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98 Chapter 98–The Billion–Dollar Weed and a Silent Rival
98 Chapter 98 – The Billion–Dollar Weed and a Silent
Rival
I couldn’t sleep that night. My mind kept running through the techniques needed to transform Isabelle’s jade pendant into a Protective Dharma Amulet. By the time dawn broke, I’d already mapped out the entire alchemical process in my head.
But that would have to wait. This morning, we had another auction to attend–one that promised rare cultivation resources I desperately needed.
“You look tired,” Isabelle remarked as we entered the grand hall. She adjusted the jade pendant at her neck, the emerald stone catching the light.
“Just focused,” I replied with a small smile. “There’s a specific jade I need to acquire today.”
The auction hall was even more crowded than yesterday’s event. Wealthy cultivators from various factions had gathered, their auras subtly probing the room–sizing up competition. I kept my own energy carefully contained, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention.
As we took our seats, I noticed a young man enter with an elderly attendant. The younger man carried himself with the unmistakable bearing of someone born into power–cold eyes, refined features, and an expression of perpetual disdain. What caught my attention, however, was the old man beside him. His energy was carefully concealed, but I could sense tremendous power lurking beneath his humble
appearance.
“Who’s that?” I whispered to Isabelle.
She followed my gaze. “That’s Younger Lord Lane from the northern provinces. His family controls several major mines and rare herb gardens. The old man is his personal advisor and protector.”
The auction began with the usual pomp and circumstance. I sat through the initial offerings with growing impatience until the auctioneer finally announced the item I’d been waiting for.
“Next, we have a rare Imperial Green Jade of exceptional purity. Notice the perfect
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translucency and the depth of color. This grade of jade is increasingly difficult to find. We’ll start the ling at eight million.”
I immediately raised my paddle. “Eight million.”
Several other paddles went up, quickly driving the price to twelve million. One by one, bidders dropped out until only two remained–myself and Younger Lord Lane.
“Fifteen million,” I called out, pushing myself to the limit of what I could afford.
Younger Lord Lane’s cold gaze flickered toward me momentarily before he raised his paddle. “Sixteen million.”
The elderly man beside him leaned in to whisper something. Whatever he said caused the young lord to straighten slightly.
“Seventeen million,” I countered, feeling sweat form on my brow. This was beyond what I’d planned to spend, but this jade was essential for my next breakthrough in
cultivation.
“Twenty million,” Younger Lord Lane responded without hesitation.
My heart sank. I couldn’t go higher without bankrupting myself. Just as I was about to concede defeat, Isabelle calmly raised her paddle.
“Thirty million,” she announced clearly, her voice carrying throughout the hall.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Younger Lord Lane’s eyes narrowed as he looked directly at Isabelle, then at me. After a moment of tension, he lowered his paddle with a barely perceptible nod.
“Thirty million going once… twice… sold to Miss Ashworth!” the auctioneer declared, unable to hide his excitement at the unexpectedly high price.
I turned to Isabelle, stunned. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” she replied simply. “Consider it an investment in our partnership.”
Before I could respond, the auctioneer presented the next item. “Ladies and gentlemen, we now have a true treasure–a Hundred–Year Ginseng King. Observe the humanoid shape and the rich amber coloration, signs of its exceptional age and
potency.”
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98 Chapter 98–The Billion–Dollar Weed and a Silent Rival
The audience gasped appreciatively. Even from a distance, I could see something was off about the ginseng. Its energy signature was weak, depleted.
“A hundred million rting bid for this exceptional specimen,” the auctioneer
announced.
Several paddles shot up immediately. I remained still, studying the ginseng more carefully. Despite its impressive appearance, I could tell it had been partially processed already–someone had extracted most of its medicinal properties while preserving its outward appearance. It was worth perhaps a tenth of the starting bid.
From across the room, I noticed Younger Lord Lane was also not bidding. His eyes held the same assessment I’d made. Our gazes met briefly, and I realized he’d recognized the same flaw. He was more knowledgeable than I’d given him credit for.
The ginseng eventually sold for one hundred and twenty million to a jubilant collector who had no idea he’d just been swindled. I almost felt sorry for him.
“You didn’t bid,” Isabelle observed.
“It was depleted,” I explained quietly. “Someone already extracted its essence. The buyer paid for an empty shell.”
The auction continued with various items changing hands for astronomical sums. I . was beginning to think we wouldn’t see anything else of value when the auctioneer
called for attention.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, we present our star item of the day.”
An assistant carried out what appeared to be a small pot containing a withered, unremarkable plant with knotted stems and dull leaves, Confused murmurs spread through the audience.
“This unassuming specimen,” the auctioneer continued, “is a wild knotweed harvested from the depths of the ancient Blackmist Valley.”
Most of the audience looked underwhelmed. Some even laughed openly. But I felt pulse quicken as I leaned forward. If this was what I thought it was…
“Is this some kind of joke?” someone called out. “It looks like a common weed!”
The auctioneer smiled knowingly. “To the untrained eye, perhaps. We’ll start the bidding at fifty million.”
my
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The room fell silent, most bidders exchanging confused glances. But I knew what I was looking at an incredibly rare cultivation resource that most people wouldn’t recognize. The huble appearance concealed its true value: this was Ancient Transcendent Knotweed, which could help shatter cultivation bottlenecks and enhance meridian capacity.
I glanced across the room and noticed that Younger Lord Lane was also sitting straighter, his eyes fixed intently on the plant. His elderly companion was whispering urgently in his ear.
Our eyes met again, and this time, I saw clear recognition in his gaze. He knew exactly what this plant was, just as I did. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“One hundred million,” I announced firmly, hoping to deter casual bidders with a dramatic jump.
The crowd gasped, but Younger Lord Lane didn’t hesitate. “One hundred and fifty
million.”
The elderly attendant leaned closer to his master, speaking rapidly. Younger Lord Lane nodded once, his expression hardening with determination.
“This knotweed,” he declared loudly enough for everyone to hear, “is at least two hundred years old. I must have it!”
His firm declaration hung in the air, a challenge directed squarely at me. The real battle was just beginning–and this unassuming weed could easily command a billion dollars before the bidding was done.
