“Five plants?”
“That’s indeed not many,” Huang Quan said. “It’s better to handle this matter as soon as possible.”
The Yunzhong Auction House inadvertently obtained the Dragon Spirit Fruit, and they would certainly investigate thoroughly. If they uncovered anything related to dragons, Jing Chen could be in danger.
Human greed can drive people to do anything.
Some might hesitate because of status, but those completely consumed by greed wouldn’t be stopped.
In the Northlands, the Land of Bones, there’s a legend about the Dragon Clan, the Jingxue Palace hidden in the snowfields, and Jing Chen, who, despite being sixteen, still looks like a child. Adding to the rumors about Jing Chen’s special bloodline, if people catch even the slightest hint of a connection, they will inevitably come after him.
Even without solid evidence, as long as they suspect Jing Chen might be linked to the Dragon Spirit Fruit, they won’t bother confirming it. They’ll simply try to capture him first.
Jing Chen also understood the serious danger of this situation and nodded. “I’ll contact my father shortly. Once he knows, he’ll send someone to handle it.”
“Alright,” Huang Quan replied, not saying anything further.
…
Just as Huang Quan and Jing Chen predicted, by the next morning, the news of the Dragon Spirit Fruit had spread throughout the capital of the Tianqi Empire.
The reason for its rapid spread was its medicinal properties.
It could allow a Spirit Master to directly become an Immortal Spirit Master!
And with Huang Quan having purchased the Dragon Spirit Fruit, her name once again became famous throughout the Tianqi Empire.
At Sheng Ling Academy.
Chu Lang shared the information he had gathered with everyone, concluding with, “Last time, Huang Quan’s name spread throughout the empire because of Di Qin. This time, it’s because of the Dragon Spirit Fruit. I wonder what it will be next time?”
Nangong Yan looked at Huang Quan and said, “Quan Quan, be extra careful when you go out these days.”
The temptation of a fruit that could turn a Spirit Master into an Immortal Spirit Master was immense.
They knew that consuming the Dragon Spirit Fruit could be fatal, but others didn’t. Those people would certainly try to seize it.
“Brother Nangong, there’s no need to be so nervous,” Chu Lang, the heir to the Dan Tower and a serious businessman who easily befriended others, said as he looked at Nangong Yan. “As long as Huang Quan stays in the Tianqi Empire, those outside who want to steal from the Empire’s students will only meet their end.”
“Even outside the academy, those people will have to weigh their strength carefully before making a move,” Chu Lang added. “After all, Huang Quan displayed the strength of an Immortal Warrior during the academy’s joint competition!”
“The Dragon Spirit Fruit can only raise one’s cultivation to that of an Immortal Spirit Master. For those who are already Immortal Spirit Masters, it’s unnecessary. For those who aren’t…” Feng Jiu Yuan curved his lips into a smile and continued Chu Lang’s words, “They can’t defeat Huang Quan.”
“Exactly,” Chu Lang laughed. “And on top of that, they also have to worry about His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Given these conditions, unless someone is overly confident in their own abilities or downright foolish, no one would try to steal it,” Chu Lang added. “At most, it’ll be lively for a couple of days.”
“Just a couple of days of excitement? That’s not enough,” Feng Jiu Yuan said with a sly smile. “Isn’t the Yunzhong Auction House hoping for this matter to spread far and wide?”
Hearing this, Chu Lang asked, “What did you do?”
“I simply helped fan the flames a bit.”
Chu Lang: “…” Don’t make it sound so nonchalant.
Although Feng Jiu Yuan’s true nature was not yet fully understood, based on his reputation and style, it seemed likely that the Yunzhong Auction House was in for some trouble.
…
That afternoon.
After class at Sheng Ling Academy, Huang Quan and her group headed to the dining hall.
With the news of the Dragon Spirit Fruit now widespread, as soon as Huang Quan appeared, all the students turned to look at her.
Admiration, greed, envy…
All kinds of gazes gathered on Huang Quan, but she didn’t even spare them a glance.
Just as Chu Lang had said, though many wanted the item, they couldn’t defeat Huang Quan, and combined with other concerns, no one dared to make a move—they just stared.
This situation became even more intense once they entered the dining hall, as it was the most crowded place during mealtime.
Huang Quan and her group ignored the stares, got their food, and sat down to eat.
Just as they were about to finish their meal, the communication stones of Feng Jiu Yuan, Jing Chen, and Chu Lang all lit up at the same time.
How coincidental for all three of them to be contacted at once?
Huang Quan glanced at the three of them, immediately suspecting that the fire Feng Jiu Yuan had added to the Yunzhong Auction House was now blazing.
Feng Jiu Yuan answered his communication stone with a simple, “I know,” before ending the call.
He had ordered the fire to be stoked, and now that it had succeeded, his subordinates naturally reported it. But with so many people in the dining hall, it wasn’t the right place for a conversation.
As for Chu Lang and Jing Chen, they had no such reservations.
Since they weren’t involved in starting the fire, their subordinates wouldn’t be reporting on that matter.
When they answered their communication stones, someone on the other end said, “Young Master, there’s a problem with the Dragon Spirit Fruit auctioned by Yunzhong yesterday. One of the auction house’s managers consumed it and died from body explosion.”
“Really?”
Chu Lang looked shocked. “Is the news confirmed?”
“Yes, it’s confirmed,” the voice replied. “The benefits of the Dragon Spirit Fruit were too enticing, and many people wanted it. Some sent people to investigate, and that’s how they uncovered the incident. So many were investigating that the auction house couldn’t keep it under wraps.”
“How could this happen?” Chu Lang frowned. “I was at the Yunzhong Auction House yesterday during the auction. They never mentioned that the Dragon Spirit Fruit could be fatal!”
“As the auction house, not informing their guests that the item could be deadly is utterly irresponsible!”
Chu Lang intentionally raised his voice when speaking, ensuring that many people in the dining hall overheard.
The listeners looked surprised and quickly took out their own communication stones to verify the news.
After ending the call, Chu Lang glanced at the students who had stopped eating to contact people and confirm the news. Then he turned to Huang Quan and the others, smiling, “How was my performance?”
The others: “…”
Jing Chen gave an approving nod, “Very well done.” He had watched the whole performance, not even getting a chance to speak, as Chu Lang had already started acting before anyone could report to him.
After listening to the whole thing, there was no need to add anything.
“A true comrade,” Chu Lang extended his hand, intending to pat Jing Chen on the head. But remembering that Jing Chen likely wouldn’t appreciate it, he placed his hand on Jing Chen’s shoulder instead, saying, “Once this news spreads, Yunzhong Auction House probably won’t be able to auction off any edible items for a while. They’ll end up stuck with them.”
“Yunzhong Auction House will probably send someone to find Huang Quan,” Nangong Yan said.
“Let them come,” Feng Jiu Yuan said with a wicked smile. “We aren’t afraid of them.”
“Exactly,” Chu Lang added, “The fact that the Dragon Spirit Fruit caused someone to die from body explosion is real. Anyone who investigates will find out. There’s no point in them coming after Huang Quan.”
Huang Quan said calmly, “If they want to come, let them.”
“Exactly,” Chu Lang echoed. “Let them come, and we’ll see who ends up in trouble.”
Huang Quan smiled, then said, “I’m done eating. Have you all finished? If so, let’s head back.” She still had pills to refine.
Time is money!!
It couldn’t be wasted!
