Cheng Xiao Fan's words left the cultivators somewhat dumbfounded. They thought to themselves, wasn't all this rambling just to inflate the price of the earthworms in the bottle?
"Mr. Cheng, since the earthworms in your bottle are not ordinary bait, please be merciful and sell one to me!" one of the cultivators said.
Hearing this, Cheng Xiao Fan chuckled and said, "Actually, I know everyone isn't having it easy. You've all traveled far to be here, all for the sake of catching some fish containing dragon energy in Nanshan Lake."
"So, whoever genuinely wants my earthworms, I won't overcharge. One earthworm for a million, with a maximum of two per person."
"Furthermore, the dragon fish in Nanshan Lake are not comparable to other fish. They can't be priced by weight, but by the piece, regardless of size. Twenty thousand for one!"
The people gathered around him found it difficult to haggle. Upon hearing his terms, they immediately said, "Mr. Cheng, we'll go by your word. Quickly give me your bank account details, and I'll transfer two million to you right away for two earthworms!"
"Mr. Cheng, I want two earthworms too!"
"I want two as well!"
Cheng Xiao Fan smiled and said, "Don't rush, everyone. I've cultivated quite a few of these earthworms. Once this bottle is sold, I'll go back and get more."
In the blink of an eye, the more than twenty earthworms in the bottle were sold for over forty million.
As a descendant of Shennong, casually digging up earthworms from the ground could earn him tens of millions. If others knew, they would surely weep with jealousy!
After selling the bottle of earthworms, Cheng Xiao Fan, truly dedicated, immediately turned around and ran into a secluded patch of woods. He took out a small shovel from his Shennong space and began digging for earthworms on the spot.
After digging up a bottle of earthworms, he infused them with sufficient spiritual energy.
Just as Cheng Xiao Fan was about to leave the woods, a middle-aged man, around fifty years old, blocked his path, holding his phone with both hands and taking pictures of him.
"Everyone, come and see! This bumpkin is selling earthworms for a million each, claiming they were cultivated over many years. It's all a lie!"
"His earthworms were just dug up from the wild. We've all been deceived by him!"
His shouting immediately attracted many people.
At a glance, they spotted the freshly dug soil on the ground and the earthworms in Cheng Xiao Fan's bottle. Instantly, they were filled with righteous indignation.
"Cheng, so you were tricking us with ordinary earthworms!"
"Are you trying to treat us like fools?"
"Even small farmers in the countryside have become so cunning these days!"
"Hmph, Cheng, return my two million to me now!"
Listening to their clamor, Cheng Xiao Fan sneered and questioned them, "What have I deceived you about? Isn't it a fact that my bait can catch Angding Dragon Fish in Nanshan Lake?"
"..." The cultivators were once again stumped by his question.
The middle-aged man beside them sneered and said, "Cheng, it is indeed a fact that you can catch Angding Dragon Fish with earthworms. But, your earthworms were dug up from anywhere. Such ordinary earthworms shouldn't be sold for a million each. Are you committing fraud like this?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiao Fan chuckled and said, "Uncle, if you're so capable, dig some earthworms yourself and see if you can catch even half a fish in Nanshan Lake!"
The middle-aged man glared at Cheng Xiao Fan, his face showing obvious contempt and disdain. "Young man, you're out of tricks and trying to play word games with me? I'm not fishing for half a fish, but for a dragon fish!"
Cheng Xiao Fan nodded and said, "Then I shall wait and see!"
The middle-aged man sneered, took out a bottle from himself, went to where Cheng Xiao Fan had just dug for earthworms, and quickly dug up a bottle full.
Everyone flocked around the middle-aged man and Cheng Xiao Fan to the side of Nanshan Lake.
Cheng Xiao Fan still used the willow branch for fishing. He threaded an earthworm onto the hook and cast it into the lake.
Just as the willow branch dipped sharply, he cast out two Angding Dragon Fish in succession. Amidst the astonished gazes of others, Cheng Xiao Fan threw the two Angding Dragon Fish to Taoqibao and Potianying to eat.
Half an hour passed. Cheng Xiao Fan caught over twenty Angding Dragon Fish, filling the bellies of his dog and eagle. However, the middle-aged man, using the earthworms he dug up, hadn't caught a single fish.
"Uncle, where are the fish you caught?" Cheng Xiao Fan asked coldly, his lips curling slightly and his gaze becoming sharp.
The middle-aged man sweated, saying, "How is this possible? If you can catch fish with earthworms dug from the same place, why can't I?"
Cheng Xiao Fan sneered, "Do you want to know the answer? Then I'll tell you, it has to do with character!"
"Your character is too poor, so the Angding Dragon Fish can't even be bothered to look at the earthworms you dug up. How could they bite your hook?"
"Because my character is too good! Once the bait touches the water, the fish that have been infused with dragon energy will rush to bite my hook!"
"Nonsense, how can such a thing happen?" the middle-aged man shouted furiously.
Cheng Xiao Fan shrugged and said with a smile, "It can't be helped. The facts are right in front of you. If you're not convinced, go buy a piece of tofu and smash yourself to death!"
At this moment, a cultivator bowed deeply to Cheng Xiao Fan and said, "Mr. Cheng, I know your bait is definitely not ordinary earthworms. I'll transfer two million to your bank account immediately. Please sell me two earthworms!"
"Yes, Mr. Cheng, I've always believed you. I want to buy two earthworms too!"
The cultivators who had initially harbored doubts about Cheng Xiao Fan immediately did a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn in their attitude. They crowded around, wanting to buy the bait in his bottle. They had no choice but to submit; facts spoke louder than words. As soon as he cast his bait into the water, he reeled in Angding Dragon Fish one after another.
Unexpectedly, after hearing their words, Cheng Xiao Fan shook his head and said, "My good mood has been ruined. It will be difficult to buy my bait to fish now!"
"Ah, Mr. Cheng, what difficulty is there? Tell us quickly!" a cultivator asked eagerly.
"..."
Cheng Xiao Fan remained silent. He reached out, suddenly snatched the bottle of earthworms from the middle-aged man's hand, and poured half of the earthworms into his own bottle. Then, Cheng Xiao Fan shook the bottle vigorously, mixing the earthworms together.
"Everyone, because this uncle ruined my good mood, my bait prices have increased. Originally, one earthworm was one million, now it's doubled to two million each!" Cheng Xiao Fan said slowly, raising the bottle in his hand. "The problem is, this bottle now contains two types of earthworms: mine and this uncle's."
"If you buy my earthworms, I'll congratulate you!"
"If you buy this uncle's earthworms, I'll offer you three seconds of silent mourning!"
"In other words, whether you get good or bad bait is entirely up to your luck. Who asked this uncle to upset me? If you buy the wrong bait, you can only blame this uncle!"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's face turned pale. He turned to slip away, but several cultivators swarmed forward and grabbed him.
"Trying to leave? Where do you think you're going? Stay right here! If I can't catch a single fish with the earthworms I buy, you'll be held fully responsible!" a cultivator, resembling a black iron tower, roared at the middle-aged man menacingly.