The day the auction began had arrived.
Gods interested in the Dark Night Divine Flower, along with others who had come to watch the excitement, gathered in Dark Night City.
Noisy conversation filled the auction hall.
"Will there really be a Dark Night Divine Flower at this auction?"
"Maybe they're auctioning seeds and deliberately spreading false news about auctioning the flower itself. I've seen that trick plenty of times."
"I'll record the entire auction with an Image Recording Stone. If Dark Night City is lying, its reputation will collapse."
The hall held more than curious spectators. Some were spies from nearby powers.
If Dark Night City failed to produce the Dark Night Divine Flower, those powers would seize the chance to spread the word and drag its name through the mud.
Dark Night City had done nothing to provoke them, but they would do it anyway.
In this ruthless world, survival meant striking at competitors whenever possible and taking their resources.
Better a fellow cultivator die than oneself.
Before the auction began, a beautiful maid carried a jade tray onto the stage.
As she appeared, the noise in the hall gradually faded.
Many gods fixed their eyes on the tray in her hands.
A black flower rested on it, its peculiar, chilling fragrance spreading through the hall.
The maid placed the tray on the table and bowed slightly to the guests below.
"Our City Lord said the first item will be a Dark Night Divine Flower. The remaining nine will be auctioned throughout the event."
With that, the maid stepped down.
The guests rose to their feet, staring hard at the black flower on the tray.
"Is that the Dark Night Divine Flower?"
"Is it real? Does anyone recognize it? Speak up!"
"It really is! I bought information about it