on that point, Young Master Li. As for the upcoming auction items, I have already looked into them. They are all quite expensive and suited for Fake Core Cultivators. You likely wouldn’t be interested, Young Master Li, nor could you compete with those individuals."

Elder Ling directly laid out his most sincere offer.

Lin Changheng glanced at the Steward. Seeing the man nod repeatedly, he pondered for a moment before agreeing.

"Very well, then! Since this Fake Core elder has gone to such lengths, it would be unbecoming of me to be so ruthless. We may yet have dealings in the future, and burning bridges would benefit neither of us."

Lin Changheng was exceptionally nonchalant. He even gave Elder Ling a deep, meaningful look and chuckled softly.

’What trump card does he really have? A powerful Talisman Treasure? A hidden High-Tier guardian? Or is he just putting on an act?’

Elder Ling’s mind began to race.

He then recalled the basic information he’d received from the Immortal City: this man’s family had been wiped out, he had been forced into exile, and had finally broken through to Foundation Establishment before returning...

The weak growing strong was not uncommon in the Cultivation Realm. Opportunity was one factor, but the other was one’s Dao Heart!

To rise again after experiencing such drastic reversals of fortune meant that such a person’s Dao Heart must be incredibly resilient.

Without dwelling on it further, Elder Ling led the way.

Before long, Lin Changheng was meeting with Yi Jitian in Sky-rank private room number three.

"You must be Mr. Li. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Yi Jitian took the initiative to greet him. He put on no airs and wore an earnest smile. Lin Changheng was secretly surprised. ’I thought that with a Fake Core guardian, he’d be some spoiled heir. I didn’t expect this kind of attitude.’

Lin Changheng’s expression, however, remained impassive. He returned the salute with cupped hands, his tone laced with just the right amount of distance and caution. "I have met Mr. Yi. Your invitation was, strictly speaking, against the rules, but Elder Ling was so sincere that I agreed to the meeting. May I ask what this is about? Why not be direct, Fellow Daoist?"

He deliberately projected an attitude of unwillingness to become too entangled with the scion of such a powerful faction.

Yi Jitian seemed not to notice his distant demeanor, his smile unwavering. "Mr. Li is a straightforward man, which I admire. Your boldness at the auction just now was astounding, and I was quite impressed. I invited you here for two reasons. First, I wish to befriend a man of your character, Fellow Daoist. Second, I do indeed have a mutually beneficial transaction I would like to discuss."

"Go on."

The two took their seats. After a few brief pleasantries, they cut straight to the chase.

Elder Ling and the Auction Steward stood on either side, both remaining silent.

Yi Jitian cut straight to the point. "Mr. Li, let’s not beat around the bush. I am in urgent need of the Coiling Phoenix Grass you just bid on. However, that fellow Ye Wuji was right about one thing: at an auction, the highest bidder wins, and I am not one to resort to robbery. I’ve observed that you also seem to be in need of Core Formation Spiritual Objects, Fellow Daoist. I wonder if we might cooperate, so we can each get what we want?"

Lin Changheng’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. "Oh? And how would we cooperate? Please elaborate, Mr. Yi."

Yi Jitian smiled faintly. He took out a Jade Box and opened it. Inside lay a Spirit Grass, entirely ice-blue, its leaves looking as if they were carved from Profound Ice. It emanated a pure Ice Spirit Qi.

Lin Changheng instinctively glanced down at its roots—a long-standing habit of his.

His pupils constricted. He could see soil-free, dried roots.

’It has roots!’

Lin Changheng’s heart began to pound.

"This is the Profound Ice Spirit Flame Grass, a supplementary ingredient for refining the Dust-Reduction Pill. It has a miraculous effect on balancing a nascent Pill Fire and stabilizing a newly formed Pill. I see that you cultivate a Fire Technique, Fellow Daoist, and possess an abundant fire energy. To prevent your Pill Fire from becoming too volatile, you have all the more reason to incorporate this item."

Yi Jitian presented the item as he introduced it.

Lin Changheng’s eyes narrowed slightly again. If that was the case, this item was indeed extremely useful and on his list of things to collect.

And the fact that it had roots made it even more valuable.

But he didn’t show his hand immediately. Instead, he said thoughtfully, "Mr. Yi, if you also need the Coiling Phoenix Grass for your alchemy, why didn’t you win it at the auction yourself? With your financial resources, it should have been a simple matter."

This was a probe, an attempt to gauge the other party’s true intentions and bottom line.

Yi Jitian sighed, a hint of helplessness on his face. "There’s something you don’t know, Fellow Daoist. While the Coiling Phoenix Grass is excellent, it is not the main ingredient for the elixir I need. That requires something else entirely. The problem is, that primary ingredient is exceedingly rare and requires a great deal more Spirit Stones. Even pouring in all my resources, I only have enough for a single refinement attempt, and success is far from guaranteed. If I could obtain the Coiling Phoenix Grass from you as a secondary supporting ingredient, it would increase my chances, which would be ideal."

Lin Changheng didn’t know how much of the man’s story was true, nor did he care to find out. He was simply calculating how to maximize his own profit from the situation.

"I see." Lin Changheng put on a look of understanding, as if he accepted the explanation. But then his tone shifted. "It’s just... the Coiling Phoenix Grass is exceptionally rare, after all. And while your Profound Ice Spirit Flame Grass is good, Mr. Yi, when it comes to rarity, it seems..."

He deliberately trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished, a clear attempt to haggle for a better price.

An imperceptible flicker of deep thought passed through Yi Jitian’s eyes, but his smile remained gentle. "You have a point. In that case, I will add another one thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones as a show of my sincerity. What do you say?"

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