In truth, Zhao Xuhe was also well aware that by now, the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet had become a complete bubble. It could pop at any moment, leading to a total market crash. But he believed that with his sharp senses, he would definitely be able to get out in time.
Therefore, when Lu Yang contacted him to say he had already sold his holdings and wanted to repay the 2,000 contribution point loan, Zhao Xuhe even felt it was a pity.
"Rash! Junior Brother, you've been too rash!"
"Haven't you seen that the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet is still rising? And the war hasn't even started yet! Once the fighting truly begins, that's when it'll really be in short supply!"
"While the price hasn't gotten too outrageous yet, I suggest you buy back in quickly."
Faced with Zhao Xuhe's forceful persuasion, Lu Yang remained rational. Although he was also envious of the soaring price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet, and even regretted selling so early, he understood Zhao Xuhe's reason for persuading him even more clearly. Was he concerned about him?
Don't be silly, he just wanted to pull another person into the market! After all, the more people who entered the market, the better his chances of cashing out and leaving.
"I must hold back. I'm not in a rush."
"I'll just observe the situation in this life and confirm the highest price point. When I repeat this in my next life, that will be my great opportunity to make a fortune."
With the Book of a Hundred Lives, I will only ever profit, never lose! At this thought, Lu Yang's mood instantly became much more balanced. He settled his loan with Zhao Xuhe and immediately went into seclusion, paying no more heed to the outside world.
While Lu Yang was in seclusion, the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet continued to soar. Because the Primordial Saint Sect really was making moves to prepare for war! Large numbers of disciples received orders and began leaving the sect one after another for unknown destinations.
Under these circumstances, it was naturally impossible for the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet to fall in the slightest. No matter how expensive it got, those who were about to head to the great war between the righteous and demonic paths could only grit their teeth and buy.
After all, you could always earn more money, but you only had one life. In this situation, more and more people chose to enter the market. The majority of them were not even ordinary disciples, but true scions of prestigious families.
Compared to ordinary disciples, these disciples from great families came from wealthy backgrounds, with their elders being Foundation Establishment Daoist Masters at the very least. The contribution points they could wield were undoubtedly far greater than those of ordinary disciples.
Thus, after they entered the market, the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet, which had been showing signs of slowing down, took off once again. Three thousand, four thousand, five thousand… Clearly, this price was no longer on the same level as the actual value of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet.
Some people even began to exit the market out of fear. Under these circumstances, the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet naturally began to fall. A similar panic gradually spread, yet many more people, especially those who had experienced the first dip, remained full of confidence.
"Don't panic, this is just a technical adjustment!"
"Sell? It's far too early for that!"
This time, Zhao Xuhe felt he had learned his lesson. Last time, he had left the market too early, and when he re-entered, not only did he not make a profit, he even suffered a small loss. How could he make the same mistake twice?
"The great war between the righteous and demonic paths hasn't even started yet, and there are still plenty of Death-Substituting Yin Puppets on the market, so it might seem like the price has peaked for now. But once the fighting starts, the puppets will surely be consumed in large numbers, and there are no similar products to replace them. At that time, everyone will have to come back and buy!"
"When that happens, the price will inevitably experience a third surge!"
"What's a mere five thousand contribution points? It could go to seven thousand, even ten thousand! There won't be any for sale, no matter the price. When it's a matter of life and death, people will sell everything they own just to buy one!"
Zhao Xuhe felt his analysis was simply flawless.
"So, while those fools are selling off out of fear… I'm going to increase my position!"
At this thought, Zhao Xuhe not only invested all his savings, but he even went to take out loans, borrowing a large sum based on the credibility of the Three Rivers Society. He went all in. Of course, Zhao Xuhe was not the only "smart person."
Others had come to the same conclusion and also began to take the opportunity to sweep up goods on the market. Influenced by this, the price, which had just dipped, began to rise again.
Seeing this, Zhao Xuhe, who had been a little uncertain, felt as if he had swallowed a calming pill, thinking his decision to go all in was truly wise. Then, early the next morning. A voice came directly from Sacred Flame Cliff, instantly spreading throughout the Primordial Saint Sect, both inside and out.
"Recently, our Sect Master personally made arrangements. On the surface, he mobilized disciples and took a stance of preparing for war, but secretly, he sent people to launch a surprise attack on the Mass Graves South of the River."
"Therefore, I am very pleased to announce to all disciples."
"As of yesterday, the Mass Graves South of the River has been retaken by the Sect Master himself. At the same time, the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion has contacted our Sect Master, expressing their willingness to hold peace talks with the Saint Sect."
Things exploded. Literally.
The moment the news spread, the sound of an explosion came from a certain cave residence. It seemed someone had suffered cultivation deviation and self-detonated. Following that, there was complete silence.
The vast Primordial Saint Sect, which just yesterday was bustling with vibrant life and boundless energy, was now left with only a dead silence so terrifying it was suffocating.
Because everyone understood that retaking the Mass Graves South of the River meant the supply of Death-Substituting Yin Puppets was no longer scarce, and the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion's initiative for peace talks meant the great war between the righteous and demonic paths was a distant prospect.
More importantly, this news was announced via the disciple tokens, which was equivalent to an official statement. So it could not possibly be false. The bubble known as the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet burst with a deafening crash.
The result was that its price, from a peak of seven thousand, began a nosedive. Five thousand, three thousand, one thousand, two hundred. The price that had taken more than a month to climb had now plummeted back to its original value in just a quarter of an hour, and it was still falling!
Everyone wanted to sell, but no one was willing to buy. Especially those who had hoarded a large number of Death-Substituting Yin Puppets. Now, they could only watch helplessly as the price fell through the floor, watching their wealth evaporate.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
That night, a deafening explosion could be heard within the Primordial Saint Sect every so often. There was no telling how many people's Dao hearts shattered as a result. Inside his cave residence, Zhao Xuhe had long since fainted.
When he opened his eyes again, his expression was still a bit dazed, as if in a dream.
"How terrible, I actually dreamed the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet fell, hahaha…"
Then he glanced at the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet again. 100 contribution points per unit.
"…I must have seen it wrong."
After a moment of silence, Zhao Xuhe turned off his disciple token, took a deep breath, and then with a trembling hand, opened it again to check the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet. 50 contribution points per unit.
"Pfft!!!"
Zhao Xuhe instantly spat out a mouthful of old blood, his face turning the color of pig's liver, and his aura plummeted just like the price of the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet.
"I hate…!"
Zhao Xuhe had no time for further thoughts. He desperately suppressed the rampaging thoughts in his mind, circulated his energy, and regulated his True Qi. He had barely managed to avoid true cultivation deviation.
Just then, a voice came from outside his cave residence.
"Senior Brother Zhao, Lu Yang has come to visit."
"Lu Yang?"
Zhao Xuhe was stunned for a long while before he remembered this junior brother of his. Then he thought about how the other party had left the market early and paid off his loan, while he himself had lost everything…
"Pfft!"
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Zhao Xuhe staggered out the door, only to see Lu Yang standing before him, looking refreshed and cheerful, waving at him enthusiastically: "Senior Brother, how much money did you make today?"
Bang!
With a cracking sound, Zhao Xuhe's steel teeth were clenched tight. His True Qi ran rampant all over his body, creating fine cracks on his skin from the impact, from which traces of blood began to seep. Lu Yang immediately put on a terrified expression, "Senior Brother!?
Are you alright?"
"…I'm fine."
Zhao Xuhe managed to force a smile.
"By the way, Junior Brother Lu, I recently discovered a predecessor's cave residence. It seems to have a lot of good things inside."
As his voice fell, a murderous glint appeared in Zhao Xuhe's eyes, and he forced the words out from between his clenched teeth, "I wonder if you're interested, Junior Brother?"
(End of this chapter)