Chapter 481: Hua Tianxiong

"What?!"

"A Nascent Soul catalyst?"

All the cultivators in the hall showed expressions of shock, especially those below the Golden Core realm.

Upon hearing this item had appeared, their instinctive reaction was not to consider bidding for it, but to immediately retreat.

These low-tier cultivators were drenched in sweat, already rising to flee the auction hall.

Who knew whether the Golden Core True Persons here might do something insane, even fight over the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower right here?

After all, before the temptation of Nascent Soul formation, rules and morality were but fleeting clouds.

When immortals clashed, the fish in the pond would perish—if these low-tier cultivators were caught in the crossfire, they would only face death and the collapse of their Dao.

"Dear fellow cultivators, please remain calm."

"This Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower is a top-grade third-rank spiritual plant; though it is a Nascent Soul catalyst, its age is only seven hundred years."

Elder Jin Han emitted a terrifying surge of Golden Core late-stage magic power, instantly silencing the restless crowd.

Hearing this, the cultivators who had been swept up in frenzy immediately calmed down.

"Pity—it's only seven hundred years old?"

"Still, your Shangmeng Society truly has grandeur—willing to put such a heavenly treasure up for auction."

"Elder Jin, how much is the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower priced at?"

The atmosphere among the several Golden Core cultivators eased; they exchanged glances, their expressions turning to sudden understanding.

In Qin Ming's neighboring booth, Hua Tianxiong ate a string of grapes, gazing down in surprise, muttering to himself:

"Impressive! Those old bastards at Shangmeng Society are tight-lipped—no whisper of this beforehand."

"Wait!"

"Could the item my master wants me to bid on be...?"

At that moment,

a cold voice echoed in his mind.

"Correct. That item."

"Secure it at all costs."

Qin Ming communicated through the Black Talisman to Hua Tianxiong.

Hua Tianxiong quickly replied: "Yes, yes, yes, Master!"

"I'll get it done."

After speaking, Hua Tianxiong felt immense relief—thankfully, the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower's age was insufficient.

Otherwise, with major factions gathered here and even a few Golden Core mid-stage cultivators present,

his Qianji Trading House would have had almost no chance of winning a Nascent Soul catalyst from them.

…

Hearing Elder Jin's words, the cultivators who had been ready to flee immediately returned to their seats.

Suddenly, one cultivator asked curiously: "Elder Jin, as a Nascent Soul catalyst, what are the effects of this Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower? Could you explain?"

Elder Jin nodded and replied:

"Dear fellow cultivators, you all know that after a Golden Core cultivator's magic power reaches perfection, to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, they must endure numerous tribulations."

"In this process, anything that offers even a slight advantage is considered a Nascent Soul catalyst or opportunity."

"Unlike breaking through the Golden Core realm, Nascent Soul cultivators face, besides the heavenly lightning tribulation, an exceptionally perilous demonic heart tribulation."

"The Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower is the primary ingredient for crafting the spirit pill that counters the demonic heart tribulation—the 'Bingxin Yupo Pill.'"

"Taking one such pill during tribulation helps firmly hold one's true heart, shielding it from external demonic influences."

"To craft the Bingxin Yupo Pill, at least fifteen hundred years of medicinal potency is required."

"Unfortunately, this seven-hundred-year-old Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower has less than half the required potency—it cannot be used to make the Bingxin Yupo Pill."

"Still, as a top-grade third-rank spiritual plant, it can still be used to craft third-rank spirit pills, greatly aiding Golden Core cultivators in reducing demonic heart disturbances and strengthening spirit and essence."

"Of course, its root system remains intact—if any spiritual plant master is interested, they may take it back to cultivate further and perhaps grow a Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower with sufficient age."

Hearing this, the cultivators below began complaining:

"First, cultivating a top-grade third-rank spiritual plant requires at least the skill of a third-rank upper-tier master of spiritual plants."

"It's still eight hundred years short—by the time it fully grows, the soup will be cold. Elder Jin, don't joke."

Elder Jin paid no mind, directly stating:

"The Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower, a top-grade third-rank spiritual plant, starts at fifty thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Each bid must increase by at least one thousand mid-grade spirit stones!"

At this, the Golden Core True Persons who had just purchased items pounded their chests in regret:

"If we'd known this treasure flower would appear, we wouldn't have rushed to buy the earlier items!"

Qin Ming's gaze sharpened, fixed tightly on the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower.

To others, this flower's age was insufficient—missing nearly half. But to him, ripening it to a thousand years was nearly effortless. He had assumed that with insufficient medicinal potency, competition would ease.

Yet he never expected the bidding that followed to leave him utterly stunned.

In barely half an incense stick's time, the price of the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower had soared to ninety thousand mid-grade spirit stones!

In Hua Tianxiong's neighboring booth, Hua Tianxiong was pushed to desperation, drenched in sweat: "My life depends on it—how can you let them win this treasure flower?"

"I'm fighting you all!"

"One hundred and twenty thousand mid-grade spirit stones!!"

Hua Tianxiong shouted, his neck straining.

Whew! At this astronomical price, the major factions present turned grim, cursing:

"Has Hua Tianxiong lost his mind?"

"Is he insane?"

"Qianji Trading House is one of Shangmeng Society's top ten trading houses—I strongly suspect he's doing this on purpose!"

"I protest!"

The spectators below, however, loved the drama, egging him on: "Wow! Chairman Hua truly has guts! Just throw money and win!"

"Hahaha!"

By raising the price by thirty thousand, many factions withdrew from the bidding, helplessly glaring.

"I bid one hundred and forty thousand!"

At this moment, a demonic cultivator wearing a black hooded cloak, face obscured, radiating Golden Core mid-stage cultivation, spoke with quiet dominance.

"One hundred and fifty thousand!"

Hua Tianxiong wiped his sweat, suddenly feeling clear-headed—as if he had no desires, as if spirit stones were merely numbers to him.

He'd already spent one hundred and twenty thousand; a few more ten thousand meant nothing.

After all, he'd still suffer over it for a long time afterward. "One hundred and sixty thousand!"

The demonic cultivator's aura flickered slightly—he was beginning to crack.

Clearly, paying one hundred and sixty thousand mid-grade spirit stones for this seven-hundred-year-old Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower was already overpriced.

It exceeded his budget.

But this flower held special use for him—he was determined to win it.

Just as he thought the price was secure, Hua Tianxiong's voice drifted calmly from his booth: "One hundred and seventy thousand."

After announcing this number, Hua Tianxiong was internally panicking, no longer able to stay composed.

"One hundred and eighty thousand."

"Chairman Hua, I recognize you. But this item is vital to me—could you yield? Yinmo Sect will owe you a favor."

As the demonic cultivator's hoarse voice rang out, all cultivators in the hall recoiled.

A circular space opened around him.

"This man is an Elder of Yinmo Sect from the neighboring Great Li Dynasty!"

"Shangmeng Society really invites anyone!"

"Yinmo Sect people are infamous for holding grudges—until death, no mercy."

"Chairman Hua is clashing with Yinmo Sect over a spiritually deficient plant—this isn't worth it!"

But Hua Tianxiong inside the private booth didn't think so—he was barely holding onto his own life, so who cared about some damn Yin Demon Sect? Hua Tianxiong yanked open the curtain and leaned out, shouting at the Yin Demon Sect's Jin Dan cultivator below:

But Hua Tianxiong in the booth thought otherwise—he was fighting for his life, who cared about Yinmo Sect? He ripped aside the curtain, leaned out, and shouted at the Yinmo Sect Golden Core cultivator below:

"Not just your Yinmo Sect—even if the Demon Patriarch himself came, it'd be the same!"

"Don't threaten me!"

"I, Hua Tianxiong, am taking this item today!!"

"Two hundred thousand!"

The hall fell utterly silent—even the host Elder Jin stood frozen.

He wouldn't dare insult an Elder of Yinmo Sect like that.

"Heh! Good! Very good!"

"I'll let you have the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower."

"Chairman Hua, we'll settle this another day!"

The hooded man laughed bitterly, turned, and stormed out of the auction hall with his disciples.

Moments later,

Elder Jin snapped back to himself, cast a few extra glances at Hua Tianxiong, then declared: "Congratulations, Elder Hua! You have won the Seven-Chamber Tribulation Flower."

【101】 …

【102】 (End of Chapter)