Before he knew it, Fang Chen's wealth had reached a staggering twenty thousand immortal crystals. Over the past few days, he had quickened his pace, with a daily increase of at least three thousand crystals. This was no small sum, regardless of whose eyes it fell into. It was enough to entice a seventh-transformation Ancient Immortal. Even an eighth transformation would likely be swayed.

I have five more days. In five days, I'll strive to reach forty thousand immortal crystals, thought Fang Chen.

Walking out of an Immortal Origin Stone shop, Fang Chen made a few calculations. With forty thousand immortal crystals, he could pay off his previous debts, cover the losses of the expedition team, fund his avatar's cultivation, and still have enough to feed the Mirror of the Universe.

Fang Chen continued his operation for the day.

***

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious great hall, a handsome young man sat with his eyes closed, listening to a subordinate's low-voiced report.

"Young Master, we have checked. During this period, that individual purchased many Immortal Origin Stones with quite a pattern, but none were cut open on the spot."

"Not cutting them on the spot means he doesn't want to be watched," muttered the youth, eyes still closed. He nodded. "Most people like that are highly proficient in this path, a Master of Immortal Origin Stones. If his movements hadn't been a bit louder these past few days, our people wouldn't have noticed."

The subordinate hesitated for a breath before saying, "Young Master, could it just be a coincidence? Many people don't like cracking open the Stones on the spot, preferring to save them all for a single, more satisfying session."

"I asked you to extrapolate backward from recent dates. What results did you find?" asked the youth with a faint smile, his eyes still closed.

The subordinate lowered his voice and reported, "We extrapolated backward. In this timeframe, the total expenditure by this individual has reached a staggering twenty thousand immortal crystals."

The youth laughed. "Then you tell me, can that be a coincidence? Who can pull out twenty thousand immortal crystals to buy Stones without cutting them?"

The subordinate thought it over carefully, a bitter smile appearing on his face. "You're absolutely right, Young Master."

"He must have opened the Stones, sold the crystals, and then used those crystals to buy more Stones. That is the only logical conclusion. Doesn't this precisely prove that his methods are far superior to the Immortal Origin Stone Masters we have recruited over the years?"

The youth smiled. "We already earn our profit from selling the Stones, so whether someone wins or loses has little to do with us. But if we can recruit him under our banner, there is only benefit and no harm. In a few days, I will be having a gambling match with that person. Altogether, I need three Immortal Origin Stone Masters. Among those under my command, only two are worth looking at. I happen to be missing one."

"You mean... to recruit this person?"

"Correct. Go find and meet with him. Say that I wish to see him. Bring him here, and I will talk to him personally."

"Understood."

***

As night deepened, Fang Chen purchased his final Immortal Origin Stone and prepared to return to the inn to conclude his day's work. Just as he stepped out of the shop, a cultivator approached him.

"Fellow Daoist, my young master wishes to see you. Would you care to accompany me for a visit?"

The cultivator's cultivation was not low. He was a fourth-transformation Immortal Sovereign. Anyone capable of commanding a fourth-transformation immortal as a mere messenger surely possessed an extraordinary background.

Fang Chen smiled faintly and asked, "Your young master? Do I know him?"

The newcomer scrutinized Fang Chen. Just as with his distant observations earlier, he could not discern the slightest hint of the other's cultivation depth. His expression turned more solemn, and he spoke with increased politeness. "My young master is respected by many. They call him Young Master Yuan. Have you heard the name?"

"I have indeed heard of Young Master Yuan's great reputation. May I ask why he wishes to see me?" replied Fang Chen, cupping his hands.

Back when he had been harvesting wool with Little Immortal Honglian in the Immortal Origin District, he had heard of this figure. The man's clan held significant power in the Immortal Origin District, owning several of its largest shops. His original name didn't even contain the character Yuan. The title was a reference to the Origin in Immortal Origin. That spoke volumes about his influence in the local trade.

"Young Master Yuan believes you are a talent of great potential. He is thirsty for such talent and hopes you will give him an opportunity," said the man with a smile.

"A talent? I fear he has misunderstood me. It is late, and it is inconvenient to travel tonight. I shall take my leave first," said Fang Chen, shaking his head with a smile before departing.

The man did not force the issue, simply watching Fang Chen's retreating back.

"The young master says that those with true talent are often filled with pride. Ordinary cultivators would be desperate to join his ranks immediately. This man's refusal indirectly proves his worth."

Thinking this, he turned and returned to report.

Upon hearing the news, the youth was not angered. Instead, he let out a light chuckle. "He is undoubtedly a talent. I will go and meet him personally tomorrow."

"Young Master, should I keep an eye on him? If he leaves, wouldn't we lose a potential general?"

"That is no way to seek the virtuous. There is no need for that."

"Understood."

***

Back at the inn, Fang Chen sat in silence for half an hour before his divine soul exited his body to scan the surroundings.

It seems that Young Master Yuan might be one of the parties in that gambling match a few days from now.

A faint smile flashed in Fang Chen's eyes. This is an opportunity.

He had long sensed that the Immortal Origin District was not as peaceful as it appeared. Over the past few days, he had caught glimpses of people shadowing him, though he hadn't been sure of their intent. Now that he had increased his pace, they had come knocking. This suggested that capable Immortal Origin Stone Masters were not allowed to simply shear wool in the district indefinitely. Eventually, a local power would come to recruit them.

After observing for a while longer to ensure no one was watching, Fang Chen's divine soul returned to his body. He quietly left the district and met with Fang Pusa, who had been following behind.

He currently had over 23,000 immortal crystals. He handed exactly 20,000 to Fang Pusa, keeping the remainder to continue generating wealth. Once Fang Pusa secured the crystals and vanished into the shadows toward Fang Chen's original body, Fang Chen returned to the inn to rest.

The next morning, as soon as Fang Chen stepped out of the inn, a youth with closed eyes arrived under the guidance of the messenger from the previous day.

"Fellow Daoist, this is Young Master Yuan," introduced the Immortal Sovereign with a smile.

Fang Chen calmly cupped his hands. "Greeting, Young Master Yuan."

Young Master Yuan spoke with a refined smile. "Shall we find a quiet place to talk?"

This time, Fang Chen did not refuse. He followed them to a private room in a tea house. Upon entering, ten pieces of Immortal Origin Stones were already laid out before him.

Young Master Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Fellow Daoist, why don't you take a look at these ten origins first, and then we shall discuss further?"

Seeing that, Fang Chen stepped forward and pointed out seven of the pieces. Young Master Yuan opened them right in front of him. Two were empty. The other five all contained items of value. The remaining three were then opened and were likewise empty.

Out of ten Stones, Fang Chen had picked seven. Of those seven, he misjudged two, while five yielded results. This level of skill was perfectly consistent with what the world expected from a high-level Master of Immortal Origin, specifically, a top-tier expert among them.

Young Master Yuan couldn't help but applaud softly. "I truly did not misjudge you. Are you willing to stay and serve under me?"

"I fear I must disappoint you, Young Master Yuan. I do not serve anyone. However, if you require assistance, feel free to speak. As long as the price is right, everything is negotiable," replied Fang Chen with a calm smile.

Young Master Yuan burst into laughter, showing no sign of irritation. He nodded. "I do indeed need your help. In a few days, I have an appointment with a certain individual for an Immortal Origin gambling match."