"Even if I go, there's no guarantee I'll win."
Chen Che shook his head.
Of course, the main reason was that he could travel back and forth between two worlds. He could easily supply whatever he needed, so why bother fighting for it?
He might even be able to make a small fortune off the conflict.
"You certainly have a relaxed view of things," Hu Yao sighed, then turned to him and said abruptly, "Give me three Body Nourishing Pills!"
"Hm?"
"I have to go fight for it!"
Hu Yao's face was set with determination.
Indeed. 'Although my master said I have a chance to reach Foundation Establishment before forty, it's still just a chance.'
He came from a humble background and was not of the Valley Master's Direct Lineage.
In fact, many things that should have been his had already been snatched away by others.
If he fought, he might not get a chance. But if he didn't fight, he would definitely get no chance at all.
"I wish you success."
Hearing this, Chen Che knew the man's mind was made up and he wouldn't be persuaded otherwise. He sold him three Body Nourishing Pills and threw in an extra one for free.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Che finally entered the Market.
The other Jinyun Valley disciples saw him chatting cheerfully with Hu Yao, so even though he hadn't paid the entrance fee, they didn't stop him.
Everyone had an acquaintance or two. When it was their turn on duty, they would usually let their friends pass. Jinyun Valley tended to turn a blind eye to this practice.
As he walked away, Chen Che noticed something. The tall, thin man who'd been at odds with Hu Yao seemed to let his gaze linger on him for a moment.
'There was something odd about that man's gaze…'
He didn't pay it much mind. After all, that was just how social interactions worked.
Anyone would feel a trace of annoyance seeing a stranger getting along so well with their rival.
Inside the Market, the streets were bustling with people coming and going.
It was just as Hu Yao had said; upon hearing news of the Foundation Establishment Ancient Tomb, nearby Cultivators had swarmed here as if in a frenzy.
Some were waiting for an opportunity, some were observing the situation, some were preparing to set out, and some were gathering information.
Of course, all this activity indirectly boosted Chen Che's business.
'As I thought, profiting from conflict is the easiest way to make money in the world.'
Taking the Spiritual Sand and watching the crowds pass by, Chen Che couldn't help but marvel.
Normally, he might go a day or two in the Market without selling a single Pill, but today he had sold five in just half an hour. One Cultivator, preparing to risk it all, had even bought three Body Nourishing Pills at once.
Of course, for Cultivators, Pills weren't the only option; some also bought Talismans, Weapons, Protective Gear, and Hidden Weapons.
'If this sort of news pops up a few more times, at least I won't be short on money for a while.'
Chen Che mused.
"Senior, are you well?"
As he was lost in thought, a greeting came from up ahead.
Chen Che looked up, somewhat surprised to see that it was Ding Fei.
"You?"
"I saw you setting up a stall here, Senior, so I made a point of coming over to say hello."
Ding Fei bowed and offered a fawning smile, his face a mask of obsequiousness.
After the incident in the forest, he had spent four or five days in constant anxiety, worried he'd be killed to keep him quiet. When nothing happened, he finally confirmed that he had truly been spared. He hadn't expected to see Chen Che again today, so he didn't dare to be impolite and approached him proactively.
"Are you also here for the Foundation Establishment Cultivator's ancient tomb?"
Chen Che asked curiously.
"To be honest with you, Senior,"
Hearing this, Ding Fei's face went pale with fright, and he quickly shook his head.
"I know my own limits. This whole situation is a powder keg ready to explode. I'm only at the Qi Refining Third Layer; I wouldn't dare get involved in the slightest. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know what killed me…"
'He's a smart one, alright.'
'He knows what he can fight for and what he can't. Anyone else who had witnessed what happened in the forest would probably avoid me like the plague, yet he's the one who came over to greet me.'
"Then why are you…"
"I just came to see what all the fuss is about,"
Ding Fei quickly explained. "Besides, whenever something like this happens, the Market gets incredibly busy. You never know, some rare and unusual things might show up. I'm hoping to get lucky and find a hidden bargain."
Chen Che nodded to himself.
'His Cultivation might not be high,'
'but he's certainly experienced in this sort of thing.'
Just then, a scruffy, burly-bearded middle-aged Cultivator bustled past. He spotted the banner Chen Che had set up, stopped in his tracks, and exclaimed with delight:
"You're the one who's been selling Body Nourishing Pills, right? Give me a bottle!"
Chen Che remained seated, looking up at the man.
"Didn't you hear what I said?"
The man's eyes narrowed, revealing a terrifying, fierce glint.
Chen Che was unfazed, replying calmly,
"Fellow Daoist, a bottle of ten Body Nourishing Pills costs two hundred taels of Spiritual Sand."
The middle-aged Cultivator sneered. "I'm a bit tight on cash right now. Put it on the Blood Lion's tab. I'll pay you back in a couple of days when I have the time."
Upon hearing the name "Blood Lion," Ding Fei, who was standing to the side, started in alarm and quickly looked toward Chen Che.
But Chen Che simply shook his head again.
"I run a small business. No credit."
The man's expression darkened.
Seeing this, Ding Fei quickly leaned toward Chen Che's ear and whispered, "Senior, that's Zhao Ang, the Blood Lion. He's a notorious figure in the Market with a Cultivation at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. What's more, his older cousin, Zhao Ping, is an Official Disciple in Jinyun Valley!"
He didn't dare incite a conflict between Chen Che and Zhao Ang. After all, even if Chen Che couldn't deal with Zhao Ang, he could certainly deal with a small fry like him. He quickly added another sentence:
"A wise man knows when to yield. Don't let your pride get the better of you. It's best to back down if you can."
Chen Che said nothing.
The moment the man had announced the name "Blood Lion," he'd already figured out who he was.
This man wasn't a petty hoodlum like Er Ya. He had real power and was a genuine tyrant who dominated the market. He often bought on credit, writing IOUs, but it was just a thinly veiled form of extortion.
"So, now you know who I am." Zhao Ang waited for Ding Fei to finish before turning back to Chen Che. "Tell me, is my name good enough to get a bottle of Body Nourishing Pills on credit?"
Chen Che frowned. Just as he was about to speak, a calm voice suddenly drifted over from the side.
"Cousin, what's going on?"
"Damn it!"
The moment Ding Fei heard the voice, he knew this was bad.
'His cousin must be here.'
Chen Che also looked toward the source of the voice.
He saw a tall, thin man slowly striding over. The newcomer was none other than the man from outside the Market who had been at odds with Hu Yao earlier.
"I wanted to get a bottle of Body Nourishing Pills on credit, but this brat just won't budge."
Zhao Ang, who had been so arrogant just a moment before, immediately stepped forward with a fawning smile.
"At home you rely on your parents, but out in the world you rely on your friends. We are all Cultivators; we should naturally help one another."
The tall, thin man, his hands clasped behind his back, didn't reprimand Zhao Ang. Instead, he looked down his nose at Chen Che.
"You're so cold-hearted. Are you so certain you'll never fall on hard times yourself? Besides, he's only asking for credit, not refusing to pay. Why be so stingy? If he really doesn't pay you back, you can just come to Jinyun Valley and find me!"
"I'll pay you back for him!"