The greatest danger of life-threatening concern naturally would not happen to Chu Nian. After all, as a cultivator at the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage, his original physical strength was almost comparable to some Eighth Rank Low Level Vein Demons, in this respect, far superior to ordinary human cultivators at the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage.

So when Chu Nian saw the Molten Lava Heart Stone for the first time, he made up his mind to acquire it at all costs, not allowing it to fall into the hands of others. It was crucial for the further enhancement of his physical strength.

"Tsk tsk, Molten Lava Heart Stone, what a stroke of luck!"

Compared to everyone's thoughts, when Yun Xiao also sensed the aura of the Molten Lava Heart Stone, he too came to a resolution in his heart, the reason for which was exactly the same as that of Chu Nian from the Chu Family.

In fact, at this moment, Yun Xiao's physical strength was even stronger than Chu Nian's, just a step away from reaching the level of an Eighth Rank Middle Stage Vein Demon. In terms of mere physical strength, ordinary human cultivators at the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage were not his match at all.

Yun Xiao had once refined the Earth Burst Stone Lotus in the Qingshan Sect, a treasure rare even in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, which greatly increased his physical strength. However, with his cultivation level at that time, it was impossible to fully refine the power of the Earth Burst Stone Lotus Armor.

Some pure energy from the Earth Burst Stone Lotus lay dormant throughout Yun Xiao's body, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't activate this power until he saw the Molten Lava Heart Stone.

For ordinary talents on the Tenglong Continent like Chu Nian, the Molten Lava Heart Stone was merely a Molten Lava Heart Stone, solely for physical enhancement, with a possibility of failure.

But for Yun Xiao, whose soul came from the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, the Molten Lava Heart Stone had another effect, which was to activate all the latent energy throughout his body during refinement, doubling the effect of tempering his physical strength with half the effort.

A cultivator reaching the Qi Seeking Realm or the Origin Seeking Realm might refine many Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or consume some elixirs to enhance strength, yet these were not necessarily perfectly absorbed, with at least a part sedimented throughout the body over time.

Perhaps they would refine a part again when ascending to a greater rank in the future, but as time progresses, these sediments would undoubtedly accumulate more and more. Though having no great harm being deposited in the body, they eventually would be wasted.

If it were the Long Xiao Battle God of his previous life, Yun Xiao probably had a hundred ways to activate these powers, turning them into nourishment for his strength enhancement, yet unfortunately, after reincarnation, both his cultivation level and cultivation resources plummeted, leaving no better way for him.

However, all this changed starkly upon seeing the Molten Lava Heart Stone. Yun Xiao believed that with the support of the Molten Lava Heart Stone, refining those energies deposited in his body would surely greatly boost his physical strength. It was not even impossible to directly break through to the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage.

"Earth Rank Middle Level Molten Lava Heart Stone, starting bid is six hundred thousand gold coins, each increment must not be less than fifty thousand!"

It seems Mei Qian also knew the Molten Lava Heart Stone only mattered to those skilled in physical strength cultivation, so the starting price was nearly identical to the previous Fiery Fire Ganoderma.

Moreover, right after Mei Qian spoke, her gaze immediately turned to Chu Nian from the Chu Family, knowing well who the Molten Lava Heart Stone suited best.

"Six hundred fifty thousand!"

"Seven hundred thousand!"

"Eight hundred thousand!"

"Nine hundred fifty thousand!"

"..."

After several bidding rounds, the price of this Molten Lava Heart Stone almost reached a million, as there were still quite several cultivators skilled in physical strength present.

"One million five hundred thousand!"

Just at this moment, Chu Nian from the Chu Family finally stepped in, raising the price to one million five hundred thousand gold coins at once, displaying his determination to win.

It was unclear whether it was due to Xiao Qiming's earlier suggestion, but neither the Kong Brothers nor Xiao Qiming competed when Chu Nian bid one million five hundred thousand gold coins, which somehow quelled others' interest.

"Forget it, let's leave this to Chu Nian!"

Many bidders from earlier gave up the idea in their hearts, for even winning the Molten Lava Heart Stone might fail in refining, so why offend this Chu Family genius?

"One million five hundred fifty thousand!"

However, just when everyone was about to abandon the thought, a somewhat familiar voice resonated from a certain direction, causing everyone to pause in astonishment.

"That kid again?!"

When everyone turned their gazes to the direction of the voice, their expressions turned peculiar, for the one who spoke was the rough-clothed young man who had previously embarrassed the Kong Brothers twice.

Yun Xiao didn't have as many thoughts as others. The Molten Lava Heart Stone was extremely important to him. Since he encountered it, he naturally had to take it into his possession. As for the one or two million gold coins, it was just a drop in the ocean for him.

"You don't say, I'm starting to admire that kid a bit. To dare offend not only the Kong brothers but also the Chu Family's Chu Nian, at least that courage, I can't help but be in awe!"

In one corner, a middle-aged man whispered to his friend with some sentiment, but his voice was filled with a hint of schadenfreude. Although he spoke of admiration, it was more likely that he was mocking this person who caused trouble everywhere.

"This guy is crazy!"

Beside Yun Xiao, the chubby guy who previously mentioned him putting on an act instinctively moved a few feet away, as if afraid others would know he was associated with this plain-clothed youth.

When Yun Xiao was confronting the Kong brothers earlier, this chubby guy already wanted to change seats. He didn't expect that this person would take it up a notch, offending not only the Kong brothers but now also the Chu Family's Chu Nian. If targeted by their wrath, it's not something a mere Qi Seeking Realm Early Stage cultivator like him could withstand.

"Heh heh, it's getting more and more interesting!"

Xiao Qiming of the Xiao Family kept his eyes on Yun Xiao, seemingly trying to understand where this young man's confidence came from, daring to simultaneously offend the two major forces of Sky Thunder Valley and the Xiao Family?

The plain-clothed youth didn't seem like a fool. Such actions might mean he has nothing to fear, unless he's truly gone mad.

Contrary to Xiao Qiming's amusement, Chu Nian of the Chu Family had a much darker expression. His mood mirrored that of the Kong brothers earlier. This feeling of being disregarded is not something geniuses from major forces often experience.

Even in the territory of Sky Thunder Valley, merely revealing Chu Nian's identity would mean hardly anyone dared to offend him. Yet unexpectedly, at this auction, he was provoked by an obscure youth.

Just recently, Chu Nian was calling Yun Xiao a fool. But now, he couldn't help but personally feel the power of this 'fool.' Yet at this Spirit Fighting Commerce auction, he couldn't act out violently, so he could only forcibly suppress his extreme anger.

"Two million!"

These three words were almost squeezed out from between Chu Nian's teeth. At this moment, his aura surged, and judging by his muscular stature, he seemed far more imposing than the Kong brothers earlier.

"Two million and fifty thousand!"

Yun Xiao wasn't intimidated by Chu Nian's state at all, remaining in his rightful demeanor. The mere increase of fifty thousand he uttered carried an undertone of hidden strength and enduring resolve.

"Two hundred..."

"Brother Chu Nian, remain calm!"

Just as Chu Nian was about to raise the bid again, Kong Qianshan on the other side suddenly interrupted him, wearing a strange expression, appearing quite unusual.

"What? Are you going to butt in too? Don't forget our earlier agreement!"

Enraged, Chu Nian had not completely lost his senses, but once he spoke, the faces of the onlookers were a mix of interest, since the earlier Soul Devouring Beast did not end up in the hands of the Kong brothers.

Once these words were spoken, Kong Qianshan's face stiffened slightly, but he didn't dwell on it. Perhaps he had already considered the Soul Devouring Beast and Fiery Fire Ganoderma as their personal possessions, just a matter of time.

"Brother Chu Nian, since this young man is determined to get the Molten Lava Heart Stone, why don't you temporarily let him have it?"

After calming down, Kong Qianshan's words held a deeper meaning, especially the heavy emphasis on the word "temporarily," as if expressing an attitude to Chu Nian.

Don't be fooled by Chu Nian's robust appearance; he's quite shrewd. In an instant, he caught the subtext of Kong Qianshan's words. After pondering for a moment, he sat back down in his chair, seemingly having made a decision.

Kong Qianshan implied that no matter what Yun Xiao obtained now, it would ultimately belong to someone else. Whether he could leave the Spirit Fighting Commerce and even Bianlei City would depend on his own ability.

"These despicable guys!"

Among those filled with anger, except for Yun Xiao, whom everyone assumed was furious, perhaps only Mei Qian on the auction stage was genuinely upset. The decision of the Kong brothers reduced the final prices for the earlier Fiery Fire Ganoderma and this Molten Lava Heart Stone significantly.

Mei Qian believed that if it weren't for the Kong brothers and Chu Nian planning to seize treasures after the auction, the final prices for the Fiery Fire Ganoderma and Molten Lava Heart Stone would never have been just two million and fifty thousand.

Contrary to what others might think, Yun Xiao wasn't in a bad mood at all. Instead, he felt a sense of ease. He knew what the Kong brothers and Chu Nian were plotting. But what could a few young talents at the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage possibly do to him?