The Empire quickly agreed to the Hive's proposal, and the other two nations felt forced to join the auction at that point.
There was nothing that they could do once two of the four forces had found an agreement, they could just go along with their decision.
That wasn't the worst outcome in their mind.
Bullying the Hive was just an act to eliminate one contender, but they couldn't do anything if it decided to destroy that magical plant.
Contending that resource between themselves wasn't ideal either, but it was better than losing it because they pushed the matter too far.
Elder Austin had to settle a few details through his inscribed notebook, but the other elders of the Hive quickly came up with a few guidelines.
Black flowers kept on blooming and withering as the sky above that spot became crowded.
Most heroic cultivators were curious about the new magical plant, but some of them were even interested in the outcome of the auction.