Chapter 66

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Chapter 66: Star-Settling Crown

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, a mocking voice suddenly cut through: "Since when does Baibao Zhai’s Treasure Appraisal Gathering let in riffraff juniors? And to seat them in the honored position—what disgrace is this?"

The audience immediately perked up, silently smirking: *The drama begins!*

Fang Lie knew they were targeting his group. Turning, he saw a youth—though already at Golden Pool cultivation level, implying advanced age—dripping with gaudy treasures. The man’s Taoist robes shimmered more extravagantly than Fang Lie’s Five Elements and Eight Trigrams Dao Robe, adorned with jade tokens, sleeve ornaments, and collar pins. Yet his sneering face radiated malice.

Never one to back down from verbal sparring, Fang Lie feigned surprise: "Who’s this overdressed country bumpkin?"

Ice Second Brother, long attuned to Fang Lie’s cues, chimed in: "Big Brother, that’s Zhou Hongtu!"

"Never heard of him," Fang Lie sniffed.

"Big Brother," Fang Huo added, "He’s Zhou Hongjian’s sibling!"

"Oh!" Fang Lie slapped his knee. "The one who got stripped naked and displayed at the Ancestral Hall gates?"

"The very same!" Ice Second Brother grinned. "Acted all high-and-mighty till they peeled his clothes off. Quite the revelation!"

"What revelation?" Fang Huo pressed.

"Shockingly tiny!" Ice Second Brother mimed a toothpick. "Guess that’s the Zhou Family’s legacy!"

The group roared with laughter. Even some stubborn old men chuckled, filling the hall with mirth—except Zhou Hongtu and his lackeys, now red-faced with rage.

"You wretched vermin!" Zhou Hongtu lunged forward. "I’ll end you!"

Fang Lie’s voice turned glacial: "Touch my brother, and I’ll slaughter your entire bloodline."

The threat doused Zhou Hongtu’s fury like icy water. This was no empty boast—Fang Lie, Mo Sect’s Demon King, had annihilated two great family clans in days while wielding the Benevolence Token.

Zhou Hongtu slumped back, seething: "All bark, no bite! Let’s see you bid for anything decent at the auction!"

Fang Lie smirked. "So Zhou the Skinflint’s stolen wealth ends up here. Must feel proud, spending blood money?"

Zhou Hongtu choked on his retort. Disgusted glances swept through the crowd—all knew Zhou Zhengqing’s corruption, despite his cover-ups.

Trapped by his own shame, Zhou Hongtu fled under scornful stares, three followers scrambling behind.

So, the third magical duel between Fang Lie and the Zhou Family ended with Fang Lie’s complete victory.

Coincidentally, shortly after Zhou Hongtu departed, the Baibao Zhai shopkeeper stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and declared, "This old man thanks you all for gracing our auction! Let’s cut to the chase and begin the appraisal immediately!"

Fang Lie had expected the Old Shopkeeper to drone on, but the straightforward start pleasantly surprised him.

This approach was wise—Cultivators valued every moment of their cultivation. Wasting time with idle talk would only irritate them. As a seasoned merchant, the Old Shopkeeper knew better than to offend patrons.

After announcing the start, he presented the first item: "The Golden Pool Pill, crafted by Great Pill Master Fang Lie himself! Verified as Flawless-grade by Mo Sect alchemists. It boasts over an 80% success rate for advancing to the Golden Pool realm and leaves no Pill toxin, regardless of success. This means endless possibilities!"

"Upon success, take spirit pills to consolidate your cultivation. If unsuccessful, consume another pill—each attempt raises your odds until success is virtually guaranteed! Flawless-grade Golden Pool Pills haven’t surfaced in years! Starting bid: 500,000 spirit stones!"

Ordinary Golden Pool Pills capped at 200,000, but this Flawless version justified the steep price. The great family clans feverishly bid, surpassing one million spirit stones in moments.

True Talents advanced unaided, achieving greater heights. Yet most relied on pills to reach the Golden Pool realm and gain three centuries of Lifespan. Many would bankrupt themselves for this.

Qi Sea realm Cultivators lacked funds themselves, relying on family power. Clans gladly invested—a Golden Pool realm disciple could earn 100,000 spirit stones yearly, repaying the cost twofold.

Flawless Pills eliminated the risk of failure, making them foolproof investments. The bidding soared, finally halting at 1.8 million spirit stones—a triumphant opener pleasing both Fang Lie and the Old Shopkeeper.

Subsequent auctions featured materials: puppet-crafting stones, Flying Sword metals, and aged Herbs, each sparking fierce competition. The atmosphere grew electric, though Fang Lie found nothing of interest.

After an hour, the Old Shopkeeper unveiled something that caught Fang Lie’s eye—a blue metal crown adorned with shimmering starlight, resembling an ancient Daoist headpiece.

"Next: the Star-Settling Crown, a top-grade second-tier treasure! It immobilizes enemy treasures—indefinitely against first-rank treasures, one breath for second-rank, and a fleeting moment for third-tier. But in battle, that instant decides life and death! Starting bid: 300,000 spirit stones!"

Fang Lie immediately offered 310,000. Potential bidders fell silent—the hall became tomb-quiet.

The Old Shopkeeper hurriedly asked, "Any higher bids?" Only nervous chuckles answered.

These Old Foxes sought to curry Fang Lie’s favor. Even rivals held back—antagonizing a Great Pill Master risked future needs for Flawless Pills. Blood feuds could wait unless reaching Zhou Family-level deadlock.

Fang Lie mused, *Lucky the Zhou Clan left. Their wealth would’ve outbid me… and they might’ve snatched this treasure.*