Hearing that Duan Gantai came from Butterfly Mountain, Qiao Jierui immediately felt surprised. He even forcibly hid his desire to kill him.
As to the man next to Yi Cang, he was a tall, handsome-looking man with a Confucian scarf on his head. He was the First Island Master Chu Angxiong of Spirit Devil Island.
Chu Angxiong had just come out when he turned furious on seeing Shuqiu Hongwen taking a beating in full public view. Even his son, Chu Xingshan, suffered a defeat like a pig on a cattle ranch.
But when he realised the identities of the two people and what had happened, he forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart. Instead, he turned to Duan Gantai and cupped his fists before speaking up with a warm smile. âSpirit Devil Islandâs Chu Angxiong greets this friend. My Spirit Devil Islandâs Chu Xingshan inconvenienced this friend at the auction. For this I, Chu Angxiong, personally want to apologise.â
Chu Angxiong and Yi Cang came together, so Yi Cang had already explained to him what had happened at the auction venue. But despite the politeness in his tone, he felt quite unhappy with Ash Pagodaâs way in handling things at the auction. How could a few simple statements erase the humiliation his son had to face in the auction venue?
But then he saw Qiao Jierui and Yi Jiufengâs attitude towards Ning Cheng. Moreover, after Yi Cang mentioning that Duan Gantai came from Butterfly Mountain, how could he not understand the situation?
No wonder the Ash Pagoda Chamber of Commerce didnât even try stopping them. Both of them had a significant background.
But Chu Angxiong had guessed a few things wrong. Yi Cang initially didnât know Ning Cheng and Duan Gantaiâs identity during the auction. Only after that incident in the auction venue did Yi Cang investigate their backgrounds.\nâButterfly Mountain wouldnât care about this incident, nor would they come forward for me. You donât have to worry.â Duan Gantai finished and turned around to Ning Cheng, âBrother Ning, this little brother will wait for you at Sandy Street Rest Stop.â
After saying that, Duan Gantai immediately turned around and disappeared into the crowd in a short while.
âSect Master Ning, it was our Spirit Devil Island whoâs in the wrong this time. As the First Island Master of Spirit Devil Island, I will take full responsibility for it.â Chu Angxiong had an extremely stubborn personality. Moreover, when did people from his Spirit Devil Island apologise to anyone? But he had no choice but to apologise to both of them. Otherwise, let alone an apology, he would never give a damn about that little ant in Life and Death Realm.
Spirit Heaven Grand Starry Skyâs Yi Jiufeng addressed Ning Cheng as âBrother Ningâ while even Qiao Jierui showed restraint in facing Ning Cheng. He knew that no matter the strength of his Spirit Devil Island, it could never reach a level anywhere close to these two people. What other choice did he have in such a situation?
Ning Cheng had already noticed the suppressed killing intent in Chu Angxiongâs tone. But he didnât care and still spoke with an indifferent tone. âNo need for an apology. If the First Island Master thinks that the matter is over, then letâs forget it. If not, then I live on Mysterious Yellow Celestial Riverâs Jiangzhou Star.â
Ning Cheng then greeted Yi Jiufeng and quickly left to find Duan Gantai. He had still not accomplished the primary purpose of coming to this place. Duan Gantai had taken away the Starry Sky Radish Grass, so how could Ning Cheng let it go? As for Spirit Devil Island, he didnât care about any of them. If the people of Spirit Devil Island dared to come to his Jiangzhou Star, then he wouldnât mind paying a visit to Spirit Devil Island.\nQiao Jierui looked at Ning Chengâs disappearing figure, but his face still looked ugly. Even if he wanted to fight against Ning Cheng, he couldnât do it here. However, Ning Cheng dared to leave the Jiangzhou Star alone and came to the Devil Domain. Was he tired of living? Or did he come here with Yi Jiufeng?
âŚâŚ
Sandy Street Rest Stop was of a much higher grade compared to Ning Chengâs current rest stop. When Ning Cheng arrived, he saw Duan Gantai already waiting for him.
âI knew Brother Ning would be here on time. Otherwise, I would have already left Devil Domain a long time ago.â Duan Gantai said with a smile.
Ning Cheng casually activated the roomâs restriction before sitting down. âBrother Duan, if you agree, I can start on refining the pill immediately. If you donât agree, I will leave immediately. Letâs not talk any nonsense anymore.â
Duan Gantai laughed and said with a casual tone. âI naturally agree with Brother Ning starting on refining the pill immediately. But how good is Brother Ning? How many pills can you refine? How will we distribute it?â
Ning Cheng didnât answer Duan Gantaiâs questions directly. Instead, he said, âRefining the Eternal Emperor Continuance Pill requires seven main spirit grasses and about a hundred auxiliary ingredients. So, before we talk about distributing the finished pills, Iâd like to ask Brother Duan, how many auxiliary starry sky spirit grasses do you have? If we donât have enough, then Brother Duan might have to wait for the pills.â
From Duan Gantaiâs tone, Ning Cheng understood that he looked down on his alchemy.
âIt doesnât matter how many ingredients the Eternal Emperor Continuance Pill requires. Iâm sure we can find them without much effort. But my Starry Sky Radish Grass isnât something easy to find. If Brother Ningâs refinement fails, you wonât lose too much, but I, on the other hand, would suffer a major loss.â Duan Gantai knew it full well that if Ning Cheng had obtained the Starry Sky Radish Grass, he would never come to find him for cooperation.\nMoreover, from the beginning to the end, he did not plan on cooperating with Ning Cheng. As for looking at Ning Cheng to help him in refining pills, he wouldnât do it even if he turned into an idiot. On the other hand, Ning Cheng had no other choice but to help him in refining those pills, even if it meant suffering humiliation. He waited for Ning Cheng to come here because of the Temple of Time, not for the medicinal pill.
Ning Cheng hesitated for a short while before speaking, âBrother Duan, it isnât the first time we have cooperated. I believe in Brother Duan, but if Brother Duan doesnât believe me, letâs make another deal.â
Duan Gantai waved his hand, âBrother Ning, letâs not talk about deals. I know that you have high attainments in Alchemy, and I also know that you used those Accordance Heavenly Pills to get my attention. It might disappoint Brother Ning, but I have to think long and hard about refining those pills. So letâs leave that for now and discuss how to go into the Temple of Time.â
Ning Chengâs expressions turned a little hard to look at, and he remained silent for a minute or two before speaking. âIf Brother Duan fears that I would waste the Starry Sky Radish Grass, I can put down some star veins as collateral for Brother Duan.â
Hearing Ning Cheng mention giving some star veins to him, Duan Gantai felt moved and immediately replied. âEven if you pressure me with some star veins, how can I let materialistic things come between Brother Ning and my friendship? Besides, Star veins are an essential cultivation resource. I canât just let Brother Ning give it to me. MaybeâŚâŚâ
Duan Gantai hesitated before saying. âIf Brother Ning can take out and put the Perpetual Moon Time Key in my care, I can agree to let Brother Ning refine pills.â\nNing Cheng sneered internally. When he sent the second Perpetual Moon Time Key, he already prepared for the possibility of Duan Gantai raising this matter. The only accident was that someone else ended up purchasing the second Perpetual Moon Time Key. But this accident also made it easier for Ning Cheng to implement his plan. Otherwise, with Duan Gantaiâs cunningness, if he agreed to place the three Perpetual Moon Time Keys on Duan Gantai, Duan Gantai would immediately grow suspicious.
With everything that just transpired, he truly didnât plan all of it in vain. This fellow finally came forward with this proposal.
In truth, Duan Gantai didnât expect Ning Cheng to agree to it. He believed that Ning Chengâs shrewd personality wouldnât allow him to agree to this deal. Itâs just that he and Ning Cheng had another partnership, which he used as an excuse to push it off.
But Duan Gantai didnât expect that after he made the request, Ning Cheng would sit there in silent contemplation. Was this a trick? Ning Cheng hadnât turned into an idiot, did he?
Duan Gantai couldnât truly confirm his suspicions. But he also understood that people would have a hard time refusing Eternal Emperor Continuance Pills. Duan Gantai suppressed his surprise and spoke with a casual voice. âIt wouldnât make much sense whether the Perpetual Moon Time Key was on me or not. After all, someone else purchased the second Perpetual Moon Time Key, and now I donât even know who bought it. Iâm afraid I would have to bother Ash Pagoda Chamber of Commerceâs Lord Yi Cang for it.â
Seemingly touched by Duan Gantaiâs sentence, Ning Cheng slapped the table and said, âBrother Duan, I have always believed in you. Itâs just that the Perpetual Moon Time Key is a big deal. I can agree to let Brother Duan guard it, but Brother Duan must promise me two conditions.â\nDuan Gantai pretended to frown, âWhat conditions?â
âFirst, Brother Duanâs Transfer Jade Talisman to enter the Temple of Time, you must give it to me. I donât need to explain to Brother Duan about the why. I know that even if I put this Perpetual Moon Time Key on Brother Duan, Brother Duan would only have two keys. But you must already know that the Temple of Time is my biggest expectation. Putting the Perpetual Moon Time Key and the Transfer Jade Talisman on Brother Duan, I dare not take such a risk.â
When Ning Cheng spoke about the first condition, Duan Gantaiâs excited heart almost jumped out of his chest. Ning Cheng, ah Ning Cheng, youâre going to have to drink my foot wash for the second time today. You donât know that I already obtained the second key, do you? If you knew about it, Iâm afraid you would have never proposed such a condition. As for the talisman to enter the Time Wilderness, who told you that I only have one? Wasnât it me who told you about it? Did you truly believe my words?
How could he, Duan Gantai, let the second Perpetual Moon Time Key fall into the hands of someone he didnât know? When Ning Cheng had entered the collection area, he immediately went ahead and tracked down the owner of Booth 7. He only had to speak two sentences. First, I can give you fifteen Star Veins for your Perpetual Moon Time Key. And Second, I came from Butterfly Mountain.
With just these two sentences, he obtained the second Perpetual Moon Time Key without any extra effort.
On the surface, however, Duan Gantai nodded after hearing Ning Chengâs words. âBrother Ning makes a justified request. Even if it were me, Iâm afraid I would have made the same request.â\nNing Cheng ignored Duan Gantaiâs words and continued, âSecond, Brother Duan must give me 50 Star Veins.â
âImpossible.â Duan Gantai stood up as soon as he heard the other condition and even threw up his hands. Even with all three Perpetual Moon Time Keys, he would never give Ning Cheng fifty Star Veins. How many star veins did he have right now? If he gave Ning Cheng fifty, how will he cultivate after advancing to the Eternal Realm?
What did the Temple of Time contain? Even he didnât know about it. Since he didnât know anything about it, Duan Gantai would never take such a risk.
Seeing Ning Cheng showing intentions to leave, Duan Gantai quickly spoke up. âBrother Ning, please wait. Apart from the discussion about the Temple of Time, itâs indeed true that I canât find any Pill Emperor to refine a Starry Sky Grade 9 Medicinal Pill. However, the conditions proposed by Brother Ning are just too harsh. What would I do if Brother Ning took my star veins and didnât return anything to me? Of course, I do not doubt Brother Ningâs character or ability, but Iâm afraid of something happening just in case.â
Ning Cheng said in a calm voice, âActually, there is one other thing I want to add. Even if Brother Duan wants to leave, I already placed some restrictions in this room, to prevent anyone from leaving.â
Duan Gantaiâs expression changed a few times. He then gritted his teeth and said, âI can put ten Starry Sky Essence Qi Veins and the Transfer Jade Talisman in Brother Ningâs hand. In exchange, Brother Ning will help me refine a furnace of medicinal pills.â
Ning Cheng laughed internally. This fellow had just a few moments ago said that he would have to consider long and hard about him refining pills. And now, he wanted to speak about conditions for refining pills.\nâTen is too few. I donât agree. Forty Star Veins.â
âNo, fifteen Star Veins at most.â
âThirty-fiveâŚâ
âTwenty, thatâs my bottom lineâŚâ
âThirty, if you agree, Iâll start immediately. If you donât agree, Iâll immediately leave. Thereâs no room for any more bargaining.â
âTwenty-five, if you donât agree, then letâs forget about it.â
Ning Cheng didnât put up another price. He simply stood up and walked to the door. He didnât believe that Duan Gantai would give up on the Temple of Time because of five Star Veins.
Just when Ning Cheng was about to step out of the door, he heard a teeth-grinding sound before Duan Gantai spoke up, âThirty is thirty.â
Ning Cheng felt relieved on hearing those words. He truly felt a bit worried that Duan Gantai wouldnât stop him. If Duan Gantai didnât stop him, he would have started doubting him if he returned.\n