On the stage below, the radiant Mei Lin once again stepped forward, her golden gown catching the light as she raised her voice above the fading murmurs of the crowd.
"Distinguished guests," she said with a brilliant smile, "we now enter the final stage of the Golden Clover Auction. From this point forward, each item presented will be one of the grand highlights of the day—rare treasures that may never appear even once in a generation." Her amber eyes gleamed with excitement. "Please prepare yourselves. The true wonders of tonight's event are about to begin."
The auction hall buzzed anew, anticipation thick in the air as cultivators and nobles leaned forward in their seats, eyes shining with greed and desire.
Kieran also shifted slightly in his seat, eyes fixed on the stage, hoping the final items might include something of value to him.
But just as the next item was being brought on stage, a pulse surged from his dantian. Without warning, the energy within him stirred like a rising tide, condensing and breaking past its current limit in a sudden, silent burst as his aura flared momentarily.
Roulan, still nestled on his lap with her head resting on his shoulder, felt it instantly. Her eyes widened in shock as she lifted her head to look at him. "You just… broke through?" she whispered in disbelief.
Kieran gave her a faint, amused smile, "Second stage, Viridian Realm," he murmured, loving the fact that his blood had merged with his cultivation technique.
"My body has been refining the Yin Chi I absorbed from you and Baixue earlier," he explained, his voice low and steady. "Even when I'm not cultivating actively, my body will refine the energy since I have merged with my cultivation technique."
Roulan blinked, cheeks tinged pink again as she recalled their earlier intimacy, slightly disappointed that her body could only manage one round.
Still perched atop Kieran's head like a smug little empress, Sindra suddenly stood up with a sparkle in her purple eyes. Her long hair fluttered as if caught in a breeze only she could feel.
"!Oho~! I knew it!" she exclaimed, pointing downward as if delivering a divine revelation. "The Sphere reacted just now—it released a pulse of energy the moment you broke through!"
Without a word, Kieran closed his eyes and let his divine sense flow inward. The moment his consciousness touched the Sphere, a sensation like passing through warm silk washed over him, and he appeared inside.
Roulan appeared beside him moments later, holding Eir gently in her hands, and Sindra shimmered into being just above them, floating lazily in the air.
The four of them fell silent, awe spreading across their faces.
The world inside the Sphere had transformed; it had been mostly barren, now it stretched vast and vibrant, at least three times its original size. A towering, snow-capped mountain loomed in the distance, its white peaks gleaming under an eternal twilight sky. At its base, a crystalline lake shimmered with colors, its waters rippling with spiritual energy. Around them, lush fields rolled with vibrant flora and glowing grasses, and the spiritual herbs they had planted earlier thrived, pulsing with vitality.
Only the circular clearing at the center remained untouched, its deep black soil contrasting greatly with the surroundings.
"It's… breathtaking," Roulan whispered, eyes wide with wonder.
Kieran nodded slowly. "I think the remaining energy from the Root of Vitality was absorbed by the sphere."
Eir, seeing the world inside the Sphere for the first time, could not contain herself. She took off from Roulan's palm and zipped through the air like a streak of radiant light. All traces of her earlier embarrassment were gone, replaced by wide-eyed wonder and childlike delight as she darted between glowing flowers, skimmed the lake's surface, and looped high above the Phoenix tear fruits with tiny bursts of giggles.
After several joyful laps, she floated back to Roulan, "Master! This place is amazing!" she chirped, hovering just in front of her. "What is this place? Can I… can I stay here?"
Roulan laughed softly, "Of course you can. This is part of Kieran's inner world—his Sphere. If you like it here, you're welcome to come whenever you want."
Eir's eyes lit up like twin stars, and she spun in the air with a thrilled squeal. Then, in a flash, she zoomed off again, weaving through the air, inspecting the spiritual herbs one by one. Wherever she lingered, the plants seemed to respond to her, leaves unfurling wider, colors growing more vibrant. Even some of the fruit began to swell ever so slightly, ripening faster under her presence.
Kieran noticed the subtle yet undeniable change. "She's… accelerating their growth," he murmured.
Roulan tilted her head, equally astonished. "Just by being near them…"
Floating above them, Sindra gave an approving hum, folding her arms under her chest with a smug grin. "As expected of a spirit born from nature," she said, smiling with satisfaction. "Even if she's young, Eir's essence resonates with the natural world. If she gets strong enough, she'll be able to breathe life into entire fields."
Outside the Sphere, Baixue stirred beneath the silk blanket, her long lashes fluttering as her consciousness returned. Her gaze drifted toward the stage, and the moment her eyes landed on the delicate, shimmering figure of a beautiful snow lotus being unveiled under a protective crystal dome, she sat up with sudden focus.
Without taking her eyes off the stage, she reached out and gently shook Kieran's shoulder.
The motion pulled Kieran and Roulan's consciousnesses back to their bodies in a soft jolt. Kieran blinked, quickly adjusting, and followed Baixue's gaze. The snow lotus glowed like a frozen flame, icy petals opening in layers that pulsed with frosty essence. Its presence alone sent a chill through the air.
On stage, Mei Lin's voice rang out, clear and poised. "A rare and treasured herb for cultivators with ice affinity. A two-thousand-year-old Snow Lotus with pure Yin essence. The bidding starts at 500 spirit stones."
Kieran glanced at Baixue. Her expression was calm, but the gleam in her silver eyes spoke volumes.
Without hesitation, Kieran lifted the paddle. "1000 spirit stones," he said coolly. The moment his bid rang out, another voice quickly followed—sharp, confident, and full of arrogance. "One thousand two hundred spirit stones," came Prince Caleb's voice from his private room, his tone laced with challenge.
Kieran narrowed his eyes slightly, lips curling into a faint smirk. Without hesitation, he raised his paddle again. "Two thousand."
From across the hall, Caleb leaned forward in his seat, a glint of cold satisfaction in his eyes. So they want it that badly? Good, he thought. Let them bleed their resources now. When the Phoenix Rear Fruit comes up, they'll struggle to keep up.
"Three thousand spirit stones," Caleb bid smoothly.
Kieran didn't blink. "Four thousand."
Caleb clenched his jaw, but the smirk remained. "Four thousand five hundred."
A hush fell over the auction hall. The number was no longer casual—this was serious bidding.
Kieran lifted the paddle once more. His voice calm, unwavering: "Five thousand."
There was a pause.
Silence stretched for a few seconds.
Mei Lin, ever graceful, raised her hand. "Five thousand spirit stones going once… going twice… sold!"
The gavel came down with a crisp tap.
Kieran's side had won again, but Caleb's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Keep spending. Let's see how deep your pockets truly go.