486 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

### Chapter 486: Selling Off the Assets Turning off the lights protects your eyes. Font size: large medium small [Previous Chapter] [Table of Contents] [Next Chapter] The value of the Nine Stars Market holds different meanings for various factions. Take the Chu-Qin Alliance, for instance, which considers exchanging 300,000 third-grade items for just one-eleventh of a share as not worth it, according to Qi Xiu. This is because the market is bleak, making it impossible to recoup investments in the short term. Looking long-term, the hidden dangers from the third-generation leaders of the Ling Liang Sect could explode at any moment, leading to conflicts. Losing the market could be minor, but it might invite trouble for one's own sect. The same logic applies to the Double Chu. In the past, the Five-Element Alliance dared to antagonize the Gao and Pei families at the Nascent Soul stage because Double Chu wasn't strong enough to overpower White Mountain sects. Overextending one's reach is never advisable. As for the remaining eight families in the Nine Stars Market? They are even less likely to act. Yan Nanxing had gone to great lengths to draw in major factions to balance the Spirit Wood Alliance and prevent them from swallowing the market whole. Currently, the Five-Element Alliance is incredibly united, while the Spirit Wood Alliance sees the market as their inevitable prize. At the peace conference, Chai Yi insisted on not signing formal agreements with any Nine Stars Market families, clearly indicating their intent. The Pill Alliance likewise would not meddle, seeing the same opportunity as others, only hindered by the obstacle that is the Spirit Wood Alliance. Therefore, any potential buyer must have a long-term vision for the Nine Stars Market, the strength to protect their own interests from the greedy eyes of the Spirit Wood and Pill Alliances, and no intention of eating for free. These three criteria eliminate most of the major factions in White Mountain. After some calculations, Qi Xiu and Zhong Xingjun figured the only possible buyers were north of the Death Swamp, which is why the auction was held in the Black River Market. Comparing to either pre-war Boson City or the thriving Black River Market post-takeover by Gao Guangsheng, buying one-eleventh of a share for 300,000 third-grade items would be an incredible deal. It's up to the major powers to decide if they see a future in the Nine Stars Market. Their viewpoints would provide Qi Xiu insight into how to respond to future developments there. The worth of this asset is to be determined now. Of course, the Pill Alliance's secret bottom price was certainly more than 300,000. If the auction ended without a sale, there would still be benefits, as they would likely release more valued pill formulas to pay off debts. "In the Ling Liang Sect realm, on the border market of Awakening Lion Valley, is the intersection of nine sects from three generations with the Spirit Wood Alliance and Pill Alliance, totaling eleven entities. It's a prime location for trade and adventure. Starting at 300,000 third-grade items, with each bid increasing by 10,000. Anyone willing to bid?" The auctioneer croaked out, his voice trembling with excitement. This was the priciest item he'd ever auctioned. All in attendance sat cloaked in anonymity, not a sound from the black hoods covering their identities, nor from the silent black-box suites. "Is there anyone?" he asked again, feeling the immense pressure. "If not, then..." He was about to pass on the lot when, "310,000," a strange, booming voice rang out from one suite, altered for anonymity by the He Huan Sect's special techniques. Another long pause followed. The less interest there was in these shares, the dimmer the Nine Stars Market’s future seemed, "Yan Nanxing and his faction would be disappointed." Qi Xiu mused from his own suite, feeling a bit sorry for them. "But that old lion in Awakening Lion Valley is terrifying..." The memory was unsettling, knowing the market's weakness was that the ancient beast repelled adventurers. “320,000.” Another suite’s distorted voice entered the fray, triggering a faster bid sequence between factions. “Could it be Ying Bo himself raising the stakes?” Nangong Yanran speculated. “Knowing him, it’s possible.” Mo Jianxin replied, just as another suite called out, “500,000!” ‘Whoa!’ the hall was abuzz. Chu Shen, mid-game of chess with Chu Wen, raised his head, exchanging a knowing glance with Qi Xiu, both adept stewards understanding the underlying message. “Interesting, which faction has so much faith in Nine Stars Market?” Chu Shen pondered aloud as he placed a chess piece. Chu Wen, in a tipsy stupor from too much wine, casually responded while squinting, “Who cares? Such things are never secret once the auction ends; the truth will surface naturally.” His point was solid. Qi Xiu and Chu Shen abandoned their speculation, choosing to await the outcome. “510,000.” “600,000!” “650,000.” “700,000!” Only three parties were in the bidding, yet two fought fiercely, pushing the numbers higher and higher. “They’re really getting into it!” Mo Jianxin exclaimed, astonished at the soaring bids, referencing Han Yanlao’s earlier claim of valuing these shares at two million. “Could it actually reach that?” he joked. “Doubtful...” Qi Xiu frowned. Should the auction indeed fetch two million, all his earlier schemes would seem foolish. Thankfully, after 850,000, the bidding slowed to increments of just 1,000, finally halting at 930,000, surpassing the Pill Alliance's bottom line. The deal was sealed, exceeding Qi Xiu's expectations and indicating two 'giant' factions had faith in the market's future outlook, despite needing centuries for a return on investment based on current conditions. “Some know more than we do, hence their foresight justifies this price point.” Among forces unafraid of post-three-generation disputes from the Ling Liang Sect, and possessing such spending power, Qi Xiu quietly speculated and had his guesses as to the two contenders. “Next item up for bid, a storefront in Black River Market, complete with perpetual land rights, the area is...” Just as the shares changed hands, the auctioneer, seizing momentum, presented another heavyweight item for bidding: a prime storefront from the Pill Alliance in Black River Market. This wasn't just a ten-year lease, but from the early tournament days, a perpetual land deed for one of the best properties, driving competition to a fever pitch. “210,000!” “215,000!” “220,000!” “300,000!” "This is a treasure! No other major permanent store in Black River Market has this kind of deed available, and in such a prime location!" Nangong Yanran kept glancing at Qi Xiu, eager to jump in. Unfortunately, the store’s size and proximity to the market center hinted at an invisible barrier of Nascent Soul power in play. No outright prohibitions existed, and no major figures openly opposed, but Chu-Qin’s current status wouldn’t allow such a bold move, going against Qi Xiu’s cautious nature. He gently shook his head, stopping Nangong’s budding hopes. The Double Chu could easily acquire it without hassle, but Chu Wen never meddled in such affairs, with Chu Shen being conservative, too. Moreover, being the former Black River Market leader, Southern Chu owned numerous permanent shops and saw little value in this offering. Actually, Chu-Qin also owned a few permanent deeds in Black River, including medium-sized stores reclaimed from the originally Chu-Qin-owned ones and the King of Stations' original locations from the Zhenyang Liu family. Though initially peripheral, Black River's growth made them less so, and Bai Muchan cleverly bridged two opposite-facing storefronts with an overhead walkway, giving their brand some fame. Including An Siyan's return—Liu family-owned once—of another medium-sized store and Zhao Yao's competition-won Chu-Qin tiny shop, these four permanent estates carried substantial worth. Except for the self-used Chu-Qin shop, the three others leased out, passively generating income. As such, early permanent deeds had become rare finds, surely fetching good prices today. 48,000 turned out to be the final price, predictably recuperating investments within 200 years based on its location. The market thrived under Nangong Mu’s long life, allowing the buyer to claim quite the deal. Ying Bo handled things with more brute straightforwardness than Han Yanlao, disregarding typical auction protocol. The third auction item ensued immediately: the Pill Alliance's network of dozens of medium-sized stores across various cities, packaged together in a lot, including nine permanent deeds in cities like Black River, Device Symbol City, Nine Stars Market, Danqing City, and others; a hundred-year lease in Qi Yun City with fifty-one years remaining, and a twenty-year lease in Ji Xia City with seven years remaining... “Additionally, within the Five-Element families’ territories, eleven store leases, yet to control in practice, remain under original permanent agreements, with expectations for return per the peace treaty...” The auctioneer's list dragged on, loaded with meticulous details. Chu Shen exclaimed, “The Pill Alliance is truly selling everything! I had no idea they owned so many stores!” “It's no surprise, given their profound alchemy heritage, with unique pills that even the Spiritual Herb Pavilion covets." Qi Xiu smirked, having anticipated this. "But they need to refocus; once they concentrate solely on alchemy, revitalizing their strength will occur naturally." "Where will their products go afterward?" Nangong interjected. "The bulk will go to the He Huan Sect, prestigious items to the Spiritual Herb Pavilion, and miscellaneous to Chu-Qin—pretty much how it’s set." Qi Xiu was candid in front of close allies, "Zhong Xingjun and I didn’t travel all that way for nothing, only for Ying Bo to reap all the rewards." ### Chapter 486: Selling Off the Assets Even though Qi Xiu hadn't been completely forthright with Chu Shen, the incident of Qi Zhuang severely injuring Han Yanlao was no secret. Others could easily guess the roles Qi Xiu and Zhong Xingjun played once Ying Bo took over. "You..." Chu Shen chuckled, shaking his head, choosing not to delve further. "Miscellaneous items?" Nangong Yanran was still wrapped up in the business matters. "Just some rare, lesser-known pills and sundries, which we sell through the Chu-Qin small shop. We take a small commission," Qi Xiu explained to her, as the auction outside reached ninety thousand spirit stones. Chu Shen had placed a few bids, but let it go when others refused to back down since the territories north of the Death Swamp where the Pill Alliance had little sway, like in major cultivation cities such as Jixia, Qiyun, and Haidong, didn't have the prime real estate one might hope for. The auction closed at one hundred and fifteen thousand, and the string of massive transactions left the rogue cultivators in the hall speechless. Mo Jianxin murmured, "With this, there will be more than enough to clear my family's debts.” "The revenue indeed surpasses my expectations," Qi Xiu admitted, furrowing his brow. "Ying Bo, despite his crude approach, is actually quite shrewd. He’s clearly liquidating properties to safeguard the valuable pill recipes." "The Spirit Herb Pavilion will be quite disgruntled," Chu Shen said offhandedly, capturing Chu Wen’s dragon on the board. "But the Pill Alliance still owes debts to both the Nine Stars Market families and our Qiyun families. I'm guessing there won’t be much worthwhile left from them soon." As expected, the next auction lots were leases in small and large stores within non-premium markets like Siguo, fetching a mere seventy thousand third-grade items. Afterward came arrays of refining techniques, spells, and jade slips, some not particularly valuable, others too obscure, resulting in disappointingly low bids. “Two hundred and sixty-five thousand, the Pill Alliance has raised two hundred and sixty-five thousand, nearly enough to pay off their debts!” Nangong Yanran's face was one of disappointment. Aside from acquiring some materials to enrich the Chu-Qin Sect’s library, their grand visit yielded little gain. "The key was not anticipating such high bids for the Pill Alliance's properties," Qi Xiu lamented. Securing full compensation and a share of the future Pill Alliance outputs should have been satisfying, but opportunistic gains were never unwelcome in his eyes. "Fourth-grade inferior [Pseudo-Invisible Sword] water refinement method, attributes of [Invisible], [Sharp], and [Rapid], starting bid eight thousand third-grade! Bids must increase by no less than five hundred each time." the auctioneer announced, producing a jade slip. "However, note that this technique requires thirty years and the feathers of a fifth-grade [Invisible Crane] as material." “Oh?” Qi Xiu's interest piqued, and Chu Wen sobered slightly, "How... how coincidental!" he exclaimed. Mo Jianxin’s eyes lit up, though unaware of the recent arrival of the Invisible Crane feathers. His gaze turned to Qi Xiu, whose master uncle was already bidding. Due to the rare and precious materials and the lengthy water refining time, competitors were scarce. To ensure surpassing the Pill Alliance's reserved price, Qi Xiu voluntarily raised the bid to ten thousand, successfully securing it. Upon receiving the jade slip and the Invisible Crane feather from Qi Xiu, Mo Jianxin, with tears brimming, declared, "With over thirty years of my life remaining, crafting a fourth-grade sword would fulfill me!" Right then, he knelt and kowtowed, resigning from all posts within the Chu-Qin Alliance. "You..." Qi Xiu, touched by such raw emotion, said, "I understand, your true passion lies in sword-making. Perhaps, this is your destiny." (To be continued)