Ying Chen directly produced the Azure Dragon blood he had brought with him!
After patting it to the side, he said lightly, "This is the blood essence from a young dragon I slew. This is all I have."
"I don't think I need to elaborate on its value."
"Those who know, know."
*Whoosh!*
Instantly, everyone present had their gazes drawn to the bottle of Azure Dragon blood.
A look of fervor and utter disbelief appeared in everyone's eyes!
Even the white-bearded elder, who had been preparing to return backstage, turned around in disbelief, looking at the Azure Dragon blood with shocked and excited eyes.
"Please, is this real?"
In response to the white-bearded elder's question, Ying Chen casually opened the bottle of Azure Dragon blood and gently tapped it.
Instantly, a drop of blood floated out of the bottle, as if possessing its own consciousness, and flew towards the white-bearded elder.
"You can discern its authenticity yourself," Ying Chen said faintly.
Upon seeing Ying Chen's display, the white-bearded elder's expression immediately turned serious.
He realized he had misjudged earlier. Ying Chen was not merely a disciple of He Chongxu, but a terrifyingly powerful expert!
This simple act of coagulating blood into a drop required immense internal energy, a potent martial force!
Certainly, martial artists below the seventh tier would be incapable of such refined control!
The white-bearded elder hurriedly grabbed a teacup, emptied its contents, and carefully used it to catch the drop of blood.
"Coagulated yet dispersed, exuding a formidable aura. Within the vibrant red lies a faint azure hue, and beneath that, a subtle golden glow. This is indeed the legendary dragon blood!"
"Fifty years ago, I was fortunate enough to see a drop of dragon blood. It belonged to the ancestral heritage of a prominent Xuanmen sect. Its color was identical to this!"
"I thought I would never see it again in this lifetime, yet here I am, not only seeing it, but seeing so much!"
"However, that drop of dragon blood came from a five-hundred-year-old dragon. This drop appears somewhat inferior, likely from a dragon less than two hundred years old!"
The white-bearded elder's discerning eye could immediately estimate the age of the Azure Dragon!
"Nevertheless, this is still an exceptionally rare and precious item. Allow me to examine it closely."
With that, the white-bearded elder pulled out a silver needle from his怀.
First, he vibrated his fingers slightly, heating the silver needle with a special technique until it emitted a faint warmth and became transparent. Only then did he insert the needle into the dragon blood.
*Buzz!*
In the next second, the silver needle began to vibrate rapidly.
Simultaneously, a dark green color rapidly ascended the needle, like a rebellious, ferocious little dragon!
"Genuine, genuine!"
"This 'dragon needle' can accurately identify the authenticity of dragon blood; even the slightest impurity would prevent it from reacting!"
"But look at the needle's intense reaction! This proves that the dragon blood is not only genuine but also exceptionally pure and concentrated!"
"It is a rare and superior item!"
Ultimately, the white-bearded elder delivered his verdict.
This verdict was equivalent to the white-bearded elder officially vouching with his reputation, effectively issuing a certification for Ying Chen's bottle of dragon blood!
Of course, he was not at a loss.
At the very least, Ying Chen had not asked for the drop of blood he had used for testing, essentially gifting it to him.
"Sir, would you care to come inside for a more detailed discussion?"
The white-bearded elder gestured invitingly towards Ying Chen.
He clearly intended to discuss cooperation matters in greater depth.
Unexpectedly, Ying Chen refused, "I'm too lazy to haggle and too lazy to play any tricks. The reason I displayed this item publicly is simply to inform everyone: anyone possessing items from the following list can come to exchange them for varying quantities of dragon blood based on their value!"
With that, Ying Chen directly signaled He Chongxu to display the refining list to everyone.
It was only then that He Chongxu understood Ying Chen's intention.
If they were to search for each item individually at the current pace, they might not find them all before the ghost market closed.
By making the list public and waiting for those with the materials to come forward, it would be much faster.
Indeed, the interest of everyone present was immediately piqued.
Some even pointed to an item on the list and exclaimed, "I have this! I have this! How much dragon blood can I exchange for it?"
Ying Chen glanced at him and replied, "10ml."
Upon hearing that he could exchange it for 10ml, the man was ecstatic.
After all, the material he possessed was, in his opinion, not of high value and its use was unknown.
Exchanging it for 10ml of dragon blood was much more profitable!
Even if he couldn't use it himself in the future, selling it would still bring him a considerable income!
Therefore, without hesitation, the man chose to make the exchange on the spot.
As the man carefully carried the 10ml of dragon blood away from the tent, everyone's eyes were fixated on it.
Even the white-bearded elder looked anxious and somewhat unwilling.
The elder promptly retrieved all the material lists they possessed from backstage and cross-referenced them with Ying Chen's list.
Finally, the elder excitedly pointed out three items.
"We have these three! We have them!"
Ying Chen glanced at the value of those three materials and stated the amount of dragon blood they could exchange for.
"35ml."
While this quantity was not as much as the white-bearded elder had hoped for, it was still considerable.
Thus, the white-bearded elder readily completed the exchange.
Furthermore, he proactively offered to help find the remaining materials.
Thus, with the elder's assistance and the propagation by others, Ying Chen's material list quickly spread throughout the Sand Sea Ghost Market.
Countless people flocked towards Ying Chen's tent.
Regardless of whether they genuinely possessed the materials Ying Chen needed, they all assured him they did.
Their attitude was as if to say, "If we can trick him out of a little, we will."
Some even presented a dog's tail grass, attempting to pass it off as a precious medicinal herb.
Ying Chen directly grabbed the man's shoulder, shattering his shoulder blade and crippling half his cultivation, thereby deterring a group of petty tricksters.
Those attempting to cheat finally decreased significantly.
Later on, the crowd surrounding Ying Chen dwindled.
This was because everyone in the Sand Sea Ghost Market who possessed the materials had already come. Ultimately, fewer than one percent of them were able to exchange for dragon blood from Ying Chen.
Including the few materials received from the white-bearded elder and others earlier, less than ten materials in total were collected.
Other materials were manageable, as Ying Chen had alternatives.
However, the most crucial material, the Chanji Sand,
remained unfound.
As Ying Chen's brow furrowed, the tent flap suddenly opened.
A person entered.
It was none other than the Xie family woman with whom Ying Chen had previously clashed!
Seeing her, Ying Chen's gaze turned cold.
If she was foolish enough to seek revenge, Ying Chen would not hesitate to send her to her death!
Ying Chen dared to kill the patriarchs of powerful families like the Li and Huo families in Hong Kong; why would he hesitate to deal with the youngest daughter of a mere Siamese tycoon!
However, to Ying Chen's surprise, the Xie family woman had not come to cause trouble or seek revenge.
Instead, after slowly walking up to Ying Chen, she suddenly knelt before him with a *plop*!
This action startled everyone present.
Even Ying Chen was taken aback, having not anticipated this move from the Xie family woman.
"What are you doing?"
Ying Chen asked, raising an eyebrow.
The Xie family woman lowered her head and slowly spoke, "It was my fault before. Young and impetuous, I offended you greatly. I apologize to you here, sir."
"However, my nature is not this way; it was due to my desperate need for the medicine that I spoke to you disrespectfully."
"Sir, you may not know, but my birth mother's life is hanging by a thread. She requires only this Luosongzi to be used in her medicine. I have been searching for over a month. If my mother cannot be treated within three days, then... then..."
The Xie family woman choked back a sob.
She continued, "She will be parted from me forever!"
"I will bear the consequences of my mistakes. Whether you wish to punish or reprimand me, I will accept it all without a frown."
"My only plea is that you, sir, considering my filial piety, would spare some of the Luosongzi for me. I will forever remember your kindness today. If I have the opportunity in this life, I will repay it; if not, I will repay your life-saving grace in the next life by being your servant!"
The Xie family woman's words were spoken with genuine emotion.
They not only moved everyone present but also softened Ying Chen's expression.
Although the Xie family woman was arrogant and domineering, her willingness to kneel and beg for her mother's life demonstrated her profound filial piety, which was truly commendable.
Ying Chen looked at the Xie family woman deeply and said, "The Luosongzi cannot be given to you."
Upon hearing Ying Chen's words, a flicker of despair crossed the Xie family woman's face.
She was about to plead again when Ying Chen interrupted her, "However, you may have the needles of the Luosongzi."
"If I'm not mistaken, your mother is suffering from a convulsive illness. What is truly needed for this ailment is the needles of the Luosongzi, not other parts."
"These needles are sufficient to cure your mother's condition."
Saying that, Ying Chen casually plucked a handful of needles from the Luosongzi and handed them to the Xie family woman.
The Xie family woman looked at him with shock and disbelief, "Sir, how... how do you know my mother has a convulsive illness?"
Ying Chen did not answer, merely waving his hand, "Enough. I have given you the item, you may leave now."
"Do not delay me in my search for materials here."
The Xie family woman respectfully accepted the needles, kowtowed to Ying Chen,
and then rose, slowly backing out of the tent.
After the Xie family woman left, He Chongxu couldn't help but ask, "Master Ying, are you truly letting her have it so easily? Will we have insufficient materials for refining?"
Ying Chen shook his head, "No. Refining requires the pine resin extracted from the Luosongzi's cone, not the Luosongzi itself. In fact, giving her all the needles would be fine, but as the saying goes, 'a favor of rice can earn gratitude, but a favor of a bushel can breed resentment.' Giving too much can easily breed enmity, so there's no need."
With that, Ying Chen continued to wait for more people to come and exchange materials.
He even doubled the exchange value for the Chanji Sand. If anyone could provide Chanji Sand, they would receive a full 100ml of dragon blood!
This meant that the remaining half-bottle of dragon blood Ying Chen possessed would belong to that person!
Upon hearing the increased reward, those who were already tempted went into a frenzy, helping Ying Chen inquire about the whereabouts of Chanji Sand.
Even providing a mere piece of information would earn them a reward of two drops of dragon blood from Ying Chen!
Not to mention, they could also play both sides, getting something from Ying Chen and then potentially from someone else.