C24 Sometimes Coincidence Was Really Coincidence

Wang Yipao's remarks left everyone exchanging puzzled glances.

Some were perplexed.

But their understanding was inconsequential.

The recipe for the Foundation Building Pill wasn't the pressing issue at the moment.

It wouldn't be of any potential use for at least another month.

Until then, it was essentially worthless.

However, Wang Yipao did possess something of value.

The Foundation Building Pill itself!

Upon noticing the crowd's reactions, Immortal Sword Jiulong quickly stepped in front of Wang Yipao, declaring, "No one's getting their hands on the Foundation Building Pill from my Mr. Pao!"

"The pill isn't the point. The point is, I'm about to make a run for it."

"Huh?"

Wang Yipao had barely finished his sentence when, still baffled, the others watched him exit the Secret Realm and truly take off.

By the time they came to their senses, Wang Yipao was nowhere to be found.

"Did he log off because he's scared we'll attack him?" Immortal Sword Jiulong wondered aloud, considering their virtual contract with Wang Yipao was now null and void.

"No, it's not that. Besides, the Foundation Building Pill isn't so easily obtained," Immortal Sword Shui Jing assured, noting Wang Yipao's avatar still active on her friends list.

"Good, that's reassuring. Sis, it's all on you now. Use that servant to pressure him into dropping the price when the time comes," Immortal Sword Jiulong said with a surge of excitement.

Immortal Sword Shui Jing gave an exasperated eye roll.

"Wishful thinking. I'm already reaching out to Mr. Pao."

It wasn't just God Jue; the Overlord Dragon Gate was also trying to get in touch.

Meanwhile, the Dark Shadow faction had simply chosen to depart.

After Wang Yipao's swift escape, his friend requests flooded in.

Yet, he accepted only one from God Jue: "Little Jue, what's up? Had a change of heart? Ready to hand over the pill formula?"

"Mr. Pao, you've been lost in daydreams a bit too much lately, haven't you?" God Jue responded, clearly exasperated.

"So why add me? I have no intention of joining any clubs, at least not for now."

"No, no, Mr. Pao, let's set that aside for a moment. I added you because we at God Jue are quite interested in the Foundation Building Pill you're holding."

"I've already sold it to Immortal Sword."

"Come on, Mr. Pao, think about it. If you auction it off, the price will skyrocket for sure. The first Foundation Building Pill is incredibly important, after all. It's only after the second one that the prices start to drop dramatically," God Jue said with a mix of amusement and frustration.

"I'm well aware. It's all about being the first at the Foundation Stage and boosting my club's reputation. Then we can rake in the cash with advertising."

"Bro, that's exactly why you should auction it. It'll fetch a high price. We at God Jue are prepared to start the bidding at two million, cash in hand, tax-free. We can pay up front, no problem."

Wang Yipao was taken aback.

He had thought the Foundation Building Pill might be worth a million or so, but he hadn't expected God Jue to offer a two million starting bid, especially with the intent to bid even higher.

Is the first Foundation Building Pill in the game really that important?

How did I, a pro gamer, not realize this?

"That's intriguing."

"See what I mean?"

God Jue sensed that he had piqued Wang Yipao's interest.

He breathed a sigh of relief.

"But to be honest, money isn't that big of a deal to me. If I were really in need, I'd sell my villa in a heartbeat. I'm not attached to material things, so you might as well give up, Little Jue," Wang Yipao suddenly pivoted.

God Jue felt like he was going to cough up blood. Why couldn't Mr. Pao stick to the script?

"Mr. Pao, hold on. Don't tell me you've got your eye on Immortal Sword's Big Sister?" God Jue asked tentatively. If that was the case, then he knew he stood no chance.

He himself wouldn't mind having such a beauty, but where on earth could you find so many stunning women?

"No."

"Then why..."

"She's an acquaintance. Never mind, why am I even discussing this with you? We'll talk some other time. Let's just drop it for now."

God Jue: ...

Wang Yipao ended the conversation with God Jue. Shortly after, Immortal Sword Shui Jing reached out to him.

"Foundation Building Pill, five hundred thousand."

"Nazi, aren't you being a bit too harsh? Sure, I've only got two thousand yuan in my bank account right now, but that's enough to keep me in white buns for a few months. God Jue just made a two million offer, and I turned him down!"

Wang Yipao nearly choked on his own blood.

"Nu Nu said she's coming to find you soon."

"What the hell! You're threatening me at a time like this?"

"No, I'm serious. I have a recording."

"..."

Your brother-in-law, huh?

Was it you who ratted me out?

Do you know how hard it is for me to enjoy a game?

And then, sure enough, the recording was sent to him.

Wang Yipao felt like he was bleeding internally, "Ouyang Jing, you betrayed me. What happened to 'never leave, never forsake'?"

"Tch! As if I'd ever stick with you forever. I didn't betray you. I'm actually covering for you. But you know how fierce this girl can be; she's unstoppable! So, it's half a million for the Foundation Building Pill. I'll figure out how to deal with this little miss flat-chest, and then you can have me tied to your bed in no time."

"You're ruthless, doing such dirty deeds. Fine, it's a deal."

Wang Yipao felt trapped, knowing he was being extorted.

"Also, I managed to talk her down for now, but she's going to enter the Immortal Realm soon. I doubt she'll be stoppable then."

"No worries. As long as she doesn't catch me out in the real world, I'll have the upper hand in the game and can squash her little smug face." Wang Yipao was brimming with confidence.

Immortal Sword Shui Jing was quiet for a long while before she finally couldn't resist asking, "Wang Yipao, you could've just joined another club to solve your problem. Why didn't you accept our offer?"

"In life, we all have a dream or two. Plus, aren't we about to bank half a million? Once I refine more pills and start auctioning them off by the truckload, money will come easy. No need to put up with club nonsense! That girl will be the least of my concerns."

"Pah! You call that a dream? More like a dirty fantasy! I'll have my brother transfer the money. Get the Foundation Building Pill and come to Bronzereach. We'll make the trade once the funds are in." Immortal Sword Shui Jing ended the voice chat, shaking her head in disbelief.

Before long, Wang Yipao's account was half a million richer.

His eyes nearly glued themselves to the digits.

After reconciling the account, he logged on and completed the trade of the Foundation Building Pill with Immortal Sword Shui Jing.

Without much fuss, Immortal Sword Shui Jing tossed a high-grade Yellow Tier cultivation manual to Wang Yipao.

Sword Three - Cultivation Technique

Quality: High-grade Yellow Tier

Required Cultivation Privilege: Qi Refining Stage Level One

Eligibility: Affiliation with Snowmouth City or its allied forces

Overview: Sword Three is segmented into five tiers, with each tier boosting the player's physical attack by an additional 1.5%. Upon mastering the fifth tier, the spell "Three Steps Sword Shadow" is unlocked.

Wang Yipao didn't hesitate and immediately mastered Sword Three.

Meanwhile, Immortal Sword Shui Jing ingested the Foundation Building Pill.

Given that Immortal Sword Shui Jing was fully equipped with supreme-grade Foundation Stage gear, it was only logical for her to be the first choice to ascend to the Foundation Stage and venture into more challenging territories.

As fate would have it, an unexpected twist occurred.

Ding! Player Immortal Sword Shui Jing has successfully advanced to the Foundation Stage, becoming the first player in Immortal Realm to achieve this milestone, and has been awarded the hidden attribute Immortal Destiny +1.

Ding! Player Divine Wind Word has also reached the Foundation Stage, securing the second spot in Immortal Realm to do so, and has received a piece of random-quality Foundation Stage equipment.

On the world channel,

Wang Yipao: Ha! Talk about karma! All that effort to push me out, and look what happens!