CHAPTER 1053: CHAPTER 1051: A BOWL OF RICE REPAYS A FAVOR

The food was served, and the Fat Taoist had no image to maintain as he picked up a bowl of rice and started eating.

However, the word "stuff" was more fitting; he ate with incredible speed.

Watching the Fat Taoist devour his meal once more, Chen Nan took the opportunity to ask, "Brother Dao, are there any Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects in the Southern Marsh?"

"Of course!"

The Fat Taoist patted his oily chest and wiped his greasy hand on his Daoist robe, finally revealing to Chen Nan why the robe reflected light.

"Ordinary people really don’t know this news, but who am I but the Daoist? I’m not claiming to be omniscient, but I’m not far off either."

He placed his hand by his mouth, speaking softly, "In the Southern Marsh, there’s a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object known as ’Mystic Yin True Water!’

This news thrilled Chen Nan, as it was precisely the water attribute spiritual object he needed.

However, outwardly he maintained a calm demeanor, "Is there nothing else?"

The Fat Taoist glared at him, "How much more do you want? Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects are already incredibly rare; having one is a blessing, and you still want more?"

"I suppose I’m being a bit greedy."

Chen Nan smiled, untouched by the food on the table.

Having already obtained news of the Mystic Yin True Water, he planned to verify its authenticity elsewhere and then head to the Southern Marsh.

But with only three months’ time, he expected considerable competition from fellow cultivators.

Chen Nan placed several dozen Spirit Stones on the table, addressing the Fat Taoist, "Brother Dao, take your time eating; I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."

"Hey, don’t be in such a hurry to leave; if you want to obtain Mystic Yin True Water, you can’t do it without my help!"

The Fat Taoist spoke while continuing to eat.

Chen Nan’s pupils shrank suddenly; how did this Fat Taoist know he was after Mystic Yin True Water?

Could he see into people’s hearts?

"What do you mean by this, Brother Dao?"

The Fat Taoist chuckled, "Nothing else, just that this Daoist is happy to help others and wants to repay you for this meal."

"Besides, this Daoist happens to know exactly where the Mystic Yin True Water is; isn’t that much better than you searching randomly?"

Chen Nan frowned, not agreeing immediately.

After all, he didn’t know if what the Fat Taoist said was true or false.

However, he was sure of one thing: the Fat Taoist was definitely a cultivator.

Because ordinary people wouldn’t dare enter the Southern Marsh; the miasma would easily be fatal to ordinary people.

"In that case, Brother Dao, please wait here; I’ll take care of some matters and come back," Chen Nan spoke diplomatically.

In reality, he intended to inquire about the news; if it proved true, having the Fat Taoist guide him would be no problem.

But he was very suspicious of the Fat Taoist’s motives.

He didn’t believe that an ordinary meal would convince a cultivator to risk their life to find Mystic Yin True Water; there must be something more.

"Go right ahead, Brother Dao."

The Fat Taoist waved his hand, as if confident that Chen Nan would return.

Upon leaving the tavern, Chen Nan crossed two streets and saw a familiar sign.

Myriad Phenomena Commerce.

"No wonder it’s a Chamber of Commerce with branches throughout the Nine Provinces."

Chen Nan smiled and walked directly into the shop.

Meanwhile, from a window upstairs, Chen Nan’s figure was spotted; an extremely beautiful face showed traces of joy and yearning, though well-concealed.

If Chen Nan saw her, he would surely recognize her; who else could it be but Lady Shang?

As for why Lady Shang was here, it was purely by chance.

Because the miasma in the Southern Marsh had become thin, a large number of cultivators were sure to venture deep into the marshes, presenting a golden business opportunity for their Chamber of Commerce.

"Go and have a look."

Lady Shang instructed her maid.

The maid nodded and left, soon returning.

"Miss, it’s not him."

"Why do you keep thinking of him? His name disappeared from the Hidden Dragon List; the Miss should know what that means."

Lady Shang looked at the maid with displeasure, "I’ve already told you, Chen Nan isn’t dead!"

"I don’t believe he’s dead!"

The maid wanted to persuade her but eventually kept silent.

Because you can never wake someone pretending to be asleep.

As Chen Nan entered Myriad Phenomena Commerce, a maid quickly approached him.

"Sir, may I help you with anything?"

"I have something to sell."

Chen Nan replied calmly.

"Very well, please follow me."

The maid led Chen Nan to a room, where an elder soon entered, giving Chen Nan a respectful bow.

"I am the appraiser of Myriad Phenomena Commerce; what might you wish to sell, young friend?"

Chen Nan smiled slightly, and with a gentle wave, he retrieved various items from his storage bag, placing them in the room.

The items included Spiritual Artifacts, Elixir Pills, Cultivation Techniques, Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, and so forth, obtained from killing in the Ancient Realm Secret Realm.

He had no use for them, and since cultivation required consuming a large number of Spirit Stones, it was better to sell them as a way of clearing his stock.

Before long, a small mountain of items materialized in the room, making both the appraiser and the maid widen their eyes and open their mouths in astonishment.

Few customers could sell so much at once, and certainly not such a major customer!

The appraiser, amidst his amazement, felt a touch of apprehension towards this seemingly harmless young Taoist before him.

Such a quantity couldn’t just be collected; it required killing and plundering to accumulate.

How many people had been killed for this mountain of items, no one could tell.

The appraiser immediately began appraising the items.

"One Eighth-grade Spiritual Artifact, thirteen hundred Spirit Stones."

"One Ninth Grade Technique, two hundred Spirit Stones."

"..."

As each item was appraised and priced, Chen Nan nodded quietly, for the buying prices weren’t low.

Finally, the appraiser spent a full hour inventorying all the items.

"Sir, altogether the items amount to one million three hundred seventy-six thousand Spirit Stones; does this price suit you?"

Chen Nan nodded, about to agree when he suddenly thought of something.

From his storage bag, he took out a card and placed it before the appraiser.

"This card should have some use, no?"

The appraiser examined the card, his expression suddenly turning respectful.

Because such a black card had only been issued a few times by Myriad Phenomena Commerce, and each holder was a prestigious figure.

"It’s surprising that someone so young as you holds a black card; we can increase the buyback price by twenty percent."

"Let’s do that," Chen Nan nodded, having taken out the black card simply to earn a bit more Spirit Stones.

The successful transaction left both the appraiser and the maid guiding Chen Nan very pleased; they quickly went to prepare the Spirit Stones.

Soon, approximately two million Spirit Stones were placed in Chen Nan’s hands, and the black card was returned respectfully.

"By the way, may I ask where I could purchase information?"