Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Trying to Catch a Falling Knife

In truth, Zhao Xuhe knew very well that the Death-Warding Skeleton craze had already become a massive bubble—bloated, fragile, and ready to burst at any moment. But he also believed that with his keen instincts, he would certainly exit before the collapse hit.

So when Lü Yang contacted him to say that he had cashed out and wanted to settle the 2,000 Contribution Point loan, Zhao Xuhe could only sigh with pity.

”Far too reckless, Junior Brother!”

”Can’t you see the price is still climbing? And the war hasn’t even started yet. Once the fighting breaks out, demand will explode!”

”As long as it hasn’t risen too high, you’d better buy back in immediately.”

But facing Zhao Xuhe’s earnest-sounding advice, Lü Yang remained clear-headed.

Yes, he was tempted by the skyrocketing price. Yes, he regretted selling so early. But he also understood perfectly why Zhao Xuhe was so desperate for him to re-enter.

Concern?

Please. It was just another attempt to rope more people into the stampede. The more buyers there were, the easier it would be for Zhao Xuhe to escape first.

”I’m fine waiting,” Lü Yang replied calmly. ”This life, I’ll remember the peak price. Next life, I’ll repeat the play and get rich then...”

With the Centome in hand, earning without losing was—eventually—guaranteed.

Feeling much calmer, Lü Yang cleared the debt and went into seclusion, ignoring the frenzy outside.

...

While Lü Yang was cultivating, the price of Death-Warding Skeletons kept soaring.

Because the Stain Sect truly was preparing for war.

Large groups of disciples received orders and left the sect one after another, their destinations unknown... and under such circumstances, the price of life-preserving artifacts could not drop at all.

No matter how absurd the price became, anyone about to throw themselves into the Great War of Righteous and Evil had no choice but to grit their teeth and buy.

Money could be earned again. Life could not.

Soon, more and more people joined the buying rush—including the true aristocrats of the sect. Unlike ordinary disciples, these scions came from wealthy cultivation families whose elders were at least Foundation-Establishment Zhenrens. Their available Contribution Points were on a different scale entirely. The moment they moved in, the cooling price curve shot upward again.

Three thousand.Four thousand.Five thousand...

It was absurdly detached from the artifact’s real value, and fear finally began to ripple across the market. Some investors started selling to preserve what remained of their profits.

Prices dipped.

Panic whispered through the sect.

But many—especially those who had already experienced the first big dip and rebound—remained fully confident.

”Relax! It’s just a technical correction!”

”Sell? Way too early!”

This time, Zhao Xuhe believed he’d learned his lesson.

Last time he sold too early, re-entered, and ended up not only missing the rally but also losing a small amount. How could he make the same mistake twice?

”The Great War hasn’t begun. Supplies haven’t been consumed yet. Once fighting starts, Death-Warding Skeletons will evaporate like rain on hot stone—and everyone will rush back to buy!”

”When that happens, prices will spike a third time!”

”A measly five thousand? Nothing. Seven thousand or even ten thousand is perfectly reasonable! When their life is on the line, people will sell everything they own!”

His analysis, in his mind, was flawless.

”So while the fools panic-sell...”

”...I’ll increase my stake.”

And he did. He not only committed all his savings but also took out large loans through the Sanhe Association, using his entire backing as collateral.

He went all in.

Naturally, Zhao Xuhe wasn’t the only ”smart” one. Many others thought the same way and began sweeping the market clean.

Prices rose again.

Seeing the rebound, the doubt in his chest dissipated. Clearly, his judgment had been correct.

The next morning.

A voice thundered out from Stain Fire Cliff, echoing across the entire Stain Sect:

”Recently, under the direct supervision of our Sect Leader, a Perfected Lord, we publicly mobilized disciples as a show of preparation—while secretly sending forces to strike the Mass Grave.”

”So I am pleased to announce—”

”As of yesterday, the Mass Grave has been personally reclaimed by our Leader, and the Celestial Sword Pavilion has agreed to peace negotiations!”

Then—

”Boom!”

A Cave Mansion literally exploded somewhere in the sect, its owner unable to withstand the shock. After that... silence spread like winter frost.

The Stain Sect, roaring with life just a day earlier, now felt suffocatingly still.

Because everyone understood what that news meant:

The supply of Death-Warding Skeletons was no longer limited.

The Great War of Righteous and Evil was postponed indefinitely.

And the announcement came through the official Disciple Token—meaning it was unquestionable.

The bubble burst instantly.

Death-Warding Skeleton prices fell without brakes:

Seven thousand.Five thousand.Three thousand.One thousand.Two hundred.

In merely fifteen minutes, the month-long climb evaporated—yet the price was still dropping.

Everyone wanted to sell.No one wanted to buy.

Those who had hoarded large quantities could only watch, eyes blank, as their wealth bled away like sand slipping between their fingers.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Throughout the night, explosions echoed across the sect—cultivators suffering shattered Dao Hearts chose to detonate themselves.

In his own Cave Mansion, Zhao Xuhe had fainted.

When he finally woke, he blinked blankly, as though waking from a nightmare.

”How terrifying... I dreamed the price collapsed... hahaha...”

Then he checked the price again.

100 Contribution Points each.

”...No, that must be a mistake.”

He killed the Disciple Token feed, inhaled deeply, and reopened the market page with trembling hands.

50 Contribution Points each.

Pffft—!

He spat a mouthful of blood. His face turned as pale as paper, and his Qi fluctuation plummeted just like the market.

”I... hate...!”

Forcing himself to remain conscious, he suppressed the chaos inside him, stabilized his breathing and Qi, and narrowly avoided a mental collapse.

At that moment, a voice called from outside:

”Senior Brother Zhao, Lü Yang has come to visit.”

”Lü Yang?”

It took a moment for the name to register. Then he remembered—the junior brother who had walked away early, repaid the loan, and avoided ruin...

Pffft—!

Another mouthful of blood nearly came up.

Wiping the corner of his lips, Zhao Xuhe staggered toward the door. Lü Yang stood outside, clear-eyed and refreshed, waving cheerfully.

”Senior Brother! How much did you profit today?”

BOOM.

Something inside Zhao Xuhe snapped again—Qi exploding, cracks spreading across his skin as blood beaded like red dew.

Lü Yang froze.”Senior Brother!? Are you alright!?”

”...I’m fine.”

Zhao Xuhe forced a smile that was more like a grimace.

”By the way, Junior Brother Lü, recently I discovered an ancient Cave Mansion with quite a number of treasures inside.”

A sliver of killing intent flickered in his eyes, his voice strained and trembling through clenched teeth:

”I wonder... whether you’d be interested in exploring it together?”