Chapter 618: Chapter 252: What a Beautiful Escape Technique

Ever since he reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment years ago, Xiao Chen had almost never been short on Spirit Stones.

Before coming to the Eastern Domain, he had obtained a large quantity of Spirit Stones from the Azure Flame Sect.

After arriving in the Eastern Domain, not only had he avoided any major expenses, but he had also continued to acquire more Spirit Stones.

By now, he had accumulated over 7,460,000 low-grade Spirit Stones in his Vast Sea Ring.

He also had 22,700 Middle Grade Spirit Stones.

Even after spending a total of 4,200,000 Spirit Stones at the auction earlier, he still had over 5,530,000 on hand.

So, when he heard the final auction item was the Three Lights Soul Nourishing Jade, he didn’t hesitate to once again call out the high price of two million.

’It’s as I’ve said before,’ he thought. ’Nascent Soul Formation is my top priority right now. There’s absolutely no need to be frugal with these worldly possessions. If two million isn’t enough, I’ll raise it to four million. I’d even go all in without a second thought. After all, what’s that saying? Money spent can be earned again. Spending money to advance my cultivation is an investment. I can earn it all back once I make my breakthrough.’

"I bid two million, two hundred thousand!"

In Private Room A-5, True Monarch Gang Yuan of the Celestial Spirit Sect quickly followed with his own bid after a brief moment of surprise.

As someone who had already reached the Nascent Soul realm, he was well aware that the Three Lights Soul Nourishing Jade could aid in one’s breakthrough.

That was why he had set aside three million Spirit Stones for it from the start.

"I’ll add another two hundred thousand Spirit Stones!"

Another rich, mellow voice called out from Private Room A-4.

Besides aiding in breakthroughs, the Three Lights Soul Nourishing Jade was also beneficial to the Divine Soul, making it extremely important for cultivators of Thousand Mechanism Valley’s Divine-Splitting Technique.

Thus, after hearing the news, True Monarch Qianshu had specially withdrawn two million Spirit Stones from the Sect’s Warehouse.

Combined with the two million he already had on hand, he was prepared to fight for this Spirit Jade.

"Three million!"

Before the sound of True Monarch Qianshu’s voice had even faded, Xiao Chen bid without the slightest hesitation.

’Hmm?’

True Monarch Gang Yuan was stunned. ’Three million, just like that? The final item has only been out for a few minutes. Who raises the price like that?’

Down below, the Loose Cultivators were already dumbfounded.

"I thought that Spirit Pill would fetch the highest price at this auction. I never expected to see an even higher bid."

"My goodness, three million Spirit Stones. That has to be a new record."

"I’ve been to every major auction in the last century, and I’ve never seen a price this high."

In fact, this was precisely why True Monarch Gang Yuan had only brought three million Spirit Stones; he hadn’t anticipated a higher price.

Hearing the bid, he couldn’t help but frown.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford to keep bidding; the key issue was the cost-effectiveness.

Unlike Xiao Chen, who only had himself to worry about, True Monarch Gang Yuan was a Supreme Elder of the Celestial Spirit Sect and couldn’t show too much favoritism toward any one faction within the sect.

It is not scarcity but inequality that breeds discontent.

Failing to win the auction today would be one thing.

But if he won the Three Lights Soul Nourishing Jade by overpaying, he would then have to appease the other factions. Otherwise, morale would fracture.

"Hmm. I’ll add another hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

After a moment of thought, True Monarch Gang Yuan decided to make one last bid.

If Xiao Chen had also only budgeted three million Spirit Stones, then he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

But if his opponent had truly come prepared with an ample supply of Spirit Stones, then he would choose to withdraw.

"I’ll add fifty thousand!"

True Monarch Qianshu immediately followed up, a faint smile on his face.

From the small size of the increment, he guessed that True Monarch Gang Yuan was about to withdraw from the race.

He, too, had initially planned on preparing three million Spirit Stones. However, Thousand Mechanism Valley’s current chief disciple was performing exceptionally well, with his only weakness being a somewhat feeble Divine Soul.

Securing this Three Lights Soul Nourishing Jade would perfectly compensate for that shortcoming, making it worth spending a little extra.

Secondly, he had anticipated that everyone else would likely prepare based on the prices at past auctions, so he had intentionally brought more Spirit Stones.

’Heh, I’m playing 3D chess here.’

"I bid four million!"

Xiao Chen’s voice remained calm from start to finish, as if he were simply stating a number.

To everyone else’s ears, however, it was like a clap of thunder.

’How much?’

True Monarch Qianshu’s smile froze on his face.

True Monarch Gang Yuan, on the other hand, laughed in relief.

’Four million Spirit Stones is far too expensive. Considering the Celestial Spirit Sect’s circumstances, it’s simply not worth it. Even if I had brought enough, I wouldn’t continue bidding.’

After a brief silence, a series of sharp intakes of breath echoed throughout the first-floor hall.

"HISS... Zhang, did I hear that right? Four million Spirit Stones?"

"I think I might have misheard too, Junior Brother Li."

"Raising the bid by a million Spirit Stones in one go... Now I’ve seen everything. This trip to the auction was definitely worth it."

"HISS... Now *that’s* what you call spending money like water! What an eye-opener!"

...

In the various private rooms, the cultivators from the major powers all looked at one another in astonishment.

Ordinarily, they were the ones considered wealthy in the eyes of others.

Yet, sitting here today, hearing Xiao Chen casually add a million Spirit Stones to the bid, they would glance at their own Storage Rings, where they had painstakingly saved up less than 500,000 Spirit Stones in total.

They were finally learning the true meaning of the saying, "There is always someone better, and always a higher heaven."

Someone couldn’t help but sigh, "You really have to get out more to see what the real world is like."

Another was completely in awe. "My master always said comparisons are odious. Today, I finally understand what he meant."

As for Master Qingluan, who had been resentful earlier, his face was now a mask of pure bewilderment.

Before, he had felt a pang of jealousy, thinking the other party was just squandering wealth thanks to his background.

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