Nine Star Hegemon Body Arts

Chapter 5320 Mutual Deception

Chapter 5320 Mutual Deception

“Really? Are you guys really from the Soaring Dragon Company?!” Long Chen asked, his voice filled with excitement as he looked at them.

Moreover, his expression became exceptionally friendly and warm, as if he were reuniting with long-lost family members.

The sudden change caught the group off guard. Now suspicious, the elder asked, “Young friend, are you a V.I.P. of my Soaring Dragon Company?”

“I wouldn’t call myself a V.I.P., but I’ve done quite a bit of business with your company. Big deals too,” Long Chen said, keeping his tone friendly.

“You’re a major client of ours?” The elder was startled.

It was well known that doing business with the Soaring Dragon Company required considerable status. Ordinary sects weren’t eligible—only the most powerful factions could conduct transactions with them. As a result, the elder’s tone changed immediately, becoming more respectful.

Long Chen warmly patted the elder’s shoulder and chuckled, “It just so happens that I have new treasuries I’m looking to trade. Where should I look for you later?”

The group stiffened at Long Chen’s casual gesture, but the elder quickly raised a hand. Upon hearing that Long Chen wanted to do business, he was instantly intrigued. He quickly asked, “May I ask who you dealt with previously when doing business with us?”

Someone else might have taken the elder’s question as suspicious, but Long Chen understood the rules of large trading companies. Client ownership was strictly regulated; they couldn’t simply poach clients from one another, as that would cause chaos.

For instance, when Long Chen did business with Zheng Wenlong at the Huayun Trading Company, other employees sometimes assisted Long Chen. However, all transactions were still credited to Zheng Wenlong.

“When I originally did business with your company, it was in a different world. It’s been a long time, and I’ve lost touch with the person I dealt with,” Long Chen explained casually.

Hearing there was no lingering connection, the elder was delighted and smiled brightly. “I can tell that you and your companion are blessed with talent and fortune. I even sense a special aura about you, which means you must have treasures. Choosing our Soaring Dragon Company is the best decision you can make. Our integrity is—”

Aware of their “integrity”, Long Chen couldn’t be bothered to listen to his spiel any longer and interrupted, “Come on, I naturally know how trustworthy the Soaring Dragon Company is. How can I reach you in Ying Prefecture City?”

“This is my status plate, and the Soaring Dragon Company’s position is on it. You can find me at any time, or we can even start discussing business right now if you like,” the elder said, as he handed Long Chen a tablet with a flying dragon mark on it.

When Long Chen saw the familiar mark on the tablet, any worries he had vanished. It was indeed the same Soaring Dragon Company. Seeing the elder smiling warmly, Long Chen almost shook his head. This idiot actually thought that he could con him. He wanted to lure Long Chen into an isolated spot, likely planning something unsavory.

While his acting skills were decent, the way he was rushing Long Chen made his real goal all too obvious.

“I’ve got urgent business in Ying Prefecture. But once I’m done, I’ll definitely come find you,” Long Chen said.

“That’s fine too. May I ask if you need any help with this business? Whatever you need, my Soaring Dragon Company can provide. Our reach is vast, and we’re well-connected,” said the elder.

Once again, the elder was probing Long Chen, leaving him speechless.

Shaking his head, Long Chen replied, “I’m here under orders from my sect master to pay respects to a senior. I won’t trouble you.”

Seeing he couldn’t pry any further, the elder nodded. “Very well, but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Standing beside Long Chen, Qing Xi almost burst into laughter several times as she watched Long Chen lie through his teeth without hesitation. She bitterly worked to keep her expression straight.

Buzz.

Suddenly, space quivered, and the transportation channel dissolved, bringing them to a massive transportation formation surrounded by countless others.

It was Long Chen’s first time seeing such enormous transportation formations. Stepping out, Long Chen was amazed by the scale of the city before them. The towering buildings exuded an ancient aura, and above the city, a colossal spirit-gathering formation swirled like a vortex—the largest he had ever seen.

“Young friend, we’ll part ways here. If you need anything, remember to come find me!” The greedy elder waved, heading towards a luxurious carriage with his entourage before disappearing into the city.

As soon as the elder was gone, Qing Xi asked, “Senior apprentice-brother Long Chen, the Soaring Dragon Company is one of the largest merchant organizations in the Heaven Essence World, rivaling even the Huayun Trading Company. How do you have a history with them?”

Qing Xi knew that Long Chen had only recently arrived in the Heaven Essence World, making it unlikely for him to have previous dealings with these powerful organizations.

“The Huayun Trading Company?” Long Chen’s face lit up with delight at hearing a familiar name

“Senior apprentice-brother, you also know of the Huayun Trading Company?” asked Qing Xi, surprised.

“Yes, do they have a branch in Ying Prefecture City as well?”

“Of course.”

“Alright, let’s go there first!”

Feeling excited, Long Chen entered the city with Qing Xi, and they paid a hefty fee of three thousand primal chaos spirit stones for a one-month stay. It went without saying that only wealthy cultivators could reside here.

However, once they were inside, Long Chen could feel that the spiritual energy inside was so dense it almost took physical form, making the steep price feel worthwhile.

Long Chen found that Ying Prefecture City was a hundred times larger than what it appeared to be on the outside. The enormous skyscrapers were incredibly dazzling. Even so, Long Chen couldn’t be bothered to look around. He directly called over a carriage and told the driver he wanted to go to the Huayun Trading Company. When he asked for the fare, he was told it would be two hundred primal chaos spirit stones.

In any case, Long Chen didn’t need to spend his own money. Now that Qing Xi was loaded with treasures, she was a walking treasury.

The carriage was luxurious, with its own private space, and the driver was even an Earth Saint. Long Chen couldn’t help but feel a tinge of amazement at such extravagance.

After an hour-long ride, they finally arrived. As Long Chen stepped out, he was greeted by the sight of an ancient building. Hanging prominently from the building was an enormous golden coin, the unmistakable mark of the Huayun Trading Company—the Major World Golden Coin. It brought a smile to Long Chen’s face.

“Welcome to the Huayun Trading Company! May the light of the Wealth God forever shine upon you. How may I be of help today?” A professional attendant immediately approached them, her demeanor relaxed yet warm, as though she was welcoming them home.

“Could I trouble you to settle the carriage fare? Thanks,” Long Chen said with a smile.