Chapter 200: Chapter 200

"Twenty-five thousand!"

"Forty-five thousand!"

"Sixty-five thousand!"

In the blink of an eye, the vast exhibition hall became a battleground between two bidders. No matter how high the opposing bid went, An Ning would calmly raise it by another fifteen thousand premium spirit stones without batting an eye.

Watching the skyrocketing prices turn Commander Huo Cheng's face green with anxiety. Were it not for his city lord's presence, he would have grabbed this reckless girl by the sleeve to shake some sense into her!

Eighty thousand premium spirit stones? They might as well rob someone!

Unfortunately, no matter how desperately he signaled with his eyes, the stubborn girl beside him remained completely oblivious.

After a helpless glance at his master, Commander Huo had no choice but to continue bidding through gritted teeth.

Fortunately, perhaps overwhelmed by her extravagant spending, the female voice from the neighboring booth gradually fell silent...

"Eighty thousand premium spirit stones going once! Eighty thousand twice! Eighty thousand three times!"

With the final strike of the auction hammer, the Purple Gold Leaf Furnace officially belonged to An Ning.

Moments later, an attendant delivered her prize.

One glance confirmed the eighty thousand premium spirit stones were well spent.

The three-foot-tall furnace before her wasn't particularly ornate, but its ancient simplicity spoke volumes. The intricate spiritual patterns carved on its surface were unlike any she'd seen in existing records.

Her intuition screamed this was no ordinary Mystic-grade premium furnace.

Most importantly, the moment it touched her hands, she felt an inexplicable sense of perfect compatibility.

Unable to suppress her delight, she carefully stored it away before retrieving several ink-stained papers from her qiankun bag. Smiling at the city lord's representative, she said:

"Thanks to the city lord's generosity, here are some formulas I've recently compiled. One has been tested to alleviate unstable spiritual energy during early-stage breakthroughs. Another medicinal bath formula expands meridians and tempers the body, though its full effects remain unverified..."

Only after confirming his master's silent approval did Huo Cheng carefully accept the documents.

Suddenly everything made sense.

No wonder this newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator showed no signs of spiritual instability.

But... mere medicinal cuisine, not even proper elixirs, could have such effects?

In that moment, Huo Cheng understood why this triple spirit root cultivator progressed as fast as him, and why she'd earned his master's favor.

Truly, his city lord's wisdom knew no bounds.

Luckily unaware of Huo Cheng's thoughts, An Ning barely resisted kicking him.

With her prize secured, she only half-heartedly observed the remaining auctions, preferring to study her jade slips. Most items, while valuable, were currently beyond her needs.

Until rhythmic knocking interrupted:

"Honored guest, regarding the furnace you acquired—our young master deeply admires it but lacked sufficient funds during the auction. He recently obtained a millennium mermaid pearl and wishes to exchange..."

For security reasons, Biling Pavilion forbade revealing buyers' identities. Yet considering her extravagant spending and private booth, the messenger spoke with utmost respect.

Deep sea dwellers called mermaids produced pearls over millennia—precious materials for alchemy that also stabilized minds and reduced qi deviation risks.

Trading such treasure for a Mystic-grade furnace seemed excessive.

But once in An Ning's hands? Not a chance.

Before she could respond, Huo Cheng curtly refused with palpable hostility.

The audacity! Flaunting some pearl before his city lord as if West Flame City lacked such trifles!

Recognizing the dangerous tone, the messenger immediately withdrew without another word—no threats, no complaints.

An Ning clicked her tongue. In this high-risk world, reading the room was indeed essential for survival.

Back in Xuqing Sect days, though she avoided socializing and group missions, nobody dared provoke her. In the cultivation world, who knew when a five-spirit-root trash might stumble upon destiny and become an overpowered protagonist?

Only fools made enemies recklessly.

Meanwhile, upon receiving the rejection, Sikong Jing showed no anger. Turning to Shangguan Ling with apologetic grace, the handsome young master—jade-like complexion and starry cold eyes—spoke softly:

"My apologies, Ling'er. This senior brother failed you. Had I not insisted on acquiring that Nascent Soul Pill earlier..."

His usual aloof demeanor made this exclusive tenderness even more striking.

Instantly blushing, the young maiden forgot her disappointment, hastily replying:

"Senior brother, don't say such things! I wanted that Nascent Soul Pill too!"

"Besides, your future Nascent Soul formation matters most. What's a furnace compared to your prospects?"

Her shy glance met his unchanging smile as he patted her head: "Silly girl, forming a Nascent Soul isn't easy. In the past century, only West Flame City's lord succeeded. Even my father..."

"Had you not noticed the danger that day, father might have..."

Sighing heavily, he continued: "If even my prodigious father struggled, how could I..."

Before he finished, Shangguan Ling passionately interrupted:

"Impossible! Others might fail, but believe me, senior brother, you'll definitely form a Nascent Soul!"

"You'll be the second after West Flame City's lord to achieve this!"