“Just one of them, so your alliance has other reasons as well,” the elderly Mahayana cultivator of the Ephemera Clan asked slowly.
“Indeed. The other reason is that although this drop of spiritual blood appears to have an extraordinary origin, our alliance remains completely baffled by its specific effects and has found no way to utilize it. After extensive research, apart from discovering that water soaked with this spiritual blood can transform into a liquid akin to Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Milk, capable of restoring spiritual energy, we have been unable to extract the terrifying energy contained within its essence, nor have we found any method to refine it,” Hu Yushuang stated solemnly.
“This spiritual blood cannot be refined?” one of the Mahayana elders exclaimed in surprise.
“Heh, if this truly is the blood of the Ancestral Dragon, it must possess boundless wonders. If it could be refined so easily, why would our alliance be willing to auction it off? However, all of you esteemed fellow Daoists possess immense power and great fortune. Just because our alliance cannot accomplish this does not mean you cannot. If one truly succeeds in refining this spiritual blood, ascending directly to the Immortal Realm might not be impossible. Of course, if you lack confidence, you may simply refrain from bidding,” Hu Yushuang quickly explained.
“If this spiritual blood contains such terrifying energy, even if it isn’t the Ancestral Dragon’s blood, it must be the essence blood of some unimaginable existence. This treasure is mine!” A calm voice emerged from one of the floating pavilions, belonging to a Mahayana elder.
“Haha… Such a treasure, and you think you can claim it just like that? You’ll have to see if others agree. Hu girl, begin the auction for this treasure,” another Mahayana elder laughed wildly.
Though no voices came from the other floating pavilions, the strange aura emanating between them made it clear that these Mahayana cultivators were also deeply tempted by the golden spiritual blood.
As for the numerous ordinary beings in the plaza, their eyes widened like lanterns as they stared at the golden drop of blood, not daring to even breathe heavily.
To witness such an inconceivable treasure at this auction, even knowing it would never fall into their hands, made this trip entirely worthwhile.
“The starting bid for this spiritual blood is one billion spirit stones. Let us begin—”
“Wait! Esteemed seniors, I seem to have a vague impression of this item, but I can’t quite recall the specifics. May I approach for a closer inspection?” A gloomy male voice rang out from the front rows of the plaza. A plainly dressed man in black robes stood up as he spoke.
“You recognize this spiritual blood?” Hu Yushuang’s expression shifted, her beautiful eyes locking onto him.
Everyone else was equally startled, their gazes snapping toward him.
Even the four alliance elders who had been meditating around the stone platform opened their eyes in surprise.
“Does this drop of spiritual blood emit a five-colored rainbow every twelve hours?” the black-robed man asked slowly after a moment of contemplation.
“How do you know that?” The woman, initially skeptical, was now both shocked and delighted.
“I must confirm this before I can be certain of its origin,” the black-robed man replied evasively.
“Elders, what do you think?” Hu Yushuang hesitated before bowing slightly to the four alliance elders.
“Brother Ming, what’s your opinion?” the gaunt elder instead raised his head and called out toward the sky.
“Since he wasn’t wrong earlier, let him come forward for identification. Heh, with us old fellows personally overseeing this, are we afraid a mere Body Integration cultivator could cause trouble?” A resonant voice echoed from above—Venerable Ming’s.
“If Brother Ming agrees, then let him approach. But he must not touch the spiritual blood directly—only observe it from a closer distance,” the gaunt elder instructed cautiously.
“Understood. Fellow Daoist, you heard him. You may approach now,” Hu Yushuang nodded repeatedly.
Thus, the gazes of the plaza’s spectators and the Mahayana elders in the floating pavilions all converged on the black-robed man.
He walked toward the stone platform and soon stood before the beautiful woman, carefully examining the alms bowl up close.
“Indeed, it seems correct. But to be absolutely certain, may I take a small sample of the liquid inside for final verification?” the man muttered before suddenly turning to ask the woman beside him.
“Very well, but do not take too much,” Hu Yushuang frowned but nodded in agreement.
“Rest assured, I will be mindful. Please lift the restriction first,” the black-robed man smiled.
“Of course.” Hu Yushuang formed a hand seal and tapped the alms bowl.
With a *bang*, a layer of invisible ripples dispersed from the bowl’s surface.
The black-robed man stepped forward, raised his arm, and pointed a finger at the bowl.
The transparent bowl trembled slightly, and a thumb-sized droplet of liquid flew out.
Seeing the small volume, Hu Yushuang relaxed slightly.
Such a tiny amount was inconsequential.
Just as she thought this, the black-robed man casually reached out to grab the droplet.
Hu Yushuang’s fingers flickered with spiritual light as she prepared to reapply the bowl’s restrictions.
But at that moment, the gaunt elder’s expression suddenly changed.
“Stop! Brat, what are you doing?” he roared.
As he spoke, his sleeve fluttered, and an ordinary-looking hand shot out, transforming into a massive blue palm that descended like lightning toward the black-robed man.
Realizing the situation, Hu Yushuang’s face paled. She flicked her fingers, sending a bolt of spiritual light toward the bowl.
But it was already too late.
The black-robed man let out a strange cackle, ignoring the descending palm. Instead, his body erupted with silver light, sweeping forward.
A bizarre scene unfolded.
The silver light flashed, and the alms bowl—along with its contents—vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, the blue palm crashed down with overwhelming force, making escape impossible.
*Thud!*
A gray shadow flickered above the black-robed man’s head, and a crimson palm materialized, striking upward.
A deafening explosion shook the earth as the two palms collided. A violent shockwave erupted, hurling Hu Yushuang and the three palace-robed women off the platform.
Someone had actually dared to act during the auction, collaborating with the black-robed man to steal the spiritual blood!
Even Han Li in his floating pavilion was momentarily stunned.
The gaunt elder’s face twisted with fury. With a hand seal, a green crystal orb and a silver hammer flew from his body.
The orb circled above, casting a green light that enveloped the entire platform.
The hammer enlarged to ten feet, crackling with silver lightning as its wielder gripped it tightly.
“Who are you two, daring to provoke us like this?” the gaunt elder demanded coldly. Despite the theft, he showed no panic.
Both the black-robed man and the gray shadow had revealed Mahayana-level cultivation, meaning they were no ordinary figures.
The other three alliance elders stood expressionlessly, summoning protective treasures to encircle the intruders.
The celestial music above ceased abruptly. The five-colored clouds parted, revealing rows of armored soldiers flooding the plaza, sealing all exits.
Layers of visible and invisible formations emerged, turning the area into a forbidden zone.
The gray shadow’s light faded, revealing a short, long-bearded elder in gray robes.
“Did you really get it? Make sure it’s not a fake,” the bearded elder said coolly.
“Relax, I wouldn’t act unless it was the real Ancestral Dragon’s blood,” the black-robed man chuckled.
“Good. This trip wasn’t in vain,” the elder nodded in satisfaction.
The two ignored the alliance elders, conversing as if they were alone.
The gaunt elder’s anger flared, but his expression remained icy. “You two have no escape now. Return the spiritual blood, and our alliance may show leniency, treating this as a momentary lapse. But if you insist on stealing it, don’t blame us for being ruthless.”
“Return it? After all this effort? Don’t be ridiculous,” the black-robed man laughed mockingly.
“Enough talk. Let’s go,” the bearded elder said impatiently.
“Relax, they can’t stop us,” the black-robed man smirked, flipping his hand to produce a dark green formation disk. He tossed it forward.
A miraculous sight unfolded.
The disk flashed, and a green sprout appeared, rapidly growing into a towering emerald tree.
Han Li’s pupils constricted as he recognized the tree.
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