Chapter 411: Robbery
Early the next morning, Dongfang Haojie led Nie Tianyuan and the others to the Immortal Origin District in the outer city. Their first stop was the Jade River Pavilion.
During this time, business at the Immortal Origin District was booming, and cultivators from all over would come here to try their hand. Consequently, they had also heard rumors about Fang Chen.
"An Immortal Origin Stone Master? Can someone from a mere fifth-tier empire like the Grand Qian really produce an Immortal Origin Stone Master? That's highly unlikely," Dongfang Haojie said, looking rather perplexed. He even set down the Immortal Origin Stone he was holding.
"Young Master, the term 'Immortal Origin Stone Master' refers to one's inheritance. Regardless of one's background, it's possible that this member of the Fang Family had the fortune of being taken in by an Immortal Origin Stone Master and taught a few tricks," Nie Tianyuan explained with a smile.
"The gentleman is right. That Young Master Fang indeed may be a disciple of some Immortal Origin Stone Master," Tong Baizhou chimed in with a smile as he approached Nie Tianyuan and Dongfang Haojie, clasping his hands in greeting. "I am Tong Baizhou, the next-in-line master of the Jade River Pavilion. If you wish to try your luck with some Immortal Origin Stones, you've come to the right place."
"You're quite well-informed about us. Do you know our backgrounds?" Nie Tianyuan asked calmly.
Tong Baizhou nodded with a smile. "I know a little, just a little."
"Brother Tong, I am Dongfang Haojie of the Dongfang Family from Grand Wei. Since you are the young master here, can you provide us with some high-quality Immortal Origin Stones to peruse?" Dongfang Haojie smiled. "The Immortal Origin Stones here in this hall are hardly worth mentioning. They're only suitable for ordinary cultivators."
"It seems you're quite knowledgeable about Immortal Origin Stones too, Brother Dongfang? Looks like we've met an expert today. Please, Brother Dongfang, follow me to the VIP room. There, we have even better Immortal Origin Stones on display," Tong Baizhou invited warmly.
As they followed Tong Baizhou into the back hall, two graceful figures entered the Jade River Pavilion.
"Junior Sister, when did you become interested in Immortal Origin Stones?" the female sword cultivator asked casually.
As Fairy Yu surveyed the Immortal Origin Stones around her, she replied, "Senior Sister, don't you find Immortal Origin Stones fascinating? When I was in the sect, I heard from a senior brother that there was an elder who once cut open a Sword Soul from an Immortal Origin Stone."
The female sword cultivator nodded slightly. "I've indeed heard about that, but it's hard to say if it's true. Sword Souls... I believe they exist only in legends. If one could integrate a flying sword with a Sword Soul, it would be akin to obtaining a genuine Immortal Fate."
Seeing the commotion around them, the female sword cultivator's brow furrowed slightly, and a hint of impatience flickered in her eyes. "Let's leave. This place is too noisy, and I don't like it."
"Senior Sister, since we have to stay here for a while anyway, let's make the most of it. If we return to the sect, it'll just be the dull routine of closed-door cultivation," Fairy Yu coaxed.
The female sword cultivator sighed softly. "Fine, this is because I accepted you as my personal disciple... Let's go then."
***
Dongfang Haojie quivered with a look of disbelief on his face. He actually encountered a robber in a place like that!
Dongfang Haojie calmed his nerves and said in a deep voice, "Are you here to rob me of my money?”
Fang Chen shook his head lightly. "No."
Dongfang Haojie's face turned fearful. "Then... are you after my body?"
"Does it look like you have something I can lust after?" Fang Chen frowned. "I want ten drops of your blood. Will you give them to me yourself, or should I help you?"
Dongfang Haojie heard this and calmed down a bit, his voice indifferent. "Are you one of Nie Tianyuan's people?"
Fang Chen was slightly surprised. This guy knows that Nie Tianyuan had ulterior motives...?
"It seems you are indeed one of Nie Tianyuan's people. My father said he has a somewhat mysterious background. He has been staying with our Dongfang Family for these years perhaps because he's after the secrets that my family holds?" Dongfang Haojie said. "I'm curious. I clearly cleared the area earlier. With my abilities, no one can hide in the shadows without me sensing them. How did you manage to do it?"
"You seem to have misunderstood one thing. I'm not one of Nie Tianyuan's people, but he does indeed have some ulterior motives," Fang Chen replied.
He then whispered, "I only need ten drops of your blood. As a descendant of the Dragon Bloodline, you can probably guess what I need this blood for. If you don't comply, I won't leave. Do you want to wager your life away, or do you want to know more about Nie Tianyuan?"
Dongfang Haojie was slightly surprised. "You know about the bloodline...!"
He really wanted to turn around and see who the other person was, but he didn't dare. The other party dared to act even though they knew there was a Golden Core Realm expert nearby. If they weren't on Nie Tianyuan's side, they had to be extremely confident in their abilities!
"Ten drops of blood... that will leave me weakened for at least several months. Can I give them to you in installments?" Dongfang Haojie tried to negotiate.
"I'm not a fool." Fang Chen smiled. "I won't take your ten drops of blood for nothing. Wait for what I have to say later; perhaps it can save your life."
Dongfang Haojie's expression fluctuated. After a few moments, he slowly said, "I hope you're not playing tricks on me..."
Suddenly, his blood surged, and drops of blood with a golden luster gushed out from his fingertips. His father had told him that if he encountered a cultivator who knew the secret about their bloodline, there was only one fate that awaited him: all of his blood would be forcibly refined.
Now, this person knew his secrets but only asked for ten drops of blood. Anyone with common sense would know which option to take.