In the second-tier private box of the Seven Treasures Auction House, labeled "Earth-2," a woman sat quietly. She wore a sleek black dress, tailored to perfection, accentuating her exceptionally tall and slender figure. Her waist was so narrow it seemed it could be encircled by just one hand, while the curves beneath the black fabric exuded a breathtaking suppleness.
Together with the full, firm lines of her hips below, she formed a deadly "hourglass" silhouette.
Her legs were long and perfectly proportioned, their contours flawless and radiating both elegance and strength—a true golden ratio. Every inch of her skin was wrapped in smooth, cold jade-like stockings that shimmered faintly under the light, exuding an aggressive sensuality unique to mature women.
As one's gaze moved upward, past the delicate white curve revealed at the neckline of her black gown, it finally rested on her strikingly handsome yet feminine face.
Her thick, cascading black hair flowed freely over her sharply sculpted shoulders like water.
At this moment, her deep-set eyes were fixed on the top-tier private box where Dai Chengfeng sat!
"Perhaps the reason Xiaogang's soul power can't break through level 29 is due to a flaw in his soul..."
"If I can give him this Soul-Shaping Orchid to mend his soul's defect, maybe his soul power will finally advance?"
With this thought, her eyes hardened with determination—it was clear she had no intention of letting go of the Soul-Shaping Orchid.
"However, if I remember correctly, that room should belong to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, reserved for their own people..."
"Who else could be bidding against me?"
Liu Erlong pondered silently: "A male voice, not too loud... Could it be Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
"What would he need the Soul-Shaping Orchid for? It doesn't seem useful for the Seven Treasures Pagoda Martial Soul."
"Gu Rong? Chen Xin? Even less likely..."
After a moment of contemplation, Liu Erlong shook her head slightly. "So be it!"
"For Xiaogang, even if it costs a million, it's worth it!"
"No one is going to take it from me!"
---
Meanwhile, in the top-tier private box.
The maid who had left earlier returned, stepping close to Ning Fengzhi and whispering something into his ear.
Ning Fengzhi listened, his gentle smile unchanged, though a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. He nodded slightly.
Turning to Dai Chengfeng, he said, "Chengfeng, we've identified her."
"The person in Earth-2 is Liu Erlong of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Liu Erlong?"
At the mention of the name, Dai Chengfeng's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.
Instantly, images flashed through his mind—the "cousin" embroiled in bizarre ethical complications with Yu Xiaogang; the fiery-tempered "Killer Corner" described by Flender; the strongest attack point of the Golden Iron Triangle...
The illegitimate daughter of Elder Yu Luomian, current second elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
A faint smirk appeared on Dai Chengfeng's lips, but it didn't reach his eyes, instead carrying a cold undertone.
So it was her...
But why was she bidding on the Soul-Shaping Orchid?
It seemed this herb held no apparent use for her.
Thinking further, Dai Chengfeng suddenly considered the most plausible possibility:
Could Liu Erlong be planning to buy the Soul-Shaping Orchid only to give it to Yu Xiaogang?
Dai Chengfeng felt that, aside from this, there was no other reason for Liu Erlong to compete with him over a single plant.
And as thoughts of "Master" Yu Xiaogang crossed his mind, Dai Chengfeng's heart filled with an indescribable sense of disdain and contempt.
After all, Yu Xiaogang's bottleneck at level 29 wasn't caused by any soul defect!
It was because he himself was weak, lacking potential, which led to the failure of the Golden Holy Dragon mutation, resulting in the useless Luo Sanpao martial soul.
Thus, the Soul-Shaping Orchid would merely serve as an expensive placebo for Yu Xiaogang—doomed to be a wasted effort, incapable of breaking through his stagnation.
But!
Even if the Soul-Shaping Orchid held no value for Yu Xiaogang, Dai Chengfeng absolutely refused to let it fall into Liu Erlong's hands!
Even if the herb held no use for him personally, Dai Chengfeng still wouldn't allow it to reach Yu Xiaogang.
After all, Bibi Dong could now be considered half his woman...
Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, however, were his enemies. What if Yu Xiaogang realized the herb was useless for himself and passed it on to Tang San?
For Tang San, the effects of the Soul-Shaping Orchid could prove significant.
If spending money could weaken his enemies, Dai Chengfeng was more than willing.
---
At this moment.
On the auction stage below, the atmosphere, already pushed to a fever pitch by Liu Erlong's staggering bid of 500,000 gold spirit coins, now hovered in tense silence.
The auctioneer's excited voice echoed clearly throughout the venue via the amplified sound system:
"The esteemed guest in Earth-2 has bid 500,000 gold spirit coins! 500,000 once! Is there another honorable guest who wishes to...?"
Before he could finish, all eyes—including Liu Erlong's suddenly sharp gaze—were locked onto the top-tier private box, symbolizing the highest authority of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!
"One million."
At this moment, a clear and calm young male voice rang out unhurriedly through the box's specialized sound transmission device.
Though not loud, the words landed like an invisible sledgehammer, striking everyone present with shock!
One million!
No incremental bids of 5,000 or cautious jumps of 10,000—straight from 500,000 to one million!
Instantly, the vast auction hall fell utterly silent, save for the frozen stares and gasps of disbelief.
"Buzz—"
After the initial stunned silence came an explosive wave of murmurs, suppressed to the brink of chaos!
"One million?! Did I hear that right?"
"Hiss… One million for a single herb? And one meant for soul support at that? Who is this person?"
"Insane! Absolutely insane! Even coming from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's box, this is too… outrageously extravagant!"
"…"
One million gold spirit coins—a colossal fortune for any family or faction!
And yet, it had been casually thrown down for a herb that didn't directly enhance combat power!
The box occupied by Dai Chengfeng instantly became the absolute center of attention.
Countless gazes tried to pierce through the shadows to catch a glimpse of the young man who had just spent a million so nonchalantly.
Even Ning Rongrong, despite being from the wealthy Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, wasn't as free with her finances. Still young and under strict supervision, she didn't have much disposable wealth.
Hearing Dai Chengfeng's astronomical bid, she immediately stopped darting her eyes around, her small mouth forming a perfect "O" shape.
Her large eyes sparkled like stars, brimming with excitement as she turned to Dai Chengfeng.
"Woah! Dai Chengfeng! One million! You… you're incredible!"
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng simply chuckled and shook his head.
Though the price for the Soul-Shaping Orchid was clearly inflated, he didn't care.
As the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire and the predestined successor to Emperor Dai An, he couldn't claim complete indifference to money—but a few million was still easily within his reach.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)