Chapter 1507 - Greed

The sudden bid blindsided everyone, including the first-tier sects, and countless gazes snapped toward the Heavenly Dao Society's private room.

The entire auction hall erupted into an uproar. "What is Liu Wuxie trying to do? Can he even take out one million astral crystals?" Even Elder Wu Hen stared at the Heavenly Dao Society's private room in shock.

Through their investigation, Liu Wuxie could only mobilize about 1,800,000 astral crystals at best, and he had already spent 1,200,000 so far. That left only 600,000 astral crystals, so where could the extra astral crystals come from to buy the Starfall Jade?

"He's a madman!" cursed those who had planned to join the bid for the Starfall Jade, because only a lunatic would raise the price like this.

Even if the Heavenly Dao Society was wealthy, they couldn't possibly burn money in this manner, and they could have secured the Starfall Jade for a far lower price.

The other sects instantly found themselves in a dilemma, unsure whether to step in. If they joined now, it wouldn't be worth it, since they had already set their limit at 1 million. But if they withdrew, they still couldn't swallow the bitterness.

In the end, reason prevailed over impulse, and more people chose to wait and watch the spectacle unfold. The Divine Alchemy Sect had offered only three hundred thousand astral crystals, but the Heavenly Dao Society immediately raised the bid to one million, striking as a hammer blow that left the Divine Alchemy Sect stunned.

"Hahaha!" Just as everyone was expecting the Divine Alchemy Sect to retaliate and follow with their counterbid, an outburst of laughter rang from their private room instead.

Whenever the Heavenly Dao Society and the Divine Alchemy Sect clashed, other sects always withdrew wisely, because no one wanted to get dragged into their feud. That was especially true now that the Heavenly Dao Society grew fiercely with the Heavenly Dragon Sect's backing, and many sects deliberately avoided them even when they wanted something from them.

"Liu Wuxie, you really know how to call the bid. Can you even take out one million astral crystals?" Bai Ran laughed and fixed his gaze on the Heavenly Dao Society's private room.

The Heavenly Dao Society opened its window at the exact moment, and both sides faced each other head-on.

"Oh? Elder Bai Ran, you're implying that I can't produce one million astral stones?" Liu Wuxie asked with a crooked smile.

Not only the Divine Alchemy Sect, but everyone present doubted whether Liu Wuxie could produce that many astral crystals. Even with the Heavenly Dragon Sect's support, they couldn't possibly mobilize one million astral crystals for the Heavenly Dao Society, since they also needed to buy treasures, and lending one million astral crystals wasn't something Hua Feiyu could decide on his own.

"Don't think that I don't know your Heavenly Dao Society's income. I'll watch how you embarrass yourself today. I won't continue to bid, and I'll see how you clean up this mess after you fail to produce the astral crystals," Bai Ran replied with a sneer, openly declaring that the Divine Alchemy Sect would give up on the bid.

He might as well have told everyone else to stop bidding too, and to wait and enjoy the Heavenly Dao Society's humiliation.

If Liu Wuxie couldn't produce one million astral crystals, it would be the same as provoking the Skybrim Pavilion, and they would throw him out. If that happened, it would be a grave disgrace for the Heavenly Dao Society.

"Since Elder Bai Ran says with such certainty that I can't produce one million astral crystals, then what happens if I can?" Liu Wuxie asked, already digging a pit for Bai Ran the way he always did.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat because Liu Wuxie had used this tactic back in Nightmare City to turn Feng He into a wager. He had used the trick so often that no one should have fallen for it anymore, yet it still worked like a charm every time. Unless the Divine Alchemy Sect swallowed the insult, they would have to accept his provocation.

That single question left Bai Ran and the Divine Alchemy Sect stunned. If Liu Wuxie really could produce one million astral crystals, then they would be slapping their own faces.

The Divine Alchemy Sect was instantly cornered, and everyone's eyes turned to Bai Ran, waiting to hear his response. A simple auction now looked like a duel between two sects.

Elder Wu Hen didn't hurry them because the auction ran for three days, and extending it a little wouldn't hurt.

"Liu Wuxie, this trick won't work on me. I know you're trying to force me into a wager, but I won't fall for it," Bai Ran replied.

After all, Feng He had fallen for it back in Nightmare City and was forced to bark like a dog. That had turned him into a laughingstock across the Indigo Bamboo Astral Domain. The Divine Alchemy Sect's elders still couldn't lift their heads in shame.

An outburst of laughter rose around them when Bai Ran finished.

"The Divine Alchemy Sect has learned to be obedient this time, not to gamble with Liu Wuxie. They must be terrified of losing already." Everyone gloated because they had come not only to participate in the auction but also to watch a show.

"The Divine Alchemy Sect should keep their tail tucked and shut their mouths if they don't dare to take the bet." Those seated in the common area openly taunted the Divine Alchemy Sect.

Most people hadn't witnessed the wager in Nightmare City, and they naturally wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity now.

Everyone's expressions from the Divine Alchemy Sect darkened. Liu Wuxie had used a single sentence to shove them into a corner, and Bai Ran's earlier provocations only made them look even more useless.

Liu Wuxie observed the Divine Alchemy Sect with a relaxed smile. After being burned once, he hadn’t expected them to fall for it again; if they kept betting against him, they would only strip away what little dignity they had left. Better to endure mockery than step forward again.

"Elder Wu Hen, can I call a new price?" Liu Wuxie asked, turning toward Elder Wu Hen with an embarrassed look.

"According to the auction rules, your bid stands. If you can't produce the astral crystals, you will have to leave the Skybrim Pavilion, and you may not participate in the auction again in the next thousand years," Elder Wu Hen said, his expression turning grim as he recited the rule.

The situation shifted again, and everyone's gaze turned to Liu Wuxie.

"Could it be that Liu Wuxie really can't produce one million astral crystals, and he's making a bid on purpose to bait the Divine Alchemy Sect?" Waves of speculation surged through the hall.

Everyone began to dissect Liu Wuxie's intentions. "He must've dug a pit on purpose, trying to bait the Divine Alchemy Sect to follow. This way, the Divine Alchemy Sect would have to pay a higher price for the Starfall Jade."

"Now that the Divine Alchemy Sect refused to raise the bid, wouldn't that mean that Liu Wuxie's plan has fallen?" A wave of realization spread across many faces.

"He has now lifted a rock only to smash his own foot." Many people gloated, delighted to watch Liu Wuxie's scheme collapse.

Bai Ran's expression twisted with instant regret. If he had accepted the wager earlier, wouldn't he have won? So Liu Wuxie really couldn't produce one million astral crystals, and he had only tried to dig a pit for them. But the Divine Alchemy Sect had already been intimidated by the previous bet, and they didn't dare gamble with him anymore.

"Liu Wuxie, get out of the Skybrim Pavilion!" Bai Ran jeered again, his voice dripping with mockery.

No other sect would raise the bid now, which meant the Heavenly Dao Society would have to pay one million astral crystals for the Starfall Jade. If Liu Wuxie couldn't produce the astral crystals, they would throw him out of the auction house.

The situation looked increasingly unfavorable for Liu Wuxie, yet Elder Wu Hen didn't press him, leaving him room to borrow from other sects. As long as Liu Wuxie could gather one million astral crystals, he could remain in the auction house without issue.

Liu Wuxie faced the Divine Alchemy Sect's provocation, his expression helpless as he sighed.

"Liu Wuxie, I have one hundred astral crystals on me, and I can lend them to you as long as you're willing to sell pills to my Firecloud Sect at twenty percent below the market price," the Firecloud Sect's sect master said, openly attaching his terms.

"The Nine Palace Manor is willing to lend 300,000 astral crystals, but your Heavenly Dao Society will have to sell pills to us at fifteen percent below the market price in the future."

A few second-tier sects opened their windows and stepped out to offer help, yet no one offered a free lunch. Each of them proposed lending astral crystals in exchange for cheaper Heavenly Dao Society pills in the future, and they dressed robbery up as assistance.

Did Liu Wuxie have any other choice? If no one else bid, he would have to pay for the Starfall Jade, yet the Heavenly Dao Society couldn't produce that many astral crystals on its own.

"You're all too black-hearted. Our Scarlet Cloud Gate is willing to lend 500,000 astral crystals as long as the Heavenly Dao Society is willing to hand the distribution rights for Martial Souls to us."

Each offer came greedier than the last, and Liu Wuxie watched their ugly faces with clear eyes. Almost every window among the second-tier sects was open now, and all of their gazes locked onto him.

No one truly wanted to help Liu Wuxie, and it made sense: the Heavenly Dao Society's rapid rise had sparked jealousy everywhere. Yet, with the Heavenly Dragon Sect supporting them, other sects could only bury their resentment and swallow it.

Many sects spoke in support of Liu Wuxie, but most lacked the means to back it up. With their own bidding to consider, few were willing to lend astral crystals without conditions.

Liu Wuxie also used this moment to test everyone's attitude toward the Heavenly Dao Society. He planned to sever all future cooperation with those who behaved viciously and to repay those who supported him. Others might not have been able to repay them, but Liu Wuxie could.

"One million going at once!" Elder Wu Hen began his countdown.

The surrounding voices gradually fell, and no one remained optimistic that Liu Wuxie could produce one million astral crystals.

The Divine Alchemy Sect began to rejoice, convinced they had finally struck back at Liu Wuxie. They only regretted not accepting Liu Wuxie's wager earlier. If they had made the bet bigger, they might even have crushed the Heavenly Dao Society directly, and that meant they had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even Sheng Yuan's face carried a trace of regret.

However, it was too late to regret now because Liu Wuxie would soon be thrown out of the Skybrim Pavilion either way.

"One million, calling twice!" Elder Wu Hen said, and one more call would seal the sale of the Starfall Jade.

Liu Wuxie had the members of the Heavenly Dao Society gather astral crystals, keeping the window open so everyone could watch.

"Even a brilliant strategist like Liu Wuxie can make a mistake. He miscalculated this time. While digging a pit for the Divine Alchemy Sect, he fell into it himself."

Many people shook their heads and sighed, including the older generation that had long believed that Liu Wuxie's schemes were unmatched. Now they looked at him again and found him less impressive than before.

"One million, calling thrice..."

"1,050,000!" A voice rang out at the exact moment Elder Wu Hen was about to finalize the sale.