Painting of the Nine Immortals

Chapter 175: Wealthier than a Nation

Translator: Tatienne Editor: Rundi

"Hold on. I have an inquiry. I wonder if today’s auction allows bartering?"

A distinct and coherent voice rose from above. It was not a loud voice, yet it was as jolting as a bellowing thunder. Everyone at the auction ground froze in shock, then fell into a dead silence.

The boisterous debates began after a long moment of stillness. Everyone’s shocked gaze drifted to the third floor.

"It’s him! The mysterious man on the third floor!"

"You’re right. This person only bought one item and did not make another bid until now. I can’t believe it, he’s here for Water of the Resting Soul."

"I don’t care what he came here for. All I care about is that he isn’t willing to do Master Tang a favor? This is big news! It’s been years since someone disrespected Master Tang."

"Maybe he is just asking, not targeting Master Tang. Remember that Master Tang is an oblation to the Wu Prefecture with very honorable rankings, who dares to reject his request?"

"This man made this inquiry in front of so many people, this is sure a slap in the face for Master Tang. Hehe, I like it though. I never liked how this old bastard uses his position in the government to take advantage of others."

Manager Wang was astonished. He really didn’t think this mysterious figure would announce a bid, especially after what Master Tang said to everyone. This truly was a slap in the face for Master Tang!

However, as the manager of this place, Manager Wang hoped for a high price for Water of the Resting Soul. Also, he never liked how Master Tang used his position to oppress others and to save himself from spending more spiritual stones. This kind of doing was not liked by anyone, but everyone was too afraid to do anything about it because of his societal position.

Manager Wang chuckled, "Of course bartering is accepted. What are you thinking of trading in for the Water of the Resting Soul?"

"How about the Petal of Enlightenment?"

Another sentence was casually spoken by the person on the third floor, leading the auction ground to again fall into silence.

Petal of Enlightenment!

Simple three words that had the magic to enchant everyone and silence them all.

The Petal of Enlightenment was a very rare treasure that led cultivators down the right path. It was invaluable and rare to a point where even Supreme Headmasters didn’t have many petals for themselves. To have two to three petals as a regular completion level cultivator was a common indicator of a wealthy family background. Even for these families, each petal was kept hidden and sealed, as everyone was terrified that it would be wasted.

The foundational level cultivators here did not even have the right to own these petals. They’ve heard of this object, but have never seen one.

What other object was the second most valuable after spiritual stones? The Petals of Enlightenment of course! The agreed-upon market price for one petal was worth a million spiritual stones!

This was why everyone was in awe when Ling Xian said the words "Petals of Enlightenment."

"Oh my god, Petals of Enlightenment. Who is this person? How does he have this?"

"He definitely came from a family of money. A petal is worth a million spiritual stones! Even the nobilities do not have them!"

"Haha, I can’t wait to see what happens next. Even though a Petal of Enlightenment isn’t enough to acquire the Water of the Resting Soul, if this person is willing to offer a few more petals, then Master Tang will definitely go home empty handed. I sure want to see this old bastard’s face when that happens. I bet it will splendid."

Just as this person predicted, Master Tang’s face was very splendid indeed. His face turned green for a while before it turned completely white. His entire body was shaking out of disbelief. Never for a second did he think that after the statement he has made, someone would dare to compete against him. That statement, by appearance was him asking for a favor, but in reality, it was a warning.

His face was obviously being slapped!

Who was this person?

As a Seventh-Realm Alchemist and an oblation to the Wu Prefecture, his position has always allowed him to be high above others and to be respected by the citizens. Normally, when he asked for rain, he gets rain, and when he asks for wind, he gets wind. Who dared to disrespect him?

To be publicly rejected was extremely humiliating to him!

He definitely cannot tolerate this!

Master Tang’s face was drowning in anger, but he did not act upon it. He planned to observe and see if this person really had the intention to compete with him for this object. Despite this, he had already made up his mind that even if this person was simply asking an innocent question, he will teach him a lesson after the auction.

What kind of a lesson?

He has always believed that the problem can only be fully solved if you dig up the roots!

On stage, Manager Wang kept his smile and nodded excitedly, "Of course it’s no problem. One million equals to one petal, this is the widely accepted price. If you are planning to use it as spiritual stones, then it is permitted."

"Excellent."

Inside the box, Ling Xian sighed in relief, as a smile climbed up his face. If the Petal of Enlightenment could be used as a replacement for spiritual stones, then there would be no issues.

Having the purple dwarf meant that he could have as many Petals of Enlightenment as he desired.

Well, this claim was a little exaggerated, but under the condition that the purple dwarf doesn’t get hurt, he could get himself a few hundred petals. This should be enough to agitate the world.

If this astronomical number was revealed to the public, how many cultivators would go insane with jealousy and hatred?

A few hundred petals?

Did he think of these petals as weeds?

A million spiritual stones for one petal, a few hundred petals would equal to how many spiritual stones? Combining the wealth of every family here would not equal the same amount!

It can be concluded that the Ling Xian today, was as wealthy as the nation. Therefore, he no longer worried about this auction.

He didn’t even think much about the consequences regarding Master Tang. The entire situation around Water of the Resting Soul was a very big deal to him, and he cannot allow a tiny bit of error. A mere oblation to the prefecture, even if the opponent was the Emperor himself, he had to fight for it!

"I wonder what is the price you are willing to pay?" Manager Wang looked at Ling Xian then unintentionally glanced at Master Tang’s box, secretly feeling satisfied.

"Since he offered six million spiritual stones, then I will bid seven million." Ling Xian faintly smiled.

Instantly, Manager Wang laughed and loudly shouted, "Alright, seven million spiritual stones! Does anyone have anything more to offer? If not, I will slam the hammer."

Hearing this, everyone laughed under their breaths, knowing very well that he was targeting Master Tang.

"I offer eight million!"

Master Tang’s face was as calm as water but inside his heart, he was burning up. He didn’t expect that this mysterious young man really dared to compete with him! This made his killing desire boil and made him swear to himself that he will slaughter this young man after this auction!

"10 Petals of Enlightenment."

Ling Xian shook his head with a slight smile as he spoke out an immeasurable bid that jolted everyone out of their seats.

10 petals!

That’s 10 million spiritual stones!

Ling Xian was far too lazy to raise the bids slowly and offered a high price straight away. He believed that this high price was enough to make Master Tang back away.

But of course, if Master Tang insisted, Ling Xian didn’t mind continuously bidding and letting him experience what it feels like to be the weaker party. How dare he compete with spiritual stones?

He was looking for a slap in the face.

To describe this situation with a hyperbole, the Ling Xian today could smash Master Tang dead with pure spiritual stones!

"Dammit!" Master Tang’s anger was shooting out of his eyes. He slapped the expensive red wood table beside him and immediately, the table turned to dust.

Eight million spiritual stones were the extent of his abilities. Even as a Seventh-Realm Alchemist and the oblation of the Wu Prefecture, he cannot offer a higher bid. However, Water of the Resting Soul was of great importance to him as it concerned whether or not his Qi could break through to the Sixth-Realm. Therefore, he was unwilling to give it up.

Since he had lost the bid of spiritual stones, he decided to change tactics.

"Young one, have you heard my name before? I suggest you give up this item, if not, then nobody can save you from what will happen next," Master Tang tested. He has resorted to publicly threatening Ling Xian.

He truly believed that if he warns this person, then this person will panic and give up Water of the Resting Soul.

However, he was about to be disappointed and fall into an even deeper rage. Because he only heard five soft words.

"I’ve never heard of you."

Ling Xian shook his head not to purposely anger him, but because he's really never heard of him before. He heard from the cultivators from the floors below about how he was a Seventh-Realm Alchemist and an oblation to the government. Though his titles sounded fancy, in Ling Xian’s eyes, they meant nothing.

"Well, well, well, you young man sure is someone who doesn’t understand the consequences of your actions." Master Tang’s face was gloomily scary. He snickered, "I warn you one last time, you better give it up obediently. If you don’t, then even if you get Water of the Resting Soul, you cannot use it."

"You’re threatening me?"

Ling Xian’s eyes turned cold. He has detested this person the first time he opened his mouth to say what was seemingly warm, but were actually warning words to everyone here. Now that he was threatening him, Ling Xian had thoughts of killing him.

"That’s right. I am threatening you. Bastard, I warn you, I am not someone you should anger. Give it up, or I will make sure you die without a grave." Master Tang smiled densely. Since he has already lifted the veil of this whole situation, he no longer cared how others thought of him.

"Interesting. How did I end up gaining a foe just by bidding in an auction? Was I born with a face that everyone hates?" Ling Xian shook his head as he chuckled. Then, that faint smile on his face retracted, "Save your bullsh*t. If you have real abilities, then continue bidding. If you don’t then don’t bark around here like a stray dog. Just because others are intimidated by you doesn’t mean I am too. To use your background as a weapon to take advantage of others is a behavior I find disgusting."

"You!"

Master’s anger flared up. Having lived his life above others because of his societal status, everyone has always listened to him and respected him. Who dared to call him disgusting?

"You are seeking death!"

Master Tang jumped out of his seat, as foundational Qi poured out of his body. He was getting ready to run to Ling Xian’s box.

"Alright, I sure am interested to find out how you plan on killing me. By using this weak foundational level training of yours?"

Feeling that overpowering stance, Ling Xian’s eyes brightened and he confirmed his decision to kill this man. All he wanted was to own Water of the Resting Soul with no plans to steal or snatch. Who provoked this guy? Seeing that the person before him threatened him and wanted to start a fight made him boil with anger and murderous intentions!

"You sure are overestimating yourself. But since you want to use fists, then I will humor you for a short while."

Ling Xian’s expression was cold. Rolling up his sleeves, an infinite amount of light and a horrifying amount of suppression poured out of him and engulfed the entire auction ground.

"A foundational level cultivator dares to summon their Qi in front of me? The younger generation is getting more ridiculous every year. Let me show you what it means to respect your seniors!" Master Tang could no longer contain his anger. Ferocious spiritual energy surged out of him, brewing a terrifying attack.

Just as he was about to attack Ling Xian, an anger ridden, but calm voice slowly rose.

"Master Tang, are you unaware of auction regulations? Or are you challenging the dignity of the Artifact Trading Convention?"