Apotheosis – Ascension to Godhood

Chapter 411: A Dilemma

A runic expert was considered a money-making machine these days. The cost of becoming a runic expert was high, but it was worth the investment because it could guarantee great returns. Hence, being a runic expert had brought many riches to Felix' pocket. However, ten supreme crystals were still an extremely large expense to Felix despite having huge savings.

Lasseter who was richer than Felix was unwilling to buy it at such high cost, as this meditation rune could only be used to soothe the nerves when cultivators practiced themselves but was useless in combat. Its value was not worth its price.

Moreover, the source of this meditation rune posed a big mystery to everyone. They wondered where Zen could have gotten such an expensive rune.

Generally, the most expensive runes known to all cultivators were drawn by Arnold, the Son of Runes. Although the runes he had drawn already lost their value, they could still be sold at a sky-high price in auctions. It was because those are the last runes Arnold had drawn before he drew his last breath. His death put an end to such talent in the Central Region and no one had taken his place being a talented rune expert ever since. The last runes he had made were considered collector's items and had become quite expensive.

But the rune before Lasseter and Felix appeared to be still useful which indicated that the person who drew it was still alive. It might not be considered a collectible yet, but because of the existence of this rune expert, even Arnold's last runes could lose their “collectible” status and their prices would crash.

The value and price of a rune could soar high if the person who drew it had died. That was the case for Arnold's runes. However, this runic expect with such great talent could be a treasure to any sect. It would be a shame to let such a talented runic expert go to waste.

Considering all these, Lasseter found it difficult to eventually give up.

“Fine! I'll take the ten supreme crystals then!” Zen said with a slight smile.

When Zen agreed to the price, Felix immediately took out ten supreme crystals from his space ring and handed it over. Zen was so delighted to see the ten supreme crystals full of pure life vitality in his hands. But he had to play it cool, so he tried to hide the excitement on his face. These ten supreme crystals were equivalent to 10 million cubic crystals. But that was based only on general equivalent exchange. Considering the market price of each supreme crystal, Zen could exchange them for a total of 20 million cubic crystals!

In the past, Zen thought that refining heavenly essence was already profitable business. If given ample time, he could make a lot of money with his heavenly essence. But in the Central Region, Zen realized that the money he was making out of refining heavenly essence was nothing.

After handing the payment over to Zen, Felix took the divine texture from Zen. He was holding it delicately like a baby and was totally absorbed in the bliss of divine intoxication. Felix had once seen the Perfect Brushwork on the sect protection array of Ethereal Spirit Sect, and he fell in love with it at the first sight. He was captivated and stunned to see it for the first time, but never really considered owning one. But now, he finally got himself a rune drawn with Perfect Brushwork. Though it was only a meditation rune, he was still fascinated by it.

Lasseter just stood there and watched as Felix got the rune from Zen. He was also a collector and had once seen the authentic work of Arnold. But as a merchant, he must always remain calm and not let his emotions drive his purchase. Lasseter was also keen on this rune, but he was hesitating to spend ten supreme crystals on it.

Lasseter then looked at Zen carefully. He was trying to comprehend how Zen could have possibly gotten this meditation rune. It was highly unlikely that Zen had drawn it himself. But if Zen had acquired it from someone else, he should know where the runic expert was.

Lasseter couldn't keep his mouth shut. He was eager to know where the said rune came from. So, he washed the suspicion off his face, smiled, and asked, “Mr. Luo, where did you get it?”

Zen was still immersed in the joy of getting the ten supreme crystals. He heard Lasseter's inquiry and sensed the suspicion in the latter's tone, but he didn't care. He just laughed and said, “I have told you several times that I drew this rune myself. I even bought the painting materials from you yesterday.”

Upon hearing this, Lasseter thought that Zen just didn't want to tell the truth. But he was not the type to just give up, so he continued, “This is no time for a joke.” The expression on Lasseter's face changed, but he tried to keep his cool. He continued, “Mr. Luo, if you know this runic expert, please introduce me to him. I'd like to personally meet him and buy as many runes as I can from him directly.”

“Sure! I still have seven runes here. If you really want them, I can sell them to you!” Zen smiled broadly. Without looking at Lasseter, Zen took out other seven meditation divine textures from his space ring and casually tossed them on the table.

Felix was still overwhelmed with his newly acquired meditation rune. He thought that it was the most precious rune and no one else could have it aside from him. But when Zen tossed seven more of the same runes, he was speechless.

How could that be possible?

When Lasseter saw those runes, a smirk crossed his face. The old cliché was proven true: Elderly people are more experienced. When Zen first offered the meditation rune, Lasseter kept his calm and stopped bidding for it in time. He understood the power of waiting, and now he believed it was a wise decision after all.

In this world, the worth of an item depended on its amount or number. When an item was rare and unique, its price would certainly soar and only the richest person could afford it. But as the number or amount of the said item increased, its worth would be lesser. Lasseter also took this into consideration earlier that was why he didn't bite into Zen's bidding.

“Are they still useful?” Lasseter asked as he examined each rune carefully.

Zen didn't respond. He just poured seven rays of life vitality from his wrist into these seven divine textures. Instantly, the textures lighted up, filling the whole room with cyan light glow.

Lasseter's eyes gleamed at the sight of the glowing runes. He couldn't believe his eyes. His heart felt like exploding, but he regained control over his emotions. He must remain objective. He finally said, “Interesting. I will take them all. But the price…” He looked at each rune again, carefully assessing its market value. He didn't want to pay ten supreme crystals for each rune. After all, their value had already gone down due to the increased numbers.

“Your runes are likely to be of a new kind, and because they are drawn with Perfect Brushwork, their efficacy will be 30% higher compared to the normal ones. But as you know, meditation runes are of limited use. So, how about five supreme crystals for all the seven runes?” Lasseter grinned. He was haggling at a very low price. He gave Zen the impression that his runes wouldn't cost more than one supreme crystal each. It was a “take it or leave it” deal.

But Lasseter's offer was sound and reasonable. After all, these divine textures were not considered as a combat class. They were just the prototypes from Zen's practice. Even though the efficiency of the runes was better than that of ordinary meditation runes in the Central Region, it was impossible to sell them at an extremely high price. Moreover, Lasseter offered the price because he had never seen such rune pattern in Central Region and thought it was worth studying.

Felix had bought the first meditation rune for ten supreme crystals out of the sour of the moment. At that time, he wouldn't let Lasseter have it, hence, he instantly bid ten supreme crystals for it. Lasseter was stunned at Felix' offer and decided to just give up. But it turned out, Lasseter got the last laugh.

Considering what Lasseter had said, Zen smiled and said, “Deal!” Besides, he had nothing to lose. These were just his prototype and five supreme crystals were more than enough.

“No! I object! That's not fair!” After hearing Zen agreed with the deal, Felix was pissed off. He had just paid ten supreme crystals for just one meditation rune. But soon after, Zen had agreed to give Lasseter seven meditation runes for half the amount what he paid for one. He felt scammed. He wouldn't allow Lasseter to get the seven runes for only five supreme crystals.

“Why not?” Zen was not the type to hold grudges, but Felix's scornful words echoed in his ears. It was as if Felix intentionally embarrassed him in front of another person, and that was something he wouldn't let go easily.

“I gave you ten supreme crystals for one rune just now, so how come he can buy all seven runes for five supreme crystals only? That's quite a difference, and it's not fair!” Felix said with bitterness. He felt like he was cheated by Zen. The happiness of acquiring a rune with Perfect Brushwork was replaced by anger and bitterness towards Zen and Lasseter. Though it was easy for a runic expert like Felix to make money, the ten supreme crystals were still a great deal of money for him.

“What do you mean?” Zen said with a cold smile, “I didn't force you to buy the rune for ten supreme crystals, did I?”

“No, you didn't,” Felix said as he shook his head. “But–,”

“So, that's it! Our deal is done, so don't ruin this next deal for me!” Zen said. He sat down on a chair without looking at Felix. He turned to Lasseter and said, “Please settle the account and then give me the painting materials on my list.”

With a triumphant smile, Lasseter carefully sorted out the seven meditation runes while telling his helper to prepare the materials on the list. He felt victorious not only by acquiring the seven runes at a small price, but also being one step ahead of Felix on this deal.

Felix was pulling a long face now, but he could do nothing. He looked at the rune which cost him ten supreme crystals and told himself he wouldn't be so imprudent in the future. It was a lesson that he learned at a high cost.

He wanted to get his money back from Zen by all means. But he suddenly remembered that his main task was to embarrass Zen. How could he almost forget it?

Felix thought to himself, 'Wait a minute! Zen kept on saying that these meditation runes were drawn by himself. Maybe it is true! Otherwise, he couldn't have gotten the eight identical runes. The runic expert must at least achieve master level before acquiring the talent of Perfect Brushwork. Each rune is a priceless item for any runic expert, and they wouldn't let anyone have it unless for a higher price. So, why would a master, even if he is a nameless hermit, give his works to such a young fellow?'

There was only one way to prove his assumption, and that was to ask Zen himself. Felix cleared his throat, and asked, “Did you really draw these runes?”

Zen was getting irritated, but there was no use to get mad at Felix. He just nodded casually, “I believe I have told you a hundred times already. I don't like repeating myself.”

“But…” Felix wanted his argument to be good as to not let Zen dodge the question. He stuttered at first, but with his fast thinking, he suddenly came up with a good idea. He took out a runic pen from his space ring and set painting papers and ink on the table. He then said, “To see is to believe. Now, show us what you've got! Prove it right now!”

Zen looked at the runic pen that Felix was forcefully handing him and winked, “There's no need for me to prove anything to you.”

“You must! If you claim to have written these runes by yourself, then, you must prove it. Otherwise, you're just blabbering and that's bad for business,” Felix said hastily. His desperate action to embarrass Zen didn't do any good to his reputation. As the chief runic expert of Cloud Hall and an elite of the Internal Elixir Realm, he had been looked up to by Zen. But now, something about his actions made Zen think twice.

“Sorry, I'm not interested!” Zen said. He pushed aside the runic pen and took the five supreme crystals and the painting materials from Lasseter.

He was about to leave when Felix suddenly headed him off and begged, “Come on, please!”

Lasseter watched how Felix tried to embarrass himself. He just shook his head in disappointment. In the Cloud Hall, Felix was considered more honorable than the Elders. With his status in Cloud Hall, he was respected by everyone. No one imagined that he would be a nibble humble pie in front of an inferior.

Zen stopped. He stared at Felix then turned his eye at the livid runic pen. He then suddenly said with a smile, “Fine! Looks like you give me no choice! I will do it in one condition.”

“Name it!” Felix asked eagerly.

“If I can prove that I drew these runes myself, you will give me your runic pen.” Zen chuckled. He looked at Felix carefully, studying the changes in his facial expression. Deep down, Zen was enjoying every bit of this deal.

Felix had dug his own grave by challenging Zen. If he agreed and Zen lost, he could gain back not only his reputation but also embarrass Zen. But what if he lost and Zen could prove that he wrote the runes himself? He was in a dilemma right now. He couldn't afford to lose his special runic pen to an inferior.