Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 1864: 1401: Pending Revision
Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
Although Li Zhirui felt no deep emotion toward it, the sheer magnificence of the auction still left him in awe, and he couldn't help but ponder the origins of such extraordinary treasures.
Yet the bidding war about to unfold promised to be utterly intense!
Be it the Xiu Family's desire to reclaim it and safeguard their legacy, or other scholars eager to obtain it for a profound insight into the Xiu Family's scholarly depths, or even to unravel and adapt it further.
They were bound to dive into a wild frenzy of offers, driving the cost of this ancestral treasure to dizzying heights!
“Ten million silver!”
The initial offer came swiftly, starting at ten million silver—a fortune matching years of taxes from major provinces, yet it appeared trivial to the bidder.
“Twenty million silver!” In a shocking twist, the following bid doubled it outright.
This move swiftly sidelined numerous scholars, who hadn't carried such vast sums to the event.
Even contemplating a promissory note, they hesitated at the steep expense.
Besides, this marked merely the start; the contest was nowhere near its end. Jumping in now might still end in defeat.
Thus, amid the buzzing, chaotic, and charged vibe, an odd quiet prevailed: the auction venue stayed mostly hushed, with scant participants calling out bids!
Before long, the figure soared past fifty million silver!
“It seems the traders are set to reap massive profits from this sale.”
The fellow beside Li Zhirui muttered involuntarily, then grumbled further, “Though if every lot turns out this way, I wouldn't have endured all that hassle just to enter.”
He gave a faint nod of concurrence. Truth be told, the auction's arrangement struck him as baffling. It kicked off with everyday goods available cheaply from other vendors with a little extra coin.
Only at the close did they unveil a gem like the cultivation insights from a Xiu Family luminary.
The event had dragged on for ages, leaving most attendees disengaged, and Li Zhirui himself had pondered slipping away prematurely.
One might call it a dismal failure of an auction.
That said, from the traders' viewpoint, they likely beamed with contentment, as that lone relic sufficed to overflow their vaults.
Eventually, the bidding on this piece wrapped up, clinched at the staggering sum of ninety-five million silver by some mysterious buyer!
The outcome ignited uproar throughout the assembly!
Li Zhirui felt a twinge of surprise; had the Xiu Family not reclaimed it? Perhaps the relic proved counterfeit or incomplete, riddled with defects?
Still, he dismissed that notion as improbable. Such a revelation would shatter the traders' standing!
After all, for traders, trustworthiness and repute formed the bedrock of enduring commerce.
Nevertheless, the proceedings pressed onward, drawing all eyes to the subsequent treasure on the block.
This one felt far more ordinary: a personally inscribed volume of the Four Books and Five Classics from a renowned Great Confucian.
The moment it appeared, a fresh scent of ink wafted through, calming hearts like a soft zephyr of spring.
Even Li Zhirui sensed its pull, realizing that as a Heavenly Immortal, scant influences could sway him anymore, which sparked his urge to join the fray for it.
“Three hundred thousand silver!”
“Five hundred thousand!”
…
The autograph of the Four Books and Five Classics by a Great Confucian held immense worth. Before Li Zhirui could act, the bids had surged to five hundred thousand silver. Refusing to yield without a fight, he jumped in boldly, declaring, “A bottle of Healing Pills at the Human Immortal Rank!”
In terms of worth, that vial equated to roughly a million silver, and in dire situations, it might fetch twenty to thirty percent more.
Furthermore, Immortal Pills weren't exclusive to cultivators; Human Dao practitioners, though they skipped refining Spiritual Energy, harbored inner vitality. Those at higher levels could handle premium elixirs without worry over surplus power.
Li Zhirui's offer drew sharp glances from the crowd; few had foreseen a cultivator vying against them for a Great Confucian’s script.
“Hmph!”
“Why would a Dao-seeking cultivator like you challenge us for the Great Confucian’s creation?! Are you thinking of forsaking Daoism for Confucianism?”
“Confucianism welcomes all without bias, and we shan't reject your background.”
A few Confucian followers couldn't hold back their sneering tones.
“Doesn't an auction go to the top bidder, or is there a rule barring non-Confucians from Great Confucian items?”
Li Zhirui shot back coolly, “Isn't Confucianism rooted in gentlemanly virtue? Where's that grace in any of you?”
His words rippled shock among the gathered Confucian experts.
“How dare you!”
“You insolently insult Confucianism!”
“Unmask yourself and reveal your face!”
“If you've got the guts, exit the hall; we'll demonstrate Confucianism's power.”
…
Li Zhirui stayed mute, merely observing the auctioneer onstage and awaiting his handling of the abrupt chaos.
“Our trading firm promotes peace and mutual gain. Settle any rivalries post-auction on neutral turf, without interrupting the flow!”
To his surprise, the host brushed aside the commotion, intent on proceeding as if nothing occurred.
Yet that made sense—in Jinzhou, the traders wielded such authority and sway.