Ding Fan asked Wu Qingxia to rest and went to the Daozhen Trade Firm on his own, carrying a package. He found Steward He, and upon hearing that Ding Fan brought seven thousand Crimson Flame Bodhi, Steward He said the deal was too big and needed to seek approval. He went out for a short while and returned with Madam Yan, whose appearance in a black dress caught Ding Fanâs attention.
Women from ordinary families seldom wear such black chiffon dresses because wearing black makes one look older.
But Madam Yan, in her black dress, appeared even more beautiful and alluring. Just like when Ding Fan came last time, she was wrapped tightly in black chiffon, revealing no skin, yet her innate charm made hearts race, yearning to have her.
Ding Fan was also human, and at an age where he was experiencing youthful desires. The feeling Madam Yan gave him was overwhelming, making him unable to look at her directly.
At this moment, Madam Yan smiled, slightly bowing to Ding Fan, and said, "Young Master Ding, itâs been a long time, and you seem even more spirited."
Raising his head to look at Madam Yanâs face, Ding Fan didnât dare meet her eyes and replied courteously, "Madam Yan, hello!"
Glancing at the large bag of Crimson Flame Bodhi that Ding Fan brought, Madam Yan said to him, "Young Master Ding, your planting efficiency is impressive! In such a short time, youâve produced seven thousand fruits!"
"Itâs okay!"
Ding Fan dared not say much; Madam Yan was astute, and he feared speaking too much would lead to mistakes.
Perhaps Madam Yan noticed Ding Fanâs apprehension as she calmly gestured for Steward He, saying, "Elder Herr, take these fruits and check them. If thereâs no issue, settle the payment according to our agreement quickly."
"Yes, Madam Yan!"
Steward He took the Crimson Flame Bodhi away while Ding Fan waited there. Madam Yan said to Ding Fan, "Young Master Ding, I wonder if you have any other high-quality spiritual medicines or materials besides Crimson Flame Bodhi. We would purchase them at a high price as well."
"Other spiritual materials, spiritual medicines?"
Ding Fan felt intrigued; he had a Beast Bone Pendant that could enhance the nutrients in beast blood. If there were other high-grade spiritual materials also requiring blood cultivation, he could possibly grow them too.
He thought for a moment and then said to Madam Yan, "Madam Yan, could you enlighten me if there are any high-level spiritual materials that require blood cultivation? We have a unique formula that can improve the blood quality. If so, we might be able to cultivate high-quality spiritual materials."
"Really? Let me think..."
A subtle gleam flashed in Madam Yanâs eyes. She initially just made some small talk but hadnât expected Ding Fan to actually have a method. After pondering, she said to Ding Fan, "There indeed are two high-level spiritual medicines requiring blood cultivation: one is Red Cistanche, and the other is Blood Thorn Sprout. To cultivate these high-quality materials, the blood requirements are quite high. The higher the level of spiritual beastâs blood, the better the cultivation result. Iâll have someone explain the specifics to you."
Saying this, she gestured for a maid to summon an attendant to instruct Ding Fan on the planting methods of these two spiritual materials.
After the attendant explained, Ding Fan felt discouraged and told him, "Alright, thank you. Please stop talking. Our current capabilities arenât sufficient to cultivate these things; it seems we need to wait for the future."
Each of those two spiritual materialsâ seeds costs over a thousand Black Obsidian, and using Blood Ox blood definitely wonât work. The blood of a Fourth Stage spiritual beast is necessary, akin to the power of a Third Level expert in the Divine Realm. How could the Skeleton Sect possibly capture such beasts with their current strength?
Buying them is out of the question. Where could they find so much Black Obsidian anyway? Moreover, for a Second Grade Power to suddenly buy Fourth Stage spiritual beasts, it would surely draw suspicion. So Ding Fan asked the attendant to stop explaining.
Observing Ding Fanâs expression, Madam Yan smiled again. She gestured for the attendant to leave, then addressed Ding Fan, "Young Master Ding, could we cooperate? If you provide the formula, we will handle everything else. If we successfully cultivate high-quality spiritual medicines, weâll split the profits equally. How does that sound?"
"Split equally!"
Ding Fan was thrilled by this proposal. This opportunity to cooperate with Daozhen Trade Firm could propel the Skeleton Sect and Ding Fan to great heights, allowing them to dominate Tianmu Sea.
"No way!"
As thoughts raced in his mind, Ding Fan became alerted. He realized that Daozhen Trade Firm was the largest in Tianmu Sea, whose founder is Master Daozhen. As the foremost figure of Tianmu Sea, heâs renowned even in the Northern Desolation of the Divine Realm.
Master Daozhen has dominated Tianmu Sea for nearly two thousand years, and his wealth and resources are unimaginably vast. Hence, they lack no resources.
Given this, Madam Yanâs proposal seemed questionable. Why would the overlord of Tianmu Sea collaborate with the Skeleton Sect and a minor figure like him?
Even if those two spiritual medicines are valuable, compared to Daozhen Trade Firm, they fall short. Not to mention, the profits from the slave market alone could sustain hundreds of Second Grade Powers. Can Madam Yan truly value the profits from those two spiritual materials? The answer is no!
How Ding Fan thought about it, something seemed wrong. If Madam Yan wasnât after the Black Obsidian, then she surely had another agenda. What could she be after? Whatever it was, it was something crucial to him. The more Ding Fan thought about it, the less feasible this deal seemed.
He pondered again and then courteously said to Madam Yan, "Madam Yan, as you know, I am not alone in this. For such a significant matter, I need to go back and discuss it with the elders in my sect before making a decision. In any case, I would like to thank you for your kind intention."
Seeing Ding Fanâs expression change several times, Madam Yan already guessed his thoughts. She had no intention to force him, and stood up, saying to Ding Fan, "Alright, go back and discuss it. If you are inclined to cooperate with me, just come and find me then. Even if not, itâs no issue; we can continue our business. I have other matters to attend to, so Iâll take my leave from Young Master Ding now."
"Oh, by the way, Madam Yan, please wait. I am considering buying three Tigertooth Apes from you. Itâs like this: I donât want a lower price, just wondering if you can deliver it to us secretly?"
Upon hearing Ding Fanâs words, Madam Yan sat back down and, after some thought, said to Ding Fan, "Hmm, only three? Why not buy ten directly? Iâll set the price at three thousand five each, and Iâll have someone secretly deliver them to you."
"Ten!? Thatâs impossible. I donât have that much Black Obsidian now, besides, with our resources, we canât sustain that many!"
Ding Fan felt a bit bewildered, unsure of Madam Yanâs intention.
"No worries, you donât have to pay this Black Obsidian yet; just put it on the account. The Black Obsidian for the Tigertooth Apes can be accounted for later. The seven thousand Crimson Flame Bodhi you brought can fetch over two hundred thousand Black Obsidian. Sustaining them shouldnât be an issue."
This was like a pie falling from the sky, leaving Ding Fan bewildered by Madam Yanâs gesture. This suddenly amassed a debt of tens of thousands of Black Obsidian. He murmured to Madam Yan, "Arenât you afraid we might disappear and youâll never get your Black Obsidian back?"
"Haha~!"
Madam Yan was amused by Ding Fanâs words and, after a chuckle, said to him, "Would you dare run away? Forget Tianmu Sea; even the entire Northern Desolation of the Divine Realm, you can inquire and see who would dare owe my familyâs Black Obsidian and not repay!"
"Well, thatâs the truth!"
Ding Fan couldnât help but laugh at his naive statement; who would dare owe Black Obsidian to Master Daozhen and not repay? Not even the imperial clans with Fifth Grade power would dare attempt such a thing.
"In that case, I, Ding Fan, extend my gratitude here to Madam Yan. Once our Crimson Flame Bodhi yields, we will repay the owed Black Obsidian in batches. You can calculate the interest, and Iâll make a written note and repay it all at once."
Ten Tigertooth Apes! Bringing them back means that the Tie Family wouldnât pose a threat even if the whole clan attacked; with the rules of Tianmu Sea in place, Moon Mist Island couldnât assault their new isle. Thus, no one could endanger the Skeleton Sect on that stretch of sea.
Madam Yanâs expression turned serious as she said to Ding Fan, "You donât need to draft a written note, nor repay the so-called interest. But if I need your help someday, Young Master Ding, donât refuse."
"Madam Yan, what are you saying? The favor today, I, Ding Fan, will forever remember. Should Madam Yan summon me someday, I shall exhaust all means to repay todayâs kindness."
"Hope you keep your word! Visit often when free; youâre always welcome for a chat."
As she spoke, Madam Yan rose to leave, leaving Ding Fan alone there in a dazed state. He simply couldnât fathom why Madam Yan valued him so highly; it was just a verbal promise, yet she lent him tens of thousands of Black Obsidian; isnât she crazy? When did my verbal promise become this valuable?
Madam Yan returned to her private chamber, where Steward He arrived upon hearing the news. He frowned at Madam Yan and said, "Madam, isnât this matter handled poorly? Lending him thirty-five thousand Black Obsidian at once, wonât the family blame you if they find out?"
Steward He had long directed the family scouts to investigate the affairs between Ding Fan and the Skeleton Sect, even their past incidents in Great Python Mountain. Although he couldnât trace Ding Fanâs origins, and his rise seemed rather quick, Steward He didnât think Ding Fan warranted such investment from Daozhen Trade Firm.
"You donât understand. Itâs only thirty-five thousand Black Obsidian, not even accounting for their signing; if he dares ask, I could give it away. If he truly is the descendant of who I think, whatever he wants, I will give it."
"That person? You mean Sirius Elder?"
Steward He was puzzled, unable to trace Ding Fanâs origins from his investigations; all he knew was that Ding Fan came from the outside and was quite capable. But this canât prove Ding Fan is the descendant of Sirius Elder.
"It canât be wrong. If he is truly Sirius Elderâs descendant, or even his disciple, then Ding Fanâs identity is extraordinary. Have you heard of the Sirius Clan in the Divine Realmâs Central Plains? Theyâre known as the strongest Legacy Warrior clan there."
Madam Yan nodded at Steward He, her brow reflecting concern.
"Oh! Youâre suggesting Ding Fan could be a descendant of the Sirius Clan, howâs that possible? Sirius Elder has established the Sirius Ancient Tomb in Great Python Mountain for over a thousand years, yet no one has ever entered it. Could it be that he..."
Steward He muttered to himself.