Duo Long sat in his booth and observed the currently empty stage. They were on a break. Many of the audience down below had taken the chance to get up and stretch. Some had even gone to grab something to eat.

As a VIP guest, Duo Long and Mo Zhi had food brought to them. The Shang Kingdom’s food lacked the delicious blend of spices of the Ming Province. But he was hungry, and so he ate the food offered.

“So that was your disciple’s killer,” Mo Zhi said after he finished swallowing a spoonful of soup. “He is only at the eighth subrealm of the Asura Realm. I cannot fathom how someone like that killed Yin Xuefeng.”

“There are genius cultivators who have esoteric or unusual abilities that allow them to fight on par or even defeat cultivators stronger than themselves. This Jian Wu must be one of them,” said Duo Long.

“What should we do about him? Hire assassins to eliminate him?” asked Mo Zhi.

Duo Long shook his head. “Do you think any mere assassin would be able to best him? We would have to hire someone at the Human Limit Realm to have any hope of defeating him.”

“But assassins use trickery and deception to kill cultivators much stronger than themselves. Surely, they would be able to kill him if they used poison or attacked while he was sleeping,” Mo Zhi said.

“Perhaps, but there is no guarantee they would succeed.” Duo Long held out his hand and watched as lightning danced across the surface of his palm. “That young man was able to detect me even though I had almost completely held back my hostile intent. He was also able to stand firm after I showered him with my killing intent. Much as I wish to deny it, he is strong. He is also close to the Shang Kingdom’s princess. Killing him would not only take a lot of effort, but it could put our plans in jeopardy. We can ill-afford to have suspicions cast on us.”

Given their closeness, Duo Long didn’t doubt that the Shang Kingdom princess had already been made aware of the altercation that happened between Yin Xuefeng and Jian Wu.

He leaned back in his seat as Mo Zhi quietly contemplated his words. They had known each other for many decades now. The head elder of his sect was intelligent and loyal. He would surely agree with Duo Long’s reasoning.

People in the general admittance seating were beginning to return, meaning the auction would start soon.

“I suppose I can see your point. It would be an ill-advised move on our part to do something right now,” the head elder admitted.

“We will do nothing for now and merely observe the situation. I plan to have Shao Yimu keep an eye on the situation in the capital. I’ll ask him to keep an eye on Jian Wu as well. Should an opportunity to kill him arise after our plans have begun, I won’t hesitate to give the order.”

Duo Long would have loved nothing more than to kill Jian Wu right now, but there were far too many variables, and he didn’t want to risk the possibility of having the Shang Kingdom catch wind of his plot. He could afford to wait for a year or two before enacting his revenge.

He clenched his hand into a fist. While he would certainly have Jian Wu killed if the opportunity presented itself, he would much rather kill this man with his own hands. He hoped Jian Wu would survive long enough for Duo Long to personally confront and kill him. That would be so much more satisfying.

“Speaking of our plans, we have a meeting with Cì Chuān after the auction,” Mo Zhi said.

“Ugh.” Duo Long made a disgusted face. “I hate the man. Never in my life have I met a more spoiled brat.”

“He is the sort of man who has eyes but cannot see the forest for the trees. He lives in the moment and cares little for the future,” Mo Zhi agreed.

Duo Long had only met Cì Chuān once, but that was more than enough for him to realize what kind of person the first prince of the Zhou Kingdom was like. He lived only in the present, gave no thought to the future, and was more interested in bedding women than he was increasing his prestige. Duo Long thought it a miracle that Cì Chuān had become such an accomplished alchemist, but he knew the man’s success was credited to his father’s money. He would have never reached the heights he had with his lack of motivation without massive quantities of money.

“It is unfortunate, but we have no choice except to deal with him for now,” said Duo Long. “We will continue to make nice until such a time as we no longer need him.”

They might be playing nice for now, but it wouldn’t be forever. Once their plans came to fruition, Duo Long planned to have Cì Chuān and his entire family either killed off or weakened to the point where they could not reap any of the rewards to be had from their upcoming endeavor.

“I’m sure the Cì Family has the same idea as us,” Mo Zhi mused. “I doubt they will want to share the Shang Kingdom’s resources with us.”

“That is only natural,” said Duo Long.

No nation wanted to share their spoils with another, in the same way that two big fish could not swim in the same small pond. They would eventually come to blows over the Shang Kingdom at some point. It would not be for a while, however, and both sides were sure to create as many advantages as they could for when the day they fought over this land came. The one who had the most power at the end would win it all, and the loser would have nothing, not even the clothes on their backs.

Duo Long was determined to come out on top.

***

The auction started up again once Zhou Lihua stepped onto the stage. She gave the crowd a delicate smile that could inflame a man’s soul. Quite a few in attendance hollered and whistled at her.

“I hope you all had a pleasant break,” said Zhou Lihua. The crowd roared again. She smiled and gestured for them to settle down, speaking only once everyone had calmed themselves. “That is good. I’m glad your break was so delightful. Now, then, we are nearing the end of this auction. I decided to save the original star attraction for last.”

Zhou Wen once more came onto the stage, pushing a cart with a tarp over it to hide whatever was being auctioned from view.

Zhou Lihua smiled as she removed the tarp. What lay underneath it was a single glass vial filled with shimmering liquid. It was oddly beautiful. Wu Jian could tell even from up there that the water in that vial was anything but natural. He could practically sense the vitality in the way it refracted the chandelier lights overhead.

“This is Fifteen Thousand Year Old Spirit Spring water,” said Zhou Lihua. “I’m sure many of you know what can be done with this, but let me reiterate a few points in case there are some who don’t. Spirit Spring Water is filled with the yin and yang of the earth. This gives the Spirit Spring Water incredible restorative properties and makes it an excellent catalyst in alchemy. As this spring water is fifteen thousand years old, it is even more potent than normal Spirit Spring Water.”

Wu Jian glanced at Hou Jingshu to see the woman leaning over in her chair, eyes locked onto the vial below. It was as if she wanted to burn a hole clean through the vial.

“The starting price for the Spirit Spring Water is 250,000 spirit coins. Who would like to start us off?” asked Zhou Lihua with her hands clasped as though begging someone to make a bid.

“I’ll bid! 250,000 spirit coins right here!”

“Hah! I’ll up your bid! 255,000 spirit coins!”

“260,000 spirit coins! Admit defeat now and maybe I’ll forgive you.”

“Who needs your forgiveness?! 265,000 spirit coins!”

Just like the last several bids, the people in the general admittance seating started things off. They were loud and constantly competing with the person next to them. It seemed to Wu Jian like they were less interested in the actual item and more interested with impressing Zhou Lihua.

“1,500,000 spirit coins.”

The people in the VIP booth didn’t start bidding until after the bid had gone past the 1,000,000 mark, and the first one to bid was Cì Chuān. Wu Jian could not see the expression on the man’s face. He could imagine it, however. Cì Chuān was as arrogant as they came, and he could quite easily picture the other man’s smirk.

“2,000,000,” another voice called out. It was a woman’s voice. Cold and unfeeling. Hua Xue for sure.

“4,000,000 spirit coins,” said Hou Jingshu, making her first bid of the day.

The Fifteen Thousand Year Old Spirit Spring water was the only reason they had come to this auction. They had not spent a single coin on any of the other items. This was the entire purpose of their visit.

“5,000,000,” said Cì Chuān.

“6,000,000,” said Hua Xue.

“7,000,000,” exclaimed Hou Jingshu.

The bidding continued. Each incriminate increased by one million spirit coins, making the price increase even faster than when the Three-Layered Red Yin Yang Pill ingredients were being auctioned. It wasn’t long before the price had risen all the way to twenty million spirit coins.

“I wish Cì Chuān had won the auction for the Three-Layered Red Yin Yang Pill,” Hou Jingshu murmured. “I have no idea how deeply he lined his pockets for this auction, but every little bit of money he spends can only help us in the long run.”

Wu Jian nodded. “It would have been better for us if we could have gotten him to waste his money on other ingredients.”

The auction continued while they were talking.

“25,000,000,” said Hua Xue.

“26,000,000,” said Cì Chuān.

“30,000,000,” said Hua Xue.

Wu Jian felt sweat running down his back as he realized the bidding had already exceeded half of what they possessed. He had been so confident that no one would spend this much money on a single ingredient, but he had clearly been mistaken. His assumptions had led him astray.

“45,000,000,” called Hou Jingshu.

Silenced reigned in the auction hall for a long moment. Wu Jian dared to hope this meant the other two bidders did not have the money to compete anymore.

“Those 46,000,000,” said Cì Chuān, and Wu Jian could almost hear the smirk in his voice.

Hou Jingshu bit her lip. “47,000,000.”

“I did not realize your pockets were lined so deeply, princess. I hope you’re not using your poor people’s taxes to spend on a single item,” said Cì Chuān. “Oh. 48,000,000.”

“Do not worry. All the money I am using is my own. 49,000,000,” said Hou Jingshu.

“Truly? You must have spent a lot of effort getting so much money together for this auction. I applaud your efforts. It really is unfortunate that I need this for my alchemy. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to give it to you. 50,000,000.”

The voices of Hou Jingshu and Cì Chuān projected quite well. This glass might have hidden their faces from view, but it did not stop their voices from being heard. Wu Jian was sure the people in the audience were getting a kick out of the fierce bidding match being waged right now.

“51,000,000,” said Hou Jingshu.

“Come now, princess. How long do you plan to compete with me for? 52,000,000,” said Cì Chuān.

“53,000,000,” said Hou Jingshu.

“You certainly do have a lot more money than I gave you credit for. 54,000,000.”

“55,000,000,” said Hou Jingshu.

Wu Jian held his breath. This was all the money they had acquired. He was glad they worked hard to get even more money, or they would have never been able to even bid this much. The price for these ingredients was truly ridiculous. It also went to show just how high demand was for some of them. Some people were willing pay any price to get what they wanted.

“It’s really incredible that you can keep up with me. I hope you have more to spend than just this, however. Fifty--” The young man stopped talking for a moment. Wu Jian didn’t know what was going on, but then Cì Chuān rang out again. “Wait. Seriously? That’s all the money I have? Well, damn. I guess I shouldn’t have spent so much on Zhou Lihua’s pills then. Haaaah. Well, I guess that’s how it is. You win some, you lose some.”

Wu Jian’s eyes widened as he realized that Hou Jingshu might have just won. He glanced at the woman in question. Her eyes were alight with joy. A smile that could outshine the sun, stars, and moon combined lit up her face.

“56,000,000,” but then, like a bucket of cold water being dumped onto them, a cold, feminine voice spoke up.