Feng Miaojun’s eyes brightened: “Uncle Lu, it might take me a long time to pay you back!”

He smiled: “No rush.” Though Feng Miaojun was disguised, he seemed able to see through that layer of deception to the face that resembled the young Queen of An Xia. This was her daughter, after all. Seeing her so delighted made any sacrifice worthwhile.

Elated beyond expectation, Feng Miaojun seized the opportunity and called out clearly: “Two thousand spirit stones!”

At that moment, the bidding had only reached one thousand six hundred spirit stones. Her bid added four hundred at once, immediately silencing the entire hall.

Two thousand spirit stones—this price already exceeded the value of a divine weapon. Though the Golden Branch Jade Dew was excellent, most people didn’t know when they might need it and were only buying it as a reserve.

Most importantly, even if this drop sold, weren’t there still eight more? Was it worth pouring in so much money right from the start?

Faced with questions of value for money, most people chose to withdraw.

This was precisely why Feng Miaojun was willing to invest heavily to secure the first drop of Golden Branch Jade Dew:

She understood customer psychology all too well. This item would only become more expensive later. As it diminished drop by drop, those who needed it would grow anxious.

Anxiety was the beginning of irrational shopping.

Rather than gambling later with a racing heart, it was better to secure the item early and withdraw from the bidding.

Her substantial increase had scared off many bidders. The auctioneer called twice, but no one raised the bid.

The auctioneer raised his hammer. One strike—just one more strike, and the item would be hers!

It seemed the treasure was securely within her grasp.

Feng Miaojun couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile.

Freedom, here I come!

Unfortunately, she didn’t get to hear the third strike, because suddenly a voice said: “Two thousand five hundred spirit stones!”

This voice was mechanical and powerful, suddenly echoing throughout the hall, causing everyone to draw in a breath of cold air.

Feng Miaojun knew this wasn’t the bidder’s actual voice but rather transmitted through an ammonite. These sound-transmitting ammonites were only installed in private boxes, allowing those big players who preferred to remain unseen to communicate with the auction hall and participate in bidding.

Her mouth filled with bitterness, unable to utter a word, she could only clench the corner of her clothes. Lu Chuanying, seemingly aware of her pain, gently patted her shoulder: “Know your limits. If you truly can’t afford it, let it go.” Was a bottle of panacea really that important? This child was young and healthy—what use could she possibly have for it?

Money talks—how could she not understand this principle? Feng Miaojun smiled bitterly and lowered her head deeply. Having lived two lifetimes, she was once again constrained by money, once again feeling so powerless.

The hope of success was right before her eyes, yet she could not grasp it, forced to watch it slip through her fingers.

That single bid was like a starting signal, and a new round of bidding began. However, the voices coming from various directions were mechanical, clearly from the powerful figures in private boxes who had finally decided to exert their influence.

The price of the Golden Branch Jade Dew rose with the tide—and it was a flood tide at that.

After two rounds, it had reached the heartbreaking price of five thousand five hundred spirit stones.

At this price, Feng Miaojun, like others, could only look up in despair. If the first drop of Golden Branch Jade Dew was bid up to this level, how could the later ones be any cheaper?

Seeing her bite her lips until they turned pale, Lu Chuanying comforted her: “Our encounter with the Luofu Fish Market was mere chance. Whatever problem you had originally, we can find other ways to solve it later.”

Though his voice was low, to her it resounded like a great bell. Feng Miaojun suddenly came to her senses:

Yes, before the coincidental encounter with the Luofu Fish Market, before seeing the Golden Branch Jade Dew, she had never thought of resolving the curse problem here. Failing to secure the Golden Branch Jade Dew only meant returning to square one.

Of course, she felt regret at narrowly missing such a treasure, but how could one speak of “loss” without first having “gained”?

Feng Miaojun exhaled a long breath, her mind much clearer. She gave Lu Chuanying a grateful smile: “Thanks to Uncle Lu’s advice, I understand now.”

Then she heard a voice say: “Eight thousand five hundred spirit stones, I want all nine drops.”

A wave of astonishment swept through the hall, even startling the auctioneer into looking up.

Which big player had made this offer?

Feng Miaojun had already suppressed her obsession and adopted a spectator’s mindset. Now she couldn’t help but admire: “Who’s being so high-profile?”

As if answering her question, the auctioneer raised his voice: “Private box one hundred and twenty-five bids eight thousand five hundred spirit stones. Are there any higher bids?”

Handling such an enormous transaction made him flushed with excitement, his voice growing shrill.

The crowd below began to discuss, curious about one thing: “Who exactly is sitting in private box one hundred and twenty-five?”

An informed person educated the newcomers: “Who else? It’s none other than the Lord of Yangshan! For thirty consecutive years, whether he attends or not, the Luofu Fish Market always reserves private box one hundred and twenty-five for him.”

The three words “Lord of Yangshan” caught Feng Miaojun completely by surprise!

This name—she had heard it recently.

Through the mouth of the Ghost-Faced Nest Spider Mother, through the mouth of the pufferfish auctioneer—among the three people who had competed with Prince Wei Xiao Pingzhang for the Dragon-Piercing Map, there was this very “Lord of Yangshan”!

Feng Miaojun instinctively turned her head, and coincidentally, she recognized him.

This person was none other than Wei Wenxi, the Vice Sect Leader of the Jueming Sect.

The last time they met was at Lakeside in Qingyuan Town. Back then, Yun Ya and she had disguised themselves as master and servant Zhi Che, listening to this man discuss world affairs. Unexpectedly, after nearly half a year, they met again from north to south, on a lonely island in the vast ocean.

Unfortunately, she was once again in disguise, so they remained unrecognizable to each other.

Seeing that Wei Wenxi seemed like an old hand who frequently attended the Luofu Fish Market, she humbly asked: “We’re all new customers and would like to ask, who is this Lord of Yangshan?”

Wei Wenxi snorted: “You’re all from the Northern Continent, aren’t you?”

Many people nodded.

“No wonder,” Wei Wenxi smiled. “The Lord of Yangshan is famous throughout the Southern Continent. I’ve heard that not only is his cultivation extremely high, but he’s also as wealthy as a nation. However, he seldom appears in public and doesn’t join any sect.”

Feng Miaojun’s heart stirred: “Which country is he from?”

“Yan,” Wei Wenxi replied. “During the recent war between Pu and Yan, the Lord of Yangshan intervened, easily taking the head of Pu’s great general Wang Xun amid tens of thousands of troops! Pu’s final military defeat was partly due to his interference.”

“Has no one seen his appearance?” Feng Miaojun asked curiously. “Such a high-profile master surely wouldn’t keep even his residence a secret, would he?”

“Of course, people have seen him. He’s not living in seclusion in the mountains,” Wei Wenxi, true to his talkative nature, didn’t disappoint her, giving a mysterious smile. “He has a mansion in the capital of Yan, larger than a duke’s residence. However, he usually travels the four seas, so even if someone visits his home, it’s difficult to meet him in person.”