In the elevated VIP balcony, the leaders of the five ancient sects were already celebrating.
Sect Master Yan Lie raised his jade goblet, roaring with triumphant laughter. Wine splashed over his red beard as he clinked cups with Sect Master Du and Matriarch Bing.
“Ninety billion stones!” Yan Lie boasted, his chest puffing out with haughty pride. “That provincial shopkeeper probably doesn’t even know what ninety billion stones looks like! He spent his pocket money on toys, and now he is eating our dust!”
Elder Ye stood beside them, a vicious, toothy grin stretching across his wrinkled face. “The Jade-Clear Sect will take forty percent of the Shennong Origin Spring! We will refine five hundred Golden Core breakthrough pills every year, while Taichu’s clinics choke on dry dirt!”
Down on the crystal stage, Pavilion Master Jin held the golden auction gavel high above his head.
“Ninety billion Supreme Spirit Stones going once!” Pavilion Master Jin bellowed, his voice dripping with smug certainty. “Ninety billion going twice—”
“Wait,” a clear, ringing voice cut through the cavernous amphitheater.
Down in the shadowy rear corner behind the eight-foot granite pillar, Little Stone leaped onto the wooden bench.
