Chapter 377: 213, Spending a Fortune, Battling with the Song Knife_3
"I wonder which True Monarch is present."
"It must be a prestigious Sect Leader or a family Clan Leader."
Inside the hall, cultivators whispered, speculating about Xu Xing’s identity. Ten million Spirit Shells—even for a Dao Pill Daoist, this was not a small sum, especially for such a trivial item.
Yes, in the eyes of the cultivators, this Substitute Puppet was a burdensome item. The daily life of most cultivators involved earning money using Pills, talismans, tools, Arrays, and other cultivation skills, then entering Seclusion Cultivation to improve their Cultivation. Life-and-death struggles were few and far between. Those who are good at fighting often die in battle! Bravery and aggression were not the path to long-term cultivating immortality.
"Since none of you are raising your bids, Lady Yu, it’s time for you to strike the hammer."
Xu Xing withdrew his Dao Pill aura, smiled faintly, and looked towards the auction stage. To Bottom-level Cultivators, ten million Spirit Shells was like a child holding Gold in a bustling market; it would undoubtedly attract covetous gazes. However, it was not uncommon for a Dao Pill Daoist to possess ten million Spirit Shells. He had just revealed his Dao Pill aura, firstly, to deter those with malicious intent, and secondly, to have the Cultivators present give him some face. Being overly low-profile isn’t true modesty; it’s just another way of being conspicuous. If he truly attracted some pests, he wouldn’t mind eliminating them. However, Bottom-level Cultivators weren’t necessarily without connections or backers. Provoking the weak often led to trouble with the strong; such things were common. A Dao Pill Daoist of unknown origin and profound Cultivation would be feared by any School.
"I wonder about the background of this True Monarch surnamed Yan..."
"So bold and reckless."
Hearing this, Yu Zhu frowned slightly, her mood somewhat displeased. He directly bid a high price for the grand finale Treasure, then used his Cultivation to intimidate and threaten the other Cultivators at the Auction... Xu Xing’s actions were indeed somewhat disruptive. Never mind. Ten million Spirit Shells, although a bit less than the estimated auction price, is still within an acceptable range.
Yu Zhu sighed. She planned to follow Xu Xing’s suggestion and strike the hammer, ending the Auction for the Substitute Puppet. After all, what was done was done. Rashly offending a Dao Pill Daoist of unknown origin was something no Power would do lightly.
"Wait..."
"This True Monarch has not yet placed a bid."
Suddenly, from inside the Box exclusive to the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, came the voice of Song Knife.
"My apologies, fellow Daoist," Song Knife explained, clasping his fists and bowing towards Xu Xing’s Box. "It’s not that I insist on competing with you for this Treasure, but... I and Xu Xing are mortal enemies and will have a decisive battle soon. I absolutely cannot let this Substitute Puppet go."
At the True Monarch Realm, everyone was a figure of status and reputation. They wouldn’t squabble excessively over a Treasure and damage their standing. Although Song Knife’s sudden bid didn’t violate any rules of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion Auction, it was somewhat unseemly in the eyes of the other Cultivators and inevitably offended Xu Xing. After all, Xu Xing had already bid, and had even told Yu Zhu to strike the hammer. This Substitute Puppet was practically his already. Therefore, Song Knife’s explanation at This Moment was quite necessary.
"If fellow Daoist is willing to cede this item to me, I would be immensely grateful."
Song Knife raised his paddle, increasing the price of the Substitute Puppet to 10,500,000 Spirit Shells.
"I’ve long heard that True Lord Song possesses a gentlemanly demeanor; it’s indeed well-deserved..."
"True Lord Song is known as ’Timely Rain.’ If it weren’t for dealing with an enemy this time, True Lord Song wouldn’t have acted like this..."
Soon, several more conversations started in the hall and the private Boxes. Without exception, they all offered verbal support to Song Knife. Public opinion instantly swayed in Song Knife’s favor, transforming his bid from unreasonable to justified.
"Twelve million!"
Xu Xing completely ignored the clamor around him and continued to raise his paddle. He had directly increased the bid by 1,500,000 Spirit Shells.
Ever since he first entered the Cultivation World, he had known of Song Knife’s great fame; his friends were spread throughout almost the entire Sect. Impeccable morality! A sincere gentleman! This was the persona Song Knife had fabricated for himself. If the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch hadn’t suppressed Song Knife with his power and blunted his edge... Song Knife would undoubtedly be far more formidable Today, his Cultivation and reputation stronger by more than just a degree.
"True Lord Song..." Yu Zhu began, raising her hammer as a signal after Xu Xing increased his bid and Song Knife remained silent for a long time. "In nine more breaths, I will strike the hammer..."
"One breath!"
"Two breaths!"
"Three breaths!"
"..."
Yu Zhu continued her count.
...
...
「Inside the exclusive Box of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace.」
Sitting on a chair, Song Knife’s face was somewhat gloomy. His right hand, hidden in his Sleeve, clenched into a fist, veins bulging on his face.
"Xu Xing..." he gritted his teeth. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even have enough money to bid for a Substitute Puppet Today!" After Ren Yuanrui’s judgment, his descendant Song Miyao had become Xu Xing’s concubine, and his property within the Sect had also been inherited by Xu Xing. Although limited by Xu Xing’s Cultivation and the later "Heavenly Change," some of his assets in the Sect had been preserved. However, this had undoubtedly dealt him a severe blow. Confined in the Black Fire Prison for fifty years, his Cultivation hadn’t improved in the slightest. Later, he formed a marriage alliance with the Hai Family, which gave him a temporary chance to catch his breath. But the Hai Family were no philanthropists; although they provided him with many Resources, they wouldn’t be excessive. Today, for example, he had less than seven million Spirit Shells on hand, and only three million Spirit Shells’ worth of sellable Resources. Just now, when he raised the price, he had even borrowed some Spirit Shells from friends present, which was why he’d had the confidence to bid. But he never expected Xu Xing’s financial resources to be so abundant, directly raising the price of the Substitute Puppet to twelve million. That was a full 1,500,000 Spirit Shells higher than the previous price! As if Spirit Shells weren’t money to him!
"Nan Lu..." Song Knife’s clenched fist in his right Sleeve slowly relaxed. His expression unchanged, he transmitted his voice to Nan Lu of the Mingquan Sect, "I have a favor to ask of you. Lend me some Spirit Shells. I must obtain this Substitute Puppet."
For an ’Emperor’, making temporary compromises isn’t difficult. Colluding with foreign enemies? Song Knife didn’t care. It was the Flying Feather Immortal Palace that had wronged him first! Without any evidence, they had forced him into Confinement in the Black Fire Prison for fifty years. All his Resources had become a dowry, handed over to his enemy, Xu Xing. Indeed, he had colluded with the Shadow Assassination Hall to intercept and kill Xu Xing, to eliminate future trouble! But the Flying Feather Immortal Palace’s judgment against him wasn’t based on evidence; it was due to the power of the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch, which had forced him to concede...
"Song Knife, are you sure you want to borrow my Spirit Shells?" Nan Lu was shocked by his words. It took her a good while to regain her composure.
She frowned and said, "However, I can lend you at most five million Spirit Shells. I can’t lend any more. Among the two remaining grand finale Treasures, I heard there is a Human Yuan Fruit."
The Human Yuan Fruit is of great use for Nascent Soul formation. It’s one of the supreme auxiliary Treasures for this purpose. She would not give up this Treasure easily, as it was related to her Dao path.
"Human Yuan Fruit?" Song Knife furrowed his brow, then nodded. "Five million it is. I will repay you afterward."
Generally, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion would not easily leak information about the grand finale Treasures of an Auction. If such information were leaked, the first Auction might rake in enormous profits, but there would be no guarantee for the next one. The financial resources of Freelance Cultivators and Small and Medium-sized Sects simply couldn’t compete with those of the Ten Major Sects. Allowing the Ten Major Sects to monopolize auctions was something the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and other Business Associations wished to avoid. However, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion wouldn’t be so foolish as to grant no privileges at all to the Higher Teachings. They would selectively disclose information about the grand finale Treasures to the Ten Major Sects.
"Thank you," Song Knife said.