Chapter 9

"Twenty million."

"Twenty-three million."

"Twenty-seven million."

"Thirty million." The royal family boldly raised the stakes to thirty million.

At thirty million, the price was already quite high. In terms of financial strength, the major
powers were no match for the royal family. However, they were unwilling to give up.

The three major families collaborated on the bid.

The Night Owl Sect had initially intended to invite the Heavenly Sword Sect to cooperate,
but the latter declined. As for the Qingxue Palace, it was likely they lacked the necessary
funds. Consequently, the Night Owl Sect had no choice but to give up.

"Forty-five million."

The Third Prince gritted his teeth, finding this number somewhat burdensome. The Spirit
Stones allocated to him amounted to around fifty million, and although the Azure Cloud
Kingdom's ruler granted permission to exceed this slightly, he was not to exceed seventy
million. Initially, he had planned to acquire all the final items, but now he realized he could
only bid on one.

"Forty-six million." The three major families also felt the strain.

"Forty-eight million."

"Ah, it's both time and destiny."

The three major families might only be able to bid this high. Should they proceed further,
they would have to tighten their belts for quite some time to recover. Being a family, they had
to provide resources for their descendants' cultivation.

In the end, the Azure Cloud Royal Family secured the technique for forty-eight million.

"The third auction item is a weapon, a Lower Earth Grade longsword named the Frigid
Radiance Sword. The starting bid is one million Lower Grade Spirit Stones, with each
increment no less than ten thousand Lower Grade Spirit Stones."

As soon as Shen Wansan finished speaking, the room burst into an uproar. No one had
expected the final item to be a Lower Earth Grade weapon. Such items were truly rare. After
all, it was rumored that the national weapon of the Azure Cloud Kingdom was merely a high-
grade Profound Tier item.

Even a figure seated on the first floor in a black robe couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
"Ahaha, fortune truly favors me this time. Unexpectedly, the final item is a Lower Earth
Grade weapon."

An elderly man in a third-floor private room burst into hearty laughter. With this weapon, his
strength could increase by at least twenty percent.

"The Kyushu Chamber of Commerce."

The old man's gaze grew cold. This person was the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch, a
cultivator at the early stage peak of the True Martial Realm, not far from the mid-stage.

Indeed, he had come this time to avenge the Heavenly Sword Sect, but he had since changed
his mind.

The Kyushu Chamber of Commerce was evidently not to be trifled with, and he couldn't
afford to provoke them either. However, if he were to snatch the sword, with his cultivation,
he could flee successfully. Despite the risks, he had no other option – after all, he didn't know
the depths of the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce's strength.

Soon, he adopted a resolute expression. As a cultivator, he had to vie against the heavens,
earth, and others. The greater the risk, the greater the reward. He would give his all. Besides,
he wasn't without means. The foundation might be lost, but, sigh, it was an unavoidable
choice.

"Twenty-three million."

The Third Prince took the initiative, since this was the highest bid he could muster. The royal
family wasn't short on funds, but the cost was substantial, including officials' salaries and
various allocations. Additionally, disasters had plagued the land in recent years, contributing
to the royal family's decline and financial strain.

"Thirty million."

The three major families displayed content smiles. The royal family was just paper tigers,
nothing more. Nowadays, who could contend with them?

"Thirty-five million, along with the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce being granted residence
rights within the Azure Cloud Kingdom's royal family." The Third Prince was unwilling to
accept defeat, pushing the price up. Yet Shen Wansan seemed unfazed.

Residence rights? Who needs your agreement? If you don't comply, I can always choose
someone else.

"Forty million."

A figure in a black robe on the first floor spoke up, their voice disguised to obscure their
gender.

This unexpected turn of events displeased the three major families. They had thought victory
was assured, yet an unexpected contender emerged.
Even the Third Prince's expression soured, but he had no recourse. Though the person was
seated on the first floor, the ability to bif forty million Lower Grade Spirit Stones indicated
they weren't ordinary.

"Forty One Million." The three major families had no choice but to continue increasing their
bids.

As for the Third Prince, he could only withdraw reluctantly. Yet, he managed to secure the
Vast Expanse Technique, which was a consolation.

"Forty Five Million." The person in the black robe persisted.

"Forty Six Million."

"Fifty million." The price was raised to fifty million by the mysterious figure, their demeanor
seemingly carefree.

"You…" The representatives of the three major families were helpless, forced to give up.

Shen Wansan announced the outcome.

"With that, this auction concludes. The Kyushu Chamber of Commerce extends its gratitude
to everyone for their participation. Those who successfully bid, kindly proceed to the
backstage for transactions." Just as Shen Wansan finished speaking, an unexpected incident
occurred.

Taking advantage of the relaxed vigilance as the auction ended, the Heavenly Sword Sect's
patriarch attempted to snatch the Frigid Radiance Sword. However, Li Mochou, who had
been vigilant, seized upon the opportunity.

A True Martial Realm expert had entered the scene; how could she not be aware?

"Thief, how dare you."

Just as the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch was about to grasp the hilt of the sword, three
frigid silver needles shot down from above.

Realizing the danger, the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch had to abandon his attempt to seize
the sword.

The three frigid silver needles struck the auction stand's surface, instantly freezing the entire
area. In just two seconds, the auction stand transformed into a pile of ice and debris.

In the sky above, a young woman dressed in a purple Daoist robe and holding a feather duster
stood, her eyes cold as she stared down at the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch, regarding him
as if he were already dead.

"Mid-stage of the True Martial Realm."

The other major powers were equally astonished. True Martial Realm experts at the mid-
stage were likely exclusive to the royal family! They had not anticipated that the Kyushu
Chamber of Commerce would harbor such a powerful figure. In fact, they probably had even
more hidden strengths.

Indeed, a Chamber of Commerce capable of auctioning Lower Earth Grade techniques so

Li Mochou had no intention of wasting words; she struck directly. The battle raged outward,
and the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch welcomed it, making his escape easier.
Nevertheless, he had overestimated himself and underestimated Li Mochou.

All the individuals summoned by the system were peerless talents. They were far superior to
most of this world's inhabitants. The Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch was pushed back, his
mastery of sword arts impressive, yet he was destined to lose.

Additionally, the Crimson Flame Godly Palm was formidable. Its palm strikes carried potent
venom, a testament to the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch's robust cultivation. Otherwise,
the poison would have already incapacitated him. Nonetheless, the poison disrupted his
Spiritual Energy, making it difficult to exert his full strength. His body bore visible signs of
the struggle.

He regretted his greed, wishing he had restrained himself. Now, his actions had caused such
an outcome, and it seemed unlikely he would survive to understand the consequences.

Distracted by this battle, the Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch presented Li Mochou with an
opportunity. She struck his heart meridian with a palm strike, a blow that extended beyond
the might of the Crimson Flame Godly Palm. Li Mochou had also infused the chilling power
of the frigid silver needles into her strike, shattering his heart meridian. His life was swiftly
waning.

The collapsing Heavenly Sword Sect's patriarch coughed up blood, even his internal organs
intermingled. It was evident he had suffered grave injuries. While he understood his own
condition, there was no returning from such an injury.