Ling Xiao’s expression infuriated the Tianwang Sect members, making them itch to punch him.
Taking a deep breath, Sikong Xuan forced himself to calm down, then said, “You ignorant brat, you don’t realise the disaster you’ve sown today. Your sect will face immense calamity because of you.”
Ling Xiao sneered, “Even if I didn’t offend you today, if I refused to join your so-called Tianlong Academy, wouldn’t my sect still be wiped out?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Sikong Xuan’s face darkened instantly.
“You know exactly what I mean,” Ling Xiao replied, choosing not to reveal his suspicions publicly.
There was no point. Who would believe the words of a lowly disciple like him?
Besides, he’d already hinted at Tianlong Academy’s intentions. If the sect leaders had any sense, they’d pick up on it.
It was up to them whether they’d heed the warning.
“Princess Yunya, please continue the auction. Don’t let us delay your business,” Ling Xiao said with a smile, bowing slightly to Yunya.
The clash with Sikong Xuan was just a minor episode. His ordinary pill auction was the priority, and afterwards, he needed to collect the herbs from Yunya.
Once he refined the Tianmai Pill, he could advance his strength to the Breakthrough Stage Tianmai Warrior level. Then, even against a First Heaven Realm warrior, he could hold his own, not be entirely helpless.
Of course, breaking through to the Heaven-Human Realm would be ideal.
Yunya nodded and smiled at Ling Xiao.
She’d found the young man intriguing from the start, but she hadn’t expected him to dare confront Sikong Xuan, that old fox. It was quite a surprise.
Thanks to this competition, three ordinary pills fetched a staggering five million low-grade spirit stones, a huge windfall for her.
The higher the bidding for perfect-grade ordinary pills, the more commission the Royal Auction House earned, and the more favour it gained with the mysterious alchemist behind the young man. It was a win-win situation.
“Senior Sikong, don’t be too upset. Three perfect-grade ordinary pills for five million low-grade spirit stones isn’t a bad deal. You wouldn’t find them elsewhere. Now, for the final auction of this event, we have another three ordinary pills, same base price. Bidding starts now,” Yunya said, her words meant to soothe Sikong Xuan but making his face even grimmer.
It was clear her relationship with Sikong Xuan wasn’t great.
The final auction grew even fiercer, with Snow Mountain Sect, Blood Blade Sect, Yuehua Sect, and Beast King Palace driving the price of the three pills to another five million low-grade spirit stones.
This matched Tianwang Sect’s earlier bid, slightly easing Sikong Xuan’s expression.
But the fact remained, he’d still lost out.
“Hahaha, sorry, folks, Blood Blade Sect’s taking these,” declared a Blood Blade Sect member, securing the final three pills.
Yuehua Sect had been stopped by Ling Xiao at four and a half million.
Since the pills were his, there was no need to pay such a high price.
“Ling Xiao, why did you stop us?” asked Golden Light Venerable in the VIP room, puzzled.
Ling Xiao smiled, flipping his hand to reveal three perfect-grade ordinary pills, each round and radiant, a beautiful sight.
“How do you have those?” Golden Light Venerable asked in shock.
“Shh. To be honest, I refined these pills myself. Could I not keep some for Yuehua Sect? I have five in total, and I’ll sell them to the sect at cost, fifty thousand low-grade spirit stones each. That’s fair, right?” Ling Xiao said.
He didn’t want to profit off Yuehua Sect, but the cost of materials had to be covered, or he’d be at a loss.
“Fair? I could kiss you,” Golden Light Venerable exclaimed, lunging to hug Ling Xiao, his big mouth aiming for Ling Xiao’s face.
“Mercy,” Ling Xiao shouted, dodging with his Sword Soul Clone to escape the bear hug.
In truth, he had ten such pills. Five were for Yuehua Sect, the other five for Divine Sword Sect.
He treated both equally, charging material costs. He didn’t want to encourage freeloading; his pills didn’t fall from the sky.
Seeing the auction was nearly over, Ling Xiao slipped away using the excuse of needing the bathroom, changing his appearance to the one he’d used when meeting Yunya.
After commissions, the auction earned him nearly twenty million low-grade spirit stones, netting ten million after costs.
It was an insane profit.
No wonder alchemists were so wealthy. Ling Xiao finally understood.
Once he got the herbs for the Tianmai Pill, his cultivation would be closer to the Heaven-Human Realm.
“Demon Flame Venerable, I know you want me dead. Don’t worry, I won’t rely on Brother Wu or Lady Yue to kill you. I’ll defeat you openly and reclaim Master Baiyun’s Wisdom Bone,” Ling Xiao vowed, quickening his pace.
The path of a warrior was fraught with challenges, but crossing from the Ordinary Realm to the Heaven-Human Realm should be manageable.
With his Mountain River Martial Soul, he needed only strength, not enlightenment, to break through.
Before the auction, Yunya had shown her staff a portrait of Ling Xiao in his disguise, ensuring he’d be ushered to the VIP room with utmost care.
Ling Xiao found her sharp and astute, increasing his respect for her.
It wasn’t affection, just a willingness to work with her.
“Young hero, whatever you need, just say. We’ll make it happen,” said a pretty, nervous fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl who led him to the VIP room, looking like she might faint.
Ling Xiao was puzzled but soon understood.
Yunya must have given strict orders to treat him well, threatening dire consequences for any slip-up.
He’d guessed right.
Yunya was meticulous in winning him over.
She’d chosen this young girl to serve him, likely considering that if Ling Xiao had certain desires, a beauty might sway him.
If he took the bait, it’d be easier to secure him, and the person behind him would likely step forward too.
