"There will be a chance for our next transaction," Ethan responded with a slight smile to Sovic's parting words, without revealing much of what he was thinking.
But that monkey...
It immediately reminded Ethan of the curse on Eluna.
The curse on her had been inflicted by a monkey with six eyes on its forehead.
Whether it was the same monkey that Sovic had mentioned or just one of its kind, there was undoubtedly an unusual connection between the two.
Moreover, there was the information regarding the Gama Empire's Space Ring.
Such a creation was highly coveted; no one would mind having an extra one or two.
After bidding farewell to Sovic, Ethan, accompanied by Eluna and Sherry, prepared to leave the market and return to their camp.
However, they had hardly taken a few steps when a towering Hero blocked their path.
Acting as a bodyguard, this imposing figure was followed by a young and aristocratic-looking gentleman.
"Greetings," the young master approached and introduced himself, "I am Chris Luvi of the Luvi family from the Azure Empire. Currently, I am a Hero with a Rank S standing. I wish to befriend you."
Ethan frowned, replying curtly, "Master Luvi, this isn't the way to make friends."
As Chris Luvi spoke, several of his bodyguards began to encircle Ethan and his companions.
"My apologies," Chris Luvi said nonchalantly, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"It's just a habit of mine. I've heard from others that you possess a drop of Blood Source. I have a great need for it and would like to propose a trade."
"Not for sale," Ethan declared firmly.
The potency of the Blood Source was immensely powerful, and its rarity made it an invaluable treasure.
Anyone with a shred of sense would never consider trading such a precious item.
After all, in this world, raw power is everything.
Chris Luvi seemed taken aback by Ethan's refusal.
A shade of annoyance crossed his face as he reiterated his identity, "I'll remind you once more, I am of the Luvi family from the Azure Empire!"
"Perhaps you don't understand what the Azure Empire and the Luvi family represent!"
"Azure Empire?"
"Luvi family..."
Ethan mused inwardly, not letting an ounce of trepidation show on his face.
He had a vague understanding of the Azure Empire, knowing it as a dominion situated amidst vast seas.
His only prior encounter related to the Azure Empire was in the Red Jade Valley, where a group had tried to snatch the red jades he possessed.
Now, here was another person from the Azure Empire, and equally insolent.
Ethan couldn't help but mock, "Ah, the Azure Empire, I see. If you don't mind me asking, are all of you from the Azure Empire this arrogant?"
"Or are you unaware that fighting is prohibited in this market?"
"You dare! What do you mean by that?" Chris Luvi fumed, visibly angered.
Naturally, even Luvi wouldn't dare initiate a fight in the market.
It was an unspoken rule, accepted by all.
Even with his perceived lofty status, he wouldn't dare break it.
Yet, for Ethan to mock him using this rule was more than he could bear.
By this point, the confrontation between the group had drawn the attention of many bystanders.
"Isn't that young Master Luvi from the Azure Empire? Those strangers actually dare to offend him. They're in for some trouble now."
"Isn't that the truth?"
"Ugh, you lot are so naive. We should all unite against the Azure Empire! I'm certain, before long, they'll send their armies to invade our lands, and we'll all end up as captives."
"What does it matter if we become captives?"
The crowd's discussion quickly diverged from the initial topic, but Ethan gleaned plenty from their chatter.
Namely, the Luvi family from the Azure Empire was not one to be trifled with.
Furthermore, Luvi seemed to be the vindictive type, ensuring revenge on any who crossed him.
"What a nuisance," Ethan mused internally, unphased.
He felt immensely grateful at this moment to have the Space Ring, which concealed the energy emanations from the Blood Source.
Otherwise, who knows how many would have targeted him, sensing its power.
"Ethan, should we...?" Eluna approached, a hint of concern in her voice.
Ethan took Eluna's hand and shook his head.
Turning to Chris Luvi, he stated, "You want the Blood Source? I'll tell you straight up: I've already traded it."
"Furthermore," Ethan stepped closer, sizing up Chris Luvi from head to toe, then firmly patted Luvi's shoulder, "I really don't like your tone. You should consider yourself fortunate that this is a marketplace."
"Otherwise, you'd be nothing more than a puddle on the ground, dead beyond dead!"
"You dare—"
Before Chris Luvi could finish his sentence, Ethan swiftly exerted force, sending Luvi crashing to the ground.
"Damn brat, how dare you treat young Master Luvi this way!" Luvi's bodyguards shouted in outrage, their eyes blazing with fury towards Ethan.
Ethan, unfazed as ever, calmly responded, "If you wish to cause a scene here in the marketplace, I welcome it. But think carefully about the consequences."
Hearing this, the bodyguards hesitated, conflict evident in their expressions.
Luvi, however, seething with anger yet clearly not willing to break the marketplace's rules, spat out, "Arrogant boy, you better pray to the deities you never fall into my hands. I promise, I'll make you endure every kind of pain imaginable!"
With those words, Chris Luvi departed in a huff.
The surrounding onlookers once again began to murmur, many shaking their heads at Ethan's audacity.
"This young man is doomed!"
"There are many from the Azure Empire in the underground caverns. Though young Master Luvi may not be the most distinguished amongst them, he is still one of theirs. Offending him like this might not end well."
"Good if he dies! One less competitor!"
The buzz of chatter painted a bleak picture for Ethan.
It wasn't just the onlookers who held this sentiment, even Pale Wolf looked uncertain.
As they approached the market's exit, he couldn't help but voice his concerns, "Ethan, was it wise to offend Chris Luvi from the Azure Empire?"
"I did it on purpose," Ethan replied to Pale Wolf.
Once everyone returned to their tents, Ethan elaborated, "On Chris Luvi, there's a Space Ring, similar to the one I acquired earlier. It's corroded and hasn't been repaired."
"Moreover, even if I hadn't acted that way, he wouldn't have let us go," Ethan continued, "And most importantly, neither he nor his bodyguards pose any threat to us. Besides, I've already placed a mark on Chris Luvi. If he gets near, I'll sense it."
After Ethan's explanation, a palpable relief washed over Pale Wolf and the others.
However, what they didn't know was that there was another layer to Ethan's motives.
Ethan had recognized someone familiar within the crowd — Luke.
The very man who, in Red Jade Valley, had used red jade to ascend as a Rank S Hero.
He had once attempted to steal the red jade from Ethan but was defeated and forced to flee.
Earlier, Luke had been among the onlookers.
Now, within Ethan's perception, the marks on Luke and Chris Luvi nearly overlapped, implying they were together at the moment.
This twist added a layer of intrigue to the whole affair.
A cryptic smile played on Ethan's lips as he cast his gaze towards the distant underground cavern plaza and other tunnel pathways, a fierce glint in his eyes.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the cavernous plaza:
"Luke, what's going on? That boy doesn't have the Blood Source!" Chris Luvi shouted, his spit splattering across Luke's face.
Wiping his face with a handkerchief, Luke retorted irritably, "Luvi, this isn't my fault. That boy did have the Blood Source, and many in the marketplace can vouch for it."
"If it's not on him now, he's either concealed it with some special means, or he's traded it."
"However, that's not the crux of the matter," Luke continued, "There's more than one drop of Blood Source in these caverns."
"We can acquire it from others at any time. But a dragon of rare caliber or above, like the one with Ethan, is a true rarity. That's where the real treasure lies."
Luke's words seemed to ground Chris Luvi, but worry still creased his brow. "You don't think the boy will try to escape, do you?"
"Escape? Where could he possibly run?" Luke responded with confidence.
Luke sneered, tracing a scar on his face as he spoke venomously, "Because of Ethan, I was forced to flee deep into the Red Jade Valley, enduring inhuman torments."
"However, that very ordeal led me to this ancient kingdom's potion recipe. It will be the cornerstone of my ascent to power! And Ethan? He'll ultimately die by my hand!"
Luke unfurled a beastskin parchment, his eyes dancing over its inscriptions before bursting into manic laughter.
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