"Is this a God, or a bandit?"
A slack-jawed Cacillia wondered while her eyes hovered between Konrad and Heide. In a flash, all her previous reverence toward that incomparably lofty deity Konrad represented vanished, replaced by waves of stupor. But for some reason, she found that new aspect a lot more refreshing.
And if before she didn't dare raise her head in Konrad's presence, she could now glance at his eyes. Having spent the majority of her life in darkness, Cacillia's eyes should have rippled with an insatiable curiosity for the world surrounding her. However, as she stared at Konrad's barefaced look, she couldn't help but feel drawn to his hues.
Meanwhile, the various battered deities rose, one after the other with begrudging looks clear on their faces. But with the threat of an eight star God Artifact looming over them, they didn't dare rashly act. The strongest on the scene were but mid-stage Ancestral Gods. There were better ways to forfeit their lives.
Echoing Konrad's command, the manager resumed the auction, and a thrilled Heide rushed back to pound those deities with her beloved dad's wealth.
"First lesson. In the cultivation world, righteousness died early. Fists make rules, and might makes right. Therefore, never seek fairness. Be it in good or in evil, the path you wish to thread can only be hammered into reality—by an irresistible fist."
Konrad told Cacillia in a mental message that made her snap out of her torpor. But as his words spread within her mind, her eyes shone with reluctance.
"But what if you won't submit to greater might?"
She wondered. But little did she expect that the thought wouldn't escape Konrad.
"Then fight and grow. With all the tricks at your disposal, fair or dirty, fight! With an unbreakable will driving you, challenge destiny and thrive! If you have the will and strive to rise, so long as you don't perish on the road, you shall transcend the fate imposed by destiny."
Konrad replied to Cacillia's unspoken question, startling her and causing her eyes to widen in disbelief. But as soon as it came, that disbelief vanished, replaced by a sliver of enlightenment that gleamed within her black eyes. Clasping her hands, Cacillia bowed toward Konrad.
"Thank you, master, for your teachings!"
Cacilia replied. Meanwhile, the bidding war carried on.
"10 million!"
"12 million!"
"15 million!"
"16 million!"
"…"
The deities clashed with cash for the opportunity to snatch those 2500 True God slaves. But as they persisted in low increments, Heide's voice echoed:
"50 million!"
Elation laced Heide's words, an elation that seemed to be smacking those deities' ancient faces. But with the previous lesson, they didn't dare misbehave, and following a moment of silence, someone pushed the bid forward.
"51 million!"
Surya's third son's voice thundered with flaring determination. But as they glanced toward him, the nearby deities could see his clenched fists trembling from his suppressed indignation. And who could blame him? Spending more than 50 million on a batch of 2500 True Gods was lunacy. However, if they kept giving way to the Sea Dream Temple, where would their face be?
This batch, the Primal Sun Sect would snatch!
"Oh? Someone dares challenge me on wealth? Good, very good! 60 million!"
The leisurely Heide countered.
"61 million!"
"100 million!"
"101 million!"
"150 million!"
"151 million!"
With every one of Heide's bids, the Primal Sun Sect's third junior lord added another one million. And feeling the frustration now coating her every bid, waves of self-satisfaction filled his chest.
"Hehe, hateful lass, today, don't even think of competing with me!"
The junior lord inwardly gloated while Heide's frustration visibly soared!
"200 million!"
"201 million!"
"250 million!"
"251 million!"
"100 billion!"
"Haha, 100.1 billion…"
The third junior lord chortled as he uttered the bid. But when the words left his lips, and he registered their implications, his entire body quivered, and his eyes widened in incomparable terror! To say nothing of him, every single member of the Primal Sun Sect on the scene trembled without end! All eyes rose toward the Sea Dream Elder's booth, desperately hoping for another increase in bid.
Alas, no sound followed.
"Please increase the bid. Increase the bid. Increase the bid!!! Why isn't she increasing the bid?!"
Surya's third son asked himself with warm tears. The intensity of his stare reached such heights that his eyes went bloodshot while his nails dug into his palms and draw blood! At that time, Heide's voice echoed!
"Bwahahahahahaha! 100.1 billion God-Jades for 2500 True God slaves? Not even Goddesses? With that money, you might as well train 1 million True Gods! What a joke, if I knew you wished to plow God-butts that bad, I'd have conceded a long time ago!"
The Primal Sun Sect is indeed wealthy beyond compare. My Sea Dream Temple swears to put this donation to good use! Hahahaha!"
Heide guffawed, causing all to realize the scheme where it lay. The gathered deities' eyes turned toward Surya's third son, with the Primal Sun Sect's deities eyeing him with blank stares.
"100.1 billion…half the Primal Sun Sect's treasury…for 2500 True Gods…I will not live to see the morrow…"
The third junior lord stammered as his tall body violently spasmed. For the sake of this expedition, Surya only put 50 billion at their disposal. The rest, they'd have to bring back from the headquarters. And indeed, no Primal Sun Sect God on the scene doubted that when the news reached him, Surya would eviscerate that son of his.
"Guhhh…guhh…help…help…someone…save…"
*PUH!*
The prospect of a life worse than death drove the poor sod into mental collapse, and as he discovered the wonders of epilepsy, he spurted a large mouthful of blood! His spasming body then tumbled onto the ground.
Back in the booth, the self-satisfied Heide turned toward Cacillia, facing her with a radiant smile.
"So, junior sister, did you enjoy it?"
Heide inquired in a jovial tone. If before, Cacillia was merely stumped by the lass's shamelessness, she now truly couldn't even describe what just unfolded. Rogue! Too rogue! Three hours ago, if anyone told her that someone would dare pull such a dastardly stunt on the Primal Sun Sect, she would have never believed it.
This hoodlum band really dared do anything! How refreshing!
"But…how is that related to me?"
Cacillia couldn't help but ask. And hearing this, Heide shook her head.
"Of course it is related. Having seen how those Primal Sun Sect scrubs bullied you, how can I not take revenge? Although you're now an extra competitor, you also belong to our house. Our house's people, none can oppress with impunity!"
Heide proclaimed, causing Cacillia to not know whether she should cry or smile. And without anything else to say, she just bowed in thanks.
And though they made no comment, Konrad's party unanimously approved.
"100.1 billion once.
Twice…
Thrice…
Congratulations to the Primal Sun Sect for snatching this batch of 2500 True Gods at the whooping price of 100.1 billion! Please pay upfront."
The auction manager requested with a polite bow, causing the remaining disciples to follow their junior lord and collapse on the ground. Seizing opportunity in chaos, Konrad snuck into those deities' Dao Hearts to plant Devil Seeds.
