228 Coincidence? (2/2)
In his past life, when he'd left Earth before entering the same sect as He Mengxi, he had seriously lacked in spirit stones. Not only did practice require spirit stones, but they were also a form of currency to buy the things that he needed. In his previous circumstances, he had desperately needed to earn some spirit stones.
When he was most desperate for spirit stones and was about to enter the demon forest to hunt demons in exchange for stones, he'd happened to witness a battle between an ultimate Dharma adept and a Dharma demon in the forest.
The Dharma demon was killed. The ultimate Dharma adept was also about to take his last breath. Zhou Donghuang had tried to save the man but failed. However, the Dharma adept, seeing that Zhou Donghuang had not taken this opportunity to kill him and rob him of his space ring and had even tried to save him, had whispered the location of the hiding place of his treasures to Zhou Donghuang before he'd died. He'd even told Zhou Donghuang that the most valuable of all was an old book that recorded many methods for forging various treasures. These methods were so refined that the forged items could fool anyone. Even deities found it difficult to tell fake items from real ones. The replicas recorded in the book all looked identical to the real deal on the surface and during initial inspection. Of course, they were still fakes and could not be substituted for the genuine artifacts. Even so, using the forgery methods recorded in that book, Zhou Donghuang had managed to earn a large fortune of spirit stones in his last life.
Of course, he did not cheat just anyone. He only cheated evil, cruel, or heartless people and had never cheated a good person. Even though he'd never considered himself a 'good man,' he had some morals and was determined to stick to them. If one did not have any conscience, how did one live? Although he'd never thought of himself as a 'good man,' he'd never considered abandoning his principles.
”Summer Valley disciples like fake goods, don't they? You even pin Third Sister's saviors to the ground, pretending I don't exist! Since you want to play, I will grant you your wish!”
...
Ten days later…
Zhou Donghuang did not tell Da Zhuang when he left Autumn Valley and headed to the market. This time, Zhou Donghuang was discreet.
In a corner of the market, he opened a small mat and laid on it a few times. Then, he sat behind the mat, closed his eyes, and began practicing leisurely.
Half an hour later, a loud voice asked Zhou Donghuang, ”Brother, how much are you selling this for?”
The excitement in the man's voice was barely masked. The other party was deliberately suppressing agitated emotions.
”Someone took the bait.” In a flash, Zhou Donghuang opened his eyes and looked at the man standing in front of the mat.
The middle-aged man was clearly a disciple of the Winter Valley. This could be determined from the cherry blossom insignia hanging in front of his chest.
”Which one?” Zhou Donghuang blinked lazily as he asked.
”This one.” The man pointed at a block of jade on the mat. Inside, there were traces of red blood. On closer inspection, the blood seemed to be flowing through the stone. This was the hallmark of Frozen-blood Jade.
”This is the Frozen-blood Jade, and it can be used to forge spirit weapons or make elixirs,” answered Zhou Donghuang casually. ”I will not ask for too much—a mere twenty superior spirit stones.”
The man's eyes narrowed. This man knew Frozen-blood Jade? Since he knew what it was, did he not know that a Summer Valley disciple had just put up a bid one month ago to buy this jade for fifty superior spirit stones?
Most likely, he has not checked the auction board recently, the man thought to himself excitedly. Looks like I am in luck today!
”Done! I'll take it for twenty superior spirit stones.” The man did not try to bargain, took out the spirit stones from his space ring, and handed them over to Zhou Donghuang.
Zhou Donghuang accepted the stones and reminded him, ”Test it for yourself. Once you take it away, you can't bring it back and argue.”
”No need.” The man picked up the Frozen-blood Jade and shook his head as he said, ”Only Frozen-blood Jade is as special as this. I've never heard of anyone being able to forge it.” With that, he took the jade and looked again at the mat on the ground.
”Brother, how about this?” This time, there was an unmistakable glint of joy in the depths of the man's eyes. Was it a coincidence? Here was another item that a Summer Valley disciple had bid on!
”This is Thousand-year Red Wood,” replied Zhou Donghuang. ”I never intended to sell it. A specimen as large and well-preserved as this is rare. But since I am in need of spirit stones, I have no other choice.”
Hearing Zhou Donghuang correctly identify the item that he had just pointed to, the man thought to himself that there was no chance of buying it cheaply.
”Brother, how much do you intend to sell it for?” asked the man.