Chapter 471: Making Money Isn't This Something You Can Do with Hands?

"A million to pull the Ming Jian once, and if I pull it out, it's mine?"

Gu Qing Er was stunned on the spot.

He glanced dazedly at the Ming Jian Yan Meng, realizing for the first time how cheap the famous sword in his hand felt.

The onlookers surged forward at once.

"This brother, are you sure you're not joking?"

"A million?"

"Yes." Xu Xiao Shou nodded with a smile.

He subtly glanced at Shou Ye.

Even without trying to pull the sword himself,

The ghost beasts and Zhong Qu, along with Hong Yi Shou Ye, had all failed against this Ming Jian, leading to their downfall and disgrace.

He didn't believe that among these young talents, anyone had strength surpassing Zhan Dao.

"Suspected, passive value: 239."

Without a doubt, after getting the affirmative reply, everyone was dumbfounded.

Gu Qing Er touched his ring and found he hadn't brought any Ling Jing when he left.

He immediately turned his gaze to his junior brother.

"Money!"

This startled cry jolted everyone out of their daze.

The crowd realized that as long as Hong Yi was still by Xu Xiao Shou's side, they had no chance at all.

In that case, whatever Xu Xiao Shou said was the rule.

And now, this rule was incredibly simple!

A million for a chance at the Ming Jian...

"I'll go!"

With a loud shout, a figure dashed out of the crowd.

He didn't even have time to explain, rushing straight to Xu Xiao Shou's side, as if afraid that delaying a second would let someone else claim the sword.

"A million."

His trembling fingers pulled out a card, not even bothering with a transfer—he just handed it to Xu Xiao Shou and then blocked everyone behind him with an outstretched arm.

"What if I pull out the Ming Jian?"

Staring at Xu Xiao Shou, he asked urgently, "What about the people behind me?"

"Then they won't get a chance."

Xu Xiao Shou cheerfully took the card and replied with a smile.

It was a Ling Jing card that could be cashed in directly, no need for binding or a password.

Whoever picked it up owned it.

Clearly, someone who could produce such a card wasn't short on money.

"No way!"

The people in the crowd behind heard Xu Xiao Shou's answer and panicked immediately.

"I'll offer two million—let me go first."

"Two million? You're kidding! I'll offer five million, brother—can you let me pull the sword first?" Someone else rushed to Xu Xiao Shou's side.

"Ten million!"

"Twenty million... no, thirty million—I'm offering thirty times the price, let me try!"

"Fifty million!" Gu Qing Er covered his junior brother's mouth in distress, cursing the guy's slow reaction, and shouted loudly.

"Brother, you can't change the rules like this—we agreed on them earlier."

The man who had spoken first stared at Xu Xiao Shou with eager eyes, knowing he'd gotten a great deal. "How about I raise it to ten million?"

"Request received, passive value: 1."

"Expectation received, passive value: 233."

The information panel was flooded by this excited group.

Hong Yi Shou Ye stood beside Xu Xiao Shou, also shocked as he watched the young man.

As someone directly involved, he knew all too well.

This Ming Jian being stuck here was no ordinary matter.

Even he couldn't pull it out.

These eager wolves rushing forward were essentially just delivering money!

But...

How had it come to this?

Shou Ye looked around at the scene, which had been tense with drawn weapons, but after Xu Xiao Shou spoke, everything changed completely.

No more fighting, no more killing—just this!

A perfectly fine Ming Jian emergence had turned into a treasure-gathering event for this guy?

"Goodness gracious..."

Xu Xiao Shou pressed his hands down toward the pairs of reddened eyes before him.

"Everyone, calm down."

The whole place fell silent at once.

All eyes turned eagerly to Xu Xiao Shou, but someone couldn't hold back.

"I'll offer one billion!"

At that, everyone's hearts skipped a beat.

Yu Zhi Wen stared in amazement, unable to believe that Xu Xiao Shou had gotten so many responses with just a few words.

When had making money become this easy?

"One billion..."

She glanced back at Xu Xiao Shou with admiration in her eyes.

Xu Xiao Shou clicked his tongue.

Truth be told, one billion tempted him.

But as a businessman, rules were rules.

Once set, he wouldn't change them.

In business, the key was steady, long-term gains.

Besides, making money wasn't his real goal.

What he truly wanted was to draw attention through these spectacles and harvest all the passive values from every crowd he encountered!

Money? Did it matter?

Not really.

Earning it was just a side benefit.

Anyone with hands could do it.

Passive values were what truly mattered.

"Thank you for the support, brother, but my word is my bond— I said a million, and it's a million."

He said, looking at the man closest to him, "Since this gentleman has the first turn, the first pull is his."

"If he succeeds, the Ming Jian is his."

The man was so moved he nearly teared up.

"Brother, you're a good person."

"Praise received, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiao Shou's face darkened.

This guy got the first shot and still gave him a good-person card?

He shoved the man impatiently. "Hurry up—you only have three breaths. If you fail, it's the next person's turn."

"Alright, alright."

The man stumbled from the push but didn't complain. He stepped over Shou Ye and reached the Ming Jian.

He steadied his breath, gathered his energy, and even smoothed his hair.

He wanted to pull the sword in the most dashing way, becoming the envy of all sword cultivators.

This was his moment of glory.

But before he could even start, Xu Xiao Shou spoke.

"Time starts now."

"Three..."

"Damn it!"

The man tensed up, his hand gripping the Ming Jian instantly.

A scorching energy surged through the hilt into his palm.

Just from that grip, he knew this Ming Jian was no fake.

The overwhelming sword intent, even just a trace, far surpassed any ordinary great sword.

"Two!"

Xu Xiao Shou counted quickly, giving no one time to react.

The man didn't dare delay, putting all his strength into it.

"Sizzle—"

His palm burned, the friction just right.

In his mind, this pull should free the sword.

But in reality...

His hand slipped off the hilt from the force, and his body lurched back, nearly falling and failing to regrip the sword right away.

"One!"

"Time's up—next!"

Xu Xiao Shou announced emotionlessly, like a machine.

Three seconds for a million—achievement unlocked!

The man's face turned green.

This Ming Jian was cursed!

"Was it sealed with a restriction? No wonder this guy was willing to hand over the Ming Jian for just a million."

"Cursed, passive value: 1."

Shou Ye had a knowing expression.

Seeing the man's state, he realized anyone trying to pull the sword would end up like this, regardless of their cultivation level.

"Could the Ming Jian have already chosen its master?"

"Or maybe it's locked onto someone specific—no one else can pull it out?"

Shou Ye eyed Xu Xiao Shou suspiciously.

Was it possible this guy had secretly bound the Ming Jian before he arrived?

Then set up this whole scenario to trap everyone who came to pull it and start fleecing them?

"Suspected, passive value: 1."

Yu Zhi Wen marveled.

Just three counts!

In three counts, Xu Xiao Shou earned a million, leaving everyone curious and that guy frustrated.

Clearly, this million was just the beginning.

Who knew how many times more it would multiply?

"I'll go!"

From the crowd, countless voices rang out, cards in hand, scrambling to give them to Xu Xiao Shou.

Even though they knew the Ming Jian was odd—after all, a grandmaster-level expert couldn't pull it in three breaths—they were sure it was Xu Xiao Shou's doing.

As long as it was a trick, they were confident they could crack it.

It was a Ming Jian!

What was a little tampering?

A million was nothing.

Miss this chance, and it might never come again!

"Scramble received, passive value: 242."

Xu Xiao Shou jumped, the sight of this frenzied crowd waving cards stirring uncomfortable memories.

This familiar scene...

Were they a bunch of market aunts?

So hyped up!

He stepped back calmly.

"Everyone, calm down!"

"Why don't you line up? Let's do this orderly—who wants the Ming Jian can take turns."

But the overexcited crowd ignored him.

Even Gu Qing Er held a gold card, shoving his way in without any dignity.

Now Xu Xiao Shou had a headache.

"Stop pushing!"

"If you keep pushing, you'll all lose your chance to pull the sword!"

"Line up!"

The noise halted instantly.

In a flash, they formed a line facing Xu Xiao Shou.

But some got squeezed out midway.

That made everyone panic again.

"Brother, that's my spot!"

"Yours? Prove it!"

"I... you sneaked an attack and shoved me out!"

"Sneak attack? Where's the evidence?"

"I... I have bruises!" The person pulled open his clothes.

"Bruises I caused? Show me the evidence!"

"You..."

Xu Xiao Shou's gaze locked on them.

Goodness, quick learners!

"Still arguing?"

"If you're arguing or disputing, get out and fight it out—sort your order, then come back."

"Remember, no killing—if anyone dies, all parties involved lose their qualification!"

Killing would mean fewer contributors to passive values!

You absolutely can't die.

No one dared speak after that.

Those at the front felt like chosen ones.

The ones still fighting dragged their opponents outside to settle it.

In an instant, the scene became much more orderly.

"Xu brother?"

The person at the front bowed slightly and respectfully handed over a gold card.

With a slightly fawning smile, he rubbed it, and the card doubled.

"Small details?"

Xu Xiao Shou chuckled.

He loved small details.

This guy knew how to play the game!

If the Ming Jian wasn't really his doing, he'd be tempted to give special treatment.

But he didn't take the card.

Xu Xiao Shou turned to the man standing at the front of the Ming Jian—the one who'd tried first and now faced a long line of despair.

Clearly, if this guy didn't get another chance, he'd have to wait through the whole line for a second try.

"Xu brother!"

Seeing Xu Xiao Shou turn, the man got excited. "You said earlier that if I fail, I get another chance, right?"

"Yes."

Xu Xiao Shou nodded with a smile, slowly rubbing his thumb and fingers together.

"I get it, I get it."

The man pulled out two more Ling Jing cards, totaling two million.

Xu Xiao Shou's face fell.

"Are you messing with me?"

"I said for a second try, add a zero to the one million!"

"Who taught you math?"

"One million plus a zero is two million?"

The man froze, peeking uncertainly. "Ten... ten million?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Cursed, passive value: 1."

The man's expression changed.

This was a total rip-off!

First try: a million, second: ten million.

Third would be a hundred million, right?

If he failed three times...

A billion?

Goodness gracious!

What a real good guy!

No wonder this guy played it this way!

"Suspected, passive value: 241."

"Cursed, passive value: 235."

Even those in line figured out Xu Xiao Shou's scheme.

Shou Ye did too.

He'd been drawn in by the million earlier.

Now, thinking back, he nearly slapped his thigh in realization.

Of course!

How could Xu Xiao Shou sell the Ming Jian for a mere million?

He was using gambler's psychology—hook them with a million, and once they failed...

Even if some could stop, under the Ming Jian's temptation, who could really hold back?

Shou Ye glanced at the endless line—ignoring those still fighting, there were at least sixty or seventy people.

Doing the math...

"Hiss!"

Shou Ye was stunned.

He'd lived half his life and never accumulated that much pure Ling Jing!

This kid...

"Coming or not?"

Xu Xiao Shou tapped the man's two cards impatiently, seeing his hesitant eyes, and pushed them back.

"If not, take it and go—don't waste time, there's a line behind you!"

The man scanned the long line.

He felt incredibly lucky to have grabbed the first spot.

Though he had money, his old man said not to spend it recklessly.

But now, for a Ming Jian... spending a bit more was fine, right?

"Eight million!"

He gritted his teeth, pulling eight more Ling Jing cards from his ring, adding them to the two million Xu Xiao Shou had pushed back, and handed them over.

Now with a fawning look, he asked, "Xu brother, how much time?"

"Three breaths!"

Everyone's hearts tightened.

Three breaths for ten million.

He was really raking it in!

"Cursed, passive value: 232."

The man's face paled slightly.

"Bro, give me a bit more time—I feel like I'm close."

"Take it or leave it—if not, get out. My time is valuable—don't waste my money!"

This is my money... the man roared inwardly but didn't dare speak up.

"Three!"

Xu Xiao Shou counted mercilessly.

The guy didn't dare hesitate, leaping to the Ming Jian and pouring out his Ling Yuan without holding back.

In an instant, a massive golden dragon shadow appeared behind him, over ten zhang tall.

The shadow formed and surged into his left arm.

"Da Long Xu Mi Claw!"

His arm scaled over, turning into a claw.

Unleashing a peak Zong Shi spirit skill, he clamped the Ming Jian's hilt and yanked hard.

"Boom—"

The air currents exploded, shaking the entire formation.

After all, Zong Shi experts were rare here—most were at the Xiantian level.

A Zong Shi spirit skill was something few could withstand.

"Da Long Xu Mi Claw—I think that's the peak Zong Shi skill of the Bi family in Kun Wen County. Is this guy the eldest son, Bi Kong?"

"With this move, is the Ming Jian about to be pulled?"

"Damn, that means Bi Kong got the Ming Jian for eleven million?"

"Worthy of Kun Wen County's richest family!"

Everyone watched eagerly.

But secretly, they all cursed Bi Kong not to succeed.

If he pulled it, according to Xu Xiao Shou's rules, this whole line would be for nothing!

"Two!"

Amid the roar, Xu Xiao Shou's flat tone continued.

Bi Kong panicked.

Even with Da Long Xu Mi Claw, he couldn't budge the sword an inch.

But he couldn't fail!

That was ten million!

Others might think ten million for a Ming Jian was a steal.

But in the Bi family creed, buying something at market price was the buyer's failure.

Absolutely not over a billion!

Bi Kong shouted in his mind.

He strained so hard his left arm bled, the dragon claw cracking.

Yet the sword didn't move.

"Damn it, come out!"

He roared, taking a deep breath. "Dragon Pulse!"

A golden light flashed in his eyes, his body growing taller, covered in dragon scales, transforming into a half-dragon form.

Just as he was about to pull, Xu Xiao Shou's robotic voice came.

"One."

"Time's up—you failed."

"Ah—" Bi Kong roared, refusing to let go.

Gripping the sword, he kicked off the void, trying to wrench it out.

Xu Xiao Shou was furious.

Overstaying right in front of him?

He darted to Bi Kong's side and inhaled sharply.

"Pfft!"

Bi Kong was caught off guard, his Ling Yuan rioting, spitting out blood on the spot.

The dragon scales faded.

Xu Xiao Shou lifted his leg and kicked.

"Bam!"

Bi Kong turned into a shooting star and flew away.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

What kind of move was that?

So this guy wasn't just some favored one under Hong Yi's protection.

Even in that form, he dismantled Bi Kong in an instant?

While marveling, they scrutinized Xu Xiao Shou again, only to find his cultivation level unreadable?

"At such a young age, could he be at the Wang Zuo level?"

Everyone was shocked.

Even Gu Qing Er and the others, who knew Xu Xiao Shou's background, were astounded by that sudden inhalation technique.

"Second senior brother, what kind of evil art is that?"

"I... don't know."

"It looked like he could suck out someone's Ling Yuan—is that witchcraft?"

"Don't panic—we don't have Ling Yuan."

"Oh, right."

Those further back in line turned pale.

You two don't have Ling Yuan, but we do!

From Xu Xiao Shou's display, even without Shou Ye, seizing the sword from him would be tough.

"Suspected, passive value: 233."

"Admiration received, passive value: 142."

"Fear received, passive value: 202."

"That's what happens if you go overtime."

Xu Xiao Shou pointed to the sky and said to everyone, "Don't do it again—next!"

Being an emotionless money-counter was pure joy.

Xu Xiao Shou looked at his soaring passive values, feeling an unmatched sense of satisfaction.

And most importantly, besides the passive values, his Ling Jing pockets were exploding!

From rags to riches in one night didn't even cover it—counting off a few numbers netted him tens of millions. Xu Xiao Shou felt he was more impressive than Shou Ye right now.

"I'll go."

The person at the front hadn't even stepped up when a figure flew down from the sky.

"Hold on."

Bi Kong returned, his front covered in blood stains, but he didn't dare curse.

"Xu brother, hold on."

"I was rude earlier and broke the rules. I apologize."

"I don't accept." Xu Xiao Shou shook his head. "People like you won't get another chance. Everyone else is waiting—this could waste their opportunity to change fate."

Bi Kong panicked.

"One billion—I'll offer one billion, brother, just give me another chance. I promise..."

"Hand it over."

Xu Xiao Shou extended his hand, and the whole place went quiet.

"This..."

"Suspected, passive value: 233."

Bi Kong was doubting life.

He thought Xu Xiao Shou was serious, but this guy...

No apology needed—just Ling Jing worked?

Gritting his teeth, Bi Kong pulled out a golden card.

One billion meant a transfer.

Even if he was rich, he couldn't carry that many Ling Jing cards.

The transaction went smoothly.

Xu Xiao Shou patted his shoulder and smiled. "Go on—three breaths."

Bi Kong, having seen Xu Xiao Shou's mood swings, stayed silent and leaped up, golden light bursting from him.

"Three!"

As expected, Xu Xiao Shou was a strict timer.

Any hesitation, and he'd waste half the time.

"Golden Dragon Bloodline, activate!"

For his last chance, Bi Kong pulled out all stops, even his hidden aces.

"Ling Ti?"

Even Shou Ye was surprised.

Ling Ti were rare on the continent, and high-grade ones even more so.

The Golden Dragon Bloodline put Bi Kong's talent right at the top of geniuses in nearby counties.

Shou Ye watched quietly.

No matter how talented, he knew that billion was gone.

"Da Wei Shen Bian!"

The golden dragon shadow appeared again, merging with him, and a dragon tail shadow formed at his tailbone, flowing into his right leg.

Flipping around, he didn't plan to pull the sword—he swung a heavy whip kick at the Ming Jian's hilt!

Xu Xiao Shou's heart skipped.

This...

This guy wasn't following the script!

That was pulling a sword!

Not kicking it!

Would he actually knock the Ming Jian flying?