Fey Evolution Merchant (Web Novel)
chapter-3107

Not only did this young fellow, who hadn't even lived a century, address him by name, but he also claimed that he had only spoken half the truth.

Xie Lin's words were meant as compliments, yet somehow, they were misinterpreted. However, Xie Lin didn't become hostile due to Lin Yuan's attitude. After all, Xie Lin had never expected Lin Yuan to be so young!

Even as someone from the Ancient Snake Gu Palace, Xie Lin didn't dare to underestimate Lin Yuan, who could mobilize so many high-grade Creator resources and provide for tens of thousands of people at such a young age. In fact, he even found Lin Yuan's attitude acceptable.

"I wonder, Young Master Lin, which of my words do you think I misspoke? I welcome your guidance and teachings."

Lin Yuan had heard from Ling Muzhuo that Xie Lin had a bad temper and was extremely strict in his actions. Lin Yuan's words were actually meant to gauge Xie Lin's attitude toward him.

Now that Lin Yuan had assessed that Xie Lin's attitude toward him was relatively favorable, it indicated that Xie Lin approved of his capabilities. He just didn't know how Xie Lin would react if he knew that the 50 star pirates under him had been wiped out by Lin Yuan.

"Since you want to know, I'll tell you. Before coming to South Face City, I couldn't care less about your reputation and power as the City Lord here. But now that I'm here, your reputation and authority in South Face City will naturally be inferior to mine.

"I heard from Brother Ling that you want to invite me to a banquet. My time is very precious. Don't make me feel that your banquet is a waste of my time!"

No matter how highly Xie Lin thought of Lin Yuan's background, he was red-faced with anger upon hearing Lin Yuan's words. What did he mean by his time was precious? Wasn't his time valuable too?

This was the first time Xie Lin had encountered such arrogance from a young person. Prior to this, Xie Lin had only interacted with Ling Muzhuo, who in his impression, was very arrogant.

Now, Xie Lin was very curious about how Ling Muzhuo had befriended Lin Yuan. From the looks of it, the two of them had a good relationship. Lin Yuan had even addressed Ling Muzhuo as Big Brother Ling.

Suppressing his displeasure, Xie Lin said, "Young Master Lin, your work is indeed not something I can compare to. The banquet is ready, and I believe you must be curious about the current situation in South Face City, aren't you?

"As the City Lord, I know the situation in South Face City best. I can explain it to you in detail and share some information about this top grade blessed land with you.

"From the moment the phenomenon appeared, I've been paying attention to the situation of this top grade blessed land. No faction knows it better than me. However, I believe Palace Master Ling and Young Master Lin won't let me reveal such precious information for nothing."

Before Lin Yuan could speak, Ling Muzhuo frowned and addressed Xie Lin. "Rumors about this top grade blessed land are widespread. Numerous local factions in South Face City have been aware of it from the beginning.

"Our Fortune Treasure Palace doesn't depend solely on you for this information, City Lord Xie. I didn't request any favors when I introduced Young Master Lin to you. Now, you're trying to call in favors from me!

"If you genuinely want to befriend me and Young Master Lin, then you should directly provide us with information about the top grade blessed land.

"We're all competing for this top grade blessed land based on our own abilities. Even if you share this information with us, how would it affect your City Lord Manor?"

Ling Muzhuo was well aware his words might offend Xie Lin. However, he chose to speak out because he needed to support Lin Yuan and couldn't let him face the situation alone. If both he and Lin Yuan adopted a firm stance, even if Lin Yuan's words struck a nerve with Xie Lin later, Xie Lin wouldn't react explosively. Ling Muzhuo wouldn't have dared to be so confrontational otherwise.

Fortune Treasure Palace would still need to establish branches in South Face City in the future. A major city like this, located at the border of two universes, was a crucial strategic resource for Fortune Treasure Palace.

Besides aiding Lin Yuan, Ling Muzhuo also felt some discontent toward Xie Lin's attitude. If Xie Lin expected gratitude after dismissing him with superficial information, wouldn't that be treating him like a fool?

Hearing Ling Muzhuo's words, Xie Lin looked at him in surprise.

In Xie Lin's eyes, no matter how esteemed Lin Yuan's background or how arrogant he was, Lin Yuan had no foundation in South Face City. Xie Lin considered leveraging information about the top grade blessed land for practical benefits.

With Ling Muzhuo disrupting the situation, Xie Lin, feeling dissatisfied, could only smile and respond. "Besides the information known to various factions, there are also some secretive details known only to me.

"Palace Master Ling, if you say otherwise, you would be unjustly accusing me. I have no intention of withholding these exclusive details from you and Young Master Lin."

Xie Lin thought the matter would end there, but Ling Muzhuo persisted. "I wonder what exclusive information City Lord Xie is referring to?"

At this point, Xie Lin's dissatisfaction with Ling Muzhuo had peaked. However, he realized he couldn't avoid addressing the situation without revealing some genuine information.

"According to reliable sources, apart from the factions in the South and East Universe, some factions in the West Universe and North Universe are also interested in fighting for this top grade blessed land.

"These include the Myriad Dragon Immortal Valley, Abyssal Beast Domain, and Faerie Institution. Top grade blessed lands are very beneficial to higher faeries. Faerie Institution will send at least two higher faeries. I don't suppose Palace Master Ling has heard of this information before, right?"

Xie Lin was right. Ling Muzhuo hadn't heard this information before. If he had, he would have informed Lin Yuan, especially since he was committed to assisting him.

Ling Muzhuo had initially doubted Lin Yuan's claim about Xie Lin's affiliation with the Ancient Snake Gu Palace. However, with this new information, Ling Muzhuo keenly felt that Lin Yuan's claim was likely true.

Even if Xie Lin wasn't directly affiliated with the Ancient Snake Gu Palace, he must still be connected to a vast and ancient faction. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had access to this kind of information.

Determined to verify further, Ling Muzhuo said, "City Lord Xie, while there's much I may not know, I also possess information that you may not. If I share this with you, it will be a fair exchange."

Hiding his anger, Xie Lin smiled and said, "Trading information can be beneficial, but it's crucial to ensure that the exchanged intelligence is of equal value for both sides."

While Ling Muzhuo maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, he had already begun to activate his soul power. Once the emotions of Xie Lin and the two retainers beside him fluctuated violently, Ling Muzhuo would be able to sense it immediately.

"City Lord Xie, I believe you should approve of the credibility of our Fortune Treasure Palace's intelligence sources. I've heard that the Ancient Snake Gu Palace, this ancient and malevolent faction, has resurfaced and intends to vie for this top grade blessed land."

After uttering these words, Ling Muzhuo keenly sensed that Xie Lin's emotions were undergoing intense fluctuations. However, the fluctuation didn't last, as Xie Lin swiftly suppressed it once again, almost in an instant.

Unlike Xie Lin, his two attendants didn't immediately suppress their surprise. Instead, they cast scrutinizing glances, as if their inner thoughts had been exposed.

Ling Muzhuo's ability to sense emotions was related to his contracted fey. Now, he was increasingly confident about Xie Lin's background.

Thinking of the Ancient Snake Gu Palace's way of doing things and the losses suffered by Fortune Treasure Palace in South Face City over the years, Ling Muzhuo had a sense of having discovered the main culprit. No wonder there had been no peace in South Face City. It was most likely Xie Lin's doing.

"Oh? I haven't heard of the Ancient Snake Gu Palace. But if they've set their sights on this top grade blessed land, then there's no doubt that this land will be theirs. When the various factions vie for it, the outcome will undoubtedly be in favor of the Ancient Snake Gu Palace."

At that moment, Lin Yuan once again displayed his arrogant demeanor.

"It seems you not only know about the Ancient Snake Gu Palace but also have a deep understanding of it. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so confident in the Ancient Snake Gu Palace.

"I remember your adjutant saying that you also have the intention to fight for this top grade blessed land. If you think so highly of the Ancient Snake Gu Palace, why are you still fighting for this top grade blessed land?

"Moreover, since you know that the Myriad Dragon Immortal Valley, Abyssal Beast Domain, and Faerie Institution will also contend for this top grade blessed land, do you think that the Ancient Snake Gu Palace is stronger than these three factions?

"City Lord Xie, if you're afraid of the Ancient Snake Gu Palace and know that you don't have the ability to compete with it, why don't you cooperate with me and Palace Master Ling?"

Upon hearing Lin Yuan's words, Xie Lin's face flushed with anger, but considering that he still needed to negotiate with Lin Yuan for Creation Master resources later, Xie Lin forcefully suppressed his emotions.

At the same time, he couldn't help but become suspicious. Could it be that Lin Yuan and Ling Muzhuo knew that he was from the Ancient Snake Gu Palace?

In the past, Xie Lin might have been somewhat nervous because he didn't want to reveal his identity. However, now that action was imminent, Xie Lin was not concerned at all about his identity being discovered.

After leading Lin Yuan and Ling Muzhuo to the banquet hall, Xie Lin took out his precious wine to entertain them.

However, Lin Yuan didn't give Xie Lin any face at all. Not only did he refuse to drink Xie Lin's wine, but he also took out three jugs of wine, claiming that Xie Lin's wine wasn't good enough, and shared them with Ling Muzhuo.

Xie Lin could no longer tolerate Lin Yuan and Ling Muzhuo singing the same tune, so he finally spoke directly. "Young Master Lin, I was originally planning to attend the trade fair you organized, but unfortunately, timing wasn't on my side. Some issues arose within the alliance I had formed, and if I didn't address them, the alliance would surely fall apart.

"Therefore, I had my adjutant attend the trade fair in my place. At that time, he left in haste and didn't bring back many resources. I wonder if I still have the opportunity to trade with you, Young Master Lin?"

Lin Yuan didn't give Xie Lin any face. "Creator resources aren't particularly valuable in my hands, but I won't trade with just anyone. As I mentioned at the trade fair before, in the future, only factions within my alliance will be able to enjoy such treatment.

"However, no one from the City Lord Manor has joined the alliance I established, so I have no reason to trade resources with you after the trade fair. Surely, you wouldn't think that trading Creator resources for spiritual ingredients benefits me, would you?"

Lin Yuan's words were equivalent to rejecting Xie Lin's request for a trade. Had it not been for Autumn accompanying Lin Yuan, Xie Lin might have already taken action. His uncertainty about Autumn's capabilities made him hesitate. If they couldn't trade, then there was no reason to keep Lin Yuan and Ling Muzhuo here.

Just as Xie Lin was about to find a reason to chase them away, he heard Lin Yuan say, "However, considering your hospitality, I'm not entirely inclined to refuse your request. Yet, the level of goods exchanged must inevitably be raised compared to before."

Upon hearing that they could still continue trading supplies, a smile finally returned to Xie Lin's face.

"All the spiritual ingredients I offer for exchange are at Grade 4 Creator resources. Many of them are even suitable for concocting potions by Grade 5 Creator standards. Since I proposed the trade, you can be assured of my sincerity."

With that, Xie Lin took out all those resources from his spatial equipment.

When Xie Lin typically hosted a banquet for his guests, Jia Mingda and Yang Xuzhang would usually have the privilege to attend. However, Xie Lin wanted to keep his dealings with Lin Yuan confidential, so he discreetly dismissed them beforehand.

Although Yang Xuzhang and Jia Mingda felt uncomfortable about this decision, Xie Lin was indifferent to their feelings. He knew that this time he could successfully offer resources to the two Snake Lords.

With these two Snake Lords as his guarantors, he would likely be promoted from his position as Guardian in the Ancient Snake Gu Palace, perhaps even gaining entry to the Ancient Snake Training Camp. Completing the training there would give him a chance to become a preparatory Snake Lord.

By then, the gap between his status and that of Jia Mingda and Yang Xuzhang would be insurmountable. Even if they wanted to curry favor with him, they wouldn't have the opportunity. Xie Lin couldn't care less about their feelings.

Lin Yuan was already planning to use spirit qi crystals to exchange for various goods in large quantities, so Xie Lin's initiative to bring it up again meant that Lin Yuan could gain even more. Moreover, the resources Xie Lin was now offering were of a higher level than what Lin Yuan had previously traded for.

Lin Yuan didn't focus much on the resources Xie Lin presented, but his excitement surged when he saw Xie Lin take out a fey. It was a light blue turtle, no larger than the size of a palm, yet it carried a shell at least five times larger than its body, making even crawling somewhat difficult.

Lin Yuan thought to himself that after waiting so long, he had finally encountered a new fey compatible with Morbius' Spirit Lock. It was the first time he had seen such a magical feature in a fey.

Seeing Lin Yuan's interest in the turtle that struggled to carry its shell, Xie Lin introduced it to him, "Young Master Lin has good taste. I obtained this Spirit World Barrier Turtle from a mid grade blessed land."