Jiang Chen pondered for a moment, then spoke again: "Five Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicines, plus two exclusive True Saint Realm ancient pill recipes. That's my bottom line."
Gai Zonglin thought it over briefly, gave a sly chuckle, and waved his hand: "The offer isn't bad, but it's still far short of our expectations. If that's your final offer, then we'll have to show you out."
Jiang Chen's brow furrowed: "Leader Gai, I believe that even the various powers in Pillfire City would be reluctant to put up an offer like this."
"Ha ha ha, you underestimate the wealth of Pillfire City. Even if you really are from Myriad Abyss Island, you shouldn't belittle the purchasing power of our city's powers. Their hunger for genius talent probably far exceeds your imagination."
Seeing Gai Zonglin's impenetrable demeanor, Jiang Chen knew his plan to make an open purchase was likely going to fall through.
Gai Zonglin's asking price—Jiang Chen couldn't produce that many Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicines, but as for ancient pill recipes, he could certainly offer more.
If he really scraped everything together, he could probably meet the demand.
But Jiang Chen had no intention of doing so. First, this asking price already exceeded his bottom line.
Second, if he truly produced such staggering chips, he would inevitably become a target in Pillfire City, watched by countless greedy eyes.
A gang leader like Gai Zonglin might be the very first to set his sights on him.
Jiang Chen had money and plenty of financial resources, but in business, there was a line you couldn't cross. Once you crossed it, trouble was sure to follow.
Jiang Chen didn't dither. Seeing that the open purchase wouldn't work, he had no intention of continuing to waste words with Gai Zonglin. He stood up and gave a casual cupped-fist salute: "Since Leader Gai is asking such a sky-high price, I suppose this deal simply can't be done. However, I'll keep my eye on this matter—I'm rather curious to see what price Leader Gai eventually manages to demand."
Gai Zonglin laughed heartily: "We're not hard up for cash. We're in no rush—as long as Master Mu's strength and talent continue to reveal themselves, his value will only keep climbing. When the time truly comes for you to make a purchase, the price won't be anything close to today's offer."
Seeing Gai Zonglin looking so assured of himself, Jiang Chen had to admit—the Star Plucking Society's business acumen was truly impressive.
"Then I'll watch with great interest," Jiang Chen said with a cold smile, and turned to leave.
The Star Plucking Society didn't give him any trouble on his way out.
After Jiang Chen departed, Gai Zonglin's expression darkened as he looked at the Star Pavilion manager: "Xiao, who exactly is this person? So brazen—he looks like some arrogant young upstart."
"Leader, his background is really hard to pin down. Just looking at the scale of his moves, he doesn't seem like he's from some backwater."
"Definitely not from a backwater. People from small places don't carry themselves like that." Gai Zonglin nodded. "He claims to be from Myriad Abyss Island—I don't know how much of that to believe."
It was clear that Gai Zonglin felt some wariness toward those three words, "Myriad Abyss Island." Whether the claim was true or false, it had put him in an unsettled mood.
If this young man truly was from Myriad Abyss Island, then his rejection of the purchase offer might have just earned him a grudge.
The Star Plucking Society feared no one, but if it really was someone from Myriad Abyss Island, even Pillfire City would have to tread carefully, let alone them.
Thinking of this, Gai Zonglin felt a surge of irritation.
"Send someone to dig into this. I want his background thoroughly investigated." Gai Zonglin felt inexplicably vexed, a nagging sense that refusing this purchase today might not have been the wisest choice.
The Star Pavilion manager turned to Keke: "Keke, I noticed the kid seems to have a good impression of you. I'm giving you a task—find a way to get close to that fellow. Use whatever means necessary to get something out of him about his background. Even if you can't pin down his origins, any scraps of information would be a help."
Miss Keke had been standing timidly to the side the whole time, knowing that in front of the gang leader, a lowly shop assistant like her had no right to speak.
Now, hearing the Star Pavilion manager assign her a task, she panicked at once: "Manager Xiao, I… I… I can't do that."
Keke was truly flustered.
Manager Xiao had said "whatever means necessary"—that included sacrificing herself. Even seducing the man with her body, if that was what it took.
But for Keke, this was something she couldn't even bear to think about. She was still an untouched maiden. Being asked to do something like that would be worse than death.
Manager Xiao's expression darkened: "What? You can't even handle this small matter? The Star Pavilion feeds and trains people for the long haul, to be used when the moment calls for it. If you won't even put your heart into this, is there any point in the Star Pavilion keeping you around?"
Gai Zonglin, however, chuckled and cast his gaze toward the pretty young girl: "Little girl, our Society has always treated those who render meritorious service well. As long as you can earn this merit for us, not just you—even your family will receive our Society's protection and care. A feat that brings glory to your ancestors—how could you not be tempted?"