Chapter 82

"Why is this old man interested in the Steel Hearts?"

While following Zhao Tianfang, Long Chen kept thinking about this question.

"The Steel Hearts belong to the Lingwu Clan, and since he knows this, he also knows I am a member of the Lingwu Clan. However, given the strength of the Chenxi Merchant Alliance, there's no need for them to be so enthusiastic about me."

Seemingly sensing Long Chen's confusion, Zhao Tianfang turned around at this moment and said with a smile, "Young man, I do indeed want to purchase your Steel Hearts, but you don't need to worry. I will not reveal this transaction, and the Steel Hearts are of no use to you!"

The strength of the steel puppets is not great, and if anyone has extra Steel Hearts, they can easily spread them. Therefore, Long Chen was not worried about leaking the Lingwu Clan's secrets. Although this old man valued the Steel Hearts, Long Chen noticed that his main focus was on him.

They soon arrived at a private room.

"This is our VIP room, please take a seat!"

Since it was not far from the outside, Long Chen was not too worried about the old man having any ulterior motives. He got straight to the point, "Why did you invite me here, Elder Zhao?"

Zhao Tianfang laughed heartily and said, "For no reason, just give me all your Steel Hearts. I will give you a fair price. Although the Steel Hearts contain the essence of heaven and earth, they are of no use to a martial artist!"

Lingxi had mentioned this before. Long Chen had only mentioned them today to try his luck, but he didn't expect to meet Zhao Tianfang. He didn't rush to take out the Steel Hearts but asked, "How much is one Steel Heart worth?"

"I'll give you the maximum I can afford, three divine jade pieces!"

Zhao Tianfang poured a pot of tea, poured a cup for Long Chen, and drank some himself. Then he said, "To be honest, I am acquiring these Steel Hearts for myself, not for the Chenxi Merchant Alliance, so I can't offer you a higher price."

Long Chen had originally obtained 105 Steel Hearts and had already handed over 75, leaving him with 30. At Zhao Tianfang's price, he could sell them for 90 divine jade pieces.

In other words, buying a Spirit Nurturing Fruit would make Long Chen a super pauper again.

Long Chen wanted to haggle, but the other party was firm, and this outcome was beyond his expectations. So he said, "Alright then."

"How many Steel Hearts do you have left?"

Zhao Tianfang clearly cared a lot about this.

Long Chen was a bit puzzled and said, "Thirty in total."

Zhao Tianfang's face tightened, and he stared at Long Chen intently, "75 plus 30 makes 105. To obtain 105 Steel Hearts at the eighth level of the Dragon Vein Realm, this is considered the top tier among outsiders of the Lingwu Clan. The one back then only got 102, but he was only ten years old at the time."

Hearing the number 75, Long Chen knew that Zhao Tianfang had a thorough understanding of his information.

"This old man is asking about my Steel Hearts, but his true intention is not the Steel Hearts, but me..."

Seeing Long Chen's expression, Zhao Tianfang knew he had already figured out his purpose. He didn't beat around the bush and said, "To be honest, I have my own intelligence network for matters concerning the Lingwu Clan. We have also investigated and positioned you as a new clan member. However, the fact that you obtained 105 Steel Hearts has shocked me."

"Do you mean to poach me, Elder Zhao?"

Long Chen looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Zhao Tianfang laughed heartily and said, "It seems you are indeed a smart person. I won't beat around the bush. Join the Chenxi Merchant Alliance, and I guarantee you will receive more attention and cultivation support than in the Lingwu Clan. After all, there are too many geniuses in the Lingwu Clan, and you will only remain obscure there!"

Zhao Tianfang's words carried the weight of a powerful figure, which had a certain intimidating effect on Long Chen, but Long Chen was not frightened.

"The Chenxi Merchant Alliance sounds very good, and it might help me eliminate the Crimson Blood Holy Sect, but leaving the Lingwu Clan like this..."

Thinking about this, Long Chen smiled faintly, "Elder Zhao, are you joking? I just became a member of the Lingwu Clan, and if I were to turn to your Chenxi Merchant Alliance now, wouldn't you think I'm a fickle person? Wouldn't you worry that I might turn to another force under similar circumstances?"

Long Chen's words made Zhao Tianfang pause for a moment, then he said confidently, "I believe no one can offer you better conditions than the Chenxi Merchant Alliance!"

Long Chen waved his hand and said firmly, "Elder Zhao, I am deeply grateful for your appreciation today, but I don't want to be called a fickle person. So, let me go back and think about it. If I and the Chenxi Merchant Alliance are truly meant to be, I will naturally come to you!"

Long Chen spoke decisively, and Zhao Tianfang knew that rushing things would not work. So he could only laugh bitterly and say, "Since that's the case, Long Chen, come to me often. We have a long future ahead. If you feel the Lingwu Clan is not suitable for you, the doors of the Chenxi Merchant Alliance will always be open to you!"

The sincerity in Zhao Tianfang's eyes made Long Chen struggle for a moment, but he still could not abandon his principles, so he could only refuse for now.

"Thank you, Elder Zhao!"

Zhao Tianfang nodded and said, "No problem. By the way, why did you come to the Chenxi Merchant Alliance to exchange Steel Hearts?"

"I want a Spirit Nurturing Fruit."

Zhao Tianfang laughed heartily and said, "I'll have Aoxue give it to you."

Long Chen shook his head and said, "Elder Zhao, I am not yet a member of the Chenxi Merchant Alliance. As the saying goes, one should not accept undeserved benefits. So, I want to buy the Spirit Nurturing Fruit myself. Here are the thirty Steel Hearts and ten divine jade pieces!"

Zhao Tianfang's expression darkened and said, "I am giving it to you as a friend, not as a representative of the Chenxi Merchant Alliance. Is that not acceptable?"

Long Chen was not intimidated and smiled faintly, "Elder Zhao, I am truly grateful for your appreciation, but in reality, you represent the Chenxi Merchant Alliance. If you want to give me something, wait until I decide to join the Chenxi Merchant Alliance, okay?"

Zhao Tianfang looked at Long Chen for a while and thought, "This young man has great talent, many secrets, and a calm and bold heart. He is a rare talent. If I rush things, I will only make him resentful!"

So, he took the items from Long Chen and nodded, "Since you are so determined, I will follow your wishes."

"Do you have any other soul-nourishing medicines, Elder Zhao?"

"Low-grade medicines are basically ineffective, while high-grade ones can enhance intelligence and comprehension, but their effects vary from person to person. In general, they are very rare. I only have one Spirit Nurturing Fruit here, but if you need it, I will send someone to notify you when I have new stock."

Long Chen nodded, "Thank you, Elder Zhao! I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

"Alright, I'll have Aoxue give you the Spirit Nurturing Fruit."

The two headed out, and a woman named Aoxue was waiting outside. As soon as she saw Long Chen, her eyes showed disgust.

"Getting benefits from the Chenxi Merchant Alliance and then just leaving like that?"

Aoxue muttered to herself, but her words reached Long Chen's ears.

"Who said I patted your butt? You are shameless. I would even find it dirty to touch you."

Long Chen left a message and quickly fled the Chenxi Merchant Alliance, leaving Aoxue fuming.

"Xiao Xi, look at that nasty woman's angry face. Does her face look like it's covered in cow dung?"

Lingxi chuckled and scolded, "You are really bad. She only said a few words to you, and you made her so angry."

"She deserves it!"

Successfully obtaining the Spirit Nurturing Fruit, both of them were very excited. Long Chen had experienced many things, but being young, he still showed his joy.

The two quickly headed back to Lingwu City and returned to the Qingliu Residence in the Qingyu District around noon.

As soon as they returned, Long Chen found Gan Lin waiting for him in the martial arts hall.

"Did you get 105 Steel Hearts?"

As soon as they met, Gan Lin asked expectantly.

Long Chen immediately calmed down.

Seeing his reaction, Gan Lin laughed, "You really know how to hide your abilities. If it weren't for the final inspection, I wouldn't have known that thirty more steel puppets died in the passage you passed through. But that's all in the past. I'm here to tell you something else."

Gan Lin quickly moved on from the topic of Steel Hearts, and Long Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness he didn't ask for them. Otherwise, I would be in trouble. It seems the Steel Hearts are not worth much. Zhao Tianfang's offer of three divine jade pieces was purely to win me over."

Putting the Steel Hearts aside, Long Chen asked, "What does Senior Gan want to tell me?"

Gan Lin sat in a chair and said, "Deacon Liu asked me to tell you that the Crimson Blood Holy Sect hasn't made any moves against Baiyang Town. You can go ahead with your first mission. However, Long Chen..."

Hearing this news, the heavy burden in Long Chen's heart was lifted, but Gan Lin's "however" made his heart race again.

"You have four days until your first mission. Your mission is not yet determined, but Deacon Liu seems to want Huang Feiyang and Wen Ya to take you on your first mission as your evaluators. When the time comes..."