Chapter 417
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Chapter 417: Making a Killing
Five thousand top-grade spirit stones.
This staggering amount left the auction attendees breathless. Fewer than twenty cultivators present could produce such wealth.
While the Thunder Spirit Transformation Pill held value, it wasn’t essential for members of powerful clans and major forces. The triennial Alchemy Cauldron Sect auction always reserved truly coveted treasures for later sessions, often saved as grand finales. This pill clearly didn’t qualify as such.
Yet when the bid reached five thousand, even the heated rivalry between Lin Yue and Old Hua died. Both glared at the pill before sinking into their seats.
"Golden Sword Sect’s Yun Tianxing!" someone hissed. "One of the Great Qin Empire’s six major sects—second only to Misty Sect and Divine Grace Palace! With Misty absent and Divine Grace sending mere juniors, Golden Sword dominates this auction."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd:
"Who’d dare challenge him now?"
"Typical big sect privilege…"
"Let’s see that brat who won earlier bids try something!"
"Foolishness! Offending minor powers is one thing, but Golden Sword means certain death!"
Though whispers lingered, none reacted openly—including Yun Tianxing himself. This tension was precisely the Alchemy Cauldron Sect’s design, foregoing private boxes to fuel competitive fervor.
Ye Yun nudged Zhuge Chong. "They’re speaking freely. No repercussions?"
"Where’s the fun in privacy?" Zhuge Chong yawned. "Public bids drive prices higher. Sect’s tradition."
"But that greeter promised me a private room earlier."
"Three-year auctions always change minor details." Zhuge Chong snorted. "Watch—none will oppose Golden Sword now."
Zeng Xuan’s voice cut cold: "Having taken Thunder Spirit Transformation Pill before, another dose would be wasted. Otherwise…"
Zhuge Chong smirked at Ye Yun. "Yun Tianxing also wields Thunder Spirit Qi. Clashed with Zeng two years back."
Ye Yun’s eyebrow twitched. The Great Qin Empire differed vastly from backward Jin Kingdom—meeting two Thunder Spirit users here versus one per century in his homeland.
"Think our lightning-wielders grow like weeds?" Zhuge Chong chuckled. "Even among six sects and royalty, only six or seven youths master it. You’re seeing two today."
As silence persisted, auctioneer Yue Yunfan called: "Five thousand going once! Golden Sword Sect claims the pill!"
Yun Tianxing stood motionless, victory assured.
"Five thousand five hundred."
Ye Yun’s languid voice shattered the tension. He stretched lazily, amusement dancing in his eyes as every gaze snapped toward him.
Yue Yunfan’s pointer finger shot out. "New bid! Five thousand five hundred from Young Master Ye!"
The hall erupted. Disbelieving stares tracked between the Golden Sword disciple and the audacious bidder. Whispers resurged:
"Hidden family brat!"
"Spoiled rotten, courting death!"
Amidst the chaos, all waited breathlessly—would Yun Tianxing counterbid or draw steel?
After the uproar came silence. All eyes turned to Yun Tianxing’s face.
Yun Tianxing showed no anger, only a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he glanced at Ye Yun.
"Six thousand!"
His voice remained calm, not a hint of irritation.
"Brother Yun’s pockets run deep, raising by five hundred at once. I’ll match that – six thousand five!" Ye Yun drawled lazily, grinning.
"Seven thousand." Yun Tianxing’s tone stayed flat.
"Let’s make it eight thousand for simplicity." Ye Yun chuckled.
"Nine thousand!" Yun Tianxing’s brows twitched slightly, looking mildly annoyed.
"Time for a proper round number then – ten thousand top-grade spirit stones!" Ye Yun barked suddenly.
Hsss—
The crowd sucked in breaths sharply. Ten thousand top-grade spirit stones matched Ye Yun’s entire deposit. Though his credit limit reached twenty thousand, these weren’t truly his stones to squander.
"This Thunder Spirit Transformation Pill matters greatly to me. You must know I’ve cultivated Thunder Spirit Qi. With this pill, I’ll advance further." Yun Tianxing spoke evenly. "But for you? Trying to grasp Thunder Spirit Qi through it? Impossible. Not even one-tenth chance, let alone the rumored two-tenths."
"A sliver’s chance still counts! Keep bidding if you want it, Brother Yun." Ye Yun’s smile widened.
"Brother Ye, this pill isn’t worth ten thousand," Zhuge Chong muttered.
"Quality seems poor anyway," Zeng Xuan added in Ye Yun’s ear.
Yun Tianxing produced a pigeon-egg-sized crystal glowing faint purple. "I’ll offer this. It holds wisps of Thunder Spirit Qi from my life-and-death trial three years past. Useless to me now, but beginners might glean insights from it. Take this in exchange for the pill."
"Yun Tianxing! That crystal’s nearly empty!" Zhuge Chong snorted. "Trying to trick my friend?"
"Ask Zeng Xuan if it contains Thunder Spirit Qi," Yun Tianxing countered coldly.
Zeng Xuan’s face darkened. After a pause, he admitted, "There’s… some."
Yun Tianxing turned to Ye Yun. "Your thoughts?"
Ye Yun squinted, mind racing. His mastery let him conceal Thunder Spirit Qi within him, undetected by others. This crystal’s Qi wasn’t feeble as they claimed – it was supremely pure, masquerading as faintness. Even he’d nearly missed its true nature.
"This feels… improper?" Ye Yun feigned hesitation.
"I’m Yun Tianxing of Golden Sword Sect. Seek me if you ever need aid." Yun Tianxing’s voice hardened.
Murmurs erupted. A promise from Golden Sword Sect’s Yun Tianxing held value surpassing two thousand stones.
Ye Yun sighed dramatically. "Fine. A gentleman doesn’t steal others’ treasures. Since Brother Yun craves it so, I’ll yield."
Yun Tianxing flicked the Thunder Spirit crystal toward Ye Yun. Catching it, Ye Yun wore a pained expression while inwardly rejoicing – the crystal’s Qi was indeed peerlessly pure upon contact.
Jackpot.
