The scene immediately became chaotic when Chen Xiao announced he was selling enchanted formation talismans.
"I want them, I want them, I'll buy them all, no matter the price!"
"Me too, I'll buy as many as you can draw!"
"Hey, if you buy them all, what about us? Mr. Chen, don't listen to him!"
Everyone started shouting in a frenzy, afraid of being left behind.
The fervor of the crowd exceeded Chen Xiao's expectations. He had to raise his hands again, signaling for quiet, and said, "My skill is average, and my ability is limited. I can only draw ten enchanted formation talismans a day at most, so I'm afraid I can't satisfy everyone's demands."
Disappointment washed over the crowd. Only ten a day? But this only fueled their desire to buy, fearing they would miss this opportunity.
Chen Xiao, however, was lying. Drawing these level four formation talismans was a piece of cake for him. He could draw a hundred a day, let alone ten. But Chen Xiao didn't need that much money, and his time was precious. Earning money was merely to aid his cultivation; he wouldn't let it overshadow his primary goal.
Chen Xiao scanned the expressions of the crowd and continued, "However, as my first batch of customers, there will definitely be discounts. Line up and register with Little Liu Zi. It's first come, first served. For everyone who registers, each enchanted formation talisman will cost only five hundred gold!"
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, the crowd surged towards Little Liu Zi. Little Liu Zi was stunned. He had never witnessed such a scene before. One shocking event after another unfolded, his brain struggling to keep up. What was once fear had now turned into delight.
A single talisman selling for five hundred gold! Five hundred gold was enough for a family's expenses for an entire year. And seeing everyone scrambling to get their hands on them, afraid of missing out, how much money was this? At this moment, Little Liu Zi was completely convinced by Chen Xiao.
"Don't listen to this little bastard's nonsense! This is absolutely impossible, impossible!" Left Youren roared, unwilling to accept the reality before him.
His grandfather's enchanted formation talismans were hard to come by even for a thousand gold, yet this brat was selling them for a mere five hundred gold. This was practically giving them away, and it would be a fatal blow to the Left family's business. The Left family, having started as merchants, would never allow such a thing to happen.
However, Left Youren's roar was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He was instantly drowned out by the crowd's anger.
"Are you blind? Miss Lan has already verified Mr. Chen's talismans, and you're still spewing lies with your eyes open!"
"If your Left family doesn't sell them, does that mean no one else can?"
"Just shut up! Don't disgrace your grandfather!"
This time, the crowd showed no mercy to Left Youren. Being able to buy talismans to improve their strength was the priority. Anyone who dared to obstruct them now would be met with fierce resistance.
"You, you, you... just you wait for me!" Left Youren was furious, but the public's anger was overwhelming. Facing the enraged masses, he could do nothing but utter a threat and turn to leave.
Seeing Left Youren about to leave, Chen Xiao couldn't let it go. He called out, "Young Master Left, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Have you forgotten our bet?"
Left Youren suddenly remembered his bet with Chen Xiao. He had intended to mock Chen Xiao and even take his life. Now, it seemed he himself had become the biggest joke.
But under the watchful eyes of everyone, Left Youren couldn't go back on his word. He reluctantly pulled out gold notes from his pocket and threw them at Chen Xiao, snorting, "Hmph, I fear you'll have the money but not the life to spend it."
Losing money was a minor issue; losing face was a major one. The esteemed Young Master Left, being toyed with by an unknown young man, would be utterly disgraced if this news spread. Left Youren now harbored a deep hatred for Chen Xiao, his eyes filled with malice.
"Oh, still daring to threaten me?" Chen Xiao was no ordinary person to be intimidated by such a useless fop. A little trick had put him in a difficult position.
Chen Xiao then put on a wronged expression and said, "Everyone, Young Master Left says I'll have money but not the life to spend it. In the future, I might not even have the life to draw talismans for you!"
"Damn it, how dare he! Anyone who opposes Mr. Chen opposes us! Don't you all agree?"
"Yes!" The crowd was united this time, shouting in unison with astonishing force.
Left Youren didn't even dare to speak this time. Seeing that he would truly be beaten if he didn't leave, he fled without daring to look back. The crowd burst into laughter at his pathetic state.
Lan Qing'er, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but smile. She hadn't expected Chen Xiao to be not only skilled in talisman crafting but also adept at using clever tricks. He was truly an interesting person! However, she noticed the resentful look in Left Youren's eyes as he left and cautioned him, "Left Youren is very petty. You should be careful of his revenge in the future."
Chen Xiao immediately smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Lan. I will certainly be vigilant!"
Seeing Chen Xiao readily agree, Lan Qing'er was pleased. She smiled and said, "It's getting late, and I should be heading home. Farewell, Chen Xiao, until we meet again."
Chen Xiao politely replied, "Safe travels, Miss Lan. We will surely meet again."
After Lan Qing'er left, the crowd registered their names with Little Liu Zi. Chen Xiao gleefully picked up the gold notes left by Left Youren. His financial worries were resolved so quickly!
"Ahem!" Just then, Chen Xiao heard a cough from behind him. Turning around, he saw Old Wang standing behind him, looking at him with drunken yet inscrutable eyes.
This old man was truly elusive!
Chen Xiao quickly said, "Old Wang! When did you arrive?"
"I arrived when everyone thought you were going to ruin my reputation," Old Wang said expressionlessly.
Chen Xiao smiled and asked, "Then why didn't you stop me?"
Old Wang replied, "You dared to risk your life, so why should I hesitate to risk this small shop?"
Hearing his words, Chen Xiao burst into laughter, "I never expected you to be such a man of sentiment, Old Wang. For that, we should drink three hundred cups together."
Old Wang remained expressionless. After a slight pause, he said, "Three hundred cups are not enough."