22 Rich Zhou Yuan

Fang Han, the shrewd auctioneer overseeing the event, couldn't conceal the glint of excitement in his eyes. He understood that as the person responsible for this auction, he stood to gain a significant portion of the profits generated.

However, even he was taken aback by the escalating bid for the Violet Cloud Heavenly Flame seed.

In this world, a heavenly flame seed was indeed a rare and highly coveted item. Yet, under normal circumstances, its value wouldn't have surpassed 1,500 high-rank spiritual stones. This was because, while heavenly flame seeds were precious, their utility was limited.

To cultivate a new heavenly flame or employ a heavenly flame seed in crafting items such as pills or weapons was an arduous task. The final product typically only reached the level of a high-ranking spirit weapon or a 5th-rank pill. Such items would ordinarily fetch only several hundred high-ranking spiritual stones in the market.

The astounding price of 2,200 high-ranking spiritual stones had already surpassed the cost of a low-rank mystical spirit artifact.

After announcing his bid Ling Ming's face was slightly pale as this was the highest amount, he could not place any more than this as it would surpass the budget his father had given him.

Wu Huang, seated in a separate room, chose to make another bid, offering 2,300 spiritual stones. This unexpected move drained the color from Ling Ming's face, leaving him pale and fuming. In contrast, Wu Huang exuded confidence, believing that Ling Ming would not outbid him.

However, just as Wu Huang was beginning to relax, a confident voice resonated throughout the entire auction hall, "2,500 high-rank spiritual stones."

The voice left both Wu Huang and Ling Ming dumbfounded. Wu Huang, in particular, was growing increasingly irritated by Zhou Yuan's relentless bidding. He couldn't fathom how this unknown contender had such deep pockets or a stronger background than him.

Wu Huang's suspicions held some merit. Initially, Yang Jin had discreetly escorted Zhou Yuan into the auction hall, ensuring they attracted minimal attention. Their brief encounter with Li Xun had been nothing more than an unforeseen event. However, Ling Ming found himself even more puzzled than Wu Huang.

He was well aware of Zhou Yuan's presence at the auction, and this only deepened his confusion.

After all, the Zhou Clan, being the most formidable among the five great clans, appeared to have little need for additional power.

The enigma of their intense interest in the Violet Cloud Flame seed remained a perplexing riddle in his mind.

***

Sitting beside Zhou Yuan, Yang Jin couldn't control the continuous twitching of his face. Although he knew his friend was quite rich, he never really knew how rich he was.

Over the past few years, his close friend had provided him with numerous brilliant ideas, which he had helped bring to fruition. Besides his own tireless efforts, it was these ideas that had propelled him rapidly up the ranks within the Golden Dragon Commerce. Every time he received a new concept from his dear brother, he marveled at the sheer creativity and brilliance behind them.

Their profit-sharing arrangement had consistently been 80% for Zhou Yuan and 20% for Yang Jin. Yang Jin had never bothered to tally up his friend's total earnings, leaving him unaware of just how wealthy Zhou Yuan had become.

Most of these ideas revolved around clothing, featuring designs that were exceptionally simple yet undeniably captivating. They had become immensely popular among both men and women in the cultivation world.

Unbeknownst to Yang Jin, these seemingly innovative designs were actually simple ideas that Zhou Yuan had retained from his previous life on Earth before reincarnating in this world. It was a simple feat in order to replicate them using his spiritual simulation ability. Then, he simply used his telekinesis in order to draw several designs.

Zhou Yuan understood that accumulating wealth was crucial if he ever needed to stand independently without relying on his clan's support.

Thus, he decided to replicate certain designs he had encountered during his previous life on Earth. Zhou Yuan couldn't quite grasp why these designs were so appealing to people in the cultivation world, as time passed, these simple designs create an entirely new trend on the entire Central Continent. 

However, it was this very factor that allowed him to accumulate a staggering amount of wealth.

In addition to the monthly allowances from his clan, Zhou Yuan's total assets now amounted to approximately 3,000 high-ranking spiritual stones. Such wealth would undoubtedly arouse envy in any Spirit Ocean Realm expert.

Just as Fang Han was on the verge of announcing the winning bid, a soft and ethereal voice resonated gently through the hall, "3,000 high-ranking spiritual stones."

This unexpected proclamation lingered in the air like a gentle breeze, casting a spell of astonishment over everyone present. All eyes swiveled toward the source of the voice, revealing a sight that left the crowd in awe. Standing at the entrance was a breathtaking young woman that looked no older than 18.

She wore a resplendent purple martial dress, her face veiled, yet her extraordinary beauty was evident. Her lustrous violet hair and pupils seemed to possess an otherworldly charm that captivated all who gazed upon her.

By her side stood a man exuding an aura of royal dignity. Tall and handsome, his blonde hair and piercing blue eyes were unmistakable symbols of the Xue Empire's royal lineage.