The next moment, Lin Feng's solid conviction crumbled when Qiu Liaoxi nodded with assurance, "Yes, he has been cured."
"However, all I did was diagnose President Du Bailei's illness and suggest a way to treat it."
"In truth, it was Young Master Jiang Chen who actually healed President Du Bailei. Without his supply of the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, I couldn't have treated the disease," she explained, humbly attributing all the credit to Jiang Chen and refraining from taking any herself.
"No, no, I can't take all the credit," Jiang Chen quickly replied, modestly. "Without Alchemist Qiu's knowledge, I wouldn't have known this could cure illnesses..."
Watching Qiu Liaoxi and Jiang Chen humbly pass the credit back and forth, Lin Feng felt a deep emotion surge within him, leaving him speechless and unable to express his feelings.
'Jiang Chen!! Him again!' he thought incredulously. 'He actually has the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, how is that even possible!'
'First the Red Sun Seven Flowers Pill, now the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss. Both are incredibly rare. How on earth did he get them!'
'That hateful Jiang Chen! Without him, I could've healed President Du and used the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass for the Burning World Red Lotus!'
'But now... everything's gone!' Lin Feng fumed as he felt a storm of anger brewing inside, threatening to break his composure right there and then. However, he knew that giving in to his fury would only worsen his standing in the eyes of his master and Ning Xian.
Ultimately, Lin Feng clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and forcefully suppressed his anger.
Despite numerous setbacks, all seemingly accidental and caused by Jiang Chen, he couldn't find a reason to hold Jiang Chen responsible. This led Lin Feng to deeply question the purpose of his own life...
[Ding! You have successfully impacted the protagonist Lin Feng's mental state, decreasing his Heavenly Fate Value by 100 points!]
[Ding! You have earned 200 points of Villain Value!!]
Two system notifications suddenly echoed within Jiang Chen's sea of consciousness.
'Huh? I've affected his mental state,' Jiang Chen wondered.
'It seems the impact on him was quite significant this time, hehe!' he mused silently, a hint of mischief in his thoughts.
Following this, while continuing to modestly shift credit to Qiu Liaoxi, he discreetly used his Villain Eye on Lin Feng.
[Name: Lin Feng
Realm: Middle-stage Soul Refining
Status: Protagonist
Heavenly Fate Value: 3,280/3,280]
'Only a little over three thousand left!' Jiang Chen thought excitedly. 'I've already reduced Lin Feng's Heavenly Fate Value by almost half. I'm getting closer and closer to being able to eliminate him!'
'Additionally, the reduction in Heavenly Fate Value should weaken his protagonist halo, right? Maybe it's time to test that theory...' he mused to himself, contemplating his next move. He then checked his Villain Value.
After trading for the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, his Villain Value balance stood at 2,100 points. With this amount, he could acquire martial techniques and secret arts of the Heavenly Origin rank. Even ordinary Heavenly Origin-level treasures were now easily within his reach!
Just then, Ning Xian's sweet voice broke into the conversation between Qiu Liaoxi and Jiang Chen, "Jiang Chen, don't downplay your role. You definitely deserve more credit for curing President Du's illness!"
Qiu Liaoxi quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, that's true!"
"Well, alright then..." Jiang Chen responded with a sheepish grin and a nod, accepting their compliments.
Standing off to the side, Lin Feng's feelings of dissatisfaction continued to grow.
At that moment, Du Bailei smiled and proposed, "The Trade Fair is about to start. Why don't we all go together? What do you think?"
"Excellent idea!" Jiang Chen responded with a hearty laugh, extending his right hand in invitation, "Please, lead the way!"
"Please!" Du Bailei echoed, mirroring Jiang Chen's gesture with enthusiasm.
Soon after, Jiang Chen and Du Bailei were deeply engaged in a friendly chat as they made their way to the Trade Fair.
They hadn't been at the venue long when they fortuitously ran into Jiang Xingtai and a group of senior members from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
"President!" The executives were visibly thrilled and concerned upon seeing Du Bailei, greeting him with great enthusiasm. They had been informed by the vice president about Du Bailei's recovery, and had been eagerly looking forward to seeing him. Naturally, their joy was immense upon finally meeting him.
"President, you're alright!" one of the executives exclaimed with relief. "It's wonderful, the aftereffects of your Qi Deviation have been cured!"
"From now on, you won't suffer from any illness!" another chimed in with equal enthusiasm.
"..."
The high-ranking members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce continued to express their joy and relief through a lively mix of excited gestures and animated expressions, each trying to convey their happiness and support for their president.
"Hahaha! I have indeed made a full recovery," Du Bailei announced, laughing heartily. He then turned to introduce Jiang Chen and Qiu Liaoxi to everyone present, saying, "All of this is thanks to our young friend Jiang Chen and Alchemist Qiu Liaoxi!"
"I see," the vice president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce acknowledged, nodding with respect. "Many thanks to young friend Jiang Chen and Alchemist Qiu Liaoxi!"
"Your immense kindness will forever be remembered by us!" another executive added, expressing deep gratitude.
"The president's benevolence towards me is as profound as a mountain, and his benefactors are my benefactors!" another member declared with sincerity.
"..."
All the senior members of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce, without exception, showed their appreciation to Jiang Chen and Qiu Liaoxi, bowing respectfully to acknowledge their contribution.
Witnessing this scene, Lin Feng's irritation grew even stronger.
At that moment, Jiang Xingtai expressed his surprise, "Nephew, how come you're with President Du Bailei? And you cured his illness!?" His tone suggested he was completely oblivious to Jiang Chen's involvement in treating President Du Bailei's illness.
Seeing Jiang Xingtai, Jiang Chen couldn't help but think to himself, 'Such top-notch acting skills!' He quickly put on a warm smile and greeted, "Second Uncle, you're here as well!"
Jiang Chen then succinctly explained the circumstances to Jiang Xingtai, who responded with visible amazement and heaped praises upon him.
The surrounding cultivators joined in, each taking turns to extol Jiang Chen. They hailed him as a divine physician with exceptional medical abilities, a young hero, and a prodigious talent blessed by the heavens... They showered him with every commendation they could think of.
Suddenly, Jiang Chen found himself unexpectedly in the spotlight, becoming the focus of everyone's attention in the vicinity.
As Lin Feng stood to the side, he felt a twinge of bitterness as he watched the people from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce express their gratitude towards Jiang Chen amidst a flood of compliments.
Right at that moment, Du Bailei spoke up with enthusiasm, "Everyone! Young friend Jiang Chen, along with Alchemist Qiu Dan and Miss Ning Xian, have cured my longstanding ailment. To express my gratitude, I've decided to cover the cost of any three treasures they desire at the trade fair, regardless of their value!"
The crowd reacted with loud exclamations of surprise upon hearing these words. This was, without a doubt, a very generous offer!
"No, no, no! I appreciate the gesture, but I cannot accept this!" Jiang Chen repeatedly refused the offer.
Despite his persistence, Du Bailei stood firm on his decision, leaving Jiang Chen with no choice but to agree, albeit reluctantly.
Following this, the crowd erupted into laughter, making the atmosphere even more vibrant.
However, Lin Feng stood apart, feeling like an outsider. The liveliness around him seemed irrelevant to his own situation. Approaching Qiu Liaoxi, he said respectfully, "Master, I've gained some insights in my cultivation and plan to seize this opportunity to practice and improve myself. I'll take my leave now."
"Alright," Qiu Liaoxi responded, understanding that Lin Feng was feeling disheartened. She chose not to pressure him to stay.
Lin Feng then turned to Ning Xian and asked tentatively, "Ning Xian, why don't you come back with me?" His heart was tinged with melancholy, and he longed for someone to talk to.
As Ning Xian and Lin Feng were fellow disciples, she felt inclined to accept.
Ning Xian was about to agree, but Jiang Chen wasn't going to let Lin Feng have his way so easily. He leaned toward Lin Feng and challenged him, "Lin Feng! What are you doing?"
"Each of us, including me, Ning Xian, and your master, can select at least one treasure to be paid for by President Du. So why would you ask Ning Xian to leave?" he questioned pointedly.