Lu Cheng's lighthearted 'a mere ten million' was like a red-hot iron rod, fiercely piercing Xiao Fan's lungs.
He glared at Lu Cheng, his teeth grinding, his chest heaving violently, and his face, already distorted by anger, now turned a purplish-red.
Ten million?
A mere?
This wasn't about money at all; it was naked humiliation!
It was about trampling Xiao Fan's dignity into the ground, repeatedly grinding it with the sole of a foot!
The vendor's greasy eyes darted back and forth between Lu Cheng, Xiao Fan, and the small cauldron, filled only with greed. He clutched the small cauldron tightly, afraid it would sprout legs and run away.
As for Bai Zhi... she only wanted to be invisible, like non-existent air.
She didn't even dare to look into Xiao Fan's eyes; she could feel the venom in his gaze, almost turning into tangible knives, ready to slice her into a thousand pieces.
It's over, it's really over now.
Not only did she fail to trick the villain, but she also pushed the Son of Destiny into a fire pit. This feud, she feared, couldn't be washed clean even with the Yellow River's water.
Just as the tension was palpable and the atmosphere solidified to an icy point.
'Excuse me, excuse me.'
A commotion came from the outer edge of the crowd. Several bodyguards in black suits, exuding a fierce aura, roughly pushed aside the onlookers, forcing a path open.
Immediately after, a fiery red figure, surrounded by a group of people, walked in slowly, like a queen inspecting her territory.
The person who arrived was Jiang Lian.
Today, she had changed into a sharp red suit, perfectly outlining her explosive figure. Her dazzling red hair was tied into a high ponytail, adding a touch of heroism and decisive ruthlessness.
After her family emerged, besides establishing their authority, they were also secretly searching for various ancient artifacts that might contain special energy. Antique Street was naturally a stop she wouldn't miss.
The moment she walked in, the entire noisy street seemed to fall silent instantly.
Everyone's gaze was drawn to this walking human-shaped flame.
However, Jiang Lian's eyes, in the first instant, precisely locked onto the center of the crowd.
That man.
That man with a playful expression, as if enjoying a clumsy play.
Lu Cheng!
The moment she saw him, Jiang Lian's usually calm heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
How could he be here?
She subconsciously scanned the entire scene, seeing the vendor holding the small cauldron with a greedy face, and then seeing Xiao Fan, so embarrassed he was almost about to explode on the spot.
With her intelligence, she understood almost instantly.
This absurd farce was, in all likelihood, orchestrated by the man in front of her.
He seemed to be targeting this Xiao Fan all along?
Could it be because Xiao Fan also had intentions of pursuing her?
Then... just then, Xiao Fan, who was almost overcome by rage and humiliation, also saw Jiang Lian!
Goddess!
No!
This woman is a bad woman!
But, she's so beautiful... a rush of blood went straight to Xiao Fan's head!
He could endure Lu Cheng's humiliation, he could endure the vendor's greed, he could endure the onlookers' ridicule!
But!
He absolutely could not, absolutely could not show any trace of timidity or poverty in front of his goddess!
This was a man's dignity!
This was his final bottom line as the Son of Destiny!
Lu Cheng naturally also saw Jiang Lian, and even more so, Xiao Fan's gaze instantly turning fervent and determined.
He smiled even more happily.
This was the effect he wanted.
Lu Cheng's gaze lingered meaningfully on Jiang Lian's pretty face for a moment, and then turned to Xiao Fan, who was already in 'battle' mode.
Then, without a trace, he used that interesting skill on Xiao Fan.
['Words Become Law' (Cursed Version)]!
A curse silently fell upon Xiao Fan.
[Curse Effect: Fool's Fervor. Your rationality will decrease by 90%, impulsiveness will increase by 200%, and you will regard others' incitement as the most sincere advice.]
'Brother, your moment of truth has arrived.'
Lu Cheng's voice carried a mesmerizing magic, like the whisper of a devil in one's ear.
'In front of the woman you love, what is a mere ten million?'
'Think about it, when you bid for this national treasure in front of everyone and present it to her, how glorious would that be?'
'As a man, you cannot say no.'
Every word of these sentences precisely struck Xiao Fan's nerves!
Especially, in front of Jiang Lian!
Xiao Fan's brain was completely muddled. He felt that every word Lu Cheng said was full of magic, every word was his deepest desire!
Right!
He's right!
I cannot retreat!
I cannot lose!
I want Jiang Lian to see my strength! My courage!
But... what about the money?
'System!'
Xiao Fan's eyes turned completely red. He let out a desperate roar in his heart towards the golden glittering interface.
'Tycoon Investment System! Aren't you omnipotent?! Can you... can you give me a loan!'
[Ding! Detecting host's strong desire to spend, meeting the advanced conditions for the 'Atonement' mission!]
[Now opening the 'Devil's Contract' channel for the host!]
[The host can pre-advance all funds for the next mission, but must accept double the penalty as interest! Do you wish to sign the contract?]
Double penalty?
Thinking of the excruciating electric shock that penetrated his soul, Xiao Fan's body involuntarily trembled.
However, when his gaze once again fell upon the proud, fiery red figure like a divine phoenix not far away.
All fear was completely swallowed by an even crazier possessive desire!
Pain!
What is pain!
Suffering only makes me stronger!
Besides, it might not fail, so I might not be punished!
As long as I can win the goddess's favor, let alone double, I'll accept even ten times the penalty!
'Sign it! I'll sign it!'
Xiao Fan roared in his heart, using all his strength.
[Ding! 'Devil's Contract' signed! Funds have arrived!]
The moment he received the system's response!
'I'll buy it!'
Xiao Fan suddenly raised his head and let out a roar that echoed throughout Antique Street!
He rushed to the stall, pulled out his bank card, and fiercely swiped it on the POS machine that was already prepared!
'Beep!'
The crisp and pleasant sound of successful payment rang out.
The vendor looked at the long string of zeros in his account, so happy he almost fainted on the spot!
The surrounding onlookers were all dumbfounded!
Ten million!
Just for this broken cauldron?
This young man was either crazy or had too much money to burn!
Xiao Fan ignored everyone's gazes. He tightly hugged the bronze small cauldron, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
He had paid a heavy price!
But he had gained an opportunity!
More importantly, he had displayed his unparalleled 'wealth' and 'courage' in front of the goddess!
He slowly turned around, looking at Jiang Lian with what he believed was the most affectionate and domineering gaze.
He expected her to be shocked by his generosity of spending a fortune and to see him in a new light!
However, he was disappointed.
Jiang Lian's gaze, from beginning to end, only lingered on one other person.
She stared blankly at Lu Cheng, at his calm and in-control demeanor, and her heart churned with tumultuous waves!
How unfathomable was this man?
He didn't even need to act personally; with just a few words of instigation, he could make Xiao Fan willingly offer tens of millions of yuan, just for a boring farce?
This ability to toy with people's hearts, more than his unfathomable strength, made Jiang Lian feel... fear.
Just then, Bai Zhi, taking advantage of everyone's attention being on Xiao Fan, quietly, little by little, slipped away through the gaps in the crowd.
She felt that Lu Cheng's gaze had actually been fixed on her all along!
This man definitely recognized her!
If she didn't run now, she would really be ground to dust on the spot!
Lu Cheng had achieved all his goals, and his mood was extremely joyful.
He looked at Jiang Lian, whose expression was complex, and smiled, nodding slightly at her, as a greeting.
Then, he turned and leisurely walked away.
Leaving behind a remark that almost made Xiao Fan spit blood on the spot.
'I'm leaving. It's good that the national treasure wasn't tarnished.'
As his voice faded, he had already disappeared into the crowd.
Leaving behind Xiao Fan, who held the 'national treasure' but felt like a complete idiot.
And Jiang Family's Divine Maiden, who stood rooted to the spot, growing increasingly curious and wary of Lu Cheng.
In Lu Cheng's mind, the system's notification finally arrived, albeit late.
[Ding! Sub-system host 'Xiao Fan' has successfully obtained the opportunity 'medicine king cauldron'. Because 99% of its acquisition process was controlled and guided by you, the core reward will now be returned a hundredfold!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: 'Medicine King's Legacy' (Complete Version)!]
['Medicine King's Legacy': Contains the ancient Medicine King's lifetime of alchemy insights and countless lost pill formulas!]