Chapter 451: Again the Storm Subsides

To better manipulate prices and earn profits, Tantai Can and his associates released nearly half of the Puxian Zhenye onto the market. This created a false impression of abundant circulation, effectively luring unsuspecting cultivators to fall for their trap and be exploited.

However, these very Puxian Zhenye, which had once generated significant profits for them, now paradoxically became their undoing.

The moment Puxian Zhenye was frantically snatched up by cultivators, Tantai Can instantly realized the perilous situation they would face if they failed to take immediate action.

Consequently, Tantai Can made a decisive move, ordering the full recovery of Puxian Zhenye at all costs.

Prompted by this, the price of Puxian Zhenye surged at a rate that bewildered the cultivators.

In almost an instant, it skyrocketed from over 300 points to 400 points, appearing to climb without limit.

This highly anomalous turn of events left the observing cultivators utterly dumbfounded.

"Something is fishy!" This thought invariably surfaced in everyone's mind.

"Could it be that this Puxian Zhenye grass has some unknown hidden uses?"

Amidst rampant speculation, the cultivators who had already made purchases secretly congratulated themselves, eagerly watching the price continue to soar.

Meanwhile, those who had previously dismissed Li Fan's prophecy as nothing more than a scam, despite their lingering skepticism, now found themselves unable to resist. Witnessing those who had acted quickly grow instantly wealthy, they too, stirred by temptation, joined the frantic buying spree.

As Tantai Can and his group observed this frenzied situation, many of them looked exceptionally grim. If this continued, they feared all the profits they had accumulated over the years would be wiped out in a single stroke.

"Fellow Daoist Tantai..."

Tantai Can waved his hand, "We can only accept our losses this time! Continue to acquire!"

"As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood. If we can just get through this crisis..." A hint of ferocity flashed across his handsome face.

Hearing this, the others could only grit their teeth and continue to compete with the now frenzied cultivators.

As time slowly passed, their contribution points flowed out like water, but the accumulating deficit was immense. It was like a bottomless pit that could never be filled. Even though each of them possessed considerable wealth, they gradually found themselves struggling financially. However, seeing that Tantai Can still hadn't spoken or changed his mind, they wiped the cold sweat from their brows and continued their anxious repurchase efforts.

The tense atmosphere seemed to solidify the very air around them.

Just then, Tantai Can took out a constantly flashing communication talisman. After reading it, his expression visibly relaxed. After exchanging a few messages, his composure returned. Seeing this, the others assumed there had been a turn of events and also breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile,

In the Qianli Hall of Congyun Sea,

In the preceding large-scale purchase, Li Fan and Jiao Xiuyuan, having seized the initial advantage, had already acquired a substantial quantity of Puxian Zhenye at low prices. They were now watching with broad smiles as its price soared.

Adhering to the principle of "a bird in hand," Li Fan cautiously began to sell off a portion of his Puxian Zhenye holdings. Under Li Fan's persuasion, Jiao Xiuyuan also gradually divested a small amount.

As the two were discussing their next move, Jiao Xiuyuan's expression suddenly froze. A moment later, he smiled and said to Li Fan, "Tantai Can sent someone to deliver a message. Would you like to hear it?"

"It wouldn't hurt to listen," Li Fan said calmly.

"Ahem..." Jiao Xiuyuan changed his voice, mimicking perfectly: "Brother Jiao, when doing business, it's wise to leave some leeway for future encounters. How about doing me a favor this time?"

Li Fan gave a slight smile. However, he didn't immediately express his stance. Instead, he first asked Jiao Xiuyuan, "Brother Jiao, what are your thoughts?"

Jiao Xiuyuan let out a grim chuckle. "He's merely a junior from the Tantai family. Does he truly believe he's in a position to ask for favors from me?"

"Perhaps if his family's elder ancestor came in person, it might be a different story!"

Li Fan's heart stirred, but he didn't press for details. Instead, he clapped and praised, "Fellow Daoist Jiao, your assertiveness is truly impressive!"

Then, changing the subject abruptly, Li Fan said, "However, there's no harm in agreeing to their terms!"

Li Fan's words came as a great surprise to him. Jiao Xiuyuan paused, then looked at Li Fan inquisitively. "You don't strike me as a soft-hearted individual. Why the sudden benevolence?"

"Not at all, not at all!" Li Fan shook his head. "It's merely an opportunity to make another fortune!"

The mention of business immediately piqued Jiao Xiuyuan's interest, and he quickly inquired, "How do you mean?"

"During my previous divinations, I not only foresaw the surging price of Puxian Zhenye," Li Fan explained slowly, "but I also saw that this disturbance would become too impactful, eventually forcing the Myriad Immortal Alliance to intervene and quell the unrest."

"What's more, we won't have to wait much longer."

"Oh? You mean the price of Puxian Zhenye will soon fall back down?" Jiao Xiuyuan understood at once. "However, the precise timing is impossible to pinpoint; it could happen at any moment. If we don't sell all our Puxian Zhenye before the Myriad Immortal Alliance intervenes, any remaining stock could become worthless once the price collapses."

"Therefore, it would be better to negotiate a suitable price with Tantai Can and his group before that happens. We can then sell all our current stock to them as a single package."

"This would not only reduce our risk and allow us to make another substantial profit, but it would also put Tantai Can in our debt."

Li Fan laid out his plan in detail.

Jiao Xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he burst into hearty laughter. "Fellow Daoist Li Fan, you are truly a genius when it comes to business!"

"Let's do as you suggest!"

He immediately closed his eyes, clearly eager to reply to Tantai Can. Li Fan, meanwhile, stared at the incessantly fluctuating prices displayed in the Heavenly Profound Mirror, calculating how to manage the fallout from this turmoil.

A short while later, Jiao Xiuyuan emerged from his deep concentration.

"It's done. Tantai Can's side will accept all of our Puxian Zhenye at 1300 contribution points per plant."

"Furthermore, they promised to fulfill three of our requests, to the best of their ability."

"I judged that they had reached their limit, so I took the liberty of finalizing the contract with them," Jiao Xiuyuan explained.

"No matter, it's a minor detail," Li Fan said dismissively, handing his Puxian Zhenye over to Jiao Xiuyuan to complete the transaction.

Li Fan then glanced at the current price of Puxian Zhenye in the Heavenly Profound Mirror. It stood at 930 points per plant and was still rising, showing no signs of decline.

"On the surface, it appears Tantai Can and his group still made a profit. However..." Li Fan sneered inwardly, awaiting the final verdict from the Heavenly Profound Mirror.

Shortly after Jiao Xiuyuan relayed the news that the transaction was complete, a familiar yet mercilessly cold, mechanical voice echoed in the minds of all cultivators of the Myriad Immortal Alliance who stood before the Heavenly Profound Mirror. It was just as Li Fan remembered from his previous life.

"Due to the significant abnormal fluctuations in the price of Puxian Zhenye over recent days, and to ensure the stable and harmonious development of the Myriad Immortal Alliance, the following announcement is hereby made."