Second Elder explained to Ding Fan: "But the largest trade firm in Letian City doesn’t have a branch in Tianmu Sea because they can’t be taken out, so we can only put them in boxes."

"This seems a bit off."

Elder Wu Ren looked at Ding Fan and said, "The people trying to rob us know our information very well. Second Brother even said he’s a relative of Xu Haitao. They know who we are and mock us for impersonating the Xu Family. Moreover, this time they didn’t kill anyone, just stole the goods. They aren’t like ordinary bandits; they clearly understand our background."

"What is it? Why is this happening?"

Ding Fan thought of two possibilities: either the auction house in Letian City sold Second Elder’s information and colluded with pirates to intercept them, or someone deliberately targeted Skull Island without wanting much commotion.

The ones at odds with Skull Island are only Luoying Island, Blood Demon Island, and Xian Kong Island. These islands don’t wield much power and likely wouldn’t dare mess things up, considering the relationship between Ding Fan and Crimson Flame isn’t ordinary.

Deliberately targeting Ding Fan? Aren’t they afraid of Crimson Flame seeking revenge?

A name appeared in Ding Fan’s mind, Rufeng!

If all of this is orchestrated by Rufeng, it explains everything easily. Daozhen Family has such capability, unafraid of retaliation. Moreover, Second Elder and the others didn’t die, making it evident that Rufeng was merely retaliating for what happened at Xu Haitao’s birthday.

Ding Fan felt troubled; Rufeng’s status is unrestrained. If she wants to deal with Skull Island, it’s too easy for her. She might merely issue an order, and tremendous power would support her endeavor, essentially currying favor with the Daozhen Family.

Rufeng dispatched people to intercept these million Black Obsidian stones—isn’t that indirectly retaliating and intimidating me? How could Skull Island have good things not sold to Daozhen Trade Firm but sold in Letian City? The Herr Family must be displeased?

Hence, some Bai Family executives know this too, but pretend ignorance, letting Rufeng operate at will? 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Whew."

Ding Fan let out a breath, feeling a bit strained. If Rufeng continues to stir trouble, Skull Island’s painstaking cultivation of Spirit Grass will be cut off from sale. Without Black Obsidian, Skull Sect faces a dead end.

But none of this is certain yet!

All these are based on Ding Fan’s speculation without any evidence. He furrowed his brows, devising a solution to break through the current predicament.

Second Elder and others also kept silent, furrowed their brows, deeply troubled.

These two types of Spirit Grass couldn’t be sold to Daozhen Island, but selling them outside now risks being killed. Spirit Grass grown can’t be converted to Black Obsidian. A few more of such incidents, and Skull Island couldn’t afford seeds.

"You will plant another batch of Red Cistanche and Blood Thorn Sprouts!" After a while, Ding Fan spoke up: "Once they’re grown, I’ll sell them myself."

Second Elder glanced at him and asked, "But where to sell?"

"Daozhen Island!"

Ding Fan left these three words, stood up, and walked outside. The matters with Rufeng must be resolved personally. He doesn’t believe such a huge Daozhen Family, the hegemon of Tianmu Sea, would genuinely stoop so low to target a minor third grade force deliberately.

Ding Fan continued cultivating, aside from emerging periodically to replenish his blood supply, remaining in Jingshan. Once a batch of Red Cistanche matured, Wu Qingxia personally went to Jingshan to find Ding Fan.

"Ding Fan, you... have reached the Second Level Peak in Divine Realm?"

When Wu Qingxia saw Ding Fan, she immediately felt something was off. She saw Ding Fan smile and nod. Despite the cultivation progress suggesting that even with day and night practice and daily consumption of Yuan Multiplying Pills, success would take at least three months, he had advanced in less than fifty days.

"I obtained Magical Pills at the underground lake beneath Baisheng Island, speeding up my cultivation."

Ding Fan deceived Wu Qingxia. Having experienced that incident with Little Sirius, Ding Fan decided always to keep Sirius by his side.

Reaching Skull Sect, Second Elder and others were greatly shocked, except for Mu Gaosou who wasn’t surprised. Ye Xiaoxi had reached the Fourth Level of Divine Realm in her teens, Amplification Pill was no ordinary Medicine Pill.

"Let’s go!"

Ding Fan made Mu Gaosou follow him, along with Elder Wu Ren, as the trio boarded a warship to Moon Mist Island, preparing to take the Teleportation Array to Daozhen Island.

Now he wanted to meet Madam Yan or Rufeng; Skull Island couldn’t continue like this, passively consuming resources until they ran out.

Da-da-da...

Upon entering Yuexia City, they encountered Xu Family’s Miss Xu Xingying. Xu Xingying rode a snow-white horse, leading a group of female soldiers towards the outskirts of Yuexia City. Ding Fan, Mu Gaosou, and Elder Wu Ren were entering the city, nearly knocked over by Xu Xingying’s horse. With quick reflexes, he shifted his body, narrowly avoiding the white horse.

"Whoa..."

Xu Xingying stopped and looked at Ding Fan but didn’t dismount, casually saying to Ding Fan, "Oh, it’s Island Master Ding. Sorry, I was in a hurry and nearly bumped into you."

While apologizing verbally, her expression showed no sign of embarrassment. Ding Fan couldn’t possibly hold it against her; he smiled slightly, raised his hand in salute without saying anything.

"Why is this?"

Xu Xingying glanced over Ding Fan and Mu Gaosou, finally realizing something. Surprised, she said, "Mu Gaosou, you’ve broken through to the Fourth Level of Divine Realm? Island Master Lu, you’ve reached the Second Level Peak in Divine Realm? I recall you were at the mid-level of Second Level, right?"

Clearly, Xu Xingying heard about Mu Gaosou’s achievement. Their faces were stunned. These female soldiers were likely young ladies from influential families in the city, following Xu Xingying just for amusement.

Ding Fan remained calm, lightly smiling as he said, "Elder Mu Gaosou luckily broke through. As for me, it’s not really worth mentioning."

Ding Fan’s two casual remarks made Xu Xingying even more shocked. Mu Gaosou had tried to break through a hundred realms already without success, but now, once he joined Skull Island, he broke through?

What does this mean?

This indicates that Skull Island has enough Spiritual Materials or Spiritual Medicine to aid his breakthrough! This also suggests Skull Island is a paradise, or perhaps Skull Island has a unique formula? Can it help Mu Gaosou easily break through to the Third Level Peak Realm in the Divine Realm?

In any case, this is enough to catch Xu Xingying’s attention. Ding Fan’s indifferent expression at this moment seemed unfathomable in Xu Xingying’s eyes.

"Miss Xingying, we have matters to attend to, we must leave first, farewell!"

This unreasonable young lady, Ding Fan disliked her, impatient to chat, bowed slightly, and with Mu Gaosou and Elder Wu Ren, walked into the city.

Xu Xingying watched Ding Fan walk away, then turned around and rode towards the Xu Family Courtyard. She needs to inform Xu Guotao of the news quickly.

Skull Island now has a Fourth Level Expert in the Divine Realm, plus a group of Tigertooth Apes, strong enough to overpower all nearby forces. Although it poses no threat to Moon Mist Island, it must be given adequate attention.

Ding Fan felt that this matter was not important.

Mu Gaosou’s situation would eventually be known to the outside world, this matter can’t be covered up, how does Mu Gaosou’s improvement matter, it won’t pose a threat to Moon Mist Island, even if there is no breakthrough, which third-grade power dares to attack Moon Mist Island?

Upon reaching the Teleportation Array, the guard there was shocked by Mu Gaosou’s aura. Ding Fan did not display much reaction, just tossed a few thousand Black Obsidian stones, opening the teleportation array.

A flash of white light, and the three arrived in Daozhen City. Familiar with this city, Ding Fan led them straight to the Daozhen Inn, booking three rooms.

"Let’s go to Terra Essence Trading!"

At the inn, after a brief chat with the server, they learned some current circumstances in the city. Ding Fan pondered for half an hour before taking the two out, heading directly to the trading firm. Upon entering, Ding Fan requested to find Steward He.

Steward He emerged, still smiling politely as before, yet Ding Fan always felt this courteous attitude was a facade, not as warm as before.

"Steward He!"

After sitting down, Ding Fan immediately said to Steward He, "I wish to see Madam Yan, I don’t know if it’s convenient."

When Wu Qingxia and others came to discuss business, Madam Yan did not appear, and the Tigertooth Apes were expensive, plus shipping costs.

This time, Ding Fan directly mentioned Madam Yan’s name. He merely wished to confirm Daozhen Trade Firm’s attitude towards him. If there really was a change, with Red Cistanche and Blood Thorn Sprout, he would have to look for another place to sell.

Steward He smiled and shook his head, saying to Ding Fan, "Young Master Ding has really come at the wrong time, Madam Yan left and won’t return soon, if you have matters to discuss, talking to me is the same, I can also decide."

"Oh, that’s how it is."

Ding Fan’s expression remained unchanged, motioning to Elder Wu Ren, who brought forth a bag of Crimson Flame Bodhi, Ding Fan addressed Steward He, "This is the Crimson Flame Bodhi we recently cultivated, and I ask Steward He to have someone authenticate it."

Manager Bai called for someone to take the Crimson Flame Bodhi away, then apologized and said, "Young Master Ding, I would like to know if your sect master informed you? There are too many Crimson Flame Bodhi now, the supply has already exceeded, so speaking of price, we have lowered it by five Black Obsidian stones."

"Yes, I understand, sell it at the price you mentioned." Ding Fan had no objections, looking as though he was unwilling to speak further.

The white manager glanced at the other small bundle Elder Wu Ren was carrying, suddenly puzzled, and asked Ding Fan, "Young Master Ding, do you have any other Spirit Grass? Are you selling those as well?"

"No!"

Ding Fan smiled and said, "These are just personal items. If there are other Spirit Grass, I would certainly approach you first."

"Oh."

Steward He listened to Ding Fan’s words, beginning to ponder deeply. Ding Fan sat leisurely drinking tea, yet was partly convinced. They intercepted the Second Elder’s million Black Obsidian stones, even if not Daozhen Household, presumably Daozhen Household was aware.

The small bundle contained the newly cultivated Spiritual Materials, if Madam Yan could show up, Ding Fan might consider talking to her.

Since she did not emerge, Ding Fan would not continue doing business with Daozhen Trade Firm. The newly cultivated Red Cistanche and Blood Thorn Sprout were not much, did not require carrying a small package, Ding Fan intentionally had Elder Wu Ren carry a small package.

He merely wished to inform Madam Yan he brought good wares, but if she does not show up, Ding Fan would not continue business with Daozhen Trade Firm.

In just a moment, the Crimson Flame Bodhi was authenticated, once the deal was successful, Ding Fan left, upon exiting Daozhen Trade Firm, he entered the auction at the west side of the square with the two others.

This auction was named Tianyuan Auction House, they were not part of Daozhen Household’s assets, nor any forces of Tianmu Sea.

Traversing Tianmu Sea, only three external forces could enter, one was Heritage Temple, one sold weapons at Lin Family Shop, and the other was Tianyuan Auction House.

But...

No one knows the background of Tianyuan Auction House, just as they do not know the background of Heritage Temple and Lin Family Shop.

Since history in Tianmu Sea, Heritage Temple and Tianyuan Auction House have existed on Daozhen Island, Lin Family Shop appeared later, for thousands of years no one dared to cause trouble in these two places.

Ding Fan deliberately entered the auction in full view, showing Madam Yan. He knew Madam Yan must be inside the trading firm, knew he already entered the auction house.