Chapter 395: One Arrow, Three Targets

395. Chapter 395: One Arrow, Three Targets

After saying goodbye to Jiang Cheng, Gao Ling immediately got in touch with Gu Zhanglin.

The latter, after hearing Gao Ling's account, showed a faint smile on his face.

He was not surprised by Jiang Cheng's choice, because basically anyone would make the same choice.

"Zhanglin, are you really going to buy an Azure Jade Coiled Dragon Pendant from the family and lend it to him?"

Gao Ling asked suddenly.

"Oh? Do you have an idea?"

Gu Zhanglin raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Indeed, I have a bit of an idea."

Gao Ling nodded, looked around—there was clearly no one—and his face showed a hint of unease.

"Tell me then."

Gu Zhanglin smiled.

"Alright."

Gao Ling licked his lips and said, "Here's my thought: although the Azure Jade Coiled Dragon Pendant is a fifth‑grade treasure, its price is about the same as the sixth‑grade Refining Alchemy furnace we dealt with before. Even for you, taking one from the Gu Family isn't easy, let alone this being the second one."

Gu Zhanglin nodded.

It is indeed so.

For him, the young master of the Gu Family, a few hundred million isn't a sum, but tens or hundreds of billions is a different matter.

The previous sixth‑grade Refining Alchemy furnace required little effort, because it had been stored in the warehouse for a long time.

This time is different; after all, such a valuable item, if left idle, would just gather dust in a box. It's better to let someone use it first, letting their Spiritual Power reach the level of a Spirit Master, then relying on pills to boost Spiritual Power. It's not impossible, but the cost is too high; it's far more economical to have a treasure that accelerates Spiritual Power recovery to aid cultivation.

"So, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is to find a pendant one grade lower and give it to him first. After all, he's only a Level 3 Spiritual Thought Master; whether he receives a fifth‑grade pendant, a fourth‑grade one, or even a third‑grade pendant makes little difference. Still, there's no need to be so stingy—let's skip the third‑grade and give him a fourth‑grade pendant."

Gao Ling said with a cheerful smile.

At the same time, he watched Gu Zhanglin's expression on the screen.

The latter still wore a faint smile, revealing nothing about his thoughts.

After several seconds, Gu Zhanglin finally spoke, "Then have you considered that, if one day he breaks through to Spirit Master level, he might discover it?"

"It won't happen that fast!"

Gao Ling pursed his lips.

"Besides, whether his Spiritual Power can break through to the level of a Spirit Master is still an unknown."

"That may not be the case."

Gu Zhanglin said meaningfully, "A Spiritual Thought Master who is especially adept at Refining Alchemy can, even with insufficient talent, pile up pills and still raise his realm."

Gao Ling was taken aback.

He was about to say that he would also need enough pills.

But on second thought, where is there a chef who doesn't steal? Perhaps Jiang Cheng now hides a few pills each day, after all.

Therefore, it is indeed possible for the latter to become a Spirit Master.

"But even if he becomes a Spirit Master, that won't be for another ten or twenty years, right?"

Gao Ling mused, "He is only a Level 3 Spiritual Thought Master now. Setting aside what will happen in ten or twenty years, even if he discovers it later, we can pretend we knew nothing, apologize to him, and give him the genuine Azure Jade Coiled Dragon Pendant. After all, we've already apologized; what more could he want? Isn't that the logic?"

"Indeed it is," Gu Zhanglin laughed heartily.

"Right?"

Gao Ling, receiving the affirmation, laughed even louder.

"Since he can't tell the difference between the two, and if we make the appearance a bit more similar, he won't be able to recognize it. That way, the pressure on you, Zhanglin, will be lighter."

"Alright, we'll do as you say."

Gu Zhanglin readily agreed.

"In the next two days I'll find someone to make a Moonlight Pendant identical to the Azure Jade Coiled Dragon Pendant, and you can deliver it to him then."

"Zhanglin, to be safe, you should come personally and give it to him."

Gao Ling thought for a moment and said, "After all, the last time with that Refining Alchemy furnace, you came yourself to give it to him. If this time it's different and raises his suspicion, that would be bad."

"Indeed, you're thorough as always."

Gu Zhanglin nodded.

"Not at all," Gao Ling quickly feigned modesty.

Then the two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

How much does a fourth‑grade basic Moonlight Pendant cost? The market price is two hundred million, and the cost price is even lower.

But selling it to Jiang Cheng fetched one hundred billion—a fifty‑fold markup!

Moreover, the two used the opportunity to increase their profit by ten percent, and with Jiang Cheng's daily pill‑refining thereafter, the gains will grow even more—truly a one‑arrow‑three‑targets! Two days passed.

Early on the third day.

Gu Zhanglin returned, solemnly handing a thumb‑sized teal jade pendant to Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Lao Di, this is the Azure Jade Coiled Dragon Pendant, a fifth‑grade basic treasure. Even a fourth‑level Spirit Master can use it to double the recovery speed of Spiritual Power. You must keep it close, never lose it, and don't tell anyone."

"Zhanglin elder, rest assured, I'll keep it safe and won't mention it to anyone," Jiang Cheng replied hurriedly.

He still understood the principle of keeping wealth hidden; although there's almost no danger here, just as Gu Zhangjun wants to take him down, after all these days there's still essentially no way to do so.

But as the saying goes, caution steers a ship for ten thousand years; if we tell Ding Lei and the others, and they develop any designs, that would be problematic.

Gu Zhanglin and Gao Ling exchanged a glance, laughing even more merrily.

Thus, the risk of this substandard Moonlight jade being exposed becomes even lower.

Of course, you can't hide the truth forever; when Jiang Cheng becomes a First-level Spirit Master, he will surely notice something is off, but by then who knows how many years will have passed.

"The specific usage is the same as other treasures—just drop a drop of blood on it and you'll know."

Gu Zhanglin smiled and said: "As for the conditions, Gao Ling should have told you earlier, so I won't repeat them. In short, work hard; my Gu Family may lack other things, but we have countless treasures. Once you pay off your debt, feel free to ask for whatever you want."

"All right, I will definitely repay the money for this jade pendant as soon as possible."

"No rush, just take your time. I don't trust others, but surely we can trust each other?"

"Exactly, younger brother, you previously cleared Gu Zhangkong's matter—we all witnessed it ourselves, so how could we not trust you?"

Gao Ling beside them also chimed in.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two then left together.

Jiang Cheng carefully examined the dragon-engraved jade pendant in his hand. Over the past few days, after returning home, he also used the Light Brain to look up information on the Azure Jade Coiled Dragon Pendant; compared to the one he holds, it cannot be said to be exactly identical, but it can be said to be without any difference. (End of chapter)