← 百炼成仙

第三千三百三十九章 猜测

Tian Xiaojian nodded. His thoughts were similar to this situation: more than one person was eyeing this treasure, and most of them had deep pockets.

In such a scenario, it would require extraordinary resolve to win out; otherwise, the price for this treasure could skyrocket into the stratosphere.

"Five billion."

A cold voice echoed through the ears, reverberating in the vast space of the hall. It sounded ethereal, unmistakably Tian Xiaojian's doing.

"Ah..."

A gasp filled the air as all the cultivators in the hall were left speechless. They had already found two billion to be outrageous; they never expected someone to double that amount or more on top of it.

It was too exaggerated!

Even the refined scholar standing on the high platform couldn't help showing disbelief.

He had hosted countless auctions, and he had seen many cultivators with deep pockets, but none as absurd as this one.

Five billion dark stones—truly treating money like dung!

His own mouth watered involuntarily.

This old man in front of him was undoubtedly a Transcendent Realm cultivator.

The hall fell silent. But soon, an even more shocking voice echoed: "Hmph, five billion dark stones? What's so impressive about that? This old man will bid ten billion!"

Ten billion?

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured into a boiling pot; the entire hall erupted in excitement.

Even Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of surprise.

Ten billion dark stones—was this piece of treasure really worth such an exorbitant price?

Tian Xiaojian's face also showed anger. He was determined to get the Mysterious River Divine Fruit, and ten billion dark stones were nothing to him.

What if he had to spend that much just for a key?

He was about to speak when the Demon Lord Commander called out: "Little Sword, wait!"

"Why? Father, even ten billion is not enough to deter me. Didn't you say we need this copper cauldron to enter the Mysterious River Realm? How can I give it up?"

"Boy, why are you so impatient? When did your father ever tell you to give up? But don’t you think ten billion dark stones are too outrageous from any angle?" The Demon Lord Commander's voice echoed. Although Tian Xiaojian was a shrewd person, he was still young and couldn't handle such situations as well as the Demon Lord Commander, who had lived for a million years.

"Father, what do you mean?"

Tian Xiaojian understood immediately and showed a thoughtful expression.

"Exactly. It seems you've already figured it out. If this item up for auction is the Mysterious River Divine Fruit, even ten billion dark stones wouldn't be enough; but if someone bids a hundred billion or more, I would think that's perfectly normal. But this copper cauldron is just a key to enter the Mysterious River Realm."

"Even if there are over a hundred similar treasures, and we get one of them, it doesn’t guarantee we'll obtain the Divine Fruit. The fruit from the Mysterious River Tree is scarce, and those who vie for it aren't weaklings; winning requires great difficulty, almost nine out of ten chances of failure."

"Would someone pay such an exorbitant price just to buy a key?"

"The old man has a point."

Tian Xiaojian's face regained its calm: "If you say so, the one who bid this price must have ulterior motives or other intentions."

"Hmm. In any case, he won't spend ten billion for such a copper cauldron. We don’t need to guess his final goal; we just need to observe him," the Demon Lord Commander's voice brimming with satisfaction.

If there were no cost and one could get this key, it would be perfect!

...

With that, the matter was settled. Regardless of Tian Xiaojian’s thoughts, the ten billion bid did catch everyone's attention.

The hall fell silent again, but unlike before, nobody offered another bid.

Ten billion dark stones—this wasn't a small amount; even Transcendent Realm monsters couldn’t be sure if they could afford it.

Moreover, such wealth was not worth it.

As the Demon Lord Commander said, this copper cauldron had no other use. Even if one obtained it, it only meant gaining an opportunity to enter the Mysterious River Realm, not necessarily the Divine Fruit!

The gap between them was too vast.

Spending everything for a mere chance was foolish.

Cultivators who didn't know what the copper cauldron was wouldn't participate in the bidding either.

The matter was settled here.

...

The last auction item had its owner.

"Alright, ten billion dark stones. So this final treasure belongs to this generous senior."

The refined scholar on the high platform's voice was filled with excitement, his expression and tone equally so.

Being able to bid a ten-billion dark stone for an item was rare among Transcendent Realm existences.

In the cultivation world, strength and wealth were directly proportional.

"Senior, do you wish to pay now and take possession of the treasure, or provide your address so we can deliver it?"

"Haha, no need. This old man wants this treasure right away."

The hoarse voice echoed again.

Suddenly, a stone house in mid-air glowed with spiritual light despite its protective barriers, revealing countless spider-web-like cracks on its surface.

Boom!

A loud explosion sounded as the stone house shattered, sending debris raining down like rain.

Then, a thick cloud of dark energy floated out from the void. The figures within were indistinct.

The scholar hosting the auction frowned but quickly relaxed his brow. Although this person was impolite, Transcendent Realm monsters often had odd temperaments.

Even if they destroyed the stone house, it wasn't worth nitpicking over such a small matter for someone who bid ten billion to get the final item.

"Father, is he really trying to be devious? If he has other intentions and doesn’t want to pay with dark stones but take the treasure, shouldn’t he act more discreetly?" Tian Xiaojian's eyes flickered with doubt as he watched this scene.

"Haha, show your hand when you’re weak, hide it when strong. Because he’s so ostentatious, no one would think of his ulterior motives. Little Sword, do you see the logic in that?" The Demon Lord Commander persisted, smiling knowingly.

"Ah, Father has a point; I must be more cautious," Tian Xiaojian said with renewed attention.

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