Chapter 233 – High Price

A faint smile played on Li Guanqi’s lips as he watched from beneath his black cloak.

Tsk, tsk. They’re willing to kill for it... I love this.

The hall below was in chaos. Everyone knew exactly what the Longevity Grass was worth.

A hundred years of lifespan!

For Golden Core Realm cultivators who had given up hope of ever reaching the next realm, this was the ultimate temptation. Even those who still had time began to breathe heavily.

Why did people cultivate, if not for immortality?

The prospect of adding a whole century to their lives proved an irresistible temptation for all. The auction was now at its climax.

Shouts rang out, urging the auctioneer to begin. No one cared about Han Qiu’s beauty any longer. Compared to the Longevity Grass, she was little more than a pink skeleton.

The crowd’s minds were razor-sharp, clear of all distractions.

Han Qiu drew in a steadying breath. She knew she needed composure for what came next. Her smile faded as everyone urged her on.

On the stage lay a blade of grass, emerald green and bathed in green light. The radiance blocked divine consciousness and every form of subtle probing, yet it left the treasure itself perfectly visible.

The entire stalk gleamed faintly, radiating powerful life force.

Even Li Guanqi’s heart stirred at the sight, though he had already run out of spirit stones. He sensed tens of people extending their divine consciousness toward the grass.

A few figures in dark cloaks leaned forward ever so slightly, their determination to secure the Longevity Grass palpable.

Upstairs, Wang Heyang was reeling. He had not expected the last-minute item to be Longevity Grass.

This was the key ingredient in refining Longevity Pills. Without it, no pill could be made—everything else was mere support.

No wonder Sixth Elder told me to drag things out at any cost. If my intel is true, he’s nearing the end of his life. He’s been stuck ‌half a step into the Nascent Soul Realm for nearly three centuries, so he needs this herb to survive... But with my pitiful handful of spirit stones, how am I supposed to compete?

Wang Heyang sighed, gazing at the blade of grass. His thoughts spun wildly until a knock came at the door. “Come in!”

A person covered in a black cloak entered. Wang Heyang frowned. “Who are you?”

A deep voice answered, “I owe Lu Yu a favor. He asked me to bring this.”

The man tossed a green storage ring at him and left without another word, his back vanishing before Wang Heyang could reply. He had come only to settle a debt.

After taking the storage ring, Wang Heyang pursed his lips and extended his divine consciousness inside. His eyes widened.

“This is... too much...”

There were a million spirit stones inside the storage ring.

He cursed, “Fuck! Why didn’t he come earlier? If he did, I wouldn’t have lost that cauldron!”

But soon, his confidence grew. “With one million five hundred thousand, I should be fine.”

Han Qiu gave a brief introduction before announcing, “The bidding for Longevity Grass begins at five hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.”

Many people drew in sharp breaths.

A cultivator said, “Wow! It’s starting at five hundred thousand! And it’ll climb several times higher!”

Next to him, an old man with murky eyes murmured, “In the face of death, the amount of money no longer matters.”

The man beside him blinked in surprise.

The old man slowly raised his card. “Six hundred thousand.”

The man swallowed hard. He himself only had a hundred thousand spirit stones after saving for a century, yet this old man had bid six times that without hesitation. Then, he noticed the old man’s fading aura and realized that he had been talking about himself.

Many people glanced at the first floor. Someone whispered, “Coming to this auction was worth it. I wonder if the mysterious man on the first floor will bid.”

Another person replied, “

Tsk tsk.

The guy on the first floor seems to be an alchemist. If he can bid like Wang Heyang, he must have a strong background. But will he make a move this time?”

Speculation filled the air.

Foundation Building Realm cultivators could only watch. The price was far beyond them.

The price rapidly climbed to eight hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones, equivalent to eight thousand mid-grade ones. This figure left many in stunned silence, as it was far beyond their reach.

On the second floor, Wang Heyang finally entered the fray. “Eight hundred and fifty thousand.”

“What?! Fifty thousand in one go? If he had so many stones, why didn’t he buy that cauldron? Hadn’t he spent a long time waiting for it?”

All these comments were like blades piercing through his heart.

Each comment cut him like a blade. His face darkened. He wished he had bid higher earlier, but he truly hadn’t had the means.

He glared venomously toward the first floor, but the trio sat calmly, unmoved.

Wang Heyang frowned.

Are they planning to make an offer only toward the end?

In their room, Ye Feng popped a grape into his mouth with a bored smack. “Boss, why are we still here? We can’t afford it. Let’s go.”

Li Guanqi smiled. “Wait a little longer. I want to see who takes the Longevity Grass... and maybe, just maybe, we’ll snatch it for ourselves.”

Ye Feng’s eyes lit up. He rubbed his palms together with glee. “

Heh

, the mantis stalks the cicada, but the oriole waits behind. You’re a good schemer, Boss.”

Li Guanqi did not elaborate further.

Very soon, the price rose to one million and one hundred thousand.

Even Li Guanqi was stunned by the price. “Alchemists really are rich...”

Cao Yan smiled bitterly. “Eldest Brother, you haven’t seen an alchemist’s spending levels. They’re black holes.”

After several bids, only Wang Heyang and two others remained in the contest. A fierce back-and-forth ensued, and Wang Heyang secured the Longevity Grass for one million five hundred and sixty thousand spirit stones.

Li Guanqi rose to his feet. “Let’s go. Things are about to get very exciting.”

As they got up, Wang Heyang, under the intense gaze of countless eyes, abruptly jumped out of his window. He fixed his glare on the trio and yelled, “Stay where you are!”

Li Guanqi narrowed his eyes, then slowly turned around without a word.

“Leave the cauldron!” Wang Heyang barked.

Li Guanqi said in a hoarse voice, “Oh? And why should I?”