Chapter 248

Chapter 248: The Auction

Ghost-Eating Monster Granny seethed with rage but knew she stood no chance against Fang Lie and the Four Seas Alliance. Swallowing her pride, she retreated bitterly.

As the spectacle concluded, the crowd dispersed with amused chatter.

Fang Lie, however, paid no mind. He led Immortal East Sea to the parlor, where they settled into seats.

Immortal East Sea produced a stack of Sumeru Bags and slid them across the table. "Your winnings—thousands of small spirit pearls in one go. Faster than robbing a bank!"

"Hah!" Fang Lie smirked. "Those fools underestimated me. Had to show them I’m no pushover."

"After this," Immortal East Sea remarked, "none will dare slight you. You’re the first to openly curse Poison Heart Young Master in public! Even my superiors tread carefully around that venomous snake."

"Pfah! That wretch helped orchestrate my late father’s death." Fang Lie’s voice turned glacial. "When the time comes, I’ll bury him myself."

The killing intent radiating from Fang Lie made Immortal East Sea inwardly shudder. *Thank the heavens we surrendered. This vengeful soul would’ve crushed the Four Seas Alliance.*

Fang Lie’s demeanor shifted abruptly. "Enough of them. Two matters bring me here. First—" He summoned the Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd, releasing the sealed Thousand Souls Banner.

Immortal East Sea swiftly wove secret techniques, layering fresh seals over the banner. "Best block Ghost-Eating Monster Granny’s connection. She’ll reclaim it otherwise."

Though Fang Lie had relied on the halberd’s Breath of Chaos to contain the sixth-rank magical item, only a fellow Wind Tribulation Immortal like East Sea could fully suppress it.

"Another prize for the auction," Immortal East Sea said, stashing the banner away. "Half the bidders will want it just to spite that old hag."

As the banner’s original owner, Ghost-Eating Monster Granny would have to buy it back—but her enemies would drive the price skyward. Some might even purchase it solely to weaken her.

"Good." Fang Lie bared his teeth. "Let her wallet scream as loud as her pride."

He leaned forward. "Second matter: I’m bidding for the Fire Spirit Peak. What’s its likely price? Who else wants it?"

Immortal East Sea raised an eyebrow. "Its power’s diminished. Even the Thousand Souls Banner outshines it now. Why bother?"

"The core remains intact—Mother Gu, Gu Kings, Gu Emperor." Fang Lie’s eyes gleamed. "With resources, it could regain its Thunder Tribulation Immortal-slaying might."

"At what cost?" Immortal East Sea countered. "Restoring it fully would drain enough wealth to hire a dozen Thunder Tribulation Immortals! Why not pay Heavenly Kill assassins instead? For half that sum, they’d eliminate ten foes!"

Heavenly Kill’s reputation loomed large—a shadowy network claiming no target beyond reach, provided one could meet their exorbitant fees. Their failed contracts famously repaid double, securing underworld trust.

Fang Lie shook his head. "I’ll take my revenge personally. The peak need only handle Fire Tribulation Immortals. That’s manageable."

"A hundred million fire spirit bugs could overwhelm any Fire Tribulation Immortal," Immortal East Sea conceded. "But rebuilding such numbers after each battle…"

"I’m prepared." Fang Lie’s tone brooked no argument. "Name the rivals."

"Few remain. Offer an Eighth-rank Treasure, and victory’s assured." Immortal East Sea spread his hands. "Congratulations in advance, Island Lord."

"Why is that?" Fang Lie asked in surprise. "This treasure has such great potential and can even produce Fire Spirit Liquid for profit. Why does no one value it?"

"The main issue is the massive initial investment required. Additionally, Fire Spirit Gu specialize in self-detonation attacks. Losing too many during battles could result in total losses," Immortal East Sea explained with a smile. "Though they can generate income, compared to investments like Spiritual Fields, the profits from Fire Spirit Gu are minimal. It’s a high-cost, low-reward venture, so few find it appealing."

"I see!" Fang Lie nodded, grinning. "Seems fortune favors me. This treasure might truly fall into my hands. In that case, I should start gathering fire-element small spirit pearls beforehand!"

He pushed the Sumeru Bags on the table toward Immortal East Sea. "Could you exchange these for fire-element small spirit pearls? Also, I want all earnings from selling the Thousand Souls Banner converted to fire-element small spirit pearls too."

"Consider it done," Immortal East Sea promptly agreed.

As a major trading power, Four Seas Alliance maintained ample reserves of small spirit pearls. Exchanging for fire-element ones posed no difficulty.

After concluding their business, the two conversed briefly before Immortal East Sea departed.

Returning to his courtyard, Fang Lie resumed cultivation.

Old Bird suddenly transmitted: "Acquiring Fire Spirit Peak was brilliant. This treasure might bring unexpected rewards!"

"Meaning what?" Fang Lie pressed.

"Fire Spirit Gu possess a unique trait – absorbing different flame attributes grants them corresponding abilities," Old Bird explained. "For instance, those absorbing solar true fire mutate into Sun Spirit Gu. Their breath melts metals, and their self-detonations unleash devastating power."

Fang Lie’s eyes sparkled. "So powerful flames can mutate them? Enhancing their strength?"

"Precisely," Old Bird chuckled. "But you’re overlooking the crucial element."

"Crucial element?" Fang Lie frowned. "What’s that, Bird Bro?"

"Fool!" Old Bird snapped. "Have you forgotten your inherited true fire?"

"Nirvana True Fire?" Fang Lie gasped before exclaiming, "You mean absorbing enough Nirvana fire could mutate them into Nirvana Spirit Gu? Granting them rebirth abilities? They’d become indestructible!"

"Don’t celebrate prematurely!" Old Bird cautioned. "Developing this ability requires cultivation. We’re far from certain if they’ll successfully mutate into flame-reborn poison insects."

"Fortune favors the bold!" Fang Lie laughed. "This hope alone justifies securing Fire Spirit Peak at all costs!"

"Wishful thinking!" Old Bird scoffed. "The peak requires an Eighth-rank Treasure exchange. Your entire resources couldn’t match such value!"

"Not necessarily," Fang Lie smirked. "The auction will reveal if I possess Eighth-rank Treasure equivalents!"

Swallowing Ten Thousand Years of Emptiness, he resumed cultivation.

Three days later, Little Peach Red roused him. After freshening up, a maid guided them to the auction venue within a Secret Realm – a crystalline lake surrounding a central platform, encircled by floating lotus flowers.

Each ten-foot lotus contained seating shrouded by restrictions, blocking outside observation while permitting interior guests full visibility. Counting over two hundred lotuses, Fang Lie realized equivalent numbers of prestigious bidders attended.