Chapter 1318: Mandatory Exchange
Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon
"Is Master Su still interested at eighty million?"
Elder Mu looked at Master Su. He was pleasantly surprised for the price had far exceeded his expectations.
Yi Yun felt that victory was at hand. He did not believe Master Su would raise his bid again.
After all, it was not a perfect Abyssal Red Lotus Seed. Even if it was properly nurtured, possibly restoring thirty percent of its medicinal properties, it would only be worth approximately eighty million. And that wasn't including the time and capital investment needed.
Most people would call the purchase unprofitable.
However, he never expected Master Su to extend a finger after a long moment of silence. He enunciated his words firmly, "I bid a hundred million!"
A hundred million!?
Upon hearing the bid, everyone was astounded, especially the Thunder Imperial Perceptor. He knew some alchemy himself so he was baffled by how a withered Abyssal Red Lotus Seed could be sold at the astronomical price of hundred million.
Yi Yun's heart sank. Was this old bastard also adept in Herb Nurturing Techniques?
He had likely underestimated the Pillheart Sect's heritage. Only a paragon Herb Nurturing Technique could allow the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed's vital radiance to be energized and fully drawn out. This was the only reason why he could make such a crazy bid.
If that was the case, a hundred million was likely not the old bastard's limit.
However, no matter how good the Pillheart Sect's Herb Nurturing Technique was, Yi Yun refused to believe that they could regrow the Abyssal Red Lotus. That was no longer an issue of having the proper Herb Nurturing Technique, but the fire-elemental Yuan Qi that needed to be provided.
Yi Yun possessed the Heretical God Fire Seed. It was a unique quality that gave him the confidence to make such an attempt. By using the Heretical God Fire Seed to nourish the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed, he could even induce transformations he never expected!
"Kid, if you add so much as one Spirit Jade, I'll make sure you die without a proper burial!"
Master Su's Yuan Qi voice transmission rang in Yi Yun's ear. This was a direct threat. For someone of Master Su’s status to make such threats, it was obvious how much he coveted the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed.
Yi Yun sneered. He did not reply Master Su with a Yuan Qi voice transmission. Instead, he said loudly, "You said that if I were to add so much as one Spirit Jade, you'll make me die without a proper burial! Then, I won’t add Spirit Jade. I'm willing to pay one Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus to buy this Abyssal Red Lotus Seed."
Everyone was stunned when they heard Yi Yun's bid.
Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus!
Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli was just another form of currency. However, it was ridiculously rare. Spirit Jade was mined from mineral reefs be they high or mid-grade Spirit Jade.
However, legends said that Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli only appeared during the Sinkhole's birth. It was coagulated worldly essence, something mineral reeds could not produce. After long periods of time, Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus mostly landed in the hands of Godly Monarchs; that was why they were termed 'Godly Monarch' Immortal Annulus.
Perhaps only Godly Monarchs would use Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli to purchase items. Ordinary warriors would not even see a piece in their entire lives. In that way, it was a symbol of one's identity.
"How can this punk… have a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus…"
Prince Boundless Heaven was already stammering. A currency at the level of Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli was only owned by a few patriarchs in the Outcloud Empire. Even the national treasury's reserves did not have one.
The bid had not only stunned the crowd, even Master Su was dumbfounded. He was already prepared to continue increasing his bid if Yi Yun did not know better and potentially add another ten or twenty million. His limit was 160 million.
But with Yi Yun directly bidding with a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus, how was he to match the bid?
The exchange rate of a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus was a hundred million mid-grade Spirit Jade to one in ancient times. But in the current age, almost no one did such exchanges. It made the exchange rate somewhat indeterminable.
But it was without a doubt that a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus was worth more than a hundred million mid-grade Spirit Jade.
Master Su had only brought Spirit Jade of various grades to the auction. Even if he bid 160 million, it would appear weak in comparison. Elder Mu was probably not going to show interest in his bid.
Master Su could see the sparkling glint in Elder Mu's eyes after he heard the words "Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus." He knew that the old man had made his decision.
"Alright! Look at how good you did! I'll stop vying for it!"
Master Su stared at Yi Yun with intense killing intent. Since he knew he could not outbid Yi Yun, he did not wish to incur ridicule on himself.
Yi Yun had just repeated the contents of his voice transmission out loud and now everyone knew that Master Su had just threatened Yi Yun with a voice transmission.
It was a despicable act to threaten at an auction. Yet, Master Su had ignored his status and threatened a junior in such a manner. Just this point alone made everyone think lowly of the way he bared his fangs. More critically, he had failed to acquire the item despite baring his fangs in such an ugly manner!
It was obvious how furious Master Su was feeling.
"This punk's madness knows no bounds. He treats Su Boyang's threat like it’s nothing."
"There is a price for such madness. This punk is probably finished. Su Boyang has lost face and also future profits. He will not spare the punk at all, to say nothing of the fact that he is backed by the Pillheart Sect! How is a Dao Palace realm junior the match of the Pillheart Sect?"
"Indeed, those that are overly arrogant always die the fastest. Although he has two or three Calm Sea experts accompanying him, there is no way they can protect him. They might not even want to protect him. From their conversations, they do not seem to be from the same sect."
Yi Yun himself was already sect master, so how could the other Divine Lord experts be Yi Yun's subordinates? Clearly, they were together because they traveled together from the Calm Sea. In that case, they did not have deep relations. Under such circumstances, who would risk endangering themselves to protect Yi Yun?
Yi Yun could not be bothered with the crowd's comments. He took out an interspatial ring and handed it to Elder Mu.
Elder Mu received the interspatial ring and scanned it with his perception. Immediately, he beamed. "Very pure in quality. As an old man, I haven't seen many Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli yet. Haha, it's truly an unexpected harvest!"
Upon seeing the way the exchange was made, the crowd, especially the young juniors, was disappointed. They believed that they would catch a glimpse of the Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus and be able to brag about it in the future but Yi Yun had placed it in an interspatial ring. They didn't have a chance to catch even a glimpse of it.
"This Abyssal Red Lotus Seed is yours." Elder Mu handed the seed to Yi Yun. He was very satisfied with the auction and more so with Yi Yun.
The Myriad God Patriarch, hoarder that he was, had three Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli stored away. However, Yi Yun thought nothing of it. Although currency was valuable, it was only currency. Being able to use it to buy things he needed was worth it.
If he could use the remaining two Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli to buy herbs at the level of the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed, Yi Yun would probably laugh himself awake in his dreams.
However, it would be quite difficult. The herbs he encountered in the future might not be flawed. If they were intact, he might not even be able to buy them with the remaining two Godly Monarch Immortal Annuli.
"I have to find an opportunity to amass wealth."
Yi Yun secretly made up his mind. When he put away the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed, he noticed that Master Su was still staring at him.
"I wonder what this old bastard is thinking."
Yi Yun furrowed his brows. Being marked by the old bastard was obviously not a good feeling.
At that moment, Elder Mu also noticed Su Boyang's gaze. He said, "I say, Master Su, don't you have something to put up for sale?"
Elder Mu interrupted Su Boyang. He naturally favored Yi Yun after Yi Yun bought the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed from him at an astronomical price.
"Me? Hehe…" Master Su chuckled sinisterly. "I had brought a few bottles of pills and relics but there are so many impressive figures at this auction. Even a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus has shown itself. I'm afraid I'll only attract ridicule with the items I have."
"Look what you are saying. How would we know if you do not take them out for us to see? I'm still waiting to have my horizons broadened." Elder Mu obviously detected the anger in Master Su's words but it didn't matter. He continued speaking leisurely in a non-confrontational manner.
"I think it's better to not make a fool of myself." Master Su shook his head and suddenly looked at Yi Yun. He said out of the blue, "Young lad, with your wealth, do you not have any items to put on sale?"
Very suddenly, Master Su redirected the request to Yi Yun.
Yi Yun frowned slightly. The old bastard was going from bad to worse. He rejected it instantly, "I have nothing to sell."
"Heh! That might not be the case. Young lad, since you were willing to pay one Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus to buy Elder Mu's Abyssal Red Lotus Seed, you must have an extraordinary Herb Nurturing Technique. You can put that up for sale!"
Master Su's words were clearly meant to instigate, as many people present began to stir.
They originally felt that Yi Yun was rich to buy the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed but now, after hearing Master Su's words, they were enlightened. If Yi Yun really had a Herb Nurturing Technique of that level, it would be priceless!
If their sects could obtain such a Herb Nurturing Technique, their pills and treasures could be nourished, considerably raising the sect's strength!
Many of the old freaks present could not hide the glimmer in their eyes!
"Master Su, what you said makes sense. Young Brother Yi, if you have a mystic technique of such a high grade, it's true that you can sell it. I'd be willing to pay a handsome price for it!"
King Yi stroked his beard and said with a chuckle. He looked middle-aged but he kept giving off the feeling of someone lacking vibrancy.
A handsome price?
Yi Yun sneered. As someone who probably didn't even have a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus, could you even afford the Herb Nurturing Technique left behind by the divine alchemist?
As for the Thunder Imperial Perceptor, he did not say a word. Instead, he only looked at Yi Yun.
Instantly, the mood changed. Everyone had different thoughts and the way they looked at Yi Yun was as though they were watching a plump lamb about to be slaughtered.
At that moment, Elder Mu spoke out. He lowered his hands and emitted an invisible aura, repressing the mood.
"Everyone, have you forgotten what I said at the beginning of the auction? Those that participate in the auction must first abide by the Heavenly South Peaks Meet's rules. The exchange has to be voluntary. That is the most basic principle. No one is to force a sale."
Elder Mu's voice gradually turned cold. As the founder of the Heavenly South Peaks Meet, he naturally needed to keep the Heavenly South Peaks Meet impartial. If not, who would dare auction away their items at future meets?
"Haha! Elder Mu is right! However the Heavenly South Great World has another rule. There is a rule of mandatory exchange. Elder Mu, you should know of it, right?"
"Oh? Mandatory exchange?"
Yi Yun narrowed his eyes. What the hell was that rule?
Elder Mu faltered slightly. "There is the rule of mandatory exchange but almost no one has ever used it. According to the rule, only by proving that Yi Yun's items come from your Pillheart Sect can a mandatory exchange be held…"
"Of course!" Master Su laughed sinisterly as he continue staring at Yi Yun. "All of you have probably forgotten that a few days ago, Yi Yun saw a dish at the Brightheart Veranda. With just a glance, he could tell the pill recipe used in the dish. Furthermore, he easily restored the pill and accurately described the composition of the pills. Later on, he declared that he knew the pill recipe."
"All of you likely know that the pill recipe used for the dish is not considered valuable, but it is absolutely confidential. It was an ancient heritage of my Pillheart Sect. It's impossible that an outsider could obtain it!"
When Master Su said those words, everyone came to a realization. They recalled Yi Yun's actions at the Brightheart Veranda, and they were not something a junior was capable of. Yi Yun could only have restored the pills if he knew the techniques behind it.
Instantly, everyone looked at Yi Yun. And at that moment, Yi Yun was feeling alarmed!
Could it be…
He carefully thought about the matter. The Brightheart Veranda's beautification pill was indeed an ancient recipe recorded in the divine alchemist's notes. As the recipe was of little worth, it did not spread. The divine alchemist had only chanced upon it and recorded it in passing. It was too much of a coincidence for the Pillheart Sect to know of it as well.
Just this coincidence alone did not make Yi Yun think too much was off. But the second coincidence happened when Elder Mu auctioned his Abyssal Red Lotus Seed.
The Pillheart Sect was also adept at Herb Nurturing Techniques!
If he had not bid a Godly Monarch Immortal Annulus, the old bastard would have bought the withered lotus seed for above a hundred million!
How could a typical sect make such an unprofitable purchase?
A non-mainstream pill recipe and an outstanding Herb Nurturing Technique. Yi Yun began to suspect that the Pillheart Sect's heritage was likely related to the divine alchemist!
Without a doubt, the divine alchemist's main heritage had been left in the Sun Burial Sandsea, eventually obtained by Yi Yun.
However, the divine alchemist had previously been in the Sinkhole. He had stayed in there for years, so it was not strange for him to leave behind a little bit of his heritage during that long period of time!
For a powerful sect like the Pillheart Sect to develop to such a grand scale, how could it not have an ancient heritage propping it up? Perhaps, the Pillheart Sect had relied on that tiny bit of divine alchemist heritage and any other possible heritage to slowly bolster themselves.
"No wonder it was so coincidental. I should have thought of it long ago!"
Yi Yun's expression sank. He looked at Su Boyang and noticed the corners of his mouth curve up, revealing a teasing smile. The old bastard was sharp. He had actually came to this realization before him!
Yet despite the tumultuous upheavals running through Yi Yun's mind, he did not reveal a single emotion on his face.
Even so, Su Boyang was apparently more certain that Yi Yun had obtained a heritage similar to the Pillheart Sect.
He stroked his beard and said confidently, "I did not pursue the matter regarding the Brightheart Veranda's pill recipe since it isn't of great worth. But who knew that this junior would continue push his luck? He thinks that the Pillheart Sect is weak and easily bullied. He even dared to vie for the Abyssal Red Lotus Seed with me!"
"He used my Pillheart Sect's heritage to vie for a treasure my Pillheart Sect thinks highly of. Is this even tolerable?"