Chapter 1660: Puppet in Hand

This implies that while one hour passes outside, ten hours pass within the hourglass, which is almost a full day.

On the surface, it seemed to be of little use.

However, in an emergency where time is crucial, it could prove immensely useful.

Jiang Fan grasped its potential and said, "It's good, but not worth one small divine ring."

Tianjian's expression darkened. "Sir, you've made your point."

"I would never normally offer this item. It's only because the divine ring you possess is something I desperately need that I'm showing such sincerity."

Jiang Fan calmly replied, "Master Qiqi has repeatedly taught me that it's better to forgo a deal than to undervalue an item."

"There are only two small divine rings in the world. If you don't want them, I'll find someone else who does."

Tianjian's expression shifted slightly.

If the two divine rings were sold to others, it would give them a significant advantage. Should they fall into Young Master Xiang's hands, their chances of securing first place would become even more remote.

After a brief internal struggle, he gritted his teeth and declared:

"Hold on! I actually have two space-time hourglasses!"

Tianjian felt a pang of intense regret. These hourglasses were a gift from the clan's Emperor before his departure, with a strict instruction to use them wisely.

He had originally planned to use them to escape a dangerous situation in an upcoming challenge.

Now, he had no choice but to offer them for trade.

However, since there were only two small divine rings in existence, they were also extremely rare, making this deal not a significant loss for him.

Jiang Fan's face lit up with delight.

See? Treasures are like water in a sponge; if you squeeze hard enough, there's always more to be found.

But he didn't give up, feigning a troubled expression. "It's still not quite enough. Master Qiqi would criticize me if I made this deal."

Tianjian's teeth ground together. "Isn't this guy too greedy?"

Tianqin pulled him back as he was about to retort. Her captivating eyes then shifted to the Three-Crowned Asura King behind them, and she said:

"How about this: we'll also include a Three-Crowned Asura King puppet as a bonus?"

"Not only is she incredibly powerful, but she's also beautiful. She can fight on the battlefield and serve in the chambers. She's sure to be very popular if you bring her back to your Sin Realm."

Jiang Fan had already noticed the Three-Crowned Asura King.

Where would he ever find such a puppet normally?

If he brought her back to Central Earth, she could help slay ancient giants and later guard the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

Add to that the two space-time hourglasses...

A massive profit!

He sighed, feigning reluctance. "Alright, for your beauty and sweet voice, I'll take a loss this time."

"The deal is done. Take it."

He tossed down the small divine ring.

With a grim expression, Tianjian threw over the two space-time hourglasses. Tianqin, meanwhile, her face beaming with joy, tapped the Three-Crowned Asura King on the forehead.

A black token, imbued with her soul imprint, slowly materialized.

She then sent the Three-Crowned Asura King and the token over to him, saying, "With this token, you can command her actions."

Jiang Fan caught the incoming items, feeling a surge of satisfaction.

What a day for significant gains!

Tianjian seized the small divine ring, his face unable to conceal his immense joy.

He glanced at the other small divine ring, feeling a sense of regret.

He still possessed other powerful items, but those were meant for self-preservation later on, and it would be unwise to trade them all for small divine rings.

Yet, not acquiring it meant letting someone else benefit.

And he certainly couldn't let the strongest, Young Master Xiang, gain an advantage.

His gaze shifted, and he suggested, "Sir, why not trade your last one with Liu Bianhuang?"

"The Ancient Demon Realm has paid a tremendous price to win the Ancient Wilderness Hunt."

"They even enlisted the Chaotic Ancient Blood Marquis from the Sin Realm to seize the Ancient Wilderness Token, not only to eliminate competitors but also to prepare numerous valuable treasures."

"He would surely be very pleased to trade with you."

Jiang Fan recalled the time during his tribulation when the Chaotic Ancient Blood Marquis tore open the world barrier and attacked across realms, intending to seize his Ancient Wilderness Token.

So, it was the Ancient Demon Realm that had enlisted him.

He also remembered a string of heads hanging behind the Chaotic Ancient Blood Marquis's warhorse, each one clutching an Ancient Wilderness Token in its mouth.

He had almost met the same fate as those heads.

To this day, he still bore a tracking mark from the Chaotic Ancient Blood Marquis!

That despicable Liu Bianhuang!

However, this also explained why the Asura clan of the Heavenly Realm possessed two Ancient Wilderness Tokens, and why a large number of participants were missing.

It was because Ancient Wilderness Tokens could be purchased in the Sin Realm.

He cast a glance at Tianjian, whose eyes were full of cunning calculation, and said, "Alright, I'll go find Liu Bianhuang now."

With that, he turned and departed.

Tianjian scoffed, "What a black-hearted fellow!"

Tianqin shook her head. "He's merely Qiqi's apprentice, just following orders."

"The truly black-hearted one is Qiqi. He, on the other hand, seems quite reasonable."

Tianjian shot her a sideways glance. "He complimented your beauty and sweet voice, and now you're singing his praises?"

Tianqin replied, "I, for one, genuinely believe he's a very kind person."

"He's simply been coerced by Qiqi into becoming a shrewd merchant."

Meanwhile, Jiang Fan.

On the tiger's back, he quickly organized his newly acquired items, storing the two space-time hourglasses separately in a spatial storage device.

As for the Three-Crowned Asura King puppet,

He tucked the token into his pocket and simply observed the puppet.

The puppet was enveloped in black mist, obscuring its true appearance. He could sense that its consciousness was currently suppressed by the puppetry spell, rendering it inert like a wooden figure.

Jiang Fan had no immediate need for her to fight, so he simply left her on the tiger's back and continued his search for the next "easy mark."

Of course,

He wouldn't possibly seek out Liu Bianhuang for a trade.

They had a deep-seated grudge; meeting him would only lead to immediate conflict and endless trouble.

Furthermore, Jiang Fan couldn't let Liu Bianhuang acquire the small divine ring at a bargain.

As for Young Master Xiang, he wouldn't approach him either.

Given that fellow's imperious aura, Jiang Fan could easily imagine that if he approached him with the small divine ring for trade, the other party would most likely arrogantly declare:

"You know nothing of me!"

And then proceed to draw his sword, annihilate his foes, and leave Jiang Fan gawking in awe.

No, that kind of grandstanding in front of powerful figures from all realms—that's a role he'd rather perform himself!

The moment the ancient blood demons are wounded will be Jiang Fan's cue to act!

Then, if he makes a move, it won't just be a move; it will be a spectacle that astonishes everyone!

Lost in thought, he continued his search for more easy targets.

"Oh, lucky ones, congratulations on encountering me."

"Young man, are you willing to engage in a heaven-defying transaction?"

"Qiqi's apprentice is here. Do any of you wish to trade?"

Not long after.

Qiqi had been selling items from one end of the battlefield all the way to the other.

"That's odd. How is it that no one I've asked along the way wants this?"

"Some even scowled at me. It's baffling; I haven't swindled them out of a single Great Qian Divine Coin, so where's all this resentment coming from?"

Just then, he spotted Tianjian and Tianqin.

He immediately plastered on a sugary-sweet smile and approached them:

"Greetings, brother and sister! I'm your favorite Qiqi."

"I have a divine ring here that can restore domains. Are either of you interested?"

Tianjian and Tianqin exchanged surprised glances.

Tianjian immediately felt a sense of betrayal. "Didn't you say there were only two?" he demanded.

"Why is there still another one?"

The only reason he had been willing to part with two space-time hourglasses was the assertion that there were only two in existence!

Who would have thought there was a third?

No, perhaps even many more!

This was undoubtedly a massive scam orchestrated by Qiqi and her apprentice!

Qiqi blinked, looking puzzled.

"But I haven't traded with you two, have I?"