Chapter 1787 Chapter 1780: Do Onto Others; A Game of Mystics (11)
Chapter 1787 Chapter 1780: Do Onto Others; A Game of Mystics (11)
The initial proceedings of a game of Mystics were just as important as the game itself, determining rules, conditions, and wagers. It signified the early stages of an epic struggle. Here, a player could win without taking a single action in the game. There were countless occurrences where players suffered defeats before they could use their intellect, strategy, or ingenuity.
The seven participants stood at the stage where instant losses occurred: the verification of the wager stage.
Shang Liu swept his astonished eyes across the room, leaking from its edges was a deep glow of greed and desire, his heart rejoicing after realizing that Wei Wuyin, this foreigner from across the galactic pond, was so stupendously wealthy. It was one thing to know, but an altogether different feeling to know. And Shang Liu knew as an incredulous witness, seeing first-hand all the solely peak-quality products of the Mystic-Rank laid out before him in immaculate fashion.
Lady Missulena licked her lips, giving them some moisture after her unsteady breathing had dried them out. Fifty-three Mystic-Heaven grade essence stones worth of value was enough to establish a top-tier organization, and there were likely few non-alchemical organizations that possessed such astounding wealth in the entire galaxy, but 745 Mystic-Heaven grade essence stones weren't just insane wealth, it was utterly absurd!
The issue wasn't even that this was the value presented, but that this foreigner didn't hide his possession of it in the form of Alchemical Products! The products in the Utmost Purity Galaxy, mostly Mystic-Earth and Mystic-World graded products, were absurdly inflated in their market valuation. This was a well-known fact. However, buying these products at the market value of higher than impure-quality was a fierce battle, even for experts of their level.
This was why most organizations invested in the development of Alchemists, especially in the Utmost Purity Galaxy. It was simply more cost-effective to fund your own alchemists and produce alchemical products for your and your organization's needs rather than scour for them amongst the ravenous wolves that would bribe and pay higher for what you needed. This strategy was effective, but training alchemists was a very, very difficult venture with unpredictable results.
Sun Jiazhen only allowed his heart to race thunderously after he had completed his agreed-upon duty. What was this absurdity?! What was this wealth?! He couldn't help but glance at the observation spell displaying those watching live and yet to catch up, about to experience an insane shock.
This foreigner revealed either one of two things: firstly, that he had a great alchemical organization behind him with incredibly talented Worldly Saint Alchemists that could rival any tower, a possibility that none could deny, or that his earlier declaration as a quasi-Heavenly Saint Alchemist was undeniably, and this was the fruit of his extraordinary efforts paraded about proudly, enough to produce dozens upon dozens of potential Sages.
It was hard to describe the immense effect this had over the entirety of the galaxy. Moreover, to those with a little bit more intelligence, knowing of his past to triumph over the Divine Guardian of the newly named Resolute Dusk Galaxy, this was an unspoken threat.
There was no way that this foreigner was having thoughts on the Utmost Purity Galaxy, right?
But when Sun Jiazhen recalled that this foreigner had access to their Star Bridge without a foundation, able to emulate their auras, this created an unimaginable flaw within matters of warfare and logistics.
This wasn't something only Sun Jiazhen realized. Not too far away, in a grand subspace-like secret realm, a gathering of Supreme Sages and those of equivalent status were present, observing the ongoing game of Mystics. Among them was none other than the Incandescent Star Palace's Palace Lord and Suo Haoran of the Zenith Creation Tower! The Palace Lord was smiling outwardly with a relaxed demeanor, seemingly relaying to those present that he was unshaken by Wei Wuyin's exorbitant display of wealth. But internally, he was sweating cold bullets.
It wasn't as if he could just inform others about this glaring flaw, ruining his legacy entirely and destroying all credibility. But it wasn't as if he couldn't. Right?! Conflicted, the Palace Lord could only drink his wine that was fermented in a temporal accelerated zone for two hundred thousand years under incredible conditions, ensuring its grade rivaled natural worldly liquid treasures at the peak Mystic-World grade.
Suo Haoran's gaze never left Tianshi Ya's perspective, albeit at times he would divide his senses to observe the others, including the foreigner's outrageous display of wealth and resources. This wasn't his real body, but an Incarnation. It didn't have great strength, only that of a Mystic Overlord, genuinely made in haste.
As for his real body, it had departed alongside the real bodies of other figures present. The majority of them were on a hunt.
A grand hunt for the contract lost in the Void!
Su Yi watched as Wei Wuyin slowly kept each bottle, vial, and box. He wasn't too shaken by Wei Wuyin's possessions, and while he felt a strong desire for some of the products here, they weren't enough to lose himself. His path was destined to be unprecedented, the only thing products could do was speed up the process. This was his invincible belief, the source of his firm Heart of Cultivation imbued with boundless self-confidence.
After all, as a Heavenly Saint, he could fight against and kill unordinary Sages. He didn't fear Enlightened Sages either. And that was only relying on his cultivation base at the Sixth Stage of the Mystic Ascendant Realm. If he were to become a Mystic Overlord or a Sage, he felt that even those apex rulers of greater galaxies would have to see him as an equal, but he might not see them as equals.
Sun Jiazhen, Lady Missulena, and Shang Liu announced the beginning of the verification process. Shang Liu decided to speak, trying to fulfill his duties as a Mystical Judge to some extent, not wanting to be overshadowed by Sun Jiazhen's forthright and obsessive dutifulness. He hoped to perform a good job in the eyes of Wei Wuyin. Clearly, his heart and thoughts had silently shifted regarding this foreigner who had taken his last daughter.
When his thoughts inevitably reached here, Shang Liu wasn't forgetful that this had all started because of Su Yi. A separate wager was set: Shang Wanqing. Unfortunately for the young stellar talent, he had entered a dangerous game for a woman who had already decided to choose Wei Wuyin.
Given his youth and strength, the Shang Liu of the past would have greatly accepted Su Yi, especially after he would have saved Shang Wanqing so dominatingly by slaughtering a Sage as a Heavenly Saint. He would have had no objections. Now, he had no reason to agree.
"We'll begin with the first seat," Shang Liu announced. Logically, there was no need for Wei Wuyin to verify his possession of his wager once again, but it was simply a matter of process. Just as Wei Wuyin was about to exhibit his wealth, showcasing an entirely different set of alchemical products for yet another shock-inducing galaxy-shaking act, Guo Heng spoke out at this moment.
Su Yi's gaze shifted slightly. However, his gaze was not on Guo Heng, this Worldly Saint Alchemist, but on Grand Seer Rippledark whose thin lips arched into a dark grin.
"I ask that the Mystical Judges perform the verification in reverse, starting with the seventh seat." Guo Heng's suggestion was met with spectators' confusion. It felt…unnecessary?
Wei Wuyin's starry eyes focused on Guo Heng, this loudmouth and petty puppet, and he brightly smiled as his hand subtly swiped across the table as if withdrawing his efforts to display his products on the expanded table yet again. Two flickers of Draconic Void Mystic Force pulsed ever so briefly.
Su Yi's brows furrowed. Yao Baoyue's complexion experienced a flash of paleness. Qin Yingyin's pupils constricted slightly. Her beautifully charming eyes looked at the Mystical Judges, especially Sun Jiazhen. Did they not sense anything? She felt a fluctuation and a wisp of mystic force.
Wei Wuyin directed his smile toward her. This woman was abnormally sensitive.
Guo Heng justified, "We already are aware of World-Saint Neo-Dawn's qualifications. It shouldn't cause any harm to reverse the process."
Grand Seer Rippledark chimed in, "I concur."
The Mystical Judges were not expecting a request like this, but they were all keen individuals as eyes flitted to Yao Baoyue's slender figure draped in opulence.
"Any objections?" Shang Liu asked. This was a minor request, likely causing no issue. Moreover, she just had to prove the possession of fifty-three Mystic-Heaven grade essence stones worth of value. If not, then it would be classified as an instant loss, and her situation would grow dire. But this would inevitably occur.
"..." There was no one among the first through sixth seats who objected to this request, not even Su Yi. Yue Baoyue was unable to hold her tongue, however.
"This is an unnecessary change!" Her mind was stormy with rage. It was hard to genuinely understand the significance of fifty-three Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones for most, but it was enough to buy thousands upon thousands of Stellar Regions, a significant portion of Galactic Zones, and that would include millions of Starfields.
It was not minor.
And while the people here were either represented by or possessed astonishing levels of wealth, not everyone was like Wei Wuyin! She was one of them! She was relying on Su Yi to bail her out. She had genuinely dug herself too deeply here. If not for Su Yi's calm demeanor and his words earlier, knowing that he had her back and she possessed that item, she would have collapsed at Wei Wuyin's initial bid, perhaps long before that—at the conditions!
After all, only one victor could be concluded. But fortunately, the game of Mystics was navigable, and there was a way for her to not lose any Chosen despite losing overall, quite a few players in the past had experienced this. She trusted Su Yi and herself to find a way.
"You're right. It's an unnecessary change, not mattering in the grand scheme of things, and so it wouldn't matter if the change was made or not. However, since it was requested with no consequential possibilities, it's best to fairly fulfill it and continue with the process. What do you think, Senior Sun? Senior Shang?" Lady Missulena stated her position.
Sun Jiazhen thought for a bit and nodded, "We'll begin in reverse." Shang Liu nodded as well, having no issue with this outcome.
"World-Saint Dazzling Jewel, please provide fifty-three Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones or items of equivalent value from your possession. If you lack a sufficient amount, then you will be given a loss. Your penalty will be equivalent to losing the game and all Chosens. You have been warned."
Yue Baoyue held in her panic from the public. Then, she sent her Spiritual Sense into her Internal World. Her expression instantly froze. Then, she desperately sent her Spiritual Sense into her Saint Ring as if hoping it was only a mistake. Her eyes widened uncontrollably.
Su Yi sent via their communication method, "Just bring it out. It will be enough." He had the means to navigate this situation and long since given Yue Baoyue an item that was worth more than fifty-three Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones. He expected this outcome long ago. It would be difficult for them to win against a Supreme Sage determined to go first bid in the spiritual talisman battlefield.
Wei Wuyin was bound to try to eliminate a few of them with an aggressive bid. This was well within his expectations.
"I…" Yue Baoyue's eyes were visibly trembling as her composure was on the verge of shattering, finding Su Yi with a heavily confused light laced with abject horror.
Seeing her terrified expression, Su Yi's heart churned. Something was wrong. He rapidly shifted his gaze to Wei Wuyin's eternally smiling visage that was handsome to an unearthly degree. He recalled his possession being taken from his Saint Ring. But…he had explicitly informed her to place the item within her Internal World.
Grand Seer Rippledark's eyes glinted with a sinister light, a triumphant grin on his face that wasn't hidden in the slightest. Guo Heng held back the urge to chuckle. They had long since expected this outcome, and had planned for it to eliminate one player within an instant.
Lessen the variance.
'Unfortunately, this arrogant and beautiful little sow will suffer. Don't worry, if you survive, I'll take care of you generously. It's your fault for falling for the schemes of Seers.'
During the three days between challenge and event, Yue Baoyue had found an asteroid floating within the void, the fragment of a planet, exuding an earthy and icy aura, and she with her natural desire for beautiful things and geological interests inspected it to find an Ice-Heart Ruby, a rare gem that was unrefined.
This was the beginning of her downfall.
It didn't matter what help she received as the trap was set. When the moment came, she would find her most valuable possessions absent. She would lose.
Undoubtedly so.
Guo Heng couldn't help but think that the Seers of the Night were vicious. Meanwhile, he instinctively ensured that the Spatial Treasure in his possession, given to him by the Zenith Refinement Tower was secured and safe. Within this treasure was enough to buy half of a galactic zone of a lesser galaxy. It could easily cover the fifty-three Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones value.
"World-Saint Dazzling Jewel, if you would please!" Sun Jiazhen urged.
This caused Yue Baoyue to swallow a heavy gulp. Her Internal World was empty; she had lost Su Yi's item. Her panic was real, but when she desperately searched in her Saint Ring like someone who lost their formation key that piloted a void vessel, she discovered a familiar box.
She looked at Wei Wuyin, who gave her a gentle smile. In her mind, she heard five words. It was gentle yet irresistible.
"You owe me, little jewel."
She brought out a box, causing waves of confusion to erupt, especially from Grand Seer Rippledark, whose expression was one of extreme shock. Guo Heng gasped openly. Su Yi was confused.
Lady Missulena was taken aback!
The box was the…
…Abstruse Spiritforce Pill!
It was the Concoction Method given to Wei Wuyin by the Arachnids! How did Yue Baoyue have that?! It wasn't unusual for everyone to be confused! Everyone except Wei Wuyin!
"Oh. You're using that as a wager? I think the Concoction Method of a Mystic-Heaven product has an unquestionably high value to it. It could potentially be worth nothing or worth far greater than the pill itself. According to the standard wager rules of the Utmost Purity Galaxy's Mystics, a Concoction Method's value would be equivalent to its high-quality product if wagered. Am I right?" Wei Wuyin asked.
The Mystical Judges were stupefied, especially Sun Jiazhen and Lady Missulena. But Sun Jiazhen was diligent, nodding in affirmation. "Yes. The potential value is equivalent to high-quality unless tethered to an agreement to concoct at least one low or higher quality by an alchemist, which will amplify its value to its peak-quality variant.
"The value of this pill, however, is difficult to discern as it hasn't entered any market. That said, I will accept it as proof of wealth equivalent to or greater than fifty-three Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones. Any objections?" Sun Jiazhen was worthy of his reputation as impartial and dutiful.
"None," Shang Liu looked at Wei Wuyin and felt that he wanted him to agree. He didn't know why though.
As for Lady Missulena, how could she? She accepted it as well.
"That's ridiculous! That is World-Saint Neo-Dawn's item! Not hers! How can you possibly accept this?!" Guo Heng was up in arms. Yue Baoyue should have lost. Her fate was all but sealed! Even Grand Seer Rippledark hadn't expected this, and his sinister eyes cooled down as he hurriedly retreated his thoughts of victory. He was gloomy inwardly, unable to comprehend what was happening.
"Settle down! As long as it is within her possession and hasn't been offered by another as a wager, it is valid as proof of wealth!" Sun Jiazhen nearly growled out these words. Guo Heng was going a little overboard, questioning the Mystical Judges. The fool.
"You want a show of an instant loss?" Wei Wuyin asked Guo Heng whose eyes pulsed with anger and unwillingness.
Guo Heng looked at Yue Baoyue. She should be experiencing the worst hell imaginable. He ignored Wei Wuyun, his teeth grinding against each other as he eyed her.
Wei Wuyin's smile didn't fade. "Don't worry. You're about to see a show. An unforgettable one."
"Let's continue," Sun Jiazhen didn't give Guo Heng any more attention. As expected, the 6th Seat—Grand Seer Rippledark—possessed his proof in the form of celestial deeds, realm deeds, exceptionally rare Mystic-Heaven graded materials, and essence stones. Unlike these alchemist organizations, they had territory and wealth in the form of non-alchemic possessions. Moreover, all things were stored in a strange internal space that even Wei Wuyin found it difficult to peer into or locate, protected by esoteric runes.
The 5th Seat—Qin Yingyin—had little issue providing her proof either. She revealed profound Mystic Ascension Arts, Array Methods, Mystic-World grade Talismans, Mystic-World grade Armaments, which had very dubious origins, almost exclusively from deceased organizations or powers that had either gone missing or were openly killed and lastly, essence stones. Unlike the Seers or Alchemists, she didn't offer territory or products.
The 4th Seat—Su Yi—brought out an absurdly valuable item. It was a golden hourglass containing the Sands of Time. There wasn't much, only three grains of sand, but it was enough to shake the entire table like a spiritquake!
The Sands of Time were extraordinarily rare materials born from the elusive River of Time, possessing profound temporal abilities, and were a Mystic-Heaven material that was absurdly valuable. It was the core material for a Supreme Heavenly Treasure of Time. A grain was valued at 200 Mystic-Heaven Essence Stones the last time it appeared, so that was the going rate here given past precedent.
Su Yi undoubtedly proved his wealth.
Wei Wuyin's eyes were intensely focused on that item. This item had the aura of the genuine River of Time! While it was extremely diluted, it was present. Wei Wuyin would never forget it as the River of Time held hostile intent against him!
He had an intense sensation from his mutated Law of Time that obtaining that item would elevate his Law of Time to the Major Authority! It was akin to him drawing his saber in accordance with his Saber Intent, an inevitable result! What a find!
Unfortunately, he couldn't easily snatch it.
The 3rd Seat—Worldly Alchemic Saint Inversetoxin, Guo Heng—was next.
Wei Wuyin slowly said, "Here."
Guo Heng stood up proudly, withdrawing his Spatial Treasure that was in the shape of an egg, greatly resembling an ostrich egg.
"We."
He sent his Spiritual Sense into the egg. The variety of products that the Zenith Refinement Tower had prepared was extensive, but he also had materials and other things from those behind him that exceeded the Zenith Refinement Tower. In his mind, he was proudly capable of matching Wei Wuyin in terms of raw wealth.
Soul Pill?
He had one.
While it was only low-quality, and one of the most treasured items of the Zenith Refinement Tower, it was a Soul Pill! A genuine Soul Pill!
Time to showcase his wealth.
When his Spiritual Sense entered his spatial egg, his soul froze. Not due to anything external, it just naturally froze. He retracted his Spiritual Sense. Then, as if waking from a bad dream, he smiled and sent it back into his spatial egg.
WHERE IS IT?!
WHERE IS ALL OF IT?!
Wei Wuyin looked at Yue Baoyue, "Go."
Su Yi's eyes intensely glowed.
Sun Jiazhen had enough of Guo Heng, "World-Saint Inversetoxin! Please display your proof of wealth, or you will be given a loss!"
"..." Cold sweat dripping down Guo Heng's entire body was the least of his worries as the spatial void beyond the Utmost Purity Galaxy trembled.
Something was awakening.