My gorgeous wife Chapter 2039 - 2007: Beast-Eared Girl
Previously on My gorgeous wife...
A profound silence descended upon the vicinity of the Spirit Releasing Abyss. Even those who lingered, hoping to scavenge for treasures, held their breath, seemingly hesitant to disturb Li Chen's presence.
More astonishingly, this widespread quietude seemed to possess a calming effect. Some cultivators, who had been teetering on the brink of succumbing to greed and the corrupting Nether Demon Qi, found their Dao Hearts gradually stabilizing.
It is a known phenomenon that when an individual achieves a certain threshold of power, their capabilities can transcend expectations.
Li Chen was precisely such an entity, one who had indisputably surpassed that threshold!
The Spirit Releasing Abyss, for reasons unknown to many, fell into an inexplicable stillness, the collective understanding being that an exceptionally formidable presence had materialized.
"It was merely a phantom, dispatching it felt rather anticlimactic," Li Chen remarked, a light chuckle escaping him as he shook his head.
Despite being an illusory form, it had unleashed a display of power on par with the Ninth Order, even if only for a singular strike.
Nevertheless, Li Chen was keenly aware that confronting an opponent of such caliber in reality would involve sustained, relentless assaults.
This assessment was, of course, framed by his comparison to Mo Daoyi's strength.
When Mo Daoyi had assaulted his protective formation, a continuous onslaught had been employed to systematically dismantle its layers, leading Li Chen to naturally assume that Ninth Order Experts typically initiated combat with such overwhelming force.
This misconception also stemmed from Li Chen's lack of formal tutelage; had he possessed a Ninth Order mentor, he would recognize the significant disparities that existed even among cultivators of the same rank!
Figures as potent as the Daiyu Heavenly Venerable could effortlessly dominate over a dozen peers of the Ninth Order, while a lesser being, like the Progenitor encountered moments ago, was obliterated and impaled by an Eighth Rank Shen Heaven Realm cultivator such as Li Chen with a single, decisive blow.
"Now, does anyone still desire the items in my possession?" Li Chen inquired, his gaze sweeping across the onlookers as he casually handled artifacts like the Shadow Soul and Void Inscribed Profound Gold, eliciting palpable envy.
Yet, their envious gazes halted there, refraining from any further covetous thoughts.
While they may not have recognized the extent of his power earlier, Li Chen's recent display made it abundantly clear: he was a true Super Expert. The fact that such an expert refrained from seizing their belongings was already a sign of considerable restraint; to even contemplate coveting what he held would be an act of suicidal folly.
"I am, in reality, quite an amiable individual," Li Chen offered, a knowing smile playing on his lips as no one responded. "If you have a desire for them, we could perhaps discuss terms."
His words piqued the interest of several individuals present.
This intrigue was not merely due to the offer itself, but rather the implicit information conveyed within Li Chen's statement.
The treasures Li Chen held were undoubtedly of immense value, yet their worth was subjective. To some, they might only be curiosities; to others, they represented irreplaceable necessities!
Among the assembled crowd were several powerful cultivators who had been intensely seeking specific items, their efforts proving fruitless until this very moment.
"Esteemed Senior!" A charming young lady with distinct beast ears stepped forward. "I have a particular interest in the Mind-controlling Fruit you hold. Naturally, I propose a fair exchange. Whatever you require, provided it is within my means, I am willing to offer in trade."
"A trade, you say..." Li Chen mused, his eyes appraising the beast-eared maiden from head to toe before he finally nodded. "That is not entirely out of the question."
It was a curious turn of events; mere moments ago, Li Chen had been a cultivator of the lowest tier. Now, he was being addressed as 'Senior.'
Furthermore, within the cultivation world, seniority was primarily determined by one's cultivation level, with actual age holding little significance. Given his current level of cultivation, it was entirely appropriate for many to address him as Senior.
However, the beast-eared girl seemed to have misinterpreted his intent, her cheeks flushing as she hastily took a few steps back. "Th-that won't do at all."
Li Chen paused, a flicker of realization crossing his features.
Witnessing the maiden's embarrassed reaction, he couldn't suppress a hearty burst of laughter.
The beast-eared girl couldn't help but roll her eyes at his amusement. Yet, for reasons she couldn't quite articulate, his unreserved laughter made him seem considerably less imposing.
Contrast this with the sheer dominance Li Chen had exuded moments earlier when he had decisively subdued the Progenitor's phantom.
An absolute silence had enveloped the surroundings then, with none daring to utter a word. Now, however, it appeared this human Senior was far more approachable than his earlier display suggested.
With this thought solidified, the beast-eared girl couldn't refrain from stealing another glance at Li Chen.
The other cultivators nearby also regarded the beast-eared girl with undisguised envy. Regardless of how one looked at it, Li Chen seemed to hold a distinct favor towards this young lady. For a powerful individual of his standing to take notice of someone – how many cultivators from humble beginnings or insignificant backgrounds dreamed of such an opportunity?
As long as Li Chen remained in this locale, it was certain that no one would dare to cause trouble for the beast-eared maiden.
Anyone aiming for the beast-eared girl would surely have to reconsider their life choices, knowing she could attract such a formidable protector.
"Fear not, your person is not what I desire," Li Chen declared, his laughter subsiding as he turned his gaze to the beast-eared girl with a smile. "You addressed me as Senior; if I were to pursue you now, wouldn't that make me a true cradle robber?"
"Information," Li Chen commanded, snapping his fingers. "My request is quite straightforward: details regarding the Spirit Releasing Abyss. Be it ancient lore or mere legends, any tidbits concerning the interior of the Spirit Releasing Abyss would suffice, and the more, the merrier."
"Legends and anecdotes?" The beast-eared girl blinked in surprise at Li Chen's seemingly simple request.
She had prepared herself for a hefty price, even anticipating demands for exorbitant treasures. The Mind-controlling Fruit, however, was crucial for her, so she had braced herself to negotiate. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine Li Chen's condition would be so easily met.
"Do you possess any?" Li Chen inquired amicably.
"Yes, yes, indeed!" The beast-eared girl responded with palpable excitement. "And quite a substantial amount, too."
"No need to hurry; take your time. I have all the time in the world," Li Chen assured her with a smile. "As long as the information proves valuable, this prize is yours."
With that, Li Chen produced an exceedingly lustrous and clear fruit.
This was none other than the fabled Mind-controlling Fruit the beast-eared girl had spoken of.
The Mind-controlling Fruit boasts a myriad of benefits: it aids in cultivation, fortifies the Dao Heart, and amplifies soul power, thereby assisting cultivators in reaching the Soul Realm ahead of schedule. It stands as a remarkably versatile and highly coveted Spirit Fruit.
Its widespread applications coupled with its exceptionally rare yield make the Mind-controlling Fruit a source of intense desire for countless cultivators.