As soon as these words were spoken, Lin He erupted in anger, shouting, "You bastard! My father won't let you get away with this."

  In desperation to save his own life, Jian Yin quickly injected his spiritual energy into the stone. Lin He, furious, yelled, "Traitor!"

  Jian Yin, helpless, replied with a wry smile, "Miss Lin, while I do like your family's wealth, I value my life even more."

  Hearing this, Lin He was infuriated. "You... You got close to me because of my family's fortune?"

  Seeing no need to hide it anymore, Jian Yin grinned. "Yes, that's right."

  Lin He, livid, spat, "I’ll fight you to the death!"

  Chu Tian interjected with a chuckle. "Listen, Miss Matchmaker, inject your spiritual energy into the stone as well, or I’ll deal with you right now!"

  Lin He trembled at the sight of Chu Tian’s sword. Under his threat, she reluctantly injected her spiritual energy. Chu Tian then casually stored the Demon Soul Stone and grinned. "You, Jian Yin, was it? You’re coming with me. After I’m done here, you’ll lead me to the Misty Mountain Range."

  Not daring to disobey, Jian Yin agreed submissively. Lin He, on the other hand, grew even more anxious about her fate. Chu Tian glanced at her with a sly smile. "You’re still of some use. I’ll make good use of you."

  With that, Chu Tian confidently strode toward the stone door. When everyone outside saw him emerge first, their faces were filled with astonishment. Lin Hu’s eyes widened in anger. "You... How are you still alive?"

  Ding~ Rage Points +1

  Chu Tian smiled. "Why should I be dead?"

  Unwilling to accept this, Lin Hu quickly looked behind Chu Tian. At that moment, Lin He and Jian Yin emerged, both severely injured. The old man’s once-concerned expression turned into a wide grin. "It seems your grievances have been settled."

  Lin Hu glared at Lin He and Jian Yin and roared, "Speak! What happened?!"

  Jian Yin, as if switching sides entirely, walked over to Chu Tian’s side and said with a smirk, "Master Lin, this young man here is extraordinary. We’re no match for him. From today onward, I’ll follow him. As for your daughter, I’ve lost interest. We’re done. And don’t even think about seeking revenge on my new boss; he’s way out of your league!"

  Jian Yin’s sudden change of allegiance left everyone dumbfounded. Chu Tian chuckled inwardly. "This guy really is shameless."

  Lin Hu fumed. "You? You betrayed my daughter?"

  Jian Yin shamelessly replied, "Well, you should ask your daughter about that."

  Lin Hu turned to Lin He, who reluctantly explained what had happened. Finally, she added, "Father, I’ve already left a spiritual energy imprint on his Demon Soul Stone."

  This revelation made the crowd gasp. The old man chuckled and said, "Master Lin, I believe it’s time for you to leave now."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Lin Hu, however, glared at Chu Tian with fury. "Hand over that Demon Soul Stone, or I’ll kill you!"

  Ding~ Rage Points +1

  Chu Tian responded with a sly grin. "If you want me to erase your daughter’s spiritual energy imprint, I can do that too. But it’ll cost you another ten billion."

  Lin Hu’s anger exploded. He roared like a raging bull, "You scoundrel! I already gave you ten billion, and now you want another ten billion?"

  Ding~ Rage Points +1

  Unfazed, Chu Tian calmly explained, "The previous amount was a gift to secure the duel with your daughter. This is a separate transaction—it’s a matter of saving a life. Isn’t that worth it?"

  Grinding his teeth, Lin Hu seethed. "The Lin family earns only a few billion a year. Twenty billion is nearly a decade’s profit! How can you demand so much all at once?"

  "Well," Chu Tian replied nonchalantly, "if you think the stone is more important than your daughter, I won’t argue."

  Lin Hu was on the verge of losing his mind. If not for the old man’s presence, he would have attacked Chu Tian on the spot. Left with no choice, he snarled through gritted teeth, "Fine! I’ll get the money!"

  Soon, Lin Hu had another ten billion delivered. Only then did Chu Tian release Lin He, which enraged Lin Hu even more. Yet, unable to cause trouble here, he left the shop with Lin He in tow.

  The old man, meanwhile, looked at Chu Tian and chuckled. "Young man, angering the Lin family like this won’t end well for you."

  Chu Tian shrugged indifferently. "A single offense or multiple offenses—it makes no difference, does it?"

  The old man admired Chu Tian’s boldness and handed him a black token engraved with a golden "Treasure" character. Puzzled, Chu Tian asked, "What’s this?"

  The old man explained with a smile, "I admire your abilities. If you’re willing to join our Auction Pavilion, this token is yours. It grants you an 80% discount at any of our branches."

  Hearing this, Jian Yin exclaimed in astonishment, "An item worth a million would cost just 800,000! Something worth ten million would save you two million! This is amazing!"

  However, Chu Tian remained indifferent. "While this is a great offer, senior, I already belong to a sect, so I can’t join your organization."

  The old man, aware of Chu Tian’s extraordinary talent, was determined to recruit him. But seeing Chu Tian’s disinterest, he awkwardly said, "Young man, are you sure you don’t want it?"

  "No, thank you," Chu Tian replied politely.

  The old man sighed but then smiled. "Even if you don’t join, the token is still yours. Inside, you can view items scheduled for auction in nearby cities. As for discounts, I’ll give you a 10% discount at my shop. How about that?"

  Jian Yin’s eyes gleamed with greed, while Chu Tian was taken aback by the generosity. After learning about the token’s features, he smiled. "Alright, I’ll accept it. Thank you very much."

  Relieved, the old man introduced himself. "I’m Xie An. You don’t have to call me ‘senior.’ Just call me Xie Lao."

  Chu Tian nodded respectfully. "I’m Chu Tian."

  Xie An smiled. "If you need anything, feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to help."

  After exchanging pleasantries, Chu Tian asked, "Xie Lao, do you have more Supreme Ten Spirit Pills besides the one that was auctioned today?"

  "You’re interested in those?" Xie An asked.

  Chu Tian nodded, and Xie An replied, "There are two left. If you want them, they’re a million each. I’ll sell them at cost since they weren’t auctioned."

  Overjoyed, Chu Tian thanked him profusely. "Thank you so much."

  Jian Yin looked on with envy but didn’t dare say a word. Chu Tian happily spent two million to acquire the pills and said with a smile, "Thanks, Xie Lao. I’ll definitely visit again."

  "Anytime," Xie An replied warmly.

  After leaving the Auction Pavilion, Xie An’s head guard asked, "Manager, you gave away so much today. A pill alone cost you a million in losses. And that token—it’s only for VIPs. Why?"

  Xie An chuckled. "Xiao Shan, when judging someone, don’t just look at the present. Look at their future."

  The guard nodded thoughtfully. Meanwhile, Chu Tian and Jian Yin reached the city gates, where a thick white mist suddenly appeared in the night.

  Puzzled, Chu Tian remarked, "Strange. Why is there mist at the city gate?"

  Jian Yin was equally confused. "No idea."

  Chu Tian smiled mischievously at Jian Yin. "Go check it out."

  Jian Yin recoiled. "If I die, I can’t guide you to the mountain range. You should go."

  "Coward," Chu Tian muttered before walking confidently into the mist. Jian Yin reluctantly followed. As they stepped inside, they heard bursts of laughter, and flames from torches illuminated their surroundings.