With three million in hand, Wen Qi no longer had to worry about future payments. However, he was well aware that he had taken advantage of Li Xiang this time. Although Li Xiang had spent one hundred fifty thousand on the high-grade Fire Stone at the auction, that price was typical for auctions, which tended to be higher. Normally, a high-grade Fire Stone would cost around one million, and even with a premium, an extra two to three hundred thousand would suffice. If Wen Qi sold the high-grade Fire Stone and high-grade Leaf Stone to the auction house, he would likely get at most two million. That meant Li Xiang had effectively let Wen Qi earn an extra one million, leaving Wen Qi feeling indebted to him.
Thinking about how to make it up to Li Xiang, Wen Qi suddenly recalled the intermediate perfect Fire-type Energy Cube Li Xiang had bought earlier and got an idea. "Li Xiang, are you short on Energy Cubes? I noticed you bought some earlier," he said.
Li Xiang replied with some resignation, "I’m not particularly short on Energy Cubes—the family provides a monthly allowance. But I want my main Pokémon to eat better, like that intermediate perfect Fire-type Energy Cube from the auction. The family basically doesn’t supply perfect-quality ones. If my dad weren’t the head of the family and secretly gave me some basic perfect-quality Energy Cubes, my Charmander wouldn’t have evolved so quickly. Perfect-quality Fire-type Energy Cubes are nearly impossible to find on the market. Since they showed up at this auction, I grabbed them. My Charmeleon can only handle basic ones for now, but intermediate perfect Fire-type Energy Cubes are rare finds. I saw them and bought them for later when Charmeleon reaches intermediate strength. Even now, though Charmeleon can’t eat many, one every two or three days is digestible—just not as efficiently as an intermediate Pokémon would absorb it."
Hearing this, Wen Qi knew how to repay Li Xiang. He pulled an intermediate perfect Fire-type Energy Cube from his backpack and handed it over. Li Xiang took it casually at first, not thinking much of it, though he was curious why Wen Qi was giving it to him. Before he could examine it closely, his Charmeleon spotted the cube and dashed over, eyes locked on it with intense focus. Li Xiang, who hadn’t paid much attention initially, realized from his Pokémon’s reaction that this cube was no ordinary item. He picked it up to inspect it, while Charmeleon’s gaze followed his every move—if Li Xiang weren’t its trainer, it would have lunged for it.
Upon looking, Li Xiang saw it was the same intermediate perfect Fire-type Energy Cube from the auction. Confused, he asked Wen Qi, "Why are you giving me this? I’m a bit short, sure, but one or two cubes won’t make much difference."
Wen Qi smiled. "You bought those two high-grade gems at such a high price earlier. I know it wasn’t a huge loss for you, but I needed the money urgently. If I’d traded them directly to the auction house, I’d have gotten much less, so I owe you one. I noticed you need these Energy Cubes. I can provide you with about two hundred intermediate perfect Fire-type Energy Cubes every month for just five hundred thousand."
Li Xiang’s eyes widened like saucers, his mouth dropping open in disbelief. The thought that Wen Qi could supply two hundred intermediate perfect-quality Energy Cubes monthly was staggering. Such cubes were incredibly rare on the market, each one costly, let alone a bulk supply of two hundred. Li Xiang couldn’t help but wonder if Wen Qi had some powerful backer. How else could he possess such strength and resources? His mind raced with possibilities, trying to find a logical explanation to calm his shock, but nothing could account for Wen Qi’s astonishing capability. He felt both curious and awed, deeply intrigued by the mysterious source of these cubes.
Though the price Wen Qi offered was five hundred more than market rate, Li Xiang knew market prices were just a reference—intermediate perfect Energy Cubes were virtually unobtainable. Despite a flood of questions, he held back when he tried to speak. Wen Qi was helping him, after all, and prying too much might cost him the deal. These cubes could sustain his Charmeleon even after evolving into a Charizard up to level forty, and for elite-level Pokémon, they outperformed even standard high-grade cubes. This was too crucial to lose. After a long silence, Li Xiang finally said, "Alright, Wen Qi. I’ll transfer the money to you on time each month. I’ll give you the shipping address later, and you can send them there."
Wen Qi knew he had been impulsive, but with his Scizor capable of Mega Evolution, he felt confident. After Mega Evolving, even if it didn’t reach gym-level strength, its combat power would be formidable. Plus, he trusted Li Xiang as a reliable person who wouldn’t betray him. Wanting to make amends, he had spoken openly, and it seemed to have worked out well. They exchanged no further words, as if everything had been said, leaving an unspoken understanding.
While they were done, Charmeleon grew frantic, drooling profusely. Li Xiang noticed and felt exasperated, knowing exactly what it wanted. He would have scolded it if Wen Qi weren’t there, but he handed over the intermediate Energy Cube instead. Charmeleon didn’t hesitate, gulping it down with a look of pure satisfaction.
The auction continued, quickly reaching the final item—the grand finale, typically the most expensive. Four Machokes carried an iron cage covered in cloth onto the stage. As the cage touched the ground, a flash of light appeared, and an Alakazam materialized beside it.