216: Chapter 216 Conflict! Deterrence! Black Treasure Chest Acquired!

Chapter 215: Conflict! Deterrence! The Black Treasure Chest is Mine!

As one of the Four Great Merchant Alliances, the Fengle Alliance's strength far surpassed that of the Liulian Hall.

Even in the bustling Tianxing City, they occupied a significant area, which was the Fengle Alliance Auction House.

The building covered a vast area and had a grand Aura. It was constructed entirely of massive cyan stones. Exquisite cloud patterns and Auspicious Beast designs were carved onto the three-zhang-high archway, every stroke meticulous and lifelike. Two massive stone lions stood majestically at the entrance, their eyes inlaid with precious spirit jade that emitted a faint spiritual light, making them look like living creatures.

It was currently mid-afternoon, and the sunlight spilling onto the stone lions caused the spirit jade eyes to refract a brilliant light, drawing the gazes of passing Cultivators.

Lu Qiu stood at the auction house entrance, wearing a silver-white mask on his face.

This mask was an exotic treasure he had obtained from Nangong Hai called the 'Heaven-Veiling Mask.' It could block the Divine Sense probes of others; even a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator would be unable to see his true face beneath the mask.

The mask pressed against his cheeks, cool and smooth, yet it didn't hinder his vision or breathing at all.

Through the mask, his gaze swept through the crowd, taking everything in.

With some time still remaining before the auction began, a large number of Cultivators had already gathered at the entrance.

The flow of people was like a weaving tapestry, shoulder to shoulder. A rough count suggested there were at least three to four hundred people.

There were haughty scions of great families dressed in luxury with attendants in tow; travel-worn Loose Cultivators with weary faces but eyes shining with anticipation; and deep-breathed elders resting with their eyes closed, radiating an Aura that warned others not to approach.

They were either conversing in low voices, looking around, or resting with closed eyes, showing various temperaments.

Several guards wearing Fengle Alliance uniforms were at the entrance, vetting those attending the auction.

Every one of them was burly with a cultivation at or above the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment. Their sharp gazes didn't miss a single suspicious person.

For a large-scale auction house like this, one's cultivation and net worth had to meet the requirements to enter; otherwise, one couldn't even get through the door.

A guard stopped a Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refinement Perfection stage and said coldly, "Fellow Daoist, this is not a place you should be. To participate in the auction, you need at least a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation or to provide a five-thousand Spirit Stone deposit."

The Loose Cultivator's face flushed red. He wanted to argue, but was forced back by a single look from the guard. He left resentfully, muttering something as he walked.

Lu Qiu stepped forward and, without saying much, directly released a sliver of Core Formation Stage Aura. It was only a sliver, yet it was as heavy as a mountain, causing the surrounding air to stagnate for a moment.

The guard's expression changed instantly as he hurriedly bowed, his attitude performing a complete 180-degree turn. "Senior, please forgive me! This Junior was blind! Senior, please enter! I will immediately arrange for someone to take you to a VIP booth!"

A beautiful maidservant immediately came forward to greet him. She looked to be in her early twenties, possessed an Early Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, and had a pretty face with a sweet smile.

She said respectfully, "Senior, please follow me. This Junior will take you to the VIP booths on the third floor."

Lu Qiu nodded and followed the maidservant into the auction house.

Passing through a long corridor, they were flanked by exquisite murals and sculptures depicting scenes of ancient Immortals in combat. Each was so lifelike it seemed they might step off the walls at any moment.

Every few steps, there was a glazed lamp emitting a soft glow, illuminating the corridor as if it were broad daylight.

At the end of the corridor was a massive circular hall, several hundred zhang across and over ten zhang high.

The dome was inlaid with countless Moonlight Stones like a sky full of stars, lighting the entire hall as bright as day without being the least bit glaring.

In the center of the hall was a circular high platform, roughly three zhang square; that was the auction stage.

The platform was carved from a single block of white jade, its surface smooth as a mirror and its sides carved with exquisite patterns.

Surrounding the platform were rings of seats that rose in tiers, enough to accommodate over a thousand people.

Many Cultivators were already seated, some resting with closed eyes, some conversing quietly, and others looking around curiously.

In those seats were Cultivators in various styles of dress—men and women, old and young—with cultivations ranging from Early Foundation Establishment Stage to False Core.

On the second and third floors above the platform were rings of private booths, each hung with light cyan gauze curtains. The situation inside could not be seen from the outside, but from within, one could clearly see the auction stage. Those booths were reserved for Core Formation Stage Cultivators and above, as well as VIPs.

The maidservant led Lu Qiu to a booth on the third floor, pushed open the door, and said respectfully, "Senior, please. If you have any needs, you may summon me at any time. This Junior will be waiting outside the door."

Lu Qiu entered the booth, and the maidservant gently closed the door and withdrew.

The booth wasn't large, but it was decorated very elegantly.

The rosewood tables and chairs were carved with exquisite patterns and covered with soft brocade cushions. Seasonal spirit fruits were laid out on the table: bright red vermillion fruits, golden kumquats, and translucent purple grapes, each emitting a faint Spiritual Qi.

There was also steaming spirit tea, its aroma curling up and refreshing the mind of anyone who smelled it.

Beside them was a plate of delicate pastries shaped like various flowers, looking incredibly lifelike.

Most ingenious of all, the side facing the auction stage was a solid sheet of transparent crystal, allowing a clear view of the scene below while blocking external Divine Sense from penetrating.

The crystal was polished extremely smooth, like a mirror, yet it was even clearer than a mirror.

Lu Qiu sat down in a chair and took a sip from a teacup.

The tea was warm and left a sweet aftertaste with a hint of floral fragrance; it was clearly a high-grade spirit tea prepared with great care.

He closed his eyes to savor it, feeling a warm current slide down his throat and spread through his limbs, making his entire body feel comfortable.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and quietly released his Divine Sense, which spread through the entire auction house like invisible tentacles.

His Divine Sense was so strong it was comparable to the Early Nascent Soul Stage. Now fully deployed, it instantly enveloped the entire auction house.

The isolating Restrictions of the booths were as good as non-existent before his Divine Sense.

A moment later, he was secretly startled.

There were over thirty Core Formation Cultivators!

Among them, several Auras were particularly powerful, belonging to the Late Core Formation Stage.

They were either resting in their booths or conversing in low voices in their seats. Although they were well-hidden, they had nowhere to hide from his Divine Sense.

On the east side of the first floor sat a grey-robed elder with a cold Aura; he was likely a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator who practiced a Demonic Technique.

He sat alone in a corner, and no one dared to approach within three zhang of him.

On the west side of the second floor was a middle-aged beautiful woman with an elegant temperament. Her body emitted a faint floral fragrance, suggesting she was a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator who practiced a Wood-attribute Cultivation Technique.

She was accompanied by two maidservants who were pouring tea for her.

In a booth on the third floor was a scholar in green robes holding a folding fan. He looked refined and was also at the Late Core Formation Stage.

He was conversing in low tones with someone beside him, a faint smile on his face.

There were several other Auras, appearing and disappearing, all at the Core Formation Stage.

"Tianxing City truly lives up to its reputation as the number one city in the Chaotic Star Sea."

Lu Qiu marveled inwardly: "Even Core Formation Cultivators can be seen everywhere, almost as common as Foundation Establishment Cultivators. This single auction has gathered over thirty Core Formation Cultivators, including several in the Late Stage."

He withdrew his Divine Sense and waited quietly.

...

After waiting for a full hour, the auction was finally about to begin.

The hall was packed to capacity, and the noise of the crowd was a constant drone of discussion.

The Cultivators who had been waiting for so long were now in high spirits, their eyes fixed intently on the auction stage.

The Cultivators in the booths also sharpened their focus, casting their gazes toward the stage.

An elder stepped onto the high platform.

He wore a deep blue robe, had white hair and a beard, and a lean face. He radiated the Aura of the Middle Core Formation Stage.

His steps were steady, and his gaze was like lightning. After stepping onto the platform, he swept his gaze across the room, smiled slightly, and spoke in a booming voice that reached everyone's ears clearly:

"Welcome, Fellow Daoists, to the Fengle Auction House! This old man is surnamed Zhou, and I serve as this house's chief auctioneer. Today's auction will be hosted by me. The rules remain the same: the highest bidder wins, and we treat everyone fairly. Should any disputes arise, they will be handled according to our house rules."

He paused and smiled. "This old man won't waste words. Now, the auction officially begins!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a maidservant carrying an exquisite jade tray stepped onto the platform.

The maidservant wore a pink dress, had a lovely face, and walked with light steps, as if treading on clouds.

The jade tray was covered with red silk, hiding its contents, but the spiritual light faintly shimmering beneath the silk already made many people's eyes light up.

The elder named Zhou pulled back the red silk to reveal a long sword that was entirely crimson. The blade was about three feet long, and a fiery red gem was inlaid in the hilt, with firelight faintly swirling within the gem.

Firelight flickered around the blade, emitting a scorching Aura that even caused the surrounding air to warp slightly from the heat.

“The first item, the Magic Treasure ‘Scarlet Flame Sword’!”

The elder named Zhou announced loudly, his voice tinged with pride. “This sword was personally crafted by Artifact Refining Great Master Ouyang Xuan, using thousand-year Fire Copper Essence Gold as the primary material and incorporating three drops of fire-attribute Level Six Yao Beast Essence Blood. It contains three internal fire-attribute Restrictions and, when fully activated, can transform into nine streaks of blazing Sword Qi with staggering power! The starting price—thirty thousand Spirit Stones!”

As soon as he spoke, the scene erupted into an uproar!

The first item was already a Magic Treasure!

And it was a Magic Treasure personally crafted by Great Master Ouyang Xuan!

Ouyang Xuan was a famous Artifact Refining Great Master in the Chaotic Star Sea. Every Magic Treasure he crafted was a masterpiece, and each could command a sky-high price!

“Thirty-five thousand!”

“Forty thousand!”

“Forty-two thousand!”

“Forty-five thousand!”

...

Bids rose one after another, and the atmosphere was instantly ignited.

The Early Core Formation Stage Cultivators bid one after another, their faces flushing red and their voices rising an octave, desperate to claim this Magic Treasure.

For them, a handy Magic Treasure was enough to raise their strength by a level and could even save their lives in a life-and-death struggle.

Lu Qiu sat in his booth, calmly watching the bidding below without speaking.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze as calm as water.

Given his current net worth, a mere Magic Treasure was nothing to him.

He had over a dozen ancient treasures alone, each worth a fortune and far superior to this Scarlet Flame Sword.

He had so many Magic Treasures he couldn't even count them—some seized from enemies, some found in ancient Immortal Caves, and some obtained through opportunities. They were practically gathering dust in his Storage Pouch.

While this Scarlet Flame Sword was decent, it wasn't enough to catch his eye.

Ultimately, this Magic Treasure was claimed by a Middle Core Formation Stage Cultivator for fifty thousand Spirit Stones.

That Cultivator's face was full of joy as he repeatedly cupped his hands to those around him, as if he had picked up some incredible bargain.

The subsequent auction items were all rare masterpieces seldom seen in the outside world.

The second item was a bottle of 'True Essence Pills,' which could enhance the cultivation of Core Formation Stage Cultivators and assist in breaking through to the Late Core Formation Stage.

Once these pills appeared, they immediately sparked a fierce struggle among the Early and Middle Core Formation Stage Cultivators, eventually selling for eighty thousand Spirit Stones.

The third item was a 'Golden Essence Talisman,' which could withstand a full-strength blow from a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator. It was a top-grade life-saving Talisman.

This Talisman was taken by an Early Core Formation Stage Cultivator for twenty thousand Spirit Stones. His hands were shaking when he received the Talisman; he had clearly spent his entire fortune to buy it.

The fourth item was a block of 'millennium profound ice,' which could be used to refine ice-attribute Magic Treasures or to set up cold-attribute Formations.

This item was claimed by a Core Formation Cultivator practicing an ice-attribute technique for thirty thousand Spirit Stones.

The fifth item was a long-lost fragmentary scroll of a Cultivation Technique, said to have come from a great ancient Sect.

This item caused a scramble among several Loose Cultivators and eventually sold for fifteen thousand Spirit Stones.

...

Every item triggered intense bidding.

Those Cultivators argued until they were red in the face over the treasures they desired, and some even almost came to blows on the spot before being stopped by the Fengle Alliance guards.

Even though Lu Qiu was wealthy and looked down on ordinary items, he couldn't help but bid a few times.

The first was a Level Six illusion-attribute demonic core.

The core was iridescent, emitting a blurred light that looked dreamlike under the lamps, as if it could suck a person's soul into it.

This was the favorite food of Illusion Spirit Butterflies and the key to their evolution.

Lu Qiu secured it for twenty thousand Spirit Stones, calculating that with this demonic core, another batch of Illusion Spirit Butterflies might evolve.

If he could evolve a few more Level Five Illusion Spirit Butterflies, his illusion army would be even more terrifying.

The second was a two-thousand-year spirit herb, the 'Nine-Leaf Jade Lotus.' This plant was entirely emerald green with translucent leaves that looked like carved jade and emitted a refined fragrance. This was a primary ingredient for an ancient Pill Formula he was preparing to refine; he had searched for a long time without success and hadn't expected to find it here. He secured it for twenty thousand Spirit Stones, feeling quite satisfied.

Time flew by, and the auction had been going on for half an hour, with more than twenty rare treasures already sold.

The atmosphere in the venue grew more and more heated, with the sound of bidding rising one after another, each wave higher than the last.

At this moment, a maid brought up a brocade box.

The brocade box was entirely golden, carved with exquisite cloud patterns, and looked quite valuable at a glance.

Holding the brocade box with both hands, the maid walked onto the high platform with great care, as if she were carrying some incredible treasure.

The elder surnamed Zhou took the brocade box and opened the lid, revealing a fist-sized demonic core!

The demonic core was deep green in color, its surface faintly marked with scale-like patterns, densely packed like real dragon scales.

A heart-palpitating pressure emanated from the demonic core, instantly enveloping the entire hall.

Within that pressure was a faint trace of dragon might, causing many of the Cultivators present to involuntarily feel a sense of trepidation; those with lower cultivation even turned pale and breathed rapidly.

"Fellow Daoists," the elder surnamed Zhou said loudly, his voice carrying a hint of pride and boasting, "this is a seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core! It comes from a fallen Level Seven Flood Dragon! Flood dragons are descendants of the Dragon Clan with noble Bloodlines. Their demonic cores contain extremely pure demonic power and a trace of dragon might, which can be used to refine Medicinal Pills for breaking through Bottlenecks, or as the core of certain special Formations!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, and smiled: "A Level Seven Flood Dragon is an existence comparable to a Late Core Formation Stage human, or even a Pseudo-Nascent Soul Cultivator! Such a demonic core is a rare find! The starting price—eighty thousand Spirit Stones!"

The whole place was in an uproar!

A seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core!

The Late Core Formation Stage Cultivators' eyes lit up, each of them looking like a hungry wolf seeing a fat sheep.

A demonic core of this level would be of immense help to them in breaking through Bottlenecks and increasing their cultivation!

If it could be refined into a Medicinal Pill, it might even allow them to touch the threshold of the Pseudo-Nascent Soul stage!

"Eighty-five thousand!"

"Ninety thousand!"

"Ninety-five thousand!"

"One hundred thousand!"

...

The bidding rose one after another, and the price soared all the way.

The Early Core Formation Stage Cultivators all gave up; a treasure of this level was no longer something they could lay claim to.

One hundred thousand Spirit Stones was already their entire fortune; some couldn't even scrape it together even if they went bankrupt.

When the price reached one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, the number of competitors gradually decreased.

After all, not every Core Formation Cultivator had the courage and financial resources to stake everything on a single throw.

For most Core Formation Cultivators, one hundred thousand Spirit Stones was their entire net worth; spending it meant they would have to endure several years of hardship.

"One hundred and ten thousand," a voice came from a second-floor private box.

"One hundred and twenty thousand," another voice came from a third-floor private box.

"One hundred and thirty thousand," the first voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of unwillingness.

Only two voices remained in the bidding.

Lu Qiu sat in his private box, looking at the flood dragon demonic core, his heart stirring slightly.

A seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core, though not comparable to a ninth-grade demonic core, was still extremely precious.

If used to feed the Bloodline Flood Dragon, it might allow it to take another step forward.

The Bloodline Flood Dragon already possessed the flood dragon Bloodline, so consuming a demonic core of the same origin would have the best effect.

It might even use this to break through to the Level Six Peak, or even touch the threshold of Level Seven.

He spoke: "One hundred and forty thousand Spirit Stones."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

Outside the private box, the bidding came to an abrupt halt.

A moment later, an old and majestic voice came from another private box, tinged with dissatisfaction, a hint of threat, and a touch of arrogance:

"This old man is the Pill King Gu He, and I urgently need this flood dragon core to refine an extremely important Medicinal Pill. I ask my Fellow Daoist to yield it. If there is a need in the future, I can refine a pill for you once for free."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked!

Pill King Gu He!

He was an extremely famous Alchemy master in Tianxing City!

It was said that the quality of the pills he refined was thirty percent better than similar ones on the market, and even some Nascent Soul Stage old monsters sought him out for Alchemy.

He himself was also a powerhouse at the Late Core Formation Stage, with high prestige and wide connections in Tianxing City, and it was said he had ties with many important figures.

Everyone's gaze turned toward that private box, then toward Lu Qiu's, wanting to see who this person was that dared to challenge the Pill King.

Some whispered, some gloated, and some shook their heads and sighed.

At the same time, a powerful Divine Sense surged out from that private box, carrying a hint of pressure and enveloping Lu Qiu's box like a physical force.

That Divine Sense was condensed and sharp, with a hint of warning; clearly, Gu He was demonstrating his power, wanting Lu Qiu to back down.

Lu Qiu gave a cold snort.

Comparing Divine Sense with him?

He was someone with a Divine Sense close to the Middle Stage of the Nascent Soul Stage!

Although Gu He was also at the Late Core Formation Stage, his Divine Sense strength was more than one level below his!

In the next instant, an even larger, more condensed, and sharper Divine Sense erupted from him like a volcanic explosion, slamming fiercely into Gu He's Divine Sense!

The strength of that Divine Sense caused all the Cultivators in the auction house to feel a sense of trepidation!

It was as if an ancient Vicious Beast had suddenly awakened, emitting a suffocating pressure!

Those Cultivators with lower cultivation turned pale one by one, their bodies trembling, almost collapsing to the ground!

Gu He's Divine Sense was like hitting an iron wall, instantly shattered to pieces!

He let out a muffled groan, his face instantly turning as pale as paper, fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead, and his whole body froze in place as if struck by lightning!

"This... this is..." His voice was trembling, filled with unbelievable fear, "Pseudo-Nascent Soul? Or... Nascent Soul?!"

There was a dead silence in the private box.

A moment later, Gu He's voice rang out again, but this time there was no longer any of the previous arrogance or threat, only panic and respect, even carrying a hint of a tremor:

"Junior was blind and offended Senior; I hope Senior can forgive me!"

The entire hall was in an uproar!

To make Pill King Gu He call himself a Junior and apologize so fearfully, with his voice even shaking, how high must this Senior's cultivation be?

Could it be a legendary Nascent Soul Stage old monster?!

Everyone's gaze turned toward Lu Qiu's private box again, this time filled with awe and curiosity.

Some even began to guess which Nascent Soul Stage old monster this Senior was and why he would attend an auction of this level.

The elder surnamed Zhou's expression was a bit unsightly.

The actions of Gu He and Lu Qiu undoubtedly broke the rules of the auction, but both were individuals of profound cultivation, especially Lu Qiu, whose strength was unfathomable. Even Gu He was scared into apologizing, so he dared not lash out.

He gave a dry cough and said with a forced smile, his voice carrying a hint of caution: "Seniors, according to our house rules, the highest bidder wins. Since this Senior has bid one hundred and forty thousand, I wonder if Senior Gu would like to increase the price?"

Gu He was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, his voice full of helplessness and resignation: "Junior's financial resources are limited; I shall yield this flood dragon core to Senior."

The elder surnamed Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly announced: "Sold! This seventh-grade flood dragon demonic core belongs to the Senior in private box number three!"

A smile curled at the corners of Lu Qiu's mouth.

This flood dragon core was now in his hands.

...

The auction continued, and the disturbance temporarily subsided.

Although the subsequent items were all rare—Magic Treasures, Medicinal Pills, Materials, and Cultivation Techniques—each causing varying degrees of bidding, Lu Qiu did not make another move.

It wasn't that he was intentionally keeping a low profile; he simply hadn't encountered any treasure he liked.

While he had some interest in those Magic Treasures, pills, and Materials, they weren't enough to move his heart.

Another half hour passed.

The auction finally reached its end.

The elder surnamed Zhou cleared his throat, his voice carrying a hint of mystery, solemnity, and excitement:

"Fellow Daoists, next is the grand finale of this auction!"

The entire hall instantly fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's gaze turned toward the auction stage, their eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity.

A maid carrying a tray walked onto the high platform. Her gait was dignified, her expression solemn, and she held the tray with both hands as if carrying something sacred. On the tray sat a palm-sized black box.

The box was pitch black, as if it could absorb all light.

Its surface was covered with dense runes, layered and interconnected to form an extremely complex pattern, emitting an ancient and mysterious Aura.

Those runes were extremely ancient, completely different from the style of contemporary runes, carrying a sense of the vicissitudes of time.

Faintly, a weak spiritual light flowed between the runes, as if telling of the box's extraordinary nature.

The elder surnamed Zhou took the tray and held it high above his head so everyone could see clearly.

"This treasure box comes from an ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave!" he said loudly, his voice full of pride. "The Restriction on it is something even the Formation Master Xuan Kongzi could not open!"

The whole place was in an uproar!

Xuan Kongzi!

He was a famous Formation Master in the Chaotic Star Sea!

Although he only had a Middle Stage Core Formation cultivation, he could set up grand Formations to defend against Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators!

His attainment in Formations was among the best in the entire Chaotic Star Sea!

If even he couldn't open the Restriction, how powerful must it be?

Everyone discussed animatedly, the buzzing of conversation rising like a tide.

"Even Xuan Kongzi can't open it? Then what's the use of this box? Buy it back as a decoration?"

"Who knows what's inside? Maybe it's empty? Many of these ancient boxes are empty."

"Exactly, only a fool would spend a fortune on a box that can't be opened. One hundred thousand Spirit Stones is enough to buy so many good things."

But some held different opinions, mostly those Cultivators with an adventurous spirit:

"With such a strong Restriction, there must be a heavy treasure inside! Maybe it's some shocking Legacy!"

"Right! Maybe it's a relic of an ancient powerhouse! There could be Cultivation Techniques, Magic Treasures, or Medicinal Pills inside!"

"Such ancient boxes often hide big secrets. If it can be opened, one might reach the heavens in a single step!"

The elder surnamed Zhou listened to the discussions below and was in no hurry, just waiting with a smile like an old fisherman sitting firmly on his boat. When the discussions died down slightly, he continued:

"Fellow Daoists, although Great Master Xuan Kongzi could not open this Restriction, he personally said that this Restriction is extremely ancient, with a history of at least thirty thousand years! Thirty thousand years! That was the ancient era! The Cultivators of that time had cultivation far superior to today's! Who would believe there isn't a heavy treasure inside such an ancient Restriction?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping the room, and said loudly: "The starting price for this treasure box is one hundred thousand Spirit Stones! The highest bidder wins!"

One hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

This price made many Cultivators gasp. Buying a box that couldn't be opened was too risky. For most Core Formation Cultivators, one hundred thousand Spirit Stones was their entire net worth. If they bought an empty box, they would be bankrupt.

But some were eager to try, mostly those bold, wealthy, and adventurous Cultivators.

"One hundred and five thousand!"

"One hundred and ten thousand!"

"One hundred and twenty thousand!"

Several Late Core Formation Stage Cultivators began to bid. For them, while one hundred thousand Spirit Stones was not a small amount, if they could gamble on a heavy treasure, they would make a huge profit. The path of cultivation was a struggle against heaven; one must gamble when it's time to gamble.

The price quickly reached one hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones.

Lu Qiu had been sitting quietly in his private box, watching the bidding below. His gaze fell on the black box, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

This was the black treasure chest mentioned in the intelligence.

Inside was a ninth-grade demonic core!

A Ninth-Rank Demon Beast was an existence equivalent to a human Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator!

A demonic core of this level was of inestimable value!

Let alone one hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones, even hundreds of thousands or a million would be worth it! If he could obtain it, whether for Alchemy or setting up Formations, it would be a massive help!

He spoke: "One hundred and sixty thousand Spirit Stones."

His voice was as calm as water, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

The whole place went silent.

It was that Senior again, the one who made Pill King Gu He bow his head!

The few Late Core Formation Stage Cultivators who were bidding looked at each other, all seeing hesitation in the other's eyes.

This Senior's strength was unfathomable; even Gu He didn't dare offend him. Why should they offend such a figure for an uncertain box?"

If they provoked the other party, they might not even be able to keep their lives.

After a moment of silence, no one increased the price further.

The elder surnamed Zhou asked three times, and when no one answered, he immediately struck the gavel:

"Sold! This black treasure chest belongs to the Senior in private box number three!"

A smile curled at the corners of Lu Qiu's mouth.

The ninth-grade demonic core was now his.