NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Borrowing Money
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and during these days, Zhang Hao had been diligently practicing the cultivation techniques from the "Seal of Deities." To break through from the Body Refinement stage to the Orifice Opening stage required several times more spiritual energy than what was needed for the fifth layer of Body Refinement. So far, Zhang Hao felt that he had gradually approached the threshold. If he had been cultivating non-stop and had enough time, he would have made some progress, but now, despite feeling an increase in his spiritual energy, he had not yet achieved the desired enhancement.
On this day, the agreed-upon day with Senior Zhao Ming, Zhang Hao refrained from cultivation and waited quietly for his arrival. As dawn broke with heavy snowfall, Zhang Hao's figure appeared in the arena.
Before long, Zhao Ming appeared and said, "It seems that you, Brother Zhang Hao, are very interested in this auction, arriving so early. Hurry, the auction is about to begin." With that, he hurriedly strode outward, and Zhang Hao quickly followed.
The snow was swirling in the early morning, but Zhang Hao's thoughts drifted back to two days prior when he decided to borrow money from Li Bao for the upcoming auction.
"Li Bao, lend me some money; I want to check out the auction," Zhang Hao said with a mischievous grin, yet full of anticipation.
Li Bao's eyes widened as if he had heard something inconceivable: "Borrow money? Zhang Hao, are you kidding me, right? You know my family does have some wealth, but I don't have much on me now, probably even less than you."
"Nah, I don't have a single coin on me," Zhang Hao said unashamedly.
"Damn it, what have you been doing all this time? You don't have a single coin," Li Bao couldn't help but curse.
Zhang Hao chuckled, trying to persuade Li Bao: "Just a little bit, and once I get a good item at the auction, I'll be able to double the profit and pay you back with interest."
Li Bao scratched his head: "Alright, damn it. Who told you're my good brother. Remember to pay me back!"
Zhang Hao clapped his chest: "Thank you so much; you can trust my reputation, right?"
With a sigh, Li Bao finally took out a few spiritual stones and handed them to Zhang Hao: "Consider it an investment; don't let me down."
Zhang Hao looked at the two remaining spiritual stones in Li Bao's pocket, his gaze covetous: "Li Bao… um…"
"Damn it, what are you up to, you rascal?" Li Bao noticed his gaze but still handed over the stones.
After obtaining the spiritual stones, Zhang Hao immediately ran to find Lin Yue.
In Lin Yue's room, she had just finished her cultivation, her practice clothes tightly clinging to her body, revealing a fiery figure. Her long hair was casually tied up, exposing a fair forehead, and her bright eyes always sparkled with liveliness.
"Sister Lin Yue, um… could you lend me some money?" Zhang Hao's voice was barely audible.
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow, as if she had anticipated this: "Borrow money? Zhang Hao, you're going to the auction, aren't you?"
Zhang Hao nodded awkwardly: "Yes, I want to see if there's anything suitable for my cultivation."
"Sister Lin Yue, please, I really need this money," Zhang Hao pleaded pitifully, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Seeing his eager expression, Lin Yue couldn't help but laugh and took out a few spiritual stones from her pocket: "Here you are, but remember, you owe me a favor."
Zhang Hao excitedly accepted the spiritual stones, almost kneeling on the spot. "Sister Lin Yue, you're so great! I… I…"
Lin Yue gently patted his shoulder, "Don't get too excited, you rascal. You owe me more than just this. You're in charge of next week's cultivation tasks."
"Ah?! That's… that's too harsh, Sister Lin Yue!" Zhang Hao was taken aback, not expecting such a demand from Lin Yue.
Lin Yue's smile grew brighter, "Did you think I'd let you off easily? Train hard and don't be lazy. Now, hurry up and get ready for the auction; don't disappoint me."
"Almost there, I was here a few days ago; just a few more turns and we'll be there," Zhao Ming whispered, pulling Zhang Hao back from his thoughts.
The two figures, clad in white, quickly made their way deeper into the snow, turning several bends until an open space appeared at the end of the path.
One can see on both sides of the open space, numerous disciples of the Qingchuan Sect emerging.
In addition to the people of the Qingchuan Sect, there are also some outside cultivators and merchants, all crowded on the open ground, making the entire scene bustling and noisy.