"What, do you dare to kill me?" As soon as Lin Tian spoke, Feng Linwan's head snapped up, her eyes flashing with anger.
But before she could react further, a blade of spiritual energy shot out from the formation, swiftly grazing the side of her neck. Feng Linwan stiffened, her face turning ashen in an instant.
Although the daughter of the city lord, Feng Linwan was far from a fool. Her previous arrogance toward Lin Tian was solely based on her status. She had been confident, as they were in Maple Leaf City, and her identity as the city lord's daughter seemed to guarantee her safety. But now, with the spiritual energy blade so close, she realized her life was firmly in Lin Tian's grasp.
"Young master, I beg you to spare my niece, if only for my sake," a rich, rotund man's voice called from above.
Lin Tian turned toward the voice, his gaze narrowing as he sized up the man.
"I am Zhou Dacheng, the representative of the Longcheng Chamber of Commerce in Maple Leaf City," the man said with a respectful bow. However, Zhou Dacheng was not just the representative of the Longcheng Chamber—he was also Feng Linwan's uncle. This explained why he had not intervened earlier when Feng Linwan had attacked Lin Tian. Now that the tables had turned, he was quick to appear.
"When that girl attacked me, you said nothing. But now that I'm in control, you come rushing to intervene?" Lin Tian's voice was sharp, exposing Zhou Dacheng's double standards. The man's discomfort was palpable as Lin Tian called him out.
"Then, may I ask, what would it take for you to release Feng Linwan?" Zhou Dacheng asked, his tone tinged with unease. It was clear he hadn't expected Lin Tian to be so unyielding.
"She tried to hurt me with that whip. If that's the case, then hand over her whip. I'll take a moment to study it," Lin Tian said, his lips curling into a faint smile as he turned toward Feng Linwan.
"No!" Feng Linwan immediately rejected his request. The whip had been with her since she began cultivating, and it was invaluable to her. Even if Lin Tian claimed he only wanted to borrow it for a time, how could she trust that he would return it?
"Young master, this request is a bit too much," Zhou Dacheng said, his face a mask of reluctance. Despite his high status, he knew that he could easily defeat Lin Tian. However, Lin Tian was a gold-tier member of the Longcheng Chamber of Commerce, and Feng Linwan was in his hands. Zhou Dacheng could not afford to offend him.
"Too much? What about when she attacked me? Was that not too much?" Lin Tian replied coldly. "If she refuses, then let her stay in the formation. We have more important matters to attend to."
With that, Lin Tian gestured for Zhou Dacheng to follow him upstairs. Feng Linwan was left helpless, her eyes filled with frustration, but she could do nothing but watch them go.
"May I ask what items you wish to sell, young master?" Zhou Dacheng inquired as they reached the upper floor.
"This," Lin Tian replied, handing over the three bottles of spiritual liquid.
The moment Zhou Dacheng saw the bottles, his eyes lit up. More than a month ago, Tu Xiaoyao had submitted a similar spiritual liquid to the Longcheng Chamber, which had been auctioned for ten medium-grade spirit stones per bottle. As the head of the Maple Leaf City branch, Zhou Dacheng had seen the liquid before.
However, what Lin Tian held in his hands now was even purer than the previous batch. Based on the quality, these three bottles would likely fetch at least fifty medium-grade spirit stones in an auction. Originally, Zhou Dacheng had some doubts about Lin Tian's identity, but now, seeing the quality of the liquid, his doubts were entirely dispelled, replaced by deep respect.
"To be frank, a month ago, we auctioned the spiritual liquid you provided. It fetched ten medium-grade spirit stones per bottle, and this batch you have is even purer. If we were to auction it, it could easily sell for fifty medium-grade spirit stones per bottle. The Longcheng Chamber would take a ten percent commission. But, if you wish to sell it directly to us, we can only offer ten medium-grade spirit stones per bottle," Zhou Dacheng explained.
"Then I'll sell it to you for ten medium-grade spirit stones per bottle," Lin Tian said, without hesitation. He was eager to exchange the spiritual liquid for medium-grade spirit stones and had no time to wait for an auction. Besides, the cost of producing the liquid was low. Even if he sold it for ten spirit stones per bottle, it was a substantial profit.
"Very well, young master," Zhou Dacheng said, nodding in agreement. He then signaled for his subordinates to bring thirty medium-grade spirit stones, handing them over to Lin Tian.
After receiving the stones, Lin Tian turned to leave. Just as he was about to head downstairs, Feng Linwan, as though making a momentous decision, suddenly called out to him.
"Wait!" Her voice was tinged with reluctance as she spoke.
"What is it?" Lin Tian paused, looking at her with a hint of confusion.
"Let me go, and I'll give you my spiritual weapon," she said, handing over the whip she had been holding.
"You're finally being reasonable," Lin Tian remarked, accepting the weapon. With a swift motion, he deactivated the formation, releasing her.
As he walked away, Feng Linwan's eyes flashed with a murderous glint. "You think you can act so arrogantly forever, huh? We'll see how long your arrogance lasts."