Since the conversation among the group was conducted through sound transmission, no one else noticed anything.
After each Clan head secretly handed one billion spirit stones to the head of the Long family, he stood up triumphantly and shouted loudly, "I bid seven billion!"
The entire venue fell silent instantly.
At this point, no one else continued bidding. Everyone was stunned, completely overwhelmed by this number.
Qian Duoduo's face turned ashen, glaring at him with a look that could kill. It's him again! Where on earth did he get so many spirit stones?
Qian Jinjin's expression also changed, showing a trace of surprise, but it quickly vanished.
Seven billion spirit stones far exceeded her limit. The limited time had restricted all clans from preparing enough spirit stones, but it had also limited her as well. She hadn't had time to prepare either.
She could only hastily draw all the liquid assets from her shops, but it was still far from seven billion spirit stones.
She glanced at the other clan heads and noticed that they did not appear overly shocked. She had already guessed where the seven billion spirit stones came from.
As such, even if she managed to gather seven billion spirit stones, it would be pointless. They could easily pool together ten billion or eleven billion spirit stones. Continuing to bid would be meaningless.
"What should we do? Where did this head of the Long clan get so many spirit stones? Could he be bluffing?" Qian Duoduo anxiously transmitted.
Qian Jinjin did not reply immediately, contemplating whether to cooperate with the other merchant guilds. But she quickly dismissed the idea.
After all, the Qian Commerce guild was an outsider. They had already offended all other guilds by entering this territory. Even if the other guilds agreed to unite, they would most likely exclude the Qian guild.
Thinking this, she sighed inwardly and replied, "The situation is already lost. But this was always a matter of mixed benefits and disadvantages. Even if we obtain this vein, it would offend the local forces, making business difficult."
"With several guilds stirring trouble secretly, the Qian guild might become a target and invite disaster."
"So be it. Since we have no fate with this vein, there's no need to insist."
Qian Jinjin was quite open-minded. Not securing the vein did not disappoint her too much. She looked around and smiled, "The head of the Long Clan bids seven billion spirit stones. Any higher bids?"
"Seven billion spirit stones, going once!"
"Seven billion spirit stones, going twice!"
"Seven billion spirit stones, going thrice!"
Long Xuan took the storage bag.
Qian Jinjin watched his hand closely, noticing he wore black gloves, feeling annoyed at how cautious he was.
Long Xuan swept his soul force through the storage bag, almost blinded by the glitter of the seven billion spirit stones.
However, he realized a dreadful fact: as a lone cultivator, he had no means of obtaining a large-space storage bag.
These seven billion spirit stones couldn't fit into his small storage bag, but he couldn't admit it. Claiming to have a grand background but using the smallest storage bag would expose him.
Quickly thinking, he said calmly, "No need to count. I completely trust the clan of the Long family."
He trusted nothing. He didn't even know the head of the Long family. His trust was in the integrity Gu, believing it would ensure no deceit.
Long Xuan then said, "But my large storage bag is filled with spirit pills. I don't know if it can hold so many spirit stones."
"How about this? Give me the large storage bag, and I'll give you a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills in return. How about that?"
After boasting, he placed a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills on the table.
"Of course, that works!"
The head of the Long family smiled even more, quickly taking the pill bottle, opening it, and smelling the fragrance.
Storage bags were common items, even those with the largest spaces, and were of limited value. Trading one for a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pills was a great deal.
At the same time, Qian Jinjin handed Long Xuan a storage bag, saying, "Here are the 6,700,000 spirit stones from the recent sale of your Spirit Gathering Pills."
"After deducting the 5% commission, 6,365,000 spirit stones remain."
"As for the seven billion spirit stones from selling the vein, our auction house won't charge a commission this time since the price wasn't high, considering it as making a friend."
"This storage bag is also complimentary."
Long Xuan smiled wider, taking the storage bag and saying, "You're considerate. Rest assured, if I find another vein, I'll auction it at the Qian guild."
Qian Jinjin smiled, but inwardly she was ranting. Another vein? Does he think veins are like cabbage, easily found? Finding one is already extraordinary, and expecting to find another is absurd.