Chapter 7: Ye Fans Delusional Growth
The Azure Jade Continent was divided into four domains, each ruled by one of the continent’s four major powers.
The Peerless Heaven Sword Sect governed the southern domain, which included countless smaller sects and cities.
These smaller factions paid homage and provided resources in exchange for the protection of the Peerless Heaven Sword Sect.
Among the major cities of the southern domain, Silver Sword City was undoubtedly the most prominent, located near the Peerless Heaven Sword Sect and under its direct control.
After days of hunting and training in the Crimson Edge Mountain Range, Ye Fan arrived in Silver Sword City.
His goal was to exchange demonic beast items and replenish his supplies.
Once he finished these tasks, he rented an inn room and began cultivating.
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Three days later, a muffled sound echoed from his room. He had not only restored his strength but had also broken through to the divine awakening realm.
’Now that I’ve regained my power, I’ll make sure those who mocked me pay for it!’ he thought, his expression turning cruel.
With his strength, his vengeful pride returned.
Despite being an orphan, he had worked hard and was widely praised for his talent and tenacity.
He earned the reputation as unmatched among the younger generation in the Peerless Heaven Sword Sect.
Ye fan always saw his peers as inferior in one way or another, and now that he was aware of his true status, his arrogance truly knew no bounds.
As he was lost in thought, an image of a cold beauty surfaced in his mind, and his expression softened.
Among the people in the sect, she was the only one who had cared for him when others mocked and humiliated him.
"Just wait a bit longer, Jingxue," he murmured, his face softening further.
"I’ll confess my love to you after I get my revenge in the annual sect competition." But as he spoke of revenge, his expression hardened once more.
With these thoughts in mind, he walked out of the inn, deciding to take a stroll around the city before heading back to the Crimson Ridge Mountain Range.
Poor Ye Fan was oblivious to the fact that his goddess had already given her heart to Xiao Chen and had already turned into his shape.
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As Ye Fan wandered around the city, he ventured into the bazaar to test his luck.
Shopkeepers advertised various items—cultivation tools, pills, and rare treasures.
However, most people were cautious, aware that more than half of these items were likely defective, with shopkeepers often out to scam the unwary.
As he passed by a nearly unnoticeable stall, his gaze fell on a tattered, ancient map.
An inexplicable urge gripped him, compelling him to buy it.
Meanwhile, at the bazaar’s entrance, the arrival of two individuals captured everyone’s attention.
They looked like an immortal couple.
The young man was handsome and refined, while the woman’s face was hidden behind a veil.
After noticing the sword-shaped jade tokens at their waists, however, the crowd quickly averted their gaze, recognizing the tokens as symbols of the Peerless Heaven Sword Sect.
These two were none other than Xiao Chen and Tang Jingxue, who had disguised themselves.
They had sold their demonic beast items an hour ago, and afterward, Tang Jingxue had
dragged Xiao Chen around the city on a endless shopping spree.
He almost regretted his promise to take her shopping.
How could he have known that women in the cultivation world enjoyed shopping just as much?
Xiao Chen felt a wave of relief when he spotted Ye Fan moving toward the stall.
He slowly approached the stall while recalling his plans.
It wasn’t not just to steal the opportunity. He had other schemes in mind as well.
The stall owner was a hunched old man with sunken eyes.
When he noticed Ye Fan approaching, he quickly put on a kind expression.
"Young man, what do you wish to buy from this old man?" he asked with a gentle smile.
"These items come from demonic beasts, secret realms, and ancient sites."
Ye Fan saw through his instantly, picked up a random pill bottle and asked, "How much for this pill bottle?"
He wasn’t interested in the bottle at all.
His real target was the ancient map.
But if he revealed his intentions, the old man would surely ask for a sky-high price.
Instead, he planned to haggle for the pill bottle and hopefully take the map as an extra.
The old man stroked his beard and replied,
"That bottle was found in the cave of a deceased cultivator. It’s worth 2,000 low-grade spirit stones."
Ye Fan’s face dimmed after hearing the price and showed disinterest.
He put the bottle down and turned to leave.
The old man quickly stopped him, putting on a hesitant expression. "Young man, I’ll make an exception for you."
"Just give me 1,400 low-grade spirit stones, and it’s yours."
To prevent him from further bargaining, he put on a pitiful look and said, "I can’t go lower than this. I have a sick wife and three children waiting for me at home."
’Shameless!’ Ye Fan cursed inwardly, seeing right through the old man’s lies.
Then, the bargaining battle began between the crafty elder of a past era and the chosen one of the heavens.
Fifteen minutes later, Ye Fan finally quoted his last offer. "850 low-grade spirit stones."
The old man’s face darkened, cursed in his mind, ’Shameless!’
Unable to keep his composure, he spoke loudly, "Young man, 1,100 low-grade spirit stones is the final price! Take it or leave it."
Ye Fan smirked and replied with a casual grin, "Sorry, old man. I’m just a poor rogue cultivator and I don’t have more than 850 low-grade spirit stones." He placed the pill bottle down and turned to leave.
As the old man prepared to call him back, a calm voice like a spring breeze came from the side.
"Old man, how much do you sell these items for?" The old man turned and found himself facing a strikingly handsome young man and a beautiful girl.
But when his gaze landed on the sword-shaped jade tokens hanging from their waists, his eyes widened in shock.
"Greetings to the esteemed disciples of the Peerless Heaven Sword Sect!" he stammered, bowing respectfully.
Ordinarily, he wouldn’t bow to the sect’s disciples.
He had seen many over the years, but the aura around these two felt uniquely noble. He assumed they held a high status within the sect.
"Young master and young lady may take anything you like from this old man’s stall," he offered with a flattering smile.
Ye Fan, who had been waiting for the old man to call him back, was startled by these words.
Turning around, he saw a young man and a veiled woman.
His gaze lingered on the woman, feeling a pang of inexplicable pain in his chest.
On closer inspection, he noticed she bore a striking resemblance to Tang Jingxue.
But He quickly shook off the thought.
The Tang Jingxue he knew would never show up in a place like this, especially with a man!