Chen Huoyang’s purpose for coming today was crystal-clear: he wanted to secure the exact resource he needed; otherwise, he would never have bothered with such a dull exhibition.

The moment he spoke, the hall fell silent. Resources that could restore vitality were genuinely rare in the Huoyin Star System.

Elder Heming then said, “Master Huoyang, our Void Pill Sect does possess a pill that can slightly boost life force...”

Before he could finish, Master Huoyang shook his head. “Elder Heming, I appreciate the kindness, but I’ve already asked your sect master—your pill’s potency simply isn’t enough.”

Elder Heming nodded and let the matter drop. The great sects had their own networks; when they needed artifacts forged, they didn’t have to fawn over craftsmen at a gathering like this. His offer had been sincere, nothing more.

The Ninth Prince rose, bowed, and said, “Master Huoyang, I have a thousand-year life root. The age is modest, yet it should still be of some use.”

He produced the root for inspection. His tone was humble, but inwardly he was confident; in the Huoyin Dynasty, this counted as a top-tier vitality restorative.

Though weaker than ideal, the root could still add roughly ten years to Huoyang’s lifespan. He studied it, torn between desire and disappointment at its limited effect.

Then the tycoon—Second Avatar in disguise—spoke up. “Ten drops of Life Spring Water. Guarantees at least fifty years of vitality and heals every hidden injury in your body.”

Master Huoyang’s eyes lit up.

The onlookers gasped, praising the tycoon’s deep pockets; such treasure, and ten drops at once.

Huoyang wasted no time. “Do you have more? I’ll forge two artifacts for you, materials included.”

Second Avatar didn’t hesitate. “Make it twenty drops.”

“Done!” Huoyang agreed instantly.

Second Avatar stepped forward and produced two small vials, each holding ten drops.

Huoyang didn’t stand on ceremony; he uncorked one vial and downed all ten drops on the spot.

Everyone stared. A single drop could save a life—yet he had just swallowed ten. Waste didn’t begin to describe it.

Many waited eagerly, unfamiliar with Life Spring Water and curious about its effects.

Moments later, Master Huoyang smiled.

Hidden injuries were mending rapidly; vitality surged. The deep wrinkles of a man nearing eighty smoothed out before their eyes, as though the years were rolling backward. In minutes he looked decades younger.

These drops had been nurtured by Life Spirit Stones; their quality far surpassed ordinary Life Spring Water.

“Hahaha! This trip was worth it! I owe you one, old man!” Master Huoyang laughed.

Without waiting for the full display of power, he pocketed the remaining ten drops and tossed Second Avatar his token.

“Find me with this in three days.”

With that, he soared into the sky, returning home to refine the water in peace. Light as air, decades younger, brimming with strength, his mood couldn’t have been better.

Second Avatar tucked the token away and quietly withdrew.

The Ninth Prince could only sigh; royal coffers couldn’t compete with such rarities. He would have to court other master craftsmen. Life Spring Water—treasure enough to save a life—had stirred even his own desire.

Elder Heming also looked at the second clone, silently calculating what he could trade for a few drops of Life Spring Water

Everyone else stared at the second clone with naked envy. A few even sized him up, along with the demonic vine behind him, trying to gauge whether they could rob him. After a moment’s thought, most decided that a fat sheep like this would never travel with just one guard; no one dared make the first move

The inner-court elder of the Wan family broke into a smile. For them, Chen Huoyang’s restored vitality was a heaven-sent boon

He immediately came over and invited the second clone to stay after the exhibition for a private chat—clearly hoping to negotiate for more Life Spring Water

Ye Liuyun promptly gathered up the Demon-Thunder Bracers Lei Ming had once used and his own Nine-Dragon River-Landscape Cauldron, then had the Thieving Cat deliver them to the second clone. Along with the Great Desolation Bow, he hoped the clone could upgrade all three treasures if possible

With the second clone as precedent, other cultivators who owned valuable items began producing them, vying for the attention of the remaining three grandmasters

Elder Heming produced a golden pill—an Illusory-Tier Marrow Washing Pill—making every forging grandmaster’s heart skip a beat. His demand was simple: a True-Tier, ninth-grade pill cauldron in exchange

Madam Yao Feng offered nothing; relying on their formation advantages, the Yao family already collaborated frequently with the Chen family in forging, so there was no need to curry favor with alchemists here. He had come today merely to show support and enjoy the spectacle

The Ninth Prince stole the entire spotlight. He produced dual yin-yang beast-flames, a fist-sized chunk of five-colored body-refining stone, and a half-morphed blood-spirit demon. Those items alone rivaled what Ye Liuyun had prepared

Then he added a final touch: a jet-black Soul-Devil Flower

“Once refined, this flower lets your soul carry lethal toxins, granting resistance to soul attacks. You can also weaponize it to poison and annihilate an enemy’s soul directly.”

Even Ye Liuyun felt his heart race at the sight

The flower’s aura of soul-borne menace made everyone nearby shiver with dread

“These masters, feel free to choose whatever you like!” the Ninth Prince declared, brimming with confidence

“The royal house really is on another level,” Ye Liuyun admitted inwardly

Yet admiration didn’t stop him from competing

He could see the three forgers coveted those treasures, but Chen Lianyu clearly wanted no part of the Ninth Prince’s gifts—lest the prince cling to her again—so she fixed her gaze on Elder Heming’s Marrow Washing Pill.