All eyes fell upon the Jade Bottle in the Maid’s hands. An almost transparent liquid swirled slowly inside, wreathed in a faint mist of Spiritual Power. The delicate fragrance emanated from it.

"Is this the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion?" Shen Haoran murmured as he gazed at the clear, transparent liquid. He found that under the influence of this fragrance, the flow of his Spiritual Power suddenly quickened, and an indescribable feeling of comfort washed over his entire body.

It wasn’t just him. The Martial Artists in the audience grew restless, their eyes burning as they stared at the Jade Bottle in the Maid’s hands, wishing they could rush up and claim it for themselves.

"SWISH!" Just as the crowd was stirring, the sound of something tearing through the air was heard. A blood-red spear suddenly appeared in everyone’s sight and slammed violently into the auction stage! "HUMMM..." The immense force caused the spear’s shaft to tremble continuously, like the roar of a dragon.

"Take one step onto this stage, and you will be killed without mercy!" After the blood-red spear appeared, a chilling voice rang out. A young man in a blood-red robe then walked out, his murderous aura intimidating the entire hall!

’What a powerful killing intent!’ Seeing the man in red, Shen Haoran’s expression grew solemn. The only ones who had ever given him this feeling were a fully unleashed Long Mo and Feng Yin!

"That’s Yang Yu, son of Yang Zhentian, the Village Chief of Black Wind Stronghold! In the Northern Domain, he’s known as the Asura Killing God. His mastery of the spear is supernatural. He’s a once-in-a-century genius!" Luo Tian explained from the side.

"Oh, Yang Yu?" Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed slightly as he carefully sized up the young man before him. However, he found that he couldn’t see through him. The almost tangible killing intent completely blocked out Shen Haoran’s Spiritual Thought!

’I’m afraid he has already comprehended his own path!’ Elder Yan exclaimed in admiration. ’To grasp the essence of Martial Arts at such a young age truly makes him a once-in-a-century genius. His future achievements will be limitless!’

Under Yang Yu’s powerful intimidation, the Martial Artists in the audience snapped to their senses. Realizing they were on someone else’s territory, they all obediently sat back down.

Seeing the crowd settle down, Huo Wu smiled lightly. Her vermilion lips parted, and she began the auction. "The auction for the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion will now begin. The starting bid is twenty million, with no upper limit. Let the bidding commence!"

As Huo Wu announced the start of the auction, the atmosphere in the hall once again became lively. Yang Yu, however, pulled out his spear, walked over to a nearby pillar, and leaned against it, closing his eyes to rest. But his sharp killing intent did not recede; it still enveloped the front of the auction stage, intimidating any would-be troublemakers.

Meanwhile, the bidding below had reached a fever pitch. The Martial Artists who had been holding back before were now red-faced with contention, and the price was being surpassed again and again.

"Twenty-seven million!"

"Twenty-eight million!"

"Thirty million!"

The calls of the bidders came one after another. Shen Haoran watched the heated scene, frowning. He had somewhat underestimated the value of the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion. At this price, his entire fortune probably wasn’t enough.

’Hmph. You don’t actually need to bid on it. This isn’t the real Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion!’ just as Shen Haoran was worrying, Elder Yan said in his mind.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran was shocked and asked, ’What? This isn’t the real Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion? Are the people from Black Wind Stronghold deceiving the Martial Artists who came to the auction?’

’No, no, no. This is technically real Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion. To be precise, it’s been diluted! The real Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion should be milky white, but the liquid in that Jade Bottle is almost transparent. It seems it has been diluted!’ Elder Yan explained.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran’s brows furrowed tightly. A large part of the reason he had come here was for the Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion. If he only obtained a diluted version, he definitely wouldn’t be satisfied with that!

’Don’t worry. Since they’re offering a diluted version, it proves that the real Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion is still in the Black Wind Stronghold. You just have to make a trip there later!’ Elder Yan suggested.

’That’s right!’ After Elder Yan’s reminder, Shen Haoran had a sudden realization.

’A trip to Black Wind Stronghold is a must, not just for the Secret Realm Map, but also for the real Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion! I made a five-year pact with Feng Yin and Ji Lingxuan. If I truly want to reach the Spirit Emperor Level within five years, I have to seize every single opportunity to increase my strength. The Secret Realm goes without saying—that’s the fastest way to improve. The Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion is another must-have. I have to get my hands on all of them!’

"Forty million!" As Shen Haoran was lost in thought, a roar echoed through the entire hall, instantly silencing it. Everyone’s gaze turned toward the private room where King Chao was, and even Yang Yu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, frowned.

At that moment, inside King Chao’s private room, he stared at the Jade Bottle in the Maid’s hands, the veins on his face bulging, his expression utterly ferocious.

"Dammit, that old bastard Yang Zhenyu is about to die, and he still wouldn’t give me this Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion. I have to buy it myself. So stingy! Once our plan succeeds, I’ll make him and that Yang Yu kneel and lick our shoes! Oh, right, and that damned Shen Haoran. I’ll make them wish they were dead!" King Chao snarled in a low voice.

Chao Fei watched the nearly unhinged King Chao from the side, his face filled with distress. He then turned his head, looked out at the entire hall, and said coldly, "Forty million. Is there anyone else who wants to bid?"

In response to Chao Fei’s question, the hall remained silent. Forty million was beyond the means of everyone present. They couldn’t afford such a price.

"Forty million going once, forty million going twice..." Huo Wu began the count.

"Elder Shen, aren’t you going to bid?" Inside the private room, Luo Tian asked, looking at the nonchalant Shen Haoran. He had assumed Shen Haoran came specifically for this Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion. Now, Shen Haoran hadn’t bid on the potion that would be so useful to him, and had instead risked offending a Spirit Aspect to buy the Bodhi Pill. He truly couldn’t understand what he was thinking.

"No rush. That Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion will be mine sooner or later!" Shen Haoran gave a mysterious smile and closed his eyes again. Beside him, Long Mo shot him a strange glance but didn’t pay it any more mind, leaving Luo Tian utterly bewildered.

"Forty million, going three times! The Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion belongs to our distinguished guest in Earth Room Three!" Huo Wu announced loudly.

"Haha! The Thousand Illusions Spirit Potion is mine!" King Chao burst out laughing, completely ignoring the jealous glares.

"This concludes our auction for today. However, to thank everyone for gracing us with your presence, Black Wind Stronghold has a special bonus for you all. Our Young Master Yang Yu will now reveal it. Young Master Yang, if you please!" Huo Wu smiled and made an inviting gesture toward Yang Yu.

Yang Yu gave a slight nod, then walked to the center of the auction stage. In a cold voice, he said, "My father is afflicted with a serious illness, and we are urgently seeking a solution. Anyone who can provide a cure or a method of treatment, Black Wind Stronghold will offer a map to a Secret Realm. The map is absolutely authentic! If anyone is interested, please follow me to Black Wind Stronghold!"

Hearing this, the audience gasped. A Secret Realm Map! Everyone’s eyes once again burned with fervor. But when they thought about the condition of the Black Wind Stronghold’s Chief, they all frowned. An illness that could make even a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse wish for death... how could that possibly be cured?

Watching the crowd murmur amongst themselves, with no one stepping forward after a long moment, Yang Yu’s eyes filled with disappointment. ’Is there really no hope for my father?’

"I’ll go with you!"