"The Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad yields four items: saliva, eyes, sinews, and teeth. The saliva is appraised at five hundred High-grade Origin Stones, the eyes at eight hundred High-grade Origin Stones, the sinews at three hundred High-grade Origin Stones, and the teeth at two hundred High-grade Origin Stones!"

The appraiser from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion gave a decidedly average valuation after his assessment. Read easily on your mobile: α. Organization

Bai Qingya paid another ten High-grade Origin Stones and was then led by the appraiser to a relatively secluded counter.

The saliva, eyes, sinews, and teeth of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad were laid out on the counter. On a white slip of paper before the Spirit Treasures, the appraiser from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion inscribed the asking prices, along with the specific uses for the four items derived from the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad.

The Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad was a treasure all over; its saliva could eliminate any scar, the eyes, when steeped in clean water, rendered that water detoxifying, the sinews could be used to fashion powerful bowstrings, and the teeth contained potent poison, useful for tempering vicious hidden weapons.

Ji Changkong had genuinely not anticipated that these four components from the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad, after being appraised by the Spirit Treasure Pavilion’s expert, would fetch such high prices.

As the items were placed one by one on the counter, he and Bai Qingya stood behind it, listening as the Spirit Treasure Pavilion appraiser described the functions of the saliva, eyes, sinews, and teeth to the passing Heaven-Lords.

Though this counter was tucked away in a corner, a fair number of Heaven-Lords still passed by. The Purple-Gold Toad was inherently rare, and one reaching a thousand years was even more exceptional. As the appraiser’s voice rose, it immediately drew the attention of a portion of the nearby Heaven-Lords.

A Heaven-Lord dressed in Southern Barbarian attire approached and was instantly captivated by the sinew of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad. With almost no hesitation, he produced three hundred High-grade Origin Stones, handed them to Ji Changkong, and took the sinew away.

A short while later, a Heaven-Lord with a greenish complexion rushed over. Without saying a word, he immediately tossed out a large pouch, shouting, "I want the eyes of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad! This is one thousand High-grade Origin Stones; no change needed!"

A pleased expression dawned on Ji Changkong’s face. He quickly retrieved the two eyes of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad and handed them over with a beaming smile, saying, "These eyes are now yours."

"Many thanks!" After taking the two eyes, the man left in an excited hurry.

"That is Qiu Yongguang, someone from the Profound Sun Sect, a ** Heaven-Lord! His complexion is greenish, meaning he likely still has residual poison in his body. The eyes of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad will help him expel that lingering poison," Bai Qingya explained in a low voice.

Ji Changkong nodded with a smile and remarked softly, "I truly never expected the parts of this Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad to be so sought after."

"Little brother, give me the teeth."

As soon as Ji Changkong finished speaking, a small, thin old man suddenly squeezed out from the crowd. With a 'snap,' another bag of Origin Stones landed on the counter.

"Two hundred High-grade Origin Stones, not a single one less!" the Spirit Treasure Pavilion appraiser stated calmly after opening the bag and counting the contents.

"Here you go." Ji Changkong smiled as he took out the poisonous teeth and handed them to the suddenly appearing little old man, casually cautioning him, "Be careful putting it away; the teeth are poisonous. It would be quite unpleasant if they scratched your skin."

"Heh heh, rest assured, I understand this better than you. If the teeth weren't highly toxic, I wouldn't buy them," the old man chuckled dryly, extended his withered left hand, grabbed the highly venomous teeth of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad, and turned to leave.

The saliva, eyes, sinews, and teeth—the four components of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad—had only been displayed on the counter for a short time before three were sold, netting an easy one thousand five hundred High-grade Origin Stones into his spatial pouch.

...

"The saliva of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad!"

A gasp escaped the lips of a dignified woman. In the next instant, she swept past the crowd and arrived before Ji Changkong, exclaiming with delight, "Is this truly the saliva of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad?"

"If you purchase it and the item proves not genuine, my Spirit Treasure Pavilion will compensate you for all losses!" the Spirit Treasure Pavilion appraiser stated proudly.

Gong Haitao smiled faintly. "I don't doubt your appraisal abilities, just the appearance of it is quite surprising. Please forgive me."

She glanced toward Ji Changkong, then swiftly took out five hundred High-grade Origin Stones and announced loudly, "I will take this half-bottle of Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad saliva!"

"Excellent!"

Ji Changkong was overjoyed, feeling this trip was truly worthwhile. Not only had he acquired several Spirit Treasures externally, but he had also sold all four items from the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad, securing enough Origin Stones that he could now buy that bracelet for Ji Wanyun.

"Wait!"

An urgent, high-pitched female voice suddenly echoed from a distance.

Bang! Bang! Bang-bang-bang!

In front of the counter, several Heaven-Lords who lacked sufficient strength were sent flying. Two members of the Ye family cleared the path, and Zhou Miaoshan arrived in a state of extreme anxiety.

The Heaven-Lords knocked aside by the Ye family members began shouting curses, but upon realizing the aggressors were brought by Zhou Miaoshan, they immediately clamped their mouths shut, seemingly fearing the Ye family’s power and unwilling to press the matter.

"One thousand High-grade Origin Stones, little brother, the item is mine!"

Her figure had barely materialized when Zhou Miaoshan cried out charmingly, throwing her neck high, revealing a ferocious scar that was distinctly visible.

"Uh..."

Ji Changkong paused, looked at Gong Haitao, who had made the earlier bid, and then at the hurriedly arrived Zhou Miaoshan, before asking the Spirit Treasure Pavilion appraiser beside him, "What should be done in a situation like this?"

"The highest bidder wins!" the appraiser stated seriously, his expression unchanged.

Ji Changkong nodded, chuckled darkly, spread his hands apologetically toward Gong Haitao, "I'm truly sorry, Big Sister, but I must give this item to the newcomer. Her price is double!"

Zhou Miaoshan, hearing Ji Changkong address her as 'Big Sister,' seemed quite pleased and nodded with a smile.

Gong Haitao glanced at Zhou Miaoshan, let out a soft 'hmph,' and countered, "One thousand five hundred High-grade Origin Stones!"

"Ah..."

Bai Qingya covered her mouth with a light gasp, looking at Ji Changkong with surprise, finding it almost unbelievable that half a bottle of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad saliva could fetch such a high price.

Due to the fierce bidding between Gong Haitao and Zhou Miaoshan, this relatively obscure area gradually attracted the attention of many Heaven-Lords in the hall. In a short time, many Heaven-Lords who had been wandering at other counters converged on Ji Changkong's spot, craning their necks to peer over, watching the two women engage in a contest of wealth with visible excitement.

"Sister Gong, I know you are a prized disciple of Old Man Lingyun of the East Sea, and I know the Murong family is wealthy. However, I am determined to have this saliva of the Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad!" Zhou Miaoshan's delicate eyebrows shot up as she raised her bid again: "Two thousand High-grade Origin Stones!"

"You?!" Gong Haitao flared up, glared fiercely at Zhou Miaoshan, then smiled slightly and gently tried to persuade her, "Big Sister Zhou, that scar on your neck is a testament to your deep affection with Ye Hongru! As long as that scar remains, Ye Hongru will forever remember your kindness! I suggest you not only have no need to remove it, but rather, you should keep it forever!"

Zhou Miaoshan shook her head, unmoved. "We are both women; you should understand the immense impact a scar has on a woman. Heh heh, besides, even if I remove this scar, Hongru will still obey me, so you need not exert yourself."

Hearing this, Gong Haitao realized any further persuasion was futile; she could only truly get serious about the price.

"Three thousand High-grade Origin Stones!" Skipping the incremental increases of five hundred, Gong Haitao jumped a full tier and then turned to glare coldly at Zhou Miaoshan.

"Sister, we are both wives married into prominent families. The Ye family and the Murong family’s wealth are not that disparate, wouldn't you agree?" Instead of immediately raising the bid, Zhou Miaoshan smiled amiably and began chatting about family matters with Gong Haitao.

"That is true." Not wanting to lose face in front of the crowd, Gong Haitao forced a faint smile.

"Indeed, the Ye family and the Murong family’s finances are quite comparable. We both married into these families from slightly lower standing, so our status and position are roughly the same. I presume the financial backing we can leverage from our respective families wouldn't differ much either, right?"

Saying this, Zhou Miaoshan smiled faintly, shifted her tone, and suddenly drew out her words: "However... the man in my house hangs on my every word. Even if I occasionally throw a tantrum or cause a bit of trouble, he mostly won't say much. Moreover, this scar on my neck was taken for him!"

Chuckling sinisterly, Zhou Miaoshan stared at Gong Haitao, whose expression had darkened slightly, and said with a saccharine smile, "And your man... if I recall correctly, he still has two concubines, correct? And it seems you can't quite keep those two in line. If you act too willfully, might you put your husband in an awkward position? If that draws the ire of the Old Master of the Murong family toward you, that wouldn't be very good..."

"Five thousand High-grade Origin Stones!" At this point, Zhou Miaoshan's expression turned frigid, and she suddenly barked the price aloud.

Gong Haitao froze, stunned for a long moment. She glared hatefully at Zhou Miaoshan, then, without lingering for another second, she left dejectedly.

Impressive!

Ji Changkong whispered under his breath, realizing that confrontations between women could be this sharp.

Seeing that no one else dared to contest her, he immediately took out the half-bottle of Thousand-Year Purple-Gold Toad saliva and handed it to Zhou Miaoshan.

"Little brother, thank you very much." Zhou Miaoshan happily accepted the item and then smiled slightly, lowering her voice, "Be careful. Some people are notoriously petty. If she couldn't get the item, she certainly won't dare do anything to Big Sister, but I worry she might vent her anger on you..."

"Mm." Having secured five thousand High-grade Origin Stones, Ji Changkong was exceptionally excited. He replied casually, and as soon as the counter was removed, he pulled Bai Qingya and quickly left the area.

...