"Seven thousand top-grade spirit stones!"
"Eight thousand top-grade spirit stones!"
"Nine thousand top-grade spirit stones!"
On the auction stage, Li Yang was practically grinning from ear to ear. Although this Human Emperor–level divine weapon was extraordinary, even five or six thousand top-grade spirit stones would already have been a very satisfying price in his eyes.
Who would have thought two reckless fools would keep pushing it higher?
This kind of situation wasn't rare at auctions,
but it usually happened with small items.
Not like this.
Each bid now sent the price soaring.
Judging by the momentum, breaking ten thousand top-grade spirit stones was no longer a surprise.
That smile on Li Yang's face was dazzling.
---
Inside VIP Room No. 4, Jiang Chen's expression had completely darkened.
Many people had already recognized him. Out of respect for the Donglin Holy Land or the Jiang family, they had chosen not to compete. Originally, he should have secured the sword at around four thousand top-grade spirit stones.
Who would have expected some ruthless bastard to jump in and drive the price all the way to nine thousand, and it was still climbing.
"Enough!"
"That's enough!"
"Young Master Jiang!"
"Although this item is excellent, it's already far beyond its true value!"
An elder of the clan, who had come along with Jiang Chen, tried to persuade him.
"No!" Jiang Chen's eyes burned with wild determination. "This sword is meant for my master. No matter how high the price goes, it's worth it. I will not give it up."
---
Eastern Region, Donglin Holy Land.
Sutra Pavilion.
Chu Xun, who had been reading quietly, rarely put down his book. He glanced toward the outside world and murmured softly, "I wonder how much the Taixuan Sword will sell for. It shouldn't be cheap."
After some thought, he remained firm in his decision to give up the sword.
There were several reasons.
First, the sword was of little use to him. Within Donglin Holy Land, he had no real opportunity to use it. At best, it would become a decoration, taken out once every half a year.
Second, with his cultivation advancing by leaps and bounds, even if he were to use a sword, the Taixuan Sword was no longer something he truly needed.
Third, Donglin Holy Land had deep foundations. If he needed a sword temporarily, he could easily obtain one. Even if it were slightly inferior, it wouldn't affect its use.
All things considered, keeping the sword served little purpose.
On the contrary, there were other items at the Tianbao City auction that truly stirred Chu Xun's interest. That was why he had entrusted an elder of the sect to bid on his behalf, creating the scene now unfolding in Tianbao City.
His thoughts settled.
He shook his head lightly.
What happened in Tianbao City was no longer something he could interfere with. He had done what he could. The rest was up to fate.
Do your best, and leave the rest to heaven.
He stepped out of the Sutra Pavilion.
For no clear reason, the image of that little girl surfaced in his mind again.
Pitiful.
Heart-wrenching.
An idea formed.
He went to find Li Yaochi.
"Grandpa Chu!" Li Yaochi, who had been practicing, looked up in surprise when she saw him. Her clear black eyes sparkled with joy. After so many days together, she no longer felt distant from him.
"I'm practicing!"
"Mhm."
"Then… shall I take you somewhere?" Chu Xun asked gently. "Alright?"
"Alright!"
A burst of light wrapped around Li Yaochi. In the next instant, both figures vanished, leaving behind a faint echo:
"I'll take the little girl for a walk in the back mountain, no worries."
---
Back Mountain.
When the two appeared on a lush grassland, Li Yaochi's eyes immediately lit up. It wasn't just the beautiful scenery, it was the freedom. Away from the constant watch of servants, who guarded her like thieves on patrol, she finally felt at ease.
"I didn't bring you here just to relax," Chu Xun said with a smile. "I also want you to cultivate. Are you willing?"
Li Yaochi nodded firmly. She was already used to practicing all day. As long as it wasn't under surveillance, she was happy.
"Good."
"I'll teach you a palm technique."
"Let's see how much you can comprehend."
Chu Xun sat cross-legged. In an instant, an aura of desolation spread from his body. Lush grass and blooming flowers withered visibly, losing all vitality.
Li Yaochi's attention was instantly captured.
This was nothing like the dull, repetitive training she endured every day. It was new. It was real. It made her eager to learn.
"First, try to sense the power of desolation," Chu Xun said softly.
"Okay!"
Li Yaochi stepped into the spot where Chu Xun had just been sitting. With faint remnants of desolate energy still lingering, she closed her eyes and followed his guidance, slowly feeling the aura around her.
Watching the little girl practice so earnestly, a smile appeared on Chu Xun's face.
He didn't expect her to master it immediately. As long as she could sense the desolate aura before he left Donglin Holy Land, that would be enough. He had already decided to teach her this palm technique thoroughly.
After guiding her into meditation, Chu Xun also sat down beside her and began cultivating.
Time flowed quietly.
Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Just as Chu Xun was about to wake her, he suddenly felt a fluctuation.
Desolation.
He turned his head, and froze.
Traces of desolate energy were actually circulating within Li Yaochi's body.
Although extremely faint, they were unmistakable.
She had already grasped the power of desolation.
Chu Xun stared at the quietly meditating little girl, his heart trembling.
She was gentle, adorable, and terrifyingly talented.
What a pity.
Such a miserable childhood.
And an even crueler fate awaiting her in the future, where even the so-called protagonist harbored not just love, but malice as well.
---
Wanbao Auction House.
"Thirteen thousand top-grade spirit stones!"
The other junior brothers were growing anxious. One of them couldn't help saying, "Junior Brother Ye, isn't this too much? I think… maybe we should give up."
A Human Emperor–level divine weapon worth around five thousand top-grade spirit stones had already reached ten thousand, an absurd price.
Anything beyond that was pure extravagance.
As the price climbed higher and higher, they worried something might go wrong and repeatedly tried to stop Ye Chen.
But Ye Chen remained unmoved.
He was certain Jiang Chen would keep raising the bid.
Just as expected, the price continued climbing, now past thirteen thousand.
Terrifying.
"Hah…"
Ye Chen let out a slow breath.
In truth, he already felt this was the limit. If he pushed again and Jiang Chen suddenly backed out, he would suffer a massive loss. As good as the Taixuan Sword was, this price was far beyond reason.
Bang!
Bang!
But after several breaths,
The expected counter-bid never came.
Instead, the sound of the auction hammer fell.
This time, Ye Chen couldn't sit still.
His eyes widened as he stared toward VIP Room No. 4.
A storm raged in his heart.
You're really giving up?!
I swear, if you'd bid just a little more, I wouldn't have taken it even for a single top-grade spirit stone!
Inside VIP Room No. 4, Jiang Chen wore a cold sneer.
Earlier, he truly had intended to win the sword at any cost, even paying double, because suitable swords for his master were far too rare.
But that brat had deliberately played games with him.
Again and again.
And it had enraged him.
Now, watching the hammer fall, Jiang Chen felt only mockery.
"That's it."
"Give up."
"Give up."
The elders in the room finally let out sighs of relief. Though disappointment lingered in their eyes, the price had indeed become absurd.
Just moments ago, Jiang Chen had looked like a madman, unwilling to give up no matter what.
In the next instant, he returned to calm indifference, gazing down expressionlessly,
clearly toying with the other party.
"Not bad."
"Thankfully, Young Master didn't lose his mind."
"That kid is finished now."
Soft laughter filled the room.
Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes.
Giving up had never been his style.
That brat dared to play tricks on him.
After leaving the Wanbao Auction House, he would make him understand what regret truly meant.
Clearly,
At this very moment, Jiang Chen had already decided on one thing.
Robbery.
If Chu Xun were here, he might be momentarily stunned, but he wouldn't be surprised.
After all, if a villain followed the rules, could he still be called a villain?