After Qin Xiao made his offer, everyone fell silent, not because they were frightened by Qin Xiao, but because they all looked at Qin Xiao as if he were a fool.
"Qin Xiao, have you gone mad? Does your Seven Stars Peak have two hundred thousand Spirit Stones?"
Kang Zhengye was the first to speak mockingly.
"Qin Xiao, stop fooling around."
Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng also spoke to remind him. He knew Seven Stars Peak's financial situation well; where would it have two hundred thousand Spirit Stones?
"Qin Xiao, this is not a place for you to fool around. Sit down quietly."
Elder Yao Tiansheng also spoke.
This was causing trouble! Randomly raising prices would harm these Elders.
"That's right, Qin Xiao. I seriously suspect you are randomly raising prices. Your Seven Stars Peak probably can't even produce one hundred Spirit Stones, let alone two hundred thousand. Alright, let's not say we Elders are bullying you. As long as you can produce one thousand Spirit Stones on the spot, I'll consider you qualified to participate."
Kang Zhengye quickly chimed in.
Because he knew Qin Xiao probably couldn't even produce one hundred Spirit Stones. When Seventh Elder died in battle, his body was swallowed by that Demon Beast, leaving nothing behind. What financial resources could Seven Stars Peak possibly have left?
"That's right, I agree."
"I agree too. As long as you can produce one thousand Spirit Stones, we will acknowledge you."
"Exactly, exactly. If you can't produce them, then his bid won't count."
The other Elders also quickly echoed Kang Zhengye's words. After all, they couldn't just talk empty words; they had to produce real resources, unlike Qin Xiao who, knowing he had no chance, deliberately raised prices to trick people.
"Sect Leader, can you testify? If I produce one thousand Spirit Stones, then my bid counts?"
Qin Xiao didn't pay attention to these Elders but asked Sect Leader Lin Tiancheng instead.
"Alright. If you can produce them, then produce them. I think the Elders won't go back on their word."
Although Lin Tiancheng didn't know what plan Qin Xiao had, since all the Elders and Qin Xiao said so, he couldn't say anything more.
"Good, then I'll produce Spirit Stones to show you whether I have them or not."
After saying this, Qin Xiao directly took out one thousand Spirit Stones from his System Space and spread them on the ground before him.
"Here are one thousand Spirit Stones, and here are another thousand."
After producing one thousand, Qin Xiao didn't stop. He then produced another one thousand next to them.
"And here is another thousand."
After producing two thousand Spirit Stones, Qin Xiao still didn't stop. He produced another one thousand, totaling three thousand Spirit Stones spread on the ground. Visually, it was indeed quite intimidating.
"Honorable Elders, do you need me to continue producing?"
The reason Qin Xiao produced three thousand Spirit Stones in one go was precisely to intimidate these Elders. He currently only had over four thousand on him. If these Elders demanded to verify his assets, it would really be troublesome.
"Where did you get so many Spirit Stones?"
Looking at Qin Xiao's composed demeanor, Kang Zhengye simply couldn't understand. Seven Stars Peak clearly had no financial resources left, yet Qin Xiao's appearance didn't seem like he was bluffing.
"This doesn't require Third Elder's concern. Your junior has his own methods. Honorable Elders, please continue bidding."
Qin Xiao appeared completely composed, speaking calmly.
He had to put on this act! If he couldn't intimidate these old fellows, he would miss this rare Heavenly Spirit Root.
"What's going on? Did Seventh Elder perhaps not bring all his financial resources with him back then?"
"No, if Seventh Elder left financial resources behind, then when Seven Stars Peak's disciples left back then, Qin Xiao should have produced them already?"
"Did Seventh Elder perhaps hide them somewhere back then, and Qin Xiao only found them now?"
"Then how can we compete? That kid is using all his wealth to bid against us, while we still have to support a whole peak of disciples. We can't act recklessly like him."
Several Elders gathered together, whispering among themselves. Qin Xiao's move had indeed intimidated them all.
Not only the several Elders were intimidated; even Yun Man below the stage was somewhat puzzled.
"Could it be that Seven Stars Peak is not as pitiful as rumors suggest? But why is this Peak Master still just an ordinary mortal body?"
Yun Man hadn't considered Seven Stars Peak from the beginning, but now she also felt a bit confused.
She was originally a direct descendant of Central Province's Yun Family. Unexpectedly, a family rebellion occurred. Her parents and older brother died in the struggle. Only she, being only at Foundation Establishment stage, wasn't taken too seriously by those family members, which gave her an opportunity to escape.
To evade pursuit, she fled to this remote Qingzhou, seeking a Sect to cultivate in seclusion before returning for revenge. Therefore, she didn't care about cultivation techniques or Spirit Weapons. As a direct descendant daughter of the Yun Family, her family had already given her top-tier cultivation techniques and Dharma Treasure-level weapons. What she lacked now were Spirit Stones and Pills.
"Good lad! Even if Seventh Elder left you some financial resources, my Immortal Sword Peak still isn't afraid. My Immortal Sword Peak offers two hundred fifty thousand Spirit Stones. As long as you join my Immortal Sword Peak, the two hundred fifty thousand Spirit Stones worth of Supplies are just the beginning. This old man will additionally grant you five thousand Spirit Stones every month."
After the several Elders discussed, they finally reached a conclusion: together help Elder Yao Tiansheng obtain the Heavenly Spirit Root, and later Elder Yao Tiansheng would compensate the other peaks.
Although each peak was Rich and Overbearing, they also had many disciples. Fighting individually might not necessarily surpass Qin Xiao who was alone.
In this remote Qingzhou, being able to offer such treatment already exceeded Yun Man's expectations. Yun Man also knew this Tianyuan Sect was only a third-level Sect; being able to offer this price was already considered a sky-high price.
"Wait! My Seven Stars Peak offers three hundred thousand, with an additional ten thousand every month."
Seeing Yun Man somewhat tempted, Qin Xiao quickly spoke to increase his offer.
"Qin Xiao, this old man now suspects you can't actually afford this offer and are deliberately raising prices."
Even Elder Yao Tiansheng, who usually had a good temper, was somewhat angered now.
He wasn't afraid of raising prices, but his price increases also required paying a price. The higher the offer, the higher the compensation he had to give other Peak Masters. He wasn't willing to let his Immortal Sword Peak fall into difficulty because of Qin Xiao's random price increases.
"Elder Yao, if you can raise your offer, then raise it. If not, then this disciple will join my Seven Stars Peak."
Qin Xiao didn't directly answer Yao Tiansheng's words. He really couldn't produce that many Spirit Stones right now.
"This old man offers three hundred fifty thousand."
Yao Tiansheng didn't engage in verbal arguments with Qin Xiao. Instead, he gritted his teeth and added fifty thousand.
"I offer four hundred thousand."
Qin Xiao wasn't afraid either, immediately adding another fifty thousand, directly raising it to four hundred thousand.
"Four hundred fifty thousand."
This was Yao Tiansheng's last increase. If he raised it further, his Immortal Sword Peak would also struggle to bear it. Subsequent cultivation would still require many resources. This wasn't a One-Off Deal, so he also had his own considerations.
"Five hundred thousand."
Qin Xiao didn't care about all that. For a Heavenly Spirit Root disciple, even if it required more Spirit Stones, he had to obtain her.
"This old man sticks with four hundred fifty thousand. Even if you offer fifty thousand more, so what? Does your Seven Stars Peak have famous teachers to guide her? Does it have high-level cultivation techniques? The value of these things can't be compared with just fifty thousand Spirit Stones."
Seeing Qin Xiao still looking completely composed, Yao Tiansheng knew continuing to raise prices wasn't the solution. Moreover, he also feared Qin Xiao might suddenly stop raising prices, which would leave his Immortal Sword Peak severely cheated. So four hundred fifty thousand was already his bottom line.
"Elder Yao, with Spirit Stones, are you afraid of not having famous teachers to guide her? Afraid of not having high-level cultivation techniques?"
Although Qin Xiao didn't have those things, he had many Spirit Stones! Everything has a price. If you can't buy it, it just means the price isn't high enough.
"May this junior girl say something?"
Yun Man also couldn't make up her mind, so she asked to speak.
"Please speak."
Qin Xiao said confidently.
"Both Peak Masters' offers greatly satisfy this junior girl. However, I wonder if both Peak Masters could demonstrate your strength? This junior girl doesn't accept empty promises."
Yun Man directly stated her thoughts. She was, after all, a Heavenly Spirit Root; others wouldn't suspect this bit of pride.
"I think this method works. I actually have an idea. Since Elder Yao and I both must obtain you, how about each of us gives you a greeting gift? Regardless of which peak you ultimately join, this greeting gift won't be taken back. Whoever gives more, you join their peak. How about that?"
Qin Xiao continued bluffing. Even though some time had passed, his total wealth were still only five thousand Spirit Stones.
"Alright, my generation is lower, so I'll go first. Here are five thousand Spirit Stones, considered my greeting gift to you. Don't worry. Elder Yao will definitely give you ten thousand Spirit Stones later. Then I'll give you fifteen thousand more, so you'll have thirty thousand Spirit Stones worth of greeting gifts. Consider it Elder Yao's support for my Seven Stars Peak."
When Qin Xiao said this, he showed no signs of guilt, his face full of confidence.
"Elder Yao, I've already shown my sincerity. With Elder Yao's status, surely you won't give less than ten thousand Spirit Stones, right? This junior will thank Elder Yao in advance on behalf of my disciple."
Qin Xiao looked at Yao Tiansheng with a smile.
"I don't know how many Spirit Stones this kid actually has. From his appearance, he wants to cheat this old man out of ten thousand Spirit Stones. This old man definitely won't fall for it. Moreover, one month from now is the disciple competition. At that time, Seven Stars Peak only has one disciple and will inevitably lose. When Seven Stars Peak loses and is removed, Yun Man will naturally transfer to this old man's name. There's no need to compete with him now."
Yao Tiansheng didn't answer immediately but kept calculating in his heart. Paying such a high price now was completely unnecessary.
"Since junior is so persistent, then this old man, as an elder, naturally shouldn't take away what someone else cherishes. This old man withdraws."
After thinking for a moment, Yao Tiansheng still chose to give up. After all, there would be many opportunities later; there was no need to pay such a high price now.
"Then thank you, Elder Yao."
Qin Xiao smiled and thanked Yao Tiansheng.
"Let's go, follow me back to Seven Stars Peak."
Qin Xiao didn't compete for other Profound Spirit Root disciples. Right now, he just wanted to see what new Supplies the system would unlock after recruiting a Heavenly Spirit Root disciple.