Chapter Sixty-Three: The Highlight of the Auction

Yu Xiyue’s cool, clear voice drifted down. “Ten divine spirit stones.”

Green Sandalwood, who had just taken a sip of tea, sprayed it all out and burst into a fit of coughing.

Yu Xiyue wrinkled her brow in distaste.

Jun Yang edged further away from Green Sandalwood. “Can’t you be a little more refined?”

Green Sandalwood patted his chest, unable to speak through his coughing, and waved a hand in apology.

“N-now… now it’s ten divine spirit stones.”

Even the alchemist’s face darkened. This was well beyond his intended price. Three immortal-grade Sky Pepper Flowers for ten divine spirit stones—this was clearly a losing deal.

Everyone’s eyes turned to him, as if waiting for his next bid.

The alchemist clenched his fists and raised his paddle. “Fif… fifteen divine spirit stones.”

It was clear that this bid pained him deeply.

Yu Xiyue, however, was far more decisive. She lifted her paddle. “Thirty divine spirit stones.”

The alchemist, furious, threw down his paddle and shouted toward Room Seven, “Little girl! That’s not how you bid! Thirty divine spirit stones for three immortal Sky Pepper Flowers—you’re… you’re far too prodigal!”

The guests on the first and second floors burst into laughter.

Even Qing Yide of the Azure Dragon Clan couldn’t help but shake his head.

“This girl is probably an heiress come to the Immortal Realm just for amusement.”

Qing Zhi tugged at Qing Mo’s sleeve and whispered, “Second Brother.”

Qing Mo leaned closer and asked just as softly, “What is it?”

“If—just if—I used thirty divine spirit stones for three Sky Pepper Flowers, would Father…”

Qing Yide clearly heard Qing Zhi and said sternly, “Then you’d be kneeling in the ancestral shrine, and even your grandfather’s pleas wouldn’t save you.”

“Hmph.” Qing Zhi snorted and turned away from Qing Yide, making both Qing Mo and Qing Yide laugh helplessly.

Meanwhile, in the room of the Candle Dragon Clan—

Pan Lihua slapped her thigh. “That girl is truly generous!”

Pan Zhujiu gave her a hard smack on the back of the head. “Generous? That’s just wasteful!”

“Tch.” Pan Lihua clearly didn’t agree with Pan Zhujiu’s view and moved her seat even further away.

“What’s that attitude, you little brat?” Pan Zhujiu started to rise as if to strike her.

Pan Lihua, fiery as ever, stood up at once. “You want a fight?”

“You! You!” Pan Zhujiu fumed, mustache bristling and eyes wide. “You dare raise your hand to your own father?”

Pan Zhuliu, who had been trying to mediate, said, “Lihua’s just like you—fiery temper and all.”

“Like me? How? When have I ever talked to my father like that?”

“That’s because you never dared!” Pan Lihua shot back, unmoved.

Pan Zhujiu, even more enraged, reached for his Fire Dragon Whip, only to be restrained by Pan Zhuliu.

Pan Zhuliu signaled Pan Lihua with his eyes. “Say less, show some respect.”

Pan Lihua pursed her lips, turned her face aside, and paid them no more heed.

In the end, the three Sky Pepper Flowers were won by Yu Xiyue for thirty divine spirit stones.

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

“Just now, that powerful immortal-grade artifact only went for three hundred immortal spirit stones, yet these Sky Pepper Flowers fetched thirty divine spirit stones!”

“Exactly, unless she’s desperate to save someone.”

Soon, a servant knocked and delivered the Sky Pepper Flowers, grinning as he collected Yu Xiyue’s thirty divine spirit stones.

Jun Yang picked up a Sky Pepper Flower, swallowing hard, completely unconcerned about the price. “Finally, it’s ours.”

On Starfall Isle, spirit stones were so abundant they were dazzling, and the Serpent Clan’s wealth was considerable. Yu Xiyue and Jun Yang hardly cared about the price.

Green Sandalwood could only stare in astonishment at their “divine” maneuver.

Their sole purpose in coming was the Sky Pepper Flower; the rest interested them little. They listened idly.

Until the final item was brought out.

The hall fell silent, then suddenly erupted in excitement.

The three great ancient beast clans tensed.

The auctioneer’s voice rang out again. “Now for the highlight of our auction! I’m sure everyone is as shocked as we were when we received this item. Yes, you’re not mistaken—this is the legendary Golden Crow Seed.”

Even covered by a cloth, the Golden Crow Seed was already dazzling.

When the auctioneer revealed it, the room was instantly flooded with blinding white light.

Guests on the first and second floors nearly thought themselves blinded, and it was a while before their vision returned.

A wave of discussion swept through the hall.

The auctioneer waved for silence. “Let me introduce the Golden Crow Seed. What use does it have?”

Everyone swallowed, waiting for the answer.

The auctioneer was adept at building suspense, and only after savoring their anticipation did he continue. “Some of you may have heard the tale. It’s said this Golden Crow Seed was discovered in a secret realm by a first-rank Daoist in ancient times, and has been passed down ever since. As long as you fuse this Golden Crow Seed with your clan’s spirit—”

“What happens then?” the crowd pressed urgently, but the auctioneer kept them in suspense.

“Hurry up and tell us!” they shouted.

The auctioneer chuckled. “It will enhance your bloodline. As for how much, no one knows—there’s only this one in existence.”

“Enhance our bloodline? That could raise the entire clan’s bloodline!”

The news was explosive.

In hundreds of thousands of years, no clan had ever succeeded in raising their bloodline; it was believed to be a destiny set at birth—or worse, a fate of decline.

This was the first time anyone had even heard of such a possibility. Even a minor enhancement could make cultivation five times faster.

Whether true or not, no one present would let such a chance slip by.

“So that’s what they’re after?” Jun Yang realized aloud.

“Sounds impressive,” Yu Xiyue said, propping her chin on her hand. She sounded indifferent, as if the Sky Pepper Flower had been far more appealing.

Green Sandalwood sneaked a glance at Yu Xiyue. Did she really care for nothing but food?

Of course, Yu Xiyue would never admit she still worried about the ancient curse within her.

The auctioneer continued to extol the Golden Crow Seed.

Bored, Yu Xiyue tore off a small piece of Sky Pepper Flower, placed it atop the steamed fish before her, and channeled a bit of spiritual energy, sending a small flame to further cook the fish.

Instantly, a rich aroma filled the air.

Green Sandalwood and the two maids stared in disbelief at Yu Xiyue’s actions.

Wasn’t someone in mortal peril, needing to be saved?

Was it really just for food?

Jun Yang, too, was drawn in by the smell. Even before Yu Xiyue finished roasting the fish, he had his chopsticks ready, waiting expectantly.

As soon as Yu Xiyue withdrew her spiritual energy, Jun Yang’s chopsticks darted down and nabbed a piece for his mouth.

Green Sandalwood couldn’t help but swallow multiple times. The aroma was almost unbearably tempting, making his mouth water uncontrollably.

While eating, Yu Xiyue mused aloud, “The Golden Crow Seed is certainly a rare treasure. If it truly improves bloodlines, why are there only two clans from the Sacred Realm present?”