Chapter 2488: Performance

Chapter 2488: Chapter 2488: Performance

City Lord Jing Yan and a group of people were heading towards the former location of the Jade Flame Treasure Light.

This location was at the heart of Hongmeng City’s inner city, very close to the City Lord Mansion; it was the most bustling area of Hongmeng City. In this vicinity, there were numerous shops, and the streets were bustling with the silhouettes of cultivators. Even the famous Hongmeng Pill Tower was no more than about two thousand meters away.

So, when Jing Yan and his entourage appeared, they immediately attracted a lot of attention. Although Jing Yan didn’t make many public appearances in the city, there were still plenty of cultivators in Hongmeng City who had seen him, especially that time when he beheaded the Red-Clothed Killing Star of the Yama Palace, which was witnessed by at least half of the city’s cultivators back then. Even though many people who later entered Hongmeng City hadn’t seen Jing Yan, they could learn from others that the young man in the black robe was indeed the City Lord Jing Yan of Hongmeng City.

Nie Quan and the others also saw City Lord Jing Yan and his entourage.

Their eyes focused. Nie Quan’s smile disappeared. The next moment, a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes. For he recognized the blue-robed elder beside Jing Yan as Elder Gao Zhenjiang from the Golden Toad Commerce.

Nie Quan held a relatively high position in the Jade Flame Business Association as he was an Immortal Venerable Realm cultivator. Over the long years, he had learned a little about the important figures of various superpowers. Gao Zhenjiang was undoubtedly a person of high status at the headquarters of Golden Toad Commerce.

Why would Gao Zhenjiang suddenly appear here?

"City Lord Jing Yan has surfaced."

"After the roller coaster-like fluctuations in property prices within the city, it seems like this is City Lord Jing Yan’s first public appearance, right?"

"That’s correct, it is indeed the first time he has appeared. Previously, although the City Lord Mansion was acquiring properties in large quantities, the one who appeared was only the Grand Steward Bai Han from the City Lord Mansion. This time, even City Lord Jing Yan himself is out in person; is it possible there’s another major move?"

"But... isn’t it said that the City Lord Mansion no longer has any more Black Crystal Stones? It would be difficult to stabilize property prices, wouldn’t it?"

"..."

Whispering voices spread through the crowd. Clearly, they hadn’t recognized Elder Gao Zhenjiang from the Golden Toad Commerce.

"Store Manager Nie Quan, City Lord Jing Yan seems to be heading toward the Jade Flame Treasure Light." A person beside Nie Quan whispered.

"Store Manager, what do you think the City Lord wants to do?"

"Is it possible he wants to negotiate with us? But if he planned to negotiate, shouldn’t he choose to do it privately rather than in public?"

The merchants accompanying Nie Quan all frowned in thought. Some felt that City Lord Jing Yan was there to negotiate, but most believed if the City Lord wanted negotiations, it would have been done privately. To compromise in front of so many people would be quite embarrassing.

Nie Quan scowled, sensing something was amiss. The appearance of Elder Gao Zhenjiang from the Golden Toad Commerce made him uneasy; this likely wasn’t a coincidence. Listening to the discussions around him, he said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on Jing Yan and Gao Zhenjiang. He suspected that Jing Yan might have secretly struck a deal with Gao Zhenjiang. But, weren’t relations between Hongmeng City and the Golden Toad Commerce not that good? When Hongmeng City was first established, Jing Yan had embarrassed the Golden Toad Commerce, and although it ended with the Golden Toad Commerce retreating, wouldn’t a superpower like Golden Cicada Commerce hold a grudge?

Jing Yan also noticed Nie Quan, since his gaze was rather complicated, making it hard for Jing Yan to ignore. He glanced briefly at Nie Quan.

"City Lord, that person is Nie Quan from the Jade Flame Business Association." Bai Han, behind Jing Yan, noticed Jing Yan’s gaze on Nie Quan and whispered a sentence.

"Hmm." Jing Yan nodded.

While speaking, Jing Yan, Gao Zhenjiang, and their group had already arrived near the former Jade Flame Treasure Light.

"Elder Gao, this building is one of the largest in the vicinity. Previously, the Jade Flame Business Association purchased it and established a Jade Flame Treasure Light, and the business was quite good. However, now it has been repurchased by the City Lord Mansion, including a large amount of resources within." Jing Yan introduced to Gao Zhenjiang with a smile.

"The location is indeed very good." Gao Zhenjiang seemed very satisfied.

"City Lord Jing Yan, we are considered old friends; I trust you. As for this business building, why don’t you give a price?" Gao Zhenjiang’s tone shifted, speaking quite directly.

Their conversation was rather loud, intentionally so, to make sure those present heard. There were quite a few cultivators nearby; once they learned about this, the news would quickly spread throughout Hongmeng City and beyond the city.

"Elder Gao, honestly speaking, this business building, including its internal resources, was bought by the City Lord Mansion from its original owner with approximately 160 billion Black Crystal Stones. The reason the City Lord Mansion bought it is that its price was considered very low, so if Elder Gao wants to take it over, there should be a considerable premium. I think a price of 180 billion Black Crystal Stones is pretty fair for both sides." Jing Yan said slowly.

The City Lord Mansion bought this building from Nie Quan at a significantly reduced price, mainly for the building itself, as the various resources within did not see much of a price drop. Therefore, Jing Yan adding 20 billion Black Crystal Stones was not a low price. Of course, it wasn’t overly high either.

"City Lord Jing Yan is a straightforward person, so let’s go with that price." Gao Zhenjiang smiled slightly.

The two had already discussed everything; now it was just an act, and everything was going smoothly.

"Shh..."

Sounds of gasps emerged from the crowd.

billion Black Crystal Stones!

For the cultivators present, witnessing a transaction involving over a thousand billion Black Crystal Stones was something they hadn’t seen in their lifetime. In Hongmeng City, for example, the value of residences in high areas was only about several billion Black Crystal Stones, even for large estates, the prices were only about ten to twenty billion Black Crystal Stones. Shops were more expensive; the normal value of the Jade Flame Treasure Light business building was in the hundreds of billions of Black Crystal Stones.

All in all, witnessing such a large transaction firsthand had many people’s hearts racing.

"Wait a minute, who is that person? He... actually bought this business building from the City Lord Mansion?"

"Who knows that person, and why is he buying such a large business building in Hongmeng City at this time?"

"Haven’t seen him, don’t know this elder."

"Doesn’t this person know about the current property situation in Hongmeng City? That’s not right! The rumors of an impending property collapse in Hongmeng City had spread even beyond the Thunder Domain. This elder doesn’t look like an ordinary person, surely his information wouldn’t be so lacking!"

The crowd quickly regained their senses, then were shocked, wondering why Gao Zhenjiang was buying the business building, especially at a relatively high price.