Chapter 421

Chapter 421: Dragon Blood Crystal

The demonstration of the Half Sword Technique from the Sword of the Thunder God ended without any bids. Yet the Alchemy Cauldron Sect profited immensely, securing roughly three thousand top-grade spirit stones while keeping the sword manuals.

Yue Yunfan swelled with pride—his spur-of-the-moment idea had been a stroke of genius that practically conjured profit from thin air. Though the swordplay had been displayed for half an hour, its mysteries couldn’t be retained; the memory of it faded entirely after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a testament to the technique’s enigmatic nature.

"Old Yue, you’ve struck gold this time! Bring out something worthwhile for us to bid on now!"

"Exactly! Sect Master Yue essentially pocketed three thousand top-grade spirit stones without lifting a finger!"

"Those ten top-grade spirit stones were wasted. Half a sword technique? Impossible to grasp, much less master."

"What choice did we have? We agreed to this ourselves."

"Sect Master Yue’s clever manipulation of human nature is truly masterful."

Voices clamored and overlapped in the hall.

Zhuge Chong stood beside Ye Yun, scanning the crowd with amusement. "Brother Ye Yun, most here are just spectators. They can’t afford anything. If they weren’t prominent figures, I’d suspect them of being planted by the Alchemy Cauldron Sect."

Before Ye Yun could reply, the noisy crowd abruptly hushed, having clearly heard Zhuge Chong’s cutting remark—a direct insult laid bare.

As Zhuge Chong had observed, these attendees indeed lacked the means to compete. Though some possessed thousands of top-grade spirit stones, such wealth was too precious to squander on anything less than their most coveted desires.

Even if they fancied certain treasures, better-funded bidders would inevitably outmatch them.

The crowd glowered at Zhuge Chong but held their tongues, aware that he and Zeng Xuan were Divine Grace Palace disciples acting as enforcers for their outer disciple selection. Provoking them meant courting disaster.

Ye Yun’s voice then cut through the tension.

"Brother Zhuge speaks truth. Why do the penniless crowd gather? To accentuate the wealthy?"

Instantly, the hall erupted in fury.

"Impudent whelp! Where’s your respect for seniors?"

"What ignorant brat dares mock us? Every attendee here is renowned!"

"Top-grade spirit stones aren’t trifles—they’re earned through hardship, not to be wasted!"

"How did a first-level Foundation Establishment runt even qualify for this auction?"

"Mark my words—I’ll secure a Death Decree and end you on the execution platform!"

"His crude skills don’t merit the execution platform. He knows this, hence the bravado."

"Youth! Silence ensures survival in our world!"

While none dared challenge Zhuge Chong—a Divine Grace Palace disciple—Ye Yun faced their full wrath. To them, he was merely a flashy youngster from some hidden ancestral family, foolishly flaunting over ten thousand top-grade spirit stones. A walking target.

"Flaunt wealth, invite death"—especially with such rare spirit stones. By using ten thousand as collateral, Ye Yun had painted a target on his back. Even within city walls, wandering cultivators might risk everything for that fortune.

Ye Yun smirked, radiating mockery.

"Enough!" Yue Yunfan’s voice boomed across the auction hall. "Save your quarrels. The next item will interest you all."

Silence fell as a dark-red treasure descended, glowing softly above the stage.

"Dragon Blood Crystal? Is that the Dragon Blood Crystal?"

In an instant, Zhuge Chong cried out in utter disbelief.

"What? Dragon Blood Crystal? Brother Zhuge, you mean that’s formed from ancient golden dragon’s essence blood condensed over ten thousand years?"

"If it were truly a Dragon Blood Crystal, absorbing its dragon blood could let one’s body carry a wisp of dragon blood, becoming fearsomely strong!"

"Impossible! How could such a thing exist? Even if it did, the Alchemy Cauldron Sect wouldn’t have the means to auction it—they’re not qualified to handle treasures of that caliber!"

Ye Yun tilted his head toward the stunned Zhuge Chong. "Brother Zhuge, what’s this Dragon Blood Crystal? Truly made from ancient dragon essence?"

Zhuge Chong’s shock faded as he answered, "If genuine, yes. But I likely misjudged. This isn’t the real thing—just resembles it. Might hold a trace of dragon aura or ordinary dragon blood at best."

"Then what’s it good for?" Ye Yun pressed.

"Even ordinary dragon blood aids body cultivation, though the effects are modest compared to essence blood," Zhuge Chong explained.

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes. Any body-enhancing treasure held value for him.

"Friends, this isn’t a true Dragon Blood Crystal," Yue Yunfan declared. "Those would never reach auctions. This crystal merely holds one drop of common dragon blood, buried millennia until it gained this appearance. Our Alchemy Cauldron Sect values reputation—we don’t peddle fakes."

"Just a single-drop crystal? Worth far less then. The main thing is, regular dragon blood won’t transform your body like the real deal."

"Still contains dragon blood—won’t come cheap."

Yue Yunfan surveyed the crowd. "Bidding starts at one thousand top-grade spirit stones. Minimum increments of one hundred. Begin!"

"A thousand’s fair! I’ll take it!"

"Twelve hundred!"

"Fourteen hundred!"

"Fifteen hundred!"

Prices climbed steadily. Even reselling below three thousand could turn profit.

"Brother Zhuge, does this crystal truly strengthen the body? Any drawbacks?" Ye Yun asked.

Zeng Xuan cut in quietly before Zhuge Chong could respond, "Little hassle, but limited effect. The real value is getting a feel for dragon blood’s power—might help recognize dragon-related treasures later."

Ye Yun nodded, considering a bid.

Nearby, Lao Cheng watched the auction, feeling insignificant. Once called the capital’s know-it-all, he now realized his former contacts were small-timers compared to these cultivators. Terms like Dragon Blood Crystal and Half of a Sword Technique meant nothing to him—his famed knowledge now felt like a joke.

Glancing at Ye Yun, Lao Cheng felt a spark. Sticking with this youth might bring unforeseen rewards, maybe even help him reach the Golden Core stage he’d long dreamed of.

"Enough dawdling! Two thousand one hundred’s tedious—I bid three thousand flat!"

Ye Yun’s thunderous shout froze the room.

Three thousand was the crystal’s breaking point—beyond that, resale profits vanished. All eyes turned to the young bidder.

That brat again! Where’d this reckless spender crawl from?