King of Ten Thousand Years

”Two thousand six hundred!”

The Eldest Princess’s expression was resolute as she joined the bidding.

She wasn’t buying the Spring and Autumn Insect for herself, but on behalf of the Azure Cloud Monarch.

”Two thousand seven hundred!”

”Two thousand eight hundred!”

There were quite a few competitors in the venue, and they weren’t limited to the local factions of the Azure Cloud Kingdom.

The Spring and Autumn Insect was the headline item of the Ziwei Commerce Association’s auction, and it had been promoted for two months.

In just a few moments, the bidding for the Spring and Autumn Insect surpassed three thousand.

”Three thousand five hundred!”

The Eldest Princess called out a high price, shaking off many competitors from major factions.

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that the Eldest Princess was bidding as a representative of the Sovereign of Azure Cloud Country.

”Three thousand six hundred.”

A deep, magnetic voice spoke up.

The speaker was a middle-aged man in scholarly robes, with a handsome face and a refined, gentle demeanor.

”So, it’s the Qiu Yue State Preceptor!”

A chill flashed through the Eldest Princess’s phoenix-like eyes.

The Qiu Yue Kingdom bordered the Azure Cloud Kingdom, and the two had always been sworn enemies.

In terms of national power, the Qiu Yue Kingdom was slightly stronger.

Although this was the Azure Cloud Royal Capital, the Martial City was a transcendent, neutral territory. The Eldest Princess couldn’t use official forces to deal with the Qiu Yue State Preceptor here.

”Three thousand eight hundred!” the Eldest Princess raised her bid.

”Three thousand nine hundred!”

A smile played on the lips of the Qiu Yue State Preceptor; he showed no signs of weakness.

”Four thousand!”

The Eldest Princess’s beautiful face tensed. She couldn’t let the Qiu Yue Kingdom win the Spring and Autumn Insect in her own country.

The current Monarch of the Qiu Yue Kingdom was in the prime of his life, wise and divinely martial.

If he were to obtain the Spring and Autumn Insect, it would pose an endless future threat to the Azure Cloud Kingdom.

”Four thousand six hundred!”

”Four thousand eight hundred!”

The two bid back and forth for a long time, but in the end, the Eldest Princess emerged victorious.

”Congratulations to the Eldest Princess for winning the Spring and Autumn Insect with a bid of four thousand eight hundred.”

The purple-robed elder was beaming.

Although the effects of the Spring and Autumn Insect were miraculous, four thousand eight hundred Spiritual Essence Coins far exceeded its actual value.

After all, this insect couldn’t extend one’s lifespan by even a little, and using it required paying an exorbitant price.

Luo Tian couldn’t help but sigh. ’Four thousand eight hundred Spiritual Essence Coins... how many Martial Arts resources and Elixirs of Life could that buy? It would be enough to cultivate several Spirit Sea Realm Martial Artists.’

Before long, someone from the auction house delivered the Spring and Autumn Insect to the Eldest Princess.

”Three masters, please appraise it. Are you certain it’s real?” the Eldest Princess asked.

Master Mi took the insect, which resembled a withered yellow grass root, and carefully observed, touched, and sniffed it.

”My conclusion remains unchanged. I am at least seventy percent certain,” Master Mi said confidently.

Then, Master Deng took the Spring and Autumn Insect, pulled out a magnifying lens, and examined it for a moment.

”It has some subtle differences from the Yellow Luo Insect Grass. It should be a real Spring and Autumn Insect,” Master Deng nodded.

A pleased expression appeared on the Eldest Princess’s face. Thankfully, the Qiu Yue Kingdom hadn’t won the Spring and Autumn Insect.

Finally, without being impolite, she passed the Spring and Autumn Insect to Luo Tian.

Master Deng and Master Mi shook their heads slightly, feeling this was an unnecessary gesture.

Luo Tian took the Spring and Autumn Insect and had the Celestial Book perform another Inference.

Before, he could only observe the Spring and Autumn Insect from a distance, not touch it, so the Inference had only yielded a rough result.

Even so, the previous Inference had indicated there was something wrong with the Spring and Autumn Insect’s condition, making it unsuitable for consumption.

This time, with close contact, the specific condition of the Spring and Autumn Insect was clearly deduced.

”Miss Li, there is indeed a problem with this Spring and Autumn Insect. It cannot be consumed!” Luo Tian’s tone was grave.

”Cannot be consumed?”

Master Deng scoffed, speaking in a pompous tone, ”Little one, don’t pretend to know what you don’t. Even a Yellow Luo Insect Grass has the effect of slowing aging when consumed.”

”I have inspected it, and there is nothing abnormal about this Spring and Autumn Insect,” Master Mi said, his face showing his displeasure.

Luo Tian’s actions were a blatant provocation to him, the number one Physician in the Royal Capital.

”Master Luo, if you say there’s a problem with the Spring and Autumn Insect, how can you prove it?” the Eldest Princess asked calmly.

She too found it hard to believe there would be any problem with the insect.

”It’s quite simple,” Luo Tian began to explain.

”To achieve the Spring and Autumn Insect’s miraculous age-reversing effect, one must swallow it and let it live as a parasite inside the body. It must then be nurtured with certain Treasure Materials, allowing the user to experience a second spring and regain their youthful vigor.”

”We all know that. How are you going to prove there’s a problem with the insect?” Master Deng said impatiently.

Master Mi, however, showed a flicker of surprise. ’A true Spring and Autumn Insect is a rare sight, seen only a few times a century. Very few people know how to use it.’

”Miss Li, may I snip off a single tendril?” Luo Tian asked.

”You may,” the Eldest Princess agreed.

Luo Tian immediately took a section of tendril from the Spring and Autumn Insect, which was in its withered grass root state.

Then, Luo Tian picked up an apple from the fruit platter in front of him, gouged out a piece of flesh, and created a finger-sized hole.

Next, he placed the tendril inside the hole and put the piece of fruit back in place.

”Who can offer a drop of blood?” Luo Tian asked.

Master Deng and Master Mi snorted lightly. ’Why not use your own blood?’

Luo Tian’s blood was Divine Vein Blood; he was worried it might affect the experiment’s result.

”I will.”

The Eldest Princess tapped her jade-like finger, and a drop of blood seeped into the edge of the hole in the apple.

Luo Tian infused his True Qi, causing the Eldest Princess’s blood to penetrate deeper.

”An apple is also a life form. Adding human blood allows us to roughly simulate a human swallowing the Spring and Autumn Insect and having it live as a parasite,” Luo Tian said with a smile.

Ten breaths later,

Luo Tian removed the piece of fruit and the tendril.

HISS~

The flesh inside the apple had begun to rot a faint black color, emitting a dark vapor that spread outwards.

”This...”

Master Mi’s eyes widened, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

”How could this be!”

Master Deng was also startled, his face turning pale.

If the Azure Cloud Monarch had consumed this problematic ”Spring and Autumn Insect,” the consequences would have been unimaginable!

”Master Luo, what is the reason for this?” The Eldest Princess’s face was filled with alarm.

”This particular Spring and Autumn Insect likely grew in a place with heavy Yin Qi, like a graveyard. It contains a trace of Yin-Rot Corpse Qi,” Luo Tian deduced.

”Yin-Rot Corpse Qi? Why didn’t Master Mi discover it during his inspection?” the Eldest Princess asked, confused.

”I understand now!” Master Mi looked vexed and ashamed, sighing longly. ”The Spring and Autumn Insect is currently in its autumn, withered grass state. Its natural aura of decay masked this Yin-Rot Corpse Qi.”

”Exactly! This Yin-Rot Corpse Qi within the Spring and Autumn Insect isn’t actually strong. It’s not life-threatening, but if it resides in the body long-term, it will shorten one’s lifespan!” Luo Tian nodded.

”Master Luo, I am deeply indebted to you for this. Manqing is eternally grateful.”

The Eldest Princess bowed.

Luo Tian quickly helped the princess up by her fair arm, catching a faint, pleasant fragrance.

”Alas, my old eyes have grown dim. Master Luo’s knowledge of medicine surpasses mine several times over,” Master Mi’s old face flushed red as he spoke with guilt.

If it hadn’t been for Luo Tian, a terrible mistake might have been made this day.

’How could this be?’

Master Deng’s face flushed red, then went pale.

On two separate occasions now, Luo Tian’s judgment had been as sharp as a torch. His appraisal ability made him, a Treasure Master, feel utterly ashamed.

”Master Luo’s profound knowledge and talent exceed anything Manqing could have imagined.”

On the Eldest Princess’s icy and beautiful face, besides admiration and gratitude, there was now a faint trace of maidenly reverence.

”Miss Li, there may be more to this matter than meets the eye,” Luo Tian said in a low voice.

”I understand.”

The Eldest Princess’s beautiful eyes shifted, revealing a hint of coldness.

The rival Qiu Yue Kingdom had also competed for this problematic Spring and Autumn Insect, creating resistance before letting her successfully acquire it.

’Thinking about it now, something isn’t right.’

To the monarch of a nation, who possessed immense power and wealth, the age-reversing effect of the Spring and Autumn Insect was a priceless treasure.

If the Spring and Autumn Insect were perfect, why would the Sovereign of Qiu Yue Country give it up so easily?

On the other hand... if this problematic insect caused the Azure Cloud Monarch to become terminally ill within a year or so, the several Princes would fight for the throne, plunging the kingdom into internal chaos.

At this thought, the Eldest Princess’s heart trembled, and she dared not think any further.

...

The auction came to an end.

The Martial Artists from the various factions began to leave the venue.

Luo Tian announced his departure, politely declining the Eldest Princess’s earnest invitation to stay.

The Wu Mansion Gala was in five or six days, and he needed to rendezvous with the people from the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

Outside the auction hall, Luo Tian saw the group from the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion.

The group was led by Vice Manor Master Yue, along with several Mentors.

In addition, Golden Students like Nangong Yu, Yue Jing, Liu Ziyan, and Xie Lin were also present.

”Greetings, Vice Manor Master.”

Luo Tian returned to the ranks.

”It’s good you’re back. Your Mentor is still in closed-door Cultivation at the Holy Mansion and didn’t come this time,” Vice Manor Master Yue said with a nod.

”Luo Tian! You really made a scene at the auction just now, actually going up against Wang Tian,” Senior Jin clicked his tongue in amazement.

Ever since their encounter during the slaying of the Jade Spirit Python, Luo Tian and Senior Jin Fan had hit it off. The latter didn’t possess the arrogance typical of a Sunshine Student.

”It was unwise of you to offend Wang Tian! His combat strength is nearly unrivaled among his peers, and he’s extremely vindictive.”

A cold, female voice interjected.

It came from a young woman in a Sunshine Purple Robe standing next to Senior Jin.

”This is Xu Mengxin, one of the Sunshine Students. She may seem cold, but she has a good heart, so don’t take it personally,” Senior Jin introduced her.

”Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister Xu.”

Luo Tian smiled faintly.

Xu Mengxin was also at the Spirit Sea Realm. She had an ordinary appearance but possessed an air of sharp intelligence.

In the crowd, Luo Tian glanced at Nangong Yu again. Her Cultivation had reached the Peak of the Eighth Layer of Meridian Opening. She had not only become a Golden Student but was also a representative at the Wu Mansion Gala.

One must know, the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion only had twenty spots for the Wu Mansion Gala.

Luo Tian felt that the aura of Nangong Yu’s Cultivation Technique was very unique. As her Cultivation increased, it grew more formidable each time.

「Half an hour later.」

Luo Tian followed the group to one of the Holy Mansion’s strongholds in the Royal Capital.

It was called a stronghold, but it was actually a residence the Sun Chasing Holy Mansion had purchased in the Royal Capital.

All the students attending the Wu Mansion Gala were quartered at this stronghold.

Luo Tian didn’t see Princess Yunxiu. He didn’t know if she had failed to qualify for a spot at the Wu Mansion Gala or if she had other arrangements.

Each student was given a private room.

Back in his room, Luo Tian first organized what he had gained from the auction.

He had spent one thousand seven hundred Spiritual Essence Coins to buy the Yin Crystal Stone.

But he had sold the Jade Spirit Pill to Wang Tian for two thousand Spiritual Essence Coins.

As a result, Luo Tian still had over three thousand Spiritual Essence Coins on hand—a huge sum that was almost unattainable even for Sunshine Students.

After organizing his gains,

SWISH!

A dark, greenish crystal appeared in Luo Tian’s hand.

It was the Yin Crystal Stone.

WHOOM!

A suction force surged from the Nether Dragon Divine Vein within Luo Tian’s body.

Wisps of blue-black, radiant smoke rose from the surface of the Yin Crystal Stone and merged into Luo Tian’s body.

WENG!

Inside Luo Tian, the Dragon-shaped Divine Vein’s ghostly blue scales flickered with a cold light, wreathed in a spectral mist.

At the very end of the Divine Vein, the incomplete section showed faint signs of growth.

Compared to when he had just opened his Martial Vein, Luo Tian’s Incomplete Divine Vein had grown slightly.

’As expected of Treasure Materials worth over a thousand Spiritual Essence Coins!’

Luo Tian felt that the Yin Netherworld Qi from the Yin Crystal Stone was incredibly pure, far more sustained and lasting than what he had absorbed while treating Li Yunxiu.

In just half a day,

Luo Tian’s Divine Vein Power had grown to a level equivalent to the Peak of the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening.

With five or six days left until the Wu Mansion Gala, he had plenty of time to absorb his fill.