Chapter 276
The participants of the Demon Hunting Conference included some of the wealthy elite's subordinates, all aiming for the coveted Xisui Dan (洗髓丹, a pill that enhances one's spiritual roots) and the opportunity to inherit skills.
Unfortunately, the competition at the conference was still too fierce.
Only by participating could one truly understand how the ascenders completely overwhelmed the revivers.
Chen Huai'an had agreed to wait for half an hour.
During this half hour, the revivers around him scrambled to raise funds, selling off their possessions, while the ascenders were selling their resources to the Demon Slaying Division and the aristocratic families just to gather money. High-level resources that normally wouldn’t flow into the market were now available for purchase, all thanks to the money-hungry Chen Huai'an.
Chen Huai'an thought this was how it should be.
Money should circulate; if it doesn’t, how would it ever end up in his pocket?
Half an hour later, more than ten helicopters landed one after another on the peak of Ling Mountain.
The news had spread, and those present were not just the richest in the Hua District, but many others at the pinnacle of various industries.
“Are you Governor Chen? Truly a remarkable figure!”
“I’ve long heard of your reputation, Governor Chen, the hero of flood relief—your fame is well-deserved!”
“I heard you’re also one of the top ten most inspiring people in the world? Heroes emerge in youth!”
Chen Huai'an looked at the dozen or so middle-aged and elderly men in front of him, slowly raising an eyebrow.
He could accept being called a hero for fighting the Corpse King.
But what was this nonsense about being a hero of flood relief? And what was this about being one of the top ten most inspiring people in the world?
He couldn’t think of any advantages he had that warranted such titles; there was no need to heap accolades upon him!
“No need for flattery, gentlemen. You’re all prominent figures; let’s get to the bidding.”
Chen Huai'an waved his hand, neither humble nor arrogant.
Even in the past, he wouldn’t have felt much encountering these people.
They were just capitalists; not all were unscrupulous, but those with a conscience were definitely few and far between.
In an era where the economy was faltering and technology was exploding, many industries had been completely replaced by AI. It wasn’t just graduate students; even postdoctoral researchers faced significant challenges finding jobs. Aside from fields related to AI and new energy, graduates from other disciplines were left dumbfounded.
Life was becoming increasingly technological, yet wealth was concentrating at the top of the pyramid.
Meanwhile, those at the middle and lower tiers were struggling, and the situation was the same worldwide.
The awakening of spiritual energy had caused another complete reshuffle.
Indeed, these capitalists could gain access to the resources accompanying the revival of spiritual energy through their wealth.
But talent and awakening were beyond their reach; even if they received skills now, it would only be empty power.
Chen Huai'an glanced over the group of wealthy individuals, noting that they all had the most ordinary spiritual roots and dantians. With such physical conditions, could they really inherit skills? He looked at Hong Li, who seemed indifferent, as if it didn’t matter who received the skills.
“Interesting,” Chen Huai'an narrowed his eyes.
His curiosity about this so-called skill inheritance was growing.
Bidding began around him.
A few wealthy individuals raised their bids, and the price quickly soared to over a hundred billion.
Just as the bidding was stabilizing—
“I bid two hundred billion!” Wang Debiao, a descendant of the Wang family, suddenly burst in, raising his right hand with a serious expression, glaring at everyone: “I’m selling my qualification to enter the Kunlun Immortal Palace for two hundred billion! No one can compete with me! The skill inheritance slot is mine!”
He had just sold this qualification to another wealthy individual.
With this qualification, one could enter the Kunlun Immortal Palace, which was potentially more valuable than the skill inheritance.
However, passing the stone steps test required high talent, so that wealthy individual was likely buying it for a promising junior.
“Two hundred and fifty billion!” the richest man in the Hua District continued to raise the bid.
“Three hundred billion!” Wang Debiao’s face twisted in anger as he gritted his teeth and went all in.
“Wang kid, where are you getting that kind of money?” The richest man in the Hua District was stunned.
Three hundred billion was nearly ninety percent of his liquid assets.
If he put that much on the table, it would mean many of his businesses would have to come to a standstill.
Though the skill inheritance slot was precious, it wasn’t worth risking so much.
After all, there were many ways to achieve longevity, and with the development of spiritual energy revival, there would be plenty of opportunities ahead.
But how could a clan like the Wang family come up with that much money?!
Wang Debiao remained silent, a mocking smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
He reached out to take a recently signed agreement from one of his subordinates.
It was a contract of servitude.
—His contract of servitude.
…
…
------------
Chapter 295: The Ascension Pillar
“Spectacular! Truly spectacular!”
For the sake of their careers, humans could self-sacrifice to such an extent.
Chen Huai'an was deeply moved, so he decided that regardless of whether anyone else raised their bid, he would give Wang Debiao the opportunity to inherit skills.
“Brother! It’s settled! I’m selling the opportunity to you!”
Chen Huai'an wiped the corner of his eye and pointed at Wang Debiao.
The AI tycoon at the front of the crowd panicked: “Governor Chen, I haven’t even raised my bid yet, how can you just sell it?”
“The item is mine; I decide who to sell it to.”
With that, he took a few steps closer to the middle-aged man, whispering in a voice that sounded like a hundred luxury yachts bubbling over: “Uncle, if you want to extend your life, I have even more affordable options. After the Demon Hunting Conference, come to my Demon Slaying Division for a detailed discussion. No need to offend a future ‘Super Warrior’ over a skill inheritance opportunity, what do you say?”
The middle-aged man pondered.
Hmm~ that does seem to be the case.
Just because he got the chance to inherit skills didn’t mean he would use it well.
But the disciples of aristocratic families truly had talent; it wouldn’t take long for them to become powerful.
In a few years, he might be eliminated in this explosive era of spiritual energy.
“Truly worthy of Governor Chen; your foresight is impressive!”
The middle-aged man exchanged glances with Chen Huai'an, giving him a thumbs-up and revealing a meaningful smile.
“If you know some friends, feel free to introduce them to me,” Chen Huai'an said with a charming grin, rubbing his fingers together. “The core products of my Demon Slaying Division are far superior to anything related to that Epstein list incident. The key is that they’re not anti-human and won’t disrupt the natural order. You and your family can use them anytime, just a small fee involved, you understand~”
“I understand! Governor Chen, I get it! Rest assured, as long as the effects are good, friends will come from all directions!”
The middle-aged tycoon also made a promise to Chen Huai'an.
The two old foxes exchanged knowing glances, enjoying their conversation.
“What’s Master talking about?” Li Qingran tilted her little head.
She understood the words, but some phrases together made no sense.
It seemed Master had quite a few secrets he was keeping from her…
How infuriating; she wanted to know so badly.
She wanted to explore all of Master’s secrets!
“Governor Chen, although you previously deceived the Wang family with an ordinary wooden box, today, by selling the skill inheritance qualification to me, our grievances are settled!”
Wang Debiao strode confidently to Chen Huai'an, politely cupping his hands.
For him, this opportunity to inherit skills was far more valuable than the qualification for the Kunlun stone steps. As for the qualification… if it was gone, it was gone; he had talent, and as long as he had talent, he could obtain qualifications again in the future.
“Glad to hear it,” Chen Huai'an smiled benevolently.
The Demon Suppression Box was fake, and he didn’t deny it.
A gentleman is open and aboveboard.
As long as he was sufficiently open, he could sell someone out and still be thanked.
“Lastly, setting aside the Wang family, speaking from a personal standpoint,” Wang Debiao paused, cupping his hands again, “I must thank you!”
With that, he gestured for his subordinate to transfer the funds to Chen Huai'an.
Meanwhile, he stepped onto one of the formations.
“Governor, you just sold such a great opportunity outright?” Lin Lingling felt it was a bit of a waste. After all, one must be strong enough to hold onto the ‘thousand-year beautiful big sister’!
“Little brat, stay out of adult matters.”
Chen Huai'an couldn’t be bothered to explain to the three kids.
He was currently enjoying the balance in his bank account.
And this was just the beginning; once these wealthy individuals transferred their money, that would be the real takeoff.
It was time for him, Chen, to sit in the position of the richest in the Hua District, even though that position wasn’t all that impressive.
“Please, the Ascension Pillar!”
The three lucky individuals who had obtained the skill inheritance qualifications were now positioned on the formation.
Hong Li stepped forward, her expression serious, as she formed hand seals.
Table of Contents
