Even though it was an impromptu auction, the atmosphere was remarkably lively. The one presiding over the auction happened to be the sect master of a fifth-rank sect.
This sect master had no personal stake in the matter — he knew the Longevity Pill would never end up in his hands regardless — and since he had received considerable kindness from Danqian Palace over the years, he had volunteered to host the auction.
"Everyone, might I have a word?"
Wang Jianyu saw that the auction was about to begin and couldn't help but speak up.
Xiang Wentian saw Wang Jianyu pop up again and nearly exploded: "Wang Jianyu, you're always stirring things up. If you've got something to say, spit it out already!"
Xiang Wentian hadn't originally been such a coarse man, but the mention of the Longevity Pill had set his nerves on edge.
The potential to extend one's lifespan by five to eight hundred years — the temptation was simply too great.
And here was Wang Jianyu, chattering away endlessly like some buzzing fly.
Wang Jianyu felt a twinge of embarrassment but still kept his composure, cupping his fists toward Xiang Wentian: "Brother Xiang, it's not that I, Wang, enjoy running my mouth. But has anyone considered — what if this Longevity Pill doesn't actually have that lifespan-extending effect? What then?"
That remark gave everyone present pause.
Before, they had all been swept up in the frenzy, blinded by the Longevity Pill's extraordinary value. But with Wang Jianyu's reminder, they suddenly realized this was a legitimate concern.
What if Danqian Palace had been exaggerating its claims?
The moment Wang Jianyu spoke, the atmosphere in the hall cooled noticeably. Pairs of eyes turned toward the Danqian Palace delegation.
Palace Master Dan Chi was refreshingly direct: "Ha! Trade should be fair. If anyone finds this unsatisfactory, the auction can simply be called off. After all, it's not as though Danqian Palace is forcing a sale on anyone."
Elder Yun Nie echoed with a smile: "If that's the case, then let's cancel it."
As he spoke, Elder Yun Nie stood up and made as if to walk off the stage.
Jiang Chen saw that both major figures had spoken their piece and rose to his feet as well: "I refined this Longevity Pill myself. In truth, I had intended to leave it for the elders of our sect. If you all hadn't been scrambling for it, I never would have considered putting it up for auction in the first place."
That did it. Xiang Wentian panicked. He hurried forward and grabbed Dan Chi: "Brother Dan Chi, you can't say things like that!"
"Brother Yun Nie, give this old brother a moment of patience — please, just calm down, calm down."
Palace Master Dan Chi feigned indignation: "Brother Xiang, it's not that I'm unwilling to give anyone face. It's that some people simply refuse to give Danqian Palace any face at all. We are all fourth-rank sects, for heaven's sake — we should at least carry ourselves with the dignity befitting major sects. Ask yourselves honestly: if your sect opened its doors to do business and someone kept finding fault, fanning flames and stirring up trouble, how would you feel?"
Wang Jianyu shot back with a cold sneer: "Dan Chi, don't play innocent. If your Longevity Pill were really that miraculous, why be so defensive about it?"
Xiang Wentian was genuinely furious now. He could see Danqian Palace was on the verge of pulling out, and if Wang Jianyu kept this nonsense up, the whole thing would fall apart.
"Wang Jianyu, shut your mouth! Say one more word and you'll be making an enemy of my Holy Elephant Clan!"
Xiang Wentian was truly angry. He knew that if he didn't step up now, if he didn't back Danqian Palace, they would absolutely refuse to put the Longevity Pill up for sale.
Lord Tianming also hurriedly spoke: "If you don't trust it, then hand the Longevity Pill over to me. Even if the claims are exaggerated, I'm willing to take the risk."
"Don't even think about it." Xiang Wentian rolled his eyes.
Wang Jianyu was thoroughly humiliated after Xiang Wentian's dressing-down. His original plan had been to fan the flames of doubt and cool everyone's enthusiasm, making them question the Longevity Pill's authenticity.
He hadn't expected Xiang Wentian's desire for the Longevity Pill to far exceed anything he could have imagined.
Xiang Wentian talked and cajoled until he finally managed to calm Dan Chi and Elder Yun Nie down.
The two of them hadn't actually intended to cancel the auction — they had simply turned Wang Jianyu's own tactics against him.
You like running your mouth? Go ahead, keep talking.
Seeing Dan Chi and Elder Yun Nie settle back into their seats, Jiang Chen smiled faintly and turned to return to his own seat.
Then Wei Wuying suddenly let out an odd laugh: "This Longevity Pill — just how many years of lifespan can it actually extend? Shouldn't there be some concrete guarantee?"
Xiang Wentian had just sat down. Seeing Wei Wuying pop up now too, his eyes rolled upward and he was about to erupt —
But Jiang Chen stood up first, smiling: "I refined this Longevity Pill, and it is only of inferior grade. However, I will make this declaration: if the Free Profound Sect or the Sacred Sword Palace participates in the bidding, I will withdraw the Longevity Pill from the auction."
"Furthermore, this inferior-grade Longevity Pill can absolutely extend one's lifespan by five hundred years. It restores bodily functions — once you take it, you'll feel the difference. If it proves ineffective, I will provide a full refund on the spot."
Jiang Chen didn't resort to empty boasts. A refund guarantee — nothing was more convincing than that.
The members of the Free Profound Sect and the Sacred Sword Palace turned pale with fury at his words.
Wang Han slammed his palm on the table: "Jiang Chen, who do you think you are? You think you have the right to bar the Sacred Sword Palace?"
Wei Qing fixed Jiang Chen with a sinister stare: "Kid, you've really gotten too big for your boots. It seems someone needs to teach you how to behave — as a junior, you should learn your place!"
Jiang Chen smiled coolly and completely ignored them both, turning instead to the auctioneer: "We can begin."
Jiang Chen's dismissive attitude only inflamed Wang Han further.
He shot to his feet: "Jiang Chen, get out here! I'll teach you a lesson in manners!"
Xiang Qin of the Grand Holy Hall spoke in a suddenly grave tone: "Wang Han, sit back down. Say one more word and I'll cut off one of your arms. Say two more and you'll be wielding a sword with your foot for the rest of your life!"
Xiang Qin knew just how desperately his patriarch craved this Longevity Pill. And these clowns kept standing up to make trouble, one after another!