Seven Star Blood Orchid (I)

When Yue Qianchou took out the 720 supreme-grade Spirit Stones, he still felt a pang of regret. Although these were just a drop in the ocean compared to the Purple Crystal Palace he had brought, he still felt the pinch. However, when he thought of Bai Suzhen, he felt much more at ease. After all, he had exchanged some things for the money; it wasn't a free gift to the Wu family.

Besides, isn't showing off my strength to the Four Great Families exactly what I want to do? And the current level of showing off is clearly far from impressive enough. In that case, I'll put on a solo show at the auction!

After he sat back down, Bi Zicong and the others looked him over again. They were surprised to find that he was carrying so much money on him. Most of the others had come on behalf of their sects, unlike him who was alone. How many people in the Cultivation World could take out so much money on their own?

The sixth round of auction began as expected. A member of the Wu family placed something covered with a red cloth on the table. The cloth was lifted, revealing a cage. He then gently rotated the cage by lifting a handle, raising it to reveal a flowerpot with a base. A blood-red herbaceous plant, still bearing small white flowers, was presented before everyone's eyes. Suddenly, the onlookers were startled by a faint, pungent smell of blood.

Yue Qianchou was taken aback. This thing looked familiar. Suddenly, something came to mind that he had seen in the Pill Sect's Pill Formula Tablet of Pill Recipes. He exclaimed in astonishment, "Seven Star Blood Orchid!"

Bi Zicong and the others were also taken aback. He recognized this thing? Although they hadn't seen it before, that didn't mean they hadn't heard of it. After Yue Qianchou's reminder, they all exclaimed in surprise, "Seven Star Blood Orchid..."

Wu Tai looked at Yue Qianchou and laughed, "Sir, you truly have a keen eye. This thing has probably not appeared in the Cultivation World for thousands of years. I didn't expect you to recognize it as soon as it appeared. It is the 'Seven Star Blood Orchid,' which is of great help to Core Formation cultivators in breaking through to Core Formation stage Soul stage. This plant grows one leaf per year and takes a full hundred years to flower and bear fruit. It takes another hundred years to produce seven mature Blood Fruit, each of which can help people successfully break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Legend has it that if there is a good Pill Formula, the entire mature Blood Orchid can be used to refine a life-extending elixir. It is said that taking a similar elixir can make people live for fifty years longer. I don't know if it's true or not, but I'm sure many of you here know this legend."

Everyone was shocked. They never expected to encounter such a treasure at this auction. Just as Wu Tai said, it was the legendary item that could prolong life. The most tempting thing was the old legend that it could prolong life. It should be known that every sect has people whose lifespan is about to end. Many of these people are elders of their respective sects. If they could buy this 'Seven Star Blood Orchid' and win the favor of those elders, it would be a great achievement.

For a time, people from Righteous and Demonic paths were eager to acquire it, seemingly determined to succeed. The people from Fu Xian Island and Myriad Demon Palace were no exception, as were Dongfang Changao and Chou Wuyuan, both of whom stared intently at the Blood Orchid. Some smaller sects, however, sighed and lamented, realizing that such a treasure was beyond their means.

Yue Qianchou watched coldly. Leaving aside whether they could refine any longevity elixirs from this, he wanted it too. They wouldn't even get past the auction. When it comes to money, Fu Xian Island and Myriad Demon Palace combined probably wouldn't be enough to compete with him. Thinking this, he scoffed disdainfully, "Hmph! Everyone wants longevity! That's just wishful thinking."

That's really discouraging! As soon as the first buyer spoke, everyone turned to look. Judging from his tone, there seemed to be something wrong with the Blood Orchid. After all, he was the one who recognized it at first glance, so his eyesight was clearly superior to everyone else's. Chou Wuyuan gave a wink to the people around him, and someone immediately shouted, "Does this gentleman have any brilliant ideas? Why don't you share them with everyone?"

Someone chimed in, "Yes! Everyone's sitting here bidding. It wouldn't be good if we bought a fake without knowing the truth. Sir, if you have any concerns, please speak up. We're all ready to listen."

"I never said this Blood Orchid was fake!" Yue Qianchou replied coldly, then fell silent. This left everyone on edge, unsure if he was telling the truth. If it was fake, they would have wasted their money, especially since none of them had ever seen a 'Seven Star Blood Orchid' before. A flurry of discussion immediately broke out below.

Wu Sihai frowned in the dark room. Had he really misjudged it? According to the records in the ancient book treasured by the Wu family, this should be the 'Seven Star Blood Orchid'!

Wu Tai on the stage was immediately embarrassed. Everyone was in this state, so how could the Blood Orchid be auctioned off? So he bowed to Yue Qianchou and said with a smile, "Sir, please speak frankly. If it is really fake, my Wu family will immediately withdraw it and replace it with other treasures for auction. We will definitely not blame you. Besides, my Wu family does not want to miss this opportunity to broaden our horizons. Please do not hesitate to enlighten us."

"I already said I didn't say this Blood Orchid was fake! Go ahead and auction it off," Yue Qianchou said coldly.

Wu Tai was both amused and exasperated. Why did you say that in the first place? And now you're saying this? How can everyone believe you? Besides, you called out the name as soon as the Blood Orchid appeared, which only made everyone more suspicious.

Wu Licheng, who was frowning to himself, suddenly heard his grandfather's voice. After listening, he nodded slightly. Turning to Yue Qianchou, he smiled and said, "You're the only one here who recognizes this Blood Orchid. You have to explain the reason behind what you said at the beginning! Otherwise, how can they auction this Blood Orchid?"

Yue Qianchou was initially too lazy to bother with it. He thought, "I'll say whatever I want, what's it to you? Why should I explain myself? Buy it or not, I can just pick up a bargain." However, since Wu Licheng had spoken up, he felt a little embarrassed, realizing that his words had indeed affected the Wu family's auction.

After a moment's thought, Yue Qianchou nodded, stood up, and slowly walked to the stage. He looked around the blood orchid, touched it, and even smelled it. It matched the description of the 'Seven Star Blood Orchid' in the Pill Formula Recipe Book. He looked up and said, "This is indeed the 'Seven Star Blood Orchid,' without a doubt!" Then he walked off the stage.

"Wait!" One of the people next to Chou Wuyuan stood up and said, "You said it was 'Seven Star Blood Orchid' at the beginning, we all heard that. But just now you said we were being delusional, what does that mean? Please explain, sir!"

Yue Qianchou stopped abruptly, looked at him, and said coldly, "Buy it or don't, why should I explain to you?"

"You..." The man was about to Chou Wuyuan angry when Qiu Wuyuan grabbed him and shook his head, saying in a telepathic message, "Don't do anything rash. I can't see through this person's cultivation level either. He is very likely a master at the late Tribulation Transcendence stage." The man was stunned, swallowed the words he was about to say, and obediently sat down.

Yue Qianchou snorted coldly and was about to leave when Wu Sihai from backstage came out and bowed to him, saying, "Please wait, sir. I am Wu Sihai, the current head of the Wu family. I have something to ask you! Please do me the honor of staying!"

Yue Qianchou naturally couldn't put on airs with him, so he stopped, cupped his hands in return, and said, "I wouldn't dare! Please ask away! I will answer whatever I know!"

"Oh my! This young man is quite sensible!" Wu Sihai nodded and smiled, "Since you've confirmed that this is the 'Seven Star Blood Orchid,' I won't ask any more questions about its authenticity. But what I want to ask is what everyone else wants to ask as well. I also have some doubts about what you said earlier. According to the old legend, once this Blood Orchid is refined into a elixir, one pill can extend one's life by fifty years. I'm sure everyone has heard this legend. Why did you say that wanting to live a long life is wishful thinking? Is this legend wrong? Please enlighten me, sir."

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