All eyes turned to the Mo Clan—everyone knew they were the only contenders left.
Clan Leader Mo and his son’s faces darkened, 15 million spirit crystals put them in a bind.
Push further, and they’d lose big.
Back off, after Mo’s bold claim of victory, and lose face to some unknown upstart?
This challenged Mo Clan’s authority!
Clan Leader Mo glared at Lin Yun, “Young friend, 15 million for this lotus, don’t you think it’s a waste?”
“It’s pricey, sure, but worth it to me, I’m not short of cash,” Lin Yun said calmly.
To him, anything that helped was no loss—he needed this badly.
Money? Killing Elder Yin netted him Holy Spirit-grade gear and crystals far beyond this, easy come, easy go.
His words stunned the room.
“What? Not short of cash? That’s 15 million spirit crystals, who is this guy?”
Lin Yun’s claim was jaw-dropping.
“Not short? Big talk! Careful you don’t choke on it!” Clan Leader Mo’s face grew stormier.
“Clan Leader Mo, if you want it, bid, highest wins, if not, it’s mine—no need for all this chatter wasting time,” Lin Yun said evenly.
“You…”
Clan Leader Mo’s eye twitched—this kid dared speak to him like that?
His phoenix-eyed son shot up, growling, “Kid, do you know the cost of crossing the Mo Clan in Dongyuan?”
“I’m just bidding, not crossing anyone,” Lin Yun replied coolly.
He’d heard threats like this too often to flinch.
Fear-driven surrender meant missing chances—cultivation was about seizing fate, and without fighting, a lone nobody like him couldn’t rise.
“Snatching resources from my Mo Clan in Dongyuan is crossing us! Think hard about the fallout!” the son barked.
“If that’s crossing, so be it,” Lin Yun shrugged.
The room’s vibe turned electric—pure face-slapping!
Fury blazed in the Mo duo’s eyes!
Then Clan Leader Zhu stood.
“Young friend, bid freely, if Mo dares touch you, my Zhu Clan’s got your back, we may lack their wealth, but not their might!” his voice boomed.
“Clan Leader Zhu, you…” Clan Leader Mo’s face twisted further.
Tension spiked, the air thick with conflict.
“Ahem, Clan Leaders Mo and Zhu, calm down, don’t disrupt the contest, any more bids?” the auctioneer cut in.
They sat, aware the event was prefecture-backed.
“Kid, one last chance, I’ll bid again—if you counter, you’ve crossed my Mo Clan!” Clan Leader Mo warned darkly.
He bid, “15.1 million spirit crystals.”
Eyes swung to Lin Yun.
“Sorry, I must have it, 16 million!” Lin Yun shot back.
“You’ve got guts, kid! You’ll regret this!” Clan Leader Mo seethed.
He’d warned bidding again meant enmity—Lin Yun’s move trashed Mo’s pride.
Their pressure flopped—where’d his face go?
Lin Yun’s expression hardened, “Mo Clan better not trouble me, or you might be the ones regretting it.”
He’d had enough of their threats.
Silence fell.
Incredulous stares locked on Lin Yun.
This kid was wild!
Who in Dongyuan dared talk to Mo like that?
Who was he? Some big shot?
His words pushed the Mo pair’s rage to the brink!
If they didn’t deal with him, Mo’s reputation was toast.
Only the contest’s rules held them back from attacking.
“Clan Leader Mo, cool off, 16 million, still bidding?” the auctioneer asked.
Fuming, Clan Leader Mo stayed mute.
The Zhu duo grinned ear-to-ear—Mo’s loss was their gain!
“Done! 16 million spirit crystals, the Origin Water Lotus goes to this fellow!” the auctioneer hammered.
“Finally mine!” Lin Yun smiled.
With it, Water Mystery was within reach!
The Mo Clan?
He didn’t care—giving up for fear was no option, or getting another lotus would be a nightmare.
A lone wolf in Fire Cloud Empire, what’d he have to lose?
If Mo pushed too hard, he’d leave Dongyuan—18 prefectures in the empire, plenty of places to go.
With a super Void-Breaking Bead, Thousand-Mile Vanishing Talisman, and his swift airship, if he wanted out, they couldn’t stop him.
He might even sting Mo on the way out, leaving them cursing.
Barefoot fears no shod—Lin Yun could bolt, Mo’s rooted clan couldn’t.
He didn’t seek trouble, but if they brought it, he’d face it—Mo Clan or not.
With the lotus sold, the contest wrapped.
Clan Leader Mo stormed off.
“Kid, watch yourself!” the phoenix-eyed Mo heir glared, following his father.
“Bring it on,” Lin Yun smirked.
He went to claim his items.
His Holy Spirit-grade saber sold for 12 million, the lotus cost 16 million, the talisman 650,000—paying 4.65 million spirit crystals netted both.
Holding the lotus, his eyes gleamed.
“Got it, now to master Water Mystery in peace!” He grinned.
He felt closer to Tribulation!
He left swiftly, heading to the inn for retreat, trusting the city’s safety.
