FRGNM -Chapter 287 Fooled

Trading halls survived on collecting transaction fees, so everyone preferred that the auction price of the pills go as high as possible—the higher the price, the higher their cut, and the more profit they made. Normally, they dreamed of catching a big fish, but now that a real big fish had appeared, they wanted nothing more than to push the price as low as possible. Perhaps this was the most ridiculous moment in the history of trading halls.

When the private room on the second floor lit up, a figure emerged, carrying the carefully arranged pills. A protective barrier surrounded them to prevent theft or attacks. The person in the central hall smiled faintly and announced, “You all have come seeking the Saint Realm Pills. The apothecary upstairs has refined these pills to the highest grade. They can allow a cultivator to break directly from Blue Rank to Purple Rank. Truly a treasure any Dou Qi master dreams of. The starting price is one hundred billion gold—please place your bids.”

Silence fell over the hall. Everyone swallowed hard, staring ahead. One hundred billion gold! What did that even mean? Could they possibly afford it?

The discouraged spectators sighed, but curiosity got the better of them. They stood on tiptoe, desperate to see how high the Saint Realm Pills would sell for.

“One hundred billion!”

The next moment, a deep voice erupted. A black-clad man in the crowd raised his bidding paddle calmly, his eyes glinting coldly. Blue Dou Qi rippled from his hand—he was a Blue Rank Dou Qi master!

With a Blue Rank Dou Qi master present, crossing to Purple Rank would be almost guaranteed, and that one hundred billion gold would be easily within reach. The other nobles, who had intended to bid, froze under his silent warning. None dared to lift their paddles.

“Looks like the price has been suppressed,” Ling Ruoxi murmured, dragging her chin with one hand, her eyes fox-like as she scanned the people below. A sharp gleam flashed in her eyes.

“Two hundred billion!” A man in the corner immediately raised his paddle, seemingly ignoring the warning, a sly smile on his face.

“Three hundred billion!”

“Four hundred billion!”

As one bid followed another, the other nobles could no longer restrain themselves. This was just a trading hall—if a Purple Rank cultivator was present, why fear it? Soon, all paddles were raised, and the price skyrocketed.

The people in the back turned pale. They had already thought one hundred billion was exorbitant. Now the price had soared even higher. They could not afford a single pill, let alone ten.

“Nine hundred billion!”

The cold young man, seated throughout, raised his paddle one last time. His eyes gleamed with killing intent. Blue Dou Qi spiraled around him like a giant dragon.

With a slight raise of her brows, Ling Ruoxi looked up at the second floor as if she could see inside. A cold snort escaped her lips.

Nine hundred billion—though not much in Jian Pavilion, here it was the highest bid. Foreheads dripped cold sweat. No one dared bid higher. The man stood and walked toward the stage. “Nine hundred billion—this Saint Realm Pill is mine?”

“Yes.” The woman on stage smiled faintly. Though the price had been pushed down initially, the pill’s allure was too great.

She displayed her golden card. The man simply swiped it, took the pills, and left immediately, vanishing in a flash with a teleportation technique.

Ling Ruoxi chuckled. “The apothecary upstairs requires Purple Bamboo as a medicinal guide. Anyone with Purple Bamboo can receive a Heart-Cleansing Pill, worth 100,000 gold.” She gestured, and a wooden box containing the pills appeared before everyone.

Gasps echoed. Purple Bamboo could be exchanged for a Heart-Cleansing Pill! This rare pill could improve one’s constitution and open the door to becoming a Dou Qi master!

“Anyone with Purple Bamboo, regardless of size or spiritual energy, can redeem. If your Purple Bamboo is rich in Qi, you may receive an extra pill,” she continued, dropping a bombshell. The crowd went wild, eager to produce all their Purple Bamboo.

Yet no one noticed Tang Ze’s face ashen in the crowd. One pill now cost nine hundred billion. They could not even afford half a pill!

“Make sure to transfer the money to my golden card,” Ling Ruoxi said, tilting the card slightly.

Tang Xin sat on the ground, horrified. This wasn’t real. It must be a dream! Nine hundred billion! Where could they possibly get that kind of money?

“And the fees will be deducted as usual. The rest must be transferred to my golden card in three days—or else…” Ling Ruoxi let the threat hang, her raised eyes sending chills down spines.

Silver Wolf shook his head. That little girl was definitely beyond saving—what a reckless move, smashing everything in sight.

Ling Ruoxi turned back and added with a smile, “By the way, a merchant named Zhao Yi often trades Purple Bamboo. But I don’t want his stock. If he comes to redeem, kick him out. Heart-Cleansing Pills are plentiful. Anyone who tries to trade with Zhao Yi privately can claim their pills at Mingyuan Inn.”

“Pfft!” Silver Wolf nearly choked on his own saliva. That was ruthless—a preemptive strike to kill Zhao Yi’s trade before it even began.

After her group left, Tang Xin clung to Tang Ze. “Father, it can’t be… that bottle of pills isn’t worth that much, right?”

“Xin’er, you’ve caused a disaster. Even selling the trading hall won’t raise enough money. Now, we’ll have to call our ancestor—at least to make them stop!” Tang Ze said, realizing Ling Ruoxi’s group was here for revenge. No one could afford so much money.

But Tang Ze had miscalculated. Those with golden and purple crystal cards weren’t just ordinary apothecaries. Once their full identities were revealed, he regretted everything he had done that day.

Silver Wolf laughed, slapping Ling Ruoxi on the shoulder. “So ruthless, Ruoxi. How did I never notice before?” His eyes were sharp as he scanned the street.

A man stood there, Dou Qi radiating, veil fluttering in the wind. He blocked the path, indifferent.

“Looking for us?” Silver Wolf whistled, recalling how coldly the man had left before. Why seek them now?

“This is yours,” the man said, presenting a Purple Bamboo. Ling Ruoxi struck it back immediately, raising an eyebrow. “You’re Uncle Minglang?”

The man didn’t answer, sending the bamboo back and turning to leave.

“I’m the apothecary. Sick people need treatment, right?” a teal figure interposed, pressing three fingers against the man’s pulse.

The man dodged easily. “I’m just unwell. No need for your Purple Bamboo. Minglang is fine—don’t bother him.”

“Oh?” Ling Ruoxi’s voice was calm. “Unwell? I see you’ve exhausted your blood energy. Not seriously injured, just overused your Dou Qi?”

“Mind your business.” The man in the straw hat moved swiftly, ignoring everyone behind him.

Ling Ruoxi clapped her hands. “Xiao Bai, Teal, grab him—don’t let him escape.”

“Got it!” Silver Wolf moved gracefully like a breeze, grabbing the man and slamming him to the ground.

The man spun, gasping for air. But Silver Wolf’s silver Dou Qi was faster. A silver needle pierced his acupoint. Ling Ruoxi clapped. “Lift him—bring him back!”

“Not a chance!” Cold light flashed. The man tried to shake out the needle and reach his dagger, but another figure’s hand landed on his neck.

The man froze, instinctively looking at Yuwen Zhiyuan. Before he could react, he collapsed.

“He’s tough to catch. Not strong, but fast—probably trained from stealing things,” Silver Wolf observed.

“Take him back first,” Ling Ruoxi said, frowning. Her mastery of acupoints was flawless. Controlling this man was nothing.

Cold air emanated. The man lay on the bed, his pale face lifeless under the lifted veil, his sword-like brows deeply furrowed.