“Chapter 66”

"Chapter 66"

"Shen Wang thought it wise to offer a word of caution."

"[Host, you should visit fewer ominous places. Maybe stay at a nearby Taoist temple or monastery, or even at a police station for a while. Stop courting death, or it won’t end well.]"

"Ghost Young Master noticed Shen Wang's comment amidst the flurry of messages and scoffed dismissively: 'What ominous places? When people die, that’s the end. Cemeteries are just for the living’s solace...'"

"'Temples? Monasteries? Stick to your superstitious beliefs, but daring to spout them in my live stream? You’re just asking to be humiliated.'"

"With a swift move, Ghost Young Master didn't hesitate to mute and block the user."

"Shen Wang, witnessing his youthful arrogance, shook his head speechlessly. Not even a supreme immortal could save someone hell-bent on self-destruction."

"After informing Li Pingping about Ghost Young Master, Li Pingping abruptly ceased his complaints."

"Upon hanging up the phone, Li Pingping and his roommates exchanged glances, then simultaneously jumped onto their beds, wrapping themselves tightly in blankets."

"Moments ago, they were furious at this person for insulting Shen Wang, but now they only felt sympathy and complexity."

"Truly, ignorance breeds fearlessness... They could only pray for his good fortune."

"At that time, Shen Wang, holding the bank cards from Yu Fu and Boss Song, had already stepped out."

"Both Yu and Song, wealthy magnates of City C, grateful for Shen Wang saving their lives and eager to maintain a good relationship, each offered twenty million."

"It was a grand gesture, leaving even Shen Wang surprised."

"But having accepted it, he couldn’t return it. Shen Wang pocketed the cards and headed straight for the antique street."

"Forty million was a substantial sum, but in the world of antiques and spiritual artifacts, it wasn’t exceptional."

"Shen Wang entered an antique shop with ease, greeting the owner grandly: 'Boss, long time no see. Bring out your best items for me!'"

"The shop owner adjusted his glasses; if he remembered correctly, Shen Wang had said the same thing the last time he visited the shop."

"Knowing the price of the truly valuable items, he immediately backed off, buying only some low-quality talismans before leaving... and then got caught by the Metaphysics Association."

"Recalling some rumors from the Metaphysics Association, the shopkeeper’s eyes sparkled, and he switched to a friendly smile: 'Master Shen, what kind of treasures are you looking for?'"

"Shen Wang eyed the shopkeeper thoughtfully: 'You haven’t been possessed, have you?'"

"Shopkeeper: '...'"

"The shopkeeper’s face darkened, speaking coldly: 'I do have some valuable items, but they're not cheap. Can you afford them?'"

"‘Alright, not possessed,’ Shen Wang chuckled, ‘Do you have any spiritual stones or plants?'"

"Rolling his eyes, the shopkeeper looked surprised upon hearing Shen Wang’s request: 'Spiritual stones are so rare, how could I possibly have them... But I do have a few pots of spiritual plants.'"

"Before coming, Shen Wang was prepared for the scarcity in this age of declining spiritual energy. He had doubted the existence of spiritual stones but was surprised to hear they actually existed."

"Not afraid of the high price of spiritual stones, only of their absence, Shen Wang relaxed and waved his hand: 'Then bring out your spiritual plants for me to see.'"

"The 'Xuan Yu Immortal Book' was not only his life-bound magical treasure but had also saved his life. He needed to take good care of it."

"The shopkeeper cautiously brought out several potted plants, wearing gloves and almost holding his breath."

"Expecting something extremely precious given the shopkeeper's care, Shen Wang was disappointed when he saw them: 'Is this it?'"

"Not even comparable to the few pots at the Metaphysics Association."

"‘What did you expect?’ the shopkeeper huffed, 'Growing and nurturing spiritual plants is not easy. Having even one pot in my shop is a testament to my wide connections and resources.'"

"Shen Wang scrutinized the 'spiritual plant' with its faint spiritual energy for a while before reluctantly asking the price: 'Alright, how much? I’ll take it.'"

"'Two million,' the shopkeeper stated, then quickly added to preempt any bargaining from Shen Wang, 'That's the lowest price already. No matter where you go, even if you buy directly from a cultivator, it's around this price.'"

"To the shopkeeper's surprise, Shen Wang looked at him oddly: 'That cheap?'"

"Shopkeeper: '...'"

"The shopkeeper was internally baffled. This kid finds a few thousand for high-quality talismans expensive, yet calls a few million for a spiritual plant cheap? He almost choked on his frustration, wishing he hadn’t quoted the lowest price right away."

"After his initial surprise, Shen Wang realized that even in this age of declining spiritual energy, an ordinary spiritual plant wasn’t that valuable. Its worth depended on the unpredictable yield of pills, so expensive items were the pills, not the plants."

"Top-tier spiritual plants, which could be used directly without processing into pills, wouldn’t be found here."

"Without further ado, Shen Wang paid with his card and then inquired, 'Do you have any better jade?'"

"He had previously bought jade to create a spirit gathering formation, and now he planned to buy more for crafting jade talismans."

"The shopkeeper had better quality jade, but it wasn’t displayed openly. Annoyed, he said, 'What else do you need? Just tell me everything at once, so I don’t have to keep fetching items for you.'"

"Shen Wang innocently shook his head; there was nothing else he wanted."

"While the shopkeeper was fetching items, Shen Wang idly touched the leaves of the spiritual plant, looking around at the various curiosities in the shop, his interest piqued by the unfamiliar."

"Just then, a group of people entered the shop, blocking his view."

"Turning his attention to something else, Shen Wang found his view obstructed again and realized someone was deliberately opposing him."

"Looking up, Shen Wang chuckled: 'Oh, what a coincidence, familiar faces.'"

"Standing before Shen Wang was none other than Chen Feng from Qingcheng Sect."

"‘Changed your lackeys?’ Shen Wang eyed the new group behind Chen Feng, ‘Acted quite fast, did you just kick Qian Liangjun aside?’"

"Previously, Chen Feng had conspired with Qian Liangjun to seize the talismans from Shen Wang. If those talismans hadn’t been his own creation, they might have succeeded."

"After their plot to seize the treasure was exposed, Chen Feng and his master quickly shifted the blame onto their minor follower, Qian Liangjun, while they themselves escaped unscathed... Remembering this, Shen Wang's smile towards the new followers was laden with meaning."

"The faces of those following Chen Feng shifted uncomfortably."

"This incident had caused a stir within the Metaphysics Association. Although openly undiscussed, everyone knew about the emerging talented talisman master Shen Wang, and the deeds of Chen Feng and Qian Liangjun were whispered about."

"Despite knowing Chen Feng and his master's actions, there were still those willing to risk their necks for protection and benefits from Qingcheng Mountain’s influence."

"The unspoken truth was now abruptly laid bare by Shen Wang, leaving not only the followers but also Chen Feng with a dark expression."

"Warned by his master never to engage Shen Wang without a sure-fire advantage, Chen Feng’s gaze turned sinister as he took a deep breath."

"At this moment, the shop owner finally came out with items. Seeing Shen Wang and Chen Feng standing opposed, his demeanor changed from relaxed to a bit more formidable."

"Aware of the shop owner's significant backing, Chen Feng forced a smile: ‘Boss Yin, I'm here to buy magical tools.’"

"Relieved to see no intention of causing trouble, the shop owner relaxed slightly, but his expression remained stern: ‘Pick out whatever you want.’"

"As he placed several unpolished jade stones before Shen Wang, he said, ‘Take a look.’"

"The quality of these stones varied. As Shen Wang reached for one, another hand swiftly intercepted, snatching the piece he was eyeing."

"Holding the jade, Chen Feng smugly inquired, ‘Boss Yin, how much for this one? I'll take it.’"

"The atmosphere in the antique shop tensed suddenly, with everyone’s eyes on Shen Wang, waiting to see his response."

"The shop owner squinted his eyes: 'Ten million.'"

"Chen Feng's smug smile froze. He had thought the jade stone would be a few million at most, not expecting it to reach ten million... Even for cultivators in the metaphysical realm, who easily earned money, ten million was not a small amount."

"Shen Wang scoffed: 'Can't afford it? If you can't, put it down and give it back to me.'"

"Chen Feng quickly responded: 'It’s fine, I’ll take it.'"

"Although ten million was slightly steep, Chen Feng felt the money was well spent just to see Shen Wang's displeased face."

"Shen Wang observed him deeply, then picked another piece, which, unsurprisingly, Chen Feng snatched again."

"Shen Wang's expression grew darker as he picked another piece, only for Chen Feng to take it once more."

"After Shen Wang's last pick, Chen Feng, reveling in Shen Wang’s somber face, boisterously called out: 'Boss Yin, how much?'"

"The shop owner blurted out: 'Fifty-three million seventy thousand. I’ll round it down for you, fifty-three million.'"

"Fifty million. Chen Feng’s face stiffened; this was almost half of his fortune."

"Shen Wang: 'You can't be out of money, can you? If so, you better put it down, I…'"

"Before Shen Wang could finish, Chen Feng slapped down a bank card: 'Swipe it!'"

"Watching the shop owner quickly process the payment, Chen Feng felt a pang in his heart. He consoled himself that Boss Yin’s shop never had inferior goods. If he resold them or gifted them to his master, he could recoup the cost."

"Most importantly, he got to see his nemesis outmaneuvered, making the fifty million seem trivial in comparison."

"After paying, with all items securely his, Chen Feng looked triumphantly at Shen Wang, about to speak when he saw Shen Wang smiling too."

"Shen Wang, with a cheery grin, said to the shop owner: 'Boss Yin, I helped you sell so much, a little gift for my efforts isn’t too much to ask, right?'"

"The shop owner couldn’t help but chuckle, pushing up his glasses to hide his amusement: 'These were bought by the customer, not you. Don’t try to connect yourself to this.'"

Chen Feng knew too well that he had been tricked by Shen Wang again!

Blood rushing to his head, Chen Feng spat out blood in anger: "Shen Wang!"

Shen Wang responded with a smile, looking at Chen Feng as if he were simple-minded. This infuriated Chen Feng even more. Seeing Chen Feng about to lose control, the shop owner's expression darkened: "Are you planning to start a fight in my shop?"

A surge of authority swept through, causing Chen Feng to grunt in pain. He looked at the shop owner with fear, having always known of the owner's significant backing but never realizing his personal strength was so formidable, almost comparable to his own master!

Grinding his teeth, Chen Feng's expression shifted several times before he resentfully took his things and left.

Meanwhile, Shen Wang watched his retreating figure and leisurely picked up a jade stone he had been eyeing: "Really, no discount, Boss Yin?"