Jade Dragon Gourd

The Jade Dragon Gourd was precisely an ancestral heirloom Liu Jing was selling off. Its function was so lackluster because it was a failed magical treasure. Aside from being made of material approaching magical-treasure grade, it possessed none of a magical treasure's power.

Even so, Liu Jing could not bear to hear the crude Big Man from Spirit Beast Mountain disparage it so harshly, much less tolerate him buying the Jade Dragon Gourd in a manner akin to charity.

This is an insult to my Liu Clan! I would rather wait another ten years than sell the Jade Dragon Gourd to him!

After hesitating for a moment, just as Liu Jing resolved to withdraw the Jade Dragon Gourd, Luo Hong suddenly called out a bid.

Liu Jing assumed Luo Hong was trying to help him, and his feelings became exceedingly complicated.

"Uncle-master Liu, please do not misunderstand. I bid because I sincerely want this treasure gourd, not because I am trying to flatter and curry favor with you."

Ever since the Jade Dragon Gourd had gone up for auction, Liu Jing's expression had been off. Sitting beside him, Luo Hong had taken in everything, so how could he not guess the connection between Liu Jing and the Jade Dragon Gourd?

"You brat, are you toying with me?!"

Luo Hong's sudden intervention had ruined the crude Big Man's plans for no reason, and the look he gave Luo Hong immediately turned venomous.

"Hmph, are you threatening a disciple of Yellow Maple Valley, Fellow Daoist?"

Liu Jing glared back without the slightest courtesy, releasing the aura of his Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivation.

"O-of course not. I merely doubt whether this little friend can produce so many Spirit Stones."

This crude Big Man was no easy character. Even in Spirit Beast Mountain, he was notorious for his ruthlessness. If any Qi Refining Stage disciple of Spirit Beast Mountain offended him, they would surely meet their end in the jaws of his spirit ants.

The only reason he was swallowing his anger now was that dozens of Yellow Maple Valley Foundation Establishment stage cultivators around him were casting hostile looks his way. Even someone as accustomed to arrogance as he was could not help feeling waves of fear.

"I, as his Martial Uncle, will guarantee the Spirit Stones. If Fellow Daoist has no further bid, then please sit down."

Liu Jing had made up his mind. If Nephew-disciple Luo did not have enough Spirit Stones, he would lend him however many he lacked.

"Hmph! Yellow Maple Valley certainly has quite the imposing manner. Maliciously driving up the price like this—are you trying to bully customers just because you are powerful?!"

The speaker was a Qi Refining Late-stage Female Cultivator from the Moon Concealing Sect. Her voice was ordinary, but the venom in her tone made everyone present frown.

Luo Hong turned his head to look. Two Female Cultivators in white palace robes sat at the same table. One of them was playing with a crystal ball in her hand and watching him with a mocking expression. Her features were fierce, and one look was enough to tell she was an unreasonable shrew.

The Other had Foundation Establishment Late-stage cultivation and wore a white veil over her face. Every movement she made gave others the feeling of a spring breeze.

Their temperaments were utterly different, yet they sat at the same table. Who knew what the reason was?

"What? Nothing to say?"

When the harsh Female Cultivator saw that none of the Yellow Maple Valley cultivators responded to her provocation, she immediately became smug.

Among the Seven Sects of the Yue Kingdom, Yellow Maple Valley's strength was roughly equal to that of the other Five Sects. Only the Moon Concealing Sect stood apart; none of the other Six Sects could match it alone, and only by joining forces in pairs could they contend with it somewhat.

Members of the Six Sects were often warned by their elders not to provoke Moon Concealing Sect disciples lightly. Thus, all the cultivators present were wary. Though angered, none were foolish enough to step forward first.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to question my motives. I am determined to obtain this treasure. If you are interested, then place a bid."

Luo Hong had not expected to encounter a Female Cultivator with such a vile temperament. This Matter had begun because of him; others could avoid it, but he could not.

"Heh, determined to obtain it? You sure talk big! I bid three hundred and fifty Spirit Stones!"

"I bid three hundred and fifty-one Spirit Stones."

"Four hundred Spirit Stones!"

"Four hundred and one!"

"Brat! How dare you make a fool of me? Do you know that my Ancestor is a Core Formation Stage elder of the Moon Concealing Sect?!"

The moment those words were spoken, whether they were indignant or merely enjoying the show, all the Cultivators present looked away.

Given this Female Cultivator's overbearing nature, her Core Formation Ancestor must have spoiled her greatly. Being targeted by such a little tyrant was certainly no good thing.

Luo Hong hesitated as well. Just as he was about to ask Liu Jing's opinion, Liu Jing's firm voice rang out behind him:

"My master is Li Huayuan. May I ask which senior of the Moon Concealing Sect is the master of the person across from us?"

Liu Jing was not asking the harsh Female Cultivator. She was merely a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator; unless she possessed heaven-defying talent, she could not possibly be the disciple of a great Core Formation cultivator.

"My master is Fairy Crimson Cloud. My nephew disciple was offensive just now; I hope Fellow Daoist will be magnanimous."

After Liu Jing announced Li Huayuan's name, the veiled Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator could finally no longer maintain an attitude of Not My Business. She politely stated her lineage, then said softly to the harsh woman:

"Do not cause trouble. Sit down."

Her voice was gentle as water. Hearing it, both Luo Hong and Liu Jing felt their hearts soften, and seven parts of their anger vanished at once.

"Such natural charm—her Charm Skill is formidable!"

Sensing the change in themselves, Luo Hong and Liu Jing both felt a chill in their hearts.

Though the harsh Female Cultivator wore an unwilling expression, she did not disobey in the end. Before obediently sitting down, she merely shot Luo Hong a vicious glare.

Luo Hong secretly groaned. This woman had surely come to resent him. Hopefully Fairy Crimson Cloud would not be so bored as to come to Yellow Maple Valley and make trouble over a Qi Refining Stage junior.

As for the crude Big Man from Spirit Beast Mountain, he had originally wanted to join the bidding, but after hearing that both sides had Core Formation cultivators backing them, he could only sit down resentfully and make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

Like the auction items sold earlier, the Jade Dragon Gourd was delivered to Luo Hong's private room by a little maidservant at the early Qi Refining Stage.

At this moment, so as not to flaunt his wealth, Luo Hong deliberately made the corners of his mouth twitch slightly twice, then poured four hundred and one Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag.

Looking at the Jade Dragon Gourd now in his hands and feeling its cool touch, Luo Hong rejoiced inwardly. Its ability to refine Mortal Water into spirit water would be of great use to him.

"Nephew-disciple Luo, I will certainly compensate you soon for the Spirit Stones you lost this time."

Liu Jing truly believed Luo Hong was pained over the Spirit Stones, making him feel even more guilty.

"Martial Uncle, there is no need. I truly wanted to buy it for myself. If I can consume spirit water while cultivating a Water Element Cultivation Method, my cultivation speed will surely improve."

"This..." Liu Jing hesitated, then lowered his voice. "It is true that the Jade Dragon Gourd can refine spirit water, but it takes an extremely long time. Even if Nephew Disciple pours in only the amount of Mortal Water held by an ordinary wine jug, it will take several days before it becomes spirit water. Its effect in assisting cultivation is negligible.

"Ahem, but the materials used are precious, after all. Selling it for three hundred Spirit Stones is still perfectly reasonable."

Seeing Luo Hong stare blankly, Liu Jing thought he had realized just how badly he had overpaid, making Liu Jing even more determined to compensate him.

I made an absolute killing!

Little did he know, Luo Hong's thoughts were completely opposite to what Liu Jing imagined.

I would be worried if it refined Mortal Water into spirit water too quickly. This is the most convenient speed for observation!