A Rank Five Core?

How could that be possible!

A Rank Five Battle Beast was leagues beyond a Battle Master of Rank Four! Furthermore, they typically resided deep within the wilderness; without the strength of a high-ranking Battle Master, slaying one was utterly unthinkable! (Ranks 1–3 Battle Masters equate to Rank Four pre-, mid-, and late-stage Battle Beasts; Ranks 4–6 Battle Masters equate to Rank Five pre-, mid-, and late-stage Battle Beasts.)

In truth, the Rank Five Core Chen Feng held wasn't taken from a beast he slew. He had acquired it when he killed Spencer, the Vice Commander of the Dragon Knights. A Rank Five Core had the power to restore internal Battle Qi, and he had indeed used it during the battle on the ice platform; its effect was excellent. However, at that time, his internal Qi vortex spun clockwise, and once the vortex reversed its rotation, the Core became useless to him. He had kept it tossed in his canteen ever since, and if not for seeing Judy's current state, he might never have remembered it.

"What… you have a Rank Five Core?" Judy’s voice sounded strained, almost stuttering in her tension!

Chen Feng nodded, extending his hand from beneath his robe. A perfectly round Core rested in his palm!

The onlookers saw a faint mist emanating from the Core, accompanied by discernible elemental fluctuations. If it wasn't a Rank Five Core, what else could it be?

Those who had just doubted and insulted Chen Feng suddenly looked as if they had been slapped across the face twice. Their eyes were wide, mouths agape, standing frozen in shock!

They had just been ridiculing a powerhouse wielding a Rank Five Core… Had they lost their desire to live?

The realization sent cold sweat down the spines of those who had spoken out.

If this person could effortlessly produce a Rank Five Core, the idea that he couldn't procure fifteen Rank Three Cores was surely the greater joke!

Silence instantly descended, heavy and absolute, broken only by the ragged sounds of hurried breathing in the vast hall.

Jimmy’s pupils constricted rapidly, his palms slick with nervous sweat. He hurried toward Chen Feng, now wracked with regret. If he had known this cloaked figure possessed a Rank Five Core, he should have been the first to demand it! Now Judy had beaten him to the punch…

Yet, it might not be over. Wealth moves gods. Since this person had come to sell Rank Three Cores, it implied he wasn't flush with cash right now. If Jimmy offered a higher price, he could surely secure the item!

Reaching this conclusion, he stepped forward and announced, "This esteemed figure indeed possesses a Rank Five Core. I am willing to purchase this Core for the price of 10,000 Gold Coins!"

The market price for a Rank Three Core was 500 Gold Coins; a Rank Four was 2,000; and a Rank Five hovered around 8,000! The price quadrupled with every rank increase!

Jimmy immediately offered a price far exceeding the market rate, hoping to leverage the financial advantage to force Chen Feng’s submission.

Chen Feng ignored Jimmy entirely and turned to Judy, asking, "Do you want it?"

Judy, having just failed to secure a Rank Four Core, was suddenly faced with a Rank Five. The sheer, dizzying contrast between failure and ecstasy left her momentarily stunned. She only snapped back to attention after Chen Feng repeated the question twice, nodding rapidly, "Yes… but…"

She trailed off, a sudden flush rising on her face.

Judy possessed an unparalleled aura. A bloom of crimson spread across her pristine features, making her heartbreakingly beautiful. Everyone watching, whether her subordinates or Jimmy’s entourage, stared in captivated awe.

Chen Feng felt nothing particularly noteworthy, only a mild sense of curiosity. "What is it?"

"I… I didn't bring that much money! My entire savings is only 3,000 Gold Coins!" Judy admitted, her complexion still richly colored.

Hearing this, a spark ignited in Jimmy’s eyes, and he let out a burst of laughter. "Miss Judy, 3,000 Gold Coins might get you a Rank Four Core, perhaps. A Rank Five… well, hah!"

His implication was clear: dreaming of buying a Rank Five Core with 3,000 Gold Coins was laughable.

At Jimmy’s laughter, those behind him joined in. Indeed! How could the daughter of a mere mercenary troupe compare to the sole heir of a Lord? Moreover, the purchase of Battle Cores was arranged personally by the Lord himself; in terms of capital and connections, Jimmy held an undeniable advantage!

Take today’s events as an example: Miss Judy had been the first to see the Rank Four Core placed on the counter and reserved it. According to shop regulations, a reservation allowed for payment upon delivery. Yet, Young Master Jimmy, upon hearing a Rank Four Core was for sale, had immediately rushed over and coerced the shop into selling it to him!

The shop, naturally, was put in a difficult position. In the end, Young Master Jimmy paid on the spot and took the Core, citing the other party’s inability to pay immediately as the reason!

Now, with a Rank Five Core before her, Miss Judy only had 3,000 Gold Coins—how could she possibly afford it? When purchasing privately, possession went to the highest bidder!

As the crowd laughed, Judy’s face grew hotter. Her attendants, witnessing their Mistress being ridiculed for her lack of funds, bristled with indignation, launching continuous verbal assaults.

Chen Feng stood between Judy and Jimmy, his brow furrowing slightly at the rising clamor, though the shadow of his cloak kept his expression hidden.

"Take it. It’s free," Chen Feng stated calmly.

This simple sentence detonated like a bomb in the ears of the crowd. Jimmy could hardly believe what he was hearing. This cloaked man was gifting a Rank Five Core to Judy just like that?

Judy was equally stunned, too overwhelmed by excitement to speak. "This…"

Chen Feng shook his head and extended the Core toward her.

Jimmy panicked. "Esteemed Sir, I… I am willing to pay 15,000 Gold Coins for the Core in your possession!"

In his mind, the only reason this cloaked figure refused him must be that his offer was too low. Items like Rank Five Cores, while clearly priced, were typically only found by chance—they were rare to the point of being unlocatable. The listed price only reflected its inherent value! Anyone versed in economics knew that value and price were distinct; price fluctuated based on demand and scarcity but always revolved around the value, never straying too far.

It was similar to how, when aluminum was first introduced to the world, its price far exceeded that of gold. In 1889, the Tsar of Russia bestowed an aluminum trophy upon Mendeleev to honor his contribution in compiling the Periodic Table—a testament to the highest honor at the time. This illustrated that price was directly proportional to scarcity.

The inherent value of a Rank Five Core was only 8,000 Gold Coins, but because of the conflict and extreme rarity, the price had been inflated by nearly double!

Upon hearing Jimmy’s bid, Judy’s initial excitement dimmed. Even if Chen Feng had genuinely intended to gift her the Core, Jimmy’s sudden inflation of the price meant the offer would surely change now!

15,000 Gold Coins! If she possessed a Rank Five Core herself, even she might waver!

Judy's attendants, hearing Jimmy’s offer, moved from astonishment to outright anger. Is wealth everything?

Jimmy noticed every expression on their faces. While 15,000 Gold Coins was an excessive price for a Rank Five Core, obtaining it for the matter at hand promised incomparable rewards!

A look of eager excitement flashed across his face, but the slight upturn of his lips was immediately cut short by an icy, emotionless voice.

"Take it. Even if someone offered one hundred thousand Gold Coins today, I would still give it to you."