I Can Destroy Planets with My Psychokinesis-Chapter 241. Antique?

Perhaps it was because he had spent a lifetime in the palace, but Hua Ruoxi displayed none of the airs typical of an Innate Master.

His eyes were half-closed, and a faint smile that was difficult to tell as sincere or fake lingered on his face as he continuously fiddled with a mutton fat jade thumb ring on his finger.

The ring had an ancient charm, was exquisitely delicate and moist, and it was clear at a glance that it was worth a fortune. But it also seemed to lack the aura of a strong person.

However, Lu Li dared not underestimate him.

This old eunuch’s oppressive aura was twice that of Zheng Hong’s and second only to Colonel Ito Taitaka, causing one’s spine to feel a chill.

The brightness shining through his half-closed eyes was clearly from Refining God Cultivation, and he was definitely not an ordinary Power Warrior.

At this moment, the old eunuch was quite enthusiastic, leading Lu Li to the main table to sit:

"Long have I heard that Jinmen has produced a young hero. Seeing you today, you certainly do stand out. Come, come, please take a seat."

Lu Li courteously clasped his hands together and, along with Xia Weiyun and three puppets, took his seat composedly.

Seeing the three "followers" each carrying a heavy box, Hua Ruoxi’s smile grew even wider:

"Our Innate Skill’s True Qi is exceptionally pure; just three Circulations will ensure that you, Sir, reach Great Success in your realm. You must not miss this golden opportunity~"

Lu Li nodded, "This is exactly why I am here."

"Very good, you clearly are an open-minded gentleman! Just wait a moment; we’re about to begin."

Hua Ruoxi gave a bow to excuse himself and went to mingle at another table.

Xia Weiyun, sitting at the side, reminded him:

"This eunuch is the Manager of the Internal Affairs Office, with Refining Spirit Meditation and Martial Arts Innate skills. He’s securely ranked among the top three masters in the palace."

Lu Li nodded, taking note in his heart.

Xia Weiyun then used her chin to indicate the guests in attendance, introducing them:

"Most of those who have come today are wealthy young masters. Sons of the four big compradors, sons of the Governor’s family... Even Jiang Haiyan, that little wretch, has come."

Indeed, everyone present was from noble families, each dressed in luxurious clothing, not lacking in stature, all wanting to spend money to buy cultivation.

However, Lu Li was puzzled: "Does the Governor’s daughter also need Innate True Qi? Shouldn’t her father and master provide it for her?"

Hearing this, Xia Weiyun didn’t answer directly but instead asked:

"Sister Cha has fed you ’inner breath’; how effective did you find it?"

Lu Li, recalling the sweetness of nursing, couldn’t help but nod:

"Extremely effective, eliminating countless hardships and without any side effects."

"You see, if inner breath is so beneficial, then True Qi... which is inner breath condensed into a substance, who could possibly think it too plentiful!"

Xia Weiyun then asked, "Moreover, True Qi is far more precious than you might imagine. Do you know the principle of the ’water cycle’?"

Lu Li answered, "Is it the cycle where water on the ground evaporates to form clouds and then falls back down?"

"That’s right," Xia Weiyun explained carefully:

"If the human body is compared to a small world, then ’True Qi’ is like the rain and dew between heaven and earth, nourishing all things and transforming into rivers, only to eventually return to the body, an endless cycle.

Yet once it’s used up, it’s really gone, affecting the internal circulation, leading to disasters like floods and droughts.

Therefore, the strong always pay great attention to their own True Qi. Don’t think that just because Jiang Haiyan is the Governor’s legitimate daughter, she would necessarily have had many chances to receive True Qi Body Refilling."

With such a thorough explanation, Lu Li suddenly understood:

"So that’s how it is, no wonder they say that the key to Martial Arts lies in the word ’cultivate’."

"Exactly!" Xia Weiyun replied with a smile:

"If only I hadn’t fought so many battles, I might have reached Innate level long ago..."

As she spoke, Xia Weiyun worried Lu Li might harbor concerns that would diminish his courageous and diligent spirit, so she quickly added:

"But nothing is absolute, as long as one manages the ’degree’ well and utilizes True Qi appropriately, the body can adjust itself over time."

"Mhm."

Lu Li nodded continuously, also feeling the protective care from his elder sister.

The concern of an older woman... seemed quite pleasant, too.

At that moment, the room suddenly fell silent.

Only to see Hua Ruoxi leave his seat and walk onto the stage, smilingly looking over the crowd, it was time to begin the main event!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone sat in a tense hush, all waiting for the old eunuch to speak.

Mr. Hua addressed the assembly in a high-pitched tone:

"Our family was commanded by Your Majesty to collect ’etiquette donations’ in Jinmen. As the esteemed households of this locality, I hope you will open your purses generously and eagerly share Your Majesty’s worries."

While reciting pleasantries, he even gestured a respectful salute towards the direction of Beijing.

Some young heirs of comprador families whispered with mockery beneath:

"’Etiquette donation’... Even at a time like this, they’re still fixated on refurbishing graves."

"It’s no surprise, the Empress Dowager wasn’t troubled by the Sino-Japanese Period’s survival."

...

After Mr. Hua finished his brief introduction in just a few sentences, he immediately got to the point:

"The land of Jinmen is blessed, and those who have gathered today are also accomplished. As long as you can share Your Majesty’s worries, our family will offer a breath of Innate True Qi!"

Finally getting to the core of the matter, an adorned young gentleman eagerly inquired:

"May I ask Manager Hua, how much of this etiquette donation should be given to receive a breath of True Qi?"

"It’s Mr. Liang from Yihe Foreign Trading Company."

Mr. Hua twirled the Mutton Fat Jade Thumb Ring on his finger, smiling amiably:

"Our family naturally wishes for everyone to benefit, but we are limited in resources. Therefore, we have set a fixed amount... Once the amount is reached, the True Qi will be bestowed!"

That amount was certain to be pricey, and the spectators held their breaths...

After pausing, Mr. Hua said in a sharp voice, "A thousand gold, and the Innate True Qi will refine a Grand Circulation!"

"..."

A silence fell over the crowd for a moment, then erupted into commotion:

"A thousand gold... That’s equivalent to 300,000 pieces of silver! Have they lost their minds?"

"Not just that! With the current international tensions, all countries are hoarding gold, and the price of gold is skyrocketing!"

"It seems Mr. Hua intends to personally collect the indemnity for the Treaty of Shimonoseki!"

Many complained about the old eunuch’s exorbitant asking price, while Lu Li was making calculations—

He had brought one ton of gold, which was equivalent to 20,000 pieces... It seemed that the old eunuch’s price was not so expensive.

Of course, even if it were a hundred times more expensive, Lu Li would accept it.

To him, being able to exchange money for power and time was the ultimate deal!

In these chaotic times, others had the same mindset.

The very first one to come forward, Mr. Liang, made a gesture saying, "I am willing to accept Manager Hua’s request for donation. I wonder whether I could settle in silver?"

Mr. Hua played with the Jade Thumb Ring in his hand, shaking his head with a smile:

"Sorry, we only accept gold, as it will be used for the repair of the Imperial tombs."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Liang and the other sons of merchants stepped back.

In the Otherworld, gold not only played its original role but also served as a resource for cultivation; such a transaction was truly not profitable, especially when their families wouldn’t support it.

Lu Li naturally was pleased to have fewer competitors.

As he was pondering taking all the True Qi for himself, he suddenly noticed—

Jiang Haiyan and the other children of the official families remained calm, as if there might be a twist to come.

Indeed, Mr. Hua suddenly stated:

"If you find it expensive, our family also has an alternative—donating antiques!"

"Antiques?"

Mr. Liang and the others were greatly puzzled.

Everyone knows the principle of "antiques in times of peace, gold in times of chaos," so why was this eunuch doing the opposite? Did he think the world was not chaotic enough?

And Mr. Hua confirmed again:

"That’s right, as long as it catches our family’s eye, a single antique will suffice for the True Qi to refine a Grand Circulation! Pay attention! I’m talking about refining a full Grand Circulation, ensuring the True Qi will travel through all the meridians of the body!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Haiyan and others produced sandalwood boxes specially used for storing antiques.

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