Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1577 - 1577 0924 The Sucker Who Pays Up_2

Chapter 1577: Chapter 0924: The Sucker Who Pays Up_2 Chapter 1577: Chapter 0924: The Sucker Who Pays Up_2 Qi Tian nodded and said, “With so many eyes watching, can I go back on my word and profit from it? However, we must make it clear that the transaction is established at the time you give me the one hundred top-grade spirit stones. Before you do, all the herbal materials on this stall belong to me, and I have the right to dispose of them as I see fit.”

As soon as Mr. Jianqiang heard this, he immediately became anxious, as his greatest worry at the moment was Qi Tian reneging on the deal. He quickly said, “Don’t worry, I will gather one hundred top-grade spirit stones for you right away.”

The Three Needle Grass was at stake here, which could increase one’s chances of advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage by a significant margin. How could Mr. Jianqiang, who had long coveted it, not be anxious? He immediately sprung into action, clearly unable to produce so many top-grade spirit stones in an instant, especially since they were quite precious. Moreover, Qi Tian had already swindled fifty stones from him, leaving it virtually impossible for him to bring forth another hundred top-grade spirit stones.

All Mr. Jianqiang could do was to borrow from others. Fortunately, there were several Nascent Soul Masters with him, as well as a few subordinates. If everyone pulled together and contributed the top-grade spirit stones from their own purses, it might be possible to amass the amount needed.

However, this fundraising caused quite a stir, and what was most crucial was that the two Nascent Soul Masters, who were ordered to stand in front of Qi Tian and his stall, were also moved by Mr. Jianqiang’s plea. They searched their Storage Bags and managed to scrape together a few top-grade spirit stones for Mr. Jianqiang.

What Mr. Jianqiang didn’t realize was that by doing so, he had fallen right into Qi Tian’s trap. Why did Qi Tian demand exactly one hundred top-grade spirit stones, neither more nor less? The reason was simple: it was all calculated with precision by Qi Tian.

Qi Tian had just used the Heavenly Dao Engine’s ability to sense Spirit Qi to detect how many top-grade spirit stones everyone, including Mr. Jianqiang’s group, had in their Storage Bags, and how many each person possessed. Qi Tian knew the exact amount to the last stone.

With such precise intelligence, Qi Tian then put forward the demand for one hundred top-grade spirit stones. To be able to gather that amount, Mr. Jianqiang would need to sway all the Nascent Soul Masters, including the two blocking the path. Once they were persuaded, they would not be able to focus all their attention on the herbs at the stall, creating an opportunity for Qi Tian to fish in troubled waters.

Qi Tian had already brewed several schemes to divert the attention of the two Nascent Soul Masters. Now, the turn of events was undoubtedly the simplest of them. While the two Nascent Soul Masters responded to Mr. Jianqiang’s request by pulling out top-grade spirit stones from their Storage Bags, Qi Tian’s right hand hung down with a black hole in his palm opening up. The Transporting Whirlwind silently flew out, circumventing the crowd and landing on the stall. Under Qi Tian’s command, it quickly located the Three Needle Grass and, with the Transporting Whirlwind wrapping around the herb, returned along the original path at the fastest speed back to the black hole in Qi Tian’s palm, delivering the Three Needle Grass into the Heavenly Dao Engine’s material chamber.

With that, the Three Needle Grass was absolutely safe. Even if they were to strip Qi Tian bare, no one else would be able to locate the whereabouts of the Three Needle Grass.

Even until Qi Tian had concealed the Three Needle Grass, Mr. Jianqiang still hadn’t quite managed to gather the one hundred top-grade spirit stones. After waiting a little while longer, Mr. Jianqiang finally collected the stones, each carrying the distinct aura of over a dozen individuals, and handed them to Qi Tian, saying, “Here are one hundred top-grade spirit stones; you can count them if you like.”

Qi Tian chuckled and replied, “I trust Mr. Jianqiang’s integrity; there’s no need to count them.”

Qi Tian took the top-grade spirit stones and put them into his Storage Bag, then turned to Mr. Jianqiang and said, “From this moment on, all the herbs on this stall belong to you, Sir. You may have someone check the inventory.”

Mr. Jianqiang laughed heartily and responded, “Just as you have faith in my character, Sir, I also have complete trust in yours. There’s no need to check the herbs on this stall; I will simply collect them.”

Mr. Jianqiang spoke boldly, but in reality, the only reason he didn’t want to do a count in front of so many people was to prevent others from discovering the existence of the Three Needle Grass. The herb was just too precious. Whoever got their hands on it would only keep silent and make a fortune; they would never make it public knowledge, as that would surely invite disaster.

In front of the crowd, Mr. Jianqiang slapped the Storage Bag hanging at his waist, and a radiant light shot out from the bag, engulfing all the medicinal herbs on the stall. In an instant, all were absorbed by Mr. Jianqiang.

The Three Needle Grass safely in his possession, Mr. Jianqiang finally relaxed. He gave Qi Tian a cupped-hand salute and said, “I see that you also seem to be participating in the Holy Land competition. We will meet again, and I hope to witness your prowess there.”

Qi Tian returned the salute with a smile and said, “I’m grateful to Mr. Jianqiang for looking out for me this time, letting me easily earn so many top-grade spirit stones. I’ll keep your kindness in mind. Let’s get closer in the future. Also, if you ever need any herbs in the future, just let me know, and I’ll spare no effort to find them for you.”

Mr. Jianqiang silently cursed “idiot” to himself. If it weren’t for the Three Needle Grass, he would never have let Qi Tian walk away with so many top-grade spirit stones.

Feeling very pleased with himself, he touched the Storage Bag hanging at his waist and shook his folding fan. With a wave of his hand, he led the Chen family away with long strides, without giving Li Rusen and Huang Liuyan another glance.

Li Rusen watched everything unfold in stunned silence. He had initially thought that the situation between the two parties was so tense that a bloody battle might break out, but he didn’t expect that, after Qi Tian’s arrival, not only did no conflict arise, Qi Tian even managed to earn so many top-grade spirit stones. He couldn’t figure it out and felt incredibly envious.

After all, those were over a hundred top-grade spirit stones, a tremendous fortune for him. Why did Qi Tian have to be the one to earn them? If he had known that Mr. Jianqiang was coveting the herbs on the stall, he too could have easily earned so many top-grade spirit stones, so why would it be Qi Tian’s turn?

Huang Liuyan looked at Qi Tian with admiration. Had she not witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that Qi Tian could earn so many top-grade spirit stones so easily. She didn’t think that Mr. Jianqiang, cultivated with so much care by the Chen family, would be a fool. The fact that he was so willing to let Qi Tian openly earn so many top-grade spirit stones in front of everyone meant there was certainly a reason unbeknownst to her.

“Junior brother, you’re so amazing,” Huang Liuyan expressed sincerely.

Qi Tian smiled lightly and said, “Senior sister, this is just the most basic maneuver. Hehe, let’s not talk about it anymore. Since we’ve made money today, let’s go buy some nice things. I’ll pick up the tab for everything.”

Huang Liuyan shook her head and said, “It’s not your turn to pay today. Have you forgotten? Master Li promised me that all expenses I incur at the market today would be covered by Li Rusen.”

Qi Tian burst into laughter upon hearing this; he had indeed forgotten about that detail. Although he had already made Li Qingping his Immortal Slave, he didn’t mind continuing to teach Li Rusen a lesson. After all, it was only Li Qingping who became his Immortal Slave, not this annoying Li Rusen.

He said, “Senior sister, even though I don’t have to pay, I can still accompany you to have a good look around the market. My eye for quality is quite unique. Why don’t I help you pick out some treasures there?”

Huang Liuyan nodded repeatedly. She admired Qi Tian in every aspect, and him offering to accompany her shopping was exactly what she hoped for.

Side by side, the two started walking down the market lane, the Nascent Soul Masters sent by Li Qingping remained, not leaving, all following behind Qi Tian and Huang Liuyan.

As for Li Rusen, despite his extreme reluctance, he didn’t dare to leave without a notice from his ancestor, he could only follow begrudgingly behind, ready at any moment to be the one footing the bill unwillingly.