Chapter 99

"Somewhat peculiar—"

While Zong Shou was pondering, someone below had already placed a bid. They started directly at 230 third-rank beast crystals, and the price kept climbing until it reached 400, at which point it slowed down.

This was already close to the normal price for this Black Wave Sword, and the few people who continued to bid were all in a few private rooms.

Zong Shou took another steady look at the sword. When no one else bid, he signaled to Yin Yang with a gesture that formed the number '9.'

Seeing this, Yin Yang, though somewhat surprised, did not intend to go against Zong Shou's wishes. However, before he could speak, Chuxue excitedly ran to the window and shouted, "My young master says, 900 third-rank beast crystals!"

In an instant, countless curious gazes turned toward them from within the teahouse. There was not much surprise, but each person's eyes held a peculiar expression.

Third-rank spirit beasts are not uncommon in the world. However, to form a qualified third-rank beast crystal, it takes several decades of accumulation. By the time they form the crystal, these spirit beasts are often at the peak of the third rank.

Therefore, although many secret martial artists specialize in hunting spirit beasts, even if they devote their entire lives to it, they can only obtain a maximum of five or six hundred.

900 third-rank beast crystals were already far beyond the normal price of this Black Wave Sword, enough to buy a finely crafted first-rank spirit sword.

All the gazes that turned toward them were mostly filled with disdain. Zong Ling, who was not far away, was also like this, staring with a look that said, "You are really stupid."

Zong Shou paid no attention, waiting quietly for the result. After a few moments, no one else bid. Just as the old man was about to give up, a low voice from downstairs said, "1000 third-rank beast crystals!"

Zong Shou looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was the middle-aged man in black sitting alone in the corner.

At this moment, the people in the teahouse were already showing expressions of surprise. It was strange; when Zong Shou bid 900, everyone thought he was a fool. But when the middle-aged man in black raised the price to 1000, no one dared to underestimate him. Instead, they examined the sword more carefully, trying to find its unique qualities.

Shaking his head, Zong Shou did not hesitate and extended five fingers to Chuxue again.

Chuxue immediately understood and shouted out the window, "5000 third-rank beast crystals!"

This time, it left most of the wealthy gentlemen in the teahouse breathless. For many people, their entire life savings would not even reach one-tenth of this price.

5000 beast crystals were more than enough to buy the lives of three to five innate martial artists.

In the private room, it was unknown who was inside. They had bid this shocking price just for this ordinary sword.

The middle-aged man in black was unmoved, pondering for a few moments before saying, "5001."

Zong Shou smiled and only extended one finger to Chuxue.

This time, not only did Yin Yang frown, but Chuxue also hesitated. Under Zong Shou's intense gaze, she reluctantly and weakly said, "10,000 third-rank beast crystals!"

As soon as the words were out, Zong Ling in the private room could no longer hold back and burst out, "Zong Shou, I think you're crazy! Our Qiantian Mountain has seven million people and 3000 secret martial artists. We only hunt 200,000 third-rank spirit beasts a year, and with the tributes from various cities, the total annual income is only 100,000 third-rank beast crystals. You're spending 10,000 third-rank beast crystals on a broken sword today? Even if you want to squander, you shouldn't do it like this. What's so special about that sword? I don't believe you, who haven't even opened your wheel meridians, can see it!"

Zong Shou remained calm and indifferent. In his previous life, he was used to being poor and had to be frugal every day. In this life, with good luck, he became a demon king's heir and a member of a large clan with immense wealth, so he couldn't be petty.

The feeling of using money to suppress others and treating beast crystals as nothing was extremely satisfying.

As for Zong Ling, he simply ignored him. "I use mine, what's it to you? If these beast crystals are not used up, will they depreciate when the spirit tide rises?"

Currently, one third-rank beast crystal is worth a thousand taels of gold. But if placed two years later, even a hundred taels of gold would be a bit high.

The middle-aged man in black downstairs looked over again, but there was no anger in his gaze. He sneered with a look of contempt, "Truly a fool!"

The people around him were stunned, but after a moment, they understood. The person in the corner was likely just toying with the people in the private room upstairs, and they smiled.

The old man hosting the auction was also beaming with joy, yet somewhat worried.

No one had expected that an ordinary Black Wave Sword would sell for such a sky-high price. The sword was only pledged for 100 third-rank beast crystals, but it earned 99 times that!

But at such a high price, could the bidder afford it? It wasn't until another manager-like figure whispered a few words in his ear that the old man's face lit up. He waved his hand and had the sword immediately delivered to Zong Shou's private room. He even brought in a witness from the San Lu Bank to write a receipt, seemingly afraid that Zong Shou would renege.

After these people left satisfied, Zong Shou picked up the Black Wave Sword and examined it in his hands.

At this moment, the auction was selling various items, including medicinal pills and talismans for martial cultivators, antiques, and property deeds.

Zong Shou was not interested and focused solely on studying the sword in his hand.

Zong Ling was still cursing in the private room, seemingly tired, and his tone turned more mocking, "Your father was a hero, but how did he end up with a foolish son like you? If he knew that his life savings were being squandered by you today, would he not be so angry that he would bleed from his nose? With your dual meridian body, unable to practice martial arts is one thing, but to be so stupid? The people from Yunxia Mountain are all known for their treachery. If the price is too high, they can simply deny it. Who could do anything about it? But you are so foolish—"

Zong Ling rambled on, and on the other side, a cold gaze was also looking over, belonging to Zong Yuan of the Purple Thunder Spear.

Zong Shou pretended not to see or hear anything, and although Chuxue was angry, she was also at a loss for words.

Only Yin Yang remained calm, looking at the Black Wave Sword with a serious expression, as if trying to help Zong Shou find the value in the sword.

"Indeed, it is somewhat peculiar!"

Zong Shou examined the sword for a while, then tapped the blade, producing a 'ding' that resonated for a long time.

After listening for a moment, Zong Shou focused his gaze on the hilt of the sword.

Although the blade was black, the hilt was inlaid with ten pearls and inscribed with dozens of strange runes.

Zong Shou tried to remove all the pearls and fiddled with them for a while. Then, Yin Yang and Chuxue heard a 'click.'

In the next instant, tightly sealed energy seemed to find an outlet, surging in all directions, piercing numerous small transparent holes in the wooden walls.

Then, a sharp and fierce energy suddenly burst forth, forcibly breaking through the roof of Zong Shou's private room.

In Zong Shou's hand, a small sword, about two feet long, appeared, gleaming with a cold light.

At this moment, everyone in the teahouse turned their gaze again. This time, it was not just surprise.

"It's a third-rank spirit weapon—"