A plan quickly took shape in Ji Hanhan's mind.
Since someone was making a fuss about the Great Immortal Xukong, he would play along, hoping to lure out the person behind the scenes and extort a fortune from them.
"Momo, what are you doing? You're smiling so slyly."
Bonny gazed at Ji Mo, who was grinning foolishly, and found him incredibly endearing.
His mischievous demeanor only made him more lovable the more she looked at him.
"Aren't they all coveting the Void Swordplay of the Great Immortal Xukong? Then I'll create one and sell it to them at an exorbitant price."
"Ah, you're going to sell a fake?"
"No, anything from Ji Mo is guaranteed to be genuine. I'm selling the real deal: the most authentic Void Sword Intent and Void Sword Control techniques."
...
Before long, everything was ready.
A young sea siren appeared on deck, hawking the Void Swordplay.
The sea siren was, of course, Bonny in disguise. Mermaids were skilled in shapeshifting, and Bonny, possessing the purest bloodline of the Mermaid Emperor, had transformation as a natural talent. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to see through it.
Contrary to Ji Mo's expectations, he thought it would cause a sensation. However, Bonny's cries didn't stir any ripples because no one took her seriously.
Moreover, the stall owner was already selling a yellow piece of paper, also claiming it to be the Void Swordplay. Therefore, outsiders were convinced that what Bonny held was a fake.
"Damn it, you dare to steal my business? You must be tired of living."
The stall owner stared at Bonny's retreating back, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
However, her identity as a sea siren made him hesitant to act rashly. After all, they had ventured deep into the Arctic Ocean, which was the territory of the sea tribes. If this sea siren had a powerful background, it would be troublesome.
He struck up a conversation with Bonny under a pretext and took a glance at the so-called secret manual she held. He was instantly stunned.
"How is this possible? It looks even more genuine than the page my boss forged!"
The stall owner was inwardly shocked.
Could it be that there was someone in the world whose craftsmanship surpassed his boss's?
Or, could this be a genuine sword manual!
He dared not delay any longer and immediately descended into the ship's hold to report the situation.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. Anyone whose craftsmanship is better than mine is either long dead or has not yet been born. When it comes to forgery, if I'm not second, no one can claim first."
The middle-aged scholar was extremely confident.
However, his curiosity was piqued. He wanted to see what level this person was at to dare to show off in front of an expert, to dance with a broadsword before Guan Yu.
He came onto the deck, expressing his intent to purchase the manual and requesting to inspect it.
"It's very expensive. Most people can't afford it."
Bonny, without any suspicion, readily took out the manual.
The middle-aged scholar took it and, upon flipping a page, his hand trembled violently, and his pupils dilated.
The handwriting, the brushstrokes, the artistic conception... they were all identical to the manuscript of the Great Immortal Xukong he had seen!
"How is this possible? Is there truly someone in this world whose craftsmanship surpasses mine? This artistry, how can it be more real than the genuine article!"
The middle-aged scholar couldn't help but swallow, then quickly unleashed his divine sense, delving into the paper.
The next second, his body trembled, and a tempest of shock churned within him.
Void Sword Intent, incomparably pure Void Sword Intent!
Within the lines of text, it contained a mystical and ethereal sword technique, the unique Void Sword Intent of the Great Immortal Xukong.
It was as if he had seen a ghost. Could this truly be an authentic manuscript?
But as everyone knew, even the Void Sword Sect had lost the inheritance of the Great Immortal Xukong, so it was impossible for the Void Swordplay to be circulating outside.
"I'll get my hands on it first, then study it slowly."
The middle-aged scholar made up his mind and said nonchalantly, "Fake. But it's old, indeed an ancient book. I'll give you five hundred Immortal Crystals."
"Tch, you know nothing."
Bonny snatched the sword manual back, glancing at him dismissively.
Ancient book, indeed. It was freshly made, just produced by Mo Mo.
Moreover, it genuinely contained the Void Swordplay. It was a shame she didn't like wielding swords and preferred sorcery, otherwise, she would have couldn't help but ask Ji Mo to teach her.
"I don't know?"
The middle-aged scholar was provoked. He had never been looked down upon like this before.
Even an Immortal Emperor, if they needed his help, would respectfully call him Mr. Guan.
He roared, "This is a forgery, masquerading as Void Swordplay."
"Forgery? Open your eyes and see clearly, what is written on it?"
Bonny pointed to the four large characters on the cover and questioned, "You don't recognize these four characters, Void Swordplay, do you?"
The middle-aged scholar was stumped. He was highly learned and knowledgeable, understanding ancient and modern times, but he just couldn't recognize this script.
"It seems I have to step in and act as a stooge for a while."
Ji Mo had been observing from the shadows and had already discerned that the middle-aged scholar was suspicious and clearly had a strong interest in this manual.
This person might very well be the one he was looking for.
However, wanting to buy his book for a mere five hundred Immortal Crystals was like sending away a beggar. It should be at least fifty thousand.
He planned to intervene and drive up the price.
However, before Ji Hanhan could make a move, someone else intervened.
"Young lady, would you allow me to have a look at this sword manual?"
A gentle voice rang out, and someone was drawn over.
It was an incredibly handsome young man, with exquisitely sculpted features, long and curled eyelashes, and dark, deep peach blossom eyes that could make one fall captive with just a glance.
The youth was handsome and gentle, his only flaw being a slightly slender physique, exuding a hint of delicate charm.
"You can look, but don't bid randomly if you don't understand. It's quite embarrassing."
Bonny handed the sword manual to him. She sniffed, catching a faint floral scent, and couldn't help but look at the youth a few more times.
The youth returned a smile, a faint golden halo flashing in his pupils, and the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.
Then, he carefully flipped through the manual, golden light occasionally flashing in his pupils, his body trembling uncontrollably as he desperately tried to conceal his inner shock.
"Heh, young man, stop pretending. As if you can understand this script."
The middle-aged scholar couldn't help but mock the handsome youth, believing he was ruining his plans.
If this person interfered, it would be harder to trick the item away, and he might have to bleed some money.
"Yes, I want this sword manual. Name your price?"
The handsome youth wasted no words; his desire to purchase was very strong.
Bonny was a little stunned. Was it that straightforward?
With a dazed and innocent expression, she bit her finger and pondered for a moment before uncertainly holding up five fingers.
It seemed Ji Mo had said not to sell for less than ten thousand. Fifty thousand Immortal Crystals should be acceptable.
"Five million Immortal Crystals, right? Deal."
The handsome youth didn't even haggle, agreeing immediately and preparing to retrieve the money for the transaction.
"Heavens, a worthless book is worth five million Immortal Crystals!"
The surrounding onlookers were all astonished.
What in the world was going on?
They all immediately gathered around.
"Five million?"
Bonny's eyes widened, and she was momentarily lost in thought.
As for Ji Hanhan, he was so excited he wanted to jump for joy. My heavens, he was going to be rich overnight!
"Kid, buying and selling should follow the rule of first come, first served. If anyone is to buy, it should be me first."
The middle-aged scholar couldn't sit still any longer, convinced that the other party had seen something unusual and knew the book was not simple.
No matter what, he had to get his hands on this book and prevent it from falling into the hands of outsiders.
"You stingy fellow who offered five hundred, go aside."
Bonny showed no goodwill towards the middle-aged scholar, finding the decisive buyer much more pleasing to the eye.
"I offer five million one hundred thousand."
The middle-aged scholar began to bid, increasing his offer by one hundred thousand to prove he wasn't stingy.
"Six million."
The handsome youth was even more extravagant, starting his bids at a million without batting an eye.
"What's going on? The bidding is so fierce. Are they stooges, or is this truly the Void Swordplay!"
The crowd clearly sensed something was amiss. If it were a fake book, there would be no reason for such a fierce competition.
This situation soon spread to various places.
"Captain Ao Cheng, something big has happened. There's a sea siren on deck selling the Void Swordplay manual, and the bidding is extremely intense."
A crew member immediately reported the situation.
Ao Cheng scoffed, "Void Swordplay? People still believe that? The bidders are either stooges or have water in their brains."
The crew member's expression was strange as he said, "The two bidders are the forgery king, Mr. Guan, and that tomboy from the Nangong family who likes to dress as a man."
"What?"
Ao Cheng showed surprise. "You mean the one from the Nangong family with the Golden Eyes?"
"That's right, the one with the innate Golden Eyes."
The crew member nodded, quite certain.
"This is strange. If both the forgery king and the Golden Eyes are interested in something, it's definitely not simple. You immediately go and bid, try to buy it. It might be the real Void Swordplay."
Ao Cheng's interest was piqued, and he also wanted to get involved and obtain the manual.
With Ao Cheng's side joining in, the bidding became even more intense, quickly breaking the ten-million mark.
And since the ship was a confined space, news naturally spread quickly.
"The Golden Eyes, the forgery king, and Ao Cheng are all competing. It's obvious even with one's toes that this manual is extraordinary. I want to compete too."
This was the sentiment of many. If they could truly buy the genuine Void Swordplay, they would be making a fortune.
Thus, those wealthy forces and individuals also entered the fray, participating in the bidding.
Hearing the continuously rising prices, Ji Hanhan was dumbfounded, exclaiming, "In this day and age, there are so many foolish people with lots of money! Does this mean I'm going to get rich overnight!"