Chapter 136 People's hearts are boiling, a bowl of clear soup calms the apocalypse.

Inside the Taiji Hall, there was complete silence.

The golden and white bone powder that danced in the air was like a strange frost and snow in late autumn, falling heavily on the scarlet Persian carpet, on the carved sandalwood tables and chairs, and also on the hearts of every noble and chivalrous person present.

The air was still filled with the lingering, strange fragrance of that bowl of "Nine-Turn Resurrection Soup".

But this fragrance, which was originally intoxicating, now smelled more pungent and suffocating than the most potent poison to everyone.

A peerless old demon who lived for five hundred years and once struck fear into the hearts of the Central Plains martial arts world, and a super big customer who spent a full one million taels of gold to bid for the "divine medicine".

It just... exploded like that?

In front of everyone, like a cheap firework, it exploded with a bang, leaving not a trace.

The man in the blue robe standing by the second-floor railing, Su Changqing, who casually remarked "the weak cannot withstand nourishment and will explode and die," was now leisurely sipping a cup of tea, as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than him casually squashing a mosquito while watching a play.

fear.

A fear originating from the depths of the soul—a fear of the unknown and absolute power—like a cold, venomous snake, coiled around the heart of everyone present.

"Five...five hundred thousand taels of gold? Starting bid?"

Sikong Changfeng swallowed hard, still clutching the black gold dragon card he had received from the Bone Demon tightly in his hand, feeling as hot as a red-hot branding iron.

He stiffly turned his head to look at the important figures below the stage who had just been arguing heatedly over the first bowl of soup, seemingly willing to go bankrupt.

Where was the previous madness and fanaticism in the audience now?

The old face of the Marquis of Pingnan, which had been flushed with excitement, was now as pale as a sheet of paper. He gripped the arm of the guard beside him tightly, his legs trembling like leaves. If someone hadn't been supporting him, he probably would have collapsed to the ground long ago.

"I...I suddenly feel much better. This miraculous medicine...I'll leave it to someone who is destined to receive it..." Marquis Pingnan's voice trembled, and he didn't even dare to look at the direction of the high platform.

Shen Wansan, the head of the Shen family in Jiangnan, was even more exaggerated. He desperately shrank his obese body under the chair, wishing he could hide himself in a crack in the ground.

"I won't buy it! I won't buy it! The Shen family is too small and can't afford such a divine object! Mr. Su, please spare me! I was just confused for a moment, and I absolutely did not mean to fight with you!" Shen Wansan was so frightened that he was incoherent and almost kowtowed to Su Changqing on the spot.

As for the wealthy and powerful young master Duan Tianya, he was now sweating profusely. He was incredibly grateful that he had given up the bid at the last minute; otherwise, his own grandfather, lying on his sickbed, might be the one reduced to dust right now!

"Terrible...so terrifying..." Duan Tianya muttered to himself. In his eyes as he looked at Su Changqing, there was not only awe but also a deep sense of dread.

This man is not only a master of martial arts, but even a bowl of soup he produces can become a deadly weapon! Moreover, he not only kills you but also destroys your spirit, making you willingly hand over a million taels of gold to buy this "death-death soup"!

What kind of tactic is this? What kind of cunning is this?!

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the Taiji Hall plummeted to freezing point.

No one dared to hold up a sign.

No one even dared to breathe loudly.

That bowl of "Nine-Turn Resurrection Soup," which should have been a hot commodity, was now like a hot potato that no one dared to touch.

Starting bid: 500,000 taels of gold?

Don't be ridiculous! Even if it were free, who would dare drink it now? Drinking it would be like exploding on the spot!

"What? Does nobody want it anymore?"

Su Changqing leaned against the railing, looking down at the flock of fat sheep who were now silent and trembling with fear, a disappointed smile curving his lips.

"Weren't you all yelling about going bankrupt just now? Why aren't you uttering a single word now?"

"Sigh, these days, it's like having money but nowhere to spend it. Since none of you want it, then forget it."

Su Changqing sighed and casually waved towards the direction of the high platform.

"Buzz—"

At the center of that white jade platform, in a place that was originally empty, space suddenly experienced a slight distortion.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, another small, ancient jade bowl appeared out of thin air!

The bowl also contained half a bowl of soup that shone with a dazzling golden light and had an enticing aroma.

The second serving of the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Soup!

When the second bowl of soup appeared, the hearts of everyone in the audience clenched again.

"This...this is the second dose of the miracle drug?"

"But...didn't that old monster just drink it and then..." someone couldn't help but mutter under their breath.

"Idiot! Didn't you hear what Mr. Su just said? That old monster was just a skeleton with nothing but death energy; it exploded because it couldn't handle the nourishment! We're living, breathing people!"

Among the crowd, a martial arts elder with some knowledge reprimanded in a low voice.

Although he said that, his legs were still trembling slightly, clearly still shaken.

Su Changqing ignored the whispers below. He looked at the bowl of soup that had appeared out of nowhere and said calmly, "Chief Steward Sikong, since no one wants it, take this bowl of soup away. Perfect timing, I ate a bit too salty for lunch today, so I'll use this soup to rinse my mouth."

"Rinse... rinse your mouth?!"

Sikong Changfeng almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

A miraculous medicine with a starting bid of 500,000 taels of gold!

You're going to use it to rinse your mouth?!

Do you think this is the fermented mung bean juice sold on the streets of Tianqi City?!

Not only Sikong Changfeng, but also the powerful and wealthy people in the audience stared wide-eyed, feeling that their values ​​had been greatly shocked.

But Su Changqing wasn't joking.

He slightly raised his hand, and the jade bowl filled with golden soup seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, slowly flying towards the second floor.

Just as the bowl of soup was about to fall into Su Changqing's hands.

Just then.

"Wait!"

A clear and firm voice suddenly came from the entrance of the main hall.

Everyone turned to look and saw a handsome young man in a moon-white robe, with a pale and sickly appearance, slowly walking into the Taiji Hall, surrounded by a group of guards.

"It's...it's Xiao Lingchen, the heir of the Prince of Langya!" Someone recognized the newcomer and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Xiao Ruofeng, the Prince of Langya, made great contributions to the Northern Li Kingdom, but was unjustly accused of treason and died. Although Xiao Se has now exonerated him, Xiao Lingchen, the heir of the Prince of Langya, has always been in poor health, lives a secluded life, and rarely appears in public.

Why did he come today? And at a time like this?

Xiao Lingchen ignored the surprised looks from those around him.

He walked straight down to the foot of the platform, looked up at the languid man in the blue robe on the second floor, his eyes flashing with an almost obsessive fervor and determination.

"Mr. Su."

Xiao Lingchen took a deep breath, and although his voice was not loud, it clearly carried throughout the entire hall, "I'll take this second bowl of soup."

"you want?"

Su Changqing stopped what he was doing, and the bowl of soup hung in mid-air, radiating an alluring golden light.

He looked Xiao Lingchen up and down, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Do you know that although this soup can bring the dead back to life, its medicinal power is extremely strong? With your sickly body, although you are a bit stronger than that old man from before, there is still a 90% chance that you will not be able to withstand the medicinal power after drinking it and your meridians will be completely severed, causing you to die."

"Is Mr. Su concerned about me?" Xiao Lingchen gave a bitter laugh.

"No, I'm just reminding you," Su Changqing said calmly. "I sell medicine here, not poison. If you drink it and die, people will think my Changqing Pavilion is a shady business, which will affect my business."

"Rest assured, sir. Life and death are preordained, and wealth and honor are determined by fate."

A resolute glint flashed in Xiao Lingchen's eyes. He gritted his teeth, pulled out a thick stack of silver notes from his pocket, and slammed them heavily onto the high platform.

"Here are silver notes worth 500,000 taels of gold. Datong Money Exchange will redeem them on sight! Not a penny less!"

"I, Xiao Lingchen, will use these 500,000 taels of gold today to buy my chance at survival! If I cannot survive, then my fate is sealed, and I will not blame fate or others! Nor will I tarnish the reputation of Changqing Tower!"

A resounding statement!

Xiao Lingchen's words echoed throughout the hall, deeply shocking everyone present.

Five hundred thousand taels of gold to buy a glimmer of hope—such courage, such determination, this is the true royal bloodline!

In contrast, those family heads who had retreated to save their lives just moments before now lowered their heads in shame, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

Sikong Changfeng's eyes lit up when he saw the thick stack of silver notes.

Five hundred thousand taels! If this deal goes through, he'll get a hefty cut!

"Mr. Su, look at this..." Sikong Changfeng cautiously looked up at the second floor.

Su Changqing remained silent for a moment.

He looked at Xiao Lingchen's pale yet resolute face and suddenly smiled.

"Good, that's bold."

With a flick of his finger, Su Changqing sent the jade bowl, which had been hovering in mid-air, flying towards Xiao Lingchen like a shooting star and landing steadily in his hand.

"Since you insist on buying it, then this bowl of soup is yours."

"However, I've always liked to give away some freebies when I'm doing business."

Su Changqing's voice carried a hint of mockery.

"Desolate."

He turned to look at Xiao Se, who was sitting behind the counter silently doing his accounts.

"What are your orders, sir?" Xiao Se stood up.

"Go and pour this prince a glass of plain water. Remember, it must be freshly boiled."

Plain boiled water?

Everyone was stunned, not understanding what Su Changqing was up to.

Xiao Se understood immediately and quickly came over with a steaming cup of water.

"Before drinking the soup, drink some hot water to warm your stomach. The medicinal properties in this soup are too strong, and your body is too weak; drinking it directly could easily cause a shock. I added something 'special' to this cup of hot water to help protect your heart."

Su Changqing explained.

"Thank you for the water, sir!"

Without any hesitation, Xiao Lingchen took the plain water Xiao Se handed him and drank it all in one gulp.

As the scalding hot water entered his throat, he felt a warm current instantly flow through his entire body. His body, which had been cold due to illness, began to radiate warmth.

"call--"

Xiao Lingchen exhaled a long breath, his eyes becoming brighter than ever before.

He picked up the bowl of "Nine-Turn Resurrection Soup" that was radiating golden light, and without the slightest hesitation, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp!

The golden broth flowed down his throat like a stream of golden magma, instantly igniting all the life force within him!

"boom!"

Xiao Lingchen's body jolted violently!

Immediately afterwards, a faint golden light began to emanate from the surface of his skin, and an immense, suffocating life energy burst forth from his dantian, frantically cleansing his damaged meridians!

"ah--!!!"

The intense pain caused Xiao Lingchen to let out a scream. He clenched his teeth tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, and sweat pouring down his face.

But he did not fall.

He stared intently at the man in the blue robe on the second floor, his eyes filled with defiance and a thirst for life.

"Hold on! I can't die! I must restore the glory of the Langya Prince's Mansion!"

Under the tense gaze of everyone.

A faint golden light began to circulate across Xiao Lingchen's body, and his originally pale face visibly regained its color. His hunched body, hunched from years of bedridden illness, gradually straightened, radiating a vibrant and energetic aura!

A moment later.

The golden light gradually subsided and merged into Xiao Lingchen's body.

He slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, the previous sickness and weakness were gone, replaced by a clarity and brightness like that of a newborn baby!

"I...I'm completely healed?!"

Xiao Lingchen stared at his hands in disbelief, feeling the surging internal energy within him. Not only had his chronic illness vanished, but his cultivation had also directly broken through to the peak of the Free and Unfettered Realm!

"Thank you so much, sir, for your life-saving grace! Xiao Lingchen will never forget it!"

Xiao Lingchen knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times to Su Changqing on the second floor.

At that moment, he was truly convinced.

It's not just about Su Changqing's miraculous medical skills and martial arts, but also about his supreme demeanor of controlling everything and turning the world upside down with a flick of his wrist!

Inside the Taiji Hall, another thunderous exclamation erupted.

"It worked! It actually worked!"

"My God! The terminal illness that has plagued the Prince of Langya for over a decade has actually been cured by a bowl of soup?!"

"Not only was the illness cured, but I also gained sixty years' worth of internal energy for nothing! That five hundred thousand taels of gold was absolutely worth it!"

Having witnessed this miraculous resurrection, those powerful and influential people who had initially backed down were now filled with deep regret.

They watched Xiao Lingchen's vibrant figure recede into the distance, their eyes filled with envy and frustration. If they had been just a little braver, they would be the ones transformed now!

"Mr. Su! Is there any more?! I'm willing to pay one million taels! No, two million taels of gold for the third bowl!" Marquis Pingnan jumped up excitedly, completely disregarding his old bones.

"Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Su, the Shen family is willing to give up all their wealth just for a bowl of divine soup!" Shen Wansan shouted along.

The entire Taiji Hall was once again engulfed in a frenzied uproar.

Looking down at the group of powerful and wealthy people below, their eyes bloodshot like hungry wolves, Su Changqing simply smiled faintly.

"I'm too tired today, I don't want to sell anymore. If you want to buy, come early tomorrow and line up."

After saying that, he turned around, yawned, and disappeared into the depths of the second-floor corridor.

All that was left below was a group of longing, regretful, and overweight sheep.

"Sir, your technique of feigning indifference to lure me in is truly masterful."

Looking at the thick stack of silver notes worth 500,000 taels of gold, Xiao Se's lips curled into a sincere expression of admiration.

He knew that tomorrow, the threshold of Changqing Tower would probably be completely trampled flat by this group of mad nobles.

And the wealth of Tianqi City will flow into the pockets of this "divine boss" like rivers flowing into the sea.