Chapter 989: What Is an Imbecile?

“One point six million…” The auctioneer barely paused before a cultivator placed a bid. Soon, others joined the fray.

“One point seven million…”

“One point eight million…”

“Two million, mine!”

Several bidders even rose, fists raised in their excitement. However, the Dihua beast core was worth considerably more. By the time Ye Mo considered bidding, the price had reached 2.15 million, and further bids ceased.

A peak Golden Core cultivator rose, his voice shaky with excitement. “No further bids? Time!”

Ye Mo understood the cultivator's elation, but he still intended to bid; he had to acquire the core. It was the key to his Nascent Soul advancement. He was utterly weary of using spirit crystals to concoct Heaven Glory Pills—the process was agonizing, and he harbored concerns about potential side effects.

A female cultivator smiled, about to speak, when another voice cut in.

“Two point two million,” a voice announced, preempting Ye Mo's bid.

The peak Golden Core cultivator slumped back, clearly having reached his limit.

Ye Mo recognized the voice—Ao Qilong, again. This man consistently targeted Ye Mo's desired items. The thought of Ao Qilong's fury upon losing the Dihua core amused him.

“Two point two million, first time.” The auctioneer, though displeased by Ao Qilong's interference, began the call.

Before she could repeat the call, Ye Mo countered with, “Two point five million.”

While the bidding had been spirited, increments of 300,000 spirit stones were uncommon. Ye Mo's bid instantly commanded attention, and onlookers recognized the familiar pattern. The upstart in the luxurious room clearly had a considerable conflict with Ao Qilong.

Ao Qilong's fury was palpable upon hearing Ye Mo's bid. He knew retribution would follow the auction, but being publicly outbid again ignited his ire.

“Two point six million,” Ao Qilong added, without hesitation. He was unwilling to be twice outbid by Ye Mo, even if it meant exceeding his budget. The young master of the Ao Cheng Merchant Association could not afford to lose face.

“Three million,” Ye Mo stated calmly. He considered Ao Qilong no genuine threat. A level seven beast core was typically worth no more than two million spirit stones; even a Dihua core, while valuable, wouldn't exceed three million. After all, these cores primarily benefited Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators.

“Three point one million!” Ao Qilong cursed. How dared this insolent brat challenge him? Did he not know he was the young master of the Ao Cheng Merchant Association? His reputation was at stake.

“Three point five million,” Ye Mo replied. He had recently acquired tens of millions of top-grade spirit stones, making this expenditure insignificant.

A collective gasp echoed through the room. This upstart was astonishingly wealthy! Three and a half million top-grade spirit stones far surpassed the Dihua core's value, exceeding even the wealth of many ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.

As Ao Qilong prepared to bid again, a manager-like figure whispered, “We only brought five million spirit stones, and you’ve already spent two million. We have no more.”

Ao Qilong nearly spat blood. He, Young Master Ao, publicly humiliated, and in front of his newly acquired companion! He desperately wanted to continue bidding but lacked the funds.

“Fine, fine, fine… you have guts,” Ao Qilong spat coldly at Ye Mo.

Ye Mo sneered, unfazed by threats. “Ao Qilong, you have guts, bidding against me when you’re broke? Cheapskate.”

Silence fell. Even the auctioneer was taken aback. Ao Qilong's veiled threats were now countered by the upstart's blatant insults. The crudeness of the insults was utterly unrefined.

Slam!

Ao Qilong shattered the tea table before him, the sound echoing through the auction house.

Ye Mo calmly remarked, “You are an imbecile indeed, venting your anger on the auctioneer's property because you lack the funds. Luckily, your father has sufficient resources for compensation.”

“What’s an imbecile?” a voice inquired, clearly disapproving of Ao Qilong's behavior.

“Regardless of who you are, I will have my revenge,” Ao Qilong gritted.

Ye Mo replied to the inquiring cultivator, “There, you see? That’s an imbecile.”

Laughter erupted.

Ye Mo, far from reckless, had not intended to engage in a shouting match. However, Ao Qilong's attack demanded a response. Provoking Ao Qilong would ensure a personal vendetta, preventing him from seeking outside assistance. If Ao Qilong pursued him alone after leaving Pei Qi Island, Ye Mo wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him. He had long resented the Ao Cheng Merchant Association; one less member was inconsequential. However, if Ao Qilong sought aid from a Nascent Soul cultivator, the situation would become significantly more challenging.

Having no further interest in the auction, Ye Mo departed after securing the Dihua core. He knew Ao Qilong, with the Association's influence, would learn of his departure. Thus, Ye Mo made no attempt to conceal his exit.

Immediately after Ye Mo's departure, Ao Qilong, accompanied by a peak Golden Core cultivator and a level two Golden Core female cultivator, followed him. Ye Mo’s assessment proved partially flawed; Ao Qilong had not intended to enlist a Nascent Soul cultivator for a mere level five Golden Core like Ye Mo. His intent was immediate retaliation, hampered only by his manager’s presence.

However, Ye Mo was unaware that another peak Golden Core cultivator had also left the auction, pursuing him and Ao Qilong.

Ye Mo sneered; this cultivator likely sought both the Dihua core and revenge against Ao Qilong. The cultivator's stealth cultivation was adept, even escaping notice from Ao Qilong's manager.

Ye Mo possessed exceptional spiritual sense and extensive experience in stealth; their efforts were futile before him. He surmised the cultivator planned to exploit the chaos to frame Ye Mo for Ao Qilong's demise.

But Ye Mo had a surprise in store.