Chapter 1982: Little Damage, but Extremely Insulting

“I…”

Zhang Laifu was so aggrieved he felt like dying, yet in front of so many people, he couldn't act out.

“That’s right, this is a fake Geng Essence Stone. It seems we made a mistake during the appraisal.”

There was no other way; everyone was watching, and the item was right there. He couldn't deny it even if he wanted to.

“So it really is like that, I was afraid I had seen it wrong.” Ye Bufan smiled mischievously, “In that case, how much money should Jubao Pavilion give me?”

After he finished speaking, everyone’s gaze fell upon Zhang Laifu.

Everyone had witnessed it with their own eyes: this stone was bought by him for a staggering twelve million Golden Coins. According to the rule of a hundredfold compensation for fakes, that would mean a total payout of one billion two hundred million Golden Coins.

At this point, Zhang Laifu had no room to retreat. If he dared to ruin Jubao Pavilion's thousand-year-old golden reputation, he would likely be flayed alive by the higher-ups immediately.

He could only grit his teeth and say, “Don’t worry, our Jubao Pavilion’s thousand-year-old golden reputation guarantees a hundredfold compensation for fakes.

You just spent twelve million Golden Coins, so our Jubao Pavilion will compensate you with one billion two hundred million.”

“Really? One billion two hundred million Golden Coins, then I’ve truly made a fortune this time.”

Ye Bufan chuckled in the end, “Never mind, this money is free anyway, so I won’t take the two hundred million extra. Consider it a tip for everyone; I’ll just take one billion.”

When he finished speaking, everyone present changed their expressions.

Jubao Pavilion was the largest business association in the entire Kunlun Continent; a billion or so Golden Coins was merely a drop in the ocean for them.

But the crucial point was that everyone could see that this Young man was clearly trying to extort Jubao Pavilion, and now he wanted to use their money as a tip.

This action wasn't very damaging, but it was extremely insulting, essentially a harsh slap to Zhang Laifu's face.

Sure enough, Zhang Laifu’s expression became incredibly ugly. He reached out, pulled out a Storage Ring, and threw it over.

“We always keep our word. The rule of a hundredfold compensation for fakes cannot be changed by anyone. This is one billion two hundred million Golden Coins, not a single one less.”

Ye Bufan took the Storage Ring and swept his Divine Sense through it. Indeed, it contained exactly one billion two hundred million Golden Coins.

“Since that’s the case, then I shall accept with no reservations.”

Then he started counting on his fingers again, muttering, “One billion two hundred million Golden Coins, minus those five hundred million, I still earned seven hundred million. It seems that’s how the math works out.”

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone present was a Cultivator, and they all heard him clearly.

At this, everyone’s hearts

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stirred with a hint of doubt. Could it be that the Young man hadn't lied, and Jubao Pavilion really had shortchanged him five hundred million Golden Coins?

Zhang Laifu’s face became even uglier. He had originally thought he earned five hundred million, but in the blink of an eye, he had to pay out seven hundred million. This deal was clearly a huge loss.

Yet, at this moment, he couldn't flare up. The other party was acting completely by the rules. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, even if his teeth were knocked out, he could only swallow them with blood.

He finally realized that the Young man in front of him was absolutely not simple; he was far more troublesome than he had anticipated.

Now he had only one thought: leave quickly, and discuss other matters with Du Bin later.

But he was thinking too much; Ye Bufan had no intention of leaving.

He put away the Storage Ring, his gaze sweeping around, finally landing on a jade box.

The onlookers seemed to realize something too and followed his gaze. Inside was a black Medicinal Pill, with a label next to it.

“Barrier-Breaking Pill, Rank Three Medicinal Pill, capable of allowing Golden Core Stage Cultivators to break through their Golden Core and enter the Nascent Soul Stage in one go.”

Medicinal Pills that could help Cultivators advance in Rank were always valuable. Although the transition from Golden Core Stage to Nascent Soul Stage was a lower Rank, this Medicinal Pill was still priced at a hefty thirty million Golden Coins.

Ye Bufan pointed at the Medicinal Pill and said, “I’ll take this one!”

For some reason, seeing him about to buy this Medicinal Pill again, Zhang Laifu’s heart inexplicably tightened, and he subconsciously said, “Still buying?”

Ye Bufan said in surprise, “Manager Zhang, are you not welcoming business, or is this Medicinal Pill not for sale?”

“Of course not.”

Zhang Laifu then realized he had lost his composure and waved his hand to the side again. Immediately, another female attendant came over and brought the Medicinal Pill.

Ye Bufan paid thirty million Golden Coins without hesitation, then took the jade box and examined the Medicinal Pill inside.

He had obtained the Legacy of the Ancient Medical Sect, so he wasn't entirely clear on how Medicinal Pills were ranked in the Kunlun Continent.

But this didn't prevent him from understanding this Medicinal Pill. He could tell its Rank at a glance, and even knew its medicinal properties clearly.

At this moment, everyone present was watching him, wanting to see what he would say about this Medicinal Pill.

Ye Bufan didn't disappoint the crowd. After only a few seconds, he said, “This Medicinal Pill is fake.”

“What?”

Everyone present was startled. If it had been before, no one would have believed what he said.

But with the precedent of the Geng Essence Stone

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right there, people dared not casually disregard what this Young man said.

Even after he finished speaking, there was a deafening silence; not a single person stood up to object.

Zhang Laifu shouted, “Nonsense! This is a genuine Barrier-Breaking Pill. How could it be fake?”

Ye Bufan held the Medicinal Pill in his hand and said, “The Medicinal Pill is indeed a Barrier-Breaking Pill, refined from a total of thirty-six Spirit Medicines.

On the surface, it looks dark and shiny because Black Mist Grass, a Spirit Medicine, was added. Its fragrant aroma is due to Incense Flower. If touched, it’s very elastic because it contains Asbestos Vine…”

Ye Bufan, like someone intimately familiar with his family’s treasures, clearly explained all the ingredients in the Medicinal Pill.

The crowd listened dumbfounded, never expecting this Young man to have such a deep understanding of Medicinal Pills. Just by looking at it, he could clearly explain the ingredients used.

Zhang Laifu said, “Since you explained it so clearly, how could it be a fake Medicinal Pill?”

“Alright, I misspoke. Saying it’s a fake Medicinal Pill isn’t quite accurate. To be precise, this is a—Poison Pill!”

When he finished speaking, everyone present changed their expressions drastically. One must know that a fake Medicinal Pill and a Poison Pill are two completely different concepts.

Even if a fake Medicinal Pill doesn't achieve its effect, it won't cause much harm to people, whereas a Poison Pill is a deadly thing.

“Nonsense!”

Zhang Laifu was furious. “Young man, you must make yourself clear today! How could my Jubao Pavilion possibly sell Poison Pills?”

“Don’t rush, let me explain slowly.”

Ye Bufan’s face still held a gentle smile, “The Barrier-Breaking Pill was originally meant to allow Golden Core Stage Cultivators to break through their Golden Core and form a Nascent Soul. It’s just a pity that the Alchemist who refined this Medicinal Pill was a novice, and his Rank was simply not high enough.

During the refining process, he reversed the order of the fifteenth ingredient, Cold Yang Grass, and the sixteenth ingredient, Scorching Yang Flower.

Cold Yang Grass has a yin medicinal property; its purpose in adding it is to neutralize the fire poison formed during the previous Alchemy process. Then, adding Scorching Yang Flower afterwards can enhance the overall medicinal property of the entire Medicinal Pill.

However, once this sequence is reversed, the scorching Yang Flower, which is yang in nature, immediately intensifies the toxicity of the fire poison, and adding Cold Yang Grass afterwards can no longer neutralize it.

Alchemy allows no room for error. Although it’s just a reversal of sequence, the final product is a Poison Pill.

If consumed, it will not only fail to help one break through to the Nascent Soul, but instead, one will be severely poisoned, bleeding from all seven orifices and dying!”

(At this point, I guess some people are yelling for more updates, hehe! Although Old Hei is very busy during the New Year, everyone has supported me for so long, so I still need to add a little more. The following two chapters are extra updates, thank you for your long-term support!)