Chapter 17: When Others Fear, I Buy More
Chapter 17: When Others Fear, I Buy More
Zhao Xuhe knew full well that the Soul-Stealing Yin Puppet had become a speculative bubble on the verge of bursting. Yet he remained confident in his ability to exit before the collapse.
When Lv Yang contacted him to repay the 2,000 Contribution Points he’d borrowed earlier, Zhao Xuhe couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“You’re too hasty, junior apprentice!” Zhao chided. “Don’t you see the price is still rising? We haven’t even entered the war phase yet. Once the fighting starts, demand will skyrocket!”
“Buy back in now, while it’s still affordable,” he urged.
But Lv Yang remained composed. Though the soaring prices gnawed at him, he understood Zhao’s true motive. Concern? Hardly. Zhao wanted to lure more investors to secure his own exit.
“I’ll wait,” Lv Yang replied calmly. “This lifetime, I’ll observe. Once I confirm the peak price, I’ll repeat the cycle in my next life. That’s when I’ll strike gold.”
With the Ten Thousand Lives Scroll, he could only profit—never lose. This thought steadied him. He settled the debt with Zhao and retreated into seclusion.
Meanwhile, the Soul-Stealing Yin Puppet’s price continued to surge as the Primordial Sacred Sect mobilized its disciples for war. Those facing the impending Orthodox-Demonic War had no choice but to buy at any cost—life itself was at stake.
Wealthy noble families, whose elders were at least Foundation Building Realm cultivators, poured resources into the market. Prices soared: 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 Contribution Points per puppet. The value had long since detached from reality, and panic began spreading.
“This is just a technical correction!” Zhao Xuhe declared, dismissing early sellers. He’d learned from his past mistake—exiting too early had cost him profits. “The war hasn’t started yet! Once battles begin, supplies will dwindle. Prices will skyrocket again—7,000, even 10,000! People will pay anything to survive!”
Convinced his logic was flawless, Zhao doubled down, borrowing heavily from the Three Rivers Association. Others followed suit, fueling a brief price rebound.
Then came the announcement: the Primordial Sacred Sect’s leader had secretly reclaimed the Jiangnan Massacre Pit, and the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion sought peace talks.
The bubble burst.
Prices plummeted—5,000, 3,000, 1,000, 200. In fifteen minutes, months of gains evaporated. Cultivation Caves echoed with explosions as desperate investors self-destructed.
Zhao Xuhe awoke to the news: 100 Contribution Points. Then 50. A spray of blood erupted from his mouth.
“F*ck—” he rasped, qi spiraling wildly.
A knock interrupted him.
“Zhao Senior Brother, Lv Yang to visit.”
Zhao stumbled out, face pale. Lv Yang stood there, radiant and cheerful.
“Senior brother,” he grinned, “how much did you make today?”
Zhao Xuhe’s body trembled, cracks spiderwebbing across his skin from unchecked qi.
“I’m fine,” he gritted out, forcing a smile. “Say, I found an ancient cultivator’s cave nearby. Plenty of treasures inside… Interested?”
His eyes glinted with malice.
(End of Chapter)
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