180 Can I watch?
(A/N: Discord link: discord.gg/SC9HNKVj5e )
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Now that the rarity of the pill is known, Li Huang was tempted to compete for the pill with others in the auction house. However, if he were, to be honest with himself, he had a very small chance of being successful in outbidding everyone else. The allure of obtaining such a rare and powerful pill was undeniable, but Li Huang couldn't ignore the reality of his limited resources. He knew that the auction house would be filled with wealthy and influential individuals who would stop at nothing to secure the pill for themselves.
Although he is the young master of the Li family, he is a teenager who doesn't have much liquidity other than his allowance, however big it is compared to others. Knowing this, he could not spend his money on this pill recklessly, as he might need it for something else, but at the same time, he wasn't going to back off from the competition out of fear of high prices. He decided to weigh his options carefully and find a solution that would allow him to participate without compromising his financial stability.
'They say you never know unless you try and get outbid by someone.' Li Huang thought, '…Something like that.' He mentally shrugged.
Just like Li Huang who had an internal struggle about this pill, all around the auction house, different sects and families were also going through a similar struggle. Each of them had their own unique circumstances and perspectives. Some didn't need it for now but figured they would be able to sell it for tenfold the price if they were to target the pill masters specifically. Some needed the pill for themselves or people around them who had that level of talent and this pill wouldn't be wasted on them. Some were pill masters themselves so this pill would be something that they would be willing to kill for. All in all, the demand for this pill was overwhelming. People were willing to go to great lengths to obtain it, creating fierce competition among those who understood its true value. It became evident that this pill had the power to change lives, whether it be for personal gain, advancement in their craft, or even survival.
Among the people in the auction house, one group had a more intense desire to win this pill. This group was the Sky Pillar Sect, one of the seven holy lands of the Divine Central continent.
For those who were somehow yet uninformed about the return of the twin brother of Han Junxiong, the current patriarch of the Sky Pillar Sect, the reason behind this desire might not be clear but for those who know of his return, it couldn't be any clearer.
"Junhui, what do you think about this pill?" Peng Borong who was sitting beside Han Junhui asked him. She knew that this pill could help him but she wanted to ask him about it first before bringing up the matter of buying it.
Han Junhui was in the fifth stage of the Meridian Formation realm and as he was in [Soul Cage], he was unable to cultivate. Now that he was out of the [Eternal Wail Chasm], this pill would be a godsend for him to improve his strength fast and save a few years in his quest to improve his cultivation and rectify the setback he faced. Han Junhui had been imprisoned for a considerable amount of time within the perilous depths of the [Eternal Wail Chasm], and his cultivation had remained stagnant with each passing day. The [Soul Cage] had served as his confinement, stopping him from gaining access to the spiritual energy that was essential for developing his abilities. Now, finally free, he craved the power and progress he had lost. The pill promised to be his salvation, a shortcut to reclaiming his former glory and surging ahead in his journey toward enlightenment. Han Junhui wanted to seize this opportunity and make up for the lost time.
"I want to use that pill to improve my cultivation." Han Junhui said. He wasn't going to hide his intentions from Peng Borong.
"Then let's buy it." Peng Borong nodded. She had a small smile on her face when she did so because Han Junhui had not changed from before. In the past few days, she was worried that she wouldn't be able to communicate with Han Junhui easily as they had both changed but to her surprise and relief, the flow of conversation didn't change between them at all and everything felt natural between them.
"We will start the auction for this unique and one-of-a-kind [Burning Lotus] pill with a starting price of ten million high-grade spirit stones." The auctioneer said and it didn't take more than a second or so for an offer to be announced.
"12 million high-grade spirit stones." Li Huang was the first to enter the competition with an offer that would be considered logical to him, alas, it was still low when compared with other logical offers.
"14 million high-grade spirit stones." Someone from the crowd said and increased the price once more. This person was a member of a pill guild called [Wooden Cauldron]. Pill masters of the [Wooden Cauldron] guild are usually from a humble background and joined the guild to help nurture more pill masters like them from a talent pool that would otherwise go unnoticed. One should know that their background has no relation with their skills as they have members who are considered one of the most skilled pill masters in the world.
Hearing this offer, Li Huang didn't rush to add to the price hastily. He knew that the price would definitely increase so he decided to wait and see for now.
On the other side, Han Junhui and Peng Borong were taken aback for a moment when Li Huang placed a bid as he was their benefactor. Han Junhui wants to have this pill but not so much so that he would be willing to directly bid against Li Huang who saved his life.
~'Brother Li, I'm also interested in this pill but if you want this pill I won't participate in this round of auction.'~ Han Junhui didn't waste time and sent a sound transmission to Li Huang. He wanted to see if Li Huang was all-in on getting this pill or if he was just testing the waters.
Li Huang who received the sound transmission was stunned for a second as he was called brother by Han Junhui. He soon recovered and understood the situation.
~'Not really, I was just teasing others to see if I can buy it.'~ Li Huang answered him.
~'Can I ask something of you after you get the pill?'~ Just as Han Junhui was about to answer him, Li Huang thought of something and sent another sound transmission.
~'…Please ask away.'~ Han Junhui was not sure what Li Huang had in mind but he was willing to do it.
~'Then please go ahead and win this round of auction.'~ Li Huang said mentally but he couldn't help but smile a bit. He was touched that Han Junhui was willing to forsake pursuing this pill just because he would be bidding against him.
"I just talked to Li Huang and he said he wasn't going to pursue this pill anymore." Han Junhui turned and said to Peng Borong with a smile.
"Good, we shouldn't face many issues now." She nodded and they placed a bid right after that.
"15 million high-grade spirit stones." Peng Borong said and the competition continued.
16 million high-grade spirit stones." This bid came from the representative of the [Silver Pill] association. Like [Wooden Cauldron], they were also a group of pill masters.
"18 million high-grade spirit stones." Han Junhui and Peng Borong didn't plan on giving this item up, so they continued. Meanwhile, Han Junhui started thinking of a plan to get the pill masters out of the competition for this pill.
…
"The winner of the [Burning Lotus] pill with an offer of 38 million high-grade spirit stones is the Sky Pillar sect." The auctioneer said and Han Junhui and Peng Borong could breathe a sigh of relief.
Han Junhui had to talk with a handful of the pill masters to convince them to let go of this pill but his efforts have proven fruitful and now he had the pill.
~'Thank you, brother. What was that you wanted to ask me?'~ He didn't waste time and sent a sound transmission to Li Huang.
Li Huang who heard this message couldn't be happier as he didn't have to spend money on this pill and now, he could ask Han Junhui for what he had in mind.
~'Haha, Congratulations. It's a bit embarrassing brother Han.'~ Li Huang answered back.
~'Can I see the pill? I'm a little interested in rare items so it would really mean the world for me to see it with my eyes.'~ Li Huang continued his sound transmission.
I'm back guys, My back is now way better and I can write much much easier.
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