The voice wasn't loud or forceful, but it pierced straight through Yu Xiaotang's eardrums like a needle.
The faint mask of composure on her face finally shattered, and a flash of unrestrained ferocity slipped through.
Her hand, hidden beneath her wide sleeves, clenched so tightly that her nails nearly dug into the soft flesh of her palm.
It was her again! That relentless black-robed woman!
Yu Xiaotang gritted her teeth, a nameless, burning rage mixed with immense pressure almost snapping her sanity. The other was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, always striking at the most crucial moment.
First it was that damaged handscroll, now it was this Soul-Nourishing Tree!
The crushing humiliation combined with the looming sense of crisis made her breath quicken.
The core of the system's ultimate task, "Primordial Clash," was to strengthen her fundamental source. This Soul-Nourishing Tree sapling was the best natural treasure she could find at this stage to nourish the Primordial Soul. If she could cultivate it, the gains would multiply exponentially.
If she missed this chance, who knew when another opportunity would appear?
She gritted her teeth, ready to bid again, when suddenly—
"One hundred seventy thousand."
From Box Heaven Number Two, the same calm, emotionless voice of Wanbao Tower rang out, raising the price once more.
The bid hit her like a bucket of ice water. It didn't extinguish her desire, but it restored a fleeting clarity to the impulsive part of her mind, forcing her to swallow the words she'd almost shouted.
While she pondered, the bidding volleyed back and forth between Wanbao Tower and Box Heaven Number Three.
"One hundred seventy-five thousand," Xie Zhaolin's calm voice followed immediately.
"One hundred eighty thousand," Wanbao Tower raised again.
One hundred eighty thousand!
The number made Yu Xiaotang flinch violently, her face turning deathly pale. Not a trace of color remained. This price completely destroyed any possibility of winning with her own resources. One hundred eighty thousand high-grade Spirit Stones!
It far exceeded the normal limits of her authority as Young Sect Master of Hehuan Sect. Even if she poured in every bit of private wealth she'd accumulated over the years, it wouldn't come close to this astronomical number.
In a flash, Yu Xiaotang turned sharply, eyes blazing at Yu Mingxi.
She could no longer bother with a gentle facade. "Senior Brother Yu! You can see the situation! Neither of us alone has the power to secure this item!
The value of the Soul-Nourishing Tree is undeniable. It concerns the Primordial Soul, and it's crucial for both our sects! Why don't we set aside our grudges and join forces? We take it together first, then let our sect elders decide how to split it afterward! What do you say?"
Yu Mingxi's heart was in turmoil. He had originally thought, with Tianyin Sect's resources, winning the Soul-Nourishing Tree was almost certain. He hadn't expected Wanbao Tower, with seemingly limitless wealth, to intervene, nor a mysterious, unpredictable bidder in Box Heaven Number Three.
Seeing the price soar, his sense of helplessness and frustration was even greater than Yu Xiaotang's.
After all, she was fighting for herself, but he carried the weight of the sect's expectations.
And now she was suggesting cooperation?
Yu Mingxi stared at Yu Xiaotang in disbelief.
Join forces with Hehuan Sect? Especially over such a fundamental treasure?
It was nothing short of shocking.
Never mind the already delicate relationship between their sects, even splitting the enormous amount of Spirit Stones or deciding the use of the Soul-Nourishing Tree afterward could cause huge trouble. One misstep and the elders might refuse to approve.
But he couldn't deny she was right. If they didn't cooperate, the tree would fall to someone else, and Tianyin Sect might not get a single share.
And this Young Sect Master of Hehuan wasn't as simple as she seemed. Her hidden strength and decisiveness might just make a risky alliance worthwhile. Besides, her offer to team up was, in a way, a gesture of goodwill toward Tianyin Sect.
Lightning-fast thoughts ran through Yu Mingxi's mind. The weighing of risks and benefits didn't take long.
In the end, the sect's interest outweighed the risk. He nodded firmly, eyes sharp and determined. "Alright! As Sister Yu suggested! Tianyin Sect will temporarily join forces with Hehuan Sect. We'll secure this item first!"
It was done!
Yu Xiaotang felt an unspoken joy wash over her, even easing the anxiety that had gripped her moments ago. Indeed, boosting his favor rating worked. At critical moments, it really paid off!
If Yu Mingxi still had that pitiful, wary affection for her, a suggestion this daring would have been rejected outright. But now, tempted by massive gains, pressured by outside forces, and reassessing her strength, he made the decision in mere breaths.
While they finalized their alliance, the outside bidding reached a white-hot intensity.
"Two hundred thousand!" Wanbao Tower shattered expectations, driving the price to the 200,000 mark!
During the brief pause after Wanbao Tower's bid, when it seemed even they were weighing the risks, Yu Xiaotang inhaled sharply.
"Two hundred thirty thousand!"
The room erupted, chaos and disbelief rippling through the audience.
Wanbao Tower's box fell into a long silence.
Two hundred thirty thousand—an outrageous premium for a still-growing Soul-Nourishing Tree sapling. Even the wealthiest bidder needed to carefully weigh risks versus gains. The shrewd instincts of a merchant took over.
Everyone held their breath, eyes flicking between Wanbao Tower and Box Heaven Number Three, waiting for the final call.
In the suffocating silence, a voice emerged from Box Heaven Number One without warning:
"Two hundred forty thousand."
It wasn't loud, but it carried a strange authority that instantly drowned out all chatter.
Box Heaven Number One?
Everyone froze, including the other important figures on the second floor.
In the auction layout, Box Heaven Number One signified the highest-status guests or those most closely connected to the event. Yet before the auction started, and even during the heated bidding, this box had been silent, seemingly empty.
When did someone even get in there?
Yu Xiaotang also stood in disbelief. The system had confirmed Box Heaven Number One was empty. Who could it be?
Her heart raced further when, after this 240,000 bid, the previously dominant Wanbao Tower fell completely silent.
Not a pause to weigh, but a total withdrawal. That could only mean one thing: whoever was in Box Heaven Number One was someone even Wanbao Tower feared.
As Yu Xiaotang wrestled with her shock, and the audience assumed Box Heaven Number One would sweep the item, Box Heaven Number Three's voice floated softly again.
"Two hundred forty-one thousand."
Only one thousand more, the minimum increment. This bid seemed like a daring test, challenging the tiger while knowing the danger.
All eyes immediately snapped to Box Heaven Number One, holding their breath for the mysterious response.
One second… two seconds… three seconds…
No movement from Box Heaven Number One after the 240,000 bid. It was as if they hadn't heard the 1,000 test increment, or maybe… they just didn't care?
Time dragged in oppressive silence, suffocating the room.
"Box Heaven Number Three, bidding 241,000 high-grade Spirit Stones! Anyone willing to go higher?" Elder Ge's calm voice broke the quiet.
The room froze.
"241,000, first call!"
"241,000, second call!"
Elder Ge raised his arm, hammer ready to fall.
At this decisive moment—
"Wait!"