CHAPTER 459: CHAPTER 253 ILLUSION SPIRIT DIVINE TUNE_2

After breaking through to the ninth layer of the Golden Bone Realm, you’ll need guidance, and that requires Millennium Gathering Spirit Grass.

Liu Ruhai mentioned that this auction would feature someone offering Millennium Gathering Spirit Grass.

Inside the auction, the crowd was in an uproar, with bidding voices rising and falling, creating a bustling atmosphere.

In the spacious venue, an assortment of treasures, spiritual medicines, ancient texts, and more were laid out in dazzling array, prompting people to eagerly place their bids.

Liu Ruhai led Gu Sheng through the throng, his gaze continuously lingering on the alluring figures around them. Clearly, his attention was divided—he both sought an appealing target and didn’t want to miss any auction item.

"Brother Gu, what do you think of this Longquan Sword? A Low Grade Mystical Level treasure, incomparably sharp—it’s the ultimate tool for charming the ladies!"

Liu Ruhai pointed to a longsword being displayed on stage and transmitted his words to Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng gave a slight smile but cast his gaze on the auction stage’s standout—Miss Mu Tiantian from the Mu family.

She was dressed in a pale green gown, her hair cascading over her shoulders. Amid her gentle demeanor, there was a touch of heroic grace as she calmly presided over the auction.

"Brother Mu, the Longquan Sword is indeed impressive, but compared to the beauty hosting this auction, it pales considerably."

Gu Sheng gestured toward Mu Tiantian and remarked with a smile.

Liu Ruhai was momentarily stunned by the comment, then laughed heartily: "Brother Gu truly has an eye for beauty. Mu Tiantian is indeed a highlight of this auction. Still, let’s not forget our main mission today."

As they were speaking, the auctioneer suddenly revealed an item that drew everyone’s attention—a stalk of Millennium Gathering Spirit Grass.

Liu Ruhai perked up immediately, pulling Gu Sheng to the front of the crowd.

"This stalk of Millennium Gathering Spirit Grass starts at a price of five thousand gold. Each bid increment must not be less than five hundred!"

Mu Tiantian’s crystal-clear voice echoed across the auction hall.

Without hesitation, Liu Ruhai raised his bidding sign: "Six thousand gold!"

"Six thousand five hundred!" someone immediately outbid him.

Liu Ruhai frowned and raised the bid again: "Seven thousand gold!"

Gu Sheng watched with a faint smile and then raised his own sign: "Seven thousand five hundred."

Liu Ruhai froze, turning to look at Gu Sheng: "Brother Gu, what are you doing?"

Gu Sheng replied with an unhurried smile: "Brother Mu, while this spiritual medicine is excellent, it’s still lacking compared to the Longquan Sword. How about letting me have it?"

Liu Ruhai quickly caught on to Gu Sheng’s intentions and burst into laughter: "Since Brother Gu is interested, I’ll let you have this spiritual medicine."

In the end, the Millennium Gathering Spirit Grass was sold for ten thousand gold, with Gu Sheng successfully acquiring it. This scene also caught the attention of many ladies at the auction, particularly Mu Yuanyuan, whose gaze was especially keen.

"This young master has sharp eyes. May I ask your name?" Mu Tiantian stepped down from the auction stage and smiled as she approached Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Gu Sheng. Greetings, Miss Mu."

Mu Tiantian nodded slightly, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes: "Young Master Gu is truly exceptional. Even my elder sister speaks highly of you."

Gu Sheng was taken aback momentarily, then recalled his first encounter with Mu Yuanyuan in the Red Cloud Abyss, and he couldn’t help but find it amusing.

He looked up at Mu Tiantian and smiled: "Miss Mu flatters me. I wonder where your sister might be? I’d like to speak with her briefly."

Mu Tiantian offered a subtle smile and gestured towards a nearby private room: "My elder sister is over there enjoying tea. Please feel free to visit her, Young Master Gu."

Gu Sheng expressed his thanks and turned toward Mu Yuanyuan’s private room.

Liu Ruhai followed behind him with a disgruntled expression, mumbling: "Brother Gu, you’ve managed to steal all the spotlight again."

Gu Sheng responded with a hearty laugh: "Brother Mu, opportunities favor the prepared. Besides, with so many lovely ladies at this auction, why focus exclusively on one?"

While chatting, they reached Mu Yuanyuan’s private room.

Gu Sheng pushed open the door and saw Mu Yuanyuan sitting by the window. She was engrossed in an ancient text in her hands, wearing an expression of quiet focus.

"Young Master Gu has arrived?" Mu Yuanyuan raised her head upon seeing Gu Sheng and her eyes sparkled with delight.

Gu Sheng bowed: "Greetings, Miss Mu."

Mu Yuanyuan smiled softly and gestured to a nearby seat:

"Please have a seat, Young Master Gu. Does anything at the auction catch your interest?"

Gu Sheng nodded: "Yes, there are a few items worth noting. By the way, Miss Mu, are you interested in the Longquan Sword?"

Mu Yuanyuan paused briefly before chuckling: "The Longquan Sword? A Low Grade Mystical Level treasure? Naturally, it’s captivating. But do you know what interests me even more, Young Master Gu?"

"You two..." Liu Ruhai, clearly the third wheel, felt awkward and muttered, "Could you at least consider my presence here?"

"Just drink your wine!"

Gu Sheng paid him no attention and continued discussing today’s auction lots with Mu Yuanyuan. She described each item meticulously like an expert.

"I’m only interested in Gathering Spirit Grass over a millennium old!" Gu Sheng explained, as he needed it for his upcoming breakthrough to the Marrow Refining Realm.

He suspected that his failure to break through despite consuming the Divine Spring and Divine Fruit in the Red Cloud Abyss was related to not refining Gathering Spirit Grass previously.

This was unlike Lin Tianhao, who had prepared with Gathering Spirit Grass before his breakthrough.

"It seems Young Master Gu is preparing to advance to the Marrow Refining Realm." Mu Yuanyuan’s mind raced as she strategized how to help Gu Sheng find additional Gathering Spirit Grass to aid him—solving someone’s difficulties is the cornerstone of valuable relationships.

"Miss Mu, my young master is quite the prize now. If you fancy him, act quickly—plenty of ladies are eyeing him!"

Three cups of wine down, Liu Ruhai started cracking jokes.

"Get lost!"

Gu Sheng grabbed Liu Ruhai by the ear and whisked him aside, eliciting laughter from Mu Yuanyuan.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she composed herself and said:

"Young Master Gu has risen as a prodigious figure on the Red Cloud Continent, adored by all. It’s no wonder noblewomen line up to curry favor—it’s only natural!"

"It’s not as exaggerated as you say!" Gu Sheng downplayed the notion. "The Red Cloud Continent is filled with talented individuals."

Mu Yuanyuan’s eyes gleamed: "In Young Master Gu’s view, who are the prodigies of the Red Cloud Continent?"

"A prodigy, regardless of age, is defined by their strength. Honestly, anyone with such power is a prodigy,"

After some thought, Gu Sheng continued:

"The leaders of the three sects, the Emperor Wu of our empire, Princess Zishuang, Lin Tianhao of the Haoyang Sect, Linghu Qingwan of Giant Sword Sect, Governor Jiang Bai, and his disciple Lu Biluo... all of them could be considered prodigies."

Mu Yuanyuan showed no displeasure when she wasn’t listed among these figures.

Though talented in her own right, she never considered herself a prodigy.

Aside from acquiring a stalk of Millennium Gathering Spirit Grass, Gu Sheng spent the auction indulging in food.

After bidding farewell to Mu Yuanyuan, Gu Sheng summoned Shadow Black, returning to Holy Pill Sect.

Back at Holy Pill Sect, Gu Sheng spent the night cultivating, refining the Gathering Spirit Grass. His Golden Bone Realm ninth-layer cultivation advanced only to mid-stage, failing to break through.

This left him puzzled.

Just then, Mu Tiantian came to visit.

"Young Master Gu is truly diligent, still cultivating at this hour!"

By now, the sun was high in the sky. Before visiting, Mu Tiantian had inquired about Gu Sheng’s activities from Lin Miaomiao and others.

"What brings Miss Mu here today?"

Gu Sheng’s gaze swept over Mu Tiantian. With her enchanting figure and delicate curves, her cultivation was only at the Silver Bone Realm—she likely feared no one would attempt to rob her.

Taking her back home as a wife to live comfortably? Now, wouldn’t that be delightful.

Since the auction ended, Mu Tiantian and her elder sister had conversed about Gu Sheng nonstop. She had grown increasingly intrigued by the young man.

Later, Princess Zishuang brought up Gu Sheng in her visit, prompting Mu Tiantian to deliver an invitation herself.

"Look at this!"

Mu Tiantian offered an envelope that bore an elegant script: "An invitation for Young Master Gu to attend the Palace Poetry Gathering!"

Receiving yet another invitation was irritating to Gu Sheng.

"Don’t tell me you’re rejecting even the princess’s offer?"

Sharp as ever, Mu Tiantian gauged Gu Sheng’s thoughts.

"How could I?"

While speaking, Gu Sheng opened the invitation and said, "They promise to make friends through poetry, and having more friends opens more paths. It wouldn’t hurt to go."

Gu Sheng dutifully arrived at the princess’s residence.

The royal palace glittered in the night with lights ablaze, setting the stage for the poetry gathering hosted by Princess Yun Zishuang.

Gu Sheng approached the entrance.

"Who’s this boy, daring to trespass into the princess’s residence?" A nearby guard arrogantly blocked Gu Sheng’s path, his expression brimming with disdain.