"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise, then turned toward Mo Chen behind the counter, his smile still composed. "Your Excellency Mo Chen, does the Auction House have a 'first come, first served' rule? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to pay 10% more for this Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass seed."
The remark immediately ignited tensions. Tang Xiao tightened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer, and a muffled hum came from beneath its black cloth. "Ning Fengzhi, don't push it! The Clear Sky Sect urgently needs Immortal Herbs to grow stronger. Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is wealthy—why must you compete with us?"
"Sect Master Tang, you're mistaken." Sword Douluo Chen Xin stepped forward. The aura of his Seven Kill Sword quietly spread, making the air around them feel almost stagnant. "The Auction House's rule is that the highest bidder wins. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to spend more Points, so we naturally have the right to compete. Besides, Miss Rong Rong needs Spirit Charm Grass for her cultivation. We also intend to compete with the Clear Sky Sect for that Spirit Charm Grass seed."
As the two men stood on the brink of a clash, Mo Chen cleared his throat and spoke slowly. "Sects Masters, please calm down. Immortal Herb seeds must be sold at their set prices; no one may offer more. However, each faction is limited to three seeds of different varieties. The Clear Sky Sect may purchase Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Spirit Charm Grass, while the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may purchase Water Skin Jade Immortal Bone and Spirit Soothing Immortal Herb. There's no conflict."
Tang Xiao and Ning Fengzhi exchanged glances. Though neither was satisfied, they knew they couldn't cause trouble in the Auction House, so they could only snort and turn to choose their seeds. As Ning Fengzhi paid, he watched the "1.46 million" on his Point Token vanish in an instant (420,000 for a Water Skin Jade Immortal Bone seed + 100,000 for a Spirit Soothing Immortal Herb seed + 500,000 for a Spirit Gathering Acceleration Array¹). His smile faded slightly, and he murmured to Sword Douluo, "It looks like we'll have to get Rong Rong to work with Dugu Bo more over the next few months, so we can sell those poisonous herbs and replenish our Points as soon as possible."
In a corner of the shop, Di Tian of the Star Dou Great Forest was negotiating with Mo Chen in a low voice. In human form, his Dark Green Robe was still damp with dew from the Star Dou Forest. The Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python stood behind him, their auras heavy; they had clearly just come from the forest.
"Your Excellency Mo Chen, the Star Dou Great Forest would like to purchase one Lovesick Heartbreak Red seed and one Spirit Gathering Acceleration Array." Di Tian handed over a storage ring filled with Soul Beast Inner Cores, his tone carrying a hint of urgency. "These cores are enough to exchange for the Points. We'd also like to confirm—if we cultivate Immortal Herbs in the Star Dou Forest, can the Auction House provide technical support?"
Mo Chen took the storage ring, counted its contents, and nodded. "You have enough Points. Technical support costs an additional 300,000 Points and is available only during the cultivation period."
Di Tian agreed without hesitation. "That's fine!" He had already calculated it all: the concentration of spiritual energy around the Lake of Life deep within the Star Dou Forest far exceeded that of the outside world. If they could cultivate Lovesick Heartbreak Red, it would not only increase Gu Yuena's strength, but also earn them a large number of Points to exchange for Battle Skills for the Ferocious Beasts.
Just then, the Sea God Island Envoy hurried over, only to be told that the "Spirit Gathering Acceleration Arrays were sold out." Sweat beading on his forehead, he pleaded with Mo Chen repeatedly. "Your Excellency Mo Chen, can't you make an exception? Sea God Island is willing to pay 200,000 extra Points. We just want one acceleration array!"
Mo Chen shook his head, his tone even. "The Auction House's rules cannot be broken. The next shipment won't arrive for three months."
The Sea God Island Envoy could only stamp his feet in frustration. They had nearly emptied the island's Deep Sea Pearl stores to gather enough Points, but now they'd missed out on an acceleration array. Cultivating Immortal Herbs would take them dozens of years longer, and who knew how far other factions would pull ahead in the meantime?
As news of the Immortal Herb Ranking swept across the Douluo Continent like a gale, another secret rumor quietly spread: Dugu Bo of the Sunset Forest had picked several Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well years ago, including the Aromatic Silk Beauty and Spirit Soothing Immortal Herb from the ranking!
As soon as the rumor surfaced, every major faction turned its attention to the Sunset Forest. In just half a day, more than a dozen groups had gathered outside the valley. At their head was Yu Yuanzhen, Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Wearing a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with dragon patterns, he was surrounded by violent Lightning Soul Power. Five Soul Douluo followed him as he blocked the valley entrance, looking menacing.
"Dugu Bo! Get out here!" Yu Yuanzhen's voice boomed like thunder, making the poisonous herbs around them rustle. "Word is, you have the Aromatic Silk Beauty. Hand it over if you know what's good for you! Now that the Immortal Herb Ranking has been published, keeping such a treasure for yourself is a waste. Give it to my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and you can live in peace!"
Inside the valley, Dugu Bo was sitting on the Cold Jade Bed, inspecting poisonous herbs. At the shout, he snapped his eyes open, a fierce glint flashing in them. He rose and walked to the valley entrance. Seeing the crowd outside, he let his pale purple Poison Battle Qi surge, condensing the Poison Mist around him into a tangible mass. "Yu Yuanzhen, you've got some nerve! You dare come to my territory to steal from me?"
"Steal from you?" Yu Yuanzhen sneered and stepped forward, gathering his Lightning Soul Power into the shape of a dragon claw in his palm. "On the Douluo Continent, strength rules! You're only a level-93 Titled Douluo. Even with Battle Skills, do you think you can stop all of us? Hand over the Immortal Herb if you know what's good for you. Otherwise, the Sunset Forest will be your grave today!"
The envoys from the other factions chimed in:
"Dugu Bo, we know you have Immortal Herbs. Hand them over and we'll split them among ourselves, or we'll join forces and raze your valley!"
"Exactly! Immortal Herbs are treasures that belong to everyone. Why should you be the only one to keep them?"
"Hand them over now! Don't make us attack!"
Dugu Bo trembled with anger at their greedy faces. Poison gathered in his hand, forming a long sword, and he pointed it at the crowd as he shouted, "You shameless scoundrels! I picked these Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well after risking my life. Why should I give them to you? Anyone who dares steal my Immortal Herbs will have to fight me for them! I've already mastered my 'Abyssal Poison' Battle Skill to a certain degree. If you're not afraid to die, then come and try!"
With that, he swung the poison sword. A pale purple sword aura slashed toward the crowd, sending the Soul Masters at the front stumbling backward in fright. But Yu Yuanzhen was completely unafraid. He raised a hand and formed a lightning barrier, blocking the sword aura before sneering. "That's all you can do? And you dare run your mouth in front of us? Attack!"
Just as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciples prepared to charge, a surge of glazed-colored Soul Power suddenly struck from the side and shattered the lightning barrier. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw Ning Fengzhi approaching with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Ancient Douluo. Ten Soul Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect followed behind them, their auras steady.
"Sect Master Yu, you certainly know how to throw your weight around." Ning Fengzhi gently waved the Jade Folding Fan in his hand. His tone was calm but carried unquestionable authority. "Dugu Bo is a partner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If you attack him, you're attacking our sect."
Yu Yuanzhen's pupils contracted. He hadn't expected the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to interfere so suddenly, but he still pressed on. "Ning Fengzhi, this is between Dugu Bo and me. It has nothing to do with your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! Don't meddle!"
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