"We do not know."
The powerful cultivators guarding the black lotus also hadn't reacted. They hadn't sensed any anomaly nearby, yet someone had removed the black cloth.
"The auction begins now, ten thousand top-grade spirit stones."
With things having reached this point, Meng Wanyang steadied her mind. As long as this item was successfully auctioned, they would be free of involvement.
"She looks very anxious." Chu Lingwei observed Meng Wanyang, seeing a trace of panic on her face.
"This is not a good thing," Leng Xingzhi nodded. The spiritual energy emitted by the black lotus was poisonous. While it could prolong life, it prevented cultivators from breaking through. Those who truly desired it would only be the ruling realm great beings who were unable to advance.
They could not break through, nor did they wish to die, making the appearance of the black lotus their most sought-after prize.
"One hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones."
"One hundred top-grade spirit stones."
"Two hundred top-grade spirit stones."
"One thousand top-grade spirit stones."
"..."
Chu Lingwei gasped, listening to the continuous bidding. The wealth of these individuals was truly beyond imagination.
"Senior Brother, I'd like to ask, if you were to bid alongside them, could you win?"
"Little Junior Sister desires that black lotus?"
No matter who obtained this black lotus in the end, it would not remain in this world.
"No, I just wanted to know Senior Brother's financial capacity." Chu Lingwei shook her head. She had to admit that these people were incredibly wealthy, their riches far exceeding her imagination.
"Little Junior Sister, rest assured, whatever you desire, Senior Brother will be able to help you obtain it." Leng Xingzhi smiled, turned to sit on his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.
Chu Lingwei listened as round after round of bidding continued, showing no signs of stopping.
It seemed that obtaining this black lotus was a matter of absolute necessity for them.
"Weiwei, you must not let them get this black lotus," the phantom cat said, looking at the black lotus. "That black lotus seems to be alive. If it appears in the world, it could very well pollute the entire Profound Heaven Continent."
"I understand that, but do you think those who are bidding wouldn't realize this?" Chu Lingwei leaned on the window, gazing at the black lotus. She wondered why, with the Spirit Realm already destroyed, such an item would still appear.
She turned to look at her Senior Brother, thinking perhaps the Spirit Realm had been destroyed, but this item had not.
"Those people are truly terrifying. To covet such a dangerous thing," the phantom cat's expression grew solemn. Just looking at the black lotus, he could feel its dreadfulness.
"Let's just watch and see who obtains it in the end."
All the ruling realm great beings desired this item. Regardless of who it fell to, they would likely not be able to leave with it intact.
She mused that after the auction ended, a fierce battle for possession would ensue. Thinking about it, it would probably be quite lively.
"Ah."
A supreme realm great being protecting the black lotus let out a low cry.
Meng Wanyang's expression turned cold upon hearing this cry. These people were becoming increasingly unruly.
"Elder, it's bad news."
Suddenly, Meng Wanyang received a telepathic transmission. "Elder, this black lotus seems to be withering."
Meng Wanyang's heart lurched. However, the auction was nearing its end, and no errors could be permitted. She did not look back. "Cover the black lotus and activate the next barrier. Prevent anyone from sensing its changes."
"Huh, what are they doing?"
Chu Lingwei had been staring at the black lotus when she suddenly saw those individuals covering it with black cloth and erecting barriers.
Now she could see nothing and sense no changes in the black lotus.
"Cat Cat, do you sense any changes in the black lotus?" With the auction so close to completion, they must have a reason for doing this.
"No."
The phantom cat shook his head. He had been intently watching the black lotus and hadn't sensed any changes.
"No, something must be wrong with the black lotus, otherwise, they wouldn't suddenly block everyone's scrutiny." Chu Lingwei's breathing quickened. She felt that a major event was about to unfold.
If Chu Lingwei had thought of this problem, so too would everyone else.
"Meng Wanyang, what's wrong with the black lotus?"
A pressure from a ruling realm great being surged towards Meng Wanyang.
"Senior, please calm yourself. How could the black lotus have a problem? It's just that there are too many people coveting it, and we are concerned for the safety of the final bidder." Meng Wanyang blocked the pressure, her smile unwavering.
"Hmph, our safety doesn't require your concern." Another great being's voice chimed in, filled with deep dissatisfaction.
These people were not fools, and moreover, as ruling realm great beings, who was afraid of whom?
Meng Wanyang found herself in a difficult position. Standing beside the black lotus, she could already sense its subtle changes. If she were to remove the barrier, some individuals would undoubtedly discover traces of it.
At that point, the ones to be held accountable would be their Meng family.
"Meng Wanyang, are you toying with us?" The first great being's voice boomed again, causing Chu Lingwei's ears to ring.
This was too formidable!
Her current private room was protected by layers of defensive barriers, yet she was still affected by the pressure of a ruling realm cultivator. This showed that if he truly wished to break these barriers, it would not be difficult.
Meng Wanyang's heart sank to the bottom. She turned and gave a look to the attendant standing by the black lotus. The black cloth was removed once more.
"Ah."
Chu Lingwei looked at the black lotus and blinked. "Cat Cat, did I see wrong? Why does it feel like this black lotus is not as black as it was before?"
"You are not mistaken. It is slowly withering."
The phantom cat's voice was filled with excitement. No wonder the Meng family had covered the black lotus; it was about to wither.
"Withering, not withering earlier, not withering later, but precisely at this moment." Chu Lingwei turned to look at her Senior Brother. He was still resting.
"Hmph, perhaps it doesn't wish to be possessed by these people," the phantom cat exclaimed, looking as if he were watching a good show. As long as the black lotus withered and the Profound Heaven Continent was safe, he would be happy.
"Meng Wanyang, what is going on?"
The ruling realm great beings who had vowed to seize the black lotus spoke with anger as they observed the black lotus's changes.
"Seniors, please calm your anger."
Meng Wanyang bowed gracefully to all the cultivators. "From the moment we obtained this black lotus, it has been in this state. Therefore, we immediately commenced the auction."
"We hope that today's auction can proceed smoothly."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood Meng Wanyang's meaning. If today passed and the black lotus completely withered, their hopes would vanish.
"One million top-grade spirit stones."
"Five million top-grade spirit stones."
...
"Ten million top-grade spirit stones."
Suddenly, the bidding that had ceased began to ring out again. Meng Wanyang's face lit up with joy. It seemed these individuals needed this black lotus even more.