The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 308: Harvest! . . .?

Harvest! . . .

Cha Eun Xiao marveled at the incredible profitability of the auction. A million taels had been turned into a hundred thousand, a substantial profit although not a massive one. Yet, when you considered that ten billion taels had generated a billion in profit, it was clear that the true scale of earnings was enormous. The auction had amassed a total of 145 billion and 80 million taels, an astonishing sum that dwarfed the entire circulating currency in the Land of Han-Yang.

As a result, the amount of money Ling-Bao Hall had earned from the pledge business was staggering. The attendees, particularly those from noble clans, had initially expected an auction featuring exceedingly rare dan beads, but they had not brought significant funds, believing they had little chance of securing any of the coveted items. The presence of the great sects had further discouraged them, as it was widely assumed that these powerful organizations would dominate the proceedings. Most attendees had come merely to observe and seize an opportunity if it presented itself. They had brought some money but not enough to compete for the dan beads. If, by chance, they found an opportunity to purchase something, they were prepared to do so, but if not, they had no intention of spending their entire budget. However, the unfolding events had taken everyone by surprise.

The Sunlight Sect's disruption had led to their expulsion from the auction, while the two great sects had been pressured and extorted by Master Bai, forcing them to withdraw as well. With the sudden departure of the House of the Chaotic Storms following the great sects, a window of opportunity opened up for the attendees. This unexpected chance allowed them to acquire two, three, or even more dan beads as long as they had the funds. The noble clans, facing this unprecedented opportunity, went into a frenzy.

Although they had not initially brought sufficient funds, they adapted quickly to the changing circumstances. They began making bids, even if it meant going into debt to secure additional dan beads. Some attendees dispatched messengers to their families to fetch more funds, and they paid for and obtained the dan beads they had won. This practice was common in salesrooms, albeit on a smaller scale.

However, this time was different due to the sheer magnitude of the transactions. For the noble clans, their trading business was of utmost importance, and they exercised caution when it came to financial matters. In cases where their available funds fell short, they turned to pledging valuable materials collected over many years. These treasures were transported to Chen-Xing City for evaluation by Ling-Bao Hall.

Among the noble clans, the Long Clan displayed particularly insatiable greed. They managed to acquire ten supreme dan beads at a total cost exceeding 3 billion taels. The extraordinary sum had been raised in a relatively short time, depleting the clan's entire stock of accumulated treasures, which had taken thousands of years to amass. Despite this significant expenditure, they considered themselves fortunate, believing they had gained a substantial advantage through their acquisitions.

In total, the accumulated wealth from the auction was staggering. While the figure officially stood at 145 billion taels, in reality, the total earnings had surpassed 160 billion taels. However, it was important to note that less than 80 billion of this sum was in cash, with the remainder consisting of a diverse array of valuable items. Effectively, they had earned an additional 15 billion taels beyond what was immediately apparent.

Ling-Bao Hall was not obligated to share this surplus with the Kingdom of Chen. Therefore, the profit from this auction amounted to approximately 72 billion taels. According to their prior commitments, they were required to pay 14 billion in taxes, donate sixty percent of their profits to the kingdom, which equated to 42 billion taels. Additionally, they needed to allocate ten percent, approximately 7 billion taels, to the military. This resulted in a substantial deduction of 63 billion taels.

In light of this, Ling-Bao Hall's net earnings from the auction appeared to be slightly over 10 billion taels. Wan Zhenghao expressed his satisfaction with this outcome, emphasizing the importance of sharing their wealth rather than hoarding it all for themselves, which Cha Eun Xiao found to be a reasonable stance.

However, the situation was not as straightforward as it seemed. Cha Eun Xiao had discreetly accumulated a vast collection of materials and treasures worth approximately 80 billion taels, which were now exclusively in his possession. This vast wealth didn't go unnoticed, as his personal gains far exceeded what was officially recorded.

Despite his substantial acquisitions, Cha Eun Xiao didn't have the time nor inclination to meticulously examine each item. Instead, he chose to store them all in the Boundless Space, allowing the Nine Spaces within to categorize and manage the newfound treasures. He was content with this wealth, even though he didn't possess the additional treasures worth around 60 billion taels. Adding this remarkable fortune to his already considerable wealth was more than satisfactory.

Wan Zhenghao emphasized the need for the noble clans to retrieve the items they had pledged within three days, and Cha Eun Xiao couldn't help but feel a sense of immense pleasure. He had acquired an abundance of valuable possessions, making him feel truly fortunate and content with the results of the auction.

Bing Xinyue and Wenren Chuchu watched Cha Eun Xiao depart, their expressions revealing a mixture of emotions and concerns. Strangely, neither of them took immediate action.

Wenren Chuchu was engrossed in her thoughts, her emotions weighing heavily upon her. Meanwhile, Bing Xinyue's eyes held a complex blend of sentiments as well, mirroring her inner turmoil.

Their predicament was marked by a troubling ambiguity. It was difficult to discern who their true allies were and who posed as adversaries in this intricate web of political intrigue.

"Master, once you're fully recovered, I must return to the Kingdom of Lan-Feng," Wenren Chuchu stated resolutely. "We are currently in a dire situation, and I bear the responsibility of fighting for my kingdom. As its princess, I hold a position of honor and power that ordinary individuals cannot fathom. The kingdom's circumstances demand my unwavering commitment."

She gazed in the direction Cha Eun Xiao had departed, her demeanor calm yet steadfast. Her eyes, however, revealed a sense of determination. "He may be resolute in fulfilling his duty to protect, but I, too, have my own duty."

Bing Xinyue sighed and responded, "Very well. Once I have regained my strength, I shall return to the Qing-Yun Realm. There is an important matter I must attend to. We must initiate the cultivation of the Regeneration Lotus without delay. Additionally, I need to notify our sect and explore the possibility of obtaining additional resources to aid Feng Monarch in producing more Jade Lotus… This endeavor holds immense significance for the future of the Misty Cloud Palace. Chuchu, we cannot afford any mistakes in this regard."

Wenren Chuchu's eyes dimmed slightly as she nodded in understanding. She lowered her head, wrestling with the complex emotions that swirled within her.

They couldn't afford to lose Cha Eun Xiao, but the undeniable fact remained that he was aligned with the Kingdom of Chen—an unequivocal adversary to the Kingdom of Lan-Feng. Wenren Chuchu, as the princess of Lan-Feng, bore the weight of this stark reality.

Moreover, her feelings for Feng Zhiling added an extra layer of complexity to the situation. In the face of her kingdom's future, she was willing to set aside her personal emotions, even if it meant enduring a lifetime of heartache. However, Feng Zhiling was also the Misty Cloud Palace's last hope.

The fate of the Misty Cloud Palace, the sect to which she belonged, hung in the balance. These considerations left her with a profound sense of headache, grappling with the intricate web of emotions and responsibilities that entangled her.