Chapter 191 - Demon Crystal
'Those damnable alchemists! I'll let them off this time, but after Elder Ming finishes his retreat, I will destroy their Alchemy Hall! Even if their supreme elder is present, what could he do against the true power of our Xue Family?! Hmph!' Elder Kuan snorted in his heart as he glanced at the first VIP room with a dark look on his face.
After learning about the core secrets of their Xue Family, he no longer feared the Alchemy Hall! However, he had to swallow the insult today so that Elder Ming's plan would not be foiled. Thinking about the unfathomable Elder Ming, Elder Kuan let out a cold smirk...
"The next auctioned item is a Demon Crystal from a 9th-rank Demon Saint! Everyone, you heard it right! Only demons who are at least at the 5th-rank Spirit realm level are able to produce a Demon Crystal, but the one that we have right now is something that came from a 9th-rank Saint realm demon! I assume all the guests here understand the scarcity of this item. The starting price is 1500 True Crystals and every increment should be at least 100 True Crystals!" Tang Tianyin's voice echoed, and the item she mentioned caused quite a stir among the crowd.
Within the fifth VIP room, the eyes of Second Prince Arslan flashed with momentary rage, but it was gone in an instant. This Demon Crystal was from the heart of his subordinate, so he was pained to see it being auctioned. However, he could only repress his anger or the emperor might discover that something was amiss.
"Woah! Someone is actually willing to sell this kind of item? Is he crazy?!"
"Don't think too much. Maybe he or she is afraid of keeping such a precious item."
"I bid 1700 True Crystals for this Demon Crystal!" Someone from the crowd immediately added 200 True Crystals to the starting price.
"1800 True Crystals!"
"1900 True Crystals!"
"2000 True Crystals!"
This time, Jiu Shen's dull eyes imperceptibly shone as he looked at the Demon Crystal displayed to everyone. He didn't have any use for it, but he could give this to Hu Xiandao.
The Demon Crystal can only be produced by demons after they cultivate their second hearts. High-level demons have two hearts, and the second one that they grow was called the Demons Crystal! It has the ability to enhance their physical strength and raw power. This was a very important item for body strengthening experts since it could directly increase their power. However, it was very rare to see someone from the Demon Race in the Profound Dragon Continent after the peace treaty fifty thousand years ago, so there were only a few Demon Crystals left since most were already used by the others.
After seeing such a tempting item, who wouldn't bid for it?
'That brat Hu Xiandao is already on the verge of breaking through the mid-stage of the 8th-rank Divine realm. With the help of this Demon Crystal, he might be able to advance to the late stage of the 8th-rank Divine realm in one go. I must get this.' Jiu Shen thought to himself as he glanced at Lu Sulan.
"Sulan, get this item for me." Jiu Shen said in a calm voice. He didn't have many True Crystals with him since most of his items were only pills, wines, and different kinds of savage beast carcasses. Although he had some God Crystals with him, it wasn't worth it to use it in buying Demon Crystal, so he could only rely on his eldest disciple.
Lu Sulan didn't mind this. She was able to advance to the early stage of the 9th-rank Saint realm solely because of her master's help. She was even given the chance to awaken her supreme physique. Aside from that, Jiu Shen also gave her pointers in sword techniques and cultivation. His help to her was immense and it could not be bought with True Crystals, so she was willing to do anything for her master.
"2500 True Crystals." Lu Sulan's calm voice reverberated inside the auction house. Everyone inside knows of her identity since they were the most elite people of the Silver Wing Empire, so after she spoke, some people hesitated in continuing their bids.
Elder Kuan who was among those who are bidding for the Demon Crystal also hesitated. He knew that standing behind Lu Sulan was a person that even the patriarch and supreme elder of their Xue Family dreaded so much. That was also why he didn't dare provoke them even after they took the fourth VIP room from him.
"2500 True Crystals going once! 2500 True Crystals going..."
"Wait a second! I bid 2600 True Crystals for this Demon Crystal." The cold voice of the second prince drifted into everyone's ears.
Lu Sulan wrinkled her eyebrows, but she didn't stop bidding. Jiu Shen told her that he wants this item, so she didn't want to disappoint him. "2800 True Crystals!" Her voice became increasingly colder as she spoke.
The second prince's mouth twitched, but he wasn't willing to give up. After all, this was his subordinate's Demon Crystal! He didn't want it to end up as a tonic for someone. It was such a great humiliation for a demon to have his Demon Crystal taken after his death only to be used as a tonic...
"3000 True Crystals!" Second Prince Arslan's voice was a volume louder this time. He could barely hold back the rage in his heart.
3100 True Crystals!"
"3400 True Crystals!"
"..."
"5000 True Crystals!" The second prince's voice now sounded like a beast. It was obvious that he was angry, and everyone could sense it.
Emperor Elyk frowned when he saw the expression of his second son. He hasn't seen his son display such a dark expression, so he was somewhat suspicious. He also recalled the words that Jiu Shen spoke to him earlier; 'Elyk, be careful of your second son. He isn't someone he used to be...'
'Wine Master Jiu, your words... What does it mean?' Emperor Elyk thought it in his heart as he watched his second son with a heavy look.
"5100 True Crystals!" Lu Sulan's voice remained calm and cold, but she was inwardly displeased by the second prince's anger that was directed at her.
Just as the second prince was about to increase his bid, Emperor Elyk suddenly slammed the armrest of his chair as he shouted.
Bang!
"Arslan! That's enough!"
The second prince's bloodshot eyes regained clarity when he heard the outburst of the emperor.
"Emperor father, why are you siding an outsider?! I'm your son!" Prince Arslan put on a disappointed look as he glanced at the emperor.
"Insolence!" Emperor Elyk thought of slapping him, but he discarded the idea. Arslan was his son, so he didn't want to embarrass him so much in front of a lot of people. He was also feeling conflicted in his heart especially after his talk with Jiu Shen.
Prince Arslan's eyes flashed for a moment. 'Did this old fart discover my identity, or did that Jiu Shen told him something a while ago!? Dammit! The time is not yet ripe! The reinforcements need a bit more time before they would arrive here. Do I really have to let go of this Demon Crystal?'
In the end, Prince Arslan sighed as he bowed and said. "Emperor father, I apologize for my behavior. I will step down from this bidding and I will also leave the auction house to atone for disrespecting you."
Emperor Elyk's gaze softened, but he still replied in a cold voice. "Leave. I don't want to see you today!"
The second prince rose from his seat and bowed to the emperor before he left the fifth VIP room, leaving behind three stunned princes who were looking at his retreating back figure. They were also confused as to why their father sided with Lu Sulan, but they didn't dare voice it out.
"5100 True Crystals going once! 5100 True Crystals going twice! 5100 True Crystals for the Demon Crystal, sold! Congratulations to the guest from the fourth VIP room for getting this precious item!" Tang Tianyin announced with a sweet smile.
Quite a few rare items were sold after that, and Jiu Shen also told Lu Sulan to get some of them. However, he was yet to see a 9th-rank spiritual fruit or spiritual plant for his wine brewing mission.