Chapter 1290: The fourth-transformation Immortal Herb, Void Bright Grass

Within the crowd, the real Huang Qingque fixed his gaze coldly upon the man who had just claimed his name. If he ever uncovered that impostor's true identity, he'd give him a long thrashing.

Many cultivators of the Xie Zhi, such as Ning Beiyou, Xu Nanguai, and Lin Anlan, also wore peculiar expressions. Unlike Huang Qingque himself, they could not be sure whether the bidder truly was him, so they naturally didn't share that visceral indignation.

Fang Chen chuckled. "Of all the identities to impersonate, he chose Huang Qingque's."

He mused, "Does he think it's admirable how, back on Yuxu

Star and Invisible Dragon Island, Fellow Daoist Qingque acted neither humble nor arrogant? Or is it because of that Anomaly's existence within Tuxiong Star, whose appearance dragged on far too long, breeding resentment toward the Killing Spiritual Division?"

Ji Tiandu likely hadn't realized that the true Huang Qingque was very probably in attendance today, perhaps standing not far at his very side. But then again, if it had been him, he too would have relished taking the chance to trip up someone he disliked, so long as the matter was inconsequential.

Had it not been for the need to avoid startling Wang Chongsong away, he might well have sought some opportunity to speak rudely to Immortal Taixu as well, then claim to be none other than Wang Chongsong of the Heavenly Saint Sect.

Whether or not Immortal Taixu believed him was irrelevant; the sliver of misplaced anger it would engender was satisfaction enough.

Murmurs spread throughout the venue.

"So this is Huang Qingque of the True Martial Realm? No wonder he's so rich, casually spending hundreds of immortal crystals to buy Yang Essence."

"Within the Killing Spiritual Division of the True Martial Realm, the Huang Clan holds a respectable position. Even if one removes the division as a backdrop, the Huang Clan by itself is a power no weaker than the Ten Directions Immortal Sect of the Nanqing Constellation."

"Huang Qingque.... Yes, I think I've heard that name before."

"You'd have definitely heard of him if you'd spent time in the True Martial Realm recently. Word is, this man once submitted a proposal within the Killing Spiritual Division. One that drew the firm opposition of many high-ranking elders."

The Nanqing Constellation was teeming today with cultivators from the Lower Six Realms, and a few discreet ones from the Upper Three as well. Among them, anyone who had spent time in the True Martial Realm would surely know of the Huang Clan's presence. And among those who kept their ears open, few could fail to have heard whispers of Huang Qingque himself.

Ji Tiandu smiled with unshakeable confidence as he faced the old flood dragon. "Senior, if you would yield the Yang Essence to me, then should you ever travel to the True Martial Realm, you will always be an honored guest of my Huang Clan."

The old flood dragon almost cursed out. How could he possibly not know who this "Huang Qingque" was supposed to be?

Before today's auction even began, Fang Chen had already told him that the one vying with him for the Yang Essence would be none other than a cultivator from the Minor Immortal Realm.

Clearly, the young man's ploy was to lure him into saying something that could offend the Huang Family. Even if Ji Tiandu failed to win the Yang Essence, he could still cause the old flood dragon some serious trouble afterward.

Such a vile, calculating heart.

Forcing a smile, the old flood dragon said aloud, "So, it turns out to be none other than the true prodigy of the Huang Family of the True Martial Realm. By rights, I actually ought not to contend with you for this treasure.

"But, as it happens, I have been delving into a fire-elemental immortal technique lately, and I have reached a dead end in my comprehension. I thought perhaps a period of contemplation upon the Yang Essence might offer me a way forward."

He cupped his hands as he continued. "I only wish to study the Yang Essence for three years. After that, I'll gladly transfer it to you, Little Brother."

Fang Chen nodded in quiet approval. What a deft and rather clever response.

If Ji Tiandu accepted, the price would stall where it was, and he could save an enormous sum of immortal crystals. After all, three years to a cultivator was hardly more than three short days to an ordinary mortal.

Yet Ji Tiandu's expression stiffened, and his voice rang out, cold and forceful. "Four hundred immortal crystals!"

His tone carried a veiled threat. Once the exchange concluded, the Huang Family would come to settle scores.

The old flood dragon only gave a harsh laugh. "Five hundred immortal crystals."

Ji Tiandu trembled ever so slightly.

Lady Suya frowned, sending him a quiet voice transmission, "

Your conduct has angered this man. Such recklessness will harm our purposes.

"

Ji Tiandu answered her in secret, his tone sullen, "

So what if he's angered? This fellow dares to disregard the honor of Huang Qingque. He leaves me no face to save.

"

"Three years isn't a long time. You might well have agreed. Now, you have stirred his ire, and with the price already forced up to five hundred immortal crystals, do you think he will still hand the Yang Essence over to us after three years?"

Ji Tiandu muttered darkly, "It matters not, we shall simply buy it outright. We brought a thousand immortal crystals in preparation. This is more than enough."

Thus, the bidding war resumed. Each time Ji Tiandu raised the price, the old flood dragon followed at once.

Before long, the crowd realized that this scrap of Yang Essence, widely considered of modest value, had been driven up to the staggering sum of eight hundred immortal crystals. That was already far beyond the worth of the Void Breaking Boat sold moments earlier.

Even Immortal Sovereigns such as Taixu began to show a flicker of curiosity at this bizarre contest.

As for Jidu Kongyuan, his face was alight with joyous color. He was positively thrilled by the escalation. The higher the final price, the greater his cut in commission.

After all, at such auctions, he only ever took his share from the consignors of the items. Whoever had brought out this Yang Essence in the first place was likely still present among the crowd. They were probably smiling so hard their faces could crack.

However, sweat gleamed faintly on Ji Tiandu's brow. The price of the Yang Essence had already exceeded all his calculations, drawing dangerously close to the thousand immortal crystals he had prepared as their utmost limit.

If that ceiling were breached, then he would have no choice but to abandon the pursuit. And if he abandoned it, the mission to win the assistance of the Spirit God Sect to lure forth Tuxiong Star's Anomaly.

The bidding for the Yang Essence edged closer to its climax.

If he failed this task, if he failed to seize the Yang Essence today, then what punishment would await him at the hands of that elder brother of his?

That brother's very gaze alone was enough to make Ji Tiandu tremble without end.

A chill seeped into his heart. For a brief instant, Ji Tiandu even regretted his earlier obstinacy. If only he had accepted the old flood dragon's offer, just three years' delay, and he could have purchased the Yang Essence at its proper value. The immortal crystals saved would surely have been enough to earn his brother's patience for such a short span.

But now... regret was useless.

Ji Tiandu ground his teeth and pressed on, unwilling to falter or bow. He did not believe that the old man could outbid him beyond the thousand immortal crystals he had brought!

"One thousand!"

His face was set in grim darkness, his anger naked for all to see as he glared at the old flood dragon defiantly. His expression carried only two possible outcomes. Either he would have the Yang Essence, or his opponent would. This was the final stretch, and there would be no further pretense, no further holding back.

The old flood dragon merely sneered, his lips curling in disdain. "One thousand and five immortal crystals."

The words fell like a hammer.

Seasoned to arrogance, Ji Tiandu froze at once, his thoughts becoming sluggish and hollow. Beside him, Lady Suya managed to maintain composure; she tugged lightly at his sleeve before stepping forward. Bowing slightly to the elder, she said with forced calm, "Senior, please do not take offense. We will yield this Yang Essence to you."

"Mhm."

The old Flood Dragon nodded, wearing a faint smile. His eyes were tranquil, untroubled, as though parting with a thousand immortal crystals and more were of no consequence at all. Not a trace of heartache showed.

Such composure drew the subtle respect of the other sixth-transformation immortals in attendance. Their gazes shifted slightly, a tacit acknowledgment in their eyes. Without question, this man was a sixth-transformation immortal, too.

Before the crowd's watchful eyes, the transaction was concluded. Crystals and essence exchanged hands.

When everyone saw the old flood dragon actually hand over one thousand and five immortal crystals, envy and awe rippled through the hall.

For Fang Chen and the old flood dragon, today's true task was now complete. But for the auction itself, the grandest moment had yet to arrive.

Ji Du Kongyuan's expression widened into a smile as his voice rang out, filled with anticipation. "Next, we begin the final auction lot of the day. A fourth-transformation immortal herb... the Void-Bright Grass!"