The stall owner was a real schemer.
The moment little Luo Huai shouted "Treasure!" his heart jumped.
Big business.
Finally.
This kid was clearly doing some weird ritual—hands out, eyes closed—and somehow he'd "picked" this herb.
Which meant only one thing:
This herb was worth money.
Or at least…
it was worth milking money.
The little mustached man almost couldn't contain his excitement.
This time I'm making them bleed.
I'm getting my investment back.
Summer Wei, on the other hand, nearly coughed blood.
She wanted to grab Luo Huai by the collar and shake him.
Even if you like it, you idiot… don't announce it like that!
In the Exotic Flora Zone, everything was vague.
Nobody could confirm real value on the spot.
Half of it was bluff.
The other half was traps.
Some items looked "powerful" and got slapped with insane prices to scam clueless buyers.
And the worst part?
It was a willing transaction.
You couldn't complain afterward.
No one would pity you.
Lin Ye and Luo Gui walked over.
They'd been touring other stalls too, and with their eyes…
they'd already scooped up most of the "real" valuable items without hesitation.
Experts could still misjudge sometimes.
But most of the time?
They were dead accurate.
Luo Gui picked up the wild-ginseng-looking herb and frowned.
"This thing? It looks ordinary."
The stall owner immediately sneered.
"Old senior, open your eyes. You're embarrassing yourself."
Classic provocation.
He wanted to shame Luo Gui into admitting defeat—so the price could stay ridiculous.
But Lin Ye didn't even blink.
He glanced at the herb, then said calmly:
"Pay."
The stall owner's grin widened.
"Haha! Now this boss has vision."
"This is a hundred-thousand-year herb."
"One year, ten thousand spirit stones. Fair, right?"
"Total: ten billion."
"But since you're fated to meet it…"
"I'll give you a discount."
"Eight billion spirit stones. Take it."
Eight billion?!
Summer Wei's face exploded.
That price had already surpassed most Sixth-grade herbs…
It was directly chasing the value of an Eighth-grade herb.
But this?
This looked like nothing more than a normal wild ginseng.
The stall owner was practically robbing them in public.
Summer Wei's fingers twitched.
If she could, she would've slapped him on the spot.
But—
To her surprise…
Lin Ye didn't pay immediately.
He stared at the stall owner and spoke lightly.
"Think carefully."
"Say that again."
The stall owner froze.
Lin Ye was usually generous.
He didn't bargain over small increases.
But that was only when the price matched the value—even if it was slightly higher.
He didn't mind paying an extra ten or twenty percent.
Because he hated wasting time.
But that didn't mean you could treat him like a fool.
If you tried to scam him?
You got one chance to fix it.
Otherwise…
You wouldn't get a single spirit stone.
Not even one.
Because if Lin Ye decided…
He could just take it by force.
Who was going to stop him?
The stall owner looked at Lin Ye again.
And in that instant—
his blood went cold.
He recognized him.
This was—
the demon youth who destroyed Seven Star Sword Gate today.
The one who slaughtered a deputy sect master like cutting grass.
The one who killed Wan Qinghou.
The legend spreading across Thousand Spirit City.
The moment he confirmed it…
his legs went weak.
His mouth trembled.
"Y-You… you're…!"
Lin Ye's gaze remained calm.
"Good."
"Now name a proper price."
The stall owner's soul nearly left his body.
He snapped into survival mode instantly.
"Honor! Absolute honor!"
"You buying from my stall is the greatest blessing of my life!"
"Why would I take spirit stones?"
"Take it! Take it!"
"Whatever you want—pick freely!"
Summer Wei was stunned.
Just now, this man was asking for eight billion.
Now he was offering it for free?
Lin Ye simply nodded.
"Good."
"Give him a hundred spirit stones."
Lin Ye took the herb.
Summer Wei handed over a small pouch with one hundred stones.
She was still dazed.
The stall owner almost cried.
"Thank you! Thank you, Lord!"
To him…
surviving under Lin Ye's gaze was already a blessing.
He didn't dare accept eight billion.
If he did…
he might not live to spend it.
One hundred stones?
It was worth it.
At least he'd keep his head.
Lin Ye originally didn't know what made this herb special.
But the moment he held it…
his eyes narrowed slightly.
He finally understood.
This wasn't a "hundred-thousand-year herb."
It wasn't even ginseng.
But it was…
not ordinary.
And if the Ancient Spirit Medicine Body sensed it…
then it was definitely something valuable.
Summer Wei and Luo Gui were curious, but they didn't ask.
They knew Lin Ye wasn't someone to play random games.
Soon—
Fang Yiyi appeared in front of them.
Finding them in Thousand Spirit City was easy.
This city belonged to Bailing Medicine Sect.
"Honored guests," she said politely.
"The private exchange is about to begin."
"I've been ordered to guide you."
Today she wore long sleeves and fitted pants, more formal than usual.
But the tight top only made her figure even more striking.
Small.
Delicate.
Yet full.
This was an important occasion—she couldn't dress too casually.
Lin Ye didn't waste words.
They boarded the carriage.
Soon they arrived at Bailing Medicine Sect's branch hall.
Compared to the noisy chaos outside…
this place was colder, quieter, and far more refined.
Everyone here had real status.
The private exchange was simple.
If you wanted to sell something, you gave it to Bailing Medicine Sect.
They displayed it on the central platform.
You set your trade condition—spirit stones, pills, weapons, armor, secret techniques.
But the real main attraction?
Was always—
Bailing Medicine Sect's pills.
Herbs alone didn't mean much.
Only pills could turn resources into power.
Rumor said even Sixth-grade pills would appear tonight.
Luo Gui didn't care much.
He wanted one, of course.
But the cost would be terrifying.
And his priority was Xiao Huai.
Now that Xiao Huai was cured…
his heart was finally settled.
After this exchange ended…
he would accompany Lin Ye to Thousand Net Gorge.
Summer Wei leaned close and whispered.
"We're running low."
"We have less than ten billion spirit stones left."
Lin Ye nodded.
"I know."
Summer Wei was worried.
If Lin Ye bid for something important and couldn't pay?
That would be embarrassing.
But Lin Ye looked completely unconcerned.
Luo Gui said quietly, "If you need it, I still have some stones."
Lin Ye waved him off.
"No need."
"What I want…"
"won't run away."
They entered the courtyard.
A tall platform stood at the center.
Objects were brought up one by one.
Trades began.
And right then—
three people walked toward Lin Ye.
They wore black robes trimmed with gold.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a cold smile.
Beside him was a pale-faced young man, about twenty-five, staring straight at Summer Wei with greedy eyes.
The third wore a mask.
Only his eyes showed—sharp, alert, deadly.
Luo Gui's expression darkened.
He leaned in and spoke low.
"Black Dragon Sect."
"Those bastards… are snakes."
Black Dragon Sect.
Notorious bullies of Spirit Water Riverlands.
They lived by robbery, extortion, and intimidation.
Same breed as Earth Blaze Sect—except stronger.
And because they were strong…
they acted like kings.
The leader smiled.
"Sect Master Lin Ye, yes?"
"I've heard you possess a fragmented treasure map."
"My Black Dragon Sect is very interested."
"We're willing to buy it at a high price."
"Name your terms."
Lin Ye didn't hesitate.
"Ten Seventh-grade herbs."
"Or three Eighth-grade herbs."
The middle-aged man's smile stiffened.
But the chill in his eyes deepened.