https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-208-Acquiring-Qingyuan-Miaodan-Fa/12920543/
Chapter 209: Some People Change, Some Cannot
Chapter 209: Some People Change, Some Cannot
Bidding?
Being a fool?
A cold scoff echoed in Luo Chen's heart.
"No, I won't get involved in this muddy water."
"But, don't you want to stay in Mount Tai Market?"
Luo Chen hesitated for a moment before deciding to speak frankly.
"Indeed, I don't really want to."
"Hmm?"
In the Li Clan's private room, Li Yixuan's face revealed a surprised expression.
"Why?"
"Do you want to stay here? In a market town that has been under the control of the Kang Family for hundreds of years, where power is shifting and the new owner has an extremely powerful background and strength? I'm afraid that in the future, they will swallow you whole!"
Li Yixuan frowned, "But..."
"There's no 'but'. Perhaps you are considering the family's interests and seeking a safe place to develop without too much conflict. But I yearn for the Great Dao, and here, there's only a single Tier Two Spirit Vein, which is already divided between two families."
Finally, Luo Chen sent a message.
"If you want to compete, Luo doesn't mind lending you ten thousand spirit stones."
After his words, silence filled the hall for a long time.
Only the repeated bids, each more labored than the last, echoed through the palace hall.
Huo Hu sat in the middle, listening to the bids from both sides with a smile.
Even though the bidding paused for a long time, he didn't say anything about the first or second bid.
However, he looked at the private rooms of the Luo Tianhui and the Li Clan with an unfriendly expression.
What a lack of face!
With two fewer bidders, the atmosphere still wasn't lively enough!
In the Li Clan's private room, Li Yixuan's lips were about to open, ready to join the bidding.
However, Luo Chen's words kept echoing in her mind.
Considering the family's interests, Mount Tai Market seemed like a stable place to develop, but in the long run, it was definitely not a good place.
After all, with the departure of the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion, there was no longer a powerful force to maintain balance.
The Huo Family, as the local overlord, would eventually be unable to tolerate the presence of other family forces.
The Kang Family and the Yu Family, as old friends, might be able to endure for a while, but for newcomers...
And for her personal interests, she also felt that not having a Tier Two Spirit Vein would indeed hinder her cultivation.
In the end, she reluctantly gave up bidding for the Mystic Flame Sword.
As she withdrew, the bidding in the hall had already fallen silent for a long time.
The price stopped at 83,000 low-grade spirit stones, the amount offered by Wang Haichao.
Nan Gong Jin's face turned bitter; he couldn't continue bidding.
This had already exceeded the Nan Gong Clan's limit.
If they went any further, the entire family would be unable to bear the burden.
However, with the failed bid, they also lost the opportunity to stay in Mount Tai Market.
He turned back and glanced at the several Qi Refinement Ninth Stage Cultivators from the Nan Gong Clan who had followed him, and he sighed.
"Perhaps, we will have to wander again."
On Wang Haichao's side, his face was equally gloomy.
83,000!
To buy a mediocre low-grade magical artifact flying sword, he was really acting like a fool.
At this moment, the various Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall were probably looking at him like he was a fool!
"Nan Gong Jin!"
"You're too despicable!"
"You said you would just be a spectator!"
The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Da He Fang were in the hall were all in a bad mood.
However, the auction hall was already filled with loud chatter.
An ordinary low-grade magical artifact had been bid up to 83,000 spirit stones, shocking these loose cultivators who had never seen such a high price.
This price should have been for defensive artifacts or exotic magical artifacts!
Amidst the chatter, some people gradually realized what was happening.
These Foundation Establishment Cultivators were giving face to the Huo Family!
Luo Chen quietly watched this farce come to an end.
Nan Gong Jin had no chance of competing with Wang Haichao.
When Wang Haichao left Da He Fang, he had made a fortune from the loose cultivators for the boat fare.
Fifty spirit stones per ticket! There were at least two to three thousand people on board.
It was a huge sum of money!
And all of it was in Wang Haichao's hands. Nan Gong Jin, burdened by his family, couldn't compete with that.
"Master!"
Suddenly, a voice sounded from the side.
Luo Chen turned his head and saw that Qu Lingjun was finally coming out of his shock.
But his eyes still held a look of confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Qu Lingjun asked in bewilderment, "Why does Wang Bangzhu want to spend so much money on this artifact? I heard from others that this artifact isn't suitable for him!"
Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Because, he wants to stay in Mount Tai Market!"
"Why does he want to stay in Mount Tai Market so badly?" Qu Lingjun still didn't understand. "I heard from Aunt Gu that he earned over a hundred thousand spirit stones. With that money, why not find a Tier Two Spirit Vein and cultivate diligently?"
Luo Chen was stunned, and a look of confusion also appeared on his face.
A hundred thousand was a bit of an exaggeration. To fill the River Devourer's stomach, he had given a large portion of the spirit stones to the two families to buy tamed spirit beasts.
But even after that, there were still around eleven to twelve thousand spirit stones left.
With such a large sum of money, why wouldn't he be able to live a carefree life elsewhere?
"Hehe..."
A hearty laugh sounded.
It was Wang Yuan.
However, the laugh gradually turned into a sneer.
"Some people change, that's all."
"Change?"
Qu Lingjun still didn't understand, his eyes full of curiosity as he looked at Wang Yuan.
He didn't notice the drastic change in Luo Chen's expression beside him.
Yes!
Wang Haichao, he's changed!
Wang Yuan glanced at Luo Chen and casually said to Qu Lingjun, "Aside from the cultivation families and sects, why do loose cultivators form their own factions?"
Qu Lingjun replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, it's to gather cultivation resources with the help of ample manpower!"
This was the original intention of all Foundation Establishment loose cultivators, who spent a lot of effort to form their own factions.
Wang Yuan nodded and then said, "However, when a person gets used to being the center of attention, used to holding the power of life and death, and used to commanding hundreds and thousands of cultivators. If you give him ample resources and ask him to retreat to a secluded cave or a deep mountain to cultivate, will he still be able to adapt?"
Qu Lingjun was taken aback and replied naturally, "What's so hard to adapt to?"
Yes!
For Qu Lingjun, who was inexperienced and only understood the emotions of family and love, what was there to adapt to?
Once the goal was achieved, shouldn't he pursue immortality?
Luo Chen looked at the boy with a bitter smile, his height gradually catching up to his own.
My disciple!
You don't know that in this world, there's something called "power."
It's a terrifying existence that can make a man give up countless things.
His gaze drifted to Wang Yuan, and he looked at him gratefully.
Wang Yuan nodded indifferently and continued to focus on the ongoing auction.
The reason Luo Chen felt "grateful" to Wang Yuan.
Was because the other party was deliberately hinting at him! Wang Haichao was willing to pay a huge price to stay in Mount Tai Market, just so he could have a place to continue controlling the Great River Gang!
If he moved elsewhere, could the Great River Gang still exist?
How many of these loose cultivators from Da He Fang would follow him, leaving their homes and families behind?
Without the bond of blood and without Luo Chen's prestige, it would be extremely difficult for him to gather these people and bring them to Mount Tai Market.
Therefore, if he wanted to enjoy the taste of power, he had to stay here! Perhaps, his initial intention was only to use the Great River Gang to collect resources for himself.
But gradually, he became addicted to it.
He changed! And so did Luo Chen himself.
Or perhaps, Luo Chen was currently at the initial stage that Wang Haichao had gone through!
At this stage, Luo Tianhui was indeed useful, and very useful.
But what about the future?
When he earns enough wealth and has ample resources to quietly cultivate, will he still be able to give up the habit of enjoying power?
Luo Chen couldn't imagine if he would change in the future.
Wang Yuan, however, had already prepared for this moment.
People are different.
In his previous life, Luo Chen was just a corporate slave, and aside from occasionally commanding teammates in games, he rarely experienced the taste of power.
But now, he truly enjoyed the feeling of waving his hand and having hundreds of people show him respect.
He relished the moment when the cultivators of Luo Tianhui shouted in unison, "Chairman, board the ship!"
Therefore! In the future, he was very likely to become addicted to it.
But Wang Yuan was different.
He came from the rivers and lakes, rising through the ranks with his fighting skills, and had even established a martial arts sect in the past.
But for the pursuit of immortality and power.
He still abandoned his peak status in the secular world without hesitation and chose to come to Da He Fang, starting from the lowest rank of loose cultivators.
When Luo Chen asked him to manage Luo Tianhui, he showed impatience.
It wasn't that he couldn't manage it, but he felt it would affect his cultivation.
He was an experienced cultivator!
"He's a friend, a big brother, and a mentor who constantly guides me on the path of cultivation."
Luo Chen suppressed his complex emotions and looked at Wang Yuan gratefully, then refocused his attention.
...
"Next, it's the auction phase of Lingyao Pavilion."
"What they are auctioning is... Foundation Establishment Pills!"
Huo Hu's voice trailed off.
However, in that instant, thousands of loose cultivators in the hall held their breath.
Their scorching gazes seemed to melt him.
Huo Hu pursed his lips and waved his hand, and the red cloth on the table was removed, revealing three jade bottles that stood out prominently.
"There are three pills in total, to be auctioned separately."
"The starting price is one thousand spirit stones per pill, and each increase must be at least one hundred."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please!"
As soon as he finished speaking.
The surging bidding voices came like a tidal wave, crashing onto the shore.
One thousand and one!
One thousand and two!
Two thousand!
Three thousand!
Without any hesitation, the price soared.
Not only the loose cultivators, but the private rooms of various Foundation Establishment sects also echoed with heavy breathing.
In the Great River Gang's private room.
Min Longyu's eyes lit up, "Bangzhu!"
Wang Haichao glanced at him, "Wait and see. I don't recommend bidding on the first pill. The price will definitely be driven up."
Min Longyu opened his mouth, trying to suppress his impatience.
What the other party said was not wrong.
Meanwhile, in the Luo Tianhui private room.
Luo Chen's heart stirred.
The Huo Family was indeed extraordinary. For their first auction, Lingyao Pavilion was giving them face.
Although it wasn't like the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion in Da He Fang, which casually took out five Foundation Establishment Pills, three pills were indeed a considerable number.
What stirred his heart was the small quantity.
This also meant that there was no possibility of the various Foundation Establishment forces communicating and dividing the spoils.
In other words, it meant... first come, first served!
Turning back, Luo Chen's gaze fell upon the loose cultivators of Luo Tianhui.
The top ten at the ninth stage of Qi Condensation!
Those close to the Grand Perfection of Qi Condensation included Sima Huiwang, Murong Qinglian, Duan Feng, and a loose cultivator named Bian Zhen who had joined three years ago.
Additionally, Qin Liangchen, Sima Xian, and a few others were only a few years away from Grand Perfection with their diligent cultivation.
There were also four others, Gu Caiyi, Zhou Yuanli, Liu Qiang, and Su Xiaolin, who were considered young.
In the future, they also had a chance at Foundation Establishment.
These people would undoubtedly desire a Foundation Establishment Pill, wouldn't they? Even Qin Liangchen's couple, who already had one, would never complain about having more.
Facing Luo Chen's gaze, the ten individuals' breathing grew heavy.
They stared at Luo Chen, their lips moving, but they restrained themselves.
Luo Chen smiled.
"You might as well not bid, you won't get it."
"Three Foundation Establishment Pills, I'll bid for one on your behalf!"
"When the time comes, whoever reaches Grand Perfection in Qi Condensation first can purchase it from me at the original price."
After saying this, he turned around abruptly.
Facing the lively auction below, he shouted loudly.
"Five thousand low-grade Spirit Stones!"
The atmosphere quieted for a moment.
Then, a cultivator at the Grand Perfection of Qi Condensation gritted his teeth and shouted, "Five thousand one!"
Luo Chen glanced at him and calmly said, "Five thousand two."
The man gritted his teeth again, "Five thousand three!"
"Five thousand four."
With his calm and unhurried demeanor, it seemed as if he was determined to match any bid.
The man wanted to bid again, but his companion held him back.
His companion shook his head gravely, but he still couldn't bear it.
In the end, he gave up dejectedly.
After all, he was up against a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
Three strikes and you're out, if he kept going, he might buy it but not live to use it.
Moreover, there were still two more pills!
The fear of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and the hope of a lucky break made him give up in the end.
"The first Foundation Establishment Pill, five thousand four hundred low-grade Spirit Stones once!"
"Five thousand four hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, second time!"
Huo Hu's brows furrowed, his face filled with dissatisfaction.
The price of a Foundation Establishment Pill at a public auction shouldn't be this low!
Moreover, with the current market trend, the price of pills shouldn't be this low!
Today was the day his Huo Clan declared their sovereignty over Mount Tai Market, so it shouldn't be this cheap!
He dragged out the third call, reluctant to let it go.
Opposite him was Luo Chen's lofty and unperturbed gaze.
In the end, he shouted in frustration, "Five thousand four hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, third time!"
"Sold!"
Without any congratulations, the pill was directly sent to Luo Chen.
This unsportsmanlike scene caught the attention of many.
In the Kang Family's private room.
Kang Dongyue shook his head, feeling that the Huo Clan's auction was indeed poorly organized.
Declaring sovereignty was one thing.
But rushing to introduce Huo Hu, the newly advanced Foundation Establishment genius, was questionable.
Inviting a respected senior to preside over the auction could have brought great profits while maintaining their reputation.
Why go through all this trouble?
In the Yu Family's private room.
A young lady in court attire frowned as well.
An elder beside her spoke softly, "Huo Hu is just like his father. He acts domineering but has a narrow mind. Chu Chu's marriage with him will likely make her future difficult."
The young lady in court attire sighed, "Elder, what can I do? Old Huo will likely reach the later stages of Foundation Establishment after he exits seclusion. With their strength and two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, backed by the Flame Alliance, they will be a force to reckon with."
"We're not like the Kang Family, who has the backing of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. If we don't agree to the marriage, we might face trouble in the future."
The elder fell silent.
But his gaze upon Huo Hu was ultimately dissatisfied.
In the future, Yu Chu Chu would likely suffer.
The first Foundation Establishment Pill was sold at the low price of five thousand four hundred.
Loose cultivators who didn't participate in the bidding envied those who did.
Especially those who could afford the Spirit Stones, they regretted not bidding.
But, it was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
At the Great River Gang's side.
Min Longyu watched eagerly as the Foundation Establishment Pill was sent to Private Room Number Nine via the backstage.
He knew that Wang Haichao wouldn't compete with Luo Chen.
After all, the other party hadn't interfered during the Mystic Flame Sword auction, and they were extremely wealthy.
If the roles were reversed, he would do the same.
He licked his dry lips and cautiously reminded, "Boss, the auction for the second Foundation Establishment Pill has begun."
Wang Haichao nodded.
"No rush, let's observe for now and then make our move!"
Min Longyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly.
Right!
Make a decisive bid!
Didn't Luo Chen do the same to win a second-tier secret art with a decisive bid?
There's no reason it wouldn't work for us.
When he joined Wang Haichao, the other party had promised to find him a Foundation Establishment Pill.
(End of Chapter)
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