Chapter 471: Making Money, It's Not Just About Having Hands?

"A million to pull out a famous sword? And if I pull it out, it's mine?"

Gu Qing'er was stunned on the spot. He stared blankly at the famous sword, Blazing Python, feeling for the first time that the renowned sword in his hand was incredibly cheap.

The onlookers rushed forward.

"Brother, are you sure you're not joking?"

"A million?"

"Yes," Xu Xiaoshou said, nodding with a smile. He subtly glanced at the Night Watchman. Even though he hadn't personally tried to pull the sword, the Ghost Beast, Zhong Qu, and the Red-Clad Night Watchman had all been defeated and disgraced by this famous sword. He didn't believe any of these young people possessed strength beyond the Dao Severing realm.

"Suspected, Passive Points, 239."

Undoubtedly, everyone was dumbfounded after receiving confirmation. Gu Qing'er touched his ring and realized he hadn't brought any spiritual crystals with him. He immediately turned his gaze to his junior brother.

"Money!"

This cry instantly ignited everyone who was frozen in place. The crowd immediately realized that as long as the Red-Clad figure remained in front of Xu Xiaoshou, they would have no chance whatsoever. Since that was the case, Xu Xiaoshou's words became the rule. And now, this rule was astonishingly simple!

A million, for a famous sword…

"I'll do it!"

With a loud roar, a figure instantly burst out of the crowd. He didn't even have time for explanations, rushing directly to Xu Xiaoshou's side, as if fearing that a second's delay would mean the famous sword's ownership would change hands.

"A million."

With trembling fingers, he produced a card. No need for a transfer; he just threw it to Xu Xiaoshou, then broadly gestured, blocking everyone behind him.

"What if I pull out the famous sword?" Staring at Xu Xiaoshou, he urgently asked, "What about the people behind me…?"

"They won't get a chance," Xu Xiaoshou replied cheerfully, pocketing the card.

It was a spiritual crystal card that could be cashed immediately, requiring no owner recognition or password. It was the kind of card that belonged to whoever picked it up. Clearly, anyone who could produce such a card was not short on money.

"No!"

The crowd behind, hearing Xu Xiaoshou's reply, immediately grew anxious.

"I'll offer two million! Let me go first!"

"Two million? Are you kidding me? I'll offer five million! Brother, can I pull this sword first?" Another person immediately rushed forward to Xu Xiaoshou.

"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 mournful mouth, lamenting why the junior's hand speed was so slow, as he shouted loudly.

"Brother, you can't play like this! The rules were already set!" The man who spoke first looked pleadingly at Xu Xiaoshou, knowing he had gotten a great deal. "How about I raise it to ten million for you?"

"Request received, Passive Points, 1."

"Anticipation received, Passive Points, 233."

The information bar was instantly flooded by these excited individuals.

The Red-Clad Night Watchman, standing beside Xu Xiaoshou, also watched the young man with some shock. As someone involved, he knew perfectly well there was something very strange about this famous sword being here. Even he couldn't pull it out. These eager "hungry wolves" rushing forward were essentially just people bringing money!

But…

Why did it turn out this way?

The Night Watchman watched as the tense atmosphere around them completely transformed after Xu Xiaoshou spoke. No more scrambling, no more fighting! A perfectly normal emergence of a famous sword had been turned into a treasure-gathering event by this guy?

"Well, I'll be…"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the pairs of red eyes before him and pressed his hands down. "Everyone, please calm down."

The entire scene immediately quieted. Everyone eagerly watched Xu Xiaoshou, and finally, someone from the back couldn't help but speak up.

"I'll offer a hundred million!"

At this, everyone felt their hearts skip a beat. Yu Zhiwen looked on, wide-eyed, unable to believe that Xu Xiaoshou could elicit such a response with just a few words. When had making money become so simple?

"A hundred million…"

Her beautiful eyes shifted back to Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue. To be honest, a hundred million did tempt him. But for a businessman, rules were rules. Once set, he wouldn't change them. In business, the most crucial thing was long-term gain. Moreover, making money wasn't his real goal. What he truly wanted was to repeatedly draw attention, gain focus, and then harvest all the passive points from the crowd he met every time!

Was money important? No. Making money was just a side benefit. Anyone could do it. Passive points were the most important.

"Thank you for your patronage, brother. But my word is my bond. If I say a million, it's a million." He said, looking at the man closest to him, "Since this gentleman has already secured the first turn, the first attempt to pull the sword is his. If he succeeds, the famous sword is also his."

The man was so moved that tears nearly welled up. "Brother, you're a good person."

"Praised, Passive Points, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened. *Damn it, I gave you the first shot, and you're still giving me a 'good guy' card?* He irritably pushed the man, "Hurry up! You only have three breaths of time. If you can't pull it out, it's the next person's turn."

"Alright, alright."

The man stumbled from the push but didn't complain, stepping directly past the Night Watchman to stand before the famous sword. He calmed his mind, poised himself, and even deliberately brushed back his bangs. He wanted to pull out the famous sword before him with the most unrestrained posture, becoming someone admired by all sword cultivators in the world. Thus, this moment was surely his highlight.

But before he could even begin his preparations, Xu Xiaoshou spoke.

"Timer starts."

"Three…"

"Holy crap!"

The man's body tensed in alarm, and his hand immediately gripped the famous sword. A searing energy instantly passed through the hilt into his palm. With just that one grip, he knew the famous sword before him was definitely not a fake. Even if only a trace of its world-dominating sword intent leaked out, it was incomparable to ordinary greatswords.

"Two!"

Xu Xiaoshou's voice was incredibly fast, giving no time for anyone to react. The man dared not delay and exerted force with his hand.

"Hiss!"

His palm felt hot, and the friction was ideal. Clearly, in his mind, with this force, the famous sword would surely come out. But what actually happened was… as he exerted force, accompanied by that hissing sound, his hand directly slipped off the famous sword's hilt. He also leaned back due to the force, nearly stumbling backward and falling. For a moment, he couldn't immediately re-grip the sword before him.

"One!"

"Time's up. Next."

Xu Xiaoshou announced emotionlessly, like a robot. A million in three seconds, achievement unlocked! The man's face instantly turned green.

*This famous sword has a trick!* "Has a restriction been placed on it? No wonder, no wonder this guy was willing to transfer ownership of the famous sword for a mere million."

"Cursed, Passive Points, 1."

The Night Watchman wore an "I knew it" expression. Looking at the man's demeanor as he tried to pull the sword, he knew that regardless of cultivation level, anyone attempting to pull the sword might face the same situation.

"Could it be that the famous sword has truly found its master? Or perhaps it has already targeted a specific individual, and no one else can pull it out?" The Night Watchman eyed Xu Xiaoshou suspiciously. *Could it be that this guy secretly made the famous sword recognize him as its master before I arrived? And then he set up this whole situation, finally trapping everyone who came to pull the sword, and started… fleecing them?*

"Suspected, Passive Points, 1."

Yu Zhiwen gasped in amazement. Three counts! In just three counts, Xu Xiaoshou had earned a million, leaving the crowd curious and the failed participant unwilling to give up. Clearly, this million was just the beginning. Who knew how many dozens of times that amount would be multiplied later?

"I'll do it!"

Within the crowd, countless voices instantly clamored, holding cards and vying to hand them to Xu Xiaoshou. Even if they knew there was something strange about this famous sword—otherwise, even a grandmaster-level expert couldn't fail to pull it out in three breaths—they were sure it was Xu Xiaoshou's doing. As long as it was a trick, they were confident they could solve it given a chance.

A famous sword! That was a famous sword! What was wrong with a little trickery? What was a million? Miss this chance, and it's gone forever!

"Contested, Passive Points, 242."

Xu Xiaoshou was startled. The sight of this group of people jumping around, trying to hand him cards, brought back some unpleasant memories. *This familiar scene… Are you aunties from the wet market? So excited!* He calmly looked at the people before him and took a step back.

"Everyone, calm down! How about you all form a line first? It'll be more orderly. Take your time if you want the famous sword."

However, those who were already worked up completely ignored his advice. Even Gu Qing'er, holding a gold card, was pushing his way in without any regard for his image. At this, Xu Xiaoshou got a headache.

"Stop pushing! If you keep pushing, every single one of you will lose the right to pull the sword! Line up!"

All noise immediately ceased. In an instant, facing Xu Xiaoshou, a small line formed. But then several people in the middle were suddenly pushed out. Now, everyone got anxious again.

"Brother, this is my spot!"

"Your spot? Prove it!"

"I… You secretly attacked me just now and pushed me out!"

"Attack? Where's the evidence?"

"I! I have injuries!" The man pulled open his clothes.

"Injuries? Did I cause them? Where's the evidence? Show me the evidence?"

"You…"

Xu Xiaoshou's gaze immediately fixed on them. *Well, well, putting what you learned into practice, eh!*

"Still arguing? Those of you still arguing, still disputing, hurry up and go outside and fight it out! Solve your ranking issue yourselves before you come back. And mind you, no deaths! If anyone dies, all parties involved in that fight will be disqualified!"

*If someone dies, that's one less contributor of passive points! You absolutely cannot die.*

After he said this, no one dared to speak up immediately. The few who had secured their spots felt like chosen ones. Those still scrambling in the back, without a word, dragged their opponents outside to settle it. In an instant, the scene became much more orderly.

"Brother Xu?"

The person standing at the very front bowed slightly and respectfully handed over a gold card. After a slightly fawning smile, he rubbed it, and the gold card became two.

"Little details?"

Xu Xiaoshou was amused. He liked little details. *This person knows how to conduct himself so well!* If it weren't for the fact that he truly hadn't tampered with the famous sword, he would have felt an urge to give this person special treatment.

However, he still didn't take the cards. Xu Xiaoshou turned his head to look at the desperate man who had been the first to try pulling the sword, standing before it, and now faced a long queue stretching behind him. Clearly, if Xu Xiaoshou didn't grant him an opportunity, he would have to wait for a full cycle to try a second time.

"Brother Xu!"

Seeing Xu Xiaoshou turn his head, the man immediately became excited. "You just said, if I fail, I get a second chance, right?"

"Yes," Xu Xiaoshou nodded, smiling, and slowly rubbed his two fingers together.

"I understand, I understand."

The man again pulled out two spiritual crystal cards, totaling two million. Xu Xiaoshou's face immediately fell.

"Are you messing with me?! I just said, for a second attempt, add a zero to the one million! Who taught you math? Is a million plus a zero two million?"

The man was instantly stunned, tilting his head uncertainly. "T-ten million?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Cursed, Passive Points, 1."

The man's expression changed instantly. *This is a total scam!* The first time, a million; the second time, ten million. The third time, wouldn't it be a hundred million? And if he couldn't pull it out after three attempts… A billion?

*What a guy! He's truly a piece of work! So this is the trick he's playing!*

"Suspected, Passive Points, 241."

"Cursed, Passive Points, 235."

At this, even those waiting in line immediately figured out Xu Xiaoshou's scheme. The Night Watchman was no different. He, too, had been distracted by the initial million. Now, recalling it, he almost slapped his thigh in frustration.

*Indeed! How could Xu Xiaoshou possibly sell a famous sword for a mere million? Using gambler's psychology, he first tempts people with a million. Once they try and fail… Even if some might stop, most people, under the allure of a famous sword, who could truly control themselves?*

The Night Watchman glanced at the continuous long line forming. Setting aside those still fighting, there were at least sixty or seventy people here, right? A quick calculation…

"Hiss!"

The Night Watchman was stunned. He had lived most of his life and had never accumulated such a substantial amount of pure spiritual crystals! *This kid…*

"Are you doing it or not?"

Xu Xiaoshou impatiently pinched the two cards he was holding, saw the man's hesitant look, and gave a slight push. "If not, take them back. Don't dally, there are still so many people waiting in line behind you!"

The man glanced at the long queue behind him. He suddenly felt incredibly fortunate to have secured the first spot. Although he was wealthy, his father had always said money shouldn't be wasted. But at this moment, after all, it was a famous sword… In a situation like this, spending a bit more was acceptable, right?

"Eight million!"

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out eight more spiritual crystal cards from his ring and handed them back along with the two million Xu Xiaoshou had pushed away. Only then did a hint of flattery appear on his face. "Brother Xu, how much time?"

"Three breaths!"

Everyone felt a pang in their hearts. Ten million for three breaths. *You truly dare to make money!*

"Cursed, Passive Points, 232."

The man's face was also somewhat pale. "Brother, give me more time, I feel like I'm almost there."

"Pull it or don't. If you don't, leave quickly. My time is expensive; don't waste my money!"

*This is my money…* the man roared inwardly, but he dared not speak out.

"Three!"

Xu Xiaoshou counted down mercilessly. The man dared not delay. He instantly flew to stand before the famous sword, unleashing his spiritual energy without the slightest reservation. In a flash, a half-golden dragon phantom appeared behind him, towering over ten zhang high. The golden dragon phantom appeared for only a moment before transforming into a golden light that surged into the man's left arm.

"Great Dragon Sumeru Claw!"

Scales grew on his single arm, and his hand transformed into a claw. With the release of a peak grandmaster spiritual technique, the man confidently gripped the famous sword's hilt with his claw and squeezed tightly.

"Boom—"

The air currents surged, and the long single-file line was instantly shaken. After all, grandmaster experts were still a minority here; Innate Realm was the common cultivation level. And grandmaster spiritual techniques used by grandmaster experts were something few could withstand.

"Great Dragon Sumeru Claw… I recall that's the peak grandmaster spiritual technique of the Bi family in Kunwen County. Is this person… none other than Bi Kong, the eldest young master of the Bi family?"

"After that move, surely the famous sword won't be snatched away?"

"Holy crap, does that mean Bi Kong bought the famous sword for eleven million?"

"Truly worthy of the richest family in Kunwen County!"

Everyone craned their necks in anticipation. But secretly, they were all cursing Bi Kong, praying he wouldn't succeed. If the famous sword were pulled out, according to Xu Xiaoshou's rules, this entire long queue would have been for nothing!

"Two!"

Amidst the roar, Xu Xiaoshou's indifferent tone remained. Bi Kong grew anxious. Even with the Great Dragon Sumeru Claw, he still couldn't budge the sword an inch. But, no! That was ten million! Others might think ten million for a famous sword was worth it. But according to the Bi family's principles, if an item was purchased at market price, it was already considered a failure on the buyer's part.

*Absolutely not a hundred million!* Bi Kong roared in his heart.

He exerted force, and blood burst from his left arm, his dragon claw directly cracking. Yet the sword remained completely still.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, come out!" Bi Kong roared, taking a deep breath. "Dragon Vein!"

A golden light flashed from the depths of his eyes. His body suddenly grew taller, covered in dragon scales, transforming into a half-dragon combat form. Just as he was about to exert force, Xu Xiaoshou's robotic voice appeared.

"One."

"Time's up. You failed."

"Argh—" Bi Kong roared, not letting go at all. Holding the sword in his hand, his feet kicking at empty air, he tried to pry the sword out.

Xu Xiaoshou got angry. *Overtime right in front of me?* He instantly darted to Bi Kong's side and gently took a breath.

"Pfft!"

Caught off guard, Bi Kong's spiritual energy instantly ran wild, and he immediately spat out a mouthful of blood. The dragon scales receded. Xu Xiaoshou raised his foot to Bi Kong's chin.

"Bang!"

Bi Kong was sent flying away like a shooting star.

Everyone was dumbfounded. *What kind of move was that now?* It turned out this guy wasn't just a favored one protected by the Red-Clad master. Even in that form, Bi Kong was instantly defeated? While marveling at this fact, everyone scrutinized Xu Xiaoshou again, only to find that his cultivation realm was unfathomable?

"At such a young age, could he possibly be a King Realm expert?"

Everyone was shocked. Even Gu Qing'er and others who knew Xu Xiaoshou's trump cards were astonished beyond words by his miraculous 'suck' maneuver.

"Second Senior Brother, what kind of evil art is this now?"

"This… I don't know."

"I saw him seemingly absorbing other people's spiritual energy. Is this witchcraft?"

"Don't panic, we don't have spiritual energy."

"Oh, right."

The faces of those in line immediately turned green. *You two don't have spiritual energy, but we do!* Just from this display by Xu Xiaoshou, they knew that even without the Night Watchman, it would be extremely difficult for them to snatch the sword from this person.

"Suspected, Passive Points, 233."

"Admired, Passive Points, 142."

"Feared, Passive Points, 202."

"This is what happens when you go overtime," Xu Xiaoshou said, pointing at the sky, addressing everyone. "Don't make this mistake again next time. Next!"

Being an emotionless money-counting machine was truly joyful. Xu Xiaoshou looked at the surging passive points, and the satisfaction in his heart was simply unparalleled. Most importantly, not only were the passive points increasing, but the spiritual crystals in his pocket were also skyrocketing! "Overnight rich" could no longer describe Xu Xiaoshou. With just one countdown, he earned tens of millions. Xu Xiaoshou felt that at this moment, he was definitely more impressive than the Night Watchman.

"I'll do it."

Before the person at the very front could step forward, a figure flew down from the sky.

"Wait."

Bi Kong's clothes were stained with blood, yet he didn't dare to curse a single foul word.

"Brother Xu, wait. Just now, this junior was foolish and broke the rules. I apologize."

"I don't accept," Xu Xiaoshou shook his head. "I can't give opportunities to people like you. Everyone else is waiting behind. Your single act of breaking the rules could waste someone else's chance to defy fate."

Bi Kong panicked. "A hundred million! I'll offer a hundred million! Brother, just give me one more chance, I promise I'll…"

"Show me the money."

Xu Xiaoshou held out his hand, and the entire area fell silent.

"This…"

"Suspected, Passive Points, 233."

Bi Kong looked utterly bewildered. He thought Xu Xiaoshou was serious about not accepting apologies, but this guy… So, apologies were useless. Only spiritual crystals mattered?

With a heavy heart, Bi Kong pulled out a golden card. For a hundred million, he would have to make a transfer. No matter how rich he was, it was unrealistic to carry so many spiritual crystal cards on him. The transaction was completed smoothly. Xu Xiaoshou patted his shoulder, smiling. "Go on, three breaths."

Having already witnessed Xu Xiaoshou's quick change of attitude, Bi Kong flew up in silence, golden light emanating from his body.

"Three!"

Sure enough, Xu Xiaoshou was a time-keeping machine. If he hesitated any longer, this guy would take away half of his three breaths.

"Golden Dragon Bloodline, activate!"

This was his last chance; Bi Kong would not be careless again. Not only his trump cards, but even the hidden killer moves he usually kept secret, were brought out directly.

"Spirit Body?"

At this, even the Night Watchman was surprised. Spirit bodies were rare on the continent. High-level spirit bodies were even more so. With the Golden Dragon Bloodline, Bi Kong's display undoubtedly placed his talent among the foremost geniuses in the counties near the White Cave.

The Night Watchman watched silently. No matter how talented he was, he knew that this hundred million…

"Great Might Divine Whip!"

The golden dragon phantom reappeared and merged with him. This time, a phantom dragon tail formed from Bi Kong's coccyx and surged into his right leg. With a twist of his body, he didn't attempt to pull the sword. Instead, he delivered a heavy whip kick, fiercely striking the famous sword's hilt!

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat. *This… This guy isn't playing by the rules! This is about pulling the sword! Not kicking! Damn it, you wouldn't actually kick the famous sword flying, would you?*