Chapter 416: Blood Essence

"Blood Essence!"

The auction was nearing its end.

Mr. Kan raised both hands high, holding a round, crimson object in his palms. It resembled the heart of some monstrous beast.

The object appeared incredibly soft, wriggling like a heart and swaying with Mr. Kan's movements. It had a sickening, greasy, blood-like feel to it.

However, as Mr. Kan announced the item's name, many eyes immediately grew fervent, and whispers filled the hall.

"It really is Blood Essence!""Mr. Kan himself released the news; how could it be false? Not only do we have Blood Essence, but there are even better treasures to come!""I heard Blood Essence is a sacred healing medicine..."

Mr. Kan allowed the guests to discuss, his eyes holding a smile. After a moment, he raised his voice, "The Blood Essence is the concentrated essence of the Dragon Transformation Bloodwood. Out of ten thousand Dragon Transformation Bloodwood trees, only one might produce Blood Essence in its core, making it an undeniable wonder of the world! This medicine is a sacred healing item; it takes effect immediately upon refinement. I believe I don't need to elaborate further..."

At this point, Mr. Kan's tone paused almost imperceptibly.

He had noticed that the mysterious late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, seated in the corner of the hall, had finally stirred. The figure abruptly sat upright, and a pair of eyes seemed to peer from within the black robe, fixated on the Blood Essence!

Since the auction began, dozens of treasures had been sold one after another, yet this person had remained completely indifferent, not moving an inch. Mr. Kan had originally given up on him, but who would have thought things would take such a turn?

Was this person injured?Were they drawn here by the Blood Essence?

Mr. Kan pondered silently, recalling his own collection. He had several other healing elixirs, but he needed to weigh the pros and cons of bringing them out to befriend this person.

"The starting bid is one thousand low-grade spirit stones! Each increment must be no less than one hundred low-grade spirit stones!"

No sooner had Mr. Kan finished speaking, when a hoarse, abrupt, and forceful voice suddenly echoed through the hall."Four thousand!"

The crowd, ready to bid, was taken aback. They turned their heads, casting inquisitive gazes towards the corner of the hall.

The black-robed figure sat calmly in their seat, their posture completely unwavering under the pressure of countless gazes, clearly possessing exceptional composure.

This person's first bid directly tripled the price. Was it a bluff, or were they determined to win?

Mr. Kan's eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn't expected this person to be so quiet yet so striking when they finally spoke. It seemed they were indeed determined to acquire the Blood Essence.

Seeing that this person's bid had instantly frozen the previously lively atmosphere, Mr. Kan was about to subtly guide the bidding, but unexpectedly, someone else immediately placed a bid.

"Six thousand low-grade spirit stones."

This person's voice was rather refined, and their tone much milder than the previous bidder's, yet the shock they delivered to the crowd was no less profound.

Another one!A direct increase of two thousand spirit stones!

The crowd's gazes rapidly shifted, searching the hall. They found the source of the voice: a bidder wearing a silver long gown and a hooded cloak, also concealing their face.

Mr. Kan was quite surprised.

He had previously surveyed the entire hall and had a good grasp of everyone present. The person in the silver gown had been inconspicuous before, only bidding a few times on items of low value. He hadn't expected such a significant bid from them.

Mr. Kan knew he had misjudged again, but he was delighted. Auctions thrive on people like these; the more, the better.

If these two could be evenly matched and compete fiercely, it would be a truly great outcome!

Mr. Kan's expectations quickly came true.

The black-robed figure in the corner turned their head to stare at the man in silver. After a slight pause, they stated firmly, "Seven thousand!"

"Eight thousand!"The silver-clad man leaned back in his chair, not even turning his head, and matched the bid without hesitation. From his calm tone, one could infer that his face under the hood likely held an expression of perfect composure.

"Nine thousand!""Ten thousand!"

The hall fell silent.

No one, even in the private rooms upstairs, placed a bid; everyone was simply watching the spectacle.

Especially since the Blood Essence had already reached ten thousand spirit stones, which was a high price.

Seeing that both bidders were determined to win, the price would undoubtedly go even higher. Others were even less inclined to get involved and be taken for a fool.

With each bid, the silver-clad man pressed relentlessly, and the black-robed figure seemed to be enraged. They let out a sinister, cold laugh, "Fellow Daoist, with your mere early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, can you truly afford ten thousand spirit stones? Mr. Kan, I believe it would be best to first verify this person's qualifications!"

Mr. Kan indeed harbored similar doubts, but he hadn't found an opportunity to voice them. Since the black-robed figure had brought it up first as an attack, he seized the chance and looked at the silver-clad man with an inquiring tone.

"Fellow Daoist, about this..."

The silver-clad man chuckled, unfazed. He took out a mustard seed bag and casually tossed it to Mr. Kan, then crossed his arms and said calmly, "Although my cultivation is low, I do have some savings, Mr. Kan, please take a look. However, it doesn't seem quite fair to only check me. Shouldn't you treat everyone equally, Mr. Kan?"

The black-robed figure sneered, "A summer insect cannot comprehend ice! For someone of my cultivation level, what is a mere ten thousand spirit stones?"

Mr. Kan flinched at the remark, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly. He subtly glanced at the black-robed figure, wondering if this person was simply overconfident and arrogant due to their cultivation, or deliberately revealing their power to intimidate.

Mr. Kan's mind raced. He returned the mustard seed bag to the silver-clad man and explained, "I have already verified it, Fellow Daoist, your spirit stones are sufficient! What you might not know is that this senior is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and they possess a token confirming they have ample spirit stones. I had verified this earlier. If neither of you has any further concerns, please continue."

"So, it's a senior in the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm! My apologies! My apologies!"

Despite his words, the silver-clad man's tone conveyed no respect whatsoever. He didn't even bother to turn and look at the black-robed figure, merely stating calmly, "Unfortunately, I urgently need this Blood Essence to save my life, and I am determined to acquire it. I cannot yield it to a senior, I'm afraid..."

The black-robed figure cursed in anger, "You don't know your place! Do you think I need you to yield? Eleven thousand!"

"Eleven thousand five hundred!"

Although their bidding increments were smaller, it wasn't long before the price skyrocketed to a high of fourteen thousand spirit stones. A few individuals who had initially considered participating completely gave up upon seeing this fierce competition, leaving the two to go back and forth.

"Fourteen thousand five hundred!"

Clearly, this price caused the black-robed figure considerable pain. Their breathing became exceptionally heavy, and their voice seemed to be squeezed out from between clenched teeth.

Several people sitting near him quickly retreated to the side, fearing that he might lose control and do something unpredictable.

The silver-clad man spoke unhurriedly, "Fifteen thousand low-grade spirit stones!"

"You're courting death!"The black-robed figure was furious. A powerful aura, unique to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, suddenly surged and pressed towards the silver-clad man.

People along the path were caught in the crossfire. Several Qi Refining cultivators, in particular, were directly paralyzed with fear and collapsed onto the ground.

For a moment, the hall became chaotic, filled with screams.

Mr. Kan's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected this person to lack any demeanor of a grandmaster, unable to accept a loss and resorting to violence immediately. He urgently shouted, "Quickly activate the array!"