Chapter 194

The Chao Yuan Pill is an essential elixir for breaking from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core.

In short: it's nearly impossible without it.

So this elixir is very important.

Because it's important, many sects and factions in the cultivation world cultivate its main ingredient.

This ultimately means the raw materials for this pill are never in short supply.

Important, but not scarce.

Otherwise, where would so many Golden Core cultivators in the cultivation world come from?

If it were truly exorbitantly expensive, could even Master Feng the Nun afford it?

After considering all these factors, the price of the Chao Yuan Pill isn't particularly outrageous.

Besides, the one up for auction now is only a low-grade quality, so after Wang Dun bid fifty thousand, no one else raised their bid.

"Congratulations, this cultivator, you've won the Chao Yuan Pill; someone will settle the transaction with you shortly!"

"Since this is a consigned item, there's a five percent intermediary fee; please prepare fifty-two thousand five hundred spirit stones!"

As soon as the woman finished speaking, a staff member brought the Chao Yuan Pill to Wang Dun's side.

Wang Dun pulled out forty thousand spirit stones from his pocket, then winked at He Pingsheng and said, "Young brother, cover the rest; I'll pay you back once I get more spirit stones!"

He Pingsheng nodded and took out twelve thousand five hundred spirit stones from his storage bag.

The logic behind lending him the spirit stones was simple.

On one hand, it was due to the bond between fellow Grand Void Gate disciples; on the other, because he valued Wang Dun's strength.

Wang Dun is among the top five on the Dragon Roar List; countless families would scramble to court such a figure. You could say, if Wang Dun needed to borrow money, creditors would line up to offer it.

Building a good relationship with Wang Dun now means having a powerful backer in the future.

After all, he'll soon break into the Golden Core realm.

"Thanks, brother… hehehe…"

Wang Dun grinned a sincere smile and patted He Pingsheng on the shoulder; "Good brother, you're so generous—I won't let you down!"

"Don't worry!"

After paying the spirit stones, the Chao Yuan Pill was now in Wang Dun's hands.

The auction continued.

But the next items held little interest for either He Pingsheng or Wang Dun.

The two leaned on the table, whispering to each other.

"Young brother!" Wang Dun said: "Here's an idea—next year, the Divine General Mountain opens, right? Anyone who qualifies can bring one extra person inside. How about you come with me?"

He Pingsheng responded indifferently: "No… no need."

"I'm afraid I'd just hold you back."

In truth, He Pingsheng had no intention of entering Divine General Mountain, especially after learning its rules.

Master the Spear Intent?

No no no…

What would a Foundation Establishment Layer Two like me even do there?

Everyone else there is at Foundation Establishment peak.

This trial ground is far too dangerous for me.

After all, if I can't beat Wang Dun, I can't beat most of them!

"No way!" Wang Dun thumped his chest hard. "How could you hold me back? Honestly… hehehe… I'd be thrilled if you came with me!"

"No thanks!" He Pingsheng shook his head again; the Spear Intent meant nothing to him.

I'm not even a spear user.

My current spells are more than enough.

As for other rare treasures inside?

Heh… if I can buy it with spirit stones, why risk my life?

"Don't say that, young brother!" Wang Dun pleaded. "Don't refuse—come with me! Don't worry, you won't lose out. You don't know—my extra entry slot, if auctioned at a merchant guild, could fetch at least a hundred thousand spirit stones. Believe me?"

He Pingsheng nodded: "I believe you."

Wang Dun said: "Good. Then I won't return your twelve thousand plus spirit stones—I'll take you to Divine General Mountain. We're even, alright?"

He Pingsheng shook his head: "No, Master Wang… the loan doesn't matter. It's just that I truly don't want to go to Divine General Mountain."

Wang Dun said: "I'm sincerely inviting you."

He Pingsheng: "Master Wang, I really don't want to go—it's not about the spirit stones."

"I know it's not about the spirit stones!" Wang Dun snapped. "Look, is this even about spirit stones?"

As he spoke, he frantically opened his storage bag.

He Pingsheng's spiritual sense scanned inside; though not wealthy, Wang Dun still had over a hundred thousand spirit stones stored.

"You've got spirit stones and still borrowed mine?" He Pingsheng growled.

"Ah…" Wang Dun's face twisted slightly. "Young brother, you don't understand—I didn't want to borrow your spirit stones either."

"Back when I bought the pill at Mount Matou, I wasn't short of a few thousand spirit stones. I borrowed yours only because it was part of a task."

"The task was to give you a cauldron."

"But giving it to you outright would seem suspicious, so I mortgaged it to you."

"To achieve the goal of giving you the cauldron."

"Think about it—who'd be stupid enough to borrow three spirit stones just to mortgage a cauldron?"

"Task?" He Pingsheng froze, his heart jolting.

In an instant, countless thoughts sprouted in his mind.

What task?

Who issued it?

Why give me a cauldron?

Good heavens… back then I was just a wild cultivator wandering the outer sect—someone was already watching me?

Hiss… hiss…

He Pingsheng suddenly felt icy cold.

"Master Wang… who issued this task? Did they… target me?" He Pingsheng turned pale with fear.

Cold sweat broke out on his back.

"No no no… young brother, don't misunderstand!" Wang Dun hurriedly explained. "It's not a person… not someone who gave me the task—it's… it's… ah, I can't tell you. You wouldn't understand anyway!"

"But rest assured, no one is targeting you."

"Trust me—if they were, I wouldn't be explaining any of this to you."

"And this too!" Wang Dun said. "Bringing you into Divine General Mountain is also part of a task… it… ah, I really can't say!"

"Just come with me, that's all."

"If you're worried about safety, I'll protect you anytime."

"Alright?"

Hearing this, He Pingsheng was even more determined not to go.

I'm not an idiot—you've got an agenda and you think I'll walk right into it?

Even if I went, I wouldn't go with you, Wang Dun.

"Young brother, please… please?" Wang Dun looked like he was constipated.

He Pingsheng just pursed his lips and said: "Master Wang, let's just watch the auction for now—we'll talk later."

"Besides, Divine General Mountain's opening is still far off."

Wang Dun had no other choice but to nod. "Fine. We'll talk later."