"Hmm."

Lan Xingling and Ling Xue also knew that when they returned this time, they would surely be reprimanded by the elders of the clan and face a harsh scolding.

However, just as Ling Chen was about to turn back, a strange fluctuation from one of the nearby stalls caught his attention.

Ling Chen approached the stall and his gaze fell on a mottled black small sword.

"Boss, how much is this?"

Ling Chen picked up the black small sword and asked.

This black small sword, in itself, had nothing special about it, but just now, the Void Emperor’s royal decree had emitted a slight response to it.

If not for this, Ling Chen wouldn’t have paid attention to it.

The stall owner was evidently startled by Ling Chen’s question, then glanced at the black small sword in Ling Chen’s hand and asked, "Why are you interested in it?"

"Curiosity."

Ling Chen smiled. He knew that everyone here was sharp, even though they often didn’t know the true nature of the things they scavenged from such stalls, yet they remained watchful. After all, it wasn’t unheard of for something that seemed worthless at first to later turn out to be a great treasure.

The owner squinted his eyes slightly at Ling Chen’s response, then sharpened his gaze once more on the black small sword, and only after a long moment did he slowly withdraw his gaze. The items he put out for sale, he had already examined countless times before, and found nothing particularly special about them, especially this black small sword, which had no discernible aura, so it certainly wasn’t something that was a hidden treasure.

"Boss, do you really know what this thing is?"

And as the owner frowned, Ling Chen also smiled and asked.

"I acquired it through someone else."

The owner shook his head, yet inwardly he remained suspicious, given that Ling Chen had a special interest in this black small sword, indicating there might be something unique about it.

"How much are you asking?" Ling Chen asked softly again.

The owner hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he extended his palm and said, "Eighty thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills."

As soon as he said this, Lan Xingling and Ling Xue opened their mouths wide, then glared angrily at him. This guy didn’t even know what the item was, yet he dared to open his mouth so wide with such a demand.

Wasn’t it clear he was trying to fleece Ling Chen?

"You think I’m a fool, Your Excellency? This thing, no matter how you look at it, isn’t worth that price." Ling Chen’s brow furrowed slightly, as he said.

"We sell things here, especially those with unknown origins and uncertain value, at a high price because we also have to bear the risk if this item turns out to be a hidden treasure."

The owner shrugged and said, "You should consider my side as well. What if this thing is really a treasure, how much loss would I incur?"

"That’s just sophistry."

Ling Chen’s brows furrowed tightly. He couldn’t come up with eighty thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills, so he had to put the black small sword back.

"Alright, alright, since we hit it off, I’ll take a loss and sell it to you for fifty thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills." The owner feigned a pained expression as if making a losing deal.

"No more than thirty thousand."

Ling Chen spread his hands.

"Fine then."

The owner waved his hand. He had initially only wanted to learn something from Ling Chen. The black small sword had been sitting there for a long time with no interest. He didn’t truly believe it was a treasure, as the odds were too slim.

Since Ling Chen seemed rather determined, it was best to make a deal quickly.

Thirty thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills wasn’t much, but just as Ling Chen was about to pay, he suddenly realized that he hadn’t been collecting Spirit Nurturing Pills recently and couldn’t even come up with the paltry sum of thirty thousand.

Just as Ling Chen’s body slightly stiffened and he felt a bit embarrassed, a jade hand casually tossed a jade bottle over to the owner.

Ling Chen turned around to see that it was Lan Xingling who had paid on his behalf.

"I got you in quite some trouble earlier, consider this an apology."

Lan Xingling said with a bit of embarrassment.

Hearing Lan Xingling say this, Ling Chen didn’t stand on ceremony, only nodded, "Thanks."

"Haha, young man, you sure have luck with women."

The owner, having received the Spirit Nurturing Pills, was in a good mood and smiled at Ling Chen.

First, Liu Mengru flirted, then Lan Xingling, another beauty, footed the bill for him. The owner was quite impressed with Ling Chen’s ability to attract attention.

Not having time to banter with the owner, Ling Chen, after obtaining the black small sword, stored it in the Heavenly Mansion Ring, then turned to Lan Xingling and Ling Xue, "Let’s go."

Without hesitation, the three left the rather chaotic marketplace.

When Ling Chen and his group returned to the Ling Family residence, they were greeted directly by Ling Lie and Ling Zhen, who were standing there with serious expressions. Behind them, there were also many Ling family disciples, who all heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing Ling Chen’s return.

"Did you get into a conflict with the Imperial Clan?"

Ling Lie looked at the three with a grave expression.

Ling Chen nodded helplessly. Just as he was about to say something, Ling Feng had already stepped forward, shouting angrily at him, "Ling Yu! Do you know those princes you offended are on the same side as our Ling Family? Your actions today have probably given them a very bad impression of us."

"If they’re on the same side, why would they conflict over such a little thing? They never intended to see you as allies anyway, did they?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Ling Chen’s expression remained unchanged, and he chuckled coldly.

"Ling Yu, are you still arguing after making such a big mistake?" Ling Hai also shouted sternly.

"Enough, Ling Yu is right. This time, it was the others who provoked first. If they don’t care to show the Ling Family any respect, should we keep trying to ingratiate ourselves?"

Ling Lie waved his hand, then turned his gaze to Ling Chen and asked, "I heard even the Second Prince Li Tailong showed up. How did you manage to leave unscathed?"

He was quite surprised. The Second Prince Li Tailong was one of the three top experts among the young generation of the Imperial Clan, known for his overbearing style. Even Ling Yuxuan might not be confident of defeating Li Tailong, let alone Ling Chen.

"Li Tailong may be a top expert of his generation, but even he couldn’t do anything to Ling Yu." Ling Xue recounted the events that had just taken place.

"Oh?"

Ling Lie was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Ling Yu to embarrass Li Tailong. Very few in the younger generation could manage such a feat.

"Well done. Although we need to keep the bigger picture in mind at times, those who don’t appreciate kindness may indeed need a little lesson."

Ling Lie stroked his chin and smiled.

To this scene, Ling Chen could only chuckle dryly. Ling Lie’s words had touched exactly what he felt.

"Third Elder, aren’t you being too lenient with Ling Yu?"

Ling Hai and Ling Feng were displeased with Ling Lie’s words. Ling Chen had caused such a big trouble, yet no punishment was given. They had been waiting to see Ling Lie severely punish Ling Chen, only to be completely disappointed.