As murmurs and discussions filled the air, Jiang Chen's gaze settled on Lin Feng. A faint smile played on his lips as he spoke again. "What I, Jiang Chen, say, will naturally hold true."
"However," he added thoughtfully, "you must also recognize the worth of this Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng. It's exceedingly valuable. I cannot simply hand it over without a fair exchange. You would agree, wouldn't you?"
"That is indeed true," Lin Feng nodded, acknowledging the point. This treasure, of the Mysterious Platform rank, was too valuable to be offered without expecting something in return. It simply wouldn't make sense.
The surrounding crowd also found Jiang Chen's statement to be perfectly reasonable.
"Thus," Jiang Chen said, his smile faint but discernible, "I am willing to give it to you, but on one condition."
"What condition?" Lin Feng asked calmly. Yet, internally, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of annoyance, his thoughts tinged with irritation. 'Conditions, conditions, and more conditions. Just like at the sect's main gate earlier, it's the same story now!'
Why did Jiang Chen always seem to have him caught in these webs of conditions?
"The condition is quite straightforward. As long as you agree to follow and serve me, this Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng shall be yours," Jiang Chen stated, his words laced with a warm smile that played subtly at the corners of his mouth.
As the protagonist, Lin Feng was proud and sensitive. Would he be willing to submit to Jiang Chen in front of so many people, including Ning Xian? Certainly not!
Then, obtaining the Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng from Jiang Chen would be an impossibility for Lin Feng.
As expected, upon hearing Jiang Chen's condition, Lin Feng's expression changed abruptly, a mix of humiliation and resentment brewing in his heart.
He loathed being spoken to in such a condescending manner, a stark reminder of the days when he was mocked and ridiculed after his Dantian had been shattered.
To Lin Feng, this was Jiang Chen's disdain for him. However, to the onlookers, it appeared as Jiang Chen's high esteem.
"Young Master Jiang Chen actually proposed such a condition. It's incredible!" exclaimed one of the bystanders in awe.
"Yes, being a follower of Young Master Jiang Chen is something we could only dream of! Even without compensation, I'd still be willing to do it!" another chimed in, admiration clear in their voice.
"Wow, Young Master Jiang Chen truly values Lin Feng, even offering him a treasure of the Mysterious Platform rank!"
"I wish I could replace Lin Feng immediately, but I'm not fortunate enough."
"..."
The crowd buzzed with whispers, convinced that Lin Feng would undoubtedly accept Jiang Chen's condition and become his follower, subsequently rising to great heights.
Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi exchanged knowing looks, both understanding that Jiang Chen was, once again, trying to win over Lin Feng.
At that instant, Lin Feng shook his head and spoke in a firm voice that resonated through the crowded area around the stall. "I must decline, Young Master Jiang."
As his words hung in the air, the surrounding whispers ceased abruptly, creating a silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop.
Almost everyone stared at Lin Feng in disbelief, their faces a mix of confusion and astonishment, as if they were looking at a fool.
To think, Lin Feng had the opportunity to become Jiang Chen's follower, to gain the support of the powerful Jiang Clan, and to receive a Mysterious Platform rank treasure – yet he had just turned it all down!
After a moment of stunned silence, the area once again buzzed with murmurs, each voice sharing a similar opinion.
"What on earth is Lin Feng thinking? He turned down such an incredible chance to change his destiny!" one onlooker remarked incredulously.
"Good heavens, I seriously question if Lin Feng has a brain. He must be brainless!" another added in disbelief.
"..."
As these murmurs reached Lin Feng's ears, his brows furrowed slightly. In that moment, a firm resolve took hold within him. He was determined to prove himself, to show that the Jiang Clan's influence wasn't enough to make him bow his head.
In the future, he vowed, those who had mocked him would be forced to swallow their words. He would humiliate them ruthlessly.
'The current scene is a classic setup for a "slap in the face" plot,' Jiang Chen mused internally, his eyes keenly observing Lin Feng's slightly furrowed brows and discerning his thoughts.
'Unfortunately, Lin Feng, you might not have the opportunity to show off and prove these people wrong,' he contemplated with a touch of sly amusement. Then, as a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, he said nonchalantly, "It's alright, if you don't want to, I won't compel you."
"This Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng will be reserved for you. Should you ever change your mind, it will be yours," Jiang Chen announced with a hint of magnanimity, before flicking his wrist and deftly storing the Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng in the Moondust Ring.
Lin Feng remained quiet, simply nodding. A cold, mocking smile played in his heart as he thought defiantly, 'A mere Jiang Clan, a mere Jiang Chen — not to mention the Inquiring Journey realm — when I reach the Mysterious Platform realm, I will dominate effortlessly!'
However, while Lin Feng was quite annoyed, feeling that Jiang Chen was acting high and mighty, he was unknowingly swayed by Jiang Chen's demeanor. This led him to believe that Jiang Chen genuinely held him in high regard.
From Lin Feng's perspective, Jiang Chen appeared as an arrogant and conceited young master, full of self-importance. He perceived that Jiang Chen wanted him as a follower, yet harbored no ulterior motives.
Consequently, Lin Feng's wariness towards Jiang Chen had diminished significantly.
"Let's go, let's continue exploring. Who knows, perhaps we'll even discover some valuable items!" Jiang Chen suggested with a light-hearted chuckle, waving his hand to disperse the crowd before confidently proceeding towards the front.
Ning Xian, Qiu Liaoxi, and a somewhat hesitant Lin Feng also moved forward, following him. Since the trade fair had not yet commenced and there was nowhere else to visit, they had no choice but to roam about.
Lin Feng was also looking to see if he could find a good deal. Unfortunately, this extraordinary stroke of luck was not something he could expect to encounter again anytime soon, even with his unique protagonist halo.
Wandering for a bit, he only managed to buy some slightly better spiritual plants. These plants weren't particularly rare, and Jiang Chen allowed Lin Feng to get them at a somewhat reduced price.
Moreover, from the spiritual plants Lin Feng had selected, Jiang Chen noticed a trend: most were inclined towards the fire attribute.
'It seems Lin Feng's cultivation is focused on the fire element among the five elements,' he thought to himself.
Then, considering his next steps, Jiang Chen mused, 'I should prepare additional defenses against fire-attributed cultivation techniques. It's always better to be safe than sorry.'
Suddenly, from behind the group of four, a voice called out, "Excuse me, please wait a moment, all four of you!"
Turning around, they saw a man with a slender face and a friendly expression approaching them.
Jiang Chen, with a mere thought, activated his Villain Eye and immediately recognized that the newcomer was a supporting character with a low Fate Value, named Lai Peng.
'Another supporting character! It looks like the second act of Lin Feng's show-off is about to unfold,' Jiang Chen mused inwardly, a hint of amusement in his heart.
Lai Peng approached Jiang Chen's group, smiling. He bowed with his hands clasped in front of him, his voice carrying a respectful tone, "Young Master Jiang Chen, I am Lai Peng. I have long heard of your illustrious name, and it is indeed an honor to meet a young hero such as yourself today!"
"You flatter me too much," Jiang Chen replied, matching his politeness and returning the gesture with a faint smile. Then, with a hint of curiosity, he asked, "I wonder what brings you to halt us. Is there something you require?"
"Hahaha! Yes, indeed!" Lai Peng laughed heartily, his gaze shifting to Lin Feng with evident admiration. "I heard that this young friend Lin Feng just identified the Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng. You are indeed exceptional for your age!"
"It's just a minor skill, nothing worth mentioning," Lin Feng responded modestly, offering a fist and palm salute.
"Young friend Lin Feng is too humble. To be able to identify the Flame Whisker Mica Ginseng, your alchemy skills must be extraordinary," Lai Peng remarked, his smile unchanging.
"I wonder where the young friend has acquired such abilities?" he inquired, his curiosity evident.
"I cannot disclose that," Lin Feng replied with a slight frown, then added briskly, "Is there something else?"
"Ha ha," seeing Lin Feng's reaction, Lai Peng smiled awkwardly and then, regaining his composure, he said earnestly, "Actually, I would like to invite young friend Lin Feng to participate in the pre-trade fair appraisal!"
Jiang Chen's eyebrows lifted upon hearing this, and he thought to himself, 'Here it comes, the classic setup of an appraisal competition!'
'If everything goes according to the original plot, Lin Feng will likely dominate and win, gaining many benefits in the process.'
'But with me here, let's see how this plays out,' he mused, a sly anticipation growing in his heart.