Chapter 230: Seeing Liu Jinshui Again
Translator: 549690339
“Xi’er, my feelings for you are clear. If you like this piano, I’ll buy it for you,”
In a private room, a young cultivator spoke. It was apparent that he was one of Xi Yao’s suitors. Coming across an item that was a couple’s set linked to Xi Yao, he wouldn’t let the opportunity slip by easily.
“Xi Yao doesn’t understand. In this life, Xi Yao lives only for the Path of Qin Music and cannot tolerate the slightest desecration. Anyone who dares to buy this piano to disrupt my cultivation path will face only one outcome, and that is death!”
Xi Yao’s tone was icy cold, her words laden with killing intent.
With those words, the wealthy young masters who were ready to vie for the piano hesitated, for in terms of status and identity, they were no match for Xi Yao.
If she truly wished to kill them, their backing Sects could not protect them.
“Xi’er, I still hope you can give me an opportunity. We’ve grown up together since we were children!”
“Moreover, the cultivation path is long, and to have a confidant to cultivate with would also be a beautiful tale!”
The man persisted, unwilling to give up.
“Shut up. We cultivators have resolute cultivation hearts. Romantic entanglements will only be stumbling blocks on the path to ascension. You, as a True Disciple of the Qi Sect, cannot even see through this, which shows a small-mindedness that is truly contemptible!”
Xi Yao interrupted the man’s speech, speaking coldly. She was very angry now and did not show a pleasant face to anyone.
Angry at Li Xiaobai, she was also angry at herself.
She had been used by others time and again. She had thought she could learn that novel Path of Qin Music by following Li Xiaobai, but she was sold as soon as she became his disciple. Was she, Xi Yao, really that uncharismatic?
“Xi’er, you—”
The cultivator was at a loss for words. No matter what, he was a True Disciple of the Qi Sect at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. His future progression could only be steady. Without a great opportunity, rapid advancement was impossible.
But in Xi Yao’s mouth, he was accused of lacking ambition, which was quite a blow to his pride.
“Senior Brother, are you still going to compete in the bidding? Behind Xi Yao, stands the entire resources of the Sect, ready to accompany to the end!” Xi Yao spoke.
“Since Xi’er likes this piano, it wouldn’t be right for Senior Brother to fight over what someone loves. I will compete no more,”
The male cultivator slowly said.
Down in the crowd, Gu Ling felt a pang of regret. He had not expected that the two items brought by Li Xiaobai would spark such intense reactions, and each time it involved heavyweights that were intimidatingly high-ranking.
Whether it was the King of the Kingdom of Women or now the saintess of the Elixir Sect, they all made severe threats that even the Treasure Pavilion could not prevent.
It seemed there would no longer be anyone competing with a higher bid.
Nevertheless, a sum of thirty million top-grade Spirit Stones was a considerable amount. What was once an Inner Armor that wasn’t even considered a Magic Treasure had become a treasure worth a fortune, increasing in value many times over.
The profit brought by these two items could match the earnings from most of the previous auction items.
“Thirty million top-grade Spirit Stones for the first time!”
“Thirty million top-grade Spirit Stones for the second time!”
“Thirty million top-grade Spirit Stones for the third time!”
“Sold!”
“Congratulations to Immortal Xi Yao for once again securing the piano. With the couple’s set piano now complete, we believe that Immortal’s path in the art of qin music will be smooth sailing!”
Gu Ling chuckled, easing the atmosphere in the room significantly.
Everyone present was somewhat terrified, the sights and sounds of the day unforgettable. It wasn’t just the magic of the wondrous treasures that made it memorable, but also the many influential figures vying for them, their words filled with murderous intent. Those influential figures, usually so lofty and unapproachable, now seemed like meek sheep, too scared to make a wrong move.
The reason was simple, this place wasn’t just home to influential figures but also to even more powerful giants.
The treasures that Li Xiaobai had saved for last had just been sold, and the remaining items were also rare treasures. They were genuine treasures with formidable power, not like the inner armor and piano, which were sold at exorbitant prices due to gimmicks.
The Elixir Sect and the Kingdom of Women, these two great forces, had already spent a lot of money and purchased some items. They didn’t bid for the remaining treasures.
The cultivators on the second and third floors fought vigorously, competing fiercely. They had missed out on the most anticipated items, and if they couldn’t secure any of the remaining treasures, the trip would have been in vain.
The cost was soaring, and although it hadn’t reached tens of millions of top-grade spirit stones, the amount was still several million.
Today the Treasure Pavilion could be considered a huge success, both in fame and profits.
Even from afar, one could sense the excitement in Gu Ling’s eyes.
Eventually, every auction item sold for no less than eight million top-grade spirit stones, Gu Ling’s smile so wide he could barely close his mouth. Today’s auction would definitely go down in the history of Treasure Pavilion, with no auction in the past decade matching its grandeur.
He, Gu Ling, was the hero of Treasure Pavilion!
As the auction drew to a close, the cultivators on the second and third floors of the Treasure Pavilion began to leave slowly. With so many important figures present, they didn’t want to cause any trouble, especially those who had secured treasures, as they were terrified of being robbed by the influential figures and could hardly wait to get away.
They quickly left to complete the transaction formalities.
Li Xiaobai followed the crowd and entered the private rooms of Treasure Pavilion, finally locating room 1438, the number given to him by his sixth senior brother.
The door to the room was ajar, with faint shadows flickering inside. Li Xiaobai looked around before entering nonchalantly.
“Cough cough, senior brother, It has been a long time, and I’ve missed you terribly,” Li Xiaobai said cheerfully, having not seen the rotund figure for quite some time.
“Junior brother, it’s been a while. I often see you in the Immortal Spirit Daily. You’ve become quite the celebrity during this period!” said the fat figure in the room, who had now taken off his disguise and returned to the appearance that Li Xiaobai was familiar with.
“Heh, it’s all just an empty reputation. But senior brother, you’ve acquired a lot of good items at the Treasure Pavilion today. Your strength is sure to grow rapidly,” Li Xiaobai said, flattering him.
“Of course, I’m not boasting, but for geniuses like us, cultivating is as simple as eating and drinking,” replied the fat figure confidently.
“There are two types of people in this world: those cultivators who can advance just by having talent, and those without talent but climb to the peak through their own efforts. Guess which category our senior brothers and sisters belong to?” Liu Jinshui said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
“Uh, the first kind?” Li Xiaobai ventured.
“No, the third kind, who have both talent and are willing to work hard. With such aptitude and effort, it’s impossible not to become strong,” Liu Jinshui said without blushing or skipping a beat.
Li Xiaobai was speechless; it seemed his senior brother had grown a bit narcissistic, probably a side effect of his recent surge in strength that had left him a bit lofty.
“Do you know the whereabouts of the other senior brothers and sisters?” Li Xiaobai changed the topic.
“After we parted ways from the Holy Demon Sect, our brothers and sisters each took different paths. As far as I know, the eldest senior sister and the third senior brother went to Southern Ming, while the fourth senior brother went to the Eastern Sea. I have no news on the second senior sister and the fifth senior brother,” replied Liu Jinshui.
Chapter 231 The Lost Lambs Await Redemption
Translator: 549690339
Li Xiaobai pondered in his heart, what his Sixth Senior Brother had said was not much different from his own speculation.
Those mysterious prodigies stirring up trouble reported in the Immortal Spirit Daily could very likely be his Senior Brothers and Sisters, with the locations matching up as well.
The one causing trouble in the Eastern Sea must be Fourth Senior Brother Yang Chen, and the one probably responsible for the destruction of a Sect in Southern Ming is likely Third Senior Brother Lin Yin, with his typical gloomy ways, destroying a Sect wouldn’t be much of a big deal.
“What are your plans next, Senior Brother?”
“Hehe, naturally, I plan to go to the Western Desert.”
Liu Jinshui laughed with a sly chuckle, speaking meaningfully, “The Western Desert has been quite lively recently, and aren’t you planning to go there too, Junior Brother? Why don’t we go together?”
“Ah, Senior Brother, I’m definitely going, but I really haven’t figured out what to do after I get there. I’m afraid I’ll just hold you back.”
Li Xiaobai shook his head, declining.
“It seems that after a long time, Junior Brother has forgotten our original intention,” Liu Jinshui shook his head and sighed, striking a sorrowful and compassionate pose.
“We cultivators should be single-mindedly devoted to the great Dao. However, the world is full of delirious fools. Ultimately, it’s wealth that blinds people, having dyed their eyes with this glitzy and glamorous world.”
“We both know what kind of person Liaowang is. Most of those righteous cultivators heading to the Western Desert are probably just seeking fame and causing trouble, only wanting to see others make a fool of themselves. These people think they are noble but are actually very confused, blindly waiting for someone with fate to come and rescue them from their sea of suffering.”
“As the dream fulfillers of the common people, we have a responsibility to help them through these difficulties. All confusion in the world arises from wealth. By helping them return to simplicity and relive the joy of starting from scratch, they will surely come to an awakening!”
Liu Jinshui spoke with a determined gaze, his words forceful and passionate. If Li Xiaobai didn’t know him better, he might have actually believed them.
Are you not just trying to freeload a Space Ring, all while putting on such a high-and-mighty act?
At this moment, Li Xiaobai regretted recognizing this Sixth Senior Brother. Wouldn’t it have been better to just pass by and pretend not to know him?
Their thoughts were not very different, and if they teamed up to make a fortune together, with the sleaziness of this Sixth Senior Brother, they would definitely have to split the spoils evenly, and sometimes he might even end up with a 40-60 or 30-70 split.
Before they even started, the profits would be half gone, and Li Xiaobai felt quite uncomfortable.
“Do you have any ingenious plans, Senior Brother?”
Li Xiaobai asked dryly.
“Junior Brother, are you going to the Thousand Buddha Temple this time for Monk Liaowang?”
“Indeed, this trip to the Western Desert is to rescue Monk Liaowang. I am solely concerned for my friend’s safety, and the path to wealth is actually not within my considerations.”
Li Xiaobai spoke slowly, his eyes intently fixed on Sixth Senior Brother, hoping that he wouldn’t compete with him for treasures.
“Does Junior Brother know why the Thousand Buddha Temple is imprisoning Monk Liaowang, waiting for the assembly of righteous cultivators from all over the world?”
Liu Jinshui smiled slightly, not minding Li Xiaobai’s desperate hints.
“Is it not to punish Liaowang in public, to uphold the reputation of the Western Desert?”
Li Xiaobai’s expression shifted, sensing that his Senior Brother seemed to know something.
“Hehe, although the Monks of the Western Desert can hardly be considered good fellows, they are not so unreasonable as to punish a disciple of the Buddhist Sect based solely on external accusations. This time, the Buddhist Sect has gathered righteous cultivators from all over to, in front of everyone, test Liaowang’s nature.”
Liu Jinshui explained.
“Test his nature?”
Li Xiaobai asked with some confusion.
“Simply put,” Liu Jinshui explained, “it’s about presenting Monk Liaowang’s character and nature in front of all righteous cultivators. Whether he is good or evil, it will be left to the world to judge. If he truly is a villain, he shall be strictly punished without mercy, but if he is an upright and unyielding person, his reputation will immediately be cleared.”
Liu Jinshui explained.
Li Xiaobai was startled upon hearing this, realizing that this was the approach being taken. The Buddhist Sect was resolute, daring to leave the outcome to public judgment, which showed they were extremely confident in Monk Liaowang.
However, Monk Liaowang’s nature was indeed beyond reproach—true gold does not fear fire. Once Liaowang’s simplicity and kindness were revealed to everyone, it would be the rumormongers’ turn to face misfortune.
“What method will be used to reveal Liaowang’s nature?”
“The Buddhist Sect owns a Golden Light Mirror, a divine artifact left by a Buddha who ascended a thousand years ago. It has two sides; one can expose the world’s evils, while the other can penetrate into people’s hearts.”
Speaking of the mirror, Liu Jinshui’s eyes were filled with longing, and Li Xiaobai had no doubt that, given the chance, his Sixth Senior Brother would simply pack up the mirror and take it away.
Li Xiaobai nodded, understanding the Western Desert’s tactics—leaving everything to the judgment of all beings. Such an approach was very much in the spirit of the Buddhist Sect.
However, to make such a decision required great courage, not all in the Buddhist Sect were degenerates.
“What do you say, are you willing to work with Senior Brother now?” Liu Jinshui asked with a smile.
Li Xiaobai nodded, “I’ll follow Senior Brother’s plans. However, I should make it clear that this task of aiding the world’s people is something I have always been dedicated to. The promotion on Immortal Spirit Daily has already begun. We should distribute the rewards based on our efforts.”
“How much does Junior Brother want to take?”
“Seventy-thirty.”
“Junior Brother, you’re being greedy. Although you’ve made considerable contributions, when it comes to the heartfelt desire to help the world’s people, Senior Brother is not lacking at all. Let’s do fifty-fifty; that’s fair.”
Liu Jinshui shook his head.
“Fifty-fifty isn’t fair. I started working on aiding the world’s people long ago, and the preliminary publicity directly relates to our performance. Let’s do sixty-forty!”
Li Xiaobai slowly said, negotiating with his Sixth Senior Brother was always the most headache-inducing part.
“Then sixty-forty it is. I am the Senior Brother, after all, and should give in to Junior Brother a little.”
Liu Jinshui nodded his agreement. Although the profit was significantly less, it was within his tolerance. Mainly, he knew Li Xiaobai was no longer the same as in the past. With him involved, the task of aiding the lost souls of the world was sure to succeed.
Having reached an agreement, Li Xiaobai left the room and found Gu Ling, who was already smiling ear to ear. Today’s auction had brought him a vast fortune.
Sitting beside Gu Ling was a middle-aged man, his face also brimming with joy.
“Young Master Li, the old man was just looking for you. Your idea was brilliant; Treasure Pavilion’s capital from today’s auction has increased by at least fifty times, and that’s a conservative estimate!”
Gu Ling beckoned, and a server brought over a tray with three Space Rings quietly lying on it.
Li Xiaobai counted them and blushed with excitement, his breathing quickening at the sight of so many Spirit Stones.
Three Space Rings contained the sale of Spiritual Medicine worth ten million top-grade Spirit Stones, and the piano and Inner Armor sold for thirty million top-grade Spirit Stones each. After deducting Treasure Pavilion’s fee, the total came to sixty-three million top-grade Spirit Stones.
Sixty-three million top-grade Spirit Stones, this immense sum was enough to unlock all items in the mall, even the Divine Artifacts.
This trip to the Western Desert was secured!
“Ha, it’s mutual benefit,” Li Xiaobai chuckled, “If there’s another auction in the future, just call on me. I can’t guarantee anything else, but I can assure you of the sensationalism!”
The middle-aged man smiled lightly, “With Young Master Li’s great talents, Treasure Pavilion is always open to you. If you need it, we are willing to offer our full support!”