Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Nether Spirit Flower

"The auction begins!"

With Murong Xiangming’s announcement, the Treasure Elephant Pavilion’s auction officially began.

At that, everyone’s eyes burned with anticipation.

This was especially true for those who had come specifically for the treasures up for auction.

Murong Xiangming’s charm was undeniably captivating, but it was treasures being auctioned today, not people.

"This auction is really something to look forward to."

"Yeah, I’m definitely going to fight for that rumored Purple Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pill."

"It’ll be difficult. It seems like most people are here for the Foundation Strengthening Pill."

Someone couldn’t help but sigh.

It was obvious that the number of participants was several times larger than a typical auction.

A moment’s thought made the reason clear: the effects of the Purple Gold Quality Foundation Strengthening Pill.

After all, this type of Foundation Strengthening Pill could give a master at the Martial Master Realm a high chance of breaking through to the Martial King Realm after consuming it.

Such a miraculous Pill was a temptation no Martial Cultivator could resist.

"Everyone, please look. Here is the first treasure."

Murong Xiangming smiled on the stage and clapped her hands lightly. Several experts from the Treasure Elephant Pavilion then carried an object covered by a black cloth onto the stage.

It looked incredibly mysterious.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but focus his gaze on it.

To be frank, besides watching his own Pill be auctioned, he had other goals. If he could buy some decent treasures at the auction, it would be an unexpected gain.

Thus, he was quite looking forward to the auction.

Just as he expected, Murong Xiangming walked over to the table where the treasure had been placed.

She reached out a delicate, pale hand and slowly pulled.

SWISH!

The black cloth slid away, revealing the item hidden beneath.

It was a crystal glass case.

Of course, the glass case wasn’t the treasure. The treasure was the jet-black flower resting quietly inside it.

The flower was only a palm-sized bud.

Being a black flower, it looked rather strange.

Generally speaking, black flowers were not good things.

Seeing the black flower, many people were puzzled.

"Does anyone recognize this? What kind of flower is it?"

"Yeah, I’ve never seen a black flower like this. It looks so strange, almost like a bad omen."

Even Jiang Han and Bai Xiong, both patriarchs of their respective families, were speechless as they stared at the flower in the crystal case.

They didn’t recognize it. Neither of them knew what this flower was.

To say nothing of Bai Shu beside Jiang Chen, who was so busy staring at Murong Xiangming that his eyes probably still only held her, completely unaware that the first auction item had already been presented.

"Do you recognize it?"

Although Bai Xiong was at odds with Jiang Han, he shamelessly asked him anyway.

Jiang Han shook his head. "I don’t."

He truly didn’t recognize it.

While many were baffled, Jiang Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’With my knowledge, it could be said there are very, very few treasures in this world that I don’t recognize.’

’Especially a flower. Whenever I see a plant, I inevitably think of it as an Alchemy Material.’

’I would definitely spend time researching it.’

The moment he saw the black flower, however, Jiang Chen suddenly said faintly, "Nether Spirit Flower."

What?

As Jiang Chen spoke, Jiang Han and Bai Xiong both whipped their heads around to look at him.

After all, neither of them recognized the black flower, yet Jiang Chen did.

Jiang Han asked Jiang Chen in surprise, "Son, you recognize that flower?"

He was filled with doubt. He was now discovering that he was no match for his son.

Jiang Chen had no intention of hiding it and said frankly, "I do. I’ve seen it in my master’s ancient texts."

"That flower is called the Nether Spirit Flower. It grows by the Black River in the Netherworld. This Nether Spirit Flower can suppress a Martial Cultivator’s soul and prevent Qi deviation. It’s extremely effective."

That being said, Jiang Chen was puzzled.

’The Nether Spirit Flower does indeed come from the Black River in the Netherworld. The Netherworld is a place where ghosts reside. It’s exceedingly dangerous. A Martial Cultivator without formidable Cultivation would surely die if they went there.’

So, its appearance here truly surprised him.

Jiang Han was stunned, and even Bai Xiong, who was sitting nearby, looked at Jiang Chen with an expression of disbelief.

They were clearly floored by what Jiang Chen had said.

After a moment of shock, Jiang Han suddenly thought of something and exclaimed, "You said the Nether Spirit Flower has the effect of suppressing the soul?"

"Does that mean if you carry this Nether Spirit Flower with you during Cultivation, you won’t suffer from Qi deviation?"

He temporarily ignored everything else Jiang Chen had said. He didn’t even care where the Nether Spirit Flower had come from. Right now, what concerned him most was its effect.

So he stared intently at his son. If it truly had such an effect, then the use of this Nether Spirit Flower was immense.

"That’s right. The Nether Spirit Flower doesn’t need to be refined into a Pill. Just carrying it on your person will prevent a Martial Cultivator from suffering Qi deviation," Jiang Chen said with certainty.

Jiang Han drew a sharp breath, his whole demeanor suddenly becoming energized.

"I must win this item."

His eyes began to burn with fervor. He already had the Foundation Strengthening Pill; now, obtaining the Nether Spirit Flower would be even better for his Cultivation.

He believed his son.

Jiang Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He shook his head slightly as he watched his father’s spirited expression.

’The Nether Spirit Flower is good, but it’s not good enough to catch my eye. Of course, if they really did win the Nether Spirit Flower, it would certainly be beneficial for my father.’

"Hmph, just listen to your son’s boasting."

Just then, an untimely voice interjected.

It was Bai Xiong. He had indeed heard what Jiang Chen said but remained skeptical about the Nether Spirit Flower.

’I don’t even recognize it, so on what grounds does this kid?’

So he didn’t believe it.

However, he was also filled with anticipation regarding the flower’s soul-suppressing effect.

Jiang Han said indifferently, "My son wasn’t talking to you. You were eavesdropping, and you still have the nerve to comment? How shameless."

Bai Xiong was so angry he gritted his teeth.

He looked at the other man’s son, who was practically a walking encyclopedia, then looked at his own son, whose eyes were still glued to the auctioneer, completely lost.

The comparison made him feel utterly disgraced.

’I really regret bringing my son, Bai Shu, here.’

After unveiling the cloth, Murong Xiangming announced in a soft voice,

"I’m sure everyone is very curious about the origin of this treasure."

"Before I make my announcement, has anyone recognized this item?"

She scanned the entire hall, but no one spoke up.

It wasn’t just that many didn’t recognize it; even those who did were learned figures with high Cultivation. They certainly wouldn’t show off here.

So, of course, they remained silent.

Subsequently, Murong Xiangming announced, "Since it seems no one knows, then I shall tell you all the origin of this first treasure."

"This black flower is called the Nether Spirit Flower."

What?

Bai Xiong had been waiting for Murong Xiangming’s next words, expecting them to be different from what Jiang Chen had said.

But the moment she spoke, her words were exactly the same as Jiang Chen’s.

This made his old face look even more unsightly.

PFFT!

Jiang Han suddenly burst out laughing.

"Son, you were actually right! Excellent! As expected of my, Jiang Han’s, son."

He was laughing at Bai Xiong’s earlier words, at how he’d claimed his son was wrong. Now, with the auctioneer’s announcement, Bai Xiong’s skepticism had been turned into a complete joke, and he’d been proven wrong by his son.

Seeing Bai Xiong’s ashen face made him even more smug.