Chapter 480: Two Hundred and Fifty

This unknown fourth-rank herb was called Tulü Grass.

This quasi-fourth-rank herb was naturally not a rare thing in the Divine Domain, but in the Boundless Realm it was a rarity.

Some pharmacological texts, including the Compendium of Materia Medica, had no record of Tulü Grass at all, so it was normal that those so-called high-rank alchemists did not recognize it.

The reason Ye Yuan had his eye on this Tulü Grass was that it was a main ingredient for the quasi-fourth-rank pill, Purple Heart Soul Guidance Pill.

This Purple Heart Soul Guidance Pill was an upgraded version of the Soul Guidance Pill, used to break through to the Soul Sea Realm.

However, the medicinal efficacy of the Purple Heart Soul Guidance Pill was on a completely different level from that of the Soul Guidance Pill.

Ye Yuan naturally would not use only a lousy Soul Guidance Pill for his own breakthrough. Since he happened to come across Tulü Grass, he naturally wanted to take it into his bag.

Moreover, Ye Yuan knew a thing or two about the alchemy world in the Boundless Realm. The value of this Tulü Grass was definitely worth a hundred mid-grade primal crystals.

This thing was in no way inferior to ordinary fourth-rank medicinal herbs.

And since Tulü Grass was extremely rare in the Boundless Realm, rarity made it precious. Ye Yuan did not find this price too outrageous.

But in the eyes of others, Ye Yuan naturally became a sucker with more money than sense.

When Qihai saw a hundred mid-grade primal crystals, his eyes immediately lit up, and he perked up entirely, like a different person from his previous listless demeanor.

You see, a hundred mid-grade primal crystals was roughly equivalent to the price of a fourth-rank medicinal herb.

But how easy was it to get a fourth-rank medicinal herb?

Selling a quasi-fourth-rank herb at the price of a fourth-rank herb—where else could you find such a bargain?

Hehe, young man, I can see that at such a young age you have this level of cultivation. You must be a genius with keen insight! I snatched this herb from the mouth of a fourth-rank beast; I nearly died in its belly. Luckily, this old man ran fast, so a hundred mid-grade primal crystals really isn't expensive!” Qihai said with a beaming smile.

The crowd, seeing Qihai's demeanor, looked at him with contempt.

This guy was only at the Crystal Coagulation Realm; how could he have snatched such a herb from a fourth-rank beast?

Even a fool could see that he was trying to fool the youth.

But then... wasn't that youth himself a fool?

Sure enough, Ye Yuan actually nodded and said, "Hehe, old man, I believe you."

Scornful laughter came from all around, but Ye Yuan was unperturbed.

However, he naturally wouldn't bother explaining anything to these ignorant people.

Ye Yuan knew that the rabbit-green grass indeed had a companion beast, whose strength was comparable to a human martial artist in the Sea of Transformation middle stage.

For this old man named Qihai to return alive was already a stroke of extreme luck.

Old and cunning, although this old man was only at the Crystal Condensation stage, he might have some special life-saving tricks.

Therefore, one hundred mid-grade yuan crystals was indeed not expensive!

"In that case, shall we close the deal?" Qihai said quickly, afraid that Ye Yuan would back out.

"Hehe, deal!"

The two agreed, and just as Ye Yuan was about to take the rabbit-green grass, a discordant voice rang out.

"I want this herb, one hundred and fifty mid-grade yuan crystals!"

A young man suddenly cut in, directly raising the price by fifty mid-grade yuan crystals.

Seeing this young man, the other stall owners wisely shut their mouths, as if he were a plague.

Ye Yuan frowned at the sight; this kid was clearly trying to pick a fight with him.

"Old man, I bid two hundred!" Ye Yuan said calmly.

When it came to yuan crystals, Ye Yuan wasn't afraid of anyone.

Last time in the unknown secret realm, Ye Yuan had extorted a large sum of yuan crystals from the Tianqian Sect.

Later, in the Gale Realm, the Xiao family gave Ye Yuan a large sum of primal crystals to express their gratitude, but Ye Yuan had barely touched them.

This kid wants to compete with me in wealth?

He must be blind!

"Two hundred and fifty!" the young man called out again.

"Pfft..."

This time, the onlookers couldn't hold back and burst into loud laughter.

Ye Yuan was amused too—was this kid a joker, just here to entertain?

Hearing the jeers, the young man didn't catch on at first, until a guard at the Sea Transformation Fourth Layer behind him leaned in and whispered a few words.

The young man suddenly realized and flushed bright red.

He glared around and snapped, "What are you laughing at? Laugh again, and I'll smash your stalls! I'll have my father revoke your permits and make sure you can't stay in Xinyang City!"

The stall owners seemed to take the threat seriously and immediately stifled their laughter.

The young man smirked triumphantly and shot Ye Yuan a defiant look.

Ye Yuan guessed that this young man was no ordinary person, but having been a spoiled brat himself, why would he fear a reckless one?

He chuckled and said, "Old man, since I can't afford two hundred and fifty, I'll go with three hundred, haha."

"I bid five hundred! This herb is full of primal energy—looks good. I'll eat it and boost my power!" the young man said arrogantly.

Ye Yuan was speechless. This kid was going to eat the rabbit-green grass raw—what a waste!

Most herbs could be eaten raw, but few did so because it was too wasteful!

Moreover, depending on a cultivator's primal energy attribute, some herbs might conflict with their cultivation technique, yielding half the results with twice the effort or even harming their cultivation.

This kid knew nothing and was just looking for trouble!

Of course, Ye Yuan didn't know that this young man indeed loved to stir up trouble.

In fact, he was quite similar to Ye Yuan's predecessor.

The young man was named Jin Peng, the son of Jin Feng, the city lord of Xinyang City.

The city lord of Xinyang City was at the Sea Transformation Seventh Layer, which was quite formidable in a secular kingdom, even surpassing some sect elders.

In truth, although Xinyang City nominally belonged to the Yan Kingdom, it was essentially a state within a state; Jin Feng always followed his own orders and ignored the king's decrees.

If not for the behemoth Youyun Sect keeping him in check, Jin Feng might have declared himself king.

Relying on his father's power, Jin Peng often ran amok in Xinyang City, harming cultivators.

Over time, he became notorious.

His father, Jin Feng, was also adept at extortion. These stall-owning cultivators had to obtain a permit from the city lord's office to operate.

The permit was of poor quality and valid for only a month, but the fee ranged from fifty low-grade primal crystals to fifty mid-grade primal crystals, depending on the stall owner's cultivation level!

No fewer than a hundred thousand cultivators set up stalls here each year!

The revenue from selling permits alone was a staggering figure!

But Jin Feng was extremely powerful, so the stall owners had no choice but to endure his exploitation.

Hearing Jin Peng's bid, Ye Yuan frowned.

This kid was raising the price without a second thought, deliberately causing trouble.

If this continued, no matter how much Ye Yuan bid, he would keep raising it.

Would he have to resort to force?

"Young Master Jin, I've already sold this herb to him. No matter how high you bid, I won't sell it!"

To everyone's surprise, the old man Qihai spoke up at that moment.