"What did I do?"
Lu Fan chuckled, "You don't know the specific location of Shenxian Valley, yet you lied to me and took my elixirs."
"Who says I don't know!" the unscrupulous Taoist declared haughtily, "I'm taking you there! I just lost my way for a moment."
"Don't try to deceive me again. Give me back my elixirs, and I'll find Shenxian Valley myself!" Lu Fan said coldly.
A fourth-grade elixir was of great use to him. Although Lu Fan could refine elixirs, a fourth-grade elixir required immense effort. Lu Fan was not about to give it away easily.
"The elixirs are already in my possession. Getting them back won't be easy," the unscrupulous Taoist chuckled.
Lu Fan frowned. If he couldn't see through this unscrupulous Taoist, he would have acted long ago. Even so, Lu Fan was extremely displeased. The Taoist's actions clearly indicated an intention to swindle him, and he likely had no intention of returning the items.
"I don't wish to be your enemy, but do not be too arrogant!"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "A fourth-grade elixir is not much, but if you act like this, isn't it no different from robbery?"
"You shouldn't put it so harshly. I merely fancied one of your elixirs!"
The unscrupulous Taoist smiled. "Besides, since you can produce a fourth-grade elixir, you must have some status. Why not just give it to me?"
"What if I refuse?"
Flames surged from Lu Fan's palm. He had never encountered such a shameless person. This was no longer about the elixir; Lu Fan was quite displeased with the person before him and was ready to fight at any moment.
"My young friend, it's just one elixir. Consider it a favor. If you truly intend to fight me, you are no match for me," the unscrupulous Taoist chuckled. "Let's forge a good relationship today, so we can meet again in the future. What do you say?"
"Enough nonsense!"
Lu Fan's expression was icy, and a tremendous aura emanated from his palm as he lunged towards the unscrupulous Taoist. He wanted to see what methods the Taoist possessed that made him so audacious.
Sensing the sharp gust of wind, the unscrupulous Taoist retreated a few steps and chuckled, "Why are you in such a hurry, my young friend? It's just an elixir. You're too stingy!"
"Stop your prattling!"
Lu Fan attacked again, his expression even colder. How could Lu Fan let the unscrupulous Taoist bully him? He would make the Taoist pay, or else he would be thought of as easily intimidated.
Seeing Lu Fan's determined stance, the unscrupulous Taoist sighed. "You're too stingy, kid. But the more you want to get that elixir back, the less I want to give it to you!"
With that, the unscrupulous Taoist vanished in a flash. Lu Fan tried to pursue but couldn't find any trace of him, which left him feeling even more frustrated.
With his current strength, Lu Fan could even contend with a Spirit Venerable level expert. Yet, he was tricked by a Taoist and couldn't even figure out where the Taoist had gone.
Helplessly, Lu Fan had to return to Kuaihuo City. He didn't know the entrance to Shenxian Valley, nor how to enter it. However, since Kuaihuo City was a subordinate city of Shenxian Valley, someone must know.
He returned to the same tavern. Lu Fan ordered some wine and food. He was a bit tired from the chase and wanted to ask who this unscrupulous Taoist was and why he was so deceitful.
"Little brother, why have you returned?" the tavern waiter asked with a smile. "Did something happen?"
"What could happen to me? That Taoist just now was a swindler," Lu Fan complained.
The waiter immediately burst into laughter. He knew exactly what Lu Fan was referring to.
"What are you laughing at?"
Lu Fan glanced at him. "Could it be that the Taoist is connected to your tavern? Or are you in cahoots?"
"Little brother, you mustn't speak carelessly. Our establishment has been passed down for a hundred years, and we are absolutely honest with our customers," the waiter quickly replied. "As for the Taoist you met, he often appears in Kuaihuo City, and many people have been swindled by him. So, I know a little about him."
"If that's the case, why didn't you warn me?" Lu Fan asked, feeling a bit angry. After all, he had patronized the tavern, and hearing the waiter say this made him even more displeased.
"Little brother, you don't know, but that Taoist has extraordinary abilities, and we dare not provoke him," the waiter quickly explained. "Everyone in Kuaihuo City knows him and knows that he swindles people. While he's not a truly bad person, he warned everyone in Kuaihuo City not to interfere with his affairs, or he would smash our signboard. We are small business owners, and we can't afford to have him cause trouble."
Lu Fan felt a surge of anger but couldn't blame the tavern. After all, if the unscrupulous Taoist was beyond his own capabilities, how could a small tavern possibly deal with him? Naturally, they were helpless against the Taoist. Su Dan Novel Network
"This Kuaihuo City belongs to Shenxian Valley. Under normal circumstances, you should know the entrance to Kuaihuo City," Lu Fan inquired.
"To be honest, Shenxian Valley is extraordinary. Under normal circumstances, to enter Shenxian Valley, one must pass through a special formation for teleportation," the waiter explained. "I heard that the Valley Master of Shenxian Valley is about to celebrate his birthday and will be holding a banquet. It's likely that in the near future, someone from Shenxian Valley will come to Kuaihuo City to procure supplies. You can ask them then!"
Lu Fan felt a sense of helplessness and began to eat. He hadn't expected that entering Shenxian Valley would involve so much complexity.
Meanwhile, at another table not far away, a man and a woman were drinking wine, with spirit swords beside them. They glanced at Lu Fan.
"It seems quite a few people are coming to Shenxian Valley to offer birthday wishes to the Valley Master."
The man took a sip of wine and then smiled. "We must not be stingy with our gifts when we go to offer birthday wishes this time."
"Don't worry, senior brother. This is a gift personally prepared by my mother, so how could it be a meager gift?" Yang Xian'er chuckled. "Besides, the Valley Master of Shenxian Valley is not someone who is superficial. How could he casually judge the value of gifts?"
"It seems I was being overly concerned."
Long San gave an awkward smile and didn't say anything further.
Lu Fan was drinking his wine dejectedly when he overheard their conversation and his interest was immediately piqued. "Are you two also heading to Shenxian Valley?"
"Yes, we are indeed going to Shenxian Valley," Yang Xian'er replied.
Long San, however, frowned slightly and glanced at Yang Xian'er. "Junior sister, we don't know this person. Don't reveal too much about our identities."
"I think he looks quite kind. He doesn't seem like a bad person," Yang Xian'er shook her head and then looked at Lu Fan. "Are you going to Shenxian Valley to offer birthday wishes as well?"
"Not exactly. I'm going to Shenxian Valley to deliver something," Lu Fan said with an awkward smile. "Do you happen to know the entrance to Shenxian Valley?"