Chapter 834 - Sudden Accident

Qin Wushang turned to look at Li Guanqi, a strange smile on his face. He watched him with ‌unusual gentleness, his gaze calm and unreadable, as if it had seen countless lifetimes.

Qin Wushang raised his wine cup. “Work harder. I hope that when I look back, I’ll see you standing among us.”

Li Guanqi frowned slightly, not understanding what he meant. Us? Besides them, who else is there?

Qin Wushang didn’t seem to expect him to figure it out. He turned away. “There isn’t much time left.”

Li Guanqi stared at his departing figure, deep in thought. “Time... not much time left... why is everyone saying there isn’t much time?”

Just then, Meng Jiangchu’s voice sounded in Li Guanqi’s ear. “I’ve seen him in the Seventh Territory!”

The words echoed in Li Guanqi’s mind like a thunderclap.

Below, the auction continued, and Ru Meng’s voice rose again. “The next item is extremely precious. One of Qinhuang City’s experts obtained it at great cost from an ancient secret realm.”

Meng Jiangchu stood up from his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s here.”

Buzz!

Inside a transparent sealed barrier floated a liquid essence. It had taken the shape of a phoenix-like phantom. “Phoenix Soul Spirit Liquid. It can mend the soul and is extremely rare. Bidding starts at twenty million!”

The starting price drew a collective gasp, but the bids climbed fast.

Soon, the price reached forty million. By then, only the ancient clans and local powers of the Ethereal Immortal Territory were still bidding.

Meng Jiangchu took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “Fifty million!”

His initial bid directly raised the price by ten million.

The entire venue fell silent. Everyone was stunned by the number.

Meng Jiangchu cupped his hands and bowed slightly. “Fellow Daoists, my daughter’s soul was damaged some time ago, and she urgently needs this Phoenix Soul Spirit Liquid. I ask you all for some courtesy.”

It was somewhat against convention, but Meng Jiangchu said it, anyway.

Ru Meng frowned slightly. Just as she was about to remind him, she paused and looked up toward the Qin Wang Pavilion on the second floor, then gave a small nod.

In the blink of an eye, the second round of bidding seemed to be over.

But then, someone spoke up. “Fifty-five million! Brother Meng, you aren’t the only one in urgent need. I recently went through a cultivation deviation and require this liquid as well. My apologies.”

“Sixty million.” Another voice came from a private room, laughing lightly. “If you’ve got the money, just bid. Why all the talk? Who’d pay this much if they weren’t desperate?”

Meng Jiangchu sneered faintly. If that was how it was, he had nothing more to say. “Seventy million.”

At that price, the old man in the private room frowned deeply. It was clear that Meng Jiangchu was determined to obtain the spirit liquid.

The white-browed elder sighed bitterly. “As expected of a tier-eight artifact blacksmith... he really does have the confidence.”

“Seventy-five million.”

Meng Jiangchu didn’t even blink. “Eighty million.”

The entire venue fell completely silent.

The old man inside the private room was drenched in cold sweat. His hands clenched into fists as his flushed face twisted into a frown. He cursed under his breath, “Damn it... How is he so rich?!”

Even Gu Li clicked his tongue in amazement. “As expected... artifact blacksmiths really bring in a fortune...”

Ru Meng’s face bloomed into a radiant smile. Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she leaned forward slightly. “Eighty million... does anyone bid higher? The Phoenix Soul Spirit Liquid is extremely rare. Miss this chance, and who knows when another will appear?”

But no matter how much she tried to entice them, there was no response from the private rooms on the second floor. It seemed the others had given up.

Bang!

“Congratulations on obtaining the Phoenix Soul Spirit Liquid! Should you need an alchemist to refine it into pills, our auction house offers that service as well.”

Meng Jiangchu finally let out a breath of relief, and the knot in Li Guanqi’s chest loosened.

Meng Jiangchu was in high spirits. With the spirit liquid, Meng Wanshu would likely break through within days.

Soon after, the auction house manager brought their purchases into the room.

Li Guanqi used his talismans to make up the difference. Only then was it enough to cover the cost. He also received several heavenly treasures that replenished qi and blood.

Meng Jiangchu’s payment was even simpler. He took out several storage rings packed with treasures and handed them to the manager.

After appraising the treasures, one ring was returned.

The manager bowed. “Territory Lord Meng, you are a distinguished guest of Qinhuang City. As a VIP, you're entitled to a ten percent discount here, so there was no need to pay this much.”

Gu Li frowned. “What about us? We bought all that and still don’t count as VIPs?”

The manager only smiled, shook his head, then bowed and left.

Having received his items, Li Guanqi saw no reason to linger. He stood and said, “Uncle Meng, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the sect first. Once I’ve wrapped up my own affairs, I’ll visit you in the Divine Treasure Territory.”

Meng Jiangchu smiled and nodded. “Alright. Don’t worry. Now that we have the spirit liquid, Wanshu will break through in three to five days.”

Li Guanqi grinned. “Alright.”

He turned to Gu Changsheng. “Senior Gu, I’ll take my leave. If you ever have the chance, do visit the Daxia Sword Sect. We’ll treat you well.”

Gu Changsheng had also developed a favorable impression of the current Daxia Sword Sect and was even considering sending some of his clan’s disciples there for training. Combined with Gu Li’s relationship with Meng Jiangchu, he had taken quite a liking to Li Guanqi.

Gu Changsheng smiled and nodded. “Once you’ve settled your affairs, have Gu Li bring you to our home. For now, go take care of your business.”

Gu Li started to rise too, but Gu Changsheng stopped him and forced him back into his seat. Gu Li crossed his arms, sulking.

Li Guanqi exchanged some parting words with Gu Li and left.

Gu Li complained, “Dad, why are you stopping me? I want to see the Daxia Sword Sect too. I even paid for the Dragon Scale Divine Wood for Nine Heavens. I want to see a real dragon...”

Gu Changsheng’s face darkened. “Go visit, my foot! I know exactly what you’re after. You just want some dragon blood, don’t you? Let me make one thing clear. Talking about it is one thing, but if you go to Li Guanqi expecting him to repay you, forget it. If you ask, he’ll hand it over without a second thought. But if you want to be his friend, don’t even think about it.”

His words were stern and showed no mercy.

Gu Li frowned but didn’t dare argue. Only once his father had finished did he stand. “I, Gu Li, never befriend anyone for ulterior motives. I don’t care. I’m going to the Daxia Sword Sect. In a few days, I’ll go with Brother Li to Uncle Meng’s place and stay for a couple of days. You don’t get to control me.”

With that, he ran off before Gu Changsheng could answer.

Meng Jiangchu moved quickly to stop Gu Changsheng and laughed. “Let the young ones handle their own affairs. My son-in-law has a clear head. Those two get along well.”

Gu Changsheng let out a sigh. “True enough. Gu Li has always been so proud. It’s rare to see him this... generous.”

By the end, he was practically gritting his teeth.

The auction went on, and the atmosphere grew more heated by the minute.

Then a voice sounded in Qin Wushang’s ear, and he frowned.

His gaze drifted across the now-empty private room beside him, the one that had belonged to Ye Bingxin.

He swirled the wine in his cup and murmured, “Could it be you?”

Buzz!

The auction house manager rushed into Meng Jiangchu’s private room. Meng Jiangchu frowned, and Gu Changsheng’s expression turned grim as well.

“What happened?”

The manager, who had delivered their items earlier, swallowed hard. After a pause, he finally spoke. “Zhao Bin... is dead!”