Chapter 1049: Borrowing Money

Li Guanqi calculated how long it would take for Qian Qiusui to achieve her breakthrough. It would take at least three or four days, meaning she would miss the auction.

Sure enough, barely half an hour passed before problems began cropping up throughout the commerce division.

After arriving at Yunding Auction House by transport array with Yu Hua, Xi Yunhuai said gravely, “Everyone’s seeking approval for the auction preparations, but Qian Qiusui has been handling everything herself. She even controls the list of auction items and all the supply channels.”

Yu Hua looked grim. “We’re seeing widespread returns at our commercial branches across the Six Territories. People are stirring up crowds, claiming our goods are defective. And the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion has started running all sorts of promotions. They’re drawing away almost all our customers.”

Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, but Li Guanqi remained composed, showing no impatience. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring someone in to help.”

Xi Yunhuai frowned. Who else could Li Guanqi call on? No one in the Guanyun Pavilion or the Daxia Sword Sect could manage an operation this large. Unless Tang Ru himself came back.

The thought made Xi Yunhuai freeze. “Do you mean…?”

Li Guanqi’s jade slip glowed faintly. He stood up and said, “Come with me. Let’s go welcome our guest.”

Buzz!

A middle-aged man emerged from the transport array in the underground level of Yunding Auction House. Upon spotting the group waiting for him, he let out a hearty laugh. “Hahaha! We meet again, young friend. Old Xi, it’s been too long. And who’s this…?”

Li Guanqi clasped his fists and bowed. “Thank you for coming, Uncle Tang.”

Tang Wei smiled and waved a hand dismissively. “This feud has even brought more customers to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Everyone’s watching to see how it plays out. Your two pavilions are really going at it! Besides, aren’t you and Gu Yong—”

Li Guanqi cut him off. Spatial force enveloped them, and they appeared silently in the top-floor study.

An array barrier rose around them. Li Guanqi gestured for everyone to sit. “We can speak more freely here. Old Xi, make the introductions and bring Uncle Tang up to speed. I have something to take care of, so I’ll step out for a bit.”

Tang Wei smiled and nodded. Li Guanqi went to a secret chamber on the top floor, which Qian Qiusui had set aside as his study. He took out a special jade slip and spoke softly. “Coward Li, you there?”

Coward Li emerged from his cultivation with a faint smirk. “Hehe, what do you need, Brother? Just say the word!”

Li Guanqi smiled. “What realm are you at now?”

Coward Li took a swig of wine. Sitting cross-legged on the stone bed in his cave dwelling, he rubbed his nose sheepishly. “Well, uh… the Nascent Soul Realm. Hehe, now that your divine soul’s whole again, I can finally feel a little less guilty.”

A sharp gleam flashed through Li Guanqi’s eyes, and a hint of a smile crossed his face. He continued, “You know I’ve been locked in this fight with the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion. I’m planning to put a Profound Origin Sacred Soul Pill up for auction.”

Coward Li set down his wine gourd, puzzled. “Okay, and?”

Li Guanqi’s voice wavered with conflicting emotions. “I originally had three. One for me, and one I was saving for you. But my master ran into some trouble, so I used one on him. You might have to come and bid for the last one yourself.”

Coward Li pursed his lips. “Is that really necessary? Are you afraid something will go wrong when I break through from the Illusory Refinement Realm to the Combined Body Realm?”

Li Guanqi said nothing, but Coward Li felt a warmth in his chest. He was about to speak when Li Guanqi’s voice came through again.

“Never mind. You don’t have to come. I’ll send the pill to you,” Li Guanqi said, holding another jade slip with a smile tugging at his lips.

Coward Li frowned. “Didn’t you say you were putting it up for auction?”

Li Guanqi laughed. “I won’t be auctioning that one anymore. It was refined from a lightning-attribute Qiyin, so it’s much better suited for you.”

Coward Li set down his jade slip and scratched his head. He stood, muttering to himself, “So he’s just giving me a Profound Origin Sacred Soul Pill for free? Heh. That’s my brother. Nice.”

Li Guanqi sighed in relief. Everything still seemed to be going according to plan. “Only five days until the auction. I hope that’s enough time.”

At that moment, Jiang Qizhi and his two companions shot out of a mysterious corner of the void and vanished in an instant. Inside the Gu clan’s domain, heavenly flames blazed, and the pill-refining cauldron stood ready, preheated for their anxiously awaited return.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion seized every opportunity to publicize Yunding Auction House’s setbacks.

“Heh, I told you this Yunding auction was going to be a joke. Just wait and see.”

“The Guanyun Pavilion’s going to fall flat on its face. I heard they took on an order big enough to destroy their entire foundation. Hehe.”

To everyone watching, the Guanyun Pavilion seemed to be losing ground under the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion’s onslaught. Li Guanqi had chosen this very moment to fall silent.

Assassinations, attempts to sow discord, and ruthless efforts to buy up assets at rock-bottom prices continued. Neither side gave an inch.

He traveled alone to the Qin family estate in the Ethereal Immortal Territory. Qin Wushang personally took him to see his father, Qin Xiao.

In an elegant, old-fashioned study, Qin Xiao sat in the seat of honor and calmly looked at Li Guanqi. “What brings you here, young friend?”

Li Guanqi smiled faintly. “I’m here to borrow spirit stones.”

Qin Xiao paused, then asked with a smile, “How many?”

Li Guanqi set down his teacup. “Five billion.”

Nearby, Qin Wushang’s hand jerked, spilling his tea. Qin Xiao’s expression didn’t change. “Five billion? Why should I believe you can repay that? On the strength of your Guanyun Pavilion, which is worth no more than four billion?”

Li Guanqi met his gaze calmly. He didn’t invoke any backers or connections. “In half a month, I’ll repay six billion high-grade spirit stones.”

Qin Xiao set down his teacup. “How?”

Li Guanqi shook his head and stood up. “In half a month, the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion will cease to exist. Do you dare bet on that, Uncle Qin?”

Qin Wushang pressed his lips together and drew in a sharp breath. Those were bold words.