Gazing at Wang Qian's disheveled state, Dao Ling thoughtfully touched the Scarlet Blood Copper Crystal. This item was anything but ordinary—otherwise, the guard would never have intervened.
Everyone stood stunned, unable to fathom that Li Dahai had dared to strike her.
Wang Qian was enraged beyond measure. Blood trickled down her cheek, her entire body quivering with fury. Black smoke seemed to rise from her head, her face contorted into a狰狞 (ferocious) mask.
Just then, an elder descended from the second floor. Taking in the scene, his aged face darkened. "Dahai, what is the meaning of this?"
"Elder, he hit me! For no reason!" Wang Qian instantly feigned委屈 (委屈), pointing at Dao Ling. "And him! He tried to sell a worthless stone at an exorbitant price. I told Li Dahai to throw him out, but he not only refused—he struck me! Uncle Fu, avenge me!"
Li Dahai sneered inwardly. *You brought this upon yourself.*
"Da Hai, explain," Chen Fu's tone hardened, glancing at Dao Ling. He knew Dahai was no hothead—after a decade of service, he couldn't trust Wang Qian's one-sided story.
Li Dahai whispered into Chen Fu's ear. The elder's expression changed drastically upon hearing "Scarlet Blood Copper Crystal"—a treasure mined only in abyssal ancient mines!
Had this foolish woman dismissed it as trash?
Seeing Chen Fu's暴怒 (raging anger), Wang Qian rejoiced, expecting justice.
Instead, Chen Fu unleashed a fierce aura that shook the room, pressing down on Wang Qian. She trembled, sensing death.
"Scoundrel! Get out! You're fired! Leave!" Chen Fu's sleeve lashed out, sending Wang Qian flying with a gust of astral wind.
All eyes turned to the white-robed youth. The item must be precious for Chen Fu to react so strongly—Wang Qian had clearly misjudged.
"Haha, young friend, forgive us," Chen Fu收敛气息 (reined in his aura), bowing apologetically. "That maid was blind. Please disregard her. I offer my sincerest apologies."
"Indeed, she failed to recognize treasure. Fortunately, I intervened," Li Dahai chimed in, grinning. "Truth be told, this item is extraordinary. Only Jubao Pavilion can acquire it. We will compensate you for the disturbance."
"Right! Compensation! This way, young friend," Chen Fu beamed, eager to secure the abyssal mine treasure.
Dao Ling nodded. They were right—no one else could afford it.
At the door, Wang Qian's venomous gaze fixated on them, her fist clenched. *You will die tonight. I swear it!*
On the second floor, ornate rooms hosted distinguished guests.
Chen Fu examined the Scarlet Blood Copper Crystal and nodded firmly. "What would you like in exchange? Gold or treasures?"
"First, 500,000 gold coins. I also need ferocious beast blood—the rarer, the better. Various types, increasing in strength. Ideally, the rarest available," Dao Ling stated calmly.
Chen Fu's eyes lit up. "Are you an alchemist?"
"My master is," Dao Ling lied. Alchemists were noble—only they needed vast beast blood for elixirs.
"I see." Chen Fu assumed the master was a great alchemist, given the abyssal ore. "Dahai, fetch the rarest beast blood from the vault, as per the young master's request."
"Yes, sir!" Li Dahai hurried off, eager for the commission.
"Please follow me to my chambers for a rest."
In the luxurious room, Chen Fu served spirit tea. "Jade Bamboo Tea, freshly picked."
Dao Ling sipped it, feeling warm energy surge through him, slightly strengthening his body. *It enhances physical strength!*
"Elder, the vault doesn't hold much rare beast blood."
Li Dahai returned with a tray: two jade vials (crimson and sky-blue), and a gold card. "Bloodscale Beast essence and Blue Crystal Beast essence—rare, though not high-rank. And 500,000 gold coins."
Dao Ling's heart raced—these beasts were stronger than the Fire Scaled Beast.
"Is this all?" he frowned, unsure of their value.
"Consider it a gift. The best is on the way," Chen Fu reassured. "I'll fetch true blood from an ancient ferocious beast."
Dao Ling was震撼 (shocked). Ancient ferocious beasts—far mightier than ordinary ones, their blood极其珍稀 (extremely rare).
*The Scarlet Blood Copper Crystal is more valuable than I thought—it can buy ancient beast blood!* "How long will it take?"
"I must go to Qingzhou City—about two hours round trip. Please wait."
"Qingzhou City..." Dao Ling nodded. The ancient, bustling capital of Qingzhou, home to countless prodigies. "Very well, I'll rest."
Alone, Dao Ling drank the Bloodscale Beast essence. Raging energy surged through him, making his body tremble.
As *Devouring Heaven* activated, the energy transformed into pure power, flooding his muscles.细微空间 (Tiny spaces) appeared in his flesh, instantly filled with energy.
His strength飙升 (soared) at a frantic pace, flesh and blood radiating vigorous qi.
Crackling sounds echoed as every inch of his body absorbed the power.
After half an hour, he drank the Blue Crystal Beast essence. The effect was weaker, but his strength still grew.
*Ferocious beasts have terrifying physical potential. *Devouring Heaven* transfers their potential to me.* He needed higher-grade blood.
He punched the air, causing shockwaves and distorting the vacuum. *So strong! This cultivation speed is terrifying!* Who had given him this technique?
"Primitive Saint Physique..." He had heard of divine, warrior, and king physiques, but "primitive" was new. *I must research this. Will the one who gave me the technique appear again?*
Stretching, he noticed a jade slip on the table, engraved with a fist mark and starlight. "Meteor Fist—what rank is this martial art?"
Martial arts were rare at Qingshan Academy. Chen Fu had left this casually?
Gazing at the fist mark, he felt a powerful martial aura—likely inscribed by a master.
The door opened. Chen Fu entered with a purple-robed maiden: graceful, ethereal, her beauty unforgettable.
"Eh?" Chen Fu was surprised to see Dao Ling studying the Meteor Fist.
The maiden waved her hand, her eyes landing on Dao Ling with curiosity.
Chen Fu shrugged, unsure of his young lady's intentions. Meteor Fist was a high-grade art, but mastering it in moments was impossible—it had taken him half a month. Only prodigies could learn it in days.