Li Ling was surprised by the rather hasty and clumsy method used by Dong Bo to try and dig out his "secrets," but then again, the fellow was merely a savvy informant. That was not even taking into account the fact that this situation was rather rushed and did not give the fellow enough time to make a solid plan.
However, Li Ling maintained a cryptic smile and shook his head. "Manager Fang, matters about personal cultivation should not be inquired casually. At most, it is something that can only be shared between friends, right?"
Hearing this, rather than be displeased, Dong Bo and Manager Fang were actually interested. This was simply because of the circumstances at hand, and how everything had shaped up together.
Dong Bo already knew Li Ling was clever and could read between the lines, so Li Ling coming out with increased cultivation like this and acting innocent would rather clue them in to his scheme. By openly acknowledging it, it showed that indeed, Li Ling was aware of the scenario and hoped to benefit from it.
Yes, I know I raised my cultivation by two minor stages in a short time.
Yes, I know such a thing is uncommon and people will inquire about it.
Yes, I still boldly came out because I'm not worried about any backlash from it.
Yes, I know you two want to know if there is any method involved.
And yes, there is a method, but if you want to know, cough up some benefits first.
"Junior Brother Li, is it? You are right, it is my gaffe to overlook something so important in my haste to sate my curiosity. Why don't we do this, in order to make up for it, I will buy all your goods at one and a half times the market price?" Manager Fang responded after cupping his fists.
Li Ling now showed a slightly troubled expression. "One and a half times? Wouldn't that… cause trouble?"
Dong Bo shook his head with a knowing smile. "You underestimate the power of being affiliated to the market officially. Old Fang here has connections everywhere up the chain of the marketplace and can make certain decisions on his own."
Li Ling still hesitated, but Manager Fang chuckled. "Consider it making a friend. What do you say?"
Hearing this, Li Ling knew that everything had been settled. As such, he naturally nodded his head with a smile and began offloading his goods, Manager Fang having some of his workers come to collect and measure the value of the carcasses Li Ling brought.
While this was done, Dong Bo and Manager Fang decided to cash in on their favor immediately, as they naturally had no plans of retaining friendship with Li Ling after this. As such, Manager Fang pursued the earlier topic with more fervor, as he had already "paid" for it.
"Right, about the matter concerning your cultivation. Did Junior Brother Li experience some fortune in the hunting grounds?" Manager Fang inquired with gleaming eyes.
Li Ling nodded and looked around warily before leaning closer. "Don't say it but I feel like my usually rotten luck might be turning around. I have been stuck at the second level of Qi Refinement for over a year, but guess what I found?"
Both men leaned closer and were listening with rapt attention, their entire focus brought onto Li Ling's words.
Li Ling only said two words: "Essence Fruit!"
The faces of Dong Bo and Manager Fang changed greatly, leaning back in shock. They had expected many things, even utilizing demonic methods, but they never thought that it would be something so amazing.
Essence Fruits!
Firmament Heaven was a cultivation world like any other, and it certainly did not lack miraculous elixirs, heavenly treasures or unique artifacts with transcendent abilities. Among these were the Essence Fruits, which were special consumables that grew in places with strong spiritual energy and possessed one simple effect.
They allowed a Qi Refinement cultivator to break through one minor realm, regardless of talent, cultivation technique or environment.
It was like using the Infinite Slaughter System to upgrade, a level up with no side effects and no external requirements. Because of this, they were ranked as one of the top rare materials for those in the Qi Refinement realm, something that could only be farmed by sects or found by luck in the wild.
Suddenly, it all seemed to make sense to Dong Bo and Manager Fang. They did not doubt Li Ling too much because no matter what, there was a realistic possibility of finding an Essence Fruit in the hunting ground, and the fact of the matter was that the young man had jumped two minor realms in two days.
However, thinking of how a "waste" like Li Ling had consumed at least two of such fruits, their eyes could not help but become red and they truly wished to slap him to death. If such a thing was given to them, they could break through to the late stage of Qi Refinement.
No, if they rather gave it to one of their superiors who was at level 9 and allowed them to reach perfected Qi Refinement, they would immediately become their most favored subordinate and have greater power within the market.
Yet some early stage Qi Refinement trash had swallowed it to enter the mid stage? What a waste of heavenly resources!
Ahh!! Beast!!
Li Ling showed an expression of being spooked by the bloodshot eyes of Dong Bo and Manager Fang, who seemed like they were doing all they could not to attack him on the spot. He quickly received his payment for the goods and bid farewell while scurrying off quickly, leaving the two men behind who watched him the entire way.
After he left, the two rapidly calmed down and shared a look.
"Well, what do you think?" Manager Fang asked Dong Bo casually.
"He's too green. It's easy to tell that he's practicing some kind of demonic method and wants to lure people to attack him to harvest them," Dong Bo mused.
Manager Fang rolled his eyes. "We both know that. I mean, what do you think we should do?"
Dong Bo shrugged. "What else? He wants people to kill, so we send him people to kill. I remember that your cousin Fang Wen was competing with you for the shopkeeper slot in the Qing Shan Pavilion, right? I'll find a way to leak the info to him so he sends his people over to die."
Manager Fang nodded with satisfaction. "I was thinking about how to deal with that and this method has come just in time. When I get the appointment, I will definitely be able to get you enough resources to break through to the late stage and let you enter the Market Guards. From there, your future is bright."
Both men shared a look once more and burst into laughter.