“The Sixth-Grade Spirit Herb, the ‘Crimson Float Elixir,’ possesses a fusion rate of seventy-eight percent, capable of elevating a Spirit Master’s cultivation from the second stage of the Void Spirit realm to the third. Esteemed guests, in the hundreds of years that the Spirit Treasure Pavilion has hosted the ‘Thousand Spirit Medicine Assembly,’ this is the first time a Sixth-Grade Spirit Herb has been put up for auction. Do not let this rare opportunity pass you by.”

Mo Xingtu was extremely satisfied with the shock displayed by the assembled crowd. To be frank, even he had been stunned for quite a while when his family first announced they were auctioning a single ‘Crimson Float Elixir.’ After all, instances of auctioning Spirit Herbs of the sixth grade or higher were rare occurrences across the entire Celestial Spirit Continent.

“The ‘Crimson Float Elixir’! The ‘Crimson Float Elixir’! I never expected the Mu family would be willing to part with such a cultivation-boosting Sixth-Grade Spirit Herb for this ‘Thousand Spirit Medicine Assembly.’ Seventh Brother, the Nie family must secure this ‘Crimson Float Elixir’!” Nie Xingyun exclaimed, then turned to Nie Xinghai, his expression showing a rare gravity.

“Indeed, Ninth Brother could certainly use it,” Nie Xinghai replied with a knowing smile. The ‘Ninth Brother’ he referred to was naturally the Ninth Elder, Nie Xingdong.

“A grand gesture! Truly worthy of being the closing item! Zirong, there are few families strong enough to vie for this ‘Crimson Float Elixir,’ but the competition will undoubtedly be fierce. Since such a marvelous herb is present, our Imperial Family cannot lag behind. Remember, your Imperial Grandfather always wished to request a ‘Crimson Float Elixir’ from the Mu family for his research but never succeeded. In just two months, it will be his birthday; this ‘Crimson Float Elixir’ would make a perfect celebratory gift!”

Watching the blood-red spirit herb in Mo Xingtu’s hand, Cheng Feiliu chuckled, stroking his beard.

“Imperial Martial Ancestor, this son understands!” The Fifth Prince, Cheng Zirong, beamed with excitement. “No matter what, we must seize this ‘Crimson Float Elixir.’”

“That may not be necessary. If the price becomes outrageously high, there is no need to overextend ourselves. Next month, the capital of the Great Chang Kingdom will host a Spirit Herb Auction at the ‘Crimson Tower,’ and I have received an invitation. Rumor has it that a Sixth-Grade Spirit Herb of high fusion purity will also appear there,” Cheng Feiliu waved a dismissive hand.

“Yes, Imperial Ancestor.”

The Fifth Prince nodded, though he felt a degree of skepticism internally.

Noticing the Fourth Prince remained silent and withdrawn, Cheng Feiliu couldn’t help but smile. “Zixuan, it was just one setback; there’s no need to dwell on it. It is true that Nie Kong’s sensitivity to medicinal potency is superior to yours, but you are not lacking in other aspects. Furthermore, he is a Wood Spirit Master, and you are a Fire Spirit Master—your potential far surpasses his. Broaden your perspective; the Celestial Spirit Continent is vast; do not confine your vision to a mere Jiyang City.”

Cheng Zixuan sighed. “Imperial Martial Ancestor, I know, but I simply cannot comprehend how merely using a few spirit-patterned golden needles could neutralize the toxicity of the ‘Poison Dragon Pill’?” After the Medicine Assembly competition concluded, in his shame, he had pondered this question incessantly, yet found no answers.

Cheng Feiliu was momentarily silenced. “There are countless strange and miraculous things in this world. Has the Nie family, with its centuries of heritage, no secret trump cards? If you could unravel it so easily, the knowledge would already be spread across the entire Celestial Spirit Continent. You have always been proud and ambitious; this failure, in a way, might prove beneficial for you.”

“Yes, Imperial Ancestor.”

The Fourth Prince’s cheeks flushed slightly as he bowed respectfully in reply. Beneath his outwardly mild demeanor lay a core of arrogance, yet he dared not act presumptuously before Cheng Feiliu. However, when he glanced sideways at Nie Kong nearby, his eyes still held a distinct flicker of resentment and humiliation.

“Nie Kong, what are you looking at?” Mu Xiaoling tugged at his sleeve, blinking her large, watery eyes curiously as she noticed Nie Kong glancing around restlessly.

“Nothing,” Nie Kong replied, shaking his head and smiling as he regained his composure. He had hoped to pinpoint the spirit herb’s location using the little creature’s cries, but he failed. The creature's vocalizations showed no discernible shift in pitch or intensity, likely because the herb was either too distant or stationary. The most probable conclusion was that the herb wasn't inside the hall, but outside!

Liar! Mu Xiaoling pouted, noticing Nie Kong’s expression clearly indicated he was searching for something. Still, since Nie Kong wouldn't speak, she hesitated to press the matter; after all, despite their familiarity, they had only met a few times and weren’t yet close enough for complete candor.

The young girl’s bright eyes darted around, and inadvertently, they collided with two icy gazes. Seeing the girl’s youthful visage juxtaposed with her unexpectedly voluptuous figure, Mu Xiaoling recalled the rumors surrounding Nie Kong and suddenly understood, stifling a giggle behind her hand as she felt she knew exactly what Nie Kong was observing.

“Esteemed guests!”

Mo Xingtu intentionally allowed a brief period for deliberation. When the murmur subsided and he sensed all eyes were focused back upon him, he spoke again, his voice ringing with excitement: “The starting bid for this ‘Crimson Float Elixir’ is five million, with subsequent bids increasing by no less than five hundred thousand! I await your offers!”

“……”

The hall fell silent. Those from the smaller and mid-sized families exchanged uncertain glances, while the front-row power players remained remarkably composed, preferring to wait for someone else to make the first move.

“Hahahaha…”

A hearty laugh echoed through the hall. Que Yu called out loudly, “Since no one is willing to break the ice, let this old man start things off—Six million!”

Que Yu had previously secured a ‘Golden Pulling Bead’ and, after a quick mental calculation, realized his spirit card balance was insufficient to claim the ‘Crimson Float Elixir.’ Thus, this bid was purely an effort to stimulate the proceedings and break the general silence.

“Seven million!” This time, the bidder was Fu Erong, the Fifth-Grade Spirit Alchemist from the Luoxia Sect.

“Ten million!”

The third voice belonged to Qu Tingyun of the Qu family. Though the old matriarch was advanced in years, her resolve matched that of any youth, immediately raising the bid by three million in one go.

“Eleven million!” Someone from the back rows decided to join the fray, though no one paid much attention; the price continued its rapid ascent.

“Thirteen million!”

“Fifteen million!”

“……”

The assembly listened with racing hearts. The centuries of accumulation held by these aristocratic clans and sects truly revealed their immense wealth, tossing gold around like dirt.

Watching the Li Family and the Qu Family trade blows without yielding, the onlookers grew exceptionally eager to see who would ultimately claim the Sixth-Grade Spirit Herb. The Imperial Cheng Family and the local lords, the Nie family, who occupied the front row, had yet to make a move, presumably waiting for the initial skirmish between the two leading factions to subside before making their decisive play.

“Twenty million!”

Qu Tingyun’s resolute voice instantly dampened Fu Erong’s spirit. He smiled bitterly, shook his head, and withdrew from the contest. Then, Qu Tingyun turned with a gentle smile toward Cheng Feiliu and Nie Xingyun, seeming to invite the Imperial Cheng Family and the Jiyang Nie Family to enter the bidding.

Cheng Feiliu inclined his head slightly. The Fifth Prince, who had been impatiently waiting beside him, quickly raised his arm and boomed, “Twenty-five million!”

“Hiss!”

A collective gasp swept through the hall as everyone turned their gaze toward the raised arm, following it down to the youthful face still marked by a touch of immaturity. The Fifth Prince, driven by youthful energy, showed an excited smile as his opening bid instantly made him the center of attention…