Chapter 457

The price of the Samantabhadra True Leaf has always been quite stable.

There was even a rare occurrence where its price fell despite market trends.

Even when the Spirit Mist Grass caused a market crash in most spiritual herbs after the announcement by the Tianxuan Mirror, its price remained steady, showing no significant fluctuations.

"Samantabhadra True Leaf..."

As Li Fan searched through his memories, the Dao Deviation Stone in his mind emitted a faint blue glow.

Moments later, Li Fan showed a trace of interest.

According to his recollection, after the Spirit Mist Grass incident, as abundant byproducts from the Five Elements Cave Heaven began to flood the market, the prices of most spiritual herbs and plants drastically dropped.

However, the Samantabhadra True Leaf was an exception.

In the following decades, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf steadily increased.

It was just too obscure to attract much attention from cultivators.

So, when Li Fan made a fortune from the speculation surrounding the Spirit Mist Grass and then devoted most of his energy to constructing the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation, he naturally overlooked it.

Now, seeing that the Spirit Mist Grass incident was unlikely to occur, Li Fan needed a substitute, and the unusual nature of the Samantabhadra True Leaf caught his attention.

"In my previous life, I remember that after the Tianxuan Spirit Locking Formation became widespread, the Wise Discernment Talisman was gradually phased out. However, its price remained high, indicating that it must have had some unknown uses."

"All these anomalies suggest that someone is manipulating the market behind the scenes."

Li Fan carefully considered the feasibility of his plans to either attack Lingwu Island to artificially inflate the price of Spirit Mist Grass or use the Samantabhadra True Leaf as a substitute.

"Whichever method I choose, the end result will surely cause significant upheaval. The Tianji Hall will undoubtedly investigate."

"Judging from how things were handled in my past life, manipulating the market by buying low and selling high within the allowed rules was acceptable."

"But if someone intentionally disrupts the market or the economy, it could be deemed a threat to the stability of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance."

"Even with my Sky-Shrouding Palm Secret Art, I might not escape scrutiny."

"..."

After careful consideration, Li Fan made a decision.

"However, I still need to see if the Samantabhadra True Leaf is viable."

He immediately took action.

Li Fan sold off all his previously acquired Spirit Mist Grass at any cost and began purchasing Samantabhadra True Leaf instead.

In the Tianxuan Mirror, the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf was currently stable at around 280 contribution points per leaf.

Li Fan made a massive purchase worth a million contribution points, sweeping up all available stock.

Soon, the market's inventory visibly dwindled.

Simultaneously, its price began to rise gradually.

It recovered from the recent dip and returned to a normal level, around 300 contribution points.

Li Fan, remaining calm, continued to increase his buying pressure.

Another million contribution points were invested.

301, 302...

The price of Samantabhadra True Leaf was about to break through 305.

At this moment, its price suddenly plummeted, dropping from over 300 back to 292 contribution points in an instant.

"This indicates that someone has released a large quantity of Samantabhadra True Leaf into the market."

"The Tianxuan Mirror detected an oversupply, leading to a rapid price drop."

"Interesting."

A gleam flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he paused his actions to carefully consider the situation.

"Holding a large amount of Samantabhadra True Leaf and intentionally manipulating the price down—why?"

"And in the last life, during the Spirit Mist Grass frenzy, they were able to maintain such tight control over the price of Samantabhadra True Leaf even amidst a general rise in spiritual herb prices."

"It's almost certain that they've established some kind of monopoly."

"Confident of victory, are they..."

It wasn't long before Li Fan connected this to a strategy he had used in his previous life, leading him to a possible conclusion.

Suddenly, Li Fan stood up, exited the Tianxuan Mirror, and headed straight for the Qianli Hall.

From outside, he could hear Jiao Xiuyuan's disgruntled voice: "Didn't you say you wanted this Flying Star Disk? I went through so much trouble to dig it out, and now you don't want it?"

"Can people still do business with any integrity?"

Li Fan interrupted with a smile, "If Nobody wants it? I'll take it!"

Jiao Xiuyuan, who didn't know who he was talking to, immediately beamed upon hearing this.

He quickly said, "Deal! Fifteen hundred contribution points, fixed price! No going back on your word!"

He handed over a rusty copper disk.

Li Fan took a glance but didn't find anything special about it.

However, trusting his past experience, he paid the price and stored it carefully in his storage ring.

"Fellow Daoist Jiao, forget about these small transactions. I've got a big deal for you this time!"

Li Fan said seriously.

Jiao Xiuyuan, recognizing Li Fan, thought he was here to inquire about the sale of the [Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye]. A trace of embarrassment appeared on his dark face.

"Ah! So it's Daoist Li Fan! My apologies, but that Illusion-Breaking Stone Eye, maybe..."

Li Fan waved his hand to interrupt and pulled Qiao Xiuyuan closer, speaking in a low voice: "Forget about that for now. Fellow Daoist Jiao, I'm serious about what I just said."

"If you miss this opportunity, your Dao Heart may shatter, and your puppets may suffer significant damage!"

Hearing Li Fan's ominous warning, Jiao Xiuyuan's expression instantly changed.

He put away his playful demeanor and looked at Li Fan with a serious expression before closing the doors of Qianli Hall.

"Daoist Li Fan, what do you mean by this?" he asked.

"The Samantabhadra True Leaf. Daoist Jiao, do you know about it? Recently, its price has been behaving unusually. Take a look for yourself," Li Fan replied.

Jiao Xiuyuan, upon hearing this, closed his eyes to think.

Moments later, his brows furrowed slightly.

At that moment, Li Fan explained the series of tests he had just conducted.

"What do you think?" Li Fan asked, with a hint of appraisal in his tone.

After a moment of contemplation, Jiao Xiuyuan said, "If I'm not mistaken, the other party might have borrowed a certain quantity of Samantabhadra True Leaf from somewhere."

"And they probably have some extra stock on hand."

"So they plan to temporarily lower the price by flooding the market, thus reducing their repayment amount and making a profit."

Jiao Xiuyuan offered his analysis.

Li Fan clapped his hands, saying, "Great minds think alike. I thought the same."

Jiao Xiuyuan frowned, somewhat dissatisfied: "Is this the big deal you mentioned? I don't see how it's a big opportunity."

Li Fan revealed a mysterious smile.

"What if, and I'm just saying, what if..."

"When the time comes for them to repay the borrowed Samantabhadra True Leaf, the combined market supply isn't enough for them to fulfill their obligation. What would happen then?"

Jiao Xiuyuan was momentarily puzzled by Li Fan's words.

He was stunned for a moment.

After a while, a spark of realization flashed in his eyes.