"Mountain bandit forces?"

Jiang Chen was slightly surprised upon hearing the discussions in the hall.

"The Black Wind Stronghold is located in the Southern Mountain Range of Mingyuan City. It's the largest bandit force in Mingyuan City, but they never commit crimes near Mingyuan City; instead, they go to other domains."

Hu Yiqiu explained in a low voice, "Some domain lords have reported jointly trying to ask the Domain Lord's Mansion to eliminate this force, and the Domain Lord did take action, but they returned without success."

"It's said that the Black Wind Stronghold has the same Heavenly Momentum as our academy, and the stronghold leader is an array master with much expertise in formations. According to the people of the Domain Lord's Mansion, not only did the Domain Lord fail to eliminate the Black Wind Stronghold when he took action, but he was also injured by the stronghold leader using the Heavenly Momentum."

"Since then, no one has attacked the Black Wind Stronghold, and thus, this bandit force has existed until today!"

Jiang Chen was puzzled and asked, "Why would an array master capable of injuring an Integration Realm Peak cultivator using Heavenly Momentum choose to become the leader of a bandit stronghold? Any other force would treat him as an honored guest."

"No one knows. There are thousands of people in the world, each with different thoughts. Perhaps that stronghold leader prefers being a bandit!"

Hu Yiqiu replied with a light laugh.

Glancing upstairs, Hu Yiqiu lowered his voice and said, "That old ghost Hei Mo dares to cause trouble at the Canghai Trade Alliance's auction, truly recklessly bold! He probably won't make it back to the Black Wind Stronghold this time!"

Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned but soon understood.

Hei Mo released Great Dao pressure at this auction, and the Canghai Trade Alliance must retaliate. Plus, the Black Wind Stronghold is a bandit force, so the Canghai Trade Alliance wouldn't hesitate to act.

"Elder Wine-crazed, do you remember that old ghost? I never thought he'd survive!"

Sang Zhenye suddenly spoke, glancing at the elder in the corner of the hall, showing a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Hu Yiqiu turned to look upon hearing this, and his brow slightly furrowed, "I didn't notice earlier; it's actually him!"

"Master knows that elder?"

Jiang Chen was momentarily stunned, asking softly.

"He was originally an elder at our academy, named Sun Peng. During the great battle a hundred years ago, he fled after being wounded. For nearly a hundred years, there has been no news of him, yet he's appearing here!"

Hu Yiqiu's face turned gloomy.

Jiang Chen showed a bit of surprise, turned, and glanced at the corner of the hall, his expression slightly sinking.

Seemingly aware of Jiang Chen and the others' attention, Sun Peng raised his head to glance at the box where Jiang Chen and the others were.

The walls of the boxes on the second and third floors are one-way transparent; from within the box, one can see the outside, but the outside cannot see inside, so Sun Peng did not see Jiang Chen and the others.

Sun Peng was indifferent to the attention, as bidding by those in the hall alongside forces on the second floor naturally attracts attention.

"Seven million!"

The bidding rang out again from the second floor; it was still Hei Mo.

"Eight million!"

Sun Peng's face changed, gritting his teeth to bid again.

"Humph! Bold!"

Hei Mo's cold voice came from the box but did not raise the bid again.

"This senior bids eight million gold coins. Anyone else bidding?"

Pang Guang looked around and spoke loudly, "If no one bids, the cultivation technique will go to this senior!"

With Pang Guang's voice, the first auction item was won by Sun Peng for eight million gold coins.

"The first auction item fetching eight million, this auction's specification is a bit high, isn't it?"

Jiang Chen showed a surprised expression in his eyes.

"Haha, that's nothing."

Hu Yiqiu chuckled lightly, "The auction venue is divided into three specifications. The highest is meant for Integration Realm cultivators, so such prices aren't surprising."

"Next..."

The auction continued as one item after another was auctioned off, with Jiang Chen and his group not taking action.

"It seems today there's nothing to gain!"

Sang Zhenye shook his head slightly, sighing.

"Next is the final auction item for today, the Profound Grade High-level Spirit Fire, Revival Flame!"

A shout rang out, and both Hu Yiqiu and Sang Zhenye paused.

"Revival Flame? Is it the Revival Flame from the Eastern Forest?! That spirit fire was collected by the Canghai Trade Alliance!"

Sang Zhenye's expression changed slightly, exclaiming in surprise.

Hu Yiqiu's face turned solemn, a determined look appearing in his eyes.

This was meant to be his gift for Jiang Chen's apprenticeship; he definitely couldn't let anyone else take it!

"Revival Flame? It's actually Revival Flame?!"

"The Canghai Trade Alliance managed to snatch the Revival Flame right under the Thunder Beast's nose?"

"Such a unique spirit fire, fortunately released today. If released later, we'd have no chance!"

"Profound Grade High-level spirit fire; today's auction item is this caliber, what's the highlight for tomorrow and the day after?"

The atmosphere in the hall was instantly ignited by the final auction item.

On the auction stage, two young men brought up an alchemy cauldron half as tall as a person, and within the cauldron emerged a vigorous green flame. The flame's temperature wasn't high; there was no sense of heat, instead giving a spring breeze feeling.

"I didn't expect it to be the Revival Flame; it's comparable to an Earth Grade spirit fire!"

Fire Phoenix's eyes gleamed, her petite tongue licking her lips, showing an expectant expression on her face.

"The Revival Flame is comparable to Earth Grade spirit fire?"

Jiang Chen asked Fire Phoenix puzzledly.

"The Revival Flame is a fusion spirit fire. It contains three Great Dao attributes: fire, wood, and life. If one can refine the Revival Flame, unless it's Great Dao wounds or severed limbs, other injuries can be recovered using the Revival Flame."

Fire Phoenix introduced with eyes shining, "Moreover, the Revival Flame is the gentlest among spirit fires, making it easier to refine than others, and it's the most suitable for tempering the Primordial Spirit below Earth Grade."

"This... this Revival Flame is so great? Why would the Canghai Trade Alliance bring it out today?"

Jiang Chen furrowed his brows, showing puzzled eyes.

Upon hearing this, everyone paused and then collectively frowned.

Prompted by Jiang Chen's reminder, everyone also sensed something amiss.

The Revival Flame is undeniably a top-tier treasure in Mingqian Realm, yet the Canghai Trade Alliance released it at today's auction, rather than waiting for the day after tomorrow when all forces are present for the auction—this feels a bit intriguing!

"President Pang Shao, releasing the Revival Flame today for auction—is there some significance?"

An eerie voice rang out from a box on the second floor, as Hei Mo voiced Jiang Chen and others' doubts.

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