A soft knock came from the door once more, steady and familiar. This time, Baixue rose gracefully, now dressed in an elegant snow-white dress that shimmered like fresh frost. She glided to the door and opened it to find Sheamus standing there with a respectful smile and a carefully held glass container cradled in his arms. Inside, the snow lotus glowed with a quiet, ethereal light, its petals faintly pulsing with frigid energy.
Sheamus gave a polite bow. "Lady Baixue," he greeted warmly, clearly charmed by her presence. " Your snow lotus."
Baixue accepted the container with delicate hands, her eyes lingering on the lotus with a pleased glint. Sheamus made a slight motion to take his leave, but before he could step back, Kieran's voice called from inside the room. "Sheamus. Come in." His tone was relaxed, but held some weight.
Sheamus blinked once, then nodded and stepped through the doorway, curious about what the young master wanted from him this time.
As Sheamus stepped into the luxurious VIP room, his eyes immediately landed on the divan where Roulan was seated intimately beside Kieran, clinging to his left arm with a gentle smile, her emerald dress flowing like water around her. On his right, Baixue soon settled in, slipping her slender arms around his other arm with an affectionate ease. The contrast between their fiery and icy beauty was stunning, and yet they sat harmoniously beside the same man, both his fiancés.
This guy… Sheamus thought, his expression neutral but his mind swirling with awe. Heaven must really favor him. Two peerless beauties, and both devoted to him like that… damn.
Before he could lose himself in that thought, Kieran stretched out his fist, slowly opening his palm just enough for Sheamus to glimpse the dazzling, crystalline fruit within—a Phoenix Tear Fruit, its fiery glow dancing like liquid sunlight.
"This one's over fifty thousand years old," Kieran said calmly. "Add it to the auction."
Sheamus's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat as he stared at the fruit. This was no ordinary treasure—it was the kind of item that could cause sects to go to war.
He gave a deep nod, his tone more serious now. "Understood. I'll make sure it's treated as the final highlight."
Sheamus excitedly left the room to arrange things.
As the door closed behind Sheamus, silence settled in the room for a moment, then Roulan turned toward Baixue, her emerald eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Baixue," she said with a soft smile, "let's go plant the three herbs we bought from the auction. They'll thrive much better in the sphere."
Baixue nodded, curious. "Alright."
Together, the two women closed their eyes, using their divine sense to enter the sphere. The moment Baixue opened her eyes inside the sphere, she froze.
Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed around at the transformed space. A snow-capped mountain loomed in the distance, pure and glistening. A serene lake reflected the soft spiritual light, and fields of vibrant herbs flourished along the rolling landscape. The deep black soil of the central clearing seemed to pulse with vitality.
Baixue slowly turned in place, awe plain on her face. "This… This is completely different…" she whispered, wonder filling her voice. "It looks beautiful."
Roulan knelt near the edge of the garden and gently opened the two ornate boxes. With utmost care, she planted the Extreme Yang Flower and the Extreme Yin Flower side by side.
"Eir," she called, glancing up at the little spirit who was still zipping joyfully through the air like a leaf caught in the wind. "Care for these two, will you? They're precious."
Eir's eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded, fluttering down to hover near the two rare herbs. She extended her tiny hands, releasing a soft green glow that caused the two plants to gain some vitality. Roulan looked at the two plants, feeling excited. We have to get stronger and also improve our Yin essence. She thought to herself. Otherwise, we won't be able to keep up with him.
Meanwhile, Baixue stood at the lake's edge, holding the glass container with the ancient Snow Lotus, her expression thoughtful as she prepared to plant it in the shallows. But before she could place it in the water, Roulan turned to her quickly.
"Wait," Roulan said, stepping over. "Snow lotuses don't thrive in still lake water—not unless it's frigid. They grow in the coldest places, like mountain peaks. There's more Yin essence up there."
Baixue blinked, then nodded in understanding. The two closed their eyes for a moment, scanning the towering snow-capped mountain with their divine sense. Their senses quickly found a small pond nestled in a ridge near the summit—its surface partially frozen, fed by a steady stream of icy mist.
In the next instant, they appeared beside the pond. The air was crisp and sharp, filled with pure Yin energy. Baixue knelt and placed the snow lotus at the pond's edge. The moment it touched the water, a ring of frost rippled outward, and the lotus petals opened slightly.
Satisfied with their work, Roulan and Baixue let their consciousness drift back to their bodies. They found themselves lying side by side on the plush divan, the soft blanket still draped over them.
Kieran stood by the glass wall, his tall form outlined by the warm light of the auction hall. His arms were crossed casually, eyes focused on the stage below where the final items were being prepared for display.
Without a word, the two women rose. Baixue smoothed her snow-white dress, and Roulan adjusted the green sash around her waist. Then, with silent steps, they crossed the room and came to stand on either side of Kieran, each slipping a hand into his. A small smile touched his lips at their presence, and together, the three watched as the final act of the Golden Clover Auction began to unfold.
On the stage below, Mei Lin stepped forward once more, her golden dress shimmering beneath the ethereal lights. Her smile was brighter than ever, her voice clear and captivating as she gestured to the elegant jade tray now being unveiled by two attendants.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, her eyes gleaming, "we now present the first of ten Phoenix Tear Fruits—each over five thousand years old, saturated with pure, blazing Yang essence, and said to have been nurtured in the flames of an ancient volcanic phoenix nest."
A wave of astonishment swept through the hall as gasps and murmurs filled the air. The fruit glowed softly on its pedestal, radiating a warm, golden light.
"The starting bid for this divine treasure is fifteen hundred spirit stones," Mei Lin declared with a flourish. "Let the bidding begin!"
The atmosphere in the auction hall turned electric the moment Mei Lin finished speaking.
"Sixteen hundred!" a voice called out from the middle rows.
"Seventeen hundred!" another bidder immediately followed, barely letting the first finish.
"Two thousand!" shouted someone from a noble box.
"Two thousand five hundred!" came a louder bid, this time with an air of arrogance.
From there, the tempo quickened.
"Three thousand!"
"Thirty-five hundred!"
"Four thousand!"
The numbers flew as they scrambled to secure the Phoenix Tear Fruit. The dense Yang energy stirred desire in every male present.
"Five thousand!"
"Fifty-five hundred!"
"Sixty-two hundred!"
Several heads turned toward an old man in crimson robes when he confidently raised his paddle and bid, "Seven thousand."
A heavy silence fell for just a moment, then—
"Seven thousand five hundred!" came a deep male voice from the front seats.
Mei Lin's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Do I hear more?"
There was a brief pause before the old man raised his paddle again. "Eight thousand."
The hall hushed again. Mei Lin waited a moment longer, her gaze scanning the crowd. When no further bids came, she raised her hand.
"Going once… going twice… sold! For eight thousand spirit stones!"
Applause rippled through the hall as the attendants carefully removed the glowing fruit from the stage and took it to the old man.