"Three hundred thousand!"
With a furious shout, the final price for the Essence of Bing Fire was set at 300,000 low-grade spirit stones a staggering sum, even for a Purple Mansion cultivator.
And the one who offered this immense bid? A senior from the Golden Crow Sect. Only a sect of such scale could so casually produce 300,000 spirit stones.
With the final item sold and at such a sensational price the smile on auctioneer Xia Wanyun's face grew even brighter. After handing the jade box to the Golden Crow Sect elder, she was just about to declare the auction over when a maid hurried over and whispered something in her ear.
After listening, Xia Wanyun's eyes lit up with excitement. Turning to the crowd that had begun to leave, she called out:
"Fellow cultivators and honored seniors, please remain for a moment. Just now, a mysterious guest has entrusted us with one more item for auction."
Those who had been about to leave paused. Among them, a Purple Mansion cultivator from the Rong family smiled and asked:
"I've never heard of the Luoxia Auction House accepting last-minute consignments. What kind of treasure could be so valuable that you'd break precedent?"
Xia Wanyun gave a respectful bow before answering:
"That is exactly what I wish to explain. Our house originally intended to reject the item due to a lack of precedent. However, the item is exceedingly rare. After a swift discussion among our overseers, we decided to include it as a special exception."
"Fair enough, but you still haven't told us what it is. What makes it so special?" a cultivator from the second floor asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Xia Wanyun smiled enchantingly and said,
"Please be patient. The item is a living being a direct descendant of a demon king!"
Her words caused an instant uproar. Even the lofty Purple Mansion cultivators on the third floor couldn't help but sit up straighter.
In the world of beasts, those not yet ranked were considered wild animals. First-rank beasts were called Minor Demons, second-rank were Demon Beasts, third-rank were Great Demons, and the fourth rank Demon Kings.
A Demon King was a sovereign among beasts, comparable in power to a human Golden Core cultivator, and often ruled vast territories with countless lesser demons under their command. The greatest threat to Luoxia City from the Ten Thousand Mountain Range was precisely the Blackwater Marsh's Flood Dragon King, who frequently launched beast tide invasions to the north.
Even two Golden Core elders from the Golden Crow Sect had failed to kill it, it had escaped unscathed, a testament to its overwhelming power.
The offspring of a Demon King was already comparable in value to a magical treasure, and for large sects like the Golden Crow Sect, such a creature was worth far more.
After all, the cultivation methods of demon beasts and humans were vastly different.
For humans, bloodline had little bearing on cultivation. But for demon beasts, it was everything that determined their potential. A pure-blooded child of a Demon King, if given enough resources, could very well grow into a Demon King themselves or even surpass one. As a blood-bonded beast or a sect guardian, it would be a priceless asset.
In that instant, the hearts of every Purple Mansion cultivator in the room began to burn with desire, especially the two dominant powers, the Golden Crow Sect and the Heavenly Vein Sect. They were prepared to fight for it.
After all, in the entire Great Qi cultivation world, only those two sects had the means to raise such a creature to the Demon King level.
Not everyone was swept away by the frenzy, though. A Purple Mansion cultivator from the Demon Subduing Hall spoke coldly:
"You would auction off the child of a Demon King and not fear the calamity it could bring?"
That sobering statement sparked a wave of agreement throughout the crowd. A Demon King was no joke did they think such a being wouldn't come to avenge its offspring?
Xia Wanyun, however, smiled gracefully and replied:
"The senior raises a valid concern, one our house considered carefully. But after thorough deliberation, we moved forward because the Demon King in question has already fallen!"
"Already fallen? Could it be the Blood Bat King?" a cultivator immediately guessed.
"Exactly. Please see for yourself, seniors."
At that moment, a group of attendants brought forward a special cage made of unique materials. Inside lay a small, blood-red bat its fur the color of fresh blood.
It was no larger than a rabbit, yet already a second-rank demon beast. Its body bore several injuries, and it lay weakly in the cage, emitting soft whimpers.
The Ten Thousand Mountain Range was vast and teeming with countless demon beasts. But Demon Kings were few. The primary threats to the Great Qi cultivation world were the Flood Dragon King of the Blackwater Marsh and the Thunder Rhino King of Thunderclap Mountain.
Beyond those two, there had been only one other the Blood Bat King. Unlike the others, it was extremely old, its body weakening with time. To avoid being hunted by rival kings, it had spent recent years constantly hiding.
Three years ago, its location was exposed and it was besieged by both the Flood Dragon King and the Thunder Rhino King. The battle lasted three days and nights. Though the Blood Bat King survived, he was grievously wounded and fled.
As a result, many bold Purple Mansion cultivators and even some Golden Core elders ventured deep into the Ten Thousand Mountains to try and kill it.
Recently, the Blood Bat King's corpse was finally discovered. Rumors say its death was suspicious no one could confirm if it was slain by a human or another beast. Its demon core had also been taken, adding to the mystery.
Since this was the only Demon King known to have perished recently, many immediately guessed its identity when Xia Wanyun revealed the details.
No one questioned why such an old beast could still bear offspring. Some demon beasts, upon sensing death, would pour all their remaining strength into producing a final descendant a continuation of their legacy.
This Blood Bat King was one of those cases.
With that revelation, all previous doubts vanished. The seated Purple Mansion cultivators were now rubbing their palms with anticipation, each one eager to claim this demon king's offspring.
Some even began to covet the consignor himself. After all, if he could produce the young beast for auction, there was a good chance he also possessed the demon core of the fallen king.
That demon core belonging to a fourth-rank beast could be used to craft pills that aided in breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm. Its value was astronomical.
"If he were a Golden Core cultivator, that would be one thing. But if he's just Purple Mansion, maybe it's worth testing his strength..."
This was the thought quietly shared by many Purple Mansion cultivators, including elders from the Golden Crow Sect and the Heavenly Vein Sect.
Xia Wanyun then announced,
"This creature has no starting price. Fellow seniors, feel free to bid as you see fit. Let the auction begin."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a cultivator called out,
"Fifty thousand spirit stones!"
But someone scoffed soon after,
"Fifty thousand for a demon king's offspring? Fellow Daoist, you must still be dreaming. My Hundred Herb Hall offers one hundred thousand!"
"Heh. And can Hundred Herb Hall even afford to raise such a creature? Better leave it to our Silkveil Sect. I bid one hundred and twenty thousand," croaked an old woman in a raspy voice.
"I bid one hundred and thirty thousand. This beast is fated for my Heavenly Vein Sect anyone who dares to compete will answer to me!"
The elder from Heavenly Vein Sect didn't bother hiding his domineering tone, trying to suppress others with sheer authority.
At his words, the representatives from Silkveil Sect, Hundred Herb Hall, and several others immediately fell silent. None of them dared offend the Heavenly Vein Sect.
Seeing the others withdraw, the Heavenly Vein elder's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He believed the matter settled until a voice from across the hall made his expression darken.
"Hmph! Others may fear the Heavenly Vein Sect, but I do not. I, Huangfu Hong of the Golden Crow Sect, bid one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones!"
The Heavenly Vein elder instantly flew into a rage.
"Huangfu Hong! I let you win the Essence of Bing Fire without protest, yet now you interfere again. Do you think my sect can be trifled with?"
But Huangfu Hong remained calm, replying flatly,
"Fei Min, auctions are based on the highest bid. Trying to suppress others with power is that how you think Luoxia Auction House should be treated?"
At that moment, Xia Wanyun stepped in with perfect timing.
"Senior Fei, I ask you not to make things difficult for our auction house."
Fei Min, despite his fury, had no choice but to comply. He alone knew the true force backing Luoxia Auction House it was not to be offended lightly.
Thus, the two major sects, Golden Crow and Heavenly Vein, began a fierce back-and-forth bidding war. Neither side gave an inch.
To the casual observer, it looked no different from any of the previous auctions. But for some reason, Song Changsheng felt an unshakable unease settle over him a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
"Could something be about to happen in Luoxia City?"
Though it seemed unlikely anyone would stir up trouble here, he chose to trust his intuition. His objective had already been achieved—there was no need to linger.
He called over Song Qingluo, who was still watching intently, and slipped out through the back entrance. Whatever was about to happen, he had no interest in getting involved.
The auction had lasted from day to night. By now, most of the crowd gathered outside had dispersed. Song Changsheng, eager to return, only wanted to begin studying the White Tiger Pouncing the Heavens Diagram.
His Earth Dragon Turning Diagram had reached completion a few days ago his spleen now bore a lifelike diagram, and his physical strength had taken a substantial leap.
"Boom!"
He had barely walked far when a thunderous explosion rang out behind him. Song Changsheng flinched in alarm and spun around the blast had come from inside the auction house!
"Bold thief!"
A long shout rang out, followed by the distinct aura of battle. Purple Mansion cultivators were clashing!
The very next moment, a wall of the auction house exploded outward, and a figure flew out in a panic an old man with a sinister face, clearly worse for wear. His spiritual aura was chaotic, suggesting he'd lost the exchange inside.
Under his arm, he carried something or rather, someone. Though Song Changsheng and Song Qingluo had already concealed themselves, they could see it was a woman.
"Xia Wanyun?!"
Song Changsheng's eyes went wide. He had assumed someone might be targeting a valuable treasure, not the auctioneer herself.
"Could she be more tempting than the treasures she handled?"
"Stop right there, thief! Leave her!"
Another figure shot out in hot pursuit also a Purple Mansion cultivator. Song Changsheng didn't recognize him, but he was one of the auction house's hidden powerhouses.
Judging by his overwhelming aura stronger than the kidnapper's this was a serious clash.
The chase continued into the distance, fast as lightning.
And just when it seemed over, the auction house erupted again in another powerful wave of spiritual combat, the sheer pressure making Song Changsheng's heart pound.
He could faintly hear the furious roars of the elders from the Golden Crow Sect and Heavenly Vein Sect.
Streaks of light shot out from the auction house most of them were Foundation Establishment cultivators, fleeing in a panic, riding their swords to escape.
At this point, no one cared about Luoxia City's ban on flying anymore survival came first.
The auction house doors burst open as well, and thousands of Qi Refining cultivators poured out in terror. Their situation was even worse. In the chaos of a high-level battle, they had no way to defend themselves. Many unlucky ones were directly reduced to blood mist by the shockwaves, leaving not even a corpse behind.
"RUMBLE"
Before everyone could get out, the massive ten-zhang-tall auction house collapsed entirely with a deafening crash.
More streaks of light shot out before it fell two in the lead, with more following behind all of them Purple Mansion cultivators.
Activating his eye technique, Song Changsheng focused in and saw the two leading figures one man and one woman dressed in blood-red robes with skull emblems on their chests. They were blood demons ones he had encountered before.
And in the man's hand was none other than the cage containing the Blood Bat King's offspring.
They were fleeing for their lives, pursued relentlessly by cultivators from several major factions. As they fought and fled, buildings crumbled in their wake, and cries of agony rang out across the city.
But the screams were loudest from the auction house. It wasn't the collapsing structure that was most dangerous cultivators weren't so fragile it was the aftermath of Purple Mansion cultivators clashing in close quarters.
The auction house was large, but to cultivators of that level, it was far too small. The Qi Refining cultivators inside suffered devastating casualties. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators were not spared.
"It's chaos... utter chaos."
Just a few Purple Mansion cultivators had turned half of Luoxia City upside down. Panic spread like wildfire among the people. Disorder erupted everywhere.
Some who had escaped the auction house couldn't resist the temptation to loot. Others ran into old enemies swords were drawn immediately.
In mere moments, duels broke out all over, plunging the entire city into madness.
Screams, battle cries, angry shouts…
Song Qingluo stood there in a daze, staring at the once-vibrant Luoxia City turning to rubble before his eyes. He mumbled, stunned,
"How… how could this happen?"
He had grown up in this city. To him, Luoxia had always been a symbol of prosperity and order. With the City Lord's Mansion maintaining strict control and the great City Lord's fearsome reputation, no one had ever dared cause trouble here.
And yet, today it all unraveled in an instant.
To him, it felt like a dream turned nightmare.
Seeing the worsening chaos, Song Changsheng knew it was time to go. He had no intention of getting caught up in this mess especially not with the City Lord's punishment looming over anyone involved.
But heaven seemed determined to pull him in.
"Song Changsheng! So it is you!"
An angry, stunned voice called out from nearby, and Song Changsheng's steps halted. He didn't even need to look he already knew who it was: Cheng Yufei, that old bastard.
"Oh? Is it so strange that I'd be here?"
Song Changsheng signaled to Song Qingluo to leave first, then turned to face Cheng Yufei, sneering at the dark-faced elder.
Cheng Yufei's lips twisted in a cruel grin.
"Heh… Let's see who's here to protect you now!"
He advanced menacingly, step by step.
Song Changsheng quietly began forming a hand seal, his eyes narrowing.
"What? You think you can just attack me here?"
"Look around you!" Cheng Yufei snarled.
"Even the City Lord's Mansion can't possibly deal with everyone involved in this mess. Die!"
With that, he brandished a magical weapon and charged straight at Song Changsheng.
There was no longer any escape.
Song Changsheng had no choice but to fight back.
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