Chapter 408: The Magic Cloud Fruit Is Gone!

When the Magic Cloud Fruit is exposed to air, a faint fruity aroma instantly rushes forward, making anyone who smells it feel relaxed, clear‑headed, and much more at ease.

"Indeed, it's a top‑grade spiritual fruit!"

"This fragrance is truly extraordinary!"

"If I were to take a bite, it would probably grant longevity!"

The crowd murmured, showing unprecedented enthusiasm.

Mu Qingrou now fixed her gaze on Ye Qingran, unsurprised to see the fire in Ye Qingran's eyes.

She gave a sarcastic smile.

She already knew Ye Qingran was desperate to obtain this Magic Cloud Fruit.

After all, she was waiting to use the Magic Cloud Fruit to refine a pill to repair her Spiritual Root!

But Ye Qingran could never have imagined that today she would not only fail to get the Magic Cloud Fruit, but also suffer disgrace!

"Now, let the bidding begin!"

As Mu Qingrou finished speaking, the first bid was heard.

Then bids kept coming nonstop for a quarter of an hour before gradually quieting.

"Ten million taels of gold!"

The crowd looked toward the voice, and the bidder was none other than the Thirteenth Princess.

"The princess is really interested in the Magic Cloud Fruit!"

Dongfang Ling'er wore a haughty expression, "Not bad!"

What she was more interested in was Ye Qingran's fate today!

"Is there any bid higher than ten million taels of gold?"

"Twenty million taels of gold!"

Ye Qingran shouted.

Everyone's eyebrows shot up as if startled.

They couldn't help recalling that auction at the Medicine King Pavilion; Ye Qingran was just as crazy then.

While surprised, the crowd stared at the Thirteenth Princess, wondering if she would raise her bid.

But the Thirteenth Princess said nothing further.

In the end, Ye Qingran became the highest bidder with a staggering twenty million taels of gold.

However, that didn't mean the Magic Cloud Fruit was hers.

The final decision rested with Xu Kong Gongzi.

"Xu Kong Gongzi, please decide who the Magic Cloud Fruit should be sold to!"

Xu Kong Gongzi stood, walked onto the stage, looked down at the Thirteenth Princess, and asked, "Princess, why do you want the Magic Cloud Fruit?"

The Thirteenth Princess rose, bowed low before Xu Kong Gongzi, and said, "Xu Kong Gongzi, it's that my dog is on the brink of death; I've heard the Magic Cloud Fruit has miraculous life‑restoring powers, so I wish to purchase it to save my dog. Please grant me this."

Dongfang Ling'er spoke tearfully, as if she were genuine.

Everyone present was left dumbfounded.

The Thirteenth Princess says she wants to buy the Magic Cloud Fruit because she wants to save her dog?

Damn it, that's an outright waste of a precious treasure!

"Princess, you truly… have a kind heart! I will consider it!"

Saying that, Xu Kong Gongzi looked at Ye Qingran, "And you, Ye Qingran, why do you want the Magic Cloud Fruit?"

The crowd pricked up their ears, wanting to know Ye Qingran's reason.

Ye Qingran curled the corner of her mouth, "I… just think the Magic Cloud Fruit looks delicious, so I want to buy it to taste."

The crowd: "......"

Just because it looks tasty, you want to try it?

Ye Qingran, we warn you, you cannot be arrogant just because you're the Emperor Sovereign's woman!

Upon hearing Ye Qingran's words, Mu Qingrou twisted her brow and retorted, "Ye Qingran, you are spouting nonsense! You clearly intend to refine a pill to repair your Spiritual Root, and the Magic Cloud Fruit is an indispensable ingredient!"

"So you knew, huh? Fine, I'll be honest: I indeed want to use the Magic Cloud Fruit to refine a pill," Ye Qingran admitted openly.

Those present showed surprised expressions upon hearing.

So Ye Qingran wanted to use the Magic Cloud Fruit to refine a pill?!

"I see," Xu Kong Gongzi nodded lightly, then, under the curious gazes, pointed at the Thirteenth Princess and said, "I've decided to sell the Magic Cloud Fruit to the Thirteenth Princess; after all, she needs it more!"

The crowd: "......"

This makes it clear.

Xu Kong Gongzi, preferring to sell the Magic Cloud Fruit to the Thirteenth Princess to save a dog rather than to Ye Qingran for pill‑making to repair her Spiritual Root, clearly holds a grievance against Ye Qingran.

They had all heard about yesterday's events, so this outcome, while unexpected, was foreseeable.

The Thirteenth Princess seemed to have known this would happen; she stood up smugly and said, "Ye Qingran, I'm sorry, but I need the Magic Cloud Fruit to save my dog. Next time Magic Cloud Fruit is for sale, I'll definitely give you priority!"

Gazes filled with complexity stared at Ye Qingran.

Anyone with eyes could see that Mu Qingrou, Xu Kong Gongzi, and the Thirteenth Princess were deliberately targeting Ye Qingran.

Using a dog to humiliate her.

Are they trying to say Ye Qingran is worse than a dog?

At that moment, Xu Kong Gongzi gave Mu Qingrou a look; Mu Qingrou barely nodded, and in the next instant, a white mist filled Wuji Hall, instantly turning it into a world of white fog with visibility under one meter.

The crowd panicked.

Yet Ye Qingran remained calm, sitting there with not a hint of panic on her face.

Soon, she saw someone approach her and slip the Magic Cloud Fruit into her sleeve.

Ye Qingran's eyes flashed.

Someone even took the initiative to deliver the Magic Cloud Fruit to their door!

The service is really thorough.

She unceremoniously stored the Magic Cloud Fruit in the Shen Nong Space, nurturing it with the Jiu Tian Xi Rang...

Before long, she will be able to obtain a Magic Cloud Fruit!

After Mu Qingrou shoved the Magic Cloud Fruit into Ye Qingran's hands, in the white mist that no one could see, she revealed a sinister smile.

Once the white mist clears, everyone will know the Magic Cloud Fruit has been stolen and will suspect Ye Qingran; she will then step forward to search them, and the moment the Magic Cloud Fruit is found on Ye Qingran, everyone will think this was all her arrangement—she has motive and evidence, and then she won't be able to defend herself no matter how many mouths she has.

Quickly, the news that Ye Qingran stole the Magic Cloud Fruit and is a thief will spread, and Ye Qingran will be despised by tens of thousands!

At this moment, the Xu Kong Gongzi sent a mental transmission to Mu Qingrou: "It's about time; disperse the white mist."

Mu Qingrou panicked inside: "I already had people withdraw it; why is it still there!"

They won't know that Ye Qingran turned the tables, keeping the white mist from dissipating.

Because the Jiu Tian Xi Rang needs some time to duplicate the Magic Cloud Fruit, during which the Magic Cloud Fruit cannot leave the Shen Nong Space.

But Ye Qingran, despite all her calculations, didn't anticipate that the children would suddenly return at this moment!

"Mom, where are you?"

"Mom, we're back!"

"It's so white!"

"How come we can't see anything?!"

"Mom, are you alright?"

"Mom, could it be that you're playing hide-and-seek with us?"

In the hall, everything fell into chaos.

Ye Qingran worried the children might get hurt, and without thinking, she retracted the white mist.

Heaven and earth are great, but the children are greatest!

"Xiao Hu, Xiao Chen, Mom is here."

The white mist quickly dissipated, and everything became clear.

Mo Xiaohu and Fu Qianchen saw Ye Qingran and laughed as they ran toward her.

Order in the Wuji Hall was slowly restoring; although some people had taken advantage of the chaos to flee, most people remained in their seats.

"Ah! The Magic Cloud Fruit is gone!"

Mu Qingrou let out a loud cry, and everyone's hearts jolted.

"The Magic Cloud Fruit is gone?"

But the jade plate was seen to be empty!

"It must be that someone took advantage of the chaos just now to steal the Magic Cloud Fruit!"

"Perhaps that white mist just now was deliberately designed by someone to muddy the waters!"

The Xu Kong Gongzi's gaze fell upon Ye Qingran, light yet laden with pressure.

"Here, the biggest suspect is only you, Ye Qingran—what do you say?"

"You're right."

Ye Qingran admitted it without a second thought.

She admitted it so readily that the Xu Kong Gongzi was somewhat surprised.

However, he hooked the corner of his mouth.

The Magic Cloud Fruit being on Ye Qingran is an indisputable fact.

"If that's the case, do you mind letting us search you?"

Mu Qingrou now strode toward Ye Qingran with a fierce aura; those who didn't know would think Ye Qingran, the thief of the Magic Cloud Fruit, already had conclusive evidence against her.

"Mom, I'll give you something delicious to eat."

Mo Xiaohu pulled a bright red fruit from his sleeve and held it to Ye Qingran's lips: "Mom, try a bite."

Ye Qingran lowered her gaze to look, and then...

She was shocked.