Chapter 1576: Heavenly Flame Crystal

The five days passed quickly.

In a secluded courtyard with blue-tiled roofs, Wang Yingjie was reporting to Wang Qingling.

Wang Qingling had instructed Wang Yingjie to look for elixirs that could help flood dragons advance. Wang Yingjie had attended many gatherings, befriended Core Formation cultivators from various major powers, and exchanged treasures. Unfortunately, no one could provide elixirs to assist a flood dragon's advancement, let alone a fourth-tier ice-attribute flood dragon's demon core.

"Grand Ancestor, your grandson is incompetent; I couldn't acquire any elixirs to help the flood dragon advance." Wang Yingjie's face was filled with self-reproach. He had hoped to use this opportunity to prove himself and perhaps be promoted to one of the "Two Heroes."

"It's alright; you did your best. Such things cannot be forced," Wang Qingling said amiably. With Ao Qing's core and some ice-attribute spiritual items, the Icewind Flood Dragon's chances of reaching the fourth tier were already quite high. If there were specific items to aid a flood dragon's advancement or a fourth-tier ice-attribute flood dragon's inner core, its chances would be even greater.

"Today is the auction. Come with me! Hopefully, we'll find something useful there." Wang Qingling stood up and walked out, with Wang Yingjie quickly following her.

The number of cultivators on the streets had more than doubled compared to a few days ago, and Core Formation cultivators were ubiquitous.

After about fifteen minutes, Wang Qingling and Wang Yingjie arrived at a vast bluestone plaza. Above the plaza, a magnificent golden palace floated, its stone pillars intricately carved with images of exotic birds and beasts.

A team of guards stood watch in the bluestone plaza. Upon seeing Wang Qingling, they immediately granted passage.

Wang Yingjie followed Wang Qingling into the golden palace. Inside, it was spacious and brightly lit, with numerous demon beast patterns carved into the stone walls. These patterns seemed alive, constantly moving across the walls.

In the center of the hall was a circular platform over a hundred zhang wide, surrounded by thousands of jade chairs. The front-row jade chairs were golden, and most of them were already occupied.

"People from the Demon, Barbarian, and Sea tribes are here too!" A flash of surprise crossed Wang Qingling's eyes as her gaze fell upon Jiao Mingzhu, Yan Guang, and Ao Xin. These three were successors of the foreign tribes, and their presence here was telling. It seemed that reconciliation between the human race and the foreign tribes was a foregone conclusion. Anyone who opposed it would indirectly oppose the Soul Transformation cultivators.

"Fairy Wang, over here." Guangdong Ren waved to Wang Qingling. She quickly walked over and sat beside him. Wang Yingjie sat near Wang Qingling, surrounded by other Core Formation cultivators.

The cultivators present were either whispering or communicating via spiritual messages; few spoke loudly.

Yan Guang narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Wang Qingling. He asked, "Fairy Bailing, have the Azure Lotus Immortals not arrived?" His voice wasn't loud, but every cultivator present heard him clearly.

Wu Yao'er's brows furrowed, Ao Xin pouted, and Jiao Mingzhu's face showed curiosity. The Azure Lotus Immortals had killed Barbarian Nascent Soul cultivators, slaughtered Nascent Soul-stage demons, and were even pursued by Jiao Mingzhu, the Saintess of the Sea Tribe. All three tribes had a history of grievances with the Azure Lotus Immortals.

Shen Wenbin and several other Nascent Soul cultivators watched the scene unfold with various expressions.

"My Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt didn't come. Does Fellow Daoist Yan have any instructions?" Wang Qingling's tone was calm; she had anticipated that the foreign tribes might try to make things difficult for her.

"I wouldn't dare instruct, but I would appreciate it if Fairy Bailing could relay a message: if the Azure Lotus Immortals have time, they are welcome to visit our Barbarian Tribe. I wish to spar with them, nothing more than a friendly match." Yan Guang's tone was indifferent. The Azure Lotus Immortals' reputation had soared by treading over the corpses of foreign Nascent Souls. Yan Guang's challenging them would help elevate his status within the Barbarian Tribe. The Barbarian Tribe was divided into many clans, superficially unified but with many internal rifts. His ability to represent the Barbarian Tribe at the Dao Discussion Assembly was primarily due to the backing of Soul Transformation cultivators, in addition to his late Nascent Soul cultivation. Without the support of Soul Transformation cultivators, Yan Guang might not have been able to keep other barbarians in check. While there were also divisions among the major human powers, the human race had relatively more Soul Transformation cultivators. Even if one or two Soul Transformation cultivators perished, as long as others remained, the human race could still unite. The Demon, Barbarian, and Sea tribes all had lifespans far exceeding those of humans, which was one reason why these foreign tribes could contend with the human race.

"A friendly match! Very well, when I see my Ninth Uncle and Ninth Aunt again, I will certainly relay your message." Wang Qingling readily agreed. As for whether Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would actually visit the Barbarian Tribe, that was beyond her control.

Yan Guang nodded and closed his eyes.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!" A loud chime rang out, and the hall instantly fell silent.

A man and a woman, both Core Formation cultivators, flew onto the circular platform. One was Wang Mengyang, and the other was his cultivation partner, Su Rou. Both Wang Mengyang and Su Rou were at the eighth level of Core Formation. The Skywind Merchant Alliance was also participating in this Dao Discussion Assembly, and given their extensive experience hosting numerous auctions, the alliance had entrusted them to preside over this one.

"Welcome, esteemed seniors, to this auction. My wife and I will be presiding over it. This auction features 1,500 items, with a spirit treasure as the grand finale. We encourage everyone to bid enthusiastically. Let the bidding begin!" Wang Mengyang gave a brief introduction. Su Rou then took out a pale blue jade bottle and placed it on the table.

"A third-tier Blood Origin Pill, an excellent panacea for replenishing vital energy and blood and healing injuries. The starting bid is 100,000 spirit stones, with each subsequent bid not less than 10,000 spirit stones." Core Formation cultivators inevitably get injured in battles and demon hunts, and having a bottle of Blood Origin Pills would greatly speed up their recovery.

After a fierce bidding war, this bottle of Blood Origin Pills sold for a high price of 450,000. With ten pills per bottle, that amounted to 45,000 spirit stones per pill.

"The Cold Moon Saber, forged from the sharp teeth of a third-tier Cold Glaze Beast. It comes with a cold energy attack. The starting bid is 200,000 spirit stones, with each subsequent bid not less than 10,000." Wang Mengyang held a two-foot-long white short saber in his hand and announced loudly.

"200,000!" "210,000!" "230,000!" The price steadily climbed, with bids echoing one after another.

Wang Mengyang successively brought out item after item: pills, talismans, magic treasures, formations, and more. Each item fetched a high price.

Wang Qingling wasn't interested in these items. From her experience attending many auctions, the best items were often reserved for later. She closed her eyes to rest, not participating in the bidding.

Wang Yingjie did bid on and win a bottle of third-tier pills that could enhance spiritual power. This was thanks to the spirit stones Wang Qingling had given him; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to afford it, especially since he had used all his family assets to exchange for a set of complete puppet beasts from his clan.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the auction hall reached its peak.

Guangdong Ren bid on and acquired some fourth-tier beast meat and essence blood. For him, these were highly nourishing items, almost as good as thousand-year-old spiritual medicines.

Other Core Formation cultivators also joined the bidding, acquiring magic treasures, pills, and other items that could enhance their strength. Pills were the most popular and fiercely contested.

Two hours later, after Wang Mengyang auctioned off a set of flying swords, his voice was a little hoarse.

Su Rou took out a red jade box. As she opened it, a crimson glow flew out, and the temperature in the hall instantly rose, with a burst of fiery red flames surging from within the box.

"A piece of Skyflame Crystal, a top-grade fire-attribute refining material. Such a material can only appear in volcanoes that are over ten thousand years old. The starting bid is 300,000 spirit stones, with each subsequent bid not less than 50,000 spirit stones." Wang Mengyang announced loudly, his words clearly heard by all cultivators present.